Hello there, people! Here I am with the new chapter. Thanks everyone for the review. There's some answers for you:
Natsu is Awesome: I'm not sure myself yet, but I guess Mirajane will pay for that somehow.
Jakeflado, Mexican ninja1996, kuro yaksha: Many thanks people, here's an update, sorry that it took so much time.
SkyFlame Vongola: Yeah, Mira's tastes are quite specific, I wanted to try another point of view on her character. Mira and Erza's rivalry will be quite hot (in every meaning). And of course everyone's free to imagine Erza as they wishes, however, her piercing has a particular purpose, you'll see.
FanFictionHunter: Then you've found the right story – there will be a lot of illusions.
Hakkyou no Yami, Kwebs: Thanks people, here's the next update.
ValinNight: Yes, she did. You'll see soon.
x-05-x: Well, if you like the story it's only natural to say 'hey, I'm still like the story'. ;-)
tung98bill: Just want to bring a diversity into NaMi fiction.
Tha 1st Guest: Nothing right now, she's not a fool, you know.
treeofsakuras: Thanks. Yeah, there will be Erza vs Natsu fight, not now though.
stonecold: Hey, easy there, man. I'm working as fast as I can, though, thanks for the support =)
Guest, tung98bill, natsu Natsu013: Thanks people, here is an update.
Cloud Narukami: I'm actually not quite sure how to handle three women, I have no idea how to handle eight…
Well, this is it, here's the new chapter.
Chapter III – Unwelcoming Welcome
…
July 4, Year X784, 18:10, Fairy Tail's guild hall.
Erza stood as if she just saw a ghost, for about half a minute, she seemed confused, may be even scared. But then, with great effort of her will, elven warrior-wizard recomposed herself and came closer to newcomers. "So you two are new here?" She asked, forcing herself to divert her sight away from Natsu's eyes. "I see. Well, welcome to Fairy Tail," She greeted them, though that it was quite obvious that she was glancing at Natsu, particularly at his eyes. "I'm Erza," She introduced herself. "Is there any chance that we've met before?" She wondered, addressing Natsu.
"Unlikely," Natsu replied, pretending that he's not interested, though he actually was a bit interested to know – was that possible that she actually met another sharingan wielder before. "Though, that is possible that you've read about me in the news," Dread Master added. "My name is Natsu Dawnsinger."
"No, I don't think so," Elf replied, "I'm rarely read newspapers… And you?" She turned to demoness.
"I'm Mirajane Strauss," Snow-haired demon replied shortly.
"Pleased to meet you," Erza said. It looked like her thoughts were still messy, so she wanted to end the introduction as quickly as possible and sort the things out. Besides, she seemingly had one more matter to attend to.
"Lucy, Gray," She called out for blonde half-elf and raven-haired demon. "Come here," She retreated to the far corner of the guildhall. Lucy and Gray seemed confused, but they followed elven warrior-mage. Natsu couldn't hear them, but Erza stood facing toward him, so he was able to read by her lips via sharingan. "Lucy, Gray, I have a favor to ask," Erza said. "I heard a troubling story after I finished my last job. Honestly speaking, this is something for master to decide, but I want to settle it quickly, so I decided myself. And I want the two of you to lend me your power. Will you come with me?"
Other guild members were unable to hear her words, so they could only guess what that is all about. "We're leaving tomorrow morning, make preparations," Erza commanded and headed towards guildhall door.
"Hey, wait!" Gray called for elf, loud enough for everyone to hear, "I never told that I want to go!" However, he was ignored as Erza left the building.
'Interesting style of communication that elven girl has,' Natsu noted to himself.
"Natsu," Mirajane called for him, "Can we go now?"
"Yes," He replied, turning to demoness, "We've done here for today. Let's go back to the hotel, I have some good news for you," He added.
July 5, Year X784, 9:17, Hotel.
Good news Natsu mentioned was the fact that today he departed to meet with someone in another town, so for Mirajane today was the day off. Right now she stood in front of the mirror, combing her snow-white hair. "Well, it's not that bad after all," She thought aloud, Natsu already left so she was all alone here. "He's treating me well, my duties are not that hard, I've learned a lot of new things, and I even have a regular sexual life…" She smiled, touching her sore pussy as she remembered tonight's fun. "Damn, my legs are still shaking," Mira giggled before she again looked into the mirror. "Oh, you are complete fool," She addressed own reflection, "There is nothing funny about it… But still. Too bad I can't show up in Demonis with him, other girls would die with envy… Oh my lord, what's wrong with me?!" Mirajane suddenly realized what's she was thinking about. "Am I really thinking about being a real couple with… with him?! As if I've sold my soul in exchange for sex of my dream…"
In the meantime, while Mirajane was trying to sort out her thoughts and feelings, Natsu arrived to Magnolia's train station, and now he was waiting for train, reading fresh newspaper. He was heading to Clover town, a high-ranked cabinet member requested for a personal meeting there… Natsu turned over a newspaper's page, as two familiar people entered the waiting lounge. That were Lucy and Gray. Natsu's sharingan noticed them, but he simply ignored those two. However, they came very close to him, so Natsu unwillingly was able to hear their conversation.
"How I let myself to be dragged into this…" Gray complained with heavy sigh.
"Oh, come on Gray, stop it already," Lucy brushed him off. "How often Erza asks for someone's help? Besides," Blonde smiled cunningly, "This is our first joint mission, isn't it?"
"Yes, but… with Erza…" Raven-haired demon still seemed upset.
"Relax, everything will be fine," Lucy smiled, blonde surely was an optimistic person. She quickly looked around, seemingly to make sure that there are no familiar people nearby, raised on tiptoes and kissed Gray.
"Hey, what are you doing?!" Demon asked with loud whisper. "What if someone would notice us?!" Seemingly, Lucy and Gray just recently developed romantic relationships, and they weren't ready to let others know about it.
"Relax," Blonde smiled carelessly, "No one of those people care about us."
"How true," Natsu commented, turning over another page of his newspaper, as little bell on his collar slightly jingled. Not that he wanted to interfere with these two or tease them, they were just annoying and Natsu wanted them to stop talking… though, he was a bit interested to know how exactly Lucy managed to not notice him.
Blonde froze like paralyzed. She recognized the voice and that small bell, she slowly turned to Natsu as her eyes were filled with horror. "We… I… we didn't…" She was babbling, not knowing how to justify herself. Gray was simply rendered speechless.
"Relax, you two," Natsu said. "I won't tell anyone that you're secret lovers… if you'll continue your conversation there," He pointed towards another side of the waiting lounge, meaning 'just go away.'
"Lovers?!" Lucy exclaimed in panic, "We aren't! I mean, we haven't yet slept togeth…" Gray shut her mouth.
"Lucy, shut up!" Demon shushed at blonde, "He's not interested in such details, let's just leave him alone!"
"Oh, here you are," Erza's voice called from behind. "Natsu? Hey, what's going on here?" She wondered as she saw dread master.
"Oh, for ancestors' sake…" Natsu sighed as now it became quite obvious that he won't be able to read in peace.
"Oh, Erza!" Lucy exclaimed, turning to elven warrior-mage, trying to drop the guilty face expression. "I-i-it's nothing," blonde replied, stuttering.
"We just saw Natsu and came to say hello," Gray confirmed, hiding his eyes.
"I see," Erza replied, seemingly she fell for it, discernment wasn't her strong side. "And what are you doing here?" She addressed to Natsu.
Initially, dread master wanted to reply 'I live in here', but since he wasn't sure that she'll be able to distinguish sarcasm, he simply said, "I'm going to Clover Town for a dinner."
"What, you're going to another town just to eat something?" Gray wondered, making Lucy to facepalm as Natsu snorted slightly. Mirajane asked exactly the same question when Natsu told her what he's going to do today. Demons…
"He meant that he's going to meet with someone," Lucy explained to her secret boyfriend. Fortunately for Natsu, at this moment the station announcer proclaimed his train's arrival.
"That's my train," Natsu said, standing up, "Cya people."
"See you," Lucy waved her goodbye.
"We're not riding on that train?" Erza wondered, addressing Lucy, as she was the one tasked with buying tickets.
"Nope," Blonde replied. "That's an international train, which is coursing between Fiore's and Seven's capitals. That train has only lux-class carriages, and we all agreed that they're too expensive. Besides, that train doesn't stops in Onibas anyway, it only stops on junction stations, and in Clover for border control," Lucy informed. "Our train should arrive in 18 minutes."
"I see," Erza replied absently as she was distracted, overlooking exotic but exceptionally beautiful girl in front of her – her own reflection in the shopwindow.
'Can you stop staring into mirror at least for a minute?!' Gray thought in annoyance, but he didn't dare to say it aloud.
July 5, Year X784, 10:54, Magnolia.
Mirajane was enjoying her day off. As she left the hotel room, Mira headed to demonic quarter and now was eating breakfast, she liked spicy food and human's food wasn't spicy enough. After breakfast she headed to the public baths and now she was luxuriating in bath with liquid metal. Though it wasn't cooper but cheaper aluminum, it was still great and relaxing, and Mirajane really needed that relaxation after all that acrobatic acts in bed she performed tonight. However, that hot, relaxing liquid metal brought back grievous memories about the last time she was taking such bath – the time she was defeated by Natsu and forced to part with her sister…
"Lisanna…" Mirajane whispered worriedly. "How are you? Have you made it back to Demonis safely?..."
While Natsu's train drove past Onibas and now was approaching Kunugi station, which also will be passed by without stop, Erza, Lucy and Gray's train was approaching Onibas. "Erza, isn't it about time you told us? What are we supposed to be doing?" Gray asked, as that silence became too long.
"Yeah, let me explain," Erza agreed. "When I was returning from my mission I stopped for some rest at the town of Onibas, in the bar where wizards gather. While I was inside, I overheard a group of hoodlums talking. I did not hear the specifics, but it seemed they were after something called Lullaby. Seemed like they have troubles getting it, because it was sealed…"
"Lullaby?" Lucy asked. "Is that some sort of magic that can put people to sleep?"
"I don't know," Erza replied. "But since it was sealed, it probably quite dangerous power."
"I don't get it…" Gray said. "You came across some folks who wanted to break the seal of some magic… Maybe that's all it was – their job, nothing more," Gray speculated.
"Yeah, that's what I told myself too, and didn't give it any more thought…" Erza admitted with vexation "…until I remembered name Erigor. The Ace of mage guild Eisenwald, 'Shinigami' Erigor."
"Shinigami?!" Lucy exclaimed in fear.
"Yes," Erza confirmed. It's a nickname people gave him because he kept taking assassination requests, despite it's prohibited. Six years ago the guild was ousted from the mage guild league, and is now categorized as the dark one."
"Dark Guild?!" Lucy seemed even more scared but both Erza and Gray didn't care.
"It was a blunder on my side…" Erza admitted darkly. "If only I remembered the name Erigor back then at the bar… I would've put them all in a blood offering…" Elf growled.
"Right," Gray smirked. "If it were just the folks from the bar, you could easily handle them by yourself, Erza. But when it's the entire guild…"
"Yes," Erza nodded. "And they got a hold of this power, Lullaby… I judged that we cannot overlook this matter. We'll march into Eisenwald!" Warrior-mage declared.
"Sounds interesting," Gray smirked.
'I shouldn't have come…' Lucy thought in fear.
"By the way, Lucy," Erza suddenly changed subject, there were still few minutes before Onibas station. "I've heard you were on the mission with that new guy, Natsu."
"Um? Yes," Lucy nodded.
"How is he?" Elf asked.
"What?" Lucy was a bit surprised. "Well, he's not too sociable, but quite polite and educated man," Blonde said as Gray narrowed his eyes, he actually felt slight pang of jealousy.
"What about his magic?" Erza inquired.
"Well, from what I saw he's very powerful," Lucy remembered that Natsu easily stopped entire avalanche. "Besides, he has nerves of steel…"
"That corresponds to that I've learned…" Erza mumbled.
"What?" Lucy asked.
"I've ran a quick background check on him," Warrior-mage admitted.
"What have you learned?" Gray wondered.
"Generally, he has very positive reputation," Erza informed. "100% mission success rate, quick and clean. Nothing illegal."
"Well, that's good," Lucy smiled.
"Yes," Erza nodded. "However, some customers noted that he has a habit of disproportionate use of violence… Moreover, there are rumors that he's connected with 'Foundation'…"
"Foundation?" Lucy asked. "Militaristic government faction that stands for that leaving the whole authority over Fiore's magical world in the hands of magic council was a mistake?"
"Yeah…" Erza confirmed.
"Well, political beliefs is a personal matter…" Lucy shrugged as train finally stopped at Onibus station.
July 5, Year X784, 14:17, Magnolia.
Mirajane was returning to the hotel. She just finished examining the marketplace in demonic quarter. Despite Natsu gave her quite amount of money as a share for yesterday's mission, Mira didn't buy anything because she couldn't come to a conclusion what exactly she needs, the concept of 'positional good' seemingly was unknown to her. As such, demoness was returning to the hotel room with intention to take a little nap, and after that she wanted to explore town center. However, when she was on edge of demonic quarter, someone suddenly called for her.
"Pst! Mira! In here!" Girl's voice whispered loudly, as someone was hiding under the bridge over small channel. Mira couldn't believe her ears as she recognized the voice. She quickly jumped over the bridge's fences and joined the person who was hiding there.
"Lisanna?!" Mirajane's eyes widened as she now was staring at her younger sister. "Are you completely insane?! What are you doing here?!"
"Hey, easy there, sis," Lisanna tried to calm down her elder sister. "In this country demons lives with full civil rights, I'm here legally," Succubus assured her.
"It doesn't matter!" Mira was still worried. "Why didn't you return to Demonis?!"
"Because no one needs me in Demonis," Lisanna replied. "You're my only dear person, and I was worried sick about you… Where's… that guy?" Succubus asked, looking around, as if trying to spot Natsu.
"He's away from town," Mirajane replied. "But he will be back, Lisanna, you should leave to safety, go back to Demonis, someone has to watch over our land…"
"Oh, come on, there are tens of people to watch over 'our land'," Lisanna waved off her elder sister. "And you saw it by yourself – demons can live here freely, there's nothing to worry about…"
"Last time you said these words I ended up as a slave of drea… AAAAAAUUUGGHH!" Mira suddenly was electrocuted with blue lightning, because she accidentally tried to expose Natsu's actual race.
"Nee-chan?! What happened?!" Lisanna asked worriedly.
"No… nothing…" Mira croaked, slowly standing up, "It's my own fault, that was a punishment for an attempt to expose master's secret…"
"Nee-chan… I'm so sorry…" Lisanna lowered her head. "All this is happening because of me…"
"Forget about that…" Mirajane said with sad smile. "Regrets won't change anything," Demoness quoted Natsu. Mira looked into her sister's eyes, "I'm glad to see you," She said as sisters' lips locked in kiss.
"How is he treating you?" Lisanna asked as elder sister released her lips. "Is that too bad?" Younger sister examined Mira's body, expecting to find bruises, and she's found few, though in quite strange places…
"Well, could've been worse," Elder sister admitted. "I'm working as his assistant and serving as personal concubine, but when he doesn't need me, like today, I'm free to do whatever."
"Oh!" Lisanna seemed surprised. "I was expecting the worst…" She seemed relieved a bit. "However… personal concubine?"
"Yes…" Mira replied with sigh, trying to feign deep grief.
"Oh… I'm so sorry Mira…" Lisanna embraced her sister. She thought a little, and then decided. "Maybe… maybe you can talk to him…" Younger sister suggested. "Ask him… If he'll agree… I'm willing to take your place in his bed."
"What?!" Mirajane's eyes widened in slight shock.
"It's only natural…" Lisanna replied, she sighed but seemed determined. "Maybe I can't assist him on missions, but I can be his concubine in your place, in the end you ended up as his sexual toy because of me…"
"Are you mad?!" Mirajane exclaimed. "Do you really understand what are you asking for?! The three last nights I was mercilessly fucked until I've passed out! Look, all these bruises I got in bed! I appreciate the offer, but there's no way I can allow you to endure such a treatment!"
Honestly, Mirajane was a congenital liar, but seemingly Lisanna knew her sister too good to fall for it, she was able to see through insincerity of elder sister's words. Succubus narrowed her eyes, "Mirajane, I've already mentioned it before – you have a habit to talk in your sleep. And we spent many nights in the same bed, quite enough for me to learn that being fucked until you'll pass out was your most desperate sexual fantasy. If you're actually enjoining being his little whore, just say so, why are you lying to me?"
"Lisanna, what are you saying?!" Mirajane couldn't believe her ears, though particularly she couldn't believe that her lie was so easily exposed. The worst part was that Lisanna was right – sexual relationships was quite enjoyable part of her 'contract' with Natsu, and Mira had no desire to part with it.
"I'm saying that my own sister, my most and only dear person in this world, is lying to my face, as if I'm trying to steal your lover!" Lisanna exclaimed.
"How dare you to say such a thing?!" Mirajane also started to get angry, "I've saved you from slavery!"
"I haven't asked you to do so!" Lisanna shouted back. "I saved your life! He'd shot off your head if I wouldn't have begged him to spare you! He almost agreed to take me as a servant, but no – you had to interfere and protect me even then, though becoming his servant was my decision!"
"You little unthankful bitch…" Mirajane growled angrily, Lisanna's words were so unfair!
"Unthankful?! Oh, then thank you very much for becoming his lover instead of me! For the guy like him half of Demonis' women would sell their souls, which is exactly what you did, by the way!" Succubus seemed very offended. "Do you have any idea what it means to be a succubus with mediocre appearance?!"
"To bad he's not here!" Mirajane parried. "If you likes him so much then you should taste his shaAAAAAAAUUUGH!" Demoness again was electrocuted for an attempt to expose Natsu's secret.
"It was pleasure to meet you, sister," Lisanna snorted and ran away before Mira could stood up after punishment her own body delivered to her.
"Damn you!" Mirajane shouted in frustration as tears of resentment swelled in her huge sky-blue eyes.
July 5, Year X784, 14:39, Clover town.
Natsu's express train arrived to the Clover town few minutes ago, and now dread master was heading toward one of local restaurants. He was heading to meet with the member of 'Foundation', the government faction Erza mentioned earlier. Natsu wasn't a member of that faction or direct supporter, but he was on good terms with them. Why member of 'Foundation' called Natsu for a personal meeting, was unknown.
July 5, Year X784, 15:34, Eisenwald guild hall.
Erza, Lucy and Gray stormed into Eisenwald guild hall. Unfortunately, they found only few mages, which were left to take care of the guild. After short skirmish, Erza interrogated those dark mages, only to learn that almost all members of the dark guild have left to Clover town, where Erigor is planning to use forbidden power called Lullaby, to kill every guild master of the local mage guild league. Worst of all, according to defeated dark mages, the man who was carrying Lullaby, was riding aboard the very same train Erza and Co. used to get here.
"That's catastrophe!" Erza shouted in frustration. "How could I make such a mistake?! Gray, you should punch me with your curse for such a foolishness on my side!"
"Hey, Erza, calm down!" Gray exclaimed in shock.
"He's right!" Lucy agreed with Gray, "C'mon, let's get back to town – I'm sure there we'll be able to rent a magical four-wheeler, maybe we still can catch up with Eisenwald!"
"No," Erza shook her head, "There's no time. Probably they already rode through Oshibana… there's only one way to catch up with them! Sacred Glade!" Erza slammed her palms on the ground, creating large emerald-green weave seal. As seal gathered nature's power, it disappeared with bright flash as three white winged horses – pegasuses – appeared in front of Erza. One of Erza's signature spells, those pegasuses weren't summoned creatures, but embodiment of Erza's mystic power.
"Three of them?!" Lucy exclaimed in shock.
"Erza, are you sure that you'll be able to support their existence until we reach Clover?!" Gray seemed worried.
"We'll see soon enough!" Elven warrior-mage replied, "Quickly, get on!"
July 5, Year X784, 16:21, Clover town.
Since Natsu wanted to return to Magnolia today, he headed straight to the train station right after dinner with member of 'Foundation'. However, when he arrived, he found out that station was closed to public as crowd of disgruntled people gathered nearby. Near the station exit, Natsu noticed an ambulance four-wheeler and two doctors, who were examining a very scared man, dressed as railways employee. Natsu approached the three.
"Sir, what happened to you?" Dread master asked politely, "What is going on here?"
"D-d-d-dark guild…" He replied with shivering voice, pointing towards station. "They ambushed the train… at Kunugi station… threw everyone out but me… and then… that guy with huge scythe… he forced me to drive train here without stops…" Seemingly, that man was a train's engineer, and he was really, really scared as he couldn't say anything else.
Natsu, however, heard more than enough. If they're a dark guild then there's a bounty for them, which guild it is doesn't matter. "How much time has passed since that happened?" Natsu inquired.
Engineer couldn't speak, but one of doctors replied, "We've received an emergency call about ten minutes ago…"
"Understood," Natsu replied. "Can you point me the direction those guys were heading?"
Doctor shook his head, and engineer was still in shock, senselessly babbling something. "Imbecil," Natsu commented as his Sharingan flashed, entrapping the guy into genjutsu. Dread master kept the illusion active for about twenty seconds, before releasing it and leaving the guy even more shocked than before. "Many thanks," Natsu said as he learned that dark guilds member were talking about local mage guild league meeting hall.
"Wait, sir, what are you gonna do?" Second doctor asked worriedly.
"I'm going to make some money," Natsu replied as he disappeared, using his Body Flicker jutsu.
July 5, Year X784, 16:29, in the skies over Oshibana town.
Erza, Gray and Lucy were flying towards Clover town as fast as they could. To support her winged horses' existence, Erza had to constantly channel more of her mystic power into them.
"Erza, how are you holding?!" Gray asked.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me, focus on our destination!" She replied, though it was quite obvious that she's not fine. She seemed very strained as her face was cowered with sweat.
"And what are we supposed to do when we get there, and you don't have any mystic power left!?" Gray shouted.
"If that happens I'll fight with simple bow and arrows if I have to!" Elven warrior-mage replied. "And you two are here, as well!" Lucy gulped as she heard that. If Erza really end up without her power, then it will be up to her and Gray to defeat an entire dark guild.
July 5, Year X784, 16:29, Clover town.
A quite large group of people was approaching the local mage guild league meeting hall. They were marching on the road, until the building showed up from behind the mountain. "All right, here's the place," announced a tattooed man with a giant scythe leaning against his shoulder. He was an extremely tall, lean-built and yet mildly muscular man with silver hair and dark eyes; this man was the ace of the Eisenwald guild, Shinigami Erigor. "Spread out, walk through the forest and surround the building," He ordered to his men. The melody of Lullaby should kill everyone, but if someone will manage to survive – finish them off, leave no one alive! It's time for those old fools to pay for everything they've done to us!"
"Yeah!" "Right!" Dark mages cheered for their leader.
"Ding-ding…" Suddenly, small bell quietly jingled behind Erigor. Shinigami turned around, only to see a single man, who seemingly appeared from nowhere and now was standing in their way. Tall man with magenta-colored hair, dressed into black coat, decorated with pattern of several blood-red clouds.
"Huh?" Erigor snorted, "What's this? Who are you?!"
"What's the point of talking with the dead people?" Natsu asked, examining the crowd. Dread master made a 'Monkey → Ox → Tiger' hand seals sequence, "Explosion Release: Trihedral Explosion!" Natsu breathed out three huge fireballs in rapid succession, towards Eisenwald mages. Two fireballs seemingly missed as one of which stopped behind the enemy mages on the right, and another stopped behind and on the left. Third fireball stopped right in front of the enemies, about twenty meters away from them. Before enemy mages could understand what is going on, several burning chains shot from each fireball towards other two, effectively making a burning triangular fence around the Eisenwald members.
"Hey, what's going on!?"
"What's happening?!"
"We're trapped!"
Eisenwald dark mages were scared and confused. "I see," Natsu said as his sharingan noticed the strange flute in Erigor's hands. "So, you've managed to uncover one of his trashy toys… That Zeref… cretin," Natsu spat, seemingly he was disgusted. "He really thought that making such abominations was an art… Immortal creatures that literally would immortalize him… Pathetic. One day I'll return to annihilate them all…"
"What he's talking about?!" Eisenwald members couldn't understand anything. "Has he really just called Lord Zeref a 'cretin'?"
"Aberrations like this one," Natsu pointed at Erigor, seemingly at flute in his arms, "They have nothing to do with the art. The true art is something that blossoms for the single moment, before wither forever," Natsu spoke out as he brought his right palm to his face, with index and middle fingers unbent. "In other word, the true art… is an explosion!" Natsu's sharingan flashed as he released his technique, before retreating using Chakra Dash. All three fireballs exploded, creating three blastwaves that effectively obliterated all the enemy in-between. All but one…
"Not bad," Natsu noted as he saw that Erigor managed to avoid annihilation, soaring into the air at the last moment.
"Windblade Barrage!" Erigor overturned in the air and launched a barrage of blades made of wind into dread master.
"Seriously? He's actually going to fight me?" Natsu was a bit surprised, eyeing the rapidly approaching windblades. "Fire Release: Great Fireball!" Without any handseals Natsu breathed out massive fireball of intense flame, which burned all of Erigir's windblades.
"Tch…" Shinigami snorted, as he understood that there's no way to deal with his opponent quickly. "Shit, if I continue to fight him, our battle will definitely alert an entire province, including those geezers!" Erigor thought (as if explosion wasn't enough…) "I have to play that song!" Shinigami decided as he fled towards the local mage guild league meeting hall.
"You won't escape," Natsu said as he followed the fleeing enemy, using Chakra Dash.
July 5, Year X784, 17:02, Clover town.
Erza's team arrived to the Clover's outskirts. Warrior-mage barely managed to land her team safely before her winged horses dissipated as her power was completely dry. She walked, leaning on Gray's shoulder.
"Did we manage to outstrip them?" Lucy wondered, looking around.
"I don't know," Gray replied, "But geezers are powerful mages, there's no way those ragamuffins would kill them without a fight. Maybe we're lucky…"
"Huh?!" Lucy exclaimed as road turned around the corner and she and others saw a huge, smoldering crater. "What happened here?!" She asked in horror, as there were several dozens of charred and damaged bones on crater's bottom.
"I have… no idea…" Erza replied, she was breathing heavily due exhaustion.
"Ugh…" The team heard quiet moan.
"Hey, look!" Gray pointed somewhere aside. "There's someone alive!" Indeed, there was a pile of blown down trees, and someone was clamped between burned trunks. Team quickly approached to the man. He was in horrible condition – his left leg was torn off, his left arm was burned to the bone, right half of his body was clamped between trees and definitely was severely damaged.
"Help… me…" He croaked, barely moving his lips. Lucy took her flask with water and let him take a few sips. "Thank… you…"
"What's happened here?" Erza inquired. "You're from Eisenawald, aren't you?" Actually, she recognized that man – he was the one who promised to unseal the Lullaby, back then, in Onibas' bar. His friends called him Kageyama.
"Tall guy…" Kage croaked. "Appeared… from nowhere… there was… more than hundred… of us… he killed everyone… with one blow… immense power… cough… cough…" He was fading.
"Hey, hold on, stay with us!" Gray shouted.
"Black coat… with red… clouds…" He whispered his final words and breathed his last.
"AH?!" Lucy yelped, closing her mouth with both hands as her eyes widened in shock. Black coat with red clouds was a rather rare habiliment…
"Hey! Hey!" Gray called for a man, shaking his shoulder, with no avail.
"Let it go, Gray, he's gone…" Erza said as raven-haired demon released Kage and supportively touched Lucy's shoulders.
"Now I actually understand what it means – 'disproportionate use of violence'…" Demon commented.
"Why…?" Lucy asked as tears swelled in her eyes. Despite these (now dead) guys intentions to kill all guild masters, blonde seemingly didn't think that they all deserved to die, "That's… so cruel…"
"I think that he tried to use some sort of protective magic to defend himself against attack, that partially worked and allowed him to live a couple of minutes longer…" Erza said darkly, examining Kageyama's corpse. "Though, I think he has only made things worse for himself…" Lucy whimpered, Erza's reasoning definitely weren't helping, though, it was hard to say what exactly elven warrior-mage herself thought about that.
Suddenly, bright orange flash lit up the sky, southwest from Erza and her team's position, the local mage guild league meeting hall was in that direction. "Hey, what's going on?!" Gray asked as all three looked in that direction. Few seconds later they saw two more big fireballs exploding in the sky.
"There's a battle out there!" Erza exclaimed.
"More dark mages?!" Gray shouted worriedly.
"Only one way to find out! Let's go!" Erza commanded. "Ugh…" She made several steps and tripped, as she was still too weak to run. Gray caught her, preventing her from falling.
"Don't push yourself, let me help!" Demon said. Erza seemed displeased, mostly with herself, but right now she had no choice but to let Gray help her.
'Shit! I have no chance of playing anything with that fuck shooting at me!' Erigor thought, swirling around and dodging Natsu's attacks. Dread master managed to intercept Shinigami, and cut him off from meeting hall, constantly attacking him with Great Fireballs. 'I have to do something about him!' Erigor decided, casting a spell, "Storm Mail!" This spell prompted many air currents to gather around him, creating a hurricane surrounding his entire body. "Try this, scum!" Erigor shouted, as his storm mail seemingly was blowing wind inside out. Powerful wind currents were unable to extinguish Natsu's fireballs, yet they were pushed them away from trajectory, allowing Erigor to easily avoid incoming attacks.
"Who could have thought…" Natsi noted to himself, examining Erigor's new shroud. "He can use B-rank spells…"
"My storm mail is the ultimate defense!" Erigor mocked Natsu as dread master stopped his attacks. "It can turn anything that touches it into dust, even the strongest steel. Also it blows wind inside out and, and flames can't go against headwind! Flame simply cannot defeat the wind!" Erigor crossed his arms, creating several magical seal, which then merged into larger one, "Now, try this! Emerald Flurry!" Large, concentrated blast of wind blades shot from the seal towards Natsu. Erigor's spell landed a direct hit, as Natsu even didn't try to avoid it.
"Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed worriedly as she, Erza and Gray appeared from the forest, just in time to see Natsu being struck. Blonde tried to move closer but Erza grabbed her hand.
"No, don't come close!" Elf ordered.
"Erza?!" Gray was very surprised, as well as Lucy, both looked at warrior-mage in slight shock.
"Look," Erza pointed at Natsu, who appeared unharmed when dust cloud dissipated, encased into purple energy shell, which actually was his Susanoo's ribcage. "We will only be a hindrance," She added, "Just stay here and watch."
"But Erza?!" Gray exclaimed.
"We should help!" Lucy agreed with him.
However, both were ignored as Erza's sight was focused on Natsu. Her desire to stay aside was very surprising, staying idle while someone's fighting was against Erza's nature. Something strange was happening…
"Damn you!" Erigor swore, seeing that Natsu is unharmed.
"Flame cannot defeat wind?" Dread master slightly shook his head as his energy shell dissipated. "If you're really think so, then you're even more pathetic than I though. Fire is stronger than wind. Your storm mail could deflect my attacks only because my Great Fireball technique is of a lower rank than your wind spell. But that is easy to correct, Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire!" Natsu made a 'Horse' hand seal and shot a dragon head-shaped fireball in Erigor.
"Useless!" Erigor shouted, raising his arms and intensifying the flow of air currents towards Natsu's technique, trying to blow it out. However, much to Shinigami's shock, dragon's head-shaped flame only became bigger, fueled with abundant flow of oxygen. Seemingly, this technique used more intense flames, and Erigor's wind made them even hotter. "Shit!" Erigor yelled as he was forced to fly away from fireball, unable to extinguish it. Shinigami managed to get away, but fireball changed its trajectory and began to chase him. "What?!" Erigor was shocked, he couldn't imagine that such a spells could actually exist. He flied around, trying to get away from chasing fireball, but was unable to. "Storm Bringer!" Erigor launched a powerful tornado against fireball in hope to dissipate it. However, tornado was simply sucked into fireball, as it continued to chase its target. 'Shit! I can't defeat that fuck! Shit!' Erigor finally realized his situation as none of his spells seemed effective. 'What?!' Suddenly, he noticed that air currents, from which his storm mail was made, now was flowing towards fireball. "It's destroying my Storm Mail?!" He screamed as he finally understood that, while chasing him, Natsu's technique almost consumed his wind armor.
Suddenly, dragon head-shaped fireball exploded, seemingly it consumed too much wind and became too big and too hot to remain stable. Shockwave threw Erigor away, but he managed to remain in the air. 'All right, fuck those old fools!' He thought, "At least these fireballs can't catch up with me, I have to run!" Shinigami decided.
"There's no need for my fireballs to catch up with you, their purpose was to strip you off that wind armor," Natsu said, making a 'Snake' hand seal "Lightning Release: False Darkness!" Natsu shot a three spear-like lightning at his target, and with sheer speed of lightning, Erigor had no chances to avoid the attack
"AAAAAAAAA!" Echo of Erigor's scream sounded out across the forest as his body was shrouded by the blue electrical glow. Few seconds later glow dissipated, and Shinigami's half burned corpse fell on the ground, along with Lullaby flute and his scythe, which was broken in half.
At the same time, town of Magnolia.
Mirajane was sitting in open-air café, not far from hotel where she and Natsu currently were living. She read about that in the book – when humans are sad and have nothing to do, they go to the café. Though, she probably was a bit inattentive as she missed that part where necessity of at least one more person has been explained, as you can't pour out your heart to nobody. The only thing she managed to get is a morbid attention from mediocre-looking and very annoying guys…
"I'm sorry, is this seat free?" For a change, female's voice asked for a permission to join Mirajane at her table.
"Ah?!" Mirajane eyes widened a little, as she recognized her sister's voice, "Lisanna!"
"Yeah…" Younger sister sighed, as she sat across the table. "I… well… I'm sorry…" She lowered her head.
"No," Mirajane shook her head, "I'm the one who should apologize…" Elder sister looked down. "I'm well aware of what you feel when someone's lying to you…" Mirajane and Lisanna's parents both died from fatal illness, but until the last moment, they were lying to their daughters, pretending that everything was fine. When truth finally was revealed, it was a deep shock for both girls, but especially for Lisanna.
"There are thousands reasons to lie, I think I got used to it," Lisanna shook her head. "I've learned to ignore lie from other people," She added, "From all of them… but you…"
"Yes, yes, I understand," Mirajane smiled guiltily, "I'm really sorry, it won't happen again," She assured her sister.
"Okay!" Lisanna replied cheerfully, naturally, she was an easily forgiving person. "And you too, please forgive me for calling you a whore that has sold her soul…"
"No need to asking for forgiveness," Mira again looked down, "Naturally, you've said the truth… I am completely confused. He almost killed and then enslaved me, certainly I have to hate him… but I can't. He's treating me well enough, and he's peerless in bed…" Mirajane raised her eyes on her sister. "Is sex really that important? Even now I'm thinking not about getting free of him, but about getting in bed with him."
"Hmpf…" Lisanna snorted with somewhat cunning smile, "So, you actually like him?"
"No, I don't think so… Actually, I have no idea what I feel toward him," Elder sister admitted. "But my feelings are meaningless anyway. I'm sure he doesn't feel anything toward me. I'm just a good asset for him, besides, our sexual relationships are completely satisfying for me, but definitely not for him…" Mira sighed.
"Well, then my proposition is still on," Lisanna winked to her sister.
"Are you serious?" Mirajane asked, looking straight into Lisanna's eyes.
"Absolutely," Lisanna nodded. "If you can't perform you task alone, it's only natural to ask your sister for help," Lisanna winked to her sister again.
Elder sister stared into the eyes of her younger sister for a few moments. "Ah, damn it, why not?" Mirajane facepalmed. "You're an inborn whore, maybe together we'll be able to satisfy his needs… I'll ask him about you as soon as he'll return," Elder sister decided. "But until I hear his decision, please, stay away from his sight."
"Right!" Lisanna agreed cheerfully as two girls stood up and embraced each other.
July 5, Year X784, 17:59, Clover town.
"Damn, I overdid it…" Natsu said as he examined Erigor's corpse. "He's unrecognizable…" Dread master looked around, "Oh, well, this thing will do," He noticed a lower half of Erigor's scythe – apart from being broken in half, haft and blade were almost intact.
"Why…?" Lucy asked as her lips were trembling.
"You're principally does not take prisoners?" Gray wondered, at the same time trying to comfort Lucy.
"I'm taking prisoners if there's a chance to get better bounty for them," Natsu replied as if it was obvious. "But no one would pay any additional money for this fool, if that's what you asking about," He added, looking around. "Ah, there it is," Natsu said as he located the Lullaby flute. "Now, for the finishing touch," He moved his arms seemingly to make a hand seal, intending to destroy Zeref's creation.
However, before he could use his technique, all three Lullaby's eye-sockets began to glow as the flute herself started to erupt violet smoke and lightning, and horrible voice came from it: "A BUNCH OF PATHETIC COWARDLY FOOLS, EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU!"
"Careful, something's coming out!" Erza shouted.
"I felt there was something odd about this thing…" Gray shook his head.
"What is going on?!" Lucy exclaimed in fear.
The amount of smoke started to increase drastically as a huge magic seal appeared in the sky.
"I CAN'T HOLD IT ANY LONGER! MY HUNGER BECAME UNBEARABLE, I'LL JUST EAT YOU ALL MYSELF!" Doubtlessly, the voice was coming from the flute, and it became louder each second. Everyone (except Natsu) looked on in shock as a huge mist cloud started to assume shape.
"The flute talked?! How's that possible?!" Lucy asked with saucer-wide eyes.
"Look! The smoke – it's forming a shape!" Gray exclaimed as he pointed to the huge smoke cloud. A huge, magic seal started to glow and soon collapsed, giving a final shape to the smoke cloud. It turned into a massive, tree-like beast that had three eyes, two legs, two arms and one head. There were many cutouts in its body.
"Damn…" Erza swore, taking a step back.
"So this is the real Lullaby…" Raven-haired demon growled.
"Yes…" Elven warrior-mage confirmed, "One of Zeref's fiends…"
"LET ME CONSUME… YOUR PITIFUL SOU…"
"Oh, just shut your mouth, pathetic creature. Fire Release: Great Fire Destruction!" Natsu made 'Rat → Tiger' hand seals sequence, and then breathed out massive cone of intense flames, that consumed the entire monster. Lucy and Erza were forced to close their faces with arms to protect them from extreme heat. Few seconds later flame dissipated.
However, even after such attack, monster appeared still alive. It was seared, but generally, still intact.
"The monster… he's still alive?!" Lucy mumbled in disbelief.
"YOU! HOW DARE YOU?!" The monster bellowed in fury, "I WILL DESTROY YOU!" The demon's eyes started to glow, creating big magical seal in front of himself, as he prepared to use his beam attack against Natsu.
"He's attacking!" Lucy shouted.
"Oh…" Natsu sighed, he seemed annoyed a little. Few moments before the impact, Natsu's Sharingan switched to Mangekyō form. Bright flash lit up the surroundings, as three laser-like beam hit him.
"Magnetic Shield!" Gray quickly used his curse to create a round energy shield to protect himself and his team from shockwave.
"Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed worriedly, however, when cloud of dust, invoked by Lullaby's attack, dissipated, dread master again appeared inside of his Susanoo's ribcage, but this time he also manifested Susanoo's skeletal left arm to deflect the attack.
"This thing," Natsu pointed at Lullaby, answering the question Lucy asked earlier, "It looks like tree, but actually it made of earth element, thus normal fire attacks aren't too effective." Natsu pointed to the sky, "However, I've used fire for something else…"
"Ah?!" Lucy yelped as she looked into the sky.
"Unbelievable…" Erza mumbled as lightning struck nearby. Just few minutes ago sky was clear, but now it was covered with thunderclouds. "Those fire attacks… they produced storm conditions… he created an artificial thunderstorm…"
"Indeed," Natsu confirmed Erza's guess. "My last attack actually was just a finishing touch…"
"YOU'RE REALLY PISSING ME OFF NOW!" The monster bellowed as it took a deep breath, creating a huge curse seal in the sky and devouring life from the surrounding vegetation. "I'LL BE DINING ON YOUR SOUL!"
"Haven't I told you to shut up?" Natsu asked tiredly, raising his arms with index and little fingers outstretched. By the power of Natsu's will, controlled by his chakra, natural lightning energy from thundercloud began to gather right above the Lullaby.
"What is… that…?" Gray whispered in awe as lightning energy took shape of huge dragon-like monster made of lightning.
"DIE! RRAAAARRRGGGHHH!" Demon-Lullaby roared, preparing to release its curse.
"Lightning Release: Kirin!" Dragon-like monster made of lightning 'jumped' down right on Lullaby and reached its target in a split-second. Powerful discharge annihilated Lullaby within a single moment, canceling its spell and obliterating the mountain on which Lullaby stood. Immediately after, thundercloud dissipated, as Natsu used all its energy in that single attack.
"Um…" "Ah…" Lucy and Gray were rendered speechless.
"He… destroyed… a mountain…?" Even Erza was shocked, she couldn't believe her eyes, "So this is… the power of…"
"No," Natsu replied as he walked forward, to the pile of debris that left from destroyed mound, and picked up a flute of Lullaby, which was cracked all over. It was all that left from huge demon. Natsu's left eye flashed, and black flame of Amaterasu covered the flute, quickly turning it to black dust. "Well, I guess I'm done here…" Dread master said, still holding the lower half of Erigor's scythe, which he was intending to use as a proof of his accomplishment. His Sharingan switched back to normal form, "Alright, I have to go," Natsu said and headed back to the Clover town as small bell on his collar jingled quietly. He still needed some time to collect bounty, and he had to hurry or he'd miss the express to Magnolia.
"Hey, what's going on here?!" Master Makarov asked as he and several more guild masters arrived, rallied up by battle nearby.
"Master?!" Gray exclaimed as he saw Makarov and others. Lucy was still in shock and couldn't say anything as Erza stood with dark face expression, calculating something in her mind. Definitely they saw Zeref's demon and Natsu's spell that destroyed it, however, dread master already left, so Erza and others were forced to explain everything.
July 5, Year X784, 19:21, Clover station.
"Damn, and how we're supposed to return to Magnolia?" Gray asked in annoyance as he heard the news about station. All today and tomorrow's trains were canceled as rails were heavily damaged due to Eisenwald's sabotage.
"No idea…" Lucy replied with deep sight. Seemingly, she was still shocked with today's events, particularly with Natsu's powers… and mercilessness.
"Hey, Lucy, get a hold on yourself," Erza commanded.
"Still thinking about Eisenwald?" Gray wondered.
"Yes…" Lucy sighed. "He's killed everyone… Why? Is that really was the only way?"
"Maybe his methods are wrong, but we can't forget that he probably saved our master and the entire league," Gray reminded.
"Agree," Erza confirmed darkly.
"Yes, but… when I met him, he seemed quite polite and reasonable…" Lucy noted. However, when Natsu killed Erigor he also seemed calm and reasonable. The decision to kill Erigor and others didn't come in the heat of battle, Erigir was killed because his life doesn't mean anything, it was just more convenient way.
Gray glanced at Erza. Since the moment Natsu destroyed Lullaby, elf was unusually quiet, no, actually she was quiet since she met Natsu yesterday. Even Gray, who wasn't too perceptive, understood that something's bothering her. However, Gray himself was shocked with Natsu's power, to destroy something like Lullaby with one blow… 'I have to become stronger… The merciless executioner like him shouldn't be our only hope…'
Well, this is it, until next time!