Inside the spacecraft hurtling through hyperspace, a fragile calm settled over the cabin. The chaos that had erupted moments ago now seemed like a distant echo. In the quiet hum of the ship’s systems, Kirana, Aelina, and Zephyr sat together in the main chamber, surrounded by gleaming equipment pulsing with soft blue light. Their bodies were still bruised and weary, but in their hearts bloomed a warmth that words could never quite capture.

  Kirana’s eyes lingered on her daughter, seated just across from her. Aelina’s gaze was cast downward, hesitant, as if weighed by invisible burdens. Gently, Kirana reached out and clasped her hand.

  "Aelina," she began, her voice thick with emotion and love. "I know I’ve told you this before, but I want you to hear it again. You are my daughter. You’ve always been my daughter, from the moment I held you in my arms as a baby. I don’t care how you were created or where you came from. You are a piece of my heart."

  Aelina’s eyes slowly lifted, glistening with unshed tears. "Mom... but I... I’m not like other kids. I’ve always felt... different. Like I was a danger to you."

  Kirana’s grip tightened, her voice trembling yet firm. "Listen to me, sweetheart. Everyone is different. But that never makes them less worthy. You are more than enough, Aelina. You brought light into our lives. If it weren’t for you, your father and I wouldn’t be the people we are today. You made us stronger."

  Tears began to roll down Aelina’s cheeks. "But I’m scared, Mom. I’m scared of losing you. When I fought Eudora, all I could think about was protecting you. I didn’t care if it meant sacrificing myself, I just wanted you both to be safe."

  Kirana smiled gently and pulled her into an embrace. "That’s what makes you extraordinary, Aelina. You’re not only strong on the outside, but you’re full of love. And that... that is your greatest strength. I’m so proud of you."

  Zephyr, seated beside them, watched the exchange with a soft smile. He exhaled deeply, then reached out and placed his arms around both of them.

  "I don’t even know what to say," he murmured hoarsely. "But I need you to know something. Today, out there on the cargo field... I thought I was going to lose you both. And I realized something, I’ve never felt prouder than I did fighting beside you."

  Zephyr turned to Aelina, eyes brimming with emotion. "You made me feel like a real father. And I don’t care who created you. You are my daughter. I love you like I love your mother."

  Aelina sobbed openly now, looking between them. "Mom... Dad... I love you too. I’ll protect you, just like you’ve protected me."

  Zephyr nodded, voice soft and resolute. "And I’ll always be here for you, Aelina. No matter what."

  In the stillness of the cabin, the warmth of family embraced them. Kirana, Zephyr, and Aelina huddled close, savoring the rare peace after so much turmoil. Across the chamber, Vega, Lyra, Draven, Velaria, and Kaelar sat in quiet reflection, basking in the fragile quiet after the storm of war against the Edena.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Aelina rested her head on Kirana’s shoulder, smiling gently. "I still can’t believe it’s over. I’m just happy we’re going home together."

  Kirana ran her fingers through Aelina’s hair with tenderness. "So are we, sweetheart. We’re finally going home."

  Zephyr offered a small smile, though unease crept into his eyes. "We’ve been through so much. But what matters is, we’re together."

  Then his smile vanished. His eyes caught something, something wrong.

  Aelina’s pupils shimmered, shifting into a vivid red glow. A mechanical voice echoed from her body, chilling the air:

  "SELF-DESTRUCTION MODE ACTIVATED."

  Zephyr sprang to his feet. "Kirana! Get away from her!" he shouted, yanking Aelina away.

  "What’s happening?!" Kirana cried in panic.

  Zephyr didn’t answer. His hands trembled as he opened the emergency hatch. A roar of hyperspace winds thundered through the chamber.

  Aelina’s body, no longer her own, twitched and resisted.

  Zephyr looked at Kirana, desperation and love burning in his eyes. "Kirana... I have to do this."

  He shoved her back and, without hesitation, leapt into hyperspace with Aelina in his arms.

  "Zephyr! No!" Kirana screamed, her voice breaking. Without thinking, she lunged after them, her form vanishing into the swirling kaleidoscope of hyperspace.

  The cabin fell into stunned silence. Vega and the others stared in disbelief. Lyra rushed to the control panel.

  "What happened? What happened to Aelina?!"

  Velaria’s face turned pale. She looked at Lyra with trembling lips. "That wasn’t Aelina."

  Her words pierced the room like a blade.

  Draven clutched his head, trying to process. "If that was a clone... then where’s the real Aelina?"

  Kaelar stepped forward, fists clenched. "We need answers. But right now, we land safely. Kirana and Zephyr will need us."

  The ship broke through hyperspace, entering Earth’s orbit. Below, the planet seemed serene. But in their hearts, a new storm was coming.

  Erevos Facility, City of Aurion

  The research chamber inside Erevos Facility pulsed with blue light from the holographic panels lining every wall. Thick cables snaked from the main capsule to a quantum computer in the center. The air vibrated with the hum of machines, tension weaving through the frantic movements of scientists.

  A senior scientist with short gray hair and a white coat bearing Edena’s emblem stood before a giant screen. Holographic data hovered in the air, streaming endlessly from the capsule that held Aelina’s unconscious form.

  "Memory extraction process nearing completion, President Caius," the scientist reported, glancing at a side panel displaying a holographic projection of President Caius Dalthar. His tone was calm, but strain tinged every word.

  Caius studied the data, his gaze ice-cold. "Ensure no errors. All combat-related memories must be uploaded to the quantum system. The transfer to the second generation must be flawless. And..."

  He paused, narrowing his eyes.

  "Erase all personal memories."

  The scientist bowed slightly. "Yes, President. All emotional imprints are being purged. Her body will be a clean vessel, one that holds only skills and programmed directives."

  Beside Aelina’s capsule, Eudora’s form lay in another pod. Flawless. Sculpted like a living metal statue. Green lights blinked across the interface, final enhancements near completion.

  "And Eudora?" Caius inquired.

  The scientist glanced at her pod. "Her optimization is in its final phase. Once Aelina’s data is fully transferred, Eudora will receive all enhancements. She will be Edena’s ultimate creation."

  A slow, calculating smile crept across Caius’s face. "Good. See that it proceeds without deviation. We cannot afford failure."

  To be continued...