Several days had passed. The guild had no word from Natsu's group and Lucy was worried. "It's my fault", said Levy, depressed. Lucy forced a smile and ventured, "I'm sure they're fine. You know them; They're probably just working off the damages they caused." Levy grinned faintly, still unsure. Gajeel stepped up behind the the girls. He had crossed his arms with a determined expression. "If you're that worried, go after them." The girls turned toward him in question. "There's no reason to. What could possibly take down those three?", said Laki. "That's right", began Lucy. With a warm smile, she continued, "They're probably already on their way back." Levy stared into the table before her. She had a bad feeling she just couldn't shake. Gajeel turned his gaze toward a nearby corner and said, "And quit moping over there." Juvia stepped out bashfully. She held a handkerchief to her nose, her eyes moist. "Why isn't Gray-sama back yet? He should have already come home to Juvia", she sobbed. Makarov was sitting a distance away, concern across his face. He called for the group. "I'm with Levy on this one. Something isn't right", said the master. Mira watched the group nearby silently. "Then I guess we have no choice", sighed Gajeel. Levy looked toward him with thankful eyes, but kept a cool expression. "Master, who are you sending?", inquired Mira. After some thought, the team was set. Gajeel, Lily, Levy, Lucy, and Juvia were to meet up with the Aeaea team and find out what was going on. If anything strange occurred, Lily had orders to fly back as quickly as possible so a new plan could be made.
On the isle of Aeaea, life seemed normal. No one paid any heed to the visitors from a few days passed. The guards marched the streets smugly, content order had been restored. The grand hall was silent apart from the soft sobs of Emem. Where had her saviors gone?
The new Fairy Tail investigation team departed swiftly, determined to find their friends. Laki waved them off with a hopeful smile. With any luck, everyone would be home soon. When they arrived to the port on Aeaea, only Gajeel caused odd stares. The little girl that had given Gray a flower watched him closely from her mother's side. Her mother pat her head with a grin. "It'll be all right this time", she assured. The sun was beginning to set and the stalls were closing up. Lucy began asking around while Juvia headed into the streets for her own clues. Levy sighed heavily. Gajeel glanced over with a wan grin. He would set things right. Lily took off overhead, determined to cover as much ground as possible while daylight remained. Lucy turned to meet back up with her comrades, but everyone was gone. In their place stood a small girl with several missing teeth. "Excuse me. Did you see where my friends went?", asked Lucy. The girl smiled in response and pointed after Juvia. Lucy thanked her and sighed in irritation. What was big idea leaving her behind?
In a rundown home nearby, Gajeel and Levy followed a woman through several rooms. Each chamber held more curious yet hopeful faces. Eventually, they came to a stop at the bottom of the basement. Dim light showed only crates, barrels, and worn shelf. The woman nodded to them with an assuring grin and triggered the shelf to move. On the other side, more rooms continued. "This way", she said. The shelf retook its place behind them as they passed. As the strange woman lead them along, she said, "I'm glad I found you before the guards." "Guards?", repeated Levy. The woman nodded. "The ones in armor", she replied. "You call that armor?", smirked Gajeel. It was true, the metal barely covered anything, but it was the way here. Before explanations could be given, a small boy stood before Gajeel with wide eyes. He was no more than seven with dark eyes and messy hair. The boy watched the dragon slayer with wonder. "Are you the king?", asked the boy. Levy smiled at Gajeel's expression. What the hell was this? A nursemaid rushed forward and hied the boy away with a string of apologies. Their hostess grinned softly. "Forgive him. He's still waiting for his father to come home", said the woman. "Was that kid the prince?", inquired Gajeel, looking after the child. The woman nodded. "Forgive my manners as well", she said. "My name is Kanda. Please, what are your names, travelers?", she continued. "My name is Levy MacGarden. This is Gajeel Redfox. We're wizards from Fairy Tail", replied Levy. "I see", said Kanda. "You're here for the others", she stated. "Yes", said Levy. "Do you now where they are?", she inquired. Kanda sighed. "Please, come further in and I will answer all of your questions", replied their hostess.
Down another hall, a small room awaited Kanda's guests. "I hope you don't mind sharing a room. Space is cramped here", said Kanda. "No, it's fine", replied Levy. Gajeel looked over the scant furnishings as he listened. Kanda lit the tiny fireplace before turning to meet Levy's eyes. "Your friends came through town several days ago. Unfortunately, I did not get to them first", she explained. "Where are they now?", asked Levy. "Likely at the grand hall. If they're still with the sorceress, there is nothing to worry about. However, if the phantom has struck them...", trailed Kanda. "Phantom?", repeated Gajeel skeptically. "People have been known to be spirited away", replied Kanda. Levy and Gajeel exchanged glances. Kanda made her way for the door. "I'll try to get you some information on the morrow, but please, stay hidden here for tonight. Men are always the first to go", she said. Levy nodded and thanked the kind woman. Once the door was closed, she turned to Gajeel for his take on things. He sat beside the fire and stared at the flames in thought. The room had only one stool and a small bed, so she sat on the edge of the bed. "Do you think they're all right?", she ventured. "We'll find out soon", replied Gajeel.
At the grand hall, Emem sat in the windowsill of her chamber. She looked over the city in sadness. Her handmaid entered the room with a tray of food and drink. "Please eat something, my lady", she pleaded. Without turning, Emem said, "Adhara, is it all my fault for inviting those poor souls?" Her maid grinned faintly as she placed the tray beside her mistress. "No, my lady. They were taken by the curse of this house", she replied. Emem met her gaze, tears forming. "But why?", asked the kind sorceress. Adhara shook her head and said, "I cannot say. Will you require anything else tonight?" "No, thank you. You may go to your felines", said Emem. The maid curtsied and left quietly. Once Emem was certain she was alone, she walked to a covered mirror at the back of her room. She reached for the cover, but stopped before her hand grasped the fabric. "Why, Mother?", she whispered.
In town, Lucy and Juvia sat at the tavern. Juvia watched Lucy with suspicion, unsure of who she was here to save. Ignoring the dagger eyes, Lucy stared into her drink. A shadow came along side of her. Looking up, she recognized the face. "Hinode! What are you doing here?", she cried. Hinode smirked and replied, "I live here, remember." Juvia glanced between the two in question. "Juvia, this is Hinode, the one who told us about the island", explained Lucy. "Another pretty face here to escape the stupidity of men, I see", said the guard. "Where is Gray-sama?", seethed Juvia. Hinode stepped back from the intensity of the glare. Returning her attention to Lucy, she said, "So, how do you like it here? It's everything I promised, is it not?" Lucy sighed, "We're here looking for our friends." Is that right?", inquired the guard, leaning onto the table. "First Jet and Droy, now Natsu, Gray, Happy, and Erza are all missing", continued Lucy. Hinode's gaze narrowed as she resumed her imposing posture. "It's best you let them go", she said. Lucy looked to her for a reason. "They're only men", said Hinode. "Gray-sama is not just a man!", exclaimed Juvia. The entire bar glanced at her outburst. "Men or not, they're important to us", said Lucy. Hinode leaned close to Lucy's ear and whispered, "The phantom has them now. Let them go." "I refuse", replied Lucy defiantly.
Everyone looked up as a stranger entered the tavern, or rather, looked down. Lily stalked forward. Climbing into a seat next to the girls, he said, "Where are Gajeel and Levy?" Lucy shook her head. It was dark out now and she had been unable to find them. "Who are they?", inquired Hinode. "More friends", answered Lucy. The guard looked her over with caution. "Well, good luck on your search. May the goddess guide you", said Hinode before departing. Lucy turned to Lily and asked, "Did you find anything?" Lily scanned the room before motioning her closer. "Just one thing of interest", he said quietly. When they had finished their drinks, Juvia and Lucy followed Lily to the local temple. Scaffolds and paint cans decorated a large interior wall. Upon inspection, one could see what was being painted. An unfinished mural spread before Lucy's eyes. Her attention was instantly drawn to the focus of the art. A glowing goddess of war stood imposing at the center. Long red hair flowed among pristine armor. "Erza?", ventured Lucy. Lily nodded. Juvia looked over the unpainted sketches nearby. Red and orange hues sat in buckets by a drawing of some sort of lizard. Checking the other end of the mural, white and blue hues waited near what looked to be an incomplete arctic scene. Juvia looked to Lucy for answers. What exactly had happened here?
Underground, Levy stared at the ceiling from a small hay filled bed. Gajeel laid on the floor beside the fire. She wondered about the young prince. Why was he hiding here? She questioned why everyone was disappearing. Where were her partners? Her friends? "Do you think Lucy and Juvia are all right?", she uttered meekly. "They're fine", replied Gajeel. He glanced over before adding, "Lily's with them." Levy tried to relax, but she couldn't sleep a wink. "Gajeel", she said softly. He looked over nervously. He wasn't used to that tone in her voice. "Promise me you won't disappear, too", said Levy. He turned to the flames to hide his blushing cheeks. "Don't be stupid", he said. He had seen her shaken form in the dim light of the dying fire. Softer he added, "I'm not going anywhere." He tensed as her heard her begin to stir. She was close. He froze as she laid beside him with her meager blanket. Leaning against him, she shyly said, "Don't pick on me for this." Struggling to find the right words, he gave up and responded by simply wrapping an arm around her. Refusing to face her, he said, "Get some sleep."
To be continued...