Lunar Legacy: Rise Of The Beastlord

Jayden's room was filled with the faint scent of fresh soap and steam, the air still damp from his shower. His hair clung in silver streaks across his forehead, water dripping lazily down his chest as he stood barefoot, his towel tied loosely at his waist.

Cassandra strolled in as if she owned the place. No hesitation, no embarrassment, just a little laugh bubbling from her lips as her eyes swept the room.

"So this is what your room looks like," she said, her tone playful, almost as if she were giving a verdict. Her gaze flicked over the walls, the scattered books, the game console sitting under the display, then back to Jayden himself.

A smirk curved her lips. "Just as casual as I expected."

Jayden froze, half amused and half exasperated. He rubbed the back of his neck with a wry smile, not sure if that was supposed to be a compliment or a subtle jab.

"Thanks…" he said anyway, because really, what else could he say?

Cassandra wandered in deeper, uninvited, and plopped herself onto his bed, stretching one leg over the other with a grace that looked rehearsed yet effortless. Jayden strode to his wardrobe, pulling out a pair of black joggers, trying not to notice how at ease she looked sitting on his sheets.

"So, what are you doing here?" he asked, his tone casual but curious.

Cassandra scoffed dramatically, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "What, I can't visit a friend?" Then, as if remembering something, her lips curved into a sly grin. "And by friend, I mean Tasha and Jessica. Don't flatter yourself."

Jayden chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "So you didn't come to visit me. Even though I visit you all the time." he said with a playful sigh.

Cassandra scoffed. Her frown was sharp, almost pouty. "You never visit me. The only reason you come to my house is to see my mum. Or take her out on a date." she said, her tone sounding hurt… and something close to jealousy.

That made Jayden pause. He turned, one brow arched, lips tugging into a smile that dared her to keep going. "Do you not want me to? I could stop, you know. All you have to do is say the word." he muttered.

Cassandra tilted her head, chuckling softly, though her eyes flashed with something unspoken. "Stop what? Coming to my house… or hanging out with my mum?" she asked mockingly.

Jayden shrugged, holding the joggers in his hands like the answer didn't matter either way. "Depends on what you want."

For the first time, Cassandra hesitated. Her gaze lingered on him, longer than usual, before she looked away, her voice dropping a fraction. "I don't want you to stop coming to my house. But…" Her fingers fiddled with the hem of his blanket. "I want you to hang out with me. Not my mum."

Her last words were softer, fragile in a way she rarely allowed herself to sound. "It was the only reason I agreed to you being my bodyguard."

Jayden chuckled, though his chest tightened faintly at the honesty beneath her words. "Then maybe you should go out more," he said, keeping his tone light. "If you go out, then I'll have to go with you. That way, we'll hang out more."

Cassie rasped out a laugh, almost like she was embarrassed she hadn't thought of it first. "You think I haven't thought about that? My initial plan was to drag you with me every single day… to the mall, the arcade, the movies, the mall again… wherever I wanted. Every single day, every single week."

Her laugh faded, and a small sigh escaped her lips. "But if I did that, you wouldn't have any time for yourself. And that… wouldn't be fair."

Jayden turned, smiling faintly at her. "That's really thoughtful of you. But, you know…" he met her gaze directly, his words steady, deliberate "…I wouldn't mind hanging out with you every day."

The effect was immediate. Cassandra's face lit up like dawn, her cheeks tinged pink. Her lips parted slightly in disbelief. "Really?" she asked, her voice small, hopeful.

But then she frowned, suspicious again. "You're kidding me, aren't you?"

Jayden shook his head, earnest. "I'm not. I meant what I said. Most nights, I'm out hunting. But during the day I'm free. I spend hours researching random things, or playing video games with Jessica. And sometimes… it gets boring."

Cassandra let out a genuine laugh, eyes sparkling. "Wow. And here I thought you'd be out training or something."

Jayden chuckled. "Oh, I do train… just not in the normal way."

Her curiosity flared instantly. She leaned forward, eyes narrowing mischievously. "Oooh, and how do you train, hmm?"

Jayden smirked, turning back to his wardrobe, teasing her. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Cassandra's grin only widened. "Try me."

Jayden turned fully, his eyes catching hers, and with a deliberate calmness, he muttered;

"I kill."

For a beat, silence hung. Then Cassandra burst out laughing, clutching her stomach, tears springing to her eyes. "Hahahaha! Good one, Jayden. That was hilarious."

Jayden only smiled quietly, not correcting her.

She wiped a tear from her eye, still giggling. "Seriously though, how do you train? What's your secret?"

Jayden sighed, shaking his head. "I already told you." Then, more pointedly, he gestured toward the door. "Now be a dear and wait outside. I need to get dressed."

Cassie tilted her head, lips curling into a smirk. "And what if I don't want to wait outside?"

Jayden chuckled in disbelief. She was relentless. "Then could you at least turn around?"

She shrugged, all too casual. "Okay. If that's what you want." Her voice lingered on the last word, stretching it like taffy.

Jayden squinted at her, suspicious, but decided not to press it. He gripped the knot of his towel, ready to undo it.. until his eyes flicked to the mirror across the room.

And there she was. Cassandra, pretending to face away, but her gaze locked squarely on his reflection. Her lips curved into the most unapologetic, knowing smirk.

Jayden groaned under his breath, suppressing a laugh. "You're unbelievable."

Cassandra blinked innocently, giggling. "What? I didn't do anything. You told me to turn." she said.

Jayden shook his head, chuckling, grabbing his clothes and heading toward the bathroom. "Yeah… and now I'm starting to regret it." He paused at the doorway, glancing back at her with mock annoyance. "Be back in a sec."

Cassandra leaned back on his bed, arms folded, her expression suddenly bored. "Just hurry up. You're keeping us waiting."

Jayden froze halfway into the bathroom, turning his head. "Us?"

Cassandra's brows furrowed like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Yeah. Us." she said. "Me, Tasha, Jessica… y'know, the same girls you promised to train with on Fridays."

The realization hit Jayden like a stone. His eyes widened, then he slapped a hand to his forehead. "Oh... I completely forgot about that." he admitted.

Cassandra chuckled triumphantly, her laughter like bells. "I knew you would. That's why I came."

Jayden smiled in spite of himself. "Thanks for reminding me." he muttered.

Cassandra scoffed, crossing her arms tighter. "Don't flatter yourself. I didn't come to remind you. I came to make sure you don't bail." Her eyes glinted. "Now hurry up and get dressed."

Jayden shook his head, laughing under his breath. "Alright, alright. I'll be right back." he chuckled.

Then he disappeared into the bathroom, and when he emerged moments later, dressed in his joggers and a fitted black shirt, Cassandra was already standing, waiting.

The two of them left the room together, the playful tension still hanging between them like an unspoken secret.

......

The stairs creaked softly under Jayden's and Cassandra's weight as they descended together, side by side. The faint morning light streamed through the tall windows of the living room, cutting golden beams across the wooden floor and illuminating dust motes that drifted lazily in the air. The room was warm, alive... Jessica sprawled lazily on the couch with a smug grin plastered across her face the moment she spotted them.

"Well, well, well," she teased, voice dripping with mischief. "Took you two long enough. What were you doing up there? Picking curtains?"

Cassandra smirked without missing a beat, her sharp tongue ready. "Don't look at me. Jayden was the one who couldn't decide where he wanted to get dressed." she said with a knowing smirk.

Jayden let out a soft chuckle, scratching the back of his head like he'd been caught. "Guess I'll take that one." he crossed the room casually and dropped into the seat beside Tasha, who looked up from her tablet with a bright smile. Their eyes met, and for a moment the world slowed.. just the simple warmth of two people exchanging a greeting that meant more than it looked on the surface.

"Morning," she said, her tone warm, layered with familiarity.

"Morning," Jayden returned, a small, genuine smile pulling at his lips.

Cassandra flopped down beside Jessica with a graceful thud, stretching out like she owned the space. "So," she began, arching a brow and twirling a strand of hair around her finger, "How's this gonna go?"

Tasha leaned forward, elbows on her knees, her expression suddenly serious, strategic. "Well, I was thinking... we all need to sharpen our abilities. But not just that. We need extra skills... martial arts, tactical combat. And each of us should master at least one weapon." she stated.

Jessica immediately groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. "That sure is a lot on your agenda, Captain."

Tasha laughed, a quick and bright sound. "No it's not. And besides, it'll be easier with Jayden and Cassie here. They're already skilled in martial arts. They could teach us a thing or two." she said.

Cassandra casually brushed a strand of hair back. "I'm fine with this. I've already got some experience with the blade. Mostly rapiers." she said with a smug smile.

"Perfect," Tasha replied with a grin that hinted at opportunity. "Then maybe you could teach me a thing or two about swords."

Cassandra shrugged lightly, a flicker of pride dancing in her eyes. "No problem. But I do want to learn to use a spear." Her gaze flicked toward Jayden when she said it, her lips curling into a smile. He caught the look, answering with his own small, knowing smile.

Jessica crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks. "Good for you, Cassie. At least you've got a weapon you're good with. I, on the other hand, have no mastery in anything. Unless you're counting catapults and water pistols." she chuckled.

Cassandra chuckled. "Then maybe you'll be good with an actual pistol. Or maybe, a bow." she suggested.

"That's actually not a bad idea," Tasha agreed thoughtfully. "I know someone who's really skilled with a gun."

Jessica squinted suspiciously. "Please don't say Dad." she groaned.

Tasha burst into laughter, holding up her hands in mock innocence. "You don't have a choice, sis."

Jessica groaned, collapsing back into the couch. "Fine. Guess I'll take shooting lessons from Dad. Yay." she muttered with a sarcastic glint. "And it's not like anyone's gonna teach me how to use those wind fan-blade thingies."

Tasha raised her brows, her laugh bubbling up again. "It's called a Tessen, or war-fan. And don't forget, you were the one who picked it. No one forced you." she giggled.

Jessica flailed her arms dramatically. "I only picked them because they looked cool! And besides, Kitana made them look so effortless… I thought it'd be as easy."

That sent Cassandra into full-blown laughter, clutching her stomach. "Of course Kitana uses them flawlessly. She's a game character!"

The whole room erupted, Tasha giggling, Cassandra laughing, and Jayden letting out a low chuckle. He had been leaning back since the start of their conversation, watching the exchange unfold like a spectator at a comedy show, warmth flickering in his eyes.

Jessica pouted, cheeks flushed pink. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. You can all shut up now."

Her protest only triggered another round of laughter. Cassie nearly toppled over, Tasha had tears in her eyes, and even Jayden was smirking harder than he meant to.

Jessica folded her arms with a huff, puffing out her cheeks like an annoyed kid.

But then... Knock knock knock.

Three sharp knocks at the door.

The sound froze the room mid-laughter. Their heads all turned toward the front door in perfect unison. The laughter hung in the air like smoke.

"I'll get it," Tasha said, rising smoothly to her feet. Her footsteps were light but firm as she moved across the room, and when she pulled the door open...

Standing on the other side was a teenage girl. Blonde hair framed her face in neat layers, her yellow-framed glasses catching the morning light. She wore a cropped black top, fitted leggings, and a yellow short jacket that hugged her slender yet athletic frame. White sneakers grounded her, but the confidence she carried lifted her presence above casual.

Every eye in the room locked on her. Recognition clicked instantly. It was Aileen, the student council vice president.

"Hey, Tasha." she said

Tasha's face brightened with delight. "Good morning, Aileen. Come in." She stepped aside, swinging the door open wider.

Aileen smiled warmly, though there was a softness in her eyes, a shy undertone to her confidence. "Thanks." she said, stepping into the living room.

The atmosphere shifted.. subtly, but undeniably. Jayden, Jessica, and Cassandra's gazes followed her with curiosity. She greeted them with a small, polite wave. "Hi, guys."

Jessica and Cassandra waved back in easy familiarity. "Hey, Aileen."

Then Cassandra raised a brow, sharp and playful. "What brings you here? Don't tell me it's about school or the student council."

Aileen laughed softly, shaking her head. "Oh, no. Actually, I'm here for..." She paused, glancing at Tasha for backup.

Tasha stepped forward, her smile carrying a spark of mischief. "I invited her to join us in our training."

The room fell silent. Shock painted itself across three faces. They were all confused.

"She's going to be joining us in this year's global tournament," Tasha clarified, the weight of her words dropping like a stone into still water.

Jayden's eyes narrowed slightly. Cassandra's lips parted. Jessica leaned forward, disbelief etched in every line of their faces.

Their collective gaze snapped back to Aileen, waiting, demanding the truth from her lips.

Aileen laughed nervously, fidgeting slightly. "Um, yes... it's true." she said.

"I plan to take part in the tournament with you guys this year."

The silence that followed was deafening.