Chapter 20

City of Strange Lights

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters, only my own OC's, Energy Magic, and Ideas

.:+:.

"... have you had another Vision, Carla?" Wendy asked softly of her Partner, the white Exceed standing atop one of the tables that Aisha had set up and having been staring at a board with a diagram on it- but not really seeing it. She had been lost in her own head, thoughts and notions and all manner of all the information that Aisha had detailed over the last hour and a half since arriving at the Guild Hall trying to settle in- and having little luck.

It was a common theme among the rest of the Guild, it was a lot to take in, and the situation was worrying- more so once Carla relayed her Vision to the rest of the Guild that hadn't heard it just yet. Worry was settled deeply in all their cores, and anger too- but the concern outweighed the anger now as their rush of rage settled down in the time that passed was clear on what the plan was, though the idea of waiting for news from Aisha in Adgnei was unpleasant as they remained locked up in the Guild Hall (not really locked up, though- Aisha had let Freed take the barrier down from around the Guild Hall).

Now everyone was muttering among themselves and fidgeting as they waited for Aisha and Chase to make an appearance from inside that Chest, they were putting on the clothes meant to help them blend into Adgnei.

"Hmm..?" Carla hummed slowly, her eyes moving toward the little Dragon Slayer as Wendy tilted her head.

"You've been staring at that board a long time." Wendy murmured, Carla sighed and shook her head a little.

"Oh, sorry... no, I haven't. I was just lost in thought." Carla replied softly, "I'm just trying to wrap my head around all of this, and the implications, what might happen..."

"You're worried about Frea." Wendy mumbled, Carla nodded. "I am too... but I think she'll be ok." Carla crossed her paws over her chest,

"I hope so."

"... are you alright?" Lily asked softly, his eyes trailing sideways toward Moon as they floated side by side near the stage. Moon blinked, glancing his way in slight surprise at the question.

"Hmm? Yeah, why?" Moon murmured, his gaze softened slightly.

"I can't imagine the idea of Frea getting captured is pleasant." He told her gently, Moon sweatdropped a little. "I can imagine it's brought up memory of DeathBolt, given the similar situations... even if they are reversed." Moon glanced away with a small breath, "I know you're worried about Frea, Moon. But you do know she'll be alright, yes?" He smiled slightly as she cast him a fleeting look. "Even if she were not an S-Class, or a Wizard Saint- there are few people I know as resilient and resourceful as she is. I am quite sure she is handling herself well, even if she is alone and on unfamiliar ground." His paw landed lightly on her shoulder as he smiled a bit more, and her lips twitched a little in mimicry. "She will be alright, I promise you that."

Moon's tail brushed lightly against Lily's, the two of them twining a little for half a second as Moon nodded, smiling a little more.

"I know." Moon purred softly, "You're very good at reassuring me when I need it most. Thank you, Lily." He nodded,

"Of course."

Solana smirked slightly, a sly little grin spreading across her face as she tapped a finger to her chin and hummed. "So cute~!" She said in a sing-song voice, Loke beside her sweatdropping a little as he blinked at her.

"Who's conversation are you eavesdropping on..?" He mumbled, Solana's head tilted sideways toward the pair of Moon and Lily a good dozen feet away from them. He turned his head to look at them, his eyes flashing as he saw the way the two Exceed's tails twined together- his own sly smirk pulling at his lips as he held his chin in his hand. "Oh, I see~!"

"Hehe~!" Both Spirits grinned, Lucy turned to them with a deadpan stare as she sighed.

"You two are creepy, stop that."

Eyes all over the Guild Hall turned toward the chest as Chase climbed out of it, looking a little amused as he stepped to the side and held out a hand for Aisha as she stepped out of the Chest behind him.

Chase's regular attire had been abandoned as he dawned the same sort of attire that was meant for the streets of Adgnei-

He had on a slim, sleeveless grey shirt and long pants that contrasted with the shorts he usually wore, and boots instead of his regular sandals. A belt hung at his waist while two silver bands hung around his neck, and on his wrist stayed the black and white beaded bracelet he always wore. Wrapped around his torso and over his shoulder was a Dyann of a silver hue, with pale blue designs sprawled across the fabric, and bordered in white- a white that matched the 'tattoo' painted across the bare skin of his right arm, courtesy of Aisha.

Aisha took his hand with a huff as she stepped out of and over the edge of the Clandest Bureau, though she wasn't in any other clothes than her regular ones. She hadn't changed at all, and in her free hand she held a small pouch- the one to which the Magic Beans were in when Chase found them for her.

Aisha moved to stand at the edge of the stage again as everyone looked toward her,

"Alright, Therigist has yet to contact me again- and Seyre hasn't either. In lieu of waiting, we're going to go ahead and use a Bean to get into Coriisette." Aisha announced, "I'm bringing a few Skeleton Keys with me, in case we get into the situation where one of us has Collar put on us- and I'll leave a little notebook on how to use the Chatterbox more thoroughly, as well as add people to it if need be." She snapped her fingers and a notebook fell into her hand. "I'm also going to leave two Beans here at the Guild," She muttered, "-only in case of emergency, not for any of you to swipe and head off on your own, got it? Details on how to use them are also in the notebook."

Aisha handed both the notebook, and two of the Beans over to Cana near to her- the brunette smirking slightly with a small nod. "I'll keep the boy's hands off of them, don't you worry." She chuckled, Aisha just nodded once. "Hurry back with Frea, yeah? I wanna drink some of that fancy Adgnei Booze you're hiding in that chest~!" Aisha sweatdropped slightly at the comment,

"... please do not drink anything you find, while I am gone." Aisha mumbled to the brunette. "If you find anything, it might not be booze..." Cana smirked, hooking an arm around the MoonLight Mages shoulders with ease,

"Then don't take too long, alright?" Cana grinned, Aisha let out a breath.

"... fine." Aisha murmured,

"... since when were they so chummy..?" Jet and Droy mumbled,

"You kidding? Aisha's the only person in the Guild who can keep up with Cana's drinking habits." Wakaba grumbled,

"I'm pretty sure Cana's the only other person in the Guild besides Chase that Aisha actually likes." Macao mumbled quietly,

"You three ready to go?" Aisha asked of the Thunder Legion, ignoring the fact that Cana had yet to remove her arm from her shoulders. The trio nodded stiffly, moving over to stand closer to her and Chase.

"Yes." They murmured, all of them casting a glance back toward Laxus- who stood on the main floor, below the stage and didn't look back at them for more than half a second, before his eyes dropped closed and he seemed to sigh.

"Aren't you going to change too?" Evergreen murmured, her brow quirking at Aisha, who blinked.

"... yes." She grumbled, shrugging Cana's arm off and stepping back a little toward the back of the stage. She pulled one of the Magic Beans out of the pouch she still had, before a Magic Circle glowed at her side and she stuck the pouch through the center of it- storing it away. Aisha's eyes fell closed as her hands fell on her hips, grumbling under her breath as her Magic swirled upward from her feet and encased her completely- hiding her from view as she Requiped, the Guild watching curiously.

The light of Aisha's Magic faded, the pale white glow dissipating as she stood there; dressed in something none of them had ever seen before, nor expected to see her in.

The long silver lengths of her hair had been pulled up into a loose bun on the side of her head and just under her ear, the loose sections hanging down from it wavy like soft, tumbling ribbons of metal- a color that matched the beaded necklace around her neck. Folds of thin pale fabric hung from around her neck and down her torso, reaching past her knees in the front and back and slit of the sides, the white turning deep blue at the bottom and dotted with silver specks like stars. Her arms and legs were left bare, and wearing nothing but a white, form fitting tube top around her chest and a bikini bottom underneath it. A purple Dyann with pale stripes running through it was wrapped around her hips and hung loosely on both arms like a shawl, her feet bare to except for the thin fabric that reached from the bottom her toes to her ankles.

Her hands shifted from her hips as she waved one hand lightly over the top of her left thigh, and the other hovered over the middle of her lower left arm. Both hands glowed white as markings appeared on her skin where they hadn't been before, glowing white themselves as she shifted one hand to the top of her right shoulder and more made an appearance- before the white faded and left three tattoos of a pale blue color etched into her skin where they had existed all along, but she'd apparently been keeping them hidden. The one on her shoulder mimicked the one on her left arm, with flowing lines and intermittent dots moving along the lines like currents- and then the one on her left thigh circled all the way around her leg like a band, with spheres decorating the middle. The Fairy Tail Emblem that usually plastered across the left side of her chest had been hidden away earlier.

The Guild went quiet for a few moments, looking a little awed and taken aback as Aisha settled them with a flat stare, her lips pulling slightly into a frown as she saw the dropped jaws and wide eyes.

"...tch... What..?!" She snapped,

"You look hot!" Cana smirked, Aisha's cheeks flushed as she scowled.

"Shut it!" The MoonLight Mage snapped back hotly, Cana only grinned.

"Dude, she actually kinda looks like royalty in that..." Warren mumbled to Mac beside him,

"Seriously, what side of Aisha is this..?!" Jet and Droy stammered.

"I like that outfit, I must say." Erza smiled slightly,

"Why did you hide these?"

Aisha rounded on Chase as he stepped up next to her, smiling slightly as his blue eyes traced along the tattoos in sheer, true interest. His hand lightly took her arm as he traced his thumb along the markings, and Aisha blushed more.

"They're out of place in Fiore, that's why." She grumbled, Chase shook his head a little.

"So what? I don't honestly see a reason to keep them out of sight... Hehe, I really like them, actually." He smirked when she went tense under him and the words. "Cana's right too, this outfit is great on you-"

"Shut up!" Aisha cut him off quickly, suddenly more nervous than most anyone in the Guild had ever even seen her be- and most of them grinned. Chase was not at all bothered by the order to be quiet, he was used to it of course- and he knew she secretly appreciated the words, even if she would deny it.

And the flusterdness was both amusing, as well as kinda adorable.

Him smiling at the thought only ticked her off a little more and she took her arm back with a huff.

"Alright enough! We're going into Adgnei before I try to throw you across the Hall!" Aisha ordered sharply, Chase let out a breath. Her reaction did seem to help lighten the mood in everyone else in the Guild though,

"Of course, M'Lady." Chase told her softly, nodding his head to her in a way that was clearly teasing. Aisha's hand that had been moving to lift the Bean onto the air jerked, a vein ticking on her forehead as she quickly flicked the Bean across the room to the back wall of the stage, and it shattered in an array of rainbow light. She gave Chase a scowl he only smiled back at with the utmost ease,

"Hehe... With how hard it is to get a real rise out of him, I have to wonder if that's why Chase and Aisha get along so well." Lily hummed softly, his whiskers twitching in amusement. He saw Moon's head nod a little beside him, though she said nothing

Magic flared around the now shattered Bean to consume the shards as a spinning, glowing bright white rectangle appeared there, air rushing forward passed the Guild as it got sucked into the wall. The Thunder God Tribe eyed the wall of Magic warily, looking the slightest bit unsure even as they moved to follow Aisha as she turned toward the wall with Chase close at her side.

One glowing wall of Magic, and all they need do is step passed it and they would be in Coriisette in mere moments... What a wondrously impossible, incredible Tool.

Chase's smile shattered without warning as his steps after Aisha halted, a bead of sweat falling down his cheek as he grew stiff. Aisha's annoyance with him broke, her eyes narrowed as she noticed the reaction out of nowhere- aware that the Thunder God Tribe behind them had stumbled to a half-halt as the Energy Mage did. They looked confused, as well as instantly alert as Chase's head snapped back around toward the rest of the Guild, his eyes flashing.

Cold, dark, throbbing- unrelenting sickness seen into Magic and so choking. It hit him all in an instant, out of nowhere.

The wall of Magic from the Bean was already moving forward to swallow them whole and send them off to Adgnei- Aisha's eyes found where Chase's had landed and she felt her heart skip a beat.

"Moon..?!"

Lily had turned to look at Moon, a little curious to why he received no verbal answer to his second question. He saw her lower a little in air, her wings slowing and bobbing a little as if she was having a hard time keeping herself in air.

His eyes immediately found the small, clean cut running across her shoulder- and the drop of blood that splashed against the floor in the midst of it.

"You're bleeding...?!" He stammered,

"... I... Suddenly...don't feel...so..." Her voice was so wispy and low, her breathing hitching as she dropped a few inches lower in air, before her wings faded and she was sent into a sudden free-fall. Lily jumped, immediately shifting into his Battle Form and saving her hitting the floor, he held her close in his arms as his ears pressed flat against his head. She was completely out, in seconds, her breathing labored and uneven as he felt the heat spark off of her out of nowhere.

What the hell just...?!

"Moon..!"

"Hey, is she okay..?!"

"What just happened..?!"

The Guild was already whipping around in their direction, pressing closer and frantic as they tried to understand what was wrong.

The white was blinding around Aisha, Chase and the Thunder Legion as the Magic started to consume them- but they saw Moon collapse and they instantly knew.

What had Edryd said? When he confronted both Frea and Moon?

"Two Minutes, and then two Hours."

It's probably just now been... Two hours... Two minutes in and Frea had looked ready to faint...

His sword... It works on a time limit...?

They might have tried to turn back, Aisha instantly wanted to- but it was too late, and her body wouldn't move.

He used that sword... On both of them... And it's affects can stay hidden up until time is up..?! Chase never knew until...!

"... Shit...!"

There were a few seconds of free fall into bright, white nothingness- and the Fairy Tail Guild Hall, and the whole of Fiore was suddenly so very, very far away.

"SHIT!"

Aisha was already moving the instant the world came back into focus around them, eyes glittering and pacing as the Telepathic Body-Link on her arm glowed. Chase and the Thunder Legion stumbled slightly, pacing forward a few steps and feeling like they wanted to throw up- the sudden transportation from Fiore to Adgnei made them feel queasy in an instant, and they took in deep breaths to rid the feeling. Aisha seemed unaffected- of course, since most people who used a Bean for the first time felt sick soon after, but not for long- and this was certainly not Aisha's first time.

"... Wow... That was... Unpleasant..." Freed grumbled, his hands on his knees as he leaned over a bit and took a deep breath.

"... Moon... Whatever that Edryd guy did... I couldn't sense it until just now..." Chase growled, swallowing against the way the floor seemed to sway as his eyes trailed up toward Aisha.

"He's adapted the sword to work on a time limit, that must be what he specified times for... That's why the Magic didn't activate until now..!" Aisha hissed, "Gods damn you Edryd, and that fucking sword!" She growled, sounding both panicked and pissed.

"He... He said two minutes and two hours, right...?" Evergreen grumbled, her fan pressing under her nose and clearly trying not to let show how dizzy she felt all of a sudden. "It's been two hours now... Does that mean the two minutes from before was because he hit Frea, too?!"

"That's probably why she looked so shaky at the end there." Bixlow mumbled. Everyone around them blanched a little at the words, realizing instantly that Bixlow was probably right-

"Oi! Is she ok?!" Aisha snapped, her voice landing on both their ears and their minds as the Chatterbox activated.

"I don't know..!" it was Cana's voice that appeared in their heads, "Oi! What's the verdict..?!"

Aisha stood in stiff silence for a few seconds as she waited for the reply,

"-Wendy says she's running a really high fever, and she's got all her strength drained all of a sudden from some sort of weird sickness she doesn't recognize. She's trying to get rid of it now but it's going pretty slow." Cana explained, her voice tense as Aisha sweatdropped. "Aisha, what the hell? Moon's got this cut on her arm that wasn't there about a minute ago, what is going on?"

Aisha's eyes fell closed as she bit the inside of her cheek, she could feel the eyes of Chase and the Thunder Legion on her back, waiting, intent.

"... She must have gotten hit by a Magical Weapon meant to infect people with sicknesses." Aisha replied lowly, "... It's a Weapon that Edryd is known for... But he seems to have modified it to work on a Timer... And made it activate after a few hours... Probably to cause panic, make the Guild think irrationally... I wouldn't put it passed him."

"The guy who came to take Frea had a Weapon that could do that..?" Cana murmured,

"Yes." Aisha grumbled, "... If Wendy can't Heal Moon... Tell me, for now we'll just continue with the plan like we meant to. And I know it's hard, but you have to keep everyone still and at the Guild- even with what just happened."

"... Alright." Cana murmured slowly, "...keep us posted will you? And maybe no more surprises?"

"I'll try." Aisha replied lowly, sounding no more pleased as her arms crossed over her chest. The Thunder God Tribe shot her looks, before slowly letting their eyes trail away and toward their surroundings, taking in the new place as they gained their bearings again.

There were plants everywhere, neat pale stone walkways lined with grass and trees and other sorts of greens- flowers budding on everything and small, multicolored glass jars hanging from every branch and every stone and metal pillar there was. Strips of colored fabric were hung between the pillars, or simply tied in a knot, hanging loosely over their heads. There was the sound of birds and the rustle of other creatures somewhere they couldn't see them- the roof over their heads sloping and painted across in intricate, swirling designs, with several oculus' and skylights that let the sunshine in. Where they could see walls there were large open windows that seemed to just look out on even more, the shimmer of water a bit off and some of them hosting stained glass windows... this place looked like some huge garden, and they couldn't see the edge of it from where they were.

Among the shift of leaves and plants and chatter of birds they could hear low murmurs of voices somewhere far off, and humming... like someone singing, or maybe it was just some tune hanging over the entire place.

It was beautiful, if a bit unexpected- especially so when they noticed that several of the plants and trees... weren't what they were used to.

Some of said trees had leaves of a russet orange red, and others had no leaves at all- but hanging tendrils like a willow but were pale blue and silvery white, creating a clash of color with the bright glass orbs that hung between the tendrils- all on their own accord.

Those glass balls were floating, and they gave off some strange glow that was ethereal, the sunlight breaking as they hit the surface and sending color everywhere.

Some of the flowers were rainbow, and some of them were transparent- so many they had never seen nor thought existed outside of fairy tales, and they stood in stunned awe, looking over all of it.

It was so... peaceful.

And what was more? There was so much... so much Magic here, Chase could feel it wash over him. All kinds, familiar and unfamiliar, strong and subtle. Little bursts of Energy here and there, everywhere, and some of it thrumming, humming, incessant- some of it brief- and the feeling of Magic was coupled equally with life and serene calm he honestly hadn't ever felt in one place.

It felt... good.

Chase shook himself and stepped up beside Aisha, grimacing slightly as she huffed under her breath.

"Fucking Edryd, I hate that damned sword..." She growled lowly,

"Do you really think Wendy might not be able to heal Moon?" He asked softly, she stiffened a little at the question, her purple eyes shifting toward him slowly.

"... I told you the Weapons here are serious, there is a chance Wendy's Magic won't be effective against Edryd's sword." Aisha replied softly, the both of them unaware the awed expressions on the Thunder God Tribe behind them. "... but she might do just fine, I just don't know. As it is, his Sword is clearly different from last time I was here... So I don't even have a full scope of what it's capable of anymore. Which is also fucking annoying." She added lowly at the end, he sweatdropped slightly.

"My, my Lady Celene, I see your bad mouth hasn't gotten any better."

Aisha and Chase stiffened at the new voice, their heads snapping around toward where it came from as Freed and Evergreen did the same.

There stood an older man with long white hair and dressed in red robes, golden bands and bracelets stacked on his wrists and arms and his skin painted across with crimson tattoos of all sorts and shapes. He smiled kindly at Aisha, his hands clasped together in front of him lightly and entirely unperturbed with their sudden appearance, and not at all unhappy with her 'bad mouth'. Aisha blinked, her body relaxing again as she sighed.

"... sorry.." She mumbled softly, the apology earning shocked looks from the Fairy Tailers.

Aisha hardly ever apologized, for anything!

"Hehe, not a problem my Lady. You know well I don't take offense to it." The man hummed brightly, "I see you've returned, it's been quite a while. This is an unexpected surprise... though perhaps not so surprising, I've seen Seyre's Familiars in here more than a few times this morning." He murmured, shaking his head a bit as he switched gears, gesturing toward their group. "I see you've brought some friends along as well."

"Yes, this is Chase, and Evergreen, and Freed... and then Bixlow." Aisha murmured, gesturing toward each person as she said their name, though pausing slightly when the only reaction she earned from Bixlow was a silent nod, but not his eyes. She didn't pause for very long before she gestured toward the older man, "This is Tezya, he's the Head Keistae here in Banore."

"Pleasure to meet you all." Teyza murmured softly, "I do hope something is not seriously wrong, My Lady..?" He murmured, Aisha grimaced a bit. "I heard mention of Lord Edryd, do you have some... further grievance with him, since your last time here? I'm surprised to see you, I had thought you'd joined a Wizards Guild."

"...I have." Aisha murmured, "But one of our Wizards was taken this morning, by Edryd. She's been taken into Okeal, and we don't know why- but we do intend to get her back, quickly."

"... I see, that is why the wolves have been so active this morning." Teyza murmured thoughtfully, Aisha nodded to the statement that made little sense to anyone else. "Shall I expect to see Therigist sometime soon then?"

"Yes."

"Very well, I will not pester you further, My Lady." Teyza smiled slightly, dipping his head toward her. "You and your companions are free to walk the grounds as you see fit of course, but I might advise avoiding the Commons. The Kullui have been peering through the gates all morning~" He turned and started to head away down the path again, waving a hand over his shoulder and so, so calm. He smiled pleasantly over his shoulder,

"And if it is no trouble, perhaps you could stop by the Monatre Grove?" He said lightly, giving nor further explanation.

"Impressive attire choice for your companions, My Lady. You all look like true Adgneins." Teyza hummed, before rounding a bend in the corner and leaving them there in silence.

"You were very polite with him..." Chase murmured, Aisha smacked him across the shoulder.

"He's a Keistae, you're supposed to be polite." She replied hotly,

"I do wonder, what did he mean about wolves...?" Freed mumbled, Evergreen shrugged slightly, if Aisha heard the question she never said anything.

"Bixlow, why are you staring at everything like it's about to catch on fire?" Aisha turned, rounding on someone else now as she watched the man move up, his head tilted back and looking up at one of those glass orbs with riveted intrigue. Chase blinked, for the first time turning his attention to the people around him and feeling the shock and wonder coming off Bixlow without end,

"What's this, huh?" Bixlow murmured, avoiding Aisha's question and earning a small frown from her.

"It's called a Salmellion. They're lights, and they serve as little symbols and place holders for people who have died. Sort of like small little headstones, without the grave or the names. It's traditional, but they're not really anything out of the ordinary or inherently Magical... why?" She mumbled,

"Dead people huh.." Bixlow mumbled, "... this whole place, it's like... there's a city on top of a city... there's a ton of spirits and souls just... everywhere." The words earned blinks of surprise from everyone else, "I've never seen this many all at once, there's not two feet where there isn't one... And there's a lot of really old ones, and way more than of 'um than your 'Salmellion' things." His hands fell on top of his head, sighing slightly as he continued to glance around at all manner of things that the rest of them just couldn't see.

"... they're really strong too, this is way weird... souls shouldn't stick around like this, and not in this much number... they really like those things though. There's so many all around them they're kicking up a lot of energy... Bet ya that's why those things glow and float like that." He nodded up at the Salmellion and Aisha blinked.

"...huh..." Chase hummed beside her, his eyes now moving around them as if he expected to find something- but he was paying less attention with his eyes and more with his Senses now. "... That makes a lot more sense, it feels so... Alive here, it does feel a bit familiar... Almost like the Dragon Graveyard and... Nvindorr..."

"You said a city on top of city?" Freed mused, "How many would you say there actually are...?"

"Just in here?" Bixlow murmured, "... I give it a good thousand, and if that's how it is in these temple places... I bet ya the rest of the Capitol is just as full." Freed's eyes widened as Evergreen shuddered,

"That's a bit unsettling..." She muttered, "I thought spirits were supposed to... To just go away, when people die. Not stick around."

"Well yeah, most of um do, there are the ones that stick around though... Though there's hardly ever anymore than a dozen in one place like that..." Bixlow mused, "... Its almost like this place is... I dunno, a beacon? Or a Magnet... The people that die here don't go away like usual... Weird."

"Weird, weird!" His Tiki Dolls sang, suddenly popping back into the picture- they'd run off the minute they landed and had been dodging in and out of the trees.

"I wonder what Jynx would have to think..." Chase murmured under his breath, Aisha shot him a sideways glance.

"... 'weird' as it is, we have other things to worry about right now." Aisha murmured, her eyes moving away from Chase. They all nodded slightly,

"You're meant to be meeting this 'Therigist' fellow, yes?" Freed murmured, "I take it he's not arrived yet if Teyza had not been aware he was coming." Aisha shook her head,

"No, but if he's not here yet, he will be soon." She murmured, her eyes trailing away toward their surroundings. "... mm... knowing him he'll want to meet there too..." She mumbled nearly to herself, "Follow me, mind the animals... especially the servals, they like to steal things." Aisha grabbed Chase's arm, pulling him around with her gently as she started walking.

"Ah, and avoid the silver willows if you can. Snakes like to hang from them, and they don't like being messed with."

Evergreen jumped, scuttling closer to Freed as she sweatdropped heavily.

"Just what else lives in here..?!" She grumbled hotly, Chase smiled over his shoulder toward her.

"... ah, judging by the Energy Signatures? A lot of things, small... and pretty big." He told her lightly, she scowled, looking incredibly uncomfortable with the information.

"Are all temples like this?" Freed asked, the Thunder Legion following closely as Aisha lead them through a line of red-leaved trees on either side, cloth and Salmellion hanging over their heads and swaying in the breeze. "It's beautiful, but I was expecting... well, something more like Kardia Cathedral. This is much larger, and much more lively, with all the plants and animals."

"The Gods hold dominion over all of Nature, and all of Nature is revered as extensions of them. Animals, plants, weather, all things like that- they are coveted and cherished." Aisha murmured softly, "The Keistae protect and serve the Gods by taking care of the world and every section of nature, which means respecting and caring for animals, plants... you get the point." He nodded slightly,

"So if it's all of nature... does that mean like the crazy things too? Big dangerous things?" Bixlow hummed, "Tigers? Vulcan? Wyvern?" He hummed, "... Wolves..?"

"Wolves! Wolves!" His Tiki Dolls trilled,

"Yes, no, yes... and yes. Among other things, and animals you are not familiar with- but are native to Adgnei." Aisha murmured, "They are all mostly friendly, as long as you don't pester them too much. Try not to have a heart attack over there, Evergreen."

"Tch... I was not-" Evergreen hissed,

"You sure?" Bixlow smirked, she glared at him.

"Where are we headed?" Chase asked Aisha softly,

"To the center atrium. Therigist usually likes holding his business there, it's big and hidden from most of the other gardens that are more often frequented..." Aisha explained lowly,

"And what's the 'Monatre Grove'?" He asked, she sweatdropped.

"... it's a grove." Was the short reply, he smirked slightly at the answer.

Okay then

"Teyza mentioned the Kullui have been looking in the gates." He changed topis with ease,

"Yes, I'm not surprised. It's not much a secret that Banore hosts the Black Market Leaders on occasion... they're likely on the lookout for us." Aisha grumbled, "... Edryd probably ordered them to watch Banore, we'll have to be careful leaving."

"Is Therigist going to have trouble getting in?" Chase murmured, Aisha huffed.

"Not at all."

W... what happened...?

She felt awful, her head in a haze and whirling without end... all sense of up and down and balance completely failing her as she tried her hardest to bring herself back into wakefulness.

... why do you I feel so awful...? I wasn't...

The last thing she remembered was Aisha about to head off with everyone to go to Adgnei, and then after that... the world tipped...?

Moon groaned, shivering and shaking as her breaths shook with her body. She rolled over a bit, shaking her head to try and clear it- and regretting it instantly when it made her feel so dizzy she felt like retching-

Her eyes were so heavy she couldn't open them, she couldn't see, couldn't make sense of what was going on- everything was so so fractured and blurred... what happened to me...?

I feel... sick...

... sick... like... that... sword... did he... hit me...?

Her already churning stomach dropped, knotting and painful as her whirling mind fell on one thought.

... if... I didn't... realize... until now... he might have...

... did he do this... to Frea too...?

She hissed, trying to force herself up, force herself out of the bobbing, uneven feeling of floating, force her eyes open... She had to...

"... what... w...hat's... going...o..n..?" She hissed, her jerking, uncoordinated movements and trembling turning to panicked, fidgeting, trying so so hard to just-

... where...

"... F...frea...?"

She was trying to get up, getting more worked up by the second, er thoughts failing to click together all the way, confused but still afraid-

...I have to...

She couldn't breathe, she was gasping, panting- she felt so cold she was burning, and she didn't...

"... w...what...?"

I have to... go... I... i... have to... get... up...

She tried, but she was just so heavy-

"Easy... easy... you're alright... try not to move so much... Moon..."

She didn't listen, she couldn't listen... I have to... Frea...

"... Moon... it's alright... please... just rest..."

W...who is... talking...?

i...is that...?

"... easy... you're going to be fine... just sleep..."

... L...lily...?

"T-those are... What are those..?!" Evergreen nearly shrilled, shaking from head to foot and incredibly off-put as she instinctively grabbed hold of Freed's arm- rather tightly, he might mention.

Her eyes, as well as everyone else's had been trailing over the large, round building they had come into- the walls sloping up in a dome over their head and the roof painted across by stained glass windows that shed light down on the floor. The walls were a multitude of open archways to which more Salmellion were hung and clinking together lightly in the slight breeze,

The center of Evergreen's sudden distress was the (very) large, strange looking creatures settled together on a raised platform on the opposite end of the entrance they came in through, lead up to by a set of stone steps and with a small pergola hanging over it, silver vines and flowers of a near... rainbow hue hanging from the lattice work.

There were four of them, all of them about half the size of a train car, heavy, lean bodies of slick, shinning fur and scales running down the top of their backs and along their sickle tails. Their piercing yellow eyes turned on the group that came into tub confines of the atrium, long faces and ears and teeth poking out from under their lips, with long, wavy manes along their necks, and two long, twisting horns on their heads. Their hooves looked wickedly sharp, and they left small scratches along the stone as they shifted- the attention of all four beasts turning on their group.

The only difference between the four were their color, one a silvery-lavender hue, another jet black, the third a multicolor of dark russets and reds and the other light-coated, tans and golds.

There were people here, all of them quiet and their eyes turned in the floor, moving about and seeing to the plants and the other things- all of them dressed entirely in white and not sparing a single glance at the Fairy Tailers as they came in.

"They're Aiyin." Aisha told her softly, her eyes lingering on the beasts before looking away and leading them in toward a set of long tables with candles set along the top, a few of the silent, white-dressed people shuffled away from the area at they approached it- minding themselves.

"They are legendary creatures akin to Dragons, they're powerful... And respected... As well as near extinct..." Aisha added a bit more quietly, "There are only four left as far as we know... Don't bother them, they won't bother you... and try not to stare." She warned quietly,

"... Aiyin..?" Freed murmured quietly, "I've never heard of such creatures..."

"They're only found in Adgnei, and they are rare." Aisha murmured, her arm unhooking from around Chase's as her fingers trailed along the table, rounding it slightly. She cast the group of beasts a furtive look, before looking away again. Chase blinked at her, tilting his head slightly at the small flash of... nervousness he felt come from her so suddenly.

"They are huge..." Evergreen mumbled, looking nervous still as she cast the 'Aiyin' a quick look before averting her gaze altogether,

"Legend like Dragons, huh?" Bixlow hummed,

"Just what can they do?" Freed asked,

"... not entirely sure... for the most part they don't do much... but we know they can use Magic..." Aisha mumbled, her voice soft as she shook her head, sweatdropping slightly. She came to a halt at the table with her back turned to the still onlooking creatures, and stood rigid there, not looking to move again.

"... let's not talk about them... when they're in a hundred foot radius, alright..?" She added lowly, her voice leaving no room for argument as Chase and the Thunder God Tribe blinked. "We'll wait here for Therigist, he shouldn't be too long."

Chase's head tilted a bit more, his eyes narrowing at Aisha as he stood across the table from her, his arms crossing over his chest as Aisha turned her attention on pulling things out of her Requip and setting them on the table.

His eyes flicked passed her and toward the Aiyin, all four of their eyes settled on him, silent, watching.

... why do you make her nervous...?

He sweatdropped slightly, blinking as he felt a shiver run down his spine- some faint, little flicker... some throb of... Power, he didn't understand. It hit him in the course of a few seconds, out of nowhere- and only when he locked eyes with all four of them, fixed... this Energy... it's old... and strong... it feels like it's making the world go quiet...

... what Magic is that..?

Chase's eyes snapped away from the Aiyin and over toward the Energy Signature that appeared next to Aisha, who glanced sideways, her eyes finding a small little girl with pale blue hair and dressed in all white. She held her hands together in front of her, her eyes on the floor and head bowed slightly as she stopped a few paces away from the MoonLight Mage, who blinked.

Freed, Evergreen and Bixlow all exchanged glances between themselves.

The little girl didn't move, or say anything- nor did she ever look up from her feet. She stayed where she was, quiet as can be and tense.

What did Aisha say about the people who wore all white?

"Yes- the last 'Caste' I didn't mention." Aisha mumbled, "The Barren are the people forced into servitude, and serve as the lowest in power. They have no rights, no authority, and are not usually permitted to speak with anyone- let alone look at anyone directly. They serve their Masters and nothing else, many of them don't speak- at all."

"They sound less like servants and more like Slaves." Erza growled, Aisha settled her with a flat stare.

"That's because they are Slaves." Aisha replied flatly, Erza frowned along with several others, while everyone else went rigid in shock.

"What?"

"Adgnei allows Slavery..?!"

"What the hell?!"

"That's despicable." Erza growled, Aisha's eyes fell closed.

"But that is how things are in Adgnei." The MoonLight Mage replied,

This girl...

... she must be only ten or eleven...

... she's a slave... she's not even allowed to look at people... or talk to them...

... and Aisha's a Noble right? Even glancing at her might be like... social suicide to this kid...

Aisha blinked one more time, her violet eyes taking in the girl in utter silence- before she let out a small breath and shifted, slowly settling down to sit on the balls of her feet in a crouch and holding her hands out lightly, her palms up and her expression turning into something so... gentle.

"Don't be afraid, little one." Aisha murmured softly, her voice was gentle too!

"You are not untouchable to me, you can look at me, I will not take offense to it... and you are in the halls of Banore, you are on equal ground as far as I see it." Aisha murmured softly, offering up a small smile that had Chase and the Thunder Legion absolutely reeling.

"You can pass that message along to your friends too, don't be wary of us- we mean you no harm, and you needn't temper yourselves around us either. This is your home as much as it is mine." Aisha went on, her hand moving forward just the slightest bit more as the Barren Girl's eyes cautiously moved up to those hands, shocked.

As well she should have been- for it was Lady Celene, Cosmic Soul of the Moon and one of the Noble Caste who dared bend her knee and bring herself level with that girl. Dared extend her hands, talk to her- offer her contact and permission to look at her... and it was that radiant, powerful, high Lady who dared to say such words as 'we are on equal' ground... with a slave...

That? No one in Adgnei would ever take kindly to Aisha's actions then, many in the higher castes would call her out on it- remove her Nobility (if only they could...).

But it was also this that made her unpopular with the Royalty, and the Nobility... and even some of the Middle Caste- it always had.

But for their ire, she did earn the affection of the Barren, and the Lower Castes- and nearly all Keistae worth a damn. It was compassion in someone so powerful and radiant that was sorely lacking in Adgnei, and they loved her for it.

In some ways, she was like some Goddess to them... and some Goddess that dared touch them, one that was kind to them, and fair.

And Aisha couldn't give a damn if the Nobility or the Royalty liked it. She couldn't give a damn about a lot of it... because a lot of it was just so damned corrupt and unfair, and she wasn't the sort of person who was hesitant to make her displeasure unknown.

Chase smiled slightly, his face softening a little as he watched Aisha, quiet as can be even with the shock and surprise coming off the Thunder Legion hitting him incessantly... after all, this was a side of Aisha that Guild wasn't used to (or never had) seen.

He knew full well that many people in the Guild saw Aisha as off-putting, cold, hard to get along with... and while there was some truth in that, the Guild really didn't know what sort of person Aisha really was on the inside. She was harsh, but she was also kind when she wanted to be- loyal too, and she did care... she just had a hard time showing it. And knowing what he did about her, he didn't blame her for being like she was... the Guild just didn't know.

He doubted they ever would know either... but he did, and that was plenty enough.

The Barren Girl smiled nervously, her hands trembling as she set them in Aisha's, seeming to shiver slightly at the contact as Aisha smiled a bit more.

"See now? I don't mind at all." Aisha murmured lightly, "Can I ask you a favor though? If you see any wolves skulking around, tell them where to find me, will you?" The Barren Girl nodded eagerly, smiling brightly as Aisha let out a breath. "Thank you."

The Barren Girl nodded again, still not saying a word but grinning as her hands left Aisha's and she headed off, the other Barren in the area smiling slightly as they watched her go and nodding toward Aisha happily, if a bit shyly still.

Aisha sighed slightly and stood back up, her hands falling on her hips as she turned back to the table- and halted when she noticed the incredulous stares she was getting from the Thunder Legion- the gentleness in her expression shattered in an instant as she scowled.

"What are you staring at?" She grumbled hotly.

"Who are you and what have you done with Aisha?" Bixlow asked, smirking the tiniest bit as Aisha frowned all the more.

"You are not acting quite like yourself..." Freed said slowly,

"You were actually gentle with that girl." Evergreen deadpanned, "And you talked to her, even though you said that action is frowned upon, given your status."

"Be quiet." Aisha huffed, "And if you haven't figured it out by now- I don't give a damn about the stupid Caste-based restrictions. Now drop it." Her eyes flicked over to Chase to see him smiling at her, and a vein ticked on her forehead. "What are you smirking at?" She grumbled,

"You know what." He replied oh so easily, Aisha's eyes flashed.

"Well quit it, dumbass." She snapped hotly,

"I have an inquiry though, Aisha-" Freed started, earning her annoyed eyes and flinching a little. "-ah... you have mentioned wolves several times now, and in the context that they are... going to assist you, somehow?"

"But of course! Our dear Lady Celene is the Mistress of the Moon- the Cosmic Soul of that Celestial Power- and it is the wolves who are sworn to be her guides, and her helpers. Those creatures who walk so freely among the night and sing in earnest to their deity- that shining, silver and white orb in a sky dotted with stars... the wolves walk the shadows and sing with the moon with such ease. They creatures, above all others- are sworn to serve her~!"

Everyone jumped slightly at the unexpected voice, Aisha stiffening and sweatdropping a bit at what was rather over the top of an explanation-

"-Or so the legends tell tale, and perhaps they do hold some small speck of truth. The wolves may not answer to Lady Celene directly, but they do serve under someone who is dedicated to her cause, and all her actions. So in some way, the wolves answer to their master, and their master answers to Lady Celene- and thus, the wolves serve their purpose, acting as guides, and guardians, and messengers... to both Rehvan and to Mistress of the Moon herself~"

Aisha grumbled under her breath, her violet eyes flashing as she found the owner of that voice- just in the same instant everyone else did.

"It's been quite a long time Lady Celene... hehe, have you come to finally return my Bureau?"

... this... feeling...

... dread... danger...

... I... I can't be here...

"... her fever won't go down.." Wendy mumbled worriedly, her hands glowing a pale blue as they hovered over the trembling, feverishly fidgeting Exceed on the bed in front of her.

There had been no small amount of rushing and dodging about in worry and panic right after Aisha, Chase and the Thunder Legion had been swallowed up by the wall of Magic from her 'Bean'- sent off to Adgnei- and in that instant, Moon collapsed, completely, utterly, terribly sick.

Sick because she'd been hit with some sort of Magical Weapon meant to inflict people with illnesses... and whatever illness this was, it was strong, and even with Wendy constantly trying to unwind it- it wasn't working.

Lily had brought Moon with him and laid her down in the Infirmary on orders from Wendy, and was now settled on his knees on the edge of the bed next to her, silent and stiff as Moon fidgeted and shook in the bed next to him, dazed and confused and teetering continually between semi-consciousness and delirium without end. Carla was hovering next to him, ears flat against her head and glancing between Moon and Wendy every few seconds or so, her heart and Lily's dropping when the Sky Dragon Slayer said the words.

"Do you know what sort of sickness this even is?" Carla asked, Wendy bit the inside of her cheek.

"No... I've never seen anything like this before, it's so strong..." Wendy mumbled, her eyes narrowed in worry and concentration. "... no matter how hard I try to unwind the Magic that made it... it just keeps resisting, and getting stronger... I can't get it to budge... my Magic isn't working... it's not... strong enough..."

Lily swallowed slightly, Mirajane's face fell slightly from where she was standing behind Wendy a little, her hands twisting a damp cloth she had just dunked into a bowl of water to wring the excess moisture out.

"... Porlyusica is on her way, if you're Magic isn't working maybe she can find some way to help." Mira murmured softly, "Adgnei runs on Holder Magics, so Caster Magics may be less effective against their tools... in the meantime we'll do what we can, it's not likely that making Moon sick was meant to do a lot of harm... just make us worry, like Aisha said." Mira told Wendy, who nodded stiffly, looking pained at how little she could do-

Mira stepped up and folded the cloth neatly, laying it gently on Moon's forehead as the she-cat continued to twitch and shake, her breaths coming in hot, ragged gasps and her temperature through the roof.

"... Aisha told us to tell her if Wendy's Magic wasn't working." Mirajane murmured, her hand lingering on Moon's forehead a few moments. "Maybe she'll have some ideas too."

"... F... Frea..." Moon stammered, her voice barely above a whisper and fidgeting more, "...n...no... H...e..." She hissed, starting to push herself up in her delirium, everyone stiffened at it

Lily's paw landed on Moon's shoulder to push her back down as she struggled to sit up, his ears falling flat against his head.

"Easy.." He murmured,

Carla, Mira and Wendy exchanged tense looks- their minds falling on the one thought that the rest of the Guild's had the minute Aisha explained what had happened-

Did Frea get hit by that sword too?

There was no way of knowing, but the idea had their stomachs churning- everyone already tense and ready to rush off all the more so now.

"...n...no..." Moon hissed, her fidgeting failing to settle down as Lily let out a breath, his eyes dropping closed as he grimaced.

Laxus growled lowly under his breath, standing with his back pressed against the wall just at the entrance to the hallway to the Infirmary, and just beside the bar- his arms crossed over his chest and his narrowed eyes moving up toward the window and the slowly turning grey sky outside.

There was rain coming, a storm getting closer as he and the rest of the Guild just... stood there.

Helpless

Worried

Angry

And every second of it, that fact sank in deeper, that realization about what they were facing- what they were dealing with.

All of this had just gone from bad to worse... all of this mess in one morning.

One morning and their S-Class, Wizard Saint- powerful as hell Energy Dragon Slayer had been captured, subdued and taken- in one morning... in the matter of a few minutes.

He might have flitted through the Portal given life by Aisha's 'Magic Bean' was sent to life if he hadn't realized just that-

Adgnei... what the hell kind of a power are we dealing with?

Things will pick up significantly after this! Be excited!

CAUSE I AM! XD SO MUCH IS GONNA GO DOWN!

Thank you for continuing to read! For anyone interested, I do have a My Hero Academia Story up now!

**The Adgnei Arc has supplementary Images of the Outfits that Frea, Chase, Aisha and the Thunder Legion wear- as well as pictures of some of the characters that appear new in Adgnei itself! They will be posted as the Chapters get posted, so you can see them on my DeviantArt Page (literally just google: EnergyMageFrea on Deviantart) or up at the top, if you are reading this through Wattpad!

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