My vision goes dark. Everything blurs as the universe finds a strange stillness in its chaos. And then it fades to nothing. A strong resonance pulses through my body. It stirs fragmented memories that drift like fading apparitions. A pale planet appears. It's strange yet familiar...
And then there's an overwhelming force as silent as a black hole... It's... a massive, artificial "eye."
...It's been a while since I dreamed about the explosion. Looking back, those roaring flames feel like a surreal, distant nightmare. The searing heat in my dreams is still vivid, but the pain in my heart is gone. Maybe it's because... The Aether Core within me has achieved full power.
To investigate and deal with "anomalous incidents" related to the Aether Cores, the Association secretly began Operation Aether Ordeal. Over the past few months, we swiftly and discreetly handled numerous "anomalies" and documented information about a new Aether Core. We termed it the Spatium Core. After completing several investigations, I learned how seemingly unrelated issues were connected in surprising ways. Sylus's brief "absence" gave the forces who coveted the Aether Core in the N109 Zone an opening. Xavier's former teammates, who have gone separate ways, possess cutting-edge Protocore technology, and their goals extend beyond just targeting Xavier. The strange black crystals are deeply connected to the old battle, causing Zayne's nightmares to worsen. And with the watchful eyes of some secret observers, Rafayel is forced to quietly search for the power sealed within the Tome of the Sea God.
When traced back to their source, these unrelated threads are connected to one massive
entity: Ever. The limited amount of evidence we have also suggests that Ever was the true mastermind behind the Bloomshore District explosion.

"The entire garden has been blown to bits... Hey, rookie. Go investigate."

"Yes captain."

The fleet uniform doesn't quite fit me. I subtly roll up my sleeves and push aside the rubble as I make my way into the garden.The energy trail I can resonate with is faint, but it's similar to the one belonging to an Aether Core... The source must be over here.

"It's going to rain tomorrow evening, and all traces will be washed away. Make sure to be done before then." Captian says.

The garden is in ruins. I bend down to dodge the Fleet's soldiers and crime scene investigators wearing white gloves on the other side of a hedge. It's right behind these bushes. The burnt vines twist through the vegetation.The silent oppression swallows even the faintest of sounds.Behind the layer of leaves and petals, it's as if a small hand darts among the tangled branches.I quickly reach out, but my fingers touch another scorched wall.That brief, vaguely familiar energy fluctuation ripples through the air before vanishing. I knew it...

The day I arrived in Skyhaven coincided with new Fleet cadets reporting for duty. They formed a neat line along the transfer platform.
While hidden in the shadows and thinking about how to blend in, I received unexpected "help" from a recruit who decided to desert.
In exchange for my silence, I took her place and successfully moved into the temporary living quarters for new cadets.
When tasks were assigned, I relied on these cadets' burning ambition for flight duties...
So that I was left with the unwanted "ground support" role. And it happened. As a result, I was brought to the explosion site in Cascade District.

I never imagined l'd find myself in Skyhaven for a reason like this. A cold, metal chain touches my neck. It's the necklace I once gave to Caleb.

"Find anything, rookie?" With a stern expression, the Captain walks over. I come to my senses and shake my head.

"Captain, I haven't seen anything suspicious." I said.

"Keep your eyes peeled and give it another once-over.If you miss anything, it won't be just you facing the consequences when the Colonel's starship returns."

"Yes captain"I don't know what's with this new colonel.Since he's butting heads with the Association, it's probably better to avoid him..I definitely sensed an Aether Core earlier.If they blocked off the area because of it, I need to move fast. "I have a question, Captain. Usually, explosions like these involve casualties or people who are severely injured. How can there be individuals who have gone missing?How did the Fleet confirm this? I also heard we weren't sent here to test for traces of..."

"Don't poke your nose in places where it doesn't belong. Mind your own business."

As expected, everyone in the Fleet is keeping quiet about the circumstances surrounding the explosion.

"Captain, a suspect just appeared! He showed up in HQ!" Fleet officer said.

"What did you just say?!"

"The Colonel's starship will be on the HQ's runway in ten minutes. Command issued an emergency order.We need to head back and deal with the intruder before the Colonel returns!"

They're already here...If things get too chaotic, I might be able to use it to my advantage...

Caleb's pov

I was in my base working when an Adjutant walks in. "Colonel, everything is ready. We'll be landing in Skyhaven without a problem."

"Do we have any leads yet on the traitor who almost sank us in Deepspace three days ago?" I asked

"I'm afraid not. Maybe our navigation was off. It could've also been unexpected turbulence."

I got up and walk "This trip was a test for the new fleet colonel. The old guard are looking forward to me not coming back." I stoped "Unfortunately for them, I already danced with Death once." I could feel him try to stab me but missed when I used my evol "I won't die again. It doesn't matter if you succeed or not. You've chosen treason . So the consequences are still the same." I point my gun at him "you don't need to return to skyhaven" I shot him as the blood feel on my cheek. I wiped them off and continued to walk away. I know I would come back. So I could see the woman I love.