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[FT: O King of the Fairies] Chapter 42
🕑 Added 2025-03-26 07:02:02 +0000 UTCThe campfire crackled, sending embers drifting into the night sky. The scent of roasting food filled the air, a stark contrast to the days of starvation and fear these people had endured. Tomorrow, we’d begin the long trek to the nearest town, but for tonight, I was making sure no one went to bed hungry.
NIMO had set up a massive feast, and the survivors were eyeing the food warily, as if they couldn’t believe it was real. The children—Sho, Milliana, Jellal, and Erza—had barely touched their meals at first. But hunger won over hesitation, and now they ate in silence, their expressions unreadable.
Off to the side, Rob sat alone, his gaze distant. I made my way over, shaking my head.
"You planning on sitting here all night?" I asked, dropping down beside him.
He exhaled slowly. “It’s just... a lot to take in. These people have been through hell.”
I nodded, watching the survivors as they ate. “Yeah. But they survived. That’s what matters.”
Rob ran a hand through his hair, his expression troubled. “I’ve been thinking about what happens next—especially for the kids. Bringing them to Fairy Tail... I don’t know if it’s the right choice.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And what’s the alternative? Leaving them to fend for themselves?”
“No, but—” He hesitated. “They’ve been prisoners for so long. I don’t want to decide their future for them.”
“Then ask them,” I said simply.
Rob sighed, but after a moment, he stood up and walked over to where the kids sat. He crouched down, speaking to them in a low voice. I couldn’t hear their conversation, but I saw the way their shoulders eased, the way Sho managed a small smile.
When Rob returned, his face was less tense. “They want to come with us.”
I nodded. “Good.” Raising my glass, I called out, “To new beginnings.”
The survivors lifted their own cups and cheered, the firelight flickering across their faces.
I stepped away from the gathering, spotting Irene standing near the flames, her arms crossed, her gaze locked onto the fire. She hadn’t touched the food, nor had she spoken to anyone since we set up camp.
“I take it you’re heading back to Alvarez now that this is over?” I asked as I approached.
Her crimson eyes flicked toward me, cold and assessing. “I see no reason to stay.”
I hummed in acknowledgment, glancing toward the feast. “Seems a waste to go back so soon. You went through all the trouble of protecting your daughter. You’d think you’d want to see how she fares now that she’s free.”
Irene scoffed. “Erza is of no concern to me.”
I didn’t believe that for a second, but I let it slide. “And what about you?” I asked. “You came all this way, threw yourself into the fight. You really think you can just walk away like none of it mattered?”
She turned fully to face me, her expression sharp. “You mistake me for someone who lingers on sentiment.”
I met her gaze evenly. “No, I think you’re someone who doesn’t like admitting when things aren’t as simple as you want them to be.”
She exhaled sharply through her nose, clearly unimpressed. “Believe whatever nonsense you like. It doesn’t change anything.”
I studied her for a moment. “And what about the curse?”
Her entire posture stiffened. “What do you know about that?”
I shrugged. “Enough to know it isn’t something you can ignore forever.”
Her expression darkened, the fire casting shadows across her face. “You think you have the answer?” Her tone was laced with condescension, as if the very notion was absurd.
“I think you’re too proud to ask for help,” I replied evenly. “And too stubborn to admit you might need it.”
A sharp scoff left her lips. “You overestimate yourself.”
“Maybe,” I conceded. “But I don’t think I’m wrong.”
She turned away, clearly finished with the conversation. “If you believe you can fix what cannot be undone, that is your delusion, not mine.”
I didn’t press further. I’d said what I needed to. Whether or not she chose to listen wasn’t up to me.
The fire crackled between us, the only sound breaking the silence. Around the camp, the survivors were beginning to settle, their exhaustion finally overtaking them.
Irene remained standing by the fire, her expression unreadable. Whether she admitted it or not, I knew she was thinking about my words.
And that was enough. For now.
I leaned against the tree, enjoying the quiet for a moment. Despite everything that had happened, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. We were all on the same path now, no longer lost or broken, and that felt good. But it didn’t stop Simon and Kagura from looking at me every now and then, like they were trying to find the right words.
Finally, Simon cleared his throat and met my eyes. “Aiden…” he started, his voice a bit rough, like he was fighting off something he wasn’t used to feeling. “I just wanted to—well, we both wanted to—thank you. For saving us.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Is that all?” I teased, leaning forward, pretending to be disappointed. “I saved your asses, and that’s all you’ve got? C’mon, I need more than that.”
Simon shot me a half-smile, but his eyes were serious. “You didn’t just save us. You saved Kagura, too. She was... she was barely hanging on when you found her.” His voice softened, and I could hear the raw emotion in it, despite his attempts to hide it. “I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t been there. I honestly don’t think we’d still be alive.”
Kagura, sitting quietly next to him, finally spoke up. Her voice was small, almost hesitant, but there was a sincerity in it that couldn’t be ignored. “Thank you for saving me… for saving both of us. I was so scared, and I thought I was going to die... but you didn’t let that happen. I don’t know why, but... you didn’t.” Her eyes held that same spark of fire they always did, but now, there was a softness there, too. A mix of gratitude and a little bit of hope.
I shrugged, trying to keep things light. “Well, it’s what I do. Saving the day. You know, the usual stuff.”
Simon chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s more than that. You didn’t have to help us, but you did. You didn’t even hesitate. And that means a lot.”
“Don’t mention it,” I said, grinning. “You two are tough. You survived longer than most would’ve. I’m just the guy who got you out of there.”
Kagura fidgeted with the hem of her dress, a shy smile tugging at her lips. “You’re really nice… even if you joke a lot.”
I leaned back, folding my arms and giving her a playful wink. “What can I say? I’ve got a killer sense of humor. But, seriously, you’re welcome.”
Simon sighed, his eyes softening as he looked at me, then at Kagura. “I don’t think we’ll ever be able to repay you for this. But we’ll try. I swear, we will.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I replied with a chuckle. “Just keep your heads in the game and don’t get yourselves killed. That’s payment enough for me.”
Kagura’s eyes sparkled a little, the tiny hint of a smile still on her face. “I promise I won’t get killed. I’m stronger now, right?”
“You sure are, kid,” I said, ruffling her hair. “You’ve got more fight in you than most grown-ups I know.”
Simon stood up, his expression serious but full of gratitude. “We owe you everything. You saved us. You saved her.”
I waved him off, pretending to be modest, though a part of me liked hearing it. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m a hero. It’s fine. But let’s not get too mushy here. I’ve got a reputation to maintain.”
Simon snorted, clearly trying to hold back his smile. “Alright, alright, hero. But you’re still the one who saved us.”
I stood up, cracking my neck as I stretched. “And I’ll keep saving you. Just don’t go making me look bad, alright?”
Kagura giggled, a small sound that felt like a weight being lifted from her tiny shoulders. “We won’t.”
“So, you two,” I began, crossing my arms with a playful grin. “How about joining the winning team?”
Simon and Kagura both blinked at me, clearly caught off guard. “What do you mean?” Simon asked, raising an eyebrow, his tone cautious but curious.
“Fairy Tail,” I said, leaning back against the tree again. “You know, the guild I’m part of? We’re not just about smashing things and getting into trouble—though, trust me, we do plenty of that. We’re about family, loyalty, and having each other’s backs. And after everything you’ve been through... you’ve earned your place with us.”
Kagura’s eyes widened a little, her voice quieter this time. “You want us... to join your guild?”
I nodded, grinning. “Yeah, why not? You two are tough. You’ve got grit, and honestly, Fairy Tail could use more fighters like you. And, well, we’re all about giving second chances. A lot of us have had our own battles, you know? You’d fit right in.”
Simon glanced at Kagura, and I could see the wheels turning in his head. There was hesitation, of course. There always was. But I wasn’t about to let that stop me. I leaned forward a little, lowering my voice just enough to show I was serious.
“And you won’t have to go through this alone anymore,” I added. “You’ll have a family who’ll fight for you. Trust me, once you’re in, you won’t regret it.”
Kagura looked down at her hands, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her dress again. “But… what about the other kids? We... we don’t have anyone else. They’re my family now, and Simon’s too.”
I gave her a reassuring smile. “I get it. That’s why you’re coming with me. You don’t have to leave anyone behind. We’re all in this together now. We’ll make sure they’re safe, too.”
Simon nodded slowly, still processing everything. “You really think we belong there?”
“Hell yeah, I do,” I said with a grin, standing up and offering them both a hand. “You’ve got the heart for it. And that’s all we really care about.”
They exchanged another look, and I could see the moment it clicked for both of them. Simon stood, offering me a steady look, his earlier doubts starting to fade.
“We’ll think about it,” Simon said, his voice a little firmer now. “But... we’re in. For now, at least. We’ll follow you to Fairy Tail.”
I threw my head back and laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet night. “That’s what I like to hear. Welcome to the family, then. You’re gonna fit right in.”
Kagura’s face lit up, her previous shyness melting away as she gave me a wide, toothy smile. “Thank you... Aiden. I think I’m gonna like it there.”
Irene's POV
The feast was in full swing, yet all I could think about was the destruction Aiden had wrought.
The Tower of Heaven—reduced to nothing in an instant. Not a battle, not a struggle, just erasure.
That power… that force. It wasn’t magic. It wasn’t something any mage, not even the most powerful, should be able to wield. I had seen legendary spells, forbidden curses, and divine artifacts in my lifetime, but what he had done? It was something else.
He called it Ea.
Even now, hours later, I could still feel the residual energy as if the world itself was still reeling from his attack. It stirred something in me—a realization I didn’t want to acknowledge.
Aiden wasn’t bound by the same rules as the rest of us. He broke them. And that… unsettled me.
I stared into my drink, barely aware of the noise around me. The laughter, the music, the celebration—it all felt distant. I felt distant.
"Are you going to keep staring at your drink all night?"
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself back to reality. Aiden stood beside me, his usual smirk in place, his golden eyes gleaming with a knowing amusement. As if he could see straight through me.
"Don’t you have anything better to do?" I muttered.
"Probably." He leaned against the table, completely at ease. "But I wanted to check on you. You seemed... lost in thought."
"I’m fine," I said flatly.
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "You’re thinking about the Tower, aren’t you?"
I tightened my grip around my glass.
"I didn’t ask you to do that," I said, my voice colder than I intended. "You didn’t have to destroy everything."
"I didn’t do it for you." His response was immediate, calm. "I did it because it was the right thing to do."
The right thing to do.
Spoken so casually, as if obliterating something on that scale was as natural as breathing.
I studied him carefully. This boy—this thing—who was he, really?
How could someone so young, so reckless, wield something so absolute without hesitation? More importantly, why did he choose to?
"That’s not what’s really bothering you, is it?"
I frowned, but Aiden continued before I could dismiss him.
"It’s your curse, isn’t it?"
I went still.
For the first time in centuries, my composure cracked.
My fingers curled into a fist, my nails pressing into my palm. How does he know?
I turned to him sharply, my voice low. "How do you—"
"I know everything, Irene." His tone was matter-of-fact, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I know what you’ve been through, what you carry inside you. And I know that it’s not something you have to fight alone."
Arrogant. Presumptuous.
He spoke as if he had unraveled centuries of torment in mere seconds. As if he understood.
"You don’t know what it’s like," I said, voice quiet but firm. "You don’t know what it’s like to be trapped in this body, to carry this curse. It’s not something you can fix with your power, Aiden."
"That’s where you’re wrong."
The certainty in his voice made me falter.
"I will fix it."
I stared at him, searching for any trace of hesitation. There was none.
"Why?" The question escaped before I could stop it. "Why are you doing this? Why do you care?"
Aiden tilted his head slightly, then smirked. "Because a daughter deserves a mother."
I stiffened.
"And a mother deserves a daughter."
My breath hitched, and for the first time in a long while, I had no words.
He continued as if he hadn’t just cracked something deep inside me. "And because I’m a busybody who likes interfering in things that interest me. Besides—"
That insufferable smirk widened.
"I’m a king, Irene. And I like to do whatever I want."
I clenched my jaw.
It was ridiculous. Arrogant. Insufferable.
And yet…
He truly didn’t fear anything, did he? Not consequences, not limits, not even me.
"You’re not ready for it, are you?" he asked, as if my silence was answer enough.
I exhaled slowly. "No. And I don’t know if I ever will be."
Aiden simply nodded, completely unbothered. "Take your time. When you're ready, I’ll be here."
And with that, he turned and walked away as if the conversation had never happened.
I watched him go, my fingers tightening around my glass.
Aiden’s POV
The feast was still in full swing, laughter and chatter filling the hall, but my mind lingered on my conversation with Irene.
She wasn’t ready. That was fine. I had time.
As I weaved through the crowd, my eyes landed on two children sitting at the far end of the hall, apart from the heart of the festivities. One with fiery red hair, the other with short blue locks.
Erza and Jellal.
Of course.
While the other freed slaves were indulging in their first real taste of freedom—eating, drinking, and basking in the overwhelming joy of survival—these two sat in silence.
Jellal was tense, arms crossed, his expression hardened. Erza was quieter, her sharp gaze scanning the room, always watching, always wary. They had been through too much to let their guard down.
I sighed and grabbed a plate of food from a passing table as I made my way over.
“You two look like you’re at a funeral.”
Erza flinched slightly, turning toward me in surprise. Jellal stiffened but didn’t say a word.
I sat down across from them, uninvited, and placed the plate in front of them. Roasted meat, fresh bread, vegetables still steaming—an actual meal, something they had likely never had in that hellhole of a tower.
“Eat,” I said simply. “You’re free now. Might as well enjoy it.”
Jellal scoffed, his glare sharp. “We don’t need your pity.”
I snorted. “Who said anything about pity? I just don’t like watching kids mope during a feast. Ruins the mood.”
Erza hesitated, her gaze flicking to the food. She was hungry—I could see it in the way she clenched her fists, in the slight tension in her jaw—but she didn’t reach for it.
Instead, she looked at me, her expression unreadable.
“Are you really that strong?”
I raised a brow. “Depends. Strong compared to what?”
“Compared to anyone.”
There it was—the real question.
She had seen me destroy the Tower of Heaven like it was nothing. In her world, strength meant survival. Strength meant control. And she needed to understand it.
I leaned back. “Yeah. I am.”
Erza’s hands curled into fists.
“Then why didn’t you come sooner?”
Jellal turned to her sharply. “Erza—”
“No.” Her voice was firm. “If he was strong enough to do that, then why did we have to suffer for so long? Why did so many have to die before someone like him showed up?”
Her words weren’t just anger. They were grief. Frustration. The pain of a child who had seen too much, lost too much.
I met her gaze without flinching. There was no point in lying.
“Because I didn’t know.” My voice was even, honest. “If I had, I would’ve come sooner.”
Erza bit her lip, looking away.
“But now that I do know,” I continued, “I won’t let it happen again.”
Jellal scoffed, shaking his head. “You think you can stop things like this from happening? People like you don’t change the world. You just break things.”
I leaned forward, resting my arms on the table. “And yet, you’re free.”
He tensed.
I wasn’t going to argue with him. There was no point. Instead, I shifted my tone, letting the weight of my words settle.
“You don’t have to decide what kind of people you’ll be right now,” I said. “Not tonight. Not tomorrow. You’re kids. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders yet.”
Erza frowned. “That’s not how the world works.”
I smirked. “Not the world you knew. But that world is gone now.”
Jellal’s expression darkened, and without another word, he stood and walked away.
I didn’t stop him.
Erza, however, stayed.
She reached for the plate, tearing off a piece of bread.
“You really believe that?” she asked after a moment.
“I do.”
She looked up at me. “And what if you’re wrong?”
I chuckled. “Then I’ll break whatever needs breaking until it’s right.”
Erza studied me, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she nodded.
She didn’t fully believe me. Not yet.
But a small part of her wanted to.
And for now, that was enough.
