"Very well," I said, standing from my throne. My armor shifted with a faint clink of tal, the long, white cloak trailing behind as I descended the steps. "Let us not delay any further. I have made a promise, and it is ti I fulfilled it."
Sprite nearly leapt out of Sersi's grasp, her eyes wide and alight with anticipation. She had waited centuries for this mont, and despite her small fra, she managed to project a presence far larger than her size would suggest.
She had always been the most restless of the Eternals, trapped in a form that did not match the soul within—a being with the mind of an ancient and the body of a child.
The others watched in silence, their eyes following as I moved to the center of the hall. Phastos crossed his arms. He was curious by nature and wanted to know how I would fulfill my promise.
"Now, Sprite, I must ask you… How well do you get along with your fellow Eternals?" I asked as I stood before her.
That earned confused looks from everyone.
"Good enough, I guess? Why do you ask?" she replied, but everyone was just as eager to know the reason.
"Because the clothes you wear won't fit you in a mont. If you let them stay... well, I think you understand."
Sprite's eyes went wide, her cheeks flushing a deep, embarrassed red as the aning of my words sank in. She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, glancing at the others—who suddenly looked just as awkward.
"I... I didn't think of that," she stamred, her voice high and sharp, a clear contrast to the ancient mind behind it.
She looked back at the others, and her eyes stopped on Ikaris. Then, with a determined flex, she turned to , her gaze strong.
"It's fine. I want them to see what you can do. For Thena."
Her words silenced any protest. Though I could clearly see she was lying, that wasn't the real reason she wanted them to stay. She had a big crush on the flying one and wanted to use this chance to get closer to him.
I let a small, knowing smile curl at the corner of my lips. She was braver than she let on—and perhaps a bit more cunning as well. Her childlike appearance had not dulled her craving for attention, even if it ca at the cost of a little embarrassnt.
"Very well," I said, stepping back and extending my hand upwards. "Then let us not waste any more ti."
I called upon the Holy Grail—an object of great power, yet even greater utility. In so ways, a lesser version of the Reality Stone. Allowing to ask and receive... perhaps it was more like all the stones combined.
Though naturally, its power couldn't compare. It wasn't infinite and had its limitations.
But for this, it would do nicely.
"This is the Holy Grail. I'm sure you've heard of it," I said lightly.
Phastos's eyes narrowed with sudden interest, his head tilting slightly as he took a step closer. He had the look of a scientist presented with a fascinating new piece of technology—his sharp mind already working to dissect it.
"I've heard of it," he said, his tone cautious, tinged with skepticism. "A cup of legend. Said to grant eternal life, heal the gravest wounds, and provide limitless power. But I never thought it was real."
Thena's sharp eyes shifted to the glowing vessel in my hand, her grip tightening on the spear she had conjured the mont the grail appeared. A warrior of instinct and battle-hardened reflexes, the sudden surge of power in the room had clearly put her on edge.
Gilgash stood ready beside her, prepared to act should she lose control. Yet even he was visibly intrigued by the Grail.
"Yes," I said, letting the Grail hover above my outstretched hand, the golden light casting long, shifting shadows along the stone walls. "It is real, though its powers are more grounded—no eternal life, no limitless strength. But it can still do much."
I felt the need to explain—lest they get any ideas. The Grail was powerful, but not sothing worth challenging for. At least, I hoped not.
Sprite's eyes widened, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she stared at it. The weight of the mont finally crashed down on her. She had dread of this for so long that the reality of it seed almost too much to bear.
I let the Grail drift lower, the golden glow intensifying as I focused my will. Its ancient spells and wards responded to my touch, bending to my command.
"Sprite," I said, locking eyes with her. "Are you ready?"
She swallowed hard, her small, trembling hands clenched into fists. She took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes," she whispered. "I'm ready."
"Let it be done," I declared, my voice echoing through the hall.
"Grail, let my wish be fulfilled."
With those words, the wishcraft magecraft—and the Third True Magic within—awoke.
Golden light enveloped Sprite as I focused my wish on her. The imnse mana of the Grail, mixed with my own true Ether and divine essence, began to seep into her being.
The light touched flesh, blood, tal, magic—her very soul.
But it didn't alter her essence or magic. It simply reshaped the container.
I felt her form shifting beneath the spell. Her small fra stretched, bones lengthened, muscles expanded. The childlike body she had been trapped in for so long gave way to sothing new—sothing greater.
Her clothes tore apart as her body outgrew them. The light around her flared one final ti in a blinding flash—and then... silence.
I released the Grail, letting it vanish into the void. Its golden glow faded, but a faint echo of its power lingered in the air. I took a slow breath, the tallic taste of magic still on my tongue.
Sprite staggered, eyes wide, chest rising and falling with quick breaths. She looked at her hands—longer, stronger. A woman's hands. Free.
She took a hesitant step, unbound hair cascading around her shoulders. Her eyes t mine—shocked, disbelieving, radiant with joy.
"I..." she said, her voice now richer, deeper. "I... I'm..."
"Yes," I answered, a small smile touching my lips. "You are."
A long mont passed. The weight of the mont hung in the air.
Then Sprite laughed—soft, breathless, full of disbelief and overwhelming relief. The sound of soone finally freed from a lifeti of shackles.
"I'm... finally ," she whispered, eyes brimming with tears, lips breaking into a wide, unguarded smile. "I'm... free."
She threw her arms around . "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she cried, voice cracking with emotion.
I didn't even get a word out before she turned to face the others, still naked, her old clothes lying in rags on the floor.
I had given her the body she wanted—fully adult, in all the ways she had dread of.
A mont of stunned silence followed. Eyes flicked from awe to growing awkwardness as the reality settled in.
Gilgash's grin widened, but he quickly looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, that's one way to make an entrance."
Phastos coughed and turned to inspect a nearby tapestry. Even Ikaris looked briefly rattled, his gaze snapping to the far wall like it held divine secrets.
Thena was the first to recover. She stepped forward, her eyes on Sprite's face, a flicker of pride and relief in her expression.
"Welco back, Sprite," she said, her tone calm. "It suits you."
Sprite blinked and finally noticed the state she was in. Her flush deepened—but only for a mont. Then she seed to decide she wouldn't hide it.
She was still that little brat at heart, and now, she took pleasure in proving that it was only in heart.
"Hehe. What's wrong, guys? You seem a little distracted," she teased, then turned to Ikaris with a grin. "What about you? Can you stare at the sun?" she asked, pushing her breasts together.
"That's enough, Sprite!" Sersi exclaid, clearly flustered. She defaulted to her usual role—older sister, maybe mother—and used her power to turn Sprite's old clothes into a blanket, tossing it over her.
Only then did she pull her into a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you, Sprite. You deserve this—truly."
I let the mont linger, letting Sprite's triumphant laugh echo through the hall. She had earned this. The others were flustered, yes—but I saw the joy in their eyes too.
I stepped back, giving them space as Sersi whispered reassurances, arms wrapped tightly around her friend's newly transford form.
After a long, steadying breath, Sprite pulled away, the blanket held tight around her. Her cheeks were flushed, but her eyes glead with fierce, unrestrained joy.
"I'm... free," she said again, her voice stronger, her gaze eting each of her fellow Eternals in turn. "I'm finally free."
Gilgash chuckled, arms crossed. "Well, you certainly know how to make an entrance. Welco to the grown-ups' table."
Thena's lips twitched into a faint smile. "It suits you," she repeated with quiet conviction.
Phastos gave a silent nod. His eyes still wide, but the faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips. The gears were already turning in his mind.
Ikaris said nothing. His sharp blue eyes remained fixed on Sprite, his expression unreadable. When he noticed my gaze, he looked away, his jaw tightening.
I looked back to Sprite. She t my eyes briefly. I gave her a small smile. She had earned this mont—and I would not take it from her, brat or not.
My gaze shifted to Thena. She had stepped back, her eyes cast downward, her grip tightening on her blade. She looked like a cornered lioness—ready, restless. A faint tremor in her shoulders gave her away.
I took a slow step toward her, boots ringing against the stone floor.
"Thena," I said, voice cutting through the murmurs. Calm. Steady. My eyes locked on hers.
"It is your turn."
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