Fairy Tail: Lost One

Rudra couldn't quite grasp what had just occurred. One moment, he was battling Cavaliere Angelo in the dim, oppressive underground lab. His inexperience against such a seasoned foe was clear, but he refused to back down. Then, everything changed.

The world around him shifted.

Suddenly, he stood on an endless, shimmering expanse of white, the ground beneath him rippling like water. Yamato floated before him, radiating dark energy, the air heavy with an ominous presence.

Rudra hesitated, his eyes fixed on the blade. As if compelled by some unseen force, his hand reached out, and he gripped the hilt.

The moment his fingers made contact, an overwhelming surge of power flooded through him, igniting every fiber of his being. A singular thought filled his mind: If I wish to cut, nothing shall stand in my way.

Before he could fully comprehend the magnitude of this revelation, the white void dissolved, and he was back in the lab. Time seemed to freeze. The eerie silence was broken only by the faint sound of wind through the cavernous space. And then, Rudra saw it.

Cavaliere Angelo stood motionless, headless, his massive armored body swaying before crashing to the ground. The mountain above had also been cleaved in two, the cut impossibly smooth.

Rudra tightened his grip on Yamato, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and awe. What just happened?

Before he could process it further, a shout interrupted his thoughts.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"

Rudra turned to see Arcadios charging toward him, his face a mask of fear and rage.

Rudra furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

"You killed the princess!" Arcadios accused, pointing at the disintegrating corpse of the demon.

Rudra raised an eyebrow, gesturing toward the remains. "Are you blind? Your princess is right there."

As the demon's flesh crumbled away, it revealed a young woman, petite with light green hair cascading down her back. She lay unconscious, unaware of the chaos unfolding around her.

"Princess Hisui!" Arcadios cried, rushing to her side. He draped his cape over her exposed body and turned back to Rudra, fury in his eyes. "Turn away! Show some respect!"

Rudra rolled his eyes but nodded toward the nearby wall. "Whatever," he muttered, unsheathing Yamato and inspecting its blade absently. As he called out, "Quest."

A familiar blue window appeared before Rudra, floating in front of him with its usual ethereal glow:

Quest: Unseen Interference (Complete)

Objective: Save Princess Hisui.

Reward: 1000 Coins, ???

Rudra raised an eyebrow, his lips pressing into a thin line. "What's this '???' about?" he muttered.

Before he could press the system further, a calm but firm voice echoed in his mind.

"Host, I will not reveal it. The reward will manifest in due time."

Rudra scowled. "Tch. What a cheap system," he thought, rolling his eyes. His annoyance was palpable, but before he could dwell on it, he sensed movement behind him.

Without turning, Rudra spoke. "Something you need, Jura?"

Jura spoke first, his deep voice steady. "I'm here to thank you on behalf of everyone, Rudra."

Rudra opened one eye, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Don't mention it, Jura."

Jura nodded and moved toward the princess, Millinna following close behind. But Kagura stayed, her gaze fixed on Rudra. He sensed her unease, and turned toward her.

"Aren't you joining them?" he asked coolly.

Kagura's expression was serious, her voice steady but tinged with desperation. "How can I be as strong as you?"

Rudra blinked, surprised by the question. He considered his response carefully. He had worked tirelessly to hone his skills, but he had the System aiding him—an advantage he couldn't exactly explain. How could he answer her truthfully?

Before he could respond, Kagura spoke again, her voice more insistent. "Aren't you going to answer?"

Instead of a direct reply, Rudra asked, "What motivates you to become stronger?"

Kagura hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly as she chose her words. "Revenge."

Rudra's expression darkened. "Are you sure you want revenge?"

"Yes," she replied, her voice firm and resolute.

He studied her for a long moment. "Are you prepared to kill without hesitation?"

Kagura faltered, her certainty wavering. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. For a brief moment, uncertainty flashed in her eyes.

Rudra stood, brushing dust from his coat. "Think carefully, Kagura. Strength without purpose is a blade without a hilt. It'll cut you as easily as your enemies." Without waiting for a response, he turned toward Arcadios.

"Yo, Knight Captain," Rudra called, his voice carrying an air of finality. "I've completed my end of the deal. Now it's your turn. I'll be at Salacie Town."

Turning, he glanced at Yamato in his hand, a thought crossing his mind. Let's try this. Unsheathing the blade, he slashed vertically and then horizontally through the air. The very fabric of reality split open, revealing a swirling portal that shimmered with ethereal light. Rudra sheathed Yamato with a sharp click, the portal holding steady.

As he was about to step through, Kagura's voice called out, stopping him. "Wait!"

Rudra paused, glancing back at her.

"What's your name?" she asked, her tone softer this time, almost hesitant.

Rudra turned his head slightly. "Rudra," he said simply, before stepping into the portal.

The swirling rift closed behind him with a faint hum, leaving the others standing in silence.

**

The portal shimmered into existence on the outskirts of Salacie Town, its edges rippling like disturbed water before fading into nothingness. Rudra stepped through, the cool evening breeze brushing against his face.

He took a deep breath, letting the stillness of the moment wash over him, and a faint smirk curved his lips.

"Well, that went smoother than expected," he muttered, sliding Yamato back into its sheath with practiced ease.

With a steady stride, Rudra made his way toward the heart of the town. The faint glow of lanterns and the murmur of voices grew louder as he approached. After a short walk, the sight of a lively tavern greeted him.

He paused briefly, eyeing the swinging wooden sign, and mused aloud, "I've never tried alcohol before. Should I?"

He considered it for a moment before shrugging, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "Why not? I'm an adult, after all."

Pushing open the heavy door, Rudra stepped inside. The warm glow of the tavern's interior wrapped around him, accompanied by the scent of roasted meat, spilled ale, and faint smoke.

He walked to the bar, pulled out a stool, and sat down, his fingers tapping lightly on the polished wood.

The barkeep, a rugged man with a scar slicing across his cheek, approached. "What'll it be?" he asked, his tone gruff but not unfriendly.

"Rum," Rudra replied simply.

The barkeep nodded, pouring a cup and sliding it across to him. Rudra lifted it, taking a tentative sip. His eyes widened slightly as the fiery liquid warmed his throat. "Wow, this stuff is good," he thought, finishing the cup quickly and gesturing for another.

Rudra enjoyed the rare moment of peace, savoring drink after drink in quiet solitude. He was lost in thought when a confident voice broke through the hum of the tavern.

"You know, it's not every day you see someone like you drinking alone."

Rudra glanced up to find a blonde-haired woman standing before him, her piercing green eyes meeting his with curiosity and a hint of mischief. She placed a bottle of liquor on the bar and slid onto the stool beside him.

"Mind if I join you?" she asked, her tone light but laced with charm.

Rudra studied her for a moment before responding, his voice calm. "Go ahead."

The woman smiled, pouring herself a drink from the bottle. "I'm Celine," she said, holding out a glass. "What about you?"

"Rudra," he replied, raising his cup in a subtle toast before taking a sip.

They drank together, the conversation flowing effortlessly. Celine spoke of her travels, sharing tales of distant lands and encounters with colorful characters.

Rudra listened, occasionally adding a comment or question, his usual guarded demeanor softening in her company.

Time passed, the bottle between them gradually emptying. Celine leaned closer, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. "You know, it's a shame for someone as intriguing as you to spend the night alone. How about we take this upstairs and make it more memorable?"

Rudra arched a brow at her boldness, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He considered her offer for a moment before giving a slight nod. "Why not?"

Celine smiled, standing up and grabbing the half-empty bottle. Rudra followed her without a word, their footsteps soft against the wooden stairs. As they disappeared into the upper level of the tavern, the lively chatter below carried on, oblivious to their departure.

**

Back at the underground lab, Princess Hisui finally regained consciousness. She sat up slowly, pressing a hand to her temple. "My head hurts," she murmured, her voice soft and groggy.

From nearby, Arcadios's concerned voice reached her ears. "Take it easy, Princess. Are you alright?"

She turned toward the familiar voice, her vision adjusting to the dim light of the room. "I'm alright, Arcadios. Where am I?" she asked, her gaze drifting around the chaotic scene. Her eyes landed on Saint Jura, and confusion flickered across her face. "Saint Jura? Why are you here?"

Jura stepped closer, his expression calm yet reassuring. "Princess, you were kidnapped. We came here to rescue you."

Her brows knitted in confusion. "Kidnapped?" she repeated, her voice laced with disbelief.

Jura nodded, his tone steady. "Do you not remember how you were taken?"

Hisui lowered her gaze, trying to piece together her fragmented memory. "I... I only remember sneaking out of the palace," she said hesitantly, her fingers curling slightly in her lap. Suddenly, the memory surfaced—her quiet departure to visit her mother's grave. The thought caused her expression to dim, her mood heavy with regret.

She decided to push the memory aside for now, instead focusing on the chaotic scene around her. Injured soldiers and shattered equipment filled her view. "What happened here? Why is everyone injured?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Arcadios and Jura exchanged glances before beginning to explain everything that had transpired.

As the explanation unfolded, Hisui lowered her head, guilt settling over her like a heavy cloak. "This... this is all because of me. Everyone got hurt because of my foolishness," she said softly, her voice trembling with remorse.

Jura's calm voice cut through her self-blame. "Princess, don't worry about this. It's our duty to protect you."

"But still—" she began, only to be gently interrupted by Arcadios. "Princess, you should rest. Pushing yourself further will only worsen things."

Hisui hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright," she said quietly. After a moment, she asked, "Where is the person who saved everyone? I want to thank him."

Jura answered, "Are you referring to Rudra? After slaying the demon, he left."

Hisui frowned slightly, disappointment flickering in her eyes. "I didn't get to thank him for saving everyone."

Jura offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Princess. You will meet him again. Then you can express your gratitude."

Hisui nodded faintly, her exhaustion catching up with her. "I hope so," she murmured before leaning back, allowing herself to rest while Arcadios and Jura stood watch over her.