Chapter 14: Echoes of War

The Ascended Plane buzzed with frenetic activity. Alarms blared, holographic displays flickered with tactical readouts, and figures clad in shimmering armor rushed past, their faces etched with grim determination. Vel and Anya, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and anticipation, stood at the observation deck, witnessing the first line of defense prepare for battle."They're here," Anya whispered, her voice barely audible over the cacophony.Vel nodded, a cold knot of dread forming in his stomach. Months of training had prepared them for this moment, but facing the Xhosian threat, in reality, was far different from the simulations they had endured.Lyra materialized beside them, her face grim. "The Xhosian vessel appears to be smaller than anticipated," she said, her voice strained. "Perhaps a scouting party."Despite the relief that flickered in Vel's chest, a sense of unease lingered. Why would the Xhosians send a scouting party to a ruined city?Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over him. He clutched his head, a vision assaulting his mind – a grotesque, twisted figure wielding crackling energy, leading a horde of monstrous creatures towards a shimmering blue city. The vision faded as abruptly as it came, leaving Vel reeling."Vel, are you alright?" Anya asked, her voice laced with concern.He shook his head, the horrifying vision still vivid in his mind. "I... I saw something," he stammered. "The Xhosians, they're not alone. There's something else with them."Lyra's eyes widened. "Are you sure? What did you see?"Vel described the vision in detail, the grotesque figure and the horde of creatures sending shivers down their spines.Lyra's face grew pale. "This changes everything," she whispered. "We underestimated them. They've allied with another race, a race known for their brutality and savagery."Anya cursed under her breath. "So much for a scouting party. This is a full-scale invasion."The observation deck pulsed red, indicating an incoming transmission. A holographic figure of a stern-faced Ascended commander materialized before them."We've identified the Xhosian vessel," the commander announced. "They are accompanied by warships of the Krog, a notoriously aggressive race known for their barbaric tactics. Prepare for immediate engagement."The atmosphere in the observation deck grew even more tense. The combined might of the Xhosians and the Krogs presented a formidable challenge, one that the Ascended, despite their advanced technology, might struggle to overcome.Vel and Anya exchanged a resolute glance. Their unorthodox training, their newfound control over Aethel, might be the key to tipping the scales in favor of the Ascended."We're ready," Vel declared, his voice firm despite the tremor running through him.Lyra placed a hand on his shoulder. "Remember, young Vel," she said, her voice filled with a quiet strength. "You are not just warriors. You are the embodiment of a lost legacy. Use your knowledge, your connection to Aethel, and fight not just for yourselves, but for the future of your world."Anya nodded, her eyes blazing with determination. "We won't let you down."