The long night will soon end, and brighter days lie ahead

Two years later...

Tabas and Sen Lijiu were practicing in the woods as usual when Simon suddenly arrived. Sen Lijiu turned into a little fox and nestled in Tabas's arms, watching Simon with his large, platinum-colored eyes. He looked like an ordinary fox, only with a little more spirit in him.

His bushy tail swished back and forth. One glance was enough to make Simon's hand fidget beneath his sleeve. He was tempted to pet him, but then remembered why he had come.

"Tabas, I want to find magic that will let you see the world. Take good care of yourself."

Tabas lowered his head without a word. Simon smiled and patted his head.

"Be good. Your big brother will find it, I promise."

Simon turned and headed toward the royal palace. He only came out some two or three hours later. No one knew what they had discussed.

Simon came over and patted Tabas's head, an emotion in his eyes that Tabas couldn't understand.

Simon left without telling anyone beforehand. A white fox swished his bushy tail, watching his figure gradually disappear into the distance.

The fox shook his head to himself. "This is their own business. I can't interfere. An ordeal is inevitable."

Bieyun stirred, sending a message through their mental connection. "You'll have your hands full. I suggest you leave now, or you'll have to suffer through this ordeal yourself."

The fox lowered his eyes. At last, he slowly rose and turned to leave. "I'll say goodbye to Tabas, then go."

Tabas was still practicing magic in the woods, completely unaware of what awaited him. Sen Lijiu swished his fox tail and slowly approached. "Tabas, you've been practicing for so long. Take a break. I have something to tell you."

Tabas stopped. His instincts told him he wouldn't like what Sen Lijiu was about to say.

Sure enough, Sen Lijiu spoke slowly. "Tabas, I'm leaving..."

Before Sen Lijiu could finish, Tabas interrupted him. "Let's go see Simon." His hands clenched tightly.

Sen Lijiu fell silent for a moment, then hardened his heart and continued. "You knew I'd leave sooner or later. This won't change anything."

"Can't you... stay a little longer?" Even his voice seemed to tremble.

His only answer was Sen Lijiu's retreating figure, along with a single sentence: "The long night will soon end, and brighter days lie ahead."

A light seemed to rekindle in Tabas's eyes. Did that mean they would see each other again?

When he looked up again, that familiar figure was already gone.

He tightened his grip on the necklace in his hand, as though making a firm decision. Big brother, when we meet again, I'll be the one protecting you.

He turned and left the woods. When he returned to the Palace, he learned that Simon had left.

Tabas gave a self-mocking smile. "So you left too... Am I all alone again? Do I have to go back to how things were?"

No, things were different now. He had his big brother's necklace and knew the magic his big brother had taught him. He no longer needed to worry about those things.

Another year passed, and Tabas had earned the status and power he deserved through his own strength.

He sat in the grass where he had first met Sen Lijiu, his fingers stroking the necklace. "Big brother, I don't need you to protect me anymore. Will you be back soon?"

For certain reasons, Tabas had also refused the magic Simon brought back. He had the necklace his big brother had given him, so he didn't need it.

૮ ºﻌºა Standing guard

Time to pick up the pace. I looked up all that family business on Tabas's side, but it was too messy, so I didn't write it. If you want to see it, I can put out a side story later or work it into the plot. Who do you want to see next? I'm planning to move things along to the main Flower Fairy storyline. I might not cover season three, since I don't think Flower Fairy was as good in that season. Finally, please leave a five-star review!