Two days later...
The past forty-eight hours had been a blur of controlled chaos.
Jayden had thrown himself into hunting with single-minded focus, tracking down beasts in the northern forests and grinding experience points like his life depended on it. And currently, he’d amassed almost enough exp to level up.
He’d also spent hours practicing pyrokinesis, pushing past the initial friction-based thod until he could generate flas through pure will and energy manipulation. The breakthrough had co yesterday evening—a small fla dancing in his palm without any need for size manipulation to jumpstart it.
That was tangible progress.
But it did nothing to fill the hollow ache in his chest every ti he thought about Cassandra.
Now, Saturday morning, Jayden was jogging back from the park after completing his daily quests. His body moved on autopilot, feet hitting the pavent in steady rhythm, but his mind was elsewhere.
"She still hasn’t answered any of my ssages."
"Maybe I should just go to her house. Try one more ti."
"But Tasha said to give her space..."
The internal argunt had been playing on loop for two days straight, and Jayden was no closer to a resolution.
He reached the house, let himself in quietly, and headed straight for the shower. The hot water did little to ease the tension in his shoulders, but at least it washed away the sweat from his morning run.
Breakfast was a quiet affair. Jacob was already at work. Harleen was out running errands. Jessica was still asleep—it was Saturday, after all. Only Tasha was up, sitting at the kitchen counter with a cup of coffee and her holo-tab.
She looked up when Jayden entered, her expression softening. "Morning."
"Morning," Jayden replied, grabbing so cereal and milk.
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Tasha spoke again.
"You’re still thinking about her."
It wasn’t a question.
Jayden didn’t bother denying it. "Yeah."
Tasha nodded slowly. "Give it ti, Jayden. I know it’s hard, but pushing right now will only make things worse."
"I know," Jayden muttered, stirring his cereal without really eating it. "I just... I hate this. Not knowing if she’s okay. If she—" He cut himself off, shaking his head.
Tasha reached over and squeezed his hand. "She’ll co around. I promise."
Jayden managed a weak smile, but the reassurance felt hollow.
After breakfast, he retreated to his room and collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. His holo-tab sat on his nightstand, taunting him. He could send another ssage. Just one more. Maybe this ti she’d—
No.
Tasha was right. Cassandra needed space.
But that didn’t make it any easier.
Jayden groaned and ran his hands through his silver hair, frustration bubbling up inside him like a volcano ready to erupt. He needed to do sothing. Anything to get his mind off this endless loop of regret and guilt.
That’s when the idea struck him.
The Pod Den.
He could blow off so steam, test out his newly mastered pyrokinesis in combat scenarios, and maybe—just maybe—stop thinking about Cassandra for a few hours.
Jayden sat up, grabbed his jacket, and headed out.
.....
The Pod Den was already busy at this ti of the day.... everyone were busy testing their limits in prep for the upcoming tournant.
Jayden walked through the entrance, made his transaction at the reception, and made his way to an assigned pod. The sleek, egg-shaped chamber opened with a soft hiss, revealing the padded interior and neural interface helt.
He climbed in, settled into the seat, and logged in to EverRealm. The world went dark for a mont before the virtual environnt loaded. He first appeared in his lobby before selecting a random match.
He was instantly transported to the arena—a circular platform surrounded by a shimring energy barrier, floating in a void of stars. His opponent materialized on the opposite side: a tall, broad-shouldered man wielding a massive warhamr.
3... 2... 1... FIGHT!
Jayden moved.
His opponent charged, swinging the warhamr in a wide arc. Jayden sidestepped easily, his enhanced reflexes making the attack look sluggish. He closed the distance, ducked under a second swing, and drove his fist into the opponent’s gut.
The man staggered back, and Jayden followed up with a spinning kick that sent the warhamr flying out of reach. Then he raised his hand, focused his will, and—
FWOOSH.
A fireball the size of a basketball erupted from his palm and slamd into his opponent’s chest, engulfing them in flas. The man scread as his avatar slowly disintegrated.
[KO – ORION WINS!]
Jayden barely registered the notification before initiating the next match.
And for the next hour, he tore through opponent after opponent with ruthless efficiency.
A speedster who tried to outmaneuver him... Jayden predicted the movent pattern and caught them with a flaming uppercut.
A defensive tank with energy shields... Jayden superheated the air around them until the shields overloaded and collapsed.
A ranged sniper keeping their distance... Jayden launched a barrage of fireballs that forced them into close quarters, where his superior hand-to-hand combat ended the fight in seconds.
Every victory was flawless. Clinical. Detached.
He wasn’t even enjoying it. He was just... going through the motions. Letting his body fight while his mind remained trapped in that endless loop of guilt and regret.
Eventually Jayden returned to his lobby to take a break. But as he did, a notification popped up.
[Valkyrie has invited you to the arena]
[Oi, wanna play?]
Jayden blinked, his focus snapping back to the present. A small smile tugged at his lips—the first genuine one in days.
Ava.
He accepted without hesitation.
The lobby shifted, transforming into a more elaborate arena—a ruined colosseum with crumbling pillars and scattered debris. And standing in the center, her avatar clad in casual clothing, was Ava.
Her avatar’s face broke into a wide grin as Jayden materialized across from her.
"There you are!" she called out, her voice cheerful and warm even through the VR interface. "I was starting to think you’d forgotten about ."
"Never," Jayden replied, his tone lighter than it had been all morning. "Just been... busy."
Ava’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying him even from across the arena. "Busy beating up newbies, from the looks of your match history. Thirty wins in a row? What’s got you so worked up?"
"Nothing," Jayden said quickly. Too quickly.
Ava’s grin faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "Uh-huh. Sure." She crossed her arms. "You look like shit, by the way. Well, your avatar looks fine, but I can tell the real you looks like shit."
Despite everything, Jayden almost laughed. "Thanks. Really feeling the love here."
"Co on," Ava said, her tone softening. "What’s going on?"
"I’m just hungry," Jayden deflected. "Haven’t eaten much today."
Ava stared at him for a long mont, clearly not buying it. Then she shrugged. "Alright. If you say so." She unfolded her hands and dropped into a fighting stance. "How about this: hand-to-hand only. No abilities. No powers. Just pure martial arts. Sound good?"
Jayden nodded, simply just grateful for the distraction. "Yeah. I can work with that."
Ava smirked. "Lovely. Let’s make it official then." Then she clapped once.
The Ai system chid imdiately.
[Special Rules Activated: No Abilities]
3... 2... 1... FIGHT!
The buzzer sounded, and they moved.
Ava ca in fast, her fighting style a blend of precision strikes and acrobatic maneuvers. She led with a jab-cross combination that Jayden blocked, then spun into a high kick aid at his head.
Jayden ducked, stepped in close, and drove his elbow toward her ribs.
Ava twisted, narrowly avoiding the strike, and countered with a knee to his midsection. Jayden caught her leg, swept her standing foot, and sent her to the ground—
But Ava rolled with the fall, used the montum to spring back to her feet, and imdiately launched into another attack.
They traded blows back and forth, neither gaining a clear advantage. Ava was giving it her all. Her technique was sharp, her movents fluid. But sothing was off.
Jayden wasn’t putting in as much effort. It was as though his mind was elsewhere.
Every ti Ava got him into a vulnerable position—a strike to the throat, a sweep to take out his legs, a grapple that could have ended the match—she hesitated. Pulled back just slightly. Gave him an opening to recover.
But he kept making the sa mistakes. He was clearly out of it.
After the third ti it happened, Ava stopped mid-attack and stepped back, frustration clear on her face.
"Okay, that’s it," she said, dropping her guard completely. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"What are you talking about?" Jayden asked, breathing hard.
"You’re fighting like you’re half-asleep!" Ava gestured at him with both hands. "You’re not focused. You’re leaving openings you’d normally never leave. I’ve had you dead to rights three tis already, and you didn’t even try to counter properly. So I’m asking again: what’s going on?"
"Nothing," Jayden insisted.
Ava scoffed. "Bullshit. You think I was born bloody yesterday?"
They stared at each other across the arena. Then Ava’s expression softened, and a knowing smile crept onto her face.
"Oh," she said, her tone shifting to sothing almost teasing. "Oh, I get it now."
Jayden blinked. "Get what?"
Ava chuckled. "It’s a girl, innit?"
Jayden’s jaw clenched. He looked away.
Ava’s smile widened. "It is a girl! I knew it!" She walked over and punched his shoulder—gently. "Co on, Jay. Spill. What happened?"
For a mont, Jayden considered deflecting again. But what was the point? Ava was one of the few people who actually knew what he was. Who he could be honest with.
He sighed heavily and sat down on a piece of broken pillar. "I ssed up. Did sothing that hurt soone I care about. And now she won’t talk to ."
Ava sat down beside him, letting out a sigh. "What did you do?"
Jayden face flushed. He looked away instantly. "It... It’s complicated."
Ava chuckled. "Try ."
Jayden hesitated, then gave her the abbreviated version—went on a date with Penelope and overlooked Cassandra’s feelings. He left out the specifics, but Ava filled in the blanks easily enough.
When he finished, Ava was quiet for a mont. Then she said, "You really are an idiot sotis, you know that?"
"Thanks," Jayden muttered.
"I’m serious." Ava turned to face him fully. "Look, Jay. I get it. You’ve got walls. You keep people at arm’s length because it’s safer that way. But you can’t live like that forever. At so point, you have to let people in. Really in. Not just surface-level friendship, but the real you. The ssy, complicated, scared-shitless you."
"She doesn’t want to see ," Jayden said quietly.
"Then show her you’re sorry," Ava replied. "Not with words. With actions. Be there for her. Support her. Prove that you care, even if she’s not ready to forgive you yet. And when she is ready... open up. Tell her the truth. All of it."
Jayden looked at her. "What if she doesn’t forgive ?"
"Then at least you tried," Ava said simply. "But sitting here wallowing in self-pity? That’s not going to fix anything. So get off your arse, go talk to her, and stop being such a pussy."
Despite everything, Jayden smiled. "You really don’t hold back, do you?"
"Nope." Ava grinned and stood up, offering him a hand. "Now co on. Let’s finish this fight properly. And this ti, I won’t hold back."
Jayden smirked. "I wouldn’t expect anything less."
......
An hour later, Jayden logged out of the Pod Den feeling lighter than he had in days. The fights with Ava had helped clear his head, and her advice—blunt as it was—made sense.
He needed to go to Cassandra. Talk to her. Try to fix this, even if she wasn’t ready to listen yet.
Jayden stepped out of the Pod Den into the afternoon sunlight, pulled out his hoverbike glove, and activated it. The device humd softly, projecting a holographic outline of his bike that solidified into physical form within seconds. The sleek black hoverbike materialized fully, hovering a few inches off the ground.
He swung his leg over it, engaged the ignition, and set course for the Isley Estate.
"Okay," he thought as the bike lifted off. "Ti to make this right."
User Comments
0 comments from readers