Song of Death
A/N: Well, this has been lying around my files for several months. Never wrote for Fairy Tail before this. Not sure if this is a keeper or not, but I thought I might as well post it and then see how it takes. I only wrote a handful of other chapters.
I don't think I've ever read a work focusing on Kageyama. I kind of like his character and his abilities (you can guess what Naruto character I also like best in turn). I kind of created this whole complex backstory for him. Complex like…Natsu and Erza's level of complex family backstories.
"Speech"
Thoughts
"Warped or demonic voice" or thoughts
*effects*
The forest was quiet. Funny, how the world seemed to favor such cliché scenes.
A young man strode confidently through the odd gloom pervading through this particular part of the forest. At his side was a rather odd creature: a bipedal cat with light purple and black striped fur. A simple black cloak covered its body, the hood resting down.
"Kage-chan, why are we strolling through such an unpleasant place?" sighed the cat.
"Because Lullaby is somewhere here, Nightingale. At least, that's what my guildmates reported," replied Kageyama patiently to his companion.
"And another thing, Kageyama, why do persist in staying with such unpleasant people? They're part of a disrespectable dark guild. The Council themselves ordered Eisenwald to be disbanded," she stated with a scowl.
"Our guild may not be sanctioned, but remember, we owe Erigor. He's the reason why we have a place to call home in the first place. If not for him, I would probably be on the streets, and who knows what would have happened to you."
"True, but still…" grumbled Nightingale before sighing and giving up. Her mage was a stubborn one and rarely listened to reason when he got something in his head.
Kageyama let his false smile slipped, a look of regret flashing before being replaced by a long look. He stopped and knelt down, hand held out to his companion. His mouth quirked into a small smile when the cat wordlessly climbed up his arm and settled on his shoulders in a distinctly cat-like fashion. No matter what dark paths her mage friend walked, Nightingale would always be waiting for him, if not lying just out of sight.
The two continued to travel in silence until they wandered to a seemingly empty meadow with a single large tree at the center. Without hesitation, Kageyama stepped forward into the tree, phasing through the illusionary barrier. Nightingale shuddered briefly. Kageyama absentmindedly patted his friend, eyes fixed on what the tree hid.
In the center laid a secret shrine, and within its alcove stood a wooden flute with an unusual three-eyed skull on one end and the end having three branches upon which the item stood. The forbidden magical item Lullaby, a tool enhanced by the Black Wizard Zeref to play a song for only the dead to hear. Kageyama reached out with a hand but stopped when a shimmering barrier flashed around the flute.
"A seal. And a powerful one. I suppose this is why you volunteered to pick up the infernal thing?" muttered Nightingale. "Lullaby. Such a dangerous weapon shouldn't have been left alone with only a seal as its guardian."
The teen had a thoughtful look on his face. "No guardian? I wouldn't say that…I vaguely sense several magical imprints aside from those left behind by my guildmates. Very old ones. And long gone. I think this place once did have various other protections, but age and war probably worn them down to just this remaining seal. I have no doubt they must have been something considering the item in question. Same goes for this last guardian. But, as it is…" Kageyama smirked.
Nightingale got the idea; she nimbly leaped off Kageyama's shoulders. The mage eyed the humming seal once before splaying out his hand. A deep blue energy, nearly black, began to seethe from his palm. It stretched out, tendrils gently alighting on the seal surrounding the flute. Bright white light flashed, filling the chamber. Slowly, the light ebbed and disappeared. The cat tilted her head curiously at the cursed magic tool. Kageyama hesitated a moment before putting his hand near. No seal glowed. Smirking, the shadow mage snatched the flute.
"Perfect, just as I thought. The centuries certainly have not been kind to this old shrine, indeed! Now, we of Eisenwald will be able to pay back those official guilds!" sneered Kageyama.
"Baka-yama! Be careful, you're beginning to sound like crypt-face."
"Nightingale! You shouldn't call our guild master names!" gently reprimanded the mage. Typical of his dear cat companion to either call him by his usual endearment one moment then go and insult him the next.
The cat scowled. "Who in the world would have the gall to call themselves Shinigami?! Erigor's full of his own wind. And we both know how voluntary our continued association with Eisenwald is."
Kageyama huffed in exasperation, but he couldn't find anything to counter her argument. It was true; Kageyama had, in the past, grown increasingly distressed with the ever-growing list of foul and questionable works of his fellow guildmates and the guild as a whole. His countenance darkened further as he remembered the months he spent keeping Nightingale's egg safe and secure and, most importantly, a secret from his guild master until she finally hatched six years ago. But he couldn't keep her secret after that forever, or even more than a few weeks after her birth. Things for the shadow mage only got harder with another person to protect outside of himself.
Nightingale eyed her friend, hard gaze softening. Life has not been kind to Kageyama in so many ways. She shook her head before walking up the mage and tugging at one end of the flute, drawing said mage's attention.
"Hey! Nightingale, don't pull at that!" yelped the teen in an unmanly fashion. "Lullaby's not some cheap toy, you know! It can cast the black magic of 'Death,' putting people into an eternal kind of rest. So, please let go?" pled the teen.
The cat immediately let go. "Seriously?! Erigor wants this kind of magic? I know you said it was dangerous, but Death magic? You know how dangerous that is! So, why are we giving it to Erigor?!"
"What Erigor wants, he gets. You know what would have happened if those guys came back empty-handed. They're lucky they met with me first before reporting in," retorted Kageyama with a scoff. "And I would have been hunted down by our guild master personally to attend to the matter afterwards. There isn't anyone else with my finesse for cancelling out all types of magic."
"You do have a gift for dispelling magic, don't you?" replied the cat, voice going uncharacteristically soft. "It's not as strong as it should be, though. Kage-chan, perhaps you should release the-"
"No, Nightingale. It's too risky," insisted the mage. "Plus, I'm not even sure if I can anymore."
Kageyama's hands clenched around the flute before relaxing. Black eyes darkened even further as memories of the past beckoned forth. But the mage just shook his head free of them. The seal on his full stung whenever he used the remnants of the inborn magic he still retained, but he couldn't afford to release his full powers. They were too dangerous if left unfettered. And too hard to conceal their origins even if he used only derived skills from them.
"Come on, Night-chan. We better head back. The next train's leaving in an hour."
"Hello? Is anyone sitting here?... My, my, you don't seem well at all."
Kageyama smiled gently at the pink-haired teen who looked about his own age. Sweat poured off the youth's skin and his breath came in pants. It wasn't an entirely false sentiment. Kageyama could sympathize for people who suffered from severe motion sickness, especially in this day and age of motorized transport.
"Sounds quite painful. Will you be okay?"
Kageyama leaned forward from his seat as his eyes caught the bright red glyph of a guild mark: a fairy in flight with a curled tail.
"Fairy Tail," he said aloud. "One of those regular guilds, huh? I positively envy people like you."
Kageyama knew in the back of his mind that messing with a regular guild member while transporting Lullaby may not have been the brightest idea. But, he couldn't really help himself. Years of being looked down upon because he was part of a disgraceful and now ousted guild left its mark. He may not like (and secretly loathed) Erigor much as a person, but he was a mage of Eisenwald and had been for years, bad reputation or not. They had become his family of sorts, the only home he known after that day.
Plus, he couldn't stand the snootiness and arrogance of the likes of the Magic Council or those who followed them. And here he had a member of Fairy Tail, a guild who stirred up trouble everywhere but remained an official guild despite it. And how pathetic could you be if you sprung up for a fight, hands alit, only to topple from an upset stomach?
Then the train had to pull an emergency stop. When the teen recovered suddenly the moment the train stopped moving, Kageyama had the little bit of inkling the other mage might be more than he seemed; the flaming punch to the face cinched it. He glared as he pulled himself back onto his elbow, body throbbing from the impact of being sent flying into the other train cabin. Nightingale had growled at him countless times his temper and recklessness would get the best over his skill and intellect if he didn't take more care, but Kageyama still had his moments.
"Fucking fly," hissed the mage as he swiped at his bloodied face. "You have some guts picking a fight with Eisenwald! Don't think you'll get away with this alive!"
Then the idiot jumped out through the window. The unopened window. While the train was moving. Kageyama blinked at the shattered glass panel.
"What a nut," remarked Nightingale as she crept out from under the seat. "And you're not much better. Why the hell did you start a fight, Baka-yama?! You're lucky you're more durable than the average mage." Oh boy…another lecture.
Kageyama rolled his eyes and then frowned as something occurred to him. "His illness passed the moment the train stopped."
"So, what?" questioned the cat.
"…I don't think he had motion sickness. Not the ordinary kind. No, I think we might have just had a run in with the Salamander of Fairy Tail."
"…And he saw Lullaby roll out of that satchel of yours, didn't he?"
"…"
"We're screwed."
Nightingale's predication came true; Erigor-san was not at all please to hear about the Fairy Tail mage Kageyama failed to eliminate. The shadow mage couldn't move away even when he knew his guild master's scythe swung about, not when he was doing his best to hide his true skills. Damned flies, cursed the teen silently as he clutched at his nicked ears.
He was really cursing later on when his sneak attack was so easily torn to shreds by the Fire Dragon Slayer. Kageyama left the grunts and Byard to handle the two women while he, Rayule, and Karacka spread out to get the drop on the remaining flies. Except, these flies were more like wasps – the magical beast kind.
The Salamander's monstrous strength easily busted through several brick walls – despite the doors being conveniently next to said holes. He could have just let the guy stupidly keep bashing and stumbling about like some sort of mindless animal, but his pride wouldn't let him leave the guy alone like that after what happened with Erigor.
A part of him flinched as the pink-haired brat's murderous gaze settled on him, but Kageyama kept smiling at him in spite of it. You're being too proud his inner voice that sounded suspiciously like Nightingale warned him. You call them arrogant, but what about you?
He ignored it and calmly reported to his enemy, "Interesting magic you have there. I think I have the general idea, at least. You use flames to heat up and accelerate your body and increase your destructive power, the flames in of themselves causing massive damage."
A Shadow Knuckle launched itself up, but the bastard dodged it. Even the many heads of his Shadow Orochi were just dispelled by the guy's brutal flame punches. With little other choice, Kageyama pulled on his hidden reserves of magic, wincing as the magic seal on his body prickled in response to the increased flow of magic. Kageyama dodged the flurry of flaming fists - but just barely. But then the guy launched himself at the mage unexpectedly, grabbing the collar of his black and white coat slamming him into the ground. A dragon's fiery breath bashed him hard into the wall. His vision swam.
He could practically hear Nightingale's rough voice tearing him a new one. First, he pissed off the Fire Dragon Slayer mage by taunting him about Erigor's absence, then his own guildmate stabbed him in the back, literally. They may all be dark mages, but seriously? This was the thanks he got for several years of service?
Kageyama came to when those Fairy Tail flies somehow escaped the inescapable Wind Wall. To his utter bewilderment, those mages actually treated him for his wounds and wanted to bring him to a doctor in Clover. The very place his compatriots – former compatriots, taunted his cynical inner voice – planned to unleash Lullaby.
"I'm useless as a hostage," Kageyama admitted blithely. It was the truth, his only real value to his guild was his unusual dispelling powers. Once he had served his purpose… "Erigor-san could obviously care less about my well-being. He's a cold-blooded killer who thought this whole plan up himself, you know. You might as well kill me since I'm your enemy and all."
The girl – Lucy – turned away with a sigh. "Yeesh, what a gloomy thought."
"You know, if you want to die so badly, I'll be obliged to do you in right now."
Kageyama stared at the other mage, a young man not much older than himself with spiky raven hair, in a black and white coat similar to the one he usually wore. The ice mage of Fairy Tail, Gray Fullbuster. The mage's serious expression was disconcerting and all too perceptive.
"Life and death are hardly the only options you have. Why don't you live your life a bit more positively? Don't you have someone who would want that for you, dead or alive?" stated the ice mage. Those eyes of his looked familiar to the shadow mage whose own gaze ducked down rather than meet them.
Quiet descended for all of a moment. Then the car began to flail about. If Kageyama stretched out his magic senses, he found out just how low on magic their driver was. The mage prayed the scary woman would be able to get them across the canyons and valleys sheltering Clover from everywhere else in one piece. Out of habit, Kageyama taunted the mages about their guildmate, face relaxed in familiar fake smile. However, the shadow mage knew deep in his heart that Erigor may not actually be a match for the pink-haired mage's firepower when considering the fire's origins. Dragon magic could have a surprising effect on normal magic from what he knew on the subject.
They finally caught up to the Salamander and Erigor, the latter flat out on his back, knocked out and burned in several places. The great 'Shinigami' Erigor, scourge of Eisenwald, had been utterly defeated by the wizard of Fairy Tail.
"Hmm? Oh, you guys finally showed up! Well, you're late. I already took care of this guy," laughed the impudent teen. Kageyama blinked as he caught sight of a blue and white bipedal cat not unlike his own companion. Then the mage's words finally registered.
"Well done," huffed the tired requip mage with a tired smile.
The ice mage just snorted, unimpressed.
Kageyama stared in bafflement and no little awe. "Y-you really did it?! You beat Erigor-san?!" he gasped. It still boggled his mind that someone like him could beat Erigor's invincible Storm Mail.
While the other mages gathered about their guildmate, something caught Kageyama's eye.
Lullaby. The fire dragon slayer seemed to have completely forgot to retrieve the evil magic tool after defeating the guild master. Kageyama briefly considered just scooping it up and stealing the stolen magic vehicle but discarded the notion. He was envious of the official guilds, hated how his status as a dark mage pretty much made him a target for regular mages, but did he really want to so casually snuff out the old geezer mages and a good portion of the populace of Clover? Deep down in his heart, he knew he would never be able to do something so inhumane of his own volition. Not when given another choice. Thoughtlessly, the shadow mage knelt down to pick up the tool, mind heavily leaning toward handing it over to the Fairy Tail wizards.
Do you really want to let this chance go, young one?Kageyama's grip suddenly tightened around the wooden flute as a black miasma oozed from the instrument, the purplish-black strands quickly seeping into his own skin. His chained down magic bucked but could not act. Black eyes widened before glazing over. All his doubts, jealousy, and petty anger surged until it consumed his thoughts and sent his conscience reeling. His vision became strangely tunnel-like. To the shadow mage's horror, he watched helplessly as his own ragged body hauled itself quickly over to the magic vehicle, strapping on the fuel cable, and pulling it into drive.
"Kageyama!"
Kageyama cursed at Lullaby as the darkly influenced version of himself chortled wildly at the Fairy Tail mages. His veins burned with the amount of magic being torn away.
My, my, aren't I lucky? You have quite the magic reservoirs hiding away in that frail human body of yours, young mage. Or should I call you – Kageyama's mind shuddered violently but his outward expression only grew more malicious.
"Careless little flies! You should have taken the flute when you had the chance. Now, with Lullaby in my possession, I will make the dark new era Erigor-san promised a reality! Try and catch up to me!"
The possessed mage sneered at the wizards still attending the regular meeting. He lifted the flute to his lips… Then the guild master of Fairy Tail himself, the great Makarov, had to interrupt. Lullaby drew on the mage's honed skills of acting to pull a suitably pleasant and innocent expression.
"Young man, you look pretty injured there. Shouldn't you be at a hospital?" grumbled the tiny guild master.
"Hospital? Oh dear, I must have wandered quite far from it, haven't I? But such a lovely night made me restless. Would you like to hear a song, sir? The staff at the hospital wouldn't let me play," beseeched the possessed mage, his mind bristling at the sugary undertones.
GET OUT OF MY BODY! yelled Kageyama to the evil presence taking over his actions.
"A song? I kind of need to find those three rascals of mine, though. That flute of yours…it's rather creepy, isn't it?" replied the elder wizard with a suspicious look.
"Really? It may not look the prettiest, but it has a lovely tune. Wouldn't you oblige me by listening to one song?"
"Hrmmm…fine. But just one," instructed Makarov with a pointed index finger in emphasis.
Why should I? Isn't this what you wanted? To topple those regular guilds by taking out their masters? Or better yet, use this power to destroy the person who kept you shackled at his feet with not only your life but the life of your only true friend at stake. Stop your useless struggling, and I'll make you the face of the new era!
Maybe he would have listened to those words during those worse times as a young mage condemned for being in a dark guild. But he never really agreed when Erigor-san began to heavily increase the number of illegal assignments such as assassination jobs. Raising the strange winged cat by himself taught him to value life too much to simply snuff it out for money. But Kageyama had buried those feelings, convinced himself to transfer his self-hatred to the regular guilds Erigor-san hated so much. First, to protect himself when he was lost and with nothing as a young child. Then later, to protect his one precious person left in this world. In the interim, the shadow mage lost himself to the bitterness and darkness his mask (and maybe a small, innermost part of himself) reveled in.
Memories flashed. Of his guildmates' sneers and bitter rants against regular guilds. Of the regular wizards who saved his life, who took vengeance on behalf of his betrayal by Karacka.
The evil spirit fought to make the young wizard play. But Kageyama's conscience has roused in protest, every bit of mental strength directed to keep from letting the first deadly note ring.
"Well? Aren't you going to play? Hurry it up. Play. Now."
Play! These are the very people who looked down on you! People who invite weakness, who are too soft-hearted to take the very jobs you've have to do for several years before the Magic Council finally caught wind of Eisenwald's illegal activities. Will you not fulfill the dreams of your guild? Your own of freedom from those scathing eyes and hard words? Or will you remain a lowly dark mage seen beneath the flies? A single song, and everything will change!
As if to contradict the malevolent presence, the short guild master sighed and simply stated, "Nothing will change."
Both Lullaby and Kageyama paused in their fight over the mage's body.
"Those who are weak will stay weak. But weakness does not make you evil. Or unworthy. At the beginning, we humans are weak. When you stand alone, you fear the power of others; that's why people began to form guilds: to struggle but struggle together; to find the strength in companionship and nakama; to grow and learn as the bonds we form bind us together as a family. We may not all reach the goals we set at the same time; we may not succeed on the first try, and many will fail more than others. But, that's okay. The future is the future because it's not today and it's not yesterday; it's the days ahead. It's the one day when you naturally develop your strength but all the while learning how to live strongly with a smile on your face. If you believe in tomorrow, then that day will come."
The old man grinned widely, eyes lit. "Of course, you would do so without having to depend on such a flute to achieve your goals."
Empowered by the old man words, Kageyama pushed, summoning every bit of his will. A purple-black haze briefly surrounded the young man before writhing wildly and dispersing back into the flute. He threw the demonic flute to the ground and fell to his hands and knees.
"I give up," wheezed Kageyama.
"Master!" "Jicchan!" "Jii-san!"
Looked like those people have finally caught up to him. The excited members of Fairy Tail quickly swarmed their master.
"Amazing speech as always, master!" complimented Fairy Tail's Titania as she embraced the dwarfish man to her breast.
"Yeah, you're awesome, Jicchan."
"So, is everything settled, now?"
The old man narrowed his eyes, gaze darting between the young dark mage and the flute.
"Actually, I don't think it is."
More of the dark purple fumes from earlier billowed from the cursed magic tool.
"Oh, so you caught on? No matter. I don't think I can hold back any longer. It's been such a long time. Since my last meal, that is, ka ka ka ka!" rumbled a deep and rough voice from within the roiling plumes of smoke.
The gathered wizards gaped as a huge monster burst forth from the ominous smoke.
"Allow me to consume them…your pitiful excuses of souls!"
"THAT'S what possessed me?!" stammered out Kageyama.
"You were possessed?!" "You let that thing possessed you?!" yelled the two male members of Fairy Tail.
"Not relevant at the moment," warned Erza Scarlet as she warily regarded their newest opponent.
"Countless centuries have passed since I have been sealed, flies. I'm absolutely famished, so your souls will have to do and serve as my first decent meal," sneered the demon.
"Souls are edible?! Do they taste good?" asked Salamander to the ice mage who promptly admonished the fire-user.
"What's going on? Why did a demon emerge from the flute?" asked the Stellar Spirit Mage.
"Because, Lullaby is a devil. Originally a magic tool with death curse magic, Zeref enchanted it, turning it into a living magic as was his specialty," answered Goldmine, the guild master of Quatro Cerberus.
Erza looked at the creature in amazement. "Living magic…"
"Zeref?! You don't mean the one from centuries ago?!" questioned Gray.
A rather large man dressed rather…scathingly…explained, "The dark mage Zeref, most widely regarded as the most atrocious and despicable mage in all the history of magic…to think his legacy has survived to current times…"
The monster smiled toothily at the small humans swarming below. "Who shall be my first appetizer? You? Or you? Or…how about ALL OF YOU!"
Magic surged around the creature's gaping maw, strains of music gaining in intensity.
The mages of Fairy Tail lunged into action. Kageyama could only gape as sword, ice, and fire magic flared to life. These mages casted faster than most, if not all, of Kageyama's guildmates. Not even Erigor could boast such brute power and speed. Fairy Tail's strongest female mage took out the devil's legs while the dragon slayer toppled it with a single flaming kick.
"Ice Make: Lance!" called out Gray Fullbuster after he protected the older wizards with an ice shield. From his crossed hands, several spikes of ice curled and slammed into the monster's side. The demon lurched in pain.
"Now!"
Erza Scarlet struck below in her Black Wing Armor, and the Salamander's Brilliant Flame nailed the monster directly in the face and chest. Kageyama had no words for the sheer destructive power of the mages of Fairy Tail. To think, I called them flies. At that thought, the shadow mage sweat-dropped, his thought-image of Nightingale yowling at him for lacking sense or even a brain. Then he noticed where the monster began to fall against.
The shadow mage subtly curled his fingers. Silvery, nearly invisible energy crackled noiselessly compared to the spells flinging about them. Invisible strands gathered into an unseen wall of air, pushing against the behemoth enough to avoid crushing the building where the guild masters held their regular meeting. Kageyama let a small smile flit about his lips as his vision once more swam and turn dark, the seal and his own injuries finally rebounding on him.