The soft hum of the Ark's engines filled the air as the crew gathered in the mess hall. The tension of their recent mission had eased slightly, replaced by a tentative sense of relief. Ethan stood at the head of the table, the crystalline orb, the Eternal Flame, resting in a containment cradle beside him. Its soft light pulsed rhythmically, casting faint shadows across the walls.
"All right, everyone," Ethan began, his voice steady but thoughtful. "We've got the Eternal Flame, and according to our spectral host, it's a tool that could tip the balance in this fight. But it's also dangerous. We don't fully understand it yet, and I don't want to take any chances."
Nova leaned back in her chair, twirling a stylus between her fingers. "So, what's the plan? We just keep it locked up and hope it doesn't blow a hole in the ship?"
