The next morning, the air in the Resistance base was thick with focus. With Deadbeat's awakening inching closer by the day, there was no time to waste.
Jeromy, his arms crossed and a rare smile tugging at his lips, admitted something surprising:
"Sheila surpassed me years ago," he said plainly. "That's why you two will strategize with her from now on."
Tim's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? You're the ex-champion of the Celestic Tournament!"
Jeromy chuckled. "And she's the one who could beat me."
Rei blinked, still processing that the daring, battle-hardened woman in front of her wasn't just a skilled fighter - she was a warrior strong enough to outshine even Jeromy.
Sheila just smirked. "Don't look so shocked, kid. I'm not a commander of the Resistance just because of my good looks."
Dr. Aron, with a tired but amused sigh, added, "She's always been... persistent."
Sheila winked at him. "You love me for it."
Their kids, Darren and Maria, giggled.
With that they headed towards a personal room inside the base which was the family room.
_ _ _
The room was surprisingly warm and cozy - a stark contrast to the harsh battles they all faced daily. It was a rare glimpse of normalcy.
Darren and Maria, clearly used to their parents' banter, soon turned their attention to Tim and Rei.
"Hey! Want to play with us?" Darren asked boldly.
Tim grinned. "Oh, you bet I do!"
Rei, hesitant at first, found herself roped into a simple game the kids had created - something between tag and hide-and-seek - and for a few fleeting moments, there was only laughter.
Tim chased the giggling kids around the room, making exaggerated movements and mock "battle stances," while Rei, trying to maintain her usual composed demeanor, ended up smiling despite herself as Maria tugged at her hand to join in.
For the first time, the children weren't just soldiers' kids in a war-torn world - they were simply kids.
Even Rei felt a strange sense of relief during the game - a feeling of... belonging.
But the brief escape didn't last long.
Once the kids grew tired, everyone gathered to talk about what mattered most: Deadbeat.
Tim described the battle he had with the Cannibal Deadbeat in detail - from the brutal attacks to the final, mysterious surge of energy that forced Deadbeat to retreat.
Sheila's brow furrowed in thought as she listened carefully. "That unknown power... it sounds like a Celestic Blast."
Tim blinked. "A what now?"
Sheila leaned forward. "A Celestic Blast is a rare, incredibly powerful attack. It only happens when two Celestic Warriors with opposite personalities synchronize their thoughts, emotions, and powers perfectly. It's not something you can just do by force - it takes a deep connection."
Tim and Rei exchanged bewildered looks.
They asked in unison. "Celestic Warriors? What are they?"
Sheila said. "You're what we call Celestic Warriors — because you can transform, adapt, and resemble the Solar and Lunar Lords from the old legends. Jeromy figured it out after meeting Tim.
Our group of scientists after preparing data about you guys, came up with a new breakthrough analyzing a scenario if two worked together as one, what is the potential. That's how they discovered Celestic Blast."
"Ok, but we didn't have any physical contact during the fight," Tim pointed out.
Sheila smirked. "There's another way. If there's a strong enough emotional bond... sometimes, even contact with blood can trigger the effect."
Tim's mind raced back to the moment in battle - Rei's blood had been on his hands, his heart pounding with fear for her life. Was that the connection?
Realizing this, he spoke up. "That must be it. I had Rei's blood on me... and I was thinking about how I couldn't let her die."
Rei glanced away awkwardly. "I didn't ask for you to worry about me."
Tim smirked. "Guess it was instinct."
Sheila interrupted, "Regardless, if you want to use that power again, it's not as simple as bleeding on each other."
Tim laughed. "Darn."
Sheila continued. "Your powers have to be perfectly balanced. Tim, your strength leans on the Solar side - White Solar Warrior - while Rei's is tied to the Lunar side - Black Lunar Warrior. The problem is... you two aren't equal in power."
Rei stiffened.
Tim looked surprised. "Wait - you mean I'm stronger?"
Sheila nodded. "Right now, yes. And a Celestic Blast won't work unless both warriors' powers are completely in sync - equal, no more, no less."
Rei's jaw clenched. "Then we fix it. Train me until I'm at his level."
Sheila grinned. "That's the spirit."
The next three days were brutal.
Sheila pushed Rei to her absolute limits - forcing her to match Tim's newer techniques learned from Jeromy. The two trained from dawn until midnight, practicing counterattacks and control over their respective Solar and Lunar powers.
Rei learned to sharpen her precision - balancing offense and defense - while Tim was tasked with helping her perfect their joint attacks by adapting his movements in real-time to match hers.
Rei, despite not fully healed, showed why she was a fast learner.
By the end of the third day, Sheila measured Rei's power against Tim's.
"She's there," Sheila confirmed, smirking with pride. "Rei's caught up to you, Tim."
Tim was stunned. "Already? It took me weeks to get here..."
Sheila chuckled. "She's quicker than you. Get over it."
Tim groaned dramatically. "Great, now she's gonna hold this over my head forever."
Rei smirked. "Count on it."
But the hardest part came next: learning synchronization.
It wasn't just about their strength - Sheila made it clear they needed to match their thoughts, movements, and even emotions.
If Tim hesitated, Rei had to pick up on it immediately.
If Rei charged ahead, Tim had to follow without missing a beat.
They sparred blindfolded, relying only on sensing each other's energy. They practiced mirroring each other's attacks until their movements flowed like a single person fighting with two sets of hands.
At one point, their frustration boiled over - Tim accusing Rei of being too stiff, and Rei snapping that Tim was too reckless.
It seemed hopeless.
But on the fiftth day - something finally clicked.
During a final exercise, Sheila ordered them to combine their Solar and Lunar powers in a single strike.
Tim's blazing light clashed with Rei's deep darkness - and for a moment, their opposing energies struggled, twisting and writhing against each other.
But then -
Their emotions aligned - anger, fear, determination - all aimed at the same enemy.
Tim reached out - his hand brushing Rei's blood-stained wrist from their sparring match - and in that moment... their powers fused.
A brilliant surge of energy burst forth - a spiral of white and black flames - forming a controlled, powerful Celestic Blast.
The explosion rattled the room - but this time, it was focused, not wild like before.
Sheila shielded her eyes from the flash. "There it is."
Sheila, with a grin, crossed her arms. "You two remind me of someone."
Dr. Aron, catching on, groaned. "Don't say it."
Sheila smirked. "You're like me and Aron back in the day."
Aron, thoroughly embarrassed, muttered, "Why do I even talk to you?"
Tim and Rei blushed at the comparison.
Rei (grumbling): "We're nothing like you two."
Sheila (laughing): "Sure, sure. Deny it all you want."
Aron, embarrassed, rubbed the back of his head.
Maria (teasing): "Mom, Dad, are Tim and Rei gonna get married too?"
Both Tim and Rei froze.
Darren laughed.
Darren: "If they keep blushing like that, maybe!"
The room erupted in laughter, leaving Tim and Rei speechless
The kids cheered, loving every second of the chaos.
But as the laughter died down, Sheila's voice grew serious again.
"You've got the power," she said. "But remember - the Celestic Blast takes everything out of you. It's your last resort. Use it wisely."
Tim and Rei exchanged a nod - their bond stronger than ever.