Time: 1702 AA / 1818 AD
Location: The Valley of Echoes, Sector 3601
The silence in the Valley of Echoes was unsettling. The anomaly was gone, but its presence lingered like a foul taste on my tongue. The shadows cast by the crystalline formations stretched long and jagged, whispering of threats that hadn't vanished—only retreated.
Thala and Sul-Da stood on either side of me, their breathing steadying, the glow of their energy fading back to a quiet hum. I could feel the exhaustion behind my eyes, a dull ache that spread through my limbs.
I hated feeling this way—weak, dependent. But as much as I resented it, I couldn't deny that without their help, the anomaly might still be here, spreading its corruption.
"We need to get back to the Citadel," Thala said, her voice breaking the silence. "We'll regroup and figure out what's next."
"What's next?" I echoed, bitterness creeping into my tone. "We barely stopped a single anomaly, and you want to talk about what's next?"
Her eyes narrowed, but she kept her voice calm. "Yes, Michael. Because whatever's happening isn't over. And we can't afford to waste time sulking."
I clenched my fists. The Ring's faint glow reflected off the crystal walls, each gleam reminding me of the control I was supposed to have. Control that had slipped through my fingers more than once today.
"I'm not sulking," I snapped. "I'm calculating. We need more power. More defenses. More leverage. This—" I gestured at the empty space where the anomaly had been, "—this happened because we didn't have enough."
Sul-Da shifted, his eyes flicking between Thala and me. "More power isn't always the answer, Michael. Maybe it's about how we use what we already have."
I shot him a glare, the words stinging more than I cared to admit. "What we have isn't enough. If we're going to survive this, we need to dominate. We need to make sure no one even thinks about challenging us again."
Thala sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Michael, you're talking about turning this place into a fortress of fear. That's not sustainable."
"It doesn't need to be sustainable," I countered. "It needs to be effective. Fear works. Power works. If they're too afraid to challenge us, we win."
Her eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I thought she might give up arguing. But then she shook her head.
"Winning isn't surviving, Michael," she said quietly. "It's not living."
I looked away, the weight of her words pressing on me like a stone. I didn't want to think about that. Couldn't think about that. Survival was all that mattered. What was the point of living if you weren't strong enough to hold onto it?
"Let's go," I said, my voice flat. "We've wasted enough time."
Without waiting for a response, I pushed off the ground, the Ring lifting me into the air. The cold wind of the Valley whistled past, but I barely felt it. My mind was already racing ahead, planning the next steps.
Time: 45 Minutes Later
Location: The Citadel, Command Center
The Command Center's green glow was harsh against my eyes, the walls lined with monitors displaying live feeds of the Sector's defenses. I stood at the center console, reviewing patrol reports, shield integrity, and power grid efficiency. Everything was operational, but it wasn't enough.
"We need to double the shield strength," I said, my voice hard. "And increase the frequency of patrols around the outer perimeter. I want every inch of this Sector covered."
Thala stood beside me, her arms crossed. "We're already stretching our resources. If we push too hard, something's going to break."
"Then we get more resources," I shot back. "We expand the grid, tap into the energy reserves from the secondary moons. We'll find a way."
"And if that still isn't enough?" she asked, her voice low.
I didn't answer. Because I knew what I'd do. I'd push harder. I'd take what was needed, by force if necessary. My Sector, my rules. If the universe didn't respect that, then I'd make it respect me.
A quiet beep interrupted my thoughts. The Ring's glow pulsed softly.
++ Priority Alert: Anomalous Energy Detected. Source: Deep Space, Sector Boundary. ++
My heart thudded, a mix of dread and anticipation sharpening my focus.
"Show me," I ordered.
A holographic map projected above the console, displaying the outer edge of the Sector. A single point of black energy flickered, a jagged tear suspended in the void.
Another breach.
I felt a cold smile curve my lips. They weren't done testing me. Good. Because I wasn't done proving that this was my space.
"Ready the defense grid," I said, my voice a low growl. "We're not letting them in this time."
Sul-Da's voice was hesitant. "Michael, maybe we should try to understand what they want—"
"They want weakness," I snapped. "And I'm not giving it to them."
Thala's gaze was steady, unyielding. "And if you're wrong?"
"I'm not."
I turned away from them, the glow of the Ring casting long shadows across the floor. The breach pulsed on the holographic map, a challenge hanging in the air like a storm cloud.
They wanted to see how far I'd go.
They were about to find out.