2

The Black Specter sliced through space at a blinding speed, leaving behind the golden lights of Aurum Prime. Inside the cockpit, Maylan was lost in thought, his fingers brushing the hilt of the katana he had just acquired. The weapon exuded a strange, almost living aura. He didn't yet know why, but something told him that this blade was much more than just a piece of metal.

— Don't think too much, you'll fry your circuits.

Arthur's sarcastic voice echoed through the communicator. His friend and partner, a former soldier turned bounty hunter, was already waiting for him on Zenithis, the planet of floating cities and technological advancements.

— I hope you slept well, old man, because this bonus is serious business.

— Can you give me some details? asked Maylan while piloting.

A beep sounded on his screen, indicating the receipt of a digital file. He opened the file and a holographic image appeared before him:

A man in his thirties, with a face marked by fatigue and distrust. Slightly long black hair, piercing blue eyes, and a scar on the right side of his face.

— Is he our jackpot?

— Yeah. His name is Kid. No information about him in the Hegemony's databases. A ghost.

Maylan raised an eyebrow. A guy without a past and with a billion Galax bounty? It was suspicious.

— And do we at least know why he is wanted?

— No idea. But at that price, we won't be picky.

Maylan sighed and cut the communication. He accelerated, entering the orbit of Zenithis.

Zénithis was a technological jewel, a planet where floating megacities dominated infinite oceans. Each city was an architectural marvel, suspended in the air by immense gravitational generators.

The Black Specter landed on a secure landing platform. Maylan exited discreetly, adjusting his dark coat to hide his katana. He crossed a vast, crowded airport terminal, passing travelers, maintenance robots, and patrols of the Hegemony of Astralis.

He moved cautiously. The Hegemony controlled Zenithis, and even a simple routine check could cost him dearly.

Suddenly, two soldiers of the Hegemony blocked his path.

— Stop! Security check.

Maylan felt her heart race.

— You again? I'm not used to the local welcome yet.

The soldier fixed his gaze on him through his armored helmet.

— Identificación.

Maylan activated her holographic bracelet, displaying a false identity. Daren Voss, arms dealer.

After a few seconds, the soldier nodded.

— It's fine, move along.

Maylan sighed quietly and walked away.

After several hours wandering the underbelly of Zenithis, he finally spotted Kid in a seedy neighborhood.

He was wearing a long black coat and seemed to be avoiding the crowd, as if he feared being followed.

Maylan followed him discreetly. His bounty hunter instincts told him that Kid was not an ordinary man. He moved with an uncanny precision, as if he sensed every movement around him.

After several minutes, Kid entered a dilapidated building. Maylan hesitated for a moment, then decided to follow him.

The interior was dark, dusty. He climbed the stairs and saw a half-open door at the end of the hallway.

He approached slowly, drew one of his pistols, and entered.

Kid was there, sitting on a chair, his cold gaze fixed on him.

But that was not what troubled Maylan.

On the table in front of him, a katana identical to the one he had found rested with brilliance.

His breath caught.

— Where did you find that? he asked, his hand clenched around his weapon.

Kid gave a slight smile.

— I could ask you the same question.

A tense silence settled.

Maylan didn't think. He drew his katana and lunged at Kid.

But in an instant, he felt his body freeze mid-motion, as if an invisible force was blocking him.

He could no longer move.

Kid slowly got up, reaching out his hand towards him.

— You have a lot to learn.

Maylan felt an overwhelming pressure surround her. It was an indescribable sensation, as if an unknown force were crushing both her mind and body at the same time.

Then, with a simple gesture, Kid threw him against the wall using that strange energy.

Maylan fell to the ground, out of breath.

— What was that?!

Kid looked at him seriously.

— The Ether.

Maylan remains motionless.

He didn't understand yet, but his world had just turned upside down.