The control hub pulsed faintly, the fragment's light casting long, wavering shadows across the chamber. Elyra approached the central console cautiously, her hands hovering over the alien glyphs etched into its surface. Each symbol throbbed with an energy she could almost feel, a silent heartbeat echoing through the station.
"The glyphs… they're more than a map," Elyra muttered. "They're a warning."
The Marauder's shadow rippled beside her, tendrils scanning the room. "Warnings often hide as guidance. This station was left behind not to be forgotten, but to protect those who could read it. The Void cannot erase its presence entirely—it fears knowledge."
Elyra traced the first glyph, feeling a faint hum in her fingertips. As she did, images flickered in her mind: a fleet engulfed in dark energy, ships vanishing mid-jump, entire colonies frozen in moments of terror. Her stomach tightened.
"The Void's next target…" she whispered. "It's not just a ship, or a planet—it's a sector. A hub of communication and trade. If it falls, countless systems could collapse before anyone even knows what's coming."
The Marauder's voice was low, cautioning. "And this station—its purpose—was to prepare someone to stop it. Kael left these glyphs as instructions. But beware: the glyphs also test those who read them. The Void will exploit doubt, hesitation, and fear."
Elyra's eyes narrowed. "Then we don't hesitate."
She continued tracing the symbols, deciphering sequences that outlined pathways through Foldspace, weak points in the Void's reach, and conduits where the fragment's energy could amplify their containment efforts. Each glyph seemed to respond to her focus, pulsing brighter as understanding deepened.
Suddenly, the fragment flared violently, throwing Elyra backward. The console's surface rippled, and a holographic map erupted into the air—a three-dimensional projection of the sector, grids of stars, and routes flickering with red pulses.
"The Void… it's moving faster than we expected," Elyra said, voice tight. "Look at these red markers—they're not just points—they're spreading."
The Marauder leaned closer. "The glyphs are revealing the Void's strategy. It's targeting systems where Kael's presence is strongest. It seeks remnants of his influence to corrupt and consume them. If we follow this map, we can anticipate its moves—but we'll be running against time itself."
Elyra exhaled, her mind racing. "Then we don't just react. We strike first. We cut the Void off before it reaches these worlds. And we make sure Kael's work wasn't in vain."
The fragment's glow stabilized, resonating with the holographic map. The station seemed to pulse in agreement, as if acknowledging her resolve.
The Marauder's shadow coiled protectively around her. "The first target is identified. But Elyra… the challenge will be unlike anything you've faced. The Void will anticipate our moves. It will adapt. It will fight using every fear you've ever carried."
Elyra straightened, determination burning in her eyes. "Then we'll be ready. We've faced darkness before. And this time… we won't just survive. We'll hunt it."
Outside, the stars of the dead planet shimmered faintly, a silent witness to the beginning of the next confrontation. The hunt was no longer just survival—it was war.
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