"My magic power…"
Ethan Hayes felt his body weaken as his face turned pale. In an instant, his magic reserves were drained, leaving him alarmed and on edge. Yet, the insatiable force continued its relentless pull, gnawing at him like a ravenous beast.
The seemingly ordinary drop of blood he offered was no mere sacrifice—it was his heart essence, the core of his vitality. Recovering from such a loss would require months, perhaps longer, but now was not the time to dwell on the consequences.
Before him, the once small green flame erupted, consuming the surrounding space like a volcanic eruption. Even a fool could see that something momentous was about to occur.
The Rebirth
With an unsteady step, Ethan staggered back, his two four-leaf clovers glowing faintly at his sides. His own magic was depleted, yet he still managed to manipulate the surrounding magic particles to conjure a meager defense. It wasn't much, but it was all he had.
Suddenly, the roaring flame collapsed inward, contracting rapidly into a concentrated point before dissipating entirely.
From its place emerged a tiny figure, hovering midair.
"Yummy! So delicious!"
Ethan blinked in confusion, his exhaustion giving way to curiosity. A small girl, no taller than his hand, floated before him. Her delicate figure was adorned with radiant green light, her miniature form bearing pointed ears and transparent wings—undeniably a spirit.
The little creature flitted joyfully through the air, seemingly reveling in her newfound freedom.
A New Companion
Ethan gawked at the scene, unsure of what to make of it. "What… are you?"
The diminutive figure paused, tilting her head. "I'm no 'thing'! I am an ancient spirit!"
"An ancient spirit?" Ethan scrutinized her closely. She was tiny, yes, but her demeanor radiated pride and energy.
Hovering closer, the spirit perched herself confidently on Ethan's shoulder. Her actions startled him, but her lack of hostility prompted him to hold his ground.
"And what do you intend to do now?" he inquired, his voice laced with cautious curiosity.
"I owe you everything," the spirit replied earnestly. "You freed me. Without your life essence, I couldn't have returned. From now on, you're my master!"
Ethan blinked at her declaration. "Wait, what? Master?"
"Of course!" she affirmed, puffing out her chest. "You must be someone extraordinary to navigate the ancient wards and reach me. Clearly, you're no villain, or you wouldn't have made it here. So, consider this a partnership!"
Her sincerity left Ethan momentarily speechless. She seemed harmless—no, valuable. This was undoubtedly the treasure guarded by the ruin's elaborate traps and illusions.
"Fine," he relented, sinking against the wall to rest. "But let's get one thing straight—I'm not giving you any more blood."F
The spirit giggled, her wings shimmering. "Okay, okay. But you look terrible. Let me help restore your energy."
Ethan groaned, waving her off. "No thanks. Just tell me your name."
"Name?" She hesitated for a moment. "I'm Sylph, the spirit of wind!"
Ethan froze. Sylph?
Familiar Yet Different
The name struck him like lightning. Sylph—the same wind spirit bonded to Yuno in the original timeline.
But no, this Sylph was different. Unlike Yuno's partner, who sported a short, dress-like outfit and a shoulder-length haircut, this Sylph had flowing waist-length hair and wore a minimalist three-piece garment made of green cloth.
Could it be that spirits altered their appearance depending on their host? Or…
"Wait," Ethan said cautiously. "You wouldn't happen to have any siblings or family, would you?"
Sylph tilted her head, confused. "Nope! Spirits like me are one of a kind. There's only one Sylph per element."
"But what if," Ethan pressed, "one spirit dies? Does nature create a replacement?"
Sylph nodded thoughtfully. "Well, yes. If a spirit perishes, the element will eventually birth another. Why do you ask?"
Ethan smirked grimly. "Because I think that's already happened."
A Fresh Start
Sylph's face fell. She hovered silently for a moment before shaking her head furiously. "No way! I'm the real Sylph! That imposter can't take my place!"
Ethan sighed, reaching out to gently pat her on the head. "Calm down. Whether you're the old Sylph or a new one doesn't matter. You're alive now, and that's what counts. So, let's start fresh."
Sylph's big, teary eyes gazed at him. "Start fresh?"
He nodded, smiling warmly. "I'll even give you a new name—Zephyra. It means 'breezy wind.' How about it?"
Sylph—no, Zephyra—blinked at him, her tears drying as a tentative smile formed. "Zephyra… I like it."
From that moment on, the ancient spirit of wind and her steadfast master forged a new bond, united by fate and determination to carve their own path forward.
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