Erza entered the temple quietly, careful not to make a sound that might disturb the sylphs. She approached the stone tablets at the temple's base and lit an incense stick, placing it in a hanging holder. Kneeling, she bowed her head and spoke.

"Great sylphs, you are the most powerful and knowledgeable beings in the empire, the only ones who know the full truth of the Great War—its origins and all." She paused, her voice trembling. "I need your help. My people speak of going to war again, but I believe we cannot survive another conflict, especially not so soon after the last one. You are my only hope. Please, tell me what I must do."

Silence enveloped her, and for a moment, Erza feared her pleas had gone unheard, that the sylphs deemed her too insignificant to acknowledge. Then, a strong wind swept through the temple, extinguishing the incense at the base of the central stone. The stone began to glow, and before Erza's eyes, a figure emerged—a young woman made entirely of breeze. Her presence radiated power, yet her gaze was humble and gentle.

"Do not be disheartened, mortal," she spoke. "I am sympathetic to your plight and will help as best I can. I am Sonya, and I witnessed the war's beginnings. I know how it all started."

"Then please, tell me," Erza urged. "Is it true that the war began because the other realms threatened mine?"

"No. There was a time when we all lived in harmony, but two former associates of mine were consumed by jealousy and greed. They believed they had been wronged and sought to punish the world. They spread rumors and lies of treachery, turning the realms against one another, leading to that dreadful war."

"I knew it," Erza said, hope igniting within her. "You must share this truth with the emperor and his council."

"Alas, my words will carry little weight. Your people are too filled with fear and hatred to believe me, even as a firsthand witness to the war's origins."

"So, there's nothing you can do?"

"Nothing I can do. But perhaps there is something you can."

"Me? What can I do?"

"Prove to the empire that they have been misled."

"How?"

"Bring forth those from outside your realm to voice their beliefs about the war to the emperor. They too have been misled. At the very least, this may persuade him to reconsider."

"But I don't know how to do that."

Sonya swirled around an empty space on the floor, conjuring armor and a helmet of terracotta and lamellar, along with a map and a magnificent sword crafted from the finest steel and jade.

"Don this armor and go to the Magnolia Nation, masquerading as a lieutenant in the emperor's army," Sonya instructed. "Seek out Sting and Rogue. Tell them of your desire for peace, and they will relay messages to the other realms, requesting reconciliation among all five."

"But why must I go in disguise?"

"No realm will allow a common woman to cross into their domain without an invitation. However, a monarch or high-ranking soldier may enter freely."

"But impersonating a soldier is punishable by death in the empire. If I'm discovered, I'll be killed—or banished if I'm lucky."

"Doing the right thing carries risks. If this particular risk is too great, do not feel shame. It is understandable to be afraid, and perhaps you can find another way to establish peace. This is the only solution I can offer."

Erza hesitated, eyeing the breastplate with apprehension. She wanted to help her people, but impersonating a military officer was the ultimate offense in the empire—a disgrace beyond forgiveness. Not even the emperor's fondness for her could protect her from such a crime.

"Surely there must be—"

But when she looked up, Sonya had vanished, leaving Erza alone with her thoughts. Fear gripped her, yet she took the armor, map, and sword home. Shortly after, she and her mother were invited to dinner with the emperor, his grandson, the ambassador, and his niece to mend the rift from earlier that day. The meal was silent and awkward, each person unsure of what to say.

Later, as Erza prepared to leave, she overheard Makarov and Laxus discussing something down the hall.

"So the council sees no other way?" Laxus asked.

"Yes," Makarov replied. "They insist we attack before the enemy does. I dislike it and wish to avoid it, but it seems we have no choice."

"When will we declare war?"

"At the end of the Summer Solstice. I want my people to experience one last moment of joy before being thrust into tragedy again. It pains me to send so many husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons into battle, but there is nothing else we can do."

"But you will lead them, won't you?"

"I must. I did not lead them in the last war, and it was a mistake I will forever regret."

"Grandfather, you must allow me to lead the army instead. You cannot fight."

"But you are my only heir. If anything happens to you, the future of the empire is lost. I promised myself long ago that I would never allow you on a battlefield again. You were nearly killed last time."

"I was a child then. I'm a grown man now, and I have a much better chance of returning from battle."

"Yes, but it is still only a chance. There is no guarantee you will return."

"But there is a guarantee that you won't. Forgive me, Grandfather, but you are too old. If you fight, you will die."

"So be it. It would be my honor to die for my people."

"I won't allow this!"

"You must, for I command you to. If we must declare war, I command you to stay here and take care of the empire while I fight."

"Grandfather, I beg you, don't command me to do that."

"My boy, you may think me cruel and foolish, but I cannot risk it. The last war cost me my son; it will not cost me my grandson as well."

"But I can't live with the knowledge that my grandfather fought and died with honor while I stayed here like a coward."

"You will not be seen as a coward if I command you to stay."

"Perhaps not by our people, but I will see myself as a coward until my dying day!"

"I am truly sorry, Laxus, but I cannot lose you too."

Erza hid as the young man stormed out, unable to speak further with the stubborn old man. She lingered, watching Makarov draw his old sword and practice stances for battle. Suddenly, his knees buckled, and he fell. Erza's heart raced with horror.

If war came, Makarov would fight—and he would die. That couldn't happen. Not to him. Not to the kind, wise, and honorable man who had sacrificed so much for his people. He had given her and her mother a home when they were alone in the world. He deserved peace after all he had endured—from losing his wife to being forced to kill his wretched son. Why did he always have to take risks and make sacrifices? Why couldn't someone else do it for a change?

In that moment, Erza realized what she must do. The thought terrified her, but her desire to do what was right outweighed her fear.

That night, once she knew her mother was asleep, she entered the study and penned an elegant, flawless message. Then she crept into her mother's bedroom and placed the scroll on her nightstand, gazing lovingly at the sleeping woman.

"Forgive me, Mother," she whispered. "Forgive me, Makarov."

Returning to her room, she tied up her long red hair and donned the armor Sonya had given her. Looking in the mirror, she barely recognized herself. The reflection revealed someone entirely different from the Erza she knew—but that was a good thing. Until her mission was complete, she could not be Erza, the common woman. She would be known as a man, a significant figure in the military seeking peace.

In her satchel, she packed some food, a gourd of fresh water, the map to the Magnolia Nation, and the comb Makarov had given her—a keepsake of family and friends, just in case she didn't return. Grabbing the satchel and sword, she mounted her horse and rode into the night.