🌌 STARLOST
Episode 6 — "The Truth of the Fall"
The town wakes under gray skies.
The clouds haven't moved since last night.
People say a storm is coming.
But Nova knows better.
---
Morning at school feels strange.
Students whisper about the cracked road near the park.
Some say there was an earthquake.
Others say it was construction.
Nova sits quietly beside the window.
Aira watches him carefully.
"You're thinking again."
Nova answers softly.
"Yes."
"About the Hunter?"
Nova shakes his head.
"About why I am here."
Aira tilts her head.
"Didn't you say it was an accident?"
Nova doesn't answer immediately.
That silence is enough.
Aira's eyes narrow.
"…It wasn't, was it?"
---
After school they walk to the same rooftop.
Wind moves slowly across the town.
Nova finally speaks.
"My crash was not random."
Aira crosses her arms.
"Okay… that's a bad start."
Nova looks toward the sky.
"My people do not make mistakes."
"Every mission has a purpose."
Aira waits.
Nova's voice becomes quieter.
"I was carrying something."
Aira blinks.
"Carrying what?"
Nova touches his chest.
"Information."
"Something my people could not allow to exist."
Aira frowns.
"So you ran away?"
Nova nods slowly.
"Yes."
"For the first time in our history… one of us refused an order."
The wind grows stronger.
Aira looks shocked.
"So the aliens chasing you…"
"They aren't rescuing you."
Nova's eyes close.
"They are erasing the problem."
---
Far above Earth—
Inside the alien vessel—
The Hunter stands before a massive viewing window.
The planet rotates slowly beneath him.
Behind him, a tall figure enters the room.
Not a soldier.
A commander.
"The anomaly is resisting more effectively than predicted."
The commander's voice is calm.
"Then adapt."
The Hunter turns slightly.
"Authorization for lethal protocol?"
The commander watches Earth silently.
"Granted."
---
Back on the rooftop—
Nova suddenly stands up.
Aira jumps slightly.
"What now?"
Nova looks toward the horizon.
"They changed their orders."
Aira's stomach drops.
"What does that mean?"
Nova answers simply.
"They will stop trying to capture me."
Aira's voice becomes quiet.
"…And start trying to kill you."
Nova nods.
---
Later that night—
The town feels unnaturally still.
No wind.
No animals.
No sound.
Aira and Nova walk home slowly.
Streetlights glow above them.
Nova suddenly stops.
Aira groans.
"Again?"
Nova looks forward.
"This time… he is not hiding."
At the end of the street—
The Hunter stands waiting.
Not moving.
Not speaking.
Just watching them.
Aira whispers,
"I really hate that guy."
The Hunter finally takes one step forward.
His armor begins glowing faintly.
Nova moves in front of Aira again.
But this time—
The Hunter raises his arm immediately.
Energy forms around his hand.
No warnings.
No speeches.
Just action.
Nova barely blocks the first blast.
The explosion cracks the road apart.
Aira falls backward in shock.
"NOVA!"
The Hunter walks forward through the smoke calmly.
"Lethal protocol activated."
Nova stands again, breathing harder than before.
But something in his eyes has changed.
Not fear.
Resolve.
Nova speaks quietly.
"If you continue this mission…"
"You will destroy this planet."
The Hunter answers without hesitation.
"Acceptable outcome."
Aira stares in disbelief.
"You're insane!"
The Hunter ignores her.
Nova closes his eyes.
For the first time since arriving on Earth—
He releases his power fully.
The air bends violently.
Time around them begins to distort.
Streetlights flicker between seconds.
The Hunter stops walking.
Observing.
"Power output increasing."
Nova opens his eyes again.
And whispers one sentence.
"Then I will stop you."
The ground beneath them trembles.
The battle is about to begin.
And this time—
Neither side plans to run.
---
High above the planet—
Inside the alien vessel—
Warning alarms begin flashing.
A scientist looks at the screen in shock.
"Energy spike detected from the anomaly!"
The commander narrows his eyes.
"Interesting…"
Earth's quiet town has now become the center of something much larger.
And the war Nova tried to escape—
Has finally arrived.