[Volume 2] Nebula: Villainess of Never-ending Beyond

A Third Chance (Prologue)

Why do we live? Why do we seek survival? We'll all meet our end soon.

On one rainy night, the body of a bedridden five-year-old boy once asked as he faced his eternal suffering. He lay on his fragile wooden bed, completely losing the strength of his limp limb and his will to live. His chest tightened painfully like it was being squeezed thoroughly. His stomach growled out of hunger after his last soup since morning.

Within the murky deserted dwelling filled with a desolate tenor, cups of water scattered beside him and within his reach. With his lost voice, he couldn't groan about the ultimate pain he was experiencing. Only he can wiggle his pupils from his paralyzed body. His breaths shortened, and more will only hurt his chest more.

A weeping girl, with tears that lived below her pitiful raven-like eyes and on her pale cheeks, obstructed the ceiling from his view. Even if a single candle lit the tapered room, her chestnut hair that weaved down her waist no longer had its glow from agony. She grasped and clasped his palm with her trembling hands.

"I'll... save you... no matter what... Gavin." She uttered with a cracked voice. With no intention of abandoning him, she left, seeking help.

Gavin, the bedridden boy who was silenced by his disease, anticipated that the girl would go back soon. He regretted being born ill, making the girl suffer more than she should. However, as the sun's rays struck his eyes from the door, his hopes were crushed when the girl didn't return.

No... Please stay.

The second day, the sun lit the same door, but the girl didn't show up. The worst of the vision inevitably overtook his mind. Where was she? Did she abandon him? Maybe the worst happened to her? What if she died? Will she ever come back? His raven-like eyes, stroking the same color as the girl, appeared wet and red.

Help me...

It's rare to find a person who forgives third chances. On the third day, his eyelids narrowed up to the point where he was losing consciousness. His sense of pain was astray. His shallow breathing synchronized with his slow pulse which was all he could hear.

Even in his last breaths, the girl didn't show up.

I want to die...

Blurriness crumpled his view, losing the sight of the ceiling which soon turned completely dark. He closed his eyes, clinging to peace.

A burden should've never been born.

The last time he tried opening his eyes, a group of priests led by a blonde saint with a discernible blue gem on her forehead murmured before casting an incantation. Their staff, which possesses the haloed eagle emblem from the nearby temple, glowed green from the crystal ball at their ends.

"Guinelle-sama, we're ready."

"We have no time to lose," Guinelle replied.

Wanting to see more, the weakness forcibly shut his eyes closed. The chip on his shoulder popped like a bubble like it was the first time he exhaled freely. Peace had overtaken him like he was ready to meet the creator. Even if nothing was visible, the darkness turned to a leaf-green light. Before he lost total consciousness, he wished...

I hope you're safe...

My sister...

Helena.