The Fairy Tail guildhall was alive with its usual storm of laughter, clinking mugs, and the occasional crash of a chair as a brawl broke out in the background. The scent of roasted meat and spilled ale hung thick in the air. It was chaos—warm, rowdy chaos.
But in the middle of it, a small, trembling voice broke through.
"Master! Please!"
The room quieted. Heads turned toward the front.
Romeo Conbolt stood there, fists clenched at his sides, his eyes wet with unshed tears. He was shaking, but his voice carried.
"My dad hasn't come back! It's been too long—something happened to him!"
Even the brawlers froze. The guild might have been loud and reckless, but Romeo's desperation cut deep.
At the bar, Makarov sat perched on his usual stool, puffing on his pipe. His eyes softened, but his voice was steady. "Romeo… Macao is a capable mage. You mustn't worry so much. He can handle himself."
"But—!" Romeo's voice cracked, raw with fear.
Makarov exhaled a slow breath of smoke and placed his pipe down on the counter. His gaze grew heavier, the kind of gaze that weighed down everyone in the room. "Enough. Go home, Romeo. Trust in your father's strength. That is what it means to be family."
The boy bit his lip hard. Tears spilled anyway, but he forced himself to nod. Shoulders trembling, he turned and ran from the guild, pushing past the heavy wooden doors.
A heavy silence followed. No one seemed willing to move, as if the sound of the door closing carried the weight of his sorrow.
"…Tch. I can't just sit here."
Natsu stood, fists clenched so tightly that tiny sparks of flame slipped between his fingers. His jaw was set, eyes sharp with determination.
"I'm going to find Macao."
Happy spread his wings instantly, floating beside him with a nod. "Aye, sir!"
Before anyone could stop them, the pair bolted for the doors. A few guildmates called after them—warnings, complaints, half-hearted shouts.
"They'll just cause trouble again…" someone muttered.
But Natsu didn't care. His footsteps were already fading outside.
On the bar, Makarov sighed and slipped down from his stool. He adjusted his robes, pipe tucked neatly into his sleeve. "I have my own obligations." His words were quiet, more to himself than anyone else. "The masters' council meeting cannot be ignored."
He walked slowly to the door, back straight despite the weight on his shoulders. No one tried to stop him. When the guildmaster left, it felt as though the hall had lost its anchor.
Behind the counter, Mira exhaled softly. She knew today was only going to get louder.
At one of the side tables, Lucy sat with her chin propped on her hands, eyes distant. Her mind still lingered on their first mission—the danger, the thrill, the sharp fear of failure… and the strange warmth of returning to this guild, her new home.
A shadow fell over her table. Lisanna slid into the seat beside her with a bright smile, resting her chin in one palm. "You look like you're thinking really hard, Lucy."
Lucy blinked out of her thoughts and smiled sheepishly. "Just… still getting used to everything here. It's so different."
Lisanna tilted her head. "Different good or different bad?"
Lucy thought for a moment, lips curling. "Both. But mostly good."
Lisanna giggled softly, her smile gentler now. "I'm glad. Because Natsu seems happier with you around."
Lucy froze, blinking at her. "H-He does?"
"Mhm. You probably don't even realize it." Lisanna leaned in, voice lowering slightly. "Do you know about Igneel?"
Lucy shook her head slowly.
Lisanna's expression softened with something like sorrow. "His father was a dragon. Igneel raised Natsu… but then one day, he just disappeared."
Lucy's eyes widened. "A… a dragon?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
Lisanna nodded. "That's why Natsu hates the idea of people being left behind. He knows how it feels. He doesn't want anyone else to go through the same thing. That's why he'll go through fire itself to stop it."
Lucy's chest tightened. Suddenly, Natsu's recklessness, his stubbornness—it all made painful sense.
Before she could respond, a sly voice joined them.
"Well, well, looks like love is blooming."
Lucy jumped as Cana dropped herself into the chair across from them,beer mug already in hand.
Cana smirked, raising her mug. "Don't bother denying it, Lucy. You've got it written all over your face. But better be careful—Lisanna here might just be your biggest rival."
Lucy nearly toppled her chair. "W-What?! I—no—I mean—!"
Lisanna's face was red now too. "Cana!"
Cana just laughed, taking a long drink. "Relax, you two. Rival or not, may the better woman win." She winked and sauntered away, leaving the two girls stunned in her wake.
Lucy buried her face in her hands. "Why does everyone keep saying that…"
Lisanna pressed her lips together, still pink. Then, gently: "Want to go after Natsu and Happy? He'll need backup."
Lucy peeked at her through her fingers, then let out a sigh of relief. "Yes. Let's."
They stood and hurried for the door together, steps in sync, an unspoken understanding growing between them.
The guildhall doors creaked open again not long after.
And silence fell.
Erza Scarlet stepped inside. Scarlet hair framed her face, her armor gleamed beneath the lamplight, and her sharp gaze swept the guild like a blade. Wherever it landed, conversations died instantly.
"Where is the master?" Her voice was firm, leaving no room for hesitation.
Mira stepped forward from behind the bar, cloth still in her hand. "He just left for the guild masters' meeting."
Erza's eyes narrowed slightly. She nodded once. "Then I will act in his stead." She raised her voice. "Eisenwald, a dark guild, is making its move. We will intercept them."
Whispers rippled through the hall.
Her gaze turned sharply to Gray. "Gray, you're coming."
Gray, caught mid-sip, nearly choked on his drink. "Wh—me? Uh… yeah, sure…" He slumped, muttering under his breath. "Why do I always get dragged into this…"
"Cana," Erza continued.
Cana tipped back her mug, draining the last of her drink before slamming it down with a grin. "If there's a paycheck, I'm in. A girl's gotta fund her booze somehow."
Then Erza's eyes locked on Keal, who was leaning against the wall, arms crossed and smirk firmly in place.
"You," she said firmly.
Keal put a hand over his chest, feigning offense. "That's it? Just 'you'? No 'Kael, my reliable partner'? No 'please'? Erza, you wound me. At least make me feel special."
Her brow twitched. "Don't push your luck."
He pushed off the wall and strolled closer, lowering his voice just enough for her to hear. His mismatched eyes gleamed with amusement. "Luck has nothing to do with it. If it's you asking… how could I ever say no?"
Erza froze. Heat shot straight to her cheeks. She opened her mouth, then shut it again, suddenly unable to form words.
The Titania of Fairy Tail—at a loss for words.
"I… I-I…" She coughed hard, whipping around so quickly her armor clinked. "Prepare yourselves. We leave immediately."
Behind the bar, Mira's lips curved. Only Keal could fluster Erza like that and walk away without being skewered.
Gray dragged himself upright with a sigh. Cana tucked her cards into her belt, already humming. And Keal followed with a lopsided grin, his eyes lingering just long enough to make Erza's ears turn pink again.
The guild buzzed with whispers as they watched the team depart.
"Why's Keal always teasing her like that…?"
"Because he likes living dangerously."
"Think she'll ever cut him in half one day?"
No one dared say it too loudly.
As the doors shut behind them, Mira leaned against the counter, worry flickering in her eyes.
"…Please, all of you, come back safe."