Fairy Tail Origins Episode 1: The Eternal Journey

Orion smiled at that, a smile that somehow seemed both melancholy and warm at the same time, and he rolled over onto his back. So that's why she carries around that locket of hers...

"I understand. It seems you and I are alike in some ways."

He lies there for a moment longer, then suddenly rises to his feet and brushes his cloak off. He turns to Eden and bends over slightly, offering her his hand. "It's getting dark, Eden, and I don't know about you, but I'm starving. I know, you can tell me all about your Guild over dinner. How does that sound?"

Orion laughed, and helped her up. "I can live with that. Food is food, and right now, I could eat a whole wyvern."

Heh... I'm letting my jaded view cloud my judgment in my old age, it seems. I guess I'm a little rusty.

"It's... interesting, to say the least. Quite a few characters there, which is why I fit in so well. Zalia keeps everyone in line and things are orderly, but never dull. What specific things would you like me to tell you about?" she said.

"Not all do that, just a few. You know, vocal minority, silent majority and all that? We're all capable of that kind of destruction, but most don't cause such trouble. And besides, it's usually something that happens on accident..."

As Eden was speaking their meals arrived, so she began to eat before she continued to explain things about the guild. "Zalia is not the type of person you want to make mad. There's a reason why no one dares challenge her authority as guildmaster. Not even in drinking contests. She has yet to be defeated in those or in a traditional fight in the years I've been there, and according to the legends many years before that too. But she treats us all like family, and family is perhaps the most important thing to Zalia, so she makes an excellent leader. The person who is basically Zalia's second is Jurian Alaric. He doesn't hang around the guild that often, but he's likable enough. When you can get him to talk, that is. Lucian is probably the most destructive member of the guild, and the one behind most of those rumors. He's a frighteningly powerful wizard, but I don't know the true extent of his power. Hardly anyone living knows, and the few that might won't talk. Despite the fact that he could apparently cause the end of the world just by blinking, he's actually very entertaining and an all around nice guy most of the time. Although Velia might disagree. Velia is one of the rare female members of the guild, and perhaps the strongest in melee combat if she's really giving it her all. An incredibly skilled mage as well. She's taught me plenty of tricks. Our other great melee combatant is Ryner Engel, Cenric's older brother. But take warning, he's cold, calculating, and ruthless when he needs to be, and nothing seems to faze him. And of course Cenric, who you know a tiny bit about already. He's a psychic. And that just about covers the most notable and strangest members of the guild."

"I could arrange that. We could use a healer. And a musician. Plus, maybe you could be the one who finally beats Zalia in a drinking contest!" Eden said, also smiling. "Well, maybe not that last part. I'm not sure that it's humanly possible to do that. But I'm serious about the rest."

The next two days were quiet and uneventful, and seem to fly by. Eden recovered at an astounding rate, enough to shock even Orion, who, prior to meeting her, could have sworn nothing could surprise him anymore. Despite having known each other only a short time, the pair quickly developed a... Unique kind of friendship. And then, all too quickly, the day came for them to part ways.

Cenric Engel, the Psychic of Silver Chimera, simply materialized into the center of the town and sent out a brief telepathic signal, letting Eden know he was there. Orion escorted her downstairs, then asked her to wait a moment while he paid the Innkeeper.

"I believe I owe you quite a bit, don't I?" Orion says, opening the leather satchel slung over his shoulder.

The Innkeeper quickly shakes his head. "N-No, not at all! You saved that girl's life, and you gave us many nights of song and entertainment. That's more than enough to cover your tab in my book."

"Nonsense," Orion argues politely, placing a large handful of golden Sovereigns on the counter. "Song will not pay your bills or feed your family. I insist."

He meticulously counts out the amount, triple checking that it's enough, then gives the man a tip of twenty more Sovereigns, and closes his satchel. Then, he gives a polite bow of gratitude and walks back over to Eden. He smiles knowingly at her, and leads her out into the town to find a young man with short, spiky brown hair and dark brown eyes waiting for them. He had a nervous twitch in his leg, and his hands in the pockets of his blue jeans. He wore a plain white button down shirt, and clear, slightly tinted Sunglasses. The emblem of Silver Chimera stood out on his left arm.

His entire body seemed to overflow with relief as he saw Eden. "There you are! Do you have any idea how worried we've been?! Zalia was literally one step away from calling in the Imperial Army to help search! What the heck happened? Your note only said for me to meet you here."

Orion merely smiled charmingly as Cenric very obviously sized him up. "I wouldn't recommend attempting to read my thoughts," Orion said knowingly. "My mind is a very... Peculiar place. My name is Orion. It's a pleasure to meet you, Cenric. Eden has told me quite a bit about you."

Cenric seemed taken aback for a moment, and he shot a quick, joking telepathic message at Eden. "So, while your family is worried sick about you, you're off having a grand old time with Prince Charming here. I see how it is."

"Thank you for helping her," Cenric says, turning back to Orion. "She's more stubborn than a mule and has a tongue that could kill a snake, but she's still family. We're in your debt. If you'd like to accompany us back to the Guild, I'm sure Zalia- our Master- will be able to compensate you for your services."

Orion shook his head, having expected that. "No, it is quite alright. I do not require compensation. Saving a life and making a new friend is more than enough."

He turns to Eden and smiles, though his smile is tinged with sadness. "Forgive me, but I cannot join you, at least not yet. I need more time to think."

Cenric merely blinked, looking back and forth between them. Then, realizing what Eden was implying, his eyes widened and his cheeks flushed. Orion couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. He walked over to Eden and grinned mischievously. "Hmm... You certainly know how to motivate a man. Don't worry, I won't keep you waiting too long, love."

With that, his teasing grin turned into a sincere smile. "It really was wonderful to meet you, Eden."

He then turned and began walking away, towards the open road. He held up his hand to wave goodbye and called back over his shoulder, "I'll see you later! Don't do anything reckless and get yourself hurt again, you hear?!"

As he walked away, a strange mist seemed to settle over the village, and when it cleared, he was gone.

"R-right," Cenric agrees, still obviously flustered. "Hold on."

He takes her by the hand and they vanish, reappearing on the ground floor of the Guild Hall a split second later. Silver Chimera's Guild Hall was shaped to resemble a two story Inn, not all that different from the one Eden had spent the last few days in. The floors and walls were made out of polished wood, though the outside was mostly stone. There was a long bar set against the left wall with a liquor collection that few places could match, and two long dining tables took up the center of the room, with a large round carpet in between them with the Guild's emblem on it. Several round tables were scattered around the room, and there was a decent sized stage against the far wall with the Guild's banner hanging behind it. Two sets of staircases lead up to the second floor, to the S-Rank quest board, and the West and East Wings, which were all bedrooms. The regular quest board was located near the stage.

There was no roof between the second and first floors, only a wide open walkway looking over the ground floor, that extended all the way around the Guild and opened up into the West and East Wings. There were more scattered tables and chairs on this walkway, which everyone affectionately referred to as "the second floor balcony", or just "the balcony."

There were a couple doors on the first floor that lead to the male and female bathrooms, and a third door behind the bar that was always locked. Only Zalia had a key, and so everyone just assumed the door lead to the wine cellar. As Cenric and Eden flashed into the Guild, they found themselves staring at a very familiar sight: Lucian laying on the stage with his cheek pressed against the wood and his butt in the air, frantically apologizing to a pissed off Velia who was digging the heel of her boot into his head. There weren't that many of the members present, but of those who were, no one was fazed in the slightest. Ryner Engel, Cenric's older brother, sat in a corner quietly looking through what had to be one of the thickest books in existence. Rhys, a giant behemoth of a man, sat in front of the stage, painting the current scene that was unfolding. And the Guild Master herself was currently behind the bar, wiping down the already polished counters.

"Let's... Try not to disturb Velia," Cenric whispers to Eden, quietly guiding her over to Zalia. Disturbing her in any way, shape or form, whenever she was pissed off at Lucian was definitely not a good idea.

Zalia looked up from her almost obsessive cleaning, and smiled warmly. "Ah, look what the cat dragged in. Welcome home, my dear."