Rising Moon

Summary: A second chance wasn't something I, Aldrin Zevon, expected. I didn't expect to wake up in a five-year-old body in a forest, nor did I expect what would come after. A multiverse of possibilities has opened up to me, and I intend to take it for all it is worth. SI-OCxHarem, Fairy Tail/Multicross Story

This story is inspired by A Nascent Kaleidoscope by AStoryForOne. I HIGHLY recommend you go check it out. It's almost 1 Million words, still going strong, and definitely worth the read.

Chapter 2

Selene was bored.

Oh, it wasn't the first time the Moon God had been bored, but this was the latest instance. As a dragon, she had nothing but time towards fulfilling her objectives, but she tended to plan for the long term and thus was often found herself with little to do.

Usually, she would cause some mischief in Elentear, but today she wasn't really feeling up to it. It had gotten kind of boring lately, and she'd rather not deal with the FACE that was within the depths of the planet trying to wipe her out for her huge magic, even if she could destroy its arms with ease.

Maybe she should take the time and go deal with those Dragon Eaters that had been targeting her sons? She scowled as she recalled the news of the death of two of her beloved children: Elexion and Xynum. The Lightning Dragon King, and the Four Beasts Dragon.

First Xynum had been killed, and she was no closer to learning just who it was at the moment, and the bastard who'd done it had devoured her child, obtaining his magic.

It reminded her of Acnologia, who killed, devoured, and bathed in the blood of countless dragons until the very nature of his Dragon Slayer Magic shifted to encompass all magic.

Still, Xynum had attacked first, so she was willing to let it slide. But then they had sought out and killed Elexion. As if that wasn't bad enough, she was well aware the bastard had taken her son's heart and sold it to turn it into Lacrima.

That alone was unforgivable, and she doubted that he was done with hunting down her children either… This was all because of that damned Elefseria and his silly little quest to try and kill herself and the other four Dragon Gods.

Granted, Selene understood. She sought the same thing, the end of the era of Dragons, for humans to finally step forward and usher in the true era of humans, where they need not fear any dragon. Be it herself, the dragon gods, or even Acnologia.

"At least we dragon gods are able to be peaceful," she scoffed. Even that hot-headed fool, Ignia, was capable of restraint. Last she'd heard, he'd headed to the mountains and made that his residence so he could unleash his flames whenever he wanted without consequence.

She considered the possibility of dealing with the Dragon Eaters… But she ultimately decided to hold off on it. She could deal with them at any time she pleased, and who knows? They might be useful to her later on, better not waste potential assets.

Maybe she should check in on the progress of her Moonlight Divinities? They were still a bit young, but they were making great progress. She was sure a visit to them would help motivate them to work even harder for her sake…

No, she shook her head. She'd just visited them recently, to do so now would be spoiling them. She wanted them to grow up independent and strong, like her children, not relying heavily on her for affection and approval.

Her children…

Her eyes lit up.

Oh, she knew! She'd go and visit one of her children!

Who to visit though? Maybe Qila? Perhaps Atyr? Oh, Syrio might enjoy a visit!

So many options, so little time-!

Her thoughts were cut off as she felt a familiar presence approaching her temple, and a small smile came to her face.

Well, it seemed one of her children had decided to come visit instead.

She looked out the window at the distant figure rapidly approaching. Her favourite son: Kurnugi.

It was no secret that Kurnugi was her favourite child, all of his siblings knew it. The reason why was simple.

He regularly came to visit her. The two bonded as mother and son far more than any of his siblings bonded with her. Only Qila came to visit her sometimes, and even then, she didn't visit nearly as frequently as Kurnugi did. She was a shy girl who didn't like to come off as clingy to her. She was a dragon, after all, and had her own pride.

As her son got closer, she noticed something in his arms that gave her a small start of surprise.

A human child. More specifically, a young boy.

Well now, this was curious.

Kurnugi dropped down onto the little awning she had, giving her a warm smile. "Mother."

"Son," she returned the smile. "I'm happy that you've come to visit me."

"I'm always happy to visit," he responded. "Though today isn't a social visit, I actually require your help."

"Yes, I assumed," her lips curled from a smile to a smirk. "Does it, by any chance, have to do with the little bundle you're holding in your arms?"

He looked a bit embarrassed. "Yes, it does. I was just surveying my territory for any threats- with those dragon eaters about, better be safe- when I saw this child building a shelter by my lake. No adults or any humans for a good distance, just this child. So, feeling a bit mischievous, I thought that I'd give him a little bit of a scare, you know? Like the old days."

Selene sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Even grown men would faint in your presence, Kurnugi, it isn't a surprise the child did."

"Yes, I know," he looked suitably chastised. "It was just a whim, I didn't mean to scare the child so badly. Anyway, something peculiar was about the boy. I couldn't smell any human scent on him, at all."

That caught Selene's interest. "At all?"

"Yes," he nodded. "I figured the child was abandoned or some such, or he ran away from home and has been on the run for long enough that human scent is no longer upon him. I couldn't just leave him there, but I didn't know what to do. I thought about some options, before I decided maybe you would have an idea?"

"Well, I'm glad to see that you understand when you are out of your league with something," she nodded. "Never let your pride blind you to your faults."

"Of course, mother," he nodded at her wise words.

"Let me see the child," she told him, holding out her arms.

Kurnugi didn't hesitate to gently hand the child over, allowing Selene to get her first good look at him.

He was small, maybe four to six years old at a guess. He wasn't showing any signs of malnourishment, but he was starting to show signs of weakness in his body, likely from not being able to eat very much within the forests of Guiltina… Fish and some fruit were his only food source, based on the scent.

His hair was a light blue in colour, his skin deathly pale, likely from the fear Kurnugi had caused within him, as she could see some colour returning to his body even as she observed him.

Out of pure curiosity, she decided to check his magic container… And her eyes widened at what she felt.

It was huge.

The child had an absurdly massive magical container, to the point that she almost considered the possibility that he was a dragon himself… Though that was immediately discarded from her mind, no dragon would faint in the presence of another. Even the weakest and most pitiful of dragons wouldn't bow before Acnologia, let alone Kurnugi who was weaker.

What caught her attention most, however, was the lack of an innate magical inclination within his body.

Every person's magical container had a magic their bodies were naturally more inclined to, such as Re-quip, elemental, just something they were a natural at learning.

But this child had none. Despite how powerful his magic was, it had no alignment. That meant that his magic was far more malleable, giving the potential for him to learn multiple magics far easier than most others would. She was a dragon well versed in magic and thousands of years of knowledge at her beck and call, but she doubted that she'd be able to learn as fast as this child if she was correct.

'This child…' Selene stared down at them. Their body hadn't yet started truly developing, meaning that he could be taught and developed in a certain way… Their magic was very malleable, meaning he would learn quickly…

"Oh, I know that face," Kurnugi said aloud. "Mother, what are you planning?"

The Moon Dragon God smiled at her favourite son. "Kurnugi… Meet your new brother."

"Brother?" He questioned… And then his eyes widened in realisation, making Selene laugh.

Truly, Kurnugi was her favourite son. He'd even brought her entertainment!

.

.

.

I felt a groan escape my lips as I slowly woke up, sitting up slowly and holding my head as I tried to stave off a killer headache.

Well, the pain meant I was still alive, at least… Unless I got isekai'd again. It would be like that guy who got Isekai'd three times and didn't want to get reincarnated for a fourth time.

The Death Mage who doesn't want a fourth life or something? I didn't remember the name.

As my headache calmed down, I slowly look in my surroundings, and they were… Different to say the least.

Firstly, I was in a room, sleeping on a futon. More specifically, the room was very reminiscent of Japan, the kind of room you'd find if you were staying at a Ryokan.

The next was that it was now daytime, the sun shining into my room and lighting up the place, which did make me feel a bit better that I wasn't submerged in darkness.

I hesitantly got up, taking it nice and slow, and made my way over to the mirror hanging from the wall.

I guess maybe I wasn't isekai'd again, because the same face was still looking back at me. Same hair, same eyes… But the clothes were different.

I was wearing white robes I didn't recognise, but they had a Japanese origin to them for sure… A yukata, I think? Or was it something else? Honestly, I didn't recall, all I knew was it was Japanese in origin, something that I think you'd see a Japanese ghost wearing.

Well, okay, time to review some things.

I wasn't dead, and this wasn't a new world… I think, kinda 50/50 on that one, I'll try and find out later.

Second, I was no longer in the forest. Instead, I was in a room with a futon… Which I kind of want to lay down on and go back to sleep, it's so soft compared to the grass that I could probably sleep in seconds as opposed to the half an hour to hour or so it usually takes.

Third, if this was the same world, someone had changed my clothes while I was asleep… It also meant that someone had either driven Kurnugi off, or something else.

Ugh, so many questions but no forthcoming answers!

Well, maybe I should start with finding out just where I was? Yes, that sounded good.

I made my over to the door and slid it open, only to jump back in surprise at the sight of a short girl with black hair looking at him.

"U- um… Hi?" I offered.

"Don't leave," she told me. "The Mistress will be along to see you shortly." And promptly slid the door closed one again.

… Well, okay then.

Not left with much choice, I made my way back to the futon and just flopped back down, covering my face and groaning.

Right, great. So, I might have been taken in as someone's slave it seemed, just great… No, that was just me jumping to conclusions. This was Fairy Tail, if it was the same world. A Dark Guild dealt in slaves, and a slave wouldn't be treated nearly as nicely as I've been treated thus far.

After all, if all slaves were treated this nicely, they'd never complain, and it probably wouldn't be against the law.

… That statement probably wasn't entirely accurate, but I knew what I meant and that was what mattered.

"So, what, I just wait for this 'Mistress' to come here?" I muttered to myself, letting out a groan.

I couldn't help but wonder what she'd be like. Was it a character I knew? Maybe it was someone I didn't. Maybe it was a movie only character, or maybe it was an anime only character.

Honestly, who was to say just who had decided to take me in and change my clothes?

Luckily for me, I didn't have to wait long as the door slid open, and a voice spoke up, "My, my. You hear someone is coming to see you, and you lay down to sleep?"

"The futon is soft," I retorted subconsciously before I uncovered my eyes and looked up… And my eyes widened at who I saw.

Her hair was long and blonde, reaching down to her wonderful, wide hips. Her eyes were an almost glowing, wine red. Her lips were curled in an amused smirk on her pale skin. A slender neck led down to ample cleavage, barely held up by the kimono I saw upon her.

My gaze drifted further down and…

"Ah, ah, ah," she said, adjusting her kimono to hide the view before I could see it. "That's for when you're older, if you're a good boy."

I snapped my gaze back to her face, and I felt myself pale because I recognised her. I knew her.

"Oh, I see the recognition in your eyes," the woman smirked. "But, since this is our first meeting, allow me to introduce myself to you, little one."

She lifted up her saucer and took a sip of sake before she spoke.

"I am one of the Five Dragon Gods. Leader of the Moonlight Divinities, Queen of the Stars. I am Selene, the Moon Dragon God. And you, little one, shall be my Dragon Slayer."

I stared in shock at the woman in front of me… Before my eyes rolled back into my skull and I passed out once again.