Black was all that raptured the night. It was all correspondent to the desert-like night that made spines that wandered on its crisp sandy tops shrivel. As rattlesnakes hissed, and many animals nocturnal began to dig their way through to the surface to hunt, the half-moon howled with the sound of a coyote elsewhere.
A black bird of large size – rivaling a condor – swiftly scoped over the cool desert, laying low as to avoid any potential eyes. It moved so fast that even those waiting ahead were caught off guard and missed their chances, instead eating sand grains. The desert howled as the condor-like black havoc stayed silent and ascended, climbing higher to get a full-scale view of something from the distance. Its destination was locked on at last.
It looked to the broken but still standing pyramid-like ruins. Its structure was an open, aged top with many of broken walls and pillar in and around it. It was like it was destroyed by an enemy attack. In a way, it was. A long time ago.
The black bird descended and flew through the entrance and gate of the ruins, made solemnly of damaged rock and hardened sand. He passed through, the structure still stable with his wings folding and flapping weakly as he slowed down once inside the borders. Once his talons touched the ground, the large bird crept forward in haste, his form slowly transforming in the tiled platform before a throne. He adorned a black cloak, completely tattered and shrouding his face and contour. What did seem visible, however, was an unkempt stubble, a rag-like gray scarf, and gray boots with black rings along the shins. His black boots were completely worn out, and as he bowed, his tattered long black sleeve showed as he graciously lowered his head and frowned.
As he did, the pillars and tough sand he flew through not even a few seconds ago crumbled, almost as though it were a delayed reaction.
"I have come home." He spoke. His voice had a very grave-like tone to it.
A sigh came from a slender silhouette with a high collar and a humungous, odd hourglass-shape staff. He lethargically lift himself off a rock he slouched back on. "We know. You think we didn't hear the sounds of your ugly feathers?" He sarcastically said.
Another shrouded figure with some round cylindrical capsule over his head was seen from behind a pillar. "Our humblest welcome to you, brother. Has your venture taken you far to where we are needed?"
The shrouded man of misdeeds kept his head bowed as he hunched over, winds beginning to pick up. "Yes."
The staff-wielding silhouette had a massive toothy smile showing. "About damn time something came up. So, you found him?"
"No, I'm afraid he still eludes us. But there is something else that has caught my eye."
The staff-carrying man lifted his head. "Huh?" He slowly turned towards the tattered man, revealing a blue eye of shrunken, craving thrill. "Hold on a sec. What did you just say?"
The cylindrical figure tilted. "He said no-!"
"I know what he said!" He barked. He looked back at the acquaintance and gave him a stare. In one second, he was gone, reappearing before his bowing front and had his staff over his shoulder, looking unamused as his shadow overcast his eye.
"Listen, we gave you a specific task. It was so simple that even a pigeon could've done better in half the time. And they don't even have brains the size of peas. When you went out there, we wanted results, not excuses!" In a fit of frustration, he flipped his staff, turning it to slam its hourglass-like blades into the ground beside the tattered man. It pierced clean through the rock like it were tissue paper. Oddly enough, the tattered man remained calm in his associate's outburst.
He stood up, staring him directly in the face. "For your information, you didn't hear me the whole way through. Did you perhaps forget the last part of what I spoke of?" From his tone, it was more of a rebuttal.
Another pair of footsteps were heard, the silhouette of another man heard. "Oh come now, gentlemen. He reasonable. Really now." He looked average height, with a Shinigami-like attire outlined in the moonlight, yet as bizarre as it seemed, there were also pieces of pauldrons, and guards all over the neck and limbs. It seemed like a cross of a knight and a Shinigami. "Is it really so wise for us to be having another one of your impatient fits now?"
The blade-wielder narrowed his eyes at his associate.
A disgusted scoff was heard. "I was enjoying a nice little beauty rest over here, fellows." The next silhouette features the figment of a slender woman with a body covered in shimmering armor of its own. It was a red-like gold, which complimented her monarch butterfly-like wings so neatly folded. Her waist-length wavy brown hair was shifting in the winds, making her cover it up.
"Oh great, now the winds picking up again. Somebody at least rebuild that gate please?" She complained.
The armored Shinigami snickered at his associate's childish complaints. "Well I most certainly do not have a problem with it. Speaking of which, shall we resume what you have to say?"
The scythe carrier yanked his scythe out of the ground, again hoisting it on his shoulder. "Whatever you have to say, it better be good."
The misfortune carrier kept his head shrouded in the hood, frowning. "Our target was not within reach…but I think I have found an ideal location as to where he might be heading next."
At the notion, all of their ears perked at the sentence. As the woman and scythe wielder looked with shock, the cylindrical man and the Shinigami knight had little to no fixations given the shadows cast upon them.
"You don't say~?" The knight spoke slyly.
The scythe carrier stepped back a few feet, but his weary expression never left his face. "Wait, so then you…" He leaned forward. "You said you might know where he's going next?!"
"I've heard of this tournament that is called the 'Grand Magic Games'. It is located in the center of Fiore. However, this is but word alone. I have been looking for more scoping to find rumors of this string guild who had someone save an entire country from a colossal dragon."
The monarch woman smirked. "Oh?"
"Has four blades, and a terrible bite."
The scythe carrier gave a squinted look and smirked. "Is that right?"
"Enough details. That is enough for me." The cylindrical silhouette announced.
"And I wholeheartedly agree." The Shinigami knight stepped up, revealing that he also had shimmering shadow cast-like armor and shin guards on his lower body. His pants were tucked into the armor, and his tattered cloak with cut sleeves had red edging with full-on black. In the back of the cloak was spelled 'RAGNAROK' in red kanji. He had spike-like shoulder armor, and his short white hair reflected within the moon. His eyes were blank, concealing any emotion as shadow cast-like ears were on him. He smirked as calmly as possible. "His is a very interesting development indeed, brethren. It's getting to be tedious just hunting and fining results only to be stewed over again." He looked up towards the moon, a lethargic smile crossing over his sigh. "I suppose it can't be helped though. If we do in fact wish to belittle a new age for our godly gifts, we must take out the competition. Am I right?"
The monarch woman smirked. "So we're playing human games then? Sounds interesting."
"These games aren't like those petty ones those children play." The cylindrical man said. "These are all magic users."
"Oh come now. They won't be an issue. We got or eyes on the prize." The scythe carrier grinned darkly. "And that's to get rid of Craig Crius. His days are numbered now that we've finally found him."
The Shinigami smirked wider. "Timing is key for this to work. We shall investigate into this immediately. We'll be sure to give these human audiences a meaning of a 'dangerous game'."
The scythe carrier's own smirk widened. "Now you're speaking my language!" He poised his weapon. "I'm gonna kill that bastard, and then we'll have ourselves avenged."
"The fallen gods and goddess shall make way to Olympus again soon enough." The monarch woman hummed.
The cylindrical man slowly crept back behind the pillar, while the Shinigami-like man and the tattered cloaked figure watched as the scythe carrier and monarch woman yelled out, laughing uproariously in belittling all gods around. As odd as it was, the winds that stirred over them was creating storm clouds.
All around the damaged and dead temple, sand swirled, and some parts burst from the sheer laughter as the two hollered in ecstasy for what's to come.
A hand reached out in front, heavy breathing heard as large leaves were shoved out of the way. A small figure went on over the small edge of grass to get a largescale view of the mountains and valley. From as far as the eyes could have possibly seen, large blue eyes took in the several waterfalls that poured into gorges and ravines that went as a waterway through the valley towards the norm. Lush green life was everywhere, and the energy was running wild; magic energy that flowed even through the waterfall, seeping into porous rock openings. The view of a valley could not have been any more majestic.
"Wow…" The little Craig hummed as he looked around with massive wondrous eyes. He was awash with emotions and decorative beauty. He never saw anything like it before. It was bizarre, but in a way, he felt relieved. Though he was barely 9, his mind registered the reality.
His little head snapped back to attention. "It's so pretty. But, will I find anyone here?" He hummed in deep question, looking around to hopefully find answers. Unfortunately he didn't. He knew that from venturing, he knew the flora were dangerous. He was small enough to be mistaken for an infant animal, leaving him to flee and make headway as he had to avoid poachers and expeditioners awhile back suffer from the wildlife making them unwelcomed to the land, yet welcomed them to their stomachs.
Even back then, when some saw Craig, it was like they left him alone. It was like they knew he wasn't a threat and had a right. But was that even fair? He just freaked out maybe once or twice, ran into a tree, fell unconscious; even then he found himself not dead.
He looked back to where he came from wondrous of the animals that had devoured the poachers. "Are they picky…?" Not wanting to dwell, he looked around, seeing a tall but high mist cloaking a space above the waterfall. It blended well into the sky, only making it a little hazy. Even so, it didn't shroud the sheathed top of a large mountain hidden in the land to his north.
"Is that a mountain?" Craig stepped up, getting a little closer to the land afar. "Well it's not an illusion…the humidity would've killed me by now and make me mad. But…" He couldn't place it, but something else seemed bizarre at the moment. It wasn't good nor bad per se, but it…compelled him. A normal little boy with adept survival instincts made his mark all the way to lands unknown, and now he is bound to go nowhere but travel up mountains?
In the end, he shrugged. "Meh. Okay. What have I got to lose?" Taking a gander, the 9-year-old Craig marched towards the mystical domain. However, unbeknownst to him, as he walked on, something else ventured from the leaves not too far behind.
A taller Craig walked out of the flora, having blinked seeing the smaller version of himself run off towards adventures unknown. He looked at his body, turning over his hands and arms. They were fine, yet he still felt curious why he didn't suffer bites or anything along the way.
Choosing to follow along, the older Craig frowned as he followed his smaller-self without complaint. As he looked ahead, he put a hand to his hip, seeing the mystical shrouded mountains. "Well I'll be damned." He hummed in irony. "Well, guess rolling stones gather no moss."
With that, Craig followed his smaller version like a ghost. He just followed his flashback all the way up the coursing mountain. The minute either sat foot, they felt the primal surge of power flowing through the soil and rock. It was unbelievable, but at the same time it wasn't magic. It was something more…primeval about it. They couldn't explain it, but it tingled.
Day turned to night, but ridge after ridge within the fog, the lost Craig just kept climbing. The adventure that took him this far didn't seem to hold him back. The mist didn't hold either his older ghostly self or the flashback itself away. The fact they were going up and up forever, the older version figured the land itself would be changing beneath, but no. It was just a really big mountain. They kept climbing, with Craig and…Craig tailing, all the way to where the smaller Craig saw a ledge high up just where the misty sea cloud end. The fog and possibly complete cloud coverage was gone, but at long last, Craig's climbing carried – them – to where it was nothing but peaks of other mountains in the distance. Blue sky was everywhere above, it was like a sea of raw atmosphere opened up to them.
"Wow~." They both hummed.
Despite their staring, it was still a climb, the younger Craig went up first, with his ghostly present following behind without hesitation. Craig looked up, seeing his past-self huff and pant as he crept over the ledge, his tiny heels shifting rocks and dirt that crumbled past the still climbing Craig.
Craig eventually clawed his way up, following his curious younger-self. As last, and with a heavy sigh of relief, he panted heavily as he lurched over, rolling onto the ledge and plopping onto his stomach. He panted, barely having strength to get to his knees.
"Well that *cough* sure was a heck of a climb. How did I even do all that?" He looked over, seeing his younger-self was already near the small pond, duking his head in to get water into his system.
"…huh, okay then." Craig shrugged, joining his flashback to a drink of ever-fresh pond water. He took gulp after gulp, ounce after ounce entering his stomach. It was flowing in and once he had his fill, he lifted his head and wiped his mouth.
When he opened his eyes and looked over, he snapped to attention, seeing that his past-self had disappeared. He snapped his head back, realizing he was nowhere in sight. Swiftly turning left and right, he raised a brow in heavy exaggerated shock as he saw that the domain was completely vacant.
"Uh, okay…?" He lazily looked around, looking for answers. "This is, uh…a little weird."
He picked up on something that could've been mistaken for flapping. He looked towards the sky, but straight above was the sun. He put his hand over his eyes to shield himself from the bright radiation to continue looking at the direction where flapping was heard.
At the last second, his eyes caught a large shadow with talons. It closed in fast, more specifically on him. In a rush, he scuttled away, ducking away as the massive beast created a gust that spread and made Craig slide backwards a little.
When he caught himself, he looked ahead ready to fight. But what he saw only made his balled fists loosen, his teeth tightened becoming loose. He looked ahead, disbelief surmounting him.
Before him, standing on the flat mountaintop, was a wyvern. But as its scales rattled, he looked at Craig directly, their eyes interlocking.
As Craig pointed at him, he slowly stepped forward. "You…" He mumbled. "Are you…"
"My good lord." The sound of an elderly man was heard, the pitch making Craig's ears rang as he quizzically turned towards the average sized figure on the wyvern's back. On said back was a robed figure whose white hair was as white as the clouds that laid beneath them. It was hard to tell who it was given that it was the sun's shadow, but he was old – very old.
Craig took a few steps ahead, slowly pacing as the old figure had a slow but steady time getting off his wyvern. Off the side he went, he looked up and pat his scaly friend's neck.
"There you go. Still got some nerves to fight these heights, eh?" The old man hummed.
"Ggrrrr." The wyvern huffed.
The old man huffed. "I know. Now…" He smiled as he looked towards Craig. "Why don't we greet our guest here." He turned with his hunched body facing Craig, with the wyvern stepping and thudding to rest himself gently beside as Craig stopped just a few meters ahead of both.
There was a long silence as both Craig and the two shared a small but subtle moment of attention towards the other, but that mattered not in the least, at least for the few seconds that registered into Nic's cranium. When they did process, his first words were the very important starting points to a long reunion…
"I'll bite. What the freaking hell is up now?" Crossing his arms with a raised brow, Craig definitely broke the ice. He melted it.
The old man hummed as he looked at Craig. Without warning, he flicked his finger at him, causing a small shock to burst. The small force bellowed past Craig as he shifted towards the side, eyes wide as he watched that force go on and on. When out of sight, he looked back at him, seeing the frown. "Well I can see that something hasn't changed about you at least." He huffed. "Well I guess that's what you get for not giving elders respect."
"Woah, woah, slow down there." Craig blurted out. "Level with me. What the heck is all this? And are you seriously-?"
"GRROOOHH!" Batto-Ba shrieked right beside him, causing Craig to scuttle away and fall onto his side and slip onto his back.
He stared up with wide eyes, seeing the old man's shadow over him. He bent down, his closed eyes inspecting Craig. "You should really stay careful." He teased.
Craig's eyes narrowed. "Well, I can see you haven't lost your luster." He pestered.
The old man smiled. "It's good to see you again, Craig Crius." He reached a hand down to him, offering him a chance to get up. Though reluctant, Craig grabbed hold and was yanked up in an instant. He was surprised by how muscular the old man was given he looked to be over a century old.
He gave the old man a whimsical grin…to an extent. "Well I could be saying the same thing, if I knew where or what the heck is going on of course." He added. "But, I think I have an idea where this is going."
"Do tell."
He looked towards the wyvern. "Say, uh…Batto-Ba."
The wyvern shrieked in a high pitch. It looked pleased to know Craig gained some memory of the wyvern.
He looked towards the old man next. "And you…uh…" He put hands to his hips, furrowing his brow. "Eh…"
The old man gave another hardy laughter. "Well, don't fry your brain boy, because this old bag of bones isn't blaming you for not remembering me. I barely remembered you at sometimes!" He laughed some more, much to Craig's annoyance.
'Well isn't that just touching.' Craig sarcastically thought to himself.
"But forget all that for now. Let's really get to the point of why you're here."
"Why I'm here?" Craig repeated. He gasped, his attention averting to the landscape around him. He realized the plain he was on that he followed his past-self to. It took him all the way to where he learned chi.
Seeing the look on his face, the old man chuckled beneath his breath. "Surprised? Took you awhile to realize this spot. It's where you wandered aimlessly and startled me. Boy did I get a heart attack…and for you a spanking." He wanted to snicker again, but the irritated look Craig gave him only made his demeanor shorten. "Well the years haven't been too kind on you, I see."
"That's an understatement." Once again, Craig gasped. "Wait, you-!"
"Your memory? Yes. I am aware. I know of what tribulations and just sacrifices you've been through, my young boy." Slowly, he ventured around Craig, giving him a physical inspection. "You certainly have grown, and yet even through all those adventures, you still have such a golden heart. If that isn't overwhelming, then no wonder you found yourself up here."
Craig looked over his shoulder, staring down at the sea of mist and clouds that lurked below.
"You see, only those who have become one with nature, or are perhaps too pure to be considered malicious to secrecy, those few of the many traits are what's needed to get through the forest, otherwise those animals will take your life for trespassing."
Craig looked back at him. "So basically it's all a test of heart and what mother nature sees in you?"
"In a firm nutshell, yes. If you somehow make it through, then by all means, travel through the infinite fog and end up at start. No one could ever reach here. However, you did, and here you are again after 10 years. Though you do look a little rough around the edges some."
Craig gave a small "Meh." as he rolled his eyes. He watched as the old man started walking back towards Batto-Ba, slowly of course. "So me being here and all, am I really here?"
The old man walked up and rubbed the side of the old wyvern's head. "Technically, no. Your physical body is wherever it's still is, and your mind is here."
Craig got the gist. "So like a dream, only I'm the spectral."
"Right." The old man lowered his head, taking in a deep sigh. He finally faced Craig once more, looking over his shoulder with a serious expression. "I am sure all these dreams you have may be puzzling, but all I can offer you is my condolences. There isn't anything I can do to help you make a complete puzzle, but a big enough picture for you to understand."
Craig waved him off, grinning. "hey, we all got quirks, don't we? So maybe these memories you know I have are still making me wanna hit a few rocks against my head, but it sure helped me out understand some things so far."
He looked over his shoulder, the man smiling at Craig. "That is most fortunate."
"Although…" He frowned as he crossed his arms. "The fact about my memory loss and how you are able to communicate through my dreams by these flashbacks involving chi, how's all that correlated?"
The old man again went to walk towards him. "Chi is a very intricate art that only very few can understand. Magic overflows everything in this planet, but chi is the spiritual and manifested essence that one can potentially channel into his own power. Like you. What have you learned about chi so far?"
Craig raised his brow and looked up. He could name a bunch of factors that could make use for his own power. It was because of chi that he is able to do things he never thought as possible. He was more than a little confused on how to explain, but rather than explain, it was best that he showed.
Walking away, he ignored the old man's raised brow. "Eh? Where are you going?"
Craig stepped up towards a flat rock that stood beneath him. He looked down at it, staring with a frown. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. As he knew and was instructed, he kept his breathing calm and lowered to a knee. He held up his middle and index finger, both linked and he began to move it about, wobbling it with spiritual essence poised into it.
The old man's closed eyes opened weakly, showing onyx color. "Oh?"
After gathering a few second's worth of chi energy, Craig's eyes flashed open and he huffed, driving his two fingers into the flat rock in a chop. The rock split into several pieces, cracks wide and loud to be mistaken for bones snapping. When done, Craig stood up, with his fingers only bright red from the recoil.
"Well done." He congratulated. "That's a marvelous show of chi."
Craig looked over and smiled. "Thanks."
"Have you tried the paper and bowl technique I taught you?"
Craig rubbed the back of his head, looking away. "I'm still working on it. I've been working on my chi for a while, but nothing to exercise it for battle. That bowl trick, only a few degrees so often."
The eyes closed for the old man. "I see. Can you start fires yet?"
Craig looked over and gave a half-grin. "You didn't show me that yet."
"I didn't?" The old man again snickered at himself. "Perhaps my memory is much hazier than I remember."
Craig looked at the ground between him and his mentor, silence falling before him.
"Is there something troubling you?" He asked.
Craig's eyes narrowed. He looked to be stumbling about, shaking his head. "It's just-it's all complicated, I get that. But why am I remastering chi? What's the purpose of this chi? I know it's to help me, but…"
The old man walked on over, placing a gentle and prune hand on his shoulder. Craig looked towards him, seeing his concerning look beneath his huge moustache. "You can't rush these things. You know better than that. Everyone has a reason and a purpose to do something. I have a purpose still, and it's right in front of me." He got Craig to blink. "You may not see it now because your memory is lost, but this gift I spoke up of, the one with chi…it's that level of chi you can harness to change the world…the world you have already changed."
Once again, Craig's eyes widened.
"Your true power will come in due time, just be patient with your ol' mentor and Batto-Ba. We'll give you a good kick in the pants in the right direction, but for the answers of your power and identity to come, you will need guidance. Okay?"
Craig still wasn't sure how to wrap his head around this one. He was still far from solved, but he wasn't entirely confused. He saw that his master and pet were both still alive, and they were still communicating through to him. He didn't want to leave their show of respect in dire theft. With humble acceptance, Craig bowed to him.
"Yes." He answered.
The old man nodded. "Good." His head was risen higher, overlooking the blue sky. "I am afraid that is all the time I have for now. Time is up, back to your reality you go."
"Alright." Before Craig could concentrate, he forgot something. "Wait!"
"Hm? What is it?"
"What's your name?" He asked. "Your wyvern, he's Batto-Ba, but…I never remembered yours…"
The old man looked back at him, staring meekly at the man. He could see he really wanted to know, despite any sign of possible cluelessness. He saw he was pure in question, and that was enough for him. "…Sama."
"Sama." Craig mumbled.
His eyes narrowed with a smile as a wind shift between them. "You surprise me, Craig. This is actually the first time you asked me for my name. These years apart really were good for something after all."
Craig grunted with teeth bared.
"And feisty as ever." Sama laughed. "Now continue with your adventure and chi practice. I need to rest. These bones aren't gonna hold me up much longer you know."
With that, Craig gasped as everything went black. It all went silent as his emptiness was filled with a grogginess as his eyes opened up again, finding himself sleeping in his bed.
"Gnnngh…" His blue eyes opened at long last, showing him sleeping on his back and his shirt on, casting away the many scars and tattoos that were badges of honor. He blinked meekly, catching himself in what happened. Upon realization, he slouched up on the mattress, using his arms and hands to support his weight. He looked ahead, reaching out in his own retrospect to where his mind went off to.
An image of Sama appeared in his mind. 'So that old guy's still kicking. I never would've guessed he's still alive…but then again, I did see reincarnations and guys living well into the thousands. This is just so messed up.'
A yawn snapped him out of his little thought, the culprit being an awakened Cana. The lush arose off the mattress and arched her back to get a nice stretch in.
"Morning." Craig mumbled.
Slouching up like him, Cana gave a tired look as she glanced over towards him. "Morning." She huffed. Without any need or strength to stand, she casually laid back onto the sheets. "Is it afternoon yet?"
Craig looked out the window, seeing the few rays of sunshine still beaming at times. It wasn't hard to tell it was late morning. He laid back into the covers as well, looking up at the ceiling. "If you wished long enough, then sure."
Cana rolled over, her back facing him. She mumbled incoherently, but Craig didn't bother to question. Instead, he just resumed his own train of thoughts, but he glanced over at Cana while doing so.
'Thanks Cana. Because of you and that jacked up hermit, I think I might be able to get a step closer to where I need to go. But only as long as you both really wanna follow me.' He turned over in his sheets, getting a low grumble from his stomach. 'But I can't be much of an ass kicker if I'm starving.'
A new day had come, and it was the day Craig could finally get back on his feet without worry. It's only been a week and a half since he went to visit Cornelia's grave, and he's been by Cana's side since, like they always were since they were kids. Cana was still so young, so he didn't hold anything against her, but even so, Craig carried on and the usual routine of mild complaints and playful banter every so often. Cana would go on a job at times, so Craig would stay awake so he wouldn't have any distressing thoughts. But today was different, because now he could get the all clear to move around freely without worry of tear or churning of bone. Back up to full health, he adorned his leg weights and has his jacket tied around his waist.
Eventually finding themselves in the kitchen, Cana drank some water to cleanse her system. With one last gulp, she sat the small glass back down onto the sink.
"You good?" Craig asked, looking in the fridge.
"Sure, why wouldn't I be?" She hummed.
Craig gave her a raised brow. "Because I said so." He deadpanned.
Cana returned said look. "Uh huh. While you're at it, fetch me a bottle, would you? Please?"
Craig rolled his eyes and looked into the fridge some more. "You know, if you're going to keep stuffing your junk into here, why not just by yourself a fridge? They have coolers and mini fridges for a reason you know." He pulled out a liquor bottle in one hand and held a large apple in the other. He closed the fridge behind and strolled along slowly and casually pass Cana, handing her the bottle without looking.
"Thanks."
"Yeah, yeah. Just recycle that." Even Craig cared about the well-being of Earth Land.
Cana rose the bottle to him. "Sure thing." She held it to her lips, taking in one gulp after another. As she took pleasure to her own delights, Craig took pleasure in chowing down on the apple. Their gulps and chewing filled the air between them with a respective silence. They kept the air rather subtle as they saw fit, and no one complained.
Cana wanted to question why Craig was rather calm and about, but instead, she chose to dismiss it. After coming back that day, Craig looked…pleasant. He looked a little at peace. That was good enough for her. In fact, whenever they argued as of late, Craig dismissed at times and relented. He didn't lose his fight per se, but he also hasn't been meaner; a double thumbs up for her.
After a short while, the pair finally finished their respective meals. Once the clock had hit around 10:30, Cana stood up and went to find her purse. "You ready?"
Craig rubbed his sore neck, tilting it to make bones crack. "Sure, better than waking up and sleeping like a tub of lard."
"What?"
"Forget it. That guy has an important announcement today, right? So let's go see what he has in mind." He readied and proceeded out the door, with Cana in tow.
Soon enough, the guild hall was all set. Members of Fairy Tail were rolling in like it was a press conference. All the members that were either out on jobs or returning entered the guild. Once a head count had been established, the last few to enter were Cana and Craig. As the latter strolled in with hands in his pockets, he earned varied looks from the many other members; some good; some different; some relieved. They didn't seem too on edge, but Craig and Cana sure were when they saw Gildarts sitting at the bar, but frowning in seriousness ahead.
"Hey, look who decided to show." Jet mused.
Droy chomped on a chicken. "Hey guys, long time no see."
"Are you feeling better?" Levy asked.
Cana shrugged. "Sure, we're alright. Right, Cranky?"
Craig also shrugged. "What she said."
"Great!"
Lucy looked over, smiling. "Hey, look, it's Cana and Craig."
"Really?" Together, Natsu and Gray turned to see both individuals apparent. The looks on their faces showed shock and overwhelming, especially with Natsu pointing at Craig.
"Hey you! You got some nerve being here!" He barked.
Craig leered at him nonchalantly. "Sorry, did I need an invitation?"
Natsu looked at Craig with anger boiling. Of course he never liked Craig and didn't agree with his views, but the fact he trounced Gildarts of all people knew for absolute certain he'd kill Natsu in a real fight. Gray managed to settle him down thankfully.
"Hey, settle down. He isn't a bad guy so just lay off." He said.
"Aye! He just recovered." Happy pointed out.
Seeing their points, Natsu continued to grit his teeth and eventually let up. He crossed his arms and turned away. "Well guess I could cut some slack this one time around." He said. "But make no mistake! Don't think I'm overlooking what you did!"
"Hoo~rah." Craig twirled his finger around and showed sarcastic enthusiasm, making Natsu fume on purpose. He had a way with provoking easy pickings.
Erza only sighed at Natsu's level of patience, but she didn't see anything wrong with it regardless.
"Still early and the place is already so riled by Natsu's noise. Sheesh!" Carla huffed.
"Be nice." Wendy scolded.
As Gildarts looked over beside Macao, he looked at Craig and Cana with a smile. "Hey, guys. Glad you could make it."
Craig looked over, as did Cana surprising. The two looked at each other, seeing their frowns. They were of concern, but Craig managed to perk up first. Cana followed. They could power through. They always did.
"Yeah, same here." Craig said, though lowly as it was in tone, it was true.
As everyone was talking and making conversations, they all simmered down as Makarov entered the stage ahead. Gajeel and Pantherlily looked on, with Bisca and Alzack also staring with wonder in what was going on. The master continued his trek and kept the guild in suspense. The silence quelled eventually as he made it to the podium, standing before everyone.
He looked at everyone. "Welcome. Thank you all for coming." He looked ahead, seeing Craig and Cana in the distance. "I'm glad you could all make it. As you know, it's been a very arduous few months, so I understand how the majority of you feel right now."
"I wonder where this is going on?" Juvia questioned to herself.
"We'll see." Max said.
Makarov pressed on. "Listen well, because what I have to say is of great importance. If we are to overlook these shortcomings, we must make use of the time and of what prosperity we have. There is no need for us to dwell on matters that could be best pushed back for now. Let those stresses and easiness settle for the time being, for we have word of an event that can and will remind us of how we strove and dominated in these times of need. As of late, it's taken me great consideration, but now I know what Fairy Tail must do."
Everyone stayed quiet as the master kept everyone in the loop. They all looked at him with anticipation rising, their fixtures set on the prize.
At last, taking a deep breath, Makarov's eyes opened wide. "And so…I hereby announce the upcoming Grand Magic Games shall have our participation!"
Almost everyone cheered and raised fists at the air. Their loud noise literally shook the guild hall.
"Woah! What?" Lucy looked around, startled.
"The…Grand Magic Games?" Wendy questioned.
"Oh my gosh! Is it really that time of year?!" Laki smiled.
"AW YEAH!" Warren cheered so vigorously that he flailed in midair.
"Looks like Fairy Tail's gonna show it's stuff this year then." Wakaba huffed. "This is gonna be fun."
As everyone cheered on, the more confused of the bunch was Craig. He looked towards Cana knowingly. "Do I even want to know?"
"The Grand Magic Games is basically this big, fancy tournament where guilds all over Fiore compete in various tasks and obstacles. Eventually, the days total up, and the team who wins gets the title of Number One guild in Fiore." She smiled. "And 30 Million Jewel to boot."
Craig was mildly surprised by this turn of events. He's been in games before…but those were in arenas the size of half of Fiore, and they were to survive. Basically he was the last man standing by the end as others were killed by someone else or something. This seemed tamed, but competitions for 1st never…enticed him.
"Sounds like your cup of tea." He shrugged.
Cana frowned at his indifference. "At least try to look interested."
"Denied."
The brunette groaned at his defiance.
"Everyone is aware of how the rules work." Makarov said. "We are only to assemble our finest, and as such, we are only able to supply but 5 members and reserve members in case of drawbacks. However…" The drawback to what he said escalated. They all gave him raised brows of confusion. "This is something I want to address before I announce the five that I have picked."
Elfman hunched over, sweat dropping. "What's the big deal? Isn't it manly enough to pick and choose?"
"I don't think it works like that, Elfman." Mirajane said.
Natsu clutched a proverbial fist. "Hey, don't hold back! Let us have it! I wanna hear who's kicking butt, because it's gonna be me!"
"Huh?!" Gray exclaimed. "He said 5, not just you, bonehead!"
"Yeah, but I call shots on the fights!"
Juvia looked over her shoulder, watching Natsu and Gray berate one another. 'My darling Gray, surely you can handle your best out there. If I'm fortunate, we'll both be able to fight side by side, and show the world our burning passion and undying love that shall win us the battle!'
"Just say it already. We don't have all day." Gajeel huffed.
"Gajeel." Levy scolded, getting the Iron Dragon Slayer to halt his exclamation.
"Quiet down, everyone." Makarov insisted. "I have decided those who will participate, so be weary, understand?"
"Yes, Master." Erza said.
Once more, Makarov cleared his throat, readying to speak up. Everyone in the guild hall went silent, and they all fell short of any say when Makarov exerted the few breaths needed to announce them in the order he saw fit.
"The first choice: Natsu."
Natsu smiled eagerly. "Gotcha. Won't let ya down, Gramps."
"My second pick: Erza."
Erza smiled humbly. "We'll cooperate to our fullest."
"My third pick: Gajeel."
Gajeel's brow furrowed, yet he smirked eagerly. "Alright."
"My fourth pick: Laxus."
Laxus crossed his arms beneath his drench coat, static flaring around his body. "Guess the geezer's not throwing any punches this year then. This'll be a hoot."
"And lastly, there is my last choice. I have taken a lot of thought into this last one, and I think it's because of this pick that Fairy Tail shall show its eccentric tastes this year. What we've done so far, it was this experience brought on by a certain someone."
Craig raised a brow. "Oh boy."
"I have a bad feeling about this." Lucy hummed, earning a look of confusion from Wendy.
Cana narrowed her eyes. "Wait, is he…?"
"My last pick for the team representing Fairy Tail shall be…" The master looked ahead, his gaze going far back to where he looked over everyone's heads. Everyone in the front rows looked back to see who was picked, but who they saw with a disgruntled expression only made them grow wide-eyed.
"Craig Crius."
"WHAA~T?!" A majority of the guild yelled out insanely.
Cana looked towards Craig, her eyes wide as she saw him sigh with a shaking head. "Of course." He groaned.
Lucy sulked over. "This year isn't gonna end well."