With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 61

Gray's mind was a prison—a fog of confusion and primal instinct. He didn't know who he was. Didn't remember where he came from. All that remained was the beast, and the beast was hungry. He sniffed the air, nostrils flaring. Something warm drifted on the wind—rich, aromatic, spiced. Not meat... but close. Worth investigating.

Drawn by instinct, he crept toward the scent. A light glowed ahead—a house. Familiar. Somehow... he knew this place. He'd been here before.

Inside, a woman moved through the kitchen, unaware of the predator lurking beyond her walls. She had short dark hair and wore a robe and slippers. Worry lined her face as she stirred a pot on the stove, steam rising from freshly brewed tea.

Gray crouched in the shadows, eyes locked on her through the glass. His claws twitched. For a moment, the instinct to pounce surged within him—to lunge, to feast. But then... her scent reached him.

It was familiar. Not just familiar—comforting. The beast hesitated.

In the flickering kitchen light, he caught a clear view of her face—and something shattered within him. Memories surfaced like broken glass rising from water.

Images flashed in his mind. Her tending to him when he was sick. Tucking him in at night. Her hands brushing through his hair. A warm voice whispering, "I love you, Gray."

His aunt.

A strangled sound tore from his throat—a guttural, pained snarl of recognition and horror.

He stumbled back, away from the house, claws dragging through the dirt. He didn't understand what was happening, but he knew one thing:

He couldn't hurt her.

"Who's there?" the woman called, clutching a kitchen knife. She moved to the window and peered out.

Nothing. Just trees. Wind.

She locked the window, her nerves unsettled, and returned to her tea. With a heavy sigh, she sat down in front of the television and flicked on the news.

"Authorities are currently investigating whether this mysterious, tiger-like creature is somehow connected to the vigilante known as Blue Tiger." Gajeel's voice was steady, but the tension behind it was palpable. "Personally, I believe they're one and the same—but that's just my theory. What is certain is this: the creature is extremely dangerous. It has already attacked multiple people. If you see it—don't try to be a hero. Run like hell, and call the police."

The screen shifted to a new headline.

"In more troubling news, we've just received word that one of our own—photographer Gray Fullbuster—has gone missing. No one has seen or heard from him since the first reported sighting of the creature. There's concern that he may have become the monster's latest victim."

Ur Milkovich gasped, her hand flying to her chest. "Oh dear God..."

Beside her, Gildarts looked grim. "Try not to panic, Miss Milkovich. Gray's a smart kid. Tough, too. I'm sure he's okay."

Ur shook her head slowly, eyes never leaving the screen. "I don't know if I could go on living if something happened to him. He's the only family I have left."

"Natsu's got people out there looking," Gildarts said, trying to offer some reassurance. "We all are. He'll turn up. Sooner or later."

"I hope you're right," she murmured. "I truly hope you are."

She clutched her tea a little tighter, watching as Gajeel addressed the viewers one last time.

"If anyone sees Gray Fullbuster or hears from him, please contact me or his aunt immediately. He's just a kid—and he may be in serious danger. Keep your eyes open."