3: Winds and Change
Jin soared through the skies, the wind whipping against his face as he followed the train line toward Oshibana. Below him, the landscape blurred into a mix of green fields and winding tracks, occasionally interrupted by patches of destruction. Some sections of the tracks were deformed or completely demolished, clear signs of a recent battle.
As he approached Oshibana Town, he landed softly on the rooftop of a building overlooking the station. The town had a familiar feel, similar to Magnolia with its cobblestone streets and quaint buildings, but it lacked any notable landmarks. What caught his attention, however, was the massive tornado engulfing Oshibana station.
"What in the…?"
His heart pounded as he took in the scene, and his eyes widened as he spotted a man levitating above the storm, a large scythe in hand, before he flew away. He was right—there was trouble, and people could be trapped.
Flying closer to the tornado, Jin stopped just short of the raging winds, bracing himself.
"Is anyone there?!" He called out, his voice barely carrying over the roar of the storm. "Can you hear me?!"
At first, there was no response. He tried again, louder this time. "Hello! Anyone?!"
A woman's voice finally broke through the howling winds.
"Who's there?! Are you with Eisenwald?!"
Jin frowned in confusion. "Eisenwald?! "What even is that?!"
There was a brief silence, then the woman's voice rang out again, demanding but with a hint of hope.
"Then… who are you?!"
"I'm here to help!" he yelled. "What's going on?! What's up with this tornado?!"
"Erigor is getting away!" she shouted back. "But we're trapped in this wind barrier! We can't get through!"
"Erigor," Jin repeated, his eyes darting between the barrier and the direction the scythe-wielding man had flown. "The guy with the scythe?!"
"Yes!" she affirmed urgently. "We need to stop him, but we can't get out!"
Jin's heart pounded as he weighed his options. He could go after Erigor now and possibly help these people trapped inside. But what if they needed immediate help?
"What about you?!" Jin called back, torn between chasing Erigor and staying to help those trapped. "I can't just leave you here!"
"We'll manage!" the woman insisted. "Just go! We need him stopped more than anything!"
Jin took a sharp breath, his resolve hardening. "I'll get Erigor for you! Just hang on!"
"Thank you! And watch out for his wind magic!"
JIn nodded, levitating away from the barrier. "You got it!"
With a final look at the tornado, Jin turned and flew in the direction Erigor had gone, following the train tracks below. As he flew, the weight of the woman's trust in him settled in. There were people who needed him, and he couldn't let them down. The fear that had gripped him earlier faded, replaced by a fierce determination as his eyes scanned the horizon for any sign of Erigor.
Erigor hovered above the train tracks, a sinister smile curling on his lips as he surveyed the canyon below. Clover Canyon stretched out like a jagged scar across the land, the tracks winding through its narrow confines. Beyond the canyon, the spires of Clover Town were just barely visible on the horizon. The air was thick with anticipation, and Erigor could almost taste the sweet satisfaction of victory. His scythe rested lightly in his hand, the metal glinting with a cold, menacing light.
"So close," Erigor muttered to himself. "Clover and the guild masters are within my grasp." His eyes gleamed with malice. "Those fools robbed us of our work, took our rights… But now, it's time to make them pay."
The wind howled around him, and with a flick of his wrist, Erigor propelled himself off the tracks, lifting into the sky. He let the wind carry him forward, faster and faster, a blur streaking across the canyon. The magic he had expended to create the wind barrier was nearly replenished. Soon, he would rain down his vengeance on those who dared to oppose him.
But something felt off. The air was different, heavier somehow. Erigor's eyes narrowed, scanning the landscape. The wind should have been his ally, but now it seemed almost… resistant.
A brilliant flash of energy streaked past him, narrowly missing his head.
"What—?!" Erigor jerked to the side, heart racing as he turned to face the source of the attack. His breath caught in his throat as he saw a figure flying towards him, a trail of light in his wake. The stranger's hands crackled with energy, the air around him shimmering with power.
Erigor didn't hesitate. He wove through the incoming blasts, deftly dodging each one. His scythe spun in his hand, and with a sharp swing, he deflected two of the energy bolts, sending them careening off into the canyon below. But the stranger was relentless, closing the distance with alarming speed.
"Who dares—!" Erigor's furious exclamation was cut short as the figure suddenly vanished from his sight, only to reappear behind him in an instant. The backhanded strike came without warning, slamming into Erigor's back with a force that sent him spiraling downward. Pain shot through him as he hurtled towards the tracks below, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact.
A plume of dust and debris rose from the point of impact, obscuring Erigor for a moment. When it settled, he was still on his feet, albeit hunched over and breathing heavily. His eyes, however, were locked on the figure who had struck him down—now standing firmly between him and his destination.
The stranger stood tall on the tracks, his posture calm but resolute. His long, dark hair fluttered in the breeze, and his black cloak swayed gently around his legs. The white aura that had surrounded him earlier had dissipated, but the air around him still hummed with an unfamiliar energy.
Erigor's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of the stranger. He didn't recognize him, and that infuriated him.
"Who the hell are you?" he demanded in contempt. "Are you one of those Fairy Tail flies, coming to pester me? And how did you get past my wind barrier?"
The stranger chuckled softly, the sound almost drowned out by the wind. He reached up and pulled down his hood, revealing his face fully. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of determination and something deeper—something that had been forged through years of hardship and training.
"Funny thing is," Jin began, his tone light but edged with seriousness, "I'm not part of Fairy Tail, but I wish I was. And I wasn't even inside your tornado in the first place."
Erigor's brow furrowed in confusion, a cautious wariness creeping into his demeanor.
"Then… who are you?"
Jin paused, contemplating how much to reveal. The world likely knew nothing of the Saiyans, and there was no need to complicate things. At the same time, this was his first real fight in eight years, and he wanted to make it count. His thoughts drifted briefly to his years in the gravity chamber, the relentless training, and the promises he had made to himself.
Taking a sharp breath, Jin steeled his resolve. He could feel the weight of the lives at stake, the promise he made to that woman at the station. He couldn't afford to hesitate.
"All you need to know," Jin began firmly, "is that I heard some bad things were going down at Oshibana, so I decided to check it out. Turns out, I was right when I saw you flying away from that tornado you left behind. And when I found out there were people trapped in there..." Jin's expression hardened. "That was enough of a reason for me to put a stop to you."
Erigor's eyes flashed with anger and disbelief. "So you're just some outsider—a nobody! This is none of your business, now get out of my way!"
Erigor struck a nerve, a flash of anger momentarily breaking through Jin's calm facade. Memories of Prince Vegeta's scornful words echoed in his mind, but he quickly pushed them aside. He wasn't that scared child anymore.
"Nobody?" Jin echoed as he took a step forward. "It became my business the second some girl needed my help." His gaze locked onto Erigor's, but he allowed a slight smirk. "And just so you know, this 'nobody' just caught you slipping a minute ago. Lesson number one: never let your guard down."
Erigor bristled at the mockery, but a flicker of doubt crossed his face. Who was he? He wasn't a wizard—Erigor could sense that much. Yet, there was something unsettling about him, something that made him hesitate. But the hesitation was brief, and he smirked.
"It seems Titania is becoming quite desperate to be calling for help from an outsider," Erigor sneered, letting out a chuckle. "No matter. There's only one way this little altercation will end."
Jin's expression shifted to confusion, the name catching him off guard.
"Titania? Who...?" He quickly shook his head, refocusing on the task at hand. "You must mean that girl back there. Titania, huh? Peculiar name... Unless it's a title?"
Erigor's patience was wearing thin. He snapped Jin out of his thoughts with a sharp, commanding tone.
"This is your last warning, boy. Get out of my way, or I'll blow you away just like all those Fairy Tail flies."
Jin didn't flinch. Instead, he let out a slow breath, a white aura flaring up around him as he stood tall. His eyes locked onto Erigor's with unwavering determination.
"Lesson number two: never underestimate your opponent. Ever."
The unfamiliar wave of energy emanating from Jin caused Erigor to flinch, a sliver of uncertainty creeping into his mind. This wasn't some mere traveler, and he wasn't a wizard either. But Erigor quickly shook off his doubts, his resolve hardening. He tightened his grip on his scythe, his smirk returning.
"You're nothing but a fool, standing in my way. Do you think you can stop me?"
Jin's eyes narrowed as he braced himself, the air around him crackling with energy. This was it—the moment he had been preparing for all these years, and he was ready to prove that the last eight years hadn't been in vain.
The air between Jin and Erigor crackled with tension as they faced off on the train tracks, the wind whistling softly around them in the vast expanse of Clover Canyon. Erigor's cold, calculating eyes scrutinized Jin, a smirk tugging at his lips as if he were already savoring his victory. But Jin, despite the faint stirrings of nerves in his gut, felt an odd thrill building within him, something ancient and primal—a hunger for battle.
For a moment, neither moved, each waiting for the other to make the first move. The canyon walls loomed around them, the silence almost deafening, only broken by the distant sound of the wind rustling through the sparse vegetation.
Finally, Jin shifted ever so slightly, opening his hand at his side. Without warning, a bright bolt of ki energy shot from his open palm, searing through the air toward Erigor.
The blast caught Erigor slightly off guard, but his instincts kicked in just in time. With a swift motion, he sliced through the ki blast with his scythe, the energy dispersing around him in a crackling wave. Before he could react further, Jin was already on the move, closing the distance in the blink of an eye.
Jin's fist shot forward, aiming for Erigor's midsection, but Erigor blocked the strike with the handle of his scythe. The impact sent a shockwave through Erigor's arms, but he gritted his teeth and pushed back with a gust of wind, forcing Jin to skid backward along the tracks.
"You're quick," Erigor remarked, lifting his hand as a powerful gust of wind began to swirl around him. "But let's see how long you can keep up."
The wind around them began to howl, growing in intensity as Erigor unleashed a barrage of lesser wind spells, each one aimed to knock Jin off balance. But Jin, remembering the lessons he had learned from the archives back on Vegeta, held his ground. His body tensed as he withstood the winds, feeling them whip against his face and clothing, but he didn't falter.
The winds howled, whipping around Jin with a ferocity that could tear through steel. But Jin stood his ground, using his arms to shield himself while keeping his eyes locked on Erigor. He could feel the force of the wind pushing against him, testing his endurance, but it was nothing compared to the crushing weight of increased gravity he had trained under for years.
Between the gusts, the two combatants clashed, their movements a blur of speed and power. Jin's fists struck out like lightning, only to be met by the solid handle of Erigor's scythe. Erigor retaliated with quick slashes and jabs, his scythe dancing through the air, but Jin's reflexes were honed to perfection, allowing him to dodge and parry with equal skill.
"Don't get cocky!" Erigor spat as he leaped into the air, extending a hand and forming a magic circle in front of him.
"Storm Bringer!"
The ground below Jin erupted as a powerful tornado shot up from the earth, catching him in its furious winds. Jin was lifted off his feet, the force of the tornado spinning him around violently. He gritted his teeth, trying to regain control, but the storm was relentless. The tornado hurled Jin down to the tracks with a bone-jarring crash, sending dust and debris flying in every direction.
Erigor chuckled darkly, lowering himself back to the ground. "Not bad, kid. But you're out of your league. Skill alone won't be enough to stop me."
But his words were cut short as Jin stirred, pushing himself up from the ground. Erigor's eyes widened in disbelief as the Saiyan casually dusted off his clothing and shrugged, as if the tornado had been nothing more than a light breeze.
"Is that really it?" Jin asked calmly, but laced with a growing excitement. "Just a simple breeze? I've had to deal with stronger forces than a simple gust of wind."
Erigor's expression twisted in shock. "Impossible! Just who are you?!"
Jin smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You forgot already? I'm just an outsider here to put a stop to whatever you've got planned." He raised his hand, extended his thumb, index, and middle fingers. "And maybe teach you a lesson."
A beam of concentrated energy shot toward Erigor with blinding speed. Erigor barely had time to react, summoning a Storm Wall to block the blast. The collision created an explosion that sent shockwaves through the canyon, the impact pushing Erigor back despite his defenses. As the smoke cleared, Erigor managed to block the attack, but the force behind it still sent him reeling, his body feeling the strain.
"This… this can't be happening…" Erigor muttered, his confidence shaken. "Just what are you? How are you this strong?"
Jin noticed the slight tremor in Erigor's stance and allowed himself a small, confident smile.
"What's the matter? Is this fly too hard for you to swat away?"
Erigor clenched his teeth, his anger mingling with a growing sense of thrill. This wasn't just another pest in his way; this was a real challenge.
"You've got some nerve, kid," Erigor sneered, steadying himself. "But I'll admit… it's been a while since I've had a real fight."
Jin's pulse quickened. There was something thrilling about this, a deep, primal excitement bubbling up from within him. He could feel his Saiyan blood beginning to boil, a subconscious urge to push himself further, to see just how strong this opponent truly was.
"Storm Mail!"
Erigor spun his scythe in front of him, releasing another magic circle. With a powerful torrent of air, wind enveloped his body, forming an armor of turbulent air that crackled with energy.
"So, you're finally taking this seriously," Jin said, rolling his shoulder. "Good. Let's see what you've got."
"Here, I come!"
Erigor launched himself at Jin, a tornado trailing behind him. Jin responded in kind, rushing forward to meet him head-on. The two clashed in midair, their fists meeting with such force that it sent shockwaves through the canyon. Jin's strikes were powerful, but the wind armor deflected each blow, pushing his fists away. Likewise, Erigor's punches were fast and precise, but Jin's speed allowed him to evade most of them, the two fighters moving in a blur of motion.
The clash was intense, the force of their blows shattering rocks and tearing the landscape apart. Neither could gain the upper hand, until their fists collided in a final, powerful strike, creating an explosion of energy that rippled through the air, obliterating several nearby canyons.
Breathing heavily, the two fighters separated, hovering above the devastated terrain. Jin flexed his fingers, feeling the sting in his knuckles from striking against Erigor's wind armor. Despite the pain, a grin spread across his face.
"Not bad. It's like you've got your own personal wind barrier."
Erigor, his voice now distorted by the winds surrounding him, let out a low, rumbling laugh. "Just as I thought. You're completely helpless against my winds. It looks like I have the upper hand."
A powerful gust of wind suddenly erupted from Erigor, attempting to blow Jin away, but the Saiyan stood his ground, feet firmly planted as he weathered the storm. Despite the pressure, Jin's expression remained focused, his excitement growing with each passing second.
"You're the first to last this long against me," Erigor said, his tone begrudgingly respectful. "Not even those Fairy Tail flies could do the same. What's your name, boy?"
Jin's smirk softened into something more genuine. "Name's Jin. And I'll admit, it's been a while since I've been this excited for a fight. But don't think for a second that I'll let that stop me from putting an end to your plans."
Erigor, both annoyed and exhilarated by Jin's persistence, gave a wicked grin. "Fret not, Jin. I'll allow this one exception. It's been a long time since I've had a real fight, so I'll make this worth my time. You're a worthy opponent."
The wind howled around Clover Canyon, a relentless storm that seemed to tear through the area. Dust and debris whirled in every direction, turning the battlefield into a chaotic maelstrom.
Erigor stood tall, his eyes gleaming with malice as he began to intensify the winds to near-catastrophic levels. The air was thick with swirling dust and rocks, obscuring vision and creating an almost impenetrable barrier between the two fighters.
Jin kept his stance firm, his eyes narrowing against the harsh winds. The storm wasn't a hindrance to his physical prowess—his body had been conditioned to withstand far worse—but the constant assault of debris was irritating, making it hard to focus. He couldn't afford a single distraction; not when his life hung in the balance. Erigor smirked, sensing his opponent's frustration.
"What's the matter, Jin? Having trouble keeping up?" He spread his arms wide, the wind responding to his will as he summoned a magic circle in front of him. "Let's see how you handle this! Storm Shred!"
A barrage of razor-sharp wind blades erupted from the circle, hurtling toward Jin in a deadly cascade of elongated, arched projectiles. The sheer speed of the attack was staggering, but Jin's instincts, honed by years of relentless training, kicked in. He darted to the side, narrowly evading the first barrage, his movements fluid and precise. As he dodged, he unleashed a volley of ki blasts, each one aimed at Erigor with pinpoint accuracy.
The blasts collided with the storm, creating brief explosions of light amidst the dark winds. Erigor twisted his body, dodging the attacks with ease, his laughter echoing through the canyon.
"You'll have to do better than that, fly!"
Jin gritted his teeth, frustration building as he weaved through the onslaught. Every time he closed the distance, the winds would pick up again, forcing him to adjust his approach. His mind flashed back to the drones, the lasers, the endless hours spent dodging under increased gravity—this was nothing new to him. But still, the dust in his eyes stung, and the winds howled louder, making it difficult to concentrate.
Finally, he saw his opening. Erigor, caught in his arrogance, left a gap in his defenses. Jin surged forward, his fist crackling with ki, ready to break through the Storm Mail. Just as he closed in, a sudden gust of wind kicked up more dust, forcing his eyes to squint.
It was a split-second distraction—enough for Erigor.
With a roar, Erigor thrust his hands forward, releasing a powerful blast of wind that slammed into Jin like a freight train. The force sent Jin hurtling back, crashing onto the train tracks below with a bone-jarring impact. He lay there, momentarily stunned, the world spinning as Erigor descended, landing gracefully nearby.
"I must admit," Erigor chuckled, his tone mocking, "you've put up a decent fight. But playtime's over!"
He formed several smaller magic circles in front of him, each one spinning in a different direction. Crossing his fingers in an X, he released his ultimate attack.
"Emera Baram!"
A concentrated torrent of wind, sharper and more focused than anything before, exploded from where Jin stood, obliterating the tracks beneath him and everything in its path. The sheer force of the attack sent Jin tumbling along the tracks, his body battered and bruised as he skidded to a halt, seemingly lifeless. Erigor's laughter filled the canyon, a sound of triumph and derision.
"What a waste! All that power, and you're nothing more than a rag doll now." He stepped closer, peering down at Jin's limp form. "Still, I must say I'm impressed you're even in one piece, but this is where it ends. I have more important matters to attend to—like the guild masters waiting for me in Clover. I won't waste my chance to exact my revenge!"
The mention of revenge pierced through the haze in Jin's mind like a dagger. His body, battered but not broken, began to stir. Slowly, he pushed himself up, ignoring the pain, his muscles straining as he stood once more. Erigor's laughter faltered, replaced by a look of disbelief as Jin, his cloak tattered and torn, shrugged it off to reveal the brown tunic beneath. His eyes burned with a fierce determination.
"So that's your plan?" Jin's tone was filled with a cold anger that sent a shiver down Erigor's spine. "You're going to take out your petty grudge on the guild masters? Not on my watch."
Erigor's shock turned to fury. "How… How are you still standing? That's impossible! No one survives Emera Baram!"
Jin chuckled, the sound devoid of humor. "You really think your winds are something special? I've trained under gravity so intense it would crush a normal person. Your little storm is nothing compared to that."
Erigor's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're lying! No one can endure that kind of training!"
Jin simply shrugged. "Believe what you want. But I'm done playing games too."
Determination flared within him, stronger than the winds that tore at his body. He knew the lives of the guild masters were at stake—lives that were important to countless others. He didn't know them, but he knew enough to understand that their survival mattered.
With a sudden burst of energy, Jin's aura flared around him, crackling with raw power. He charged forward with a ki-infused fist, determined to end this fight. In a desperate move, Erigor unleashed another torrent of wind, but this time, Jin didn't slow down. He powered through the storm, his roar cutting through the winds like a blade.
With a mighty yell, Jin's fist connected with Erigor's chest, penetrating the Storm Mail as if it were nothing. The force of the blow sent Erigor flying back, his expression twisted in shock and pain. Jin followed up, their fists colliding in a rapid exchange of blows that shook the canyon to its core.
As they fought, Jin's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and accusatory. "Is that all you're after?! Revenge?! Is that really the be-all, end-all of your plans?! Because it sounds absolutely stupid to me!"
Erigor snarled, struggling to keep up with Jin's relentless assault. "What do you know, boy?! You think you understand my pain?! You know nothing of what I've endured, of the injustice I've suffered! What do you know about revenge?!"
Something snapped within Jin at those words. His eyes darkened, his movements becoming more aggressive, more precise. With a renewed fury, Jin found an opening in Erigor's defenses and unleashed a barrage of blows that left the dark mage reeling. Each strike was laced with anger, not just at Erigor, but at the memories his words had dredged up.
"And you think I haven't lost anything?! You have no idea what real loss is! You're just a coward, hiding behind your pride and your so-called revenge!"
The dark mage tried to fight back, but Jin's fury was unstoppable. With a final, crushing blow to the gut, Jin sent Erigor reeling back. Erigor's Storm Mail dissipated, and Jin lifted him off his feet to throw him high into the air.
Landing back on the shattered tracks, Jin's chest swelled with power. He could feel the energy building within him, crackling like electricity. His aura blazed brighter, and with a roar that echoed through the canyon, he unleashed a massive pillar of ki—a beacon of pure, unbridled power that shot upward, striking Erigor with devastating force.
The winds around them stilled as the blast dissipated, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Jin stood there, breathing heavily, his anger slowly ebbing away. Behind him, Erigor's unconscious body hit the ground with a dull thud.
Jin didn't turn around. He didn't need to. He knew the fight was over.
His fists clenched at his sides, the remnants of his rage simmering beneath the surface.
"Revenge… It's done nothing for me in eight years. It won't do anything for you, either."
With that, Jin allowed himself a moment of quiet, the battle's intensity fading into the background as he took a deep breath. The storm had passed, and with it, the last remnants of Erigor's defiance.
Jin stretched his arms overhead, his muscles still tingling from the intense battle with Erigor. The air around him was thick with the aftermath of their clash, the remnants of shattered rocks and debris scattered across the ground. As his breathing slowed, he let out a long exhale, feeling the tension in his body begin to ease. It felt good, almost too good, to let go after such a fight.
"I should probably head back to Oshibana," Jin muttered to himself, rolling his shoulders. "That tornado's probably gone by now and everybody should be okay. Especially her…"
But before he did, Jin's curiosity got the better of him. Turning around and kneeling beside Erigor, he smirked to himself, amused by the situation.
"You really should get a new hobby," Jin said with a smirk, patting Erigor's shoulder. "This whole 'dark guild' thing isn't working out for you."
He began inspecting Erigor's person, his eyes scanning for anything useful. However, his attention was soon diverted by something that had been nagging at him since the battle ended.
"Where's that scythe of his?" Jin wondered aloud, scanning the area.
His eyes finally landed on the weapon lying amidst the wreckage of the tracks, a few meters away. Curiosity piqued, Jin stood and walked over to the scythe, picking it up with a sense of reverence. He twirled it in his hands, testing its weight and balance, swinging it experimentally through the air. The weapon had a strange appeal, and for a moment, he imagined himself wielding it in battle.
"Never used something like this before," he mused, smiling slightly. "Pretty cool, but not exactly my style."
Setting the scythe aside, Jin's attention was drawn to something small and wooden near Erigor. He squatted down again, this time picking up what looked like a wooden totem. Holding it up to eye level, he inspected the strange item, noting the three-eyed skull carved into one end and the root-like designs at the other.
"What is this thing?" he muttered to himself, examining the totem from different angles. "A skull usually means something bad... but what's with the three eyes?"
Just then, the distant sound of a car engine reached his ears, drawing his attention. Jin glanced over his shoulder, but before he could fully turn around, two voices barked orders from behind him.
"Stay where you are and drop the Lullaby!"
"Hands where we can see them!"
Startled, Jin immediately complied, dropping the totem as his hands shot up in surrender.
"Whoa, whoa, take it easy!" he said, his tone more panicked than he'd intended. He could hear the sound of magic behind him—crackling fire and shimmering ice—both ready to strike. "I'm not part of Eisenwald! I'm here to help, I swear!"
"Stand up, slowly."
Jin did as he was told, his heart racing as he tried to explain.
"Look, I'm not your enemy!" Jin exclaimed, his voice edged with desperation. "I came to Oshibana, saw the tornado, and then Erigor flying away. I headed over here to stop him and... and that's what I did!"
There was a brief, tense silence, followed by the sound of whispered conversations. Jin strained to hear, catching snippets about how they'd heard of him. His heart pounded as he wondered if he'd just made things worse for himself.
A new voice soon spoke up, this one distinctly feminine and commanding, though tinged with weariness.
"Turn around, slowly."
Jin swallowed, nodding even though they couldn't see him, and began to turn around, his hands still raised. As he completed the turn, his eyes widened in surprise at the sight before him. Five figures stood there, all distinct and vibrant in their appearance.
The first was a young man with spiky pink hair and a scarf wrapped around his neck, his fists alight with fire and eyes blazing with intensity. Beside him stood a man with dark hair that exuded a cool air, literally, with ice-blue magic swirling in his hands, though his shirt was conspicuously absent. Behind them stood a woman with blonde hair tied to the side of her head with a look of concern, a keychain hanging from her waist. And there was a small blue cat—a cat?! Said cat had wings and was hovering beside them, looking at Jin with wide, curious eyes.
Then there was the last figure—an armored woman with vibrant red hair, her expression stern yet softened by the fatigue she seemed to carry. She was being supported by the blonde, but his gaze lingered on the redhead, the color of her hair so vivid it took his breath away.
For a moment, all he could do was stare, the crimson igniting a flicker of something vaguely familiar deep within him.
"Red…?" Jin muttered under his breath, almost involuntarily.
"Excuse me?" she asked, her tone more curious than offended.
Jin shook his head quickly, feeling his face heat up with embarrassment. "Sorry, I… uh… thought you were someone else."
His gaze lingered on her a moment longer before shifting to the others, who seemed just as puzzled by his reaction.
The group then exchanged glances, clearly unsure of what to make of him. The dark-haired man whispered something to the pink-haired one, who nodded slightly, his eyes never leaving Jin. Finally, the redhead took a step forward, her expression softening slightly.
"You mentioned you were here to help... Did someone ask you to stop Erigor?"
Jin's head perked up, a spark of realization dawning on him. "I… I think so. I agreed to help a girl stop Erigor. She sounded a lot like… you…?"
The dark-haired man's eyes widened, glancing at the redhead. "Erza, is this actually the guy you were talking about?"
Erza—so that was her name—paused, piecing it together herself with her gaze steady on Jin. The realization was mutual.
"Yes, I think so."
Jin's mind raced as he connected the dots. The girl who had asked for his help, the voice in the chaos—everything pointed to Erza. Pushing his doubts aside, he hesitantly brought up something that had been nagging at him since the fight.
"Wait, Erigor mentioned someone named Titania... That wouldn't happen to be… you, would it?"
The group's attention shifted back to Erza, and she sighed softly, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Yes, that would be me," she confirmed. "And you must be the one who came to my aid back at the station."
The pink-haired young man was the first to break the tension, his eyes wide with excitement. "Wait, so you're the guy who went off to beat Erigor?! What happened to him?!"
A small smirk played on Jin's lips as he stepped aside, revealing Erigor's unconscious form lying on the ground. "See for yourself."
The group's reaction was immediate—shock, followed by a wave of relief and gratitude.
"Wow, you really took him down!" the blonde woman exclaimed, her eyes filled with awe.
The dark-haired man let out a low whistle. "I… guess he did. Not bad, new guy."
The pink-haired man's initial surprise quickly turned into disappointment. "Aw man! I wanted to fight him!"
"Sorry about that," he said, though the apology was laced with amusement. "Guess I got here first."
But his enthusiasm quickly returned as he grinned at Jin. "You must be really strong if you took him down by yourself, though!"
"I… don't know about that," Jin replied, waving off the praise modestly. "I just trained hard, that's all."
Erza, now standing on her own without the blonde's support, stepped forward, her expression softening as she approached Jin.
"You've done more than I could have asked for," she said sincerely. She looked him in the eyes, and Jin was struck by the genuine gratitude he saw there. "Thank you—for helping us, for saving the lives of the guild masters. We owe you a great deal."
Jin's breath hitched, and he felt an unexpected surge of emotion welling up inside him. No one had thanked him like this in… he couldn't even remember how long.
His throat tightened, and before he could stop himself, his eyes welled up with tears. He quickly covered his mouth with one hand, trying to stifle the sob that threatened to escape, but it was no use. The tears came anyway, silent but powerful, and he glanced away in embarrassment by the show of emotion.
"Is he… crying?" the pink-haired man muttered, tilting his head to the side in confusion. "Did we say something bad?"
Erza's expression shifted to concern. "Are you alright?"
Jin hastily wiped away a tear with the back of his hand, nodding as he tried to compose himself.
"Yeah… I'm fine," he said, managing a smile. "It's just… it's been a really, really long time since someone thanked me for anything. So, thank you… for that."
The warmth in Erza's eyes deepened. "You've welcome. What's your name?"
There was a brief, tender silence before Jin straightened up, regaining his composure.
"I'm Jin."
Erza tilted her head, allowing a small smile. "Just Jin?"
"Um… yeah…?" he replied, a little unsure, yet somehow comforted by the simplicity of it. "Just… Jin."
She chuckled softly, finding his response endearing. "I see. Well, Jin, it's an honor to meet you. I'm Erza. Erza Scarlet."
She extended her hand, and Jin hesitated for only a second before taking it. As they shook hands, Jin couldn't help but admire the strength in her grip and the sincerity in her eyes.
"Erza Scarlet…" he repeated, letting the name roll off his tongue. "It has a… nice ring to it. Fitting, too."
Erza raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Fitting?"
Jin's gaze flicked to her hair again, but he quickly looked away in embarrassment. "Yeah, you know... red."
The pink-haired young man stepped forward next, a wide grin on his face. "Heya, Jin! I'm Natsu!"
Jin's ears perked up at his name. "Wait, you're that Natsu Dragneel? The one who destroyed Port Hargeon and had Duke Everlue arrested?"
Natsu puffed out his chest, grinning widely. "That's me! Nice to meet a fan!"
Jin blinked, slightly taken aback by Natsu's nonchalance regarding his destructive tendencies. Still, there was something undeniably positive about his energy, and Jin found himself liking him immediately. However, the realization hit him just then, and he took a step back, eyes widening in awe.
"Wait... are you all from Fairy Tail?"
Natsu beamed. "You betcha!"
Jin looked at each of them in turn, awe creeping into his expression. "This is… quite the coincidence…"
"Hey, Jin. I'm Gray. Thanks for taking care of Erigor," the dark-haired man said, crossing his arms and smiling. "Oh, and, don't worry, I'm not as destructive as flame-brain over there."
"Oh yeah?!" Natsu snapped. "Well, at least I'm not the one who strips in public!"
"Don't bring that up!" Gray yelled, his face reddening as the argument escalated.
The two of them seemed ready to start a quarrel, but Erza cut them off sharply.
"Enough! This is neither the time nor the place!"
Her voice held an edge that made both men immediately straighten up, their bickering cut short.
"Yes, ma'am!" Natsu and Gray said simultaneously, sweat trickling down their foreheads.
Jin couldn't suppress the snicker that escaped his lips, amused by their evident rivalry. But he also realized something important: Erza had a commanding presence within this group, one that even he found a bit intimidating.
The blonde girl stepped forward, as she cheerfully extended her hand. "I'm Lucy! Thanks for helping us out, Jin!"
"Lucy, huh?" Jin repeated, shaking her hand. "Everyone's got some pretty nice names here. But I gotta say, you guys are… interesting."
"I suppose you could say that," Lucy said with a soft smile. "I just joined recently, but it's been amazing so far."
"Well, that's good to hear," Jin replied, warmth spreading in his chest.
"Hey! I'm Happy!" the blue cat chimed in, floating up to Jin's eye level. "Nice to meet you!"
Jin's eyes widened as he stared at the talking, flying cat, an incredulous laugh escaping him. "A flying cat? Seriously?"
Happy puffed up his chest. "Aye!"
Jin opened his mouth to say something, but quickly closed it again, deciding it was best not to question it further. After all, it seemed none of the others found it strange. Instead, he nodded, feeling an odd sense of contentment at being surrounded by such... unique individuals. It was the first time in a long while that he felt something resembling camaraderie, and it warmed him more than he cared to admit.
His attention returned to another person with black hair tied in a spiky ponytail, next to the vehicle that the wizards used to arrive here. To his surprise, he was also shirtless, but his chest was bandaged.
"And you are…?" Jin asked.
"Kageyama, but you can call me Kage," he replied, scratching the back of his head. "I was part of Eisenwald, but… well, let's just say they didn't treat me very well."
"At least you're okay. And you deserve a second chance if what you're saying is true," Jin reassured him, before turning back to the Fairy Tail members. "I'm really glad to meet you all. I've honestly been interested in Fairy Tail ever since I got here, but meeting you guys for real is just… I don't know what to say."
Erza's expression softened. "You don't have to say anything. Just know that you helped us immensely. And in light of that, I'd like to personally invite you to join Fairy Tail."
Jin blinked in disbelief. "Say what?"
Gray chuckled lightly. "You heard her."
Jin furrowed his brow in confusion, taking a moment to process the sudden offer.
"Just like that?"
Erza nodded. "Just like that."
"Really…?" Jin trailed off, still incredulous. "No special ritual or taking up an oath, or something?"
"Nope! Lucy chimed in. "I just happened to meet Natsu during that whole Port Hargeon thing, and he invited me when it was over! When we got to the guild hall, they took me right in! No questions asked!"
"Wait, you were there too?" Jin asked, while Natsu and Happy nodded vigorously..
"Aye!" Happy added cheerfully. "She was with us during the whole thing with Everlue too!"
"Wow, you've all been busy," he remarked, then focused back on Erza. "But… are you sure it's okay to just take in someone like me? I'm just a… a nobody…"
Gray earnestly tapped him on the shoulder. "The hell are you talking about? You're not a nobody. You did us and so many others a huge favor, so if anything, we owe you big time."
"But… I don't want to be a burden…" Jin murmured, feeling a wave of doubt and unworthiness cloud his mind. "And I don't know if I'm gonna fit in…"
Erza's voice cut through his doubt. "Jin, you've already shown us who you are by helping us, regardless of whether you knew I was part of Fairy Tail, and that says a lot about you. You've earned this."
Jin found himself unable to speak for a moment. He had been so used to being alone, so used to the cold, empty silence that had filled his life for the past eight years. But now... now, for the first time in forever, there was a warmth in his chest, a flicker of hope that maybe—just maybe—he had finally found a place where he could belong.
"I… I've been looking for a place to belong for so long," he said softly, the weight of the words heavy with longing.
Natsu clapped his hands together, eyes gleaming. "Then join us! You're gonna have a blast!"
"Just do it, Jin!" Lucy added enthusiastically. "Come with us!"
Jin's eyes darted around at the bright smiles surrounding him. Natsu gave a thumbs up, Lucy nodded encouragingly, and Gray grinned with an air of confidence. His gaze turned to the sky, and he felt a rush of emotion as if he were reaching out to his parents. With a deep breath, he turned his gaze back to them with a sense of finality.
"I'd love to be a part of Fairy Tail."
WIth that, cheers erupted around him. Natsu, Lucy, and Happy shot their fists upward, and Gray clapped him on the back. Even Kage couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"Welcome to the fold, man," Gray said with a smirk. "Hope you can keep up."
Erza placed a hand on his shoulder. "You'll fit right in with us. Welcome to Fairy Tail."
Jin's emotions swelled again, wiping away a stray tear. "Thanks, Erza, all of you. For taking me in."
"Don't mention it," Erza said warmly, retracting her hand and her tone becoming more authoritative. "Now, while we're still here, we should go to the guild masters' conference to report what happened and ask how they should properly dispose of the Lullaby flute."
"Wait, that's a flute?" Jin asked, eyeing the object with disbelief. "That thing does not look like a flute at all!"
The group chuckled, amusement flickering across their faces as they made their preparations to depart for the guild masters' conference across the train tracks.