000 - What Makes The Sky Blue

Heya me again not gonna lie but the reason i start this fanfic in the first place because during summer last year I'm so tired seeing Aliza and Stan relationship progress that suck so hard.

With Stan beta male even after like 7 development for his relationship with Aliza but he still going back to becoming beta male especially with Aliza (Summer) Fate episode.

So i decided to start this fanfic with the only reason to get Aliza...

So yea don't forget to give me your feedback on this chapter...

See ya~

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After gathering everyone, Djeeta excitedly shared the news about the Festival of Falling Flame. She even barged into Rei's research room, destroying the door in the process, and dragged him out to join the meeting. However, to her disappointment, not many of the crew seemed interested.

Most of them were too tired and preferred to spend their break enjoying the island's amenities. The amusement park, the beautiful lake, and the serene gardens offered plenty of relaxation, and they didn't feel like spending a week on the airship just to attend a festival.

Seeing Djeeta's disappointed expression, Lyria, Vyrn, Katalina, and Rei eventually agreed to accompany her to the Port Breeze Archipelago. With their small group decided, Djeeta borrowed the Grandcypher from Rackam and happily steered the airship toward their destination.

As the captain, Djeeta knew how to handle the Grandcypher, even if she wasn't as skilled as Rackam. For a normal journey like this, she had no trouble navigating the skies.

"You know, this reminds me of when we left Zinkenstill Island with just the five of us," Vyrn said, floating beside Djeeta as she steered the ship.

"Yeah, back then, it was just the five of us. But now, who would've thought we'd have more than 10 crew members?" Djeeta replied with a smile.

Vyrn chuckled. "It's crazy how much has changed since then."

Djeeta nodded, her thoughts drifting to their early days. She remembered how it had always been just her and Vyrn, living a simple life on Zinkenstill. But everything changed the day they met Rei, who had suddenly appeared in their world. From that moment on, their lives had taken a dramatic turn.

She also thought about the alternate timeline she had visited, where she discovered that Rei only existed in her timeline. The realization had filled her with joy and a sense of luck. Rei's presence had brought so much change and adventure into her life, and she couldn't imagine her life without him.

As the Grandcypher soared through the skies, Djeeta felt a surge of excitement. The Festival of Falling Flame awaited them, and she couldn't wait to experience it with her closest friends.

Unfortunately, Djeeta's hopes for a fun date with Rei were ruined almost immediately after they arrived at Port Breeze. The festival was packed with people, and in the chaos, they got separated. Before Djeeta could even find Rei, disaster struck.

The town was suddenly attacked by waves of monsters, and to make matters worse, the Primal Beast Phoenix emerged, unleashing fiery destruction. The streets were engulfed in flames, and panic spread through the crowd.

Thankfully, Rei acted quickly. He lured the Phoenix away from the town, ensuring the flames didn't consume everything. With Lyria's help, who summoned Proto Bahamut, they managed to defeat the Primal Beast. Lyria absorbed the Phoenix's power, adding it to her growing collection of Primal Beasts.

Even with the Phoenix defeated, their work wasn't over. The town had suffered significant damage, and they spent the next week helping with repairs and aiding the townspeople. Djeeta couldn't help but feel frustrated—what was supposed to be a relaxing festival had turned into another exhausting mission.

To make matters worse, Djeeta noticed that Rei had somehow caught the attention of another girl during their short separation. Her name was Therese, a fierce fighter who seemed oblivious to her own feelings. At first, she approached Djeeta and the others to thank them for their help and asked if there was anything she could do to repay them.

Of course, as Skyfarers, they didn't expect anything in return. But then, Therese's tone shifted as she asked how she could properly thank Rei for his hard work. Her face turned red, and she fidgeted nervously, making it obvious to everyone what was really going on.

Djeeta and the others exchanged knowing glances but decided not to tease her. Instead, they gave her some advice on how to thank Rei, and Therese happily agreed before rushing off to find him.

Therese didn't reappear until the next morning, when she was seen sleeping on Rei's back. Rei explained that she had stayed up all night because he had fallen asleep on her lap. After carrying her to a room on the Grandcypher to rest, they returned to helping with the town's repairs.

Finally, after days of hard work, the town was restored, and the people of Port Breeze could begin to rebuild their lives. Djeeta couldn't help but sigh. What was supposed to be a simple festival trip had turned into yet another adventure—and Rei had somehow gained another girl along the way.

~~~~~

Meanwhile, far from the main town where Rei and the others had been helping, there was another smaller town. Though not as large as the previous one, it was still a beautiful place, located almost at the edge of Port Breeze Island. This town had served as a safe haven for many evacuees during the monster attacks and the Phoenix's rampage.

In the center of this town stood a grand, imposing building that clearly stood out from the rest. It belonged to the Clythe family, a prestigious noble family from the Valtz Duchy. The Clythe family was well-known across the skies, their influence are second only to Archduke Tzaka on Valtz Duchy island. They owned multiple estates across various islands, and this mansion in Port Breeze was one of them.

On the side of the mansion, a draph girl stood on the deck, gazing out at the vast blue sky. The town's location near the edge of the island offered a breathtaking view of the endless horizon, and she seemed lost in thought as she admired it.

The draph girl had a plump figure, with long grey hair tied into a high ponytail. Two large horns protruded from her head, adorned with gold ornaments—a bracelet on each horn and a delicate gold piece on her forehead. Her presence exuded elegance and grace, fitting for someone of her noble status.

[IMAGE]

A small sigh escaped her lips as she finally turned away from the deck and walked back inside her room. The draph girl, Aliza, had come to Port Breeze to enjoy the Festival of Falling Flame, but her plans were ruined when the monsters attacked and the Primal Beast Phoenix wreaked havoc. The festival was canceled, and the town was left in chaos.

She had wanted to help the people, to do something meaningful, but her servants had stopped her at every turn. They insisted that, as the head of the Clythe family and the heiress to the Valtz Duchy, she couldn't act recklessly. Their words had frustrated her to no end.

Even her childhood friend and protector, Stan, had disappointed her. Despite knowing she was more than capable of defending herself, he refused her order to leave her side and helping the others, using his role as her protector as an excuse to stay with her. In the end, they had evacuated to this smaller town without lifting a finger to help anyone. It had left her feeling powerless and angry.

For the past week, she had secluded herself in her room, refusing to come out. The weight of her responsibilities and the constraints of her noble status felt suffocating. Aliza didn't care about her inheritance or her destiny as a princess. All she wanted was freedom—freedom to live her life as she pleased, to make her own choices, and to help others without being held back by her title.

Her role as the heiress had also left her isolated. Everyone around her was either too formal or had ulterior motives, seeking to gain favor with the Clythe family. Over time, she had decided it was better to be alone than to surround herself with people who might betray her in the long run.

Sitting in front of the mirror, Aliza stared at her reflection. Her grey hair, tied in a high ponytail, framed her face, and her golden ornaments glimmered under the light. But behind her composed exterior, there was a longing for something more—a life beyond the walls of nobility, where she could truly be herself.

*Knock* *knock*

A soft knocking sound interrupted Aliza's thoughts.

"Come in," she said, her voice indifferent.

The door opened, and a male erune stepped inside. It was Stan, her childhood friend and supposed protector—though his fighting skills were limited to being a meat shield at best.

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"Lady Aliza... Please forgive my intrusion," Stan said hesitantly, knowing full well she was still angry with him for ignoring her orders during the crisis.

Aliza glanced at him sideways but didn't respond. Seeing that she was at least paying attention, Stan decided to continue.

"From your order, I've checked the town that was attacked. Surprisingly, the town has already been repaired, and it's functioning normally again. After asking around, we found out there were no casualties during the attack."

"I see. That's good. Even though we didn't do anything, I'm glad there were no casualties and the town is safe now," Aliza replied, her tone flat.

She turned her gaze back to the mirror, her reflection staring back at her. Normally, she would remind Stan not to be so formal with her, but she was too tired to repeat herself. Every time she told him to drop the formalities, he would eventually revert to his stiff, respectful demeanor. It felt pointless to keep reminding him.

But since he was still standing there, it was clear he had more to say. "Is there anything else?" she asked, her voice cold.

Stan flinched at her tone, his guilt and frustration bubbling up. As childhood friends, they had fought before, but their arguments never lasted long. This time, however, Aliza's anger ran deep. She couldn't forgive him for ignoring her orders to help the townspeople, even if no one had died in the end.

"My lady, your uncle wishes to speak with you regarding the family inheritance," Stan said, his voice still formal.

Hearing his tone again only fueled Aliza's irritation. She couldn't hold back any longer.

"Stan, how many times do I have to tell you?" she snapped, her sharp gaze cutting through him.

"That's... My lady, I'm merely your guard, your servant..." Stan replied, his eyes downcast.

"Whatever, then," Aliza said, giving up. She couldn't understand why her childhood friend was like this. His overly formal and submissive behavior was the complete opposite of her own fiery and independent personality.

Before the tension could escalate further, another knock echoed through the room.

"My lady, pardon the intrusion. Are you occupied at the moment?" a woman's voice called from outside.

"It's fine. What is it?" Aliza responded.

The door opened, and one of her servant entered, bowing respectfully. "My lady, Lord Aviza has summoned you to his chamber regarding an urgent matter."

Aviza was Aliza's uncle, a member of the Clythe family known for his ambition. Aliza had never been particularly close to him, as his schemes often clashed with her own values.

"I understand. Can you help me change my clothes? I can't meet him like this," Aliza said, standing up and gesturing for Stan to leave.

Without a word, Stan exited the room, leaving Aliza to prepare for the meeting with her uncle.

Aliza removed her red dress, and began changing into something more formal. With the help of her servant, she slipped into a stunning white dress adorned with gold embroidery. The dress hugged her figure elegantly, especially around her ample chest, and featured off-the-shoulder ruffled sleeves that exposed her arms. Golden cuffs and black gloves added a touch of sophistication to her look.

The back of the dress was mostly bare, with the fabric wrapping gracefully around her sides and connecting at the neck with a black collar. A flowing white veil, trimmed with gold and delicate patterns, cascaded from her headpiece, draping down her back like a waterfall of silk. The exposed skin highlighted her graceful figure, making her look every bit the princess she was meant to be.

As she stood in front of the mirror, Aliza couldn't help but admire her reflection. Her grey hair, no longer tied in a high ponytail, flowed freely down her back, adding to her regal appearance. The transformation was striking—she looked like a true noble.

But despite her stunning appearance, Aliza couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness inside. The dress, the elegance, the title—it all felt like a mask she had to wear, hiding the person she truly wanted to be.

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"You look beautiful, my lady," her servant said, admiring Aliza's transformed appearance.

"Let's go," Aliza replied curtly, ignoring the compliment. She and her servant prepared to leave the room to meet her uncle.

But before they could take a step, a deafening *BOOOOM* shattered the silence. The door leading to the deck was blown apart, sending debris flying across the room.

"Kyaaaaaa!!" The servant was thrown back by the force, slamming into the wall and collapsing to the floor.

From the wreckage emerged a figure—a girl with long green hair, four small metallic wings protruding from her back, and bird-like legs that looked anything but human.

[IMAGE]

"Primal Beast?!" Aliza exclaimed, shielding her face from the dust and debris.

Before she could react, the Primal Beast lunged forward, its talon-like legs grabbing her tightly.

"Aaah!" Aliza screamed in panic as the creature lifted her off the ground, its grip unrelenting.

"Lady Aliza!" Stan burst into the room, his voice filled with desperation. But he was too late.

In an instant, the Primal Beast vanished, taking Aliza with it.

"I-it vanished!?" Stan rushed to the destroyed deck, frantically scanning the skies and the surroundings.

"MY LADY? No, it can't be... My lady!!" His anguished scream echoed through the entire town.