Memories

"Speech"


This quickly became tedious work even a week later we hadn't really narrowed it down, and I think our training with the Anderson family, while fruitful, was wearing us out. It didn't help our fatigue in the slightest that me and Carla were already reading through our new magic books. The pain in my head hadn't subsided yet either, probably because of all these damn books, and I wasn't about to bother Wendy about something so minor.

On the brighter side of things, I had found a hospital, several in fact. The closest was located in Clover which was now on my list of things to do. But our search for Sun Village was continuing to come up short. This world had an abundance of gods and the like, which makes sense I suppose seeing as god slayers were a thing here and someone had to teach them. Unfortunately, it was impossible to tell which ones were still alive and which had been slain.

On a side note, I hadn't found anything on Hestia yet either, which was strange because she was technically a goddess who held dominion over fire. Yet, at the same time understandable because she loathed conflict, so she would have actively avoided any wars.

I sighed as I finished another book and put it on the finished pile to the side of the table we were sitting at.

"Nothing?" Carla asked. I shook my head in the negative feeling how stiff my neck was.

Wendy groaned next to her feline friend, "There has to be something, right?"

Carla sighed, "Salem your positive that this story is true?"

"I'm one hundred percent sure," I replied and cracked my neck, causing both girls to finch. "Sorry," I apologized, that enhanced hearing of theirs must be so annoying at times, I'm still not sure how they had gotten somewhat used to my detonations.

"Let's take a lunch break, yeah? I asked Alistair about a place in town you two might like," I requested. More accurately, I'd asked if there was such a place around.

"Oh?" Carla responded curiously.

Wendy, however, perked up at the thought of food, smiling wide, "Really?" I guess some things are universal for dragon slayers.

"Yeah, how about it?" I inquired.

"Oh, very well," Carla stood and stretched while Wendy shot up and began bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"Bye mister Lennox, we'll be back soon," Wendy waved over to the scarred man at the library desk.

"Aye, lass hav' a good meal," Grant Lennox replied, waving us off. With all our time in the library, we'd gotten to know the man somewhat. Apparently, he too was an ex-soldier, his timeserving was, however, cut short due to a run-in with a dark mage, that resulted in his missing eye and right leg. Though it was hard to tell, his prosthetic leg was very well-made.

The man was friendly enough, if not constantly drunk. Wendy warmed to the man as soon as he began telling her, quite frankly, outrageous stories about sky pirates, lake monsters, and so on, then again this IS Earthland. Still, it did distract from the fact we still hadn't found anything.

Heading toward the restaurant district was fairly easy, it was about two in the afternoon, meaning we had missed the rush and there was less foot traffic.

The aptly, and bluntly named, Sushi bar was now in front of us.

"Sushi? Salem, have I never told you how much I hate fish?" Carla gave me a side glance. She had, she made a point to wrinkle her nose at fish.

"Yes you have, but sushi doesn't need to be fish it can be other things, seafood or even vegetables all wrapped in sushi rice," I explained.

That garnered Wendy's attention, "That sounds tasty." She drooled.

"Manners Wendy," Carla scolded, causing the girl to wipe her mouth and turn a bright red.

Carla sighed, "Oh, very well."

And with that, we entered. The place was nice, mostly made of varnished woods, floor, tables, and so on. But being a restaurant it also had some basic paintings on the walls and other small decorations.

"Welcome, how may I help you?" A small woman of obvious Asian heritage, or this world's equivalent, greeted us and then paused. Though, the lack of accent indicated she was more than likely born or raised from a young age in this country. She had fair features with blue eyes and black hair.

"I am sorry children, no pets allowed in the restaurant," She declared, eyeing Carla.

Wendy looked outright confused at the comment.

Carla grit her teeth, "Excuse me? I am not a pet!"

"Yeah, that's right," Wendy agreed now grasping the situation.

"Cats ain't bipedal nor do they carry swords, dress in clothing, or talk, she's not a pet she's our teammate, we're guild wizards. Please pay attention, miss," I added, snorting and flashing my guild mark. Honestly, mages come in all shapes and sizes so if the woman now assumed Carla was a human using magic to look like a cat, well, them's the breaks.

"Indeed," Carla huffed in irritation and puffed up in pride all at once. That brought the woman up short.

"A-ah apologizes," The now flustered woman stuttered out, "This way please."

She quickly led us toward a table, where we seated ourselves.

I wonder if I should feel bad for the woman? She was just doing her job after all. Ultimately, I decided to leave it be for the time being. Then I thought about whether this was common for Carla in canon before remembering that they didn't leave the guild much before my arrival. Hmm.

I wonder if Happy, the Exceed that travels with Natsu, had any trouble like this? Then again, he was normally found in Fairy Tail itself with his father figure.

I turned to Carla as we sat, "Sorry about that."

"It isn't your fault Salem. The sooner I am able to use Transformation magic, the better," Carla sighed out.

"Any luck with that?" I asked in curiosity.

The Exceed hummed to herself before answering, "Not quite, but my magic has responded well to my attempts, at least."

Wendy chirped up smiling, "It's going to be so cool seeing you as a human, do you think you'll be able to become a dragon too!"

"Ah, I'm not sure about that Wendy, Dragons are magical creatures, a take-over mage would be better suited to that," Carla deadpanned at her friend.

"Yeah maybe, but a dragon slayer might have some luck, you already have dragon magic and should be able to go back and forth," I commented. Theoretically, that could work, but at the same time dragon slayer magic already tries to turn the wielder into a dragon, so it might reject the magic, or it might not work at all.

Wendy frowned at the suggestion and responded nervously, "Umm, I don't think that's a good idea."

I cocked a brow at that. Or maybe it would force a transformation, considering Wendy's instinctual aversion to it. But no, I doubt that's an issue thanks to Grandeeney. I mean Natsu was able to use it in canon, though he wasn't trying to turn in to a dragon, so who knows.

"Regardless, perhaps I should actually learn the magic before experimenting with it, yes?" Carla rolled her eyes at us, actively taking attention away from the young dragon slayer.

"Yeah I suppose, I wonder if you'll retain your proportional strength or be able to assess your claws, both would be useful in the field," I asked, granted I knew in canon that she didn't, but that might also be because she stopped training it after learning human transformation. I'm not really sure, but putting forth these questions might help her take it further, it could be useful.

"And what about YOUR training, Salem?" Carla asked, avoiding the subject, to be fair she had already asked us to wait and see.

"Not... Horribly, my magic isn't outright rejecting it, it IS responding to it, but... it kind of, wants to, but it doesn't?" I said unsurely, It was strange I didn't need to force my magic to comply like with Aera, but it also didn't want to, it was more passive-aggressive rather than actively aggressive. Still, at least it was responding to the magic, or I'd have no luck.

"Hmm, perhaps it's because your innate magic is more offensive and barrier magic is more defensive?" Carla wondered aloud.

"That sounds likely, I might need to try fusing the detonation magic with the barrier magic at first, then remove it once the energy has stilled," I theorized Carla nodding along, though Wendy looked sort of lost.

"Ah, Wendy, decided on what you want?" I asked, trying to keep her included.

My question caused the little girl to light up as she gave a cute hum of acknowledgment and indicated several items on the menu, "These." I did notice what she was pointing to, was what I knew as California rolls but were apparently known here as Fiore rolls, real original multiverse.

"What about you?" The bluette returned the question.

"Takoyaki, I think," I answered.

"What about you Carla," Wendy beamed, I think she was simply excited to be at a restaurant, to be honest. Our other lunches had basically consisted of street vendor food eaten in the park.

"I suppose the vegetable rolls will suffice," She huffed and crossed her arms. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

Wendy groaned from my back as I hauled her back toward the library.

"Honestly Wendy, I told you to slow down," Carla berated the girl for putting herself in this position. Wendy's response to this was a pained groan.

"I thought it might be good for us to branch out a little while we're in town, but this is a bit much," I spoke up, drawing attention from the poor girl. And while that was true, I was also trying to get Carla to be more faithful to herself.

"Indeed," Carla agreed, though wrinkled her nose.

"Food was good though, right?" I questioned the white-furred girl, I had gotten her to try some of the different foods, though she had maintained that the fish was nasty, which was strange. In canon, I know she was feigning her dislike.

Carla sighed, "I appreciate the thought Salem, but I DID tell you that I disliked fish." Carla huffed again, she wasn't in a good mood.

"Come on, it wasn't that bad, you liked some of it," I responded.

"I put up with it Salem, there is a difference," She replied hotly.

"OK, OK, we know not to go back there then. Maybe next time we should just go to a tea cafe instead, tea, sandwiches, and sweets might have been a better option," I spoke up.

"Yes, perhaps," Carla commented neutrally.

"Carla?" I got her attention.

"What," She responded tightly.

"Thanks for trying, I didn't mean to upset you," I apologized, this was different from what I had expected. I think she truly believes that she hates fish, or actually does now? It was different from the expected canon reaction. But for the life of me I can't figure out why.

The white-furred girl huffed yet again, though some of the tension I was only now noticing, bled from her, "Your welcome, but no more fish." She didn't say anything about not having been upset, I realized.

"You got it," I agreed.

Carla nodded, "Very well, as I said I appreciate the thought, but a tea house sounds far nicer."

"Yeah, next time then," I responded as we returned to the library.

Grant took one look at our returning forms and immediately choked back a laugh, "The little lass all tuckered out at?"

I chuckled back, "Yeah something like that, she ate too much."

The man shook his head in amusement as we walked by back to our table.

"All right come on Wendy," I said gently sliding the girl from my back and into a chair where she promptly slumped head first on to the table then groaned, again.

"Looks like it's just you and me for now," I deadpanned at Carla who sighed at the basically comatose girl.

"It would appear so, yes," She agreed.

An hour later and we'd managed to flick through several more books. Unfortunately, my head pain was back with a vengeance, and my wincing must have been noticeable because Carla spoke up.

"Are you all right Salem?" Concern laced her words.

"Ah, yeah, I'll be fine, just a migraine," I hissed in pain, putting the book I was reading down and rubbing my temples.

"Are you sure?" She must have had Aera in use because I felt her paw on my shoulder.

I shook my head and the pain began to dissipate. "Yeah, I'm ok just tired, they come and go, and all this reading isn't helping either, I'll be fine," I waved her off.

She hummed disapprovingly in response.

'Salem,' Came a voice.

"Yeah?" I asked.

Carla blinked, "I didn't say anything."

... "Ok maybe I should take a nap," I thought aloud.

"Yes, that might be for the best, I shall get Wendy up to help me in the meantime, please don't strain yourself Salem," Carla nodded at me.

I returned the nod, "You too."

As Carla began to wake Wendy. I sat down in one of the nearby chairs and was out like a light.


Carla P.O.V

"Leave him alone Wendy, if his head still hurts when he wakes up, then you can help," I couldn't help but sigh, as Wendy pouted at my response. She had been attempting to check the boy over for the last hour.

I was admittedly concerned with Salem's health at the moment, I don't remember him having a head wound, but he was poisoned a while back. Still, it might simply be exhaustion, it was best to let him rest for now.

"Fine," Wendy pouted once more.

"For now perhaps we should continue looking for the information we require, yes?" I again attempted to distract her from her worries, and the timid girl once more gave a tiny nod of acceptance, though I expected that to only last for a few more minutes until she asked once more.

That train of thought only lasted up until Wendy let out a gasp.

"Carla, look!" Wendy, well, she wasn't yelling at least, but her voice was rather firm.

I looked at the book Wendy was holding, specifically the paragraph she was indicating. "Giants, often believed to be a myth, have had many sightings in the east of Fiore," I quoted. It went on, of course, but in this case, that wasn't relevant.

"Well now, it would appear we have our answer," I agreed with Wendy's findings and looked at her, however rather than the ecstatic smile I expected, I was met with a frown.

"Wendy?" I asked somewhat concernedly, this was what she had wanted, why was she frowning?

"Umm, it's just, err, w-we can't," Wendy hadn't stuttered for the entire week, not since our run in with that upstart child's mother, and Mr. Grant, so something was bothering her.

"Come now, Wendy, what's wrong?" I asked my concern growing. Whatever was she talking about?

She fidgeted for a moment and cast a glance at the sleeping boy, I raised a bow at that.

"I-It's near the border, Wh-What if there's those bad guys," She had tears in her eyes and I knew why now, slavers.

I sighed, "Wendy I understand your concern, but as I said before, Salem is only trying to keep us safe." Truthfully, I had my own misgivings on the matter, I had read about how much the taking of a life can affect someone. The thought of watching Salem fall from being a friendly boy to a hardened warrior, or worse, a broken one, wasn't something I wanted to contemplate.

"B-but I don't want him to be a b-bad guy," Wendy was holding herself, while I attempted to comfort her.

"Wendy, whatever are you talking about?" I asked with some confusion, the reason he was so willing to go so far, was because he wanted us safe. How would that make him a bad guy?

"He... He said he'd k-kill them," She quietly responded.

"Wendy..." I gained her attention as gently as I was able.

"Salem isn't a bad person, you know that," I stated.

The girl nodded along, "B-But-."

"I know, but Wendy, soldiers kill, guild wizards kill, but only when they have to. Are Mister Lennox or the Anderson's bad people?"

She shook her head In the negative this time.

"They were soldiers remember, don't mistake killing with murder," I sighed, granted I didn't know if they had ever had to kill before, but that didn't mean they hadn't either.

"What?" Wendy asked, genuinely confused.

I thought a moment before answering in a way she would understand, "Murder is the purposeful killing of an innocent, someone defenseless. That's what dark wizards do and what makes them bad people. Killing isn't a good thing, but it isn't necessarily evil either, it's just survival."

Wendy was quiet and in obvious turmoil.

"GAH," Salem bolted awake. I jolted at his sudden awakening.

"EEP!" Wendy was shocked out of her introspective thoughts.

Heavy panting filled the momentary silence, as Salem garnered our attention, he was unusually wet with sweat and wide-eyed.

"It was just a nightmare Salem, please, relax," I attempted to soothe the boy.

"No, no it wasn't... I-I don't remember," He shook his head, acclimatizing to the no doubt calmer library, than wherever his head had taken him.

"N-no it is, I used to get them too, it isn't real, i-its OK," Wendy reassured the boy. She was so very kind-hearted, worrying about someone in the midst of her own crisis. I worry she will lose that, I wish I could protect her, but-. No, I have to let her live her life.

I shook my head, as Salem groaned into his hands and Wendy edged closer to the boy, likely to help. Still, Salem is more than intelligent enough to know he had a nightmare, so what does he mean by it wasn't?

"T-there, there," Wendy patted the boy on the head in what I'm sure was meant to be comfort, though I admit the image was a... strange one.

"Are you alright Salem?" I asked, getting closer, rather worried myself. Salem was admittedly someone I had come to rely on emotionally, and I was curious what could faze the brave boy, and realized I had never really asked about his life before the guild. Hmm, something I would have to correct, all I know is that his parents were likely dead, and he somehow ended up deep in Waas Forest.

"No, but I will be," He stated, getting his breathing under control, though he still seemed rather pale.

"Well... Nightmare or not, it's still just a bad dream, you're in the library now," I informed him hoping it would help.

Thankfully, the blond boy took a deep breath and steadied himself.

"Yeah, yeah the library," He agreed looking around and standing, much to Wendy's concern.

"How's it going?" He questioned, a shudder under his breath.

"Ah, well..." I began slowly as Wendy began to fidget at the reminder of our prior conversation.

He wobbled slightly and then shook his head, focusing on me.

I cleared my throat, "It would appear the Giants may be in the east."

"Huh, well alright then we can head back to the guild for a bit, and come up with a plan of attack... Preferably before afternoon training," Salem chuckled weakly. Though I shuddered at the thought, even the ever-polite Wendy followed suit.

"A-ah, indeed," I vigorously agreed. While I will admit to Sasha being an effective trainer, she was also a brutal one.


Salem P.O.V

We returned to the Anderson Manor in relative silence. Wendy was frowning and staring forward blankly lost in her own thoughts, while Carla was keeping a keen eye on the both of us, concern plastered on her face.

Dammit all, it feels like I'm forgetting something, my dream, it was important but made no sense. I remembered the smell of blood and ash but no specifics.

Something, something was missing, but I don't know what.

Blood, I remember that vividly when I died, when I, when I...what was I doing? I was shot, right?

I felt myself rubbing my neck subconsciously. That's right, I was shot in the throat, right? So, why do I specifically remember it being a knife held at my neck? I was protecting someone... I- I don't remember who. What is going on?

Everything else was clear, my time on Earth, watching Fairy Tail, but my death it was becoming hazy, I know I died. But until now, I remembered it vividly. I shot the home invaders, no I stabbed them, they... They attacked the village, I... I am so confused.

"Salem?" I looked over to see Carla had addressed me, hell even Wendy had broken out of her own reverie and was watching me concernedly.

"Yeah?" I tried as nonchalantly as possible. I vaguely realized we were back on the manor grounds, the building not far from where we had stopped.

She came up to me, wings deployed, and gently pried my shaking hand from around my own throat, I had still been rubbing it prior.

Our eyes met and I could see the concern. "I, it's nothing, not important anymore. It- that dream, it just brought up some bad memories," I did my best to explain.

Her eyes softened considerably as she continued to hold my hand away from my throat. "Your family," It was a statement, not a question.

Something became clear.

I had tried to save her, my mother, but they were adults, and I was scared. I knew where the firewood axe was, and I got him right in the back between the shoulder blade and spine, the heart, I now knew. My first kill, then a knife to my throat, and mum she- I was in the forest seconds later.

I shook away the migraine pounding between my ears, trying hard to ignore it.

"Yes, bandits, my mother, but I got them back, my first kill," I confirmed, more to myself, my voice hardening toward the end.

Carla's eyes momentarily widened, then I spotted the sorrow, "Oh, Salem." Wendy simply gasped.

I ignored their shock for the moment, I need to rest, these weren't my memories, they couldn't be. I need time to sort this out.

As I began forward again, knocking on the manor door and leaning heavily against the door frame, the nausea, and dizziness was getting worse. I realized through my haze of confusion, that the pain in my head had lessened, and two small paws were helping to keep me upright.

Alistair opened the door, "Wecom- BY JOVE, Salem are you alright, my boy?"

In lieu of answering, I moved forward latching onto the man for support, and forcing my dizzy mind to focus, though this time it was to no avail, the world was going blurry.

"Salem," That damn voice was back, why did it sound so familiar?

A second later, my mind was unable to continue processing the duel memories, and everything went black.


A/N: So yeah Salem has two sets of memories in his head, which can't be good for the mind, hence the mental shutdown. Cliche? A little but nessersary. Long story short, coming to this world means several things, he paid for it by dying, though there's still more to it. The girls are now aware he has a body count, even if it's not the one he thought, and does he still have a family in this world? Who are they? Where are they from? Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

There will be some answers in the next chapter

For some reason Carla isn't taking well to the thought of seafood, even when she has the option of doing so without any judgment, she's actively resisting it or truly believes she hates it. She didn't take kindly to Salem's attempts at trying it, though realizes there's no malicious intent behind it. Friends don't always agree, it happens but was handled well by salem, so no damage done.

@Carlmike94- I pick shaped shield because alliteration. I honestly can't remember if I have read 'The Aegis of Fairy Tail' it is in my followed stories, so probably? But it's been a while, I was unaware I was referencing something, what was I referencing out of curiosity?

Yes Carla will be around their age maybe younger, likely older.

@Uvuvwevwevwe Onyetenyevwe Ugwe- yes I have plans for Flare Corona, and for Cait shelter, canon IS on track, because of the threats that, well, keep it on track. Salem will however be changing this and putting things as heavily in the guilds of Fiore's favor or, hell, the kingdom's favor as possible. So yes changes will happen in canon, Salem isn't content to keep things as they are but we have to build to them. Changes even small none canon ones such as Madam Bell surviving, and Pitt actually getting assistance will have snow ball effects. Because as I see it, in canon Wendy and Carla would have rarely taken such jobs, due to Wendy's timidness and Carlas over protectiveness.

Second, rest assured I have plans for Cait Shelter, it won't go quietly into that dark night.

One thing I will say is if Salem ever meets Jiemma there WILL be blood, plain and simple. He is working for Hestia after all, a Goddess of Family, he would be unrelenting in his punishment. I'm also debating which other charaters might or might not be brought in by salem, why and when or where, and so on.