The Aether Hero: Awakening of the Elements

Chapter 7: The sentinel's hunt

Haven's Reach

I wake up, my body still aching from the fight with Nyx. The room is unfamiliar—definitely not the hideout. Where the hell am I? That's when I hear footsteps. Quickly, I duck behind a wall, preparing myself. As the figure passes, I grab them from behind.

"Stop, Alex! It's me!"

"Shit! Sorry, Maya." I release her and step back.

"You okay?" Elias asks, his eyes scanning me.

"I'm fine," I reply, though the exhaustion in my voice betrays me. "Where are we?"

"Haven's Reach," Elias answers, just as a woman enters the room. She's in her early twenties, wearing a trench coat that looks like it's seen its share of battles.

"You're safe here, Alex," she says confidently. "My name's Maren, but my friends call me Mari. I've agreed to let you all stay here. This place is protected from the Order of Eclipse." She crosses her legs and sits down. "So, you're the new Aether Band warrior."

I shrug, still feeling disoriented. "I guess."

"Well, where are my manners? Let me show you around town," Maren says, standing up. "Come on, guys."

I glance at Maya, whispering, "Are we sure we can trust her?"

Maya gives me a reassuring look. "Elias wouldn't have brought us here if he didn't think it was safe."

She's probably right. I nod, following Maren outside.

The town of Haven's Reach is small, almost like something out of an old western movie, but there's a charm to it. Houses and huts line the dusty streets, with a few bars and shops scattered around. I glance back at the building we just left—a small, rustic hospital.

"So, what do you think?" Maren asks, catching my gaze.

"It's... nice," I reply.

Elias, ever the pragmatist, speaks up. "Sooner or later, Voss is going to find us."

"Yes," Maren agrees, "that's why you're going to help us prepare." Maya squints into the distance, the hot air shimmering on the horizon.

"What do you want us to do?" Elias asks.

"We have some defenses in place," Maren explains, "but the ancient ruins surrounding Haven help scatter the Order's tracking technology. It's how we've stayed hidden for so long."

"That's incredible," I say, impressed.

Maren smiles. "It's not perfect, but it helps. Now, let's get to work. It's the least we can do for bringing you into our home."

Voss' Lab

"Is the prototype ready yet?" Voss demands, glaring at a trembling technician.

"Sir, Project Sentinel still needs adjustments—minor things like eye tracking and combat systems. It's not—"

"Did I not say finish it by last night?" Voss snaps, his temper flaring.

"Yes, sir, but—"

"Is it capable of tracking Alex Carter?"

"Y-Yes, sir. It can track him."

"Then it's finished. Activate Project Sentinel."

The technician nervously taps a few buttons on the keyboard. The robot's eyes flicker to life, glowing a bright yellow. Voss steps closer, looking up at the machine with cold satisfaction.