Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any pop culture or classical references. All original plots and characters are mine.
In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.
PREVIOUSLY, on Fairy Adventure: a horrible auction goes horribly right for the right people, but are these people the right people? Meanwhile, Julia can't take the mental strain of Shamballa's pressures and succumbs to a needed cry, but in turn, she's benched from Operation: Save Royalty. Vinyl meets Vespers in one last showdown, but all it does is question the type of person her ex-fiancé was. It looks like Fatimah has finally been let in on the plan to escape with her Slayer, but with her father's threats hanging in the air, it's becoming a battle of will.
"Inshallah."
Looks like the final battle is upon are heroes! But the question remains: just how many more battles will it take until the war?
Chibi-Nashi appears with a grin and a wave. "Hi, everyone! Ready for more Fairy Adventure? To keep your eyes safe, make sure you read with at least one light on in a low setting! And here is the updated time zone table!"
Abbreviations – Time Zone Name • — • — •— • — Location • — Offset
MCDT • — • — Melandian Central Daylight Time – Melandia • — • UTC +7
CST • — • — • – Cipangu Standard Time • — • — • — Cipangu • — • – UTC +5
SST • — • — • – Sīchóu Standard Time • — • — • — Zhōnguá • — • – UTC +3
CIT • — • — • – Central Ishgaran Time • — • — • — Bellum • — • – UTC +2
CMT • — • — • – Charring Mean Time • — • — • — Minstrel • — • – UTC +1
FST • — • – Fiore Standard Time • — • — • — • Fiore • — • — • – UTC - 0:00
WIT • — • – Western Ishgaran Time • — • — • — • Caelum • — • – UTC - 0:00
ACT • — • — Arcticados Central Time • — • — • – Arcticados • — • — UTC – 1
CAST • — • — • — • — Caracole-Alicanto Standard Time – Fiore • — • UTC – 1
ADT • — • — • – Alvarez Daylight Time • — • — • – Alvarez • — • — UTC – 2
SST • — • — Shamballa Standard Time • — • — Shamballa • — • — UTC – 2
EAT • — • — • – East Andüsa Time • — • — • – Andüsa • — • — • — UTC – 2
AT • — • — • – Amazone Time • — • — • — • — • — Valchestria • — UTC - 4
EST • — • — • – Eastern Standard Time • — • — • – Meidiland • — • UTC - 6
She winks with a thumbs up. "See you at the end of the episode!"
Momoiro Beach had pink sand, but it was safe to swim in. People came from all over to see the strange pink sand and have a field day messing around and taking pictures of their pretty pink sandcastles and designs. The magical phenomenon of pink sand came from tiny, shelled sea creatures, but likes and subscribes took precedence over science. A good crowd had come to the beach with the holiday quickly evaporating. The winds were good, the waves were mild—this weekend would be all about the surf and the sun.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Momoiro Beach
Fiore, Ishgar
10:19 FST
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
PIRURURURURU! PIRURURURURU!
The rental house Dash claimed for him, Wally, and Iris was special, and he would not shy away from spoiling his little sister. Iris loved the wraparound porch as she played on her tablet with Wally goofily dozing before her. Dash, on the other hand, stayed inside the kitchen half-naked with a kitchen towel over one shoulder as he stirred sauce for a creamy mushroom pasta.
PIRURURURURU! PIRURURURURU!
Frowning, Dash turned off the heat on his saucepan and pasta pot and sped to get his ringing Compact.
PIRURURURURU! PIRURURURURU!
His brow creased at the contact. Huh? He answered the call. "Yo, 'sup, Genius?"
"How fast can you get to Shamballa?"
Dash's eyebrows shot up. "Did you take a bad batch of Cloud or something?"
"Eiji, this is serious."
"I was serious too, bro." Dash slid down the kitchen towel and glanced at his sister and Data Dog before lowering his voice. "You wanna tell me why I need to break the law and speed into Alakitasia? I'm a little busy, man."
Genius did not waste a beat. "Julia's in trouble."
Dash went rigid. "Tell me everything."
"All I can tell you is that she's going to need you when she wakes up."
'Wakes up'? Dash had to stop his leg from jittering. "Where the fuck is Gale in all this?"
"He's going to be preoccupied with something important."
That put Dash on edge. "More important than his cousin not waking up?"
"Yes," Genius said, clipped. "Look, how long can it take you to get to Shamballa?"
Dash scrubbed his face and glanced again at Iris and Wally, who noticed something was wrong. "Dude, you know cross-continental sprinting—I mean, yeah, I can do it, but you know the law for speedsters. And I have Iris with me—"
"She can come too."
"I am not dragging my fucking baby sister," Dash hissed lowly.
"She'll be protected," Genius vowed, meaning every word. "Don't worry about any evidence or arrests. You'll both be protected. And I know she can run almost as fast as you, just like Wally."
Dash growled, "Genius—"
"Eiji, you know me. You know I wouldn't ask you for this unless it was severely important and right now, there are lives on the line, including Julia's," Genius persisted.
Dash pinched the bridge of his nose. "Genius—"
"Eiji."
Dash let out a terse breath and closed his eyes. Seven beats passed. "Running to Shamballa alone? Take me twenty. But with Iris and Wally, it'll take an hour," he cautioned. "I'm not pushing her to run faster, Genius, I mean it. She can't max her power without getting lost in the Stream."
"I understand." Genius softened his tone. "Thank you. I'll explain everything when you arrive. All you need to do is get to the hotel Julia is staying at. Someone will be there to give you a key to her room, no questions asked. Everything you need will be in her suite and so will an MS from me."
"All right, you're scaring me, man," Dash said, tense. "What the Hell did she and Gale get into?"
Ten beats.
Dash frowned. "Genius?"
"Let's just say, they're right where they need to be," Genius offered in cryptic explanation. "We'll talk in an hour—"
"Hold on," Dash stopped him. "I thought you were on vacation with your girlfriend?"
Genius gave a longwinded sigh. "Yeah, well, we never truly get to relax," he chuckled humorlessly. "I wanted so badly to make this a non-work week. Instead, I've been working nonstop. And I know how limited our time is." Three beats. "I don't understand why she puts up with something like me," he admitted, quiet. "I wish I could understand…how I make her happy when all I do is work."
Dash gentled and murmured, "She loves you, yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Then that's your answer," Dash said. "Yeah, love's not a band-aid or anything, but… Don't sell yourself short and have a pity party. Make it up to her somehow. She's with you over anyone else for a reason, yeah?"
"Yeah."
Dash hated hearing the despondent, exhausted notes in Genius' tone. What's he been going through lately? Wish I knew who his girlfriend is.
"We'll take soon. See you in Shamballa."
"Sure." Dash heard the call drop, but he stared at his Compact. His lock screen was one of him and Iris and Wally, but his background was one he had taken of Julia when she looked so excited she had gotten three strikes in a row. Peaches… What's been going on with you lately too?
"Eiji?"
Dash set aside his Compact to smile at his uncertain little sister. "Hey, Iris." He crouched to her height when she frowned at him. "What's with the face, sweetheart?"
"You look unhappy," Iris remarked. She clutched her tablet to her chest. "Was it Daddy again?"
Dash had to restrain from tensing. "No, sweetheart, it wasn't Jet. Actually, it was a friend of mine." When Wally came over for head scratches, Dash supplied them. "Thing is, remember Julia?" When Iris nodded, he divulged, "Well, she's in a little bit of trouble in Shamballa and she needs help."
"Oh." Iris' eyes fell. "So I'm going back home?"
Dash chuckled and ran a hand through Iris' braids. "Well… Actually…" he drawled. "My friend thinks you should come with me."
Iris perked with a hopeful beam. "Really? I get to be a superhero like you?"
"Hey, get that do-gooder shit outta here." He tickled her cheek, and she giggled. "But I guess, in a strange sense, you'd get to be a hero. But"—he looked sternly at her—"you have to stay with me at all times. No wandering off. And you'll have to run really fast and be really brave. Can you do that for me?"
Iris nodded, all serious.
"And you can't tell Jet or Mom about this," Dash warned. "This is a super-secret hero mission, and if anyone finds out, Julia could be in trouble." He put out his pinky. "Which means you have to give me the ultimate promise, got it?"
Iris nodded and wrapped her pinky with his. "I promise."
WHINE!
Dash rubbed Wally's head with a huffed laugh. "Don't worry, Wall-man, you're coming too."
Wally perked and barked, tail wagging furiously.
Dash stood up and crossed his arms. "All right, soldiers. We need to suit up and start running," he commanded. "Which means we need to carbo-load first, get teeth brushed, and then we're sprinting. Understand?"
Wally and Iris straightened as Wally barked and Iris gave a firm nod as their versions of sir, yes sir.
"Good." Dash scooped up Iris and settled her on his hip. "Because we've got a long run and we're going to need all the energy we can get." His eyes darkened. I knew she sounded bad over the Com, but… Julia…Gale… What the Hell have you both gotten yourselves into?
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
"Ame no youna kaze no youna
Dareka no koto jama suru youna
Hito ni nante naritaku wanai kara?
Hare no youna hikari no youna
Dareka no koto teraseru youna
Hito ni naritai!"
nante itai tte dareka no koe ga?
Kikoetara nanda
Nagutte kowashite sayonara DILEMMA!
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Yaum al-Jum'ah was meant as a time for prayer, reflection, and news within the community.
Zayed wanted to slit the imam's throat before the khutbah started.
The congregation assembled like normal, and he did not have any time for the converts, the reverts, the devoted, or the suck-ups. On sacred ground, his title was supposed to be nonexistent, but the politicking never truly stopped when he arrived at the mosque. He knew people scrutinized him even more when he came here. His language had to reflect years beyond him; he had to have opinions on current and past events and relate them to the teachings within the Qur'an; his state of dress needed to be traditional even if many members were more modern; he still had to network and make nice just as Haya had to to show the people they were devoted to Allah and the three chief-goddesses.
Somehow, the title of crown prince mattered less and less the further he was away from her.
"Zayed."
He smiled at his father, even if his hand twitched when Kamir slid a hand on his back. "Yes, Father?"
"Come. Elections for the board will be upon us in a few weeks, and you should meet a few potential candidates," Kamir said pleasantly.
Zayed chuckled. "As you command." He wrestled with the urge to slice off his father's arm when he felt his Curse work through his body, and his nostrils flared. I can smell her on him. Did he fuck her before we came here? What if it's his spawn inside her and not mine? I can just kill it. Yes, just kill it. We can try for another.
His Curse mollified him with such a thought of starting over with Inayah, drowning her in his attention and affection, and watching her face glow when she was with his child. She'll have my child. But what about that 'Johann' and her spawn with him? I'll kill them too. She doesn't need them. She has me. She doesn't need past chains. I'm freeing her from them. She'll be happier without them in her life. And then she'll be mine. She'll be my wife. I was the one fucking her, not Johann—
"Zayed."
He stiffened when his father's hand grabbed his nape.
Kamir breathed in Zayed's ear, "I can practically taste your obsession. She's not yours to possess, boy. She is my wife. You'll never have her."
Zayed hissed back, "She isn't yours."
"She promised herself to me. What did she ever promise you?" Kamir pulled away with his eyes pitch-black and ominous, but he still smiled. "Hump her legs, beg for her attention, lust over her—I don't care." He squeezed his son's nape. "But you cannot possess what was never yours in the first place." His smile widened. "Now behave and smile." He turned his attention to the incoming men and started the introductions.
Zayed smiled and laughed and helloed where he was supposed to be, but his Curse whispered how easily it would be to break his father bone by bone and gauge out his eyes so he could never even look in Inayah's direction. You're wrong, Father. His smile broadened like he was baring teeth. She was always mine. She just never knew it.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure 149
•
Lend Me Your Voice (Part 1)
•
声を届ければいい (前編)
•
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
DOTADOTADOTA…
Fatimah walked with confidence because if she did not, all of this would be ruined.
The corridors of the estate felt like they had one million eyes and each one landed on her. She had been so naïve to think that all the enchantments on the walls and floors and windows were exempt from her; she truly was. Her steps were being tracked, she now understood. She vaguely knew from all of Haya's half-truths that every royal estate monitored biologics for intruders and liars—Undesirables.
She supposed she was Undesirable Number Two after her mother.
DOTADOTADOTA…
The guards did not acknowledge her existence when she approached them. Why would they? She was the ungrateful princess, the Undesirable.
Her eyes flashed blue and sand coiled around her hand before fading.
This time would be different.
Fatimah stopped before the guards and demanded in Shamballan, "I wish to enter my mother's apartments."
One guard brusquely told her, "Ya Sheikha, you are forbidden from entering these apartments without permission from Ya Sheikh."
Fatimah did not scowl, spew her status, or become a child. She maintained her cool as she said, "Come closer."
The guards exchanged a glance before one of them did so begrudgingly.
Fatimah whispered in his ear, "Kol mamnou' marghoub."
The guard pulled away a little, stunned.
Fatimah maintained her composure to whisper, "Hayil Zeref."
The guards looked at each other.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
DOKKAN!
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fatimah nodded when the guards closed the door to the main bedroom of the queen. Servants were tending to weak Orisa in her bed, but Fatimah did not show an ounce of concern as she commanded, "Barra."
The servants did not hesitate as they bowed and exited through the servants' passageways.
Silence.
When Fatimah counted 30 ticks, then and only then did she allow her mask to crumble and she threw herself at Orisa's bedside. No, she would not cry when she saw how grayed out and gaunt Orisa looked or how glassy her eyes were. She whispered in reverence, "Yaya. Look at me."
It took Orisa some time to recognize Fatimah was there. "Fatii." With trembling fingers, she reached for Fatimah, and the second princess clasped her hand dearly. Orisa let out a wet exhale. "I'm so tired," she breathed. "I'm just so tired."
"I know." Fatimah fought to keep her voice steady and she kissed Orisa's palm before putting the back of her hand to her forehead. "I know, Yaya, but you must stay awake for me. You can't go to sleep right now. You have to stay awake before there's so much we have to do."
Orisa exhaled again, watery. "I'm so tired."
Fatimah squeezed her eyes shut and prayed to Allah and the three chief goddesses for strength. Pulling back Orisa's hand, she proposed with a forced smile, "Why don't you tell me more about your homeland, okay? And I'll get you all cleaned up. We're going for a walk today."
"That's nice," Orisa absently said. "Is Kamir calling for me?"
"No, he's not." Fatimah held back from demanding to know why Orisa would want him to. "It's just a walk with you and me, just like before, okay? Would you like that?"
Orisa's gaze visibly glazed over, distant. "Johann and I used to go on long walks together," she murmured like she was telling this story to herself. "He was always worried about the bugs. But I told him it would be okay. I knew which bugs were safe to be around. And Loki was there too."
'Johann'? 'Loki'? Fatimah pretended to know all of this. "Really now? That must've been fun." She peeled back the blankets—
Her stomach bottomed out. Ya Allah…
Bruise marks made of handprints and other items marked up Orisa's body like a violent work of art. Bite marks engrained into her breasts and stomach and inner thighs, and there were noticeable flaky substances between her legs. But the worst was the handprints around her neck.
Fatimah bit down on her bottom lip. Kamir and Zayed… They did this to her. They… The rage lit a fire in her as her eyes warped into bright blue, and she could feel that power coiled inside her want to lash out—
"Mama…"
Fatimah froze when a smiling Orisa touched her cheek with tears gathered in her eyes, and she did not recognize any of the words Orisa spoke. What? But the more Orisa spoke, the more it clicked for Fatimah and made her darken in anguish. This is her first language, the one she and Am'mah Sooraya spoke. She thinks…I'm her mother. Heat pricked her eyes. She's hallucinating. And if this keeps up—
Her eyes homed on Orisa's stomach.
She gritted her teeth.
Orisa continued in her airy voice to speak to her mother.
All Fatimah could do was grab one of the sanitation rags and gently give Orisa a sponge bath. Yet for all the sadness and remorse touching her, her anger came back twofold and so did her trembling. We will get you out of here, Yaya. There are good people who want you freed from this place. Inshallah, I'll make sure you escape. She took Orisa's hands and kissed her fingertips, eyes closed. And I'll reunite you with your son and give you a place where you can be free.
And when she opened her eyes—
—her eyes were bright blue.
Fatimah tightened her grip on the rag as chains of sand ran between her knuckles and down her sleeve. Inshallah.
PIKUPIKU!
Gale's eyebrow twitched. Seriously?
Trophies on either side, Swan waved their feathered fan and could not hide their delighted grin. Oh my.
Yara had no words.
Cassowary cocked his head.
Shadows covered Thirteen's face. You've gotta be shitting me. This is the place?
KYAKKYA!
Of all the places for a rendezvous point, Thirteen seethed, why did he choose a damn Magia Store?
No one could say the Magia Stores of the Middle West were lacking. If anything, it went above and beyond with triple layers, a modern look, and exclusive merchandise that had Magia adults parade in to get their collector's items. Displays of talking stuffies, princess pajamas, and superheroes sweats were everywhere from a Dumbo stuffy flying around, a rogue Casey Junior building its own track as it ran rampant, superhero action figures recreating battle scenes, and a singing Snow White mannequin. A few LVs showed Young Nation and EMPHASIS' joint Magia promos soon to be released on Magia+.
Swan was having a field day while Gale and Yara mentally checked out and Thirteen looked ready to pop a blood vessel. What the fuck is he playing at?!
"I can tell our contact is an amusing person indeed," Swan tittered. "Though it'd be nice if he sent us to an adult store."
"Those are illegal in this country," Thirteen reminded.
Swan did not see the problem. "And?"
Thirteen scrubbed his face. "We're going to look like a bunch of damn fools."
"Who cares?" Gale stepped up to Thirteen's side and looked at the Magia Store. "We've got a job to do, right? Embarrassment be damned. Fairy Tail's done a lot worse. So suck it up, Old-Timer. I'm going in." He looked up at Thirteen with hard red eyes. "You with me or not?"
A bloodstained grin. "You with me or not?"
Thirteen blinked free from the memory flare, but the comparisons of Gajeel and Gale made him want to chuckle. He's exactly like his old man. "I hear you, kid, no need to stab me with those eyes. Let's go in and see how this pans out."
°•°•°•°
Thirteen's eyebrow twitched. This is fucking awful.
It was one thing to deal with dozens of children squealing and playing, but it was another thing dealing with teenagers and adults who looked like they were haggling the deal of a lifetime when it came with limited editions, the pin trade, and commemorative Magia character photos.
"Look, Vulture, don't I look cute!" Swan held up a princess dress against them and twirled around before winking. "I could pass as a princess, right?"
While Swans' trophies ardently agreed (Yara looked too exhausted for this and Cassowary cocked his head again), Thirteen felt dead on his feet. What in fresh Hell did I sign up for?
Gale shifted through the thong with probing eyes, but every person he examined looked like they had nothing to hide. I don't get it. Why would he choose a place like this as a rendezvous point? Who's our contact?
He turned his head—
A flash of blonde.
His eyes widened when he saw blonde hair disappear into another section of the store. Blondie? His body moved with his mind lagging, and the Wild pushed him faster to catch up to her. He rounded the corner to seek her out—
• — • — • — • — •
Steam rose from the hot water, but it could not shield her beauty. Droplets slipped down her chest—perhaps tears, perhaps water, he needed to taste to know—and her thighs spread from nudging hands.
"Pl-Pl-Please," she sniveled. "Please."
"Shhh, Your Highness," came soothe. One thick finger trailed down her naval, even when she jerked. "You just need to be a good girl. I'll take care of everything."
And she looked up with fear-stricken brown eyes—
• — • — • — • — •
Gale staggered back like he had been wounded and gripped the wall for support. His vision doubled with something heavy sitting in the middle of his chest, trying hard to stop his breathing. The real world and false memories weaved in and out of each other, but his nausea gutted his insides. Fuck. What was…?
He tried shaking it off until reality set back in, but he could not help that dizzy feeling nagging his mind. Dammit. Is this a side effect of using Hindsight? He pressed a hand to his temple and looked at the tile ground to steady himself. I have to focus. We need to find the rendezvous point. He looked up—
FUWAFUWA!
Gale blinked.
Beady eyes stared back.
He blinked again.
Those beady eyes were still staring at him.
Out of all the things Gale thought he would have bumped into, he did not expect to fun into a full-body furry costume of the impassive Poko staring at him, judging him.
What…? He felt he was spiraling. What the fuck is happening?
Poko turned and waddled away.
And Gale…had no idea what to think. What the…?
Poko went straight for the elevators that opened for him just as he walked up to them. But he did not press any buttons. Instead, Poko turned and stared at Gale and did nothing else.
Gale looked behind him before looking back at Poko. Don't… Don't tell me…
And Poko kept staring.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
DING!
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Swan, their trophies, Thirteen, Yara, Cassowary, and Gale crammed into the elevator with Poko as the operator. No one spoke a word as the elevator took them upwards, but the logic of the elevator surpassed basic rules. The Magia Store was three floors high and it was presumed the underground was on the button floor. As the elevator showed they had reached the basement, it continued to keep going down and down and down until—
DING!
Once parked, the elevator door opened up to show an earthen tunnel with old torch holders amassing dust, debris, and webs. A few underground dwellers skittered into hiding when light shone upon them and two ancient guards had lived and died in these tunnels, now skeletons with deteriorated armor and weapons.
Gale sniffed as he deboarded. This place should smell old, just like under the museum and the fortress. But for some reason, this time around, the air doesn't smell that bad.
TSUNTSUN!
Gale turned to see the full-body furry costume of Poko offering him what appeared to be four golden brooches of three women riding atop a tiger. What is…?
"These must be the blessings we need to navigate the labyrinth down here," Yara presumed. She made sure Gale, Thirteen, Swan, and Cassowary had their own before producing her own medallion. "The power on here is ancient. This must be Divinity since it's different than Magic and Curses."
A 'labyrinth', huh? Gale closed his eyes and stamped a foot on the ground—
FWOOSH!
Gale's entire being felt a rush of power, and he felt amazed when he could feel so many branched-off halls, traps, and creatures dwelling underground. Sick… He pulled back his foot and commented, "This place is crazy. It's like it's alive."
"No doubt it is with all the ancient power used to build it," Thirteen remarked. "But we'll need you to guide us through this death trap."
"Me?" Gale echoed, dumbfounded. "I don't even know where the Hell we're go—" But he paused when the Poko costume moved over and started randomly paying at some corner where the wall met the ground. What is that thing…?
Poko finished its task and stepped back.
Gale's eyes widened when he saw a few mushrooms. Was it…? He looked at the impassive Poko. It was…finding plants for me?
Bearing down, he went over to the mushrooms and knelt. He took off a glove and, as he touched the mushrooms, he asked of them, All right, guys. Help me find the Emira. She's our only hope.
A spark of Life touched him—
PIKA!
He could feel his entire spiritual being meld into the Life existing unground through every plant, insect, and bacteria. They zipped him through the labyrinth to heed his call, flashing him imagery of the sleeping and patrolling monsters waiting for intruders, before they took him through a cleaner and distinct tunnel that led into a spiral staircase. Up the staircase they went until Gale was thrust into house plants within a dark-stained office that smelt deeply of Death and blood.
Through his will, Life drove him through the study and sprinted through such an ostentatious estate. He ignored the passive servants and guards, but one of the male servants almost looked like he was glancing directly at him. He went straight through guarded doors and into apartments before jerking left for his vision to explode—
Gale pulled free from such a vision with his stomach dropping. Oh, no.
"Gale?" Yara slowly approached him. "Is…? Is everything okay?"
He put on his gloves and took his time coming to his feet to save himself from answering. "Let's just say we need to hurry." The vision made his stomach clench and his jaw go taut. "The Emira… She won't last long."
"Did you see her?" Yara grabbed Gale's shoulders with naked desperation and fear so blatant a baby could feel it. "What's going on? How did you see her? What do you mean she won't last long?"
Gale did not know how to word it without making the worst come to light. "She…" But he could not get it out. Her body… My gods…
DING!
Everyone looked at the Poko costume. It had gone back into the closing elevator and offered no sad farewells.
MERAMERA!
The torches lit the moment the light of the elevator was gone. The warm orange glow combatted with the inward darkness of the tunnels. Webs and grime vomited all over the carved tunnels with crusted blood and debris splotched at random as all bloodshed happened in unplanned places. Yet the shadows further down showed that for every known before them, there were a thousand more unknowns to fear.
Swan looked at the brooch and clutched it. "Well, one thing is for sure. We'll need all the thoughts and prayers we can use." Everyone looked down the tunnel. "I've heard some underbelly rumors about Alakitasia and a lot of the vile creatures living underneath this continent. We just have to hope those creatures still stay away with all these Blessings." Their eyes darkened. "And we have to hope no one else has a Blessing down here either."
She was a marionette on trial. How was any of this fair? Strings attached to her as she slumped in this chair of the guilty, a circle of councilmen around her like this was a performance. They all wore masks, never letting her see their faces, but she did not know if she wanted to see their true faces or not.
"We should execute her!"
Her puppeteer forced her and the chair to spin around and face the spokesperson, another masked entity.
The spokesperson made a cold argument, "She's a threat to everything we've worked for! She's dangerous and a monster. She could turn on us at any moment!"
"No." Another masked person piped up, young in years, and she was forced to face them. "We can't execute her. Think of her abilities. She's a perfect weapon." The masked person looked down upon her like she were under a microscope. "We should use her for everything's worth. She could help us attain our goals—"
"But at what cost!" a third masked councilmember demanded to know, making her twirl around and look at them. "Look at her! She's a disgrace to her own family! She's the very nightmare her family is afraid of. It was her people who put her brothers through so much pain and suffering. Let us kill her off and replace the surface with a new face!"
"But who can we trust?"
"Execute her!"
"Use her!"
"We need a new face!"
"I motion for the death penalty!"
Her puppeteer kept spinning her around as more and more masked council members made their arguments overlap each other, becoming more and more vociferous as the trial proceeded. The masks blurred, gloved hands raising in the air as they all spouted and postured against one another. And no matter how much she wanted to plead her case, fight back, stand strong, her puppermaster subjected her to her strings and this wooden body.
"Don't worry, Julianna."
Her strings moved and forced her to look upwards.
Nightingale controlled her string, but she held up her other hand to show she had captured Silver and Gary as docile puppets under her command. "I'll make sure you live on in infamy underneath a new face."
• — • — • — • — •
Julia gripped her sheets as she whimpered, red glossing her forehead and cheeks. But a lukewarm towel replaced her old own and dabbed the sweat from her brow and neck before being laid across her forehead in the hopes her fever would break. Gentle fingers worked her to sit up enough so pillows could prop her up. Her lashes fluttered, but her mouth felt like it held cotton and her tongue had thickened.
"Open up."
Her lips parted slightly as a small dish worked in a bland drink down her throat. Swallowing took effort, but that effort sucked out any remaining energy and made her slip back into the terrors of her dreams. She slurred, "Gary… S-Silver…"
"They're all right." A kiss pressed to her forehead. "Get some sleep, Peaches."
And whether she wanted to, she did just that.
Dash looked down at Julia with such a soft and broken expression upon him. Julia… How could this happen to you? He kissed her hair before reluctantly withdrawing to allow her privacy to rest and dream. It took him a mere nanosecond to get back into the living room with Iris sitting on the couch with her goggles on her head and her orange jumpsuit fitted just right for her. Wally had his own goggles atop his head with his harness on and his tail bouncing.
Iris frowned at her brother, worried. "Is Julia gonna be okay?"
Dash smiled at his little sister as he rejoined her on the couch. "She's still sick. But she'll be okay soon enough, sweetheart, just you wait. Now." He looked up. "Continue with what you were saying."
"Right. As I was saying." A hologram of Genius sitting in his gamer chair with his VR goggles projected from a cube on the coffee table. "While it'd be nice if Julianna was awake enough for this, I'm going to need your skillset. Because"—he folded his hands beneath his chin—"I need you to save two people from a murder attempt."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Fairy Adventure
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Dash knuckled down hearing Genius' words, but not once did he think of doubting them. Instead, he rumbled, "What's the situation? And how big are the targets?"
"Both of them are part of royal lineage," Genius told him, and he projects more screens to show Dash. "There's an operation in progress that will have severe backlash on their lives. They'll instantly be tossed as suspects and, eventually, assassinated. But we can't have them murdered, Dash. They've lived in the shadows and were supposed to die during the serial killing arsonist day. They were lucky to survive. But without external help, they won't be so lucky again."
Dash hummed, contemplative, and looked at the images and information on his targets. I see. "All right. What's the operation and the escape route?"
BLIP!
A new map of Shamballa showed a red route and a pin.
"You'll be following this route," Genius explained. "It'll lead to a safe house where you'll be among friendly faces. I have everything they'll need for a clean escape, and I'll be releasing a PR statement on their behalf about a goodwill tour. All you need to do is make sure they get there."
"All right." Dash's eyes hardened. "And Iris?"
"She'll be safe," Genius swore. "You have my word. I already have someone en route to collect Julia and bring her to the safe house. They'll also take Iris—"
"No!"
Dash blinked when his sister nuzzled him. "Iris?"
"I'm coming too!" Iris decided stubbornly.
Dash sighed. "Iris—"
"I'm coming too!" Iris pressed.
Dash sharply sighed. "Iris, you can't—"
"Miss Iris, I actually have a special mission for you."
Dash looked at Genius with a glare. "Hey—"
"You do?" Iris peeked at Genius, hopeful. "So I can be a superhero like Eiji too?"
Genius smiled, gentle. "Yes, of course. You see, I'm going to need someone very brave and very fast to protect Julia until the cavalry comes. And since Wally and Dash will be busy saving people, could you take on this special assignment for me?"
Iris nodded, sober. "I can do it! I'm gonna be a superhero just like Eiji!"
"I'm sure you will be," Genius chuckled.
Dash scrubbed his face and muttered, "Don't encourage this shit, jackass." He looked down at his little sister and nudged her. "Why won't you go check on Julia, huh?"
"Okay!"
Dash waited for Iris to scuttle off down the hallway to glower at Genius and growled, "What the fuck are you thinking right now, man? She's barely a Legal Mage—"
"But she's almost as fast as you, Dash," Genius reminded.
Dash got up and sneered, "But that doesn't mean she's ready for crap like this, Genius, I mean, what the fuck? I'm not leaving her alone. Wally is staying with her. I can handle the assassination attempts by myself."
"No, Dash. You both need to be there."
Dash opened his mouth to snap back when something hit him. He narrowed his eyes and questioned, "Why?"
Genius remained unreadable as he said, "Let's just say I have a reputable source. And I'm not taking any changes going off script. Trust me on this, Dash." He dipped down his chin. "Everything is going according to plan."
FWOOM!
Gale could feel every squared centimeter of the labyrinth in the mounting vibrations, every snoozing creature and patrolling ancient guard. He opened his eyes to look at the fork in the tunnel and directed them to the right tunnel. "This way."
And so, the group moved.
MERAMERA!
Torches burned bright to welcome blessed individuals, but they snuffed out the moment the group passed through to cover the group's tracks. Gale took point, always scenting and listening in, while Thirteen walked with him. Yara hung in the middle with a silent Cassowary looking about while Swan's trophies flanked them in the vanguard, and they wrapped an arm around one of them.
Gale glanced at Thirteen before looking away—
"Speak now, kid, while we have the time," Thirteen murmured.
Gale tched. "S'not like you'd answer me anyway," he muttered. "Said I should ask the Old Man, right?"
Thirteen raised an eyebrow. "And that's all the questions you have for me? All of them about your father?"
Gale could not dispute that. "No. Not exactly."
The cave narrowed and one side opened up for the torches gleaning over a mesmerizing pool that looked like it beheld the stars. But given the ripples within the water and the skeletons sticking out, it was anyone's guess what creatures lived in such a beautiful pool to drown those foolish enough to come closer to it.
"I met someone," Gale started, "and they… I don't know, they just…knew my old man. They knew about me—all about my family." His brow furrowed as his blood-reds darkened at the memory of such a stranger. He glimpsed Cassowary when he turned his head. "And considering your friends here and what the guy said, I'm assuming he was your leader."
That put things into a horrific perspective for Thirteen. He met Vicious? He kept himself composed and unreadable. "And knowing him, he offered you a deal in your favor." He looked down at Gale. "And you took it."
"He said it was a belated 'birthday present'," Gale recounted in a rumble. "And the deal was, I'd be the next Redeye to his son, whoever the fuck psychopath that is. And he also said something I still don't understand."
"And what was that?"
"He said he was using me as a means to an end."
Thirteen nodded. "That sounds right."
"No, but what I mean is, if that was the case, then me taking my old man's mantle for this guy's son and the heir to Deathhawk or whatever… That should be the end," Gale insisted. "But when I asked him what 'end', he said, 'To be honest, I'm also interested in what 'end' you'll be a means to'." Remembering those words made him tense all over. "Which means his goal was never to make me my old man. In fact, I'm certain he couldn't care less about that aspect. No, his goal was to keep tabs on me without interfering. He wants me to know he exists because someone is whispering in his ear about me. Because he knows, doesn't he?" He looked at Thirteen. "Just like you do."
Thirteen would not give an inch. "'Know' what?"
"You know what I am. And Emma knew this entire time." He narrowed his eyes at Thirteen. "I'm the Black Dragon of this era this time."
Thirteen would not insult Gale by feigning ignorance. Instead, he did something unexpected.
He laughed.
Gale scowled. "What's so funny?"
"Sorry, kid." Thirteen grinned. "You really got your mom's smarts, didn't you? Your dad always put down some hard cash saying you'd come out to be an evil genius."
Gale scowled further, a flush on his ears. Shitty old man…
"But you're not wrong." Thirteen's grin faded for solemnity. "You're in a very precarious position right now, Gale, and you have to know that. Your family already knows that."
"But they never told me."
Thirteen tilted his head at the lack of fury in Gale's words. "But you aren't upset?"
"No. I'm not." Gale meant it.
Thirteen wanted to know. "Why?"
"Because I'd do the same thing in their shoes," Gale remarked. "When I was born, my sister…hated me." And he remembered such malicious red eyes. "Every day, I knew there was something wrong with her. For a long time, I didn't understand why. I thought I somehow deserved all her hatred. And maybe sometimes I do, I dunno, it's complicated. But she was always obsessed with Dragons. She wanted to become a Slayer like the old man. But she wasn't even born with the senses Leo, Liv, and I have from the old man. For so long, I thought I really did deserve everything she did to me. That I was what she said I was"—reds flickered—"a murderer."
Thirteen's hands tightened.
"But I'm understanding why she hated me so much," Gale continued. "I get why she told me I didn't deserve to live. Because I had the one thing she didn't." He showed his face—
Thirteen blinked when he saw half of Gale's face covered in thick, black scales with one eye covered in red with a vertical pupil and the other half of his face flesh and human.
"I was—am—a Dragon." Gale reverted his face to skin. "And that was something she could never have. For some reason, Granddad chose me over my siblings." His lips quirked into a sad, small smile. "Y'know, it's weird. I bitched and moaned all the time I was never really part of my family. I wasn't like the old man, not even close. I whimped out to my mom so many times if maybe I had her powers, but nothing clicked. I just…felt so isolated and lonely, even when my parents kept telling me I was their son. I preached to Blondie how power isn't everything, but here I was, bitching about how my powers made me flunk out of my own bloodline."
He touched his chest. "But I realized lately that I was never meant to have my parents' abilities. I was born this way for a reason. And no one could take that away from me. And if Granddad saw something in me to help me become what I am…how could I question being part of this family, y'know? Whether or not I like it, I'm a Redfox. So I'd better act like it."
A jagged grin and untamed black hair.
Thirteen's oranges softened. Hmph. This kid… He looked at the ceiling. You raised a good one, Redeye. He's definitely your son. He said, "Take it therapy has been working for you then, yeah?"
"A little," Gale supposed. "That doctor might give me shit, but he's never been wrong." He looked at the ground. "I…really fucked up something good. When Igneel left, he told me not to go after her, that I didn't know how to love. But I ignored him. But he…wasn't wrong. I see that now."
"That's a very wise thing to realize," Thirteen commented, "especially for your age. Love isn't easy when you're sixteen. And even at my age, it still has complications. You don't get everything right. And it's hard for many people to know when they can't love someone like they deserve."
Gale lifted an eyebrow. "Speaking from experience?"
Thirteen's eyes flashed.
A toothy smile. "Mister!"
He looked away. "A little," he murmured. "Yeah."
"So you're not with Vinyl because you don't think you can treat her right?"
That bewildered Thirteen. "'Vinyl'?"
Gale tipped his head with a frown. "Yeah. Who else would we be talking about?"
"Ah." Thirteen's lips twisted in a bittersweet smile. "Right." Yes. No one even knew that little fairy existed. He heaved a sigh. "Yeah, no, I'm not with a kid like her because she's half my age. I'm good where I am."
"You sure about that?"
Thirteen snorted at Gale's light tease. "You take after Gajeel getting on my nerves like this," he grumbled. "And yes, I'm sure. Viñella wants a partner she can be intimate with and take out in public, someone without skeletons in their closet." His regard stormed. "And my closet has some fresh bodies still moving."
Gale sobered. "I see."
They walked in silence.
Thirteen flicked his stare to Gale and slightly grinned. "But from what she tells me, girls go crazy for a guy who's a little bit of an animal. Might have a slight edge to winning back your girl."
Gale colored and growled, "She's not mine. And I don't need to resort to that."
Thirteen rubbed his chin. "I'm not too sure about that. Viñella told me about that Dawn series and how girls go crazy over guys with an inner beast. Why not use that to your advantage on your girl?"
"I told you she's not mine!"
"But you didn't deny you'd use being a Dragon to your advantage, now, did you, Junior?"
"Gah! Fuck off!"
"You sound exactly like your old man when you yell at me. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree, eh, Junior?"
"Fuck you and go die!"
°•°•°•°
Yara fondly watched Gale become more and more riled up from Thirteen's quips and quick words. He looks much more relaxed. It's so strange. He's a child and yet he has so much power—like His Majesty. Her eyes focused on Thirteen, and her fondness drained. And he's responsible for the situation we're in now. Because of him, my entire nation could fall if we fail.
Her dark blues shimmered. I will save Their Majesties. But then after, I have every intention of making that murderer stand on trial. He deserves to be judged for being the one who allowed the Prime Minister to do carte blanche and turn Bellum into this nightmare.
"I know that look."
Yara was taken aback when Swan looped an arm around hers. "What—?"
"You're thinking deliciously murderous thoughts," Swan saucily purred. "Fill me in. I love getting bloodstains on my body." They whispered loudly with a glance at their trophies, "My darlings go crazy over it."
Their trophies briefly offered them heated looks.
Yara coughed, an embarrassed pink touching her cheeks. "Well, now, knowing that, I'd rather not share much with you. And I'm a Healer. We try not to cause harmful bloodstains, thank you."
"Oh, don't say that," Swan teased. "We all like a little blood. For example"—they brought up their fan so only their cunning eyes showed—"I'm sure you wouldn't mind seeing the bloodstains of the Emir and the little prince trying to force a baby in your queen."
Yara nearly stopped walking, but she forced herself to maintain composure.
"Well?" Swan tightened their hold on Yara's arm. "Or does your Healer's creed force you to heal the men who have been regularly insulting a loved one? I can't recall it."
And for a long time, Yara did not respond.
Another fork came up, but this divided the tunnels into a high road or a low road. Gale found more fungus and knelt beside it to touch the moss. His eyes flared with power as he listened to nature before he had the answer and pointed to the higher tunnel. "This way."
The group followed.
It took Yara a solid minute until she replied, collected, "I believe that justice will be served to every person involved in Their Majesties' suffering."
"Do you really think that?" Swan asked without mocking in their tone. No, something unreadable lay in their eyes. "Do you really believe that justice will be served to those who have harmed such beautiful, innocent souls?"
"As a Healer, I have no choice but to believe it."
"Hm." Swan glanced away. "Interesting."
Yara did not take the bait and put up a shield of silence.
Then Swan said so casually, "Your Healer's Creed is quite the cruel one."
"I suppose we agree to disagree," Yara simply put.
"Oh, I doubt we don't agree," Swan said. "In exchange for such powerful gifts of Healing, you must heal the injured and sick, whomever they may be to keep your judgment from being clouded over petty disputes and simple resentments. But that also means you don't get to choose if you heal someone so vile they deserve to die. Someone who killed hundreds of people. Rapists, child predators, serial killers, terrorists—you have to heal them."
"If there's a point," Yara stiffly said, "then make it." She blinked when Swan stopped them and forced them to look at each other, blue to blue.
"I just want you to remember your place," Swan said, tone pitched low and warning. "Because if Vulture gets injured, I don't want to see any convenient hesitating, enough hesitating that he bleeds out and dies. You will heal him because that's your duty." They leaned close and whispered, "Don't forget that."
Yara's eyes widened. What—?
"Oh, but we'd better stay in formation!" Swan forced Yara back into her walk and wiggled their fingers. "Don't worry. My trophies and I will guard you with our lives, little owl."
Yara, unable to fathom another conversation with Swan, turned ahead and evened out her pacing. They were just giving me a warning. That's nothing unusual. It's not like they can trust me, she told herself. And they're right. My Healer's doctrine makes it so I must heal whoever crosses my path. If they come from blood, so be it. It's to keep us all honest in our work. I'm not the first Healer to experience this. I know countless Healers have nursed people who despise them and wanted them dead.
She looked at Thirteen. Even though it makes me sick, if he's injured, I have to heal him. I can't forsake my Healer's Creed. She clenched her jaw. Even if this is the first time I've wanted to so badly.
Swan narrowed their eyes with their fan covering most of their face. They watched a tense Yara look at Thirteen with indescribable animosity. She wears such naughty feelings on her sleeves. Oh, little owl. They hid their smirk. How you intrigue me.
°•°•°•°
The silent walk between the party came to a close when Gale led them to a one-way tunnel, and they walked the entire length until earth stopped them. A shrine awaited them with a crusted and dried-up wall fountain expressing indented sculptures of the three chief goddesses and the tiger they road.
"A dead end?" Yara questioned as Gale got into position. "Are you sure you led us the right way?"
"I did." Gale approached the fountain and touched the chiseling. Wait… This… He looked at Yara. "Remember how you get into the tunnels before?"
Yara's brow furrowed. What did he…? But the memory clicked, and she looked at her medallion of the three chief goddesses. "Of course!" She rushed over with her medallion only to lock it in place with the indented counterpart and—
GOROGORO!
Everyone held their positions when the entire fountain moved, kicking up dust and debris. It broke in half and parted like curtains to show a well-buffed marble spiral staircase, and candelabras lighting the way.
"This is our last stop until we get the Emira and the princess," Thirteen warned. "If you have any second thoughts, then don't come."
Gale stood tall. "Just try and stop me."
"Oh, well, we've already come this far," Swan sighed. "My vacation is absolutely ruined anyway." They patted their trophies' cheeks. "So let's hurry this up so I can have an actual vacation."
Thirteen nodded and met Yara's eyes. "And you?"
Yara stiffened. "My entire goal here was to save Her Majesty. I don't require you to check in with me." She added with bite, "But I hope you see that young lady's body and recognize it was your doing that put her there."
Thirteen did not flinch. "Of course."
Yara tightened her fists.
He looked to Cassowary. "Are you ready?"
Cassowary nodded.
"We're going full silence," Thirteen warned the group. "They won't hear us. But we won't be able to hear each other once Cassowary invokes Silence. Gale, your old man taught you hand signals. We'll communicate that way. Yara, don't intervene if any fights break out. Just pause when we do and run when we do."
Yara nodded.
Thirteen looked at Cassowary.
Cassowary's masked beak open, and there was an intake of air.
And then…
…silence.
°•°•°•°
Fatimah continued sitting at Orisa's side, but she had to try harder and harder to control her overwhelming panic whenever Orisa's mumbles would quiet and her breathing looked even. She gently prodded, "Yaya? Yaya?"
"Hmm?" Orisa struggled to open her eyes. "Fatii?"
Fatimah internalized her relief. "You can't go to sleep yet, okay?" The shake in her voice was here to stay.
"M'tired, Fatii," Orisa breathed, faint. "So tired. Please."
"I know you're tired." Fatimah massaged one of Orisa's hands before kissing her fingertips. "But just be awake with me a little longer. We'll be going on our walk soon and—" Something within her nagged senses, and she looked to the closed doors. Why do I…? She listened closely for any sign of mischief, but there was nothing unusual to report, nothing. All was quiet.
And that was just it.
There was complete silence.
Fatimah slowly rose, hackles raised, and she could feel those chains of sand work through her hands as her eyes flickered blue. It's too quiet. Something isn't right. I have to protect Orisa. No. Pure bright blue burned in her eyes as sand snaked between her fingers. I will protect my Slayer.
And so she waited.
Nothing.
Not a word.
Not a breath.
Not a sound.
Then—
CHK!
The doorknob turned.
Fatimah's eyes glowed.
The door pushed open.
Fatimah's sand chains vibrated like saws.
And in came—
Fatimah's ire faded when she saw a familiar face. Wait… She opened her mouth in question.
But no sound came out.
Blues faded back into brown, Fatimah lost touch with her powers as she pawed her throat. Not even her coughing and panicked calls made a sound. She backed away, but she bumped into her chair, yet even when it fell over, it never made a sound. She screamed for a guard, for help, for anyone, but even when her lips moved and she could feel her vocal cords vibrate, she produced nothing.
She was trapped.
Yara grabbed Fatimah with her lips quickly moving, but frustration pinched her and she gestured to a strange young man with his eyes the color of blood. His hands started moving, and slowly, Fatimah's panic receded to recognize those movements.
Please don't panic, he signed to her. We are allies of Yara and we have come to help you and the Emira escape. My name is Gale. Nod if you understand.
Fatimah heavily breathed, trying to calm her beating heart, and she nodded. She noticed his signs toward the others were ones she did not recognize, and she could not help her own surge of protectiveness when a large man came over to get Orisa. His face barely changed when he saw Orisa in all her battered glory, but he was delicate in wrapping her up and bringing her into his arm.
Yara caught Fatimah off-guard when she went to the ordinary music box on one dresser. On instinct, she questioned what was going on, but considering her words did not carry a tune, all she could do was watch when Yara somehow found a secret compartment and pulled out what looked to be a…locket and a chess piece?
Fatimah never had the time to question much else when a woman—person?—came up to her and showed her rope and a gag.
And it hit Fatimah.
They were faking a hostage situation to escape.
Her fears about the guards churned into revulsion when she saw the guards of the queen's apartments succumbing to visible insanity, eyes bloodshot as they screamed and screamed with no sound coming out. It was like the escaping group was invisible to them as the guards bashed their heads into walls and scratched at themselves, bleeding and in agony. Her heart froze when one screaming guard looked at her, but her stomach curled when she realized the crazed guard's gaze looked almost inhuman with his sclera a bloodied red.
What happened to these people?
The group filed into Fatimah's father's study and never had she realized one of the large bookcases had been an illusion, and her eyes were wide when she passed straight through and into a stone foyer with candelabras, glyphs she did not recognize, and one way down through a spiral staircase.
"Can you hear now?"
Fatimah felt something in the air shift as the noise came back, and she gasped when the gag was untied from her mouth. She rubbed her wrists when her "captor" cut off her restraints, and she looked around. "What is this place? What's going on?" She looked at the group. "And who are all you people?"
"Allies," Yara promised her. "They're going to get us all to safety, Your Highness, I assure you."
"I'm Swan." Swan blew a kiss, holding the cut rope. "And the lovely men with me are my trophies. Don't even think of trying to take them from me." They smirked. "I'm quite possessive of them."
"Thirteen," Thirteen grunted, the man carrying Orisa. "That's Cassowary." The one with the plague doctor mask nodded. "And the kid over there, you don't need to know his name."
But Fatimah would remember eyes the color of blood. "I… I see." Still, she could not take words so deeply. "You're really here to help us? Why? What does the benefit you?" Anger burned her as Yara shifted away. "What do you want from Yaya? Are you after her power too?"
Swan lifted a finger. "I'm sorry, but can we save the interrogation for another day? We have some ground to cover, and I don't think any of us want to be late for our ride before your military considers us treasonous scum. And I, for one, still want to have some of my vacation intact, thank you."
Thirteen snorted. "You just want to have a hotel room smell like sex all weekend?"
"And what's wrong with that?" Swan's grin tugged. "Would you like to tag along?"
Thirteen sweatdropped when Swan's trophies glared at him. "Don't joke about that when your dogs aren't fixed."
"'Dogs'? That implies they're animals, Vulture. And you'd be right." Swan stroked the cheek of one of their trophies while the other kissed their hand. "They're certainly animals."
"Keep it in your pants, will ya?"
"But what's the fun in that?"
Fatimah ground her teeth as Thirteen and Swan bickered. Do they…? Do they think this is some joke? Yaya's life is on the line, but they have time to joke like this? Blue sparked her eyes. They won't help us. I should've known better than to trust outsiders. I need to take Yaya and run. I overheard about the labyrinth beneath our country. As a Custodian, I may have the blessing of the three goddesses. Her sand chained her hands. I need to get us to safety. I can't rely on these people.
Gale felt that shift of Magic in the air and his hackles slowly rose with a low growl in his throat. His reds pinned to Fatimah and the Wild labeled her a Threat. He could feel his hands turn into scales. What is she—?
"Ya… Yara?"
Everyone froze.
Orisa, half-lidded, looked at Yara like she had seen a ghost or perhaps an angel. "Yara?" She shakily raised a hand. "Is…? Am I dr-dreaming? Yara?"
"It's me, Your Majesty," Yara whispered, tears coating her eyes. The tremble in her bottom lip, in her hands, in her words could not be forsaken, not when all she had worked hard for was coming into light. "It's me." She took Orisa's hand into both of hers. "It's me."
Orisa's smile came slow as her eyes shone. "It's you. I'm not dr-dreaming again."
"No." Yara shook her head and tried for a smile when it looked like she was ready to break into happy sobs. "No, you're not dreaming, Your Majesty." She thumbed Orisa's cheek and looked at her like how a mother looked at her daughter. "Everything is okay. I've been looking for you for a long, long time. And so has His Majesty Johann."
"'Johann'?" Orisa looked more alert at the mention, so hopeful. "Is…? Is he here with you?"
"He's waiting for you," Yara promised her. "He's been waiting for you for fifteen years, Your Majesty." She dared not scrub away her tears, not when she needed to keep looking at Orisa before this reality turned into a cruel fantasy. "We've all been waiting for you. And I'm here to bring you home."
"'H-H-Home'?" Orisa breathed in echo. "Home, I-I…" Her body shook as she hiccupped. "I-I… I…" The tears spilled, but she swallowed back her weeping. "I can't… I can't go home, Yara, I can't…" She shook violently. "I can't… J-Johann will h-h-h-hate me—"
"Never," Yara insisted, stern. "He could never hate you."
Orisa hiccupped again. "B-But I… I cheated…a-a-and our son… I can't… I can't…!"
Yara's eyes shimmered, but she could not break down, not yet. Oh, Your Majesty… She listened to Orisa's stifled sobs. Johann has always understood. He's always known your horrid position in life. But that's for him to assure you. She closed her eyes, cleared her face, and when she reopened her eyes, she was back to being a firm Healer with decades under her belt. "We need to go and make sure she gets the potion to prevent pregnancy before she hibernates."
Thirteen nodded. "Then we'll get moving." He looked at Fatimah. "Are you coming, Your Highness?"
Fatimah hardened, nodding. "Try and stop me."
"Trust me. I won't." Thirteen looked at the staircase, and everyone else did as well. "And we'd better hope no one else stops us either."
The moment Salat was finished, Zayed was ready to leave the masjid, but he knew better from all his years that an immediate departure was impossible. Post-Salat meant lingering to make conversation with friends of the crown and his dear relatives. Enthusiasm for the concert buzzed for many of the younger crowd and appreciation with the older generation happy to see beloved singers making a comeback.
Zayed felt he was baring his fangs every time he had to smile at all this insignificant chatter.
"…and so I said if you marry that kafir, don't even think about stepping foot in my home!"
Zayed barely listened to the fresh gossip, but he watched his sister giggle along and express her ardent approval with the other ladies and gentlemen. In his mind, he sneered at her and her perfect hijab and perfect demure personality. Kiss ass. He swept around, but he took notice of a pregnant convert smiling as her husband helped her put on her shoes and the lock of adoration they shared.
Vibrant orange eyes.
His hands twitched. I need to get back to Inayah. She needs me. I should've fought harder to stay by her side. He snarled when he saw his father making nice with board members once again. I just need to be patient. And I'll be the one on the throne. He narrowed his eyes when he saw Sooraya sidle up to his father with her words for his ears early. What is she telling him?
He politely excused himself from the conversation—he ignored Haya's triumphant look he had bowed out from whatever game she thought they were playing—and he stalked Sooraya's movements as she claimed a minute of the Emir's time. Whatever she said had Kamir agree with her and looked almost lethal, yet it was not aimed at her. What is that bitch telling him?
"Zayed."
He shoved down his bristling when Mohammed clapped his shoulder and kept up his perfunctory smile. "What can I do for you?"
Mohammed loudly sighed. "Oh, nothing, my boy, nothing. But you should be like your sister mingling," he encouraged. "You'll need all your allies in your fight for the title of crown, Zay."
"The mosque is a neutral zone," Zayed forcefully chuckled. "I think I'm safe."
"Ah, but you know you're never safe." Mohammed bore his hand down even more on his nephew's shoulder.
Zayed matched Mohammed's intense stare, his Curse barely hiding beneath the surface. "The warning is appreciated," he managed to say without growling.
"Then this should also be appreciated." Mohammed leaned down and whispered in Zayed's ear, "I see the way you watch my wife. What she holds underneath is not yours to want, boy. A married wife is not yours to gaze at with those eyes, understand?"
Zayed had to stop himself from spitting in wretched disgust and forced out another lighthearted laugh. "Please, 'Amm, you offend me." His eyes were ice-cold. "Your wife is safe. Especially when the Emira has such a soft spot for her."
Mohammed's eyes were colder. "They both have an understanding of how men work."
"Perhaps it's not men but themselves at fault, 'Amm," Zayed gritted.
"That's a very bold statement to make, nephew," Mohammed rumbled. "But it is a man's responsibility to keep his eyes forward and respectful. You're a prince, nephew." His bruising grip could have cracked Zayed's shoulder. "Don't forget your place." And he left Zayed alone.
Zayed struggled to keep all the whispers and cackles at bay as he watched his uncle. Everyone in this family is against me. Father, 'Amm, Haya, Fatii, that bitch of a mother—they're all against me. His Curse slipped from his sleeves. I should kill them all now.
Vibrant orange eyes.
That mollified his bloodlust, remembering Inayah's taste, her scent, how she softly moaned when he stroked her in the right spot. But I have Inayah. She'll be by my side. She's the only one who understands me. The chorus of giggles and gossip swirled around him and he thought alongside them, I'm coming to get you—his eyes turned pitch black—Ya Hayati.
The tinted-window SUV stopped at the valet, and the chauffeur quickly came out to round to the backseat. She opened the door with a bow and said, "We've made it to your destination, Miss Vinyl."
Vinyl exited and absently took the hand to help steady her, but she frowned as she looked at her destination with her violin case as a backpack. I don't understand. I'm meeting my singer at the Burj Shamballa?
The second-tallest skyscraper in the world was certainly a sight to behold, and no one could dispute that. Considering all the tourists swarming the building with their cubes and coms, it would seem the final days of spring holiday surged with guests trying to scope out as many floors as possible before they left. A fountain show would begin soon, and trickles of wealthy clients came in with their large SUVs and black-tie only.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
Burj Shamballa
Shamballa City
Shamballa, Alakitasia
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Vinyl adjusted her violin case and thanked the valet for bringing out her suit bag. I hope my outfit's okay. This is pretty much concert apparel whenever I conduct. Her filled black blouse and high raise sailor pants would have to do for the occasion. Genius said a friend should be out to greet me or something?
"You must be Miss Vinyl?" A tan-skinned woman with voluminous dark hair and a sharp power suit came out with her tablet and an offered hand. "I'm Raja, your coordinator for the evening. Mister Nokonoko has made all necessary arrangements and has booked you a sky suite in the event you would like to rest before going to the practice room with your collaborator."
Vinyl shook Raja's hands, bemused. Genius' last name is 'Nokonoko'? "Yeah, that's me. It's nice to meet you. And I'm good to head to the practice room."
"Wonderful." Raja stepped back and gestured to the Burj Shamballa. "Then allow me to escort you and go over your schedule."
"By all means."
Raja spoke into her earpiece before nodding to Vinyl. "Follow me."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
— • — • — • —
DING!
— • — • — • —
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Raja and Vinyl boarded a private elevator that not only required Raja's keycard but also her thumbprint and a retina scan. Once the doors closed and there was no sign of a set floor, Raja launched into it while the elevator rose. "The entire floor has been rented under Mister Nokonoko including personal room service, concierge, and any additional items you require such as dry cleaning and-or alcohol products, though we strongly encourage you to keep any and all liquor on your floor as it is illegal to be seen with such products outside your temporary suit. We have booked your practice time until five PM, then we will go to hair and make-up—all expenses paid, of course—a dry run of the rehearsal, and you will have security escort you and Miss K to your stage."
She looked at Vinyl. "Questions?"
"Um. Many," Vinyl admitted, still reeling. "I just… How was all this planned so quickly? I'm pretty sure I only recently agreed to all of this?"
"Mister Nokonoko is a very prepared man," Raja informed Vinyl. "And it helps he has such competent staff."
"How do you even know Genius?" Vinyl had to know. "I mean… He just never leaves his house."
Raja smiled a secret smile and chuckled. "I'm aware of his recluse status." She looked at the elevator door. "You'll find that many under Mister Nokonoko are very grateful to him. And because of that gratitude, we have loyalty to him above all else. He's helped so many of us find our happiness. And we'd all like to return the favor, as impossible as that may be."
"How has he helped you?" Vinyl asked, curious. But then she backpedaled. "But, uh, if it's a bit personal, you can just ignore me."
Raja simpered. "It's all right." Her eyes softened. "I'm not fully human anymore. I'm actually a Lacroid, though, in Alakitasia, they'd call me a Machias even if only twenty-six percent of my body is made of organic metal."
"Oh." Vinyl quickly understood the implications. "I'm so sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry about," Raja dismissed. "Though I suppose I felt very sorry for myself long ago. I was quite the miserable thing." Her eyes weathered. "Lacroids, Machias, Homunculi, AI Golems—we're treated as thoughtless machines just as chimaera are treated as exotic pets. But Mister Nokonoko showed us we are more than our cybernetics. We also have a consciousness—a soul—even if it's not the most conventional thing. We, too, are human. It just took many of us time to understand humanity is an ideology and not a race."
Vinyl blinked, the words resonating with her in a way she could not understand. "I see…" Genius… Who exactly are you? She looked back at Raja. "And what would make Genius happy?"
"It's hard to gather," Raja said. "But I suppose there is one thing."
DING!
The doors opened and showed a marble foyer with closed grand doors.
Raja gestured for Vinyl to step out. "And I believe you're about to meet her."
'Her'? Vinyl hesitantly stepped out. "Um… Do I need a key to get in?"
"You don't need to worry about that." Raja pressed a button, her eyes twinkling. "Technology has a way of simply working for the right people around here." And the doors to the elevator closed.
Vinyl had no idea how to interpret that. What is going on? Just what…? She looked at the closed doors in such perplexity. Meet 'her'? Was she talking about Genius' girlfriend? I thought he was just talking about a body pillow. It was quite easy for her to imagine Genius cooing at an anime body pillow, if she were to be frank. She drew herself up, determined. Well. I came all this way. And he said this will somehow help the Emira. Genius has never been wrong before.
She strode to the doors and took a breath—
La-lala…
Her aquamarines widened. Wait.
La-lala-lalaa…
Her fingers took to the door handles. That… That heartsong. No way… She broke open the doors—
Aquamarines glinted. It's really…
"La-lala… La… lala… lala…"
Sunlight shone down on tucked-in angelic wings that seamlessly blended in with dark skin. Curled red hair shielded half of their face as they aimlessly stood beside a grand piano and looked toward the window.
Vinyl could not help it when she breathed, "It's you."
Those angelic wings flexed in a nice stretch and manicured fingers drew through such thick locks. And when they turned, they showed Vinyl a shy smile and a bright heather grey eye. "Hello again, Viñella."
Had it not been for the Blessing of the Three Chief Goddesses, everyone knew they would have lived and died in this labyrinth. The rotting corpses and skeletons of assassins and thieves, the hints of traps, caged sleeping beasts—they all made it clear none of them, even in all their skill sets, would have survived five seconds without external help and divine intervention.
Gale led the group through with fungus and stubborn weeds offering him helpful guidance, but tension filled all of them. Yara and Fatimah stuck close to Orisa, keeping her roused and exchanging worried looks when Orisa looked like she was nodding off. Only twice had they had to stop for relief breaks with Orisa needing help, but they powered through the labyrinth as quickly as they could.
Yara's heart pounded catching Orisa beginning to doze and Fatimah prod the queen awake. She's losing consciousness too fast. I can't understand it. If my contact had a potion to zero any chances of pregnancies, why didn't he give it to us now? She could be in comfortable hibernation right now. Her jaw clenched. No. I can't doubt anything now. I need to focus on our escape.
Everyone moved down another hall—
Cassowary and Gale stopped.
The entire group stopped.
Swan's feathered fan split into two deadly weapons with their trophies armed and ready. Fatimah's eyes glowed blue as her sand chains laced her hands. Yara took up her dagger, protective of her ward.
Scales built up Gale's neck with a growl hanging in his throat. I know that feeling. His ears pricked.
And they waited.
And there was only sile—
DON!
Gale reacted first and he made a barricade when a hurricane of poisonous marigolds tried to suck them in. He snarled and shoved back his barricade, but it was destroyed into debris and smoke. Yet their opponent was not too patient to wait for the smoke to clear.
"You have something of mine, Black Dragon." Hemlock appeared with a fresh bandage over his eyes and the Song of the Damned dripping off every inch of his body. "I'd like it back."
Gale bared his fangs. "She wasn't yours to begin with, you fucking sicko." He sucked in a breath and unleashed a mighty roar: "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!"
Hemlock unleashed Souls of the Damned to cloak him, but Gale was quick in collapsing the tunnel before those decrepit creatures could reach them. He dug his hands into the ground and chanted: "Golem!"
The earth forged for him his faithful golems Hugo and Lag with their tall, robust forms, holes for eyes, and nothing more. They looked at their master for orders.
"You guys, get the fuck out of here," Gale barked. "My golems can get you out. I'll be behind you." He glared at the collapsed tunnel and he could hear the Souls of the Damned digging through all the fallen debris. "I have a date." And he dug a hole in the ground, leaving the group behind as he covered it up in his escape.
"Shit," Thirteen cursed. "Did you feel that energy?"
"A Necromancer," Swan spat." And a powerful one. How the Hell did Redeye's son get one of those Necrophilics on his back?"
"There's no time for that now," Fatimah snapped. "We need to get Yaya out of here. She can't fall asleep and she's barely holding on as it is."
Thirteen tersely nodded. "We know, Princess." He looked at the golems. "Can you get us out of here?"
The golems nodded before they worked together to make a new tunnel in this labyrinth, bending the earth to their will like they were cutting through water.
"This way." Thirteen rushed after the golems with the rest of the group after him. Dammit. That Necromancer—he could summon the Damned. That must mean he was born with his powers instead of a demonic contract or he was born a Shadow Charmer. The fact that Gale has someone like that as his enemy… He clicked his jaw. Fuck. Gajeel, your shit luck passed to your little junior.
Fatimah ran alongside the group, always glancing at Orisa. What was that? They called that person a 'Necromancer'? How is he in Shamballa? Who is he? Her face hardened. I've been so naïve, so blind. I limited my scope to Father and Zayed as enemies, but this entire country is full of Yaya's enemies. I'm her Custodian, but I don't even know how to protect her properly. I need more power to keep her safe. I need to fully become her Custodian.
She kept up her dash—
• — • — • — • — •
Light blue eyes.
A wailing woman singing the song of the Wastes.
The vision blurred through a crypt that had been dusted in sand and showed hieroglyphs of the history of Shamballa, from its original inhabitants to the truxe between the originals and newcomers to the rise of the Black Sage and all the prosperity that followed.
The passages flashed into a tomb made of something other than stone with ancient glyphs scripted. Time turners of every kind and material existed in such a room with the floors dusted in sand. A stained-glass window of the three chief goddesses raising their divine tiger shone down on a closed sarcophagus. The life of the deceased had been engraved into the sides of the sarcophagus, from her unfortunate birth to her becoming an orphan to her bringing about peace to her people and her crucifixion.
The top of the sarcophagus showed a statue of a niqabi woman lying down. But as the song of the Wastes grew louder and louder, her stone eyes turned into glowing blue.
'Find me.'
• — • — • — • — •
"Fatimah? Fatimah!"
Fatimah blinked out of her reverie to see Yara urgently shaking her. "Wh-What happened?"
"There's no time. We need to move!"
Fatimah fell back into her run, but that fog of confusion would not leave her. I… That place… I need to focus on getting Yaya out, but… Her brow knitted.
The group realized Fatimah had once again stopped running, and they all slowed down for Yara to urge, "Your Highness, I insist, we need to go—"
"I-I…can't go with you."
Yara's eyes widened at Fatimah's tentative refusal. "Ex… Excuse me?"
Swan huffed. "Listen, Princess, we're on a schedule, so if you could just jump on it, pretty please? We quite literally don't have all day."
And Cassowary cocked his head.
"I-I… I…" Fatimah curled a hand over her heart. Why am I saying this? Yaya comes first. But I need more power to protect her in the future. And that place… She looked up, surer of her actions. "Give me one of those golems." Her hand tightened. "There's somewhere I need to go first."
— • — • — • —
Starry Sky nemurenai yoru
nee aitai yo aitai yo
Kirameita ittousei
osaekirenai kimi e no omoi wo
•
Gyutto dakishimete mou hanasanaide
"aishiteru" dake ga zutto kagayaki tsuzukeru
— • — • — • —
Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance
— • — • — • —
Eiji "Dash" Ackermann – Leraldo Andzaldua
Genius – Derrick Snow
Iris -
Kamir bin Kwuyalid Al Marwan -
Zayed bin Kamir Al Marwan – Fady el-Sayed
Fatimah bint Kamir Al Marwan – Summer Bishill
Orisa / Inayah – Chipo Chung
Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes
Swan – Kayleigh McKee
Thirteen – Matthew Mercer
Yara Sandström – Katie Gray
Julia Fullbuster – Michelle Ruff
Mohammed bin Saif Al Marwan –
Vinyl – Alison Viktorin
Raja –
Kyary / Key – Raye Boyce
Hemlock – Alex Organs
— • — • — • —
Additional Voices
Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn
Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn
Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn
— • — • — • —
⌜OPENING SONG
⟪ SAYONARA DILEMMA ⟫
Vivid undress
Lyrics by
yu-ya⌟
•
⌜ENDING SONG
⟪ Starry ⟫
ClariS
Lyrics by
丸山真由子⌟
•
•
•
•
— • — • — • —
Next time, on Fairy Adventure
•
Episode 150
•
LEND YOUR VOICE
PART II
SHAMBALLA FINAL EPISODE
— • — • — • —
•
•
•
•
LA LALA LALA LALA LALALA
•
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Thank you so much for waiting this long!
I know Muslim burials don't incorporate coffins (to my knowledge, correct me if I'm wrong), so the Prophet having a tomb and a sarcophagus is leaning heavily on Earth Land having the basis of IRL religions, but still, it is not a 1:1 definition.
Has anyone figured out what exactly Kyary/Key is and why her voice is so effective?
Next time: the last battle, Gale and Fatimah unlock new powers, the truth about Kyary, and bye-bye, Shamballa!
I appreciate everyone's support on AO3 and here. FA Revised Episode 029 has dropped and we are in the revised Festival of Gratitude Arc. TBD when I will transfer all revised episodes here, but I think I will wait until after the Lucky Duck Casino Arc.
Thank you for your patience. Inshallah, let's meet in the next episode.