Stakes
Soler sat at one of the tables alone with a drink and a letter sitting open next to it. He had a troubled expression on his face as he was going over the contents of the letter in his head. He sighed again before taking another drink,
"Is the letter that troubling?" he was taken from his thoughts to see Alice standing before him. He put on a smile,
"Well kinda, but you don't have to worry about it. How are you enjoying the guild? I like where ya got your guild mark," he said looking at the white guild mark on her shoulder. Alice took another glance at it and smiled,
"Thanks. I'm loving the guild and everyone here. I've never seen so many mages before in my life," she told him. The wonder in her eyes brought the nostalgia back in him again knowing the feeling,
"Well, I'm glad. I know you're young but maybe someday you could learn some magic and go on some jobs. In fact, if you do learn some magic, and feel ready, I'll take you out on your first job," he said. Alice's eyes lit up with excitement,
"You will? Really?" she said excitedly. Soler beamed at her and nodded,
"Of course I will. But you'll have to learn some first," Alice's fist pumped in the air,
"Alright! Wait could you teach me magic?" she asked him. Soler shook his head and stood up pocketing the letter as he did,
"No can do. I gotta get going to my assignment. But I'm sure someone around the guild will. Now while I'm gone you do have run of the house since you got a key but Mira said you could also stay at her place if you want. I would say Lucy but she and the others are off to their joint operation thing," he said walking towards the door. Alice followed and nodded,
"I know. I think I'm going to stay at Miras, but how long do you think you'll be gone?" she asked. The two stopped at the entrance and he looked down to her,
"I don't know Alice but I shouldn't be gone for too long. It should be a simple scouting job so I probably won't be long. Either way, give Mira my love and I'll be seeing ya," he gave her a pat on the head and jogged off from the entrance leaving a spellbound girl ready to learn.
Soler sat on a cliff face overlooking a vast forest. He yawned and stretched taking another look around him. But since the hour he's been here the same decrepit ruins lay they're as silent as ever. He sighed and continued to look out,
Counsel gives me a scouting mission to see if this place was really a meeting place for Tartarus but I can see it was just some false info. Well, at least I got some time to think about Erza. She's been avoiding me for the past few days and whenever I get the chance to talk to her she always seemed upset. He let out a groan and rubbed his temple, I have no idea what's going through her mind right now and not interacting with her doesn't help anything. But the fact that Mira and I are together now also doesn't help I think. Ugh, why are women so confusing! He was losing his wits sitting here in his own brain but there was nothing to do. He sat up and took another look around at the forest and it was then that he realized the meeting place for the alliance isn't too far away. Well, It's a few miles downstream but for him, it was a quick jog. Soler stood up and stretched again,
Well a quick check up on them wouldn't hurt anything. Besides this place was a dud so no harm in leaving for a bit and coming back. With his plan set, he jumped off the cliff and acrobatics his way down to the ground and ran off to the meeting place. What Soler didn't see was that a hooded figure watched him leave. With a toothy grin, a gruff voice spoke,
"Well looks like I have myself some entertainment,"
Soler dashed through the forest quickly hence remembering the location of the Blue Pegasus owned building. He found the local and could feel several signatures on the inside. He made his way over and walked inside to see things were starting to escalate between Fairy Tail and Blue Pegasus. It looked like Natsu and Gray were going to fight the three male members of the Blue Pegasus guild he recognized as Hibiki, Ren and Eve. Lucy was sitting back with Happy and was looking on nervously. And Erza was standing frozen slightly trembling and he knew why. The leader of the three Ichiya who looked to be pouncing on Erza ready to sniff her. Right before he could get a whiff his face was met a lot of shoes as Soler stepped in between them.
"I think that's close enough Ichiya," he said. Everyone stopped whatever they were previously doing and turned to Soler. The other Fairy Tail wizards lit up at the sight of him even Erza who did her best to hide it, while the Blue Pegasus members where fretting over Ichiya who had been kicked back slightly.
"Boss!" the three shouted as they went over to their fallen leader. The three guys were all wearing similar black suits but each wore them differently as Ren the tallest and one with black hair has his jacket open, Ren the smallest and with blonde hair wore his jacket fully buttoned up, and latest Hibiki who wore his with his collar popped out and had brownish blonde hair. They were tending to Ichiya who was the shortest of them all, his height rivaling Makarovs, with his orange swept hair was slowly recovering from the rejection.
"So like my entrance?" Soler joked to Erza. The female mage frowned at him and turned away,
"I could have handled things myself," she responded effectively giving him the cold shoulder. It hurt whenever she did this but it's been the constant for the past few days and he's slowly getting numb to it which was bad for some reason. Before he could speak Natsu came charging up to him smiling completely oblivious to Erza's behavior,
"Soler what are you doing here? You come to join in on the job?" he asked. Soler shook his head,
"Nope just came to see how you guys were doing. I got my own assignment that's not too far away so I decided to drop by," he told him.
"That's cool, but you don't have to worry. I bet I can beat these Oracion Seis guys single-handedly," he boasted. Gray scoffed at that,
"If you could handle them single-handedly then we wouldn't have formed this whole alliance flame brain," the fire instantly ignited yet again as it seemed another argument was going to unfold between the two.
"My, my you fairies still cause such a racket," the commotion was paused as all looked to the entrance to see a pale-blue haired male and a pink haired female. The woman had back length hair and deep blue eyes. She also wore a pink dress that had black edges with matching pink heels. If there was one thing Soler could say what her favorite color is. The guy had pale-blue spikey hair and with sharp annoyed eyes. His outfit was that if a red undershirt and white trench coat with black fur while his pants were a grey that had black diamonds on them with a set of matching dark shoes. The girl tisked at the site of the group,
"Why can't you fairies just learn how to love," putting an emphasis on love. Natsu and Gray stopped their fighting as Gray stepped forward with an attitude,
"Lyon? What the hell are you doing here?" he questioned with a bit of anger in the question. Lyon, who was the male, looked on with a judgmental glare,
"Why do you think Gray. When they talked about forming this alliance stuff Lamia Scale only sends their best to deal with the problem. The better question is why did you come?" he retorted. Soler took a closer look at the two and it just then hit him,
"Oh, Lyon! You were the guy from the island. And you're the pink haired one Erza knocked out or Lucy knocked out. I don't remember much from then besides Gray standing off to Erza. That will forever stay in my bank of cool Gray moments," he said. The girl fumed at that,
"That blond bimbo only got lucky because of her spirit. Really her spirit did all the work if you ask me and the name is Sherry by the way," she responded. Lucy deadpanned,
"I'm pretty sure I had to summon her but whatever," she said to no one. Sherry did a quick count of everyone then began to snicker,
"Wow Fairy Tail sent five and Blue Pegasus sent four while Lamia Scale only sent three. I think that shows the difference in power wouldn't you say, Lyon," Lyon smirked at that,
"Does it even need to be said. Our guild is the one that has someone strong enough to be considered a Ten-Wizard Saint," he boasted. Soler tried to remember who they were talking about but while the was tension was rising once again between the others. Gray and Lucy having problems with Lyon and Sherry, Natsu trying to battle to three the of Blue Pegasus and Erza getting creeped on by Ichiya again but suddenly a booming voice rang out,
"That's enough!" Everyone stopped on cue as they looked to see a giant muscular bald man standing in the doorway with his staff glaring at everyone. It was then Soler popped out his thoughts,
"It's Jura right?" he asked though taking a look around he wasn't getting paid attention too. Jura stood tall as he wore what resembled some ancient civilization garbs as around his neck he wore a blue and white striped mantle with yellow strings while his chest was bare besides several black straps going around. His arms had tight-fitting green armbands that went almost up to his shoulders and showed his muscles well. On his lower have was a long loincloth that had yellow fur on the rim with blue markings on the cloths itself, though some pants legs could be seen near his boots. Everyone could feel the aura of dominance he was giving off which the rowdy ones stop their bickering,
Man, this guy is like Erza. Even I'm feeling slightly nervous. Soler thought. Jura took a look around at the other wizards walking into the building,
"What is the meaning of this? We were all sent here to work together to stop the Oracion Seis but instead you choose to bicker over the past?" he questioned them. For once someone other than him or Erza was able to make Natsu quiet up. Jura took another look around then spotted Soler and eyed him questionably,
"The White Blur?'
Still, hate that name.
"What are doing here? If I remember Fairy Tail was only sending four members," he said. Soler opened his mouth to speak,
"He was just leaving," Erza spoke up making him look at her questionably, "He has his own mission but decided to see us off and will be heading back out. Right?" she looked back at him and gave him a challenging glare. Soler gave back his own challenging glare, he was starting to get annoyed now by her. The two were silently glaring at each other and even if you're weren't from Fairy Tail you could feel how thick the air had gotten between them. With another moment of silence, Soler let it go and shrugged,
"Yep, I was just on my way out. Hope you guys job goes well," he said as he began to leave. Natsu tried to say something but Erza quickly cut him off,
"We'll be fine. You should focus on your own job," she responded putting an emphasis on 'own'. He gave her an annoyed look but continued his way out not saying anything else. He made his way out the building and down the path letting out a tired and confused sigh. As he walked the sound of quick footsteps broke him out of his thoughts as a little girl with long flowing blue hair was running towards him. She was wearing a simple dress with two wavy stripes running down it ending in white pointed edges. On her arms and legs when had white wing shaped bands with blue flat shoes. All in all, she was a very cute looking girl but from how she was wobbling she was going to fall.
As if on cue the girl tripped and was going face first to the ground. She let out a squeak and was prepared to hit the ground but she was surprised that she was caught by someone. She looked up to see Soler smiling at her,
"Might want to watch your step huh?" he asked picking her up. The girl became bashful at that,
"O-Oh uh yes. Thank you, sir," she responded back with a slight bow. Soler couldn't help but smile by how cute she was being as she reminded him of Alice. But before he could say something else a white cat came flying out of nowhere and got right in his face with an angered expression,
"You stay away from her you brute!" she said sounding elegant. It was obviously a female white cat as the red dress she wore and a pink bow on the tail gave it away. He wasn't as surprised to see another flying cat since he figured there some others out there somewhere, but was more surprised at what the cat was implying,
"Easy there milady. I have enough female problems as it is besides I was just helping her up," he told her. The cat continued to stare making him ever so nervous, but thankfully the girl saved him by stepping in front of him though she only came up to stomach,
"Carla he wasn't trying anything. He helped me from falling," she told the cat named Carla. Carla gave Soler another look over and then gave a 'hmph' and backed away. Soler breathe a sigh of relief,
"Thanks for the save. The names Soler by the way," he held out his hand with a smile. She gave a small smile back and shook his hand with her smaller one,
"I'm Wendy. It's nice to meet you," she responded.
Wendy huh. He glanced over to her shoulder to see the Cait Shelter guild emblem.
"No way you're the one member sent from Cait Shelter. I mean I thought I missed heard when Master was explaining but to think they send you. You must be pretty powerful then huh?" he said. Wendy's face blushed and she began to shyly play with her hair,
"I-I'm not that strong. I don't even have much-attacking magic since I mainly use support magic," she explained.
"Hey don't knock yourself short, Wendy. Sometimes support magic can save the day in a group battle. Especially when you have some reckless fighters in your group," he told her with a wink. His praise made her smile a bit brighter,
"Yeah I guess you're right," she responded. He didn't know what it was but seeing a kid smile always brightened his day. But his curiosity was getting the best of him. Her guild only sent her so she must be special. He felt her energy quickly and it didn't take long for him to recognize the feel of a dragon slayer. He gave her a warm smile which confused her slightly,
"Man you really are a special one Wendy," he said which only confused her more. He then got on a knee to get more to her eye level,
"Hey could I ask you a favor?" she didn't know where he was going but it was rude to just deny him before he even asked so she nodded.
"So the building you're meeting at is just up this road and inside there are some friends of mine helping you out. There from Fairy Tail and if you know anything about us we can be kinda reckless especially the pink haired one we have. Do you think that you could watch out for them for me? I know that with you around that they'll be in good hands," he said. Wendy was honestly surprised by the request and instantly drew into herself,
"B-But I'm not that strong. I'm-" Soler gently placed a fist on her chest getting her to look directly back at him as her brown eyes stared into his emerald,
"Hey, you're plenty strong. You just gotta believe in your power and your team and you'll always have the power you need. Ok?" she just stared into his eyes and there was no uncertainty in them. Feeling a newfound courage she smiled and nodded confidently,
"Okay, I'll do my best!" she responded. He nodded and stood back up,
"That's what I wanted to hear. Now you best get going to the meetup," he told her. Wendy nodded and bowed to him before running off with Carla trailing behind her. He watched her go and a warmth was in his chest,
"I think her and Alice would make good friends,' he then noticed her unbalance and he shook his head, "And she's probably going to trip again at some point. Either way, I best get back to my job," he said in a mocking tone then he took his leave by dashing off into the forest.
Soler made it back to the cliff face to see that the same quiet ruins haven't changed at all and he sighed as he sat again alone.
"Yeah what a job this is," he sat watching the forest yet again back in his thoughts. It was silent up here as he just gazed out but a dark feeling slowly crept up on him as he noticed that it was literally silent. He heard no birds or any animals when earlier he heard plenty. Soler then jumped up in his seat and formed two spears and turned around ready to fight as a hooded figure stood in between him and the ruins.
"Who are you?" he asked his instincts going off. He couldn't see the figures face but could feel a smile was formed,
"I wonder if you'll be some entertainment for me?" he asked his gruff voice said darkly. Then coming from under his cloak a dark mist was beginning to emanate from him. The mist quickly took up the surrounding area and he felt a slight sting from breathing it in but it was nothing he couldn't handle,
"So what you show up just to spread some stinging mist? Come on guy I expected more," Soler responded. Again he couldn't see the males face but he could feel the surprise he had,
"My magical barrier particles aren't even phasing you. I've never met a mage that could hasn't died within the first few moments of breathing it in. It's suppose to change the ethernano in your body and turn it poisonous," he said. Soler just smirked,
"Well I guess it's a good thing I don't use magic. Now that you know your little murder mist is ineffective I'm gonna ask you come with me quietly. It sounds like you've used this before and have killed plenty enough people with it, so come along and let's get over with," he responded. For the first time he saw his mystery man's eyes as there black and glaring at him with unbridled rage. Something about this guy was sending a chill down his spine,
"A mere human is speaking down to me? How dare you!" his voice was trembling in rage. Soler pushed through the slight fear he was getting and prepared himself for anything,
"I-If this is some inferiority complex its alright man it'll grow in time," he said kicking himself for making a joke right then. The man's death glare beamed down on him as he let out a beastly bellow of laughter,
"You think I'm one of you meek sacks of flesh? I hate to tell you but you're dead wrong," he then threw off his cloak and as collected as Soler is he lost his composure then,
"The rumours were true. Tartarus is a guild full of demons," the being standing before him stood on two legs that looked like dogs and had brown fur running all over his body. His chest had a lighter color of fur while his hands were basically claws. His face though resembled that of a human but had dog like features including an animal's nose. To top it off he had blonde hair that went down to his shoulders. It stood tall and had a muscular frame as its eyes were screaming death for Soler. Though shocked Soler had to recompose himself the best he could,
"So you guys really are demons. That's uh neat," he said trying to keep his calm. The being just glared at him,
"That will be your last joke. Now it's time for me to drag you into the depths of hell!" with a speed Soler wasn't ready for the demon was on him and his fist was covered in high rushing wind. When the powerful punch connected Soler felt the wind ripping into his skin. He quickly grabbed its head and pushed himself up and over him then kicked away from him to gain some distance. His breathing was haggard as he placed a hand on where he punched and wasn't surprised to see it had punched a hole through his jacket and made several cuts that were bleeding slowly.
Shit that hurt. He snapped back to attention to see it coming at him with another wind-powered punch. He was ready this time and moved his head out the way of the punch but the strong wind still made some cuts on his face. Soler retaliated by gutting the demon hard trying to pick him up to slam him. That tactic usually worked well on other people but this demon was far more durable than any human and the punch was strong but it didn't pick him up as he wanted. He wasn't going to wait around so he quickly twirled himself around to give him a strong heel kick which did send him back.
The demon quickly recovered and wiped away the small trickle of blood from his mouth. It charged back at Soler who was more ready for his speed and charged at him. The two meat with force as they both punched each other, Soler's fist covered by his energy and wind covering the demons, but the demon was heavier and his hit pushed through knocking Soler back. It wasn't done as it rushed behind him moving with its wind and punched him down into the ground. Then while holding him down he revved up his wind and it began to rip into Soler let again who let out a cry of pain. Soler struggled to get up but the heavier being was holding him down plus with the wind boring into him it didn't help. In a last resort, Soler teleported out of his grasp and few feet away heavily breathing at his point.
Damn this guy is deadly. He thought. The demon eased his wind and looked back at him his eyes full of malice. He didn't move but the wind around them began to pick up rapidly and was getting stronger by the second. The wind was blowing from behind the being so Soler had to shield his face to protect it from any flying debris. But it was when he put his hands up that he felt a something slash his side. He winced in pain and looked to see a deep cut had appeared on his side. His eyes widen as he looked back and began to try and sense the incoming strikes. He formed a spear ready to deflect a blow but another slash ripped through his jacket and a cut was on its chest. It was then he realized that the demon wasn't striking him but he was controlling the wind so precisely it was cutting him.
The demon must have sensed he figured it out and picked up the power behind the wind keeping Soler from moving and leaving him open for the onslaught of slashes he had prepared. The teen was helpless as slashes were being made all over his body from his arms to his legs ripping up his clothes. Soler knew he couldn't handle too much more of this so the cyan glow of his break form could be seen and the demon felt his energy rise. But right when he was going to pump up the power Soler was gone from his sight. In the next second Soler was right above him and with a powered up punch he hit him hard in the back of the head stopping the wind completely. The demon gritted his teeth and swung back but Soler was gone again. He appeared right below him and with another power-hungry hit Soler sent the demon flying into the ruins breaking apart pieces.
Soler didn't have time to relax as though the dust plums several large pieces of the ruins were sent flying at him. He quickly formed spears and cut apart the pieces with ease, but the demon got up and charged him in fury to which Soler threw the spears at him. It surged up the wind around him and the two spears went spiraling to the ground. He was blazing at him but being in this state heightened him so he was ready for him this time. Soler waited till he was right on him and in a brief moment, he heel kicked him into the ground making a sizable crack in the ground. The demon went limp on the ground and Soler eased himself glad the fight was over.
He eased to early for once he dropped his guard the demon sent a strong spiraling cone of wind upward ripping open his jacket and damaging Soler greatly. In this space of an opening, the demon got up and grabbed Soler head pulling it down into a heavy knee. Blood ran from Soler's nose after that one and he was effectively dazed beyond belief. He was going to tip back to fall but the demon grabbed Soler by his jacket and pulled him close to his face so he could see his enraged face,
"You pathetic human! The fact you forced me to actually try means you have to die for this sin! If it wasn't for you being such a lower species I'd even say something honorably about you. But now I think I'll just show you my gratitude for showing me good time by ripping you to pieces instead," he then threw Soler back near the ruins and he laid there limply. Soler slowly tried to rise but his body wasn't responding like how he wanted yet he tried. It was while he tried he felt the wind around him begin to pick up rapidly. It was then that he felt himself being picked and he knew it wasn't by his own self. He was able to look up and his eyes widened as he was being dragged up the funnel of the powerful tornado that was easily tearing up the surrounding area. He could see at the top of the twister the demon floated looking down on him,
"Now descend into hell," he said and motioned his hands together. It was then that the swirling wind around him began to cut and rip into him continually and with rapid vigor. Soler was helpless as the attack was steadily killing him with each hit. It lasted for mere moments but it was then enough to drag him close to death's door. The demon let up the attack and watched with satisfaction as Soler body fell limply to the ground. Everything was going quiet for Soler has he laid there and could feel himself slipping away by the second. It was strange but for some reason, he wasn't afraid of the thought of his own death. He lived a good life so there was nothing he had to fear in dying. It was then that at once a pass fight with Natsu passed through his mind and he remembered the feel of fighting him and enjoying seeing how much he had grown. Then a memory of him and Gray talking about things on a lazy day in the guild and then Lucy flashed by with the time she gave him his last name. Alice came to mind and her sweet smile then Mira and the night they first kissed then finally…No he can't die, not now, not when they haven't even been able to talk things out! But his body won't move yet it had to it just had to...
The demon hovered above feeling good in killing the human, well almost killing him. He knew that his curses can cause a lot of damage but the real killer in his arsenal is his magic barrier particles. So he had to go down and finish the job before the others arrive. As he thought this he felt below steadily rising energy. He quickly glared down,
"What? You can't be still able to move!?" he shouted. Down below he watched as Soler's body began to slowly rise back up and his energy was spiking to levels he's never felt. When his face came into view he was taken back to see his eyes were blazing white with his energy yet the rest of him didn't. His facial expression was deadly calm as it almost seemed like he wasn't awake. The Soler held his hand open to his side and he watched as one of his spears formed to life before him. But it wasn't just one as soon another and another and another spear formed around the teen hovering around him. He wasn't going to stand by and let him continue so he vamped up his wind to try and scatter them but no matter how much he upped the speed they stayed still hovering in place and Soler stayed staring right at him.
Then once there were well over a few dozen spears Soler motioned his hand to him and the spears came to life as they rode the spirling tornado to gain speed. They sped through the winds gaining momentum and power behind them. The demon was helpless to the quick spears as they reached him with a vengeous and all began to pierce right through him with force. He tried to block the damage but he was soon overwhelmed and he was helpless to the fury of the spears. Soler was still forming and sending more up but soon and with ease, he grabbed on to one of the spears and rode the current of spears up. All the while the demon was taking every single one unable to even move. Soler quickly reached him and when he did the spears broke apart to show its beaten and battered body. Soler grabbed the demon by his face and with a twirl, he launched him into the ground, breaking apart the tornado.
The demon laid broken and battered but as he struggled to move. With a strained eye he looked up and for the first time in his life, he felt fear. In the sky was Soler still staring blankly down at him but behind him was well over a hundred of his spears. They looked like harsh starts in the daytime as they were poised to strike. Then with a motion of his hand, all of the spears rained down on the demon with a fury. It sounded like heavy rainfall as each spear hit with deadly precision. The demon below could do nothing at all as his death was but encompassing with each one that struck. Soler let the spears fall for a full minute before they ended.
When everything died down the white blaze from Soler faded away and fell to the ground hard landing and sliding near the cliff. Soler groaned as he struggled to even sit up as he looked around feeling more drained than he's ever been. It was then that he saw all the spears pinpointed on one spot and they all began to fade away showing the remains of the demon his body unrecognizable from the attack.
"Did I do this?" he asked no one. He didn't remember what happened after he started to remember to his friends everything went black and the demon was dead. As much as he wanted to figure out how he did this he was just glad that he survived and took him down.
Man if that guy lived then he would have been a major problem for others He thought. He tried groaned as each breath he took hurt hell everything hurt but it was a 'good to be alive' type of hurt so he didn't mind.
"D-Don't...think...you've won," his eyes went wide as he looked over to see the demon staring at him with the one eye he had left. It was then that breathing began to get harder and harder as it felt like the air was being sucked away. When his ears popped and began to ring it was then he figured out the air around him was really being sucked away and quickly. The demon laughed as anything not rooted down began to suck towards him,
"If I'm going to die. Then you're coming with me!" he shouted as his body was folding in on itself and becoming a vacuum. Soler was running out of air and didn't have the strength to dash away. He looked over the cliff to see the river down below. It was his only chance and with the last bit of air he had he teleported over the cliff and let his body drop as he fell into unconsciousness. The demon watched him fall over and he caught a look at the symbol on his back as he fell,
"I promise you human I might die but once I'm reborn I will find anyone and everyone that stands under that symbol and kill them all. Even if I might forget some things I won't forget that symbol and I won't forget you!" then his entire body imploded on itself and a massive explosion went of destroying anything that stood in its wake.
Soler awoke laying on the side of the river. He felt more energized than before but his entire body was aching with soreness and pain. The memory of the fight from before flashed back into his mind and he let out a sigh of ease. He had never felt so relieved to making through a battle before but that demon scared him. Whatever he was using wasn't magic and he had the ability to turn ethernano poisonous. If the other members of Tartaros don't use magic or can do something similar then that could be a major problem for the future. Once he got back to the guild he'll have to talk to Master and asked him about this. He knew the council would want to know but the whole reason he kept this job with them was to be a messenger for Makarov.
As he laid there listening to the sound of the quietly flowing river a sudden burning popped up and it was coming from his arm. He grabbed in as the pain felt like it was coursing through him though he didn't know where it came from. He groggily stood up and sensed around for anything a small distance away he felt severely signatures surrounding another one. Through he was in pain he made his way over there the quickest he could. As he approached he could hear familiar voices,
"Lyon, what do you think you're doing?" Gray asked in a panic.
"We need all the manpower we can. If this is what it takes to keep her in the fight then so be it," he responded,"
"But if you do this then you'll be the one who maimed Erza," Lucy retorted. At hearing that his instincts kicked in and in a blur of motion Soler stood in the middle of the group with his spear raised at Lyons' neck. He easily startled the entire group,
"S-Soler what are you-"
"You sure you want to go through with your plan Lyon?" he asked his voice sounding deadly serious. The intense stare he was giving Lyon was enough to make the others go silent. Lyon though stared back without fear,
"We need Erza to beat the Oracion Seis. As you can see her arm has been poisoned and she wants it off. If it's her wishes then-"
"Then I hope you're prepared for the consequences if you do that. For I promise you that if you take her arm today will take yours later," he said with a harsh coldness. Lyon was stunned from his words and slightly afraid but taking a look over he could see how beaten he looked and even his breathing so heavy he looked like he could fall at any minute,
"I doubt you have the strength to combat me. If I were you I'd-" Lyon stopped his speaking when he realized that he couldn't move his arms or legs. Soler kept his stare on him,
"I have more than enough strength to take you down, Lyon. Trust me," Lyon looked down feeling utterly defeated and Soler let his grasp of him go in which he dropped his arm holding the blade. Soler looked to see Erza straining in pain sitting against the tree. She was wearing her speed armor and had her arm held out the looked like she had been poison in that arm. She already had a belt tied tightly around a section of her arm to keep the bleeding to a minimum. She strained to look at him even in this position she was glaring at him slightly,
"W-What are you doing here? You should be-"
"Shut up Erza," then in one swift motion Soler gutted Erza knocking her out. He laid her against the tree and let out a haggard breath.
"I don't know what's going on but I know that Wendy has healing magic. Gray where is she and Natsu?" Gray snapped to attention,
"Wendy was kidnaped and Natsu went to get her," he responded.
"Alright, that's good. Gray, I need you to go and find Natsu. I'm sure he's probably found Wendy by now. Bring them back here quickly or tell them to come here. Lucy, you stay here with me to help watch Erza. The rest of you split off into teams and take down the Oracion Seis. However you want to pair up I don't care who you pair up with just do it," he ordered. It was silent for few long moments but soon they wizards began to disperse leaving behind him, Lucy, Erza and Hibiki. Soler looked to him,
"You're not going why?" he asked,
"My magic isn't suited for combat so I'm best to stay here to relay information to the others," he responded. Soler just nodded and looked over Erza's sleeping form. Looking at where she got poisoned made him hold his arm in the same place. Now that things had calmed Lucy took a look over Soler and it was more than obvious that he went through an intense battle.
"Soler what happened to you?" she questioned him. He looked to her and was about to respond but exhaustion overtook him and he collapsed into Lucy who barely caught him before he fell.
All Soler saw was darkness. It was hard to tell if he was still alive or if he had finally succumbed to his injuries. But when a violent shake happened he was awoken from his sleep. He slowly opened his eyes to see the stars shining above. He could feel he was laying on something hard and then with a sudden shift he heard the creaking of wood letting him know he was on a ship. But he didn't hear the sounds of water and he was moving too smoothly. He decided to figure things out and though his body tried to fight him he sat up slowly as his joints were popping waking themselves back up. Once up he looked around to see he was on the deck of a ship yet didn't know how he got here.
"Where the hell am I?" he questioned aloud,
"You're on the Cristina," Soler looked behind to see Lyon walking up to him. He looked like he'd been through a fight since his shirt was missing and he bandaged up, but he still that nice jacket.
"The Cristina? What's that?" he asked as he tried to stand up. When he was almost up his legs gave out suddenly and he fell but Lyon caught him surprisingly,
"You really shouldn't be moving much. Wendy might have healed those injuries but your body is still exhausted," he told him ignoring the earlier question. Soler shook his head then once again began to stand up this time fully succeeding.
"Thanks but I'll just push through," he responded. Lyon sighed and shook his head,
"You Fairy Tail wizards are something else. Looks like Erza was right in saying you'd do something like this," he said to himself. The memories from earlier flashed back,
"Wait where is Erza? Where' the others and what the hell is that?" Soler gawked at the giant ruined city that was moving on six equally large legs. It looked like a deformed spider. He moved to the side railing to look out now also noticing he was flying high above it,
"That is Nirvana. It's a powerful weapon that can change the hearts of those too weak to deny it's influence. A lot has happened but you're guildmates are currently down there battling the last of the Oracion Seis and figuring out a way to stop them. The rest of us besides Jura, Ichiya and Wendy are here tending to those unable to continue. We recently lost contact with them so where hovering hoping for the best," he explained. It was a quick explanation but he understood and didn't like it.
"I need to get down there to help them," he said to no one. Lyon would have looked surprised but dealing with these guys long enough he knew that if their friends need help then anyone one of them would go,
"I'm not going to stop you through Erza did say we should. Just make sure Gray makes it out. He'd be shaming Ur if he fell here," he told him. Soler nodded and stepped up on the railing ready to jump but right before he did he looked back at Lyon,
"I know it's not much but I'm sorry for earlier. It was a tense situation and I wasn't fully in the right mind, without waiting for a response Soler jumped off the ship. Lyon watched him jump and he shook his head,
"Those guys are something else. I wonder what pushes them so far?" he questioned.
"He does it out of love," Lyone looked back to Sherry who was looking no better than him, "When you're in love it'll push you beyond what you thought possible. That is what I think drives them all," she explained. Lyon let the sentiment marinate as he watched Nirvana continue its destructive path.
Soler freefell from the ship as he let the rushing wind wake up his senses. He quickly approached the city and readied a spear. He aimed for the tallest building, which was a decently tall tower, and once he was close he plunged the spear into the side and let the friction slow him down. He fully came to stop by the time he reached the bottom and dismissed the spear.
Alright, I'm in. So time to start searching. He closed his eyes and did a quick scan around and he picked up Erza with was with someone else.
She must be with Jura or Ichiya. Either way, time to regroup and find strategize, He was slow to start since he was asleep for a good few hours and now that he thought about it he wasn't in any type of pain but just still tired. He could feel his energy reserves were still low but it was nothing he couldn't deal with. Though looking down at his destroyed jacket and ripped up pants he was glad he kept an extra of his clothes at home. With his muscles coming back to life he quickened his pace. He rounded a corner to see Erza looking way better than before but she was talking someone. It was when he saw the signature blue hair and that red tattoo that anger resurfaces as the one man he hated in this world was standing there,
"Jellal!" he shouted in rage. The man and Erza both looked back in surprise to see him. Erza went to a panic as she stood in between him and Jellal as Soler was quickly on them his face furious. He glared down at Erza,
"Move Erza now," he growled at her. She could see him visibly trembling in his rage at the sight of the man.
"Soler no things have changed. Jellal he has changed. He-"
"He's changed? He's changed! He should be dead but he's standing here and you're saying he's changed!? This is the man who ruined your childhood. He's haunted you most of your life, hurt your childhood friends and tried to use you to resurrect some god. How the hell can you honestly defend this man?" he questioned her. Erza's heart stung at the reminders but he didn't know what she knew,
"I know he's done all those things, but he is different than before. He's...he's…"
"I've lost my memories," the man finally spoke up for himself. The act of him even speaking as setting Soler off more but Erza blocking him kept him still,
"The hell do you mean you've lost your memories?" he questioned. Jellal stood calm and collected which was different than from his manic expression at the Tower,
"I don't know much of what's happening. But I was brought back yet I have little to no memory my past. Yet I do remember Erza and seeing you I'm starting to remember you too Soler," he said. Soler's fist tightened as he did his best to keep himself from swinging,
"So what you remember me, that doesn't make up for what you did to Erza," he responded.
"Jellal knows that but he's trying to make up for it now by helping us stop Nirvana," Erza told him. Soler anger seemed to only grow at that,
"Trying to help? Are you really dumb enough to trust this guy? Have you forgotten what he's done, what he's capable of? How can you trust him?" Now Erza's anger was flaring,
"Jella is more trustworthy that you are right now!" she shouted back. That one line itself took away any and all anger he might have had at that moment. It cut deep within him that she would say something like that. His body laxed and his bangs covered his eyes not wanting to meet hers. He then turned away from her,
"What do we got to do to stop this thing?" he questioned her his voice low. Erza was still heated but she calmed herself some at seeing the change of his demeanor,
"We need to destroy the six lacrima that connect the legs to the body. If we do that then we stop Nirvana. Natsu and the others are heading to theirs now and Jellal and I are heading out now. Ichiya said he was going to the last one but-"
"Then that's where I'm heading," he cut her sentence, "I know his signature so I'll handle his Lacrima," he didn't wait for a response and began to move,
"Wait we have to all destroy our simultaneously so wait till he gives the signal," she told him. He didn't respond and kept moving soon enough teleporting away. Though the interaction was brief Jellal watched as Erza let out a haggard breath as her body eased. He said nothing as he watched her compose herself. He might not remember much but the fact that Soler got to her so much must mean…
"Come on we can't wait around," Erza turned to him with a serious expression. Jellal only nodded and followed her to there areas.
Soler quickly found Ichiyas signature and made his way to the man. When he found him and saw that he had been hog-tied to a pole he didn't even what happened. Instead, he picked up the pole slung it over his shoulder and went to the lacrima. It was a giant sphere lacrima that could easily control one of the giant legs. He placed down Ichiya and was preparing to destroy it but the other man's voice finally broke through his thoughts,
"Wait you must wait till they give the signal!" she shouted. Soler was in no mood to wait but he remembered what Erza said and decided to listen. He let go of his spear and just sat down next to where he placed Ichiya. He pulled his knees close to his chest and rested his head on them as he was too lost in his thoughts.
Jellas back and he's lost his memories. God, I hate that guy but why is Erza of all people defending him! He hurt her so much, he's literally been a cause of her to be so locked up with her feelings! How could she say she trust him after all that!? It was then he flashed back to just earlier when they argued and what they said. The memory had him only sulk even more,
Maybe this place does affect your heart. Of course, I'd never call her dumb like that but I did call her that. Though that hurt what pierced his heart was what she responded with. It made him grip his arms tighter. But was it out of anger or frustration or was it both? Either way, he hated the feeling and it was only swelling up more and more in his heart. He had to talk to Erza after all this and clear the air. No matter how much she's tried to avoid him he wasn't going to let her get away this time.
"Soler! Soler! You much destroy the lacrima now!" he shot his head up and going off instinct he threw a spear into the lacrima. It traveled halfway through causing it to begin to crack but with a snap of his fingers, the spear exploded taking the lacrima with it. Soler stood looking at the destroyed lacrima and both men could feel the shifting of Nirvana as it came to a stop. Ichiya would be jumping for joy if he wasn't tied up.
"H-Hey if you wouldn't mind-" Soler cut off his restraints and without a word teleported away.
*** Sometime Later***
Soler stood back and watched with Lucy as some Magic Counsel guards had come after everything was said and done. They came to lock up the members of the Oracion Seis that the Alliance had taken down. But there was a seventh member that was currently being taken away also who was unsurprised going without a fight. Jellal was being put in handcuffs. He might not have put up a fight but Natsu was as he taken down a few of the guard with ease and would have probably taken down the rest if Erza hadn't told him to stop. The red stopped Natsu and she and Jellal shared some words he didn't hear but must have been meaningful since once he was put in wagon Erza quickly left the scene. He watched her walk away and could feel the heartache she was feeling though he didn't show it.
"Poor Erza," Lucy said looking at where he was looking. Soler didn't respond still looking off to where she disappeared. As they stood Natsu with Happy flying above him came walking up to them looking upset,
"Don't worry pal. I'm sure once they realize he doesn't remember they'll let him out early," Happy said trying to cheer up the dragon slayer. Natsu might have been slow at things but even he could understand that Jellal wasn't getting out anytime soon.
"I doubt that Happy but thanks for trying to cheer me up," he responded with a slight smile. Happy nodded and floated over to Lucy and Soler.
"What do you guys think?" he asked her.
"Well even though Jellal has changed it doesn't make for his past crimes Happy. So he'll probably be away for a while," she responded. The cat was beginning to understand and it did sadden him,
"Soler what do you-" they all were surprised to see the white-haired teen was gone.
Soler found himself on a tower that overlooked the forest and that gave a fantastic view of the sinking moon. But the view wasn't why he was here it's was for crying he was hearing. He was quiet in his approach as peered around to see Erza who was crying her heart out. It pained him to see her crying but what made him upset was the fact that she was probably crying over Jellal. It just frustrated the hell out of him that she would shed tears for that guy. He took a silent breath to calm himself, then he quietly took a few steps back and then walked forward normally making sure his steps were heard. The crying almost immediately went silent as he rounded the corner to see the red sitting looking out to the sky. Her hair was blocking her eyes but he knew she knew it was him.
"W-What are you doing here Soler?" her voice was trembling with each word. Again that frustration and anger came swelling back when he should be trying to help her. But it just wouldn't leave and he didn't know what the feeling was he just hearing her made it worse. But he did know who was the cause,
"Why for him… why cry for a guy like him?" he responded. Erza heard the mixed emotions on the question but she didn't respond. That only made him more upset,
"Erza why are you crying over him? After everything he's done to you, after all, that's happened you'll still cry over him? I just don't get it," he told her.
"Who said Jellal is the only reason I'm crying," she said in a low voice. He looked at her confused,
"If not Jellal then who? Please tell me Erza," the red quickly turned to look at him and his heart broke at the site of her water filled eyes and the pain on her face,
"I'm crying over you too Soler!" she told him.
"Me? But-"
"Because I still love you! I love you so much and I thought you would feel the same but you turn to Mira instead. I don't hate either of you but it just hurts so much to see who you love is just out of your reach. It's an unbearable pain to know that they'll never love you back," she said to him as new tears were beginning to fall. Soler mind was in spin while his heart was shattering. All her emotions were being put out before him and to learn he's the cause of this he's causing her so much pain because of her love of him. But what he hated more was that he hadn't ever responded to her love he hadn't even said whether he loved her back or not. He clenched his jaw in frustration,
That ends now. Without saying a word Soler got down to her level and moved in on her. Erza was shocked but she didn't stop him as he moved in a kissed her deeply. She didn't know if it was the longing she had for him or some leftover Nirvana magic but she didn't care as she moved into the kiss with vigor. Soler's response was by wrapping an arm around her to keep her close as the two enjoyed this long-awaited moment.
And we're stopping. Man,, what a cliffhanger am I right? Who would have seen that one coming at the end I know I sure didn't. Haha well anyway, something I want to ask you guys about the story. So I've seen the reviews and first thanks for those they help a lot, but second I see you guys wanted the pairing of Soler, Mira, and Erza. Now I'm going to be first to say I wasn't expecting this but its popped up in several of the reviews and honestly, I'm kinda considering it. I've never written a triple or double pairing at all so I wonder. I've kinda already gotten some ideas for it but I don't know what do you guys think? Want the triple pairing or no triple pairing. Let me know with a review or a message or something. Oh, and how did you guys like the tease. Either way, this has been Solerwolf...later. (Also almost another 10,000 words! Geez I hope this doesn't become the norm)