"Meldy, wait!" Pantherlily shouted. The two had almost reached the city limits with Meldy showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. Ultear and Jellal were in trouble, she could feel it, and she was not about to let them be hurt…or worse.
"Go back to the hideout!" Meldy ordered Pantherlily, not bothering to look at him.
"I can't do that. I told the others I'd go after you."
Suddenly Meldy stopped, the flying Pantherlily nearly bumping into her. She looked down at the exceed, fire in her eyes. "Well you can stop, because I'm not going back until I know that Ultear and Jellal are safe."
"You misunderstand." Pantherlily said. "I told Hibiki that I would go after you…" he smirked. "I didn't say I would return right away."
Meldy slowly caught on to what Lily meant, and a small smile appeared on her lips. "Thank you, Pantherlily."
"You don't have to thank me. I am worried about the others as well. We should hurry if we want to help them."
"I can only run so fast." Meldy pointed out. "And no offense but I doubt your little body could support my body weight if we were to fly."
"Oh really?" Pantherlily huffed in amusement, changing into his battle form. "How about now?" He grabbed Meldy bridal style and took off towards Asgardia. Both of them hoping that their friends were safe.
"Where am I?" Erza wondered as she took notice of her new surroundings. The room she found herself in was very spacious. Consisting of stone walls and flooring, the most eye catching decorations were the literal hundreds of weapons sticking out of both the ground and the walls. "What kind of place is this? Some sort of armory?"
"Not quite." A voice uttered.
Erza immediately summoned a sword in her defense. "Who is there? Reveal yourself!"
The solitary figure emerged from behind one of the larger swords in the ground. Erza immediately recognized them as Balder.
"If I can admit something…" he began. "I was hoping that you would be my opponent, Mrs. Dragneel."
Erza's eyes narrowed at her name. "How do you know of my-"
"Please do not insult my intelligence." Balder interrupted. "As I told you when last we met, we know of all of you. Did you really believe that we would overlook something as grand as a wedding between two of our enemies strongest wizards?"
Erza was unamused by Balder's jeers. "Where am I? Where are my friends?"
"You are currently in my krigsrummet."
"Krigsrummet?"
Balder nodded. "Yes. Far underneath Asgardia are sections of war rooms, or krigsrummets. Custom ones like mine are only made usable by members of the Aesir, our guild's strongest members. These rooms are specially designed for which ever wizard uses it. Allowing us to use our magic to the fullest extent. "
"So your…krigsrummet…is an armory?" Erza inquired, once again looking at the weapons strewn across the room.
He walked to one of the swords and pulled it out of the stone floor. "As I said before that is only a half-truth. This is a sort of armory, yes, but each weapon here is of my own design."
Erza's eyes widened. "You created these weapons?"
"Yes, through use of my steel-make magic."
"So you're a maker wizard?"
"I am. As the name implies, I can make objects out of steel. Allow me to demonstrate." Balder held the sword aloft, squeezing its hilt tightly. The metal saber began to wave and bend. In a matter of seconds the sword had formed into a metal polearm.
Erza mentally remarked her praise of the impressive display. "You have yet to answer my second question."
"Your companions are in the same predicament you are. Each of them have been transported to a different krigsrummet. Would you like to see them?" Balder snapped his fingers and a host of lacrima-vision screens appeared over him. Each one showed a member of Erza's party engaging a member of Fenrir's Fang. Looking over all of the screens, she found herself intently focused on Natsu's fierce battle with Lopti.
"To proceed to the top, you all must defeat the opponent placed before you in each room." Balder explained. "No one is permitted to leave until the battle is finished."
"Do you mean a battle to the death?" Erza questioned with narrowed eyes.
"Should the extreme be necessary to ensure victory." Balder answered plainly
"Why are you doing this?"
"You must not be allowed to spoil all that Master Odin has dedicated these years of his life for. He has worked too hard for this all to be for naught."
"What do you mean? What exactly is he planning? And what does it have to do with Shizuka?"
"I am not obligated to tell you. All that I ask is that you please surrender and no harm will come to you."
Erza looked to Balder one last time before walking away. "I have no time for this." Erza reached the door, but her attention was soon averted when the polearm – now a spear – was thrown at her, zooming past her head and sticking into the wall.
"As I said before. You must defeat your opponent if you wish to proceed." Balder said, his tone more stern than before.
Erza reached to her cheek, feeling the cooling drips of blood on her fingertips. She looked at her fingers and requipped into her Thunder Empress armor, her gauntlets now covering the offending liquid. "Fine. If that is how it is going to be." She turned back round to face Balder. "I'll follow your rule, but when I defeat you, you will tell me everything about Odin and his plan."
"I will honor that request." Balder pulled a sword out of the ground while creating a shield from his magic. "But as you said, only if you are able to defeat me."
"The hell am I?" Laxus asked aloud. He stood in a room littered with armor and weapons. It was a tad cluttered for his tastes, even bordering on gaudy.
"Ho!" a voice shouted. "Thou must by mine opponent!"
Laxus looked ahead, seeing a man around the same size as him. His red-blonde hair flowed down his back as he approached the Fairy Tail wizard. Tightening his leather wrist gauntlets, he walked over to a rather large axe that was stuck in the floor. He picked it up with ease, slinging it over his shoulder as he closed the distance between himself and Laxus.
Laxus remained stone as the man stood a few meters in front of him.
"Thou are most fortunate to be given entry into my krigsrummet. Facing Thor in this manner is a rare oppurtunity indeed."
"You sure love the sound of your own voice don't you?" Laxus commented.
Thor looked at him a few seconds before letting out a hearty laugh. "Thou has grit. I admire that in a foe. Tell me, what is your name?"
"Laxus."
Thor's grin faded, giving way to a look of shock. "Laxus? As in the famed Laxus Dreyar of Fairy Tail?"
"Last time I checked."
Thor slowly grinned again, this one much more menacing and hungry than before. "Forgive mine earlier boasting. It would appear that I am the fortunate one."
Laxus raised an eyebrow as Thor continued.
"Before we ever encountered you I was told tales of a wizard in Fiore that was able to wield the lightning such as I. From then on I wished for nothing more than to face...and defeat him in battle."
"You're a lightning wizard as well?"
"Aye. The storms are mine to command as I see fit." Thor raised his axe into the air. "At last, Jarnbjorn! We have found an opponent worthy of your blade! Shall we bathe you in his blood?"
Laxus immediately got on his guard. This guy is a freak, but he's dangerous. I can feel his power from here. "I'm guessing I gotta beat you to leave this room?"
Thor looked towards Laxus again. "Aye. That is correct. No one is permitted to leave the krigsrummet until their opponent is defeated. Either by surrender...or death." Thor dashed forward to Laxus' surprise. He swung his axe downward, the force creating a massive impact in the floor. When the dust settled, Laxus had managed the block the attack. His forearm under Thor's hands.
"That all you got?" he mocked.
Thor's eyes eagerly widened as his smile grew malicious. "You will provide great sport indeed."
Kagura slid across the ground on her heels. Her face showing no signs of distress she darted left, running to the side of her armored opponent. She closed in, raising Archenemy overhead and brining it down. Once again it clashed against the solid wood of Sif's blade. Kagura stuck out her leg, kicking Sif in the stomach and sending her sliding back against the stone floor. She rushed to counter, but was stopped by a wall of wooden pillars. Kagura sliced through them with ease, but was irritated to find that their creator was not behind them.
Kagura had been transported to the krigsrummet of Sif, who was revealed to her as the brainwashed Laki from Fairy Tail. Kagura found the revelation of little importance when Erza first told. Whether Laki was being controlled or not made no difference to the Mermaid, she was just another enemy to defeat. Yet she still made a promise to the redhead that she would try her best to bring her guildmate back in good enough health. Needless to say, the battle she was now engaged was currently making that promise a hard one to keep.
The two had clashed blades for the better part of an hour, Kagura finding herself on the offensive for most of their exchanges. It was clear to her that Laki had little to no experience with real weapons, but that didn't make her any less dangerous. What she lacked in sword skill she more than made up for in creativity. Using her wood-make magic to create numerous enough answers to Kagura's Archenemy.
Kagura exhaled deeply as she looked around the krigsrummet, her muscles relaxing. She felt no presence. It seemed that Sif was quite good at concealing herself when need be. "Erza told me who you really are." Kagura announced in the silence. As expected she received no answer. "I would prefer not to cause any more harm than necessary to bring you to your senses, but you're proving to be stubborn." Kagura began to walk around the room, her sword at the ready. "I am not the best when it comes talking to others about…friendship, but I know that somewhere inside is your true self. Your guild is awaiting your return and-" Suddenly more wooden pillars rose around Kagura, forming into a dome that trapped her in enclosed darkness.
Laki descended from the air, her sword growing as she pointed it towards the dome. Before she could finish her attack, the dome broke apart, revealing a waiting Kagura. She looked up at Laki, her sword at the ready.
ARCHENEMY: SHEATHED LONGSWORD TECHNIQUE
With one swipe of her sword, Kagura slashed away nearly all of Laki's armor. The possessed girl gasped, her previously red eyes returning to their natural brown hue as she crashed to and slid across the ground. She would have slammed against the wall had Kagura not reached her in time.
"There. It's done." Kagura heard a click and immediately looked to her right, seeing a wooden door. "It looks like I can finally leave this blasted place." She looked down at the still unconscious Laki and picked her up, slinging her over her shoulder. She then made her way to the exit. "You owe me for this, Erza." She said to herself.
When Kagura emerged from the room and walked the dark stone hallways, she was surprised to encounter Gajeel, Evergreen, and Elfman. Gajeel was carrying the unconscious Freed while Elfman had thrown the defeated Bixlow over his massive shoulders. They had a few cuts and bruises but otherwise they seemed fine.
"Erza's friends." Kagura said as she walked towards the others.
"Hey, it's the Mermaid chick." Gajeel pointed.
"My name is Kagura." the swordswoman irritably corrected.
"Nice to see you made it out ok." Elfman smiled. He then looked over her shoulder. "Is that Laki?"
Kagura turned her head to her impromptu passenger. "Is that her name?"
"Is she alright?" Evergreen asked a bit frantic.
"She's fine. Just unconscious."
Evergreen let out a pleased sigh. "That's a relief."
"I can't believe those jerks turned our friends against us." Elfman said through clenched teeth. "That's not manly at all."
Evergreen pushed up her glasses. "Yes. I would like to give these brutes a piece of my mind as well."
"Have any of you found Erza?" Kagura asked.
The three Fairy Tail wizards looked at one another before returning their gaze to Kagura. Gajeel was the first to answer, shaking his head.
"I haven't seen anyone. These two are the only ones I've seen so far." He pointed to Elfman and Evergreen.
"We haven't seen Erza either." Evergreen answered. "Wherever she is I'm sure she is battling against one of their number like we were."
"Where are we exactly?" Elfman asked as he looked around the dimly lit hallway they were all standing in.
"If I had to guess I would say we are underground. Possibly beneath their guild hall." Kagura assumed. "That must have been where that man transported us."
"Any ideas on how to get out?" Gajeel asked.
"There must be some sort of staircase or something around here. Otherwise how would Fenrir's Fang leave this area with that teleporting wizard's help?" Evergreen said.
"We should get moving before we have to fight another one of these guys." Elfman said. Suddenly he saw Laki being thrown to him. Panicking, he managed to catch her, while also keeping Bixlow steady on his shoulder. "What the hell are you doing?" He interrogated Kagura.
"You three should return your friends to the hideout to recover." She instructed. "I will remain here."
"What do you expect to do?" Evergreen questioned.
"I'm going to find Erza."
"But how do you-"
"Go. We'll take them back." Gajeel said, cutting off Evergreen. "You just find Titania, and look for Salamander while you're at it." Gajeel smirked, which Kagura returned.
"You have my word." With that Kagura darted off in the opposite direction of the Fairy Tail wizards.
"What was that?" Elfman asked Gajeel.
"The hell are you going on about?" Gajeel irritably asked the big man. "We came here to get our guildmates back. As much as I wanna beat in these bastard's faces in, these guys are more important, right?" He shuffled Freed on his shoulders.
"I'm surprised at you, Gajeel." Evergreen smiled proudly. "You have certainly come a long way."
"Yeah. That was a real manly speech." Elfman complimented.
"Shut up and let's go." Gajeel grumbled as he walked past the two.
Lucy and Taurus stood back to back, visually searching around the battle room for their illusive opponent.
"Stay sharp, Taurus." Lucy instructed.
"Mooo! Sure thing, Ms. Lucy." The celestial spirit voiced, clutching his axe tightly.
Lucy was placed in the krigsrummet of Mani, the man who had transported everyone away. His magic was that of transportation, allowing him to summon people and objects from just about anywhere and place them wherever he wished. This proved to be quite the challenge for Lucy, since she literally had no idea what was going to be thrown at her next, or where it would be coming from.
"Surprise!" Mani yelled as he reappeared. He drew back his arm, dropping a table on the pair.
"Where did he find that?!" Lucy shrieked in fright.
Taurus quickly stepped in front of his master, slashing the table in two. However, that was just a diversion. Mani reappeared behind Lucy, kicking her in the back with enough force to send her flying back.
"Ms. Lucy!" Taurus called out.
"I apologize, but you don't belong here, steer." Mani placed his hand on Taurus' back, the pressure beginning to build. Soon a sword appeared in Taurus' shoulder causing him to shout out in pain. He fell to one knee, clutching his wound.
"Taurus!" Lucy cried out as she sat up on her knees some distance away. She quickly grabbed his key. "Go back! You need to heal."
"R-right. Sorry, Ms. Lucy." Taurus faded away, leaving Lucy alone with her elusive opponent.
"It appears you and I finally have time to ourselves. What say we make the most of it?" Mani picked up the sword that was previously in Taurus' shoulder. He held up his hand, summoning a host of swords and spears that fell around him. He flung his arm forward, sending the weapons rocketing towards Lucy.
Lucy managed to dart out of the way of the attack, but not without receiving few scratches for her trouble.
"You did well to dodge that one." Mani complimented as he prepared another salvo.
"Why are you doing this?" Lucy asked. "Why did you kidnap Shizuka?"
"Yggdrasil is important to our master's plans. With her, we will usher in a new age of peace."
"You don't look so peaceful right now." Lucy countered.
"One must not be afraid to travel through darkness to emerge in the light. Now, shall we end this?" Mani summoned more above Lucy. "Goodbye!"
The blades fell onto Lucy, slashing through her body until there was nothing left but…smoke.
"What the?!" Mani shouted.
The smoke dissipated revealing Gemi and Mini. "Got you! Got you!" the twin spirits danced before disappearing.
Mani was struck dumb by the turn of events. "What manner of magic…?"
"Virgo!" the real Lucy shouted from behind him.
"Yes, Princess!" The celestial maid emerged from below hitting Mani with a devastating uppercut. The two-tone haired wizard flew into the air, his weapons disappearing and returning to their original destinations as he yelled in pain.
"My turn!" Lucy pulled out her Fleuve d'étoiles whip. The jet of star water emerged from the handle and Lucy swung her arm upward. Her whip wrapped tightly around Mani's ankle, the blonde swung her arm down, yanking the transporting wizard out of the air and slamming him face first into the stone flooring. Effectively knocking him out and ensuring her victory.
"I won." She smiled. Gingerly walking forward Lucy nearly collapsed from her injuries, but Virgo assisted her just before she collapsed to the ground. "Thanks." She said graciously to the maid.
"My pleasure, Princess." The maid replied. "Are you ok to move on?"
"I have to be. I need to find Shizuka and everyone else." Lucy nodded. The door clicked open. She attempted to move again, but soon fell to her knees due to her injuries.
"Princess!" Virgo called worriedly.
"I'm fine." Lucy reassured. "I just need to catch my breath."
"Allow me to assist in your recovery." Virgo reached into her apron pocket, revealing a small bottle filled with a glowing green liquid.
"What is that?"
"It's a healing oil used in the Celestial Spirit World to heal wounds." Virgo pulled out the cork and poured some on a cut on Lucy's calf. To the blonde's surprise, the injury was fully healed.
"Wow, that's amazing."
Virgo nodded. "It is. Now…" Virgo poured the rest of the oil on her hands before throwing the bottle away. She wiggled her fingers around meticulously, giving her master less than encouraging looks. "Please allow me to heal the rest of your wounds, Princess."
Lucy began to scoot away in fear. She didn't like the hungry look in her spirit's eye as she inched closer. She wanted to run away, but she didn't have the strength. Soon Virgo was upon her, the maid drooling in anticipation. "Stay still, Princess. This won't hurt a bit."
"Stay back! Virgo?! No! Wait! Nooo~!" Lucy screamed.
Natsu darted around the room as orbs of green and black energy rushed past him. He quickly closed the distance between himself and Lopti but when he set up his leg for a kick, the Fenrir wizard faded from sight.
"Stop running!" Natsu shouted into the air.
"I prefer the term strategic retreat." Lopti's ethereal voice answered. He reappeared next to Natsu, blasting his ribs with a fierce black wind.
Natsu fought the current for as long as he could before sailing into a nearby wall. "This is starting to piss me off." Natsu grumbled as he spit out blood and stepped from the hole.
"Oh don't be angry with me." Lopti frowned. "If you like I will allow you one free strike." He held his arms out to his sides. "I will not move. Nor will I attempt to evade. Who knows? You may prove fortunate enough to end this in one strike."
Natsu wiped the dirt from his face and stared down his cocky opponent. "No thanks. I don't like freebies."
Lopti chuckled and lowered his hands. "I believe I am growing quite fond of you, Natsu Dragneel."
"Keep your compliments to yourself." Natsu pushed off of his right leg, his left arm becoming engulfed in flames.
FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST
Natsu lunged forward but Lopti sidestepped. Thinking quickly, Natsu slid on his heels, puffing out his cheeks and turning around.
FIRE DRAGON ROAR
The gust of flames exited his mouth towards Lopti. The evasive man smirked before disappearing into the air once again. "So predictable." he remarked as he floated above the ground.
"Predict this!" Natsu descended from above, his hands forming a ball of fire.
FIRE DRAGON BRILLIANT FLAME
Natsu threw the ball of flame towards Lopti, encompassing the now grimacing wizard in the heat. The spell caused an explosion that kicked up more dust then the room could contain. Luckily the hole Natsu created was able to funnel the dust downward. The dragon slayer looked down the hole for his adversary. "Did I get him?"
"I would think so."
Natsu instinctively jumped across the hole, landing on the other side. To his mild surprise he saw Lopti opposite of him, rubbing the dirt from his tattered shirt and pants. "I found these clothes rather cumbersome anyway."
"What the hell are you?"
Lopti slowly unfurled a malicious smirk. One so vicious that it even sent a chill down Natsu's spine. "Wouldn't you like to know?" He held up his hand and began to twirl it around. "I hope you're ready for my secret weapon." Lopti's body began to spin round, black energy covering him as he darted forward, colliding with the shocked Natsu.
Natsu slid across the ground, but he dug his hands into the floor to slow his momentum and stop himself. Lopti on the other hand was gone. "What just happened?" Natsu asked himself as he scanned the room. "His entire magic just changed." Natsu had little time to reflect as Lopti once again appeared above him. Natsu evaded to the right, causing Lopti to drill himself through the ground.
Natsu heard a rumbling from below and leapt back, Lopti coming up from the spot where he previously stood. This action continued without pause until the room was filled with holes. Soon Natsu was out of places to dodge. He leapt out of the way of Lopti's next drill, but lost his footing when his foot caught the edge of one of the holes.
"Crap!"
"Out of places to run?!" Lopti taunted. He descended from the ceiling, the edge of his drill slashing across Natsu's chest. Natsu staggered back, clutching his wound. He tripped over one of the holes again, but this time his clumsiness allowed him to evade Lopti's strikes. Thinking quickly, Natsu released another Fire Dragon's Roar, but to his shock, the flames were spun away in Lopti's vortex.
"Sorry~. That won't work." Lopti spun away.
Natsu stood up. "Ok." He said to himself. "Let's try this." He saw Lopti spin towards him for the umpteenth time, and cracked his knuckles before holding out his hand. The point of Lopti's drill crashed into Natsu's hand. The pain was unimaginable but Natsu pushed through it. He slowly closed his hand, stopping Lopti's centrifugal force little by little.
"W-what are you doing?!" the now frightened spinner interrogated.
Natsu grinned wildly. "Time to turn this around." Natsu clutched Lopti's leg tighter.
FIRE DRAGON GRIP STRIKE
Flames reaching burning hot temperatures erupted from Natsu's hand, scorching his opponent and sending him flying across the room into a wall. The force of the collision nearly caused the entire room to come down around their ears.
Natsu felt his chest again after his attack. It was still bleeding, but it didn't hurt as much as before. He walked over to the hole in the wall, hearing a faint click in the distance. He pulled Lopti out of the hole by his collar and lifted him into the air.
The defeated wizard smirked. "It seems you are…victorious. Can't say this was an unexpected turn."
Natsu narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about? Were you taking it easy on me?"
"I did nothing of the sort. I gave this battle my all. However, it was foretold to me that you would be the one to defeat me. It was also told that you would be the one to beat Master Odin."
Natsu was unamused by Lopti's cryptic warnings. "What do you guys want with Shizuka?! Why did you kidnap her?!"
Lopti smirked even more. "Again with that word. How many times must we explain that we simply brought her home? Where she truly belongs. One would think her supposed 'friends' would rejoice at such an action." He shrugged his shoulders as Natsu's grip tightened. "Do you really wish to know? I cannot guarantee that the answer will be to your liking."
"Just talk." Natsu demanded.
"As you wish." Lopti began to recite everything in detail about Odin's plans for Shizuka, as well as his true goals. "Yggdrasil is, for lack of an appropriate term, the key."
"The key to what?"
"Valhalla."
Natsu raised an eyebrow. "Valhalla?"
"It is the realm of the gods. The true home of warriors both brave and true. A place where death holds no consequence, where peace reigns, and freedom is both a right and a luxury."
Natsu was trying his best to understand what Lopti was talking about, but he was just drawing a blank. Which in turn irritated him all the more. Lopti continued his lengthy explanation.
"You see, Valhalla can only be brought to this plane by those connected to the World Tree. One whose magic is literally rooted in the earth."
Natsu's began to put pieces together. "So this has to do with Shizuka's plant magic?"
"Precisely." Lopti coughed up a small amount of blood, but smirked through it. "Yggdrasil is one of few individuals throughout history that has this power. As such, she alone holds the key to the gates of Valhalla. Though there is price to pay for those who wish to enter the gate."
"I still don't understand."
"Let me describe it this way. Do you happen to recall any strange markings while you and your friends were in Jergrande?"
Natsu thought back, remembering the marking that Elfman spoke to him and the others of after the parade. "What about them?"
"Those are not just for decoration. When seen from above, they outline a magic circle. One big enough to encompass the entire capital."
"What's Odin going to do with the circle?"
"Master Odin has wished for the past four years to summon Valhalla for one specific purpose: resurrecting the dead."
Natsu's eyes widened in shock. "What...?"
"Using Yggdrasil as a catalyst in tandem with the life force of the citizens of Jergrande, Master Odin will have all he needs to bring Valhalla to Earthland."
"What's gonna happen to Shizuka and the townspeople?" Natsu's mind began to race. From the tone of Lopti's voice, the answer was anything but good.
"Remember that price I alluded to earlier? Here is where it comes into play. Bringing Valhalla into the land of mortals is considered the gravest of sins by the gods, and thus a grand toll must be paid in order to balance those sins. The Gods are all about the balance of society. Personally I find it rather dull."
"Get to the point before I hit you again." Natsu clenched his fist to show he was being serious.
Lopti chuckled. "My, how impatient we are. Very well. The price is that all those involved in Valhalla's summoning will remain forever dead. Meaning that their souls will never reach the gates with the worthy. They will forever be cast into the depths of Hel. Fated to burn for all time."
Natsu's eyes slowly widened in horror. He tried to think of any possible way to justify Odin's plan, but nothing came to mind. No matter how Natsu saw it, a lot of people – including Shizuka – were going to die.
"How many?" he asked low, barely containing his anger.
"I beg your pardon?" Lopti inquired.
"How many people is he going to sacrifice?!"
"Including Yggdrasil, I'd say no less than 900,000. Possibly even one million. The capital houses a good amount of people." Lopti stated nonchalantly.
Natsu clenched his teeth in anger. Lopti found the dragon slayer's angered expression amusing. "I told you that you may not like the answer you receive." He reminded.
"What if I don't believe you?" Natsu interrogated, his grip tightening even more. "You could be lying to distract me and buy time."
"I very well could be. You are more than welcome to believe whatever you wish to. But…" he smirked darkly. "Do you really want to take that chance?"
Natsu contemplated that question for a few seconds. It was true that what he had just heard was more than a lot to take in – especially from and enemy - but Natsu felt that there was at least a small kernel of truth in the words from his defeated foe. Seeing no other way than to confirm Lopti's words for himself, Natsu dropped him back into the hole and ran out of the room.
"Good luck!" Lopti waved with an eager smirk.
I have to stop him! Natsu thought as he exited the krigsrummet. If Lopti was telling the truth, then Shizuka isn't the only person in danger!
-ello! A voice called into Natsu's mind, causing him to stop running.
"Who is that?" he asked himself aloud.
Can anyone hear me?!
Natsu's eyes widened in realization. "That's Hibiki! Hey, Hibiki!"
Back in the hideout, Hibiki and the others let out a collective shout of victory. After hours of trying they had finally broken through to their comrades, even if it was only one. "Thank goodness, someone finally answered." Hibiki said. "How are you, Natsu?"
"A little banged up but I'm fine." the pinkette replied. "Have you talked to the others?"
"Sadly no, you're the only one I've been able to get through to."
"Damn. Hey, I hope you don't mind, but I'm kind of in a hurry so I'm gonna run and talk." Natsu resumed running through the underground hallway.
"Of course." Hibiki nodded. "What happened? As soon as you all entered Fenrir's guild hall we lost contact with you."
Natsu turned a corner. "I don't know for sure. We all got separated when we got in. I had to fight that Lopti guy to get out of the room they put me in."
"I see." Hibiki acknowledged. "I assume the others are in a similar situation. They were ready for us again."
"Looks like it." Natsu nodded. "They really piss me off."
"Have you seen Wendy?" Carla interjected, pushing past Hibiki.
"Yeah, what about Sting?" Lecter added.
"Fro is worried about Rogue." Frosch frowned.
"I haven't seen anyone yet." Natsu answered as he ran down another long hallway. "Man, this place is huge underground."
"Have you found anything out about their plans?" Hibiki asked.
"Yeah." Natsu nodded, his demeanor changing as he approached a set of stairs. "Listen up, because it sounds like this stuff is way worse than we thought."
Back inside the room, Lopti sat in the hole in the wall. Still lying in the rubble, he heard a voice call out to him.
How long are you going to sleep in there?
Lopti smiled happily. "I was just waiting for dramatic effect. That dragon slayer guy is really strong."
There's no time for that. Get up. It is time to proceed.
Lopti rose out of the hole. "Yes ma'am." He saluted as he spun into the shadows.
Erza slashed across Balder's chest with her Flame Empress blade, but once again she was blocked by his steel shield. She flew back with her wings, but was surprised to see Balder already behind her. He's unbelievably fast.
He stepped forward, pushing his shield towards Erza's back. She managed to spin around and parry him, but her maneuver was met with his sword slashing against her arm. Grimacing in pain, Erza pushed him back with a flap of her wings. With a good amount of distance between, the two stared at one another once again.
"You are much more able than in our last battle." Balder praised. "While I value strong opponents, I do not wish to take your life. I again implore you to consider surrender. Live to fight another day. You are highly skilled, but I am the fastest member in Fenrir's Fang. It will only be a matter of moments before I overtake you."
"If I quit now then I can't call myself a warrior." Erza stated emphatically. "My friends are relying on me to defeat you."
Balder let out a mournful sigh. "It is sad to see how short sighted you are. I thought you would understand the opportunity I am giving you."
"You know nothing about me. Keep your assumptions and offers to yourself." Erza readied her blade for another attack.
Balder smirked at Erza's comments. He briefly thought of a girl he had known a long time ago. A woman with beautiful blue-black hair and a defiant grin. "You are certainly strong of will, Erza. I admire that." He also readied his next attack. "Know my words true when I say that I will take no pleasure in breaking you." He raced forward, dropping his sword and grabbing a hammer from the ground. He slammed it against the floor with a thunderous crash. The impact forced Erza off balance long enough for Balder to knock her into the air with his shield. Erza caught herself in midair with her wings, but quickly went on the defensive when she saw another spear flying towards her. She strafed, the tip of the spear grazing her shoulder as she evaded. Not missing a beat she flew towards Balder, her sword aflame.
She swung downward, the flames emerging her blade engulfing all below. Her flames, having become hotter from training with Natsu, melted almost all of the weapons in their path on their way to Balder. Balder held out his shield to block the flames, but was surprised to see Erza's sword tip pointing towards him.
"This again?" he remarked.
PIERCING PHOENIX…
The flame bird encompassed Erza and flowed from her blade from the point of her blade, and engulfed Balder. Once again he quickly covered himself in steel, but he noticed something different this time. The flames…they're dying out much quicker. His eyes widened when he noticed the tip of Erza's blade glowing bright again.
BETA
Another phoenix, much hotter than the first, was released from her blade. This attack burned Balder underneath his armor, forcing him to violently evade. He darted back in into the air in a ball of fire and Erza quickly followed after. She swung her sword downward again, this time breaking through Balder's guard and sending him crashing to the floor.
Erza landed in front of him, her sword pointed at her downed adversary. "Maybe you should be the one to surrender."
The dust settled and Balder began to rise from the rubble, his eyes never leaving Erza's. "That attack surprised me. It was much more powerful than before."
"I can feel the hesitation in your movementss." Erza stated. "I felt it during our first battle as well. You don't wish to fight. If you are a pacifist, why do you continue to battle? Just why is this so important to you?"
Balder smirked at her assumption. "Believe me, I am the furthest thing from a pacifist. I have seen more bloodshed than I have people in this world. As far as my unwillingness to fight you is concerned, that is unimportant. I owe Master Odin everything. He guided me when I lost my way. When I had nothing else to hold faith in he found me a place to belong. I can never repay him for that. Thus I follow his will until he no longer has need of me."
"Does his will include kidnapping?" Erza retorted.
"If that is what he asks of me." Balder calmly replied.
Erza couldn't help but feel a sense of empathy towards Balder. Though not fully knowing about his past, she felt a sort of connection with him. His words. They were very similar to the ones she spoke when asked of Master Makarov and Fairy Tail. That being said, she couldn't let her feelings dictate her actions.
"I must admit. I do feel a sort of kinship with you, Erza. " Balder raised to one knee, placing his hand on the ground. "I hope you forgive me for what my kin and I must do to you and your friends." Balder pressed his hand against the steel floor, the spot under his palm glowing gold.
Erza immediately got on her guard. This magical energy. It's much more intense than before. Is he creating another weapon?
Balder slowly lifted his hand from the ground, a sword with a golden hilt and golden shield emerging from below. The blade and shield were elegantly crafted, the gold trimmings of both glittering in the light of the room. Erza was silently amazed by the craftsmanship of the weapons. She had seen nothing like them before.
"This is the greatest weapon I have designed, Tyrfing." He grabbed the sword's hilt, pointing the tip of the blade towards Erza as he fastened the shield to his arm. "You should count yourself fortunate. It has not tasted battle since the war."
Erza gave immediate response, instead she requipped into her Black Wing armor. "Then I really should count myself lucky." She said facetiously.
"I hope you are prepared for this." Balder stated.
Erza swung her blade, but Balder ducked under her slash with ease. As Erza's Black Wing blade scratched across his shield, sparks flew in all directions. He forced himself upward, causing Erza to lose her footing. He thrust his shield into her face, the impact knocking Erza for a loop. She slid towards the wall, but used her wings to slow her momentum. She had little time to reset before Balder rushed her. Erza quickly took to the air, summoning and then throwing her Black Wing axes at Balder.
He forced the axes to the side with a swipe of his shield. When he was able see again, Erza was a few meters in front of him, in another armor.
Donning her Morning Star armor Erza held her twin swords together, magical energy gathering and crackling at their tips.
PHOTON SLICER
The beam shot forth towards Balder, who simply held his shield in front as the beam encompassed him.
Erza huffed as the beam dissipated.
"It is too early to be tired."
Erza's eyes widened in shock when she noticed Balder standing behind her. She leapt away to a safe distance, but soon cried out in pain when she felt herself being cut along her body. She fell to one knee, her eyes focused on her opponent. When did he strike me? During my last attack? As far as I've seen he has yet to swing his blade.
"Tyrfing is a unique weapon." Balder revealed. "You see it's very indecisive. Choosing neither to solely attack nor solely defend. Instead it does both."
"Both? What do you mean by that?"
"This shield…" Balder held up his defensive item. "It is not a shield at all, but an extension of Tyrfing."
"How can a weapon be both sword and shield?" Erza asked.
"As I said before, Tyrfing is a fickle object. With each strike with my shield, I produced a cut. Just as I defend with my blade, I can slash with my shield."
"How is that possible?"
"I assume you are familiar with the concept of Second Origin, yes? Tyrfing is mine."
Erza's eyes widened.
"Forgive me, Erza." Balder once again got into his battle stance. "But it is past time I put an end to this battle." He rushed forward with incredible speed, quickly closing the distance between them.
Ultear stood up, looking over the pile of unconscious bodies beneath her. "Is everyone alright?"
"Yes. I'm fine." Jellal answered.
"I am unharmed as well. Man." Ichiya spoke up.
"I'm ok." Chelia raised her hand.
"I'm alright, as well." Juvia sighed.
The ragtag group of wizards found themselves transported to a room filled to the brim with members of Fenrir's Fang. Wave after wave of enemies carrying weapons and other tools advanced on them in droves, but the Fiore wizards were more than prepared. They dispatched their numerous foes easily, with only very minor scratches and scrapes for their efforts.
"I'm surprised they could fit so many of them into one room." Chelia commented as she looked around at the defeated Fenrir members.
"It piques my curiosity as well." Ichiya cosigned, rubbing his rather massive chin. "Perhaps they used some sort of secret entrance. Man."
"I heard a sound earlier in the distance." Jellal reported. "That must have been the door unlocking."
"Then we can begin searching for the others." Juvia said urgently, trying to hide her worry. The thought of Gray being in trouble was figuratively killing her inside.
"Then let's move on." Ultear ordered to unanimous agreement. She led the others out of the now unlocked door and took off down the long hall.
"This place is much bigger than I thought." Chelia commented in awe.
"Yes. It certainly is." Jellal nodded.
"I hope our comrades are safe." Ichiya voiced.
"They should be able to take care of themselves for the time being." Ultear said. "Right now we should focus on getting out of here."
Please be ok, my love. Juvia thought of Gray. Not watching where she was going, she stepped on a small black heart on the floor. Suddenly the rain woman was encased in a pink sphere. She cried out, catching the other's attention.
"Juvia!" Chelia shouted.
"What is this? Some sort of trap?" Ichiya questioned in a panic.
"I can't break free!" Juvia shouted as she beat on the sphere from the inside. She tried bouncing against the inner walls with her water body, but that also had no effect. Thinking the others would be caught as well, she shouted. "Get away!"
"We're not leaving you!" Chelia retorted.
"You must go. You could be caught as well. You have to find Gray and the others."
"But…!"
"She's right." Ultear said reluctantly. "We have to keep moving. Whatever trap she's in doesn't look life-threatening. We can free her after we find the others."
Juvia smiled softly and nodded. "Thank you, Ultear."
"Don't. I'm not exactly fond of leaving comrades behind. I promise we'll be back for you." With that, she and the others raced forward, Chelia giving her "love rival" a look of regret before taking off.
Once they were gone, Juvia sat down in her "prison". "I can't believe I let myself get captured like this." She moped. "What would Alana say? Wait…why do I care what she would say? More importantly, what would Gray think?!" Juvia began to panic as she thought of the various unsatisfied looks and comments Gray would give her. You got caught in such an obvious trap. Sorry, I don't like weak girls. How pathetic are you? I can't believe you fell for that. "I'm so sorry, my darling!" Juvia apologized to the voices in her head. Suddenly the sphere began to glow, knocking Juvia out of her illusions. "What's going on?" The sphere glowed brighter, eventually becoming bright enough to where Juvia had to cover her eyes.
When she was able to open them again, she was in another krigsrummet. This one was much more…unique than the one she and her group were in earlier. Whereas that room looked similar to a spacious dungeon, this one was styled like a luxurious lounge. Along the pink walls were rows of red hearts and flower designs. Near the wall in front of Juvia was a lounging couch made of what looked to be elegant red leather. It was surprising to say the least.
"I see someone has finally fallen for my little trap. Good, I was beginning to tire of waiting."
Juvia followed the alluring voice with her eyes until she found its source. To her left sat a woman in another leather armchair. Her legs crossed, her silky, golden, yellow hair flowing elegantly down the left side of her head as she rested on her hand. Her steel blue eyes were focused on her newest guest.
"Tell me most fortunate one. What is your name?" the woman asked with a seductive grin.
Juvia stood up in the sphere, readying herself for a fight. "My name is Juvia Lockser. I am a wizard of the Fairy Tail guild."
"Juvia? That's quite a ravishing name." the woman complimented.
"Who are you?" Juvia interrogated. "A Fenrir wizard?"
"You would be correct in that assumption, my sweet Juvia." The woman stood up, folding her arms under her rather ample bust. Now that Juvia got a better look at her, she could see that the woman was wearing a very slim fitting pink and red sweater dress with a heart shape in the middle. For all intents and purposes she was beautiful, but Juvia could not afford to reflect on that. "I am known as Lofn. Welcome to my krigsrummet." She held out her hands, as if to display the room. "I call it 'Love's Lost Hollow'."
"You set this trap?" Juvia asked, referring to the sphere she was still trapped within.
"I did, but admittedly it took much longer for someone to fall prey to it. Though I cannot say that I am angry that someone so beautiful happened to grace my presence."
Juvia found herself blushing at Lofn's words. It was a bit uncomfortable for Juvia to be complimented by a member of the same sex – especially one she was supposed to fighting against – but she managed to compose herself and keep her words of thanks to herself. "Are we going to battle or not?" Juvia asked with a hint of urgency. She wanted to get this over with and rejoin her friends before Lofn said anything else embarrassing.
"I prefer to fight with words rather than fists. Violence can be such a hateful and ugly thing." Lofn looked over Juvia, and her grin grew wider. "My, this is interesting." She said coyly.
"What do you mean? What is-?" Suddenly the prison Juvia was trapped in shattered and Lofn stood in front of her. Juvia was caught by some kind of invisible force, rendering her immobile.
She slowly fell to her knees, Lofn raising the rain woman's chin with her index finger until she was looking into the Fenrir wizard's lustful eyes. Slowly, Lofn's playful smirk turned into a devilish grin. "Oh, Juvia." She cooed lovingly. To the frozen Fairy Tail wizard's surprise, Lofn's eyes turned from blue to pink. Slowly, Juvia's did the same. "I sense great love within your heart." Lofn leaned down to Juvia's ear. "Tell me..." she whispered. "Who is it that has your heart so entranced?"
Feeling something within pulling her along, Juvia answered Lofn's question. "Gray...Fullbuster..."
Lofn smirked. "I wonder, my dear Juvia...is your love true?"
"Lyon! You alright?" Gray called as he and his fellow ice wizard slid back along the dusted ground.
"I'm fine." Lyon answered. "She's proving to be quite the nuisance."
The two looked forward at their opponent. They were transported to Hela's krigsrummet. The shock of the initial arrival was almost immediate. All along the room were bones and tattered clothes. It was clear that this was the work of the girl's magic. Having rotted her poor victims down to their bones.
"Just be careful." Gray warned, looking at the bones next to his foot. "We don't wanna end up like these guys."
"I don't need you to tell me that." Lyon retorted.
"Please surrender." Hela pleaded. She had been singing this song since Gray and Lyon arrived in her krigsrummet, but they continuously ignored her. "I do not wish to harm you."
"Is that the line you used to fool these guys?" Gray said about the bones. "Sorry, but that's not gonna work."
"I did not do this." Hela denied. "I do not like to harm living things. I simply follow instructions given to me by Master Lopti."
"I'm sure you do." Lyon said. "Are you ready, Gray?"
"Yeah." the Fairy Tail wizard nodded. "Let's go."
Both ice wizards pressed their hands together.
ICE MAKE EAGLE
ICE MAKE LANCE
Streams of iced eagles and lances shot towards Hela. Her eyes glowed red, causing the black winds to rise again. In mere seconds she had destroyed them. Gray and Lyon used to the momentary pause to circle her.
ICE MAKE SPHERE
Lyon clasped his hands, creating an iced dome that captured Hela. Before she could react. Gray made a move of his own.
ICE MAKE: ICE HAMMER
He swung the hammer into the sphere, sending it and Hela into the wall with powerful force. The sphere shattered and Hela fell to the floor. She tried to stand up but was soon advanced on by a tiger made of Lyon's ice. She held her hand up and destroyed it. Finally given a moment to regroup she stood up, her cloak now in shreds. It fell to the ground, and Gray and Lyon's eyes widened in horror at the sight of Hela's full form. Her arms and legs were covered with ghastly cuts and marks. They could even see some cuts on the skin visible under her form fitting black and yellow battlesuit. There was even one on her neck. She resembled a living patchwork doll. It was as if someone had repeatedly cut open and sewn closed her body numerous times over a number of years.
"What sickening injuries." Lyon commented.
"What in the world happened to her?" Gray asked in shock to no one. "Did Fenrir's Fang do this?"
Hela looked up at the pair with a hollow stare, her eyes glowing red. The ice duo immediately got on their guard, it was clear that Hela was no longer pleading for their surrender.
Yggdrasil followed behind Odin through the halls of Asgardia. She had no idea where he was taking her, but somewhere she felt that it was where she was supposed to be, but also a faint sense of dread. Despite knowing that the moment she had been groomed for was approaching, Yggdrasil couldn't help but think back to the Fiore wizards who had come.
Her memories of them told that they were the ones who kidnapped her from Pergrande. Taking her from her friends and family. She knew this was the truth, but she couldn't help but feel something different in the pit of her stomach. There, as far as Fairy Tail was concerned, Yggdrasil felt a soothing warmth when she thought of them. She had seen each of them in her dreams, but instead of the anger and evil she had been told of, she saw nothing but smiling faces and laughter. Both of which she engaged in with them at one point or another. The people she saw in her dreams didn't feel like enemies or monsters, they felt more like…
The pain in her head returned, and she fell to her knees as she grimaced in pain. Odin quickly rushed to her side.
"Yggdrasil! Are you well?" He knelt down, cradling his arm around her back. "We only have a few more steps to go before we arrive. Will you be able to endure until then, my child?"
"I…" Yggdrasil looked up to Odin and nearly recoiled away from him in fright. Instead of the warm visage she had seen for the past few days, she saw an angry and bitter man. One consumed by hatred and power with a rage filled scowl on his face. The mere proximity they were in made her fear for her very life, making her sick. She blinked a few times, the horrible vision fading and the warm man she had known returning.
"Yggdrasil?"
"I…I am fine. Please forgive me, Master Odin."
"It is quite alright, child. I realize that seeing the ones who slighted you demanding you to return must have been a very harrowing ordeal" He stood up, holding out his hand. "Here, allow me to be your steed from this point on."
"That is not necessary, Master." Yggdrasil softly denied.
"I insist."
Because of her vision, she was reluctant to accept Odin's hand, but she nonetheless took it. Odin picked her up, placing her on his back. As they continued down the hall, Yggdrasil couldn't help but feel the fear for her life growing ever larger. She couldn't immediately pinpoint it, but she began to feel a hint of doubt in Odin's words and gestures.
"How dare you defy me, you insolent child?!" she heard a voice shout in her head. It seemed more like a memory than a simple bout of madness. The voice in question belonged to Odin. In her brief moment of clarity, Yggdrasil heard a small voice plead from within. Run away.
Meldy and Pantherlily finally reached the doors of Asgardia, finding them wide open. Pantherlily let Meldy stand on her own feet again before reverting back to his regular form to conserve energy.
"I don't feel anything coming from here." Meldy said.
Pantherlily nodded. "Yes this is very ominous indeed."
The two entered the building, walking into the massive foyer. Once again they found themselves the alone.
"No one is here." Pantherlily stated.
"Ok, this is starting to freak me out." Meldy admitted. "What do you think happened to the others?"
"I have no idea, but hopefully they are alright."
"Your friends are safe." A feminine voice answered. "Well, as safe as one engaged in battle can be."
Meldy and Pantherlily both got on their guard, standing back to back as the exceed returned to his battle form. "Show yourself!" he roared.
From atop the stairs a figure appeared into view. They wore a long black coat, concealing all distinguishing features save for long black hair and a devilish smile. "There is no need for violence." The figure said. "I have no wish to fight you. You are friends of the Fiore wizards are you not?"
"Who are you?" Meldy demanded. "What did you do with our friends?"
"I am known as the Oracle." The cloaked woman introduced. "And as I said before your friends are safe…for now."
"What does that mean?" Pantherlily interrogated, his grip tightening on his Musica sword.
"They are currently battling with various members of Fenrir's Fang, which are proving to be rather grueling for both sides. I wonder who will win…?" she mused.
"Don't you care about your guildmates?" Meldy asked.
"I assist Fenrir's Fang but I am not one of them." The Oracle corrected. "I merely served as a guide. Pointing them in the direction that led them here."
"Then why are you here? Do you want to fight us?"
"Oh, no. I do not wish to engage in violence, but I will share something with you."
"What?" Meldy cautiously asked.
"Everything. The history behind the great war, as well as Master Odin's plans."
Meldy and Pantherlily's eyes widened in shock.
"But why?" Pantherlily asked in shock. "What could you possibly have to gain from revealing his plans?"
"Nothing you would find important. I just think the outcome with such information out in the open would be one of interest to me."
"I don't believe you." Meldy said. "There has to be some sort of catch."
"No catch." The Oracle shook her head. "A friendly ear as all I require." She held out her hand, summoning a black and gold book. "Now, if you would loosen the grip on your weapons, I will tell you a story."
New chapter is up! Sorry if the battles were a bit lacking time around. They were mostly set up to get expanded on in later chapters. As far as the brainwashed trio goes...I honestly drew blanks when thinking of those fights. So I sort of offscreened them, terrible I know, but I will most likely go back and edit this chapter later anyway. Sorry if anyone was disappointed by them.
Now for the big questions:
What is the Oracle's true goal?
Who is the Oracle?
Will Erza be able to defeat Balder?
What does Lofn have in store for Juvia?
Will Natsu reach Odin in time?
Who does Lopti really work for?
Will Shizuka regain her memories of Fairy Tail?
What is Hela's secret?
Who were the other members the Fiore alliance encountered?
Who is Odin trying to resurrect?
Will the Fiore Alliance be able to stop him?
All these questions and more will be answered...in the coming chapters so hopefully you will keep reading. :)
Next chapter we finally get some background on Fenrir's Fang, as well as a glance at the Great War, along with more fights.