The once-grand Yadgir Observatory, the "Eye of the Universe," now lay in ruins. The planet Yadgir itself was a wasteland—buildings collapsed, telescopes shattered, and the once-proud observatory reduced to rubble. Zovrath’s attack had left the planet in tatters, and hulking Bithroxes, mindless creatures of destruction, still roamed the desolation. Though they had poor vision, their sheer strength made them deadly. For now, the observatory remained operational—barely—and it had avoided the Bithroxes' rampage for the time being.
Inside, the group of fairies gathered, along with Varmora and Ethan, trying to figure out their next move. Ethan, though usually full of energy and curiosity, sat curled in Vyrella's lap, seeking comfort. Vyrella held him close, her fingers brushing through his hair as he nestled into her warmth.
Atheria spoke first, her tone serious. “There are still some places on Yadgir where the Bithroxes haven’t reached. But I’m certain we’ll encounter them if we move into the Dyfost region.”
Luna leaned forward, thoughtful. “Then it would be better to do our repair work at night, under the cover of darkness.”
Mira nodded. “It seems like our only option.”
Zara, ever the strategist, frowned slightly. “But there's still one issue. Dyfost needs a cosmic beam to charge its core. That means we need daylight. We can repair most of it at night, but we’ll have to work in the day at some point.”
Lira crossed her arms, thinking aloud. “Can’t we make it work at night somehow?”
Zara shook her head, her certainty evident. “With Atheria’s cosmic powers if she can summon cosmic beam, but that won’t be sufficient. I’ve seen Dyfost in action before. It needs the cosmic beam for power. We’ll need three phls of daylight to fully charge the core. We’ll have to stay out of the Bithroxes’ sight for that long.”
Elara looked to Varmora, the leader of their efforts. “What do you say, Phinix? We’ll follow your lead.”
Varmora paused, her gaze sweeping over the group before resting on Ethan. “Do we need Ethan’s assistance while repairing?”
Zara hesitated, a rare moment of uncertainty for the Erudite. “Sometimes. There are parts of Dyfost that require his mind. He created those sections. And, as much as I hate to admit it, even I can’t fully understand them,” she said, her voice lowering, hinting at the weight of her self-expectations as an Erudite, supposed to be all-knowing.
At the mention of "he created them," Ethan stirred from his comfortable nest in Vyrella’s lap. He blinked up at her, confusion written on his small face. “When? I didn’t make anything… Did I, Vyrella?”
She gave him a soft, loving smile, leaning down to kiss his forehead. “Oh, sweet one, you’ve done so many wonderful things,” she said, poking his nose playfully, trying to steer his thoughts away from the confusion. “Like melting my heart with your sweetness.”
Ethan let out a little sigh, nestling deeper into her embrace. “Vyrella…” he murmured, his small voice tired but content as he relaxed fully against her.
Vyrella held him tighter, sharing a quiet glance with Nia, who sat beside her. Both fairies felt the same twinge of sadness for him, for all he had forgotten. Nia placed a gentle hand on Ethan’s back, her touch reassuring.
Varmora, sensing the moment, stepped in. “It’s alright, Zara,” she said to Zara. “No one can know everything. It’s okay to admit that, sometimes.”
Zara gave a slight nod, though her pride as an Erudite still weighed heavy on her shoulders.
Varmora then addressed the group, her voice steady and clear. “We’ll proceed with the repairs at night. You’ll lead the team. As for Ethan… he can stay here with me.”
The room grew tense after Varmora's declaration that Ethan would stay with her. Every fairy instinctively perked up, their thoughts racing back to the unsettling moment when Varmora had placed her glowing hand on Ethan’s chest. Though no one had voiced it yet, the mistrust hung heavy in the air. They couldn't allow him to be alone with her, not after what had happened.
Sylph, always quick to act on her emotions, blurted out, "No!"
The word hung in the air, echoing louder than intended. All eyes turned toward her, and she immediately tried to cover her tracks, aware of how suspicious her outburst must have seemed.
"I mean..." Sylph stammered, forcing a wide smile, "We... we’ll miss him! We can’t work as hard without him around to brighten our spirits!"
Nia quickly picked up on the attempt. "Exactly. I mean, we miss him even when he’s out of sight for just one phl. Imagine an entire night of work without him! It’s practically unbearable." She nodded vigorously, trying to mask her nervousness.
Aria, ever playful, put on a pouting face, adding, "He’s our little joy, Phinix. Without those sweet giggles and smiles... how will we stay motivated?"
Flora, ever the voice of reason but always protective, chimed in calmly, "They’re right. He’s become part of us. His presence makes everything better."
Varmora’s expression didn’t waver. Her tone, however, was firmer, colder than before. "So, you are disobeying my orders, then?" Her eyes scanned each fairy in the room, but it was Elara who spoke next.
"No, Phinix," Elara said cautiously, knowing full well the weight of her words. "I apologize for their behaviour." She turned to the other fairies, signalling them to stop, her heart heavy with the dilemma. "Ethan will stay with Phinix. That’s final." Elara’s voice, usually calm and reassuring, was tinged with an unusual conflict, torn between loyalty to the Phinix and her suspicions.
The room fell silent. Everyone turned to Ethan, who was nestled in Vyrella’s lap, his small figure nearly disappearing within her embrace. He could feel the tension, even if he didn’t understand the full scope of what was happening. From his perspective, the fairies didn’t want him out of sight, not because of the danger, but because they might grow bored or less motivated without him.
Every fairy silently willed Ethan to speak up, to ask to stay with them, to protect him from Varmora. The very thought of leaving him alone with her was unbearable.
After a pause, Ethan’s small, soft voice broke through the quiet, his head still nestled against Vyrella. "I want to be with them, too. I can’t sleep without Flora’s night shake. Without Sylph’s night jokes. Without Aria’s superfast kisses, without Mira’s hair... I need them all."
His words sent a wave of relief through the room. Vyrella squeezed him tighter, feeling a rush of gratitude and protection. The others, hearts swelling, silently celebrated his decision. They knew then that Varmora couldn’t take him.
Varmora, her expression neutral but with a slight edge, countered gently, "But, little one, they have work to do. You can’t even sleep out there, if you’re with them. I’ll take care of you here." Her voice was soft, almost coaxing, trying to weave a web of reassurance around him.
Ethan, however, was resolute. "But I love being with them. I need them."
Those words—"I need them,"—cut deep, sending another surge of love and relief through the fairies, nearly bringing some to tears. It was all they needed to hear, proof that he was still theirs.
Varmora's smile twitched ever so slightly. "Ethan, you love me too, right? You can sleep with me. I’ll keep you close, safe. Let them do their work." Her voice was almost too sweet, the kind of tone used to lull someone into agreement.
But Ethan’s loyalty to the fairies was unwavering. "No," he said with more determination, "I promised Atheria and Vyrella I’d be with them after I got here."
Varmora’s eyes flickered with something darker, something briefly unreadable, though her expression remained composed. Elara, sensing the tension rising, stepped in again, her voice filled with careful diplomacy.
"Phinix, with all due respect," Elara began, bowing her head slightly, "I think it’s important to listen to him. He’s been with us for so long, and we can care for him even while working. Trust me—when he was just a baby, we all stayed awake for him, through entire nights. He will be safe, and he will be happy with us."
Varmora paused. A long, tense silence filled the room as she weighed her options. Her plan was unraveling before her, but she was too shrewd to let her disappointment show. With a smile, soft and serene, she finally relented.
"Alright," Varmora said, her voice gentle, almost too agreeable. "Take him with you."
Everyone felt an overwhelming wave of relief, but it was short-lived as Varmora added, "But, Mystraylara and Kanthia, you will stay here with me. I can’t sleep alone." Her smile remained in place, as though everything was perfectly normal, though her gaze seemed to settle on Ethan for just a fraction too long.
Lira, sensing the awkwardness, broke the tension with a teasing tone, "With all due respect, Phinix... even you fear of something?"
Everyone chuckled, the fairies glad to have the heavy mood lifted, even if only slightly.
Varmora laughed along, though there was something unsettling beneath it. "Yes," she said lightly, "the fear of boredom, of course."
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The fairies laughed along with her, but the undercurrent of unease remained. Though Varmora's intentions were temporarily hidden, the fairies' suspicion of her had only deepened. They would stay vigilant, knowing that something was still amiss—Varmora’s intentions were far from innocent.
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As Tara and Sylph deployed the reflectors around the Dyfost, their playful banter and antics filled the air with laughter, even in the midst of the heavy task. The atmosphere was lighthearted, despite the complexity of their work. Sylph fiddled with one of the reflectors, focusing intently, but Tara’s sudden hand snatching it away threw her off balance.
Sylph (eyes narrowing playfully): “Really? Come on! Why do you always mess with my stuff, you Arcane Guardian?”
Tara (grinning, holding the reflector up like a prize): “Me? Mess with your stuff? Never, you jealous Guardian. These are just reflectors.”
Sylph (dramatically standing and puffing out her chest): “Activated by me, you witch Guardian!”
Tara (feigning offense, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm): “A witch Guardian? Oh, and what are you then? The burn-everything Guardian?”
Sylph (smirking, flipping her hair): “At least Ethan loves my flames and my warmth! I keep him safe and cozy. Not like you—always pushing him into one of your lame illusion tricks.”
Tara (mock-serious, crossing her arms): “Lame? Oh, he loves my illusion tricks more than your dull flames, and he’s always learning magic spells from me. Not like you, Miss Roast-Everything-for-Him, you jealous fairy.”
They both squared off, staring at each other with exaggerated intensity, neither blinking, their faces inches apart like they were about to duel. But then—
Sylph burst out laughing first, clutching her sides as Tara followed suit. The tension evaporated into peals of shared amusement.
Sylph (giggling): “It always reminds me of that time when Ethan saw us both together and just... ran the other way!”
Tara (wiping away a tear of laughter): “Oh gods, yes! And Elden couldn’t stop scolding us, asking whether we were his Guardians or his worst nightmares!”
Sylph (snorting, barely able to speak through her laughter): “Elden just... she couldn’t understand why he would bolt when the we two were together!”
Tara (laughing and shaking her head): “He knew better. Saw us and knew chaos was coming!”
But as the laughter faded, a soft wave of nostalgia washed over them. The memory of the past brought with it a certain bittersweetness, and their tones softened.
Sylph (voice turning quiet): “Oh... Elysia... I really miss those days. I miss him too... so much. I really want him back.”
Tara (nodding, her eyes distant with memories): “I miss him too... Emberis. I wish... I wish he could become the same again. I wish his memories would return…”
Sylph (heartfelt): “I want to hear him call me by my real name again. Just once... it’d make everything feel right.”
Tara (smiling softly, reminiscing): “And I’d give anything to hear, ‘Please, Elysia, make me this simulation,’ just one more time. I loved making those crazy projections of his wild machines and ideas. The look on his face when they came to life... oh, that smile of his... it made my heart skip every single time.”
There was a moment of silence between them as they both held onto their shared memories of Ethan, the boy they loved and protected. The air seemed to hum with their quiet wishes, their longing evident.
Then, as if to break the emotional mood, Sylph cleared her throat dramatically.
Sylph (smirking again): “...And, for the record, he definitely loves my flames more.”
Tara (rolling her eyes, but smiling): “You wish.”
They both chuckled softly, the emotional moment behind them, but their love for Ethan and their bond with each other even stronger. They continued their task with light hearts.
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Meanwhile, Mira and Luna continued their work clearing debris from the Dyfost, moving massive rocks with ease as they pondered Varmora’s intentions.
Mira (sanding down a large boulder with a casual wave of her hand): “Phinix is really onto something. Did you see how hard she tried to keep Ethan with her? She wasn’t even subtle.”
Luna (grunting as she pushed a heavy rock down the slope): “Oh, I noticed. But what puzzles me is... if she’s after the Codex, why did she save him from Volvyl in the first place? What’s her game?”
Mira (frowning, rubbing her chin thoughtfully): “Good point. Maybe she wanted to throw us off? Make us think she’s got no interest in the Codex or Ethan. But she’s desperate to get him alone. That much is clear.”
Luna (nodding, her tone dark): “Who knows what she’s plotting. But one thing’s for sure—we’re not letting Ethan out of our sight.”
Mira and Luna exchanged determined looks, their task of debris-clearing taking on a renewed sense of purpose.
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Vyrella and Atheria’s playful bickering filled the air, their voices animated as they tussled over who would get to keep Ethan by their side as he slept. Ethan, sitting on a railing that ran along the Spacebridge track, was thoroughly entertained. His little legs swung back and forth, his mischievous smile betraying how much he was enjoying the debate between the two fairies.
Vyrella, flipping her long silver hair with a smirk: "Aeth, just go. I’ve got this. Right, baby Ethan?" She leaned toward him, her voice dripping with playful possessiveness.
Atheria, crossing her arms and standing tall, scoffed: "Oh, please, Vyrella. Zara asked you to power up the Spacebridge. I’ll stay with him here." She turned to Ethan, giving him a loving smile. "Right, little muffin?"
Vyrella shot back, placing her hands on her hips: "Zara told me to take care of Ethan, thank you very much. Isn’t that right, my precious baby?"
Atheria narrowed her eyes, stepping closer: "Oh really? When? Because I distinctly remember her saying you needed to clean the Spacebridge and then power it up, not cuddle him."
As their banter escalated, Ethan, still sitting on the railing, stifled a laugh, his big eyes watching the drama unfold. Just then, Nia appeared. She walked past Atheria and Vyrella without even acknowledging their squabble. Her focus was solely on Ethan, who, the moment he saw her, stretched his arms out, his face lighting up like a little sun.
Nia, with her gentle, soothing voice: "Snow, baby..." She effortlessly scooped him up, cradling him against her chest as he giggled softly.
Ethan, sweetly: "Niaaa!" His small arms wrapped around her neck.
Nia, kissing his cheek with a soft, loving smack: "Aww, my sweet, adorable snowflake. Sleepy, hmm?" Her voice was full of warmth as she nuzzled him gently.
Ethan nodded, leaning his head against her, yawning, making Nia’s heart melt even more.
Nia: "Mmm, I’ll keep you warm and cozy, sweetheart. But first, a kiss..." She kissed his tiny lips once more, then began walking off with him securely in her arms, humming softly as she cradled him.
Atheria and Vyrella both blinked, watching in disbelief as Nia casually walked away with Ethan, leaving them standing there empty-handed.
Vyrella, exasperated: "Did she just...?"
Atheria, equally stunned: "Yes... and it's your fault."
Vyrella, whipping her head toward Atheria: "My fault? When?!"
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Meanwhile, on the other side of the Dyfost, Zara and Aria were hard at work, inspecting the machine’s inner workings. Zara was focused on taking notes on Prodge, while Aria adjusted panels, her mind clearly distracted.
Aria, glancing at Zara: "What do you think about Varmora?" She asked, her voice laced with concern as she tightened a bolt.
Zara didn’t look up**: "What do you mean? Which part of her?"**
Aria, sighing as she opened another panel for Zara to examine: "Her obsession with Ethan. Why does she suddenly need time alone with him? It's unsettling."
Zara, still scribbling: "I don't know." She shook her head. "But this one’s busted, it’ll need replacing."
Aria, her brow furrowed: "You know what bothers me even more?" She paused as Zara began checking the next component.
Zara, distracted: "What?"
Aria, her voice serious: "How long can we keep him away from her? We can’t hide him forever. And one day... we’re going to have to face her."
Zara stopped mid-check, her usually calm demeanour stiffening as she considered Aria’s words. She slowly looked up, meeting Aria’s eyes. "It worries me too. Even Kanthia's concerned. We're already down to... what? Twelve fairies left across all ten realms. And if Varmora becomes a real threat..."
Her voice trailed off as she returned to her work, not finishing the thought.
Aria, determination hardening her tone: "If she tries to harm him, I’ll run. I’ll take Ethan, and we’ll run as far as we have to."
Zara tested another part, this time with a flicker of hope in her voice: "This one’s still working." She then turned to Aria, her voice soft but firm. "We can’t run forever, Lys. We’ll have to face her... eventually."
Aria closed the panel, opening the next for Zara, her frustration barely contained: "We’ve been running for the last four cycles. Hiding. Avoiding conflict, just to keep him safe. But it’s like... trouble follows him wherever he go."
Zara smiled slightly, her voice calming. "But we’ve faced it all so far, haven’t we? And we’ll face whatever comes next, too."
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Nia and Flora sat together in the control chamber of the Dyfost, a sense of peace settling over them as they watched Ethan, who was nestled securely in Flora’s lap. Flora had made a cozy makeshift bed for him, but as usual, he preferred to sleep wrapped up in her warmth. Both Nia and Flora were grateful to have him safe in their care and away from Varmora.
Flora, cradling Ethan gently, her voice soft with affection: “I’m so happy you chose to stay with us, Flower. You don’t always know what’s going on, but somehow, you always seem to do exactly what we need.”
Ethan shifted in her lap, seeking more warmth and protection. His voice was low, barely above a whisper: “I... don’t trust Varmora…”
His quiet words sent a chill through Flora and Nia. They exchanged a worried glance, their smiles fading. Nia leaned in closer, her brow furrowed with concern.
Nia, her voice gentle but laced with worry: “What? Did she do something to you, Ethan?”
Ethan remained quiet, curling tighter against Flora, not wanting to speak. Flora’s heart sank as she felt his small body tremble slightly in her embrace. She bent down, trying to catch his eyes, her voice filled with love and concern.
Flora, softly: “Ethan... baby…” She lifted his chin gently, trying to get him to look at her. “Baby, look at me.”
Ethan finally peeked up at her, his eyes filled with a subtle but unmistakable fear. Flora’s heart ached at the sight of his usually bright, mischievous face now clouded by something darker.
Flora, her voice breaking a little: “Ethan… don’t be scared, my little flower. Please, tell me... did she do something to you?”
Ethan hesitated, his voice small and frightened: “She... she said... something’s inside me… and she wants it…”
At this, he buried himself deeper into Flora’s embrace, as if trying to hide from the memory. Flora and Nia shared another look—this time one of alarm. The pieces were falling into place. They both knew what Varmora was after: the Codex.
Nia, her voice gentle but urgent: “Ethan... did she hurt you? Did she mention the Codex?”
Ethan nodded slightly against Flora, and that was all the confirmation they needed. The Codex is within him, and Varmora, their once trusted God, would stop at nothing to take it—even if it meant hurting Ethan.
Flora's expression hardened, though her voice remained tender for Ethan: “Caly, go. Tell the others. We can’t trust her anymore.”
Without wasting a second, Nia stood and rushed out of the chamber, her mind racing with the gravity of the situation. Flora’s focus returned to Ethan, still tucked against her chest, his small form trembling slightly.
Flora, brushing a few strands of his hair out of his eyes, her voice as comforting as she could make it: “Ethan… look at me, sweetheart.”
Ethan peeked up at her again, his big eyes searching hers for answers.
Flora, her voice soft but firm: “I need you to stay away from her. Always, okay? Promise me.”
Ethan nodded, his small voice quivering: “I got scared when she said that… What’s inside me?”
Flora hesitated for a moment, not wanting to burden him with the truth about the Codex. Instead, she smiled, her tone gentle and protective: “It’s nothing, baby. She just wants to take you away from us. But we won’t let that happen, I promise. You just stay close to us, okay?”
Ethan nodded again, snuggling deeper into her, his voice barely a whisper: “I don’t want to go away from you…”
Flora, her voice a soft vow: “We won’t leave you. Never. We’ll always protect you, no matter what.” She kissed the top of his head and rocked him gently, her heart set on keeping him safe from the looming danger.