When Nujah opened his eyes, he found himself curled up at Mabaka's feet like a small child.
Mabaka laughed brightly.
"You're the first one to fall so quickly before my beauty, little brother," she teased.
From the side, Vercurius, playing idly with Vercuri, responded with a smirk:
"Don't listen to her. The moment you fell, she rushed to your side asking, 'Are you hurt?' You should've seen her—she was shouting, 'Are you okay? Please wake up!'"
Mabaka's face flushed red, her voice both soft and sharp.
"Hey, that's enough!" she snapped, though Vercurius only laughed harder.
Hiding her face behind her fan, Mabaka tried to compose herself. Nujah smiled gently.
"No matter how much I thank you, it won't be enough. I'd better stand before I cause more trouble," he said, attempting to rise.
But Mabaka's voice cut through the air—soothing yet chilling all at once:
"Stop moving."
At her command, Nujah's body froze completely. His connection to his own limbs vanished, and he collapsed, unable even to open his mouth.
Vercurius frowned.
"Don't you think you're overdoing it?"
Calmly, Mabaka replied,
"Didn't Maria tell us that? He hasn't fully shed his human body yet. He needs to rest."
Vercurius shook her head.
"Yes, but not by force. At least let him speak."
Mabaka blinked, then nodded.
"Ah… you're right. I didn't think of that." She lowered her fan, turned to Nujah, and said in the same unnerving tone:
"You may open your mouth now."
Struggling, Nujah whispered, "Stop… please… this is unbearable."
Mabaka leaned closer.
"You cannot rise until you've fully rested. But I promise, once it's over, your body will belong to you completely again."
Nujah forced out a breath.
"I promise I won't get up. Just let my body go."
Mabaka smiled faintly.
"Very well. Control is yours again."
Breathing deeply, Nujah asked,
"How long will I have to stay like this?"
Before Mabaka could answer, Vercurius interjected firmly:
"Our sister was here just a moment ago Mabaka—how could you already forget?"
Then she added evenly,
"A few more hours."
Nujah groaned in dismay.
"So I'll be stuck like this until then?"
Mabaka laughed.
"Yes—but don't worry. As long as you don't strain yourself, the weakness and fainting caused by stress will fade away. You'll be like the others soon enough."
After a pause, Vercurius's voice softened.
"Shall we tell you a story to pass the time?"
"Yes, please," Nujah answered eagerly.
Mabaka tilted her head.
"What do you want to know most, little brother?"
Without hesitation, Nujah asked,
"This place we're standing on… this is Shiora, isn't it?"
Vercurius nodded.
"Correct… but not entirely. Let Mabaka explain."
Mabaka raised her finger. Lights swirled together into a sphere, which then split into three parts: yellow, white, and black.
"This is Shiora. A single sphere, yet divided into three realms: Light, Void, and Darkness. We don't even know every detail ourselves—only the Firstborn Spirit, Valuva, knows the full truth."
Nujah's eyes widened.
"The woman who rules the Void?"
"Yes," Mabaka confirmed. "She's harsh—even toward our mother. But she has a soft spot for Vercurius, perhaps because he resembles her son, Death."
"Wait—Death is really her child?" Nujah gasped, glancing at Vercurius.
Vercurius shook her head gently.
"Not entirely… but not entirely untrue either. He was born of her bloodline, yet Valuva holds no allegiance to light or darkness—she is a being unto herself. Death, on the other hand, was born carrying both light and darkness within him. That's why his nature and his power are so different. Still, that bond between them never changed. For all her sternness, inside… she is much like our mother."
Nujah nodded slowly.
"She was supposed to come, but something must have delayed her. Do you know what happened?"
Mabaka sighed.
"This is the first I'm hearing of it."
"I don't know either," Vercurius admitted.
Just then, Naraka appeared beside them.
"What are you three doing here?" she asked suddenly, startling Mabaka and Nujah.
With a faint smile, Naraka added:
"I'm glad to see you enjoying yourselves. But I need to take Nujah now—his guest has arrived."
Mabaka's curiosity lit up.
"May we ask who it is?"
"Valuva," Naraka replied simply. "She came to speak with Nujah alone. Don't get too excited."
Mabaka pouted.
"I want to come too…"
"That won't be possible," Naraka said firmly. She scooped Nujah up and added, "Come, we must go."
Nujah looked back over her shoulder.
"I hope we can play again soon. Goodbye for now."
Mabaka laughed and called out:
"Show her who you are!"
Vercurius smiled reassuringly.
"Don't be afraid. No matter how frightening she appears, she is kind. We'll see you tomorrow."
In an instant, Naraka and Nujah stood before the grand throne room doors. Naraka set him gently down, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you steady?" she asked.
"I am," Nujah answered softly. "But to say I'm not nervous… that would be a lie."
Looking deep into his eyes, Naraka spoke gravely:
"To be honest, she wishes to speak with you alone about a matter that concerns everyone."
Nujah inhaled sharply.
"You shouldn't have told me that… now my head feels like it's spinning, though it isn't. This is unbearable."
Naraka wrapped her arms around him.
"No matter what she says, remember—we are here. You will overcome every trial. I'll be just behind this door."
Nujah said it loudly and seriously.
"Understood, Mother. I'll prove myself. You don't need to worry."
"Then prove it, my son," Naraka said with a small smile. With a snap of her fingers, the doors opened.
Inside, there was neither light nor darkness—only emptiness. A silent void stretched endlessly.
From within came a thin, ethereal voice:
"Enter."
Though fear gripped him, Nujah felt Naraka's steadying hand on his shoulder. He took his first step forward, crossing into the void.