Page 126 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
My gaze locks with hers.
And in that look… I finally find what I never knew how to earn: peace.
Then… nothing.
30-Samantha
I don’t take my eyes off him. His face is calm now, almost peaceful, like he’s just sleeping. But I know he’ll never wake up again. My chest tightens, and the tears spill freely down my cheeks. I want to shake him, call his name, tell him this isn’t the time. Not now. Not like this.
Around me, the noise starts to fade. The fighting is over, but the chaos still lingers. I don’t see any of it. All that blood, all that horror. All those lives lost.
And I’d be one of them if Noviosk hadn’t saved me. He gave his life for mine.
“Sam, sweet girl, we need to go!” Ayden says, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I don’t move.
“Sam!” Vlad insists. “It’s not safe here.”
I close my eyes, nod slowly, then get to my feet, unsteady.
“Here’s Pherebos!” Ayden tells me, pointing to a man with a striking appearance and piercing violet eyes. “He’s going to get us out of here!”
I stare at him, caught off guard. His long white hair is streaked with red—blood, clearly not his, judging by the way he walks with ease and purpose. Two braids frame his face, revealing pointed ears. He’s not Human.
Pherebos gestures for us to move, leading the way through the ruined corridors. He’s wielding an impressive weapon—a sort of sword with two opposing blades, which he carries with an almost elegant confidence.
I follow without thinking, carried like the others by the urgency to flee.
We step out onto a long platform, bathed in artificial light, where dozens of ships are docked. The air smells of dust and heat.
“This way!” Pherebos calls, pointing to a dark vessel ready for takeoff.
“Jason and Xenon?” Ayden pants. “I saw them earlier.”
“They’ll meet us later!” Vlad answers. “The Confederation’s taking care of the mess. Our mission’s done, and your girl’s safe. We’ll all regroup on BN-22.”
“And Igor?” Ayden presses.
“That idiot caught some bug a few days ago. He’s been puking his guts out nonstop, so no way he was joining a rescue op. He’s been nice and quiet in the medbay!”
We climb the dim ramp, and the owner seals the door behind us.
“Welcome aboard the SIL!” Pherebos announces, powering up the engines.
Within seconds, we’re in space, speeding away from that horrific place that will haunt me forever. I can’t quite grasp everything that’s happened yet. Ayden’s here. And so am I. We made it out alive.
As for Noviosk… my emotions are a whirlwind. He was the kind of man I should despise. He caused Logan’s death. But he was also the Nov who gave his life to save mine. As incomprehensible as it sounds, both sides of him existed.
As the grim base of the Red Arena vanishes from the ship’s front screen, our host turns to me.
“Samantha, right?” Pherebos asks.
“Yes, but Sam’s better. And thank you all for coming.”
“Like we had a choice,” Vlad retorts. “Ayden would've never forgiven us if something had happened to you!”
“Really, Vlad?” Ayden groans. “You’re just gonna throw that out there without knowing where things stand with Sam?”
