Ethan opened his eyes and reached out, catching the sphere in one hand. Violent time energy spread from his palm toward his arm, but the spatial energy he had just stabilized kept it from entering his body.
He twisted his wrist.
Space folded inward, swallowing the sphere. A moment later, space split open behind Vesperhart, and the same attack shot out at its original speed—straight toward its back.
"Dad! You're finally awake!"
Auri immediately ran to Ethan's side and pointed accusingly at Vesperhart.
"It hurt all of us! Beat it up!"
Ethan looked at her, then at the injuries on the other three girls. The exhaustion in his eyes quickly gave way to something colder.
He reached down and ruffled Auri's hair.
By the time his hand left her head, another white energy sphere had already formed in his palm.
"It gave me one, so I should return the favor."
Ethan pushed the sphere forward.
"Only fair."
