Year: X784
Season: Early Summer
Location: Magnolia · Fairy Tail Guild Hall
Age:
Ren (19)
Erza (19)
Mira (19)
Lucy / Juvia (17)
---
Lucy — settling in
Lucy learned very quickly that settling into Fairy Tail did not mean rest.
It meant waking up to shouting.
It meant chairs flying past her head.
It meant learning to duck instinctively.
She sat cross-legged on the guild floor, carefully polishing her keys while Natsu and Gray screamed at each other behind her.
"I said it's my food!"
"You left it unattended!"
"That's not how food works!"
Happy floated above them. "Aye! Fight fight!"
Lucy sighed, smiling despite herself.
This is home, she realized.
Not quiet. Not orderly.
Alive.
Mira passed by with a tray of drinks, serene as ever. "You're doing well, Lucy. Your first mission went perfectly."
Lucy flushed. "It wasn't perfect—"
"You protected something important," Mira said gently. "That matters more here."
Lucy nodded, gripping the pendant at her neck unconsciously.
Ren still hadn't returned.
Neither had Erza.
---
The doors slam open
The guild doors burst open in a familiar way—
not chaotic, but heavy.
Erza stepped in first, armor scuffed, cloak torn at the hem. Ren followed, coat dusted with road grime, eyes sharp and alert even as he relaxed the moment he crossed the threshold.
Lucy stood instantly.
Ren's gaze found her without effort.
For half a second, the noise of the guild faded.
"…You stayed," he said.
Lucy smiled. "You told me to."
Erza crossed her arms. "So you're the runaway."
Lucy straightened. "…Former runaway."
Erza studied her, then nodded once. "Good timing."
That did not sound reassuring.
---
The warning
The messenger arrived mid-celebration.
A breathless guild runner, cloak soaked in sweat, burst through the doors.
"Dark Guild activity reported near Clover—no, closer—railway sector," he gasped. "A cursed flute. Killing passengers."
The guild stilled.
Ren's posture changed instantly.
"…Lullaby," he murmured.
Mira's smile vanished.
Erza turned sharply. "Zeref's work?"
Ren nodded once. "A demon. Artificial."
Mira inhaled slowly.
"…That thing," she said quietly, "is a demon."
Lucy felt a chill crawl up her spine.
Erza made a decision immediately. "Ren. Mira. We investigate."
Ren didn't hesitate. "Agreed."
Mira's eyes darkened—not fear, but resolve.
"…If it's Lullaby," she said, "I can take it."
---
The secret followers
They left fast.
Too fast.
Lucy watched the three S-class mages vanish down the road—and something twisted in her chest.
"They're not taking us," Natsu growled.
Gray cracked his knuckles. "Obviously."
Lucy blinked. "…Wait, us?"
Happy grinned. "Secret following!"
Lucy hesitated—then remembered Daybreak.
Remembered choosing.
"…We can help," she said softly.
And just like that—
They followed.
---
On the road — Ren
Ren felt it.
Not footsteps.
Intent.
"…We're being followed," he said quietly.
Erza smirked. "Let them."
Mira glanced back once, eyes soft. "…They'll learn faster this way."
Ren exhaled.
Just don't let them die.
---
The station
The abandoned station reeked of death.
Frozen bodies lay scattered, faces locked in terror.
Lucy covered her mouth.
"…Music," she whispered. "That's what killed them."
A flute sounded.
Low. Mocking.
Lullaby emerged—grotesque, unfinished, laughing at the world.
"Zeref lives," it crooned.
Mira stepped forward.
Her magic surged—dark, vast, controlled.
The demon froze.
"…You," it hissed. "You are like me."
Mira's voice was steady. "No. I'm stronger."
She didn't fight it.
She opened herself.
Darkness roared.
Lucy screamed her name—
—and then it stopped.
Mira stood still.
Eyes glowing.
Power contained.
"…It's sealed," Mira said calmly. "Not destroyed."
Ren exhaled shakily.
Erza planted her sword. "…Good."
---
After
They noticed the kids then.
Natsu scratched his head. "So… success?"
Erza grabbed him by the collar. "You followed S-class mages."
Lucy braced herself.
Ren sighed—then smiled faintly.
"…You chose to act," he said to Lucy. "That's Fairy Tail."
Lucy's heart leapt.
Mira turned, her smile returning—gentler now. "…Welcome to the family."
Behind them, Lullaby's curse faded.
---
End of Chapter 78 — "When Shadows Stir"