As the Sylkim descended toward the ruined Observatory, Atheria and Vyrella were already locked in their playful yet intense argument.

Atheria (firmly, crossing her arms): "Oh no, Vy. Don’t even think about it. I’m taking him first!"

Vyrella (smirking): "Of course not! You were the one who got visited him first, so now it’s my turn. I’m taking him first."

Atheria (offended): "What? It was you who visited them last! It’s only fair I get to hold him now."

Vyrella and Atheria (at the same time, pointing at each other): "Me! Me! Me! Me! Meeee! Never! It’ll be me Me! Me! Me! Me!!"

Atheria (suddenly, her face lighting up with an idea): "Okay, wait. I have a plan! Whoever’s name Ethan calls first gets to hold him first. Deal?"

Vyrella (nodding quickly, confidence gleaming): "Deal. He’ll call my name first!"

Atheria (raising a brow): "Oh, really? Why’s that? Remember, last time you scared him."

Vyrella (gasps dramatically, putting a hand to her chest): "Excuse me! I didn’t pick a book with the name of our enemy on it last time!"

Atheria (rolling her eyes): "Ugh! Not the book thing again!"

As they continued their playful bickering, the Sylkim touched down softly on the ground, its door hissing open. The fairies slowly deboarded, one by one, deliberately staying behind so that Atheria and Vyrella could have their moment with Ethan. They all knew how much it meant to the two fairies to see Ethan again, so they waited quietly, smiling to themselves, watching the scene unfold from a distance.

From afar, Atheria and Vyrella could barely contain themselves, their hearts practically racing as they saw Ethan, emerge from the Sylkim. Their faces, previously filled with playful competitiveness, instantly softened, tears welling up in their eyes.

Vyrella (sniffling, blinking rapidly): "Aeth, why am I crying...?"

Atheria (wiping a tear, her voice breaking): "Vy, why am I crying...?"

As soon as Ethan waved his little hand toward them, both of their faces lit up with pure joy. They were crying, yes, but they were also beaming with excitement, practically bursting with love. It was as if they didn’t know what to do with themselves, their expressions a jumble of emotions—joy, relief, excitement, and anticipation all rolled into one.

Atheria (whispering, almost pleading): "Please... say my name..."

Vyrella (desperately): "No! Mine!"

Aria : "Go, Flash. We want you to go first. Make them happy. Go on."

Ethan wasted no time, his small feet hitting the ground as he took off running toward Atheria and Vyrella, calling out to them.

Ethan (with a grin): "Atheria! Vyrella!"

And just like that, Atheria’s face lit up brighter than a thousand suns. She didn’t even wait—she shot up from where she stood, her arms outstretched.

Atheria (practically squealing): "Ohhhh YESSS! Come, come, come, come, come!"

She scooped him up into her arms, lifting him easily as if he weighed nothing, holding him tight against her chest, her whole body trembling with emotion.

Atheria (her voice shaky as tears of joy streamed down her face): "Oh, Ethan... Ethan... I really wanted to hold you... I’ve missed you so much..."

She buried her face into his hair, holding him close, as if letting go wasn’t an option.

Vyrella, standing, had a brief moment where she could have teased Atheria for winning their little contest, but watching Atheria cradle Ethan like he was her entire world made her heart swell instead. Without a second thought, she knelt beside them, wrapping both Ethan and Atheria in a warm embrace, tears in her own eyes.

Vyrella (softly, her voice full of love): "I missed you too, Ethan..."

She leaned her head against Atheria’s, the three of them caught in a tender moment, a bundle of love, warmth, and relief. The playful competition was long forgotten, replaced by the simple joy of being together again.

Atheria's tears streamed down uncontrollably as she held Ethan close, her emotions spilling over.

Atheria (her voice trembling with love): "Ohh... Ethan... You have no idea what you did to us... We missed you sooooo much..."

Ethan, sensing her overwhelming emotions, gently pulled back from her embrace, his small hands lifting to cup her tear-streaked face. He looked at her with wide, innocent eyes full of concern.

Ethan (softly): "Atheria... don’t cry. I want you to be happy. And you too, Vyrella."

The moment he said her name, Vyrella couldn’t hold back anymore. She reached out, taking him from Atheria and pulling him into her arms, hugging him tightly to her chest, as if she could protect him from everything in the world just by holding him.

Vyrella (sobbing, her voice cracking): "Oh... Ethan... Ethan... I’ve waited so long to hold you... Please, just let me hold you... let me..."

Ethan, feeling the depth of her emotions, wrapped his small arms around her neck, squeezing her tightly.

Ethan (his voice soft, yet strong): "I’m here, Vyrella. Please don’t cry..."

Atheria, wiping at her own tears, tried to smile through the overwhelming flood of emotions. She let out a shaky breath, her voice breaking between sobs and laughter.

Atheria (crying and smiling at the same time): "How can we stop crying, Ethan? Do you have any idea... how long we’ve waited for this?!"

Ethan reached out a tiny hand toward her, his face full of concern for the two fairies who were usually so full of strength.

Ethan (his voice gentle, pleading): "Atheriaaa... please don’t cry. I’m sorry."

Vyrella (her voice tender, but still trembling as she held him tighter): "Promise me, Ethan... promise me you’ll stay with us now..."

Ethan, seeing the pain in her eyes, wiped the tears from her cheeks with his small hands, his heart aching for them.

Ethan (nodding, his sweet voice full of sincerity): "I promise. Now stop crying. I want you both to be happy and smiling."

Vyrella let out a breathy laugh, pulling him into another tight hug, her sobs softening as she pressed her cheek against his small head.

Vyrella (her voice thick with emotion): "You’re still the same... so kind and humble..."

They both held him close for a long, quiet moment, their tears mingling with laughter, hearts swelling with love. It felt as if time had paused, allowing them to savor this moment of reunion and relief. Their tears didn’t stop, but neither did their love for Ethan, which only seemed to grow stronger.

Tara (calling out playfully): "Hey, we’re still here, you know! We came all this way to see you too!"

Both Atheria and Vyrella looked up, their faces still wet with tears but now smiling. They saw the rest of the group standing nearby, watching them with warm, knowing smiles.

Vyrella (smirking, though her voice was still thick with emotion): "Make yourselves comfortable. We need about an Eru with our little Viking."

Atheria (laughing through her tears): "Yeah, just go on inside. Let us alone with him!"

Their teasing brought laughter to the whole group, and everyone began moving toward them, the tension easing with each shared smile.

Atheria and Vyrella, still holding Ethan between them, stood up. Vyrella kept Ethan in her arms, though she held him a little less tightly now, her heart finally at ease.

Atheria (sobbing, but smiling through it): "I... I don’t even have words to say..."

Mira (softly, with a loving smile): "You don’t need words... just hug it out."

One by one, the other fairies came forward, enveloping Atheria, Vyrella, and Ethan in their embrace. It was a moment of unity, love, and shared relief, as all the fairies took turns hugging them. The warmth in the air seemed to melt away all the pain of separation.

Finally, as the group stood together, Atheria and Vyrella's eyes fell on Varnora, their Phinix. Without hesitation, both fairies knelt before her, their heads bowed in respect.

Atheria (her voice clear, though still tinged with emotion): "Phinix, Cleps Guardian Atheria."

Vyrella (bowing her head): "Phinix, MOS monitor Vyrella."

Varnora, ever wise and graceful, smiled softly at them, her eyes filled with love. She nodded in acknowledgment of their respect, her voice gentle and reassuring.

Varnora (her voice calm, warm): "Stand up, my children. Let us go inside."

As they all stepped inside the Observatory, the sight of its devastation struck Ethan harder than the others. The once-grand structure, now crumbling and battered, was a shadow of what it once had been. The fairies had seen this destruction before, but to Ethan, it was all new and overwhelming. His young face contorted in shock as he took in the broken pillars, shattered windows, and debris littering the floor.

Ethan (eyes wide, his voice filled with disbelief): "You stay here? This is... this is so bad."

Atheria, still holding him securely in her arms, sighed softly.

Atheria (gently): "Yes. We have no other place to go."

Vyrella leaned closer, her expression soft but determined.

Vyrella: "Plus, we keep an eye on our enemy from here. It’s the only way."

Aria joined in with a smile, looking affectionately at the pair.

Aria (teasing slightly): "You two are doing so much for us... but Aeth, you and Vyrella need to rest. Look at you both."

Atheria shook her head, smiling warmly at Ethan as if nothing in the world could pull her away from him.

Atheria (firmly, but lovingly): "No, it's fine. We don’t want to miss even a single second with Ethan now. Rest can wait."

Vyrella (smiling as she kissed Ethan’s cheek): "Yeah, I want to hear about every single bit of mischief you got into at the Arcanæum."

Ethan chuckled, his small body snuggling into Vyrella’s comforting embrace.

Ethan (grinning): "I’m here! Until the Dyfost gets repaired, we’ll have plenty of time."

Flora: "Right, but look at the two of you. I bet you haven’t slept for at least three Eru."

Ethan (his voice rising in shock, his eyes wide again): "Three Eru?! You haven’t slept in three Eru?!"

Atheria’s heart swelled at the sight of his cute, surprised expression, and she couldn’t resist leaning down and planting a big kiss on his cheek.

Atheria (laughing softly): "Mwah! You look so adorable when you’re shocked."

Ethan looked at her in disbelief, his mouth open as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Ethan (earnestly): *"Atheria, really? Three Eru?"

Vyrella (smiling): "We’re light-blessed, Ethan. We can go as long as we need without rest. You don’t need to worry."

Ethan (his voice full of concern, shaking his head): "How can’t I worry? No, no... you two are going to eat a lot first, and then rest."

Vyrella (holding him tighter, her voice soft and full of love): "Ethan, it’s alright. Just seeing you... we’re more than fine."

Ethan looked up at her with those wide, determined eyes, his little brow furrowing.

Ethan (pleading): "No. I want you two to have proper rest. Please... for me."

Mira (giving Atheria a warm, reassuring look): "Aeth, listen to him. Take some rest."

Sylph (smirking slightly): "Ethan’s right. A little rest won’t hurt, and we’re here now. We can take over."

Lira (with authority, yet a playful edge): "Both you! Take some rest. That’s an order."

Atheria and Vyrella exchanged glances, the pleading looks from Ethan and the others finally breaking their resolve. They both sighed in defeat, but with love in their eyes.

Vyrella (grinning): "Okay... okay. You win."

With that, Flora brought out food for both of them, and Atheria and Vyrella sat down to eat. Their exhaustion was evident, but as they began eating, it was clear how long it had been since their last meal. They devoured the food eagerly, like they hadn’t eaten in days.

Vyrella (moaning with delight): "Lori... I mean Flora... your magic hasn’t changed a bit. This is so delicious."

Atheria (playfully, while chewing): "I can’t even appreciate it right now... I don’t want to be disturbed while I eat this amazing food. Praise will come later!"

The group burst into laughter, their spirits lifted by the playful banter, and even Atheria and Vyrella seemed to brighten up as they finished their meal.

After some time, with the food gone and their energy replenished, the two fairies were lovingly, yet firmly, guided to rest. Though they protested at first, they eventually gave in, lying down together.

Tara (watching them fondly): "They deserve this... they’ve been helping us so much."

Elara (nodding, her voice soft with affection): "Yes. It’s the least we can do for them."

As both Atheria and Vyrella slumbered in much-needed rest, Zara carefully monitored the still-functioning Cosmic Ranger, a complex machine designed to detect even the smallest movements across galaxies. She sat next to Lira and Varmora, the room illuminated by the soft hum of the machines.

Lira leaned forward, her brow furrowed. “Switch to Midfold,” she said, her tone firm. “*Let’s see what’s causing neshis to break through.”

Zara nodded, her fingers deftly working over the console. The projection flickered as it zoomed into Midfold’s coordinates, revealing a vast cosmic map of stars and planets.

“Everything seems the same as before,” Zara reported. “*No shifts, no unusual energy readings.”

Lira’s gaze remained fixed on the screen, her lips pressed into a thin line. “*Then what? .....And what about Ark?”

With another swift motion, Zara shifted the map towards Zovrath’s Ark, the massive celestial object that had been inching toward Midfold.

“It’s still moving,” Zara said, her voice tinged with worry. *“It’s heading straight for Midfold. It should arrive in two and a half cycles.”

“That’s worse than I thought,” Lira muttered, her hand unconsciously clenching into a fist. She turned to Varmora, *“Phinix, what’s your command? We could use your guidance.”

Varmora remained quiet for a moment, her eyes narrowing in thought. When she finally spoke, her voice was grave. *“When neshis killed me on Midfold, a part of its barrier weakened. The Midfold’s strength comes from all Phinixes. We made it for Deana. And with me here, away from Valfala, Midfold grows weaker.”

Zara’s face turned. “*But we can’t lose you! Without you, we can’t fight nemesis. We need your strength, Phinix.”

Varmora’s wings shifted uneasily. “I know. That’s what weighs heavy on my mind. I cannot return to Valfala, but I cannot watch as Midfold falls. And now, with the Codex inside Ethan, the situation becomes dire. My command now is to protect our Savior, Kanthia.” Her voice softened. *“Do whatever it takes to protect him.”

Lira's expression hardened. *“We will protect him, Phinix. He’s safe with us.”

Varmora offered a solemn nod before turning away, her heavy footsteps echoing through the observatory as she walked off into the distance. As soon as she was out of earshot, Zara leaned closer to Lira, her voice hushed.

“I don’t trust her,” Zara said, her tone tinged with suspicion. *“She’s growing more distant every day. I can’t shake the feeling that she’s hiding something.”

Lira’s eyes flicked to the ground, as if weighing her words. *“Rynous told me she’s after the Codex.”

Zara’s eyes widened, her shock barely contained. *“What?! Ethan?!”

Lira nodded grimly. *“Yes. She wants the Codex inside him.”

Zara felt a chill race down her spine. *“If she’s after it, then Ethan’s in danger. We need to keep him away from her.”

Lira shook her head, her voice resolute. “*No. If we act suspicious, she’ll know we’re onto her. We have to play this carefully. Act normal.”

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Just then, Sylph burst into the room, her laughter echoing through the observatory. “You should’ve seen Ethan’s face! He’s bouncing around like he can’t even stay still for a second!” She grinned but quickly noticed the serious expressions on Zara and Lira's faces. Her smile faded.

Lira’s voice was urgent. *“Who’s with Ethan right now?”

Sylph immediately straightened, her playful demeanor vanishing in an instant. “*Mislyra and Rynous. Why?”

Zara’s voice was low, tense. *“Phinix is after the Codex. She wants to rip it out of Ethan.”

Sylph’s playful energy vanished, her face twisting into rage. Her eyes igniting with small sparks of flame. “*Ethan? I’ll burn her before she even breathes near him.”

Lira reached out. “*No. We can’t let her know we’re onto her. We need to act normal. Go tell the others, quietly. If Varmora is ever near Ethan, at least one of us must be there too.”

Sylph’s eyes blazed, but she nodded, vanishing in a flash of fiery light to warn the others. Lira and Zara exchanged a glance, their silent understanding clear.

Zara leaned back, her voice a whisper. *“We’ll overcome this. We always do.”

Lira nodded, her gaze focused ahead, the weight of leadership heavy on her shoulders. "We must. For Ethan, and for all of us.*

Ethan squirmed slightly in Flora’s lap, his eyes wide with excitement, his hands gesturing toward the broken machines and screens scattered around them. *"Floraaaa... I’m full! I want to go see everything here... I’ll eat later!"

Flora, however, wasn't having it. With a gentle but firm tug, she pulled him closer into her lap, enveloping him in her soft warmth. "Nope. You sit right here," she said, her voice light yet unwavering. *"And eat."

Ethan pouted, his tiny hands clutching at Flora’s arm, trying to wiggle free. “Floraaaa…” he whined, drawing out the last syllable.

But Flora wasn’t budging. With one hand, she grabbed the spoon, the other still holding him securely. “Open wide,” she cooed, gently placing the spoonful of food in front of his lips.

Reluctantly, Ethan took the bite, his eyes still glancing longingly toward the machines. But the delicious food quickly won him over, and he couldn’t help but smile as he chewed. “You always make me eat,” he mumbled through a mouthful, his cheeks puffed out.

Flora leaned down and kissed his puffed cheek, her lips lingering just long enough to make him blush. “Because I know what’s best for you,” she said softly, her voice filled with affection. *“Now be my sweet, good flower and finish your meal. Then you can hop around as much as you like.”

Defeated by Flora's overwhelming love and the comfort of her embrace, Ethan leaned into her chest, feeling the rise and fall of her breath against him. “Okay,” he sighed, giving in as he took another bite. His tone softened, a mix of curiosity and trust. *“You know, Flora…”

Flora hummed, wiping a small bit of food from his lips with the corner of her sleeve. *“Hmm?”

*“Varmora said she’s going to show me a big, huge machine.”

At the mention of Varmora, Flora’s playful demeanor shifted ever so slightly. Her smile didn’t falter, but there was a new sharpness in her eyes, a flash of protective instinct. She placed another spoonful in his mouth, her voice still soft but now serious beneath the surface. *“Which machine, sweet flower?”

Ethan swallowed and shrugged innocently. *“I don’t know. She said it’s outside the observatory.”

Flora’s hand paused as she gently wiped his lips again. Her voice remained calm, but it held an edge now. “*Outside where? Did she tell you?”

Ethan shook his head. “*She said it’s a surprise.”

Flora’s heart thudded in her chest, her instincts flaring. She knew Varmora was after something, something more than just showing Ethan a machine. But she had to tread carefully, for Ethan’s sake. She took a deep breath, steadying herself.

“Ethan,” she said quietly, tilting his chin up so he looked directly into her eyes, *“listen to me very carefully. If Phinix tries to do anything else, anything other than just showing you that machine, you say no. Do you understand?”

Ethan blinked, confusion flickering across his face. *“What? Why? She loves me, Flora, just like you all do.”

Flora’s grip tightened slightly, her voice firm but still gentle. *“Ethan! Just listen to me. You mustn’t do anything else for her if she asks. Promise me.”

Ethan frowned, his gaze searching Flora’s eyes. He could see something there—something deeper, something that made his heart flutter with worry. *“But Flora, why—?”

“Ethan!” Her voice cracked, soft but urgent. *“For once, just do what I say. Promise me you won’t do anything else for her. Please.”

Ethan’s breath caught as he saw the intensity in Flora’s eyes, the deep concern and love she held for him. He sighed, his tiny hand reaching up to hold hers. “Okay,” he whispered. *“I promise.”

Without another word, Flora pulled him into her arms, cradling him close to her chest. She pressed her lips to his head, whispering softly, *“I can’t lose you too.”

Ethan melted into her embrace, feeling the weight of her love and the heaviness of something he couldn’t yet understand.

After feeding him a bit more, Flora finally let Ethan explore the surroundings. His face lit up, the earlier tension forgotten as he darted toward the broken machines and computers. He inspected everything with wide-eyed wonder, his love for science drawing him into every shattered piece of technology, curiosity bubbling inside him.

Meanwhile, Flora made her way to Elara and Lira, her face serious as she relayed what Ethan had told her.

Lira immediately tensed, her eyes narrowing**. “What? Where exactly?”*

Flora shook her head, her voice tight with worry. “*He doesn’t know. She didn’t give him specifics, just said it’s a surprise.”

Elara’s expression darkened, her usually calm demeanor now tinged with concern. *“Should we let her take him? I don’t trust her anymore.”

Lira crossed her arms, her tone cold and decisive. *“Neither can I. But if we act too quickly, she’ll know we’re onto her. We can’t tip our hand yet.”

Elara nodded slowly, though her worry was still palpable. “*So, we let her take him and just keep an eye on her?”

Lira’s jaw clenched. *“Yes. We play along, but we stay close. One of us will always be with them. If she tries anything, we intervene.”

Varmora approached Zara, her presence commanding yet subtle, her voice a mixture of softness and authority as she spoke. "**Amiraha."**

Zara, who had been focused intently on the broken console in front of her, turned to face Varmora, her hands momentarily pausing in their work. "Phinix," she acknowledged, her tone calm and respectful.

Varmora's gaze didn’t waver as she got straight to the point. "**Are we ready to repair Dyfost? Do we have enough data on its condition?"**

Zara nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yes, Phinix. The core of Dyfost is stable, intact. But the spacebridge... it’s severely damaged." She gestured to the broken console. "It's not just the bridge either. The peripheral systems are in disrepair, and we’ll need—"

Varmora, ever precise, cut in. "**How much time do we need to repair it?"**

"At least 89 phls," Zara replied, tapping a few keys on the console. "That’s with all of us working together."

Varmora’s eyes narrowed in thought. After a moment, she gave a curt nod. "Hmm... Get to work, Erudite. There's much to be done."

Zara gave a sharp nod in return. "Right, Phinix. I’ll take Vyrella, Elysia, Cirnyx, and Ethan to Dyfost. They’ll be useful in getting the systems back online."

Varmora’s brow arched slightly at the mention of Ethan, her sharp gaze softening just a fraction. "Ethan? Will he be safe there?"

Zara’s lips quirked into a confident smile. "We’ll take care of him. Besides, his mind is invaluable in this. He has a knack for making sense of these systems that he designed himself once. His input will make the work easier."

For a moment, Varmora paused, her expression unreadable. But then, her lips curved into a smile, albeit one tinged with something unreadable. "Alright. Take him with you. Just make sure he’s safe."

Zara nodded once more, her expression resolute. "Of course, Phinix. We’ll protect him."

With that, Varmora gave one final look before turning on her heel, disappearing into the corridors, leaving Zara to return to her work.

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

Luna stood tall, her eyes flicking between Vyrella and Atheria, trying to absorb the weight of what had just been shared. "Yes! Phinix," she said, voice tense with disbelief. "Even we can’t believe it."

Tara stepped forward, her eyes shadowed with concern as she recounted what she had seen. "I saw it with my own eyes. Phinix... she was doing something on his chest. Ethan looked... lifeless for a moment. His chest was glowing, and so was Phinix’s hand." Her voice quivered, the memory still fresh and unsettling.

Atheria, visibly distressed, shook her head in denial. "She is Phinix we’re talking about. The Phinix! The most powerful among us... they are Auls of Prime Xanthia!" Her voice was filled with reverence, but the doubt was creeping in.

Luna huffed, crossing her arms. "**Yeah, we all know. Thanks for the history lesson,"** she said, not hiding her irritation.

Vyrella, who had been silently absorbing the conversation, finally spoke, her voice shaking. "I... I can’t believe this. What does she want from him?"

Nia leaned in, her expression dark. "It’s likely the Codex. When Rynous asked her about it, she dodged the question and got angry. And we all know how Rynous is with interrogations... If anyone could crack her, it’s her."

Vyrella's eyes widened in disbelief. "Codex? It’s... in him?" Her voice broke, the shock hitting her like a wave.

Mira nodded solemnly. "Yes. It's inside Ethan. We were just as shocked when Phinix told us."

Atheria’s voice trembled, panic rising in her chest. "No... No... No... This is bad. This is so bad. This….This is…. We can't lose him. I can't lose him."

Luna immediately moved to her side, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hey... Aeth... Calm down. We need to brace ourselves. We can’t afford to lose our focus now."

Vyrella, meanwhile, couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. She sobbed as she pressed her face into Nia’s comforting shoulder. "Noo..no..no..I...I can't see him die, Caly. I can’t lose him."

Nia stroked her back gently, whispering soothingly**. "Vy... You have to stay strong. We’re going to save him. Don’t cry now. We need your strength."**

Mira stepped forward, taking on a more authoritative tone. "**Atheria, Vyrella, listen carefully. Aarthel wants you two need to stay close to Ethan and act as if nothing’s wrong. You’re seeing him after so long—Phinix will think you're simply eager to spend time with him. If you stay by his side, all the time, she won’t suspect a thing."**

Both Atheria and Vyrella wiped their tears, nodding in silent agreement. Atheria’s voice was resolute. "We will. We will protect him."

Vyrella, her fists clenched at her sides, echoed the sentiment. "We promise."

Nia smiled softly. "We don’t need a promise. We know you’ll protect him with everything you have."

Luna, her voice now firm and determined, stepped into the center of the group. "It’s time to be the Guardians again. It’s time to be Saviors."

But it wasn't long, that they were attacked by Volvyl. The once serene observatory was now filled with the chaotic sounds of rapid-fire bullets and panicked voices. Nia, Vyrella, Luna, Mira, and Atheria exchanged tense glances as they rushed toward the main hall, the source of the unrelenting gunfire.

Nia's voice was shaky but sharp. "What’s that?"

Vyrella, her eyes wide in shock, responded, "Is that... gunfire?"

Luna, always quick on her feet, barked, *"We’re under attack. Find Ethan. Now."

They sprinted through the halls, bursting into the main chamber where chaos reigned. The Volvyl was a terror, its weaponized tail raining down red bullets on the unarmed fairies. Elara, Sylph, Aria, and Flora were huddled behind whatever cover they could find, the sound of metal ricocheting off the walls deafening.

Luna, with her usual grace, slid into position beside Sylph, focused. "What’s the situation?"

Sylph, keeping her head low, spoke urgently. "It’s a Volvyl, but this one’s armed! We can’t even get a hit in. It’s not stopping the fire."

Luna’s eyes darted to Flora, who was looking frazzled**. "Lorieyna! Use your power!"**

Flora, her face pale with frustration, shook her head. "I can’t! This place is barren. There’s nothing for me to work with!"

Luna turned to Aria, her voice tight with urgency. "Lys! What about you?"

"I’ve tried!" Aria yelled back. "The weapon is secured to its tail. I can’t detach it. But I’ll keep trying!"

Without hesitation, Aria zipped through the hailstorm of bullets, her speed rendering the projectiles almost motionless to her eyes. She danced around them effortlessly but cursed under her breath as she reached the Volvyl’s tail. The gun was too securely fastened; it wasn’t going to budge. After another failed attempt, she zipped back to cover.

Sylph’s worry was evident as she called out, "Where’s Ethan?"

Luna’s heart sank. "I thought he was with you."

Both of them said in unison, dread washing over their faces: "Varmora."

Before they could react, Lira stormed into the hall, her presence immediately shifting the atmosphere. Her unbreakable skin gleamed as the relentless fire pelted her, but she remained unfazed. Stepping directly into the line of fire, she advanced on the Volvyl. The red bullets bounced off her like pebbles, and she reached up, grabbing the Volvyl by its neck. With a crushing grip, she slammed it to the ground, her strength undeniable. One punch, and the Volvyl was finished.

Lira stood over its lifeless body, breathing heavily. "You piece of filth," she muttered, delivering one final punch for good measure.

The others rushed toward Lira, panic still gripping them.

"Where’s Ethan?" Lira asked, her voice serious.

Everyone looked at each other, shaking their heads. No one knew. Without wasting another second, they sprinted outside the observatory, their hearts pounding in their chests.

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

Outside the observatory, Ethan sat with Varmora, his innocent eyes shining with excitement as he chattered away. "And you know, Zara showed me the telescope. It’s so big!"

Varmora smiled down at him, her eyes soft despite the looming threat. "Oh? And what else did you see?"

Ethan, now more animated, continued, "She also showed me the Cosmic Ranger! It’s broken, but it’s still awesome. It can detect the slightest heat change in the galaxy!"

Varmora chuckled softly, stroking his hair. "You really are a science nerd, aren’t you?"

Ethan grinned, opening his mouth to say more—when the second Volvyl appeared from nowhere, launching a brutal attack. It opened fire, its red bullets raining down on both Ethan and Varmora.

The sudden danger spiked the air with panic. Inside the observatory, the fairies saw what was happening, their eyes wide with horror as they spotted Ethan and Varmora under fire.

"ETHAN!" Aria screamed, her heart leaping into her throat as she zipped at breakneck speed toward him.

But before she could reach them, Varmora—her hands glowing with the power she wielded—clenched her fist. The Volvyl screeched as it was crushed mid-air by an unseen force, crumpling to the ground in a heap.

Aria skidded to a halt, immediately sweeping Ethan into her arms. Her hands trembled as she checked every inch of him. "You okay, Ethan? You’re okay, right?"

Terrified, Ethan clung to Aria, his small frame shaking. "Aria... what was that?" His voice was laced with fear, his hands gripping her tightly as he buried his face into her embrace.

Aria held him even tighter, her voice soothing. "Shh, it’s okay. I’ve got you."

Varmora, still standing in the aftermath, her expression filled with concern, stepped closer. "Ethan, are you alright?"

Aria, glancing back at Varmora, nodded. "He’s alright, Phinix. You saved him. Thank you"

Just then, the rest of the fairies arrived, their eyes wild with worry. Seeing Ethan unharmed, albeit terrified, they all visibly relaxed, letting out breaths they didn’t realize they’d been holding.

Nia was the first to speak. "Thank the stars... he’s okay." She sighed in relief, while Vyrella gently stroked Ethan’s hair, reassuring him.

Lira glanced at Varmora, a mix of gratitude and wariness in her eyes. "You saved him."

Varmora, her voice calm but protective, nodded. "He’s safe. That’s all that matters."

Flora cradled Ethan in her arms, his small body trembling against her, she softly whispered into his ear, "**Shhh, it's okay, baby. You're safe now... nothing's going to hurt you."** Her maternal warmth seeped through as Ethan buried his face deeper into her chest, his tiny arms gripping her tightly, as if letting go would bring the danger back. Flora’s heartbeat, calm and steady, began to soothe him, her gentle strokes over his back easing his fear.

Ethan, still shaking slightly, whispered back, his voice barely audible, "Flora... it was so scary." He clung to her even tighter, seeking refuge from the memory of the sudden attack.

Flora kissed the top of his head, rubbing his back slowly. "I know, baby. But it's all over now. You're safe, and nothing will ever hurt you while I’m around. Just focus on me, okay?" Her touch and words worked their magic, calming him with every stroke.

When Tara and Zara rushed up, their eyes immediately darted to Ethan.

"Is he okay?" Tara asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Elara, standing nearby, gave a nod. "He got scared, but he’s fine. Thanks to Varmora."

Zara let out a sigh of relief, a hand on her chest. "Thank the stars... I feared the worst."

The group turned to Varmora, who stood with a calm yet resolute demeanor, her eyes focused on Ethan before glancing at the fairies who had surrounded them.

Lira, the ever-grateful, stepped forward. "Thank you, Phinix. We truly owe you for saving him."

Varmora waved off the thanks, her tone gentle but firm. "No, Kanthia. I care for Ethan just as much as you all do. His protection is my responsibility too." Her eyes softened as she added, "No thanks needed."

Elara, always the mediator, still smiled with deep gratitude. "**But still, Phinix... thank you."**

Varmora responded with a warm smile, placing a comforting hand on Elara’s shoulder. "Anything for our savior."

Meanwhile, Atheria broke the silence with a concerned voice, "But how did they find us? “

Zara’s sharp mind kicked into action. "Our reflectors. They are damaged. That’s how."

Vyrella frowned. "No, wait… they were fully functional when I checked them. They can’t be damaged."

Atheria quickly agreed, shaking her head. "Vy’s correct. We’ve been monitoring the reflectors. They’re the only systems we’re sure are still working perfectly. That's why we choose this observatory. No one could trace us here...."

Tara, stepping in with authority, shook her head. "No, we saw it. The reflectors were damaged."

A heavy silence hung in the air as they all exchanged uneasy glances. Something wasn’t right.

Lira finally cut through the tension. "Doesn't matter. Can they be repaired?"

Zara straightened up. "Yes, but it’ll take some time."

"**Then make it a priority,"** Lira ordered. "We can’t afford another attack. Flora, keep Ethan safe. Zara, Atheria, Vyrella—start working on the repairs immediately."

As the group moved into action, Flora, Nia, and Mira gently took Ethan back inside, their focus entirely on comforting the terrified boy. His small form seemed even smaller as he clung to Flora, whose protective aura surrounded him like an impenetrable shield.

Outside, Sylph’s voice echoed her growing concern. "Neshis won’t stop until every last one of us is gone... and now, with Ethan carrying the Codex…"

Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the thought. Luna, her usually calm and playful demeanor replaced by a worried frown, nodded in agreement. "We’ve been found twice now—first Ryznith, and now this. It’s as if he knows exactly where we are. All the time."

Tara's tone was grim, her sharp intellect putting the pieces together. "Mislyra is right. Something’s compromising our position, and it’s happening too often to be a coincidence. The reflectors weren’t damaged before we arrived here."

Elara folded her arms, her mind already analyzing. "That means Neshis’ tracking us now, after we reached this place. It doesn’t add up."

Sylph added quietly, "It could be a trap… maybe neshis wanted us all to gather here, knowing Ethan would be with us."

Lira, always a tactician, narrowed her eyes**. "It could be, Emberis. If this is a trap, we need to get ahead of it before we’re completely ensnared. We’ll stay low for now—no more major movements until the reflectors are back online. No more risks. We delay the repair of Dyfost until—"**

"No," Varmora interrupted, her voice sharp but quickly softening. "I mean, Kanthia. First, we repair the reflectors. Our safety is the priority. We stay low, secure our location. Her voice grew authoritative, shifting from suggestion to command. "**Our priority is safety. Set up detectors around the observatory. And from now on, Ethan stays inside at all times."**

Lira gave a firm nod in agreement. "Understood, Phinix. We’ll begin setting the detectors immediately."

As the group dispersed, the weight of their situation settled in.

The air hummed with tension as Zara meticulously examined the crushed reflectors. The delicate devices, once so vital for their protection, now lay in a mangled state. Her eyes narrowed, her mind piecing together fragments of a puzzle that didn’t quite fit.

Zara: "You both are certain these weren’t damaged before?" Her voice was low, but there was a sharp edge of suspicion.

Atheria: "I’m definite, Erudite. They were in perfect condition, fully functional. I checked them." Her tone was steady but uncertain.

Vyrella: "Yeah, I double-checked after you sent the trans-cons. There was nothing wrong with them."

Zara let out a slow breath, her fingers tracing the damaged edges of the reflector. "This isn’t an accident," she muttered, her eyes focused as if seeing more than the physical damage before her. "It’s deliberate."

Atheria: "Wait… you’re saying someone did this on purpose?" She stared at Zara in disbelief, her voice dropping.

Zara nodded, her thoughts aligning rapidly. "Look at these... crushed from all directions, like they were intentionally destroyed. And we’ve seen this before... Who else has the power to do this?"

Vyrella’s eyes widened, catching onto Zara’s train of thought. Her voice shook slightly as she whispered, "Phinix…"

Zara: "It’s possible," she agreed, her gaze not shifting from the reflector. "But we keep this between us for now. We need more proof. If Phinix is behind this, we need to know why. But first, let’s repair these reflectors. We can’t risk being exposed any longer."

Atheria and Vyrella exchanged a quick glance before nodding.

Atheria and Vyrella: "Yes, Erudite."

The three of them resumed their work, the silence heavy with the weight of suspicion.

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

Luna: "This can’t be a coincidence." She said while firing a detector device into the opposite corner. "It’s all lining up too neatly."

Sylph: "I know. I keep telling myself not to suspect Phinix, but..." She fired another detector, her aim perfect. Tara fired hers at the same time, both hitting the exact same spot. "Hey, that was my corner!" Sylph protested.

Tara raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on her lips. "What can I say? Some fairies just have better aim."

Sylph rolled her eyes. "Better aim, my flames."

Luna chuckled as she deployed another detector. "You two are seriously stilly fighting over that?"

Tara flicked her hair back dramatically, her voice dripping with mock grandeur. "It was Emberis who started it. I was simply doing my job. Some fairies get jealous when Ethan starts showing more interest in Arcane magic than lame flames…" She wiggled her fingers, creating a small geometric projection that hovered playfully over her hand.

Luna laughed, but Sylph shot a narrow-eyed look at Tara, clearly not letting it slide. "At least these ‘jealous’ fairies don’t have to warp reality just to catch Ethan’s attention."

Luna burst out laughing, remembering the incident that Sylph had brought up, one involving Tara’s overuse of illusions.

Tara shrugged, clearly unfazed. "That’s only because these 'jealous' fairies aren’t capable of warping reality. They just know how to make things burn when they get envious."

Sylph smirked, her tone fiery. "Oh really? Because in the end, it’s these 'jealous' fairies who have to swoop in and save the day when Arcane magic causes more chaos than it solves."

Luna was laughing so hard now that she nearly dropped her detector gun. She clutched her stomach, eyes flicking back and forth between the two, clearly enjoying the banter.

Tara stepped closer, her face inches from Sylph’s, voice lowering challengingly. "You want to settle this now, Emberis? Let’s see who’s the real Guardian."

Sylph didn’t back down, her eyes gleaming. "Bring it, Elysia. This time, I’m not falling for any of your illusion tricks."

Their faces were so close, the tension almost palpable as if they were about to duel on the spot.

Luna, still laughing, stepped between them, gently pushing them apart. "Stop it, you two! Or Ethan’s going to have to run from you both again!"