> Place : Hyden Castle
> Realm : Aracaneaum
> Ethan’s Status : 3 Zyk in Fairy age (5.5 yr in human age), 3’6’’ft, growing up.
> Time : Night, 1048th Rev of Timestar. Present.
> Population : 0.00000000000000001% (Only Ten fairies and Ethan)
The night had fallen gently over the fairies' realm, and the stars twinkled like tiny fireflies in the vast sky. The air was filled with laughter, the kind that comes after a long day of worry finally dissolves into relief. Ethan stood in the center of a circle formed by the fairies, all of them gazing at him with adoration, their smiles wide and hearts full.
Zara was the first to speak, her voice soft but playful, as she leaned forward with a mischievous grin. *“Come on, Ethan. You know we could talk about science and magic all night if you sleep with me.” She winked, trying to lure him with the one thing that always intrigued him—learning.
But Ethan, being the sharp little scientist that he was, wasn't so easily convinced. *“Yeah, Zara, but somehow... you always end up talking about ancient history,” he groaned, shaking his head. *“And then I fall asleep without even knowing how!"
Zara chuckled, pretending to be offended as the other fairies burst out laughing, their melodious voices ringing in the night air.
Tara couldn’t resist chiming in, her teasing tone thick with mischief. *“So, with whom do you want to sleep tonight, little genius? You’ve got plenty of options,” she said, leaning closer with a playful grin. *“You know, all of us are pretty great.”
Ethan looked around, scratching his head with exaggerated thoughtfulness. "Hmm..." He turned to Aria first, narrowing his eyes. *“Aria... no, no, wait. She kisses me too fast! I can’t stop laughing when she does that!”
Aria erupted into laughter, doubling over. *“Oh, come on, I can’t help it! You’re too kissable! It’s like trying to hold back a storm, you know?” She winked and blew him a kiss, making Ethan scrunch up his nose in mock terror.
He turned next to Flora, his eyes sparkling. *“Flora... you’re really comfy.” His tone was almost dreamy as if he could already feel her soft, warm embrace.
Flora’s eyes lit up, and she smiled so wide her dimples appeared. *“Oh, come here, my little muffin flower! I’ll pamper you all night like a delicate petal,” she cooed, reaching out as if she were about to scoop him into her massive arms.
But Ethan grinned, shaking his head. *“But... if I turn into a flower, Flora, who’s going to eat all your tasty dishes? You’d have no one to feed!”
Flora let out a delighted laugh, throwing her head back. *“Oh, well, that is a problem, isn’t it? I guess we can’t have that!” The others joined in, the image of Ethan turning into a little flower tickling their imaginations.
Ethan then turned his attention to Mira, his grin widening mischievously. *“Mira... hmm... but we both snore like mountains walking,” he said, teasing her.
Mira couldn’t hold back her laughter, nodding. *“And we make such a good team!” she agreed, winking at him. *“Together, we’d make sure no one gets any sleep with our snoring symphony. We’re unstoppable!”
Everyone burst into laughter again, imagining the thunderous sound of Ethan and Mira snoring in unison.
Finally, Ethan’s eyes fell on Sylph. He paused for dramatic effect, then nodded decisively. *“Yes... Sylph! I’ll sleep with you tonight.”
Sylph let out a high-pitched squeal, throwing her arms wide open in excitement. “Aah! Yes! Yes! Come here, my little firefly! Come, come, come!”
Ethan ran into her arms, and Sylph wrapped him up tightly, her warmth enveloping him as if she were a living flame. She immediately began peppering his face with playful kisses, laughing in pure joy. “Oh, Ethan, you’ve made my night! My whole week, actually! Oh, you precious little spark, you don’t know how much I’ve been waiting for this! We’re going to have the best time! I’ll keep you cozy and warm, and I’ll tell you all the funniest jokes I know.
Ethan was already giggling uncontrollably, trying to shield his face from Sylph’s endless barrage of kisses. *“S-stop, Sylph! I c-can’t breathe!”
Sylph only laughed louder, tightening her hug and continuing her playful onslaught. *“Oh, No firefly! You’re not getting away from me that easily! You’re mine for the night!”
The other fairies watched, their smiles filled with love and contentment. Their hearts were full, watching Sylph and Ethan together, their laughter echoing under the starry sky. The warmth and joy that radiated from Sylph were so contagious that it spread through all of them, making the night feel magical, almost like time itself had paused just for this moment of happiness.
With the playful banter dying down, the fairies settled back into their places, watching Sylph and Ethan share one last giggle before everyone began to relax for the night.
Sylph took his small hand in hers and hold it to her chest before smelling his scent. Sylph lay comfortably with Ethan nestled in her arms, she softly spoke to him, her voice soothing like a lullaby. *"So, Ethan, I was thinking... tomorrow I’ll show you my new dresses! I’ve got one in deep red, like fire, and another that shimmers with every move. Which one do you think would look better"
Ethan, his voice sleepy but playful, mumbled into her soft chest, "Hmm... I dunno... maybe the shimmery one... it’ll make you look like a... a shooting star..." His words trailed off as his eyelids fluttered, his little face almost fully buried in Sylph's warm, pillowy embrace.
Sylph smiled fondly and kissed his forehead. *"A shooting star, huh? I like that. I’ll wear it just for you, my little firefly."
Ethan giggled softly, his breath slow and steady now. "You’re... so comfy, Sylph... like... the softest pillow ever..." His voice was fading as sleep began to claim him.
Sylph’s heart swelled with love, and she gently pulled him closer, wrapping him securely in her embrace. She whispered, “Goodnight, my sweet Firefly. I’ll always hold you.” She pressed a soft kiss on his lips, pulling his face deeper into the warmth of her chest, feeling his tiny body relax completely in her arms. His breathing grew steady, and she knew he had drifted off to a peaceful sleep. She inhaled his hand's scent once more and sighs feeling contented and loves. And she slept with him, keeping his small hand held softly in hers.
For a while, everything was quiet. Everyone slept. The only sound was Ethan’s gentle breathing, and Sylph found herself slowly slipping into sleep as well, her hand resting protectively on his small body.
Suddenly, a soft whisper broke through her slumber. "Emberis! Emberis!" Lira’s voice was urgent, though kept low.
Sylph's eyes shot open, her warrior instincts kicking in instantly. She remained motionless, careful not to disturb Ethan, who was still asleep in her arms. “What is it?” she whispered back, her voice filled with alertness.
Lira leaned in closer, her voice barely above a breath. *"We’re being attacked."
Sylph tensed but didn’t move an inch. “What? In the middle of the night?” she asked, her mind racing.
Lira nodded. *“Yes, it could be Ryznith. But you stay here with Ethan. Mislyra and Elysia are guarding the door.”
Sylph clenched her jaw, ready to leap into action, but her gaze fell on the peaceful boy sleeping in her embrace. *“Wait... if it’s Ryznith, I should be dealing with her. I can handle it.”
Before she could act, Elara stepped into view, her calm presence keeping the urgency under control. *“No, it’s just her minions. We can handle them easily. You stay here. Ethan’s safety is more important.”
“But how did they find us?” Sylph whispered, concern etched on her face.
“We don’t know yet,” Lira replied. *“But I’m certain they’re after Ethan. Keep him safe, Emberis. No matter what.”
Sylph nodded, her protective instincts stronger than ever. *“I will. I won’t let anything happen to him.”
Lira and Elara quietly left the room, moving swiftly to join the other fairies in fighting off the attack. The room grew silent once more, except for the faint sounds of battle from outside.
Sylph looked down at Ethan, still fast asleep, oblivious to the danger lurking just beyond the walls. She gently buried him deeper into her soft embrace, cradling him protectively against her chest. No one will harm you, she thought fiercely. Not while I’m here.
Though the urge to join her friends in the fight burned within her, she remained still, knowing that the best way to protect Ethan was to stay right where she was. If he woke up and saw the monstrous minions, it would be impossible to keep him calm, and they needed him safe—no matter what.
As the battle unfolded inside the castle, the ground floor was a chaotic mix of speed, ice, and plant life. Aria, moving at super speed, tore through the minions like a whirlwind, her punches landing faster than the eye could see. She zipped across, leaving a trail of shredded creatures in her wake.
Aria zipped back to Flora, her breath quick from the constant movement. *"There are so many of these things! I mean, I like surprises, but this? This is like a party from the Vurnik!"
Flora, standing amidst the writhing mass of plant tentacles, let out a laugh as her vines captured and crushed several minions at once. "Hey, at least they're not picky eaters. They’ll try anything—especially my personal brand of plant food!" She joked while tearing another group of minions apart.
Nia, freezing a group of minions and shattering them into icy fragments, chuckled, "It's been a while since I froze anything. I was worried my freezing powers would freeze up themselves!"
Despite the onslaught, the three kept a lighthearted energy, throwing jokes as they tore minions to shreds, freezing them solid, or ensnaring them in Flora's ever-growing forest of tendrils.
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, up on the roof, the situation was just as intense. Mira conjured two enormous boulders from the rock, hurling them with a satisfying crash, crushing entire groups of minions beneath their weight. Elara, her sword flashing in the moonlight, slashed through the minions with a deadly grace, their grotesque fluid splattering across her.
Elara wiped some of the goo from her face in disgust, slicing through another with a swift motion. *"Ugh! Why are these creatures so ugly? Ryznith seriously needs a makeover... or at least a basic grooming lesson."
Zara, expertly shooting arrow after arrow from her magically created bow, smirked as she skewered another minion. *"Rynous! You don't have to do this. We can handle..."
Mira, crushing another group of minions beneath her summoned rocks, laughed out loud. *"You know what? I hate to admit it, but I’m enjoying this. And so is Rynous, I think.."
Just as she said that, a massive, hulking minion appeared at the edge of the roof, stomping its way towards them. Its muscles bulged grotesquely, and it towered over the other creatures.
Everyone paused for a moment, sizing it up.
Elara narrowed her eyes and raised her sword. *"Looks like Kanthia’s got some competition."
Lira, her eyes gleaming with excitement, stepped forward, cracking her knuckles. “Finally, something that might actually put up a fight.” She grinned audaciously, her confidence oozing with every step. *"You just got yourself into some serious trouble, big guy."
The hulking minion let out a deafening roar, baring its teeth and trying to intimidate her, but Lira stood completely unfazed, not a flinch.
Mira couldn’t resist. *“I’m impressed, Aarthel. You sure you’re not just showing off?"
Zara, loading another arrow, teased, *"Come on, Kanthia, just admit it—you love this!"
Lira clenched her fist, her grin widening as she locked eyes with the monster. “Love it? Oh, no. This thing’s gonna love my punches.”
And with that, Lira sprang forward, moving with the kind of speed that belied her muscular frame. She threw a punch, using only a fraction of her super strength. The impact was thunderous. Her fist didn’t just hit the minion—it blasted straight through its hulking body, sending a shockwave of force through its flesh. A spray of dark, sticky blood splattered everywhere, covering her arm as the creature staggered, a gaping hole where its chest used to be.
Lira pulled her hand back, shaking off the dripping blood. *“That’s it? C’mon, I thought you’d last at least two punches.”
The minion groaned before collapsing, lifeless, at her feet.
Elara raised an eyebrow, wiping off some of the minion's splatter from her sword. *"Well, that was... efficient."
Mira chuckled as she conjured up more rocks. *“Efficient? More like overkill. I think you broke its heart—literally.”
Zara couldn’t stop laughing as she sent another arrow flying into the mass of approaching minions. *“One punch, Kanthia? Just one? You’re making us all look bad!”
Lira grinned, wiping her bloodied hand on her dress. *“Well, I’m not done yet. Who's next?”
The battle continued, with the fairies making quick work of the remaining minions, their banter as sharp as their weapons, as they fought fiercely to protect their home and, most importantly, Ethan.
As the roof of the castle was clearing of the minion threat, Luna and Tara took their positions outside the bedroom, standing guard over Ethan and Sylph. The corridor had become eerily quiet, a brief respite in the chaos.
Tara peeked through the door, a relieved smile on her face. “Still asleep,” she whispered, checking to make sure Ethan was safe nestled comfortably against Sylph.
Luna, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings, nodded. *“Better be. We need to clear this mess before anything else happens.”
Tara glanced over at Luna with a smirk. *“But... where did those minions go? I bet Aarthel is having a blast showing off.”
Luna chuckled. *“Right. Remember how she threw that—”
Her voice cut off abruptly as both Tara and Luna’s attention was drawn to a commotion. Minions were crawling through a window, their grotesque forms swarming into the corridor. It didn’t take long for the space to be filled with the nasty creatures—on the floor, the roof, even scaling the walls.
Without exchanging any more words, Luna and Tara sprang into action. Luna created a glowing violet sword from her light powers, its blade shimmering with ethereal brilliance. Tara’s hands glowed purple with a pulsating energy as she prepared her magic.
Tara turned to Luna, her expression serious despite the situation. *“Mislyra! Get ready.”
Luna gave a determined nod, eyes flashing with fierce resolve. *“You will not pass this door while we’re standing here.”
As the minions advanced, Tara unleashed a powerful wave of purple glowing energy down the corridor. The wave surged through the masses of creatures, their bodies disintegrating into nothingness with an explosion of sparkles and light. In a matter of seconds, the corridor was clear again.
Luna watched with a mix of awe and playful frustration as Tara ended the threat with a single, decisive blow. *“Elysiaa!!”
Tara looked back with an innocent smile, hands still glowing. *“What? I thought they’d be able to handle it. Not my fault if they didn’t last long.”
Luna, arms crossed and feigning irritation, huffed. *“I didn’t even get to kill a single one! Where’s my share of the fun in all this?”
Tara, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, pinched her tongue between her teeth and shrugged. *“I guess... I should check on Ethan. Can’t leave him alone, after all.”
Luna raised an eyebrow. *“Oh, so now you’re the responsible one?”
Tara waggled her eyebrows playfully. *“Someone’s got to be. And besides, I’m pretty sure you’re just jealous of my magical prowess.”
Luna smirked, shaking her head. *“Oh, is that it? Fine, fine. Just don’t hog all the glory.”
Tara gave a mock salute, her smile widening. *“Roger that. But don’t be surprised if I get all the praise later.”
As Tara headed back towards the bedroom to ensure everything was still in order, Luna chuckled to herself. The tension of the night seemed to lighten as the two continued their friendly banter, their camaraderie a warm reminder of their strong bond despite the chaos around them.
The fairies, having cleared the castle of minions, hurried back to the bedroom to check on Ethan and Sylph. The tension was palpable, but as they entered, a wave of relief washed over them.
Aria was the first to arrive, appearing with a flash of her super speed. She zipped to the door of the bedroom and peered through it. Tara and Luna, still slightly on edge, flinched as Aria’s sudden appearance startled them.
Luna, catching her breath, playfully scolded, *“Lys, must you always appear out of nowhere like that? You nearly gave us heart attacks!”
Tara, recovering from her initial shock, added with a grin, *“Yeah, could you at least give us a warning next time? I’m still trying to get my heartbeat back to normal.”
Aria, with a touch of concern in her eyes, responded, *“Sorry, I just wanted to make sure Ethan was okay. I was worried.”
Tara and Luna exchanged relieved smiles. “Well, you did good,” Luna said, her tone softening. *“We’re glad he’s safe.”
Following Aria, Flora and Nia entered, opening the door gently. They looked at Sylph and Ethan, who were still peacefully nestled together. Sylph was awake, her gaze tender as she looked at the fairies. She smiled warmly, feeling their shared relief.
Flora settled beside Ethan, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheeks. *“He’s just too adorable when he’s sleeping,” she said softly.
Nia, standing close by, added, *“It’s good to see him safe and sound.”
Then Lira, Elara, Mira, and Zara arrived, their faces a mix of exhaustion and relief. They crowded into the bedroom, their concern melting away as they saw Ethan and Sylph. The fairies exchanged knowing glances, comforted by the sight of their beloved charge resting peacefully.
Lira, ever the leader, turned to Aria. *“Lys, do a quick scan of the castle to make sure there aren’t any minions left.”
Aria, already understanding her task, responded energetically, “On it!” With a flash, she zipped off to check the rest of the castle.
Sylph, her voice a soft whisper, asked, *“What happened?”
Flora, brushing a lock of hair from Ethan’s face, whispered back, *“We’re safe for now. The minions are gone.”
Zara, leaning against the doorframe, added, *“That wave was the easy part. The real concern is that we’re no longer hiding.”
Mira, nodding in agreement, said, *“Right. If any of those minions report back to Ryznith, our location could be compromised.”
Nia, with a reassuring tone, said, *“At least we took out every last one of them. I think.”
Sylph turned to Elara, her brow furrowed with concern. *“But how did they find us? Rynous, didn’t you shield the castle?”
Elara, her face serious, replied, *“I did. But Onyx can only create one type of shield at a time. I used it to protect us from Neshis’ surveillance...”
Aria returned, her expression serious but relieved. *“All clear. But we’ve got a huge mess to clean up.”
Sylph, with a mischievous grin, chimed in, *“Well, good luck with that. I’m not leaving this bed. You know, Ethan’s sleeping duties and all.”
The fairies looked at Sylph with mock seriousness, clearly enjoying her playful tease.
Lira, chuckling, said, *“Fair enough, Emberis. We’ll handle the cleanup. Just make sure Ethan stays safe and sound.”
The room filled with a mix of laughter and affectionate smiles. The fairies, despite the night's chaos, were united in their love for Ethan and their commitment to each other. With the immediate danger passed, they found comfort in their shared bonds, ready to face whatever challenges came next.
The night had passed, and now the fairies were busy cleaning up the aftermath of the minion creatures. The smell was overwhelming—an awful, dirty stench that filled the castle corridors.
In the bedroom, Ethan lay nestled against Sylph, his small face buried in her soft, warm chest. Sylph, already awake, smiled down at him. Her heart swelled with contentment, knowing her little firefly was safe and still fast asleep, snuggled close to her. "You always remind me of home when you sleep with me like that.....Remember, you called my mum as your mum..you accepted us as your new family....And now, you're my home...my family..” She took his small hand closer to her face and inhales it's scent.
As the morning rise, Ethan started waking up, his senses began to catch on to the horrible stench that permeated the air. At first, he tried to bury his face deeper into her chest to escape the smell.
Sylph chuckled softly, finding his sleepy attempt at hiding adorable. She stroked his hair and whispered with a smile, *“Conjor, sweetie. Are you hiding in my chest?”
Ethan, still half-asleep and groggy, mumbled, *“Mmm... Sylph... bad smell...”
Sylph was also annoyed by the foul odor in the room, but she couldn’t help but giggle. She pulled him closer, cradling him even more protectively in her arms. *“Aww, firefly. I feel the same way. But... if you let go of me for just a moment, I can make the room smell much nicer.”
Ethan clung to her tightly, refusing to let her go. *“Nooo... Don’t go... Ask someone else...”
Sylph’s heart melted as Ethan pressed closer to her, not willing to be apart from her, even for a second. She rubbed his back soothingly, though the smell was getting worse by the moment. She knew something had to be done. The others were outside, still handling the mess, but she couldn’t just leave Ethan in the stinky room.
She tried to reason with him, her voice gentle. *“But, sweetie, there’s no one else here. Please, just for a second, and I promise I’ll come right back.”
At the mention of being alone, Ethan stirred more, suddenly concerned. He blinked, his sleepy eyes wide as he asked, *“Where is everybody?”
Sylph quickly thought of a distraction, not wanting to alarm him. She cupped his small face in her hands and smiled. “Nothing, Firefly. They’re all here, just outside. They wanted to surprise you.” She was clearly fibbing, but it was enough to keep him calm.
Ethan sat up, rubbing his eyes and frowning. *“What surprise? With this bad smell?”
Sylph, still chuckling, also sat up. She gently held his face and kissed his forehead. *“No, sweetie. I think... Nia’s in the kitchen today. Maybe she’s cooking something special.”
Ethan’s brow furrowed more deeply, still focused on the strange smell. *“But this smell is something else. Let’s go check it out, Sylph. It’s bad.”
Sylph, still intent on keeping Ethan in the bedroom, gave him a playful smile and spoke in her soothing tone. “Love, everything’s fine, I promise. They’ll be back any moment now. Why don’t you stay here with me and snuggle while we wait?” She gently set him in her lap, her arms wrapping protectively around him, before peppering his face with rapid kisses.
Ethan giggled, wriggling with delight as Sylph’s kisses tickled him. “Sylph... wait... you're drowning me in kisses!” he laughed, trying to catch his breath in between her playful attacks.
“Oh no, no,” Sylph teased, her tone dripping with mock-seriousness. “I'm not letting you go this easily.” She continued her barrage of kisses, leaving no space for him to escape, her lips pressing softly onto his cheeks, forehead, and lips.
Ethan, caught between laughing and blushing, squirmed with joy. “Sylph!” he squeaked. *“Okay, okay! You win! Enough!”
With a final dramatic flourish, Sylph planted one last kiss, this time on his little lips. “Mwah!” she said, leaning back with a satisfied grin. *“There, now you're officially mine for the morning.”
Ethan was beaming, his face flushed with happiness and affection. He looked up at Sylph with bright eyes. *“Sylph, you’re so silly... but I love you.”
Sylph’s heart melted at his sweet words. “And I love you more, little firefly.” She leaned down and gave him another soft kiss on the lips, smiling warmly. *"Mwwwwwah!"
Ethan, still glowing from all the love, rested his head on her chest, sighing contentedly as he snuggled close. *“But... I still want them all. Sylph, where are they?”
Ethan, despite his enjoyment of the snuggles, tilted his head and gave her a knowing look. *“Are you hiding something from me? I can tell...”
Sylph gasped dramatically, holding her hand to her chest as though deeply offended. “Me? Hiding something? Sweetie, I would never—I’m offended you’d even think that!” She leaned closer, eyes wide with mock disbelief, though the twinkle in her gaze gave away her playful act.
Ethan, still suspicious but grinning, decided to test her. “If that’s true... then let me go check myself!” He suddenly squirmed out of her lap and climbed down from the bed with a surprising burst of energy.
“Wait, wait!” Sylph called after him, trying to stop him before he got too far. She reached out, but Ethan was already determined, his curiosity piqued. *"Come back here, firefly! I'm not done snuggling you!"
But Ethan, now fully awake and determined to find out where the others were, shook his head. *"No, Sylph! I want to see what’s going on!"
----------------------------------------
Outside the castle, the scene was far from serene. The once peaceful courtyard was now littered with the aftermath of their battle—the goos and grotesque bodies of the slain creature minions. The air was thick with the awful smell, but as always, the fairies found a way to make even the most unpleasant tasks fun.
Flora, bending down to pick up some gooey remains with her plants, grimaced dramatically. *"Ugh, Caly, I’m never trusting your seafood soup again. This smells exactly like it!"
Nia, splashing a wave of water to wash away some of the filth, gave Flora a mock glare. “Hey, my seafood soup is divine!
Meanwhile, Lira knelt beside the hulking, monstrous minion she had taken down with a single punch. It was by far the ugliest of the bunch, its face permanently twisted in a grotesque expression of fear and surprise. Lira placed a hand over her heart, her voice solemn and serious as she spoke. *“You fought bravely... for about a niut. May you rest in... well, actually, I’m not sure there’s a place for you. But rest... somewhere.”
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The other fairies, overhearing her little ceremony, burst into laughter.
Tara, using her magic to clean up the scattered remains, shook her head playfully. “Aarthel, I think even the underworld wouldn’t want this thing. What are you, its funeral director now?”
“Should we call a nauymn” Aria zipped by in a blur, laughing as she splashed a bucket of water onto the remains.
Zara came beside Lira, pretending to be deeply moved. *“Such a touching tribute, Kanthia. Truly. But let’s be honest... You punched its soul out of its body. I think it’s too late for a eulogy.”
Lira stood up and rolled her eyes, though a grin tugged at her lips. *“It was only polite. The poor thing barely had time to realize it had picked the wrong fight.”
Flora, still struggling with some goo, called over, “Kanthia, I think you should offer a few more words. Look at this one!” She pointed to a particularly flattened minion she had stomped on earlier.
Nia smirked as she used her water to dissolve another pile of mess. *“Aarthel’s about to become the queen of monster funerals. ‘Killed by Kanthia: One Punch, One Funeral Service.’”
Lira put her hands on her hips, pretending to look offended. *“Well, at least I’m giving them something. You all are just tossing them around like last week’s leftovers!”
Mira, summoning a gust of wind to help clear the air, chimed in with a laugh. *“Trust me, they were leftovers the moment you got your hands on them. That punch didn’t leave much to clean up!”
The fairies shared a laugh, their lighthearted banter making the disgusting task feel less daunting. Even amid the foul smells and monstrous remains, their spirits were high, the bond between them always evident.
Aria zipped back, a bucket in hand, throwing it dramatically into the air. *"One last push! Let’s get this place smelling like anything other than dead monster!"
Luna flicked her wrist, summoning a wave of light to sterilize the area. *“If we hurry, we can get back before Emberis hogs all the snuggles with Ethan.”
As the fairies were elbow-deep in muck and goo, Ethan stumbled out of the door, his little face scrunched in confusion and curiosity. Sylph trailed behind him, her hands on her hips, a mix of resignation and concern on her face. She had tried to keep him in the bedroom, but once Ethan got determined, no one could stop him.
As Ethan took in the scene of destruction, his eyes widened, and he shouted, “What the hell is this?” His small voice cut through the air as he stood, stunned by the mess of goo and monstrous remains.
The fairies froze, momentarily taken aback by the sight of Ethan, who was clearly more shocked by the mess than frightened. Sylph stood behind him, ready to deflect any blame.
Sylph, raising her hands defensively, said, *“Not my fault. He was worried about you. And you know…”
Lira, kneeling beside a particularly grim-looking pile, waved her hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah, we know... Gets curious, unable to resist... bla bla.” Her tone was playful, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.
Ethan, stepping gingerly towards the mess, continued his barrage of questions. “What is this? So that’s why it’s so smelly all around. Are they all dead? And what about this one? Where’s its other half?” He moved to another pile, his nose wrinkling. *“Ugh… Eww… What’s this, Zara?”
Each fairy looked on with a mix of amusement and affection as Ethan’s curiosity shone through. His rapid-fire questions and lack of fear were endearing rather than alarming.
Flora chuckled, wiping goo from her hands. *“And we thought he’d be scared by this? Look at him, he wants to know about them.”
Ethan, determined to get to the bottom of things, said, *“But what really happened here?”
Lira, her heart swelling with pride and affection, knelt beside him, giving him a gentle kiss on the forehead. Placing her large hand on his shoulder, she sighed, *“Ethan, you really amaze us. We all thought you’d be scared looking at this, so we were cleaning it up before you wake up.”
Nia, grinning, scooped Ethan up into her arms, despite her gooey hands. *“But you’re here, looking as cute and adorable as always. Come here, let me kiss you with my gooey hands…”
Ethan wrinkled his nose, holding up his hands. *“Only kiss, not gooey hands.”
Nia playfully shook her head. *“Nope, no kiss without gooey hands.”
Ethan sighed but smiled. *“Ummm… okay. But you have to tell me what really happened here.”
Mira, who was busy sorting through the goo with a thoughtful expression, glanced at Ethan. *“Hmm... we’ll think about that.”
Ethan, moving closer to Nia for his kiss, added stubbornly, *“Nooo… I want to help you. I want to be part of it all. See, I’m not scared of any of this.”
Nia, cradling him in her lap and avoiding the gooey bits as best she could, planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. *“You are part of us, sweetie. Our family. And my little snowflake.”
Ethan pouted slightly, feeling a tinge of sadness. *“But you’re hiding things from me.”
The fairies exchanged knowing glances.
Nia, hugging Ethan close, added softly, *“No one is hiding anything from you, snow. We’ll tell you everything when the time is right. For now, just know that we’re all safe and that’s what matters.”
Ethan crossed his arms in frustration. *“No, you always say that—‘When the time is right.’ But I want to be with you all in every situation. Not just when it's convenient.”
Flora knelt beside him, her large, gentle hand stroking his hair, her voice full of warmth. *“You are with us, Flower. And you will be with us always.”
Ethan, still looking unsatisfied, glanced around at the mess. *“But you’re all hiding something from me. Yesterday, this was a beautiful garden. And now, overnight, it’s turned into... this. Something terrible happened, and I don’t even know what it was.”
Tara chimed in, her tone both soft and serious. *“And that’s exactly why we don’t want you to be part of something terrible, Charmer. We want to protect you from harm.”
Ethan nodded. *“I know you care about me, but I want to understand why all of this is happening.”
Seated calmly on the grass, Elara, ever wise and gentle, spoke up. “Okay, come here.” She patted the ground beside her, and Ethan approached, standing in front of her. *“Look, Ethan, it’s not as simple as you think. You have to promise me one thing: if I tell you some things, you won’t push for answers I’m not ready to give. Some things are meant to be known when you’re truly ready.”
Ethan opened his mouth to protest, but Elara cut him off gently. *“And I’ll make things clear, okay?”
The other fairies exchanged glances, each nodding their silent trust in Elara. Ethan looked up at her, his curiosity and determination burning brightly.
Elara smiled softly, reaching for his small hand. *“But wait... before I begin, how about a little cute kiss first?”
Ethan, despite the gravity of the situation, couldn’t help but grin. “Anything for that.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “All I want is to be with you all, not just in the fun moments but in the hard times too. I can’t just sit around and rest in your laps while you’re out here working so hard, fighting for me. I love being in your arms,” he added with a small chuckle, *“but I also want to share in your life... even your problems.”
The fairies couldn’t suppress their smiles, touched by Ethan’s sincere and mature words.
Mira feigned wiping tears from her eyes, her voice playful. *“Oh no, no... he’s gonna make me cry. I can’t handle this much cuteness and affection.”
Elara chuckled softly and gently cupped Ethan’s cheek. *“You are our life, Ethan. Our heartbeat. But I know that won’t quench your curiosity. So here’s the truth. We have a past—a past full of enemies and rivals. You know one of our nemesis wiped out our entire civilization, but what you don’t know is that there are still many rivals out there. They want to destroy us... and now... well, they want to get to you too.”
Ethan, surprisingly calm, filled in the gap. *“Destroy us?”
Elara blinked, caught off guard by his composed tone. She had thought the word would scare him, but he said it so matter-of-factly.
“What?” Ethan added. *“Rivals want to eliminate their enemies, right? We’re their rivals, they’re ours.”
Zara, her voice gentle but firm, responded, *“No, Ethan. It’s not always that simple.”
Lira knelt to Ethan’s level, her expression serious. *“We don’t kill unless we have no other choice. It’s a last resort, a dying situation. In self-defense, yes, but Ethan, you have to promise us... you’ll never kill anyone unless it’s truly the last option.”
Ethan looked bewildered. *“What? Lira, you’re joking, right? How am I supposed to kill anyone? I can barely finish one of Flora’s delicious bowls of food!”
Lira’s expression softened, but she stayed firm as she knelt even closer, looking directly into his eyes. *“You don’t know yet, but we do. Just promise us—never, ever kill anyone unless it’s in self-defense.”
Ethan, his tone thoughtful, replied, *“I promise... except in self-defense, right?”
Elara nodded, her eyes full of affection. *“Right.”
And with that, the fairies felt the weight of the moment settle into a shared understanding between them and Ethan. Despite his youth and small frame, there was something deep in him that connected with their struggles, their fears, and their hope to keep him safe—not just physically, but emotionally.
Ethan looked around, frowning. *"And I’m sure you all killed these monsters in self-defense, right?"
Tara nodded. *"Right."
"But who attacked us?" Ethan pressed, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Aria, her tone filled with a mix of sadness and anger, replied, *“It’s Ryznith. She was once a fairy like us, but then twisted herself, turning her powerful monsters.”
Luna sighed heavily, her gentle hand resting on Ethan’s shoulder. *"We don’t know why she attacked us, Moon. After all these cycles... we're still in hiding. This castle—it’s our last hope for survival. If our location is ever compromised, things will only get worse."
Ethan blinked, the weight of her words sinking in. *"What? I always thought this is our home."
Flora smiled sadly. *"It is our home, but we’re also..."
"Hiding from our rivals," Ethan finished, his young voice now edged with realization. *"Because we don’t have much left to fight them with. Right?"
Nia, ever gentle and calm, leaned in. *"That’s not entirely the reason. We have you, Ethan. You’re our motivation to keep moving, to keep fighting. We don’t want to lose you. Never."
The mood grew heavier, as everyone, now more serious, absorbed Nia’s words.
"But I want to fight alongside you," Ethan said firmly. *"Not just—"
Lira interrupted, her voice sharp and commanding, *"Ethan, you will never put yourself in danger. Am I clear?"
"But Lira..." Ethan tried to protest.
Lira leaned closer, her gaze unwavering. *"Am. I. Clear? You will stay with one of us if there’s ever a fight or an attack."
Under the intensity of her stare, Ethan felt the pressure mounting. *“Okay…”
Sylph interjected, her playful tone contrasting Lira’s seriousness. *"Lira, you’re scaring him."
But Ethan quickly shook his head. *"No, I understand why Lira’s saying that. It’s because I’m not as strong as all of you. I can’t even fight the weakest of monsters."
Luna stepped in, her voice soft but firm. *"No, Ethan, it’s not like that at all."
Ethan raised a hand and pointed to his head, a thoughtful glint in his eye. *"But I have this. I can do my own research, make my own tools to help you. Right?"
Mira beamed at him, her eyes full of pride. *"Absolutely right. See, Zara? I told you, he’s not our baby Ethan anymore. He’s grown up now."
Zara crossed her arms, feigning indifference. "Yeah, yeah... whatever. But you, Ethan, you’ll always be my little bookworm. MWAH" She grinned and pulled him in, planting a loud kiss on his cheek.
Ethan giggled, wiping his cheek playfully. *“Only if you let me sit in your seats.”
The garden erupted into laughter, and Zara gasped in mock outrage. "You little Milkin!" She wrapped her arms around him, tickling him relentlessly while covering his face in kisses, giggling herself as she said, *You can always sit in my seats. I won’t stop you. Never.”
Ethan squirmed and laughed, his protestations drowned out by the joyful chaos, his heart light again amidst the warmth of his fairy family.
As the fairies and Ethan resumed cleaning up the aftermath of the battle, Ethan, ever eager to help, carried small items, his determination evident in every step. Lira, Flora, Zara, Luna, and Elara quietly observed him, their conversation turning to a more serious topic.
Zara glanced at Ethan with a mix of admiration and surprise. *“Look at him. There was a time he was terrified of even the tiny Gatnils, and now, here he is, carrying those disgusting, gooey remains of Ryznith's minions without hesitation…….. Sometime its like he is back again...same Ethan..”
Flora nodded, her gaze softening as she watched Ethan work. *"You’re right, Amiraha. He’s recovering much faster than any of us expected. Almost too fast."
Luna, her expression somber, spoke quietly. "After Zytrax absorbed his light, we didn’t even know if he’d survive. I… I had lost all hope of ever seeing him again." Her voice cracked, and a tear welled up in her eye, threatening to fall.
Elara sighed. *"That was an agonizing moment for all of us. None of us knew what to expect."
Flora quickly wiped her own eyes, shaking her head. *"Please, don’t remind me of that. I can't even bear to think ……… losing him again."
Lira’s voice, though strong, carried an undercurrent of grief. *"None of us can, Lorieyna. But we have to face it... life is unpredictable. Nothing is permanent.."
Zara, lost in thought, muttered quietly to herself, “Permanent... permanent... wait...” Her eyes widened slightly as she pieced together something in her mind. *"Permanent!"
Elara raised an eyebrow, catching her tone. With a teasing smirk, she quipped, *“Amiraha, if you’re solving the secrets of the universe over there, at least let the rest of us catch up.”
Zara blinked and gave her a half-hearted glare. *"What? I was thinking! Something’s different with him... I mean, didn’t we expect it would take him 13 cycles to fully recover?"
Flora, now curious, tilted her head. "Yes"
Zara gestured towards Ethan, her voice firm but laced with concern. *"Look at him. He’s growing too fast—much faster than we predicted. His mind, he can make complex thoughts. And when I teach him about science, he do it like I am telling him story. His knowledge of science is still there. It’s like something’s pushing his recovery beyond normal."
Elara furrowed her brow. *"Amiraha, if you could explain that in a way that doesn’t make me feel even more confused, that’d be great."
Zara looked at them, her voice growing more serious. *"I’m saying, I think something inside him is accelerating his recovery."
Lira’s gaze sharpened. *"Like what?"
Zara hesitated, her eyes narrowing as she tried to form the thought. *"I don’t know for sure, but I’m certain… there’s something inside him, something unusual."
Flora’s eyes widened in sudden panic. *“What? No, no, no... not something inside him! Please tell me it's not a Bakpist! That would make him terribly sick!"
Lira, barely suppressing a chuckle, placed a comforting hand on Flora's shoulder. *"Lorieyna... calm down. If it were a Bakpist, he'd already be curled up in your lap, sleeping like a baby."
The group burst into laughter, the tension dissolving for a moment.
Zara chuckled, shaking her head. *"It’s nothing like that, Lorieyna. It’s just a theory. But look at him—he’s fine. More than fine. He’s even managing to make a bigger mess while cleaning the mess!"
As the fairies watched Ethan determinedly dragging bits of debris around, they couldn't help but share a collective sense of pride, tinged with a lingering worry over the mystery Zara had raised.
----------------------------------------
As Ethan continued helping with the cleanup, he stumbled upon a finely cut hand of one of the minions. He noticed something peculiar—beneath the ugly, grotesque exterior, there were distinct layers of skin, one of which bore an unsettling resemblance to fairy skin, glowing faintly.
His mind buzzed with curiosity as he knelt down to examine it further. Soon, he found another piece of a similar nature, confirming his suspicions.
Mira, seeing his intense focus, walked over with a playful smirk. "What are you staring at, little mushroom? Better not be thinking of eating them." She laughed, kneeling beside him, and gave him a soft kiss on his cheek.
Ethan, chuckling, waved her off. *"Nooo, Mira. Look at this."
She glanced at the severed limb and feigned a horrified gasp. "Oh, you want me to eat this with you? Gross, Ethan!" She couldn't help but tease him, even in the midst of such chaos.
Ethan shook his head, half-laughing. *"Miraaaa, seriously! Look here… the layers of skin. This one here—it’s similar to yours. Fairy-like, see?"
Mira wrinkled her nose. "Eww, Ethan. Are you telling me this disgusting thing has skin like mine? Gross again!"
He sighed, trying to explain. *"No, Miraaa! What I’m saying is these minions were once fairies. Their original skin’s still here, underneath all this... horror. It’s like they’ve been transformed into these creatures. But inside... they’re still fairies like you."
By now, the others were listening in, intrigued by his discovery.
Nia wrinkled her nose, pretending to gag. *"Ethan! Please, stop. You’re making these minions even more disgusting. I might actually vomit."
Ethan smirked, undeterred. *"No, Nia. This is pure biology."
Tara, utterly confused, chimed in with a playful tone. *"What now, Charmer? Which ‘gy’?"
"Biology," Ethan clarified with a proud grin. *"The study of living beings. Anyway... all I’m trying to say is that these ugly minions can be turned back into fairies."
Sylph seized the moment to crack a joke, *"Oh, great. So you’re saying if I give one of them a makeover, they’ll be cute again?"
Ethan rolled his eyes, but laughed. *"No, Sylph! I can prove it. There's something beneath all this."
Zara, her voice soft and encouraging, spoke next. *"You don’t have to prove anything to us. If you believe there’s something to uncover here, then go ahead. Explore it. Try it out."
Flora, ever the caretaker, added, *"Just make sure you don’t blow anything up this time, okay? Last time you almost turned the living into a mess and it smelled awful for two days."
Ethan laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. *"I promise! But I’ll figure out a way to transform them back into fairies."
Lira, who had been quietly listening, nodded, her expression more serious. *"That’s a tall order, Ethan. But if anyone can figure it out, it’s you."
Zara chimed in, giving him a stern look. *"I’ll support your research, Ethan. But one rule—none of those things in our library. That’s non-negotiable."
Ethan grinned mischievously. "No promises!" he said with a playful giggle, drawing laughter from the others. Even in the face of danger and discovery, they found joy in their bond.
----------------------------------------
> Place : Aibel's Fort (Ryznith's Stronghold)
Ryznith, pacing back and forth in a dimly lit chamber. Her heavy steps echo against the stone floor as her brow furrows in thought. Her sharp, glowing eyes dart back and forth, fixated on a problem she couldn’t quite solve. The air around her seems to grow heavy with her frustration.
Ryznith, muttering to herself: "Why does Zovrath suddenly need the fairies and that pathetic Ethan alive? He could have just ordered me to kill them... rip them apart, one by one." She paused, narrowing her eyes. "But no... he wants them captured. Intact. Alive."
She turns toward a large map laid out on a table. The edges are charred, and various markings cover its surface. Her gaze moves across the map, tracing old battlegrounds with a gloved finger, eyes narrowing as her mind tries to unravel the puzzle.
"Hmm... think, Ryznith... where could those cursed fairies be hiding?" She taps her finger sharply on a location marked Aracaneum. "The fight between Zytrax and the fairies happened here. They were strong then... but they've been scattered, weakened. I'm certain they haven't left this realm…not withot Dyfost... but where...?"
She leans closer, staring intently at the map. A sly grin curls at her lips as she lets out a low chuckle. "It’s only a matter of time before I find you... and when I do... Zovrath's orders or not, you’ll regret ever crossing me."
Her eyes burn with determination as she stands tall, turning her gaze toward the horizon. Whatever Zovrath’s plans were, she had her own reasons for hunting the fairies—reasons she kept hidden beneath the surface.
"Fairies..." she mutters, almost whispering. "You’ll lead me to more than just Zovrath’s prize. Much more."
----------------------------------------
> Place : Dy’Xian Oberservatory
> Planet : Yadgir
> Realm : Aracaneaum
> Ethan’s Status : 3 Zyk in Fairy age (5.5 yr in human age), 3’6’’ft, growing up.
> Time : 1048th Rev of Timestar. Present.
> Population : 0.00000000000000001% (Only Twelve fairies and Ethan)
On the devastated planet Yadgir, where remnants of its once-great purpose as the "Eye of the universe" still linger, the faint glow of broken giant machinery flickers in the ruins. Amongst the debris, two fairies, Vyrella and Atheria, stand as the last guardians of this forgotten outpost. Despite the destruction, they remain vigilant, keeping an eye on the universe with what little equipment still functions, most notably the shattered monitor of Aracaneum realm.
Vyrella's voice rang out with urgency as she sifted through the worn-out machinery. *“Ath! Atheria!”
Atheria, lounging nearby, feigned ignorance, clearly not wanting to be disturbed. *“I can’t hear a thing, Vy! There’s something in this seat blocking all sounds,” she replied, lazily stretching.
“Ath! I’m serious!” Vyrella’s tone sharpened. *“Just look at it!”
Atheria sighed dramatically, still pretending. *“Still not hearing anything, Vy.”
But then Vyrella dropped the name that cut through Atheria’s feigned disinterest like a blade. *“Something’s heading towards Ethan.”
Instantly, Atheria sprang from her spot, rushing to Vyrella’s side. *“What is it? Where? Show me!” Her eyes widened in alarm as she scanned the satellite-like projection Vyrella was watching, her heart already racing at the thought of Ethan being in danger.
“Oh, I thought you couldn’t hear a thing back there,” Vyrella teased with a smirk.
“Hey, no compromise when Ethan’s involved!” Atheria fired back, her voice softening into a more sentimental tone. *“Oh, my little muffin. I still remember how he said ‘You are silly’ in that adorable little voice, waving his tiny hand at me.” She sighed dramatically, her eyes shining as she remembered. *“Ugh, I’m dying, Vy. I can’t handle that much cuteness. I still can’t get over it!”
Vyrella chuckled, shaking her head. *“You always miss him, don’t you? Well, too bad, because this time I’m the one who’s going to meet him.”
Atheria looked crestfallen. *“How come?” she asked, eyeing her suspiciously.
Vyrella pointed to the projection of a colossal spacecraft—a menacing vessel marked with Zovrath’s symbol—slowly moving across the map. *“Look here. The Ark. It’s heading towards Midfold. Something’s triggered it.”
Atheria’s brows furrowed in concern. *“what? Who could be controlling it?”
“Neshis’ still trapped in Midfold,” Vyrella muttered, deep in thought. *“But how…”
“Maybe someone from outside....,” Atheria suggested, her mind racing to connect the dots.
“But who?” Vyrella asked aloud, both of them sharing the same grim realization.
“They’re searching for them,” they whispered in unison, their eyes wide with the growing danger.
Vyrella clenched her fists, determination sparking in her eyes. *“We have to warn them—wait, no, no…” Her grin spread as an idea lit up in her mind. *“I have to tell them!” She practically bounced with excitement, shouting in triumph. *“Ethan... I’m coming!”
Atheria’s face fell as she realized what this meant. She had been the one to visit him last time, and as per their agreement, it was Vyrella’s turn. The playful rivalry between the two was ever-present, but this time it stung a little more than usual.
Vyrella turned to Atheria, grinning even wider as she teased, *“Awww, look at this face.” She playfully poked Atheria’s nose. *“Come here, you can always cry on my shoulder.”
Atheria rolled her eyes, trying to play it off. *“Haha. Funny. I’m fine. I’m just happy my little muffin was excited to see my face.” Then she smirked, her tone turning mischievous. *“But I’m sure he’ll scream when he sees you.”
“Oh, jealous, are we?” Vyrella teased. *“It’s okay. And what was that you told me last time? Oh, right! ‘Only the finest fairy can see Ethan,’ wasn’t it?”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” Atheria grumbled, her arms crossed in mock indignation. *“Go on then, but Aarthel ordered to use something better than that old book this time.”
Vyrella’s grin widened even further. Without missing a beat, she prepared to leave, her consciousness shifting into a trans-cons as she activated their traditional method of communication. A glow surrounded her as she began the process, her excitement almost tangible as she mentally whispered, "Ethan, here I come."
Atheria watched as Vyrella’s form disappeared, her heart lifting as she thought of Ethan. But even as she smiled, she couldn’t help the small pang of jealousy.
----------------------------------------
> Place : Hyden Castle
> Realm : Aracaneaum
> Ethan’s Status : 3 Zyk in Fairy age (5.5 yr in human age), 3’6’’ft, growing up.
> Time : 1048th Rev of Timestar. Present.
> Population : 0.00000000000000001% (Only twelve fairies and Ethan)
In the castle’s room in a newly converted lab, Ethan stood over a table cluttered with vials, tools, and pieces of minions' disgusting skin. Zara, stood next to him, though she was trying to distance herself from the sight of what he was doing.
Ethan, using tweezers, peeled back another layer of the rough, ugly skin. *“Look at this!” he exclaimed, but Zara's face was twisted in disgust.
“Eww, Ethan! How are you even touching that?” she grimaced, practically gagging. *“I’m going out before I throw up.”
“Wait, wait, no! Zara, you need to note this down!” Ethan insisted, pointing to the peeling skin. Zara squeezed her eyes shut, holding her tablet up as a shield from the sight.
“I can’t, Ethan! That thing’s so gross, I swear it’s looking back at me,” she mumbled but begrudgingly scribbled down some notes, clearly trying to do her best while keeping her eyes closed.
Things got weirder when Ethan, deep into his next experiment, poured a glowing chemical onto one of the severed hands of Rhyznith’s minions. At first, the skin started to dissolve like he hoped. But then, to everyone’s horror, the hand began twitching, and before anyone could react, it stood up on its fingers like a tiny, determined spider.
“Hey! Come back here!” Ethan shouted as the hand scuttled off the table and started running on its fingertips, leaving gooey prints all over the lab.
Zara squealed and bolted to the other side of the room. *“Ethan! Why is it running? Why is it RUNNING?!”
The hand darted around like a tiny escaped convict, knocking over test tubes and causing chaos. Lira, standing nearby with her arms crossed and a raised eyebrow, calmly watched the spectacle before finally stepping in. With one swift move, she grabbed the runaway hand mid-dash and held it up to Ethan.
“Really, Ethan?” she teased, twirling the twitching hand in her grip. *“A running hand? You’re turning this room into a horror show!”
Ethan grinned sheepishly. *“It wasn’t part of the plan, I swear!”
Lira smirked, giving the hand a playful shake before tossing it back onto the table. *“Try keeping your experiments a little more... contained next time.”
Meanwhile, Aria, who had been curiously tinkering with a different vial, accidentally tipped a bottle of some another chemical right onto the minion’s leg. To everyone’s surprise, the leg started to transform back into a more normal-looking limb.
“Flash, look at this!” Aria gasped, pointing at the leg excitedly.
“Wait, is it really turning back—” Ethan started to say, but before he could finish, the leg exploded with a loud POP, sending goo flying in every direction.
Both Aria and Ethan were hit head-on, their faces covered in a thick layer of slime. Aria blinked, frozen in surprise, as a long glob of goo dripped off her nose. Ethan, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, just stared at her for a second, then broke into a grin.
“Well, that was unexpected,” he said, before sticking his hand out for a high-five.
Aria, with goo still hanging off her chin, smirked and slapped her hand against his, sending more goo splattering. *“Totally worth it,” she laughed, wiping her face off as the other fairies howled with laughter.
Flora, watching from the doorway, shook her head with a fond smile. *“Ethan, Flower, I don’t know whether to be impressed by your creativity or horrified by the mess.”
Ethan, still covered in slime, grinned from ear to ear. *“Let’s call it progress, Flora. A messy kind of progress.”
“Just make sure next time, that ‘progress’ doesn’t involve exploding goo,” Flora teased, walking off as the rest of the fairies continued laughing.
As the lab quieted down and everyone started cleaning up, Ethan looked at Aria and Zara, chuckling. *“Maybe I should’ve mentioned the explosion risk.”
“Next time, lead with that,” Zara muttered, still wiping goo out of her hair.
----------------------------------------
Another day, Elara, Tara, and Luna stood together in the lab, watching Ethan as he worked meticulously on a new chemical formula. His small hands were carefully measuring liquids, and his concentration was so intense that he didn't even notice the three towering fairies observing him with affectionate smiles.
Elara sighed softly, her eyes gleaming with fondness. *“Watching him like this… it reminds me of before Zytrax absorbed his light. He always had that spark, always trying to make something new, even back then.”
Tara nodded, her expression thoughtful. *“Yes. We may have lost so much—our civilization, our people—but we still have him. He’s the reason we keep going, the reason we’re not lost.” She glanced at Ethan with deep affection. *“He’s our little miracle.”
Luna smiled, her eyes lighting up with a playful gleam. *“Remember his old lab back in the O'Vixyor Castle? The way he used to create those big, puffy clouds from just a few drops of liquid. I still don’t know how he managed it, but it was so fun to play with.”
Elara chuckled at the memory. *“Oh, I remember! He used to come out of the clouds like a tiny walking puffball! All of us would laugh while trying to catch him, looking like a little storm cloud.”
The three fairies burst into laughter, the memory warming their hearts.
“I miss those days,” Tara sighed wistfully, her voice soft. *“But you know… I think we all love him even more now. He’s smaller, cuter… Sometimes I just want to hold him, listen to his sweet little voice, and kiss him all day. He’s our little charmer.” Her voice grew softer, more tender. *“He makes me forget everything else.”
Elara smirked. *“Hey, don’t hog him. We all want our share of that cuddle time! Otherwise, things might get chaotic around here.”
The three of them laughed again, the idea of chaos over Ethan making them shake their heads.
Luna’s smile faded a little as she remembered something darker. *“You’re right, Elysia. Zytrax did give us one gift—this little ball of moonbeam. But… when she was absorbing his light…” Her voice trembled with sadness, the memory too painful to finish. *“I can’t even think about it. It makes me sick to remember how helpless he was.”
Elara’s face softened with concern, and she quickly interjected. *“Mislyra, there’s no need to dwell on that. Look—he’s here with us. Maybe he’s smaller, maybe not as powerful as before, but he’s still our Ethan. And in a way, he makes us all stronger just by being here, doesn’t he?”
Luna nodded, her smile returning. *“You’re right, Rynous. He makes everything better, just by being around.”
Tara looked thoughtful for a moment, glancing between them and Ethan. *“Do you think… do you think he can really turn the Rhyznith’s minions back into normal fairies? I mean, he’s not as developed as he once was…”
Luna shrugged, her eyes back on Ethan as he tinkered. *“We don’t know. But look at him—he’s so determined. If anyone can figure it out, it’s him. After all, he did get that severed hand to walk around like it was alive.”
Elara chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. *“I don’t know how he does it—how he can be so childlike, so cute and playful, and still this little genius. I mean… just look at him doing his little ‘expitenents’ or whatever he calls them.”
Luna corrected her with a smile. *“Experiments, Rynous.”
“Yeah, yeah. That.” Elara waved her off with a grin. *“But even Zara was talking about it. There’s something about him, something that hasn’t changed. He’s still our Ethan…, sometimes, he’s like the old him, and other times, he’s just this adorable little bug.”
They all laughed again, their hearts lighter as they watched Ethan continue his work, completely unaware of the affection and love that surrounded him.
Flora entered the room, her nurturing figure radiating warmth as she spotted Elara, Tara, and Luna laughing together. Her hands rested on her hips, her expression a blend of amusement and mild exasperation.
“Seriously, you three?” Flora said, shaking her head with a playful smile. *“I sent you to fetch Ethan for lunch, and instead, you're all giggling like Bychs.”
Elara wiped a tear from her eye, still chuckling. *“Oh, Lorieyna. We just got caught up reminiscing. You know how it is—talking about the days when our little Bug wasn’t so... little. And, well, we might’ve gotten a bit distracted.”
Flora raised an eyebrow, but her smile deepened. *“Really, Rynous? Well, I can’t blame you for that.” She sighed softly, her eyes softening with affection. *“I miss those days too. Back then, he would come to me on his own, wrap his little arms around my waist, and ask me to make him something to eat. And he’d actually eat himself!” She let out a light laugh. *“But now? Oh, sometimes I feel like I can feed him all day, just to keep up with his sweet, cute talks.”
Tara joined in, her smile warm. *“He’s so much more adorable now, though. Can’t we just keep him like this forever? I wouldn’t mind.”
Flora’s gaze softened further as she thought about it, her voice gentle. *“We all want that, Elysia.” Then, with a slight shift to her tone, she gave them a playful nudge. *“But for now, why don’t you three head to the dining hall and get the food ready while I go wrangle our little Erudite here?”
Still smiling and chuckling among themselves, the three fairies made their way toward the dining hall, leaving Flora to handle Ethan.
Flora approached Ethan, who was deeply focused on his latest experiment. His small hands expertly measured and mixed different magical chemicals, his brows furrowed in concentration.
“Ethan, my flower,” Flora called gently, her voice a soothing melody.
Ethan barely glanced up, too absorbed in his work. *“Just a moment, Flora. I’m almost done.”
Flora, smiling, sat beside him, her large form gracefully settling into the chair. *“No, no waiting this time. Lunch first, then you can come back to your concoctions.”
Ethan didn’t respond immediately, still focused as he dropped a glowing liquid into another vial. He watched expectantly, but when nothing happened, his little shoulders slumped, and he let out a frustrated groan.
“Why... why isn’t it working?” he mumbled, feeling defeated.
Seeing the disappointment on his face, Flora’s heart melted. She cupped his small face in her large, soft hands, lifting his chin gently so he would look at her. *“Because you’re hungry, my sweet,” she said, her voice warm and comforting. *“You’ve been working so hard. Let me take care of you now.”
Ethan leaned into her touch, resting his head against her hand with a tired sigh. *“Flora... I’ve tried at least 67 combinations. Nothing is working. I’m missing something...”
Flora’s expression softened even more, and she leaned down, planting a gentle kiss on his forehead. *“Don’t be sad, love. We all know you’ll figure it out. But right now, what you need most is a break, some good food, and a lot of love. You can come back to this with a clear head after.”
Ethan blinked up at her, a small smile forming on his lips. *“You always know what I need, Flora. I don’t know how you do it, but I love you more for it.”
Flora’s heart swelled with warmth at his words, her hands cradling him closer as she kissed him softly on the cheek. *“And I, my little blooming flower, love you even more.” She scooped him up in her arms effortlessly, holding him close as she nuzzled his cheek with her nose. *“Now, let’s go fill that small tummy of yours, shall we? You need your strength.”
Ethan, feeling comforted in her embrace, let out a soft, contented sigh as she carried him toward the dining hall, his earlier frustration melting away in the warmth of her love.