Preening and braiding hair became their new favorite thing to do together, closely followed by exploring the city to find new hang out spots with a cool view. You'd think that someone like Phil, who has been on the island for more than a thousand years, would know every single spot on it. And while he knows the island by heart, he never considered to judge all the spots by "How great the view is" or "how comfortable that spot is for just vibing and braiding hair". No, that was Techno's job. While he took his new role serious as well, which clearly showed in the way he put his heart and soul into his training, he also made it his job to make sure Phil learns what it means to just live, to just enjoy the life he has and all the things around him.

And his efforts were clearly successful, as he was always rewarded with bright smiles and laughter whenever he managed to distract his friend for just a few minutes. The pure, joyful laughter that had seemed so broken and almost fake when he first met the lonely angel now brightened his day every time he gets to hear it.

Never, in a million years, would he have thought to ever find a friend like Phil. Someone so kind and pure and just... bright. Bright and warm like the sun, gentle like everything he touches could break, kind as if there was not a bad bone in his body. Someone that made even Techno believe in the good sides of life again. Someone that made Techno happy.

And he knows that if he would ever be questioned about what life he wants, which part of his life he would want to be immortalized and live in forever, it would be this one. The last few weeks with Phil, even with their rocky start, were the happiest he's ever been. And perhaps, that's how his companion feels as well. Because Techno clearly notices that whenever his friend looked over at him, no matter what they were doing in that moment, his eyes always softened and his smile grew ever so slightly wider.

"Done!" Techno lifted his hand to feel the new braid, a small flower embedded into pink locks every now and again. "You look so pretty~" "Yeah yeah you say that every time." He turned towards his friend and grinned, a thin flowercrown of bright blue flowers rested on his golden hair. The flowers had reminded him of Phil's kind eyes, so he collected a bunch of them to give to his friend, who in return taught him how to make them into crowns.

"You look pretty too~" "I know, I'm a pretty bird!" Phil spread out his wings and puffed out his chest, mimicking the silly pose of a bird they had seen earlier trying to impress a female. It looked a lot funnier in human form though. "Yes you're very pretty and also look very stupid right now." "Don't say that! All the ladies love it!" "Yes, all the zero ladies on this island love that pose."

For a second they stared at each other, before both erupted into laughter. Ah yes, discussing the 'ladies' was always a rather fun thing to do. "Who knows, maybe your little dance will impress Lady Death. That would be something." "Pfft yeah right. As if a goddess would ever find something like me attractive." "You don't know that. Just wait until you start finding flowers in your nest. Or even a love letter claiming that your 'very attractive bird dance' made her fall in love with you!"

At this point Phil was wheezing, curled up in the soft grass with the flowercrown half crumbled still hanging on to his hair. "Or even better, your voice when chirping all those melodies!" "Please... I can't... breathe..." Techno watched with a big grin as his friend gasped for air between laughing, is wings sprawled out behind him.

"You... you're evil." "I know. Love you too." Phil just laid on the ground, staring up at the sky through the leaves as his breath started to slow down again. "That would be interesting though." Techno hummed and laid down next to his friend, watching the heavy storm clouds swirl in the distance. Crazy how violent the winds are, yet here on the island it was peaceful and calm.

"You mean Lady Death falling in love with you?" "Mm... Just the thought that someone so big and powerful and out of reach could love something so small like me." "Everything is possible." Phil hummed and closed his eyes, ever so slightly leaning into the gentle breeze that rushed by. Techno found himself copying the action, allowing his body to relax into the soft ground beneath him. A peaceful day, much like every other day he had spent here. It definitely was a much better life than the one he had before. No hunger or pain or sleepless nights. Just peace and warmth.

His fingers began to play with the grass beneath him, feeling the soft touch as it reacted to his magic. The crystal was still warm and gently pulsing against his skin as he allowed himself to ease into the steady flow of energy, small blue wisps of magic twirling between his fingers as he played with the grass. It was nothing big, simply the soothing spell Phil uses on him a lot if he does get hurt. The plants seem to love that one, always leaning into the touch whenever someone uses it on them.

It was perfect... until he started to shiver. The pulsing of his crystal suddenly strengthened tenfold, almost vibrating against his skin. When he opened his eyes again to look at his crystal, it was glowing brightly. He could hear Phil gasp next to him as he sat up and stared at his own crystal. The gentle warmth was starting to rise to a burning heat, but his skin stayed unharmed from it, as if the heat didn't actually existed. The magic... something was wrong.

"Phil... what is going on? What does this mean?" "I... I haven't felt this since..." He jumped up and began to ran towards the exit of the garden. "Phil!" Techno followed his friend, trying to grab his arm so he will stop running. Though it was hopeless. The angel was much faster than him by a lot, quickly disappearing out of the garden exit. "Phil wait!"

Techno ran and ran, trying to catch up to his friend, until he almost crashed into him where he was standing right around the corner of the exit, frozen in place and panting. "Phil. What s happening? Please, talk to me." The burning and pulsing grew stronger, to the point where it started to hurt. Techno groaned and grabbed his friend's arm, trying to stay upright. Phil didn't seem to care. Not even flinching at the pain.

"This... this only happens when someone uses magic that directly affects the core... Sky City's heart... or use it's help to do something, a spell of huge proportions... The last time I felt it was when I made the storm." "But I thought only the two of us can use the magic... that only we have access to a crystal." "I thought so too..." He followed Phil's gaze and only then noticed everything. It was silent, no birdsong, no animal calling. No wind or distant thunder of the storm. Nothing.

The storm was gone.

"We... we're open." Phil's voice was filled with panic, his hands immediately finding his spear as his crystal glowed anew, this time signaling that he was ready to use a spell himself. "Someone is here!"

The words echo in Techno's mind for a few seconds before he even realized what they meant. Someone was here... someone entered Sky City. Someone was here for the magic. Techno grabbed his axe and pressed closer to Phil. He could practically see the thoughts racing through his friends mind, all the things he need to check and protect.

"Techno. Go to the entrance to Sky City's heart, back in the garden. It's the only entrance. Hide in the trees and make sure whoever is here does not enter it." "Where are you going?" Phil tied his hair back, the flowercrown long gone as his eyes hardened, the warmth they usually hold gone. "I will fly around the island and search for the intruder. If I run into any trouble I can't handle, I will send Brian to come get you."

Phil grabbed Techno by the shoulders, his grip tight and his look the most serious he has ever seen. "Whatever happens today, they can not find the crystal. I told you what it can do, how powerful it is. Unless I call for you, do NOT leave your post at the entrance. Whoever is here knows how to use the Heart's spells. We can't let them get to it. Do you understand?" He did not like the thought about leaving his friend to fight off whoever this was, especially if they are as skilled or powerful as Phil suggests right now, but he also knew just how much he depended on him right now.

So despite his better judgment, he nodded and tightened the hold on his axe. "I promise, I will protect it with my life." Phil nodded and let go of him, just to be stopped by Techno grabbing his wrist. "As long as you promise to be careful. That you will get me if something goes wrong. I can't lose you... please." The angel smiled and nodded, his wings flaring out behind him, ready to take off. "I promise."

Techno pulled him close and gave him one last, tight hug, telling himself over and over again that this won't be the last time he gets to see him. The angel was the most powerful person he has ever met. He knows that when they train, he's holding back by a lot. If anyone can deal with this threat, it's him. Yet the thought of leaving him to fight by himself was still scary.

Phil returned the hug just as tightly before gently pushing him away. "It'll be okay." He nodded and watched Phil turn and take to the sky, great black wings carrying the angel through the air and down towards the lower level of buildings and the edges of the city.

As soon as he was out of view, Techno turned and hurried back to the garden entrance and to the hidden door to Sky City's heart. Though his main thought stayed with Phil, hoping that whatever happens, he will be fine. He has to be fine.

He can't imagine what he will do if he loses Phil today.

When Sky City loses it's guardian.

Finally some drama eh? :D

A bit shorter today too, but again, I didn't want to ruin the mood of the chapter.

Have a great day!