Ragnar's healing factor had kicked in so he was walking by himself, a slight limp in his step. Cana was walking ahead, pausing ever so often to check on her partner " you doing okay?" she asked. Ragnar nodded " yeah, my body just hurts like hell. Amazing. I never met an adversary that I couldn't defeat by going all out. I really have a long way to go" he stopped and winced. He got down on one knee and took a few breaths" hey!" Cana said " I'm fine don't worry. It's just the more magic I use, the longer it takes me to heal" he said standing up. " Let's keep going" he said. They soon came to a clearing where five other teams were waiting. Gajeel, Freed, Alzack, Lucy, and Wendy had all clearly passed. Violet, Alain, Naomi, Jeremiah and Storm were playing with little Ishizu but looked up at Cana and Ragnar came into view " about time you guys got here!" Alain called. Ragnar grinned as he quickly sat down " good to see you boys here too" he called to Alain and Jeremiah. He winced as Cana sat next to him and put pressure on his ankle " what are you doing?!" he snapped " Trying to see how bad it is!" she snapped back. " It's just a sprain! It'll be healed in time for the next trial!" Naomi had left Ishizu and pushed Cana out of the way " oh my God! Are you okay?! What do you need?! Who did this to you?" She glared at Cana " this is your fault! Why didn't you stop this from happening bitch?!" Cana stood up and put her hands on her hips" how about I teach you some respect?!" " Both of you shut up will ya?!" Ragnar said " I'm fine Naomi, I just screwed up my ankle".
Makarov cleared his throat " good, you're all here. These are the official results from round one. Gajeel and Violet managed to defeat Gray Fullbuster. Freed and Alain were able to defeat Evergreen and Max. Alzack and Naomi defeated Kiana and Warren. Juvia and Storm were able to defeat Lucy and Laki. Wendy and Jeremiah defeated Bickslow and Loke. Cana and Ragnar managed to get by Gildarts." " How the hell did they manage to do that?!" Violet asked. Ragnar smirked " it was tough, I didn't think we had a prayer to be honest. He kicked my ass without breaking a sweat". Makarov cleared his throat again " The others met the S- Classers and didn't make it. Which means out of the 12 chosen, only 6 remain. Now, I shall reveal the details for your next trial. There is a labyrinth deep underground of the island. All teams will enter the labyrinth and navigate throughout it. You have one hour to complete it. The entrance is at the foot of the cliff nearest to our ship. Good luck. All magic is allowed except for flying. You are not allowed to break the walls. Oh and one last thing. The labyrinth is rigged with booby traps". Ragnar hopped up and motioned for Cana to lead the way. Underground huh? He watched Cana walk away and closed his eyes forgive me. . . Cana
He and Cana appeared at the entrance of the labyrinth shortly after and Ragnar took one last breath of fresh air before walking in shoulder to shoulder with Cana. She looked around " which way do you think?" " Why are you asking me?" " You're the one who has the enhanced senses". Ragnar took a breath and looked around, using his enhanced eyesight to lead the way. He sniffed the air only to get dirt " damn it!" he muttered before holding out an arm, stopping Cana. He knelt down and tugged on a wire, activating a trap door " nice one" Cana said. Ragnar nodded and walked forward without saying a word that's it Ragnar. Take it slow and steady. Breath in and out like normal." Hey are you paying attention or do you have crap in your eyes?!" He stopped and looked back at her " I'm sorry, what did you say?" he asked. Cana rolled her eyes " I asked if you knew where you were going!" " Of course I do!" he snapped. " Really?! Cause you just led us in a total circle!" Ragnar looked around in shock " no. . . " " Look, there's the entrance right there bub!" Ragnar kicked the ground " fuck!" he yelled and punched a wall " are you fucking kidding me?! Don't tell me it's already starting to happen! I was sure I could last longer! Fuck!" Cana jumped back at the outburst " hey, what's the big deal? What's up with you?" She grabbed his shoulder which made Ragnar jump " geez calm down! You're pale and shaky. I've never seen you lose your cool before. What's going on?"
Ragnar took quick breaths crap, my vision is fuzzy. This is just perfect! He looked back at a now concerned Cana " okay, I have a confession to make Cana. Going underground is never a good idea for me or any Phoenix Slayer. It makes us disoriented, our senses dull and worst of all, it can temporarily drive us mad. It's so bad that I can't stand to be in a cramped space or even put my head under blankets." Cana looked at him in shock " and why am I hearing about this now?!" she snapped. She grabbed him by the shirt collar and shoved him against a wall of the labyrinth " don't you think that's important information?! Because of you, I might lose this year's trial!" Ragnar grabbed her wrist " I'm sorry, I never wanted anyone to know. . . because this weakness disgusts me. The fact that I'm useless underground is a fact I cannot stand. If you feel as though you must strike me, be my guest. I wouldn't blame you". Cana glared at him but backed away " I'm sorry Ragnar, I didn't mean to do that. Don't worry about it, I can use my card magic to navigate out of here." Ragnar coughed " I can point out the booby traps, for now at least. Let's move. We're probably far behind now." The pair went on a new path with Cana taking point now and Ragnar trying to focus on disarming booby traps. Cana grinned " alright! I think I found our way out!" " Oh thank God!" Ragnar said, rushing forward, his foot activating a trip wire. A pink cloud flew right in his face " son of a !" Ragnar yelled failing around. Cana's eyes widened " what happened?!" Ragnar was looking everywhere frantically " Cana, where are you?!" " I'm right here!" she said, did that cloud blind him? Ragnar was starting to calm down " I'm such an idiot!" he muttered " That cloud was a kind of magic that temporarily renders someone of their senses and magic power. I'm done. I've lost my sense of touch, smell, and sight and maybe taste. My hearing seems to still be intact".
Cana stared at Ragnar and knelt down beside him " is there any way to reverse it?" Ragnar shook his head " other to wait it out, no. I'm sorry". Cana sat next to him " then I guess there's nothing left to do". she said hugging her knees. Ragnar stiffened " What are you doing?! If your guide was indeed correct then you should be close to completing the trial. Forget about me, get one step closer to becoming S-Class". Cana shook her head " at what cost? I won't take advantage of your accident like that". " You could be throwing away S- Class though! Go ahead and complete this trial. I'll recover and join you outside." Cana smacked him upside the head " shut up! Look Ragnar, I'm not gonna leave you here, I wouldn't feel right. I'll wait here until this mist's effects have cleared up. " And if you surrender S-Class?" " So be it. There's always next year". Both fell silent. Ragnar tightened his fists damn it! This is my fault! If only I wasn't a damn fool! " Hey, Ragnar, mind if I ask you something?" " Shoot". " Why is it you seem as though failing is not an option for you? I understand never giving up but it's like you're scared of failing. I noticed it when you were fighting that Hydra Head jerk and that banshee woman. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to" she added quickly.
Ragnar sighed " no it's fine. It's just. . . ever since I was a child, I've always felt like I didn't fit in with the rest of the guild. Now I know I belong in Fairy Tail and all but every now and again I catch an odd stare from someone in the guild, something like pity. I don't understand what it's about but I've been getting those looks ever since I can remember. I've even seen you give me them once in a while". Cana turned a faint red, happy that Ragnar couldn't see at the moment " oh... .um. . . Ragnar, how much do you know about those markings on your body?" Ragnar shrugged " not a damn thing". " You mean Mira and Laxus haven't told you?" " Told me what?". Cana sighed Shut up Cana! Laxus and Mira will kill you if you tell him the truth! She took a breath " Nothing. Ragnar, don't ever feel as though you are an outsider. You are a big part of the guild. You've been inside the Guildhall since you were a baby. You and Violet have been a vital member of the guild ever since you started using magic. I have to say, at first I thought you were what Violet always said about you was true. That you were a stiff, a kiss ass. But now that I've gotten to know you, I realize I was wrong. You fight with conviction and passion, I see that now".
Ragnar smiled " I appreciate that Cana. " then paused. " I need to tell you something. I know why Master chose you for this trial, even though you requested that you never get chosen again. It was my doing." Cana looked at him in shock" Master visited me while I was recovering from my battle with Klein. He told me he was choosing me to be in this year's S-Class trial. At first I was honored but then I remembered your sad face. It was then I made my choice to give my spot to you". Cana looked at Ragnar " why, why would you do that?!" she screamed. " Because you deserve it." Ragnar said then smiled " You may have given up on yourself Cana but when I look at you, I see tons of untapped potential." Cana looked at him and had to blink away tears"I...I don't. . . know what to say". Ragnar's smiled grew wider" you don't have to say anything. Just become S-Class". Just then a tingling sensation entered his nose. He sniffed the air my sense of smell has returned! Wait. . . air. . . the exit is close!
He stood up " come Cana, my sense of smell has returned! We're close! Let's move!" He said. Cana stood up " where?" " Just follow me." " But. . . " Ragnar cut her off " it's true my other senses are currently unusable but that just makes my nose sharper than it's ever been. Follow me!" He said taking off with Cana following close behind. Ragnar ran, following his nose and nothing else. The scent of fresh air grew closer and closer until finally. . . and the final team to exit the labyrinth is Cana and Ragnar". Cana looked up as everyone clapped " did we. . . did we make it?" Makarov nodded " just in time. Gajeel, Freed, and Juvia have also advanced. You will join them in the last trial. Nicely done Cana." She smiled and hugged Ragnar " thank you so much!" she said. Ragnar nodded, the effects starting to clear up " don't mention it" he said sitting on the grass. Makarov spoke again " the final trial will begin in three hours and it will be the hardest trial yet"