It was unknown how long the silence within vow was made.
Before anyone knew it, Mirajane and Zack went their different ways.
Mirajane returned back to the guild, with the promise to change to someone worthy to stand by the side the one she had hurt.
While Zack himself, simply watched Mirajane leaving to the wake, the place he also meant to go, and yet, he did not, if anything, Zack returned alone to the graveyards within the same cathedral where they had buried Lisanna's non-existed body.
With his black suit still damp from the rain that happened some time ago, Zack stood before Lisanna's gravestone all alone, even if he was here not long ago, along with everyone else, and those that also close with Lisanna who are not part of the Guild.
A long silence overcoated the graveyard, as Zack just stood before the grave that had no body inside.
And yet, as he stood before the grave, a strong mixed of emotions dwelled within Zack, and among them is hollowness, a feeling that something has been ripped out of him, as he stood and stared at the gravestone.
[Lisanna Strauss]
[X767 ~ X782]
[To a beloved sister, to a cherished fairy of our guild. May you find rest, while we remember your kindness, your light, our dear friend, our dear family.]
Several moments passes, as Zack just stared at the gravestone and the words written on it, before he opened his mouth not to the stone, but to Lisanna herself.
"I… have no clue what should I say… should I tell you, that I will soon be leaving the guild, and Magnolia? Of course… I am not completely leaving forever… and yet… I actually wanted to tell you in this person…" Zack went, as the emotions of sadness and hollowness dwelled within, as Zack tried to find the right words to say to the grave before him.
"… I will miss you… and I will not be the only one who will… that is for sure. But nevertheless, I will miss you… but the next time… when I visit you… I will tell you all about it… what I done on this journey I will take, so… look forward to it… and watch over your sister and brother, will you…? They need your kindness the most, Lisanna"
When Zack said that he slightly bitten his lips, his fists also tightened for a short while, before he loosen his bite, and his grip, before he turned and faced his back on the gravestone, before he left both the graveyard and the cathedral altogether.
But the place he went to, as he leaves the cathedral's grounds, wasn't back at the guild, at the wake, but to his apartment.
With each step Zack took towards his apartment, the hollowness and sadness within him, just becomes stronger, and among those emotions he felt, as he walked towards his apartment, is also shame.
Zack felt shame, that the day he is leaving, will be the very day of Lisanna's funeral. He knew it is shameful of him doing this one the same day of the funeral.
But he also knew, if he does not to leave now, he will never able to allowed himself to leave this town and guild, it is now time to leave, to change himself, for the promise he made… and to ensure no one else important to him will pass away again, by becoming stronger.
It wasn't long before Zack came before the building where his apartment lies, however, as he about to walked inside, he halted his steps, when a voice, that is he familiar with came from behind him.
"So, you finally here, Zack?" Zack turned towards the familiar voice, that is no other than Makarov Dreyer himself, who stood behind Zack.
So, it is no wonder why a shocked expression creeped on Zack's face, when he noticed Makarov behind him. After all, like said before, even if he could pick up on his aura, he cannot sense the strength of the Magic Power flowing within him, unless he focuses.
Not to mention, the apartment complex he lives in, is in a public place, a place that many people come and go, a place where he could sense countless auras around here most of the time when it still daylight.
"Master? Shouldn't you be at the guild?" Zack askes, not understanding why the old Guild Master is here, when he should be at the guild, at the wake.
"I could say the same thing, Zack, why are you here, not at the wake. However, we both know why that is, and also the reason why I am here, because it is my duty, the duty to see you guys off if I can, especially if the journey itself will be a long one, such as yourself." Makarov went with a faint smile.
"How… did you knew?" Zack asked, only ones knew he will be leaving today, is Mirajane, who he just told not long ago.
As well those he is closes with, like Gray, Loke, Cana, Natsu, Happy, as well Erza. Besides them, he has no told anyone else today he will be going today.
"That look, my boy, the look in your eyes, it is the kind of look I seen many times. The determined look when one will about to leave on the path they choose. So, when I did not see you at the guild, I expected as much." Makarov went.
"I see…" Zack only can say, with a sheepish smile, that has a hint of sadness to it. Makarov noticed this, but he did not say anything about it, instead, the old man looked at the blue clear sky.
"It has been two years, hasn't it? Since the day you came to us. I had watched you Zack, from someone who knew no better, to someone I can be proud of, even if you still have your ups and downs, you had become a fine young man, someone not just me, but everyone can be proud of.
But remember this, you are family, that is what Fairy Tail is. Even if we share no blood, our bounds are thicker then blood, no matter how long, how far you go, remember the fairies and their tails will always welcome you back home, awaiting how much you will grow, my boy.
That is why… don't blame yourself." When Makarov said this, he took his eyes away from the sky, and looked at Zack, who became slightly startled, knowing what Makarov meant by this.
"Blame myself… master? What do you mean?" Zack went, showing that sheepish smile, that carried that sadness, that guilt within it.
"I am very sure you knew what I meant by that." Makarov went, as he took a step closer to Zack, and removed what looked like a worn out brownish yellow knapsack.
Zack became confused by this action, and almost forgotten what Makarov just said, causing a downcast look on Zack's face.
"I…" Zack went in a quiet tone, trying to explain himself, but Makarov did not allowed Zack to finished his words.
"Life is like that, my boy, some things are beyond our control… that is why don't blame yourself. You are not a god, Zack, it's not like I don't understand, I do, that is why, don't blame yourself, things happened like this, sometimes with reasons, even if none of us can see it." Makarov went, with eyes filled not just wisdom, but sorrow of his own past, before a grin appeared on Makarov's lips.
"The following days wouldn't be easy, that's for sure, but that what we adults call growing up, so Zack, take this, my final gift for you." Makarov went, giving Zack the brownish yellow bag, if it wasn't for his Haki, he might not sense the Magic Power aura in it, Zack looked confused, as he has no clue why Makarov given him this bag, that clearly feels like a Magic Item.
"Master… what is this??" Zack askes, as he looked at the grinning Makarov.
"Just something I often used when I was a lot younger, I wanted to get rid of it, it not like little old me needed this 8m cube class Storage Bag, put your belongings in this, it also has an anti-gravity spell to it, that also lessen the weight." Makarov simply said, giving Zack something that worth double more than the money he had 'loan' to Zack.
Of course, the Storage Bag in Zack's hands, is actually more than 10 million Jewels, after all, back in Makarov's golden years, the Magic Items known as Storage Bags or Storage Boxes worth many times more than they do these days, because back then, the limits of a Storage Bag or Storage Box Magic Item can go up to were 8m cube.
Which meant, this worn-out Storage Bag in Zack's hands, is worth over 200 million, even if it not worth that much these days.
"I… can't… you already loaned me money… and Erza already given me one of her spares… you given me enough." Zack, he already has a 4m class Storage Bag, that can go around his waist from Erza.
"I know, like I said, I am just getting rid of it, it is up to you my boy, what you do with it." Makarov simply said, like it wasn't a big deal, before he shows a gentle smile, while he took out a pocket watch out of nowhere.
"Seems like I had to return back. But before I go back, let me tell you this my boy. The outside world is wide and big, and out there will be many experiences, experiences that the guild may never could allowed you to experience. That is why, go, go my child, but remember this, the fairies will always be with you, and they will wrap their tails around you, to make sure you will not forget, that no matter the outcome, no matter what path you had chosen for yourself, Fairy Tail will always opened their doors for you, my child."
When Makarov said that he put away his pocket watch and took one last look at Zack with a smile, before he turned around, leaving Zack alone in front of his apartment complex, along with a second Storage Bag in hand.
Zack only could watch as Makarov faded into the crowds of people ahead, causing Zack to entered his apartment.