The infirmary was quiet, save for the faint rustle of curtains swaying against the open window.
Porlyusica had left not long ago, leaving behind the faint scent of herbs and medicine.
"…What happens now?" Laxus asked, his voice low but heavy with weight.
Hearing his grandson's words, the old man's heart ached. However, not a single muscle move and he didn't give an answer. He simply stood there, staring at his grandson in silence. The pause dragged on, his eyes shadowed with emotions unspoken, his lips pressed tight.
"A guild… is more than a collection of mages. It is a home. A place where friends gather, where wizards find purpose, and where children who have no family can finally belong."
He stepped forward, moving to the window as he stood by it face to face, turning his back on Laxus.
"For a guild to survive, it must be built on loyalty and trust. Without them, there can be no bonds. And without bonds, Fairy Tail would fall apart."
"Your actions… showed neither loyalty nor trust. You endangered your comrades. You put innocent lives at risk. And that" his voice cracked for a moment before hardening again. "That is unforgivable."
The room fell silent again as the words lingered in the air for Laxus to understand as he looked down at the floor, his jaw tightening while his hands tightened into fists until his knuckles turned white. His breath came slow, heavy, as if each word cost him more than a fight ever could.
"…I understand." His head lowered, blond hair shadowing his eyes. Then, almost trembling, he muttered, "I'm sorry… Master."
For the first time in years. The word master left Laxus' mouth. Makarov, reacted visibly at this as he gave his grandson a quick glance before turning his face back to the window as he stared outside to the view of Magnolia.
Then, for a long moment, nothing followed. Only the silence of the infirmary.
As this silence unfold, Laxus received the time to think. To actually reflect on his actions and behaviors. His thoughts, beliefs and goals. He had a quick review of it all as memories flashed in his mind.
He remembered the days as a boy, standing in the shadow of his grandfather, hearing the whispers and laughter of outsiders.
"He's probably only popular because of his grandfather."
"Fairy Tail's spoiled grandson."
Then, always beside that memory, the image of another boy. However, unlike Laxus, he was celebrated, respected, praised as Fairy Tail's future. When people spoke of Fairy Tail's strength, they spoke of him, not Laxus.
What made it worse is that no matter how much effort he put in, how hard he tried, nothing changed. He tried to compete with him, but that boy didn't even want to compete and just wanted to be friends. However, Laxus didn't see it the same way.
For him, he was just not worth of the boys attention.
Someone he only wanted as a friend to connect with his strong grand father.
The bitterness that had festered in him for years rose in his chest, mixing with the pain of the present. His voice was low as he whispered.
"I never meant to hurt the guild. I just..." he paused as if to think of words.
"I just wanted to make Fairy Tail stronger. Strong enough so no one could ever laugh at us again. Strong enough that they'd look at me, not just as your grandson, but as someone worthy."
His words hung in the air. For once, there was no arrogance as he just opened up. Expressing the feelings and ambitions that he kept buried deep within himself.
And as heard this, he let out a long, weary sigh, the kind that seemed to carry the weight of decades. His eyes softened for a moment as he looked back at Laxus.
In that moment, he didn't saw the insane mage that tried to destroy his guild and his city. Instead, he saw a boy. The same boy that sat on his shoulders while proclaiming that he will lead Fairy tail.
However, this view didn't last as the old man turned away, once again looking at the window to the view of Magnolia.
"You're putting too much weight on yourself, Laxus," he said quietly. "Always straining, always trying to prove something. But a guild isn't meant to be carried on one man's back. It's meant to be lived in, together. You should have been more relaxed… enjoyed the moments with your family here."
He turned away slightly, staring at the city pass the window. Then, his voice grew distant, heavy with regret.
"I've watched you grow… watched you train. Yet, here I am, still wondering what went wrong." He then paused before letting out a sigh."
"However, the past is the past." He shook his head slowly. "It can't be changed."
Silence lingered for a beat before he squared his shoulders, forcing his tone to be firm and strict.
"That leaves me with no choice."
The words landed like a verdict, and Laxus felt his chest tighten. He already knew what was coming, but hearing it spoken aloud sent a chill crawling through him. His fists trembled against the sheets, and his breath shook as he fought against the sting in his eyes.
Tears threatened, but he swallowed them down.
"…Laxus Dreyar," The Fairy tail's master said at last with a stern voice.
"From this day forward… you are expelled from Fairy Tail."
The words struck like a hammer. For a moment, the room was utterly still. Laxus sat frozen, his fists clenched so tightly the veins in his arms bulged. His throat tightened, and tears pricked at his eyes, but he forced them back, refusing to let them fall.
Once again, countless memory surfaced his mind.
It was him as a child having fun in the guild.
It was him competing with other members.
It was him on his first Fantasia parade.
It was him when he passed the S-class trial.
And It was him, going on missions, leading the thunder legion.
All this memories flooded his mind in a flash.
Then slowly, he rose from the bed, his gaze fixed on the floorboards.
"...Thank you," he muttered. Then, after a pause he continued, "…for everything, Grandpa."
The word cracked out of him like glass breaking, and Makarov's composure finally shattered. Tears rolled freely down his face, hidden by his turned back. He pressed a hand to the window frame, pretending to be unmoved, pretending to be the Master, not the grandfather whose heart was tearing in two.
Behind him, Laxus walked to the door. For a second, he just stood at there.Then, without looking back, he stepped out, the door closing with a hollow click that echoed in the silence.
Makarov kept his gaze on the window, his tears falling to the floor as the door shut. His mind was blank as tears flowed in his eyes while he looked outside.
He had just solved one of Fairy tail's problem... But at the cost of his family... For the second time...
Scene Break.
It was now dusk and the Sanctum Sanctorum was quiet. Kael sat at his desk, quill in hand, the pages of his journal filling with careful strokes of ink.
Then, like a ripple in still water, a presence stirred the silence. It was familiar.
Kael paused, the tip of his quill hovering mid-word. Slowly, he set it down.
The journal closed on its own. Then, it floated in the air before sliding back to the shelf.
Meanwhile, the quill lifted from his fingers while the drawer in the desk opened. As it did, the quill vanished into that drawer that clicked shut as the quill entered.
While all of this happened, Kael rose from his chair and stepped out of his study. His footsteps echoed faintly as he moved to the grand stair case that directly shows the entrance.
Then, when he reached it, he walked in between the 2 stairs, his hands rested on the railing.
Below, the front doors had opened. Standing there was Laxus, illuminated by the fading light from dusk. His body was covered in bandages. His chest, arms, neck, even his legs wrapped tight, showing the aftermath of the battle.
Kael's gaze lingered on him from above as silenced came before Kael broke it.
"So you came." He said in a calm tone.
The heavy doors of the Sanctum creaked shut behind Laxus. But he didn't look back, he didn't even flinch at the sound as his focused rested on the figure staring down at him.
There, on the second floor, Kael stood as he spoke again.
"Why are you here?"
And so, Laxus finally spoke. "I've been expelled. From Fairy Tail."
Hearing this news, Kael's expression didn't shift. "Is that so," he murmured, almost to himself, "I expected as much..."
"So, is that all? I'm sure you didn't come here just to say that." Kael spoke again as he floated up in the air and slowly descending to the first floor as he stood eye to eye with Laxus.
Then, as Kael flew down while his words stayed in the air, Laxus gave a long sigh as he seemed to have released a breath that he had been holding back.
"…I'm sorry," Laxus said.
The words hung in the air as Kael's eyes narrowed slightly, his calm composure cracking into surprise.
Then, Laxus continued. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you. For everything. All those years... I..." He clenched his fists, forcing the words out. "I looked down on you. I hated that they all saw you as the future of Fairy Tail… when I was supposed to be the master's grandson."
His voice faltered, the bitterness turning hollow. "I was wrong."
Hearing this, Kael didn't speak right away. He only stared at Laxus silently as if to see the sincerity behind his words. This silence stretched until it became almost unbearable as the two men locked in each other's gaze.
Then finally, Kael exhaled softly, his lips curving into a faint, knowing smile.
"After all these years, you've finally matured." A quiet chuckle escaped him, breaking the tension.
"As for the past," he continued, his voice gentler now, "you don't need to worry about it anymore. That past is the past."
Hearing this, Laxus seem to relax a bit as if a weight that has been pressing him down was lifted.
For once, he finally let a smile form on his face as he looked at Kael with gratitude. "Thank you... for everything..." He muttered loud enough for Kael to hear.
Kael just smiled at this as he gazes at Laxus. From his look, there should be more words left unsaid, so he just waited.
And he didn't have to wait long.
"Tell me something. Back at the cathedral… you were holding back, weren't you? Even when I used my Dragon Slayer magic against you."
Kael didn't move, but the corner of his mouth curved faintly.
"And Fairy Law," Laxus continued, his voice low but pressing. "You… you let me cast it, didn't you?"
Kael finally smiled as he responded, not confirming or denying anything. "I did what I needed to do."
Hearing this response, Laxus just chuckled as he seemed to have expected not getting a straight answer out of him.
Seeing this, Kael's smile grew as he looked at the man opposite to him.
Laxus was indeed back... Albeit no longer a member of Fairy tail.
And at that moment, the two mages continued to talk, this time on lighter topics as Kael asks what happened while he was gone while Laxus asks about Kael's true strength.
However, soon enough, the conversation shifted as Laxus gazed at Kael with serious eyes,
"Kael... Can you do me a favor?" he asked.
"Depends..." Kael responds as he looked at Laxus with curiosity.
"Bring Fairy tail to the top... Lead it there and protect it... Achieve my dream for me..." Laxus requested as he look at Kael expectantly, waiting for his response.
Kael, on the other hand just stayed silent, thinking to himself as he heard Laxus' request.
"Laxus... Your dream is for you to accomplish..." Kael answered which surprised Laxus. It seemed like he was certain that Kael would agree, but it didn't seem that way now.
"However..." Then, Kael continued, bringing hope to Laxus. "You can rest assured that Fairy tail is in good hands. The master is still good, and as a member of Fairy tail, it's my duty to serve its best interest."
Laxus smiled hearing.
After all, to him, it no longer matter who achieves his dream. As long as Fairy tail grows strong and stand tall, he would be happy.
Note: I'm not sure yet, however, there might not be a chapter tomorrow(On a trip). BTW, thanks for the sudden surge in collection and views! It is highly appreciated.