"This galaxy was cruel."
Wearing an experimental XV109, Shadowsun stared intently. Countless auxiliary lenses shifted with her gaze, and through the thick curtain behind the stage, she saw the back of Ethereal Aun'Va as he delivered his speech.
The glaring white light shone upon the Ethereal, making the venerable figure appear ever taller.
"This is our last chance. Though we were previously divided by the enemy, misunderstanding and doubting one another—but before the enemy's ranks, the only choice left to us is unity! Though victory may seem distant, we will still exhaust everything we have to seize it!"
The Ethereal cried out.
From the shadows behind the curtain, Shadowsun spoke in a hoarse voice.
"But we found out too late."
+There is still hope.+
Beside the towering Shadowsun, the softly glowing goddess T'au'va comforted her. This newborn Warp entity felt slightly uneasy, as though somewhere beyond her reach, a dark and crazed figure was watching her.
"Yes. Even so, we can still grasp the last thread of hope."
Shadowsun felt her mouth go dry. She listened to Ethereal Aun'Va rallying the troops in the distance; this scene would be faithfully broadcast to the forces waiting in readiness.
Silence. Silence. Shadowsun seemed to hear the roar of the enemy's enormous warship engines in space.
"They're too large."
Unconsciously, Shadowsun spoke the words she had been suppressing, refusing to let herself say. They were her true feelings, the mountain weighing upon her heart.
She swallowed again, feeling the liquid slide down her throat, thick and slow.
"But there will always be a chance. Give up everything—everything can be abandoned. There will always be a chance. Master Qingxi once said that jackals could kill tigers, rats could harm elephants; one man was enough to defeat Yu, three households could destroy Qin. This is