As Uriel finished, massive amounts of energy surged toward the small thrusters underneath the ship.
The thrusters shifted from a dull red to a soft blue glow as thin streams of light spread out beneath the ship, pushing it slowly off the ground.
The entire vessel began shaking violently, metal groaning under the uneven thrust. Zion immediately held himself up against the ship's walls as his heartbeat spiked.
[Stabilizing,] Uriel said calmly. [Engaging gravity regulator.]
A deep hum echoed through the cabin as the tremors slowly eased, the shaking fading into a steady vibration. Finally, the ship hovered a few feet above the ground.
Zion let out a shaky breath, his eyes fixed on the ground. "We're… actually off the ground," he muttered, almost not believing it himself.
[Altitude stable,] Uriel confirmed. [Preparing for secondary thrust. Recommend securing yourself, host.]
Zion listened to Uriel without hesitation, sitting down with his back against the ship's walls.
The floor beneath him vibrated harder as the soft blue glow from the thrusters brightened to white and the ship began climbing.
[Altitude: twenty meters and rising. Adjusting thrust for forward momentum.]
The ship tilted slightly, and Zion felt his stomach turn as they began to drift toward the far end of the repair bay.
The crate filled with food bars slid across the floor, clattering against the walls as the thrusters on the ship's back rumbled loudly.
"Should've screwed that down," Zion muttered through gritted teeth as he held onto the ship's walls for dear life.
[Trajectory aligned,] Uriel said in a monotone voice. [Preparing to accelerate.]
Zion could only watch through the small front window as they passed through the repair bay's exit and entered the dark space of the Seraphael's hangar.
[Hold on tightly, host,] Uriel suddenly said. [The real test only starts after exiting the Seraphael.]
The ship began to tilt upward as Uriel adjusted its trajectory. Zion braced himself instantly, maintaining his tight grip on the wall.
The thrusters on the back rumbled louder, and the vibration beneath him deepened until his arms started to ache from holding on.
The same crate filled with food now fully leaned against the back wall as the ship's nose angled higher and higher until even Zion could barely keep his balance.
"Uriel, that's a little steep!" he forced out.
[Maintaining optimal ascent angle,] Uriel replied, unbothered. [Approaching hangar exit.]
The entire vessel shot forward as the thrusters fired up again. Sunlight filled the cockpit, blinding Zion for a moment as they shot out of the Seraphael's hull into the open sky.
The whole ship began shaking violently as the planet's gravity pulled down hard and the wind slammed against the hull. Zion clenched his jaw, gripping the wall so tight his knuckles turned white.
[Stabilizing,] Uriel said, voice still calm. [Increasing power output to counter gravitational drag.]
The engines rumbled deeper, the soft hum growing louder. The pressure in Zion's chest eased slightly as the ship cut through the rough air and the shaking began to fade.
"Hold together," he muttered under his breath. "Just a little higher…"
[Altitude: nine hundred meters and rising,] Uriel reported. [Estimated time to upper atmosphere: three minutes.]
Zion let out a long breath and sank back against the wall. "Three minutes…" he muttered, half in disbelief.
He turned his gaze toward the front window. Sunlight filled the cockpit, and for the first time, freedom felt like it was just within reach.
A small smile formed on his face. "Just a little longer," he murmured.
[Enjoy the peace while it lasts, host,] Uriel replied in its usual calm tone. [Once we cross the atmosphere, conditions will become unstable again.]
"Yeah," Zion said softly. "Figured as much."
He sat back against the wall and stared out the window, enjoying the sight for as long as he could. For a moment, everything was truly silent and peaceful, the only sounds being the steady hum from the thrusters and his own heartbeat.
Then, Uriel's voice snapped him out of it. [Altitude: seven thousand meters. Air density dropping rapidly.]
Zion slowly adjusted his position against the wall again, his grip more relaxed now. 'It'll make it,' he thought, staring through the window.
Seconds ticked by as the blue sky slowly changed into a dark one, filled with stars.
"How is everything looking?" he asked quietly.
[The ship's performance is great, with all parameters acceptable,] Uriel's voice came out soft.
Zion nodded slightly, his eyes still fixed on the darkening sky ahead.
[Crossing into upper atmosphere in twenty seconds,] Uriel reported. [Expect mild turbulence.]
Zion tightened his grip on the nearby handle, his pulse quickening despite Uriel's calm tone. "Mild turbulence, huh…"
The ship shook as faint streaks of orange light flashed across the window. The air outside burned against the hull, and a heavy rumble echoed through the cabin.
Inside, Zion closed his eyes as he felt the ship shake and the temperature slowly increase.
The vibration grew stronger, with beads of sweat appearing on his head as the heat kept rising. He clenched his jaw and held on tighter, counting the seconds in his head.
[Hull temperature increasing, but within acceptable limits,] Uriel said. [Regulating inner temperature now…]
Then, it happened. The rumble faded away in an instant, while the color outside the window vanished, completely replaced by a darkness filled with stars.
[Atmospheric layer cleared,] Uriel reported. [Transitioning to orbital climb.]
Zion slowly loosened his grip on the handle, his fingers stiff and trembling. He leaned back and let out a long, shaky breath, the tension in his body finally easing.
For a moment, he just sat there in silence, staring blankly ahead as many thoughts ran through his mind.
Then, he clenched his hand. "I actually made it…" he whispered.
[Congratulations, host,] Uriel said warmly. [You've successfully escaped the death planet.]
Zion let out a slow breath and leaned back, his eyes still fixed on the empty space ahead. "Thanks, Uriel."
As the tension drained from him, a wave of exhaustion took over. Every muscle screamed in protest, his arms growing heavy and his eyes stinging from fatigue. Even his thoughts began to slow down, turning hazy as his body finally demanded rest.
[Setting course for the nearest mercenary planet,] Uriel said. [Estimated travel time: twelve days.]
"Twelve days…" he repeated quietly. "Guess I'll finally get some rest."
[Correct, host,] Uriel responded. [It would even lead to consequences if you do not rest now.]
Zion gave a faint smile and closed his eyes. Before he even knew it, his head tilted to the side, and he drifted off to sleep.