The Ark drifted through the vast emptiness of space, the crew silent as they recovered from their recent skirmish on Vorax-5. Despite their escape, the weight of the war pressing down on them was undeniable. Ethan sat in his quarters, staring out the viewport at the stars, his thoughts tangled in the growing tension within him. The Ether, the mysterious force that connected him to something larger, was becoming more present, more demanding, and he could feel its power coursing through him with each passing day.
But with that power came uncertainty. The images and feelings it brought were becoming harder to ignore, visions of destruction, chaos, and a galaxy on the verge of collapse. He rubbed his temples, trying to shake the unease that had settled deep in his chest.