The Ark drifted through the cold void of space, the quiet hum of its engines a stark contrast to the chaos they had just escaped. The crew was exhausted, mentally and physically drained after their brutal battle with Lillith Nyx. Ethan leaned back in the captain's chair, staring blankly at the view of distant stars. His body ached, his mind racing with thoughts of the fight, of Prella's growing connection to the Ether, and of the mounting losses in the war against the Empire.
He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his responsibility heavier than ever. They had barely made it out alive, and now, more worlds were falling to the Empire's terrifying new war machines.
"Captain," Mira's voice broke through his thoughts. "We're receiving transmissions from Rebel Command. It's not good news."
