"Wait! don't!"
Ena reached out instinctively, but she was already too late.
That youthful body stepped directly into the path of destruction.
"Ugh-grhh…!"
Stelle forced her arms up, struggling to form even a basic defense against the incoming force.
"Stelle!" Ena rushed forward without thinking.
BOOM
Golden light burst from Stelle body, flooding the entire space.
The Stellaron inside her rioted violently, unstable and overwhelming.
"Ghk-huff… ahhh!"
She clutched her head, her body trembling under the pressure.
Ena steps faltered. "No…"
The Doomsday Beast was crushed instantly under the rampaging force.
But Stelle staggered right after, her body trembling violently.
"Huff-ghk…!"
Ena stepped forward into the golden storm, forcing her way through the overwhelming energy.
It tore at her body, but every wound vanished the moment it formed, her body restoring itself again and again.
She barely noticed, her eyes fixed on Stelle ahead, writhing in pain.
'Don't fall… don't fall…'
'I should have stopped her earlier…'
A wave slammed into her stomach. She staggered but didn't stop.
'If I had reacted faster…'
A violent surge tore her arm away. Her breath hitched but it regenerated almost instantly.
'It doesn't matter now. I need to reach her'
Her hands trembled, but she kept going.
The girl face flashed in her mind, along with that small voice calling her "Mom" Ena bit her lip.
A faint green aura surrounded her.
'Only Stelle matter.'
Inside the violent energy storm, Ena saw Stelle falter. Each second, her condition looked worse.
"Stelle… hang on…"
Just as everything threatened to break apart, Ena reached her.
She stepped straight into the violent energy without hesitation, pulling Stelle into her arms.
"Stelle… I'm here…"
Her grip tightened without her noticing. A steady warmth of abundance spread between them, stabilizing Stelle condition, and the violent energy began to ease.
Before the storm could fully settle, another figure dropped down. Welt Yang, already scanning the scene.
Ena barely registered him, her attention fixed on Stelle face.
"She's stabilizing… right?" Her voice was quieter now.
Thud.
A cane struck the back of Stelle head
Ena flinched hard. Her arms tightened around Stelle instinctively, pulling her closer before she even thought about it.
"Don't…" slipped out of her.
Her awareness lagged a step behind the moment.
Welt already stood there, glasses catching the fading light.
"Uncle Yang…"
"…I'm sorry" he said, immediately checking Stelle condition.
"She's unharmed and the Stellaron energy have calmed down" Welt said after a brief check.
"…" Ena looked at Stelle.
Welt glanced at Ena. "Let's go to the space station. It's not safe here."
He turned around.
Ena stayed still for a moment, watching his back.
Then she looked down at Stelle, lifted her gently into her arms, and followed him.
...
...
warm.
Awareness returned slowly.
Ceiling lights flickered like a distant star.
Her breathing steadied on its own, like her body had already been treated.
"…Ah…"
She was being held. Not tightly, just enough that she didn't feel like this warmth would disappear.
"Stelle…"
The voice was close.
She turned her head slightly.
"…Mom?" The word came out quiet.
Ena looked at her like nothing else in the room mattered.
She just adjusted her hold carefully this time, making sure Stelle didn't feel uncomfortable.
"Stelle, do you feel hurt anywhere?" Ena asked gently, her eyes scanning Stelle from head to toe.
"No, Mom" Stelle shook her head.
"I see… that's good." Ena then hugged Stelle a little more tightly.
They stayed like that for a while.
"…Uhm, Mom… can you let go? I don't really feel any pain, so I can stand on my own" Stelle said, slightly muffled.
Ena tightened her hold for a few seconds.
A gentle green glow of abundance quietly surrounded them.
After a while, she slowly let go of Stelle.
Under Ena intense gaze, Stelle slowly stood up.
"Huff… hmm… my clothes look fine. Is there any damage or anything?" Stelle quickly looked herself over.
"…Stelle" Ena lifted her right arm slightly, then lowered it.
"Umm, yeah Mom?" Stelle turned to her.
"You…" Ena hesitated, then took a deep breath and released it.
"Next time… can you not do that? Stepping in front of me" Ena gaze stayed fixed on Stelle eyes.
"But Mom! You were in danger!" Stelle straightened her posture.
"Stelle… I'm worried about you" Ena slowly took her hand.
"I don't want you to get injured or hurt" She then placed Stelle hand against her own chest.
"Mom…" Stelle said softly.
"You're my child… my baby. You were only born recently… and I really, really love you."
Ena let go of her hand and gently cupped Stelle face.
Under Ena gaze, Stelle froze, then nodded slightly.
"Mm… I won't do it next time."
"Good."
Ena smiled softly, then kissed Stelle on the forehead.
Neither of them moved for a moment.
The warmth between them lingered in the silence.
Stelle cheeks slowly turned red. Her mouth opened a little.
"…Mom…" she muttered, then cleared her throat.
Her eyes wandered slightly around the room. Only then did she notice it was just the two of them.
"Mom… where are the others?" Stelle asked, her voice softer than before.
"I heard they're in the Master Control Zone" Ena said.
Seeing Stelle tomato-red face, Ena gently pinched her cheeks.
"Ugh… Mom…" Stelle protested weakly, though there was no real resistance as she took a step forward, only to head in the wrong direction.
Ena let out a small, quiet laugh under her breath.
"You really are a silly baby" she said softly. "You walked the wrong way."
She took Stelle hand. "Come on. This way."
Together, hand in hand, they headed toward the Master Control Zone.
====
====
I put a lot of effort into this chapter, almost to the point of wrecking my brain. No laughs, no giggles. This one really gave me a headache, especially Part 1, which was particularly hard.
I'd really like your thoughts on it. I'm always open to criticism, and don't worry about feeling silly for giving it, feedback helps improve the story, and I truly appreciate it.