The derelict station shook violently as warship fire tore through its ancient hull. Through the damaged ceiling of the central chamber, Ethan watched ships from half a dozen factions exchanging fire, all of them converging on their position."We need to move!" Princess Lyra shouted over the sound of groaning metal. "This place is coming apart!""Deeper," Nyx commanded, already flowing toward a passage that led down. "The Primordial sections are below. Their shielding will hold longer."They ran through corridors that grew stranger with each level. The walls pulsed with energy, covered in symbols that seemed to shift when Ethan wasn't looking directly at them. Gravity fluctuated wildly—one moment normal, the next pulling them sideways or barely holding them down at all."What is this place?" Dr. Senna gasped, her scanner going haywire."A Primordial research station," Seris answered, her silver eyes wide with recognition. "I've read reports, but I never thought I'd see one intact. The

The barren moon had exactly one advantage—no one lived there to complain about unexpected visitors. Ethan sat on a rocky outcrop, watching the distant fleets slowly disperse now that their target had vanished.His system had gone quiet after the inheritance transfer, but he could feel the changes. New abilities waiting to be explored. Knowledge that would take years to fully process. And most importantly, the locations of seventeen other dormant Immortal Path systems scattered across the galaxy."They're leaving," Commander Seris observed, tracking the fleet movements. Her mother, the Celestial Empress, stood beside her in an awkward silence that spoke volumes about their complicated relationship. "Empress Kara is the last to go. She doesn't like losing.""She didn't lose," Ethan said. "None of them did. They just didn't win the way they expected.""Semantics that will comfort no one." The Empress's voice carried centuries of political experience. "You've created an impossible situati

The first students arrived at dawn, and with them came enough political tension to start three wars.Ethan stood at the academy entrance with Nyx, watching shuttles descend from orbit. Each one bore different insignias—the burning sun of the Solar Dynasty, the crystal formation of the Celestial Dominion, the wolf crest of the Fenris Pack. Twenty ships in total, each carrying the chosen representatives of their factions."Remember," Nyx murmured, "you're the teacher here, not a prize. Establish authority immediately, or they'll see you as something to be claimed rather than learned from."The first shuttle's ramp lowered, and a group of Solar Dynasty warriors emerged. Their leader was tall, with skin that shimmered like molten gold and eyes that burned with actual flames. She approached Ethan with predatory grace."I am Captain Vex of the Solar Elite Guard," she announced. "Empress Kara sends her regards and her finest students. We are here to learn—" her gaze raked over Ethan with o

Day three of training brought a new challenge—group resonance learning. Ethan stood before the assembled students, trying not to think about all the ways this could go catastrophically wrong."Today we're trying something experimental," he announced. "Group resonance training. Instead of learning individually, you'll link your cultivation together in groups of ten. The students who've grasped the cycling technique will guide those who haven't."The reaction was immediate skepticism mixed with concern."Link our cultivation with strangers?" Captain Vex looked genuinely alarmed. "That's intimate. Dangerous. One person's deviation could corrupt the entire group.""Which is why we're doing this under controlled conditions with constant supervision," Ethan countered. "But the alternative is spending weeks on individual training we don't have. The Voidborne don't care about our comfort levels."He demonstrated by forming resonance links with ten volunteers—a mix of species including Celes

The Solar Dynasty flagship was exactly what Ethan expected—massive, beautiful, and designed to intimidate. Every surface gleamed with polished metal and embedded gems that pulsed with inner fire. Guards in ceremonial armor lined the corridors as an escort led him toward the command center, their golden eyes tracking his every movement.He was very aware of being the only human on a ship full of beings who could incinerate him with a thought.Empress Kara waited in her private chambers, and Ethan had to force himself not to stare. She reclined on a throne made of actual solidified flame, her molten skin seeming to glow brighter in the intimate lighting. Her hair moved like living fire around her shoulders, and when she smiled, it held the dangerous beauty of a wildfire."Ethan Reid," she purred, her voice carrying undertones that made his skin prickle. "You have more courage than sense. I appreciate that.""I have more sense than you thin