Authors Note: This is my first Fairy Tail fanfic. Also my first publication on this site. I hope that you all enjoy it.
The door closed on the cell in the prison of Akrand. Only one nine yearold boy was there , sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. He was looking forward with blank eyes. A kind female voice spoke from outside the cell.
-I am truly sorry for what happened to you. I promise i will find a way to undo this. The boy couldn't hear her. He was trapped in another world.
Natsu , Lucy , Erza , Gray , Wendy , Happy and Sharla were walking toward the town of Kos. It was a fairly large town , wealthy because the only trade route in the regions passed through it. With a forest on one side and the desert on the other it was often besieged by several types of bandits. Natsu wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he was annoyed that their mission had nothing to do with fighting of any sort.
-Natsu.-said Erza-You need to calm down.
-I don't understand why we have to go on such a boring mission.
-I think it's nice to go on such from time to time-said Lucy-Besides. All the other highpaying jobs were already taken by the others. -Even so. Who hires five mages to mow one lawn?
-I have to agree that this is weard.-said Grey -Well there was something about a time limit of three or so hours. Maybe it is just a big lawn?
-We will see soon enough Lucy.-Erza pointed to the city gates-We will be soon there. Lucy thought it was a shame that they wouldn't be able to see much of Kos. It was said that it was like seeing two cultures living together. But the house that they were going to was located near the gates. They atleast were able to see some of the market there. Lucy saw a few items that caught her interest. The reward was large enough to cover her rent and allow herself to get one or two of them. They soon reached the address that was on the request. It was five times larger then any of the neighboring houses. Erza stepped up and knocked on the door. After a short while a skinny man dressed in a robe opened. -You the mages? Good-he said in a loud voice before Erza could say a word-Follow me. It was a straight corridor to the back yard that didn't allow them to see much of the interior but from what they could see the owner was definitely wealthy but he had zero sence of style. Everything in this corridor was expensive but put there with no organisation whatsoever. When the skinny man opened the door to the backyard the group froze in place. Many man-eating plants were scattered across biting at each other. -The kids decided to pull a practical joke by throwing a few seeds here. Unfortunately the prank escalated to a point the city guard could not deal with them. You have two hours or no pay!
He quickly went back into the house and locked the door.
-Finally things are starting to look up.-with a flaming fist he charged the plants -How do things always end up like this...-Lucy pondered as she drew one of her celestial keys
Loud noise. Something very rare. It was too early for the cell switch. As the noise neared he was able to make out they were explosions. They were coming closer and closer , but when they reached his cell everything became quiet again. Perhaps he had lost what was left of his mind and was hearing things. And then the cell door was blown away by a fierce explosion. So the partner of his cellmate for the last four months came for him at last. An elderly man entered the cell. He was dressed like royalty sent to war. Light black armor with red decorations , short white hair combed perfectly. Even though he was probably over the age of sixty his physical condition was that of a man in his golden years. He was holding some clothes.
The elder entered the cell and found his partner immediately. He made no effort to hide his amazement when he saw that the man he was looking for was dead.
-He died a few weeks ago. Maybe a month. It is hard to track the time without any sunlight. He turned around to see who spoke up. What he saw was not very impressive. A young man sitting casually on the floor with his back to the wall. His black hair was long and messy covering most of his face.
-He was sick for quite some time. I was surprised he lived as long as he did. Angered the elder punched the wall with all his strength leaving a dent in it. All of his plans were now ruined. That idiot died taking the last piece of information he needed to reach his goal. All the sacrifices up to this point were in vain now.
-Markus-said the young man on the floor using the elders name-He said a lot of things before he died. I know where it is.
Markus looked at the man with suspicion.
-The Hand of Ranos. The last thing he said before finally death took him. Location , traps and the lock itself. Wondering if i can really help you? Just the fact that i am here in Akrand should be enough. And without me you will just die as an old man , forgotten by all. Markus threw the clothes he was carrying at him. -Put them on. They have an enchantment to remove that smell. What is your name kid?
-I have no name-he said after putting on the clothes.-Call me whatever you want. Can i borrow this?-he pointed at a dagger Markus had on his belt as he got up.
-Sure kid. He took out the dagger and handed it to the boy. With one strike he cut of his long hair and gave it back to Markus. A red magic circle appeared under both of them and they disappeared. After they were gone the broken cell gate repaired itself with only the dead prisoner in it.