Aedan adjusted the strap on his travel pack as he stepped into the Hall's central chamber. The room buzzed with activity: bounty hunters haggling over contracts, mercenaries nursing wounds and drinks in equal measure, and traders loudly advertising overpriced wares. It was chaos, but it was the kind of chaos Aedan had once thrived in. Now, it felt hollow.
Beside him, Sephira walked in silence, her presence a quiet shadow to his determined stride. In her human form, she appeared unassuming, a young woman with sharp violet eyes and long, silver hair that seemed to shimmer faintly in the artificial light. Her serpentine features such as tail and scales not getting too much attention.
Her mental voice brushed softly against his thoughts as they neared the Council Chamber.
"Are you sure about this?" Sephira's tone was calm, but Aedan could sense the undercurrent of concern beneath her words.
He didn't answer immediately, pushing open the heavy steel doors to the chamber. Inside, the Hall's leadership, three grim-faced figures seated at a crescent-shaped table, looked up from their discussion as Aedan entered. Their expressions ranged from irritation to mild surprise. Aedan also noted Celine wasn't there, it seemed she had urgent duties elsewhere.
"I'm here to resign," Aedan stated, his voice cutting through the stagnant air of the room.
The eldest of the three, a weathered man named Varn, leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "Resign? You've made a name for yourself here, Hart. Why throw it all away now?"
Aedan met Varn's gaze, his resolve unwavering. "Because staying neutral in times like these isn't strength. It's cowardice."
The room fell silent. Varn's brow furrowed, but it was another leader, a sharp-tongued woman named Leera, who spoke next. "You think you can make a difference out there? Against the Empire? Against the Zengorths? You'll just be another body for them to crush."
"Maybe," Aedan admitted. "But at least I'll die standing for something."
Varn sighed heavily, gesturing dismissively. "Fine. If that's your choice, we won't stop you. But don't expect us to clean up after your messes."
Aedan gave a curt nod, turning on his heel and walking out of the chamber. Sephira followed, her mental voice returning with a soft touch of approval. "That went better than I expected."
He allowed himself a faint smile. "Celine gave the heads-up."
The next few hours were a blur of loose ends. Aedan returned a set of borrowed weapons to the armory, paid off a lingering debt to a merchant, and even turned down a lucrative contract someone tried to shove into his hands. Each task felt like shedding a layer of the past, clearing the way for what lay ahead.
At the docking bay, an old acquaintance, a burly mercenary named Krel, stopped him. "You're really leaving, huh?" Krel's tone was accusatory, though his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness.
Aedan shrugged. "I need to find Esethia, have some closure. Once it's done, let's see what else fate has in store."
"The empire is planning something big and they are all looking for you." Krel grunted, shaking his head. "I still think you're a fool, Hart. But… good luck out there."
The last thing to do was to head to hangar 33, where their new starship, the Seeker was waiting for them.
The sleek, black-dagger-shaped ship gleaming faintly in the light of the hangar. Its smooth, reflective surface shimmered with hints of gold and violet that seemed to pulse faintly, alive somehow.
For all its technological brilliance, the ship exuded an organic elegance, one that bore Sephira's unmistakable touch. This just a ship of her design, not good as a space beast but the specs were high enough so Aedan could go anywhere and not be suspected as the leviathan's pilot.
As the entry ramp extended with a smooth hiss, Aedan ascended into the vessel. The moment his boots touched the inner deck, he felt a subtle hum beneath his feet, as though the ship recognized him. The interior was bathed in a soft, warm light, gold and violet hues emanating from thin, vein-like conduits that ran along the walls and ceiling. The corridors were a perfect balance of compact efficiency and an almost alien artistry.
He paused to run a hand along the smooth surface of a wall, feeling the faint vibration coursing through it.
As he moved deeper inside, the first room opened up into the living quarters. It was very spacious yet undeniably cozy and she certainly used her abilities to make it bigger in the inside. The walls bore a crystalline sheen, with subtle etchings that refracted light in intricate patterns. Fold-out beds were tucked neatly into the sides, and a small kitchenette occupied one corner, its minimalist design blending seamlessly into the room. He noticed small details, soft cushioning on the seats, a faint, calming hum in the air that he knew were Sephira's doing. She had designed this space not just for function but for moments of peace, knowing how rarely they might come.
The faint glow of the ship's lines brightened slightly as Aedan stepped further inside, as though guiding him. He passed a training room, its walls lined with reflective panels that hinted at the hidden holographic systems within. This space, too, bore Sephira's intent, a place where Aedan could refine his Heartspark abilities in safety.
Continuing down the corridor, Aedan approached the bridge. The air shifted subtly as the entrance slid open with a soft whoosh. The moment he stepped inside, he was struck by the seamless blend of advanced technology and artistic grace. The cockpit was a panoramic view of the stars waiting outside, the curved glass screen displaying a clear, unbroken vision of the galaxy. Tiny streaks of gold and violet pulsed faintly along the edges of the control panels, echoing the glow of the ship's exterior.
The pilot's chair was central, surrounded by a semi-circle of holographic displays that floated in midair. The controls seemed to ripple with anticipation, their soft light shifting colors as Aedan approached. The chair itself was sleek yet cushioned, with faint grooves and textures that seemed to adjust to him as he sat down. It felt… not as good as Seph's interior but still great.
Aedan's fingers hovered over the controls, his hand brushing a faintly glowing panel that pulsed at his touch. The entire ship seemed to respond to him, the hum growing slightly louder, more vibrant, as though the Seeker could sense his intentions. A soft vibration coursed through the seat, and the golden veins of light that ran along the bridge walls flared briefly in acknowledgment.
He exhaled slowly, taking a moment to drink it all in. The ship felt alive, not in a space beast way, but as though it bore the faint echoes of Sephira's mind. Every corner, every surface seemed to carry a trace of her, a silent reassurance that she was with him even when she couldn't reveal her true nature.
A piercing alarm shattered the relative calm of the docking bay. Red lights flashed overhead, and the intercom crackled to life.
"Attention all personnel! The Northern Star Empire has launched an assault on key systems in the outer rim. Prepare for potential hostile action."
Aedan froze, his mind racing. Sephira's voice cut through his thoughts. "Look."
A nearby holoscreen flickered, displaying a live broadcast from a nearby planet. Fires raged in the background as massive Imperial warships unleashed their wrath on a civilian settlement. Zengorths, towering, grotesque creatures augmented with cybernetic weaponry, stomped through the streets, leaving destruction in their wake. The screams of fleeing civilians echoed faintly through the transmission.
Aedan's fists clenched. The sight was all too familiar, dredging up memories he'd tried to bury. "They're not just targeting the big players," he muttered. "They're wiping out anyone who stands in their way."
Sephira stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "If they come here, the Hall won't last. You know that."
He nodded grimly. "Which means we can't stay. But where do we go?"
Her response came instantly. "Into their territory. The last place they'd expect. Cripple them from the inside."
Aedan turned to her, startled. "You can't be serious."
"Think about it," she pressed. "They'll be focused on wiping out resistance in the outer systems. We can slip through the chaos and get closer to the heart of their operations. It's risky, but it's our best shot."
He hesitated, weighing her words. "I you sure, I don't want you to risk yourself. And if they find out what you are? A leviathan? You'll be their ultimate prize."
Her voice softened. "That's a risk I'm willing to take. Besides, I trust you to protect me."
Her words struck a chord in him.
The idea was insane, but it also made sense.
"Fine... You know I can't say no to you." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"You wouldn't have it any other way."
"All right, Seeker," Aedan said quietly, leaning back into the pilot's chair. His voice felt small in the vastness of the ship's bridge, yet the hum around him seemed to deepen, as if responding to his words.
"Let's see how fast you can take us out of here."
With a flick of his wrist, the holographic controls lit up in vibrant golden hues, syncing effortlessly with the aura emanating from his Heart. The ship hummed with anticipation, and Aedan could feel the raw potential waiting to be unleashed beneath the sleek surface.
As the engines roared to life, a subtle ripple of energy coursed through the ship. The Seeker was ready and so was he. As the ship lifted off, Aedan took the controls and sent the ship hurtling into space.
Aedan took one last look at the planet through the viewport. It had been his home for years, but now, it was just another chapter in a story that was far from over.
"Where to?" he asked, glancing at Sephira.
She smiled faintly. "Straight into the lion's den."
"Let's go!" With Seph's assistance, the Seeker surged into hyperspace, closing one chapter of his life.