The Magic Merchant in Fairy Tail

The airship floated gently above the snowy peaks, its golden hull glimmering faintly under the pale light of the overcast sky. While the wings of the ship balanced its flight effortlessly, the group gathered around a small magical fire on the deck, sheltered from the icy winds outside.

Their heated discussion centered around Kira's bold claims regarding the existence of gods.

"Gods? Do these things really exist?" Gray broke the silence, folding his arms. Despite his skepticism, his tone carried a hint of intrigue.

Kira, leaning back in his chair with an impish grin, replied, "Why not? If we've got dragons, demons, and magic, what makes gods so impossible?"

Gray frowned. "I've read about gods before, but they were just legends—stories passed down through generations."

"That's true," Kana added, raising her flask as if to toast the mystery. "I always thought they were just symbols, you know? Things people made up to explain the unknown."

Kira shook his head. "That's exactly it. Humans fear the unknown, and what they cannot understand, they glorify. But here's the thing—what if the gods of legend weren't symbols at all? What if they were real beings, just like us?"

"Beings?" Erza repeated, her gaze narrowing with curiosity.

"Exactly. Think about it—humans can learn and adapt magic, dragons have their raw power and strength, and demons are filled with destruction and corruption. Each of these races has defining traits." Kira leaned forward, holding up three fingers. "So what if gods were just another race with abilities that were so extraordinary, so far beyond our understanding, that we called them gods?"

"Wait…" Kana's brow furrowed as she processed this. "You mean they weren't divine, just powerful beings?"

Kira nodded, his voice growing more animated. "Exactly! Think about it—what defines a god? Power, mystery, and immortality, right? But that's no different from what people say about dragons or demons."

Rocky smirked and joined in, his arms casually draped over his chair. "You're saying that these so-called gods could've just been ancient wizards who mastered magic to such a level that regular people saw them as divine?"

"That's one possibility." Kira pointed at Rocky, pleased. "Another theory is that gods weren't wizards but a completely separate species born with immense power—like dragons. They might have ruled the world long before humans mastered magic."

The group fell silent for a moment, letting the idea settle. The gentle crackling of the fire punctuated the quiet as snowflakes drifted past the windows of the airship.

"That still doesn't explain why no one's seen a god in thousands of years," Gray challenged, though his voice lacked its usual doubt. "If they were real, where did they go?"

Erza spoke up, her tone firm. "Perhaps they disappeared—like the dragons. Or maybe…" She hesitated before finishing, "They were destroyed by humans."

"Destroyed?" Elfman's voice rumbled in disbelief. "If they were as strong as you're saying, how could humans defeat them?"

"Magic," Kira answered simply. "The evolution of magic might have tipped the scales. Gods, if they were indeed ancient beings with special powers, could've been dethroned by humans who learned to use magic creatively. Or maybe they simply faded away because the world changed."

Kana sipped her drink, looking thoughtful. "So you're saying gods were either a race of beings, a group of ancient mages, or—"

"—something completely beyond our comprehension," Kira finished. "Some legends say gods represent laws of nature—things we still can't fully explain today. Like death, time, or space."

"Three theories, huh?" Gray summarized, his voice tinged with amusement. "That's pretty ambitious even for you, Kira."

Kira shrugged, grinning mischievously. "Well, magic is a study of the unknown. Isn't it fun to speculate?"

Erza's mind was already racing ahead. "And the legend of the Black and White Goddesses—where does that fit into your theories?"

Kira's grin widened, and a faint excitement flickered in his eyes. "I've pieced together what I could from old records. It's still just speculation, but I believe the Black Goddess wielded a form of lost magic—something ancient and powerful called Ice God-Slaying Magic."

The group froze, the air seeming to grow colder as Kira's words sank in.

…

Meanwhile, at the Forget-Sorrow Tavern…

The warm interior of the Forget-Sorrow Tavern felt almost surreal compared to the frigid snowstorm outside. Sitting at one of the worn wooden tables, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy stared at the rugged tavern owner, Poole Ashnew, as he calmly shared the truth behind the mission.

"You're saying your tribe—this Isisnew clan—was founded to serve the gods?" Lucy asked, incredulous.

Poole nodded gravely. "That's what our records say. My ancestors believed they were descendants of the gods, tasked with guarding this sacred land. The demons, on the other hand, were their sworn enemies."

"Demons?" Natsu's ears perked up, flames flickering faintly in his breath.

Poole exhaled slowly, the lines on his face deepening. "Long ago, gods and demons fought a war that spanned the entire continent. When the gods defeated the demons, the survivors scattered. But here, in Zonia, the demons' remnants lingered—monsters created from dark magic. Even after the gods disappeared, these beasts plagued my people."

Lucy frowned. "But how can demons create monsters? That sounds impossible."

"Dark magic," Poole replied simply. "The demons used their own life force to create magical beasts—creatures born to kill, destroy, and survive in any conditions. To combat them, our ancestors developed a unique form of magic—Ice Demon-Slaying Magic."

"Ice Demon-Slaying Magic?!" Natsu and Happy cried out in unison.

Poole chuckled at their surprise. "I suppose you've never heard of it. Like Dragon Slayer Magic, it's designed to destroy a specific enemy—in this case, demons. And just like you can eat fire to restore your strength, the users of Ice Demon-Slaying Magic can consume ice."

"Whoa! That's awesome!" Natsu said, his excitement bubbling over. "So, are you an Ice Demon Slayer, Uncle?"

Poole shook his head with a faint smile. "No. The magic has been lost to time, and none of my generation inherited it. All I can do now is hope for help… That's why I put out the request for wizards."

Lucy's expression grew serious. "But how are the monsters still here after all this time? Shouldn't they have disappeared along with the demons?"

Poole's smile faded. "The demons left behind something—a curse on this land. That's why the snow never stops falling. The beasts are drawn to it, and they continue to appear… stronger than ever."

Natsu punched his palm, his grin returning. "Don't worry, Uncle! I'll take care of those monsters!"

"You'll take care of them?" Poole eyed Natsu skeptically. "This isn't a job for just any wizard, boy. Fire magic is nearly useless in a place like this."

Natsu's grin didn't falter. "I'll make it work!"

Lucy sighed loudly. "You're impossible…"

…

Above the Snowy Peaks…

Back on the airship, Kira stood at the bow, holding up his recording crystal as the snowy expanse of Zonia stretched before them.

"Listen up, everyone! The truth behind the Black and White Goddesses, the mystery of the monsters, and the legend of gods—all of it awaits us in these mountains!" He turned dramatically, grinning at his friends. "Are you ready to uncover the truth?"

Erza smiled confidently, her armored gauntlet resting on the hilt of her sword. "Let's solve this mystery and bring back Natsu and Lucy."

"Right!" the others echoed in unison, their eyes shining with determination.

As the airship sailed closer to the heart of Zonia, the snowstorm seemed to intensify, howling like a warning. Whatever secrets lay ahead, they would soon face them head-on.

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