Private "Sommer's END" Pt. 1 of 4

[Kaelon Virex]

"He's a little much sometimes," Kael muttered. "But he's not wrong."

 

[Sommer Dai]

[Sommer's Private Office – Upper Overlook]

The door sealed with a faint click behind them. The curved transparisteel windows offered a commanding view of the club — pulsing lights, guests dancing, drinks poured, secrets traded in dark corners.

Sommer turned from the window and faced them.

"Tell me everything. Start from the tick."

 

[Kaelon Virex]

Kael tossed a holochip onto the desk. It activated midair, displaying the Sith holocron they'd discovered and the echoing message that followed.

"It wasn't just a voice," Kael said. "It was… aware. Called you the Queen of Flame. Spoke of something awakening — something Therin fed."

 

[Arq*]

"And said the cradle would rise," Arq added. "And that there's already a traitor among us."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer folded her arms, processing.

"You think this has anything to do with Zori Galea's last move?"

 

[Kaelon Virex]

"Maybe. Or Therin's next," Kael said, unwrapping the bandage and revealing the faint sigil glowing in his palm.

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

Alyssa moved closer, jaw tightening.

"That's a bloodlock mark," she whispered. "I've seen similar symbols used to bind a pact to a person or… a prophecy."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer raised a brow. "Since when are you a blood magic expert?"

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

"Since my fifth cargo job involved smuggling Force relics out of Mandragos," Alyssa deadpanned.

 

[Arq*]

"So…" Arq leaned against the wall. "We've got a sigil-touched smuggler, a Force-anchored nightclub, a queen with a ticking countdown, and a prophecy claiming two thrones. Anyone want to start drinking?"

 

[Kaelon Virex]

Kael sat forward. "We need to decide. Fast. Do we seal this chamber… or unlock it further to find what Therin planted?"

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer looked at all three of them. Her allies. Her mess.

Then she turned slowly to Alyssa.

"This isn't just about who I was anymore. It's about what I'm standing on. What I've built. And what's hidden under it."

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

Alyssa met her gaze evenly.

"Then we figure it out. Together."

 

[Zori Galea]

Zori's eyelids fluttered as her meditation broke.

She inhaled — sharp, immediate. As though the galaxy had just bitten her throat.

The sigil had activated.

The one she had carved into Kael's palm through energy, lineage, and old tongue—without ever laying a finger on him.

Her eyes opened to the swirling holoprojection of Nar Shaddaa.

The Gilded Veil's blueprint hovered like a bleeding lotus before her.

"He touched the cradle…" she whispered.

"And it whispered back."

She stood slowly, brushing her silk-black robe aside and approaching the comm pedestal in the center of her throne room. Her fingers moved fluidly through the glowing console.

"Locate Arcubis Kornelius. Channel direct."

The ship's droid-voice chimed.

"Voice-lock confirmed. Encrypted path established. Channel open."

 

[Arcubis Kornelius]

The image resolved—

[INCOMING TRANSMISSION: ARCUBIS KORNELIUS]

There he was.

Clad in obsidian armor, burn-scarred skin pulled tight across a strong jaw, glowing retinal implants scanning her surroundings.

"Zori."

 

[Zori Galea]

"Arcubis. It's time."

 

[Arcubis Kornelius]

His voice was like wet gravel.

"What happened?"

 

[Zori Galea]

"The cradle has begun to stir. The Veil is vulnerable."

 

[Arcubis Kornelius]

"So Kael finally touched something he shouldn't." Arcubis cracked his knuckles. "Figures. That karking bastard cost me three million credits and a long-term LTI weapons contract on Draxus Twelve. I've been waiting for this."

 

[Zori Galea]

Zori tilted her head.

"You hold grudges over numbers. I admire that. But mine's more personal."

She slowly circled the projection of Kael.

"Kael's cousin — the flame, Sommer — has something inside her. Power, legacy… hunger. I tasted it when I first reached into her mind."