The rain fell endlessly, pattering down in a fine drizzle.
The crisp sound of raindrops carried a chilling sensation that seeped into the soul, while the thin veil of water shrouded all of Magnolia in a misty haze, blurring the world into an illusion.
As if stepping into a dreamlike realm, everything in this drizzling rain seemed unreal.
Heavy black clouds swirled and condensed in the sky, gradually forming a massive black vortex over Magnolia.
The oppressive sense of foreboding was suffocating.
And yet… even in such weather, it unexpectedly matched the emotions of certain people at this moment.
Magnolia's only church, Kardia Cathedral, had been destroyed during Fairy Tail's civil war due to the aftershocks of the battle between Noel and Laxus.
However, fortunately, the cemetery behind the church had remained untouched.
And now, in this resting place of the departed—
Noel stood silently in the distance, wordless, watching Mirajane and Elfman, who were dressed in black, standing before a gravestone.
The white flowers they placed before the stone were as pure and delicate as the girl who had left this world.
The events of two years ago were wounds etched into the hearts of everyone in Fairy Tail, but for Mirajane and Elfman, they were the ones who had suffered the most.
Even after all this time, the pain imprinted upon their very souls remained as vivid as ever.
Noel slowly closed his eyes, and once again, that day resurfaced in his mind.
The rain had been just like this, falling endlessly.
The girl's sorrowful and fragile expression seemed to still linger before his eyes.
(Don't leave me... Noel... At least at this moment... please stay by my side.)
(Mira... I will protect you, no matter what. This is the oath I have engraved in my heart.)
Noel clenched his fist tightly, his nails digging into his palm.
A faint scent of blood seeped from his fingertips, dripping onto the ground.
Blending with the rain, it bloomed into crimson flowers upon the wet earth.
............
Two Years Ago, Fairy Tail Guild.
"I'm back."
Noel pushed open the guild's doors, having just returned from a completed mission.
However, the usual lively and bustling guild hall was eerily silent.
No—more than silent, It was dead silent.
"W-What's going on? Did… something happen?"
Looking at the lifeless atmosphere of the guild, an ominous feeling crept into Noel's heart, making him speak involuntarily.
Sitting at the bar, Makarov looked at Noel with a heavy expression.
"Noel… Lisanna… is dead."
Boom.
It was as if something exploded in Noel's mind.
He stood frozen at the entrance, his thoughts blank.
A crushing sorrow surged within him, sapping all his strength.
The pain spread through his chest, akin to losing a family member, an unbearable ache that made him clutch his heart as if the futile motion could somehow relieve the anguish.
"What… exactly happened?"
"Mira, Elfman, and Lisanna went on a mission—Beast King's Soul. But… Elfman lost control after accepting the Beast King's Soul. Lisanna… she…"
Makarov didn't finish his sentence.
He simply let out a long, heavy sigh.
"And Mira… and Elfman?"
After a brief silence, Noel's voice came out hoarse.
Having experienced the pain of losing a loved one himself, he understood all too well—Mira and Elfman's grief must be ten, no, a hundred times heavier than his own.
Especially Mira…
Noel knew her well.
Beneath that strong and fierce exterior, her heart was far more fragile than most would ever imagine.
"Mira is still at Lisanna's grave… Noel, what are you going to do?"
Noel had already spotted Elfman, curled up in a corner, hiding away from everyone.
Without a word, he slowly walked toward him.
"It's my fault… It's all my fault… If not for me, Lisanna wouldn't have died…"
Tears streamed down Elfman's face as he sat there, lost in his own despair, murmuring to himself, completely ignoring Noel's presence.
Swish!
Suddenly, Noel made a shocking move—he grabbed Elfman by the collar and yanked him up, pulling him close.
"Noel!"
"What are you doing, Noel?!"
Everyone was startled by his sudden action and quickly tried to stop him.
But Noel paid no attention to them.
His sharp gaze locked onto Elfman's lifeless eyes, and his voice turned cold and piercing.
"Elfman… what the hell are you doing right now?"
His pupils sharpened, filled with an intensity that made the air heavy.
"Pull yourself together! You're a man, aren't you? If you keep wallowing in despair like this, what about Mira?!!
What's lost can never be recovered! Do you plan to let Mira, who is still alive, continue to suffer because of you?! Answer me, Elfman!!
If that's truly what you think… if you'd rather live the rest of your life in this pathetic, half-dead state… then I might as well send you to hell right now!!!"
A turbulent aura, a mix of blazing fury and icy killing intent, surged from Noel's small frame, crashing against Elfman like an unstoppable wave.
Everyone could feel it—Noel was serious. Dead serious.
"I… I…"
Elfman could only sob uncontrollably, unable to respond.
"Nee-chan… I… I will be strong… Nee-chan, I…"
Sensing a faint spark of life returning to Elfman, Noel finally released his grip on his collar.
The suffocating pressure around him gradually dissipated.
Without paying attention to the guild members calling out behind him, he turned sharply and ran outside.
The misty drizzle continued to fall, washing over everything, but it did nothing to calm the growing restlessness in Noel's heart.
This rain—so cold, so piercingly clear—was just like that night.
That night of unbearable pain and despair.
It had also been a rainy night, just as frigid as this one.
Exactly the same.
Noel clenched his fists tightly.
At last, he saw Mira.
Kneeling before a gravestone, her figure was so helpless, so full of sorrow.
The merciless downpour drenched her completely, and her trembling body resembled a fragile flower ravaged by the storm, a sight that struck deep into Noel's heart.
"Mira…"
Noel slowly walked up to her and gently ran his fingers through her disheveled white hair.
"…Crying doesn't mean you're weak. Sometimes, it's a kind of strength too.
I'll stay by your side. Always."
Mira's body trembled uncontrollably.
Then, as if she had finally found an outlet for her grief, she suddenly threw herself into Noel's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"…Noel… Lisanna… I couldn't save her… She just… disappeared right in front of me… And I could only watch… completely powerless…
Please… don't leave me… Noel… At least at this moment… stay by my side…
I don't want to lose anything else… I don't want to keep losing… anymore…"
"I will protect you… always."
Seeing Mira so fragile and broken, a sharp pain stabbed through Noel's heart.
Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms tightly around her, as if trying to shield her from all the sorrow in the world.
"…From now on, as long as I'm here, you'll never be alone again. I will never let go… I will protect you…
I swear it.
This is my promise to you—I, Noel Rutherford, will protect you."
............
Reaching out his hand, a drop of rain fell into his palm.
The cool sensation pulled Noel back from his memories.
With a soft chuckle, he shook his head, pushing aside the lingering thoughts in his mind.
Standing silently before Lisanna's gravestone, Mira seemed to sense something.
She lifted her head and caught sight of Noel in the distance.
She froze for a moment, then turned to say something to Elfman before slowly making her way toward Noel.
--------------
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