Chapter 12: A Duel of Shadows
The Vaikuntha fleet surged through the void, the hum of engines blending with the distant crackle of distortions rippling across the sector. Ahead of them loomed the first of the three remaining nodes—a massive crystalline structure radiating with chaotic energy. The distortion it generated was so intense that the stars around it seemed to bend and flicker, as though reality itself were fraying at the edges.
Aarav sat in Vedara’s cockpit, his hands steady on the controls. The astramech’s golden aura pulsed faintly, harmonizing with the rhythms of the Vishwaroopa fragment embedded within its core. Every nerve in Aarav’s body was alive with focus, his connection to Vedara sharper than ever.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice calm but firm. “What are we looking at?”
“The node’s energy output is nearing critical levels,” Maitreyi replied. “The surrounding distortions are growing unstable, and Dominion forces are moving into position to defend it. Scans indicate multiple Rakshasa III mechs and a single unidentified unit of significantly higher power.”
Aarav’s brow furrowed. “Unidentified?”
“It does not match any known Dominion designs,” Maitreyi said. “Its energy signature is unique, and it appears to be directly connected to the node’s core. Proceed with caution.”
Tara’s voice crackled over the comms from her strike ship. “Aarav, we’ve got incoming. Dominion units are breaking formation and heading straight for us.”
“I see them,” Aarav replied, his eyes narrowing. “We’ll handle it. Keep the fleet focused on the node. Vedara will clear the way.”
As the Dominion forces closed in, Vedara’s thrusters roared to life, propelling the astramech forward with a burst of golden light. Aarav’s hands moved instinctively over the controls, guiding Vedara with a precision that felt almost second nature. The Rakshasa III mechs opened fire, plasma bolts streaking through the void, but Vedara weaved through the onslaught with ease, its golden blade igniting in a brilliant arc.
The first Rakshasa III lunged toward Vedara, its plasma saber raised for a heavy strike. Aarav parried the attack, the clash of blades sending a shower of sparks cascading through the cockpit. He countered with a swift, decisive strike, severing the mech’s arm and sending it spiraling into the void.
A second Rakshasa III flanked Vedara, its cannons charging for a point-blank shot. Aarav threw Vedara into a sharp roll, the astramech’s thrusters flaring as it dodged the attack. Vedara’s blade flashed again, carving through the Dominion unit’s core in a single fluid motion.
“Maitreyi, status on the unidentified mech?” Aarav asked, his voice steady despite the chaos.
“Closing in on your position,” she replied. “Its energy output is increasing. Be prepared.”
The void seemed to ripple as the unidentified astramech emerged from the shadows. Its frame was sleek and angular, clad in dark armor that shimmered with faint traces of crimson and violet light. Its eyes glowed with an eerie intensity, and its weapons—dual plasma scythes—hummed with a menacing energy.
Vedara’s sensors screamed with warnings as the new opponent approached, its presence radiating a palpable aura of danger.
“This must be the Rakshasa IV variant,” Aarav muttered, his hands tightening on the controls.
“It is not,” Maitreyi said, her voice unusually tense. “This is a new design altogether. Designation identified: Tamasa. It is… unique.”
A new voice crackled over the comms, low and cold. “Jeevadhara,” the pilot said, her tone sharp as a blade. “You’ve made quite a name for yourself. Let’s see if you can live up to it.”
Aarav’s eyes narrowed. “Who are you?”
“Kali Vamana,” the voice replied. “Ravana’s chosen warrior. And your executioner.”
Kali wasted no time. Tamasa surged forward with blinding speed, its scythes cutting through the void in arcs of searing crimson light. Aarav reacted instantly, guiding Vedara into a defensive stance as the first strike came crashing down.
The force of the impact rattled the cockpit, and Aarav gritted his teeth as Vedara’s blade met Tamasa’s scythes in a spray of sparks. Kali pressed the attack, her movements fluid and relentless, each strike faster and more precise than the last.
“Maitreyi, analysis!” Aarav called out, his voice tight.
“Tamasa’s weapon systems are synchronized with the node’s energy output,” she replied. “Its power will continue to grow as long as the node remains active. You must find a way to disrupt its connection.”
“Easier said than done,” Aarav muttered, his focus narrowing as he guided Vedara through a series of rapid parries.
Tamasa’s movements were almost hypnotic, its strikes weaving a deadly pattern that forced Aarav to stay on the defensive. Every time he thought he saw an opening, Kali closed it with brutal efficiency, her scythes carving through the void like twin fangs.
“You’re holding back,” Kali said, her voice cutting through the comms like a whip. “I expected more from the vaunted Jeevadhara.”
Aarav’s gaze hardened. “Careful what you wish for.”
Vedara’s blade flared brighter as Aarav shifted to the offensive, driving Tamasa back with a series of rapid strikes. The golden blade moved like a blur, its light cutting through the shadows cast by Tamasa’s dark armor. Kali matched him blow for blow, her scythes moving in perfect harmony with her mech’s fluid movements.
The two astramechs clashed in a dazzling display of speed and power, their blades illuminating the void as sparks and energy rippled outward with each collision. Aarav’s breath came in sharp bursts, but his focus remained unbroken, his connection to Vedara grounding him in the chaos.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice calm despite the intensity of the battle. “Give me a read on the node’s weak points.”
“The core is shielded by an external energy matrix,” she replied. “Tamasa’s presence is amplifying its defenses. You must disable Tamasa before the node can be neutralized.”
Aarav smirked faintly, his grip tightening on the controls. “Guess it’s just you and me, Kali.”
Kali’s laughter echoed through the comms, cold and sharp. “You’ll find I’m not so easily defeated, Jeevadhara.”
The battle raged on, the two astramechs locked in a deadly dance as the void around them shimmered with the chaotic energy of the node.
This was no ordinary duel—it was a clash of ideals, of light and shadow, of two warriors who refused to yield.
The void between Vedara and Tamasa erupted in bursts of light and energy, each clash of their weapons illuminating the expanse in dazzling, violent brilliance. Aarav’s focus was razor-sharp, his every movement synchronized with Vedara’s fluid, golden form. Yet, even as he pressed forward, Tamasa remained an unyielding shadow, its crimson scythes carving the void with deadly precision.
Kali Vamana’s voice echoed through the comms, sharp and mocking. “You’re better than I expected, Jeevadhara. But you’re holding back—I can feel it. You fight like a man who’s afraid of what he can do.”
Aarav gritted his teeth as Vedara narrowly avoided a devastating horizontal slash from Tamasa’s scythes. “Maybe you should stop talking and see how that works out for you,” he shot back, driving Vedara’s blade in a quick counterstrike.
The golden blade connected with Tamasa’s armor, sending sparks flying, but the Dominion mech twisted with inhuman agility, deflecting the blow and retaliating with a brutal upward slash. Aarav barely managed to parry the strike, the cockpit shuddering with the force of the impact.
“You call this balance?” Kali said, her tone dripping with disdain. “A pathetic dance of restraint and hesitation? You’re fighting for a lie, Aarav. Balance is nothing but an excuse for weakness.”
Vedara spun away, thrusters flaring as Aarav regained his position. His hands gripped the controls tightly, his breath steady despite the rising tension. “And what are you fighting for?” he asked, his voice calm but edged with steel. “Ravana’s vision of the galaxy? A world where everything bends to his will?”
Kali laughed, the sound cold and hollow. “Ravana understands what you refuse to accept. The galaxy doesn’t need balance—it needs order. Chaos has reigned for too long. The weak cling to the illusion of harmony, while the strong shape reality to their will. That’s the only truth that matters.”
Aarav’s jaw tightened as he guided Vedara into a sharp dive, evading a volley of crimson energy blasts from Tamasa’s shoulder cannons. “You think strength is about control?” he said, his voice rising. “It’s not. Strength is about knowing when to fight and when to step back. It’s about protecting what matters, not crushing everything under your heel.”
“Spoken like a man who’s never had to make a real choice,” Kali retorted, her scythes spinning as Tamasa surged forward. “Tell me, Aarav—how many lives have you sacrificed for your precious balance? How many colonies have burned because you weren’t strong enough to make the hard call?”
The words struck a nerve, but Aarav pushed the doubt aside, his focus narrowing as Tamasa closed in. The Dominion mech’s movements were unnervingly fluid, each strike blending seamlessly into the next. Aarav guided Vedara into a defensive stance, parrying a series of rapid blows as the golden blade flared with energy.
Maitreyi’s voice echoed in his mind, calm and steady. “Kali’s tactics are designed to provoke an emotional response. Do not let her words cloud your judgment, Jeevadhara.”
“I know,” Aarav muttered, his hands steady on the controls. “But she’s not wrong. I’ve made mistakes—let people die because I wasn’t strong enough.”
“Strength is not the absence of failure,” Maitreyi said. “It is the will to rise despite it.”
Tamasa’s scythes came crashing down in a brutal overhead strike, but Vedara sidestepped with a burst of thruster power, its blade lashing out in a counterattack. The golden energy carved through Tamasa’s left scythe, severing the weapon with a blinding flash.
Kali hissed in frustration, Tamasa retreating slightly as sparks and energy arced from the damaged arm. “You’re more capable than I thought,” she said, her tone a mix of annoyance and grudging respect. “But you still don’t understand. Balance won’t save you, Aarav. It won’t save the galaxy.”
Aarav’s voice was firm, his resolve unshaken. “Maybe not. But I’ll take balance over tyranny any day. Ravana thinks he can force the galaxy into his vision of order, but that’s not how it works. Life isn’t something you can control—it’s something you have to protect.”
Kali’s laughter echoed through the comms, sharp and bitter. “Naive to the end. Let’s see how far your ideals take you.”
The battle raged on, the two astramechs locked in a deadly rhythm of attack and counterattack. Each clash of their weapons sent shockwaves rippling through the void, their movements blurring into a chaotic dance of light and shadow.
Aarav could feel the strain in his body, the toll of the fight weighing on him, but his focus remained unbroken. He wasn’t just fighting for himself—he was fighting for the fleet, for the colonies, for the balance that held the galaxy together.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice calm but urgent, “give me a read on Tamasa’s connection to the node. How do I break it?”
“Tamasa’s systems are drawing energy directly from the node’s core,” she replied. “Disabling its external power conduits will sever the connection and weaken its defenses. However, the conduits are heavily shielded and will require precise strikes.”
Aarav smirked faintly, his grip tightening on the controls. “Then let’s get to work.”
Vedara’s blade flared brighter as Aarav shifted his focus to the conduits embedded in Tamasa’s frame. Kali seemed to sense his intent, her movements growing more aggressive as she pressed the attack, her remaining scythe carving through the void with unrelenting force.
“You won’t get the chance,” Kali snarled, Tamasa’s thrusters roaring as it closed the distance.
“We’ll see about that,” Aarav shot back, his voice steady.
Vedara surged forward, its golden blade clashing with Tamasa’s scythe in a dazzling burst of light. Aarav’s focus sharpened, his connection to Vedara deepening as he guided the astramech into a precise, calculated strike.
The blade cut through one of the power conduits, sending a cascade of sparks and energy rippling through Tamasa’s frame. Kali cursed, Tamasa staggering slightly as its systems began to falter.
Aarav exhaled, his resolve hardening. This fight was far from over, but for the first time, he felt the tide beginning to turn.
Tamasa recoiled from the strike, sparks cascading from the severed power conduit on its shoulder. The glow of its crimson scythe dimmed slightly, but Kali Vamana showed no hesitation. She pushed the damaged astramech forward, its thrusters roaring as it closed the distance between them.
“You think cutting a few wires is going to stop me?” Kali hissed through the comms, her tone sharp and defiant. “Tamasa is more than a machine—it’s an extension of my will. And my will doesn’t break.”
Aarav’s focus was unshaken as Vedara readied itself for the next exchange. “Willpower doesn’t mean much when you’re fighting for the wrong cause,” he shot back, his voice steady. “You’re just a shadow of Ravana’s ambition—nothing more.”
The words struck a nerve. Kali snarled, Tamasa’s movements becoming more aggressive, almost feral. The Dominion astramech’s scythe slashed through the void in wide, arcing sweeps, each strike sending shockwaves rippling through space. Vedara moved with precision, parrying the attacks and countering with sharp, calculated strikes that chipped away at Tamasa’s defenses.
“Maitreyi, status on Tamasa’s systems?” Aarav asked, his voice calm but urgent as Vedara narrowly evaded another blow.
“Tamasa’s energy output remains stable, but its connection to the node is weakening,” she replied. “Two additional power conduits remain intact. Disabling them will disrupt its synchronization and leave it vulnerable.”
“Got it,” Aarav said, guiding Vedara into a sharp roll to avoid a burst of crimson plasma from Tamasa’s shoulder cannons.
Kali’s laughter echoed through the comms, cold and sharp. “You’re predictable, Jeevadhara. I see every move you make. You’re not fighting me—you’re dancing to my rhythm.”
Aarav’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “Funny, I thought I was leading.”
Vedara’s blade flared with golden light as it surged forward, its movements swift and precise. Aarav drove the astramech into Tamasa’s blind spot, targeting the second power conduit embedded in its left flank.
Kali reacted instantly, twisting Tamasa’s frame with a burst of thrusters to block the strike. Her scythe came down in a brutal arc, aiming for Vedara’s core. Aarav countered with a quick parry, the cockpit shuddering as the two weapons clashed in a burst of energy.
“You’re persistent,” Kali said, her tone a mix of frustration and grudging respect. “But persistence doesn’t win wars. Power does.”
Tamasa’s systems surged with energy, the crimson glow of its weapons intensifying as its remaining conduits drew more power from the node. The astramech’s movements became faster, more aggressive, each strike hammering against Vedara’s defenses with overwhelming force.
Aarav gritted his teeth as the strain of the battle mounted. Vedara’s shielding flared with each impact, warning indicators flashing across the cockpit displays.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice tight, “what’s going on? It’s like she’s getting stronger.”
“Tamasa’s synchronization with the node is amplifying its combat capabilities,” Maitreyi replied. “The longer the battle continues, the greater its power will grow. You must disable the remaining conduits immediately.”
Aarav exhaled sharply, forcing himself to remain calm. He guided Vedara into a rapid series of evasive maneuvers, each movement calculated to create an opening. Tamasa pursued relentlessly, its scythe slicing through the void with deadly precision.
Kali’s voice came through the comms again, low and taunting. “This is the difference between us, Aarav. You’re bound by your so-called balance, always holding back, always hesitating. But me? I don’t hold back. I take what I want. I destroy what stands in my way.”
Aarav’s gaze hardened as he saw his chance. Vedara feinted left, drawing Tamasa’s scythe into an overextended strike. Aarav capitalized instantly, driving Vedara’s blade into the second power conduit.
The conduit exploded in a burst of sparks and energy, sending Tamasa staggering back. Kali cursed, her tone laced with frustration as her astramech’s movements became slightly erratic.
“You’re fighting for destruction,” Aarav said, his voice calm but resolute. “But destruction without purpose is meaningless. That’s the difference between us.”
Tamasa’s systems began to falter, its movements losing some of their fluidity as the loss of the second conduit disrupted its synchronization. Aarav pressed the advantage, guiding Vedara into a series of rapid strikes that tested Tamasa’s defenses.
But Kali wasn’t done. She pushed Tamasa forward with sheer will, her scythe swinging in wide, desperate arcs. The two astramechs clashed again, their blades locking in a brilliant burst of light.
Kali’s voice was a snarl, her frustration boiling over. “You think you’ve won because you’ve cut a few wires? You don’t understand what Tamasa is capable of. This isn’t over, Aarav!”
Aarav met her words with quiet determination, his focus unbroken. “You’re right. It’s not over. But it will be.”
As Tamasa staggered, Aarav guided Vedara into position, his sights set on the final power conduit. The tide of the battle had shifted, but the fight was far from finished.
The void was alive with fire and light as Vedara pressed forward, its golden blade gleaming against the dim, crackling backdrop of Tamasa’s failing systems. Aarav’s hands moved instinctively over the controls, guiding Vedara with precision and focus. Tamasa, now limping with one severed scythe and two destroyed conduits, was a shadow of its earlier power, but Kali Vamana refused to yield.
“You’re persistent,” Aarav muttered, locking his gaze on the Dominion astramech as it shifted erratically, sparks flying from its damaged joints.
Kali’s voice hissed through the comms, raw and venomous. “Persistence isn’t the same as weakness, Jeevadhara. You might’ve crippled Tamasa, but I’m still here. I don’t break that easily.”
Vedara shifted its stance, blade at the ready. Aarav could feel the tension in Kali’s movements—desperation masked by stubborn defiance. She wasn’t fighting to win anymore. She was fighting to prove a point.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice calm but firm, “what’s the status of the node? Can we sever the connection now?”
“The final conduit on Tamasa’s core remains intact,” Maitreyi replied. “Once it is neutralized, the node’s energy output will destabilize. However, Tamasa’s remaining systems are diverting all power to its core shielding. It will require a precise strike.”
“Understood,” Aarav said.
Tamasa surged forward with surprising speed, its remaining scythe slashing in a wide, desperate arc. Aarav guided Vedara into a sharp roll, narrowly evading the strike. The Dominion astramech twisted mid-motion, swinging its arm in a brutal backhand that caught Vedara’s shoulder plating, sending the cockpit shuddering.
Kali’s voice crackled over the comms, filled with rage. “You think you’re better than me, don’t you? Sitting in that golden machine, acting like you’re some divine protector. But you’re just a man, Aarav—a man who’s afraid of what he might become.”
Aarav didn’t respond immediately, focusing instead on repositioning Vedara. He could see the flickering glow of Tamasa’s core, its energy field faltering as the strain of the battle mounted.
Finally, he spoke, his voice calm and resolute. “You’re right. I am afraid. Afraid of failing, afraid of losing more people. But that fear doesn’t control me—it drives me. Can you say the same?”
Kali snarled, Tamasa’s thrusters flaring as it lunged toward Vedara in a final, reckless charge. Aarav reacted instantly, guiding Vedara into a tight spin that brought the golden blade slicing downward. The strike hit true, carving through Tamasa’s chest armor and severing the final conduit.
The resulting explosion of sparks and energy forced both astramechs to disengage, their frames battered by the shockwave. Aarav steadied Vedara, his hands tightening on the controls as he watched Tamasa falter. The Dominion astramech staggered, its systems sparking violently as the glow of its scythe dimmed and died.
“Kali,” Aarav said, his voice cutting through the comms, “it’s over. Stand down.”
For a moment, there was no response. Then, Kali’s laughter filled the channel—low, bitter, and hollow. “Stand down? You think this is about me? Ravana’s vision doesn’t end with Tamasa. Even if I fall, the cycle continues.”
Vedara raised its blade, the golden energy humming with quiet power. Aarav hesitated, his gaze locked on the battered Dominion astramech. “You don’t have to throw your life away for him,” he said, his voice steady. “This isn’t your fight—it’s his. Walk away, Kali. It doesn’t have to end like this.”
Kali’s voice softened, her tone laced with exhaustion. “You think mercy will change anything, Jeevadhara? Sparing me won’t stop Ravana. It won’t undo the chaos he’s unleashed.”
“No,” Aarav admitted, his grip tightening on the controls. “But it’s a start. I’m not fighting to destroy people—I’m fighting to protect the balance he’s trying to break. Killing you won’t bring us any closer to that.”
The silence stretched, the void around them eerily still. Tamasa’s frame trembled, its systems barely holding together.
Finally, Kali spoke, her voice a mix of bitterness and something else—something closer to doubt. “You’re a fool, Aarav. But maybe that’s what makes you dangerous.”
Tamasa’s thrusters sputtered weakly as the Dominion astramech turned, retreating into the shadows of the void. Aarav didn’t move, his blade dimming as he watched her go.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said quietly, “status on the node?”
“The node’s energy output is destabilizing,” she replied. “The distortions in this sector are beginning to recede. However, residual fluctuations will persist until the remaining nodes are neutralized.”
Aarav exhaled, the tension in his chest easing slightly. “Good. Let’s regroup with the fleet and move to the next target.”
As Vedara’s thrusters flared, propelling it toward the waiting Vaikuntha ships, Aarav’s thoughts lingered on Kali’s final words. She had retreated, but her doubt had been clear—an ember in the shadow of her conviction.
It wasn’t much, but it was something.
Vedara’s thrusters burned brightly as it glided into formation with the Vaikuntha fleet, the astramech’s golden aura casting a faint light over the surrounding ships. The silence in the cockpit was heavy, the weight of the battle lingering in the air even as Aarav powered down Vedara’s systems.
On the Amaravarti, the tension was palpable. The bridge was abuzz with activity, officers relaying updates and preparing for the next push toward the remaining nodes. Aarav stepped out of Vedara’s cockpit, his body aching from the strain of the duel with Kali Vamana. Tara Ishani was already waiting for him at the docking bay, her arms crossed and her expression tight.
“You let her go,” Tara said, her voice low but edged with frustration.
Aarav met her gaze, his expression calm but resolute. “She wasn’t the fight we needed to win today.”
Tara’s jaw tightened, and she stepped closer, her tone sharp. “Kali Vamana isn’t just another pilot, Aarav. She’s Ravana’s chosen warrior—letting her walk away might’ve just given him the edge he needs to regroup.”
“She’s not invincible,” Aarav replied, his voice steady. “We cut her connection to the node. She’s weakened, and so is Ravana. Killing her wouldn’t have changed anything about what’s coming next.”
Tara exhaled sharply, her frustration clear. “You keep doing this,” she said, her voice rising slightly. “Holding back, showing mercy—like you’re trying to prove something. But this isn’t about balance, Aarav. It’s a war. And wars aren’t won by sparing enemies who will come back stronger.”
Aarav’s gaze didn’t waver. “And what happens if I don’t hold back, Tara? What happens if I give in to the same kind of thinking Ravana’s using? He’s already trying to break the galaxy by forcing his version of order. If we start making those same choices, how are we any different?”
Tara’s expression softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. “You’re walking a fine line, Aarav. Mercy can be noble, but it can also cost lives. Just make sure you’re ready to live with the consequences.”
Lavanya joined them, her expression unreadable as she glanced between Aarav and Tara. “The fleet’s stabilized for now, but there’s unrest brewing,” she said. “Word’s spreading that you let Kali go. Some of the captains aren’t happy about it.”
Aarav exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Let me guess—Yuvaan’s stirring the pot again?”
Lavanya nodded, her tone wry. “He’s already calling it a mistake. Says it proves you’re too soft to lead the fleet.”
Tara snorted. “Of course he is. The man’s practically waiting for an excuse to undermine you.”
Aarav straightened, his voice calm but firm. “Let him say what he wants. I made the call I had to make, and I’ll stand by it.”
Lavanya raised an eyebrow, her gaze searching. “Even if it costs you the fleet’s trust?”
Aarav’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t hesitate. “The fleet doesn’t need to trust me. It needs to trust what we’re fighting for. If that’s not enough for them, then I’ll fight alone if I have to.”
The conversation was cut short as an alert blared across the docking bay. The tactical display on the wall flickered to life, showing a report from the fleet’s forward scouts.
“Dominion reinforcements detected,” a comms officer announced. “Multiple Rakshasa-class mechs and support carriers moving toward the next node. Estimated time to contact: thirty minutes.”
Aarav’s gaze hardened as he studied the display. “Ravana’s not wasting any time,” he muttered.
Tara’s expression sharpened, her frustration replaced by determination. “We’re moving on the next node, then. No breaks.”
Lavanya smirked faintly, her voice dry. “And here I thought we’d get a chance to breathe.”
Aarav stepped forward, his tone steady but commanding. “Maitreyi, status on Vedara?”
“Vedara’s systems are operational,” she replied. “The strain from the previous engagement has been mitigated, and the astramech is ready for deployment. However, prolonged combat at this intensity will increase the risk of neural fatigue.”
“I’ll manage,” Aarav said.
Tara placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression softer now. “Just… be careful, okay? We can’t afford to lose you.”
Aarav nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t worry. I’m not planning on going anywhere.”
As the fleet began to mobilize for the next assault, Aarav climbed back into Vedara’s cockpit, the golden light of the astramech’s systems flaring to life around him. The weight of the galaxy pressed down on him, but he carried it with a calm resolve.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice steady, “set course for the next node.”
“Course plotted, Jeevadhara,” she replied. “The fleet is ready to follow your lead.”
Vedara’s thrusters roared to life as it launched from the Amaravarti, its golden aura cutting through the darkness. Behind it, the Vaikuntha fleet surged forward, their engines burning brightly as they prepared to face the Dominion forces head-on.
The battle for balance was far from over, but Aarav was ready to fight for it—no matter the cost.