STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

STARLIGHT UNBOUND

Lucien hesitated, his mind racing as he considered the question. “There’s a secondary exit on the north side of the Spire – an old utility tunnel that leads to the outer districts. It’s not in active use, but it’s still accessible. If things go wrong, we can use it to get out.”

Corin snorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Great. Sounds foolproof. ”

Lyra ignored him, her focus on Harun. “We’ll stick to the plan unless there’s no other choice. But if it comes down to it, we’ll use the North tunnel.”

Lucien nodded, though he could still feel Corin ’s stare boring into his back.

He knew this was the point of no return. Whether they trusted him or not, there was no turning back now.

***

The rebels moved with purpose, their voices hushed as they checked and rechecked their gear. Harun sat at the table, meticulously arranging a small toolkit and portable devices, his movements smooth and methodical. Across the room, Corin hovered near the far wall, his face shadowed with skepticism. His posture held no lies—watching, waiting, doubting.

Lyra stood at the counter, her focus absolute as she inspected a slim knife before slipping it into her belt with a practiced motion.

Lucien hovered near the doorway, feeling out of place amid their quiet efficiency. His mind raced, but his body remained still, as though some part of him had detached from the moment. They look like they’ve done this before. Like this is just another step in a long battle I’ve only just fallen into.

He looked down at his hands and noticed a faint tremor in his fingers. He clenched them into fists, willing the shaking to stop.

Lyra ’s gaze caught his from across the room, sharp yet not unkind. She walked over with the same steady confidence she always seemed to carry, stopping in front of him. “You ready?”

Lucien hesitated, his voice quieter than he intended. “I don’t know. I keep running through the plan in my head, but every time I think about the Spire...”

He trailed off, swallowing hard as the towering image of the Spire filled his thoughts.

Lyra tilted her head slightly. “It’s just a building.”

Lucien ’s breath hitched. “It’s not just a building. It’s AstroSYS. Everything I’ve ever known, everything I thought I believed in—it’s all there. And now I’m about to...” He shook his head, unable to finish the thought.

115