The desert nights were always cold, especially in this barren wasteland devoid of all vegetation and life.
In the temporary camp where the Fairy Tail members were resting, the atmosphere was silent, broken only by the occasional crackling of the burning campfire.
The battle during the day had ended in defeat for Ishu and Fairy Tail.
When they regained consciousness, they had already been thrown out of the white palace.
Though they didn't know why Nord had spared their lives, everyone's spirits were incredibly low.
The difference in power was beyond just "overwhelming"—it was on an entirely different level.
The sheer disparity left even Natsu feeling lost and powerless.
Seeing this, Makarov had no choice but to call for a temporary retreat.
Attacking again without a plan would only be meaningless.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, and to their surprise, Ishu's magic had healing properties, allowing the Fairy Tail members to maintain their combat strength.
Erza sat quietly by the campfire, staring off into the distance at the white palace.
Tonight, she had chosen to stand watch rather than rest.
Her gaze remained fixed on his location, as if by doing so, she could be just a little closer to him.
(Noel... You must be in so much pain right now, trapped under that consciousness, wandering endlessly in the darkness. But even though I know what you're going through... I still can't do anything to help. I can't do anything at all.)
Erza felt a deep ache in her heart, a pain that came in waves.
Slowly, she lifted her head and looked up at the full moon in the sky.
On a cloudless night, the moon appeared especially beautiful.
He, the one who often spent his time staring at the sky, lost in thought, always seemed to be bathed in moonlight with a faint trace of sorrow on his face.
Whenever she asked him about it, he would only respond with a slightly bitter smile, never giving an answer.
Why did he always wear that subtle smile?
That was what her past self had been so curious about.
"Noel…"
"Hmm? What is it, Erza?"
"Why do you always smile?"
She had asked softly.
She could never forget it—that moment when his smile, like melting ice and snow, slowly faded from his face.
He had gazed up at the crescent moon, his voice low and fragmented.
If she hadn't been so confident in her hearing, she might have thought it was just the wind and not his actual words.
"Erza... Sometimes, people smile... simply because they can't cry."
It was then that she first realized—deep inside, he was in pain.
"Noel…" she murmured his name softly, as her exhausted eyes slowly closed, beyond her control.
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(Where is this…?)
Erza felt as if her consciousness had drifted away from her body, floating amidst an endless starry sky.
Countless brilliant stars twinkled in the vast expanse, shining like diamonds—pure and resplendent.
But in this celestial ocean, the most striking sight was the silver-white crescent moon.
Just then, its gentle light began to gather before Erza, weaving through the countless stars and drawing her gaze toward it.
(Who… is she?)
At the farthest reaches of the starry sky stood a breathtaking woman.
Her aura was ethereal, otherworldly, and noble.
Silky strands of purple hair cascaded down her back, and her flawless, porcelain-white skin seemed to radiate a soft glow.
But what stunned Erza the most was the armor the woman wore.
A deep violet hue, intricate engravings, and two immense metallic wings extending from her back—
(Isn't this… the Moon Goddess Armor that Noel gave me?)
Erza's mind filled with confusion.
She had meticulously studied the Moon Goddess Armor Noel had gifted her before.
However, aside from its extraordinary durability, she had never discovered any special properties.
It granted neither overwhelming speed nor immense destructive power.
Though she had always sensed something unique about it, she had never been able to use it.
Thus, she had ultimately stored it away.
Just as Erza was lost in thought, the purple-haired woman slowly opened her eyes.
"What is your name?" The woman's soft smile carried warmth as she looked at Erza and asked.
A strange warmth blossomed in Erza's heart, as if the woman before her was someone she could trust completely.
This unfamiliar yet reassuring feeling gradually eased the tension in her mind.
"My name is Erza… Erza Scarlet. And you?"
"Me? You may call me the Moon Goddess. I was also the first wielder of this armor."
The purple-haired woman's words left Erza utterly stunned, momentarily lost in disbelief.
"Moon Goddess…? Why are you here?"
The woman sighed softly. "This is merely a fragment of my lingering soul. The real me perished long ago, lost to the passage of time. What remains now is just a remnant, residing within the armor."
"Then… is there no way to bring you back?" Erza asked, puzzled.
The Moon Goddess shook her head gently. "You are kind, Erza Scarlet. For some reason, when I look at you, it feels as if I am gazing at my past self. But no… if one has already died, then resurrection is impossible."
She paused before speaking again, her gaze steady. "Do you wish to save that golden-haired boy?"
The mention of Noel made Erza's expression change instantly.
"You… can save Noel? Moon Goddess?!"
Seeing the red-haired girl's urgent expression, the Moon Goddess shook her head.
"No. The only one who can save him… is you."
She looked at Erza with a deep, solemn gaze. "As a mere remnant soul, I cannot confront him directly. That is why… only you have the power to rescue him."
"But… what should I do?"
The Moon Goddess gently placed her hand on the armor she was wearing. "You will rely on this armor."
"The Moon Goddess Armor?" Erza asked, confused.
"The Moon Goddess Armor… Haha." The woman let out a soft chuckle. "My remaining strength is limited, so I'll keep it brief. You've never been able to activate the power of the Moon Goddess Armor, have you?"
"No," Erza nodded.
"There are two reasons for that," the Moon Goddess explained.
"First, because I was the original owner of this armor, it instinctively rejects you. Second, the energy required to wield it is simply too vast—beyond what a human can provide."
"Then… what should I do?"
"I will help you. I will guide you in wielding this armor… but this is your only chance. The rest… you must figure out by listening to your own heart."
As she finished speaking, the purple-haired woman slowly faded away before Erza's astonished gaze.
"Wait…!"
A gentle voice echoed in the void—soft, yet carrying a weight of meaning.
"Remember… an armor is merely a tool. Whether you can awaken his consciousness or not… that depends on your own heart, Erza Scarlet."
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Erza's eyes slowly opened, and the first thing she saw was the Moon Goddess Armor, floating in midair, radiating a soft purple glow.
She reached out her hand, gently brushing her fingers against the violet armor, whispering softly, "Thank you, Moon Goddess. I will do everything I can to bring Noel back."
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