The freighter moved through hyperspace like a solitary ember in a sea of stars. Its engines hummed steadily, a quiet rhythm that contrasted with the storm brewing within its crew. Liora sat at the holotable, the Nexus Key glowing faintly before her. The Sigil on her hand pulsed in sync with the Key, a constant reminder of the power she carried—and the responsibility that came with it.
Across the cabin, Kade leaned back in his seat, a datapad in hand. His usual smirk was absent, replaced by a furrowed brow as he scrolled through intercepted Imperial transmissions.
"Still nothing about the Emperor," he said, breaking the silence. "No reports of sightings, no new commands. It's like he's just… vanished."
Tharn, standing by the viewport, crossed his arms. "The Emperor doesn't just disappear. He's out there, regrouping. Waiting for the right moment to strike."
Liora looked up, her gaze steady. "Then we don't give him that moment. We keep moving, keep building. The more we awaken the Nexus, the stronger we become—and the harder it will be for him to return."
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden jolt as the freighter dropped out of hyperspace. Kade scrambled to the controls, his fingers dancing across the console.
"That wasn't me," he said, his voice tense. "We've been pulled out—gravity well. Someone doesn't want us here."
Outside the viewport, a small fleet of ships emerged from the shadows, their sleek designs unfamiliar. They were smaller than Imperial vessels, but their sharp angles and dark plating gave them a predatory appearance.
"Not Imperials," Tharn said, narrowing his eyes. "Pirates, maybe?"
A transmission crackled through the comms, a low voice speaking with measured authority. "Unidentified vessel, you are trespassing in restricted space. Power down your engines and prepare to be boarded."
Kade glanced at Liora, raising an eyebrow. "Friendly, aren't they?"
"We're not powering down," Liora said firmly. "Kade, keep us moving. Tharn, prepare for a fight."
The freighter banked hard as Kade pushed the engines to their limit, weaving through the fleet as the enemy ships opened fire. Blaster bolts streaked through the void, narrowly missing their hull as Kade executed a series of evasive maneuvers.
"This would be a lot easier in a newer ship!" Kade shouted over the alarms.
Tharn moved to the turret controls, his precision evident as he returned fire. Two of the smaller ships peeled away, their shields flaring under the impact of his shots.
"Focus on the lead ship," Tharn called out. "Take out their command, and the rest will scatter."
In the chaos of the battle, Liora closed her eyes, letting the Sigil guide her. She felt the pull of the Nexus, distant but clear—a beacon calling her toward their next destination. The power surged within her, and an idea began to form.
"Kade, head toward that nebula!" she said, pointing to the swirling mass of gas and light visible on the scanner.
"Are you serious?" Kade replied, glancing back at her. "That's a death trap!"
"Trust me," Liora said, her voice calm but resolute.
With a reluctant sigh, Kade adjusted their course, the freighter plunging into the nebula. The dense clouds of gas immediately disrupted the enemy's sensors, their fire growing erratic as they struggled to track the ship.
Inside the nebula, the freighter's scanners lit up with strange energy signatures. Liora's Sigil burned brightly, the Nexus's presence stronger than ever.
"This is it," she said, her voice filled with awe. "The next temple is here."
Before Kade could respond, the ship's proximity alarms blared. One of the enemy vessels had followed them into the nebula, its weapons charging for another assault.
"Tharn, take it out!" Liora shouted.
Tharn didn't hesitate, firing a precise volley that struck the ship's engines. The vessel spun out of control, disappearing into the swirling clouds.
As the freighter emerged from the nebula, the temple came into view. Suspended in the heart of the stellar phenomenon, the structure was unlike anything they had seen before. Its crystalline spires glowed with a soft, pulsating light, and the surrounding clouds seemed to part in reverence.
"We made it," Liora said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kade let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Let's hope this one doesn't come with a built-in death trap."
Tharn glanced at Liora. "What now?"
Liora stepped toward the viewport, her gaze fixed on the temple. "We go inside. The Nexus is waiting."