[X779, Fairy Tail Guild Building]
— Dannis Martell —
"Not joining?"
I looked to my right as I was leaning on the rafters of the second floor, spotting the Master as he took a sip from a mug. Below us, the entire guild had descended into a full blown party, to celebrate my ascension to an S-Class mage.
The only person who wasn't celebrating was Cana, who I saw left the guild awhile ago. She was in a bad mood, that much I could tell. Didn't realize that being S-Class was so important to her.
"I'm not really one for parties, master."
The old man snorted. "Feh, I know that much. I could count the amount of times you joined in on celebrations in the nine years you've been here on one hand." He took a swig of his cup. "You're still young, Dannis. Live a little."
I didn't answer him, looking at the mass brawl that was happening on the first floor. There was something that had been bothering me for a while, a feeling I've had since a long time ago.
"I haven't visited them even once, y'know?" I say, getting the master's attention. "I wanna say that the jobs kept me busy, but in truth I'm just really scared."
Master Makarov was solemn, immediately understanding what I was trying to say. "Having fear is just natural. I'm sure they would be happy with the man you have grown to be, my boy."
"I sure hope so." In my mind, I saw a couple who stood in the kitchen of a modest sized home. They were laughing, the woman slapping a hand to the man's chest, covering his shirt with flour as they baked a cake together. They both had black hair, the same dark shade that I had.
I saw a boy that stood in between them, barely reaching the man's waist in height. He was concentrating on his task, using a rolling pin to flatten the dough. In the process, he accidently knocked over a bowl, spilling all of its contents over the wooden floor.
"Ah! I-I'm sorry mom!"
The woman just giggled as she took a broom and began to clean up the mess. "It's quite alright, darling. It's just a small mess."
"B-But-"
A large hand ruffled the child's hair as the man laughed. "Hahahah! It's fine Danny! After all, making mistakes in life is how a boy becomes a man! What matters is that you take responsibility for that mistake!"
"U-Uhuh!" The boy nodded with a small smile as he helped the woman clean up.
Before long, all three of them stood by the dining table with a three-layered cake with eight candles. The couple then clapped before announcing in a loud voice, "Happy birthday Dannis!"
The boy's eyes gleamed with happiness as he smiled wide. The smidgen of frosting on his cheek making him look all the more joyful. Surrounded by the warmth of family and happy atmosphere, the boy would never expect that his day would turn completely upside down.
The happy smile shifted into one of quiet horror, as he now stood on the graves of his parents. A bandage covering his left eye.
To others, birthdays would be occasions where one would celebrate. To commemorate the day they were born.
'But to me…that day is just a painful reminder of everything I've lost.'
And that day is tomorrow.
I get up from my position and look back towards Makarov. "Hey Master, is it alright if I take a bottle from the guild pantry?"
"Hm?" The Master lifted an eyebrow in question, before nodding. "Sure, knock yourself out. Be sure to pour a cup from me would ya? They raised a fine young man."
I smile lightly before making my way downstairs. "Of course Master."
Ignoring some of my guildmates cries of congratulations, I grab a bottle from the bar as I leave the guild building. While I appreciate their enthusiasm, now isn't the right time for it.
There's somewhere I have to be.
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[A day later]
Making my way through a forest, I walk past a tall tree as I arrive at my destination.
What was once a worn dirt path was unrecognizable as nature had started to reclaim the unused area. All throughout the street, random pieces of rubble and wild, overgrown vegetation had started to grow.
The village was a mere shell of its former self. Remnants of a former civilization still lay, with some houses and buildings standing strong despite being unkempt for very long. Many roofs had collapsed and in some cases had taken the entire building with it. Others looked in decent shape and were simply dirty and filled with bird nests.
There was an eerie silence that was occasionally broken by the sound of chirping birds who made their home on one of the collapsed roofs.
I let out a breath as I walked forward, each step accompanied by memories of days long past. An innocent child running through the streets with a smile on his face.
I arrive at a nondescript building, with stone walls and wooden frames. The roof had already caved in like many of its neighbors. The door was slightly ajar, with a light push, I entered the house.
What greeted me was a dirty living room, broken furniture and rubble littering the entire space. Steeling my resolve, I continued forward. Arriving at each room, I gathered whatever belongings that were salvageable into a bag. A few trinkets here and there that I remembered we used to own.
As I walked past the kitchen, something caught my attention. Nailed to the wall was a picture. Although the frame was cracked, the three people posing in it were easily recognizable..
A man and a woman with a small boy between them, their hair all colored black.
[The family picture image]
Picking it up with one hand, I let out a small smile.
Storing it in the bag, I gaze around the room once more, taking in everything.
I took a deep breath as I let it out in a slow exhale.
"We may be poor, but who cares about that as long as we're happy! You hear me, Danny?! When you grow up, know that whatever it is you do, no matter what kind of situation you find yourself in, as long as you're happy in the end, then it is all worth it!" A strong voice echoed throughout the walls.
"Well, as long as what makes you happy aren't bad things, then I will always support you, my sweet child." said a woman with the most gentle smile.
"That goes without saying of course! If you ever become a man that your mother can't be proud of, I'll beat your ass myself, you hear me boy?!" The strong voice concluded.
'I hear you loud and clear.' I closed my eyes before opening them once more.
I exit the house as I make my way outside of the village. Entering the forest once more, I follow the riverside until I arrive at a grass field.
In the center of the field was a large willow tree, the leaves swaying in the winds. Underneath the tree were two stones that were engraved with words.
Here lies, Ellias Martell and Paisha Martell.
A teary smile appeared on my face as I gaze at the gravestones.
"Hey mom, hey dad. Sorry it took a while for me to visit."
I sat down in between them as I pulled out a single white rose and put it on my mother's grave.
"I got your favorite flower for you, I remember you always had one in the vase on your nightstand. You always make sure to switch it with a new one every two weeks."
Opening my bag, I take out the bottle of liquor that I took from the guild before pulling out three wooden cups.
"I remember you telling me that you couldn't wait till I turned eighteen, dad. Saying that you wanted to share my first drink with me."
I poured the liquor to the three cups as the liquid jostled slightly from the shaking of my arms.
"I joined a guild called Fairy Tail. Master Makarov took me in after he saved me. This old man, Wakaba, was the one who looked after me and invited me into his home."
I put the liquor bottle back down.
"They're a good bunch. I had a best friend called Laxus, but we're not really on speaking terms right now. I guess Mira's my best friend now though. She's a nice person, I think you'd like her, mom. She helps me out a lot."
I pick up my cup as I continue talking mindlessly.
"I made S-Class recently. It was hard, I had to fight against Gildarts, he's one the strongest people I've ever met. Couldn't even touch him once before he beat me to the ground.."
Tears started to form in my eyes as I tried my best to keep my emotions in check.
"I-I'm doing well. I have friends, and a home too. So you got nothing to worry about, okay?"
I took a deep breath, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.
"S-Sorry for having to break our promise like this. I'm only seventeen this year, so cut me some slack for doing this a year early, alright dad."
Pulling my head back, I take a swig of the drink I had in my hand. I grimace slightly at the bitter taste. 'So this is what alcohol tastes like? I wonder why Cana likes it so much.'
I widen my eyes as I feel some pressure on my shoulders. I froze, because for some reason, I felt warmth from the touch. I look up, only to see a hazy form appear before my eyes. The forms of a man and a woman.
They both stood in front of me, one hand on each of my shoulders.
"M-Mom? Dad?"
Mother smiled that gentle smile I always remembered her by. Father simply stood there, a proud look on his face.
They both stepped back as they sat down atop their graves. Each picked up their cups, as they raised it at me.
I understood immediately, and with a hand that was no longer shaking, filled up my own cup once more before raising it with them.
That night, we drank together. And while they couldn't speak, they sat there with me, listening as I told them stories of everything that I went through in the past nine years.
When I finished, I felt as if a massive weight was lifted off my shoulders. I guess I never really recovered from that day all those years ago. But now, I realize that I had to move on. Wherever I go, I know now that they are always with me.
I smiled at them, one last time.
"Thank you, for everything."
The last thing I saw as their forms twinkled into light was the look of pure love and pride. I stood up with my back a little straighter, this life I lived was the second chance that was given to me.
I have a new family now, one that is waiting for me back in Magnolia.
When I turned around to finally leave after packing everything, I heard a voice, accompanied by the flowing winds that are present at the glade of my parents' graves.
'Happy birthday Dannis.'
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AN: Family has always been an important concept in Fairy Tail. I hope to properly show that for Dannis as well.
Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter.