Nyra had been delaying the convocation of the Celestars for some time now, demanding more and more displays from Marcus. Each time he demonstrated his abilities, she would observe with her keen, calculating eyes, nodding but never satisfied. The delay was frustrating, but Nyra insisted that Marcus needed to undergo combat training. She argued that while his abilities were extraordinary, the people wouldn’t follow a man without formal combat skills. Besides, she added coldly, it might save his life someday.

The combat techniques of the Freehand Collective were unique. They incorporated a personal shielding device—a gadget strapped to the wrist that formed a pulsating barrier in front of the wielder, capable of blocking incoming projectiles. The shields, combined with projectile weapons and… knives, made for an unusual but deadly fighting style. They frequently engaged in close-quarters combat, using their shields to approach their enemies swiftly and catch them off guard. It was a tactic Marcus imagined would be utterly confusing to Finisterra soldiers, used to longer-range engagements.

Teroy took charge of Marcus’ training, conducting it within the pyramid city under Nyra’s watchful eye. She insisted on keeping Marcus close. He could feel her eyes on him constantly, as if she was evaluating whether he could become more than just a tool for the Collective’s cause.

Alyx volunteered to be Marcus’ sparring partner. She saw it as an opportunity to refine her own combat skills while helping him improve. At first, Marcus struggled to match her, finding Alyx to be incredibly well-trained and effortlessly fluid in her movements. At times, it seemed like she was toying with him, teasing him by letting him think he was keeping up, only to disarm him with ease.

As the weeks progressed, Teroy drilled the importance of staying grounded in the present. He warned Marcus not to rely too heavily on his ability to manipulate time. “One day, you might not have it at your disposal. You’ll need to survive on your own strength,” Teroy cautioned, a seriousness in his tone that Marcus had grown to respect. The physicality of the training wore him down in ways his powers never had. He couldn’t simply tap his way through this. He had to face it head-on, no shortcuts.

Over time, Marcus improved. His motions with the shield, the knife, and the small projectile weapon began to synchronise, flowing into one another. He even managed to cause Alyx to lose her balance once or twice, much to her surprise and amusement. Yet, despite his progress, Marcus found himself burdened by a different, more profound struggle.

The sinister entity from the void, the presence he had first encountered in the blackness, seemed to grow stronger. Its pull was more frequent now. At night, Marcus felt its presence looming, just out of sight, like a shadow he couldn’t escape. One particularly difficult night, he had confessed to Alyx about the increasing pressure, admitting his fear of slipping back into that void, where time seemed to spiral out of control.

Alyx had been understanding. She had stayed by his side all night, refusing to leave until he was certain the presence had receded. “I won’t tell Nyra or anyone,” she promised him, her voice soft but firm. “This is between us. If they knew, they might reject you out of fear.”

The fear of rejection gnawed at Marcus. It wasn’t just his powers that scared him anymore—it was the thought of being misunderstood, feared for something beyond his control.

“Is it wrong to hide something this dangerous?” Marcus had asked Alyx one night, the weight of his secret bearing down on him.

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Alyx had placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice filled with quiet conviction. “It’s not you that’s dangerous, Marcus. It’s whatever’s stalking you. Don’t confuse the two.”

Her words settled into Marcus’ mind, giving him a measure of comfort. She was right. He wasn’t the problem. Whatever that entity was—that was the real threat. And he would do whatever he could to keep it from affecting the world around him.

Despite his fears, today was the day. Nyra had finally called for the Celestars’ convocation on Citria; they were now en route to the planet for an urgent meeting. Marcus was to display his powers and present the plan for infiltration and offence that he, Alyx, Teroy, and Nyra had meticulously crafted.

As the ships descended into the atmosphere above the pyramid, Marcus and the others watched from below on the runway, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Four ships, each carrying the most important leaders of the Freehand Collective.

Marcus had been briefed on their names and home planets by Nyra:

Kaelen Vrax of the planet Icarus, the closest to the Topaz Star. It was a desert planet known for its manufacturing prowess and advancements in solar energy due to its proximity to the star.

Elara Tain of Virelia, a verdant planet teeming with lush forests. The people there were fiercely protective of their natural ecosystem.

Orion Zekiel from the planet Caelum, a mountainous planet with cities built into cliff sides and atop peaks.

Liora Theron of Aequora, which fascinated Marcus the most. This entirely oceanic planet was home to massive floating cities, a true marvel of technology.

Now, all of them were on Citria, here to witness Marcus and his abilities firsthand. As they disembarked from their ships, Marcus noted that each Celestar wore the same formal black and gold uniform, accented with a flowing white cloak—an ensemble that even Nyra donned for the occasion. He sensed this was a rare moment, perhaps even the first time Nyra had experienced such a grand gathering in her role as Celestar.

They made their way into Nyra’s office, the vast desert-like room now furnished with a meeting table in the centre, enough to accommodate all eight of them.

The meeting stretched on for hours. Marcus demonstrated his powers repeatedly, each showcase met with a mix of awe and scepticism. Liora Theron of Aequora remarked dismissively that his ability was little more than a parlour trick, unworthy of risking the fragile peace of the Collective.

Kaelen Vrax of Icarus countered, his hunger for power evident as he argued that the potential rewards could justify the risk.

Nyra remained steadfast in her support of Marcus and Alyx, having witnessed the growth and potential of Marcus’s abilities over the last few months.

Eventually, they agreed to hear out the infiltration plan that Marcus and Alyx had developed. The strategy involved Marcus using his powers to infiltrate Finisterra space and gather crucial information that could aid in future offensive efforts by the Collective.

Orion Zekiel of Caelum interjected, expressing that it would be a waste to limit Marcus’s powerful abilities to mere reconnaissance. Elara Tain of Virelia echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Marcus would be better suited for ground assaults if they ever decided to go on the offensive.

What none of them realised—not one person in the room—was that they wouldn’t get the chance to execute any of these plans. At that very moment, an all-out defence against invading Finisterra forces was taking place in orbit.

Without warning, a messenger burst into the office, and all heads turned. The room fell silent.

“Finisterra forces are engaged in combat with Collective ships in orbit,” the messenger panted, eyes wide with fear. “Air defences have thwarted the orbital bombardment, but ground troops are breaking through. They’re storming the pyramid as we speak. There are so many of them!”