Chapter 3: Chapter 03
[Three months later: Lost Island]
My first guild base was finally complete. Sindria stood tall, a city brought to life from my memories of Magi. The streets were bustling with life as hundreds of my puppets, now animated and full of personality, walked through them, their laughter and happiness filling the air.
Seeing them like this made me smile—a real, genuine smile. My power wasn't just about magic; it was about bringing happiness to others. Sindria would be the symbol of our guild, a shining example of what we stood for.
Of course, Sindria wouldn't be complete without its king. Sinbad. The eccentric, purple-haired ruler was one of our S-Class members, a powerhouse with seven Djinn equips and a team of eight fiercely loyal warriors—his Eight Generals—who answered directly to him.
Sinbad was powerful, maybe even stronger than Makarov and Gildarts combined—two of the strongest mages on the continent.
Sending an S-Class mage like him into a conflict right now would be overkill. The people of Ishgar weren't ready to face someone like Sinbad at full strength.
So, instead of Sinbad, I decided to send some of his Eight Generals. They were strong mages but not overwhelmingly powerful. Sharrkan was a great example—strong, skilled, but not overpowered.
Sharrkan had been begging me for weeks to let him fight Fairy Tail's swordswoman, Erza. Eventually, I gave in and sent him, along with another general, to the Fairy Tail guild. He could do whatever he wanted there while I focused on creating the second guild for our group.
I was certain the Magic Council was aware of us by now. Jura—or someone else—must have reported what I'd revealed through Sharrkan during that discussion with the coalition mages.
I heard that Magnolia had disappeared for a while before coming back, which meant Edolas had already arrived. I couldn't quite remember what the next arc was, but Sharrkan and Darius should be enough to handle things.
I hope, I thought, frowning as I glanced over at Sinbad, surrounded by beautiful women, laughing loudly with a goblet of wine in his hand.
I really shouldn't have created him. He's going to end up seducing everyone, I sighed, shaking my head.
–
"This guild really made an impression on you, Sharrkan?" Darius said in his usual calm, measured tone, his eyes sweeping over the defeated bandits sprawled around them.
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"Well, yeah," Sharrkan replied, smirking. "They're pretty good—for a bunch of brats."
Without hesitation, he lunged toward the remaining bandits. His sword gleamed in the light as it slashed through the air with precision. The bandits dropped to the ground with pained groans, clutching their wounds as Sharrkan stood over them, still grinning.
"The king mentioned that you were eager to fight a swordswoman," Darius said evenly, his massive weapon sweeping through the air and sending four bandits flying with a single strike.
"Erza Scarlet!" Sharrkan exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face as he slung an arm around Darius's shoulders. "She's strong, skilled, and beautiful—a truly worthy opponent and the perfect woman!"
Darius raised an eyebrow but remained silent as Sharrkan continued, now grinning dramatically.
"And you, Darius? You've got to find yourself a woman. Your brother's never going to settle down, so your whole family line depends on you!" he said, throwing in a theatrical sigh for effect.
"I don't need a skirt-chaser telling me what I should do," Darius said calmly, elbowing Sharrkan as he shrugged off his arm.
"Bu—" Sharrkan started to protest, but Darius cut him off sharply.
"Enough," he said firmly, already turning and continuing down the road without another glance.
Sharrkan sighed, glancing at the groaning bandits sprawled on the ground before jogging to catch up with Darius.
—
The duo continued their journey in relative peace—at least, peace for them. For anyone foolish enough to cross their path, it was anything but.
Three dark guilds were wiped out along the way, and a handful of bandits who thought they could try their luck didn't fare any better. The pair made short work of them, leaving chaos and broken bones in their wake.
Finally, they arrived in Magnolia, the city where Fairy Tail was based.
"Well, it's a charming little place," Sharrkan remarked, glancing around at the bustling streets.
Darius walked past him without a word, his expression calm and unreadable.
"Talk about a charming companion," Sharrkan muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes before falling in step behind him.
The two drew plenty of attention as they moved through the city. Darius, with his noble air and refined demeanor, looked every bit the distinguished figure. Sharrkan, on the other hand, stood out for entirely different reasons—being, well, Sharrkan.
"Hey, beautiful ladies! Mind pointing us to Fairy Tail?" Sharrkan called out, flashing a wide grin as he leaned casually against a nearby post.
The women exchanged glances, a mix of amusement and annoyance on their faces, before Darius stepped in, grabbing Sharrkan firmly by the back of his collar.
"Enough," Darius said flatly, pulling the swordsman away.
"Oh, come on, Darius!" Sharrkan protested, stumbling as he was dragged along. "I was just being friendly! You could learn a thing or two about charm, you know."
"I don't need your version of charm," Darius replied calmly, his expression unchanged as he guided Sharrkan down the street.
"Seriously, you're no fun," Sharrkan muttered, brushing himself off. "What's the harm in asking for directions?"
Darius glanced back at him briefly, then addressed the women with a slight nod. "Apologies for his behavior," he said smoothly, his tone respectful. "But we don't need directions. I know where Fairy Tail is."
Sharrkan raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you do? Then why didn't you say something earlier?"
"Because I assumed you'd figure it out on your own," Darius replied evenly. "Clearly, I overestimated you."
Sharrkan rolled his eyes. "You could've just told me! Honestly, the King warned me you'd be like this."
"And he warned me you'd be like this," Darius shot back, his stoic tone making the words hit harder.
The two continued toward Fairy Tail, Sharrkan grumbling under his breath while Darius walked ahead, unbothered by his companion's antics.
–
The Fairy Tail guild hall was quiet—too quiet. There were none of the joyous sounds Gremmy had described. No laughter, no celebration.
Sharrkan frowned, staring at the stillness. "Is anyone even in there?" he muttered.
Darius didn't bother answering. He pushed the doors open and stepped inside, only to be met with a sight that made him grimace in disgust.
The guild hall was filled with people passed out all over the place—most of them completely drunk. Empty barrels and mugs were scattered around, and the air reeked of alcohol.
Sharrkan peeked over Darius's shoulder and snorted. "Well, this is… underwhelming."
Behind the bar, a single woman stood, her eyes swollen and puffy from crying. Tears fell silently onto the counter as she tried, unsuccessfully, to stop them.
Sharrkan frowned, clearly irritated. "What the hell happened here?" he asked, gesturing to the empty hall and the unconscious bodies.
The woman sniffled and wiped at her face quickly, trying to compose herself. "The majority of the guild… they disappeared," she said, her voice trembling. "Tenrou Island… they went there for the S-Class trials, but then there was an attack, and—" Her voice broke as fresh tears welled up.
Sharrkan's shoulders slumped, his expression shifting into mild annoyance. "Great. So, no Erza? Perfect. Guess this trip was a waste." Without waiting for a reply, he turned and headed for the door. "I'm going to look around," he grumbled as he walked out.
Darius stayed behind, his stoic demeanor softening slightly as he looked at the woman. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said quietly, his voice calm and respectful. "If it's not too much trouble, may I order some food and a drink while I wait?"
The woman blinked at him, surprised by his tone, then nodded hesitantly. "Of course. Just… give me a moment."
Darius nodded and took a seat at one of the cleaner tables, letting her compose herself. His sharp eyes glanced briefly around the hall, taking in the sorrowful state of the once-famous guild, but he didn't say another word, respecting her silence.
A few minutes later, the woman returned with a tray, placing a plate of simple food and a drink in front of Darius. Her hands trembled slightly as she set it down, but she quickly wiped them on her apron and straightened up.
"Thank you," Darius said softly, nodding as he began eating.
She hesitated for a moment, then sat down across from him, clutching a rag tightly in her hands. "It's not what it used to be," she said, her voice cracking as she gestured around the empty, disheveled guild hall. "Fairy Tail used to be so full of life. Loud. Chaotic, but warm. Now… this."
Darius paused, looking at her with a quiet intensity, but he said nothing, letting her continue.
She stared at the counter, her voice dropping. "With so many of us gone… there's no money coming in. The guild hall holds so many memories, but we can't afford to keep it. We'll have to sell it soon."
Her voice broke on the last word, and tears rolled down her cheeks again. She tried to wipe them away, but they just kept coming. "It's like losing them all over again," she whispered.
Darius set his fork down, his expression still stoic, but his eyes softened as he watched her. He said nothing, his silence steady and unintrusive, offering her the space to let her grief out.
After a few moments, she wiped her eyes again, giving him a weak smile. "Sorry," she said, her voice shaky. "You didn't come here to hear all this."
"It's fine," Darius said simply, his calm tone reassuring. "Sometimes, talking helps."
She nodded, though her sadness lingered. As she stood to return to the bar, Darius quietly resumed eating, thinking about what she said.
'How sad. This guild, according to Gremmy, was supposed to be one of the strongest on the continent. Seeing them like this now, right when Sharrkan and I arrive, feels like such a waste.'
'I should contact Gremmy, see if he has any information.'
Darius finished his meal, stood up, and walked over to the counter where the woman was wiping her hands nervously on her apron. He pulled out a pouch of Jewel and handed her a hefty stack of bills.
"This is… way too much," she said, her eyes widening as she stared at the amount. The meal couldn't have cost more than a hundred Jewel, but he'd just given her over a hundred thousand.
He met her gaze, his expression calm. "It's for the story," he said simply, nodding toward the empty guild hall.
She blinked, surprised, and for a moment didn't know how to respond.
"I'll be back around noon for another meal," he added, turning to leave without waiting for a reply.
The woman clutched the money tightly, her eyes tearing up again as she watched him walk out, the silent act of kindness leaving her speechless.
–
"So, the mighty Darius Leoxses has fallen for the sweet-hearted Fairy!" Sharrkan teased, dancing around mockingly in front of an increasingly annoyed Darius.
"Enough of your nonsense, Sharrkan!" Darius snapped, his tone sharp and commanding.
But instead of stopping, Sharrkan only seemed more energized by the reaction, grinning wider as he continued his playful taunting.
"Oh, what's next? A fight?" Sharrkan smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. "You can't deny you found her beautiful. Maybe the Leoxses household won't die out with your generation after all."
Darius sighed, his expression unamused. "You're simply looking for an excuse to fight. Erza isn't here, and now, feeling dejected, you plan to use me as a sparring partner."
Sharrkan's grin twitched slightly. "Not at all, my dear Darius," he said, his voice playful but slightly defensive.
"Liar," Darius said sharply, his tone cutting. "Such behavior is unbecoming of someone of your rank. You are a prince—act like one."
"You're a prince—act like one," Sharrkan said mockingly, repeating Darius's earlier words with a smirk. "I couldn't care less about my status, dear 'Knight King.' I am who I am because I fought and bled for it, not because I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth!"
Darius snorted, clearly unimpressed, and turned toward the door. "I assume you're returning to Sindria?"
"Of course," Sharrkan said with a shrug. "Nothing fun left to do here, so I might as well head back. You're not coming?"
"No," Darius replied, his tone calm and deliberate. "I have matters to attend to in this city. Inform Sinbad that I may be absent for a while."
Sharrkan hefted his packages and waved casually as he headed for the exit. "Alright then. I'll see you soon, Darius. Take care!"
Darius watched him leave, his gaze lingering for a moment. With a slight frown, he muttered, "Take care, Sharrkan."
–
"What? Fairy Tail disappeared?!" Gremmy exclaimed as Darius informed him through the Lacrima. "Already?"
"I asked around the guild," Darius replied, his voice calm and measured, "and it seems they fought a guild named Grimoire Heart and something called Acnologia. I have seen dens of misery and despair, but this guild surpasses them all in every way."
Gremmy sighed, leaning back as his mind raced. He'd wanted to prevent this, to have more time to enjoy watching Fairy Tail grow stronger and toying with their potential. Was the timeline really so tight between Oración Seis and Grimoire Heart?
Well, so be it. He smirked slightly. If that's how it is, I'll let it happen. It'll buy me more time to work on creating my perfect guild. Sindria was just the beginning—just the first step.
"—my!" he thought, his mind drifting to ideas of expansion. I could always use more workforce. Maybe building a more conventional guild wouldn't be so bad. A guild dedicated to changing the world for the better? That could work, no?
"Gremmy!" Darius's voice cut sharply through the Lacrima, pulling him from his thoughts.
"Huh? Oh, yes, Darius. Apologies, I was… distracted," Gremmy said with a sheepish grin, snapping back to reality.
"I was telling you that Sharrkan is on his way back," Darius said, his tone steady. "He was too bored to stay any longer. As for me, I'll be remaining here for a while. Perhaps you have a mission for me?"
"I do, actually," Gremmy replied with a sly smile. "Join their guild. Stay with them for a few years. Protect them, and don't let them suffer too much."
Darius raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "I fail to see the benefit of me being there. And who will take my place among the Eight Generals?"
"Your brother will take your spot," Gremmy said casually.
Darius's face hardened. "My weak-willed, training-avoiding, sniveling brother?" he asked, his voice sharp.
"Yes," Gremmy replied with confidence. "I think Mystras has the potential to step up as a general. Of course, Sinbad will make the final decision, but I believe he's more capable than you give him credit for."
Darius frowned but didn't argue further, his thoughts already turning to what this new mission might entail.
"So, you want me to help them improve?" Darius asked, his tone calm but inquisitive.
"Yes, exactly," Gremmy replied with a nod. "During your time there, you'll see that some of them are quite weak and not particularly motivated. Your strength could inspire them to do better."
Darius frowned slightly, his voice firm as he replied, "That is insufficient. My strength is my own, earned through discipline and effort. If they wish to continue their legacy as the kingdom's strongest guild, they must train hard and earn it themselves."
With that, he stood, stepping out of the Lacrima's projection range. "I'll take my leave now, Gremmy. Inform Sinbad that I will be away from Sindria for the coming years. When I return, I will expect an ample reward for my efforts."
Without waiting for a response, Darius deactivated the Lacrima, leaving Gremmy alone in his chambers.
Darius is a bit of a stuck-up, but he's one of the strongest, Gremmy thought with a smirk. He has a Djinn equip and can cast barrier magic effortlessly. Fairy Tail might even soften him up a little.
Creating the puppets with their own personalities had been no small task. Each one was handcrafted, down to the citizens walking Sindria's streets. None of them were mindless servants or slaves—they all had free will. That was the point. Gremmy didn't want drones obeying his every command; he wanted people who could support and build alongside him, not just blindly follow.
"Seven years" he muttered as minerals appeared around him, tomes of magic, magic items and hundreds of other things "Seven years to make the world better"
–
Darius arrived in front of the Fairy Tail guild hall once again. This time, he could hear faint murmurs from inside. It was an improvement from earlier that day—at least the members were alive and somewhat active. They weren't all passed out drunk on the floor anymore.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside. His eyes immediately landed on the same woman he had seen during his earlier meal—Laki, if he remembered correctly.
He let out a quiet sigh. The hall still had a somber air about it, but at least there were signs of life now.
"Ah, welcome back, sir," Laki said as she approached him, her tone warm. Darius's sharp eyes caught the two middle-aged men nearby glancing his way, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"Good evening, Miss Laki. I've returned for another meal," he replied, his voice calm and composed, carrying the weight of authority.
She smiled brightly. "Of course! Makao, Wakaba, make way for the customer!" she called out, shooing the two men aside with a wave of her hand.
Wakaba muttered something under his breath as he moved, and Darius caught the words, "Beautiful bastard." He chose to ignore the comment, maintaining his composed demeanor as Laki led him to the bar
Darius sat down at the bar, his newly changed attire far simpler than his usual royal garb. He didn't like it—it felt plain and undignified—but it was necessary to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
"Here you go," Laki said, setting a bowl of soup and a piece of bread in front of him. The clatter of the dish pulled him from his thoughts.
"Thank you," he replied with a small nod, picking up the spoon and starting to eat.
The quiet didn't last long. He heard shuffling behind him and soon felt the presence of two men taking the seats on either side of him. Glancing to his left, he saw Wakaba lighting his pipe, while Makao leaned forward on the counter to his right.
"So," Makao began, his tone casual but friendly, "how's the food? Everything good?"
"It's satisfactory," Darius replied, his voice steady and composed. "Simple, but well-prepared."
Makao chuckled. "Good to hear. Laki takes pride in her cooking."
"She does, huh?" Wakaba added, blowing a puff of smoke from his pipe. "By the way, I'm Makao, current fourth master of Fairy Tail. And this grumpy old guy here is Wakaba."
Wakaba snorted but didn't argue. "What about the meal you had earlier? Everything fine with that too?"
Darius turned slightly, his gaze calm as he addressed them. "Yes. Miss Laki's hospitality was much appreciated during the day. The food then, as now, was simple but nourishing."
Makao gave a satisfied nod. "Glad to hear it. We've been through a lot lately, so it's good to know we're still doing something right."
Darius didn't reply immediately, simply continuing to eat as the two men settled into their seats, the air between them slightly more relaxed than before.
Darius finished his meal quietly, setting the spoon down on the empty bowl. He stood, reaching into his pocket to retrieve the Jewel. As he placed the payment on the counter, he turned to Makao and Wakaba, his voice calm but deliberate.
"I'd like to join Fairy Tail."
The two men exchanged surprised glances before Wakaba spoke up, puffing on his pipe. "You want to join us? Look, we appreciate it, but… we're not exactly in the best shape right now. The guild's weak. Most of our strongest members are gone."
Makao nodded, his expression serious. "He's right. You've seen the state of things. You don't have to tie yourself to this mess."
Darius looked at them both, his face calm but resolute. "I understand your concerns, but I'm not joining out of pity. I've seen enough to know this guild has potential, even in its current state. You're struggling, yes, but that's where I can help. I have the skills to make this guild stronger."
Wakaba raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think you can handle that?"
Darius's gaze didn't waver. "Because I've done it before. I was a member of Rose Redemption. Not just any member—I was one of the Eight Generals, the strongest among them. An Elite A-Rank mage."
Makao leaned back, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. "Rose Redemption, huh? That's not a name we hear often.That's the guild that Natsu talked about. Why'd you leave a guild like that?"
Darius's jaw tightened slightly, but his voice remained steady. "I left because I wanted to. It's a long story, but my departure wasn't voluntary. Even so, my skills remain intact, and I believe I can use them to benefit Fairy Tail."
Wakaba exhaled a puff of smoke, studying Darius for a moment. "You're honest, I'll give you that. But it's a hell of a step down from Rose Redemption to us."
Darius gave a small nod. "Perhaps. But even the strongest start somewhere. Fairy Tail may be struggling, but I see a guild that can rebuild. With time and effort, you can regain your place as the strongest. And I'll help you get there."
Makao stroked his chin thoughtfully before standing and extending a hand. "Alright, Darius. If you're serious, welcome to Fairy Tail. Just don't expect things to be easy."
Darius shook his hand firmly. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
–
The crimson-red Fairy Tail stamp on my shoulder still ached—a mark of my commitment, but it weighed heavily on me. It didn't belong on the body of a king. Wakaba had been right; Fairy Tail was weak. The mission board wasn't empty, but it was sparse—barely thirty missions, and only four of them A-rank.
My eyes scanned the board before settling on a posting: a group of wyverns terrorizing villages in the southern region of Fiore. I pulled it from the board and brought it to the master.
"Are you sure, Mr. Leoxses?" Laki asked curiously, her brow furrowing as she glanced at the paper. "That's an A-rank mission."
"Do not concern yourself, Miss Olietta," I replied calmly, turning to her. "This mission is well within my abilities."
I handed the mission slip to Makao, who looked it over with a raised eyebrow. "Going for an A-rank right out of the gate, huh?" he said with a small smirk. "Not exactly easing yourself in."
"I have no intention of wasting time," I replied.
Makao chuckled, pulling out the guild's stamp and marking the mission. "Alright then. Good luck out there, Darius. Try not to make us look too bad in comparison."
I nodded, turning on my heel and heading for the door. Without hesitation, I stepped out of the guild hall and into the streets of Magnolia, already mentally preparing for the wyverns awaiting me in the south. There was no time to waste.
–
Every strike was lethal. Darius's spear moved too quickly for anyone to see, and even if it didn't land directly, his magic ensured the target was pierced anyway.
That's why, just three days after leaving the guild, Darius had already completed his mission.
And in less than a month, he completed every mission that the members couldn't do. But the worst came from the poor members of Fairy Tail, his training.
Throwing them into the jungle, forcing them to climb mountains, and putting them through brutal magic training—Darius didn't hold back.
His son didn't skip his training for nothing in Magi.
From his Lacrima, Gremmy watched it all with a wide grin, clearly enjoying the sight of the Fairy Tail members struggling through the grueling conditions. But there was no denying it—they were getting stronger.
–
Well that'll be the third chapter, a little chapter with Darius as a protagonist, it'll happen from time to time, the MC will not appear every chapter or he will not be the MC for all the chapters.
I want to explore other characters than a overpowered reality warper.
So if you liked it don't hesitate to comment
I'll see you soon x)