Chapter 32: FTRJ: Chapter 32

Mirajane said to Natsu, “So, Natsu, want to come along? You’d gain a lot of experience.”

Natsu’s eyes lit up. He jumped up. “I’m in! Take me!”

Elfman refused. “A man protects his family alone,” he said confidently.

“Don’t be stingy, take me!” Natsu continued to jump around.

“Haha, next time,” Mirajane said, checking the time. She called to her siblings and they prepared to leave.

“Seriously, I want to do an S-class mission too,” Natsu said dejectedly, watching them go.

Happy waved goodbye. “Bring us gifts!”

…

“Erza, do you need this much stuff?” Finn said, holding a large package, looking at Erza pulling a luggage cart—yes, a luggage cart.

That was Finn’s name for it; it was a platform cart, but piled high with luggage. He’d complained about it before.

What was the point? They weren’t moving house. Almost none of it would be needed.

But Erza was stubborn. No one could change her mind.

Erza said seriously, “These are gifts for the guild. I didn’t expect to find so many local products.”

“I want everyone to have some.”

They reached the guild gates.

“It’s quiet,” Finn said, puzzled. It was usually noisy.

But it was eerily silent.

That was normal for other guilds, but not Fairy Tail.

Erza looked at Finn, equally puzzled. “Let’s go in.”

“Okay.”

They opened the doors.

They entered the guild; everyone was silent, heads bowed.

Finn sensed something was wrong.

A large crowd gathered, with crying coming from the center.

“What happened?” Erza grabbed Bickslow, who was wearing a tight dance outfit.

“Erza…Lisanna…” Bickslow’s voice was choked with sobs, unable to continue.

“What?!” Erza released Bickslow and demanded an answer, but no one responded. Everyone kept their heads down, silently parting to allow a path.

Finn heard the crying and, remembering Bickslow’s words, realized the terrible truth.

The crowd parted, revealing Mirajane, collapsed on the ground, injured, her right arm bandaged and hanging.

Elfman stood nearby, tears streaming down his face. Lisanna was nowhere to be seen.

Makarov sat at the bar, his old frame even more stooped than usual.

Finn and Erza approached.

“Where’s Lisanna?” Finn asked softly.

“Lisanna…is dead…” Elfman sobbed, uttering the heartbreaking words.

Finn’s package clattered to the ground.

He remembered Lisanna: “Finn, let’s pinky swear! My mom said pinky swears can’t be broken!”

“It’s my fault,” Elfman said, raising his large hands and slapping his face repeatedly.

“Elfman! What are you doing?!” Finn rushed forward, grabbing Elfman’s hands, his eyes red with concern.

Mirajane also stood up, trying to stop Elfman. “It’s my fault. If I hadn’t been careless, this wouldn’t have happened…sob…”

Mirajane swayed, and Erza quickly supported her. Despite their rivalry, they were comrades, and Erza felt immense sympathy for the heartbroken girl.

“Elfman, what happened? Tell me,” Finn urged, holding Elfman’s hands tightly.

Mirajane spoke, “It’s all my fault. I was careless, I underestimated the Beast King’s power. Elfman protected me and took over the Beast King, but its magic was too strong. Elfman lost control.”

Mirajane’s sobs intensified, and Erza continued to comfort her.

“I…I saw…the child…get thrown…,” Mirajane covered her mouth, her words broken and fragmented.

“When I found her…she was dying…in my arms…she was gone,” Mirajane buried her face in Erza’s embrace.

Her cries of anguish filled the room. Erza looked up, fighting back tears.

“No…no, sister, it’s not your fault. It’s my fault. I killed Lisanna…my sister…”

Elfman shook his head violently, his emotions overwhelming him. Looking at Finn, who was still holding his hands, he cried out, “Finn, please kill me. It’s all my fault. Please kill me, avenge Lisanna…”

Elfman repeatedly struck his own face with Finn’s hand.

“Enough!” Finn forcefully restrained the distraught Elfman. “What do you think your life is worth?!”

“Would Lisanna be happy seeing you like this? Are you wasting your life like this?!” Finn’s voice was thick with emotion.

“Elfman…Lisanna’s death hurts us all, but you’re still here. As a father, I’ve already lost one child; must I lose another?” Makarov’s voice trembled as he spoke these heartbreaking words.

Finn had never seen Makarov like this before—an aged man, his face etched with profound sorrow and pain. His only wish had been to see these children grow up safely and happily; now, Lisanna’s death had inflicted an unbearable wound upon the old man’s heart.

Elfman knelt weakly, his head bowed low.

Natsu, without a word, ran out of the guild.

“Natsu?” Happy watched Natsu run, tears streaming down his face. His usually perked-up tail drooped lifelessly to the ground.

“Happy, please watch Natsu. Don’t let him do anything foolish, alright?” Finn said, his gaze fixed on Happy.

“Natsu values his guildmates more than anything. That boy’s been through a lot,” Finn added softly.

“Okay,” Happy replied, his wings unfolding as he took flight, pursuing Natsu.

The rain fell heavily. The heavens themselves seemed to weep. Inside the church cemetery…

Rows of Fairy Tail members, dressed in somber black suits, stood in silent contemplation, their gazes fixed upon a single grave marker at the forefront. The Fairy Tail guild mark was prominently etched at the top of the headstone.

Beneath it, a single name was inscribed: Lisanna Strauss.

Despite the torrential downpour, none of the mourners bothered with umbrellas; the faces of every individual present were drenched in the relentless rain, making it impossible to discern whether the wetness stemmed from the rain itself or from the tears that streamed freely down their cheeks.

Mirajane leaned heavily against Finn’s embrace, the death of Lisanna having seemingly drained every ounce of strength from her body. The heartbroken girl found solace only in the warmth of Finn’s comforting presence.

There were no prayers, no formal pronouncements, just an unusual and profound silence from a group of people who were typically known for their boisterous nature. Only the occasional, muffled sob broke the stillness.

They stood in silent vigil, as if somehow able to perceive Lisanna’s presence beside the grave marker, cheerfully waving and greeting them with her characteristic radiant smile.

Just as she had always done, the guild’s ray of sunshine, Lisanna, had a remarkable ability to bring laughter and joy to those around her.

After every arduous battle, upon their return to the guild, Lisanna would always be the first to greet them with a cheerful, “Welcome home! You must be exhausted from all your hard work!” It was Lisanna who had imbued the guild with such a strong sense of home.

Makarov clenched his jaw tightly, his lips pressed into a thin line, the death of Lisanna seemingly having aged the old man by decades in a single instant.

As they prepared to depart, Finn approached Gray, his voice low and serious. “Gray, please keep a close eye on Elfman back at the men’s dormitory. Don’t let him do anything reckless,” Finn expressed his concern, fearing that in his grief, Elfman might unjustly blame himself for Lisanna’s death and do something rash.

Gray patted his chest reassuringly. “Finn, don’t worry. Even if you hadn’t said anything, I would have done it anyway. He’s family, too.”

…

That night, on the balcony of Finn’s villa, Mirajane sat alone, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees, her gaze fixed upon the countless stars that speckled the night sky. She was lost in thought.

“What are you looking at?” a voice inquired, startling Mirajane from her reverie. She turned her head to see Finn approaching, who then seated himself beside her, his hands resting behind him as he too gazed up at the heavens.

“Nothing,” Mirajane responded softly.

Finn had only witnessed Mirajane in such a vulnerable state once before—the very first time they had met; she had been just as lost and helpless then.

Finn gently brushed a stray strand of Mirajane’s white hair, which had been tousled by the evening breeze, behind her ear. He then spoke, “You know, in my hometown, there’s an old saying.”

“That the souls of our departed loved ones ascend to the heavens, transforming into the stars that adorn the night sky, forever watching over those they left behind, guiding them and offering them direction.”

“Your hometown? They really do become stars?” Mirajane turned her head, her gaze fixed upon Finn as he continued to gaze up at the starlit sky.

“Yes,” Finn replied, “look at that brightest star, that one right there. That’s Lisanna.”

Mirajane followed the direction of Finn’s finger, her eyes settling upon the most radiant star in the night sky, shining brilliantly above them.

Finn continued, “Can you see Lisanna smiling down at us?”

Mirajane’s gaze remained fixed upon the heavens, her heart yearning to believe Finn’s words to be true.

“I can see her,” Mirajane whispered, a faint smile gracing her lips, “she’s telling me not to be so sad.”

Mirajane’s tears finally subsided, replaced by a gentle smile. “Yes,” she agreed, “that kind child would say just that.”

Finn suddenly reached out, taking Mirajane’s hand in his. “We can’t control death,” he said softly, “none of us are ever truly prepared for it, but that’s just the way the world is. Death gives meaning to life.”

“You and Elfman must continue to live,” Finn continued, his voice laced with gentle encouragement, “live on, carrying Lisanna’s portion of life with you.”

Mirajane squeezed Finn’s hand tightly, her grip firm and resolute, having already experienced the profound pain of loss once before, she now cherished every moment with a newfound appreciation.

Later, in Mirajane’s room, Finn gently stroked the girl’s white hair. “Get some rest,” he whispered, “tomorrow is a new day.”

Mirajane nodded silently, her eyes already drooping with exhaustion.

Erza entered the room, a cup of warm water in her hand, her gaze questioning and concerned as she looked towards Finn.

Finn nodded in response, offering a reassuring look that indicated that Mirajane was doing considerably better.

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