Disclaimers: I do not own Fairy Tail.
A/N: And here is Chapter 10 for Right Claw. Sorry for the wait. In this chapter, Chelia will have more of a backstory. Also, The Rune Knights come to town and they're not in a happy mood, but then again, when are they ever?
This chapter was beta by Conbolt is Fire.
Please check out my other stories such as Fiery Hurricane of Love, Chaos Wheel of Magic, Wild Master, and Romeo Rising, if you get the chance.
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Chapter 10
Knights, Wizard Saints, and Assassins, God Damn.
"Romeo! Chelia!" Bob's voice over the intercom rang out, "We're making our final approach to the Fairy Tail guild hall, get ready to disembark!"
Romeo sits up from his position on the couch and begins walking toward the door, "Well, I guess this is my stop."
"Woah, woah, woah!" Chelia yells while waving her hands, "You're not going to tell me the rest of the story?!"
"Um, in case you haven't noticed, I'm about to leave", Romeo points out. Chelia takes a gander out the window.
"We're like ten, maybe fifteen minutes from landing, surely you can tell me more", Chelia says and is caught off-guard when Romeo crosses his arms and stares at her with an almost bewildered expression.
"Oh, I'm sorry" Romeo starts as he crosses his arms and stares at her, "Did I miss the memo that said we were best friends all of a sudden?"
"Huh?" Was Chelia only response.
"You honestly don't expect me to relive the worst day of my life just to satisfy your curiosity, do you?" Romeo asks as he held up one finger, "You started a fight with me on the day I finally return home after seven years. You have insulted my friends and family, even beat them up for no other reason than your own pride. Your stubbornness and recklessness almost got us killed today and you have the audacity to take your anger out on me for something that happened seven years ago that I had nothing to do with. The way I see it, you're lucky I told you that much and you're lucky that I don't sock you in the face because that is all you deserve from me."
"Wait a damn minute!" Chelia screams as she stomps her foot, slightly shaking the compartment, "I save both you and Bana's lives!"
"And I saved yours, so we're even on that part." Romeo counters.
"And what about Bana?!" Chelia roars.
"Think of it this way, he would have never been in that situation if a certain someone had kept their superority complex in check." Romeo points out.
And with that, Romeo turns toward the door and stomps out, leaving a fuming Chelia in his wake. Dark winds began to swirl around her body as she started to tremble, narrowing her eyes and curling her hands into fists, squeezing so hard that her nails drew blood. As her healing magic kicked in, a voice full of venom seethed through the girl's teeth.
"I was just going to beat the crap out of you the next time we fought...now I'm going to humiliate you!"
Outside of the Guild Hall
"Okay", Romeo starts as he pinches the bridge of his nose, "I get that I'm one of the four slayers of the dragon who's considered the personification of the Apocalypse and all. I also get that the little fight me and Chelia had a while ago and the destruction we caused could maybe be cause for alarm among the Magic Council."
Romeo then points at the mass formation of men that were standing in front of him, Bob, Chelia, and Bana, with their shields up and spears at the ready, pointing them back at him, "But do I really warrant five full companies of Rune Knights showing up?!"
"I have to admitted that even I'm a little shock that they send five hundred of their men to "greet" you", Bana agreed.
"Oh my, I don't think there were so many knights in Magnolia even after the Fairy Tail/ Phantom Lord War seven years ago", Bob added.
Suddenly a man wearing a different attire then the rest of the knights step forward...
"Romeo Conbolt!", the man shouted.
"Yeah, that's me," Romeo responded nonchalantly.
"I am Captain Lahar of the Rune Knights! I have been ordered by the Magic Council to investigate your appearance in Fiore! You are to comply with any order I give to you without haste! My first order is that you hand over your weapons!"
"And what if I say no?" Romeo's reply caused some of the rank and file knights to stare at him in shock at such clear defiance of their captain's orders.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I mean, what do I get out of handing over my blades to you? Surely you don't need to confiscate them in order to talk to me."
"Hey, maybe this isn't the time to act like a big shot" Chelia, still extremely miff from the ass-chewing she received earlier, warned Romeo who didn't even glance back at her, "Probably be for the best if you just comply with their orders."
"You don't seem to understand; if word gets back to Acnologia about me willfully complying with the Magic Council's orders, bad things will happen to me", Romeo said.
"How would he ever find out? Is Bana going to tell him?"
"You have no idea the size of Acnologia's web of information is", Romeo informed her, "I guarantee that no less than three of those knights in front of us are informants for the Dragon King."
"Wait, what?", Chelia gasp, but Romeo was already walking toward the captain by that point, ignoring the spears that were being drawn on him.
"Captain Lahar, is it?", he asks as he got up to the Rune Knights' commander.
"Correct", the man answers.
"I'll compromise with you, I'll give you one of my blades while I keep the other, that way you're technically able to complete your orders", Romeo suggested and watches in amusement as Lahar's face contort into an expression of absolute rage.
"Unacceptable! My orders were to confiscate all your weapons and I will follow that-", he erupts just as a Rune Knight sergeant comes running up next to Captain Lahar and pops a salute.
"Sir, I have important orders for you, sir!", he shouts and Lahar instantly redirects his anger to him.
"Sergeant, you better have a damn good reason for interrupting me!", he roars as the nervous sergeant proceed to whisper in his ear. Captain Lahar and Romeo's (who most people forget has enhanced hearing) eyes go wide as the message is relayed.
"Are you sure about this, sergeant?", Lahar questions to which the sergeant nods frivolously.
"Sir, yes, sir! He was adamantly clear about this!"
Lahar takes a deep breath and slowly exhale as he composes himself and turns to look at Romeo and surprisingly, Chelia, "It would seem that there has been a change of plans. Romeo Conbolt, your investigation will be conducted by God Serena of the Wizards Saints while I am to interview Miss Chelia Blendy."
"Me?", Chelia questions aloud as a pair of Rune Knights came and escorted her toward the small campsite the Rune Knights had set up, "Why me?"
"Well, Miss Blendy, according to our intel, outside of the Fairy Tail guild members, you have spent the most time with Romeo Conbolt, in fact, we have been informed that you're just coming back from a job with him. Because of this, the Magic Council would like your input on a few things; an outside opinion if you will", Lahar explains as he looks toward the young boy "Romeo Conbolt, you alone are to meet God Serena in your guild master's office. I trust that I don't have to have an armed escort take you there."
"Nah, I think I'll find the way. I get to keep my blades, right?", Romeo smiled as he watches a twitch mark appear on Lahar's forehead.
"Yes…you may", Lahar strains to say, catching Romeo's attention, "But the first sign of aggressiveness..."
"I'm sure it won't come to that", Romeo says as he heads into the guild hall, on the outside, he was the spitting image of confidence, though on the inside…
"Oh, shit! Oh, shit! Oh, shit! I've only been home less than a month and already I'm dealing with God Serena! What do I do? What do I do? I couldn't take on Jura-sama if I wanted, what chance do I have against the top Wizard Saint should he decide to get rid of me? I wish Waru and Echor were here! Hell, I'd even take the Fourth Cataclysm who I have never seen before as well! Maybe with all of them here I wouldn't be so terrified right now! I think I feel my heart about to jump out of my chest!", as he shakily closes the door leaving behind an enraged Lahar and a face-palming Bana.
As Romeo disappears into the building, Captain Lahar once more composes himself and heads for the tent where Chelia was currently sitting down at a table. Captain Lahar pulls out a folder and began flipping through it as he sat down. One of the pages caught Chelia's eye as she notices it had her magic guild profile picture on it.
"Sherria "Chelia" Blendy of the magic guild, Lamia Scale. Was born in the country of Isvan and just recently turned fifteen. Your parents were Rikada and Victoria Blendy and you have no siblings, though you are first cousins with Sherry Blendy, also of Lamia Scale. Your magic is Wind Magic along with the rare Sky God-Slayer magic which is extremely valuable to any magic guild due to its healing properties", Lahar began to read off.
"Is he about to go through my whole life story now?", Chelia thought.
"You were accepted into the Fiore Royal Magic Academy and graduated with top honors, valedictorian even. That's quite an accomplishment for someone who prior to the Academy only received the bare minimum of magical education, if that", Lahar notes, failing to notice the small twitch mark that appears on Chelia's forehead.
"What is he getting at? I thought he was going to ask me a question about Romeo. He also seems to be jumping back and forth in my life, not going in any particular order", Chelia thought.
Lahar continues scrolling through the pages until he found something that interests him, "Huh, but it would seem that it wasn't smooth sailing the whole way. It says here you were only a few months in and you got into an altercation, leaving four other students hospitalized, including a high-ranking noble's daughter."
"That was in self-defense, they attack me first", Chelia admitted, keeping her answer clear and to the point, something Sherry taught her to do if she ever had to deal with the Rune Knights.
"That is what it says on your record. Mind if I ask what may have caused this incident?", Lahar asked.
"They said that low-class trash like me didn't belong at the academy and that I was only there as a "pity case" or something along that lines", Chelia answers in a neutral tone, "The fact that I was a foreigner didn't help things either."
"If I recall, tensions were high at the time between Fiore and Isvan following a few naval skirmishes and trading disputes, so I'm not all that surprised. Must have been hard for you to make friends there", Lahar said.
"I got by just fine", Chelia replied as she crosses her arms, her patience wearing thin as bad memories she thought she had buried were beginning to find their way back up.
"So, I see, now it says here that you were given a scholarship by Gran Doma", Lahar points out.
"Even to this day, I don't know why he gave it to me", Chelia confesses, "One day, I received a letter in the mail and a week later, I was attending the academy."
"Strange, but who am I to question the chairman's decisions? Moving back a bit, your parents were killed in a Deliora incident when you were young, afterward, you were taken in by your grandparents, a Miss Abigail Blendy, former traveling gypsy, and Mr. Charles Blendy- retired Rune Knight's Captain... of the 4th Custody Enforcement Unit?", Lahar said as he puts down the paper and looks wide-eyed at the girl, "Your grandfather is Charlie the Iron Bull?"
"You knew him?", Chelia asks.
"Briefly, I was a new recruit just getting into the fourth while he was turning over to the captain that I would eventually replace. Talk to him a couple of times, but mostly what I know about him is through the stories I've heard. I heard that he once took on a dozen dark mages by himself with nothing more than his spear and shield while waiting for reinforcements and came out of it without a scratch", Lahar reminisced.
"Yeah, I remember him telling me that story. The part that most people don't hear is the fact that he did receive some injuries that day", Chelia smiled.
"From who?"
"From my grandma, after she found out about it", Chelia laughs.
"How is he doing these days?", Lahar asks and is visibly surprise when he sees Chelia's face takes on a darker tone, "Miss Blendy?"
"He died seven years ago in Oshibana Town", she answers after a moment of silence, causing Lahar to look on in shock.
"I'm sorry for your loss, but I must confess this is the first time of me hearing about this.", Lahar states, receiving a baffle expression from Chelia in return, "It's not even on her record."
"Is that...surprising?", she wonders.
"You see Miss Blendy when the old captain of a unit passes away, they are given a Rune Knight's funeral, paid for by the Magic Council, and the current captain of the unit is mandatorily required to attend the service and render honors to him in place of the unit. If you're saying he died seven years ago, then that would have been around the time that I recently accepted the position as the captain of the fourth; yet, I received no notification of his death", Lahar explains as he tries to recall whether or not he received a letter about this.
"Really, because we had to bury him in Oshibana and my grandmother had to sell her wedding ring to pay for it", Chelia says causing a little anger to rise up in her. Unknowingly, this causes a raging feeling to bubble up in Lahar's gut as well.
"Well, then I assure you Miss Blendy, that I will get to the bottom of this, but first I must conduct my interview", Lahar says as he clears his throat, "I certainly hope this is nothing more than a mix-up."
A period of silence follows before Lahar coughs and proceeds...
"Miss Blendy, first I must assure you this is nothing more than a formal investigation. You're not accused of anything and while you did cost damage to the town of Magnolia, we have been informed that the damages have been paid in full and there were surprisingly no civilian injuries", Lahar informed the girl, "This entire interview is solely based on your interaction with Romeo Conbolt, do you understand this, Miss Blendy?"
Chelia nods her head after a moment.
"Good, then we shall begin", Lahar says as he pulls out a pen and notepad, "The first question, before his return to Magnolia awhile back, did you know Romeo Conbolt at all?"
Chelia shakes her head, "Personally, no. Whatever I knew about him was through documentary video and news articles covering the attack on Magnolia all those years ago."
Lahar scribbles something down on his notepad, "Okay, next question. What was your first impression of the boy?"
Chelia ponders the question in her head for a moment before answering, "Different, my first impression of him was that he was certainly different."
"How so?"
"Well you see, captain, being a user of such rare and powerful magic such as god-slaying, I have gotten my share of unique reactions from people over the years. Some have been amazed by my magic, others have been frightful, and even a few of them have been akin to jealousy. The fact that the other known god-slayer in Fiore regularly flaunts his power has been both good and bad for my own reputation", Chelia spoke.
"I can't deny that", Lahar confesses, "The Thunder god-slayer of Sabertooth has been told multiple times to throttle back on his magic when he unleashes it on criminals, but please continue."
"Well, Romeo seems unimpressed by my god-slayer magic, even stating that I wasn't the first God-Slayer that he ever fought", Chelia explained.
"What do you mean by that?"
"He has told me that he fought the Ice God-Slayer before in Iceberg", Chelia tells Lahar, "Like two years ago or somewhat."
"The Ice God-Slayer was an Iceberg noble who was assassinated by two men", Lahar recalled, because he remembers the Fifth Custody Enforcement unit oversaw that case, "When did the boy encounter him? I'll have to look over the investigation reports."
"Just a few more questions, Miss Chelia", Lahar says, "Has Romeo Conbolt shown any signs of unprovoked aggressiveness in the time you spend with him?"
Now that question gave Chelia pause as she thought back to what just happened earlier today with Romeo holding one of his blades to her throat. She could tell by the look in Captain Lahar's eyes that he was expecting her to say yes, almost begging for it, and quite frankly, she wouldn't be lying. Just a few words and then she could have charges press against him and have him arrested or even worse if he resisted, especially with the Wizard Saint, God Serena, being here. Surely, he couldn't take on the strongest mage in Ishgar. Jura himself said that he wouldn't stand a chance against him, so surely Romeo stood even less of a chance. Plus, if you added in the unwanted touching in the sleeping bag, she could even get him on sexual assault as well. Going off of the captain's treatment of Romeo earlier, he wouldn't question her one bit.
But then Romeo's words from the airship came back to her. Acnologia would not take something like that happening to him lying down. She could inadvertently start a war with her next words that could kill countless people and destroy entire cities. It could be the Magnolia's attack all over again, only much worse.
Finally, there was the fact that if Romeo got arrested, she wouldn't be able to get her rematch with him and that was unacceptable. She had to beat him, no, she had to grind him into the dust and shove it in his face. She had to prove to everyone that she was the better mage and he was inferior to her, especially after his little rant toward her in the airship. Only after he was lying down on the ground, battered and beaten while she was towering over him in triumph, only after she had proven once and for all that she was the superior slayer, only then would she not care what happens to him.
"I have to train harder", she told herself, "I have to beat him before the Grand Magic Games. I have to prove to everyone at the guild that I can take on other slayers."
"He's not the friendliest guy to be around, but he hasn't made any threatening gestures toward me", she lied and she hopes to the gods on high that the Rune Knight couldn't see through it. The two stare at each other for what seemed like hours before Lahar simply scribble down more notes.
"One more question, how would you describe his style of fighting and magic?", Captain Lahar inquire.
"Deadly and restrain", immediately came out of Chelia's mouth.
"His style or his magic?"
"Both", Chelia started, "When I fought him the other day, at the beginning of our fight while I was using magic-infused attacks against him, he was merely using his hands and feet to battle me; there was no magic behind his attacks whatsoever. He only used his magic spells to block my own attacks and that was it. It wasn't until I got serious that he started using his magic more periodically. Even then, it almost felt like he was still holding back. He gave me a number of opportunities to surrender and even at the end of our fight, even though he looked as winded as I did, he was still ready to keep going."
She hated this. Chelia hated admitting something like this to anyone, let alone a Rune Knight's Captain. She hated admitting that Romeo got the upper hand on her in their first fight and that he probably wasn't even going one hundred percent. She could feel her blood boiling inside of her and she knew without a doubt that the only thing that could cool it down was Romeo's bloody face as her fists pound away at it.
Lahar took a few more notes before standing up, "Thank you for your time Miss Chelia, you're free to go."
"That was it?", Chelia wondered.
"Yes, it was just a few questions, nothing more", Lahar stated before coughing, "There is one more matter we would like your assistance it."
"And that is?"
"We have been informed by Jura-sama and Guild Master Macao of the arrangement you have with Romeo Conbolt in regards to Blue Pegasus, about paying off the debt you owe them", Lahar began.
"We were told by Guild Master Bob that we only had to do one job to complete that", Chelia informs him.
"Be that as it may, Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, and Fairy Tail, all seem to be in what the Rune Knights like to call an "unofficial alliance" with one another, aiding each other in jobs. Should you happen to partner up with Romeo Conbolt for another job here in the near-future, we would like you to notify us of any unusual behavior that he may exhibit."
"You want me to spy on him for you?", Chelia finally asks after a moment of silence.
"Spying is a very strong word for that would imply that there's a great risk for the person doing the spying should they be caught. Seeing how you are not a Rune Knight, I can't ask you to do that, only to observe him", Lahar says.
"Why not ask Eve to do it?", Chelia questions, remembering that the Snow Mage of Blue Pegasus was originally a member of the Rune Knights.
"Eve Team is out of the Rune Knights and has been for years. Even if I was to ask him, there's no guarantee he would agree to do this and the fact that Romeo Conbolt would probably know something was afoot, seeing how Eve's former occupation is public knowledge", Lahar explains, "But allow me to clarify, Miss Chelia, you're not being ordered to do this. No negative repercussions will come about should you not agree to do this."
Chelia looks at the man in front of her with wary eyes, "I wonder if he already asked Jura-sama to do this?"
Inside the Guild Master's Office
"I was told I was meeting with God Serena, so who is this guy in full-plated armor sitting on my father's desk?", Romeo wondered as he stood in the doorway of the room, observing a man wearing what looks like a heavy-set of armor was currently occupying the Guild Master's desk, "I'm surprised it can support him."
The man had been looking over a sheet of paper when looks up and notices Romeo, "Ah, you're here. Now we can begin, please come in and take a seat."
The hairs on the back of Romeo's neck began to stand up and he wished to himself that Bana had come with him.
"I was told that I would be meeting with God Serena", Romeo said as he walked in.
"And you shall!", a voice screams out from Romeo's left side and the boy instantly spins to his right, drawing both his blades out in the process and ends his motion with one blade pointing toward the origin of the voice while the other was in a reverse grip close to his own body. The two Rune Knights guards at the door instantly bring their shields up and lower their spears, pointing them directly at Romeo and were about to move toward him when the man in question raises a hand.
"Enough! There is no need for such open display of hostility! The boy was merely startled by my presence!" the man who was dress in red, white, and black robes and had a scar on the bridge of his nose shouted as he stretches his arms outward as he looked to the heavens.
"How did I not notice this guy when I walked in?", Romeo thought while still keeping his blades at the ready, "You think I would have sensed the presence of one of the most powerful mages on the continent."
The guards follow the order given to them and return to their post as the man at the desk coughs to get Romeo's attention. The boy briefly flickers his eyes over to him while still keeping his blade pointed at God Serena.
"I realize that God Serena's...introduction may have caught you off-guard and thus I see the need for you to have drawn your blades", he began, "But seeing how it was at mine as well as God Serena's request that you be allowed to keep your weapons, it would be most generous of you to sheath your blades."
Romeo's eyes rapidly go between the armored man and God Serena for what seems like forever before he slowly proceeds to put his short swords back in their sheath, but not wanting to fully let his guard down, he kept his hand on one of the handles. Both the man and God Serena noticed this but said nothing.
"Not like it would make much of a difference, if they wanted me dead, I wouldn't see it coming, at least not fast enough to react", Romeo thought to himself, already knowing that he was at the mercy of these two men.
"I would ask again for you to take a seat, but it's clear as day that you wouldn't take me up on that offer", the armored man says.
"I wouldn't", Romeo confess.
"Very well then, moving on. First, allow me to introduce myself, I am Chief of the Cherry Blossom Holy Knight Squadron, Arcadios", he proudly proclaims.
"That's one of the royal squadrons of King Toma, under his personal command no less", Romeo realizes, "I wasn't aware that the king of Fiore had taken interest in me."
"King Toma takes an interest in all of his subjects, especially those who have been through...difficult situations." Arcadios began while Romeo's eyes wander over to God Serena, who was merely leaning on the wall with his arms cross, "While yes, word has reached us that you're one of the personal dragon-slayers of Acnologia, you were still born and raised within the confines of the kingdom, so King Toma still considers you one of his precious subjects."
"That's awfully nice of him", Romeo points out as he returns his attention back to Arcadios, "Also, awfully nice of him to send one of his top lackeys here to lie to my face."
"It is, but time is short, so I'll get straight to the point. Your presence here has placed the king in a most difficult situation as it has put a number of his loyal subjects on the edge and he would like to know your intentions if only to ease their minds. You seem to be a reasonable young man, surely you can see that his majesty is only doing his royal duty to his kingdom and all that reside within it", Arcadios explains.
"This guy can't act to save his life, but seeing how they got me back into a corner, I guess I'll play along for now", Romeo tells himself, "Please relay to King Toma that my presence in Magnolia is nothing to be alarmed about as I am only here on personal matters that have nothing to do with my master."
Both Arcadios and God Serena were a little surprised to hear those words, but neither one showed it as Arcadios pressed on.
"Really, and what personal matters would that be?", he asked.
"Why, to help Fairy Tail reclaim its rightful place as the top magic guild in Fiore", Romeo stated, which wasn't a lie.
"Oh, does that mean you plan on entering this year Grand Magic Games?", Arcadios asks and waited with baited breath for the boy's answer. If one of the Four Cataclysm was going to be in Crocus on that fateful day, this could spell disaster for the kingdom.
"Hmmm, the thought has crossed my mind once or twice", Romeo admitted, "But seeing how that's my father's call as the guild master and he has yet to say anything, it's up in the air right now. Until he comes to a decision, I'll just keep doing whatever jobs come my way to the best of my abilities."
Arcadios stares at Romeo with a watchful eye, as if looking for the slightest hint of a lie in his body language but could find none.
"I see if you don't mind telling me, how long would this "personal matter" of yours take you away from Acnologia's side?"
"Done keeping up the charade and now getting straight to the point, are we?", Romeo muses before answering, "Honestly, I do not know. I could be at Fairy Tail for years or my master could call me back to his side as early as tomorrow. The choice is really all up to him, I merely just go where he tells me."
"Hmmm", Arcadios simply says before standing up, "I have one more thing to convey to you before I depart. His Majesty-"
Out of the corner of his eye, Romeo sees movement and instantly crouches down as his free hand moves to the second blade and prepares for a possible attack from God Serena. But to his surprise, he sees that the Wizard Saint was merely stretching his arm while sporting a grin as he stares straight at Romeo.
"If I didn't know any better, I say he's playing games with me.", Romeo thought as he slowly returns to original posture. Arcadios at least had the sense to keep quiet while all this happen and the guards remain at their posts, only raising their shields this time before seeing that further actions were not needed.
"As I was saying, his majesty would like you to know that he will not tolerate any degree of violence done against his subjects. But his excellency is lenient and is aware of the fact that you may have to defend yourself from the more….unruly citizens of the country who may not take too kindly to your presence", Arcadios finished as he fixed Romeo with a steely gaze, "That being said, should you show us that you're no better than the dragon that you serve under and assault our citizens in an unprovoked manner, the Kingdom of Fiore will strike you down with all the forces it can bring to bear."
"Wow, he said that as casually as someone discussing the weather", Romeo notes as Arcadios marches to the door, not even sparing the boy a glance as he goes by him. But right as he reaches the threshold of the door, he stops and looks over his shoulder back at the boy.
"One more thing", he began, "Your little "incident" with the Twilight Orge guild has reached our ears. You're in luck that the king has an unofficial policy of not involving the state in magic guilds feuds as long as they avoid civilian casualties."
"Lucky me", Romeo says.
"That being said, there's no telling how the Magic Council is going to handle it, but seeing how in the past they too have implemented a "non-interference" policy as long as civilians aren't dragged in, they will more than likely overlook this", Arcadios finishes.
"Oh joy."
"Farewell, young Conbolt", and the youngest Apocalypse Dragon-Slayer merely watches the royal knight go out of the room before turning his full attention back to the powerful mage who was still there. The mages had a stare-off that seem to last for hours like two tigers stalking around in a circle, waiting for the first one to make a move.
"I'm alone in a room with one of the strongest human mages in all Ishgar; how did my day start off so well and end like this?", Romeo thought as he blinks.
The only problem was that when his eyelids went up and allowed him to see again, God Serena was gone.
"Where did he go?!", Romeo panic as he moves to draw his blades, only to stop in mid-motion as two slender hands softly grip his shoulders from behind and a voice speaks directly into his ears.
"Aww, so you're the young dragon-slayer that has caused such a tremendous uproar over the past few weeks! Such an overwhelming aura you display, such brimming confidence, such immeasurable pride, you think you were the dragon king himself!", God Serena boom as his grip tightens around Romeo's shoulder and the boy could literally feel the man's hand slowly move inward toward his neck. Romeo tries to move but found himself unable to as a great, overbearing, pressure was exerting itself on him. He felt like he was ten thousand leagues under the ocean and was sinking even further with every passing moment. He couldn't move, he was struggling to breathe and finally, he got even oxygen to his brain to realize that it was God Serena's magic aura that was inflicting this punishment on him.
Within moments, Romeo finds himself going to his knees, the force pushing down on him increasing with every passing second and the fact that the man causing him to do this had a smile on his face didn't make things any better.
"I can already sense that your potential is vast! The odds are in your favor that in the future that your name will be one that resounds in all corners of the world!", God Serena rejoices before his lips contort into a sly smirk, "That is if you live long enough to make it that far."
Romeo realizes the meaning of his words and using sheer willpower, struggles to pull his blades, every inch that he draws exerting his muscles to the max, his limbs burning with pain.
"Such an indomitable will", God Serena states as he observes Romeo's effort, "It would seem Acnologia chose well in making you one of his dragon-slayers! But alas, you're dealing with me so….", he adds as his magic spiked.
Whatever magical pressure Romeo felt before was nothing compared to the impact of the Wizard Saint's magic now as his whole body slammed onto the floor, his eyes now leveled with the tips of God Serena's shoes.
"I suppose deposing of you now could prove beneficial to me. Why, I might be hail as a hero, known far and wide for taking out one the dragon king's Four Cataclysms. If I'm lucky, I might even draw out your master himself to come see me", the mage boasted as he lifted his shoe and hover it over Romeo's head. "It would take nothing more than a small exert of my power to end you here and now and all I have to do is get a new pair of shoes."
Romeo watches the shoe that was less than an inch from his head slowly move back.
"But alas, I was ordered not to harm you by the Magic Council, only to observe and gather information", he shrugs as he turns around, "Besides, you amuse me. It's too boring for me here in Ishgar since no one goes to war with anyone anymore and the dark guilds really don't pose a threat to me at all nowadays; perhaps you can cure of my boredom and give me something entertaining to watch."
He looks down at Romeo who was still flatten on the floor, "Stay safe, boy. I would hate to see you die before I lose interest in you", and he walks away out the door, summoning the two guards to follow him, leaving Romeo sprawl out on the ground. It was only after the sounds of marching footsteps had faded away that Romeo felt the weight instantly vanish and he finds himself gasping for air that suddenly tasted so sweet.
"Damn….it", Romeo gasps out as he slowly stands up, "It's been too long since I had to struggle to breathe like that."
A Few Days Later
"How are you holding up?", Bana asks as he hovers alongside Romeo as the two of them made their way down the Magnolia's main road during the afternoon.
"I could ask the same about you", Romeo grumbles without looking toward the exceed.
"There is nothing wrong with getting dominated by an opponent who is stronger, faster, and more experience than you, you know that right?", Bana said, "His magic aura was simply too much for you to handle."
"To deal with, yes, to handle, no", Romeo counter, "I been in Acnologia's presence when he is full-on angry and his magic aura caused me to pass out. I was still conscious with God Serena."
"Still you were out of your league against him", Bana continued.
"Pretty crappy words if you're trying to cheer me up", Romeo mumbles. He had been in a grouchy mode ever since the incident with God Serena and there was nothing Bana could do to cheer him up. The only upside was because his father and the others were being "detain" in the mayor's office, none of them were at the guild hall the other day and Romeo has yet to inform them of the incident. In fact, Bana was the only other person who was aware of it happening and he suggested that Romeo not report this to Acnologia due to the fact that the dragon would more than likely kill Romeo for appearing weak. A surprising notion, Romeo thought, from the guy who was nothing but loyal to the dragon, but Romeo had to admit that he had a point. Acnologia would've not taken to kindly to Romeo easily being put down. He probably would have destroyed Magnolia and Romeo in response to it. Both Bana and Romeo knew that it was only a matter of time before word of this confrontation reached the dragon king's ears, but they figure by then they could come up with a reasonable explanation by then.
"Though it almost seems like God Serena wanted to bring forth Acnologia's wrath, almost as if he was begging for it. But why, surely he doesn't think he can defeat him, does he?", Romeo ponders as he walks down the empty streets, happy that no one else was around to see his sour mood, "Thank the gods everyone else is either at the guild hall or out on-"
Romeo stops in mid-stride as he realizes something….
"Bana, today is market day, right?", he asks as he eyes darted in all direction. He notices people everywhere in their homes closing their windows shutters and he could hear the turning of locks on all the doors, "Well, that's not good."
"That it is, the busiest day of the week", Bana replies as he too goes on guard.
Yet, there isn't a single person out today, not even an open vendor stand." Romeo states as he places his hand with on one of his blade handles, "What does that sound like to you?"
"Sounds like something big is about to happen", Bana concludes.
"How are your wounds?"
"Still healing, unfortunately, but I'm not leaving you here", Bana tells him.
"Then how about you-", Romeo started before notices a figure coming toward him from down the street in front of them. It looked like a woman with long, bright pink hair which was tied up on top of her head in two large buns was anything to go off of. The woman has a figure complimented with peach skin which would have sent his father and Wakaba to the hospital, along with beauty mark underneath both her eyes. She was a long, slightly loose white kimono with that revealed a good amount of cleavage, enough that even Romeo started to slightly blush as his eyes glance over it.
"I been like this ever since that cave incident with Chelia", he thought for a moment as he now saw that the woman was holding a pink oil-paper umbrella as she strolls toward him and last but not least, there was the….
"Why are there Sakura petals floating around her?", Romeo wonder as she stops a good couple of feet away from him and Romeo could see her green eyes looking at him. But what put him off the most was the smile on her face. It was almost angelic.
"Excuse me, young man. Do you know what time it is?", the woman asks as she lowers the umbrella to the ground
Romeo briefly looks up at the sky and the location of the sun, though he his hand never left his hilt, "I believe it is exactly high noon", he replied, "Which makes the fact that no one is out all the more alarming."
"Thank you, young man", the woman replies.
Out of the corner of his eye, Romeo sees something flash….
CLANK!
Romeo draws his blade just in time to block a slash to his neck as he now sees the woman had discarded the top half of her umbrella and was now wielding a shikomi-zue while still keeping that smile.
"A sword cane, huh?", Romeo says as he struggles to hold back the sword edge.
"I must say, you are faster than I expected. You have no idea how pleased I am with this revelation", the woman says as she withdraws her blade and flips backward, landing a good distance away, "Perhaps you shall prove to be worth my time after all despite your age"
"I'll do my best", Romeo says as he draws out his second blade and Bana flies to the top of a nearby roof, "Though a name would be nice."
"I am Ikaruga of Trinity Raven and I have been hired to see you take your last breath today", the woman declares.
"An assassin? Well, I would be lying if I said I haven't run into your kind before", Romeo confesses, "Though if you would be so kind to tell me who send you."
"It's considered highly unprofessional to reveal one's client's information in this line of work", Ikaruga began, "But seeing how you are one of the few people to ever block my first strike, I suppose that if you keep me entertained, I could tell you a bit before I send your soul to the afterlife. But be warned, the answer may be not the one you want to hear on your way to judgment."
Romeo rolls his eyes at the statement, "Well, that's ominous as hell."
"Now come young one. Let's see if you are fated to die on your feet or bleed out on the ground", as Ikaruga charges forward with a straight thrust, the rapid movement of her feet making them become a blur. Romeo parries the sword with one of his blades, directing it away from his face while using his second blade to slices at the hand that was holding it; Ikaruga reacts by simply letting go of her sword and dropping her hand. As Romeo's strike passes harmlessly through the air, Ikaruga uses her other hand to once again take control of the sword and spins around with it above her head and attempts to deliver a downward slash on top of Romeo's undefended head.
CLANK!
The pebbles laying on the ground around the combatants are sent flying outwards by the sheer force of Ikaruga's strike as Romeo protects himself by forming an x-shape with his blades and now found himself in a death struggle with the assassin.
"I must say...", Ikaruga laughed, "The fact that you have survived this long is truly miraculous! That's not evening counting the fact that your blades are able to withstand my strikes; why, they are more than likely the real reason you're even still breathing!"
"Trying to hurt my self-esteem now, are ya?", Romeo quips.
"Just saying that you're a very lucky boy", Ikaruga states.
"Thanks… I guess", Romeo grunted as he struggles to maintain his position. He felt the sword getting lower and lower to his face despite his valiant defense. As the sweat from his brow cause by both fear and exertion started to get into his eyes and sting them, he felt Ikaruga suddenly withdraw her sword and make a swipe at his feet which he avoids by jumping her and delivering a double drop-kick to her gut. Using the woman as a platform, he jumps once again only this time back-flipping away to a safe distance, landing with grace and bringing his blades to the ready in a reverse-grip stance.
Ikaruga lets out a breath as she patted her gut and then sheath her sword, "Well, well. It would seem that you're somewhat skilled in weapons and hand-to-hand combat. Most remarkable."
But Romeo didn't reply as he opens his mouth and a swirl of bluish white light began to appear in it…
"Apocalypse Dragon's Roar!" He screams as he releases his deadly attack. A beam of light now speeding its way toward a still-calm Ikaruga who merely took in the sight, before swiftly unsheathing her sword.
"Yasha's Empty Flash", is heard as a series is lightning quick slashes are unleashed by Ikaruga and Romeo and Bana could only watch in shock as the powerful spell is reduced to a massive body of shimmering fragments before fading away into nothing.
"Aw, crap", is all Romeo could say as Ikaruga began to speak.
"Did you know it was the one that was known as your "Queen of the Fairies" who was my first and only defeat?", she asks as sheathe her sword.
"She fought Erza?" Romeo thought.
"My reputation of invincibly was shattered that night in the Tower of Heaven, along with Trinity Raven's reputation of never failing a job", she continued as Romeo notice that her once smiling face was slipping, "It's the reason I took on this job, despite you being beneath my skill. I wanted payback, pure and simple."
Romeo remains silence as Ikaruga hefts her blade onto her shoulder.
"But don't be mistaken, killing you won't give me the full satisfaction of revenge. The dragon you serve took that away from me seven years ago when he killed Erza on that little island of yours, but not much I can do about that", Ikaruga made known, "But seeing how you are the currently the strongest member of Fairy Tail."
"I think that's a bit of a stretch", Romeo chide in.
"Oh, aren't you the modest little boy?", Ikaruga laughed as she brought her sword to her side, "Is that what you tell yourself so you don't feel superior to your fellow guild members?"
Romeo now found himself instinctively bringing his short swords up in a defensive posture, protecting both his head and torso. Every one of his hairs was standing up straight as he started to feel magic beginning to radiate off Ikaruga, and more importantly, her sword.
"We were humiliated, outcast within the very guild we help to create. According to our guild master, Vladus Krol, we were lucky he didn't kill us right then and there. It was disgraceful. We were demoted to the lowest levels of the guild, only able to take on the cheapest jobs around until Vladus said otherwise", Ikaruga said as her eyes became steel and Romeo felt a chill go down his spine, "For years afterward, I punish myself in advancing my sword techniques, perfecting them to the utmost level. And when the rest of Trinity Raven and I demand that we have our original rank restore and Vladus refuse…."
Ikaruga pause for a moment as a small smile appear on her lips, "Well, let just say that in few moments, you will have the honor of being killed by Death's Head Caucus' second guild master."
Romeo brings his two blades together and shouts the words, "Duo in carne una!", and a bright white light emits, engulfing him and the surrounding area. Moments later, when it fades away, Romeo is standing there wielding a blacken full-length scimitar with both hands gripped around its handle.
"Do you consider yourself a swordsman now?", Ikaruga smiled, but Romeo felt no warmth behind it.
Romeo merely shrugs.
"Okay then, I'll play along with you for a little while longer. I have nowhere else to be at the moment", Ikaruga shrugs as well before drawing her sword, "Tell me, what is the name of your sword or swords if I may ask?"
A raised eyebrow is Romeo's response, "Name? I don't name my blades."
"Huh, that's sad to hear", Ikaruga admits, "Oh well, that is your choice. Anyway, this masterpiece was crafted from the finest blacksmith on the continent after my Mugetsu-Ryu was destroyed by your Erza at the conclusion of our battle, it knows no equal and its name is Kuroi-Kaze."
Romeo's eyes widen in disbelief, for a split second, he drops his guard in order to face-palm himself. "Please tell me that doesn't mean what I think it means."
"It means…." Ikaruga started before getting interrupted.
"I know what it means, that was rhetorical!", Romeo shouts as he readies himself, " I'm just wondering why fate recently has had a tendency to throw pink-haired ladies with an affinity for black winds into my life, it's starting to get annoying!"
A/N: Duo in carne una means: Two Become One. Kuroi-Kaze literally means Black Winds. Next chapter, Romeo takes on Ikaruga.
Note: Ikaruga dies in the manga, but not in the anime, so I'm going off that. She is now the guild master of Death's Head Caucus after killing the one before her. Overall, I think she makes a unique foe.
Also: I'm not going to tell Romeo's whole story (or the attack on Magnolia) when he was with Acnologia in one chapter. It will be placed throughout the story when the timing is right. I'm sorry if you're angry by this, but it just wouldn't fit well in this story.