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Chapter 9 - Chapter 8 - Winter Confrontation

The shadowed woods outside Magnolia held their breath. In a small clearing ringed by dark trunks, Ryuji faced the hooded figure who had followed him from the market. From the treeline, black-clad lackeys slipped out one by one, forming a loose circle.

Lackey (mocking): "Your time is up, boy. You're coming back with us."

Ryuji's jaw set.

Ryuji (scowling): "I'm not going back. Not ever."

The hooded figure stepped forward. The hem of his cloak was frayed, a silver clasp at his throat catching what little light slipped between the branches. The air near his feet seemed to dim, as if the shadows drank it in.

Noctis: "I am Noctis—the Watcher. For years, I've tracked your every step. Every village, every fight, every night you thought you were alone... I was there. It's time you returned."

Hidden behind a fallen log, Wendy and Carla traded a quick, worried look.

Carla (whispering): "What do they mean by 'come back'? Who is this boy really?"

Wendy's hands trembled. I can't just watch. She sprang from cover and ran into the clearing.

Ryuji startled, stepping in front of her on instinct.

Ryuji (alarmed): "Wendy?! What are you doing here—it's dangerous!"

She planted her feet beside him anyway.

Wendy (firm): "I won't stand by while you fight alone!"

Cruel laughter rippled through the lackeys.

Noctis (cool, amused): "A little girl? Is this your shield, Ryuji?"

Wendy inhaled, magic gathering.

Wendy: Sky Dragon's Roar!

A spiral of wind burst from her, sweeping several lackeys off their feet and scattering leaves in a rush.

Ryuji blinked, eyes widening.

Ryuji: "You're... a Dragon Slayer?!"

Wendy (nodding): "Yes. Sky Dragon Slayer Magic."

A chill bled from Ryuji's breath as he turned back to Noctis.

Ryuji (low): "Then I won't hold back either."

Ryuji: Winter Dragon's Roar!

A white squall roared from his mouth, frost racing across the ground. Noctis slid aside, cloak edges drinking the light as the blast iced the clearing's rim.

Keep him off Wendy. Don't let him reach her, Ryuji told himself.

They moved together.

Wendy: Sky Dragon's Wing Attack!

Twin gales crossed the field, shredding shadow tendrils that reached for her.

Ryuji: Winter Dragon's Talon!

He dashed through the lingering wind, icy claws raking across Noctis's chest. Fabric tore; a thin line stained the cloak.

Noctis (flat, offended): "You mar my cloak and call it victory?"

Shadows surged. The clearing darkened a shade.

Noctis: Phantom Slash!

A crescent of darkness carved forward.

Ryuji: Ice Wall!

A frozen bulwark flashed up—caught, cracked, and burst. The impact scraped his forearm; a dark line beaded along the skin.

Noctis: Umbral Burst!

Pockets of shadow flared along the ground. One blew beside Wendy, tossing her against a tree. She hit with a breathless gasp and rolled to her knees, dirt streaking her cheek.

Wendy (gasping): "He's... too strong!"

Noctis: Grasp of Dusk!

A shadow-hand lunged from the earth, seizing Ryuji's ankle and yanking him down. He twisted and kicked free, ice crackling where the grip had been.

Ryuji planted a palm to the soil.

Ryuji (roaring): "Then try this!"

Ryuji: Winter Dragon's Frost Spikes!

Jagged pillars of ice erupted in a line, spearing up beneath Noctis. The Watcher pivoted, but shards caught his arm and side; the cloak tore wider, silver clasp glinting as he staggered a step.

Noctis (hissing): "Insolent child..."

The shadows boiled around him, denser now, edges like black fire.

Noctis: Abyssal Spear!

Darkness coalesced into a long lance, its tip thrumming with lethal intent. Noctis leveled it—first at Ryuji—then his mouth curved.

Noctis (soft, cruel): "Why waste this on you? Better to take what you're desperate to protect."

The spear flew—straight toward Wendy.

Ryuji's eyes went wide. Not her. Not again. He moved before the thought was finished, cutting across the clearing.

Ryuji: "Wendy!"

He caught the strike with his body, twisting to turn the worst of it aside. The lance sheared along his side; fabric split and a deep line opened, red seeping through his shirt as he dropped to a knee.

Wendy (crying out): "Ryuji!"

She slid beside him, hands already glowing with gentle light. Healing magic flowed, slowing the bleeding, but the wound was deep and stubborn.

Flame and steel crashed into the clearing.

Natsu: Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!

A blazing punch scattered the lackeys like leaves in a gust.

Erza (furious): "Targeting children... unforgivable!"

Erza: Requip! Heaven's Wheel Armor!

Swords flashed into a ring above her, points angled toward Noctis.

Gray: Ice-Make: Shield!

A broad ice barrier locked in beside Ryuji and Wendy, catching a stray lash of shadow.

Lucy (dropping to Wendy's side): "Wendy! Are you okay?!"

Lucy: "Open! Gate of the Lion—Leo!"

A magic circle spun; Leo flared in beside her, stance ready.

Happy (hovering): "Aye, sir! We made it just in time!"

Carla wrapped Wendy's shoulder, steadying her.

Noctis measured the field: blades, flame, ice, celestial light—Fairy Tail closing ranks. He pressed a hand to his side where the ice shards had cut.

Noctis (cool again): "I've seen enough."

Shadows drew tight around his feet, the cloak's edges swallowing the last slants of daylight.

Noctis: "The Watcher returns when he chooses. Keep your eyes open."

He melted backward into the dark, the silver clasp the last thing to fade.

Silence settled, broken only by Ryuji's tight breaths.

Wendy pressed her glowing hands to the wound, tears slipping free.

Wendy (sobbing): "Please... You protected me—now let me protect you..."

Ryuji's lashes fluttered. He managed the faintest smile before his eyes eased closed, his weight sagging into Wendy's arms.

Around them, Fairy Tail formed a circle—angry, worried, unbroken—as the woods breathed again.

Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima/Kodansha. I only own Ryuji Kazuma and this fan story. Non-commercial fan work.

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