After millions of years, Naraka finally slept. And in her dream…
"Not happy to see me?" Valuva asked with a sly smile.
Before Naraka could even move, her body was pulled into a machine of iron and chains.
"Easy there, Queen," Valuva mocked. "In here, my rules apply."
But then — a sword of pure light shot from the distance, forcing Valuva back.
Naraka snapped her fingers, her voice sharp:
"What did I tell you about twisting dreams for your own amusement, hm?"
The machine holding her vanished in an instant.
Naraka steadied herself and exhaled.
"Thank you, Seluva. How is your daughter Miluva, by the way? I haven't seen you or Soluva in a long time."
Seluva chuckled.
"Soluva is the same as always, locked in her home, busy training herself and her people. Miluva drops by my tea gatherings from time to time, but most of the time she keeps to herself. My only worry in this whole universe is her."
"I see… then come visit me," Naraka said softly. "I have a new Shinrei son. I'm sure he'll get along with you—he carries the light of a Shinrei, even if he was born human."
Seluva raised a brow.
"Human? So you finally completed your experiment. I hope nothing goes wrong with the boy. If he's truly that innocent… well, let's just pray Soluva doesn't notice his potential. Otherwise…" She laughed.
"He'd be worked to death."
Naraka smiled faintly.
"You're right. I'll do my best to keep that hidden."
"Then I'll come myself," Seluva replied firmly.
Valuva tried to rise, her mouth opening to speak—but before a word left her lips, Seluva snapped her fingers.
Valuva froze in place, turned to stone, unable to move or even breathe.
"You've talked enough today, old one. Leave the children alone."
A small, azure arrow shaped like a crescent moon appeared in Seluva's hand. With one smooth motion, she hurled it at Valuva's head. Valuva shattered into smoke and vanished from the dream.
Naraka blinked.
"Miluva… has she grown as strong as you?"
Seluva shook her head.
"She's too sensitive to nightmares, unfortunately. But her potential… it far surpasses mine."
Naraka frowned.
"Ah—we were interrupted before. I almost forgot. When I find Soluva and Miluva, we'll visit at once. Especially to see this new child of yours. What's his name?"
"Nujah," Naraka answered with quiet pride.
Seluva laughed aloud.
"Nujah?!"
"Please, don't mock it," Naraka said. "My name is Naraka. You see the resemblance."
Seluva smirked.
"It's not bad. But he seems the opposite of his name. May he never resemble your sister."
She turned to leave.
"I'll be going, then."
"Wait!" Naraka cried out. "Valuva locked me in here. Could you… help me out?"
Seluva smirked.
"Ah, yes. I nearly forgot. Say the magic word, beauty."
"…Please," Naraka whispered weakly.
"Louder. With spirit."
"Please!" Naraka shouted.
Seluva laughed.
"There it is."
She drove the moonlit arrow into Naraka's soul-sphere.
Naraka's form began to fade, dissolving into streams of light.
"Give Nujah my regards," Seluva called after her. "I can't wait to meet him."
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