Orion City – Midnight
Rain fell in silver streaks as Lyra walked alone across the school courtyard.She needed space—space from the team, from the visions, from herself.
She never saw the shadow fall behind her.
Voice (familiar, too familiar): "Still clinging to color… in a world turning black?"
Before Lyra could react—black mist swirled and swallowed her.Her scream never reached the sky.
Nova Chamber – Alarm
Zevor: "Nova signal lost. Lyra's gone."
Kael's fists slammed the console.
Kael: "No. No, not her."Rayna: "Trace it. Now."
Zayn's hands flew across the controls.A ping. Faint. Orbit. Cloaked.
Zayn: "Void frequency. She's on Synkris's ship."
Aboard Synkris's Vessel
Lyra awoke chained in a dark cathedral of glass and shadow.Around her floated a twisted Nova Shard—black lightning cracking through its core.
Synkris: "You dream of wonder. But wonder dies, Lyra. And you'll watch it die—from the inside."
Lyra struggled as the corrupted shard floated closer, whispering.
Shard (echoing): "You don't belong with them. You're the outlier. The soul they lean on. What happens when you break?"
Her memories flickered—dancing, painting, saving innocents—then darkened—failing, falling, lost.
Nova Chamber – Countdown
Veyra: "If she fuses with that shard, she's gone."Kael (resolute): "Then we get her back. No matter what."
Back on the Ship
The corrupted shard touched Lyra's chest.
Her eyes went wide—then black.
Synkris (whispering): "Welcome home, little star."
To Be Continued…