Fairy Tail: Threads of Infinity

The familiar scent of ocean breeze drifted through the windows as the group stepped back into the Akane Resort. Though they had been gone barely a day, the place felt like another lifetime. The walls didn't hum with tension anymore. No ominous tower loomed in the distance. No Etherion countdown ticking in the background.

For the first time in what felt like ages, the world was quiet.

Natsu immediately collapsed onto one of the plush beach loungers with a groan. "We should've just stayed here the whole time..."

"You were the one yelling about fish not tasting 'adventurous' enough," Lucy reminded, flopping beside him and exhaling deeply.

Juvia quietly sat near Gray, her fingers curled nervously around her skirt as she watched him out of the corner of her eye. Gray gave her a side glance but said nothing—though his posture relaxed a little.

Shinra stood at the edge of the balcony, arms folded as he watched the sun setting behind the waves. There was something peaceful about it… and final.

Behind him, Mira returned from the kitchen with cups of warm herbal tea balanced expertly on a tray. "Everyone's going to feel sore tomorrow," she said sweetly. "Drink up."

"Thanks, Mira," Erza murmured, accepting a cup and sinking into one of the patio chairs with a heavy sigh.

Inside the resort's second room, Simon sat with Millianna, Sho, and Wally—all of whom had just regained consciousness a few hours ago. The three were silent, listening intently as Simon carefully recounted everything that had happened.

"...Jellal's madness, the sacrifice, the Etherion... and how Fairy Tail stopped everything."

Millianna's expression crumpled first. "I didn't... I didn't want to hurt anyone. I thought... Jellal said we'd all be safe if we just obeyed."

Sho looked away, jaw clenched. "We were so blind..."

"We just wanted to protect each other," Wally added, voice softer than usual. "Even if it meant believing in a lie."

Simon offered a small smile and shook his head. "You didn't do anything wrong. You followed your heart—even if it led you astray. What matters is what you choose now."

The trio stood slowly and followed Simon to the balcony, where the rest of Fairy Tail relaxed under the tangerine sky. Erza looked up, her expression unreadable as her old friends approached.

Millianna stepped forward first, tears already brimming. "Erza... I'm so sorry. We were wrong. I—I said awful things back then, but you never turned your back on us."

Sho bowed his head. "We thought we were strong enough without you. But in the end, we needed you again."

Wally gave a slow, deep nod. "Thanks for saving us—again."

Erza stood, her voice soft and warm. "You're my family. I never stopped believing that."

The three flinched with guilt, but Mira placed a gentle hand on Erza's shoulder. "She never gave up on you," she said quietly.

After a pause, Erza stepped closer and said, "Come to Fairy Tail. We'll welcome you with open arms."

Millianna hesitated. Sho and Wally looked at one another. Then, surprisingly, Millianna smiled through her tears.

"Thank you... but we need to find ourselves first," she said. "We've always lived in someone else's shadow—first as slaves, then under Jellal's orders. We want to see the world. On our own terms."

Wally grinned. "Besides, Sho's been dying to climb a mountain or two. Apparently, he wants to train with some monk or something."

"Shut up," Sho muttered, blushing.

Erza's eyes softened. "I understand."

Simon clapped his friends on the shoulders. "Wherever you go... I'll be cheering for you."

Natsu sat up, stretching. "Well, when you're done wandering around, come visit the guild. We'll throw a party!"

"You better," Wally laughed.

As the group shared quiet goodbyes, Shinra wandered a few steps away from the group, stopping just beside Mira as she leaned on the railing, watching the sea shimmer beneath the moonlight.

"I never thought we'd get a moment like this," Mira said, brushing her hair back from her eyes. "For a while, I thought peace wasn't something people like us got to keep."

Shinra leaned beside her. "Peace is a fleeting thing," he said calmly. "But it's moments like this that make it worth chasing."

She turned to look at him, her smile tinged with weariness. "You've changed a lot things, you know. Although you don't realize it, but people look to you now."

Shinra arched a brow. "It was not really my goal... I just didn't wanted any tragedy to take place."

Mira didn't press further. She simply offered him a warm smile. "I'm glad you're here, Shinra."

He didn't say anything for a while. Just let the silence sit. Then, quietly, "I'm glad you're here too."

Mira looked down, heart fluttering slightly. "You know, it's funny... I spent so long pretending to be okay. Acting cheerful, helping the guild... but I stopped fighting a long time ago."

Shinra glanced at her, silent.

"I blamed myself for Lisanna. For Elfman's pain. For losing my powers. I thought... maybe I didn't deserve to be strong anymore."

Her voice was so soft it nearly vanished in the wind.

"But when I saw you fight... when I saw how you looked at us like we were already strong, it made me want to believe again."

Shinra turned to her fully now, his expression finally shifting from neutral to something more vulnerable.

"I've seen too many people hide behind strength," he said. "But you? You're strong in the ways that matter."

Mira blinked, surprised by the genuine emotion in his voice.

Before she could respond, Natsu called out behind them, "Hey, you lovebirds done whispering out there? We're gonna need to pack soon!"

Mira flushed instantly. "N-Natsu—!"

Shinra just sighed, deadpan. "Let's just go."

As everyone began packing up the last of their supplies, Lucy sat beside Erza, watching her fold her armor pieces neatly.

"Are you okay?" Lucy asked softly.

Erza gave a small nod. "I am."

"They still love you," Lucy said, glancing toward the horizon where Millianna, Wally, and Sho had already begun walking toward the docks.

"Yes, they still do," Erza said. "We all just... lost sight of ourselves for a while."

Lucy nodded.witj a smile, "Well, They've got a long journey ahead. But at least they are together."

With their things packed, their friends forgiven, and the past behind them, Fairy Tail turned back toward the road that led home.

A journey ended—but another was just beginning.

And behind them, the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the Akane Resort in a warm, golden glow, like a memory carefully sealed in time.

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