Two chapters in one day, wow I'm impressed with myself. Granted I had this one in the works for a while, Nightmares of Scarlet came first. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail, I only own MY OCs
Enjoy chapter 3 everyone!
(Fairy Tail)
Erza was sitting on one of the guild's benches. Her team had just finished another mission, a mission in where Natsu went overboard, again. But to her, the damage caused was well within reason. A perfect testament to the power and skill Natsu possessed. He would be a valuable addition to her guild. But now wasn't the time to be thinking such thoughts, she still had her mission to accomplish and she was going to finish it to the best of her ability.
Quietly, Erza excused herself from the guild's affairs. Opting to return to her room so that she would have little chance of being disturbed. Her master requesting an update on her target, more specifically how he was progressing.
"How is he progressing Erza?" a thought projection of her master suddenly made itself known. His eyes held a caring look to them, as one would have when looking upon their own child.
"E.N.D.'s Strength continues to grow at an immense rate, I would give him a couple more years before he would be able to surpass me in combat. That is, assuming I don't grow stronger in the meantime." With her head low, she addressed him. Fearful to not look upon him until given permission to do so. Such was one of her rules when dealing with him. She was too respectful of his power not to do anything less.
"How many times must I tell you Erza, you do not need to bow your head in my presence?" There was a small smile on his face, one that showed a little amusement as well as slight irritation at the mage's antics.
"It doesn't matter how many times you tell me, I will keep doing it as I admire you too much to even consider doing anything less." Taking it as her symbol to rise, Erza came to look at the thought projection of her master.
"I remember when you were only a little girl, just freed from slavery in the R-System."
Her thoughts shifted to her time back in the tower, when her master came and freed everyone. Long before the revolution that she said occurred. She owed him her life, not just her, but everyone that was in that hell of a tower. He not only took them in, but he also taught them magic. Each and every one who went with him was taught a lost magic. One that was extremely useful and versatile. Some learned god-slayer magics, others various arc magics. Erza along with her childhood friend Jellal happened to be the odd ones out. While Jellal wanted to learn the magic of the heavens, Erza had recalled old tales about dragons and wanted to learn the magic of them as a result.
"It wasn't too long ago Master Rillian. Even now, in the presence of all these fairies. Your guidance keeps me strong." Her gaze hardened upon the mere mention of those Fairies. Far too often would she hear Makarov drone on and on about the supposed benefits of friendship. How being in the company of those you care for would strengthen you. Never in her life would she allow those thoughts to corrupt her, power was determined by raw strength alone. Not by any measly bonds of friendship. Erza Scarlet, held a lot of power, more than anyone else in the guild, save for a very select few. But they were nothing but targets for her to eventually surpass. People that she would eventually crush beneath her feet. But for now, she had a role to play in this grand performance that was life, and play it she would.
"There are certain aspects of what Fairy Tail preaches that I find amusing actually." He had an inquisitive look to him. As if thinking about how the Fairy Tail code. "For example, Makarov isn't wrong when he claims that there is strength when in another's company." This shocked the red-head, as never had she hear her master think in such a way.
"Think about it this way Erza," He said, clearly noticing the young mage's distress "If you only fight for yourself, who do you to compare yourself to? Who is there to crush beneath you? Who's hopes are there to slowly build up, then mercilessly crush?" Thinking about it in that way, it finally clicked with her. Building someone's hopes up then watching their face as their innermost desires crumble before them. She wanted to see that face, their pitiful reactions.
"It makes sense when you speak of it in that sense master. Perhaps these Fairies could be of use to me." A smirk had adorned her lips, many plans running through her mind. Ways of using the fairies she felt beneath her as tools. She would use them in her goal to finally rid the world of the influence her master's rival possessed within Fiore's underground.
"Watch yourself Erza. You may be strong, but there is always the possibility that those beneath you may band together to overpower you. Although powerful, Dragon-slaying magic especially your variety can easily be overwhelmed when encountering numerous foes."
Her thoughts would shift again, to her many training sessions under his care, when she and many others would learn the true ways of magic. It wasn't for helping others, she thought of them as simply means to an end. Even thinking about helping others made her sick. To her, magic was a tool to improve one's physical capabilities. And many others in her guild agreed with her.
She proved that concept multiple times, whenever she would take Natsu on in combat she would fight with the same ferocity that her master had shown her. Kill or be Killed, that was her world. The world Erza thrived in.
But she couldn't act like her true self here. No, she had to play the role of the strict, yet caring enforcer of order.
With her thoughts done and her report finished, Erza returned to the Guildhall. Slipping in unnoticed so that she would be able to eavesdrop on Makarov's conversation.
"This isn't good…" she heard the aging Guild master say. "With her back in play, I don't know if any of us will be safe anymore."
"Who are you talking about master?" Lisanna asked, quite fearful for what the response would be.
"The Frozen Mistress of Death." That was all that needed to be said for all commotion in the guild to be put on a standstill. Most of the older members had looks of fear on their faces as they could easily recall how deadly she could be in combat. Even outside of it, just her mere presence alone caused people to second guess what they would do in fear of making her angry. Rumor had it that she belonged to part of the Balam Alliance, more specifically the dark guild Grimoire Heart. But those who investigated them died before they could find out with absolute certainty if they were true or not.
Erza took note of their reactions to hearing that name. To her, the Frozen mistress was one who commanded respect. As she commanded power that far eclipsed ever her own. Her breed of Ice magic was different from anything she had witnessed any other ice mage do. Her specialty in Glacial Ice magic meant that even slayers who practiced the element of ice would have a difficult time against her. For they could not eat her magic to regain strength.
On occasion, Erza would take an extended leave of absence from Fairy Tail. Mainly so that she could return to her true guild and take some exciting jobs for once. After all, she did have a legacy to maintain. What better way to do so than by doing the things that made you infamous in the first place?
Other times while she was away from Fairy Tail, she would train under her superior's instruction. Growing stronger and learning the true depths of her magic while doing so.
This would be another of those times, she had to go back and warn her true companions about what was to come. How the fairies would be after them now that their greatest fear had returned.
Again, she snuck away from the guild, using the pathways she initially found on her arrival to magnolia to hide her as she snuck away from the guild.
(Illuminated Path Guildhall)
The chill of the guildhall meant only one thing, the Frozen Mistress of Death was present. The one who made governments cower in fear and armies flee in sight. At least that's what the legends portrayed her to be.
"I take it you have something to report Erza?" her tone was cold, yet calculated. As if each syllable she spoke had a pinch of venom to it.
"I do, it seems your recent attack against the council has already gathered the attention of the legal guild masters. It seems like they might come together to draw plans to 'neutralize' you as they say. Granted what I was able to hear wasn't much." Erza head was low, she gave her the same respect she gave Rilian. Her power would only require such an action.
"Let those old, decrepit guild masters try. The wizard saints especially, they might give me the most fun I've had in a long time." A smile graced the mistress's lips, a smile that had not been seen in a long time. Ur secretly welcomed the challenge, wanting to put her abilities to the ultimate test.
"Tell me Erza, how is Gray Fullbuster progressing? Would you consider him worthy of being the old Ur's student?" once again, the cold persona showed itself. Once again, the venom came forth, speaking the name of one of her pupils disgusted her. She had been far too nice in the past, too willing to impart the knowledge of ice magic onto others. That was going to change, she would eliminate both Gray and Lyon. Maybe then she'll take on a true pupil, one who would carry on her legacy with Glacial Ice magic.
"He allows his ego get the better of him more often than not. Every day He'll challenge E.N.D. to a guild brawl, only to get easily defeated mere seconds later. Honestly, I don't know if he will ever learn that he is far outclassed."
"As I expected, I was a fool to take him on as an apprentice. In time, I guess I will have to correct that mistake. But that will be taken care of in the future, not now." She paused before continuing, "Tell me Erza, how is your Steel Dragon slaying magic coming along? You haven't spent too much time with Requips alone haven't you?" Erza was caught red-handed, during her infiltration into Fairy Tail, she had grown too accustomed to Requip magic that she completely forgot to continue her training in her dragonslayer magic.
"Do not fret Erza, that is to be expected." Hearing that allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief. "However, I would recommend you do something to fix that, otherwise Rilian's training might go to waste. Trust me, you wouldn't want to face him when he's angry." She was right, her master's wrath was not something she wanted to be on the receiving end of. Erza had her reputation within the Illuminated path to maintain. Her pride as not only a dragonslayer but a mage wouldn't allow for her to think anything different.
"I shall grab an assignment at once." With one final bow, Erza walked away from the second in command.
Looking over the assignments available, only one mission stood out to her. One of the lower guilds under their command had issued a request that a council official be captured. The details would go on to say that the official in question was close to figuring out their illegal activities and as such request that they are to be captured so the guild could "Deal" with them as they call it.
Exiting the Guildhall, Erza would undertake this mission. She would earn her own sobriquet, her own nickname. It would be one that resonates throughout history as one that inspires fear in all who hear it. This world left her and her kin at the tower for dead, Erza would make them pay dearly for that mistake. For she was Erza Scarlet, path walker of the Illuminated path. Her legacy would be one of blood, steel, and much more. She would be prepared for the war to come, whether the world liked it or not.
Erza happens to be a member of the Illuminated path? How will this affect the dynamic in the guild? Will her relationships with the Fairies change at all? I guess we'll find out in the future, won't we?
Hope you have a wonderful Morning/Afternoon/Evening everyone and I'll see you next time!