Beyond The Horizon

Chapter 5 — Into The Abyss

Kael followed the signal past the cliffs and into the rocky spine of the planet, where the landscape became darker and narrower. Exile Prime's surface was etched with sheer canyon walls and shadowed ravines that began as barren dust plains. Kael examined the wristpad. The coordinates pulsed steadily, guiding him further into unfamiliar ground.

 He descended carefully into one of the larger chasms, his boots crunching on gravel and fractured stone. His suit lights' dim light led the way as the sun vanished behind the high ridges above. The ravine echoed strangely, his own movements or something else entirely? Deep in the canyon, Kael noticed strange patterns along the walls. Symbols sharp, angular, and unlike any Earth-based language—were carved directly into the rock. He reached out to touch one, and a low hum vibrated through his gloves. His wristpad was blinking. The symbols weren’t just decoration; they responded to him.

 Further ahead, remnants of machinery littered the path. Under rock, a drone that was only partially submerged. traces of what appeared to be a firefight. Everything hinted at a conflict, a failed expedition—maybe even a warning. The planet wasn't the only thing hostile. Something or someone had tried to hide what was down here.

 Despite the danger, Kael pressed on.

 The path opened into a vast underground chamber. The walls were covered in bioluminescent fungi that gave off a blue-green glow. At the center of the cavern stood a large stone arch, partially cracked and covered in more of the strange symbols. It wasn’t natural. This was constructed old, ancient even. Possibly not human.

 As he stepped closer, his wristpad began syncing with something invisible. His communications were disrupted by a sudden burst of static. Then, in front of him, a project came to life. His mother was the one. Or, more specifically, a portion of her—a preserved AI imprint sporting her voice and face. “Kael,” she said gently, her image flickering. "You've come further than most if you're seeing this. The gate is here. Everything that transpired with the Erevan, our pursuit, and the truth about our employer can be found beyond it. Kael’s heart pounded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

 “I wanted to,” the hologram said. “But they wouldn’t let me. There was more to this mission than just exploration. Behind her, the gate opened. Within it, a whirling blue light vortex with a soft energy crackled. Despite its apparent instability, it was clearly functional. Kael stared at it, thoughts racing. Every part of him screamed caution, but something deeper instinct or fate urged him forward. The echoes of his mother's voice and the portal's flickering light awakened an ancient longing within him to learn the truth at any cost. The AI looked at him once more. “If you go through, you won’t be the same. But you’ll know the truth.”

 Dust fell from above, shaking the room. There was no time to waste. He clenched his fists, stepped past the projection, and faced the portal. One last breath.

 Then, he walked through.