It was cold. There was a low and dull hum. It was so bright.

These three thoughts poured in from Jude’s senses. Next to wake were his muscles. The ached, as if he had been lifting weights that were far too heavy for him. When he woke he found it hard to move, his body just disobeyed.

Focus finally came to his vision and he pieced it together. The hum and brightness were from the LED lights that populated the room. The long bars spat out a pale light that bounced off the white walls giving the room the sterile feel. The cold air was courtesy of an air-conditioning unit in the corner.

Sitting up felt nauseating. His cloak had been draped over his bedsheets. His phone on the desk beside him.

The hospital room he was in was populated by him and one other. As he sat up his visitor spoke. “Hey bro, finally awake?” Jarvis said sullenly. He no longer had a shirt on, but bandages around his torso and a tracksuit jacket draped over his shoulders.

With a wince of pain Jude spoke, “What happened?”

“That depends on much you remember.”

“I remember using my new move on you.”

“Yeah and that’s what has caused this.” He pointed to the bandages.

“But... The dome.”

“So as soon as you hit me I got teleported out, but you somehow still burnt me. Also you destroyed the bubble with how much heat you used. So if you’re wondering why you feel like a train hit, then you got your answer.”

“Does it hurt?

“Not any more. They say it’ll leave a scar. You’re lucky I can somewhat heal myself, bro.” Jude laid back down in bed. Grabbing his phone to see the time. It was around 7:30 p.m., meaning he had been knocked out for close to four hours. He also quickly checked his notifications and a smile came over his face.

“Guess I’ll have to try harder next time.” Jarvis laughed at that,

“Come on you shithead. Let’s get you home.” Jarvis zipped up his jacket and stood up. Jude struggled his way up. He was sore. It was not until he had made his way out of bed that he saw the bandages on his left hand.

“What’s this?”

“Well since you broke the bubble, it means you weren’t healed immediately. They brought a healer in for you but your hand will probably hurt for a bit. I’m willing to bet you can take the bandages off in a couple days before your next match.” With his quads feeling tight as he moved Jude looked like a new born deer.

Tears formed, sweat poured. Each step felt like pain. Once into a rhythm it eventually became bearable. Jarvis walked him out of the hospital, and into the city centre. The night was dark and cold. A light blue moon shone above them. The streetlights shone a path through the formidable dark. The metal poles with bulbs that drooped and shone that dull yellow light. Their breath hung in the air for a moment before disappearing into the black of the night.

The one major difference between the world they were walking on and the Earth they had been born on was the night sky. With the lack of pollution and a push to use renewable source the night was beautiful. Bursting with colours. Stars formed, danced, and died every night. Purples mixed with greens. Blues were splashed on the canvas over reds. Shooting stars streaked across with every stroke of the universe’s paintbrush.

Jude would often marvel at the sky. Even tonight as they walked. He tapped Jarvis on the arm and pointed up. “Do you see that star?” there was one star. One spec of white on the black background that caught his attention. It was small but it was bright.

“Yeah. I think.”

“Well that’s a white dwarf. It’s actually what made me think of the name.”

“Thanks. I’ll make sure to tell my future partners when they see the scar on my chest.”

“Oh...” Jude’s face dropped. “I didn’t mean to... Sorry.” An arm was flung around his shoulders.

“Oh come on man, I’m joking. Do you think I would have waited at the hospital for you if I was mad?” Jarvis smiled. His bandages reflecting the light of the street lights as they kept walking.

“How come you’re not cold in just that jacket?”

“Oh come on. I can move energy round my body like it’s nothing. I invented my own fighting style. And you think I wouldn’t be able to help regulate my body temperature with it?”

“Ooh regulate. Didn’t think a dudebro like you knew big words.”

“Hey! Just because I say certain things does not diminish my intelligence.”

“Sorry, the aching muscles are making me a bit bitchy.”

Jarvis threw his arm around Jude’s shoulders. He let out a slight whimper. “We’re nearly back to your hotel mate. So, tell me your dream.” He let go and Jude kept walking for a moment.

“My dream?”

“Why are you here? What’s the point of the tournament.”

He paused to think for a moment. He looked at his hand. Wrapped in bandages. The pain pulsating. His power. The power he had learnt from being helped, from watching others and improving himself. He had realised his dream.

“I’m going to create the best guild in the world.”

Jay laughed at his friend. “Good to hear it Jude. I’m going to enjoy life and fight as many interesting people as I can. Bro, if you’re making the best guild then you’ll definitely meet interesting people. So I’ll be there for you bro. I’m going to join it.”

With a big grin on his face Jude replied “Of course! Let’s do it!”

The two stood under that night sky. The first step towards Jude’s dream, realisation and verbalisation.

They did not speak another word. Jay went on his way. Jude had arrived at his hotel. When he opened the door there was a hero’s welcome. His friends came up and helped him to the table where a meal had been prepared for him.

Everyone chatted and talked. Nerissa was happy for him but also a little bit upset that her spotlight had been taken from her. Until Jude looked up, “Oh Nerissa, whilst I was getting ready to leave the hospital I saw your name was trending. You were like third in the whole country.” With that she felt a bit better. He left out the part where he was also trending, though it was much lower down.

After a couple drinks and a few laughs. Everyone headed off to bed, Jude basically had to be carried back by Jack and Rin since his body had finally given up on him.

When he woke in the morning he was in agony, but he could move a bit easier and he unwrapped the bandages before having a shower; his hand was shaky, a couple scars on his palm but it appeared there would be no permanent damage.