Fairy Tail Origins Episode 1: The Eternal Journey

The whole city watched the explosion in the sky that night. It was like fireworks. Sensing the worst was over, Rhys had guided the townspeople out of the shelter and into the street, just as Velia's fireworks lit up the night sky.

Cenric stared up at the scene in equal parts relief and worry. That explosion was massive... She was in the clear when it went off... Right?

His eyes scanned the sky for any trace of her, but between the towering pillar of smoke and the backdrop of the dark sky, picking out a single, relatively small shape was no easy task. Then he saw her, and his eyes widened. She was falling.

Those few moments were hazy for Cenric. Afterwards, he recalled that he had screamed her name, and that Lucian had actually taken off his Sunglasses for a split second so he could see better. But in the heat of the moment, Cenric had reacted solely on instinct. He immediately vanished, teleporting high into the air, and catching the falling Velia in his arms. Far below, he heard Lucian's booming voice over the rushing wind, as the Conjurer summoned his faithful guardian, a giant phoenix-like bird with golden feathers and massive wings. Lucian hopped on the back of his Thunderbird and rode to meet them, a thunderclap echoing through the sky with each flap of the bird's mighty wings. Cenric and Velia landed on the back of the Thunderbird, one of them shaken and the other unconscious, but both unharmed.

More thunderclaps resounded through the air as the living legend carried the three Wizards back down to earth, before fading away into a gold mist. Cenric knelt on the ground, cradling Velia in his arms, not even realizing tears were streaming down his face. Lucian placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and smiled.

"She's fine, Cenric. Don't worry. She just exhausted her Magic Power, that's all. All she needs is some rest, and she'll be right as rain. Why don't you take her back to the Guild?"

Embarrased, Cenric nodded, and wiped his face on his sleeve before standing up. Despite all appearances, Cenric was deceptively strong, and easily supported Velia's weight as he flashed them both back to the Guild.

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Orion was still at Zalia's side with Eden sleeping on his shoulder when he sensed the end of the battle. A few moments later, Cenric flashed in, carrying an unconscious Velia in his arms, his face stained with tears. Orion's eyes widened, but before he could say anything, Cenric shook his head. "She just needs rest. I'm going to carry her up to her room and stay with her."

Orion merely nodded and smiled, turning back to look at Eden as Cenric carried Velia up the stairs. I wonder... Is that what you and I look like, Eden? Are we that transparent? If so, no wonder everyone thinks we're a couple...

"Why the long face?" A familiar voice asked suddenly.

Orion turned in surprise, just as Zalia sat up in the stretcher and smiled. He hadn't even noticed she was awake... "I just have a lot on my mind," he answered, once again looking at the sleeping woman on his arm and smiling.

Zalia gave a light laugh. "That was a rhetorical question, my dear. I know."

Her brow suddenly furrowed in worry as she looked around. "Is everyone unharmed?"

Now it was Orion's turn to laugh. "I'm supposed to be asking you if you're alright Zalia. But yes, everyone is fine, just tired. The only casualties are some buildings. The townspeople were evacuated in time, and we were able to protect the city. You should be proud of your grandchildren, Zalia. They are truly incredible."

She softened and smiled. "Yes, they certainly are. And I am very proud of all my grandchildren, including you, Orion. Now, I want you to tell me what happened. The last thing I remember is sensing something wrong in the park, and sending Eden away."

Orion merely stared at her for a moment, then he too softened. After quickly filling Zalia in on all he knew, he turned back to Eden, tenderly running his hand through her hair. "She was so distraught... If I don't wake her now, she'll never forgive me, you know."

Zalia merely smiled. "I know. Go ahead and wake her."

Orion nodded, and gently shook Eden awake. "Eden...? Eden, Zalia is awake."

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After Cenric took Velia back to the Guild, Lucian turned to General Auron, wiping the sweat off his brow. "Any sign of the guy she was fighting?"

The General shakes his head. "No. Either he used the blast to conceal his own magic signature and escape, or he was obliterated in the explosion. I'm afraid there's no way to tell for now. We'll just have to wait and see."

Auron turned to look at Senna, Shogun, and Grigori. "I'm going to contact the High Council and inform them of what you told me, and everything that transpired here. Most likely, they'll call for an emergency meeting with Pergrande's officials. Should that happen, then you two will likely be called in front of the Council to testify. But I don't think you'll have anything to worry about. Wait here. I'll be right back."

The Third Key of Solomon walked away without another word, and Lucian went to help the Seraph Knights who were busy cleaning up the town and tending to the civilians, leaving Senna alone with Grigori and Shogun.

"I... Should probably apologize for how I treated you before," she began hesitantly. "It's really nothing personal. My temper can be kinda short sometimes. It's something I'm still working on. Anyway, if you can overlook that... I have some questions. Unofficially, of course. Anything you say to me now will be off the record. Am I to understand you're both working undercover for the Pergrandian government? If so... Well... You mentioned there was a more powerful Guild at play. Have you heard of something called 'The Nebilim Organization'?"

"I have." Shogun answered with a nod as she recalled some information. "Pergrande has an extensive information network, so we do have data on the organization, albeit little of it is concrete."

Grigori's eyes distanced themselves from the conversation as the word "Nebilim" raced through his mind.

"The messenger from Hypnos referred to someone who went by 'Nebilim' as well." He explained as he bent his knees a bit and hunched over.

"Grigori Vasya." The jester explained. "Don't ask about the mask, but I'll need a new one."

"No, I would not, and my superiors won't either." Shogun explained as she bowed in respect. "He's only a temporary agent."

Zalia nodded, and turned back to Grigori. "And you, Grigori? Would you prefer to stay here, or go with your friend to the Council?"

Zalia inclined her head in understanding, though the look in her eyes hinted she expected that answer. She turned to Orion and Eden and smiled. "Thank you for your help my dears, but I'm fine now. I can walk on my own. Orion, I want you to go see if you can help the Seraph Knights. Eden, I'd like you to go deliver a message to Lucian for me. We need some necessary supplies for the Guild, and with the state the town is in, someone will need to make a trip to Ambrosia. Knowing him, his magic is nearly depleted anyway and he's just being a stubborn fool, so this will give him something to do that won't result in him lying face down on the ground. I want you to then help Rhys in Lucian's place. Alright?"

Her smile widened into a knowing grin. "And don't worry, I'll have Cenric call you back after I've gotten everything set up at the Guild. I reckon we all could use a party tonight, don't you?"

Orion and Eden both seemed reluctant to leave her at first, but they respected her and her wishes, and they knew how strong and proud Zalia was, so they obeyed. Meanwhile, Zalia guided Grigori back into Silver Chimera's Guild Hall, alone.

She moved around to the back of the bar, retrieved a glass and poured Grigori half a glass of warm cider, while he sat down at one of the stools in the front of the bar and looked around at the Guild Hall.

Zalia noticed and smiled. "It may not seem like much, but it's home," she said, placing the glass of cider in front of him. "Drink, child. You look like you need it. Don't worry, this one's nonalcoholic. Now, tell me what's troubling you."

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After Zalia left with Grigori, Orion found himself wandering aimlessly, trapped in an odd daze. Between the recent events, and the implications they had for the near future, the newfound feelings he was struggling to understand, and a largely irrational hatred of someone he barely even knew, he was more than a bit overwhelmed. In order to cope, his mind had shut everything out, and it was like he was walking through a dense fog. None of the Seraph Knights needed help. General Auron had already left, taking the female warrior and a handful of knights with him, leaving Captain Senna in charge of the remaining knights. Lucian had just left as well, and Eden and Rhys were doing what they could to help repair the buildings that had been destroyed. But as for him... He was lost.

He kept smiling, of course, because that's what he had always done. No matter what, he would always keep smiling, so those around him wouldn't know how he truly felt. Even in the darkest times... If he was the only one who felt that sorrow, who understood that pain, then it was enough. It was enough. Or at least... That's what he had always told himself.

But... It's different now, isn't it? Hypocrite, paradox, fake, defective... If it's the best I can do, then I... I have no cause to complain... So why...

The cries of a young child woke him from his daze. The boy had been separated from his parents, and fallen down and injured his knee. Orion smiled and knelt down in front of him.

"What's wrong? Can't find your parents?"

The boy wiped his eyes and nodded, choking back a small sob. Orion ruffled the boy's hair and held his staff up to the boy's knee. A warm golden light engulfed the boy, instantly healing the bruise on his knee. "Can you stand?" Orion asked gently.

The boy cautiously rose to his feet, testing out his leg, and his face lit up like a star. "I-It's all better! Thank you, Mister! Are you... The Miracle Man? Y'see... My parents and I just came to Rosebud today... My big sis is really sick, and the doctors back home couldn't do anything... T-Then we heard tales of the Miracle Man! Y-You're him, aren't you?"

Orion smiled kindly, and shook his head. "I'm only a Doctor who happens to know healing magic, nothing more. But bring your sister to the clinic tomorrow afternoon, and I'll see what I can do. Just tell the nice man at the counter you have an appointment with Doctor Farsong."

The boy beamed in delight, and he threw himself into Orion's arms. Orion hesitantly returned the hug, just as he heard the voice of a man and woman call out from across the street. Judging by the boy's reaction, they were his parents.

The boy stepped back, and Orion nodded. "Go on now. Your folks are waiting."

The boy hesitated for a moment, then nodded and started across the street. He stopped for just a moment and called back to Orion, "My name's Precht! When I grow up, I'm going to be a Doctor just like you!"

Precht... An interesting name.

Orion slowly rose to his feet and watched as the cheerful boy flung himself into his parents' arms. He felt a pang of longing at the sight, and turned away. As he did so, his eyes suddenly found Eden. She had been watching him, though for how long he didn't know. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, until Orion once again turned away and, leaning slightly on his staff, began to walk back towards the docks. With nothing else to do save wait, he sat down on the edge of the pier and looked out across the water.

An unreadable look crossed Zalia's face. Instead of answering right away, she turned around and retrieved some mugs and plates from the glass cabinets. She walked back around the bar and began setting the two long tables. After a few moments, she finally responded, "Yes, I remember. You must be the member who survived. You're the one who injured her, correct? The one from her past, the one from Siren Scale."

Zalia finished placing the last plate down, and turned to Grigori. "I will not lie to you, child. It is my firm belief that everyone deserves the truth. I know what happened is not really your fault. But what you did to my granddaughter... Is something an apology cannot fix. It goes far beyond physical wounds. For the first time since I've known her, she cried. She sunk so deeply into her shell that she didn't fully wake for two days. The encounter with you nearly broke her, and there's a part of me that can never forgive you for that."

She suddenly smiled- a stark contrast to her words- and sat down next to Grigori, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "However... I would never be able to forgive myself if I didn't try to save a young man lost in darkness when I had the chance. An apology is certainly a step in the right direction, Grigori. But the only real cure is time. You need to find your path in life, and apply yourself to doing something worthwhile. What that something is... That's up for you to decide. If you'd like, I can help you find that path."

She stood up again and once again walked back behind the bar. "I'd like to formally extend an invitation for you to join Silver Chimera, Grigori Vasya. But you don't have to answer now. Take some time and think things over."

Meanwhile, in a field just outside of Harborshore Town, four figures are slinking through the knee-high grass.  The two men leading the way look oddly similar, and move with an uncanny synchronicity.  Bringing up the rear is a tall, blonde young woman.  She wears a plain white shirt with a brown skirt and a pair of tall boots.  Her only accessories are a bright red choker around her neck and a rapier on her hip.  "Now, the reports say the abnormal boar has been seen in the area lately.  Keep your eyes open and make sure it doesn't get the drop on us.  And remember the golden rule of fighting abnormalities...  Atticus?"

"Their blood's toxic, so don't get any on you," the 2nd man in line says.  His blond hair is short, cleanly cut, and not at all like his slovenly-arranged outfit.  "And if anyone does end up getting poisoned, then we have to buy antidote.  And if we have to buy antidote, Aunt Marsh is going to have whoever got poisoned's head."

"Well said!  Aldous, run us through the plan again?" the blonde woman asks the other man.

"You and I surround the boar and play backup while Atticus and the new blood take point," the other man answers.  In stark contrast to the other man, his blond hair is spiked and wild, while his outfit is extremely well put-together and carefully cleaned.  "Leone, why are you grilling us with these question?"

"It's Hecate's first real job, and I want it to go splendidly!" Leone explains.  "Now, let's-"

A sudden rustling from a nearby brush causes her to stop abruptly, and she reaches for her rapier.  A massive boar, nearly as tall as a full-grown man, slowly shambles out of the foilage, its eyes glowing an ominous red.  A low growl escapes its throat as it eyes the party hungrily.

"Oh, dear.  It's bigger than the reports suggested.  Still, this represents no problem whatsoever," Leone assures the group.

Atticus and Aldous are already moving to surround the monstrosity, and Leone directs the other girl to move in the other direction.  The boar looks between the two groups before deciding to focus on the men.  Leone draws her blade, then raises her free hand, lightly resting two fingers on her temples.  As soon as the boar's back is clearly exposed, she addresses the fourth member of the team.

"Alright, Hecate.  Looks like you've got the first attack, so the timing is yours.  We'll attack on your command..."

Timing is my command? Well, I want to attack it right now. Let's see what these things got

Hecate stopped biting the tip of her finger. She was no longer nervous to face this thing. A smile found its way on her face. Hopefully this was a good battle, and something that wasn't short. She needed something to test her abilities. Hecate prepped herself as she crouched. Since she had teammates, she'd have to adjust. She knew what she was fighting for—testing her abilities.

I wonder how I should hit this thing? Perhaps I should just kill it before they can. Why did I join this guild again? ...To not be alone. Yeah, that's why. I'm surprised she's placing trust in me. Why am I staring at this boar stupidly again? Orders... Hm.

"Attack now!" She said loudly, which was something rare for her to do. She wanted to see what her teammates had before she jumped in. And so she simply drew her fan, waving it in front of her face almost comically with a hidden smile behind it.