Edwin Lunar Chapter 63: The Sentinel Fleet

Read chapter 63 of Edwin Lunar by MananTayal on NovelPedia.

The arrival of the Sentinel Fleet changed everything. Across the Noor System, thousands of ancient silver warships formed a defensive wall around Noroel. Their designs resembled Orion technology, yet they were clearly far older. No engines burned. No visible weapons moved. Yet their mere presence radiated power. Dominion commanders stared at the tactical displays in disbelief. The fleet had appeared from nowhere. And somehow— Every ship was already positioned perfectly to defend the system. Inside the First Gate Chamber, the ancient transmission continued replaying on holographic screens. We have guarded your path for ten thousand years. Carl rubbed his forehead. "Ten thousand years." He looked at Edwin. "Do you realize how insane your life is?" "No." Edwin sighed. "And I don't think I want to." For once, everyone laughed. Even if only briefly. The laughter died when Commander Vael activated a tactical report. The galaxy appeared above the chamber. Red sectors spread everywhere. Much faster than before. The Devourer's influence was accelerating. "The disappearances have increased." Vael pointed toward several outer systems. "Twenty-seven colonies lost in the last forty-eight hours." The room fell silent. Iris studied the data. "That's impossible." "No." The Astral Keeper answered quietly. "It is inevitable." Everyone looked toward the ancient being. The Keeper floated closer to the map. "The Devourer does not conquer." The projection shifted. Entire civilizations faded from existence. Worlds. Stars. History itself. "It consumes reality." A chill spread through the chamber. Suddenly one of the Sentinel ships transmitted directly to the academy. Ancient symbols filled the air. Then a figure appeared. A woman. Tall. Silver armor. Golden eyes. Her appearance looked human, yet something about her felt older than time. The room immediately grew quiet. The woman bowed slightly toward Edwin. "My name is Astra." Her voice carried surprising warmth. "I am commander of the Sentinel Fleet." Edwin stared at her. "You've been protecting the Key?" Astra nodded. "For generations." Carl immediately raised a hand. "Question." Everyone looked at him. "How did nobody notice a giant ancient fleet hiding for ten thousand years?" Astra actually smiled. "We hid very well." Carl slowly nodded. "Fair answer." Astra activated another hologram. The image revealed the Final Expanse. For the first time, everyone saw the complete map. Broken stars floated through darkness. Ancient gateways drifted between shattered realities. And at the center— The Final Gateway. Where Edlin Lunar waited. The room became silent. Astra pointed toward the route. "This is the path." Several sections immediately flashed red. "Danger zones." The map zoomed further. Countless destroyed civilizations appeared along the route. Even Sentinel ships had been lost there. Lucien frowned. "And this is the safest route?" "No." Astra's expression darkened. "It's the only route." Edwin stepped closer to the map. His eyes remained fixed on the Final Gateway. His mother was there. After all these years. Waiting. But before he could speak— Alarms erupted throughout the academy. WARNING UNKNOWN ANOMALY DETECTED The chamber shook violently. Everyone turned toward the displays. Something had appeared near the edge of the Noor System. Not a fleet. Not a gateway. A star. A black star. The tactical systems immediately failed. One by one. Entire screens went dark. Several Sentinel ships lost contact instantly. Astra's face became pale. "The Devourer's herald." The words chilled the room. Vael drew his weapon immediately. "Already?" "No." Astra's voice was tense. "Worse." The black star began growing. Reality around it twisted unnaturally. And then— Something emerged. Not the Devourer itself. A messenger. A giant humanoid figure made entirely of darkness and broken stars. It stood silently near the black star. Watching Noroel. Watching Edwin. The entire Noor System froze. Then the figure raised one ha