Meanwhile, just outside the ward, Tim and Rei peeked through the slightly open door, despite Aron's firm orders for them to rest.
Tim leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his Solar Saber resting loosely at his side. "Didn't know the tough Commander Sheila could get all soft like that," he muttered, though his voice lacked its usual teasing tone.
Rei, standing next to him, watched the family scene with wide eyes. "It's... strong," she whispered. "Stronger than anything."
Tim glanced at her. "Stronger than Celestic Resonance?"
Rei didn't answer immediately. She just kept staring at the family, a faint, thoughtful smile on her lips.
Then, as if realizing how close they were standing - and how quiet the moment had grown - their eyes met.
For a split second, both of them remembered what happened back in the wastelands - the desperate hug, the way they admitted what they felt without fully meaning to.
And now, watching Aron and Sheila's bond, they both felt the awkwardness settle between them again.
Tim scratched the back of his head. "So, uh... guess we should head back before Aron catches us."
Rei quickly looked away. "Yeah... yeah, good idea."
But as they turned to leave, Tim couldn't help but sneak one more glance at Rei - and Rei, just for a moment, did the same.
Neither said anything.
But the feeling lingered - unspoken, undeniable.
_ _ _
The sun hung high over the Resistance's underground base, casting soft rays through the narrow openings in the ceiling, a small reminder of the world above.
Four days had passed since their harrowing escape from Yamark, and the once-crippled group had now regained their strength.
Dr. Aron's relentless treatments had done their work - Sheila, though still needing more time to fully recover, was at least stable enough to move around carefully.
In one of the base's open training areas, the sound of clashing weapons echoed.
Tim and Jim were locked in an intense spar, Tim wielding his Solar Saber with swift precision while Jim countered every strike with his Solun Lance. Their moves were fast, sharp, and almost mirror-like. Each dodge, each strike - equally matched.
Tim spun, bringing his Solar Saber down in a diagonal slash, only for Jim to block it with a clean parry.
"Not bad, bro," Tim smirked, sweat glistening on his brow.
Jim grinned.
With a swift feint, Jim forced Tim to jump back. Their spar finally ended in a draw as both lowered their weapons.
Before Tim could catch his breath, Rei stepped forward.
"Mind if I have a go?" Rei asked, her Lunar Crescent Hatchets spinning lightly in her hands.
Jim blinked, then shrugged. "Sure, but don't blame me if you can't keep up."
Their spar began - swift and brutal.
Rei was quick, almost too quick, her hatchets moving like twin crescent moons slashing through the air. Jim, to his surprise, found himself on the defensive more than once. Every time he thought he'd gained the upper hand, Rei countered - like a shadow following his every move.
Finally, they too ended their spar in a deadlock.
Jim panted, resting his lance on the ground. "Okay... why are my elder siblings this strong all of a sudden?"
Tim chuckled from the sidelines. "Guess we had some intense training arcs."
Rei simply crossed her arms, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
As the friendly banter went on, Jeromy's communicator buzzed. He pulled it out, his brow furrowing at the sight of the name flashing across the screen.
Edward.
He answered, and Edward's voice came through loud and clear.
"Jeromy, I need you back at Celestic Justice HQ. Some of our squad members are in desperate need of battle preparation - they lack the finesse only someone of your caliber can teach."
Jeromy let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.
The others noticed his expression instantly.
"What's up?" Tim asked.
Jeromy glanced at the group, his hesitation clear. But then, something inside him stirred - the call of training, the thrill of preparing warriors for battle.
He couldn't ignore it.
"I have to go," Jeromy finally said. "Edward needs me to train his squad for the upcoming battles. It's... something I can't turn down."
Jim raised an eyebrow. "So you're off on a journey now?"
Jeromy smirked. "Call it what you want - but yeah, looks like I'm heading out for a bit."
Sheila, sitting nearby with Aron tending to her still-healing wounds, nodded. "Do what you must, Jeromy. Just don't forget you have people waiting here too."
Jeromy chuckled softly. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Tim patted him on the back. "Guess we'll hold the fort till you're back. Try not to break all your trainees, alright?"
Jeromy grinned. "No promises."
With that, the group watched as Jeromy packed what little he needed - his Plasma Whip strapped securely to his side - and prepared to leave for his next mission.
Even as he left, the air around them grew heavier.
Tim and Rei sat side by side, the aftermath of their intense sparring still lingering in the air.
The soft glow of the Resistance base's lighting cast a warm hue across the walls, a brief moment of calm before the inevitable storm ahead.
Tim leaned back, resting his Solar Saber across his lap, trying to play it cool. He shot a glance at Rei, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"The battle ahead's gonna be tough," he said, voice steady but thoughtful. "But with you by my side, I'm sure we'll win."
Rei tilted her head, a small smile appearing, though her eyes held a flicker of concern.
Tim's smirk faded slightly. "But against Dark Void... that's a different story." He clenched his fist lightly. "If I ever face him, I'll fight till the end - even if it means... sacrificing myself. I can't let him destroy what we've built, not Soluna, not this Resistance."
His words hit Rei like a shockwave.
Her heart raced, and before she even realized what she was doing, she threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug.
"Don't you dare say that," she whispered, her voice wavering. "I don't want to lose you, Tim. Not now, not ever."
Tim blinked in surprise, his body stiff for a moment, before he relaxed into her grip. He could feel how hard she was holding him - like if she loosened her grip, he'd slip away.
He placed a hand on her back, his voice softer now. "Rei..."
Then, without thinking, he gently lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers. It was a bold move - but one filled with everything he'd held back.
When they finally pulled away, Rei's cheeks were flushed, but she didn't look away this time.
Tim grinned, his usual cocky demeanor breaking for a moment of sincerity. "I'm still here, okay? I'm not going anywhere."
Before Rei could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Well, this is a cozy scene."
They both flinched, pulling apart quickly - Dr. Aron stood at the entrance, arms crossed, an amused smile on his face.
Behind him, Sheila stepped forward, a slight limp in her walk but a firm presence nonetheless.
"Don't mind us," Sheila said dryly. "Just here to make sure you're not too... distracted."
Tim scratched the back of his neck, looking anywhere but at Aron. Rei, meanwhile, tried to maintain her composure, though the redness in her cheeks said otherwise.
But then Sheila's expression darkened.
"Listen, both of you," she said firmly. "I know you're strong - but what you faced back there with Blooma? That wasn't even close to what's coming."
Tim and Rei exchanged a glance.
"We know," Tim replied. "But we're getting stronger - we have to."
Sheila nodded but her eyes remained stern. "There's only one way you two can reach the level needed to even stand a chance against Blooma."
Tim's jaw tightened. "What is it?"
Sheila gestured for them to follow.
As they moved through the Resistance base, the air seemed to thicken - the deeper they went, the quieter it became. Finally, they arrived at a heavily reinforced room.
Standing at the entrance was Gravik - now with an official "job" as the Resistance's guide. He was fiddling with a small energy device but straightened up when he saw them.
"Hey," Gravik said, "guess I'm your escort."
Tim raised an eyebrow. "So the coward's found a purpose?"
Gravik shot him a glare but didn't argue. "Call me whatever - but I'm the one who's making sure you don't die in this hellish training."
Rei's eyes scanned the room - it was an intense training arena.
The walls were lined with glowing sigils of both Solar and Lunar energy, and in the center, a constantly shifting maze of sharp obstacles, plasma traps, and floating battle drones buzzed ominously.
Sheila crossed her arms. "This isn't just any training ground. This is where elite warriors push their limits - and fail. Even I wasn't able to pass it."
Tim took a step forward, his heart pounding. "And we're supposed to survive this?"
Sheila's gaze was unwavering. "Not just survive. If you two want to have any hope of defeating Blooma - you must conquer this place."
Rei's hands tightened around her hatchets. "And if we don't?"
Sheila's expression softened - just for a moment. "Then you'll never be strong enough to protect those you care about."
The room buzzed with tension.
Tim clenched his fists. "Then let's start."
Rei nodded. "We won't back down."
Sheila's voice was steady. "You'll be training individually - no help from each other. If you succeed, you'll unlock a new level of power - if you fail..."
Gravik smirked. "Well, let's just say you won't have to worry about Blooma after that."
The door to the training arena hissed open.
Tim and Rei exchanged one last look - not of fear, but of unspoken trust.
Then they stepped inside, the door sealing behind them.