A Glimpse
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The train screeched into Magnolia Station.
Steam hissed under the wheels. The familiar scent of warm stone, dust, and a touch of magic filled the air.
We stepped off the platform together—me, Macao, and Wakaba.
It felt like I hadn't been gone long.
But everything felt heavier now.
Kids ran past us chasing a ball. One of them tripped and laughed anyway. A woman watered her plants from her balcony with a little wind spell. Life hadn't stopped.
Just me.
"Still the same," Macao said, cracking his back.
"Feels nice coming back alive," Wakaba added with a stretch.
I looked at them both.
"Thanks for the mission."
They both blinked. Then grinned.
Wakaba clapped my shoulder. "You did good out there, kid."
Macao nodded. "Council's already wiring the reward. Said it'd go straight to the guild."
"Beer?" Wakaba suggested blowing a smoke.
"Obviously," Macao replied.
The two walked off toward their favorite watering hole, laughing about something. I stayed still for a moment longer.
Then turned toward the guild.
The guild stood tall at the heart of Magnolia.
I would normally visit my home and shower first, but Cana is probably in the Guild.
I pushed open the doors. The usual chaos greeted me.
"Oi! Shanks is back!"
"Hey, kid! Come settle this arm-wrestling match!"
A few shot me grins, a couple raised mugs in salute, and one burly guy I didn't recognize challenged me to a spar with a wild grin.
I just gave a half-nod, smirking at the attention. It wasn't overwhelming—but everyone noticed. That was just how Fairy Tail was. No matter what you did or where you went, when you walked back through those doors, you were part of the madness again.
"Shanks!"
Cana ran over. Juice in one hand. Big smile on her face. Her hair was a little wild, dress dusty.
"You're back!"
I nodded and let her tackle me around the waist. "Did you miss me already?"
"Not really," she lied. "Okay, maybe a little."
She grinned and took a big sip of juice.
"Was it scary?" she asked.
I thought back to the runes. The Moon. The Emperor. The voice that called me Descendant of The Tower.
"…Nah," I lied. "Just an ancient magic trap. Took some time to break."
Cana pouted. "You never tell me the cool parts."
I ruffled her hair. "You're too young for the cool parts."
She stuck her tongue out and climbed onto a barstool. Her feet dangled off the edge.
At the bar, Clira was drying a glass with a calm look.
"Welcome back," she said simply. "You hungry?"
"Starving."
Clira nodded, and a few moments later, slid a hot plate of food in front of me. Smelled like beef stew.
A thud came from nearby—someone had dropped their sketchpad.
Reedus.
He looked older than me, probably in his twenties. Still awkward in movement, always sketching something. Right now, he was trying to draw two guildmates arm-wrestling.
"Hey, Reedus," I called out. "Getting the hang of things?"
He looked up. Blinked behind his glasses.
"Oh! Shanks. Welcome back. Yeah, just… still getting used to the noise."
I nodded. "You'll get used to worse."
He chuckled nervously.
Yeah. Definitely a newbie.
Clira topped off my glass with some chilled berry tea. I sipped it, letting the warmth of the guild and food soak in.
Cana kicked her feet under the stool, slurping her juice like she hadn't a care in the world. "You gonna tell me a story or not?"
"Depends," I said between bites. "You promise not to cry?"
"I'm not a baby!"
Clira chuckled softly. "She's been asking for stories every night you're not here, you know."
"Clira!" Cana pouted, cheeks puffed.
"Just saying." She smirked, wiping another glass.
I grinned and leaned back. "Next time, alright?"
Cana huffed and leaned her head on the counter, pretending to sulk. She peeked at me from the corner of her eye, still smiling.
A shadow passed along the upper balcony.
I looked up.
Makarov.
He stood at the railing, arms folded. His eyes met mine briefly—stern, thoughtful—and then, without a word, he turned and walked back into his office.
'He wants to talk.'
I stood up, finished the last bite of stew, and gave Cana a pat on the head. "I'll be back."
The hallway to the master's office was quieter than the rest of the guild. The floor creaked under my boots, and the scent of old parchment and wood polish lingered in the air.
I knocked once.
"Come in."
Makarov was standing behind his desk, arms still folded, as if he hadn't moved since spotting me.
"You're back early."
"Yeah," I said, closing the door behind me.
"So?" he asked.
I exhaled. "There's more than just a collapsed mine."
He stayed quiet, waiting.
I told him everything. The mural. The runes. The Moon. The Emperor. The voice that called me Descendant of The Tower. The moment the mine disappeared. The presence I couldn't feel until it wanted me to.
Makarov's expression didn't shift much—but his eyes darkened.
"I see," he said at last.
"You've heard of the Tarot?"
"I have," he muttered. "Once. A long time ago."
He turned to a shelf behind his desk, pulling out a thick leather-bound notebook. Dust danced in the sunlight from the window.
"Decades ago," Makarov began, "on a mission to the continent across the sea—I heard a tale. About gods who once walked the land. Not the gods we speak of in legend. Older. Wilder. They were said to embody fate, not faith. The Tarot Gods."
I stayed silent.
"The Tower," he repeated. "That name... I haven't heard since that mission. A ruin, swallowed by sand. There was a mural too. A warrior holding back the heavens, a broken world behind him."
His hand tightened on the notebook. He looked up at me.
"If what you saw was real... if these things are moving again... then you're involved in something beyond our scale."
"So what do I do?"
He sighed. "Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Grow stronger," Makarov said firmly. "Because if this has anything to do with the Tarot Gods... then your current strength won't be enough to even stand on the edge of that board."
"And once I think you are at least strong enough to stand on that board. You don't have to seek me for knowledge. So, grow stronger, brat."
I nodded slowly, digesting that.
"…And Gildarts?"
Makarov allowed himself a small smile.
"He'll be back in a week. Maybe two. He's wrapping up something east of the border."
I felt something tighten in my chest.
'Soon.'
The master shut his notebook and looked at me.
"Rest while you can, Shanks. Trouble doesn't wait forever."
I nodded and prepared to leave and just as I placed my hands on the door. Master called me.
"I am glad that you, Macao and Wakaba made it here. Safe and sound."
I turned around and Makarov was staring at me. A grandfatherly smile on his face.
"Sure. Gramps."
And I left the room.
...Runes and also Conquerors Haki.
I had to start training in them.
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Authors Note: One bonus chapter at 300 Power Stone (Offer only valid for today)
Can someone recommend me good Kuroko no basket Fanfic? Never seen a good one sigh~ Maybe I should do it myself
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