In the vast silence of space, the Voidstrider drifted like a ghost, its obsidian fra cutting through the cosmic expanse.
Inside, Adam sat with his eyes closed, arms crossed, looking as if he was asleep—but anyone who knew him would know better.
Near the viewing deck, Joshua and Mael were practically glued to the glass, eyes wide with wonder.
"Dude… we're really out here," Joshua whispered, his breath fogging up the reinforced glass. "Like… look at that!" He pointed excitedly as a massive planet ca into view, its surface covered in swirling storms of blue and silver. "That's gotta be the biggest storm I've ever seen."
"Forget the storm, look at those ships." Mael's gaze tracked a fleet of sleek, silver vessels breaking through the planet's orbit, weaving in and out of space stations like birds returning to their nests. So were battle-worn, their hulls scarred from fights in the void. Others glead like they had just been built. "I wonder what kind of tech they're using…"
All around the deck, students murmured in awe. Beyond the ships, a massive nebula stretched across the distance, a swirl of violet and gold glowing against the abyss. Further beyond, the skeleton of a broken moon drifted lazily, shattered remnants floating like silent ghosts.
Aurora stood nearby, arms folded, watching the scene without a word. Unlike the others, she wasn't admiring the view—she was waiting.
For what, she didn't know. But sothing was coming.
Adam cracked one eye open and smirked. "You're tense."
Aurora didn't look at him. "No, I'm not."
"Liar."
She sighed but didn't argue.
Just then, a ripple passed through the Voidstrider—faint, but unmistakable. The kind that wasn't caused by the ship's movent.
Aurora's eyes sharpened.
Adam grinned. "See? Told you."
And then—
The lights flickered.
Sothing was out there.
In the cold darkness of space, a jagged black ship drifted like a predator stalking its prey.
Inside, the air was thick with tension. Shadows flickered under the dim red lights, casting eerie shapes across the steel walls. At the center of it all sat Malakar, his crimson eyes narrowed in thought. He leaned against the armrest of his throne-like chair, two of his four hands tapping against the tal absently.
Footsteps echoed as his second-in-command entered. The hulking Abyssborn bowed slightly before speaking. "The tracker is in place," he confird, his deep voice rumbling. "There was a bit of… resistance, but nothing they'd notice."
Malakar smirked, sharp teeth glinting. "Good." His fingers drumd against the chair as he stared at the holographic display in front of him—the Voidstrider, marked and moving exactly as planned.
He leaned forward. "You rember the plan. You and the others handle the instructors. They may seem ordinary, but they're from Origin Academy. Do not get sloppy." His glowing eyes flicked up. "And the kids… kill them all. Even the weaklings."
The second-in-command nodded, unfazed. "Understood."
Malakar exhaled slowly, eyes gleaming with hunger. "I'll deal with the Adam brat myself."
At the ntion of the na, the second-in-command hesitated. Malakar noticed. His smirk faded.
"You've been looking into him?"
"…Yes," the Abyssborn admitted. "But we still don't know exactly what he is. His records are… incomplete."
Malakar's fingers tightened against his armrest, the tal groaning under his grip. "Incomplete?"
The second-in-command gave a slow nod. "The files are either erased or locked under heavy security. No background, no family records, no past. Just his na, his admission into Origin Academy, and…" He hesitated.
Malakar's eyes darkened. "And what?"
"…And a single note." The Abyssborn swallowed. "It says: Do not provoke."
Silence filled the room.
Then—
Malakar laughed. A deep, chilling laugh that echoed through the ship.
"Do not provoke?" He grinned, standing up and stretching his four arms. "How interesting."
His gaze locked onto the image of the Voidstrider.
"I guess I'll just have to find out for myself."
Back at the Voidstrider
Adam stood beside Aurora, arms crossed as he gazed into the endless stretch of stars. His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it.
"I've had this feeling for a while now… like sothing's coming," he said. "You can see the future, right? So tell —are we in for anything today?"
Aurora didn't even turn to look at him. "I don't know," she said flatly. "I can't see your future."
Adam raised a brow, amused. "Can't? Or won't?"
She finally glanced at him, expression unreadable. "Can't. And I don't care."
Adam chuckled. "I figured as much. I made sure of it."
That got her attention. Her cold blue eyes narrowed slightly, but she stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.
"I have secrets, Aurora. Big ones," he said, voice quieter now. "And I can't have you peeking into my future and seeing sothing you're not supposed to. I'd hate to get rid of you over that." His tone was light, almost teasing, but there was an edge to it. "We're not close, after all. Even Joshua, who I consider a friend, doesn't know my secrets. So, I hope you're not offended."
Aurora studied him for a mont before sighing. "If you're that paranoid about your secrets," she muttered, "then you'd better be ready for the unknown. Since I can't see your future, I can't warn you about what's coming."
Adam tilted his head. "That may be true," he admitted. "But you can still see everyone else's, right? And whatever's coming… it's not just about . So tell ."
Aurora exhaled sharply, arms crossed. "Fine," she said. "The Abyssborn Ravagers are coming. I think it's because you killed Krozak."
Adam's expression didn't change. "I figured."
Aurora continued. "We survived, sohow. I don't know how we defeated Malakar, but I saw his body drifting in space… completely drained of blood." Her brows furrowed slightly. "He looked pale. Too pale—even for his kind."
A flicker of amusent passed through Adam's eyes. "Interesting."
Aurora turned to leave. "Don't expect to help again," she said over her shoulder. "Since you don't trust with your secrets, don't make your personal oracle."
Adam watched her go, the ghost of a smirk playing on his lips.
"Duly noted."
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