Day after day. Year after year.
Rhodes could no longer remember how long he had been training inside Summoner's Rift.
At first, he had tried to keep track of the days by scratching marks into the wall. But as the tally grew, doubt crept in. Had he forgotten to add a stroke yesterday? Or did he accidentally carve two? Slowly, he began to distrust his own records.
Worse still, with every mark added, the longing for Mira and his comrades only deepened. The dense lines seemed to whisper at him constantly, 'You're not trying hard enough. You've wasted another day.'
Though his strength improved steadily, the pressure and anxiety weighed heavier with each sunrise.
Until one day… he simply stopped counting.
From then on, Rhodes abandoned time itself. He ate when he woke, trained when he was full, and treated collapsing from exhaustion as nothing more than a way to fall asleep.
With the Ocean Dragon watching over him, he was no longer afraid of breaking himself. And if he pushed too far, that silly purple crab would faithfully carry him back to her to recover.
Every so often, whenever he felt his training had borne fruit, Rhodes would storm the jungle: clearing Worms, clashing with Nest Bugs, fighting the Rift Herald, and even challenging Baron himself.
For a long time, those fights looked exactly like Natsu challenging Gildarts, Rhodes always ended up battered, broken, and humbled.
But finally, one day…
When Baron loomed before him once more, the beast didn't roar or strike. Instead, it nodded, a flicker of satisfaction in its massive eyes.
Rhodes froze, stunned. He had grown so used to defeat that it took him a moment to realize, this was acknowledgment. Approval.
And once the truth sank in, joy overwhelmed him. 'At last… I can go back!'
There was no need for farewells. If he wished to speak with his companions in the Rift again, he could always summon them.
The pendant on his chest floated free, gleaming with a gentle golden light, then Rhodes' figure vanished, released at last.
Leaving Summoner's Rift was far easier than entering it.
At that exact moment, on the sea's surface outside Tenrou Island, Mavis's spirit stood barefoot, her eyes closed in deep concentration as she gathered Magic Power. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open.
She raised her arms, palms skyward. The ocean churned, and from beneath the waves, a pale golden shield began to rise.
The shield swelled higher and higher until it formed the faint outline of an enormous sphere. Within its glow… Tenrou Island itself reappeared, shielded and whole, safe even against Acnologia's devastating breath.
The sea calmed, the island settled back into place, and the golden shield shimmered once before fading away.
Meanwhile, Rhodes, just returned from Summoner's Rift, stumbled at the dizzying sensation. When his vision cleared, he saw it: the endless blue sky, the towering Tenrou Tree.
"I'm back!" Rhodes shouted with unrestrained joy. He flipped backward in the air and landed lightly. Just as he hoped, the Black Dragon was gone. Not even a trace of its presence remained.
He looked around. The land bore deep scars, trees toppled, the ground split open, but his companions were still here. They had been scattered, some lying together, some buried under leaves, and a few unlucky ones half-crushed beneath soil and rubble.
Clasping his hands together, Rhodes slowly drew them apart. A sphere of soft green light flickered to life between his palms.
"Ocean's Healing!"
The light broke apart into countless streams that drifted outward, falling upon his friends and sinking gently into their bodies.
After casting the spell, Rhodes was finally certain, everyone was alive. Everyone was safe.
His nose twitched, and before he knew it, his legs were moving. He rushed forward and scooped Mira into his arms, her pink dress fluttering softly as she stirred.
As if startled awake, Mira slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was a tear-streaked face leaning over her.
"Rhodes?" she whispered, her voice dazed.
He couldn't even respond, he just hugged her tighter, pressing her close until her chin rested on his shoulder. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest, real and steady.
Mira blinked rapidly, memory rushing back in fragments. They had been standing together, resisting Acnologia's overwhelming breath, everyone pouring their strength into Fairy Sphere… and then, nothing.
Judging by Rhodes's expression, though… it had worked. They had survived.
"Rhodes, I..."
Finally, he loosened his grip, though his hands refused to let hers go. He stared at her face, words catching in his throat.
Mira reached up, brushing his cheek with one hand, her eyes soft with concern. "You've changed… you feel different."
"Because… so much has happened," Rhodes admitted. He wanted so badly to tell her everything, about the Rift, about the Dragons, about the endless days of struggle, but now wasn't the time.
Before Mira could ask more, voices began to stir all around them.
"Ugh… it hurts…"
"Wh-where… where are we?"
Natsu suddenly shot upright with his usual fire. "That damn Black Dragon! Where is it?!"
"Shut up, flame brain." Gray sat up, rubbing his head. "You're too loud."
"Gray-samaaa~!" Juvia sprang awake, her eyes immediately turning into hearts. "Please, use Juvia's body however you wish!"
"Pervert," Lucy muttered, looking scandalized. "Doing that while Juvia was unconscious, how low can you get?"
"E-eh?!" Gray looked down in horror and jumped to his feet, blushing furiously. "No, I didn't...I wasn't...!"
"Gray-samaaa!" Juvia squealed, chasing after him and clinging like glue.
Nearby, Happy carefully propped Carla up. "Carla! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Where's Wendy?" Carla looked around in panic before flying straight into Wendy's arms as the little Sky Dragon Slayer finally stirred.
Not far away, Gildarts had quietly scanned the area, his senses confirming what everyone prayed to hear, Acnologia was gone. Without a word, he appeared at Cana's side, gathering his daughter into a crushing embrace, tears pouring down his face like a broken dam.
Cana pushed him away on instinct, grumbling, but when she saw his tears… she let her own fall and buried her face against his chest.
Ultear and Meredy held each other tightly. Laxus found himself surrounded by the Thunder God Tribe, each member reaching out just to make sure he was real.
Levy, overwhelmed with relief, suddenly launched herself at Gajeel, hugging him with all her strength. Realizing what she'd done, her face turned crimson as she pulled away. Gajeel muttered something gruff and turned aside quickly to check on Lily.
Lisanna and Elfman charged at Rhodes and Mira, pulling them into a messy, laughing, crying embrace. The four clung together like children reunited after a nightmare.
Erza stayed alert longer than the rest, scanning their surroundings, her hand still on her blade. Only when she was certain the danger was truly gone did her shoulders finally relax. A rare, tender smile spread across her face as she watched her family cheer and cry.
Makarov tilted his head back, staring at the sky with watery eyes. "Did we really… survive? Against that monster?"
"Yes. You survived, Third Guild Master."
The ethereal voice drifted gently to his ear.
Makarov's eyes widened. "Mavis… First Guild Master!" His old voice cracked with emotion. "Was it you? Did you protect us?"
Mavis's ghostly form shimmered faintly before him, her tone warm but firm. "No. It was all of you. The strength of your bonds awakened Fairy Sphere. I only gathered Magic to release the spell once Acnologia was gone."
Her expression clouded with regret. "But even that small act cost me dearly. Dispelling it took six long years."
In truth, she had expected it to take much longer. Only near the end had the process accelerated in a way she couldn't explain. But she didn't mention that now.
Instead, she smiled softly. "Strong belief, unshakable trust, together, they can create miracles. You have made Fairy Tail into a truly wonderful guild, Makarov."
The old Master flushed like a scolded child receiving rare praise. "First Master…" he mumbled shyly.
All around them, cheers of relief and joy rang out.
But not everyone shared in it.
Laxus frowned, staring at the spot everyone's gazes seemed to follow. To him, it was nothing but empty air. He hadn't heard a single word.
Turning to Freed and the others, he asked bluntly, "Wait… are you all talking to Mavis right now?"
"Of course," Freed nodded instantly. "She's right," His voice caught, realization dawning on him. "Wait… Laxus, you mean you can't see her?"
...
Stones PLzz
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