Hortus Arcanus planēta

ACT 2

Ella

If my guess was right, then touching the button should turn me human again.

With quiet resolve, I held the small button in my hand and gently stroked it.

At once, my transparent form began to fill with substance.
Slowly, steadily, I returned—from invisible air to living flesh.

She had been moving about the room like a shadow, careful, almost afraid to make a sound.
Then she stopped, and in a voice barely louder than a breath, she whispered,

“Thank goodness… you’re still here.”

I looked at her and said,

“I’m going to disappear once more.

When I vanish, could you raise your hand for me? I’d really like that.”

I lifted the button and blew softly upon it.

In an instant, my body dissolved into nothingness.

After a moment, she slowly raised her hand.

Seeing that I was truly gone,I reached out again and gently stroked the button.

As I returned, her shoulders sank.
A quiet sadness settled over her.

Then she murmured,

“That’s amazing…
But I’m a little jealous of you.
To have such a power…
If I had a gift like yours…

Do you think I could be freed from this place…?”

Her voice was small—so small—like someone who had already begun to give up on life.

I couldn’t answer her.

She felt like a reflection of my own self in the real world.
And so, I had no words.

After a moment, a question rose within me.

“What is your name?”

She replied,

“My name is Ella.
But they call me… Cinderella.
What is your name?”

“I’m Lumia,” I said gently.
“Nice to meet you, Ella.”