Chapter 21

The two mages in Leim were gaping at the small girl in their team. While they were out training she somehow manages to take on a higher position.

"You traitor!" The two mages comically accused.

"W-what?" Wendy said in a shocked manner as tears where already flowing in large droplets as her eyes grew large. The scene was actually funny but since Orba had a lot of respect for the girl. He ended up knocking out the two with Toto since they made a little girl cry.

"Take that you idiots! Baka, baka, baka!" Cana said laughing out loud in a boisterous manner.

"C-cana! You're gonna fall!" Wendy warned as Cana actually fell towards her breaking the contact between the countries.

In Sindria…

"Wendy!" Sinbad, Jafar and Sharrkan shouted as they went in the room. They were then shocked to see the scene in front of them. Right there on the ground was Cana lying over Wendy as she cried in rivers because of the two dumb headed mages in Leim. The scene sent a different message to the trio as they suddenly shout out in rage at the poor girl.

"What are you doing on our Princess!?" They yelled.

"Kyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" The shout sent birds flying away from the trees nearby Wendy's room.

In Kou…

"Huh?" Levy said as she felt something happened to her boyish friend.

"Did something happened, Levy-san?" Koumei asked as the three were shuffling some other works. After reading the whole library in one day with the help of her special glasses, Levy began doing some of the diplomatic scrolls. Of course these were only minor problem so Carla and Levy had no problem in doing these petty things.

"Nothing really, I just felt something happened to a friend." Levy said dismissing it in favor of the diplomatic scroll on hand.

"Shouldn't you be worried then?" Koumei asked.

"Nah, she usually gets herself in trouble anyways." Levy said with a smile.

'Shouldn't you be worried then?' Koumei though with a sweat drop but he couldn't voice it out in fear of being too rude.

Koumei then looked back on his work, usually he couldn't spare any time to glance up but now Koumei's work load has decreased drastically to the point where he could actually get at least 6 hours of sleep. Can you believe the blessing he received? Usually he couldn't sleep at all now he can get some. A little while later the girls were done with their part of the job but Levy was curious.

"Prince Koumei, what is in those major documents that are only entrusted to you or in general the most entrusted secretaries?" Levy asked with curiosity leaking out of her tone. Koumei winced at the question.

"That's a very dangerous question." Koumei muttered but was still heard by Levy.

"Don't tell me the specifics!" Levy said frantically. "Just tell me the general idea." Koumei thought for a moment before answering.

"It's only about the country's property and money." Personally, he expected that Levy would be insulted by the vague answer but she wasn't at all insulted. Koumei saw the contented look on the girls face before going back to reading War Principals the 3rd time already.

'Interesting…' Koumei thought before shaking his head to get the thought out. It was not the time to be thinking about those things. Silently he prayed that he won't end up being like his brother Kouen. The country will be left hopeless and destroyed if he did.

In Magnostadt…

Mira was not happy with the news she received the next morning. To find out that Titus, Sphintus and Aladdin were hurt in their little escapade made her want to actually destroy something. Now don't misunderstand her. Mira does not like violence but sometimes, she knows that destroying something could relieve a lot of stress which you cannot begin to imagine.

"I'm very disappointed in you Titus and not only you but Sphintus and Aladdin as well. I expected better of you." Mira said in a tone a mother would use to their children. Titus flinched and looked down in shame.

"G-gomene Mira-san but Marga needed us." Titus said in worry for the child and a flash of desperation.

"I guess that I'll have to see the girl before judging if it was acceptable or not." Mira said with a sight.

They were in the auditorium talking about gois and magicians. Mira saw these past and knew right away that she too experienced this. Take notice First Hand. Later after most of the story was told, Mogamett told them that they were free to see for themselves in the 5th district.

"Well, let's go." Mira said with a smile. The three looked at the white haired mage dumbfounded as she stood up.

"Go where?" Sphintus asked.

"To the 5th district of course! Whether the sight is horrible, whether they deserved it or not will be my choice and I need to see it with my own eyes the horrid and pleasant views. It is the only way to see to it that I find the truth." After her little speech a few white ruhks flew around her making her glow in both Titus' and Aladdin's eyes. They widened their eyes in shock because of the way she seems right now is like a tempting offer on being a king candidate. The groups attention was then caught by Mogamett as he came towards them and of course there was an initial reaction by Titus towards him.

"Aladdin, please take me to this girl Marga."

The journey going to the underground city was very quiet. It stayed that way before Mogamett lightly pulled Mira away from the group to talk.

"Will you be okay?" Mogamett asked as a grandfather would to a grandchild. Mira knew that the man was talking about her past village so she just silently nodded. Aladdin and the others soon caught up.

"What were you talking about?" Aladdin asked as they went closer to the pair.

"You can tell them Chancellor." Mira said as she went ahead.

"Woah, what happened to her?" Sphintus asked.

"You see, when Mira was but a young mage. She was chased out of her village by gois because of her gift. Now, she thinks it's a curse on her." Mogamett said sadly. Titus looked at the form of Mira at the front and frowned.

"She never told me… I-I didn't know." Titus said a little bit regretfully.

Soon enough the group landed, once they did the trio watched Mira's reaction only to see her scowl. They almost thought she hated the place before the calm demeanor was back. Mira actually scowled at the state these humans were put under on. She hated how they were treated like animals. They then went to Marga's place. Mira watched as Mogamett and the little girl made a conversation. She looked at the girl with pity but when Mogamett gave Marga to Titus like a pet almost made her want to destroy everything in this sick factory. The sooner they left the sooner she'll calm down. Later they were back to the surface and Mogamett left as the four stayed.

"Sphintus-san, what do you think about the gois now?" Aladdin asked.

"I don't know Aladdin. I think I may be against them. Back at home they treated my grandfather badly because he was a magician."

"And you Titus?" Aladdin asked with a bit of hope.

"No. I'm sorry Aladdin but really, I think I should explore with Marga. She has a lot to see. Are you coming Mira?" Titus asked cheerfully forgetting about Mira's situation for a while. Everyone froze as they looked at Mira to see her smile. Titus was tripped on his words trying to say something else to fix things but Mira replied.

"Sure! I'll catch up to you later. You and Sphintus can go ahead." She said as she watches the two nodded unsurely before leaving Aladdin and her. Mira looked at Aladdin with sad eyes.

'Poor Aladdin, his new found friends are already against non-magicians.' She went up to Aladdin and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry Aladdin. I too don't agree with the ideology about non-magicians." Aladdin's eyes then went wide.

"I thought you hated the gois that was why you scowled at the place." Aladdin said unsure now.

"Oh my, Aladdin under no circumstance do I hate a person who did nothing to me. I scowled because these people were treated like animals. No person should be kept underground." Mira said. Aladdin then smiled at Mira.

"I'm glad." He said with a sigh. Mira nodded before heading off to Titus and Sphintus. The two then tensed slightly when they saw her.

"You two have really misunderstood me." Mira pouted before going to Marga and crouching down to meet her.

"I believe we haven't introduced yet, my names Mirajane but call me Mira." Mira sais with the brightest of smiles.

"I'm Marga!" Marga chirped happily.

"Now isn't that a pretty name for a pretty girl like you?" Mira said as she stood up. Marga blushed a little before smiling widely.

"Arigatou, onee-chan!" Marga thanked as Mira smiled at being called 'onee-chan'. It brought a lot of memories for her, good ones and the rest of the day was with Titus, Sphintus, Mira, and Marga exploring the place. Soon enough the sun went down and Titus, Mira, and Marga went back to their place.

"Onee-chan, onee-chan, can you sing me a song?" Marga asked as Mira tucked her in. Mira smiled as Titus' eyes lightened up at Marga's offer.

"Can you, Mira-san?" Titus asked with the same enthusiasm as Marga. Mira chuckled at the two and nodded gleefully.

The melody Mira sang was soothing and beautiful. Each note filled the place with a sense of nostalgia but there was a tinge of sadness that didn't pass Titus. Marga slowly but surely fell into a deep slumber as the song grows softer and softer in every minute passing by. Titus felt a pang in his heart as the song reached its near end. He remembered what he was told, he remembered what will happen to him and he felt fear and sadness. Tears streamed down the blonde magicians face as the song completely stops. Mira looked at Titus with worry as she silently walked towards him.

"Eh? W-why am I crying? Hehe there's nothing to be sad about, right?" Titus lied and it was very obvious to Mira that the young mage was hiding something from here.

"No matter what happened, whether you tell me or not. I'll be right here beside you to support and listen to your troubles." Mira said as she embraced Titus in a comforting hug. Titus then cried his heart out.

"I-I'm afraid to die. I don't want to die yet. I want to live with Marga and you." Titus sobbed. Mira didn't blink nor feel surprised. She knew, Scheherazade told her herself. Mira held Titus closer as both of them kneelt down.

"Titus, we all die at one point, some died earlier than others. There are those who died at an old age living a full life while others dies at a young age, never given any chance to live their lives. The only way to make up for that is to live our lives to the fullest."

"L…live… our lives to the fullest? ...How can I do that?" Titus asked eyes brimming with curiosity and desperation.

"Live life like it's your last day, don't leave any regrets behind. Do what you can for the present and be happy. That is how you can live to the fullest." Titus cracked a small smile before his hold loosened. Mira frowned for a while as Titus stood up. Mira followed and looked right at Titus… no at Scheherazade.

"You could have waited until he slept you know." Mira said. Scheherazade using Titus' body apologized.

"Gomene, but I need to talk with the Chancellor face to face."

"Please avoid war Scheherazade. Titus should have his final moments in peace not in war." Mira said as she watched the magi's expression darkened.

"War or peace would only depend on his answer." Mira nodded in understanding.

In the Kou Empire…

"Are you ready Prince Kouhaku?" Gin Kaku asked as he, the other generals and Kouen were preparing for departure.

"Yes, we can leave already for Magnostadt." Erza replied as she looked out of the window.

'Strange… it feels like something bad is going to happen.' Erza thought unsettled as she narrows her eyes in an almost sad like fashion. Kouen put a hand on her shoulder.

"Something wrong?" Erza turned around to reply but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"You may come in." Kouen said. The person who came in was no other than Hakuryuu. Kouen immediately signaled his generals to leave. Once they were alone the office was met with silence.

"Should I leave?" Erza asked cocking her head to the side.

"No it's okay... um.." Hakuryuu trailed off for a while not sure how to address her.

"Erza. Call me by my name if we're alone with family or someone who already knows." Erza said giving Hakuryuu a reassuring smile. Hakuryuu nodded easing up a bit. Kouen watched with slight jealousy on how the girl could easily calm a person. It would certainly benefit him as a brother to have to sides like her, one for work and another for family.

"Kouen, what exactly happened during that time my brothers were killed? I… I need to hear out your story." Hakuryuu asked with determination.

'He has grown…' Kouen thought with pride. A small smile spread across his lips that only Erza noticed his pride.

"That time, Gyokuen asked me to patrol the outskirts of Kou just nearby your house. I was doing my job when I saw fire. I quickly ran towards the fire and saw you and your sister coming out. You were severely burned and injured that Hakuei needed to carry you out. From the corner of my eye I saw Gyokuen and I knew she was behind it all."

"Then why didn't you kill her!? Why didn't do anything about her all this time?!" Hakuryuu asked in rage.

"I will." Hakuryuu stopped his tracks when he heard those two words. "I will never let that sin slide pass me. I didn't want you to carry that hatred Hakuryuu so I kept quiet but in the end…" Kouen trailed off not continuing. Hakuryuu was confused on what he was going to say next so Erza continued already getting what happened.

"In the end your silence ended up drifting you and Hakuryuu apart instead of telling him, supporting him so that he could grow into a better person." Erza said coldly.

Kouen fisted his fist in anger at himself knowing those words were true. He hadn't become a good role model for him and ended up out casting him from the family when he should've supported him. Hakuryuu looked down in shocked and anger.

"Why… why couldn't you just marry yourself with Gyokuen. If you did then you could have the power to get rid of her and save time." He asked in a low voice.

"It's simply because I didn't want to become emperor." Koen smiled making Erza smile.

Hakuryuu looked down and blushed in embarrassment. He really should have done this sooner and not cause so much grief but it was partly Kouen's fault. Still Hakuryuu felt bad so he did what anyone would do. Apologize.

"I'm really sorry for my blindness and stubbornness." He bowed surprising Kouen. He placed his arm on his shoulder making Hakuryuu raised his head. Kouen shook his.

"No, I should be the one apologizing. I should have told you sooner." The two brothers smiled at each other finally passing the challenge from both sides. At that moment Lucy and Levy fell from their hiding place.

"Lucy! What were you doing there!?" Hakuryuu asked in shock. Lucy rubbed her head as she sheepishly smiled.

"You see when you told me that you were finally gonna talk things through with Kouen I got worried so I brought Levy along with me to see what was going on." Lucy's face then saddened. "I knew how much you hated the guy so I got really afraid something might happen to both of you."

Hakuryuu blushed at the comment as he looked away mumbling 'you didn't have to.' to mostly himself but it was meant for Lucy. Erza smiled as she understood what was happening.

"Hakuryuu, you better take good care of her. If you don't I'll hunt you down personally." Erza said casually with a small smile causing everyone except Levy to sweat drop.

"You go Lu-chan! I support your decision." Levy winked. The couple blushed at the comment.

"Wahhh! Let's just go already!" And with that they went out but just before they could leave Gyokuen showed up in front of them.

"I declare Prince Ren Kouhaku and his friends, Lucy and Levy guilty for treason against me!" She shouted causing everyone around her to stop. Their eyes widened in shock while Erza's only narrowed in suspicion.

"What proof do you have against them?!" Koumei asked as he entered the situation. Judal also came and was angered but Erza stopped him.

"There will be no trials. These three will be executed right here, right now." Gyokuen said as a hooded figure came out behind her.

"Judal whatever happens I need you to keep your composure. You are this country's priest under no condition are you supposed to shatter that record." Erza said binding Judal.

"Don't you dare hurt Lucy!" Hakuryuu said as he stood behind Lucy. Lucy looked at Hakuryuu in worry before narrowing her eyes in suspicion towards the man. The man chuckled as a magic circle appeared beneath them. The girls knew this circle. It was a detainment circle that traps a person in the caster's dimension. The only way to get out was to defeat the caster himself.

"Hakuryuu, whatever you do don't lose your head." Lucy said as black liquid came out devouring her in.

"But Lucy-"

"Don't worry I'll be back. I promise." Lucy reassured as she share a look towards Levy and Erza.

"Promise?" Hakuryuu said in desperate plea. Lucy smiled and nodded.

"Judal, please stay with Hakuryuu for me. You need to by his side as he will be by Kouen's side in the battle. Kouen, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I'll join you in battle soon. I swear." Kouen's expression was helpless and regretful but he held on to the hopes that she will come back. Judal just nodded in anger as his precious person needed him calm so with every fiber of his being he will.

"Koumei, don't bother in clearing our names. It will only complicate you in your current battle. Support Kouen first before saving us okay?" Levy said as the liquid were at the girl's hips slowly dragging them down.

"Not always is it about Kouen!" Koumei said then stopped in his tracks in what he just said. Right now he just said something completely opposite from what he stands for. Levy smiled.

"I'll be okay. We'll see each other at the battle field." And like that the girls were under the magic circle only their hands reaching out before being completely consumed.

The boys were outraged as the figure disappeared and Gyokuen laughed hysterically.

Back to Magnostadt…

"You old fool! Why can't you understand that I am trying to make peace!?" Titus said still being controlled by Scheherazade.

"I will not make an alliance to a country whose ruler is a goi! If it's a war you want then I officially declare war against Liem!" With that Scheherazade accepted and went back to Mira.

"Mira… gomene.. first thing tomorrow morning will be a war." With that time was up and Titus collapsed in front of Mira. Mira wearing a sad expression tucked Titus in another bed.

'Tomorrow will be a harsh day for everyone.'

A/N: Sorry for the very delayed chapter. You see I'm having some difficulties making the Magnostadt arc with all the changes I'm making so this will be the last arc from the manga soon it will all be chaos. Hope you enjoyed!