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 : Morning, 1048th Rev of Timestar.

  Population : 0.00000000000000001% (Only Ten fairies and Ethan)

  As the day slowly turned into night, the air in the grand castle filled with a mix of anticipation and a hint of unease. The fairies had spent the day wrapped in the warmth of their joyful life, but now, the time had come to face the unknown lurking in Ethan's dreams.

  Luna: (teasingly) "Well, well, looks like someone hit the jackpot tonight! Elara, you get to snuggle with our little moon."

  Elara: (smiling warmly and playfully nudging Luna) "That’s right, Luna. Ethan’s all mine tonight. Come here, my little snuggle bug." (She opened her arms wide, inviting Ethan in.)

  Ethan didn’t hesitate, rushing into Elara’s embrace, burying his face into her soft chest. He looked up at her with that innocent, heart-melting smile that always made her heart skip a beat. Elara kissed his forehead, squeezing him tighter, as if to shield him from the world.

  Elara: "Tonight, we’ll be watching over your dreams, sweetheart. Just to make sure those bad dreams don’t bother you."

  Ethan: (His smile faded, his small voice trembling with fear as he pressed himself deeper into her protective embrace) "I’m scared, Elara…"

  Elara: (wrapping her arms securely around him, her voice a gentle whisper) "Shh, don’t worry, my love. I’ll be right here, holding you close all night. Nothing will harm you while you’re in my arms."

  The other fairies exchanged worried glances, the sight of Ethan’s fear tugging at their hearts. Zara leaned in closer, her voice soft and soothing.

  Zara: "Ethan, you don’t have to be afraid. Just let go of all your worries and sleep. We’re all here, watching over you."

  Ethan: (his voice barely audible, full of dread) "I don’t know if I can sleep like this… knowing that a nightmare is waiting for me."

  Elara felt a pang of sadness hearing his words. She and the others understood his fear all too well. Gently, she nodded to the others, signaling her decision to use her powers—something she had always hesitated to do on any of them, especially Ethan. But tonight, it was necessary, even if it pained her to use magic on him.

  The other fairies nodded back in silent agreement, their eyes filled with concern but also resolve. They knew this was the best way to uncover the root of Ethan’s nightmares.

  Elara: (kissing him gently as she adjusted him closer to her soft chest, his small face resting against the warmth of her chest) "It’s okay, baby. Close your eyes, and let go of everything. I’m right here, and I won’t let go of you. Just relax and sleep…"

  With that, Elara softly began to use her telepathic powers, sending gentle, calming waves into Ethan’s mind, lulling him into a peaceful sleep. She could feel the tension slowly leaving his small body as his breathing evened out, his fears drifting away into the night.

  Elara: (whispering tenderly) "Sleep well, sweetie. We’re all here…"

  As Ethan drifted into sleep, his small body nestled securely against Elara’s chest, she gently began to tap into her telepathic powers, focusing on his dreams. Her mind connected with his, and she felt the subtle pull of his subconscious as he slipped further into slumber.

  Elara: (softly to Tara) "Elysia*, take my hand. I can’t project what I’m seeing to everyone, but you can. I’ll send the images to your mind, and you create the projection for the others."*

  Tara: (nodding, determined) "Alright, Rynous. I’m ready."

  Tara clasped Elara’s hand, and a connection formed between them. Elara delved deeper into Ethan’s dreams, sending the images to Tara, who began to project them into the air for everyone to see. At first, there was only darkness, but then the projection revealed Ethan sleeping peacefully in Elara’s embrace, his face calm and content.

  Aria: (with concern) "Anything, Rynous?"

  Elara: (smiling softly) "Not yet, but I can see his sweet little memories, all that adorable mischief…"

  The fairies couldn’t help but smile, their hearts warmed by the sight of Ethan’s peaceful dreams. But even as they enjoyed the playful scenes of his mischief, their minds remained focused on the reason they were watching.

  The night wore on, and the fairies continued to watch Ethan’s dreams. He was making mischief even in his sleep, and they chuckled at the sight of his antics.

  Flora: (chuckling) "Oh, look at him! There he goes again— as a jynaid!"

  Laughter bubbled up among the fairies as they watched Ethan’s innocent, carefree dream.

  Nia: (grinning, her eyes sparkling with affection) "How are his dreams so cute and adorable? Can I kiss him? I just want to smother him with kisses!"

  Elara: (gently) "No, Caly. If we disturb him even a little, his dreams could fade away."

  Sylph: (playfully and holding his small hand in hers) "We’re all in the same boat, Caly. But we have to resist. You could always kiss me instead."

  Nia: (teasingly) "You? Never! My kisses are reserved for my little snowflake!" (She winks, playfully sticking out her tongue at Sylph.)

  As time passed, the lighthearted atmosphere began to shift. The images in Ethan’s dreams started to blur, becoming less distinct. Elara furrowed her brow, strengthening her telepathic connection, but the visions remained fuzzy.

  Luna: (frowning) "What’s happening? We can’t see anything."

  Mira: (concerned) "Rynous*… is everything alright?"*

  Elara: (straining to focus) "I don’t know… Everything’s blurry… I can’t make it out…"

  A tense silence filled the room as the fairies stared at the projection, their hearts pounding with unease. The images were indistinct, swirling shadows that hinted at something darker lurking beneath the surface of Ethan’s mind.

  Lira: (voice low, wary) "Maybe it’s his nightmare…?"

  Suddenly, a distorted sound echoed through the dreamscape, chilling the fairies to their core. A single, ominous word cut through the blurriness: “Zovrath.”

  At that moment, Ethan jolted awake with a terrified scream, his voice breaking as he cried out with sudden jolt "Nooo". He was panting, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. Elara quickly severed the telepathic connection, cradling him tightly against her, her heart aching as she tried to calm him.

  Elara: (soothingly, her voice soft and full of love) "Ethan...Ethan.., it’s alright, baby. I’m here, you’re safe. I’ve got you."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  The other fairies rushed closer, their faces etched with worry, their hearts heavy with concern. They surrounded Ethan, their presence a protective barrier of love and warmth, but the fear in their eyes was unmistakable. The name “Zovrath” lingered in the air, a dark omen of the unknown that now loomed over them all.

  Ethan’s small body trembled as he panted heavily, his breath ragged and uneven. Elara held him close, feeling his heart race against her chest. The other fairies immediately surrounded him, their faces a mix of concern and determination as they tried to soothe him.

  Flora: (gently stroking his hair) "Ethan, calm down, .... It’s nothing, just a bad dream. We’re all here with you."

  Luna: ( softly, brushing a stray tear from his cheek) "It was just a dream, Moon. You’re safe now, I promise."

  Sylph: (holding his small hand tightly and firmly, her voice tender) "I got you, Ethan. Nothing can hurt you here."

  Mira: (placing a comforting hand on his back) "You’re safe, baby. Just breathe, nice and slow."

  Nia: (nodding reassuringly) "We’re not going anywhere.."

  Ethan’s wide, terrified eyes darted around, trying to make sense of the lingering fear that clung to him. He clutched Elara’s arm tightly, his voice trembling as he spoke.

  Ethan: (his voice barely above a whisper) "What… What happened? I got scared, Elara…"

  Elara’s heart ached at the fear in his voice. She pulled him even closer, wrapping her arms around him protectively.

  Elara: (softly, her voice full of warmth) "It was just a dream, baby. Nothing more. Just breathe, calm down…"

  Flora quickly rushed to fetch a glass of water, her movements swift and graceful. She returned in moments, holding the water out to Ethan.

  Flora: (offering the glass) "Here, sweetheart. Drink some water."

  With tender care, Flora brought the glass close to Ethan's small mouth. Ethan, his hands trembling slightly, grasped Flora's hand as he leaned forward. He took a deep breath, and with her steady support, he managed to gulp down the cool water. The fairies watched intently, their concern deepening as they observed how shaken he was, yet grateful for Flora's nurturing gesture

  Sylph: (leaning in, still holding his small hand) "What was it, Ethan? Did you see something scary?"

  Ethan: (his voice still trembling) "I saw something… It was… dark…(He clutched Elara more tightly, his small hands gripping her like a lifeline.)...Elara…"

  Ethan buried his face in Elara’s chest, his body still trembling. The fairies exchanged worried glances, their unease growing. Zara, sensing how fragile he was in that moment, spoke with soothing reassurance.

  Zara: (her voice calming, as if she could melt away his fears) "Don’t worry, Ethan. Just relax. We won’t ask you about it again. Just know that you’re safe with us."

  Ethan slowly began to calm, though the terror hadn’t completely left his eyes. Elara continued to hold him, her embrace a protective cocoon that sheltered him from the darkness that had crept into his dreams. The fairies were all deeply worried, the name “Zovrath” echoing in their minds. They knew what it meant, and the implications weighed heavily on them.

  Seeing that Ethan was still too unsettled to sleep on his own, Elara gently handed him over to Flora, knowing that her nurturing presence could soothe him back to sleep.

  Elara: (with a gentle smile) "Flora, you take him. He always sleeps soundly in your arms."

  Flora nodded, taking Ethan into her lap with the utmost care. She cradled him close, humming softly as she stroked his hair. Within moments, Ethan’s eyelids grew heavy, and he drifted back into sleep, the tension slowly leaving his small body.

  With Ethan now asleep, the fairies’ attention turned to the troubling matter at hand. Their faces serious, as they considered the single word they had all heard: “Zovrath.” Though they had been unable to see the full extent of Ethan’s nightmare, that name alone was enough to send a shiver through them.

  Luna: (her voice low, filled with concern) "We need to talk about this… This isn’t just a dream. We all know what it is."

  Sylph: (nodding) "If neshis is haunting his dreams, then something more is at play here…"

  Aria: (her voice firm, resolute) "That's true. But how...? Neshis is captured in Midfold..."

  Zara: (her voice grave, laced with concern) "This is not good. … It’s been ages since we last heard that name."

  Tara: (shock evident in her tone) "But what does this mean? And why is it appearing in Ethan’s dreams? I can’t bear to see him like this every night."

  Mira: (her voice rising with emotion before she tries to control it) "Right*, Elysia. It’s unbearable. Why now? After all this time. I can’t stand it. None of us can."*

  Nia: (shaking her head, confused) "But Ethan captured neshis in Midfold? How he is doing this now?"

  Elara: (anxious, searching for answers) "We can't say anything right now…."

  Lira (her voice calm yet loving demeanour, her voice steady as she addressed the group) : "It's his memories," she began, her gaze softening as she looked at Ethan's sleeping face. "We all know how deeply he was broken after that negative day; it shattered us all too. Even he captured Neshis in Midfold, a part of him still remembers him—whether he realizes it or not." She paused, leaning in to gently kiss Ethan's sleeping face, her affection evident. Then she straightened up, her voice firm yet soft, carrying a weight of urgency. “We must remain vigilant. If he hears that name, he might utter it without realizing the consequences. We all know what happens when someone speaks that name. We cannot allow it to slip into his consciousness.”

  Everyone nods and a tense silence fell over the room as the fairies absorbed the gravity of the situation.

  Flora: (her voice trembling as she cradled Ethan closer, her tears threatening to spill) "But we have to do something. We can’t let neshis torment him every night. What if… what if he becomes so frightened that he’s too scared to sleep? We can survive without sleep, but he… he’s just a small human… our everything. I can’t bear to see him suffer, not even a little."

  Mira: (sitting beside Flora, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder) "Don’t worry, Flora. We’ll find a solution. We have to. Amiraha, What do you say?"

  Zara: (her voice steady but troubled) "I’m just as shocked as all of you. But Flora’s right—if nemesis continues to haunt his dreams, it could lead to something much worse. All we can do for now is care for him and protect him as best we can.

  Lira: (her tone firm, frustrated) "But that’s not a permanent solution. How can we stand by and watch him wake up terrified every night? Even witnessing this once is painful enough for us."

  Luna: (nodding, her expression resolute) "Lira’s right. We need a permanent solution. We can’t let this continue."

  Tara: (nodding in agreement) "I'll protect him, no matter what it takes. Like he saved us..... He is our heart, and nothing, not even neshis, can change that. We'll protect him."

  They all nodded, their resolve strengthening. The night was far from over, and their battle had only just begun.

  Aria: (looking at Elara with hope in her eyes) "Rynous*, did you see anything different or strange in his dream? Something that might help us?"*

  Elara: (her voice tinged with frustration) "Nothing specific. It all became blurred, just like you all saw… and then…"

  Tara: (probing gently) "Was there anything before the dream? Anything unusual?"

  Elara: (thinking hard, her eyes narrowing in concentration) "I don’t think so… it was just his memories… wait…" (pausing as if something clicks in her mind) "I did see something we’ve all seen before."

  Nia: (leaning in, concerned) "What? What did you see?"

  Elara: (hesitant, unsure) "The same place of Negative Day."

  Flora: (curious, with a hint of worry) "You sure, Rynous? Negative day"

  Elara: (nodding slowly) "Yes. The same dark place. I saw it in his memories."

  Zara: (her voice serious) "But how are his memories showing? You wiped them."

  Elara: (affirming) "They are resurfacing."

  Tara: (trying to rationalize) "So his memories are returning...."

  Mira: (thoughtfully) "It’s possible, Rynous?"

  Elara: (reflecting on the distinction) "Could be. But if his memories are taking up back, then his mind will go through same split reality problem....But it's not...he is fine..."

  The room fell into a contemplative silence, each fairy pondering the implications of Elara’s words.

  Nia: (breaking the silence, her voice soft) "But what is it’s not his nightmare. Maybe his mind is going through the same split reality problem."

  Zara : “Could be. That’s the only explanation we have right now.”

  As the fairies sat in quiet contemplation, the weight of the situation bearing down on them, Flora's quiet sobs became the only sound in the room. She gently stroked Ethan's hair, looking down at his peaceful, sleeping face nestled in her lap. Her heart ached with love for him, and with newfound determination, she spoke up.

  Flora: (voice steady, despite the tears in her eyes) "We will keep this from him for now. It’s better if he doesn’t know until we find a solution."

  Lira: (nodding in agreement, her voice resolute) "None of us will take take that name before him. We will keep it from him"

  Elara: (her voice trembling with conflicting emotions) "I never wanted to use my telepathic powers on any of us, especially not on him. I promised him.. But now… I have no choice." (her voice grows more determined, almost raging against the situation)

  Sylph: (soothingly, placing a hand on Elara’s shoulder) "Don’t burden yourself with guilt, Rynous. We all know how much this means to you, but right now, it’s all we’ve got."