Luka and Kaela walked in silence as they left the arena, the weight of the council's revelation pressing down on them like a suffocating cloud. The bustling halls of the station felt strangely empty despite the crowds around them, as though they had been separated from everything normal.
Luka's mind was spinning. He had always suspected something deeper was at play, but now that the council's intentions were clear, the situation had become far more dangerous.
The council didn't just want to win. They wanted control over the Aether, and they believed Luka—*Vigil*—was the key to unlocking its full potential. The thought sent a chill down his spine.
Kaela was the first to break the silence. "We need a plan. If what the council says is true, they're not going to stop until they get what they want from you."
Luka clenched his fists as he walked, his jaw tight with frustration. "I'm not going to let them use me. I don't care what they think *Vigil* can do—they won't control me."
Kaela's eyes flicked toward him, her expression calm but concerned. "I know. But we're in the middle of their territory. If they decide to make a move, we don't have many places to hide."
Luka stopped, turning to face her. "So what do we do? Fight our way out?"
Kaela raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "You know I'm always up for a fight, but I don't think we can punch our way through an entire station."
Luka exhaled, running a hand through his white hair as he tried to think. They couldn't stay here, not with the council watching their every move. But they couldn't leave, either—not without figuring out how to deal with the power of the Aether and its connection to *Vigil*. If the council was right, and Luka really was tied to the Aether in some unique way, they needed to understand that connection before the council could exploit it.
"We need answers," Luka said, his tone firmer now. "We need to figure out what *Vigil* really is, and why the Aether responds to it."
Kaela nodded, crossing her arms. "Which means we need to do some digging. The council isn't going to hand us that information, so we'll have to find it ourselves."
Luka frowned. "Where do we even start? Everything about this tournament has been carefully controlled by them. I doubt there's anything left lying around that they don't already have locked down."
Kaela's gaze sharpened. "Maybe not everything. There's someone who might know more than they've let on."
Luka narrowed his eyes. "Lynel and Voss?"
Kaela nodded. "They've been playing their own game since the start. Lynel mentioned before that they were part of the evaluation, like us. They've survived this long, which means they know more about the council's real plans than they've told us."
Luka considered her words. Lynel and Voss had been allies, in a way, but they had always kept a distance—never fully revealing what they knew. If they could get Lynel to talk, it might give them the edge they needed.
"All right," Luka said, his mind made up. "Let's find them."
---
After a short trek through the winding halls of the station, Luka and Kaela arrived at the docking bay where Lynel and Voss usually stayed between rounds. The area was quieter than usual, with most of the remaining competitors having been eliminated or withdrawn. The bay felt almost deserted, the hum of machinery the only sound as they approached.
Luka spotted Lynel and Voss near their mechas, both of them standing together as they seemed to be discussing something. Voss's large frame was as imposing as ever, his arms crossed over his chest, while Lynel appeared more relaxed, though her sharp eyes flicked up as soon as she noticed Luka and Kaela approaching.
"Well, well," Lynel said, her tone neutral as she watched them draw closer. "I wasn't expecting a visit from the tournament champions."
"We need to talk," Luka said, cutting straight to the point.
Voss grunted, but Lynel's smile was slight and knowing. "I thought as much. Let me guess—the council's final announcement rattled you?"
Luka's eyes narrowed. "You knew about it, didn't you?"
Lynel sighed, crossing her arms. "We knew the tournament was a test to find someone who could wield the Aether in a way the council wants. We didn't know the specifics, but we knew they weren't interested in just finding the strongest pilots. It's always been about control."
Kaela stepped forward, her expression hard. "So why didn't you tell us? You've known since the beginning that this was bigger than the tournament."
Voss finally spoke, his voice deep and gruff. "We didn't know if we could trust you. Everyone here's playing their own game, including you two."
Luka's frustration bubbled to the surface. "Well, now it's not just a game. The council wants me to be their puppet. So tell us everything you know."
Lynel's expression softened, and she glanced at Voss before looking back at Luka. "You're right. It's not a game anymore. The council's after the Aether—they believe that with the right person, they can unlock its full power and reshape the galaxy. You're not the first they've tested, but you're the first who's shown a real connection to the Aether, especially through *Vigil*."
Luka frowned. "What do you mean, 'connection'?"
Lynel gestured toward *Vigil* in the distance. "That mecha of yours isn't just powerful—it's unique. I've seen a lot of mechas in this tournament, but none of them resonate with the Aether like yours does. Whatever power the Aether holds, *Vigil* is amplifying it."
Kaela's brow furrowed. "But why Luka? Why now?"
Voss spoke again, his voice thoughtful. "The council has been searching for someone like Luka for years. Someone who can handle the Aether without being destroyed by it. It's possible Luka's ability to harness the Aether isn't something that can be easily explained—it could be tied to his will, his nature."
Luka felt a chill. "So they want to use me to unlock the Aether's full potential. And if I refuse?"
Lynel's gaze darkened. "They won't give you that option. If you don't cooperate, they'll take the power from you by force."
Luka's jaw clenched. He had always fought for his freedom, for the ability to make his own choices, and now the council was trying to strip that from him. But he wasn't about to let them succeed.
"We need to find a way to stop them," Luka said, his voice steady. "But first, I need to understand what's happening with *Vigil*. I need to know how to control this power."
Lynel exchanged a glance with Voss before speaking again. "There's a place—an ancient ruin deep in one of the uncharted regions of space. The council has been keeping it secret, but it's where they first discovered the Aether. If you want answers, that's where you'll find them."
Kaela's eyes narrowed. "And how do we get there without the council stopping us?"
Lynel's smile was thin. "That's the tricky part. The council controls most of the known routes, but there are back channels—hidden paths that smugglers and outlaws use to move unnoticed. If you're willing to take a risk, we can help you get there."
Luka's mind raced. This was the first real lead they'd had, but it was dangerous. The council would be watching them closely, and if they made a move, they'd have to do it quickly.
"Tell us how to get there," Luka said, his voice filled with resolve. "We'll handle the rest."
Lynel nodded, her expression serious. "It's not going to be easy, but if you can reach the ruins, you'll find the truth about the Aether—and about yourself."
Author's Note:The mystery deepens! Luka and Kaela now have a lead on the origins of the Aether, but can they trust Lynel and Voss? What do you think lies within the ruins? Share your theories before the next chapter!