Phoenix Mountains
The wind finally began to calm. Smoke and heat still clung to the red mountains, but the thunder of claws and roars had faded into silence. What remained was the scent of scorched earth and frozen air, the distant crackle of dying flames, and the soft hiss of melting ice where Akitsu's glacier wall stood in the distance.
High above, a familiar shadow swept over the mountaintop. Kuromaru descended in a slow spiral, his vast black wings beating against the updraft. His scales shimmered faintly with lightning as he landed beside Issei, his talons gouging shallow trenches into the stone.
"Nice timing," Issei said, exhaling as the wyvern folded his wings.
From Kuromaru's back, Yuuka hopped down with a wide grin on her face. Her dark hair was messy from the wind, her eyes still glinting with leftover adrenaline. "Damn, that was fun!" She said, stretching her arms over her head. "Are quests always this exciting? You should've seen how many I picked off from up there."
Issei smirked. "I could hear the explosions, Yuuka. You were really letting loose."
Yuuka with a grin rubbed her head in embarrassment. "It was really fun."
Soon after, the rest of the team began making their way up the slope, Akitsu, Uzume, Yashima, Karasuba, and Ruby in her small feline form perched atop Karasuba's shoulder. None of them looked as if they faced a massive swarm except for the bits of blood on their clothes.
Uzume waved first. "Oi, Issei! You're still alive. I was worried that creepy bone guy might've impaled you!"
Issei chuckled, resting his hands on his hips. "He tried. Failed miserably, though. How did you girls do?"
As the girls gathered around him, he looked them over, each of them battered but alive, their weapons still faintly glowing with residual magic.
Akitsu, as usual, spoke first, her tone flat but faintly satisfied. "It went fine. The enemy posed little resistance once their command broke."
Uzume, still grinning, leaned on her veil like a staff. "Fine? We were amazing! Yashima and I were knocking monsters around like it was a carnival game."
Yashima nodded proudly, hefting her massive hammer onto her shoulder. "She's right. We cleared at least a hundred together. Maybe two hundred. Lost count after the ground started cracking."
Issei chuckled, looking genuinely impressed. "Good work, both of you. Remind me never to stand in front of your hammer swings, Yashima. You have gotten really strong."
Karasuba snorted, arms crossed and sword resting against her shoulder. "Tch. The fights were easy. Those mages broke faster than glass." Her smirk then turned faintly sharp. "Though… that dinosaur was a bit of a challenge."
That earned her a few surprised looks.
"Wait—you're admitting something was tough?" Uzume teased.
Karasuba rolled her eyes but continued, ignoring the jab. "The beast was strong, I'll give it that. But Ruby here helped. Her enchantments boosted my strength enough to slice it in half."
Everyone blinked at the same time. A rare praise from Karasuba.
Yashima whistled. "That's a first."
Uzume laughed, turning to the small red Exceed. "Well, well, Ruby, you've earned yourself some serious bragging rights."
Yuuka leaned in with a grin. "Careful, she might start glowing from how much Karasuba just complimented her."
Ruby's tail puffed up as her face flushed bright pink. "I-I was just helping! It's nothing special…"
Akitsu, ever the voice of calm reason, tilted her head slightly. "Your support spells were efficient. You improved our performance by a lot."
"See?" Uzume said, giving Ruby a friendly pat on the back. "Even Akitsu praised you. Take the win, kitten."
Ruby hid her face behind her paws, ears twitching furiously.
Issei smiled warmly and knelt down beside her. "You did great, Ruby."
Before she could protest, he reached out and gently rubbed the top of her head, between her ears.
Ruby froze, her tail curling tight as she turned an even deeper shade of red. "W-wha—?! I-I—th-thank you, Issei!"
The rest of the girls exchanged knowing smirks.
"Not fair," Uzume muttered, folding her arms. "Where's our head pats, huh?"
"Yeah!" Yuuka added with a grin. "We worked our tails off too!"
Yashima nodded. "I wouldn't mind one either…"
Even Akitsu gave a soft blink, clearly not objecting.
Issei sighed, chuckling as he stood up. "You're all unbelievable."
Then, with a smile, he went around the circle, resting his hand briefly on each of their heads — Yuuka first (who grinned smugly), then Uzume (who beamed like a child), Yashima (who blushed and muttered something under her breath), Akitsu (whose stoic expression softened just enough to make her eyes glimmer), and finally Karasuba (who glared at him, though the faint pink on her cheeks betrayed her).
When he finished, he folded his arms and smiled. "Satisfied?"
Uzume smirked. "Temporarily."
With the teasing done, the mood settled into something quieter. The wind carried only the crackle of lingering embers and the groan of cooling stone. The once-living valley below them was now a sea of fallen monsters, wolves, apes, giant birds, reptiles, and the massive corpse of the Abyssal Devourer lying motionless like a slain god.
Ruby's small voice broke the silence. "So… what do we do about all of this?"
Everyone turned to look. The devastation stretched for miles, smoke rising from craters, the ground stained with blood and ash.
Yuuka frowned, as she looked down. "It's like a graveyard down there. We wiped out half the mountain's population. Hope we didn't kill everything."
Yashima crossed her arms. "Some of the beasts ran off when the mages disappeared. But yeah… we left a mark here."
Issei exhaled slowly. "We didn't have much choice. If we hadn't stopped them, Sunflower Town would've been gone."
"Still," Yuuka said, her eyes scanning the horizon, "it's kinda depressing looking at it."
"Agreed," Akitsu murmured.
"The ecosystem will take time to recover." Uzume said looking a bit guilty
Issei nodded. "It feels bad to just leave it here. Is there something we can do?."
Uzume blinked, then smirked. "Oh, we can. Obviously, we're taking the corpses with us."
Everyone turned to her.
Issei blinked. "...Come again?"
Uzume grinned and snapped her fingers. "We learned Requip, remember? We all have pocket dimensions. We can simply store whatever fits. We can use the meat for food, I can turn the fur and scales for clothing, and the rest for Matsu's experiments. She'll lose her mind when she sees this stuff."
Yuuka laughed. "You mean she'll lock herself in her lab for a week."
"That too," Uzume replied, already moving toward one of the fallen beasts. "Come on, help me out! The fresher ones are still usable."
Yashima groaned but joined her, hammer slung over her shoulder. "You really think Matsu can make something out of this mess?"
Uzume grinned over her shoulder. "With Matsu? She'll make everything out of it."
Ruby followed them, still curious. "Can you really make clothes out of monster fur?"
"I could turn this into clothes, furniture, carpets." Uzume said proudly. "You name it."
—--------------------
Once their plan was decided, the group spread out across the battlefield. The sun was dipping low behind the scarred peaks, painting the valley in a haze of gold and crimson. The smell of blood and ash still clung to the air, but now it was mixed with the faint hum of magic as Dragon Heart began their cleanup.
Wherever Uzume, Yashima, Akitsu, and Yuuka went, the massive carcasses of monsters vanished one after another in bursts of pale light, sucked into their pocket dimensions. In mere minutes, the field of corpses began to thin, replaced by patches of scorched and frozen ground.
"Man," Uzume said, wiping sweat from her brow. "Requip's useful, but it's still weird watching a a large lizard just poof and disappear."
Yashima laughed, as another body blinked out of existence. "Better this than dragging them down the mountain."
Even Karasuba, standing near the massive, bisected corpse of the Abyssal Devourer, was doing her part, though her sharp eyes lingered on the creature's immense size. "Alright, someone explain how exactly we're supposed to fit this in a pocket dimension? It's bigger than Kuromaru."
Before Issei could answer, Sherri's voice chimed through the Dimensional Watch, her tone confident and just a little smug.
"That's simple enough. Issei can store it himself."
Issei blinked. "Huh? Wait, I don't even know the Requip spell, remember?"
"You don't need to," Sherri replied. "Matsu's notes included the fundamentals, and I've already adapted the structure. I'll handle the process directly—using your magic reserves as fuel."
Karasuba raised an eyebrow. "You're gonna use his magic to stash a dragon-sized corpse? That's going to drain him dry."
Sherri scoffed. "Issei's magic reserves have gotten larger ever since he learned Dragon Slayer Magic. He won't even notice."
Issei sighed but smiled wryly. "Fine, fine. Let's give it a shot. Just don't make me explode, alright?"
"No promises."
"Sherri!"
"Kidding."
He stepped toward the fallen Abyssal Devourer, placing his palm against the blackened armor of its hide. The contact sent a faint shiver up his arm—it was still warm from the battle, faint embers of dark energy flickering beneath the scales.
Then, as the Dimensional Watch pulsed with light, the air around him shifted. Magic rippled outward like a shockwave.
"Store!" Sherri's voice echoed.
A glowing magic circle flared beneath the corpse, spreading across the ground in intricate spirals. The light swallowed the beast whole, pulling its body inward piece by piece until only a flicker of red sparks remained. In an instant, the entire mountain shook once more—and the body was gone.
The group stared in stunned silence for a moment.
Uzume whistled. "That… was awesome."
Yashima chuckled, impressed. "Guess we won't need any wagons."
Even Ruby's tail twitched with amazement. "You humans and your magic. That was incredible!"
Issei exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, incredible and exhausting. I think I just lost a day's worth of energy."
"Correction," Sherri chimed sweetly. "You lost about six hours' worth. And you're welcome."
He groaned. "You're lucky I can't argue with you."
The group gathered together again, inspecting the now-empty battlefield. It was eerie—what once looked like the aftermath of an apocalypse now resembled a graveyard swept clean. Still, the faint metallic tang of blood lingered in the air, mingling with the icy scent of Akitsu's magic.
Ruby's voice broke the quiet. "There are still some left… what do we do with them?"
Uzume paused mid-step, then snapped her fingers. "We give them to the townsfolk! They'll need food after all this, right? No sense letting it rot here."
Yuuka nodded from her spot near Kuromaru, tightening the straps that held a few of the larger frozen carcasses. "Not a bad idea. Meat this size could feed a town for months."
Yashima grinned. "Maybe they'll name a street after us."
Uzume smirked. "If they do, I want mine next to a bar."
Akitsu, already working, raised her hands. Ice crawled across the ground in elegant lines, sealing the remaining carcasses in thick frost. "These will hold until they return."
Kuromaru bent his long neck, letting out a low rumble as Yuuka secured the some of the corpses in his claws. The wyvern's golden eyes flickered toward Issei, awaiting command.
Issei looked at everyone, nodding in satisfaction. "Good work, everyone. Let's go tell the people of Sunflower they can sleep easy again." He turned toward the horizon—beyond the shattered ridges, the ocean shimmered faintly under the dying light of sunset.
"Kuromaru," he said, climbing onto the wyvern's back. "Take us home."
The black wyvern spread his wings wide, the sheer force of it kicking up a gale that rippled across the mountains. The others climbed on, finding their places along his back. Akitsu, ever silent, seated at the rear; Yashima gripping her hammer tightly beside Uzume; Karasuba resting her sword lazily across her knees; and Ruby perched proudly on Issei's shoulder, her tail swaying in the wind.
Yuuka gave the signal, and with a mighty beat of his wings, Kuromaru took off.
The wind howled as they ascended, the battlefield shrinking beneath them. The icy wall Akitsu had created gleamed in the distance like a monument, the last sign of the war they'd just survived.
As they soared west toward Sunflower Town, the first stars began to pierce the twilight sky.
Ruby, gazing down at the fading glow of the battle, whispered softly, "We actually did it…"
Issei smiled, eyes on the horizon. "Yeah. We did."
Behind him, Yuuka grinned, her voice carrying over the wind. "Let's go collect our reward!"
Uzume laughed. "And maybe a few drinks!"
Karasuba's grin widened. "Now that's the best idea you've had all day."
Their laughter echoed against the sky as Dragon Heart flew to the town, victorious.
—--------------------------
Sunflower Town
The coastal breeze carried with it the distant scent of salt and seaweed as the people of Sunflower Town went about their evening routines. The market still bustled faintly, though quieter than usual, fishermen mended their nets by the docks, and families lingered outside their homes, their eyes often drifting toward the east, toward the Phoenix Mountains.
The sound of distant roars had filled the air earlier that day, echoing like thunder across the valley. The sky itself had flashed red and blue as if the heavens were at war. No one dared speak of it aloud, but the same worry haunted every heart.
"Do you think the Fairy Tail mages are alright?" A woman asked softly as she held her child close.
"They'll be fine," Said an old fisherman, though his voice wavered. "They have that S-ranked monster with them, don't they? Aye, they'll come back."
But beneath the calm words, hope trembled.
Then, as if answering the prayers of every soul in town—
A voice rang out.
"LOOK! UP THERE!" A young boy standing in the middle of the street pointed toward the sky, his voice breaking with excitement.
Every head turned skyward.
Far above the rooftops, silhouetted against the setting sun, a familiar shape appeared, wings vast and black as night, eyes glimmering like molten gold.
"It's the wyvern!" someone shouted. "They're back!"
The shout rippled through the crowd like wildfire. Within moments, people were spilling out from homes, shops, and taverns, filling the streets with gasps and cheers. The bell tower rang out as if to welcome them home.
Ruby, wings fluttering quickly, darted ahead of the group. "Everyone in the townsquare, please make some space!" She called, her small voice somehow carrying above the noise. "Give Kuromaru room to land!"
The crowd obeyed, Kuromaru descended slowly, his wings casting a sweeping shadow across the town square. Dust swirled as he touched down, his talons cracking the cobblestone beneath him. With practiced care, he lowered his great body and released two massive blocks of ice he had been carrying between his claws. They landed with a dull thud, glistening under the orange sky.
Curious townsfolk crept closer, only to gasp when they saw what was inside.
"By the gods…" one man whispered. "Those are—"
"—monsters!" another finished, stepping back in awe. "Real monsters! Frozen solid!"
The frozen beasts, their eyes still faintly glowing within the ice, were clear proof of the victory.
Then, from Kuromaru's back, Issei and the rest of Dragon Heart disembarked. Each member looked worn and bruised, yet unmistakably proud.
Issei stepped forward, giving a wave to the stunned crowd. "The quest is complete! The swarm has been stopped and Sunflower town is safe!"
The square erupted.
Cheers, laughter, and cries of relief filled the air as the townspeople surged forward. Some wept openly, others shouted blessings toward the heroes. Mothers hugged their children tightly, old men wiped their eyes, muttering thanks to the heavens.
From the far end of the square, a familiar voice shouted, "Move aside! Let me through!"
The mayor hurried forward, still clutching his hat to keep it from flying off. His eyes widened when he saw the state of the town square, the wyvern, the heroes, the ice blocks containing the monstrous trophies of battle.
"You did it," He breathed, stopping before them. "You actually did it!"
Issei nodded with a tired smile. "It wasn't easy, but yeah. The swarm's gone. The group controlling them got away, though, some organization calling themselves Titan Fall. But for now, they shouldn't be causing any more trouble."
The mayor's brows furrowed at the name, but his relief overpowered his concern. "Titan Fall, you say? Well, we'll worry about them another day. For now, you've saved us all."
Issei glanced toward the massive ice blocks. "We froze some of the corpses up in the mountains. They're safe to handle and should be good for materials and food."
The mayor's eyes widened. "You're offering them to us? That's more than generous! With that, we can feed the town for months!"
He turned to his aides nearby. "Gather some men! Prepare wagons! We'll—"
Issei lifted a hand with a grin. "No need. Kuromaru's faster than any wagon. He'll bring the rest down himself."
The wyvern gave a low growl of agreement, spreading his wings once more before leaping into the air with a powerful gust. The people ducked from the wind as the great beast soared back toward the mountains, leaving the town buzzing with excitement.
The mayor looked back at Issei and his group, his face softening. "Please, you must stay. The sun's almost down, and after what you've done for us, it would be wrong not to celebrate. Let us prepare a feast in your honor."
Issei chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's not really necessary—"
"Absolutely necessary!" The mayor interrupted, wagging a finger. "You've earned it, my boy! Besides, the people need something to lift their spirits. You've given them back their hope, let us return the favor with joy."
Before Issei could argue further, the others had already been swept up in the warmth of the crowd.
Uzume was chatting animatedly with a group of curious townsfolk, showing off her veil tricks to a group of children who clapped every time she made it shimmer like light. Yashima was surrounded by a handful of blacksmiths admiring her massive hammer, while Akitsu calmly offered to help freeze the meat for preservation, her frosty hands already forming ice crates.
Karasuba, meanwhile, was sitting on the fountain's edge, a grin tugging at her lips as a few brave soldiers asked her to tell the story of how she slayed the massive dinosaur.
And Yuuka, she was already laughing with a group of sailors, boasting about her aim and making bets she could shoot the weather vane off the church tower without missing.
Issei looked at them all, the corners of his mouth softening into a proud, weary smile.
Ruby fluttered beside him, her tail flicking happily. "They deserve this, you know."
"Yeah," he said quietly, his gaze sweeping across the smiling faces. "They really do."
The mayor clapped his hands together. "Then it's settled! Tonight, Sunflower celebrates its heroes, the saviors from Fairy Tail!"
The crowd erupted again, this time with laughter and song. Lanterns were lit, tables were brought out, and before long, the entire square glowed with warmth and music.
—--------------------------------
By the time the sun had fully set, Sunflower Town was alive with light, laughter, and song. Lanterns hung from rooftops, torches burned along the streets, and every corner of the town square glowed with warmth. Long wooden tables were lined with plates of food, barrels of ale, and the smiling faces of people who, just that morning, had feared they might lose everything.
At the center of it all sat Dragon Heart, now the heroes of Sunflower with Kuromaru having become the evening's greatest spectacle.
Dozens of townsfolk, men, women, and children crowded around the massive wyvern, staring up at him in awe. The once-fearsome dragon now sat calmly in the square, his golden eyes half-lidded in contentment as people approached nervously with offerings.
"Here, big guy!" One butcher called, carrying a haunch of meat larger than his own torso.
Another tossed a string of freshly roasted fish toward Kuromaru's maw.
With a pleased rumble, the wyvern opened his jaws wide, snapping up the food in one bite. The crowd gasped, then erupted into cheers as Kuromaru lowered his head expectantly for more.
"Guess he's enjoying himself," Yuuka remarked with a laugh, sitting nearby. "He deserves it."
Not far away, Karasuba and Uzume had commandeered an entire tavern table.
Both were surrounded by mugs and bottles, their cheeks faintly flushed as they raised another toast.
"To victory!" Uzume shouted, slamming her mug against Karasuba's with a clink.
"To strong opponents!" Karasuba replied, grinning wide. "And to free alcohol!"
The two burst into laughter as they downed their drinks, drawing cheers from the growing crowd of sailors and soldiers who had joined their drinking contest.
"I think they've officially drained the town's supply," A townswoman muttered from a nearby table, shaking her head.
Akitsu, meanwhile, had drawn a very different sort of crowd.
Near the edge of the square, she stood silent and graceful, hands glowing pale blue as she extended her magic outward. Frost bloomed across the cobblestones, spiraling in elegant arcs until the entire section of the plaza shimmered like glass.
The townsfolk gasped as snowflakes drifted down, dancing gently in the torchlight.
Children squealed with joy, some laughing as they touched the falling snow for the first time in their lives.
"Careful," Akitsu said softly, a rare smile curving her lips as she shaped the frost into smooth patterns. "It's slippery."
Within minutes, the square's center had been transformed into a glittering ice-skating ring. The children slid and stumbled across it, their laughter echoing into the night.
"Thank you, miss!" One little girl said, hugging her leg before darting back onto the ice.
Akitsu's expression softened further, and she nodded. "You're welcome."
At another table, Yuuka and Yashima were fully immersed in the feast.
Yashima tore into a roasted leg of boar, while Yuuka worked through her third bowl of stew.
"This food's amazing," Yuuka said with her mouth full. "Makes me almost forget how exciting today was."
"You said it," Yashima replied, chuckling. "I don't even care if this ruins my appetite for the next week."
"Same here." Yuuka raised her mug. "To good food."
Yashima clinked her cup against hers with a grin. "To more adventures."
Issei soon joined them, a large plate in hand, piling food beside Yuuka and Yashima before finding an open seat.
"Thought you'd never stop talking and start eating," Uzume teased from across the square, lifting her mug in salute.
Issei waved her off. "I was talking to the mayor and then trying to make sure Kuromaru didn't accidentally eat someone." He said with a laugh, settling in as he began to eat, occasionally glancing around the square. Everywhere he looked, he saw his family smiling, laughing. It made the exhaustion worth it.
Ruby, perched on the fountain's edge, stared quietly at the sky. The lights reflected off her red fur, her expression soft yet distant.
But then the mayor approached, his face glowing with pride and good cheer. "Ah, there you are, my little hero!" he said warmly.
Ruby blinked. "Mayor?"
He gave a hearty chuckle and sat beside her. "You look like you've got a lot on your mind. You seemed sad, child. Why so down? You should be celebrating with the others!"
Ruby blinked and turned toward him, forcing a small smile. "I'm fine, really. Just… thinking."
"About?"
She hesitated. "About how much fun it is. Fighting with them, helping people. I haven't felt that in a long time." Ruby then looked away, tail curling around her paws. "But now that it's over and knowing that they're leaving tomorrow, it makes me sad. I know they have other places to see and adventures to chase, but I'll miss them. I'll miss this."
The mayor's smile softened. "And why not go with them?"
She froze. "What? That's ridiculous! I—I can't leave. This is my home! After everything the town did for me, after you took me in, how could I just abandon it?"
The mayor got closer to meet her eyes, his expression kind but firm. "Ruby, this town will always be here. But you? You're wasting your light here, dear. You're meant for more than ferrying messages and helping at the market."
Ruby's eyes widened slightly.
He continued, voice filled with warmth. "Those mages, your new friends, told me everything. How you helped, how your magic strengthened them all, how you helped turn the tide. They said the battle would've gone far worse without you."
Her tail twitched nervously. "They… said that?"
"Every one of them."
Ruby looked down at her reflection in the fountain's water, ears low. The mayor's words echoed in her head, mingling with the laughter and warmth around her. She thought of Karasuba's rare praise, Akitsu's calm nod of approval, Yuuka's teasing, and Issei's gentle hand on her head.
'Could she really leave?'
After a long silence, she took a deep breath and turned to the mayor. "Maybe… maybe I should talk to Issei."
The mayor smiled. "A wise decision. Follow your heart, Ruby. You've already proven you have a brave one."
She nodded slowly, glancing toward where Issei sat, laughing with his companions. For the first time, the uncertainty in her eyes flickered with resolve.
As the music swelled and the festival lights shimmered above, Ruby hopped down from the fountain and began walking toward him, her small frame illuminated by the glow of the torches.
—----------------------------------------
Music still drifted through the warm night air as laughter and chatter filled the town square. Lanterns swayed gently from the ropes overhead, casting golden light across smiling faces and half-empty mugs. The celebration had begun to slow, but the joy still burned strong.
Near one of the long tables, Issei sat surrounded by his companions. Yuuka and Yashima were teasing Uzume about how red her face had gotten from drinking with Karasuba, who was now laughing loudly at some poor villager's attempt to outdrink her. Akitsu sat quietly at the table's edge, calmly nursing a cup of tea as frost collected around its rim.
Amid the laughter, a soft, hesitant voice called out.
"Issei?"
The group turned to see Ruby standing nearby, her small paws fidgeting nervously, her wings tucked close.
"Hey, Ruby," Issei greeted warmly, motioning for her to come closer. "Enjoying the party?"
She smiled faintly. "It's wonderful… but I wanted to talk to you. To all of you, actually."
Her tone carried a rare seriousness that caught everyone's attention. The girls quieted, exchanging curious looks as Ruby climbed up onto the table, standing at their level. The flickering lantern light reflected in her crimson eyes, giving her an almost heroic glow for such a small frame.
"I've been thinking," she began, voice steady but soft. "These last few days with you all were the most exciting of my life. I want to… I want to keep traveling, to help people like this, to see what's out there. So…" She took a deep breath, tail curling with anticipation. "Can I join Dragon Heart?"
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Uzume broke into a wide grin. "Well, damn, she's got guts!"
Yuuka chuckled. "I like her enthusiasm already."
Even Karasuba smirked, resting her chin in her hand. "She'd fit right in, honestly."
Ruby's ears perked up at their reactions, but Issei raised a hand, smiling gently. "I'd love to say yes immediately, Ruby… but there are a few things you should probably know before we officially welcome you in."
Ruby blinked in confusion. "Things?"
"Yeah," Issei said, scratching the back of his neck. "Let's just say… we're not exactly a normal guild team."
Yuuka leaned back in her chair, smirking. "That's putting it mildly."
Issei nodded. "The truth is… we're not from this world."
Ruby tilted her head, completely lost. "Not from Earthland? What do you mean? You're… not mages?"
"Oh, we're mages," Uzume said, grinning. "Just not the kind you usually find here."
Yashima rested ans thought of the best way to explain. "There are other worlds besides this one, Ruby. Entire worlds—different skies, magic, people, and even rules of reality. We travel between them."
Ruby's eyes widened, her little mouth forming an "O." "Other… worlds?"
Issei nodded, his tone patient but sincere. "That's right. We came here by something called the Dimensional Watch. It's a device that lets us travel between worlds. And when the time comes, we'll be leaving Earthland to go back home or maybe to another world entirely."
Ruby's mind raced. She looked from face to face, trying to process it all. "So… you're travelers from another world?"
"Dimensional travelers," Issei clarified, tapping his wrist, where the faint glimmer of the watch's seal shimmered under the light. "This little thing is what brought us here. It's also what keeps us connected to… well, home."
Her gaze lingered on the watch, her curiosity practically glowing in her eyes.
Uzume chuckled. "And before your brain melts, there's one more thing you should probably know about us."
"Another thing?" Ruby asked warily.
Karasuba smirked, crossing her arms. "Our relationship might surprise you."
Ruby blinked, not understanding until Yuuka leaned forward with a teasing grin. "We're all with him," she said, jerking a thumb toward Issei.
The Exceed's jaw dropped. "Wait—you mean—"
Uzume laughed. "Yup. We're all his girls."
Karasuba stretched, smirking proudly. "Call it a harem, call it a family—either way, it works."
Ruby turned red from ear to tail. "A harem?! You mean… you're all—?! Do I have to—?!"
Before she could finish, the girls burst out laughing. Even Issei couldn't help but chuckle.
"No, Ruby," Issei said between laughs, waving his hands. "You don't have to join the harem. That's not how it works."
Yuuka wiped a tear from her eye, grinning. "Relax. We're just warning you before you get blindsided later."
Akitsu, serene as ever, added softly, "We are merely explaining the nature of our bond. Romance is not required for being part of the group."
Ruby's face still glowed like a tomato. "O-oh… good. I—I thought—well, never mind!"
Uzume grinned. "She's adorable when she panics."
Karasuba smirked. "Reminds me of someone else we know."
Issei groaned. "Please don't say me."
"You," Karasuba said instantly, earning another round of laughter.
As the laughter faded, Ruby tilted her head. "So… if you're from another world, then… who exactly are all of you?"
Issei smiled. "Guess we owe you introductions—real ones this time."
One by one, they told her.
Issei began, explaining how he came from a planet called Earth, a place where devils, angels, and dragons exist in secret while there is magic like here, the human world knows nothing about it.. How he had the Boosted Gear, a sacred artifact capable of doubling his power endlessly — and containing Ddraig, a dragon so strong it could slay gods.
Then he lifted his wrist, showing her the Dimensional Watch, the tool that allowed him and his loved ones to travel between realities. Both Sherri and Ddraig then spoke out and said hello, surprising her.
Uzume took over next, pointing to herself, Yashima, Karasuba, and Akitsu. "We're what's called Sekirei—aliens, technically. Born from another world. Our power comes from our link to our Ashikabi—our destined partner." She winked. "That would be Issei."
Ruby's jaw dropped again. "You're all aliens?!"
Yashima chuckled. "Pretty ones, right?"
Akitsu nodded calmly. "Our species was designed to love. It's… complicated."
Yuuka smiled, raising a glass. "And me? I'm just the normal human who somehow ended up with these weirdos."
Uzume leaned in. "She's underselling herself. Yuuka's a crack shot and the voice of reason."
Yuuka grinned. "Flattery will get you everywhere."
As the explanations continued, Ruby's amazement grew. Every word ignited her curiosity further. Other worlds, aliens, dragons, dimensional watches — it all sounded like something out of the adventure stories she'd only ever dreamed of.
By the time they finished, her eyes were wide with wonder.
"So… you travel to other worlds? You meet new people, fight monsters, explore different lands?"
Issei smiled. "That's the idea."
Ruby's tail swished behind her, her voice trembling with excitement. "That's… incredible. You've seen more in one lifetime than most people could in a hundred!"
Then her expression brightened, her eyes sparkling like tiny stars. "In that case… I definitely want to join!"
The group blinked, then burst into laughter again.
Uzume grinned. "Didn't even hesitate!"
Yashima laughed. "She's got the heart of an adventurer already."
Even Akitsu gave a rare chuckle. "Her enthusiasm is… refreshing."
Issei scratched his cheek, smiling warmly at her. "You're sure, Ruby? Once you join us, it means leaving this world eventually. It's a big step."
Ruby stood tall—well, as tall as a small red cat could. "I've already made up my mind! I want to see everything you've seen and more!"
The group exchanged approving looks before Issei leaned down, gently offering his hand. "Then welcome to Dragon Heart, Ruby."
She placed her tiny paw against his palm, shaking it with a determined smile.
"From now on," Issei said, "you're one of us."
The girls cheered, raising their drinks. "Welcome aboard!"
Yuuka laughed, toasting her mug. "To our newest member—Ruby the Cat!"
Cheers erupted around the table. Ruby's cheeks glowed pink, her heart fluttering with pride as laughter surrounded her. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly belonging.
And under the lantern light of Sunflower Town, Dragon Heart celebrated again — not just victory, but the beginning of a new journey, and the newest star joining their family.
—--------------------------------
The morning sun rose gently over Sunflower Town, its golden rays painting the sea in a calm shimmer. After a night of laughter, music, and new bonds, the town was quiet again, the kind of peaceful silence that follows great joy. The cobblestone streets were still littered with lanterns and ribbons from the celebration, the air carrying the faint scent of roasted meat and salt from the nearby harbor.
At the town square, Kuromaru waited patiently, wings folded as he rested beside the fountain. His black scales gleamed in the light, and his tail occasionally swayed, tapping against the ground. Around him stood Dragon Heart, gathering their things, checking gear, and saying their goodbyes.
Yashima tightened the strap of her hammer. "Can't believe we're actually leaving already," she said, a bit wistful. "Feels like we just got here."
Uzume smirked. "If we stayed any longer, Karasuba would start picking fights just for fun."
Karasuba scoffed, brushing her silver hair from her eyes. "Don't tempt me. I was actually starting to like this place."
Yuuka chuckled as she checked her revolvers, the morning light glinting off the barrels. "You just liked the free drinks."
"Obviously."
Akitsu, silent as always, stood near the fountain, watching the townsfolk gather to see them off. Some of the children waved, clutching small snowballs she'd conjured for them as souvenirs. She gave them the faintest smile, a quiet warmth hidden beneath her calm demeanor.
Ruby fluttered nearby, looking both excited and nervous. Her small bag—barely larger than she was—hung across her shoulder, stuffed with little trinkets and tools the townspeople had gifted her overnight.
At the center of the crowd, the mayor approached, his broad smile brighter than ever despite his tired eyes. In his hands was a wooden chest wrapped in red cloth, heavy enough that two guards followed to help him carry it.
"Good morning, my friends!" he said, his voice booming with cheer. "I hope you all slept well after last night's… festivities."
Uzume laughed. "Some of us slept, yeah. Others," she glanced at Karasuba, "drank until dawn."
Karasuba shrugged. "Worth it."
The mayor chuckled. "Well, before you depart, it's only right that we give you your hard-earned reward."
He gestured, and the guards placed the chest before Issei. Opening it revealed stacks of gold coins, gemstones, and a handful of rare magic crystals that shimmered faintly in the morning sun.
Yashima whistled. "Whoa. That's… a lot."
The mayor smiled. "You saved our home and our families. No amount of money could ever truly repay that, but please—accept this as a token of our gratitude."
Issei rubbed the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed. "That's… really generous. Thank you."
The mayor clapped him on the shoulder. "No, thank you, young man. You and your companions are welcome here anytime."
He turned toward Ruby, who stood quietly at Issei's side, tail curling nervously. "And you, my dear," the mayor said gently, "I'm glad you made your choice."
Ruby's eyes softened. "I'll miss everyone… but I think this is the right thing."
The mayor nodded. "It is. Remember, Sunflower will always be your home. But out there, you'll find the adventure you've always dreamed of."
Ruby's eyes glistened as she smiled. "I will, sir. Thank you for everything."
The mayor patted her head. "Take care of these crazy folks for me, will you?"
She saluted with a tiny paw. "You can count on me!"
The crowd laughed, and even Issei couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well," Issei said, stepping forward, "guess that's our cue."
He turned toward Kuromaru, who lowered his massive head with a soft growl. The wyvern's golden eyes looked at Ruby curiously as if already recognizing the new passenger.
"Everyone ready?" Issei called out.
Uzume and Yashima climbed up first, settling near the middle of Kuromaru's back. Yuuka followed, while Akitsu climbed behind her. Karasuba leapt up last, landing with the grace of a cat and crossing her arms.
Ruby hovered nervously beside Issei. "Are you sure there's room for me?"
Issei smiled, offering his hand. "Always room for one more."
She placed her paw in his palm, and he gently helped her onto his shoulder. "Hold on tight," he said with a grin.
As the group settled into place, Issei gave a nod to the mayor. "Thank you again—for everything."
The mayor bowed deeply. "No, thank you, Dragon Heart! The heroes of Sunflower!"
The people erupted into cheers, waving and shouting their gratitude.
"Safe travels!"
"Come back anytime!"
"Tell Fairy Tail they're lucky to have you!"
Kuromaru spread his massive wings, their shadow covering half the town square. The gust of wind from the first flap sent petals and ribbons swirling through the air.
Ruby clung to Issei's shoulder as her heart raced, the thrill of adventure burning in her chest. "Here we go," She whispered, her voice trembling with excitement.
Issei grinned. "Ready to go?"
She nodded eagerly. "More than ready."
With a mighty roar that echoed across the valley, Kuromaru launched into the sky. The town shrank below them as the wind rushed past, carrying laughter and cheers on the breeze.
Sunflower Town glittered like a jewel beneath the morning sun, the waves reflecting the sun as they soared east toward Magnolia and the Fairy Tail Guild.
Ruby pressed her paws to her chest, watching the horizon with bright eyes. "I'm going to miss home."
Yuuka smirked from her seat. "Get used to it, Ruby. You'll be seeing plenty more exciting things in the future."
Uzume leaned back, stretching her arms behind her head. "And plenty of fights too."
Karasuba's smirk widened. "Good. I wouldn't want her to get bored."
Issei laughed, shaking his head. "Don't listen to them too much, Ruby. You're one of us now — and there's a lot more waiting out there."
Ruby smiled, the wind whipping through her fur as she looked ahead at the endless blue.
"Then let's go see it all together."
And as Kuromaru carried them higher into the clouds, Dragon Heart soared toward their next adventure.