The silence in the temple was almost deafening after the battle. The golden light from the Nexus Key still shimmered faintly in Liora's hand, but the chamber itself felt drained, its once-brilliant glow reduced to a faint hum.
Liora lowered her hand, her breath steadying as the adrenaline from the fight ebbed away. Tharn and Kade stood nearby, scanning the room for any remaining threats, though the quiet suggested the Imperials had truly retreated—for now.
"That was close," Kade muttered, holstering his blaster. "Too close."
Tharn nodded, wiping soot from his face. "They weren't just trying to stop us—they were trying to break us. And they almost did."
Liora stepped toward the pedestal at the center of the chamber, her gaze fixed on the glowing symbols etched into its surface. She placed the Nexus Key into a small indentation, and the entire room came alive with a soft, resonant hum.
"What are you doing?" Kade asked, his tone laced with caution.
"The temple needs to connect to the others," Liora replied. "It's the only way to keep the Nexus out of the Emperor's hands."
The pedestal flared with light, and a holographic projection filled the room. It displayed a star map, highlighting the locations of the remaining temples and their connection to the Nexus. The lines of energy running between them glowed faintly, forming a protective web.
"This is the Starborn network," Liora said, awe in her voice. "It's still intact."
"But for how long?" Tharn asked, stepping closer. "The Emperor knows about these temples. He's already destroyed some. What's to stop him from dismantling the rest?"
Liora clenched her fists, her gaze hardening. "We stop him. One temple at a time."
Kade crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "That sounds great, but we barely made it out of here alive. Varyn won't back off, and the Emperor… he's not going to wait for us to regroup."
"Then we don't have time to waste," Liora said, her voice firm. "The Nexus is still out of reach, and as long as the network holds, we have a chance."
As the light from the pedestal dimmed, the group turned their attention to the wounded temple. Cracks lined the walls where blaster fire had struck, and some of the symbols flickered weakly, as if struggling to maintain their glow.
"This place has been through a lot," Tharn said, running a hand over one of the carvings. "But it's still standing."
"Barely," Kade added. "We need to figure out how to reinforce these temples. If the Imperials come back, they'll finish what they started."
Liora looked around, her mind racing. "The temples are connected through the Nexus. If we can activate more of them, their energy might stabilize each other. It's a risk, but it's the best chance we have."
Before they could leave, the Starborn leader, who had joined them in their earlier battles, emerged from the shadows of the chamber. Their shimmering form was faint, as if the battle had drained them of much of their strength.
"You've done well," they said, their voice echoing softly. "But this is only the beginning. The Emperor will not stop until the Nexus is his."
Liora nodded. "We know. That's why we're going to stop him."
The Starborn leader tilted their head, their gaze fixed on her. "You are stronger than you realize, Liora Veylan. The Sigil responds to your will, but it is only a fragment of your true potential. Trust in it, and in yourself."
The leader's form began to flicker, their light dimming further. "Go now. The temple will hold for a time, but the Emperor's shadow is long. You must stay ahead of him."
With that, the Starborn leader vanished, leaving only the faint hum of the temple's energy behind.
The group returned to the freighter, their steps heavy but resolute. As they ascended into Vehloran's stormy skies, the temple below faded into the chaos, its light barely visible through the swirling clouds.
In the cockpit, Kade set the coordinates for the next temple, his hands steady on the controls. "Let's hope the next one's easier," he said, though his tone lacked optimism.
Tharn leaned against the wall, his rifle resting beside him. "It won't be. But we'll be ready."
Liora stared out the viewport, the Nexus Key warm in her hand. The galaxy stretched out before them, vast and uncertain, but her resolve had never been stronger.
"The Starborn aren't finished," she said quietly. "And neither are we."