Fairy Tail: My Magic is the Sun

Acnologia—the name alone sent chills through the hearts of Magi across the Magnolia Continent. Known as the Dragon King, the Black Wing of the End, and the very Embodiment of Evil, this black dragon was a walking apocalypse. Legends said that Acnologia's shadow could swallow entire nations; no one could stand before him and survive.

One hundred years ago, the last council fell to him. The survivors were broken in mind, whispering endlessly: Black Dragon... Black Dragon...

Now, the Council had issued a mission like no other—subjugate the Black Dragon Acnologia. The reward was beyond imagination: any favor, any desire the Council could grant. No guild restrictions applied; even dark guilds could accept this task.

Yet, a century had passed, and no one had returned. The Council had no choice but to raise the mission's rank to the highest possible.

When Escanor registered for the mission, the Council barely raised an eyebrow. They didn't truly believe anyone could succeed, only offering what scraps of information they had.

Sitting in his quarters, Escanor carefully studied the intelligence.

"Black Dragon Acnologia..." he muttered, eyes scanning the details.

"His dark wings blanket the skies, his roar shatters mountains. The strongest nation and the Council itself once fell beneath his fury. Danger Level: Catastrophe. Magic resistance bordering on immunity. Currently moving north, heading toward the Life Prohibited Zone—a cursed den of demons and monsters."

Escanor's chest surged with anticipation. This was no ordinary mission—it was the kind that defined legends.

Suddenly, Mira's voice cut in, sharp with recognition: "Life Prohibited Zone?! Gildarts' hundred-year mission was there, wasn't it?"

Makarov's expression hardened. "Escanor, how confident are you?"

"About eighty-nine percent."

"Good. Prepare to depart."

No more words were needed. Escanor silently set to work. Mira insisted on going, but Escanor shook his head.

"No, Mira. I'll come back alone. You're stronger now, but Acnologia is beyond what anyone should face with me."

Her eyes shimmered with tears, torn between wanting to protect him and fearing the dangers ahead.

With minimal luggage, Escanor set off at dawn. He plotted a course following Gildarts' trail into the north—cold, frozen, and sparsely populated.

The northern town was buried beneath snow, silent but alive. Locals, clad in thick furs, glanced curiously at the lone figure who strode into the tavern, his bright garb and golden aura marking him an outsider.

The few patrons watched quietly as Escanor approached the bar.

"Your specialty drink, please."

A glass of harsh whiskey arrived quickly, a necessity in the bitter cold. Escanor drained it with a satisfied nod, then leaned in, voice calm but piercing.

"Have any travelers come through here recently?"

The bartender frowned, thinking.

"A man cloaked in shadow came months ago. His drinking... was terrible."

Escanor's brow twitched—could this be Gildarts?

He pressed on. "Tell me about the Life Prohibited Zone."

The bartender's eyes widened.

"That place? It's cursed. Monsters spill out and terrorize the town, but no one who pursues them returns. That cloaked man walked toward it... and vanished. We believe he died there."

He paused, lowering his voice.

"Rumors say many monsters inside were artificially created, but who knows? Last month, a vast black shadow flew overhead—terrifying everyone. After it passed, the monsters stopped coming out for a long time."

Escanor closed the dossier, mind racing. The Black Dragon's presence was suffocating, enough to keep even the monsters at bay.

"Gildarts... I hope you're still alive."

After purchasing supplies, Escanor stepped back into the snow-swept streets. The bartender watched silently, muttering, "Another fool chasing death."

With a final glance at the fading town, Escanor took to the skies, a blazing golden comet streaking toward the Life Prohibited Zone—the abyssal lair of the Dragon of Natural Disaster.

To be continued...