[Ascendance: The Journey to Type 7. Ch_023]
The crew of the Astral Vanguard was gathered around the central screen, intently watching the playback from the black box recovered from the remains of Rax's fleet.
"Any final words, Captain Veylan?" Thors's deep voice echoed through the silent bridge. [static crackle]
Just as Rax opened his mouth, the recording cut to static. The playback abruptly ended, leaving the bridge shrouded in silence. Each crew member wore an expression of shock, confusion, and unease.
Novea leaned forward, her brow furrowed. "But… if they surrendered, why was Rax's ship destroyed?"
Zyra's voice was tight with disbelief. "And why did the black box stop recording? It should've logged everything."
Kael clenched his fists, his eyes narrowed at the screen, as if he could will the recording to continue. "This… doesn't add up."
Alaric crossed his arms, visibly disturbed. "Either they were obliterated after surrendering… or something was done to cover up whatever happened next."
A tense pause settled over them as everyone exchanged uncertain glances. Raiden broke the silence, his voice filled with anger and dread. "Thors Ashvale… why would the King's envoy be involved in something like this?"
Voss shook his head slowly, a troubled look in his eyes. "To wipe out Rax's fleet… it feels like an execution rather than a battle. And why target Rax?"
Kael's face darkened. "If Thors Ashvale has truly turned rogue… we're dealing with something far more dangerous than we anticipated." His gaze was sharp as he looked around at his crew, who all seemed equally disturbed.
Astrid, usually calm, looked visibly shaken. "Captain… if Thors can wipe out an entire fleet without remorse, we'll need more than just our skills to go up against him."
Kael nodded solemnly. "You're right, but this… this is unprecedented. If he's gone rogue, then he's acting outside the King's orders—or worse, he's working on orders we can't even imagine."
Faye leaned forward, her voice low. "Captain, what's our next step? If we go up against Thors…"
Kael's voice was unwavering, his resolve clear. "We need answers, and if Thors is involved with Rax's enemies, he'll have to face us sooner or later. But for now, we need to tread carefully. We can't rush in without understanding his motives… or who might be backing him."
Mirae placed a hand on her heart, whispering as if praying. "Let's hope whatever happened to Rax's fleet… we don't end up facing the same fate."
Kael turned back to the screen, his mind racing through possibilities. The crew's eyes were on him, waiting for a plan, but they could all sense the weight of the unknown threat looming over them.
[silence hangs heavily in the room as the screen powers off]
Kael finally spoke, his voice steely and resolute. "Set course for the nearest star cluster, and keep our comms open for any new intel. If Thors has a weakness, we're going to find it."
After an Universal Hour, The Astral Vanguard was fixed and ready to Go.
In the dimly lit captain's quarters, Kael leaned forward in his chair, elbows on his desk, staring down at his hands as if they held answers he couldn't yet grasp.
The hum of the Astral Vanguard's engines vibrated softly in the background, signaling that the ship was once again whole and ready to launch. Yet, Kael's mind remained far from the present mission, clouded by the heavy questions swirling within.
[sighs deeply]
"Thors… Ashvale. Why would he and I share the same surname?" Kael muttered under his breath, his voice thick with frustration and confusion. "Are we… part of the same family?"
Narrator: "When Kael's Aunt and Uncle found him in the slums, they discovered a silver necklace with the name 'Kael Ashvale' engraved on it. Kael still have the necklace but he never sowed that to anyone."
A pang of doubt flashed through him, a feeling both foreign and uncomfortable for someone used to being sure of every decision. Kael's brow furrowed as he traced the memories back to that fateful day. The day he had died—or rather, should have died.
[slams fist on the desk]
"Why only me? Why was I the one revived?" His voice was a low murmur, tinged with a bitterness he hadn't allowed himself to feel until now.
"There were others... two, maybe three people right there with me, all dead in an instant." He closed his eyes, the memories of that day flickering painfully behind his eyelids like a half-forgotten dream. "So why did I get pulled back?"
[pauses, staring out at the stars outside the viewport] Kael's gaze softened as he whispered to the void. "What makes me so special?"
He thought back to that race, the reckless thrill of speeding through the obstacles, the pure adrenaline of a 14-year-old pushing limits. Then the crash into Voss's drone, the chaos, and the blankness as his life faded away... until he was given another chance. But the question lingered—why?
[leans back, running a hand through his hair]
"And who even is Thors?" Kael's fingers tightened against the armrest, frustration building. "What could he possibly want?"
The intercom buzzed, and Kael sat up, regaining his composure instantly, his voice steadier.
"Captain?" came Icarus's voice. "The crew's ready, and the coordinates to the nearest star cluster are set."
Kael took a slow breath, releasing the weight of his thoughts. [exhales] "Understood. I'll be on the bridge in five."
"Roger that, sir."
As the intercom clicked off, Kael lingered in the quiet, his thoughts settling into something firmer, more resolute. He'd get to the bottom of this, no matter what it took.
But for now, there was a mission to complete, and a crew counting on him. Whatever answers lay hidden in his past, they'd have to wait—at least for now.
[stands, straightening his uniform] "Time to focus."
After Some Time.
The Astral Vanguard drifted into the star cluster known as Zepharion's Veil, a dense region of brilliant nebulae and glittering stars. The sight was breathtaking, a cosmic tapestry of purples and blues stretching as far as the eye could see.
But before Kael could give his crew a moment to appreciate the view, the communication console blinked to life with an urgent incoming transmission.
"Icarus," Kael called, his voice tense. "Patch it through."
A holographic screen flickered, and the image of the antagonist filled the bridge. His eyes held a cruel, calculating gleam, but his expression was one of grim satisfaction.
"Kael Ashvale," the antagonist began, his voice echoing ominously across the silent bridge. [chuckles darkly] "I have something you may find… compelling."
Kael's jaw clenched as he saw the transmission flicker to a new video. On screen, Rax Veylan appeared, being roughly pushed into what seemed like an immense, dark chamber—a place bristling with energy restraints and walls that glowed faintly with ominous runes. A figure, tall and broad-shouldered, followed close behind. The face was unmistakable: Thors Ashvale.
Kael's eyes narrowed, fury stirring deep within him. "What is this?"
"Thors Ashvale," the antagonist confirmed, his grin widening as he watched Kael's reaction. "Your… relative, if I understand correctly, has sent Captain Veylan to the Eternal Prison. A place that no one has ever escaped."
Kael thought, "So even the Antagonist believes I'm related to Thors."
As the final image showed Rax disappearing into a shadowy corridor, bound and struggling, the video cut out. Kael's fists tightened as he glared at the antagonist's hologram. "Why send this to me?" he demanded, his voice like steel.
The antagonist tilted his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Because you're the closest one to the Eternal Prison right now. And Rax could use a… rescue." He paused, letting the weight of the request sink in.
"Of course, there's a price. Your efforts will buy you information about those blessed by the strongest deities. Something I believe you've been looking for."
Kael's gaze was unflinching, his mind racing. "You're telling me to break into an impenetrable fortress and free Rax Veylan?"
The antagonist shrugged with an air of amusement. "Think of it as a test of your skills, Captain. I'm sure someone with your… resilience would find a way." His expression grew darker, more challenging. "After all, how far are you willing to go for answers?"
The crew watched the exchange in tense silence, glancing between the screen and Kael, their faces a mixture of anticipation and dread.
They all knew what the Eternal Prison was—a place spoken of in hushed tones, where only the most dangerous and powerful were held, never to see the stars again.
Kael took a breath, steadying himself, then responded with a steady, unwavering tone. "Send me the coordinates."
The antagonist's smile grew wider, satisfied. "I already have. Time is of the essence, Captain Ashvale. Rax won't last long in there… [laughs coldly] especially with Thors overseeing it." The hologram vanished abruptly, leaving only the darkened bridge and the silent crew.
Voss was the first to break the silence, his voice low. "You're not seriously considering this, are you?"
Kael's eyes hardened as he looked out at the vast expanse of Zepharion's Veil. "I am. We go to the Eternal Prison."
Alaric spoke up, his tone cautious. "Kael, if we fail, we'll be leaving Rax—and ourselves—in a place that no one returns from."
Kael nodded, turning back to face his crew, his expression resolute. "I know the risks. But if there's even a chance we can save Rax, we owe it to him to try. And if this antagonist has answers about those blessed by the deities… we can't ignore that."
The crew exchanged glances, each one seeing the determination etched in Kael's face, the fierce resolve that had led them through countless battles. Finally, Astrid stepped forward, her voice strong. "If you're going, Captain, we're with you."
Kael gave a small nod, a hint of gratitude in his gaze. "Good. Then set the course." He turned back to the stars, his voice a quiet promise. "We're coming, Rax."
As the Astral Vanguard glided through the void of space, the atmosphere on the bridge was heavy with tension. Kael stood at the helm, his eyes fixed on the coordinates that were rapidly approaching on the ship's navigational display.
The rest of the crew was gathered behind him, their gazes darting between their captain and the expanding view of the Eternal Prison.
Ahead, they could now see it with their naked eyes—a vast, imposing structure of Metal suspended in the vacuum of space, its surface blackened and smooth like polished obsidian, It was at least the size of a typical planet.
The prison was surrounded by a swirling energy field, an impenetrable web of power that flickered with faint, ethereal lights. No other ships were in sight, but the eerie silence and isolation of the place made it all the more menacing.
"It's like the place... doesn't even exist," Voss murmured, staring out at the gargantuan structure through the ship's viewing ports. His voice was barely above a whisper, as if speaking louder would somehow break the deadly stillness surrounding them.
"I thought the whole point was to remain undetected," Alaric said, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Why aren't we trying to hide? It's practically impossible to get into that place without drawing attention."
Kael stood silent for a moment, his mind working as his fingers lightly hovered over the controls. His face was calm, though his eyes reflected a storm of thought. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady yet carrying an undercurrent of resolve.
"We don't need to hide." He turned toward his crew, locking eyes with each of them. "We're already part of the King's military. That means we won't be detected, at least not as easily."
The crew exchanged surprised looks.
"What do you mean, Captain?" Zyra asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "The King's military... You mean, they have a presence here? At the Eternal Prison?"
Kael nodded, his face showing no sign of hesitation. "Yes. The King's Envoy, Thors Ashvale, is a high-ranking officer in the King's forces. The King's military is known to have jurisdiction over these kinds of... 'unofficial' operations. We've got clearance to approach this place without raising alarms." His gaze drifted back toward the dark, imposing structure before them. "We have the authority to be here."
Faye raised an eyebrow. "But... what about us? We're not exactly your typical military vessel. How can we just waltz into the middle of this fortress and expect to waltz out with Rax?"
Kael gave a short, grim smile. "We'll be using that exact thing to our advantage. The prison might be hidden from prying eyes, but it doesn't matter if we're part of the King's circle. We're not outsiders."
Raiden looked uneasy as he adjusted his seat. "This is... too easy, Kael. There's got to be a catch."
"I don't trust it either, but it's our only option. We need to move fast." Kael's voice became more urgent as he glanced over his shoulder to Icarus, the AI aboard the ship. "Icarus, prepare the stealth systems. Let's get as close as we can without triggering any alarms."
Icarus responded with its usual calm tone, though even its mechanical voice seemed to carry a sense of anticipation. "Understood, Captain. Activating stealth systems now."
[The sound of whirring engines and subtle hums filled the bridge as the ship's advanced systems engaged, a faint vibration moving through the structure. The outer hull shimmered briefly before going nearly invisible against the backdrop of space.]
The Astral Vanguard slowly adjusted its course, weaving carefully through the dark expanse of space toward the entrance of the Eternal Prison. The enormous prison appeared even more menacing up close—its size was incomprehensible, stretching far beyond what the crew had initially anticipated. It loomed like a dark shadow, the very embodiment of isolation.
Anubis, who had been silently watching the screen, spoke up in a low voice. "What exactly is this place? I've heard rumors, but nothing solid."
Kael glanced at him before answering, his voice measured and serious. "The Eternal Prison is a black site. It holds individuals the King's military doesn't want anyone to know about.
It's a place for the most dangerous, the most valuable prisoners—people who hold knowledge or power that could change the course of history. People like Rax."
"But no one comes back from here," Voss added grimly, his eyes fixed on the prison's dark silhouette.
"No one ever leaves," Kael said, his tone sharp. "But we're going to change that."
With a deep breath, Kael spoke again, his voice resolute. "Ready yourselves. We may be walking into the belly of the beast, but we have a mission. We don't fail."
The crew nodded in unison, their faces steely with determination. Each of them knew the risks, but they also knew that without Kael's leadership, they'd never have made it this far.
[The sound of the ship's engines adjusting hummed softly in the background, punctuating the tension that gripped the bridge. The silence in the room was only broken by the soft beeps and clicks of the control systems as Icarus guided them toward their target.]
Kael's eyes narrowed as he watched the holographic map, the dark shape of the prison growing larger by the second. He was filled with a quiet determination, but a part of him couldn't help but wonder: What if we're walking straight into a trap?
But there was no turning back now. The Astral Vanguard moved closer to its destination, the crew bracing themselves for whatever awaited them inside the Eternal Prison.
TO BE CONTINUED.