Copyright notice: This fanfic is a work of fiction inspired by "Fairy Tail", created by Hiro Mashima. I do not own the rights to "Fairy Tail" or the original characters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's note: English is not my mother tongue, so I apologise for any mistakes you may find in this fanfic. I appreciate your understanding and I hope you enjoy the story.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boy found himself submerged in a world of unfamiliar sensations. Despite the darkness that covered his eyes, the forest came to life through his other senses. He could feel the cool dampness of the air, carrying with it the scent of wet earth and foliage. The ground beneath his hands was a mix of soft soil and fallen leaves, which crumbled at the touch. The sounds of the forest were a constant symphony: the murmur of the wind playing with the leaves, the distant gentle sound of a meandering stream, and the occasional song of a bird hidden in the density of the foliage. The crunch of branches under his feet and the rustle of his clothes against the vegetation became his indicators of movement and space.
Each breath carried a story, blending the smell of vegetation with the occasional sweet perfume of wildflowers, barely perceptible but present. The forest, though invisible to his eyes, revealed itself to him through these details, creating a mental map of his surroundings that was as vivid as any image.
As he moved forward, his hands explored the world in front of him, touching the rough bark of trees and feeling the change in terrain under his feet. Despite his blindness, Tristan began to perceive the majesty and mystery of the Lamia Forest, a place where every whisper of the wind and every change in the air told a hidden story.
Among the dense trees of the Lamia Forest, the boy found himself alone, disoriented, and immersed in complete darkness. The whisper of the wind among the leaves and the crunching of branches under his feet were the only sounds he could perceive. Trapped in the gloom, his hands clung to the bark of a tree, desperately trying to find something to guide him amid the darkness that enveloped his eyes.
Fear had taken hold of his heart, a deep sensation that came not only from the uncertainty of not remembering who he was but also from the overwhelming dread after having lost his sight. In the penumbra of the forest, he felt abandoned, and the acute need to quench his hunger and thirst gnawed at him from within. Each step he took seemed to immerse him further into the underbrush, moving him further away from any hope of finding help.
The distant echo of the stream called to him, but his inability to see kept him stationary, unsure of every movement. His trembling fingers explored the terrain, searching for something, any clue that could give him a sliver of orientation in the midst of that natural labyrinth. The whisper of water provoked a scorching thirst, and the sensation of his empty stomach was a constant reminder of his vulnerability in this unknown environment.
With each labored breath and every heartbeat, the boy longed for a ray of hope. A distant voice, an echo of compassion, anything that would pull him out of that dark maze. However, amid the stillness of the forest, there was only his own labored breathing and the distant echo of the stream, singing a melody of temptation and agony.
The boy's body finally gave in to exhausting fatigue. With the last reserve of energy spent, he collapsed in a lost corner of the Lamia Forest. The lack of food and water had weakened his body beyond its limits, and his mind, clouded by despair, struggled to find a path towards hope. Unable to see, his disorientation was absolute.
Amid his weakness, danger slithered through the shadows of the forest. A chilling howl echoed in the distance, announcing the presence of the demonic wolf. Its heavy steps and the smell of blood and ferocity slowly approached where the boy lay defenseless.
The wolf, colossal in size and with glittering eyes, loomed over him, capable of sensing the fear permeated in the air. Its jaws parted in a guttural growl, revealing sharp fangs that gleamed with the diffused light of the forest. For the wolf, the boy was easy prey, a being seemingly incapable of defending himself.
The boy, consumed by exhaustion and submerged in the darkness of his mind, could barely register the proximity of the predator. His heart pounded fiercely, a mix of fear and resignation took hold of his thoughts.
With the demonic wolf drawing ever closer, the boy lay on the ground, defenseless, without memory, and without a clear way to defend himself. In his silent desperation, he could only wait, trusting in some miracle to save him from becoming the prey of the predator looming over him.
The demonic wolf attacked, but stopped abruptly at the unexpected manifestation of an ice petal. The small fragment floated in front of the boy, defying logic and stopping the predator in its fierce advance. In an instant, the ice petal expanded, covering the wolf in a frosty layer that spread across its body, freezing it in place until it became a statue of solid ice.
Meanwhile, the boy lay unconscious, oblivious to what was happening around him. This astonishing event was witnessed by a strange woman, who observed with astonished eyes
the scene unfolding before her.
Maria Koori's point of view.
The Lamia Forest stands as an infinite green labyrinth, a tangled realm where magic and nature weave an eternal dance. The ancient trees rise majestically, with intertwined branches creating a canopy that filters sunlight, enveloping everything in a cloak of shadows and mystery.
This natural maze is home to a variety of magical creatures, from luminous beings that dance among the trees to colossal beasts that lurk in the darkest depths. The perpetual mist covering its domains adds an air of enigma and wonder to its aura, hiding secrets in every corner and veiling its paths under a layer of enchantment and danger.
The Lamia Scale Guild assumes the responsibility of protecting the surrounding villages from the magical creatures that occasionally escape from the Lamia Forest. These beings, often disoriented or furious, can endanger the harmony of human communities.
I was given the mission by the guild master to capture a demonic wolf that had escaped and delved into the depths of the forest. This wolf had attacked the inhabitants of the village more than once. My mission was to locate and eliminate it. Although I was told it would be a quick task, two days have passed, and the wolf remains elusive. It's frustrating, especially since this mission was supposed to take no more than half a day, but here I am, without a trace of the damned wolf.
Suddenly, I hear a howl in the distance, and a smile lights up my face; finally, it seems I have found it.
Then, using all my speed to prevent the wolf from escaping, I encountered a terrifying scene: a badly wounded boy and the wolf trying to attack him. I was about to intervene with my ice magic to save the boy when something astonishing happened. A small petal emerged from the boy's body and floated between him and the wolf. Incredibly, the wolf halted its attack, as if sensing some danger coming from that petal.
The wolf was right, as within seconds, the petal expanded and froze the wolf, turning it into an ice statue. I was impressed by the unexpected control this boy had over magic.
I approached the boy, but he lay unconscious and gravely injured. It was a heartbreaking sight.
"Why would such a small boy be in a place as dangerous as the Lamia Forest?"
It was a territory few ventured into, except for some Class S wizards and dark mages.
As I watched the unconscious boy, Maria couldn't help but feel a wave of compassion mixed with curiosity. Who was this boy who appeared out of nowhere, with such an unusual and powerful magical ability? She wondered what series of events had led him to this forest, alone and vulnerable. As her mind wandered, she remembered her first days at Lamia Scale, the feeling of being new, lost, and struggling to find her place. That empathy prompted her to make a decision.
"I can't leave him here," she thought.
"This boy needs help, and maybe, just maybe, I can be the one to offer that help."
After deciding to take the boy to the guild, Maria carefully lifted him into her arms. As she did, he began to wake up, though he clearly was in a semi-conscious state.
With a weak and confused voice, the boy murmured, "Who... who are you?"
"I'm Maria Koori, from the Lamia Scale guild," she replied softly, trying not to overwhelm him. "I found you here, in the forest. You're safe now.", trying not to overwhelm him. "I found you here, in the forest. You're safe now."
The boy tried to focus his mind, but his thoughts seemed scattered and foggy. "Why... why are you helping me?" His voice was barely a whisper, and Maria could feel his struggle to stay awake.
"You're hurt and need help, that's what matters," Maria said tenderly. "At Lamia Scale, we help those in need. You don't have to worry about anything now."
The boy processed the words with difficulty, his breathing becoming slower and heavier. "Can I... trust you?" he managed to say, his voice laden with vulnerability.
Maria looked at him with a mix of concern and affection. "Yes, you can trust me. I'll take care of you," she assured him.
Just after her words, the boy, overwhelmed by the effort and his condition, fainted again in Maria's arms. She adjusted him carefully, preparing to take him to Lamia Scale.
Jura's point of view.
From my position, I watched as Maria Koori burst into the room with a boy in her arms, her face reflecting a mix of urgency and distress. Immediately, I was concerned about the situation and quickly approached her.
"What's happening, Maria dono?" I asked, trying to remain calm despite the obvious rush.
With a desperate voice, Maria replied almost breathlessly, "We need Maximus! This boy requires immediate medical attention!"
The gravity of her words resonated
with me. Without wasting a second, I headed to where Maximus was usually found, known both for his magical abilities and his fondness for drinking. As I ran, a mix of concern and doubt invaded me. Would he be in a condition to help?
Upon reaching Maximus Flare's laboratory, the smell of alcohol was the first thing I noticed, mixing with the scent of herbs and remedies. I found Maximus leaning over his worktable, a half-empty bottle at his side, indicative of his usual habits.
"Maximus, we need your help. A boy is gravely injured," I said urgently, hoping he was sober enough to grasp the situation.
Maximus looked up, his eyes taking a moment to focus. Despite his evident state of inebriation, something in his expression changed upon hearing my words. With a visible effort, he straightened up and nodded.
"Yes, of course. Let's go," he said, his voice showing a hint of the seriousness and competence that usually characterized him in moments of need. Despite his condition, Maximus hurried along with me in search of Maria and the injured boy.
The boy's point of view.
I woke up on something soft. Had I left the forest? I wondered in confusion. The lack of sight plunged me into deep disorientation. I tried to move, but a sharp pain flooded my body, unleashing an involuntary scream. "Ahhhhhhhh!" echoed in the place, emerging from the depths of my being.
The echo of my scream seemed to alert someone, for soon I heard footsteps approaching where I was.
A male voice resonated softly near me. "Stay calm, you're safe," he said soothingly. "I recommend that you don't move. You've been wandering in the Lamia Forest for a long time."
A female voice joined the conversation. "I found you at the brink of death in the forest, about to be eaten by a demonic wolf," she said with concern in her tone. "What were you doing in that place?"
The boy was left pondering, puzzled. Why was he there? What was he doing? "I don't know... I don't know!" he shouted in desperation. He didn't remember anything at all.
The woman, noticing my outburst, approached me and wrapped her arms around me. Despite my confusion, something about that gesture drew me in, captivated me in an inexplicable way. It was the first time, since I have memories, that I felt like this, embraced, contained by the warmth of someone else. Her words, "Calm down, calm down, you're okay," echoed in my mind, carrying with them a sweetness I had never experienced before.
The woman's embrace, unexpected but necessary, flooded me with emotions I didn't know. A lump in my throat slowly dissipated, and my tears, silent companions of my desperation, gave way to a glimmer of relief. She whispered words of consolation, each one like a balm to my troubled soul. Why did this simple but compassionate gesture have such an effect on me? I didn't understand, but for the first time since I found myself wandering in the darkness, a flicker of calm made its way through my confusion and fear.
That feeling of security was like a beacon in the midst of the storm, and, for a moment, I allowed myself to immerse in the comforting warmth offered by the woman's embrace. It was a moment of peace amid chaos, a respite in a sea of uncertainty. However, my mind continued to be tormented by the frustration of not remembering anything, of not knowing who I was or how I had arrived at that place.
Her words kept echoing, like a soothing echo attempting to calm the internal storms. Despite the darkness surrounding my memory, that embrace became a ray of hope, an indication that perhaps, just maybe, there was something beyond my confusion, something that could comfort me, something I could trust.
Maria Koori's point of view.
The boy fell asleep in my arms, I preferred to let him rest. Later, Maximus informed me that the boy had completely lost his sight and it's not possible for him to recover it. That news broke my heart. Imagining someone without the memory of their past and also without the ability to see was heart-wrenching. I couldn't begin to understand how to deal with that situation.
As I reflected on it, it occurred to me that the boy might not remember his name either. When he wakes up, I'll have to ask him. Thinking about the uncertainty and confusion he must be facing deeply troubled me. It was a difficult situation to approach and understand. I was determined to help him and seek guidance from Ooba Babasaama, the master of Lamia Scale, when I returned to the guild. It would be crucial to find a way to support the boy in this challenging time.
One day later.
Maria approached the boy, whose empty gaze revealed his blindness but also an intriguing depth
. His gaze, though directionless, seemed to hold an unusual depth. Despite his blindness. "Hello, how are you feeling?" she asked with a soft voice, trying to convey warmth and tranquility.
The boy turned toward where Maria's voice came from. Though unable to see, his reaction indicated he recognized her presence. "I feel... better," he said with a weak, but clear voice.
Maria sat by his side, her presence exuding a kind serenity. "I'm glad to hear that," she said empathetically. "I'm Maria Koori, nice to meet you, you're in Lamia Scale, a place where we take care of each other."
The boy nodded slightly, showing a mix of gratitude and confusion in his expression. "Thank you for... saving me. I don't remember anything," he admitted with a hint of frustration in his tone.
"Don't worry. We're here to help you," Maria replied with understanding. "We're working to find out who you are and how we can help you. In the meantime, you're safe here."
The boy smiled weakly, grateful for Maria's words. Despite his bewildering situation, he felt comforted by the care he received in this unknown place.
Maria approached the boy, wishing to offer him some comfort amid his bewilderment. "Do you remember your name?" she asked softly, but the boy lowered his head, displaying a sad expression as he admitted that he remembered absolutely nothing. This confession moved Maria, who, in an attempt to lift his spirits a bit, decided to take matters into her own hands. With a warm and gentle voice, she offered something: "Then, how about I give you a name for now?".
The boy, surprised by the proposal and with a small but significant smile barely visible on his face, nodded lightly. It was a simple moment, yet filled with tenderness. Maria's gaze reflected deep compassion as she pondered the significance of this act. Choosing a name was a way to offer the boy a temporary new identity, a means of supporting him in a world where his past faded into the mist of his memory.
Carefully, Maria delved into her thoughts, considering what name would be suitable for this boy seeking a new beginning. Each letter, each sound, represented an opportunity to rebuild something lost. Finally, she decided: "Then, from today, you'll be called Tristan." The resonance of the word filled the space, and although it was a newly given name, it carried with it the hope for a future and the promise of a path to discover.
"Now that you have a name, Tristan, I'd like to ask you a question and make you a proposal," Maria said with marked curiosity in her voice. "Are you a wizard? Do you know how to use magic?" she inquired, feeling the unease grow inside her. She wanted to know if the ice petal that had saved him from the demonic wolf was something Tristan used consciously.
Tristan, puzzled, admitted, "I don't know anything about magic."
"I see," Maria responded. After a moment of reflection, she addressed Tristan with a proposal: "Would you be willing to consider me your teacher?" Before he could answer, she decided to explain her proposal. "That night, when the wolf attacked you, you used ice magic, and it was very powerful. And from listening to you, it seems you did it without realizing."
Tristan was surprised to learn that he had used magic. "I... I really used magic?" he asked in astonishment. Maria nodded, confirming her words.
Realizing that Tristan, being blind, could not see her nod, Maria felt a pang of discomfort. Nonetheless, she decided to press on and affirmed, "Yes, you used magic. To be more specific, it was ice magic, and that type of magic is my specialty. It would be an honor for me to guide you in the path of magic. What do you think?"
Tristan was intrigued by Maria's proposal, and his initial excitement was palpable. However, moments later, his mood changed, and he lowered his head in sadness. Maria, noticing the change, asked, "What's wrong, Tristan?"
With his head still lowered, Tristan replied, "Learning magic would be a dream, something I would consider impossible for someone like me... But I'm blind, how can I learn if I can't see your training methods?"
Maria ruffled her hair and said, "Tristan, did you know that the power of magic has no limits? With it, the limits of the impossible simply disappear. As your mentor, I'll take you through a world of training that will challenge your perception, showing you how to see beyond the obvious. I, Maria Koori, am a mage of Lamia Scale, and I assure you that, if you're willing, together we can conquer unimaginable challenges."
A laugh escaped her lips before continuing. Maria tilted her head towards Tristan with a sparkling smile
, trying to establish a closer connection. "Tristan, can I tell you a secret?" she said in a low voice, as if sharing a confidence. "Between you and me, here inside Lamia Scale, some say I'm the most powerful mage in the guild. Even more than Jura! But, you know what? That must stay between us! The strongest sometimes like to go unnoticed, don't you think?" she joked with a wink, hoping to ease any tension the young man might be feeling.
"Anyway," she continued, slightly changing her tone with a playful gleam in her eyes, "we shouldn't underestimate Jura. Although I might have a bit more strength, he's like a rock, firm and resilient. And, of course, don't tell him, but it's kind of charming to think we have some sort of rivalry, even if it's in secret." She paused and added, with complicity, "ahhhh I'm getting off topic, Do you want to be my student and discover everything magic has in store for you?"
Tristan was intrigued, as he didn't know who Jura was, but decided to focus on the exciting offer in front of him: becoming a wizard, learning about magic, and glimpsing a completely new world.
"Teacher Maria, your words have given me hope," Tristan expressed with a solemn and decided voice, clearly manifesting his desire to learn. "Learning magic, maybe I could also learn to see with magic... that would be incredible. And if magic can do the impossible, maybe it's my chance to recover my past. Please, teach me to be a wizard."
His words resonated with a mix of longing and determination. For him, this was an opportunity not just to delve into the world of magic but also to find answers to the mysteries surrounding his lost past. His eyes, though blind, radiated a spark of hope and enthusiasm for what the future might hold.
Maria smiled broadly upon hearing Tristan's decision. "As my student, you're on the path to becoming the strongest wizard of the future," she told him excitedly. "And your first task as my disciple will be to officially join Lamia Scale and meet the master and the members of the guild."
Her smile reflected a mix of pride and expectations for the journey they were about to embark on together. For Tristan, this step not only represented joining a guild but also venturing into a new and exciting world full of possibilities. With a sense of renewed determination, he nodded, ready to begin this new chapter of his life as the apprentice of the most powerful mage of Lamia Scale.
End of chapter 1.