Chapter 89:

Lisanna leaned against the wall of her cell, staring at the ceiling dejectedly. She gave a fruitless thug at her restrains and huffed in anger. She was stuck here while who knows what happened to Elfman.

The quiet of the cellblock she was in suddenly shattered as she heard doors open. There was a shout from one of the guards, joined by two others that were down here but just as suddenly as they started shouting, they fell silent. Something wet hit the floor and she suddenly became aware of the footsteps that echoed loudly in the sudden silence. Something was still dripping on the floor and she moved to look what was happening. Just as she pressed her hands against the bars a severed head dropped in front of her and she gave a shrill scream, not even realizing the shadow that had carried the head.

"For gods' sake, brat!" Gajeel yelled at her, "What's up with you girls and screaming?!"

"You did just drop a head in front of her," Lily supplied dryly and Lisanna gaped at them, relieved at seeing the two like she never thought she would be. "Gajeel! Lily!"

Gajeel smirked at her, breaking the lock on the doors of her cell easily. "What are you doing here? Did they capture you as well?"

"Souleater made sure they have their hands full," Gajeel grinned, braking through the magic restrictors on her wrists. "Natsu?! He's here as well?"

"Came here to rescue your sister and Ultear," the iron dragon slayer explained as the two made their way out of the cell. Lisanna paused, eyes wide, "Mira?!"

"Natsu's looking for them," Lily assured her, glancing at the other dragon slayer to keep him quiet. In truth, they had no idea where the dragon way. His scent was in the halls, but faint and quickly disappearing. All that was left in his wake were corpses of the weaker demons that resided in the place. "He's going to tear this place apart until he finds them, you know that," Gajeel told her and the three paused by the door, the dragon slayer glancing around the corner to make sure it was empty.

"Are you okay?" he asked finally, glancing at Lisanna, noting the hand-shaped bruise on her throat. She nodded, "I am… they caught Elfman as well! Did you see him?"

Gajeel scowled, "Elfman too? Fucking bastards"

"We haven't seen him," Lily said, "You're the first we found"

"Come on," Gajeel whispered as they rounded another corner, "We have to keep moving"

Natsu broke the neck of the last demon that guarded the doors. He slipped into the room before the demon even hit the floor. For how many guards there were… this better be something important.

A wicked grin stretched his lips as he took in the empty room and he knew immediately that he found the control room. It was about bloody time that he found something useful. Maybe the place even had a map or some sort of clue where they kept the wizards of his guild. His grin widened ever so slightly. 'Tartaros has no idea what they did. They attacked my family. I will show them why dragons are feared'

He sniffed the room, making sure once again that it was empty as he slowly crept to the center of it and to the glowing blue console. He had never learned much about technology but he made it a point to know as much as he could about anything that could come up in a mission. The technology was a rather common sight much to his chagrin. He worked through the files slowly, making sure that he didn't trip over any alarm someone might've put up.

But there weren't any, he quickly realized. 'They must've thought it unnecessary. Who would be crazy enough to attack them, after all?'

He chuckled to himself, any trace of dry humor disappearing when he managed to find what must've been their goal. He was fairly certain he paled, staring at the screen. Jellal was wrong. They were not after the Face. Even though it was mentioned. They were after something called 'Blade of Ankhseram'. And anything with his name was bad news. It was something that would allow them to tear down the barrier between Underworld and Mortal World. The magic council had it sealed, in the same manner, that they did the Face – which was why it was mentioned. A living link of three council members. Three lives as three keys. Natsu looked at the names on the list, barely aware the one hand that was gripping the table had made the marble crack. Crawford managed to find who the keyholders right before Mira and Ultear came.

Natsu felt sick and he looked away from the screen, looking down at his own hands. He all but killed the last keyholder. Crawford was more than likely still alive but it was only a matter of minutes now before he perished and the Blade was unsealed.

And… and the gates of hell will be opened. Lady Fate and Luck truly messed up his life. They must be laughing their asses off right now. He was only glad they didn't seem overly interested in Face at the moment. He looked at the last keyholder of the Face seal and Jellal's image stared back at him.

He sighed, cursing under his breath as he continued to read what he could find of their plans. Which was when he realized that even they did not know what exactly were they dealing with. All that was written was 'The Underworld King knows'. Natsu stared at the words, wondering who it was referring to. Zeref? Ankhseram? His fingers itched to find more but he had to hurry. There was no telling when he will be forced to either fight or leave this place and the moment that happens, he will make sure this console is not usable anymore.

He found the map of the place, even more glad about it after realizing the place was one big labyrinth.

And then he realized the coordinates that had been changing since he reached the place. This had to be wrong. But it wasn't. He knew it wasn't because he opened the map when he saw them, staring at the map of Magnolia, and at the moving red dots he knew were Fairy Tail mages.

He watched the screen, wide-eyed. How did they manage to mark every last one of them? Their magic signature? Must be. And before his eyes, the red dots started disappearing from the map and he felt his heart skip a bit as the number kept getting smaller and smaller.

He enlarged the building almost frantically, unable to believe that Tartaros could kill them all this quickly. The stone under his hand broke off as he breathed in when he realized the dots were so close to each other they looked like one in several places. And then the ground beneath his feet shook, the vibration of what must be an explosion rocking the Cube just as it passed over the guild. He cursed his lack of hearing even as he tried to hear something.

But the screen did not tell him what happened.

All it did was show him as one red dot in the gardens of the guild flickered out of existence.

His expression darkened dangerously, magic boiling under his skin and he smashed his fists into the console before he jumped back from it and took a deep breath. "Chaos dragon's ROAR!"

By the time anyone entered the room Natsu was long gone, leaving only smoking ruins and a hole in the wall through which the setting sun coated everything in a burning red. He knew where Mira and Ultear were. And once he gets them back, he will turn this thing into nothing but dust and ashes.

"Let go of me!"

"Arthur, there's nothing you can do!" Wendy spoke, tears trailing down her cheek as she held his hand, "She… She's gone"

Cana stayed silent, picking up the last of the cards that held the injured members inside. She looked up at the shadow above them, glaring at the source of all their misery. "How do you know?! Maybe she's alive! Maybe she's just trapped underneath the ruins! ANNIE!"

Wendy bit her lower lip, looking at the ground. The teen tore out of her grip running towards the ruins of the guild, stumbling on his way there as he choked on his own tears. Another sob left him as he collapsed in the entrance and he tried to pull himself up only to double down and throw up, whether from grief or poison neither of the girls could say. "You should go up there," Happy told them in a small voice, sniffing back his own tears while he handled the cards he was holding to Carla. "Master and the others need help and Arthur's in no condition to fight. I'll stay with him and make sure he's okay"

Cana seemed to hesitate, looking at the teen that was once again trying to climb to his feet, pushing away Wendy who tried to help him. She nodded after a moment. "You're right," Cana sighed heavily, her hand waving through the air and Wendy gasped as she was summoned into the card, a moment later Cana did it to herself as well and Carla picked up their cards. "Be safe, Happy," Carla whispered to the blue feline and Happy gave her a watery smile that did not quite reach his eyes. "You too Carla"

"Annie! Can you hear me?!"

"ANNIE!"

Carla bit her lower lip, taking off and Happy moved to Arthur, catching the stumbling teen just as he slipped on the rubble. "We'll find her, Arthur," Happy promised. The blond teen sat on the ruins, green eyes filled with tears as he looked at Happy and then at the sky. The Cube above them made his expression turn murderous and Happy couldn't help but stare at him.

"CURSE YOU! YOU FUCKING DEMONS!"

Part of him wanted nothing more than to go up there. But the larger part wanted to see it. Wanted to make sure that there really wasn't anything he could've done. He pulled at the debris, moving half of it with debris and half with magic. Happy helped, silently staying close to him and helping as much as he could. Arthur whipped his eyes with the back of his hand, trying to get the tears out of his eyes but he gave up quickly at the futile job and continued to work, sobbing and half bling by his own tears.

Keyes looked at the ruined room with wide, black eyes. "He did this… before anyone managed to get here"

"I opened the doors before the last piece of the ceiling fell down and he was gone already," Silver shrugged, "I'm telling you, the guy can teleport"

"We underestimated him," Kyôka admitted bitterly, "But that doesn't mean that he will not die just as all the others will. Humans are weak"

"Ah, but he isn't human, is he?" Silver noted and Keyes looked at him, eyebrow raised under the golden helmet. Kyôka turned to stare as well. "How do you know that?"

"I fought him longer than you did, Kyôka," Silver reminded her, "He held his own against Franmalth and me and managed to kill Franmalth. Had you not arrived… I do not doubt I would've followed quickly. He is no human. That form he took was not take-over. I sensed traces of Curse in it"

Kyôka tensed, eyes widening under her own helmet. "That's not right. That couldn't be right"

"And why not?" Keyes wondered, clutching his golden staff with both hands. "Because he's a dragon. He can't be a demon as well"

Silver gave an annoyed sigh as he stared at the two demons. "How ignorant can you be?" he ignored Kyôka's glare. "Natsu Souleater. The strongest mage in Ishgar. Son of Acnologia"

Kyôka and Keyes stilled. "What?"

"I wasn't sure it was him. I half hoped I was wrong. But after our fight. After what you just said," Silver shook his head, "I am certain that's him"

"I must say, Kyôka," Silver told the green-haired demoness as she clenched her fists by her side, "You just might've angered the wrong guild"

"They are humans," Kyôka hissed, "They are nothing but ants!"

An alarm blared before she could continue and she cursed, "What now?!"

A foot soldier presented the answer as he burst into the ruins of the room. "Lady Kyôka! Mages are attacking! Fairy Tail suddenly appeared on the bottom!"

Kyôka growled and turned to the two members of the Nine. "I will take this to the Lord. You two go and get rid of this infestation"

"Your target is Seilah!"

It was almost too late to turn. Almost. A wicked grin spread over Ultear's disfigured face as the spear in her hands crumbled to dust even as she continued her downward motion towards Mira. She landed on two hands, lifting herself above the white-haired witch and twisting in the air, the other pair of hands already reforming the golden orbs and twisting them towards Seilah that stared in open shock.

"Ice-make: Rosen Krone!"

The sharp ice twirled towards Seilah before the demon even managed to think properly and she was sent flying back, gashes covering her form as the icy thorns ripped her skin.

"You!" Seilah growled, eyes zooming in on Mirajane who managed to pull herself to her feet, hand wrapped around her aching side. Mira gave her a cold smile, "Me"

Seilah sent another blast of energy at Mirajane only for the white-haired girl to be carried to safety by the four-armed demoness. Seilah was forced to move back as Ultear advanced towards her, "Oracle! Stop!"

"My name is not Oracle!" Ultear hissed, her movements not even slowing down and Seilah looked back at Mira wide-eyed. The mage was sitting against a tank, panting and obviously injured, one hand still clutching her side but even in her condition, she managed to overpower Seilah's Macro with her stolen one. Seilah couldn't help but shiver as the feeling of dread suddenly started growing inside her. 'These humans…'

"You will not win, humans," Seilah warned them as she deflected one of Ultear's fists and twisted into the other demon, burring her elbow into her while bringing her other hand up, palm facing Ultear and before the Time wielder could respond a blast of energy sent her flying back. "As long as we have Hell's Core! As long as we have our Lord, you will not win!"

"Hell's Core?" Mirajane whispered, her eyes widening. "This place," Seilah revealed, gesturing to the lab around them, "As long as we have Hell's Core we are immortal"

"I wouldn't share that with them until you're certain they will die, Seilah"

Mira jumped to her feet, turning to look at the tank she was leaning again. A one-eyed demon she had thought unconscious stared back at her, his eye curling in a smile. "How much will that mistake cost? How much?"

Seilah frowned, turning to look at Franmalth, "They are no threat"

She barely even finished saying that when Ultear's heel buried into the side of her head, sending her flying through one of the tanks. She twisted her hands, not even landing yet and pointed them at Seilah, snarling, "I'll show you who's not a threat! ARC OF TIME: PARALLEL WORLDS!"

The two orbs hovered above Ultear's palms a moment later multiplying around Seilah before they rushed forward, all in a span of a second. The purple-haired demon didn't have enough time to move completely, the orbs slamming into her and she was sent flying further back.

"Hell's Core is this room?" Mira finally spoke, her expression darkening and Franmalth gave a nervous laugh. "These demon-controlled tanks?"

Seilah was standing again, though it was obvious the demoness was struggling to do so. "What are you -?"

One by one the tanks started exploding, the blue-green liquid and glass flying everywhere. Seilah screeched in response, rushing towards the other woman only to be intercepted by Ultear, "Get out of my way!"

"You will pay for what you did to me," Ultear hissed, ducking under Seilah's hand and slamming her head into the demon's jaw. Before Ultear could stand straight a beam of purple energy shot above her head and Ultear dropped further to the ground, rolling away.

"Satan Blast," Mirajane finished, the last of the tanks and the last of her magic leaving her as she dropped to her knees. Seilah's smoking, headless corpse fell down with a heavy, dull thud.

"Mira!" Ultear yelled, rushing towards her, stumbling over her own feet in her haste. "I'm fine," Mira told her with a small smile, "Just… spent"

Carla landed on the underside of the Cube with a surprised yelp. She did not expect the gravity field. Nor did she expect the dozen sharp, pointy objects pointed at her head when she landed.

But the Tartaros soldiers did not expect the sudden reappearance of Fairy Tail mages from the cards in the cat's hands.

"Sky dragon's ROAR!" Wendy yelled the moment she was out of the card, sending several of the soldiers flying in seconds.

"What the -? Where did they all come from?!"

Makarov flexed his fist, a thunderous expression on his face. "What you did to my family is unforgivable"

"We are here for our friends," Erza told them, hand outstretched beside her as a sword appeared in her hand. "And we are not going away until we have them and you are dust. Requip: Heaven's Wheel Armor!"

"Fairy Tail!" She rose the sword into the air, "ATTACK"

The Tartaros soldiers needed a moment longer to respond, too stumped by the sudden assault to properly respond but as Fairy Tail started tearing into their numbers they shook themselves out of their stupor, responding with a battle cry of their own.

Elfman stood in the middle, surrounded by his guildmates. His skin pale and eyes wide as he looked at his own hands in horror. "What have I done?"

"It wasn't you," Cana told him, her voice sharp. "It was my hands that did this!" the man yelled back, tears gathering in his eyes. "I could've killed someone! If it wasn't for you I -"

He stopped, felling ready to throw up at Cana's face. "Cana… did I kill someone?"

The brown-haired mage didn't respond, looking away and focusing on Laxus and the Thunder tribe. "Cana! Who?" Elfman begged for the answer desperately.

"We are not sure yet," Cana tried to say and Elfman took hold of her shoulders, shaking her, "For gods' sake Cana! Who?!"

"Annie wasn't in the guild… She was on the grounds and… Arthur and Happy are looking for her"

Elfman let go of the card mage as if burned, stumbling back before he sunk to his knees. "No… I… what have I done? I… I killed a child!"

Cana scowled, gritting her teeth as she took hold of Elfman's shoulder. "We don't know if she's dead yet, Elfman," the fact that she most likely was did not need to be voiced, "Are you admitting Tartaros beat us?"

"What? No!"

"Then get up and fight! You maybe didn't manage to protect everyone but you sure as hell can avenge them!"

Determination set into his haunted eyes and Cana felt herself breathing easier despite everything. He gave a decisive nod to her and stood up, his body twisting into one of the beast souls before he rushed at the Tartaros members, tearing at them without hesitation, fury, and grief in his every movement.

"We need to get to the top!" Makarov commended, his titan form slamming another demon into the ground.

Natsu rounded another corner, any thought of stealth abandoned as he tore through the demons that appeared in front of him. He will not wait a moment longer than necessary to reach Mira and Ultear. He waited too long. He just hoped he was not late.

The ground under his feet lurched, shaking and trembling.

'Earthquake?'

But it couldn't be. They were in the sky. The Cube would not respond to the shifting of the earth… but it would respond to magic. He scowled, pushing forwards despite the trembling that made it hard to walk. Crawford is dead then and the seal is lifted. Whatever that Blade is, Tartaros succeeded in unlocking it at least.

They will not use it if Natsu had anything to say about it. A new scent caught his nose and he spun around just in time to see doors close and the green-haired demon who looked at him with wide eyes. She swallowed, moving slowly and her mouth moved as she spoke – what, Natsu did not know. But he knew her scent. This was the demon that blinded and deafened him. "And here I was worried I'll have to search for you myself," he told her, relishing the moment in which she realized he could see her. Her eyes widened and he could easily read 'How?!' from her lips.

He didn't give her a moment to respond, rushing at her too fast for her to respond. "Chaos Dragon's Iron Fist!"

He hit her jaw, lifting her feet off of the ground and Kyôka slammed into the wall. Natsu allowed the momentum to carry him as he finished the half-circular motion, pushing himself into a full circle as he jumped at her, "Chaos Dragon's Claw!"

His heel connected with the top of her head even though she put her hands up in an attempt to shield herself from the worst of it. The helmet she wore shattered on impact and startled blue eyes stared back into Natsu's furious gaze.

But it was a different type of fury than the one she had witnessed when she saw him in the hallway for that brief time. It was the type that did not cloud one's judgment but made him stronger. It was the cold, shimmering fury hidden behind an impassive face she had seen all too often on the face of Mard Geer. And though she would never admit it, it terrified her.

She managed to dodge the next hit, still feeling the skin being peeled off as the Chaos energy brushed against his shoulder. Her talons extended, aiming at Natsu's unprotected side that was left from his overextended punch. The dragon twisted in mid-air like he was reading her thoughts and grabbed her talons in a vice-like grip, pulling her towards him with such strength and speed Kyôka had trouble responding.

"Chaos Dragon's Crushing Fang!"

She gasped, blood bursting from her mouth as the attack connected with her stomach. She would've been blown right back into the wall had Natsu not kept such a tight grip on her hand. She scowled, glaring at him. A mistake. "Pain!"

She saw how he tensed at the barest touch of her other hand and knew it had worked. Why he hasn't released the claws that had already pierced the skin was beyond her. "So, it's not just the senses?" he mused and she couldn't help but wonder how did he manage to get his sight back. She was fairly certain he was still deaf. She twisted in his grip, the pain such an action caused him enough for him to slacken the grip he had on her and she pushed away, landing heavily onto her feet.

"It is a shame you can't hear me," Kyôka told him, fully aware she was mostly talking to herself, "But I will not risk making you stronger just to satisfy my own curiosity. Lord Mard Geer already showed me the error of my ways for letting you get away the first time"

"Chaos dragon's -"

Kyôka's eyes widened as she looked for a place to dodge. They were fighting in the hallway after all and if she was right in what was coming then she did not want to stay in its way. Her eyes landed on the doors she came through and she threw herself at them.

All this happened in the spare second it took Natsu to draw in enough breath, "ROAR!"

Kyôka stared at the twirling energy as it raged only a few inches from her feet and she pulled herself deeper into the room, only to jump back in surprise as the dragon emerged from the still raging energy outside.

He landed on one foot, spinning already, "Chaos Dragon's Claw!"

She dodged it, rolling to the side as her talons extended again and slashed at her enemy like a whip. She concentrated, blue spark flying down her talons as they connected with his back and his sensitivity to pain grew again. She allowed herself a smug smile. Dragon or not, he will fall. Demons are the superior race! He hissed, jerking back but even with the awkward movement, he didn't slow down, turning back towards her like a well-oiled machine. "Chaos Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Her eyes widened again and the feeling that she was out of her depth returned with vigor. "What are you?!"

He stayed silent as his fist connected with the tiles in the room after Kyôka barely dodged. She twisted out of the way of another attack before the dragon jumped far too close for comfort and started throwing punched and kicks with such speed and strength Kyôka could only raise her hands above her head and try to move away. "Why are you not on the ground in tears from the pain?!" she screamed at him when she managed to jump away. She stared at the spot where Natsu should've been. But he was gone. Where the fuck did he go?! She looked around frantically but she didn't have to search for long as a hole opened above her head. "Dragon Slayer's Secret Art: Crimson Lotus: Black Apocalypse!"

He erupted from the Void in red-and-black, eyes glowing from within the cloud of magic around him as he slammed into Kyôka with the strength of a meteor. The demoness choked, blood flying out of her mouth as the two slammed into the ground and the floor crumbled on the impact and the two continued as if it wasn't even there, further through the Cube. Kyôka couldn't do much but stare wide-eyed at the red-eyed dragon, feeling as her skin was shredded from the corrosive, ferocious magic.

They broke through the last level, the fresh air feeling like sharp teeth on her skin. Instead of falling further into Magnolia, the two were dragged down onto the Cube thanks to the artificial gravity and Kyôka rolled away from the dragon, bouncing off of the hard rock several times, unable to control her fall. Natsu landed on all four with a grace that should not be possible and looked at her down his nose, lifting his chin. The look on his face made blood freeze in her as she struggled to even lift her head. She couldn't let him get close.

"It's Lady Kyôka!"

She blinked, turning to look slowly at their surroundings. They had landed right in the middle of the battle between Fairy Tail and Tartaros. There was something disgustingly poetic about it.

Natsu moved towards her, intent on finishing her off when the demons around him started to swarm him. He will not let them stop him from finishing off one of the Nine. Not after what she did. There was a sudden 'pop' and Natsu almost stumbled in his next attack as the sound suddenly returned to him. He still gripped the face of the demon in front of him, the slight pause in his movements the only sign how much the return of the sound disoriented him, "Chaos Dragon's Grip Strike!"

"It's Natsu!"

"Master Natsu!"

He glanced behind him, blinking in surprise to see the rest of the Fairy Tail there. How had he not noticed them? No time for that now. He twisted on his heel, "Chaos Dragon's ROAR!"

The sounds of battle suddenly stilled as the roar ripped half of the Tartaros' forces into pieces. "Natsu opened the way! Let's go!" Makarov yelled, jumping into the hole Natsu made, other members slowly following him. "It's good to see you in one piece," Jellal suddenly appeared beside him as the two pushed another pair of demons away. "I should be the one saying that to you," the dragon prince spoke, head briefly twitching towards the smoking ruins of their guildhall.

Jellal grimaced, "We were getting worried when you didn't come to our welcome party"

Natsu didn't respond, twisting in a half-circle as Chaos energy exploded from his arm, clearing the way in front of them and giving him a clear look at Kyôka.

Or where she had been a moment before.

He scowled, growling low in his throat before he turned to the hole his attack left. He didn't have time to go chase her down. He needed to get back to finding Mira and Ultear. "Let's go," he told Jellal who glanced at him. He must've noticed the urgency in his tone because he followed into the hole without hesitation and Erza joined them a moment later.

"Master," she greeted with a smirk, and Natsu couldn't help but return it.

"That will take some getting used to," Jellal muttered as Natsu took lead and started moving in what seemed like a random direction. "You're telling me," Natsu agreed quietly, twisting around another corner.

"Did you see Gajeel and Lily? Or Lisanna?"

Natsu didn't pause in his near sprint at Erza's question, "They captured them as well?"

"Lisanna was captured and Gajeel and Lily went after you when you sent the coordinates," Erza explained as the three came to a halt when they entered a room, several dozed soldiers raising their heads to look at them. Natsu glared at them, hands and feet alight with magic, "Out of my way"

Jellal and Erza barely had time to cast a spell as the room exploded in Chaos energy. It filled the room from floor to ceiling and the two mages rose their hands to their faces instinctually to shield themselves from the raging magic. The magic that didn't hurt them.

Jellal lowered his hands with a blink, watching as the last soldier hit the ground. The bodies littered the ground, their corpses smoking and skeletal as if the flesh and muscle had been burned away from their bodies. Natsu glanced back at the two, eyebrow raised as if asking them 'You doubt me?'. "I control the Chaos," he told them, a glint of something in his eyes as he clenched his fist, and magic burst around it. "The last side-effects of being dead for five months wore off," he continued, a sinister smile lifting his lips, "And Tartaros will taste the full extent of my powers as I turn every last one of them to dust"

Jellal couldn't help the smile that stretched his lips either and Erza followed soon afterward, cracking her knuckles. "We're right behind you, Master"

Natsu's smile widened and Jellal would've sworn the temperature in the room spiked. The three continued their mad dash through the corridors, cutting down demons that got in their way while barely slowing down.

"You know where Mira and Ultear are, don't you?" Jellal asked and Natsu nodded, "I managed to find the map of the place… I didn't plan on getting there from the bottom but then I ran into Kyôka. Luckily I have a good memory"

"You found a map?"

Natsu nodded, "In the control center. I had been searching for any clue about their -"

He stopped so suddenly that the two mages barely avoided crashing into him. "Is something w-"

"They are not after the Face, Jellal," he told the mage, glancing at the two over his shoulder. "They are after something far worse"

"Worse?" Erza echoed, "What could be worse than something that will kill every mage in Fiore and take away the magic from the continent?"

"Tartaros is planning to tear down the barrier between Underworld and us with something called Blade of Ankhseram," Natsu told them, entirely too bluntly as far as Jellal was concerned because he felt as if someone punched him in the gut.

"Have you heard of it?" the guild master asked, and Jellal shifted as both Erza and Natsu leveled him with an intense stare that seemed to be able to read minds. He worked his jaw, biting the inside of his cheek before nodding, "Yes… I don't even know what it is. Until now I didn't even know what it does. Truth to be told all I do know is the name," he dragged a hand through his hand, "I thought it was a legend"

"Apparently it's not," Erza said, looking at the window and glaring at the setting sun.

"All I know is that it's old… older than Magic Council"

"But Magic Council goes back to the Dragon Wars," Erza objected, "That would mean that -"

"The Blade was not made by the Magic Council. They were just guarding it," Natsu finished for her, "Do you know where it could be?"

Jellal shrugged, "I'd say Ishgar but… well that's about as accurate as I'm comfortable saying"

Erza looked down at her own sword, clasped firmly in her hand, "A Blade that can reshape reality"

Natsu didn't comment, turning towards the hallway one more instead, "Let's go, we shouldn't be far now"

Gray stopped dead in his tracks, an iron sword embedded into the wall inches from his nose.

"Gray?"

Gray blinked, turning to look at Gajeel's dumbfounded face and at Lisanna's wide eyes behind. He scowled taking a step back from Gajeel's arm as he pulled it out from the wall and let it return to normal.

"Watch where you point that thing! You could've cut off my head with that!"

Gajeel shrugged, as if that wasn't what almost happened, "Well I didn't"

"Yes, thanks to my reflexes, not your idiocy"

"Who're you calling an idiot, Ice-brain?!"

"You, Tin Can"

Lisanna stared at them, blinking in shock. "Guys, you shouldn't fight at a time like this"

"You should listen to your lady friend," the new voice made all four of them turn as one to the newcomer. "A… skeleton?" Lily stared.

Gray and Gajeel looked at each other, nodding in unison. There will be a time to continue bickering when there wasn't a demon right in front of them.

"Ice-Make: -"

"Iron Dragon's -"

"CANNON!" "ROAR!"

The attack connected without the demon even trying to dodge it and the two smirked. An expression that quickly disappeared when the demon's voice drifted to them again and they saw his upper body floating above the area where the attack connected. "I am Keyes," the demon introduced himself, "Lady Kyôka instructed me to find the intruders and remove them"

"You know Gajeel," Gray started, lowering his stance. "This brings back memories"

Gajeel smirked, knowing exactly what the other mage was talking about. "It's not Laxus we're fighting now"

Gray chuckled, "Thankfully"

Keyes frowned, "You should not underestimate me, humans. Your tale will end here today"

"The only tale that will end today is Tartaros'," Gray growled. "Ice-make: Hammer!"

The ice construct appeared instantly, slamming on top of Keyes who disappeared in purple particles, moving to the side only for Gajeel to appear in front of him, "Iron Dragon's Club!"

Keyes moved back and Lisanna dropped above him, passing through his head in her tiger form. She jumped back as a tendril of purple magic shot after her. "This is ridiculous! It's like fighting a ghost!"

Gray was scowling, "Not ghost necessarily. Juvia is similar"

"He's right," Gajeel spoke, glaring at Keyes who seemed content to just watch them.

"You're awfully confident in your own strength for someone who has yet to make a move," the dragon slayer shot at the demon. Keyes moved the staff in his grip, the jingling sound it made almost jarring in the hallway as it echoed.

"You should not be so eager to meet your demise"

Gray slammed his hands into the ground, ice exploding around Keyes before the demon even managed to finish his sentence. "Quit your yapping"

Gajeel looked at the frozen demon, "Well that was easy"

The ice shattered and Keyes stared at them, unimpressed.

Lisanna glared at Gajeel, "You just had to say it!"

"How is this my fault?!"

"Can everyone hear me? Are you all alright?"

Natsu stopped, pinching the bridge of his nose. He turned to look at Erza and Jellal who nodded. He brought two fingers to his forehead, "I hear you, Warren. Erza and Jellal are with me as well"

He listened carefully as members quickly called in.

"Gajeel here. I'm with Lily, Gray, and Lisanna. We're – ugh – having some issues. But it's all under contr – stay still you bastard!"

Natsu had to admit it was a relief to hear the dragon slayer. He had wondered what became of him ever since Jellal mentioned him. They were in a fight but it didn't sound like they were in danger. Gajeel and Gray can take care of themselves.

But it was nothing compared to the relief that almost brought him to his knees when he heard the next voice, "Ultear and I hear you loud and clear"

Several voices echoed his sentiment, "Mira! Ultear!"

He swallowed, licking his suddenly dry lips, "Are you alright?"

He did not like how much it took the white-haired mage to answer. "We will be. We defeated one of the Nine demon gates. We're safe now, just tired"

"I'm almost there Mira, Ultear," Natsu told them, already moving again.

He could almost hear the smile in her voice as she answered, "That's great news, Natsu"

"Fairy Tail," Natsu spoke and as one everyone fell silent on the link, "Tartaros' plans are more dangerous than we thought. They plan to -"

"Dad…", that was Arthur's voice that interrupted him, Natsu realized with a start and any relief he felt at hearing Ultear and Mira left him at the tone of the young man's voice, "Annie… The explosion… She's gone… She… They…"

His heart must've skipped a beat at that moment as Arthur trailed off, obviously sobbing. The dot he saw disappear on the grounds as the guild exploded. He could see it again as it flickered out. His stomach flipped and he had to swallow down the rising bile. This couldn't be happening. How did this happen? It must be a mistake. But Arthur's sobbing was still fresh in his head, echoing along with that dreaded bit of news. He swallowed again, his eyes stinging. He furiously rubbed them.

He won't do anyone any good if he loses his composure now.

"You're an awesome dad, and you would be a great Fairy Tail master"

He already failed as a father. It was the parent's job to protect their children. But he will not fail as the master of Fairy Tail. Annie believed in him. And he will make her proud. Blaming himself for her death will not help. It wasn't his fault. It was Tartaros'. They crossed so many lines by now that Natsu lost count but he will make them pay. He will destroy them, their legacy, and the memory of their existence. He will reduce them to nothing.

His fists clenched at his sides, magic dancing over his shaking form and he was not even aware of Jellal's and Erza's mournful silence behind him. He brought two fingers to his forehead, ready to relay the plan the demons had. First, he will crush their plan.

Sudden static filled his ears and he hissed, eyes ablaze. What now?!

A man sat on a throne in an empty room, legs crossed and head resting on the fist, one elbow planted on the arm of the throne, the other holding a book. "Lord Mard Geer did not expect this," the man told with a slight smile, his furious eyes betraying the seemingly calm face. "But Mard Geer will adapt. Tartaros will witness END's light and we will return to Zeref"

He brought two fingers to his forehead.

"The guild of wizards, Fairy Tail,"

There was a sudden silence on the other end but before he knew it the humans started talking, all as one demanding answers. Mard Geer almost scoffed. Lower than ants, and they demand answers.

"I am the King of the Underworld, Mard Geer"

He opened his mouth to say more but one voice rudely interrupted him. He scowled as every other voice fell silent. A human dared to interrupt him?

"You are no king," Mard Geer's hold on the book tightened at the insolence, "You are neither a Demon God nor are you Zeref"

"And who are you?"

"I am Natsu Souleater. Son of Acnologia and Master of Fairy Tail. And you managed to make me furious."

Mard Geer paused. He recognized the name of the wizard as the one Kyôka spoke of. She said nothing about Acnologia.

"You will be a son of no one soon enough," Mard Geer finally spoke, "Your anger is of no importance for you and your guild will die today."

"Alegria"

He removed the hand from his forehead, a smile stretching his lips. The humans were arrogant. Mard Geer will teach them a lesson.

He ran a hand over the edge of the book in his hands, talking to himself even as he felt the ground beneath him shift.

"Mard Geer is a great tactician, humans. And this minor setback is just a point. Our plans will proceed as planned. We will bring forth the world of Zeref's dreams. We will return to Zeref's side and He will cleanse this plane of Humans that pollute it"

He could hear them scream as the ground beneath them and the walls around them turned to the guts of Plutogrim. He could hear their soldiers. Collateral damage. Their numbers will be greater than the stars in the sky when Mard Geer's completes his plan.

Plutogrim shifted and the ground finally stilled.

Mard Geer's eyebrow rose. "Oh?"

"Someone escaped Alegria?"

His smile widened.

End of chapter 89.

Another Sunday, another update. I have to say I have not had this much fun writing an arc since 2015. I do hope it is showing in the quality. And if not in quality it is definitely showing in how often I update XD. The next chapter is already in the works and a lot of questions will be answered then.

Now I want to hear how many of you saw this coming? It is incredibly satisfying to tie up so many 'loose ends', let me tell you. And to finally bring some of the plans I had for years to 'paper'. Years, my dear readers. Years! In any case, I would truly appreciate some feedback about this chapter. A lot happened and your response right now may very well influence the fate of some characters and maybe even the ending of the story. I've always tried to listen to what you guys have to say and work your wishes the best I could into the story. The more you enjoy reading it, the more I enjoy writing it :D

Thank you all who took the time to leave a review the last time, I truly appreciate it ;)

Anyway, please review and thanks for reading :)