Disclaimers: I do not own Fairy Tail
A/N: Chapter 2, here we go.
Chapter 2
Virgo Appears
Two Weeks Ago
The combination of the cool night air and his large blanket were in perfect sync as Romeo drifted off to sleep in the comfort of his room. Earlier today, he celebrated his thirteenth birthday, his crossing from boyhood into manhood as many cultures throughout Earthland dictated. Despite the void in his heart knowing that his idol and a good number of his friends weren't there to share in this important moment in the young man's life he nonetheless welcomed what few companions he had left and the gifts they brought to his household.
But now the streets outside his room were shrouded in silence as not a single soul was out at this time of night except for the crickets who sang their song from the confines of the forest as the wind carried it to the canals and streets of Magnolia. The street lights have already been lit and the taverns were the only respectable businesses whose doors were still open and patrons still mulling about though city's laws force them to stay within the buildings' interior or else spend a night in a cold jail cell and wake up to a hot hefty fine in the morning.
Back to Romeo, the boy laid in his bed his mind on the verge of crossing over into the dream realm…
Right before his eyes suddenly snap open and he instantly clutches his heart. Something powerful was nearby. He didn't know what nor did he know why but something of immense might was coming and the pressure that he was experiencing right now was like being at the bottom of the ocean floor; he couldn't breathe and he found it extremely hard to move. It was as though a boulder was lying atop his chest.
A bright light appears at the foot of his bed, flooding his room in a silvery glow and Romeo could barely make out a figure within the midst of it. Feeling the intense pressure suddenly vanish instinctively launches a fire stream from his hand at the intruder only for the figure to calmly hold up its owe hand and stop the stream mere inches away from hitting it.
"THE PACT SHALL BE UPHELD", came a voice that sent a vibration through Romeo's body, rambling every bone within it. Before he could even recover from this though his eyes were greeted to a horrifying sight. From the hand that was currently holding back his spell came a vapor as dark as a moonless night which upon contact with his flames began to turn them black. Not only did the darkness begin to dissipate the flames not long after blackening them but it was also tracing its way down his fiery trail and straight toward his hand.
In a panic, Romeo tries to cancel his spell but finds himself unable to do so no matter how hard he struggled and within moments the darkness had completely done away with his flames and was beginning to crawl its way into his hands as he witnesses his blood veins turns black and he could feel an eerie cold creep through his arm as it made its way up. The boy now tries to shout out for help, something he wishes he would have done from the beginning but the overwhelming numbness from the darkness took away his voice as he opens his mouth but couldn't find even a sliver of it all while the figure just stood there.
Soon his entire arm was cover in black veins and now the darkness and the cold began to creep up his neck and into his head. He began to see specks of black on the outer edges of his vision that rapidly started to expand until his eyes were completely covered and the last thing he heard before he lost consciousness was the mysterious figure speaking once more…
"THE PACT HAS BEEN UPHELD."
Darkness. That was all his mind could comprehend. An empty, desolate, freezing void that he found himself aimlessly floating through. The boy tries to call forth his fire magic to light the way but nothing came when he cast it. He tried with all of his might but still, all he saw was the never-ending abyss.
"Where am I?", he cries out only to hear his voice echo back, "Is anyone there?"
He did not have to wait long afterward though as a massive eruption of light happens some distance front of him and he sees thirteen magic circles coming forth from the dazzling light directly at him at great speeds. Just before they collided with him, he was able to make out what each of the magic circle entail.
Fire. Water. Earth. Wind. Lightning. Toxic. Metal. Plant. Ice. Darkness. Light. Mind. Soul.
Present Day
"Next thing I knew I was being shaken awake by my dad, but upon fully waking up and trying to summon a fireball I came to the realization I could no longer cast fire magic. No matter how many times I try, I couldn't even cast a flicker", Romeo recalls as he told Lucy and the others the story of what exactly happened the night of his birthday in the middle of the guildhall, "And the following morning we discovered Kasai here sitting in the living room with a letter in his mouth and smile on his lips."
"Well, I almost always have a smile on my lips", the fiery kitsune says next to him, startling Lucy, who latches onto Natsu. She, along with everyone else, was still freak out by the fact that the creature could talk, let alone without even opening his mouth.
"Kasai's not going to bite you.", Romeo assures Lucy.
"Unless you want me to.", Kasai snickers, "You Short Lives are into some kinky stuff from what I have seen."
Meanwhile, Makarov was examining the creature with a detailed eye, taking in his features, "Hmm, definitely of eastern origins. I recall seeing murals of these animals everywhere when I went beyond Ishgar's borders in my youth while on a job request. Local legends said that these creatures gave humans the gift of fire in ancient times and were said to be the first teachers of fire magic", he explains before looking at Romeo, "You said he had a letter in his mouth when you first met him, correct?"
Romeo reaches into his vest's interior coat pocket and pulls out a rolled-up worn piece of parchment and hands it to the guild master, who unravels and takes a look at it.
"Huh? Eastern writing?", he says, "How were you able to read this because I'm a little rusty myself with this."
"It translates after a moment", Romeo tells him and sure enough the foreign lettering started to wrap itself into modern Fioran right before Makarov's eyes and he read aloud what it said.
Hear these words, mortal, and hear them well.
I have honorably upheld my end of the pact I made with your ancestor seven centuries ago and now I expect you to uphold your end of the agreement. Just as I have taken care of your family lineage by gifting them powerful magic capabilities you shall now take care of my children.
Consider that pathetic excuse for fire magic you used to wield a thing of the past because all of your magical energy shall be devoted to my children and only my children and you shall know no other magic for as long as you shall live. But worry not, mortal, for I am not without mercy and know that without magic to defend yourself, you will not last long in your land.
Give them a command and they will obey. Call upon them to give you aid and they will protect you with their lives. Summon them to strike down your enemies and they will rain death and destruction upon them but only if you have the ability to make them do so.
The one standing before you now is known as Kasai the Trickster, the Spirit of Fire, the Kitsune of the Flames. He is the first of my thirteen children who will come to be under your tutelage.
Control his playful nature, mortal, before his flames consume all that you hold dear to your heart.
"Kasai, stop!", Romeo's voice cries out and the entire guild turns to see the kitsune lighting the tavern on fire by running his tail across the bottom of it.
"When did he sneak by us?", was on everyone's mind before they jumped into action, with Juvia shooting water out of her hand and dousing the tavern in a tidal wave. Kasai sees the water coming toward him and nimbly evades as he jumps onto the nearest table and leaps over everyone before coming down toward Romeo.
"No, Kasai, no!", the boy screams out but it was too late as Kasai collides with him and sends him straight to the floor with a crash and when the smoke settles everyone saw the spirit sitting on top of Romeo with a mischievous smile on his lips.
"Get off, now!", he orders and Kasai retreats off of him.
"Aw, why you have to be so mean? I was just having some fun to kill my boredom", he said in a saddened tone as he bows his head but Romeo saw through the act.
"No, you're not supposed to set things on fire! We talk about this!", Romeo screams as he gets up and points a finger in Kasai's face, "Especially when there are people around!"
"Fine then", the kitsune said with a huff.
"Hey, Romeo", Lucy says as she places a hand on the boy's shoulder, "Maybe we ought not to try and discipline the spirit of fire or whatever he is in a wooden building filled with people."
Romeo looks at Lucy and lets out a sigh, "I'm sorry. You're right, but Kasai has almost burned down my house four times since I got him and it's starting to wear on my nerves."
"That explains all the smoke I've been smelling recently", Wakaba said off-handily.
"Why don't you just close his gate then?", Lucy suggests only to have Romeo shakes his head at her.
"Kasai just comes back on his own a few hours later", Romeo explain, ignoring the laughter coming from the spirit, "I had to formulate a schedule to where I can send him away, get some sleep, wake up in the middle of the night to dispel him again when they come back, and finally go back to sleep just to some shuteye before he summons himself once again. I have gotten very little sleep over the past weeks."
"He can close the gate whenever he wants with no training whatsoever? And Kasai can come back just a little while later whenever he wishes?", Lucy thought before returning to Romeo, "Do you have any idea about this "pact" thing the letter was talking about?"
Romeo throws a finger and a hard glare at his father across the way, "Ask him. He knows all about it."
Lucy and the others all turn to see Macao scratching his head nervously and Natsu notices Kasai let off a small growl in the direction of the fourth guild master.
"Well, the truth is a lot more complicated than that. Hell, I didn't even know about it until my father told-" he began.
"Tell us the whole story, Macao", Master Makarov says.
Macao looks toward Romeo who was still glaring and back at the guild master before sighing, "Alright, alright. Remember when I first join Fairy Tail and told you that my family line originating from the Far East."
Makarov shrugs, "To tell you the truth, I vaguely recall that conversation. I believe it after you and Wakaba had your first fight with each other and I was punishing you the both of you. I had you two tell each other about yourselves so you could get on friendlier terms with one another if I recall correctly."
"Good times", the Smoke Mage chuckles.
"Yeah it was, but anyway, I told you that my family came across the eastern mountains of the Pergrande Kingdom about three hundred years ago and that our surname use to be Konboruto", Macao states.
"Konboruto?", Levy questions, catching everyone's attention, "As in the legendary elemental Konboruto's mages of Eastern Earthland?"
"The very same", Macao answers.
"You are from that family line?", Levy asks as she points at him.
"I can't tell if I should feel insulted or flatter by the tone you're using", Macao comments with a scowl, "But anyway, Romeo and I belong to a branch of that line that split off from the main family and came to the west. The name was changed to Conbolt upon them settling in what is now present-day Stella."
Makarov nods and then turns his attention to Levy, "What do you know about the Konboruto? I don't recall hearing about them during my travels in the eastern lands."
Levy shrugs, "From what I read in encyclopedias and whatnot, they used to be the top magic family over there in the east; producing mages who were so powerful in the ways of the elemental magics that a number of them held positions in royal courts across the region simply due to their abilities. Royals scholars, generals, advisors, you name it someone from that family held it. But in the past hundred years or so, they have fallen from grace and prestige for some reason."
"That's because the pact was getting closer and closer to being fulfilled", Macao answers in a tone void of emotions, "At least, that's what my father and grandfather told me."
All eyes were on the Fourth Guild Master now as everyone waited for him to continue.
"It was on the eve of my thirteen birthday when I was pulled aside by the both of them and told the origins of our family's expertise with elemental magic", Macao began, "How one of my ancestors made a pact with the Elemental Spirit Emperor."
"The Elemental what now?", Gajeel questions, "Who the hell is that?"
"The Elemental Spirit Emperor is the older brother of the Celestial Spirit King and technically what you would call my uncle", a voice says from behind Lucy and she was surprised to turn around and see The Maiden Celestial Spirit standing behind her.
"Virgo? Where did you come from? I didn't summon you.", Lucy asks but is stop by Virgo holding up a hand.
"I felt a strong spiritual summon that wasn't of a Celestial Spirit appear near you and thus I was given permission by the Celestial Spirit King to investigate. But before all that, Princess", Virgo says before engulfing Lucy in a tight hug.
"Ack?!", was the mage responds to the uncommon show of affection from the maid.
"It's good to see you again after all these years, Princess", Virgo says with sincerity instead of her usual nearly emotionless voice.
Lucy was momentarily taken aback by the statement but after a moment returns the hug to the Celestial Spirit, "It's good to see you too, Virgo."
"Look, this sappy reunion is great and all, but we are kind of in the middle of something here", Gajeel grumbles only to get a nasty look from Levy in response.
"Hey, Digger Chick, long time no see!", the kitsune speaks up toward Virgo and the maid releases Lucy to kneel at the fire spirit.
"Kasai-sama, I am honored to be in your presence once more", the maid greets, "Whatever you need from me you need only ask and I shall do so."
"You got it!", came the response as the fire spirit nods his head.
"Virgo?", Lucy says while looking back and forth between the two of them, "You guys know each other?"
"Princess, Kasai-sama is one of the thirteen elemental spirits and thus someone who I must show utmost respect to. He and the rest of his kin are older than the Celestial Spirits by countless millenniums, born before this planet even took shape", Virgo explains from her kneeling position before turning an eye up at the kitsune, "By your leave may I arise, Kasai-sama?"
"Of course you can" as he gives another nod.
"Thank you", and Virgo rises off of her knees and turns to face Lucy, "Kasai-sama is a powerful spirit indeed. Whoever is able to summon him must truly be a summoner with great magical potential."
"Ahem", someone coughs next to Virgo and she turns to see Romeo standing next to Kasai, "That would be me."
The room is eerily quiet as the maid stares at Romeo and then Kasai, blinking her eyes every few moments.
"Um, Virgo?", Lucy finally asks.
"Princess, is this what you humans call a "jest" or a joke if you will?", Virgo says while pointing at Romeo, "Truly there is no way a human of his magical level should be able to able to summon let alone control someone like Kasai-sama."
Romeo could feel his annoyance starting to rise at the insult and Kasai started to let off a growl next to him, directed at Virgo.
"I thought this child was nothing more than a fanatical servant of the pink-hair dragon slayer from all my past observations of him", Virgo carried on.
"Don't you think you're going a little far there, Virgo?", Lucy question, hoping to calm the situation before it got out of hand.
"Clearly there's some sort of a "prank" as you humans call it, going on and this boy is just the centerpiece of it, his magical ability so pathetic that-", Virgo finishes just in time to feel a chill traveling down her back and she turns to see Kasai slowly stalking toward her, his eyes now open revealing molten red irises while his claws were extended and his teeth were bared. His tail began to flare up and soon almost all the members of Fairy Tail except for Natsu and Romeo felt like they were being smothered by the heat that was coming off of the beast. The floorboards underneath him started to burn away and everyone in the vicinity immediately put some distance between them and the spirit.
"Kasai, stop it right now!", Romeo shouts as he snaps out of his own anger and the kitsune instantly reverted back to his prior form, the sheer heat he was giving off earlier now gone as if it was never there and his eyes close once again.
Lucy is surprised to see Viro instantly go to the floor on her knees, her forehead touching the floor and her hands stretch out toward the elemental spirit as her whole body shook.
"Forgive me for my insolence, Kasai-sama! I did not know that this boy was truly your summoner!", Virgo shouts in a voice that Lucy has never heard her use before. It almost sounded like she was afraid. But that was impossible, Virgo wasn't afraid of anything. But her voice along with the expression on her face told Lucy otherwise.
Kasai merely glares down at the maiden before opening his mouth.
"You know, I was trying to be nice at first, hoping that you learn your lesson from last time but apparently I was wrong!", Kasai snaps.
"What is he talking about?", Lucy wonders.
"I don't care much that you're insulting the Kit but insulting his magic ability is also indirectly insulting me and making it sound like I'm some spirit who can be summoned so easily by anyone! Therefore, you will remove yourself from my sight at once or else a certain Lightning Spirit will hear about this!", he screeches and Romeo turns to look at him with a stun expression.
"Yes, Kasai-sama! At once!", Virgo says before standing up and facing Lucy, "Princess, I'm afraid I must depart earlier than expected once Kasai-sama's displeasure toward me has passed."
"Huh?", is all Lucy had time to say before Virgo began drilling into the ground and disappearing from her sight, leaving a giant hole in her wake in the middle of the guild hall floor.
"Oh, come on! Right in the middle of the guild hall? You were like ten feet from the door!", Macao wails at the damage that was caused by the Celestial Spirit.
Lucy ignores the man and looks at Kasai, then Romeo before looking down at the hole the maid spirit just made, "What just happen?!"
"The Celestials have gotten quite ballsy in recent centuries", came the reply as the kitsune turns his head up in a huff.
A/N: Konboruto is the Romaji name for Conbolt according to the Fairy Tail Wiki. Also, there are 13 main Celestial Spirits, (yes, Ophiuchus is a Celestial Spirit) and therefore there are 13 Elemental Spirits. More information about them, the Elemental Spirit Emperor, and the pact in the coming chapters if I press on with this story.