Fairy Tail: The Faint Smile in Earthland

📍 Location: Desert Ruins, outskirts of Fiore → Underground Ruins

📅 June, X791

Dawn broke with harsh intensity. The desert sun pinned the sky in molten gold, each grain of sand glowing like embers. Waves of heat rippled above the dunes, blurring the horizon into a living mirage.

The old airship settled in a dry, rocky basin with a low, protesting groan. Its metal hull creaked as the heat pressed down.

Natsu jumped off first, fists raised with excitement.

"Finally! Solid ground! Where's the fight at?!"

Lucy stumbled behind him, sweat already beading on her forehead.

"We haven't even started searching!"

Gray appeared at her side, conjuring a line of ice beneath his boots. The cold vapor hissed against the sand.

"If you two shout again, you'll roast like fish on a grill."

Happy floated in next, grinning widely.

"Aye! Fish are better raw!"

Romeo followed last. His boots sank into hot sand, but he moved with purpose. The crossguard of his violet-edged flame sword shimmered over his shoulder, and his new combat cloak billowed in the breeze.

Michelle Lobster trailed behind, clutching a small satchel. She shielded her eyes against the sun's glare.

"Is this the site from your father's notes?" she asked Lucy.

Lucy nodded, clutching her Celestial keys.

"He wrote about ruins under the sand… a 'keyhole in the sky.' If we find the right vantage, maybe we spot it from above."

Before anyone could answer, Natsu scrambled up a rock, lost his footing—then balanced like a cat.

"Hey! Shiny thing over there!"

Lucy groaned.

"Careful—"

Gray sighed and sucked in air.

"He always does."

Romeo ignored the uproar, eyes locked on a distant glint. In one smooth arc, he removed his sword, and it hummed.

"Let's move," he said, voice quiet but firm.

Lucy froze, then slowly climbed down. Gray's smirk said it all: He's serious now.

They formed up behind Romeo, walking with purpose through the dunes. Michelle walked beside him, silently observant.

Ruins Entrance – The Hidden Door

An hour later, they arrived at ancient stone remains half-covered in sand. Pillars stood like exhausted guardians, glyphs worn by centuries of wind.

Lucy pressed her hand to a glyph and fanned away the sand.

"This is it. I can sense the seal—Cancer's magic."

A bright light flashed. Cancer appeared, adjusting his glasses.

"Aye, Princess! Let me poke it open."

In a single snip, he cut through the seal. The stone floor rumbled, and a massive slab dropped inward, revealing a shaft into darkness. A wave of stale, heavy air spilled upward.

Natsu whooped.

"Whee! Into the hole!"

Happy flew after him.

"YEEEAAAH!"

Gray sighed, folding arms.

"Of course."

Lucy turned to Romeo.

"Ready?"

He nodded.

"After you."

Together, they plunged into the unknown.

Underground Ruins 

A gust of cool air hit them. Below, the walls glowed with bioluminescent moss, tinting everything an eerie green. Ancient bridges spanned sheer drops into black chasms.

Romeo landed in a crouch, scanning the room. He drew his sword halfway: the blade's faint violet glow lit shadows in the chamber.

Lucy exhaled sharply.

"It feels... alive."

Gray tossed a shard of ice over the edge and listened as it fell, echo fading.

"Probably is. Stay alert."

Natsu charged across a decrepit arch.

"COME OUT AND FIGHT, SAND DEMONS!"

Romeo grabbed his shoulder.

"Slow down. Watch for traps—you'll take us all out."

Natsu blinked, then grinned sheepishly.

"Whoa. Calm down, Mr. Serious."

Romeo's eyes flicked over the path.

"Your enthusiasm gets us noticed. I'll lead."

Natsu nodded.

"Cool. Lead the way."

Romeo proceeded, testing floors with small pulses of violet flame, revealing hidden runes and loosening stone plates.

Behind him, Lucy whispered to Gray.

"He's… different."

Gray nodded.

"Teresa didn't just teach him to fight. She taught him to sense traps—read danger."

Michelle trailed quietly, her eyes never leaving Romeo. The tension around her grip loosened each time he glanced back at her.

Central Gate – The Test of Entry

Soon they reached a tall archway, framed by shattered columns. In its center sat a circular stone door engraved with clockwork motifs. Runes glowed faintly.

Lucy approached and stared at the carvings.

"This is a password gate. It won't open unless we speak what it wants."

Natsu slapped his forehead.

"Let me guess—PASSWORD is MEAT!"

The door didn't budge.

Lucy shoved Natsu aside.

"Seriously?"

Gray stepped up.

"Ice Make."

Nothing. The runes stayed silent.

Michelle shuffled forward hesitantly. She murmured soft words in a low voice. Nothing.

Romeo stepped up and closed his eyes. A moment of silence. Then he placed a hand on the stone.

"Open."

The door responded—click. Runes lit up, gears turned. Dust swirled in the air.

With a deep groan, the door rolled aside.

Lucy pulled in her breath.

"How... did you—?"

Romeo shrugged, cheeks faintly pink.

"Sometimes the quiet way works better than shouting."

Natsu laughed.

"That was awesome!"

Gray elbowed him.

"At least someone has manners."

Final Scene – Into the Labyrinth

Beyond the gate sprawled a vast hall. Stone pillars rose to a ceiling lost in shadow. Chains hung from rafters. Along the walls, hundreds of ancient coffins. Magic hummed beneath the dusty surface, like a storm waiting to wake.

Romeo stepped forward, flame along the blade illuminating a few feet. He looked back, voice low:

"Stay together. Watch your footing."

Lucy raised her Celestial keys. Natsu cracked his knuckles. Gray formed ice gauntlets around his fists.

Together, they advanced toward the labyrinth's heart.

Romeo breathed in, recalling Teresa's lesson:

Every flame… a purpose. Every cut… a choice.

He lifted his blade and took the first step into darkness—no longer the child waiting in the light, but the flame ready to forge his path.