The wild bear leapt over the entrance, sealing it with a cascade of falling rocks. Moner's heart froze—he knew this might be the end. The beast, its fur dark brown and eyes glowing with fury, had been roused from its slumber. Panic gripped Moner as he turned and bolted toward the opposite end of the cave, praying for an escape route. His lantern flickered desperately in the suffocating darkness, barely lighting his path, yet he ran as the bear thundered behind him.
Suddenly, he slammed into one of the stone pillars and crashed to the ground, pain shooting through his limbs. Still, he forced himself up, clinging to the sliver of hope that an exit—or a hiding place—lay ahead. He sprinted until he reached the end of the cave. The bear was still coming.
Despair crept into his chest. This is it. There's no way out.
"Think… Think! How do I survive this?" he muttered, breath ragged.
Then, as if something ancient awakened within him, Moner's body instinctively coated itself in metal, forming a full-body shield. From his palms, a sword erupted—followed by a violent surge of lava and flames. The bear charged.
Moner retaliated, hurling molten lava that scorched the beast's face. As it roared in agony, he leapt forward and swung his blade, severing the bear's head in one clean strike. The battle was over.
Exhausted, Moner collapsed to his knees, trembling. Tears welled in his eyes.
Novamelle.
Had the bear killed her? Was she hiding? Had she… been eaten? The thought chilled him. In a frenzy, he tore open the beast's stomach—but there was nothing inside.
"Where is she?" he whispered. "She has to be alive…"
With hope still clinging to his heart, Moner stumbled out of the cave, scanning the desolate terrain outside. Maybe she escaped. Maybe she's waiting at the cliff. He wanted to call out her name—but the fear of attracting the hyenas that had attacked earlier held him back.
He climbed the cliff alone and shouted, "Novamelle! Where are you?!"
No reply. Only silence.
Dread settled over him on his walk home. How could he face his parents without her? And the strangest part—where had that power come from?
When Moner arrived, his parents immediately sensed something was wrong. Their eyes darted behind him, searching for Novamelle. His mother's face turned pale.
"Moner… where is she?"
He couldn't speak. His lips trembled. His father quickly noticed the wounds and helped him inside, wrapping them gently.
"Tell us what happened," his father said, trying to stay calm. "Where's Novamelle?"
Moner recounted the ordeal—her scream, the empty cave, the raging bear.
"So… did the bear get her?" they asked.
"No," Moner replied firmly. "She escaped. I know she did. The bear died when the rocks fell, and I cut it open. She wasn't there. She's alive."
His father nodded slowly. "Then we'll go back tomorrow. We'll search again."
His mother placed a hand on Moner's shoulder. "But your injuries… are you sure you can go?"
"I'll manage," he said.
The next morning, the sky was clear, and the air crisp—as if nature itself offered comfort. Moner and his father scaled the cliff and returned to the cave. They searched Moner's side—nothing. Then they moved to Novamelle's, where the bear's corpse still lay, charred and lifeless.
But Novamelle was nowhere to be found.
Then Moner noticed something. "Where's her lantern? We each had one. Where is hers?"
His father didn't have an answer.
They returned home with empty hands and heavier hearts.
His mother tried to stay strong. "We'll find her. She's still alive. I know it."
That night, as his family slept, Moner tossed and turned. In his dream, a haunting voice screamed, This is all your fault. Didn't you promise to save us? He awoke in tears, breath shallow and heart racing. The voice lingered in his mind.
Days passed. Still no word. No sign.
Eventually, Moner visited the central park, where he found John and Sifor. He poured out the story—every terrifying detail. They listened quietly.
"It's not your fault," John said. "You did all you could. And maybe… you'll find her soon."
"But it's been days," Moner said. "Nothing."
Then he pulled out the three glowing jewels. "Who do you think would buy these?"
John's eyes widened. "You actually found them? The ones from the stories… celestial blue. You could try Nero, the merchant. He might know someone."
Sifor added, "My exam is in two weeks. I'll be touring the palace grounds. Want to come?"
Moner nodded.
As they neared the palace, Moner suddenly felt… strange. A shiver ran down his spine.
Why does this place feel familiar?
"I just remembered—I need to help my parents," he lied, then quickly left, head spinning.
That night, Moner decided to sell the jewels and use the money to renovate their home. Sleep came slowly, haunted by memories and fear.
The next morning, he visited the market and approached Nero.
"How much are you asking?" Nero asked, inspecting the gems.
"50,000 silver coins each."
Nero dropped his cup. "What?! Are you selling a palace?! It's just a jewel!"
Moner, confused, went from stall to stall, but no one agreed to buy.
Finally, he met a merchant named Zack and his son, Jack. They agreed to buy two.
"Two for 100,000 silver coins—or 100 gold ingots," Moner offered, keeping one gem for later.
As he walked home, the sun dipping below the hills, a woman blocked his path. She had long black hair, tired eyes, and an aura of quiet power. Something about her was… unsettling.
"I want to ask you something," she said.
"I don't have any money," Moner snapped defensively.
"But you want to save her, don't you?"
He froze. "You mean Novamelle? How do you know her? Who are you?"
"Relax. I have a simple request. Fulfill it, and I'll save her."
"What request?"
"Hold the jewel and ask me to remove the curse from Zeviljas."
Moner's eyes widened. "How do you know about the jewel? Were you watching me? Was Novamelle right—did she really see someone?"
Hesitantly, he raised the jewel. "Fine. Jewel, make this crazy woman remove the curse from Zeviljas!"
The jewel glowed red. Light burst forth. The woman let out a satisfied laugh. "Finally."
A swirling portal opened—and Novamelle fell out, unconscious.
The woman vanished.
Moner stood frozen. The scene was surreal—like the moment he first awakened his power. He carried Novamelle home, telling his parents she was found at a nearby hospital. The truth was too wild to believe.
Who am I? he wondered. Where did this power come from? What are these jewels? And who was that woman?
Novamelle remained unconscious for two days. On the second, Moner returned to see Jack, hoping to sell the last jewel.
But Jack frowned. "Trying to trick me? It turned red. It's used. It's worthless."
"What? I don't understand," Moner said.
"It's lost its power. If you find anything else, come find us."
Jack paused. "What's your name?"
"Moner."
Jack smiled faintly. "My father and I smuggle these jewels out of the kingdom. Keep that between us, alright?"