A Dino Tamer In Fairy Tail

The morning sun crept over the horizon, painting the Akane Region in hues of gold and crimson. Kael stretched, his back aching from the makeshift bedding of leaves and moss. His mind was still weighed down by the events of the previous night. He glanced at the empty space where Erza had been sleeping, but she was already gone.

"Great," he muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "She probably left without me."

A loud squawk from Bobo snapped him out of his thoughts. The dodo stood near the smoldering remains of the campfire, its beady eyes fixed on him as if to say, Go fix it, idiot.

Kael groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, alright. I'm going."

He grabbed his spear, strapped his small bag over his shoulder, and followed the faint trail Erza had left behind. It didn't take long to catch up; she wasn't trying to hide her tracks. When he finally spotted her through the trees, she was walking steadily, her posture as rigid as ever.

"Erza!" he called out, quickening his pace.

She didn't stop, though her shoulders tensed at the sound of his voice.

"Erza, wait!" Kael jogged to catch up, falling into step beside her. "Can we… talk?"

"What is there to talk about?" she replied curtly, her gaze fixed ahead.

Kael sighed, gripping his spear tighter. "Look, I messed up last night. I didn't mean what I said the way it came out. I just… I don't want to hold you back, alright?"

Erza slowed her pace slightly, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. "And what makes you think you're holding me back?"

Kael hesitated, searching for the right words. "Because… you're amazing, Erza. You're strong, focused, driven. Me? I'm just some kid who's good at running from dinosaurs. You deserve to be with people who can keep up with you."

Erza stopped walking, turning to face him fully. "And who are you to decide what I deserve?" Her tone wasn't angry this time; it was softer, almost vulnerable. "Do you think I want to go through life alone? Do you think I *need* you to be perfect to be at my side?"

Kael opened his mouth to respond but closed it again, unsure of what to say.

"You saved my life, Kael," she continued, her voice steady. "You've stood by me when most people wouldn't. That's worth more to me than you realize."

For a moment, they stood in silence, the forest around them buzzing with life. Finally, Kael let out a deep breath, lowering his gaze.

"Alright," he said, his voice quiet. "I'll go with you. To Fairy Tail. But just to make sure you get there safely."

Erza's lips curved into a faint smile. "That's all I ask."

Having somehow managed to reconcile with her, he finally returned to his dwelling to prepare some things. Meat, his spear and his Dodo will be enough.

---

The journey through the Akane Region was grueling but not without its moments of levity. Kael and Erza traveled side by side, with Bobo waddling along behind them, occasionally squawking in protest at the pace.

Kael knew the place a bit so he knows where they are roughly, he already told Erza which stations they should take etc.

Kael spent the days honing his new abilities, testing the limits of the Agility trait he gained from the raptor. He would dart ahead to scout the path, leaping over fallen logs and weaving through the dense underbrush with an ease that surprised even himself. They didn't come across any dinosaurs on the road, which was rather strange to him.

"Show-off," Erza muttered one afternoon as Kael vaulted over a boulder, landing neatly on the other side.

"Just making sure the path is clear," he replied with a grin, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Wouldn't want you to trip or anything."

Erza rolled her eyes but didn't hide the small smirk that tugged at her lips.

At night, they made camp near streams or clearings, taking turns keeping watch. The conversations were quieter now, more thoughtful. Kael noticed that Erza seemed more at ease, her usual guarded demeanor softening as the days went on.

"You ever think about what you'll do once you join Fairy Tail?" Kael asked one evening as they sat by the fire.

Erza shrugged, poking at the flames with a stick. "I don't know. I've spent so much time surviving, I've never really thought about living."

Kael nodded, staring into the fire. "I get that. Survival doesn't leave much room for dreaming."

"But maybe…" Erza paused, her gaze distant. "Maybe Fairy Tail will give me a reason to dream."

Kael glanced at her, a small smile on his lips. "I think it will."

---

By the time they reached Akane Beach, a week had passed, and the salty tang of the ocean air was a welcome change from the thick, humid forest. The sight of the vast, glittering sea stretched out before them took Kael's breath away.

"Wow," he muttered, stepping onto the sandy shore. "I've never seen the ocean up close before."

Erza stood beside him, her expression calm but her eyes alight with something close to wonder. "It's… beautiful."

Bobo squawked happily, waddling down to the water's edge and dipping its beak into the waves.

Kael chuckled. "Looks like someone's excited."

Erza nodded, a rare smile gracing her lips. "We should rest here for the night. The train station is just a short walk from here, but we'll need our strength for the next leg of the journey."

Kael agreed, setting down his bag and beginning to gather driftwood for a fire. As the sun set over the ocean, painting the sky in vibrant shades of orange and pink, the two companions sat together on the beach, their journey far from over but their bond stronger than ever.

Tomorrow, they would board the train to Hargeon and continue on to Magnolia. But for now, they allowed themselves a moment of peace, the sound of the waves lulling them into a rare sense of calm.

---

---

The next morning, Kael woke to the sound of crashing waves and the scent of salt in the air. For the first time in what felt like ages, he felt truly rested. Erza was already awake, of course, standing at the shoreline with her arms crossed as she gazed out at the horizon.

"You know," Kael said as he approached, carrying a bundle of fish he'd caught early that morning. "You're going to burn yourself out if you keep skipping sleep."

Erza turned to face him, her eyes soft but unreadable. "I'm used to it."

Kael sighed, setting the fish down and grabbing a flat rock to start preparing them for cooking. "You don't always have to be 'used to it,' you know. It's okay to take a break sometimes."

Erza sat down on a nearby rock, watching him silently as he worked. After a moment, she spoke, her voice quieter than usual. "And yet, you still push yourself every day to keep up with me."

Kael glanced up at her, grinning. "Someone's gotta keep you from getting too full of yourself."

The faintest hint of a smile played on her lips, and Kael felt a small surge of pride. Getting Erza to smile, even just a little, felt like winning a battle he hadn't known he was fighting.

---

By midday, the two were walking along the winding coastal path toward the Akane Beach train station. Kael carried his spear slung over his shoulder, Bobo perched stubbornly on his other arm like some bizarre, flightless parrot.

As for the money, he sold some meat that he had in reserve just enough to buy a ticket for the two of them.

The station was small, nestled among the dunes and swaying grasses. A single, weathered platform jutted out toward the tracks, and a small booth stood nearby, manned by a sleepy-looking attendant.

As they waited for the train to arrive, Kael noticed Erza staring at the distant horizon again. "Thinking about Fairy Tail?" he asked.

She nodded, her expression thoughtful. "It's strange. I've been searching for so long, but now that it's within reach, I'm... unsure."

Kael leaned against a post, his gaze softening. "It's normal to feel that way. Big changes are scary. But Fairy Tail... from what you've told me, it sounds like a place where you'll fit in."

Erza's eyes flicked to him, and for a moment, Kael thought she might say something personal. Instead, she straightened her shoulders and nodded. "You're right. I won't let doubt hold me back."

The train arrived with a rumble and a hiss, its polished metal exterior gleaming in the midday sun. As they boarded, Kael couldn't help but feel a pang of unease. This was the farthest he'd ever traveled from his home and the weight of the unknown pressed heavily on him.

But then Erza turned to him, her crimson hair catching the light as she gave him a small, reassuring nod. And Kael realized that, for the first time in his life, he wasn't running from something, he was running toward something.

He definitely got attached to her.

---

The train ride to Hargeon was uneventful but gave Kael plenty of time to observe the world beyond the familiar forests and beaches of his home. Rolling hills, bustling towns, and endless fields of flowers sped past the window, each new sight filling him with a mix of awe and trepidation.

Erza, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. She sat across from him, her arms crossed and her sword leaning against the seat beside her. Her focus never wavered, as though she were mentally preparing for whatever lay ahead.

"Do you ever stop being so serious?" Kael asked, breaking the silence.

Erza raised an eyebrow. "Do you ever stop asking questions?"

"Touché," he said with a grin. "But seriously, you should try to enjoy the view. It's not every day you get to see stuff like this."

Erza glanced out the window briefly before returning her gaze to him. "The view is nice," she admitted. "But I prefer to stay ready for anything. Complacency can be dangerous."

Kael shook his head, chuckling. "You really are something else, Erza."

Thinking about the future, Kael vowed to become stronger even if he was too lazy to train. Just imagining himself riding a T-rex gave him motivation for that. But for now, he has to bring Erza in her future guild.

When they finally arrived in Hargeon, the bustling port town was alive with activity. Merchants shouted their wares, sailors hauled crates of goods onto ships, and the air was filled with the tang of salt and the chatter of people.

Kael couldn't help but feel out of place among the crowd, but Erza strode forward with purpose, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

"Do you know the way to Magnolia from here?" Erza asked, looking Kael jogging to keep up.

"There's another train station on the other side of town," Kael replied. "We can catch a direct line from there."

Kael looked around, his grip tightening on his spear. "Let's just hope we don't run into any trouble along the way."

Erza smirked, her confidence unshakable. "If we do, I'm sure you'll handle it."

Kael couldn't tell if she was teasing him or genuinely believed it. Either way, he found himself smiling.

The two made their way through Hargeon, weaving through the bustling streets. Kael couldn't help but marvel at the port town's vibrant atmosphere. The markets were alive with colors and smells he'd never experienced, spices, freshly baked bread, and the salty tang of the sea mingled in the air.

"Stay close," Erza said, her voice cutting through his distraction. She moved with purpose, her hand still on the hilt of her sword.

Kael tightened his grip on Bobo, who sat stubbornly on his arm. "I am close. You're just too fast."

Erza glanced back at him, her stern expression softening slightly. "Then keep up."

As they approached the station, Kael's unease grew. The closer they got, the more he noticed the shady characters lingering near the alleyways and corners. He wasn't the only one who noticed, Erza's eyes darted to each potential threat, her posture stiffening.

"You see them too, right?" Kael whispered.

Erza nodded. "Stay alert. If they make a move, we won't hesitate."

Kael swallowed hard, adjusting his grip on his spear. He might not have been the strongest fighter, but he wouldn't let anything happen to Erza, or Bobo, for that matter.

Just as they neared the station, a group of rough-looking men stepped into their path. Their leader, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, grinned at them.

"Well, well. What do we have here?" the man said, his voice low and menacing. "A little girl with a fancy sword and a kid with a stick. You lost, or just looking for trouble?"

Erza stepped forward, her voice calm but commanding. "We're just passing through. Step aside."

The man chuckled darkly. "Oh, I don't think so. See, this is our territory, and passing through comes with a price."

Kael could feel his heart pounding in his chest. "We don't want any trouble," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Trouble's already here, kid," the man sneered.

Before he could say anything more, Erza drew her sword in a flash, the blade gleaming in the midday sun. "You've been warned. Step aside, or face the consequences."

The men hesitated, clearly taken aback by her confidence and the way she held her weapon. But the leader wasn't ready to back down. He raised a hand, signaling his men to attack.

Kael barely had time to react before the fight began. Erza moved like a force of nature, her sword a blur as she disarmed and disabled the attackers with precision. Kael kept his spear ready, watching for any stragglers who might try to flank them.

One of the men lunged at him, but Kael sidestepped and jabbed with his spear, the point grazing the man's shoulder and sending him stumbling back. "Stay back!" he shouted, his voice shaking but firm.

Bobo, as useless as the dodo looked, squawked loudly and flapped its wings, distracting another thug long enough for Kael to trip him with a swift kick.

Within moments, the fight was over. The leader and his men lay groaning on the ground, defeated. Erza stood over them, her sword pointed at the leader's throat.

"You'll let us pass now," she said, her voice cold and unwavering.

The man nodded frantically, fear etched on his face. "Y-Yeah, fine! Just go!"

Erza sheathed her sword and turned to Kael. "Let's move."

Kael nodded, his legs feeling like jelly as they hurried past the defeated group and into the train station.

---

Once they were safely aboard the train to Magnolia, Kael finally allowed himself to relax. He slumped into his seat, letting out a shaky laugh. "Well, that was... something."

Erza glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "You held your own."

Kael blinked, surprised by the compliment. "I mean, barely. You did most of the work."

"But you didn't run," Erza said, her tone firm. "You stood your ground. That's what matters."

Kael felt a small swell of pride at her words. Maybe he wasn't as useless as he thought.

As the train sped toward Magnolia, Kael found himself looking out the window, the rolling landscapes blurring past.

"I guess this is really happening," he said quietly.

Erza nodded, her gaze steady. "It is. And when we arrive, everything will change."

Kael glanced at her, a smile tugging at his lips. "Then let's make sure it changes for the better."

Erza didn't respond, but the faintest hint of a smile crossed her face.

He will have to separate from her while she will start a new life, quite disappointing isn't it? But he doesn't have to worry about her, on the contrary he should think about the hell that will follow in the next few years.