AN: This arc is going to a lot darker than normal. I am earning that Teen Rating here. So be prepared for more graphic content and darker themes. Some viewer discretion is advised.

Nightmares

James found himself in a dark place filled with mist and shadows. The very air was oppressive and suffocating.

"Why do you run?"

James turned to see a shadowy figure behind him. James clenched his fist as he realized it was the same being he was in the Void Realm Zero had cast him into during their fight on Nirvana.

"Why do you run from your past? Embrace the darkness. It is only natural."

"Who are you?" James asked. "Why do you torment me?"

The being laughed. "I am your destiny! Behold your future!" The shadows enveloped James. He screamed and tried to fight them off as they absorbed him. As the shadows covered his head, horrific images filled James' mind.

Before him lay the shattered remains of the Fairy Tail Guild; behind him, Magnolia lied in ruins. A heavy rain washed over everything while thunder filled the sky. James looked at himself in horror as he saw he was in his accursed black armor, Götterdämmerung. The rain was slowly washing the blood from his armor and hands.

James fell to his knees as he saw his allies scattered around him; bloodied, lifeless corpses. Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy, Fairy Tail's great Dragon Slayers, were planted on spikes; Lucy's neck was snapped; Gray mangled. Poor Erza lay at James' feet, a hole in her chest where her heart should be.

"This, this is your future," the shadowy figure said as he emerged from the rain. "You will fall to the darkness that lies within you and you will kill everyone you love." He knelt before James and cupped James' cheek like a loving father. "Give in already and embrace your inner Demon."

Embrace it.

James groaned as his head throbbed the following morning. Erza had already disappeared from his bed. Staggering to the bathroom, James splashed cold water on his face. Whipping his face, he glanced at the mirror. He saw his haggard face and the tortured look in his eyes.

"Don't look at me like that," he growled. He stiffened as his eyes flashed red for a moment. James left the room in a hurry and changed into a different set of black clothes, trying to shave a feeling of dread. A soft knock on the door preceded its opening. James saw Erza enter with a tray of food and a pitcher of water. James immediately grabbed the pitcher and drained half of it. It helped alieve some of the buzzing in his head.

"How you feeling?" Erza asked.

"Lower your voice," James moaned. Erza sighed and also shut the blinds a little.

"It's your own fault. What were you thinking drinking that much?"

"I wasn't. I just wanted the pain to go away."

James grabbed an apple and took a large bite. Erza sat patiently on the edge of his bed while he finished eating.

"When are we leaving for that mission Gramps mentioned?" James asked as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"We're not. Lucy, Gray, and Natsu are," Erza stated.

"What do you mean?" James inquired.

"You and I are going to talk. What is so dark about your past that Gale wants to kill you and you condemn yourself?" Erza asked, concern etched on her face. James sighed and collapsed on the floor against the far wall.

"It's not that I don't trust you Erza, I just don't want to talk about it. Just like I told Gale yesterday, I buried my pain. I don't want to dreg it up. Besides you're one to scold people about not talking about their past. Tower of Heaven ring a bell?"

A knock on the door prevented Erza from responding. Lucy poked her blond head in and said, "Um, you might want to stay up here James. Gale is back and he's looking for a fight. Gray and Natsu are currently holding him off but he says he won't leave until he fights you."

"Fool," James growled. He got up and dug out a rucksack. "How soon can we leave for that mission at Mt. Hakobe?"

"James you are not going!" Erza snapped and moved towards him.

"Please, don't stop me Erza. I can't stay here right now."

Erza stopped and James activated his Schnitter Armor. He disappeared into the shadows and Lucy and Erza were left to deal with Gale.

James stood on the edge of Magnolia. The afterimages of his nightmare were haunting him. It was a reoccurring one that had been progressively getting worse ever since the events of Nirvana. For the moment he was able to bury it so it didn't affect him but every now and then, in those unguarded moments, he found himself dwelling on it.

The fact that there was some dark evil part of him that called for the utter destruction of those he loved, everything that was important to him, scared James down to his bones.

James looked up as he sensed someone approaching. He stiffened when he saw that it as the shadowy figure whom had been haunting him since Nirvana. Only now the being was more defined in figure. James could pick out the outline of black spiked armor and red eyes but the rest of the being was still too blurred to be made out.

"What do you want?" James growled.

The being just sneered and stood there.

"Fine. Don't talk. Just leave me alone. I have enough to deal with right now."

"James who are you talking to?" James spotted Erza as she came up over the hill. She was wearing her armor and had a small cart with supplies behind her.

"No one," James said as the shadow blurred and vanished.

"Are you sure you want to do through with this?" Erza asked concerned.

"Yes. I need a distraction right now." James adjusted his rucksack and started towards Mt. Hakobe. Erza frowned as she watched James. This time of year James always got distant. He became even more withdrawn and depressed. No one could reach him, not even Erza.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Erza persisted.

"About what?" James growled harshly. He winced and gave Erza an apologetic look. She gave him a sad smile to let him know she knew he wasn't mad at her, just mad in general.

"What Gale said. About whatever is bothering you. You were tossing and turning in your sleep last night and you've been distant since Nirvana," Erza explained. James looked away and tightened his grip on the shoulder strap to his rucksack. An image of Erza lying dead at his hands flashed before him.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"What is so horrible about your past that you don't want to talk about it?"

"Drop it!" James stopped in the middle of the road shaking. "Please just stop. You of all people should appreciate someone not wanting to disclose their past. You were never forthcoming with your past and Lord knows I inquired several times when I saw that hurt unguarded look in your eyes. It was the same look in mine on my bad days."

"You're right. I'm sorry. I won't ask you if you don't want to talk." Erza came up beside James and gently took his hand. She gave it a light squeeze and him a slight smile. "I will wait 'til you are ready to talk about it. I know how toxic a bad past can be and how it wears on the soul."

James smirked and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. Come on, let's get going. The sooner we get to Mt. Hakobe and defeat whatever is causing trouble, the sooner we can get to relaxing in a peaceful glen."

Erza smiled and lead the way, gently leading James by the hand.