The walk back to their chamber felt like shepherding a group of supernatural beings through a crystal maze while trying to maintain some semblance of adult dignity.
Present-Nova had somehow convinced Amara to help her collect "samples" of the different portal energies in small crystal vials, while Future-Nova trailed behind them muttering warnings that no one seemed to be taking seriously.
Baby Nova floated contentedly in her cradle, occasionally creating puffs of breath that smelled like reunion joy and barely contained chaos. The combination was oddly comforting, even if it did make everyone slightly giggly.
"I still can't believe you're alive," Lily said to Luna as they navigated the crystal corridors. "When we felt your magical signature disappear, we were sure you were..."
Luna's moonlight hair caught the crystal reflections as she walked with the kind of grace that suggested she was accustomed to making dramatic entrances through mystical portals.
