The morning sun cast a golden glow over Magnolia as excited chatter filled the Fairy Tail guild hall. Master Makarov stood atop the bar counter, his short stature not diminishing his commanding presence as he prepared to announce this year's S-class candidates.
Wendy Marvell, now seventeen, stood among her fellow guild members, her long blue hair cascading down her back. The years had matured her into a confident young woman, though she still maintained that gentle demeanor that endeared her to everyone in the guild.
"And our final candidate for this year's S-class trial," Makarov's voice boomed, "Wendy Marvell!"
Cheers erupted throughout the guild hall. Carla, her faithful Exceed companion, smiled proudly beside her. However, Makarov wasn't finished.
"As tradition dictates, each candidate must choose a partner. However, this year, to test adaptability and teamwork, I will be assigning the partnerships."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd. Makarov's eyes twinkled with mischief as he continued.
"Wendy Marvell, your partner will be our newest member – Odyn Albanar."
All eyes turned to the dark elf standing in the corner of the guild hall. His shoulder-length blue hair caught the morning light, and his orange eyes met Wendy's with an intensity that made her pause. His dark skin contrasted with the silver guild mark visible on his forearm, still fresh from his recent joining.
---
The boat ride to Tenrou Island gave Wendy time to study her mysterious partner. Odyn stood at the bow, his elven features sharp against the horizon. Despite attempts at conversation, he remained reserved, offering only short responses.
"I've never seen magic like yours during guild battles," Wendy ventured, breaking the silence. "What type do you use?"
Odyn's orange eyes shifted to her. "It's... complicated," he replied, his deep voice carrying an accent she couldn't quite place. "Let's hope we don't need to find out."
Before Wendy could press further, Tenrou Island emerged from the mist, its massive tree stretching toward the heavens. The first trial was about to begin.
---
They faced their first challenge in one of the island's many caves – a combat trial against Freed and Bickslow. As Freed's runes illuminated the cavern walls, Wendy prepared her Sky Dragon Slayer magic.
"Sky Dragon's Roar!" she called out, sending a massive tornado toward their opponents.
Bickslow's dolls scattered, and Freed's runes created a barrier. But something was wrong – the air itself seemed to waver around them.
That's when Wendy felt it – a surge of magical power unlike anything she'd experienced before. She turned to see Odyn, his body emanating an aura that seemed to distort space itself.
"Cosmic Arts: Stellar Convergence," he whispered, raising his hand. The cave's shadows twisted, forming what appeared to be a miniature galaxy between his palms. With a fluid motion, he released the energy, and reality itself seemed to bend around their opponents.
Freed's runes shattered like glass, and Bickslow's dolls dropped from the air as if gravity had suddenly multiplied. The display of power left everyone, including Wendy, in stunned silence.
"What... what was that?" Wendy asked, her eyes wide with amazement.
Odyn's orange eyes softened slightly as he looked at her. "Where I come from, we study the fundamental forces of the universe. Magic isn't just about elements or techniques – it's about understanding and manipulating the fabric of reality itself."
Before they could discuss further, a massive explosion rocked the island. Dark magic permeated the air – Grimoire Heart had arrived.
---
As chaos erupted across Tenrou Island, Wendy found herself fighting alongside Odyn against two of Grimoire Heart's elite. Her Sky Dragon Slayer magic complemented his cosmic abilities in ways she never expected. Where her winds created openings, his spatial distortions would trap their enemies. When his reality-bending magic needed time to build power, her support enchantments would protect them.
During a brief respite in the battle, Odyn finally opened up to her.
"I came to Earthland searching for something," he admitted, his orange eyes meeting hers. "My people, the Cosmic Elves, were once guardians of dimensional boundaries. But something... something is weakening the barriers between realms. I joined Fairy Tail because I sensed a connection to it here."
Wendy listened, fascinated by his story and feeling a growing connection to this mysterious elf who wielded powers beyond her imagination.
"You're not alone anymore," she said firmly, taking his hand. "Whatever you're facing, Fairy Tail faces it together. That's what being part of a guild means."
For the first time since she'd met him, Odyn smiled – a genuine, warm expression that transformed his entire face. "Thank you, Wendy," he said softly.
The moment was interrupted by another explosion, but as they turned to face the next challenge, both felt something had changed between them. Their magic resonated more strongly, their movements more synchronized, and their trust in each other absolute.
As they charged into battle against Grimoire Heart's forces, Wendy realized that Master Makarov's seemingly random partnership had led to something extraordinary – a bond that transcended their different origins and magic types, forged in the crucible of battle and mutual understanding.
The S-class trial might have brought them together, but something told Wendy that her journey with Odyn was just beginning.
After the battle, Wendy and Odyn found themselves resting beneath one of Tenrou Island's massive trees. The evening air was thick with the scent of flowers and sea spray, and the sacred ground's natural magic seemed to shimmer in the fading light.
"Earlier, during the fight..." Wendy began, hugging her knees to her chest as she looked at her partner, "I've never seen anyone able to adapt their magic like that. One moment you were bending space, and the next, you were using something that looked almost like fire magic. How is that possible?"
Odyn leaned back against the tree trunk, his orange eyes taking on a distant look as if recalling ancient memories.
"Have you ever heard of the dragon crest?" he asked softly.
Wendy shook her head, leaning forward with evident curiosity. Even Carla, who had been pretending to nap nearby, opened one eye with interest.
"It's a power that appears only once every few thousand years," Odyn explained, holding out his hand. A small sphere of energy formed above his palm, swirling with multiple colors – cosmic blues, dragon-fire reds, and the deep purple of dark elf magic. "I am what happens when three ancient bloodlines converge: dragonblood, cosmic energy from the stars themselves, and the inherent magic of the dark elves."
"But that's incredible!" Wendy exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder as she watched the swirling energies. "Is that why you can use different types of magic?"
Odyn chuckled softly at her enthusiasm, the sound warming something in Wendy's chest. It was the first time she'd heard him laugh.
"Yes, though it's not as simple as it sounds," he continued, letting the energy dissipate. "The dragon crest allows me to... understand magic at its most fundamental level. When someone uses magic against me, I can read its composition, its flow, its very essence. With enough concentration, I can replicate it – though never quite as powerfully as the original user."
Wendy scooted closer, completely captivated. "So you could use Dragon Slayer magic?"
"Theoretically," Odyn nodded, a slight smile playing at his lips at her obvious excitement. "Though it would pale in comparison to your Sky Dragon abilities. The trade-off for this versatility is that I can't master any single form of magic as thoroughly as someone who dedicates their life to it."
"Still," Wendy mused, "combining that with your cosmic powers... no wonder you were able to hold your own against Grimoire Heart's elite."
"The dragon crest's power comes with great responsibility," Odyn said, his expression growing serious. "My ancestors wrote that it appears only in times of great change or upheaval. Its emergence now, along with the weakening dimensional barriers I mentioned earlier... it cannot be coincidence."
Wendy reached out and placed her hand over his, causing him to look at her in surprise. "Whatever's coming, you don't have to face it alone. You have Fairy Tail now. You have me."
The vulnerability in Odyn's orange eyes was quickly masked, but Wendy had seen it. He gently squeezed her hand in response.
"Thank you, Wendy," he said softly. Then, with a hint of his earlier amusement returning, "Though I must admit, I never expected to be sharing ancient dark elf secrets with a Dragon Slayer."
"And I never expected to be partnered with a legendary warrior from prophecy," Wendy laughed. "I guess Fairy Tail has a way of bringing unlikely people together."
As the sun set over Tenrou Island, casting long shadows through the ancient trees, Wendy felt a deeper understanding growing between them. Odyn might possess the power of legend, but in that moment, he was simply her guild mate, her partner, and perhaps, something more.
Carla, watching them from her pretended nap, simply smiled to herself. Perhaps Master Makarov had known exactly what he was doing when he paired these two together.
The peace of their moment together was shattered by an explosion that rocked Tenrou Island. Dark magic permeated the air as Grimoire Heart's forces spread across the sacred ground. Wendy and Odyn exchanged a quick glance before rushing toward the source of the commotion.
They arrived to witness Natsu engaged in fierce combat with Zancrow, the flame god slayer's black fire creating an oppressive atmosphere that made even breathing difficult. Nearby, Lucy was locked in a complex battle involving Capricorn, trying to unveil the truth behind the celestial spirit's corruption.
"We should split up," Wendy started to say, but Odyn's hand caught her wrist.
"Wait," he said, his orange eyes intense. "Before we do, there's something you should know." He pulled her behind a massive tree root as another explosion lit up the sky. "The dragon crest... it resonates differently around you. I think it's because of your Dragon Slayer magic, but it's more than that."
Wendy's heart skipped a beat, both from his words and their proximity. "What do you mean?"
"When we fight together, my powers amplify in ways I've never experienced. It's as if—" He was cut off by a scream that they both recognized as Juvia's.
"Tell me later," Wendy said firmly, though her cheeks were flushed. "Right now, our friends need us."
Odyn nodded, but before they parted, he pulled her into a quick embrace. "Stay safe," he whispered.
The battles raged across Tenrou Island. Wendy found herself facing Meredy alongside Juvia, while Odyn confronted Ultear, his cosmic magic uniquely suited to counter her Arc of Time. Between clashes, their paths would cross, and each time, their magic seemed to resonate more powerfully.
During one such moment, as they backed each other against a group of Grimoire Heart's lesser mages, Wendy noticed something extraordinary. When Odyn used his magic near her, the cosmic energies took on a wind-like quality, while her Sky Dragon magic gained an otherworldly shimmer.
"It's getting stronger," Odyn called out as he twisted space to redirect an enemy's attack. "The resonance between us!"
Wendy nodded, understanding what he meant. As she cast "Sky Dragon's Wing Attack," she felt Odyn's power merge with hers, creating a tornado of cosmic wind that scattered their opponents.
"Is this what you were trying to tell me earlier?" she asked during a brief respite.
"Partly," he replied, his usually stoic expression softening. "But there's more to it than just magic."
Before he could elaborate, they heard the thunderous voice of Master Hades himself, challenging all of Fairy Tail.
The battle with Hades proved to be more terrible than any of them could have imagined. The dark guild master's power seemed limitless, and even Natsu's flames couldn't break through his defenses.
It was during this desperate fight that Wendy and Odyn discovered something unprecedented. As Hades prepared to deliver a devastating blow to their fallen guildmates, they moved in perfect synchronization, their magic merging completely.
"Sky Dragon's..." Wendy began.
"Cosmic Arts..." Odyn continued.
"CELESTIAL TEMPEST!" they shouted together.
The spell they created was unlike anything Fairy Tail had ever seen – a swirling vortex of healing winds and cosmic energy that both protected their allies and struck at Hades with the force of a collapsing star. Even Hades was forced to take a step back, his expression showing surprise for the first time.
"Impossible," the dark guild master muttered. "The legendary dragon crest... partnered with a Dragon Slayer?"
In the aftermath of their combined attack, as their friends regained their strength, Wendy and Odyn found themselves drawn together again. Both were exhausted but standing tall.
"That power just now," Wendy said softly, "it wasn't just magic resonance, was it?"
Odyn shook his head, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. "The dragon crest appears every few thousand years to mark great change, yes. But the legends also speak of something else – a partner, a perfect complement to balance and complete its power."
Wendy's eyes widened as understanding dawned. "You mean..."
"I think that's why Master Makarov paired us together," Odyn said with a gentle smile. "He must have sensed it somehow. You're not just any Dragon Slayer, Wendy. You're my balance."
The moment was interrupted by Hades rising again, his dark magic swirling ominously. But as Wendy and Odyn prepared to rejoin the battle alongside their fellow guild members, their hands found each other naturally, fingers intertwining.
"Together?" Wendy asked, her brown eyes meeting his orange ones.
"Always," Odyn replied, the dragon crest's power beginning to pulse in harmony with Wendy's Dragon Slayer magic.
As they faced the greatest challenge of their lives, both knew that whatever the outcome, their bond had become unbreakable. In each other, they had found not just a partner in battle, but something deeper – a connection that transcended magic itself.
The battle against Hades had reached its crescendo. The ancient halls of Grimoire Heart's airship groaned under the weight of magical power being thrown around. Natsu, despite his incredible Dragon Slayer magic, had been driven to his knees, his body covered in wounds from Hades' relentless assault.
"Is this all the mighty Fairy Tail can muster?" Hades taunted, dark magic swirling around him like a malevolent storm.
That's when Wendy felt it – a sudden shift in the magical atmosphere that made her hair stand on end. She turned to see Odyn stepping forward, his orange eyes blazing with an inner light she'd never seen before. The dragon crest's power emanated from him in visible waves, causing the very air to distort around his form.
"Natsu," Odyn called out, his voice carrying an otherworldly resonance. "Take Wendy and the others back. I need space for this."
"What are you—" Wendy started to protest, but stopped when she saw the look in his eyes. It wasn't just determination she saw there, but also a silent promise to return to her.
Odyn raised both hands, and the space around him began to warp and twist. Cosmic energy, tinged with the purple hue of dark elf magic, gathered between his palms. The temperature in the room dropped dramatically as he drew in power from seemingly everywhere at once.
"Oh?" Hades raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. "Show me what you can do, young one."
"DORUAURA!"
The name of the spell echoed with ancient power as Odyn released a wave of concentrated magical energy that made everything else they'd witnessed seem pale in comparison. The beam was a swirling vortex of cosmic forces, dark elf magic, and what appeared to be dragon-like energy all compressed into a single devastating attack. The very air seemed to shatter as it passed through, and the entire island of Tenrou shook from its force.
Wendy, while helping Lucy stand, watched in awe as the attack collided with Hades. The dark guild master had raised his strongest defensive magic, but even he was forced to strain against the overwhelming power of the Doruaura. The walls of the airship were torn apart, and the night sky became visible above them as the ceiling disintegrated.
"Impossible," Hades growled through gritted teeth. "This power... it rivals that of ancient dragon magic!"
From her position, Wendy could see the toll the attack was taking on Odyn. Small fractures of light appeared across his skin, the price of channeling such immense power. Yet he didn't waver, pushing the attack harder as cosmic energy continued to pour from his hands.
"Now, Natsu!" Odyn shouted, his voice strained but determined.
Natsu, who had used the time to recover some of his strength, ignited his fists with dragon fire. "I'm all fired up! Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
The combination of Natsu's dragon fire and the remnants of Odyn's Doruaura created a catastrophic explosion that finally broke through Hades' defenses, sending the dark guild master crashing through multiple walls.
Wendy rushed to Odyn's side as he stumbled, catching him before he could fall. His skin was hot to the touch, almost burning from the amount of power he'd channeled.
"That was reckless," she scolded, though her voice was thick with concern as she began using her healing magic on him. "What even was that spell?"
Odyn managed a weak smile, leaning into her healing touch. "The Doruaura... it's one of the dragon crest's ultimate techniques. It combines all three aspects of my heritage into a single attack. Though," he winced, "I can see why the legends recommend using it sparingly."
"You could have warned me you were going to do something so dangerous," Wendy chided, but her hands were gentle as they moved over his injuries.
"And have you try to stop me?" He caught one of her hands in his, his orange eyes meeting her brown ones. "I needed to protect everyone. To protect you."
The tenderness in his voice made Wendy's heart skip a beat, but before she could respond, they heard movement from the direction Hades had been thrown. The battle wasn't over yet.
"Can you still fight?" she asked, helping him stand.
Odyn straightened, the dragon crest's power flickering back to life around him. "With you here? Always."
As they prepared to face whatever came next, Wendy realized something had shifted between them yet again. Seeing Odyn unleash such power, not for glory but to protect their friends, had only deepened her feelings for him. And the way he looked at her now, with such trust and affection, told her those feelings weren't one-sided.
The rubble-strewn battlefield fell silent as an otherworldly light began to emanate from Odyn's forehead. Wendy felt her breath catch in her throat as she watched the transformation begin. The magical pressure in the air became so intense that small pieces of debris started floating upward around them.
"Everyone, get back!" Odyn commanded, his voice carrying an echo of ancient power. His orange eyes had taken on an ethereal glow as he stepped forward, positioning himself between Hades and his injured guildmates.
Wendy watched, transfixed, as Odyn crossed his arms before him and began to chant, his words resonating with a power that seemed to come from the dawn of magic itself:
"Light of the dragon within me... Now it's time to awaken, Focus everything I have to defeat him..."
The dragon crest on his forehead blazed like a newborn star, casting brilliant patterns of light across the battlefield. His shoulder-length blue hair began to drift upward as if caught in an invisible wind, the strands taking on an almost metallic sheen.
"DRACONIC... AURA!!!"
The explosion of power that followed his words was unlike anything Wendy had ever witnessed, even as a Dragon Slayer. A massive blue aura erupted around Odyn's form, taking on the ethereal shape of a dragon's silhouette behind him. The crest on his forehead crystallized into a clear draconic symbol, its light pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat.
Through their magical connection, Wendy could feel the transformation taking place. This wasn't just a power-up – it was the true awakening of the dragon crest's power, something that hadn't been seen in thousands of years.
"Impossible," Hades breathed, taking an involuntary step backward. "The legendary dragon crest transformation... I thought it was merely a myth!"
The blue aura surrounding Odyn continued to grow, its power so pure that it felt like standing in the presence of an actual dragon. His crossed arms maintained a protective barrier around his guildmates, the aura responding to his will to defend them.
"I can feel it," Natsu said in awe, his own dragon-slayer instincts responding to the power. "It's like... like standing before Igneel again."
Lucy gripped her keys tighter, their gold light resonating with Odyn's aura. "This power... it's not just dragon magic, is it?"
"No," Wendy answered softly, understanding flowing through her enhanced connection with Odyn. "It's the perfect fusion of all three of his bloodlines. The cosmic magic of the stars, the ancient power of the dark elves, and the primal force of dragonkind – all united in a single form."
The draconic aura roared, causing the very foundations of the airship to shake. Odyn's orange eyes, now flickering with dragon-like pupils, remained fixed on Hades as he spoke:
"You threatened my guild. My friends." His gaze briefly met Wendy's, filled with an intensity that made her heart race. "The people I've grown to love. That ends now."
The dragon crest blazed brighter as Odyn uncrossed his arms, the protective barrier transforming into pure offensive power. The aura dragon behind him spread its ethereal wings, filling the night sky with its luminescence.
"Wendy," he called out, his voice carrying both power and tenderness. "I might need your help after this. The legends say this form takes a tremendous toll."
She nodded, determination filling her eyes. "I'll be right here. I promise."
As Hades gathered his dark magic for another assault, the air crackled with the collision of ancient powers. The true battle was about to begin, and Wendy knew she was witnessing something that would be told in legends for generations to come.
The transformation continued to evolve before their eyes. The dragon crest expanded across Odyn's forehead, its luminescent pattern unfurling like ethereal wings. His orange eyes had fully shifted into draconic slits, burning with an inner fire that spoke of power beyond mortal understanding. Lightning-like energy crackled across his form, each spark a different shade of blue and purple, representing the perfect fusion of his heritage.
"The Dragonoid," Wendy whispered in awe, recognizing the transformation from ancient texts she'd studied about dragons. "A human vessel containing the pure essence of dragon power..."
"Not just any Dragonoid," Carla added, her eyes wide. "The dark elf blood and cosmic magic have enhanced it beyond anything recorded in history."
Lightning continued to dance across Odyn's transformed state, each movement leaving trails of ethereal light in the air. The magical pressure was so intense that the very atmosphere seemed to bend around him.
Hades launched a devastating chain of magical attacks, dark energy crackling with malevolent purpose. "Amaterasu Formula 100! Grimoire Law!"
But what happened next left everyone speechless. Odyn moved with impossible speed, appearing before Hades in an instant. As the dark guild master threw a punch enhanced with decades of magical mastery, Odyn caught it with one hand – the impact creating a shockwave that shattered remaining windows throughout the airship.
"Impossible!" Hades growled, struggling against Odyn's grip.
"Nothing is impossible for Fairy Tail," Odyn replied, his voice carrying the dual resonance of both his own and a dragon's.
What followed was a display of power that would be remembered in guild legend for generations. Odyn moved like living lightning, each strike precise and devastating. The Dragonoid form enhanced every aspect of his abilities – his cosmic magic bent space itself, his dark elf heritage provided supernatural grace, and the dragon power gave him overwhelming force.
Hades found himself being driven back, unable to counter the perfect fusion of powers before him. For the first time in decades, the dark guild master felt genuine fear.
Wendy could barely follow Odyn's movements, but she could feel his power through their connection. She realized he wasn't just fighting – he was creating an opening.
"Everyone!" Odyn called out, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Together!"
Understanding dawned on their faces. This was Fairy Tail's way – not single heroes, but family fighting as one.
"Ice Make: Cold Excalibur!" Gray formed his most powerful ice sword.
"Heaven's Wheel: Circle Swords!" Erza requipped into her strongest armor.
"Open, Gate of the Lion! Leo!" Lucy summoned her most powerful spirit.
"Sky Dragon's Roar!" Wendy contributed her enhanced dragon slayer magic.
"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!" Natsu ignited with his most intense flames.
Odyn, still in Dragonoid form, grabbed Hades and held him in place, the dragon crest blazing like a star on his forehead. "Now!"
The combined attack struck true, a perfect union of Fairy Tail's strongest wizards. Hades' final defense shattered under the assault, and the dark guild master finally fell.
As the dust settled, Odyn's Dragonoid form began to fade, the dragon crest's light dimming. He stumbled slightly, and Wendy was instantly at his side, supporting him.
"That was incredible," she said softly, using her healing magic to help ease the strain of the transformation.
"No," Odyn replied with a tired smile, his eyes returning to normal though they remained fixed on her. "What's incredible is having a family worth fighting for."
Around them, their guildmates began to celebrate their victory, but for a moment, Wendy and Odyn remained in their own world, understanding that they had witnessed something truly legendary – not just in the power displayed, but in the bonds that made it possible.
To be continued in Chapter 2: Wendy & Odyn; Quiet Moments