The final, metallic shudder of the train was an anachronism. A moment later, the lush, living green swallowed the sight and sound of the train, leaving behind only an echoing stillness. The air that rushed into the compartment was impossibly sweet, heavy with the scent of damp earth and blooming jasmine. It was a perfume that belonged to a garden, not a railway stop.
"Wow," Cana breathed, her voice a low murmur. "It's... I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. The air is so thick with life it almost feels like you could eat it."
The station, though decrepit, wasn't explicitly frightening. The empty ticket booth and quiet office simply looked like a small, sleepy town's underutilized stop. A vintage trolley, laden with a few old, moss-kissed trunks, stood as a forgotten relic rather than a sinister omen.
Yume took a deep breath, the air smelling of earth and something floral he couldn't quite place. "It's a little empty, but what do you expect from a remote place?" He slung his backpack over his shoulder, a pragmatic smile on his face. "Besides, the village is a couple of miles up the road. This is just the starting point."
He pointed toward a narrow, winding gravel road that disappeared into a tunnel of overhanging branches and vibrant foliage. At the edge of the platform, a sign, its white paint long since dulled to a grayish cream, read "Everlin Junction." Rust bled down the iron posts, and ivy crept halfway up the frame, as if nature had been patiently swallowing it for decades. The sign, half-obscured by a large, flowering vine, was barely noticeable—a forgotten relic that time had chosen to overlook.
Levy, while still clutching her book, seemed to relax a little. She took a tentative step out of the compartment, her gaze sweeping over the vibrant scenery. "I-I think it's beautiful," she said softly, her usual nervousness giving way to genuine admiration. "The quiet… it's a good kind of quiet. Like the world is holding its breath."
The overwhelming life all around them felt more like an eccentric charm than a threat. The silence, she reasoned, was simply a sign of a truly peaceful place, unburdened by the noise of modern life.
"Alright then," Cana said, her usual cheer returning in full force. "To Serenity Creek!" She took a step toward the path, eager to begin the short trek.
The village of Serenity Creek lay two miles ahead, a seemingly idyllic and peaceful destination. But what secrets does the lush landscape conceal, and how will the friends' perceptions change once they leave the station behind?
A single, black crow watched from a twisted branch, a small spot of death amid the verdant life. It cawed once, and its cry was instantly swallowed by the overwhelming quiet.
***
Journey to the Creek
The two-mile journey to Serenity Creek was a walk through a living tapestry. The gravel path they followed was narrow, forcing the three of them to walk in a single file beneath a canopy of vibrant, overhanging branches. The air grew steadily warmer and wetter, thick with the scent of damp soil and unseen blossoms. Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage in shifting, golden shafts, illuminating dust motes dancing in the heavy air.
Tiny, luminous insects with wings like stained glass flitted between ferns, and the occasional rustle in the undergrowth hinted at unseen creatures. The path wound deeper into the valley, the gentle murmur of a stream growing louder with every step, a constant, soothing rhythm. It was a beautiful walk, peaceful and utterly serene, a quiet prelude that seemed to promise a tranquil destination.
***
They arrived two hours later, their boots scuffing on the cobblestone square that marked the village center. A low mountain range cradled the village, its slopes meticulously covered in tiered rows of coffee plantations. The air was now filled with the rich, earthy fragrance of roasted coffee and the faint, sweet perfume of blossoming trees.
The village itself was a sight to behold. A crystal-clear creek, the source of the ubiquitous, soothing murmur, meandered through the center, feeding a large, ornate fountain.
Small artisan shops made of dark wood and river stone lined the square, and a beautiful arched bridge spanned the widest part of the creek, connecting the main village to a more secluded residential area. The overall layout was a testament to both meticulous planning and natural beauty.
"Wow," Levy said, her eyes wide with genuine awe. "It's exactly like the mission board said. It's so… peaceful."
Cana took a deep breath, her eyes closed in blissful contentment. "And the smell! It's like the air itself is giving you a hug."
As they walked, villagers gave them warm, welcoming smiles, their gazes filled with a quiet hope. They passed a group of children playing near the fountain and a few elders gathered on a bench, their conversation hushed and calm. The atmosphere was one of quiet resilience and a palpable sense of community.
"This is nice," Yume murmured, a rare, relaxed smile on his face. "This is what we're here to protect."
The elder's house, a large two-story building made of the same dark, polished wood and river stone as the shops, sat on a small hill overlooking the entire village. A well-tended garden with rare herbs and magical flora surrounded it, a clear sign of the resident's love for nature.
They approached the front door, the weight of their mission settling in, but tempered by the undeniable beauty of the village.
Yume raised a hand and knocked on the heavy wooden door. The sound echoed for a moment before the door creaked open, revealing the village elder. Rio was a woman with a kind, lined face, her graying hair pulled back in a simple braid. A faint, earthy scent of coffee and fresh soil clung to her. Her eyes, filled with a calm, discerning light, settled on each of them.
"You must be from Fairy Tail," she said, her voice a low, melodic hum. "Welcome to Serenity Creek. Please, come in."
She stepped back, ushering them into a large, comfortable study. The room was filled with bookshelves that stretched from floor to ceiling, and a large, stone fireplace crackled with a low-burning fire. Maps and botanical charts were spread across a long table in the center, all detailing the coffee plantations. The air was heavy with the rich, complex aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
"The Guild Master told me to expect mages of great skill," Rio said, her gaze lingering on them for a moment. "But he also warned me of a certain… reputation for destruction." A faint, wry smile touched her lips. "I take it that's not you three?"
Cana laughed, shaking her head. "We're the responsible ones, ma'am. Our team is usually on missions that don't involve blowing things up."
Rio's smile widened, and a wave of relief seemed to wash over her. "Good. We're glad to have you. The situation is growing more dire by the hour. The blight is spreading, and we're losing our most precious crops." She gestured to a map on the table. "I can tell you everything about the blight, but first… would you care for a cup of coffee?"
The elder's cottage smelled faintly of herbs, roasted grains, and something sweetly bitter that lingered like a half-remembered dream. Bundles of dried lavender and sage dangled from the rafters, and a small kettle hissed gently over the fire.
Rio returned a few minutes later, holding a tray with three steaming mugs. The aroma that followed her was intoxicating—a complex blend of dark chocolate, cinnamon, and a hint of wild berries. "Our village's special blend," she said, her smile gentle. "Brewed with the enchanted beans from the oldest part of our plantation."
The team raised their cups in polite thanks.
Cana was the first to take a sip. Her eyes blazed with sudden revelation. "Oh—OH MERLIN'S MUG THIS IS DIVINE!" she cried, slamming her empty cup on the table with enough force to make the herbs tremble. "Elder, with all due respect, you might have just changed the course of my life. Forget wine, forget ale—THIS IS MY FUTURE."
Levy groaned, already bracing herself for Cana's theatrics. "Here we go…" she mumbled into her own cup, taking a cautious sip. Instantly, a peaceful warmth flowed through her, clearing her mind and sharpening her senses. "Wow," she whispered, a gentle smile on her lips. "It's so… calming. I can feel the magic in it."
Cana, meanwhile, had snatched another mug, cradling it as if it were a precious jewel, eyes rolling back in pure bliss. "Oh. My. Mavis," she moaned, her voice a blend of ecstasy and reverence. "This isn't coffee. This is a blessing in a cup!"
Yume didn't blink at Cana's antics; instead, he calmly nudged her cup out of reach before she could lunge for a refill. "Moderation," he said simply, but took a single sip himself. The taste was rich and vibrant, its quiet magic settling over him like a gentle breeze. His gaze swept to Rio, appraising the elder with calm pragmatism.
"But it's so smooth! So dark! So—so enchanting!" Cana whined, stretching across the table like a desperate addict.
Elder Rio watched the chaos unfold, eyes twinkling with gentle humor as she let their appreciation linger. She nodded to Levy and Yume. "It's the natural enchantment of these beans. Their magic helps settle the mind and focus the spirit—just the brew our village needs most."
She allowed the peace and praise to drift through the room for a moment, before her expression grew more serious. "You'll have your fill soon enough, child," she assured Cana, "but first… let me explain the reason you've been called here."
Levy straightened, setting her cup down with care. "Right — the request."
The elder folded her hands, her tone still kind but weighted now: "Our village thrives because of one thing: coffee. Not just any coffee, but beans imbued with gentle enchantments, grown only in our soil, under our moonlight. A gift, some say, from the valley itself."
Yume's eyes narrowed minutely, already analyzing possible sources of contamination. "Magic as an agricultural trait," he murmured, half to himself.
"But lately," Rio continued, "our crops are failing. Entire groves wither overnight. Others show strange, unnatural burns as if scorched from within. We've found no cause, no trace of pests or blight. Worse—every attempt to brew from what little remains results in bitterness, as though the magic itself has turned against us."
Levy frowned, brain shifting gears. "The burns—did they appear suddenly, or do they spread from a single point? It could be magical interference, or even a curse pattern if the effects radiate outward."
Rio regarded Levy with keen appreciation. "Your insight is why the Guild sent you. The burns are erratic so far, but any expertise can help us unravel the cause."
The fire popped in the hearth. Outside, faint laughter drifted in from the streets, oddly at odds with the elder's somber words.
"So you want us to find out who's behind it," Yume said plainly, meeting Rio's gaze.
She nodded. "Investigate, protect the crops, and stop whatever force is at work. We call it—" she smiled faintly, "—the Great Coffee Crisis."
Cana gasped so loudly she nearly inhaled her own hair. "SABOTAGE?! On coffee?! This is a war crime!" She stood up, fists shaking in theatrical rage. "Point me to the villain and I will personally—"
Levy caught her sleeve and tugged her down before she could overturn the kettle. "You'll do no such thing until we understand what we're dealing with."
Yume calmly reached for his cup, sipping without a change in expression. "…But she's not entirely wrong. Someone is declaring war on your livelihood."
Cana jabbed a finger in his direction. "See?! Yume gets it!"
Levy rolled her eyes. "He's not encouraging you, Cana, he's just stating facts."
The elder smiled, clearly entertained despite the dire situation. "Then it is settled. The three of you will investigate the mystery of Serenity Creek's failing beans. May the spirits of the valley guide you."
Cana clasped her cup dramatically. "Don't worry, Elder. If there's one thing I'll never allow… it's a world without coffee."
Rio regarded her fondly, then looked at Yume and Levy, her gaze thoughtful. "Perhaps this mission is about more than coffee, but about finding balance between passion and control. Something, I suspect, you all understand quite well."
Yume and Levy shared a knowing look over Cana's head, silently agreeing: this mission was going to be anything but ordinary.
End of chapter.
Author's note: I have recently got a job. So, the updates will be slower don't worry i an not dropping the story.
Please try to understand 🥺.