Galuna Island —
The sky above Galuna Island was permanently cloaked in an eerie lavender glow, the cursed moonlight drenching the island in a ghostly shimmer. As Team Natsu's boat docked, a strange silence greeted them — no birds, no waves, just the wind whistling through twisted trees.
"It's too quiet," Lucy whispered, gripping her whip tighter.
"Yeah," Gray muttered, stepping onto the sand. "This place feels… wrong."
"I can't sense any curses," Shinra murmured, violet energy lazily curling around his fingertips. "But something unnatural is definitely happening here."
As they entered the village, they were greeted by villagers wearing cloaks, their faces hidden — until one stepped forward and pulled his hood down.
His face was **half-demon** — horns, fangs, darkened skin.
"I am Bobo. Welcome. You are mages from Fairy Tail?"
Lucy stepped forward. "Yes! We're here to help."
The villagers looked at each other, some holding back tears. One elder, her voice hoarse, said, "Please… save us. Every night, more of us change. We don't know how to stop it."
Shinra looked at her with calm, intelligent eyes. "We'll need access to the temple ruins. And the full story — no matter how dark."
The elder hesitated, but something in Shinra's voice — soft, steady, assuring — made her trust him.
---
Back at Fairy Tail —
The front doors of Fairy Tail flew open with a burst of wind.
**Master Makarov** strode in, his tiny form pulsing with casual authority.
"I'm back, brats! Did you burn the guild down while I was gone?"
Mira came running. "Master! Welcome back!"
He smiled, but it faded the moment he saw her face tighten.
"…What happened?"
Mira sighed. "Natsu. He took an S-Class job. From the second floor."
The mug in Makarov's hand shattered as it hit the floor.
"WHAT?!"
"He wasn't alone. Lucy, Gray, Happy… and Shinra."
Makarov sat down hard on the bar stool, pale. "Of all the reckless—! Mira, when did they leave?"
"Two days ago."
Makarov jumped to his feet again. "Send someone after them!"
"I already sent Laxus to investigate yesterday," Mira said quickly. "But… he didn't seem too motivated. I think he's waiting to see them fail."
Makarov cursed under his breath. "That boy…"
He turned to the open guild door.
"**ERZA!**"
----
Within minutes, **Erza Scarlet**, now in full armor, was riding atop a magical carriage speeding through the forest.
She didn't say a word. Her brow was furrowed. Her heart conflicted.
She knew Natsu was reckless.
But she didn't expect Shinra to go along with it. Shinra, who had a level head. Who didn't follow whims.
*Why would he agree to this?*
She clenched her fists.
*I'm going to bring them back.*
---
On Galuna Island — The Temple of Zeref
Shinra stood before the ancient temple, its stone mouth yawning open like a monster ready to devour them. Carvings of demonic beasts and corrupted symbols lined the entrance. The moonlight seemed to bend unnaturally around it.
"This place reeks of twisted magic," he said softly.
"You know something?" Gray asked, walking beside him.
"No," Shinra replied evenly. "Just a feeling."
Truth was — he knew this was connected to **Deliora**. And that Gray would have to face his past soon.
But he couldn't say that. Not now. Not yet.
As they entered the temple, they were ambushed by monstrous creatures — mutated remnants of past failed experiments. Lucy summoned Taurus and Virgo. Gray froze several beasts mid-charge. Natsu exploded through the temple walls with fire fists blazing.
Shinra? He stood still until a beast lunged at him — then flicked his finger.
**"Red: Amplification Flow."**
The creature exploded in a pulse of cursed pressure.
Lucy blinked. "Did he… just one-shot that thing?!"
Shinra didn't answer. He turned, noticing something on the far wall — a **sealing array** glowing faintly.
His eyes narrowed.
*It's starting.*
---
At sea, Erza's ship cut through the water like a blade. Her hand rested on her sword, eyes locked on the horizon.
On the island, Shinra turned toward the temple's inner chamber.
Soon, the past and present would collide.
And nothing would be the same.