Mavis slowly opened her eyes. At first, her vision was blurry, but gradually, the world before her came into focus.
She flexed her fingers slightly, then tried to sit up. August stepped forward and gently helped her onto a nearby rock.
She stretched her arms and legs, carefully testing the sensations of her newly manifested body. The cold touch of the stone beneath her, the crisp air brushing against her skin, everything felt so real. Slowly, her movements became more coordinated. Then, Mavis stood up and gave August a warm hug.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Lyla, of course, wouldn't miss such a wholesome moment. He captured it on camera, grinning from ear to ear.
Mavis noticed him snapping photos in the background, and her smile turned mischievous. She motioned for him to come over and take a proper picture of her and August. After that, she had Lyla set the camera on a nearby rock, and the three of them posed for a group photo.
"Mother…" August turned to her, his expression a mix of warmth and restraint. "Now that everything's settled here, I need to head back and take care of some things."
Mavis smiled gently. "Alright. Just make sure to come back soon, August."
She hugged him again, this time like a mother sending her child off on a long journey.
Lyla, standing off to the side, watched their exchange with a knowing smile. August shot him a warning glance but otherwise said nothing. Then, with a flash of teleportation magic, he vanished.
His parting words came via thought-link:
"Send me a copy of the photo."
"First Master, do you want to stop by the guild?" Lyla asked, watching as Mavis joyfully spun in a circle, taking in her surroundings with childlike delight. He was beaming like a proud nephew.
"Yes! I'd love to see what Fairy Tail looks like now!" she replied excitedly, bouncing slightly on her feet.
Then, realizing what she just did, Mavis blushed.
"Oops… force of habit."
"No worries," Lyla chuckled. Too bad I missed that on camera...
"Alright! Let's go!" Mavis raised her fist enthusiastically.
They began walking back through the forest. Mavis was radiant, stopping now and then to admire flowers or run her fingers along the leaves of trees, her joy spilling out in every step.
Lyla followed quietly behind her. How long had her thought projection remained dormant? It had been seventy years since she was sealed in the crystal...
"First Master, you really let Grandpa leave so soon? Don't you two have a lot to talk about?" Lyla asked. "You just reunited yesterday. Isn't that a little fast?"
Mavis giggled. "We actually talked a lot last night. As for why I didn't insist he stay longer… maybe you should ask yourself that."
"…Huh?" Lyla blinked. "Me?"
"Of course you! Who else? You kept interrupting, snapping pictures, making weird faces, completely throwing off the mood. You didn't give August even one ounce of dignity!" she scolded, jabbing a finger at him.
"Uhhh…" Lyla remembered how shamelessly he'd been fanboying. Yeah… Grandpa was definitely going to hold a grudge.
"Oh, Lyla, did you two teleport here?" Mavis asked.
"Yup, we did."
"Aw, that's a bit of a shame. I wanted to ride a boat again. The last time I left Tenrou Island by sea… was when I went off to start the guild. To return now, by boat again, it just feels poetic."
"If you want a boat ride, I can make one!" Lyla said immediately. "We'll go to the coast, I'll conjure one right now!"
Anything to keep the First Master happy. Besides, Zeref deserves to be cursed for eternity anyway.
"Really? Let's go!" Mavis flapped the little wings above her head twice and took off down the path toward the sea.
"W-Wait! First Master, slow down! There are still dangerous beasts on this island!"
"I know! I'm way more familiar with this place than you."
"But you can't use magic right now."
"Come on, Lyla, hurry up!"
They eventually reached the coastline. Lyla closed his eyes and began imagining the ship. A moment later, a beautiful tri-sail ship appeared on the water.
It had a central rudder, four cannons (front, rear, and two sides), and a ram-headed prow. A straw-hatted skull flag fluttered proudly from the mast. On the deck, a small orange grove sat beside the helm.
Lyla opened his eyes, heart pounding.
The Going Merry.
It was overwhelming. Choosing Arc of Embodiment had been the right decision. There were so many stories, characters, and moments he could bring to life, stories that once only existed in his heart could now become part of this world.
"Lyla, why'd you make a pirate ship?" Mavis asked, tilting her head as she walked aboard and inspected the details. "Are we going to play pirates?"
"Not exactly," Lyla replied, stepping on deck behind her. "I once met a group of pirates, though they were more like adventurers. They helped me. This ship looks like theirs."
"They must've been wonderful people," Mavis said, her eyes lighting up. "To find friends like that, to chase your dreams together, do what you believe is right… that must be such a joyful thing."
"Yeah," Lyla said softly, staring up at the flag. "Even when things got tough, they never gave up. I'm sure they'll make it to the end."
"Then let's go, Lyla! Set sail!"
"Aye aye! Setting course for the oNEpIEcE!"
"…What's oNEpIEcE?"
"Uh… nothing. It just slipped out."
"Haha, alright then, set sail, Lyla, my crewmate!"
"Aye aye, Captain Mavis!"
Following Mavis's commands, Lyla navigated the Going Merry toward Hargeon, a port city across the sea.
Mavis took hold of the conjured map and compass, giving directions as Lyla manned the helm.
Of course, Lyla had no intention of actually sailing all the way.
At this pace, it would take months to reach Hargeon...
After a while, they'd both had enough pirate fun. Lyla activated teleportation again, and again, and again.
By the time they finally reached Hargeon, Lyla was doubled over, panting, while Mavis bounced happily ahead of him.
No wonder Grandpa left me behind… he knew how exhausting this would be!
Why is the Fairy Tail world so huge?! Hargeon to Magnolia is like 370 kilometers!
"Lyla, let's stop here," Mavis said, pointing to a gorgeous inn up ahead. "Let's rest and grab something to eat."
They entered, and Mavis confidently told the innkeeper, "Two rooms, please. And dinner." She reached into her pouch and pulled out a stack of money.
As they walked to their rooms, Lyla eyed her bulging pockets.
"First Master, did Grandpa give you all that?"
"Yup! August said I should have some for travel expenses, y'know, for snacks and souvenirs!" she beamed, patting her pouch proudly.
Lyla, on the other hand, looked like someone had just stolen his entire inheritance.
That old geezer… he didn't give me a single coin! I wanna buy stuff too! I wanna splurge like royalty!
After dinner, Lyla returned to his room, still bitter.
<150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter>