I couldn't shake the haunting images from the Ancient Observer's mind as our ship sped away from the Ossuary Nebula. The terrifying vision of the Star-Devourers lingered like a shadow at the edges of my consciousness. T'lara had recovered physically from our psychic ordeal, but I noticed how her gaze would sometimes drift to empty space, lost in the horror we'd witnessed together.
"Course set for the Whispering Nebula," Kha'lira announced, her four arms working in perfect synchronization across the navigation console. "Estimated arrival: sixteen hours."
I nodded, clutching the pendant containing the Harmony stone. The first Star-Key's activation code was now safely recorded in our ship's most secure data vault, but we all knew one key alone wasn't enough.
"Princess?" Lysander approached, concern etched across his features. "You should rest before we reach our next destination."
"I'm fine," I insisted, though the dull throb behind my eyes suggested otherwise.
