Fairy Tail Origins Episode 1: The Eternal Journey

"Okay. I should start with how things began," she said, not to Orion, but to herself as she tried to get her thoughts in order. "I was raised as an orphan, Orion. I say "raised as" because I don't know if I really am, or was, an orphan. No one knows. I was found as a very young child wandering through a city, and my parents were never located. I don't even know what name I was given when I was born, since I was too young to tell them anything clearly. I was thrown in an orphanage and given this name I have now. But that city was falling apart, being eaten alive by the poverty than ran rampant. There were plenty of orphans, and never enough food to feed them. The older ones regularly got thrown out into the streets on their own when there were too many kids, since they had the best chance of surviving. When it was my turn I resolved to find some way out of that city, knowing I wouldn't be able to survive where I was. So I did, and I ended up travelling to Pergrande."

"The rest of it is a long story, but I found a job in a city on the coast. I was able to make it on my own. But one day I was inside a shop when two thieves, independent of any guild affiliation, tried to steal some items. I no longer remember what they were, it was so long ago. Things turned sour, and I ended up as a hostage as they made their escape. It was very confusing for me, and I didn't fully understand just what had happened. After the guards had lost their trail they let me go, but not before they gave me some food as a bribe to keep me quiet. And that one stupid action... it ended up changing my life. Orion, you must already realize that at that time I had never known what it felt like to have a full stomach, so when I did finally know that, and all that combined with my confusion... They said I would be able to get as much food as I wanted if I worked witht them. So I became a distraction for shopkeepers for a long time, before they ended up teaching me their tricks. After a long time there, I heard the rumors of a guild of thieves in Pergrande, and I sought them out. It was the worst mistake I've ever made..."

Eden sighed, then she continued to tell her story, still leaning her head on Orion's chest. "I worked with Siren Scale for a while, until I learned how they got most of their members. Members like Grigori, who were slaves. That knowledge turned my world upside down, but before I could do anything they began to suspect that I would leave. I don't feel like going into the rest of that story, but they left me for dead. I escaped by using divination, which was something I had never used much before. I had to learn quickly to spare my own life. When I did escape I fled as far as I could, never stopped looking over my shoulder, all that for months. I wandered back into Aselia, and after several more tense months I found Silver Chimera. This is the first place I've ever called home. These people are the first i've ever called my family. And I can't lose that. So I fight to protect my home and my loved ones."

"It sound like it's more special than you want me to think. Anything that can keep people linked together over such distances is miraculous, actually," she said as she held it carefully in her hands. "Thank you, Orion."

Gareth blinked. "That... That was it?" he asked Rhys. "Just like that? No background checks or rests of skill? Just a few questions?"

...That I wasn't completely honest in answering?

Before Rhys could answer, Zalia shook her head and smiled. "That's it, Gareth. This isn't the military, nor is it your typical Guild. Many of us have secrets, and we all vary in skills and experience. Silver Chimera is not a Guild dedicated to being the best fighter, nor is it so dependant on the past that we require background checks. At Silver Chimera, we look towards the future. This Guild is a place where people with nowhere to go can call home. But that doesn't mean the test was easy, my child. Rhys has turned down countless applicants before."

She turned to Grigori. "There's enough here for all of your face, and some of your neck, or a similarily sized part of your body. Just pour the liquid directly onto the skin. It won't even hurt. However, for severe injuries or scars, you'll need to use the full dosage. Normal Ambrosia can be purchased just about anywhere. But this kind needs to be specially prepared, and preparing it is tricky, and requires a specific kind of Magic. As of now, the only Wizard we've been able to find who can prepare it is our own resident Doctor. But I'm sure he'd be more than happy to make a supply for you."

"Well... If you say so," said Gareth. "I'm grateful that you've accepted meñ at any rate. Thank you."

Even if being that trusting of a stranger is asking for someone specializing in cloak and daggers to infiltrate and stab people in the back... But that's none of my business, and I'm not going to squander this chance.

"She does," Zalia answered softly. "Whether or not she wants it to be healed, however... That I can't say. Feel free to talk to her about it later, if you wish. But for now, she needs rest more than anything. It can wait, child."

She glanced over at Gareth, then turned to Rhys. "Rhys, I'm assigning you to be Gareth's mentor."

Rhys already knew exactly what that entailed, so while he guided Gareth away on a tour of the Guild, Zalia turned back to Grigori. "Would you like some more time to decide, Grigori? There's no rush. Even if you decide not to join, I'm not going to simply kick you out. You can stay here until we can find you a place of your own in the city, and I will do everything in my power to help get you everything you might need."

Leone springs up. She casually walks over to exchange the training rapier for her real one as she speaks. "My, my. You certainly know how to leave a lady wanting more, Sweetie. But you're right, breakfast is probably prepared. Perhaps tonight, when only the stars are watching, we can give Atticus a sound thrashing for spying on us. Don't try to run away, you're already found out. If you breathe a word of what you saw Rio anyone, especially your brother, the consequences shall be quite severe."

The next few days were not very eventful in Hecate's opinion. It was basically waiting for the quest date to come closer and closer. And finally it did come. Hecate got dressed in her usual fashion that morning, stepping downstairs.

She seemed to be the only one there... At least until Atticus phased through the wall. "Morning, Hecate." The twin mumbled, getting ready to make himself something to eat. He was followed by Aldous not long after. "Odd. Leone isn't up yet." He yawned.

Before anyone else can greet Marian, she raises her hand for silence.  "Please, forgo the formalities for now.  The ship, Mermaid's Folly, will set sail at exactly 5AM.  Knowing that captain, a few moments before.  I wish to ensure we're on-board before she embarks."

"Very well, then."  Vallory adjusts a stray hair.  "Alicorn Wing, your mission is to escort Mrs. Marian Vallast safely to Rosebud by way of sea, onboard Mermaid's Folly.  There will be no problems, I'm sure, but I expect you to remain vigilant.  On your way, then."

It's a short jog to the docks from Alicorn Wing's guild hall, and Marian sets a quick pace, marching along the road with authority, despite the odd hour and the thick fog.  Hecate and Leone take either side of her, with Atticus and Aldous trailing a bit behind.  No one dares break the near-silence interrupted only by the rhythmic clicking of shoes on street.

The ship comes into view quickly.  It's not exactly easy to miss, being the largest ship currently in port.  A metal monstrosity, complete with a sizable, rotating cannon, it looks more like a small warship than a trading vessel.  A rather lewd picture of a mermaid is painted on the side, barely poking out of the water, right beneath "MERMAID'S FOLLY" written in bright red.

The white-haired captain greets the group at the bottom of the gangplank, bowing deeply and removing his hat.  "Madame Vallast.  Welcome aboard my humble vessel.  A cabin has been prepared for you on the second level, and breakfast is waiting."  He's wearing a very formal-looking suit, covered in polished buttons and medals.

"Captain Rallos.  It's been far too long.  We simply must catch up," Marian answers.

"Of course, ma'am.  I've a fine scotch I've been saving for a special occasion.  After we're in the open sea, I'll stop by your cabin for a spell." the captain promises.

"'Ma'am,' 'Madame Vallast.'  I think we're beyond that at this point, Ian.  You've been in our employ for... hm.  My, longer than I've been married.  It's 'Marian' to you, Dear," Marian says candidly.

"Marian it is, then.  Well then, shall we be off?  The cargo's loaded, so we'll set off as soon as you're ready," Ian suggests.

"Of course," Marian says.  "I'll retire to my cabin to rest for a while - it's been a long journey.  As for you..." she turns to the Alicorn Wing members and thinks for a moment.

Finally, Marian points to Atticus.  "You.  You stand guard outside my cabin."  "Where the least people will see you," her tone suggests.  "As for the rest of you, patrol the ship however you see fit.  Make your presence known."

Without waiting for a response, she turns and begins up the gangplank.  "Of course, Madame Vallast," Leone calls after her, her voice cheerful and friendly.  "Permission to come aboard, Captain Rallos?"

"Granted," he says tersely.  "Just you kids keep out of my crew's way.  Once we're out to sea, strut about however you like, but keep to the upper deck while we're setting out."

The crew of the Mermaid's Folly handle themselves expertly, preparing the ship to launch in a matter of minutes.  The ship steams out of port nearly half an hour ahead of schedule.  The shore soon fades into the distance as the large ship moves beyond the sandbars into open ocean and deep waters.  The waves are particularly small today, not that a ship the size of the Mermaid's Folly would notice a few large waves.

The sun comes up over the open water, with nothing but water and sky as far as the eye can see.  Leone keeps to the upper deck.  The cannon on the main deck is quite impressive... and perhaps a bit overkill for a merchant vessel.  "You never know what you'll come across out here!" a sailor tells her, as if reading her mind.

She considers taking a trip to the crow's nest, but... not in this outfit.  Four hours into the voyage, Leone stops by the bridge to observe their operations and make sure everything is going smoothly.