He said to Mirajane, "I'll go now. Get some rest."
He left. Erza placed the cup on Mirajane's bedside table and prepared to leave as well.
Mirajane said, "Erza, stay with me a while, please."
Erza nodded and sat back down. Seeing Finn still standing there, she said, "Why aren't you leaving? Do you want to listen to our gossip?"
Finn quickly shook his head. "I'll go then," he said, leaving Mirajane's room.
Outside the villa, the wind was strong.
Finn sighed deeply, releasing his sadness.
Then he said, "You can come out now." Mystogan emerged from the shadows.
Finn had received a message from Mystogan earlier, asking him to wait.
"You don't need the mask with me," Finn said.
"Right," Mystogan removed his mask, sat on the grass, and said, "Lisanna might not be dead!"
Finn was shocked. He went to Mystogan. "What? Lisanna might not be dead?"
Mystogan nodded. "Calm down. Let me explain."
Finn calmed himself. "Okay, tell me."
Mystogan said, "I was dealing with a magic called Anima."
"It draws this world's magic into another world, Edolas."
"Another world?" Finn was surprised. He'd never heard of this.
Mystogan nodded. "I failed to close it, but I sensed something being drawn in. Considering Mirajane said there was no body, I suspect it was Lisanna."
"Then let's go to Edolas and save her!" Finn said urgently.
Mystogan shook his head. "We can't. Anima is closed. The gate to Edolas is gone."
Finn was disappointed. "Is there no other way?"
Mystogan was silent.
"Sigh, okay."
"I'll investigate. And believe in Lisanna. She grew up in Fairy Tail," Mystogan said.
Finn patted his shoulder. "Thank you, Mystogan!"
…
The next day, Mirajane and Elfman's changes shocked everyone.
Mirajane, once a delinquent, was now a gentle lady, her high ponytail down, her bangs in a braid. She was incredibly kind to everyone. Most importantly, she seemed to have lost her magic.
Elfman, perhaps hating his helplessness, became a muscular man, constantly shouting "Manly man!"
Makarov was heartbroken by their changes.
Everyone changed after Lisanna's death. Mirajane took a backseat, helping Makarov with tasks like mission registration.
No one knew what Mirajane and Erza talked about, but they were now like sisters, often ganging up on Finn.
Finn didn't tell Mirajane about Lisanna, as it wasn't confirmed. Mirajane had already experienced despair once; he didn't want her to experience it again. He'd tell her when it was confirmed.
That day, Finn took a Ten-Year Quest from the mission board.
"It's time to challenge myself," he thought, remembering his promise to Mirajane.
He went downstairs.
At the Fairy Tail bar, Makarov looked at the mission request. "Finn, are you sure? Really challenge this?"
Mirajane looked at Finn worriedly.
Finn nodded. "Yes. It's time. And I want to try to break through my limits."
He meant his Bankai. After Lisanna's death, he learned about another world, creating a sense of urgency.
If Mystogan was right, he might have to go to another world to save Lisanna. He needed strength.
He couldn't be lazy anymore. The weak couldn't protect their family. He wanted to protect his family and prevent anyone from getting hurt again.
"Alright, I approve it. But come back safe, okay?" Makarov looked seriously at Finn.
Finn nodded. "Yes, Master."
"Finn, wait," Mirajane ran to the guild's storage room.
Finn was puzzled.
She returned with a crystal. "This is an instant communication crystal. Take it. It'll be easier to contact you."
"I'll be worried if you're gone," she whispered.
Finn smiled, taking the crystal. "Don't worry, Mirajane. I'll protect it. I'll answer your calls." He raised the crystal.
Mirajane smiled sweetly. "Stay safe."
"I'm off!" Finn waved and left.
Hargeon Town, a port city. Finn's ship only reached here; he needed to transfer at the station.
"Finally here," he breathed, having been in the wilderness. He finally felt human again.
"Grumble…" His stomach rumbled.
Finn rubbed his stomach. "Time for food."
He left the port and entered the town. The smells and sounds overwhelmed him.
"What to eat?" Then the crystal vibrated. He took it out; Mirajane appeared.
Finn waved. "Yo, Mirajane!"
Mirajane smiled. "Finn, you're in Hargeon."
"Yes, look," Finn showed her around. "It's lively."
Mirajane smiled. "You seem happy."
Finn nodded. "Of course. It's been a while since I've been in a town. If it weren't for you and Erza keeping in touch, I'd have gone crazy."
"When will you be back?"
"I'll eat, then take the train back," Finn said, rubbing his stomach.
"Okay. Natsu and Happy are in Hargeon," Mirajane said.
"Natsu and Happy? A mission here?" Finn asked.
"Natsu heard about a fire dragon and went to look."
"A fire dragon? That's ridiculous! That's impossible!" Finn said.
"Natsu's like that. Even a small hope makes him go. He misses his father," Mirajane said sadly.
"Come back soon. Everyone misses you," she added.
"Okay."
The image disappeared. Finn went to a restaurant and ordered a lot of food.
But before the food arrived, he saw familiar faces.
Natsu and Happy entered with a girl. "You're a good person, buying us food," Natsu said.
Happy added, "Aye!"
"No, it's thanks for your help," the blonde girl said.
"Natsu, that's Finn!" Happy exclaimed, seeing Finn.
"Huh?" Natsu saw Finn and shouted, "Finn!"
Finn was waiting for his food when he heard the familiar voice. "Natsu!"
A blue blur crashed into him—Happy.
"Finn, we missed you," Happy said, laughing.
"I missed you too," Finn patted Happy's head.
Natsu and the blonde girl approached.
"It's been two years," Happy said.
"Haha, what's this, Natsu?" Finn asked, looking at the blonde girl.
"Hi, I'm Lucy," Lucy introduced herself.
Natsu said, "Lucy!"
Lucy facepalmed. "I told you outside."
"Ignore him. He's always like that," Finn chuckled.
…
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