Chapter 1 – Fall and Rebirth
They had won.
The Demon God King was gone. The final battle was over.
And peace, for the first time in three thousand years, returned to the world.
Humans, demons, fairies, goddesses, and giants—races that had spent centuries at war—stood under the same sky without drawing weapons. The price had been unbearable. But it was done.
Meliodas stood quietly, staring into the distance. His younger brother, Zeldris, was already gone.
They had no more words left to exchange.
Elizabeth spoke first."They're gone."
Silence followed.
None of the Sins smiled.
The only thing still burning was the sunset.
"Don't make those faces," Escanor said casually, trying to keep that familiar grin on his face. "Everyone's still waiting."
But he was trembling.
King lowered his head."Then stop standing there and move, idiot. Let's go back."
Diane stayed silent. Her shoulders were shaking.
Nobody dared look Escanor in the eyes. The way the light hit him, it was like looking at the sun one last time.
Meliodas turned toward him.
Escanor's voice was calm."I don't think I can keep going. I'm sorry."
His hand dropped to his side."Captain… let me rest. Just this once."
His body was breaking down. The power of the sun, his gift, his curse, had burned through the last of him. It was too late to stop it.
"I'm glad I met all of you," he said. "Really."
He looked at each of them in turn.
"Diane, King… Sorry, I won't be at your wedding.""Gowther, I enjoyed our talks.""Mael, thanks… for lending me your strength.""Elizabeth, please tell His Majesty and the Holy Knights… thank you.""Ban, don't drink too much.""Captain… you've always been the best brother I never had."
Then he turned to Merlin.
His voice dropped.
"Miss Merlin… I've always loved you.""I know what you carry. I've known for a long time. I didn't care. I never did."
She stepped forward and kissed him.
The heat of his body seared her cheek.
She didn't flinch.
"Why?" he asked.
She gave a soft smile."So your love will leave a mark on me. Even now."
Meliodas didn't try to stop him."We'll be here until the end."
Escanor's body ignited.
His tears evaporated instantly, but they kept falling.
The light around him turned white-hot.
"Goodbye… my family."
His voice was steady."If there's another life, I want to be born as someone strong enough to protect you all."
His flame faded.
That was the end of Escanor, the Lion's Sin of Pride.
None of them noticed the golden streak that slipped quietly into the sky. The Grace of the Sun, no longer bound to a body, had left that world behind.
Somewhere far away… It was searching for a new host.
Fiore Years Later
The Fairy Tail guild was loud. Noisier than usual. But today, it wasn't from celebration.
There was tension in the air.
In the guild's dormitory, a woman was in labor.
Her name had been forgotten by most, but she used to be a Fairy Tail mage. Her husband, Ivan Dreyar, had betrayed the guild in search of forbidden power. She never forgave him.
She chose to raise the child alone.
Makarov, Guild Master and father of Ivan, had begged her to reconsider. But she was determined.
Outside the room, Makarov paced nervously. Beside him, a small blond boy sat on a bench, eyes wide with worry.
"Is Mom okay?""Is it going to hurt?"
Inside, the woman screamed once more.
Then silence.
The door creaked open. Porlyusica stepped out.
"Well?" Makarov asked.
She sighed."Go in. There's still time."
The room was quiet. A pale woman lay on the bed, exhausted. Beside her, a newborn.
Makarov stepped in. So did the boy.
The woman spoke first. Her voice was soft."Father… Can I ask one thing?"
He nodded."Anything."
"Take care of them. Please. I won't be here long."
Makarov's expression twisted. He held back tears.
"Even if you didn't ask, I would've done it.""They're my family too."
She looked at the boy.
"Laxus, come here."
He walked over. She smiled.
"Listen to Grandpa. Be good to your brother. Even if you're not strong or smart, it doesn't matter. Just stay healthy. Can you promise me that?"
He nodded.
"I promise."
She turned to the baby. With the last of her strength, she lifted him to her chest. He latched on instinctively.
Makarov looked away.
"Your name is Escanor Dreyar," she whispered."Even without me, you'll have family. A real one. People who'll love you."
"Eat well. Wash behind your ears. Don't waste money. Learn magic one day. Or don't. Just be happy."
Her eyes fluttered closed.
"Mommy will always love you…"
And she was gone.
It rained the next day.
The guild gathered behind the mountain, in silence.
Makarov held the infant tightly in his arms.
And then… the baby opened his eyes.
What he saw stunned him.
Those weren't a newborn's eyes.
They were far too clear. Too aware. Like they had seen war. Loss. Fire.
Because they had.
This wasn't just any child.
It was Escanor.
His soul had traveled across worlds, fused with the Grace itself, and found a new body.
There was no mistaking it.
"This world has magic too, huh…""Alright then. If I've got another shot…""…I'll live differently this time."
Without warning, golden light surged from his body.
A pulse of magic flooded the graveyard.
Makarov reacted instantly.
"Three God Pillars Modified!"
A soft aura wrapped around the baby, sealing the surge before it could harm him or the people nearby.
The magic faded.
Escanor, reborn, closed his eyes.
He fell asleep.
The guild was speechless.
Makarov didn't say anything.
He just turned around, still holding the child.
"We'll talk about it inside."