Fairy Tail Origins Episode 1: The Eternal Journey

While Zalia went to retrieve the backpacks she had packed for them, Orion turned to Eden and gently took her hand into his. "It's alright, Eden. Don't worry. We'll save him, I promise."

"Are you sure this thing is actually a Wyvern?" Velia asks him suddenly, making Orion turn. "Because what you're describing sure doesn't sound like one. It sounds like a Dragon."

Silence fell over the room at that. No one spoke for several moments as that possibility settled in. Finally, Orion said, "I don't think so. I've never seen a real Dragon before- very few people have- but this didn't feel or look like what I imagine a Dragon would. For one, it was... Unnatural. It didn't feel like any natural creature, even for an Abnormality. Though, obviously, I can't say for sure. You're the only one of us who can, Velia."

She nodded thoughtfully and started to say something, then suddenly stopped and bit her lip. Zalia came back then and handed each of the five members a large brown leather backpack. "Each backpack contains several vials of Antitoxin, blankets, emergency rations, including food and water, a single use Teleport Stone, several vials of normal healing water from Ambrosia, bandages, alcohol, an enchanted Flint and Steel for normal and magical fires, and a special artifact for each of you. Eden, your artifact is a small orb that contains very pure water. It amplifies Water Magic, and will make your visions much clearer. Velia, your artifact is a metal gauntlet known as Draconis. Put it on and activate it, and it will form an invincible shield as tough as Dragonscales. Cenric, your artifact is a ring known as the Sorcerer's Ring. It is enchanted with great Telekinetic powers, and will amplify your own Telekinesis. Grigori, your artifact is a special scarf that will allow you to control the wind. Wear it well, and it will increase your acrobatic capabilities beyond your wildest dreams. And Orion... Your artifact can only be used once. Use it only in your time of greatest need, when all else fails. I'm sure you'll understand what it does. Along with your artifact, Orion, I've also given you some necessary funds, a vial of special Ambrosia, and an official letter from the Council, authorizing you to... Take some shortcuts. Just in case."

She stepped back and took a deep breath, then looked each member of the rescue team in the eye. "I have absolute faith in each of you. Are you ready?"

Eden shook her head, then looked at Grigori coldly. "If that's how you feel then don't come at all. Someone else can fill your spot without holding the rest of us back. Is that what you want?"

"Just as long as you're going to come, and you're willing o give it your all. That's all we ask," Eden said, relaxing a little and stopping the cold glare.

An unreadable look crossed Orion's face as he watched the exchange. For just the briefest of moments, his eyes darkened, flashing between anger, sadness, and something else so quickly it would have been imperceptible to anyone who hadn't been paying very close attention to him. Then, the moment passed, and he turned around, heading towards the door.

"If you're coming, then let's go. I'd like to get to Ambrosia before the last train leaves for the day."

He walked out the door without waiting for an answer, and the rest of his team quickly followed him. They walked through the city in an uneasy silence, and a few minutes later, they stood at the top of the hill, overlooking the city below. Orion paused and turned to look back, and his expression seemed pained for a moment. Then he turned on his heel and strode into Senna's tent. Oddly enough, the Captain herself was absent, but there were three Seraph Knights waiting for them.

A few moments later, a large teleportation seal lit up Central Station, and the five Wizards found themselves in the crowded Ambrosian train station during rush hour. The Seraph Knights vanished immediately, without even a goodbye. Quite a few people gave the Wizards odd looks at first, and a wide berth, but they were quickly forgotten. After all, Ambrosia was a large city, full of magic and strange sights, and five Wizards warping in out of nowhere wasn't that exciting.

"Stay close," Orion said over his shoulder. "We don't have a lot of time, and I really don't want to have to search for anyone in the crowd."

Once he was sure no one was being swept away in the river of people, Orion walked right up to the ticket booth, completely bypassing the very long line of people waiting. The woman at the booth looked at him like he was crazy, at least until he produced the letter Zalia gave him.

"Official High Council business, time sensitive. Five tickets to the mountain station."

"We only have five rooms available in First Class," the woman drawled. "That okay?"

"Fine," Orion answered, a bit impatiently. He paid for the tickets with the money Zalia gave him, and in no time flat, the five Wizards from Silver Chimera were boarding the Imperial Express.

The conductor showed them to their cabins at the front of the train, then left them to their own devices. The rooms were very nice and spacious, and all the rooms were in the same hallway.

"I'm getting some shut eye," Orion said suddenly, addressing the group. "Once we get to the mountains, I'll go over what I know. Until then, I advise you all to get some rest while you can."

Without another word, Orion disappeared into his room. He set his staff and sword against the wall, laid down on the bed without even removing his cloak, and stared up at the ceiling.

... What the hell am I doing?

The melody seems to have an effect on the dazed mages, Atticus slowly comes to. His eyes focus on the ceiling before realizing he's in the Guild Hall. He sits there, still unsure if he should move, and burdened by guilt.

Aldous lets out a sigh of relief under his breath. He nods at Sounders before turning to their last occupant. Hecate is the last to stir, her eyes focused on the ceiling. For a second, all is still, but the Iron Dragon Slayers sits up so quick that one could have sworn she'd had broken her spine.

Then, cold realization sets in for Atticus and Hecate. "....Leone was kidnapped. I didn't see who it was because the guy grabbed my shoulder. I... Saw a guild stamp on him though. White at the top; red at the bottom. He stabbed me with something. Leone... She gave me a box." Atticus said. He rubbed his face wearily.

Aldous makes an effort to scowl at the mention of kidnapping. Hecate is oddly silent before standing. "So, what are we going to do? Our guild mate has been kidnapped." She says eerily.

"Rescue her, that's what. We have a lead, at least. And, I found this knife." Aldous raises it, looking at everyone in the room.

"I was stabbed with that." Hecate deadpanned. However, the air of the room didn't seem to be amused. Aldous nods.

"Right. With this, we can track where they got it from. I don't know who they are, but I'd wager it was the Vallast Trading Company." The mature twin mused aloud.

"Then we march right up and kick their asses!" Atticus slams his fist into his palm, wincing as his side burns. Still not fully recovered, it seems.

Aldous looks to Guildmaster Sounders for advice. "Sir, do you think that..." He trails off, unsure if he should follow that thought.

"Wait! Hecate, Leone told me that that box was for you. She said... It was a present, and the rest could be found in her room. You should check there." Atticus said, turning to his friend.

Hecate picked up the box, her expression unreadable. Even Aldous feared she might throw it down. She hasn't exactly been acting the same these last few days—She had been distant more than usual.

"I see. Thanks." Hecate answered nonchalantly. She headed upstairs, and once she was gone, Atticus took some paper(That Aldous had handed him a little before)and began drawing the symbol with diligence and precision. He colored the bottom red, and then showed Sounders.

"Right here, sir. This is what I saw." He stated. Aldous scanned the picture before picking up the knife and looking at Vallory. "We should get this cleaned and then check." He explained.
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Meanwhile, in Leone's room, Hecate opened the box. She arched her purples eyebrows before finding the other half of the present—Her old clothing from the battle with Fliffy, but it was different, and even backless for her wings to burst free when she needed them to.

She dropped the present in the box on the floor in shock, countless emotions crossing her face before she settled on neutral again. She managed to quench the first episodes and flashbacks that came to her mind, stumbling into the dresser. She needed to get out of this room before she broke down again.

Taking her present, and ignoring her bleeding upper arm, she stumbled out the door and closed it. Suddenly, the episodes ended, and she slumped down on the floor. She wiped her cheeks, finding them to be damp before she buried her face into her palms.

She stayed there for awhile before doing as Sounders ordered.
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Aldous came back with a clean knife. "Right, shall we go now, then? I expect we'll be telling all our members of this... Incident?"

Orion knew who it was as soon as he heard the knock. There's only one person here who knows me well enough to know something's wrong... And only one person who would actually seek me out...

"Come in Eden," he calls out softly, not moving from his bed.

Orion simply stared at her, for a long moment, before he turned away and closed his eyes. "... I can't hide anything from you, can I? That actually makes me happy, Eden, in a strange way... I know I can confide in you, whether I want to or not... But... That also makes some things so incredibly difficult for me..."

He takes a deep breath, and sighs. "The last time I was the leader of anything, it ended more horribly than you can imagine. And this quest... I'm scared, Eden."

He rolled over onto his side and opened his eyes, propping his head up with his arm to look at her. "I... I haven't been completely honest about my encounter with the Wyvern King. It's a bit of a long story... But I think... I think I want to tell you. Will you stay with me for a while?"

"So are you sure this is the guild you want to join when we first signed up?" A normal looking squirrel asked a woman wearing a full body cloak.

"Why of course Conker, where's the fun in joining a guild that's already established," the woman responded.

"Sigh well Rosa, at least I can say its never a dull moment," Conker responded to Rosa.

"Besides imagine how famous we could be, Rosaline Van Helen the one who made Acorn guild the greatest guild in the history of ever," Rosa said full of pride.

"Maybe you can start with getting the name right," Conker said.

"Umm yeah, but Acorn has a nice ring to it, besides you like those right," Rosa said.

"You enjoy those squirrel puns don't you," Conker sighed

"Of course, Rosa and Conker too adventurers brought together by destinty, to make Acorn guild the greatest guild like no guild ever was," Rosa said as she drove her staff into the ground.

"Great we been here a little over a month and you still have a flair for the dramatics," Conker sighed.

"It's called confidence get a little," Rosa said.

"It's called get a clue, because in case you haven't noticed everyone in the guild could here you" Conker said. Rosa looked around the guild and she began to blush uncontrollably . Thankfully, her cowl covered her face so nobody could tell how red her face was.

"Next time warn me when I am about to do something like that," Rosa huffed towards Conker.

"Dearly, noted," Conker said as they continued to just relax in the guild