The cold wind bit through the air, biting sharply at Cael's exposed skin as he walked through the guildhall's front doors. It had been a peaceful day—well, peaceful for Fairy Tail—but something hung in the air, a subtle shift that had Cael looking over his shoulder every few minutes.
Mira, wiping down the bar with a cloth, didn't seem as unsettled as he felt. Her usual warmth was there, but there was something different, like she too was waiting for something.
"Is something wrong?" Cael asked, as he walked to the bar.
She paused, meeting his gaze. Her usual calm demeanor flickered for just a moment. "The guild's been getting strange requests lately. Disturbances up north... in the mountains."
Cael raised an eyebrow. He hadn't heard much about any problems from the north. "Disturbances?"
"Reports of unnatural storms. Strong gusts of wind, heavy snow... The usual weather anomalies. But it's been getting worse. There are rumors... rumors that it's a mage behind it. Someone with power over ice."
"Someone who's doing more than just messing with the weather?"
Mira nodded, her gaze turning to the window, as if she could feel the cold creeping even inside the guild. "It's not just the weather. People have gone missing. Several villages near the mountains have been completely wiped out. The mages at Sabertooth have looked into it, but it's beyond their abilities."
Cael's interest piqued. He had heard of Sabertooth—one of the stronger guilds, known for its fierce combatants and mastery over various elements. If they couldn't handle it…
"Do we know who's responsible?"
Mira hesitated, her fingers tightening around the cloth in her hands. "There's a name. Lyon Vastia. A former member of Sabertooth. He's rumored to have control over ice magic like no other. The stories are… chilling."
Cael crossed his arms, leaning against the counter. "Former member?"
"Yeah. He was once a promising wizard there, but something happened. He left the guild a long time ago, and no one's heard from him since. Now… rumors say he's the one behind these storms."
"Is it possible he's doing this on his own?"
"I don't know," Mira said quietly. "But there's been enough evidence to suggest that it's him. And if it is, we'll need to stop him before he causes more harm."
The tension in the air was palpable now. Even in the warmth of the guild, Cael could almost feel the chill of Lyon's power. He had seen the destruction a powerful mage could cause firsthand. The thought of someone wielding ice magic on that scale sent a shiver down his spine.
Just then, the door slammed open with a gust of wind. Natsu, Gray, and Lucy walked in, chatting and laughing, but the moment they saw Mira's serious expression, they fell silent.
"What's going on?" Lucy asked, glancing between Mira and Cael.
"We have a problem," Mira replied. "The guild's been getting reports of a mage causing trouble up north. We're going to investigate."
"Up north? What kind of trouble?" Gray asked, his voice already serious.
"Disturbances in the weather. People have gone missing, entire villages destroyed. And there's a mage named Lyon Vastia behind it all."
Natsu's grin faltered for a moment. "Wait, isn't that the guy who used to be with Sabertooth? The ice guy?"
"That's the one," Mira confirmed. "We need to go up there and figure out what's going on. It could be dangerous."
Lucy glanced at Cael, who was still silently listening, his thoughts racing. "So, are we heading out now?"
"Not yet," Mira said. "We're still gathering information. But we'll be heading out soon. I want everyone prepared."
Cael pushed himself off the bar, his eyes narrowing as he thought. He wasn't a fan of the cold. But this wasn't about comfort. This was about a mage who had the potential to cause untold destruction.
"I'll go," Cael said quietly.
Mira looked at him, her expression unreadable for a moment. "Are you sure?"
Cael nodded. "If Lyon's truly responsible for all this, then we need to stop him."
"Then it's settled," Mira said with a firm nod. "We leave in the morning."
The guild's atmosphere had shifted, the carefree banter that usually filled the air now replaced with a more somber tone. Everyone had begun preparing for the mission. Supplies were gathered, weapons sharpened, and plans discussed. But beneath all the hustle, Cael couldn't shake the feeling that something more was at play here. Lyon's magic was more than just a threat—it was a warning.
Later that night, as Cael sat at the edge of the guildhall, looking out at the snow-covered streets, Mira joined him quietly. The two of them didn't speak for a while. There was nothing to say—not yet.
"Cael…" Mira finally spoke, her voice soft. "You've changed since you joined us. I can see it. You've become more... yourself."
Cael blinked, turning to face her. He couldn't quite put into words what she meant. But he felt it—an unfamiliar warmth, a sense of belonging. He had become a part of this place, a part of the people here.
"I'm not sure who I am," he said honestly. "But I think I'm starting to understand it."
Mira smiled, the tension in her expression easing slightly. "We'll figure it out together."
The morning came too soon. Cael stood ready at the guildhall's entrance, a simple pack slung over his shoulder, his dark violet eyes focused on the snowy horizon. The group gathered—Mira, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Cael—all set to face whatever awaited them in the north.
Lyon's power was a growing threat, but Cael wasn't afraid. Not anymore. This was his fight now, and he was going to make sure he wouldn't back down.
As they made their way out of the guildhall, Cael's thoughts turned toward the icy mountains ahead. Whatever Lyon was planning, Cael knew one thing for sure: this was just the beginning.