It all started with a simple question. Eight little words sent me on a spiral of emotions. You might be thinking I sound crazy but, it's true. One sentence changed my world forever.
The previous day at Fairy Tail Guild Hall...
It was a typical Saturday night at Fairy Tail. People were drinking and laughing merrily, others were fighting and acting goofy. All was as it should be when Master Makarov entered the room and walked to the center of the stage at the front of the hall.
"Quiet brats! Gather round. I've got an exercise that everyone will participate in. Myself included."
His voiced boomed with authority throughout the guild. Intrigued, everyone ceased their partying and turned their attention to master Makarov.
"I want you to write me one page describing something and why you feel that way about it. The thing I want you to write about is...WHO MEANS MORE TO YOU THAN ANYTHING ELSE. You will write these in the form of letters... anonymously of course, and return them to me tomorrow by midnight."
A collective groan could be heard throughout the guild as Makarov handed Mira blank papers to hand out to everyone. The white haired bar maid looked nervous as she held onto the last paper.
"What's the point of this stupid assignment?" Gajeel the iron dragon slayer asked from his table in the corner.
"Yea Gramps! Why do we gotta write a dumb letter?!" Natsu huffed.
"Yea, what gives old man?" Grey added.
Makarov took a moment to look around the guild, assessing everyone's reaction. Most of the girls looked either excited or anxious where as the boys all looked terrified. It was going exactly how he wanted it.
"The point is, you kids need to man up already and quit stringing these girls along!" Everyone in the guild fell silent as Makarov began speaking with such emotion in his voice, it was contagious.
"So many things have happened in the last two years! We've lost some members, as well as gained more. We've looked evil in the eye and won. But we have also paid the ultimate price."
He paused to look solemnly look at the floor before continuing. "We lost many of our friends in that war. But they are looking down on us at this very moment. They will always be with us in spirit, but if loosing them has taught us anything..."
He looked up and paused briefly as he met each guildmembers eyes.
"It is that life is too short to let any aspect of fear hold us from our future. You must live each day as if it was your last, because it very well may be. The love you have for one another is unrivaled anywhere. You must be honest with yourselves about your feelings before you can be honest with anyone else."
"So you are ordering us to do this do what, be honest with ourselves? What does that even mean?!" Gajeel groaned again.
"He's ordering us to clear our minds and confront the feelings and emotions that we regularly deny ourselves to feel. Am I correct Master?" Erza said with her usual serious tone.
Makarov smiled at his "children" before nodding happily. "That is correct. I want you to embrace your underlying feelings and face them head on. I want you all to be happy and to start living your lives. I want to see more little ones running around this place. It's time we began the next generation of Fairy Tail."
He looked pointedly at each and every member as he spoke his final words. "THAT is your next mission that I order you all to complete. Now, everyone go home and write your letters... I expect them in my hand by midnight tomorrow."
With a wave of his hand, he shooed them all out if the guild and into the night. Each person said their goodbyes and walked to their homes.
To be continued...