Kai thought he'd reached the peaks of relief when the rest of the Tenrou crew arrived to ferry them back to camp, but it really was not until he was back in the camp, resting on a tree stump, that he knew he could put his guard down and relax.
Iggy sat next to him, recounting the little trial and tribulation it was to destroy the Grimoire Heart, and how that'd ultimately won out the day. She also remarked continual surprise that Laxus did not just return, but actively aided Kai in battle; and, not to mention the fact that Kai aided Laxus with performing the Fairy Heart spell.
Makarov was just surprised that it'd worked, given how it failed last time, but everyone left it unspoken that Laxus secretly yearned to be back in the guild and didn't really come back to see First Master's grave or anything like that. Makarov had left Hades to rot on the shore, insinuating that the island's pure magic may do something to aid his fettered soul. At least, he hoped for as much.
Erza quickly Requipped into her nurse's "armor" and set to work applying bandages and aid to everyone. Mirajane and Lisanna proved apt assistants, though were far less insane than she was about being wrapped in healing bandages. Lyra returned from the Celestial Spirit World as a token of victory to Lucy for defeating a high-ranking foe and laid her soothing songs over everyone once more.
Kai tilted his head back, breathing in the warm, but fresh, Tenrou Island air. A significant weight he hadn't realized he was carrying lifted off his shoulders. He brushed the hair from his face. Hades was dealt with. It was over. The once unbeatable foe had been stopped not by Kai, but by Fairy Tail. He smiled and shook his head.
Hades had taught him a lesson after all. Kai was powerful now, yes, but not nearly as strong as he could be if he worked together with someone. He curled his hand into his a balled fist. And he could definitely rely on his friends. Laxus had swooped in at the nick of time. Natsu had his unwavering resilience. Lucy, Wendy, and Gray all provided excellent support (Gray could be his own physical attacker, but when paired with Kai it was an unbeatable duo) and Erza had her Dragon Armor. Eventually, Kai could surpass Gildarts.
And they'd be ready to face Acnologia together. Ready to end that nightmare and at last remove the long shadow cast over Kai.
He adjusted in his seat, which drew Iggy's attention.
"You should probably stay settled down for a bit." She gestured at Erza, who busily chased after Gajeel to apply more bandages. "Once she comes for you, you're done for."
Kai laughed. "Let's just try and stay low, how's that?"
Someone did come over to Kai, startling him. It was Wendy, accompanied by Carla and Happy…though it appeared Happy was really just following Carla around.
"I have a little extra magic if you think you need it," Wendy said. "I can try and heal your wounds faster?"
"I'm okay, Wendy," Kai said. "Lyra's magic is just enough for me for now. How are you feeling?"
"Definitely worn out. I wasn't sure we were going to make it out of there for a second when all of the demons showed up."
"You're welcome for that," Iggy said with a wink.
"It just gives me a lot of hope in case we face someone else like that," Wendy said. "That we'll always win out."
Kai dipped his head and nodded. Master Makarov cleared his throat and it caught everyone's attention, even giving Erza a moment of pause.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, I am going to call off the remaining part of the S-Class Wizard trial," Makarov said.
"Woo-hoo, everyone's S-Class!" Natsu exclaimed.
"No, it's being postponed," Makarov said. "There's going to be a lot of work done bringing in the found and captured members of Grimoire Heart, and I want to ensure proper and stable defenses for next time."
"Ah, no S-Class," Kai muttered, and glanced at Cana, who, despite all the hardships of the last five years, didn't look disappointed. Makarov even flashed her a knowing look. Kai didn't bother pondering it for too long. What mattered is she was happy.
"Get some rest now," Makarov ordered. "We'll leave once everyone is in good shape."
"You heard him!" Erza exclaimed. "Come get a checkup!"
Natsu and Gray pleaded with Erza and burst away. Mirajane peacefully checked in on Freed and Bickslow while Evergreen helped patch up a seemingly reluctant Elfman. Kai groaned and got to his feet.
"What are you doing?" Iggy hissed. "She'll find you."
"Look, Iggy, the way I see it is that the more time with Erza that I have the better," Kai said with a shrug. "And I'm fine, like I said."
Kai glanced around the area. Something tickled at the back of his mind. A feeling, a sensation. Just a tiny droplet of red in the sea of white. He checked his surroundings, sniffing for any familiar Grimoire Heart scents.
Laxus called to him. Kai snapped his attention to the massive Lightning Dragon Slayer and approached. Iggy followed close behind.
"Good thinking to use Fairy Law on the geezer," Laxus said. He held a hand out to him. "I never did give you respect for our fight, too."
"You were just holding back, right?" Kai asked, and clasped Laxus's hand.
Laxus grimaced. "Wait til round two, alright?"
"Looking forward to it."
"Well now, look at this."
Mirajane approached the two boys. Laxus sneered at her. "Look at what?"
"It's strange to see Dragon Slayers being amiable with anyone but Wendy," Mirajane said. "Laxus, you must've been hit pretty hard on the head."
He shrugged. "Just came to give respect."
"To First Master?"
Laxus bit his lower lip and just waved her off. Mirajane chuckled and tilted her head at Kai, looking him up and down. "Feeling okay?"
"We must have some seriously wounded people if everyone keeps asking about how I am," Kai said. "I'm fine, Mira. Go check on Wendy. I think she's pretty nervous and shaken up about everything."
Mira nodded and walked behind Kai to Wendy. Iggy floated up to be level with Kai's line of sight.
"For as relaxed as everyone is, they're all still pretty wound up," she said.
"I think it's more appropriate to say everyone is winding down."
"You're fine."
"Well not everyone had Hades haunting their mind for a few days and finally got that out of their system."
Iggy purred in agreement. "I'm just hoping, for your sake, that Wendy restores her magic enough to cast Troia on you Dragon Slayers or you're going to wish Hades had knocked you out clean."
Kai once more laughed and Iggy landed on his shoulder. He momentarily winced from the pain but Lyra's soothing words floated not just into his ears but into his soul and eased the wound. He was just sore in general, and after the got home, he'd probably be feeling it for a few days. Oh, how perfect.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched a sudden flash of movement and momentarily tensed before he watched Gildarts yank Cana into a hug. Warmth blossomed in his heart and he instantly sought out Erza, who had just appeared next to him.
"Did you catch any of that?" Erza asked. She was out of her nurse's armor and back into her blouse and skirt.
"No, what happened?"
"Gildarts is Cana's father. She's been too afraid to tell him for so long, and he didn't even realize it."
Kai beamed and clasped his hand into Erza's. "It's so nice."
"Isn't it?"
They tilted their heads to touch and Kai shut his eyes. Maybe it was Lyra's magic, or the magic of the island, but at once, Kai was at his innermost peace. He relaxed so much he slouched and almost fell over. Perhaps that was just sleepiness. Erza giggled.
She grabbed his chin and kissed him. She stepped away, whispering, "I love you," as another figure approached. Geez, was anyone going to give Kai a break?
"I suppose you two are getting fairly serious?" Makarov asked. "I admit, it would be nice to have a few runts running around the guild hall."
Kai and Erza blushed. "M—master…" Erza said.
Makarov laughed. "It's just my old age speaking!"
"We are pretty serious, though," Kai said, glancing at Erza, who nodded.
"I was actually hoping to move out of Fairy Hills soon," Erza said, still blushing. "And move in with Kai."
A chill ran through Kai's spine, but one laced with excitement. Even Iggy's hairs stood up and a huge smile bloomed on her face.
"Erza would live with us?" Iggy shrieked. "Oh, that would be magnificent! We could play so many pranks on…"
Kai glared down at Iggy, who just stuck her tongue out at him.
"Housing in Magnolia is no cheap thing," Makarov said. "You'd have to go on some fairly expensive, and dangerous, jobs to afford a nice place." He crossed his arms. "He wouldn't be able to come with you on the S-Class ones, Erza."
"Not yet."
Makarov nodded. "Kai, you and I talked, and you know—"
"Next year." Kai gave Master a thumbs-up. "I'll be S-Class."
"You're willing to wait a year to afford a nice place?"
"You forget, Master Makarov…" Iggy walked over, standing just a little shorter than Makarov, and laid her tail on his shoulder. "That there's three sets of money at play here."
Makarov pursed his lips. "Have you taken solo quests?"
"I have."
"…Has Happy?"
Iggy chuckled. "A few, yes, mostly revolving around fishing. I suspect Lily will, too, once he gets his bearings on Earth-land."
Makarov could only stare out with a sudden realization as it all dawned on him. "Even the cats of my guild can make money, that's remarkable."
He turned away, but, Iggy called for him once more, this time with a bit more urgency. Kai titled his head. Makarov understood the urgency and glanced back at her.
"What is it?"
"Hades, Master. He was a wise wizard, right?"
"One of the brightest."
"Could…would he have been able to reverse my condition?"
Makarov sighed. "Even if he could, I wouldn't trust him to do so without it coming at some cost. I fear we may need to still hunt down the one that cursed you and take him down to revert you to your human form, my dear."
"Darn."
Makarov patted Iggy on the head. "Once we return home, we'll put together a team to find them. You've earned as much after what you did to Hades."
Iggy glowed and nodded. "Thank you, Master."
At that, Makarov did leave them. Erza patted Kai on the shoulder, gesturing at Wendy, who was once more sitting just with Carla. Iggy floated to level with Kai once more and the two made their way through camp toward the snacks that Levy and Lily were distributing, though Lily's mouth watered at the sight of each one.
Kai munched on one, searching for Gray (or, really, the boisterous Juvia) to see if he could get some ice and recharge even more.
Someone, then, stomped on over to him. Kai set his jaw and prepared a sardonic hello but was instead greeted by Gildarts.
"Couldn't help overhearing what you said," the man said, and was addressing Iggy, surprising the floating cat. "When I was out on my travels, I heard about a crazy wizard obsessed with Zeref running around trying to put curses on people. I think I have an idea of where he might be."
Iggy raised one of her brows and followed Gildarts back to the snack table. Kai smiled and wandered off, breathing in the fresh air once more.
Save for the chatter of the camp, Kai at last found a modicum of quiet that he could hold onto. He laid the snack wrapper in his pocket and stretched out some of his muscles against the tree. He'd lost his weighted shirt in the fight with Hades. Kai tapped his fingers against the pommel of his sword.
The wind shifted. He closed his eyes. Kairi would be proud of him. Some little part of him, like a voice, told him so. Her spirit had pushed him beyond Hades once, and her teachings at last paid off to push him past his limits. And to push him into a family, a life he loved.
Just then…a shudder. Something crawled in the back of Kai's mind, then bloomed. A sensation into a feeling.
From hope to dread.
Kai looked around. Nobody else noticed it. He moved away, toward a clearing. There had to be something going on at the island. His hand remained rested on the pommel of the blade.
That feeling at once shifted from that of confusion and dread to familiarity. Where, though? Where had he felt…
Then the scent came. It was far off, yes, but it hurtled toward them at an incredible rate. Kai's heart momentarily stopped before it pumped faster and faster. He rounded toward the rest of the camp, where only Gildarts and Makarov were looking toward the sky. Then the Dragon Slayers realized it, too, but it was only too late.
Kai ripped his sword free of his scabbard just before the great roar ripped through the sky and rendered everyone but Kai, Makarov, and Gildarts to their knees.
"Everyone get to the boats, now!" Makarov roared, and started glowing.
"What's going on?" Wendy cried out.
"It's Acnologia!" Kai shouted as a shadow eclipsed the sky.
"To the boats, damn it!" Makarov ordered. "Gildarts, Erza, get everyone out of here this instant!"
The roar came once more, that which bled out of Kai's nightmares and into the real world. He stood alone in the clearing as Acnologia's massive draconic form settled over the island.
Kai Hope raised his blade to the Black Dragon of the Apocalypse, who settled his eyes on him. And smiled.
"There you are…nephew."