Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

77 - A Conversation Long Overdue

[X784, Akane Beach]

— Makarov Dreyar —

When the two boats made of ice finally landed ashore on Akane Beach, Makarov finally allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief at the sight of all his children safe and sound.

Not that he was overly worried when he knew both Dannis and Laxus were on site. There were very few dangers in this world that the both of them couldn't handle together.

He wasn't a man prone to panic, not after all he'd seen in his long years as Guild Master. But seeing those boats cresting the waves toward shore stirred something warm in his old heart.

Porlyusica stood beside him, muttering irritably under her breath as she tightened the straps on her overstuffed satchel. It was filled to the brim with whatever medicinal products that the old healer decided was needed for the current circumstances.

Her usual scowl firmly in place. She had made it very clear on the journey here that she resented being dragged from the comfort of her wooden hut.
But Makarov knew better.

There was no place too far, no storm too violent, no mountain too tall that would keep Porlyusica away from a Fairy Tail child in need. No matter how much she grumbled, she came every single time. And for that, Makarov was endlessly grateful.

The moment the boats hit sand, Porlyusica led them to the tavern that Makarov had rented in its entirety for a day. They would remain here in Akane Beach to recuperate before making their way back to Fairy Tail.

The Council, or the remains of it, had already contacted him to question the ones involved in the conflict, but that would come later.

He wasn't much of a fan in leaving the guild for this long. Ever since Alvarez's attack on Fairy Tail, he had made sure to always have at least one S-Class mage in the guild at all times.

Right now, Mystogan was holding the fort along with Master Mavis. Gildarts was still a continent away, Mira was on a modelling job in Crocus, and the other three of his S-Class mages were right here in front of him.

Makarov merely stood to the side and waited as Porlyusica did her check ups on everyone. She moved faster than he'd seen in years. Muttering orders, checking pulses, forcing potions down reluctant throats. The kids didn't even argue—well, except for Natsu, but even he was too tired to do more than flinch when Porlyusica jabbed a needle into his arm.

Bickslow was the worst of the lot, with severe bruises and cuts marring his entire body, not to mention the blood that he had lost. Porlyusica had made it clear that had Levy not been there to do the first aid, Bickslow would have died.

Freed and Evergreen had hugged the small girl profusely with tears in their eyes, appreciating her. Laxus had breathed a sigh of relief and gave a grateful nod.

Erza was the other one wounded terribly, but she was tough enough to remain conscious and was capable of conversation. There were shadows in her eyes, deeper than before. Whatever she had left behind in that tower... it hadn't been easy. He saw her reach out to Lucy, gripping her hand tightly.

Erza's friends were another matter entirely, but Makarov wasn't one to let children such as them suffer for too long. Especially after Levy had mentioned their story.

Levy was unharmed for the most part, helping Porlyusica by bandaging Gajeel's bruised fists. Gray was talking with Juvia while muttering something about Natsu being a pain.

Dannis had severely exhausted his curse power and Laxus had nearly depleted his magic levels for using Dragon Force twice in one day.

But the real trouble, the one he'd sensed from the beginning, was put into his own room at the back of the tavern. Ivan Dreyar. His son.