Rukia Kuchiki glanced over her shoulder back at Ichigo as the Soul Reapers walked steadily alongside the mages. Currently she was unsure whether or not to trust these strangers, their power against the hollows was undeniable but that didn't necessarily mean that they would readily become allies. From the look of wariness in his eyes, Rukia could tell that her friend felt the same. Secrecy would be the best policy for the time being; the less these sorcerers knew, the better.
Ahead of them, Rukia saw a magnificent building that dominated the skyline. Ornately crafted statues and glyphs adorned the towering building as they approached. Its many towers and turrets leant it the appearance of a formidable fortress but that was not what caused Rukia's hair to stand up on end. The very air seemed saturated with magical energy as the very power of the universe rippled and flowed through the very stonework of the guild hall. Emblazoned upon several banners hanging from the many balconies was the fiery red insignia of the Fairy Tail guild.
Walking cautiously into the shadow of the guild hall, Rukia glanced at the mages. The blonde haired one named Lucy she had learnt was the most cheerful of the group and was certainly the life of the group. On the other hand, the pink haired male by the name of Natsu seemed to have an intense rivalry with the ice mage, Grey Fullbuster, which had almost literally flared up on the way back to the hall. Only the intervention of the one who named herself Erza had prevented the pair from engaging in a duel that would have most likely caused more damage than the efforts of the hollows.
Narrowing her eyes slightly, Rukia watched Natsu. There was something strange about this one but so far, Rukia had been unable to decipher what. Even this close to the hall, the magical energies in the air seemed to swirl around him, almost visibly as golden strands. He seemed ancient and young simultaneously and the more that Rukia delved, the more terrible the power she saw within him. He seemed less like a creature of flesh and blood and more akin to a living maelstrom of fire and flame. Such a thing should have been impossible. As far as Rukia was concerned, Natsu should have been torn asunder by his own power.
"What is it?" The voice of Ichigo beside her, snapped Rukia from her study of the dragon slayer. Ichigo's wary gaze was locked also upon Natsu although if the mage realised this, he gave no such comment to indicate any such knowledge or perhaps he simply did not care.
"I..I don't know," Rukia answered quietly, "He just doesn't feel...right." For a moment she feared that perhaps she sounded paranoid. Her fears were put aside a mere second later as Ichigo nodded.
"I can feel it too," he muttered, "Let's just keep our distance. I'd rather not piss this guy off."
Nodding quietly, Rukia stayed close to Ichigo as the great doors of the guild hall swung open.
A cold gust of air swept into the guild hall as Erza pushed open the door and marched inside with her team and the Soul Reapers followed closely behind. Immediately the resident mages looked up from their activities. From the corner of the room Levy McGarden came rushing over, her blue hair swaying slightly as she clutched several arcane tomes to her chest. Although her eyes betrayed none of her fear, her voice was filled with a slight tone of panic.
"Erza, what the hell is going on out there?!" she exclaimed as the other guild members came running over, each demanding an explanation and soon the vaulted chamber was filled with a series of voices, each blurring into another until they became an indecipherable mass. Slamming her fist down upon the wood of a nearby table, the red haired mage called for silence. The bang echoed loudly and immediately a dread silence fell upon the immense chamber.
"Silence!" She exclaimed, her voice loud and commanding, forcing all other sounds into a submission. Her chocolate eyes scanned the crowd like a hawk searching for prey amongst the tall grass, daring someone to come out and challenge her authority. When no such suicidal fool came forth, Erza exhaled lightly before continuing. "We have encountered a new enemy, that is all I will say for now. Levy, come with us."
The young woman hesitated for the briefest of moments before following Erza. Wendy Marvell, Happy and Carla also came padding over, each with a quizzical look on their faces as their minds tried to comprehend what was going on with the little information that they had been presented with. All together, the band headed deeper into the guild hall, leaving their comrades at a loss for words.
Eventually, after making several turns and climbing a flight of stairs, they came to a door. The wood was a sturdy oak and ornately carved, no doubt having cost thousands of jewels. Reaching for an ornate locker, Erza noticed voices coming from the other side, muffled slightly but distinguishable all the same.
"But Master Makarov, surely we should do something," Came the first voice, a gruff, gritty one undoubtedly belonging to a man, "Those things completely destroyed the marketplace and would've destroyed the entire city if we hadn't prevented them."
"And how do you propose we do that Gajeel?" Incredulously replied Makarov's dry, elderly voice, "We do not know yet what we face or the true extent of their abilities and threat."
"Do you doubt my ability Old man?" Gajeel's reply came out as more of a wolf like growl than that of a mere question.
"No I don't. You more than proved what you were capable of during your time with Phantom Lord." There was no reply for some time and Erza pictured Gajeel taken aback by Makarov's mention of the iron dragonslayer's shady past with the dark guild he and Juvia had once affiliated themselves to.
Suddenly she heard Makarov sigh. "I know you lot are out there. Please stop skulking in the shadows and come and talk to us."
Swinging open the door, Erza walked slowly in, making sure to reveal none of the surprise she felt in her face. How had Master Makarov known? Were her stealth skills severely lacking in places or was it some sixth sense gifted to the master by his powers.
"What the hell!" Gajeel made no attempt to hide his surprise whatsoever,"Were you spying on us?"
"Believe me Gajeel, there is no reason why we would want to spy on an angsty jerk like you." Snorted Natsu. Within half a heartbeat, Gajeel was towering over Natsu, his metal studded face contorted into an expression of barely suppressed rage.
"You want to say that again? Go on, I dare you." he growled, baring his fang like incisors slightly.
"Gladly. I said..."
"Gentlemen if you are quite done, we have matters to attend to." The body of Rukia pushed itself between Natsu and Gajeel, forcibly separating to the two men with her arms outstretched, her voice filled with utter contempt.
"Who the heck do you think you are, you little brat," roared Gajeel, grabbing the girl's shoulder to push her aide in his attempt to exact his payback upon Natsu. No sooner had he done this however, did Gajeel feel all of his joints lock up simultaneously as though bound by invisible snares. Muscles visibly under his skin, Gajeel tried to flex his arms in an attempt to break free only for him to find that they would not respond. Quickly losing his balance, the massive dragonslayer fell flat on his face with a thud that reverberated throughout the room. Rukia placed her left foot between his shoulder blades.
"I said we have matters to attend to," she replied once again with authority. She looked up and glanced around at the other mages. No one immediately disputed her.
"Please let him go!" Levy exclaimed suddenly, taking a furtive step forwards. Rukia considered quickly before waving her hand and allowing Gajeel to stand. Instantly Levy rushed to his side, aiding the musclebound behemoth in his attempt to regain his footing. Happy padded slowly over.
"Wow, I've never seen anyone take down Gajeel that quickly before!" he exclaimed, "What did you do to him?"
"A blue cat?" Rukia mused, raising an eyebrow steadily, "How interesting."
"So his fur colour surprises you but not the fact that he talks." Wendy's relatively quiet voice piped up from between Grey and Lucy. Ichigo chuckled slightly and glanced at the young girl.
"Trust me kid, after all the crap we've been through, it takes a lot to surprise us."
"Indeed," Rukia allowed herself a faint smiled, "To answer your question Blue Cat, it was merely a simple incantation; a kido. All Soul Reapers are trained to use it along with several others."
"Yes that's all very well and good but will someone please tell me who these people are and what the hell is going on here!" demanded Master Makarov, effectively bringing an end to that particular conversation. Looking puzzled at one another, the mages sought to find an explanation that merited evesdropping on their master and flooring Gajeel with a single spell. Finally Erza stepped forward.
"Pardon our interuption master but we believe we have information about the attack on the market. These "Soul Reapers " believe that they were evil spirits called hollows."
Makarov scratched his beard slowly, as of considering something, while turning to face Levy. " Have you heard of either of these things? "
The young woman thought for a second before shaking her head. "Not of that I can recall but I can always recheck the records."
"We have no reason to lie to you," Ichigo said, "We are under attack by a very real threat. Even as we speak we can feel more of them being drawn to this place. Something is driving the hollows and we must find out what before it is too late."
Makarov pulled the pipe from his mouth and watched the smoke swirl into the air before slowly disapating. He nodded grimly.
"Erza, Natsu. Take your team and investigate these things with your friends. Levy and Gajeel, I want you two to find out what you can before going off to help them."
Gajeel glared at Rukia for a second before being pulled away by Levy. Erza, Natsu and the others nodded and turned to the Soul Reapers.
"Thanks but there is much to do," Rukia muttered grimly, " If we are not already too late."
