The freighter settled onto a jagged landing platform jutting out from the temple's golden surface. As the engines powered down, the faint hum of the structure itself filled the air, a rhythmic pulse that matched the glow of the Sigil on Liora's hand.
The crew gathered near the airlock, each of them silent as the weight of their journey bore down on them.
"This one feels different," Tharn said, his voice low. He adjusted the strap on his rifle, his sharp eyes scanning the temple's towering spires visible through the viewport. "Bigger, stronger… more alive."
"It's been waiting for us," Liora said, her tone distant. The Sigil on her hand flared brighter, responding to the energy emanating from the temple.
"Waiting is one thing," Kade muttered, checking his blaster. "But these places usually come with a catch. I'd rather not find out what this one's hiding the hard way."
The airlock opened with a hiss, and the crew stepped out onto the platform. The air was heavy with power, vibrating faintly against their skin. The spires above gleamed with an otherworldly light, their intricate carvings shimmering like molten gold.
"This is incredible," Liora whispered, her gaze drawn to the central tower.
"Yeah, incredible," Kade said, his voice laced with unease. "And probably full of traps."
The team advanced cautiously, their footsteps echoing on the smooth stone as they approached the temple's entrance. A massive door carved with Starborn glyphs loomed before them, its surface pulsating faintly.
"The Sigil will open it," Liora said, stepping forward.
"Or set off a death trap," Kade muttered under his breath.
Ignoring him, Liora pressed her glowing hand against the door. The glyphs flared brightly, and with a deep, resonant hum, the door began to slide open, revealing a long corridor bathed in golden light.
The corridor was unlike anything they had seen before. The walls were lined with carvings depicting the history of the Starborn—images of their rise, their connection to the Nexus, and their eventual fall.
"This is their story," Liora said, running her fingers over one of the carvings. "It's all here."
Tharn studied the images, his expression hard. "Their rise… and their destruction. This wasn't just a fall—it was a war."
Kade pointed to one of the carvings, his brow furrowing. "That looks like the Emperor," he said. The image showed a figure wreathed in shadow, standing over a crumbling Starborn temple.
"He was one of them," Liora said, her voice tinged with sadness. "But he turned on them. He tried to claim the Nexus for himself, and it destroyed everything."
As they reached the end of the corridor, they entered a massive chamber that dwarfed anything they had seen before. At its center stood a glowing pedestal, its light reflecting off the crystalline walls.
Liora approached the pedestal cautiously, the Sigil on her hand pulsing in time with its glow. As she placed her hand on its surface, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the chamber.
"You have come far, Starborn heir," the voice said, its tone both welcoming and grave.
The light coalesced into a holographic figure—a Starborn elder clad in radiant armor, their form shimmering with celestial energy.
"You stand at the Eternal Spire, the heart of our legacy," the elder continued. "Here, the truth of the Nexus will be revealed—but only if you are willing to face the trials within."
"Trials?" Kade asked, his voice rising with alarm. "What kind of trials?"
"The Nexus chooses only those who are worthy," the elder said. "It tests your resolve, your courage, and your heart. Only by facing your greatest fears can you unlock its true power."
Liora swallowed hard, her gaze steady. "I'm ready."
Tharn stepped forward. "We've come this far together. If there are trials, we face them as a team."
The elder's gaze softened. "The trials are for her alone. The Nexus must judge her without interference."
Kade shook his head. "No way. We're not leaving her to do this by herself."
Liora placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression firm but grateful. "I have to do this, Kade. But I need you to hold the line. If the Emperor finds us before I'm done…"
Kade sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Fine. Just… don't take too long, okay?"
The elder raised their hand, and the chamber began to shift. The walls dissolved into light, and Liora found herself standing alone in an endless void. The Sigil on her hand glowed brightly, the only anchor in the swirling emptiness.
"Your first trial," the elder's voice echoed, "is to confront the shadow within yourself. Face it, and prove your strength."
The light dimmed, and a figure emerged from the darkness—a mirror image of Liora, but with eyes like the Emperor's, glowing with malevolent power.
"You think you're worthy of the Nexus?" the shadow said, its voice a twisted echo of her own. "You're just a scared girl pretending to be a hero."
Liora clenched her fists, the Sigil burning brighter. "I'm not afraid of you."
The shadow smiled, raising its hand. "You should be."