CHAPTER 280: CHAPTER 280: HOME AMONG THE STARS

Xu Kai took out the teleportation ball and activated it with the crystal core, and soon both of them disappeared and, in a flash, appeared in a different place.

When the light dimmed, Liora blinked rapidly, her vision adjusting to the interior of an advanced spaceship. Polished silver walls lined with glowing interface panels surrounded them.

Liora staggered slightly, the change of atmosphere momentarily dizzying, but Xu Kai steadied her with a firm hand on her back.

"We’re safe," he said quietly, already striding to the control panel. "We’re going home."

With a few swift commands, the ship roared to life. Navigation lights blinked into sequence, and the floor beneath them vibrated with energy. The entire ship tilted upward as the engines flared with blue fire. In moments, they lifted from the hidden space and shot upward into the stars, leaving the broken world below behind.

Through the ship’s window, the dark void of space opened before them—endless, dotted with stars like scattered diamonds. Liora watched in awe as planetary rings and nebulas passed them by, the silence of space stretching like a lullaby.

Her heart pounded—not from fear, but from anticipation.

She was getting closer. Closer to her baby. It has only been two years, but for Liora, who has already lived a life, it was a decade of time for her.

Xu Kai sat beside her at the helm, his eyes focused, his expression unreadable as he entered a secure hyperspace corridor.

"Course locked. Destination: Sector 9G, Spire territory. Authorization code: Kai-A-01."

A sleek robotic voice echoed through the console: "Verified. Welcome home, Commander Xu Kai. Engaging hypershift."

A surge of blue-white light enveloped the ship as they jumped into hyperspace.

Liora turned to him. "Spire... That’s where we’re going?"

Xu Kai nodded. "Yes. The Spire system is home to the most secure planetary vaults and bases in the galaxy. My family’s estate is there, on one of the outer-core planets—designated Lunaris Prime. It’s a fortress world. No unauthorized entry. Not even high command can breach it without alerting me."

She exhaled slowly, letting his words settle into her bones. A place so fortified... even Kazren wouldn’t dare try.

They traveled in silence for a while, both lost in thoughts. The distant sound of the ship’s systems was the only sound in the vastness of space.

Soon, the ship exited hyperspace with a soft jolt, slowing as the spherical mass of Lunaris Prime came into view. Unlike most planetary surfaces, this one shimmered like obsidian glass, with luminous blue grids etched across its surface—security barriers.

Liora leaned forward, her eyes wide as the ship approached a space gate ringed in pale, golden light.

"Incoming vessel identified: KAI-01. Clearance pending."

Xu Kai entered a sequence of biometric data, a drop of blood sliding into a scanning vial, followed by retinal verification and voice confirmation.

"Clearance accepted. Welcome back, Commander. Lowering planetary barrier."

The ring split into segments, folding back like petals, and the energy barrier around the planet pulsed before parting—just wide enough for their vessel to descend.

As they breached the atmosphere, Liora’s breath caught.

A sprawling landscape opened beneath them, with vast forests, glowing lakes, and silver towers rising from protected valleys. Everything was clean, untouched, and serene. The skies were tinged with lavender, and two moons hung lazily in the air, casting a pearlescent glow over the land.

Xu Kai guided the ship toward a secluded estate nestled within a ridge of trees. They landed on a circular platform embedded into the earth—completely hidden from above.

Once the ship powered down, Xu Kai turned to her.

"This is it," he said quietly. "We’re here."

Liora’s hands trembled as she realized just how close she was to her baby.

Xu Kai nodded, standing and offering her his hand. "She’s waiting for you."

Liora took it.

And together, they stepped out of the ship, the lavender light of Lunaris Prime bathing them in a gentle glow.

Liora walked slowly, her breath shallow, every step feeling like a dream.

Xu Kai walked beside her, his pace calm, but his fingers still entwined with hers. She didn’t even realize she was trembling until he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"She’s in the inner garden," he said gently. "It’s her favorite place. She always sits by the fountain. Says it’s ’peaceful like the stars.’"

Liora’s throat tightened. "What did you name her?"

Xu Kai slowed. His expression softened, eyes warm but shadowed with old ache. "Aerish."

Liora’s eyes widened, chest clenching with emotion.

"But I didn’t want to name her exactly the same," Xu Kai continued. "So I shifted the pronunciation... Aerish. It was still your heart in it. Still yours. And I told myself... maybe one day, if you came back, you’d know it was a name waiting for you."

Liora swallowed hard. Her knees nearly gave way, but she kept walking.

They reached the end of the path.

A wide marble fountain rippled softly at the center, and there—sitting cross-legged beside it, holding a small, plush star toy—was a little girl.

She couldn’t have been more than two years old.

Soft snow hair framed her round face, and her skin glowed with warmth. She wore a simple sky-blue dress, and her big, expressive eyes stared up at the moon as she hummed a soft, made-up tune to herself.

Liora froze.

The child turned her head slowly... and those same deep eyes as Xu Kai’s locked onto Liora’s.

It was like looking into a mirror of her own soul.

The child blinked, curious, uncertain. She stood slowly, still holding her toy, and took a hesitant step forward.

Xu Kai spoke softly behind Liora, "Aerish... baby, there’s someone very special I want you to meet."

The little girl tilted her head.

Liora’s knees hit the stone.

Tears blurred her vision completely as she held her trembling arms open.

"Aerish..." Her voice was nearly a whisper. "My baby..."

For a moment, the little girl just stared.

And then, as if something deep in her blood recognized the woman before her, she ran.

Tiny feet pattered across the stone, and she launched into Liora’s arms with all the force her small body could give.

"Mama!" she cried, burying her face into Liora’s neck. "Mama, you came!"

Liora sobbed openly now, holding her daughter like she was air, like she was life. Every inch of her ached to never let go again.

"I’m here, baby. I’m here. I’m so sorry it took so long... I missed you so much."

Aerish clung tightly, small fingers curling in Liora’s hair. "I waited... I kept waiting! Daddy said you were in the stars."

Liora laughed through her tears, nodding. "I was. I was trying to find my way back. And now I’m never going anywhere again."

Behind them, Xu Kai stood quietly, his arms crossed—but there was moisture in his eyes too. The hard, distant commander was gone. In his place stood a father, watching the two people he had protected for so long finally reunited.

Aerish pulled back just slightly, her tiny hand cupping Liora’s cheek. "You’re warm..." she whispered and added, "You’re beautiful too."

Liora nodded, resting her forehead against her daughter’s. "So are you."