RED KNUCKLES
"You're lucky to be alive," Ms. Porlyusica muttered, her voice as sharp as the cold mountain air. Her hand traced the skin on my shoulder where a scar should be, her brow furrowed, lips pursed in deep thought. I sat there, shirtless, watching as she poked and prodded. Her house smelled like herbs and dried leaves, with just a hint of something bitter, like medicine that'd been sitting out too long.
"Lucky, huh?" I winced as her fingers pressed into a particularly tender spot. "Feels like I just walked out of hell."
"Maybe you did." She gave a grunt, stepping back and crossing her arms. "And not on your own strength."
I looked up at her, my confusion growing. "What do you mean?"
She sighed, her sharp gaze cutting through me. "Tell me again what he said, the exact words."
I closed my eyes, the memory still fresh despite the haze of pain from that fight. "Nulli... Oblivio... Excidere," I repeated slowly. The chanting still echoed in my mind, sending a shiver down my spine. "That's all I remember clearly before everything went black."
Ms. Porlyusica shook her head, muttering something under her breath in a language I didn't understand. "Nullification magic. Dark, ancient, and... quite dangerous. It means to erase, to forget."
I frowned. "Erase what? My memory?"
She shot me a look like I was missing the obvious. "No, you fool. It nullified your magic and with that the one I placed on you two years ago. The seal."
My stomach dropped. "The seal... on my Devil Slayer Magic?"
She nodded, her expression stern. "It's the only reason you're standing here now. The seal was preventing that dark power from spreading further, keeping it under control. But that wizard, with his chant, he erased it. If you didn't have this dark power withing... Things would be bad."
"So... I should've died, but didn't because he canceled your seal? That's... ironic." I let out a short, humorless laugh. "I was just saved by having the very thing I've been trying to keep locked up, freed."
Ms. Porlyusica's expression softened, just for a moment. "Yes, ironic. The magic you fear saved you, and the seal meant to protect you was undone."
I sat there, the weight of her words settling over me like a thick fog. My devil slayer magic... all this time, I'd been holding it back, relying on that seal to keep it from consuming me. Now, it was free.
"What do I do now?"
Ms. Porlyusica's eyes hardened again, that familiar impatience returning. "You fight. You survive, like you always have. But be warned, boy... the devil within you won't stay silent for long."
I looked at her, trying to keep the panic from seeping into my voice. "Can you... do something? Seal it again?"
Ms. Porlyusica's eyes narrowed, her lips pulling into a thin line. "No. If I tried to seal it again now, you would die for sure."
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "What do you mean, die? You did it before, why can't you just—"
"Because your body has changed, you fool." She cut me off, her tone sharp but not unkind. "The moment that wizard nullified your magic, your body began rejecting ethernano."
Ethernano... it's the magical energy we mages naturally absorb from the atmosphere. It's as essential to us as air. Without it, a mage can't use magic, can't even survive for long.
I swallowed hard. "So, you're saying... I'm not gathering ethernano anymore?"
Ms. Porlyusica nodded, her eyes steady on mine. "Exactly. That demonic power inside you—the Devil Slayer magic—it's become your only lifeline. If I sealed it again, you would be completely cut off from ethernano. Your body wouldn't have anything to sustain it, and you'd grow weaker until..."
"Until I die," I finished for her, my voice hollow.
She gave a slow, grim nod. "Yes."
The room felt like it was closing in on me. The air, thick with the scent of herbs and that bitter undertone, seemed suffocating now. My entire life depended on my ability to absorb ethernano. Without it, I wouldn't just lose my magic—I'd lose everything. And the only thing keeping me alive... was this demonic power.
"So... that's it? There's no other way?"
Ms. Porlyusica's expression didn't waver, cold and matter-of-fact. "No. The demonic energy from your Devil Slayer magic is keeping you alive. Your body has become reliant on it. Sealing it again now would only accelerate your death."
I leaned back, the weight of it all crashing down on me. The devil magic I had feared was the only thing keeping me standing. Every breath I took was thanks to it.
"Fuck," I muttered, staring at the floor. It felt like I was trapped. I'd never asked for this power, and now I couldn't escape it. "There's really no way out of this?"
Ms. Porlyusica's voice softened, just a little. "There's no undoing what's been done, boy. You're tied to that power now. Whether you like it or not, it's a part of you."
Ms. Porlyusica paced the room, her sharp eyes scanning the shelves filled with strange vials and herbs. "The magic that wizard used on you... it's rare. Very rare. Nullification magic of that kind doesn't just erase magic, it disrupts the body's natural flow of ethernano. That's why you're in this state."
I sat up straighter, her words barely sinking in. "So, what do I do? Just... wait to die?"
She stopped and shot me a look, clearly irritated. "Of course not. I'm going to make medicines for you, ones that will help your body recover the natural ability to absorb ethernano. But that won't be enough on its own."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You'll have to fight," she said bluntly. "Fight to keep control of yourself. The demonic energy from your Devil Slayer magic is strong—strong enough to consume you if you let it. If you lose your grip on your own mind, it won't just be your magic that takes over. It will be your entire being."
Her words sent a chill down my spine. "Lose my mind?"
"Yes," she said, her tone unflinching. "If you're not careful, you'll become something else. Something dark. And once that happens, there's no coming back."
I clenched my fists, feeling the cold prickle of fear crawling under my skin. "So I just have to... fight myself? Keep the devil inside locked up?"
Ms. Porlyusica nodded, her face grave. "Exactly. Every day, every moment, you have to keep it from taking over. Until your body is strong enough to recover ethernano on its own, you'll be walking a fine line. If you slip, even once, that power could overwhelm you."
I looked away, the weight of her words sinking in. I didn't have any other options. If I didn't fight, I'd lose more than just my magic—I'd lose myself.
"How long?" I asked quietly. "How long will it take for me to recover?"
Ms. Porlyusica looked thoughtful for a moment, then finally answered. "Four months. In four months, if you successfully manage to keep the devil inside from gaining control, by that time, you'll be ready. I can place another seal on you then, but only if you survive."
"Four months," I repeated, the time stretching out in my mind like an eternity.
"If you last that long," she added. "Remember, boy. This isn't just about holding on for a while. It's a battle. And if you lose... you won't be the same person when it's over."
Her words were like a knife twisting in my chest. Four months of constant fighting, of keeping my own mind intact. It sounded impossible. But if I didn't try... I knew exactly what would happen. I'd become the very thing I hated most.
I took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll make it."
"You'd better," she said, turning back to her work. "Because if you don't, no one else will be able to stop what you become."
"Thanks, Ms. Porlyusica," I said, my voice low. She didn't respond, just gave a grunt as she mixed some herbs in a bowl, already focused on her next task. Typical.
I pulled my shirt back on, feeling the sting of the cold air as I stepped out of her cottage and into the woods. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows on the path ahead. The smell of damp earth and pine filled my lungs, grounding me as I started walking back toward Magnolia.
As I moved, my thoughts wandered, and I couldn't shake the weight pressing on my chest. The only reason I was still breathing was because of the devil inside me—the magic I got from him. My father.
I remembered the day I received his power like it was yesterday. His final act wasn't one of love or protection... it was an act of vengance. A desperate attempt to pass on the only thing that could keep our rage alive. That Devil Slayer magic had been a curse and a gift all at once. And now, it was my lifeline.
The memory of that fight in the forest surfaced, uninvited. My hand instinctively went to my stomach, I'd felt the full force of that wizard's magic. The strange chanting, the way it paralyzed me... and what I did afterward. I could still feel the cold rage that had gripped me at that time.
I'd let the devil inside out for just a moment. That darkness had taken over, pushing me beyond my limits. The look on his face, my enemy's face as he realized his fate... it wasn't fear. It was something worse.
I wonder how much my father had once gone through dealing with this.
I clenched my teeth, my fingers digging into my stomach as if I could physically hold the demon in check. The power felt like it was crawling beneath my skin, ready to lash out again at the first sign of weakness. But I couldn't let it win. Not now. Not ever.
"Four months..." I muttered under my breath. I had to hold out for four months. Keep fighting, keep control.
I wasn't going to lose myself to it. I'd fought too hard to give in now. I wasn't my father, and I wasn't that monster waiting to break free. I was still Gray Fullbuster. I had to be.
With a deep breath, I straightened up and kept walking, my pace steady and determined. Magnolia wasn't far now. I could see the tops of the buildings just beyond the treeline.
I'd make it through this. I had to.
One step at a time.
One week had passed since my talk with Porlyusica. I'd been back in Magnolia, trying to focus on anything but the demon clawing at my insides. But today... today was different.
The town was alive with celebration. Magnolia's anniversary had the entire place buzzing with excitement. Streamers hung from every rooftop, and banners in bright colors flapped in the wind. Everywhere I turned, there were vendors setting up stalls, travelers from neighboring towns, and people laughing, eating, and celebrating like the world outside didn't exist.
Fairy Tail was no exception. The guildhall was louder than usual, filled with the sound of clinking glasses, raucous laughter, and people breaking into impromptu drinking contests. The tables were stacked with food and drinks, and even the more reserved members couldn't resist the festive atmosphere.
I stood near the entrance, leaning against the wall, watching it all unfold. Natsu was in the middle of the room, arm-wrestling some poor guy who didn't know what he was getting into, while Erza sat nearby, already halfway through a massive cake. Lucy was trying to keep Happy from stealing all the fish on the table, and Wendy was caught up in a conversation with Levy. The place was packed.
It felt good, in a way. Seeing everyone enjoying themselves, like old times. Like nothing had changed.
But I knew better.
The voices, the laughter... it was all background noise, muffled by the thoughts still swirling in my mind. I hadn't told anyone about what happened. About Porlyusica's warning, the seal, or the battle I was fighting within myself. I couldn't. Didn't wanted.
I forced a small smile as Juvia walked up, holding two drinks. She smiled brightly as she offered one to me.
"Gray-sama, would you like to—?"
"I'm good," I cut her off, gently pushing the drink back. "Thanks, though."
Her smile faltered, but she didn't push, sensing something was off. She always knew when something was up with me.
I scanned the room again, trying to focus on anything else. The celebrations, the town's anniversary... it was all a distraction. A good one, maybe. But it wouldn't last.
I could feel it—just beneath the surface. That cold, dark power. My grip tightened on the edge of the table beside me. Every day since the seal had broken, it was like walking a tightrope. One slip, and the devil would take control. Porlyusica's words echoed in my mind: If you lose control, there's no coming back.
I exhaled slowly, forcing the tension from my shoulders. I couldn't afford to lose myself—not here, not now. I had to keep fighting. No matter how much the celebration tried to drown out the thoughts, they always found a way back in.
Inside the guildhall, chaos reigned, just like always. The laughter was loud, the dancing wild, and the tables packed with food and drink. Natsu was in the thick of it, naturally, locked in some ridiculous game of wrestling now with Elfman and Gajeel tagging along. They were yelling, chairs were knocked over, and somehow, barrels of ale were getting smashed as bets were placed. The whole thing was a mess—a familiar, joyful mess.
In the corner, Mira was serving drinks with a warm smile, while Cana was already on her fifth round, challenging anyone brave enough to a drinking contest. Everyone else was either joining in on the madness or watching with amused expressions.
It was the kind of chaos only Fairy Tail could pull off, and despite the noise and disorder, it was home.
I pushed myself off the wall, deciding to head outside for some air. The party could go on without me for a little while longer.
I had just started heading for the door, the urge to slip outside for some quiet growing stronger, when I heard Juvia's voice behind me.
"Gray-sama, where are you going?" she asked, her voice soft but curious. She was still holding the second mug of beer she'd offered earlier. "Can Juvia come with you?"
I paused mid-step, glancing back at her. Her eyes were wide, filled with that same concern she always had when I acted distant. I opened my mouth, about to tell her no, that I just needed to be alone. But something stopped me.
I stared at her for a moment longer, my mind running over the last few days. The fight, the seal, the constant battle in my head. It was hard to shake the feeling that if I walked out that door, I'd just sink deeper into it. Into the isolation.
Maybe that's what I wanted. Or maybe... it wasn't.
For some reason, I found myself hesitating.
I glanced past Juvia, back into the guildhall. The noise, the laughter, the carefree smiles. It was everything I wasn't feeling right now. But... it was also everything I needed.
I didn't have to fight this alone, right?
Slowly, I exhaled and made up my mind. Without a word, I turned around and walked back toward Juvia. I reached out and took the mug from her hands.
She blinked, clearly surprised. "Gray-sama?"
I gave a small, tired smile. "Yeah, I'll stay."
Her face lit up, but she didn't say anything else, just nodded and followed me inside for a while.
As I walked further into the guild, the noise wrapped around me, and for the first time in a while, it didn't feel suffocating. Natsu was already yelling at someone about who was stronger, Elfman was loudly proclaiming his manliness, and Gajeel was scowling at the whole scene while Lily tried to calm him down.
And somehow, it felt like the right place to be. Even with everything I was dealing with, staying here—surrounded by them—felt better than being out there, alone.
So I took a sip of the beer, let the cold drink wash over me, and settled into the chaos of the guild. Just for tonight, I could let myself be a part of it.
I sat there, elbow propped on the table, my head leaned against my hand, watching the chaos unfold around me. One leg was planted on the ground, the other stretched out over the bench. In my free hand, I held the mug Juvia had given me earlier, the cool metal rim resting idly against my palm.
Around me, everyone was lost in their own fun. Natsu and Elfman were figthing each other now, their faces locked in ridiculous grimaces as Gajeel taunted them from the sidelines. Laughter rang out from across the room as Cana clinked mugs with a group of guildmates, already well into another drinking contest. The atmosphere was alive, loud, and full of that usual Fairy Tail spirit.
But I wasn't really feeling any of it.
I had chosen to stay, to be a part of the celebration, but as I sat there, it was like I was watching everything from a distance. My eyes traced the familiar faces, the smiles, the laughter, but none of it stirred anything inside me. It was all just... noise. My body was here, but my mind felt far away, like there was a wall between me and everything else.
I took a sip from the mug, barely tasting the drink. The cold bitterness hit my throat, but even that felt distant, numb.
I knew what this was. I could feel it. The devil slayer magic inside me—since that insident, it wasn't just a physical thing. It was creeping into everything, pulling at my emotions, dulling some of them. Keeping me cold.
I watched as Lucy and Levy danced to the music, their laughter bright and carefree, but I couldn't even summon a smile. In a place filled with life, I felt empty. Like I didn't belong there. Maybe that's why I had wanted to leave earlier.
But I stayed.
For some reason, I chose to sit here in the middle of it all. Maybe to remind myself that I was still part of this. Part of them. Even if I couldn't feel it the same way right now.
I exhaled slowly, leaning back a bit more. My gaze drifted down to the hand holding the mug. The faint chill of my magic flickered along my skin, a coldness that never really left.
I wasn't going to lose to it. I wouldn't let it take me over. But sitting here, surrounded by so much warmth and life... I realized just how far the devil inside had already pushed me.
I wasn't losing yet, but I wasn't winning either.
So I just sat there, watching them all have fun, feeling like I was standing at the edge of something I couldn't quite reach.
After a while, Lucy broke away from the crowd, her face flushed from dancing, her laughter still echoing in the air. She grabbed a plate of food from one of the tables and started making her way toward me. I saw her out of the corner of my eye but didn't move, still leaning on my hand, staring out into the noisy chaos of the guild.
"Mind if I sit here?" she asked, already sliding onto the bench beside me before I could respond.
"Go ahead," I mumbled, taking another sip from my mug.
She set her plate down, balancing it on her lap as she started picking at the food—some kind of skewered meat and vegetables, along with a chunk of bread. For a moment, she didn't say anything, just chewing quietly while watching everyone else.
"Man, Natsu and Elfman really don't know when to stop, huh?" she said, gesturing toward the two of them still going at it in the middle of the room. "I swear, they'll break the whole guild down before the night's over."
I grunted, barely paying attention to the spectacle in front of me. Lucy glanced over at me, but continued chatting between bites.
"It's nice, though," she said, "seeing everyone in such a good mood. We've had so much going on lately... It's like a breath of fresh air, you know?"
I nodded absentmindedly, eyes fixed on some random point in the distance. I could hear her talking, but it felt like I was only half there, like the words were passing by me, floating on the surface but not quite sinking in.
Lucy kept talking, sharing stories about the day, some of the ridiculous things Natsu had done earlier in town. I listened, or at least I tried to. Her voice was familiar, comforting in a way, but everything still felt muted, like there was a wall between me and the rest of the world.
Eventually, she stopped talking and turned to look at me, her brow furrowed slightly. She picked at her bread for a second before speaking.
"Gray..." she said softly, her tone shifting. "Are you okay?"
I glanced at her, surprised by the sudden question. "Yeah. I'm fine."
But she wasn't convinced. Her eyes narrowed a little, searching my face. "You've been kind of... I don't know... blank all night. It's not like you. Did something happen?"
I stared at her for a second, then looked away, letting her words sink in. I hadn't thought much about how I looked to everyone else. But I guess it was hard to hide.
She was right. I'd been blank, empty, ever since that night. Ever since I... let myself fed on the unhuman taste within me. And even though I'd chosen to stay here, surrounded by my friends, it didn't change the fact that something had shifted inside me. I couldn't tell her, never. But I also couldn't brush her off.
"It's nothing," I said, a little too quickly, my voice hollow. "Just... tired, I guess."
Lucy frowned, clearly not buying it, but she didn't press further. Instead, she let out a small sigh and leaned back against the bench, watching me with concern in her eyes.
"Well... if you ever need to talk, you know we're here, right?" she said, her voice soft but steady.
I didn't respond right away, just nodding faintly. But deep down, I appreciated her words. Even if I couldn't explain everything, she'd always had a way of getting through to me.
For now, though, I couldn't say more. So I just sat there, letting the noise of the guild wash over us both.
Lucy however didn't wanted to let up. She tried to smile, but I could still see the concern etched into her expression. She pushed a piece of food around on her plate absentmindedly before speaking again.
"Seriously, Gray, if something's bothering you, you don't have to—"
"Nothing's bothering me, Lucy," I interrupted, forcing a small smile. "I'm fine. Just… you know, not really in the mood to be loud like those idiots." I nodded toward Natsu, who was now in the middle of a yelling match with Gajeel over some nonsense about strength.
Lucy gave a small laugh at that, shaking her head. "Well, yeah, they're pretty over the top. But that's kind of the point, isn't it? Everyone's just... letting loose, having fun."
I shrugged. "Yeah, I get it. I'm having fun too. Just not showing it much."
She tilted her head, clearly not convinced. I could still see the worry in her eyes. Her lips pressed into a small pout, and she leaned closer, studying my face.
It made me laugh, the way she looked so serious, so intent on figuring me out. Her worried expression was almost cute, the way her brow furrowed and her lips pressed together like she was trying to solve a puzzle.
"What's so funny?" she asked, her pout deepening.
"Your face," I said, chuckling softly. "You look all serious when you worry about me. It's kinda cute."
Her eyes widened in surprise, and then she puffed her cheeks a little, clearly embarrassed. "Don't tease me, Gray!"
I grinned, and before she could protest further, I reached out and gently patted her head. "Hey, don't worry. I'm fine. Really."
She blinked, momentarily flustered by the gesture. "Gray..."
"I'm having fun," I said, looking her straight in the eyes, still patting her head. It was a lie, and I knew she could probably tell, but I wanted to calm her down. "I'm just not showing it as much as everyone else. That's all."
Lucy stared at me for a moment, then sighed, though the worry in her eyes didn't disappear completely. "You're not a very good liar, you know that?"
I shrugged again, pulling my hand back and leaning against the table. "I'm serious, Lucy. I'm fine."
But her expression told me she still didn't believe it, not entirely. Still, she gave a small, reluctant smile, trying to accept what I was saying, even if doubt lingered just beneath the surface.
"Alright," she said softly. "But... just don't shut us out, okay?"
I nodded, giving her a reassuring look, even though I knew I wasn't telling her the full truth. She cared about me, and that was enough for now. I'd figure out the rest on my own. For now, I could let her believe I was doing okay, even if I wasn't.
We sat in silence for a moment longer, the noise of the guild filling the space around us. At least for tonight, I'd try to let the chaos wash over me and pretend everything was fine.
Just as Lucy was starting to relax, Natsu came crashing into the table with the force of a freight train. His body slammed into the wood, knocking plates and mugs askew. He was only inches away from falling right into Lucy—if she had been sitting just a little more to the side, he would've flattened her completely.
"Wha—Natsu!" she squealed, startled by how sudden it was.
Natsu barely noticed the commotion he caused. Wiping a bit of blood from his lips with the back of his wrist, he grinned, his eyes blazing with that familiar fire. It didn't take a genius to figure out what had happened—he'd probably gotten punched, kicked, or thrown halfway across the room by Elfman or Gajeel.
"Sorry, Lucy!" he called out, already half-distracted as he stood up and turned back toward the fray. "No time to chat—round two's about to start!"
Without another word, he took off at a full sprint, heading straight back toward the brawl in the middle of the room, where Elfman and Gajeel were already locked in a chaotic, swinging mess of punches and roars. They were laughing, grinning like idiots, completely caught up in their usual roughhousing.
Lucy stared after him, her face a mix of disbelief and exasperation, a hand still pressed to her chest as she recovered from the scare.
"That idiot…" she muttered, shaking her head with that familiar look—the one that said she'd long since given up trying to change him. "Can't you stop doing that for five minutes?"
But even as she said it, she knew he wouldn't. This was Natsu, after all. Fighting, getting into trouble, and causing chaos were second nature to him. She sighed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips, knowing full well this was just a typical day in Fairy Tail.
I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath. "Some things never change, huh?"
Lucy glanced at me, still shaking her head. "Nope. And I doubt they ever will."
We both turned our attention back to the chaos unfolding in the middle of the guildhall, watching as Natsu launched himself back into the fight with his fists blazing, egging on Gajeel and Elfman with reckless abandon. It was loud, chaotic, and probably going to end with someone breaking a table—but that was Fairy Tail. And in a way, it felt comforting.
Even if everything else in my life was uncertain, at least some things were as constant as ever.
I couldn't help but chuckle as I watched Natsu throw himself back into the fight, fire blazing around his fists while Elfman roared something about being a man, and Gajeel responded with a metallic punch to the gut. It was a mess—a loud, ridiculous mess—and yet, somehow, it was the kind of chaos that felt right to me.
As the laughter slipped out, I caught Lucy's reaction from the corner of my eye. She turned to me with an exaggerated pout, her lips pressed together, and a mock-serious glare in her eyes.
"Gray, stop laughing," she said, her voice carrying a playful, spoiled tone. It was cute—at least, that's what I thought. She always got like this when Natsu pulled some stunt, and it always managed to pull me out of my own head for a moment.
I grinned, taking a final swig from my mug and setting it down on the table with a satisfying clink. "Alright, alright," I said, raising my hands slightly in mock surrender. "I'll stop."
Lucy huffed, her pout deepening, but I could see the small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
I got up from the bench, stretching a little as I stood. "I'm gonna grab another drink. You want anything?" I asked, glancing down at her.
She perked up at the offer, her eyes softening as she gave me a small nod. "Yeah, actually. Can you bring me some juice?"
"Juice, huh?" I smirked. "Not in the mood for anything stronger?"
She rolled her eyes playfully. "Not everyone drinks as much as Cana, you know."
I laughed again, giving her a quick nod before heading toward the bar. "Alright, juice it is. Be right back."
As I made my way through the crowded guildhall, the sounds of laughter, fighting, and cheering echoed all around me. It felt... good. Maybe I wasn't fully into the party, but being surrounded by this kind of energy—by my friends—it was enough for now. Enough to keep the dark thoughts at bay, even if just for a little while.
I made my way through the crowd, weaving carefully between guildmates and waitresses who were carrying trays piled high with food and drink. The bar was packed, as expected, with people laughing, shouting, and ordering refills faster than the kegs could be replaced. It was the usual chaos, but I was used to it by now. I dodged a couple of near-misses, stepping aside just in time as someone nearly bumped into me, and finally reached the bar.
Mira was there, working as the bartender tonight, her usual bright smile on her face as she hummed a cheerful tune.
"Mira-chan," I called out over the noise, resting my empty mug on the counter. "Can I get a refill?"
She turned around with that sweet, gentle smile she always had, taking my mug from the counter. "Of course, Gray. One refill coming right up!" She twirled back around and started filling it from one of the large kegs behind the bar, her soft humming continuing, almost like background music to the party.
The sound was... nice, soothing in a way. Mira always had a calming presence about her. Even in the middle of all this madness, she had this way of making everything feel a little lighter, like the noise didn't touch her.
As she hummed, I found my eyes drifting a little, tracing the curve of her form as she leaned over the keg. Her dress hugged her frame just enough to make certain... things noticeable. I hadn't meant to look, but there it was—her butt, subtly defined under the fabric, drawing my attention for just a moment longer than I intended.
I quickly snapped my gaze away, mentally kicking myself. Seriously, Gray?
Mira turned back around, completely unaware, still smiling and holding out the freshly filled mug. "Here you go!"
I took it, giving her a quick nod, trying to act casual. "Thanks, Mira-chan. You're a lifesaver."
She giggled, clearly amused by something, but thankfully, it wasn't because she noticed where my eyes had wandered. "You're welcome! Oh, and tell Lucy I said hi! I saw her dancing earlier—she looked like she was having so much fun!"
I gave a faint smile. "Yeah, I'll let her know."
With my drink in hand, I turned around geting ready to go, trying to shake off that moment of awkwardness. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe I just needed to get my head on straight. Either way, I needed to focus.
Just as I was about to head back to the table, it hit me—I'd forgotten to grab Lucy's juice. I stopped in my tracks, muttering under my breath, and quickly turned back toward the bar. "Hey, Mira-chan, almost forgot. Can I get a juice for Lucy too?"
Mira tilted her head apologetically and pointed toward the back of the bar, where the shelves were packed with empty jugs. "Sorry, Gray, we're out up here. If you want, you can grab one from the basement. It's been so busy, I haven't had time to restock."
I sighed, glancing around at the sea of people crowding the bar. Yeah, there was no way she'd be able to leave her post, not with how hectic things were. "Alright, I'll get it," I said, turning toward the basement door.
But as I spoke, I found myself hesitating for just a second, my eyes flickering to Mira's neckline. It was quick—just a flash, really—but I couldn't help noticing the way her dress dipped just enough to reveal a bit of her cleavage. I didn't mean to look, i wanted to believe that. It just... happened. And before I could even register what I was doing, my gaze shot back to her face.
That's when I felt a faint flush creep up my neck. She was still smiling at me, that same happy, innocent expression she always had, completely unaware. If she noticed anything, it would be too much shamefull.
"Is there anything else you need?" she asked sweetly, her voice as kind and calm as ever.
I swallowed, forcing myself to act normal, but I felt a little embarrassed. "Nope. That's all. Thanks, Mira-chan," I replied quickly, trying to play it cool.
Her smile never faltered. "Alright, take care, Gray!"
Without another word, I turned and headed toward the basement door, trying to shake off that weird, awkward moment. Get it together, man.
As I descended the stairs, the noise of the party upstairs faded, and I focused on the task at hand—getting Lucy's juice and avoiding any more embarrassing slip-ups tonight.
As I descended the wooden stairs to the basement, the sound of footsteps echoed from below. Three guys were coming up, all of them members of Fairy Tail. We recognized each other instantly, sharing that unspoken connection that came with being part of the same guild. I shifted to the side, pressing myself against the railing to let them pass.
They gave a quick nod of thanks, a small gesture with their heads, before continuing up the stairs. I returned the nod, then waited until they were out of sight before heading down the rest of the way.
The basement was quiet if not by some faint sounds of laughter, a stark contrast to the noisy celebration upstairs. Shelves lined the walls, packed with bottles and barrels, each one holding some kind of liquid—everything from wines and ales to milk and, thankfully, juice. It smelled like aged wood and something faintly sweet, probably from the barrels of cider in the corner.
As I walked down one of the aisles, my eyes scanned the shelves until I spotted a bottle of juice tucked away among the clutter. I grabbed it, the cool glass smooth in my hand, and started heading back toward the stairs.
But after a few steps, I stopped. Something pulled at the edge of my memory. A faint tug, and I knew very well what that was.
I turned my head, my eyes drifting toward a corner near the foot of one of the shelves. There was nothing remarkable about it at first glance—just a dimly lit area, the shadows of the shelving casting long shapes on the floor. But there was a secret down here I accidentally discovered a few days ago.
The memory of it wasn't something that made me proud of, but it definitely lingered.
I frowned, narrowing my eyes as I kept thinking.
My gaze lingered on that corner. I couldn't help but wonder if it was still there. Part of me hoped it wasn't—hoped that those things weren't buried down there anymore, they were hidden away in the shadows of this basement. But the other part of me, the one that felt like it was cold darkness, wanted it, wanted that feeling again.
I kept staring, frozen in place. It was like my body was caught between two opposing forces—one wanting to move forward and open the hole, the other screaming at me to turn around and leave. But the temptation... it was too strong. The memory of what was hidden there tugged at my mind, and I couldn't resist it.
Just one more time, I thought. And then I'm done with it.
With a heavy sigh, I slowly walked toward the corner, each step feeling heavier than the last. My heart thudded louder in my chest as I neared the spot, the bottle of juice now feeling like dead weight in my hand. I set it down on a nearby shelf, my focus entirely on the loose wooden board at the foot of the shelves.
When I got close enough, I knelt down, my fingers brushing against the dusty wood. The board was slightly loose, just like it had been before. My pulse quickened as I carefully pried it open, the creak of the wood breaking the silence of the basement.
I held my breath as I pulled it free and peered into the small, hidden compartment beneath.
There it was.
I reached into the small compartment and there was a small bunch of photos. Something about them made me pause. Without thinking much, I grabbed three of them, shoving them into the pocket of my pants. As my fingers brushed over the images, a strange heat flooded my body. It wasn't the usual heat from a fight, but something else—excitement, desire. The sensation settled low, an undeniable pulse in my crotch. I gritted my teeth, reminding myself this wasn't the time. At least not here.
I quickly placed the wood back at it's place and shut it, hiding the photos and whatever feelings they stirred. Reaching for my mug and the bottle of juice, I made my way up the stairs, heading back to the main hall. Mira was behind the counter, laughing while talking with some client. She was distracted, absorbed in her conversation, her smile lighting up the crowded space.
I figured I'd pay for my drinks later. With the crowd this thick, it'd be easier once things settled down. I glanced at her one last time before turning away, feeling some weight at my heart.
As I made my way back to the table, I found myself moving through a more crowded section of the hall. The place was packed, bodies brushing against one another with every step. There was no space to move freely, no way to avoid contact with the others. At one point, the crowd came to a halt, forcing me to stop and wait for an opening.
That's when I realized just how tight the situation really was.
A girl stood right in front of me, her back to me. Her body pressed against mine, and I could feel the soft curve of her buttocks against my crotch. The contact was impossible to ignore, especially when she shifted ever so slightly. The pressure and those small movements sent a jolt through me, reminding me of the photos I had stashed away earlier.
My breath hitched as my body reacted. The heat from before surged again, more intense this time, and I felt myself getting harder. Damn it. Not here, not now. I clenched my jaw, trying to focus on anything but the way her body was rubbing against mine. But my half-awake member had other plans, growing bigger by the second as the crowded room left little room for distance.
I willed the crowd to move, but the opportunity to proceed was still out of reach. All I could do was stand there, my body betraying me.
The girl shifted in front of me, clearly noticing the growing pressure against her. She turned around, and my heart skipped a beat when I realized who it was—Cana. Of course, I hadn't recognized her in the dim lighting of the guild, the shadows cast by the stage lights where all the action was happening prevented me from doing so. But now, face to face with her, there was no mistaking it.
And apparently, she had noticed me too.
Her eyes flicked down for just a split second before she smirked. Without a word, she closed the small gap between us, her breasts pressing against my chest. Typical Cana—her outfit revealing as ever, practically daring someone to stare. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my cool, but I could feel my face heating up despite my best efforts.
"Gray," she said, her voice teasing, that usual mischievous glint in her eyes.
I cleared my throat, desperately trying to act like nothing was happening. "Cana," I replied, keeping my tone casual—or at least attempting to.
But it was obvious I wasn't fooling anyone, least of all her. She had a talent for this, for picking apart someone's composure just for fun, especially when she found them... cute. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in a little closer, her body pressing more firmly against mine. "You seem... tense," she whispered, her tone playful, knowing exactly what she was doing.
I tried to laugh it off, forcing a grin. "Just—uh, just crowded in here, that's all."
She raised an eyebrow, her smirk deepening. "Sure," she said, drawing the word out, her eyes never leaving mine. "You're looking a little... flushed. Something on your mind?"
I was trying so damn hard to act like this wasn't getting to me, like I was still in control, but she could see right through it. Cana always loved teasing guys who couldn't handle the heat, and I was no exception. She leaned in even closer, brushing her lips near my ear as she whispered, "How long can you keep up that cool act, Gray?"
I clenched my fists, doing my best to stay calm, but she knew exactly how to push my buttons. And the worst part? She was enjoying every second of it.
Cana noticed the mug of beer in my hand, her gaze shifting from my face to the drink with a knowing smirk. "Mind if I steal some?" she asked, already reaching for it. "The barrel's dry."
I handed it to her without hesitation, more out of reflex than anything else. My mind was still tangled up in the feeling of her body against mine. She took a deep gulp, the rim of the mug resting against her lips as she drank, and I couldn't help but watch. My eyes traced the line of her neck, down to her cleavage, barely covered by her usual bikini top. The way her breasts pressed against me was impossible to ignore, and my body reacted on instinct.
The heat in my core surged, and before I could stop myself, I felt it—an intense throbbing in my pants. My member, already stirred from before, pulsed with a hunger I couldn't control. It was impossible to hide now, and every movement of hers seemed to amplify it. Without thinking, my hand found its way to her hip, grabbing it firmly. The warmth of her skin radiated through my fingers, and I pulled her closer, grinding my hips against hers.
She paused mid-drink, lowering the mug as she felt it too—the hardness pressing against her through the fabric of my pants. Her body stilled, and her gaze shifted down to where my hand rested on her bare waist, my fingers pressing against her soft skin. She glanced back up at me, her expression curious, like she was assessing whether I was letting my desires take over.
And maybe I was.
I could feel my breath quickening, my heart pounding as the raw need built inside me. Her bikini didn't help, the barely-there fabric making every inch of contact between us all the more intense. My grip on her tightened, and I knew she could feel how much I wanted her, how much I was struggling to keep control.
Cana raised an eyebrow, her smirk fading slightly, replaced with something unreadable. She didn't pull away, didn't move. It was as if she was waiting to see just how far I'd go, or maybe how far I could hold out before I snapped.
After a moment of silence, Cana's expression shifted, a playful smile curling at the edges of her lips. She gently placed a hand behind my head, her fingers threading through my hair as she slowly pulled me closer. My heart pounded in my chest, and all I could focus on were her lips. My mind raced, and every thought was drowned out by the belief that she was about to kiss me.
Everything else disappeared. The noise of the guild, the crowd around us—it was all gone. All I could think about was her, and that electric connection between us.
But as she drew closer, her lips stopped just shy of mine. That's when I realized it wasn't a kiss she was aiming for. Instead, her mouth moved toward my ear, the warmth of her breath tickling my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. My pulse quickened, and I barely held my breath, waiting for what she was going to do next.
Her voice, soft and teasing, whispered directly into my ear. "You're being a very naughty boy, Gray."
The words sent a shock through me, my body tensing at the sound of her playful tone. Before I could even process it, she continued, her voice lower, more intimate. "You can't do that... because I might really want it."
My breath caught, and I felt a flush creep up my neck as her words sank in. She was teasing, as always, but there was a spark of something behind her voice that made my heart skip a beat. The way she said it, the playful challenge in her tone, only made the heat in my body burn hotter.
I was caught off guard, frozen for a moment as the throbbing need inside me seemed to intensify.
Everything was a blur, a haze of emotions and desire crashing over me. I wasn't thinking straight, couldn't think straight. It was all too intense—the feel of her body pressed against mine, the warmth of her skin, the teasing words she whispered in my ear. I didn't care why this was happening, not in that moment. All I cared about was how good it felt.
Before I knew it, I tightened my embrace around her, pulling her closer. Her scent surrounded me, the smell of her hair mixing with a faint trace of perfume on her skin. It was intoxicating. The soft press of her curves against me, the warmth radiating between us—I couldn't stop myself from wanting more. I leaned in, my lips brushing the edge of her ear, and I breathed slowly, my voice low, thick with the heat that surged through me.
"If we were alone right now," I murmured, "I wouldn't be able to control myself."
For a second, everything froze. Her body tensed against mine, and I could feel the weight of my words hanging in the air between us. Then, just as suddenly, Cana gently pushed me back, her hands on my chest, creating a small space between us. We stood there, face to face, staring at each other in silence.
I was serious. She could see it in my eyes, and whatever expression she wore in response—I couldn't tell. She was hiding it from me. But something passed between us in that moment, a silent understanding, maybe. I couldn't tear my gaze away from hers, waiting for whatever she'd say or do next.
Then, suddenly, she laughed. It was light and playful, the sound breaking the tension that had built between us. She flashed me that mischievous grin of hers, brushing it all off like she always did.
"Gray, Gray…" she teased, shaking her head. "You know, Juvia would be really sad if we were to do something like that."
Her words hit me like a splash of cold water, pulling me back to reality. I blinked, the heat inside me cooling down just a little, replaced by a twinge of guilt. Cana was still smiling, playing it off, but I knew she had a point.
Cana pulled away from me, slipping out of my grasp before I even realized it. I hadn't noticed when the crowd around us thinned, too focused on her, too lost in whatever that moment had been. She took a step back, holding onto my mug with a casual grin.
"I'll get more beer," she said with a wink. "Mind if I keep your mug?"
I waved her off, not really caring. In fact, I thought it was probably for the best. I'd had enough for the night, and the way things were going, more alcohol wasn't going to help me keep my head clear. "Go ahead," I muttered, feeling the lingering heat of the moment still thrumming in my chest.
Cana sauntered off, disappearing into the crowd again, and I stood there, frozen in place for a moment. Once she was gone, I tapped my finger against my forehead, muttering to myself, "What the hell am I doing?"
None of this felt like me. Not the way I'd been acting with Cana, or even earlier with Mira. I wasn't the kind of guy who lost control like that. Sure, I'd had moments, but this was different. Tonight, it was like something had taken over—like I'd stopped thinking entirely and let my body take the reins.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the weird tension that still clung to me. I needed to brush it off, forget it ever happened, and get back to my table before anyone else noticed I'd been acting off.
But as I walked back, I couldn't stop the thoughts creeping into my head. First, there was how I'd been staring at Mira's body earlier—giving inapropriate looks at her, feeling that same tug of heat. Then this thing with Cana, how I'd nearly let my desires completely take over.
It wasn't just the actions. It was the way it was starting to get under my skin, making me question myself. Why was this happening now? What the hell was wrong with me tonight?
As I made my way back to the table, I noticed it had gotten more crowded since I left. Along with Lucy, who was already there, Natsu, Levy, Gajeel, Juvia, Erza, Wendy, Charle, and Happy had joined as well. The usual buzz of chatter filled the air, and I could already feel the tension from earlier start to slip away.
Juvia was the first to notice me approaching, her face lighting up as she waved enthusiastically. "Gray-sama! Come sit with us!"
I nodded and took the seat between her and Erza, settling in as I placed the bottle of juice on the table and slid it toward Lucy. She caught it with a smile. "Thanks, Gray!"
"No problem," I replied, glancing around the group. That's when I noticed Natsu and Gajeel sitting across from each other, both sporting matching bumps on their heads. It wasn't hard to guess what had happened, but curiosity got the better of me.
"So," I said, leaning back with a smirk. "Which one of you two won the fight?"
At my question, both Natsu and Gajeel froze for a second, their eyes darting toward Erza with a mix of fear and guilt. Their exaggerated, panicked expressions were all I needed to see to piece it together.
I couldn't help it—I burst out laughing. "Ah, I see. Neither of you, huh?"
Natsu scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly. "Uh, yeah, you could say that..."
Gajeel just crossed his arms, grumbling something under his breath, but even he looked a little wary under Erza's watchful gaze.
I laughed harder, the tension from before finally melting away. This was more like it. Being here with my friends, messing around, this was what I needed to ground myself again. Even after everything that had happened earlier, this felt normal. Familiar.
And as much as Juvia leaned closer, her warmth beside me, or Erza's imposing presence on my other side, for now, I was content to let the moment carry me back to solid ground.
Natsu's face scrunched up, clearly irritated by how hard I was laughing at his expense. I could see him clenching his fists, muttering under his breath, but he wasn't about to risk another round with Erza. One look at her, and I could tell he was holding himself back, not daring to make a scene.
Erza, ever the serious one, crossed her arms and shook her head. "It's no laughing matter, Gray," she said sternly. "They need to learn how to behave properly. Fighting in the guild like that is unacceptable."
I wiped a tear from my eye, still grinning. "Yeah, yeah, you're right." But honestly, seeing Natsu and Gajeel freak out at the thought of Erza's wrath was too good not to laugh at.
But then, a wave of warmth hit me. Sitting here with everyone, sharing this moment, made me feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. These were my friends—my family, really. And despite all the craziness of the night, I was glad to be here with them.
Without thinking, I reached out, draping my arms around both Erza and Juvia's necks and pulling them closer into an impromptu group hug. "You guys… I'm really glad we're all here together."
Both of them stiffened at first, clearly surprised by my sudden affection. Juvia's face instantly flushed red, her eyes wide with shock and joy. "Gray-sama!" she squealed, her voice a mix of excitement and disbelief.
Erza, on the other hand, wasn't as expressive, but I could see her eyebrow arching in surprise. She wasn't one for physical displays like this, but she didn't pull away. In fact, after a brief pause, she gave a small, amused smile.
It was spontaneous, maybe a little out of character for me, but I didn't care. For just a moment, I wanted to let them know how much they meant to me.
As I pulled Erza and Juvia closer, I didn't really notice the curious glances being thrown my way. Wendy, Natsu, Charle, and a few others around the table exchanged looks, just like Lucy had earlier, probably wondering why I was acting a bit different tonight. But I was too caught up in the moment, enjoying the warmth of my friends beside me, to care.
Time passed, and the night carried on. The party in the guild showed no signs of slowing down, and even outside in the town, festivities were still in full swing. But eventually, I decided it was time for me to head out. Juvia, who had been by my side most of the night, was getting ready to leave too.
"I'll walk you home," I said, offering without much thought.
Juvia's eyes lit up instantly. "Gray-sama… you'll accompany me?" she asked, her voice soft with excitement.
I nodded, standing up and giving a quick wave to the rest of the group before we headed out. The streets were alive with laughter and music, but the path we took toward the girls' dorm was quieter, away from the center of town.
As we walked side by side, Juvia started talking, her voice light and happy. "Today was wonderful, Gray-sama," she said, glancing over at me with a smile. "I'm really happy I got to spend it with you."
Her words were sincere, and I could hear the joy in her voice. It wasn't just the party—something about this night felt special to her. Maybe because I'd been more open than usual, less guarded, letting myself go with the flow of things. As we walked, I felt a warmth in my chest, not unlike the one I'd felt at the table earlier. Despite all the craziness, I was glad to have spent the day like this too.
I glanced at her, giving a small smile. "Yeah… it was a good night."
As we walked in the quiet night, I glanced over at Juvia. Her innocent smile and the tenderness in her eyes made something stir inside me. Without warning, I felt the urge to embrace her—an instinct, almost, like I needed to feel the warmth of her presence closer to me. Before I could think about it, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her gently against me.
Juvia gasped, startled, her wide eyes searching mine. "Gray-sama… what happened?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with confusion and surprise.
I wasn't sure what came over me, but the words tumbled out. "I just… when I'm with you like this, it's hard to explain. Your presence... it makes me feel so glad, so at ease." I could hear myself talking, but it didn't feel like my usual self. It was as if the feelings I usually kept locked away were bubbling to the surface, spilling out in ways I wasn't used to.
Juvia blinked, her expression shifting from confusion to emotion, her eyes shining with tears as I continued. "I like when you're close to me, Juvia. You've always been there, and I don't say it enough, but it means a lot. More than you know."
Her lips quivered as she teared up, overwhelmed by what I was saying. I could see it in her face, the sheer joy of hearing these words from me. She closed her eyes slowly, her lips parting just slightly as she leaned forward, inching her face closer to mine. Her intentions were clear—she wanted to kiss me, to close the distance between us.
But just as her lips neared mine, I gently stopped her by pressing my index finger against her lips. Her eyes fluttered open, confused, and she stared at me, her breath catching in her throat.
I wasn't ready, not for that. The moment wasn't right yet, despite everything I'd said. Maybe it was the intensity of it all, the rush of feelings that had caught me off guard. Or maybe it was my fears of losing myself, it was something I couldn't put into words.
I smiled softly, still holding my finger gently against Juvia's lips. The warmth between us was undeniable, and part of me wanted to give in to the moment, to let everything go. But I couldn't—not yet. I wasn't ready for something like this, not while I was still dealing with everything inside me, the darkness I was still fighting.
"Juvia," I began, my voice low and steady, "I'd love to… but I'm not confident enough to do something like that right now."
She blinked, her tears shining in the moonlight, her lips trembling as she listened. I could see the emotions flooding her eyes, but I needed her to understand.
"It's because of how much I love you," I admitted. "There's still things I need to resolve about myself. Until I get good enough, but I'm not there yet. I need time—just a little more time—until I can finally be ready to accept you… to accept us. For real."
Juvia's expression softened even more, and she couldn't hold back her emotions. Tears of joy started to roll down her cheeks, but her smile—it was the most graceful and beautiful smile I had ever seen from her. The kind of smile that made everything around us seem brighter, even in the quiet of the night.
"Gray-sama…" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She wiped at her tears, though they kept coming, but there was no sadness in them—only pure happiness. "I'll wait for you. Even if I have to wait forever, I'll wait. I'd do anything for you."
Her words hit me hard, and I could feel the weight of her love, her devotion. It wasn't the first time she'd said something like this, but hearing it now, in this moment, made it feel different. It was like a promise, one she was making with her entire heart.
I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. "Thank you, Juvia. I won't make you wait forever."
After that emotional moment, we resumed our walk, the quiet settling between us again. It didn't take long before we reached the girls' dorm. Juvia paused at the entrance, turning to me one last time with that same radiant smile still lighting up her face.
"Goodnight, Gray-sama," she said softly.
"Goodnight, Juvia," I replied, watching her as she disappeared inside. Once the door closed behind her, I stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space where she had just been. Then, with a deep breath, I turned and started walking back toward the city.
The contrast between the world outside and what was going on inside me was stark. The streets were alive—bright lights strung up across buildings, laughter spilling from groups of people as they walked by, couples enjoying their night, families crowding around food stalls and street vendors. Restaurants and pubs were packed with customers, and vendors shouted out their best deals from the many market barracks lining the streets. It was a lively, joyful night, filled with celebration and warmth.
But in my mind, it couldn't have been more different.
Inside, it felt dark and cold, like I was standing in the middle of a snowstorm I couldn't escape. The devil I was fighting… it lurked in the corners of my thoughts, always there, always waiting for a moment of weakness. It made everything else—Juvia's smile, the warmth of her embrace, even the laughter of the people around me—feel distant. Like I was separate from it all, just walking through the motions.
No matter how much I tried to push it aside, the weight of that darkness clung to me, reminding me of how far I still had to go before I could truly be at peace with myself.
The streets around me were full of life, but my mind was a battlefield, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was still fighting a war with no clear end in sight.
As I walked through the bustling streets, my face remained stoic, though anyone paying close attention might notice a flicker of something deeper—conflict, uncertainty—beneath the surface. The noise of the city around me didn't register. The laughter, the clinking of glasses, the distant music—it all felt like a distant hum, a backdrop to the turmoil in my head.
At some point, I stopped, my gaze drawn to a small restaurant window. Inside, a man and a woman were sitting together, smiling and laughing as they shared a meal. Across from them sat their young child, eagerly eating, while the woman cradled a baby boy in her arms. The warmth in their interaction, the simple joy in the family's dynamic, contrasted sharply with the coldness I felt inside.
I stood there, staring for a long moment, my expression serious, even though I wasn't sure what had pulled me to this scene. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but their laughter, the way the man leaned in to whisper something to the woman, and the way the child beamed with happiness as they shared their moment... it was all so far from what I was feeling.
I turned away from the window, resuming my walk, and it was only after a few steps that the thought became clearer in my mind. Juvia.
She was there, at the center of my thoughts, the way her eyes had sparkled with tears, the way her voice had trembled when she told me she'd wait for me forever. The warmth she brought, the devotion she showed, and how easily she could see through the walls I'd built.
I shoved my hands in my pockets, walking a little faster as my thoughts swirled around her. Even though I'd asked her to wait, even though I wasn't ready, I couldn't deny the part of me that longed for the peace she offered—the kind of warmth I saw in that family at the restaurant.
Now back at my house, I stood in the shower, letting the water cascade down over my body. The steam rose around me, the warmth seeping into my skin as I tilted my head back, letting the water hit my face. My eyes were closed, trying to focus on nothing but the steady rhythm of the droplets falling over me, washing away the tension of the night.
But as much as I tried to clear my head, memories from earlier in the day crept back into my mind.
It started with Cana. That moment when I'd pressed her close, when I could feel her body against mine. The heat, the tension, the way her touch had sent sparks through me. Her teasing words echoed in my head, the playful look in her eyes as she leaned into me, knowing exactly what she was doing.
My breath hitched as the lustful sensations from earlier began to stir inside me again. I could still feel the way her body had pressed into mine, how close we'd been, how easy it would've been to lose myself in the moment. The throbbing pulse from before, the desire that had built between us—it all rushed back, more intense than I wanted to admit.
I clenched my fists, the water still falling over me, trying to push it out of my head, but it was hard. The raw, instinctual need that had been awakened by Cana was still there, lurking just beneath the surface, tempting me. Even now, standing alone under the shower, I could feel my heart racing, my body reacting to those memories.
I opened my eyes, staring up into the stream of water, trying to ground myself again, but the lingering heat wouldn't fade.
I lowered my head, the water still beating down on me, and glanced down. There it was—my member, fully erect, completely pumped up. The memories of Cana, the sensations from earlier, had stirred something deep inside me, and no matter how hard I tried to fight it, the desire refused to fade.
I knew I had to resist, had to push this temptation aside, but my body wasn't listening. Slowly, almost against my own will, I reached down, my fingers wrapping around the hardened length. My breath hitched as I started moving my hand, up and down, each stroke slow and deliberate.
With every movement, I felt the warmth, the solidness of it, the way the skin rubbed against itself under the pressure of my hand. The sensation was intense, pulling me deeper into the desire I was trying so hard to control. I closed my eyes again, the water mixing with the heat rising in my chest, my hand moving with more intent, feeling the hardness grow even more beneath my touch.
The conflict in my mind was still there, but in that moment, it was hard to think about anything else but the growing tension in my body, and the way every stroke sent a shiver of pleasure through me.
I could feel my expression grewing tense as I moved my hand faster, with gritted teeths, eyes squeezed shut. The memories of Cana's body, the way she had felt on my body, pressed against me, fueled the fire inside my chest, pushing me further into the lust that had by now overtaken me. At every passing second my arm pumped with increasing speed and strength, every stroke more urgent, more desperate, as I lost myself in the sensations.
I didn't even realize I was holding my breath, to much focused on the friction, on the heat building within me. The intensity was overwhelming, and in less than two minutes, I felt my body reached its limit. With a sharp jolt, I released, the thick, viscous liquid spurting out in quick bursts, splashing against the shower wall in front of me.
Finally, my breath escaped, coming out in heavy, labored gasps as I felt my body tremble. The tension that had gripped me loosened as the rush faded, leaving only the sound of water falling at my back, the rhythmic drip of droplets hitting the ground, and the faint gurgle of the drain below. The sudden quiet after the intense, hurried motions felt almost jarring, like the calm after a storm.
I stood there for a moment, the water washing away the evidence of what I had just done, the steam still rising around me, and my heart slowly returning to its normal rhythm.
I slowly removed my hand from my still-erect member, staring at my palm as if it held the answers to the mess swirling inside me. The strange feelings gnawed at me, questions bubbling up—why couldn't I resist? Why had I let myself be seduced by something I thought I could control? My chest heaved as I caught my breath, the echoes of pleasure still fresh, yet an unsettling tension remained.
After washing off in the bath, I slipped into bed, hoping for sleep to dull the gnawing sensations. But it wasn't working—nothing was working. My lust clung to me like a second skin, pulsing through my veins, refusing to subside. My brain kept betraying me, sending unwanted stimulus straight to my groin. My body still craved release, more than what I'd already given it, like some insatiable hunger that wouldn't let up. I tried to block it out, to will my mind into submission, but the painful throb between my legs was a reminder that I wasn't in control.
Sitting up, I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. The pressure was unbearable—like my body was demanding more, and I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold back. I glanced toward the floor where my pants were discarded, wrinkled in a heap by the bed. With a sigh, I stood up, fully naked, and walked toward them, my body still aching for something I didn't know how to stop.
I reached for my pants and dug into the pocket, pulling out the three photos I'd found in the guild's basement earlier. My fingers trembled as I unfolded them, and whenever my eyes landed on the images, heat instantly flushed my cheeks. My breathing grew ragged, the tension in my body rising again, and my heart thudded heavily in my chest.
I still couldn't believe she was doing this kind of thing—her of all people. It didn't make sense. Yet the proof was right there in my hands, undeniable, and I couldn't stop staring. The photos were intimate, revealing more than I ever thought I'd see. Part of me was conflicted, torn between guilt and something far more primal. But I couldn't look away, my mind clouded by the growing heat in my core.
I dropped into the armchair nearby, sinking into the worn cushions as my gaze stayed fixed on the photos. My hand instinctively moved to my warm, throbbing member, fingers wrapping around it, the need impossible to ignore any longer. I gave in to the touch, slowly caressing myself while my eyes lingered on the images, breath growing heavier with each passing moment.
I told myself I should stop, that this wasn't right, but the luxurious heat swelling inside me was too much to resist. Every stroke of my hand only made the need stronger, the guilt fading under the overwhelming lust. My breath hitched, and before I knew it, words started spilling out of my mouth.
"She's so sexy... her body is so hot..." I muttered, eyes glued to the photos. The way she posed, so bold and uninhibited, was something I never thought I'd see from her. In one of them, she was exposing herself completely, her legs spread wide in a vulgar position. I couldn't believe this was real, couldn't imagine her doing anything like this. But the proof was in my hands, and my mind was reeling.
I was lost in it, completely absorbed. The tension inside me built higher and higher, and before I knew it, I was coming—my body giving in to the intense pleasure. But even as the first wave crashed over me, I didn't stop. I couldn't. My hand never left my member, even as it throbbed painfully from the first release. My eyes stayed locked on the photos, the images burning into my mind as I kept stroking, the need still raging.
Again, the pleasure built quickly, and again I came, barely giving myself time to breathe. But the fire wouldn't die. I was still hard, my lust insatiable. My body wouldn't rest. I came a third time, the pleasure tearing through me, leaving me lightheaded, but it wasn't enough. One more time—four times in total. I was spent, my body trembling from the overstimulation, but I never once let myself rest between releases, lost in the overwhelming need that had taken hold of me.
After my lust finally subsided, my breathing slowed, and the haze of desire started to clear. I grabbed some paper and wiped off my now half-flaccid member, my hands moving mechanically, but my mind was elsewhere—drowning in guilt. I stared down at the photos again, feeling a pang of shame twist in my chest.
"Sorry… I did this again…" I muttered to myself, the words heavy on my tongue.
I glanced at the images one last time, my heart sinking. "Mira-chan…" Her name left my lips in a whisper, full of regret. What the hell was wrong with me? How could I let myself get like this—lusting after her, looking at these photos and doing… this? It felt wrong, all of it, but that hadn't stopped me.
The next morning, I woke up with a heavy weight in my chest. The memories of what I'd done last night rushed back, unwanted, making me cringe in shame. I had lost to my own temptations again. My mind kept circling back to those moments, and I hated it. I couldn't let myself keep doing this.
I pushed myself out of bed, determined to move past it, to forget. I couldn't let this guilt linger. The only way I knew how to deal with it was to drown myself in work, to focus on something—anything—that would occupy my mind. It wasn't a permanent solution, I knew that. But for now, it seemed like the only way to ease the discomfort gnawing at me every time I thought about Mira… or Cana, and the images that flashed uninvited in my head.
If I stayed too busy, I wouldn't have time to think about them. No time for those thoughts to surface and take over my mind again. That was my conclusion: work hard, keep moving, and maybe the guilt wouldn't weigh so heavily. It was the only thing I could think of to outrun these feelings that refused to let me go.
As I made my way toward the guild, halfway there, a thought struck me, sharp and clear: I should burn the photos. The spicy images of Mira hidden away in the guild's basement, along with the ones I kept at my place… they needed to be destroyed. I couldn't keep holding onto them, not after everything that had happened.
No matter who had taken those photos or why they existed in the first place, it wasn't right for them to be out there. For her sake—and for mine—I had to get rid of them. The idea of anyone else stumbling across those pictures made my stomach twist in knots. And the longer I held onto them, the more they'd feed into the guilt, the shame, the temptations I kept failing to resist.
It would be better, for both of us, if they were gone. Out of sight, out of mind. Maybe then, I could finally move on, without the weight of those images haunting me every time I thought of Mira. That was the only way forward.
When I walked into the guild, I saw Natsu, Lucy, Erza, Wendy, Charle, and Happy all waiting for me near the bar. Their faces lit up as soon as they spotted me, like they'd been waiting for my arrival. I barely had time to settle in before Lucy waved me over.
"There you are, Gray!" she said, smiling. "We've been talking about a new mission—probably going to take a few weeks."
Erza nodded, her usual calm intensity in her gaze. "We're heading out on a job that will involve multiple targets. There's been some trouble with a series of thefts by a group of robbers along the western border. We're supposed to handle it."
"A few weeks?" I raised an eyebrow. It sounded like an easy mission, but it was exactly what I needed to drown out the thoughts that had been clouding my mind since last night. "What kind of trouble are we looking at?"
Wendy chimed in, her voice soft but serious. "It's been reported that they're involved in some pretty dangerous activity. We'll need to be careful, but it's nothing we can't handle together."
Natsu grinned, his fist raised in excitement. "It'll be awesome! Finally, a chance for some action!"
I listened as they filled me in on the details—locating their hideouts and taking them down, clearing the routes they had blocked etc, and ensuring the safety of the nearby villages, they were asking for us to rescue a girl too. It was a mission that would demand a lot of our focus and energy, and that was exactly what I needed right now. Work. A distraction. Something to keep my mind off things, to bury the unwanted memories that kept surfacing whenever I thought of Mira or Cana.
This mission would keep me busy enough. No time to dwell on anything else.
"I'm in," I said, nodding firmly. "Let's do this."
As we stood there talking about the mission, I felt a sudden presence behind me. Before I could turn around, a gentle pat landed on my back. I stiffened instantly, recognizing the familiar warmth of her touch—Mira.
"Mind if I join in?" she asked, stepping into our circle with her usual bright smile.
I could feel my heart race, and a knot twisted in my stomach. Being this close to her felt awkward, unbearably so, like the first time I'd given in to those urges. But this time was worse—much worse. Because of last night, the shame had hit harder than ever, and now standing next to her, the awkwardness was twice as great, like a suffocating weight pressing down on me.
I tried to keep my face neutral, to act like nothing was wrong. But her mere presence was enough to set my nerves on edge, a constant reminder of the shame that clung to me. My thoughts raced, desperate to stay focused on the mission, but all I could think about was the fact that I had let myself slip—again. And now here she was, so close, and I didn't know how to handle it.
I swallowed hard, nodding as the conversation continued around me, but Mira's proximity was impossible to ignore. Every second felt like a battle to keep myself in check, to not let my discomfort show.
I kept more silent than usual as Mira chatted with the others. My eyes stayed fixed on anything but her—Natsu's wild gestures, Erza's focused expression—anything to avoid looking her way. The tension was unbearable, my mind replaying last night over and over again, filling me with guilt. Every word she spoke made me feel even more on edge, like I was about to crack.
Then, out of nowhere, Mira turned toward me. "So, Gray, what do you think? You ready for this mission?"
Her voice was light, casual, just like always, but it caught me completely off guard. I'd been doing everything I could to avoid contact, and now she was speaking directly to me. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a lump form in my throat. I hadn't prepared for this, and my mind scrambled for an answer.
"Uh… y-yeah, I… I'm ready," I stammered, my voice betraying me. My words came out awkward and forced, and I could feel my face heat up, embarrassment washing over me. It was such a simple question, something I could've answered without thinking under normal circumstances, but now it felt like I was under a spotlight.
Mira smiled and nodded, not seeming to notice the awkwardness in my tone. Thankfully, no one else did either. Natsu was too busy grinning about the upcoming mission, and the others seemed focused on the task at hand. If they sensed anything strange about the way I answered, they didn't show it.
But I could feel it. Every word felt strained, like I was holding back too much, and the tension between us—at least on my end—was still there, bubbling beneath the surface.
The conversation kept flowing around me, with everyone chiming in about the mission, but I couldn't focus. My mind was too tangled up in everything—Mira's presence, the awkwardness that hung in the air, and the way I'd stuttered like an idiot. I shifted slightly, turning my face away from her, trying to put some distance between us, at least mentally. It wasn't much, but it made me feel a little more secure, like I had some space to breathe.
I couldn't believe how embarrassed I felt. What the fuck is wrong with me? I thought, inwardly badmouthing myself. It was a simple question, and I blew it. Overreacted like a complete idiot.
I kept my eyes fixed on nothing in particular, just staring off into space, trying to regain some composure. But before I could settle my thoughts, I saw movement in the corner of my vision. Lucy, who had been standing beside me, suddenly leaned forward, her face now partially in my field of view.
She wasn't saying anything—just watching me with a curious expression, her head slightly tilted as if she were trying to figure me out. Her eyes scanned my face, as if she could sense that something was off but couldn't quite place it.
"Uh… what?" I asked, trying to sound casual, even though my heart skipped a beat. I hoped she hadn't picked up on how awkward I'd been acting.
Lucy just blinked, her expression still curious. "Nothing," she said, drawing out the word slightly. "You just seemed... distracted."
I managed a weak smile, trying to shake off the awkwardness. "Yeah, just thinking about the mission," I muttered, hoping that would be enough to shift the attention away from me.
Still in that same position, Lucy kept her eyes locked on mine. For a brief moment, we just looked at each other, neither of us saying a word. I wasn't sure what she was thinking, and honestly, I didn't know what to do. My mind was still all over the place, but somehow, her steady gaze cut through the noise. It was as if, in that quiet moment, she saw through the mess I was feeling without needing to ask.
Then, without warning, she moved her hand and gently poked my cheek with her index finger. I blinked, confused for a second. What's she doing? I thought, trying to make sense of her random gesture.
But when I looked back at her, Lucy just gave me a warm smile, her eyes soft and reassuring. She didn't say anything, didn't need to. That simple, spontaneous act somehow made everything feel a little less tense. It wasn't much, but it was enough to remind me that not everything had to be weighed down by awkwardness or overthinking.
I let out a quiet breath, feeling the knot in my chest loosen just a bit. Her small, unspoken gesture had done more than words could have. I didn't know why, but in that moment, I felt a little more at ease.
The way Lucy was—her easygoing nature, her warmth—it always seemed to have this calming effect on me. Somehow, she had a way of making everything feel less complicated, like I didn't have to keep up the walls I normally did. She made me feel comfortable, even now, when I'd been trapped in my own head all morning. It wasn't just now either—I realized she'd had that same effect on me even back when she first joined the guild. I hadn't thought about it much until now, but it was true.
I let out a small laugh, feeling the tension in my chest lighten. Without thinking, I reached out and gave her a gentle pat on the head. "Thanks, Lucy," I said quietly, though I didn't explain what for. She just smiled back, her expression warm and full of understanding.
With that little bit of peace she'd given me, I felt more grounded, more focused. The nagging thoughts from last night—of how I'd lost to my desires—faded to the back of my mind. It wasn't gone completely, but it no longer weighed on me like it had before. I could push it aside for now.
I turned back to the conversation the group was having, finally paying attention again. They were talking about strategies for the mission, and I found myself actually listening, feeling more present. It was what I needed—work, focus, and my friends beside me.
After a few hours of conversation and planning, we were finally ready to set out on the mission. The energy in the group was high. It felt good to be back in the swing of things, especially with something that seemed straightforward. Outside the main doors of the guild, we gathered, waiting for Erza to finish talking to Mira about the final paperwork. She always made sure everything was in order before we left for a job.
The mission didn't seem too difficult. From what we gathered, it was mostly a matter of dealing with a group of thieves causing trouble along the western border—nothing we hadn't handled before. It felt routine, which was exactly what I needed.
As we waited for Erza to return, we chitchatted to pass the time.
"So, how many of these missions have we done now?" Lucy asked, stretching her arms behind her head. "Feels like we're always chasing after some band of criminals."
"Too many," I replied with a smirk. "But hey, at least it's not demons or dragons this time. I'll take thieves over that any day."
"Yeah, thieves are nothing!" Natsu grinned, throwing a punch into the air. "Piece of cake. Maybe we'll get a real fight out of it, though."
"Always thinking about fighting," Happy chimed in, flapping his wings as he hovered above Natsu's head. "But maybe we'll find some tasty fish along the way!"
"Fish? Really, Happy?" Charle crossed her arms, giving him a skeptical look. "This isn't a picnic. We're on a mission."
Happy shrugged. "Why can't it be both? A mission and a picnic."
Wendy giggled softly. "Well, I hope it's nothing too dangerous. I'm sure we can handle it, but… a little peaceful mission wouldn't be so bad."
Lucy nodded. "Yeah, I'm with Wendy. I could use a break from all the crazy stuff we usually get into."
I glanced over at the guild doors, wondering how much longer Erza would take. "Thieves or not, it'll be good to get out of here for a while," I said, the earlier tension I'd been feeling now replaced by a quiet sense of readiness. The banter was helping keep my mind off things, and that was exactly what I needed.
Erza came, as she walked out from the guild, her armor glinting in the sunlight. "It's all done. We've got everything in order for the mission, Mira's taken care of the paperwork." Her expression calm and composed. "Let's move out." she said. "Meet at the train station in about three hours. The travel will be long so that should give everyone time to head home and pack your things."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and we began to scatter. Three hours was plenty of time to gather our gear and prepare for the weeks ahead.
As I turned to leave, I couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief. This mission was exactly what I needed—something to focus on, something to keep my mind busy and away from the thoughts that had been haunting me. It felt like the perfect distraction, something to occupy my hands and head so I wouldn't have time to spiral back into the guilt and shame from last night.
But as I started walking home, a nagging thought lingered in the back of my mind—one I tried to ignore. I didn't realize it then, but this mission wouldn't be the escape I hoped for. It would only make me confront the thing I'd been running from.
What I didn't know was that no matter how much work I threw myself into, I couldn't outrun the devil growing inside me, the one that crept closer with every passing day. This mission wouldn't save me from it. It would only force me to realize that escaping my own self, my own demons, wasn't as easy as just staying busy.
But at that moment, I shoved that thought aside, convincing myself that everything would be fine—at least for now.
With that, we headed off, ready to take on the mission ahead.
A few days into the mission, we found ourselves riding in a carriage, still heading toward our destination. I sat by the window, gazing out at the landscape as it blurred by. The wind brushed through my hair, carrying the cool air of the late afternoon. It had been hours since we'd set out from our previous stop, and the carriage ride felt never-ending. Some of the group had dozed off—Happy was asleep, and Natsu was, unsurprisingly, sick from the motion of the vehicle. His face was pale as he slumped in his seat, groaning.
Wendy, Charle and Erza were deep in conversation about something, their voices blending with the rhythmic sound of the carriage wheels rolling on the dirt road. I didn't bother paying attention. My focus was on the breeze, on the fading light of the day, trying to let my thoughts drift with the passing scenery. My elbow rested on the window ledge, my hand supporting my jaw as I leaned against it. It was one of those moments where the quietness around me almost felt peaceful.
But then, out of nowhere, I felt Lucy shift beside me. Her hand gently rested on my shoulder, adding a bit of weight as she leaned in closer. The warmth of her presence pulled me out of my wandering thoughts, and I turned slightly, wondering what she was up to.
She moved even closer, her lips near my ear as she whispered softly, "Did something happen between you and Mira-chan?"
Her question hit me like a cold shock, and my entire body tensed. For a moment, I didn't know how to react. My mind raced, trying to figure out what she meant or how she'd even come to ask something like that. I hadn't said or done anything to make her suspicious—or at least I thought I hadn't.
I swallowed hard, feeling my heartbeat quicken. How the hell am I supposed to answer that?
I shifted my gaze toward Lucy, my expression immediately hardening. I felt my brows furrow, not just in confusion but in something close to frustration. Her question came out of nowhere, and I had no idea where it was coming from. My mouth opened slightly, and the only word I managed to say was, "What?" My tone was flat, but the weight of that single word hung between us. I needed her to clarify what she meant, though a part of me wasn't sure I wanted to hear it.
Lucy leaned in closer, her voice still in a low whisper, cautious. "Well... it's just... I noticed the way you acted the other day, when Mira-chan joined the conversation. You seemed really uncomfortable, and... I don't know, like you were trying to avoid her." She paused, as if choosing her words carefully. "It just made me wonder if something happened between you two."
I stared at her, my heart pounding in my chest, my thoughts scrambling for some kind of response. I hadn't realized I'd been so obvious, or that anyone had noticed. But before I could say anything, she seemed to sense the shift in my expression. My face must've shown the frustration, the mix of anger and defensiveness that I couldn't hide.
Her words trailed off, and she quickly stopped talking, her gaze dropping to the floor as an awkward silence filled the space between us. The tension thickened, and neither of us said anything for what felt like an eternity.
I clenched my jaw, trying to push down the rising emotions. Lucy hadn't meant anything bad, I knew that. But her words had hit too close to the truth, and it was something I wasn't ready to face, let alone discuss. Especially not here, with everyone else so close.
The quiet stretched on, neither of us willing to break it.
At that moment, Lucy realized she had touched on something she shouldn't have. I could see it in the way her expression shifted, her eyes widening slightly as if she regretted even bringing it up. Her heart probably skipped a beat, and I could almost feel the tension radiating off her as she sat there, wishing she could take back her words.
I felt her eyes on me, but I didn't look at her. Instead, I shifted my gaze away, staring out the window again. My jaw clenched as I tried to keep my emotions in check, but I couldn't stop the irritation from creeping into my voice.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I muttered, the words coming out in a low, almost dismissive tone. It sounded harsher than I intended, but I didn't care. I just wanted her to drop it.
The way I said it was rude—colder than I should've been, but the frustration had taken over. I wasn't ready to talk about this, not with her, not with anyone. I didn't want to face the questions or the truth that had been gnawing at me for days.
Lucy didn't say anything after that. The silence between us grew heavier, the awkwardness thickening in the air. She probably felt like she'd crossed a line, and honestly, she had. But I couldn't blame her—not really. Still, I wasn't in the mood to deal with it. Not now.
She probably felt bad about the way I replied. I could sense it, the way the energy between us shifted. Lucy stayed silent for several long minutes, not even glancing in my direction. I didn't move either, my eyes still fixed on the passing scenery outside, though my mind was racing with the aftermath of what had just happened.
The silence between us felt heavy, the weight of my harsh reply hanging in the air. I knew I had been rude, but I couldn't take it back now. I just wasn't ready to explain myself, and she'd hit a nerve I wasn't prepared to deal with.
After what felt like an eternity, Lucy finally broke the silence—not by addressing me, but by slipping into the conversation Wendy, Charle, and Erza were having. It was almost as if she was pretending our conversation hadn't happened at all. She leaned forward slightly, joining in with a light comment about whatever topic they were discussing, her voice cheerful, maybe a little forced, but masking the discomfort she must've been feeling.
I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, watching as she smiled and chatted with the others, as if she hadn't just been sitting beside me in silence. It was clear she was trying to make the situation less awkward, to distance herself from the tension that had built up between us.
For now, I let it go, content to leave things as they were.
After nearly two hours of quiet, the carriage finally rolled into the city that was our destination. We'd been on the road traveling to get here for about five and a half days, and the journey had been long and exhausting. As the carriage came to a stop in front of a modest inn, I could see the sky already darkening, the last sliver of daylight fading into dusk. The atmosphere was calm, but there was a slight chill in the air, reminding me that night was quickly approaching.
Everyone began to shuffle out, stretching their legs after the long trip. Natsu stumbled out first, still looking pale and queasy from the motion sickness, while Wendy, Erza, Happy, and Charle followed, all eager to get inside. Lucy stepped down just before me, and I watched as she immediately went to help Natsu, who was regaining his composure by leaning against the inn's wall.
I hesitated for a second before stepping down myself, my eyes lingering on Lucy. She was focused on Natsu, her hand on his shoulder, making sure he was okay. There was that familiar warmth in her actions, that natural kindness she always showed to everyone. It made me think back to the conversation we'd had earlier, and the way I'd shut her down so abruptly.
I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. I hadn't meant to be rude, but I had been, and now I wondered if I'd hurt her feelings. The way she'd tried to carry on afterward, acting like nothing had happened—it made me feel worse. I blamed myself for how things had turned out. I should've handled it differently. Maybe I owed her an apology, but I wasn't sure how to bring it up without making things even more awkward.
I just watched her from a distance, my feet hitting the ground as I stepped out of the carriage, my thoughts a tangled mess of regret and frustration with myself.
I decided to approach her. Taking a deep breath, and so I called her out, "Lucy."
She turned to look at me, her expression calm but curious. I felt my stomach knot a little as our eyes met. For a moment, I wasn't sure how to say it, but I had to get it out. I shifted my gaze away from her, staring off to the side, not able to meet her eyes directly.
"Sorry... about earlier," I muttered, feeling the weight of my own awkwardness pressing down on me. Apologizing wasn't usually this hard, but this time, I felt disconcerted. It wasn't like me to get angry at Lucy, and now that I had, the guilt made it difficult to speak.
She blinked, and a small smile crossed her face as she waved it off. "It's nothing," she said, her tone light, as if trying to brush the whole thing aside. "Don't worry about it."
I glanced back at her but kept my face turned slightly away. It seemed like she was okay with my apology, but there was something in the way she said it that made me realize she didn't want to revisit the subject.
Her eyes softened, but I could tell the situation earlier had made her uncomfortable. Lucy was the type to let things go, but that didn't mean it hadn't bothered her. She probably just didn't want to get into it again, and I couldn't blame her.
She gave me a small nod, signaling that she was fine with leaving it in the past. Even though I still felt a bit guilty, I understood that pushing it further would just make things worse. So, I let it drop, figuring that, for now, we could both move on.
Just as Lucy gave me that small nod, signaling she was ready to move on, Wendy called out to her from across the way. "Lucy, can you help me with this?" Wendy was struggling with some of the luggage, trying to gather up everyone's bags to take inside the inn.
Lucy turned to me, offering a quick smile before heading over to help. "Be right there, Wendy!"
As soon as she left, Natsu, who had been slumped over moments ago, suddenly straightened up, his usual energy returning, though he still looked a bit pale. He rubbed his head and shot me a curious glance. "What was that about?" he asked, his voice louder than it needed to be. "Why'd you say sorry to Lucy? What happened?"
I tensed, not wanting to get into it. I wasn't going to talk about any of it, not with Natsu—and definitely not with anyone else from this group. I turned to him, my expression blank, and muttered, "I don't know." It was a quick answer, meant to brush him off. And while it wasn't a total lie, it wasn't the whole truth either.
The reality was, I didn't know. I was starting to notice more and more just how much my emotions had been a mess lately, how chaotic everything felt inside me. But even though I could feel something shifting, I wasn't ready to accept what that meant. I didn't want to admit it to myself, let alone explain it to someone else.
Before Natsu could press further, I turned and walked away, heading toward the inn without another word. I could feel his eyes on my back, and when I glanced over my shoulder, I caught a glimpse of his suspicious expression. He was watching me closely, clearly sensing that there was something I wasn't telling him.
But I kept walking, pushing the conversation—and the bother—aside, just like I'd been doing with everything else lately.
However no matter how hard I tried to bury it, there was always that nagging presence at the back of my mind. The devil inside me—the curse of my Demon Slayer magic—never seemed to leave me alone. Like a shadow, it lingered, waiting for a moment of weakness to surface. But I couldn't dwell on it every damn time. I had to focus.
We sat in the dimly lit inn, a quiet night surrounding us, with nothing but the low murmur of our voices as we discussed our next move. The mission seemed straightforward on the surface—meet with the client in the next day, some local duke, and start hunting down the group of thieves that had been plaguing his territory. But there was always more to it, always something left unsaid. We'd have to bring back one of them—a girl. The duke didn't shared much about it on his request, what we got from it was the name of the girl he wanted and the name of the group of thieves which wasn't much to go on.
Wendy and Charle sat near the fire, their eyes wide and attentive, listening intently as the plan came together. Natsu, his usual fiery self, kept cracking his knuckles, eager for action, while Lucy and Happy seemed more focused on the details—where we'd search, how we'd split up. Erza, calm as always, kept her eyes on the bigger picture, her presence a steadying force. Me? I was just trying to keep that devil in check while staying alert to the task at hand.
We'd decided that after meeting the duke the next morning, splitting up would give us the best chance of tracking down these thieves quickly. Wendy and Charle would cover the northern area of town, while Natsu, Lucy, and Happy would search the eastern district. Erza and I would take the western region—a good plan, all things considered. Each group would gather whatever intel they could and meet up later to piece everything together.
"Let's stick to the plan and regroup by sunset tomorrow," Erza said, her tone leaving no room for debate. We all nodded in agreement.
I leaned back in my chair, trying to shake off the creeping unease. Tomorrow would be a good day—at least, that's what I told myself. But no matter how well things seemed to go, there was always that part of me waiting for the devil to come knocking.
The next morning, during the meeting with the duke.
His face was pale and tense when we arrived at his manor. The man paced restlessly left and right all the time, his fingers twitching with barely contained panic. His daughter had been kidnapped. And sure enough, it didn't take long for him to tell us—apparently taken by the group of thieves he mentioned in the request.
"I need her back," the duke said, his voice shaking. "No matter what it takes, you understand? I don't care what you have to do to those criminals, but she must be unharmed. Not a single scratch. She's my only daughter."
We exchanged quick glances, each of us absorbing the situation. This wasn't just some ordinary mission—it was personal for him, which meant things were about to get complicated if anything went wrong. His desperation made things even riskier. But that was part of the job.
Erza kept her voice steady as she replied, "We'll do everything we can to ensure her safe return. But we need to gather more information first. Do you have any leads?"
The duke was short on details. All he knew was that his daughter had been taken during the night in her quarters, likely by the group of thieves. Beyond that, there was little to go on.
After a quick discussion, we decided to stick to the plan. Splitting up would give us the best chance of locating the hideout, and we needed to act fast if the duke's daughter was in danger. Wendy and Charle headed north, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy went east, while Erza and I before we went to the western district. We'd started by visiting the spot where the kidnapping supposedly took place, to check the girl's bedroom.
The strange part, though, was what we found—or rather, what we didn't find. We looked around, but the scene was… clean. Too clean. No signs of a struggle, no broken windows or doors. It was like no one had ever even been there.
As I scanned the place. I could feel something was off. I glanced at Erza, who was silently examining the room, her brows furrowed.
"This doesn't make sense," I said quietly. "There's no sign of a fight. If she was taken by force, wouldn't there be… something?"
Erza's gaze flickered toward me. "I noticed it too. It's almost like she left willingly. But that doesn't fit with what the duke told us."
My thoughts churned as I considered her words. The more I thought about it, the more this whole thing seemed staged. Was the girl really kidnapped? Or was there more to this than the duke was letting on?
Whatever the case, we couldn't afford to waste time. We had to find those thieves and figure out what was really going on. Not having found any substancial clue at her bedroom we left the duke's manor.
Erza walked ahead, her steady pace cutting through the bustling streets of the town. I trailed a few steps behind her, taking in everything around us. The stores were packed with people haggling over goods, the scent of fresh bread and spices mixing with the dust kicked up by carts rolling through. Kids darted between stalls, and the occasional shout of a vendor trying to draw attention to their wares pierced the air.
I scanned the faces around me, trying to figure out if any of these people might know something useful. It was hard to tell. Everyone looked so wrapped up in their own lives, and we were just two more people passing through.
"How do you plan on getting more info?" I finally asked, my voice breaking the silence between us.
Erza glanced over her shoulder, her scarlet hair catching the morning sun. "We need a place where people gather. Somewhere that involves both information and money."
I raised an eyebrow, thinking it over. "A bar? A tavern?"
She nodded slightly. "Exactly. People get careless with both their words and their wallets after a drink or two. It's the perfect place to start."
We moved from bar to bar, each one a little darker, a little more worn down than the last. The smell of ale and sweat hung in the air, mingling with the low murmur of voices. Every place had a similar vibe—people keeping to themselves, avoiding eye contact. But we were after something specific, and it wasn't long before we started asking questions.
Erza took the lead most of the time, her voice steady and her presence commanding. We were looking for anyone who might know about the group of thieves we were after. At first, people just shook their heads or shrugged, pretending to be clueless. But I could tell from the way their eyes darted away or the nervous flicker in their expressions—they knew something.
It wasn't until we hit our fourth bar that I noticed a shift. The second we mentioned we were mages, a few of the patrons shot us hostile looks. I felt the tension spike in the room. Conversations quieted, and a few people even moved to the far side of the bar, keeping their distance.
Erza and I exchanged a glance. Something wasn't right. It wasn't just that they didn't want to talk—it felt like they couldn't. As if knowing too much or saying the wrong thing could land them in more trouble than they could handle.
"People seem on edge," I muttered, keeping my voice low.
Erza's eyes swept the room, and I could see the gears turning in her head. "They're avoiding us more than usual," she whispered back. "They must be afraid of something."
My gaze drifted to a group in the corner, their heads huddled together in conversation. One of them glanced our way before quickly looking back down at his drink. "You think it's because we're mages?" I asked, starting to connect the dots.
She nodded, her expression hardening. "Could be. We need to be careful. Whoever these thieves are, it's clear they have the town under their thumb... and they don't want mages getting involved."
As the hours dragged on, frustration started creeping in. We had hit a dead end. Every bar, every tavern was the same story—tight lips, nervous glances, and people shutting down the second we mentioned we were mages. The only piece of useful information we had was the name of the group we were after: The Ghost Marbles.
The client had given us that much before we left for the town, telling us how notorious they were for their skills in disappearing. No matter how many people chased them or how elaborate the traps set to catch them, they always slipped away, like shadows in the night. It wasn't just their speed or stealth—it was like they knew every move their hunters would make before they even made it. That's how they got their name. They weren't just thieves; they were ghosts.
But knowing their name didn't help much if no one was willing to talk about them. The townspeople were scared—of the thieves, maybe, but it was starting to feel more like they were scared of us. Or rather, the fact that we were mages.
"It doesn't make sense," I muttered, walking alongside Erza as we moved down another crowded street. The sun was bright and hot, noon was already begining, casting it's warm rays over the cobblestones. "They know something. I can feel it. But they're shutting us out just because we're mages."
Erza stayed quiet for a moment, her expression serious. "Fear can make people act irrationally. If the Ghost Marbles have the town in their grip, the last thing the people want is to get involved with outsiders—especially ones with magic."
I clenched my fists, feeling the frustration boil under my skin. "So what now? We can't exactly force them to talk, can we?!."
"We need to change our approach," Erza said, her voice calm but determined. "They see us as a threat, not allies. If we can't make them trust us, we'll never get the information we need."
I let out a sharp breath, running a hand through my hair. She was right, but it didn't make things any less aggravating. We were stuck—no leads, no help, and a town too scared to give us the answers we were looking for.
As we continued walking, my frustration bubbled over. "What's with these people?" I muttered, kicking at a loose stone on the road. "We're trying to help, and they're acting like we're the enemy. Maybe we should just take one of them aside and make them talk." I clenched my fist, more out of impatience than anything.
Erza stopped in her tracks and turned to face me, her gaze sharp and unwavering. "Don't even think about it," she said, her tone firm. The look in her eyes was all the warning I needed. I knew she wouldn't tolerate crossing that line, even if we were desperate.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Fine, fine. But this whole thing is weird. It's like they're hiding something bigger than just the Ghost Marbles."
She nodded, her expression softening slightly. "I agree. Their behavior is strange, but using force won't get us anywhere. There are other ways to handle this." She glanced around as if searching for something, then looked back at me. "Let's take a break for now. We've been at this for hours, and a fresh perspective might help."
I shrugged. "Yeah, maybe. Where do you want to go?"
A sudden spark of excitement lit up her face, catching me completely off guard. Her whole demeanor shifted. "Alright then, come with me!" she said, her voice a little too cheerful for the situation.
I blinked, confused by her sudden burst of enthusiasm. "Uh... what?"
"Trust me, I've found the perfect place!" she beamed, turning on her heel and marching off with a spring in her step.
Not knowing what else to do, I followed, trying to make sense of her sudden change in mood. We walked for a few more minutes until we turned the corner, and then it hit me. I should've known. There, just ahead, was the reason behind Erza's excitement—a bakery with a big sign for Kardia Sweets, one of the most famous brands around.
Erza's eyes practically sparkled as she stared at the shop window, and I muttered under my breath, "Oh, of course…"
She looked back at me, her grin wide. "Come on, Gray! You can't say no to this!"
I couldn't help but chuckle at how quickly she had shifted from warrior mode to dessert enthusiast. I guess even Erza had her soft spots.
Erza had always had a thing for sweets, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise. The moment we stepped into the bakery, the rich aroma of cakes, muffins, and pies filled the air, making even me pause for a second. It was overwhelming—warm, sugary, comforting. But for Erza, it was like stepping into paradise. Her eyes darted from one display case to another, almost like a child seeing their favorite toy for the first time.
"You getting something too?" she asked, glancing at me over her shoulder.
I shook my head. "Not hungry."
She shrugged and returned her attention to the sweets, her enthusiasm undeterred. After a minute of careful consideration, she finally chose three different cakes, her face lighting up as she carried them over to a small table by the window. We sat down, me across from her, as she eagerly took her fork to the first slice.
I stayed silent, just watching her, my expression neutral as always. But I couldn't help noticing how... happy she looked. There was something almost innocent about the way she savored each bite, like she was in her own little world. It was a side of her I didn't get to see often—the fearless Titania, completely lost in the simple joy of dessert. It was... cute, though I'd never say that out loud.
As I watched, she suddenly looked up and caught my gaze. For a moment, her eyes widened in surprise, and then she smiled. Without a word, she cut another piece of cake, but instead of taking it for herself, she reached across the table and held it out toward me.
I blinked, caught off guard. "What are you doing?"
"Here," she said, her tone light, almost teasing. "You should try it."
I frowned slightly, trying to keep my cool, but the unexpected gesture made it hard to stay completely stoic. "I told you, I'm not—"
"Just try it," she insisted, the fork hovering in the air between us.
I hesitated for a second, then, against my better judgment, leaned forward and took the bite. The sweetness hit me instantly, creamy and rich, and I could see why she was so into it. But all I could do was sigh, shaking my head slightly as Erza gave me a satisfied look, as if she'd just won some unspoken contest.
"See? Not so bad, right?" she said, with a smug smile.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "Yeah, yeah," I muttered, though I had to admit... it wasn't bad at all.
After I took that one bite, Erza grinned, clearly pleased with herself. She pointed her fork at one of the plates. "You sure you don't want one of these? I won't eat it all if you want some."
I shook my head politely. "I'm fine. Really. You can have it all."
She raised an eyebrow, as if testing me to see if I'd change my mind. "You're sure?"
I nodded, firm this time. "Positive. Go ahead."
With that, she shrugged and dove back into her cakes, not wasting any more time. As much as I appreciated this break from the grind of the mission, we had to get back on track.
"So," I said, my voice low as I leaned forward, "what do you think our next move should be? We're not getting much out of the townspeople, but we can't just sit here waiting for something to fall into our laps."
Erza paused between bites, thinking. "We need to look for places where people interact with the thieves without realizing it—markets, vendors, black market contacts. If they're as good as the client says at slipping away, they must have a system, something that allows them to move without drawing too much attention."
Just as she said that, the bakery owner, an older man with an exaggerated kind face, appeared at the edge of our table. He'd been busy serving other customers, but now he was hovering, his eyes on us.
"Excuse me," he said, his voice quiet, almost cautious. "Are you two… mages?"
He glanced at Erza's arm, where her Fairy Tail guild mark was visible, and his suspicions were confirmed.
Erza met his gaze, her demeanor shifting slightly as she became more serious. "Yes, we are. Why?"
The owner looked around the bakery, checking to make sure no one was too close or eavesdropping. Then he leaned in, his voice lowered. "You're really going after those market rats, aren't you?"
Both Erza and I straightened at that. Market rats? The name caught us both off guard.
"You mean the Ghost Marbles?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
The owner nodded, his face grim. "Yeah. Them. But around here, some folks call them market rats. They're trouble, real trouble. If you're serious about going after them, you'd better be careful."
Erza and I exchanged a quick look. Finally, we were getting somewhere.
The bakery owner glanced around again, making sure no one was too close to overhear before he spoke. "The people here… they don't trust mages. Not anymore. It wasn't always like this," he said, his voice low. "A few years back, a group of rogue mages came through town. They caused chaos, but worse than that, they started recruiting. Some of the town's people—those down on their luck, looking for easy money or just desperate—ended up joining them."
Erza leaned in, listening carefully. I kept my gaze fixed on the owner, trying to piece it all together.
He continued, "That group split into several branches over the years, each one calling themselves something with 'Ghost' in the name. The Ghost Marbles are just one of those branches. There's others. The people here… they're scared. Ever since those rogue mages came through, they've been wary of anyone with magic. Too many bad memories."
Erza nodded, clearly recognizing the kind of situation he was describing. "So that's why no one's willing to talk to us. They associate all mages with those criminals."
The owner sighed, his face filled with regret. "Exactly. We've been trying to forget, but they're still out there, lurking. And now, those recruits? They're a part of the problem. They've been running schemes and scams ever since. Most folks just try to keep their heads down, hoping not to draw attention."
I frowned, leaning forward. "So, why are you telling us this?" I asked, my tone sharp but curious. "If everyone's too afraid to speak up, why risk it?"
The man hesitated, then spoke again, his voice heavy with emotion. "A few years ago, when the town tried to fight back… my friend was one of those who led the charge. They thought they could take them down, but the Marbles set a trap. My friend got caught in it. He… didn't make it."
Erza's eyes softened, but there was a hard edge to her expression. I could tell she understood his pain. Losing someone to criminals like that—it was the kind of loss that stayed with you.
The owner clenched his fists. "Ever since then, I've wanted revenge. But I'm no mage, no fighter. I couldn't do anything about it. That's why I'm telling you. You're mages—strong ones. Maybe you can do what we couldn't."
He looked at us both, his gaze sharp, almost pleading. "Will you two hunt down those market rats?"
Erza glanced at me, her expression thoughtful. I could see something flicker in her eyes, as if she'd picked up on a detail in the story. She didn't say anything yet, but I knew her well enough to imagine what was going on in her mind. There was more to this than just a plea for revenge.
Still, I nodded at the owner. "That's why we're here," I said. "We're going after them, one way or another."
Erza remained quiet for a second longer, then nodded as well. "We'll do more than just hunt them. We'll stop them for good."
The owner's expression hardened, and his eyes narrowed as he asked, "So, you're going to eliminate them? Kill them all?"
Erza straightened in her seat, her voice calm but firm. "We're here to deal with them, yes. But not in the way you're asking. Killing them won't fix what's broken in this town."
The man's face twisted in frustration. He stood up straighter, his voice rising with anger. "If you're not here to solve the problem—really solve it—then you might as well leave. We don't need half measures or your mage ideals."
His words were sharp, and the sudden hostility in his tone took me by surprise. He turned his back on us, muttering something under his breath, ready to walk away as if dismissing us altogether.
But just as he was about to leave, he paused. It seemed like something came to his mind, and for a moment, he hesitated. Without turning around, he gave us one last piece of advice. "Those rats… they're not just thieves. They've been squeezing the merchants in town, ruining business for anyone who doesn't pay them off. Word is they're planning to hire more people to patrol the streets. More eyes. More trouble for anyone looking to mess with them."
His voice was cold, and he didn't wait for a response. With that, he returned to his work, leaving us sitting at the table in silence.
I glanced at Erza, who had her eyes fixed on the man as he walked away, clearly considering his words. It was clear that he wanted revenge more than justice, and that frustration ran deep in this town. But we weren't here to fuel that fire. Still, his advice could be useful. If the Ghost Marbles were expanding their influence, it meant they were growing bolder—and that was something we could use against them.
After we left the bakery, the tension still lingering from the owner's harsh words, I turned to Erza. "So, what now?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral. We hadn't gotten as much information as we hoped, but at least we were making some progress.
Erza glanced up at the sky, the sun starting to dip lower. "It's almost time to reunite with the others at the appointed time, but we still have a bit of time left." She paused, scanning the street ahead of us. "There's one more place I want to check."
I frowned. "Where?"
Without saying a word, she pointed ahead to a bulletin board on the side of a building. I followed her gesture and saw a colorful announcement posted there: the town's monthly market fair.
"The market fair?" I asked, confused. "Why there?"
Erza just gave me that confident smile of hers, the one that meant she knew something I didn't. "You'll understand once we get there."
I blinked, feeling a little off balance. She had that look in her eye, and while I trusted her instincts, I wasn't sure I was getting on the same page with her. The market didn't seem like the kind of place we'd find anything directly related to the Ghosts. But then again, Erza always had a way of connecting the dots.
With a sigh, I fell in step beside her. "Alright. Lead the way."
But even as we walked, I couldn't help feeling like I was missing something. Whatever it was, Erza seemed pretty confident about it, and that was enough to keep me from questioning her too much—at least for now.
We found ourselves in the middle of the bustling market fair, surrounded by a sea of people moving in every direction. Vendors called out from their stalls, the air filled with the scents of spices, baked goods, and fresh produce. It was chaotic, to say the least, and as we waded through the crowd, I leaned toward Erza.
"There's no way we're going to find anyone in this mess," I muttered. "It's like trying to fish in a stormy ocean—everything's moving too fast, and you can't see what's beneath the surface."
Erza, unfazed by my skepticism, walked with purpose, her eyes scanning the market with a calm that made me think she knew something I didn't.
"We're not here to look for anything," she said, her tone steady. "We're waiting."
I frowned, trying to make sense of her words. "Waiting for what?" I asked, confused.
She stopped walking for a moment, turning to face me, that familiar glint of certainty in her eyes. "We're waiting for rats."
That's when it clicked. The market wasn't just a random stop—it was a perfect place for thieves like the Ghost Marbles to operate. With so many people, money changing hands, and distractions everywhere, it would be easy for them to move unnoticed, slipping in and out of the crowd. This wasn't about searching; it was about drawing them out, letting them reveal themselves.
I nodded slowly, starting to catch on. "You think they'll show up here to work the crowd."
Erza gave a small, satisfied smile. "Exactly. And once they do, we'll be ready."
For the first time since we got to this town, I felt like we were finally on the right track.
Once I understood what Erza was after, I started doing what she had been doing all along—paying close attention to our surroundings. The market was chaotic, but if you watched long enough, you could spot patterns. People moving too fast, too deliberately. The way their eyes darted around, not like shoppers, but like predators scanning for easy targets. Erza's thinking was right on the mark. It didn't take long for something unusual to catch our attention.
Near one of the tents, a commotion started—a cluster of raised voices, the sound of something toppling over, followed by angry shouts. The crowd rippled with tension, people stepping back, unsure whether to get involved or stay out of it.
"There," I muttered, and before I could finish, Erza and I were already running.
As we pushed through the crowd, I could see the source of the commotion more clearly—a group of rough-looking figures had stirred up trouble, their movements too calculated to be random. These were no ordinary thieves—they had to be part of the Marbles.
We reached the scene just as one of the victims, an older man, was catching his breath. Erza wasted no time, stepping in front of him and asking, "Where did they go?"
He pointed down a narrow alley, his face pale with shock. "That way! They ran that way!"
Without a second thought, we bolted in the direction he indicated. The alleyway was narrow, twisting between buildings, the shadows growing deeper as we ran. Our footsteps echoed off the walls, the thrill of the chase pulsing through the air. But when we burst out into the next street, we stopped short, scanning the area.
The street ahead was still bustling, but not as frenzied as the market. People moved in their daily routines, but there was no sign of the ones we were after. They had slipped away.
"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, frustrated. We'd lost them.
Erza's eyes darted around, her expression focused as she scanned the street, but even she looked tense. They were close. We just had to figure out where they'd gone.
I placed a hand on Erza's shoulder, stopping her from scanning the crowd any further. "Go meet with the others. Bring them here. I'll keep looking for the thieves."
Erza paused for a moment, then nodded, trusting my plan. Without another word, she turned and headed back toward the meeting point to regroup with the team. That left me alone in the middle of the busy street, trying to figure out where those rats had slipped away to.
I started walking, keeping my eyes sharp, scanning every alley and shadow for anything out of the ordinary. As I moved through the crowd, my mind raced, trying to piece together how they managed to disappear so fast. This wasn't the first time these thieves had pulled off a clean getaway. These Ghosts had earned their reputation, but I was determined to figure them out.
How did they keep escaping? I thought. How could they just vanish like that?
They couldn't have literally disappeared. If they had that kind of magic, they wouldn't need to run through crowded streets. No, there had to be another explanation—something I was missing. I ran through the possibilities in my head, imagining every trick they might be using.
Maybe they used secret passages—tunnels beneath the streets, hidden paths only they knew. That would explain why they were always one step ahead. Or maybe they had people working for them, blending into the crowd and creating distractions to buy time while the real thieves slipped away. It could even be some kind of illusion magic, tricking people into thinking they saw something they didn't.
Whatever it was, they weren't real ghosts. They had a system—a method. I just had to figure it out. As I walked, I stayed sharp, watching for any detail that might give away their hiding spots, my brain working through every possibility.
They can't hide forever.
As I walked, deep in thought, a short figure bumped into me, heading in the opposite direction. It was quick, just a brush of shoulders, and the person mumbled an apology without even looking up.
"Sorry," I muttered back, not really paying attention either.
But then something clicked.
A gut feeling made me pause. I reached into the pocket of my jacket—and it was empty. Bingo.
I spun around, calling out, "Hey! Wait!"
But it couldn't be as easy as that. The short figure had taken off, weaving through the crowd with a practiced ease. Damn it.
There was no way I was letting them get away. This wasn't just some random pickpocket. They were too smooth, too deliberate. They had to be one of the so called ghosts.
The chase was on again. I bolted after them, pushing through the crowd, doing my best to keep them in sight. They were fast, ducking and dodging between people, slipping through gaps in the crowd like water. I gritted my teeth, determined not to let them vanish like before.
I had to stay focused. One wrong turn, one second too slow, and they'd disappear into the maze of streets and alleys like they always did. But not this time. I wasn't going to let them slip through my fingers.
Not far from where Gray was chasing the thief, deep in the woods on the outskirts of the town, there stood an old, decrepit shack. Vines and moss had claimed most of the walls, making it appear long abandoned. Yet inside, it was anything but. Seven figures sat or stood around the dim, musty interior, all teenagers. They weren't just loitering—they were waiting.
Two of them were stationed near the single cracked window, one of them bald and the other tall, they kept a vigilant eye on the outside. Their gazes swept back and forth, ever alert, as if expecting trouble at any moment. One of the others, a lanky boy sitting in the shadows toward the back of the shack, finally broke the tense silence.
"Are we really sure Rick's worth trusting?" His voice carried doubt, laced with suspicion. He glanced at the group, particularly at the two by the window.
One of the boys at the window, the taller one with sharp eyes, didn't even turn around fully as he answered, "That's exactly why we gave him this job. To see if he's trustworthy."
The lanky boy didn't seem satisfied, but before he could argue, a girl sitting farther back chimed in, her voice dripping with annoyance. "I still don't know why you let him hang with us. He's going to drag us down, I can feel it."
The tall boy at the window gave a quick glance over his shoulder, his eyes flicking to her for only a moment before he turned his attention back to the woods outside. His expression remained serious, unwavering.
"Doesn't matter," he said, his tone flat. "We'll know soon enough."
The tension in the room thickened, the group silently questioning their choice. It was clear that whoever this "Rick" was, his presence among them was a gamble. And now, as they waited for his return, they would find out if that gamble would pay off—or cost them.
The other boy at the window, positioned on the opposite side from his partner, watched him with growing concern. His brow was furrowed, tension written all over his face. The boy gave a slight shake of his head, a tiny movement that expressed denial, as if rejecting the unease building in his chest. He turned his gaze back to the woods, trying to refocus, to shake off the worry.
But a few moments later, his partner's voice cut through the silence.
"He's back."
Immediately, his eyes snapped forward again. Not far off, just emerging from the tree line, was Rick. He was waving, signaling to them in an exaggerated motion. The boy stood up, ready to move.
"Okay, I'll go unlock the door," he said, heading toward the entrance.
But his partner stopped him with a sharp, tense voice. "Wait."
He froze mid-step, turning back with confusion. "What?"
"Rick's acting strange."
Both boys turned their full attention back to the figure outside. Rick wasn't just waving—he was running, sprinting toward the house, his movements frantic and rushed. Something was off. The tall boy's eyes narrowed as he watched, and it finally clicked. Rick wasn't running toward safety. He was running from something.
And whatever that something was, it was closing in.
"Shit," he muttered under his breath. "He was followed."
His words sent an immediate shockwave through the room. The others sprang to their feet, panic and anger bubbling up all at once.
"What?!"
"He was followed here?!"
"I knew we shouldn't have let him in the group!" one of the girls snapped, her voice full of frustration.
Chaos erupted as everyone began talking over each other, their nerves fraying at the thought of being discovered. The bald boy who had been about to unlock the door spun around, eyes narrowing as he shouted over the commotion.
"Shut up! All of you!" His voice cut through the noise, silencing the group for a moment. He glanced back at the other boy still watching from the window, tension filling the air between them.
"What do we do now, captain?" he asked, his voice low and urgent, using the nickname they all called him—their unofficial leader.
The boy at the window remained silent for a beat, his mind clearly racing as he observed Rick's frantic sprint toward the shack. He didn't respond immediately, the weight of the decision hanging heavy on him. They were out of time, and he knew it.
Without hesitation, the captain took charge, his voice steady and firm. "Grab whatever you can carry. We're leaving through the back door and hiding in the woods."
The group, still jittery and uncertain, exchanged glances before someone spoke up. "What about you?"
The captain didn't even blink. "Me and him—" he nodded toward the bald boy, "we'll create a chance for all of you to escape."
One of them tried to argue, "But, captain, you—"
He cut them off mid-sentence, his tone sharp. "No time. Do what I say, now. If we fail we will never be one of them"
That was enough. The others scrambled into action, grabbing bags, supplies, and whatever they could fit in their arms. Meanwhile, the captain turned to his partner. "Go. Unlock the door."
The boy nodded, swallowing his fear as he moved toward the entrance, steeling himself for what was coming next.
As the others rushed toward the back of the shack, the captain made his way to an old, rickety piece of furniture tucked in the corner. He knelt down and yanked open a drawer. Inside were two things—one, a small gun with a dull, worn metal finish. The other, wrapped in cloth, was round in shape and clearly important.
He took both, stuffing the gun in his belt while carefully tucking the wrapped object under his arm. His jaw tightened as he straightened up, his eyes glinting with a determination that hadn't wavered since he first spotted the threat coming their way.
Whatever came next, he was ready for it. And he'd make damn sure his crew had the time they needed to disappear.
As I chased the thief, I spotted an old shack tucked away at the edge of the woods. It was barely noticeable, overgrown with vines and almost swallowed by the forest, but the person I was after was heading straight for it. I picked up the pace, my boots pounding into the dirt with every step, closing the gap between us.
He was fast, but I could be faster and so I ran more.
Just as he was about to reach the door, I lunged. My body slammed into his, and we tumbled across the ground. The force of the impact knocked the wind out of him, and a sharp groan escaped his lips. That's when it hit me—he wasn't just some petty thief. He was a kid.
I didn't have time to dwell on it. I got to my feet, still holding him by the collar, pulling him up roughly but careful not to hurt him more than I had to. My eyes flicked up, and that's when I saw them.
Another one—a teenager—stood just outside the shack, near the entrance, gripping a knife with shaky hands. His eyes were wide, but there was no mistaking the threat. And then I noticed movement above. I glanced up, and there, on the roof of the shack's balcony, was a third one—a little older than the rest. He had a gun, pointed directly at me.
I didn't flinch. But I felt my body tense, adrenaline pumping through me even harder now. I kept my grip on the boy at my feet, my eyes locked on the kid with the gun.
"Let him go," the boy with the knife said, his voice cracking slightly, but his hand still steady.
I could feel the situation slipping out of control. Three kids, and one of them holding a weapon that could end things very quickly if I made the wrong move.
Think, Gray. Fast.
The boy on the roof shouted down, his voice loud and filled with tension, "Don't make a single move, or I'll shoot you in the head!"
I could feel the pressure in the air thickening. The boy I was holding let out a shaky breath, his voice soft but worried as he called up, "Barri..." There was fear in his tone, like he knew things were about to go south fast.
Before I could respond, the boy at the door cut in, his voice sharp and dripping with anger. "Rick! What the hell did you do?!"
He took a step forward, knife still in hand, eyes burning with rage. "Bringing an adult to our hideout? Are you stupid?!" His words shot out like daggers, and I could see this boy—Rick flinch under the weight of it all.
The kid wasn't done. He leaned in, his voice getting louder and more aggressive. "What are you gonna do about this, huh, Rick? Tell me!" He was trying to intimidate the kid I had a hold of, using every ounce of fury he could muster.
I felt him trembling under my grip. He didn't say anything, just stared down at the ground, helpless and cornered.
This was getting out of control. One wrong word, one wrong move, and this was going to blow up in all of our faces. The kid with the gun—Barri—was already on edge, and this one at the door was pushing Rick harder and harder. I could tell they were scared. Desperate. But that only made them more dangerous.
I had to play this smart.
I raised my free hand slowly, trying to ease the tension in the air. "Hey, hey, hold up boys," I said calmly, keeping my voice steady and non-threatening. "I mean no harm. No need for this kind of hostility. If we talk it all out, we can solve this peacefully. No one needs to get hurt."
I could feel their eyes on me—Barri, Rick, the boy with the knife at the door. They were all watching, waiting to see what I'd do next. The silence that followed was thick, the only sound the wind rustling through the nearby trees.
Barri was the first to break it, his voice cutting through the quiet. "Why don't you let him go then?" His tone was sharp, and he still had the gun trained on me. "Why should we believe you?"
I glanced at Rick, still holding him by the collar, though not as tightly as before. I could see the fear in his eyes, the uncertainty. The whole situation was teetering on a knife's edge, and Barri wasn't wrong to be suspicious.
I turned my gaze back to Barri, keeping my tone even. "I get it. You don't know me. But I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to figure something out. If I let him go, you need to trust that I'm not going to do anything stupid. No tricks. Deal?"
It wasn't much, but I hoped it was enough to make them stop and think.
The silence between us hung heavy, thicker than before. My eyes shifted between Barri, still perched with the gun on the roof, and the boy with the knife at the door. Neither seemed willing to make the first move, but neither were backing down.
I needed to diffuse this, and fast.
Filling my lungs with a deep breath, I decided to lay it out for them. "Look," I said, keeping my tone calm but firm. "I'm not here to mess with you. I'm searching for someone—a girl. Once I find her, I'll be out of your hair for good."
Barri's eyes narrowed, skeptical. "Why do you think this girl would be with us?" he asked, suspicion dripping from every word.
I paused, hoping this would strike a chord. "Her name's Alina."
For a few long seconds, nothing. The air seemed to freeze. Then, after what felt like minutes, Barri broke the silence, his voice more measured this time. "If I tell you where she is... if I give you the location, will you leave? And never come back?"
I nodded, not breaking eye contact. "That's a promise. I'm only here for her."
Barri didn't look convinced, though. His finger still hovered too close to the trigger for comfort. "Prove it. Prove you're telling the truth."
He wasn't just looking for words—he needed something solid. Something to make this standoff less of a gamble. I had to think, and fast.
I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on all of us. My mind raced, trying to think of a way to prove I meant what I said. These kids were already on edge, and I wasn't exactly in a position to negotiate without giving them something.
"If you tell me where Alina is," I began, watching Barri's eyes carefully, "I'll tell my friends I couldn't stop your group from escaping. They'll think you got away, and no one will come looking for you."
Barri's grip on the gun tightened, his face a mixture of suspicion and uncertainty. From the rooftop, he asked, "Do your friends know where we are?"
I nodded. "Yeah. They're probably arriving soon."
Barri's face tensed, lost in thought as he weighed my words. His gun stayed trained on me, but I could see him considering the offer. He was close to taking the deal. But then Rick, the boy I was still holding, broke in.
"Barri, don't do that!" Rick's voice was frantic, a mix of fear and desperation. "Don't believe him! If you sell out Alina, he'll kill her!"
That hit me harder than I expected. What the... this kid—Rick—he really thought I was here to kill her, why? I wasn't sure if it was fear or something worse that had twisted his view, but I could see it in his eyes. He genuinely believed it.
Before I could say anything, the boy at the door snapped at Rick. "Don't call the captain so casually, you idiot!" He turned his anger fully on Rick now, his frustration spilling over. "This is all your fault! You put us in this situation! Bringing him here—what were you thinking?!"
Rick flinched, his shoulders hunching as he tried to avoid the other boy's glare. I could see the guilt and fear tearing him up inside. This group—they were barely holding it together. And now, they were turning on each other.
It was a mess. A powder keg ready to blow.
I had to step in before things spiraled any further.
I took a deep breath, keeping my voice calm. "What Rick said isn't true. I don't want to hurt anyone. I just want to talk to Alina. That's it."
I was starting to piece things together from how they talked about her. Alina wasn't some hostage; she was important to them. A friend, maybe. That made the situation trickier but also gave me ways to get more control over things. If somehow I could convince them that I wasn't a threat, there might still be a way out of this without anyone getting hurt.
But Rick wasn't having it. He shook his head, his face a mix of frustration and something deeper—fear, maybe. "You're lying," he muttered, voice low but filled with certainty. "You'll say anything to get to her."
Rick's shoulders sagged slightly, the guilt weighing him down. "It's my fault... I only got caught because I wanted to test myself. I knew I was being chased, but I thought... I thought I could outsmart him." He glanced down, ashamed. "I decided to pickpocket the guy who was chasing me, just to prove I could do it. I didn't expect him to be able to keep up."
The boy with the knife, already furious, stepped toward Rick, his face turning red with anger. "You... you what?! You picked his pocket on purpose?!" His voice rose, and it looked like he was about to explode. "You risked everything—our hideout, our lives—because of your stupid pride?!"
Rick winced, his guilt plain on his face, but before the boy could start yelling, Barri's voice cut through the tension.
"Alright!" Barri raised his voice, commanding the group's attention. "This isn't the time for that. We can deal with this later."
Barri's words, spoken with authority, seemed to calm the situation, at least for the moment. The boy with the knife bit back whatever harsh scolding he had ready, though his glare at Rick didn't soften.
I stayed silent, watching the group dynamics play out. Barri was clearly the one keeping them in line, and if anyone could stop this from turning into a disaster, it would be him. Now, I just needed to keep the conversation moving in the right direction. I knew that one wrong word could set them off again.
Barri's eyes locked onto me, his voice steady but cautious. "You, big guy, you want Alina, right? I'll take you to where she is—on one condition. You promise to never come back here. I don't want any bloodshed today. Are you good with that?"
I gave a small nod, my voice calm as I replied, "That's fair enough."
Rick, still restrained by my hand, didn't look too happy about the arrangement. He shifted uneasily in my grip, his frustration evident. "So, what? You gonna let me go now?" he snapped, his tone rude but defeated. After all, he was the one who had gotten them into this mess.
I turned my eyes toward Rick, my expression firm, I let out a short snort escape my nose. "Yeah, yeah," I muttered, but before I in fact released the boy, I slipped my hand into Rick's pocket and fished out my wallet. "Just need this back," I added, pulling it free and tucking it away.
Once I had my wallet, I pushed Rick forward. "Now you can go."
Rick stumbled a step before catching himself, throwing a rebellious glare back at me as he walked toward the house. He clearly wasn't happy about how things had played out, but he wasn't in any position to argue anymore.
I glanced over at Barri, raising an eyebrow and giving a slight shrug, as if to say, See? I let him go. No harm done. My body language was calm, non-threatening, showing that I was holding up my end of the deal.
Barri jumped down from the balcony rooftop with a graceful but forceful thud, landing right beside his friend, who stood at the door, gripping a knife tightly in his hand. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut, and I didn't need to get closer to feel it. His friend, eyes darting toward Barri, spoke in a low, almost hesitant tone.
"Will you really sell her out?" His words held the weight of suspicion and doubt, but Barri's expression remained unreadable.
Barri gave a faint, almost mocking chuckle before responding, "What do you think?" His voice was cool, detached, as though the question barely registered with him. Then, he jerked his chin toward their other companion. "Now, take Rick with you and go. I'll finish this."
There was a pause as they exchanged a firm handshake, one that seemed to carry more than just a farewell. I caught the faintest glint in their eyes. Something about it felt off, unsettling, as if there were a silent agreement neither of them voiced out loud. I couldn't tell, but it set off warning bells in my mind.
Barri's voice broke the moment. "I'm counting on you," he said, his tone soft but commanding, like an order wrapped in trust. Without sparing Rick a glance, Barri started walking—his steps purposeful and steady—as he moved toward me. Barri walked past Rick without acknowledging him, his focus solely on me. The knife-wielder disappeared with Rick, leaving just the two of us.
He stopped a mere foot away, close enough for me to feel the intensity of his presence, but I didn't flinch. I held his gaze, trying to piece together what game he was playing. Whatever it was, I wasn't about to back down.
"Well," I muttered under my breath, eyes narrowing, "let's see what you've got planned."
I stepped to the side, my body tense, and made a small gesture with my hand for the boy to take the lead. He hesitated for a moment before walking ahead, but not before we locked eyes—his gaze sharp and guarded, mine cold and untrusting. There was nothing friendly in the exchange, and we both knew it. As he moved past me, I couldn't help but notice the subtle way his grip tightened around the gun. It was a small detail, but it screamed danger.
We walked in total silence. The air between us was thick, as if even a single word could set off the wrong reaction. My instincts were sharp, scanning every move he made. We were about 150 meters from the abandoned house now, and I hadn't missed a thing—his steady pace, his fingers still curled around the weapon, the way his eyes flicked ahead as if calculating something.
Suddenly, the boy came to a stop. He turned to face me, his expression carefully neutral. "Here. It's good," he said, voice low but firm.
I glanced around, not letting my guard drop for even a second. The area was quiet, too quiet for comfort, with nothing but overgrown weeds, old trees and scattered debris from the rundown buildings nearby. I shifted my weight slightly, still on edge. "Is this where the girl's hidden?" I asked, my tone sharp, demanding answers.
The boy nodded. "Yes."
"Show me," I said, not moving an inch, watching him closely for any sign of deceit.
He stared back at me, his expression unreadable, then replied, "Yes, I will show you."
Every muscle in my body tightened as I watched him like if my instincts were telling me to get ready. His compliance seemed too easy, too convenient. My mind was racing. This setup was suspicious, no doubt about it. Something was off, and I wasn't about to let my guard down now.
The boy stepped back, once, twice, three times. On the fourth step, he slowed down, eyes fixed on the ground. "The girl you're looking for is," he began, his voice oddly calm as he scanned the dirt. His tone was too composed, too deliberate. Every alarm in my head was going off.
I watched him carefully, my muscles tensing, ready to react. The air between us thickened with suspicion, and I could feel it—the trap he was about to spring.
In a sudden blur of movement, Barri crouched down, his hand darting to a hidden rope half-buried in the earth. With a sharp tug, he yanked it upward. "Right here," he said, his voice colder now, a dangerous edge slipping into his words.
I knew something was wrong the moment he made his move. There was no girl here. This was all a setup.
A split second later, the trap was sprung. From the trees surrounding us, a deadly rain of sharpened wooden spears came crashing down with terrifying speed, their jagged points aimed directly at me. Their descent was brutal, designed to rip through flesh and shatter bone.
But I was ready.
"Ice-Make: Shield!"
The moment the words left my mouth, I threw up a barrier of thick, gleaming ice just as the spears were about to reach me. They slammed into the frozen wall with a thunderous crash, splintering on impact but failing to break through. My shield held strong.
I narrowed my eyes, staring through the shards of broken wood. "Nice try," I muttered under my breath.
When i was about to drop the ice shield, my eyes locked onto him—and what I saw surprised me. Barri was already poised, his gun trained on me, finger on the trigger. There was no time to form another defense. I barely managed to shift to the side, but not fast enough.
The shot rang out.
Pain exploded through my chest, and I felt the bullet rip through my flesh, tearing into my side and passing straight through my scapula. The force of it sent me staggering backward, my knees buckling as I collapsed to the ground. Blood poured from the wound, soaking into my clothes as I pressed a hand against the injury, trying to stop the flow.
"You're a mage, huh?" Barri's voice cut through the haze of pain, dripping with confidence. He wasn't afraid. If anything, he seemed sure he could finish me off. He raised his gun again, aiming at me with deadly precision. He was waiting for the right moment.
I gritted my teeth, the searing pain nearly blinding me, but I wasn't done yet. Not by a long shot.
Barri took a step closer, closing the distance between us, his gun now aimed straight at my head. "I was aiming for your heart," he muttered, his smirk growing as he approached, the barrel of the gun lowering slightly as if preparing for a more personal execution. "But you won't dodge this time."
His intention was clear as day. He wanted to end it up close, point-blank. I could feel his breath as he neared, the cold steel of the gun aimed dangerously close to my head.
My mind raced. I needed to act, but my body wasn't cooperating. Blood soaked my side, warm and sticky, the pain throbbing with every heartbeat. I placed a hand over the wound, groaning through clenched teeth as I tried to steady my breathing.
He was more prepared than I'd expected. But that didn't mean I was going to let him win. He had the upper hand for now, but if there's one thing I've learned—pain it's not enought to stop me.
I was waiting for the perfect moment too.
The boy stepped closer, his gun almost pressing against my temple. I could feel the cold metal just inches from my skin, and my body instinctively tensed. Sweat rolled down the side of my face, cold and sticky, while my breaths became long and labored. I watched him through the corner of my eye, the seconds ticking by in agonizing slow motion.
He was going to pull the trigger. I could see it in the way his hand tightened on the grip, the way his eyes narrowed with grim focus. This was it.
But I wasn't about to let him take me out so easily.
With my other hand, trembling, slid through the dirt beneath me. Without warning, I made my move. In one rough, desperate motion, I tackled on him and and shoved his arm away, just moments before he could fire. The gun went off with a deafening bang right next to my ear, and for a second, the world exploded into a high-pitched buzzing that seemed to pierce my skull.
Pain shot through my ear, the sound and vibrations from the gun ringing painfully, disorienting me, but I didn't stop. I had to follow through. With what little strength I had left, I flung a handful of dirt straight into the boy's eyes. He recoiled with a shout, stumbling back, momentarily blinded.
I gasped for breath, trying to block out the throbbing pain in my ear, the loud ringing nearly drowning out everything else. My chest screamed in agony from the bullet wound, my vision blurry, but I had managed to buy myself a few precious seconds. Just enough time to regain some composure, to fight back.
I was still alive, and that meant I still had a chance.
Two gunshots rang out, shattering the stillness of the forest. The sound rippled through the air, reaching far beyond where they had been fired. Barri's friend, who had been waiting near the shack, immediately recognized what he should do. His eyes widened with understanding. Glancing down at his hand, he saw the magic orb, a pulsing sphere of energy. Without hesitation, he loaded it into a small, portable cannon and aimed toward the distant treetops where he believed the enemy and Barri were. The cannon hummed as he released the orb, sending it hurtling through the thick forest canopy.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the town not so close from where Gray was, Wendy's keen senses picked up the faint echoes of the gunshots. She paused, turning her head slightly as her Dragon Slayer-enhanced hearing focused in on the sound. "Natsu-san!" she called, urgency clear in her voice.
Natsu, already alert, gave a curt nod. "Yeah, I heard it too."
The group, gathered and ready, immediately shifted into action. With their Dragon Slayer abilities sharpening their senses, both Natsu and Wendy could pinpoint the direction of the sound that eluded ordinary ears. Without wasting time, they took the lead, navigating swiftly through the terrain. The others followed, trusting their heightened awareness as they pressed forward toward the source of the commotion.
I forced myself up, my legs shaky, my head feeling like it weighed a ton. The world around me swayed, the dizziness almost overwhelming, but I gritted my teeth and focused. I couldn't afford to collapse. Not yet.
With a deep breath, I summoned my magic, forming an ice sword in my hand. The cold steel-like surface gleamed, but even holding it felt like a challenge. I took a step toward the boy, who was now leaning against a tree, his forearm resting on the bark, eyes squeezed shut from the dirt I'd thrown. He was vulnerable, but I had to move carefully. My balance was off, and every step felt like walking on unstable ground.
I was getting closer, one slow, deliberate step at a time, when something unexpected happened. A bright flash from above caught my eye—a glowing sphere, crackling with magic, descended rapidly from the sky. Before I could react, it slammed into the ground with a heavy thud, and in an instant, everything around me was swallowed by thick, suffocating smoke.
The cloud of smoke expanded, engulfing a radius of about 10 meters, and it was so dense I couldn't even see my own hand if i extended my arm. My ice sword felt solid in my grip, but now it was useless if I couldn't see my target. I cursed under my breath, trying to steady myself as the smoke clung to my skin, thick and choking. Every breath I took was labored, and my head pounded harder, making it nearly impossible to focus. I was disoriented, and whoever had trowed that orb had just made things a lot more difficult.
Whoever or whatever was behind this wasn't going to make my next move easy.
I pushed forward, forcing one foot in front of the other, trying to move toward where I last saw my enemy. But the ground beneath me was rough, uneven. My foot caught on what felt to be an exposed tree root, and I nearly lost my balance, stumbling awkwardly before catching myself. The world felt like it was spinning faster now, and I could barely keep myself upright.
I glanced to my side, squinting through the smoke, trying to get my bearings. That tree—it had to be the one where my enemy had leaned moments ago. But now... he could be anywhere, hidden in this thick cloud of smoke. I had no way of knowing for sure.
I strained to listen for any sign of movement, but my damaged ear made it impossible. It was like trying to hear a single drop of water in the middle of two giant waves crashing together—drowned out, lost in the chaos. Every sound was warped, distorted. My head throbbed as I struggled to focus.
"Hhh… haah..." My breaths came out in long, ragged gasps, each one feeling like I was pulling air through a straw. I was exhausted—completely drained. My chest heaved with the effort, my heart pounding in my ears, making it harder to hear anything else.
"Hhh... haah..." Every step was agony, my body screaming for rest, but I couldn't stop. I wouldn't stop. Not until I found him.
But in this smoke, with my senses dulled and my body on the verge of collapse, it felt like I was fighting a losing battle.
The smoke grew thicker, suffocating. Every breath I took felt like a battle, the air thin and choking. My lungs burned as if they were being squeezed, and I could feel the oxygen in the area depleting. I coughed, my body desperate for air, but each inhale only brought more smoke into my system. It was getting harder to think, harder to move.
And then, pain. Sudden, sharp, burning pain.
Something struck me hard on my side, sending a shockwave through my body. A warm sensation spread across my abdomen, quickly followed by the searing sting of something foreign piercing my flesh. My mind reeled, trying to process what had happened, but when I looked down, I could see it—the tip of a wooden spear lodged deep in my side.
My opponent's doing. He had found me, and he wasn't playing games anymore.
Before I could even react, the spear was ripped out of me, leaving a gaping hole in its place. Blood poured out, soaking my clothes, a sticky warmth spreading across my skin. The pain was overwhelming, a brutal reminder of how deep the wound was. I tried to move my hand toward the injury, but my body felt like it was moving through mud, slow and sluggish.
The blood kept flowing, too much, too fast. My vision blurred, the world around me spinning wildly as dizziness took over. The nausea hit me like a wave, my body struggling to stay upright. Each breath was a fight, my chest rising and falling in shallow, ragged gasps. The smoke, the pain, the blood—it was all too much.
I could feel the life draining out of me. My body was weakening, and my eyelids grew heavy. It felt like sleep was pulling me under, and I didn't have the strength to resist.
But just before I could fully slip away, a new pain tore through me—violent and sharp, like electricity ripping through my skull. My head pounded, the sensation unbearable, but before I could make sense of it, everything went black.
I drifted in a vast, infinite darkness, my body weightless, suspended in the void. I was completely alone, stripped of everything—my clothes, my strength, my pain. All that remained were my thoughts, swirling around me like echoes in a place with no end. I couldn't tell how long I'd been floating there—minutes, hours, days. Time didn't seem to exist in this emptiness.
Then, from somewhere impossibly far away, a faint sound reached my ears. A voice. I couldn't make out the words, but it was calling for something. Or someone. I tried to focus on it, to grasp the meaning behind it, but it was too distant, like a whisper carried on the wind.
The voice repeated itself, again and again, slowly growing louder, clearer. It started to close the gap between us, the words sharpening with each repetition. I strained to listen, my mind trying to piece it together. Then, bit by bit, I recognized it—it was calling my name.
The moment I understood, the voice surged forward with one final call. "Gray!" The sound of my name jolted me, as if pulling me from the darkness.
In an instant, the infinite emptiness vanished. I was yanked back into reality, my knees hitting the ground with a hard thud. My chest heaved as I gasped for air, the heaviness of my body returning all at once. The forest surrounded me, the familiar scent of earth and trees filling my lungs. My head spun, but I forced myself to look up, searching for the source of the voice that had pulled me back.
And there they were—my friends. Natsu, Erza, Lucy, Wendy, Charle, and Happy stood a short distance away, all staring at me with shock and concern etched across their faces. It was Natsu who had been calling my name, his voice thick with urgency. His eyes were wide, his usual cocky grin replaced with something far more serious.
I met their gazes, still disoriented but relieved. Somehow, I had made it back.
I didn't understand what had just happened. My mind was still foggy, and everything around me felt surreal. I looked down, my breath catching in my throat as the full weight of the situation hit me.
Barri was lying beneath me—dead.
His face... it was barely recognizable, his facial bones shattered and fractured beyond repair. The scene was grotesque, horrifying in a way that words couldn't capture. Blood was everywhere, covering me, covering him. The dirt beneath us was soaked in it. And as I stared at him, I realized that I had done this.
My hands were drenched in blood, slick and sticky, and I couldn't tell if it was mine or his. Once again I had taken another life.
I didn't know what to feel—anger, regret, numbness. It all swirled together in a storm of confusion. I wasn't sure what had happened, how things had escalated so quickly, but the result was undeniable. Barri was dead because of me.
Slowly, I lifted my gaze from the body, looking at Natsu. His eyes were locked on me, wide with shock, his expression a mixture of disbelief and concern. The rest of my friends stood frozen, equally stunned by the sight before them. I must have looked like a monster—covered in blood, kneeling over a broken body, lost in my own actions.
I didn't know what to think. I couldn't find the words to explain it. I just stared back at Natsu, my hands still dripping with blood, feeling utterly lost. This was my reality now—the weight of another life on my shoulders.
Two days had passed since the incident, but it felt like a lifetime. I stood in the restroom, the sound of running water filling the empty space as I washed my hands and face, trying to scrub away the exhaustion that clung to me like a second skin. My hands trembled slightly, the memory of that boy's blood still vivid in my mind.
Erza had pulled me from the mission. She didn't have to say much—just that I wasn't fit for the job right now. She didn't know what exactly was wrong with me, but she could see it, and she wasn't wrong. It had been dangerous for me to keep going like this. I wasn't myself.
After drying my hands, I spent a moment just staring at my reflection in the mirror. My face was pale, dark circles under my eyes making me look even more worn down than I felt. I didn't recognize the person looking back at me.
Slowly, I reached for my collar and pulled it down, exposing my chest. I ran my fingers over the spot where I should have had a scar—the bullet wound that had nearly taken me out. But there was nothing. Just smooth skin, like the injury had never existed. Wendy had used her magic to treat me, but I knew her healing couldn't fully erase the scars. Not like this.
Frowning, I pulled my shirt up, looking at my abs where the wooden spear had pierced me. The place where I should've been left with a lasting mark. But again, there was nothing. No scar, no trace of the injury. It was as if none of it had happened.
I whispered under my breath, "There should be a scar."
It made no sense. It was wrong. I could still feel the pain from that day, the memory of the fight, the suffocating smoke, the blood. Every detail came rushing back, stirring something deep inside me—anger. Frustration. The memory of what I did, of how I lost control, burned in my mind. My hand clenched around the edge of the porcelain sink, my knuckles turning white as I gripped it harder.
The more I thought about it the memories of a specific day came back to mind, and every time I remembered it the angrier I became. The day I had faced that mage in that dark woods, and even thinking about it now was enough to make my blood boil. Why was there nothing left to show for it? Why didn't the scars remain, like they should have? Why did it feel like something was missing, like I wasn't supposed to heal completely? I could only wonder what was the meaning of this.
My jaw tightened as I stared at the reflection of myself gripping the sink, a version of me that was lost in his own rage, unable to understand what had really happened.
There was a knock on the door.
"Gray, you done in there?" Natsu's voice was muffled through the door, but it was unmistakably him. I didn't answer right away. Instead, I took one last look at my reflection in the mirror—at the face I barely recognized—and then turned away, heading for the door.
I stepped out, finding Natsu standing there, his usual impatience written all over his face. Without a word, I moved past him, heading for the living room where I knew Erza and Lucy were waiting. Natsu followed behind, taking a seat as I stopped in the center of the room, Wendy was in the room with us too, I stood there feeling their eyes on me.
They had gathered here for one reason—because of me. And I knew exactly what this conversation was going to be about.
"Gray," Erza started, her voice calm but firm, "we need to talk about what's going on with you."
I glanced at her, then Lucy, both of them watching me closely. I felt the weight of their concern, their confusion, but I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to have this conversation. I shifted uncomfortably, trying to come up with something to say, but before I could, Lucy spoke up.
"We all saw what happened with that kid," she said, her voice quieter than Erza's, but no less serious. "And we're worried about you."
I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to push the memory away. That boy's broken face flashed in my mind again, the blood, the rage, everything. I didn't want to talk about it. "I don't know what happened," I muttered, forcing the words out.
But they knew. They knew I was lying.
Erza's eyes narrowed. "Gray, we've known you long enough to know when you're not being honest. You're acting strange. This isn't like you."
Lucy nodded in agreement. "You've been different ever since that day you came back from that mission you took some time ago. Something's off, and it's not just about what happened with the kid."
I stayed silent, the frustration boiling inside me. I didn't want to admit it. I didn't want to face the truth that was gnawing at me, the truth that I kept trying to bury.
For some reason—maybe out of fear, maybe out of shame—I was trying to deny it. Deny what I had felt back there, what had really taken over when I killed. I didn't want to acknowledge the dark truth looming beneath the surface: that there was something inside me. Something I couldn't control. Something that wasn't... human.
I could feel it—like a demon clawing at the edges of my mind, trying to break free, trying to take over.
"I told you," I said, my voice hardening. "I don't know what happened."
But even as the words left my mouth, I knew they weren't enough. I was lying to them—and worse, I was lying to myself. Erza and Lucy exchanged a look, their expressions showing that they weren't buying it. And deep down, neither was I.
Erza's expression softened, and Lucy's eyes were full of concern as she spoke again. "Gray, if there's something going on—something troubling you—you can count on us. We're here to help you."
"We've always got your back," Natsu added, his voice unusually calm for once. "But... you have to want to fix this yourself."
Erza nodded in agreement, her gaze steady. "If you're not willing to help yourself, there isn't much we can do."
I stood there, feeling the weight of their words settle over me like a heavy blanket. I knew they meant well, that they genuinely cared about what was happening to me. But something inside me resisted. Part of me didn't want to accept their help. I didn't want to accept the reality of what was happening.
"Thanks," I said, my voice controlled, but there was an edge to it, a subtle hint of dismissiveness I couldn't completely hide. I wanted to mean it, to let them in, but I wasn't ready. Not yet.
They exchanged another glance, both of them clearly still worried. But Erza was right. If I didn't take the first step—if I didn't confront whatever was inside me—none of their concern or offers to help would make a difference. This was my battle. And until I accepted that, they couldn't do anything for me.
Lucy sighed softly, breaking the silence. "We'll be here when you're ready, Gray. But until then... we'll just wait. Whenever you're ready to ask for help, we'll be here."
Erza nodded. "Take your time. But don't let this consume you."
I couldn't bring myself to say anything more. Instead, I just nodded slightly, feeling the tension in the room thicken before I turned and left. Their words echoed in my mind, but I wasn't sure how to face what was really happening inside me. Not yet.
They didn't let it go. Even after I tried to brush it off, they kept talking.
"Gray, we know you've got a problem," Lucy said softly, but there was a firmness in her voice. "We don't know exactly what it is, but whatever's going on... you don't have to face it alone."
"You're one of us," Natsu added, his usual fire replaced with something more sincere. "When you can't fight it alone, you can share the burden with us. With your friends."
Erza, serious as always, crossed her arms. Her tone was steady but commanding—more of an order than anything else. "Until you get better, you're not taking any more missions. No arguments. You're laying low until you've dealt with this. That's not a suggestion—it's an order."
Her words hit hard, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration rise up in me. I didn't want to be told what to do, especially not when it came to something like this. But deep down, I knew they were right. If what had happened with that kid repeated itself—if I lost control again, if I killed someone else, again and again—things would only spiral further out of control. It would get worse, not better.
I wanted to fight back, to push against their concerns, but I couldn't deny the truth staring me in the face. If I didn't stop now, if I didn't face what was really happening inside me, there might not be a way back.
So, I agreed. But I did it with a shrug, acting like it didn't matter. Like I wasn't affected by their words, even though I knew I was. "Fine," I said, my tone nonchalant. "I'll lay low for now."
But as I said it, I could feel the weight of the truth pressing down on me. They were right, even if I didn't want to admit it. This wasn't something I could ignore forever.
Erza stood up and looked at me with that commanding presence she always had, the one that made it clear there was no arguing with her. "I've arranged a carriage to take you back home," she said firmly. "And since I don't want you going alone, Wendy will be accompanying you."
I glanced at Wendy, who stood off to the side, nodding in agreement. Of course, wherever Wendy went, Charle was sure to follow. It was clear they had already discussed this behind my back, and there was no room for negotiation. I wasn't thrilled about the idea of being babysat, but I wasn't in much of a position to argue.
"With that settled, this conversation is over," Erza said, her tone final.
Natsu had already gotten up, following Erza toward the door, and Wendy prepared to leave as well. But just before Lucy left, she paused and turned back to me. Her eyes were soft, full of the kind of empathy that made it hard to keep up my guard.
"Gray," she said, her voice quiet but sincere, "no matter what's happened or what happens next, if you believe in us, we'll believe in you too. Don't forget that."
For a second, her words pierced through the numbness I'd been trying to surround myself with. But I didn't respond, just gave a slight nod as she left the room with the others.
Once they were gone, I was left alone with my thoughts. The room felt emptier than before, quieter—too quiet. I wandered over to my bed and laid down, staring up at the ceiling, my mind spinning with everything that had happened.
I knew I was going to have a lot of free time ahead of me. I had been trying to lose myself in work, hoping that keeping busy would help me ignore whatever was happening inside me. But now... that plan had backfired. And badly.
I could feel it. That darkness—whatever it was—still lurking beneath the surface. And now, without the distraction of missions, I had nothing but time to think about it. About what I'd done. About what was happening to me.
I let out a long breath, my thoughts swirling around the question I didn't have an answer to: What now?
As I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, my mind drifting from one thought to the next, I suddenly remembered something I had planned to do before all of this chaos—something I'd put off when the mission came up.
The photos.
A flush of heat crept up the back of my neck. Those spicy photos of Mira... I'd stumbled across them by accident one day, and, well, let's just say they shouldn't be seen by anyone else. I had every intention of getting rid of them, but since the mission came up and everything else, I never got to really do it.
Now, with nothing but free time on my hands, the thought lingered in my mind.
Two questions echoed in my head:
Burn the photos?! (Choose 2 C)
or
Later! (Choose 2 A)
I frowned, staring blankly at the ceiling, unsure what to do.
