Welcome to Gaia! ::

There was a moment in which Atticus was convinced he’d fallen into a warm dream. He was most comfortable with Elliot, and his hand was still warm in his, so maybe he had just fallen asleep while standing in the glow of the moon in Michael’s living room.

He felt peaceful and safe -- which was already how he felt with Elliot. So when he realized they weren’t in Michael’s living room, he was--

Not as surprised as he thought he should be. After being taken to Jupiter, after experiencing monsters, both youma and human, being in a strange place with someone he cared about wasn’t a scary experience.

That didn’t mean he didn’t move closer to Elliot, or reach up to cling to Elliot’s arm as he looked around them.

There was an elegance to everything that he hadn’t encountered before. A warmth and peace. It took a few moments to catch up to what Elliot was looking at, since he was distracted by the sweeping and graceful architecture.

Atticus saw the pedestal. Saw the strange, sparkling mist. Felt how it seemed to be looking at them.

So Atticus did the only polite thing he could think of and lifted his hand from where he’d tucked it under Elliot’s arm, and gave it a small wave in greeting.

There was no one in front of them. There was no face, no person. Atticus had waved to the glowing orb in front of them, and Elliot found that he was almost tempted to do the same–until it spoke.

It spoke like it knew them.

He held Atticus’ hand tightly, but he stood a little taller. “Well, it’s better than getting eaten, yeah. I have people I need to keep safe.” But–this didn’t really feel real, and after only a few seconds of trying to stare down the glowing orb, he turned to Atticus. “Are you okay? Do you know what’s going on?”

He was nearly at his limit for the night, and his feet hurt. His whole body hurt. He didn’t know if this was some joke (how…?) or some dream or–

Elliot didn’t know.

But if he could get stronger, if he could actually do something, anything about this…

Yeah, of course he wanted to be able to. He wasn’t going to turn down magic. He wasn't going to turn down the opportunity to make a difference. To protect good people, and do anything to help stop the bad ones.

“Then, perhaps we can be of use to each other.”

Once more the Code swirled before them; it seemed to stay moving yet keep its form perfectly. There was something peaceful, something meditative about the way it moved. It had no face, no emotions; its voice was even but firm and sturdy.

Confident.

“I have a power to share, but I cannot give it freely. I need those who will help me as I help them. The power is symbiotic, and I will only share it with those who must use it justly. It cannot be used for self gain, you must be willing to help others. But I don’t think that will be a problem for you two.”

It gave them a moment to process that before it continued, “In exchange, I ask only that you help me protect this world. A thousand years ago, this kingdom fell. Now, it is only ruin and memories. It has lasted for this long, but the defenses are failing, and Chaos is growing stronger. This world cannot be left so vulnerable. If its power were to fall into the wrong hands, Earth could fall to ruin. I would like to ask you to help me protect this world. I would ask that you spend some time here, that you visit and restore one of the Wonders. If you accept, you will be tied to it. Your strength will grow as it heals, and you’ll have access to more power. You don’t have to fight.”

It seemed like it was looking at Atticus, now.

“Wanting to help others heal is important, too. There is more that you can do to help others than fight. I am asking you to take on a great responsibility, but I will give you the power and resources you need to accomplish what I’m asking.”

He didn’t understand why, but being around this -- whatever it was -- made him feel like he was in the presence of someone very powerful and wise, but also someone very protective. He was momentarily reminded of how he felt with Devyn. Patient and understanding and willing to help.

To be offered a great responsibility was… well, that was rather intimidating. But Atticus was very interested in the idea of being able to help heal others, instead of fighting.

He glanced up at Elliot, because he wanted to make sure he was okay, that he wasn’t too confused or concerned about what was going on. His heart was beating quickly in his chest, and he gave Elliot’s hand a squeeze as he also turned to face the Code.

“I would like to help,” he agreed. None of this seemed real, except that he knew it very much was real. And the next time someone tried hurting his family, he would be able to do something to help instead of just being useless.

“A lot of questions, yeah,” Elliot said; a frown had settled on his face as he examined the water mister he held, and the strange new outfit that had appeared on him. He wasn’t unhappy, but if he’d had doubts before they were rapidly melting. This wasn’t really believable, but–

How could he deny what was right in front of him?

And, Atticus was next to him–again, in another disguise. Except, they were still holding hands. He’d never let go. He knew it was Atticus, even though he looked different again.

“Is this–is it the Knight thing?” He wanted to look at the Code to ask, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of Atticus’ face. “Does this mean that–if you can make us look like different people–”

Were his parents not going to be able to recognize him? Was he going to have to try to convince them? –But they’d believed Atticus, they’d believe him. If Michael was magic, he’d believe him. If this was real magic, more than just fancy technology to disguise Atticus–

“Atticus has to hide who he is, because there are bad people after him. The people with the youma. He has to wear a disguise. Is that–will this fix that? Like, permanently? So he doesn’t have to wear his disguise?”

How did that work? –Did that make sense? Was this glowing–wait, what was that thing? What were they even talking to? Some magical ball of, like, magic, that gave them–gardening tools and kitchen utensils?

Again, the Code seemed interested despite having no face. There was something curious about it, something contemplative.

“You have Mauvian technology,” it noted after a moment. “I can do that for you. If your identity is ever compromised, there is a magic you can rely on to protect you. While you are like this, Pages of the Moon, you are unidentifiable as your civilian selves. If you are already in danger, it would be negligent to send you back to Earth without precautions in place. I can cement the Mauvian’s technology, that is easy enough.”

The work had already been done, it was simple magic, and a small price to pay for someone to defend the Moon.

To defend Earth.

“When you return, you should reach out to the Mauvian. They have connections. They can make sure you have resources back home. People to help you get settled. It’s more help than I can be, in some ways. I am bound to the Moon, and to all Wonders. There is a piece of me in all of them, that facilitates the connection between you and your powers. A Knight’s sworn duty is to use their power for good, and to protect their Wonder.”

The Code glowed brighter now, and swirled quickly–until two small orbs broke off and floated in the air before it hovered before the two boys.

“Let me show you yours.”