"But you want to save her, don't you?" said the dark-eyed woman.
Her smile was calm… and cruel.
Moner stiffened, a cold sweat breaking across his body as an eerie silence settled between them.
"You mean Novamelle?" he demanded. "How do you know her? Who are you?"
The woman's black eyes gleamed.
"Calm down, boy. Don't be so troublesome. Why don't you introduce yourself first?"
Moner narrowed his eyes, ready to fight if needed.
"Why should I, when you're threatening my family? Tell me where she is—now."
She reached out, placing her hand gently on his head, her touch both mocking and unnerving.
"Work with me," she said with a confident smile, "and I'll save her for you."
Moner swatted her hand away in disgust.
"I'm Moner. Pleased to not make your acquaintance."
She let out a soft laugh.
"Ha ha ha… how rude. My name is Raisa."
She paused, as if waiting for a reaction. When none came, her smile faded.
"Well then, fine," she muttered, annoyance creeping into her tone. "I'll give you what you want."
Moner eyed her warily. This woman's face radiates poison, he thought. She's dangerous… but I have no choice.
"Listen carefully, Moner," Raisa said. "My request is simple. Do it, and I'll bring Novamelle back."
"What request?" he asked, teeth clenched.
"Hold the jewel… and ask it to remove the curse from Zeviljas."
Moner blinked.
"How do you know about the jewel? Were you watching me this whole time?"
Suddenly, Novamelle's voice echoed in his mind—
"I think someone's watching us from the forest."
The dots connected. Moner felt it—this was real. A true threat.
Reluctantly, he pulled out the last celestial gem and held it in both hands.
"Fine… Oh jewel, grant this insane woman the power to lift the curse from Zeviljas."
The jewel flashed a brilliant red. A wave of heat burst around them as light consumed the street. Raisa laughed, but her tone shifted—hopeful, almost heroic.
"Finally… Listen, Moner," she said. "A fair future. Equality for all. Isn't that what we want? I promise you, nothing will be left… nothing."
The light faded. Nothing seemed to have changed—
But the grin on Raisa's face sent chills down his spine.
Raisa traced a circular motion in the air with her index finger. A glowing, circular portal appeared, radiating with otherworldly light.
Moner couldn't believe his eyes—
And suddenly, a girl with pink hair fell through it.
Novamelle!
She tumbled out, unconscious.
Without hesitation, Raisa stepped into the portal. As it began to close behind her, she vanished—
But then, suddenly, the portal flared open once more.
Raisa stepped halfway through, her figure glowing.
Her gaze swept the silent street with sharp disdain.
"I will return, Moner," she declared, voice low and heavy with meaning. "Don't die… and when I do, the world will know."
She cast a final, piercing glance at the bystanders—then disappeared.
The portal sealed shut.
Moner stood frozen, staring at his sister's body on the ground.
It all felt unreal. Just like the moment when his powers first awakened.
He dropped to his knees, sobbing, holding her close.
"Please… don't leave me."
In that moment, he realized the weight of what he'd nearly lost.
Sometimes, people don't understand what they truly have until it's gone.
And once it's gone… that absence becomes everything.
Life rarely goes as planned.
So what will you do when the road suddenly ends?
Will you stop? Cry? Turn back? Or find another way?
But always remember…
The cost might be more than you're willing to pay.
Moner lifted Novamelle into his arms. Her body felt weightless, as if he were carrying not just his sister, but the fragile hope of everything they once dreamed.
He tried to smile, but it came out crooked—bitter, haunted.
"At least… we're not poor anymore," he murmured. "I can finish what we started. Alone."
But even as the words left his lips, a shadow settled in his chest.
Was that what he truly wanted? A future without her?
He pulled her closer.
"Maybe… maybe it's not better this way at all."
But as he walked, another thought nagged him:
How am I going to explain this to my parents?
He decided.
I'll tell them I found her in a clinic near the markets.
He returned home, opened the door, cradling Novamelle with a forced smile.
His parents stood in stunned silence.
His mother's eyes filled with tears as she ran forward and embraced them both.
"Don't ever scare me like that again," she whispered.
But his father looked deeply troubled.
"Moner… where did you find her?"
He stuck to his lie: "A clinic near the market."
His father's voice rose.
"You're never going to the Lifeline again! You treat your lives like they mean nothing! If we had lost her…"
His voice cracked.
"You don't understand the pain I felt when we lost Kyle."
The words cut deep.
Moner lowered his head. He's right. I used to think he exaggerated his grief… but look at me now.
He stayed by Novamelle's side day and night, waiting for her to wake.
He pressed a hand to her forehead.
Still warm. Still here. Just… not awake yet.
She remained unconscious.
And the questions haunted him.
Who am I? Where did my powers come from? What are these jewels? Who was that woman?
On the second day, Moner visited Jack, hoping to sell the last jewel.
Jack examined it.
"Are you trying to scam me? It's red. It's used. It's worthless now."
"What?" Moner asked, stunned.
Jack shrugged.
"If you find something else, come back. But this won't sell."
Then, Jack smiled.
"You seem like a decent guy. Let's be friends?"
Moner nodded.
"Sure."
Jack held out his hand.
"What's your name?"
"Moner."
Jack gave him a knowing look.
"My father and I… we smuggle these jewels out of the kingdom. But keep that to yourself, alright?"
Moner nodded again, silent—but his thoughts raced.
Smugglers. Curses. Portals. Powers I don't understand.
What have I gotten myself into?