The dim light of the early morning filtered through the small window of Andy’s quarters, but it wasn’t the sunlight that woke him. It was Elyra’s voice, gentle but urgent, in his mind, her concern pressing through the fog of sleep like a sudden cold wind.

  Andy... Andy wake up.

  He blinked and rubbed his eyes, groggy but dragging himself into awareness. It wasn’t like her to call out to him so urgently, especially when the base was quiet and most of the squad was still asleep after their long journey back.

  What’s wrong? He thought, reaching out to her mentally, his connection to her familiar, a constant.

  Something’s wrong, she replied, her tone more distant than usual. I can’t feel anything here. It’s... like everything is hollow.

  Andy sat up in bed, the words sinking in. He glanced around the room, half-expecting something ominous to reveal itself in the quiet stillness. What do you mean?

  The city, Elyra explained, her voice tinged with a rare edge of unease. It’s like there’s no pulse. No connection. I can sense everything here, the machines, the energy... but the people, Andy, they’re silent. I can’t hear their thoughts. I can’t feel them. It’s like their ghosts, just... empty shells.

  Her words sent a chill down Andy’s spine. The city, which should have been teeming with life and activity, felt wrong. The stark, gleaming towers of Aurelia, the bustling streets, the hum of industry—it was all there, but it wasn’t. Not to her.

  That’s... strange, Andy murmured, his brow furrowing. I’ve never heard of anything like this before. Not here. Not in Aurelia.

  Elyra’s voice flickered with a touch of frustration. I should be able to sense something. This is the city’s heart—Aurelia isn’t a ghost town. It has systems, communications, infrastructure that should be... alive. But it’s like I’m staring at a body with no blood pumping through it.

  He could feel her worry, but also a flicker of something else. Her connection to him, her sense of security in his presence, was unwavering, and he couldn’t help but feel the same way. There was something almost comforting in the way she clung to him—like she was still trying to make sense of this new world and find her place in it, and she trusted Andy to help her do that.

  It’s okay, he reassured her, mentally reaching out to her. I’m here. I don’t know what’s going on either, but we’ll figure it out. We’ve dealt with worse.

  Elyra’s mental presence softened, like a warm breeze. I know, she said, her voice returning to its usual chipper tone. It’s just... new, you know? Being found, being alive, having a world that isn’t dark and full of ruin. But now that I’ve felt it, I want to keep going.

  Andy felt the warmth in her words, a stark contrast to the cold, empty feeling she was sensing outside. But there was still that undercurrent of unease, a subtle tension that remained despite her gratitude. Elyra’s concern wasn’t just about herself; it was about the city.

  Do you think it’s a glitch? He asked, trying to ground the situation. Maybe something’s wrong with the city systems?

  Maybe, Elyra replied, but there was no certainty in her voice. I’ve been trying to reach out to the city’s system for hours, but it’s like it’s... absent. Maybe it’s been shut off or overridden. But why?

  Andy shook his head, a thousand questions racing through his mind. Could it be someone blocking the signal?

  Possibly. Elyra hesitated, then added in a softer tone, But it doesn’t feel like that. It feels like everything’s... been turned off on purpose. Like whoever is in charge has just... left. Vanished.

  There was a heavy silence between them for a moment, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Andy couldn’t deny the strange sensation gnawing at the back of his mind. Aurelia was supposed to be the last bastion of humanity, a city that survived in the face of all odds. Yet, here it was, its pulse absent. Was this some kind of prelude to something worse? Or had the city already unraveled in ways he couldn’t yet comprehend?

  We need to sort this out, Andy said finally, his voice steady despite the uncertainty. I’ll report it to Rodrick, and we can check out the city’s systems. There has to be something that can explain this.

  Elyra was quiet for a beat before responding, the tone of her thoughts shifting, as if she were considering something. Thank you, Andy.

  Andy smiled to himself, leaning back against the wall of his room. He could feel her gratitude like a soft, glowing thread between them. It was something that could be depended upon. Of course, Elyra. You’ve had my back, and I’ve got yours.

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  Despite the mystery hanging over them, Andy couldn’t help but feel a sense of purpose.

  The dim light of the Vanguard base seeped through Andy’s quarters, casting soft shadows across the room. He sat on his cot, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed as he stared at the ceiling. Elyra’s presence stirred in his mind, a faint ripple of curiosity and concern breaking the silence.

  Andy... Elyra’s voice was soft, almost hesitant. You’re quiet. What’s on your mind?

  Andy sighed, his thoughts swirling in a messy tangle he wasn’t quite ready to untangle. Just... everything. The relics, the mission, the wasteland... Vin.

  Elyra perked up at the mention of the name, her tone curious but cautious. Vin? Who’s Vin?

  Andy closed his eyes, letting his thoughts settle before responding. Vin was... well, he’s the guy who pushed me toward the Vanguard in the first place. Said I had potential, that I could make a difference here. But he had his own agenda, too. He wanted something from me—wanted me to find a relic like the ones we handed over.

  Elyra’s presence sharpened, her interest palpable. And you don’t trust him?

  Andy let out a short laugh, shaking his head. Not really. Vin talked a big game about how those relics were the key to everything—the future, the past, all of it. But he never told me what he planned to do with them. And I’m not the guy to hand over something that powerful without knowing where it’s going.

  So, you gave it to the Vanguard instead, Elyra said, her tone thoughtful. Why?

  Andy leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Because I trust the Vanguard—or at least Rodrick. He’s not perfect, but he’s solid. He believes in the whole “Humanity First” thing, and he lives it. The relics, that facility we found... they were dangerous. The Vanguard has the resources and the mindset to handle something like that. Not Vin.

  Elyra was quiet for a moment, her presence like a soft hum in the back of his mind. Then she spoke, her voice tinged with something like admiration. You thought about control. Responsibility. Not just the power of the relic, but who should wield it? That’s... smart, Andy. Really smart.

  Andy chuckled, though it lacked humor. I don’t know if it’s smart. Just felt like the right thing to do. I’ve seen what happens when people like Vin get their hands on something they can’t—or won’t—control.

  Elyra’s tone softened, her words wrapping around his thoughts like a gentle embrace. You did the right thing. Even if it’s difficult. Even if you don’t have all the answers.

  Andy nodded to himself, feeling a strange sense of comfort in her words. But then Elyra’s tone shifted, a flicker of concern creeping in.

  Andy... Elyra’s voice was softer this time, as though she were testing the waters of a conversation she wasn’t sure she was ready to have.

  Yeah? Andy replied, not fully prepared for what came next, but he felt the shift in her mental tone before she spoke.

  It’s about your bio-markers, she said, her voice full of concern. I’ve been running diagnostics on your body’s readings ever since we arrived in the city, and... something’s not right. Your cells—your energy levels—they’re… different. It’s like they’re filled with so much energy, but it’s too much, Andy. Too much for your body to process.

  Andy straightened up, his brow furrowing. He hadn’t expected Elyra to notice, but then again, her sensors were maybe becoming more attuned to him, and she’d been monitoring him closely since their union. What do you mean, “too much”? he asked, his mind racing. What’s wrong with me?

  It’s not that anything’s wrong, Elyra quickly clarified, though her tone still held an edge of worry. But your bio-markers... they’re off the charts. It’s like you’re running on overdrive, and your body can’t seem to find a balance. The energy readings are fluctuating—almost like you’re being flooded with something.

  Andy paused for a moment, then sighed, feeling the weight of the question hanging in the air. He had known this day would come, the day when someone would finally notice the side effects of the serum. He had been feeling the effects more intensely recently, but he had kept it to himself, thinking he could manage.

  Yeah, he said finally, running a hand through his hair. I’ve been getting a little... too much energy lately. It’s from the serum I asked Terra to use. It’s a miracle recovery drug—boosts your physical capabilities and gives you a rush of power and heals you.

  Elyra’s voice grew more concerned as she processed his words. A serum? Is that what’s causing this?

  It’s supposed to enhance my reflexes and stamina and heal me, Andy continued, leaning back slightly. But it also messes with your body’s natural systems.

  Elyra’s presence tightened around him, her worry unmistakable. Andy, that sounds dangerous. Your body can’t keep this up forever. You’re pushing yourself too hard, even if you don’t feel it now. If this continues...

  “I know,” Andy admitted, rubbing his temples as the familiar pulse of too much energy surged through his veins. “It’s been rough, but I can handle it. I just… didn’t tell anyone because I thought I could push through. Didn’t want to make it a problem for others.”

  Elyra didn’t answer at first. The silence stretched, filled only by the faint hum of machinery.

  You don’t have to do this alone, Andy, she finally said, her voice gentle but steady. You shouldn’t. I’m here for you. You keep running on all this power, something’s going to give. And when it does, it won’t just hurt you.

  Her words hit harder than he expected. Not because they were harsh—because they weren’t. They were true. And maybe a part of him had been waiting for someone to say them out loud.

  “I’ll be okay,” he said after a moment, though the words felt thin in his mouth. “Just need some rest. I’ll pull back after this mission, I promise. I just… I’m not ready for people to know. Not yet.”

  Elyra’s expression softened. I can’t tell anyone. But I’ll be watching. That’s non-negotiable.

  Andy chuckled quietly. “Yeah. I figured.”

  You’re not invincible, Andy. Even if you keep pretending to be. So when you fall, make sure someone’s close enough to catch you.

  He nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing. “Thanks, Elyra. Really.”

  Her voice floated over his mind, half-playful but laced with sincerity. Get some sleep, Vanguard. That’s an order.

  And for the first time in days, Andy felt like maybe—just maybe—he could.

  New chapter is live—enjoy!

  They’re influencing each other in ways that aren’t fully clear yet, and that mystery is something for another day.