Before I begin, I would like to mention that my schedule is getting a little hectic with college starting back up and add that I'm working two jobs. I don't know if I'll be able to get some writing done in what spare time I have left. So, I would like to ask this, would anyone want to help a writer out?

We're switching focus for the next couple of chapters, going from Magnolia and Team Natsu, to what has become of the city which used to be Crocus and those who reside within its walls.

There is a heavy influence for this story from the Mesopotamian mythos, especially from the Akkadian and Sumerian empires.

I will mention that's there a surprise towards the end of the chapter. One which I think you might enjoy.

Ushindeshi: glad you found the chapter interesting. Hopefully, I'll be able to provide more in the future!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail, I only own MY OCs

Hope you enjoy chapter 3!


(New Babylon)

The surviving citizens of the city were hard at work, rebuilding what had once been destroyed in the fires and chaos that preceded the fall of Crocus. Most of what is now New Babylon had been restored, far surpassing the original city that was the former capital of the kingdom of Fiore. In the center of the city was a Temple, resembling one of the ancient building called a ziggurat, stretching far into the sky. Its form was the defining landmark of the new city. As it stood exactly where Mercurius Castle used to stand. The empire that formed, as a result, would call themselves the Ashurian Empire. After the Continent Spanning empire which formed the first true settlements of humanity during the initial period under Tiamat's guidance.

Since Crocus had fallen, the King and Princess fled to Era. Promising that they would return and reclaim Crocus from their new enemy. However, with the current state of Fiore's Military, such an attack would be hard, if not impossible. So for the moment, they resided in Era. Slowly rebuilding their forces for the moment where their enemy might slip up and allow them the opportunity they so desired. But unknown to the king, a single carriage was traveling back to the ruins of Crocus. Carrying someone bound by youthful idealism for the future. Someone who thought that the world this new empire hopes to create will be the idealistic one which they strove to create.

The ziggurat itself was a structure made entirely of a gold lacrima as well as other seemingly rare and beautiful materials. The designs on the face of the structure, as well as the statues which formed a pathway to the entrance, were of the old gods. Ishtar, Ereshkigal, and Marduk were the ones which stood out the most as they were the ones which were right outside the entrance to the palace itself. They were remaining three old Gods and Goddesses who stood alongside their mother in their final moments, back when humanity decided to overthrow them. When the other divinities fell, only the three of them continued to fight alongside her. For that, Tiamat was eternally grateful.

Inside, it was the epitome of perfection. Gone was the twisted and warped reality that was a common sight in the Throne of Creation, and in its place was a beautiful mix of quartz, marble, and other artistic features. Behind the throne was a painting depicting the arrival of Tiamat. Her children which brought about that glorious moment could be witnessed bowing and praying before her. But the throne itself was empty for the time being, as Tiamat herself found it harder than expected to readjust the world she had created to her presence. As the vast majority of her time was spent within the Throne of Creation itself. Watching as her universe turned and bent to the combined will of humanity. Each passing moment was spent planning for the day of her return. When she was ready, the plan would soon be set in motion. The final world she made in this universe would be ground zero for her return.

The old gods who sided with her were more than eager to make their return as well. The vengeance they sought against humanity was only surpassed by Tiamat's twisted desires of love and vengeance. But in their now non-corporeal forms, however, were limited in the extent to which they could extract their desires. What they needed was a host, someone who they could bind their spirits to. Tiamat knew this and instructed all of her children to find a suitable host. Erza had instantly recommended her former rival Mirajane. But as her specialty was in demonic takeovers, that idea was thrown out just as quickly. Demons, no matter the kind, we incompatible with gods. What they needed was someone who had a similar magic signature to the old gods. Someone who shared the same desires as they did.

Irene would suggest a ritual to summon such a being to them. This was the suggestion which immediately drew their mother's silent favor. It could potentially be the quickest as well as the easiest method. As they wouldn't have to resort to unnecessary violence to attain the one in which they sought. Upon further inspection, however, it was clear they lacked the necessary materials to perform the rituals. Under normal circumstances, Tiamat could have easily created everything they required. But since she was still adjusting the very world which had been without her presence for centuries, she was in no position to assist them. Meaning that her three children would have to collect everything themselves.

Erza had volunteered to go to Magnolia, citing that she was aware of one of the requirements residing in that city. She also mentioned that it would be a perfect opportunity to rescue Emily from Fairy Tail's clutches. Freeing her from their grasp and allowing her to freely live alongside them in New Babylon. Something which Eren immediately on board with. To him, her safety was and has always been one of his primary concerns. Ever since he found out about her existence back during Laxus's attempted coup of Fairy Tail. He had done everything in his power to ensure her well-being. That was how important she was to him.

Eren was to go north and gather some of the gemstones which resided in the now-abandoned northern mines. Those gems would be necessary to act as a catalyst for the ritual, allowing it to be performed in a matter of moments instead of days like it normally would have taken. As it was Tiamat's will, he had no objections. Only asking that he bring Sorano along with him, so that they may also search for her younger sister Yukino during their expedition. It was a request that Irene had immediately granted, knowing the promise that Eren made to her all those years ago.

(Northern Ishgar)

The frozen terrain of the north was brutal to anyone who dared to trespass it. Constant winds, over 20 miles per hour, made the air feel far colder than it was. The ground itself was nearly covered in a layer of permafrost. Only those who came prepared for these harsh conditions had the greatest chance of survival.

Having trained for months in similar conditions within the Crystal Plains, Eren felt right at home in these conditions. The cold did nothing to hinder his senses. His relation to the very concept of death itself also helped as his body held no internal temperature. Meaning that he could travel anywhere and pay the ambient temperature no mind.

Sorano, on the other hand, was shivering, the multiple layers of clothing she brought with her wasn't enough to stave away the cold which constantly bit at her from all sides. The gifts provided to her weren't doing anything to assist her either. Her powers over the heavens did little to help her stand against the ambient chill of the north. The only thing they were able to do was clear the clouds above them, allowing the sun to start warming the land around them. But since they were also looking for Yukino as well as finding the necessary gemstones needed to perform the ritual Eren had told her about, she would persevere. She had to, for Yukino's sake.

"Are you sure that Yukino will be this far north?" Her tone was shaky at best. "I don't think she would be able to survive in these conditions." There was a valid point to her argument. Had Yukino come this way, the cold would have claimed her not too long after. It was simply the nature of surviving in these inhospitable conditions. Only those who knew the lands well could live. Survival of the fittest, as it is commonly known.

"I don't know for certain," He would respond, unsure, yet still holding onto hope. "But if she was up here, There are only a few places outside of the mines themselves which would keep her warm enough to survive." The two would continue on their journey, conversing among themselves about what the future would have in store for them. What they needed to do to achieve the world that Tiamat wished for her children.

Soon after, they would come across a small village on the outskirts of where the mine was said to be. Snow, covered the roofs of every building that could be seen within the village. People were walking around bundled in as many layers as possible to avoid potential hypothermia. For the longest time, the chill never made it to this land. But recently something changed and the entire area was suddenly covered in a layer of snow.

"Excuse me," Sorano would ask. "Is there any place we can stay? We're travelers coming from the south." The two of them were questioned heavily by the those they asked, as they wondered why anyone with a sane mind would willingly travel this far north. but once they asked one of the village elders, they were able to find a room on the outskirts of the village itself, close to the mine. This would be ideal as it would make their search that much faster.

It wasn't the most appealing of spaces, having just enough room for a couple of beds and other necessities. But this was more than plenty, considering that they weren't planning on staying there for more than a couple of days.

"I wanted to ask you something. If you wouldn't mind that is." Eren was unusually reserved. back in New Babylon and even before during their time in the Oración Seis he was quite energetic and somewhat childish for a mage. But as she saw him now, he was a completely different person. This was something that made her silently question whether or not the Eren she saw was in fact, his true personality. Such thoughts were quickly pushed aside, Eren was serving Tiamat in his way.

"I know you said that you wanted me to help you find Yukino." Eren would pause, "but other than that, why me? Why did you side when me, when the others were hesitant." it was obvious to both of them as to whom he was referring to. The other members of the Oración Seis. Ever since Tiamat and her children left Worth Woodsea, the Magic council came and arrested the remaining members of the Oración Seis as well as Jellal Fernandes.

"Finding Yukino was the main reason." She would respond. "But I also couldn't stand the way that we were treated in the past. We had been slaves to many masters in the past, I just want a world where I can decide my future." Sorano would develop a smile as she imagined the future beyond the horizon. A world in which slavery is a thing of the past. Magic is only used for the benefit of the many, instead of the selfish desires of the individual. A place where anyone could be themselves, regardless of their station.

"That's why I chose to help bring about the desired future which Tiamat seeks." Her smile warmed his heart. Giving him a reason to smile as well.

"I see, then you share a lot in common with Erza and I. We want to be free as well, masters of our destiny." He would then get up, starting to move towards the door. "Well then, shall we begin our search for Yukino?" Sorano would then follow. There was still much work to be done.

(The Mine)

There were only a few lights strung about the mine, but they were just enough to illuminate the majority of the cavern. The mine itself was sealed many years ago as a curse seemingly appeared out of thin air. Silently affecting the miners to where they could not see the precious ore they were here for as well as binding their spirits to this place once time claimed them.

But since Sorano and Eren were new to the mine, they had the best chance to gather exactly what they were looking for. Diamonds and other magically conductive gems meant to hasten the ritual for the old gods.

Hesitantly the two explored the mine. Avoiding any obstacle, they could, yet ready for a fight should the situation turn drastic. Their steps were silent, barely louder than the squeak of a church mouse.

Unfortunately for the two, a drastic situation soon enveloped them. The darkness which cursed the mine also raised ghosts and other spirits of the beyond to haunt it. Spirits of those who would otherwise pass on into the next world, or into their next life. Only Tiamat knew for sure the true fate of the dead.

Each cursed soul found themselves rushing towards the two servants of Tiamat. Their anger at being summoned was only surpassed by the ever-growing desire to die and pass on. Yet even in this situation, the two didn't move. instead, they had frowns as they quickly understood the cause of what happened here.

"Bound spirits who seek the world beyond the current plane." Eren's voice was melancholy and mournful. "Be not angry at us, for we offer you salvation." Deathly energy would soon envelop his form, as a similar heavenly aura would surround Soriano.

"May you allow us to free you from the bindings of this world and may you be offered solace in the heavens above us." The deathly wave came first, rotting away at the binding chains until all of the present spirits were liberated from the dark.

The heavenly wave soon followed. Dematerializing the now thankful spirits, allowing them the opportunity to finally die.

"Once again, we thank you for your gifts mother. You have allowed us the opportunity to proceed further." The two would continue onward, deeper into the mine. Unaware of the reunion they would await them later on.

(The Mine)

There was a young girl who was lost. Avoiding anything they moved in fear of what would happen to her. She had heard tales about people who went into the mine, never to make it out. This was a fate that the young girl did not wish to befall her. For many days, she hid in the mine. Her search had brought her to this place. Rumors of something that she cared for within her heart was residing here in this near-frozen tundra. But that wasn't the only reason, as she felt the pull to find something hidden within this cave. Eventually, she would find it, a small golden key with a snake extending from the head.

"Are you sure there's anything here?" She would hear a feminine voice in the distance. "I haven't seen any of these gems for what feels like hours." It sounded oddly familiar to the young girl. But in her panicky state, she still hid. Unsure of whether or not they were friend or foe.

But the girl in question would change from scared to joyous as the owner of the voice came into view. It was someone she knew all too well.

"SORANO!" The girl would scream, filling it with all the love and joy she could muster. Many years of her searching through every corner of Ishgar have led to this moment. She found her, She found Sorano.

"Yu-ki..." Sorano would try to respond. Only to be cut off as the crying form of her younger sibling came crashing into her at full speed. Nearly causing the two of them to topple over.

"Big sis," her words were wet with emotion, filled with the pain and sorrow of many sad nights. Nightmares that may or may not end. "You're alive, you're actually alive! I thought I would never see you again." Even Sorano was brought to tears at the sight of her younger sister, Yukino. This was a possibility that she could never have imagined. The mere sight of Yukino alive and well was enough to bring back the emotions she had wanted to suppress during her time with the Oración Seis.

Back then, she wasn't allowed to think of such things, as Brain said that made mages weak. But now, she was no longer bound by his rules. So, the feelings which for so long remained repressed in the back of her mind, suddenly overflowed. Not that she cared, Sorano felt a large sense of guilt and sadness suddenly lift from her shoulders. Replaced with the weight of fresh tears flowing from her eyes. The many years she spent in secret search, away from the prying eyes of Brain and the others. They finally paid off.

"I'm here, I promise I'll never leave you again. I can't bear losing you again!" Together the two siblings would cry into each, relief and joy being the two emotions shared between them. There was no need for anything else. The chill of the air mattered little to them, the warmth of each other's embrace was more than enough.

By some twist of fate, or through the will of a higher power. Sorano's biggest desire had been fulfilled. Her surviving family had been reunited; her younger sister returned to her embrace.

Somewhere, a resting figure smiled in joy. Things were falling into place almost perfectly. Soon this world would submit, the authority which humanity used to have would soon be superseded by its own.


Yukino makes her grand entrance! And in a dark mine of all places. We're going to explore the aftermath of the reunion next time!

I hope you all have a wonderful day, and I'll see you all in the next chapter!