ReiEvenglion

The world named "Nethoria" had faced a universal disaster called "Whitening" at the end of 2023. Because of "Whitening", the technologies and lives were retrograded. An organization "GROW" which had became underground organization after "Whitening" Became out of control and all the governments were dissolved. After centuries had passed, they came out to the surface once again to find the reason behind "Whitening".

Book of Nethoria

Ring! Ring!The school bell chimed, echoing through the courtyard.

Stella burst out of the classroom doors, her steps light, her face beaming with excitement. Her first day of school had been everything she hoped for—and more.

"Mom!" she called out, waving eagerly as she spotted Lumine near the gates.Lumine smiled warmly and waved back.

But just as Stella began running toward her—

A searing flash of white light struck.

Stella cried out, shielding her eyes. The world disappeared into a wash of brilliance, and the ground vanished beneath her feet. She dropped onto her hip, breath knocked out of her.

Dazed, she blinked rapidly, struggling to see. Her vision returned slowly… and with it, a horror she couldn't comprehend.

In front of her—where moments ago Lumine had stood—there was now a vast, circular crater. A valley-shaped hollow, hollowed out as if the earth had been scooped away by the gods themselves.

It was being swallowed by the Whitening.

White light curled and churned in the air like a living thing. Devouring. Replacing everything with nothingness.

"Mommy…?" she whispered, her voice trembling. There was no answer.

She turned around in desperation, and her eyes fell on the grand statue of Egotheon standing tall at the school's entrance. The god of the skies, arms spread wide as if to protect.

"Where's Mommy…? Where did she go, God…?"Her voice cracked. Her knees gave way.

Darkness crept into the edges of her vision.

Just as her small body began to fall—

A voice, neither man nor woman, cradled her with its words."Rest, my child."The tone wrapped around her like a lullaby."You will be all right."

"Stella…"The voice echoed softly through the darkness.

Stella's eyes fluttered open, but there was nothing—only black. Endless, empty black.

"Mommy?" she called out, spinning around, panic rising in her chest."Where are you? I can't see anything!"

"Stella, hold on tight, okay?" Lumine's voice came again, warm but distant.

Stella's throat tightened."What do you mean? Hold on to what? What's happening?! Where are you?"

There was no reply. Just the sound of breathing… of something slipping away.

Then, Lumine spoke once more, her voice now full of tenderness."Don't be afraid, baby. Just follow the light. I'm with you. I always have been. I love you—with my whole heart."

Her voice began to fade like mist in the morning."The Lord has a plan for all of us. We'll meet again, one day…"She hesitated."One more thing… don't ever w—"

"Don't ever what, Mom? MOM?!"Stella cried out into the void. Her words vanished without a trace.

Then—A strange sensation gripped her. A pull, gentle but firm, from behind her. Like something—or someone—was drawing her back.

She turned. There was a light. A presence.

"Stella."The voice was different. Not Lumine's. But warm, kind."It's time to come back. Come now, little one."

The tug grew stronger. She felt herself being pulled through the dark, through the veil.

It rushed into her eyes like a tide, and she gasped.

"She's back!" someone exclaimed."Make room—give her space to breathe!"

Shapes came into focus. Blurred at first, then clearer.Five unfamiliar faces leaned over her—two women and three men. None of them looked familiar. None of them were Mom.

Stella blinked, her chest heaving as she tried to take in the air, the light, the new world around her.

But all she could think was—Where's Mom?

Stella Seraphine: Part (3)