Chapter 12: The Masters

Lyon

I didn't have any idea what was going on. My world stopped as Oultilissa pushed me into the Fairy Tail infirmary. Gray stood there, completely fine and wearing only an open white jacket and no shirt as expected. But Lucy didn't look so lucky. What did that have to do with me? Even still, knowing that there was indeed someone that was hurt made me gulp. This was serious.

The older black haired woman with the group of Fairies addressed Natsu and Lucy, "Why don't we move out to the lounge area we claimed? We should give them some space."

The three mages, and exceed, left with Oultilissa behind them. Leaving Gray to stand alone in the room. But that's when I saw her. Blue hair matted down as she sat up in the medical bed with pillows to help prop her up.

"Lyon?" she called.

"J-Juvia…? Gods, you… Are you… What happened? What's this about, Gray?" I croaked, my voice not seeming to want to come out as sentences could barely form.

My magic brother passed his hands through his hair in a nervous habit sort of way and replied, "Lyon, you can't tell anyone that you know. But…"

I insisted, "But what? Please, just tell me!"

He sighed and answered, avoiding eye contact, "Lucy and Juvia were the ones that were attacked the other night. Gramps and Anastazia put us all into lockdown. There's a monster out there, and who knows how many people he'll use or kill."

I was once again finding it hard to speak, "U-use…?"

"It's a blood demon. It drinks its victim's blood. Lucy wasn't used for more than that… But…"

The pieces clicked as he said it… Lucy wasn't used for more than an appetizer, but Juvia was used in more ways than one… No… Why…? How could this happen?!

"He RAPED Juvia?!" I screamed in despair. Tears streamed down my face as both of the mages in front of me nodded to confirm. I sobbed, "How could this happen? Why would this happen?"

"J-Juvia's fine, Lyon. She doesn't remember anything. Nothing a few days' rest can't fix."

Her words fell on deaf ears. I felt distraught. And confused. And so unbelievably angry.

Gray… I approached him, lifting him up by the collar of his white jacket, and my voice sounded so foreign as it growled, "Why didn't you prevent it?! You're supposed to be protecting her!"

He hung limp in my grasp. His eyes were blocked by his dark hair. That's when I realized a single tear rolling down his cheek. It hurt him just as much, if not moreso, than it did me. Slowly, I set him back down on his feet. We stood there, not saying another word. But that was all we needed to communicate with one another.

Whoever did this was going to die for what he did. Anyone who hurts Juvia would pay. He'll pay with his life.

"Lyon…" a voice sounded behind me. I whipped my face with my sleeve and turned to see the older ravenette. "It was no one's fault that this had happened. It couldn't have been prevented. Both Juvia and Lucy will be healed up and at least able to look like nothing happened after the guild masters have all gathered. Not a word on the topic unless it is public information, understand?"

I stood there, feeling weak in the knees. Was this all really happening? I realized she was waiting for an answer, so I nodded my head. It was hard for me to think straight.

She added towards the group, "Thankfully, we got a hold of Crime Sorciere and they will be joining us at nightfall."

Gray sighed heavily beside me and I turned to look back at Juvia. She looked so… broken. Not exactly physically, although her skin was far too pale and there were bandages all over. Just because she didn't remember anything that happened didn't mean she wasn't affected by what happened any less.

"You sure you're alright?" I asked, but my voice came as a whisper.

"Yes, Lyon. Juvia is fine," she responded.

She seemed genuine enough. So I walked over to her bedside and kissed her forehead. My voice became more gentle, "Don't scare me like this again, understand?"

Juvia nodded, "Juvia will try."

I backed away, noticing Gray's fists clenching from my proximity to Juvia. He'd always been protective of her from me. Juvia has always been his. My heart still held her very important to me, but I knew where the line was. I'd normally cross it to get Gray's pants in a twist, but this was no time to get him riled up.

"When Jellal gets here, you think you can stand on your own for a short time? We will be having the meeting in a lounge Mira picked out for us," the older mage asked Juvia.

"Yeah, that sounds nice, actually," Juvia replied.

"Good to hear, but don't you over stress yourself. If you're in any pain, tell me and I'll nullify your nerves enough to take it away for the most part. You have two strong boys here to support you, so don't be shy if you need it."

"Yes, Ma'am," Juvia nodded.

A man with violet hair peaked through the doors, "Just got word from Lily that Crime Sorciere is in Magnolia. Jellal will be coming to the guild alone for the meeting. Meredy wishes to stay in an undisclosed position nearby. Having the magic council knowing about the guilds gathering makes them anxious."

The ravenette smiled, "Thanks, Hon.," then turned back to us. "I'm going to go out and meet our guests. Go to the lounge and take a seat with Natsu and Lucy. The masters will be called shortly."

Before she left, I asked, "What's your name? You're one of the new members, right? The healer?"

"Anastazia, and I am. Like I said, the two will be healed as soon as the meeting with the guild masters ends. If we had healed them before, the masters may have doubts about the situation. This isn't to be taken lightly, as you well know."

"Yes… That makes sense," I spoke. I stood stiffly, tense about the whole situation.

"And Lyon, if the masters ask you to leave, then you must do so, understand? You were lucky enough to be approved by Master Mokarov, but if the other masters don't want you to be there for the meeting, then you'll have to leave with my daughter."

"I'm assuming you mean Oultilissa," I put together.

"Yes. I'll see you in the lounge in about twelve, then," she finished, leaving the room silent.

Gray put a hand on my shoulder, "We should probably get movin'."

I nodded, "Right."

We both assisted Juvia in getting up off her bed. She was taking her time and it took her some effort in getting her legs under her. It was obvious that she didn't want the help, but she just huffed and let us anyway. She didn't have enough strength, or was too sore, to stand on her own so she didn't have a choice in the matter.

Gray wrapped an arm around her waist with her arm around his neck for support, and I took her arm to be sure she wouldn't fall. Each step was delicate and we took it slow. Despite her being healed, the bruises on her hips seemed to still be painful for her.

When we arrived in the lounge, Natsu and Lucy were talking quietly on one of the couches, and Erza and Jellal were in a corner. Gray rested Juvia onto the couch with Lucy and sat beside her. She gave a reassuring smile to us both, indicating that she didn't need us anymore to stay where she was. I kissed her hand and stood back, letting Gray have a little more time with her before the guild masters would show.

Their faces were so close, I could almost feel the tension and it made my face change color. I wished Juvia would look at me the way she does to him. That woman deserves the world. And she deserves retribution from the one that sinned her. But, maybe even above that, she deserves Gray to give her that straight answer. Watching them was frustrating. Just kiss already!

It wasn't long until the seven allied light guild masters joined the room. Anastazia, Oultilissa, and a slim ravenette joined the room as well. I stood behind the couch behind Gray and Juvia, being joined by Oultilissa and the ravenette. Anastazia stood next to the Fairy Tail Master as the group of people settled into the spread lounge chairs. Chatter and conversation filled the room.

Oultilissa greeted me kindly and introduced the ravenette as her husband, Will. I offered my hand in greeting, and he shyly returned my greeting. The two new Fairies leaned down to talk quietly with Gray and Juvia. It was obvious to me that they had already become close. Something about Will told me I was glad he wasn't in the Grand Magic Games. He seemed oddly powerful for someone so skinny.

Mokarov jumped up onto an ottoman in the center of the room and announced, "There is a serious matter." The room quieted down as their attention centered on the Fairy Tail master. "My two kids, Lucy and Juvia, were attacked two nights ago. Now you may think it's an over reaction just because two of our members were roughed up a bit, but I assure you that there is good reason."

My master, Ooba, yelled, "Get to the point or I'll spin you! And why's Lyon and those newbies here?! I thought this was a private masters meeting!"

"They have already been informed on what happened," Mokarov answered. "Anastazia has been the greatest help of all. She and her brats are important to the topic. The two girls were attacked at night by a blood demon. Lucy was dragged and bitted, but not further harmed. However, Juvia wasn't as lucky. This creature is out lurking around Fiore, waiting for the next couple of girls to use and move on. We can't let this creature out using the kingdom's women as an appetizer or its own amusement!"

A strange woman who I connected to be the master of Mermaid Heel gasped, "That's awful!"

The master of Blue Pegasus added, "Horrible! Oh, I can't even imagine!"

Quatro Puppy's master then questioned, "And how are your new members important, exactly?"

"Anastazia is a brilliant tactician and healer," Mokarov replied. "She has been in charge of taking care of Lucy and Juvia since they got in. Her daughter and son-in-law, Lissa and Will, were the ones to find them. In addition, Will and the rest of our new members have much knowledge on blood demons."

Jellal raised a hand to his chin, "How so?"

Will spoke, "Because… I… I am one. I know its kind more than anyone… because I am a vampire."

This surprised me just as much as the rest of the guild masters. A demon… standing right next to me? Could he actually be telling the truth? Of course he was, but I just didn't want to believe it. How could I when Gray seemed to trust the man with relations to what happened to Juvia?

"Please don't make the assumption that I'm responsible! I swear to you all that I am not," Will continued, his voice pleading as if he was desperate. His wife held his arm and Juvia's hand rested on his which gripped the couch behind her. "I understand if you feel apprehensive of me; I would be as well."

Juvia trusted him. She was comforting him for being a monster. I don't know this guy, but it was obvious that he was too strong to be normal. He was Deliora…

Sting burst, "How do we know you're tellin' the truth?! There's no way to tell that it was a "blood demon" nor is there a way that you could be one! They don't exist! You're lying!"

"Lucy," Anastazia stepped forward. "Why don't you show them the one on your left shoulder?"

"Yes," Lucy answered, lowering her shirt sleeve past her shoulder and unraveling her bandage. Her skin was black and blue and in the center was a large U shape of punctures. It was obviously a bite from some sort of animal.

"Blood Demon Hell Swords," Will chanted, casting the spell to form five frozen blood red swords around the ottoman the Fiary Master stood on. He cast this spell with a single hand, palm straight out infront of him.

The master of Twilight Ogre, Banaboster, then questioned, "And just how do we know that it wasn't him, hua, hua?"

Will walked around the couch to stand behind Lucy, "Lucy, would you mind if I attempted to see if my jaw could match your bite? I promise I will not do anything further."

The blond spirit mage nodded, "Of course."

I couldn't believe she would let something like that wrap its jaws around her so openly. It defied all laws of survival. Natsu's fists clamped on the couch as the masters watched in awe at the sight before us all. Will's mouth grew huge as his jaw seemed to unhinge unnaturally like a snake's. Even still with how wide his mouth became, it was obvious that the bite on Lucy wasn't from Will. The teeth marks were more far apart than his teeth actually were.

"I couldn't have been the one because my mouth's too small," Will breathed as he retreated from his position. His eyes turned death black and his fisted hands clenched white.

Jellal spoke up, "And what do you want us to do about this… rouge blood demon? Do you have a plan of action?"

Anastazia took the spotlight, "I do. We asked for you to bring your top members of your guild here to be as a collected force. A select group will be going out into Fiore to search for him in hopes to catch him before any more damage can be done. In the meantime, we will try to learn as much we can about this demon and prepare all of the capable mages in order to be able to fight him. For now, we know too little to stop this demon as we are, so the quicker we can learn then the better. Being separated could only make it easier for him to take us down one by one, but being organized and contained will make it harder for him to find a weak link. I understand that there may be some hesitance to join this fight, but the safety of all of us, wizards and normals alike, is more important than trouble with association."

Jellal nodded, "I will inform Meredy that we will be staying here for some time until this situation is dealt with."

The guild masters contemplated the situation. I was surprised when I first heard mention of Crime Sorciere joining the reunion; especially when the Magic Council was also told of this threat and the need for special attention on Magnolia. The ex-criminals were always on the run from the council. I only knew them because of Urtear; she'd stopped by my place once or twice in the past few years.

The master of Mermaid Heel exclaimed, "Hold on, you're just going to do what she told you to?! She hasn't even been a member of Fairy Tail for a week! I thought you were Jellal Fernandes, the most wanted criminal in Fiore! You don't listen to anyone!"

"Her words travel as heavily as my own," Mokarov declared. "Her tactical advice could almost rival Fairy Tail's very First Master. She has military experience, and experience on vampires."

Strangely, the Fairy Tail wizards looked distracted towards an empty spot in the room. The master excused himself and talked lowly with the Fairy mages. The disruption didn't last for long and ended as Oultilissa left the room, waving embarrassed towards the group.

As if nothing happened, Anastazia announced, "Are there any questions? We are trying to maintain the situation to the best of our ability, and encourage you all to communicate to us your concerns. I can assure you that any information we learn through the next few days will be evaluated and calculated in order to best lay a resolute efficiency against this foe. I ask of you, guild masters, to consider our cause and provide us with the support of your mages and your trust."

"I suppose…" started the master ofTwilight Ogre, "You will have everything under control then…"

"I'm still uneasy with this situation," Quatro Puppy's master added. "Not having a solid footing on what we are dealing with makes it hard to make a decision. However, I suppose that having our guilds united for this will be for the best to keep the kingdom safe."

"You have my support, Moki," came Blue Pegasus' vote. As did Mermaid Heel, "Agreed."

Sting hesitated, "I'm sorry to hear about what happened to Lucy and Juvia, but how can I be sure that staying together as a target won't get us all killed? Every part of this just sounds crazy to me!"

My master yelled, "I still don't understand how that brat Lyon is involved in this!"

"I understand your concern, Sting," Anastazia answered, ignoring my master's brash outburst. "I have dealt with vampires for twenty-six years, and defeated many beasts similar to one we face now. My last encounter some years ago, my family made the decision to split up and we paid greatly for the mistake. If we are to split up our forces, or our guilds, then there is no telling who or where our enemy will attack. By the time we realize, it will be too late. Staying in a large group would prevent our enemy from taking our weak links in our defenses. Lives may be lost, and we can not afford the time to play around and pretend that something as dangerous as this isn't out there."

With the persuasion, Sting retreated back to his previous position, "I… Understand…"

"Seriously! Why's that brat here?!" the old hag called again, disturbing the rest in the room. She could be so embarrassing sometimes.

Fairy Tail's master cleared his throat, "Well, he is Gray's brother and very close to Juvia. He has a right to know about what happened to her and how we will be handling the situation."

Master Ooba frowned, "Fine. I suppose that Lamia Scale will support your wishes as well." Without a threat of spinning, I knew she was serious.

"Thank you all for agreeing with us for this," Mokarov concluded. "The unknown is a dangerous place to tread. I believe training should start right away, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes. I will train a small group of already capable wizards to form our group leaders. Selection for this will start soon, so nominations for your most capable wizards would be appreciated," Anastazia lastly announced as the guild masters began to file out of the room. "Jellal, you and Meredy are invited to our first training session. I have heard much praise from Erza, and others, of your skills."

Jellal nodded, "Of course. Meredy and I will be there."

With that, the room emptied to have only Fairy Tail members, and myself, left in silence. Having all of the light guilds, and neutral guild, involved in this would call for an unstoppable force of mages. If this demon wasn't such a monster, I'd have thought it would be overkill.