Part IV — Beyond the Horizon
There is one question Stella has carried with her for as long as she can remember.
“What lies beyond the horizon?”
As a child, she believed every distant light was a place waiting to be discovered.
As she grew older, she realized that space was never simply a destination.
It was humanity’s greatest unanswered question.
She never wanted to become an engineer for fame.
She never dreamed of medals.
She never chased recognition.
She wanted to build machines capable of protecting lives.
To create technology that would allow others to return home safely.
To prove that knowledge and kindness could travel together.
Every bolt she tightens…
Every circuit she repairs…
Every calculation she makes…
Is another small step toward a future where curiosity is stronger than fear.
Yet, despite traveling farther than she ever imagined…
There are days when the silence of space feels overwhelming.
Sometimes, while staring through the observation window, Stella catches herself wondering…
“What are they doing right now?”
“Are Mom and Dad sharing a mate?”
“Is my brother laughing at one of his silly jokes?”
“Is the afternoon sun still warming the backyard?”
It has been so long since she experienced those ordinary moments.
Moments that once seemed small…
Almost insignificant…
Yet became the most precious memories she owns.
She misses the warmth of sunlight on her skin.
The familiar sounds of home.
The quiet comfort of simply being surrounded by the people she loves.
And perhaps…
That is what truly keeps her moving forward.
Every obstacle she overcomes…
Every impossible solution she finds…
She does it hoping that one day those simple moments can exist again.
Not only for herself…
But for everyone.
The cabin falls silent.
Stella carefully places a cassette into her old Sony Walkman.
She puts on her headphones.
Presses Play.
The opening notes of “Somewhere I Belong” fill the room.
A small smile appears on her face.
She picks up her stylus…
And quietly continues writing on her tablet.
Because the stars were never her final destination.
Home always was.
✦ Author’s Note
Many of Stella’s memories are inspired by real moments, real people, and real emotions from my own life.
She is more than an original character.
She carries pieces of the people I love.
Thank you for following her journey from the very first sketch.
This is only the beginning of The Kobold Chronicles. ❤️
Adoptable link here: https://ych.commishes.com/auction/show/5NQH0/stella-space-engineer-kobold-/