"Let's pinky swear! My mom said pinky swears can't be broken," Lisanna held out her pinky finger, looking at Finn expectantly.
Finn smiled and held out his pinky finger.
"Pinky swear!!"
Lisanna, who had been frowning, smiled.
Finn ruffled Lisanna's hair again. He liked this kind girl.
He stood up. "I have a way to solve the demon problem. Don't worry. Go home and live your lives."
He didn't like these people. They were stuck in the past, full of ignorance and prejudice.
"If the mage says so, we hope you'll solve the problem," the mayor said thoughtfully.
Finn nodded and turned to Lisanna. "Let's go."
But Lisanna hesitated.
"What's wrong?" Finn asked.
"Brother, I want to buy food and medicine. My sister and brother are hungry, and my sister is badly injured," Lisanna whispered, feeling embarrassed to ask for help.
"Come with me," Finn took Lisanna's hand and said to the crowd, "I want to buy food and medicine."
"Mage, what if you save the demon, and it comes back to get revenge?"
"Yeah, so we can't sell you anything."
The townspeople were worried about the demon's return and refused.
Lisanna panicked. She could endure their insults and attacks, but she couldn't bear to see her family die. That's why she came to town despite her sister's warning. She had to try.
But when they refused even Finn's request, Lisanna panicked, tears welling up.
Finn sighed. Reason wouldn't work, so…
He drew Ryūjin Jakka and plunged it into the ground. Flames erupted, the air distorted by the heat.
A dangerous aura enveloped everyone.
Everyone fell silent.
"I'm not asking. You can pay, or you can die! Choose," Finn wasn't a good person. He did what he wanted.
Although he grew up in peace, he respected all life, but he had his limits. If provoked, he'd strike back.
The townspeople were intimidated. Finn said, "Take me to buy food and medicine."
A bead of sweat dripped from the mayor's forehead. He realized Finn was serious. If they didn't sell, there would be consequences.
"We'll sell! We'll sell! Mage, please put away your sword! We'll sell!" The mayor stammered.
Finn sheathed Ryūjin Jakka. "Lead the way." He took Lisanna's hand and left the church.
On the mountain path, Finn smiled at Lisanna, who was skipping happily. Perhaps someone finally believed her, and her siblings would be saved.
"Lisanna, aren't you going to eat your bread? You have half left," Finn said, holding half a flatbread he'd bought.
The town had limited food, mostly rough flatbreads. They weren't delicious, but they were a treat for Lisanna.
Finn had noticed Lisanna staring at the bread but hadn't said anything. Finn had bought it for her.
Lisanna said happily, "I'll eat later, brother! Let's hurry!"
Finn put away the bread and quickened his pace.
They reached their cave before nightfall.
A cloaked girl and a quiet boy rushed out. The girl was Finn's age, with white hair.
"Lisanna! Where were you? I was so worried!" The girl hugged Lisanna, her voice choked with tears.
"Lisanna, are you okay?" The boy checked Lisanna for injuries.
"Mirajane, Elfman, I'm okay," Lisanna said happily, clinging to her sister.
"Lisanna, your arm?" Elfman noticed the bruise.
"Your arm? What happened?" Mirajane pulled Lisanna's hand, seeing the bruise.
Lisanna pulled her hand away. "It's nothing, Mirajane. I bumped it. Don't worry."
"Who are you?" Mirajane noticed Finn and pulled Lisanna and Elfman behind her.
Finn had wanted to wait but was now seen as a threat. "Don't worry, I don't mean any harm."
"Mirajane, this is Finn. He's here to help us," Lisanna said.
"I'm Finn, a Fairy Tail mage. I'm here to deal with the demon," Finn showed his guild mark.
"Mage? You're here for the demon?" Mirajane was wary.
Elfman stood before Mirajane, trembling with fear.
"I…I won't let you hurt my sister."
"Don't worry, there are other ways to solve problems," Finn smiled.
He wasn't angry. Mirajane was badly injured but protected her siblings. Elfman was scared but protected his family. Lisanna, powerless, sought help.
Their sibling bond was incredible.
"You haven't eaten in a while. Eat something," Finn showed them the supplies.
"Mirajane, Elfman, eat. He's not a bad person," Lisanna said.
Mirajane, seeing her sister's trust and their hunger, nodded and let Finn into the cave. She remained wary.
Lisanna ran to Finn. "Brother, my bread?"
"Here you go," Finn gave her the bread.
Lisanna happily shared it with Mirajane and Elfman.
"You went to town?" Mirajane touched Lisanna's hair. She knew what Lisanna faced.
"It was troublesome, but Finn saved me! He's a good person," Lisanna smiled.
Lisanna told them what happened, omitting some details, looking at Finn pleadingly for secrecy.
Mirajane stood before Finn and bowed deeply. "Thank you for saving Lisanna!"
Finn helped her up. "It was nothing."
Lisanna was happy to see her siblings trust Finn.
"I don't know your names," Finn said.
"I'm Mirajane Strauss."
"I'm Elfman Strauss."
Finn nodded. "We're friends now. Mirajane, this is the medicine Lisanna wanted to buy. Take it after you eat. Your wound could get infected."
Lisanna had said Mirajane was badly injured.
Finn gave Mirajane the medicine.
"Thank you."
"One more thing. Can I see your hand?" Finn looked at Mirajane's hand hidden in her cloak.
Mirajane lowered her head, hiding her hand further.
"It's an ominous thing. Don't look," she whispered.
"I'm here to solve this. Your arm might not be ominous. There's a way to fix it. But I need to see it," Finn said reassuringly. The arm was a source of fear for Mirajane. She didn't want to show it, especially to a stranger.
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