Phi-Fic Chapter 396 The Little Elf's Box
Chapter 396 The Little Elf's Box
The awe and emotion brought by that dreamlike starlight performance at Crystal Forest Park, like the purest stardust, have settled deeply in the hearts of every member of the Yuan family.
Over the next few days, the villa remained filled with a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, but the initial excitement gradually transformed into a deeper sense of peace and contentment.
Xiao Zhi treasured the handful of warm stardust as if it were a precious gem. He specially asked his mother to put it in a small, transparent crystal jar with a faint light flowing inside, and solemnly placed it on the small desk in his room.
Every morning when he woke up and every night before he went to sleep, he would take a closer look at the shimmering light inside, as if he could hear that ethereal crystal music again.
His passion for drawing was at an all-time high. His notebooks were filled with crystal trees of all shapes and sizes, glowing little elves, and the elegant figure of Aunt Ariel. Although his brushstrokes were immature, they were full of sincere emotions.
He even tried to build a "crystal forest" with building blocks, and asked Xiao 9 to be his advisor (mainly to let Xiao 9 use light spots to simulate starlight effects).
Yuan Baoguo and Lin Qing became fascinated by the terrace of the Space Villa facing the Crystal Forest.
In the early morning, they would bring the space's unique tea and books, sit there, bathed in the soft light and the cool, grassy morning breeze, enjoying a rare moment of quiet reading.
With Xiao Jiu's help, Yuan Baoguo even began to try to "download" some fringe science literature on energy and space theory (although he couldn't understand most of it, he enjoyed it nonetheless). Lin Qing brought in her yarn and quietly crocheted in the sunlight, enjoying this peaceful moment away from the hustle and bustle.
Aunt Yuan often comes over, sometimes brewing a cup of flower tea nourished by the spring water, sometimes just sitting quietly, gazing at the edge of the forest that connects to the miracle in the distance, her eyes filled with an unprecedented sense of openness and tranquility.
Yuan Bao watched as his family members each found their own comfortable corner in the space, and the pace of life naturally slowed down. Nourished by the unique tranquility and spirituality of the space, Yuan Bao felt very gratified.
She knew that the experience at Crystal Grove was not only a visual feast, but also a solace for the soul, allowing her family to accept and integrate into this sanctuary from the bottom of their hearts.
The sun was shining brightly that afternoon.
Yuan Bao was alone in the study of the space villa, organizing some records of energy fluctuations in the Crystal Song Forest (monitored synchronously by Xiao 9).
Deep inside the drawer, in the crystal box that contained the fragments of the small echo, a pulse of energy suddenly emanated from it that was clearer and more active than ever before.
hum...
A faint buzzing sound, carrying a sense of excitement and curiosity like someone just waking up, was clearly transmitted to Yuan Bao's senses.
The dormant halo was no longer breathing steadily, but like a heart awakening, it began to beat powerfully and rhythmically, and the light became more solid and brighter.
Inside the crystal box, the phantom of the broken crystal wings seemed to be repairing itself at an accelerated pace. Its edges became clear and sharp, and it even began to emit a pure starlight that was the same as that of the Crystal Song Forest!
"Is she waking up?" Yuan Bao was overjoyed. He immediately put down what he was doing, gently took out the crystal box, and placed it in the center of the desk.
Just then, Xiao Zhi came running upstairs, his little face beaming with excitement at discovering a new world: "Mom! Mom! Look at my drawing of Aunt Ariel! Xiao Jiu says it looks like..." He pushed open the study door, and his voice stopped abruptly.
The little guy's eyes were instantly drawn to the shimmering crystal box on the desk.
"Mom! The Pokémon box is glowing! It's singing!" Ash whispered, tiptoeing closer, his big, dark eyes fixed on the box with surprise. "Has it... woken up?"
As if in response to Ash's call, the light inside the crystal box suddenly shone brightly!
The phantom of the pair of fully restored crystal wings suddenly became extremely clear, and then gently fluttered as if emerging from a cocoon!
Boo!
A very faint sound, like a dewdrop falling into a clear spring.
The light instantly receded, as if absorbed back into the core by an invisible force.
The lid of the crystal box was gently pried open from the inside, creating a small gap.
A tiny creature, no bigger than Yuan Bao's thumb and made entirely of the purest, flawless crystal, tremblingly peeked out of the box.
Its shape is extremely exquisite, like the most perfect elven sculpture, with smooth and beautiful lines.
The pair of crystal wings on her back, which had just been repaired, were as thin as cicada wings and were trembling slightly, refracting a rainbow of starlight.
On its small face were two bright eyes, like a condensed galaxy, filled with the innocent curiosity of a newborn.
It seemed a little weak; its small body swayed, and its tiny arms held onto the edge of the box.
It first looked around blankly, its gaze sweeping over Yuan Bao with an instinctive sense of closeness and dependence.
When its gaze fell on Ash's face, which was staring at it with the same curiosity and nervousness, Ash's bewildered eyes instantly lit up!
“Ee...ya…” A faint yet crystal clear call, as crisp as the tinkling of wind chimes, resounded directly in the hearts of Xiaozhi and Yuanbao.
The voice was filled with pure joy and a wonderful, home-like peace.
Little Echo, this little light sprite from Crystal Forest, carrying hope and the future, has finally truly awakened under the nurturing of Yuanbao Space and the pure and kind calls of the Yuan family (especially Xiaozhi)!
Its innocent, nascent gaze was fixed firmly on the human boy before it, who was incredibly important to it—the "Little Zhi Brother" who had been calling out to it with warmth while it slept.
Looking at Xiao Huixiang's undisguised closeness and dependence on Xiao Zhi, and then at his son's slightly flushed face due to excitement and surprise, Yuan Bao felt an indescribable warmth welling up in his heart.
She knew that a new and even more wonderful bond was quietly beginning on this quiet afternoon, witnessed by the starlight and family affection.
Echo's awakening not only means that Crystal Song Grove has another glimmer of hope for recovery, but also that Ash's path of protection has gained a pure and noble companion from another world.
She gently extended her finger, the tip swirling with the softest, most primal energy of space, and carefully touched Little Echo's head, conveying a silent welcome and encouragement.
Echo squinted comfortably, emitting a soft, pleasant buzz, but its gaze remained fixed on Ash.
"Mommy..." Xiao Zhi's voice was filled with cautious excitement. He stretched out his little finger and, imitating his mother, approached the little echo very slowly and gently. "It...it's so small, so pretty...does it like me?"
“Yes, Xiao Zhi,” Yuan Bao affirmed gently. “It likes you. It felt your care even when it was still asleep. From now on, it will be our new family companion. Its name is Xiao Huixiang.”
“Echo…” Ash murmured the name, watching the tiny crystal sprite flutter its wings, trembling yet incredibly determined, as it flew away from the edge of the crystal box and landed on his outstretched fingertip.
A cool, starlight-tinged touch came, accompanied by a clearer, more affectionate "Eeya~" from the bottom of my heart.
Xiao Zhi held his breath, looking at the radiant little life on his fingertip, which seemed to gather all the pure light in the world. An unprecedented, heavy sense of responsibility and immense joy instantly filled his little heart.
He looked up at his mother, his eyes shining brightly, and said solemnly, word by word, "Mom, I will protect Little Echo! Just like Aunt Ariel protected the Crystal Forest!"
Looking at his son's earnest eyes, and at the little sprite on his fingertip that had finally found its home and settled peacefully, Yuan Bao's smile was gentle and gratified.
She knew that the seed of protection had truly taken root and sprouted in Ash's heart.
This space, connecting home and miracle, will witness a new and heartwarming story of growth.