The sky above the Arbora fields darkened as a large aircraft hovered low, casting a sweeping shadow across the grass. Kaelar Thorne sat in the pilot's seat, steady and focused, his sharp eyes tracking movement below. Beside him, Velaria studied the holographic display showing a smaller ship parked on the ground.
"Kaelar," Velaria said, her tone firm. "That's an Edena design, but… no. Look closer. It's an older model. Outdated. Not what the current Edena fleet uses."
Kaelar frowned, leaning in. "You're sure? It looks Edenan enough."
"It is, but the tech isn't current. Whoever owns it probably isn't with Edena anymore."
Kaelar exhaled slowly. "We still don't take risks. Keep defenses primed."
Below, Draven spotted the descending ship from Vega's cockpit window. His expression tensed; the newcomer was significantly larger and more advanced than Seren Vega's craft.
"Lyra!" he called, sprinting toward the monitoring room. "Another ship overhead. Bigger. Way more advanced."
Lyra shot up from her seat. "Another one?"
"Yes," Draven confirmed, gripping his pistol. "I'll go check. You stay here with Aelina and Vega."
Lyra shook her head immediately. "No. You monitor them. I might know who's on that ship."
Draven hesitated, then handed her the weapon. "Fine. Be careful. If anything happens, hit the red button and pull them out."
Lyra rushed outside, raising the weapon toward the hovering ship. Before she could fire, a calm voice echoed from its speakers.
"Lyra… it's me, Velaria Kane. I know this looks bad, but I'm here to help."
Lyra froze. "Velaria?"
Inside, Kaelar arched a brow. "You know her?"
Velaria nodded. "We worked together. Back in one of Edena's research units."
"Then we do this carefully," Kaelar replied.
The ship descended at the field's edge, its engines stirring the grass. Hearing the roar, Kirana and Zephyr rushed from cover.
Zephyr gripped his spear tightly. "What now?"
Kirana looked to Lyra. "Who is it?"
Lyra lowered her weapon slightly. "If I'm right… Velaria Kane. She used to work for Edena. I have no idea why she'd be here."
The ship's door opened. Velaria stepped out, wind sweeping through her short hair. Behind her came Kaelar Thorne, steady and battle-hardened.
Lyra took a step forward. "Velaria. I didn't think I'd ever see you again."
Velaria managed a faint smile. "Likewise. I'm glad you're still alive."
Zephyr's eyes narrowed. "Who is she? And him?"
Lyra answered, "Velaria Kane, former Edena researcher. As for him… no idea."
Kaelar stepped forward with a short salute. "Kaelar Thorne. Former Edena soldier. We're here to stop the second-generation cloning project."
Zephyr tightened his grip. "Why should we believe that?"
Velaria answered before Kaelar could. "Because we know what Edena is preparing. A hybrid army stronger than anything before. And Aelina is the key. If we don't work together, they'll win."
Kirana stepped closer. "Then what's your plan?"
Kaelar's expression hardened. "We destroy their cloning facility in Aurion. If it falls, so does the project."
Zephyr nodded slowly. "Good. But we still need to cut Aelina's link to them."
"Exactly," Velaria said. "Without that connection, they lose access to her data. That's our first priority."
Kirana looked to Lyra. "Do you trust them?"
Lyra hesitated—then nodded. "I trust Velaria. And if they're here to stop Edena… then we need them."
Zephyr lowered his spear slightly. "Fine. But if any of you turn on us, I'll know."
Kaelar allowed himself a faint grin. "We're on your side. You'll see."
With tensions easing, the group gathered around the Vega, exchanging intel and forming a plan. They mapped out what needed to be done: protect Aelina, sever the Edenan link, and prepare for the assault on Aurion.
But each of them knew the truth.
This was only the calm before the storm.
Far beyond Arbora's quiet fields, a far greater conflict was already rolling toward them.
After the dust had settled, Kaelar guided Zephyr and Kirana into Velaria's ship. The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. Soft blue lights traced the sleek silver walls, every surface humming with technology far beyond anything the two had ever seen.
Kaelar led them toward the central chamber. At the room's heart stood a towering pod-like machine surrounded by shifting holographic panels. Zephyr stared at it with narrowed eyes, while Kirana approached with cautious curiosity.
"What is this?" she asked, brushing her fingers across a panel that instantly displayed a rotating weapon schematic.
Kaelar turned toward them. "The Nano Forge. One of Edena's finest creations. It lets you design weapons and armor from scratch. No need to rely on traditional gear."
Zephyr crossed his arms. "We've survived just fine with the old ways."
Kaelar tapped another screen, summoning a simulation of a battlefield filled with Edenan war-machines. "What's coming is beyond anything you've faced. Edena evolves every day. Stick to old methods, and you won't last long."
Kirana studied the shifting simulations. "So this… creates better gear?"
Kaelar nodded. "Nano-particles form whatever you design. Choose the build, customize the features, and the Forge does the rest."
Zephyr circled the machine, still skeptical. "And how do we know using this tech won't make us dependent on Edena all over again?"
Kaelar kept his voice steady. "I left Edena because I believe this technology should help people like you, not control you. What you create here belongs to you alone."
Kirana placed a hand on Zephyr's shoulder. "We need every advantage. If this helps protect Aelina, we can't afford to hesitate."
Kaelar gestured to the control panel. "Kirana, start with the design. Create armor and weapons for both of you."
Kirana swiped through the interface. Slowly, a ninja-like armor took shape—lightweight plating with faint glowing lines. "Nothing heavy," she murmured. "Zephyr needs speed."
She added an energy shield and a flexible chain weapon tipped with an electric spearhead.
Zephyr exhaled, half impressed despite himself. "That… actually looks useful."
Kirana moved to her own design next: flexible light armor paired with a high-tech plasma bow, equipped with tracking algorithms for precision shots.
She pressed a command. A mechanical voice replied, "Initiating fabrication."
Moments later, two bracelet-like devices slid out of a slot in the Forge.
Kaelar handed them over. "Nano-Bands. Your equipment is stored inside. Wear it, tap the center, and the nano-particles will form your gear instantly."
Zephyr held his band between his fingers. "So this thing summons everything I need?"
Kaelar nodded. "No weight. No lost weapons. No delays."
Kirana slipped hers on. "How do I activate it?"
"Touch the center," Kaelar said.
She tapped the band. Silver particles burst outward, swirling around her before locking into place as sleek armor. The plasma bow materialized in her grip, glowing faintly.
Zephyr followed suit. His armor wrapped around him in a smooth metallic wave, the electric spear forming at his hip. He lifted his arm, watching the blue light dance across the plating.
"Incredible," he whispered.
Kirana looked at Kaelar. "I never imagined tech like this existed."
Kaelar folded his arms. "Edena is far ahead. That's why we need to fight fire with fire. With this, you finally have a chance."
The chamber door opened. Lyra stepped inside, her eyes widening as she took in Zephyr and Kirana's newly forged armor.
"You look like soldiers from the future…" she breathed.