NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Burning Determination
A New Morning
The city welcomed a new day with warm sunlight, but inside the small workshop, Lana had been awake all night. Her tired eyes rested on the Falcon-X, now standing tall with its new modifications. Though the repairs weren't yet complete, the car felt different. Every bolt and component carried something intangible—hope, love, and her family's legacy.
In the silence, Vera appeared at the door.
"You look like you haven't slept in a week," she teased, though concern lingered in her voice.
Lana offered a faint smile. "Sleep can wait. There's something more important I need to do."
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Small Hopes, Big Steps
Lana knew the Falcon-X was far from perfect. The engine was faster but couldn't compare to the advanced technology used by professional racers like Axel Kane or Vera. Still, she didn't care. To her, every small step was a victory.
With Vera's help, Lana began practicing on small tracks around the city. The Falcon-X ran faster than ever, though the engine occasionally groaned in protest. Every turn, every straight stretch, she used to understand the car's limits—and her own.
"You have to trust the Falcon-X," Vera said as Lana nearly lost control on a sharp turn.
"I'm trying," Lana replied, pressing the accelerator.
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Return to the Underground Track
A few days later, Vera took Lana to a hidden underground track on the outskirts of the city. The place was buzzing with amateur and professional racers, the air thick with the roar of engines.
"You're racing here," Vera announced.
Lana was taken aback. "Here? I'm not ready for this."
"There's no such thing as being ready in racing, Lana," Vera replied. "You just have to try."
Despite the doubts that haunted her, Lana decided to enter the race. The Falcon-X drew a lot of attention. People mocked her old car, but Lana ignored their taunts.
The race began. The underground track was treacherous—tight turns, slick surfaces, and racers who didn't hesitate to play dirty. Yet Lana held her ground, overtaking a few competitors on sharp corners, using the lessons Rai had taught her.
Though she didn't win, finishing fourth was a significant achievement for someone returning to the track after so long.
Vera patted her shoulder after the race. "See? You can do it."
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A Reignited Spirit
That night, Lana sat on the hood of the Falcon-X, gazing at the starry sky. For the first time in a long while, she felt a fire reignite within her.
"Dad, Mom, I know you wanted me to continue this," she murmured.
She recalled the final words in her mother's letter: "Don't be afraid of whatever lies ahead."
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A Shocking Call
As she prepared to return to the workshop, her communicator buzzed. The sender's name made her heart skip a beat: Rai Ardent.
With trembling hands, Lana answered the call. "Rai? Where are you?"
Rai's voice was faint, filled with exhaustion. "Lana, I don't have much time. I know you've uncovered your mother's secret, and I know you're angry with me. But listen, they're looking for me. I can't let them find you too."
"Who are they? What's really going on?" Lana demanded, her voice trembling with emotion.
Rai paused before replying, "You have to trust me. Don't stop. What you're doing now is the only way to honor your family's legacy. I'll return when the time is right."
The call ended before Lana could say another word.
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A Promise to Herself
With a heavy heart but a strengthened resolve, Lana made a promise to herself: she would not give up. The Falcon-X was her beacon of hope, and she would use it to push forward.
"This is just the beginning," she said, looking at the Falcon-X. "I'll keep going—for Dad, for Mom… and for myself."
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