48. Threads Through the Silence

The Wraith floated in quiet orbit around a scarred planet one of the few safe zones left, hidden from Architect sensors. In the stillness of space, the aftermath of their narrow escape from Voss's base clung to the crew like dust: weightless, omnipresent, inescapable.

Elara stood by the viewing port, arms wrapped around herself. Her reflection stared back a little more hollow, a little less certain. Voss's warning echoed in her mind: "You were the anomaly. The choice."

Behind her, she sensed Aeron approach. No footsteps just the familiar, calming presence that had become harder to ignore.

"I didn't mean to scare you," he said softly.

"You didn't," she replied, not turning. "But they did. The Architects. Voss. Everything they've built every layer of deception it's like we were never meant to be anything but tools."

Aeron stepped closer. "Then why are we here? Why are we still choosing?"