The ship rattled as it ascended, the engines screaming against the storm raging outside. Kade's body was strapped to a cold metal table, restraints locking his wrists and ankles in place. His mind was still hazy from the forced memories, but one thought burned through the fog.
Nova.
He twisted against his bindings, ignoring the searing pain in his skull. He had to get to her. He had to—
A loud explosion shook the ship. Alarms blared. Shouts of panic filled the air. Then—static crackled in his ear.
"Kade—" Nova's voice, weak but determined, came through his damaged comms.
"Nova! Where are you?" His voice was raw with desperation.
"Doesn't—doesn't matter." A shaky breath. "They're taking me to the hangar bay. I—I'm not getting out of this."
"No." Kade's heart pounded violently. "Don't say that. I'm coming for you."
She gave a dry, bitter laugh. "Always the stubborn idiot…"
A door hissed open. Heavy boots stomped inside.
"You've given us enough trouble," Saren's cold voice echoed through the room. "You lost, Kade. Accept it."
Kade snarled, his muscles tensing, but before he could respond—
BANG.
A gunshot.
Kade froze. His entire world stopped.
Silence.
Then a body hit the floor.
Kade's breath caught in his throat. "Nova…?"
His comm crackled again, weaker this time. A faint, trembling whisper.
"...Run."
The line went dead.
Kade screamed. A sound of pure, unfiltered rage. The restraints snapped as he pulled against them with all his strength, his vision clouding with white-hot fury.
Saren chuckled. "She was a liability, Kade. You should be grateful I saved you the pain of—"
Kade broke free.
Before Saren could react, Kade lunged. His fist connected with the commander's face, shattering his visor and sending him crashing into the control panel. Sparks exploded, red warning lights flashing across the ship.
The guards barely had time to react before Kade tore through them like a beast unleashed, his plasma blade igniting in a storm of neon fury. He wasn't fighting for survival anymore. He was out for blood.
Sirens blared. The ship lurched violently as fire consumed the outer hull. Kade stormed through the corridors, cutting down anyone in his path. His mind was empty except for one truth.
Nova was gone.
He reached the hangar. The blast doors were open—beyond them, wreckage and bodies scattered across the platform. And there, lying in a pool of crimson, was her.
Kade fell to his knees beside her, his hands shaking as he reached out. Her skin was still warm. Her fingers twitched slightly, as if reaching for him.
"Kade…" Her voice was barely a whisper.
He swallowed the lump in his throat. "I'm here."
A small, pained smile. "I knew… you'd make it."
Tears blurred his vision. "Stay with me. We can still—"
Her hand fell limp.
The light in her eyes faded.
And just like that… she was gone.
Kade sat frozen. He couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.
His body trembled as grief and rage twisted together into something monstrous.
Behind him, soldiers gathered at the entrance, weapons raised. But Kade didn't care.
He slowly stood, gripping his blade. The fire reflected in his empty gaze.
Then he turned.
And he made them all pay.