There was a room with two mattresses, a dirtied wooden chair, and a toilet hidden behind a half-built wall. A small room with white walls and a single light overhead, a room that never changed and looked any different. Today's scene was the same as yesterday's, with one of the worn-out mattresses taken by the boy who had lived there since birth.

They're taking longer than usual...

Number 8 should've been taken to the arena by now. Put through another practical to make sure he was still improving. A practical that he was hoping would be against B-class monsters because the alternative was more tiring.

Are they getting number 22... no, she's number 32 now. Are they getting 32 again?

Number 8 didn't particularly enjoy fighting against 32, it was tiring, and he never won. The best he got was a cut he gave her a few months back, an achievement marked by the trail of blood from her cheek and the frozen shoulder she gave him in response.

That'll suck...

Number 8 felt his shoulders sag a little at the thought, getting over it as he glanced at the empty mattress beside him. He ignored the memories as he turned to the door, waiting for it to open and reveal the red-robe that would take him to the arena.

Just sitting and waiting...

Waiting...

Waiting...

Waiting...

Number 8 was good at waiting; it was all he did most days.

It was all he'd done for years at this point...

Wait for the next experiment...

Wait for the following practical...

Wait for the next training session...

Wait for the next number to disappear...

Wait until he died and could finally stop waiting.

It'll probably happen soon...

Number 8 figured he would die soon; he was bound to with the pool of numbers shrinking day by day. For all he knew, 32 and he were the last ones left, and 17, 24, 25, 29, and 31 had kicked the bucket already.

Wonder when they'll get rid of me...

Number 8 hoped it would be soon; he was tired of waiting. It would be nice if it happened today, but he was fine waiting a week or two. A month or two if he was forced to. A year or two if he wasn't lucky enough to die before then. He would wait and wait and wait...

It was all he was good at, after all.

Number 8 waited and stood up as he saw the door slide open, his usual dead expression faltering as he saw the red face covering that he had expected...

As well as the boy with the pale blue hospital gown underneath it that he hadn't expected.

What's going on...

Number 8 was confused; this wasn't what was supposed to happen. The red robe was supposed to come and take him to the arena.

Why isn't the robe here...

Number 8 was confused, and the more he looked at the boy whose head was covered, the more confused he became...

Because he didn't recognize the scars that littered his arms.

Did they bring a new number? But I thought 32 was the last one...

After one of the experiments, the red robe told Number 8 as much. That Number 32 would be the magnum opus and that Number 8 should do his best to push her to her limits...

Otherwise, they would find a number who could, and use them to further 32's progress.

Who is he? Why is he here... and why isn't he saying anything?

Number 8 wasn't good at talking, so he hoped they weren't expecting him to start the conversation...

He hadn't spoken to anyone in a long time.

Maybe they're-

"We're leaving."

The mystery boy's words were firm and clear, seemingly without doubt of any kind. Full of confidence that brought a ghost of comfort to Number 8, even as they shook him to his core.

He can't be serious...

The mystery boy must have been delusional; no one left this place. They disappeared, there was a difference, and everyone knew it...

Number 8 knew it better than anyone.

So Number 8 opened his mouth, ready to tell the mystery boy as bluntly as possible that he was full of shit. The words on the tip of his tongue before he paused, his eyes wide as he saw the boy turn around and remove his face covering, handing it to the girl behind him...

The girl that beat him in every spar they'd ever had.

32 is here...

Number 8 gulped as that settled on him because he now knew the boy was serious...

He knew the second that 17 turned back with his unguarded expression that he wasn't lying.

"We're leaving..."

Seventeen's words rang through his head like a gong, repeating themselves as he fully digested what 17 was saying...

"You want to come along?"

As well as what 17 was offering.

They want to take me with them...

Number 8 wouldn't have believed it if it wasn't staring him right in the face. He hadn't spoken to either of them; his only interactions with them were winning against 17 and losing to 32.

It was almost too good to be true...

No...

It had to be good to be true.

"Why..."

Number 8's words were filled with disbelief, confusion, and a hidden curiosity. He was trying to understand why they would go out of their way to take him with them...

Although going off the way 32 was scowling, it might not have been a 'them' decision.

Interesting...

Number 8 would have assumed that 32 was in charge of the little alliance they seemed to have, but her reaction said otherwise. It looked like she would rather eat dirt than allow 8 to go along with them, which made sense since it fit her arrogant and cold personality...

A personality that, now that he thought about it, would never have allowed her to take along someone as weak as 17.

Did he cut a deal with her...

That was the only way he saw 32 following 17's lead; if 17 promised to give her something that made the little 'partnership' worth it...

Something that must have been incredibly important if she was willing to let Number 8 tag along as an extra.

I need to know...

Number 8 didn't want to believe in dreams; he had long given up on them...

But if there was a chance...

A single chance...

That they were going to save him.

That 17 was going to save him.

Then he had to know why.

He had to know.

So Number 8 looked on expectantly, his brown eyes pouring into 17's red ones. The two stood silently before 17 took a deep breath, spoke in a tone that hid nothing, and tried to hide nothing, "At first, it was because I figured you could be useful..."

Number 8 showed no signs of disappointment since that answer made sense. He figured they would want him for something like that. The only reason he was alive was because he was useful. It made sense for 17 to understand that too.

I guess I'll have to-

"But now I just want to get you out of here."

Number 8 blinked in surprise as 17 shrugged, "If you don't believe me, then just watch. Ultear and I will take care of the escape…"

Number 8 stood stock still as 17 spoke without a hint of a lie, his red eyes flicking over to the right side of Number 8's face before speaking in a soft, understanding tone, "You won't have to do a single thing."

The words settled over the room, dragging it into a contemplative silence as Number 8 processed what he heard.

I won't have to do anything...

Those words didn't make any sense. They had to be a lie...

'Hello, little one...'

They had to be lying...

'I'm Seven.'

They...

'I promise I'll take care of you.'

Number 8 blinked the memories away, ignoring the visage of the girl that raised him as it fell over the boy waiting patiently for his answer.

He must be lying.

Number 8 wasn't stupid; he had lived through too much to be.

But they're leaving...

He wouldn't believe 17's little spiel about saving him...

I want to leave too.

So he would follow along because he wanted to be free...

Nothing more.

The silent tension was broken as Number 8 took a step forward. A single step followed by another, all the way until he got to the edge of the open door. His eyes looked out into the hallway where 17 was waiting patiently, and 32 was waiting impatiently.

Free...

Number 8 felt like his entire body would burst at just the thought; he would see the world that seven had talked about. He would leave this building that he had never seen the outside of. He would leave...

He would be free...

He just had to take a single step.

Just like seven had taught him to do...

One foot after the other...

Until this place faded just like all the other numbers.

He would take one step after the other...

That's the only way he could live...

That's the only way he wanted to live.

"Are you coming?"

Number 8 was dragged out of his thoughts at 17's curious and concerned voice. Eight glanced up from the doorway he had been stuck at to see 17 waiting for him to follow...

Just waiting...

Only waiting...

Simply waiting...

Number 8 was surprised at how much he liked the idea of someone waiting for him.

"I'm coming."

Number 8 said those words casually, but to him, they meant everything. They said that there was someone he would be following. They suggested he would follow someone that wasn't the red-robe and go somewhere that wasn't white-walled and painful.

They meant everything.

They meant his world would change; all it took was a step.

Number 8 figured he could see where his steps took him.


To say that Number 8 was annoyed that his precious steps took him back to the lab was an understatement.

"Why are we here..."

Number 8 watched as his words seemed to stall the two mages, 32's reaction hidden behind the covering she was using but seemingly unfazed. Meanwhile, 17 winced and held his hands in a show of innocence, "Hey, wait, it's not what you think. We're here to destroy the lab before we go, right Ultear?"

"He's here to sacrifice you to the robes."

"Exactly... wait, no! Ultear, quit messing with him! He's going to get scared of us!"

"I assure you, you are the least scary thing he's ever been around."

Number 8 watched in confusion as 17 lost the battle of wits, muffling a groan before he shook his head and turned back to Number 8 with a serious expression, "Seriously though, we're leaving right after this. Ultear's just going to freeze the pipes that flood us with ethernano. After that, we turn on the power and leave this place in pieces."

Number 8 relaxed at 17's explanation, following along much more willingly as they got to the door that had haunted him since childhood...

The entrance to the lab.

"So, how long will we have before it explodes?"

Seventeen's question was directed at 32, who shrugged, taking off her head covering and handing it to 17 as she walked towards the door. Opening it without hesitation and glancing around the wired room before moving inside. Her voice faded as she closed the door, "Who knows, but I'd rather not stick around to find out."

Number 8 watched as the door clicked shut, and 17 hummed in agreement, fiddling with the head covering before looking back at him with a thoughtful expression, "You want to guide us out of here, 8?"

Number 8 blinked in surprise, looking at the head covering with wide eyes. His head tilted as he reached out and took it with nimble fingers, "You sure you want to do this 17..."

Number 8 didn't understand 17 at all; it was one thing to let him tag along. It was another thing to entrust him with something as important as the head covering...

Is he dumb or something...

Seventeen was handing him the keys to their survival, and if he was going off how 17 just shrugged in response, then 17 didn't seem to think it would be an issue, "What? Ultear and I already got our turns with the hood. Now it's your turn... besides..."

Number 8 watched as 17 shivered slightly, "It smells under there, you know?"

A few seconds of silence passed as Number 8 could only blink at 17's attempt at humor, unsure if he should try to comment or laugh to make it less awkward...

So he picked the third option and put the head covering on his face, watching as the runes lit up and showed him the path to the exit...

As well as the blinking red message lighting up his entire view.

"Uh..."

Number 8 turned to 17, about to tell him the news before the door opened, and 32 walked out. Thirty-two doing a double take when she saw him with the hood before glaring at 17, "What's he doing with that!?"

Seventeen shrugged, "What? I figured he should get a turn with it. Fair's fair, right?"

"It's not a toy 17!"

"It glows and makes us follow arrows like a treasure map."

Seventeen had to hide a chuckle as 32 seemed to stumble in her words, 32 gaping like a fish before shutting her mouth and taking a deep breath. About to try and convince 17 that the boy who had never left his room and probably didn't know how to read shouldn't be in charge of the 'treasure map,' "Look either way, he shouldn't-"

"They know we're gone."

Number 8 watched as 17 and 32 whipped their head to him, the two stopping all pretenses of play as they spoke in the perfect sink.

"Lead the way."

Number 8 nodded, following the red arrow that said 'exit' as the two followed behind him. The three took a brisk pace as they moved toward the exit.

Towards the edge of his tiny little world.


Number 8 was wondering what they'd do when they got caught.

It's not like it would have been avoidable; the entire facility was now hunting them. They were bound to run into some of the white robes on the way out, and a small, realistic part of his mind believed they would catch them and bring them back. Force them all back into the tiny little rooms and punish them for trying to escape.

"Can you not throw the bodies at me, Ultear!?"

"It's not my fault you're in the way, 17!"

Those thoughts vanished as soon as the first group of white robes was dismantled by 32 and 17, with 32 taking most of them with her ice magic and 17 taking out the stragglers with his 'new' magic. The shadow slipped silently behind unsuspecting robes before dispatching them with brutal efficiency. It was a unique type of magic that number 8 didn't see as particularly strong but could see as dangerous.

I can't feel it at all when it's on the wall...

Number 8 glanced over to the shadow trailing next to him, acting as a scout that would alert them when they were coming up on a group of white robes. The silent silhouette seemed to have a life of its own and even a name going off what 17 had called it.

Sho huh...

Number 8 would be lying if he said he wasn't curious; it was a unique and new type of magic. Even for him, who had seen and fought the magic of so many numbers that he'd lost count.

Sho was something he'd never seen before.

I wonder how 17 got it after all this time...

Number 8 was almost certain that 17 would never get to use magic, not after it had been silent for years. Number 8 believed that 17 would be an anomaly among mages and would die before he got to experience the vast potential his magic container contained.

The potential that was exploding if he went off the increasing speed and efficiency Sho was dispatching the white robes with.

Could I stop it if I didn't see it coming...

Number 8 could locate Sho when he was on the wall if he focused, but otherwise, it was impossible. The magic Sho emitted was near nothing on the surface, and even Number 8 wasn't confident he could stop an attack like that when his guard was down.

Let's hope I never have to...

With that thought, Number 8 focused on following the arrow toward the exit, trusting 17 and 32 to take care of any attackers on the way there. A task they soon turned into a competition to pass the time.

"That's 15."

"That's cheap, Ultear; Sho was distracting them."

"Fine, I'll consider it 12. I'm still ahead."

"I think I should get points for efficiency; Sho is killing them in a single hit."

"If you want to put it that way, shouldn't I give Sho the points then?"

"I'm his friend; we share the points."

"So I should give you half the points and Sho the other half. Very well, your request has been approved."

"What!? That's not what I meant!"

"It's what you said, though."

Ultear felt her lips twitch upwards as Vera clicked his tongue, shaking his head as he was forced to give up half his precious points in the name of friendship.

Dammit... well, I guess it's okay since it's Sho...

Vera would be the first to admit he had a soft spot for Sho, so he could let him get a few points. Even if it meant he wasn't going to win the little game he had with Ultear at the moment...

"AAAAAHHHH!"

"Now it's 13."

Yeah, he was going to lose badly.


Ten minutes and 22 points later, they had reached the exit, a gloomy hallway that ended with a grim metal door that looked as unimportant as the ones before it. A cold metal painted white just like the rest of the facility, a single door loomed over them as they stood in front of it.

"What's that noise..."

Number 8 was the first to speak; his ears prickled as he heard soft thuds outside the door. A thousand tiny pillows were tapping against the door, waiting to be let in, knocking on the door that felt surprisingly...

Cold?

"Why's it cold?" Number 8 looked over to 32 and 17, who were looting the two guards they had dispatched for anything useful. The two turned towards number 8 with matching expressions of confusion before they both turned to each other and seemed to come to a silent understanding.

An understanding that 32 voiced in the most 32 way possible, "It's snowing outside 8, that means you're gonna freeze."

"You're not gonna freeze."

Seventeen instantly replied, shooting 32 a scowl as she shrugged, "What? I'm not lying; I've looked out that window every night since I arrived. It's always snowing; sometimes, there are even blizzards. If he isn't prepared, he might-"

"Freeze... yeah, okay, I see your point.", Seventeen responded less critically than before, his eyes tinted with worry as he glanced over to 8 before turning back to the guard he was looting. Seventeen chewed his lips in thought before glancing at 32, "It's fine if Number 8, and I take the clothes, right? Your magic will protect you from the cold?"

Thirty-two stilled a bit in surprise, whether from the fact that he knew about that detail of her magic or the fact that he bothered to check if she would freeze or not was unknown, "That's what you worried about... relax, 17, I can handle myself just fine."

Thirty-two's words lacked the mocking nature that Number 8 thought they would have, instead falling somewhere between grateful and thoughtful. A shift so drastic from what Number 8 knew about her that it stunned him, his shock fading as 32 turned from the guard and back to him, signaling with her hand to come over and take the clothes the guard had left behind. An action he undertook immediately as he took the red robe's mask off his face and tossed it to the side. He hurried to layer himself with as much clothing as possible since he had heard about this 'snow' before, and seven had always told him it was cold but beautiful.

Number 8 didn't think Number 7 was lying.

I wonder what snow will look like...

Number 8 had never seen it with his eyes before, but he remembered the stories Number 7 told him about it. The way it 'danced in the air' and left 'freezing kisses' on your skin whenever it fell, blanketing the ground until every step felt like you were walking on clouds.

I wonder what the world will look like...

Number 8 didn't know, but he wanted to. He wanted to know what the world looked like, the vast world that he had never seen.

The world that was just outside this gloomy little door.

"You two ready?"

Thirty-two's question brought 8 out of his stupor, making him look away from the door and over to 17, who had put his robe on too. The two were dressed in white robes that covered them like blankets and wore boots a hundred times too big. The face coverings were abandoned as they got ready to leave the facility...

Although not without a few grumbles from 17.

"These clothes are way too big..."

Seventeen shuffled around uncomfortably as he tried to stop his robes from trailing on the ground. Seventeen scowled as he wabbled around in the boots too big for his liking, giving a defeated sigh as he looked towards the door in resignation.

"Whatever... let's just-"

"Thread Magic: Sewing"

Number 8's words stopped 17 cold in his tracks, Number 8 watching with growing confusion as 17 stiffened at his use of magic—almost like 17 had never seen the thin, white, wire-like threads that trailed from his fingertips, picking apart their oversized clothes and refashioning them to fit better. The threads transformed the big robes and boots into a white winter coat and pants for the two of them, with boots that no longer felt like they would slip off at any moment.

What's he acting like that for... he's seen my magic when we sparred-

"17 lost his memory. That's why he didn't recognize your magic."

Number 8 let out an 'ah' in understanding at 32's words, "Oh, that makes sense... when'd it happen?"

Number 8 looked over to 17 expectantly, watching as he seemed to focus on the right side of his face before shaking his head, "It happened about a year ago. Apparently, a spar with Ultear didn't turn out well..."

Seventeen looked at 32 quizzically, not blaming her but asking if he had all the facts right. Thirty-two understood his questioning look and seemed to stiffen before she nodded. She rubbed her neck as she looked away almost sheepishly, "Yeah, it was my first spar after coming back... let's just say I couldn't control myself as well as I usually do."

Seventeen let out an 'ah' in understanding and nodded, turning back to Number 8 with an open expression, "Yeah, that's why you're magic was a little surprising... that's all."

Number 8 nodded, feeling there was more to it than 17 was letting on but deciding not to ask about it. Instead, turning to the door and moving forward with a shaky breath, "Okay... let's go..."

Number 8 reached towards the door, flooding his hand with magic as the door responded and unlocked, creaking open to reveal a landscape that took 8's breath away. A blanket of white as far as the eye could see, with the grey clouds plotting out the sky, making it feel more like night than day. The magical scene was completed by the tiny little flurries of snow that pilled fell on the backs of chilling wind, pelting him with their feather-light touches that melted on his skin.

"It's a cool sight, huh..."

Seventeen's passing voice brought him out of his thoughts as he watched, frozen in the doorway as 17 walked into the snowy wonderland. Seventeen's footsteps muted as the boots sunk quietly into the snow as if it was trying to push him back with every step.

"The snow's great, you know..."

Seventeen spoke giddily, a childish grin on his face as he looked up to the gray sky like it was a blessing, opening his mouth to catch the snowflakes on his tongue. A spectacle Number 8 could only marvel at before 32 passed him with a slight scoff and a shake of her head, "Come on 8, it's not gonna vanish just because you step on it."

Number 8 could only blink as 32 walked towards 17, waving her hand across the air and having a stream of fresh snow follow its path. The snow flowed like a river at the edge of her fingertips before she deposited on one very surprised and distracted mage.

"Ack!"

Seventeen's yelp of surprise could be heard as he was buried under a fresh mound of snow, a few seconds passing before 17 clawed his way out. Spitting snow out of his mouth before glaring at 32, who just walked by without a hint of shame, "Quit messing around 17, unless you want to get caught in the explosion?"

Seventeen's eyes widened slightly in surprise before he gave a huff, a shadowed figure stepping out above the snow and pulling him out. Seventeen gave a small 'thanks' to his magic before jumping off the snow pile, turning back with a slight head tilt and snow in his hair, "You coming, 8?"

Number 8 could only stare in response, unable to come up with an answer as he stood in the doorway. A single step between him and the outside world...

Is this what you saw...

A single step between him and the world that he only had the vaguest idea of...

Is this the world you were talking about...

The world that Seven had told him stories about was right before him, and it was grey and grimy and cold and chilly, and it was...

It was beautiful.

"I'm coming."

Number 8's words were quiet but dizzy with emotion, his mind whirling as he took a foot into the soft snow. His eyes were wide as he stumbled a bit, taking a few moments to get used to the new feeling of his weight. Shifting his feet back and forth as he walked out into the snow, his balance slowly improving as he walked further away from the door...

Goodbye...

As he got further and further from everything he'd ever known.

Seven.

As he stepped into the cold world, that was far more captivating than the stories he grew up on.


The three numbers got a mile out before they heard the explosion, the rumble that shook the ground beneath them. The three could turn back and see the smoke rising into the sky, the bright lights of a raging fire shining through the blizzardy landscape like a torch in the night.

"It's gone."

Number 8's words were near silent, and if he were asked what he felt, he wouldn't be able to answer...

Thankfully 17 and 32 didn't ask.

They just nodded and kept walking. The two slowed their pace so Number 8 could follow, his steps slower than usual as he got lost in his head. The two older numbers whispered as they made their way through the growing blizzard and toward the mountainous terrain in the distance.

"Once we pass the mountain range ahead, there's a town we can stop at..."

Ultear's words were quiet, her tone edging on cold as she glanced over to Vera with narrowed eyes, "I'll expect you to fulfill your end of the deal when we get there."

The unsaid threat hung in the air, and while most would be terrified under the prodigy of ice magic's glare, Vera simply nodded, "Sure thing. Once we're near civilization, I'll tell you what you want to know."

Then we'll never have to see each other again.

The unsaid agreement comforted both parties, Ultear because she couldn't afford any distractions in her quest, and Vera because he didn't want to risk being around Ultear when she inevitably snapped.

So they were both fine with the deal ending as soon as possible. It helped both their interests, and it would be fine if they went their separate ways at whatever town was south of the mountain range.

The problem was that they had a tag-along, and he was trailing behind. He was too lost in his head to notice their conversation or maybe too exhausted from the escape to care. His thoughts were hidden behind his shaggy hair that nearly covered his brown eyes and trailed down his neck, chopped at the back like someone had taken a sword edge to it.

He couldn't adapt to the world independently, not after he'd just been introduced to it, and they both knew it.

"So what are we going to do about 8?"

Ultear's question was blunt but not uncaring, just a facet of her brutal honesty at play. Something Vera took in stride since he was the one who suggested bringing him, so he was the one who had to take responsibility, "I'll take him with me. I plan to join a guild; it'll be a good place for him."

Vera ignored the spark of interest that passed Ultear's eyes as she tilted her head curiously, "A guild, huh... I think I've heard about those before. They're places where mages gather, right? Out west..."

Vera watched with thinly hidden interest as Ultear stalled in her words, her eyes glazing over for a split second before she blinked, and it was gone. Turning back to Vera with the perfect mixture of curiosity and interest to make anyone think she was just curious about the world outside of Isvan and nothing more...

"You two should be fine then..."

It could have fooled anyone...

"I doubt there are any mages our age that could be a threat to either of you..."

It didn't fool Vera, though.

"Especially Number 8."

He knew what she was thinking about...

"Don't you think, 17?"

He knew she was thinking about Ur.

"Not at all..."

Vera heard Ultear's steps stop for a fraction of a second, and if he had looked, he might have caught a glimpse of surprise in her eyes. The ghost of a memory played in her head as he spoke the exact words she had probably heard before—ones that came with experience, but unbeknownst to her, to Vera, they came with the insight he'd gotten from the story. There were a lot of strong mages in Fairy Tail. Vera wouldn't get conceited just because he'd unlocked his magic.

"There are a ton of strong mages out west..."

The world was big. He was lucky enough to know that.

"I'm not going to pretend I can match them right now."

He would be even luckier if he didn't forget it.

"I'll just have to go as far as my magic can take me," Vera murmured, surprised at how much he believed his words but didn't regret saying them. They were honest and left Ultear in utter silence to the mountain range that nestled an endless forest between its snowy peaks. Ultear only spoke once the three had gotten to the entrance of a cave system for the night, with a campfire set up to keep the chilly air outside.

"There's going to be a blizzard."

The campfire that suddenly became all the more critical to two out of the three of them.