Fairy Tail: Lost One

A few days had passed since Rudra saved Princess Hisui. Now, he was at a bustling tavern, waiting to collect his promised payment. During these days, Rudra hadn't let up on his training.

He had purchased the Flying Thunder God Jutsu along with a set of three-pronged kunai, which he handed over to his shadow clones for practice.

Unsurprisingly, his clones mastered the technique quickly.

While training, Rudra also examined his Mangekyō Sharingan and made a startling discovery. His eyes possessed an array of powerful abilities:

Amaterasu: the inextinguishable black flames that consumed all in their path.

Tsukuyomi: a genjutsu capable of warping time and reality within a victim's mind.

Kagutsuchi: the power to shape and control Amaterasu with precision.

Kamui: granting access to a personal dimension and unparalleled mobility.

Izanagi and Izanami: forbidden techniques that could rewrite fate or trap foes in endless loops.

Kotoamatsukami: a subtle genjutsu capable of altering wills without detection.

Susano'o: the colossal spectral warrior that acted as both shield and sword.

Jikan no Kami, the ability to bend time itself—slowing, freezing, or accelerating it at will for few minutes.

To his relief, Rudra realized he wouldn't suffer blindness or other drawbacks from overusing these powers thanks to his accelerated healing.

As Rudra lounged casually against the tavern wall, the sound of heavy boots announced the arrival of Captain Arcadios and his entourage.

A faint smirk tugged at Rudra's lips as he greeted them. "Took you long enough, Captain. I was starting to think you'd gotten lost."

Arcadios stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he handed Rudra a leather pouch. "Here's your payment," he said curtly, his voice steady with authority.

Rudra caught the pouch effortlessly, weighing it in his hand with a casual flick of his wrist. "Pleasure doing business with you," he replied smoothly, his tone laced with amusement.

Arcadios' eyes narrowed, his voice turning firm. "Watch your tone, and mind yourself in the presence of the princess."

The smirk on Rudra's face disappeared, replaced by a sharp, icy gaze. His voice dropped to a low, chilling tone. "You're mistaking me for one of your lackeys, Arcadios. Let me give you some advice—know your place. Next time you step out of line, you won't live to regret it."

The air grew heavy with tension, and Arcadios instinctively tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.

Before the situation could escalate further, Princess Hisui stepped forward. Her calm yet commanding voice cut through the atmosphere. "Captain, that's enough. Leave us."

Arcadios hesitated for a moment, his jaw tightening, but he eventually bowed slightly. "As you wish, Princess."

He turned on his heel, gesturing for his soldiers to clear the tavern. Before stepping outside, he cast one last wary glance at Rudra.

Once the room was empty, Hisui approached Rudra, She bowed slightly, her voice soft. "Thank you for saving me."

Rudra shrugged, slipping the pouch into his pocket. "Don't mention it."

Hisui hesitated, glancing at him with a hint of regret. "I also want to apologize for Captain Arcadios' behavior. He can be… overly cautious."

Rudra tilted his head slightly. "It's fine," he replied nonchalantly.

A moment of silence passed between them before Hisui's demeanor shifted. She seemed almost nervous as she fidgeted with her hands. Rudra raised an eyebrow. "Something on your mind, Princess?"

Taking a steadying breath, Hisui spoke, her tone tentative. "May I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Are you affiliated with any guild or organization?" she asked, her emerald eyes studying him closely.

Rudra shook his head. "Nope. Not right now."

A flicker of hope appeared in her expression. "Then… would you consider coming with me?"

Rudra blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Princess—"

"Hisui," she interjected firmly, her tone softening. "Please, just call me Hisui."

Rudra stared at her for a moment, then scratched the back of his head, a faint chuckle escaping him. "Well, Hisui, I can't do that right now. I've got some unfinished business to take care of."

Her hopeful expression dimmed slightly, and she gave a small nod, her voice quiet. "I see. I suppose I should've expected that."

Watching her disappointment, Rudra sighed and reached into his cloak, pulling out a three-pronged kunai. He held it out to her, his gaze serious. "Here. Take this."

Hisui stared at the unique weapon, her brows furrowing. "What is this?" she asked, curiosity replacing her earlier sadness.

Rudra smirked faintly. "If you're ever in trouble, throw it on the ground—anywhere, anytime. I'll come to you."

Her eyes widened in surprise before her lips curved into a soft smile. "Thank you, Rudra," she said sincerely, clutching the kunai.

He gave her a small nod, his tone calm. "Until we meet again, Hisui."

Hisui stepped away reluctantly, motioning for Arcadios and the others to follow. Arcadios glared at Rudra one last time, his disdain evident, but said nothing.

Jura, however, paused briefly to nod at Rudra in acknowledgment before leaving.

As the group departed, only Kagura remained. She stood quietly, observing Rudra with an unreadable expression, as if deciding whether to speak or leave.

As the tavern grew quiet, Rudra turned his gaze to Kagura, who remained standing in silence.

He tilted his head slightly, studying her unreadable expression. "Anything you need, Kagura?" he asked casually, his tone calm but curious.

Kagura hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke. "I've been thinking about something… very hard."

Rudra raised an eyebrow. "And?" he prompted, his voice steady.

Kagura met his gaze, her tone soft but resolute. "Does revenge make people strong?"

Rudra leaned back slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Don't know. For me, it wasn't revenge."

Kagura frowned, tilting her head. "Then what was it?"

Rudra's smirk faded, his expression growing distant. "Survival," he said simply, his voice carrying a weight that made Kagura pause.

Kagura fell silent, digesting his words. Rudra noticed her internal struggle and added, "Seeking power for revenge is understandable. But… I wouldn't recommend it for you."

Her brows furrowed, and she asked quietly, "Why?"

Rudra's gaze softened slightly, as if considering his next words carefully. "You're too—" He stopped himself mid-sentence, shaking his head with a small sigh. "Anyway, I can only tell you this, Kagura: you can become strong. You just need to follow your heart."

Before Kagura could reply, Rudra's figure began to dissolve into a flock of crows, the dark feathers scattering and flying out of the tavern window. His voice lingered in the air as the last of the crows vanished. "Hope you can have your revenge."

The tavern fell into silence, the stillness settling over Kagura like a heavy blanket. She stood there for a long moment, clutching her archenemy tightly in her mind.

Without another word, she turned and left the tavern, her grip firm as if the weight of her thoughts had crystallized into resolve.

After leaving the tavern, Rudra arrived at Salice Town railway station. He purchased a ticket for Magnolia Town, boarded the train, and promptly fell asleep.

The rhythmic clatter of the train lulled him into a deep slumber, and he remained that way until the train pulled into Magnolia Town station by the evening.

Disembarking the train, Rudra stretched lazily before casually strolling through the bustling streets of Magnolia Town.

The lively atmosphere and familiar sights struck a chord within him. Just like it was shown in the anime, he thought with a faint smirk, marveling at the vibrant streets and the cheerful faces around him.

As he wandered, Rudra noticed a quaint bakery nestled between two bustling shops. Drawn by the aroma of fresh pastries, he entered. Behind the counter, a cheerful baker greeted him. "What can I get for you?"

Rudra glanced at the display case, his eyes settling on a slice of chocolate cake. "Can I get a slice of chocolate cake?" he asked casually.

The baker nodded, retrieving the slice and placing it on the counter. "Here you go," the baker said with a warm smile. "That'll be 800 jewels."

Rudra handed over the money, took a bite of the cake, and nodded appreciatively. "It's good," he remarked.

The baker beamed. "Happy to hear that!"

After a moment, Rudra leaned slightly on the counter. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Go on," the baker replied, wiping his hands on his apron.

"Do you know someone named Rudra?" he asked, his tone casual but his gaze sharp.

The baker paused, rubbing his chin in thought. After a moment, his eyes lit up. "Rudra, huh? Oh, I remember now! He was a good lad, part of Fairy Tail a few years ago. But he disappeared shortly after the Fairy Tail mages went missing."

Hearing this, Rudra nodded, processing the information. "Thanks," he said simply before leaving the bakery.

As he stepped outside, he thought to himself, So, all roads lead back to Fairy Tail, huh? Well, let's see what's left of it. With that, he made his way toward the Fairy Tail guild hall.

Arriving at the guild hall, Rudra's pace slowed. The building looked as run-down as it had been depicted in the anime—weathered walls, missing shingles, and a door that seemed like it could collapse at any moment.

Steeling himself, Rudra pushed the creaking door open, stepping inside the dimly lit interior.

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give me some power stone