I sat there, with the big strong Ynos, holding me close to him, like a pillar of strength. Looking around, Sidus, who is about as tall as I am, seemed to have a bit of a solemn expression, as if he was contemplating the dangers. I couldn’t see Immy, and Essie’s expression from where I was, but I could read how eager Ynos was for a new experience, a challenge to conquer. Aether, who was perched at the edge of the cave, looked around before he took off to be the first to test the Void’s pull.

I happened to see Breta who, with a bit of concern though, advised him, “Be careful, there’s a chance we were just incredibly lucky.”

Immy, though unable to see her, I could hear her speak with some caution in her voice, “The moment you sense anything awry, teleport without hesitation,” she advised with some urgency.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to risk it. I’ll be fast,” Aether reassured them, with no hesitation.

“U-um, Good Luck!” I finally mustered up, unable to find anything else to say.

“Don’t worry! How many times do I have to remind you?” Essie chopped up from the other side of Sidus, poking her head into view, “Brother Aether is the strongest,” She declared with confidence.

I noticed, as Aether slightly puffed out his chest and a small grin of satisfaction, at how much his siblings hold him in high regard, before he spread his wings and took off for the sky, slowly disappearing into the bright blue sky.

I wasn't sure if I was good at hiding my nervousness, but I felt Ynos put out his wing around me and pulled me in slowly, as leaning against him I could feel that I was slightly shivering. He looked back at me and gave me a big smile, absolutely confident in his ability to protect me. My shivers calmed down a bit, as a part of me really wanted to have him protect me.

‘Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, if I can rely on him to protect me,’ I pondered to myself.

“Oh ya, then you both can get lost in the Void together!” The abyssal apparition of myself chuckled in my head. “Or even better yet! They can see just how different you are! We both know your exposure on this planet has changed your mana. They might not be saying it, but what if you're weaker than them, because of your mana being different. What if you're truly no longer a dragon.” It continued on and on, trying to chip away at my confidence.

“Lost?” Ynos asked, which brought me back to what was happening around me.

“Huh? Oh um yes, Ynos?” I stammered out, trying to process that some time had passed without my noticing.

“We will go when Aether returns. I will protect you.” He said, with absolute authority, and confidence.

I nodded, unable to say anything. I have never relied on someone else to help protect me from anything, but maybe, just maybe Ynos might be someone I can trust.

However, looking at the other dragons, and the goddess, Sidus and Breta both seemed to be growing more anxious by every second. They seemed ready to strike at whatever may appear. They seemed a lot more calm and collected when Aether was here, but the moment that he left, they seemed to grow more tense.

As sudden as Aether appeared, both Breta and Sidus unleashed attacks in his direction. I panicked, as he might get hit, but I watched as Aether swiftly dodged the assaults before teleporting to the ground. I was amazed, as I processed that I watched a Dragon teleport. He really was the Cosmic Pillar.

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“Whoa! Calm down, it’s me!” Aether warned everyone.

In front of me I could see that Ynos had created a large boulder and was prepared to hurl it at Aether, before he had stopped when Aether warned everyone that it was him.

‘So even Ynos was on edge.’ I noted to myself.

Not that I was any better, I had control of the ice around the cave, Like a puppet who was holding its string but only tightening the grip on the strings. The ice around the cave was at my call at any moment, thinking about it, even if I were to use all the mana at my disposal and the huge well below us, if he could teleport, I don't think encasing him within a mountain of ice would have much effect on him.

“Ah” was all that escaped anyone’s mouth in reply.

Breta lowered her spear, and Sidus collected up his mana. Aether looked over at Ynos, who lowered his head and looked away.

“What are you doing?” Aether asked him.

“Ahem, well, they all had a shot, so…”

Aether let out a deep sigh of disappointment, and shook his head, “Drop it, now’s not the time.”

Ynos, who clicked his tongue, released his boulder, which was heavy enough to make the ground shake when it landed. He seemed to be upset that he wasn't allowed to try to attack Aether.

“So, How did it go?” Immy was the first to ask, as she also approached him, seeming to see how he was doing, and curious about how it went.

Aether shook his head a little bit before replying, “No pull. I even tested it by flying back instead of relying on teleportation. Still nothing.”

“H-How can that be possible?” I mumbled not to anyone in particular, but just amazed how it would be possible, when I tried to leave the planet, it almost always felt like a death sentence when it grabbed a hold.

“Who goes next?” Aether asked for any volunteers.

“I’ll go.” Sidus said, stepping forward.

“Huh, why you?” Immy asked, frowning.

“I wasn’t asking.” SIdus retorted, firm in his stance as he used his own shadow to envelope himself before taking to the sky, without a word more.

“That basta-” Immy started.

“Well, guess I'll go make sure he’s safe.” Aether interrupted, before teleporting away, unable to see where Sidus and Aether had gone.

Immy continued to mumble about Sidus and some very choice words. Essie, almost seemingly growing eager to want to go. I also noticed how more relaxed Breta looked now than before Aether returned. Aether's approval can sway everyone’s emotions. They respected him very well.

I sat there close to Ynos, and waited to see what would come of the results of Sidus’ attempt at not being affected by the Void. I did notice that the only ones who truly noticed how the mana was different were Essie and Ynos, who appeared to be the only siblings who are not Pillars. Which could mean that somehow against all odds, the Pillars are not affected by the Void’s pull because their elements are much different than those of all other Dragons.