Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any pop culture or classical references. All original plots and characters are mine.
NOTICE: This is a revision of the 2017 version, which is simul-posted to AO3. Episodes 001 through 010 are set to be replaced and other episodes edited. This may cause confusion. To read the 2022 revised edition as it is updated, AO3 is on Episode 004 as of tonight. Otherwise, all 143 (in counting) episodes will remain here and continue to be edited and updated with Episode 144 coming next Sunday.
In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.
PREVIOUSLY on Fairy Adventure: with Luna down and out from her Magical Awakening, everyone is anxious for her to wake again, some out of worry and others because of their part to play in her slumber. Meanwhile, Gary and Nashi are stuck in a Demon's Labyrinth with their own fights on their hand. But Nashi meets a friend while Gary meets a foe. Fairy Tail is always stronger together, but it seems like, for this dangerous job, Nashi and Gary will have to stay strong apart.
"Yesssssssss… Let's talk, Demon."
So Gary's the Devil? Or the Devil is…Gary? Isn't it ironic that the Devil is pursuing an Angel then?
Chibi-Nashi appears with a grin and a wave. "Hi, everyone! Ready for more Fairy Adventure? To keep your eyes safe, make sure you read with at least one light on in a low setting! She winks with a thumbs up. "See you at the end of the episode!"
SU… SU…
Wax candles cried as flames burned their tips. Incense smoked the room, that earthy yet citric frankincense slithering about to tingle the nose and the skin. Spices and sand ground together to lace a circle and write out hieroglyphs. The room looked like something pulled from a fantasy with notes and books in languages most had forgotten, and many had not even heard from. A few sketches added to the mess. A Vitruvian sketch had been made and traced with the trace of a man and behind it, a horned and winged creature.
SU… SU…
She floated in the middle of the circle in a lotus position with her hands in simple mudras. Some thought her to be a priestess, considering her white hair and doll-like facial structure, but she was young in years and time could change a person. A soulful green possessed her eyes as she floated in meditation.
KNOCK-KNOCK!
The door pushed open. "Penny?"
A tomboyish young lady pushed the door open wider and looked the opposite of delicate. Bandages on her fingers, one on her neck, and one on her cheek—she wore them like they were badges of honor. Having long hair to her was the bane of her existence, so messily chopping off her dark blue hair and keeping it close to her jaw felt better.
She looked at the meditating girl in rough concern. "You've been in here for a while now. Mom's getting worried."
⌜FAIRY TAIL GUILD
Name: Paige Strauss
Age: 14
Occupation: Mage, Year 9 Student
Magic: Animal Possession
Likes: skateboarding Dislikes: seafood
Special Note: Daughter of Lisanna and Bixslow, Paige is fiercely protective of her twin sister and fiercely murderous against Silver! ⌟
The meditating girl lifted her head. "I need to continue my work. This is more important." Maybe she was a doll with her light and apathetic speech.
Paige sighed, rubbing her head. "What's going on? You don't hole yourself up in here for this long. Is it more work from Master or something? Another assignment?"
"Yes, it is."
"Well… I'll let Mom know," Paige offered as she grabbed the doorknob.
"Don't bother. She'll worry even more."
Some people would take offense to the girl's emotionless tone and think her rude, but Paige knew all the little cues and quirks after 14 years. "Yeah, maybe, but she'll at least know why you're not coming down. If you want me to bring you up some late dinner…"
"There's no need," came instant shut down. A pause. "Bring me juice boxes."
Paige hitched up an eyebrow. "Seriously?" She tutted. "You and your weird obsessions."
"It's no weirder than you bathing me."
Paige could have fallen over. "H-Hey!" An irked blush worked her cheeks as she barked back, "I only do that because, knowing you, you'd go days without showering or even eating if I didn't pin you down!"
Penny lifted her hand to her mouth as though she were shocked (her expression never changed). "A forbidden love between sisters. How romantic."
TICK!
"Don't make it weird!" Paige tched, eyebrow twitching. Doesn't she know how horrible at taking care of herself she is? Memories spilled over of all the times Paige came home from jobs and competitions to gawk at the absurd mess her sister lived in with her stomach growling, yet she was too invested in her notes.
She'd probably die if I didn't… More red flushed her cheeks as she remembered washing her apathetic twin. If I didn't… Another memory pinched her of her trying to feed her twin and how odd it must have looked to outsiders—
MOKU!
Steam came out from the top of Paige's head, and Penny commented, "My sister is my first love interest. This could be a best-selling manga."
TICK!
Too red for comfort, Paige pointed a shaky finger at her sister and declared, "W-Well, you better not lock yourself in here all night or I'm coming in and forcing you out, you hear me!" And she left with a loud slam of the door.
The incense burned.
She dropped her chip and closed her eyes. On long and steady exhale later, her body moved forward to leave the circle and she could find her footing on solid ground. She strode to her messy desk, but her hands found her glasses with ease. When she managed to put them on, white lashes parted and showed pale red eyes, the same color she shared with Paige. My work…
⌜FAIRY TAIL GUILD
Name: Penelope Strauss
Age: 14
Occupation: S-Class Mage, (Hons.) Year 1 Student
Magic: Soul Coordination
Likes: juice boxes Dislikes: milk
Special Note: Penelope might be young, but she's a respected Wizard and turned down the opportunity to become a Sorcerer! ⌟
With a wave of her fingers, books pulled out from their reserves, but they did not come to their caller. They reshelved themselves, each one knowing where their new home would be. Some moved twice; they went into one spot, waited, and then moved into another open spot.
Penelope looked at the topographic map of Earth Land she kept above her desk. The seeds have been planted. And someone has watered them. Which will grow first. Her fingers glided across Ishgar. Will it be a pope? Fingers went to Giltena. A doctor? Her hand went to Alakitasia. The ideals of the Black Wizard? Then her fingers went to the sea. The Sanctuary? Or…
As her hand drew back, pale reds reflected the world map. Or will it be the people's growing hatred?
The books slid into their last slot. A pulse of Magic came from the floor-to-ceiling bookcase that took up the entire wall, and a sigil formed with rings of First Language around it. As Penelope swiped a candle already in a holder, the rings of First Language shifted until their adjustments were complete. She about-faced, hair aflutter, and walked just as her bookshelf parted straight down the middle to show what looked to be a spiral brick staircase.
The moment Penelope went inside, the bookshelf slid back and locked in place.
Her footsteps soft and candle bright, she did not care that other candles in the spiral staircase lit up as she passed as though welcoming her back. Somehow, all this light made pale reds darken. I'm not naïve enough to think stopping things now will change the future. Instead, I am nothing more than a chess piece who has to wait for someone to pick me up and move me. But if I'm going to be in this game, then I won't settle for being a pawn.
She made it to the bottom. A small foyer of brick and stone looked harmless, but if the wrong person came down, the traps set in the walls and dirt would trigger. But she crossed without harm and the back brick wall parted for her to see its secrets.
She stepped inside.
For some reason, it looked like she had been taken to an intimate altar. A permanent eclipse outside gifted a wayward light to the altar, but it certainly did not feel like a religious experience as she walked with her candle. Beautiful stained glass stationed around the altar in harmony. One artwork was dedicated to a dwarf with their brash and earthen armor. Another showed an Undine with blue skin and water a friend of theirs. An elf with their trusty bow; a Sylph with their gliders; a Vampire and their burning red eyes; even a Fairy with monarch wings.
Penelope raised her candle to each work. The ones before us tried to make their move years ago and died. But we will not let their work go in vain.
Her candle quirked up to show the most prominent pieces in this collection. A great Phoenix spread its wings, casting its Flames of Rebirth. Beneath it were the powerful races of a Demon, a God, and a Dragon. An Angel and their pure-white rings reached for a horned Devil.
Because this time, you'll have all of us on your side.
Her candle went to the pièce de résistance, but it was not a stained-glass window. This work of art had taken the form of a statute, of a weeping woman with her hands clasped in prayer, her cloak tattered, and a bandage over her eyes.
Penelope looked up at the statue. "Welcome home…Mother."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Natsu ga hajimatta
Aizu ga shita
"kizutsuki tsukareru" kedo mo iin da
Tsugi no koi no yukue wa doko da
Eiga janai
Shuyaku wa dare da
Eiga janai
Bokura no ban da
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Too many shocks in one day were bad for the health.
The children in this dank room huddled together, bonded in trauma and fear, but they all stood behind the frothing orb that defended them like it—he—was their savior. And perhaps he was.
Nashi echoed, "An 'Angel'?"
'Yes. I am an Angel.' The orb pulsed with each word it said. 'I am the Seraph Agent of Life. But soon, I will be unable to sustain my form in this plane of existence.'
Nashi understood the subtext and touched her The Mother gemstone. "I met Cael when he was dying, but he at least still had his body at time…" Hickories softened. "At the time…when he trusted his soul to me. And he lives in me now."
The Mother gemstone glowed.
Nashi looked back at the orb and hesitantly asked, "Your body…"
'It is gone.' The orb did not sound put out about it.
"But…" She did not want to sound rude, but there was no other way to ask this. "How did you—y'know—die?" Hickories sharpened. "My friend told me a Demon was responsible for the kids missing. Is that what killed you?"
The Seraph Agent drifted closer to her. 'A Demon cannot kill an Angel—not on their own.'
That confused Nashi. "Then…"
'For one thousand years, Demons have not been summoned to the realm you call 'Earth Land',' the Angel explained. 'Attempts were made, but none had succeeded. New Demons were born, but we were not called to action. And now, one thousand years later, a sigil had been broken.'
He drifted back to illuminate the gaunt faces of the children. 'The Demon known as Orias, my enemy, had been summoned and contracted. The result is the lives of these children you have seen. I had come three terran moons ago to enter the Labyrinth and send Orias back to once it came. But…I was ambushed. And my anchor to this realm was killed.'
Nashi's eyes lowered. "I see."
A cold stone basement. The burn of rope. Silky feathers. Shaky breaths until they stopped.
She touched her gemstone. "That's what happened to Cael too," she murmured. "I was there when his body died." Her gaze picked up to the orb, tinged with sadness. "I'm so sorry."
'There is no need for your grief, Little One,' the Seraph Agent assured her. 'The bodies we have on a realm are mere containers for our beings. But without an anchor to this realm, we cannot continue to sustain ourselves here unless we seek to show our True Form. And in doing so would kill almost every living creature.'
That took Nashi back. What? "But then… How are you still here three lunar—er, months after your—I mean, your container's death?"
'Did the Ishim not teach you of Agents?'
"Ah…" Nashi glanced away. "No. We…" Her fingers curled. "We haven't spoken in a long, long time. If he had taught me, I can't remember. You said the word 'Ishim', but I don't even know what that means."
'They are the Watchers of realms and do not fight The Enemy. Races call them 'Guardian Angels', but they are much more than what you perceive,' the Angel explained. 'I am a Seraph, above the Ishim. I fight The Enemy. I have suspended my soul here by burning through my powers for three terran moons to defend the remaining children. But I will soon be unable and will return whence I came.'
Nashi growled, "You'd leave these children defenseless from a Demon?"
'No.' The orb floated closer to meet her eyes. 'That is why you are here.'
Nashi searched the orb until everything clicked for her and she took a step back. "It was you," she breathed. "You were the one who sent Gary that request, wasn't it? It wasn't a trap; it was a cry for help."
'Yes.' The Angel floated back a few centimeters. 'I am the one who summoned you here. But I did not work alone. My powers are weaker the longer I stay in this plane.' It felt like he was gesturing to the huddling children. 'These children heeded my words and gave me the strength to find you.'
Her heart broke all over again for the kids. These children…did all this just to find me so I could save them. Still, one thing did not add up to her. "I can understand why you summoned me, but… That request went to Gary, my friend, not me. Why?"
'Because he was needed.'
Those words made Nashi bristle a little. "'Needed' how?" she challenged.
'You are needed to heal these children and bring them out of this Labyrinth—a Demon's Labyrinth. But the woman who summoned the Demon will not let you leave with these children. You are needed here to defeat her.'
"Okay." Nashi stood her ground. "And Gary?"
The frothing orb pulsed. 'He is needed elsewhere.'
"Where?" Nashi all but snarled. "Stop talking in circles. Why did you summon him here with me? I get that I'm not strong enough to take a Demon down, but did you just summon him so you could—?"
Hickories widened.
'Yes. I did.' The Angel's light pulsated. 'You are needed here to defeat the woman. And he is here to distract the Demon.'
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure 004
•
"I'm Back."
•
ただいま
•
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Nashi lost ground with her step back, heart stirring. "'To distract the'…" She tried to wrap her head around it. "But… But he… No…" She shook her head as all her disbelief ascended into blatant agitation. "No, you can't just do that to him! He's not a Demon! H-He's not a—!"
'I am well aware of what he is, Little One.' The Seraph sounded poised, as though expecting her outburst.
"Then you know what you did is wrong," she gnashed. "He never would've agreed to—!" But her retort died as a shot of realization disheartened. Is…? Is that why he was gone?
"But as to why I'm specifically being summoned? That's another thing I have to be careful of. And I have a feeling"—ceruleans flickered—"it involves what I am."
Nashi gritted her teeth as her shoulders shook. So he knew this whole time? He knew what was going to happen to him? That he'd be sent to face a Demon while I did this? He asked me to come along…because he knew everything? Hickories sparked. I want to yell at him so badly. But I… I can't help but feel even more worried about him. You idiot dog, going alone like this like you're some unstoppable hero.
Unsteady blues. "Just leave me here to die!"
Her jaw locked, but for all the anger she was supposed to have, it broke down into despairing worry. Why didn't you just tell me? You stupid dog. I can't protect you now, and I…
'I apologize if I offended,' the Seraph said. 'I have not interacted with terrans directly in a long time. If my actions seem ill-intended, then I take responsibility. But I cannot leave these children in danger. They will soon die if we do not move soon.'
Nashi stiffened. He's right. Now isn't the time for me to have my regrets. I need to keep moving forward. Shoulders squared, she looked at the frothing orb. "All right. We're in this together. I'll go along with your plan."
'Then we need to heal the children and set aside their thirst and hunger,' the Seraph explained as he drifted over the children who eyed him in wonder. 'I have been allaying their needs for as long as possible, but I cannot continue for much longer.'
Nashi nodded. "Done." She held her hands out and chanted, "Healing Sand!" Pink burst between her hands then shattered and left behind what looked to be a porcelain pink teapot with golden trimming. But rather than tea, gold sand was inside. "And then?"
'I believe I can guide us to the Labyrinth's entrance and keep at bay the Demon's influence, but I will need your assistance,' the Seraph told her. 'We will take the children and leave—even the ones who are not with us any longer.'
That made Nashi hesitate. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, returning them to their parents when they're…" She could not say the word dead.
'Yes. The parents who lost their children should receive closure. Whether they choose not to see what has become of their child should be a choice. We should not take that away from them, Little One.'
It was an explanation, not a chastisement, but Nashi felt scolded either way. "No, you're right, I know. I understand." She gripped her teapot. I just hope…they get the closure they need.
The Seraph overlooked the huddling children. Nashi had expected him to speak, but he surprised her further when baritone notes that sounded like bells sunk into the room. The melody had its rises and falls, each note strong and legato. A song? He's…singing?
The children seemed to understand and their defenses against such a strange dissipated. A few sniffled and rubbed their eyes, but all their distrust and raised hackles flattened out. A brave soul—a little girl, age six—toddled over to Nashi and tugged at her armor skirt. "Miss? Mister said you're here to save us. Are we going home now? I miss my mummy."
Nashi reeled for a moment, then it clicked again. The only reason these kids aren't crying is that he's calming their emotions. She bent down to take the little girl's hand into her armored one. "Yes." She squeezed the girl's hand. "I'm here to take you home to your mama."
She ignored the heat backing her eyes when the girl showcased her toothy smile.
Fairy Tail was a bar before it was a guild hall, first and foremost. During the week, last call was around 10:30 and the bar closed at 11. But the weekends were free game when the bar pushed its hours to three in the morning.
Civilians and Mages hung about the bar, merry in their drinking, good food, and conversation. Time remained until last call, and everyone lapped up all the booze they could handle. The younger crowd, however, had darted for the clubs and parties, but the calm air of Fairy Tail this late at night was a welcome end to a night.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Fairy Tail Guild
Magnolia Town
Fiore, Ishgar
1:59 AM FST
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Luke sat at the bar with his clothes a mess and a basket of fries and a vegan BLT only partially eaten. The murmurous conversation might have been monotonous, but it served well for white noise, a comforting distraction from the silence at home. He had tried to crack open his heavily notated book he had been working through, but not even the pull of a book would sway him.
Honeyed-ambers glinted. Luna…
The image of her in his arms, not breathing and her eyes a horrifying white, stained.
PUDUP!
Luke blinked when a tall glass of tea was nudged into his field of vision.
"Refill of your tea. And don't worry. No alcohol."
Luke's smile came out morose, but he did try to mean it. "Thanks, Orochi."
"No worries." Orochi went back to cleaning the counter and getting everything set for tomorrow morning. In his uniform, it was easy to tell he had admirers, even if he did not want them. His tattoo sleeves peeked out from his rolled-up sleeves and the ink on his neck—his Fairy Tail stamp on the right side of his neck—inched from his collar. Not to mention his piercings and the metal chains on his glasses.
He glanced at Luke again, dark purples confused. "You don't normally come in this late at night. Something on your mind?"
⌜FAIRY TAIL GUILD
Name: Orochi
Age: 19
Occupation: Mage, Mixologist, Tattoo Artist, BSB Year 3 Student
Magic: Poison
Likes: designing tattoos Dislikes: his sister's fussing
Special Note: Son of Erik and Kinana, come to Orochi for a new drink or a new tattoo and you'll end up telling him your life story!⌟
"Ah…" Luke stirred his drink with his straw. "N-No, no, I just…needed to be out of the house. I thought I did, at least. It's just…quiet." And when it's not quiet—he looked at his sullen reflection in his tea—listening to Mom crying is just…
"Well, as I live and breathe, the good Dragneel brother has climbed down from his ivory tower."
Orochi moved away to start another drink order while Luke chuckled, intaking a charming scent. "I know it might not look it, but I do stay up late too, Bambi."
"Ugh." Ena sat beside Luke at the bar, sharply dressed as usual. "Remind me to Enchant Igneel's voice into a chipmunk for making me suffer with that infernal nickname. I am not a baby deer."
"He only calls you that because you—"
"I know why he calls me that," Ena sniffed. "I don't need the reminder about my momentary lack of grace." She smiled when Orochi slid her dry wine and some bread. "Orochi. You're amazing."
Orochi laughed and nodded to the steps. "Master's still in with Number Five if you want to talk to her."
Something in Ena's posture and smile stiffened. "Oh…" She brushed it off with a dismissive wave. "No, I just stopped by for a quick drink before I go home and get on my thinking chair for a bit. I'm sure Moth—Master is busy, and I wouldn't want to make trouble."
Orochi eased off with a nod, even though it looked like he wanted to say more.
Luke glanced at Ena as she took a practiced sip. "You know Master wouldn't mind if you came up to see her."
"Yes, well…" Ena swirled her wine, dark browns duller than before. "I just…wouldn't want to trouble her while she's working. I know what it's like to be so in the zone. And I can talk to her at home." She changed the subject. "So." A thrown grin. "What's the good twin doing out so late at night?"
Luke half-heartedly laughed and dished it back. "What are you doing out so late?"
"Work." Ena broke off some bread to munch on. "I reduced my commissions this year, but that doesn't mean I'm not swamped. Summer tech packs need a lot of adjusting. And on top of that, I have a presentation about my stealth suits. Another military buy-out came through for my patent." She rolled her eyes. "I think not."
Luke shook his head. "It's still impressive your passion for fashion has gotten you this far to the point nobles and even military want to be in the room with you." He teased her. "I feel like I'm in the presence of greatness."
"Oh, please, like you're not impressive," Ena admonished. "I'm over here, doodling, and you're publishing all these journals, part of The Society since you were seven, rumored to be a great Sorcerer under the tutelage of—"
"Okay, okay," Luke laughed, his heart into it this time. "But that's not really comparable to you."
Ena arched an eyebrow, lips twitching. "Then we can agree we're both equally impressive, can't we?"
"All right, you win," Luke amusedly sighed. "We're both impressive."
Ena hmphed. "Thank you." She sipped her wine once more before asking, "So, what's the occasion? Trying to find a quiet place to read because Igneel is bothering you?"
SHING!
A murderous aura shadowed Ena's face as she showed her rapier. "Because I could take care of him right now."
Luke sweatdropped. "No, no, it's nothing like that."
"Oh." And she was back to being an elegant lady as she sheathed her rapier and dismissed it. "Pity. If he does do something, let me know."
"Y-Yeah. Sure." No way in Hell am I getting in the middle of your feud.
Ena offered bread to him with a nudge of her basket. "Then what seems to be the issue? Normally, you're at the library or your house. Did something happen?"
Luke stopped and his eyes went to his food. "You…could say that." Well, I guess she wouldn't have heard about it. Master told me the damages were fixed and no civilians were injured. His hands clenched. But still… Luna could have…
"Luke?"
He roused himself from his thoughts before they could darken and threw her a thin smile. "Sorry. I'm just lost in thought, I guess." He grabbed a fry only to push around her food.
Ena nursed her drink and observed him over the rim of her glass. I've never seen him like this before. What could have happened? She grabbed her Compact from her bag and frowned when, of all the notifications she had, none of them were from the person she was hoping for. No messages from L either. She caught their message thread.
« KK it's a date »
« Have a good day at work babyyyyy »
Browns softened. Well, I'm sure she's still feeling down from last night. At least she agreed to a friend-date. I hope I can cheer her up a little.
"Problem?"
"Oh." Ena debated hiding her Compact, but she disregarded the action. "Ah, no. no, it's just…" She showed the message thread to him and explained, "Well, L and I are going on a friend-date soon, actually."
Luke grinned. "Is this when I'm supposed to call you sister-in-law?"
"You think I'd want Igneel as a brother-in-law?"
"Fair."
Ena brought her Compact back and caressed it with a little amused smile seeing Luna's silly stickers and emojis. "It's been quite some time since we've had time together, just the two of us," she murmured. "Fashion is a year-round affair, but guild business is especially busy during the summertime. I work a lot from home, but I still have a bunch of meetings outside of town. From my fall-winter launch to the GMGs… I've hardly had time to breathe."
Luke glanced at her before his stare ricocheted to his food. "Yeah. I know the feeling."
"Last night made me realize how busy I've been…and how much I missed my best friend." Ena locked her Compact, but she could see a red-haired maiden looking back at her, sad in the eyes. "She was so upset last night. And I told her, 'we're all in this together'. But can I really say that when I'm not there for her?" She sighed and stuffed away her Compact—
"I'm never there for her."
Ena slowed in her actions to frown over at Luke. "What are you talking about?"
"Just what I said. I'm not…there for her, not really." Luke combed his fingers into his hair. "I thought I was. I thought we all were. I always see her during my downtime. I mean…I thought I did, but… I just—I don't know anymore. I thought I was being a good brother."
"You are," Ena was quick to assure. "I know L believes that too. To her, you and Igneel and Nashi are her heroes."
Luke thinned her lips. 'Heroes'? How can I feel heroic when my own little sister didn't think I remembered anything about her?
Ena read Luke's pensive expression correctly and called, "Luke—"
"Ena."
Both looked up as Erza appeared with her mane of scarlet flowing down her back and glasses on the bridge of her nose. She looked like a proper knight with her military-style jacket and the Fairy Tail symbol proudly woven on both shoulders. She smiled at her daughter. "I didn't think you'd come in so late."
⌜FAIRY TAIL GUILD
Name: Dame Erza Fernandes, ORR
Occupation: S-Class Mage, 7th & 9th Guild Master
Magic: Spatial Magic (Requip: The Knight)
Likes: erotic novels Dislikes: haircuts
Special Note: Erza may have taken a new last name and officially knighted in the Order of the Red Rose, but she is still Titania, the queen of Fairy Tail!⌟
Erza smiled down at Luke, a tad gentler. "Neither did I think you would pay the guild hall a visit this late."
"Yeah, I know, but…" Luke sighed. "I just…needed a distraction, honestly."
Erza gripped his shoulder and murmured, "I understand. Take the time you need." Her hand slipped away, and she turned her attention back to her daughter. "Is everything all right with your business? I feel like you've been busier than me these days."
No matter the pride in Erza's words, Ena flinched into her half-smile. "I'm a little busy. It's nothing I can't handle. I just popped in to come to the bar before I went home, that's all."
"Well, it's certainly getting late," Erza remarked. "I'm just about finished here." She looked at the woman shadowing her. "Is there much else to do tonight, Miss Five?"
"No, Master." Number Five was a tad unconventional in her appearance. Notably, her bare feet, the shackles around her ankles, and her swirling eyes made anyone dizzy-eyed. Small and dainty; somehow, she could move without her shackles making even a peep. "The overnight manager on-call is Mister Justine. We have nothing more to do."
⌜FAIRY TAIL GUILD
Name: Number Five
Age: Unknown
Occupation: Mage, Executive Assistant
Magic: Chains
Likes: cats Dislikes: ballet
Special Note: Number Five didn't want to join the guild initially—she was actually supposed to assassinate Erza!⌟
"I see. You're relieved for the night, Miss Five. Thank you for your hard work." As Number Five bowed out, Erza looked at Ena. "Shall we go home together then?"
"A-Ah." Ena played with her braided side lock, gaze averted. "I mean… If you're not busy, Master…" But her shy gaze had no more excuses when fingers lifted Ena's chin to meet Erza's. "Master?"
Erza's regard felt more tender than before. "Right now, and always, I'm your mother first," she murmured. "And I'm never too busy for you."
"I know." Ena's browns lowered. "I know that…Mother."
Erza suppressed her sigh. She still won't look me in the eyes. Drawing back her hand, she said, "Allow me to get my things and we'll go home together." She left after Ena's acquiescing nod.
Luke's eyes trailed after the Guild Master of Fairy Tail before he looked back at Ena with her browns a bit murky and downtrodden. He asked not unkindly, "You know if you went upstairs to see her, she wouldn't mind, right?"
"I know." How convincing of an answer when she would not lift her head. "But being a Guild Master is a lot of work on her shoulders. I'd just—" She watched the scarlet maiden in her glass and disturbed the mirrored image with the faintest of presses to watch the maiden ripple. "I'd just…be in the way."
Luke knew otherwise. "Bambi—"
"Anyway, I'd better go wait outside for her." Ena touched no more of her bread and drink as she wiggled out her expensive wallet and put down jewel. "I'm not sure what's upsetting you, but I'm always here to listen." Fluffing out her hair, she got off the bench. "Well, good night—"
"Bambi—"
Ena was forced to stop when Luke lightly claimed her wrist.
Luke searched her for a moment, coming up with all the right words to say, but none of them would be helpful. He let her go and murmured, "Get home safe."
She curtly nodded, gathered her bag, and marched away.
Luke watched her leave before looking up at the ceiling. A brother who is too busy for his sister. A daughter who doesn't see her mother's never too busy for her. His lips twitched. What a mess.
The fireplace kept its lips open, mouth set aflame. The orange glow bathed over the back of this insidious Demon with his savage grin speaking more about himself than their chimeral looks. He stepped forward—he surprisingly balanced for having two different feet—and the Devil's growl of warning amused him. Sinking onto all fours, he prowled around the Devil like the big cat he was half of.
"Nice," the Demon hissed. "Very…nice."
The Devil did not share the sentiment as ice traveled up his body like another layer of skin. "Talk, Demon. Your perusal is unwanted." His lips curled in a sneer. "And disgusting."
The Demon laughed, though it came out like a lion's cackle, awkward and gruff at the same time. He pushed back to two feet. "Never did I think I'd see the day I'd come so close to a Natural." Those ghoulish green eyes leveled the Devil an intimate dressing down. His tail swished; his tongue swiped his bottom lip in hunger. "So powerful. So feral. An absolute magnificent specimen."
"Enough," the Devil snapped, showing his teeth. Hackles raised; his pale skin showed hints of black conquering. Already, his hands were claimed into shadowed claws, and the winter howled within him. "Is this your 'talk'?" he spat. "Trying to seduce me?"
"No, if I were trying to seduce you, I certainly would have been more forward." Shadows wrapped around the Demon, chewing his form and shrinking him down until they spat him out. And he became a she. Shamelessly naked, she was, with her horns and her snake tattoos taking pleasure in roaming her body. She could not lose those eyes—sclera inky and irises that ghoulish green—but she had curves in all the right places and sharp nails. "I would have started like this."
The Devil did not even give her a onceover. He bristled, a growl working in his throat, and more black conquered his skin as a threat to take over. "You little bitch."
"'Orias' would sound so much sweeter from your lips, little Devil." She stepped closer and simpered when his growl loudened. "Don't tell me you're shy? Then again, Naturals like you aren't the whoring type. You actually need feelings to fuck." She sniffed him and had to smirk at her findings. "But you smell so pure to me."
The words were not the insult; the way she said them was, and the Devil did not want to take it lying down. I should kill that thing where it stands—
Don't. Half a plea and half an order. We need to drag this out for as long as possible and give Angel as much time as possible.
The Devil rumbled, but the blizzarding winter yearning to freeze the world simmered back into a manageable storm. He jeered at Orias, "I'm in your Labyrinth, but I'm not at your mercy. You don't get to run your mouth. If you have nothing better to speak about than my 'purity', I'll play along." His teeth flashed a chilling smirk. "I'd rather breed an Angel's ass to lose my 'purity' than deal with your stench any longer. Or perhaps that foul stench is the rot between your legs."
Orias' stare sharpened, goat-like.
A low groan hung in his ears. You can't just say that with my mouth. A pouty mumble. That sounds so…vulgar.
The Devil huffed. You complained I needed to engage with this bitch to give our Malã'ika time. I am engaging. What more do you want?
Orias flashed her forked tongue. "Insulting me in my own Labyrinth. I knew Devils were powerful, but I didn't think they were stupid."
Maybe a little less vulgarity? came hopeful suggestion.
The Devil growled, I talk how I talk. So I either talk or kill it. Decide quick.
Orias hissed, "You are sorely mistaken to think you have the upper hand, Natural or not. You are in my Labyrinth, Devil. And if you know what's good for you—"
A quiet sigh. Slowly.
The Devil's eyes gleamed. Finally.
"—then you will—"
SHIN-SHIN!
It happened quicker than a blink.
Orias choked as their breath smoked before them. What?
The grand living room with its accomplishments presented about had become nothing more than bowls of a winter wasteland. Cold set in, that kind of cold that tricked you into thinking you were warm, but your lips were blue, your skin had grayed, and your lashes became bedazzled in crystals. Ice and snow stormed the entire room in a white haze that could leave you blind if you were not careful. The winds stampeded and ushered in biting flakes that icily burned into Orias' flesh. Not even the fire had survived, a casualty in this wintry war.
Orias breathed again, but her breath clouded, and she could see crystals form. This cold… This is even colder than a Winter Demon's power…
SHING!
A tickle hit Orias' chest.
She looked down.
A javelin of ice had impaled her chest.
There was no sudden spray of blood from her mouth or wild coughs or panicked screams. Not for a Demon. Black blood coagulated as that wintry chill spread across her body, inside and out, and she was left stranded with this horrid reminder in her chest.
KAN… KAN… KAN…
She looked up with no words able to pass through her lips.
A horned silhouette loomed over her with taloned wings and claws that could behead at the drop of a hat. Silvery icy-blues pierced her.
Orias choked when he unceremoniously grabbed the javelin, but instead of ripping it from her chest, he hauled it up and made her look like she was being crucified. Not a word could escape her. All she could do was make incoherent blurts with her vision blurring and her breath smoking.
How…? I am Orias, the Great Marquis. How—her clawed hands shakily grabbed the ice javelin in a clumsy attempt to pull it out of her—did such a baby Devil do this to me?
"I have been asked to kill you slowly," the Devil told her. This was not a threat or a promise. This was a plan. "And I'm going to enjoy it very, very much. I've killed so many things—so many—but to kill the Demon threatening my Malã'ika will be even sweeter."
There was no warning.
Orias' hearing gave up on her at the first slam.
Like a toddler throwing a tantrum, the Devil repeatedly slammed her into the hard snow from side to side. The first and second slams were satisfying, but it was the third that gave him that giddy victory when black blood freckled the snow. More and more, black blood stained the white floor, but it was too early for it all to be out and soaking in the snow. The Devil lifted his javelin to look at his work of art.
For a human, they would have been dead or dying from all the impacts with their skull cracked open, their jaw dislodged, and their eyes bleeding. But Demons were resilient fuckers. All Orias carried as unsavory drool marks of black blood from her lips and hairline. The human pretenses she mocked could not be kept up with her cloven hoof and talon feet returning. Her snakes were too cold, but they tried to help their master as Orias' head lolled to the side and their shoulders twitched.
Her wheezing inhale sounded like her last, but she rasped, "You—will not—kill me—Devil." It was impressive she could still move her right arm and grabbed for the javelin with a laughable grip. "They will come for you—" Another wheezing inhale. "And they won't show mercy…"
"Good." The Devil did not grin or smirk at such a pitiful declaration. He looked as cold and contemptuous as the winter he plagued the world with. "Then I don't have to kill them as slowly as you."
Don't kill her.
The Devil's eyes slid to the side, angered. What? Why?
Not yet, came amendment. We need more information from her. And if we kill her now, the human she's contracted might die, and she needs to answer for her crimes.
The Devil lowly growled. The Demon will not sing us her secrets, even in torture.
But she's arrogant and that's enough, came the voice of reason. If we prod her enough, even as we fight her, she'll tell us little by little. And we can piece it together once we're out of here. So don't kill her.
This did not sit well with the Devil. He rumbled, You have always hidden from what we can do. You act as if you're above me. But you and I are the same. My will to kill is the same as yours. I just do not hide behind human sensibilities. He sneered at Orias. Look at this vile creature. Look into the eyes of our prey. Don't avert your gaze like before. Look ahead at your target this time…
For a moment, the Devil with his white hair and icy blues flashed to show pensive ceruleans and black hair.
…Gary Fullbuster.
°•°•°•°
Nashi took great care in drizzling the last child with her golden sand. She watched as fragments of divinity sunk into the boy's skin. Sure, he would still be dirty and grimy, but his skin's color returned, and his growling stomach quieted.
Once she was finished, she pulled back her teapot and looked at the boy. "How do you feel?"
The boy considered it before nodding as though to tell her he felt fine.
"Okay." Nashi patted his head. "Go stand with the others." She rose to her feet as he wandered back to the group of children. Excitement buzzed through them now that going home was an option. Their months of being held captive somehow paled in comparison to being reunited with their parents again.
She dismissed her Healing Sand and wiped the sweat from her brow.
'Are you all right?'
"Yeah," she breathed as the Seraph Angel closed in on her. "Sorry. I've just never healed that many people before." Seeing the children chatter and make plans to have playdates and eat sweeties made her murmur, You've been shielding them from the trauma.
'It's natural for me to do so,' the Angel replied. 'An Agent's mission is to defend and protect those on the side of Life, including those who have not lived as long. I have been Calming them and cycling out as much negative energy as possible to keep their minds intact. But I cannot keep doing so for much longer.'
That's why I saw the darkness and cracks in some of their souls. Nashi looked at the Seraph. This place—it's eroding their psyche.
'Yes.' The orb bobbed. 'Labyrinths were built as defensive measures to weaken the mind, break the spirit, and corrupt the soul. A Demon's Labyrinth is detrimental to a normal mortal and children have much more impressionable minds. I have spared them from the pressures of demonic energy. Without my container, slowly, my Calm will lose effect, and these children will only know insanity without any hope of returning to normal.'
And the woman who brought them here? she had to know. What about her?
'Her soul has been corrupted,' the Seraph answered. 'Her despair has turned her away from the path of Life. No amount of healing could undo the damage she has done to herself.'
Nashi's hickories fell. I see…
It felt as though the Seraph was looking directly at her. 'Will you be able to subdue her? You cannot allow your faith to be shaken if you encounter her. She is nothing more than Wayward. She will not listen to reason, nor will she feel remorse for the lives she has taken.'
"I know that," Nashi gritted. "But I…" Her fists tightened. I just don't understand it. Why would she summon a Demon in the first place? How could she kill these children? These Demons… These monsters… They're nothing more than pure evil.
"Miss?"
Nashi blinked when a little boy came close, holding the hand of a thumb-sucking little boy younger than him. A ratty blanket seemed to be his security. "Yes?"
"Nigel wants to know if you're scared of going outside," the boy proclaimed, over-pronouncing his words. "He says you can take his blanket if you're scared, Miss."
Nigel—the thumb-sucker—nodded.
Nashi smiled and squatted down to the boy's levels. "Well thank you for that generous offer, but I'm all right," she soothed. "I think you should keep your blanket."
The loud boy told Nashi in a loud whisper, "Nigel's worried his mummy will be cross because his blanket got all dirty."
Nigel looked at his feet.
"Well." Nashi patted Nigel's head. "I'll tell your mama that she can't be mad at you."
Nigel perked.
The loud boy decreed, "Nigel says 'thank you, Miss'."
Bemused, Nashi replied, "You're welcome." She watched as the boy took Nigel away, but as loud as he was, he kept quiet as Nigel had been. Maybe he's a Telepath? I couldn't feel any Magic from him. She shook off the thought and looked at the Seraph Agent. Are you ready?
'I am.' The Angel questioned, 'Are you?'
I'll have to be. Nashi's gaze swept over the children. All right. Cael. Let's get these children home. And let's go find Gary.
Her gemstone glowed.
°•°•°•°
Anyone who worked with children knew getting them to be quiet was a full-time job alone.
The walk through the newborn nursey took everything in the children to be quiet, but "Mister Angel" had asked them to be quiet, so they did. Everyone held hands in a chain with Nashi's Heaven's Light acting as the caboose, and she could feel Cael possess the light to protect the kids in the rear. She tried not to glance as the Seraph guided the way and deviated to glide into nurseries and bombard them with her light. All she knew was that one moment, a nursey had dead children.
But with a flash of light, they were gone.
Once they crossed the threshold of nurseries with deceased little ones, Nashi could breathe a little easier. All right. Now we just need to get to the elevator from here.
When she snaked around a puddle, the children moved with her. She had to keep her steps slow for the littler ones to keep tempo, but to their credit, they kept pace fantastically with their eyes owl-wide and their lips zipped. Now, all she had to do was follow the Seraph and they would be free.
Except…
Nashi's brow furrowed when, somehow, the obscurity of the newborn nursery wing felt…off. She did not hesitate in her pace lest the children be suspicious, but her body tensed as she followed the orb. Hold on. Was the hallway always this long?
As they walked, maneuvering around puddles and slinking through shadows, the posed question felt like it had a more concrete answer. Hey. Her eyes went from the darkness of the hall and back to the orb. Something isn't right, right? I'm not the only one feeling it.
'You are not.'
Nashi frowned hearing the Angel's strain in his voice. Are you okay?
'I am…weakening,' the Angel told her. 'I hold the deceased children within my energy, but it is draining to keep them with me and defend the children here with us from the pressures of this Labyrinth.'
Nashi looked ahead again. The elevator is gone, isn't it?
'Yes.'
Nashi's throat bobbed. So she…she knows what we're doing? That we're here?
'I…cannot say for certain,' the Seraph answered. 'A Demon's Labyrinth may be the power of the Demon, but their summoner influences how parts of the Labyrinth take form.'
Nashi ticked her jaw. Be straight with me. You knew she'd sense us when we left the room, didn't you? I can feel your energy wavering just a little. You knew you couldn't keep this up for longer. And that it'd be inevitable I'd have to face her.
The Angel did not shy away from such presumptions. 'The risks of being found out have existed since my container expired. I am certain she had an inkling her hideaway had something off about it when I reached for you and your friend. And when you and the Ishim resonated, I am sure she had more awareness. Now we are in the open.'
And she's lying in wait for us, Nashi filled in.
'I ask again, Little One: will you subdue her?'
Her jaw tightened. I don't have a choice. Keeping her thoughts her own, she murmured, If he's fading, I'll need to be the one to protect the children from going insane. My Holy Shield should be able to help for a little while, but I've never used it one a crowd of people and not for psychological purposes. I can't—No. I can't think like this. I have to keep my mind clear. Focus on nothing else but right now.
She re-gripped the hand of the child behind her. I have to do this because I'm all these children have. And Gary… Hickories sparked. I'll find you too—
"Miss?" It was the loud boy again who spoke in a loud whisper. "Nigel doesn't like the song you're singing. He says it's a really bad one."
Nashi frowned. "But I'm not—"
Her feet would not move another inch. The children and Cael and the Seraph Angel stopped with her too.
The sweat on her brow felt cold. But I'm…not singing anything.
But there it was in this place, in this corridor, in this Labyrinth.
Someone was humming.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Fairy Adventure
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
It echoed.
The humming echoed.
Nashi could not move an inch.
The humming echoed.
Nashi kicked herself into moving as she stooped down to the child behind her and whispered, "I'm going to let go of your hand, okay? But I'm not going anywhere, all right? We're all going home; do you understand?" Once the child nodded, she rose and faced the music. Her hands pulled back and her Freedom Bow graced her one hand while her other hand pulled the invisible string to make her Freedom Arrow.
The humming echoed.
Nashi did not give up her position.
Bare feet danced on pavement. "I saw a little yellow fawn… Yellow fawn… The yellow fawn… I saw the little yellow fawn, but ne'er saw my baby, O…!"
A bead of sweat curbed Nashi's jaw.
"Ho-van, ho-van, Gorry og O…! Gorry og O, Gorry og O…! Ho-van, ho-van, Gorry og O…! I've lost my darling baby, O…"
The D4 settled in the air, lingering, and then faded away.
The quiet was back.
KAN… KAN…
Someone was humming.
For a moment, Nashi could not see a thing in the void before her, but then in the next breath, she could see a swaying silhouette at the edges of the Seraph's light. Her feet dance across the pavement, skin broken and scuffed, and her hands twirled to show her wristbands clasped. The mucked-up hospital gown shifted, frayed and tattered, but it never slipped from her as she kept up her free-spirited glide. Auburn hair, curled and thick, bunched into a pun beneath a translucent cap.
She kept humming.
Nashi would not move an inch.
The woman slowed in her twirls to face Nashi. A smile delighted her features, dreamy and bright for all the wrong reasons.
Nashi kept her hands steady and arrow aimed.
The woman's smile widened. "You found my baby." She held out her hands. "Could I see him, please?"
Nashi did not answer.
The woman laughed and stepped closer. "I just want to hold my baby. Could you please give him to me? The doctor said you'd be right back with him."
Still, Nashi did not answer.
The woman rapidly blinked as her smile trembled and her eyes clouded, but she kept her hands out and waiting. "Please," she insisted. "I just want to hold my baby for a moment. You didn't even let me hold him. I just want to see him. Can I have my baby please?"
Nothing.
The woman might have smiled, but tears broke out as she gagged on a cry. "You took him away from me before I could even hold him," she whispered. "You didn't even get to let me hold him after I carried him for nine months, and you just took him away from me. You can't do that. You can't do that to me—!" Her hands curled into her with one digging into her cap and hair as she tried not to sob. "You can't do that to me! You have my baby! Where's my baby? The doctor said you'd be right back, so please! Please!" She tried to compose herself with one shaky hand out. "Please. Give me my baby."
Nashi finally spoke. "I don't have your baby."
"Don't say to me!" the woman blurted in a scream. Sucking in a hiss, she persisted, "You took him away from me. You saw you do it. You took him away from me, and you didn't even let me hold h-h-him—!" She broke into an erratic weep.
Perhaps when she was younger would Nashi lower her bow and arrow. But older and wiser, she held strong. I can't tell if this is just an act No, her sadness is real, but… Her eyes glowed pink—
What…?
The soul of the weeping woman looked grotesque with scores of black drenching her and veins of violet filling in the cracks. Only scraps of her true soul could be seen in its fluffy yellow, but darkness churned to take over every piece of her.
Her soul. Nashi's pink glow faded. Her corruption… She'd need an Exorcist. But even then, that wouldn't absolve her from this.
The woman's weeping had her shaking, but those cries of deep despair mixed with cries of laughter. She held her stomach as more peals of laughter escaped until she threw back her head. The tears streaking her cheeks glistened as she cackled like she had heard the funniest joke in the world.
Nashi held back from flinching. I can feel it again—that thick dread. It's coming off her in waves.
"M-Miss? I don't want to be here anymore."
Whimpering and sniffling made Nashi turn around. The children had broken from their train, some shivering, others wild-eyed, and a few of the littler ones scrunched their faces in preparation for an onslaught of tears. What? Her arrow disappeared in alarm as more of the children broke into fits of sniffs and whimpers and cries. They're not Calm anymore. Oh, no. She looked at the Seraph Agent and saw his light wavering. Seraph!
'I am…sorry,' the Angel gritted. 'I cannot withstand her presence for much longer.'
Shit, Nashi cursed, thinking quickly. Please, give me everything you can—!
PLOP!
No one expected a snake to drop onto the floor.
Hickories widened. What the—?
PLOP-PLOP-PLOP!
More snakes rained from nowhere with their yellow eyes and angry hisses, as though they blamed her for carelessly being tossed about.
Nashi backed up and chanted: "Holy Shield!" Just as the domed shield took effect, she saw a few snakes had dropped onto the roof with their fangs out and their tails lashing. What is going on? Snakes? No… These snakes aren't normal.
"Did you think I would let you take my baby again?"
By the time, Nashi's stare pinned on the woman, the woman was in the middle of something jarring. She rose with her feet gone. A large snake tail had replaced the bottom half of her person, but her bloodied hospital down would stay with her like it was her armor. She shared the snake's red eyes and their curved fangs, her jaw opening to show her forked tongue.
"I won't let you leave here with my baby," the woman snarled. "You stole him from me!" She thrust out a hand and black and violet rumbled into her palm, clashing and mixing to make a sphere. "So give him back to me, you bitch!"
Nashi thought she was prepared for a sphere, but nothing prepared her when a beam of shadows fired onto her shield. It slid her back an inch, but she dismissed her bow to hold out her hands and keep her shield held together, a film of pink shining across her body. But this attack was nothing like the Black Arts, spawned from the negative half of Magic. As the beam kept battering the shield to breach, Nashi could hear muffled giggles and snorts and words that made her cringe back at how awful they sounded.
What…is this? She flinched when she saw a crack. My shield… No! I can't let it dissolve! Cael?
The Mother gemstone glowed.
"Give him back to me!" the woman screamed. "You took him away from me!"
Nashi withdrew her hands and could see her shield wobble without the help, but there was no time for hesitance. Her hand pulled back as her Freedom Bow grew in her hand with her Freedom Arrow steady and true. She chanted, "Freedom Arrow: Barrage!" And she let go.
The woman certainly had not expected a bombardment of glowing arrows to strike her down and shrieked when such divinity pierced her skin—
BAKI!
BOOM!
They crashed into the wall, Nashi and the woman, but the surprise attack gave Nashi no advantage when her shining Sword of Truth clashed with the woman's hardened scales on her tail. There were no spat words or monologuing or even a respectful pause.
The counterattack came instant.
Dodging a large tail and trying not to land on any snakes proved to be a dance in itself, and one Nashi was unsure she could keep up with. Her Sword of Truth hacked at the snakes leaping for her to sink their fangs into her, but her sword did nothing to cut into the woman's tail. All she could do was hope that her luck would not run out as she sliced the head of a snake here, threw out her hand and blasted another, and jumped before that large tail could smash her.
A quick look at her Holy Shield was risky, but her face pinched when she saw some snakes still focused on breaking it in. The children huddled together and looked at their fate straight into the eye with fat tears and fading hope.
BAKI!
BOOM!
Nashi barely avoided a fatal slam as she jumped and floated in the air to give herself some breathing room. There are too many of them. But I can't back down. I need to get their attention off me. Seraph, can you protect my shield with Cael?
'I will try,' the Angel said faintly. 'But…we are running out of time.'
I know. Nashi glared at the hissing woman and her army of snakes. So I'll handle this quickly. A ragged war cry tore from her lips as she speared for the woman with her grip on her sword tight. The woman gathered another sphere of disturbing black and violet before thrusting that beam forward—
BOOM!
Nashi's sword cut through the beam but only just. She kept straight ahead toward the woman and tried to ignore the giggles and gurgles and whispers passing her by. So I'll handle this quickly.
She lifted her sword—
It was not like the neighborhood was boring; quite the opposite, really.
Popular for pet-walkers and trick-or-treating with some of the best candy, the neighborhood was rather an interesting one to blow through. Granted, a bit of that interest wavered late at night. Children were more of a happenstance than commonality and most teenagers steered clear to go uptown for their parties. So perhaps the neighborhood was only boring at night.
Erza reset the wards on her home with her uniform shed and now she could relax in her Heartz Kreutz silken pajamas. Thank Jellal for making her keep her weapons in the "closet"—a pocket dimension they attached to one of their bedroom closets—because had she had it her way, the armor and weapons unable to fit in her own pocket dimension would be polished and pretty and out for guests to see in their one-story house. The compromise was her lucky ax would be mounted above the marital bed and only her decorate swords graced to her would be placed on walls with multiple wards.
See? Compromise.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Fernandes Household
Magnolia Town
Fiore, Ishgar
2:35 AM FST
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Finished with the protective reset, Erza looked about the empty living room. Admittedly, seldom was it used by her anymore, but it had a wide range of romantic movies filed onto bookshelves. But her interest did not go for them. As she passed by the entertainment center, her eyes wandered over all the framed pictures she kept up there. Her daughter—blessed with Jellal's hair and her fighting spirit—looked positively proud she had her first wooden sword at only five years of age, a common thing for Wizards. Another showed her son with her scarlet hair and Jellal's eyes as he and his best friend knelt with their Boy Scout troupe.
She touched one photo that showed Jellal looking amusedly exasperated their kids sprayed him with autumn leaves. Jellal… What would you do if you were here?
She pulled away from the center to leave the living room and go down the hall. This hallway was the "kid's wing", as she remembered the exuberant agent explaining. They decorate the hallway with arts and crafts from the kids so they always knew their work should be shown to the world. More pictures mounted to show how the kids changed. Her eldest daughter had braces as a teenager, a bit peaky and gaunt, but she flourished into a young woman. Her son's goofy grins had smartened into perfunctory smiles as a teenager, but his smiles faded into neutral masks.
One collage made Erza pause, dark browns glassy.
The photo medley had come from another maternity shoot with the entire family. The largest picture showed her in a nude dress with her pregnant stomach, but she looked partially flustered when Jellal and their son and daughter surprised her with pressed kisses on her stomach. The others were just as wholesome—from her daughter snuggling her stomach to her son getting all excited he felt a kick to Jellal taking her hand resting his forehead on her stomach—but the picture of all of them together had one phrase:
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY, BABY
Erza touched the collage as memories misted her eyes as she touched Jellal's face. That Curse reduced to a tattoo still burned his face, but it was no longer something he hated. Would you be able to get our daughter to open up? Would she talk to you more? Come to you more? Would she trust you more than me?
No answer.
Erza pulled away from the collage to go to Ena's closed door. Her knuckles rapped the door and she called, "Ena?"
No answer.
Erza tried again. "I'd like to talk to you."
No answer—
The door pulled open. Eye mask flattening her bangs, Ena stood at the entryway with all her professional clothes gone for comfy sleepwear. "Yes, Mother?"
Erza smiled. "Could I come in?"
Ena shuffled back.
It never failed to amaze Erza about the nature of Ena's room. She kept a tight ship around here with neat boards filled with pinned designs and photo references. A Zhōnguánese cabinet dedicated to her trophies and awards looked clean and fresh. Even her plagues had been mounted. Her "thinking chair" was a chaise lounge colored the same scarlet as her hair, but she was not using it tonight. Her comfortable accent stool before her drafting table sorted the most attention, and a new sketch was in progress. She had even made herself some tea.
"Still designing?" Erza asked.
Ena glanced at the paper, tense, and said, stilted, "I'll put it away—"
"No, it's all right," Erza soothed. "I wasn't scolding you. I just wanted to see what you were doing."
"Oh. I see."
Silence.
"O-Oh. I'm sorry." Ena gestured to the lounge with an awkward smile. "I'm being rude. You should sit—"
"Ena." Erza regarded her daughter tenderly. "If you want me to sit, I will. There's no need to treat me like a guest. If you'd like me to leave—"
"No!" Ena flinched at her blurt. "No, I-I just… Please. We can sit."
Erza nodded. "All right."
So they both sat and silence seeped.
Erza broke it. "How is everything going with your House of E? I've been keeping up with the news articles. I wanted to congratulate you on the interview you did with Rogue as the Scarlet Mistress. That's amazing for you to be featured."
Ena looked at her mother in bald surprise. "You read that?"
"Of course I did. I catch all your interviews." Erza's smile turned rueful. "I was hoping you'd come home early so we could celebrate such an accomplishment, but I suppose we've both been a bit busy."
Ena hummed and lowered her eyes.
Erza tried regaining the conversation. "How did Rogue Magazine approach you?"
Ena's hesitant expression shattered for an eye roll. "Unfortunately, my mentor knows the Editor-in-Chief personally, but Mister Summeur told me he didn't ask me for the interview just because of my connections. He was that impressed with my work." Once she started talking, she could not stop. "Mister Summeur can be trusted. He knows the truth about me, so he made sure to examine the interview questions himself. He might be a bit pushy and overwhelming, but he's still plenty amazing." Her smile dampened. "Especially working with a difficult designer like me."
Erza frowned. "What do you mean?"
"It's nothing—"
"Ena." Erza put her hand atop her daughter's. "What did you mean?"
Ena hedged before murmuring, "People aren't thrilled a 'low-level Enchanter' like me is working with them. They think… They think I'm cheating—"
SHING!
It startled both women when a rapier appeared, waving about her tip as though she were raving.
Ena smiled. "But Lunagr'an is more than willing to help me put those fools in place." She held her hand and the sword Lunagr'an lowered so she could take hold of the hilt. An opaline moonstone embedded in the hilt, flashing. "If anyone wants to speak badly of me"—waves of sinister intentions came off her and her rapier—"then they can do it with my sword to their chest."
Erza internally nodded her agreement. Very good. I've raised her well. She fondly looked at the rapier and softly remarked, "Your father would be happy you're using the sword he left you with."
"Do you really think so?" Ena asked.
Erza hummed. "I do. A sword that is just as special and loyal as our very special fairy. He wouldn't have left it to you if he didn't think it suited you. And I'd say it suits you perfectly."
Lunagr'an's moonstone flashed again.
Ena regarded her rapier before calling her scabbard, scarlet red with white metal trimmings. After she sheathed her sword, she held it, quiet for three beats, then murmured, "Why couldn't he give it to me himself?"
"Because…"
Ena blinked when her mother rose and offered her hand. "Mother?"
"It's been so long since we've spent some time together." Erza's smile softened. "So let's talk properly."
°•°•°•°
"Talking properly", as it would seem, meant brushing hair.
Erza sat on her bed with her mother behind her and Lunagr'an leaning against the foot post. Erza kept to gentle strokes as she brushed sections of Ena's hair, noting how long it had gotten, and her eyes sparkled. "You've been taking good care of your hair. I'm sorry. It's been so long since I've gotten to brush it."
"You've been busy," Ena quickly pardoned. "It's fine. I can do it."
Erza hummed again. "I know you can. But that doesn't mean I miss doing it for you."
To that, Ena had no response.
SHYAKA… SHYAKA…
Ena looked at her lap, fingers curled together, a wrongfully embarrassed pink dusted her cheeks. She's wasting her time doing this for me. I'm sure she's tired. Her lips trembled before firming up and pressing together. I don't want to make trouble…
"Your father wanted to be the first one to brush your hair."
Ena perked, listening in.
Erza continued her quiet strokes, warmth and wistfulness laden her eyes. "When you were born, you had a full head of red hair. I wanted to name you 'Scarlet'. Oberon was the first to have red hair, but 'Scarlet' didn't suit him. But when I saw you, I wanted you to have the name 'Scarlet', the same name your father gifted me. 'Scarlet Rosemary'. But your father's choice of 'Ena' fits you. And that's how you had two middle names."
Ena took in every word and memorized them.
"He was the first one to brush your hair when you were born," Erza said, giving another piece of the past. "He was insistent on it. We had to wait a day, but he was so eager to do it. Because…" Dark browns tinged. "He knew…it would be a long time before he received the opportunity again."
Ena said nothing.
SHYAKA… SHYAKA…
"I know it's hard to understand," regarded Erza. "I know it feels unfair. And it is. We had this planned differently. Your father wanted to take a leave of absence from his duties to care for you. We had shared the responsibilities the first two times, but, unfortunately, I was needed more to deal with guild and Council politics. He adored the idea of staying home with you—"
"Then why didn't he?"
Erza paused at Ena's sharp question.
A quick breath later, Ena regained composure. "I… I'm sorry. I spoke rudely. Please forgive me."
Erza's mouth opened, hesitated, then pressed together. She gripped the brush. How can I tell her I want her to speak her mind? How can I get her to believe that? Instead, she allayed, "It's fine." She went back to brushing.
SHYAKA… SHYAKA…
Perhaps no good would come from this, but Erza murmured, "He does love you, Ena. I know he does. It's not fair that he's not here to tell you that, I know. But he does. And he misses you even more than you miss him."
Quiet.
Erza suppressed a sigh and continued brushing Ena's hair—
"How can I miss someone I never met?"
Erza's brushing stopped when she saw Ena's shoulders shaking. Ena…
"I don't even have a memory of him." Ena tangled her fingers into her sleep shorts. "I can't even remember what he looked like. You have all these pictures of him, but… It's like I'm looking at a stranger. How am I expected to believe a complete stranger loves me?" A sharp intake. "How am I even supposed to love him back?"
Erza's heart chipped when she saw the glint of a teardrop on Ena's cheek. She reached for her. "Ena—"
"Mom, are you here?"
Erza looked towards the door. Aine…
Ena went rigid. "You should go to her. I really should be going to bed."
Erza could not stop her daughter as she got off the bed with her back facing her. "Ena, please—"
"I'm fine, Mother." Ena still did not look Erza's way. "I'm just tired. I'd like to go to bed."
Erza slid off the bed and tried to reach across the chasm Ena put between them again. "Ena—"
KNOCK-KNOCK!
"Hey." Aine Fernandes truly had inherited her father's blue hair, though she had Erza's length and thickness even if her hair were in a traditional Healer's braided bun. A duffel settled on one shoulder and her PAL bag on the other. Her work badge clamped to her shirt. "Sorry, I heard voices."
⌜FAIRY TAIL GUILD
Name: Aine Fernandes
Age: 19
Occupation: Fairy Hills Den Mother, BSc Nursing (Hons) Year 2 Student, CNA
Likes: frappuccino Dislikes: late-night clinicals
Special Note: Aine is the new den mother of Fairy Hills, thanks to Chico Hammit! But she also works at the Crocus Clinic as a part-time CNA!⌟
Ena inserted before Erza could explain, "Mother was just leaving. You two can talk. I should get some rest."
Erza saddened. Ena…
With a frown, Aine caught on. "Actually, if you two want to keep talking, go ahead." She took a step back. "I'm just home to change out my clothes before I head back to Fairy Hills—" Her inhale struck wrong, and she ended up in a coughing fit.
"Aine." Erza helped Aine keep still as she wheezed. "Are you all right?"
Aine waved her mother away as she got her coughing under control. "I just feel a flare up coming, but it's nothing I can't handle," she rasped.
"Maybe you should stay the night," Erza suggested. "You can return to the dorms in the morning. You know Chico would understand and so would I."
Aine shook her head. "I'm fine—"
"You promised if a flare-up was coming, that you wouldn't push yourself," Erza sternly reminded. "You'll stay the night and go to the dorms tomorrow."
That air of finality made Aine sigh. "All right." She hefted her duffel bag and glanced at Ena. "I'll take this to my room, but you two should stay and finish your conversation if you—"
"No." Ena was the one who shot such an offer down. "I'm tired. I'd like to sleep."
Erza wanted to argue, but with Ena's stiff posture, she backed down. "All right. If… If that's what you want." She turned away and put the brush on the nearest dresser. "Good night, Ena."
Aine softly called, "Good night."
"Good night." Ena felt her mother linger as she closed the door, but once she did, it felt like Ena could breathe again. She went back to her bed to sit on it with her mind abuzz and empty all at the same time. Muffled commotion from outside came through and she could slightly hear her mother helping Aine to her room. I would just be in the way.
She reached out to section her hair for a thick plait, dark browns dour. She doesn't have to comfort me. It's a waste of time and bothersome. What's the point in telling me a stranger loves me?
Her finished braid got a small band to tie off the end, and she was ready for bed. A simple spell deluminated the room. Slipping under the covers, she grabbed her Compact and checked her nightly notifications. Still no message from L… She usually tells me good night.
A vicious thought sliced her. Maybe she abandoned me too.
Guilt kicked in, and she shoved down such a thought. No. I know she's not like that.
She exited her « Messages » to go to her « Photos » and into her « Favorites ». It did not even take a scroll for her to find a photo of her and Luna. It was not her fault she was the least photogenic in the family. She had tried to shield her face from the selfie, but her amused smile could be seen when Luna leaned on her and nestled into her neck to smile and give a peace sign.
Ena thumbed the photo. If anything…she might feel like I've been abandoning her lately. I don't want her to think that. She's my best friend. That's why I want to make it up to her tomorrow. Clicking back to her « Messages », she typed:
« Just so you know, we're definitely getting you extra-large milkshakes and I may or may have not scheduled for us to go to Build-A-Beast. So take a lot of pictures so I can prove to Fullbuster I'm the better best friend »
She sent the message and waited a bit, but it remained on Delivered after a moment or two. She pawned off her Compact to her charger and got comfortable in bed, pulling down her eye mask, but she could not sleep. She's normally still up. It's not like she can't sleep early, and she was feeling down yesterday. Maybe I'm overthinking it. I'm sure she's fine.
But her heart whispered, Liar.
If you were fighting a psychotic lamia and her army of snakes, you wouldn't be doing so well, now would you?
BAKI!
BOOM!
Nashi panted as she avoided a spiral of dark energy, but her back hit a brick column and the impact made her cry out. She had no time to recuperate when snakes left for her, Slicing and hacking and blasting them away was a full-time endeavor, but she could hardly be blamed when a few snakes got the drop on her and sunk their fangs clean into her armor and pierced her skin. Like a savage, she cut their head and ripped their fangs from her body and tried to keep out of the way when more snakes attached to her—
BOOM!
Nashi pitched a shout when the force of the shadowed blast dented her into more brick and mortar. Her eyes flew open as a hack of blood and spittle blew out from her lips. Luck was not on her side when the den of snakes converged, eager for a taste of her flesh—
SHING!
Angrily, the snakes beat against the Holy Shield. Some tried to dig their fangs into it only to recoil from the taste of divinity, but others wizened up and used their heads or whole bodies to slam into it.
Nashi dropped to her knees with her Sword of Truth keeping her semi-upright. She spat out more blood onto the ground with her head dizzy and her breaths becoming more and more metallic through her nose and mouth. A quick swipe told her she had a nosebleed, but she would have to deal with that later. Her heart constricted and her stomach spasmed, shoving her to throw up, but she squashed the nausea down.
What…? What's happening to me? She looked at one glove, but it turned into three side-by-side images. My head… I can't see… Cael?
The Mother gemstone faintly glowed before flickering out.
No… The kids… Nashi lifted her head and her nausea roared like a lion, but she shoved it down. Through her blearily gaze, she could see her cracking Holy Shield protecting the children. The snakes seemed to have thought this through and were working in groups to try and widen the deeper cracks as much as possible. The children's fear looked more physical as almost all of them broke into sobs and cries for their parents.
Above them, the Seraph in its pure soul looked considerably dimmer than before as he tried to pulse light.
Seraph? Nashi rasped. Are you there?
'I…am here,' the Angel strained to say. 'I am sorry. We are…being poisoned.'
'Poisoned'? Nashi echoed. She shivered when something freezing injected into her veins. It's so cold…
'It is…the snakes and that woman,' the Seraph Agent explained, his voice weaker and weaker. 'It's the demonic energy—Curses. Their venom and poison are weakening you. You can't…' His voice faded out then back in. '…your wings…try to…'
CLANG!
The Sword of Truth dispersed back into Ethernano.
Nashi vomited to the side, but the force knocked her onto her side. Bits of her Divine Armor drifted upwards into pieces of pink Ethernano before dispersing. She could feel the resonance between her and Cael be reduced to strings, but she still called for him, Cael?
The Mother gemstone gave one small pulse, but Ethernano started eating it away.
A wet breath felt like hell to breathe through. She could see the cracks in her shield nuzzle wider, but it made her heart hurt when she saw the woman slither to the children and blasted the shield with her Curse. "No," she gagged out. Her fingers trembled as she moved them onto the pavement. "Don't…touch them…"
LUB-DUB… LUB-DUB… LUB-DUB…
She could not feel her legs.
LUB-DUB… LUB-DUB… LUB-DUB…
Her lips trembled, but she could not feel them.
LUB-DUB… LUB-DUB… LUB-DUB…
Tears gathered in Nashi's eyes. No. I can't…go like this. We all need to go home. She sucked in a bloody inhale. Seraph, answer me, please.
Quiet.
'I…am here.'
You said you need a container—a body—to stay here, right? Nashi gritted through her agonized scream as she tried to shift. Then… Use me.
BOOM!
The shield protecting the children cast spider cracks under the brutal force of wicked Curses.
Seraph told her, 'I should not. Your body cannot sustain—'
I'll worry about my body, Nashi gritted. Please. I can't let these children suffer here. So use my body. She forced her upper body up as the rest of her Magic gathered in her eyes and she gasped out, "Soul Resonance!"
It felt like it happened so fast and so slow at the same time.
The orb zapped to her and sank into her chest—
BOOM!
CACK!
The snakes and woman were throttled back.
It felt like 1000 volts of lightning electrocuted Nashi as her head tipped back with her mouth opened in a scream, but pink energy beamed from her eyes and mouth. Lighting shot around her, filling in a sigil before her before filling the lines and language with a blue so pure that it felt like it would blind even the strongest of men. Nothing could have prepared her enough for this feeling—this all-powerful, untamable feeling—to consume her, deconstruct her, and piece her back together, cell by cell. Blood dripped from her nose as her body convulsed.
The pink in her eyes started losing the battle as that pure blue superseded. The air vibrated, unstable, as more pure blue filmed over the pink. Her right eye was gone. Soon, her mouth was filled with that pure blue. And her left eye was losing the battle.
The woman recovered from the throw with venom in her red eyes. "No!" She pulled back her hands to amass condensed Curses into a boiling sphere. "Give me back my baby!" She threw her hands and the blast obliterated all in her path. The Curses giggled and curled early, reaching for their target.
Pure blue slowly consumed Nashi's eyes until only a sliver was left—
The blast hit—
Nashi's head dropped as a surge of pink took control and blasted around her in a wave.
The snakes and the deranged woman shrieked when the energy wave consumed them all. The newborn nursery had no chance of survival as all the glass and brick shattered and collapsed. But it was not as though the hospital collapsed. The entire corridor warped until the hospital faded away into nothing more than a void of black. All those snakes born of Curses had evaporated, and the woman's serpentine body reduced back to her brittle human body.
She shook violently with her hospital gown slipping. "No…" she breathed. "No, no, no, you promised me! You promised me you'd get my baby back!" She looked at her arm to see an ouroboros tattoo staining her skin with Dark Language written for the sigil. "You promised me!" she screamed. "You promised me—!"
"Silence, Human."
The woman whipped her head around—
Six wings blazing in a combined hue of pure blue and pink blazed as they curled and flapped. Blue and silver armor wrapped around her body with the edges of gold etched in First Language. A helmet had covered the top of her head, from her nose onward, but she did not need it off to see the disgrace before her.
The blue tourmaline on the center of her breastplate flared to life.
Nashi's arm lowered and a staff burst into her hand, a gold shepherd's staff, and she aimed it for the woman. Seraph and she spoke as one, "You have now become a Wayward who walks the path of Anti-Life. I am the Seraph Agent who fights the Enemy, those against the side of Life. I pass justice now so you may away Judgment from the Executioner."
She whirled her shepherd's staff before spearing it upwards. She and Seraph chanted: "I cast the Seven Stars of Justice! Let justice prevail!"
"NO!" The woman tried in vain to scoot back as a sigil burst above them all with the Trinity Knot and the sword inside. Six points burst from the Trinity Knot with the sword's blade bursting the seventh. She shrieked and tried to gather that darkness again. "Give me my baby back!" she cried. "Give him back to me! Give him back to me!"
The seven points beamed onto her—
A water-colored rainbow exploded all over the void. The Curses howled and screeched as the void warped around them, consumed in such raw divinity that it could not fight it much longer. The shield protected the frightened children, but their fear exchanged for wonder as they looked at all the pretty colors.
Divinity won out in the end and with the Labyrinth banished, there was no need for such divine energy to linger. Instead, Earth Land had returned with the night sky a blue-violet as the stars still ruled the sky. Mallow Town was further away, but this grassy field served as a perfect landing spot as the Holy Shield lowered the children to the ground. Nashi touched down in her newfound armor with her staff and never had wind felt like such a comfort.
The Seraph told Nashi, 'We are now bonded forever. My soul will remain resonated to yours until The End.'
Nashi re-gripped her staff with the wind tugging at her hair. Cael told me his True Name when he passed. Will I know yours too?
'No. Your body is still accommodating to my power. But there will come a day when you will have no limits with my power. And then you may hear my True Name.'
She pursed her lips. Well, I'll need to call you something. She thought about it. 'Seraph'? 'Mister'? 'Mister Angel'? 'Teacher'? That sounds weird.
'The word 'Teacher' sounds appropriate,' the Seraph commented.
I guess, but… Nashi mulled over the word. I call my Josean professor 'Sun-saeng-nim'. Sun-saeng-nim… Seraph-nim… Seraph...im? Seraphim?
The blue tourmaline whirled in light.
Nashi softened. Then I look forward to working with you…Seraphim.
"Miss! Miss!"
Nashi blinked when the children rushed toward her. She was about to kneel, but she had been too slow as they swarmed her at all sides and looked up at her in great admiration. "Is everyone oh—?"
"Miss, you were so cool!" The little girl from before exclaimed this. "Are you an Angel?"
"Nigel thinks you're pretty, Miss," the loud boy from before declared with poor Nigel pink in the face.
People speaking all at once would make Nashi snap, but these children—these same children who endured seeing Hell on earth—all singing praises and questions overwhelmed Nashi in a different way. "I… Oh…" She rubbed the head of the closest child. "I'm so glad you're all alright. I'm sorry it took me so long. But I'll take you home."
As she smiled at them, she tried not to show her worry. But I need to find Gary first. Without the Demon's Labyrinth here… Her grip on her staff tightened. No. He's somewhere. I know it. I just need to stay calm.
She bent down and said, "Kids? Before we all go home together, there's someone I have to—"
"Angel."
Nashi looked up.
Never could she forget those soft blues and that unruly hair that always looked like he never thoroughly combed it. He came like the tides, slow and concise, with his Fairy Tail stealth suit still in place with only a few rips and tears to it.
Gary stopped.
She did not move closer.
He rubbed his neck, his eyes flicking down, until he summoned the courage to look at her. His mouth opened, the words on the tipoff his tongue, but he backed down and his courage fled. He swallowed roughly and weakly said, "I'm sorry."
Her knuckles strained.
"I-I didn't…" He tried again. "I didn't mean to mislead you or leave you for that long. But I figured…it was better for me to fight the Demon, so you could save those kids. I know that's not much of an apology or a justification. I didn't mean to leave you behind, I just…" He sighed, head lowered. "I'm sorry."
Silence.
Teeth gritted. "You…"
A rush of footsteps made Gary look up—
Nashi charged at him with a vengeance and the flames of Hell blazing around her. "You stupid dog! I should kill you for pulling that sort of stunt!"
Gary could see his funeral arrangements in bliss. Well, at least my death is on Angel's hands.
Nashi closed in and her fist wound back. "You…!"
Gary flinched and closed his eyes, bracing for the punch.
But it never came.
Gary peeked open his eyes to see Nashi's fist stopped merely centimeters before his chest as she panted.
DRIP.
Blues widened.
DROP.
Tears rained down Nashi's cheeks. "You…idiot," she insulted, puffing. "Y-You… How could you…?" Her armor shattered off her in pink particles, and left behind was a frazzled Nashi looking up at him with her eyes glossy. "How could you make me worry about you like that? I can't protect you when you leave me behind."
Gary blinked, surprised, but it softened into affection. Oh, Angel… His fingers slipped over her fist to lower it. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "I never wanted Angel to cry over me or worry about me." His hand went to her cheek and thumbed a few of those pesky tears.
Nashi sniffed. "You dumb dog," she cursed, voice watery. "How can I not worry about you when you do all this stupid stuff? And all these tears are your fault. So take some responsibility and don't go rushing off like that." Her voice hitched. "Because I'm worried you'll go off"—she sniveled—"and I won't know if you're coming back."
Blues swirled.
Flowing pink hair and that warmth to his cold. "Promise you'll come back?"
Nashi froze when Gary pulled her into his chest. She sniffed and spat, "Wh-What are you—?"
"I'm sorry." Gary cupped the back of her head in his embrace. "I'm back."
Hickories widened before a fresh and heated round of tears came.
Nashi's trembling fingers latched onto his suit. "You idiot," she sniffled, even if her grip tightened. "Welcome back."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Keep smiling de jinsei wo saa (Fun Fun Fun Tap)
Tsumazuite naite ita tte dondon iya ni nan nai?
Mushiro sonna jibun aise nee "saa date!" tte no ga kyoukun
"Muri ja nai" batto uwamuite abiru! (Sun sansan Yeah!)
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Kids picked the best and worst times to interrupt.
Nashi and Gary's reunion ended up cut short when the gaggles of kids swamped them with their fits of giggles and blinding smiles.
The loud boy asked Nashi, "Miss? Nigel wants to know if Mister is your heartbeat?"
Nashi flushed bright red and shoved away from Gary to twitchily smile. "N-No! No way! He's just some silly dog that clings to me!" she laughed off.
A little girl said, however, "But you're all red and you were clinging to him."
"She likes him," a little boy crooned.
Nashi was startled when the kids tried to take the mickey out of her with their teases of her affections, and she waved her arms around, insisting, "N-N-No! It's not like that! You have it all wrong! He's my rival and I hate him! A-And I wasn't clinging to him! Right, Gary?"
"Pfft."
A tick mark beat her temple when she saw Gary trying and failing to hide his laughter. She barked, equally annoyed and abashed, "Don't just laugh, you stupid dog, I'm outnumbered here!"
Gary wiped his imaginary tear of mirth and watched as Nashi was overwhelmed with the kids all joining in to sing Miss and Mister Sittin' A Tree!. Blues softened as Nashi looked so shellshocked children who barely came to her hip had defeated her. Angel… I know this makes little sense to you, but when I see the way you act, wondering when I'm coming back… you make me feel I like could do anything.
His gaze skipped to the side. So?
The Devil rumbled with heavy reluctance, Perhaps your aversion to killing the Demon had merit. It was certainly arrogant.
We'll need to tell Master and speak to Uncle Natsu and my dad, Gary determined. He heard the Devil's displeased growling and reminded him, Remember? And his eyes shone as he watched Nashi succumb to embarrassment. We do it for her.
And he stepped towards her—
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Nan no koreshiki tte gaman shite ippo mo hikenai tte manazashi de
Dash de (Go!) Dash de (Go!) kakenukete
Hohoemu koto wo wasurenaide!
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Reuniting a parent and their child felt much more emotional than it sounded.
The sleepy town woke when Gary and Nashi went knocking about. The dead looks on the parent's face went from confusion to shock to pure happiness when they saw their children. Almost every parent rushed for their child if their kid had not made a break for them first. Nigel stopped sucking his thumb for his mother to pick him up. The little girl brave enough to approach Nashi first melted in her parents' arms. The loud boy might not have had conventional parents, but his older sister raising him was as good as any mother.
The tough part came for the other parents who could not see their children.
Each parent had so much hope that it crushed Nashi to watch it wither and die under her bad news. And each parents agreed to take the corpse of their child, breaking into sobs when they cradled their lost little one. Nashi tried to wipe her own tears as she moved from one parent to the next, keeping her tone steady as she told them their baby—a being who had been subjected to such a finite and fleeting time in this world—had been murdered.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Mezasu mirai wa omae shidai da
Te wo kakagete Everybody MOMI DANCE
Hi ni natte Cool & Fresh daijoubu sore de Let's Go!
(LOVE ni nareru mono sagase M.O.M.I Yeah)
•
Yukeba ii no sa shinjita yume ga
Real naraba Everybody MOMI DANCE
Dare mo kare mo Let's get, are you ready?
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
She cried. So he held her.
They had their belongings packed in their inn and declined any reward the parents tried to shove into their hands. Retreating to their hotel room was the right call to get away from the cries of happiness and sobs of grief from the two different reunions out on the street.
That was when Nashi came undone.
Gary tucked her into his shoulder as she wept, shaking. He did not need to whisper assurances it'll be okay it'll be all right I'm here I'm here I'm here. None of that. All he needed to do was hold her in silence as she wailed.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
GATON-GATON-GATON-GATON!
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The blue-violet sky lightened with some stars bowing out to turn in for the day. The mountains shielded the horizon from view, but the sun's lazy light silhouetted.
The train ride back home had none of the energy from before. Nashi dozed on her side with her eyes a bit red and her head resting against the glass. Gary stayed on his side as he watched the countryside with his EarPods serenading him with a classical piano piece. Livestock grazed, magical and regular. One rancher was on his Fire Horse—a horse with a mane and tail of flame—and he whistled for his collie to get a move on.
The train plunged into a tunnel.
Gary put his temple to the cool glass.
"Because I'm worried you'll go off, and I won't know if you're coming back."
A brittle, bitter smile twinged his lips. I could say the same thing to you, Angel.
• — • — • — • — •
The forest was not silent, but it felt like it was. The stream giggled with fish browsing about. A herd of deer and their young shook the dew of their belts to get started traveling and grazing. The valley had come alive, from the tiny hare to the large cats prowling for their breakfast. Every creature had another to walk beside it on such a fine day this summer in fall.
But the space beside him was empty.
• — • — • — • — •
He closed his eyes. Everything is going to change now. This was just the beginning.
Be it the beginning or end, we don't care, the Devil grumbled. We will fight for Malã'ika.
He hmphed with a corner of his lips tugging. Yeah, I know.
The train speared out of the tunnel.
Gary opened his eyes to watch as the rising sun warmed Nashi's appearance. She looked radiant, angelic even. And he could not help but bask in her presence like a crumbling sinner. My Angel… Blues twinkled and, for a second, Nashi looked like a dozing little girl in her little gown and her silhouette had the folded wings of an Angel.
I hope I can welcome you back someday too.
— • — • — • —
Mezasu mirai wa omae shidai da
Te wo kakagete Everybody MOMI DANCE
Hi ni natte Cool & Fresh daijoubu sore de Let's Go!
(LOVE ni nareru mono sagase M.O.M.I Yeah)
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Yukeba ii no sa shinjita yume ga
Real naraba Everybody MOMI DANCE
Dare mo kare mo Let's get, are you ready?
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MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
MOMI MOMI
Yeah MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
Yeah MOMI MOMI (C'mon)
— • — • — • —
The observation deck was their favorite place to be.
Everything else in the room was obsolete and droll compared to the bountiful Lacrima Screens. Their glow made their glasses gleam and hide their eyes under all that illumination. And they watched every screen with utter fascination and pride. And being in such a good mood, he carried a tune through a hum as he watched the screens.
KAN… KAN…
A pair of moccasins traipsed in. "I received the report summary. It looks like we lost the experiment as the predicted collateral. But all in all, the trial was a success."
They kept humming before ending on that final note. "Well, now." Their lips spread to show a perfect smile with a diamond tooth. "That's wonderful news to hear. We'll proceed with the next clinical trial then."
"Of course, sir."
As the moccasins slipped out, they stood before the observation deck and took up their humming again. I will never give up on you—they looked at an empty room of white walls and white floor and a white ceiling, but with no windows or doors—Experiment six-six-six.
And they kept humming.
Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance
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Paige Strauss – Erica Mendez
Penelope Strauss – Cristina V
Nashi Dragneel – Lauren Landa
Seraphim – Jameison Price
Gary Fullbuster – Griffin Burns
Luke Dragneel – Alan Lee
Orochi – Aaron Roberts
Ena Fernandes – Xanthe Huynh
Erza Fernandes – Colleen Clinkenbeard
Number Five – Melissa Fahn
Orias (Male) –
The Devil – Sean Schemmel
Orias (Female) -
Aine Fernandes – Carrie Keranen
• — • — •
Additional Voices
Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn
Recap Narrator – Melissa Fahn
Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn
— • — • — • —
⌜OPENING THEME
⟪ Ao To Natsu! ⟫
Mrs. Green Apple
Lyrics by & Composed by
Motoki Ohmori⌟
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⌜ENDING THEME
⟪ MOMI MOMI Fantastic Feat. Ai Haruna ⟫
ASIA ENGINEER
Lyrics by & Composed by
Takashi Yanase, Asia Engineer⌟
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— • — • — • —
Next time, on Fairy Adventure
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Episode 005
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"WELCOME BACK."
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TADAIMA