Standing off to one side, Gray said to Ultear, Ur, and Lyon:
"If you'd like, you could come visit Fairy Tail."
He looked at Ur, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips:
"Ur, there's someone you know in the guild, too. Do you remember Gildarts?"
"That absurdly powerful Wizard." A look of reminiscence crossed Ur's face.
Then, as though something had occurred to her, she tightened her grip on her daughter's cold hand, her eyes filled with hope and tenderness:
"Ultear, come with Mom. Leave that dark guild. Whatever happened in the past, we can start over. From now on, I'll always be by your side."
Ultear shuddered violently, her eyes reddening at once.
The warmth flowing into her palm made her ache to lose herself in it, but countless images flashed through her mind. In the end, her expression turned bitter, and she firmly shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Mom... I can't leave Grimoire Heart just yet."
"Why!?" Ur's heart lurched, anxiety flooding her face.
Ultear slowly lowered her head, looking at the hands stained with countless sins. Her voice was low and hoarse:
"Over the years, I've gone too far down the path of hatred and desire. I've committed more crimes than I can count. With all the sin and blood on my hands, I can't embrace the light with a clear conscience... Besides..."
She paused, a flicker of pain crossing her eyes.
"There's still a child in Grimoire Heart who's trapped in darkness because of my crimes. This is the harm I've caused. I have to go back and find a way to get her out safely."
"Once I've saved her, I'll spend the rest of my life atoning to the people I've hurt."
Hearing her daughter's hoarse confession, Ur's heart clenched. It ached for all the