Edwin Lunar Chapter 65: Departure Through the First Gate

Read chapter 65 of Edwin Lunar by MananTayal on NovelPedia.

The First Gate stood fully awakened. Deep beneath Lunar Dominion Academy, streams of silver light flowed across ancient Orion structures while enormous rings of energy rotated around the gateway. For the first time in thousands of years— The path to the Final Expanse was open. And outside Noroel— War had begun. The Herald continued advancing through the Noor System. Sentinel and Dominion fleets attacked relentlessly, but nothing slowed it. Entire squadrons vanished with a gesture. Reality itself bent around its presence. The black star behind it grew larger every hour. Commander Astra watched the battle reports grimly. "We cannot stop it." The room fell silent. Even Vael offered no argument. Because everyone knew she was right. The Herald was only a messenger. The true threat was still coming. Inside the First Gate Chamber, Orion Team gathered before the ancient portal. Silver energy illuminated the room. Carl looked at the gigantic gateway and sighed. "So..." He adjusted his equipment. "We're leaving reality now." "Apparently," Iris answered. Lucien checked the edge of his energy blade. "Try not to get lost." Carl stared at him. "We are literally traveling beyond existence." "Exactly." Lucien shrugged. "Try not to get lost." Edwin stood before the gate silently. Beyond it lay the Final Expanse. Beyond that— His mother. The thought still felt unreal. For years she had been a memory. A story. A loss. Now she was waiting. And he was finally going to find her. Suddenly the ring pulsed. The First Gate responded immediately. Ancient symbols appeared in the air. A holographic figure emerged. Wingard Lunar. Everyone froze. The recording looked clearer than before. Almost alive. Wingard looked directly at Edwin. "If you're seeing this, then you've chosen the path." Edwin's chest tightened. His father's eyes carried both pride and sadness. "I always hoped you wouldn't have to." The hologram shifted. A map of the Final Expanse appeared. Several locations glowed. Broken gateways. Ancient ruins. Lost Orion stations. And at the center— The Final Gateway. "The Expanse is not merely a place." Wingard continued. "It is where reality becomes fragile." The map expanded further. Dark regions appeared. Areas even Orion never explored. "Trust your friends." Wingard smiled slightly. "You'll need them more than power." Carl immediately pointed. "I like him." The message continued. "And Edwin..." For a moment, the legendary warrior looked less like a hero. And more like a father. "Bring her home." The recording vanished. Silence filled the chamber. Then Humming stepped forward. "This mission is not official." Everyone looked toward him. "If you fail, the Dominion cannot rescue you." Astra nodded. "The Sentinel Fleet will hold the Herald as long as possible." Vael crossed his arms. "But not forever." Everyone understood. Time was running out. Outside— The battle intensified. Hundreds of ships exploded across space. The Herald moved closer toward Noroel. The black star expanded again. Reality fractures spread through nearby sectors. The Devourer's influence was growing. The First Gate began humming loudly. Silver energy flooded the room. A portal formed within the ancient structure. Inside it— No stars. No planets. Only endless silver light. The entrance to the Final Expanse. Carl swallowed. "Well." He forced a grin. "This is definitely the craziest thing we've done." Iris adjusted her scanner. "Statistically, yes." Lucien stepped toward the portal. "Then let's stop talking." Edwin smiled faintly. Somehow, despite everything— They were still the same team. Still moving forward together. The ring glowed brightly. The gateway recognized the Last Key. Ancient systems activated one final time. WELCOME, HEIR WELCOME, ORION TEAM ROUTE TO FINAL EXPANSE CONFIRMED The chamber trembled. The portal stabilized. And far beyond the galaxy— The Devourer opened another eye. It knew. The Key was moving. The hunt had entered its final stage. Edwin looked back one last t