Chapter Text
Makarov was only five years old when he was first brought to Tenrou Island. Dad had come to him in the guild hall, excited to say that he was going on a trip with Precht and Warrod at the guild. Since he had started using his own magic too, Dad thought it was a good idea for him to come along and learn more about the guild’s origins. So, he’d packed and got on the boat, waving goodbye to Rob and Porlyusica as they left. Makarov hadn’t understood what was so important as he left, but during the boat ride, Dad had sat down with him to explain it all.
“This is the island where Mavis grew up.”
Frowning, Makarov turned towards the older man. “Mavis? Who’s that?” He’d never seen Mavis around the guild hall. In fact, he couldn’t remember anyone talking about her either. Maybe she was just some powerful wizard.
“She’s the one who founded Fairy Tail.” Precht spoke quietly, gazing out over the edge of the ship in the distance. He was the one sailing the ship, Dad had said, with Warrod helping elsewhere. Makarov hadn’t seen Warrod nearby, but he was probably busy with something.
Nodding, Dad grinned down at Makarov. “Exactly. Mavis was the best of us all, able to take down any enemy with her magic and wit. She even beat me the first time we met.”
Really? Dad had amazing lightning magic, to an extent that Makarov just couldn’t imagine anyone beating him. All Makarov could manage was to make his fingers larger, and even that didn’t last for long. He was just weak in comparison. Even Rob was cooler back in the guild hall. He wasn’t that much older than Makarov, and he could use fire magic without even thinking about it. “She sounds awesome! Does she live on the island?”
Dad’s smile was fading. Makarov frowned, seeing him glance towards Precht, who simply shook his head. Precht was always weird like that though. He didn’t talk to Makarov much, and he was always hiding away in the guild hall working on guild master stuff. “Well, not quite. See, Mavis can’t be with us anymore, Makarov. That’s why we need to honor her memory, by taking time to visit the place where it all began.”
Was she hurt or something? Makarov had frowned, but nodded anyway. Adults never explained things fully, he’d thought. “So we’re just going to explore the island and leave?”
Dad ruffled his hair, smiling again. “Yup. Now, I want you to behave and be nice to Mavis’ home. She was very protective of it when we were there, and I don’t want you making a mess of things because you get bored!”
Nodding, Makarov smiled. He’d have an island to explore. Maybe while Dad was busy remembering Mavis, he could find a game to play. There’d be a ton of stuff to do, after all. He could swim in the water, practice his magic, try and just explore…there were endless possibilities. So, he spent the rest of the boat ride thinking about them, debating which to do first. Exploration was a must, so he could find his way back when he was done. It just made sense to explore first, as a result.
When the boat docked, Makarov ran off, ready to start. However, Warrod grabbed him, pulling him back with a chuckle. “Stay with your father, Makarov.”
Turning towards Dad, he saw the man laughing and shaking his head. “Nah, let him go explore. This island isn’t that big. It’s not like he can get too far away without us being able to find him.”
“Are you sure? The creatures that live here are not always friendly.” Precht watched him, while Dad nodded. With a shrug, Warrod released Makarov, but the boy turned towards his dad first, frowning.
“Is it really okay? I can go now?”
“Sure thing, kiddo. We’ll find you when we’re done, alright?” Nodding, Makarov ran off with a grin. He had the freedom to explore wherever he wanted, all day long. He giggled as he ran, staring at the trees around him and all of the colors. Magnolia looked nothing like this at all! His friends were going to be so jealous about this trip when he told them about it. Porlyusica would especially want to hear about it; she’d become interested in plants for some reason, saying that they could make sick people feel better or something.
Makarov paused as he saw some giant beast walk passed him, with a long neck and four legs. His eyes went wide, and he backed away, preparing to draw on his magic to do something against it. However, the creature simply made a strange mewling noise into the air, before turning and going on its own way. After a moment, Makarov grinned and chased after it, before seeing a bright red bird fly passed him instead. Changing his path, Makarov followed after the bird instead.
The bird kept flying, until it eventually reached a place that looked…weird. Makarov stopped running, frowning at the sight. The entire island had been colorful and lively around him as he explored thus far, but this place wasn’t. Just in front of Makarov, he could see a patch of dirt. At least, it looked like nothing but dirt was there. There were some tree stumps, and Makarov thought he saw a wolf or something sleeping in the distance, but not much else. As the bird flew through the landscape, Makarov watched it stop, falling down to the ground before long. Frowning, Makarov huddled next to a tree, feeling goosebumps rise on his arm. Something felt weird here. Makarov needed to go play somewhere else instead.
As he was about to turn around and leave, he saw something shift within the weird place on the island. Blinking, he wondered if he imagined the motion in the place that seemed so still compared to everywhere else. Yet, no, there was someone there. Someone was walking, someone tall and dressed in weird robes. Dark eyes gazed towards Makarov as the motion stopped, the man simply staring for the time being.
Remembering what happened to the bird, Makarov took a deep breath. “Mister, you shouldn’t play there!”
“Play?”
The man looked confused, making Makarov frown. He didn’t understand. This place felt weird, and weird usually meant Makarov wasn’t supposed to be there. Dad said that weird feeling was related to magic, but Makarov still didn’t get it. “It feels weird here. Bad things happen when it feels weird.”
Makarov thought the man wouldn’t reply. He was staring at Makarov, frowning. Was Makarov not making it clear? The man had to leave. “I see. So you can sense the danger already…impressive for one so young.” The frown faded slightly, becoming a smile. Why wasn’t he listening?
“Come on! There’s places to play over here. I can play with you, if you want—“
“That won’t be necessary.” The man waved him off, stepping back deeper into the weird place. “You know this place is dangerous? Or…how did you put it? Weird?” The man simply chuckled, shaking his head. “Be wary of this place indeed, child. I suggest you leave, and take whoever brought you here with you. I have no intentions of returning to the world until Natsu is ready…until my plans are finally coming to an end.”
“But you’ll die like the bird if you stay there!”
The man tilted his head, studying Makarov for a moment. “Children…always, it is the young ones that seem so selfless, so caring for strangers.” With a sigh, the man walked towards Makarov for a moment, the smile widening on his face. “So be it. I’m sick of that caring, of the pain and suffering it brings to the world. All caring has ever brought me is more loss…more of this rejection that never leaves me be. You wish for me to live? I promise you, that is a wish you will regret ever having. Once you see the monster I truly am, you will wish for my death like all the rest who came before you.”
Shaking his head, Makarov glared at him. “No! It’s not right to hate people for nothing.”
“Is it right then to hate them for something?” Makarov opened his mouth, but the man wasn’t stopping. “I killed this forest, child. I am responsible for the death of that bird, and the trees, and the grass beneath my feet. And…if you linger for much longer, I will be responsible for your own end as well.”
Makarov’s heart stuttered in his chest. This boy was too young to do that - not even Dad could kill so much with his magic! Yet, who else was around to cause it? Biting his lip, he stared at the man. “Okay. I’ll leave. But only because you want me to, not because I’m scared…or because I hate you.” The man frowned at him, and Makarov took a step back. “I don’t know you. I don’t know why you did this. Maybe something was attacking you and you lost control. Dad says it’s easy to lose control of magic you don’t understand, so maybe it was a new spell for you, and you just didn’t know how to control it.”
The man scowled at him, his eyes flashing. “Again…that foolish caring.” The man glared at him, narrowing his eyes and lifting his hand. “I hate it. I hate the caring…the attempt to understand, just like her. Understanding is pointless, and knowing why does not matter. This is how the world is, and what you must accept is that not everything is kind and sweet.” Makarov flinched, stumbling back faster now that the man was moving forward. The weird place on the island seemed to expand as he moved, spreading like ink over the grass and plants where Makarov had paused moments ago. “I will give you one more chance to leave with your life, boy. I care little for how old you may or may not be, and I care little for your reasons. I wish to be alone…without reminders of the past, without reminders of the person I am becoming. Leave me in peace to wait for Natsu, and I shall give you the same in return.”
This time, Makarov didn’t doubt that the boy would do it. Instead of talking, he turned and fled. That man was scary, and he sounded angry. But, it looked like he’d been crying. Once he’d come closer, Makarov could see the wet trails on his cheeks, silently falling while he’d yelled at Makarov. The other man had been sad. Maybe he’d lost someone, like Dad had lost Mavis. Was he looking for her too? Makarov wondered if that was the case.
As he ran, he realized he had forgotten the way back to the boat. However, he did manage to run straight into Dad eventually, who grabbed Makarov and swung him into Dad’s arms. “Whoa there! Looks like you’re running pretty hard there, kiddo. Playing a fun game or something?”
Glancing back towards the forest and breathing heavily, Makarov frowned. Did Dad know about the sad man? Pressing his chin into Dad’s shoulder, Makarov closed his eyes. “Yeah. There’s lots of cool animals here.” Though, that man was killing them too. He didn’t seem happy about it at all, but he was. “I met a new friend today. He seemed lonely, but he wouldn’t let me play with him.”
He felt a hand pat the back of his head. “Well, the animals around here aren’t exactly used to people, Makarov. You can’t expect them to understand how to play your games.”
Dad didn’t understand. Yet, Makarov was feeling tired now. His eyes drifted shut, still picturing the boy in dark robes from before. He was alone, and he was sad…and Makarov wanted to help him. Maybe next time they came back, Makarov could try and be his friend again. The man just needed some time to see that it could happen, and then they’d play games together after all.