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Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: Threads of a Shattered Galaxy

The *Astral Dagger* slipped gracefully through the black sea, leaving Fenris's shattered moons far behind. Yet the echoes of that place—and its market—rippled in our minds. The galaxy we navigated was a patchwork quilt of remnants, lost empires, and scattered civilizations. To survive, we needed more than strength; we needed understanding.

Kaelor gathered us in the common chamber, star maps spread across holographic tables. "The galaxy isn't just broken fragments," he said, tracing his finger over clusters of glowing dots. "It's a living memory. Worlds that once thrived, now drifting. Trade routes fractured. Ancient ruins guarding secrets—and dangers."

T'Lara nodded, her cultivation glow soft but steady. "Each piece tells a story. Our job is to listen, learn, and adapt. The ruin market is just one thread in a vast tapestry."

I leaned closer as she continued. "The shattered galaxy is divided into sectors, some claimed by rising families like ours, others wild zones where lawlessness thrives. Exploration isn't just discovery—it's negotiation, survival, and sometimes, war."

Lys and Pim added their knowledge—trading cultures formed fragile alliances, while others warred endlessly over precious resources or lost technologies. Some civilizations embraced cultivation and technology in harmony; others relied on sheer military might or arcane arts older than memory.

"Mid-tier families like ours," Lys said, "walk a tightrope. Too weak, you're prey. Too bold, you make enemies. But the rewards? Untold wealth and influence if you play your cards right."

As the ship glided on, I gazed out at distant stars—some bright with new life, others dimming like dying embers. The galaxy's shattered pieces formed a chaotic yet mesmerizing mosaic. It was in this complexity that our family sought purpose and power.

My thoughts drifted to the ruin market and Fenris's relics. The market demanded risk, but its secrets could elevate us beyond the mid-tier stratum, beyond mere survival.

This galaxy was vast, broken, and wild. But within its fractures lay the raw materials of legends.

And I intended to carve ours across the stars.

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