The sun, with the irritating punctuality of a cosmic tax collector, had barely deigned to paint the sky with its sleepy hues of orange and pink when we began preparations for our departure. The last four days in Hilda's welcoming, noisy tavern, "The Drunken Squid," had been an unexpected, deeply needed refuge – enough time for Erza's more serious injuries to heal considerably, leaving behind only the cruel scar and the painful absence of her right eye, a constant reminder of the brutality we had faced. But, even with that indelible mark, there was a new light in her one good eye, a resilience that surprised me and, I admit, inspired me in a strange way.
"I cannot, under any circumstances, let my two brave little adventurers depart on an entirely empty stomach with the prospect of questionable road food!" Hilda insisted with the firmness of a mother bear protecting her cubs, handing us a large, heavy parcel, carefully wrapped in a clean linen cloth. "There's fresh bread in here, still warm from the oven, the kind only I know how to make, and a good portion of smoked dried meat that, if rationed with a modicum of common sense, will last the entire journey to Magnolia. And some ginger biscuits, because no journey is complete without biscuits."
The delicious, comforting aroma of freshly baked bread, mixed with the smoky, spicy scent of dried meat, was absolutely tempting, making my own stomach rumble in anticipation. I noticed Erza deeply inhaling the delightful perfume, a small, almost imperceptible smile of pure happiness forming on her lips. Small things, great joys.
"Hilda-san…" Erza began, her voice slightly choked with emotion and gratitude, her eyes fixed on the stout, enormous-hearted woman who had taken us in without asking questions. "I… we… thank you so, so much for absolutely everything. For the food, the room, the clothes… for your kindness." Tears glistened in her one good eye, but they were tears of gratitude, not sadness.
"Why, no need to thank me, my dear little scarlet flower," Hilda replied with a warm smile, gently stroking Erza's rebellious red hair with a tenderness that made me feel a strange tightness in my chest. "Just promise this old publican that you'll follow your dreams with all the strength of your heart, just as my dear Lena did when she set off to adventure around the world."
"We solemnly promise to make good use of your generosity and not cause too much trouble on the way, Hilda-san," I added, with a slight, respectful nod of my head. Genuine kindness was still something that disarmed me, even after so many aeons.
Whilst Erza said her goodbyes with a tight, slightly awkward hug for Hilda, a hug that seemed to carry all the gratitude and affection she couldn't express in words, I once more mentally consulted the rudimentary map Eos had patiently marked with approximate coordinates and possible routes to the city of Magnolia.
[The route from here appears to be relatively straightforward, Azra'il. Following the main road northwards, and avoiding suspicious detours through dark forests and ominous mountains, we should, theoretically, reach Magnolia in a few days of steady walking. Unless, of course, we are intercepted by bandits, hungry monsters, or a travelling circus of particularly bad performers.] Eos's practicality was, at times, comforting.
(Yes, seems doable. And from what I heard from the loudest, least discreet travellers in the tavern, it's a relatively safe route, with a few villages and stopping posts along the way. Which is always good, considering our tendency to attract trouble.)
"Remember, my dears," Hilda warned us, her motherly eyes now serious and filled with genuine concern, as she accompanied us to the tavern door. "After you pass through the forest and reach the Broken Oak crossroads – a huge old tree that was struck by lightning many years ago – follow the main road that goes to the right. The left path may seem a shorter, more tempting shortcut, but it's territory infested with cruel bandits with a terrible sense of hygiene. Many unwary travellers have been lost there." Valuable information, no doubt.
"Understood, Hilda-san. Right at the Broken Oak. Noted in indelible ink in my memory," I confirmed with a nod, whilst discreetly having Eos record the information on our internal maps. "Shall we, Erza? Does grand adventure await? Or, at least, a long and tiring walk."
The small, stubborn redhead adjusted her improvised travel bundle on her small but surprisingly strong shoulder and nodded with a determination that shone brightly in her one good eye. "Yes! Let's go!"
We began our walk along the dusty road leading out of the quiet village of Lovewood, leaving behind the aroma of fresh bread and the promise of safety. The morning sun, still low on the horizon, painted the sky in soft, hopeful shades of pink and gold. Every now and then, Erza would look back over her shoulder, waving with a mixture of sadness and gratitude at Hilda, who remained standing in the tavern doorway, waving back with a handkerchief in her hand, until her stout, motherly figure became just a small dot in the distance and finally disappeared from our sight.
"Azra'il," Erza called after a while of silent walking, her voice a little thoughtful and hesitant. "Do… do you think they'll really accept us at Fairy Tail? I mean, after everything… with my magic… and with my eye…"
"I don't think so, Erza. I'm absolutely sure of it," I replied with a conviction that surprised even myself. It was strange, this feeling of optimism regarding strangers. "From what we heard from all those stories in the tavern, and from Gramps Rob's words, Fairy Tail is more than just a mages' guild. It's a family. And real families welcome all who wish to join, who need a home, no matter their past, their scars, or their… peculiarities." I cast a meaningful glance at her, with a small smile.
[And knowing the resilience, strength, and stubbornness of our little scarlet warrior, I have not the slightest doubt that, in a short time, she will not only be accepted but will also become one of the strongest, most respected, and probably most destructive mages in the entire guild! I foresee many material damage reports in her future.] There was a tone of almost fatherly pride in Eos's voice, which was profoundly unsettling and hilarious at the same time.
A luminous, radiant, absolutely contagious smile appeared on Erza's face upon hearing my words and, probably, upon sensing the confidence I placed in her. She quickened her pace with renewed energy, almost skipping along the dusty road like a newly freed foal. "Then let's go! As quickly as possible! I can't wait to see Magnolia and find Fairy Tail!"
I smiled, a genuine, perhaps even slightly amused smile, matching her youthful enthusiasm and sudden haste. The road before us snaked lazily through verdant, fertile fields, dotted with colourful wildflowers. In the far distance, one could see the majestic outline of bluish mountains, their silhouettes cut against the clear morning sky. Somewhere beyond that uncertain but promising horizon lay the city of Magnolia – and with it, the hope of a new beginning, of a true home, for brave little Erza Scarlet.
(May this, by all forgotten gods and all bored demons of the universe, be the last, definitive time she needs to start her life from scratch,) I thought, with a seriousness and intensity that surprised me, observing the small, determined figure, her red hair flying in the wind, who walked a few steps ahead of me, almost running in her eagerness.
[It will be, Azra'il. I have a good feeling about this. This time, she will find a true home. And perhaps, just perhaps, you too will find something akin to a… temporary purpose.] Eos's voice was soft, almost gentle. Irritating.
And so, with hearts full of a mixture of hope, anxiety, and the hunger brought on by the delicious smell of Hilda's bread, we left the quiet, welcoming village of Lovewood behind, carrying with us not only provisions for the body, but also the silent promise of a better future, of a new family, in the legendary, probably chaotic mages' guild known as Fairy Tail. The adventure, whether I liked it or not, was only, inevitably, beginning. And, to my utter, absolute surprise, and perhaps a little embarrassment, I wasn't entirely, completely bored with the idea. Just… curious. Which, for an ancient, jaded being like myself, was already a significant, highly worrying development.
-----------------(*)-----------------
"So," I began, with a carefully neutral tone that hid my real interest, as we walked side by side along the dusty road, which seemed to stretch endlessly under the afternoon sun. My eyes were fixed on the small, rather rusty dagger Erza had just materialised in her hand with a subtle but distinct glint of magical energy. It was the first time I had seen her use her Requip magic so consciously, so controlled, since the chaotic, destructive awakening in the Tower of Heaven. Remarkable progress for a self-taught practitioner.
"This thing you do… it's like a sort of personal, invisible dimensional storage space, correct? You, somehow, manage to store your weapons and, eventually, your armours in there, in this… 'magic pocket' of yours, and can call them back at will when you need them?" My voice was calm, analytical, but there was genuine curiosity in my words. Storage magics were common in many worlds, but each had its peculiarities, its rules, its limitations. And Erza's, considering her spontaneous awakening, was particularly intriguing.
"Yes! That's more or less it!" Erza replied excitedly, her one good eye shining with a contagious intensity and pride as she spoke of her newly discovered, still somewhat mysterious magic. She twirled the dagger with surprising skill and confidence for a beginner, the blade reflecting the sun's rays. "When my power suddenly awakened back in the Tower, during all that commotion, I didn't understand at all how it worked. It was just… pure instinct. Anger and despair. But these last few days in Lovewood, whilst I was training alone behind the tavern, hidden from Hilda-san so as not to frighten her, I started to understand it a bit better. It's as if I have a small, secret, invisible cupboard just for me, where I can keep my things. The more I practise, the easier and faster it gets to store and retrieve the weapons. And I feel, deep down, like a promise, that one day, with lots and lots of training and determination, I'll be able to store and use entire suits of armour! Just imagine, Azra'il!" Her confidence and enthusiasm were admirable. And, I confess, a little frightening, considering the destructive potential of that little redhead.
[Interesting… a form of dimensional storage magic, apparently with an intrinsic focus on armaments and combat equipment. It's not, in its fundamental essence and basic principles, too dissimilar from your own vast system inventory, Azra'il, is it? Only hers is, shall we say, a bit more… specialised, thematic, and probably considerably less prone to containing random, bizarre, utterly useless items that you, in your infinite wisdom and with your peculiar taste, have accumulated over the aeons and refuse to throw away,] Eos commented in my mind, with her usual tone of analytical superiority and a hint of mockery regarding my cosmic hoarding tendencies.
(True, my dear, overly critical AI with an organisational obsession and a clear disdain for my precious relics. The fundamental concept is similar, although mine is, let's be fair, considerably more versatile, flexible, with an infinitely superior storage capacity, and, most importantly, with a much more efficient search option,) I reflected mentally, thinking with a certain, undisguised fondness of all manner of rare trinkets, priceless treasures, dangerous artefacts, and potentially apocalyptic items I kept carefully, secretly stored in my own small, convenient pocket dimension – from mountains of gold coins from different, forgotten worlds and rare jewels with mystical powers and interesting side effects, to vast, exotic collections of rare herbs for all sorts of potions, magical elixirs with properties that defied logic and physics, and a truly impressive, possibly illegal variety of combat equipment, survival tools, and, occasionally, some elaborate, entirely convincing disguises for delicate social situations.
The only, irritating limitation, as always, was the inability to store anything living or remotely sane in there. Which was a real shame, because sometimes it would be incredibly useful to be able to store an animal for a future fresh, tasty snack, or perhaps a particularly irritating enemy for a future interrogation.
"And can you, for example, switch weapons quickly in the heat of a fight, as a true, experienced master of arms would?" I asked, my curiosity genuinely piqued about the practical potential and current limitations of that unique, intrinsically powerful magic. Understanding her capabilities was crucial, both for her development and for our mutual safety.
"Not very well yet, to be honest," Erza admitted with a small, adorable frown of frustration, making the dagger vanish from her hand with another subtle glint of magical energy, as if it were being swallowed by an invisible slit in the air. "It still takes a few precious seconds, which could be fatal in a battle, for me to concentrate and make the switch. And I can only keep a few small things stored in there for now. It's as if my magic 'cupboard' is still very small, cramped, and a bit disorganised. But I'm going to train hard, every day, without rest! And one day, Azra'il, I'll be as fast, as strong, and as skilled as those legendary magic knights from the wonderful stories Gramps Rob used to tell us!" Her determination was fierce, unshakeable, and, I must admit, incredibly inspiring. That little redhead had fire in her soul. Literally, at times.
She stopped talking suddenly, her brown eye widening and fixed on some point in the distant horizon. Following her gaze with growing curiosity, I saw the first, still indistinct, outlines of a large city emerging in the distance, like a mirage in the afternoon heat – red and gold rooftops, slender towers that seemed to scrape the blue sky, and an imposing, majestic structure that stood out in the centre of it all, probably Magnolia's famous cathedral. We were close.
"Azra'il, look! Look there!" Erza exclaimed, her voice choked with emotion and disbelief, grabbing my hand with surprising strength and almost childlike excitement. "It's Magnolia! We… we finally made it! Magnolia!"
Before I could even formulate a minimally witty or sarcastic reply, she was already enthusiastically pulling me along the dusty road, her previously tired steps now light, agile, and hurried, practically running towards the city that represented all her hopes and dreams.
"Hold on, hold on, you little, hasty scarlet locomotive," I laughed, letting myself be dragged along by her contagious enthusiasm and renewed energy. Trying to resist would be futile and, frankly, less fun. "The city isn't going to run away just because we're taking a bit longer, you know."
"But the faster we get there, the faster we find Fairy Tail! And the faster I can start training and get stronger!" she replied without slowing her pace for a second, her red hair flying wildly in the wind like a living flame, her eye fixed on the approaching city.
[Look at her… Pure, crystalline eagerness and excitement. I can hardly wait to see the look on this little, impatient warrior's face when she finally finds the legendary, probably chaotic, Fairy Tail guildhall! It'll be priceless. And I'll be here to record every moment.] The amusement in Eos's voice was almost palpable.
The city of Magnolia grew in our field of vision with every hurried step, its buildings and details becoming sharper, more vibrant, more real. The wide, winding river that cut through the city like a silver ribbon shone brightly under the afternoon sun, and small, colourful boats sailed tranquilly along its calm waters, transporting goods and people. The city walls, unlike those of the Tower of Heaven, seemed more decorative than defensive, built of pale stone and covered with verdant ivy and brightly coloured climbing flowers. It was a city that invited entry, not repelled it.
"They say the Fairy Tail guildhall is very close to the city centre, near the cathedral," I commented, remembering the conversations and gossip we had patiently listened to in Hilda's tavern.
"Then that's exactly where we're going! No detours!" Erza declared with a determination that brooked no argument, her small hand still holding mine with surprising strength.
As we approached the city's large, imposing gates, which were open and inviting, I couldn't help but smile at the pure, genuine, almost childlike joy etched on Erza's face. Her eyes shone with an intensity that rivalled the sun, and a radiant smile didn't leave her lips. After everything she had been through, after so much pain, so much fear, so much loss, she was finally arriving at the place that, hopefully, could become her true home, her true family.
[And so, as in all good fairy tales and adventure stories, a new, exciting chapter begins in her life… and, by extension, in yours too, Azra'il.]
(Yes, Eos. So it seems,) I agreed silently, as a strange, unexpected feeling of… hope? warmed in my chest. (And this time, my dear, cynical AI, I truly hope, from the bottom of my ancient, dusty soul, that it will be a much, much happier story, with considerably fewer dismemberments and tortures.)
We passed through the imposing gates of Magnolia, and Erza, who until then had been enthusiastically pulling me along, suddenly stopped and let go of my hand, her previously radiant countenance now tinged with a sudden, understandable seriousness. She walked beside me, trying, with almost comical effort, to appear more serious, more mature, but her bright, curious brown eye betrayed her facade, absorbing every new, exciting detail of that vibrant, unfamiliar city.
The city was, indeed, much larger, noisier, and more… alive than any place she, or even I in this incarnation, had ever visited before, with tall, colourful buildings, wide, bustling streets filled with a heterogeneous crowd, and a contagious energy hanging in the air.
"Look at that huge, imposing building, Azra'il," she commented in a low voice, pointing with a hesitant finger towards a large, impressive stone structure with a clock tower on top. "It must be somewhere very important, like a castle or the king's palace!"
"Hmm, from the architecture and the constant flow of people entering and leaving with luggage, I'd say it must be the city's central railway station," I explained, recognising the typical architecture of large stations I had seen in other worlds and other lives. "Magnolia, from what I've heard, is an important commercial hub and a meeting point for travellers from all over the continent, so it makes sense they'd have such a large, efficient structure to receive all these visitors and their goods."
As we delved deeper into the city, following the flow of the crowd through the wide, well-paved streets, Erza seemed to analyse everything around her with an attentive, inquisitive gaze, but her expression was a curious mixture of almost adult seriousness and a childlike excitement she could barely contain. It was adorable.
"It's all so… so different from Raven's End, isn't it?" I commented, more to myself than to her, observing the stark contrast between Magnolia's vibrant, colourful atmosphere and the gloomy, decadent darkness of my hometown, a place that seemed permanently stuck in a cold, rainy night. "Here everything seems so… so alive, so full of energy and… hope."
[Yes, Azra'il. Raven's End, with its dark alleyways, ruined buildings, and atmosphere of perpetual hopelessness, was undeniably gloomy, oppressive, and decadent. Magnolia, on the other hand, seems to overflow with life, colour, prosperity, and an almost palpable joy. It's almost like directly comparing that particularly depressing life of yours in Gotham City with that other, surprisingly optimistic city, Metropolis. Quite a change of scenery.] Eos's comparison, though drawn from other lives of mine unknown to Erza, was surprisingly accurate.
(Exactly, my dear Eos. You understand me,) I agreed mentally, with a small smile. (Even the smell in the air is completely different – here it's a pleasant mixture of flowers, fresh food, exotic spices, and perhaps a bit of magic in the air. None of that characteristic Raven's End odour, which was a nauseating combination of sour vomit, rat piss, and the existential despair of its inhabitants.) A significant improvement, no doubt.
Erza kept a firm, confident pace beside me, her brown eye avidly scanning the bustling streets, colourful shops, and impressive buildings with a captivating mixture of childlike curiosity and hard-won caution.
"It's so… so big, Azra'il," she murmured, her voice laden with an almost reverent emotion, her lips finally curving into a small, genuine smile of admiration. "And so… so beautiful. It's nothing, absolutely nothing, like the Tower of Heaven. Or any other place I've ever seen."
[No, it most definitely is not. This city, with its light, its colour, and its apparent normality, is the complete, absolute opposite of everything she has known so far in her short, tragic life. It's almost… shocking in its normality.]
"It's a new beginning for you, Erza," I said softly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder and squeezing it lightly. "A place where you can, finally, try to live in peace, be just a child, and, who knows, find the happiness you so richly deserve."
She looked at me, her one good eye shining with an intensity that reflected a complex mixture of newfound determination, contained excitement, and a silent gratitude that warmed me inside in an unexpected way. "Then let's find this Fairy Tail place quickly, Azra'il! I can't wait any longer!"
Nodding with a small, amused smile, we resumed our walk, following the somewhat vague directions we had received at the tavern and, occasionally, asking a friendly-looking passer-by. As we approached what seemed to be the city centre, the hustle and bustle, the noise, and the vibrant energy seemed to increase exponentially with every corner. Shops of all kinds, from magical trinkets to the latest fashions, restaurants with pavement tables exuding delicious aromas, open-air markets with exotic goods, and talented street performers – Magnolia truly seemed to overflow with life, activity, and a contagious joy. It was a place that seemed to pulse with magic and possibilities.
"Look, Azra'il! There! At the top of that hill!" Erza suddenly pointed with a trembling, excited finger towards an enormous, imposing white stone cathedral majestically rising atop a verdant hill, dominating the city's landscape. "Gramps Rob said the Fairy Tail guildhall was near the cathedral! That must be where the guild is!" Her voice was full of an almost feverish anticipation.
[Well, if the Fairy Tail guildhall is as visually impressive and architecturally imposing as that magnificent cathedral, it's no wonder they have such fame and respect throughout the continent. Or perhaps they just have a brilliant decorator and an unlimited budget for renovations.] Eos's practicality was, as always, impeccable.
"Only one way to find out, isn't there?" I replied, feeling a small, unexpected wave of excitement infect me too, as I quickened my pace beside Erza, who was now almost running in her eagerness.
Finally, after climbing a wide, winding street, we reached a large, bustling square, filled with people, food stalls, and the sound of music and laughter. And there, right before us, rising majestically against the clear blue afternoon sky, was it: the infamous, legendary, apparently indestructible Fairy Tail Guildhall. Its unique, somewhat chaotic, vibrantly colourful architecture perfectly reflected, I imagined, the eccentric, noisy, life-filled nature of the guild it housed.
The building was an imposing, rather bizarre structure, dominated by a bright, red-tiled roof with several gables, and a tall, golden central tower that seemed to shine with its own light under the afternoon sun. Numerous round, oval, strangely shaped windows, like curious eyes, and decorative, somewhat exaggerated arches adorned the stone and wooden walls, whilst magical emblems and symbols of all kinds were displayed with almost childlike pride everywhere.
The main entrance was a particularly impressive, inviting structure, with large, heavy, dark wooden double doors, richly carved with what looked like mythical creatures and battle scenes, and an intricate, slightly crooked archway just above, where the guild's symbol – a stylised fairy with a tail – fluttered proudly. Colourful flags – green, red, yellow, and white, the traditional colours of Fairy Tail – waved cheerfully in the strong breeze blowing from the river, lending an air of grandeur, celebration, and a promise of endless adventures to the already peculiar building.
"Look at the size of this place, Azra'il…" Erza murmured, almost breathlessly, her one good eye wide in pure, absolute astonishment at the scale and eccentricity of the building. She looked like a child in a sweet shop for the first time. "It must be… it must be a very, very powerful and important guild."
I nodded slowly in agreement, my own eyes scanning the unusual structure of the building with genuine interest. It was no wonder, considering the place's appearance, that Fairy Tail had such a… peculiar and memorable reputation. "A structure of this size and with so much… character, must surely house many equally interesting members with a great deal of character," I commented, trying to imagine the sort of organised chaos and frenetic activity that must go on inside.
Erza nodded, her expression a curious mixture of understandable apprehension and an almost feverish enthusiasm that made her vibrate on the spot. "Will… will they really accept me here, Azra'il? Even after everything?" There was a vulnerability in her voice that made me want to protect her even more.
I placed a comforting hand on her small but firm shoulder and gave her my most encouraging, hopefully least maniacal, smile. "Of course they will, Erza Scarlet. I haven't the slightest doubt. You are an incredibly strong, brave mage with an enormous heart, even if you try to hide it. And Fairy Tail, from what everyone says, is known for welcoming all who knock on its door with a sincere heart and a desire to belong. They are a family. And families don't judge you by your past."
She took a few deep breaths, as if gathering all her courage, her one good eye shining with a new, fierce determination. It looked as if she were mentally preparing for a battle. And, in a way, that's exactly what it was. A battle for a new beginning. Then, with a final, quick, almost desperate glance at me, as if seeking one last confirmation, she pushed open the heavy, carved wooden doors with both hands, which swung open with a loud, inviting creak, and stepped with hesitant but determined strides into the noisy, vibrant interior of the legendary Fairy Tail Guild.
The main hall of Fairy Tail was even vaster, more chaotic, and brighter than I had imagined, with an incredibly high vaulted ceiling, supported by thick, dark wooden beams, and enormous rustic chandeliers made of iron and the horns of some unknown creature hanging from above, casting a warm, flickering light over the scene. Countless solid wooden tables and benches, many of them bearing battle scars and spilt ale stains, were scattered apparently at random throughout the vast hall, and dozens of mages of all ages, races, and bizarre appearances chatted, laughed loudly, argued heatedly, drank from enormous tankards, and moved about the place with a contagious energy and a total lack of ceremony. It was glorious pandemonium.
"Look at that huge bar in the corner, Azra'il!" Erza exclaimed, her eye shining with childlike excitement, pointing to a dark, polished wooden counter that took up almost an entire wall, and which was crammed with bottles of all shapes and colours. "And those enormous stairs at the back, where do you think they lead? Do you reckon they have rooms upstairs?" Her curiosity was insatiable.
I smiled, genuinely amused and a little infected by her pure, innocent excitement, as she absorbed every new, exciting detail of that noisy, extraordinary place. Fairy Tail was, indeed, an impressive, unique place – an unlikely mixture of architectural grandeur, organised chaos, and a warm, almost palpable welcome that seemed to perfectly reflect the eccentric, noisy, life-filled nature of the guild and its members.
[Definitely, Azra'il. This is, without the slightest shadow of a doubt, the perfect, tailor-made home for our little, stubborn, now officially named red-haired warrior. She'll fit in here like a glove… or like a sword in a scabbard made of chaos and friendship.] There was an almost smug satisfaction in Eos's voice.
(Yes, Eos. I think you're right, for the first time in a long while,) I agreed mentally, with a small smile she couldn't see, but could certainly infer. (It's exactly here, in this nest of noisy lunatics with enormous hearts, that she truly belongs.)
Erza turned to me suddenly, her small, dirty face lit by a smile so radiant and full of hope it almost blinded me. "Come on, Azra'il! Let's go! Let's really get to know Fairy Tail!"
And with renewed determination and contagious joy, she crossed the noisy, chaotic hall like a small red hurricane, enthusiastically pulling me by the hand along with her, towards what, I sincerely hoped, would be the beginning of a new, exciting, and, above all, much happier journey for both of us. Or, at the very least, an inexhaustible source of entertainment and interesting problems. Either way, I wasn't complaining. Yet.