Response to reviews: -

Greer123: - Well, that was something that FT was lacking. I simply thought FT would be really good with serious moments. Hope you liked it !

Fayre Eferhild Di Rozalia: - Yeah, and I'm glad the impact of that is positive (I think?). Because FT would have been so much better with serious moments like this one.

Chapter 25: - Aftermath

The sound of the waves crashing into the shores could still be heard all the way out here. It was difficult for Raskreia to read Raizel's expression. What seemed like a whole minute of silence passed between them, before Raizel slowly raised his hand, his scarlet eyes glowing softly. A warm glow contradicting the cold, dark state of Erza and Mira's corpses enveloped them, cleaning all their wounds and replacing their torn, tattered attire to a regal black and gold suit, similar to the Noble's dresses. Raskreia said nothing, and simply carried Mira in her arms bridal style. Raizel did the same with Erza.

The journey back was painful, slow and tiring even for the noblesse and the lord's daughter. It was not that carrying two bodies attracted attention from on lookers, for either Raizel or Raskreia used mind control on the crowds to make sure they were left alone. Rather the fact that nobles were responsible for murdering humans in this world. Raizel had given his word that no harm would come to anyone from Fairy Tail, and ironically ended up being responsible for the deaths of two of them indirectly.

Having reached the capital Crocus, Raizel got himself a cup of tea to calm his nerves. He wondered what the Lord would think of him if he saw this scene right now, acting so much like a human would in times of grief. This time though, Raskreia joined him for tea and the two shared a silent solace in trying to comfort the other.

Back at Magnolia, Guild of Fairy Tail

Makarov was walking up and down the stairs in the guild, biting his nails. Lucy had already asked everyone from the guild to be present in the guild for the next few days so that when Raizel and Raskreia return with Erza and Mira, everyone could welcome them back and take their worries off their mind. Frankenstein was having a cup of tea, courtesy of Cana who was substituting for Mira's absence to handle the guild's bar. Naturally as you'd expect from someone who's main forte was alcohol, making tea was not really her thing. You could tell from how Frankenstein bore a deadpanned expression on his face most of the times, but he drank it anyways, as if to indicate that the flavor of tea was the last thing on his mind.

*Bang!*

The guild doors flew open revealing Elfman, the first one to arrive at the guild. It figures that he would be the one to appear first, considering his younger sister's past and also his overprotective nature. One could tell he was the most worried one amongst the group too. He said nothing and simply sat in a corner of the guild. Lucy sighed, and simply placed a glass of 'Sorcerer Magazine's recommended stamina potion!' in front of him.

*Slam!*

This time, it was Natsu. He came straight up to Lucy, almost nose to nose. The celestial mage blinked hard, bewildered.

"Wh…what…?" Natsu continued to stare, saying nothing and with a serious expression on his face.

" Gimme some flamin' charcoal mocktail shots" he said seriously.

"Coming right up~~" rang out Cana's voice from behind.

"Why the hell does such a thing even exist?!" protested Lucy comedically, eyes popping. After Natsu got his, he joined Elfman at the table. Next to arrive was Gray, who also did the same as Natsu.

" I'll take some 'Chillin' icicle fruit punch" demanded the ice mage, his voice mirroring his title.

"~~Coming up~~~" chimed Cana from behind once again, surprising the celestial mage yet once more. Following this, Levy, Gajeel, Juvia, Jet, Droy, Azlack, Bisca, Evergreen, Freed, Bixlow, Macao, Wakaba, Romero, Raki and the rest of the gang were soon there, all of them complete with their own signature drinks ranging from 'Ferrum Rum', 'Rainy wonderland', 'Leprechaun's nectar' till Makarov's 'Regular Whiskey', which was just plain whiskey. Lucy practically gave up trying to deduce the reason such drinks existed in the bar and wondered if this was the only place they could find them. But she was glad that everyone was easing up in their own way. It provided her some warmth. In all this time, Frankenstein still hadn't finished his tea and Tesamu was back at their house. She took a seat adjacent to him. Good. Now everyone was present. She couldn't wait. It would be a huge surprise to both Mira and Erza as well.

Just then, she heard a small crack. It came from her neighbor's tea cup. The warm liquid spilt all over his precious suit, staining the white shirt underneath. The look on Frankenstein's face then was one of pure disbelief. He stood up immediately, heading upstairs to get an immediate change of attire. Lucy watched, sweatdropping. No matter the situation, he never can take soiled clothes huh…? She looked at the cup, a single crack travelling along the center of the cup all the way till the brim. What a bad omen, she thought to herself.

*knock…..knock….knock*

Three soft knocks from the door echoed throughout the almost silent guild. Lucy nearly jumped out of her skin, as did everyone else. All of their attention went towards the door. Everyone save for Raizel, Raskreia, Mira and Erza were present, so no words were needed to tell who the visitor would be. Everyone was looking at each other, almost asking the other to receive the one at the door. When no one did, Lucy volunteered, and slowly made her way to the door. By this time, Frankenstein had also returned, and he could tell the heavy mood across the guild hall.

When she opened the door, she witnessed a sight she would never forget. The Raizel she knew had a blank, but a gentle face. Raskreia on the other hand was someone she thought looked cold on the outside but was caring deep down. Neither of them had either expression. Raizel had a sad, defeated expression on his face, his scarlet eyes trying to avert contact. Raskreia on the other hand looked strained.

But it wasn't any of this that caught her attention. Her gaze was only at what was in their arms.

Two people, carried bridal style , their heads drooping loosely. Pale, deathly white complexion. One with long, scarlet hair. The other with ghostly, pale white locks of hair.

"He..hey, what's wrong? Raizel...? Raskreia…?" asked Lucy nervously, her voice shaking. But no reply came. "Say something…will you…? What's wrong with Erza and Mira….?"

"They look seriously injured….." noted Gajeel slowly.

Just then, Frankenstein had also entered the hall after a change of attire. He scanned his eyes across the scene. His eyes widened.

They're not breathing…..

Makarov was trembling, but he composed himself. "Gray! Natsu! Go get Porlyusica! Cana, till then, prepare a bed for them in the guild's recovery room! Hurry!" he barked out orders. The fire mage and the ice mage didn't even notice that they've been asked together to fetch Porlyusica, the thought hadn't even occurred to them given the emergency. Cana likewise did the same.

"Rai….." called out Lucy, edging closer to Erza to have a look. She reached out and grabbed her hand. Her entire body froze.

The arm she held was ice cold, rigid but most of all, she felt nothing. Nothing.

She retracted her arm by pure reflex, a horrified look on her face as she looked at Raizel first, then to Mira who was in Raskreia's arms, and then to Raskreia herself.

"No…" she mumbled, shivering all over, her hands over her mouth in sheer astonishment. "They couldn't…." she said again, quivering and tearing up.

"They….couldnt what…?" asked Elfman slowly, his anxiety hitting the roof. But he needed to hear no more. It was quite evident what Lucy was about to tell. All he knew was that his sister was again…..

"no…." he said softly, inching towards Raskreia.

"Lu-chan, what did you see….?" Asked Levy slowly.

"I'm sorry." Said Raizel in a guilt-ridden voice, breaking the tension in the air and grabbing everyone's attention. "I'm sorry, Fairy Tail" he repeated. He simply went over to the nearby beds that Cana had laid out for them, and gently placed Erza onto the bed. Raskreia followed suit. Shaking, Makarov went forward, and gently caressed Erza and Mira's faces. He felt only her ice cold skin, pale and lifeless. The nearby guild members were slowly taking in what happened.

"Erza….Mira….they're dead…." Quivered the old guild master slowly, tears falling onto their faces.

"Mira-nee chan….." muttered Elfman slowly, already crying.

Makarov knelt in front of them, doubled over, crying uncontrollably.

The doors flung open once more, revealing a panting Gray and Natsu, along with Porlyusica.

"Old man! How're Erza and Mira?!" breathed out Natsu frantically. "I got Porlyusica like you….!" His voice stopped midway, as if there was something caught in his throat, his eyes as wide as tennis balls.

"Erza…? Mira….?" Questioned Gray to himself, shocked himself. He went forward, the two faces with eyes that were eternally closed. Being an ice mage, cold was nothing foreign to him. He'd even stripped in snowy blizzards and mountains and shook it off like it was nothing. And yet, for the first time, the lack of warmth he felt from their bodies actually made him shiver uncontrollably. No….no! Why?! Why do people keep dying on me…?!

Natsu ignored his peers, went straight up to Erza, shaking her vigorously.

"Erza, wake up! Enough with the prank…..please!" he pleaded, half expectant, half anxious. "Wake up!" the shaking grew more intense.

"Natsu….stop…." said Porlyusica slowly. "She's already…"

"NO! THEY CANT BE DEAD! THEY'RE THE STRONGEST MAGES EVER! SO DON'T GIVE ME THAT BULLSHIT!" He roared, spraying a wave of intense flames all over the place.

"STOP NATSU!" roared Makrov in agony, but nothing happened. And then suddenly, he rolled his eyes and peacefully fell unconscious. Raizel held his palm in front of Natsu. Neither party spoke a word, but it was evident that there was no other way to stop him otherwise.

"How could this have happened…..?" questioned Makarov. "What madness is this, a parent forced to see his dead children in such a state…..WHO COULDVE DONE THIS?!" he roared, smashing half the guild with his enlarged hand.

"This is no mage's work" intruded Frankenstein. "If I had known this is what it would lead to, I would have stepped in myself. I regret I didn't realize this sooner!" he growled.

"Then do you know something, Frankenstein?! Please, tell us!" asked Lucy. Makarov controlled his sorrow for now, looking to him for any leads that could tell them what happened.

"Frankenstein, allow me" said Raizel. The blond scientist gave a nod of understanding, standing back. "The loss you have incurred…..is incomparable. At the very least, you deserve to know, for this is the consequence of our intrusion on your world. So I shall overlook the rules, just this once"

"Erza and Mira…their demise came about from beings known as Nobles" he said.

"Nobles….?" Asked Makarov.

And then he spoke for what seemed like an hour, explaining about Lukedonia, Earthland, the Nobles, the werewolves , the clan leaders and all the events that lead to Muzaka's and Raizel's final battle. Frankenstein joined in later on, providing details about their recent findings here on Earthland and their connections to the family leaders of the nobles and also about themselves.

"Clan leaders are immensely powerful. Even I would not be able to best a clan leader that easily based on strength alone. In terms of strength, I would compare one to be on par, if not greater than a guild's master" explained the scientist. "Plus, clan leaders are centuries old, much more than any human who has lived. The battle experience such a being has easily surpasses the experience of a 16 year old human…..Erza and Mira were simply inexperienced and overpowered in an unfair fight."

"No way….so then does than mean that even you all are…centuries older than us…?" asked Gajeel gasping. Now it made sense how the noble trio seemed so outwardly. Just in age, they surpassed the combined ages of all the members of the guild.

"That's right. I am currently 2376 years old, Raskreia is 1796 years old and master is 3528 years old. That is why, age is inconsequential to nobles. Its simply a number that isn't anything more. But to a human, we may seem like immortals"

"Unbelievable…no wonder he picked up my skills so fast….a human having lived that long….how much experience would he have…." Wondered Porlyusica.

"But why?! Didn't you just say that Nobles wished for nothing but the welfare of humanity?! Then why?!" questioned Cana.

"The nobles are changing after having lived in stagnation for so long. This is what master and I feared and have known for long. There are factions that hate humans and think of their own race as the superior one. I'm sorry….if we had realized this sooner…"

"We shall be returning to Lukedonia to put an end to their treason. Interfering with the humans and their lives is unforgivable for nobles " said Raskreia. "I do not wish for you to suffer anymore because of us"

"I agree. It is too dangerous for us to be here any longer. However, the fact is that Nobles and Werewolves have plans for this world and we cannot call this matter resolved until we take care of them. That is why, we shall be leaving Fairy tail" added Frankenstein.

"What…?!" gasped Lucy.

"But why?! None of this is your fault!" insisted Levy.

"No…..we've already lost too much today, and you expect us to be fine for you to leave us as well?! Arent we your nakama!" called out Gray angrily. Raizel listened shocked, as people one after the other called out to them, asking them to stay. Internally, he was happy. He replied with a sad smile.

"Because you are precious to me" he said sadly "That is why, I never want to see you in despair again, even if it means to keep someone precious to me away" There was a certain warmth in his words, comforting and one filled with feelings of consolation.

"I'm sorry" said Frankenstein, giving a slight bow. "But I promise, once everything is resolved, we shall meet again"

"No…..I wont let you..!" said Elfman. "How can you be so cruel….? Whatever happened to all those times you helped us out when we doubted ourselves?! Didn't you provide words of encouragement to us back then? Just like how you helped me, just like how you helped nee-chan…." He sobbed. "Help us now too, like you always have!"

"Although I am the noblesse, I am no mighty being. I too, make mistakes. I too, can fail. This time, the consequences of that were severe enough, being borne by someone who should not have experienced such grief and pain. I am sorry…" he said, slowly raising his hands "But this is a price you should not have paid, hence I shall repent for it by making sure this will never happen to you again." he added. With a simple motion, he waved his hands in front of them. In that instant, one after the other, the members of the guild fell into a peaceful, and yet strained slumber. Master was the last one to fall unconscious, his eyes completely red from crying so long, his mind in a jumbled mess of emotions.

"Let's go" said Raizel simply. He gave one look back at the now peacefully sleeping members of the guild, and afraid that he may change his mind if he stayed any longer, proceeded to leave. Frankenstein and Raskreia followed.

Hours later, the guild members would slowly regain their senses, in despair and in need of solace. Confusion was rampart among the guild members. Gone were Raizel, Raskreia, Frnakenstein and Tesamu. There would be no trace of them anywhere in magnolia, and even their house that Frankenstein had prepared for Raizel was empty, no trace of them ever being in Magnolia. The funeral for Erza and Mira felt like it lasted for days, leaving wounds that would not disappear for a long, long time.

Fairy tail would soon fall apart. With the nobles vanished, along with Erza and Mira, the guild had truly lost its light. Makarov would spend hours trying to drink away his sorrow, or crouch against the corner of a room for hours. Cana would stay shut in her dorm room, either drunk or in bed all day. Lucy tried her best to keep everyone together, but nothing changed. Natsu would wander about Magnolia endlessly, looking for Frankenstein and Raizel. Lucy would sometime join him as well, but days passed and even she gave up, losing all hope. Gray secluded himself to the mountains, in order to train. Elfman was hit the worst. He would always be at the cemetery, spending hours guarding Mira's gravestone, and talking to her. Levy spent all day with her nose in the books, trying to find clues about nobles or anything from the outside.

Raizel, Frankenstein and Raskreia on the other hand, returned to Lukedonia. Raizel secluded himself in his mansion, always looking at his window, towards the portal leading to Earthland. Frankenstein and Tesamu lost themselves trying to investigate the clan leaders. Raskreia on the other hand, spent days trying to learn about the nobles and why they changed the way they did. She would occasionally help Frankenstein in his investigation. But no matter what the 3 of them did, nothing would move Raizel, who now wanted nothing more than to simply stare at the world from his window and deliver judgement to the ones who broke the rules of nobles. Until the day they were guilty of their crimes, he would never interfere with the outside world, until he needed to execute his role as a noblesse.

Despite the Lord's attempts to console him, he would not budge.

And thus, 1 year had passed.

So, this was more of an epilogue to the entire arc, and I really do have my doubts about how I've written this. To be honest, I do feel its much different from my previous chapters. Whether it be in a good or bad way, I'll let you decide. I not as confident with this chapter as I was for the previous ones, kindly do tell me how this chapter looked! I know there was a lot of build up in this chapter, but they were necessary for me to show how serious the deaths of Mira and Erza was to Fairy tail and also to build up for the impact of the upcoming arc.

I really do hope the story has been engaging up to this point. Feel free to leave me your thoughts. Until next time then!