[X784, Akane Beach]
— Makarov Dreyar —
When the two boats made of ice finally landed ashore on Akane Beach, Makarov finally allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief at the sight of all his children safe and sound.
Not that he was overly worried when he knew both Dannis and Laxus were on site. There were very few dangers in this world that the both of them couldn't handle together.
He wasn't a man prone to panic, not after all he'd seen in his long years as Guild Master. But seeing those boats cresting the waves toward shore stirred something warm in his old heart.
Porlyusica stood beside him, muttering irritably under her breath as she tightened the straps on her overstuffed satchel. It was filled to the brim with whatever medicinal products that the old healer decided was needed for the current circumstances.
Her usual scowl firmly in place. She had made it very clear on the journey here that she resented being dragged from the comfort of her wooden hut.
But Makarov knew better.
There was no place too far, no storm too violent, no mountain too tall that would keep Porlyusica away from a Fairy Tail child in need. No matter how much she grumbled, she came every single time. And for that, Makarov was endlessly grateful.
The moment the boats hit sand, Porlyusica led them to the tavern that Makarov had rented in its entirety for a day. They would remain here in Akane Beach to recuperate before making their way back to Fairy Tail.
The Council, or the remains of it, had already contacted him to question the ones involved in the conflict, but that would come later.
He wasn't much of a fan in leaving the guild for this long. Ever since Alvarez's attack on Fairy Tail, he had made sure to always have at least one S-Class mage in the guild at all times.
Right now, Mystogan was holding the fort along with Master Mavis. Gildarts was still a continent away, Mira was on a modelling job in Crocus, and the other three of his S-Class mages were right here in front of him.
Makarov merely stood to the side and waited as Porlyusica did her check ups on everyone. She moved faster than he'd seen in years. Muttering orders, checking pulses, forcing potions down reluctant throats. The kids didn't even argue—well, except for Natsu, but even he was too tired to do more than flinch when Porlyusica jabbed a needle into his arm.
Bickslow was the worst of the lot, with severe bruises and cuts marring his entire body, not to mention the blood that he had lost. Porlyusica had made it clear that had Levy not been there to do the first aid, Bickslow would have died.
Freed and Evergreen had hugged the small girl profusely with tears in their eyes, appreciating her. Laxus had breathed a sigh of relief and gave a grateful nod.
Erza was the other one wounded terribly, but she was tough enough to remain conscious and was capable of conversation. There were shadows in her eyes, deeper than before. Whatever she had left behind in that tower… it hadn't been easy. He saw her reach out to Lucy, gripping her hand tightly.
Erza's friends were another matter entirely, but Makarov wasn't one to let children such as them suffer for too long. Especially after Levy had mentioned their story.
Levy was unharmed for the most part, helping Porlyusica by bandaging Gajeel's bruised fists. Gray was talking with Juvia while muttering something about Natsu being a pain.
Dannis had severely exhausted his curse power and Laxus had nearly depleted his magic levels for using Dragon Force twice in one day.
But the real trouble, the one he'd sensed from the beginning, was put into his own room at the back of the tavern. Ivan Dreyar. His son.
Makarov hadn't seen Ivan for a long time. And now here he was, charred with burns and barely conscious. His ribs were shattered—Porlyusica confirmed that much—and the burns along his chest and back were severe. Laxus hadn't held back.
He didn't blame Laxus in the slightest. How many lives had Ivan endangered? How much pain had he inflicted in the pursuit of power and revenge?
Bickslow's injuries alone spoke volumes, and Makarov had known for years now that whatever sense of restraint Ivan once had had long since turned to ash.
At least he was alive, that's what matters.
Still... to see his own son lying there, defeated not by enemies, but by family...
By Mavis, where did he go wrong? To have his own son be nearly crippled by his grandson was a sight he never wanted to see.
Later that night, he–along with Dannis and Laxus—stood on the roof of the tavern where the rest were recovering. The wind rolled across the beach, tugging at their cloaks and stirring the scent of salt and smoke into the night air. The moon was beginning to dip behind the horizon, and the stars were fading.
There, they had reported everything that happened. How Dannis received a fake mission request asking him specifically, which they now knew came from Jellal. Laxus told of his and the Thunder God Tribe's journey across Fiore in search of his father's guild. He spoke of finding Raven Tail near the Velothi Mountains, as well as running into the member of Grimoire Heart.
That news had turned Makarov's face into a worried frown. Grimoire Heart was another whole bag of troubles they were currently ill equipped to deal with. He would much rather have Gildarts in hand before tangling with one of the pillars of the Balam Alliance.
As the young men finished their debrief, silence stretched between them. Makarov let the wind fill it for a time.
Then, he turned to his grandson.
"Have you found your answer?" he asked softly.
Laxus didn't respond at first. He stared out toward the sea, jaw set, eyes narrowed.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low. "Not yet. There's one more thing I gotta do."
Makarov nodded. He glanced at Dannis, having an inkling of what that thing was.
"Then I'll leave you to it," Makarov said gently. "You two did great today. You've gone above and beyond as Fairy Tail's S-Class mages."
He smiled then, eyes glinting with pride beneath his thick brows. "I'm proud of you."
Dannis gave a small smile. "Thanks, Master."
Makarov gave them a final nod and turned, descending the stairs from the rooftop without another word.
Some conversations needed to happen away from old ears. He would not rob them of it. Besides, those two had a conversation that was long overdue.
As he stepped back into the warm lights of the tavern, the scent of healing salves and roasted meat filled his senses.
But in his heart, he left a space open—for the words he hoped to hear from his grandson soon.
…
— Laxus Dreyar —
"I heard you kicked Aria's ass," Laxus said first. His arms were crossed over his chest, his body aching from the toll of battle. Dragon Force had drained him near to empty, but his mind still burned with restless energy. The kind that didn't just fade with a good night's sleep.
Dannis, standing a few feet away, didn't turn to face him. His own injuries were hidden well beneath his cloak, but Laxus could see the weariness in the tightness of his shoulders.
"He was pretty strong," Dannis said with a shrug. "Was this why the Master didn't bother calling you for the war with Phantom? You were looking into Ivan?"
Laxus exhaled a breath.
"Yeah," he replied. "Needed some answers, that's all."
He stared straight ahead, eyes fixed on the dark horizon where the ocean kissed the sky. The starless sky was starting to get to him now. This place was too calm, too peaceful. He felt restless.
"Did you find them?" Dannis asked after a moment.
"Some," Laxus admitted. "But not all."
He clenched his jaw.
He had looked into Ivan's eyes when he unleashed that last punch. And all he saw was spite.There wasn't a smidge of remorse or regret after everything that happens. Just another man who'd let the darkness swallow him whole.
But the very worst thing that had Laxus' stomach jump up his throat?
Laxus saw himself.
For just a moment, when the rage had taken hold—he saw it. A version of himself not so different from the broken shell of a man Ivan had become. And that terrified him more than he would admit.
'I'm not like him.' Laxus thought resolutely, though he knew he could be.
Laxus turned his head finally, his gaze falling on the man beside him.
"Fight me."
Dannis blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
"Like I said," Laxus continued, voice steady. "There are still some things I need to make sense of. When we get back to Magnolia, we're gonna fight."
He stepped forward, boots crunching softly against the gravel of the rooftop.
"Don't you dare hold anything back."
He didn't say it as a threat. Not a challenge either. It was more like a plea. He needed to feel it—to test something inside himself. To push his limits and see what remained when the storm settled.
Dannis showed no outward emotion at that. He simply nodded. "Alright then."
That was all Laxus needed.
They stood side by side once more, staring out into the wide black sea. The wind danced around them, lifting their cloaks and brushing through their hair. Waves crested and broke against the shore far below.
Neither of them spoke again, letting the winds of the sea fill in the silence.
…
AN: You know what they say in those times, a dispute with friends is best settled with their fists. Dannis and Laxus have plenty of qualms with each other that merely talking it out will never work.
A short enough chapter meant to set up the next thing. They'll arrive in Fairy Tail the next day and the long awaited fight between them will happen.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Cheers!