Fairy Tail Origins Episode 1: The Eternal Journey

Eden, aware of Grigori's misunderstanding, kept talking just as she had before. "It was after that ill-fated quest that I mer Orion, the man you met earlier who went to watch the sparring match. The behemoth I went to hunt down on the quest had nearly killed me, and I likely would have bled to death right then and there. Little did I know that the behemoth was actually an Abnormality. I just knew it was much stronger than normal. This all happened before much was known about Abnormalities, and back when only one person knew how o make the antitoxin. That was him. He found me after I had alreay lost consciousness. He managed to bring me to the nearest town, where he treated my wounds first, then saved me from an excrutiating death by toxic blood. It was days before I was able to regain my strength, so he remained in the town to look after me until Cenric arrived and brought me back to the guild. Orion travelled for a bit, then came here and joined the guild some days later. Thanks to Zalia's connections we were able to spread knowledge of the Abnormalities, and the production of antitoxin began. Orion and I teamed up that same day and hunted down the behemoth, finishing it off. I got my revenge."

I wasn't talking about the ambush, Grigori. You see that now, don't you?

"I've heard rumors that your guild has successfully hunted down many of those creatures as of late. Alicorn Wing is quickly becoming the guild to go to when you're worried about an Abnormality. I'm really curious about the kinds that you've faced. I haven't really seen many, alive or dead, since I haven't been on quests lately. I was hoping that maybe you could share any firsthand experience, so I know what's out there in case I have to face it. Do you mind if I ask you that?"

"We really don't know any more about them than the average guild. We shared everything we knew with Zalia, who made sure the information reached all other guilds in Aselia. The things you just told me about the boar and the kraken are completely new to us. That's why I was asking. If the guilds are going to learn all about these creatures it will require us to pool our knowledge. So, if we learn something new as well, you can expect that we'll try informing everyone. Thank you, Leone."

---
Later that day...

The entire group from Alicorn Wing had regrouped, and though they seemed to have enjoyed their day in the city of roses it was now late, and time to depart. As the group for Silver Chimera stood facing the departing wizards on the dock, they said their last words to one another and said their farewells.

"Give our regards to the rest of your guild!" Eden said.

Earlier that day...

"I'll pass on the tour, thanks," said Gareth. "I'd rather go any experience things myself later. So what's this about lunch?"

With her arms behind her head, and dressed in a nightgown, Hecate looks over. "Is something wrong, Leone? You look... Worried." She said, sitting up. It wasn't like her to be so concerned about people, but a lot of things seemed to keep changing in this last month.

Moreso, her attitude towards life. She was starting to make friends. Once upon a time, she'd had rather given up on people and do what she wanted, but now... Velia's words rung through her head. Were friends truly enough to make her stronger, or did she have to find something, and if so, where was it? Was it in front of her, or was she unable to grasp it.

Hecate's eyes lost their glazed look as she returned to reality. She awaited Leone's explanation.

"You can say whatever it is you want to say now, while Cenric and Orion are with us. It won't bother me," she answered.

"I...  Oh, where do I begin?" Leone asks, stepping through the wall.  "Hecate, I...  I'm really glad...  Um...  No, it's...  There are things I haven't really told you about my past, Hecate.  Things I can't tell you.  Not... here, not now.  I...  I'm just really glad that you didn't take Marian's offer.  I...  I can't tell you everything, but...  Trust me when I say that the Vallasts aren't good people.  The whole company's rotten - no, not the whole company.  I wouldn't have let you on this ship if I didn't know Captain Rallos to be a good and honourable man.  But...  Something's wrong.  I can't tell you what, though, I'm not... sure myself.  But too much just goes in their favor for it to be coincidence.  So...  Um...  Thanks."

"...We do," Leone says.  "But...  But we aren't a family.  I am not that woman's daughter.  That's not...  I've made my choice.  But, still... um..."

Leone takes a half-step back, fidgeting with her hands.  "Hecate, I hate to say this, but...  But I may have to disappear for a while."

"I'm not joking, Hecate," Leone says firmly.  "I don't...  I don't want to leave.  I don't want to be stuck wandering again!  I'm happy with Alicorn Wing!  They're the family I always wanted...!  But I might... I might not have a choice...  And if I go, I won't be able to stay in contact, it would be too risky...  I'm so sorry, Hecate..."

"He...cate..."  Leone drops to her knees beside Hecate and wraps her arm around her neck.

"Hecate, listen to me..." she says, barely whispering.  "No matter what happens in the next few days, I'll always...  I'll always know where my home is.  With you, and Atticus and Aldous, and everyone else.  We're a family, Hecate!  Even if we're apart, we're always...  We'll always come back to each other.  No matter how far apart, we still love each other!"