I am late! Well, I'm so sorry for that. I just drafted two other stories (not for ) and currently writing in advance chapters for The Ice Mage's Assassin.

Here is another chapter of The Ice Mage's Assassin.


Chapter 10

"Must be the rent, isn't it?"

It was Firius' official greeting as soon as he let Lucy enter his room. Natsu's future self pointed a seat for the celestial mage to sit on, with the woman thanking him for his courtesy. Lucy sat nervously, and watched the other one pour some fluid in a mug on his table. Firius finished and offered the mug to Lucy.

"Tea?" Firius asked, pushing the mug closer to the woman.

"Ahh, thank you," Lucy accepted it. Well, it'd be such a waste if she refused something that was seemed to have been prepared exactly for her. She only took a few sips and focused back her attention to Firius. "Umm, Levy told me that you were looking for me." She said, earning her a perky gaze from the other one.

"Oh yeah," Firius said, almost dropping his own share of tea in a mug, when he quickly placed it back on the table. "I just forgot that we usually come here a little bit late in the morning, well before the…" His voice was lively at first but then droned out. A frown was plastered on his face and his eyes were blank for the moment. However, after he quickly noticed that Lucy was observing him, Firius grinned at her again. "Well, hope you're going to choose a mission enough to satisfy your rent."

"How did you know that I came here at the guild for a mission for my rent?" Lucy asked, really curious.

"It's the end of the month," Firius replied while he looked at a nearby calendar. "At least I know when your bills come to your doorsteps." He gave a hearty chuckle. He reached out for his mug and gulped some of the tea. "You've always manage to come to the guild whenever you're in a pinch with your tabs."

"So I'm going to stay like this for the next seven years?!" Lucy almost exclaimed in shock.

"Well, yeah, unfortunately," Firius smirked. "Anyways, on to my real purpose why I want to see you," The mug stayed on his hands. "Actually, I want to make a request." He said, as he looked at Lucy straight into her eyes.

It seemed a lifetime when Lucy was caught with the gaze. She did not know it, really, but she could see that those eyes – those dark orbs that seemed to wish for something – were showing her Firius' thoughts. As she remained fixated with the stare, she could see the worry that appeared to have permanently stained his eyes. There was semblance of despair but, among the negativities those eyes had shown, there was little hope that burned in it.

Well, it was the only thing that she needed to conclude that indeed it was Natsu. He was a pretty straightforward guy, so uncomplicated in fact that he would have no need for any lies. His expressions did not betray him. When he spoke, he spoke for himself. He had rid himself of any deceptions. In his own time, he would need none of it.

"––ey, Lucy, hey, you okay?" Firius was already in front of her, waving his hands over her face. "Yooooo, Lucy…"

She was startled, of course, and the wooden stool she was sitting at did not support her from her reaction. She lost balance and fell flat on her back against the floor. Firius went on her side and helped her sit again.

"You kinda spaced out," Firius said. "Sorry for surprising you." He apologized.

"No, that's fine." Lucy said, holding her head and touching for any swelling. "I lost it there too." She said, sticking her tongue out. After regaining her composure, she tried to speak again. "So what's your request then?"

"Ah, well," Firius returned to his own seat, "I do really want to protect Gray; all the more that he is in a weak condition right now." He began. "But, as you've observe, our younger Gray and even my younger self hugely distrust me."

"I can see that," Lucy said. "I bet you understand why, since you're referring to yourself in a different time perspective." She smiled at Firius.

"Yeah, of course," Firius returned the grin. "It's not always really about disliking a person; it's just being protective of the one's you wish to care for, especially like you, Happy, Erza and Gray." Firius told Lucy. "But, for now, I really appreciate that attitude of ourstheirs, I mean – since it always bring them in their guard. Anyhow, no one's going to hurt them as long as they're like that."

"I hope it remains helpful that way," Lucy replied. "But I'm really not sure it goes well in the long run for them to remain suspicious."

"You're right," Firius said. "That's the part where I request something of you." He stood up from his seat and approached the window. He looked outside for a while. Lucy saw that Firius' face turned to a serious one, before it softened to his usual expression. "I saw Gray came earlier than you here. I believe he's just around the premises." Lucy continued to listen without saying any words. "And you're here trying to acquire a mission for your rent." Firius added. "If I may suggest, can you get some mission that will not take you away too far from Magnolia?" He looked back at her.

"Why?" Lucy asked.

"I don't really like that Gra––Glacen is being silent after our little event back at the cathedral. If you're going to take a mission, make sure you're not straying too far." Firius told her. "I only wish to be near you guys, but since the other two doesn't want to, then it's been my decision to give them some space." He said.

"Alright," Lucy said. At that point, any impression of doubt and anxiety had vanished from Lucy. The celestial mage did not need the keenest of senses in order to understand. She felt that Firius was stating the truth. She felt it herself. There is no act born wrong when it is birthed by truth. Lucy was willing to help her friends. And now that one was requesting to her, she would gladly extend her hand and help. "I'll help you t––"

Lucy was unable to finish her words when Firius suddenly hugged her tight. "Thank you, Lucy!" Firius' voice was filled with utmost happiness – Lucy heard it well and felt the gratitude conveyed in it. "I'm really glad I can turn to you!" Firius added and to that point Lucy felt that her cheeks reddened.

"Ah-Ah, w-well, I should go one then," Lucy said, subtly telling Firius to loosen his hug.

"Of course," Firius let go from the embrace. "By the way, can you also take Gray with you? I know he's really frustrated that his magic is not a hundred percent. I think Gray accompanying you in this mission would make him feel productive." Firius suggested.

"Got it," Lucy said and stood up. She waved goodbye and ran back to the mission boards.

o o o

"So," Loke began to speak, "that's the reason why there is a grumpy-looking Gray together with you when I appeared." The celestial spirit looked at the ice mage, the latter already yelling a 'shut-up you playboy spirit' behind them.

"Yeah," Lucy replied. "And since we found Happy on our way for the mission location, we invited him as well." The celestial mage added.

"And Natsu here was saying he was just together with Gray before he returned to the guild in order to call for Lucy," Loke said, now looking at Natsu, who was at least two steps in front of them. "This isn't really making any sense." He added.

"It's hard to explain while running," Gray spoke. However, inside his head, he was beginning to understand what Natsu had hurriedly told them. There was still the threat of the rogue Glacen, and everyone could easily be fooled if that same person acted as Gray Fullbuster in this present timeline. Even Natsu failed to notice that it might perhaps be Glacen.

"I even spoke to him this morning!" Natsu said, with his tone obviously implied that he was irritated. "Why didn't I noticed that he was posing as Gray?!" He yelled out in frustration.

"That's because Glacen is in fact Gray himself," Loke pointed out.

"That's not the point!" Natsu glared back.

"Alright, alright, just kidding," Loke waved his hands in an apologetic manner.

"You can't blame yourself," Lucy tried to placate him. "One step another even I will eventually mistaken Firius for you."

"This just shows that even if we can fight Glacen evenly, we'll still be at disadvantage just because of who they are," Loke told them all. "This is becoming uncontrollable." He added.

"Don't be so pessimistic, Loke," Lucy told him, and it appeared that the celestial mage did not really like the last remark from her own celestial spirit. "Let's just try to sort out what's happening right now." She said and focused ahead, following Natsu, who was still far in lead from them.

"Sorry," Loke immediately offered an apology. "My mind's just messed up." He said.

"Every one of us too," Gray responded. He looked at his friend fire mage. He could really see that telltale signs of irritation lavishing the other one's face. He knew, of course, that Natsu was really annoyed by the fact that he was deceived. Everyone probably would have the same reaction, but Gray knew better.

Natsu wasn't just fooled, he was mocked. Doubtless, perhaps one of the most demeaning ridicules was from the person you thought you could trust. But, this time, Natsu was deceived when he was made to believe that the person who tricked him was the one he trusted. And it was complicated by the fact that indeed those two different figures was the same person. This was what Gray thought. He was worried that they would soon be toyed by this type of scenario.

But aren't we being toyed already? Gray asked himself, shifting his attention to the road ahead. If Glacen could mimic him perfectly, what had been the chances that Fairy Tail was infiltrated? He shook his head mildly. No, that was impossible. They'd stayed pretty much inside their guild building ever since these events started; no way could Glacen waltz into the guild whenever he liked to.

Another thing was completely bothering – if Glacen did come to the guild by acting like his younger self, then for what purpose was it, aside from the known fact that he wanted his younger self dead? Something was amiss… Gray so thought.

"Do you think it's possible that Glacen's target this time is Firius?" Loke suddenly voiced out. The others looked at him; the idea that was planted inside their head suddenly grew. A short second of musing was enough to make their minds go into another turn, another possibility suddenly finding its way into their thoughts.

"Perhaps," it was Lucy who first acknowledged the likelihood. "We know how hell-bent Firius is in protecting Gray," the blond looked at the ice mage. "I don't think Glacen would really let the pass, especially now that we're still recovering from the previous assaults." She said.

Of course, Glacen would not let that pass, Gray added in his thoughts, after he listened to the celestial mage's supposition. Major hindrances are needed to be dealt with, he continued, trying to make an objective rationalization as to Glacen's motive. Well, it did look like Glacen retained a piece of personality from his younger self, Gray considered. However…

Gray did not miss the glance given to him by his friend, the fire mage Natsu. It appeared that the gaze was rooted from similar thoughts; Gray seemed to have understood what was inside his friend's head. The glimpse did not last long but the words expressed between them were long and unheard. Somehow, Gray thought, being toyed was perhaps fate's grand design for all of them. It was not that Firius or Glacen was just powerful and skillful enough to toy withthem; they just play well. Everyone was a victim of fate – some were just good enough to avoid being picked on endlessly.

Gray mused to himself. Maybe Glacen would really not let Firius' stance go easily. But he did not know how Glacen would truly stop Firius. Of course, and Natsu knew this as well – how could they really hurt each other?

How could I even truly hurt Natsu?

o o o

"Oh, you've returned."

Firius said, mostly towards Lucy, when he found her and the others rushing towards him. It seemed that Firius was not oblivious of the fact that there was something wrong, apparently shown when he frowned upon seeing their distressed look, especially of his younger self. His eyes fell back at Lucy, subtly asking for some explanation.

"We've just finished the mission and," she paused for a while, gathering some breath after she exhausted herself in running, "Natsu saw and told us that––"

"Where is he?" Natsu planted himself in front of his future self, Firius. He looked furious and annoyed. It looked like the fire mage had found himself a channel to vent off his frustration.

"I don't know who are you talking about," Firius answered, appalled by the abrupt words from Natsu.

"Don't play dumb!" Natsu spat. "I know that you know he was here!"

"Just calm down, Natsu," Firius said, waving his hands in a placating manner.

"You d––" for sure, Natsu was already in a warpath but he was held on his place when Gray intervened, putting himself against his friend. "What the hell is your problem?"

"Just stop it, Natsu," Gray told the fire mage. He looked at Firius. "Natsu told us that Glacen might have come here in Magnolia by acting like me." He told him. "He also said that he was with him when Natsu tried to tail you."

Firius looked deeply at Gray before he turned his head towards his younger self. Somehow, the look on his face had already informed them that what Natsu said was impossible. "I do know he was following me earlier," Firius said just he looked back at Gray. "But I did not feel anyone else aside from him." He added.

"Are you sure?" Gray asked. Deep inside, he pleaded. He wanted Firius to deny Natsu's information. He did not want it to be true. The ice mage was sending distress greater than anyone else and Firius seemed to feel Gray's unease. Of course, all of them knew. It brought them to a step closer to trouble, much closer to danger. Gray did not want it all.

"No, I'm sure," Firius replied, much to the ice mage's relief. "If Glacen had indeed come here, then I would have acted sooner – especially if he's trying to act like you." He told Gray.

"But he was really here!" Natsu said. "I even talked to him!"

"Natsu, I'm not saying that your claims are false." Firius tried to appease his younger self. "As far as I can assure you, Glacen is not the person who will hurt anyone without any reason – especially you." He added. There was a small smirk on his face. "Perhaps he really was here, perhaps he really did come to the guild, but there is one thing I am sure of – he did not come to me." Firius explained.

"In any other way, it tells us that Glacen does not want a direct conflict with Firius," Loke supposed. Upon speaking, the celestial spirit sensed Firius' gaze at him. He saw that Natsu's future self had his eyes twinkling in amusement. He almost took a step back when Firius started to walk towards him. "W-what?"

"Loke, it's nice to see you again!" Firius exclaimed joyously.

"Ah, well, hello then," Loke replied, unsure as how to properly respond to such cheerful greeting.

"At least Glacen is not really being provocative," Lucy sighed. "This just tells us that we need to be more careful now." She told everyone.

"That's right," Firius agreed. "That's why, Gray, you should––"

He did not finish his statement. He saw that Gray had pushed a fuming Natsu away from the group. He gestured them an apologetic wave before he finally dragged his friend farther. Lucy was only able to mutter a 'return to the guild quickly' as a goodbye. After that, Lucy, Loke, Happy and Firius only shared a blank stare with each other.

"Uhh… that's fine then," Firius chuckled dryly. "I can probably tell him when they come back. Well then, why don't we return to the guild?"

"Ano, Firius-san, aren't we going to follow those two?" Lucy asked, still worried about their friend's safety. "It's really good to know that Glacen seemed to trash the idea of engaging you in a fight, but I'm concerned if they're too far away from you."

"Do not worry… for now." Firius said. "Even though we're enemies right now, I know how Glacen thinks." He told the blond. "I'd rather like to have Glacen think that in order to protect Gray, the most effective way is to have him near me or be with the master. Thinking more radically, there is actually another option for us to make Gray safer."

"To have Natsu with him," Lucy said. "He's a person with very sharp senses and has aptitude for fights."

"Yes, you're correct." Firius replied. "I want him to think that way because I had another thing in mind." He paused for a while and motioned them to walk back to the guild. "I actually want to separate Gray from Natsu and far from me as well."

Lucy had a shocked expression. Loke and Happy was not far from Lucy's reaction. "But that would endanger Gray more."

"I want to surprise Glacen." Firius smiled. "And it happened just right now. With him seeing that Gray would not always be at Natsu's side, then he would have to change his plans again."

"I think I understand," it was Loke who then spoke. "Because every one of us keeps on thinking that Natsu is Gray's unlikely guardian, the other logic that we can root out from it is that 'wherever you find Natsu, you are also to find Gray'." He said. "But now that this reasoning had been changed, I don't think Glacen would have the leisure to make a straight route to use Natsu as a tool to find Gray."

"Of course!" Lucy sounded she'd finally understood the logic behind it. "It's a risky move but it will have to work. Having Glacen to think otherwise after letting him focus on a single idea must have stunned him. Now he will have some doubts to pinpoint where Gray would be." She shared. "So, Firius-san, you said this was realized just now because of what he saw?"

Firius just nodded. "That's why we can breathe easier this moment. If Glacen's goal is still the same, to kill Gray, then I doubt he'd be trying to do it the second time this day." He told them. "Glacen's good and skillful, but I respect his sense to avoid being reckless."


Glacen was not really satisfied. He aimed to do something to satisfy his goal and yet all his efforts were not able to bring him closer to it. It was really displeasing but Glacen was built to withstand minor setbacks. Perhaps he wasn't able to kill the ice mage – his younger self – when he had the chance, but he knew there were other opportunities. He was betting on those chances and he believed he'd realize his goal through them. It now looked like his stage had been elevated to risk-taking.

Of course, up until now, he had not yet really accepted that Natsu – Firius – had abandoned him. It was the one major loss Glacen had never expected and now it devastated him. Firius had been his ally for this. He even agreed to return to past just to prevent the tragedies. But when he chose to do the easier task, the one that involved killing his younger self, Firius went away from his side and turned against him. He did anticipate that Firius would disagree with his plan, but not to the point of becoming an enemy just for it.

However, despite the fact that they were on the opposite sides of the battlefield now, Glacen still hoped that one day Firius would return and help him. He still desire to prove Firius of his plans; that those plans were worthwhile and would definitely work. It would take time, but time would be their luxury if he could prove him right.

Things are not too late yet, he thought. Things are just beginning.

Glacen turned towards his back and looked at his right hand man. Earlier, he had pushed into him a paper that detailed the continuation of their plans. Glacen had thought that it was time to begin another push and he definitely needed to inform his subordinates. "What do you think?" He asked aloud.

"M-Master, t-this plan…" Sivren stuttered as he raised his head from the paper and looked at his superior. "I never thought this is possible!" He sounded excited and doubtful at the same time.

"It is possible." Glacen replied. "It just took me some time to prepare. It is one the major plans, all along." He added. "We finally have the materials in hand, so the next we just need to do now is––"

"To perform the siege?" Sivren cut him off. He received a nod from Glacen. "So this is the reason why you had me prepare all those dark guild members. I really wondered why you require such numbers to be amassed."

"I plan things with a goal in mind," Glacen responded. "I don't want to risk something without making sure of things first."

"As you say so, Master." Sivren said. "When are we going to begin?"

"It has already begun," he just said, mildly surprising Sivren. "We will move when it is our time. But, for now, other forces have just begun theirs."

"I understand." Sivren ended. Nevertheless, this right hand man still had lots of questions in his head. The Master had finally given out the plans for their next move but there was one thing that made this enigmatic figure incomplete. He did reunite the dark guilds under Oración Seis when the latter was dissolved. He did give them purpose, a reason for them to fight on, to destroy the order imposed to them by the magic council. He gave them ideals, ideals that seemed conceivable. But, despite this life he'd given back to them, Glacen had not shown them one thing that would fuel everyone else's vigor.

He had not yet shown them his own intention.

It must been obvious in his expression, since his Master had called his attention, asking for something else. "You seem to think of something." Glacen said. "Humor me with that."

Sivren was hesitant at first. "Master, there is just something…" He began. "I really respect you for bringing everyone under your hands. You gave us the reason to fight for our cause. Magic is free and so it should not be dampened by someone else. Now, we strive not just for personal causes but an ideal one, one which will be able to counter the beliefs of those legal guilds – the pets of the magic council." He stopped for a while and looked at his Master straight into his eyes. "But is this really the same reason for you to fight?"

"Ideals and personal reasons," Glacen replied. "Still, I don't want both to mix with each other. There is something I must find, and if I need to use the power, the resources, this kingdom has to offer, then I would." He took in a deep breath. "Even if everyone needs to become my enemy,"


Later that day

"Glacen's going for a move," the person only said as he appeared in Firius' quarters. It seemed that Firius was not surprised by the arrival and actually looked like he was waiting for the person to come. "Are you not going to do something?"

"Actually, I do know he's going to make his move anytime these days," Firius just said, looking at the newcomer. "Your news is late." He said sternly.

"I had some things to do," the person countered. "And I do not want to raise his suspicions against me."

"He is never going to suspect you for something else," Firius told the individual. "Let Glacen do his work."

However, his statement did not sound good enough for the newcomer. "Come again? Let him do what he wants?" The person asked with a voice hinting of displeasure. "I come to you in good nature. I want to stop Glacen too with these plans. That's why I teamed up with you to help me stop him." The individual stated.

"I don't like any arguments." Firius responded. "If you try to remember, the only reason I will go against Glacen is when he attempts to kill his younger self. Other than that, I will not have to care. There are only two things that are important to me right now – to find the Ardent Flame and keep Gray Fullbuster safe." He began to explain. "If those conditions are being pursued, then everything else is fine by me."

"Fine by you?" The newcomer questioned. "This is not like you!"

"If you have complaints, then so be it." Firius said. "But, like I said earlier, I am not going to have any hands on this one." He crossed his arms in front of his chest.


- End of Chapter -

Yay! Thanks for reading! :D