Edwin Lunar Chapter 42: The Sky That Closed

Read chapter 42 of Edwin Lunar by MananTayal on NovelPedia.

Six months had passed since the sky above Vestella tore apart. And yet— Nobody truly spoke about it anymore. The Dominion news channels called it: "A rare Eclipse atmospheric anomaly." The academy remained silent. The Marshals denied everything. But people remembered. Because for one terrifying moment— The stars themselves had cracked open. Rain fell softly across Vestella's lower sectors. Neon lights reflected across flooded streets while transport drones moved between the giant city towers overhead. The endless hum of machines echoed through the crowded districts as civilians hurried through another cold evening beneath the artificial skies. But the city felt different now. Tense. Military patrol drones floated near intersections. Dominion security broadcasts repeated every hour. Outer-sector disappearances had increased. Trade routes were failing. And rumors spread faster than ever. Some whispered about war. Others whispered about monsters in space. Edwin Lunar walked quietly through the crowded streets wearing a dark jacket over casual clothes, his hands inside his pockets while rainwater dripped from his black hair. To everyone around him— He looked ordinary. Just another teenager returning home. But hidden beneath his sleeve— The silver ring glowed faintly. Alive. Ever since the events above Noroel, the ring had changed. Sometimes Edwin heard whispers again late at night. Sometimes the lights in his apartment flickered when he touched the ring. And sometimes— He dreamed of distant stars collapsing into darkness. Dreams that felt too real. Edwin climbed the old apartment stairs slowly until he reached the top floor hallway. Before he could unlock the door— A voice suddenly shouted from behind him. "You're late again." Edwin turned immediately. Mrs. Vera. His apartment owner stood near the hallway entrance with crossed arms and an irritated expression exactly as always. She was a short middle-aged woman with silver glasses and permanently tired eyes. Normally— This was the part where she complained about rent or damaged pipes. But tonight— She carried a small cake box. Edwin blinked. "…What?" Mrs. Vera looked away awkwardly. "Don't misunderstand." She shoved the box toward him aggressively. "The bakery downstairs made extra cakes." Edwin stared silently at the small chocolate cake. A tiny candle sat at the center. Number 16. For a moment— He genuinely did not know what to say. Mrs. Vera sighed dramatically. "You academy kids are hopeless." Her voice softened slightly. "You should at least celebrate your birthday properly." Silence filled the hallway. Edwin slowly accepted the cake. "…Thank you." Mrs. Vera adjusted her glasses quickly. "Yeah, yeah." Then she pointed at him sharply. "And don't start another explosion in the apartment." "I only did that once." "You melted the kitchen wall." "That was technically Carl." Mrs. Vera immediately looked horrified. "Why is that boy still alive?" For the first time in weeks— Edwin laughed. A real laugh. Small. But genuine. Mrs. Vera stared briefly before shaking her head. "You're smiling more lately." The sentence caught him off guard. Before Edwin could answer— A loud mechanical sound echoed through the hallway. SHHHHHK. A silver delivery drone stopped outside the apartment window. Dominion Priority Delivery. Edwin's expression changed instantly. The drone projected a holographic academy symbol across the hallway. LUNAR DOMINION ACADEMY Mrs. Vera folded her arms. "Looks like your space school wants you back." The drone released a black envelope marked with silver Orion symbols. Not normal academy markings. Military markings. Edwin opened it carefully. Inside rested: his 5th Year Academy authorization, combat clearance documents, and a personal message. The moment he touched the paper— A hidden line appeared in silver light. FROM HEADMASTER HUMMING Edwin's eyes narrowed slightly as he read. PREPARE YOURSELF. THE DOMINION STANDS AT THE EDGE OF WAR. REPORT TO NOROEL IMMEDIATELY. — Humm