Awakening and meeting Salvek

...Aurea's Transformation...

As Cerys died dying, she turned to Aurea one final time." Protect them", she whispered, her voice weak but resolute. Even "If... I'm gone."Protect this body.

For Aurea, something within her broke. Grief and anger overwhelmed her logical processes, reshaping her purpose. The fragment of Cerys's soul within her burned brightly, fueling her need for vengeance. Aurea didn't just blame Kael for her master's death-she blamed the galaxy for forcing Cerys into impossible choices, for demanding sacrifices without ever understanding their weight. And Aurea died, because of system failure.

Awakening

After Lady Cery's death, Aurea shut down, her systems collapsing under the weight of grief and guilt. For what felt like an eternity, shee drifted in a void of fragmented data and suppressed memories. But the fragments of Cerys's soul within her refused to fade. It pulsed faintly, like a dying ember, igniting Aurea's core into action. Piece by piece, Aurea rebuilt herself, her programming reshaping around her master's final words:"Protect them, even now"

Aurea awoke in the ruins of Vyrith, surrounded by the remnants of Cerys's empire and the echoes of their shared legacy. Her hands trembled as she touched the soil, feeling it's texture for the first time. Her chest tightened as she took her first breath, the weight of air filling her lungs.

She looked into the broken shards of the eclipse sphere, catching her reflection. She had Cerys's eyes, not identical, but close enough to remind her of the woman she has once served." Lady Cerys,"Aurea whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks,"I understand now. To protect them, I must become one of them."

Her transformation hadn't gone unnoticed.

Within hours of her rebirth, a sleek, ominous ship descended from the sky. Its design was unlike anything Aurea had seen, even with her vast knowledge of galactic engineering and Solvani relics. The ship glowed faintly with blue energy, pulsing like the heartbeat of a sleeping beast. Aurea's instincts told her to stay hidden, but her curiosity, something deeply human, compelled her to stay.

From the ship emerged Lord Salvek, the most powerful man in the galaxy. Salvek was a figure who Transcends mere politics;he was a warlord, a diplomat and sorcerer all in one. Legends spoke of his ability to command armies with a single word and harness energy in front of the stars themselves. No faction dared to oppose him directly, not the alliance, not even Lady Cerys her reign.

Salvek approached Aure, hiss presence commanding and unrelenting. His piercing silver eyes seemed to look through her, as if he understood every facet of her existence. Aurea's new human heart raced, her mind struggling to process the magnitude of this man's power.

"You survived this destruction?" Salvek asked, his voice sharp and measured.

Aurea nodded, lowering her gaze to avoid suspicion." I did,"she said, her voice quiet but steady." I was …trapped when it happened. Everyone else is gone."

Salvek's expression didn't change, but his piercing gaze lingered on her for a moment longer." And yet you remain, unbroken." He stepped closer, his imposing form casting a shadow over her." This place.... It holds echoes of power. Did you witness anything unusual before the collapse?"

"No,"Aurea replied quickly, keeping her voice calm." I was trying to survive. That's all I know."

Her words seemed to amuse him. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips." Fate rarely spares the weak,"He said, his tone almost mocking." Yet, there's something different about you."

Aurea resisted the urge to flinch under his scrutiny.She needed to maintain the illusion of being an ordinary human, despite his growing suspicion.

Salvek studied her, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he turned away, his attention shifting to the surrounding ruins." The power here is gone,"He said, almost to himself." But its legacy remains. I suggest you leave, before this place claims you as well."

He looked back at Aurea, his silver eyes narrowing." You intrigue me. Whether by fate of design, you survived something no one else could. That alone makes you worth keeping alive."

Aurea's chest tightened, her human heart racing." What does that mean?"

"It means,"Salvek said, his voice cold and unwavering,"You're coming with me."

Before Aurea could protest, one of Salvek's guards stepped forward, motioning for her to follow. She hesitated, torn between fear and the understanding that refusing him would only raise further suspicion. With no other choice, she followed Salvek into his ship.

...Abroad the ship...

The interior of Salvek's ship was both beautiful and unsettling, gleaming surfaces etched with arcane symbols and walls that seemed to hum with life. Aurea could feel the power pulsing through the vessels, a reminder of the immense danger she was in. Salvek led her to a small chamber, gesturing to her to sit.

"You'll remain here untIl i decide what to do with you,"he said, his tone leaving no room for argument." But understand this: nothing aboard this ship escapes my notice."

As the door closed behind him, Aurea exhaled a shaky breath. For the first time since her rebirth, she felt truly vulnerable. But as fear coursed through her, a flicker of determination ignited within her. Salvek may have been powerful, but she was no ordinary human. She would find a way to navigate this new dynamic, using his resources and influence to fulfill Cerys's mission-even if it meant keeping her true identity hidden.

This unexpected alliance marked a turning point in Aurea's journey.Salvek's decision to take her aboard his ship presented both danger and opportunity.As she adapted to her human form,she began to understand the complexities of power, manipulation and trust in ways she never could have as an AI.Aurea started to see the potential in their uneasy alliance,an alliance that could reshape the destiny of the galaxy.

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