The Spring of the Sentinels: An Epic Sci-Fi Adventure (Project AION Book 1) by Eduard Lerperger

Author:Eduard Lerperger [Lerperger, Eduard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-07-28T04:00:00+00:00

eight

Humanity’s Last Fortress

Nova Aurora - April 7, 2015

Ava groggily opened her eyes, and the sight of an unfamiliar ceiling greeted her. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her, and she felt completely disoriented. She squinted against the harsh hospital lights, allowing her surroundings to come into focus.

Brandon, Hailey, and Lily stood at her bedside, their faces bright with relief and joy. The sight of her friends grounded her, easing the dizziness that threatened to overtake her.

She tried to sit up. “What happened?” Her voice was raspy, barely a whisper.

Hailey’s hand gently closed around Ava’s. “You passed out after the battle. We’ve been watching over you for two days.”

Ava’s brow furrowed, the recollection of the battle fragmented and hazy. An explosion. SCOUT’s urgent voice. The immense figure of the Sentinel that had come to her aid.

“We were terrified,” Brandon confessed, his gaze filled with concern. “How are you feeling?”

“Dizzy ... tired ...” Her voice was a mere whisper, but it carried an undertone of determination. “But I’ll pull through.”

Lily’s smile faltered for a moment. “The Sentinel was destroyed, Ava. It’s a tremendous blow to the EDF. Replacing a Sentinel is hard, especially one as advanced as that one. But we recovered some tactical data before it was lost. It’s a crucial advantage in our fight against the Xenoformers.”

Ava’s eyes widened. “I didn’t realize ... I’m sorry, Lily. I ...” She swallowed hard, her voice heavy with guilt. “I broke our promise by piloting a Sentinel.”

The corners of Lily’s lips twitched, but she laid a hand on Ava’s shoulder. “It’s okay. You did it to survive. And it’s over now. You won’t have to be a pilot again.”

A grateful sigh escaped Ava’s lips. “Thank you, Lily. I don’t think I could face another battle like that.”

A shift in atmosphere marked Brandon and Hailey’s shared worry. They exchanged a glance but kept their silence.

As a thought occurred to Ava, she furrowed her brow in contemplation. “Do the Sentinels ... draw on our mental strength? Is that why I’m so exhausted?”

Lily’s expression turned solemn as she affirmed. “Yes, Ava, that’s precisely it. Your doctor will explain everything when you meet her.”

Ava’s gaze drifted to the bedside table, where she noticed a small, delicate white flower encased in a glass dome. “Huh, that’s strange. I remember seeing these flowers in the crater.” She picked up the dome, her expression filled with curiosity.

Lily explained, “That’s a Celestial Tear. It’s extremely rare. Legend says that any wish can come true if you find one.”

Ava studied the flower with newfound reverence. “Wow, I had no idea. Who left it here for me?”

Brandon shrugged. “I saw someone leaving it here, but I couldn’t recognize them. They were wearing a cloak.”

Hailey placed a hand on Ava’s arm. “We’ll always be here for you, Ava. No matter what happens.”

Tears welled up in Ava’s eyes, and she hugged her friends tightly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she whispered.

Brandon patted her back, smiling. “We’re not going anywhere.”

Lily leaned in, her expression turning serious.

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