Chapter 1: "A Bell Rings at Dawn"
The cobbled streets of Magnolia shimmered with morning dew as Kael stepped lightly across them, his sky-blue garments flowing like mist with each step. A soft chime followed him, tiny silver bells laced into his footwear, their gentle sound like the laugh of wind through glass.
He blinked up at the rising sun. "Huh," he murmured. "Still no tutorial screen. Not even a starter pack?"
A passing baker gave him a confused glance.
Kael offered a warm, innocent smile. "Oh, I was just… talking to the sky."
The baker slowly turned and walked faster.
Kael tilted his head. Strange. Usually, NPCs respond with a quest…
He continued wandering, his eyes scanning every inch of Magnolia like it might rearrange itself if he blinked too long. The scent of fresh bread mingled with the metallic tang of magic. It was all so real. So warm. So much louder than he remembered.
As he passed a pair of wizards mid-argument about whether "fire or wind magic is more romantic," Kael made the mistake of trying to help.
"Well, technically," he offered, smiling sweetly, "both could be romantic if the setting involves candlelight and a dramatic cape flourish. But wind magic is great for dramatic exits. Whoosh!"
He spun on his heel gracefully and took three steps before realizing both men were staring at him in stunned silence.
"...I…..did I intrude on something sacred?" he whispered, mildly horrified.
The younger wizard broke into laughter. "Who are you?!"
"Just a passing mist," Kael replied with a mischievous wink.
He walked away as their laughter echoed behind him.
His destination finally appeared ahead: a familiar but very real building that pulled at something deep in his chest.
Fairy Tail.
The guild hall looked bigger than he imagined. Warmer. Wilder.
"Okay, Kael," he whispered, patting himself on the chest. "Smile. Be normal. Don't flirt unless cornered."
He took a calming breath.
The doors creaked open.
And he was hit in the face by a flying chair.
Kael ducked in time, narrowly missing a full-on faceplant. The chair crashed into a nearby wall, followed by a man yelling, "YOU CHEATED, BASTARD!"
Kael straightened slowly.
The guild hall was a storm of chaos. Magic sparks flew like confetti. People yelled, laughed, and wrestled on the floor. Food flew. Tankards clashed. A man in the corner was weeping dramatically into a cat plushie.
Kael blinked once.
Then again.
"…Not as organized as I remember," he said gently.
"Oi, duck!" someone shouted.
Kael crouched just as a fireball whizzed over his head. He turned around to see a blue haired girl stomping after a blonde boy who had definitely said something dumb.
Kael dusted himself off and sighed. "Right. Rule one: Don't trust your memories. Rule two: Avoid airborne furniture."
Before he could retreat, a familiar voice cooed sweetly, "New face?"
He turned to see a beautiful woman with long white hair and a motherly smile. Despite the flying furniture behind her, she looked completely unfazed.
"Mirajane," Kael said, the name tumbling out before he could stop it.
She blinked in surprise. "Have we met?"
"No," he said smoothly, smiling softly and innocently. "Just a lucky guess."
Mirajane chuckled. "You're a cute one."
Kael offered a polite bow. "Kael. Wandering mistmage, fan enthusiast, and recent survivor of aerial upholstery."
"Sounds like you'll fit right in," Mira said, clearly entertained. "Come on. Let's introduce you to Master Makarov."
As they weaved through the chaos, Kael dodged a bowl of soup, sidestepped a spell explosion, and caught someone mid-fall with a graceful twirl.
"Do… fights happen every day?" he asked.
"Only before lunch," Mira answered cheerfully.
Kael blinked. "Oh good. They pace themselves."
At the front of the hall, Makarov, short, gruff, and glowing with command, gave Kael a once over.
"Newbie?"
"Newbie," Mira confirmed.
Makarov raised an eyebrow. "What's your magic, boy?"
"Mistcraft," Kael answered calmly. "It involves casting through graceful movement and control of elemental mist. I channel it using this." He opened his ornate fan with a soft snap, mist unfurling like silk.
The guild quieted slightly.
Kael stepped into a flowing motion twisting, arching, each movement deliberate and graceful. Mist followed his limbs like trailing ribbons, elegant and ghostly. The bell on his shoe rang in time with the rhythm of his feet.
The mist took shapes flowers, fangs, a glimmering wall.
By the end, the mist curled protectively around him before fading.
Someone in the crowd clapped. Someone else muttered, "...Fancy."
From the upper floor, a deep voice cut in: "Looks like a backup dancer."
Kael looked up slowly to meet the stare of a tall, muscular man with spiky blond hair and a scowl that could curdle milk.
Laxus Dreyar.
Static flickered faintly around him like an aura.
Kael met his gaze, unfazed. "Thank you," he said sweetly. "I do value stage presence."
Laxus's brow twitched.
Someone snorted.
Makarov sighed. "Ignore him. Welcome to Fairy Tail."
Mira handed Kael a stamp. "Where would you like your guild mark?"
"Lower back, please," Kael said, deadpan.
Silence.
Mira blinked.
He smiled with wide eyed innocence. "Purely aesthetic. I have an outfit planned."
Someone in the back choked on their drink.
Later, Kael sat at a quiet corner table, sipping tea. The chaos of the hall continued around him, but he felt… still.
This wasn't the world he remembered.
It was louder, messier, more human.
But it was warm.
He didn't know where this new life would lead him. He didn't speak of the strange memories or the reasons he felt like he'd been here before. That truth, quiet and hidden, belonged only to him.
All he knew for sure was this:
He was here.
And something told him…
He wouldn't be dancing alone for long.
End of chapter
Author's Note
Hey there, reader~ 💫
Welcome to Chapter 1 of Mistwalker: A Fairy Tail fanfic aka the saga of one misty boy and one lightning disaster waiting to be emotionally flustered. This story follows Kael, a fluffy haired, fan wielding, mist walking flirt who looks like he just stepped out of a dream... and fights like it too. He's elegance, he's confusion, he's the human embodiment of "✨oops I seduced someone again✨."
While Kael might vaguely remember watching this world like a show in a different life (shh, we don't talk about that), this tale is all about how he tries to survive, vibe, and maybe find a family and love in a world that wasn't exactly how he remembered it. Misty moves, ringing bells, dramatic twirls, and chaotic guild gremlins await.
Will Kael accidentally romance the entire guild?
Will I stop inserting meme references? (Absolutely not.)
Stick around, enjoy the misty chaos, and remember:
When in doubt, fan them unconscious and look pretty doing it.
Stay flirty, stay misty,
🌸 — Author