Hello, everyone!
Special thanks for all of those who have favorited, followed, or reviews. Thank you guys so much!
Whispers of the Names
Chapter Seven
Erza
They were going to execute a jailbreak.
Erza closed her eyes. Immediately, she could see flashes of the Tower of Heaven, when Jellal threw her into the sea to die. Then, she could see herself, a knife holded at Jellal's throat. And then, she could see herself placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder as he fought to remember his previous memories as they battled the Oracion Seis.
Erza wondered if Jellal's memories have come back fully now.
"When are we going?" Natsu asked.
"Now," Erza answered.
So they set off to the Magic Council.
(())(())
Once they arrived, the plan was simple.
Gray and Gajeel would walk through the front doors and demand the Magic Council's attention. (Erza chose Gray and Gajeel because they were slightly less hot-headed than Natsu.) Meanwhile, Lucy, Happy, Carla, Wendy, Natsu, and herself would sneak into the prison. Natsu will handle the controls, while Erza, Happy, and Carla busted him out. Wendy was there was a medic, in case if Jella was tortured or anything.
Erza, Natsu, Happy, Lucy, Carla, and Wendy took their positions.
"Now," Erza mouthed.
Immediately, Gray and Gajeel sauntered up to the gates.
"Hey! Is there anyone home?" Gajeel called.
"State your business and leave immediately," a Rune Knight ordered.
"Like I'll follow your orders," Gray snarled. His hands began to turn frosty, cold air wafting from his fists.
"I agree with the stripper here," Gajeel agreed, his arm turning into iron.
"We need reinforcements! We are under attack!" the Rune Knight yelled.
"Time to go," Erza ordered.
Wendy nodded grimly, and they began.
The five of them snaked through the halls of the complex. Once in a while, they had to duck out of sight as Rune Knights strode past, but their trip went by uneventfully.
Soon, they entered the prison hall.
Chunks of carved lacrima hovered in the air. The lacrima was hollow on the inside and translucent, allowing Erza to see moving figures of the prisoners inside. Some of them were pointing at them, others pounding their fists at the walls, others staring, stunned.
"Get to the controls," Erza ordered.
Happy grabbed Natsu and took him to the controls. Carla readied Wendy, and Erza re-quipped into her Black Wing armor.
Despite all odds, Erza was the first to see Jellal's cell.
"That one," Erza told Natsu, who nodded and cranked a few levers.
Erza, Wendy, and Carla flew up.
The second Erza saw Jellal, her heart nearly exploded with emotion.
Jellal was thinner than before, but still fit. He wore a simple shift, and his hair was overlong, but the eyes were definitely the same.
"Erza?" Jellal said.
"Yes," Erza said curtly.
"What are you doing here?" Jellal asked. His voice sounded... confused. Puzzled, really.
"I..." Erza's tongue couldn't form around the word.
"We're here to rescue you, Jellal-chan," Wendy piped. Her large eyes were wide. Carla looked annoyed and haughty.
"But..." Jellal trailed off. "I'm a criminal. I'm supposed to be here?"
"Look," Erza found her voice. "I know you're a criminal and you have just about eternity to beat yourself up, but we need your help."
"You can find help somewhere else," Jellal said. "I can't help you,"
"No, you're the only one who can help us," Erza snapped.
Suddenly, there was a shout. Natsu and Happy yelped. Doors burst open as Rune Knights poured in. Dimly, Erza could hear Natsu cheering as he spewed flames at the Knights. She could also hear Gray yelling and the crash of iron against a wall as Gajeel fought back as well. Lucy summoned Taurus, who said his usual perverted phrases before leaping into battle.
"All right, Jellal. I know you don't want to help us, but consider this as a chance for redemption. We really need your help. Please, Jellal. Please," Erza said, furious at how pleading her voice sounded.
"But..." Jellal trailed off.
"Are you coming or not?" Erza snarled.
"Yes, yes, I'm coming, I'm coming..." Jellal stuttered. Erza grabbed his hand and they soared out.
"Natsu! Gray! Gajeel! Time to get out!" Erza ordered.
"Come on!" Natsu whined. "I want to..."
"OUT!" Erza roared.
Whining, Natsu blew a hole in the wall, and he and Happy soared out. Gajeel and Gray leapt up the floating lacrima and hopped out. Finally, Erza, Carla, Wendy, and Jellal went out, leaving the yells of the Rune Knights behind them.
"So, Jellal," Natsu said happily as they landed. "How was jail?"
Erza was about to yell at Natsu about how rude it was, but managed to stop herself just in time as Jellal laughed.
"Boring, but pretty good." Jellal answered, smiling a bit.
They started heading towards the gate.
(())(())
When they arrived there, Lucy was back in Horologium. Happy and Natsu were again complaining about how hungry they were. Gray and Gajeel started chatting for a bit, while Carla and Wendy laughed at their jokes.
Erza and Jellal remained silent.
"So..." Jellal said slowly. He stared at his feet as he walked. "What do you need me for?"
"We need to break down a gate. Only Heavenly Body Magic can make a dent in it," Erza replied shortly.
"Oh," Jellal said.
The rest of the walk was in silence.
Erza forced herself not to look at Jellal. Even looking at him made her remember... well, everything. It was just so... awkward.
"Hey guys!" Lucy suddenly said.
"Yeah?" Natsu said.
"I don't know if you know this, but... You do realize that the Magic Council will be after us on this quest, right?"
"Oh shoot," Erza said.