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!

120. Adventure 120

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.

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LAST TIME, on Fairy Adventure: Dante, Carlisle, and Muta are headed to meet The Forge, but even with a pleasant reunion between Teacher and Students ahead, they have a long way to go. Ezra is still working himself to the ground to keep himself under control, but the projects he and Asako are on seem a little suspicious. Carlisle and Muta learn The Forge lives in the swamp of South Samari. But the fog that protects the swamp has a mind of its own. Meanwhile, Orochi touched down in Melandia to meet with Chace Duchenne and get to Ezra. But considering Ezra's downward spirals and his use of Anti-Ether, will Orochi be enough to help him from his low?

"How have you been, my most promising student."

Looks like the Scarlet Warlock has a lot more secrets than it appears. What's his goal here? And Carlisle, you do realize Muta can fly if you abandon him, right?

---

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! And here is the 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

EAT • — • — • – East Andüsa Time • — • — • – Andüsa • — • — • — UTC - 2

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

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

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

---

Farsa… Farsa… Farsa!

Carlisle's silvery lashes fluttered, but the joy and light in his eyes were absent. Even though rock surrounded him, it carved out a comfortable bedroom, and even his mattress and blanket were crafted with care, erasing the aching tension in his body would take more than that. Curled onto his side with the covers embracing him, he faced the stone wall with nothing more than even breaths.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Swamp

South Samari

Andüsa

5:47 AM EAT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A curtain pulled. "You're awake."

Carlisle did not acknowledge Dante had entered the room nor did he reciprocate any form of greeting. He stayed curled in his ball.

The mattress sunk with Dante's added weight. "Good morning," he rumbled. His hand hovered onto Carlisle's hip—

It was a reflex when Carlisle's body locked up.

Dante, however, did not act afool. He soothed, "I'm just going to place my hand on you." Fingers tenderly slid across Carlisle's hips, but Dante did not dare try his luck and hold Carlisle in a cuddling embrace. He laid there, making them both aware of the other, but he never pressed for more. "That's it. I just wanted to touch you like this. Is this okay?"

Carlisle nodded.

"Thank you," Dante murmured.

Carlisle pressed his lips together, but he still could not say a word.

I can feel his distance, Dante thought, but I can't forget that much fear. I can't forget how he felt. And he can't forget either.

He held himself back from curling his body around Carlisle. "I'm sorry for yesterday," he murmured. "That shouldn't have happened. I didn't think it would happen as long as you were with me, but…" He sighed. "I know those feelings you had were private. And I'm so sorry you had to endure that sort of pain again. But I'm here for you, Carlisle. Okay?"

Carlisle's lips trembled before he tightened his hands on the blanket. He could see Dante's hand want to touch his, only to clench and hold back. All the sturdy warmth Dante provided shifted off the bed. It was not until Dante's presence went away and the curtain was closed once more that Carlisle closed his eyes. A single tear shed down his cheek.

Farsa…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

kazoekire nai hodo no omoi wo

itsu made mo okuri tsuzuke te kun da zutto zutto sen mo

•

kurikaeshi gokoro ni chikau yo

te wo nigiri zutto soba ni iru n da soshite kesshite hanasa nai yo

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

No rest for the working. Forgoing in her leathery smock and her welding helmet, she sat at her desk in her billowy shirt tucked into some high-waisted pants. The blueprint she worked on looked too complex for normal mortals to comprehend all the intricacies and magical input and output, but to her, this gave her all the joy in the world. Her mooned eyes spared her nod disadvantage as her pen worked the page to add further designing that was necessary and not a frivolity.

As she worked, a smile tumbled onto her features. "My student has gone out to collect more materials. But he'll return soon enough. He did make sure to cook us all breakfast before his leave." She chuckled. "He's never trusted me to make my own meals. He's the only student I've had that kicked me out of my own kitchen. Quite a bold boy."

Quiet.

Her smile tainted. "I understand yesterday was a hard day and I apologize for that. Forgive me for not properly explaining to my companion that any and all guests my student brings are welcome. They're quite…particular and detailed. It was my error I didn't specify." She got to a good stopping point and capped her pen. "So please, forgive my poor instruction."

She turned around to see a downtrodden Carlisle with his hair pulled into a low over-the-shoulder ponytail. "And please forgive my student. He's not at fault for my wrongdoings."

⌜THE SWAMP

Name: The Forge

Occupation: Blacksmith

Likes: N/A Dislikes: N/A

Special Note: Don't be a fool! She's not blind and she'll make sure everyone knows how accurate her aim can be! ⌟

Carlisle shook his head. "There's no need for your apologies," he murmured. "I have no need for them when I'm not mad. Not at either of you." Sea-greens bespeckled in violet glinted. "I'm mad at myself for endangering you both. For that, you have my apology, miss."

"'Miss'?" The Forge simpered and reached for her staff. "Why, you're much older than I am, Catalyst. There is no need for you to speak to me formally." She tilted her head and added, "And you have no reason to use the olden tongue of the gods with me. I am quite proficient with this realm's languages. It's very primitive in comparison to your own tongue. A language so complex and empathic that it can only be heard to others as music."

"Please." Carlisle hugged himself, looking small. "I'd rather not discuss that. And I go by 'Carlisle'."

The Forge hummed before she got up with her staff. It was not that her gait was unsteady or she needed to hobble or that her mooned eyes could not focus on Carlisle. She found him quite easily in fact.

"My apologies," she said, sincere. "I never thought I would be alive to meet you. Baracles had his own plans if you had come during his reign. Though I suppose, many have plans to utilize your abilities."

Carlisle tensed.

The Forge nodded to the ring on Carlisle's finger. "I was wondering when I would get to see the ring he made for you. I'm sure he'll have even more thought put into the next set of rings."

That surprised Carlisle and he looked at his mermaid ring. "He made this?" he echoed. Confusions and awe filled him as he admired the ring before looking up at her. "But he didn't say…"

The Forge smiled in kind. "Unlike all my past students, Dante prefers his creations speak for him. But I would recognize his craftsmanship anywhere, even without Ether inside it. So take good care of that ring."

Carlisle looked back at the ring before pressing his hand against his heart. "I will. Thank you. For telling me, I mean." Sweet affection lightened his face. He truly is an amazing person. But all that warmth shuddered away. And I'm nothing more than… His brow flinched. I'm… But this devastating thought zipped away when a hand landed on his shoulder and he looked into that opaque regard.

"Why don't we have some breakfast?" The Forge offered. "It's been since Dante left that I had the pleasure to share a meal with anyone. And as much as I adore my student, he isn't much of a talker." Before Carlisle could accept or reject, she turned around and walked.

Carlisle fumed within his head. I see where Prince's lack of etiquette came from.

The Forge led Carlisle behind another curtain. Water must have smoothed the rocky walls, but marble crafted the counters and added finishes to the appliances. For a kitchen meant to be in a cave, it looked had a modern touch that surprised Carlisle.

"I'm sure this all looks like quite the shock," The Forge commented as she went to retrieve their plated food. "My kitchen didn't look like this. But Dante insisted I need to upgrade to modern-day technology."

"I see…" Carlisle took his seat at the wooden table when The Forge came over to give him his plate. It surprised him seeing the level of thought poured into his meal. He made…all my favorites?

"Now."

Carlisle saw a lotus teapot sit on the table before he looked up at The Forge.

"My student told me Giat Hai has blessed you both with a two-way connection." She sat down with her own breakfast, but she did not take a bite or a sniff. Her glazed eyes settled firmly on Carlisle. "And he almost mentioned you had an atypical cousin you depend on." She cocked her head, intrigued. "How does someone like you have the protection of a son of a Prosecutor?"

Carlisle's back tensed. "Why did an Old God disobey her leader to stay in this realm and become a teacher?"

"Simple." The Forge smiled with a twinkle in her eye. "To find the perfect student."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 120

•

Student

•

弟子

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The Forge poured them both tea and Carlisle accepted the offer of milk. But as she readied his drink, she asked of him, "What do you remember from the reason we all sought to abandon this realm?"

Carlisle quietly thanked her once she finished and said, "Lucy explained to me this planet had witnessed two Black Wars back-to-back. However, the Second Black War ended through mysterious means where the Black forces were drawn away. To this day, no mortal understands how that was possible. But in the end, this realm was wounded deeply. And with the prediction of a Third Black War that would be The End, many left this realm defenseless to save themselves and their people."

The Forge smiled slightly as she finished making her tea. "I take it you don't approve of their methods," she presumed. "Well, neither did many of us."

"And especially an Original like yourself."

The Forge paused. Yes." She looked down at her plate. "The Originals were sent here in aiding the races of this realm and realms connected to it to have stability and evolution. We worked alongside the Spirits to give people power to change and grow. But in that, we became objects of worship and belief—gods. The first Old Gods." She sighed. "What a disgrace. How pitiful we've fallen."

Carlisle made no comment.

"The Hearth, the twin sisters of Chaos and Order, and myself"—The Forge's gaze darkened—"we are what is left of such a pathetic race."

"But you don't call yourself your original names anymore," Carlisle noted.

The Forge kept an even gaze. "As you have changed your name to adapt, so have we." She sipped her tea. "My given name was never important. Unlike most of my people, I never bothered to gain worshippers nor did I want a religion."

Carlisle slightly tilted his head. "You said you didn't listen to Baracles and stayed here to find the perfect student. Did you mean that?"

"Of course." The Forge set down her cup. "And don't think for a second my motivations are pure. Gods are inherently selfish, but we display our selfishness in other ways." Mooned eyes glinted.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"For some…our selfishness comes from not wanting to do our responsibilities."

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

On a sunny day like this, a parasol was a great thing to have.

The double lace antique parasol might have turned heads, but it was brilliant for blocking out the sun. Full pink lips were tugged into a small smile as he listened to the exuberant young man ranting and raving to him with multiple hand gestures. And at some point in their leisurely stroll through the mountainside, their hands brushed against each other.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"For others, we are selfish in not wanting to let go of our past desires…"

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The photo of Mary Jane and Igneel remained dusted and cleaned to show her acute annoyance and his sunny grin. The old manuscript of Peter Pan settled by the old photo alongside Igneel's red scarf folded primely. A feminine hand came down to thumb the scarf's material. But the reflection in the glass of the photo's frame showed cerulean-scarlet with brighter flecks of violet.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"Either way, we are all selfish."

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Carlisle quietly challenged, "So I shouldn't trust your intentions in taking on Dante as a student."

"You shouldn't," The Forge airily stated. "I took Dante as my final student for selfish reasons and nothing more." A bitter smile tainted her features. "And I doubt he'd ever forgive me for being so selfish. He admires me as his teacher. But I don't deserve his admiration."

She looked at her cup and thumbed the rim. "I have made many mistakes that I hide from him. And I took a mere child on as a student for purely selfish motives. Yet he still comes and visits a cowardly God who defied an order from the leader of the Gods…and abandoned those who needed her."

Those mooned eyes darkened. "How foolish."

Carlisle's lashes lowered for a moment. "Baracles was not a good man," he murmured. "As I recall, he ruled over all other Gods with fear, seduction, and narcissism. He was a perfect example of how selfish and greedy the Gods could be. So I have sympathy for you to hide from him. And because of how the world is presently, I have no room to judge you from hiding from it as well." His hands clenched. "However…"

Warning stood strong in those unique eyes as they connected with that opaque regard.

"Don't you dare call Dante a fool for following you as his teacher," Carlisle cautioned. "Take responsibility for being his teacher. Be proud of him. Because he is an amazing person, thanks to your guidance. Your insult to your pride is an insult to him. And I won't tolerate that."

The Forge blinked her shock before she did something he did not expect.

She laughed.

Question marks danced around Carlisle. Maybe she's been away from humans too long…

"Forgive me." The Forge confined her amusement to her eyes and smile. "I don't mean to laugh. But you remind me of a few people who have said the same. Only three others have scolded me for my self-pity."

Mooned eyes softened. "The first one to tell me such a thing… Her Clan had been dear to me. And my heart broke for the tragedy that had befell upon her. But I had offered my aid in any way I could. After all"—the mooned regard glinted—"I had created the keys her Clan uses to this day.

"Another was a queen," The Forge remembered. "Many had come to me for their weapons, but she… She was different. She had told me an abandonment of my pride was an insult to all the 'good' I've done. 'Good', she said." A self-deprecating smile. "She has no idea that same work I made was used in every war." But enough of the past. "Even so, I agreed to her request. And I created her valiant sister swords."

Carlisle lifted his cup. "And the last?"

Two beats. "It was Her."

Understanding held both of their gazes.

The Forge continued, "Baracles had many other blacksmith and craftsman gods at his disposal who listened to his demands or caved to his false promises. But he knew those same craftsmen would never compare to an Original. The Spirit who blessed me with my gift had not blessed them the same. It was The Hearth who had warned me he would come for me."

A sadness took over her. "Baracles kept The Hearth on such a tight leash back then. I should've done more for them, but I…" She lost herself in her despair. Had I done more… Had I just reached out… She broke free of such horrid memories to continue. "I had my forge sabotaged and left the God Realm to live here, in the Mortal Realm. But Custodians and the abandoned Demigods and Champions would be an issue if they sensed me."

"That fog," Carlisle spoke. "It's alive and it protects you."

The Forge's lips twitched. "Call it a gift. I apologize for their behavior. They're rigid in their duties to safeguard me." She sipped her tea once more. "The fog is an old Time-Space Spirit. It's not my friend, just a protector. It obeys the command of The Forge—that was our agreement upon the contract and binding. But it has a slight liking to Dante."

As The Forge decided it was time to eat her breakfast, Carlisle was slower in the uptake of his silverware, thoughtful. "You said…the fog is a Time and Space Spirit."

"Yes, I did."

"And Dante… He spent his summer under your teachings in this very place."

The Forge did not flinch. "He did."

Carlisle's brow furrowed. His soul… The age of his soul. That's what I felt. That's why something was strange about him. He looked up at The Forge. "Dante didn't spend one summer here, did he?"

"He technically did," The Forge gave to him. "To the world, he was gone for one summer. But time and space work differently here. He was always a prodigy. And it helped the Blessing Giat Hai gave him was a recommendation letter in itself. But he spent as much time as I felt he needed to learn his skills."

"Why have him stay as a kid?" Carlisle questioned.

The Forge answered, "Does it matter? Giat Hai's Blessing might've helped him live longer"—those milky mooned eyes hardened—"but he would have died before you two would've met."

That made Carlisle rear back. He was in this place for that long? His thoughts raced. Now it makes sense why he's scouted. He really was the prodigal student because she taught him not just the basics, but she helped him master what she knows. "But… Why care about us meeting?"

"Isn't it obvious?" The Forge threw back at him. "Those who knew of your existence were eager to sit at your table. Demons, Gods, Agents, Prosecutors…"—her gaze sharpened—"Him…"

Carlisle flinched.

"And yet my very own student managed to find you before they did. Not only that, but you made a fatal mistake and Bonded to him—"

"It wasn't a mistake," Carlisle harshly rebuked. "It will never be a mistake."

A flicker of approval passed through glazed eyes. "Either way, you've tied yourself to my precious student. That works in my favor." The Forge crossed her legs and rested her chin on a hand, giving nothing away. "To have the Catalyst at my table puts me in a very favorable position. Because you are desperate to keep your identity a secret, it gives me all the more power, a power many will fight and die over."

Carlisle steeled himself, bitter. I should've known it would resort to this. All life forms are the same. I'm nothing more than a prize—a Catalyst.

"And…" She let the world hang for a moment. "It's no secret a Fallen Nebrod for the Presence is in a desperate search to find you with no plans to kill you and many plans to keep you."

Sea-greens widened. A bout of nausea flopped around his stomach and the phantom remembrances of that decrepit connection sawing away every ounce of his being to become a slave to a Hunter.His silverware clattered to the table. His appetite was gone. Instead, he rasped, "What do you want from me, Original?"

"I want you to answer one question, Catalyst." The Forge leaned forward. "Where – is – my Mother?"

---

Araza City always had something going on during the weekend.

To be honest, "spring" in Melandia never started until September and autumn took precedence in April. Red-gold shades cupped the trees and the sweater weather brought people out in the best of moods. Tourists were certainly delighted their favorite pumpkin spice flavors that had been abandoned in their home countries were available now.

But in a park like this, the large bandstand had been rented out to host local bands and raise money for the arts. Plenty of people had stopped by with the balloon carts and food trucks enticing them and the next generation music keeping them in their seats. Others had taken this afternoon for exercise. A tai chi class claimed a plat of the lawns nearest to the lake. A group of mom joggers had come prepared to help a newcomer out when her asthma spiked. But what caught the attention of most people was the filming happening for a romcom Magia movie for an epic song sequence being blocked.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Kini Park, one of the larger parks in Araza City, and has a large moat around it called the Edison Moat. This park is also part of the biannual 5k and the Cirque de Lun uses Kini Park when they tour in this region, the same circus Justin and his parents were once a part of! »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It was not that Orochi and Ezra never went outside, but that did not mean either were comfortable in such an outdoorsy setting. One was used to being in a bar, in a parlor, or a hospital. The other was used to clinical settings or his apartment.

Needless to say, they stuck out like a sore thumb here.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Kini Park

Araza City

Melandia

3:34 PM MDCT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Orochi had his gloved hands in his Fairy Tail varsity jacket while Ezra tried not to fidget in his hoodie and face mask. The female gaze always made his skin crawl and his Beast Soul pushed him to turn up his nose and scent the air in the dark hope its Female was nearby.

Orochi caught Ezra's visible flinch, understanding. "Your Beast?"

Ezra rubbed his eye beneath his glasses as he nodded. "Yeah." He sniffed and adjusted his face mask. "It's harder to keep him locked in the cage when I'm outside in places like this. You know that." A bitter accusation.

Orochi sighed. "I didn't bring you here to torment you, Ez. You should know me better than that."

Ezra could not dispute that.

The silence between them was not tense, by all means. It was Ezra's own unease that stirred the air between them, and he knew Orochi could scent that much when he rubbed his nose like he smelled something unpleasant.

A lowly growl. Electric blues. A cage rattling.

Ezra tensed. Reinforce the cage, he coached himself. Build a better labyrinth. As he concentrated and felt a shift in his mind, the agitated growls of his Beast Soul lessened and lessened until they were silent. A drop of sweat curved down his temple for the feat. It's getting stronger. I need higher doses of Anti-Ether. Smokey topaz shimmered in fear. I can't let it out, not even for a second. I can't.

His pupils dilated. Not again.

Girlish laughter jolted him from his thoughts. His gaze found a happy couple, teenagers in love. Maybe they had their rose-colored glasses on in their honeymoon phase, but they enjoyed a picnic out on this warm day. He playfully held her and nuzzled her throat while she gave a full-body laugh at his silly antics.

For a moment, he could not see teens in love. For a moment, he saw those bright pink eyes that always twinkled and could hear her bell-like laugh.

Smokey topaz saddened. Saudade…

• — • — • — •

"Ezra… Ezra… Ezra!"

He awoke with a start to a fit of giggles. "Huh, what?" He groaned when he felt something small and cool snuggled into him and knew that scent anywhere. "Five more minutes…"

More giggling. "Silly. You said that already, so wake up!"

Ezra grunted, but he did as she commanded and could not get enough of those bright pink eyes. "You're so cruel to me when I'm exhausted, Saudade." He looked around their little set-up. A picnic was nice on a day like this in the middle of the forest and made him want to take another catnap.

Saudade laughed when he kissed her cheek. "You certainly didn't seem tired last night."

"I'm not tired when it comes to you," Ezra purred, nuzzling her. "Training was brutal. My dad's upping my training so I can finally do Soul Resonance with my Beast Soul, so we're going harder than ever. And we're taking Elvin with us on our next camping trip."

Saudade hummed. "That'll be fun. But I'm seriously going to miss you. I have to go back to the clinic for another treatment." Catching Ezra's frown, she soothed, "It's just an experimental thing, but it's nothing serious, I swear. So don't even try to sneak in."

Ezra gave her a wicked grin.

"Ezra…!"

"Fine, fine, I won't." He feathered her cheek. "I just hate not being able to see you."

"I know." Saudade pecked his lips. "I hate it too." Her smile came back when he kissed her cheek then her throat. "Ezra…" She glanced around. "Come on… We can't…" She sunk her fingers in his curls when he nipped her skin.

"It's safe here," Ezra breathed against her skin.

Saudade smiled when he kissed her again. "Yeah, well…"

To Ezra's shock, Saudade shoved him away with a saucy grin and bolted with a holler, "You have to earn it, buster!"

The Beast happily pranced its paws as Ezra watched her gracefully sprint away with his muscles coiling. "You can't outrun a beast!" he drawled.

For once, he and his Beast Soul were in agreement. They could take their time and give her an adorable head start before springing after her. The Beast did not take over his body, but he reminded him how to scent and track as he skulked through the woods. 'She's so cute when she wants me to chase her.'

The Beast made an approving noise in his head.

Ezra dropped back into a lazy jog, hopeful to sneak up on her—

KA-KA-KA!

Fear gripped Ezra. "Saudade!"

Forget letting her keep an advantage—he launched into a full spring that almost had his Beast push him onto paws. The wild coughing and hacking made his stomach flip and he knew predators would catch his fear scent, but none of that mattered when he saw Saudade on the ground. "Saudade!"

His eyes fell on the mist of blood on the grass. 'No."

Saudade grimaced as she tried to stop coughing when Ezra came to support her. "Sorry," she rasped, voice hoarse. "I guess I pushed myself a little too hard—" She broke into more coughing and tried to wave him away. "I'm f-fine—"

"You are not fine," Ezra shut her down. "Don't get up. You need to rest for a minute."

Saudade flashed him a weary grin. "Yes, Doctor."

"I mean it, Kitten," Ezra muttered, holding her. "Just take a minute." His Beast Soul pushed forward to claim a lungful of her intoxicating honey scent. "I'm not going anywhere."

• — • — • — •

The weight of those memories took a toll and made him want to go back to his bed. Everyone saw her as frail because of her blood disorder and how often she was in the hospital… But she was one of the strongest people I could meet. His hands clenched. And I could've killed her.

"Ezra…" Tears shone in bright pinks as blood trickled from the corner of such an accepting smile. "I-I-It's okay…because it's you."

"Ez?"

Ezra blinked to see Orochi looking at him with those unreadable eyes. Even after all these years, he could never tell what Orochi was thinking. "Yeah?"

Orochi observed him for another moment before suggesting, "Let's go sit over there." He pointed at one of the benches close to the moat.

Ezra nodded. "Sure."

Thankfully, the bench was still empty by the time both men made the journey down. Gondolas paraded down the large moat and there was a dedicated bench nearby selling flowers. A musical gondola streamed down the moat thanks to a Wizard playing the accordion while his bright and colorful band organ tooted bubbles to his hypnotic song of adventure and lost love.

Ezra raised an eyebrow when he saw Orochi remove his bag to take out his sketchbook. "Really? Here?"

"What?" Orochi did not see the problem. "Drawing is versatile in the where."

Ezra shook his head in faint amusement. "Still having your head in your art."

"And you still have your head in science," Orochi threw back with a small grin. "It's two to one, y'know. Gary is an artist too."

"He likes science too. He liked the science center."

"No he didn't," Orochi retorted. "The only reason he went was because you tricked him and said Nashi was going to be there that day. And I had to drag him around when he found out you lied and he just sulked the entire trip." He snorted. "Even if he wouldn't admit it."

Ezra snickered. The memories of the good ole days set aside his unease and relaxed him. "I always catch his interviews and Dazzler does a great job basically making people thirst over him, but if they knew how much of an idiot he was when we were kids…"

"Pacer's an idiot," Orochi pointed out. "And look at him now."

"I can't believe he's going to be a dad," Ezra breathed. "I got Esme's voicemail—all fifteen of them. Plus all her texts. She did a full-scope LacriNet deep-dive on the lady. Honestly, considering Pacer's past, I thought Esme was trying to prank me that he has someone so…classy."

Orochi flipped through his sketchbook before he found the draft he was working on. "Are you going to call her back?"

Ezra's smile fell. "No." His lashes lowered. "Not… Not yet."

Orochi hummed, but he had nothing more to offer.

Erza glanced, curious, to see Orochi was shading in a hydra. "Is that for fun or for a client?"

"A client," Orochi replied. "She came to see me on Heart's Day weekend, but she's been having trouble picking out a tattoo. But she liked the mock-up I did of a hydra, so I'm doing round two. Hopefully, she likes the improvements. She was an interesting woman."

"A 'woman', huh?"

Orochi cut Ezra a venomous look. "I know you know Justin still doesn't like you, so telling him anything to make my life torture will do nothing."

"Yeah, I know." Ezra rubbed his eye again. "I don't blame him." His gaze went out to the water. "I don't blame him…for still hating me. I deserve that hatred." And I'll keep hating myself for what I did.

Orochi never paused in his work, but he murmured, "Don't mind him. Justin's always known how to keep a grudge. Even now, he barely tolerates being around Gary after everything." He gripped his pencil. "But if he knew—"

"He can't know," Ezra said softly. "And you know Gary." He remembered those resigned blues. "He doesn't mind being the villain of the story."

Orochi paused in his shading. Yeah. He's always labeled as the villain. But if people knew the truth… "You remember Mister Yang?"

Ezra shivered remembering that cold gaze. "He still terrifies me to this day," he muttered. "I remember being so worried Gary was being, like, groomed or something."

(Tesla giggled behind a hand when Jaxton gave such an adorable sneeze.)

Orochi snickered, returning to his shading. "We grew up around strange people. But that was the byproduct of being in Fairy Tail. We always had the most interesting people around us."

"Yeah." Smokey topaz softened. "We did."

"Do you miss it?"

"What, the guild?"

"Yeah."

Ezra thought about it. "I miss aspects of it," he admitted. "I remember when Gary strong-armed us into agreeing to make a team together. You didn't budge until he bribed you with some expensive inking pens." A rueful grin. "And I was too afraid to turn him down." Smokey topaz strayed across the moat to a trio of young boys all nudging and joshing each other.

"Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if everything had gone like we planned," Ezra confessed, quiet. "What sort of team we would've been. All the things we would've done."

"I would've had to take care of everything," Orochi said, tone dry. "Gary is too obsessed with Nashi to focus. And I can't trust you to see one meter in front of you if you won't cut your bangs."

Ezra fingered his bangs that brushed his glasses. "They aren't that long…"

Orochi was not about to argue this. "We would've been dysfunctional. I don't think we could catch up to Gary if we tried. His powers are still growing. We wouldn't stand a chance matching him." A dreary aura wronged him. "And I personally don't know if my mind can take him constantly gushing about Nashi. I can barely take it now."

Chibi-Ezra patted Chibi-Orochi's shoulder. "That's rough, buddy."

Orochi sighed and looked up at the clouds. A Sky Boat streaked the open skies. "Honestly, I think it's better we never made a team," he murmured. "In the end, life didn't turn out so bad for all of us. Gary's become a big and important Wizard. I can make my mom, my sister, and Justin happy and keep doing tattoos and finish university. And you're on your way to becoming a magigeneticist at a fancy institute."

Dark violets flickered as the waving leaves streaked over his face. "We might've lost our way for a while, but we're getting back there. For Gary, he still has to accept all that he went through. For me, I can't stop thinking about Mara's accident and Nashi's—" Gritted teeth. "And you… You still have your own stuff to work out. Stuff about yourself. And stuff about Saudade."

Ezra flinched away. "There's nothing to figure out about her anymore, Orochi. She isn't…mine anymore. She's happy now." I could see that much at Justin's Christmas party. She's happy with that guy… She loves him… Smokey topaz sank into misery. She deserves to be loved and to be happy. I just wish I… I just…

"Ezra… You attacked her."

Ezra cringed.

"And I know about the voicemails you left her on Heart's Day," Orochi relayed. "Majime—that's her boyfriend—asked what to do because Saudade cried for hours after listening to you re-confess your love for her."

Ezra kneaded his pockets. "What does that matter?"

"What matters is that you Soul Bonded yourself to her," Orochi reminded. No more niceties. Only facts. "Ezra, there has always been so much left unsaid between you and Saudade. So much that you're turning into an alcoholic and an AE addict—"

Those accusations bruised Ezra. "I'm not an addict—"

"Then tell me how me how often you shoot yourself up with AE then."

Ezra fidgeted, eyes sifting the grass. "O-Only when I need to."

"Which is so much more than you should be doing." Orochi closed his book when he saw the way Ezra twitched. "You know out of the three of us, I kept us honest for a reason. I'm not saying this because I want you to go non-verbal. I'm saying this because I'm worried."

Ezra licked his lips. "I know." He hooked down his face mask below his chin to take a steep breath. "I can't…be near her again. I thought I could. I thought I could do it. I thought I could behave, but I…" He rocked a little. "I could feel my Beast Soul get excited. He just…wouldn't go back in the cage. Like last time."

Teary bright pinks.

"I can't do that to her again. Not her," Ezra half-whispered half-whimpered. "Not her. Not her."

"Ezra." Orochi scooted closer when he saw Ezra rock more and the incoherent mumbling started. "I can't push you to do something you don't want to do. And I won't do that to you. I know…" He put his glasses in his hair to show naked dark violets. "I know that you can't forgive yourself," he said, timbre low and quiet. "I know living with those memories feels like Hell to you."

He looked out to the water. "I can't imagine living with thoughts like that or memories like that. I know you haven't been able to process it. But it happened, Ezra. It happened. And we can't change the past."

"How could she even look at me?" Ezra asked, disgusted with him. "How could she even sm-sm-smile at me after I…?" The words choked out, but his voice abandoned him and all he could do was make a hopeless noise. The conversations across the water made his skin prickle. The steps marching down the path felt personal. The sun's glare felt like a death sentence.

"I don't know," Orochi murmured. "I don't know what Saudade is thinking. But I do know if you want to know, you have to sit down and talk to her. It's your choice, Ezra, if you want to. But this will keep eating at you alive until you do.

"But there's one thing that Gary and I both know from Saudade. She's never blamed you for anything, Ezra. All that time when she begged us to see you, she knew what you were thinking and she was desperate for you to understand. She was so desperate to tell you, Ezra."

He looked up at the sky. "That she never once blamed you. And she never once thought that you had raped her."

And Ezra's pupils dilated into electric blues.

---

The fog frothing within the swamp remained docile as it defended the home of the Forge, a cave buried in overgrown roots and exaggerated moss and leaves. It had no need to lure strangers with their fantasy and transcend them into a living nightmare. The silence might have unnerved many. Not a breath from a tree could be heard in this space. The wind never tickled the sky. The fog made sure of that.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Swamp

South Samari

Andüsa

1:16 PM EAT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A disturbance made the fog cough up a cloaked man into the clearing with a sack across his shoulder. Once he stepped free, he put up a gloved hand to shed his hood—

"Miaow."

A pause. He turned to see the white tomcat waiting for him on the ground with his tail twitching and his collar gone. The cat meowed again.

A sigh. The hood was dropped, and Dante looked over at the tomcat. "You're still here." He shifted his sack.

The tomcat stayed quiet for a moment before a glow cloaked his form to morph and grow. Once the glow shattered, Muta stood in his full form with his yukata in place. He kept Dante's gaze and had not an ounce of guilt. "I'm still here."

Dante glanced to the entrance before looking back at Muta.

Muta understood. "Yes. He's still here too."

Dante nodded and picked up the sack to move on—

"You aren't going to ask?"

Dante stopped and cocked his head towards Muta. "Is there something I need to ask?"

Muta studied him before snorting. "I'd think you want to understand why I hid and pretended to be a cat. But you're not the least bit concerned about it."

Dante glanced back at the entrance before sighing. He decided to set up shop against one of the large roots and opened his sack. He did not need to look up to know Muta had come closer. Instead, he adjusted his gloves. Energy sparked from his palm and he expanded his hands until a screen popped up with several applications scrawled in a foreign language.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is a Portable Magic Database. This database is popularized through Requip Mages to store their inventory to their pocket dimension. Dante can use this database due to the gloves he is wearing called Ether Gloves, a type of Ether Gear, that allows facilitated Ether manipulation. But these gloves aren't from Earth Land. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The materials Dante brought out were surprising, to say the least. Put in thick transparent containers, the materials had something about them—the way they were shaped, the way they glinted, the energy they gave off—that made it clear they were not from this realm.

Muta watched as Dante studied the material and had it scanned before the screen showed a scroll of diagnostics. His brow furrowed as he glimpsed over the fast words and glyphs. Wait… That language… And that material he's holding… Is that—?

"You're here for Carlisle."

Muta blinked his surprise.

Dante continued carrying out his work. Something appeared on the database that had him put in information. "They called you an Extalian. I've heard of Neo-Extalia. It's technically a Fioren territory. But you must be from the original Extalia. My teacher told me about it."

Muta's tail flicked. This human… He knows of my homeworld? He withheld his surprised amusement. Of course.

"Yes," he confirmed. "I'm Extalian or 'Exceed' is how my race calls themselves now." Ever since that day. "In a past life, my name was Moon Lily. But"—a hardness etched his face—"it's not anymore."

Dante paused. A past life, huh?

"No. I'm not 'Moon Lily' anymore." Muta looked up. "I go by 'Muta' now. And I'm no longer an Extalian Guardian in any way it matters. All I do is look after troublesome kits."

"I see," Dante murmured. "Did Carlisle's cousin ask you to do this? And which cousin? Was it Lucy or Kyler?"

He's perceptive. "Both did." Muta saw no reason to lie. "Certain situations happened that requires me to stay close to Carlisle."

His arms tensed as his eyes slipped to the thick fog. And it's troubling this fog could slip past his mental defenses. Still, it's a testament to his age he didn't reveal himself even under the influence. But that doesn't mean we can be compliant.

Muta lifted his chin and made clear, "I understand if you want me out of your house. But I'll carry out my duties either way."

"Do what you want."

Muta looked taken aback at Dante's blasé tone. He's… He's not even putting up a fight. I can't even sense agitation.

Disgruntled, he commented, "You're awfully calm and accepting of this situation. It's almost as if you had your suspicions all along."

"Well, there were certain signs something wasn't right," Dante said, dry. "Carlisle has hated you since you came into my townhouse, but he miraculously volunteered to be with you for your vet appointment. Not to mention you never used your litter-box. And while cats can eat people food, I've never witnessed a cat try to use silverware. And on top of that, I've never seen a cat embarrassed walking in on their humans being intimate."

Muta sweatdropped as he remembered both him and Carlisle profusely sweating in the presence of the veterinarian with her syringe and sterilization tools. And all the memories of him being utterly revolted seeing the litterboxes and how deer-stuck-in-headlights he became strolling into a particularly steamy session between Carlisle and Dante.

A dreary aura hung over him. Yeah. Those might've been giveaways.

Some sort of warning popped up on the database screen, and Dante had to manually override it. "Look. Do what you want. If you're here to protect Carlisle, then you're welcome to stay."

Muta did not understand. "I still don't understand why you're so accepting of this. Most humans would take issue with deception. But you—"

"My boyfriend isn't human."

Muta was stunned into silence.

Dante went to his next container to assess the material. As he looked at the container, something in his eyes shifted. "I've known for a while now," he revealed. "I've known Carlisle was never human. And that whatever or whoever he is…is much bigger than he plays himself to be. That's why he has a need to keep so many secrets. That's why his cousin is protecting of him too."

• — • — • — •

"I think you're a good guy, Dante, I do."

The focus looked at a disheveled Bleu in the kitchen with his expression somber. "I might not have been happy with Carlisle's choices in the past, but you seem very different. And, as I said before, in a good way. Sorry for all the overprotection from Aphtan and even me. Carlisle's"—he visibly struggled—"different. And he tends to get into…trouble. I've been protecting him since our younger years, so I guess I can be a little hard on him. I just…"

Bleu's eyes swept to the counter. "I don't want him hurt," he admitted. "He covers up a lot of his pain to everyone, but he's been through a lot. I know I can't protect him from everything, but serious things are happening, and it makes me worry I'll get a call from his maman that he's gone."

• — • — • — •

"I understand having someone that you want to protect so much that you'd ask for help," Dante continued. "For me, that's Tesla. And…it's also Carlisle. They're people I hold very close to me, and it's my responsibility to make sure they're protected. I know I can trust Jaxton and Julia to look after Tesla if I'm not there. And I know I can't be there for Carlisle all the time. So if inviting you into my home keeps him safe when I'm not there, then I'm fine with it."

Darkness shimmered. Because protecting the one Giat Hai blessed me with in any way possible…is also one of my responsibilities.

Muta observed Dante. This human… There was always something…calming about him. He always had a wisdom and warmth about him that I couldn't understand. At this point, any sane human his age would be demanding answers. I know he's never mentioned to Carlisle outright that he knows he isn't a human. Instead, he waits. Not even waits. He accepts. How can someone so young be this wise?

A realization crept up.

Muta's attention shifted to the fog. Unless…

Dante finished his work and closed out the database. "I've finished cataloging and scanning all the materials Teacher asked me to get. I'll be going inside—"

"And just how did you get those materials?"

Dante offered Muta a vague look.

Slowly, the pieces pulled together for Muta as he looked around at the fog. "Something about this place—this fog—has set my fur on end. I'm aware certain Wizards can create miasma to induce fear or create seduction smoke. But this fog… It didn't feel like a protective spell. It feels…alive."

Dante kept quiet.

"Those materials you were just picking up," Muta noted. "They didn't come from this area, did they?"

Dante closed the sack.

"Not only that; but you became an Enchanter in one single summer. It takes decades to become an Enchanter." Muta narrowed his eyes. "Were you that much of a child prodigy?"

Dante swung the sack back over his shoulder, but he offered no response.

He's young, but…he's calm, Muta thought. No, that's not it. It's almost like he's wise beyond his years. The way he speaks and acts… Mortals can be mature, but still… It's not possible for him to cultivate such an ability so young. And he doesn't have the same aura as any type of immortal. I recognized some of those materials. They couldn't have come from this swamp or even this realm. So then how—?

All of it hit him at once. It can't be…

Dante walked away.

Muta, still stricken, looked back to the fog. This fog… This fog feels alive because it is alive. And the reason why I've felt something off about this place… It was the fog. It's not just actively keeping intruders out. And by him showing me those materials and not answering… He was showing me without telling me. He was showing me the truth about this place. His tail lashed. This boy… His body is the correct age. But his mind…

Muta's chin went down as he watched Dante's back. Tell me, boy…

A darkness touched Dante's face.

…just how many decades did this fog shield you from Time and Space?

And a pair of gleaming eyes pierced through the fog.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

SHHHHH…

Carlisle kept close to The Forge as she worked on her design at her desk with her staff leaning against the earthy wall. Whatever had inspired her had her complete and undivided attention with every stroke of her pencil.

Carlisle kept to himself as he stared at his mug full of tea. His reflection showed him a downcast expression and the lackluster glints of those sea-greens meshed with violet. For a moment, he no longer saw him. Those eyes were the loving eyes of his father. But he blinked it away with the memories burdening his shoulders. Hearing his voice… I thought I wouldn't be affected by spells like that. But I…

"Minn älsklingar!"

Fingers tightened around the mug as weariness bogged Carlisle down. I couldn't stop. After all this time, hearing his voice still does this to me. I can't tell Lucy. Not about this. Not ever. He sighed.

"If you develop asthma from all that sighing, my student won't let me hear the end of it," The Forge remarked.

Carlisle hmphed. "Well, maybe it's dusty in here."

"Keep telling yourself that," The Forge muttered. "And can you stop…doing that?"

"That", as it would have it, was Carlisle leaning his elbows on her work bench with on leg up as he did the the splits like a natural.

The Forge clutched her pencil, shaking. "It's not fair someone as ancient as you can be so flexible and my joints ache if a breeze hits me."

"Well that's not my fault!" A tick mark bound onto Carlisle's temple as he glared at her and kept his leg up out of spite.

She's lucky I can't use my powers right now. But he expelled his agitation for quiet contemplation about her. She knows I'm the Catalyst and if I use my powers, I'll give the Beacon. And yet…she still hasn't taken advantage of that.

• — • — • — •

"Where – is – my Mother?"

The focus blinked. 'That's what she wants to know?' Carlisle hardened. "Why do you want to know?"

"It's my question," The Forge retorted. "I know you knew where She is."

Carlisle held his silence for a handful of minutes. Then, he sighed. "I can't answer that."

"You refuse to tell me," The Forge stated. "Keep in mind, I know your secret. You would risk exposure of your entire existence you spent countless millennia to keep secret than tell me where She is? You would risk the safety of your loved ones—Dante—for Her?"

"Yes." The focus held steady. "I would."

The Forge stared him down…

…then she broke into laughter again. "Presence, Dante told me you were stubborn to tame, but I didn't think you'd be this stubborn!"

'That's not something a student should tell his teacher!' Carlisle cried, face steaming red.

While smoke came off Carlisle's head from the embarrassment, The Forge minimized her chuckles. "I'm sorry. But I had to ask." Her smile turned bittersweet. "It's no secret that many are searching for Her and you. As the Catalyst, you would know Her location. And if they found you, they would do everything in their power to find Her as well."

"I know," Carlisle said softly. "To encounter a Mother is rare. No one would try to capture a Mother. But She is the first Mother to not live like her sisters. She's weak and helpless. And others know that. If they could capture a Mother, there's no telling what they would do. And as the Catalyst, even I have no choice but to follow my Mother. I know that very well. And I know where She is."

"But you wouldn't tell me," The Forge murmured, "will you?"

"No." A firm decision. A boat that would not be rocked. "Because to protect Mother and make sure She becomes all She is"—the focus looked into his tea to catch his reflection—"is one of my responsibilities."

Quiet.

"Thank you."

The focus looked up at The Forge with her gentle smile. "For what?"

"For looking after Her," The Forge answered. "And…for saying your connection to my student wasn't a mistake." Her smile fell for a grave expression. "I know he's had it difficult. As his teacher, I failed to consider any external needs for him outside of friendship and education. I taught him about the world—the cosmos—but I couldn't teach him the most important lesson: he had to love himself. But…you have taught him that."

Mirth tickled her expression. "And that daring mortal friend of his as well, Tesla. How ironic he befriended her. I was on good terms with the Gray Eyes. I made their technology to integrate their Anti-Ether. And now, he has shown me a friendship can transcend lifetimes." She nodded to his ring. "And you have shown him that his self-worth and his self-love are unconditional. Something I never could have taught him. You have given him hope for a future. And I pray it is a happy one."

"Thank you," Carlisle appreciated, "but… If you think yourself so selfish, why say this?"

The Forge looked to the side, loveless smile and all. "A God may always be selfish, but for a teacher to want the best for her student… It's simply one of my responsibilities as well."

• — • — • — •

Carlisle dropped back to both feet, stewing in his thoughts.

She's different from the Gods I've met. Even Originals on every realm had a complex. I know that better than anyone considering my history with some of them. It was rare to find Gods without hidden motives. Even the Gods who cared for their worshippers had something about them. Because she's right. Gods are always selfish.

He examined her. So what selfish desire does an Original want so bad? He felt him before he saw him and set down his cup. "Prince!"

Dante staggered a step when Carlisle bombarded him with a hug so fierce, he dropped his sack. "Hey." He hugged Carlisle back. "I didn't expect this sort of welcome."

"You were gone forever," Carlisle complained. "I missed you!" He pouted up at his boyfriend. "You always make me wait for you. So cruel, Prince."

Dante blinked before softening. "Sorry I took so long, but thanks for waiting for me." He palmed Carlisle's cheek. "I missed you too."

Before Carlisle could reply or bask in this moment, The Forge mocked, "I'm trying to work here, not watch a Selan drama."

Carlisle threw her daggers while Dante chuckled. "I'm sorry, Teacher. He's just too adorable." He patted Carlisle's head. "Like a golden retriever puppy."

I am not a dog! Carlisle cried.

The Forge snickered behind a hand. "He's more like a senior dog."

Glass shattered in Carlisle's mind. He snarked, "At least I don't have wrinkles, old lady."

"'Old'?" The Forge echoed, offended. "At least I'm not a cradle robber."

Carlisle gaped. "You should respect your elders, grandma."

"'Elders'?" Dante raised an eyebrow. "I'm older than you."

"Er, right!" Carlisle sweated with a quick silly smile slapped on as he rubbed the back of his head. "I just mean, um, well, in…in Perench years, I'd be older than you, y'know. Since when you're born there, you turn one at the beginning of the new year!"

The Forge questioned, "I thought that was a Josea thing?"

Carlisle hissed at her, "Don't you have dentures to worry about, hag?" He blinked when he heard low laughter and went to whine, "Prince, you're supposed to defend me—!" He paused seeing the relief splayed on Dante's face. Prince…

"It's nice to hear you like this again," Dante remarked. "I missed you…"

Sea-greens sparkled. Dante…

"…being such a bratty pretty boy."

The moment was gone.

"I'm more than a pretty face!" Carlisle argued. "I have a lot going for me! A lot! I'll have you know that—Ack!"

Dante tugged at Carlisle's choker to get him closer and breathed, "I know you have a lot more going on. But I don't mind it. In fact"—he feathered down Carlisle's throat while his other hand took control of his hip—"I like learning those things about you"—his arm wrapped around Carlisle—"and committing them to memory."

Pink beat across Carlisle's cheeks. Dante…

The Forge looked so proud with her eyes comically watery. "My student has become a master. I'm so happy I could cry."

That's not what you say to your student! Carlisle cried.

"Miaow."

Muta strolled in as a tomcat and made a show of circling both men before sitting down. "Miaow."

Carlisle's nose wrinkled in blatant disgust. "I was hoping that thing would've run away by now if we kept it outside."

"Well yer stuck with me, kit," Muta said, smug. "Yer boyfriend gave me his approval on that."

Carlisle gaped at Dante and looked like he wanted to shake him. "You know what that thing is and you still want to keep it?"

Dante shrugged. "He's cute."

Muta flopped onto his back to pretend to knead air. "I am cute."

"I'm cute!" Carlisle argued. "I'm cuter than that thing!"

"Yeah, I know." Dante touched Carlisle's choker. "That's why I keep you around too."

Red crawled up Carlisle's neck and face until he was steaming in embarrassment and seething in agitation. Prince…

The Forge watched as Carlisle went into a wild rant of how he deserved rights and recognition beyond being kept as a cute pet. But the way Dante half-listened made up for with the unconditional love in his eyes. And Muta started grooming himself, but even he looked relieved to see Carlisle back to his old self.

The Forge sighed as she watched Dante effectively render Carlisle speechless when he pecked his lips. He certainly is in love. I've never seen him so happy and motivated. As a God, I should be happy to have the Catalyst so close. But as a teacher…

Carlisle covered his lips, face red, but he missed the pure adoration sparkling in Dante's eyes.

Why must this responsibility fall on my student?

---

There was something about Chace Duchenne.

Maybe inheriting two cultures that were quite the amorous and exaggerative sort made people double-take about him. Maybe it was his smooth demeanor and charming smile.

Maybe it was the size of his house.

The light and bright feel of the single-story abode with an immersive outdoor-indoor experience made anyone second guess he was a simple genetic technician and teaching assistant. It did not help his house was strategically placed outside the big city noise to give a perfect view of the mountains and he still received all the luxuries of high-life-living with a luxury outdoor shop center minutes away.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Chace's house which is still in Araza City, but the locals call this part of Araza "The Timbers". »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

DING-DONG!

The door swung open to reveal Orochi and Ezra on the other side. A distant look had settled onto Ezra's face, however.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Duchenne Household

Araza City

Melandia

10:59 PM MDCT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A young man had answered the door dressed in his vest and button-down. He could not look more than seventeen and was cursed with a babyface, but he lit up recognizing Ezra.

"Maître Duchenne said you would be coming, Monsieur Strauss," he said with a heavy Perench accent.

⌜DUCHENNE HOUSEHOLD

Name: Marceaux Dupont

Age: 18

Occupation: Year 1 BComm Student, Housekeeper

Likes: meringue kisses Dislikes: his study group

Special Note: Marceaux might be a Perenchman and be a lover, but he's a mean fighter as well! ⌟

Ezra looked at Marceaux and signed, Hello.

Orochi explained, "He's not able to speak right now—"

"It's okay, monsieur," Marceaux assured. "I insisted on learning FSL to understand Monsieur Strauss at times like these." He opened the door wider. "Please, please, take off your shoes and come in! Maître Duchenne has dinner ready for you both and he has Monsieur Strauss' comfort room ready."

Ezra signed, Thank you. He took off his shoes and let Marceaux hand him house slippers in exchange for his sneakers. Signing his gratitude, he went further into the house.

As Orochi did the same, he introduced himself. "I'm Orochi. It's nice to meet you."

Marceaux smiled. "Je suis ravi de faire votre connaissance," he said in return. "I'm Marceaux. Thank you for coming over and bringing Monsieur Strass." A look of worry crossed him as he looked down the hall. "He must've had a bad day today."

"That would be my fault," Orochi informed with a sigh.

Marceaux waved it all. "No, monsieur, do not blame yourself. I know Monsieur Strauss does not." He waved him in. "Dinner is waiting for you."

Orochi admired the infrastructure as he entered the house. As modern as it was and how much MED (Melandian Dollar) was spent on it, Chace did not flaunt wealth. He kept it humble with authentic works of art that came from talented artisans without the fame to match. Pictures of his family were easy enough to see. His parents looked desperately in love with the other and his family promised an extensive line and a close-knit bond. It was curious one of his uncles held onto a pocket watch in a family photo.

The hallway opened up to a kitchen Orochi knew Mira would cry over. An open floor plan showed the kitchen and bar and the indented living room with vaulted ceilings and news coverage from the latest terrorist act of the Faction in Giltena and the lives lost played on the flat-screen. Ezra had already met Chace and signed to him as Chace sipped his wine and bobbed his head in understanding.

Noticing Orochi's arrival, Chace lifted his glass to him. "Mon amie. Bienvenu. Welcome to my home."

"It's lovely," Orochi complimented.

Chace smiled with a Cheshire twinkle in his eyes. "I suppose it is." He nodded to Marceaux and said, "Merci d'avoir amené mes invites. Assurez-vous de finir vos devoirs de vacances de printemps. Je les vérifierai plus tard."

Marceaux's eyes sparkled, and an adorable blush dusted his cheeks. "Je le ferai. Merci, Maître Duchenne." With a slight bow and a bashful smile, he scurried away.

Chace chuckled and waved a hand so the pot and kitchenware could distribute the dinner he had made. "Marceaux is the son of one of my father's associates," he explained. "He wished to study abroad, so he lives with me and works in the house. Forgive me for not making the introductions."

"It's no trouble at all," Orochi assured. "Thank you for making dinner tonight."

"It's no trouble at all," Chace teased back. "Cooking is therapeutic to me. And mia madre would have my head if I tried to order takeout. Now." His smile broadened. "Shall we go to the table?"

The set-up Chace had done had been perfectly placed. He portioned out the iconic brodetto for the three of them, topped with parsley flakes, and some polenta on the side. Even the napkins had been folded into swan origami and a humble centerpiece of seasonal flowers complimented the meal with hand-crafted salt and pepper grinders. A chilled bottle of white wine was set out, but tall glasses of lemon water were provided.

Orochi and Ezra sat down with Ezra's eyes lighting up a little and he signed, You made brodetto?

Chace chuckled. "Sì, mio amico. I thought it would be the best dish to serve you tonight." He added in subtle jest, "But perhaps you'll stick to water tonight and no Verdicchio."

Ezra agreed and signed his gratitude.

"You certainly know how to impress," Orochi chuckled as Chace cracked open the wine.

Chace poured Orochi's wine and stopped when he gave the signal. "My mother told me to always cook like I was wooing the person I cooked for. She was always a hit with her cooking and presentation. It made my father jealous his associates always begged her to cook when she visited him in Pergrande." He offered the pepper shaker, but Orochi declined. He ground out pepper on Ezra's bowl for a few turns.

"Ezra and I have a mutual friend who loves to make stew and soup." Orochi tilted his head. "I take it you know about Howl."

Chace nodded. "Oui. And please dig in." As all three men took up their spoons and went for the first sip, Chace continued as he finished his first swallow of the comforting stew, "Ezra mentioned him a few times. When he told me about liking soups and stews thanks to him, I introduced him to a stew my nonna would cook."

"It's good," Orochi complimented, genuine.

Chace picked up his wine glass and advised, "Chase it down with the Verdicchio and it will taste even better. It comes from my family's vineyard."

Orochi did as suggested and, just as Chace had said, the seafood flavor of the stew was given new meaning. "That's amazing."

"I'm glad you enjoy it," Chace appreciated, amused. But his amusement fell when he looked across the way to his muted flat screen. "But it would seem like I picked an inappropriate time to keep on my LV."

Ezra enjoyed his stew with small sips, but Orochi dismissed, "It's fine." He looked over the rim of his glass to watch as the news story unfolded about the terrorist acts and the proclaimed riots. "The Giltena Magic Council has gone through so many leaders and reforms that I can't blame Wizards for rebelling. But what the Faction does… It's extremism at its finest."

Chace could not disagree with that as he indulged in more of his stew. "It seems we're being attacked on multiple fronts. Independents who never received protection from the Magic Council are demanding reforms. Guild Wizards mistreated from the Magic Council want reforms. The Spiritless want reforms. We all want change, but it's hard to speak over the noise of weapons."

His gaze darkened as a commercial for the Sanctuary commenced. "That's why places like the Sanctuary seem so…whimsical, I suppose is the word. How curious an entire residential island can't be touched by the greed of governments nor the Magic Council." He sat back in his chair. "Just as the Holy Eye is so accepting too. As it is a religion, governments can't touch it." He gripped his glass. "How convenient."

Orochi finished tucking in some of his stew. "And it seems like anyone who calls out how the Sanctuary and Holy Eye are both too good to be true, the mass amount of hate those people get is ridiculous. Not to mention forum rooms get overloaded with useless information so that those controversial discussion threads get pushed into oblivion."

The corner of Chace's lips quirked up. "Electronic warfare. You know it well."

"More like a friend is much more fluent with this sort of thing," Orochi explained. "He's a genius when it comes to all of this and handles a lot of protection for my guild when it comes to the LacriNet. And as much as the world is a mess out here, the LacriNet is no better."

"Hm. I agree to that." Chace glanced over to Ezra. "Mon amie, have you heard anything back yet?"

Ezra signed, uncomfortable, No. Not yet. Teddy said to be patient.

"They're right," Chace agreed. "Be patient. I'm sure you'll receive word sooner or later."

"The magigeneticist program?" Orochi assumed.

Chace nodded. "In this stage of our program, most of us still need to hear back from our possible future employers. Working at the institute now is already a set job in itself, especially since it duals in Ether studies. But there are other laboratories that are much more niche."

"Are you applying to them?"

"No." Chace sipped his wine. "I enjoy the USA and what it offers me. I hope to become a genetics counselor in both Ether and Artless."

Orochi nodded. "Is there a reason for it?"

"I've never been one to think we should separate clinical study between Ether and Artless," Chace reasoned. "I certainly surprised my parents with my desires. I know my father secretly hoped I'd return home and come to the family business." Some somber caught him. "But it's best if I don't."

Orochi watched him, but he did not press for more details.

Dinner between the three men was a quiet affair. But the quiet did not draw forcible tension. They ate in peace until their bowls were clean, and water and wine were no more.

Chace got up. "Let me get your plates—"

"Non, non, je peux le faire!"

Chace sighed when Marceaux came to collect the bowls and spooned and scolded in a murmur, "Vous deves faire vos devoirs."

Marceaux blushed a little and mumbled, "Mais je suis aussi là pour vous server, Maître Duchenne." And it was too late for Chace to stop him when Marceaux dashed away with everything balanced in his hands.

Chace ruffled his hair with a sigh. "Che ragazzo testardo."

"I'm amazing you can switch between languages so easily," Orochi commented.

Chace paused, taken aback, before he laughed. "It certainly helps when I want to say something, but I can't get away with it in Minstrish. Though I can't insult my father in Stellian anymore. Mia madre has colorful language and he picked up on all her insults. And vice versa with Perench." He shrugged. "Now I just swear in whatever languages since they'll understand me either way."

Orochi quietly simpered. "My sister Mara and I used to sign all our insults to people, but our mom wasn't too happy about it. But if no one knew what we were signing, we didn't see the harm of this."

"Exactly." Chace tilted his head to the hallway. "Shall we continue this in the sitting room?"

°•°•°•°

Quelled with a forest green, the sitting room had all the makings of being the proverbial room where it happened with a lounge sofa, two antique grandfather chairs, and even a bar cart and an electric fireplace already turned on. The windows faced a well-managed zen garden with a bonsai tree and an intricate waterfall.

"Whiskey?" Chace had manned the bar cart as he uncorked the decanter and added a large square ice cube to his rock glass.

"The wine was enough, thank you," Orochi declined.

Chace shot Ezra a smirk. "And none for you, mon amie. I think we should give your liver a break for tonight, sì?"

Ezra could not put a protest with that.

Finishing his single malt whiskey, Chace took a seat on one of the grandfather chairs with his legs crossed. In this low lighting, he looked like an underboss meeting with his deputies. He raised his hand and a heatwave rippled the room before it settled down. "I've made sure no one can hear this conversation. Now." Greens darkened. "What did you want to tell me?"

Orochi glanced over when Ezra rubbed his eye again. He murmured, "Do you think you can say it?"

Ezra shook his head.

"Or do you want me to start until you're comfortable?"

Ezra faintly nodded, rocking a little.

"Okay." Orochi turned to Chace, dark violets and greens clashing. "As you know, Ezra has been having a hard time with external issues revolving around his ex-girlfriend and his Magic. And because Gary—a friend of ours—and I can't be there for him, we were hoping you could."

"Of course." Chace agreed without a second to spare. "But why not Teddy?"

Ezra fidgeted as Orochi answered, "Ezra said Teddy doesn't know about his autism and made some comments. But you and a woman named Asoko know."

"Yes, we do," Chace murmured in confirmation.

Orochi clasped his gloved hands. "I know you've seen Ezra in a lot of positions, especially on Heart's Day. And you know about Saudade in a way. But there are things about the entire situation that Ezra thought it'd be okay to tell you."

Chace nodded as a go-ahead.

"As Ezra told you, Saudade and him were in a relationship when they were younger," Orochi told. "Back then, Ezra and his Beast Soul weren't necessarily on the best of terms. His Beast Soul was very strong and Ezra had a hard time controlling it. But he met Saudade back when and wanted to try harder controlling his Beast Soul." His hands tightened. "I don't think any of us thought about how sentient his Beat Soul could be."

Chace interrupted, "I thought Soul Mages had complete and total control of their collected souls?"

"In theory, they should, but in practice, it varies," Orochi explained. "Most Take-Over Mages have complete control over the souls they house and can't hear them at all. They normally absorb the soul into their soul, which makes what they took no longer have a sense of sense. But there are some cases where they can interact with their souls and decide not to so complete soul absorption. It's not common, but it's not rare either."

Chace hummed in understanding. "So the Beast Soul inside you"—he addressed Ezra—"could maintain its sense of self."

Ezra nodded.

"Fascinating," Chace remarked. "So this Beast Soul—it's safe to say it had an interest in Saudade."

Ezra kneaded his sweatshirt, but he nodded again.

Chace looked at Orochi. "And that's not normal."

"No." Orochi shook his head. "Soul Mages can interact with their souls, but that's as far as it goes. From Ezra's Beast Soul to be that sentiment to have an attraction to a human instead of an animal was a red flag we never really thought about. We all took it as a sign that his Beast Soul was calming down and willingly resonating with him."

"But it wasn't," Chace presumed.

"No." Ezra had croaked this, the word quiet. "It…wasn't." He coughed into the crook of his elbow.

Orochi proffered, "Are you okay saying this or do you want me to say it for you?"

"I-I can"—Ezra roughly swallowed, kneading again—"do this." He tried to face Chace, but his eyes would not let him. "My Beast Soul is uncontrollable. But it…liked Saudade. I don't know if it was because I did or not, but it did. And I was happy it listened to me. It was easier for me to use my Beast Soul. I didn't lose myself in its power. So I didn't question it. But I sh-should have."

He rubbed his eye again. "I didn't really see what it was doing in the background until it was too late. I was just…happy with Saudade. And she loved me. And I really loved her. I thought everything was perfect." Three beats to collect his thoughts. "Saudade was my first everything. I just…didn't realize how much my Beast Soul would want that too."

Sickness seeped in his stomach and his throat contracted for a moment. "I thought…I had control. I thought we were in sync for once. But I was wrong. I was wrong." He gripped his sweatshirt. "Orochi?"

"Yeah." Orochi took over with a heavy heart. "To put it short, Ezra wasn't able to control his powers when he and Saudade were together. His Beast Soul had gained enough sentience to bind them together. And also…" Even after all this year, it felt difficult to speak about. "His Beast Soul had sex with her."

To Chace's credit, he did not give any revulsion. But his eyebrows rose in mild astonishment. "That's possible?"

"It shouldn't be," Orochi clarified. "Souls collected might have personality, but they shouldn't be able to take over the one who collected them. But it can happen without proper mental training. We all thought Ezra's training was the reason his Beast Soul was so compliant. But"—his clasped hands shook—"his Beast Soul was waiting out for an opportunity. From how it was told to us, Ezra was in his Beast Form when he and Saudade were playing around. Something triggered his Beast Soul and, well…"

"I understand." Chace took a sip of his whiskey to contemplate this information. "How is she doing now?"

"She's fine now," Orochi said. "She's happy." Though he hated smelling the wafts of self-loathing off Ezra. "She never considered what happened back then rape." He said those words for Ezra's ears. "From what she shared with Gary and I, Ezra's Beast Soul had been kind. But…" He swallowed. "It doesn't change the fact she was hospitalized for wounds. And since she has a blood disorder, everything was more severe with her."

Orochi flicked his stare to the fireplace. "But how Saudade felt and feels are her decision. But having that memory… It hasn't been easy for any of us." He added, "Ezra had a meltdown after that. It was…terrifying to watch at the time. Gary and I had seen his shutdowns before. But his meltdown was…" There was no more needed to be said. "And after that, talking or about Saudade was out of the question. His Beast Soul was too unstable. A Wiccan we knew was able to give him suppressants to help control it, but… It was a lot going on."

Chace considered all this before turning to Ezra. "When we went to the bar on Heart's Day, you were having a meltdown," he recalled. "It was the bar fight. I remember when Teddy gave you drinks to help calm you down." Greens sympathized. "The comments. Teddy said you were having a temper tantrum."

Ezra cringed. "Yeah…"

"You've been drinking a lot, mon amie." The way Chace said it was not through a scold or with pity but a gentle observation. "I'm sorry we didn't understand why you were drinking. I know Teddy's made comments before—"

"I know they don't mean it," Ezra breathed. "It's just… I don't… I don't want to do that."

A decision marked on Chace's face. "You can always tell Asoko or me if you feel like if you feel you're about to have a meltdown. I know you wear your noise-canceling headphones to help with your shutdowns. But we're here for everything else too."

Ezra tried and failed to grasp the words and ended up signing, Thank you.

"It's no problem," Chace assured. "Did Saudade…?"

"She knew," Orochi confirmed.

"I see." Chace finished off his whiskey. "But it seems like things aren't resolved with Saudade just yet."

"No," Orochi sighed. "Things didn't work out well the last time they spoke face to face. And the voice messages he left on Heart's Day… It did a number on her. I'm not sure what was said, but it was enough that Saudade's boyfriend was concerned. Her getting stressed normally lands her back in the ED if she can't calm down."

"Does she know you're both bound together?" Chace asked Ezra.

Ezra shook his head.

"Then this is much more of a problem," Chace mused aloud. "Ancient techniques like that were outlawed centuries back because it became commonplace for it to be nonconsensual and caused imbalanced power dynamics." He softened his words when Ezra looked stricken. "It's hard to find evidence unless the Magic Council sends in a Soul Meister to look and, even with that, not every Soul Meister can see that sort of connection. But…this is something she needs to know."

He swirled the melting ice cube in his glass. "I don't want to force you, mon amie. I know the circumstances are difficult right now. But she'll eventually need to know. And perhaps talking will help you too. When you're ready for it," he added. He stood up. "But thank you for telling me. I think tonight has been a lot for all of us."

He pointed his glass at Ezra. "But I am happy that you told me what was going on. And I meant what I said. If you feel like you're having a meltdown, you can tell me. I'll do what I can to help. Don't think for a second I won't."

Erza nodded again and whispered, "Thank you."

"Hm." Chace set down his rock glass on the bar cart before clapping his hands. "You both are more than welcome to stay here for the night. The city is only ten minutes away, but I still had the guest rooms prepared."

Orochi cocked a curious look at Chace. "Your salary as a geneticist technician really must be nice to have this big of a property."

"Yes, well…" A Cheshire smirk touched Chace's face. "My income is certainly generous."

Orochi looked at Ezra. "What do you want to do?"

"Stay," Ezra decided.

"Then you will." Chace opened the sliding doors of the sitting room. "Ezra, your room is set up. Orochi, follow me."

Orochi followed Chace down another hall of the house to be gifted a generous guest bedroom with a queen bed, a dresser, and large windows that showed the neighbor's property meters away.

"Thank you," Orochi appreciated.

Chace leaned against the doorway. "Nessun problema," he dismissed. "I should have a change of clothes if you want anything." He looked around the guest bedroom with a hint of fondness. "You're the second guest to use this room."

"Who was the first?"

Greens sparkled. "Someone who still intrigues me…and probably won't grace me with her presence in here again. She wanted to make sure she wasn't anywhere near my room at the time." Chace shrugged against Orochi's mirth. "But I have hope. I'm half-Perench and half-Stellian. We're quite the stubborn lover."

"Noted." Orochi's lips twitched. "You remind me of a friend of mine."

"Ah, oui. Ezra says I remind him of your friend Gary," Chace chuckled. "He speaks of him like he's his brother. I've only seen him on LV, but his love story with his Angel is popular. Maybe he has some Stellian or Perench blood in him."

Orochi internally sweatdropped as he remembered Juvia and her overwhelming love for her husband. More like he inherited Misses Fullbuster's character traits and should've been arrested. He blew the thought away. But…he makes Nana happy. What more could I ask of him?

"Though his resilience to his kidnapping always made me wonder if he was Giltenan."

Orochi's violets sharpened against the impassive look on Chace's face. "You know about that?"

"His story went international, if I recall it," Chace said, giving nothing away. "It shed more light on Magic trafficking. But it's curious how he was never trafficked. Or at least…it's curious how the news said he'd been trafficked." Greens darkened. "Not the truth."

Orochi flexed and clenched his hands, a coiled snake uncertain of this new development. Is he saying he never believed what the news wrote about Gary's capture? "What are you saying?"

"It could be nothing," Chace said with a wave of his hand. "Perhaps I'm airing out conspiracy theories." His hand went to the doorknob. "But to me… It was always a funny thing how easily it made sense Gary Fullbuster was trafficked. All that manpower just to capture him. Traffickers don't go for well-known Wizards out of fear of Council retaliation and investigation. So why would traffickers make such a fatal mistake taking the son of the famed Gray and Juvia Fullbuster? It almost sounds like trafficking was a scapegoat."

Something flickered in his eyes. "All to take the attention off the audit and investigation of the Bureau."

Orochi felt struck. What is he…?

"Though I suppose that's just a theory. Who knows?" Chace waved a hand over his mouth as he yawned. "I should let you settle in. Please help yourself to anything around the house."

Before the door could shut, Orochi asked, "Why did you really want to become a genetic counselor here in Melandia?"

Chace paused. "Isn't that obvious? The USA is a top institute for Ether research. You'd be a fool to not want to work here. You have opportunities to so many communities and exclusive studies and projects and clinical investigations." He turned his head to show a flare of Magic in his green regard. "And I intend to do my own investigation."

And with that, he shut the door.

---

Nighttime in such a place drew out clarity in the stars that you would not find in bigger cities. From way down here, the sky was crystal clear, like you were looking into a whole new world just by shifting from the big city noise to the quiet of the swamp.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Swamp

South Samari

Andüsa

11:47 PM EAT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It surprised Carlisle Dante had wanted to go stargazing, but his heart melted like butter being able to lay with him and snuggle into his arms. The stars were nice, of course, but nothing could compare to this feeling of being around the one you loved the most.

"Dinner was amazing," Carlisle commented. "Thank you."

Dante hummed. "When I first came here, Teacher tried to cook meals for us both. But her meals were very creatively inedible." He remembered being so shocked he turned non-verbal seeing a revolting creation of pasta comprising blackened noodles, dead crickets, worms, and a sauce he was too afraid to ask about. And the way she looked aghast when he made her watch him throw it all away. How she's lived this long worries me.

"She told me you used to make all the meals you two had," Carlisle remembered.

"I did." A pause. "Did she say anything else?"

Carlisle's lashes fluttered. "A little." He teased, "She said you were pretty quiet."

"I've always been quiet," Dante said, amused. "When you meet all my family, you'll see I was a black sheep of my family. They have all this energy and can talk for hours." He sighed, looking up at the stars. "And I get exhausted being in a class with other people."

Carlisle frowned when a trickle of defeat threaded into his chest. "Everyone has different energy levels and a recharge time. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"Yeah." A self-deprecating glint sullied Dante's eyes. "I know."

Carlisle wanted to say more but thought the better of it. Instead, he positioned his head on Dante's chest and looked up at the stars with him. A twinkle of the stars shined in his gaze.

"Is it always this hard…relating to people?"

Carlisle turned to look up at Dante.

"When I heard about Teacher, I felt like it was my calling to be an Enchanter," Dante told him. "Teacher had closed down her school by then, but I was still hopeful. I sent her letters and I prayed to Giat Hai like crazy. And my prayers were answered when she finally accepted me as her student.

"I knew it could take years for me to become an Enchanter, but I didn't want to give up. I was so determined. But Teacher warned me that if I followed her and became her student, it could mean accepting certain realities." The stars sparkled in his eyes. "Like the reality that she was a God…and the reality that I could spend decades here without aging."

Carlisle lowered his eyes. "I…understand."

Dante rubbed Carlisle's hip. "Tesla is the only one who knows," he confessed. "She noticed something was different about me when I came home. I had Teacher's approval to tell her."

"She's your best friend," murmured Carlisle.

"She's family." Dante stopped his ministrations.

Carlisle grew concerned when he saw Dante cover his eyes with his arm. "Prince?"

"Compacts don't work here," Dante said. "I had told my parents I'd be gone for the summer and I wouldn't be able to reach out to them. I knew my dad would be going on location for a movie. My mom tried to stay active, but being alone for all that time…" Three beats. "She just… She wanted to visit."

Carlisle's stomach drop.

"I can't blame the fog. It's their responsibility to keep us safe." A heavy breath. "But she's my mom."

Carlisle rubbed Dante's chest.

"Teacher had taken me elsewhere to gather materials," Dante continued. "But she felt some sort of disturbance. I guess the fog had noticed she was my mom. And when we found her…" Another heavy breath.

"You don't have to say anything more," Carlisle soothed. "It's okay—"

"She tried to kill herself, Carlisle."

Carlisle flinched, eyes clouding, but he knew no words needed to be spoken.

"I couldn't keep her calm. I tried so hard, but she just…" The vein on Dante's neck protruded as he clenched his teeth. "The things she was saying—the way she cried—watching her try to kill herself… I can't forget that. I can't. I can't."

Carlisle clenched his hand atop Dante's chest. "We have that in common," he confessed in a small voice. "Maman tried to do the same once. Without my father, she felt broken and lost."

Dante whispered, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too," Carlisle whispered back. "What happened to your mom?"

"Teacher and I were able to get her out, but she was still unstable," Dante revealed. "The fog does irreparable damage to your psyche. If someone comes out, they're blinded and insane. But…we were able to find a way to help her so she wouldn't have any memories of visiting me. But to do that… I still wonder if we did the right thing. And even with her forgetting, I still remember. It didn't matter how long I was here. I couldn't forget seeing my mom like that. The things she said under the fog's influence terrified me."

A beat. "I was so scared I'd have to watch that with you too."

Carlisle swallowed, but he hated he could not bring comfort. "There was a time I went looking for Death."

Dante tensed. "Suicide?"

"No. Death." Carlisle tried to explain, "You have concepts like death and life. The Spirits and the Gods and other abilities are interpretations of those concepts. But those interpretations can be killed off and die. Concepts will forever remain. And I went to search for the concept of Death."

The memory of such a weary journey made his chest feel heavy. "Once, I had encountered Death. But they wouldn't permit me to move on. They told me the conditions hadn't been met yet. I could only die when I reached The End. I could only die…when I reached my purpose for existing. So I was denied the chance to pass on."

"And you never tried under Hunter?"

Even the name made Carlisle's skin crawl. "I did…try. Once." The ghosts of his past chilled him. "It didn't end well. And Hunter made sure I wouldn't have an opportunity to try again."

A hush befell them.

"I won't forgive you."

Carlisle froze.

"Don't you die," Dante ordered, tone fragile, "okay? I won't forgive you if you do."

Carlisle's eyes went downcast. But…I'll have to when I have reached my purpose for this life. That has always been my fate as Mother's Catalyst. But—a sad smile quirked his lips—he doesn't need to know that. "Okay," he murmured. "I won't die."

Another hush.

"No."

Bewilderment spun Carlisle when Dante jerked to sit up. But he could barely push out a note of question when Dante whirled and pinned Carlisle to the ground. He struggled for a moment, but his blatant confusion made his heart race. "Dante?"

Dante gritted his teeth as his bangs fell before his eyes. "No. You… I…"

• — • — • — •

"What does that make you?"

He was back to sitting before Cane in his townhouse and watching it all unravel. He toyed with his empty whiskey glass. "Stop talking around it, Cane." This was his final warning. "Tell me what you know."

Cane collapsed his deck of cards between his hands before producing on The Lover's Card. It showed the happiness of the once lonely prince as he smiled with his little mermaid in his arms. "What I know is that your relationship is a lot more important than you'd think to have an Unknown Card. What I know is that your relationship with Carlisle will honestly become something you both will treasure for the rest of your lives. What I know is that you will both grow into the best versions of yourselves."

Dark violets darkened. "However…"

He reversed the card to show the prince holding out his hand to the sea with desperation on his face, but his little mermaid's hand reached out from deep in the ocean. "What I also know is that your relationship will inspire a change that will be in the best interest of everyone else. Everyone else…"

The force of Dante's grip on his glass made it crack.

"…except for the two of you."

Carlisle flipped the card over to show the lonely prince gaunt as he listlessly looked out to the sea, his tears cried out and his desire to live gone. "And from how the cards read, only the prince is left standing."

The glass shattered.

• — • — • — •

Dante firmed his grip on Carlisle. I… He can't… No… No…

Carlisle blinked and tried to smile, even if it was unsteady. "Hey. Prince, it's okay. I promise. I won't—"

DRIP.

He froze when a tear landed on his cheek.

DROP.

Sea-greens widened to take in the tears delicately streaking down Dante's cheek and cupping his jaw. What…

"Don't you die," Dante repeated. "I can't forgive you for that."

Carlisle started to soothe—

"I don't care that you're not human."

More tears graced Carlisle's cheeks and all his words would never see open air.

"I don't care," Dante breathed, "that you have secrets. I don't care about any of that. I never have. And I never will. But don't you dare die on me. I won't forgive you. I won't forgive you if you try to sacrifice yourself. You're not a sacrifice. You're more than that." His hands shook. "You're more than just a Catalyst."

Carlisle started to open his mouth only to pause.

Dante gave a shuddering exhale. "So don't you die. Not for that. Not for anyone else. I won't forgive you if you do."

Carlisle's lips quivered for a few moments, threatening to give away his own sadness before they calmed into a smile. His hand slipped up Dante's wet cheek so clouded darkness connected with tender violet sea-greens.

"You really can be scary when you want to be," Carlisle told him, tone light. "Hearing you say that… It's more terrifying than anything I've ever dealt with."

Dante's muscles coiled. "Listen—"

"Dante."

He grew taken aback seeing tears trickle out of the corner of Carlisle's eyes even as his smile remained.

"Silly Prince. As if I'd die so easily when I have so much I want to do," Carlisle told him. "We still have this summer, don't we? I can't wait to see all that you'll accomplish. And I still have to wait five years for you to get down on one knee. And after that, I still want a family. I want to find that boy I cared for. And I want to do that…with you. So I know"—he cupped Dante's cheeks—"that I can't die just yet. Not when I have so much to do. Not when I have a whole life ahead to live and see how you'll amaze me next."

Dante's cheek twinged. "Carlisle—" He sucked in a breath.

"Come here." Carlisle pulled Dante in for a lover's embrace and combed down his hair. "I'm sorry I made you cry. But I know I have so much left to do. This world is full of amazing things. And I want to see it all with you."

Dante trembled within Carlisle's hold. I know…he's saying this to console me. He talked around it because he can't bring himself to lie. Somehow, he knows that whatever happens in the future leads to him dying…and I'll be left alone. His fingers clutched the blanket beneath them. But…

Carlisle gave a slight noise of surprise when Dante grip his chin and leaned down for an aggressive wet kiss.

…if that's what the future holds, then I'll change that future. I might not be able to change him leaving. But I can make sure we live a happy life. And I can keep waiting for him even when he leaves me. Because that's my responsibility too. So, please, Giat Hai. Let me live with him in this happy dream.

Dante pulled away to say, "Don't take your eyes off me for a second, princess. I'm going to keep amazing you with this world we live in.

"I know you will." Carlisle's smile softened. "I've never doubted that for a second, Prince."

And underneath the starlight, he pulled him down for a kiss. And up in the heavens, a light streaked the sky.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Kyou wa kimi no negao mitekara

Nemuru tte kimete ita no ni

Kidzukeba kimi no ude no naka de ne teta

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Muta watched both young men in his Cat Form before turning tail and heading back inside. Within a few steps, he flawlessly transitioned into his Battle Mode Shift with his yukata as he approached The Forge as she continued working at her desk.

"Can I ask something of you, Extalian?" The Forge asked.

Muta nodded, gathering his hands in his sleeves. "Of course."

The Forge slowed to a pause in her work. "This realm… These cosmos… It's about to change. And I'm getting old. I have little left to do until I become the selfish God I always was. And my student will no longer need me anymore. So, please…" Her hand clutched her pencil. "Watch over him for me. I ask this as his teacher."

"I will," Muta murmured.

"Thank you." The Forge feathered her work.

Forgive me, my most promising student. But I'm still a selfish and cowardly God. I've done more than more harm than good. But I can rest knowing some of my creations are in the right place. The keys I made for that Clan are being taken care of. The sister swords I made have found their mistress again. Just a little more. I can give a little more. And then you'll have to do the rest.

Those mooned eyes clouded. I'm sorry to leave you to do this, but… This will be the last responsibility I give to you.

And the work on her desk was a draft design for a lone broadsword. The hilt needed some redoing and it was obvious the faint glyphs had come from a lost language. But the name of the sword came in unsettling words.

HEMMUNG

---

— • — • — • —

Kore wa 75 oku-bu no hitori to

Hitori ga deatte koi ni ochi

Soshite atarimae no you ni kisu suru

Arikitarina hanashi sa

•

Hitori wa deki no warui otoko de

Mou hitori wa o Tenmana purinsesu

Otoko ga iu "Kimi to deau tame ni boku wa umarete kita"

•

Baby stand by me

I will stand by you

•

Baby stand by me

— • — • — • —

---

The fireplace would have to do for lighting this time of night. Minstrish and Perlagog were commonplace for the books with the occasional Stellian and Perench thrown into the mix of books and vinyl. But the books were not the main focus tonight.

A gloved hand played across a lap as two fingers played with a ring. "As expected, NICE contacted me. They aren't happy that your dog got off its leash this time."

A light flicked to burn the butt of a new cigarette before a sleek puff was taken. "You'll have to excuse him. He's missing his favorite kitten. Don't you think so…"

Black hair twisted into an elegant side bun, the flames showed cold dark eyes and glinted the budded cross imbued into the ring.

"….Aphtan Ángel?"

Aphtan did not look all that impressed. Anger was too strong of a word, but discontentment felt like too weak to describe his emotions. "Don't disrespect Carlisle-po and call him such a foul name."

A mirthless smirk. "But you work with me who works for the Fallen Nebrod. Would your precious 'Carlisle-po' think you're respecting him working with the man who works for the same Hunter who did unspeakable things to him? Or are you waiting for an opportunity for him to run into your arms still?"

Aphtan narrowed his eyes.

Another long drag.

The doors opened up and pair of loafers came into the room. A sigh. "I see everyone's here that needs to be here." The steps continued until they stopped before Aphtan and the other guest. "Aphtan, you've heard from NICE."

"Yes," Aphtan muttered. "Everything is in place for Carlisle-po this summer. I've made the necessary arrangements."

"I see." A brief beat. "And what about you, Scarlet Warlock?"

The Warlock took another lengthy puff. "I've subdued him…for now." A dark frown could be seen as the flame's blurry oranges licked his mask. "But he's growing impatient. As you know, Nebrods were the Hunters for the Presence. When they're assigned their prey, they can't rest. I've managed to dissuade him from causing more carnage, but it won't last for long. Having a summer deadline may push him to the limit."

The loafers shifted. "Then we don't have much time. There's no room for error if this is to work. We have around a month and a half to perfect this. So, gentlemen."

Bleu stood before both Aphtan and the Scarlet Warlock in his bespoke suit and tussled hair. His hand went to the inside of his coat pocket to pull out a gray feather. "Let's finish what we've started."

---

Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Carlisle Justino – Eric Scott Kimerer

Dante Princeton-O'Neill – Adrian Petriw

Teacher/ Fula / The Forge – Julie Mayfield

Orochi – Aaron Roberts

Ezra Strauss – Zach Aguilar

Saudade Mixa – Enuka Akuma

Muta / Moon Lily – Jason Douglas

Lucifer "Bleu" Demiurge – Xander Mobus

Carlisle's Father – Andrew Love

Chace Duchenne – Ezra Weisz

Cane Alberona-Groh – Clifford Chapin

Scarlet Warlock – Robert McCollum

Aphtan Ángel – Adam Gibbs

• — • — •

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⌟

•

⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ Stand by me, Stand by you. ⟫

HIRAIDAI

Lyrics by

HIRAIDAI⌟

---

•

•

•

•

— • — • — • —

Next time, on Fairy Adventure

•

Episode 121

•

A SPRING HOLIDAY SIDE STORY

A WILSON FAMILY ADVENTURE

— • — • — • —

•

•

•

•

COULD YOU DO IT?

---

Chibi-Luna welcomes her class, "Good day, students!"

"Good day, Teacher!" her students chirp back. "What's our Fairy Lesson for today?"

Chibi-Luna claps her hands. "Today, we're going to talk about the Originals and the Gods!" She wheels in her whiteboard to show a connecting chart with the world ORIGINAL with branches.

"So!" She taps the word ORIGINAL. "The Originals are what religions call their 'primordial gods' or their very first gods. Technically, they are considered Old Gods, but they're more than that. When Earth Land and other realms that overlapped it was created, these beings were gifted abilities to help shape the world. Those beings were the Originals."

A hand flies up and a female student asks, "How many Originals were there?"

"It's hard to say," Chibi-Luna says. "But The Forge, the Hearth, Chaos, and Order were all Originals who became part of history as 'Old Gods'. Technically speaking, though, the 'Old Gods' came after the Originals. Originals were responsible for the creations of the Old Gods either by having children, picking a Champion, or simply bringing a God into existence."

She goes to the world MID-GOD. "Mid-Gods were Gods that helped revolutionize the Middle Era. However, their history is much darker than that. Legends say that Baracles rallied with other Gods to kill the Old Gods. The Original of Fire had created him towards the end of the Old Era. There are no records of how Baracles was treated by his parent, but Baracles started a war among the Gods.

"And by doing so, he wiped out many of the Old Gods and stole power from the Originals. Some say, this caused him to be shunned by the Spirits and he never received a spiritual blessing to become the next leader of the Gods. But because he consumed power from the Originals, the other Gods had no chance against dethroning him."

"How come he didn't consume The Hearth, The Forge, Chaos, and Order, Teacher?" a student questions.

Chibi-Luna places her hand on her cheek. "Not even Baracles would go against Chaos and Order. Their powers are too great and the Original of Chaos was rumored to be controlled with her ardent love for her Champion and by her twin sister, the Original of Order. Both of them were the first Originals born, and Baracles knew that by trying to kill them, the Original of Chaos wouldn't hesitate to kill him.

"As for The Hearth and The Forge, it's unknown why he wasn't able to take on their power," Chibi-Luna explains. "But it's true that because he wasn't able to, he kept The Hearth close to him to maintain the God Realm, which acted as a haven for gods across many realms."

She taps the word DEMIGOD, CHAMPION, SLAYER. "These three words might seem similar, but they aren't," she tells. "A Demigod can only be someone with God Blood. But that doesn't mean that they'll take one the powers of their God parent. And to become a fully recognized Demigod, your God parent has to officially recognize you. Demigods can turn into Gods, but it takes tremendous effort and only Baracles has the authority to bestow god-hood."

"A Champion," she continues, "is any mortal that a God gives power to directly. This doesn't have to be Ether-related. Some Gods gifted their Champions with intelligence or strength. But becoming a Champion isn't necessarily a good thing. To become a God's Champion meant you were also a companion or consort in their harem. Any time they summoned you, you had to answer their call."

She sighs. "But people did anything for power, so they didn't mind it. But a God Slayer is similar to a Champion, but like a Demigod, they can attain god-hood. God Slayers are the rare mortals gifted with a God's abilities. However, unlike the Gods, they don't have the same anatomy and their power is limited. But the more they use their powers, the closer they can achieve god-hood.

"But God Slayers weren't commonalities in the Old and Middle Era because Gods often killed them if they learned about the birth of one."

"Why would they do that?" a student gasps.

"Gods were very prickly about their positions of power," Chibi-Luna elaborates. "A threat to their standing meant they took drastic measures. Some Gods relied on the Mildians to tell them if a Demigod or a Slayer had the potential to become a God since Mildians often had very weak powers in Foresight. But the concept of Time is like a river that branches and falls. There are too many possibilities. And if there was even one possibility the Demigod or Slayer would become a God, they were killed."

"That's so awful," one student whimpers.

"Yeah. That's horrible," another student agrees.

Chibi-Luna points to the word CUSTODIAN. "Custodians were servants to the Gods and responsible for keeping track of Demigods, Champions, and Slayers. They were often bound to one god or one faith. Custodians were often the most passionate believers and were treated handsomely for their duties." Her lips tug into a frown. "And because the Custodians had been the most faithful of worshippers, it can only stand that they'd be hateful and bitter their Gods abandoned them."

A student tentatively asks, "So then… What will happen to the Slayers now?"

"That's up to Lance," Chibi-Luna relays. "As Baracles' 'God Son', he now has the power to lead the Current Era of Gods, Slayers, Champions, Demigods, and Custodians, but he can only do that if he can tap into his power."

Another hand goes up. "Teacher, can the fog truly hide The Forge?"

"It can," Chibi-Luna answers. "How The Forge started her school and protected herself from bitter Custodians is still a mystery, but I have a feeling we'll be seeing more about her in the future.

"After all"—she holds up her Canis Minor Silver Key—"I have to properly thank her for our Celestial Spirit Keys and ask her how she made them! Dante's Teacher truly is one powerful person! And Dante himself is definitely one interesting student!

"We hope you enjoyed today's episode!" she cheers. "Plenty more about The Forge will come up. And keep an eye on Chace. Ezra and Saudade's arc will be one you don't want to miss! And we're so excited to introduce you to Howl! Can you guess who his parents are with all that black hair? And the name of The Forge's drafted sword is very important! And lastly, one final word from the author!"

She scrambles to turn on the projector and pull down the screen to show the message:

— • — • — • —

『 Today's episode showed more of Ezra Strauss. Esme has mentioned Ezra's ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) prior. Orochi mentioned Ezra becoming non-verbal. But what he experienced at Chace's house was not an autistic shutdown, but what is called elective or selective mutism which can overlap into ASD in adults.

I never knew about my selective mutism up until my anxiety persisted in a psych unit stay. I couldn't communicate. Auditory processing blips still happen from time to time, but I understood the gist of what was being said. When I tried to speak, I physically couldn't. Even as a child, I was labeled "shy" or "difficult" because of this when, in reality, I could function—I just couldn't speak.

But I could still communicate through ASL when I was comfortable enough.

Even as an adult, there are situations where communicating isn't a physical possibility. And not every person with selective mutism will still use other methods of communication. This all depends on their comfort level. Ezra using FSL did not come from his diagnosis of selective mutism. It came from Mara. Justin and Orochi both sign to her and as do Gary and Ezra. But Ezra also uses FSL to communicate when he feels comfortable enough when he can't speak.

There will be shown an autistic shutdown later in Fairy Adventure with another character due to a sensory overload (he calls it "implosions"). And there will be more concrete talks about autism in one other adult character and one child character. But ASD, like any disability, does not have concrete symptoms or comorbidities.

Ezra and the other adult are autistic, but they have different relationships, development, and expression of their autism just like anyone with any disability. And both Ezra and the other adult show very different symptoms from when they were children and in contrast to the autistic child character, but they might also share a trait or two. And that is okay.

I am not autistic. I do not speak for the autistic community. And I thank those in the community who helped me with Ezra and the two other characters when it comes to writing about autism in children and adults. Please do not use this work for self-diagnosis. It's always encouraged to speak to professionals for proper testing and diagnosis.

I hope you enjoy Ezra, his Beast Soul, and Saudade's arc. To be clear, Ezra's Beast Soul never raped Saudade, and this will be confronted. But Ezra is still traumatized and his mind can't process that memory. This is in light of a true story between two acquaintances, sans having a magical Best Soul. It's a mental health dark ride with a bittersweet ending for all parties.

End of speech. 』

— • — • — • —

Chibi-Luna turns off the projector. "I can't wait to see what will happen next in this adventure! But I guess we'll find out in the next episodes of Fairy Adventure!"

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

TRANSLATIONS

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

UNKNOWN → FIOREN-MINSTRISH

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Farsa

Father

• — • — •

Minn älsklingar

My love

• — • — •

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

UNKNOWN → FIOREN-MINSTRISH

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Je suis ravi de faire votre connaissance.

It's nice to meet you (formal)

• — • — •

Merci d'avoir amené mes invites. Assurez-vous de finir vos devoirs de vacances de printemps. Je les vérifierai plus tard.

Thank you for bringing my guests. Be sure to finish your spring break assignments. I will check them later.

• — • — •

Je le ferai. Merci, Maître Duchenne

I will. Thank you, Mr. Duchenne

• — • — •

Oui

Yes

• — • — •

Mon amie

My friend

• — • — •

Non, non, je peux le faire!

No, no, I can do it!

• — • — •

Vous deves faire vos devoirs

You should be doing your homework / You need to do your homework

• — • — •

Mais je suis aussi là pour vous server, Maître Duchenne.

But I'm also here to serve you, Master Duchenne / Mister Duchenne

• — • — •

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

STELLIAN → FIOREN-MINSTRISH

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Mia madre

My mother

• — • —

Brodetto and Polenta

This is a fish stew served with polenta or coarsely ground cornmeal

• — • —

Nonna

Grandmother

• — • —

Sì, mio amico

Yes, my friend

• — • —

Che ragazzo testardo.

What a stubborn guy.

• — • —

Nessun problema

No problem.

• — • —