Chapter Text
Attention all passengers: The train will arrive at Ordross Station in five minutes. Passengers disembarking at this station are strongly advised to check their luggage and prepare to get off.
As the announcement echoed, Hirato Masaki opened his eyes. He had slept for almost three hours on the train journey he had taken from Magnolia Station. He was twenty-three years old, an S-class mage in the Fairy Tail guild. He was tall and athletic; his white, wavy hair cascaded down his shoulders, and his cold blue eyes held a striking seriousness. He wore black armor; a dark sword, emitting a dark aura, lay on his back and in his hand. In the sack at his waist were his mission paper, along with various potions and essential supplies. But the real burden he carried was the responsibility on his shoulders.
Hirato hadn't come to Ordross for an ordinary visit. He had been tasked with eradicating the monster plaguing the Ordross Forest and restoring its safety. This mission directly impacted the city's fate. He had rarely been to Ordross before, but he had heard countless stories about it from his great-great-grandfather, Toda. According to Toda, the Ordross Forest was the heart of the city; woodcutters, hunters, herb gatherers… countless people earned their living from it. Guildmaster Makarov had also specifically emphasized this point: if the forest fell, the city would fall too. And today, Hirato was here to prevent that collapse.
When the train stopped, Hirato disembarked and began walking calmly towards the city center. He had already learned the location; the statue of the hero Yashiro rose in the very heart of the city, and Ordross seemed to take shape around it. The people regarded him as a savior, almost worshipping him. As Hirato gazed at this scene, he remembered the words of his great-great-grandfather Toda and involuntarily smiled. According to Toda, Yashiro was not the hero he was portrayed as, but a master imposter who had appropriated the achievements of others. History often remembered not the truth, but the stories it wanted to tell.
Hirato bowed slightly before the statue; a gesture more mocking than respectful. Luckily, no one was around, otherwise the consequences of making fun of someone considered godlike could be severe. What was truly strange was that the city center was almost completely empty. This silence filled Hirato with unease. He instinctively reached for his weapon.
With a cautious gait, he approached the wall, heading towards the narrow streets where the houses became denser. He slowed his steps when he heard human shouts breaking through the silence. The danger seemed imminent, but his instincts warned him. As he got closer, it became clear.
-You said you would solve this problem, but there's still nothing! What kind of leader are you?"
Upon hearing these words, Hirato sheathed his sword. At least there wasn't a monster attack. As he moved towards the source of the sounds, he saw a crowd gathered in front of a house. Apparently, the homeowner was the village leader, and the crowd was complaining to him.
I've found what I was looking for," he thought to himself, and stepped forward, breaking through the crowd.
The man, who appeared to be the village leader, looked Hirato up and down and then spoke in a slightly mocking tone:
-I think you've lost your way, kid. Wait a moment, I'll help you.
Without changing his expression, Hirato took the mission paper from his bag and handed it to the man. As soon as the man saw the paper, his expression changed; his eyes lit up, and he respectfully shook Hirato's hand, grasping it with both hands. After quickly dispersing the crowd, he invited Hirato to his house.
“I am Orion Hanaki,” he said, a palpable sense of relief in his voice. “I am the current leader of Ordross village. Welcome, sir, welcome.”
-I'm Hirato Masaki, one of the Fairy Tail mages. I'm here to solve your problem, but you need to help me, Orion-San.
-Of course, I'll help you in any way I can.
-First of all, I get tired when I stay too long, I need to rest a bit. I need a place to stay and prepare, and of course, I need someone to give me information about the monster in the forest.
Of course, of course… I'll take care of that while I record," Orion said hastily.
"Zetsu!"
The door creaked open, and a boy of thirteen or fourteen entered. He was short; his black, disheveled hair fell across his forehead, and a few freckles accentuated his tired but lively blue eyes. His clothes were old, almost tattered.
Orion turned to the boy and spoke in a serious tone:
“Go and tell them to reserve the best room in the boarding house for Mr. Hirato Masaki. Deliver this message directly to Kozuki.”
Zetsu bowed slightly. “Of course, sir,” he said, and quickly left without asking anything.
-Yes, the place to rest and prepare is ready. Now I should give you some information, but first…”
Orion rose from his seat without saying anything and left the room without even looking back. Hirato watched him for a brief moment; he frowned curiously but ultimately chose to remain silent. Taking a deep breath, he looked around and sat down on the old armchair in the corner of the room.
It was an ordinary living room. The plaster on the walls was peeling in places, and yellowed damp marks were visible in some corners. A faded chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating the room with a flickering light. On the table were half-finished teacups, scattered papers, and incense burning in the corner; a heavy smell of wood permeated the air.
The upholstery of the armchair he sat in was quite worn, the foam protruding from the armrests. Yet, there was a strange warmth in the room—a sense of an old but lived-in place. A few family photographs lined the shelf by the wall; smiling faces behind dusty frames seemed to hold the memory of a long-ago happiness. Hirato waited silently.
A few minutes later, Orion entered with a tray. On the tray was a bowl of soup, a piece of bread, and a small cup; Hirato initially thought it was tea, but realized it contained only water. He thanked him politely, to which Orion responded with a strained smile. At first, Orion had looked at Hirato like a lost child. Now, however, there was a clear hope in his eyes—as if he wanted to place all his burden on his shoulders. Hirato took a spoonful of soup and spoke with a deep breath:
“Well… I’m listening, Orion-san. Please give me the necessary information about this mission.”
Orion was quite excited; but beneath that excitement lay a palpable anxiety. There was a slight change in his voice, yet he continued his explanation. He described how vital the Ordross Forests were to the city, how the forest was not only a source of livelihood but also the heart of the city. Woodcutters, hunters, herb gatherers… all were unemployed because they couldn't enter the forest, the markets were empty, even the fields were neglected. The people were sinking deeper into despair with each passing day.
“No one can set foot in the forest anymore,” Orion said, clasping his hands and looking straight ahead. “The few who did go in either never returned… or they lost their hiding places. We only heard their screams, that’s all.”
Hirato listened. Every detail described fell into place in his mind, possible scenarios forming one after another. But what truly caught his attention was a single word that frequently appeared in Orion’s sentences: creatures.
“Well,” Hirato said, his voice low but clear. “What kind of information do you have about these creatures? How long have they been seen, how many are there… or what do they look like?”
A brief silence fell over the room. Orion lowered his eyes to the floor, as if trying to recreate the images in his mind. Finally, he took a deep breath and raised his head.
“So far… I’ve only seen two clearly,” he said. “One was entirely made of fire. It burned everything around it even as it walked; I saw with my own eyes the ground turn black wherever it stepped.”
A look of terror mixed with dread flashed in his eyes.
“The other was the complete opposite,” he continued. “Its body was entirely made of rock. It was like a walking mountain. The ground shook with every step.”
Hirato listened carefully. His brows furrowed slightly, and he tilted his head thoughtfully.
“Hmm… just these two?” he asked. “Or could there be others?”
Orion immediately shook his head.
"No… as far as I can see, only these two. But the forest isn't what it used to be. I don't know what else we haven't seen. Every corner seems dark."
Hirato weighed what he heard in his mind. Fire and rock… two opposing elements, two different threats. This mission seemed far more complex and dangerous than he had imagined.
-Do you think there are more, Hirato-san?"
"I don't know, I can't say for sure, but these creatures you're talking about might have been created by a sorcerer."
"What do you mean?" Orion asked curiously, his eyes wide.
Hirato took a deep breath and turned his gaze to Orion.
"I'm talking about elemental creatures," he said in a calm but serious tone. "What you saw in the forest is most likely one of them. Fire and stone… the pure forms of the elements. However, such beings don't appear spontaneously. They are formed either by the effect of a very powerful spell or by a serious disruption of the balance of nature."
Orion's curiosity grew even more. He was about to say something when the door creaked open slightly. A short boy, about thirteen or fourteen years old, entered. He had short, black hair and slanted blue eyes; his clothes were worn, almost rags.
"Sir," said the young man, his voice slightly excited but clearly respectful, "a wizard from Fairy Tail has arrived. He wants to see you."
Orion nodded, indicating that she should enter. About fifteen seconds later, the door opened again, and a striking and impressive woman in her early twenties entered. Her fiery red hair, cascading in powerful waves down her shoulders, seemed to gleam even in the dimness of the room. Some of her hair was lightly gathered at the top, while the rest flowed freely.
Her face had elegant yet determined features. Small brown freckles scattered from the bridge of her nose to her cheeks added a certain warmth to her expression. Her deep emerald green eyes were focused on a luminous butterfly perched on her fingertip; there was both attention and keen awareness in her gaze.
She wore a sleeveless vest in a dark, almost midnight blue tone that allowed for freedom of movement. The thick, buckled leather belt at her waist and similar details on her lower garment clearly revealed her warrior spirit. The most striking piece was the long, tough leather glove that covered her left arm up to the elbow; this accessory clearly showed that she was experienced and ready for conflict at any moment.
-Ah, Hirato, so you arrived early. I wish you had waited for me."
Hirato's eyes widened when he saw the person entering through the door. "Angel…" he murmured; his voice was both surprised and as if he was saying, "I'm finished."
Angel's gaze, however, sharpened like a knife. That look clearly said, "If you ever move before me again, I'll nail you to the wall."
Hirato's facial expression conveyed a single sentence: Oh no, I'm screwed.
Angel averted her gaze from Hirato and turned to Orion. The deadly aura from before vanished instantly, replaced by a formal and measured tone.
My name is Angel Saeko, sir,” she said. “Like my partner, I am an S-class Fairy Tail mage. I had an urgent matter, so I told my partner to wait for me…but I think he was too hasty.”
Orion was surprised; he also sensed the intense tension between them.
“Welcome, please sit down,” he said.
Angel nodded.
“Thank you, but we’ve come a long way. We need to rest a little first. If possible, could you arrange a place for us to stay?”
Angel’s anger was evident in her voice. Hirato stood silently in a corner, feeling the weight of Angel’s piercing gaze on the back of his neck. Trying to ease the tension, Orion said,
“Ah… alright then. Hirato-san has already received the necessary information; he will pass it on to you.”
Then, turning to the young man who had announced Angel’s arrival, he told him to take them to the guesthouse.
Angel thanked Orion with a subtle but controlled smile.
"Then we're leaving. If we need anything, we'll come back here."
No sooner had she finished speaking than she grabbed Hirato by the arm and dragged him out of the house.
As soon as the door closed, Angel glared at Hirato with a very harsh and angry look.
Why are you going on this mission alone?" he said sharply. "Didn't the master tell you to take someone with you? Why don't you listen? Why are you so stubborn, Hirato?"
Hirato turned his head away, as if staring at a wall. But with every breath, he felt Angel was right. Makarov had clearly stated the mission was difficult, specifically requesting that Hirato take someone with him. In fact, he was supposed to go on this mission with his twin sister, Alice… but Hirato had somehow managed to escape her and set off alone.
Clearly, Makarov hadn't let this go unpunished. He had sent Angel after him.
After all, Angel was his childhood friend… and one of the few who could control Hirato.
-Answer me, you fool, why are you so stubborn?
I’m not stubborn,” Hirato said. His voice trembled slightly, but he was determined. “It’s just that the master doesn’t trust me. I told him I could do this mission alone, but he still insists I need someone with me. Even though I’m an S-class, he still thinks I’m incompetent. He literally thinks I can’t even be as good as Laxus.”
Hirato’s words were filled with anger mixed with suppressed disappointment.
Angel slapped Hirato without a moment’s hesitation.
“You’re going to stop comparing yourself to Laxus,” he said in a harsh tone.
Angel, Hirato, and Laxus were the best of friends when they were children; they were practically inseparable. But that bond was shattered by a tragic event.
At that time, Laxus was in a very bad psychological state due to the series of events he had experienced. In a fit of rage, he attacked Hirato’s younger sister, Michi, and severely injured her. Hirato was on duty at the time. When he returned and learned what had happened, he confronted Laxus, wanting to ask why. The argument quickly spiraled out of control, and the two almost killed each other.
From that day forward, their hatred became permanent.
Angel tried for a long time to reconcile them, but failed. Finally, he gave up and chose to remain friends with both of them separately; with one condition: they would never fight again.
However, Hirato never stopped comparing himself to Laxus, and Laxus never stopped competing with Hirato. This drove Angel mad.
“You’re both idiots,” Angel had shouted. “You’re stubborn and have no intention of ever learning your lesson!”
Hirato didn't answer. He chose to remain silent. As Angel's angry questions hung in the air, they began walking towards the guesthouses.
As evening fell, the streets had grown quiet. A gentle breeze howled through the narrow stone alleys. Angel continued talking, but Hirato was lost in thought, weighing the difficulties of the mission and the dangers they might face. In the distance, the lights of the guesthouses gleamed faintly, appearing like a small glimmer of hope in the darkness.
When they arrived at the guesthouse, Zetsu quickly showed them their rooms, saying he'd be nearby if they needed anything, and then left. Hirato examined the room; it was a pleasant, quiet room. Hirato stood at the door, watching Angel lie down on the bed. Angel's tiredness was evident in her gaze and the wrinkles under her eyes. She looked at Hirato and asked, "Will you wake me up when you lie down?"
Hirato nodded slightly.
"Okay… I'll wake you up in an hour," he said softly.
Angel had already fallen asleep.
Hirato moved to the other side of the bed and sat on the chair there. He rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. The weight of the day rested on his shoulders. He glanced at the clock occasionally, feeling the seconds slowly ticking by. Muffled sounds came from the hallway, the occasional creaking of a door.
“One hour…” he murmured. “I hope she gets enough rest.
There was more of a familiar friendly concern in his voice than anger.
He sat thoughtfully in the chair for about an hour, and when he realized the time was up, he gently nudged Angel. A few seconds later, Angel opened her eyes.
“Didn’t you sleep?” he asked.
Hirato said he was fine. Angel nodded, got out of bed, and went to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Hirato also got up, took his sword, and waited. When Angel returned ready, he uttered a short sentence:
“Let’s go.”
They set off without delay. As they approached the Ordross Forests, both of them sensed that this was no ordinary place. The air was heavy. A dense mana enveloped the surroundings, a pressure evident with every breath.
-I think the village leader is hiding something from us.
Angel looked at Hirato, nodded, and indicated that he felt the same way. The mana was so intense that both of them felt their bodies reacting more strongly than usual; muscles tensed, senses heightened. But this feeling of power was more disturbing than comforting.
The same question crossed both their minds:
-Was someone consciously using this mana?
The pair continued on their way and finally reached a wide clearing. Four monsters stood before them, lined up side-by-side. It was clear these were no ordinary creatures.
The first was entirely made of flames; the air around it rippled, its scorching heat felt even from afar. Flames shot from its body, threatening the ground beneath its feet.
The second was entirely made of water. It constantly moved and rippled, its calm appearance concealing a potential attack.
The third creature was made of air. It had no definite form; it appeared and disappeared with the wind, its very presence sending shivers down one's spine.
The fourth was heavy and imposing. Its body, made of rock and earth, stood upright, each movement seemingly shaking the ground from within.
The four elemental monsters were positioned as if protecting the house behind them.
Hirato and Angel were silent for a moment. Words were unnecessary. This was no longer an ordinary exploration.
The mission had completely changed. And they both understood perfectly well that this was one of the most dangerous missions they had ever faced.