"So you've been hiding here since the last king died?" Gray asked, looking toward Master Riser as the old man welcomed them all into the cave. Inside, there were actually some well decorated rooms. It seems like this place was not some random cave this old man had found.
Master Riser was a very tall, broad-shouldered elder with a shock of white hair and a beard that fell to his chest. He wore a worn brown robe that looked like it had seen better centuries. Nothing about him screamed "the kingdom's greatest wizard," but there was an easy authority in the confident way he moved.
He set a wooden tray down and handed each of them a frothing mug. Cana took hers without hesitation and tipped it back in one long, appreciative gulp.
"This beer tastes like plums," she said, eyes bright. "And it's way better than what we get in Fiore." Master Riser chuckled at her enthusiasm, took a mug for himself, and drank with a pleased hum.
"Girl, you've got taste. Looks like Sylvain found an interesting group" he said, smiling as they clinked mugs and drained the first round.
When the mugs hit the table empty, Gray circled back to his question. Master Riser set his mug down and answered with a steady warmth that carried through the room. "Margrada and her lackeys don't scare me. But that doesn't mean overthrowing the queen is a simple matter. Still, if you want the throne back, I'll help. I swore an oath to your father—I'll honor it." Riser looked at Sylvain for the last part as his voice was calm but firm; it promised a man who meant what he said.
Sylvain stayed quiet for a long moment. He'd come here for this—he'd come for Master Riser—but now, with the old man who'd served his family for years sitting across from him, words stuck. He remembered Master Riser by his father's side, teaching magic to him and his brother, advising both of previous kings, frightening off dark guilds in the kingdom—and lastly standing beside his elder brother as chief magician. The old man had shaped Sylvain's and his family's life. Not to mention he is also the father of—
Master Riser didn't rush him. He simply waited, his gaze patient.
"One last time… Master," Sylvain whispered.
Master Riser's eyes sharpened. "Say it louder, kid. Don't stand there like you're asking for permission at a dinner table. I never taught you to hesitate when you needed help. A royal family member must keep their head high and think of the bigger picture—even if they don't like doing it.." He raised his voice and the cave fell quiet as everyone listened.
The others went back to their mugs, muttering, but quiet. Astro sipped his beer politely, though he wasn't fond of beer; he wouldn't refuse a kindly old man who'd offered them drink.
But Astro paused for a second after the first sip, then simply finished his mug like he'd gotten used to the taste.
Sylvain took a breath, shut his eyes for a second to steady himself, then stepped forward and addressed Master Riser with clear resolve. "Master Riser, I know you have already done enough for the royal family. But I ask for your service one last time. Help me reclaim what was taken. Help me become king of Joya by defeating Margrada."
Master Riser let out a bark of laughter that rolled around the cave like thunder. "Now you're talking," he said, clapping Sylvain on the shoulder. "Of course, how could I help you?. Let's march to the royal castle and put Margrada and Velmora back where they belong." The declaration came out like a challenge—full of confidence, and not a little swagger, as if the whole thing were a familiar fight he'd been waiting to finish.
"That won't work, Father…"
A soft but firm voice came from deeper inside the cave, followed by measured footsteps that drew everyone's attention. From the shadows stepped a stunning woman with jet-black hair and deep onyx eyes. She wore a forest-green blouse that dipped low at the neckline and matching shorts, her presence graceful yet commanding.
"You can't just march in and overthrow the queen to take the throne," she said, her bell-like voice carrying an elegant confidence. "There's a lot of politics involved— most nobles will never accept Sylv if he seizes power by force, especially some nobles are now very happy to serve Velmora for their own gain.."
Sylvain turned toward her, and for the first time in the day, his face softened into a genuine smile. The stoic, worn man looked suddenly younger—happier—as he stepped forward and wrapped the woman in a tight embrace. She froze for a heartbeat, then melted into his arms, her shoulders trembling.
"I was so worried for you, Sylv," she said, her voice breaking. "I thought Velmora would kill you in secret. Father and I tried everything—every contact we had—to find out where you were locked away."
Sylvain's voice gentled, carrying warmth rare for him. "Lisa… it'd take more than that to finish me off. I'm not ready to die yet. There's still too much left to do."
Lisa laughed softly through her tears, the sound half sob and half relief. "Yeah… It's good that you know."
The two of them stayed close for a moment, lost in their quiet reunion.
Astro, who had been standing silently near the corner, glanced at the woman with a curious stare. Cana noticed immediately, as she stepped forward to Astro. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she nudged Astro with her elbow.
"What, don't tell me black-haired beauties are your type?" she teased under her breath. "Too bad—looks like she's already taken. And if Mira ever hears that, she'll be devastated. I'd hate to see her dye that gorgeous hair of hers just for you."
Astro nearly choked on his drink, coughing as he glared at Cana.
"First of all, she's not my type," he hissed quietly. "And second—what do you mean Mira would be sad? We're not like that."
"Come on — I saw you two on a romantic date last week," Cana teased, eyes dancing. "You have to thank me for not telling anyone. So many people begged Mira for a date and failed. If they'd known, you'd already be on the chopping block." She smirked, but there was a hint of actual fear behind not spreading this information; her mind raced back to a white haired devil and shuddered.
"It wasn't that kind of date," Astro muttered under his breath. "Mira was helping me pick out clothes. I didn't have a lot of good outfits and she knew way more about fashion than me."
Cana's grin only widened. "Isn't that what couples do on dates? And why are you suddenly so defensive? You usually don't care about the stuff that don't bother you."
Astro gave her a deadpan look and sighed. "Mira's a popular model. Don't tell anyone about that, okay? It'd cause problems for her — and for me, too."
He let his mind drift for a moment, thinking about Mira — the magazine covers, the fans, the way most of the guild seemed to fawn over her. He liked talking with her; she was fun to have around. But he didn't see her that way romantically. Dating a famous model would mess up his life in a dozen directions, and he couldn't afford that kind of attention right now.
He also wasn't sure he should get involved in anything romantic at all. What if he lost control again and hurt the people close to him next time? He'd been poking through books in the guild library for answers and found nothing useful.
Maybe, he thought, like Sylvain, he was too afraid to bother the master about it. He was afraid that Master Makarov might decide that Astro was too dangerous to keep around. The thought stung; he hadn't told anyone about this condition because the risk felt too big.
A small, rueful image flashed to mind: the short old man was probably still sitting at the bar at this moment, tugging at his hair after another Fairy Tail mission that didn't go according to plan.
'Well, now I know. He'll probably scold me for not trusting him sooner when I finally bring this up… but he won't kick me out.'
Astro let out a low laugh at the thought, then turned to Cana with a serious look.
"Don't tell anyone about that 'date,' alright? Mira's career as a model is just taking off. A scandal could ruin it."
Cana scoffed. "Relax, I'm not that reckless. After all, I don't want to make Mira angry at any cost.. That image of the devil might be blurry now, but I'm not crazy enough to risk bringing her out again for me."
Astro almost smiled at that. He couldn't even imagine that gentle, teasing woman looking scary, but he could tell Cana had more on her mind.
"It's kind of a shame, though," Cana said after a pause, her voice softening. "You and Mira would've made a good couple. You're not as scary as her, but both of you... you feel dependable. Strong. Reliable to have around." She took a breath and stared down at her half-empty mug. "Unlike me."
Astro stayed quiet for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"You know, I never thought of you as unreliable. And I was never mad at you, Cana. I know you've wanted to take the lead on the mission a few times, but I never disliked that. You've got good instincts. Someday, I think you'll be a great leader. Just… don't rush yourself right now. You're still young to worry about it."
Cana froze for a heartbeat, then let out a long sigh and quickly downed another mug of beer.
"If you're trying to flirt with me, I'll have to turn you down," she said with a grin. "I'm not about to become Mira's rival. I still value my life."
Astro laughed quietly. He knew she wasn't serious — just hiding her embarrassment after being praised. He didn't tease her further.
To him, Cana, Natsu, Gray, Levy, and even Shawn all felt more like younger siblings — reckless, loud, and sometimes a handful — but family all the same. People he would protect at any cost.
As Astro and Cana whispered quietly in a corner, Sylvain and Lisa finally finished their hugging and flirting.
Lisa stepped forward toward the group and introduced herself with a graceful bow.
"Thank you for saving Sylv. He told me how you rescued him. I know he might have said something bad about Fiore — it's honestly just a bit of resentment he carries. He didn't really mean any harm by it."
Astro raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'm not sure what counts as a little resentment. Wasn't he locked up by his brother because he tried to start a war with Fiore?"
Sylvain looked ready to argue, but Lisa shot him a sharp look that instantly shut him up. She sighed and said softly,
"Sylv's elder sister lost her life in Fiore a few years ago. Both he and his brother despised the king of Fiore for his negligence. But the previous king of Joya — Sylv's brother, Leonardo von Rosenwacht — only imprisoned Sylv because he wanted to protect him. He knew both of their life was in danger, and when Sylv refused to go into hiding, his brother had no choice but to seal him away with that excuse."
Her voice carried quiet sorrow.
Sylvain stayed silent. It was true — he had wanted to teach the Fiore king a lesson, but he had never truly intended to wage war. His sister wouldn't have wanted that anyway. Not to mention, her sister's daughter is still there.
Astro studied both of them carefully. He could tell Lisa wasn't lying. But something still bothered him.
His gaze shifted to the old man sitting nearby, quietly sipping his drink.
"Master Riser," Astro said in a calm, low voice that still carried through the room, "if the previous king knew his life was in danger, then he probably asked for your help, didn't he? Did you fail to protect him… or is there more to it?"
Riser's eyes opened slowly, sharp and unreadable, narrowing at the purple-eyed young man before him. But before he could respond, Sylvain's irritated voice cut in.
"Enough, Astro. Master Riser has served our family for decades — since my father's generation. There must have been a good reason he couldn't protect my brother. Leonardo was not a strong wizard, so Margrada likely found many openings to exploit."
Astro didn't even care about Sylvain's response. His gaze stayed locked on the old man, steady and unyielding.
Riser met that stare in silence for a moment before scoffing.
"I don't like your tone, boy. Sylvain's a royal—he can question me and order meif he wants. But you?" His eyes narrowed. "You're not even the oldest one among your little group of Fiore wizards."
His gaze slid toward Ichiya, who, unsurprisingly, didn't look the least bit offended.
"Well, being a great leader does come with age," Ichiya said dramatically, striking his usual flamboyant pose, "but some men are just born with the charisma that others can't help but follow, men!"
"What wise words, Master!" the trio behind him chimed in instantly, echoing his every move.
Totomaru started to add something—"No, this old man's right, obviously I'm from th—"
But the moment Astro's glowing purple eyes flicked toward him, his words died in his throat. He still remembered, all too vividly, when Astro nearly killed him for insulting Fairy Tail's master.
Astro turned back to Riser, his expression cold but calm. "I don't care about your philosophy, or who ends up sitting on the throne of this kingdom," he said evenly. "I asked you a question, and I expect an answer. Simple."
In a flash, Riser vanished from where he stood.
Before Cana, who was besides Astro, could even move, the old man appeared right in front of Astro, his fist already swinging — coated in blazing green magic.
Astro tilted his head slightly to the right. The punch missed him by an inch, slamming into the wall beside him. The impact shook the room, leaving a deep crater where the wall had been. Dust filled the air.
If that blow had connected, it could've easily taken Astro's head clean off.
When the dust cleared, everyone froze at sudden change of events — Riser's tall body towering over Astro with his fist buried in the wall, and Astro still standing calmly with his head tilted, hands in his pockets, as if nothing had happened.
The old man chuckled, low and impressed. "Heh. I like your courage, boy. Fine, I'll tell you. You do deserve to know how Margrada killed King Leonardo. If you're really going to help us, you should understand the kind of power she commands."
Astro looked up, purple eyes gleaming faintly beneath the settling dust. His voice was calm, dry, almost bored, as if he did not care about this old man who was clearly way stronger than Astro is now. Astro suddenly realized Fairy tail's fearless nature might have been rubbing him too.
"Oh, I'm listening," he said. "But could you move your hand first? I really don't like the way you smell."