Hope yall enjoy please leave a comment it helps
also no chapters Monday I have a important test sorry
Wendy woke slowly, warmth lingering even as exhaustion weighed heavy on her limbs. For a few quiet seconds, she listened to the unfamiliar sounds of the village outside the window and let herself believe everything was fine.
Then she turned her head.
The chair beside the bed was empty.
Her breath hitched painfully. She pushed herself upright too fast, dizziness washing over her as her eyes locked on the doorway, waiting hoping for him to appear.
He didn't for a while.
"…He promised," she whispered, clutching the blanket with shaking hands. Tears welled up before she could stop them. "He said he'd stay…"
The words broke what little composure she had left, and she cried quietly where she sat, shoulders trembling, fear curling tight in her chest.
The door creaked open.
"Wendy."
She looked up instantly.
Varion was already crossing the room, kneeling in front of her the moment he saw her face.
"I'm here," he said firmly. "I'm right here."
Her lip trembled. "You were gone," she said through tears. "I woke up and you weren't there…"
"I know," he said gently. "I should've told you before I stepped outside. That's my fault."
She searched his face, then whispered, "You promised."
"And I kept it," he replied. "I just stepped out for something important. But I came back as soon as I could."
That was enough.
She launched forward and wrapped her arms around him, clinging with what strength she had. He held her steady, warm and solid, until her crying faded into quiet, uneven breaths.
"I thought you disappeared," she murmured.
"I won't," he said softly.
When she finally pulled back, embarrassed and exhausted, he helped her lie down and tucked the blanket around her.
"You're still weak," he said. "Rest a little longer."
She nodded, eyes already closing. "You're not leaving again?"
"I'll be nearby," he promised. "And I'll tell you next time."
Her breathing evened out within minutes, sleep taking her gently this time.
Varion stayed until he was sure she was calm again.
Wendy woke again later to quieter sounds and a little more strength in her limbs. When Varion helped her outside, the morning light felt softer than before, less overwhelming. Two boys stood a short distance away, both stopping mid-conversation the moment they noticed her.
They stared.
Wendy shrank back half a step on instinct, fingers curling lightly into Varion's sleeve.
"…Who are they?"
"They're like you," Varion said calmly. "their dragon slayer who i knew before you all lost your memories."
That earned her another look, this time more curious than afraid. Sting frowned, scratching the back of his head as if something itched just out of reach.
"…Do I know you?" he asked her, blunt as ever.
Wendy tilted her head. "I don't think so."
Rogue watched her quietly, eyes narrowed in thought. "But it feels like we should."
The words hung there, strange but not unpleasant. Wendy didn't pull away. She just nodded slowly, unsure what to do with the feeling.
"I'm Wendy," she said softly.
"Sting," he replied, then jerked a thumb at the other boy. "That's Rogue."
"Hello," Rogue added.
That was it. Awkward. Gentle. Incomplete—but not uncomfortable.
Varion straightened after a moment, the tension easing now that Wendy was steady on her feet.
"Alright," he said. "Stay here. All of you."
Sting opened his mouth, probably to complain, but Varion was already turning away.
"There are some annoying beasts nearby," he continued casually. "They won't bother the village for a while, but I'd rather make sure it permanent. I'll bring back dinner."
Wendy looked up at him immediately.
"You're coming back?"
Varion paused and looked over his shoulder, a faint smile touching his expression.
"Yes," he said. "Save me a seat."
He was gone moments later, slipping into the trees with quiet purpose.
They didn't see him again until the sun had begun to dip and the village stirred with anticipation. A low rumble rolled in from the forest, followed by stunned silence as Varion emerged from the treeline dragging the bodies of several massive beasts behind him, each one large enough to feed dozens.
Villagers rushed forward in disbelief.
Sting's eyes widened. "…That's dinner?"
Varion released the last carcass and dusted his hands.
"For tonight," he said. "And probably tomorrow."
Wendy stared at him, awe mixing with relief.
He really had come back.
The village didn't bother pretending it wasn't a celebration.
By the time the fires were lit and the meat finished cooking, music filled the open square and laughter carried easily into the night. Tables were dragged together, plates passed around faster than they could be cleared, and for the first time since the beasts had appeared, there was no fear left in the air.
The kids ate like they'd never see food again.
Wendy tried to be polite at first, small bites and careful chewing, but hunger won out quickly. Sting had no such restraint, piling his plate high and going back for more without shame. Rogue ate more quietly, but just as much, eyes widening slightly each time he realized he was still hungry.
Varion watched them with mild amusement as he ate himself, accepting refills without comment.
"They're gonna make themselves sick," one of the villagers muttered nearby.
"They'll be fine," Varion replied easily. "Trust me."
By the time the plates were finally set aside, all three kids were slumped against him in varying states of exhaustion, bellies full and eyes barely open. Wendy had fallen asleep first, head resting against his arm. Rogue followed not long after. Sting tried to stay awake out of stubbornness and failed spectacularly.
Varion gathered them up and carried them inside, settling them onto bedding prepared for the night. Within minutes, all three were out cold, breathing slow and even, the kind of sleep that only came after safety and a good meal.
When he returned to the square, the mood had softened into quiet conversation and low music.
A woman stepped up beside him, older than him by several years, smile playful and curious.
"You did good today," she said, eyes lingering a moment. "If you're free later, maybe we could… celebrate a little more privately?"
Varion blinked once, then smiled apologetically.
"I'd love to," he said honestly. "But I'm only fourteen."
The silence was immediate.
Her smile froze. Color drained from her face so fast she actually looked a little green.
"…Fourteen?"
"Yes, ma'am."
She took a step back. "I— I am so sorry. I thought you were— never mind. Forget I said anything."
She vanished into the crowd at record speed.
Around them, people stared.
"Fourteen?" someone repeated, stunned.
"That kid?"
"But he fought those beasts alone—"
"And he's so good with children—"
Varion rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly very aware of the attention.
"…I get that a lot."
Laughter rippled through the square, disbelief mixing with relief and a newfound respect. The music picked back up, softer this time, and the night settled into something warm and peaceful.
Nearby, three children slept soundly.
A few days passed in quiet routine.
Wendy regained her strength steadily, color returning to her cheeks with each meal and night of uninterrupted sleep. Sting and Rogue recovered just as quickly, restless energy returning the moment they realized there was nothing actively trying to kill them. The village settled back into normalcy, fear replaced by familiarity, and by the third morning, Varion knew it was time to move on.
He stood at the edge of the village as the sun climbed, adjusting the straps of his cloak while the children gathered nearby. Wendy clutched a small bundle of food the villagers had insisted she take. Sting bounced on his heels, glancing between Varion and the open sky with barely contained excitement. Rogue stood a little apart, calm but attentive, watching everything.
"We're leaving by air," Varion said evenly.
Sting's eyes lit up. "You can do that again?"
"Yes."
Wendy hesitated, looking up at him. "Is it… safe?"
Varion knelt in front of her, meeting her eyes.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
That was enough.
He straightened and stepped forward, magic rolling through him as he shifted. Wings unfurled smoothly, catching the light as the air around them stirred. The villagers gathered at a respectful distance, watching in awe as Varion lifted off the ground just enough to make his point.
"Stay close," he said. "And don't panic."
Sting grinned. Rogue nodded. Wendy reached out and held onto Varion's cloak.
With one powerful beat of his wings, they rose together, the village shrinking beneath them as the world opened wide ahead.
And for the first time since the Eclipse scattered them, they were moving forward.
Varion felt the magic long before where it came from into view.
It was faint, too faint for something of this scale to be healthy. The pulse was uneven, each cycle just a little weaker than the last, like a light that had been burning on borrowed fuel for far too long. Whoever the owner of the magic was wouldn't last long without help. He thought for a second scanning the magic again and recognized it as celestial spirit magic and then realized it felt like Anna's just very different.
He adjusted his course and descended, wings guiding him down toward the white stone walls and iron gates with the words the Heartfilia estate proudly displayed on the front.
Varion landed just outside the gates and folded his wings away, letting the residual magic settle naturally. Wendy stayed close at his side, still slightly weak but steady on her feet, while Sting stared openly at the size of the estate and Rogue quietly observed the ward patterns etched into the stone.
The response was immediate—and professional.
Guards moved into position with practiced precision, weapons drawn but steady, magic gathered but restrained. No shouting. No panic. Just calm control.
"Halt," the lead guard said evenly. "State your name and purpose."
Varion stopped where he was, hands relaxed and visible.
"My name is Varion. I sensed a weakening magical signature originating from this estate and came to investigate to see if I could help."
The guard's gaze flicked briefly to the children behind him, then returned to Varion without judgment.
"You sensed it from the air," he said, more observation than challenge.
"Yes."
A quiet exhale passed between the guards. One of them nodded grimly.
"That aligns with what we know. Lady Heartfilia's condition has been worsening. Master Jude has tried everything—healers, enchanters, contracted mages. None of them can help her."
"The person is still alive for now," Varion , listening again to the fading pulse beneath the wards, "but isn't stabilizing. Their being sustained without the means to replenish itself."
That earned him a sharper look.
"You can tell that without crossing the gates?"
"Yes."
Silence followed not suspicion, but consideration.
After a moment, Varion spoke again, carefully. "I can't promise a solution. But I may be able to help stabilize them. At the very least, I can tell you how much time remains before it worsens."
Wendy's fingers tightened slightly in his cloak. Sting stopped shifting. Rogue's attention narrowed, fully focused now.
The lead guard studied Varion for a long moment, then nodded to a runner waiting nearby.
"Inform Master Jude," he said. "Tell him a mage detected the spell's decline from outside the wards and claims he may be able to assist."
The runner slipped through the gate at once.
The guard turned back to Varion. "You'll wait here until instructions are given."
"Of course," Varion replied.
They stood in the morning light as the wards continued their quiet hum. Beneath it all, the celestial magic pulsed again thin, strained, bit stubbornly holding on.
Jude Heartfilia agreed to see him.
The guards escorted Varion and the children into the manor without delay, their professionalism never wavering. Inside, the air felt heavy with exhaustion and tension.
They were led into a sunlit sitting room.
Jude stood near the window, posture rigid, the strain of the last 2 weeks etched into his face. Sleeplessness clung to him, not from panic but from long, grinding worry. Beside him stood a young blonde girl holding a golden key in both hands, her fingers wrapped tightly around it without quite realizing why.
Lucy looked up as Varion entered, curiosity bright in her eyes. She didn't know him, but something about his presence made her chest feel warm and unsettled all at once.
"You're the mage my guards mentioned," Jude said, turning fully toward him. "They said you sensed someone's magic weakening."
"Yes," Varion replied. " It is a type of magic I am familiar with."
That caught Jude's attention immediately.
Lucy shifted beside her father, the key in her hands suddenly warming. She gasped softly as the metal began to glow—not violently, not out of control, but with a steady light that filled the room.
"Lucy?" Jude started.
A summoning circle formed quietly at her feet before anyone could react.
Water gathered in the air and shaped itself smoothly, and Aquarius emerged without her usual theatrics, solidifying into the room with a sharp intake of breath already aware something was different.
She looked up.
And stopped.
Her gaze locked onto Varion, and for a long moment she said nothing. Then Aquarius straightened, her usual sharpness subdued into alert focus. She inclined her head in a small, deliberate bow.
"…I see," she said calmly. "That explains it."
Lucy blinked. "Aquarius? I didn't summon you."
"No," Aquarius replied, still watching Varion. "I came because I felt something very old enter this place. Magic I recognize."
Jude frowned. "Recognize how?"
Aquarius glanced toward varion lingering on him. "The kind you don't mistake once you've felt it. The kind that existed long before most of us.
Varion exhaled quietly. "I didn't mean to disturb anyone."
"You didn't," Aquarius said. "But Veldanava's magic signature doesn't go unnoticed even if it's just his child."