The embarrassing incident was never mentioned. The atmosphere aboard the spaceship had shifted into a more relaxed and peaceful one.
Safari laid on his giant bed, his body still visibly wounded, though his breathing had stabilized. Zack carefully tended to his injuries, his small hands glowing with faint healing energy. Angeleva hovered nearby, her brows furrowed in concern.
"Hold still, Safari," she warned as she spotted him trying to adjust his position. "If you keep moving, Zack won't be able to heal you properly."
"I'm fine," Safari protested weakly, though the dull pain across his body suggested otherwise. Despite his words, he couldn't deny the comfort of having Angeleva watching over him.
"Fine isn't good enough," she shot back. "You're lucky you survived after taking all that torture."
Safari didn't respond, but a subtle warmth grew in his chest. He didn't expect her to be this persistent — not just with the healing, but with her constant vigilance. Every time he tried to downplay his pain, she was right there to scold him. It was oddly reassuring.
Meanwhile, Ian was lounging on one of the cushioned seats, idly fiddling with his camera. Bored, he suddenly blurted out, "You know, I never really thought about it before, but I think I'm actually one of the older members here!"
Jen, who was helping Olive with the spaceship's systems, raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"Well," Ian smirked, "Safari big bro's definitely the oldest. He's 24, right?"
Safari gave a faint nod, confirming it.
"And then there's big sis," Ian continued, turning toward her with a teasing grin. "She's 22. Pretty close, huh?"
Angeleva rolled her eyes, uninterested in whatever point Ian was trying to make.
"But then there's me!" Ian said proudly, tapping his chest. "I'm 19. After Safari and Angeleva, that makes me the third oldest!"
He then turned to Olive, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "I never actually asked though. Olive, how old are you?"
Olive, who had been monitoring the ship's radar, groaned at the sudden attention. "Eighteen."
Ian's grin widened, but his eyes blinked in surprise. "Wait, what? You're 18?!"
"Yeah," she replied dryly, already regretting answering.
"Wow! I seriously thought you were older than me!" Ian said, leaning closer with an exaggeratedly flirty tone. "You've got that whole mature and mysterious vibe, you know?"
Olive shot him a glare, her cheeks slightly tinged with annoyance. "Cut it out, Ian."
"Okay, okay!" Ian laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "But hey, that means I really am the oldest after Safari big bro and Angeleva big sis!"
"Not for long if you keep talking," Jen quipped from across the room, smirking.
Ian snickered, but his laughter quickly faded as he noticed the stern faces of the others. Safari, despite his weakened state, was glaring at him with narrowed eyes. Angeleva, arms crossed, looked just as displeased. Even Zack, usually the most cheerful, frowned slightly.
"Uh... What's with the faces?" Ian blinked.
"Maybe because big bro's still healing," Olive snapped. "And instead of helping or even showing a bit of concern, you're over here bragging about your age."
Ian scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Okay, fair point. My bad."
He quickly shifted back into his seat, suddenly finding the camera in his hands far more interesting.
Meanwhile, Zack continued his healing efforts, but Safari's wounds were severe. While Zack's powers accelerated the process, his energy wasn't limitless. Still, the boy remained determined, his eyes shining with resolve.
"With the family's support, I think I can heal him in 7 days," Zack declared confidently. "But you need to rest. No trying to act tough."
Safari sighed, finally relenting. "Fine. I'll listen."
Angeleva's lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. Because I'm not letting you ignore your health again."
The tenderness in her voice made Safari feel a rare sense of comfort. Despite the lingering pain, he knew that as long as his family stood by him, he could endure anything.
Zack carefully analyzed Safari's body again, his expression growing more concerned as he inspected the extent of the damage. Despite how far Safari had come, his body was healing slowly. On closer examination, Zack's eyes widened in shock.
"In your condition," Zack began softly, "it's barely possible for you to stand straight. But even then, you forced yourself to fight like that."
Angeleva's heart sank. Guilt clouded her expression as she clenched her hands. Safari had endured so much pain, all while pushing himself past his limits.
"But there's a way," Zack added, his voice steady. "To recover quickly, big bro needs a constant supply of energy. A lot of it, and as frequently as possible."
"Can I help?" Angeleva immediately asked, her eyes burning with determination.
Zack nodded. "Yes. But because of the conflicting energies within him, I'll have to connect you both." He extended his hands, motioning for Angeleva to come closer. "You'll need to hold one of my hands, and I'll connect my other to his to safely convert and transfer your energy."
Angeleva didn't hesitate. She grasped Safari's hand firmly, her warmth contrasting the coolness of his weakened state. Zack then completed the connection, placing his hand on Safari's other side.
"The rest of the family can contribute as well," Zack instructed. "Just a little. I'll make sure it's safe."
Jen, Olive, and Ian nodded, each placing their hands on Zack's shoulder. The energy flowed steadily, but it was Angeleva who bore the brunt of the task, her fairy power transferring in regular intervals every four hours.
She barely noticed how her strength was gradually fading. The rest of the family, supporting every twelve hours, did their part to ensure Safari's recovery.
Days passed. Despite his unconscious state, Safari repeatedly murmured Angeleva's name.
The first time it happened, the family exchanged surprised glances. Ian, of course, couldn't resist teasing, but even he softened as Safari continued to call for her.
Angeleva said nothing, but her resolve only strengthened. She remained by Safari's side, determined to see him through.
Finally, on the fifth day, Safari's eyes fluttered open. He blinked against the dim light of the spaceship, his vision adjusting. His body, though still slightly sore, felt far better. His horns, once cracked and damaged, had returned to their normal shape.
As he pushed himself up slightly, his gaze fell upon his family, all beaming with relief. Without a word, they rushed in, embracing him in a tight, joyous family hug. Safari, overwhelmed by their support, closed his eyes and held them close.
From a distance, Angeleva watched. She didn't approach, her exhausted frame leaning against the wall for support. Relief washed over her as she saw Safari smiling once again. Despite her drained state, she felt at peace.
The family had done it. And Safari was back.
But little did they knew...
Six days before...
Just after Safari and his family left Lucifero's planet, Patricia descended in planet Angel, with Gregory clinging to her legs. Despite the glaring contrast between the radiant skies and Gregory's devilish form, no hostility awaited them.
As they neared the capital, angelic figures floated to greet them. Patricia, with her signature smug smile, waved nonchalantly. Gregory, in contrast, folded his arms, his sharp gaze scanning the picturesque landscape. Despite his devilish nature, the angels bowed respectfully. Lucifero's decree to welcome them both — no matter the circumstances — remained absolute.
Finally, Patricia stretched her arms, shaking off the strain. "Greg, you know," she started, her voice laced with irritation, "you actually drain almost five percent of my power every time I have to carry you across planets."
Gregory shrugged with a smirk. "And yet, you do it flawlessly."
"But don't forget," Patricia added, brushing her long pink hair back, "we had a deal. It's your turn now."
"I was waiting for it." Gregory smirked. "But out of curiosity, Patty, how much weight can you fairies usually carry? I mean, I know you're dominant, but..."
She rolled her eyes with a grin. "An average fairy from Angelica could carry someone two to three times their own weight." Then, leaning in closer to him, she continued, "But me? I'd say you're about five times my weight. Maybe more."
Gregory blinked in disbelief. "Five times?!"
Patricia smirked, leaning into his chest. "If I couldn't handle that, I wouldn't be the strongest among the fairies, now would I?"
Gregory chuckled. "You're ridiculous."
"And you're lucky," she teased.
Straightening up, Gregory pointed toward the grand cathedral in the distance. "I'm heading in. I promised Lucifero a friendly meeting."
But Patricia's smile faltered. Her brow furrowed as she tilted her head slightly, her eyes glowing with a faint purple hue.
"That's strange," she murmured. "I can't feel his aura. Lucifero's presence is usually overwhelming, even from afar. But now, there's not even a trace."
Gregory's face darkened. "You're saying—"
She nodded solemnly. "He's not here. And if I can't sense even a faint signature, that means he's not just absent. He's permanently gone."
Gregory clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "Don't tell me that... damned Safari," he growled. But instead of succumbing to fury, a wicked grin spread across his face. "Give me the reviver potion."
Patricia blinked in surprise. "How do you know about that?"
"Because I know you," Gregory said smugly. "You're obsessed with poisons. It only makes sense you'd create their opposite. A revival concoction. Clever, Patty."
Patricia smirked, placing a hand on her hip. "That's what I'd expect from Greg. Always a step ahead." With a teasing flick of her wrist, she produced a small crystal vial. The crimson liquid inside swirled ominously.
Gregory snatched it from her hand, his grin unwavering. "I'll see you soon."
As he strode toward the cathedral's towering entrance, Patricia let out a dramatic yawn. She glanced at the angels who continued to watch them in silence. "Guess it's my turn to wait," she said lazily, sitting on a nearby stone, kicking her feet playfully.
While Gregory disappeared into the looming cathedral, Patricia gazed at the sky, a sly smile lingering on her face.