Fairy Tail: The Journey
Chapter 12
Kai returned to Magnolia just in time to hear the emergency signal echo across the town. Buildings shifted apart, creating a straight path leading toward the guild as the warning of "Guildarts mode" spread.
He exhaled slowly, shaking his head at the familiar chaos. "So the old man is back… took him long enough," Kai muttered as he stepped forward.
In the distance, a man in a slightly torn cloak walked calmly through the open road. The air around him felt heavy, as if even the town itself acknowledged his presence.
Kai smirked and dashed forward without hesitation. His figure blurred as he quickly caught up.
Guildarts suddenly stopped mid-step, sensing a warm, blazing aura approaching from behind. The presence was bright and steady, like a rising sun.
"Oh? The kid is back too?" he said with a grin. Kai appeared beside him, casually matching his pace.
"Yo, Guildarts. Took you long enough to come back," Kai waved lazily, walking beside him. His tone was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp.
Guildarts laughed heartily, clearly pleased. "Hahaha! Kid, you've grown," he said, glancing at Kai with interest.
"So, how was the S-Class mission?" Guildarts asked, his tone shifting slightly. He looked genuinely curious.
Kai shrugged, hands in his pockets. "The mission itself was easy," he replied honestly.
He let out a small sigh before continuing. "Traveling, tracking… that's what took most of the time."
Guildarts nodded knowingly, clearly understanding. "That's part of the job," he said with a grin.
"The more you go out there, the more efficient you'll become," he added as they continued walking.
As the two entered the guild, cheers erupted instantly. The lively hall grew even louder with excitement.
"Guildarts is back!" someone shouted. "Kai is back too!" another voice followed.
Before anything else could happen, Natsu charged forward with flames covering his fist. "Kai! Guildarts! Fight me!" he yelled eagerly.
Both Kai and Guildarts sighed at the same time. Guildarts stepped forward calmly, blocking the path.
"Natsu… you need a wake-up call," he said in a serious tone. His presence alone began to shift the atmosphere.
Natsu ignored him completely. "Fire Dragon's—" he started, but he never got the chance to finish.
Guildarts released his magic presence without casting a spell. It was pure pressure, overwhelming and absolute.
Natsu froze instantly, his body refusing to move. Fear rooted him in place as he stared at Guildarts.
Facing him felt like standing before an unmovable mountain. The difference in power was suffocating.
"Understand your limits," Guildarts said calmly. "Only then will you grow stronger."
The pressure vanished just as quickly, leaving behind silence. Guildarts returned to his usual relaxed demeanor as if nothing had happened.
Kai smirked slightly, clearly amused. "Tsk… scaring kids, are we?" he teased.
Guildarts' eye twitched in response. "Say that again, kid," he replied, narrowing his eyes.
At that moment, both of them released their magic energy. Guildarts' overwhelming force collided with Kai's blazing, sun-like aura.
Kai's magic was smaller in quantity, but far purer and more refined. His control allowed him to stand evenly against Guildarts.
For a brief moment, the two forces balanced perfectly. Then both withdrew their power at the same time.
"Hahahaha!" Guildarts laughed loudly. "Bahahaha!" Kai joined in, equally amused.
"Kid, you've gotten stronger than when you fought me during your S-Class exam," Guildarts admitted.
Kai smirked confidently, crossing his arms. "Of course I have," he replied.
"Who do you think I am?" he added with a grin. "Your title will be mine one day."
Nearby, the guild members stared in complete shock. Even Natsu looked shaken as he struggled to process what he had just witnessed.
"Mo… monsters…" Natsu muttered quietly. Happy stayed silent, clearly intimidated.
Wakaba wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Do they not realize we're standing here?" he whispered nervously.
Makarov laughed loudly from the side. "That was them holding back," he said casually.
Silence fell across the guild as everyone processed that statement. The gap between them felt even larger now.
Just then, Kai suddenly froze for a split second. His senses picked up a familiar presence he had been waiting for.
Without another word, he disappeared in a blur. He rushed into the guild hall with urgency.
Inside, Erza sat calmly on a chair, unaware of what was about to happen. Her presence alone commanded respect.
Before she could react, Kai wrapped his arms around her and lifted her into the air. He spun her around without hesitation.
"Kaiii! What are you doing?! Stop!" Erza shouted, her face turning bright red.
She had tried to avoid this situation, yet she couldn't stop the smile forming on her lips. Her resistance was weak and half-hearted.
Kai ignored her protests and laughed. "Stupid girl, why did you take a mission when I was coming back?"
He stopped spinning but didn't let go. Instead, he pulled her closer into a firm, warm embrace.
Erza buried her face in his chest, too embarrassed to look up. "How was I supposed to know you were coming?" she replied softly.
Kai paused for a moment before nodding. "Fair point," he admitted.
Then he smiled brightly. "Still… I missed you so much."
Erza's face grew even redder as the guild members flooded in. The moment was instantly noticed.
"Ohhhh, youth!" someone shouted. "Is Titania embarrassed?" another teased.
"Tsk… who would believe she's the same strict Erza?" someone else added with a laugh.
Happy giggled loudly. "Aye! Someone is happier to see Kai than us!"
Erza didn't let go of Kai as she turned slightly toward them. Eyes narrwing in irritation.
The entire guild froze for a second before immediately running away. No one wanted to face her anger.
Makarov, however, stopped midway and turned back. His face turned red with embarrassment and rage.
"YOU TWO SHAMELESS KIDS!" he shouted. "THIS IS THE GUILD HALL, NOT YOUR HOME!"
The guild burst into laughter instantly. "Hahaha! Gramps, you ran first!" Natsu pointed out.
Guildarts joined in the laughter as well, enjoying the chaos. Soon enough, another brawl broke out.
Kai simply grabbed Erza and teleported away using FTG. They appeared behind the guild near the quiet lake.
Erza was now in her casual clothes, still holding onto him. The peaceful environment contrasted sharply with the chaos inside.
Kai gently stroked her hair as they stood together. "So… why did Miss Heartfilia call you?" Erza asked softly.
Kai's expression softened slightly. "She wanted me to look after Lucy," he replied.
He looked away briefly. "She doesn't have much time left."
Erza sighed quietly and leaned closer to him. "You did everything you could," she said gently.
"There's no need to blame yourself," she added, her voice filled with warmth.
Kai suddenly looked at her with teary eyes. "I'm very sad," he said dramatically.
"Give me a 'be happy' kiss," he added with a straight face.
Erza froze completely, her face turning red again. "W-What are you talking about?!" she stammered.
Kai sighed and turned slightly away. "Well… I'll just go to Mira then," he said casually.
"Oh right… she sneaked into my room and slept hugging me that night—"
Before he could finish, Erza kissed him.
Kai paused for a moment before responding, leaning into the kiss. His tounge invaded her mouth.
Erza responded toungs fighting for dominance. After a while thay seprated. Kai kissed her red cheeks.
Erza's face was as red as her hair. "Mira already told me," she said, trying to act composed.
Kai smiled softly and kissed her cheek again. "Hey, Erza," he said gently.
"Hm?" she responded, still flustered.
"How about we build our own home?" he asked, resting his forehead against hers.
Erza blinked in surprise. "A home?" she repeated softly.
Kai nodded, his gaze steady. "A big house… for you, me, Mira… and everyone important to us."
Erza's expression softened into a genuine smile. "That… sounds wonderful," she said.
A tear slipped down her cheek, but Kai gently caught it. "Only tears of happiness suit you," he said softly.
Erza laughed quietly. "Thank you, Kai," she replied.
Kai shook his head. "I should be the one thanking you," he said, pulling her closer.
They sat under a tree near the lake, leaning against each other. Erza rested comfortably on his shoulder.
Kai wrapped his one arm around her other stroking her Hair as they talked and laughed softly. In that quiet moment, everything felt peaceful.
Inside the guild roared with chaos and celebration. But here, it was just the two of them—together.