Back aboard the main vessel, the team gathered in the central chamber — a place of sleek metal and shimmering energy conduits. The mood was lighter now, the tension of battle fading as new bonds formed.
Zeraphon stood tall near the viewing panel, gazing out into the endless swirl of cosmic realms. His once-guarded expression had eased. He was among allies now.
Kael turned to him.
"We're glad to have you, Zeraphon. Your strength will be needed for what's coming."
Veyra, seated beside Kael, nodded.
"Ruinaeth's forces won't stop. The chaos is only spreading."
Zero Step, leaning against a support beam, spoke in his usual sharp tone:
"And they'll come harder now. Nullframe was one of their anchors."
He glanced toward Kael.
"But with your Divine Ascension… the scales are shifting."
Across the chamber, Zevak and Cryalis sat close — their conversation quiet, yet warm. Zevak's usual nervous energy was replaced with a steady calm as he listened to her soft words, their connection deepening.
Meanwhile, Orion and Lyra leaned on the rail overlooking the navigation core.
"Did you see Kael's form back there?" Lyra teased.
Orion smirked.
"Hard not to. I'll have to step up my game."
Their banter continued — light, playful, but edged with growing respect and… something more.
Zeraphon finally spoke, voice steady:
"There is one more thing. Before I faced that being, I sensed… other movements. A stirring far beyond this multiverse — echoes of beings waking. If Ruinaeth is moving greater forces… we must be ready."
Kael's expression hardened.
"Then we move first. We won't wait for the storm to come to us."
Zero Step nodded.
"Agreed. I've mapped several nearby unstable sectors. If we track them — we'll find the source."
Veyra rose.
"Then let's move. The Accord needs to grow stronger — and the multiverse needs protectors."
The team gathered — united now with new strength, new purpose. The battle was far from over — but with each new ally, their resolve only deepened.
The Celestial Vanguard's set their course, engines flaring through the endless cosmic sea toward whatever awaited them next.
End of Chapter 26