Chapter 74: Reunion

"Sword Horn!" "Dark Wing Slash!" The two attacks, along with an unexpected Cerberus, slammed directly into Kiora without any loss of momentum. Takeru shouted in his mind "YES," all of his timing and waiting finally paid off as Kiora went crashing into the ground off to the side. Blinking once, Takeru now realized the person in front of him, gradually gaining an annoyed face as he did the same. "What are you doing here already!?" They both shouted in unison, glaring at each other as they fell to the ground, landing on their feet. Unfortunately, it didn't stop there for either of them.

"I got here first, Salamander!" Takeru shouted at the top of his lungs, pointing Natsu's way to mark his victory over him. Natsu then shouted back, also pointing Takeru's way. "Shut up you bastard! I got the first hit in, so that means it's my win!" "You got the first hit, but my hit was the decisions one! I won, not you!"

"Oh yeah!?"

All the while the two Slayers were arguing, Erza remained hung from her shoulder, growing more and more agitated before she finally exploded. "HEY! You two idiots stop arguing right now!"

Natsu and Takeru turned her way, Natsu giving a confused look of his own as this was the first time he saw her since they split up into groups. "Huh? Erza? When did you get here?" Natsu asked, causing Erza to let out a disappointed sigh.

As Natsu released Erza from the scythe that kept her elevated, Takeru walked over to tower over the unconscious Kiora. He watched her for a few seconds as Natsu and Erza watched him. Everyone in the room knew exactly what had to be done, but if anyone had the complete iron will to do such a thing, it was the Omega Shadow Dragon Slayer. "I've never killed anyone before. Not purposely at least. But, this isn't just anyone. This is the beginning of an advantageous situation for us. Soon, we'll be running into him again...and the less he has by his side, the better chance we have in defeating him."

Takeru raised his right hand, Shadow and Darkness magic resonating around his hand which he held like a knife. Pointing it towards her as he reared it back, Takeru stared at the demoness one last time. "I'm almost sorry. You were a part of Arc's family. But that family is a threat to everyone else. So it's time for you to go. Goodbye, Kiora."

"Takeru!" Erza shouted, but it wasn't to stop him. It was to rush him along, or to warn him, because just as he swung his knife edged hand towards Kiora's throat, that large, pale beast shoulder bathed him out of the way. Takeru skidded across the floor, gaining his bearings once again — hands and feet grinding into the ground before finally coming to a halt. Growling, he looked up at the culprit, which was a bit of a surprise for him.

"How many times..." A voice rung from the pale beast's middle head. Cerberus then opened his mouth to once again reveal Sero inside, looking as pale and deranged as ever. "...Do I have to tell you...I won't let you harm Madam!" "This guy again!?" Natsu exclaimed, holding Erza up on his shoulder. Erza grimaced. "Who is that?" To which Natsu replied. "He's one of those gang members. He took over that dog's body with his Zombie magic just to fight us. He's like in love with Kiora or something."

"I said stop using that name!" He shouted, making the mistake of turning away from Takeru and facing Natsu out of pure rage. "You're annoying me." Takeru said, leaping towards Cerberus and Sero. He clung to the middle head, prying the jaw open as he grabbed Sero with his right hand and began pulling with all of his might. "Get out of there so I can destroy the rest of you!"

"Get your hands off of me! And stay away from her!" Sero shouted, causing the hellhound to thrash about in an attempt to try and break Takeru's hold. At the same time, unbeknownst to everyone around her, the demoness began to stir awake. Cerberus would unleash a powerful cry, shaking the room in its entirety as Takeru steadily made progress in tearing Sero from his host. "Takeru!" Erza shouted, then grimaced, holding the open wound on her shoulder. Natsu then added. "Be careful! He's some crazy zombie magic guy!" "Don't worry about me! I have too much momentum to let go now!" Takeru added, showing said progress as the Sero could slowly be seen being pulled from Cerberus's mouth. "One of you have to finish off Kiora, and now! Before she wakes up!"

Erza glanced over to where the demoness laid, and she could see Kiora stirring awake. "Kch! Natsu! You have to do it! Hurry!"

"Huh?" He questioned, hesitating. Erza then spoke again. "I know what you're thinking, but this is the one time it is allowed. She isn't human, and she isn't good. She will never be good! There's no amount of you beating her down that will change her!" As Erza tried her best to to convince Natsu to do the unthinkable to him, Kiora was now on her hands and knees, rubbing her temple where she was struck. "Come on you idiots!" Takeru shouted, almost removing Sero from Cerberus completely.

"Screw it!" Takeru became too impatient, releasing the Zombie Mage and lunging towards Kiora. "Natsu—"

"Oi! Ya ain't gotta tell me anymore, Erza! I know!" The Salamander screamed as he leapt towards Kiora at the same time Takeru did. A scene of recent deja vu, except this time coordinated, both Takeru and Natsu lunged towards their target with their respective elements wrapped around their right fists. "I'm gonna.." Natsu began. "Crush your skull in!" Takeru finished, and as they arrived, and Kiora made her way back to a dizzying stance, impact was made. Erza, who turned her head during, turned back to see the end result. Her eyes then pierced as she clenched her teeth. The pale Cerberus stood before the two Slayers, taking the massive blows they dealt with its middle skull. Kiora looked up, and her eyes remained glued to her precious house pet. "Cerberus? Baby?"

It's eyes became completely white, shifting to the back of its head as Sero let out a pained laughter. "I told you..." He said, sticking his upper frame out of the hellhound's mouth. "I'll protect Madam no matter the cost!"

"Dammit..." Takeru grimaced in disappointment. "You dropped the ball here, Erza...Natsu!"

Everything fell completely silent. The only sound made at this moment was the sounds of footsteps walking forward. She stepped around Cerberus, her black hair overshadowing her eyes as she now stood between Sero and Natsu and Takeru.

"Madam...!" Sero shouted in happiness. "Madam! I told them! I told them I wouldn't let them harm you! I told them that— Ma...dam...?" Suddenly, a hand was clenched around his throat, and with one effortless pull, Kiora ripped Sero right out from Cerberus, freeing her pet from the Zombie Mage's hold. "M-Madam! Wait!" Sero pleaded. Kiora has other ideas however. She turned Sero towards the unconscious hellhound, tightening her grip around his neck as Cerberus slowly regained his black. "Did you do that to my baby?" She asked. Sero was running out of air quickly, trying his best to find the words for anything. "B...but...! I'm your...your...ch—chai—"

"You're nothing." Kiora finished for him, closing her grip around his throat tightly. "How dare you place your magic upon my Cerberus. Even when my memory was gone, there was one warning I gave you worthless human scum when I took you with me. That was Cerberus, and Ouroboros! And you had the audacity to tamper with my precious hound!?"

"Pl...ease..." He managed to beg one last time, crushed throat and all.

"Don't. Ever. Touch. My. Babies. Now, join your leader on the ground." Kiora tossed Sero into the air, the masochist holding out an arm in desperation, hoping that she would have a change of heart at this very last second. But instead...

Sero's body instantly sliced in half, then fourths, sixteenths and so on until the demoness felt satisfied. With that same blade she planned on finishing Erza off with before the interruption, Kiora stood within the rainfall of bits and pieces that used to be Sero. The entire time, her hair covered her eyes, but as she raised her head... "Now, for the rest of you annoyances." ...Her new visage revealed to show red eyes as she glared towards her prey; Natsu, Takeru, and the wounded Erza. "Play time is over. I'll kill you all for hurting my precious Cerberus."

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"Alright guys! Let's end this thing here! This time I'll hit him with the final blow for real!" Reiss shouted while leading the giant Ouroboros his way, running towards the other end of the library. Skidding to a step at the dead end, Reiss turned back to the serpent, grinning as Tyson appeared from behind, leaping into the air. "Okay, well are you going to use your magic, or are you going to keep running around!" He shouted, showing both of his hands — one aura of fire and the other of earth. "Fusion Make: Molten Hammer!" At his shouting, Ouroboros turned to face Tyson, but that was the opening they quietly planned as Micaiah appeared, sliding underneath the behemoth with a copious amount of Light Magic cupped between her hands. "Thani!" She shouted, firing the beam of powerful light directly upwards; against the underbelly of the beast. Upon impact, a pained hissing came from Ouroboros as it flailed about, but it ultimately it just created the opening Tyson needed to fire down his aforementioned attack, right on top of its skull.

"That's right!" Reiss shouted like some kind of coach. "Hit it with everything you got! Lluvi! Ilaria!"

"Right!" They both shouted. Tyson then comically yelled. "Don't respond like soldiers to that idiot!"

"Hey now!" Reiss shouted back, grinning towards Tyson with a thumbs up. "Don't doubt me now! Follow my lead and we'll finish this thing off in no time!"

Ilaria and Lluvi bolted towards Ouroboros directly. Lluvi took to the right as Ilaria took to the left, and once in range of their desired tactics, Lluvi came to a sliding halt as Ilaria leapt directly towards the injured Ouroboros. The serpent lunged towards the Soul-Binder as well with intention to swallow her whole. That intention turned south as Ilaria's body suddenly became transparent, and she flew right through Ouroboros's frame to appear on the other side. The serpent's momentum caused it to crash into the ground, but it popped right back up despite the crashing damage done. "Ethereal Kusarigama!" She exclaimed, and in her hands, two small scythes appeared, bound by chains that wrapped around her forearms.

Suddenly, Ouroboros turned, popping open it's jaw as it quickly collected a large amount of magic. Without hesitation it fired what it had collected, but the group of rookies were ready for this as well. Especially Lluvi.

The beam didn't leave even inches from Ouroboros's mouth before exploding on impact. Lluvi placed yet another barrier just before the beast at the very last second, causing a painful recoil from it. "Now now now!" Ilaria shouted, launching both of her scythes towards Ouroboros! Both connected, latching onto the serpent perfectly. Tyson then began running towards the snake once again. "Since the wannabe leader has nothing to show, I'll follow up!"

"Hey! This is my time!" Reiss shouted. Tyson then turned back with an annoyed look. "You've has plenty of chances to join in! I'm not letting this thing recover!"

"Hmph!" The cocky one grinned as his body began to glow a colorless light, his aura dancing around him. "I understand your skepticism of up until now, but a star like me has to have the best introduction, and the opening has been made!" Pointless boasting ending, Reiss actually began to show some life, conjuring up a surprising amount of magic that even caused Tyson to stop in his tracks along with the weakened serpent. "So is it finally time?" He asked. Reiss would then answer the only way he knew how.

"Native Spirit of the Stars, I call upon thee! Poia!" Suddenly, that powerful aura that was forming around him manifested into a human like figure. Poia, the Spirit of the Stars, appeared before everyone. Standing over six and a half feet tall, it's glimmering pure white frame with mid-length black hair and matching black eyes. He had a tattoo pattern of Stars descending from his upper back and all the way down his back and spiraling to the front of his leg. A black cloak covered his waistline, matching black boots and gloves were all that accompanied his attire. The bulky figure stood with his fingers crossed as everyone else looked on with awe.

"You know. At times like this, you would turn to each other, and be thankful that you're guild mates." Micaiah began. But then, Lluvi would continue exactly just what she was thinking as Reiss pointing towards Ouroboro. "...But this guild is a lot different than that. Between Fusion Make, Soul Binding, very powerful Light Magic and now Native Summoning... its great that we're all teammates..."

At this point, Poia reared both of his arms back, collecting a bright white light within the cup of his hands. That's when everyone joined in with the same thoughts. "...It's scary to know, that we're also competing with each other, but... I'm in love with the fear!"

"Now Poia! Carnia!" The name of the vicious attack coming, Poia threw his hands forward, creating a large blast of Star Magic towards Ouroboros. It connected, swallowing the serpent whole as it's released it's loudest cry of pain. Basically disintegrating back to which it came, the giant snake was no more for now.

Reiss then clenched a fist, holding it up confidently as he went back to his boastful nature. "Like I said! Just leave it to me!" He shouted, laughing in victory. Ilaria fell to her seat, exhaling just like the other three girls. "Whew! We did it!" "Yeah.." Lluvi would murmur our learning against the wall. Tyson hugged, turning back to the laughing Reiss and simply giving him a stare as Poia disappeared. "I called it from the beginning! Just give me the final blow, and we'll never lose!"

"Yeah, just leave the work to us." Micaiah huffed out, just as beat as the others. Reiss boisterous laughter continued for seconds more...until finally...

A powerful presence stopped him cold, Reiss and the others now standing wide eyed as the pressure within the room changed. Solemn footsteps were heard, but no one dared turned to face this pressure they felt. Not that they had to..

"What a nice show you kids put on. Your faces are new to me, which means I hold no grudge with you, but just know..."

He then appeared in the middle of the room, towering over a frightened stiff Reiss. Sweat slowly fell from the rookie's head as he was now eye to eye with the epitome of fear. A surprisingly huge but well fit frame, red eyes glaring right into Reiss's blue with barely in room for personal space. "...It seems you're holding the guild mark of one of the two who got in my way six months ago! Are you the new generation of lowly humans that plan on stopping me and Tartarus!? Or are those moons just for show!?"

Reiss and the others prayed that he didn't actually want an answer, because everyone in the room was speechless. It caused him to laugh, and continue his walk forward towards the same door Takeru left through. "Oh, and if you see Taya, which your guild mark says you will..." He said, stopping one last time. He then looked over his shoulder with an evil, sadistic grin. "Tell him...he's coming home." Laughing again, he disappeared right through the door, making his way to his actual target.

"Even after he left the room..." Reiss began. "I can only now tremble in fear..." And the evidence was there. Reiss was shaking from every inch of himself, and the others were no different. Lost, confused, and completely horrified, they only had one question. "Who is that...?"

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Palm and Ino were left frozen solid in the music room, and just outside of it, Gray Fullbuster could be seen running towards the top floor where everyone seemed to be gathering. Full speed, panting even, Gray had on the same worried face as Wendy from before. "There's no way! He cant be here already! No, don't go into denial! Expect the worst, Gray! You have to get to Erza quickly! I'm sure she's already with Kiora! So if he gets there too... Hang on Erza!" He yelled, leaping past flights of stairs as he did. His next leap, he would jump right past Lucy and Happy who were also on the way up. "Gray!" She shouted, elated to see him once again. "Huh? Lucy, Happy...that means Natsu went on ahead, didn't he?" "Aye Sir!" Happy shouted with a salute. "But did you feel that earlier, Gray?" The Celestial Mage asked, her expression falling into a nervous one. Gray simply nodded as he ran with them now. "I did, and it's exactly what we feared. He's back..."

"No..." Lucy denied it, the disbelief showing in her eyes. But not even denial could keep them from the truth. Gray huffed once. "Yeah, Daityas...is here. So let's get moving now! If we stick together, we can at least have a chance to hold him off and make him retreat! And let's hope Kiora has been dealt with already! If that's who he's here for, he'll have no choice but to retreat then! Both of you, hang on to me, because we're going right to the top floor! Ice Make: —"

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The standoff: Kiora versus Natsu, Erza and Takeru took place at the top floor. The three on one handicap was a fight only one person was looking forward to, and that was the grinning Kiora herself. Her grin well matched her entire mood however, for she was prepared to slaughter all three of them for the retribution of her own Cerberus. Her aura dominated the room, and as the demoness held her scythe by her side, she beckoned any of them to attack her. "Don't be shy. Every action bares consequence. Your's will be death, alongside these two worthless worms."

Natsu clenched his teeth, flames gathering around both his hands as he took a single step forward but nothing more. Two more blades appeared in Erza's hands as a mixture of shadow and darkness wrapped around Takeru. Everyone was as ready as they ever would be, and Kiora sounded them off one last time. "Well!? Don't just stand there! You boasted of my defeat this entire time, speaking of how you must kill me! Show me that vigor one last time you insects! Don't keep me waiting! Bring it on!"

"That won't be necessary." And for the third time, the ominous pressure that dominated every room its touch had appeared. Everyone stopped, Kiora raising a brow as Erza, Natsu and Takeru all looked around, wide eyed. Suddenly, a line of fire separate the room right down the middle, keeping the three away from Kiora. "Flames?!" Erza exclaimed. "Natsu, can you—"

"I can't." He said with his own extinguished hands shaking. "Those flames are..."

"I expected so..." Erza added, waiting for his official arrival. And there he appeared, the door to the room opening, and step by step, the leader of Tartarus, Daityas made his grand entrance to a bunch of familiar faces. "Well well." He said, standing in the midst of his own flames, looking at neither party for the moment. He then turned his sights to the mages, grinning sadistically afterwards. "Isn't this a familiar scene? Fairy Tail and White Eclipse, who would have thought?"

Kiora simply raised a hand with a bland face. "Hey Daityas." To which he turned with a smile. "Kiora. I see your memories are mostly back?" She nodded. "Is that why you're here?"

"Of course, and to retrieve you from whatever insignificant thing you're doing. But it looks like it's not as insignificant as I thought. But the second a single memory of yours returned, I was able to find your location, thanks to that spell I casted on everyone on that day. Zeref really has a spell for everything."

"Too bad he's gone!" Natsu shouted, now actually giving a grin of his own. Daityas turned a wild peripheral eye towards Natsu, glaring at first, but then laughing. "I'll leave that one alone." He said ominously. He then turned back to Kiora. "Don't worry. You weren't the first to go through that head pounding pain. Rugal, Ruika, they're both waiting on us." That's when he turned back to the mages. "With Kiora, thats three demons you failed to secure from me. Don't worry, there's a silver lining in here, and I'm sure he'll find you very soon."

"Three!?" Natsu exclaimed.

"You mean he's already gathered two of them!?" Takeru also questioned. He ignored them, only speaking to Kiora as he turned his back to them. Daityas held out a hand, causing Kiora to raise another brow. "If your memories returned, then let's go. We have much to do for our revenge."

"Revenge?" She asked, blinking. She then shrugged, giving a look of indifference. "I don't know what you're going on about when the big guy is dead, but if it's about killing people then count me in! Let's go—"

"— Geyser!"

Shooting through the floor, a large pulled of ice surrounded Daityas completely as Gray, Happy and Lucy arrived on the scene in dramatic fashion. Their sudden arrival also snapped the other three out of their fearful trance as Gray shouted. "We came here to compete a mission! Don't let her escape, right? It doesn't matter if it takes all of us to deal the final blow, just make sure to do it here and now! Now! While we have Daityas trapped! Let's go!"

Such motivated words caused everyone to move forward. Erza, Natsu and Takeru couldn't help but agree as the three of them lunged for Kiora who dropped her guard from all of the commotion. "Loke!" Erza shouted, and the Lion Spirit appeared directly above the demoness with glowing fists.

"This is it!" Natsu yelled, rearing his right arm back, fist ablaze as he focused in on his target. But alas, not even their motivated movements were fast enough for the proclaimed King of Hell. In a seconds time, the Ice Geyser exploded into a fit of Hell's Flames, and Daityas appeared before the attacking group. "Heh. As much as I want to kill you all here, it would be much to troublesome at this moment. We'll be back very soon however. Rugal."

Upon the call of his name, a portal flung open behind Kiora, the demoness falling back inside of it thanks to his absorbing properties. Daityas hopped back as well, but gave one last sign off before leaving. "But before I go, here's a present! Please be sure to share it with your guilds!" With a single swipe of his hand, the entire castle went up in flames, burning rapidly as Daityas left through the portal created. It vanished right after he stepped in.

"DAMMIT!" Takeru shouted, pounding the floor once with his fist. "We had her! Why!? We could have ended her!"

"Nows not the time!" Erza shouted, coughing from the smoke that gathered from the inextinguishable flames. "Let's find the others and get out of here! We can decide what to do from there!"

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As the castle burned to the ground, everyone stood outside, watching. "Scooter...my castle...my home! You ruined it!" Bob shouted, falling to the ground. "This is a travesty! A tragedy! All of my belongings! My treasures and my cosplay outfits! Gone!" Erza bowed and the others followed. "We're very sorry. This mission suddenly turned into one of an Ace's Class, which none of us are qualified to manage, but there was nothing we can do since we had already engaged. You can keep all reward money for we failed to save your home. Also, please don't get the council involved. We'll help with whatever we can in repairs."

"You're damned right you will!" He shouted, tears flowing out of his eye sockets. "And you like, owe me another favor after that! I'll think of it when the time comes!"

Erza nodded as the others remained bowed. "Understandable."

Understandable! That's you." Bob said, mocking as he walked away. With him gone, everyone relaxed once more, as much as they could.

"So what now?" Tyson asked Takeru. "We have a talk ahead of us back at home." He answered. "Not that you have a choice, but Erza, you guys should probably join us. It's both of our problems after all."

"That we can agree on." She replied, nodding once. "Daityas, Rugal, Ruika, and now Kiora..." Erza clenched a fist tightly. "He grabbed two of them from under our noses, and then waltz in and retrieved Kiora without even trying. He was always a monster, but just how strong is he now...?" "Keh, however strong he is..." He began, slamming his fists together and creating a expulsion of flames. "We've already defeated the strongest of what they have. So we'll take them down too! Right!?"

"Right, Natsu-San!" Wendy shouted, still carrying Cynthia on her back. Her condition caused Erza to look her way once more, remaining silent about it for now.

"Yeah, but let's go home first." Gray stated. "And meet up like we planned. First thing tomorrow sounds a lot better than right now. So let's do that instead."

"Right!" Everyone agreed in unison. Right after, the two guilds went their separate ways,

only to meet again the next day.