Skybound Odyssey – Chapter 17: Sparks of Rebellion
The Stormchaser touched down deep within Skyspire's underbelly—an abandoned industrial hangar hidden beneath the windrails. As the engines cooled, Sena's projection guided them with flickering urgency.
"Follow the green beacon lights. And move quickly," she warned. "If Selena catches your signal again, you won't reach us."
The crew disembarked. Lyra led the way with daggers drawn, her gaze sharp and scanning. Ryo followed, silent, fists clenched—not out of fear, but focus.
Through steel corridors and shattered catwalks they went, until a door opened before them with a low hiss.
And there—waiting in the flickering light—stood the survivors.
Sena stepped forward in the flesh this time. Her uniform had long been torn, replaced by scavenged armor. Behind her stood five others—each unique. Each... powerful.
A tall man with smoke coiling from his shoulders. A girl with stormclouds flickering in her eyes. A monk-like figure whose skin shimmered like polished silver.
One by one, they stared at Ryo—not with suspicion, but awe.
"Prototype Zero," Sena said softly. "The spark we thought had gone out."
Ryo stepped forward. "I didn't know who I was. I still don't fully. But I know what the Empire did. What they're still doing."
The others looked at each other. Then the silver monk spoke.
"Do you intend to destroy Skyspire?"
Ryo shook his head. "No. I intend to free it."
Silence.
Then Sena smiled. "Then welcome back, Stormheart."
---
Later, in the rebel sanctuary...
Plans were drawn. The prototypes gathered around a glowing table projecting Skyspire's inner systems.
"This city is built on a storm core reactor," Juno explained. "It powers everything—the cannons, the gravity fields, even the throne chamber."
"Blow it up," Lyra muttered, "and the whole place crashes into the Eye of the Storm."
"No," Ryo said firmly. "We disable it. Collapse the Empire's control. Let the people rise. We're not killers—we're the lightning before the dawn."
Sena nodded. "Then we strike in three waves: one to infiltrate the core, one to distract the guard fleets, and one to reach the Emperor."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "And let me guess—you're going after the Emperor."
Ryo's eyes flashed. "I have to. He knows what I am. Maybe even why I was made."
"And Selena?" she asked.
"I'll deal with her," Sena said coldly. "She was my sister once. Now... she's just the Empire's blade."
---
Meanwhile, in the throne tower above…
Selena Nightshade stood before the Emperor.
He was ancient and calm, adorned in skysteel armor, a crown of circuitry humming faintly above his bald head.
"They've come," she said. "Stormheart lives."
The Emperor's thin lips curled into a smile.
"Good. Let the lightning gather. It only makes the storm... more beautiful."