There was an eerie silence in the air as everyone froze, gazing at the being who had risen and now sat upon a stone, calmly staring at the night sky.
A gentle breeze swept through, brushing against his long midnight hair and rustling the dark feathers of his wings. For a moment, the heavens above seemed to merge with his form — as if the sky itself had chosen to mirror him.
And just like that, the name they had whispered fit perfectly.
"A Star Fairy."
The words repeated in hushed awe, lowering the tension in the air. The scout fairies, still gripping their porcupine quill spears, eased slightly, though their stances remained ready.
Only Nyx didn't take a defensive posture. She stood with her arms folded, her sharp eyes studying him, her expression calm but unreadable.
Her instincts felt nothing. Not the harmless nothing she sensed from a tadpole or a blade of grass — but a deep, inexplicable void.
She could see him. Hear him. Even smell him from this distance. Scout fairies had keener senses and stronger bodies than most talents. Yet from him… nothing.
If she had to put it into words, it felt like standing at the base of a mountain — a vast, immovable thing that could not be conquered, even with wings.
A fairy compared to a mountain. The thought chilled her.
And though her face remained impassive, it took every ounce of control not to shiver. The strange presence before her made her insides tingle — not in fear, but in some deeper, unnameable way.
Her thoughts scattered when a soft voice broke the silence.
"Well, hello there, stranger."
It was Queen Clarion — calm, regal, her tone enough to draw everyone back from their daze.
The figure turned toward them. His eyes glowed — deep ruby red with pitch-black pupils. They swept across the gathered fairies like twin gems that saw far too much.
Many shuddered under that gaze. It lingered a little longer on the six who had earlier crashed into him, making them squirm slightly. Silvermist, however, stared up with wide eyes before giving him a small, shy smile.
"Fairies, huh?" His voice was smooth and curious as he tilted his head.
Clarion took a graceful step forward. "So you know our kind? I want to introduce myself. I am Queen Clarion, and this is Pixie Hollow, home of the fairies. And whom might you be?"
He regarded her quietly before answering. "Nice to meet you, Queen Clarion. My name is Sargon. And the reason I know of your kind is simple — I used to be a fairy myself."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Sargon continued, raising a hand slightly as if to calm them. "If you're wondering about my appearance… these wings and eyes are simply the result of saving my home from beings that sought to destroy it. I can't return there now — this form is proof enough. Nor do I believe I could find my way back even if I tried."
He smiled faintly, though there was an ache behind it.
He was indeed once a fairy — long before this life, long before this peaceful world. And before that, he had been just a young man of twenty-six, who died and was granted a second chance — on one impossible condition. Save a dying world.
And he did. Through the most insane method imaginable.
He dove into a volcano, devoured the planet's core, and became its god. He fought and slew dark gods and demons alike, remade the shattered realms, and restored peace to all life… except himself.
He had done it all in a heartbeat of cosmic time — so fast that gods and mortals alike couldn't even react. It nearly broke his mind and burned his soul beyond repair.
But it worked.
And now he was here — in a quiet, gentle world from a story he once knew in another life. A world without war or gods or madness. A world of fairies.
And for the first time in ages, he felt at peace.
Even without saying all this aloud, the fairies sensed the weight behind his words. Pity, awe, and respect shimmered in their eyes.
Queen Clarion studied him closely. In her long reign, she had welcomed countless new fairies — all born from a child's first laughter, carried on the wind to arrive on a dandelion seed, and brought to life with a sprinkle of pixie dust.
But this one… this one had fallen from the sky in fire.
She could sense his honesty, though she knew he wasn't telling the whole story — and she didn't press. Whatever he'd lost, it was clear the sacrifice had been immense.
Nyx, ever the stoic scout, felt her heart stir. She admired bravery above all — and this stranger had given up everything to protect his world. Her respect for him grew instantly, and that faint, strange warmth inside her deepened.
As for the six fairies who had first found him, they were utterly undone. Each saw flashes in their minds of what his words meant: the courage, the pain, the loneliness of a hero who could never return home.
Tears welled in their eyes before they could stop them.
Silvermist, trembling, suddenly darted forward.
Sargon blinked, watching her — his favorite from those childhood tales, now real, standing before him with tearful brown eyes and a heart too soft for her own good.
He rose to meet her, realizing he was taller than she, and gently cupped her cheeks, wiping away her tears.
"Hey, hey… what's wrong?" he asked softly. Her skin was warm beneath his touch, her cheeks smooth and delicate.
She hesitated, blushing faintly. "C–can I… hug you?"
His eyes softened. "Of course."
He drew her close, wrapping her in a warm, steady embrace. She trembled slightly, but soon melted into his arms.
"Thank you," he whispered in her ear — and for the first time since awakening, his spirit eased.
Silvermist heard him and smiled through her tears, clutching him tighter.
The others watched, wide-eyed and wordless. Never had they seen such a moment — a stranger from the stars finding comfort in one of their own.
Soon, the rest joined her. Fawn, Rosetta, Tinker Bell, and Iridessa drifted closer, concern and curiosity in their eyes.
"Hope you're alright, sugar," Rosetta murmured.
"Haha! Never better," Sargon chuckled. Then, leaning slightly toward them, he added in a teasing whisper, "I also know what you gals were up to with me earlier."
They froze.
His ruby eyes flicked toward Vidia, who hadn't moved since his awakening. Their gazes met — hers sharp and wary, his gleaming with knowing amusement.
"Relax, ladies. I'm not angry," he said, smiling in a way that felt like sunrise after a long night.
Clarion stepped closer, her voice serene but firm. "That is good to hear. And… I am sorry, Sargon, for what you've lost. But I believe your people are safe and proud of you — as they should be."
He nodded with a gentle smile. She was radiant — a queen bathed in soft gold light, her beauty ageless and calm. Yet behind her eyes, he sensed a storm she didn't show.
"And now," she said, drawing a slow breath, "I must ask what all of us wish to know. Do you wish to stay here, with us — in Pixie Hollow?"
Every fairy leaned forward, their wings shimmering in anticipation.
Sargon glanced around — at the hopeful faces, at Silvermist's quiet smile, even at Nyx's calm but watchful eyes.
He turned back to Clarion, thoughtful.
"I…