The freighter emerged from hyperspace into a star system shrouded in swirling nebulae. In the distance, the planet Aelora loomed—a world of ancient history and tragedy. Its surface was a patchwork of crumbling ruins and verdant jungles, the remnants of a once-thriving civilization now overtaken by time and nature.
"Aelora," Liora whispered, gazing at the planet through the viewport. "It feels… heavy."
"That's because it is," Tharn said, his voice grim. "This place was the site of one of the last Starborn battles before their disappearance. They fought to protect something here, but the Empire burned everything to the ground."
"And now we're walking into the ashes," Kade muttered, checking his blaster.
Liora touched the Sigil on her palm, its faint glow reassuring. "Whatever they were protecting, it's still here. I can feel it."
The freighter touched down in a clearing at the edge of a sprawling ruin. Towering stone structures, weathered by centuries of wind and rain, rose above the jungle canopy. Vines and moss clung to every surface, and the air was thick with the scent of earth and vegetation.
The group disembarked, their boots crunching on the overgrown path. The ruins were eerily silent, the only sounds the rustle of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures.
"This place gives me the creeps," Kade muttered, scanning the shadows with his blaster drawn.
"Stay focused," Tharn said, his rifle at the ready. "The temple won't be unguarded."
Liora led the way, the Sigil on her hand glowing brighter with each step. The energy seemed to pull her forward, guiding her through the maze-like ruins. She could feel the temple's presence, a beacon of light buried beneath layers of stone and time.
They reached a massive stone archway carved with intricate Starborn symbols. The markings glowed faintly, responding to the Sigil's light. Liora stepped forward and placed her hand on the archway, the symbols flaring to life.
With a deep rumble, the ground beneath them shifted, and a hidden passage opened, leading into darkness.
"Convenient," Kade said, peering into the shadowy corridor. "Or a trap."
"Both, probably," Tharn replied.
Liora took a deep breath and stepped into the passage, her torch casting long shadows on the ancient walls. The others followed, their weapons at the ready.
The air grew cooler as they descended, and the faint hum of energy became more pronounced. The corridor opened into a vast chamber, its walls covered in glowing symbols and carvings depicting Starborn warriors in battle.
At the center of the chamber stood a massive obelisk, its surface shimmering with light. Surrounding it were the remnants of a battle—scattered weapons, shattered armor, and the skeletal remains of those who had fought to protect the temple.
"This is it," Liora said, her voice hushed. "The temple's heart."
Before they could approach the obelisk, a low growl echoed through the chamber. The group froze as a pair of glowing eyes emerged from the shadows.
A massive creature stepped into the light, its body covered in sleek, black scales that seemed to absorb the chamber's glow. It resembled a wolf, but far larger, with sharp claws and fangs that gleamed like obsidian.
"Another guardian," Kade muttered, raising his blaster.
The creature snarled, its gaze locked onto Liora. It moved with deadly grace, circling the group as if assessing their strength.
"Liora, it's drawn to you," Tharn said, his voice tense. "Like the serpent on Veylna."
Liora swallowed hard, her hand instinctively moving to the Sigil. "It's protecting the temple. It won't let us pass."
"Then we make it let us," Kade said, firing the first shot.
The blast struck the creature's shoulder, but it barely flinched. With a feral roar, it lunged, moving faster than the eye could follow.
Liora raised her hand, summoning a shield of golden light just in time to block the attack. The creature's claws scraped against the barrier, sending sparks flying.
"Keep it distracted!" Tharn shouted, firing a volley of shots that ricocheted off the creature's scales.
Kade darted to the side, drawing the guardian's attention with rapid fire. The creature turned toward him, its movements fluid and predatory.
"Liora, now's your chance!" Tharn called out.
Liora focused on the Sigil, the energy within her building to a crescendo. She stepped forward, her hands glowing with golden light, and unleashed a wave of energy that struck the creature head-on.
The guardian howled, its body writhing as the light engulfed it. For a moment, Liora thought it was over—but the creature shook off the energy and charged at her, its eyes blazing with fury.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Liora raised her hands again, this time channeling the temple's energy directly through the Sigil. The chamber's symbols flared to life, their light converging on the obelisk.
The guardian froze mid-charge, its body trembling as the energy overwhelmed it. Slowly, it began to dissolve, its form breaking apart into shimmering particles that were absorbed by the obelisk.
The chamber fell silent, the only sound Liora's ragged breathing.
"You did it," Kade said, lowering his blaster.
"No," Liora said, staring at the obelisk. "We did it."
She stepped forward and placed her hand on the obelisk's surface. The light enveloped her, and once again, a flood of images filled her mind. This time, she saw not only the locations of other temples but also the faces of those who had fought to protect them.
"The Starborn are waiting," she said, her voice filled with determination. "We have to find them."
The group emerged from the ruins into the light of Aelora's twin moons. The air felt lighter, as if the planet itself had been holding its breath.
As the freighter ascended into the stars, Liora couldn't shake the feeling that their journey was only just beginning.