A second chapter away from all of the fighting! Hope you all had a good Chirstmas, and 2019 is finally here! Reviews and constructive criticism is welcome! Enjoy!
Chapter 29: The Stranger
"Rogue. Come on, I need to know."
"Why are you obsessed with him?"
"Something isn't right. I feel it. His magic isn't what he's shown us."
"You just didn't like the fact that he was with Yukino."
"That's not the point!"
"But it's a point?"
"Dude, just help!"
Rogue sighed, looking at his partner. Sting had serious look on his face. He was going to go ahead with his plan whether Rogue came or not.
"What do you hope to find?" Rogue asked.
"His real magic and who he really is." Sting replied. "He has an exceed Rogue. The only people we know with exceeds are other dragon slayers."
"You think he's a dragon slayer?" Rogue raised an eyebrow.
"I'm almost sure of it."
"Not possible." Rogue shook his head. "He uses wind magic. So does Wendy. Wendy is the sky dragon slayer."
"Yeah but-"
"Unless Elemental has the same master as Wendy, in which case one would know of the other somewhat, it's hard to think there is two of the same type of dragon slayer."
"But he isn't using wind magic." Sting countered. "He must have something more. There is no way that wind made that collision against Elfman, just for Elfman to end up battered and beaten within a heartbeat. I'm sure something else is being used here."
"Like what? If he's a dragon slayer, what could he possibly know that allows him to use wind magic and another form of magic. Dragon slayers can't have two elements."
"Natsu and Gajeel do." Sting pointed out.
"Gajeel got his magic from absorbing my magic when he was low and in trouble. Natsu did the same with Laxus' magic. Unless Wendy confirms that Elemental took her magic, we can't assume that Sting."
Sting clicked his tongue, turning away from Rogue, hands in pockets. Rogue was making some very valid points, but something still didn't feel right. He saw with his own eyes what Elemental did in that arena. He was too confident, too cocky, but had the strength to back it up. While Yajima's analysis of him was correct and Elemental could only defend against melee attacks, Sting still thought that there was more to the mystery wizard.
"How do you even plan to spy on him?" Rogue questioned.
"During each of the fights, Elemental hasn't been in the stands. I assume he's in his waiting room watching on the lacrima with his exceed. I'm going to wait outside the door and just listen in on any conversations they're having, hoping to pick something up." The mage explained.
"And if he catches you?"
"I'll fight and run."
"Fighting contestants outside of the arena is forbidden by the rules. You'll get disqualified. Wait until you face him in the arena."
"That might not happen. He might get disqualified before I face him."
"Then face him after?"
"But this tournament is the best way to see how the "Defeater of Fairy Tail's Dragon Slayers" actually fairs. Oh yeah!" Sting added. "He defeated all of the dragon slayers. By himself! What mad man beats Natsu and Laxus on his own! That's not a thing."
"I don't think they went all out." Rogue said thoughtfully. "Laxus is one of the strongest mages in Fairy Tail. And they knew a tournament was coming up. They didn't want to show anyone their increased strength right away."
"Uhhhhhhh, you just don't want to help me do you?"
"I'm just wondering what you're hoping to find. Even if he's hiding magic power, that's normal. Weren't you planning to hide your new Secret Art until it was needed. You didn't want to show it in the first fight."
"Stop bringing up good points and help me."
"What if I agree, what am I suppose to do?"
"Keep an eye out for people coming towards us. Oh, no, better yet, turn into a shadow, slip under the door and hide in the shadows. You can hear better in there."
"I'll help keep an eye out, but you're doing the listening." Rogue sighed.
"Good enough. Thanks, I owe you one." Sting cheered.
"The tournament is certainly entertaining to watch." Gray shrugged. Fairy Tail was back in their hall they had rented. Everyone was celebrating after the second, exciting day. "Shame you couldn't make it through Mest."
"Can't help it." Mest sighed, looking at Natsu, who was stuffing his face not too far away. "Guess I didn't train enough."
"Surprised we didn't see any memory being messed with." Erza pointed out.
"What would it have done? Natsu forges everything anyway. I bet he's already forgot he fought Mest." Gray sniggered.
"That kinda makes me feel worse about losing." Mest's face dropped.
"Just need to train for the next one, don't worry." Erza gave a reassuring smile. She then looked around the hall. Still needing to compete was Wendy, Gray, Juvia and Mira. She wondered how Juvia would handle fighting Gray, and if she would even go all out. Glancing at Gray, she saw a similar look on his face.
"Wondering about your fight?" She asked quietly, making sure no one else heard.
"Juvia is the last person I wanted to fight." He muttered.
"Getting the same feelings as her?" Erza asked, half teasing, half serious.
"No." Gray said a little too quickly. "Just... I know how she feels. I entered this tournament to show my strength and beat everyone. How can I do that if she doesn't try her hardest because of her feelings?"
"I think she will try her best." Erza told him. "Because she knows how you feel. You want a challenge. Because of that, she'll fight with all her might to give you a challenge. And she wants to prove that she is strong. Not just to you, but to everyone."
"I guess you're right." Gray smiled slightly. "I just hope things don't get weird if that's the case."
"Liking her clingy personality?"
"Shut up!"
Cana, who wasn't too far away from the pair, was getting tired of hearing how Juvia was all over Gray, especially since she had been looking for a boyfriend of her own for a while. Downing her eleventh drink of the night, she got up from her seat and headed towards the door.
"Cana?" Lucy asked.
"Getting some fresh air." Cana waved back, a fake, cheery smile on her face. She headed out, walking down the street. The sun was going down, and conversations were going on all around Cana. She didn't hear any of them, and kept her head facing the ground as she walked. She had been to Crocus before, so didn't really need to focus on where she was going. Her feet automatically took her round. The alcohol she had started to take effect, and her vision became slightly blurry. Still, she managed to keep upright, not even swaying.
She didn't know how long she walked for. She wasn't aware of how far she walked. She didn't care where she was. However, only when a chilling feeling crept up her back did she look up.
It was night. The moon was up and the stars were out. That wasn't the issue. Cana whipped around to see what that cold feeling was. Nothing was there. She turned back, and a hulking figure loomed over here. In a black suit of armour, and mask hiding his face.
It was Blackward.
Cana took a step back. "Er... hey..."
"You're out late." Blackward said. His voice was extremely low and chilling. "Going somewhere?"
"Just out for a walk." Cana shrugged. She didn't feel intimidated by the stranger, but something was defiantly off with him. "What about you."
"Heading back to where I'm staying. Just did some training."
"Training?" Cana raised an eyebrow. "Is that a good idea? You could be fighting tomorrow. Don't want to be tired. And what if someone spots you."
"It wasn't too much." Blackward tilted his head. "You're Cana, correct?"
"Indeed."
"I watched your fight. It was impressive. I'm sorry you didn't get through, I think you could've done well."
"Thanks, I guess?" Cana looked at him curiously. "Why are you complimenting me?"
"I'm just saying, you've done well. I also watched the Grand Magic Games when it was on. I can see that you and your guild mates have grown."
"We're you completing in the games?"
"No."
"Are you in a guild?"
Blackward nodded.
"Which one?"
"I'll keep that a secret for now."
"Awwwww." Cana hiccuped. "That's boring. I wanna know if they're strong."
"You know them, but I won't say who."
"Boring." Cana repeated. She looked up to the moon again. "Guess I should get back."
"Want me to escort you? It's dark."
"I'll be fine." Cana smiled. "I know I'll attract attention looking this good, but I can handle myself."
"Even when drunk?" Blackward asked politely.
"Actually... that's a good point." Cana said. "Alright, let's head back."
The pair walked back in silence, the dark sky looming over them. Neither of them spoke, and Cana made sure to keep a distance from him. Again, she wasn't really scared of the stranger, but something did feel off. She couldn't place what it was. His armour clunked as he walked, at it looked heavy.
"Doesn't that armour get in the way?" Cana asked.
Blackward shook his head. "Not at all. It's very useful against stronger magical attacks."
"Just magical attacks?"
"While it can withstand physical force, it's designed to take the brunt of magical spells. Not that I had issues with them before."
"And you're just telling me this... despite me being friends with people who you'll eventually face?"
"I have confidence in my abilities." Although Cana couldn't see the man's face, she could sense a smirk coming from him. "Why, do you plan to tell your guild mates?"
"Well you aren't against any of us straight away, so I'll see how your fight goes." Cana hiccuped. Blackward nodded again.
After about another five minutes of silent walking, they approached the inn where Fairy Tail was staying. Cana strolled up to the door and opened it. It seemed most members had passed out drunk on the floor, with only Mira, Erza and Levy awake.
"Cana? Where have you been, it's almost midnight." Erza asked her.
"Just been out walking." Cana replied, picking up a bottle on one of the nearby tables.
"It's too late to be out on your own, you could've been attacked."
"Nah, I had someone escorting me. Thanks Blac- huh?" Cana turned to see that the mage had vanished from sight.
"Cana, no one was behind you." Mira told her.
"But... I swear he was..."
"You've drunk a little too much." Levy giggled. "Come on, we're the only ones up. We should be in bed. Need to be rested in case you're fighting tomorrow." She turned to Mira and Erza.
"Good point." Erza agreed. "Cana?" The brunette was staring at the door. "Let's go to bed."
"Y... yeah, sure." Cana muttered, tearing her eyes away from the entrance. She followed her guild mates back to the rooms. As she did so, she thought back to the strange presence Blackward gave off. Almost eerie and ghostly. The memories started swirling in her head. Levy, Erza and Mira left her to her room. As she plopped her head into the pillow, in interactions with Blackward faded from her mind completely and she drifted to sleep.
Spooky stranger man. Keep an eye on Blackward, he'll pop up a few times. Pay attention to his words as well, maybe some of you can piece together who is behind that mask. Hope you all enjoyed!
