The sea shimmered beneath Escanor as he soared over glistening waves and thick, salt-kissed air. And then—he saw it.
An island loomed in the distance. But instead of natural tranquility, it emanated something sickening—a swirling haze of corrupted magic, thick and foul like smoke from a burning altar.
What is that stench? This is not natural. That is not ordinary magic.
Escanor squinted toward the dense architecture ahead—foreign, rough buildings that stabbed upward like claws. He quickly cast Sunlight Magic: Light Refraction, bending light around his form. A transparent shimmer pulsed once over his body before he vanished from the air.
I won't risk Grandpa Rob. Not without knowing the battlefield.
He glided down beside the island's cliffside and infiltrated the compound unnoticed.
What he found ignited the fire in his blood.
Chains.
Children.
Slaves.
A Dark Guild...!
From his vantage point behind a pile of crates, Escanor watched a tall man swing a whip mercilessly across a boy's back.
"You rats better keep moving! If you want food tonight, earn it!"
Escanor's fists trembled. He longed to unleash his magic, to crush them all under the heat of the sun—but the area was too tight, the captives too close.
No... if I strike now, innocent people could die.
And then—he saw him.
A familiar back hunched beneath a heavy load. Grandpa Rob.
"Grandpa Rob, it's me—Escanor." The words echoed in Rob's ears via magical sound transmission. The old man stumbled for a second, eyes wide in disbelief.
But he recovered fast, lowering his head as if he hadn't heard.
"Escanor?! What are you doing here? You need to leave—it's too dangerous."
"You vanished for over a month. Grandpa was worried. I came to find you."
Rob's voice cracked. "You shouldn't have. This old man isn't worth it... but thank you."
Escanor smiled behind his invisible veil. "Don't say that. We'll talk more after nightfall. I'll come to you then."
Night fell like a curtain.
As the exhausted slaves were herded back into cells, Escanor silently followed the group. The worn guards mocked the prisoners, unaware that death walked mere inches from them.
Inside the stone prison, behind rusted bars and walls that reeked of despair, Rob settled onto the straw-covered floor with the other prisoners—all children.
Escanor revealed himself inside the cell.
Startled gasps filled the room.
Rob raised a hand gently. "Calm down, children. This is Escanor—he's come to help."
One small boy looked up with wide eyes. "Big brother… Are you really here to save us?"
Escanor knelt and smiled, radiating a warmth deeper than the sun. "Yes. I promise I'll get all of you out."
He pressed his hand to his chest, a knight's vow. "You have my word."
That night, a plan was born in whispers and candlelight.
Escanor would scout the island, identify escape routes, and then dismantle the enemy from the inside. He would strike when the guards were least alert—during the midnight shift change.
But before he left, a small hand tugged at his shirt.
A little girl looked up at him, her face dirtied but her eyes shining with hope.
"Big brother… Can you find Brother Jellal and Sister Erza?"
Rob's expression hardened. "Two children were punished today. They resisted… they're locked up alone."
Escanor nodded. "I'll find them. Wait for me."
Erza's cell was silent save for shallow, pained breathing. She lay curled near the wall, dried blood on her arm, lashes on her back.
"...Erza. Wake up..."
Her eyes fluttered open. No one was there.
Then—he appeared, materializing from thin air.
Instinctively, Erza stumbled back. Her lips parted to scream, but a warm hand cupped her mouth gently.
They locked eyes.
A boy with golden hair and eyes like the sun. Not much older than her, but... strong. Unshakable. Kind.
Her cheeks warmed. Escanor quickly let go, equally flustered.
He explained the plan. Every detail.
When he finished, Erza's fist clenched with determination. "When do we start?"
Escanor admired her bravery. "Soon. But first, I need to find Jellal."
She hesitated... then reached for his sleeve.
"Can you… come back later? After you check on him? It's lonely here."
Escanor's smile softened. "Of course."
Following her directions, Escanor arrived at the eastern cell block—cold, ancient stone beneath his boots. Inside the farthest cell, he heard whispers.
He approached cautiously.
"You are chosen by fate... Zeref is not dead. You are his successor. You will build the Tower of Paradise... become the greatest Magus."
Escanor's brows furrowed. A shadowy figure loomed beside Jellal, who sat dazed, hypnotized.
What the hell is that?!
He stormed through the bars without hesitation—literally bending them apart.
"STOP!"
The figure spun—startled—and fled through the shadows. Jellal collapsed to the floor, still entranced.
Escanor chased her through the forested hillside. The night wind howled. Moonlight caught her just as she turned, launching a shadow spell behind her.
Escanor punched through the magic, delivering a raw blow that exploded with radiant force.
BOOM!
The blast grazed the girl's shoulder—enough to knock her down and tear her illusion away.
She rolled across the grass, clutching her arm.
Escanor stopped. His eyes widened.
A girl...?
She looked barely older than him. Long dark hair, wary violet eyes, and a silver pendant glinting under the moon.
"Who are you? What were you doing to Jellal?!"
She stayed silent.
He took a step forward—stern now.
"Answer me."
Still no response.
Escanor narrowed his eyes. Then he released a fraction of his killing intent.
The air turned heavy.
The night held its breath.
The girl shuddered violently, stepping back and pressing herself against a tree.
Her voice trembled.
"I-I... my name is… Ultear…"
Escanor's eyes widened.
"Ultear?!"
That name hit like a hammer. Your daughter…?
The girl flinched as if the name itself struck her. She dropped to her knees, sobbing.
"I'm sorry—I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I was just following orders. I was told to manipulate Jellal… please don't kill me…"
Escanor froze.
So young. So scared.
He slowly approached and offered his hand.
"Then don't follow those orders anymore."
Ultear looked up, stunned.
Escanor's voice was calm.
"You still have a name, right? Then start from there."