From the Ashes

[Gildarts]

What seemed like a few more feet to the oblivious prime, carried him all the way to what was left of the village. Gildarts continued to walk until he got to the storefront of the bar he had first been escorted to, and it just so happened to be one of the last buildings standing. Piqui sat on his left shoulder, calmly looking around in a dazed fashion. Inwardly, she had wondered what had happened, but when Gildarts had that determined expression on his face, he didn’t like to have to answer questions. The young kitten’s ears twitched as her whiskers quivered at all the sooty smells of burnt ash in the air. Her eyes looked to Zack and Miranda who were following close behind and blinked a small greeting.

Around him, though his eyes did not tell him, Zack’s were gazing at the wreckage with horror at the immense destruction. The younger male almost didn’t see when Gildarts disappeared through the doorway, and quickly followed. A fret had since broken on his brow, but now, Gildarts was hobbling up to the bar and after recognizing (uh, somehow) the bartender’s face, who was an old man with kind blue eyes, the Fairytail wizard started the conversation he’d left up on, “Mind if I have that water now?”

His lips were cracked from being so very parched, and though he was blood spattered and covered in soot, the old man gave him a once-over and didn’t think twice about serving the Prime his drink. Gildarts downed the glass, Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he indulged in gulp after gulp. Zack looked at those who had gathered indoors, and what had become of the room, which half of it had now been without a roof. This building had gotten off lucky, but wouldn’t they blame the two Primes for being the catalyst for the destruction of their homes and stores? It was, after all, their livelihood. Eyes did not glue to the hot-haired Prime, but instead fell on Zack with minor ridicule. That was the reaction he had expected, but why were they looking the other way for Gildarts?

The question wasn’t immediately answered for the young warrior, who had sat beside Gildarts, who requested, “One for him here, too.”

There was a thick coldness about the room, but it was, reluctantly served. Zack drank it with some hesitation, and let the condensation accumulate on the glass. Sooner rather than later, Gildarts turned around with a bright smile on his face, despite the blood that was still caked in his left eye, and asked Zack if he was feeling better. Sensing the discomfort in the lines of his face, Gildarts then let his eyes wander around the room, and finally noticed the cave in, and scorch marks all around. As well as this building (just about the only one still standing) was being used as the infirmary for the town.

It was then when the Prime truly saw the devastation of it all. The devastation they had caused.