Private Sommer’s End Pt. 3-4

[Zori Galea]

The lead guard stepped forward to initiate the scan on Zori's collar and bio-locks.

But Zori leaned forward, voice shifting into something deeper—older.

"You should've stayed inside the dream, Sommer Dai. You were happy there. You kissed me."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer's expression didn't flicker.

"It wasn't real."

 

[Zori Galea]

"Oh, but it was," Zori breathed. "You think I made that illusion? No. That was Azis. That was him showing you how to be whole. And now you're dooming it all because of love. Because of that—pilot."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer's breath caught.

"Leave Alyssa out of this."

 

[Zori Galea]

Zori's eyes widened like a predator tasting blood. The laughter stopped instantly. Her voice dropped to a low, acidic whisper:

"She's marked, Sommer."

"Azis has seen it. Alyssa dies so you can live. One Queen must perish for the crown to root. That's the price of the Cradle. You don't know it yet, but deep down… you'll choose yourself."

 

[Kaelon Virex]

Kael stepped forward, alarmed.

"Sommer…"

 

[Zori Galea]

But Zori was relentless now. Her tears streamed down her face, a terrifying contrast to the smile that cut across her lips.

"And the best part? You won't even hesitate. Not when it counts. Not when she's beneath the rubble, gasping your name."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer stepped forward, eyes flashing. She grabbed Zori's collar, face inches away.

"If she dies… I swear to every god, real or imagined… I'll rip Azis apart with my bare hands."

 

[Zori Galea]

Zori whispered back, voice suddenly tender:

"That's what he wants, darling. That's what makes you worthy."

The courier finished the final scan.


Restraints clicked. Magnetic locks engaged. The cart rolled back into the waiting ship.


Zori never looked away — eyes locked on Sommer as the doors sealed, her laughter echoing off the walls.

 

[Sommer Dai]

After

Sommer turned. Her fists trembling.

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

Alyssa had stayed at the top of the loading ramp. Watching. Sensing.

"What did she say to you?" she asked softly.

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer shook her head.

"Nothing true."

Alyssa didn't press.

But Sommer's eyes…

They said otherwise.

 

[Arq*]

Arq cast a glance toward the empty hangar as they returned to their ship.

"That went too smoothly."

 

[Kaelon Virex]

Kael nodded, his smile long gone. "Zori doesn't go quietly. She plays quiet. Whole damn thing smells like someone else's plan."

 

[Arq*]

"The Force was stagnant here," Arq said. "Still. Heavy. But not wrong. Like something held its breath just long enough for us to leave."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer turned toward the Dusk Nocturne, the ramp already lowering. The lights inside flickered as they stepped into the corridor. All systems were green.

Too green.

"Run a full diagnostic," she ordered.

 

[Kaelon Virex]

"On it," Kael said, already scanning the wall console.

As they passed through the main atrium, none of them noticed that behind them… the door to Sommer's quarters slid open on its own.

 

[Sommer Dai]

Elsewhere on the Ship – Sommer's Quarters

The cabin was dark. Unused. Clean.

A breeze that shouldn't exist curled through the chamber like the sigh of something not alive.

Then—

A black mist, as if torn from the folds of an ancient burial shroud, began to creep in through the air vent, slithering like smoke underwater.

It hovered. Drifted. Waited.

Then, as if drawn by a forgotten scent, it coiled toward Sommer's bed — that soft cot draped in velvet-stitched coverings, folded blankets, and the pillow still carrying the scent of her hair.

The mist pressed into the sheets.

And vanished.

But the impression of something… remained.

Just beneath the fabric, the pillow slowly indented, as if someone lay down.

The blankets wrinkled slightly on their own.

Then…

A whisper:

 

[AZIS/MORAVOKH]

"Queen of Cradle… mother of ruin… sleep shall make you mine."

The lights in the cabin flickered once.
Twice.

Then held.

 

[Sommer Dai]

Location: Aboard the Dusk Nocturne, Private Quarters

The ship hummed gently in low-power cruise mode.
Beyond the starport windows, only starlight drifted — distant, cold, and untouchable.

Sommer slept tangled in her sheets, face pressed against the pillow, lips slightly parted.

And beside her, wrapped in the warmth of afterglow and safety, was Alyssa half-asleep, her arm draped protectively across Sommer's waist.

Until something changed.