The air above Korranis was thick with tension as the group emerged from the tunnel. The shattered remains of their planet’s surface stretched out before them, glowing veins of vithrium threading through the cracked terrain like a delicate, broken web. The twin moons cast a pale light over the wasteland, illuminating every jagged edge and shadowy crevice.

Lila’s heart felt heavy as she glanced back at Callen. He walked silently at the front of the group, his shoulders slumped with the weight of Zara’s sacrifice. Lyra followed closely, her green eyes focused on the horizon, though her expression betrayed a storm of emotions beneath her composed exterior.

It was quiet now, almost unsettlingly so. After days of relentless drone attacks, the silence seemed too good to be true.

“Do you think the drones will catch up to us?” Lila asked, her voice soft.

Lyra turned to her, the glow in her eyes dimming slightly. “They will. But we’ve gained some time. Zara made sure of that.”

The mention of Zara made Lila’s chest ache. She looked down, trying to steady her breathing.

Lyra’s hand brushed hers, a gentle touch that made Lila look up in surprise. “Hey,” Lyra said softly, her voice carrying an unexpected warmth. “You don’t have to carry this alone.”

Lila blinked at her, the weight of Lyra’s gaze making her feel oddly vulnerable. “I barely knew her,” Lila admitted. “But it hurts. She was... so brave.”

“She was,” Lyra said, her lips curving into a small, sad smile. “Zara always had a way of making you feel like everything would be okay, even when it wasn’t. I envied that about her.”

“I can see why,” Lila said quietly.

They walked in silence for a while, the only sound the crunch of their footsteps on the brittle ground. Callen remained ahead, lost in his own thoughts, while the other members of the group kept their distance, giving the three some space.

As the terrain grew more treacherous, Lyra reached out to steady Lila, her hand resting on her elbow. “Careful,” she said, her voice light.

Lila smiled faintly. “Thanks. Guess I’m not used to hiking across alien planets.”

“You’re doing better than most humans would,” Lyra said, her tone teasing.

The hint of humor caught Lila off guard, but it was a welcome reprieve from the tension that had been suffocating them. She glanced at Lyra, noticing for the first time the softness in her features despite the sharpness of her glowing eyes.

“You’re different from Callen,” Lila said before she could stop herself.

Lyra raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth quirking upward. “Different how?”

“I don’t know,” Lila said, her cheeks warming. “He’s... intense. But you’re more...”

“Charming?” Lyra offered, her grin widening.

Lila laughed despite herself. “I was going to say approachable, but sure, let’s go with charming.”

Lyra’s laughter was soft, but it carried an ease that Lila hadn’t heard in days. It was comforting, like a light in the darkness.

As they continued walking, the group came upon a small outcropping that provided a clear view of the distant horizon. Callen stopped, his gaze fixed on something in the distance.

“We’ll rest here for a bit,” he said, his voice flat.

The group wordlessly spread out, each finding a spot to sit or lean against the rocks. Lila settled near the edge of the outcropping, her legs dangling over the side. The sky above was a swirling mix of colors, the alien sunset painting the clouds in shades of neon pink and green.

Lyra joined her, sitting close enough that their shoulders brushed. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she said, her voice quiet.

“It is,” Lila said, her gaze on the horizon. “It’s hard to believe a place like this is caught in so much destruction.”

“Korranis wasn’t always like this,” Lyra said, her tone tinged with sadness. “There was a time when it was peaceful, vibrant. But greed and power have a way of destroying even the most beautiful things.”

Lila glanced at her, seeing the pain in her expression. She reached out hesitantly, her fingers brushing against Lyra’s. “I’m sorry,” she said. “For everything you’ve lost.”

Lyra turned to her, her glowing green eyes meeting Lila’s. “Thank you,” she said softly. “But not everything is lost. Not yet.”

The weight of her words hung between them, charged with unspoken emotion. Lila’s heart raced as she held Lyra’s gaze, the world around them seeming to fade into the background.

Before she could second-guess herself, Lila leaned in, her lips brushing against Lyra’s. The kiss was tentative at first, hesitant, but Lyra responded immediately, her hand cupping Lila’s cheek as she deepened the connection.

The warmth of Lyra’s touch sent a shiver down Lila’s spine, and for a moment, all the fear and grief and uncertainty melted away. It was just the two of them, sharing a moment of solace in the midst of chaos.

When they finally pulled apart, Lila’s cheeks were flushed, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Lyra’s expression was unreadable, but there was a softness in her eyes that made Lila’s heart ache.

“Sorry,” Lila said quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean to—”

“Don’t apologize,” Lyra said, her voice steady. “I’m glad you did.”

Lila’s chest tightened, relief washing over her. She gave Lyra a small smile, which Lyra returned.

“We should probably check on the others,” Lila said reluctantly, glancing back at the group.

“Yeah,” Lyra said, though she made no move to stand.

For a few more moments, they sat together, the silence between them filled with a newfound understanding. Whatever came next, Lila knew she wasn’t facing it alone.

And for the first time since this journey began, she felt a flicker of hope.