The days following the dark mages' attack were calm, but the tension in the air lingered. Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that the battle had only been the beginning of something far more dangerous. The words of the dark mage leader echoed in his mind: "Disrupting the balance..."
The Fairy Tail guild hall was bustling as usual, but Ethan found himself lost in thought. His companions noticed his unease.
"You've been quiet lately," Erza said, sitting across from him. "Is something troubling you?"
Ethan hesitated before responding. "It's those dark mages. They knew about me, about what I've been doing. That's not normal."
"They're just sore losers," Natsu chimed in, slamming his fist on the table. "If they come back, we'll kick their butts again!"
"It's not that simple," Kurenai interjected. "If they knew about Ethan's ability to travel between worlds, it means someone has been watching him closely."
The table fell silent. Ethan looked at Kurenai, gratitude in his eyes. "Exactly. We need to find out who's behind this."
---
A Mysterious Message
As if on cue, a guild member approached with a sealed letter. "This just arrived for you, Ethan."
Ethan took the letter, his brow furrowing as he examined the ornate seal on the envelope. It wasn't one he recognized. Breaking the seal, he unfolded the letter and read aloud:
"Ethan,
If you seek answers about the balance and the forces that hunt you, come to the ancient ruins in the eastern forest at midnight. Come alone. The truth awaits."
A hush fell over the group.
"It's a trap," Lucy said immediately.
"Most likely," Erza agreed. "But it could also be a lead."
Ethan nodded. "I can't ignore it. If someone knows what's going on, I need to hear them out."
"You're not going alone," Sakura said firmly.
The rest of his companions echoed her sentiment.
"I'll be careful," Ethan assured them. "But if this person wants answers, they'll only talk to me. I need you all to trust me on this."
Reluctantly, they agreed, though not without voicing their concerns.
---
Into the Forest
As midnight approached, Ethan made his way to the eastern forest. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting eerie shadows on the ground. He kept his senses sharp, ready for anything.
The ruins came into view, their ancient stones overgrown with moss and vines. In the center of the clearing stood a hooded figure, their back to him.
"You came," the figure said, their voice low and smooth. "Good. I was beginning to think you'd ignore my message."
"Who are you?" Ethan demanded. "What do you know about the dark mages and their talk of disrupting the balance?"
The figure turned, revealing a young woman with piercing green eyes and silver hair. She carried an air of authority and mystery.
"My name is Selene," she said. "I am a Keeper of Realities, one of the few tasked with maintaining the balance between worlds."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "If that's true, why are you contacting me? And why did the dark mages target me?"
Selene sighed, her expression somber. "Your ability to travel between worlds is rare and dangerous. Every time you enter a new world, you create ripples that disturb the natural order. The dark mages you fought are part of a larger group that seeks to exploit those disturbances."
---
Revelations
Selene explained that the dark mages belonged to an ancient cult called The Voidborn, dedicated to harnessing the energy of disrupted realities to awaken a long-forgotten entity capable of consuming entire worlds.
"They see you as both a threat and an opportunity," Selene continued. "If they can capture you and harness your power, they will become unstoppable."
Ethan's fists clenched. "So what do I do? Stop traveling between worlds?"
Selene shook her head. "It's too late for that. The ripples you've created can't be undone. But you can use your abilities to stop them. Unite the allies you've gathered and prepare for the battles to come. The Voidborn will not rest until they have you."
Ethan felt a mixture of anger and determination. "Why me? I didn't ask for this power."
"Few who bear great power ever do," Selene said gently. "But you have it, and now you must decide how to use it."
---
An Unexpected Attack
Before Ethan could respond, the ground beneath them trembled. Selene's eyes widened in alarm.
"They've found us!"
Dark mages emerged from the shadows, their leader from the earlier battle among them. He sneered at Ethan. "You're persistent, but your luck ends here."
Ethan and Selene stood back-to-back, ready to fight. Ethan summoned his energy, his resolve stronger than ever.
Selene raised her hands, weaving intricate patterns of light. "I'll hold them off. You need to escape."
"No," Ethan said firmly. "I'm not running. Not anymore."
The fight was brutal, with spells and attacks lighting up the dark forest. Ethan and Selene worked seamlessly together, their combined strength overwhelming the attackers.
As the last dark mage fell, Selene turned to Ethan, a faint smile on her lips. "Perhaps I was wrong about you. You're stronger than I expected."
---
A New Mission
With the dark mages defeated, Ethan and Selene returned to the guild hall. His companions were waiting anxiously, their relief evident when he walked through the doors.
"What happened?" Erza demanded.
Ethan recounted everything Selene had told him, including the threat of the Voidborn. The room fell silent as the weight of the situation sank in.
"So, what now?" Natsu asked, his fists clenched.
"We prepare," Ethan said, his voice steady. "The Voidborn won't stop coming, but neither will we. Together, we'll protect this world and every other one they threaten."
Selene nodded. "I'll stay and help you. You're going to need all the allies you can get."
Ethan looked around the room, his gaze resting on each of his companions. "I'm lucky to have all of you. We've faced impossible odds before, and we've come out stronger. This time will be no different."
As the guild erupted in a chorus of agreement, Ethan felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead would be treacherous, but he wasn't alone. And as long as he had his friends and allies by his side, he knew they could overcome anything.
To Be Continued…