The magic train raced along the long rails, leaving downtown Magnolia and heading south toward Fiore. The clicking sound of the iron wheels mingled with the murmurs of other passengers.
I sat in a chair by the window, staring out at the distant mountains on the horizon. Gray clouds hung low, as if they knew something was about to happen.
Natsu was sleeping with his mouth open in the chair across from me, Happy also asleep on top of his head. Lucy was sitting next to me, writing something in her notebook.
"Hey," he said without turning around. "You seem more nervous than usual."
I didn't answer. My eyes remained focused on the view.
Lucy sighed, closing her book. "I don't know what you're really hiding, but… whatever it is, don't let yourself be destroyed alone. Fairy Tail is always together."
I just stared at him for a moment, then looked away again. His words were piercing, but I wasn't ready to open my mouth yet.
"Partner…" Ddraig's voice echoed in my head, heavy and deep. "You know, he's right. You can't keep locking yourself away. Sooner or later, they'll force their way in."
I held my left hand, feeling the faint warmth from the Boosted Gear.
The journey took a full day. As evening approached, the train stopped in the small town of Ravencroft , on the southern border of Fiore. The town seemed deserted, far too deserted for its size.
The streets were empty, the shops closed early, and only the sound of the night wind could be heard.
"This place feels strange," Lucy whispered.
Natsu sniffed the air. "There's a foul smell… not trash, but something else." A small flame lit at the corner of his lips.
I could feel a faint dark aura, just like in the forest a few days ago.
"Partner, did you feel it? The traces of dark magic are still fresh. They just passed through here."
I nodded slowly.
—
We found a small inn that was still open. The owner was an elderly woman with worried eyes. As soon as she saw the Fairy Tail emblem on Lucy's hand, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness you came… the last few nights, people have been going missing. No trace, just blood on the streets."
Lucy swallowed hard. "It must be the work of that dark organization."
The woman looked at us hopefully. "Please stop them. If this continues, Ravencroft will become a ghost town."
I bowed briefly. "We'll take care of it."
That night, I didn't sleep.
I stood on the roof of the inn, staring up at the half moon. A cold wind hit my face.
Then, faintly, a scream was heard from the west of the city.
I immediately moved.
"Partner, don't be reckless. You're on your own now."
"Too late waiting for the others," I replied briefly.
I ran through the narrow alleys.
And there I saw it—a group of men in black robes with purple skulls on their shoulders. They were dragging a young village man, his mouth gagged.
One of them grinned. "The next subject for our experiment. Grimoire Shade will succeed."
I moved forward silently, my Boosted Gear glowing red.
"Boost!"
My feet hit the ground, my body shooting forward. I punched one of the men right in the face. BAM! His body was sent flying into the stone wall.
"Who are you?!" one of them shouted, drawing a black dagger.
I didn't answer.
"Boost!"
I jumped, kicked hard until two people were thrown at once.
The remaining one growled, a black aura enveloping his body. "You bastard! You dare defy Grimoire Shade?!"
A purple magic circle appeared beneath her feet. Shadows moved, transforming into a black whip that shot towards me.
I held it with my left hand. The Boosted Gear gleamed brightly.
CLANG! The sound of metal clashing with magical energy. The vibrations made the ground tremble.
"Boost! Boost! Boost!"
Energy flooded me. With one snap, the whip broke. I punched the man with full force.
DOOOOM!!!
A red explosion destroyed half the building behind him. His body lay motionless.
Silence.
I turned to the trembling, kneeling village youth. "Go. Now."
He ran without looking back.
I stared at the remains of the wreckage. My breath was heavy, my left hand trembling.
"Partner… you're going too far into this conflict. There's no turning back."
I knew that. And somehow, deep down, I didn't refuse.
The shadows of the Grimoire Shade have just appeared. And I… am ready to challenge them.
—
The next morning, Natsu and Lucy found the ruins. They eyed me suspiciously, but I just sat in front of the inn, my face expressionless.
The next morning, Natsu and Lucy found the ruins. They eyed me suspiciously, but I just sat in front of the inn, my face expressionless.
Lucy finally said quietly, "It was your fault, wasn't it?"
I didn't answer.
Natsu smiled faintly, fire igniting in his hands. "Then… let's go find the rest. I can't wait to beat them up."
Happy flapped his wings. "Aye!"
Lucy just stared at me for a long moment, before finally sighing. "Okay. If you choose this path… then we'll go with you."
I looked south, where the dark mountains stood.
The fight has just begun.