The sun hung low in the sky as I made my way through Magnolia, my mind already focused on what lay ahead.
The Tower of Heaven.
The place where countless people were enslaved, forced to build something that should never have existed. A place that, in the future, would shape Erza Scarlet into the woman she was destined to become.
But that future hadn't happened yet.
And I was about to walk straight into the past that had yet to be written.
I sighed, rolling my shoulders. "Well. No point in wasting time."
My mind was already racing through possibilities. The Tower of Heaven was a fortress—high security, magic barriers, and an unknown number of enemies lurking within. Walking in unprepared was suicide for most people.
Good thing I'm not most people.
"NIMO, pull up all available maps, rumors, and intel regarding the Tower of Heaven. I want a full breakdown."
"Compiling data… Please note that information is scarce, as the location is hidden from most public records."
"Yeah, no surprise there," I muttered.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Guess I should tell Alma I'll be gone for a bit."
Finding Alma wasn't hard. She was at the bar, sorting through paperwork while Cana sat beside her, lazily sipping a juice box. Across from them, Laxus leaned against the counter with his arms crossed, looking vaguely annoyed—though, to be fair, that was his default expression.
The moment Alma spotted me, her eyes narrowed. "What are you up to?"
I blinked. "Wow. Accusing me already?"
"Yes."
Fair.
Laxus scoffed. "You probably are up to something."
I sighed dramatically, placing a hand over my heart. "You guys wound me. Can't a man just come say goodbye before heading out on a mission?"
Alma straightened at that. "You're leaving?"
Cana peeked up from her juice box. "Where?"
I shrugged. "Just a simple retrieval mission. Nothing crazy."
Alma's eyes narrowed further. "Define 'simple.'"
I waved a hand. "I just have to track someone down. No fights, no explosions, no crazy bad guys trying to kill me—"
Laxus cut in. "So not one of your usual missions."
I frowned. "…That's rude, but fair."
Alma sighed, setting down her papers. "If it's so simple, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I am telling you now."
She gave me a deadpan look. "Right before you leave."
"…Better late than never?"
Laxus snorted. "You're an idiot."
I ignored him, focusing on Alma. "Look, it's nothing to worry about. I'll be back before you even have time to miss me."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you think I'll miss you?"
I smirked. "You always miss me."
Alma rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile on her lips. "You're impossible."
I leaned in slightly. "Yeah, but you like that about me."
"…Unfortunately."
Before I could say anything else, she grabbed the front of my coat and pulled me down into a quick kiss.
Laxus groaned. "Ugh. Can you not do that in front of me?"
Cana just giggled, still sipping her juice box.
Alma pulled back, looking unbothered. "Then don't look."
Laxus grumbled under his breath, crossing his arms tighter.
I grinned. "Guess I should leave more often if this is how you say goodbye."
Alma shook her head. "Just hurry back."
I winked. "No promises."
She sighed. "I hate you."
"Nah. You love me."
Alma didn't deny it.
As I turned to leave, I couldn't help but smile.
Even for a simple mission—
It was always nice knowing someone was waiting for me.
—---
The morning sun cast long shadows as I adjusted the strap of my coat, making sure everything was in place. Not that I needed to pack much—thanks to my Celestial Inventory, I could summon anything I needed on the spot. Still, there was something about going through the motions of preparation that made a mission feel real.
NIMO hovered beside me in its floating form, scanning the surroundings.
"You seem focused," it noted.
I smirked. "Got a job to do."
Makarov's words from the night before lingered in my mind. Rob was missing. And I was going to find him.
The road stretched before me, the distant mountains bathed in golden light. Magnolia was quiet in the early hours—most of the guild still asleep, unaware that I was already on my way. No goodbyes, no fanfare. Just me, the open road, and a mission.
NIMO hovered beside me, its sensors whirring. "No deviations detected along the planned route. Estimated time of arrival… unknown, given your tendency to get sidetracked."
I scoffed. "Wow. Such faith in me, huh?"
"I am simply stating statistical probability."
Shaking my head, I reached into my Celestial Inventory, summoning something I had been itching to use for a while. With a flick of my wrist, a deep mechanical growl filled the air as a massive black motorcycle materialized beside me.
Fenrir.
Sleek, heavy, and built for power, the twin-wheeled beast from another world rested on its kickstand, gleaming in the morning sun. The reinforced frame, split front wheel, and sword compartments on the sides gave it a brutal, yet refined, look.
NIMO beeped in what I could only assume was disapproval. "An extravagant choice for travel."
I grinned, swinging a leg over the seat and gripping the handlebars. "Yeah, but it's my choice."
The engine roared to life as I twisted the throttle, sending vibrations through my arms. The sheer power beneath me was intoxicating.
"Let's ride."
With a sharp kick, I shot forward, leaving behind a trail of dust as Fenrir tore down the road. The wind howled in my ears, the scenery blurring past. This was the kind of freedom I thrived on—pure speed, open roads, and the thrill of the unknown ahead.
The road blurred beneath me as Fenrir's engine rumbled, the wind rushing past. NIMO hovered alongside, keeping up effortlessly.
Summoning an item from the inventory, finding where the Tower of Heaven is located was a piece of cake.
NIMO beeped. "Given the timeline, there is a high probability that the children—Erza, Jellal, and the others—are already imprisoned there."
I tightened my grip on the handlebars. That thought had been nagging at me since I took this job. If Erza was already there… It meant her nightmare had already begun.
"And Rob's in the middle of it," I said, jaw clenching. "Those children don't deserve this."
NIMO's voice cut through the hum of Fenrir's engine. "While the Fallen Guild was eliminated, slavery and human trafficking remain rampant. The increase in dark guild activity has made it difficult to root out every operation."
I exhaled sharply, eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Yeah, I figured. You cut off one head, and three more take its place."
"Precisely. The power vacuum left behind has only encouraged smaller groups to seize control of illegal operations."
It was frustrating. During the war, we had crushed countless dark guilds, but even with the alliance's efforts, crime was still running unchecked. The worst part? The Magic Council was too slow—too bureaucratic—to keep up.
"Scum like them never stop," I muttered. "Selling people like property, treating them like disposable tools… and the ones with magic? They suffer the worst."
"Forced labor, gladiator rings, magical experimentation… the reports paint a grim picture," NIMO confirmed.
I tightened my grip on the throttle. I knew that already, but hearing it laid out so clinically made my stomach churn.
"And the Tower of Heaven?" I asked.
"It follows a different pattern. The captives are used as laborers to construct something. It is unknown whether its leader is connected to the dark guilds or acting independently."
A low growl built in my throat. "Doesn't matter. If they think they can get away with this, they're dead wrong."
NIMO beeped in response. "Your anger is justified, but remember—this is a large-scale operation. There is only so much one person can do."
I scoffed. "Good thing I'm not just 'one person.' I'm Oberon, King of the Fairies."
With that, I twisted the throttle, pushing Fenrir faster.
As I rode across the open landscape, Fenrir's engine roared beneath me, cutting through the otherwise eerie silence of the land. The sky was dull, overcast with clouds that threatened rain, and the road ahead stretched endlessly.
I wasn't in a hurry—at least, not right now. The Tower of Heaven could wait for a moment.
"Aiden," NIMO's voice echoed in my mind, sharp and alert. "I am detecting a life signature up ahead."
I frowned. "You sure? We're in the middle of nowhere."
"The readings are accurate. The location is an abandoned settlement, marked as destroyed years ago. No known inhabitants."
Destroyed?
I slowed Fenrir down slightly. "Where exactly?"
"Approximately 1.2 kilometers ahead. Rosemary Village."
I almost slammed the brakes right there.
"...What?"
"Rosemary Village," NIMO repeated. "Based on records, it was raided and burned down years ago. There should be no survivors."
Rosemary Village.
I exhaled through my nose, gripping the handlebars a little tighter. That name wasn't unfamiliar to me. It was the village where Erza had lived before being taken.
So it already happened huh… I thought I had a few more years, guess I was wrong.
And if NIMO was picking up a life signature there...
I narrowed my eyes. "Let's check it out."
I revved Fenrir back up, the motorcycle speeding forward, dust trailing behind me as I followed NIMO's guidance.
The first thing I noticed when I reached Rosemary Village was the overwhelming silence.
The place was a wasteland.
Collapsed buildings lay scattered across the area, their skeletal remains barely standing. The streets were cracked and overgrown with weeds, and whatever life once existed here had long been erased.
Yet, despite the decay, despite the years of abandonment, someone was still here.
I parked Fenrir near the remnants of a house and hopped off, my boots crunching against the brittle ground.
"NIMO, where's the signal coming from?"
"Fifteen meters ahead, near the remains of a collapsed structure."
I moved forward, stepping carefully over broken stone and shattered wood. The air smelled stale, like ashes that never fully settled.
Then, I heard it.
A faint, ragged cough.
I tensed, immediately turning toward the source. Pushing past a pile of debris, I found her.
A tiny girl.
She was curled up beneath what remained of a wooden beam, her body frail and thin. She couldn't have been older than four. Her dark hair was tangled and unkempt, her pale skin dirtied with dust and grime. Her golden eyes, once bright and full of life, were dull with exhaustion and hunger.
She barely reacted to my presence, her small body shivering even though the air was warm.
I crouched down, keeping my voice calm. "Hey, kid… You alive?"
Her head turned slightly, her gaze unfocused. She blinked at me, slow and cautious.
"...Who?" Her voice was weak, barely above a whisper.
I didn't answer right away, instead studying her condition.
"Aiden," NIMO spoke softly. "She is severely malnourished. If she does not receive food and medical attention soon, she will not last much longer."
I clenched my jaw.
She had been here. Alone. For years.
"...How long have you been here?" I asked.
She hesitated before answering, her tiny fingers clutching at her tattered clothes. "...Since the fire."
Damn.
I exhaled sharply. That meant she had survived the raid—alone.
"...What's your name?"
She looked at me for a moment, hesitant. Then, in a whisper, she said, "...Kagura."
I stared at her, my mind clicking into place. No wonder she survived.
Kagura.
I already knew that name.
I reached into my coat and pulled out a small piece of bread from my inventory, holding it out. "Here. Eat."
She stared at it like it was a foreign object. Then, slowly, she took it from my hand. The second she had it, she started devouring it desperately, stuffing her mouth despite how weak her hands were.
I let her eat, saying nothing as she struggled to chew through the dry bread.
A kid. Living in a dead town. Starving.
I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose.
There was no way in hell I was leaving her here.
Once she finished, I stood up, dusting off my coat. "Alright, kid. You're coming with me."
Kagura froze. Her hands gripped her torn clothes tightly as she looked up at me, uncertain. "...Why?"
"Because I'm not about to let a four-year-old starve in a graveyard." I extended a hand. "Come on."
She hesitated.
Then, slowly, she reached out, her small fingers barely grasping mine.
I lifted her up gently, cradling her frail body against me before turning toward Fenrir. As I approached the motorcycle, Kagura stiffened slightly.
"You ever ridden one of these before?" I asked.
She shook her head.
I smirked. "First time for everything."
I set her down in front of me, adjusting her so she wouldn't fall off. She was so light it barely felt like she was there.
As the engine roared to life, I glanced down at her. "Hang on tight, alright?"
She nodded weakly, her small hands gripping onto my coat.
I looked back at the ruined village one last time.
This place had taken everything from her.
But I wasn't going to let it take her, too.
With a twist of the throttle, we sped off, leaving the past behind.
I cut the engine, letting Fenrir settle into silence. The wind carried the faint scent of old ashes and earth, a reminder that this place had long since been abandoned.
Kagura's small hands were still gripping my coat tightly, her body tense. Even though she was exhausted, I could tell she wasn't used to being around people—especially strangers.
I sighed, glancing up at the darkening sky.
"We're staying here for the night," I decided.
Kagura blinked up at me, her golden eyes wary. "...Why?"
"Because you look like you're about to pass out, and I'm not about to have a kid collapsing on me mid-ride," I said, hopping off Fenrir. I reached out and lifted her down gently, setting her on her feet. "You need real food, some rest, and a warm place to sleep."
She stared at me, clearly uncertain.
"Besides," I continued, smirking, "I make some damn good food."
Kagura didn't respond, but her stomach did, letting out a low growl. Her tiny hands immediately clutched at her midsection, her face burning in embarrassment.
I chuckled. "That settles it." I lifted my hand, calling upon my Celestial Inventory. A soft glow flickered in the air before a large, ornate tent materialized in front of us—deep blue fabric lined with gold, standing tall and sturdy against the ruined landscape.
Kagura took a step back, eyes wide.
"You—how did you—?" She looked between me and the tent, gripping my sleeve as if I might disappear too.
"Magic," I said simply, flashing a grin. I pulled back the entrance flap and gestured inside. "Come on, take a look."
She hesitated before cautiously stepping in. The moment she did, her mouth parted in shock.
Inside, the tent was nothing short of luxurious. A warm fireplace crackled in the center, casting a soft glow over plush carpets and cushioned seats. A small kitchen setup stood to the side, complete with stocked shelves. A thick, cozy bed rested in the corner, far too big for a kid her size, but perfect for someone who hadn't had a proper night's sleep in who knows how long.
Kagura slowly turned in a circle, taking it all in.
"This… this isn't a tent," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's a house."
I leaned against the entrance, watching her reaction with amusement. "Told you. I don't do things halfway."
She turned to me, her grip still tight on my sleeve. "...Is this really okay?"
"Of course it is." I ruffled her hair, making her pout. "You deserve a good meal and a safe place to sleep, kid."
She didn't respond immediately, but the way her fingers slowly loosened from my sleeve told me enough.
"Now," I said, rolling up my sleeves as I walked toward the kitchen. "Let's get you some real food."
"Something like that," I said vaguely, pulling out supplies from my inventory. I set down a thick blanket next to her before summoning a pot and a few select ingredients.
Kagura watched in silence as I got to work, her small hands gripping the edge of the blanket. She didn't say much, but I could tell she was curious.
As I prepared the food, NIMO hovered nearby, scanning the girl again. "Her body is in a fragile state, Aiden. She requires nutrient-dense, easily digestible food to recover from prolonged malnutrition."
"Yeah, I know," I muttered, stirring the pot. I wasn't about to give her anything too heavy—her stomach probably wouldn't handle it well.
While there are items that can heal her instantly I opted in using food, as she also need to get healed mentally, based on how thin she was, suffice to say its been a while since she had a real meal.
With a thought, I summoned a meal specifically designed for recovery. The pot filled with a mild, nourishing broth infused with herbs to restore her strength. Soft-cooked vegetables and finely shredded meat simmered in the golden liquid, releasing a warm, comforting aroma. Alongside it, I summoned a small bowl of nutrient-rich porridge, lightly sweetened to make it easier for her to eat.
The smell filled the tent, and Kagura's eyes never left the pot. She didn't say anything, but the way she subtly leaned closer told me enough.
I ladled some of the soup into a bowl, letting it cool slightly before handing it to her. "Here. Eat slow."
She hesitated only briefly before taking it. The second the first spoonful touched her lips, her eyes widened.
She swallowed, then took another bite. Then another.
I leaned back, watching her as she ate.
"...Tastes good?" I asked.
She nodded, not even pausing to answer properly.
Kagura didn't respond—she was too focused on the food, eating with the kind of hunger that only came from someone who hadn't had a proper meal in a long time.
I sighed quietly, watching her small form.
This kid… she had survived all this time, alone. Living in a dead village. With no one.
She didn't cry. Didn't complain.
That kind of strength… wasn't normal for a four-year-old.
She finished the bowl, setting it down carefully. I could tell she wanted more, but she was too polite to ask.
I smirked. "Want another?"
She hesitated, then nodded.
I refilled her bowl, watching as she ate just as quickly as before.
Once she was done, I handed her a water flask. "Drink."
She took small sips at first, as if worried about wasting it.
I shook my head. "You don't have to be stingy with it. There's plenty."
Kagura lowered the flask, gripping it tightly.
"...Thank you," she said softly.
I shrugged. "Don't mention it."
I watched her carefully as she shifted, pulling the blanket around herself.
She was exhausted, barely able to keep her eyes open now that she had a full belly.
I reached into my coat and pulled out another blanket, draping it over her small frame.
She tensed slightly, but after a moment, she relaxed.
"...You're not leaving, are you?" she asked quietly.
I leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. "Nah. I'm staying right here."
She stared at me for a long moment before finally allowing herself to lie down.
Within minutes, she was asleep.
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.
NIMO hovered beside me. "What are you thinking?"
I glanced at the sleeping child.
"...That there's no way in hell I'm leaving her here," I muttered.
-----
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