The dreadnought's command chamber was a storm of fire and shadows.
Sparks fell like starlight as Kael and Taren circled each other, their blades ringing against steel, their voices rising above the thunder of battle. Outside, the galaxy trembled—Havenreach's shields failed one by one, and the Ark's cannon hummed like a god preparing to speak.
But here, in this steel cathedral, it came down to two brothers.
Kael's breath rasped, sweat and blood streaking his face. "Taren, this war isn't you. It's what they made of you. Fight it."
Taren's voice cracked like ice, fury and pain mingled. "You don't understand. I am the war. Without me, this galaxy falls to chaos."
Their blades met again, sparks showering across the throne.
Kael felt it in every strike—the rhythm of his brother's fighting, the faint hesitation in his movements. Beneath the Ghost Admiral's armor, Taren was faltering.
Not physically. Spiritually.
Kael pressed harder, his knife scraping across Taren's armor, gouging deep. "You saved me, remember? When the raiders came for our colony—you stood in front of me. You swore you'd protect me, no matter the cost."
Taren's eyes flickered, the crimson glow faltering. For a heartbeat, he saw not the Admiral, but his brother, younger, broken, human.
"Kael…" His voice was almost gentle.
Then the implants flared, crimson searing bright, burning away the hesitation. His roar shook the chamber. "Enough!"
The conduits from the throne surged, wires and tendrils slithering like serpents, latching into Taren's armor. His body stiffened as energy pulsed through him, twisting him into something beyond human.
Kael staggered back, horror etched in his face. "They've bound you to the ship."
Rhea's voice cut over comms, sharp and desperate. "Kael, those conduits—if you sever them, you might break his control!"
Kael's grip tightened on his knife. Sever the chains, free his brother—or die trying.
The dreadnought itself seemed to awaken, systems turning against Kael. Drones poured from the walls, claws screeching, blasters flaring.
Darius roared, firing wildly, holding the swarm back. "Go, Kael! We'll cover you!"
Rhea danced among the drones, blades flashing silver, her voice fierce. "Don't waste this chance!"
Kael sprinted, diving past Taren's swing, rolling to the throne. Plasma fire seared the air as he slashed the first conduit. Sparks exploded, the chamber shaking.
Taren screamed, his body jerking as the crimson glow dimmed. For an instant, his eyes were clear.
"Brother…"
Kael's heart surged with hope. "Hold on, Taren. I'm not leaving you."
The conduits reattached, writhing like serpents, latching deeper into Taren's flesh. His scream became a roar, his eyes blazing brighter than ever.
"You can't save me!" He swung with inhuman strength, the blade nearly cleaving Kael in two. Sparks showered as steel shattered around them.
Kael caught the blow on his knife, his arm trembling, bones screaming with the force. "I don't believe that. Not for a second."
With a desperate surge, he tore free, diving for another conduit. His blade slashed, severing it. Taren staggered again, screaming, the crimson glow faltering.
Lyra's voice broke through, urgent and raw. "Kael! Havenreach has minutes left! The Ark is fully charged—I can fire now and end this!"
Her voice cracked with emotion. "But if I do, you'll die with him."
Kael panted, staring at his brother, who writhed between crimson light and human pain. His voice shook but remained firm. "No, Lyra. Not yet. Give me time."
Lyra's reply was soft, broken. "Don't make me lose you."
Kael whispered, barely audible. "Trust me."
Kael launched himself at the throne. His knife slashed conduit after conduit, sparks raining as systems died one by one. Each cut tore into Taren, but also freed him.
Taren's screams shook the chamber, raw and agonized. "Stop! You'll kill me!"
Kael's eyes burned with tears. "I'd rather die with you free than live knowing you were their puppet."
The final conduit sparked, a blazing serpent of crimson energy. Kael raised his knife, arm shaking, and with a cry, he drove it down.
The conduit snapped.
The chamber fell still.
Taren collapsed, his armor flickering, the crimson glow fading. His blade clattered to the floor.
Kael knelt beside him, hands trembling. "Taren. Stay with me."
Taren's eyes opened, weak but clear. For the first time in years, Kael saw his brother—not the Admiral, not the warlord. Just Taren.
"You… stubborn fool," Taren whispered, a faint smile on his lips.
Kael choked on a laugh through the tears. "Takes one to know one."
But the dreadnought wasn't finished.
The ship's core flared, systems failing, energy surging wild. Without the conduits binding him, Taren was free—but the ship was dying, its AI unraveling.
Lyra's voice cut in, urgent. "Kael, the dreadnought is going critical! You need to get out now!"
Kael hauled Taren to his feet, slinging his brother's arm over his shoulder. "Not without him."
Darius cleared a path, roaring like a beast, Rhea cutting through drones with deadly precision. Together, they fought toward the breach, explosions tearing the walls apart.
Outside, the Ark swooped in, shields blazing, covering their escape as the dreadnought began to implode.
Kael dragged his brother aboard the shuttle as the dreadnought's heart tore itself apart.
The explosion lit the void, a sun blooming in the darkness, shattering the Ghost Admiral's fleet.
On Havenreach, cheers and sobs echoed as the battle turned. The tide had shifted.
And aboard the Ark, Kael knelt beside Taren, who lay broken but alive, his eyes clear at last.
"It's over," Kael whispered.
But in his heart, he knew—this was only the beginning.