https://youtu.be/2aafI3XvKxo

The days that followed Wendy's unexpected arrival in the Land of Departure were filled with both confusion and hope. Terra, Aqua, Ventus, and Chirithy showed her around the peaceful, serene grounds of their home, and despite everything feeling so different from her own world, Wendy couldn't help but feel a growing sense of comfort in their company.

The Land of Departure was a place of quiet beauty, with lush green fields, tall, towering structures, and soft winds that seemed to whisper gentle secrets. It was nothing like the bustling, sometimes chaotic streets of Magnolia, but Wendy soon learned to appreciate its calmness. There was something about the place that made her feel like she could take a breath and not worry about the constant rush of her life back in Earthland.

Still, she couldn't shake the deep sense of longing for her guildmates, for Fairy Tail. The thought of her friends in Earthland waiting for her, wondering where she had gone, filled her with anxiety. She didn't even know how to explain her sudden disappearance to them, let alone how to return.

Aqua had explained that there was no way to know how the portal key worked or how to get Wendy back. Yet, Aqua, Terra, and Ventus all promised to help her find a way home. Wendy had never been more grateful for the kindness of strangers.

A few days later...

Wendy sat under a large tree near the training grounds, her legs crossed in front of her as she gazed at the distant horizon. Chirithy was curled up in her lap, dozing peacefully in the afternoon sun. The warmth of the day was calming, but her thoughts kept drifting back to her guild. She missed them terribly.

"I wonder how they're doing..." Wendy muttered softly, looking down at Chirithy with a sad smile.

The small creature stirred and blinked up at her, its bright yellow eyes meeting hers. "I'm sure they're waiting for you, Wendy. And don't worry, we'll figure this out."

Wendy nodded, her heart still heavy but comforted by the cat's reassuring words.

Just then, the sound of footsteps drew her attention. She looked up to see Ventus jogging toward her, a bright smile on his face as usual. "Hey, Wendy! How's it going? You look like you're thinking deep thoughts."

Wendy chuckled softly, feeling a little better at Ventus's infectious energy. "Just... missing my friends," she admitted.

"I get it. I'd miss my friends too if I was taken to another world," Ventus said sympathetically, sitting down beside her. "But you're not alone. You've got us now."

She smiled at him, her heart warmed by his kindness. "I'm glad you're all here. I don't know what I would've done without you."

"So, what's been on your mind?" Ventus asked, kicking his legs idly as he sat down beside her. "Anything I can help with?"

"Well... I was wondering if there was a way for me to train here. I mean, I can't just sit around and wait for something to happen, right? I've got to keep myself sharp."

Ventus grinned widely. "Training, huh? Well, that's something I can definitely help with! I'm all about sparring and learning new techniques. I'll teach you a few things!"

Wendy felt a wave of relief wash over her. Despite everything being so uncertain, she realized that this might be the best way to keep herself occupied—and maybe even make herself stronger.

"I'd appreciate that, Ventus. Thank you," Wendy said.

"Anytime! Plus, it'll be fun," he added with a wink. "Let's head over to the training grounds. Terra's already there, so we can get started right away."

Wendy followed Ventus to the training area, where Terra was already practicing his swordplay. The tall, broad-shouldered man was moving with a fluid grace, his sword cutting through the air in sharp, precise motions. Aqua was nearby, watching with a thoughtful expression, though she didn't seem to be training today.

"Hey, Terra! Aqua!" Ventus called out as he jogged toward them, Wendy following at a more leisurely pace.

Terra stopped his practice and looked over, his face lighting up when he saw Wendy. "Ah, Wendy. Ready for some training?" he asked, his voice warm and inviting.

Wendy nodded. "Yeah, Ventus offered to teach me some techniques."

"Well, that sounds great," Aqua said with a smile, her eyes soft as she gazed at the two of them. "We can help you with anything you need, Wendy."

Wendy felt a mix of gratitude and determination. She wasn't sure how long she would be in this strange world, but she was going to make the most of it. She wasn't alone, and maybe, just maybe, she could make herself strong enough to find her way back to Earthland.

"Alright, let's start with some basics," Terra said, drawing his sword and stepping into a combat stance. "I'll show you some forms, and you can follow along. Once you get the basics down, we'll move on to some more advanced techniques."

Wendy nodded, eager to get started. She had always trained hard in Fairy Tail, but now that she was in an unfamiliar place, it felt like she had to prove herself all over again.

She focused intently, following Terra's movements as he demonstrated each stance and strike. Ventus stood nearby, offering encouragement and advice as she practiced. Aqua, though not actively training, was a steady presence, offering words of wisdom when needed.

As the hours passed, Wendy's confidence grew. It wasn't long before she felt the familiar rush of energy surge through her, her magic swirling inside her as she perfected a healing spell, even managing to direct a small gust of wind to accompany her movements.

Ventus was impressed. "Hey, Wendy! You're picking this up fast! Maybe you'll be teaching us soon."

Wendy laughed, feeling more at ease than she had in days. "I don't know about that. But I'll keep practicing."

Terra smiled proudly. "You're doing great. Keep it up, and you'll be ready for anything."

The group continued their training into the late afternoon, the sun slowly sinking below the horizon. Wendy felt tired but content. She wasn't sure how much longer she would be in this strange world, but for the first time since her arrival, she felt like she was doing something important—something she could control.

As the day came to an end, Wendy looked up at the sky, the stars beginning to twinkle in the distance. The world was still unfamiliar to her, but in that moment, surrounded by her new friends, Wendy realized that she wasn't as lost as she once thought.

She had found a new family in this strange place.

And that, she realized, was the first step toward finding her way back home.

https://youtu.be/aqRuzjIBkxY