The Skyspire's core hummed quietly, its centuries of silence finally broken. Panels around them retracted, revealing a staircase coiled around a now-active lift shaft. LYRA's voice echoed softly in Ethan's mind.
"Signal tether acquired. Atmospheric cloak disengaging. Starling Mk-I is now pinging your HUD. Estimated walk time to uplink beacon: 14.7 minutes. Or you could, you know—hurry."
Aelira let out a low whistle. "She's... got personality."
"She's part of the ship?" Ethan asked.
"Incorrect. I am the ship."
At the top of the Skyspire, jagged metal wings formed a circle around a weathered pad—like a shattered halo. As they approached, LYRA guided Ethan with pulsing indicators. When he stepped onto the uplink pad, a beam of faint white energy shot skyward.
Moments later, the clouds parted.
Hovering above the stratosphere, almost invisible, cloaked in photon-bending fields, was the Starling Mk-I. Sleek. Compact. Designed for speed, infiltration, and long-range recon. Its hull shimmered with faint Technarch etchings, now glowing in sync with Ethan's System signature.
[Link Established — Boarding Authorization Granted]
"I've sent a skytether. Brace yourselves."
A ripple of aether surged around them, forming a lattice of hardlight beneath their feet. The tether dragged them upward. Moments later, they phased through the cloak and into the ship's docking bay.
The interior was clean, efficient. A minimalist command deck with modular panels, crystal-tech conduits, and a central command chair already syncing with Ethan's presence.
Holo-displays flickered to life.
"Welcome aboard, Inheritor Ethan Cross. Neural interface calibrated. Let's try not to burn anything important."
Aelira wandered toward a side module. "This thing's... not built for comfort, but it's faster than anything I've seen on land."
"Also stealth-capable, warp-enabled, and surprisingly well-preserved, thank you."
Ethan slid into the pilot's seat, his fingers resting on the control ring. It pulsed with recognition.
[Stellar Drive Calibrated — Awaiting Destination Input]
Recommended Launch Window: 90 seconds
Destination: Ravenfall Outer Dock — Sky Approach
He smirked. "Alright, Starling. Let's see what you've got."
The ship disengaged its orbital anchors, rotating with the grace of a predator about to pounce. LYRA counted down from five. Then—
A burst of energy. The ship plunged through clouds in a controlled dive, cloak shimmer trailing like a ghost. Ravenfall appeared ahead—walls, towers, and distant spires glowing under a dim sun.
Over the comms, LYRA whispered:
"Welcome back to the world below. Let's make some noise."
As they descend toward the city, unknown to them, a figure in an observatory tower watches the streak of light cut across the sky.
She narrows her eyes.
"A Stella-class ship… in this age? Impossible."
Behind her, an old man in ceremonial robes speaks softly.
"The echoes are stirring again. And so is he."