Max and the others, tightly embracing Ankh, finally noticed Mavis waiting behind them and were suddenly startled.
Alzack nervously released his grip, instinctively shielding Ankh behind him as he asked.
"Who is this?"
Watching everyone suddenly become like startled birds, Ankh quickly stopped them and explained.
"This is our guild's First Guild Master, Mavis. She was the one who protected everyone when the Black Dragon attacked us."
"F-First Guild Master?!"
Though puzzled as to why the long-deceased First Guild Master would suddenly appear here, everyone still bowed to Mavis with deep respect.
Regardless of whether she was a ghost or not, the First Guild Master was undoubtedly their supreme senior, and they owed her boundless gratitude for her protection.
"It is alright. Your companions are all on the island. Let me take you to them."
With that, Mavis turned and walked inland, with everyone quickly following.
Soon, they successively found their companions who were still unconscious.
Another round of tearful embraces followed, though those who had just awakened seemed somewhat dazed.
Ur, holding Ultear and Meredy, woke from unconsciousness and looked at the hugging crowd in confusion.
"What... happened here?"
Meredy blankly recalled the earlier events and murmured to herself, "I remember Ankh was severely injured, and then everyone shared his pain... Later, the Black Dragon came."
"That's right, Ankh!"
Ultear suddenly remembered, stood up, and ran toward Ankh.
Mirajane clearly had the same thought—after waking, she didn't even stop to check on Elfman and Lisanna, rushing over immediately to examine Ankh's body.
Looking at the two women fussing over him, Ankh said helplessly, "Don't worry, I'm fine now."
Erza, with a crying Bisca clinging to her, said worriedly, "But earlier, you nearly lost all signs of life..."
"What? Ankh was injured?!"
Max and Warren immediately released Makarov from their tight embrace and examined Ankh with deep concern.
Ankh thumped his chest and said, "I'm really fine now. It's just that my Magic Power is disordered, so I can't use God Slayer magic for now."
Laxus said thoughtfully, "Similar to the consequences of taking the Jupiter Cannon head-on. Luckily you're tough to kill."
Ankh scratched his head and smiled at everyone gathered around him.
"Still, I need to thank you all for helping me through that crisis."
Gray brushed dust off his clothes and laughed heartily. "What's there to thank? You didn't hesitate to take on the Black Dragon alone either."
Lucy approached then, holding a key with a warm smile. "Here, take this back. Don't say such frightening things next time."
Ankh took the Ophiuchus Celestial Spirit Key, feeling the magical fluctuations from it, and nodded gently.
"I understand."
Jet and Droy were kneeling on the ground, wailing like two bears, while Levy quickly pulled them up, both concerned and amused.
Nearby, Gajeel also seemed thoughtful. "To think it felt like just a nap, but seven years have actually passed."
Jellal instinctively scanned their surroundings and frowned. "Strange, where are those remaining members of Grimoire Heart?"
Midnight, tending to Cobra and Sorano who still lay unconscious on the ground, spoke carelessly.
"Who cares about them? Maybe that magic doesn't protect anyone outside Fairy Tail?"
Racer immediately retorted, "Come on, we're outsiders too, aren't we?"
"Regarding those people, I've already thrown them off Tenrou Island and sunk them to the bottom of the sea."
At that moment, Mavis reappeared before everyone, casually answering his question.
Though pure-hearted, Mavis was also the origin of Fairy Tail's tendencies to be fiercely overprotective, cause immense property destruction, and write constant apologies...
How could she let those who came to her sacred island to bully her family remain and ruin the atmosphere of their long-awaited reunion?
If she weren't still a spirit, she would have personally stabbed them a couple of times...
Makarov spoke with utmost respect.
"Thank you, First Master, for protecting me and the children."
Mavis shook her head, her gaze turning to Ankh as she smiled.
"It was only through the connected beliefs and bonds of everyone in the guild, along with the guests who came to Tenrou Island to help, that I was able to release the magic."
"I am just sorry it took seven years to undo this magic, delaying you all for so long..."
"And... I am merely a spirit."
As Mavis said this, golden particles of light emanated from her body as she slowly rose and dissipated.
Looking at Makarov with a pleased, proud smile, she said.
"It has truly become a wonderful guild, Third Guild Master..."
Mavis, incredibly proud of everyone, gradually faded into the air.
Makarov felt somewhat lost at the First Master's disappearance again, yet was also greatly encouraged by her warm praise.
The others were also deeply moved, feeling immensely fortunate that everyone had survived safely under such apocalyptic circumstances.
Natsu then raised his fist and said excitedly: "Well then, let's return to the guild! I want to see everyone quickly!"
Happy responded with equal enthusiasm: "Aye!"
At the mention of the guild, Max and the others' expressions darkened briefly before quickly returning to normal, though this subtle change was noticed by the small Carla on the ground.
Carla whispered to Wendy: "It seems Max and the others have been through a lot."
Wendy responded with sympathetic sadness: "Yes, it has been seven years after all."
Ankh naturally noticed Max and the others' unusual reaction too, but he said nothing.
This incident had taken away all the guild's powerful combat forces.
Combined with the Council's unfavorable attitude, it wasn't hard to guess what terrible state the guild was currently in.
Ankh's eyes sharpened slightly.
As long as the guild still existed, the rest could be handled by those who hadn't contributed during these seven years...
They had come as a sparse group of six, but were now leaving triumphantly with a large crowd—so many that the boat Max and the others had borrowed from Blue Pegasus was almost overflowing.
The lively atmosphere on the boat remained undiminished.
Max seemed to have returned to his old self from seven years ago, exercising his talent as a chatterbox host as he continuously complained and chatted with Ankh and the Guild Master.
"So, over these seven years, the Council has been downplaying our existence and hasn't paid the guild its due rewards?"
After listening to Max's lengthy account, Ankh extracted the key information and asked.
Max nodded repeatedly, saying indignantly: "If it weren't for the care from Lamia Scale and Pegasus, who shared some jobs with us, our income probably wouldn't have been enough to maintain the guild's operations."
Makarov snorted coldly, clenching his fist tightly: "The Council... a bunch of fools clinging to power and amusing themselves."
At that moment, Jet suddenly rushed over in a panic and said: "Guild Master! There are Magic Council members inspecting ships ahead. It seems they've already received news about Tenrou Island's reappearance and want to interrogate us."
Hah, they arrived quite promptly.
Ankh watched the Council ships approaching them on the sea and said coldly.
"We won't submit to inspection. Go straight through."
Jet hesitated for a moment, but Ankh immediately added: "Just tell them we have returned honorably after completing our mission. They have no right to interrogate us. If they're unhappy, let them take it up with Natsu's fists."
"And in three days, I will personally go to the Council. Face-to-face! I will explain everything perfectly clearly to them."
Ankh emphasized each word deliberately, particularly stressing "face-to-face."
Jet naturally understood Ankh's meaning.
Suddenly, the back that had been bent for seven years straightened up, filled with the absolute reassurance of having an adult return home to stand up for the children.
'Council, you're done for!'