Chapter 5: Erza

ERZA POV

After returning from Edolas, I went immediately to the riverbank, the place that was peaceful and allowed me to think about and express my emotions freely. Within the guild, I was perceived as strong, confident, and even terrifying. But here, I could vent. I could be free. As I sat here, watching the people go by, all I could think was one thing.

It's all my fault.

Wendy's torture and death. Natsu's rage and self-hatred. Gray's desperation and paranoia. Lucy's depression and sadness.

I am the cause of it.

Back during the whole Nirvana incident, following the defeat of the Oracion Seis, we returned to Wendy's guild only to discover that the entire guild and its members were illusions. They had been designed by the guild master in order for Wendy to have a place where she could grow and people that she could call family. After this shocking revelation, the entire guild Cait Shelter vanished before our eyes. Wendy was sobbing, collapsed on the ground as the place she once called home disappeared.

Her cries reached me, as I had just mourned the loss of Jellal. Without even thinking, I reached out to her and told her that she could join Fairy Tail. That we would become her family, if she would accept us.

I hugged my knees tightly as tears fell down my face. Guilt swept through me as I realized one thing: had I not invited Wendy to join our guild…maybe she wouldn't have died.

She could have joined one of the other guilds, and maybe she wouldn't have ever been at risk.

She would be off living her own life now, instead of lifeless, her body somewhere in Edolas. Edolas Jellal, or rather Mystogan, had promised as we were transported back home that he would find her body and make sure she received a proper burial, one worthy of a hero. Mystogan had tears falling down his face as I realized that this was the Jellal that Wendy had met after the disappearance of her dragon mother. He may have felt responsible as well.

To the people of Edolas, she'll become an inspiration as the victim in the battle between humans and Exceeds. Wendy represented strength, courage, and sacrifice, despite her young age.

Still, she shouldn't have been the one to die, simply because of the magic she possessed. It should have been me. I had faith in her abilities, but she was just a child. A CHILD! She had her whole life ahead of her only for it to be violently stolen away.

I put her in irrevocable danger by bringing her to Fairy Tail. She was with us for such a short time. When she was here, she brought light and joy into the guild.

And now she's gone.