Chapter 150: The Aftermath of War 2

Ethan sat in silence as Darrik recounted the details of the funeral held two days prior on the outskirts of Valeris. It had been the largest gathering Kynara had seen in years, perhaps in its entire history. The war for freedom where so many had fallen had become a solemn piece of remembrance. The dust had barely settled, yet thousands had gathered to honor the dead.

The ceremony had been meticulously organized, ensuring that every faction, the mercenaries, Federation Guards, and Resistance fighters had space to mourn their fallen. Survivors of the war, civilians who had been liberated from Syndicate oppression, and entire families who had lost loved ones stood side by side, unified by grief and gratitude.

Massive holo-displays projected the names of the fallen into the sky, their ranks and affiliations marked beside them. For those who had died in anonymity, the coalition had ensured they would not be forgotten. A single message had been inscribed at the top of the display in all major Kynaran languages:

"To those who gave everything, we remember."

The funeral had not been limited to those physically present. Broadcasts had reached across the planet, allowing millions to witness the ceremony from their homes or at designated public memorial stations. Even on the outer colonies in the Ashen Sector, news of the war's end and the tribute to its heroes had spread.

Darrik showed him the broadcast recording and how various leaders had spoken. Marik Vos for the Resistance, and representatives from the Mercenary Guild. But it had been Captain Alrik Thorne's second-in-command, Vice-Captain Lirien Vossel , whose words had resonated the most. She had stood in front of the gathered crowd, her voice raw yet unwavering.

"We fought for a future that those we honor today will never see. It is now our duty to ensure their sacrifice was not in vain. We must rebuild, we must protect, and we must carry their memories forward. This is not the end of our struggle, it is the beginning of the planet they dreamed of."

A moment of silence had followed. Then, a synchronized pulse of energy had been fired into the sky by Federation officers, mercenaries, and Resistance fighters alike. An old Kynaran tribute for warriors lost in battle. The sky had shimmered with the brilliance of hundreds of energy beams, forming a fleeting constellation of light before vanishing into the void.

Ethan remained quiet as he processed it all. He hadn't been awake for it, but part of him was glad. He wasn't sure if he could have stood among the mourners without breaking.

After a moment of silence, Voss resumed is briefing. The war had ended, but peace was still fragile. With the Black Sun Syndicate and the warlord leaders Rath Zorrek, Vela Drassik, and Kaelus Ryn finally destroyed, the planet was left in ruins. Now came the hard part: rebuilding.

Reconstruction efforts had begun immediately, focusing on settlements and outposts that had suffered the most under Syndicate control. Arak's Hollow, once a thriving settlement, had been reduced to rubble. Ettemakse City, which had been used as a staging ground for one of the final battles, had seen entire districts leveled. These places, along with countless settlements and strategic outposts, needed to be restored.

Engineering teams alongside Resistance workers and civilian volunteers were deployed to begin clearing debris, repairing infrastructure, and restoring power grids. Federation Guard units remained stationed in major cities to prevent further instability. But not everyone saw their presence as a good thing. Many Kynarans still held resentment toward the Federation for abandoning them in the past. It would take time to mend that wound.

Meanwhile, mercenaries and local security forces were tasked with another crucial mission, cleaning up the remnants of the underworld. With the fall of the Black Sun Syndicate, smaller gangs and opportunistic warlords had risen in their place, hoping to carve out their own domains in the chaos. Reports indicated that criminal activity had surged in certain regions, forcing the coalition to act quickly.

Darrik explained that bounty notices had already been issued for any surviving Syndicate officers, scientists, rogue mercenary groups, and new bandit factions attempting to fill the power vacuum. Though the war was over, the battle for Kynara's future had only begun.

Ethan listened intently, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on all of them to restore their homeland. He had fought to end the war, and now he hoped to leave it behind in a period of peace.

Darrik rose from his chair, motioning for Ethan to follow. "There's something else you need to see."

Ethan pushed himself up, feeling the dull ache in his muscles. He trailed behind the Guild Leader, his footsteps echoing in the quiet halls of the Valeris Mercenary Guild headquarters. They moved deeper into the facility, passing through a series of security checkpoints. Biometric scanners flashed, confirming their identities. Reinforced blast doors slid open one by one, each barrier emphasizing just how well-guarded their destination was.

After several layers of security, they reached a final, heavily fortified chamber. The walls gleamed with reinforced alloy, lined with vaults that bore intricate locking mechanisms. Darrik approached one of them and tapped a complex code into a holo-interface. A deep chime rang through the chamber as the system processed the input. Then, he pressed his palm against a DNA scanner, and a low hum vibrated through the room as the vault door slowly slid open.

Inside, resting atop a small, energy-stabilized pedestal, was Ethan's molecular dagger. The blade was just as he remembered, albeit more dull as if it had spent its energy and needed replenishment. Faint arcs of dark energy shimmered across its surface, pulsing like a heartbeat. The moment he stepped closer, the dull glow slightly intensified, as if the weapon was recognizing his presence.

Ethan reached out instinctively. The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, a familiar vibration ran through him. Subtle, yet undeniable. The dagger's hum synchronized with his own pulse, as though it had been waiting for him.

Darrik observed him carefully. "That thing... it reacted the moment we brought it in. Wouldn't let anyone else touch it."

Ethan turned the blade in his hand, studying it. This weapon had saved his life twice now. He had almost chosen not to use it in the final battle, believing it too dangerous or unpredictable. But now? Now, it was more than just a mysterious tool. It was an extension of him.

The memories of the last fight flashed through his mind. How the dagger had cut through everything, how it had moved with an unnatural sharpness and transformed him into some unstoppable entity, responding to his instincts and filling him with psychic energy like nothing else he had ever wielded. It wasn't just a weapon; it was something more. And that both intrigued and unsettled him.

He slid the Astral Slayer into its sheath at his side, feeling a strange sense of relief as it settled against him once more.

"Thanks for keeping it safe," Ethan said finally, his voice quieter than he expected.

Darrik smirked, crossing his arms. "Figured you'd come back for it eventually." He tilted his head slightly, studying Ethan with an expression that carried more weight than simple amusement. "Someone of your caliber isn't destined to fall in a place like this. You're meant for something bigger, whether you realize it yet or not."

Ethan exhaled, unsure how to respond. He wasn't sure if he believed in destiny, but he sure was glad to have been transported to this fascinating world.

With his dagger secured at his side, Ethan said his goodbyes to Darrik Voss and made his way through the sprawling corridors of the Valeris Guild headquarters, his mind still weighed down by everything he had learned. The war was over, but it hadn't left him unscathed physically or mentally. For now, though, there was one place he knew he needed to be.

The private docking bay was vast, lined with all manner of vessels, from sleek corvettes to rugged dropships and everything in between. The scent of engine fuel and coolant filled the air, mingling with the low hum of maintenance drones moving between ships. As Ethan walked past the various crafts, his eyes locked onto a familiar silhouette.

His ship stood there, just as he had left it before the final battle. The sleek black hull bore old scars, remnants of the crash landing when he arrived in Kynara: deep scratches along the wing plates, burn marks, and dented panels from debris impacts. It had taken more punishment than it should have and yet refused to break. It was finally time he fully repaired it, as he had the sufficient budget now.

Ethan stepped onto the boarding ramp, the faint hiss of hydraulics greeting him as the ship detected his presence. The interior lights flickered to life, casting a familiar cool blue glow along the walls. He barely had time to take another step before the ship's onboard AI, Iris, activated.

A soft pulse of blue light filled the cockpit screens, followed by her unmistakable voice.

"Welcome back, Ethan."

He exhaled as he entered the cockpit, letting himself sink into the pilot's chair. The worn leather felt like home beneath him. He let his fingers glide over the control panel, feeling the subtle vibration of the ship's core systems running beneath.

"Miss me?" he asked, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

There was a brief pause, as if Iris was calculating an answer.

"Your absence was statistically significant."

Ethan chuckled softly. "I'll take that as a yes."

Her voice shifted slightly, almost imperceptibly softer. "Your vitals were critically low when your tactical suit and helmet lost connection to my systems during your battle with Drakor Krenna. I had no means of monitoring your status. It is... fortunate that you survived."

"Yeah," Ethan muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Lucky me."

He leaned forward, elbows resting on the armrests, eyes scanning the various screens. Power levels were stable. Engine diagnostics still showed minor damage, but nothing beyond what could be fixed with some time and parts. The ship was holding together. Just like he was.

For a moment, he simply sat there, staring out of the viewport at the hangar beyond. So much had changed. The war was over. The Black Sun Syndicate was gone. Leaders had fallen. People had died. And yet, here he was...back in the one place that had always been constant. His ship.

Iris broke the silence. "There are multiple messages awaiting your review. Some are from Guild officials regarding your potential rank promotion. Others are from allies in the coalition. Civilians, as well."

Ethan let out a slow breath, rubbing his temple. "Later. I just... I need a minute."

For the first time, Iris didn't respond immediately. The usual efficiency in her programming seemed to pause, as if she understood.

Finally, she spoke. "Take all the time you need."

Ethan leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for just a second. The quiet hum of the ship surrounded him, steady and unchanging. The war on Kynara was over. It was time to rest. And then, he'd decide where to go next in this vast universe.