「 Just so I have it in my notes for the future chapters, do let me know in a review, or even in a PM what you want the Fairy Tail A, Fairy Tail B, Lamia Scale, Sabertooth, and Blue Pegasus teams to look like, seeing as we have OCs involved with those guilds (one in Blue Pegasus' case, but that may change). 」
「 The source material is not of my possession. Fairy Tail is a Manga series written and illustrated by Hiro Mashima, which was serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine starting from August 2, 2006, to July 26, 2017, with a total of 63 Volumes (what we call dedication) with 545 total chapters. An anime produced by A-1 Pictures, Satelight, Bridge, and CloverWorks later was released in Japan on October 12, 2009, and ran for 328 episodes until September 29, 2019. 」
「 A sequel manga under the title Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest had begun serialization under publisher Magazine Pocket and author Atsuo Ueda on July 25, 2018. 」
「 Thanks for giving this story a read (or another if you're a follower). Enjoy! 」
ー Red
Romeo examined his surroundings, walking alongside Chelia as they passed by several stores.
Originally, Romeo had many contentions with coming along on this "date". Firstly, he never made or even thought of this promise she claims so avidly he has. Why would he do that in the middle of a Quest? Getting Éclair to Rose Garden was the task they were given. He can't allow himself to indulge in something that may distract him from that goal. In other words, Chelia must be ignored.
Though, thinking on it further, he knew this was impossible. Even from the beginning, Chelia was practically preying on his every moment of weakness. Given time, he'd simply just break and go along with what she demanded as to make her not pester him over the matter any further. His final decision? Just go along willingly now while he still has the chance. Perhaps this will satisfy her long enough to continue the mission as planned.
On Chelia's end, she was ecstatic! Romeo said yes to being her's for the entire night! This was a big step forward. After nearly an entire year's worth now, it was impossible for Chelia on just her own two hands to count the various attempts she made to get Romeo just to do even that much. Though, at first it wasn't aggressive. At first she only found him cute, thus only made passes here and there or light jokes about how cute they would be when she saw couples passing by. She went for Romeo because between him and Aym, well, the former has much more tact.
At first, it was just an attempt to escape from being a fangirl of Lyon, just as his sister had.
The more passionate displays came the moment they became more than just an interest... And transformed into a genuine infatuation. No. A true love!
"Romeo~! I think first we should stop by a bookstore I saw on our way into town. I know you always wanted that Third Volume of Clover's Advent, so maybe we'll find it in there." Chelia suggested, pointing out to a building they were coming close to as her head landed softly on his shoulder.
Romeo blinked. He never thought Chelia of all people would be paying attention to what books he read. Though he did remember speaking to himself a lot while tuning her out, so maybe she eventually picked up on listening to what he was saying.
A small smile couldn't help but creep onto Romeo's face. Looking to her, he gave a small nod. "Well, I don't see why not."
'Score!' Internally, Chelia was dancing, throwing confetti around in her mindscape as she cheered for herself.
"Then let's go!" Chelia gleefully tightened her grip on the boy's arm just slightly as they made their way inside.
Aym laid back on his bed, hands tucked behind his head.
"So, what do you think Éclair's deal is?" Luko questions, garnering Aym and Max's attention. "I mean. Isn't it kinda weird she's not telling the people tasked with protecting her about what she's worried about?"
Max shrugged, "Hopefully we're not gonna find out the hard way." He took in a deep inhale, staring at the ceiling.
"That's exactly why we should try and figure it out now before-"
"Luko, I get it." Aym sat up from his bed, looking to him with a frown, "There are secrets she's hiding that I don't like either. But stressing ourselves about it the whole time is just gonna make things harder." Turning his body so he faced his friend, he softly cupped his hands together, "So there are guys after Éclair. We expected that when we took the job, yeah? All we gotta do is beat 'em up til they quit coming."
Luko was silenced for a moment, taking a deep breath as he thought over what Aym suggested. "..just beat them up until they stop coming, huh..? You're pretty optimistic, you know that?"
Aym responded with a chuckle and thumbs up. "Wouldn't have it any other way!"
Éclair followed alongside Amelia and Jenny, mind beginning to wander as not even the sound of her footsteps began to register with her anymore. Scanning around the area, the bright lights that showered around them, her eyes transfigured the lights into various lines of golden lanterns with young flames at their cores.
The soothing tone of a sitar playing along to the beat of a battalion of drums.
Humming to herself, she moved her hips in tandem with the tone that rang through her ears. She found herself entranced by the pleasing thoughts rushing into her mind. The outside world no longer could affect her mood.
The small complaints Amelia made about her were left as nothing more than white noise to her.
Jenny crossed her arms softly, frowning softly. "I'm surprised how rowdy this place is as night, given how small it is."
Amelia shrugged to the comment, "Perhaps this place is one of those festive towns? I've heard there are many of those around Rose Garden."
"I suppose being direct neighbors with a big city gives you the resources to make a small place like this exciting." Jenny surmised. Looking over to Éclair, she noticed her movements and gave a giggle.
"Why don't we check in on the festivities?"
These words seemed to garner the girl's attention, the girl clasping her hands together with a bright grin. "REALLY?!" Her eyes grew massive, sparkles gleaming around them.
Amelia paused, not expecting this much expression from the girl. Opening her mouth to say something, she rose a finger and tilted her head.
But before the words came out, Éclair noticed the quick breaking of her cold demeanor from before. Clearing her throat, she shifted her head to avoid their gaze, "I-I mean, that's the only thing interesting you've said this entire time."
"Hm.." Amelia's face softened as she looked to the priestess, her shoulders lowering as he took a breath. Slowly, her face curled back into a smile, "Alright then."
The trio then continued their walk, following along with the children racing toward the center of the lights.
『 蛇姫の鱗ラミアスケイル 』
〚 第3章 - 敵が出現! 〛
〖 Lamia Scale 〗
【 Chapter 3 - An Enemy Emerges! 】
Slowly, a door creaked open into the nave of a church. Littered around the grounds was a mass of bodies, their causes of death all blatantly varied. There were several with deep slashes cut into each of them. Others were sprawled out on the floor with their skin drained of all their natural colors, being replaced with deep shades of red violet.
Lahar looked around, tapping his chin softly as observed each corpse laid around the area.
"We've seen these kinds of patterns before." The first words the male spoke.
The bearded man grumbled softly. "The victims that have been poisoned with a specific method."
"The magic of the poison dragon." Lahar responded with a nod, carefully examining the wrists of a corpse laying back on a pew.
Mest coincidentally had been doing the same, his frown dropping further at what he saw upon them.
"Their magic... It's gone." Mest's eyes became wide, placing the hand down softly. "I've seen Magic Circuits strained, but not like this. What the hell is going on, Lahar?!"
Lahar silently arose from his crouched position, straightening his glasses as he examined the area. Walking toward the altar, he noticed distinct burns. These burns littered across the ground akin to a shimmer. Rubbing his chin again, he took a brief moment to register everything they've seen.
"...what I was afraid of." After having confirmed all of his suspicions with his own eyes, he responded to what Mest questioned.
"What you're afraid of?"
Mest arose from his kneel, quipping a brow as he walked toward where Lahar was standing. His eyes landed on the burns on the altar, the black hue covering the red carpeting. As he knelt down to rub his finger against it, he lifted his hand softly. To his surprise, there was not a single trace of ash running off his fingertips. His look of surprise turned to a stern gaze.
Katja softly lowered her hands softly. Looking to the ground, she clenched her knees tightly and grit her teeth.
The image on the forefront of her mind was the horror she had to watch. Her irises quaked as the memory played in endless repetition. It was far too late to try and deny it either. She already had been given plenty of time to think over the circumstances.
Everyone at her church. Her church itself. It was all gone. And her? She was now in the safe custody of the Oak Town cathedral. She was... She was left perfectly unscathed when her entire church was annihilated. Fought with their lives to keep her safe...
The question that brimmed on her mind was w-
"Katja dear." Sitting down in the seat before her was a man wearing a deep brown cassock. His hair was a brown bowl that chipped to split to give opening for his forehead and eyes. "I know that it was hard for you to have gone through what you did. I just want to let you know that you're safe here."
No response. Katja's attention was pinned to the ground below.
The man kept his gaze on her, then let out a sigh. Standing up, he turned away and went to take his leave. "This place will have you however long you need it to."
Katja never lifted her head back up until the door clicked shut.
Her lips trembled softly as she brought her hands over to a satchel at her side. Bringing her fingers into the pouch, she gave a soft hum when she felt something within. Drawing her hand out, she found herself gazing upon a silver key between her fingers. Raising it forward, she swung the key softly. To her chagrin, there was no response.
"So, your findings are true."
Katja looked to the door of the room with her mouth agape.
"Indeed." The second voice incited her further investigation, the girl lowering her hands as she stood. As they continued, she walked closer with slow, quiet steps. "When we did a medical check-up on the poor girl, we found that her Magical Circuits were damaged. I cannot imagine that she will ever be able to connect with the Celestial Spirits again."
Katja gasped. Her gaze turning to the key in hand, her fingers trembled.
"So, it's true... I won't be able to see you again." She clasped the key tighter to her chest. Her eyes rained to the ground with tears as her face lowered to the ground. "...Nico..."
"You truly saw Dyst?!" An olden-featured man spoke, his and his peers sitting beside him in a row all wearing uniforms reminiscent of the clothing wizards wore in storybooks.
Jura stood with his arms crossed before them, "Indeed. And it seems he is searching for the Tenrou Island that disappeared 7 years ago."
"Tenrou?"
Immediately, the information amassed murmurs throughout the jury as it settled in. Then once they quieted down, the focus turned back to Jura.
"If the information you give is really true. Then he must be behind our recent discovery."
"Discovery?"
"Yes." The central man spoke, "Our investigation of the circumstances began when one of our trusted investigators Lahar discovered the cells of prisoners Midnight, Cobra, Racer, and Angel of the Oración Seis contained magical construct fakes alongside Erigor of Eisenwald."
"Have no statements been made by the guildmaster of C-"
"As of three months prior, it would seem Dyst and two of his guildmates left Carbuncle. They offered no explanation as to why they had done so."
Jura's eyes shot wide, raising his head toward the man after a quick moment's hesitation: "Are there any leads on what they are up to as of now?!"
"Unfortunately, we cannot entirely decipher their plans. Especially since we know now that they are pursuing two entirely different goals."
"Two?" Jura raised a brow.
"I assume you're aware of the recent string of churches that have been raided?" The third in line spoke, garnering Jura's attention.
"You're saying that they are behind that as well?"
"From the information we've received thus far on Lahar's investigation, yes."
Now at the receiving end of a whirling storm of thoughts derived from the information he just received; Jura raised a hand to cup his chin softly. His thoughts racing as he contemplated what dangers this group could pose.
"I must go warn the guild masters I am in close contact with." Jura finally spoke with conviction as he let down his hand.
"Very well. Though I condone you tell anyone other than the guild masters." The first voice spoke, sitting back in his chair, "If too many people become aware, the news will spread beyond our control. We are not yet aware of what a panic over this matter may do."
Jura nodded, promptly turning to take his leave from the courtroom.
Chelia cooed.
She could not help but do so because this date was going so well. Chelia placed a hand on her cheek softly as she leaned her head against her palm. Looking to her partner for the night, she found her toes tapping against the concrete tiles below through her boots.
They weren't able to find the specific book they originally went to look for in the bookstore, but they were able to make small talk over samples of series they found within. It even got Chelia genuinely curious on some books to read at a later point.
Afterward, they went just as Jenny, Amelia, and Éclair to the ensuing festival in the center of town. They learned about the culture behind it and how it relates to the multitude of festivals held in Rose Garden.
And through it all, though it was a drag for Chelia, she still felt it was more than worth it.
A smile.
Her own only grew wider the more she saw it.
Something everyone could agree on was that Romeo Conbolt never showed his true emotions. None except for the sadness and grief he felt over the core members the Fairy Tail guild had lost when Tenrou Island disappeared. His smiles were fake. The tones he spoke were fabrications of the monotone he would always take before, as to lessen the worry in his friends. His eyes always carried this dullness to them, almost if lifeless.
If she's heard from Aym correctly, Romeo has tried several times to "sacrifice his life during missions to save their lives". Several times Aym would have to stop Romeo from picking battles he can't win. Stop him from trying to take hits in anyone's stead.
She shook her head softly, casting the thoughts aside and returning her mind to their original course.
Right now, Romeo's face was bright as he ate into a meat pie. Humming in approval of his food, his smile curling upwards as he swallowed what he shoveled into his mouth. While she found his method of expressing it cute, it was the first time she saw a genuine light shine over his face.
It was infectious. Like a sun that's ray cast over her. Chelia could not get enough.
"Chelia? You okay?" Her thoughts were set aside at the calling of her darling's voice, "You've barely eaten your food." Romeo lightly jolted his spoon toward the bowl parallel to his own.
"Oh, no, I'm fine." Chelia waved her hands frantically, picking up her spoon and starting to shovel the pie into her mouth violently. "Pwawmith!"
Romeo leaned back in his chair, giving a small chuckle. If he were to tell himself from an hour before that he was going to have so much fun on a "date" with Chelia of all things, he would surely earn nothing but skepticism. Though after his evaluation of her thus far, she was actually a really nice and considerate girl. A bit on the forward side, but even still.
Looking down to his cup filled with iced water, his mind wandered. Wandered to a thought that his dad would gladly drink at the thought of Romeo going out on a date. Except, he would probably have to carry his dad home after the date's over. This made a bead of sweat drop down the back of Romeo's head.
Maybe that process of thought wasn't the best for such an occasion. Afterward, his hand lifted over his mouth, a laugh escaping from his lips as avoiding the thought was impossible for him.
Chelia hesitated when she heard Romeo laughing out loud. Swallowing her food, a pink hue swallowed either cheek on her face. "Ah- Did I do something stupid? If I did, don't just laugh! Tell me!"
Romeo stopped, processing her words. Leaning his head back, he broke into another laughing fit, this one having a fresh motive. "No, it wasn't that I swear!" Waving a hand softly as he calmed his laughter, he wiped a tear from his eye, "I was just thinking about what my dad would do if he saw me on a date."
"Hm..?" After a moment's time thinking, it finally clicked with her. Romeo admitted that he was on a date. With her. Her face began to exude a bright red glow as she cupped either cheek. "O-oh, I see~" She broke into a ferocious fit of giggles as she swayed to either side.
Éclair's eyes reflected the bright lights of the lacrima floating around in the air above.
Surrounding them were cheers from the townsfolk and performers alike. The music playing triumphantly around them as it celebrated their presence. Nay, their existence in this joyous occasion.
Amelia was thrown for a loop when she looked to the dancers and saw that the priestess had joined in the line, spinning to either side.
"See? A little fun helps you get to really know someone." Jenny took a sip of wine as she sat back in her chair, a group of men lining around her to present her flowers. A show of affection to be said. Though she showed no signs of grievance to this, in fact it was quite the opposite.
'It's certainly helping me get to know you, Jenny-san.' Amelia's brow twitched as she watched the scene play out with a sweatdrop. Darting her eyes back to where Éclair was, she gave a huff. Shrugging her shoulders softly, she let out a small chuckle.
"I suppose it's good to lighten up every once in a while."
Éclair's face beamed as she engaged in the ritual of song and dance that seemed to ensnare the entire town in its activities. Opening her eyes, she saw a group of children rushing around the line of women dancing to the central rhythm, herself included.
Peace like this truly brought her back to the more peaceful days of her childhood. Before she was named Priestess of Fire Village. It was far better than now. Now she was cursed by vow to separate from the family and friends she grew up close to. All to deliver the Fire Phoenix's blood to its respective tower in Rose Garden.
As the dancers begun to spread away from their formation to mingle, Éclair found herself standing alone. Spectating all that was happening. Even so, her smile never wavered. Never fell.
"Did you have your fun?"
Éclair's head turned to the sound of Amelia's voice, who approached with a grin on her face.
"I did. Did you?" The priestess leaned on her heel as she smirked toward the other.
"Well, it was rather rowdy, but I can certainly say it was a night to remember."
Both the girls shared a glance, before breaking into a laugh. After their laugh subsided, they gave each other a wide smile.
"I never took you for a dancer." Amelia remarked.
"Most of the girls in my village were taught to dance since they were little." Éclair explained, raising a hand to gesture to her arm bands, "When we perform our dances on the nights we have our festival to congratulate the beginning of the Priestess's journey, all the girls wear these bands, so they'd ring during our dance loud enough for her to hear even a town's way down."
"That sounds nice." Amelia spoke thoughtfully, "I imagine it was quite a treat to be the one this year's festival was thrown for?"
"It was nice at first." Éclair grasped her arm, rubbing it softly, "But that happiness didn't last when I thought about the fact I wouldn't be able to see them again until my task was done."
"I see. That- Certainly must be difficult." Amelia hesitated, her lip quivering slightly. Rubbing her arm, she looked to her with a small frown. "I'm sorry that I've been so harsh to you. I can tell you've gone through so much and all I've done is suspect you of hiding something. Maybe you aren't hiding anything."
Éclair let out a small gasp, surprise overtaking her expression. Lowering her shoulders, she looked to the ground with a soft smile. "All my life, I used to hate wizards because I've always been told stories of how greedy wizards seeking the power of the phoenixes for themselves slaughtered our people and priestesses for ages." She raised her arm, rubbing her thumb along her bracelet, "The last priestess of Fire Village died before even reaching Fiore because of a band of wizards the Magic Council has yet to identify. That's why I was chosen as the priestess 7 years younger than most."
Amelia stared at the girl for a moment as she unveiled her truths. "...I see." She said mostly because she had not a clue what else to say in this situation. Opening her mouth to inhale, she let out a breath.
"Well, we're at a festival. Let's put that behind us for now and have our fun, okay?"
"I suppose you're right." Éclair nodded with a smile.
Promptly, the two turned toward Jenny, whose seat was being carried by that same group of men who now kneeled and carried it over their heads. With a hand raised over her mouth, she let out a hearty and rather obnoxious "Ohohoho~!"
"She certainly is having hers..." The two young girls thought in unison.
【 3 - 1 】
《 Gunther's Advice: "You can't always assume what other dogs are going through." 》
Aym's eyes slowly came open, the boy letting out some grumbles as he arose from his slumber. Looking over to his left, he saw Gunther curled in a ball sleeping peacefully by his legs.
Leaning forward, he rubbed a hand against the pup softly. "Hey, bud. Time to get up." Speaking softly, he gave a gentle nug to his partner. Seeing the dog picking itself up, he turned to exit from the covers.
Popping his neck softly as his feet touched the ground, he pushed himself off the bed. Standing upright, he rolled his shoulder and looked around. Max was not in bed, his being arranged perfectly as it was when they got into the room. Rubbing his nose softly, he looked to Gunther.
"Alright, buddy. I guess the two of us should do the same, eh?"
Hopping onto his feet, the dog gave a nod and toothy grin. "I dunno why we are, but it sounds like a plan!"
With a high-five, the two got to work.
On the other end of the room, Luko sat on the end of his already made bed, looking to Romeo adjacent to him with a small smile on his face. Raising from his bed, he walked over with a sly grin.
"I see someone had fun last night."
"W-" Romeo shot his gaze toward Luko, nearly jumping as he realized it was Luko speaking to him. "It's not what you think! It was just a better time than I expected, that's all!" He waved his hands, a slight red hue covering his cheeks.
Aym paused as he turned to listen in on the two's conversation, Gunther hopping onto his shoulder.
"I'm guessin' Chelia got what she wanted..?" Gunther tilted his head.
Aym nodded in agreement, giving a sigh and dropping his shoulders: "That means Chelia's not gonna let me hear the end of it.." Rubbing the back of his next, he walked over to the two.
"No worries, Rome. I'm just pokin' fun." Luko moved a head to Aym's direction. Smiling toward him softly, he raised a hand to him. "Morning, Aym."
"Yo." Aym slapped Luko's hand for a high-five, "Where'd Max go, anyway?"
"He went down to the lobby with Jenny to discuss our travel plans from here."
"Rose Garden ain't that from here, right?" Aym scratched the back of his head, "Couldn't we just go straight there?"
Luko sighed, crossing his arms. "I knew you'd say that.."
Romeo turned toward Aym with a frown, "Just think about it, Aym." He raised a hand softly, "Whoever those guys we were fighting are, there's no way they aren't coming again."
"Agh." Rolling his eyes, Aym placed his hands behind his head: "We're talking about those guys again? We can't keep stressin' over them. If we get this quest done now, they'll have no reason to go after her, right?" Turning around, he picked up his coat from a hanger on the wall. "Cuz that Phoenix Blood she's walkin' around with will be wherever she's gotta bring it and outta their reach." With a swing of his arms, he hung the coat over his shoulders and slid his arms into the sleeves.
"Part of me doesn't think it's that simple." Luko tapped his chin, "Which reminds me. There's some vital information we're missing about this that shouldn't be."
"Well, for now.." Romeo stood up from his bed, looking to the both of them. "Let's just move forward, yeah?"
"Well said!" Aym lightly punched Romeo's shoulder.
Amelia and Éclair were walking down the stairs to enter the lobby. As they were walking, the two of them laughed and spoke amongst themselves.
"Good. Now that everyone's down, it's time we head out." Max gave a soft nod as he closed a map in his hand. "Looks like we can take a detour through Boundary Forest to get to Rose Garden only a bit slower."
"If we go that way, we'll be out in the forest. Then we won't have to worry about property damage if those attackers come after us again." Jenny exclaimed, emphasized by slamming her fist into her palm.
"Alright!" Aym flexed an arm with a wide smirk, "That means we can go all out without a whine from anybody!"
"Did you forget how it went the last time?" Chelia quipped.
"I WASN'T GOIN' ALL OUT!" Aym barked back.
"All out or not doesn't matter when they wipe the floor with you, does it?!" Chelia retorted, marching up to Aym.
"Arguing over this isn't going to change what happened." Luko placed a hand on either of the two's shoulders. "Romeo said this before, remember? Let's just move forward." Luko reminded Aym, who gave a sigh and nodded.
Chelia, however, gave a different reaction. Her irises swelled into pink hearts as she blurred to Romeo's side, hugging onto his arm tightly.
"Oh my~! You were always such a wise boy, Romeo~"
"Focus is not something in that girl's skillset." Amelia noted, something to which Éclair gave a giggle.
Jenny smiled to the two, glad to see they were getting along. When the commotion picked up, she clasped her hands together. "Alright, let's get going."
"Right!" The younger mages spoke in unison.
"Wait." They all turned to the clerk, who carefully shuffled through the desk, "Someone came in and told me to give this to you when you were all preparing to leave." Lifting her hand from the desk, she presented a folded piece of paper.
"Did they give you a name?"
"Not at all." The clerk placed the paper down on the counter for them. "All he said was that giving this to you was imperative."
"I see. We'll take it, then."
Max walked over to the counter, picking up the paper and walking over to the group in a huddle.
"Well, let's see what it's got inside!" Aym pumped his fists, his anticipation rising.
"Well, we're opening it up."
Unfolding the paper, the group widened their eyes as they saw the message.
"It has come to my attention that you and your group are currently travelling with the latest Priestess of Fire Village. Knowing that, I assume you've already been attacked by members of a dangerous group that is after the power of the Phoenix Blood she is tasked to deliver to its tower in Rose Garden. Because of that, you stopped by this village in order to rest for the time being until it looked as though they weren't any more signs of pursuit. I can also assume that you're wondering how it is I know such information. For explanations, I'd like to arrange a meeting in Boundary Forest, which I predict is your next destination. As to where, I advise you keep a look out for a batch of ruins along the path you'll be following to reach Rose Garden. From there, I will tell you everything you need to know."
Closing the paper slowly, Max raised his head. This was a gesture the group all replicated.
"Well, it looks like there's all the more reason we should get going." Luko tapped his chin.
"Yeah." Romeo crossed his arms with a nod, ignoring that Chelia hugged onto one, "We've gotta find out who this guy is, and what he knows."
【 3 - 2 】
《 Gunther's Advice: "This world's pretty small! You could meet another dog anywhere." 》
In a wash of white lines blurring together, Mest and Lahar appeared before a white tiled building. Another branch cathedral of the Zentopia Church. As Mest took his hand off of Lahar's shoulder, he scoffed as he turned away.
Lahar stepped forward, straightening his glasses as he approached the door.
"Place looks perfectly fine to me." Mest griped.
"Exactly. It hasn't been attacked yet. If the Magic Council's analysis of our culprits' modus operandi is correct, this will be the next church to be attacked." Lahar stepped toward the door, raising his hand softly to firmly grasp the door knocker on his right.
Giving it a few swings, a pounding resonated on the wooden door. In response, there was a small mass of voices that beckoned in response to Lahar's action.
Mest stepped forward to stand side by side with Lahar as the door clicked open. The two of them looked to the head that poked out, it being the same pastor that spoke to Katja.
"Oh- A Magic Councilman. Please, come in." Standing upright to pull the door open for them, he stepped aside so that the two could enter.
Looking to one another, they gave to each a nod. Promptly, they took up the offer and stepped into the basilica. As they walked through, the man spoke carefully as he lead them inside.
"So, what brings you gentlemen to our doorstep today?"
"I'm sure you've heard of the series of attacks on your sister houses?" Lahar spoke next, hovering a hand softly.
"Yes. In fact, the news is starting to overwhelm some of our youths." The man chuckled weakly, "But we all try our best to stay in high spirits despite it all."
"Wish I was that optimistic." Mest commented, his look dejected from the path they were on.
"Doranb- ... Mest." Lahar chided with a frown, turning his attention back to the pastor. "If so, do you have any kind of safety mechanisms in place if this house were to be attacked?"
"Hmm.. I can't say there is any that we know of, but I'm sure the Father has a plan in mind."
Mest grit his teeth at the news, his eyes moving forward with a scoff. "And if he doesn't? Are you willing to put all the children that are staying here at risk?"
"I assure you, sir. We have it under control."
Lahar glanced in Mest's direction, who once again dejected his gaze.
As the warp wizard slid his hands into his pockets, his eyes landed on a figure peaking their head out of a door. As they did, his eyes slowly grew wide. For a moment, he thought he saw.. Saw..
"Mest!"
The man gave a grunt as signal he was brought back to reality. Turning his head toward Lahar, he saw his partner and the pastor both looked to him with a brow raised.
"Are you alright?" Lahar questioned.
"Uh.." Turning his head back toward where it was pointed previously, he rubbed his head softly, "Yeah.. I'm fine. Don't worry." He soon returned to the path he was following.
Lahar noted Mest's actions as they continued on. "So, the Father. Is he here currently?"
"Unfortunately, no." The pastor answered with a soft chuckle, "All of the Fathers in Fiore were called to the Crocus location for a meeting regarding the attacks you're investigating."
"Is that so? That is unfortunate indeed." Lahar frowned, scanning the surrounding area as they moved to the lounge.
Mest, though, broke off from the tour early, stopping at the crossway. Walking to the opposite direction, he quipped a brow at a sound he heard. With careful steps, he made sure not to make his presence known. The closer he got, the clearer the sound became. It was muffled behind the double doors on the wall beside him, but after he leaned a bit forward to look into the window of the door...
His suspicions were confirmed.
Inside the room was Cobra, who used swift strikes to chop through the mass of Caelums sent after him from all directions.
"Hmph.. Is this all you Zentopia wizards have to offer..? Pitiful." Throwing up a fist, a triad of red violet magical circles encased his wrist. When they collided, they became a ball of energy that grew to engulf his entire fist. Swiping his arm down, he made a strike against one of his enemy's chests. This strike made a magical circle emerge over his body. In its wake, the wizard dropped to his knees in a loud scream.
All of the ones Cobra struck afterward were doomed to the same fate as they all dropped to the ground. Their veins all became filled with the same color as the orbs around Cobra's fists.
"Haven't seen any signs of her yet.." His eyes narrowed as he looked around, pushing aside a fallen wizard.
"If she were this easy to find, it wouldn't have been worth it to have wrecked all those other churches.."
Cobra looked to his left as a red stream of light passed by him. The lines would soon collapse and form into a crouched man with a blonde mohawk. Over the entirety of his body was a black bodysuit with yellow glowing lines that soon turned yellow as his moves became stagnant. Over his eyes was a pair of bright blue goggles.
"I suppose you're right. We'll just finish up here an-" Cobra paused. Turning his attention toward the door, he smirked. "Looks like we have ourselves a visitor."
"..!"
Outside the door, it took little time for Mest to realize he was spotted. Gritting his teeth, he warped away in time to miss being struck by the blast Cobra sent to the door. Upon impact, the blast amassed a huge explosion.
Across the building, Lahar and the pastor turned with wide eyes at the sound. Next to them appeared Mest, who looked around frantically.
"We need to evacuate this building right now!"
"What's happening, Mest?" Lahar's face became stern as he locked eyes with Mest.
"They sent an attack here!" Mest warned, turning his head toward the sound of more explosions.
"Reverend, is there an escape route for the children to take away from the commotion?"
"Y-Yes. I'll take them now." He then ran toward the distance.
Lahar and Mest then both turned their attention to where the most noise came from, running toward it. Running through the hall to reach the second building, the two stopped at a massive flight of stairs where a few Rune Knights dropped to the ground beside them.
"Lahar, I thought you said these guards were the best the Council had to offer?" Mest remarked, looking to his partner.
Lahar straightened his glasses, a tick mark appearing on the side of his face, "You can't expect all of them to have Wizard Saint-level strength..!"
"Oh. I thought I recognized that smell."
The two turned to look toward the sound of Cobra's voice, who threw another Rune Knight aside while popping his neck.
"That's the guy who locked us up..!"
Aside him was the black suited male, clawing his hands at the ground below him with a low snarl as his attention moved toward Lahar.
"I see." Lahar clutched a fist, "So that's who these two are."
"Two of those Oración Seis guys you caught 7 years ago." Mest narrowed his eyes, "Cobra and Racer."
"I've had it with the formalities." Cobra waved a hand, his magic lining an ember that formed a wall between them. "I'd love to catch up with you guys: But we've got a job to do first."
The last thing they heard from them was Racer's maniacal cackling.
Mest growled, clutching a fist.
"Mest. We need to focus." Lahar chided, turning away.
For a moment, he took to clutching his fist tighter, drawing some blood. Though, after giving his words some thought, Mest responded with a low sigh. "Yeah.. You're right." With a spin on his heel, he followed Lahar.
"We need to get everyone that ain't a wizard outta here before this place falls!" Mest exclaimed.
"Right."
Thus began the duo's rinse and repeat of warping all around the church. As they did, they manage to dodge close calls from Cobra and Racer striking the children and Sisters. The two ended up making it out with all of them, though not without its scars. Mest's withered outfit was even more so with a crimson hue from the blood dripping from the scars along his body from barely avoiding Racer's scratches at him and several others.
Lahar on the other hand had only one major injury, that being a massive cut on his arm that bled into his sleeve. The man unfastened his cape and laid it over a group of children huddled together.
"It will be alright.. We'll get you somewhere safe."
Watching Lahar give them reassurance, he looked around with a grumble. Slowly, he came to a realization. His eyes then shot wide.
"Lahar, we gotta get back in there!"
"Hm? What do you mean, haven't we already evacuated everyone?"
"No, we haven't!" Mest grabbed the Reverend by the back of the collar and shook him lightly. "'Ey! Is everybody whose out here all that was inside?!"
Rattled slightly by the shaking, the Reverend soon took a look around with his mouth slowly growing agape as he did. "N-no! He's right! Where is Katja?!"
"Katja?!" The Sisters all cried in unison, searching the immediate area frantically.
Lahar scanned the atmosphere, noticing the tension hanging in the air and arose from his spot. Walking over to his partner, he placed a soft hand on his shoulder. "Well, then.. It looks like you still have a keen eye on you, partner."
"When I need it, it's there." Mest commented with a slight tilt of his head.
With that, their bodies became encased in white light before breaking down into mere particles. When they vanished from the world, the group all looked to where they stood with hopeful worry.
Racer grumbled, twitching his head as he crouched down.
"Those two have been meddling the whole time..!"
Cobra closed his eye softly, crossing his arms. "It doesn't matter.. It was pretty clear that she isn't here."
"Damn.." Racer clicked his teeth in annoyance, rising from the ground with a frown. "It would help plenty if we were able to get some kinda picture of this girl or something." Raising his hand, he pinched the tips of his mohawk to straighten them out.
"All we know is it'll be pretty obvious when we see her. That's all we got to work off of." Cobra rubbed his ear softly. Turning to look in the corner of his eye. "Now that we're done here.. Why don't we take care of those annoying pests?"
"I can get behind that idea!" Racer grinned maliciously, crouching down to all fours before disappearing in a blur.
Katja was sitting in the corner of her room, hugging her knees.
She heard the commotion occurring outside. The screams from the massacre that was ensuing in their wake.
Even so, she made no efforts to move. Despite every bone in her body aching at the prospect of her remaining stationary in such a situation. Despite every instinct telling her that the only way to survive is escape. She would not move a muscle.
If she did, then once again she would be the only one to make it out once more. While the rest of another church was to suffer excruciating deaths in her stead. If she went out there, the world would reveal to her how cruel the deaths of her Zentopia congregation.
Looking to the door at the sound of it pounding, hearing a voice calling out through it.
"Katja?! KATJA! You must escape from here!" The voice begged, "AGH!" Its cries were quick to become screams.
"Wonder what's in there.." Cobra's voice called, gradually growing louder as it came closer, "Why don't I take me a peak..?"
Katja released a gasp, her eyes widening.
With a burst of red-violet energy, the door flung to the opposite end of the room beside Katja. The girl let out a shriek as she scrunched up to the head of the bed to dodge the door striking the wall and shattering against it.
"So. Why'd they have you hauled up here, kid?"
Katja's attention moved back to Cobra when he questioned her.
"You wouldn't happen to know anything about a phoenix, would you..?" Cobra crossed his arms, awaiting the girl's answer.
Katja thought about the question for a moment, before swallowing. "The Umbral Phoenix..?" She muttered so low any ordinary person wouldn't hear.
However, Cobra's hearing was far from ordinary.
"So you do know something about it.." Cobra chuckled, grinning. "There may have been some worth coming here after all." He began to walk toward her, lowering his arms from their crossed position. "I think you should come with me.." The man then raised his arm, going to reach at her arm.
"NO!" Katja pulled her arm away, trying to shield it from the man.
In a flash, Lahar and Mest appeared before Cobra. The bifocaled man throwing a kick to send Cobra back a couple steps. Before either could give a reaction to this turn of events, Lahar grabbed onto Mest while the latter placed a hand on Katja's shoulder, the three vanishing.
Cobra, left alone in the room, growled. Rotating on his heel, he rushed out of the room with a vengeance.
As he raced across the cathedral's halls, he stopped when Racer appeared next to him with a brow quipped.
"Cobra? The hell's going on?"
"I may have found a clue on what we're looking for. Find those two meddlers."
Racer nodded, shifting away in preparation to rush away again.
Cutting these plans short was the emergence of Mest and Lahar, who both glared toward them.
"Well, this makes things much easier." Racer smirked.
"It would've been easier for you if you just ran off with your lives intact." Cobra crossed his arms, smirking toward the duo, "Are you that eager to lose your lives?"
"Our whole presence here is to make sure nobody loses their lives!" Mest narrowed his eyes at them, "That's also why we're gonna kick your asses!"
Lahar cleared his throat, drawing from his coat a small lacrima which projected an image of him with some information: "I am the Custody Enforcement Unit's Head Captain: Lahar." Sliding the lacrima back into his coat, he glared to the two, "You two, Cobra and Racer. You are both under arrest."
"Under arrest, huh..?" Racer smirked, the yellow lining on his suit slowly encroaching into a bright red. "You'll have to catch me first!"
"So the deal with you is speed, huh..?" Mest popped his neck, a malicious grin appearing on his face. "Well, then! Let's see whose faster!"
Lahar raised his arm to guard against the burst of wind violently emerging at the wake of the two vanishing in blurs of red and white streams of light that violently clashed against one another.
As the streams left the room with only the dust of their trails to show they were even there, Lahar and Cobra glared at one another. As they stared each other down, magic circles began to draw themselves below each combatant. At the wake of the circles, auras of red-violet around Cobra and silver around Lahar brew from below and engulfed their forms.
"I hope you're aware of what you're getting into." Cobra warned, popping his knuckles.
"I'll be taking you into custody." Was all Lahar responded, straightening his glasses.
With a kick of their feet, the two instantaneously closed the distance between themselves with a leap. As Cobra threw a fist forward, Lahar grasped the dragon slayer's wrist and swung him over his shoulder with a spin. Both landing on the ground with a somersault, looking to one another with a glare before they charged at each other one again.
Cobra threw a fist toward Lahar's face. This gesture was dodged by the councilman, who jammed a paw in his opponent's chest. To follow-up, he threw a quick knee into Cobra's side to throw him off balance. Once successful, he went for a kick to Cobra's ankle.
Before he could manage this, though, Cobra counterattacked. Raising an arm, he caught the kick, throwing it back. In quick succession, he gave three jabs from his stomach to chest and struck with a powerful punch to his left pectoral. This sent Lahar back with a skid against the ground, the man letting out a cough. This prompted the slayer to press onward, bringing a knee up into Lahar's stomach. With a swing of his arms, he threw Lahar into the wall. Raising his foot, he slammed his heel against the council wizard's chest, knocking him through the wall.
With a somersault, Lahar grunted as he reeled from the attack. Pushing himself up from the ground, he let out a few grated breaths.
"As I imagined, I'm no match for Cobra in a contest of brute strength.. That was more of Mest's forte."
Raising a hand, his aura quickly became purple as magical runes came to surround Cobra in the same tinge. Stopping for a moment, Cobra examined the cage he found himself in.
"Ohh.. This was that special quirk of yours that got us seven years ago.." Cobra marveled, letting out a whistle as he looked at it with soft eyes.
"Indeed." Lahar reached into his coat again as he stepped closer to the barrier, "Do not bother trying to escape. This barrier is capable of immobilizing even the greatest of wizards."
"The greatest, huh..?" Cobra scoffed as he took to reading the runes. "I'm honored to say I can break such a thing."
"What are you talking about?!" Lahar's eyes shot wide.
"Times change, Officer." Cobra's face curled into a smirk, "Let's just say I picked up on a few tricks while I was locked up."
As to answer Lahar's question of what it was he was referring to before he could ask, Cobra snapped his fingers. At the sound, sound waves burst out from Cobra's body, seeming to send the world into a violent static and haywire of color. As the waves, violent and overflowing, subsequently calmed and made into larger, more fluid versions of themselves, they came to make out a voice: "I'll be taking you into custody."
Lahar shielding himself as the replay of his own words became louder and louder with each rapid repeat, he was sent flying by a massive gust of wind courtesy of an explosion that triggered right before his eyes. Flinging through the air without a second's rest, he dropped to the ground across the room he was knocked into with a crash in the wall that sent him to the ground.
As Lahar rubbed his head and recovered from the fall, he looked over to where the explosion came to see that..
Cobra stood, barrier-free, with his arms crossed and a wide smirk on his face.
Two fists swung in either direction, both too quick to even tell that they were thrown at different times.
Mest grunted as a black gloved fist struck his cheek, throwing his head to the left. Not letting it stop him, he threw another punch of his own that struck Racer in the chest. Keeping up his momentum, he threw a punch into Racer's abdomen to keel him over.
Seeing the punch coming, Racer grinned as he vanished in a stream of red light, avoiding the attack. Mest growled at the reaction before following after in a stream of white light.
Through the air the streams flew as they clashed, Mest and Racer's forms briefly reforming to clash at one another at different instances. Slowly, the process would come faster, as different moments of their battles were shown.
At the end of the back and forth, the two reformed to show that Racer obtained the upper hand. The outlaw throwing an elbow down against the drunkard's back to send him down to the ground. The impact caused Mest to bounce on the ground, Racer following up with a roundhouse kick that sent his target flying out the window and through the exterior corridor.
Popping his neck, the speed demon kicked off the ground and blurred after his opponent.
Mest on the other hand, who was just recovering from the blows he received, was not prepared for when Racer returned and grabbed him by the throat. Lifting him from the ground, the outlaw pressed the ex-Rune Knight against a pillar.
"Heh.. It looks like I'm the faster one.." Racer taunted, his lips curled into a smirk, "It's always great to know my speed's the best."
"Feh.." Mest spit in the criminal's face, groveling under the force of Racer's grip around his neck, "I'm not..!" Gripping onto Racer's wrist, Mest began to push him back, "Giving up yet!"
Throwing the criminal back, the two engaged in another battle between white and red light. As they flew, they rung around the pillars of the corridor, Mest being thrown out of his stream against one. Racer appeared soon after, clenching the pillar as he leapt toward his prey. Swiftly, the warp mage vanished from the area in a white flash. Striking the ground, Racer growled before following suit.
Soon into the conflict, Mest slid to a halt to catch his breath.
"Damn it.. I'm not what I used to be.."
In the midst of his reflection, Racer presented himself before the drunkard. A swift kick to the side sent Mest flying all before he could even react. As Mest let out a cough to the blow's impact, he flung toward the wall. Just before his back hit the wall, Racer appeared behind Mest and sent him to the sky. Spinning in the air as his body curled at the force. Rushing forward, Racer leapt upward and thrusted his feet inward. As he dove onward, his feet flew outward.
All Mest knew before the attack was that he had never understood pain like this before his defeat.
His stomach curled in around Racer's boots, Mest feeling even his bones under his flesh cry rattle at the tampering. Inhaling sharply out of pure instinct, the air all came out as Mest choked and coughed out a fit of blood past Racer's body as he was once again sent flying in a direct line through the fountain statue and skipping across the ground like a pebble over a pond.
Racer, standing as the victor, gave a ferocious cackling as he placed his hands on either hip. "WELL WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT?!" Raising a hand, he carried a toothy grin as he looked toward where Mest flew, "Of course. If you're still even able to stand, I'll take you on again!"
No response other than a few grunts from the defeated.
"Well then, Sayonara." With a salute, Racer crouched down again, his body consumed in red light before vanishing back inside of where they came.
【 3 - 3 】
《 Gunther's Advice: "A dog who dares not waste one hour of his time doesn't know the value of life." 》
Aym let out a cheerful laugh as he rushed forward. Running along a comically massive vine wrapped between two massive trees, his face was plastered with a wide grin. As he ran, the group from the regular path below all let out a scream as from above dropped a massive grasshopper.
This impeded him none as Aym arched his arm back, a trio of black magic circles emerged around his forearm. When they collided at his wrist, they flashed with a purple light before his fist was coated in aura of the same color. Skidding to a halt, the boy threw the fist upward to knock the creature back with a punch to the jaw. At the impact of the attack, the grasshopper crashed through the tree above. The both of them dropping to the ground, the earth shook as the vine no longer had the opposite end of its path to hold onto.
As the vine was falling, Aym let out a cheer as he held onto the green. Swinging through the air, he let go of the vine just in time to tumble beside the group as they all looked to him with a sweatdrop.
"What're we gonna do with you..?" Jenny bemoaned, holding her head with two fingers as she let out a breath.
"Oh, just relax!" Aym waved a hand, patting his other over his jacket to knock the dust off, "Besides, wasn't it awesome?! I was walkin' on some huge vine!" He expressed his excitement through a sprouting of his arms in either direction.
"Did you forget what we're here for..?" Amelia's brow twitched at Aym's antics, Éclair tilting her head softly.
"You're very free-spirited, aren't you?" The priestess asked, the boy turning his head back to her with a brow quipped.
"Well, I guess you could say that." Aym let out a chuckle, "So long as it gets the job done, I don't think it hurts a bit what we do in the meantime."
"It's more and more every day you remind me of 'em.." Max muttered to himself as he listened to Aym, a bittersweet smile overtaking his expression.
Romeo gave a nod in agreement, turning away. He frowned as he thought immediately of who they were speaking of... Natsu Dragneel. "..yeah."
Jenny pat Max's shoulder as they kept on.
"Let's look on the bright side, yeah? We're probably close to wherever that letter told us to go, right? Let's look forward to that!"
Romeo looked to Jenny, his eyes beginning to soften. Nodding, he gave a bright smile: "Right."
Chelia folded her hands behind her back as she walked beside Romeo, "That's the way, Romeo. Smile!"
"So you can do more than just gawk." Amelia jabbed, Chelia responding with a cold glare.
As the wind began to pick up, Éclair raised a hand over the chalice strapped to her hip.
"Ey, Windy! Quit making the breeze kick up!" Aym berated, placing his hands on the back of his head, "If ya blow away the cup then we'd have gone all this way for nothing!"
"You're acting like I can't control myself!" Chelia shot back.
"That's cuz you can't!" Aym retorted, his eyes narrowing.
"Quit acting like you're superior to me or something!"
"We're only equal in terms of strength!"
"Let's just focus on the job, yeah?" Luko pleaded.
The two then paused as their attention moved to a blood curdling howl that resounded through the forest. As the group looked in the same direction, they were met by a pair of gleaming red eyes that burst out from the shadows in the form of two massive scorpions.
As they leapt forward, jabbing their tails at the group, Aym smirked. Raising his arms, he engulfed his fists in black magic. Rushing forward, he leapt onto the left of the two tails stretching toward them. Dashing onward, he let out a chuckle as his feet tapped against the appendage.
Leaping upward as the first thrust its claw toward him, Aym spun in the air as he slammed down a fist.
"Take this!"
His knuckles striking the scorpion over its head sent off a black ripple, as it did, the fist crackled into its skull. The creature's eyes bulging out as the force caused its knees to buckle and drop to the ground with a huge thud.
The second looked to its brethren in shock as Aym leapt off the top of its head to give it the same treatment. It then threw its own claws toward the slayer, who used them as steppingstones to hop off of them to hit the creature between the eyes and knock it down.
"YEAH! You got this!" Gunther cheered, hopping on Amelia's shoulder to get a closer view of the action.
"Agh!" Amelia facepalmed, "Of course he went and picked a fight as soon as he could.."
"Aym! Don't be too loud!" Romeo called out, "If you do, you might-"
The boy was cut off by the sound of giant thumps hitting the ground. Turning around, he instinctively encompassed his hands with purple circles of flame. Behind them were a mass of gargantuan beetles that screeched at the group.
"Amelia! Keep Éclair safe!" Max ordered as he raised his hands, dust particles shooting out from the magic circles that wrap around his wrists.
"Right!" The girl raised an arm over Éclair, promptly following the command.
Éclair watched on as the rest of the group stepped out and went into battle, save for Aluga. The mysterious man simply remained silent as he watched the bout occur, trembling birds fleeing to perch onto Aluga's shoulders and hide under his cape for cover.
Romeo clasped his hands together, the magic circles around his wrists combining to form a larger circle.
"Chelia!"
At the call of her beloved, the god slayer stopped in the midst of her chuckling hurls of black gust to turn her attention toward him. Clasping her hands together, she tilted her head with a bright smile and hearts in her eyes.
"Yes, Romeo dearest~?"
"Do you notice how they're acting?" Throwing his arms forward, the circle began to fire out a volley of fireballs, "Purple Rain!" As the blasts flew through the air and knocked down several giant beetles, Romeo looked back to Chelia, "Do you notice whose not joining the fray?"
In the midst of her flurry of attacks, Chelia took a moment to pay attention to her opponent's more. Then, in the middle of the growing swarm: she noticed what Romeo was referring to.
"Yes! I see it!"
"I'm gonna need a boost!" Romeo spoke.
What the two young wizards were referring to was a larger beetle whose horns emitted a purple glow that surged like radiowaves around the area. From Romeo's hypothesis, it was clear that taking it down would be a crucial move to ending the brutal assault.
Luko drew his book from his satchel, dramatically opening the book. In response to this, a blue magic circle opened below him, forming an aura around his body as runes rose from the book and floated to form circles of their own around him. As they did, they began to form phrases.
"Fortitudo." The first ring was a bright red, lowering to his knees as it spun, giving room for the next.
"Molitia." The second was a navy, circling around his waist. Closing his eyes, his aura began to change in color as it passed through each of the rings.
"Reflexum." A golden third rang around his head. Raising his hand softly over the pages of the book which began to flip back and forth violently. Soon, the runes left out from the rings and return into the book on a new page. As Luko's eyes shot open, the runes on the page shone brightly.
"Emendationem: The wizards written within the pages of this book shall carry the strength to defeat any foe, resilient to take any damage, and have the reflexes to avoid any strike against them."
In a pulse of light, Romeo and Chelia were encased in this light alongside the rest of the combating wizards.
"Thanks, Luko!" Romeo leapt upward into the air, swinging his arms into the air. Throwing down his arms, he fired another Purple Rain to throw off all of the beetles flying after them.
As he was falling down towards the earth below, his eyes focused on the King Beetle, who threw its head up toward him and let out a massive screech. Feeling the wind pressure increase massively as he was reaching the brink of striking the ground, he spun to make sure his body was upright.
"NOW, CHELIA!"
The god slayer was dashing towards where Romeo's dropping form was headed, throwing out her arms as she took a deep inhale. A magic circle appearing below her, gusts of black winds shooting out from below in a swirl. Twisting her body, the winds she produced shooting forward and encompassing Romeo's falling body.
"Sky God's Dance!"
The massive beetle watched as a massive black twister hurled toward it, narrowing its eyes. At the emergence of a fresh pulse, a mass of smaller beetles emerged in front of him in attempts to guard against the attack. As the twister struck them, they were crunched in the force of the twisters. A gleeful clicking mused from the creature, before it noticed what shot out from the twister.
Leaping off of the several beetles that were affected by the black gust as he moved closer to the gargantuan beast. Still spinning after being swallowed by the winds, his fingers let out purple trails that coiled around the young mage. Forming a fire in a twister as he came closer.
Romeo then let out a roar, scratching forward. His fingers crept forward as flames shot out in a similar manner to Chelia's own attack. The bug's eyes widened as its body was soon consumed by the embers, its body slowly becoming a silhouette before blowing away as an abundance of ash.
"...Purple Hurricane." Romeo finally gave a name to the technique he had just used on his target.
Chelia cooed in delight at the move, cheering for the center of her affections, "Oh, Romeo, you were so cool~!"
On the other side of the battle, Jenny walked over towards a mass of gigantic wasps flying toward her. Her face curling into a smirk, she flipped the blond clutter of hair sitting upon his shoulder.
"Looks like it's up to me to handle this." Giggling to herself, she chose to ignore the others' comments about them being there as well.
Opening her arms, her body was swallowed in the bright light shooting up from the magic circle that appeared below her. In the wake of the light, constructs of black metal formed and clasped against her calves. Expanding at the clasping, they seemed to form their own tank models in the shape of boots that even elevated her. The rest of her body was dressed into a black body suit with silver stripes outlining her robust figure. Her hair was held up by a miniature black cannon piece, her hips adorned with a pair of minicapes that were connected to one another with a black silk ribbon.
"Take-Over: Machina Soul - Beinschwarz Panzer!" As the boots made a hum as the wheels at the soles of the shoes gave her the ability to gallantly circle in her place, her face curling into a prideful smirk.
Her boots clicking open, the modules released from their holes expanded as cannon barrels emerged from them. In a burst of tiny flares, an array of bullets flew through the air and pierced through each of the flying insectoids. The beasts dropping to the ground, the girl letting out an "Ohohoho~!" as she watched the swarm drop at each of her attacks.
At the end of it all, she stood as the clear victor as the corpses of her enemies laid in an everlasting path down the forest. Beginning to turn away, she stopped as she heard a clicking above her.
A wasp dropped down from the skies to crush the woman in hopes to avenge its clan. Though it would quickly come to regret this decision.
Raising her head, she gave an unamused frown at the creature. Crossing her arms, the cannon headpiece fired its own shot. At the turn of events, the wasp's eyes shot wide. Screaming out in agony, its body in a delayed reaction split evenly into two halves. Dropping to the ground, the two halves flopped onto the ground. The bleeding of the creature was also in delay as crimson liquid shot out from the corpse and pooled beneath them.
"Your friends.. They are quite.. Eccentric in battle." Éclair commented, Amelia giving a nod.
"Sometimes I'm terrified of going on missions with them."
As one of the many carriages came to a stop, Katja looked around with wide eyes.
She was fine. Everyone was fine. It took her a while to finally process the fact.
When it registered with her, she found that her eyes were leaking. Pouring with tears that washed over her cheeks as she wallowed in glee. Delight that the world graced her with the survival of her people.
As Rune Knights emerged from the outside world to guide them to their new homes for the time being, Katja cried out in happiness. She followed diligently as the knights guided her out of the vehicle and to the shelter where the rest of the sisters and children were located.
As she walked inside the building, her eyes glanced around the room to see that it was alright. She wasn't the only one left again. As she heard the voices of her fellow survivors, she felt her knees give out. As she dropped, she let out an exasperated sigh.
Before the fall could take full effect, she felt a force stop her from following her body's order. Looking to see what the cause was, her eyes widened briefly as she saw it was Mest. The man grunted a bit as he held his side with his left arm while his right was wrapped around Katja's form.
"Ah- You're.." Katja gave a slight gasp.
"Yeah." Mest nodded, not needing her to finish to know what she was implying, "Good to see you're safe."
Behind them, his partner stepped into the room. Straightening his glasses, he turned toward Katja with a small frown.
"I assume you're Ms. Katja?"
Katja gave a nod in response to Lahar's question, looking to him with curious eyes.
"I see." Lahar knelt down, bowing a head to the girl: "I'm sorry to ask you to relive what you went through so soon afterward, but I need to know. Why did Cobra go after you specifically?"
The girl hesitated. Turning her head away from the two, she pondered on the question. Wracking her brain on the information, she filed through her memories for the answer.
« Days Before »
"We're looking at a crisis, here!" A priest slammed their hand down on a table.
"Many hundreds- Nay, thousands of our devotees have fallen due to the actions of these criminals!" Another roared, crossing their arms, "We need to deal with this now before any more are lost!"
"The Zentopia Church does not act for its own self but for those in need.." A man spoke at the far end of the table.
His features were withered by age as his mustache and beard were filled with uneven silver locks that left his mouth out of view. The man was bespectacled, it being the most varied feature of his outfit which contained a black cassock adorned with golden and white and a cap over his head akin to the rest of the priests in the room.
"There won't be a Zentopia Church if we don't stop these fiends!"
Hearing all of the other priests gathered in the room cry out in unison with shared ideals, the elder man gave a small sigh as he collected his thoughts. Raising his head softly, gave them all a firm gaze.
"Yes. You are right." Folding his hands atop the table, his eyes lingered over each person sitting at the outrageously long table with him, "While the Creed of Zentopia ushers us to seek the satisfaction of others rather than ourselves, there comes a time where defending the house's principal is vital to upholding its fidelity. Thus, we call forth our greatest followers to stand against this great adversary and vanquish it."
Behind him, five figures made their presence known.
The first of the five was a tall and muscular man with spiked gray hair that was mostly slicked back to point upward, a fit of three bangs dropping in a claw-shape being the only exception. Along his defined facial features, particular his cheekbones with made an immaculate jawline. His facial hair only consisted of two sprouts of hair pointing downward on either end of his chin.
His torso was covered by a purple tank top, covered first by an armor composed of black steel. Atop of this were silver armor plates that covered his chest and shoulders covering what openings the black steel armor left. Around his wrists were silver cuffs that matched with his armor. His lower body were covered by a pair of white baggy pants that slipped into a pair of black boots.
Secondly was a man who wore nothing but a knight's armor made of the same black steel, his head being the only part of his body made prevalent. His head wore an unkempt mess of red hair that just barely missed covering his face. Under his bangs were a pair of thin crimson eyes that swam as small fish in the vast sea of the schlera of his eyes. The frame of her eyeballs were extended by thin lines pointing toward the opposite cheek.
Third, a man wearing a white disco suit with golden frills at the end of each sleeve. At the opening of his suit, his chest was covered by a wide, circular arranged bit of chest hair. Atop his head was a blonde, comically massive quiff that pointed outward from the top of his head.
The next was a woman with dual colored silver-purple hair that was just longer than shoulder length who wore a hunter green suit over a white collared top, the suit being held up over her shoulders by a pair of black straps. At the collar was a red ribbon tied into a thin bow. Over her hands were a pair of black gloves with a red trimming at the ends of the white cloth poking out from the black leather. At her feet were a pair of brown boots with golden buckles at each strap.
The final was a small anthropomorphic cat who wore the same outfit as the many priests around the room with powder blue fur and a bored expression as he scanned the room behind his large glasses. Lifting his paw to straighten his glasses, a pair of white wings emerging from his back.
As murmurs began to surface within the gathered clergy before them, some of the five looked amongst themselves with a brow quipped.
"Hey, where's Coco..?" The knight asked.
Raising his head, the cat spoke next, "She still has yet to return. From my calculations, I can deduce that she overslept. Again."
"Agh.. That's, like, totally not cool." The woman spoke, crossing her arms, "Even Dan made it on time, and she's supposed to be the fast one of the group."
"Wait, was that a jab at me?!" The fully armored man, now named Dan, quipped.
"For now, we must focus on our task." The tall man spoke, stepping forward to the table.
As he stepped forward, he raised his hand outward. Swirling from his fingertips was a viscous swarm of purple energy that coiled together to form a line. As particles in the shape of runes gathered into the line, they formed into a spear that's blade was in the shape of a large crab claw.
"Is there any information we should know about this group?"
"Well. From what we've gathered.." One of the priests rubbed his chin.
"They seem to be a large group."
"And from there constant attacks: It seems they are after a certain something in our possession."
"..I see." The man turned toward his group.
"What're we gonna do, Lord Byro?" Dan spoke up, placing a hand on his hip.
At the question, Byro turned his attention back to the priests, his brow furrowing, "Are we aware of where they may strike next?"
"Unfortunately, we are not." The archbishop spoke, his eyes closing softly as he clapsed his hands together.
"I see." The tall man returned to his group, tapping his staff onto the ground, "Let's go."
"Yes, sir." The rest of the figures followed along.
The cat floated up from the ground, looking to the priests, "If you do come up on any useful information, keep in touch."
【 3 - 4 】
《 Gunther's Advice: "You oughta be careful of who you are hanging around with. The people you're close to can affect how good of a dog you'll be when you grow up!" 》
« Present Day »
Aym placed his hands on his hips as he found himself staring at the ruin of a building that used to be a building of dusty yellow tile.
Behind him, the group all stopped. Max closed his map and pocketed it with a breath.
"I suppose this is the place."
"Yeah, I'd imagine." Jenny gave the ruin a once-over, "This is definitely the place described in the letter."
Éclair rubbed her head softly as they approached the building, "They're acting like all that happened when we were adventuring through the forest didn't?"
"They do this all the time. You get used to it eventually." Amelia sweatdropped close to the priestess.
Romeo stepped forward, entering the ruin and examining the area around. As the team followed suit, they took to aiding in the investigation.
"What could have caused this place to be destroyed like this?" Max mused, wiping his finger against the dusty desk in the corner of what used to be a building. "This place must have at least been like this for a decade."
"This place.." Éclair spoke quietly, murmuring to herself. Her eyes lingering around the area was like a trance. "There's something about it.. That seems familiar..."
"Éclair..?" Amelia turned toward the girl, who walked closer to the desk that Max was wiping his finger atop.
Examining the furniture, her hands ran autonomously over the wooden top. Lowering them to the frontal area of the desk, her eyes darted down as she felt a knob brushing against her finger. Examining the feature, she pulled at the knob. Peering into the compartment, her eyes shot wide as she reached inside to grab at what she saw.
"Did you find something?" Romeo walked over to the priestess's side, eyes quickly landing on what she produced from the drawer, "Is.. Is that a lacrima..?"
The question drawing the attention of the others, the group came together to all look at the subject of the fire mage's question. As they did, they noticed that the crystal ball was contained in a silver container.
"This is a pretty old model.. I haven't seen a lacrima like this since I was just a kid." Max inquired, his eyes scanning over the piece of technology.
Éclair pressed her hand against the side of the crystal, her eyes widening slightly as she noticed it react to her touch. To the entire group's surprise, a beam of blue light emerged from the orb and streamed into the air above.
As the beam spreads, it took the form of a man who seemed to be in his late 40s as his face was beginning to wrinkle as sign of his age. His brown hair nearly completely corroded with unfurbished locks of gray in both his beard and hair that was held up in a ponytail. Over his eyes was a pair of oval-rimmed glasses. Looming over most of his body was a white lab coat. Underneath was a set of dark rhobes, just barely underneath was a pair of khaki shorts while on his feet were a pair of sandals.
"Éclair.."
The first words the hologram spoke came as a surprise to the young girl, whose eyes trembled as they laid upon the figure.
"If this message is reaching you.. Then unfortunately, I am no longer of this world by the time you've started your own journey as the Priestess of the Flame." Softly, the man lowered his head, "I'm such a rotten man.. Missing such an important time of your life.. Anyway. I am so proud of you. You were always the hope of everyone in the village."
The group was far too focused on the hologram to notice that the lacrima began to crack.
"As the Phoenix Priestess, there is something you must be made aware of before you complete your journey." Clearing his throat, the man stepped out from the beam's frame for a moment. When he returned, he produced a whiteboard behind him, having six shapes drawn in a circle that all pointed to its center, drawn as a rose. The shapes consisted of a red flame, a yellow lightning bolt, a stack of brown and grey bars, three small green puffs of wind, a blue snowflake, and a purple swirl. "Much before the country of Fiore even existed, there were six avatars. The Phoenixes. They each sovereigned different terrains of the areas surrounding the land that would become the country today. Eventually, they came to be revered as divine entities by the people who came to live in their domains."
"Forming villages such as Fire Village-" Éclair surmised.
"Though the people of these villages were quick to realize the dangers these phoenixes actually posed when they did battle at the center land, causing destruction to each of their lands." With a pink marker, he circled the rose image he drew. "But after banding together, they used tools given to them by a foreign nation to seal away each of them on the grounds that would eventually become the grandiose city we know today as Rose Garden. But of course, being the immortal beings they are, sealing them only worked so much." Along the circle, he draws new lines connecting to the arrows from each shape. "Every year, through the ducts that connect to each village, the blood of each Phoenix emerges in the water. In response, the villages responded by creating the tasks for the Phoenix Priestesses. It is their task to bring the blood back to the sealed phoenixes back in Rose Garden."
Romeo looked to Éclair, who hesitated to return her gaze after the news settled into the group.
Amelia's gaze remained pinned to the projection, rubbing her chin softly.
"Now. Guarding the blood with their lives and delivering it to their rightful location is the sacred duty of each priestess and is viewed as a mission they cannot return to their villages until completed. This is because those in Fiore today who are aware of it seek to harness the power locked away inside of each pint. If they were to get their hands on this power, the world may fall into devastation." The man cleared off the whiteboard, drawing a yellow cup surrounded by purple devil faces with red smirks. Above it all being a small drawing of Earth snapping in half, "Your journey will be difficult. But I'm sure you'll make the decisions you need to. The village may have given you their task, but I know you'll fulfill yours."
The phoenix priestess slowly mouthed his words in silence, her eyes widening at the man's next action.
"My time with you has always been the thing I've treasured most. I'm so sorry I left you behind, that I've missed so many years of your life.. I thought that I could find your mother when she was sent off to be the Priestess.. But it's far too late now." Raising his glasses briefly, the man wiped a tear from his eye. "I have just one prayer for you, Éclair. That you find some happiness in this world. That you find people who care for you and love you for who you are. I hope that you can make a life you are proud of."
The girl's eyes softened, the light in them tripling as tears began to well up in them. Reaching forward, she hovered her hand over the hologram to meet her hand with the man in the projection's own.
"I hope that you realize that I will always love you, my beloved daughter."
Before Éclair could make any response, the lacrima shattered in her other hand. As the projection disappeared in a flicker of blue light, she clutched at the small speckle of blue light that escaped from it. The tears streaming down her face as she watched it fade away.
Romeo, having seen this, bit his lip as he turned away. Aym pocketing his hands as he lowered his head softly, Gunther doing the same on his shoulder.
Amelia looked to Jenny briefly, who gave her a nod. At the notion, she walked over to Éclair, placing soft hands on either shoulder as she led her away from the ruin.
Max grimaced as he watched Éclair walk off toward the distance. After she was out of vision, he turned his head back toward the others.
"We've been here for a while, but our mysterious messenger hasn't made himself known yet."
Wandering over to the side, Aym looked down to the ground as Gunther hopped off his shoulder. Walking over the floor for a moment, he looked around with a confused expression. With a wag of his tail, he looked to the ground with a tilted head. Sniffing for a moment, he crouched down and tapped his paw against the ground. Aym quipped a brow at the action before Gunther slipped. Rolling over to the side as the floorboard he was standing on which slid to the side.
The movement of the floorboard garnering all of the remaining group's attention, they all convened at the opening in the floor. When they had, they found themselves staring down a staircase. Looking to one another, the group began to walk down with Gunther at the lead.
"I'm not entirely sure what I'm smelling, but I'm smellin' something!" Gunther chimed, confident in his nose as he droned over the area.
Once the group all gathered at the bottom of the staircase, they found themselves in a large lab. Lacrima akin to the one Éclair once held lined along the several desks around the room. As they walked in, they examined the endless piles of papers and files messily layered on the countertops.
Their silence was finally broken after Gunther raised his head from the ground, pointing forward, "Ah! Now I know what I was smelling! It was that guy!"
Looking over to where Gunther was pointed, their gazes landed on a blue hooded figure. As the figure turned, they could see little portions of a black body suit fitted with some bits of white armor which golden trims separating the white from the black.
Lifting their hand, which the fingers of were the sole sight of human skin from his white gauntlets adorned with gold, it revealed the face of the man who wore this elaborate outfit. The man's face threatened to be obscured by the long locks of blue hair that rained from his scalp. As the bangs broke apart, a pair of midnight blue eyes scanning over the group. Over his right eye, was a pair of red tattoos that would surround it.
"That's-!" Max took a sharp inhale, stepping in front of the ground. Clutching his fist, a magic circle began to draw itself around it. As he did, his eyes narrowed, "Jellal..!"
The man frowned slightly as he saw Max's expression, hanging his head slightly. "I see you're aware of what I've done. I'm sorry for what I've do-"
"NO!" Max arched his fist back, the magic circle completing itself and culminating into a swirl of sand as he dramatically pulled his entire body forward in a means to punch at the man. "YOU DON'T GET TO JUST SAY SORRY! THAT ISN'T GONNA BRING THEM B-"
He then stopped, eyes shooting wide as his gaze turned back as he felt a tight grip on his wrist. Looking behind him, he sees Romeo staring back at him, giving a shake of his head.
"...it won't." Was all the words the young fire mage spoke, being enough to calm Max.
Aym blinked, eyes moving back and forth between the two of them. After moving his face around in thought for a moment, he turned his attention to Jellal. "So, who are you?"
The portion of the group that stood with him, beside Gunther, all comically fell to the ground.
"You don't know who he is?!" Luko looked to Aym with wide eyes.
"Not at all." Aym tilted his head, a small frown at the center of his face, "Should I?"
The dumbfounded members of the group gave a sigh, rubbing their foreheads. Jenny arose from the ground and walked over to the dragon slayer's side, patting his shoulder softly.
"Well, that's Jellal Fernandez." Luko began, turning away with a frown as he looked to Jellal before them, "He's a criminal wanted by the entire government of Fiore, both the Kingdom and the Magic Council. He managed to escape his own execution, even though it was being carried out by Fiore's personal execution force."
"FOR REAL?!" Aym's eyes became stars, the boy getting into a fighting stance. His fists being caught in a swirl of black energy, a smirk curling onto his face as he let out a chuckle. "That means you've gotta be super tough, right? If you're pickin' a fight, I'm game!"
"Hold your horses, Aym." Jenny's grip remained on the boy's shoulder, tightening it slightly in response to his action. "I doubt he called all of us here with the intention to fight."
"You're right. I'm not here to fight." Jellal raised his head, a stern gaze recomposing his features, "I'm here to offer you all a warning."
At the reveal, the entire group's attention landed on Jellal.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
Racing out of the hotel building the main group had left from a couple days prior was Lana. Running down the streets of the town with her teeth gritting, looking around restlessly.
"Jeez, those jerks take off without me and give me this much trouble to find them!"
Grumbling to herself, the girl began to take off again. Luckily for her, the lobby clerk gave her some information which let her know where to look next. Her next destination was Rose Garden!
Her feet clicking violently against the earth below, Lana kept her pace strong. As she ran, she smirked as she saw her path was perfectly clear. Pushing forward, she excitedly leapt forward. Soon, she'd be back with the team and getting in on the action!
All these hopes quelled as Lana noticed a blur closing in from her peripheral vision. Just before she could react, having no ability of stopping herself as her momentum took her to the air anyway, her eyes began to bulge out of her skull.
In that moment, two heads bonked against one another.
Lana fell back with a loud groan of pain. Holding onto her head, she shook it softly to hasten her skull's adjusting to the sudden stinging she felt all around it. Looking towards where she bumped into, she raised a hand softly.
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Are you alright?"
When her vision settled back in, she realized she was looking at a girl around her own age. Though shorter than her in stature, she had a decent figure for their age. Atop her head was long brown hair that was braided in a mass of twirls dressed into a large blue bauble. Over that was a blue hairpiece resting cozily in the crevice between her bangs and base hair. On her face were a pair of large amber eyes paired with a small nose which reminded Lana of a puppy. Adding to these cute features was a pink flush softly on either cheek.
Beginning from her shoulders was what started as a white long sleeve shirt with a teal collar and cuffs, a yellow dress strapped over her shoulders and cut short just past her thigh line. Around her stomach was a wide red sash, as well as the skirt being rimmed with white frills. Under that was a pair of Viridian tights that cut just above her calves. Her attire then ended with a pair of red sandals which had two small lacrima attached to the back of the wing post and heel.
"Oh, no. I'm sorry." Waving her hand, the girl went to stand from the ground, "I should have been more careful."
Lana paused, seeing that the girl she bumped into offered her a hand. Taking the offer, she arose from the ground with the girl's help. As the two smiled toward one another after the initial mishap, the unnamed girl then paused. Her eyes then shoot wide as she takes a look down at the brown watch on her wrist hidden beneath her sleeve.
"OH NO! I almost forgot I was super late!" She then turned away, seeming to disappear as she raced off into the distance.
Lana blinked, tilting her head softly as dust kicked up from the ground where the running girl just stood. "That was eventful." The girl then shrugged, taking the time to return to her run towards the distance.
"What enemy?" Jenny was the first to speak up, inquiring Jellal explain himself further.
Jellal nodded, continuing, "I'm sure you saw on the recording above that there are people who are after the power of the Phoenixes." Raising a hand, he showed the group a shard of stone. On this shard was a small feline-like creature curled into a ball in red as the creature's forehead was merely an outline, detailed to be like a jewel. "A Dark Guild that emerged 2 years ago, Carbuncle, has gained some powerful members after infiltrating the Occult Prison Ward in Crocus. From there, they enlisted the help of five of the members of what used to be the powerful dark guild Oración Seis, as well as the dark mage, Erigor, from Eisenwald."
"Those guys were members of that Dark Guild Alliance, right?" Jenny placed a hand on her hip, brows furrowing. "What business would they have with Éclair?"
"How powerful they are now won't hold a candle to the power they'll have once they get their hands on a Phoenix's power." Jellal lowered his hands, "The blood of a phoenix not only grants access to the various magics the Phoenix was capable of during their time alive, but it increases their own magic power tenfold. If they get their hands on such power, we may be looking at a massive crisis for Fiore."
"Ah-" Romeo's eyes shot wide as he comprehended what Jellal was saying. "Well, we already knew that these guys getting their hands on the Phoenix Blood was bad. But.. Not this bad."
"That is certainly worrying news." Luko raised his hands softly, rubbing his chin, "Making a mistake on our journey may not only prove disastrous for us, but for everyone."
"Indeed." Jellal returned the hood from his shoulders over his head. Walking past the group, he began to take his leave. "I wish you luck in your endeavor. The turning point in your journey is just ahead."
After the renegade took his leave, the group sat in silence. Reflecting over the information given to them, the group looked over to one another with crossed arms.
"So that annoying slot machine guy and that dude with the scythe both came from that Dark Guild.." Aym started, grumbling at the thought of the fight, "Those cowards didn't even wanna finish a fight they started."
"I oddly get the feeling we were lucky they didn't." Luko remarked.
"I'm plenty sure we coulda handled 'em! I mean, Chelia eats Wind Magic, doesn't she?" Aym jabbed a thumb in the Sky God Slayer's direction, who perked up, "That takes care of the scythe man. And a few good punches should do the slot machine dude in!"
"It's always brute force with you." Luko sighed, sweatdropping.
"Well, he does have a point." Jenny shrugged a bit, "If it's possible, then we shouldn't deny the chance. But we're only talking about two of a much larger group here." Her gaze turned to Aym with a soft smile, "But a vote of confidence is always great to have."
"See? Optimism never hurts!" Aym gave a cheeky grin and a chuckle. Jenny's delight in his suggestion giving the slayer a slight boost in confidence.
Chelia tilted her head softly, looking over to the two as she moved closer to them.
"Well, there's no use worrying about hypotheticals, right?" Chelia raised a fist with a soft smile, "Let's just get the job done, yeah?"
"Yeah." Luko and Aym both nodded with a smile, bumping fists with her.
Jenny placed a hand on either hip with a bright smile along with a giggle. Turning her head back toward Max and Romeo, the two seemed to be quietly speaking amongst themselves. Curious as she was to what they were on about, she ultimately decided it wasn't her place to impose.
"...you're definitely your father's kid." Max finally said, turning back toward the group as Romeo responded with a small chuckle.
"I'm not a coward, though." He said in a clarifying tone.
Coming together with a smile, the group took their leave from the abandoned lab.
As they were doing so, they were unaware of a set of eyes watching them from afar. With a rustling of bushes, the bottom of a staff clasping against the ground. The hand gripping the staff tightly soon was revealed to belong to Byro who was stepping out from the shadows.
As he watched the group collect themselves and make their leave, his eyes narrowed.
〖 CHAPTER 3 - END 〗
「 It's been forever since I last touched this story. Big shame, I say this about every story, so I'll keep it brief this time. 」
「 Our group's mission is going strong! They learn a bit more about the Phoenixes and the role of the Priestesses. We also establish who our villains for the arc are to the group through a tip from Jellal. Meanwhile, Mest and Lahar engage Cobra and Racer in battle. Despite their failure to defeat them, they did manage to rescue Katja and the other members of her commune from the people terrorizing her church. Speaking of the church, it prepares it counterattack by mobilizing the Legion Corps, a team of their greatest wizard devotees. 」
「 What support you guys give is greatly appreciated. If you enjoyed, please leave a follow and review. Or, even if you didn't, I'd ask you to leave a review of what you didn't like so I know what to work on for future chapters. 」
ー Red
