The Letter at the Empty Room (same night)
Canal lamps threw quiet gold across the water; shop shutters clicked shut one by one. The inn above South Street was mostly still—just a sleepy footstep in the hall and the faint clink of crockery from the kitchen.
Thirty minutes after Ryuji walked Wendy back to Fairy Hills, worry tugged her out again. Carla paced beside her in the cool air, eyes forward.
They climbed the outside stairs to his door.
Wendy knocked, careful first. "Ryuji? It's me."
Silence.
She tried again, a little faster. "Ryuji...?"
Carla's ears angled back. "Stand here. I'll check the windows."
She glided up to the eaves. One casement was unlatched; the sheer curtain breathed in the breeze. Carla slipped through, padded across the sill, and eased the bolt from inside. The door opened with a soft click.
They stepped into a room that looked paused rather than lived-in. A kettle sat cold on the stove. A cup with a pale tea ring waited on the table. Ryuji's cloak was folded too neatly on the chair. The faintest chill lingered in the air—his magic, already thinning.
"Ryuji?" Wendy tried again, voice small in the quiet.
They checked the little kitchenette, the trunk, the pegs by the door. Wendy's breath hitched; she pressed a palm to her chest.
Carla moved gently back to her side. "Easy," she said, softer than usual. "Do not fear the silence. We'll look—properly."
An inner door stood ajar, hardly a finger-width. The two exchanged a glance. Wendy swallowed and nudged it open.
The bedroom was tidy: coverlet smoothed, pillow dent barely risen, a window cracked to the night air. On the edge of the bed, as if set down by a careful hand and left, lay a single folded page.
Wendy reached—and hesitated.
Carla touched her arm. "Whatever it says, we face it together." Then she picked up the paper and unfolded it.
Her eyes swept the lines, and the fur along her tail bristled. She drew a slow breath, steadied herself, and turned the letter so Wendy could see.
"Don't be afraid," Carla said, though her voice shook. "Read."
"Ryuji, this is Darius Crimson of the Crimson Veil.
I have been watching you closely.
If you do not come to us, we will wage war against Fairy Tail and destroy Magnolia, the town you love.
I will personally lead the attack and bring other dark guilds who already wish to see Fairy Tail fall.
You have until the next full moon to surrender.
The location is Misty Peaks.
Come... or face the consequences."
Wendy's breath caught. "Misty Peaks—he's going now."
She turned for the stairs, legs already moving.
Carla grabbed her sleeve, searching her face—then nodded, choosing. "Go. You'll be faster. I'll rally the guild."
"Thank you," Wendy whispered, and ran—down the steps, into the lamplight, toward the north road.
Carla tucked the letter tight against her chest and launched for the night sky, angling toward Fairy Tail's banner.
The guild was a hum of clinking mugs and morning chatter when the doors burst open and Carla flew in, breath sharp, eyes bright.
Without a word she pressed a folded sheet into Makarov's hand. The hall quieted to a heartbeat. The old master read, the lines of his face deepening until his gaze turned to iron.
Makarov (low, steady):
"'If you do not come to us, we will wage war against Fairy Tail and destroy Magnolia. I will personally lead the attack and bring other dark guilds who already wish to see Fairy Tail fall. You have until the next full moon. The location is Misty Peaks. Come... or face the consequences.'
—Darius Crimson, Crimson Veil."
The wood under his staff thumped once.
Makarov (rising, voice firm):
"No one threatens my children."
Only then did Carla speak, composing her voice.
Carla:
"Wendy felt something was wrong and went to check on Ryuji. We found his room empty... and that letter. Wendy ran after him. I flew here to warn you. If Crimson Veil is drawing him out, they will not face him alone."
A spark flared in the room.
Natsu (fists lighting, feral grin):
"Good. We'll chase them down and smash them!"
Gray (cold breath fogging, calm but hard):
"They're counting on fear. We answer with force—and with heads."
Erza (stepping forward, armor settling):
"We move immediately. Form battle teams and keep discipline."
From the far table, Gajeel pushed off his chair with a metal rasp of boots.
Gajeel (sharp-toothed smirk):
"Hrn. About time. Iron Dragon's ready to bite."
Levy snapped her book shut, eyes fierce despite the worry.
Levy:
"I'll bring Solid Script—Bind, Shield, Silence. If their magic is like before, I can break their seals."
A cool voice cut in like a river's edge.
Juvia (hand over her heart, gaze on Gray):
"Juvia will sweep their flanks and drown their tricks. Juvia will not let Gray-sama be harmed."
Cana fanned a spread of cards, the faint scent of wine and ozone under her smile.
Cana:
"Fortune says our path's rough—but not fatal. I'm in."
Elfman clenched a fist till leather creaked.
Elfman:
"Taking back a comrade from a dark guild—that's a man's job!"
Behind the bar, Mirajane set down a tray with a gentle click. The usual warmth in her smile was there—but it didn't reach her eyes.
Mirajane (soft, decisive):
"I'm coming too."
A few heads turned.
Mirajane (meeting Makarov's gaze):
"If they threaten Magnolia and our family, Satan Soul won't sit behind a counter."
Makarov weighed her for a breath, then nodded once, proud and grave.
Makarov:
"Very well. Listen closely."
He lifted his staff; the old hall seemed to breathe with him.
Makarov (commanding, fatherly):
"Vanguard: Erza, Natsu, Gajeel—take the north ridge and break whatever line they've set.
Left flank: Gray and Juvia—ice and water together, cover and collapse.
Center support: Lucy and Cana—keys and cards, control and protection.
Seal team: Levy with Mirajane—counter curses, tear down sigils, hit hard when needed.
Aerial relay: Happy and Carla—find Ryuji and Wendy, guide us in and call danger.
I will remain to guard Magnolia and rally reinforcements. Macao, Wakaba, Bisca, Alzack—fortify the town and keep the gate open."
Lucy's fingers tightened on her keys; she drew a steady breath and nodded.
Lucy (resolute):
"We'll bring them home."
Erza turned, cloak whispering, authority wrapping the room like a scabbard.
Erza:
"Check your gear. Light packs. We leave in five minutes. At Misty Peaks, we do not split without signal. Remember—Wendy and Ryuji are ahead."
Natsu (cracking his knuckles):
"Oi, Ryuji—don't you dare hog the fight."
Gray (dry):
"Focus, hothead. We're moving."
Gajeel (snorts):
"Try to keep up."
Levy slung her satchel, scribbling quick sigils on parchment.
Levy (quick, to Lucy):
"If they throw silence fields, I can cut holes. You cover me."
Juvia (brightening):
"Juvia will flood the path ahead to slow ambushes."
Cana flicked a card; it sparked and reformed into a tight fan.
Cana:
"Let's make this quick. There's a welcome-back party we still owe the kid."
Mirajane slid a small pouch into Levy's hand, then another to Lucy.
Mirajane (gentle):
"Antidotes and charms. Just in case."
Makarov looked over them all—rowdy, brave, impossibly loud, impossibly kind—and his voice softened.
Makarov (warm):
"Remember who you are. Bring our children home."
Boots struck wood. Swords settled. Keys chimed. The great doors swung wide and Fairy Tail poured into the daylight, cloaks snapping in the wind as they took the road toward Misty Peaks.
Far above, two white shapes wheeled—Happy and Carla already searching, eyes on the jagged skyline where clouds pooled like breath.
They were coming, and they were not coming quietly.
Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima/Kodansha. I only own Ryuji Kazuma and this fan story. Non-commercial fan work.