The first ship descended like a blade through the sky. Sleek and black, adorned with crimson runes, it landed on the plain before them, kicking up a storm of dust.
Kaelen stepped in front of the group, phaseblade drawn, as the ship's ramp lowered with a hiss.
A man emerged—tall, clad in battle-scarred armor of obsidian and gold. His face bore a long scar across one eye, and his voice carried the weight of command.
"I am Admiral Veyric, Warden of the Outer Void," he said, his gaze scanning each of them before locking on Lyra. "You have the Seed."
Lyra felt the mark on her chest burn under his stare. "And if I do?"
"Then I am here to save you from the others," he replied smoothly. "The Harbinger's fleets will tear you apart, and the Seer will twist you into her prophecy. Join me, and I will make you untouchable."
Before Kaelen could respond, the ground trembled.
From the opposite horizon, a horde of warships appeared—jagged, blood-red, bristling with weapons. The Harbinger Empire. Their leader stepped from a descending carrier: a towering, armored figure with a face hidden behind a skull-like mask.
"Veyric," the Harbinger growled, his voice like grinding metal. "Step aside. The Seed is mine, and all who carry its mark will kneel—or die."
The air between the two leaders sparked with hatred.
Then the sky tore open.
A rift of shimmering silver light bloomed above, and from it descended a single, luminous vessel. The air hummed with power as the ship touched down, and a woman emerged—a figure in flowing robes of starlight, her eyes glowing white.
The Seer Azhira.
"You squabble over fire," she said softly, her voice echoing in their minds. She turned her gaze to Lyra and smiled faintly. "And none of you see the storm about to consume you all."
Missiles streaked across the sky.
The Harbinger's ships fired first. Veyric's fleet retaliated instantly. And above them all, the Seer's vessel unleashed a wave of energy that turned the air itself into fire.
Kaelen grabbed Lyra's arm. "Move! Now!"
They sprinted as the plain erupted into war.
Behind them, three of the galaxy's greatest powers clashed over one thing—them.