The guild murmured awake: mugs clinked, Mirajane hummed behind the bar, sunlight laid warm stripes across the old floorboards. In the infirmary, it was quieter—linen rustle, a kettle's faint breath, the steady tick of a wall clock.
Ryuji stirred.
Wendy sat dozing in a chair, both hands wrapped around his. At the shift of his fingers, her eyes flew open, blue and bright with hope.
Wendy (a gasp blooming into a laugh):
"Ryuji... you're awake!"
She folded onto the mattress and hugged him, tears spilling quick and happy. He winced—the new scar on his cheek tugging tight—then smiled, weak but real.
Ryuji (hoarse, earnest):
"Don't scare me like that again. Stay with me... always."
Wendy's cheeks flushed; she nodded, eyes shimmering.
Wendy (soft, certain):
"I want that too."
For a heartbeat, the world outside the room fell away.
Both, at once—barely more than a breath:
"I love you."
The door eased open.
Mirajane (sing-song tease):
"My, my... what stage of the relationship did I wander into?"
Carla blinked, then—just this once—allowed herself a small, sly smile.
Carla (lightly):
"Wendy. Explanations later. For now... I suppose congratulations are in order."
Wendy squeaked and sprang back to her chair; Ryuji glanced hard at the window, both of them scarlet.
Mira's grin turned warm.
Mirajane:
"Look who's finally up. Come on—your family's waiting."
They stepped into the hall and the guild erupted.
Guild (a wave of voices):
"Ryuji!" "He's okay!" "Welcome back!" "Good to see you, kid!"
Natsu whooped and clapped him on the shoulder (gently—Erza's look saw to that). Gray smirked and nodded. Lucy beamed and pressed her keys to her chest in relief. Gajeel grunted his approval. Levy waved both arms. Cana raised her cask. Elfman flexed. Macao and Wakaba puffed out proud smiles. Juvia dabbed at her eyes. Happy spun in a loop, "Aye, sir!" while Carla hovered protectively near Wendy, who was still a touch pale from her own wounds.
From the balcony, Makarov rapped his staff once. The room settled.
Makarov (fatherly—and firm):
"Ryuji Kazuma. You are one of my children now. That means you do not run off to bear a burden alone. In this family, we share the weight."
Ryuji bowed from the waist.
Ryuji (quiet):
"Understood. I'm... sorry, Master."
Makarov's sternness cracked into a smile.
Makarov:
"Good. Then your punishment is this: you'll help Mira with repairs for a week—and no shortcuts with magic."
(Scattered groans. Happy: "Aye...")
He lifted his arms wide.
"And your reward is a celebration worthy of Fairy Tail! To Ryuji's recovery—and to the fall of Crimson Veil!"
The hall shook with cheers. Mirajane slid tankards and trays across the bar; Lisanna whisked out plates; Kinana set fresh bread down the tables. Music rose, laughter followed. Natsu and Gray squared off—Erza's single glare felled them both into perfect manners. Gajeel thumped a table into rhythm; Levy shushed him and then clapped along anyway. Cana slung an arm around Lucy; Juvia sidled near Gray; Elfman proclaimed something about "being a man!" while Macao and Wakaba argued over whose story was taller.
Ryuji stood in the middle of it all, a little overawed, a lot relieved.
Wendy nudged him toward the corner stage, rubbing her shoulder once—just a ghost of the pain she'd taken head-on.
Wendy (hopeful, shy):
"Would you... play with me?"
He nodded. They sat—Ryuji at the piano, Wendy lifting her violin and bow. The guild hushed without being told.
Ryuji's hands found the keys. Wendy's bow drew the first line of melody. Their voices met in the chorus they'd written together:
Both (clear, steady):
Now I see the stars above,
A sky of hope, a gift of love.
Family found where none should be—
A bond unbroken, setting me free.
The last notes hung like starlight. Then the room erupted again—cheers, whistles, a few suspiciously damp eyes. Makarov wiped at one and claimed it was "dust."
Mirajane (hands to cheeks):
"Beautiful."
Carla (soft, approving):
"Acceptable... for now."
Natsu (grinning):
"Play it again after cake!"
Gray (aside, unable not to smile):
"...Not bad."
Erza inclined her head, pleased. Ryuji's answering smile came easy now; Wendy's shone back at him.
The next morning was all bright air and river-glint. Ryuji stepped from the inn to find Wendy waiting, hands clasped behind her back, rocking on her heels.
Wendy (beaming):
"Good morning!"
Ryuji (faintly flustered, pleased):
"Good morning."
They fell into step along Magnolia's cobbled street. Market awnings flapped; shopkeepers swept steps; somewhere, a cat complained at a fishmonger. Their shoulders brushed; both blushed; neither moved away.
They were passing an alley when a shadow dropped to the rooftop's edge—a tall figure with a staff, masked and cloaked, presence like a quiet pressure.
Mystogan.
Mystogan (low, urgent, to Wendy—and to Ryuji, measuring him with a brief, knowing glance):
"Anima. The distortion has begun. You must gather everyone and leave the guild at once."
Wendy's breath caught.
Wendy:
"An... Anima?"
Mystogan's eyes flicked toward the distant hall. The air itself seemed to hum.
Mystogan:
"There is no time. Go."
And he was gone, the rooftops swallowing him like mist.
They ran.
The guild doors burst wide. Makarov turned, staff half-raised—then every lantern guttered as the air warped, a low, swallowing hum rolling through the beams. Papers lifted. Tankards trembled.
Wendy (a whisper):
"Anima..."
Light—blinding, vertical—speared the hall from floor to rafters. For a heartbeat the world thinned to white silk and ringing glass. Hands reached for hands—
—and Magnolia vanished.
To be continued.
Author's note / Disclaimer:
Fairy Tail and its characters belong to Hiro Mashima and Kodansha. This is a non-commercial fan work. Ryuji Kazuma and original elements of this story are my creations. Thank you for reading this arc.
"Thank you for checking out Ryuji: The Fairy Tail Chronicles! This is a non-commercial fan story inspired by Fairy Tail. I hope you enjoy following Ryuji and Wendy's journey. Your feedback means a lot!"