Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

23 - Thank You, For Everything

[X779, Fairy Tail Guild Building]

— Dannis Martell —

"Not joining?"

I looked to my right as I was leaning on the rafters of the second floor, spotting the Master as he took a sip from a mug. Below us, the entire guild had descended into a full blown party, to celebrate my ascension to an S-Class mage.

The only person who wasn't celebrating was Cana, who I saw left the guild awhile ago. She was in a bad mood, that much I could tell. Didn't realize that being S-Class was so important to her.

"I'm not really one for parties, master."

The old man snorted. "Feh, I know that much. I could count the amount of times you joined in on celebrations in the nine years you've been here on one hand." He took a swig of his cup. "You're still young, Dannis. Live a little."

I didn't answer him, looking at the mass brawl that was happening on the first floor. There was something that had been bothering me for a while, a feeling I've had since a long time ago.

"I haven't visited them even once, y'know?" I say, getting the master's attention. "I wanna say that the jobs kept me busy, but in truth I'm just really scared."

Master Makarov was solemn, immediately understanding what I was trying to say. "Having fear is just natural. I'm sure they would be happy with the man you have grown to be, my boy."

"I sure hope so." In my mind, I saw a couple who stood in the kitchen of a modest sized home. They were laughing, the woman slapping a hand to the man's chest, covering his shirt with flour as they baked a cake together. They both had black hair, the same dark shade that I had.

I saw a boy that stood in between them, barely reaching the man's waist in height. He was concentrating on his task, using a rolling pin to flatten the dough. In the process, he accidently knocked over a bowl, spilling all of its contents over the wooden floor.

"Ah! I-I'm sorry mom!"

The woman just giggled as she took a broom and began to clean up the mess. "It's quite alright, darling. It's just a small mess."

"B-But-"

A large hand ruffled the child's hair as the man laughed. "Hahahah! It's fine Danny! After all, making mistakes in life is how a boy becomes a man! What matters is that you take responsibility for that mistake!"

"U-Uhuh!" The boy nodded with a small smile as he helped the woman clean up.

Before long, all three of them stood by the dining table with a three-layered cake with eight candles. The couple then clapped before announcing in a loud voice, "Happy birthday Dannis!"

The boy's eyes gleamed with happiness as he smiled wide. The smidgen of frosting on his cheek making him look all the more joyful. Surrounded by the warmth of family and happy atmosphere, the boy would never expect that his day would turn completely upside down.

The happy smile shifted into one of quiet horror, as he now stood on the graves of his parents. A bandage covering his left eye.

To others, birthdays would be occasions where one would celebrate. To commemorate the day they were born.

'But to me...that day is just a painful reminder of everything I've lost.'

And that day is tomorrow.

I get up from my position and look back towards Makarov. "Hey Master, is it alright if I take a bottle from the guild pantry?"

"Hm?" The Master lifted an eyebrow in question, before nodding. "Sure, knock yourself out. Be sure to pour a cup from me would ya? They raised a fine young man."