Vendetta

by DD42

The year is X794. A gunslinger with a sordid past has joined up with Fairy Tail. He is quiet, ruthless and a master of his craft. And he has one goal in mind; fulfilling a Vendetta. (Multi-Pairing, Cana/OC)*RATING MAY CHANGE-CH.15 POSTED *

10. Chapter 10

A/N: Hello everyone and welcome back! After an extended amount of time, I bring you back to this story with a new chapter.

For the record, I ain't dead!

I have a perfectly good reason for why this story wasn't updated. College.

Towards the end of April and for the beginning half of this month, my college classes began to really kick in as finals approached, tests and papers were given and I found myself with not a lot of time to write.

Plus, I was also working extra hours at my job so that played a factor too.

But, classes for the semester are over and I am not officially on summer break. I will have more free time on my hands now and that means I'll be able to once again focus on writing. I will do my best to keep the updates coming for this story like I promised so expect more chapters to come out over the summer.

So, back on tangent, last time we left off with Wyatt showing his fatherly side when asked to take care of Asuka. But now, a job request has come in and it puts Wyatt's connection to the Freelancers in the spotlight as Fairy Tail and the last Freelancer find themselves entering hallowed ground.

So, as usual, before we continue, here is a shout out to those who left a review for the previous chapter:

-AdamineTerra: Hello and welcome back, hope you are doing well! I'm glad you liked the previous chapter, I had a lot of fun writing it.

-Gh0st's buddy: Hello and welcome back. Glad you enjoyed the previous chapter, it was different writing Wyatt in such a role compared to how I've written him in previous chapters.

-RomanceDagger: Hello and welcome to the story, glad you are liking it so far…and that you got the warm fuzzies last time too X)

-SulliMike23: Hello and welcome back, sorry for the delay with this chapter; life got way to busy! But I'm glad you are liking things so far. The Cowboy/Celtic blend was developed after many hours of brain storming let me tell you that, and I'm glad to know that Wyatt is a believable character. As for Cana and Wyatt's relationship, it's something I'm doing my best to build up. And as for the bad guys…well, let's just say there is a connection between them and the Freelancers. But it's more sinister than you may think.

-Guest: Hello and welcome to the story, glad you are enjoying it so far.

So now, without further ado; let's continue!

XXXX

CHAPTER 10: Hallowed Ground

XXXX

The sun set over the great steppe of Fiore. The vast grassland had taken on series of red, yellow and orange hues as the sun passed the horizon. Indigo and dark blue were now starting to color the world above while the faintest of stars began to dot the sky.

Like ripples on water, the grass fluttered in the gentle breeze and carried the coming, cool night air with it.

It was watching this transition from day to night that Wyatt considered to be one of the more relaxing and enjoyable facets of life out on the plains. The nomadic lifestyle he lived certainly had its perks…especially when he got to share those perks with others.

Namely his wife and daughter.

With his back to the tent he called home and the rest of the Freelancer encampment, Wyatt sat cross legged on the ground with Sera's back resting against his chest while she sat in his lap, head relaxed gently back against her husband's shoulder. Wyatt's duster rested on her shoulders, covering the sleeveless dress she wore, while Wyatt had simply rolled down the sleeves of his button down.

And wrapped in a soft linen bundle, held close and fast asleep as she listened to the gentle beat of her mother's heart, was baby Kyna.

The young parents sat in comfortable silence while occasionally looking down at Kyna as she cooed or squirmed softly in her sleep before they looked back to the setting sun which lowered and lowered with each passing minute.

"Sitting here like this," Sera said gently, "reminds me of the times we'd do this when we were children."

"Except when we were children we'd always have my sister, her crazy friends, your crazy friends and my gaggle of friends goofing off with us." Wyatt replied, his voice a gentle rumble that hummed in his chest making Sera hum in turn.

"But yes…I do see what you mean." Wyatt was quick to answer.

"It doesn't seem so long ago, that time…but all the same, it is." Sera said while Wyatt shrugged his shoulders.

"Time flies. Especially with the life we lead." Wyatt said.

"Such is the life of a nomad." Said Sera.

"…Such is the life of a Freelancer." Wyatt said.

"…Which means it's important to make the most of the here and now while we can." Sera said, craning her head slightly to look up at Wyatt.

"What brought all this on?" Wyatt said, perplexed.

Sera sighed and gently kissed her husband before looking back to the sunset and snuggling closer to him. The sun was just a quarter beneath the horizon now.

Kyna shifted in her bundle and Wyatt moved his hand to gently brush the soft curls on her head with his thumb.

"One day…" Sera said, "one day, the Freelancers shall return to our homeland. And when that time comes, I wish to show our daughter her heritage. The legacy that she will inherit when my burden is passed onto her."

"We're still not exactly welcomed back in the Pergrande Kingdom you know that right?" Wyatt said, making Sera sigh deeply with a sad nod of her head.

"But I can understand the sentiment none the less." He added.

"I just want her to know there's more to this life than us moving from place to place and fighting battle after battle."

"It is in our blood," Wyatt said, "it's her blood…it can't be helped."

The two were quiet for a minute before Wyatt leaned down to rest his chin on Sera's shoulder.

"What would you show Kyna?" Wyatt said, "If we were able to revisit the homeland?"

Sera smiled and looked to the now star lit sky, a gentle smile on her lips and childlike gleam in her eyes. The world around them was alight thanks to the millions of stars that filled the sky.

"I'd take her to the Mausoleum." Sera said, "I'd show her her ancestors and those like you and I who have come before."

Wyatt gave his wife a sideways glance.

"You do realize the location to that place has been lost for some time now. In fact, if anything, I've come to believe it's nothing more than a spook story."

Sera softly shook her head and looked at Wyatt.

"On the contraire my dear husband," Sera said, "it's far from lost. In fact, I know where it is and how to get there."

Wyatt raised a skeptical eyebrow, making Sera giggle lightly.

"It's true, it's true." Sera said, "Only the Council, your father and my mother know of the location. It's a secret that was passed down from generation to generation. When I inherited the mantle of The Scythe Master from my mother, she told me the location…just as my grandmother had told her when the time came, as did her mother before her, and her mother and so on. The memory of the Mausoleum stays alive through us."

"Does that mean I get to know?" Wyatt said with cheeky smile.

"When the time is right, I will tell you." Sera said, looking back to the now star lit horizon, "When the time is right."

"Then I can wait." Wyatt said as he moved his one hand to gently turn Sera's head, facing him.

"You and Kyna are everything to me. And I'd do anything to see you two happy."

"I know you would, my faithful caomhnóir." Sera said and gently kissed Wyatt, "My faithful husband."

Kyna cooed as she awoke, her tiny hand reaching up in surprise by the nighttime darkness. Both parents reached out their index fingers and let Kyna's fingers brush or hold them; letting the baby girl know that she was safe and that her parents were there.

"So long as I am with you and Kyna," Sera said, "I'll always be happy."

"Always…together…forever."

Forever.

XXXX

Wyatt's eyes snapped open with a surprised intake of breath.

He blinked once.

Then twice, his hand frantically patting the side of the bed next to him.

Nothing. He was alone in the bed.

It had just been a dream…no, a memory from a time now gone.

Again.

Wyatt sighed deeply and rested his arm over his eyes before pulling it back and letting them adjust to the early morning twilight.

It had been three weeks since the time he had spent with Asuka and ever since then, his normally dreamless nights had been filled with memories of the times when he had been at his happiest; when he had been with Sera and Kyna.

The dreams…the memories, never caused him to lose sleep but they continued to play out in his mind long after he'd awoken and started his day and would return once his day had ended in the empty comfort of his bed.

Wyatt found it odd that such things were occurring as of late and he wondered if it meant anything. Was someone or something once again trying to tell him something?

With a grunt, Wyatt got out of bed and stretched his back and limbs.

He didn't know, nor did he let the memories bother him. As curious as they were, he enjoyed them as much as he could. Besides, he was now a full time mage of Fairy Tail. He didn't have time to worry about such things.

Especially today, Wyatt mused as he walked over to the fire pit and stoked the coals back into a gentle burn.

Before leaving the Guild the night before to join Cana for a late night drink-something they were now trying to make a habit of, visiting her little hole in the wall bar at least once a week-Master Makarov had told him that he had a job of a very serious nature prepped for the next day that would require his expertise.

When asked, Makarov was tight lipped, saying that he would explain everything to Wyatt and the assembled team he had formed the next day. The aging wizard had seemed rather serious about the whole affair so Wyatt considered it to be important…whatever it was.

As the last Freelancer set about his morning routine, he couldn't shake the feeling that something….interesting, was going to happen today.

XXXX

RIIING!

RIIING!

RIIING!

RI-SMASH!

With a mighty groan, Cana Alberona rolled onto her back and let the empty vodka bottle, and the now dented alarm clock, fall from her grip and land on her bedroom floor with a hefty "thud."

She opened her eyes and immediately regretted it as she snapped them back shut.

Dear Mavis she hated waking up with a hangover. Compared to when she usually found herself smashed into oblivion, this was one of the rather tame bouts.

Eyes still closed, Cana leaned down and fumbled for her clock before finding it and opening her eyes just a crack to see what it read.

10:00AM

Cana sighed heavily.

She didn't even remember setting the damn thing last night. Maybe the fact that she had the two extra bottles of vodka when she got home after her outing with Wyatt had something to do with it. As tipsy as she was, a little extra booze to help go to sleep never hurt…right?

With a sigh, Cana kicked the covers off of her and hauled herself out of bed and to the bathroom. Stripping out of the lingerie that she called her pajamas, Cana drew the bath curtain and-after a brief jolt-stepped into the warm embrace of her shower.

Sighing as the water massaged her scalp and ran down her body, Cana ran over her to do list for the day. After searching her still alcohol addled mind the card mage came up empty. She really had nothing going on for the day.

Aside from going to the guild and hanging around like she normally did, she had no errands to take care of or jobs lined up.

Odd, but not uncommon in her case.

"Silver lining," Cana said to herself, "at least I can have some free time again."

The previous set of weeks had been busy for everyone in the Guild. Cana had found herself busier than she normally was providing tarot readings, assisting a few guild mates with a job here and there and the occasional freelance work. It kept her busy, kept her skills sharp, got her out and about and added up to a nice paycheck.

Still, she enjoyed her down time and figured now if any, would be a good time for a break from things.

Maybe she'd invite Wyatt to go drinking with her again.

She smiled softly at the thought of the gunslinger as she ran her hands through her hair. The man was turning out to be a good drinking buddy.

He still wasn't forthcoming about himself but he was open enough to put up with her banter and talk about the places he'd been to before coming to Fairy Tail. It was the type of conversation between two friends that Cana enjoyed and Wyatt had fallen into that category.

With a gentle sigh, Cana turned off the faucet, toweled off and dressed for the day before heading off to the Guild; her mind set on asking Mirajane to whip her up something for breakfast.

After a relatively short walk, Cana was walking through the front doors of Fairy Tail and was at the bar in no time. She was pleased to see Wyatt in his usual spot, talking to both Mira and Laxus.

"You're here early." Cana said as she took a seat next to Wyatt and Laxus.

"Good morning to you too," Wyatt said, "and you're stating the obvious because?"

"Because if you weren't I think a hole would tear in the world someplace." Cana added.

"What are we, chopped liver?" Laxus said as he crossed his arms, while Mira giggled.

"Sorry, sorry," Cana said with a smile and roll of her eyes, "good morning to you too, Mister and Misses Dreyar."

"When you put it like that, it makes it sound like you're talking to an old married couple." Laxus quipped.

"Considering you two act like one sometimes, I'm not surprised." Wyatt said smiling smoothly, his mask off for a change as he took a dreg of his drink.

"Oi, you know how married life can get." Laxus said.

"Now, now Laxus, no need to get feisty." Mira said as she gently patted the lightening mage on his shoulder.

"Save that for when you and I are alone later." The takeover mage added with her usual, but deceiving, innocent tone.

Laxus gave a knowing eye brow raise to his wife while Cana nearly burst out into laughter. Wyatt found himself trying not choke on his drink.

"I so didn't need to hear that." Wyatt lamented under his breath.

"You've been here long enough that you should expect it," Cana said, however, catching what Wyatt mumbled, "We have no filters here so you might as well cave into the insanity already."

"As appealing as that sounds I'll have to pass on that." Wyatt said, "I kind of need my sanity to do my job right without killing the guy next to me."

"Why do you think they invented this stuff?" Cana said as she toted her filled mug that Mira had given her…a mug that was promptly emptied in two gulps.

"Sanity-schmanity," Cana said, "just let the world turn while you get lost in some liquid relaxation."

"Not everyone has a liver made out of steel like you do." Laxus added while Canna simply snickered.

"Speaking of drinking," Cana said, looking to Wyatt, "you want to head to the usual spot later tonight again?"

"Sorry Cana, not tonight." Wyatt said, finishing his drink and placing his mask on.

"The Master needs me and a few others for a job and I don't know what's going on with that. But count me in for another time, yes."

Cana's brow crinkled slightly in wonder.

"What kind of job?" Cana said.

"I don't know." Wyatt said, "He said he'd tell me today when everyone else was assembled."

"If that's the case, and if I know the old man as good as I think I do, then that means this job-whatever it is-is something big." Laxus said.

"I wonder what it could be." Mira added, resting her hands on the bar counter.

"It sounds like an S-Class job but as far as I know the board hasn't been updated in a few days."

Wyatt shrugged.

"He'll tell us when he tells us." Wyatt said.

"Tell you what?" A voice asked, making the bar group turn their heads to see Natsu grinning at him expectantly. He was not alone as Lucy and Happy were only a few steps behind him.

"The old man got some super special job lined up? If he does, I want in!" Natsu said, pointing his thumb at his chest.

"Hello to you too Natsu." Wyatt said.

"Easy now Natsu," Lucy said, "if Wyatt has a job meant for him, it's his responsibility. You can't just go tagging along unannounced."

"Aw, but that's no fun." Natsu said as crossed his arms in a displeased manner, "Besides, I do it all the time, why you telling me that now?"

"Because I don't want to end up a widow because you made Wyatt lose his temper." Lucy said in a heated whisper to Natsu.

"I can hear you." Wyatt said, making the others snicker while the Dragneel's sweat dropped.

"Causing problems now aren't we Salamander?" Gajeel called out, catching the others attention as he, Levy and Pantherlily walked on over to slowly forming crowd.

"No!" Natsu said quickly, "What gave you that idea!?"

"Whenever Lu-chan whispers to you like that it's bound to be something not good." Levy added.

"That obvious huh?" Lucy said as she nervously rubbed her neck.

"Sheesh Natsu, it's too early for this." Gray said as he too joined the group, his elbow linked with Juvia's, "You got anything better to do besides pissing people off?"

"You want to say that again freezer-brain!?" Natsu snapped as he and Gray immediately began to butt heads.

"You trying to start something ash head?!" Gray snarled at his rival.

"Ice prick!"

"Pyro nut!"

CHKACK

The sound of a revolvers hammer being cocked back made the fire and ice mage pause and nervously look at Wyatt who had his one hand braced on his one revolvers grip.

"Knock it off you two." Wyatt warned.

Gray and Natsu swallowed nervously. Wyatt had developed a reputation of firing off one or both of his guns to calm things down or pistol whip someone upside the head if they got a little too rowdy.

The holes in the ceiling were a testament to that.

"You-you got it Wyatt." Natsu and Gray said in unison.

"And here I was thinking it was my job to keep those two under control." Erza said as she walked in the front doors with Jellal, Wendy, Carla and Romeo.

"Maybe she should pass the torch onto you." Jellal said with a playful smile.

"Yeah, I'll pass." Wyatt said as she shoot his hand in denial, "I didn't sign up to keep an eye on these two knuckleheads all the time."

"Just another day at Fairy Tail." Wendy said with a sigh while Romeo chuckled, pulling his mate into a one armed hug.

"So the gangs all here then." Gajeel said as he observed the group.

"So it would seem." Added Erza.

"Aye." Wyatt said, "I don't suppose it would have something to do with Master Makarov now would it?"

Just then the door to Makarov's office opened.

"Speaking of whom…" Wyatt said under his breathe.

"All of you get in here. That includes you too Laxus, Mira, Cana." Makarov's voice echoed out.

The group members looked at each other in confusion before shrugging and leaving their spots. It was a bit cramped in Makarov's office but the assembled group was able to form around Makarov's desk after a bit of maneuvering and rearranging of the chairs while the Exceed hovered in the air.

Makarov sat at his chair, hands folded in front of him and resting on what was a folded sheet of paper. From the elegant script, the embroidering and the wax seal and stamp on the paper, it looked like a formal job request.

A very formal job request.

"Alright, I suppose we should get down to brass tack now shall we?" Makarov said.

"I suppose you all are wondering as to why I called you in here today."

"Yes!" All present said collectively while Makarov winced slightly.

"Well now," Makarov said as he regained his composure, "I do believe I owe you all an explanation. I apologize to you three, Mira, Cana and Laxus. I was originally going to give the others this job but I added you three to the roster as a last minute decision."

"What job can be so important that we're all here?" Romeo said.

"I bet it's a treasure hunt!" Natsu said excitedly.

"Aye!" Happy added.

"Oh dear, here we go again." Lucy sighed while Levy giggled, patting her friend on the shoulder.

"You're not far from the truth, actually Natsu." Makarov said, making the others pause and focus on the guild master.

"And to quickly answer your question Romeo, I chose everyone in this room on both a matter of principal, availability and necessity. You see, this request on the table here is a formal job request from The National Historical Museum of The Pergrande Kingdom." Makarov said.

"Their chief archeologist in fact; Doctor Ken Nakahara."

"The Pergrande Kingdom?!" Wyatt said in alarm.

"Yes Wyatt," Makarov said, "The homeland to your people; The Freelancers. In fact, the reason why I selected you-selected all of you-for this job is because of that."

Wyatt visibly tensed as he looked to Laxus and Mira.

"Don't worry Wyatt, I informed them of what happened a few weeks ago. They are up to speed on things and have vowed to keep their silence until told otherwise." Makarov said.

"Don't worry Wyatt," Mira said, "We won't tell anyone about who you are. Promise."

Laxus gave a curt but reassuring nod.

Wyatt relaxed but only slightly.

"Please, start from the beginning Master." Wyatt said while Makarov nodded, holding up the letter with an attached picture of the Doctor Nakahara.

"I received this a week ago during a meeting of the magic council. This letter was given to all council members and the wizard saints in hopes that we may be able to provide any information on the Freelancers." Makarov said.

"You see, The National Museum and Doctor Nakahara have been trying to find anything associated with the Freelancers for a number of years now and are trying to bring them back into the public eye. The museum is creating a special exhibit on the Freelancers that they hope to unveil to the public of the kingdom next year…but they have found little to go on so far."

"My people were nomads, what were they expecting?" Wyatt said, a little stiffly.

He did not sound happy in the slightest about the kingdom that had tried to exterminate his people and then banish them from their homeland taking a renewed interest in the Freelancers. He did not sound happy one bit.

"But I thought the Pergrande Kingdom hated the Freelancers?" Wendy said, recounting what she had heard from the book they had discovered weeks ago.

"The regime that fought and banished them did. But not this regime. Times have changed." Makarov said.

"I bet they have." Wyatt said icily.

Makarov frowned and shifted uncomfortably before clearing his throat.

"Well, I assure you Wyatt, things are different now. The regime and it's bloodline that banished your people was finally overthrown in an uprising. However, many who were loyal to the regime managed to hold onto some of their power and a civil broke out. It took a while before things settled down and for a new monarchy to be put in place. The Kingdom now admits that what was done to the Freelancers was a terrible, terrible tragedy and they are trying to make up for the sins of the past." Makarov said.

"Hence the interest in the archeology." Erza said.

"Indeed. The current monarchy wants to give the Freelancers the respect they deserve and show the people of the Kingdom that the Freelancers helped pave the way for their freedom."

Makarov looked to Wyatt with a solemn expression.

"I only wish more of your people were here to see the change their ancestors help bring about. I wish the Freelancers were still alive in general to be perfectly honest."

Wyatt tilted his head down slightly in his own solemn gesture.

"As do I…my people may not have left many records, but I assure you that we wouldn't have wanted our legacy to have turned out like this." Wyatt said before he looked to Makarov.

"I now see why you have placed me on the roster for this job. I am the only living Freelancer left…so right now, I guess I'm the foremost expert on my people."

"Indeed." Makarov said, "In my response to Doctor Nakahara, I made it clear that you have in depth knowledge of the Freelancers. You and the others here know more about the Freelancers than most ordinary people do so that is why I picked you all for this job; why I agreed to accept this job in the first place."

"Then all of this must mean they've finally found something." Lucy said in slight awe.

"Correct." Makarov said.

"After five years of searching, Dr. Nakahara and his team believe they have found the most sacred and revered holy site for the Freelancers in the Southwestern Mountains near the border with Iceberg."

While the others looked to one another and whispered in awe and curiosity, Wyatt remained stock still as a very cold chill ran down his spine.

"He can't be serious…" Wyatt thought.

"Doctor Nakahara believes with absolute certainty that they have found what the Freelancers called "The Mausoleum"; a sacred burial ground that has been lost for hundreds of years."

Wyatt's world blurred around him and the conversation of the others died out as he quickly became lost in his thoughts.

"What…what the hell!?" Wyatt thought.

"First my dream…and now this; what the hell is going on!? More importantly what does this mean? I…I don't understand."

Wyatt unconsciously gripped the necklace around his neck.

"Sera…Kyna…are you…are you trying to tell me something?"

He was knocked out of his musings when he felt his shoulder be shaken firmly.

"Wyatt!?" Gray said, "Hey Earthland to Wyatt, are you there!?"

Wyatt blinked and then double blinked before shaking his head clear.

"I'm sorry, I uhm, blanked out there for a minute." Wyatt said, "Did you say something?"

"Yeah, we were just wondering if you know anything about this Mausoleum place." Gray said as the others looked at him expectantly.

"Not much…but I'll tell you what I know." Wyatt said.

"Well, you can do that on the ride out the Pergrande Kingdom." Makarov said, "Doctor Nakahara has dispatched a magic express train to pick you all up here in Magnolia and take you to the Kingdom. He'll meet you at the train station upon your arrival and fill you in on the job from there and why he's requested a group of this size.

"You and Laxus are in charge of the team... but you all are to defer to Wyatt. He's the expert here so he'll have a majority of the say on decision making in all of this."

Makarov then handed Erza a small, polished orb of lacrima.

"This is an emergency communication lacrima. If anything happens, you three are allowed to use it to contact me if something comes up…or the other way around."

"Understood." Wyatt, Erza and Laxus said.

"The ride out there will take you through northern Fiore, Seven and Iceberg-a week's trip at the most-so plan and pack accordingly. Also, since it's right on the border with Iceberg, expect the weather to change at random. We may be nearing autumn everyone but winter starts early in that part of the world. So be careful…are we clear?"

"Yes sir." The group said collectively.

"Good, now get going the train will be here in two hours."

And with that, the group began to leave the office.

"And Wyatt." Makarov said.

"Sir?" Wyatt replied, looking over his shoulder.

"I know you may be uncomfortable with all of this…but try to keep an open mind. These archeologists are working to preserve the memory of your people…not tarnish it."

Wyatt was quiet for a moment before looking back forward.

"We'll see Master," Wyatt said, "We'll see."

Wyatt still couldn't shake the feeling that he still had from earlier in the morning.

XXXX

Hours later…

En route to the Pergrande Kingdom….

The express train rocked slightly as it sped over the tracks at near blinding speeds. If anyone were to catch a glimpse of it, it would resemble a silver streak passing across the tracks as it made its way across Northern Fiore.

The train was sleek and elegant, indicating that it was a top of the line machine built for speed while providing a moderate degree of comfort, as the mages were to discover. Currently, they sat in a small but comfy lounge area set forward from the cabins that had been arranged for them. The Fairy Tail mages sat opposite of each other while two coffee tables divided them. Large panel windows set behind them provided backlighting and a view of the landscape as it blurred on by.

Wendy had used her Troia spell on herself, Gajeel, Natsu and Laxus to stave off their motion sickness for the time being but she would be unable to use it all week. The conductor had said, however, that the train would be stopping every now and then so the mages would be able to take a periodic break here and there.

The thought of being cooped up on train for the majority of the week wasn't exactly an appealing thought but the job had already been accepted so they had to endure for the time being.

"Alright Wyatt," Laxus said, "What exactly are we getting ourselves into?"

"Yeah," Gajeel said, "What exactly is this "Mausoleum" place the old man was talking about?"

"It sounds more like a crypt if anything." Carla said.

"The Master did say it was a burial ground of some sort." Pantherlily added.

"I hope that means we won't be digging up graves," Lucy said as she shivered at the thought, "or worse, what if there is a curse on the place."

"Ah, relax Luce, there ain't no such thing as curses." Natsu said in his usual cheery fashion, "Happy and I have done stuff like this all the time and we're just fine. I bet there's boat loads of treasure in this place!"

"It's nothing like that Lucy, I can assure you that." Wyatt said, "But there is treasure of a different sort stored in the depths of the Mausoleum."

"What exactly makes this place so special?" Cana said as she took a dreg of a wine bottle from the small in cabin bar.

"You speak with a sort of reverence for it."

"I'll tell you all what I know, but even my own information on the Mausoleum is limited at best."

Wyatt removed his mask and hat, running his hand through his hair as he did so.

"Growing up, I always heard stories about the Mausoleum. It was one of the few places that the Freelancers built to last and it was…or rather is, the most sacred site for any Freelancer. The place was built right into a mountain side sometime after the Dragon Civil War, just as our ancestors began their nomadic lifestyle."

"If they were nomads, why'd they build the place to begin with?" Gray said.

"To return to of course." Wyatt said, "Nomads we were but we weren't just gunslingers and swordsmen. There were a few mages in the Freelancer ranks who possessed magic reserved for special tasks such as building, earthmoving and rock manipulation. When the Freelancers built something, they built it to last."

"If that's the case, then why wasn't the Mausoleum discovered long ago?" Jellal said, "I would have figured treasure hunters or someone else would have found it by now."

"The location was kept a closely guarded secret. Only the Council, the Clan Leader and the Scythe Master knew the location. You see, the Mausoleum is a burial ground…for Scythe Master's and their guardians. It's where former wielders of the Armageddon Blades were laid to rest along with their guardians when their time came. It was also where Scythe Masters would pass on their title to the next generation of Master; a mother passing her burden onto her daughter. As for robbers getting in…well, there's more to the place than just being a resting spot for the dead."

Wyatt sighed and looked out the window behind those in front of him, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"Doesn't your one tattoo say guardian?" Romeo asked, "Does that mean your wife was the Scythe Master?"

"It was more a formality if anything…to keep the tradition alive. The scythes were lost long ago but my wife still carried the bloodline of those who had come before."

"Did Sera ever tell you where the Mausoleum was?" Lucy asked.

"No," Wyatt said, "she mentioned it to me a few times but never told me where it was. She wasn't required to until it came time to pass the title onto our daughter…but they both died before that could happen. She took the location with her to her grave and it remained that way…until now obviously. This will be the first time in a long time that a Freelancer has set foot back on the Mausoleum grounds; let alone our homeland."

"If this place was so important, why was it lost in the first place?" Juvia said.

"Because it had to be left behind." Levy said, catching Wyatt's attention.

"When fighting broke out between the Freelancers and the Kingdom, they couldn't necessarily return to carry out their traditions. And when they were banished…" Levy said.

"Yeah," Wyatt said, "survival overrode tradition. But I can tell you that the Freelancers would never let a place as special as the Mausoleum be taken from them even in the face of banishment. They probably found a way to hide and keep it safe…even after all this time."

"But now it has been found," Laxus said, "so I ask again, what can we expect?"

"I'm not sure." Wyatt said, "I would expect more than a few traps or something along that line. I do know that access can only be granted to a Freelancer so I doubt a way inside was ever found."

"That's not much to go on." Laxus said.

Wyatt shrugged.

"Just telling you how it is." Wyatt replied before frowning slightly and biting his lip in thought.

"There is…something else about the Mausoleum that I think you all should know. I don't know whether it's true or not but Sera told once that something else is buried within that mountain…deep within the Mausoleum itself."

Wyatt wrung his hands in thought, while the others watched him intently.

"Apparently, the Mausoleum is the final resting place for two of the Freelancer's main deity's. Two dragons…called Azrael, "The Death Dragon" and Morrigan, "The White Dragon."

"Dragons!?" The mages said in surprise.

"The Freelancers, if you recall, both revered and feared dragons. Other dragons formed the basis for worship in my people's culture but these two were the most valued out of the others…seeing them as omnipresent beings that both guided and took life in battle." Wyatt said.

"Why those two in particular?" Levy said.

"Apparently, Azrael and Morrigan were a mated pair of dragons who fought on the side of humanity in the Dragon Civil War and they took a liking to the Freelancers before they were known as such. They guided the Freelancers into battle and watched over them…drawing their power from Death himself or so the story goes. It was custom for Freelancer warriors to offer prayers to their spirits of these two dragons for protection or for a quick death before going into battle."

"But why bury them in the Mausoleum…if what you're saying is true I mean." Levy said.

"According to legend, Azrael and Morrigan, before they passed from the world of the living, gifted a female warrior Freelancer with the Armageddon Blades. They then charged a male warrior, the woman's lover, to be her protector and to pass the blades to the next generation. If her guardian were to fall, another must be tested so as to take his place…be they man or woman. This is the basis for the Scythe Master and her Guardian." Wyatt said.

"…That…that makes a lot of sense actually." Mirajane said.

"If those dragons did exist and they played such a large part in your people's culture, it's only natural that they would be buried with the Freelancers who carried out their final wishes."

"Aye." Wyatt said.

"But then again, Sera never confirmed any of this. I mostly heard it from her and as stories growing up so it could all just be one big spook story."

"Don't be too certain of that," Erza said, "considering the world we live in; anything is possible."

"Of that I have no doubt." Wyatt said as he crossed his arms, mulling over the information he had just divulged.

All was quiet for a while before Natsu chose to speak.

"Do you really think we'll find anything there Wyatt?" Natsu asked.

"…I don't know." Wyatt responded, "I don't know."

XXXX

With a hiss of steam and groan of metal, the express train came to a stop at the train platform. It was early in the morning, with the sun just starting to rise in the distance.

No sooner had the brakes kicked in did Natsu come bounding out of the train car and bolt for the nearest garbage can; promptly empting the contents of his stomach into it.

The other dragon slayers followed in a similar fashion but not as hectic as their counterpart. They were woozy and glad to be back on solid ground. After a week of nonstop train travel and only a few breaks in between, anything that was not a train car was greatly appreciated.

"Ah, here it at last." Jellal said as he stretched his arm, cracking his back.

"I never thought I'd be so happy to be back on solid ground." Wendy said, hands on her knees and body bent while Romeo gently rubbed her back.

"Are we the only ones here?" Cana said as she looked up and down the platform.

"Looks that way." Gray said, "Which is odd because I remember the old man saying that doctor guy was going to meet us here."

"I'm sure he'll be here soon." Erza said, "But it is still early in the morning after all."

The sound of heavy boots caused the group to turn and watch as Wyatt slowly disembarked the train. He had been quiet since the night before when they had crossed the border into the Kingdom. No one asked why since they already knew the reason.

For the first time in over a hundred and seventy three years, a Freelancer was returning to his ancestral homeland.

Wyatt's shoulders were set back, his posture stiff as he slowly looked to the sky above and then to the landscape as the breeze carried the scent of the land with it. Wyatt then walked across the platform and hopped down to the ground, drawing his knife as he did so. He then dug in around in the dusty earth for a minute before he picked a clump of dried soil up in his hand; rubbing his fingers together as he did so.

"Welcome home Freelancer." Cana said, making Wyatt look up to her. Cana smiled gently and bowed her head slightly in a sign of respect.

The others did the same and after a slight pause, Wyatt returned the gesture.

"Not the homecoming I had imagined from once upon a time," Wyatt said, "but it's a homecoming none the less."

Wyatt hopped back onto the platform and dusted his hand off on his duster.

"It feels odd…being here. There's a familiarity to the land that I can't seem to place but at the same time…it feels so foreign." Wyatt said.

"Maybe it's something in your blood." Cana added.

"Maybe." Wyatt said with a slight shrug, making Cana frown.

"You alright?" Cana asked.

"…I'm not exactly sure about how I feel about the Mausoleum being dug up in the way it is. My people left it the way it is for a reason…so maybe I'm biased or something like that." Wyatt replied and received a slap on the shoulder from Cana.

"Lighten up, things will be fine." Cana said.

The sound of wheels running over the nearby dirt road caught the group's attention and they followed the sound to see a horse drawn cart with an extension on the back steadily making its way up the road. In the dim morning light, the mages could see a single occupant guiding the two horses. The man spotted the mages on the platform and raised his hand in greeting, a gesture that was returned.

Soon enough, the group was at the front of the station where the cart pulled up. The driver of the cart was a middle aged man with short, black hair, thick rimmed glasses and had a welcoming smile on his face. He wore a well-used khaki winter jacket over a dirt stained tee and pair of worn denim jeans and scuffed boots.

Laxus immediately recognized the man.

"Doctor Nakahara I would presume?" The lightening mage said.

"You'd be correct young man," the archeologist said with a smile as he extended his hand, "Doctor Ken Nakahara, National Historical Museum of the Pergrande Kingdom; at your service."

"We're Fairy Tail. And we understand that you could use our help." Erza said.

The man shook each of the mages hands in a vigorous, excited manner while introductions were made.

"You have no idea what it means to me and my crew for you all to come out here and help us with this; we are on the cusp of one the greatest, archeological discoveries in our countries history!"

"So we've been told." Wyatt said as the doctor stopped with him.

Nakahara blinked once and then twice as he looked Wyatt up and down from head to toe.

"My God," Nakahara said in awe, "I was told by your Guild Master that he'd be sending a Freelancer expert…but I'd never expect he'd send…"

"An actual Freelancer?" Wyatt quipped.

"Yes…" Nakahara said in awe.

"How do you know I'm not an imposter or wanabee?" Wyatt replied.

"You aren't, believe me, I can tell. I've devoted the majority of my career to studying the Freelancers and I can honestly say that you are the real deal. It's an honor to be in your presence Mister…"

"Keegan. Wyatt Keegan." Wyatt said as he and the doctor shook hands.

"Well it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mister Keegan. Come now, we best make haste back to dig site as time is of the essence." Nakahara said before pausing.

"I do suggest that you change your attire however. It's quite cold where we're heading and we had and snow storms are common in these parts the further we head into the mountains."

Heeding the doctor's advice and after quickly ducking into the station to change, the mages placed their luggage in the separate cart and boarded the main one as the doctor took the reins.

"I don' know how much more of this I can take." Natsu groaned as he rested his head on Lucy's lap while his wife began to run her fingers through his hair.

Wendy tried to stifle a groan of her own, but wound up leaning against Romeo as she curled in on herself as the fire mage ran his hand up and down her back.

The other dragon slayers were in a similar situation.

"Ah, yes, I apologize for having to make you go through this, but this is fastest way to and from the dig site." Nakahara said.

"Speaking of which, what makes you believe this is the Mausoleum?" Wyatt said.

"For the past five years, in cooperation with the monarchy, my team and I have been searching all over the kingdom for Freelancer related artifacts or sacred sites. We came up empty most of the time since the nomadic lifestyle ensured that the Freelancers left little trace of their physical existence behind.

We did find some written records here and there but nothing concrete. And the mass graves that we found-"

"You dug up my people?" Wyatt said in shock.

"-The graves that we found were protected by magical deterrents so powerful that we were unable to do anything. Rest assured Mister Keegan, their bodies were desecrated in no way shape or form."

Wyatt relaxed at this with a sigh.

"Sorry." Wyatt said.

"No it's perfectly understandable that you'd be upset over something like that. Unlike other cultures, the Freelancers are still mourned by the living." Nakahara said.

"But isn't that what we'll be doing?" Lucy asked.

"Master Makarov did say the Mausoleum was a burial ground." Mirajane said.

"…Unless it's not the typical burial ground we're thinking of." Jellal added.

"You are correct," Nakahara said, "and this brings us back to Wyatt's original question. You see after five years of searching, we were close to having our funding cut and the project scrapped altogether when we made a discovery about two months ago. After five years, we had finally found the evidence we were looking for."

The archeologist reached into his jacket and produced what seemed to be a very old scroll of parchment and larcrima projector disk. He then handed them to Wyatt who opened the scroll and powered up the disk. The scroll was a very old ink drawing of what appeared to be a small valley that led up to the side of a mountain. And on the mountain side, seemingly appearing from the rock was a massive structure. It was designed like an "A" with the top half sheared off while a set of double doors guarded the entrance. Altogether, the entrance looked similar in height and width of a four or five story building A pedestal could been seen set back a dozen or so yards from the doors while a large, flattened area of paved and cut stones with various statues was set out behind it.

"Is this the Mausoleum?" Wendy asked just as the lacrima disk powered up and projected a three dimensional image.

"Juvia would say so." The water mage said as all eyes switched between the drawing and the hologram.

They were one in the same.

Although the hologram did show the main structure perfectly intact, pedestal and arch included, the grounds had significantly weathered over time, many of the statues had fallen or were partially intact and there were large portions of rock and soil blocking the doors.

"You should have seen the grounds when were first started," Nakahara said, "The whole area was completely covered. It took us forever to get where we are now."

"What happened?" Natsu said, "It looks like half the mountain fell down on it."

"We believe that's how it was hidden for so long. The Freelancers probably used earth moving magic of some sort to create a massive rock slide that hid the entrance and grounds. No one would have noticed otherwise had we not known what to look for." Nakahara explained.

"It's been slow and steady but my team has been using their own earth moving magic to dig away all of the debris. We are now close to entering the mausoleum. Which brings me back to my original point and why you all are here.

Somewhere in the mausoleum, we believe that the previous generations of Scythe Masters were laid to rest along with their Guardians. But more than that, we believe there are other aspects of Freelancer culture stored in there; it's a treasure trove of information that has been lost for hundreds of years.

And so, if word of this discovery were to get out, it's only natural that some…unsavory characters would flock to the Mausoleum and attempt to seize whatever may be inside."

"Like treasure hunters?" Romeo said.

"Exactly," Nakahara said, "and we can't risk that happening. The site is too valuable to be plundered like that…which is why I requested the help of mages to protect the grounds and aid in the dig."

"And possibly finding a way to unlock those doors." Gajeel said.

"Leave that to me." Wyatt said, "Like I told you guys, only a Freelancer can gain access to the Mausoleum."

"Are you sure you can do that?" Nakahara asked.

"I'll see what I can do." Wyatt replied.

The rest of the trip was spent talking to Nakahara about other facets of the dig, the places he'd been in the past and the dragon slayer mates tending to their dragons. They passed through a series of small villages-receiving friendly greetings and curious stares from the locals-passed over a mighty river and weaved through a dense forest.

It was midday when they began to encounter a rise in the increasingly rocky terrain; the trees becoming few and far between. A fog had also begun to set in, blanketing the area in a thick soup of grey.

"We're getting close to the mountain." Nakahara said, "This fog will be dissipate when we get into the valley."

Through the fog, the mages could see the rock steadily become covered in moss, thick grass and patches of snow. It wasn't long before their ascent began to level out before steadily dipping down once more. The air had become cooler, crisper and…the mages could feel something different about the land.

They sensed an aura of magic, so faint it was hardly noticed at first but it was becoming more prominent the further they traveled the valley floor.

"There's something here…I can sense something deep within the earth." Erza said.

"Yeah, it's faint but at the same time…there's something there." Laxus said.

"We must be close to the Mausoleum then." Wyatt said.

"Yep," Nakahara said before looking at his wrist watch, "and at any moment the fog should start to fade away."

As if on cue, rays of sunlight began to permeate the gloom and the fog began to lift. But as it did so, a massive shape began to loom over the mages, enveloping them in a shadow that seemed to cover most of the valley. Slowly, as the fog faded, a mountain-with the rest of the mountain range following behind it and encircling the valley-of epic size and proportions towered over the mages.

They could only stare in awe at the sheer size and scale of such a natural formation.

"You guys should see the looks on your faces," Nakahara said with a smile, "yep, I'm sure me and my crew looked like that when we first came to this place."

"Wow," Cana said, "I can see why the Freelancers picked the place."

"Indeed," Erza said, "it is both imposing and large enough to house whatever they built into the mountain."

"And that's what we're here to find out." Nakahara said.

The cart soon took a long and winding path that clearly had seen better days. On more than one occasion did the group have to move to one side of the cart to shift their weight from falling over the edge of a few turns.

But soon enough, their destination had been reached and the mages marveled at the progress that had been made. The main area had been completely cleared leaving room for a few dozen tents to be set up for Nakahara and his dig team. It looked as if fifty or more people were milling about performing various tasks from using magic to move earth and rock, tending to the statues or carrying various small finds from one tent to another.

"Well, home sweet home." Nakahara said, "I'll lead you guys to your tents where you can get settled before helping out. For those of you who can, we'll need help moving the rocks or breaking them down to size while the rest of you can keep watch or help my other workers."

"If it's alright with you, I'd like to take a look around." Wyatt said.

"By all means, go ahead." Nakahara said.

"I suppose I can lend my sword to aiding your team." Erza said, "And I'm sure the guys can aid me as well."

"If you guys need anything translated or looked at, Lucy and I can handle that." Levy said while Lucy nodded on confirmation.

"Juvia and I can keep watch with Mira, Romeo, Wendy and the cats. Just point us where you need us."

"Well, I think that more than covers what I was hoping for," Nakahara said, "If you will follow me please, we'll get things settled and then I'll leave you to your devices."

"Oh man, I can't' wait to get into this place!" Natsu said as he pumped his fist into the air, "I can't wait to see what kind of cool stuff is locked up in there!"

"Natsu, if you destroy one artifact on these grounds I'll break your legs and tie them together like a pretzel." Wyatt said in an unsettlingly calm tone.

Natsu swallowed hard…as did the others.

"You…you wouldn't really do that would you Wyatt?" Natsu said with a nervous smile.

The Freelancer gave no answer. He simply cracked his knuckles before walking ahead of the group, travel pack in hand. Natsu nervously leaned next to Lucy and whispered:

"He wouldn't break my legs like that…would he?"

"To be honest Natsu, I'm not really sure." Lucy said with a sweat drop.

XXXX

It had been four days since the mages had arrived to the Mausoleum. And each day had been spent working diligently or keeping watch for trouble.

Erza, Laxus, Jellal, Gajeel, Natsu and Gray had been hard at work helping the earth moving mages by using controlled blasts of magic to powerful punches or strikes to remove the rock and earth from the main entrance. Things were progressing at a surprisingly steady rate.

Wyatt had spent his time between walking the grounds, helping keep watch with Cana and the others or aiding Lucy in Levy in translating the old Gaelic script found on the statues…or what was left of them.

He had been quiet, which wasn't a surprise, but he had been quieter than usual. His fellow Fairy Tail mages had even caught him starring off into the distance, seemingly lost in thought or eyeing the archeologists in a wary manner whenever they moved or handled an artifact.

He just seemed uncomfortable in general with the whole concept of trying to access the Mausoleum.

Currently, the man stood in front of what was once a small wolf statue with his head bowed and hands together in prayer; his necklace held between his palms.

He had finally taken Sera and Kyna to the Mausoleum, just as his wife had hoped for all those years ago.

"Wyatt?" Erza said, catching the Freelancer's attention as he finished his prayer.

"Are you alright?"

"As alright as one can be." Wyatt replied.

Erza stood beside the gunslinger as he looked back to the excavation. The pedestal they had seen in the drawing had been unearthed and was in surprising condition. The main arch to the door was also exposed for the first time since it had been buried. It wouldn't be long know.

"This must be exciting for you," Erza said, "to be at such a special spot for your people. To see it with your own eyes."

"To be honest I don't know how I feel." Wyatt replied.

"Are you not happy about this? To see a renewed interest taken in your people?" Erza replied.

Wyatt sighed and put his hands on his hips.

"I am…but at the same time I am conflicted. It is true that I am more than happy to finally be here; to stand on the ground where my ancestors and those who came before me once walked. And I am also pleased to see the Pergrande Kingdom finally owning up for the mistakes of the past. My people deserve that much…and more."

"But?" Erza said.

"But…I also feel that it's disrespectful to my people. That their memory and all that they accomplished and stood for is being tarnished by digs such as these. My people are being rediscovered because it suits someone else. Sure, the Kingdom claims that they are trying to bring back the past to teach the current generations but is that all there is to it. Somewhere, someone will be making a profit out of this at the expense of my people. Just like they have been whenever an unguarded artifact was discovered and sold to a private collection or a museum."

Wyatt crossed his arms and shifted his shoulders.

"And you feel that opening the doors to the Mausoleum, the same thing will happen here?" Erza asked.

"Aye." Wyatt nodded.

"I can understand what you're saying Wyatt, I really can. But you need to have faith in these archeologists. They have dedicated their time and skill to resurrecting the past and preserving it for all time. I'm sure you're people would appreciate that sentiment. That someone is working to preserve their legacy even if it may be a lost one."

Erza then looked to the doors as did Wyatt.

"And from the look of things, we shall soon find out what you're people wanted to hide behind all this rubble. Like I said Wyatt, have faith that these archeologists are going to treat your ancestors with the respect they have earned." Erza said.

"We'll see…we'll see." Wyatt muttered while Erza put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Half an hour later, just as the sun began to set, a triumphant cheer went up in the air from both the archeologists and the mages. The way to the doors had been cleared after being buried for a hundred years of silence.

"Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, our search has finally come to an end!" Nakahara said as he stood before the crowd.

"Behind those doors lies hundreds of years' worth of knowledge and artifacts to a people who sadly are no longer able to walk the land of the living. But now is our chance to bring their memory back from the grave and into the light of the modern age!"

Nakahara then faced the door.

"All we need to do is figure out a way to open the way to the Mausoleum." Nakahara said as Wyatt walked up next to him.

"Any ideas?" The doctor said.

Wyatt didn't answer, his attention focused solely on the door. He reached his hand out and let it rest against the stone of the doors. It was smooth to the touch, as if being buried had no effect on it in the slightest. Various engravings were etched into the doors, ranging from a series of runes and glyphs. But the main engravings that drew Wyatt's eye were of two, twin dragons that circled one another in a yin and yang style of movement. Then, standing next to the dragons and facing each other were a man and woman. Their left hands were turned palms up towards one another while their right hands held two weapons at the ready; a sword and a scythe.

But it was the way that the weapons were held that something began to click in Wyatt's mind. The blades were pointed down but were touching where the seam of the door met the ground. Following that seam, Wyatt noticed a subtle grounding in the stone which turned into a hardly noticeable line that led all the way back to the pillar.

"Could it really be that simple?" Wyatt muttered and walked back to the pillar.

"What is it?" Nakahara asked as Wyatt drew his sword.

"A hunch." He replied.

The pillar was cut like a pentagon and made of the same stone as the doors and still smooth to the touch. And in the center of the pillar a single slot had been carved into it. Wyatt took his sword and slid it into the slot; it was perfect fit for his katana.

As soon as the blade slid in place, a circle appeared around the slot, seamlessly transitioning from the rock.

"What…what is that?" Nakahara asked in awe.

"A lock…and my sword is the key." Wyatt said, twisting his sword as if he would a key…only for it to not budge an inch.

Wyatt tried again and met the same results.

"Hmmmm." Wyatt said in thought, pondering what to do.

Looking back to the door for answers, Wyatt noticed something odd about the man's sword. The edges of the engraving had been purposefully dulled and smoothed with little patterns carved into the blade.

Wyatt cocked his head to the side in thought.

It was almost as if the artist or whoever had made the doors were trying to put special emphasis on the sword and the way it was carved. Then as the sun began to lower over the horizon, one of the fading rays of light casted itself upon the door and lit up the rock, giving it an almost lively glow. The engraving of the sword especially seemed to glow brighter as the fading light caused a series of quartz crystals hidden in the smaller patterns to light up and reflect in the light.

It almost looked like it was glowing.

Glowing.

"Wait a minute," Wyatt said, "the only time a kelnite blade glows is when it's being charged with magic and…"

Wyatt promptly smacked his forehead.

"How on earthland did I miss that before?" Wyatt said as he began to focus his magic into his sword.

As soon as the magical energies flowed into the pillar, it came to life as a series of glowing blue runes appeared on the stone. From beneath the pillar, a magic circle spread out from under it, locking Wyatt in place while the tattoos on his left arm glowed brightly from beneath the fabric of his shirt and duster.

"Wyatt!" Natsu cried out, ready to rush to the gunslingers aid only for Wyatt to look over his shoulder and shake his head.

"Don't worry Natsu," Wyatt said, "it's alright. I'm just opening the door that's all."

Wyatt gave his sword a twist and the sword freely moved into a quarter turn. A series of runes, similar to the ones that coated the pedestal, appeared in the bricks that led up to the door; each brick with an individual rune.

From behind the doors, a heavy series of "thunks" could be heard. The entrance to the Mausoleum had been unlocked.

"By the gods, you've done it!" Nakahara exclaimed in joy, "Quickly, open the door so that we may venture inside!"

But Wyatt paused.

He hesitated to move his wrist the rest of the way as his previous reservations from earlier came back to the forefront of his mind.

If he opened those doors, he would finally be able to enter his people's most sacred and revered holy sites. He would finally be able to properly pay his respects to his wife and daughter. He'd be aiding in helping the Freelancers memory come back from the grave.

But at the same time…it didn't seem like the right thing to do. It felt wrong to be opening the doors to the Mausoleum not for the sake of tradition or ceremony but to disturb the rest of the men and women who had come before him; who had once lived the same life and role that he and Sera had once been entrusted to.

Here, where fathers and mothers, sons and daughters were placed in eternal peace, it made Wyatt feel suddenly ill that were going to be taken from this place and put on display for all to see. To be admired from behind some glass case while other artifacts from the tomb met a similar fate or were sold off in some upscale auction or worse; stolen and sold on the black market.

His people's memory would be tarnished beyond repair.

It would be grave robbing in every sense of the word.

Wyatt felt his skin break into a cold sweat at the thought as images of his wife and daughters graves being desecrated in a similar manner flashed before his eyes.

He couldn't do it…he couldn't open the doors.

No matter how badly he wanted to, no matter how much he believed that what they were doing was the right thing, Wyatt couldn't bring himself to turn his hand any further.

Instead, with a heavy sigh and bow of his head, Wyatt turned his sword back. The locks moved back in place and the runes had disappeared just as quickly as they had come.

"Wyatt," Lucy said in shock, "Wyatt, what are you doing?!"

"Hey man, what the hell gives!?" Gray said.

Wyatt removed his sword from the pillar and sheathed it without ceremony or flourish.

"Mister Keegan!" Nakahara exclaimed, "What, what is the meaning of this?!"

"I can't do it," Wyatt said as confused muttering turned into calls of protest from the other archeologists.

"I…I can't open those doors." Wyatt said, turning to face the doctor, "I won't open those doors."

"What do you mean you won't!? Have you lost your mind!?" Nakahara said as he stomped up to Wyatt so that they were face to face.

"Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. But the fact remains that those doors will not be opening any time soon." Wyatt said.

"You…you can't do this!" Nakahara said as he face turned beet red in anger, "We had a deal! And you just expect me and my crew to just pack up after all that we've been through to get here!? We deserve to go in there damn you!"

"And to do what?" Wyatt said, rising to his full height and towering over Nakahara, "What we're doing here is nothing short of grave robbing. And I refuse to do that to my ancestors. I refuse to defile one of our most sacred traditions of letting the dead maintain their eternal rest."

"You…you…" Nakahara said as he shook in anger.

"Sputter all you want, it won't change my mind." Wyatt said as he turned on his heel and walked away.

"The doors stay closed."

And with those words, Nakahara stormed off himself while the mages looked at their compatriot in utter disbelief.

XXXX

"I can't believe you did that." Natsu grumbled as he glared at Wyatt from across the dining table.

"After all the trouble we went through to get here, they payday we were expecting and you just had to blow it all off because you got cold feet over some of stupid tradition!"

Wyatt glared back at the fire mage as he quickly drew his one revolver and cocked the hammer.

"Watch who you shoot your mouth off to Natsu or I might just literally blow it off that head of yours." Wyatt growled.

"Enough!" Erza said as she slammed her palm down on the table, "Both of you!"

Wyatt and Natsu held each other's glares for a moment before Wyatt sighed heavily and placed his gun back in its holster. Natsu grunted and leaned back into his chair, arms crossed while Lucy placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Wyatt," Erza sighed, "what exactly are you thinking?"

"I already told you." Wyatt said.

"And you expect us to just let you throw a hissy fit because you're worried about people who have been dead for hundreds of years?" Laxus said.

"Give us break Wyatt."

"It's the truth. Whether what was done here was for the right reason or not, I will not let the Mausoleum be plundered." Wyatt said.

"Wyatt, be reasonable." Erza said.

"I am Erza." Wyatt replied.

"It doesn't look that way to us." Erza replied, "And worst of all, not only did you break the deal we had made with Doctor Nakahara, you went over mine and Laxus's heads with this."

"We're the team Leader's Wyatt," Laxus said, "you should have told us first. It was our decision to make."

"No, it wasn't," Wyatt replied, "you may be leading the team but the Master told you to defer to me; meaning it was my call all along whether or not those doors opened. I've made my decision and I'm standing by it."

The group was quiet for a moment before Erza slumped into her seat.

"The Master is not going to like this." She said.

"The old man is going to mop the floor with you when we get back." Gajeel said under his breath as he glared at Wyatt.

Cana casted a concerned and upset look to Wyatt who averted his head slightly when he caught the look.

The tent flap opened and one of Nakahara's assistants entered carrying a small bin of glasses and what appeared to be a large bottle of alcohol.

"Uhm…the doctor sent me here to give you guys this." The assistant said as she set the bottle and glasses down on the table.

"The doctor would like to apologize for earlier. He acted…rude towards Mister Keegan's decision and offers this as an apology."

"By giving us some booze?" Gray said.

"The doctor thought it appropriate given the circumstances. He's already drank himself silly but before he went to bed he told me to bring you this and offer you guys some. He also told me that he may not like Mister Keegan's decision…but he now understands it none the less. As the last Freelancer, you have every right to pass judgement on what happens here."

The assistant began to fill the cups.

"He just hopes that there's no animosity between the two of you. We've made a great find today and that is rewarding enough for most of us."

"After what's happened today, I'm sure we could all use a drink." Levy said as she took her glass.

Even the exceed had been given a small amount of the liquid to drink.

Wyatt looked to his glass as Wendy handed it to him. He was surprised to see her and Romeo taking the drink and slowly sipping it down but then again, it had been a rough few days for everyone.

Wyatt looked to his own glass and shrugged.

"Why not?" Wyatt said as he popped his mask off and downed his drink in two gulps.

"Aren't you going to drink yours?" Lucy said to the assistant, who hadn't even touched her glass. The assistant said nothing…but she did let a peculiar and rather smug grin form on her lips.

"Stupid mages." The assistant sneered.

A wave of nausea suddenly swept over the mages and before they knew it, the room was spinning and then there was darkness as they collapsed to the ground.

Wyatt didn't know how long he had been out but he was awoken by the chill of the night time air and a voice calling out to him.

"Wake up." The voice said. Wyatt recognized it as Nakahara's.

"I said wake up." Nakahara said again only for a jolting pain to the stomach to accompany his voice. His boot had connected with Wyatt's stomach.

Gasping slightly, Wyatt bolted up with considerable difficulty to find himself outside. The full moon illuminated the night time sky and the Mausoleum grounds. He noticed the others were awake and were struggling with what appeared to be shackles tied around their wrists; their hands tied behind their backs.

Wyatt quickly noted he was in a similar position and that his holsters, sheaths and scabbards had been removed as had his jacket, mask and hat.

Wyatt also noted that they were surrounded by the archeologists, who held some form of weapon in their hands whether they be a shovel or pickaxe to a frying pan or earth magic.

"Finally, I was begging to wonder when you'd come to." Nakahara said making Wyatt snap his head to him.

"What did you do?" Wyatt hissed.

"Oh, just spiked that lovely little drink of yours with something that made you take a nap. As for the shackles, they're old magic canceling shackles that we found on a previous dig but didn't have a chance to put into inventory. Old…but still effective." Nakahara said with a smug grin.

"Why?" Wyatt said, making the doctor laugh out loud.

"Isn't it obvious!?" Nakahara said, "You refused to open the way to the Mausoleum so I knew that the only way to get you to cooperate was to take drastic measures."

The archeologist glared down at Wyatt.

"Five years we have been looking for this place. Five, long years my team and I have been looking for this hole in the wall shrine to a bunch of dead men. Do you have any idea what we've sacrificed to get here? The trouble we had to go through!? I've stake my career, my finances and my reputation on this damn dig!"

Nakahara bent down so that he and Wyatt were eye to eye.

"We've come too far to let this pass us by and both my team and I are expecting one hell of a payout for what we find here. And I refuse to let some stuck up punk who is devoted to a bunch of long dead corpses ruin everything for us.

Whether you like it or not, you will open up those fucking doors and let us inside."

"Or else what?" Wyatt said.

"Or I have one of my men take a pickaxe to one of your friend's skulls. They have no magic to defend themselves so it'll be easy to crack 'em open like an egg." Nakahara replied.

"And we'll start with Mrs. Redfox." Nakahara said as Levy was kicked down with a panicked cry.

An archeologist with a pickaxe lined the tool up with the back of her head, ready to strike.

"Gajeel!" Levy cried out, "Gajeel!"

"Motherfuckers!" Gajeel roared, "Leave her alone! Leave my wife alone!"

The archeologist raised his pickaxe high and prepared to swing down.

"STOP!" Wyatt yelled.

"I'll do it…I'll open the doors…just don't hurt her. Don't hurt my friends."

Nakahara nodded and the archeologist complied, leaving Levy to silently sob on the ground. Wyatt was heaved up to his feet and was marched over to the pillar where an assistant waited with his sword.

"You try anything," Nakahara said, "your friends die."

Wyatt simply grunted as his shackles were removed. Rubbing his wrists, Wyatt took his sword and repeated the same process he had done earlier that evening; this time turning the lock all the way. Once again the runes appeared, the doors unlocked but this time the doors parted and slowly began to swing outwards.

For the first time, after hundreds of years of dormancy, the Mausoleum doors were opening to the living.

Wyatt let go of his sword and kept it locked in place so that the doors remained open.

"Now then, shall we proceed inside and see what riches await us?" Nakahara sneered as he grabbed Wyatt by his shoulder and forced him to walk forward to the entrance with a small group of Nakahara's crew.

But when they reached the threshold of the Mausoleum, the runes engraved into the brocks of the floor suddenly changed from blue to red and a magical barrier suddenly sprung to life, blocking the entrance as a massive trinity knot flared to life at the center.

"What the devil!?" Nakahara exclaimed.

Wyatt noticed his Guardian tattoos on his left arm were glowing blue. He looked from the barrier, to his arm, the runes on the ground and then back.

"…It's a security spell." Wyatt said, "Even after all this time it still works. It won't let anyone enter save for me."

"And why is that?" Nakahara snarled.

"The runes on the ground are similar to ones I use at home. They're designed to recognize Freelancer mafic and only Freelancer magic. I can enter but you guys will have to stay out here."

"Then deactivate it." Nakahara said.

"I can't." Wyatt replied.

"Why not?" Nakahara countered.

"Because this spell is being channeled from somewhere inside the Mausoleum. I'd have to go in there to find where it's being casted from and dispel it from there."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Nakahara hissed, "Need I remind you that I can kill your friends at my leisure so as to motivate you."

Wyatt was quiet as he looked at the barrier and the gloom that lingered behind it. An idea occurred to him there.

"I'll disable the barrier but I have no idea what to expect once I'm in there. I'll need help if anything happens."

"Don't think I don't know a ploy when I see one." Nakahara sneered.

"If I go down in there, this barrier will remain up…and you and your people will be shit out of luck." Wyatt replied in turn.

Nakahara glowered at Wyatt but made no move to argue.

"You'll get those two brats, Wendy and Romeo, but that's all the help you'll get. Besides, they're less likely to put up a fight now that they know what's at stake." Nakahara said.

Wyatt only narrowed his eyes in response.

Soon enough, Wendy and Romeo-now lacking their shackles-were brought to Wyatt.

"See to it that the barrier comes down; and be quick about it lest you want your friends to lose their heads."

"We'll get the barrier down." Wyatt replied, "Just be patient."

"Get. Moving." Nakahara hissed clearly not listening to a word Wyatt said.

Wyatt placed his hands on Wendy and Romeo's shoulders and guided them to the barrier. The runes beneath their feet changed color once more and the trinity knot disappeared. Taking a deep breathe, the mages walked up to the barrier and stepped on through; a feeling similar to water moving across the skin.

The mages let out a relieved sigh and looked back just in time to see the barrier return to its defensive mode. They then looked forward and began their descent into the Mausoleum; well aware of the consequences that should befall them if they failed to get the barrier down.

XXXX

It was when they were well beyond the entrance and anyone who may be in earshot that Romeo chose to speak.

"Wyatt, why didn't you do anything?" The fire mage asked, "You had your sword in hand; why didn't you just cut all those guys down?"

"Had I removed my sword, the doors would have automatically shut. They need to be kept open. And I was in no position to do anything. Sure I could have easily cut a few of Nakahara's men down, maybe himself even, but you guys would be defenseless with those magic cancelling shackles on. You could've easily been killed. I couldn't risk that." Wyatt replied.

"He has a point Romeo," Wendy said, "There wasn't much any of us could do."

Romeo clenched his fists and looked at the floor in frustration.

"I just…hate feeling so helpless like this. The others are counting on us and I don't want to think of what should happen if we fail."

"It won't come to that, I promise." Wyatt said, "There is a way to get that barrier down, we just need to find it."

"Any idea where it could be?" Wendy asked, "And how were we able to pass on through if those guys couldn't."

"Somewhere deep within the mountain if I had to guess." Wyatt said, "We just need to follow where this leads and hopefully we'll get somewhere soon. And as to getting into here, because I held onto you as we passed through, I essentially invited you in as my guests. Simple as that."

"Right…that makes sense." Wendy replied while Romeo nodded.

Like the entrance, the area they were passing through now was a large, open, manmade cavern with large support columns rising from the floor to ceiling. The ambient light that had once permeated the entrance and cavern beyond was starting to fade and it was getting harder to see. Wyatt had casted his Night Shine spell for his eyes but found even with it, the vast shadows that filled the area kept most of it dark and out of sight.

"I'm just noticing how quiet it is in this place." Romeo said, "A pin could drop and we'd never hear it."

"Not to mention it's a bit…creepy in here." Wendy said, alluding to the fact that the Mausoleum had all the charm of a crypt.

Because, in fact, it was one.

Wyatt looked around at the columns before wandering over to one.

"This should help." Wyatt said as he pulled a torch off its bracket. He rubbed his fingers over the wick and found that the kindling was still doused in oil…even after a hundred years of disuse.

"Romeo, if you'd please." Wyatt said as the fire mage ignited the torch.

"Why didn't I think of this?" Romeo said as he made a small ball of fire in his palm.

The soft glow of the flames spread out at lit the shadows that once filled their small corner of the cavern. It wasn't much but it was enough. The mages continued on their way for another fifteen minutes, before a series of steps formed in the floor which in turn led to a large stairwell at the end of the cavern.

"Nowhere but down." Romeo said.

"Yeah, but where too?" Wendy added as she peered into the gloom.

Romeo smiled gently and took her hand, making Wendy smile in turn as her mate's presence put her at ease.

Wyatt led the way with the two younger mages following behind. They weren't sure how long they had descended the steps but they eventually came into a wide, open circular area. A large, circular raised fire pit took up the center of the room that much they could see while the rest of the room was shrouded in darkness.

Wendy approached the pit and found that instead of firewood, a dark liquid filled it instead. Wendy dipped her finger into the liquid before taking a cursory sniff…and winced.

"It's oil." Wendy said.

Looking to the pit, Wyatt quickly tapped his torch to the surface and ignited the oil. A slight "hiss" was heard and before they mages knew it, the entire room had been illuminated by open flame lanterns in the walls.

"How did it do that, that's so cool!" Romeo said.

"There must be pipes or drains of some sort that run beneath the floor and are filled with oil. The fire ignites, runs up the oil in the walls and lights the room." Wyatt said.

"Uhm, guys, look." Wendy said as she panned her finger across the room.

Before them, lined evenly and neatly from the walls to hallway into the center of the room, were rows upon rows of gun racks and weapon mounts.

"This must be the armory." Wyatt said.

"Armory?" Wendy asked.

"Aye," Wyatt replied, "this place, once upon a time, had a sizeable garrison of Freelancers keeping watch…this was before my people were exiled of course. If the Mausoleum ever found itself under siege or attack, the defenders would need a place arm themselves and store their weapons."

Wyatt walked over to a gun rack and looked at the various breech loading rifles, carbines, pistols and some first generation revolvers, still in their cases. They were in perfect condition, even after all this time. Wyatt then walked over to a small table and removed a dust cover to reveal a large, flat case. Popping the latches, Wyatt found a kelnite broadsword still in its baldric sheath.

Removing the sword, Wyatt observed the orange colored crystal and the small red pigments that made it glow in the firelight. Taking the sheath and slinging it across his chest, Wyatt sheathed the sword and motioned for Wendy and Romeo to follow him.

"Uh, Wyatt," Romeo said, "aren't you going to take a gun too?"

"As much as I want to…these guns haven't been fired in a very long time. They may be in perfect condition…but I don't want to risk something happening." Wyatt replied.

"Like what?" Romeo said.

"You ever see a gin blow up in someone's face?" Wyatt said.

Wendy and Romeo swallowed hard at the idea.

"It isn't pretty. Now let's keep moving, it looks like there's a lift of some kind at the back of the room here." Wyatt said.

Sure enough, a large platform like lift took up the back of the room with large chains, cogs and gears disappearing up into the ceiling. A single but intricately made lever took up the center of the lift.

"Nowhere but down right?" Wyatt said, making his companions nod in agreement.

They stepped onto the lift and Wyatt pulled the lever back. After a slight tremble, the cogs began to move, gears began to grind and chains began to lower. The lift slowly descended down into the very heart of the Mausoleum. And in the back of Wyatt's mind…he knew something was about to happen. He just wasn't sure what it was.

The lift eventually came to a stop and the moment they stepped off of it, the long corridor that stretched out before them suddenly became bathed in a beautiful, light blue ambient light. A series of crystals glowed to life in the ceiling, seemingly triggered by the presence of the mages. A set of heavy doors could also be seen at the end of the corridor.

The walls shimmered with the light and it took the mages a minute to realize that the corridor had two small ditches of sparkling clear water framing both sides of the pathway; thus causing the light to reflect off the walls.

Walls, that were covered in beautifully detailed, hand painted murals.

"Wow." Wendy whispered as she looked at the murals.

"They're beautiful…Wyatt what are these?"

Wyatt was quiet for a minute as he looked from one side of the room to the other. It took him a few minutes, but his brow slowly crinkled in understanding.

"It's a legend…one of the oldest Freelancer legends." Wyatt said.

"What's it about?" Romeo asked.

"The Gaelic on the walls here is old…but not too old. I can see the resemblance between the Gaelic I was taught and this Gaelic. As for what this story is…it's how the Freelancers came to be; how the Scythe Master and her Guardian came to be."

Wyatt gestured to the paintings and beckoned the teens to his side.

"I was told a story similar to this when I was a child…but this seems to be completely different from what I was told."

"Well, why not tell us it then?" Romeo said making Wendy nod in excitement.

"Alright then…" Wyatt said with a smile.

He pointed his finger to the start of the paintings; where a man stood on the back of a black and armored dragon while a white dragon flew close to its side.

The man was tall with short, midnight black hair, pale grey skin and amber eyes that practically glowed a fiery orange. His face was hidden by a mask that resembled a flat looking skull minus any teeth but with a menacing zigzag like frown taking its place.

He wore a set of armor that looked more like a combination of rock and bone and covered his back, chest and torso, his shoulders, forearms, hands, knees and shins with a set of heavy boots completing the look. Beneath the armor on his forearms, a series of bandages covered the limbs, as did they cover his torso. A heavy belt clung to his waist and held the tattered remains of what had once been a long and flowing jacket; the upper half missing while the lower half still trailed out behind his legs.

And in his right hand, he gripped a single scythe with a glowing blade.

"Who is he?" Wendy asked.

"That man, as the legend goes, is Death." Wyatt said.

"What, you mean like, actual death!?" Romeo said while Wyatt shook his head.

"No…his real name was lost to history. He only went by the name of Death…seeing as how he was a necromancer, it's only fitting."

"A necromancer!?" Wendy and Romeo said in shock, their minds reeling back to the battle with Tartarus, three years prior.

"Not just any necromancer. The necromancer. The first necromancer ever to walk this earth…or so the stories go."

"But how does any of this relate to your people Wyatt?" Wendy asked.

"Perhaps, I should start from the beginning. Allow me to tell you the story of Death and the Freelancers." Wyatt said as he began the tale, guiding the teens from mural to mural as they blended together with the story.

In a time of war between dragon and man-a time where dragon fought dragon-he appeared out of the shadows, seemingly drawn to the conflict that played out on the grand stage that was the world. Silently he watched from the side as man and beast clashed in battles to determine the fate of the future.

He moved from one battlefield to the next as did the two dragons, one black and the other white, following him wherever he roamed. They did not intervene, only watched and when the battles ended, they simply vanished and appeared at the next. Any who tried to pursue the three, whether they be man or dragon, never returned.

Rumors began that this wasn't the first time that this stranger had walked the land of the living. For he matched the description of a man who had fought against the dark wizard Zeref and his demons many years before; only to vanish when the wizard had been defeated and his demons were scattered across the world. Many said the stranger was demon himself who had fought Zeref in a vive for power while others said he was a man who had lost everything to the black mage and had turned to black magic, forever cursing himself, in order to seek his revenge.

Whatever the story may be, the stranger quickly became known as Death due to his similar appearance to the Grim Reaper of old and the ease at which he dispatched those who tried to combat him. He was silent but fierce, swift and deadly. And the dragons that stayed by his side, who became known as Azrael and Morrigan, effortlessly tore apart even the mightiest of dragon or strongest human warrior.

And then one day…something unique happened.

Death and his dragons crossed paths with a nomadic group of people as the combated a dragon. Death watched as the dragon easily tore through the ranks of the nomads…but these people did not give up. They fought valiantly against the dragon, using magic and sword to combat the beast.

And then, one nomad in particular captured Death's attention. A woman scaled the arm of the dragon and singlehandedly attacked the creature, doing all in her power to bring the beast down. Death was surprised by the lone warrior's bravery and attentively watched her every move.

The dragon managed to shake the woman off and knock her to the ground. And when it seemed she was about to meet her end, Death intervened and saved the woman. While tending to the woman, Azrael and Morrigan tore the dragon apart.

Death could not explain why he did what he did…there was something about this woman that drew him to her. Grateful for his assistance, the nomads tried to pay Death back for what he'd done. He refused…but did not leave the nomads behind like he would others. He followed the Nomads from a distance, keeping in line with their shadow.

When battle came, the stranger and the dragons would aid the nomads. It soon came to the point where the nomad clans accepted Death and the dragons as a regular fixture in their lives; a welcomed one at best.

And each day since his arrival on that battlefield, the woman would visit Death. It became apparent that she was drawn to him as much as he was to her. And after a years' time, the war between the dragons and man came to an end…and the necromancer and the warrior found themselves as husband and wife…with a daughter born the following summer.

The years passed and the nomad's size and strength grew. The dragons taught the nomad various forms of magic to apply in their daily lives and in battle. Death himself simply regulated himself to aiding in the dragons teachings, keeping the peace, providing counsel when needed and raising his family.

But with the passing of time, Death and the dragons remained the same, while his wife aged and his daughter grew. The people he'd come to value and care about passed away before his eyes. It was a somber reminder of the curse he lived with.

Death soon came to a realization that he had no further purpose in the world. The nomads he'd trained were doing an exemplary job of maintaining the law and order of the land, there were no battles left to fight, and he simply wasn't needed anymore. His daughter had grown into a fine warrior in her own right; she didn't need to be watched over any more.

Whether it was a search for eternal peace or to simply fade away, Death chose to pass on from the world. His wife, not wanting to live without him, chose to join him, as did Azrael and Morrigan; ever faithful to their master. When the time came, before Death freed his, his wife's and the dragon's souls form the confines of life, he passed his power and scythe unto his daughter…and declared her lover to be her protector from that day forth.

And then Death was gone.

As were his wife and dragons.

Their bodies remained but their souls were set free to move onto the afterlife.

They were laid to rest in a special place where they would remain together for all time…along with their descendants and their protectors.

A place for the torch to be passed onto the next generation.

A place where one burden became another's…and where the strength and honor of the nomads, could be continued.

With those words, Wyatt finished the tale inscribed on the wall.

"Wow…" Wendy said.

"Wait…so if this story or whatever was put here, does that mean this is where Death and those dragons are buried…along with those other Scythe Masters and their Guardians?" Romeo said.

"If the story is true, yes. As I said, I heard a story like this growing up but this version, although shorter, is different from what I've heard. It's…strange." Wyatt said.

"I find it strange how your people idolized a guy who named himself after death." Romeo quipped.

"He and his dragons played a very important role in building the Freelancers into who they were to become. They set in place traditions and magic's that would be practiced for hundreds of years. It's only natural that they would be immortalized in such a place as this." Wyatt said.

He paused for a moment before looking to the two mates.

"If the story is to be believed that is." He said.

"I assure you young man, that story is very much true, word for word." A voice suddenly said, making the mages heads snap to the sides.

Standing, in front of the doors at the end of the corridor, was a man dressed in and more importantly, glowing white.

He wore a simple, long and flowing hooded robe while a mask similar to Wyatt's but with a diagonal blue line running across the center hid his face.

It also became quickly obvious that the man was far from human considering his entire form was translucent…like a ghost.

An idea which quickly jumped into Wendy's head.

"A ghost!" Wendy gasped in fright while Romeo and Wyatt took combative stances; the latter drawing his sword.

"Stop right there!" Wyatt snapped, "Who are you; how did you get down here!?"

The ghost raised his hands in a calming manner.

"Easy now, I mean you no harm…in fact, you can put your weapon since it's rather impractical for me to do so." The ghost said.

Wyatt didn't ease his stance.

The ghost sighed before cocking his head slightly as he observed Wyatt, noting his stance and the way he wielded the sword. And when he saw the tattoo's that covered Wyatt's arms, the ghost straightened himself and began to calmly walk forward.

"You can put the sword away…brother. There is no need for violence when we are mere steps away from your fellow brothers…your fellow guardians."

"…Who are you?" Wyatt said.

"I'll tell you when you put that sword away." The ghost replied.

Wyatt hesitated…but relented none the less.

"My name is Garrett. In life I was an armorer and scribe to the Freelancer people. Now in death, I am the caretaker of the Mausoleum." The ghost, Garrett, replied.

"But you're a ghost." Wendy said.

"I like to think of myself of a memory of what once was. I may be a spirit, but like in life, I continue to serve a purpose. And my purpose is to watch over the departed and maintain the Mausoleum." Garret replied.

"Is that how you found us?" Romeo asked.

"I sensed your presence the moment you passed the security barrier…and I've been waiting for you since." Garrett said before cocking his head in a curious manner.

"May I enquire as to who you three are, however?"

"I am Wyatt Keegan." Wyatt said, "And these two are Romeo Conbolt and Wendy Marvell. We are mages of the Fairy Tail guild."

"A magic guild?!" Garret said in surprise, "What on earth land is a Guardian doing with a magic guild!? Shouldn't you be with the Scythe Master!? And however did you get the council's approval of this!?"

"…I hate to tell you this…" Wyatt said, "But our people are no more."

"What?" Wyatt said, his voice going soft.

"You are looking at the last Freelancer in existence." Wyatt continued.

Taken aback, Garrett staggered as he clutched at his heart…if it were possible.

"When…how…our people…it's not possible!" Garret said.

"I speak the truth." Wyatt continued, "The Freelancers are no more. It's been this way for some time. My family…my clan was the last of our people. I've since buried them."

"How?" Garret hissed, "How did this happen!? And what of the Armageddon blades!?"

"Our people were betrayed." Wyatt said in an equally low tone, "And I've made it my mission to bring those responsible to justice….the Armageddon blades have been lost for some time however. Long before I was born so I can't tell you where they are."

Garrett was quiet before letting out a despondent sigh.

"Our people's greatest feat has been realized." Garrett said, "Damn…just…damn."

Garrett straightened himself once more.

"Why are you here then, if not for ceremonial purposes?" Garrett said.

"Our guild was hired in assisting an archeological dig of the Mausoleum. When I refused to open the doors to the Mausoleum, my comrades and I were incapacitated and I was then forced to open the doors. The security barrier was activated and only I and these two were allowed to pass through. We've been trying to find a way to deactivate the barrier and in turn save our friends." Wyatt said.

"I see. That is quite the problem." Garrett said.

"Can you help us?" Wendy asked.

"…I can." Garrett said, "But from what you said, it sounds like you were outnumbered up on the surface."

"Aye." Wyatt said.

"Then you'll need help in capturing your captors. Well…since you've come all this way, I can provide you with the help you need…and show you something only a few have ever bore witness to." Garrett said.

He waved his hand and the doors at the end of the corridor opened.

"Follow me please." Garrett said as he turned back to the doors. With little options, the mage followed.

The doors opened to reveal an underground cavern of epic proportions. The cavern stretched high into the air and seemed to be located directly under the top of the mountain. The rest of the cavern could seemingly hold two large scale cities with room to spare within the confines of the vast space. From the tops of the cavern, two large waterfalls fell to a vast lake of glowing blue water below while light was provided by crystals that filled the cavern.

From their spot on a manmade outcropping, a lengthy bridge led out to a small island at the center of the lake. And before the mages, set on a large platform, were two statues and two sarcophagi. The first statue was an exact replica of the painting from the corridor.

"Death." Wyatt said aloud, "So…he did exist."

The second statue and sarcophagus belonged to a beautiful woman with a heart shaped face, shoulder length hair and wore a sleeveless kimono.

"And this must be his wife." Wendy said and smiled when she noticed how close the sarcophagi and statues were to one another.

"Even in death, they were kept close to each other."

"A romantic notion, is it not?" Garrett said as he led the mages down a series of steps that led to the water and bridge.

And on each side of the bridge, were statues of men and women. They were kept close to each other but were spaced out into pairs.

Some were men and women together. Others were woman and woman.

But it was apparent who they were; a Scythe Master and her Guardian.

"So these are…" Romeo said.

"The ones who've come before." Wyatt said, "If the Freelancers were still around, my daughter would have been taken here when the time came and the Armageddon blades would have been given to her. Sera would have passed the Scythe Master to Kyna and I would brand her Guardian with my tattoos."

"…The women." Wendy said, "The ones standing next to the Guardians…they look the same."

"Mothers and daughters." Wyatt said, "The mother's burden becomes her daughters."

As Garrett led the mages closer to the island, they noticed that it was occupied by two rather large and towering statues.

Statues that turned out not to be statues of stone…but of solid, bleach white bone.

Wendy gasped while Romeo's jaw dropped slightly.

"By the gods," Wyatt whispered before dropping to one knee and bowing his head, "they did exist."

The skeletons of two dragons loomed over the mages, set back on their hind legs, wings swept back and front claws kept forward at the ready. They were Azrael and Morrigan, the fabled Black and White dragons.

"You need not bow to them," Garrett said, "they're not that formal."

"What do you mean?" Wyatt said.

"They're alive." Wendy said suddenly, "I can sense their presence here. It is strong…their spirits still linger here after all this time."

"This is their final resting place so it's only natural." Garrett said, "I can communicate with them but only on a limited basis."

"Then let me try." Wendy said, "I know a spell that can summon a dragons' soul from the afterlife if the need arises."

"Then by all means, feel free to do so." Garrett said, before looking to Wyatt, "After all, they've been waiting for someone like you for a long time Guardian."

Wyatt looked to Wendy and gave her a nod. Wendy quickly set about creating a magical circle where the group stood before she knelt down on both knees and summoned her magic. The circle began to glow as Wendy raised her arms into the air before beams of light sprung from the circle. Wendy brought her hands together before her, almost in prayer, before she began to chant. The beams of light swirled in the air for a moment before banding together and creating a portal of brilliant light.

"Milky Way!" Wendy said as the spell finished.

Wendy's eyes suddenly became clouded, as did Romeo's, as the two teens entered a trance like state. Wyatt and Garrett remained unaffected however.

"What's happening?" Wyatt asked.

"I thought we could use the privacy, Guardian." A feminine voice said from within the portal.

Wyatt looked up just in time to see the portal split apart and form two ethereal forms of two dragons.

The first was a dragon with ivory white scales, pale grey skin and glowing blue eyes. She had a long, smooth tail and four wings; two large ones on her upper back and two smaller ones on her lower. A gentle smile graced her lips as she looked at Wyatt.

"Morrigan." Wyatt thought.

The second dragon fit the traditional dragon appearance but was covered from head, wing and toe in jet black armor that covered his indigo colored scales. Only his lower jaw was uncovered so that he could speak and attack while his eyes glowed a furious orange.

"Azrael." Wyatt thought once more.

Wyatt was tempted to bow but remembered what Garrett had said. He simply locked his knees and remained still.

"Hello there Freelancer." Morrigan said, her voice gentle and soothing, "It's been too long since we've last spoken with one of our disciples."

"Indeed." Azrael said, his voice sonorous and even, "Who are you? I sense you are a Guardian that much I can tell."

"My name is Wyatt Keegan." The gunslinger said, "It's an honor to meet you oh mighty dragons."

"Spare us the pleasantries." Azrael said, "We know that you are not here for a social visit if you've gone through this much trouble to summon us."

"Are the Freelancers in danger? If so, we can't be of much help." Morrigan said.

"…The Freelancers are dead mam." Wyatt said, hesitating with his words.

The dragons were silent.

"All of them?" Morrigan asked.

"I am the last." Wyatt replied.

"What of your wife and child?" Morrigan pressed, "If you are a Guardian, surely they must be with you."

"I…I…" Wyatt said before sighing heavily, "I failed to protect them. I failed to protect my family."

Azrael simply shook his head with his eyes closed.

"I knew it could come to this one day…but I never thought it possible." The black dragon said.

"What happened? Surely your people were not wiped out at one time." Morrigan said.

"We were betrayed," Wyatt said, "and unfortunately, in a single day and night, the Freelancers were purged from the land of the living."

"By the gods…" Morrigan whispered as she tilted her head down in sadness.

"Who is responsible?" Azrael said.

"I'm making it my mission to find out. I've enacted the law of Vendetta to do so." Wyatt replied.

"Good," The dragon said, "let the wrath of an entire people befall your prey in this hunt you undertake."

"…What of the Armageddon blades? Are they secure?" Morrigan asked.

"No…" Wyatt replied, "They were lost long ago."

Morrigan and Azrael narrowed their eyes before looking to one another and then back to Wyatt.

"Are you certain?" Azrael said as he began to scrutinize Wyatt.

"Yes sir." Wyatt replied, "I am."

The dragon's eyes continued to narrow.

"I know when I'm being lied to. You're good but you're not that good." Azrael said.

Wyatt said nothing, his eyes wide in fear.

"You know where they are…but are keeping them a secret." Morrigan said, "Be honest with us young man, we deserve that much."

"Aye mam…I do know where they are…but I haven't told a soul." Wyatt said.

"…Then we won't press you for details then." Morrigan replied.

"You're devotion to duty is to be commended." Azrael said, before sniffing Wyatt…and his eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Tell me…have you told your compatriots of the secret you've been hiding?" Azrael said.

"W-What secret sir?" Wyatt said, his own shock obvious.

"I can sense him in you. My mate and I were around him the most so it's only natural that we'd be attuned to his presence." Azrael pressed.

Wyatt swallowed hard but remained silent.

"…You must have been pretty desperate to have made a deal with him." Azrael said.

Wyatt held his tongue.

"Now dear, that's quite enough…you're scarring him." Morrigan said, "Now Wyatt, you must forgive Azrael, he can be a bit…aggressive in his questions. For a change of things, why are you speaking to us?"

Wyatt let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"My companions on the surface are being held captive. I need help setting them free." Wyatt replied.

"I do believe Garrett can tend to that. I don't see why we're needed." Azrael said.

"Forgive me, I felt it only right for the last of my people to meet you two. It seemed only fair after all the trouble he's been through." Garret replied.

Azrael rolled his eyes while Morrigan smiled.

"We appreciate that…we don't get many visitors now do we dear?" Morrigan said.

Azrael grunted in response, only to be smacked upside the head by Morrigan's wing.

"Do we, dear?" Morrigan reiterated.

"…I would suppose." Azrael replied, then looked to Wyatt, "Garrett will assist you in freeing your friends. As for us, we wish to return to our rest."

"I can understand that…thank you for your time." Wyatt replied.

"Do visit again." Morrigan said, "As I said, we don't be many visitors here so don't be a stranger."

"No promises." Wyatt said with a bow of his head.

"…Whatever happens Wyatt," Azrael said, "don't fall to the point where you lose yourself. Because if you've made a deal with him, there is a price to be paid."

Before Wyatt could question the dragon, they faded away in a flash of light…ending the Milky Way spell and freeing Wendy and Romeo from their trance.

"What…what happened?" Wendy asked.

"Did we miss something?" Romeo asked.

"No…" Wyatt replied, "Nothing. You two were overwhelmed by a surge of magic…the dragons never appeared."

"Odd," Wendy said, "that's never happened before."

"Aw man, I wanted to see some dragons." Romeo said.

"You said you can help us?" Wyatt said as he looked to Garrett, "I feel as if we are getting short on time."

The ghost simply nodded his head and extended his hand out to the bridge. A series of glyphs appeared above the statues that lined it and soon enough, the eyes of the statues were glowing.

The statues themselves then began to glow with a bright blue aura before, much to the mages surprise, translucent figures stepped out from within the statues.

They were ghosts, much like Garrett, but glowed blue instead of white. They blinked, as if awakening from a long, deep sleep before turning to face Garrett and walked forward.

"They're coming this way…" Romeo said, the fear in his eyes evident.

"Don't worry," Wyatt said, "they won't hurt us."

The gunslinger walked ahead of Romeo and Wendy and moved to meet the lead spirits; one of the first Scythe Masters and Guardians they had seen on the bridge. Wyatt stopped just shy of the pair and let them come to him. When they were an arm's length apart, the woman and her guardian stopped. Wyatt held the woman's gaze as she blinked once, looked to the tattoo's on Wyatt's arms, before blinking twice and smiling softly.

The woman raised her hand and gently cupped Wyatt's cheek, making him gasp at the contact from the ghost. He could feel not just her hand on his skin, but her spirit; the automatic connection they shared. The woman then trailed her hand down Wyatt's neck to where it rested over his heart. She closed her eyes and leaned forward, resting her forehead against his.

The guardian smiled a soft smile of his own and gave Wyatt's shoulder a comforting squeeze. The other Scythe Masters and Guardians soon followed suite, placing hands on shoulders and thus joining the bond.

It was in that moment that Wyatt knew that the others could be saved. That the bond of a Guardian and Scythe Master transcended both life and death whether it be in the past…or present.

XXXX

The surface…

"What's taking them so long?" Nakahara growled as he paced back and forth in front of the subdued mages.

"What the bloody hell is taking them so long!?" Nakahara said, "How hard can it be to take down a single barrier!?"

The mad archeologist turned to Fairy Tail mages with a frustrated and angered gaze.

"Those three better not be trying to pull anything if they know what's good for them…and you."

"Bastard," Natsu hissed, "when I get out of here, I'm going to kick your ass into next week!"

"The only thing you'll be getting is a pick axe to the head. Though I'm not sure anything would come out to be honest, considering how brainless you act."

"Oi!" Natsu barked, "Piss off!"

It was then that the barrier began to glow brighter than it already was before flickering in and out of existence.

"Doctor, look!" One of the aides called out.

"About time." Nakahara said with a pleased smile, "Looks like your pals kept up their end of the bargain."

"Alright everyone, we have a lot of ground to cover tonight so let's get in there and-"

A sudden rush of cool air from within the Mausoleum cut off the doctor's words while a voice whispered with it.

I don't think so.

Suddenly appearing at the entrance of the Mausoleum, a series of men and women-who glowed blue-materialized out of thin air. They were dressed in various forms or armor or traditional garb but they each held a weapon in hand.

"What the hell!?" Nakahara exclaimed.

"Ghosts! They're bloody ghosts!" Someone called out.

The assembled Freelancer Guardians and Scythe Masters silently charged forth and met the archeologists head on. The archeologists attempted to retaliate with their own weapons but they passed through the ghosts when they struck. The ghosts in turn, however, managed to strike back in a similar manner that they had with Wyatt. Blades were drawn, fists connected and the archeologists were knocked to the ground. None had been killed however; they were subdued instead.

Nakahara stood frozen in shock, surrounded by a group of Guardians with their swords poised at his throat. It had all happened so fast…Nakahara couldn't believe his crew had been taken down in such a manner.

The ghosts parted and Wyatt walked forth from the assembled ghosts with Romeo and Wendy following behind. He had the broadsword drawn and a scowl set in his features.

"Guys!" Lucy cried out in relief, "You're alright!"

"Anyone hurt?" Wyatt asked.

"No…we're fine; everyone's fine." Mira answered.

"Good." Wyatt said as stepped up to Nakahara and leveled the sword with the doctor's neck.

"The keys to the shackles," Wyatt said with an outstretched hand, "now."

Nakahara glared at Wyatt but complied none the less, taking the keys from his pocket. Wyatt tossed the keys to Romeo who quickly set about freeing the captured mages.

"You could have done a lot for your people." Nakahara said, "If you'd only opened the door."

"Never in a thousand years would I betray the memory of my people. You should have thought about how deeply my honor ran before you decided to try and desecrate this place." Wyatt said as he pressed the blade closer to Nakahara's neck.

The two were silent as they glared at each other.

"Go ahead." Nakahara said, "I can see it your eyes. You want to kill me don't you?"

"A part of me really wants to…for the sake of my people and my honor." Wyatt said, "But I'm not going to give you the satisfaction. I made a promise I wouldn't kill needlessly…and I intend to keep it."

Wyatt pulled the sword away, turned it on its side and smacked it against Nakahara's head with the flat side of the blade; knocking him out.

"Erza," Wyatt said, catching the swordswoman's attention, "take this. I don't need it anymore."

He then proceeded to toss the broadsword and baldric to Erza who caught the blade with ease.

"Are you sure?" Erza asked.

"Keep it...you deserve it." Wyatt replied.

With a heavy sigh, Wyatt walked over to where his own sword still remained locked into the pillar. He then turned the lock back in place and removed the sword, closing the doors to the mausoleum once more. Wyatt sighed heavily and looked to Garrett's ghost who lingered near the doors. He gave a curt nod and the ghost did the same.

XXXX

Morning…

Wyatt stood before the doors of the Mausoleum as the early morning light rose above the mountains. His hat, jacket, armor, mask and weapons had been retrieved shortly after Nakahara had been subdued along with his accomplices, courtesy of Gray freezing them in place after he'd been freed.

With their task complete, the ghosts had silently bid farewell to Wyatt before disappearing back into the mountain to return to their eternal rest.

Only Garrett had remained and he had beckoned Wyatt to him when all was said and done.

"Well done," Garrett said, "your friends were saved…with no loss of life."

"I'm just trying to keep my promise." Wyatt replied.

"A man of your word…that's a noble trait that many lack in this day and age I presume." Garrett said before cocking his head.

"In another time…another life, I'm sure the council would have bestowed the title of Regulator to you. It would have been quite an honor, to be both a Guardian Knight and a Regulator."

"I don't know about that." Wyatt said as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I was content just looking after my family."

"Humble too." Garrett said, "You truly are a rare breed. Tell me, do you have your weapons on you by any chance? You knife, your revolvers and rifle?"

"No, I have yet to retrieve them." Wyatt said.

"…That can be solved." Garrett said, as his eyes glowed and he snapped his fingers.

Wyatt's aforementioned weapons appeared before him, hovering in the air and glowing white.

"How did you…?" Wyatt said in surprise.

"I was an armorer Mister Keegan," Garrett said, "summoning and crafting weapons is my specialty."

Garrett then began to manipulate his hands, making the weapons spin in the air slowly as the glow increased. And then, with a snap of this fingers, the weapons ceased to spin and glow to reveal entirely new weapons that had taken their place.

"These…these are a Regulator's weapons." Wyatt said.

"And now they're yours…go ahead; take them." Garrett said as Wyatt slowly retrieved his weapons.

"A Regulator's blade, carbine, and X688 Eclipse's." Garrett continued, "Your other long guns are still fused with the carbine, so you can switch to them whenever you want as you had done before. The carbine is an entirely different design as compared to your rifle; it's easier to pull to the shoulder and fires a different cartridge."

"It's thirty-aught-six, not forty five-seventy." Wyatt said as he cocked the lever action before flip cocking it to get a better feel of the rifle.

"As powerful as the forty five was, the Regulators agreed to use a more manageable cartridge…that still packed a punch." Garrett said before pointing two the revamped revolvers.

"The X688 Eclipse's. Still forty five caliber. Still double action with match grade triggers-making it faster to shoot- riffled barrels, and overall better ergonomics. A superior design to the Black Fangs but never meant to be mass produced."

Wyatt spun the guns around his fingers and gave an approving nod.

"I think I can get used to them." Wyatt said as he set the guns down.

"And lastly, a Regulator's blade." Garrett said.

"It's more a sword than a knife." Wyatt said.

"Indeed…and that was the point. What you hold is essentially a scaled down Kelnite blade." Garrett said.

"This Bowie Knife is fifteen inches of black Kelnite, the rarest form of the crystal. The finish in non-reflective because it was sanded down instead of polished. It has a coffin handled grip that's meant to fit perfectly in your hand. This truly is a fearsome weapon."

Wyatt regarded it before looking to Garrett.

"Why did you give me these? My weapons were fine the way they were." Wyatt said.

"Isn't it obvious?" Garrett said.

"…You're giving me the rank of Regulator? I already told you-"

"I know what you told me. But Wyatt, you are the last of our people. And as the last of our people it is still your duty to maintain the law and order of the land; the make sure that the memory of our people never dies out." Garrett said.

"The Regulator is more than an enforcer of our laws. A Regulator represents the very best of the Freelancers, from culture to combat practice. I give this rank to you because I know that in your own way, you will make sure the laws and traditions of the Free Nomads will stay alive."

Wyatt looked to the blade in his hand.

"…I also know that you will bring those who betrayed our people to justice. That you will make them pay."

Wyatt nodded and performed a series of intricate spins of his new blade around his hand and over his knuckles.

"I will." Wyatt said, stopping his blade into a reverse grip.

"I know you will." Garrett said, "It is with these gifts that I bid you a fond farewell Wyatt Keegan. You are welcomed to return here whenever you want…if not, I will see you in the afterlife."

"I'll keep that in mind." Wyatt said.

The ghost bowed his head…and then he was gone.

Wyatt sighed heavily as he removed his mask and massaged his forehead.

So much had happened within the last couple of hours. It was a lot to take in all at once and frankly, the gunslinger found himself once again asking what he'd gotten himself into.

"You alright?"

Wyatt looked over his shoulder to see Cana walking up to him.

"I suppose." Wyatt said, "Just a lot to happen in one day, you know what I mean?"

"More than you think." Cana replied as she stood next to Wyatt, looking up to the door.

"Laxus was able to find a communication lacrima and is contacting the Pergrande authorities to round up Nakahara and his gang. Erza is using the emergency Lacrima to call the Master and explain the mess this turned into. I still can't believe the guy did all of that…turning against us simply because you wouldn't open the door." Can said.

"Men like him are always more interested in money rather than preserving history." Wyatt replied.

"Guess you did have a good reason to be upset with all of this after all." Cana said as she gestured to the door.

"It sounded too good to be true honestly," Wyatt said, "It's just something I have to learn to expect from now on whenever my people are mentioned."

Cana placed a comforting hand on Wyatt's shoulder and smiled gently.

"You don't have to worry about that with us…so try to lighten up a bit." Cana said, making Wyatt smile in turn.

"Glad to know….thank you." Wyatt said before looking to the door.

"Wendy told me that you found two old dragon spirits down in there." Cana said, "But when she summoned them, she and Romeo went into some sort of trance and don't remember much."

"They didn't miss anything." Wyatt said, "I spoke with two of the great ancestors and asked for their aid in dealing with Nakahara. That pretty much sums it up."

"Sounds complicated." Cana said as she withdrew her flask from her jacket. She frowned however when after a few gulps she ran out of her alcohol.

"Uh oh." Wyatt said with a teasing smile as Cana sighed heavily.

"Ugh, I drank most of it last night…should've saved it for the ride back." Cana said as she cracked her neck.

"…Speaking of getting back…is that invite to that drink still open?" Wyatt asked, making Cana's mood brighten back up.

"Heh, twist my arm. After the week we've had, I don't blame you." Cana said as she and Wyatt turned and walked back to the camp.

"Oh believe me, I could use a drink or two…or three." Wyatt said, making Cana chuckle as she slapped Wyatt on the back.

Wyatt paused for a minute to look back to the Mausoleum and the mountain. He smiled then and placed his mask back on.

"One day…I'll come back. One day." Wyatt thought.

XXXX

A few days later…

Elsewhere; in an unknown location…

The midday sun glowed brightly against the glass of the large paned window, thus illuminating the grand office behind it.

The office was as quiet as a grave…save for the sole occupant who sat at the ornately made mahogany desk that dominated the area before the window.

This occupant was a young woman, of about twenty four years of age. She had a slim, fit figure and athletic frame that was hidden beneath a black, pinstripe button down with a black vest and red tie. A pair of slim, khaki colored pants and knee high leather boots completed her ensemble.

She had an oval shaped face with sharp, alert features set against naturally tan skin. Her hair, which was tied back into a knot and with two bangs framing her face, was raven black while the two bangs were colored cobalt blue and crimson red respectively. Dark eye shadow put emphasis on her bright, azure colored eyes while her lips were colored a black that matched her hair.

Her name…was Sakuya.

Currently, Sakuya rested her head on a closed fist, her elbow propped on the arm of her chair as she continued to reread the headline of the newspaper that laid on her desktop.

"ANCIENT BURIAL GROUND DISCOVERED ONLY TO BE CLOSED OFF" read the title.

The article explained how in the south eastern half of the Pergrande Kingdom, an ancient burial ground known as the Mausoleum had been discovered after being missing for hundreds of years. The article also told of how the Mausoleum related to a now dead people known as the "Freelancers" had been uncovered days earlier only to be closed off just as quickly.

Freelancer.

That name played out over and over again in her head, making her tighten her fist to the point where the knuckles began to pop.

The communication lacrima on her desk beeped twice, alerting her to its presence. Sakuya ran her hand over it and the lacrima flared to life, directing two holographic projections to appear before her desk. Soon enough, the images of her compatriots, Miles and Siobhan appeared.

"Sakuya." Siobhan said with a bow of her head while Miles gave a curt nod.

"Have you two seen this?" Sakuya said as she held the newspaper up for the two to see. After scanning the article for a minute, Miles and Siobhan's eyes widened in shock.

"You can't be serious." Miles said.

"I had heard about this…but I didn't believe it." Siobhan said.

"Believe it." Sakuya said as she reclined back.

"After all this time, someone not only found the Mausoleum but got the damn place to open up. Problem is, whoever it was sealed it back up just as quickly so that means no one is getting back in." Sakuya said as she massaged her temples.

"Damn it…had the doors stayed open, there might have been a way to get in there. There could've been something in there which may have advanced our plans."

"You're in the Kingdom right?" Miles said as he looked to Siobhan, "Anyway to figure this one out?"

"Yes and no," Siobhan replied, "I'm in the far western half of the Kingdom. It takes a while for news to get out here so I don't know much to begin with. I can check with a few of my sources but I doubt I'll get much."

"See to it." Sakuya said, "The only way for the Mausoleum to be opened is either by someone with intimate knowledge of the Freelancers or someone with Guardian abilities."

"Impossible for the latter," Miles said, "we killed the last Guardian, remember?"

"Look into it regardless but continue with the operation." Said Sakuya.

"Siobhan, see what you can dig up in the Pergrande Kingdom. Miles, use your connections and location near Fiore to see if any of the Mage guilds had any part in this." Sakuya said.

"You suspect something?" Miles asked.

"If someone was able to open the Mausoleum, they obviously have great power. Power that can possibly be used against us if whoever it was catches onto our plans." Sakuya said.

Miles sighed.

"I'll see what I can do."

"Same here." Siobhan said with a bow of her head.

And with that, Sakuya swiped her hand over the lacrima and cut the connection. She then reclined back into her chair as a dark glint formed in her eyes while biting her lip in thought.

This was a most unexpected development.

A development that could cause problems for the operation.

A development, that if it proved to be a thorn in her side…would need to be eliminated.

Permanently.

XXXX

A/N: And there you have it folks. 50 pages, the longest chapter for this story so far!

This overdue chapter has been completed and I hope the length of it made up for the delay. I also hoped you enjoyed this chapter as well since there was a lot going on this time around.

Like I said before, I will do my best to have chapters for this story coming out at steadier rate as the summer progresses. I'm not giving up on this story, it just takes me some time to write it all up.

But until then, I hope this holds you over for now.

So, next chapter will touch on Wyatt picking up where he left off with his hunt in Desierto and with some unexpected news coming into play.

In the meantime, I'll be updating "Kid's: Knight's Tale" and "When the END comes". I may even do a double update for both!

Next time; CHAPTER 11: Leads and News

As per usual, if you guys have any comments or questions, please put it in your review and I'll make sure to respond to you in the next chapter. If you have anything else that you wish to ask me or clarify, you can PM me and I'll do my best to respond ASAP.

Until next time; read, review, happy reading and most importantly, HAPPY READING!