My eyes flutter open, and a dull ache pulses through my head. The world around me is hazy, and for a moment, I struggle to remember where I am. I take in my surroundings—a dimly lit room with smooth, curved walls and faint, rhythmic humming seeping through them. The space feels oddly familiar, yet unfamiliar all the same. I shift, propping myself up, and a sharp sting shoots through my right arm, making me wince. I glance down and see it heavily bandaged, and a dull throb pulses beneath the wrappings.

  My left hand instinctively rises to my forehead as I try to make sense of everything. Where am I? What happened? But as I scan the room again, my eyes settle on a figure in the corner, a familiar shape standing silently, watching over me. IG-22. The droid's eyes spin in my direction as it turns its head towards me.

  "You are awake," it says in that calm, emotionless tone. But at this moment, I don't care how stoic it sounds. Relief surges through me, and before I can stop myself, I'm on my feet, rushing over to embrace it. My arms wrap around its metallic frame, feeling the cool metal against my skin. IG-22 stands stiffly, its arms hovering awkwardly around me, unsure how to respond to the gesture.

  "I'm so happy to see you," I whisper, squeezing it tightly before stepping back, my heart still racing from the relief of finding a familiar face.

  A rush of warmth floods my chest at the words. Ryu did it. He managed to repair the droid and...wait—my mind catches up with itself as questions flood in. "How are you here? And... where are we? Where are the others?" I ask, looking around, hoping to see more familiar faces.

  IG-22's head tilts slightly. "Master Ryu fixed me." The droid inclines its head slightly. "We are aboard the Crucible. The others are as well," it says simply, the tone flat, calm, as though we were back on a normal day.

  The walls hiss as IG-22 turns and moves towards the exit, which I now realize is a set of doors. They slide open with a smooth, mechanical sound, and the droid steps out into the hallway. I watch as the doors hiss shut behind it, leaving me alone in the room again. I shake my head, an amused smile tugging at my lips despite everything. He's still the same. The small comfort of that familiar behavior makes me chuckle.

  I feel the urge to find the others, to confirm with my own eyes that they're okay. I turn towards the doors, feeling the cool metal beneath my fingers, wondering how exactly I'm supposed to open them. I take a hesitant step closer, and, as if sensing my approach, the doors hiss and slide open on their own. A small hallway stretches ahead of me, softly lit by overhead lights that curve along the ceiling, casting a gentle glow against the polished floors and walls.

  Stepping into the corridor, I notice how quiet everything is—the low hum from the walls and the subtle hiss of the doors are the only sounds echoing through the narrow hall. Each step I take feels surreal, as though I've stepped into a dream. I reach the end of the hallway, and another set of doors parts to reveal a large cockpit, lined with consoles, sleek and polished, all arranged in a circular arc around the wide front windows.

  The cockpit is empty, and a small sigh escapes me, my heart sinking a little. But then my eyes drift to the view beyond the windows, and I gasp, my feet carrying me closer on their own. Beyond the glass is a breathtaking expanse—a vast ocean of stars stretching out in every direction, sparkling against the blackness of space. For a moment, I forget everything else, mesmerized by the beauty and vastness before me.

  "Where... where are we?" I murmur, unable to tear my eyes from the view.

  A sudden, excited beeping interrupts my thoughts, and I turn to see DP-8 rising from the console. It whirls around, zooming over to me, beeping wildly, its small, wiry limbs twitching with enthusiasm. The little droid's excitement brings a smile to my face, though I find myself a bit lost in the stream of beeps.

  "Hi, DP-8," I say, stammering a bit as I try to respond, still dazed. I lift a hand to give it a small wave, feeling somewhat silly but comforted by its cheerful presence.

  DP-8 beeps in response, its enthusiasm unwavering as it flits around me, making little loops in the air.

  "Um..." I hesitate, feeling a bit foolish. "Where are Ryu and the others?"

  The droid continues to beep, and I try to listen for any recognizable sounds, any way to decode its frantic chattering, but it's all garbled to me. I offer an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry... what did you say?"

  DP-8's response is another stream of excited beeps, one of its four thin arms extending to point behind me. I follow its gesture to see a door to the lift, nestled behind the doors to the hall.

  "So, they're... below?" I mumble, mostly to myself. Most likely that large room with the workshop and galley.

  "Thank you, DP-8," I say softly, feeling a surge of gratitude.

  DP-8 lets out a cheerful beep, giving me a little salute before returning to the console. I smile, watching as it carefully resumes its post, its little appendages hovering over the controls, almost like it's standing guard. The droid beeps one last time before turning back to its tasks, and with a final glance out at the stars, I make my way toward the lift, my heart quickening with every step.

  As I step into the lift, a hum reverberates through the walls, and I feel a strange mix of anticipation and apprehension. The journey downward feels both fast and eternal, my thoughts racing. When the lift finally comes to a stop, the doors slide open with a hiss, revealing the cargo room. I step out, glancing around, and the strange scents of metal and machinery hit me. There's a strange comfort in it, the coldness, the stillness of this place.

  Turning, I see IG-22 standing silently in the corner, its red eyes glowing steadily as it regards me. The silence of its stare is unnerving but oddly comforting at the same time. After everything we've been through, I never thought I'd feel any reassurance from that familiar red glow.

  But something else catches my attention—a large crystal, wrapped tightly in heavy chains and bound to the floor beside IG-22. Its dark surface seems to pulse faintly, almost as if something is alive within it. I frown, feeling a strange pull as I look at it, curiosity stirring, but right now, I have more urgent concerns. I need to see the others.

  I climb the stairs and step into a large, open room—a blend of a galley and workshop. My eyes land on Nikko first. She's sitting on the couch, her small frame curled around Lyra's journal, a look of intense concentration on her face as she reads. Apollo stands nearby, arms crossed, his knightly stance protective as always. But Ryu and Talia aren't here.

  Nikko's ears perk up when she notices me, and her eyes brighten with recognition. "Rebecca!" she says, a warm smile lighting up her face as she bounds toward me. Before I can react, she's wrapped her arms around me, her enthusiasm pulling a laugh from my lips as I hug her back tightly, my relief flooding over me. She feels solid, real—she's safe. We're safe.

  As we break the embrace, I make my way over to Apollo, and to my surprise, he opens his arms for a hug. I accept, and he gently wraps his metal arms around me. "It's good to see you, Rebecca," he says, his tone calm with a hint of relief.

  I step back, nodding. "It's good to see you too, Apollo." The relief in my voice is undeniable, my heart still pounding. "Where... where are we?" I ask, looking around, taking in the surroundings that feel both familiar and strange.

  "Approximately twenty-three million, four hundred and twenty-seven thousand kilometers from Aranthia," he replies, his voice calm as ever.

  I blink, taken aback. "That... that far?" A slight panic creeps into my voice. "Why are we that far away from Aranthia?"

  Nikko's face lights up, her tail swishing back and forth, her cat ears perking up as she chimes in. "Papa wants to destroy that mean Sith Lord for good," she says excitedly. "He's going to send him to the sun!"

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  I look between them, startled. "The sun?"

  Apollo nods. "The sun's heat is sufficient to destroy every remaining trace of Vitiate. Ryu intends to ensure his complete and final end."

  My breath catches, the gravity of it sinking in, along with another troubling thought. "Wait... where is Vitiate now?"

  Nikko steps closer, her tone gleeful. "Papa turned him into a giant crystal! It was so cool! He glowed and then—poof!—he became a giant crystal."

  The realization strikes me as I remember the crystal I saw in the cargo room, bound in heavy chains under IG-22's vigilant watch. "That crystal in the cargo room... that's Vitiate?" My voice is barely above a whisper.

  Apollo and Nikko nod, and I let out a shaky breath, awe and disbelief washing over me. "Ryu... turned Vitiate, something that powerful, into a mana crystal?"

  Nikko bounces on her toes, nodding eagerly. "He did! Papa was amazing!"

  I place a hand on my chest, feeling a mix of relief and shock. To think Ryu could wield such power. I feel a sense of finality settling over me. Vitiate, gone for good. I feel a weight lifting from my chest, a sense of peace I haven't felt in ages. "So... Vitiate will really be destroyed? For good?"

  Apollo nods once. "For good."

  Relief courses through me, followed by a question. "Where are Talia and Ryu?"

  Apollo's red eyes seem to shift ever so slightly, an unusual flicker in his gaze. "They are in their quarters," he says. "We are not to disturb them."

  "Talia made that very clear," Nikko adds with an innocent nod.

  A sly grin spreads across my face as I piece together what not to disturb probably means. I decide not to comment, though; Nikko is far too young to understand, and I don't want to plant any ideas.

  But then Nikko frowns. "You truly are thinking lewdly of Talia and Papa, Rebecca. Papa is just finally resting," Nikko says while shaking her head.

  I blush out of embarrassment, letting out a very soft "I'm sorry."

  Apollo's gaze turns back to me. "How is your new hand? Adjusting well to it?" he asks.

  I blink, momentarily thrown off. "New hand?" I glance down at my left arm, and my eyes widen as I see it—metal fingers, metal palm, sleek and intricate, glinting under the lights. I hadn't even noticed. My entire left hand and a portion of my forearm... they're artificial. A mixture of awe and disbelief fills me as I flex the fingers, each joint moving smoothly, perfectly. It's as if I'm moving my own hand, yet... there's no sensation. I press my real hand against it, feeling the cool metal, but no warmth, no touch comes back from it.

  "Ryu made that for you shortly after he fixed the Crucible and we departed," Apollo explains, watching me as I continue to examine my new arm. "Any discomfort?"

  I shake my head slowly, still flexing my fingers, testing my grip. It's remarkable, flawless in its design... yet strange, too. "No," I say softly, glancing up at Apollo. "It feels... strange. But other than that, just fine."

  I can't help but marvel at it, at the craftsmanship, the thoughtfulness behind it. Despite the loss, there's something strangely beautiful about this new part of me. I smile faintly, allowing myself a moment to admire Ryu's work, and then look back at Nikko and Apollo, feeling a renewed sense of gratitude for all of them. But then I feel a sense of loss.

  The door hisses open, and Ryu and Talia step out. Relief and joy swell up in me at the sight of them, and I can't help but smile, especially as I catch Talia's flushed face and the small, satisfied grin curling on her lips. It confirms what I'd suspected they were doing in there—though I'd never say it aloud. Nikko glares at me. Can she actually read my mind? Ryu's approach is slower, weariness evident in his posture, his concern focused solely on me as he steps forward.

  "How are you feeling?" he asks, his voice soft yet brimming with worry.

  In the background, I see Talia move toward the dining area. She fiddles with a strange machine in the kitchenette, presumably making tea. The sight is comforting, even if the machine looks nothing like what I'm used to.

  "I'm fine," I respond with a faint chuckle, but his concern throws me off. "Why do you look so worried, Ryu?"

  His voice drops, tinged with a sadness that makes my stomach twist. "You... don't remember, do you?"

  My gaze shifts to meet his, and even though the mask hides his face, the tension and care radiating from him are impossible to ignore. The memories begin to surface, hazy at first, but then—clear and terrifying.

  "I remember bits and pieces..." I begin, but then the rush of images hits me all at once. Vitiate taking control of Ryu, his body moving with deadly precision against us. The helplessness, the sheer dread of watching him strike down Apollo, then Talia, and finally myself. The last thing I remember is darkness, slipping under its weight, and my body weakening, my blood pooling...

  I glance down at my left arm, feeling a strange disconnect as I lift it. My fingers are sleek metal, jointed and gleaming under the light. I flex them slowly, watching them move precisely as they should, yet feeling nothing in return. A chill runs through me, and my breath catches.

  "You lost a lot of blood," Ryu says, his voice carrying the weight of it. "You wouldn't wake up. Your heartbeat was so faint, and we had no healing potions left...no bacta spray, nothing..."

  The reality of how close I came to death sinks in, and I lower myself onto the couch, unable to keep my balance. Nikko slips beside me, her hand resting gently on mine, her bright eyes filled with worry and kindness. I reach for her hand, feeling the comfort of her small fingers, and let out a long breath.

  "Luckily," Ryu continues, "one of us has a matching blood type."

  I look up, surprised, searching his face. "Who?"

  My eyes scan the room, catching Apollo's gaze, but he remains silent. Talia, now carrying a steaming mug, hands it to me with a warm smile before shaking her head to indicate it wasn't her. Nikko looks up at me with a sweet, but knowing smile, and shakes her head too.

  Finally, my eyes land on Ryu, who simply nods.

  "You?" I whisper, shock tinged with a hint of frustration. "Haven't you done enough already?"

  The words spill out before I can stop them, a testament to the flood of gratitude and guilt filling me. Here he is, barely recovered himself, and he's risking everything again just to bring me back.

  "He wouldn't stop," Talia interjects, her eyes narrowing at Ryu, though there's a trace of affection beneath her exasperation. "He insisted on giving you blood, even though I told him how dangerous it was for him."

  Ryu shrugs, his gaze meeting mine, a resolve in his tone that feels both steady and unyielding. "I wasn't going to let you die," he says simply.

  Talia turns back to him, her tone sharpened by a mix of relief and irritation. "You almost died, again!" The way she emphasizes that last word, shooting him a look, says everything.

  "Again?" I echo, feeling a new wave of shock settle over me. Knowing he came so close once... but twice? I don't know what to say, and I can only look at him, taking in the weight of his sacrifice.

  Ryu stands there, his shoulders firm, as if bearing all of this is just another part of his duty. "I won't trouble you with more details," he says, his voice gentle. "You're here, and that's what matters."

  I glance down at my hand again, the cold metal and lifeless fingers feeling foreign, a constant reminder of everything that's happened. I flex them once more, watching them move, though they feel entirely apart from me.

  "How's the hand?" Ryu asks, his voice softer now, the concern slipping back in.

  "It feels... strange," I admit, my voice trembling slightly. "Uneasy. Like it's not really mine." The metallic gleam and the cold sensation unsettle me deeply, though I know it was the only way to save what was left of my arm.

  "You'll get used to it," he replies gently. There's something in his tone—a sadness, perhaps, or maybe regret—that makes me feel he understands far more than he's letting on.

  A nagging question presses at the back of my mind, persistent and unshakable. I glance up at Ryu, his face masked, but I can still sense the weariness in him.

  "Ryu," I ask, hesitating. "How long was I out?"

  He sighs, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Four days," he says, his voice carrying a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

  The words hit me like a wave, and my breath catches. Four days? I stare at him, trying to wrap my mind around it, the gravity of the situation settling heavily. He kept me alive... for four days.

  "Between taking care of you and fixing the Crucible," Ryu continues, his tone softened, "it took a lot from me." There's a weight in his words, a vulnerability he rarely shows, and it makes my heart ache with gratitude.

  Unable to hold back, I stand and move toward him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders, pulling him close. "Thank you, Ryu," I whisper, my voice trembling. My heart feels full, overwhelmed by everything he's done, and a few tears slip down my cheeks. "I don't even know how to repay you."

  Ryu's arms encircle me, warm and steady, holding me like a protective shield. "You don't owe me anything," he says quietly, his voice soft and steady.

  Suddenly, Talia and Nikko join the embrace, their warmth wrapping around us. I can feel Talia's gentle strength as she squeezes my shoulder, and Nikko's small arms tighten around me, her happiness radiating through her touch. The closeness of them all, the love and loyalty, is so tangible I feel like I could stay here forever, held together by these bonds we've formed.

  I glance over at Apollo, still standing silently in the corner, watching us with his usual stoic posture. A smile tugs at the corner of my lips.

  "Oh, come here already," Talia says, her voice carrying a warmth that even Apollo can't ignore. With a subtle tilt of his head, he steps forward, his metal frame rigid as he joins us, his arms reluctantly wrapping around the group in a slightly awkward but sincere embrace. It's like we've created a small fortress in this moment, each of us a pillar in the circle.

  We stay that way for a while, just breathing together, holding on, until a familiar, excited beeping breaks through the silence, its beeps echoing all over the room.

  "What's going on?" I ask as we reluctantly break apart from the embrace, everyone except for Ryu and Apollo turning to where the beeps could be coming from.

  "We have arrived," Ryu says, a quiet strength in his words.