Fairy Tail: The Journey
Chapter 3
Night settled heavily over the Tower of Heaven as the exhausted children gathered quietly inside their cold stone cell. The guards' footsteps had faded down the corridor, leaving only whispers and the sound of distant waves crashing against the tower walls.
Kai sat in the corner with Erza resting against him while Rob leaned against the wall nearby. The atmosphere was tense, as if everyone was waiting for something important to happen.
Jellal finally spoke in a low whisper, his blue eyes burning with determination.
"The shift change happens at dawn," he said quietly. "The guards at the North Sector are lazy. If we rush them together, they won't be able to charge their staves in time."
The other children leaned closer as he continued explaining the plan.
"We break for the docks, take the supply boat, and we never look back."
Shô clutched the torn fabric of his clothes, his hands trembling as he looked at Jellal.
"The ocean… is it really blue, Jellal?"
Jellal smiled softly, his voice filled with hope.
"Bluer than the sky, Shô."
Simon nodded firmly while glancing at Millianna, who was sitting quietly with her knees pulled to her chest.
"We have to do it," Simon said with determination. "We're dying here anyway."
Millianna sniffed as she wiped her tears.
"I'm scared," she whimpered softly. "But I want to see the birds… I want to see a cat."
Jellal nodded and clenched his fist.
"Then it's settled."
He turned his gaze toward the corner where Kai and Erza were sitting together.
"Erza, you'll be right behind me. Kai, you take the rear to make sure the younger ones don't fall behind."
Kai didn't move.
His eyes slowly shifted from the scratches on the floor to the bruised faces of the children around him.
"No."
The room fell completely silent.
Rob slowly lifted his head with a tired sigh, already sensing what was coming.
Erza glanced at Kai but said nothing.
Wally frowned and adjusted his small glasses in frustration.
"What do you mean, 'no'?" he snapped. "This is the plan! It's 'un-cool' to back out now!"
Kai finally looked up at them, his expression calm but serious.
"It's bait."
The children stared at him in confusion.
"That plan won't succeed," Kai continued quietly. "You guys are hungry and weak. They have magic, weapons, and guard dogs."
Jellal's eyes narrowed with irritation.
"So what?" he asked coldly. "You want us to stay here for all our lives?"
Kai met his gaze without hesitation.
"I never said what you should do. I only said I won't be taking that bait to be tortured."
His hand absentmindedly rested on Erza's head as she lay against his lap.
Jellal noticed the gesture and clenched his fists.
"Erza," he said firmly. "Let's find our freedom. No need to stay with this coward."
Jellal had never liked Kai.
Erza was always with him, always listening to him. Kai was clearly strong, yet he never tried to fight the guards or lead the others.
In Jellal's eyes, that made him weak.
Erza slowly shook her head.
"I trust Kai's judgment."
She crossed her arms slightly before continuing.
"I've been with this shameless guy ever since I can remember."
Kai smirked and gently ruffled her hair.
Erza immediately pinched his side in retaliation and shot him an angry glare.
"Stop messing with my hair!"
Kai coughed awkwardly and quickly fixed it again.
"Sorry… sorry."
She sighed before relaxing again, resting her head back on his lap.
Jellal stared at them with visible anger.
"Then stay here," he said coldly. "I don't care."
Shô suddenly shouted, tears running down his face.
"Cowards! You're both cowards!"
Kai didn't respond.
Jellal turned away sharply.
"Let them stay," he said. "We leave at dawn. If you want to rot in this hole, that's your choice."
Millianna slowly walked toward Erza, her eyes watery.
"Big sis Erza… are you really not going?"
Kai sighed quietly as Erza looked down at her.
"I trust Kai," Erza said gently. "You should also stay, Millianna. Don't go."
Millianna pursed her lips stubbornly.
"I wanna go."
Erza didn't try to stop her.
It was her choice, and Erza respected that.
Rob simply watched the children with sad eyes as he leaned against the wall.
"…I hope the world is kinder to you outside," he murmured softly.
The night slowly passed as tension filled the cell.
When the first faint light of dawn crept through the cracks in the stone walls, Jellal and the others quietly prepared to leave.
One by one, they slipped out of the cell and disappeared into the dark corridor.
Erza watched them go with worried eyes.
"…Will they be fine?" she asked softly.
Kai leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes.
"Nope."
He exhaled slowly.
"I warned them… but sigh."
Far away in the distance, the sound of alarm bells suddenly began ringing across the Tower of Heaven.