Hello, welcome to a new chapter of FTNT and I hope you enjoy it.
Tenma Kirin – Enjoy the next chapter.
danielsnow – Thank you so much. I took a lot of planning, but I may have found a way to bring Ur back that doesn't sound ridiculous. The reason why Night Terror doesn't think them turning to demons is a bad thing will be explained in this chapter.
The is a reason why Erza is so cold to Night Terror and I will elaborate more in this chapter.
human dragon – Thank you so much. Please enjoy the next chapter.
Djinn – As always thank you so much and I hope you like the next chapter.
NinjaFang1331 – No problem, thank you so much.
Neo Infinity – I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for explaining who Seilah is. I actually started watching the first episodes of Fairy Tail a few years ago, but I couldn't find anywhere to watch it (without having to pay) so I gave up. I was (and still am) very new to the anime fandom so I didn't have a lot of resources at the time. However, I found a few good websites a few months ago and started watching it again. That, plus the inspiration I gained from reading TheWhiteTitan's 'The Demon Fox of Fairy Tail' created this story.
Lelouch of Zero – I get what you mean. I felt that Lucy must have picked something up after spending so much time with Night Terror that will improve her fighting capabilities.
Yeah, Night Terror is finding it tough to get through to Erza, but, as I said earlier, there is a reason why she is so cold to Night Terror which will be explained in this chapter. Their relationship will slowly, but surely get better overtime.
ikusatsunagi – No problem, please enjoy the next instalment.
Thanks for the reviews.
Enjoy :)
Chapter 10: Breaking The Curse
Temple of the Moon
Erza, Lucy and Happy rushed into the temple and found Grey and Lyon still ensnared in shadows. Grey was struggling to get out of his bindings while Lyon had a defeated expression on his face. Erza rushed towards Grey and tried to tear away the shadows.
"What happened?" Erza demanded, growling when her hand would pass through the shadow.
"It's Night Terror," Grey explained, "he's going to fight Deliora," he said making Erza's and Lucy's eyes widen in shock.
"What? All by himself?" Lucy asked in concern.
Erza growled and got into Grey's face, "Why didn't you stop him!?" she shouted at him.
"Don't you think I tried," Grey muttered back before he sighed, "there may be a chance he's found Natsu and he went with hi-"
"Hey guys," Natsu called out enthusiastically as he strolled into the room, "what are yo- AHHH! ERZA!" he screamed as he laid eyes on Erza.
The red haired mage turned her furious eyes onto Natsu and grabbed on to his scarf before he could run away.
"Wrong place, wrong time, Natsu," Happy sighed with a shrug.
"And where have you been?" Erza darkly questioned as she loomed over Natsu.
"I've been fighting this weirdo who kept throwing orbs at me," Natsu frantically explained, "please don't kill me I have to tell Night Terror something," Natsu begged.
"Night Terror is fighting Deliora right now," Erza informed through gritted teeth.
Natsu blinked in confusion before he frowned angrily, "No way! Without me!" he shouted before Erza punched him into the floor.
"He really needs to learn when to shut up," Lucy sighed as she stared at the unconscious Natsu, a lump already starting to form on his head.
"I think by now he's too old to learn," Happy commented, "like learning how to play the piano."
"Erza," Grey said, making her turn to him.
"What-" she began to question before she saw the dark tendrils that were around Grey began to slither away.
The shadows began to release Lyon as well and retreat into the corners of the room. Not only that but everyone's shadows began to travel and disperse into nothingness, making them look around in alarm.
"What's happening to our shadows!?" Happy cried as he frantically looked around for his.
Lucy's eyes widened in realisation, "Night Terror," she muttered catching everyone's attention, "he must need them."
Cavern Beneath the Temple
Deliora roared at Night Terror once more, swinging his giant claws at him threateningly. However, the Phobos knew that it was to conceal its fear, like a wild animal baring its teeth at its captures even though it's injured.
Night Terror chuckled at the attempt as darkness swirled around at his feet.
"What do monsters fear?" Night Terror questioned as he walked closer to Deliora calmly, the darkness forming around him, "Not a lot, I imagine. You have the ability to destroy hundreds of lives at a swipe of your claw and you are seemingly indestructible. Yet, it is impossible for you not to fear," he said as he started to grow bigger and bigger, making Deliora step away from him, "For to live is to be mortal. And to be mortal is to be afraid."
Soon the dark shadows around Night Terror started to form into a giant that towered over Deliora. It took the shape of the cloaked Phobos, his face an empty abyss under his hood that stared into the monster's eyes. The amount of fear Night Terror was emitting was staggering. It was enough to give animals heart attacks and for humans to feint. Deliora was trembling beneath the behemoth that was the Night Terror.
In panic Deliora tried to use his mighty claw to swipe at the Night Terror, but the Phobos caught it with his colossal claw. No longer was the claw made of metal, but now it was shrouded in darkness. Deliora screeched in pain as Night Terror crushed his claw.
"WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I THINK YOU ARE SCARED OF, DELIORA!," Night Terror growled, his dark booming voice shaking the cavern around them, "YOU ARE AFRAID OF BEING POWERLESS!" Night Terror caught Deliora second claw, "OF BEING DEFEATED!" he started to wrap dark tendrils around the monster's neck, choking it, "AND MOST OF ALL…," he leaned in close to the monster's face, causing it to whimper, "you are afraid of something being stronger than you," he said in a whisper.
The dark tendrils around Deliora's neck grew tighter and tighter, until it dug into the monster's neck.
"LE CUMHACHD A 'CHINNIDH PHOBOS, THA MI A' FALBH ÀS DO UILEBHEIST!" Night Terror roared before he tightened the tendrils for the last time and...
Snap!
Deliora was decapacitated.
The head of the monster gave a silent scream as it fell to the ground and, upon impact, exploded into dust. Its lifeless body fell to its knees and also crumbled into nothingness. Night Terror released its arms and step back away from his defeated foe.
Since Deliora was trapped for so long in Ur's ice, it needed time to recover before it could go another rampage. However, Night Terror had vanquished it before it had the chance and the monster merely crumbled to dust.
Night Terror had killed Deliora, the slayer of thousands.
The darkness surrounding Night Terror peeled away and returned to where it belongs. As the Phobos went back to his regular size, he fell to his knees in exhaustion using his metal claws to keep him steady. Seeing that nobody was here, he pulled his hood down off his head revealing short messy black hair. He closed his eyes trying to get his strength back.
"That was more tiring than I thought," Night Terror muttered, dropping his dark voice for now.
Since he hasn't gone through the proper initiation, his control of the darkness is limited. If he let his emotions get the better of him, his power could overwhelm him, and he would lose control. Luckily for him, everything was under control.
He soon recovered, pulled his hood over his head once again and stood up to leave. That's when he noticed something. He sensed fear coming from somewhere in the cavern, but as he looked around there was nobody else there. He kicked a pile of dust, previously known as Deliora, to confirm that it was actually dead, but it wasn't coming from there.
Walking further into the cavern, towards the ice, the fear sense got stronger. It was a fear for the safety of others, especially children or students or anybody younger. But how can that b-
Night Terror stopped mid-thought as he looked towards the remaining ice, most of it having melted away or destroyed by Deliora. Grey's words echoed through his mind as he approached the small iceberg and placed his hand onto it.
A rush of emotions came from the ice, filling Night Terror's head with many fears and insecurities. Most of them were for the safety of Grey and Lyon.
Night Terror took his hand away and, with a definite nod, was convinced that Ur Milkovich was still alive.
'I must free her,' Night Terror thought, 'she seems to be in a coma-like state. Perhaps I can shock her out of the spell.'
It was simple, Night Terror would emit a small bit of fear into the ice, and it would awaken Ur's conscientiousness. Like waking up after falling in a dream.
He placed a claw onto the ice and shocked it with his fear magic. The iceberg instantly radiated a bright light that blinded Night Terror for a moment. Before his eyes, the ice started to shrink and form into a body of a young woman with short dark purple hair and pale skin. The bright light began to fade, and Night Terror noticed her nakedness. He turned away in embarrassment and covered her body with a shadow.
Looking again at the Ur, Night Terror noticed two things. The first is that Grey had described her as being in her late twenties, but she seemed to have not age at all despite spending almost decade under Ice Shell spell. Night Terror deduced that the spell had preserved Ur in the state she was when she first cast it. The second was that she seemed…familiar. He doesn't know if the colour of her hair or the shape of her face was, but Night Terror knew he seen somebody similar to her.
He instantly shook of those thoughts when he saw that her breathing was unsteady. He took of his armoured claw and placed his fingers under Ur's neck.
Her pulse was weak. Too weak.
Being in the ice for too long must have been overwhelming for her. He started to perform CPR on Ur, trying to stabilise her heartbeat, but after several attempts it was not working.
He can't let her die.
It was the Phobos duty to save those in need and he promised Grey and Lyon retribution for the Clan's failure. Night Terror racked his memories trying to think of all the stories within the Tome of the Phobos that could help him. There had to be a way to save Ur.
That's when he remembered one story.
An Sgeulachd Mu Uisge Na Beatha
The Story of the Water of Life
Long ago,
A young girl, yet to see her sixth birth year, was dying,
She had fallen ill of a sickness with no known cure,
Every physician and doctor on the Island of Fear had failed to save her from her demise.
Her father was distraught and begged and pleaded to the gods and goddess of the island to save his daughter,
He begged Earrach, the goddess of spring and birth, to help his daughter,
However, Earrach shook her head sadly, for since his daughter was already born, she had no domain over her life.
He pleaded the Ùine, the time keepers, to save her.
However, the Ùine firmly denied for since they had already weaved her fate, they could not change it.
He finally begged Gliocas, the goddess of wisdom, to provide him the knowledge of how to cure his daughter,
However, Gliocas denied the poor father, for since death was natural there is no escape from it.
The father had almost given up when Mì-fhortanach, the goddess of fortune appeared before him,
She had heard of his plight and told him of a spring west of the island that flowed water that may cure his daughter of her ailments,
Knowing of her mischievous nature, the father questioned the goddess of any trickery if he perused this cure,
Mì-fhortanach laughed joyfully and told him that the spring was upon an island in the middle of a lake,
The lake water was silver and deadly, living creatures perish if the water touches them like a poison,
No boat can travel across the waters, nor can any bird or beast can fly over it,
The father would have to swim the poisonous lake water.
In his desperation, the father searched for the spring and soon found it,
As Mì-fhortanach had said, the spring was on a small rocky island in the middle of a grand lake,
The lake water was vile and smelt of rotting corpses,
It bubbled and spat like hot tar and scolded and burned the ground around it,
Yet the father, fuelled by the determination to save his daughter, dived into the silvery water.
It burned and scorched the father, his body racked with pain,
But he continued to swim,
By the time he made it to the island, his clothes and hair had burned off and his skin was starting to peel,
He collected the water in small vial and held it above his head as he swam back towards the mainland.
As he reached the edge, the father was no more than a living skeleton,
His bones were bleached white, and his eye sockets were dark and filled with pain,
But yet he lived.
He ran back to his daughter and made her drink the Water of Life,
Almost instantly the young girl was cured,
The father was joyous of her recovery, but soon succumbed to his injuries and died soon after.
The gods and goddess admired the father's bravery and determination and rewarded him for his effort,
They came to a decision to deify the father and granted him immortality,
The father became the Phobos god Stiùireadh, the living skeleton who guides those who had died to the afterlife.
The daughter grew up and had a happy life,
But at the end of her life, when she was too old and frail to continue,
The gods immortalised her by turning her into red chrysanthemum flowers and reunited her with her father and helped him lead those who have died.
Since then, the chrysanthemum become the symbol of guidance through death and every Phobian funeral is decorated with these flowers, its petals laid on the ground to guide lost spirits,
However, not only is it a symbol, but its nectar contains the Water of Life,
The water is extracted and given as a gift to every young Phobos for when they meet someone in dire need, they shall give them its nectar and restore their vitality,
And thus concludes the story of the Water of Life
(An excerpt from the 'Leabhar a 'chinnidh phobos' or 'Tome of the Phobos Clan'. Acquired and translated from Tomorin into common speak by Victor Soul.)
Night Terror reached into his cloak and pulled a small clear vial. These vials of the Water of Life were given to Phobos who had completed their training. However, Since Night Terror never started the invitation trials he was never given one. The vial in his hand was given to him by...by...someone.
They were supposed to give to someone on the cusp of death for when they are out on missions, but for only those who deserve it. Phobos could go their whole lives without giving it to anyone and would usually pass it down as an heirloom.
Night Terror had no time to re-evaluate his judgement. He opened the small vial, opened Ur's lips and tipped the water into her mouth.
Once the water fell on Ur's tongue, her eyes snapped open. She sat up in panic, but Night Terror held her down gently.
"Peace, Miss Ur. You are safe," he calmly told her as he made her lie down again.
Ur's eyes turned to him and frowned tiredly, "Where am I?" she whispered, "where's Grey, Lyon? Am I...dead?"
She hesitated slightly when she asked that last question, inspecting the cloaked figure looking over her.
"Underneath the Temple of the Moon, both Mr. Grey and Mr. Lyon are safe and no, you are not," he looked down at himself, "I...get that last question a lot," he said with a sigh.
Ur nodded here eyes starting to close again, "That's good. Never met a Phobos in person before," she muttered in exhaustion.
"Rest now, Miss Ur," Night Terror urged as he created a pillow out of a shadow and placed it under her head, "we shall travel to the surface once you have recovered."
Ur nodded tiredly, to exhausted to argue with him. She closed her eyes and fell asleep soon after. Night Terror sighed in relief. He inspected the vial in his hand and threw it away, making it smash to pieces against a rock. He won't be needing it anymore.
He sat down beside Ur and made sure she was comfortable. After a moment, he reached into his cloak and pulled out a lunch box and a thermos and began preparing a small meal.
He reckoned she would be hungry after being trapped in ice for almost a decade.
Outside the Temple
The others gathered outside waiting for Night Terror to come back. Their shadows had returned to them indicating that the Phobos had won his fight. Well...that's what Lucy hoped anyway.
Lyon's group except for Zalty, who has mysteriously disappeared after Natsu defeated him, joined them. Sherry was thrown out of Night Terror's Shadow prison and shakily made her way to Lyon.
Since Night Terror had thwarted their plans they had no need to fight anymore and so they waited impatiently with the Fairy Tail wizards.
Erza growled in annoyance, "What is taking him so long?"
"Give him a chance," Lucy persuaded, "five more minutes and then we go down."
"Damn it," Lyon muttered bitterly, holding his head in hands in sorrow, "I should have been the one to kill Deloria. Not him," he said as Sherry patted his back comfortingly.
"Will you shut up," Grey demanded crossly, "our comrade is down there with one of the deadliest monsters and all you're doing is whining."
"He's right though!" Natsu interjected angrily, shaking his fists, "I should be down there as well! Why didn't he invite me! That's just rude!"
"You're both idiots!" Grey shouted at them both.
"Who are they talking about, Toby?" Another member of Lyon's gang asked the dog person.
This was Yuka, a slim man with spiky blue hair, fair skin and very large eyebrows.
Toby sniffed, "Probably about that freak in the cloak."
"You mean that one that defeated you easily?"
"Hey, It wasn't a fair fight," Toby complained, "I would have beat him up if he wasn't such a coward."
"You really should not talk about people behind their backs," a dark voice said, making Toby yelp and jump away from the entrance.
Everybody turned and saw Night Terror exiting the temple. However, what really caught their eyes was the woman he was helping walk out. Lyon and Grey's eyes widened as they saw their master Ur enrobed in darkness. She didn't look like she had aged a day since they last saw her. Tears threatened to fall from their eyes as they slowly approached the master who they thought had died.
"Master Ur," Grey murmured in disbelief.
"You're alive," Lyon added.
Ur raised her head and smiled kindly at her two former pupils, briefly noting that they had grown since she's been aware. She stood to her full height and opened her arms open welcomingly.
"Hello boys," she greeted softly, making the two run up to her and embrace their no longer lost master.
However, before they could reach her, Ur smashed her fists on top of their heads making them face-plant into the ground in front her.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU TWO WERE PLAYING AT!" she shouted down at them, "I had to hear it from a Phobos that one of my students almost got himself killed by freeing Deliora and the other was defeated twice in combat!"
Grey looked up at Night Terror with a betrayed look, "You snitched on us."
"I merely briefed Miss Ur of the current situation," Night Terror replied calmly, "but yes. I did snitch on you two."
As Ur continued to shout at her students, Lucy walked up and hugged Night Terror around the waist, making him blush and gave a small squeak in embarrassment.
"I'm so glad you're alright," Lucy said into his cloak.
Night Terror smiled kindly and was about to reply when Erza stoically approached him. Her expression was unreadable, a mixture of anger and calm. Lucy saw her too and backed away in case she was caught in her wrath.
"Deliora?" she questioned.
"Vanquished."
She raised an inquisitive eyebrow, "Are you sure?"
"All that remain is dust. The monster is no more."
Erza nodded her head stiffly in understanding and glanced at the revived Ur, "How did-"
"Miss Ur was always alive," Night Terror informed, "All it took was a shock to the subconscious mind and the spell broke. She doesn't seem to have recalled all her memories, but I'm sure they will come back to her eventually."
They both looked at Ur and her students once again. Ur was done shouting at them and was now kneeling before them and hugging their necks gratefully.
"I'm so glad you two are alright," she murmured as a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Erza and Night Terror watched the happy reunion with small smiles. The red haired mage turned to Night Terror and sighed.
"Good work, Night Terror," Erza congratulated calmly before turning away.
Night Terror watched her leave, a little surprised by her praise.
'You are very welcome, Miss Erza,' Night Terror thought, glad that he pleased her.
Natsu pumped his fist into the air in celebration, "Oh right! We completed a S Class mission!" he cheered with a toothy grin.
"Aye!" Happy cheered along with him.
"No, you didn't," Erza coldly reminded, instantly faltering Natsu's and Happy's celebration, "we have yet to lift the curse on the island."
"That's right," Lucy said, turning to Lyon firmly, "you need to drop Moon Drip now and stop turning the villagers into demons," she demanded.
Lyon and Night Terror looked at her in confusion, "What are you talking about?" Lyon questioned, "we're not turning anyone into demons."
"Yeah, you are," Natsu accused, "why are you lying?"
Lyon frowned crossly, "I keep telling you, I don't know what you mean. The Moon Drip spell was supposed to melt the ice. We didn't even know there was a village until last night."
Before they could question further, a cold chuckle came from Night Terror, making everyone shiver in fear.
"Quite hilarious," Night Terror said, "I see the misunderstanding."
'That's how you laugh!? It's so creepy!' everyone, except for Lucy and Erza, collectively thought.
"We must return to the village and lift this curse. Miss Ur, I'm sure the villagers would provide you with clothing as well," Night Terror suddenly remarked turning towards the direction of the village. The others looked at his retreating figure in confusion.
The Fairy Tail mages and Ur shared a look before deciding to follow him, leaving behind Lyon and his group.
"Wait! What are we supposed to do!?" Sherry called after them.
Night Terror looked back at them and tilted his head, "You are free to do what you desire, Miss Sherry," Night Terror answered, "since you are all powerful mages, I recommend that you join a guild and use your magic for good use," he turned around once more and waved a claw over his shoulder in farewell, "Good day Mr Lyon, Miss Sherry, Mr Yuka, Mr...Dog."
Soon they were all out of sight as they travelled further into the jungle, leaving behind a confused and slightly lost group.
The Village
The members of Fairy Tail were more than surprised when they returned. They were met with a villager who led them back to the spot where the village once stood, only to see that it had been restored. The wooden fence that surrounds it was undamaged, the straw huts were rebuilt, and even the small things like touches, trees and bushes have returned. It was as if nothing had happened to it.
"Whoa, are you kidding me," Lucy uttered in awe as she looked around the village and saw the residents celebrating joyfully.
"Yesterday it was a total wreck," Happy added in disbelief.
Night Terror hummed thoughtfully. He approached a house and slid a claw gently across the wall, making sure he didn't leave a scratch. He rubbed his index and thumb claw together as if he was testing for dust and hummed in interest.
Ur walked up beside him and inspected the house as well, "There is no doubt about it. Magic was involved," she deducted.
"And quite an ancient one," Night Terror added, putting his hand away, "However, I know no mage who has such an ability."
"You think we should be worried?"
Night Terror didn't answer immediately. He glanced around at the villagers, who were now in their demon forms, happy with newly constructing village.
"Not this time. I doubt this is anything sinister," Night Terror said.
Ur raised an eyebrow, but soon nodded in agreement.
"Night Terror," Erza called out as she approached him, "You have figured out what is going on as well?"
"Indeed, the Phobos have know the residents of Galuna Island for many years. We have been aware of what they are for a very long time," he answered.
"I see," Erza mused before turning to the village chief who was standing before his people.
Chief Moka was a short elderly man with blue and black spotted skin. He had two straight horns on his head and two very long sideburns. Although he was a wise and kind chief, he was glaring at Erza impatiently.
"Well, are you going to destroy the moon or what!" Chief Moka cried at the Fairy Tail mages, waving his crescent moon staff around.
Erza was unfazed by his shouting, "We will get there in a moment. But first I would like to ask you some questions."
The villagers hummed and shuffled uncomfortably, but they didn't deny her questioning.
"Allow me to get my facts straight," Erza continued, "the first time everybody in the village took on these demonic forms is when the moon turned purple. Is that correct?"
"Yes," Chief Moka "during the day we are fine, but when the moon comes out, we turn into demons."
"And this all began three years ago?" Erza asked, earning a nod of Moka's head in confirmation.
Erza hummed and closed her eyes in thought, "We learned that the Moon Drip ceremony has been performed on this island every night for the last three years," she said before starting to pace, "and each night it has produced a beam of light so brilliant that you couldn't miss it."
"Miss Erza," Night Terror warned, seeing the danger she was walking into.
"Please don't inter- KYA!" Erza screamed before accidently falling into a covered pit trap, surprising everyone.
"Huh, looks like Lucy's pit trap was restored as well," Happy mused
"She screamed like a girl," Natsu and Grey gasped in awe.
"She's going to kill me," Lucy cried panically while Night Terror shook his head in disappointment.
They were even more shocked when Erza climbed out of the hole completely unfazed by what just happened.
"Did you not wonder where that light was coming from?" she continued casually, ignoring the looks she was being given.
"We wanted to investigate, but according to village law we can go to the temple," Chief Moka explained.
"Are you sure that was the reason?" Night Terror suddenly asked, startling the villagers, "Or was it because you could not investigate."
Chief Moka gulped nervously, "H-how did you know?"
Night Terror tilted his head questioningly, "If I may hazard a guess, you have attempted to visit the temple many times, but you found yourselves back to where you had come from with no memory of how it had happened," he told them.
Moka was briefly surprised that he had guessed what they have been doing a nodded in agreement.
Night Terror smiled when the chief nodded and turned to Erza, "I believe this confirms everything."
Erza hummed, "It would seem so," she agreed before using her Requip to turn her armour into another yellow and blue striped suit of armour. This was known as her Giant Armour and it allows to greatly increase her strength, "let's destroy the moon," she declared.
…
…
…
"WHAT!" Lucy, Grey and Happy shouted in disbelief.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Natsu cried excitedly.
He wasn't the only person thrilled; the villagers cheered triumphantly. They couldn't wait to turn back into humans now that the purple moon is destroyed.
"Night Terror, I may need your assistance," Erza requested as she formed a large spear in her hand.
The Phobos nodded in agreement. After saying a quick apologetic pray to Ghealach, the moon goddess, he prepared several tendrils of darkness and waited for Erza's signal.
"They're actually going to try it?" Grey muttered with a deadpanned expression.
"I'm more surprised that Night is going through with it," Lucy added, equally as unenthusiastic as Grey.
Erza lifted the spear over her shoulder and aimed upwards at the purple moon. Taking a few deep breaths, she aimed and threw the spear into the sky. Night Terror instantly shot out his tendrils of darkness and used it to push the spear further into the night sky. The spear rocketed out of view until eventually it hit the moon, indicated by a bright light. Not long after, the moon started to crack into small pieces.
"THEY ACTUALLY DID IT!?" Lucy and Grey cried in astonishment as they saw the moon begin to break.
The cracks spread further and further across the moon, until it exploded into millions of pieces. However, much to their confusion, the moon was still there. Although it had now turned its normal silver colour. What was even more surprising was that it was surrounded by a cracked hole as if they were looking at the moon through a hole in a window.
"They we are," Night Terror said, "everything is back to normal."
"What are you talking about!?" Natsu cried, perplexed by the events that had happened.
Gasps of horror and disappointment sounded from the villagers. They looked down at themselves and saw that they still looked like demons.
"What's going on?" one villager questioned.
"Why are we not back to normal?"
"But you are back to normal," Night Terror calmly explained as Erza nodded in agreement, "or rather, you were never different in the first place."
Ezra stepped forward and Requiped into her regular armour, "Moon Drip had no effect on the villagers," she explained, "the spell acts like a gas that solidified over the island and forms a dome like structure which is what we destroyed. As Lyon explained it was only supposed to melt the ice by magnifying the moonbeam."
"But why did the villagers say they were cursed?" Ur questioned.
"Although, it had no effect on the villagers physically," Erza answered, "it may have effected their memories slightly."
The villagers heard this and racked their memories.
"Of course," one villager cried in realisation, "we have always looked like this. I can't believe I forgot."
Soon the villagers started to remember as well, but Lucy still looked confused.
"But how did you know they looked like this the whole time?" Lucy asked Erza.
"I believe I can answer that, Miss Lucy," Night Terror interjected, "the Phobos have known of the residents of Galuna Island ever since they first settled on the island. We have know what they had looked like all this time and know of their ability to transform to humans at will. It also explain their inability to travel to the temple, since demons can not step on sacred ground. Although, I may have misjudged the situation slightly."
Lucy gasped in realisation. "Wait, so yesterday when you said that they must be relieved to go back to their demon form, you meant-"
"Precisely, I thought the curse was that there were stuck mid-transformation," Night Terror explained, making Lucy, Natsu, and Grey gape at him, "It was only when you interrogated Mr Lyon earlier that I realised the mistake. Quite hilarious."
"Yeah…hilarious," Grey muttered in annoyance.
"They're right," called out a new voice from the village gate.
Everyone turned and gasped as they saw a man with slightly tanned skin, an deep frown, and large moustache walk into the village.
"Bobo?" Moka questioned in disbelief, hobbling towards the now named Bobo, "Is that really you?"
Bobo nodded before he transformed himself into a demon with red and black spotted skin and two horns poking out of his hat, "It's really me," he confirmed.
Moka gasped in joy and ran towards the man, embracing him with tears in his eyes
"I don't believe it," Lucy uttered, "I thought Chief Moka's son died."
"Wait! Does that mean..." Natsu suddenly cried before he and Happy hugged each other, "AHH! A GHOST!" they screamed in terror.
"I'm not a ghost," Bobo firmly denied.
"AHH! A ZOMBIE!" Natsu and Happy screamed again.
Bobo sighed, "I'm not that either."
"AHH! A-"
"BE QUITE!" Erza shouted at them, making the two shut up instantly.
Moka, who was still embracing his son, looked up at him, "But you had died?"
Bobo solemnly shook his head, "I had to fake my own death," he explained, "Soon after the moon turned purple, I had somehow regained my memories. However, the village was in such a confused state that I was unable to persuade you what we actually were. To avoid scaring the village, I decided to leave the island indefinitely. When I found that the Fairy Tail mages were going to break the curse, I sailed them over. I'm so glad that they had kept their promise," once he had finished explaining he looked down at his father sadly, "I'm so sorry, it has taken so long."
"Never mind that. I'm just so happy that you have returned," Moka told him before hugging his son once more.
The villagers cheered at the happy reunion. Overjoyed that the chief's long lost son had returned to him.
"Wait," Grey interrupted, "when you were taking us to the island, where did you go?"
Bobo chuckled and responded by sprouting a pair of black wings from his back, "Does that answer your question."
Moka laughed and released Bobo from his hug, "Everyone, my son has returned and the moon is back to normal. Let us all celebrate!" he declared, earning loud cheers from his people
The residents of Galuna Island held a celebration for the Fairy Tail mages. They set up tables, put up decorations and gathered a feast in honour of them. Everyone was enjoying themselves, Natsu was eating fire, Grey was being dragged around by a few female demons and Erza was eating while listening to the music. Night Terror sat between Lucy on his left and Ur, who was now dressed in clothes provided by the villagers, on his right. Ur glanced at the Phobos beside her curiously, seeing how the food he was eating enter the darkness of his hood.
"So," Ur started casually, "since when did the Phobos join guilds?"
Night Terror sighed and turned to her, "Since the Clan was destroyed. I am the last one," he answered, making her raise her eyebrows in surprise.
"Destroyed? But how?"
"I am not sure. I was so young when it happened that my memories were a blur. I know that we were attacked, but by who by and how remains a mystery," he answered sadly.
"Have you not investigated at all?"
Night Terror shook his head, "No. I have a new clan that I need to look after. I have no time for the past," he said as he turned away again.
Ur looked up at him with a frown. She understood why he has new responsibilities, but by the way he said it, it seems like he was reluctant to dig up his past. She decided to not push him any further. Especially since they're supposed to be celebrating.
"I'm sorry for what happened," Ur told him, "I used to hear tale of the Phobos when I was a child and it's a shame to hear that they're gone."
Night Terror smiled kindly, "It is quite alright. It was...a long time ago. Thank you, Miss Ur."
Ur glared at him in annoyance, "Don't call me that," she demanded.
The Phobos looked her curiously, "Call you what, Miss Ur?"
"That," Ur growled, "I'm not that old."
Lucy leaned forwards passed Night Terror and gave Ur a sheepish smile, "Don't worry he calls every woman that," she explained.
"Well, he's not calling me that," Ur crossly argued before glaring up at Night's Terror face, "call me Ur."
"Miss Ur," Night Terror replied.
"Just Ur."
"Is it not rude?" Night Terror shyly asked.
"I don't care. Call me Ur."
"I don't think I can."
"Say it."
Night Terror began to visibly shake, trying to stop the habit he has been doing for most of his life.
"Miss Ur."
"Ur."
"Miss Ur."
"Ur."
"U- U- U-," Night Terror stuttered as ice mage waited with an irritated scowl, "...Miss Ur," he finally said, earning a growl from her.
"Are you doing this on purpose!?" Ur angrily shouted.
"No, I really can not stop," Night Terror panically insisted, afraid that he was insulting her.
"Err...master Ur," Grey interrupted as he walked over to Ur.
Night Terror sighed in relief as Ur's attention turned to her pupil, "Yes, Grey?"
Grey sat next to her and looked away bashfully, "Well, I was thinking...since I'm part of a guild now and you don't really have anywhere to go...I thought maybe you could-"
"Join Fairy Tail," Ur finished, giving her former pupil a teasing smirk.
Grey rubbed the back of his head and nodded, "I could always use more training," he told her.
Ur thought for a moment before shrugging, "Sure. Sounds fun. Not like I've got anywhere to go," she agreed lazily as Grey smiled happily.
"Oh Grey," a female villager called out, causing the Ice Maker mage's eyes to widen.
"Damn, they found me," he muttered before he took off again. Ur chuckled lightly at her former pupils antics.
She had missed being alive.
"What about Madam Ur?" Night Terror suggested hopefully, earning another glare from the woman.
"That's somehow worse!" Ur cried in annoyance before she took a few breaths to calm down, "by the way, thanks for saving me back there ," she gratefully said.
"It is my pleasure to assist," Night Terror told her bowing his head slightly, "as a Phobos I must withheld the morals of my clan, whether gone or not. With the destruction of the Clan, much evil has spread and destroyed lives. It is my responsibility to right these wrongs."
Ur and Lucy frowned sadly as he said that. It wasn't the Phobos Clan's fault that they were killed and they feared that Night Terror was taking too much responsibility. Ur saw a flash of red in the corner of her eye and looked over at Erza. It was clear that she heard what Night Terror said and turned away before anybody caught her. Ur saw that she had an indifferent expression on her face, but she has lived long enough to know that she was hiding something. What it was she was hiding she had no idea.
"May I call you Bhean Ur?" Night Terror suggested again.
"Does Bhean mean Miss, by any chance?"
...
...
...
"Perhaps."
Ur gave an exhausted sigh as Lucy giggled in amusement.
In the distance, overlooking the village from a cliff was Zalty. He chuckled darkly before removing his mask. Almost instantly, the mysterious mage morphed into Ultear who smirked wickedly.
"Message conveyed and now all I have to do is report back to Siegrain," she told herself before she walked away.
Unfortunately for her, she didn't see the newest member of Fairy Tail.
It was the next day and everybody was ready to board the pirate ship, that has waited patiently for Night Terror to come back, which will take them to Fairy Tail. The villagers followed them to the port still in their demon form to send them off on the voyage.
"Thank you Fairy Tail," Chief Moka said as he stood before the mages, "not only did you lift the curse, but reunited me with my son."
Bobo, who stood next to him, nodded agreement with a happy smile.
"We're happy to help," Lucy told them brightly.
Moka snapped his fingers, remembering something, "Oh I almost forgot. We promised you reward money and Celestial Gate Key," he said, taking a large bag of jewels from under his cape.
Natsu, Lucy and Happy gasped as they saw they bag of jewels. Although, Lucy's eyes were more drawn to the golden key sticking out the top of the bag.
"No way, we're rich!" Happy cried.
"I love S Class missions," Natsu agreed as Lucy nodded along.
"My apologise, Chief Moka. But we since this wasn't an official mission, we cannot take the reward," Erza firmly denied, making the trio look at her in despair.
"Aw come on, Erza," Natsu complained, but before he could continue Erza gave him a scary look.
Natsu shivered under in fear under Erza's cold stare, "What was that?" she questioned threateningly.
"Nothing," Natsu squeaked.
"If I may," Night Terror interjected, taking the golden key with his claws, "I think I should take the Gate Key for Miss Lucy."
Lucy gasped in delight, rushing over the other Phobos in excitement, "Thank you so much, Night," she said reaching for the key in his claws.
Only for Night Terror to move his claw away making Lucy grab open air.
"Huh?" she muttered questioningly.
"You will receive the key once I have forgiven you for going on a S Class mission," Night Terror told her with a sadistic chuckle.
Lucy gaped at him, "What! But that's not fair!" she complained.
"Sorry, Miss Lucy," Night Terror said in a tone that suggests he wasn't actually sorry.
"Fine then I just take it from you," Lucy declared in determination.
Night Terror responded by holding the key to just above his head. Definitely out of Lucy's reach.
"I'll climb up there."
Night Terror tilted his head challengingly.
...
...
...
"Come on! Give it to me! Please!" Lucy complained as she jumped for Night Terror's claw causing everyone to sweat drop. The Phobos didn't move, knowing full well that she won't be able to reach the key and watched Lucy's attempts in amusement.
Onboard the Ship
Lucy sat sulking on a chair the pirates had provided for her. Night Terror was by the side of the ship stopping Natsu from jumping into the sea to escape from his travel sickness. Every time Night Terror would look her way she would glare back, pout and turned her head away to show how upset she was with him.
Night Terror rolled his eyes at the admittedly cute display.
Erza leaned on the other side of the ship, gazing out at the ocean spread out in front of her. Ur approached her and leaned on the side next to her. She didn't say anything at first not wanting to look aggressive.
"So what's your deal with the Phobos?" Ur asked, making Erza raise an eyebrow at her.
"I don't know what you mean." she replied stoically.
"I hardly know you, but I can tell that your the type of person who's stern with everyone. However, you seem to be completely hostile to him," Ur pointed out.
Erza glared at her, "I'm not hostile to him. I'm just..." she sighed, "...I'm...protecting him."
"Protecting him?" Ur laughed, "I'm pretty sure Phobos don't need protecting."
Erza didn't reply but continued to stare at the blue water lapping on the side of the ship beneath them. Ur sighed and rolled her eyes at her lack of response.
"Alright, you don't have to te-"
"I used to hear tales of the Phobos too," Erza interrupted, not looking up, "as a child. My mother used told them to me."
Ur raised an eyebrow in interest, waiting for her to continue.
"My village was visited by the Phobos countless times. They made sure they kept bandits and monsters away and we respected them. We sometimes gave them gifts in thanks. My mother told me of all the great feats and stories of their bravery. Everyone in my village believed that if you were in danger and prayed for help, a Phobos would listen and rescue you," Erza explained.
"That's nice of them," Ur commented, "they're not known for the social skills."
"It was...until the stopped coming and our village was raided," Erza said, "I'm not going to explain what happened to me, but I will say that every night I prayed for a Phobos to rescue me. To rescue everyone from the hell that suffered in. But they never came. Not a single one. Night after night after night, I prayed for them to come until I eventually...lost faith in them. I grew bitter of the Phobos and their empty promises. That's when I realised I shouldn't depend on someone else to help. The only person you can trust and depend on is yourself."
"I see," Ur murmured, "That's why you're so hostile to Night Terror."
"I told you, I'm not hostile to him," Erza denied sharply, "I can't be. Not after the day I first met him."
- Flashback A Few Years Ago-
Fairy Tail Guild Hall
A young Erza walked into the grand hall which was already filled with guild members drinking, talking and laughing. She had already met the other children of the guild. She got along well with them although she already didn't like the she-demon Mirajane.
She felt a chill go down her spine and looked around to see where it had come from. Her eyes eventually fell on someone in a black cloak. She gave a silent gasp as she stared at a young Night Terror. He was sat at his usual table in the corner of the hall sipping a cup of tea.
Erza was stunned for a second, startled to see a Phobos after so many years.
That shock instantly turned to rage.
Thoughts of betrayal and lies passed through her young mind. She would of attacked him. To punish him. To show the damage the Phobos had caused her.
But she was stopped suddenly by a calm voice next to her.
"I wouldn't attack him if I was you," Makarov suddenly said, making Erza jump in surprise, "I'm sure you would regret it."
Erza recovered from her shock and glared at Night Terror across the guild hall, "What is he doing here?" she demanded to the master.
Makarov chuckled lightly, "His name is Night Terror and he's a member of this guild. He's a nice boy, you should introduce yourself."
"You think I'm going to be polite to a Phobos after what I went through?" she angrily asked, "His kind betrayed my village, made me suffer, made everyone suffer. He is-"
"The last of his kind," Makarov calmly interrupted, stopping Erza's rant.
Her rage was replaced with confusion. She turned to Makarov with a questioningly look.
"What do you mea-"
"From what I gathered from Night Terror, the Phobos Clan were attacked when they were celebrating that summer solstice. He has no idea who or how they do it. All he knows that his home burned before him and his people perished," Makarov explained to the horrified Erza.
"They...didn't betray us," Erza uttered in disbelief, her eyes widened in shock.
She had resented the Phobos for so long that she didn't realise that they were not invincible. They were people with families and friends. They were protecting her village not because they had to, but because they wanted to. They were doing her village a favour.
They didn't want to see families suffer, because they wouldn't want their own families to suffer.
Erza began to feel guilty. For all the times she hated the Phobos, for every time she cursed their name, for every bitter thought before she went to sleep.
How could she face Night Terror, knowing that she blamed all her suffering on his dead family.
"You should talk to him," Makarov suggested, snapping Erza out of her thoughts, "I'm sure he would like it."
He chuckled once more before he left her standing near the door. Erza watched him leave before turning to the young Night Terror once again.
-Flashback End-
"But you didn't talk to him," Ur guessed correctly, earning a nod from Erza.
"How could I," Erza sadly replied, "I can't face him knowing that I had hated the Phobos for no reason. I barely talked to him. Just polite hellos and nods. I've spent more time with Night Terror in the last couple of days than I have in years."
Ur placed a comforting hand on Erza's shoulder, "Night Terror doesn't seem the type to hold grudges. Just tell him your sorry and get on with your lives."
"I can't. Not now," Erza firmly denied.
"Why not?"
"Certain...people are turning up from my past recently. I'm afraid that he would find out what happened to me," Erza explained cryptically.
"So?"
Erza turned to her sharply, "You saw how he blames himself for everything that has gone wrong since the Phobos' downfall. How he battled Deliora alone to make it up as if the destruction of his clan was a simple mistake. Did you notice he hasn't got a mask? He's not even a proper Night Terror. He's under qualified to deal with monsters. I'm afraid that if he knows what happened to me...he would blame himself for that as well. That's why I have to protect him for now. I'll tell him eventually...just not until everything is sorted out."
Ur sighed. She had to admit that the self-blame he insists in going through is lethal.
"Fine. Do what you think is best," Ur gave in as she began to walk away, "However, I still think you should talk to him though," she called out from over her shoulder.
Erza watched her leave before turning back to the ocean below her, mulling over her words.
On the other side of the ship, Night Terror had grown tired trying to stop Natsu from jumping overboard and used his shadows to restrain him. At the moment he was sitting at a table, the pirates had kindly brought him, sipping a cup of tea whilst enjoying the serene sea breeze.
"Please let me go," Natsu begged as Night Terror hung him over the side of the ship so he would've vomit on the deck.
"Sorry, Mr Natsu. For some strange reason, I am not convinced that you can actually swim," Night Terror replied, "We will be at the mainland in about half an hour," he informed earning a groan from the Fire Dragon Slayer.
Happy flew on by and perched himself on the side of the ship next to Natsu.
"Hey, Natsu didn't you say you have a message for Night Terror?" Happy asked, making the Phobos look curiously towards the flying cat.
Nature groaned, "Oh yeah...what was it again?"
"How am I supposed to know, Natsu," Happy sighed.
Natsu scratched his head thoughtfully before his eyes widened in realisation, "Oh I remember," he said, "it was from the salty guy."
"Mr. Zalty, do you mean?" Night Terror asked with a sweat drop.
"Yeah...it was like eland or elded...don't know what that means," Natus shrugged.
Lucy rolled her eyes as she overheard the conversation, "You couldn't remember one wor-"
Smash!
Lucy and Happy looked towards Night Terror in shock. Natsu would have down the same if he didn't feel so sick. Night Terror sat very still, more still then they have ever seen him. The bottom of his cloak and the deck was covered in tea while pieces of the china cup fell from his gripped fist. Night Terror broke the stillness by slowly turning to Natsu, ignoring the mess he had made.
"Elend," he finally said in a shaky tone, "he said...Elend."
Natsu nodded, to sick to give a verbal response. Lucy and Happy shared a worried look before looking back at the cloaked Phobos.
"What's elend, Night?" Lucy hesitantly asked, feeling slightly freaked out by his odd behaviour.
He didn't respond for a few seconds. It was as if he was contemplating telling them what that word mean. However, very soon Night Terror looked up at Lucy.
"Elend...is a place I never thought I would hear of ever again."
Sorry, that this took a while. There were a lot of bits that I struggled to put into words, but now it's done.
After setting up a poll on my profile on whether to bring Ur back, I had three responses saying yes. It was my fault for not spreading the word. I should of said in the last chapter so sorry to anybody who didn't like the decision.
Also that's the reason why Erza is so cold to Night Terror, so no more abuse directed at her. She's one of my favourite characters besides Juvia and Wendy and I won't stand for it.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter and see you next time.