Chapter 16: Sacrifice of the Jeevadhara
The Vaikuntha fleet hung in the void like a fractured constellation, the scars of the battle with Ravana still fresh. Ships limped into formation, their hulls scorched and engines flickering. The once-organized battlegroups were now a scattered collection of survivors, their strength tested but unbroken.
From Vedara’s cockpit, Aarav watched the fleet’s slow regrouping with a heavy heart. The weight of the recent battle sat on his shoulders, but his gaze remained sharp, focused on the task ahead. Ravana had fallen, but the cost of their victory lingered in the silence around him.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said quietly, his voice steady despite the exhaustion pressing down on him, “what’s the status on Lanka Prime?”
“Scans indicate significant structural collapse across the planetary surface,” Maitreyi replied. “Dominion forces have largely abandoned their positions, but scattered resistance remains. The energy signature from the Chandrakala Core has completely dissipated.”
Aarav exhaled slowly, his grip on the controls tightening. “And the survivors?”
“Preliminary scans show minimal life signs in the vicinity of the coreframe carrier’s wreckage,” she said. “However, I am detecting an anomaly—a faint energy signature similar to that of Vedara’s Vishwaroopa energy.”
Aarav frowned, his gaze sharpening. “An anomaly? Is it connected to the Chandrakala Core?”
“Negative,” Maitreyi replied. “The signature is distinct from the core’s energy. Its source is moving, approximately 1,000 meters from your current position.”
Before Aarav could respond, the comms crackled with static, followed by a voice he hadn’t expected to hear again.
“Jeevadhara,” the voice said, calm but weary. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”
Aarav froze, his hands tightening on the controls. He recognized that voice instantly. “Devya?”
The comms crackled again, and then the familiar figure of Devya Varman’s astramech, battered and scorched, emerged from the shadows of the wreckage. The crimson astramech, now stripped of its once-pristine appearance, limped toward Vedara with sparks cascading from its damaged joints.
Aarav’s breath caught as he watched the Dominion defector’s mech approach. “How are you alive?” Aarav asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and suspicion. “You were supposed to be dead. You stayed behind on Lanka Prime when we destroyed the stabilizers.”
Devya’s voice was steady, but there was a weariness beneath it. “I was dead. At least, I should have been. The stabilizers collapsed, the coreframe carrier fell, and I thought that was the end.” He paused, his tone softening. “But something kept me alive. Maybe it was fate, maybe it was luck—or maybe it was unfinished business.”
Aarav’s jaw tightened, his instincts flaring with distrust. “Why are you here, Devya? You betrayed us once before. How do I know this isn’t another game?”
The crimson astramech halted a short distance from Vedara, its frame flickering with faint sparks. Devya’s voice carried a faint edge of regret. “I don’t expect you to trust me, Aarav. I wouldn’t trust me either. But I’m not here to fight you. I’m here because I know what Ravana left behind.”
Aarav’s eyes narrowed, his suspicion deepening. “What are you talking about?”
“The Chandrakala Core wasn’t just a weapon,” Devya said. “It was a key—a gateway to something bigger. Something Ravana never had the chance to fully control. And now, without him, that power is loose. If we don’t stop it, it’ll tear the galaxy apart.”
Maitreyi’s voice cut in, calm but urgent. “Analysis of Devya’s statements aligns with the detected anomaly. The energy signature is growing more unstable with each passing moment.”
Aarav’s grip on the controls tightened as he processed the information. “You expect me to believe you came back just to help us clean up Ravana’s mess?”
“I’m not here for you,” Devya replied, his tone quiet but resolute. “I’m here because this galaxy doesn’t deserve to burn for his mistakes. And because… maybe it’s time I did something that mattered.”
Aarav hesitated for a moment, his gaze fixed on Devya’s battered astramech. The weight of their shared history pressed on him, but the urgency of the moment left no room for indecision.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice steady, “can we trust him?”
“Devya’s current energy readings indicate no active synchronization with Dominion systems,” Maitreyi replied. “However, his stated information regarding the anomaly aligns with our scans. Proceed with caution.”
Aarav exhaled sharply, his decision made. “Fine. But if you so much as twitch the wrong way, I’ll end this before you can even explain yourself.”
Devya’s voice carried a faint smile. “Fair enough, Aarav. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Vedara turned toward the source of the anomaly, its thrusters flaring as Aarav led the way through the wreckage. The faint glow of the energy signature pulsed in the distance, its light flickering like a heartbeat.
As the two astramechs approached, the scale of the anomaly became clear. Embedded within a jagged section of the carrier’s remains was a swirling vortex of golden and crimson energy, its edges rippling with unstable temporal distortions. The sight of it sent a chill through Aarav’s chest.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice quiet but urgent, “what is that?”
“The anomaly appears to be a residual nexus of Chandrakala energy,” she replied. “Its properties are highly unstable, and its influence on the surrounding environment is increasing. If left unchecked, the nexus could trigger a collapse of localized space-time.”
Devya’s voice cut in, grim but steady. “This is what Ravana was working toward. The Chandrakala Core was just the first step. If this thing isn’t contained, it’ll spread—and there won’t be anything left to save.”
Aarav stared at the swirling vortex, his mind racing as the weight of the moment pressed down on him. This wasn’t just about Ravana or the Dominion anymore. The fate of the galaxy hung in the balance, and once again, it was up to him to decide its future.
“Then we stop it,” Aarav said, his voice resolute. “Whatever it takes.”
The final battle had ended, but the consequences of Ravana’s ambition were far from over.
The swirling nexus of golden and crimson energy pulsed with chaotic power, its unstable tendrils reaching out like jagged lightning. The anomaly, embedded deep within the remnants of Lanka Prime’s coreframe carrier, twisted space around it, bending light and reality itself. Aarav guided Vedara closer, the golden astramech’s aura flickering faintly as it faced the vortex.
Maitreyi’s voice broke through the heavy silence, calm yet urgent. “Analysis of the anomaly indicates a rapidly increasing energy output. If left unchecked, it will trigger a localized collapse of space-time within twenty minutes.”
Aarav’s grip on the controls tightened as he surveyed the swirling chaos. “And after that collapse?”
“The resulting energy cascade will propagate across the sector,” Maitreyi replied. “The effects would be catastrophic—total annihilation of all surrounding systems.”
Beside him, Devya’s battered astramech limped into position. His voice came through the comms, grim but steady. “This is what Ravana wanted. The Chandrakala Core wasn’t just a weapon—it was a way to reset everything. A clean slate for him to rebuild the galaxy in his image. Even in death, he’s trying to finish what he started.”
Aarav’s jaw tightened, his eyes locked on the anomaly. “Not if we stop it first.”
Devya exhaled sharply, his voice carrying a resigned edge. “You know there’s only one way to stop this, right? That thing isn’t just an energy nexus—it’s a breach. A doorway into the void Ravana was trying to harness. The only way to seal it is to overload it with a counter-energy pulse. Something strong enough to collapse it from the inside.”
Aarav’s mind raced as he considered the implications. “You’re saying we need to throw Vedara into that thing?”
“Not just Vedara,” Devya said, his tone soft but firm. “It’ll take both of us. Vedara’s Vishwaroopa energy is the key, but the pulse needs to be sustained long enough to stabilize the collapse. My astramech’s systems can amplify the pulse, but… well, you already know what that means.”
Aarav froze, the weight of Devya’s words settling over him. “It means we don’t come back.”
The silence between them was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of the anomaly as it pulsed with chaotic energy. Devya’s voice returned, quieter now, but filled with conviction. “You don’t have to do this, Aarav. I started this fight on the wrong side. Let me be the one to finish it.”
“No,” Aarav said firmly, his voice steady despite the storm inside him. “We finish it together. Ravana might’ve tried to tear the galaxy apart, but we’re the ones who’ll hold it together.”
Devya was quiet for a moment before letting out a faint chuckle. “You always did have a way with speeches, Jeevadhara.”
The comms crackled as Lavanya’s voice cut through, sharp and urgent. “Aarav, what’s happening? The fleet’s picking up massive fluctuations from the anomaly. Whatever it is, it’s getting worse.”
“We’re stopping it,” Aarav replied, his tone calm but resolute. “Devya and I are going to collapse the anomaly from the inside.”
“What?” Lavanya’s voice was filled with disbelief. “You’re joking, right? You can’t seriously be thinking about—”
Tara’s voice cut in, sharper and more focused. “How much time do you have?”
Aarav hesitated for a moment, his gaze fixed on the swirling vortex. “Not enough to argue about it. Just keep the fleet out of range and be ready to move. If this doesn’t work…” He trailed off, his voice softening. “Well, you know what to do.”
Lavanya’s voice returned, trembling with frustration. “Aarav, there has to be another way. You always find another way.”
“Not this time,” Aarav said quietly, his tone steady but heavy. “This is the only way to stop it for good.”
Tara’s voice softened, a rare note of vulnerability slipping through. “You’re sure about this?”
Aarav nodded, even though they couldn’t see him. “I am.”
The comms went silent for a long moment before Lavanya’s voice returned, filled with quiet emotion. “You better come back, Aarav. You promised.”
Vedara’s thrusters flared as Aarav guided the astramech closer to the anomaly. Beside him, Devya’s damaged mech limped forward, sparks flickering from its fractured frame.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice calm but resolute, “begin synchronization with the Vishwaroopa Protocol. Let’s finish this.”
“Synchronization initiated,” Maitreyi replied. “Warning: prolonged exposure to the anomaly will result in critical damage to Vedara’s systems.”
Aarav exhaled slowly, his grip on the controls tightening. “I know.”
As the two astramechs approached the swirling vortex, the chaotic energy around it began to intensify. The void trembled with the force of the anomaly’s power, the jagged tendrils of light reaching out like claws.
Devya’s voice broke through the comms, quiet but resolute. “For what it’s worth, Aarav, I’m glad it’s you standing here with me. If anyone deserves to be called Jeevadhara, it’s you.”
A faint smile tugged at Aarav’s lips as he guided Vedara into position. “Let’s make it count, Devya.”
The two astramechs hovered at the edge of the anomaly, their auras glowing faintly against the swirling chaos. The final step lay ahead—a leap into the unknown, with everything on the line.
As Vedara and Devya’s astramech edged closer to the swirling anomaly, the void seemed to scream around them. Tendrils of chaotic energy lashed out, their golden and crimson hues warping the surrounding space. Aarav gritted his teeth as the neural link flared with tension, every fiber of Vedara humming with the strain of proximity to the vortex.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice sharp but controlled, “how stable are our systems?”
“Vedara’s core synchronization is holding at eighty percent,” Maitreyi replied. “However, prolonged exposure to the anomaly’s energy field will cause exponential strain. Recommend immediate action.”
Aarav nodded, guiding Vedara closer. “Devya, you ready?”
Devya’s voice came through, steady but grim. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s get this done before that thing decides to swallow us whole.”
The comms crackled with interference as the anomaly surged, its chaotic tendrils whipping violently. And then, without warning, the battlefield was filled with a familiar voice—cold, commanding, and filled with raw fury.
“You think you can undo what I’ve built?” Ravana’s voice boomed, echoing from everywhere and nowhere at once. “You think you can destroy my legacy?”
Aarav froze, his grip on the controls tightening. “Maitreyi,” he said cautiously, “what’s going on? Ravana’s dead.”
“Analysis indicates residual consciousness embedded within the Chandrakala energy,” Maitreyi replied. “Ravana’s neural imprint has survived as part of the anomaly.”
Devya let out a sharp breath. “Of course he left a backup plan. The bastard’s not even alive, and he’s still trying to win.”
The swirling energy of the anomaly began to coalesce, forming into a massive, shifting shape. Ravana’s voice roared again, filled with rage. “You cannot destroy me, Aarav! The Chandrakala Core was more than a weapon—it was an extension of me, of my will! And as long as this power remains, I will endure!”
The energy took form, shaping into a colossal, spectral figure. Its body was a warped fusion of light and shadow, its jagged limbs radiating crimson lightning. At its core was a pulsating mass of energy—a fragment of the Chandrakala Core, still burning with unstable power.
Aarav’s jaw tightened as he stared at the spectral figure. “He’s not going to let us finish this without a fight.”
“Then we finish him first,” Devya said, his tone sharp.
The spectral Ravana surged forward, its massive limbs sweeping through the void with devastating force. Aarav threw Vedara into a sharp roll, narrowly evading the strike as a tendril of crimson energy sliced past him, carving through the wreckage nearby. Devya’s astramech followed close behind, its battered frame firing bursts of plasma at the spectral figure.
“You can’t win, Jeevadhara!” Ravana roared, his voice filled with fury and desperation. “The galaxy doesn’t need balance—it needs control! My control!”
Aarav’s voice was calm but resolute as Vedara’s blade ignited in a brilliant arc. “The galaxy doesn’t need you, Ravana. It needs a chance to survive without you trying to break it apart.”
Vedara lunged forward, its golden blade slashing through one of the spectral figure’s limbs. The attack sent a ripple of energy through the anomaly, the jagged form flickering briefly before solidifying again.
Devya’s voice crackled over the comms. “That thing’s pulling energy straight from the anomaly. Every hit we land weakens it, but it’s going to take everything we’ve got to bring it down.”
“Maitreyi, confirm,” Aarav said, his gaze locked on the spectral figure.
“Confirmed,” Maitreyi replied. “The spectral entity is sustained by the anomaly’s energy field. Repeated strikes to its core will destabilize the connection.”
Aarav exhaled sharply, his focus narrowing. “Then we cut him off at the source.”
Vedara surged forward, its movements precise as Aarav guided it into a series of rapid strikes. The golden blade carved through the spectral figure’s limbs, each strike sending bursts of light and energy spiraling outward. The spectral Ravana retaliated with brutal force, its massive limbs lashing out in wide arcs that forced both astramechs into evasive maneuvers.
Devya’s battered mech charged alongside Vedara, its plasma cannons blazing. “Keep him busy, Aarav!” Devya called out, his voice sharp with determination. “I’ll target the core!”
Aarav nodded, guiding Vedara into another strike. The golden blade clashed with the spectral figure’s limbs, the collision sending shockwaves rippling through the void. Ravana’s voice roared again, his tone filled with defiance.
“You think you’re fighting for balance, Aarav? You’re nothing but a fool playing with power you don’t understand!”
“And you’re nothing but a man who couldn’t let go,” Aarav shot back, his voice cutting through the comms.
Devya’s astramech fired a concentrated burst of plasma at the spectral figure’s core. The attack connected, sending cracks rippling across the pulsating mass of energy. Ravana’s form flickered violently, his voice filled with rage.
“No! You will not undo what I’ve built!”
The spectral figure surged with chaotic energy, its limbs extending into jagged tendrils that lashed out in all directions. Aarav guided Vedara through the storm, the golden astramech weaving between the attacks with practiced precision. Each strike brought him closer to the core, the pulsating mass of energy glowing brighter as the battle intensified.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav called out, his voice steady but urgent, “what’s the status on the anomaly?”
“Residual energy levels are decreasing,” she replied. “The spectral entity is weakening. Continue the assault.”
Aarav nodded, his resolve hardening as he pushed Vedara into position. The final strike was within reach, and Ravana’s fury would not stand in their way.
The spectral figure of Ravana writhed and flickered, its jagged limbs flailing as cracks spread across its core. Crimson energy poured out like molten fire, tearing through the void with destructive force. Each pulse of power threatened to destabilize the anomaly further, sending ripples of chaotic energy surging outward.
Aarav’s hands tightened on the controls, his body tense as Vedara darted around the spectral entity, its golden blade flashing in precise arcs. Beside him, Devya’s battered astramech moved in tandem, its plasma cannons firing concentrated bursts at the entity’s exposed core.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav called out, his voice sharp and urgent, “status on the core. How much more can it take?”
“The core’s structural integrity is critically compromised,” Maitreyi replied. “One more direct strike to the nexus should sever its connection to the anomaly. However, the resulting energy release will trigger a catastrophic implosion.”
Aarav exhaled sharply, his grip on the controls steadying. “Devya, did you hear that?”
“Loud and clear,” Devya replied, his voice calm despite the storm around them. “One hit and this whole thing goes up. Guess that’s our cue, huh?”
The spectral Ravana roared, his voice reverberating through the void like a thunderclap. “You will not take this from me!” he bellowed, his tone filled with rage and desperation. “The galaxy belongs to me—it is mine to shape, mine to rule!”
Vedara’s thrusters flared as Aarav guided the astramech into another charge. The golden blade slashed through one of the entity’s limbs, sending shards of energy scattering into the void. Aarav’s voice was calm but resolute as he spoke.
“The galaxy doesn’t belong to anyone, Ravana. It never did. It’s not something you can own—it’s something we all share. And that’s why you’ve already lost.”
The spectral figure twisted violently, its jagged limbs forming into a massive spear of crimson energy. With a deafening roar, Ravana hurled the weapon toward Vedara, the spear tearing through space like a comet.
Aarav reacted instantly, throwing Vedara into a sharp roll. The spear missed by mere meters, the shockwave rattling the cockpit as it passed. But the attack wasn’t over. Tendrils of energy erupted from the spear’s trajectory, arcing toward Vedara like whips of raw power.
“Maitreyi, full power to shields!” Aarav shouted, his voice strained.
“Shields at maximum output,” she replied. “Impact imminent.”
The tendrils struck Vedara’s shields, their force shaking the astramech to its core. Aarav gritted his teeth as the neural link surged, the strain of the impact pressing down on him like a physical weight. But Vedara held firm, its golden aura shimmering defiantly against the onslaught.
Meanwhile, Devya’s astramech charged toward the entity’s core, its plasma cannons blazing. The crimson light of the spectral figure flickered violently as the blasts connected, sending fractures rippling across its unstable form.
“Aarav!” Devya called out, his voice sharp. “This is it! I’m going for the core—back me up!”
Aarav’s gaze locked on the pulsating nexus at the center of the spectral figure. He guided Vedara into position, its greatsword igniting in a blinding arc of golden light. “I’m with you,” he said, his voice steady. “Let’s finish this.”
The two astramechs surged forward, their auras blazing as they closed the distance to the core. Ravana’s spectral form twisted and writhed, his voice rising in a desperate roar.
“No! You cannot destroy me! I am the Tandava! I am eternal!”
Vedara’s blade struck first, carving through the outer layers of the nexus with a devastating explosion of light. Devya’s astramech followed, its plasma cannons firing a concentrated burst directly into the core. The combined force of their attacks sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield, the nexus collapsing in on itself with a deafening roar.
The anomaly began to implode, its chaotic energy collapsing inward as the nexus destabilized completely. Aarav’s cockpit flared with warning lights as the neural link surged, the strain on Vedara reaching critical levels.
“Maitreyi!” Aarav shouted, his voice sharp. “How much time do we have?”
“Less than thirty seconds,” she replied. “Recommend immediate evacuation.”
Devya’s voice cut through the comms, calm but resolute. “There’s no time, Aarav. Someone needs to hold this thing together long enough for the implosion to stabilize. And you’ve got more to do out there.”
Aarav’s breath caught as he realized what Devya meant. “No. We both make it out of this, Devya. That’s the deal.”
Devya let out a faint chuckle, his voice soft. “Not this time, Jeevadhara. This one’s on me.”
Before Aarav could respond, Devya’s astramech surged forward, its frame glowing with the residual energy of the Chandrakala Core. The battered mech locked itself onto the nexus, its systems flaring with one final burst of power.
“Get out of here, Aarav,” Devya said, his voice steady but filled with quiet emotion. “Make it count.”
Aarav’s hands tightened on the controls, his chest heavy with the weight of the moment. But he knew there was no other way.
“Devya…” Aarav said quietly, his voice breaking.
“Go!” Devya shouted.
Vedara’s thrusters roared as Aarav guided the astramech away from the imploding anomaly, its golden aura flaring as it accelerated to safety. Behind him, the nexus collapsed completely, its chaotic energy folding inward in a blinding explosion of light.
The shockwave rippled across the void, but Vedara held firm, its shields absorbing the brunt of the impact. Aarav exhaled sharply as the neural link steadied, his gaze locked on the fading light of the implosion.
Devya was gone, but his sacrifice had saved them all.
The shockwave of the anomaly’s implosion washed over the battlefield, rippling through the void with a blinding burst of light. For a moment, everything was still—the stars seemed to fade, the surrounding wreckage frozen in the silence. Then the wave dissipated, and the galaxy exhaled.
Vedara floated motionless, its golden aura flickering faintly as Aarav steadied the astramech. The cockpit hummed with residual static, and the neural link throbbed in his mind, a constant reminder of how close to the edge he had been pushed.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said softly, his voice thick with exhaustion, “what’s the status on the anomaly?”
“The anomaly has fully collapsed,” Maitreyi replied, her tone calm but tinged with a faint solemnity. “Residual energy levels have dissipated. Temporal distortions in the area are no longer detectable.”
Aarav exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the distant void where the anomaly had been. The swirling chaos, the crimson and golden vortex—it was all gone. But so was Devya.
The comms crackled faintly as Lavanya’s voice broke through, sharp but edged with hesitation. “Aarav, are you… still out there?”
“I’m here,” Aarav replied, his tone steady but heavy.
Tara’s voice followed, quieter than usual. “The anomaly’s gone. Whatever you did, it worked.” She hesitated. “What about… Devya?”
Aarav’s hands tightened on the controls, his gaze lowering. “He stayed behind to make sure the collapse held. He… didn’t make it.”
The silence that followed was heavy, punctuated only by the faint hum of the comms. Lavanya’s voice returned, softer now. “He did the right thing. For once.”
As Vedara drifted back toward the remnants of the Vaikuntha fleet, Aarav scanned the surrounding battlefield. What remained of their forces was scattered and battered, a fragile constellation of scorched ships and wounded astramechs. The Amaravarti’s absence was a stark reminder of the cost they had paid to win this fight.
“Maitreyi, what’s the status of the fleet?” Aarav asked.
“Vaikuntha forces have begun regrouping,” Maitreyi replied. “Surviving ships are reporting significant damage, and casualty rates remain high. However, no active threats are currently detected in the area.”
Aarav exhaled sharply, the weight of the battle pressing down on him. “And Lanka Prime?”
“Surface scans indicate widespread destruction,” Maitreyi said. “Dominion forces have abandoned most positions, but isolated pockets of resistance remain.”
Aarav’s gaze hardened. “We’ll deal with them later. Right now, we need to get the fleet stabilized.”
As Vedara approached the heart of the fleet, the comms came alive with scattered voices. Survivors called out for aid, captains coordinated repair efforts, and medics scrambled to organize evacuation plans for their wounded crews. Amid the chaos, Aarav’s voice cut through, calm and commanding.
“This is Aarav Rishi,” he said, his tone firm but steady. “The anomaly has been neutralized. Ravana’s gone, and the Chandrakala Core is no longer a threat. Focus on regrouping and stabilizing the fleet. Prioritize the injured and prepare for evacuation from this system.”
The comms buzzed with faint acknowledgments, and Aarav felt a flicker of relief. Despite everything, they had made it through.
The golden glow of Vedara dimmed further as Aarav guided the astramech into a slow orbit around the fleet. His gaze drifted to the empty void where the Amaravarti had once stood, a hollow ache settling in his chest. Captain Varsh’s sacrifice, Devya’s final act—they were both etched into the fabric of this battle, reminders of what it had taken to stop Ravana.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said quietly, his voice heavy, “do you think it’s over?”
“Ravana’s direct influence has been eradicated,” she replied. “However, the scars left by this conflict—both on the galaxy and its people—will take time to heal. The balance you seek is not a single moment, but an ongoing struggle.”
A faint, tired smile tugged at Aarav’s lips. “You always know how to keep me grounded, don’t you?”
“Guidance is my purpose, Jeevadhara,” Maitreyi said softly.
The comms came alive again as Tara’s voice cut through, sharper this time. “Aarav, we’ve got scattered reports coming in from the outer colonies. Refugees are starting to come forward, but supplies are limited. If we’re going to stabilize this sector, we need to move fast.”
Aarav nodded, his focus sharpening. “Understood. Start coordinating relief efforts. I’ll head back to the fleet and assist with repairs.”
Lavanya’s voice followed, lighter than before but still carrying an edge. “You’ve got a lot of people to convince that this isn’t just another temporary victory, Aarav. Hope’s a fragile thing.”
“I know,” Aarav replied, his tone steady. “But it’s a start.”
Vedara’s thrusters flared softly as Aarav guided the astramech toward the Vaikuntha flagship that had taken over command. The battle was over, but the war for the galaxy’s future was far from finished.
As the remnants of the fleet began to regroup, Aarav allowed himself a brief moment of stillness. The faces of those they had lost—Captain Varsh, Devya, countless others—flashed through his mind. Their sacrifices weren’t just memories; they were the foundation of what came next.
“We’ll make it count,” Aarav said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
Vedara’s golden glow shimmered faintly, a silent promise of what was still to come.