In the dark, soundless void of space, a figure resembling Aelina still held Zephyr's hand in a vice-like grip. The creature's glowing red eyes radiated a single, terrifying intention, to end everything, including herself. Zephyr, caught in her grasp, fought to pull free, every muscle straining.

  "I won’t let it end like this," he muttered through clenched teeth, his breath labored, strength beginning to wane.

  Then, from the swirling black behind them, a hyperspace flare cracked the darkness like a starburst. Kirana shot forth from the light, an unstoppable force aimed directly at them. In a blur, she reached their position and landed before Zephyr and the doppelg?nger.

  "Kirana?!" Zephyr's voice trembled with disbelief.

  She didn’t hesitate. In a single, fluid motion born of old instincts and relentless courage, Kirana seized Zephyr and yanked him free.

  "Hold your breath, Zephyr!" she commanded.

  With a sweeping kick, she sent the creature hurtling backward. The force was tremendous. The doppelg?nger flew into the abyss before erupting in a blinding explosion.

  Zephyr watched the blast in silence, emotions tangled. It had looked like Aelina, moved like her, but it wasn’t her.

  Before he could process it, Kirana pulled him close, wrapping her arms around him.

  "Are you hurt?" she asked softly, worry heavy in her voice.

  Zephyr nodded, too stunned to speak. His chest tightened.

  "You always show up just in time," he said with a faint, weary smile.

  The moment didn’t last. The light from the explosion faded, and the gravity of a nearby planet began to tug them downward.

  Kirana looked toward the world below. Her face was calm, focused.

  "We have to prepare. Activate your shield and channel your energy into the armor. If not, we’ll burn in the atmosphere."

  Zephyr nodded. "I’m with you."

  A soft hum surrounded them as a blue energy shield enveloped his body.

  As they descended, the heat intensified. Kirana pressed close to Zephyr, minimizing drag.

  "Kirana," Zephyr whispered, wind roaring in his helmet. Her face rested against his chest, tired, yet unwavering.

  "I promise you, no matter what happens... I’ll protect you. I won’t let anyone hurt you again."

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  She offered a faint smile, knowing too well the weight of such promises.

  They crashed into the golden wastelands below, carving a crater into the sand. Their armor cracked and melted in places from the searing descent. Gasping, they lay still.

  Zephyr peeled off his helmet, dragging in air. "Are you alright?"

  Kirana nodded weakly, face grimacing in pain. "Still alive. That’s enough."

  She checked her comms. Relief flickered on her face. "There’s a signal... weak, but it’s something."

  Zephyr scanned the endless dunes. Nothing but shifting sands and dying light.

  "Where are we?"

  Kirana squinted toward the horizon, where twin suns of Lytherion dipped low. "I don’t know. But we need shelter before nightfall."

  Struggling upright, Zephyr helped Kirana to her feet. "Then let’s move. I’m not letting us die here."

  With heavy steps, they ventured into the wasteland. Distant dunes danced under the wind, silent witnesses to their resolve.

  The night wind on Thaross was merciless.

  Nestled between narrow cliffs, Kirana and Zephyr sat close to a flickering flame. The firelight cast their weary faces in shades of gold and shadow. Kirana hugged her knees, staring into the fire, lost in thought.

  Zephyr watched her, his silence loud with concern.

  "Zephyr..." Her voice broke the stillness, barely a whisper. "I can’t forget her face. I feel like... I failed as a mother."

  His heart ached at her words, but he masked his sorrow.

  "You didn’t fail, Kirana. You gave everything you had. This wasn’t your fault."

  She shook her head, tears trailing down her cheek. "I should’ve protected her. But I lost her. Now I don’t even know if she’s still alive."

  Zephyr took a breath, voice steady. "You’re a fighter. You’ve faced overwhelming odds and survived. That strength... she inherited it. Wherever Aelina is, she’d want you to survive. To keep going."

  Kirana turned to him, eyes filled with pain, and gratitude. "Thank you, Zephyr. You’ve always been there for me... even when I had nothing left."

  He gave her a gentle smile. "I’m here not just out of duty, Kirana. I’m here because I care. And we’ll get through this. Together."

  Dawn broke, casting golden light across the barren land.

  From a rise in the sand, Kirana surveyed the horizon. A signal blinked faintly on her screen, pointing toward a settlement far ahead.

  "There’s something out there," she said, turning to Zephyr. "Looks like a town. Fifty kilometers, maybe."

  He exhaled sharply, eyes narrowing toward the endless stretch. "A long way to go... but no choice. Let’s move."

  They trekked through scorched sands, battered by sun and dust. Weariness slowed them, but the promise of civilization gave them strength. As evening fell, shadows revealed massive rusted gates rising from the desert.

  A guard stood beside the gate, clad in patched leather with metal plates and a rifle slung over his shoulder. A helmet with dark goggles obscured his face.

  "Who are you?" he asked, his voice deep but calm.

  "Just travelers," Kirana replied firmly. "We need rest."

  He studied them, then pressed a button. A smaller gate creaked open.

  "Welcome to Rusty Town. Don’t cause trouble."

  They stepped inside.

  Inside, the town pulsed with life. Rusted buildings leaned under their own weight, but streets buzzed with activity. Tattered humans, reptilian creatures, and aquatic humanoids with fluid-filled helmets mingled in the market.

  Zephyr whispered, astonished, "This place... it’s more alive than I imagined."

  Winding through narrow streets and vendor stalls, they found a modest tavern tucked in a corner. Kirana entered first.

  An old man with a thick white beard looked up from wiping a dented cup.

  "What do you need?" he asked.

  "Water," Kirana said.

  He nodded, filled two metal cups, and slid them across.

  "On the house. Just this once."

  "Thank you," Zephyr replied, raising his drink with deep gratitude.

  They drank in silence, the cold water a quiet victory after a world of fire and ash.