Just as the tension in the room started to ease, the door creaked open.
A familiar voice echoed through the medical wing:
Jeromy: "What, did you all really think a few tendrils would be enough to kill me?"
Everyone turned to see Jeromy standing in the doorway — his body heavily bandaged, his clothes tattered, but his smirk as unyielding as ever.
Jim's eyes widened.
Jim: "Jeromy?! You're alive?!"
Jeromy stepped inside, clutching his side but trying to play it cool.
Jeromy: "What, you thought I was gonna let some emo tentacle lady finish me off? If I died like that, I'd be a laughingstock."
Despite the obvious pain in his movements, he flashed a grin — his trademark cocky confidence not shaken one bit.
Jim's relief was clear, though.
Jim: "Glad you made it, Jeromy... you really saved me out there."
Jeromy crossed his arms, wincing slightly from his injuries.
Jeromy: "Yeah, well... you owe me one. Don't let yourself get captured like that again."
Everyone shared a brief laugh, the tension slowly beginning to lift, even as the gravity of their injuries remained.
Tim and Rei were placed in beds, their bodies still radiating faint traces of Celestic energy from their final attack. Jim, Heatsun, and Moonsalt stayed close, while Jeromy leaned against the wall, still acting nonchalant but clearly keeping an eye on everyone.
Despite the exhaustion, despite the pain — a sense of victory hung in the air.
Soluna was safe.
Blooma was gone.
And Tim and Rei, the White Solar Warrior and the Black Lunar Warrior, had proven they were the protectors Soluna could always count on.
The Morning After the Battle
The sun of Soluna rose slowly, casting a golden glow over Heatsun's base.
The atmosphere inside was heavy — a strange mix of relief and exhaustion. Though they had won the battle against Blooma, the scars it left on their bodies and minds were undeniable.
Jim lay on a medical bed, his stomach wrapped in thick bandages, the dark tendril wound having taken a toll. Next to him, Jeromy leaned back in another bed, his cocky demeanor slightly dimmed by the sheer pain he tried to hide.
Tim and Rei were in separate beds too — their Celestic Resonance still faintly pulsing from the aftermath of their final attack. Their injuries were less critical but their bodies were undeniably worn out from both Blooma's battle and the brutal training they had endured.
The quiet was suddenly shattered.
BAM!
The front door slammed open.
Sheila stormed inside, her combat boots clanking against the metal floor. Her fierce gaze immediately swept the room, her crimson hair practically flaring with intensity.
Heatsun, already on edge, jerked upright.
Heatsun: "What in Soluna's name—"
When he saw Sheila, his shoulders dropped in relief.
Heatsun: "Sheila... it's just you."
Sheila: (grinning slightly) "Expecting someone else, Heatsun?"
Trailing right behind her was Dr. Aron, holding a medical kit, his expression calm but focused.
Heatsun blinked in surprise.
Heatsun: "Wait—Dr. Aron? How did you even know who was injured?"
Sheila crossed her arms, tilting her head smugly.
Sheila: "You forget, Heatsun — the Resistance spy cameras. We watched everything unfold, from Jim's desperate battle, to Tim and Rei's final attack."
Aron nodded, adjusting his gloves.
Aron: "We saw it all... and judging by the state of everyone here, it's clear who needs urgent care."
His eyes swept the room, immediately stopping on Jim and Jeromy.
Aron: "I'll start with the most critical."
He strode over to Jim first, gently unwrapping the bandages to reveal the dark, sinister wound on his stomach. It was a gruesome sight — the tendrils' corruption still faintly pulsing around the edges.
Jim winced but tried to play it off.
Jim: "I've had worse... probably."
Aron ignored the bravado, his equipments glowing with a soft, calming light.
Aron: "Hold still. This won't hurt... much."
As Aron began to work on drawing out the dark energy from Jim's wound, Sheila walked over to Jeromy.
Her sharp eyes narrowed as she examined the deep tendril piercings across his torso and arms.
Sheila: "So... my mentor is just as reckless as me."
Jeromy smirked, even through the pain.
Jeromy: "Would you expect anything less?"
Sheila chuckled, shaking her head.
Sheila: "No... but next time, Jeromy, try not to get impaled, yeah?"
Jeromy gave a playful shrug, wincing as the movement tugged at his wounds.
Jeromy: "I'll add it to my to-do list."
Heatsun, watching the exchange, let out a small laugh — a rare moment of levity after the horrors they had just faced.
Once Aron stabilized Jim, he moved over to Tim and Rei. Unlike Jim and Jeromy, their injuries weren't as critical — the bulk of their pain came from extreme exhaustion and the lingering strain of channeling their Celestic Resonance at full power.
Aron examined them both carefully.
Aron: "Your wounds are mostly internal — severe muscle strain and Celestic energy backlash. Nothing I can't handle."
Tim, still tired but alert, smirked weakly.
Tim: "Guess we overdid it."
Rei nodded, her voice hoarse.
Rei: "That final attack... pushed us further than we thought."
Aron began his treatment, using his laser torch(medical equipment) to gently restore balance to their Celestic energy.
It was a delicate process — unlike Jim's dark wound, their injuries were more spiritual, tied directly to the raw power they had unleashed. He still said that they have to rest a lot. That way, they will be fully healed as they are far stronger now after that training. Sheila said there injuries will be healed automatically if they rest.
As Aron worked, Henry and Marie entered the room, both visibly relieved to see Tim and Rei conscious.
Henry: "Tim... Rei... you really did it."
Marie, her voice soft with emotion:
Marie: "We always knew you were strong, but this..."
Heatsun crossed his arms, nodding solemnly.
Heatsun: "They're on a whole new level now."
Even Moonsalt, still worried for Jim, gave Tim and Rei a proud smile.
As the healing session continued, there was a strange quiet in the air — a calm after the storm of battle.
But that calm felt... fragile.
Heatsun, standing near a window, gazed out at the Soluna sky, his mind already drifting to the next threat — to Dark Void.
Sheila, sensing the weight on his shoulders, leaned against the wall beside him.
Sheila: "We won this battle... but you know this isn't over."
Heatsun's jaw tightened.
Heatsun: "No... it's not."
In the center of the room, Tim and Rei exchanged a glance — both of them exhausted, but their resolve burning brighter than ever.
Jim, despite his pain, stared at his parents and his friends — realizing how much stronger they had all become... but also how much more they still had to endure.
And Jeromy, leaning back on his bed, simply closed his eyes and muttered:
Jeromy: "Round one's done... but round two's gonna be a hell of a fight."
The Next Day
After a full day of recovery, Tim and Rei were finally stirring — the exhaustion of their brutal Celestic training and the intense battle against Blooma beginning to lift.
Tim blinked his eyes open first, his body still sore but undeniably lighter. He clenched his fist, feeling the amplified Celestic Resonance coursing through him — more stable now, more powerful than ever.
Tim: "Huh... guess we made it."
A soft groan beside him caught his attention — Rei was waking up too. She stretched slightly, wincing at the sore muscles but smiling faintly.
Rei: "Still alive, huh?"
Tim chuckled.
Tim: "Barely."
Just then, the door slid open.
Heatsun and Moonsalt stepped in first, their expressions a mix of relief and admiration.
Heatsun: "Look who finally decided to wake up."
Moonsalt smiled warmly.
Moonsalt: "We were worried... but it looks like you've both passed your biggest test yet."
Before Tim or Rei could respond, Jim entered the room — moving slowly, his stomach still bandaged, but clearly eager to see them.
Jim: "You guys really know how to put on a show."
Tim smirked.
Tim: "What can I say? We like making an entrance."
Rei nodded, but her gaze softened when she saw Jim's bandaged wound.
Rei: "You should be resting, Jim."
Jim waved her concern off, though his movements were a bit stiff.
Jim: "I've had worse..."
Jeromy's voice cut in from the doorway.
Jeromy: "That's what he keeps saying, but I'm starting to think he just likes being dramatic."
Jeromy leaned against the frame, also bandaged but with his usual cocky grin.
Henry and Marie joined the group, standing proudly by Heatsun and Moonsalt.
Henry: "We watched everything... from the fight against Blooma to that final Celestic Blast."
Marie nodded.
Marie: "You two didn't just get stronger — you pushed past your limits."
Tim and Rei exchanged a look — they both felt it.
Heatsun: "The power you both unlocked — that was the result of your training."
Moonsalt: "And it's only going to grow stronger."
Tim, still flexing his hand, could feel the Celestic energy inside him, humming like a star ready to explode. Rei felt the same, her Lunar energy now sharper and more precise.
Tim: "We passed the test... but it feels like this was only the beginning."
Rei nodded.
Rei: "Blooma was strong... but Dark Void is on a whole different level."
Moments later, Sheila and Dr. Aron entered.
Sheila: "Glad to see you two back on your feet."
Dr. Aron, still calm and collected, gave a brief nod.
Aron: "Your recovery was faster than expected — a clear sign that your Celestic Resonance has evolved."
Sheila crossed her arms.
Sheila: "But don't get cocky. Blooma may be gone, but Dark Void's next move could be even worse."
Her words hung heavy in the air.
Jim: "We won the battle... but the war's just starting."
Tim clenched his Solar Saber, a new sense of purpose burning inside him.
Tim: "Then we'll be ready."
Rei's Lunar hatchets shimmered faintly in her hands.
Rei: "No matter what comes next."
Later That Day — Heatsun's Base Training Grounds
The sky above Soluna had dimmed into a soft golden hue, but there was no rest for Tim and Rei.
Despite the toll of their recent battle and the weight of their victory against Blooma, they were already back at it — training harder than ever.
The air crackled with energy as Tim's Solar Saber glowed fiercely, each swing radiating heat waves, while Rei's Lunar Hatchets shimmered with a dark aura as she practiced her throws.
In the center of the training grounds, they stood side by side, focusing their Celestic Resonance — aiming to amplify their Celestic Blast into something even stronger.
Tim: "We need to push it further, Rei... what we did against Blooma might not be enough for Dark Void."
Rei: "I know... we have to amplify it beyond its limit."
They clasped hands, forming a surge of Solar and Lunar energy swirling between them — the familiar glow of the Celestic Blast taking form. But instead of launching it, they kept feeding it energy — pushing it, shaping it.
The orb grew larger, brighter, but unstable — flickering violently like it could implode at any moment.
Suddenly — BOOM — the orb burst, sending both of them stumbling back.
Watching from the side, Jeromy, despite his bandages, chuckled.
Jeromy: "I gotta say... that was flashy. If you keep blowing up like that, Dark Void might just surrender from the light show."
Tim shot him a tired glare.
Tim: "I thought you were too injured to move, Jeromy."
Jeromy smirked, leaning against a wall for support.
Jeromy: "What can I say? I'm entertained."
But even behind the jokes, there was admiration in his voice. He wasn't just watching — he was learning — seeing how far the two Celestic Warriors had come.
Sheila stepped forward, her commanding presence silencing Jeromy's banter.
Sheila: "You two are overloading the blast with too much raw energy."
Tim and Rei looked at her, still breathing heavily.
Sheila: "Power isn't everything — control is what separates a strong attack from a devastating one."
She gestured to the spot where the blast had exploded.
Sheila: "The Celestic Blast works because your Solar and Lunar Resonances are balanced. If you force too much energy without control, it collapses."
Rei wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Rei: "So we have to focus not just on power... but precision."
Sheila nodded.
Sheila: "Exactly. You've already surpassed me — I couldn't even clear the fifth level of that training. But raw strength won't be enough against Dark Void."
Tim's eyes sharpened.
Tim: "Then teach us how to control it."
From the back, Dr. Aron observed quietly. Finally, he spoke.
Aron: "It's not just about control... it's about survival."
Everyone turned to him.
Aron: "Right now, you two are Soluna's last hope. No one else has the power to stand against Dark Void."
His words weighed heavily in the air.
Aron: "If you don't master the Celestic Blast... no one else can."
Tim's jaw tightened, the reality of the situation sinking in. Rei's fingers instinctively gripped her hatchets tighter.
Without hesitation, Tim and Rei returned to their positions — standing side by side once again.
Tim: "Let's try again, Rei."
Rei: "This time — we control it."
They clasped hands once more — Solar and Lunar energy flaring to life. But now, instead of forcing their power, they synchronized — focusing on balance rather than intensity.
The Celestic Blast began to form — glowing brighter, but smoother — a steady, controlled sphere of raw Solar and Lunar energy.
Sheila watched closely, arms crossed, but a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Jeromy, for once, said nothing — his usual smirk replaced with quiet awe.
And Dr. Aron... his stern expression softened ever so slightly.