A/N : Welcome, welcome ! This is my first published story on this site. I've been writing for a long time as a hobby and as a way to get rid of the stress of work and exams. I just had this one particular story in my mind for a long time and decided maybe it was worth sharing with other people? This chapter is incredibly short; I will try to keep all the following chapters around or over a thousand words, but the flashbacks might be shorter. I'll fill in pieces of information and comments in the A/N as the story progresses. I already have 8 chapters written and I'll probably be posting them once or twice a week depending on the demand. I guess I should probably mention that Fairy Tail and all of its characters belong to Mashima?

Enjoy and don't forget to review ~ !

[FLASHBACK]

I made my way down the stairs of the guild, staring at the ground, tears streaming down my face hidden by my hair and the black hood of my sweater. I walked up to Master and handed him the S-class request I had just chosen off the board. I didn't look up, but I could hear the confusion in his voice when he said:

''This is a 10-year mission, you know? No one has completed it in 10 years.''

''I know.''

''I don't think-'' he started, but stopped as I raised my head. I tried to explain my predicament through the sorrow visible in my eyes as I let out a single sob. I brought my hand to my mouth to try and shuffle the sound as not to attract the other members' attention. I held my gaze for a few seconds before I let out another sob, and another, and another, until I was full on crying. I tried to wipe the tears with my forearm, then with both of my hands, but it seemed as if nothing could stop the flow of sadness that was pouring out of me like a broken faucet.

I heard Master let out a heavy sigh before he finally said:

''Alright. I understand.''

As if these mere words had liberated me, I bolted towards the guild's open doors and down the streets. I was running, panting, yelling and crying. People were staring, but it made no matter to me. I ran until my legs gave out, I panted until I couldn't breathe, I yelled until my voice wouldn't come out anymore and I cried until I was empty inside.

And I was so empty inside.