Fairy x Adventure

by Magnafeana

In a new era after the Alvarez War, Lucy, Natsu, and the rest of Fairy Tail not only face new challenges but watch as their kids go on new journeys, learn new powers, and battle new enemies and old! Join Luna, Nashi, and the upcoming generation of Mages on Fairy Tail and more on their never-ending adventure!

117. Adventure 117

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.

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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: Jang-ta and Gary might have gotten off to a rocky start when they first met, but they've come such a long way from the lone white wolf and the scared Devil-boy. Luna's vision of Nashi's demise and Gary's alternate form sounded too good to be true—or rather, too coincidental to be a mere vision. Meanwhile, Jasmine and Pacer had to make some hard decision about their own futures and the future of their family. A tour of Estrelmar felt good for our heroes with all the nature and animals and a wild Mason the Dull, but Elis' arrival leaves behind some chilling information—his father was the on to alert the Hunters to come to Arcticados. With Gary as a witness, Tesla and Jang-ta completed the ritual in starting a spiritual tie between them. But even with love in the air, trouble in paradise rears its head.

"And I want Angel to tell me what she sees because… Because Skade was never real."

Those cliff-hanging words make me think things might have to get worse before it gets better. I wonder who this Experiment 001 is, anyway…

---

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!:

Her smile goes for a serious frown. "Today's episode will speak about the following explicit subjections and this episode has been rated E for Explicit…"

Child Abuse

Domestic Violence

Pedophilia

Rape

Gore

Depictions of Mental Illness

Animal Cruelty

Suicidal Ideation and Attempt

Torture

Human Trafficking

"Some of the content shared has been experienced by the author, but not in the way she will tell Gary's story," Chibi-Nashi continues. "But it's important to know that not everyone experience trauma and trauma diagnoses the same way nor do they do therapy the same. Mental illness has no right or wrong way to be explained and you are valid for how your symptoms visibly and mentally show. Below are helpful links and phone numbers if you or someone you know has experienced what will be spoken about or if you feel you need to speak to someone in the United States."

SAMHSA's National Helpline (24/7 365 days)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

National Suicide Prevention Line (24/7 365 days) (Languages: English/Spanish)

800-273-8255

National Sexual Assault Hotline (24/7 365 days)

800-656-4673

National Human Trafficking Hotline (24/7 365 days) (Languages: English/Spanish and 200+ more languages)

1 (888) 373-7888

"Once the insert song is in, the rest of the episodes will not handle the themes above," Chibi-Nashi goes on. "The author does not apologize for the content about to be written, but she empathizes for those, like her, experienced this level of trauma by a loved one or by a stranger. You are not alone. You are not 'fighting a battle' that you can lose. We are all struggling and coping the best and sometimes worst that we can. We hope you'll stick around for today's Fairy Lesson which includes an important message and see the translations for a special surprise about Jaxton and Gary's familial relationship.

"And below is our time zone table."

Abbreviations – Time Zone Name • — • — •— • — Location • — Offset

MCDT • — • — Melandian Central Daylight Time – Melandia • — • UTC +7

CST • — • — • – Cipangu Standard Time • — • — • — Cipangu • — • – UTC +5

SST • — • — • – Sīchóu Standard Time • — • — • — Zhōnguá • — • – UTC +3

CIT • — • — • – Central Ishgaran Time • — • — • — Bellum • — • – UTC +2

CMT • — • — • – Charring Mean Time • — • — • — Minstrel • — • – UTC +1

FST • — • – Fiore Standard Time • — • — • — • Fiore • — • — • – UTC - 0:00

ACT • — • — Arcticados Central Time • — • — • – Arcticados • — • — UTC – 1

CAST • — • — • — • — Caracole-Alicanto Standard Time – Fiore • — • UTC – 1

ADT • — • — • – Alvarez Daylight Time • — • — • – Alvarez • — • — UTC - 2

AT • — • — • – Amazone Time • — • — • — • — • — Valchestria • — UTC - 4

EST • — • — • – Eastern Standard Time • — • — • – Meidiland • — • UTC - 6

She waves. "And see you at the end of the episode!"

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I never knew true pain until I was captured.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The flickering would not stop.

Each time the focus opened, nothing was in a secure focus and the scene had changed. A ringing dulled his ears as lead filled his blood, but he was not going down without a fight.

SHOBASHOBA…

He was moving—he thought he was moving—but all he could see was gray all around him.

SHOBASHOBA…

Glowing gray eyes pierced through a strange gas mask.

SHOBASHOBA…

He barely felt his limbs move on their own. His power was gone. His weak pleas for his father fell on deaf ears. But he felt something unceremonious smother his nose and mouth.

SHOBASHOBA…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I never knew true suffering until I was in laboratory, in the Bureau.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

SHOBASHOBA…

JARAJARA…

The chains bombarded the white noise rushing in his ears with the collar constricting his throat. An unfamiliar cold bit into his cheek and blurry figures stood outside the bars.

SHOBASHOBA…

JARAJARA…

It was the diamond the focus noticed in that smile. That unnatural fucking smile. Others were with this man, but that smile was what the focus noticed the most.

SHOBASHOBA…

Mouth forced open, he could not even scream when simultaneously a tube was shoved down his throat and sputtered a thick liquid that made him gag and drool while a needle pierced his arm.

SHOBASHOBA…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I never knew…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

SHOBASHOBA…

The gray-eyed man stood next to the fuzzy man in a lab coat with that diamond-toothed smile. And he pushed up his glasses that glinted to scarcely reflected glowing blues.

SHOBASHOBA…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

…how powerful the mind could be to cope with daily torture.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A dull screaming hit his ears.

Was it him? Was he screaming? Was he in pain?

He would never know when all his slow blinking humiliated him with his eyes giving up. An unsettling darkness drowned him down down down into the depths of his soul until he felt nothing but numbness.

SHOBASHOBA…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Someone, please, tell me… It's over, isn't it?

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Fairy Adventure 117

•

It's Over, Isn't It?

•

もう終わりだよね？

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

He woke up like he was covered in fire ants. The pure scream he elicited would have made Heaven and Hell cower.

His skin. His skin was on fire.

He jerked and screamed, wetting himself accidentally, as he desperately tried to work winter over his skin, but nothing worked. Nothing worked. Panic set in when all he could feel was this boiling heat reddening his skin, making it blister, and he furiously tried to move, but—

JARAJARAJARA!

Chains whipped him back to falling on the floor. Tears covering his face and the urge to vomit striking him, he viciously tugged at the chains tethered to his damn collar around his neck as he sobbed trying to feel for his winter. His skin. It hurt. It hurt.

"That's enough, Assistant, turn it off."

All the fire and the blisters—all the hurt—vanished like he had hallucinated such maddening paint. He panted, jarred and disoriented with an uncomfortable wetness damp on his shorts, but his mind was too scattered to understand anything. Hs eyes caught the chain that tied him to a wall and he yanked and he yanked and he yanked—

JJIRI-JJIRI-JJIRI!

Wailing, electricity singed his veins and made him shake uncontrollably. Anything he had in his stomach was forcibly purged as that burning, that lighting, shook him down and throttled his mind into a muddled mess of pain pain pain. He heaved and he coughed before he broke into a messy sob. Hands splayed on this floor that felt cold. It felt cold. That was not right. How could he actually feel cold and it felt so uncomfortable?

"Now, then. Good day."

It hurt him to turn his head. It hurt him to keep his eyes open. It hurt him to keep himself up. But he did it anyway.

Bars were his first barrier with no backdrop outside of a farce of children's wallpaper like he was in a nursery. Crudely drawn stick people with clouds had pasted onto the wall as they chased after butterflies. But he focused his attention on the two people who had visited him in this place and men cloaked in black uniforms, vest, and masks.

Pearly whites stretched to show a diamond tooth. "I hope you had a nice sleep. But it's breakfast time before we go to work." The man looked to be at a healthy age with bronze skin and his important lab coat, but his eyes were hidden behind gleaming glasses. "Here in my laboratory, we get straight to work. So you'll have to excuse that you won't get an introductory period."

He stared, confused, wanting to speak out but speechless—numb.

"Assistant?" the man prompted.

This assistant looked too beautiful to be here with rich brown skin and milky blue eyes. But they came forward with a tray and inserted it through a secretive floor slot to go into this…this…cell.

He was in a cell.

He was in a cage.

The tray given looked like something normal. A nice white ceramic plate decorated with eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Even juice and water were given to him.

The Assistant stepped back for the man to tell him, "Please eat. We have so much work to do for your first day."

He did not move. He did not know if he could move. He did not know if he wanted to move. He wanted to fight, but he could not. He wanted to speak, but he could not. Silence and numbness captured him and would not let him leave.

The man's smile widened. "I suppose you'll need some help since you're still in shock." He stepped back. "Please help our newest patient eat. We're behind enough as it is."

He saw those men in black come in, but he could not move.

He saw them surround him, but he could not move.

He saw them grab him, but he could not move.

And it was too late for him to fight when his mouth was pried open and that deceptively simple breakfast was forced into his mouth.

Tears melted against his cheeks as he thrashed and cried. His throat flexed and vomited and coughed up every single bite they shoved down, but they were undaunted as they scooped up what he could not keep down and repeated the motion of feeding it to him. The taste never bothered him—he could not taste anything—but he shrieked and cried every time they forced every bite.

Nothing would stop them. Not his pleas. Not his vomiting. Not his tears. Nothing.

They simply kept feeding him.

"Please make this quick. We're on a tight schedule as it is." The man adjusted his glasses. "We're glad to have you at my main facility, Experiment Six-Six-Six. You can just know me as…The Doctor."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

When I met the Doctor, I was never given the luxury of a villain broadcasting to me their plans and reveling in my capture.

No.

From Day One, I was there to work.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

White walls. No door. No windows.

The Room.

He stood there in his soiled shorts with this intrusive collar burdening his neck. The chain had been unclipped. It was such a mockery that it was gone, like no one here thought he would try to run and fight back.

And maybe he truly would not.

A childish chime came from overhead, but there were no speakers.

The Doctor's voice dialed in, disembodied, "Today, we'll begin awakening your true powers, Experiment Six-Six-Six. Your White Magic has been suppressed and you will be unable to use it. For this trail, please use your inherited Devil powers to save yourself. Please keep in mind, it's in your best interest to finish this as quickly as possible so you can move on to the next stage of our patient program."

That was all.

He was too numb to—

His skin was on fire.

There was no in build-up. There was no slow increase. That would be a kindness he was undeserving of. No. His veins scalded with lava as he shrieked and fell to the ground. A thousand suns burned his body and shredded him into a screeching mess of a child. He viciously clawed at his collar—at his flesh—as instant cloudiness blurred his eyes. Sweat perspired quickly as his skin reddened and bubbled and his stomach gurgled from the sickening meal he had been forced to endure, but he withered on the ground.

He knew he was shouting for them to help him. For them to stop this. For his father, for his mother—for the girl he left at home who gifted him a kiss on the cheek.

The burning melted his insides and no one was coming.

Blood spurted from his mouth and no one was stopping this.

He felt like he was knocking on death's door as he fell deeper into this blazing heat and no one would help him.

And when his body tried to spare him of this pain, shutting down his systems, frantic to give him a semblance of relief, lightning scattered through his body and made his twitch and explode with a loud shout. His eyes fluttered erratically as heat and lightning combined to deliver blows worthy of death all over his body.

The Doctor dialed in again. "Please manage to stay awake, Experiment Six-Six-Six, and use your Devil powers to save yourself. We can move on once you have completed your first assignment. This is in your best interest." And he was gone.

And The Room with its white walls was the only witness as his mouth frothed and foamed while his entire body burned.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I couldn't react. I didn't know how to react. I couldn't stay awake for it. My body would give up and pass out, too burned and dehydrated to work.

But The Doctor made sure I was always ready to work.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Water overwhelming his throat made him wake up this time.

The men in black were back, but his body was too weak to fend them off. Each twitch of his body felt fettered like they had been stapled to the ground. But he could not focus as he gurgled and wretched water, spitting up on himself, but the men in black were undeterred as they held him still with the tube of water gushing into his mouth.

The childish chime glissed again.

The Doctor chimed in. "Time to wake up and try again, Experiment Six-Six-Six. Please keep in mind, it's in your best interest to use your powers if you wish to move on from this assignment."

Once the tube stopped its water flow was only then that the men in black released him. They walked away like nothing out of the ordinary had happened, but he could not lift his head or even think about shifting his eyes to understand where they exited. He could not hear them leave. He heaved and panted as drool and water dribbled out of his mouth and slickened his jaw and splattered his chest. He could not move—

His skin was on fire.

This time, he knew for certain the screams came from him.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Eventually, I think I was given time to rest. I was given food. If I didn't eat by myself, they made me eat.

I learned how to eat on my own and keep down my food.

They collected my urine for reasons I couldn't understand and my sweat. And they made sure I had no concept of time. They woke me and had me eat at random intervals.

And when I was awake, it was time to work.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The childish chime came overhead.

He was awake as he sat against a corner, shivering, drooling, petrified and numb.

The Doctor was back. "Good day, Experiment Six-Six-Six. We will no longer require the use of your collar. Today, we will have a different clinical trial. You must use your Devil powers to survive. Please keep in mind, it's in your best interest to finish this as quickly as possible so you can move on to the next stage of our patient program."

And The Doctor was gone.

An eerie silence caked the room as he shivered and shook. His feet had cracked and calloused and his nails had been worn down with crust of blood on them. Irritating lacerations clawed at his neck thanks to his collar. But you would think this silent respite would make him relieved.

You could not be more wrong.

It was the waiting that made this all the more terrifying.

He waited. Nothing happened.

And he waited some more. Nothing happened.

But he dared not close his eyes. Lips cracked and skin tattered, he waited—

MERA-MERA…

The Room was on fire.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Cursed Fire can't be put out with fire extinguishers or water or ice.

Only those with Cursed Fire or Demons could control it.

But also…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The fact that flames sweltered the room and sloshed around did not register for a few moments.

And then it did.

Eyes wide, he whispered for help. His body cracked as he started to move when the flames roared and snarled with their bloodlust reds and oranges and blacks growing in The Room. He called for help as he backed into the corner.

Help, help, help!

Trembling fear and panic surged as he caterwauled for help, clawing at the walls to run run get away. The flames scented their fear-drenched pray and dove for him.

He did not stand a chance.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Do you know what being burned alive is like?

Did you know the heat is more noticeable than the pain?

And did you know it takes fifteen second or less…until you feel nothing?

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The shock of the heat was what made him shriek. His skin, his hair, his tongue, his nerves—that blazing and blistering heat sucked him into its jaws and swallow him whole and make sure he would never feel anything outside of this solar flare.

But then…the pain was gone.

He did not feel anything anymore.

His skin bubbled and charred as his eyes felt like he was going blind. But he felt no pain. The layers of his flesh peeled back as his tongue dried out and curled. But he felt no pain. His throat swelled and blistered. But he felt no pain. The sinful smoke stole each breath away from him. But he felt no pain.

He felt tired.

And only one thought filled him.

I'm going to die.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

My body… It was dying.

I knew I was going to die. Maybe I had died that day.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It was so cruel of your mind to show you your final moments.

It was so cruel of your body to accept your final moments.

It was so cruel that every moment you had ever lived, every emotion you had every felt, every mistake, every regret, every victory, every loss—it screened past you to make you remember all that you would leave behind. It was the movie you could not stop watching. It was the book you could not put down.

It was the life you lived and could not take with you.

But as the contentment—I'm really going to die—made peace with himself—

LUB-DUB.

Glowing icy-blues.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

But then… I'd been reborn as…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ice and snow.

Winter.

The Room was destroyed with winter.

Snow and ice plastered the white walls, the white floor, the white ceiling with centimeters of snow and meters of icicles. This was not the beauteous winter wonderland that made people smile. This was a hellish display of a cruel season that killed all with jagged formations of ice and snow that locked you down and froze you from taking your next step.

He laid broken in the snow with thickened burns traipsing over his body. But winter was his new mother now. She kissed away his burns and gifted him pale flesh. She did away with his swelling and blisters and leaking pores. And she had combed her hands through his hair to shed pitch black for a blessed white.

The childish chime came over head with a mocking fanfare of victory.

"Congratulations, Experiment Six-Six-Six," the Doctor applauded without a hint of condescension. He was truly and undoubtably happy with this. "You have passed your first trial. We're all so excited for you to continue on with this patient program and become the best that you can be."

Slowly, he staggered to his feet, unbothered snow grazed his feet. He looked up—

Icy-blues held his eyes prisoner.

He was a Child of Winter.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I couldn't feel anything.

I could barely speak.

I felt…different. I'd been burned alive and reborn. I felt a different sort of cold in my veins and in my heart.

But none of that mattered to me. I just…couldn't feel.

I couldn't think.

I was just…drifting along.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

He sat in the corner again, but he was not shivering anymore. Icy-blues stared blankly ahead with his collar still around him and his knees drawn up to his chest.

The Room had been cleared of his winter and his meal had been polished clean.

And now he was waiting.

The chime came on.

"How are we feeling this morning, Experiment Six-Six-Six?" The Doctor chirped. "I was happy to hear one of my favorite patient's ate all his food today so quickly. Brava! As a growing boy, we'll begin to increase your portions so you can grow up big and strong. How does that sound?"

He offered no response.

The Doctor did not care and cheerily continued: "Today will be a new trial. Please keep in mind, it's in your best interest to finish this as quickly as possible so you can move on to the next stage of our patient program."

It came from the ceiling. The ceiling did not open, but some sort of portal had warped to lower in a chained cage. He did not watch it descend to the ground or when it clinked as it landed or the sound of a cage door opening—

WAN-WAN.

Icy-blues darted to take in this new creature that invaded The Room.

It was a puppy.

A weeks old puppy with big eyes, no balance yet, but it had learned how to yip and bark, apparently. It did not mind at all that the cage where it came from. It yipped at him, innocent as can be.

The Doctor came back. "For today's assignment, Experiment Six-Six-Six, you are to kill that creature."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

What?

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It was slow when horror filled him and nausea gutted him.

I… I have to…

The puppy yipped again, content as could be.

All his drifting and numbness could not withstand such a horrible assignment to fulfill. He buried himself in his corner and kept his head down. He refused to answer. He refused to comply—

A systematic voice called: "You will have fifteen seconds to accept or reject this assignment, Experiment Six-Six-Six. Countdown shall begin. Fifteen… Fourteen… Thirteen… Twelve… Eleven… Ten…"

He trembled and secured his arms around his knees.

"Nine…"

His feet shifted.

"Eight…"

His shoulders shook.

"Seven…"

The puppy yipped.

"Six…"

He inhaled.

"Five…"

He exhaled frost.

"Four…"

His lips fidgeted until they pressed together.

"Three…"

His hands clenched.

"Two…"

He held his breath.

"One…"

Silence filled The Room.

The system voice declared, "Experiment Six-Six-Six has rejected this assignment. Please proceed with protocol one-seven-five. Thank you and enjoy your stay at the laboratory."

More silence.

And more silence.

He afforded a relieved breath—

A shiver went down his spine.

His head lifted, but it was too late.

Those icy-blues reflected the chilling and oozing form of a demented six-eyes monster with rows of teeth and bloodlust to spare.

Help me.

DARA-DARA!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

My choice to accept or reject was nothing more than a farce.

If I accepted, I had to kill it. If I rejected, the monster would try and kill me.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It was an orange tabby cat with a cute bell on its collar. So handsome and innocent.

He quaked with fear in his corner as he watched it.

"You will have fifteen seconds to accept or reject this assignment, Experiment Six-Six-Six," the system explained. "Countdown shall begin. Fifteen… Fourteen… Thirteen… Twelve… Eleven… Ten…"

He could not hear it. He heard his heartbeat. He heard the push and pull of his blood. He heard every breath. He heard every knock of his knees.

But he could not move.

"Two… One…"

Silence.

"Experiment Six-Six-Six has rejected this assignment. Please proceed with protocol one-seven-five," the system processed. "Thank you and enjoy your stay at the laboratory."

He scrambled when the cat's eyes turned into that of a lamb's and its body bubbled and mutated into something large and grotesque. He clawed and pounded on the walls to help me please let me out, but it made no difference to anyone when the monster grabbed him and dragged him away. He felt claws rip into his shoulder and legs as he wailed and begged for this to stop please stop.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I couldn't handle the pain for much longer.

No one would stop this.

No one would help me.

If I wanted to survive, I was on my own.

If I wanted to survive, I had to…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

This monster looked more canid than the others with sharp claws and a black liquid drooling from its mouth. It advanced upon him, eager to taste what this delicious human could offer it.

Huddling his corner, his head lifted with bangs of matted white on his forehead.

Icy-blues glowed.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And all I was doing was just…drifting along.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Blank icy-blues stared at nothing. Not the wall. Not the floor. Not the ceiling.

Not the five jagged icicles that crucified the monsters and his unhinged jaw flayed onto the floor.

He stared at nothing.

That childish chime was back with the sound of celebratory poppers accompanying it.

"Congratulations, Experiment Six-Six-Six," The Doctor cheered. "You have completed your assignment. As such, you have been awarded a steak dinner for your efforts and some sleep. We'll start your next trial soon, so please be ready for your next assignment. We're all so excited for you to continue on with this patient program and become the best that you can be."

It did not matter that this stabbed and bloodied monster was before him with its blood oozing down the icicles that had hammered its death. The tray arrived from a portal in front of him with a bloodied steak barely grilled and some water to wash it down. No silverware had been given to him. This was his reward.

He never felt a thing when his hand touched the rare steak. He never felt a thing when he consumed it piece by piece, his fingers becoming saturated in grease and oil and blood. He never felt a thing when he chewed and swallowed.

But he ate as his victim hung there with its lifeless gaze watching him.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I couldn't feel anything when I killed. My body did the work.

My mind was elsewhere.

Sometimes, I never noticed I had killed. It was like I blinked. One moment, The Room was empty and the next moment, a slain monster had been killed by my hand.

I never noticed my blackouts. I never noticed I was drifting.

I never noticed…how powerful the mind could be to endure this.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It felt like clockwork even though time worked differently here.

Sometimes, he was there when the monster emerged, but he did not feel there. His body went through the motions to do offense as his winter swirled around him. He watched the slaughter and the aftermath. He watched when he was awarded bloodied meat. He watched as he ate.

And other times, it felt like slowly waking from a dream or a deep senseless thought. It was not a sudden drop or the pop of a bubble. He saw chunks of fur and flesh and flat had been iced and shattered repeatedly. Some looked like animals. Some looked like monster. It never mattered. He saw that his meal had been finished. So all he had to do now was wait.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

But then I had a new assignment to face.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The childish chime roused him from a light sleep.

The Doctor called in, "Hello, Experiment Six-Six-Six? Did you sleep okay? Good, good. For today's assignment, you will be given a new partner that's slightly more intelligent. To pass this assignment, you will need to use your powers. You will be given a playmate and will need to kill them in the appropriate time duration. Please keep in mind, it's in your best interest to finish this as quickly as possible so you can move on to the next stage in our patient program."

The Doctor was gone.

Time to wait—

FWOOSH!

It unfazed him seeing a large portal nor the men in black—

"Hanase! Hanaseyo! Tasukete! Dareka, tasukete!"

—but a woman had been brought in.

Hair crimped and unkept and face flushed, she had been dragged through the portal with a gray outfit that could be mistaken as scrubs if it was not for the derogatory number embroidered on it. Red-faced and cheeks wet, she screamed and cried as the men in black forced her into The Room. Curiously, one had forced open her hand and gave her a knife. But as she begged and pleaded, the men in black disappeared into the portal, and it closed behind them.

Now it was him and this crying woman.

He did not care to watch as she sniveled and begged in her phonetic tongue. She beseeched shrilly as she slapped her hands on the floor and walls.

He could not feel anything.

When she saw him, it was like she had seen a god. She crawled to him, sniffling and sobbing, and started saying something to him that he did not want to understand. She shook him and showed him the knife with trembling fingers.

He could not feel anything.

The system voice declared: "You will have fifteen seconds to accept or reject this assignment, Experiment Six-Six-Six. Countdown shall begin. Fifteen… Fourteen… Thirteen… Twelve… Eleven… Ten…"

He blankly watched the wall.

The crying woman kept shaking him, begging him, until she took up the knife. Something shifted in her eyes—

The system suddenly said, "Override. Telepathic screening has processed 'suicidal ideation' within prisoner. Please proceed with protocol one-eight-two."

The crying woman took the knife to her neck—

FWOOM.

Something had shifted in the air that made his spin tingle.

His eyes went to the woman—

Everything slowed.

Her neck bubbled. Not bubbled as in blistered. Her entire neck bubbled. Her body started to bloat like it was a swollen balloon.

And balloons popped.

It was not one second or two seconds or five seconds later that it hit him.

Blood sprayed The Room. Blood splattered his body and matted his hair. From her hips down had been left intact with bits of her spine and intestines uselessly connected, but her organs had scattered with marrow and fat deposits and rank acid spewed before him and even some had landed on his skin.

Icy-blues gradually widened as what happened registered. A low moan came out of his mouth before it turned into a full-blown scream.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I would learn later that woman was on Death Rowe as a serial child rapist. She had been given an ultimatum for her crimes.

If she killed me, she could appeal her sentence.

The same deal had been made to every disgusting prisoner who came to The Room. They had been murderers, rapists, or committed a long list of offenses that they would never see daylight. None of them spoke Minstrish. Some of them tried to kill themselves and The Room would make an override to kill them.

And others…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

That damn childish chime again.

The Doctor cheerily greeted, "Hello, Experiment Six-Six-Six. Today, you will have the same assignment. With our past failures, we wanted to make sure you succeeded so we can make positive progress. Like always, you will have to use your powers to survive. Please keep in mind, it's in your best interest to finish this as quickly as possible so you can move on to the next stage in our patient program. And we can assure you that your newest playmate will help you become the best that you can be."

The Doctor was gone.

Like always, the portal came with the men in black, but who they brought with them did not scream or thrash. Tattoos cover covered his flesh that you could see, but his broad shoulders and tall stature had been armed with some sort of black overcoat and pants with a single gray stripe across the chest and ankles.

This man's pale greens looked down at him.

And the smirk on this man's lips promised nothing but pain.

The men in black left and the portal closed.

It was him and this man.

"Ty takoy malen'kiy," the man said in his Cyrillic tongue. He stepped forward. "Ya lyublyu malen'koye."

And this man palmed his hardening crotch.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I stayed awake the entire time.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

He sobbed when he was held down.

Whatever word this man purred left no impact, but those hands that grabbed him made him squirm and wreathe and begged to be let go. He did not understand. Why was this man trying to touch him? Was this man trying to kill him? Then why did those hand try to go for this thighs? What was this? Why were they forcing them apart?

Make it stop make it stop make it stop make it stop!

He clawed at the ground when his winter pulsated and spasmed. He could not help it. He wanted this to stop. He wanted this man off. Adrenaline pumped him, confused him, and his winter took the helm to ice his hands into claws. Like a rabid cat backed into a corner, his claws tore across the man's face and sliced his eyes. That loosened the grip, but winter fueled him with intentions.

Kill him before he kills you.

He went for the legs first.

The man shouted agony when his knees were slashed, but the man howled when the moment he fell, his stomach had been next. No amount or struggling or thrashing could help him in the end. Iced claws ripped at his stomach and sawed away at flesh and fat deposits to tear apart any bones and organs that could be found. The man wailed—it was sick humor this predator had become prey—when his stomach and intestines were gauged from him while puss filmed over his eyes from the scratches.

The piss, the sweat, the acid, the blood—none of it fazed him as he made sure his claws hacked through whatever they needed to.

Kill him before he kills you.

He did not know when he was done. A burning filled his lungs, though, as he stood over this man with his body turned inside out, disfigured, unrecognizable—gone. Icy-blue glowed with his canines bared as he panted frost.

The childish chime came on with that same celebratory fanfare.

The Doctor said, merry, "Congratulations, Experiment Six-Six-Six. You have passed your trial and are making steady progress in your patient program. As a reward, we have arranged a wagyu beef stew for your meal today. We're all so excited for you to continue on with this patient program and become the best that you can be."

The tray slid into The Room with an orange bowl and no spoon. But the beef stew poured into it had chunks of gold potatoes and carrots and smelled so enticing that you could easily make it the last meal you ever ate.

But he panted.

And he watched his disemboweled victim.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

Icy-blue looked at his fingers cloaked in icy claws and troubled with blood and bits of human. Blood and bits splattered his shorts, his legs, his feet. He looked all around to see the piss and shit and what was left of the man who had come for him.

The tears would not come when he felt to his knees.

His throat was too raw from all his screaming.

I killed him.

The thought would not perish.

I killed him. I killed him. I killed him. I killed him.

His attack did not make him lash out and scream and hyperventilate. Quite the opposite. He stayed on all fours, caked in the memory of his victim, while his heart raced and his quiet breaths stuttered.

I killed him. I killed him. I killed him. I killed him.

The men in black returned.

He put up no fight when they dragged him into a sitting position. He could not move on his own. He did not know if he blinked or breathe. He could not feel it when they opened his mouth and shucked in the stew.

I killed him. I killed him. I killed him.

But a grittier voice stood out in his last thought.

Za shoa kim.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

That was the first time I remembered killing a human.

If even describing something like him is "human"…

And it was also the first time…I heard him.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The childish chime was back.

"Experiment Six-Six-Six," The Doctor chirped, "we are delighted to inform you that you will be taking a field trip to see some of your older playmates. There will be no trial during your field trip, so consider this a holiday. Please relax and standby as our friends here at the laboratory come to get you properly ready for today's activities. Please keep in mind, it's in your best interest to finish this as quickly as possible so you can move on to the next stage in our patient program."

The men in black came, but they had brought something with them.

They brought all-encompassing cuffs and a chain.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I think The Doctor knew Invel was coming. He didn't have time to wait for me to mature.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

JARA… JARA… JARA…

What a heinous mockery this was for a field trip.

Like a dog, he was given a metallic muzzle that hurt his jaw. A cylinder made out of an unusual material trapped his hands together. His collar had been leashed and so had the cylindrical cuffs. Even his ankles had been shackled with chains. The men in black all held one chain of his with weapons he could not understand.

But The Doctor walked next to him in high spirits. "I'm excited to show you how far your playmates have become. I hope by seeing them today it helps progress you in your own patient program. You are one of our most important patients at the laboratory, Experiment Six-Six-Six, and very vital to everyone here at the laboratory. In fact, you are the last of your kind. That makes you very special."

He said nothing.

There was no secret door or secret password to punch in. The hallway looked like it extended forever. But with one more step, the hallway was gone and everyone was in room made of a strange sort of steel. A glass dome was in the center, but that was not the most curious part about it.

A woman was there, eyes half-lidded, with nothing to hide any part of her. Her head lolled this way and that, but the rest of her body had been clamped down to something. It looked like a steel bench had locked down her calves as though she were on all fours and a pole had been before her with her wrists chained tightly.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

He gave me incentives.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

EEEEEEEEEEH!

The Doctor explained, "One day, Experiment Six-Six-Six, you'll come here as another assignment." Glasses glinted. "And you will complete every assignment put before you."

A lion chimera had been brought in, but he did not look as sophisticated as most chimaera were. He prowled on all fours with a muzzle on his face and a leash and collar controlled him. Once he was set free and something alerted that the dome had been sealed, the lion chimera must have heard something when his attention fixated on the chained woman.

And she remained too drugged to understand when the lion chimera rose and inspected between her legs. He angrily pawed at his muzzle for some unknown reason, but he circled around this woman with something darkening her gaze.

She stirred and her mouth looked like it was babbling, but her shifting must have done something.

The lion chimera went behind her and mounted.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"Breeding," The Doctor called it.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The scream she made would never leave him.

The snarl the chimera gave would never leave him.

Watching pure terror grip her body the moment the lion chimera pumped in with no regard to her wants, to her needs, to her anything and the way she tried so desperately to climb up the bars to escape him when he gripped her hips and rutted—

It would never leave him.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"Consensual," The Doctor called it. "This is what they signed up for."

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Stomach bottomed out and sickened, he tried to turn away—

"Ah-ah-ah…."

The Doctor had grabbed his head and forced it to stay still with that diamond-toothed smile on his face. "Watch and learn, Experiment Six-Six-Six. One day, you'll have to complete this assignment…"

He watched in silent horror when she tried to get away as she wailed and wailed while the lion chimera that stole her freedom, her agency, her, only growled his pleasure and prioritized his need over and over again.

And those haunting words were whispered to him. "…over…and over…and over."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —.

In my nightmares, I see them. I see how they cried and how they bled.

I see how they were taken.

I knew what it was.

And this was what The Doctor thought would be in store for me if he had more time.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

He felt like he was in a dream. Every time he opened his eyes, something new had happened and the past felt like it was fading away.

SHOBASHOBA…

It was a flawed male experiment this time who mounted a male victim, drugged and chained down, and the first piercing shrieking and rattle of chains rung in his ears.

SHOBASHOBA…

A pregnant teenager had been gutted before him with the gun she was given clashed and destroyed. Her muscles still twitched, even with the life gone in her eyes and the blood split and whatever left of the fetus half hung out from her opened stomach.

SHOBASHOBA…

A clean plate was in front of him with no remnants of whatever the meal had been. A tail circled him and his head felt heavy with horns. These wings were new. When did he have wings?

He did not care anymore.

SHOBASHOBA…

The screams this time were different. Water tubes bogged down others—children, patients, experiments. Lab coats blurrily shifted everywhere with masks on and no one spoke the same language to each other.

SHOBASHOBA…

The childish chime woke him up again.

"Rise and shine, Experiment-Six-Six-Six," The Doctor crooned. "Today, you have a new trial…"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The nightmares filled in the gaps of my blackouts, I'd later realize.

Like how I met Mary.

Like how I met Nurse.

And all the lives I had taken.

It all felt…surreal.

I was always drifting along.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

SHOBASHOBA…

"Hello." Naughty violet eyes and a treacherous smirk. "Daddy Lee has missed you, Ice Devil."

SHOBASHOBA…

The broad man with thick black locs interlaced with silvery strands. His piercing gray eyes and that unusual gas mask that blocked his face. All he did was breathe and watch and never spoke a word.

SHOBASHOBA…

The sandwich he ate today was packed with flavor and his tail flicked. He gorged it down without ever noticing the icy noose that had strangled and hung its victim.

SHOBASHOBA…

He laid crumpled in a cell—a cage. Water was given to him in a metal bowl and weakly, he lifted his head to lap at it like a common animal. But he saw from the corner of his eyes that a man had come to see him with The Doctor. He dressed too well to be a patient—an experiment. He palmed the money The Doctor gave him for looking into the cage.

Lethal gray-blues startled at him.

The Doctor noticed he was awake and smiled. "Experiment Six-Six-Six, it's good to see your awake." He clapped the shoulder of this suited man. "This is your proverbial 'big brother'. He helped paved the way for you to come to our facilities and start your program. Say, 'hello, big brother'…"

The suited man tipped down his chin as black covered the whites in his eyes and gray-blues melted into a flaming red. Flames, darkened and scented of blood, clamped onto his arms.

"…to the Flame Devil."

The Flame Devil opened his mouth and a mocking child's voice came out that made him freeze. "I no trapped no more. Now I'm finally free."

SHOBASHOBA…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I couldn't survive here if I didn't progress. It was easier for me to suppress all my emotions. It was easier if I forgot I was once human.

It was easier for me to use the madness instead of reject.

That's how I created him.

That's how I created the Devil The Doctor wanted.

That's how I created Skade.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The childish chime.

The Doctor called, "Good day, Experiment Six-Six-Six. We hoped you enjoyed your meal. Are you ready for your new assignment?"

"Yes…" He hissed the word like a snake as he rose to his feet with his tail whipping back and forth. Blacks swallowed the whites of his eyes with icy-blues glowing. "Ready."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

He obeyed orders and progressed this patient program. He could handle the insanity I was constantly looped through. He wasn't afraid to kill to survive.

Sometimes, I was awake, but it wasn't me who moved my mouth or killed or eat.

Other times, I just drifted along and my nightmares would tell me what happened.

I just… I just wanted it to stop.

And then…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Hello."

His stare was lost and blank as he sat in his cell—his cage—always drifting along.

"You will look at me when I speak to you, boy."

He winced, but he lifted his head—

Blank icy-blue-cerulean clashed with stoic wintry blues.

"What's your name, boy?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I met Invel.

It was like living a dream or a nightmare.

I couldn't tell if it was me who listened to his orders or if I was pretending to be someone who listened to orders.

Was this him?

Was this…me?

Which one was me and which one was him?

I couldn't answer that.

I still…can't answer that.

I'm still…afraid.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The moon and her stars remained unaffected. Time marched on. The world still spun. A tomorrow would come whether anyone liked it or not. No one could stop the future.

That was why the past was so persistent to not be forgotten.

Gary's jaw tremored as dry ice tears streaked down his face.

Nashi covered her mouth with both hands and her eyes heatedly clouded. Luna's snivels came back to her. "Gary…looked different."

The wind tussled his hair split between white and black with his unsightly horns staying strong against the bluster.

"H-He had horns."

Talons had claimed his feet while iced claws had trapped his fingers. A scaled tail whipped, agitated.

"…and wings and a tail. And he had…claws."

Pale skin had been cloaked in the black tattoos that would brand him forever as the Devil.

"And his skin… It was black. H-H-He didn't look… He didn't look…human."

Nashi whispered, astounded, Lu's words… Her vision… Could this be…?

"I don't… I don't know who I am anymore." The cracked confession half-whimpered half-whispered from Gary. "I'm so dirty. I-I did…something terrible. And I don't even know which version of me did it." He hiccupped into a gulp as he buried his head in his clawed hands, shoulders shaking with each wet gasp. "Wh-Wh-Why was I b-b-b-b-born like this? Why—?"

He hiccupped into his weeping. "He won't t-talk to me anym-m-more. He won't talk t-to me. H-H-He's the o-o-only one who understands, and h-he won't—!" He coughed and spluttered as he keeled over to sob. "I'm n-n-not right. Something is wrong with m-me. I killed all those people. I w-watched them g-get—!" He could not say it when he lurched.

The heaviness of grief made Nashi feel like she was drowning, sinking, falling with him, but she did not cry. She sucked it in as she tried to reach for his hand as she whispered, "This isn't your fault—"

"Don't touch me!" Gary gave her his winged back. "D-D-D-Don't t-t-touch m-m-me! Th-There's something wrong with me—!"

Nashi gave a pained snivel. "There's nothing wrong with you—"

"I killed those people!" Gary cried. "I k-k-killed them! I killed them—!"

"Gary—"

"Look at me!" Gary swiveled his head and his wings folded in.

Stunned hickories clashed with one eye of cerulean and one eye of icy-blue.

"Look at me, An…Nashi."

Her name from his trembling lips whipped her.

"I'm a killer," Gary croaked, choked, a man robbed of boyhood. "I've never been the 'Gary' you've always known. How can I be him when I don't even know? H-How am I 'Skade' if I can't hear him anymore? H-H-How can I live when I let people die?" He watched the tears burn into his palm and crystalize into intricate flakes of snow and ice.

He shakily gave a winter's breath. "Who am I supposed to be when I don't even know who I was?"

Nashi wanted to reach for him, but her hands balled to her sides as she resisted the urge. Sickened winter, split, alone, afraid made their connection drown into heaps of despair. What can I say? What can I do?

Because that was what you thought in the end. What can I what can I what can I? What can I do for you that you can't do for yourself right now? What can I say to you that will make your tears go away? How do I react? How do I respond? What will worsen this? What will make it better?

What will make you feel okay again?

Her eyes shut and she promised herself that the last tears she squeezed out were her last. A deep breath and clear eyes were what she needed because both of them could not afford to cry. She did not touch him. She kept the distance that he wanted. And her words came sweet and gentle. "I love you. So what do you need from me?"

Blues widened.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Come on now, dance tonight

We can boogie till the morning

There's no plans tonight

Gonna have a good one

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

He lifted his head to meet her tender gaze that gave not an inch away to fear or grief or hatred. His heart hammered as he sniveled and he dared not clear his tear-coat cheeks. "How can you say that to me?" He was grasping at straws why she had not left him. "An-An—Nashi… I'm not—"

"You're not what?" Nashi prompted him with a tone that promised her kindness and never pity. "You're not a person who loves art? You're not a person who is an incredible chef? You're not a person who, through all of the bad in his life, never failed to be kind and smiling and friendly to almost everyone you've come across?"

"What if that wasn't me?" Gary whispered, conflicted, confused, struggling. "What if none of that was me? What if I've really been a fraud, a lie? I-I'm just… I…"

Nashi inched closer. "You're just…"

Gary looked down at his clawed hands and breathed, "I'm scared…that I might never know or understand. I'm… I'm scared of myself, Nashi—"

"And that's okay too—"

"How is that okay?" Gary yearned to know, he craved to know, he needed to know. "H-How is being scared of myself and not knowing 'okay'?"

"Because you're saying it out loud," Nashi told him. "If there's something Doctor Orr has helped me with, it's that I never said anything out loud. I just…internalized everything. I never spoke about it. And for a long time, it hurt me more and more when I stayed quiet about it. But when I took the stand for a second time during your trial and I said I was a rape survivor…I never thought saying those words meant so much to me."

"An—You were brave every moment of the trial," Gary murmured.

"And you're being brave right now," Nashi told him. "You can't see that. But by you saying what you're saying out loud? That's a huge step in the right direction? And if one day, you want to say these same words to someone who could help you, I'll support you however you want me to support you." She added meaningfully, "And so will Jaxton and your friends and your family."

"My family?" Gary's gaze fell. "I know I hurt my parents when I moved. I know it hurts them when I don't call as much when I talk to Lady J and Silver, but I… I can't…"

"One step at a time," Nashi soothed. "Tonight, you took a really big step. And you can take little ones tomorrow or maybe no steps at all. Maybe you take a step backwards or maybe not. Doctor Orr told me I'd have bad days and good days and okay days. One day, I'd take care of myself and the next, I could fall apart. But you know what he said was the most important?"

Gary shook his head. "What?"

"That at least I had a day," Nashi said. "That at least I was here, breathing, having a day. I'm struggling. I'm coping. I'm learning. And I am here. Just like you are here. And just like we'll be here for you and we will support every word that you say." She inched closer, but she asked him, "Is it okay if I touch you?"

Gary subtly nodded.

With warmed hands, Nashi thumbed away the smothered ice on his cheeks and caressed winter with his comforting summer.

"You believe me?" Maybe Gary had no meant to ask the question aloud, but it was too late now. "What if I'm lying? What if I'm just imagining things o-o-or hallucinating or I'm—?"

Nashi softly chuckled. "That's a lot of 'what if's. And I know it's hard not to think in 'what if's. I do all the time." When she finished her work, she cupped his cheeks and adored all she saw. "That's when I sit down with someone I trust and talk about the what if's and we have a plan. It's up to you if you want that someone. I can't tell you what to do. And I won't."

"They won't believe me." Gary averted his eyes, disgraced. "They've never believed me, An…Nashi. My memories…"

"And it's sad that people just don't believe you no matter what you say," Nashi agreed. "But those people who don't believe you? Those are the wrong people to speak to. That Chinlien guy didn't believe I was raped and was defending my rapists—"

"But you weren't!" Gary vehemently spoke out.

Nashi smiled. "And that's why his words don't bother me anymore. Because the people I love and trust know the truth. And when you feel comfortable and ready, I know the people you love and trust will support what you have to say."

Gary hesitated, unsure.

"Nothing has to be decided now," Nashi swore to him. "Now isn't the time for it. Making big decisions when you're emotional never bodes well for anyone. Trust me on that, okay?"

Gary sniffled. "Okay."

"Okay." Nashi stroked his cheek. "I can't pretend to know how you feel. Just know that I'm right here. I'm not going to let you fall. You don't have to talk, I don't have to talk, or you can say what you want. You can cry on my shoulder. But understand this, okay?" And she vowed to him, "Gary Fullbuster, Skade, whoever you were or become—I'm in love with all of you."

Blues watered.

When Gary slid into her open arms, the regression happened with ease. His hair faded back to black. His tail dispersed into jaded blue particles alongside his horns. His talons melded back to his feet. And the ice melted from his claws.

He buried his face into her shoulder. Thank you, Angel.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Seaside no bijo

She's like an illusion

Pinku iro no neon

utsushidasu vision

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It was not the Tesla wanted to wake up, but her body roused her regardless. Soothing heat bathed her and a light softness brushed against her skin. She hummed pleasantly when she could smell embers and spices permeate the air and that light softness shifted as she did. Her eyes did not pay the price of blurring and blinding when she went slow and understood orange flames painted a faint glow in a cave.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Himitsu no location (location)

Mabushii refection (reflection)

Hikitsukero attention yoru no nuke dasou

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

She smiled feeling Jaxton's kisses as the hook in her chest pulsated adoration and gratitude. "Good morning."

"It's still evening." Jaxton finished with a kiss between her shoulder blades before he rolled off her to collect a sweet kiss from her lips. "How are you feeling?"

"Like a thoroughly fucked woman," Tesla sweetly murmured. She pulled back to comb through his white locks. "You kept your hair white?"

Jaxton shrugged. "We have the entire night." He nodded over to the casket iron skillet that he had over the fire he had made. "I have water, tea, and food for you if you're hungry."

"I'll eat if you feed me," Tesla teased, though she laughed when Jaxton nipped her shoulder. "You were right though. My paranormal books really did have everything wrong." She frowned at the thought. "I never thought it'd be so…animalistic."

"It's not romantic," Jaxton agreed. "But part of me is connected to part of you. Now"—he kissed her nose—"we wait until you're older for a proper Cultivation ceremony." He searched her eyes. "Do you regret anything?"

Tesla shook her head, negatively humming. "No. Thanks for making me slow down and wait out that sort of choice. I like this. I like what we have now. I love it and I love you."

"I love you too." And he leaned in to kiss her again…and again…and again…until he shifted beneath the light blanket and neither had any intention of letting each other go anytime soon by the fireside.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Daremoga jealousy ni naru hodo ni sexy

katate ni wa Hennessy katachi dake tipsy

yarikata wa classic-hin yoku majestic

yokeinamono wa hora nugisutete sa

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

BEEP-BEEP!

As Sharon and Maddox made it inside and Maddox turned off the alarm system, Sharon hollered, "We're home!" But with the house still dark, all she could tell was that the glow from the LV in the living room was on. I guess she fell asleep watching LV.

Sharon's heels clacked against the hardwood floors as she rounded down the hall and into the living room. Webflix had asked the fatal question of it the watcher was still watching. She turned on the lights and was ready to turn off the LV when she saw the situation for what it was.

Jasmine had draped over the arm of the couch, dead asleep, with Pacer sleeping on her side, but both of their hands rested on her stomach.

Maddox had come up to Sharon's shoulder and softened before he gently touched Sharon's waist to guide her away. Sharon spared one more glance over her shoulder before she let them be.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Come on now, dance tonight

We can boogie till the morning

There's no plans tonight

We gonna have a Good One

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

If you thought Lupita's room contain a lot, think again.

She had brought over nothing and she still had yet to decorate her room in all the time she had been gifted it. Sure, she had her presents from grateful patients and little trinkets her friends had bought over the years and her medical books, but her walls stayed off-white and her sheets were barely personalized.

She sat up in bed as she reviewed case file in her silk pajamas when a knock on her door alerted her. Sighing, she sarcastically muttered, "Be my guest and come in. It's not like I was doing anything."

Jura slid open her door with a round wooden tray in his hands. "You haven't eaten dinner."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Mizugiwa no playground

Konna kyouku wo play

And we can dance tonight

Hey we gonna have a Good One

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Lupita dismissed him as she went back to her case files. "I will have dinner when I am through. But there is still so much work I must do." Even though she could not hear it, she felt him come closer and told him, "I don't need you to come and reprimand. I am not a child who needs to be taken by the hand."

"You always assume I think the worst of you," Jura murmured.

Lupita snuck him a raised eyebrow as if to say, well, am I wrong?

Jura set down the tray, but it was comical that when he sat on the edge of the bed, the entire bed dipped. Poor Lupita flailed and much to his amusement and her flustered annoyance, she fell into him.

Jura tilted his head. "Maybe I should think the worst of you."

Lupita huffed and righted herself. "You bald mountain of a man. One day, I swear it. Someone will bring you to your knees for once, so you best prepare for it."

"You're bald too," Jura amusedly reminded.

Lupita stiffened because he was not wrong, but she snipped back, "I may be bald, but it was a choice from long ago. You simply have no hair you can grow." It irked her hearing Jura's rumbling chuckle. "I do not appreciate your laughter. Go on. You've served me dinner if that's all you were after." And the look she sliced him with meant it better be all you're after.

Jura stifled his mirth, but he could not erase the brightness in his eyes. "I've already met someone who can bring me to my knees, Lupita."

"Then bother her, please, I beg you so," Lupita gritted. "I have work to do, so off you go."

Jura nodded to the tray. "You should eat first."

Lupita muttered, "I am not hungry—"

PEKO-PEKO.

Jura's lips twitched while Lupita's cheeks heated and she warned him, "I will eat because I said so. Not because someone so stubborn urged me from the get-go." She went for the tray—

—and she gawked when Jura grabbed it and held it high. "Hey! That is my dinner you are holding! Let it go, you stubborn man, before I poison all your food into molding!"

"You would never." Jura got up—his eyes sparkled when Lupita flailed a little from the weight distribution of her mattress suddenly gone—and he made sure she could not reach it. "You can eat in the dining room with me."

Lupita growled at him, "I can eat here in my room. Why should I eat with the likes of you?"

"Because it's been a while since we've had a meal together," Jura told her like it was nothing. "I'm beginning to think the great Wiccan is avoiding me." Upon Lupita's sour and embarrassed look, he turned and walked away with her dinner in hand. "I've even made your favorite tea."

Lupita grumbled as she got out of bed. "Stubborn man like an ox. Does he take 'no' for an answer? No, he does not."

"And Lupita?"

She balefully groused, "What more could you possibly want from me? I will join you for dinner and I accept your offer of tea."

"The woman who brings me to my knees…"

Lupita huffed as she tied up her case files. "What about her? Do I know her? Is she somewhere close for you to go to her?"

A beat.

"She's quite close actually."

"Well, thank the gods, she's…" But Lupita's tongue was tied when she realized how intently Jura stared her down. Swallowing a breath, she mumbled, "Are we not having dinner? It's getting late. We shouldn't be lingering when warm tea is at stake."

Jura held his gaze for a moment longer. "We shouldn't." He stepped into the hallway and waited for Lupita to come out. She skittered past him, but he did not give chase. She is more of an unmovable mountain that I sometimes.

And as they both left behind her room, the case file on top of the stack Lupita left behind held one name:

NOAH NAKAMURA

°•°•°•°

Was it ironic that you waited for a ghost train at a popular suicide cliff? A little bit, yes.

The gorge Pearson hung around had no light to help you see where you were going outside of starlight and the glimmer of the moon. He had his hood up and his mask on as his eyes shifted around. Others had come to wait for the ghost train but without bodies, they were nothing more than living shadows dressed in clothing.

The ghost train never made the same shrills stop noises or honked its horn. To be honest, nothing differed the ghost train other than that it was an old fashion train that chugged along.

A chill went through the air made Pearson alert and he and the others could see the ghost train coming down its invisible track. It slowed its wheels as the engine stopped past the edge of the cliff and sighed, relieved it was catching a break. And tonight, it only had two passenger cars and two ticket masters, Shadows dressed in blue uniforms.

Pearson got into line with the others to shuffle aboard the ghost train. Hardly anyone took the ghost train back. It was meant as a one-way trip.

The ticket master processed his ticket with no issue and waved for him to come aboard. He took a seat on one of the benches between a snoozing Shadower dressed in an old wartime suit and another Shadower dressed like she stepped out of the renaissance and had decided to knit for her trip.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Aimaina reaction

Iranai hesitation

Red cup de 1 shot

2 shots, 3 shots and let's go!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Pearson sighed as he shoved his hands deep into his pockets and looked out the window. If this is all I can do, then…this is what I'll do.

Pale reds softened. For Jasmine.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Yoku aru situation

Nankanja owarasenai tension

Konya ha so special

'Baby, come more closer'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ace busied himself with some light reading on his tablet with one possessive hand on Justin's ass as his boyfriend laid stomach-down on the bed with his feet in the air and his silk robe sleeping a little to show bare skin.

Hair pulled back with his bunny make-up headband, he scrolled through his Compact. Something, however, caught his eyes and made him soften.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Dare mo ga enemy ni naru hodo ni crazy

Monroe to Kennedy no sore yori romantic

Are mo kore mo fantastic soshite so galactic

Yokēna koto ha dokoka ni oitesa

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The pictures of spring break had come out nicely.

Ellie, Nashi, Tesla, and Ines had decided to do a picture at the giant CARACOLE sign in Líron City with their finger hearts. You would not notice it, considering Tesla and Justin had decided to mount an old-fashioned streetlamp and flexed their skills, but Jaxton was in the background and looked like he was threatening some pervert. Justin, Ace, and Gary had forced Jaxton to join them in making FT with Justin on the F and Ace t-posing and Jaxton looked one second away from ringing Gary's neck as they made a heart. And another had them all at an outdoor dinner with firework shooting off in the sky

The Caracole Zoo and Aquarium had been a sight for sore eyes. Justin had gotten a selfie with the entire crew on one of the tour busses with his peace sign. A picture was taken of the startling contrast of Nashi and Tesla and Jaxton at the petting zoo. Somehow, all the animals stayed away from a scowling Jaxton except for one very fat street cat and the look on Jaxton's face showed his clear disgust. Another was a traumatized picture of Gary, who had blindly followed Nashi into a butterfly house. A cute silhouette was taken of Ellie and Ines sharing a kiss at the underground shark exhibit.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Come on now, dance tonight

We can boogie till the morning

There's no plans tonight

We gonna have a Good One

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The bar was smokey and sleazy, and Elis did not mind.

Everyone partied and ground with drinks in their hair and nothing but sex and good vibes on their minds. He had cornered his latest pray when he wore a tight-fitting black shirt and pulled away. The blushing young man before him could barely meet his eyes over that kiss. But all Elis cared for was his blue eyes and black hair.

Shikoba had made his own panic room out of his hotel room and shored himself up with his blankets and extra pillows he shyly asked April to demand for his room. But as he laid under his hoodie, those violet eyes softened as he looked at a younger picture of himself as he smiled and hugged a great Thunderbird. And as he tapped, he decided to send the message to Tesla.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Mizugiwa no playground

Konna kyouku wo play

And we can dance tonight

Hey we gonna have a Good One

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Denisha worked harder and smarter.

As she studied at her desk with her locks swept up in a headscarf and in her ratty PJs, she paused and took a gander at the photo she kept pinned up. It showed her mouth, all curves and Caracolean black skin, but it also showed her father with his scaly and feathered curse. And the love between her parents made her smile like nothing ever had.

Windel had forgotten to turn off the LV, but what did it matter when he and Jemaine were asleep? Like with everything, Windel slept loudly and exaggeratedly with his limbs everywhere and his mouth wide-open as he snored. But Jemaine curled up with most of the blankets and his white locs had pushed away from both his eyes as he slept soundly.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Wanna see you move like this

I like it, you like it

Side to side, front to back

He likes it, she likes it

Wanna see you move like this

We like it, they like it

Upside-down, inside-out

And it's gonna be a good one!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It had been quite some time since Nashi had fallen asleep on grass with her wings.

It was not that the sensation was uncomfortable for it, but it had been since she was a little girl since she roughed it outside with her wings. Her eyes cracked open, but the sun had never bothered her. Instead, to her surprise, Gary had unconsciously shielded her from the sun with his wing as he slept.

Her fingers brushed back his bangs and tailed down his jawline.

"He didn't look…human," Luna's troubled statement echoed.

Hickories gleamed in soft affection as her fingers started to skim Gary's tattoos. That's not right. In fact…—her fingers drifted to the cross-feathered tattoo that represented her and him—he's more human than any of us. My sweet Devil… You've been through so much and your heart is so kind. How could you keep such kindness after witnessing so much hatred?

Her lips touched a tender smile. You really are amazing.

And all that delicate adoration twisted when vibration startled her. Careful to not wake Gary, Nashi figured out her Compact—it was stuffed in her shorts' pocket—had gone off with Justin calling her. She answered and whispered, "What?"

"Don't you 'what' me, sweet girl. Who raised you to be so disrespectful?"

Nashi sighed. "Yes, Mother?"

"Better," Justin deemed. "Now where are you? We have a flight to catch in a handful of hours, and I'm trying to find my lost daughters, AKA you and my favorite slutty daughter."

Nashi laughed behind a hand. "I'll be back soon."

"Mmm-hmm. Did you sneak off with a boy last night perchance?"

"I don't know, JJ, is your ass sore all the toys Ace used on you last night?"

"Low blow, sweet girl," Justin muttered before dramatically sighing. "Fine. No curfew punishment this time, but I expect you freshly showered for the light and your breath better not smell like cock."

Nashi shook her head, grinning. "Bye, Mother."

"Kisses to all! Mwah!"

The call ended for Nashi to look at the time. It's still pretty early. But JJ has it down to a science when it comes to flying. She scrolled through her notifications and smiled a little seeing all her Twit and Insta notifications. Guess social media manager JJ strikes again. Huh? She paused when she saw an email notification from late last night. What's this?

She read the sender and subject header:

Inter-Guild Special Admissions Committee

Update and Apologies on Your S-Class Track Application

Gary stirred with his nose wrinkling for a moment. He yawned into his arousal from slumber and blinked a few times, eyes half-mast, before rubbing an eye. He saw Nashi reading on her Compact and mumbled, "Good morning, Angel."

Nashi met his sleepy gaze in relief. "You called my name." Her stare flashed down, embarrassed. "I was worried you wouldn't anymore."

A lazy smile worked over Gary's features, adorable in its own right. "Angel is my Angel no matter what. Even when I don't feel like I should call Angel that… In my heart, Angel is still Angel."

Nashi's eyes softened. Papa was right. He can be such a simple man sometimes. She thumbed his cheek. "How are you feeling?"

"Sleepy still," Gary admitted in all honesty and broke into another yawn.

Nashi tittered. "Yeah, you'll feel like that after a huge emotional thing. I know after some of my more open therapy sessions, I nearly fell asleep. Thank god Býleistr was there to take me ho—I mean, back to your place," she amended with pink pinching her cheeks. His chuckle worsened the color.

"You can say, 'home', Angel," Gary assured her. "I won't get the wrong idea, I promise." He rubbed his nose with hers. "I always feel at home wherever Angel is. I want Angel to feel at home wherever too."

Bright red cloaked Nashi's neck and cheeks as she mumbled, "Don't be so sweet and charming, you stupid dog. It's embarrassing."

"But I like being sweet and charming," Gary cheekily quipped. "If it makes Angel blush so cutely, then how can I resist?" Blues dropped and noticed the email she was in. "Oh. You got selected for the S-Class track for IG?"

"What?" Nashi glanced down at her Compact. "O-Oh. Right. Wait. You could read all that?"

An uncomfortable look crossed Gary's face. "Yeah. Now that I'm not always…suppressing things, I can use the same senses as Skade, I guess. Or I always have. My eyesight is a lot sharper and I can process what I see and read and sound quicker too…I guess."

"I see." Nashi stole his hand to kiss his fingers and ribbed him, "Should I be worried you have x-ray vision and you'll be looking at other girls all day?" Her jaw dropped in mock offense when she saw the icy-blue light in Gary's eyes when his stare fell greedily to her breast. "Shut up, you do not."

Gary blinked away the glow with a smirk, but he gave nothing away.

"Oh, you damn perverted dog," Nashi groaned. "You're so lucky you get a free pass, but don't go staring at anyone else, you got that? You're all mine. You can only stare at me." Her selfish and brash declaration was quickly met with abrupt bashfulness. "I-I-I mean… You know, it's…natural that you'd stare at me and all that, so…" She growled hearing Gary's laugh again. "Hey—!"

But her ire froze when Gary nuzzled her into him.

"Hearing Angel treat me like her perverted dog like normal," he murmured. "It makes me so happy…that Angel still sees just me, even though I can't see me right now."

Hickories shimmered before Nashi closed her eyes with a smile. "You idiot dog. Of course you're still mine." She tentatively added, "And whatever you decide—however you want to get help or if you want to get help—I'll be with you until the end."

"Those sound like vows, Angel," Gary teased with a hitch.

"Well, 'cause they are."

Gary blinked, surprised. "Angel…" He let Nashi pull away and his lashes fell shut when she kissed him. Winter and summer collided in a passionate warmth, sated and relaxed, never pushing, never asking for more than the other could give.

Nashi was the one to pull away from the kiss first as heat puffed from her lips and frost puffed from his. "You once told me that everyone gets lost sometimes. But even if it takes time, we find our way back in the end. And it's our responsibility for how we get home."

She made sure he saw the resolve in her stare. "I'm responsible for me just like you're responsible for you. And we'll be together during the hardest parts, supporting each other. That was our promise. And I'm going to keep it."

Angel… Gary's shoulders slackened before he nudged her under his chin. "I'm going to keep it too."

Nashi sighed through her nose. "Good. You'd better."

Gary's chest vibrated with laughter. "From what your email said, it looks like the IG Admissions Committee is basically writing a wrong thanks to some illegal forgery. Are you going to accept their S-Class program?" He heard Nashi's heaved breath and added, "If you manage to impress the committee and score a recommendation, that means you can submit your portfolio and application to the Ishgaran Youth Wizard Board to get accepted for their summer program."

"I know," Nashi grumbled. "You didn't have to do all this work."

"To be fair, I was kidnapped, tormented, released, kidnapped, rescued, and then made S-Class."

Nashi sweatdropped. "Right…" He just says that all so casually… Clearing her throat, she continued: "I know the opportunity could help boost me up for the S-Class trials in December, but…"

"Did you see where the summer camp is being held?"

Nashi frowned. "No. Why?"

"You should look."

Her frown deepened, but she went to search. "I don't like this know-it-all tone," she muttered. A quick search onto the website showed her that the Inter-Continental Training Camp would be held—

Hickories widened. "It's in Bellum?"

"Mmm-hmmm…."

Nashi scowled and prodded his chest. "And you didn't want to tell me this sooner?"

"When Angel told me she hadn't gotten accepted into the S-Class track, I didn't think to say anything," Gary admitted. "The training camp started right after we get home from Minstrel to account of university stuff. They had a whole board meeting about changing locations with the AMM protest happening in Bellum, but when the board voted, it was slightly in favor of staying there."

"We could see Kyler," Nashi hoped. "And Mirella and Talia and Mammon!"

"'We'?"

Nashi realized her slipup and flushed. "Well, I mean… I, um…"

"It's okay, Angel." Gary kissed her hair. "I like it when Angel uses 'we' so naturally. But my return this summer depends on Miss Uki's progress. Though from where I'm standing, I think she'll be okay. She's improved so much in her quality of life…and in the quality of her self-care."

"The student might be becoming the teacher," Nashi jested.

Gary sighingly laughed. "She just might." Blues sparkled in approval. "I'm proud of how far she's come in these months. It took her nearly five months to know who she was. And as for me…"

Nashi hated hearing the negativity in his tone. "It helped because she had someone who understood. You weren't just her teacher, Gary. You helped her through her grief and trauma. You sort of served as a grief counselor without you knowing it."

"Me? A Devil a counselor?" Gary blinked at such an absurd thought. "I don't know…"

"Hey."

Gary flinched when Nashi hit his chest. "Ow!"

"Don't go all 'a Devil can't be helpful'," Nashi sternly warned him. "You were the one to tell me that me being half-Etherious and practically a Demon Princess that it didn't matter. So try if you dare try to be too hard on yourself like that, I'll punish you."

Gary grinned. "How?"

"Perverted dog," Nashi sniffed. "And besides, you'll probably be a dad someday. And I think a Devil daddy could be pretty cool."

Quiet.

"Angel still…wants to have a family with me?"

Nashi lowered her eyes to Gary's Fairy Tail tattoo and pressed against it with her hand. "Well, yeah, dummy. But we have to get our shit together before then. And then…" Her eyes glowed. "We could have a family. And it'll be weird and JJ will be the rich aunt and totally spoil the kids and Ellie will be a complete hippie aunt and I'm really afraid what the Hell sort of wisdom Tesla will give them, but… We'd still be a family. We already are a family. It started with two people."

She rolled her eye when her silver key warmed. "And Býleistr too, the damn cat. That's our family."

Gary threaded his hand through Nashi's hair. "Our family, huh?" He took in a lungful of her scent, a strong summer with threads of winter. I like the sound of that… This is our family.

Nashi's eyes widened then narrowed. "I can feel that, you perverted dog."

Gary feigned innocence with question marks around his head. "Feel what, Angel? Angel will have to spell it out—"

"Gah!" Nashi sat up, red-faced, and made a gesture. "I can feel…that! You know! That!"

Gary sat up as well with his wings adjusting and a playful grin. "I don't know what 'that' is, Angel. Could Angel point to it…or maybe show it love—?" He laughed when she threw grass at him.

"I should neuter you, you damn dog!" Nashi snarled at him.

Gary radiated a sweet love energy around him. "But I'm already sterile, Angel."

"You idiot dog, that's not the point!" She crossed her arms. "You said you were tired!"

Gary blinked twice. "What does that have to do with anything? Angel should know what happens in the morning. Unless…" He gasped and tackled a squawking Nashi to the ground with his nuzzles and coos, "Oh, my darling Angel is so innocent! It's so cute! And so hot! So very, very hot—!"

"I can still hear you, you stupid dog!"

"Oh, I just want to cuddle Angel all day for being so adorable! And take off all her clothes—!"

"Stop being so perverted!"

Gary kept on top of Nashi and imprinted her flushed face, half-annoyed and half-embarrassed. "To be honest, I had planned to make love to Angel on our last night here, so I could have fresh memories of Angel's taste and the way she glows afterward."

Nashi blinked before her eyes cut to the side and she mumbled haltingly, "W-Well, we… We still have time. But we shouldn't overdo it—"

"Angel."

Nashi fell captive when Gary cupped her cheek and their eyes connected.

"Angel is making such a lewd expression right now," Gary murmured. "I wanted to be sweet and gentle and take my time with every inch of Angel first, but… The way Angel looks right now…" He would never forget that cute blush on her cheeks and those eyes that gave away such a needy hate, her summer betraying her yearning to mold with his winter. And those wings—oh, those beautiful wings!—flattened out on the grass.

"W-W-We don't have to," Nashi halfhearted dissuaded. "Next month…"

"Next month is too long, Angel." Gary brushed his nose against her. "Angel has been so sweet and kind, accepting all of me. Let me thank Angel properly."

Nashi swallowed. "Y-You don't have to…"

"Angel," Gary silkily breathed. And the way she reciprocated to his initiated kiss cemented she would take his gratitude.

°•°•°•°

ZAAA-ZAAA…

Taking a bath underneath a dull waterfall was quite the experience.

Jaxton had led Tesla to it—they had meant to shower earlier but breakfast feedings turned expectedly raunchy—and it was a secluded little waterfall that served as a cold shower and filled in a series of pools, each that cascaded into the other to dive back into a main stream.

The cold bit her skin, but she smiled when Jaxton's heated hands rubbed her down, and she returned the favor. Quick kisses fell into sweeter and longer kisses and matching smiles with that twinkle in their eyes. You know that twinkle. It was that twinkle you saw in those couples. The couples that made you believe in love. The newlyweds, the high school sweethearts, the best-friends-who-were-basically-dating, the eighty-year-olds who bickered from the crack of dawn until moonrise—those couples.

"You brought my clothes?"

Tesla smoothened down her Sky Port wear of her pajama shorts and one of Jaxton's shirts as she stood at the cave entrance. The humidity had all but dried up, and she would be thankful for that.

"Yeah. Gary packed away the ceremonial hanfus and Huang Chun made sure the den would have everything we need for our morning after," Jaxton replied as he finished packing everything away in his hiking PDP. His hair colored black and his eyes were dark too, but that was the price he had to pay.

Tesla teased him, "A 'den', huh?"

Jaxton sighed as he claimed her hand and helped guide them down. "My father and I did have a den we shared when we traveled as Lycans and yes, we nested. But as Lycans and when it was necessary. But last night, my Lycan instincts needed a den for my mate. So yes, a 'den'. This time."

"Oh it's so fucking hot when you talk like erotica werewolves," Tesla moaned. "Talk like that more."

"No."

"Maybe we could Knot again—?"

"No."

Tesla huffily pouted. "Asshole."

Jaxton raised an eyebrow in her direction. "Is that you asking for me to take your ass again?"

"No," Tesla quickly backpedaled.

Now Jaxton had the last laugh. "Uh-huh."

Tesla puffed her cheeks, but she stayed quiet…and rubbed her ass from last night's events.

Tejocote had all the beauty of Estrelmar but less creatures and that was okay. It meant Jaxton and Tesla could trek down the smallest island of the Gran Alicanto Islands without needing to wait and see what was ahead. They had their little breaks to scope the scenery with Tesla in awe at the view of the ocean, but they had their way back to the stone steps with Huang Chun at the singular dock with the trawler.

It surprised Tesla when Huang Chun stood and bowed to her. "Oh, that's okay. You don't have to—"

Silky silvers connected with steely grays.

Tesla smiled. "Well in my culture, we hug."

It surprised Huang Chun when she went through with it and hugged him.

Tesla whispered, "Xièxiè nǐ jiēnà wǒ jiārù nǐ de jiātíng, Huáng Chūn." She pulled away with a smile. "Muchas gracias. Thank you."

Huang Chun nodded.

The boat ride back to the main island was a lot more of a cruise than it had been before. Last night, anticipation buzzed between them. Today, it was all about lazy nips and pecks and lingering touches as the threads between them strengthened, stable and secure and satisfied. Nothing sensual or promising. Every touch they gave each other promised warmth and love and happiness.

The walk to Gary's home took them some time with their leisurely place and linked hands. They were in no hurry. Their connective threads might have been satisfied from tonight, but they could take days to explore this new sensation.

Not surprisingly, it was Justin who spotted them come into the main backyard with his opera glasses, no less. He caterwauled, "Yoo-hoo…! Move your ass…! We gotta go, go, go, Morticia and Gomez!"

Tesla shouted back, "We're coming, mama!"

"You better because Ace and I are in a mood and we have no Carlisle to help us…!"

Tesla snickered and whispered to Jaxton, "Should I warn Carlisle he's doubly-fucked…literally?"

"He'll be fine." Jaxton kissed her temple. "Dante's prepared him for what to expect."

Tesla gaped. "And he didn't tell me, his wife? Oh, the lies! The deception!" She pretended to feint, but she squawked when Jaxton caught her and scooped her into a bridal carry. "Hey! Easy on the goods!"

"You heal fast."

Tesla scrunched her nose at the cheeky response. "Touché." She wanted to poke fun at him when overhead shadows and whistling caught her attention. Eyes to the sky, she watched in complete awe seeing Nashi and Gary circle their descent onto the lawn with their massive wings tilting and gliding. "Wow…"

The couple landed without a fumble and let their wings disappear, but both of them brightened seeing Jaxton and Tesla. Nashi was too eager to wait and bounced over to them, coyly asking, "So… How does it feel?"

"You were right on one thing." Tesla slyly remarked, "Ground-breaking orgasms galore. Oh." She patted Jaxton's cheek. "And you were pretty okay too."

Jaxton shook his head in amusement before his stare landed on Gary. "And you?"

"Better." Gary held Nashi's hand with a shy smile. "A lot better. Just…not all the way there."

Jaxton hmphed, but approval was clear on his face. "I see."

Gary prodded, "Are you proud of me?"

TICK!

Jaxton's face wrinkled in annoyance as he pushed past the couple to take Tesla inside. "I'm not answering that."

"Oh, come on!" Gary whined as he and Nashi caught up to Jaxton's strides. "Just say it one more time? 'Gary, I'm proud of you'. See?"

"No."

"But—"

"No."

"Please—"

Jaxton gave Gary a look that could freeze Hell. "Wǒ de rěnnài yǐjīng dádào jíxiàn le. Wǒ yào shā le nǐ."

Gary mumbled under his breath, "Xìjīng."

Tesla intervened when Jaxton looked murderous. "He's proud of you, sweetie. He's very proud of you. He's so proud of you, in fact, that he deserves some extra lovin'."

Jaxton grunted, but he accepted her little nuzzle.

Nashi sweatdropped as all she could imagine (ironically) was Chibi-Tesla taming a surly and very large black wolf. Maybe she's a secret Beast Tamer too…

The walk inside did not take too long, and breakfast scented the first floor. You could owe to those who remained at the house pitching in, but the open containers were clear evidence they had ordered all the eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits they could with all up for grabs in the dining room.

Justin clapped his hands when he saw the four come in. "Grab what you want and chow down because our car service will be here in, like, an hour. Jaxton, put down your girlfriend and don't fuck her. Nashi, Gary—separate showers after breakfast. Stat. Gary, don't give her that pouty boy look. No."

Nashi laughed behind a hand. "We promise we'll be good."

Justin did not believe her word when he witnessed the sly grin Nashi passed her partner. "Uh-huh. Don't act cute. I know you got something in this morning, so you better make it last." He smacked her butt when she passed him and she squealed a little. "In. Move it. We need to sit down, eat, clean up, double-check, and then be ready for the service."

"Not even my own mom makes me feel like a teenager who snuck out late," Tesla mumbled.

Justin raised his hand. "I'm not above hitting your ass too and leaving a handprint."

"No thanks!" Tesla grazed Jaxton's chest. "That's his job." And she danced away before Jaxton could grab onto her.

Justin called, "Jaxton, you better keep that monster in your pants, young man, don't make me get physical! Tesla, stop encouraging your horny boyfriend!" He snapped his fingers when he saw Gary hug Nashi from behind. "Hey! Eat the food nor try and eat her box! Ines, Ellie—I see you both making out! Breakfast! Now!" He rubbed his temples and was grateful when Ace came behind him to massage his shoulders. "Why am I stuck parenting horny sixteen-year-olds?"

Ace kissed his nape. "You're going to make one Hell of a dad one day."

"I'm going to give myself white hair," Justin muttered, letting Ace turn him around and peck his lips.

Ace cupped Justin's jaw. "And I'd still love you with white hair." He pecked Justin's lips again before his eyes flickered behind them, and he snickered. "Let's eat before Jaxton starts humping legs again."

"Goddammit!"

Ace chuckled as he watched Justin stomp up to Jaxton, who cornered his girlfriend, and Jaxton looked the most surprised when his ear was yanked and Justin dragged him away, all while Tesla giggled. He'll definitely become a great dad someday.

Herding everyone into the living room was a challenge in itself. But with high spirits at their peak and smiles too wide to let go of, it made perfect sense that their last meal together in their slice of paradise was every bit as rambunctious as it was being in the Fairy Tail guild hall. Justin led the charge for a toast and salute to the memories they shared together that had everyone glance at each other, warmed and touched. They raised their classes and—

CLINK!

Gary took a few gulps from his virgin mimosa before taking a look at the people around him. From Ellie making a fresh bouquet for their breakfast to Ace appealing to Jaxton's business side as he spoke about tai chi classes and Ines showing an awed Tesla the "honeymoon" pictures she had taken, his heart fluttered a little. These people…are my family too.

"Gary?"

Blues met concerned light browns.

Gary soothed her, "It's nothing, Angel." He scooped up some eggs and playfully cooed, "Say, 'ah'…!"

Red beat against Nashi's cheeks and she grumbled, "I'm only doing this so you don't make a bigger scene, okay?" She opened her mouth for her forkful.

Gary smiled to himself as he watched a flushed Nashi tuck in her morsel, too shy to look at him. Maybe I don't know who I am…Maybe I'm just defective… But right now? I just want to be someone who can enjoy having family.

---

Everyone and their mother swamped the sky port. Spring vacation was over, and it was time to go back to the reality of the mundane. Passes in hand with neck pillows and pastime conversation, security lanes were clogged with vacationers alike. A few departures and arrivals had been delayed today. It was embarrassing for two parents and their six kids when two of the kids would not stop their shrieks. A gaggle of older ladies got the royal treatment pushed in their wheelchairs and bragged about all their winnings from visiting a high-profile casino. A group of US teenagers looked panicked when one of their friends had lost their passport.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Jaborosa-Crocus International Sky Port

Jaborosa City

Fiore, Ishgar

11:45 AM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sharon and Maddox had spotted accompaniment tickets to go past security with Jasmine and Pacer and come with them to their port. Many would be boarding this Sky Boat for the ten-hour flight—it was a treat that a troupe from Broadway would be coming on this flight—but Pacer had been quick to make sure Jasmine had a place to sit.

"Are you sure you should be drinking that?" Sharon pried again as she eyed the Starfox drink in her hand. "I thought coffee needed to be limited while pregnant?"

Jasmine sighed. "I'm allowed to have coffee. I just can't go crazy." Her lanyard swished as she shifted with her ladybug lucky charm. "You know, if you start hitting me up every day to make sure I'm 'eating correctly', you might be family but I will block you."

"I'm just checkin'," Sharon defended as she crossed her legs. "Excited to go back?"

"Yes," Jasmine groaned. "I'm excited to be back in class and got my boss down to let me do paralegal work now that I feel better."

"Just don't overdo it," Sharon warned her.

"I won't." Jasmine glanced down at her stomach. But I still have so much to do to prepare for their arrival into the world. I have so much to learn to protect them…and protect myself. She sighed. This world of Magic… Can I really raise them in it? Can Lance really do what he's setting out to do? And can I even trust his word?

"I come baring craving snacks." Pacer and Maddox returned with Pacer shaking a bag before him. "Brought back your chicken-in-a-biscuit sandwiches with a side of mac and cheese and gravy."

Jasmine swiped the bag when Pacer was in range. "Oh, thank god, I was starving!" She waited for no one as she deflowered one of the chicken-biscuit sandwiches and took a healthy bit with a little moan to follow.

Maddox simpered, his tail tip flicking. "Well, as much as we'd like to stay, we'd better get going, Miss Sharon."

"Right." Sharon stood up and smoothed out her shirt before she rounded on her niece. "Don't worry about all the drama from home. I'll handle things here. Eloa and Meadow might be supportive, and Granddaddy too, but you know how everyone else will be."

"And the cousins"—Jasmine rolled her eyes to chew and chew until she could swallow—"but let's just say I'm grateful I'm far, far away." When Sharon bent over, Jasmine roped her in a hug. "I'll call when I touch down. And I'll keep you and Maddox posted."

"Oh, you better." Sharon rubbed Jasmine's back before she let her go. "I'll keep an eye on the news and on the family. I love you."

"I love you too, Aunt Share." Jasmine turned her attention to Maddox and beckoned him. "Come on…"

Maddox chuckled, but he hugged Jasmine too. "Be careful over there, for your sake and your little ones."

"I will." Jasmine whispered, "Take care of my aunt for me, okay?"

"I promise I will." Maddox pulled away with a happy wag of his tail. He fixed his glasses before turning to Pacer and giving him a handshake. "Take care of yourself in the US. And please take care of Jasmine too."

"Will do," Pacer promised. Pale reds flicked to a contemplative Sharon. "Thank you for hosting me this week, Miss Sharon, even when you didn't need to. And I promise you"—reds steeled—"I'm going to work hard to give the twins and Jasmine the safe future they deserve."

Jasmine blinked, taken aback. Pacer…

Sharon huffed a little. "I didn't expect anything less." But seeing Jasmine lifted her chin with big eyes that screamed be nice, Sharon sighed and murmured, "Take care of yourself too." Her gaze fell to Jasmine's stomach. "Your 'Magic Council' doesn't protect Independent Mages. And considering the way the world is…" Her shoulders dropped as dark browns connected with pale reds. "Be careful."

Pacer nodded. "I will."

Sharon nodded back and did not jolt when Maddox's hand skimmed her waist. She blew a kiss at Jasmine with a wave and mouthed I love you to follow before she let Maddox guide her away from the terminal.

As Pacer took Sharon's emptied seat, Jasmine hunched forward with a loud breath. He frowned. "Everything okay?"

"It just…doesn't get easier," Jasmine confessed to him as she watched Sharon walk away. "I know I'm an adult, but it's like… I don't know." She sat back in her seat as her eyes lowered. "Just a little bit hard."

"Huh."

She gave him a curious look as she took up her sandwich. "You don't think that?"

"I guess I never thought about it," Pacer told her, honest. "Growing up, you were pretty independent by the time you were ten. And everyone was going on assignments or jobs or something, so you were used to not seeing someone for days to weeks." He shrugged. "So I don't really feel all that bothered when I leave."

A bit doubtful, Jasmine questioned, "You don't miss your family?"

"It's hard to miss them when my mom has the dean's Com number," Pacer said dryly. "I guess do miss them on occasion, but leaving them isn't that hard. But it was the way I was raised. We're all close and everything, but Wizards are used to stretches of time not seeing each other."

"Huh…" Jasmine's appetite was full-throttle in the physical sense, but mentally, she felt it was gone. "So then… It's true about those stereotypes about Wizards. The whole 'Wizard parents don't stick around'?"

"No." Pacer patiently shot that down. "That's not always the case. Sure, some Wizards are like that, but my family never has been and never will be. Most people with kids scaled back the kilometers they'd trek for a job and to more local stuff and the occasionally bigger job. And training would have to be re-configured. Oh! By the way, I asked my dad to restart my training."

Jasmine remembered Lance's words. "What does that mean? 'Training'?"

"Depends on the type of power," Pacer explained. "Soul Training is a lot more meditative and not as physical. And I want to get as strong as I can to keep you protect and our family."

"We're not a family," Jasmine automatically denied.

"Right." Pacer smiled, but the disappointment was clear on his face. "I know that."

Jasmine wanted to say something, but every sentence she ran through never gave her the outcome she wanted. Instead, she went back to slowly tucking in her food. It's better this way. There's just too much going on right now. And it's not like we're real family. Her chewing slowed before she swallowed. We're not…family.

• — • — • — • — •

"I need more than your word."

The focus settled before Lance in his study, high and dignified. But her nails scraped her thighs. "I understand you know things, more than I do right now. And I'm not trying to be rude or offensive. But… I can't just trust your word when I barely trust any of you. And…" The focus glanced out the window. "Right now, trusting easily isn't something to afford. Not for me and not for my twins."

The focus turned back to Lance. "I hope you can understand that."

Lance nodded. "I do understand. You shouldn't trust anyone's word seriously, especially due to your twins being God Slayers. You should take everything with caution. Normally, I'd recommend you consistently fact-check, but unfortunately, when it comes to Lost Arts and the gods, most of the information is behind red tape of the Magic Council database or the Archaeology Society where you need to know connections."

"How convenient," Jasmine dryly remarked.

Lance chuckled. "I understand your frustration. I wish there was more I could offer you than my word. Right now, I'm still gathering information when it comes to God Slayers and the abandonment of the gods. I have a lot of work to do on that front."

"But you can inform me how you plan to protect me," Jasmine reminded in partial challenge. "And how these protections can be utilized by me and me alone and how they affect my daily life."

Lance was split between amusement and approval. "Of course." He took control of one of the holographic monitors of his DAL and adjusted it so that way Jasmine had a clear visual. Lacrima crystals had taken up the screen of various colors. "What I thought about offering you are called 'protective enchantments'. For your apartment, it'd be good if we could install a system to help detect any unknown Ether signatures—"

"I don't understand," Jasmine interrupted. "I'm sorry for cutting you off. But 'Ether'? 'Magic'?"

"Magic is one part of Ether," Lance told her. "But as of now, there are other forces that use different types of Ether. And by using protective enchantments that only prohibit Magic could be what allows someone with a different power to invade your home."

"I see." Jasmine tucked away that information.

"These enchantments will be in your home and only you will have the main crystal that can travel with you anywhere," Lance explained.

"But I'm not a Mage."

"Which is why this will be a little more expensive," Lance confessed. "Normally, Spiritless alarm systems do enough. If Spiritless want a magical alarm system, that's one thing. It's still pricey, but it's doable. But we're taking every precautionary angle, so money isn't an option. Pearson and I are collaborating with some trustworthy people to make sure you're fully protected in your home and wherever you are."

"I… Right." Jasmine asked of him, "But… This sounds like a ridiculous amount of jewel."

Lance did not see the problem. "And? There's no need for you to pay anything back, if that's what you're thinking. And my position and my status grants me a large salary—"

"No, not that," Jasmine dismissed. "It's just…" The focus looked down for a few moments. "Why…? Why are you helping me?" It went back up to look at Lance. "I just… I know you said it's because of my twins, sure, but… You don't know them. They're afraid of you. And you don't know me."

"I don't," Lance agreed. "But…how much do you really need to know when it comes to family?"

Jasmine shook her head. "I'm not family. My twins? We can agree on that, but I'm not—"

"Jasmine," Lance softly cut in. "You're not an incubator. You're the twins' mother. And more than that, you're your own person. In my guild and in my family, I was raised that 'family' isn't just marriage. You choose family. You might not consider mine and Pearson and Pacer's family your family, but we consider you ours. And there isn't anything we won't do for our family."

• — • — • — • — •

"Slugger?"

Jasmine pulled out of the memory to look at Pacer. "Did you say something?"

"No," Pacer replied slowly. "You just looked a little deep in thought is all. Anything you want to share?"

"I…" Jasmine hesitated. "No, I'm just…wondering where Pearson is."

Maintaining his cool was all he could do against his envy. She was thinking that hard about Pearson? "He's taking another way home, if you were so worried about that."

Jasmine wanted to snap when she noticed the twinge on Pacer's jaw. "Green isn't your color, daddy."

Pacer's stare cut to her in surprised heat. "What did you call me?"

"Nothing I'm about to say twice," Jasmine said, flat-toned. "I'm not that far gone in my father issues, thanks."

Pacer smirked. "It's fine if you are, Slugger. I won't complain."

"Don't be disgusting." Jasmine huffily turned back to her sandwich. "Actually, no, keep being disgusting so I can have all the evidence I need on a restraining order. Feel free to break it, though. I'm sure prison uniforms will look good on you."

"Is that your way of saying you think a younger guy like me is attractive?"

As Jasmine chewed, she skewered him with a I-wish-you'd-mysteriously-disappear look. And her expression turned murderous when Pacer put an arm around her, but too big of a bite of her sandwich meant she had her mouth too full to write him off. But she gave an mmph! when he put a hand on her stomach—

"I'm going to fight hard for our family."

Burnt umbers widened.

Pacer looked at her pregnant stomach in iron determination. "I know I have a lot to learn. I graduate in May and I've narrowed down my options about the first firm I want to work for. I finally found the apartment I want. And I need to continue my training. Because I need to get stronger so I can give them the life they deserve."

Pale red caught burnt umbers.

"And become a person you can depend on," Pacer went on. "I'll work hard and fight hard to become that person, Jasmine—for our family and for you. I promise."

Pacer… Jasmine could not keep up with such a strong stare. "I know you will, Pacer." Her hand delicately covered his on her stomach. "And I'll work hard too in my own way, so my twins have a safe place in this world." I might not be a Wizard, but… I can fight another way. "Pacer, I—" All the softness shattered when she saw him leaning in. "What the Hell are you doing?"

Pacer sheepishly grinned. "I thought we were having a moment?" He winced when she smacked his arm. "Hey!"

"You are such a typical man," Jasmine jeered, peeved. "I should've known better than to think you had actual depth."

"I do have depth," Pacer argued. But rather than make his case, he teased her, "And all seven inches was very deep inside you once—"

SMACK!

Jasmine had fumes puff from her head while Pacer rubbed his head with a laugh. "Ugh! Don't you dare think about bringing this sort of bullshit around me once the twins come. I don't need to deal with a one-track-minded teenager." She angrily bit into her sandwich.

"Stop being so beautiful and I won't have a one-track mind."

Jasmine heavily rolled her eyes. "Flatter gets you nowhere with me, sir."

"Yeah, I know." Pacer casually added, "But facts do, attorney. And the fact is…"—he leaned over to murmur into her ear like a lover about to whisper sweet-nothings—"you are extremely beautiful."

Jasmine slowed in her chewing and broke into a swallow. Red cupped her ears as her fingers clinched her sandwich. Idiot…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

boku ga mitsumeru keshiki no sono naka ni

kimi ga haitte kara kawarihateta sekai wa

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gods, how Sky Port traffic was a nightmare.

Pregnant with spring breakers and vacationers, Caracole-Alicanto Domestic Sky Port looked like a madhouse. But when Fairy Tail was your home guild, dealing with wayward travelers and screaming children was nothing from all the brawls and broken furniture and booze.

Justin acted like he was a chaperon as he commanded and demanded everyone's attention and made sure they made it through security to get to their port-terminal early enough to claim seats. Now came the waiting game for their flight. Ines laid her head on Ellie's stomach to read while Ellie absentmindedly made her vines dance as she scrolled on her Compact. Justin and Ace were FaceCalling an excited and blushing Carlisle and a reserved yet amused Dante. Jaxton decided to close his eyes as he thumbed Tesla sighed while she went over her schedule. And Nashi and Gary took their time just enjoying each other's presence.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

itsu mo sotsu naku konashita hibi no mannaka

fushigi na inryoku ni sakaraezu kuzureteku

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Of course Justin vlogged their boarding; have you met him?

Taping it in a retro filter, the stewards had their little smiles as Justin and Ellie made duck lips at the camera before it flipped. He got Jaxton flipping him off as he relaxed in his neck pillow. But that all changed when one kiss from Tesla spurred him to passionately kiss her back. The camera whirled for a moment as Ines and Ellie pretended to be giggling schoolgirls over the public display of affection. And Justin let the camera zoom in on Gary and Nashi as they held hands and he gave a sweet kiss to her temple.

And the vlog shut off.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I Love nante iikakete wa yamete

I Love I Love nando mo

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

10 odd hours was a long flight as it was, including the connecting flight taken an outskirting Sky Port of Alakitasia. Most people on the flight from Fiore to the USM had shut down their window blind and decided to sleep for the first half of the flight, especially since the Sky Boat lights had been turned off. Others had taken advantage of the mini-LVs to pick out a movie to pass the time.

Pacer had turned on the light above him to finish up some work for one of his classes. But he paused when something hit his shoulder. Glancing, he softened when a sleeping Jasmine had curled onto his shoulder.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

takamaru ai no naka kawaru shinjou no naka

sanzen to kagayaku sugata wa

marude suisou no naka ni tobikonde toketa enogu mitai na

iregyuraa

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi dozed comfortably on Gary's shoulder, and he would not have it any other way. He had popped in his EarPods to listen to an autobiography when the familiar text notification came through on his Compact. He checked his messages to see Dazzler had texted him. A photo slid into their chat of a picturesque little town and its steeple cathedral.

« My view »

« Jealous? »

Gary smiled and messaged back:

« Insanely. »

« Knew it. How was the trip? Oh wait, I already know since JUSTIN had to send me the pictures for your Insta. Your welcome »

« My social media manager reigns supreme »

« And don't forget that when you see you bought me tickets to the opera complete with a new dress and beautiful earrings. Thanks »

« Yeah, yeah. »

« You know Cade's still asking about you, right? »

« I know. »

« … »

« Le sigh. Fine. I'll keep quiet. Let me know if you need me though, all right? »

« Whateva »

Gary thought that was the end of it when Dazzler popped in another message. But it was a picture. It had not loaded, yet, so he read the follow-up message she sent him:

« I think I kinda love her for you »

Gary smiled:

« I think I kinda love her for me too »

And with nothing else from Dazzler and the photo not loading, Gary let out a quiet breath and looked out the window. Be safe on your journey, Sparkles.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

hitori ja nani hitotsu kizukenakatta darou

konna ni azayaka na shikisai ni

futsuu no koto da to tobokeru kimi ni iikaketa

I Love sono tsuzuki wo okurasete

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!

Aine peeked into the study with a tray of food and drinks on it. She brightened seeing Lance hard at work at his study. Illumi curled up on his doggy bed beneath Lance's desk, but he perked a little seeing Aine.

"Still working hard?" Aine came in to set the desk on the tray and noticed the email Lance was forming. "You could always ask your dad to help you set up a meeting with the Lord Magic-Speaker," she pointed out as she set down the plate of his sandwich and chips.

"Not for this," Lance countered as he kept typing. "As much as I know he could, this is something I have to do. And already Lord Draculos receives complaints about being too hands-on as the head of the entire Magic Council. This needs to be discrete as possible." He finished his email and sent it before turning to Aine. "Are you feeling better?" He swiveled in his chair and guided her to sit on his lap.

She smiled when he kissed her cheek. "I'm feeling fine. Lupita's newest potion has been helpful in giving me some more strength." She sighed. "Andy told me Doctor Mothersbaugh is furious with Lupita for being too public. And now, she has to limit being in her normal offices with all the external pressure."

"Doctor Mothersbaugh is just worried about her," Lance said. "I know it's not an ideal situation for any of us, but she'll be protected. Jura will make sure of that."

"I know."

Lance examined the long look on Aine's face. "Ena comes back tonight."

"So does Mary Jane," Aine evenly reminded.

"I know." Lance scrubbed his face. "I told her she could call me if the moment she was uncomfortable, but she hasn't. That doesn't mean I'm not worried about her. I mean, I know it's her relationship and she can take care of herself, but…"

"I know." Aine leaned into her boyfriend. "It's not fun being the older sibling." Her smile twisted into dejection. "Especially when you keep saying all the wrong things…and driving your sister to hate you."

"Ena doesn't hate you," Lance soothed. "She's angry and hurt, yes, but she doesn't hate you, Aine." He flattened a hand down her hair. "Give her some space. Try to talk to her again before summer hits."

"She'll be busy," Aine murmured. "I don't want to bother her."

Lance nuzzled her jaw. "It's up to you."

Aine hummed a little when he kissed her cheek. "You'll be busy too. You'll have to find this 'Hearth'."

"I know." Lance's grayed greens flickered to the window as it painted the colors of spring.

And I have to find them. I have to make them see that whatever Baracles did to them, I won't. But—lightning passed in his eyes—where are you?

°•°•°•°

A white and lacy parasol stopped.

The path up the country hill was none-too-busy with the rolling plains all you could see. An old truck chugged on by, but it did not faze him.

Full pink lips pulled into a frown. That voice… The parasol slowly twirled and tipped back to expose the clear sky and puffy clouds. I thought I just heard…

"Cymmie…!" came a wild holler that gave a good three echoes.

Those pink lips could not help but smile as he turned around to see a rambunctious young man waving at him from the top of the hill. The young man cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "C'mon, Cymmie, hurry up! The view's great from here! You can see the lake!"

Full pink lips tugged into an affectionate beam. "Right. Coming"—and the parasol started moving again—"Noah-san."

°•°•°•°

HYU… HYU…

The Jaborosa-Crocus International Sky Port had flights coming and going as the towers called into the pilots for the Sky Boats and confirmed flight plans and departures. The band of friends departed from their port-terminal with stretches and yawns passed around.

Justin turned to the group and clapped his hands (with Ace carrying his carry-on and personal bag). "All right. Baggage claim and then—"

"Actually," Nashi interjected with her hand locked with Gary, "JJ, I, um…"

Justin softened, understanding. "We'll wait for you. Don't worry, okay?" His sky blues found Gary's own blues and he nodded. "See you soon."

"Yeah." Gary smiled. "I'll see you soon." He staggered back when Tesla launched herself at him to hug him. "And I'll see you too, Tesla."

"You better," Tesla mumbled. She slowly let him go, but she pushed a scolding finger in front of his face. "Don't overwork yourself. And make sure you eat. Nashi doesn't need you coming home burnout and scrawny. She loves your muscles."

TICK!

Nashi clenched a trembling fist as she struck Tesla with a lightning glare. I'm going to kill you…

Gary beamed with a flowery aura around him. "I promise I'll take care of myself so that Angel continues to lust over my body!"

"You make me sound so superficial!"

Ellie stockpiled Gary for an embrace too and a kiss on the cheek. "Hurry back, okay?" She loudly whispered, "White Wine Wasted Nashi gets really whiny about how she misses you and your big—"

Nashi slapped a hand over Ellie's mouth with burning cheeks. "She's lying!" she blurted. "She's high!"

Gary chuckled behind a fist. "Whatever Angel says." He welcomed Ines' hug. "Thanks for coming."

"Thanks for having me." Ines clapped his shoulder with a smirk. "We better arrange another game night. I need to win back some money."

"You're on," Gary agreed. When Ines stepped back, Ace came forward and him and Gary exchanged a bro-hug for Gary to whisper, "Please, please, please soften Justin more."

Ace snickered as he let Gary go. "I'm considering taking him to The Academy as an observer. Dante agreed he and Carlisle would be interested. I think that'll put Justin in a good mood for a long time."

Justin grumbled, "I can hear you."

Gary and Ace exchanged amused looks before Gary turned to an unbothered Jaxton.

Tesla nudged her boyfriend, and he spared her a raised eyebrow. "What?"

Tesla rolled her eyes. "Stop being difficult."

Jaxton sighed and raked through his hair before turning to Gary. "Bye."

Everyone sweatdropped. That was it?

Jaxton scowled when Tesla gestured for him to do more. He stuck out his hand. "Goodbye."

A dreary aura hung around the group. He really isn't sentimental.

Gary shook Jaxton's hand. "Goodbye." He let go, but before Jaxton could turn away, he latched onto him in a hug.

Jaxton stiffened, disgusted. "Pissant, don't you—"

"You don't have to say anything."

Jaxton paused.

Eyes closed, Gary smiled as he hugged Jaxton. "Saying the words isn't something you do. You've always shown how you felt through your actions. So I'm going to work hard to show you I have improved. And I'll show you through my actions."

Darkness softened. This damn pissant… His hand came up, hesitant, before he reached and awkwardly patted Gary's back. He grunted, "Zǎo shuìjiào. Bìngqie ànshí chīfàn."

Gary's smile widened. "Hao, hao, bó fù."

Jaxton cleared his throat and shoved Gary away before turning to Tesla for approval, his ears red. "Better?" He wrapped his arms around her waist when she sidled up to him and kissed his cheek.

"Mmm," Tesla hummed. "Much better, papi."

Nashi gave everyone an apologetic smile. "We better get to his port-terminal. I'll catch up with you guys later, okay?" She tugged at Gary's hands to lead him down the corridor with everyone's farewells to Gary echoing.

A symphony of silence crested between the couple, with summer and winter embraced in a spiritual tie that could never unlock. Gary's port-terminal was not a straight shot to Arcticados, but it had him land in Giltena before he carried on up to the snowy north. With seats full, Gary leaned against one of the structural pillars with Nashi held tight against his chest. Recognition sparked seeing the famed Ice Devil of Fairy Tail, though, and Nashi reluctantly let Gary go when some polite fans hoped for a picture with him.

She cupped her elbows and her heart sighed. He'll always be popular. I guess as selfish as I want to be, I still have to share him with the rest of the world. A light flashing in her pocket made her pull out her Compact and it unlocked. The sibling group chat was going off, thanks to Luna.

Lu

« When I come home tomorrow, let's go get dinner! »

Luke

« Sure. Fine with me »

Nashi Dragneel

« Yeah, I'm down »

Lu

« Yay! I took a whole bunch of pictures I wanted to show you guys! »

Luke

« Sounds good »

Nashi

« Yeah. Can't wait »

Nashi blinked when a separate message from Luke came in. It read:

« Hey »

« Well, um »

« I just had a question. This break sort of made me think about things. If you're busy, this can wait. »

« Sure. I'm not busy. What's up? »

« Well…You once told me…there would be a world that we could be ourselves. And that people wouldn't see Demons as monsters. That we could be just as humane as everyone else »

« Do you really think a world could that exist? »

Nashi typed—

"Angel?"

Nashi saw Gary was coming back and pocketed her Compact instead. "Hey." She snuggled into his chest and mumbled, "I blame my papa for wanting to hoard you all to myself. His bad habits got inherited into me."

"I don't mind if Angel wants to lock me in a tower," Gary chuckled.

"Yeah," Nashi muttered, "because you'd like it way too much." She looked up at him. "Are you ready to go back to Arcticados?"

"No." Gary breathed out. "But I'll help Miss Uki the best I can. And then I'll come back to Angel and date her properly."

"Idiot dog," Nashi murmured. "We're dating properly now." Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath of him, ice and snow and pine. That scent alone that she had greedily clung to every night charged something in her. Their lovemaking, their stolen kisses, his smile, the way she felt cocooned in his winter and his strength—a rush of tears sprung as she hugged him tightly to whimper, "I don't want you to go."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Kasanaru ai no naka nigotta kanjou no naka

Mabataki no wazuka sono aima ni

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Cerulean widened hearing that confusion and her muffled cries. And then they glistened, cloudy. Angel…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Kimi ga kureta purezento wa kono

Yake ni yasashii sekai da irregular

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gary rocked them side to side as he held her tight with his chest sliced with every shake of her shoulder and sob. "I don't want to go either, Angel," he murmured to her. "But I have to. Miss Uki needs me for a little longer."

"I need you too," Nashi wept into his chest as she clutched his shirt.

"And I need Angel." Gary stroked down her locks. "I'm sorry I'm making Angel wait for so long. I'll be home soon. And I'll kiss every single one of Angel's tears away." He pulled away to cup her cheeks. A piece of him chipped and cracked seeing such sadness in those eyes of hers that he always loved, and an irksome pain that he was the symptom of that sadness and could not take it away.

"It's not fair of me to ask," Gary breathed. "I know it isn't. It's selfish of me to ask. But could Angel wait for me a little longer?"

Nashi sniffled and nodded.

"Angel is going to do amazing things," Gary promised her. "Angel will train at Inter-Guild with others accepted on the S-Class track. And she'll win a recommendation for the inter-continental training camp, so she can see her big brother."

"I don't think I'm good enough for that," Nashi whispered.

"Then Angel doesn't have to think." Gary kissed her forehead. "Because I know. And I have faith in Angel's strength." He thumbed the sides of her face as blues searched watery light browns. "And Angel has to be strong. Can she do that for me?"

A cry breached before she sniffed and nodded. "Y-Yeah." She palmed his chest. "And you be strong too, okay?"

Gary gently stole her hand to kiss her wrist, then her palm, and then her fingertips. "When it's my Angel who commands me, how can I refuse?" He settled her hand on his cheek. "All I ask is that Angel keep moving forward. And I'll catch up to Angel soon."

Nashi's bottom lip trembled. "Promise?"

"Oh, Angel." Gary closed the gap so only their breath kept them apart. "For Angel, it's always a promise." And he tilted his head to seal his solemn vow with a burning kiss.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Hitori ja nani hitotsu kizukenakatta darou

Konna ni taisetsuna hikari ni

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi had watched when Gary's boarding pass had been scanned. A bittersweet smile hung on their lips as they exchanged one last sorrowful look and she gave him a wave until he disappeared down the tunnel.

Her hand fell to her side, shaking.

And she clenched it into a fist.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Futsuu no koto da to

Tobokeru kimi ni iikaketa

I love sono tsuzuki wo okurasete

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Every step he took down the tunnel—

Every step she took down the corridor—

They were just drifting along.

A stewardess recognized him and was more than happy to show him his first-class seat. He faked his polite smile, but a dimness was in his blues.

She passed through the hordes of people with places to be and no time for manners. A disconnected dejection was in her light browns.

He settled into his seat. She kept walking on by.

They were just drifting along.

His eyes closed—

Her eyes closed—

Deep breaths. In and out. In and out.

Blues opened with a sad glint—

Light browns opened, bittersweet—

But real smiles were on their faces.

Nashi walked with her head held high as she cut through the crowd. The slouch emphasized from her grief, and the weight on her chest—it straightened up and disappeared.

Gary brought out a book he had been reading and popped in his EarPods. The emptiness that had hollowed his chest and the soul-sucking pain that embittered his heart—it cleared away.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'A world will exist like that, Luke.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi boarded one of the underground port trains. With the elderly and the young taking up the seats, she did not mind standing and grabbing hold of one of the poles to keep her balance for the duration of her ride.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'A world where we can all live in equal respect and freedom.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Please standby. The doors are opening. We have arrived at baggage claim."

Following the flow of traffic, Nashi left the train and boarded the escalator. Her eyes caught the large mural painted on the side, and her smile widened. The mural was in dedication to the melting pot that was Fiore. All shades and ethnicities and Ether-types co-existed in this "Garden" painted on the wall, all playing and living and loving one another.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'A world where a Demon Prince won't fear he's a monster.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luke studied the packet and contract in front of him at the seat of his desk. The title of it read:

TOWER OF LEARNING

SUMMER RESEARCH ASSISTANT

He ruffled his hair for a moment, sighing, before his ear pricked, and he looked out his window.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'A world where our little sister can travel the world without looking over her shoulder.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A picture was worth a thousand words and Luna wanted to make a story.

Camera in hand, she snapped picture after picture of the scenery around her from the balcony of her hotel room. One photo she had taken of a stray cat and pulled back the camera to click through her pictures when a sudden whirling breeze made her look curiously to the sky.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'A world where those with their hearts broken can get them fixed.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The bedroom was dark and the stench of sticky liquor palpable.

A Compact lit up and showed Olivia's try at another call. Stirring fidgeted beneath a comforter before a metal arm reached out and declined the call. But the comforter shrugged down to reveal Galileo's haggard face and a listless glaze over his red-hazel eyes.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'And a world where my Devil…can be accepted by the world…and by himself.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gary sifted through his music when his Compact alerted him a download had been complete. Frowning, he pressed the dropped down notification, confused when—

Blues widened, then sparkled.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'I am Nashi, daughter of Natsu and Lucy, and an Agent of Life.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi marched through the lunacy of baggage claim. An argument between an agent and a client started all thanks to luggage not arriving at the right aisle. A group of band students had a chain going down as the bigger musicians grabbed any instruments tagged with their orchestra name and passed it down until the proper musician found their instrument. But Nashi did not care about any of that. The parting doors were close at hand and she could feel that springtime warmth give her gooseflesh as she took her first step outside—

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'And I…'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Nashi!"

Her gaze swiveled to see Ace's SUV in the pickup lane. Justin was on the curb as he waved for her to hurry up while Tesla and Ellie peeped out of one of the windows to playfully holler for her to get in the car.

DRIP.

One last tear. One last tear.

DROP.

Her feet pivoted—

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

uketoriau bokura

namae mo nai yoru ga

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

—and she laughed as she ran towards the car, towards her friends, towards the people who loved her. And that one last tear fell before breaking into pink particles.

And above, high in the sky, feathers flapped as a Shadow Bird and his snow-white mate took to the sky in a romantic dance.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'…will take us all to this new world.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

fukete iku

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

And Gary stared out of the window with a smile on his face as his Compact screen showed the picture Dazzler had received from Justin—an intimate shot of Gary and Nashi sharing a moonlight kiss underneath a falling star.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'After all… We're all in this together.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

•

•

•

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Elsewhere…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

BON… BON… BON… BON…

The focus was careful to step through the volcanic rock. Molten lava streamed and bubbles in no set pattern as it dipped into pools and interpretive swirls. The oppressive heat would have killed a lesser man, but if that did not kill them, then it was the constant black snow.

A place that always rained ash.

The focus did not mind it. The black snow—the soot and ash—did not bother them. Spews of toxic gas leaked from the ever-shifting and lava-bleeding earth, but they walked through a sudden spray that popped before them without a slow in their stride. Their destination was not certain as they traversed this unstable land like they were marching through a meadow. They had no uphill battle fight, no worry or care. They kept walking.

The focus went for a hidden cave that dollops of lava fell off the protruding edges, like the artist of this painting had been too reckless and used too much paint. But the focus kept walking over the streams of molten lava and magma and ignored a sudden geyser burst of lava that spewed into a threatening archway. Their steps led them to the yawning mouth of this hidden cave on this volcanic island.

An alabaster gun pointed into the darkness.

MERA…

A palmed flame weakly flickered to show a shadow—a farce—of a man, a creature. Black had covered its flesh, save for its sharp teeth, and curled horns spread from its head. But with such a weak flame, no other features could be distinguished.

Lethal gray-blues glowed, but there was no anger.

A feminine hand cocked the alabaster gun—

CLICK-CLICK.

They took aim.

Lethal gray-blues shut, and the flame shifted to show a relieved smile—

GA-GA-GA!

---

Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Gary Fullbuster – Griffin Burns

The Doctor -

The System – Stephanie Young

Invel Yura – Clay Wheeler

Nashi Dragneel – Laura Landa

Hylia Lynk / Tesla Greer – Galena White

Jang-ta "Jaxton" Yang – Eddy Yeong

Sharon Shuusei – Aja Naomi King

Lupita Bankole – Brenda Crichlow

Jura Kneekis – Kent Williams

Pearson Strauss – David Matranga

Justin Justine – Ian Sinclair

Ace Benson – Billy Kametz

Jasmine Strother – Jasmine Brown

Pacer Strauss – Josh Keaton

Maddox Monacco – Cameron Bautsch

Lance Dreyar – Johnny Young Bosch

Aine Fernandes – Carrie Kernanen

Cymbal -

Noah Nakamura -

• — • — •

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

⌜ OPENING SONG

⟪ Walking with You ⟫

Novelbright

Lyrics by

雄大 / 勇太朗⌟

•

⌜INSERT SONG

⟪ Good One ⟫

HIRAIDAI

Lyrics by

EIGO, Dai Hirai⌟

•

⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ I Love… ⟫

OFFICAL HIGE DANDISM

Lyrics by

Fujiwara Satoshi⌟

---

•

•

•

•

— • — • — • —

Next time, on Fairy Adventure

•

Episode 118

•

A SPRING HOLIDAY SIDE STORY

GALILEO'S LAMENT

— • — • — • —

•

•

•

•

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

---

Chibi-Luna is not in too good spirits as she sees her class is morbid and quiet. She brings down the screen and turns on the projector to show the words:

C-PTSD

DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS

"Hello, class," Chibi-Luna greets her students. "Today's Fairy Lesson is about complex post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociative disorders." She moves to the next slide.

"Dissociative disorders," Chibi-Luna educates, "can affect anyone at any age and normally develop in response to a traumatic event in order to keep that person's emotions and memories under control. But that also means stressful situations can worsen the symptoms of the disorder and can cause problems in day-to-day life. It just depends on the type of disorder the person has and how their body responds to stress."

Onto the first slid. "C-PTSD is a persisting trauma disorder is in comorbidity—or in conjunction with—depression, anxiety, insomnia, and dissociation from a traumatic event and can cause emotional flashbacks or nightmares that re-engage how that person felt during their traumatic event and cause someone to feel alone and even cut off supportive relationships out of fear or distrust."

She clicks to the next slide. "Dissociative Identity Disorder means that a person can have alternating identities with their own voices, personalities, and even their own symptoms and sicknesses. People with DID, unfortunately, experience a lot of public discourse and disbelief, but their disorder is very real and very valid, as are their alters.

"Some people choose to integrate these identities into one identity, but as long as the system is healthy and functional, integrating into one identity is not necessary for treatment. And sometimes, partial integration may take play naturally with the help of psychotherapy to help accept the traumatic events that developed into DID. Other times, alters may not come present and just fall silent until an emergency happens."

A hand goes up. "But wouldn't it be better for that person to just be one person?"

Chibi-Luna shakes her head. "It depends on that person and how they feel about their trauma and their system. Everyone's view of their disorder isn't the same and it's best to let them choose how they want to live their lives."

She clicks to the next slide. "There are other versions of DID for those who do not meet and that's called Other Specified Dissociative Disorder, which is what Gary has. While he does show symptoms of dissociative amnesia under severe stress—meaning he couldn't remember certain events—as he grew up, he and his inter-identity Skade shared consciousness. Skade had a strong sense of self and occasionally blocked Gary, but Gary could still speak, listen, and understand what was going on."

"But how is that possible, Teacher?" a student asks.

"Miss Author has experienced the same in her life, and it's hard to describe," Chibi-Luna says. "But she put it into these words."

She shows the next slide, and the message says:

『 Disclaimer: not everyone with DD or C-PTSD experiences the same symptoms or same conjunctive disorders. Please do not use anything in this episode as a way to self-diagnosis.

This was always planned for Gary to have C-PTSD and severe dissociation. And Skade was always created as an inter-identity to cope with Gary's abuse and trauma.

He and Skade shared a "headspace" where they could talk and see each other, similar to my own headspace. My headspace contains inter-identities with their own likes, dislikes, sexualities, pronouns, vocal register, and language. And then there is me, who is still struggling to manage my own identity.

Ever since I moved away from the sources of my stress and trauma, I no longer experience inter-identity alternation, but I struggle to understand which version of Magnafeana I am. I struggle with my depression, dissociation, and schizophrenia. I struggle with my nightmares.

But that's okay.

Because I am working through my trauma in therapy. Because she (my therapist) and I do exercises to help manage my symptoms. Because I am trying to work towards a better future. And because, even when I falter, that is still progress.

That is something Gary will be learning. That he is not alone. That he is always making progress. That Skade is still an integral part of him that he created for his circumstances (and you will see Skade again one last time) and that he has to accept—not forgive or get closure but accept—what happened to him in order to move forward. And that even when he stumbles, that is still progress.

It was the only way we knew how to cope. We do not suffer. We do not battle. We cope. And we struggle.

Yes, this was played majorly different than in real life. No, people with DD and C-PTSD do not turn into actual winged people with tails. Yes, this was an extreme form of DD and C-PTSD, and Gary's powers were severely swayed with his trauma disorders and physically represented in this way. And Gary's artistry was not a simple attribute. Art therapy is recommended for disorders such as DD and C-PTSD.

I tried to hint that the voice Gary had heard when he was younger was never Skade. It was always the Flame Devil that spoke to him as a "trapped child" who wanted freedom. You will meet the Flame Devil down the line. And the Flame Devil will not have a redemption arc.

I did edit Episode 76 to give bigger hints that the voice manipulating Gary was never Skade.

Going forward, I am excited about Gary's mental health arc. He will be doing therapy, meeting a certain not-human therapist, and exploring a lot of his suppressed emotions he had growing up. Because hidden behind his smile and friendliness is a lot more than meets the eye. I deliberately did not show his constant mental state early on for this purpose.

If you have any further questions about these disorders, I recommend speaking to a licensed professional. 』

Chibi-Luna ends the slide show. "Any questions this episode posed will be answered in the future. But as for now, the Caracole Island Arc is almost finished and all the plots it unlocked will be carried over into future episodes. So until next fairy lesson, see you next episode"

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

TRANSLATIONS

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

CIPANGUESE → FIOREN-MINSTRISH

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Hanase! Hanaseyo! Tasukete! Dareka, tasukete!

Let me go! Let me go (affirmative)! Help! Someone, help me!

• — • — • — •

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

GORDOST → FIOREN-MINSTRISH

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ty takoy malen'kiy. Ya lyublyu malen'koye.

You are small (little). I like small.

• — • — • — •

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

ZHŌNGUÁNESE → FIOREN-MINSTRISH

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Xièxiè nǐ jiēnà wǒ jiārù nǐ de jiātíng, Huáng Chūn.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your family, Huang Chun.

• — • — • — •

Wǒ de rěnnài yǐjīng dádào jíxiàn le. Wǒ yào shā le nǐ

My patience is at its limit. I want to kill you.

• — • — • — •

Xìjīng

Drama queen

• — • — • — •

Zǎo shuìjiào. Bìngqie ànshí chīfàn.

Make sure you go to sleep early. And make sure you eat regularly/on time

*Side Note: In Chinese culture, the term "I love you" is not regularly used on family members. Instead, parents vocalize their affection for their children through luōsuo ("nagging") such as asking them to study hard or be healthy. Jang-ta is vocalizing his affection for Gary through this method as he considers him family.

• — • — • — •

Hao, hao, bó fù

Yeah, yeah, Uncle (this term is normally used for father's older brother)

• — • — • — •