Dawn of Adventure {Book One of The Paths We've Traveled}

Chapter One: The Journey Begins

Waves crashed against the sides of the boat, causing spray to fly through the air and crash back down on the figure standing on the prow. Long blonde hair tangled in the wind, streaming behind the woman like golden waves. Her tank top was soaked through, but she kept her hands on the railing and kept looking out at the horizon. Every wave the ship went over, she simply clutched the railing tighter, turning her knuckles white.

Even in the middle of December, the young woman was dressed in a green tank top and short black skirt with knee-high black boots. The weather on the ocean differed, but the winds were normally warm and the sun was constantly beating down, so even in the dead of winter, it felt like a warm summer day. The woman closed her eyes, breathing in the salty air and attempting to relax.

"Hey Lucy," a strong voice called out across the ship. Lucy Heartfilia turned, her blonde hair whipping herself in her face as the wind changed directions. Coming towards her was Erza Scarlet, the tall and scary red-head member of their team. She had exchanged her usual armor for a wrap-around blue skirt and white tank top, her long scarlet hair piled on top of her head. But however non-threatening she looked, she was probably the strongest one on the ship. She joined Lucy at the bow, taking in a deep breath.

"Are Natsu and Wendy still heaving?" Lucy looked over at Erza, trying to hide a small smile. Erza groaned, leaning forward so the railing dug into her stomach.

"I finally just knocked them out and left them with Happy and Carla. Honestly, it's best for all of us if we don't hear them for a few hours. God, I wish we hadn't forgotten that motion sickness medicine Anna had invented," she lamented, looking out across the waves as Lucy had been doing.

Lucy chuckled, returning her gaze to the vast expanse of water. "Tell me about it. Natsu hasn't stopped complaining about that for days." Sometime during the last few years, Anna Heartfilia, Lucy's ancestor from 400 years in the past, had figured out a way to keep certain vehicles from making the Dragon Slayers motion sick by using a lacrima. During the past year, she had managed to turn this technology into pills they could take. And, of course, they had forgotten everything back at home.

The group of five mages, Lucy Heartfilia, Erza Scarlet, Natsu Dragneel, Wendy Marvel, and Gray Fullbuster, along with the two Exceeds, Happy and Carla, had departed on the 100 Year Quest nearly three months ago. With a little help from Gildarts pointing them in the right direction, the group was finally on their way to receive their mission. All they knew so far was that the continent they were traveling to was called Benos, so far away that it required almost a month by sea travel. To say the least, the seasick Dragon Slayers were quickly regretting taking this job.

"We should arrive tomorrow," Lucy mused, talking more to herself than Erza. "I can't believe we're actually doing this. I mean, Gildarts was gone for three whole years and he came back with half a body. Are we ready for this? Can we really stay away from home for so long?"

"Chin up." Erza placed a comforting hand on Lucy's shoulder, causing the Celestial Mage to wince from the sheer force of it. "There's nothing Fairy Tail's strongest team can't do. Especially when we all work together. We'll all get back home, safe and sound, before too long." Erza smiled, lifting her face to the sun above. "Besides, how can you worry on such a beautiful day?"

A soft smile slipped onto Lucy's face as she too raised her head to admire the stunning winter's day. The two women remained like that for several long moments before they were interrupted by the sounds of a certain ice-make mage crossing the deck towards them.

"Yo," Gray called out in greeting. Lucy turned her smile on him, all at once reminding him of the young woman he had left behind in Magnolia. The happy innocence in her eyes, yet the power hidden within her, waiting to prove just how strong she was and what she could do. He smiled back slightly, leaning against the railing of the ship.