As Aria, Sylph, and Ethan shared their playful moment, the other fairies quietly watched from the sidelines. Flora, Lira, Luna, Tara, Nia, and Zara stood grouped together, their faces reflecting a mix of amusement and affection. None of them wanted to interrupt, captivated by the sight of Ethan’s wide-eyed expressions and flustered reactions.

Flora (whispering to Lira): "Look at him! He’s so adorable when he’s flustered like this."

Lira (grinning): "I know. It's hard to believe how a little teasing can make him blush so much."

Luna (giggling softly): "And the way Emberis and Lys are playing it up—priceless. He’s completely captivated."

Tara (smiling): "He’s just so innocent. It’s like he can’t help but fall for their playful tricks."

Nia (chuckling): "And the way he tries to fix it—so sweet. You can see how much he really loves them."

Zara (nodding): "Yeah, it’s moments like these that remind us how special our bond with Ethan is. It’s pure joy watching him like this."

As Sylph and Aria continued their playful teasing, Ethan’s reactions ranged from bashful giggles to earnest pleas, his small face bright red from embarrassment and amusement. The fairies couldn’t help but smile at each new expression, their hearts warmed by the scene before them.

Aria finally released Ethan from the group hug and looked at him with a grin that was both teasing and affectionate.

Aria: "Alright, Flashy, you’ve been thoroughly out-teased. How about we focus on our mission now?"

Sylph, still smiling softly, nodded in agreement.

Sylph: "Yes, let’s get ready. But before we go_" Sylph took his small hand in her and inhales its sweet scent, which always makes her more loved. “Better now.”

Tara (waving her fingers and creating an Aura around both Aria and Sylph using her arcane powers): This will protect your from Neshis’ sight. They can’t trace you.

Tara (calm, but firm): "Remember, it won't last forever. You need to come back before it fades."

Aria (grinning with her usual confidence): "Leave it to me. Unless, of course, Sylph decides to make some mistake and gets us trapped."

Sylph (mock-offended): "Mistake? Me? Ha! I’m basically flawless, Aria. If anyone's getting us into trouble, it’s you."

Aria (teasing): "Sure, but what if Ryznith herself shows up? You think your perfection will handle that?"

Sylph’s playful demeanor shifted slightly at the mention of Ryznith, her fiery eyes flickering with a dangerous glint.

Sylph (serious, voice low): "If she shows up this time, I'll burn her to ashes."

Ethan, who had been listening closely, stepped forward, his small face filled with concern.

Ethan (soft but firm): "Sylph, don’t let your anger control you. Even if Ryznith shows up, I need you to come back. In one piece."

Sylph’s expression softened instantly. She knelt down to his height, her fiery confidence melting away as she looked into his eyes.

Sylph (gently): "I promise, Ethan. I won't lose control this time."

Ethan leaned up on his toes and kissed both of her cheeks, his small fingers brushing her fiery locks as he smiled.

Ethan (in his sweet, innocent voice): "I still want to see you in this awesome dress. And for many, many more times of this dress."

Sylph couldn’t help but smile, a tender warmth flooding through her as she pulled him into her arms, wrapping him in a loving embrace.

Sylph (softly): "Oh, my little Firefly. You can look at me in this as long as you want. And I promise I’ll return. In one piece, of course."

She kissed him gently on the forehead, a promise sealed with warmth and love. Ethan’s heart swelled as he hugged her back.

But before they could part, Aria crossed her arms, pretending to pout.

Aria (mock-pouting): "And what about me? I think I’m heading off on this mission without any of Ethan’s kisses. Sylph gets all the motivation!"

Ethan giggled, his face lighting up with a grin.

Ethan (grinning): "No way, Aria. I’ve got plenty of kisses for you too!"

He opened his small arms, beckoning Aria to kneel down. She laughed, dropping to her knees so Ethan could reach her face. With a gentle touch, he cupped her cheeks in his small hands.

Ethan (seriously, but sweetly): "One kiss for my brave and superfast Aria, and another for risking your life for me."

He gave her a soft kiss on each cheek. Aria beamed, her heart melting at his adorable seriousness.

Aria (smiling warmly): "You know, Ethan, we’d all risk our lives if it meant keeping you safe."

But Ethan’s expression grew a little more serious, his eyes pleading as he looked between Aria and Sylph.

Ethan (earnestly): "But I don’t want any of you to die. I want you all to live long and happy lives."

Mira, who had been watching the sweet exchange, couldn’t help but chime in with a laugh.

Mira (teasing): "Mushroom, you’re making it even harder for them to leave!"

Ethan turned around, a bit flustered.

Ethan (defensively): "But I’m just saying!"

Zara grinned, stepping forward and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Zara (affectionate): "Your 'just saying' is exactly why we can’t resist you, Ethan. Now come here, or else they’ll never be able to leave you."

Before Aria and Sylph could go, Ethan gave them each one last round of kisses and a heartfelt, sweet "Best of luck!" to send them off.

Just as the moment ended, Lira stepped forward, her commanding presence instantly shifting the mood to serious.

Lira (authoritative): "Alright, Guardians. Zara’s intel says you’ll find some of Ryznith’s minions in the Dyst. (East direction). Your mission is to capture one and bring it here. No need to engage beyond that. We’ll keep the passageway open for one Cynx shift. Return within that time. Am I clear?"

Both Aria and Sylph stood to attention, their playful demeanors gone as they responded in unison.

Aria and Sylph: "Yes, Aarthel!"

Lira gave them a firm nod.

Lira: "Good luck."

With that, both Aria and Sylph knelt on one knee, placing a fist over their chests in a solemn salute. Flora, standing by the large, ancient trees that surrounded the castle, used her powers to part the thick tree trunks, creating a small passway that led out into the open world.

Aria and Sylph zipped away, disappearing into the darkness of the night, their war dresses gleaming as they sped off into the distance.

The rest of the fairies watched them leave, their hearts full of pride and hope for their return. The night sky above glittered with stars, but in that moment, all their thoughts were with Aria and Sylph, wishing them safety and success.

Ethan, nestled in Elara's arms, tugged gently at her sleeve. "Elara?"

She tilted her head down, her fingers brushing softly against his cheek. "Yes, lovebug?"

Ethan hesitated for a moment, looking at the ground before meeting her eyes. "Why does everyone call Lira Aarthel now? First Atheria, then Vyrella, and even Sylph and Aria called her that."

Elara’s voice softened, her tone gentle and careful, "Because, love, Lira is older than all of us. And….She's... like….our commander, the one we all look to in times of danger."

Ethan blinked, surprise flickering across his face. "Lira is our commander?" he repeated in awe, the thought still new and strange to him.

Flora, standing nearby, smiled warmly. "But don’t worry, little one. As much as she’s our leader, she’s still your Lira. Your smiles are her greatest weakness, you know. She melts like butter every time you flash her that grin." She leaned down to plant a soft kiss on his cheek.

Ethan giggled at the kiss, the warm affection wrapping around him like a blanket. But his mind, always curious, wasn’t quite finished. His face turned slightly serious as he leaned into Flora's embrace.

“Floraaaa,” he called out playfully.

Flora beamed at him, squeezing his cheeks gently. “Yes, my little flower? Hmmm...Hungry already?”

Ethan’s pout was instant. “How do you always know? It’s not fair!”

Laughter rippled through the air as Flora kissed the top of his head. “Because I love you more than anything in this world,” she whispered tenderly. “Now stay here with Elara while I fetch something for you to eat, okay?”

Ethan’s pout softened into a smile. “Okay.”

As Flora disappeared toward the castle, the mood began to shift again. Ethan looked up at Elara, concern weighing down his small frame. "Elara?"

She continued to cradle him close, her eyes soft and patient. "Hmm?"

Ethan hesitated, his voice dropping to a low whisper. “Will Aria and Sylph come back safely? I... I’m worried about them.” His small fingers clenched around her sleeve, betraying the tension building in his chest.

Elara’s eyes filled with understanding. "No need to worry, lovebug. They’re more than just your playful fairies. They are warriors. I promise, they’ll come back."

"But I don’t want to put them in danger. Maybe we should just forget the formula and—”

Tara’s voice cut in, firm yet compassionate. “And then what? Ethan, you gave us hope. Hope for our survival, to bring back those we lost. This mission… it’s nothing compared to that.”

“But—” Ethan began, his small face scrunched with concern.

Luna moved closer, her warm hands cupping his cheeks as she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. *"We know, Moon, we know. But this isn’t just about us—it’s for our kind, for everyone. And they wouldn’t be out there if they didn’t believe in this mission, in you.”

Ethan’s lip trembled as his words faltered. "But I don't want any of you getting hurt."

Nia crouched beside him, her calming presence washing over the group. “No buts, now. We know how much you love us, Ethan. And this is Aria and Sylph we’re talking about. They would destroy the whole realm if they had to. You know that.”

Feeling overwhelmed, Ethan leaned into Elara’s arms again, resting his head on her shoulder. He didn’t speak further, the weight of his worries too heavy for words. His small body was still, but his heart raced with unease.

Elara kissed his head softly, holding him closer as she gently rocked him. *"It's alright, love."

A few moments later, Lira returned, her presence commanding yet filled with concern as she saw Ethan’s quiet form. “What happened to him?”

At the sound of her voice, Ethan’s head shot up, his small arms instantly reaching out toward her. “Lira!”

Without hesitation, Lira scooped him up into her arms, cradling him close as she kissed his forehead. “What’s wrong, champ? Why’s my little warrior so sad, hmm?”

Ethan didn’t answer, only burying his face into the crook of her neck, his arms tightening around her. His silence spoke volumes.

Zara, stepping forward, her voice low and understanding, said, "He’s worried for Aria and Sylph. He thinks it’s his fault… that he put them in danger."

A small chuckle escaped Lira, her lips curving into a soft smile as she kissed Ethan’s cheek. “Oh, Ethan,” she murmured, pulling him back slightly so she could look into his eyes. *“You’re worrying about nothing, my little champ. They will come back. This is a simple mission for them. Once you grow up, I’ll show you how they fight—you’ll see there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Ethan remained silent, but the worry was still etched deeply in his expression, his eyes full of emotion.

Lira pulled him close again, whispering, “I promise you, they will come back. And when they do, we’ll all be together again, laughing, just like always.”

But Ethan’s heart remained heavy as he leaned against Lira’s chest, his small body trembling slightly. Lira, feeling his distress, kissed his temple again, rubbing his back soothingly.

The group fell into a quiet, respectful silence, allowing Ethan the space he needed. The air was thick with unspoken words, each fairy acutely aware of the weight on Ethan’s small shoulders. Yet, in their shared bond, they also knew that together, they could carry the burden.

And so, they waited, holding Ethan in their collective embrace, trusting that no matter what, they would face whatever came next—together.

Flora returned to the group, carrying a tray of food. She looked around and her heart sank as she saw Ethan, his face buried in Lira's shoulder, his small frame trembling with worry.

Flora's voice was soft and concerned. "What happened? Flower... baby..."

As soon as Ethan saw Flora, he scrambled into her arms, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Floraaa..."

Flora held him close, her voice soothing. "Hey, baby. Shh... what’s wrong?"

Lira, gently stroking Ethan’s back, explained, "He’s been worried about Aria and Sylph. We’ve tried to comfort him, but—"

Ethan’s voice cracked as he spoke through his sobs. "Flora... I... I don’t want to lose them..."

The pain in Flora’s heart was palpable, her eyes misting as she held him tighter. "Oh, my precious flower," she whispered, her voice trembling. "They will come back, I promise."

Nia stepped closer, her voice gentle and comforting. "Yes, Ethan. They’re strong, and they’re doing this for us all. They will be back."

Ethan shook his head, still on the verge of tears. "But what if—"

Luna, trying to offer reassurance, said firmly, "Ethan, we’ve told you. Nothing bad will happen. They’ll go, capture a minion, and come back. Besides, you wanted to test your formula on it, remember?"

Ethan nodded slowly, still burying his face in Flora’s shoulder. Flora saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes, and she seized the opportunity to cheer him up.

"Hmm," Flora said, her tone lightening, "I think my flower is hungry and wants the best meal in the realm." She poked his side playfully.

Ethan’s giggle was a small, bright spot amid his sadness, but the weight of his worries was still evident. Flora smiled and pulled out a small, elegantly decorated dessert. "Look, I brought you a treat. Your favorite."

Ethan looked at the dessert but shook his head. "But I’m not hungry anymore. I’ll eat after they return."

Mira, cradling him gently, spoke with a soothing tone. "Ethan, they will return. But if you stay sad like this, none of us will be happy. And you want us all to be happy, don’t you?"

Ethan nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "Yes, but they’re not here. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have asked for a living one."

Zara stepped forward, her expression serious yet compassionate. "But if you hadn’t asked, how would we confirm your formula? This is important for all of us."

Ethan looked around at the faces of his beloved fairies, their expressions filled with love and concern. Slowly, he nodded, a tear slipping down his cheek.

Flora wiped the tear away gently and offered a warm smile. "Now, eat something or I'll get upset from you. Show me your that cute smile."

Ethan managed a small, grateful smile, the weight of his worry slightly lifted by their support. He looked at the dessert again, his resolve strengthening as he realized that while he couldn’t change the situation, he could still find some comfort in the love surrounding him.

Flora, Nia, Elara, and the others remained close, their presence a testament to their unwavering support. The fairy family held Ethan in their embrace, each of them silently vowing to stand strong together, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

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

In the shadow of the night, Aria dashed through the forest with Sylph in tow, her speed nearly bending reality as they zoomed in Dyst direction. They stopped abruptly, skidding to a halt at the edge of a clearing, where the hive of Ryznith's monstrous minions sprawled across the landscape. The creatures, grotesque and formidable, lay dormant, their hulking bodies scattered under the moonlight. The air was thick with tension, as even the slightest disturbance could awaken the horde and unleash chaos.

Aria and Sylph stood perfectly still, their breaths shallow, whispering to avoid any unnecessary noise.

Aria, her eyes scanning the unsettling scene, whispered, “Erudite really needs to work on her intel... She said there would be one or two, but this...”

Sylph, her tone simmering with barely contained fury, whispered back, “It doesn’t matter. I’ll burn them all to ashes.”

Aria sighed, glancing at her friend with an amused smirk. "Why do you always get so worked up over these minions and Ryznith? Just look at them, sleeping so... peacefully." She teased, her voice light despite the danger.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

But Sylph’s fiery gaze didn’t waver. Her red-hot fists clenched at her sides as she muttered, "Because Ryznith destroyed my world. And now, it’s her turn to suffer."

"Alright, alright. I get it," Aria whispered, raising her hands in surrender. "But let's not go starting any trouble, okay? We don’t need a hive full of angry minions right now."

Sylph remained fixated on the horde, her anger still simmering as her hands flickered faintly with heat, but she held herself back.

Aria, knowing that Sylph’s temper was not easily quelled, murmured, "Nevermind... So, what’s the plan?"

Sylph’s voice was firm, but her focus was sharp. "We’ll go slow and sneaky. We’ll tie up one of them, the one lying near the edge. Then, we’ll kill a few of the others while we’re at it."

Aria couldn’t help but roll her eyes. "Oh my… again with the killing. Emberis, control yourself, for once. Remember what you promised Ethan."

At the mention of Ethan, Sylph’s flames dimmed, her rage tempered by the thought of the young boy’s trust in her. Her eyes softened, and she let out a slow breath. "Fine. Just because I promised Ethan... I’ll hold back. This time."

Aria gave her a light pat on the shoulder, whispering, "That’s the spirit. Let’s go grab one and get out of here."

The two of them moved silently, their footsteps barely brushing the ground. Every step was calculated, every breath hushed. They approached one of the closest minions, a monstrous creature with leathery skin and clawed limbs sprawled across the earth. Its breath was steady, deep in sleep, undisturbed.

Sylph, her power subtle for once, extended her hand, drawing the heat from the minion’s body, making it slump deeper into its already lethargic state. The temperature around them dropped slightly as the creature became even more inactive.

Aria worked swiftly and quietly, wrapping a thick, enchanted rope around the creature’s limbs, binding it tightly. Once secure, she gave Sylph a nod, and the two of them hoisted the beast up between them, careful not to disturb the rest of the hive.

As they carried the captured minion, Sylph glanced back at the remaining creatures, her eyes burning with unspoken fury. But she said nothing, restraining herself for the sake of their mission—and for Ethan.

Aria caught her gaze and whispered with a small smile, "See? We can do this without burning everything down."

Sylph gave a grudging smirk. "Don’t push your luck, Lys."

Aria glanced at the ugly, tied-up creature and groaned, "Let’s head back to the castle, but there’s no way I can run fast with this, ugly thing and you both."

Sylph raised an eyebrow. "So? You’re saying we just have to carry it the whole way?"

Aria nodded reluctantly, grimacing. "Kinda... I mean, look at it."

Sylph surveyed the grotesque creature, a disgusted frown on her face. "But we’re still about four byots from the castle. How exactly do you plan on carrying it all that way?"

Both of them stood in silence for a moment, thinking. Aria’s face lit up with an idea. "How about I first—"

Before she could finish, Sylph interrupted with determination. "That’s it. I’m doing it."

Aria blinked, confused. "Doing what?"

Without answering, Sylph spread her arms, channeling her air manipulation powers. With a gust of wind, she lifted the tied-up minion into the air, herself rising alongside it. But as she manipulated the air currents, the sudden movement created an unexpected noise—enough to stir the entire hive of monstrous minions from their slumber.

The ground trembled with their roars as they all awoke, their glowing eyes fixating on Aria and Sylph. Both of them froze for a split second, shock and dread setting in as the entire hive surged towards them in a frenzied rage.

Aria’s eyes widened. "I think we should run."

Sylph, her voice sharp with urgency, snapped, "Run. Now."

Sylph soared into the sky, levitating the creature alongside her, while Aria took off on foot, sprinting, just beneath them. The horde was closing in fast, their roars echoing through the forest like thunder. The two fairies exchanged a panicked glance.

"We gotta go faster!" Aria shouted, her breath quickening. "We can’t let them follow us to the castle!"

Sylph gritted her teeth, pushing her powers to their limit. "I’m going as fast as I can, but this thing’s heavy!" She glanced at Aria, then added desperately, "Use your wings, Aria!"

Without wasting another second, Aria pulled out her wings, their sleek form shimmering in the dim moonlight. She leapt into the air, flapping them powerfully as she lifted herself and the creature higher, taking some of the load off Sylph. Their speed increased, and slowly, the distance between them and the hive began to grow.

The hive’s roars became more distant as the fairies shot through the sky, flying faster than before. Ahead of them, the dark forest shielding the castle came into view, its towering trees bathed in soft moonlight.

"There it is!" Aria called out, her voice a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

Sylph glanced back one last time, her eyes narrowing at the now distant swarm of minions. "We made it... but let’s not slow down until we’re inside."

The two of them, now synchronized in their flight, raced towards the safety of the castle, the treeline growing closer with every passing second. The moonlit forest welcomed them as they soared toward their sanctuary, their mission complete but their nerves still rattled by the close call.

As Aria, Sylph, and the tied minion crash-landed through the small opening in the treeline shield, Flora immediately closed it behind them with a wave of her hand, making sure no other creature could follow. Luna and Lira rushed forward. Luna’s cosmic powers flared to life as she summoned a glowing violet shackle, binding the creature’s limbs to the ground. The minion struggled weakly but was quickly rendered immobile.

Aria and Sylph lay on the ground, panting heavily from their escape, though Aria recovered her breath faster. Flora crouched beside them, her expression concerned. "Are you alright, Emberis? Lys?"

Both of them nodded, still catching their breath.

Lira’s eyes narrowed as she looked toward the trees. "Did any of them follow you?"

Aria, now able to speak, chuckled dryly. "Any? We’ve got a whole hive following us."

Luna's expression shifted in shock. "What? A hive?"

Aria nodded, brushing the dirt off her clothes as she stood. "We thought we’d find just one or two like Erudite said, but no, we found a whole hive of those ugly things."

Lira stepped forward, her tone urgent. "Are they close? Did they follow?"

Aria shook her head with a smirk. "Nope, we outran them. Barely, but we’re safe for now."

Just then, Ethan came running out of the castle, his eyes lighting up as he saw them. "Sylph! Aria!"

Hearing his voice, Sylph immediately sat up, her eyes softening as they locked onto Ethan. Her exhaustion melted away, replaced with overwhelming relief and joy. She opened her arms wide, her face brightening like the sun breaking through a storm. "Oh, my firefly..."

Ethan ran as fast as his small legs could carry him, and when he reached Sylph, he practically dove into her arms. She caught him easily, wrapping him tightly in her embrace, holding him as if she hadn’t seen him in years. Her lips pressed against his forehead in a kiss, and then she hugged him tighter, her breath shaking. "My baby... Oh, I missed you."

Ethan pulled back just a little to look at her face, his concern obvious. "Sylph, are you alright?"

Sylph’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she nodded, pulling him back into her arms. "I’m alright, Ethan. Thank you." Her voice trembled, and tears began to roll down her cheeks as she buried her face in his hair, holding him close. The tension and relief of the entire mission came crashing down all at once. "Thank you, my love."

Ethan pulled back slightly, startled. "Sylph, why are you crying? You did it. You did a great job!"

Aria, standing nearby with her hands on her hips, smiled softly. "It's because of you, Ethan. You made her stronger. Strong enough to hold back her anger and spare those poor fairies—turned into monsters—from being burned alive. She did it... for you."

Sylph’s tears fell harder as she clung to Ethan, her arms tightening around him as if she never wanted to let him go. Her voice, full of emotion, trembled as she whispered, "Ethan... thank you. Thank you for trusting me." She pulled him even closer, her heart swelling with love and gratitude. "I love you. I love you with everything I have."

Ethan, feeling her warmth and hearing her sincerity, simply nestled into her embrace. He whispered softly, "I love you too, Sylph."

And in that moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, the rest of the world seemed to disappear.

Ethan pulled back from Sylph’s embrace just enough to look at her, his small fingers gently wiping away her tears. His soft, caring voice broke the silence. "Don’t cry. I want you to be happy and smiling."

Sylph smiled through her sobs, nodding before pulling him back into her chest. "And I want you to trust me like this," she whispered.

Ethan grinned mischievously, his voice playful. "Always. Except for your jokes."

Laughter erupted around them, breaking the emotional tension.

Nia chimed in, grinning, "Hey, you two. We’ve got an ugly monster waiting to be turned back into a fairy."

Sylph shrugged, holding Ethan closer, her voice warm and content. "The monster can wait. Right now, I just want to hold my little hope in my arms."

Elara smiled playfully, "And what about the rest of us, Sylph? Do we just stand here and watch?"

Lira pretended to look heartbroken, adding dramatically, "Accept it, Elara. From now on, we’re just spectators. No more snuggling Ethan for us!" She sighed theatrically, making everyone laugh again.

Tara pointed at Ethan, grinning widely. "And look at him, not even trying to escape from her."

Ethan nestled his head deeper into Sylph's soft chest, speaking in a muffled voice. "I don’t want to. Not until I calm her down."

Sylph chuckled, kissing his head gently. "And I won’t let go until I’m satisfied... and contented," she said before planting more kisses all over his face, causing Ethan to giggle uncontrollably.

Zara, laughing along, teased, "Alright, alright. let's go inside, or are you two planning on snuggling forever?"

Mira chimed in, her voice light and teasing. "I mean, just look at Sylph! She’s about to gobble up Ethan with all those kisses."

Sylph, still kissing Ethan’s cheeks, grinned mischievously. "My little firefly deserves all of my kisses. And trust me, I’ll never run out!" She continued showering him with affection.

Ethan giggled between the kisses, barely able to speak. "But... what about... my face?"

Sylph smirked and teased, "Oh, don’t worry, I’ll kiss it until it’s the most kissed face in the entire fairy realm. Maybe you’ll start glowing!"

Everyone burst into laughter at her playful joke, with Ethan caught in a fit of giggles.

Finally, Sylph stood up, lifting Ethan effortlessly in her arms, holding him close. Lira stepped forward and casually lifted the shackled minion, as if it weighed nothing, and started walking toward the lab. "Come on, let’s get this ugly thing sorted out."

With everyone still laughing and smiling, they all headed toward the lab, ready to test the formula on the captured minion, while Sylph held onto Ethan like she wasn’t planning to let go anytime soon.

Next day, in the lab, the atmosphere was thick with tension as Lira and Mira securely tied the struggling minion to the table. Ethan stood nearby, carefully preparing the solution he had meticulously designed. His young face was serious, concentrated on every detail.

Approaching the minion's grotesque, monstrous hand, Ethan hesitated. Its deformed skin was tough and discolored, veins invisible under the layers of thick, hardened flesh. Lira, standing beside him, kept the creature perfectly still, her unbreakable strength ensuring it wouldn’t move an inch.

"I can’t see its veins or any nerve," Ethan muttered, looking up with a thoughtful expression. "Luna?" he called.

Luna, who had been watching from the side, straightened up. "What is it, moon?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

Ethan scratched the back of his head, trying to simplify his request. "Umm... I need you to... uh... create a bright glow. Like a light that lets me see through... like, under its skin," he stammered, aware that explaining an X-ray wouldn’t make sense in this world.

Luna still seemed confused, but she smiled softly and nodded. "A glow? Sure," she said, summoning a small, brilliantly glowing orb of light that hovered above her hand.

"Perfect," Ethan said, grabbing her hand gently, his small fingers guiding it closer to the minion’s hand. "Hold it right here."

Luna followed his instructions, holding the light steady. The skin of the minion illuminated under the glow, and Ethan’s sharp eyes quickly identified a vein. "Got it!" he said, plunging the needle carefully into the minion's arm, injecting the formula.

"That’s it," Ethan breathed out, stepping back. "Now, we wait and hope it works."

Flora, her maternal instincts kicking in, immediately voiced her concern. "Stay back, Ethan. Lira, take him away," she ordered.

Lira, still keeping an eye on the minion, gently nudged Ethan back into Tara’s waiting arms, where she wrapped him in a protective hold. Everyone else stepped back, watching the creature intently.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the minion started to shake violently, its growls growing more feral. It thrashed against its restraints, its monstrous eyes wild with pain and confusion. The skin on its body began to shatter and dissolve, revealing patches of pale flesh underneath.

Luna’s voice was tense. "What’s happening?" she asked, her eyes wide with alarm.

Ethan kept his gaze fixed on the minion. "It’s changing. We just need to wait until the skin dissolves completely."

But the creature’s growling intensified, and its body convulsed violently, as if the transformation process was unbearable.

Lira stepped forward, her voice hard and ready for action. "Luna, be ready to kill it if it goes too wild."

Without hesitation, Luna summoned a glowing violet sword, sharp and shimmering with her cosmic energy. She stood ready, the blade hovering near the minion’s neck.

Ethan’s voice, though small, was firm. "No, Luna, don’t! We have to wait!"

The minion roared, its skin now almost entirely dissolved, revealing smooth, beautiful pale skin—the same as any other fairy. Within moments, the transformation was complete. The feral growling subsided, replaced by a soft gasp. The minion was gone, and in its place, a fairy lay tied to the table, her eyes wide with confusion but unmistakably returned to her original form.

Everyone stared in awe, the air thick with disbelief. The creature they had feared moments before was now one of them again.

"It worked," Ethan whispered, a smile slowly spreading across his face.

The room fell silent for a beat, then erupted into murmurs of amazement. They had done it.

The lab fell into a thick, heavy silence as everyone stared at the fairy who lay motionless on the table. Her skin, once grotesque and monstrous, now glowed with the soft, ethereal radiance of their kind. Her eyes were closed, her body still—no movement, no sound, just the eerie stillness of someone who had been returned to her true form but was left lifeless.

Flora was the first to move, her hand trembling as she covered her mouth in shock. "By the stars..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. "She’s... one of us." Her usually warm, nurturing eyes were wide with disbelief, struggling to comprehend what they were witnessing.

Lira stood stiff, her powerful arms hanging at her sides, fists clenched. Her usual fierce confidence had drained away, replaced by a haunted look. "We’ve been fighting them..." she murmured. "All this time, we've been fighting our own..." Her voice cracked, the weight of her words suffocating the room.

Sylph, now holding Ethan close to her, felt tears well up in her eyes again, but this time, they weren’t for herself. "Nemesis didn’t kill them..." she choked out. "He turned them into these monsters... those monsters... they were us."

Luna stepped forward slowly, her glowing sword fading into light as her hands dropped to her sides. Her face was pale, her usual playfulness replaced by a deep sadness. "All the battles... all those we fought... we thought they were his creations... but they were our Nynas, our kind..." She looked down at the lifeless fairy before them, her heart heavy with guilt.

"We killed them," Nia whispered, her soft voice trembling as she stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the fairy’s pale face. "We’ve killed so many, thinking they were just monsters. But they were our own people. Zovrath turned them into those beasts, and we... we fought them without knowing."

Aria, usually so lighthearted and playful, was uncharacteristically quiet, her gaze distant as she absorbed the gravity of what they had just discovered. "All this time," she said softly, her voice barely more than a whisper, " What have we done?"

The realization settled over them like a storm cloud, thick and suffocating. Ethan, still nestled in Sylph’s arms, glanced around at their faces, each one reflecting a mixture of shock, guilt, and sorrow.

Tara shook her head, her voice laced with bitterness. "Nemesis didn’t just destroy us—he turned us against ourselves. He made us fight our own kind, made us think they were his mindless minions... and we believed it. We helped him."

Elara, her usually calm and wise demeanor shaken, spoke up, her voice filled with sorrow. "We never knew. We couldn’t have known... but now, knowing this..." She looked at Ethan, her eyes filled with both gratitude and guilt. "You’ve given us the key, Ethan. You’ve uncovered the truth. Now we have hope... hope of bringing them all back."

Mira stood next to Lira, her face grim. "But how many have we killed already?" she asked, her voice hollow. "How many of our own did we unknowingly destroy, thinking we were doing the right thing?"

The room was thick with the weight of their guilt, each fairy struggling with the realization that they had been manipulated, used as weapons against their own people. They had believed they were fighting evil, protecting their world from Rhyznith's forces, but now, everything had changed.

Flora stepped forward, her voice shaking with emotion. "We didn’t know... we couldn’t have known. But now, we have a chance to undo it. Thanks to Ethan... we can save them. We can bring them back."

Ethan looked up at Sylph, feeling the weight of their guilt press down on him too. He had unlocked the secret, but now he understood the burden that came with it. "I didn’t know this would happen," he said quietly. "I just wanted to help. I didn’t know..."

Sylph hugged him tighter, her own guilt and sorrow mixing with an overwhelming gratitude. "You’ve given us a gift, Ethan. You’ve shown us the truth. We can’t undo what’s been done, but we can start to make it right."

Lira’s voice, filled with determination, cut through the room. "Nemesis used us, but no more. We will bring back every last one of our kind. We will undo his curse. This is no longer just a fight to survive. This is a fight to save."

There was a long pause, the weight of her words sinking in.

Nia, always gentle and nurturing, placed a hand on the lifeless fairy’s shoulder. "We will make this right," she whispered. "For all of them."

The room remained silent, each fairy absorbing the enormity of their discovery. What Ethan had unlocked was more than just a formula—it was the key to restoring their people, to rebuilding a world they had thought was lost forever.

And in that silence, one thing became clear: this was no longer a fight for survival. This was a fight for redemption.

As Ethan stood amidst the fairies, their deep emotions, and heavy hearts, he looked up at them with his innocent curiosity, trying to process what Zovrath had done to their people. His voice was soft, "You all look so sad. I think I can barely understand."

Zara sighed deeply, her usually bright eyes dimmed with sadness. "I know. And we’re sad because for so long, we’ve been fighting against our own kind. But now..." She turned her gaze to Ethan, her voice thick with gratitude, "...you’ve given us a way to make things right. We’re in your debt. Forever."

Ethan’s face scrunched up in discomfort, shaking his head quickly. "Don’t say that! I just wanted to help you all because you love me. This is the least I can do for you."

Aria, always playful, let out a soft laugh, leaning down to ruffle Ethan’s hair. "Least? You little genius, you call this the least? You have no idea what you've given us. You've given us hope, a hope we lost so many ages ago."

Nia, planting a soft kiss on his forehead. "Aria’s right, snow. We owe you a great debt for this. We never thought we’d see a day where our little snowflake would turn this world upside down." She squeezed him gently, her love and warmth radiating through her embrace.

Ethan smiled, feeling the affection in the air. But then, as he glanced at the lifeless fairy on the table, his face fell. He gently pulled away from Nia’s embrace. "Not until I make them alive again."

The room shifted, all eyes turning to Ethan.

He gestured toward the fairy, lying motionless on the table. "Look at her... she’s just lying there, lifeless. The transformation might’ve been successful, but I... I can’t make them alive again." His small voice was tinged with sadness.

Tara, who had been quietly touching the fairy’s body, sensing something deeper, suddenly looked up. Her voice was calm, steady. "She’s not dead. Her light is gone."

Ethan blinked in confusion. "Light? What light?"

Zara stepped in to explain, her voice soft but certain. "It’s something inside us, Ethan. It’s like... the essence of who we are. It’s what makes us alive, it’s an important part of being a fairy."

Ethan’s face lit up with curiosity, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Inside you? Is it inside me too?" Without hesitation, he started unbuttoning his shirt, his face serious as if he was about to discover some hidden secret. "I want to see it! Where is it?!"

The fairies couldn't help but chuckle, the mood lightening instantly. Flora, with a warm laugh, moved forward and kissed his forehead as she gently buttoned his shirt back up. "Yes, my sweet boy. You have it too, but you won’t find it by undoing your shirt like that." She kissed him again, her heart overflowing with love.

Ethan, undeterred by her teasing, puffed out his cheeks in frustration. "But Floraaa, I want to see it! How can something be inside us and we can’t see it?" His eyes flicked to Luna. "Luna, you made a glowing orb earlier, right? Sylph’s fire has light. Mira’s thunderstorms have lightning... and they’re so cool!"

The fairies all laughed at his earnest attempts to understand, their hearts easing with each chuckle.

"Oh, my sweet baby flower," Flora said, her heart melting completely at his innocent curiosity. She wrapped him in her soft arms, unable to resist kissing him once again. "How can we resist you?" Her voice was full of affection, her love for him clear as day.

Ethan giggled, squirming a bit but clearly enjoying the attention. "Floraaa... you're squishing me!"

The room filled with laughter as the fairies surrounded Ethan, each one showering him with love and kisses, their heavy hearts momentarily lifted. Despite the deep discovery they had just made, they found solace in the joy and warmth that Ethan brought to them.

For that brief moment, their sadness faded, and the room was filled with love, light, and hope once again.

Lira, laughing softly, shook her head. "He never gets serious, does he?"

Luna joined in, her voice light with affection. "And he never lets us get serious either."

The room erupted into laughter again, their collective tension easing for just a moment.

Ethan, however, wasn’t ready to let go of the topic. "Not my job….But… I still want to see that light! I don’t understand what it is. If I can understand it, maybe I can bring her back to life again."

Tara, smiling at his determination, placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "No, charmer. This is something beyond your reach. Once a fairy’s light is gone, it never returns... unless as philight finds its way into the lightless body."

Mira raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Philight? Do they even exist? I doubt it, Tara."

Tara remained firm, though a touch of sadness laced her words. "They do exist, Mira. We haven't seen them because our Phinixes remained in Valfala after they killed Uthanaha. But in the ancient teachings, we were told that a philight can wander as long as it takes until it finds a suitable body."

Nia’s expression darkened, the hope draining from her voice. "Then it’s all in vain. Even if we turn all the minions back into fairies... they’ll still be dead."

Sylph folded her arms. "So, what’s the point? There’s no point in transforming them back if they can't live."

Elara, always the optimist, refused to give up. "There has to be another way. Tara, you know more about the lights than any of us. Maybe there’s something we’re overlooking? Something in your magics?"

Tara’s face grew serious, her tone more somber than before. "There are... dark magics. Magic that can summon back a light from Naraka, the lightless world. But those who return... they come back more devil than fairy."

Zara perked up, her mind turning over an idea. "But what if we summoned from Valfala instead?"

Tara let out a quiet, humorless laugh. "Valfala? Zara, you know exactly what Valfala does."

Flora, ever the problem-solver, chimed in. "But we could convince them. We have a strong reason now. We could make them agree."

Tara’s tone sharpened slightly, her frustration apparent. "And then what, Flora? What—are they just going to release all the lights for us? Valfala is selfish. They’ll never agree to something like this. Mark my words."

Luna, sensing the underlying pain in Tara’s voice, spoke softly. "We know, Tara, what they did to your kind. But if it's our last option, maybe it’s time to let go of the past. Maybe you can move on."

Tara’s voice faltered as she met Luna’s gaze. "Luna... I can’t. You know I can’t." She reached Ethan, her grip on Ethan’s arms tightened protectively, her eyes locking with his. "And now with Ethan here... I won’t risk it. I won’t even consider it. If they find out about his light—" She glanced around the room at the others, her voice trailing off. "You all know what they would do."

Ethan, who had been quietly watching, his head spinning with all the unfamiliar terms, finally blurted out, "I... literally... have no idea what you’re all talking about."

Tara couldn’t help but laugh at his innocent confusion, her mood lightening just a bit. She leaned in and planted a hard kiss on his cheek. "Mwah! You’re just too cute when you’re like this. Mwah! Mwah!*"

Ethan squirmed, giggling as she continued. "Tara! Taraaa...!"

But Tara wasn’t stopping, her lips pressing against his cheek over and over. "Nope, I’m not stopping. Just sit here and let me kiss you until I’m contented."

The others smiled, their hearts a little lighter watching Tara shower Ethan with affection. But beneath those smiles, they all knew the truth: Tara was right. With Ethan’s light at stake, they couldn’t risk seeking help from Valfala, no matter how desperate they were.