The underground chamber was in complete ruin.
Five pillars of light had blasted straight through the ceiling, shattering the structure and revealing the star-filled night sky and the bright moon above.
Under the pale moonlight—
Layla collapsed onto the ground, completely drained of magic. The twelve Zodiac keys lost their glow and fell one by one onto the floor as the Eclipse Gate shut.
Arlen stood nearby, one hand resting on the hilt of Alaya Consciousness, his gaze sharp and vigilant as he stared at the woman who had emerged from the gate at the very last moment.
Anna, on the other hand, looked anxious.
She quickly scanned her surroundings, searching for the five children who should have come with her.
But the vast chamber was empty.
Aside from Arlen and Layla—
There was no one else.
"Who are you?"
Arlen's cold voice echoed through the chamber.
Anna paused and looked up at him—the calm, composed boy with a hand on his sword.
"My name is Anna… Anna Heartfilia."
"Anna… Heartfilia?"
Layla had already gathered the fallen keys and held a book tightly in her arms as she stepped beside Arlen.
Her eyes trembled with shock—and excitement.
"That means… you're my ancestor?"
Anna studied Layla's face.
Their resemblance was uncanny—almost identical.
"…So I made it," Anna murmured. "Four hundred years into the future."
"Yes," Layla said respectfully, bowing slightly. "I am Layla Heartfilia, the current head of the family."
Anna nodded, her gaze falling on the book in Layla's arms.
"To think… that book still exists after all this time."
Arlen silently observed the two.
Honestly—
It was almost surreal.
The resemblance between Anna, Layla… and even little Lucy—
The Heartfilia bloodline was absurdly strong.
"More importantly," Anna said, suddenly serious, "did you see the five children who came through the gate?"
Layla shook her head.
"I only saw five streaks of light shoot out and break through the ceiling. I don't know where they went."
She turned to Arlen.
Arlen shrugged slightly.
"It happened too fast. I couldn't stop them."
Anna sighed, though she quickly composed herself.
"If possible… please help me keep an eye out."
"On the Ishgar continent, there should be five Dragon Slayers appearing."
"Natsu, Wendy, Gajeel, Rogue, and Sting."
"I'm counting on you."
Her tone was sincere.
"I originally intended to raise them myself… but something went wrong during the transfer."
A hint of regret crossed her face.
"Don't worry, Ancestor," Layla said gently. "I'll mobilize the family's resources to search for them."
"I'll keep an eye out during missions as well," Arlen added.
Anna smiled.
"Thank you… truly."
"Will you stay here?" Layla asked softly. "With the family?"
Anna shook her head and looked up at the night sky.
"No… I still have things to do."
"Finding those children is one of them."
"And…"
She paused slightly.
"There are other matters I must take care of."
(After all—she had crossed four hundred years not just for the children, but to find the key to defeating the Black Dragon, Acnologia.)
Then suddenly—
Anna leaned closer to Layla and whispered teasingly:
"That boy… is he your son? Or your little boyfriend?"
"?!"
Layla's face turned bright red instantly.
"N-no! He's my friend's son! His name is Arlen! I'm married—I even have a daughter!"
"Oh my~ what a shame," Anna laughed, eyes narrowing playfully. "He's quite handsome."
Layla didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
As for Arlen—
His expression remained calm.
But internally?
He heard everything.
Every word.
And saying anything would only make it worse.
So—
He chose silence.
After resting for the night—
Before dawn, Anna prepared to leave.
Layla held her hand tightly, eyes slightly red.
"Ancestor… if you ever need anything, please contact me. This will always be your home."
Anna smiled and patted her head.
"I'm not a child, you know. I lived in the age of dragons."
Even so—
The gesture felt like an elder comforting a junior.
"I'm off."
Anna waved, a packed bag slung over her shoulder.
"Wait," Arlen called out, tossing her a communication lacrima. "For contact."
Anna caught it, glanced at him, and smiled.
"Thanks, Arlen."
Then—
Without looking back—
She left.
"Well," Arlen stretched lazily, "that's that. Time for me to head back to the guild."
"Leaving so soon?" Layla asked. "Lucy keeps asking to play with you."
Arlen shook his head with a faint smile.
"She has Brandish now. She won't be lonely."
"And I've been slacking lately. Time to get back to work."
"Then at least stay for breakfast," Layla insisted.
"Of course," Arlen replied. "Nothing comes before food."
Layla laughed softly.
"Alice was right… you really are a foodie."
After breakfast—
Arlen said his goodbyes.
Lucy clung to him with teary eyes, while Brandish also looked reluctant to part.
Even though they had only spent a few hours together—
Arlen's charm was, apparently, quite effective.
Walking through the quiet morning streets, breathing in the fresh air, Arlen felt unusually refreshed.
"Everything wrapped up nicely," he muttered. "Time to take on some missions again."
Then—
He paused.
In the crowd ahead—
He spotted a woman.
Long red hair.
Bold attire.
A staff in hand, a witch's hat atop her head.
Her face—
Strikingly similar to Erza's.
Like an older version of her.
Without hesitation, she turned into a narrow alley.
Arlen's eyes narrowed slightly.
Something—
Felt off.
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/FicWarden