Three days passed in a flash amidst the tense preparations and eager anticipation.
At dawn, with the sky just on the cusp of brightening, the port sat wrapped in a bluish-gray mist.
Seawater lapped gently against the wooden posts of the pier, creating a soothing rhythm, while the air carried the salty smells of the sea breeze and the biting chill of early morning.
A medium-sized sailboat was moored at the dock. Its dark wood gleamed faintly in the dim light, sails neatly furled, and the mast towered high, flying the Fairy Tail guild flag.
Figures were already moving about the deck as sailors made their final checks for departure.
Ace and Lisanna arrived at the pier carrying simple duffel bags.
Lisanna had changed into a light-colored shorts set that was easy to move in, paired with a thin jacket.
She also hauled a rather large backpack that was bulging at the seams, packed tight with all sorts of "essentials" she had carefully prepared.
"Good morning, Ace, Lisanna."
Erza voice called out.
She wasn't wearing her armor today, opting instead for a smart, dark-colored travel outfit with a longsword strapped to her waist.
Her long scarlet hair was tied up high, making her look valiant and ready for anything.
Beside Erza stood Gray.
The Ice-Make wizard was, for once, actually wearing clothes and looked rather neat, though he had a sour look on his face.
His arms were crossed, clearly unhappy about being forced to wake up this early to take a boat.
"Morning, Erza, Gray," Ace nodded in greeting.
Lisanna called out sweetly, "Erza, Gray."
Not far away, Mirajane and Elfman had arrived as well.
Mirajane was still in her purple combat attire, her calm expression holding a hint of sharpness that was hard to detect unless you looked closely.
Elfman puffed out his chest while muttering, "A real man must not get seasick" to psych himself up, though his slightly pale face betrayed him.
"Nee-san, Elf-nii," Lisanna waved happily.
Mirajane gave her a gentle smile, and when her gaze swept over Ace, she offered a slight nod.
Elfman, on the other hand, thumped his chest hard. "Oh, Lisanna. Ace. Looks like a real man's journey about to begins."
The last to arrive were Cana and... a pale-faced Natsu.
He was practically hanging off Cana, letting out incoherent groans and looking like he was on his last legs. A worried-looking Happy flew right beside them.
"Aye... Natsu, pull yourself together. We're about to get on the boat," Happy said, flapping his wings anxiously.
"I... I'm gonna die... transportation..." Natsu's eyes were completely unfocused.
"Honestly, acting like this so early in the morning," Cana sighed, though she seemed in high spirits, even carrying a small wine flask.
She dragged Natsu forward helplessly. "I should have just knocked you out and carried you here."
Everyone was finally present.
"All aboard," Master Makarov's short figure appeared at the ship's railing, his voice booming.
The group boarded the ship one by one.
The vessel soon pulled away from the pier, raised its sails, and began to cut through the waves toward the horizon where the sun was just beginning to rise.
Once they hit the open sea, the morning mist quickly burned off.
The sun shone brightly in a clear, cloudless sky, scattering golden light across the azure surface of the water and creating sparkling ripples.
The warm sea breeze felt refreshing, lifting everyone's spirits.
It looked like the perfect day for a voyage.
After sailing for a while and confirming that Natsu wasn't actually dying, everyone relaxed.
The atmosphere became even more lively (and easy on the eyes) after Cana took the lead, changing into a sexy bikini and lying on a deck chair to sunbathe.
"Ah~ Sunbathing is the best part of being out at sea." Cana boldly showed off her healthy, wheat-colored skin and sizzling figure, attracting the attention of the sailors on board.
"Cana, mind your image," Erza's voice, tinged with helplessness, drifted from the cabin.
But she couldn't resist either.
A short while later, she came out having changed into a red two-piece swimsuit.
Although the style was relatively conservative, the form-fitting design still perfectly outlined her well-toned, athletic figure.
Her legs, in particular, were long, straight, and full of power, making even Ace unable to resist a second look.
"Wow, Erza has such a great figure," Lisanna exclaimed, cupping her face in admiration.
"Hmph, it's nothing special," Mirajane's voice chimed in.
Everyone turned to see that she had also changed, wearing a purple one-piece swimsuit.
Though it was more modest, its understated elegance and curves, paired with her gentle yet bewitching smile, possessed a unique charm.
She gracefully walked over to a deck chair, sat down with a glass of juice, and shot Erza a slightly provocative glance.
A vein popped on Erza's forehead, but she said nothing.
She simply walked to the bow of the ship and stood against the wind, her red hair flying like a beautiful statue of a sea goddess.
Ace leaned against the railing, enjoying the breeze and this rare "scenic" view, feeling quite pleased.
Sunshine, the sea, beautiful women... yes... if he ignored the guy groaning in the cabin, this voyage was off to a pretty good start.
His gaze drifted over to Lisanna, who was chatting and laughing with Cana while helping her apply sunscreen.
Lisanna was wearing a light blue string bikini today.
There wasn't much fabric, and it perfectly hugged the budding, lovely curves of a young girl.
The sunlight cast a faint golden sheen on her fair skin.
Her delicate collarbones, her slender yet supple waist, her long, straight legs... He hadn't noticed when she was wearing clothes, but now, accentuated by the swimsuit, he was struck by how developed she had become.
Especially when she bent over to apply sunscreen to Cana's back, the breathtaking curve made Ace subconsciously look away and touch his nose.
'Look no evil, become a sage instead...' Ace chanted in his mind, but he couldn't help but sneak a peek from the corner of his eye.
'Hmm, youthful vitality, full of vigor, truly a pleasant sight... wait, what am I thinking?'
"Ace-nii, do you want some sunscreen too? The sun is really strong out at sea," Lisanna suddenly turned her head, holding up the bottle and asking with a brilliant smile.
Her innocent, pure eyes instantly dispelled the flirtatious thoughts in Ace's mind, leaving only a slight embarrassment.
"N-No, I'm fine, thanks," Ace quickly waved his hands, feeling his face grow a little hot.
'Damn, the sun really was a bit strong!'
Of course, while some on the ship were happy, others were miserable.
At the cabin door, Natsu was sprawled out like a pile of sludge.
His face had turned from a sickly green to a deathly gray-white.
His mouth hung open, tongue lolling out, looking just like a dried-up toad.
He barely had the strength to groan; only the faint rise and fall of his chest proved he was still alive.
"Natsu... hang in there, as a real man... how can you be defeated by a mere boat..."
Not far away, Elfman's face turned green just looking at him.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he tried to encourage the Dragon Slayer, but his trembling voice betrayed his inner panic.
He stared intently at Natsu, praying frantically in his heart, 'Natsu! Remember the dignity of a real man! I'm begging you! Don't you come over here!'
Perhaps his prayers worked, because Natsu actually struggled, clawing at the deck with his hands, and began to inch his way... in the opposite direction of Elfman.
His eyes were vacant.
"Hey, hothead, if you're going to die, don't die here where you're in the way." Gray, now wearing only a pair of swim trunks, had walked over at some point, looking at the zombie-like Natsu with disgust.
Natsu groggily raised his head.
Seeing Gray's punchable face, he summoned strength from nowhere and suddenly opened his mouth.
"BLEAAGHH..."