The ship cruised through the endless black, stars streaking past in silent arcs. Dan stood in the cockpit, arms folded, his gaze fixed on the distant pinprick of light that was their destination.

“They freed him,” Dan said at last.

Jace turned. “Freed who?”

“The immortal,” Dan replied, his voice grim. “Xroven. They managed to break his prison. And they did it… on your homeworld, Jace. Krymor.”

Sophie’s brow furrowed. “Wait—our home planet? Why would they do it there?”

“Because Krymor was one of the few worlds powerful enough to stop him,” Dan said. “If Xroven destroyed Krymor, no one could stand in his way.”

Jace swallowed hard. “And my father…?”

“He went there to stop him,” Dan said. “And hasn’t been seen since.”

The words settled over the cabin like lead.

They didn’t get much time to dwell on it. A metallic thud echoed through the ship, followed by another.

Amber’s eyes narrowed. “We’ve got company.”

From the external cams, shadows shifted on the hull — figures clinging to the metal like insects.

“They’re trying to breach the ship,” Dan said, already moving toward the airlock.

Jace followed. “Then let’s stop them.”

The hatch slid open to the howling emptiness of space, the faint shimmer of the ship’s atmosphere shield keeping them from freezing.

Two figures stood there. One, tall and sharp-eyed, with black hair that framed his face like a blade — Azel. The other, with long purple hair tied high and eyes like shards of amethyst — Jina.

“Azel,” Dan growled.

“Dan,” Azel replied coldly.

They moved at the same time, fists clashing, sending shockwaves across the hull. Sparks of radioactive green energy burst from Dan’s strikes, while Azel countered with the raw physical might of their shared race.

Meanwhile, Jace squared off against Jina. Her movements were quick, her strikes precise, but Jace met them with the speed and lightning his Krymorian blood granted him. The clash was brutal, each blow ringing against the ship’s hull.

Minutes later, both attackers were on the ground — bound and hauled inside.

Dan shoved Azel into one cell while Jace locked Jina in the other. “You’re not going anywhere,” Jace muttered.

Azel smirked. “We’ll see.”

The journey continued until, at last, the planet filled the viewport.

Krymor.

Or what was left of it.

The once-lush world was gray and lifeless, its skies choked with ash. Entire cities lay in ruins, towers toppled and streets buried beneath rubble. The land stretched in broken scars to every horizon.

Amber’s eyes widened. “Stars… they weren’t lying.”

Dan’s voice was tight. “This was one of the most beautiful worlds in the galaxy.”

Sophie’s breath caught. “And now it’s just… gone.”

Jace stood in silence, his hands clenched into fists.

Then his eyes fell on Azel and Jina. He stepped toward the cells. “You’re Krymorian… just like us. What happened here?”

Azel leaned against the bars, his gaze cold. “You don’t know? You really are a fool. Xroven destroyed everyone. Every city. Every child. Every elder. He wiped us from existence.”

The words hit like a blade.

Amber stepped closer to Jace, her hand brushing his arm in silent comfort. Dan knelt by Sophie, speaking quietly.

Jace turned away, unable to stand still. His father’s world. His world. Gone.

Then — a sound.

Faint. Metallic. Movement in the distance.

Jace’s head snapped toward it. “Someone’s out there.”

He ran from the ship, Sophie, Amber, and Dan hurrying after him. Even Azel and Jina were dragged along — they weren’t about to be left behind.

Shapes emerged from the ruined streets — people. Survivors.

Relief flashed across Jace’s face… until the survivors rushed forward.

There was no welcome. No embrace. Only a sudden, brutal strike to the side of his head.

Pain. Darkness.

One by one, they all went down.

Even the prisoners.