...Hey! Been nearly a year, I swear it doesn't feel like it but dates don't lie. While I am super busy now with study, I should've have this out ages ago, sorry (Slight motivation crash as well after the disappointing direction Fairy Tail took, spent majority of my writing time on original work).
Short chapter, wanted it longer but I decided to just get it out there, you've been waiting long enough.
So for those who recently reviewed and messaged about a new chapter, here you go, thanks for keep me accountable.
Knowledge is power. Such power in Apocrypha is absolute.
And that power enslaves his soul, forever a slave to Hermaeus Mora. His freedom, stripped. His pride, beaten. He should've seen it coming.
"The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power. Do not break Dragonborn, do not break."
And the voice returns, hinting at a future beyond the chains of knowledge.
Is such a thing possible?
Varus P.O.V.
Earthland, a place so different from Skyrim and Tamriel that he felt uncomfortable with it. Simply traveling on the main roads and the lack of bandit or animal attacks gave him pause. He had encountered various dangerous enemies, he just assumed that life here was similar to his homeland. He expected that the surrounding land was dangerous.
But citizens walked by on the main roads without a care in the world, no weapons by their side. They did cast him suspicious, distrusting glances, but they just continued on.
His expectations were different to what he was seeing, he figured that dark mages and bandits would be causing chaos on the roads, attacking small, out of the way towns. But it didn't seem to happen much. Dark guilds kept to themselves for the most part, bandits were few and far between. He had passed through a few small towns and none of them had any issues with dark guilds or bandits.
Life here was just a lot more peaceful than the dangerous and turbulent lands of Skyrim, it disturbing. Based on what he had seen, he thought crime would be high, but it was more isolated in reality with spikes of high crime activity from dark guilds every so often.
Magnolia was only a few hours away. The journey there was long but not boring. So much had already happened since appearing in Earthland, he hadn't any time to really appreciate the sights.
The view from the Throat of the World was unlike anything he had ever see, the sheer beauty of Skyrim was on displayed at the mountain peak. Although, seeing the fauna and architecture of another realm entirely was something that competed highly with Skyrim's beauty. Skyrim's buildings were primitive compared to the advanced and luxurious style of Earthland's.
A whole new world sparked his inner desire to adventure, to explore and discover things normal people could only dream of doing or seeing. To see what other mysterious and luxurious things awaited him, if he ever returned to Skyrim, he would have to find a way to bring his friends from the Thieves guild here, they would love it.
A sudden sensation washed over him, his body tensed like an animal about to lash out. His soul screamed at him, his thoughts feral and he wanted nothing more than to destroy, to conquer anyone and anything that appeared before him. He felt the need to unleash his power, growls rumbled in his throat. The strength he felt running through his body was intoxicating. Just like before, the feeling suddenly vanished as quickly as it had come. His heartbeat had sky-rocketed and he took deep breaths to calm himself.
"What is happening to me?" Yet no answer presented itself to him, he couldn't figure it out.
This sensation was so primal that he could barely control the strange urges he felt and that terrified him.
To not have control over himself, his blood boiled at the thought, yet his face went pale with fear. No control, no control, no control… Hermaeus Mora.
His stomach churned, bile rising up in his throat. The mere thought of the Daedric Prince made him sick.
Anger quickly followed, angry that he was a pawn, angry that he had no way of striking back at the Daedric Prince who had ruined his life.
"Deep breaths, deep breaths." Relaxing wasn't easy, he had to bury his immense rage and hatred deep down. But deadly emotions buried alive never die.
He had to keep moving, to focus his mind on the task at hand, reaching Magnolia. Ignoring the looks his episode drew from the strangers passing by, he marched forward, Fairy Tail awaits. And hopefully with it, answers.
Magnolia, a great merchant city, and once again he was amazed by the architecture of the land. The city was split into sections, a large river flowing through it. Though something ruined the image, a great fortress approaching the city from the bay. Like a great Dwemer construct, it lumbered forward.
"This realm is insane." Sheogorath would be pleased.
A massive cannon emerged from within the fortress. From his vantage point outside the city in the hills, he could hear the terrified screams of civilians, they were fleeing their homes.
His soul stirred, the dragon within was eager for a fight and he embraced it. There would be no answers to his questions concerning dragons and Dragon Slayers if Magnolia was destroyed and he wasn't about to let that happen. Drawing on his immense power, he unleashed his Thu'um.
"Wuld! Nah! Kest!" He blurred past civilians, buildings and sprinted towards the bay.
Erza P.O.V.
Erza prepared herself for what could possibly be her final moments. Her guild was at war, threatened with annihilation at the hands of Phantom Lord. A Jupiter cannon was charging and ready to fire.
A swirling mass of energy loomed in the distance, she sheer amount of magic energy that was accumulating was overwhelming. She rushed to the front of her fellow guild mages, changing into her Adamantine Armour, a bulky plate armour, with two large bladed shields attached to her arms. She brought her shields together, her eyes narrowed with steely resolve. If she was to die, she would do it protecting her friends.
"ERZA!" Natsu cried out, Gray holding him back from rushing forward to stop her.
A deafening crack akin to thunder followed as the Jupiter cannon fired. A beam of dark magic energy soared towards her. Something blurred past her, the wind of it nearly knocking her over.
'WHAT THE HELL?!' She thought, her eyes landing on the source of the fast disruption. A cloaked figure, staring down the Jupiter cannon which was only two seconds away from impact.
"FUS! RO! DAH!" A blue shock wave erupted from the person's mouth.
The blue wave of magic hit the beam near instantly. She could barely believe her eyes, the beam was slammed back before exploding over the bay. The blast knocking everyone off their feet except the mysterious person who managed to stand firm.
She didn't know what to say or do, neither did the rest of the guild as silence reigned over them. The stranger turned around, a man judging from his physique. He wore what seemed to be a light armour, padding or plating, Erza wasn't sure but it looked good enough. A hood and mask made it impossible to see his face, his eyes were nearly invisible, seemingly shrouded in darkness.
"I am Varus. Are you the mage guild, Fairy Tail?" The stranger's voice was sounded hoarse and deep enough to be nearly be growling.
Her eyes narrowed, any mage worth their salt knew who they were, their guild was infamous for causing unnecessary damages while on jobs and for being the strongest mage guild in the land.
Still, she nodded and displayed her guild tattoo with pride, "Indeed, we are Fairy Tail!".
"Good, I require assistance." He said, earning a few surprised looks.
Even she was surprised, it was evident that this mage possessed incredible power, why would he need their help?
Gray spoke up, "We would help you but now isn't a good time."
Varus turned his gaze back to the looming guild hall of Phantom Lord.
"Ah, yes, about that. What is going on here exactly?"
"The guild, Phantom Lord, attacked us for an unknown reason. Now we are at war with each other." She explained.
"Phantom Lord, interesting." Varus said.
A sudden idea came to her. "Varus, would you help us in the fight against Phantom Lord? We would gladly assist you after this is all over."
"I will lend aid, on two conditions." he said slowly.
"What would that be?" She said happily. She knew not one person among them had the power to fight Jose Porla, one of the Ten Wizard Saints. But this man, he might just be able to fight him and turn the tide of battle.
"My business requires a Dragon Slayer." Natsu, who had been oddly quiet, stared at the mage intensely. "I wish to talk to Salamander of Fairy Tail, and I want Gajeel of Phantom Lord captured and brought to me."
"A strange condition, why do you want Gajeel?" She asked.
"He's a Dragon Slayer." And Varus left it at that.
It was an easy term to agree to, especially if they got his aid. They had two objectives now, beat Phantom Lord and capture Gajeel.
She informed Varus of the most dangerous person they were facing, the guild master, Jose.
"Fairy Tail! Hand over Lucy and this will all be over!" Jose said, his voice projected for all to hear.
She felt proud to see the guild refuse, to protect Lucy at all costs. But now they had only fifteen minutes before Jose fired the Jupiter cannon again.
"Plenty of time." Varus and Natsu said at the same time. Natsu and Happy flew towards Phantom Lord's guild, intent on taking out the gun. Varus froze the water, a giant path of ice lead the way straight to the guild hall.
Though something was off, the Jupiter cannon wasn't enough on the first shot, so why a second? Whatever it was, she knew that Phantom Lord wouldn't be able to enact their plan, this battle would fast be over, of that she was sure.
Shout out to 'Titan of War', you gave me some very helpful advice, I shall aim to follow it so that this story is the best I can make it.
'till next time.
