Chapter 86: Descent to the Moon

The Ark cruised through the shimmering nebula, its crew gathered in the mess hall for a much-needed debriefing. The recent encounter with the ancient derelict ship and its eerie constructs had left everyone on edge, but there was also a sense of accomplishment. They had not only survived but also secured a second artifact, one that could hold the key to defeating the Reavers.

Ethan stood at the head of the table, his hand resting on the smaller crystalline orb they had retrieved. Its faint glow seemed less intense than the Eternal Flame's, but it emanated a calming warmth. The artifact was encased in a containment cradle, similar to the one used for the Flame, to prevent any unintended energy surges.

"Well," Ethan began, his voice steady but tinged with weariness, "we've got another piece of the puzzle. But before we start celebrating, we need to figure out what this thing does, and how it fits into the bigger picture."