The hum of the ship in hyperspace was both soothing and unnerving. Kael stared out the viewport, watching the streaks of light warp into a blur of stars as Lyra's craft hurtled through the void. His thoughts swirled, an unrelenting storm of questions and fears.
He turned the crystal in his hand, its faint blue light pulsing rhythmically. What did it mean to be a "descendant of the Founders"? Why him? He was just a scavenger, a nobody scraping by on the ruins of Earth.
Elira broke the silence. "So, Lyra," she said, leaning back in her seat, arms crossed, "this Forge—what is it exactly? Some kind of weapon?"
Lyra, seated at the controls, glanced over her shoulder. "Not a weapon. At least, not in the traditional sense. The Cosmic Forge is a creation engine. It's said to have the power to build or destroy entire star systems. The Founders used it to shape galaxies, but its full capabilities are unknown. What we do know is that it's powerful enough to rewrite the fabric of the universe itself."
Kael blinked. "Rewrite the universe? That sounds… impossible."
"It's more than possible," Lyra said. "It's why the Sovereign Order has been hunting traces of the Founders for centuries. They believe the Forge will give them the power to rule the galaxy unchallenged."
Elira raised an eyebrow. "And you? Why are you after it?"
Lyra hesitated, her hands gripping the controls tighter. "The Resistance doesn't want the Forge for power. We want to destroy it—make sure no one can ever use it again."
Kael frowned, gripping the crystal. "But if it's so dangerous, why not just leave it hidden?"
Lyra turned to face him fully, her visor retracting to reveal sharp blue eyes and a scar running across her cheek. "Because the Forge isn't just sitting in some forgotten corner of the galaxy. It's awakening. That crystal you carry—it's the key. The Order knows it, and now that you've activated it, they'll stop at nothing to take it from you."
The Fractured Archive
As the ship dropped out of hyperspace, Kael saw their destination: a derelict station orbiting a dead planet. Its spindly structure was barely holding together, with sections visibly crumbling into the planet's gravity well.
"This is the Fractured Archive," Lyra said, guiding the ship to a docking port. "It's one of the last surviving databases of Founder technology. If we're going to find the Forge, we need the Archive's map."
Elira frowned. "And what if the Order is already here?"
Lyra smirked. "Then we'll make sure they regret it."
As they disembarked, Kael felt a chill. The station was eerily silent, its dim lights flickering in the stale air. The walls were inscribed with strange symbols, glowing faintly as if responding to their presence.
"This place gives me the creeps," Elira muttered, holding her blaster tight.
Kael's hand brushed against the wall, and a spark of recognition flashed through his mind. "I… I've seen these symbols before," he said, his voice hushed.
Lyra glanced at him. "The crystal is connecting you to the Archive. It's unlocking memories buried in its systems—and maybe in you, too."
"What does that even mean?" Kael asked, frustrated.
"It means you're more connected to the Founders than you realize," Lyra replied.
Activation
They reached the central chamber of the Archive, where a massive console floated in midair, surrounded by holographic projections of star systems. Lyra approached cautiously, activating the interface.
The holograms flickered to life, displaying a swirling map of the galaxy. Lines connected distant systems, converging on a single point—a red star with a massive structure orbiting it.
"There," Lyra said, pointing. "That's the Forge."
Kael stepped closer, the crystal in his hand glowing brighter. As he approached the console, the holograms reacted, shifting and rearranging. Symbols flared to life, and a voice, ancient and melodic, filled the chamber.
"Access confirmed. Welcome, Heir of the Founders. The path to the Forge awaits."
Kael froze, the voice resonating deeply within him. "What… what is this?"
Lyra looked at him, her expression unreadable. "The Archive is responding to you. It sees you as the rightful heir."
Before Kael could process her words, the station shuddered violently. Red lights flared, and a harsh alarm blared through the halls.
"They're here," Elira said, her voice tight.
The Order Attacks
A metallic crash echoed from the docking bay, followed by the sound of heavy boots. Lyra drew her weapon, her calm demeanor replaced by steely determination.
"Elira, secure the map data!" she barked. "Kael, stay close to me."
Kael barely had time to react before the doors burst open, and soldiers in black armor poured into the chamber. Plasma bolts lit up the room as Lyra returned fire with deadly precision.
Elira worked furiously at the console, downloading the map data onto a small device. "Almost there!" she shouted.
Kael ducked behind a pillar, clutching the crystal. The glowing symbols on the walls seemed to pulse in rhythm with his racing heartbeat. He could feel the crystal's energy surging, like it was begging to be used.
"Kael!" Lyra shouted, tossing him a small handheld device. "Channel the crystal's energy through this!"
Kael caught it, his instincts taking over. Holding the device in one hand and the crystal in the other, he focused on the energy coursing through him. A blinding wave of light erupted, knocking the soldiers back and disabling their weapons.
Elira grabbed the completed data drive and bolted toward the exit. "We've got what we need! Let's go!"