Erza wanted to go slow as she was leaving the empire, taking one last look at her home, the place where she was born and grew up in, just in case she would know it again. It made her heart ache to know that after this night she may never see this place, her mother, Makarov, Laxus, or Mirajane again. But doing what is right can be risky just as Sonya had said and Erza had decided that this risk would be worth it.

The last place she would pass before reaching the gate to the boarders was the manor house where Mirajane lived with her uncle. As her horse went by the estate, she caught sight of the phoenix Goldmine had captured earlier. The poor creature was hanging it's magnificent head in sorrow, mourning its lost freedom and possible fate of being locked away from the world forever. Erza couldn't bear to let the bird suffer like this and decided to do final thing before leaving.

She lightly tugged on the reins to stop her horse, came down from the steed, and quietly approached the front of the estate. When the phoenix saw her, he became frightened and started to screech and beat his wings against the cage bars. Taking a pin from her hair, she used it to pick the lock on the cage and opened the door. At first the phoenix stood perfectly still, trying to figure out what the young woman was trying to do. When she made no attempt to grab him, he spread his wings and flew out of his prison, literally free as a bird. It made Erza smile for a moment.

"What's going on out here?"

Erza was suddenly startled by the presence of Mirajane standing in the doorway with a lit candle in one hand and a dagger in the next. The phoenix's screeching had awakened her and she feared that someone was trying to break in, so she went to investigate. She was relieved to find that it was only Erza but was confused as to why she had come and by her choice of clothing.

"Erza what are you doing here?" She asked. "And what are you wearing?"

She lifted the candle higher in order to see her apparel better. She recognize her clothes to be military armor.

"Why are you wearing that?"

Erza sighed. She had tried to avoid getting anyone involved but now she had no choice but to confess everything to Mirajane.

"Mirajane what I'm about to tell you, you must never tell another living soul for any reason."

"Alright." Mirajane replied, not liking at all where this was going. "What's this all about?"

Erza told her everything. About going to the temple, about meeting Sonya, about Sonya's advice, about the conversation she heard between Makarov and Laxus, and about the choice she had made. Mirajane was stricken with terror.

"Have you lost your mind?" She said. "You can't go all the way to the Magnolia Nation alone and you can't impersonate a soldier. If anyone finds out about this you will be killed."

"I know but I have to do this."

"Who says?"

"I do and so does Sonya. Remember what they say about Sylphs, they are tricky but it is always wise to take their advice."

"But Erza I don't think you realize what you're getting yourself into. You're talking about masquerading as a military officer! You could get into trouble just for talking about it."

"I'm not saying that I'm not afraid. I'm terrified Mira. But if doing this will prevent another war, then I can swallow my fear and do it."

"Don't do this. Please don't do this. We can find another way to help."

"There's not enough time. The Summer Solstice is a week and a month away from now. If I can just get to the Magnolia Nation before then, we may have a chance of keeping our realm peaceful. Countless lives will not have to be sacrificed. The empire can be at peace for centuries."

"What if you fail? What if you don't make it in time? What if something happens to you on the way? Or worse, what if you're revealed and what you've done gets back here? You'll be done for!"

"It's a risk I have to take for the good of our people. Can you understand that Mirajane?"

"I just don't want you to die." She said as frightened tears brimmed in her eyes. "If you do this you could be lost forever and I can't bear that. You're my best friend, almost a sister, I can't let you do this."

"You can't stop me. Not unless you tell someone and that will result in my death."

"So there's nothing I can say or do to change your mind? Nothing at all?"

"I'm afraid not. But there is something you can do for me while I'm gone."

"What is it?"

"Look after my mother. I know she'll be sick with worry once she finds out I'm gone, so I need someone to be there for her. To give her hope that I'm alright and that I'll come home someday. Can you do that?"

"Yes. I promise I'll do whatever I can for your mother. But I want you to do something for me. I want you to promise me that you'll be careful. That you won't try to fight or anything like that if you don't have to do. Don't put yourself in danger if there's no reason to."

"I promise I'll be careful."

The two women then shared a long embrace while hoping that this wouldn't be the last time they'd ever see each other. Afterward they said goodbye, Erza pinned up her hair again, got back on her horse, and rode to the empire's boarder. This was it. Once she crossed this boarder there would be no going back. She would be taking on the greatest challenge of her life. Finally she took one last look at her home and continued onward. Unaware that the phoenix she just freed was following her from behind.

...

The next morning Makarov awoke feeling very remorseful and reluctant. Today he was going to tell the council that he would follow through with their insistence that he declare war. It made him ill just to even think about it, but everyone was so sure that peace couldn't be an option. That this was the only way to protect his people. Yet deep in his heart, he sensed that this would be a terrible mistake.

"Stop!" Makarov suddenly heard one of the palace guards call out. "Stop woman! You are not permitted to be here!"

"Out of my way! I have to see the emperor! I must see him!" He heard a woman's voice cry out frantically next. It was Irene's.

At once, the doors to emperor's bedchambers burst open and in came Irene with tear stained cheeks and her hands clutching a scroll. Her entire body was trembling, and she looked so weak. As if she barely had the strength to keep standing.

"How dare you enter the emperor's private chambers!" The angry guard raved at Irene. He lunged to grab her and drag her out but Makarov raised his hand.

"Be still." He said calmly. "This woman is always welcome here."

"A thousand apologies my lord." The guard said kneeling down.

"Leave us."

"Yes my lord."

The guard left the room and the emperor turned to his attention to Irene.

"Now tell me Irene, what has brought you here in such a frenzy?"

"Erza is gone!" Irene cried out.

Makarov was taken aback.

"What?" He said. "Gone? What do you mean she's gone?"

"She...She...She..." Irene was stuttering. "She ran away! Read this!"

She handed Makarov the note that Erza had left behind. He unwrapped the scroll and read the message written inside.

Dear Mother and Makarov,

Words cannot describe how much I love you both and how grateful I am to you both for all that you've done for me. Mother you've sacrificed so much for my sake and Makarov you are like the father that mine you should have been. All my life, all I've wanted to do was make you both proud of me.

Now I know that can never happen for I am a most dishonorable young woman, but at the very least I can repay you both for all the years of love and sacrifice. I'll do it by preventing another war, so neither of you, nor anyone in the empire can ever know such bloodshed and death again. I know of a more peaceful way to settle things between our realms but I must leave here to do so.

I apologize for the heartache and worry I'll be putting you through, but another war is a mistake and I have to stop it. I can't say when I'll return but I will. Have faith.

Love always,

Erza.

With each word Makarov read of that note, his body trembled just as awfully as Irene's was. He ended up stumbling and falling, almost completely unable to comprehend what the young woman had just done.

"This...This can't be." His voice was barely above a whisper. "It cannot!...How...How did this happen?"

"I don't know! I've looked everywhere but I can't find her! The horse is gone and when I followed the tracks, they led across the boarder! Makarov she crossed the boarder! Oh my poor baby! She's out there by herself going to heaven knows where and could run into heaven knows what! She could be killed out there!"

"We..." Makarov stood up and tried to compose himself. "We mustn't panic."

"Makarov if anything happens to Erza, I'll die! She's all I have in the world!"

Unable to stay strong at a time like this, Irene broke down. She fell to her knees sobbing fresh tears, Makarov knelt down and embraced her in a comforting manner. It was like a nightmare come to life for them both. Learning that your child or a child that you loved like your own had suddenly run away and you didn't have the slightest idea of where that child had gone or if you would ever see that child again, it was utterly painful and terrifying.

Mirajane was joining her fiancee for breakfast that morning and she could hear the two of them fearfully sobbing over Erza's disappearance. She felt the urge to tell them the truth just to ease their pain but then she remembered what could happen if she did. Though the emperor would never willingly have Erza killed, the council would insist that he did, reminding him that as a monarch he had a responsibility to ensure everyone was given the same penalty for breaking the law. Erza would die if Mirajane told. So she kept silent.

"Oh Erza." She thought with worry. "I really hope you know what you're doing."