The guild was as loud as ever. Shouting, laughter, and the occasional crash filled the air.
I leaned against the bar, drink in hand, while watching the madness unfold. Across from me, Laxus sat on a stool, arms crossed, looking as grumpy as ever. The kid had been sulking all day, something about wanting to go on missions but Makarov not allowing it yet.
"You'll get your chance," I told him with a smirk. "Just gotta be patient."
Laxus scoffed. "Easy for you to say. You get to go out there and fight all the time."
"Yeah, but I've also earned it," I pointed out, ruffling his hair just to annoy him. He growled, swatting my hand away.
Before he could complain more, someone slid into the seat next to me.
It was Alma.
She rested an elbow on the counter, sharp eyes glancing at me with amusement. "Messing with Laxus again?"
"He's easy to mess with," I replied, grinning.
Laxus muttered something under his breath but didn't argue.
Alma smirked before turning her attention to me fully. "So, tell me, Aiden. How many dark guilds have you wiped out this week?"
I shrugged. "Not enough. They keep running before I can really have fun."
She chuckled. "That must be frustrating. Imagine being so strong that fights start feeling boring."
"Tell me about it." I sighed dramatically. "It's hard being me."
Alma rolled her eyes. "You're insufferable."
I smirked, leaning in slightly. "And yet, you keep hanging around me."
"Someone has to keep you in check." She tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "Besides, you're entertaining when you're not being reckless."
"Is that your way of saying you like me?" I teased.
Alma huffed, but the slight pink on her cheeks didn't go unnoticed. "You wish."
I grinned. "Oh, I know."
Before she could come up with a comeback, the guild doors burst open.
The heavy doors slammed against the walls as a guild member rushed inside, panting. The noise in the hall died down instantly. All eyes turned to him.
"A message from the Alliance," he shouted. "They're preparing for a full frontal assault against The Fallen!"
Murmurs spread through the guild like wildfire. Some mages jumped to their feet, eager for action, while others exchanged worried glances.
I set my drink down. Alma's usual teasing faded as she studied my face. "You're going, aren't you?"
I met her gaze. "Of course."
Makarov stood. "Everyone, listen up. We have a battle ahead."
The guild roared in response.
As the excitement and tension filled the room, I reached into my inventory and pulled out a small pouch filled with green beans—Senzu Beans.
I turned to the nearest table, where a group of Fairy Tail members sat. "Alright, listen up," I said, raising my voice. The chatter died down as everyone turned their attention to me.
I pulled out one of the beans and held it up. "This little thing? It'll heal you from anything. Broken bones, exhaustion, even near-death injuries. One bite and you're back to full strength."
Gasps rippled through the room. Some of the newer members looked skeptical, but the veterans who knew me well just waited for more.
"I'm not skimping on this," I continued. "You're my family. If we're going into war, I want everyone making it back."
I tossed a bean to Reedus, who caught it mid-paint and nearly tripped over his work. He blinked at it. "This tiny thing can do all that?"
"Wait, do we chew it or swallow it whole?" Wakaba asked.
"Chew it," I said.
Wakaba frowned. "But what if I choke before it kicks in?"
"Then you didn't deserve it," I deadpanned.
A few members chuckled as I started handing them out, making sure everyone got at least one. Macao, Wakaba, even the rookies—nobody was left out.
When I got to Alma, I placed a bean in her palm, but instead of moving on, I pulled out something else. A small necklace with a deep blue gemstone, faintly glowing with a soft light.
She raised a brow. "What's this?"
"An enchanted necklace," I said, clasping it around her neck before she could protest. "It'll protect you if things go south. If you're ever in danger, it'll activate on its own."
Alma touched the pendant, her expression unreadable. "I don't fight, Aiden."
"I know," I said, my voice softer. "But if something happens, I want to make sure you're safe."
She looked up at me, searching my face for something, then sighed. "Thank you."
I grinned. "No problem."
She rolled her eyes, but I caught the slight smile tugging at her lips.
By the time I finished, the atmosphere in the guild had changed. The nervous energy had been replaced with determination. Everyone was ready.
Makarov raised his hand, and the guild fell silent.
"Fairy Tail," he said, his voice full of authority, "we move out at dawn."
—-
The guild hall had settled into a quieter hum. The excitement from earlier had died down, replaced by the steady buzz of final preparations. Some mages were still gathered in small groups, checking their gear or talking in hushed voices about the battle ahead. Others had already retired for the night, trying to get some rest before dawn.
I sat at the bar, fingers idly tracing the rim of my glass. Across from me, Laxus had long since disappeared, probably sulking somewhere. The only person still nearby was Alma, who leaned against the counter beside me, arms crossed.
"You should get some sleep," she said, watching me carefully.
I smirked. "Shouldn't you be saying that to yourself?"
"I'm not the one running headfirst into a war," she shot back.
I tilted my head. "Worried about me?"
She scoffed. "I'd have to like you to worry about you."
I chuckled, setting my drink down. "Ouch. You wound me."
Alma rolled her eyes but didn't move away. Instead, she turned slightly, facing me more directly. The candlelight flickered against her features, casting shadows that made her look softer, less guarded.
Her voice dropped slightly. "I mean it, Aiden. This isn't just some bounty hunt. It's a full-on war. You need to be careful."
I turned, resting my side against the railing so I could look at her fully. "You do know that I'm strong, right?" I teased. "I mean, I can handle myself. You don't have to worry about me."
She scoffed. "Oh, please. Even the strongest can fall. You're not invincible, Aiden."
I smirked, leaning in slightly. "Are you saying you'd miss me?"
Alma's eyes flickered, as if she hadn't expected the question. She hesitated, then met my gaze with a challenge. "Maybe."
That made me grin. "Maybe?" I echoed, stepping just a bit closer. "So you would miss me."
She didn't move away. If anything, she tilted her head slightly, as if daring me to push further.
"If you're fishing for some grand confession, you're out of luck," she said. "I'm not one of those lovesick girls who throw themselves at wizards."
I raised a brow. "Who said anything about love?"
Her lips twitched. "You did. Just now. In your head."
I chuckled. "Alright, you got me. Maybe I do like hearing you admit that you care."
Alma sighed dramatically. "You're impossible."
"And yet, you're still here."
She looked at me for a long moment, then reached out, her fingers brushing against my chest where the fabric of my coat hung open. "Yeah," she said, almost too softly. "I am."
For a second, it felt like time stopped. The air between us changed—thick with unspoken words, with something we both knew was there but neither of us wanted to be the first to say.
I laughed, leaning closer until our faces were just inches apart. "You know, when I get back, we should go somewhere. Just us. No guild, no war, no responsibilities."
She raised a brow. "Oh? And where exactly are you taking me, oh mighty wizard?"
"Anywhere you want," I said smoothly. "A quiet town, a fancy resort, even some far-off island. You name it, and I'll take you there."
She stared at me for a moment, then smirked. "Big promises. You better survive long enough to keep them."
I grinned. "You just gave me even more of a reason to come back."
She stared at our hands, then at me, something unreadable in her expression. "You better keep that promise."
I gave her fingers a light squeeze. "Wouldn't dream of breaking it."
Alma exhaled through her nose, her grip tightening just slightly before she pulled her hand away. "You're impossible."
"And you like that about me."
She scoffed but didn't deny it. Instead, she stretched, looking me over for a long moment. Then, almost absentmindedly, she muttered, "Sometimes I forget you're younger than me."
I raised a brow. "Oh?"
She blinked, as if realizing she said it out loud, then quickly looked away. "You're just... different from other kids your age. More capable. More reckless, too."
I leaned forward, smirking. "Are you saying I act mature for my age?"
"I'm saying you act like someone who doesn't care about his own safety," she shot back. "Which, by the way, isn't a compliment."
"Sounds like one."
"Then you're hearing things."
I chuckled, standing up and stretching. "Well, if it helps, I forget you're older than me too."
She frowned. "How?"
I shrugged. "Because I don't see you as someone above me. You're just... Alma."
For the first time tonight, she looked caught off guard. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
I tapped her forehead lightly. "Get some rest, Alma. Wouldn't want our responsible receptionist looking tired tomorrow."
Alma shook her head, but I didn't miss the way her lips twitched upward, or the way her fingers briefly brushed against my sleeve before she pulled away.
"Get some sleep too, Aiden," she said as she turned to leave. "You're going to need it."
I watched her walk away, a slow smirk spreading across my face.
—--
Dawn arrived faster than expected. The moment the sun peeked over the horizon, Fairy Tail was already gathered outside the guild, fully prepared for battle.
Weapons were checked, armor adjusted, and spells prepared. Makarov stood at the front, giving out final orders while the rest of us went over our own plans.
"Alright," I said, addressing the group closest to me. "You all got your Senzu Beans, right?"
A collective nod.
"Good," I said. "Because if I see anyone go down when they had one of these, I'm kicking their ass myself."
"Noted," Macao muttered.
Alma, who stood off to the side, watched the preparations with her arms crossed. She wasn't coming, but that didn't stop her from worrying.
"You sure about this?" she asked as I walked up to her.
"Of course," I said, smirking. "We'll wipe them out before lunch and be back in time for a victory party."
She didn't look convinced. "Just… don't do anything stupid."
I grinned. "Define stupid."
She poked my forehead. "Reckless. Overconfident. Running into danger without thinking."
I placed a hand over my heart. "Alma, please. When have I ever—"
She shot me a look.
"Okay, fine," I admitted. "But this time, I'll be careful. Promise."
Fairy Tail was destructive, and that had started rubbing off on me.
A few days ago, I blew up half a tavern, which I fixed, taking down a bounty target. Totally by accident. Before joining Fairy Tail, I would've been more careful, more precise. But after seeing my guildmates throw each other through walls over a card game, I had stopped holding back as much.
She sighed, then glanced at the necklace I gave her. "You better."
Before I could respond, Makarov's voice rang out.
"We move out now."
The ground trembled as the guild surged forward.
Then stopped.
"Wait," Wakaba said, frowning. "We're not walking there, are we?"
Makarov scoffed. "Of course not. What do you take me for? Some kind of barbarian?"
I grinned and pointed to the sky. "We're taking the Avalon."
Everyone turned as the massive airship came into view, descending from the clouds like something out of a legend. Sleek, armored, and armed to the teeth—Avalon was Fairy Tail's personal airship, donated by yours truly.
"That's still so unfair," Macao muttered. "How the hell do you have something like this?"
"Because I'm awesome," I said. "And generous. Mostly awesome, though."
As the ramp lowered, the guild began boarding.
Makarov took his seat at the front, arms crossed. "Enough talking. Get this thing in the air, Aiden. We've got a battle to win."
I saluted. "Aye, sir."
With a hum of magic, Avalon lifted off, cutting through the sky like a blade.
I leaned back in my seat, a grin spreading across my face.
"Next stop, war."