At Nexus, the mood was somber. What they had won in Alexandria came at a great cost, and it was only temporary. They still had the Ancient One to contend with, and his plans were far from through.
Sam stood alone at the observation deck, staring out to consider the churning energies of the Rift that lay at the very center of the Nexus. A fortress, prison, where the very fabric of time was held in delicate balance; and now her feeling for the place was tenuous.
"You did good out there," Lyra's voice came from behind her. Sam didn't turn but could hear the respect in Lyra's tone. "You've got a lot to learn, but you've got the instincts. You're one of us now."
Sam let out another sigh. "I don't feel like I belong here. I'm just a scientist. I didn't sign up to save the timeline."
"No one signs up for this," Lyra said, stepping forward to stand beside her. "The Nexus chooses who it will. It saw something in you, Sam. And so do I."
Sam didn't respond, her eyes still fixed on the Rift. The Ancient One's words echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of the dangers they faced.
"You cannot undo what has already been written."
Sam clenched her fists. She had to be able to believe that was a lie. The future wasn't set in stone.
"We'll find him," Lyra murmured, as if reading her thoughts. "And when we do, we'll ensure he never threatens the timeline again."
Sam nodded, but she couldn't shake the feeling that their battle was just beginning. The Ancient One was still out there, somewhere in this long expanse of time, and she wasn't finished with them yet.
She dug deep into the Rift, promising silently:
She'd be ready. No matter what the future brought.