The grand chamber of Phinix was illuminated by the soft, glowing lights of magical orbs floating in the air. The room, adorned with ancient carvings and a regal atmosphere, echoed with the murmur of the fairies as they discussed their next move. Ethan, nestled comfortably in Lira's lap, looked around wide-eyed, absorbing every detail while Lira lovingly stroked his cheek.

Varmora, standing tall and authoritative, glanced at the group.

Varmora: "Hmm... I see."

Lira, with a calm but firm voice, spoke as she continued to cradle Ethan.

Lira: "I think our first step should be to clear out Aibel Fort. It was Ryznith's stronghold."

Mira nodded thoughtfully, her eyes glowing softly with a serene wisdom.

Mira: "Yes, and we will likely encounter a large number of his minions there. Once we clear the fort, we could make use of it as a strategic point."

Nia, always playful, couldn’t resist adding a bit of drama to the conversation. She made a gesture with her hands, mimicking a slashing motion.

Nia: "Sooo... are we going to do a little... minion-slaying?" she said with a smirk.

Elara, ever the voice of reason, shook her head gently.

Elara: "**No, Nia. Of course not. We’ll convert them back into fairies. They are still our kin, just lost in darkness."**

Nia pouted, not fully convinced.

Nia: "Into Lightless fairies... and even if we manage to bring them back, what then? There will be a large number of lifeless bodies. What do we do with all those empty vessels?"

Sylph: "That’s a good point. We can’t just leave their bodies to rot. They would decay quickly, and their essence would be lost forever."

Luna : "Perhaps it would be better if they remained as minions for now. At least that way, they aren’t entirely lost, and we could try again once we have a permanent solution."

Varmora sighed, crossing her arms and looking out of the chamber’s wide windows, the weight of the situation clear in her posture.

Varmora: "We can’t afford to risk what might be our last hope to bring back the lost ones. We need to be cautious and find a permanent solution."

She turned her gaze to Ethan, her expression softening.

Varmora: "Ethan, what does that clever little mind of yours suggest?"

Ethan blinked, surprised at being asked for advice by someone so powerful. He shifted in Lira's lap, his mind racing.

Ethan: "Well... I don’t know much about the world yet, but I have an idea."

Varmora smiled, her voice gentle.

Varmora: "We’d love to hear it."

Ethan sat up a little straighter, his confidence growing.

Ethan: "We could preserve the lightless bodies... by keeping them somewhere very cold. Like freezing them! If we could find a place with super low temperatures, we could store them until we find a way to bring them back."

Luna, who had been listening quietly, perked up, her eyes gleaming with interest.

Luna: "Like Nathro Realm."

Ethan turned his head, puzzled.

Ethan: "What’s that?"

Nia, sitting nearby, grinned, her eyes twinkling as she leaned forward.

Nia: "My realm. Where I’m from."

Ethan’s face lit up with curiosity, his eyes wide with fascination.

Ethan: "Wait—your realm? Are you like a queen there, Nia?"

The fairies couldn’t help but chuckle at his innocent question. Even Lira, who was gently stroking Ethan’s hair, laughed softly.

Nia, still chuckling, reached out to him.

Nia: "Come here, Snow. I’ll explain."

Ethan looked up at Lira, who smiled warmly and kissed his forehead.

Lira: "Go."

Ethan, excited, climbed down from Lira's lap and rushed over to Nia, who pulled him into her lap and hugged him tightly. She kissed his cheek, making him blush.

Nia: "Comfortable?"

Ethan nodded happily, snuggling into her.

Ethan: "Hmm..."

Nia, now with a soft and serious tone, began to explain.

Nia: "So, Nathro is my realm. I don't own it, but I once lived there. After the neshis wiped out my kind—the Nathris—only Vyrella and I are left. We were the last survivors."

Ethan's face fell as he looked up at her with empathy, his small hands cupping her face gently.

Ethan: "I'm sorry, Nia."

Nia, touched by his sweetness, smiled softly and kissed his forehead again.

Nia: "It’s okay, sweetheart. But there’s more. In Nathro, there’s a place called Zelvin. It’s so cold and freezing that only Nathris like me could survive it. Anyone else would turn to ice within moments. That’s why it’s remained untouched for so long."

Ethan’s eyes widened, his excitement building.

Ethan: "That’s perfect! That’s exactly what we need! We can preserve their bodies there until we find a way to bring them back!"

The room filled with murmurs of agreement, and even Varmora, who had been deep in thought, nodded approvingly.

Varmora: "That might just work."

Nia hugged Ethan tighter, her eyes gleaming with pride.

Nia: "Looks like our little genius found us a solution after all."

Ethan beamed with pride, his face glowing as Nia kissed his cheeks once again. The fairies exchanged smiles, their hope rekindled.

Flora: "But even so... there's still one problem. How will we even get to Nathro? Yadgir is completely destroyed, and our Dyfost is broken. Neshis took out all our communication systems."

Luna: "Flora’s right. Not only that, we can’t get to Yadgir. We don’t even have a Wysik or even Sylkim."

Zara: "Not here in this castle, Luna. But Aibel fort has one. We can use it."

Aria: "Yeah, but who’s going to get it? We all know that place was Ryznith’s stronghold."

Everyone’s eyes slowly turned toward Aria, knowing full well that she was the only one fast enough to sneak past the minions unnoticed and retrieve the Sylkim.

Aria noticed them all staring at her and sighed dramatically.

Aria: "Oh, come on! Not again!"

Elara, amused, smiled gently.

Elara: "No one else can do it, Aria."

Tara: "Exactly. You’re made for this—our speedster."

Mira grinned mischievously.

Mira: "Oh, and while you’re there, grab my Guntum, please."

Aria rolled her eyes playfully, then teased them back.

Aria: "Fine. But on one condition—Ethan stays with me the entire trip. What do you say, Ethan?" Her voice softened as she looked at him.

Ethan smiled, eager to help.

Ethan: "Of course! Why not?"

Mira, half-joking, shook her head.

Mira: "The entire trip? What about us then?"

Aria, pretending to ignore the complaints, shrugged.

Aria: "That’s for you all to figure out. Ethan’s staying with me."

Flora gasped dramatically.

Zara: "This is unfair!"

Aria smirked.

Aria: "Well, then you go fetch the Sylkim."

Everyone laughed at her playful banter. Even though they all knew she was joking, it was clear no fairy would ever hurt another.

Sylph, joining in the teasing, winked at Aria.

Sylph: "Don’t worry, the trip to Yadgir isn’t that long. Once we’re there, Ethan will be right back with us. And my dear Aria, after we reach Yadgir, we won’t let you even near him!" She teased with a playful grin.

Aria crossed her arms and smiled, raising her eyebrow at Sylph.

Aria: "Oh, really? We’ll see about that! Just you try, Sylph. Ethan will always come back to me."

Lira, laughing along with the others, finally stepped in.

Lira: "Alright, alright, enough teasing for now. We’ll have plenty of time for that later. Let’s start preparing. From today, nothing will be the same. It’s time to reclaim what we lost. To rebuild our civilization!"

The room grew silent for a moment, the weight of Lira’s words settling over them. Each fairy felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination. This was their chance to restore their world.

Varmora: "I consider myself incredibly fortunate to witness the rebirth of our lost civilization. For a Phinix, there is no greater honour. Whether we can stop Neshis again, I don't know. But as long as we are together, we will not stop."

----------------------------------------

Place : Midfold.

Zovrath sits upon his throne, gazing into the endless void of space. Blackspire approaches.

Blackspire: "Your Majesty, Zovrath."

Zovrath remains seated, silently watching the infinite expanse, saying nothing.

Blackspire: "My Lord, it has happened, just as I expected. Ryznith was a weak pawn. She could never have succeeded." (His voice carried frustration.)

Zovrath (in a deep, resonant voice): "I knew, Blackspire. I knew she wouldn't."

Blackspire: "Then why did you send her? I warned you."

Zovrath: "**Never underestimate your enemy. That’s something you still don’t understand."**

Zovrath rises from his throne and turns to face Blackspire.

Zovrath: "I sent her to find out if the remaining fairies still had their strength."

Blackspire: "But, Your Majesty—"

Zovrath cuts him off.

Zovrath: "You have always been loyal to me, Blackspire. You’ve followed my every command, and for that, I respect you. But I never asked for your advice." (There’s a chilling tone in his voice.)

Blackspire, feeling the tension, lowers his gaze.

Blackspire: "Forgive me, Your Majesty."

Zovrath turns back toward the void, clasping his hands behind his back as he stands.

Zovrath: "Any other news?"

Blackspire: "Yes, Your Majesty. We’ve detected two fairies on Yadgir. We don’t know how they got there."

Zovrath: "Hmm… And my Ark? Where is it?"

Blackspire: "**It is still three cycle away, without the use of a spacehole."**

Zovrath: "Send two Volvyl to Yadgir. If there are fairies there, the others will come to save them."

Blackspire: "As you command, Your Majesty."

----------------------------------------

The scene shifts back to the fairies, all standing just outside the treeline shield. Ethan is nestled comfortably in Luna's arms, looking up at the gathered fairies. Aria, clad in her red and white war suit, stands ready to zip off to Aibel Castle to retrieve the Sylkim.

Lira: "Your task is to bring Sylkim to us. No need to engage with anything else. Especially the minions."

Aria: "Understood, Aarthel"

Ethan: "Best of luck, Aria."

Aria: "Aww... What else do I need now? I have my good luck charm right here. Thank you." (She says, kissing Ethan on the cheek while he’s cradled in Luna’s lap.) "And don't forget, you’ll stay with me after this."

Luna: "Yeah, yeah. Now go."

Aria (playfully teasing): "Oh, jealous?"

Luna: "Me? Never. He's as much mine as yours. Right, Moon?" (She says, pressing her cheek against Ethan’s.)

Varmora: "Lys." (She says, reminding Aria of the urgency.)

Aria: "R...right. Phinix. See you soon." (She gives everyone a quick smile before zipping off.)

Lira: "Zara, I need you to inform Atheria and Vyrella about our arrival there."

Zara (nodding): "On it." (She heads back to the castle.)

Ethan: "Luna, how will we know if Aria gets into any trouble?"

Luna: "Don't worry, Moon. She’ll be back before she even has the chance to get into trouble. You know her."

Ethan: "Yes, but..." (Luna pulls him closer, resting his head on her shoulder.)

Luna (interjecting softly): "Don’t worry. She’ll come back."

Sylph: "So, we’re really doing this."

Mira: "Yeah. After nearly five cycles, we’re back. Fighting again."

Tara: "But this time, everything is different. He’s not the same." (She looks at Ethan, resting quietly on Luna's shoulder, a touch of sadness in her voice.) "And neither are we. And now we are fighting to save our kind. To to save ourselves."

Flora: "After Zytrax, it’s like...like we paused. We stopped and just enjoyed our life. With him."

Elara: "We never thought that one day, we’d have to face this. To see him like this—so weak, so fragile. I never expected this."

Nia: "None of us did, Rynous. None of us expected it. But..." (She glances at the group, then back at Ethan.) "We’re so lucky we still have him. And just look at him... I never want him to grow up again. I want him to stay like this—small and in our arms." (She says, her voice soft and tender.)

Flora: "Come on. He’s our everything now. And I love him sooooo much. More than anything. We all do."

Tara: "Right. We all do."

As the group stands outside, a small dot appears in the sky, growing larger and larger until it transforms into the recognizable shape of a spacecraft. The Sylkim, a gleaming golden and black transport vessel, approaches swiftly, causing everyone to gather in anticipation.

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Mira: "She's back. Aria is back with Sylkim."

Everyone moves inside the castle as Luna hovers in the air, gesturing for Aria to land the Sylkim within the castle walls. Aria expertly lands the spacecraft and steps out, greeted by the excited buzz of the group.

Ethan’s eyes widen in amazement as he takes in the sight of the Sylkim, a masterpiece of fairy technology and science, designed more for transport than combat. Its sleek, gleaming body catches the light as Ethan's excitement overflows.

Ethan: "Woahhh... What is this...?" (His voice is loud with excitement.) "And look at that... are those thrusters... woah... it's so big... and what is that... are those... no..." (His enthusiasm is unstoppable as he darts around.)

As Aria deboards, Ethan runs to her and clings to her leg.

Ethan: "Ariaaa!"

Aria (kneeling down to his level and kissing him): "Mmmm... my little flash. Do you like it?"

Ethan: "It's incredible! I wanna go inside... please, please... please..."

The group bursts into laughter, and Aria chuckles as well.

Aria (chuckling): "Why not? But I don't know much about it. You can explore it with Zara."

Zara (scooping Ethan up in her arms and kissing him): "Hmmm... someone is so excited, hmm?"

Ethan: "Yes! Let’s go...!" (He can barely contain himself.)

Zara (laughing): "Okay, okay... let’s go."

Zara carries Ethan into the Sylkim, their voices fading as they explore the spacecraft.

Ethan: "Will you tell me everything about it?"

Zara: "Of course, baby."

Meanwhile, back with the group:

Elara (her voice tinged with sadness, tears welling up): "Oh... I feel bad for him. He was the one who built it. And now look at him... it's like he’s seeing it for the first time."

Nia: "Yeah... I want to tell him so badly that he made it. But he’s completely different now..."

Tara (gently placing a hand on Elara’s shoulder): "Don’t cry, Rynous. We have to embrace it and wait for the right time."

Flora: "We have to stay strong. For him."

Elara: "But seeing him like this... it reminds me of everything he went through, everything he did for us."

Luna (softly, wiping Elara's tears and smiling): "It's okay, Rynous. Look at me... we should be thankful for him. Not by crying, but by going with the flow. Just let go of the past and focus on what he wants to know now……Come on. You are Our Rynous. Don’t cry like this…"

Elara (nodding, with a smile): "You’re right. We have to go with the flow. And I’m a fairy like you before Rynous.."

Everyone nods in agreement, offering Elara supportive smiles.

Lira (resting her hand on Aria's shoulder): "Good work, Lys."

Aria (playfully): "Oh... it’s nothing... just another day."

Sylph (joking): "Yeah, Lys, just another day of swooping in like a hero and making the rest of us look bad. Seriously, can you tone down the epic just a little? I’m running out of jokes to keep up!"

Mira (mocking Sylph): "Maybe if you spent less time on your hair, Emberis, you’d be able to keep up!"

Everyone laughs, the tension easing.

Luna: "Anything unusual out there, Lys?"

Aria: "I didn’t wander much, but I found this. It was in the hangar. I don’t know what it is."

Luna takes the object from Aria and examines it, but can’t figure it out.

Luna: "What’s this? I’ve never seen it before. Aarthel!"

She hands it to Lira, who inspects it closely.

Lira: "Me neither. Phinix, maybe you know about it?"

Varmora: "It looks like a key."

Sylph (teasingly): "A key to what? A lock, a safe, or maybe Mira’s hairbrush?"

Mira (mockingly): "Oh, very funny, Sylph. How long did it take you to come up with that one?"

Varmora: "We’ll figure it out. For now, let’s keep it safe."

Inside the Sylkim, Ethan's excitement is palpable, his small frame darting from one station to the next, his curiosity insatiable. His eyes wide with wonder, he eagerly inspects every detail, his hands trailing across the smooth surfaces of the ship's interior.

Ethan: "**Zara, look at this... Woah, this is amazing... What does this do?"** (He moves to the pilot section of the Sylkim.) "Wow... Is this the pilot seat? How does this work? Zara, tell me... Wait, no... what's this? Oh... wow... Look at these projections... are they maps?"

Zara trails behind him, her eyes full of warmth and amusement as she watches his energetic exploration. She can hardly keep up with his boundless enthusiasm, his questions coming faster than she can answer.

Zara (laughing): "**How do I tell you, Ethan... Oh, this boy... Ethan, come here..."** (She follows him, unable to stop smiling.)

Ethan spots the pilot seat and eagerly tries to climb onto it, but it’s just a bit too high for him.

Ethan: "Why is it so high... Zaraaa..." (He pouts, frustration creeping into his voice.)

Zara (laughing again, her heart melting): "Awww... My little baby can't reach the seat... Here..." (She lifts him up effortlessly, setting him onto the pilot seat.) "Okay, little pilot." (She says with a gentle smile.)

Ethan beams back at her, his face lighting up with joy.

Ethan: "Tell me, Zara... You're not telling me anything!"

Zara: "How could I ever? You keep asking and asking. Slow down a bit!"

Ethan: "I can't help it, Zara! It's my first time seeing all of this!"

Those words hit Zara hard. For a moment, her laughter fades, and the reality of the situation crashes down on her. His words, “It’s my first time,” echo in her mind, pulling her back to a time. Ethan's voice becomes a distant hum in the background as Zara's mind drifts into the past.

Ethan: "Zara... Zara... Zara!" (His voice is more insistent now.)

He climbs down from the pilot seat, his small hands reaching for hers, tugging at her gently.

Ethan: "Zaraaaa."

Zara snaps back to the present, her eyes widening as she looks down to see Ethan clinging to her hand. He’s looking up at her with concern, his innocent eyes searching her face for answers.

Ethan: "Zara... What happened?"

Zara instantly kneels to his height, wrapping her arms around him in a protective embrace, holding him close as if to shield him from the weight of her emotions.

Zara: "Ethan..." (Her voice wavers as she struggles to ground herself in the present.) "Ethan..."

Ethan, sensing her distress, cups her face in his small hands, his eyes full of worry.

Ethan: "What happened...? You seem lost."

Zara: "N-No... Nothing." (She shakes her head, forcing a smile to reassure him.) "**I was just... you know... sometimes, I was just recalling all the points about this ship. You want to know about it, right?"**

Ethan’s concern melts away, replaced by his usual bright curiosity.

Ethan: "Yes! Let's start from here..." (He takes her hand and leads her eagerly to the main control panel.)

Zara follows, still a little shaken but now more determined than ever. As they reach the control panel, she looks down at Ethan, who’s staring up at her with wide, expectant eyes. He wants to know everything. She takes a deep breath, letting go of the past and focusing on the present.

Zara: "**Alright, little pilot, let’s begin. This..."** (She points to the control panel, her voice becoming steady as she explains each part.) "This is the main control panel. These projections are indeed maps, and they help you navigate through the realms. The ship responds to your commands through this interface here, and those thrusters you saw... well, they’re what give the Sylkim its speed."

Ethan listens intently, his eyes wide with fascination. Zara continues, explaining the Sylkim’s features, her voice full of affection and patience. The past may haunt her, but in this moment, she is here for Ethan, ready to guide him through the wonders of the ship.

Ethan: "**Oh, I see. So this makes the Ynerzon flow to the Core, and then it starts up."**

Zara: "Right. And when you rotate this to the other side, it changes the flow to the RearCore, which thrusts the Sylkim forward."

Ethan nods eagerly, his attention quickly shifting to a glowing section of the control panel.

Ethan: "Oh... And what's this?" (He points to the glowing section, squinting as he tries to read it.) "**It says... S... Sy..."**

Zara smiles, gently pulling him closer and wrapping her arms around his small tummy.

Zara: "That’s not an S, silly boy." (She laughs softly.) "That’s Fyspeed. It’s a special function used only in emergencies, when you’re stuck and need to escape at super, super fast speeds. So fast that no one could catch you."

Ethan: "Okaayyy. But how does..."

Zara: (Knowing exactly what he’s about to ask) "It work?"

Ethan: "Yes!" (He grins up at her, his eyes sparkling.)

Zara: "Hmm... See those wires? They connect over there, to the central..."

As Zara explains, Ethan's vision starts to blur. His small body feels like it's growing heavier, his limbs suddenly becoming weak. His head starts to ache, the pain sharp and disorienting, and before he knows it, he’s falling against Zara’s arms.

Zara senses the shift immediately, feeling his weight sag against her. Her voice, once steady, now trembles with concern.

Zara: "Ethan..." (She tries to get his attention, but he doesn’t respond.) "Ethan, baby..." (Her voice is filled with growing panic as she shakes his small body by the shoulders, desperate to bring him back.) "Ethan... Ethan!"

She turns him to face her, his pale and lost expression sending a wave of fear through her. His eyes are distant, unseeing, as if he’s trapped somewhere far away.

Zara: "Ethan!" (She pats his cheeks lightly, her voice growing louder, more frantic.) "Ethan... baby, come back to me!"

But Ethan remains unresponsive, his small body limp in her arms. Panic seizes Zara’s heart as she realizes something is terribly wrong. Without hesitation, she calls out for Elara, her voice echoing through the Sylkim.

Zara: "**Elaraaa... Rynousss!"**

Outside the Sylkim, Elara and the other fairies hear Zara’s scream and rush inside. The sight that greets them is harrowing—Zara is holding Ethan, who appears almost lifeless, his body slumped in her arms, his face pale and expressionless.

Elara: "Ethan... Amiraha, what happened?"

Zara: "It’s his flashes... I think they’re freezing him again. Do something, quick!"

Elara steps forward, her face tense with concentration as she cups Ethan’s face in her hand. Closing her eyes, she uses her telepathic powers to delve into his mind. Inside, she sees the chaotic flashes of memories, fragmented and disjointed, freezing his brain with their intensity. With a surge of her magic, she intervenes, calming the storm inside his mind and halting the overwhelming flood of memories.

As Elara’s power takes effect, Ethan’s body relaxes, and he falls unconscious against Zara.

Sylph: (Her voice trembling with worry) "Ethan... Rynous, is he okay?"

Elara: (Gently brushing a strand of hair from Ethan’s face) "He’s okay. Just unconscious. The memories were too much for him, but he’ll be fine now."

A collective sigh of relief sweeps through the group, though the tension still lingers in the air. Zara, still holding Ethan protectively, looks down at his peaceful face, her heart aching with a mixture of love and fear. She presses a soft kiss to his forehead, grateful that he’s safe but deeply aware of how fragile he is in this form.

Elara places a reassuring hand on Zara’s shoulder.

Elara: "**We’ll need to be more careful. His memories are still there, buried deep, but they can overwhelm him if triggered too suddenly."**

As Ethan lies unconscious in Zara's protective embrace, the fairies gather around him, their expressions a mix of concern and frustration. Mira, still shaken by what just happened, speaks up first.

Mira: "I think this Sylkim triggered his memories. But how is he recalling them? You wiped them."

Elara: "I don't know how these are returning, but it's bad. He almost froze up completely."

Flora: "Give him to me."

Zara carefully hands Ethan over to Flora, who kisses his unconscious face, pulling him closer to her heart. Her worry deepens as she cradles his small, fragile body.

Flora: "**We have to figure this out... What other things could possibly trigger his memories back?"**

Nia: "I can't bear to see him like this every time. It's the fifth time in the last few days."

Aria: "**But why now? What changed?"**

Varmora, who had been silently observing, suddenly speaks, her voice calm but carrying a weight of knowledge.

Varmora: "Codex." (All the fairies turn to her.) "It's Codex. As he grows, Codex is bringing his lost memories back."

Zara frowns, her mind racing to understand.

Zara: "But Codex isn’t made for that. It has nothing to do with his body or memories."

Mira: "Right. We all know Codex is... just energy."

Varmora shakes her head, her gaze steady.

Varmora: "No, Cirnyx. Codex is not just energy. It's more than that—much more. It chooses its host for a reason, and his returning memories are part of that reason."

Tara steps forward, her voice filled with concern.

Tara: "But Phinix, it's making him sick. We can't afford that. None of us can stand to see him like this."

Varmora sighs, understanding their pain but knowing the harsh truth.

Varmora: "I know. But it's the truth, and we can't change it."

Luna, her voice shaking with a mix of sorrow and anger, steps closer, her eyes fixed on Ethan's small form.

Luna: "**You’re a Phinix. You can do anything. Why can’t you save him?"** (Her voice grows louder, her emotions overwhelming her as she sees her little moon, her Ethan, so fragile and unconscious.)

Lira immediately intervenes, her tone sharp.

Lira: "Mislyra! Watch who you’re talking to."

Luna lowers her head, her outburst leaving her feeling ashamed.

Luna: "I'm sorry, Phinix."

Varmora’s expression softens, and she reaches out to Luna.

Varmora: "It's alright, Mislyra. I can feel your pain. But there's nothing we can do. It's his fate. Even if Zytrax hadn't absorbed his light, it would still be his fate."

----------------------------------------

Place : Yadgir

In the nearly devastated observatory on Yadgir, Vyrella is sprawled out in her chair, sound asleep, her limbs flopped in all directions like a ragdoll. Meanwhile, Atheria, more focused but equally tired, is squinting at a projection screen that flickers with a dim light.

Atheria tries to wake her partner.

Atheria: "Vy! Vy!"

No response. Atheria, knowing her partner too well, smirks and decides to take a more direct approach. With a swift kick, she tips Vyrella’s chair, sending her crashing to the floor.

Vyrella: (almost screaming as she hits the ground) "Aeth! You evil gremlin!" (She groans, rubbing her back.) "Can’t you let a fairy dream about cuddling Ethan in peace?"

Atheria: (unfazed, pointing at the screen) "Stop dreaming about our favourite little human and come look at this!"

Vyrella grumbles, shedding the crumpled dress that had tangled around her legs during the fall, and reluctantly drags herself to her feet.

Vyrella: (sarcastically) "What is it now? Did another galaxy explode?"

But as she glances at the screen, her sarcasm fades. On the projection, two small dots blink ominously, steadily moving closer.

Vyrella: (nervously) "What are those…now?"

Atheria: "No idea, but they’re heading right for us."

Vyrella’s eyes widen, and she quickly sobers up.

Vyrella: "**No... Has our location been compromised?!"**

Atheria: (grimly nodding) "Kind of, I think... but our reflectors are working fine."

Vyrella: (immediately switching to dramatic mode, flailing her arms) "Nooo! I don’t want to die without holding Ethan in my arms... Nooo!" (Her voice is more playful and over-the-top than truly distressed.)

Atheria: (matching her tone, mock-wailing) "**Nor meee!"**

Vyrella slumps into a chair, burying her face in her hands, then suddenly peeks out dramatically.

Vyrella: "**What do we do now?"**

Atheria: (frantically pacing) "Tell them—no, no, no, we can’t risk their safety! What do we do now?"

Vyrella: (mock-panicked) "Aeth..."

Atheria: (equally overacting) "Vy..."

They stare at each other, both frozen in exaggerated horror for a few seconds before bursting into laughter, the tension breaking under the sheer absurdity of their exchange. Vyrella flops back into her chair, wiping away a fake tear.

Vyrella: "We are the worst, aren’t we?"

Atheria: (grinning) "Definitely. But seriously, we should figure out what those dots are."

Vyrella: (grinning back) "Yeah, yeah. Let's not get vaporized before we have a chance to see Ethan again. I'll miss his little grumpy face too much."

Atheria: "**Same here. Alright, let's get to work before we’re the ones crying for real."**

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Ethan’s small body wiggles slightly in Nia’s lap, his eyelids fluttering as he slowly wakes up. For him, it feels like he’s simply waking from a peaceful nap, blissfully unaware of the scare he gave everyone.

His innocent, sleepy smile spreads across his face as he looks up at Nia. Her heart fills with relief and joy as she sees those familiar, bright eyes looking at her again. She smiles back at him, her worry melting away.

Ethan (scratching his head and smiling up at her): "Niaaaa!!"

Nia (her voice soft and full of love as she pulls him closer and kisses his forehead): "Oh, my little snowflake..." (She kisses him again, her voice a mixture of joy and overwhelming relief.)

Ethan nestles closer into her embrace, still a bit drowsy but smiling contentedly.

Ethan (innocently): "I fell asleep while Zara was telling me about Sylkim."

Nia and the other fairies exchange glances.

Nia: "Yes, snow. And now, tell me, how are you feeling? Hmm?"

Ethan (smiling up at her): "Fine. But I think Zara will be angry with me..." (He chuckles softly.)

Zara (pretending to be stern): "**Oh yes, I’m really angry with you! How dare you fall asleep during my lecture?"** (She says this in a mock-serious tone, clearly not wanting to upset him with what really happened.)

Ethan giggles, his innocent laughter filling the room and warming the hearts of everyone present. His laughter is contagious, and soon, everyone is smiling, their earlier worries fading away.

Ethan (still giggling): "**Sorry... but I—"**

Zara (interrupting playfully as she sits beside Nia and cups Ethan's face in her hands): "No, no! I’m not letting you off with just a 'sorry'! Your punishment is… a thousand kisses!" (She grins mischievously.)

Ethan (his eyes widening in playful surprise): "Thousand...?"

Zara: "**Oh, so a thousand kisses are not enough, huh? Fine, how about a million kisses instead?"**

Before Ethan can respond, Zara leans in and begins to pepper his face with kisses—on his cheeks, nose, eyes, and even his lips. Her kisses are rapid and playful, causing Ethan to burst into laughter, squirming in Nia’s lap as he tries to fend her off.

Ethan (laughing uncontrollably): "Zara, stop! I can’t—"

But Zara doesn’t stop; she continues to shower him with kisses, her own laughter mingling with his. The other fairies chuckle at the sight, their hearts swelling with happiness at seeing Ethan so joyful and carefree again. The room is filled with warmth, the sound of laughter banishing the last remnants of their fears.

As Zara finally slows down, Ethan is left breathless from laughter, his face flushed with happiness. Nia, still holding him close, kisses his forehead once more.

Mira (chuckling): "You’re our little joy, Ethan. Never forget that."

And as Ethan snuggles back into Nia’s embrace, surrounded by the loving, smiling faces of the fairies, he feels safe, cherished, and deeply loved, unaware of how much he means to them all.

With a final stretch, Ethan climbs down from Nia's lap, his small feet touching the floor as he looks around the room. His eyes light up when he spots Varmora sitting nearby. Without hesitation, he rushes over to her.

Ethan: "Varmora!"

Varmora (smiling warmly, opening her arms wide to receive him): "Come, come, come..." (She scoops him up effortlessly, showering him with kisses) "**...Hmm... Look at you. So cute."**

Ethan (giggling): "**I don't know. It's like my other name now."**

Everyone in the room bursts into laughter, their earlier worries now a distant memory.

Varmora (grinning): "Oh, it is your other name. Now tell me, how much did you learn about Sylkim?"

Ethan (earnestly): "Oh... I know how it works, how it flies, and some of its functions. But I still don’t know everything about it."

Varmora: "That’s alright. Zara will teach you the rest."

Zara (playfully teasing): "If he doesn’t fall asleep again."

Ethan (pouting slightly, his voice carrying a hint of frustration): "I don’t know how I slipped away. I usually don’t."

Sylph (reassuring him with a warm smile): "It's okay, Firefly. You’re small now. You need your rest. We wouldn’t mind if you slept for a whole day."

Tara: "Yes, but we would miss your sweet and cute talks."

Ethan (with a determined look): "I can’t sleep all day. I’ve got too much to do, you know."

Aria (teasing him with a playful wink): "Like sleeping during Zara’s lectures..."

Everyone laughs again, the atmosphere becoming even more light-hearted and playful.

Suddenly, Ethan’s eyes light up with excitement as he remembers something.

Ethan: "Hey, when are we going to Yadgir? We have Sylkim now!"

Lira (ruffling his hair affectionately): "Soon, champ. Once we check everything is okay and ready. And once we make sure that you’re ready to go."

Ethan (eagerly): "I am ready to go."

Flora (smiling but firm): "Oh, really? You are going through a training, little one."

Ethan (protesting softly): "But Flora..."

Flora (cutting him off gently): "No buts. Luna, Zara, and Mira will train you. Nia, Elara, Sylph, and I will check your physical condition from time to time."

Ethan (pouting as he settles back into Varmora’s lap): "But I’m okay."

Luna (softly, with a gentle smile): "Yes, you are. But you don’t know what the conditions are like on Yadgir. Your little body may not adjust easily. We want to make sure you stay safe and well there."

Elara (adding with a reassuring tone): "And for that, we’ve decided that you need some training first."

Ethan (still pouting, snuggled in Varmora’s lap): "Training? ...Nooo..."

Varmora (cupping his small pouty face, her voice tender and loving): "Don’t be sad, sweetie. It’s for your own good. We know what’s out there and how dangerous it can be. We just want to make sure you’re properly trained if anything happens."

Ethan (still pouting slightly): "But Varmora... I’m ready. I don’t want to spend more time training."

Varmora (whispering to him with a conspiratorial smile): "I know you’re ready. But you’re not prepared yet. The training will only take a few days, and then we’ll go to Yadgir. I promise." (She leans in closer, her voice dropping to a playful whisper) "And you know, none of them can deny my orders. I’ll make sure your training sessions are shorter and quicker."

Ethan (his pout fading as he giggles, whispering back): "Really?"

Varmora (nodding with a smile): "Now, let me see that cute smile of yours..."

Ethan grins up at her, his earlier frustration melting away.

Ethan (smiling brightly): "Okay, I’m ready for training!"