CHAPTER 6– The Gathering Storm

Hollow Bastion was a city built for war.

The station's lower levels stretched for miles, filled with cramped barracks, weapons depots, and salvaged Ascended technology. The air smelled of oil, ozone, and desperation.

Kael could feel the tension woven into every corridor. The rebels had won a battle, but the cost weighed heavy on them.

He strode through the steel hallways, ignoring the looks thrown his way. Whispers followed him—some cautious, some hostile.

"That's him."

"The Sky Reaper…"

"We lost too many for this."

Kael didn't care. He had never fought for their approval.

But he knew resentment when he saw it.

They didn't trust him.

And some of them never would.

The war room was a brutal fusion of old-world relics and modern strategy. A massive holotable in the center displayed the tactical map of the system, Ascended fleets marked in blood-red.

Elyndra stood at the head of the table, her expression hard, unreadable.

Around her, the Rebel War Council gathered.

Kael entered the room, and the conversation died instantly.

The stares were unforgiving.

Arkan leaned against the table, arms crossed. His gaze was sharp, unreadable.

Across from him, Kovath the Red, one of the high-ranking warlords, barely concealed his contempt.

"This meeting was supposed to be for commanders," Kovath muttered, eyes locked on Kael.

Kael smirked, leaning against the nearest wall. "Then I guess I outrank you."

A few of the rebels murmured.

Kovath's jaw tightened. "You're not one of us, Reaper. You never were.

Kael's expression darkened. "You think I care about your approval?"

"I think you're a liability," Kovath growled. "You walk in here with your gods-damned Leviathan and your half-dead past, and suddenly we're supposed to bow to you?"

Kael's grip on his blade tightened.

Elyndra spoke before the situation could escalate.

"Enough."

Her voice was calm—but filled with the kind of authority that could break bones.

The room fell silent.

"Kael is here because we need him," Elyndra continued. "We lost an entire outpost. The Ascended will retaliate soon. We need every weapon at our disposal."

Kovath exhaled sharply. "So he's a weapon, then?"

Kael grinned. "Glad you're catching up."

Kovath's fists clenched, but he said nothing.

Elyndra's gaze flicked to Kael. "We have a mission."

Kael lifted an eyebrow. "Do we now?"

"The Ascended are moving something."

She gestured toward the holomap. A glowing structure pulsed in the center of enemy territory.

"We believe this is one of their Rift Stabilizers."

Kael frowned. "And that is?"

Arkan answered. "A weapon. Or worse. We don't know. But we do know it's important."

Elyndra's eyes hardened. "We're going to take it."

Kael exhaled slowly. This was escalating quickly.

"You're talking about hitting a fortified Ascended stronghold. With what? A prayer?"

Elyndra smiled coldly. "No. With you."

Kael laughed. "You're out of your mind."

Elyndra stepped closer.

"I think you're looking for a reason to fight, Kael."

She wasn't wrong.

And she knew it.

Kael exhaled, glancing at the war map again. The battle was inevitable.

And Kael had never been one to back away from war.

"Fine. But if we do this—"

His gaze flicked to Kovath.

"I want to pick my own squad."

Kovath scowled. "You think you're leading this mission?"

Kael smiled, slow and sharp.

"I think if I go, you'll live long enough to complain about it."

Elyndra exhaled. "You have one hour. We move soon."

Kael turned to leave, already thinking.

A mission like this? He'd need people who wouldn't hesitate.

People who could survive.

🔥 Meanwhile… Seraphis Begins the Hunt

The Ascended dreadnought hovered in the abyss, surrounded by its silent fleet.

Seraphis stood at its bridge, watching the holomap flicker. The last known locations of the rebel fleet flashed in ghostly red.

Behind her, Executor Veyran stepped forward.

"The Prime Ascendant has given you one more chance," Veyran said, his voice emotionless. "Do not waste it."

Seraphis didn't move.

Her fingers curled at her sides.

Kael had escaped. Again.

Her mission was simple: Find him. Kill him. Erase him from history.

And yet…

Her mind flickered back to the way he had looked at her. The way he had fought her.

The way she had hesitated.

No.

She couldn't allow herself weakness.

She turned away from the holomap, her golden eyes burning.

"Prepare my warship. We're leaving."

She would end this.

One way or another.

Hollow Bastion hummed with restless energy. The air was thick with tension, the scent of plasma coolant, sweat, and burning metal. Rebels moved with purpose, preparing weapons, loading supply crates, sealing hulls of battered ships.

They were heading into another battle.

And Kael was choosing his warband.

🔥 The Bloodsworn – Kael's Strike Team

He stood in the center of the war-room, leaning against the holotable, scanning the list of operatives. He needed a squad that could hit fast, kill efficiently, and survive.

One by one, he selected his warriors.

 Dain "Ironhand" Vas – A brute of a man, built like a fortress. Former pit-fighter turned rebel shock trooper. His fists hit like railguns, and he doesn't care about orders—only results.

 Lirien Velka – A sniper from the Skyborn clans. Cold, unreadable. Can kill from a mile away with a rail shot. Doesn't miss. Doesn't speak unless necessary.

 Typhon Rael – A cursed warrior, his body infused with unstable Rift energy. A walking anomaly. Dangerous to everyone, including himself.

 Reyna Dain – A shieldbearer, trained in defensive combat. She is the only one who has ever stood against an Ascended Seraph in a duel and survived.

 Aisha Isolde – The Sky Nomad Queen. Kael didn't pick her. She invited herself.

He wasn't surprised.

When he had turned to face her, she had simply smiled. "You're not going into that stronghold without me, Reaper."

Kael hadn't argued. He knew better.

Elyndra stood at the head of the holomap, her expression grim, focused. The blue hologram flickered, revealing the Ascended Rift Stabilizer— a floating fortress in high orbit, surrounded by gun platforms and cybernetic Seraphim.

"This is where we hit them."

Arkan crossed his arms. "Getting in won't be easy. Getting out will be harder."

Kael smirked. "Always is."

Elyndra's gaze flicked to him. "We need to know what the Ascended are doing with the Rift. If we destroy this stronghold, we weaken their hold on reality itself."

Typhon exhaled sharply. "And if we fail?"

Lirien answered without emotion. "Then we don't leave."

Silence fell.

Then Kael stepped forward. "Enough talking. When do we move?"

Elyndra's lips curled into something like a smirk. "Now."

🔥 Meanwhile… Seraphis Arrives

The Ascended warship slid through the void, black against the endless stars.

Seraphis stood at the viewing deck, her golden eyes locked onto the distant battlefield.

Kael was near. She could feel it.

Behind her, a voice spoke.

"You hesitate."

Seraphis turned.

Executor Veyran stood in the doorway, his metallic frame gleaming under the cold ship lights.

His voice was hollow, synthetic.

"You were given one final command. Erase him."

Seraphis said nothing.

Veyran stepped closer.

"Do not fail again, Seraphis. If you do, you will not be given another chance."

Seraphis clenched her fists.

"He won't escape this time."

She turned back to the viewport, watching the shadows of warships move like predators in the dark.

"This ends now."