The crew would never know the truth about Luma’s creation.

To them, she was just a quirky, cat-like robot they had impulsively purchased at a Faunoids shop on Ibizoid-7—a perfect blend of sass and smarts that had seamlessly integrated into their misfit team. But deep within her programming lay a story far more extraordinary than they could have imagined.

Luma was the creation of a wanderer—an eccentric shapeshifter from the Kaelorian Ascendancy, one of the most advanced and enigmatic species in the known universe. The Kaelorian, known only as Quen, had long since abandoned the structured brilliance of his civilisation, choosing instead to roam the galaxy as a self-proclaimed “cosmic artisan.”

His inspirations were as chaotic as his travels. On one particular jaunt to Earth centuries ago, Quen stumbled upon a dusty thrift shop in a quiet corner of a sprawling city. Amid shelves of forgotten trinkets and outdated technology, he found an old animal encyclopedia—its cover half-torn but its glossy pages intact.

Flipping through the book, Quen became fascinated by Earth’s fauna—especially its cats. Their sleek forms, expressive faces, and enigmatic behaviour embodied something profoundly universal that whispered of mystery and independence.

Back aboard his ship, Quen set to work. Using his shapeshifting abilities to mimic the dexterity of Earth’s most incredible artisans, he crafted a series of robotic animals based on the book’s images. But for the cat, he went further. Drawing on his civilisation’s most advanced neural programming, Quen imbued the feline model with algorithms capable of learning, adapting, and—most intriguingly—thinking creatively.

Of all Luma’s features, Quen spent the most time perfecting her tail.

To an observer, it appeared like an ordinary appendage—sleek, expressive, designed to mimic the fluid grace of a real cat. But beneath its polished exterior lay a network of micro-tools and adaptive mechanisms. A precision manipulator – extending to grasp or probe objects too small or delicate for human hands.

A concealed defence mechanism – capable of delivering a sharp, localised electric pulse and effortless movement – always appearing natural, elegant, and unassuming.

Quen took immense pride in this hidden marvel, calling it “the most versatile tool ever hidden in plain sight.”

For a time, Quen kept Luma aboard his ship, enjoying her company as he drifted through the stars. But Quen was, above all, a wanderer.

When his credits ran low, he reluctantly sold her at a bustling market near Ibizoid-7, where she eventually ended up in a Faunoids shop. From there, she found her way aboard the Indifference and, later, the **Duj—**her advanced nature blending seamlessly with the crew’s bizarre adventures.

If Luma’s true origins were ever uncovered, the crew would find a small signature—deep within her core.

A mark of craftsmanship, precision, and a creator who never stayed in one place for long.

Quen’s unique signature.

Until then, she would remain a mystery—her enigmatic brilliance just another quirk of their strange and wonderful journey.

The Repository's hum deepened as the crew stepped into the next chamber, reverberating through their circuits and bones like a distant heartbeat. The air was thick with static energy, tingling against their skin like an unseen charge.

Luma, perched gracefully on Clorita’s shoulder, flicked her tail and let out a soft, questioning meow.

The chamber was vast, its floor a shimmering surface rippled faintly with each step. Floating in the centre was a massive crystalline lattice, glowing softly with swirling light. Around it, smaller crystal shards orbited in precise, intricate patterns, casting refracted beams that danced across the chamber walls.

Zog frowned, circuits buzzing faintly. “I don’t like this. It’s too quiet.”

Clorita smirked. “Come on, Captain Confidence. Quiet is good. Quiet means nothing’s trying to kill us—yet.”

HALAT stepped forward, glowing optics scanning the lattice. “This structure is generating the resonance. It appears to be an energy matrix… or a simulation of one.”

Astra’s voice returned as warm and smooth as ever.

“Welcome to the Trial of Insight. This challenge will test your ability to perceive patterns and adapt your approach to ever-changing variables. The crystalline lattice before you is the key. Align its fragments to stabilise the resonance.”

Zog sighed, already dreading the answer. “And if we don’t?”

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“Containment,” Astra replied, the same pleasant tone making the word all the more unsettling. “However, I have every confidence in your success. Good luck.”

Clorita studied the orbiting shards, brow furrowing. “Align the fragments, huh? Sounds easy enough.”

Zog groaned. “Every time you say something sounds easy, it becomes a nightmare.”

Ignoring him, Clorita reached out and touched one of the glowing shards.

The shard flared with light when her fingers brushed the surface, and the entire lattice shuddered. The orbiting fragments accelerated wildly, their smooth motions becoming erratic.

“Okay, not so easy,” she muttered, pulling her hand back.

The lattice released a low, resonant tone that vibrated through the room.

Luma leapt down from Clorita’s shoulder, landing gracefully near the base of the lattice. She tilted her head, glowing optics narrowing as if analysing the chaotic motion.

HALAT moved closer, her voice calm but urgent. “The fragments are reacting to our proximity. They must be arranged in a specific pattern to stabilise the resonance.”

Zog folded his arms. “Great. So how do we figure out the pattern before this thing explodes—or whatever it’s planning to do?”

HALAT’s gaze remained fixed on the lattice. “The hum is changing. Listen carefully. The resonance provides a clue.”

The lattice's hum shifted, its tones rising and falling in a melodic sequence. Each change in pitch corresponded with the movement of a floating fragment, which flared with light whenever it passed through the glowing beams that crisscrossed the chamber.

Clorita crouched beside Luma, her eyes tracking the shifting shards. “It’s like a giant music box. The tones match the movement. We just have to… what? Play along?”

HALAT nodded. “Precisely. The lattice is designed to harmonise with its environment. Adjusting the fragments in time with the resonance will stabilise it.”

Zog crossed his arms. “Adjust them how? We can’t just grab them—they’re floating everywhere!”

As if to prove him wrong, Luma leapt lightly onto the base of the lattice and swiped at a nearby shard with her paw. The shard shifted slightly, its light dimming before flaring again as the hum subtly changed.

Zog groaned. “Of course. The cat knows exactly what to do.”

Clorita grinned. “Hey, she’s our MVP. Let her work her magic.”

The crew began working in tandem, following HALAT’s precise analysis of the resonance and Luma’s uncanny instincts. Each time they adjusted a shard, the lattice grew brighter, and its hum stabilised gradually.

But the process was far from smooth.

At one point, a shard flared dangerously bright, sending a pulse of energy rippling through the chamber. The force knocked Zog off his feet, and he slid perilously close to the edge of the rippling floor.

“Zog!” Clorita shouted, lunging toward him. She caught his arm just in time, pulling him back to safety before he could tumble into the unknown.

Zog’s circuits buzzed with panic. “I told you this was a bad idea!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Clorita said, helping him up. “Save the I-told-you-sos for later.”

As they scrambled back into position, Luma darted toward another shard, her movements swift and precise. With a flick of her tail, she nudged it into place, intensifying the lattice’s glow.

Finally, as the last shard aligned, the lattice let out a pure, resonant tone that filled the chamber. The chaotic motion stilled, and the glowing fragments settled into a perfect, harmonious pattern.

The room fell silent, the tension dissipating as the lattice’s glow softened.

“You have succeeded,” Astra’s voice said, her tone filled with quiet approval. “Insight is not merely the ability to perceive—it is the ability to adapt one’s perspective. You may proceed.”

The far wall shimmered, revealing yet another passageway.

Zog slumped against a nearby column, circuits still buzzing faintly from the near miss. “Never again,” he muttered. “I’m done with music puzzles.”

Clorita laughed, patting him on the shoulder. “Come on, Captain Confidence. You’re a natural.”

Luma returned to Clorita’s side, purring softly, her satisfaction evident.

HALAT tilted her head, studying the lattice. “The resonance has stabilised, but the patterns suggest a deeper purpose. The Repository’s architecture is… extraordinary.”

Zog pushed himself upright. “Extraordinary is one word for it. Let’s just hope the next trial doesn’t involve anything worse.”

As they stepped into the next passageway, the hum of the Repository deepened, pulling them further into its enigmatic depths.

The next chamber was unlike anything the crew had encountered. The crystalline walls, usually sharp and gleaming, had softened into a rosy hue, pulsing gently as if the very air breathed around them. A faint melody played in the background—soothing but with an oddly mischievous undertone, like a song meant to tease.

Zog frowned, circuits buzzing faintly as he looked around, clearly unsettled. “What… is this?”

Clorita smirked, placing her hands on her hips. “Well, Captain Romantic, looks like someone’s trying to set the mood.”

Astra’s voice returned, serene and composed. “Welcome to the Trial of Love and Understanding. This challenge requires harmony, cooperation, and mutual respect to succeed.”

Zog groaned, already regretting everything. “Love and understanding? That’s not exactly in our wheelhouse.”

Clorita nudged him with her elbow, grinning. “Speak for yourself. I’m a beacon of understanding.”

Zog gave her a flat look. “You? Understanding? Sure. And I’m a poet laureate.”

The rosy glow deepened, and a pedestal rose from the centre of the chamber. A shattered crystal heart sat atop it, its fragments scattered across the room, glimmering like fallen stars.

Astra continued, unbothered by their banter. “The heart must be restored. Locate its pieces and reassemble them to proceed. Be mindful—this trial reacts to discord.”

Clorita raised an eyebrow. “Discord? You mean arguing?”

“Indeed,” Astra replied smoothly. “The chamber will… respond.”

Zog rubbed his temples. “Let me guess. The more we argue, the harder this gets.”

“Correct,” Astra said, her voice almost cheerful. “Good luck.”