Chirping away, birds flapped and soared over a small restaurant that stood within Magnolia. Though it's not well known, it has been noted for being part creamery, which brings baked breakfast lovers in. However, this time around was considered lunch, and sitting outside the establishment in a round table was the bickering duo. Thankfully they were tamed…for now.
Craig opened his mouth and gave a loud crunching sound as he bit into an oven-baked sandwich. The crunchy bread was loud for all to hear, but the cracking going on inside his mouth was what rattled Cana's cage.
"Ever heard of manners?" The brunette asked.
"Ever heard of drinks without alcohol in them?" He muffled in his chewing.
Cana cocked her brow in the "touche" manner. As rhetorical both their questions were, they knew the answers, but living their lives the way they wanted was just how it fit. It wasn't like Craig was going to ban Cana from taking alcohol into his apartment. He knew it wasn't worth it a long time ago.
As Craig munched down on the sandwich once more, Cana tried to provide some alleviation by getting the talking to go on. "So, slept like a baby? Because you sure looked like it."
"Mm?" Craig showed an unamused expression as he crunched through bread like it were crackers. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Anything juicy sedating you in your sleep perhaps?" She smirked.
"Well if you count being around decent folk and women who smell better than zoos, sure." He deadpanned. Of course he wasn't being serious, but he wasn't wrong. From what he recalled, Cornelia smelled like vanilla, and she was a lot nicer than the offspring he was talking to. Implications can sometimes be complex.
The brunette rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Well congratulations, not even noon and you've already made me want to shove you into a card."
"Well on the bright side, if I'm shoved in a card, I can be shoved away so I don't have to look at you."
"Well that's hypocritical." Cana replied. "Are you even looking at yourself right now?"
Knowing what she referred to, Craig grunted as he reached for a napkin and wiped his face. He lazily plopped it down on his empty plate, leaving only crumbs and small minced lettuce scraps. "There, satisfied?"
Cana hunched over and put her elbows on the tabletop. "A bit. Now if we can just fix that ride mouth and those teeth, that'd be a start."
"I'd scare dentists away."
"Well you never know unless you try."
He leaned back and crossed his arms. "Well it sure as hell isn't scaring you off. Everybody else just steers clear and all is right in this little world."
"Well, it's not like I've seen weirder. And you're a whole lot of weird." She smiled.
Craig shrugged as the waitress came around, placing the check between them. "Hey, I know weirder to some extent too, you know." He took the check from the waitress. "Thanks." He watched as she turned and went away, his head turning and following a little before returning to Cana. She only gave him a coquettish grin. He narrowed his own set of eyes. "Don't judge me."
"Oh? And here I thought these were what enticed you, sleepy boy." In her teasing, she cupped her massive buxom, making them go up and down. She then moved to her hips, her hands running slightly down towards her plump bottom. "Like it?"
Craig rolled his eyes away. "Meh."
Cana finally relented and sighed again. "You're unreasonable."
"Thanks."
"And here I bet some women wanted to see more of what you had to offer…well, if you had any of that at all."
And that was the ticket. Craig shot Cana a snipish look; the boiling point had begun. "And how would you know of my goods? Your own goods are your own worries."
"Hey, I'm just saying."
"And I'm saying you suck when it comes to keeping that mouth shut!" He retorted.
"Oh yeah? Well you could learn a thing or two about clams! They know how to keep themselves quiet and shut up!" Cana spouted.
"And they live in the salty sea, like you should be!"
"What am I, a fish?!"
"A Hagfish, yeah!"
"I don't even know what that is!"
"You think 'Hag' fish means anything!"
"Well you're just a guppy with a gaping pie hole!"
"And you're just a small little fish hitching on this shark's back looking for scraps!"
"You're scraps!"
"You're pollution in my ocean!"
"You stay out of my sea!"
Their roaring bickering went on and on, getting the restaurant to find someone to at last get them to leave. Chalk that off another place for them to dine…at least for now.
Makarov sighed as he overlooked paperwork in his office. Aside from the usual need of apology from the Magic Council and billing, there wasn't much else. He was starting to get more wrinkles than he should've had. "How many bills does it take for a guild to pay?" He asked himself. He sat the stack to the side, having finished for the morning.
"Apparently not enough."
Makarov looked up, seeing Mirajane at the open doorway with a smile on her face. "Oh, Mirajane. How have you been? Enter."
As obliged, Mirajane entered the office with an envelope in hand. She didn't show any uneasiness, meaning for Makarov that it wasn't another bill. A little breather from all the cramping his hand suffered already.
"So Master, this just came in." She sat the envelope in front of his wooden desk.
He gave a quizzical look as he picked it up. "What's this?"
"I don't know, but isn't it spiffy?" Mirajane wasn't wrong about the invitation. The edging of the envelope was a carved velvet, with small red vineyard-like insignias sprawled all around it. It looked very intricate for such an envelope. "Whoever sent that sure has some good taste in design."
Makarov continued to stare at the glistening velvet edging. "Maybe over the top for my liking, but you're not wrong. Let's see…" Slowly, he opened up the envelope, making sure that its creases were all neat even as it was being unearthed. Soon enough, when his finger went through the last of the other end, the envelope pried open, holding a letter inside.
He grumbled and mumbled as he looked at the letter, casually inspecting it like any other. However, the longer he stared, the wider his eyes got. He was shocked by the time he reached the end.
"Master?" Mirajane questioned.
"…it's really that time of year again? So soon?" He mumbled to himself. He looked even more contemplative than ever. "Are we even ready for this? After what we've been through?"
"Master?" She asked more forcibly.
"Hm? Oh, sorry, Mira, what was that?" He was snapped out of his thoughts this time, giving her his full attention.
The barmaid tilted her head. "Are you feeling well? You were looking startled from that letter."
Makarov scratched the top of his head. "Well, how should I put this…?" He held it out to her. "Here."
Mirajane took the paper back and read it to herself silently. Her eyes scrolled through its contents, and by the same time she reached the end, she realized why the master was the way he was, only she had a more perkier side than he ever had.
"The Grand Magic Games?" She gasped.
"I'm afraid so." He answered. "We were so caught up in these adventures that we completely lost track of time it seems."
"Well this certainly is a big development. Have you given any consideration yet?" She asked.
Makarov crossed his arms, giving more grumbles that turned incoherent. The way he pondered confirmed Mirajane's inquiry. "So that's a no then."
"The fact is that this news just reached me. I haven't thought about these games before, nor that often for that matter. It's going to be a bumpy road, but I think we will have to do what we can to at least draw ourselves together this time."
Mirajane's smile widened. "Sounds like a yes then." She chirped.
"Well of course it is!" He snapped. He coughed, clearing his throat and adjust himself. "Mhm! Anyways, aside from this prize, I think we may have an opportunity on our hands."
"Opportunity, you say?"
"Basically." He put a hand to his chin, looking deep in contemplation yet again. "How should I put this…? I know that when these games come up, we will have to make a team, if I recall correctly. The teams are no more than 5, and we can add replacements and or substitutes if necessary."
"As reserves, right?" Mirajane surmised.
"Yes. But…I think I want to try something this year." His eyes narrowed. "I'm going to have to make a team that makes us stand out, beyond whatever means this year if we want that 30 Millio-I mean title of Number One guild in Fiore."
"But what team did you have in mind, Master?" Mirajane wondered.
Makarov continued to look down at his desk, rubbing his chin as he hummed. He had a pretty good idea of who he wanted to place on the team, and the thought only made a chill run down his aged spine. He knew this would either end really good, really interesting…or really, really horrifically.
Craig plopped down on his couch, letting out a slight groan as he raised his head and sighed tiredly. The pain in the back of his neck cracked. "Well that was something."
"Well, I blame you." Cana complained from the armchair. "Thanks to you, I have one less place to eat at."
"Quite bellyaching so much. You don't even eat out as much as I do." He pointed out.
"Well look at you, Mister I'm-Able-to-Eat-Anything. But it looks like you scared off customers and that waitress."
"First of all, you started that banter. Secondly, what does that waitress and the others have to do with us? Last I checked, what people think or say about me, I wouldn't care any less of."
"I say otherwise on my account." Cana rebuffed. "If that waitress wasn't wearing a skirt, you'd be getting eye candy."
Craig crossed his arms, giving a twisted expression. "Eye candy? Really? Must everything you say go to my hormones and instincts?"
"Hey, don't look at me. This is what happens when I'm sober." She shrugged, unfortunately Craig wasn't buying it. Her blunt behavior was grating him now more than ever.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head in annoyance. "I don't even like skirts." He mumbled.
Hearing what he said, Cana raised a brow. "Picky are we?"
Once again, he shot her a look. "Yeah, so females look better in yoga and leggings, big whoop. I'm entitled to what I believe and like."
"And how's me falling in that category?" Cana moved her hips to the side, having a hand to her protruding hip. Her way of teasing Craig with his preferences was a fun way to pass the time, but Craig was way harder to toy with than Natsu nor anybody else.
"Not everything is about you or me, you know." He corrected.
Cana huffed as she turned around, walking away. "Forget it. You're no fun."
"Well thank you, Captain Obvious." He retorted. "Good, get that big ass out of here and off to a bar or whatever you do." He sat back in the sofa, turning to make sure he positioned himself on his back lying down. "I'm gonna try and catch some Zs."
In the kitchen, Cana got the faucet running as she looked over her shoulder. "Better for you that way I guess. You still can't move around too much still." True to what she said, Craig was still draped in bandages, but to a lesser extent. With a new day and bones still hurt, his organs were still well, but like any good recovery, he had to take it easy. He was able to rid of crutches starting today, but also had to limit how often he used his arms. They were still somewhat limited since the knuckles and ribs were still the main source of pain.
Craig dismissed Cana's inquiry and resumed his delights; his only liable delight. Recharging his fuel and laid back against the couch, he closed his eyes and wandered into another sleep.
As Craig had his eyes shut, Cana walked back into the living room, turning towards Craig. As she looked at him, she knew it was going to be some time before he gets back up. She could only sigh as she reached into her purse and pulled out a booze bottle. She continued to look down at Craig with a soft gaze, but one of continuous remorse. She began to think back to yesterday, when Craig stated about her selective selfishness and her secret she withdrew from Gildarts for so long. She was lost in her own little world, her thoughts dragging her about until she slumped back into the armchair.
'Gildarts…' Her mind raced with what Craig did a few days back. 'All this time, and I still can't find the time…can I? Or…' She looked towards Craig, her thoughts going about deeper. 'Am I perhaps just finding excuses too much? Maybe I'm overthinking, am I?'
Once again, she looked up, her gaze averting towards the ceiling fan from yesterday. "What do I do now…Mom?"
As she looked at the ceiling, the "Mom" sound echoed, drilling into Craig's cranium. Slowly, his brows furrowed in his slumber.
"Come on, you two! It's getting cold!" Cornelia shouted. "Hurry up!"
"Coming!" Both shouted.
Gardenia's residence was finishing up preparations as the energy in the air was dull and more of anticipation. Some weren't worried, but many children were scrambling back home to their rooms and setting up shutters. The air was intensifying, and the clouds in the sky were dark and malicious. A storm was brewing.
"Come on!" Cornelia urged, more demanding than anything else.
Cana got up from the field of flowers after falling down again. She and Craig were at another game and it was taking a while for them to use their legs again. They were tired, but hurried along as Cornelia worried dramatically. The mother watched as Craig and Cana pulled themselves together and made it to the porch, finally out of the turbulence.
"Inside." She demanded.
"Hurry, Cana!" Craig made room for Cana as she was the one to enter first. Next was Cornelia, and lastly Craig. Once all of them were in, Cornelia closed up the borders and locked to door.
She instantly went for the windows next. "Craig! Cana! Both of you get cover!"
Cana looked worried as she shook her own head. "What about you, Mommy?"
"I'll be okay, you two just find somewhere to-!" She was cut off by a deep flash outside. The flash followed by lightning magnified her heartbeat and made Cana jump with a squeal. Craig, however, rushed over by the window and peeked over its opened contents. What he saw, his eyes widened with sheer awe.
"Woah…"
In the distance, in the very sky itself, over all of Gardenia, there was a roar. The sky swirled as a cyclone of sheer magnitude went rampaging within the domain. The roaring did not stop. Every second was a flash or a kick of wind.
"Both of you need to get to safety!" Cornelia urged.
"Where?!" Craig exclaimed.
"Just do what I tell you and take Cana somewhere, now!" She roared to him. The way she yelled with extreme demand, it was clear she was afraid; of the storm and of potentially losing them both.
Startled and scarred, Craig followed Cornelia's plea. He grabbed Cana by the small hand and hurried her to her room. The two scrambled inside, where they hurriedly got into the darkness that was beneath the bed. They both got beneath they bed springs and stayed shoulder to shoulder with one another as the tempest outside was making the window to Cana's room shudder.
Seeing Cana freak out, Craig looked over and saw how she clutched her own head, tears in her eyes as she prayed for it all to end. Trying to find a sense of comfort of his own, he got closer to her. He could've moved his arm over her if there was more room above.
"It's okay." He whispered. "It's okay."
"Craig…Mommy…" Cana sniffed.
The two held the other close if that were possible, but Craig lowered his head as everything outside was rumbling. The very ground itself vibrated from every palpitation unleashed. It was eroding with so much force that Craig's tiny heart was beating out of dread. Barely -years-old, and he was nearly paralyzed in fear.
The window shattered to bits. Glass went flying everywhere in Cana's bedroom, causing her to scream out in fright. It all spread along with the curtains and plastic. Craig closed himself away to avoid glass, even though they were beneath the bed.
"You okay, Cana?!" He shouted as winds entered the room.
A loud shriek from within the house was heard, followed by more glass breaking. Everything rattled and through the open doorway, Craig narrowly opened and saw the glass spilling.
In a gasp, he realized to who the gasp belonged to. "No!" He panicked.
A loud roar came from outside, the cyclone making sure everything was picked up within the forest and drawing closer to the cottage. The size was tremendous, and the closer it got, the less likely things looked up for Craig and Cana. They had to hurry, otherwise they were goners.
"Mommy!" Cana wept.
The near 5-year-old did the one thing he was good at: Not listening. He hurriedly crawled up from beneath the bed and got his shoes to tap glass beneath.
"What are you doing?!" Cana shrieked.
"I'm gonna find her!" Using what bravery – or stupidity some might say – he leaped and scuttled out of the room.
"Craig!" Cana shrieked.
Craig scurried out of the unstable doorway to make a turn. Holding onto the doorframe, he turned his head and looked at the living room. It had glass all over its carpeting, and the windows were all cracked and shattered. Strong winds blew crazily about, and within the raging omen was Cornelia sprawled over the ground on the side.
His heart pounced and he mustered up what courage possible. He stayed low, doing a bear walk and made sure his tiny hands weren't touching and glass. If it was a slight pinch, so be it. He crawled on over towards Cornelia, getting down and trying to turn her over.
"Hey? Hey?!" He yelled. "Get up! Please!" He called to her, but he got no answer. "Cana's mommy, up!"
Outside, the cyclone barreled through the forest outside the household. Trees were being pushed over and fell with exaggerated thuds. The crackling of branches was heard from inside, making Craig's spine tingle.
"Wake up!" He begged, misty in the eyes.
Cornelia's closed eyes winced and tried to come around. After a few good blinks, she managed to open her eyes and realize she was on the floor. Her forehead had a bruise, no doubt from the window frame that flung open and knocked her for a loop. "Mmmm…what…?"
"Cornelia!"
The mother gasped at sound made. Turning her head, she saw that Craig was beside her, looking to be in a massive panic. "Craig…?" She processed what was going on. She grabbed his small shoulders and gave him an angry look. "What are you doing right here?!"
"We heard a scream, so I went to get you!" He yelled through the roaring winds. It was getting harder to hear by the second.
She was angry, most definitely, but if she was going to get any kind of emotion, it had to wait. She and Craig moved themselves in a hurry over the broken glass and howling outside. They hurried to Cana's bedroom and there, Cornelia's eyes widened when raging winds were also entering her daughter's room.
"Cana?! Cana, sweetie!" She cried out, trying to find her little girl.
"Mommy!" The brunette called in a panic. Cornelia hurried over and reached for her daughter beneath the bed, getting her onto her lap and holding her in her arms, while Craig was still on his two feet.
The small trio followed Cornelia out of the bedroom, hoping that her bedroom would make do from across the hallway. She and the two children were making desperate attempts to reach t when it was just five feet away, but winds beamed through the open window, instantly pushing Craig and Cornelia into the closet in between.
Barely able to move, Cana shrieked in a panic. "Make it stop!"
Unfortunately, nature gave the wrong kind of answer.
The cyclone dropped a tree onto the roof. The actual tiling embedded into the dry wall ceiling, making a huge dent in the veiling in the living room. Once again, everyone's hearts raced drastically.
"Cana! Craig! Stay close to me!" The mother urged. She went to reach for her closed door, but it flung open, the wooden figment pried from the frame and tumbling out of the bedroom – or rather what was Cornelia's bedroom, now a maelstrom with a whole wall missing.
There was nowhere to run. 130mph winds with debris was hitting the house from all sides. The kitchen was struck by another large tree picked up, crashing through the large windows and smashing the furniture within. The fridge toppled over, the plug undoing itself completely. All that remained barely as a safe zone was where they all were right now – in the dead center.
Cornelia looked around, the mother pushed side to side by rampaging winds. The tornado made the earth crumbled and churn, shaking not just the house, but the whole Gardenia. She was panicking, but as a mother, she had to hurry, but unfortunately, there was no room.
Craig looked around, hurrying to seek shelter. Looking behind, he saw that it was the closet. It was a very small closet with mainly cleaning supplies. It was enough space to fit Cana definitely, but not enough for three people. Two was the limit.
Craig looked up, seeing mother and daughter both on the verge of tears. As he inspected the two, they resembled one another clearly. They were crying and holding one another. Craig looked around, seeing everything falling apart right before him. He knew what to do.
With what muscles he had in him, he pushed his body and made headway for the closet. He reached for the knob and opened the door, much to Cornelia's shock.
"Craig?! What are you doing?!" She called out.
"Hurry! Down here!" He pointed to the small space that was barren down beneath. All that was down there was a broom, but that was off to the side. It was large enough for an adult in fetal position to fit into.
Before she could even ask or deny what Craig was advising, the mother was pushed by a massive beam of wind that shoved her and her daughter down towards the ground. Both of them hit the ground hard, unable to stand.
Making headway, Craig scooted over and went over to Cornelia's skirt bottom. He pushed with his small muscles, barely moving her and Cana inch by inch into the closet's bottom.
"Craig…" Cornelia winced, tears in her eyes.
Cana was too scared to say anything. She closed her eyes and held onto her mother as winds pounded them into the confining space.
Craig looked u to see if there was any space, which could be a salvation. He reached to move the cleaning supplies off the rack overhead, but a harsh wind from Cornelia's room hit him, causing him to falter into Cana's room.
"Craig!" Cornelia shrieked.
Craig was again pushed back into the living room, just as the winds finally tore open the wall of the place. The massive swirling maelstrom was but a few feet away, and with one last raging twist and turn, the winds finally seized Craig, just as he turned and gave Cornelia and Cana a shocked and terrified look.
"CRAIG~!" Cana screamed.
"NOOO~!" Cornelia spilled tears like her daughter, just as the door to the closet finally whipped shut.
With a powerful gasp, Craig's body flipped and fell off the couch, landing smack dab on his stomach.
Gasping, Cana instantly got up. "Craig?" In a rush, she hurried on over, making headway and knelt beside him. "Craig?"
Craig blinked constantly. He breathed in and out, his heart racing nonstop. He could feel a sense of adrenaline coursing through him, but it wasn't of delight like in battle, this was a deeper level that shook him to the bitter core. He continued breathing to stabilize himself.
Cana rubbed his back. "Cranky! Cranky!" She yelled.
Craig abruptly pushed her shoulder, giving himself some space. "Give me a minute!" He snapped. Unwilling to adjust to train of thought, he sat up against the couch bottom, his head down between his legs. He breathed in and out, in and out. Whatever he felt, it wasn't pleasant, and he had to make sure that it wasn't.
Cana hurried away, darting for the kitchen for some fresh, cold water. As she did, Craig was raptured in what was his memories.
His breathing slowed down, capturing the moment on which he was saving Cornelia and Cana, unwilling to sever the mother-daughter duo. He recalled the memory; how it was a natural disaster that whisked him away from them. At least from what it appeared to be.
"What…a cyclone…" He mumbled lowly, barely coherent for anyone to hear. "That memory…no, did it really…? Did I really do that…?" He recalled the face of grief and despair left behind for Cana and Cornelia as the closet door shut. "I…saved them…"
He drew out of his thoughts when a pair of footsteps closed in. He turned and saw a pair of oversized juggs and thighs that carried a tall glass of water. Cana came around, kneeling and giving him the refreshment.
"Here, see if this helps." She advised.
With a steady hand, Craig reached and took the glass. He raised it to his lips and began to drink a few big gulps. After the cool liquid ran down, that left it half-empty. With what was left, he splattered his face, washing away the fatigue. He shook his head, getting droplets of water everywhere.
Without looking, he gave it back to a disgruntled Cana. "Thanks." He said low.
"Don't mention it…" He ignored the awkward stare Cana gave to him and allowed her to take the glass away. She sat it off to the side, and like Craig, she allowed herself to be collected and slid down the side of the couch beside him, taking liberties and having arms to her knees.
A long silence passed, allowing Craig to think back to the memory over and over, realizing what happened. After it processed, it was now clear that must've been how they got separated. 'So it was that cyclone that separated me from them…and at such a young age.' He believed in luck, but a 4-year-old surviving a massive whisk of a tornado was anything but luck. It was a miracle. 'Is that what started my whole journey? No, I didn't lose my memory until I was 14, almost 9 years after. Something went on in between then and how I got separated.'
After giving him decent space, Cana spoke. "Another memory?"
Craig continued to look down. "…yeah."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. There wasn't anything you could do about it." She didn't know how impeccable he was. "It's part of the past now."
She looked towards him. "Still, are you okay?"
Craig twisted his brow as he glanced over towards her. "I'll pretend you didn't say that."
"Then I guess I have my answer then." She grinned. "That's good."
Another silence fell, a short one that left both to think.
"…so what was it now?"
"A…trying to save someone dear to me. I was taken before I could know what happened."
"Taken? You mean someone?"
"Something, actually. I wasn't prepared for it…" He looked up as the ceiling fan went around. "Then again, I'm never prepared."
"Be as it may, are you going to hold out?"
Craig again turned towards the fireplace on the other side of the living room. "…if only I knew the answer myself. Maybe not. I know for a fact that I managed to save one." He looked towards her, his eyes meeting her own. "I knew that much, and I was able to be glad I could see her in one piece when it ended." It wasn't a lie, per se, but then again, it wasn't the truth. It was true that he met Cana, but he made it sound like somebody else. This was really his best way of letting her know. This was for the best, at least for his sake. And perhaps Cana's as well.
Cana's gaze onto him squinted. She grew wondrous of Craig's dreams as of late, but knew it was best to not get any more involved. This was the best for her as well. She faced her knees, looking sad. "I guess we both have our fair share of problems when it comes to those we've known and lost."
"Fair share?" He huffed.
She sighed. "Alright, you had it rough, but you get the idea. At least you are able to confront your problems and deal with them once and for all…I'm just not like you. I'm not even sure how long I should wait to tell Gildarts the truth."
Craig gave her another look. "You still yammering about that? I mean I know it's a lot to think about, but…" He thought about her and Cornelia, drawing his gaze away. "…nothing."
Cana looked towards him, a deep frown crossing her face. "You sure you're okay?"
Once again, Craig groaned. "Sure. Great. Whatever."
A snicker came from the brunette. "Man, look at us. We're just piles of dung right now. You got permanent psychology issues, and I have daddy issues. So much for sanity or courage for either of us." A morose grin crossed her lips. "I'm sure my Mom would've said something."
Hearing that one word, Craig snapped to her. "Your Mom?" He almost sounded surprised. Almost.
Cana looked at him, her brow raised. "Yeah. She was great. She may not have been rich, and we didn't have a lot of space…but at least I had some childhood before…" Her face fell, a saddened expression crossed her face once again.
The suspense was coming at Craig like an army. He was too curious for words. "Before…?"
What was said next defied all reasoning and what heart either had left. It was something that would once again be a milestone in Craig's contorted yet still golden heart. At long last, Cana spoke of it.
"…before she died."
A silence fell for the whole room; the whole world even. Craig went as stiff as a board at the sound Cana made. It was echoing in his head, and his eyes slowly widened in shock and horror. He looked at her like she was insane.
Finally, after a long period, he spoke. "…she's…dead?" It sounded so unreal, but it was like – another – shot through heart.
"Yeah. I was still so young when she passed. I wasn't sure how far my memory goes, but I don't remember much before that. It's all faint, but I remember being in a small house with her, and often, I'd play with somebody. I can't remember his name or his face. That was so long ago."
Craig's heart fell into an abyss upon hearing that. Shot and sunk. He was aware that because of that memory, he and Cana were separated, but he would've expected her to be of such recollection to an extent…at least that was what he hoped. Sadly the reality was that when one is young, they don't remember much. He remembered, but he was sad Cana didn't. Still, guess he couldn't blame her. That was almost 14 years ago.
She continued. "Our first home was destroyed, but the town that I was raised in recovered. Things were going well…but after that destruction, I think my mother got some sort of unknown illness. It wasn't serious until I turned 6." Her eyelids went half shut. "Next thing I know…she was gone. All I had left was my puppy and the clothes on my back. Before she died, she told me something."
Craig stayed silent within his own revelation.
"She told me something like 'I wasn't always alone. I had a lot of fun together, and until that day came, they were the greatest and purest of people I have ever met. I couldn't imagine a world without them'. Or something like that. I was one of them, and the other…was my father, Gildarts."
And once again, it was another stab to the chest. Craig only stared with wide eyes at Cana. Was what she saying true? Did Cornelia speak of such a thing. He must've been meant in there somewhere, but there had to be a reason. Maybe to secure Cana's grief. He knew Cornelia would've been shattered if he actually did die. Sadly, she didn't live on to see that his heart was still beating. He still knew he was meant in those lines somewhere, that much he was certain of.
"I know my Mom would've been proud of what I've become." Cana wasn't so sure of her own statement; it made her chuckle in amusement. "But I still want to fulfill her last wish. I need to tell Gildarts who I am, so she can finally be at peace." She turned towards Craig, seeing the continuous shock plastered on him. "I know you're sad, too. I know losing those close to you is hard…but the truth is, well, I actually envy you. You don't let guilt keep you from fulfilling what you see is right. I should've told Gildarts the truth long ago, but here I am, still sulking. But Craig, fear only drives you forward. If I had your strength…maybe I could've said it to him before."
Craig said absolutely nothing. He frowned in deep mourn as he thought of Cana and Cornelia still. 'You couldn't be anymore wrong.' He thought.
Cana stood up, managing to stand and huff. "Well, I'm gonna go fetch some take-out. You good until I get back?"
Snapping back to attention, Craig blinked. "Uh, yeah, yeah. I can eat anything." It came out more forcibly than intended.
The urge didn't stop Cana from shrugging. "Alright, I'll be back." With that, Cana stretched overhead again and left the house with her purse. And just like that, Craig, once again, was all alone.
Alone. Gone. Forsaken. These few feelings, they were what he left Cana and Cornelia to feel when he sacrificed himself to think fast. He stared at the fireplace, staring at the black pit of emptiness and unable to move for the longest time. He could only imagine how Cornelia and Cana felt when the storm passed. The pain and heartache he left them – especially his mother figure – perhaps that's what led to her illness that made her pass.
Knowing she was gone, he couldn't help it. His body acted on its own and he stood up to walk towards the restroom. He acted like a possessed being, remote controlled and unable to respond. He ventures inside and closed the door. He stared at the mirror, for what seemed to be the longest time.
As he thought about Cornelia dying without him knowing, he just…snapped. In a fit of blind despair, he angrily punched the mirror. Shattering it to pieces. He teeth gritted as his eyes misted up, tears beginning to swell and fall. His bandaged and bloodied knuckles just shook violently as they stayed in the one position that he punched. He grew morbidly angrier by the second, ramming and banging his forehead against the wall.
"Damnit! Damnit! Damnit!" He cursed himself. "I…I…GOD DAMNIT!"
He wailed in a frenzy, crying in shame and mourn as he cried out for another passing. Only this time, he was all alone to bear the pain. Just like Cana had to bear. His wails and cries of anguish echoed loud, but were unfortunately out of earshot for Cana to hear.
A take-out dinner and a shouting exchange between Craig and Cana later, the two worked in cleaning up the small mess Craig left to clean up. Cana mentally cursed herself for thinking of leaving him alone the way he is mentally unstable. She should've been more attentive, and because if that, there was much more work to be done.
After a decent deli-like dinner the two had, the two had found themselves back in the living, this time the sun waning and just about set. It was a crisp night to come, and the two were grimacing over earlier.
"Sorry." Cana apologized.
Craig couldn't look her in the eye. "N-no worries. It's nobody's fault. These things happen."
Cana looked over, looking at the grim aspect of the bloodied bandages that covered Craig's fingers. He looked sound, but she knew he still hurt. She sighed in slight frustration. "You're a real piece of work. Do you know that?"
Craig closed his eyes and lowered his head. "Maybe, but it still doesn't change the fact that I flipped out over something I wasn't able to do to help." His eyes grimly opened. "But that's normal."
Cana gave him a worried look. "Are you sorry about my Mom?"
Craig shot her another look. "And you're saying I shouldn't be?"
"…no, it's okay. I'm sure we would both appreciate the sentiments. She was doing what she could, even if she did seem a little sad at times. She nearly burst into tears at times and I didn't even understand. I guess stress."
Once again, Craig wanted to hit himself against a wall. He knew why Cornelia would be like that. He did that often as well.
"I just hope I can make things right someday. I'll make sure Gildarts know who I am." She looked at Craig, giving him a small smile of comfort. "And I know it may be tough, but you'll remember someday who you are as well."
Craig hummed weakly, but what Cana said had his mind stirring. 'Make things right someday…' That sentence left his brain to store up a pot of wonder and fixation. The more he thought about what he can do rather than could've done, the more he also recalled 'Better late than never'. In a way, that was his life. Cana can't find the nerve to tell Gildarts, and Craig find the nerve to tell Cana he's her long-lost friend that she doesn't remember. They both were running from a truth, but for the best for themselves. Someday, Cana will tell Gildarts, and Craig will tell her, but if that happened, what then on? It was a mystery and waiting game, but all they could do was wait for the right time, but if not now, when?
"Brownie?"
Cana heard his call, making her turn towards him. "Yeah?"
"…there's something I wanna know." He asked.
"Like what?"
"…" He didn't speak at first. Was there much for him to admit he was part of her past? He could wait and let her catch on. However, he chose to back down, realizing it was better left alone for her to realize. "…I think I just need some time to myself tomorrow, got it?" However, that didn't mean he still wasn't going to do anything about it.
Inquiring of Craig's motives, Cana raised a brow in question. "Um, okay…?"
He got up, heading right for the stairs. "Alright then, guess it's time for me to get a nice soak in." He slowly went up the stairs, with Cana making sure to act as his "proxy nurse" and followed behind. She made sure he wouldn't fall, and as such, she stuck close for the whole evening.
Night was deep in its beckoning. It was a cold, dark time, and it was almost 4 in the morning. The sun wasn't going to be up anytime soon, leaving plenty of time for a certain someone to do as he pleases. Still in bed, Craig opened his eyes in a flash, He took a moment to process where he was; that he was still in bed. He realized that he slept on his side, with Cana sprawled beside him. Her slender arms were draped over his ribs, making them sting still. Though able to walk, that didn't mean it hurt to touch. Retaining careful measures, Craig slowly moved out of the bed, with Cana's arm unable to reign him over.
Getting dressed over his bandaged body, he got his swords and sheaths and lastly the thin jacket. He draped it over himself, wearing it and putting on the hood. Turning around one last time towards Cana, he watched as she slept, her head laying graciously against the pillow. A soft smile crossed his lips as he looked afar, and once more, it pained him to leave her like this. But he had to do this. He must, for himself.
With that, he kept the door open and walked down the steps and out the door. He ventured into Magnolia's streets with haste, hurrying with what Jewel in his pockets for the train station. From what he recalled, it was going to be a long ride.
The sound os whistling was constant through the daybreak atmosphere. There was no time to rest for the likes of Craig Crius as he stared out the window. He ignored his reflection on the glass and slowly watched as the daybreak sky was coming around. All he did was watch as the landscape eroded out of the way over hills and into groves; over land and over bridges.
After many hours, with the new day's sun beaming at a 45-degree angle onto his face, the new train whistle meant this was his stop.
Once all the passengers got their supplies and cargo, Craig eventually found his way off the train and onto the train station in another location. With a jacket on and hands in his pockets, he lethargically ventured into the domain and looked around.
Turning left and right, he took in the sight of the train station. It wasn't very grand, but it was still something he appreciated, especially given the small town it resided in. If he went on foot, it would've taken another few days to reach. Thankfully he learned of the Fiore railway system and took action.
With morning on the break of ending, he began to trudge on out the train station. Once outside, he found himself in a nice town, one of generous size. Even now, he could see how much has changed since then. He frowned and silently inspected the roads and places as he went on.
He was quiet the entire time, no words needed as he looked at everything, taking in all the sites. He saw the many children who had parents beside them, and some playing about; he saw quite a few couples even talking to one another. Compared to what he remembered it a long time ago, it really has modernized, and grew in population to boot.
'So this is what happened after almost 2 decades.' He looked around, seeing the few houses that he remembered having porches. They now had houses made up of brick and tiling. He looked around, taking his time looking out at the many households and the streets that were once paved in dirt. Though children played, they were no longer jumping through wooden fencing. Bars and intricate black gates were everywhere. He could've sworn he mistook the town for someplace else. 'The town's really gone up the rails.' Of course he was entitled to his opinions. Old fashioned is the one fashion that never changes.
He coursed on, his shoes making headway through the concrete and passing the early morning shops that had bustling citizens enjoying meals and spending time with one another. Nothing picked up in his ears as he went on, but that mattered not.
While it was still cool, he kept his jacket on as he reminisced in the earliest flashbacks he had with Cana and Cornelia. As he walked by, he saw afterimages of children and households from that long ago. Comparing them to when they changed or were perhaps sanctioned by others. Ever so slowly, the sun shot rays down and the frown on Craig's face dampened as he closed in on a lone path hidden between two narrowed streets. He knew where the path led, and it only made him that much more nervous.
He knew he had to do this, so he didn't back down. As he closed in on the path, he was beginning to recall the image of Cornelia and Cana walking hand in hand with groceries all the way back to home. He retained any and all calm as the bittersweet times, pushing on pass the buildings to where the trail literally ended before a field of flowers. The flowers were all yellow and white, just like the ones Craig and Can played in when they were but small children. As he looked at the sea, his eyes slowly escalated to the domain that was once Cornelia's residence, now but an intricate abandoned cottage.
He wasn't sure if it were abandoned or not. His delusions said people were gone but may return. He had to make his time quick. Gathering what flowers he was able to pluck out, he crossed the land and went around the house. Going around, he saw a black gateway that acted as a borderline of the property. Behind said house, he saw a flat field of grass that stretched for a hundred feet inwards, where there were more flowers, much taller than the ones in front of the cottage. But beyond them, but barely in eye sight, he could see it.
Taking a deep breath with his hood up, he walked quietly and silently through the field, keeping the flowers in hand. After what felt like an eternity, he finally passed the secondary flower field, finally standing before a dirt mound with a gravestone embedded into it. On it, it read the few terms he could make out:
Cornelia Alberona
A happy and devoted person
Craig frowned before the very grave that made his heart skip a beat. His eyes grew dull as he looked longingly at the mound. He knew what was down there he wished he saw just one last time. He was given a lot of chances at life; saved, spared, and killed only to be resuscitated in exchange for others, but this loss was a deep cut into his throat. Slowly, he sighed and spoke. "Hey, Cornelia. It's uh…been some time, hasn't it?" Not so amused with his word choice, he powered through. "It's been too long, and I know you may not remember nor can I blame you, but…it's me. You'd think these chompers and eyes meant anything." He smirked in amusement that time. "It's Craig. I still can't believe it's me even. It's been 14 years, and I'm still shocked. How am I alive? Your guess is as good as mine. I, uh, I'm not the best when it comes to saying these sorts of things, but I'm doing what I can to make this brief, so just bear with me on this."
With a long sigh, he cleared his throat and lungs. He knelt down, gently placing the handful of flowers on her grave. "It's not right for me to be here right now, not after leaving your heartbroken to a million pieces. I'm a disgrace to being here, and you. I may not have any privileges or rights to being before your resting place, but this is when I must apologize." He closed his eyes, bowing his head before her tomb. "I'm sorry, and I have every right to be and feel this way, but don't let this feeling you have for me get in the way of your daughter, Cana. That's right, I know of Cana. I can't believe that it's taken me this whole time to realize who she was before I lost everything…including my memories." His gaze grew heavy in remorse. A deep sense of humility rightfully found its spot inside his heart. "It took me over 14 years, but I am grateful to say that I found her by chance. Believe me, she's…a real piece of work." He smirked. "You wouldn't believe me now if I told you we have a way with words each. We're just back and forth. Hard to believe your long-lost friend is someone who grates your skin every two seconds. But you know what, after all this time, it's not half-bad. It's good to know that someone's there to bicker and get into scuffles with. Not everything is a happy go-lucky road. I'm sure we all learn that eventually…"
As a passing wind drift by, he could feel it being lukewarm, and yet on the chilled side. He frowned deeper than before.
"I'm sorry. I'll wrap up." He narrowed his eyes, getting a sense of misty eyes coming around. "Cornelia…I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me in your final moments. I know it's irresponsible to think I'm at fault for you dying, but I…I wasn't sure why I did all that. I didn't want to deprive you of Cana…something I never had. I never knew my Mom or Dad…but I was very happy with my time with you." His eyes began to mist harder, small tears jerking as his teeth gritted. "That's why…I…I wanted that time to last forever. Being with you and Cana made me feel happy, and have a home. I actually was somewhere I was wanted. I made you guys feel happy…and yet…" His teeth gritted tighter, his frustration boiling. "All I really did was cause you grief. I wanted to save you guys, repay my debt; but I was still unable to save you. I'm just a damned fool!" He dropped to his knees, his fists clutching in heavy frustration. Tears were starting to rise up, his anger intensifying. "Why didn't I recall you sooner?! If I knew about you two sooner, I would've…no, no. I learned it was better to focus on what's to come rather than dwell on what would've been. If…you still hate me for leaving you I completely understand. But please…let me be with Brownie…be with your daughter…just for a little while longer! I get a better memory when I'm around her, and I'm doing a lot better at committing to her, even if it's a little. But I still miss you…"
Another wind passed by his back. This one, however, felt different. It was warm, and his eyes widened in a sudden gasp. Something rushed into his head at that instant. He felt it then and there, that it was like someone – something – anything for that matter; it was touching him. The warm wind draped around him from behind.
With eyes wide, tears streamed down his face harder than before. He sobbed profusely, unable to contain himself. For that one instance, he thought of a warm sensation of a motherly hug embracing him. His teeth gritted as the wind swept at his tears. He put a hand over his heart, imagining the spirit of Cornelia holding him as he cried aloud.
He got to his hands and knees, bowing with his head touching the ground. "Thank you…thank you!" He yelled. "I'll do whatever I can to make you proud. To make Cana feel welcomed again. I'll stay by her for as long as you feel like I should if it means keeping her well-being in one piece. Cornelia…I'll do my best."
Another warm wind passed him, wiping the tears from his cheeks. He did what he could to keep himself from sniffling, but he felt obliged, nee needed, to let out his guilt. Once he settled down, he at last picked himself up, and with the sun radiating down on Cornelia's grave, Craig gave one final nod.
"Please bear with me." He turned around. "I'll see you later. Rest easy."
He turned and finally went back the way he came. He went over the flowers and away from the gravestone, all while the sun shined down on the stone itself, the wind as warm as the light that shine don its words. The flowers stayed put, while Craig powered on, once again striving for yet another fallen remembrance.
Here's the end of the arc. How was it? Decent? I didn't want to strive for 10K, so I had it close but still below. Still, I intend to make sure the ending to the Return of Gildarts Arc was emotional. I chose to have Craig say nothing about Gildarts because this was really more between him, Cana, and Cornelia.
Next chapter, as far as I have planned, I ma making a revised and original version of the Grand Magic Games. It's gonna be different compared to anime and manga, so bear with me. It's going to be the last arc of the story, so hang tight!
As always, review and thanks for reading.