Dragneel; Igneel & Layla 6, Saraphina 4, Nash 8 months
Redfox; Ren 6, Axel 5, Connor & Wyatt 6 months
Haroworth; Nolan & Lucca & Kellen & Rainer & Aura 1
Drayer; Lexie 7
Justine; Marcus 5
Alberona; Chance 5
Fullbuster; Storm 7, Ur &Ulter 6 months
Damian 5
Fernandez; Maia 14 months
Fiore; Drake 15 months
Ecluiff; Reese 5, Verity 1 month
Ghosts of the Past
***** Two and a half Years after Celestial Mage Wanted*****
He didn't want to know. That bastard dragon father of his had made his mate curious and she had asked the one person for help he didn't want to know.
"Sting I'm sorry, but I had to know," Yukino plead again as she followed him into the nursey as Sting marched towards their youngest. The little blonde haired girl fussing for her lunch as she looked up at the little silver key that hung on the top of her crib, a present from her Aunt Lucy as proof that she was a child of the heavens.
"Why Yuki? Why did you have to go digging in something that doesn't matter?" The dragon slayer asked as he picked up the crying infant from her crib.
"How do you know it doesn't? What if the life you had before you were with Weisslogia is like what happened to Natsu?" The white haired mate lashed out as she reached for the bottles and formula to prepare the child's meal.
"Don't go there!" The blond hissed as his daughter cried in confusion at the tension she felt between her parents.
"Sting, Weisslogia said to not go to Cintra; do you even what to know why he said that? Or even where he was talking about?" Yukino asked as she finished the bottle handing it to her mate.
"No just leave it alone!" Sting hissed in anger as he carried his daughter away.
It was a few months later while visiting Rouge and Rufus in the palace that Sting's plan of ignoring his past came back to bite him in the ass. It hadn't seemed like anything at first. Ryos and his mate had a lunch with the dictator of Joya, a man who was, for the most part attempting to be rather agreeable.
And like Fiore, Joya was experiencing an unprecedented time of peace and prosperity. So the two countries were attempting to smooth out old issues, hoping to open up trade routes in the interest of commerce for Fiore and much needed goods for Joya. Walking up to meet him Sting noticed something almost familiar about the man. His tan skin and dark purple hair sent a whole lot of unprecedented fear down Stings spine shaking his head he concentrated on Hisui speaking as she introduced them.
"This is draconic council member Sting Eucliffe and his mate Yukino," the princess began before the dictator turned to look at the dragon Slayer.
His once neutral eyes hardening with revulsion as he sneered at the blonde man. "Pekola," he murmured hatefully as he turned his head harshly away from the couple as he regarded the princess with disdain. "I will not condone talks as long as the likes of him are free to do as he pleases," he hissed as he gathered a few of his belongings his servants following after him sending Sting the same terrible look.
"Minister Cromwell, what is the matter?" Ryos asked as he stood in the man's way hoping for an explanation.
"His kind should have been wiped off the face of the Earth hundreds of years ago, they are less than cattle and I will not listen to another word you say as long as he is within this city," the dictator huffed as he stormed out of the courtyard in a huff.
"Levy what happened?" Hisui asked in panic later that night as the three dragon slayers and their mates gathered in the quarters of the princess.
She had gone to every advisor she had but no one knew why the dictator had reacted the way he did. Thankfully the Redfox family was in town for the king's birthday, the reigning monarch had asked that all of the princes be present for the celebration. After she explained the situation to Levy, the bluenette had gone back to her room to retrieve several books.
"It's quite simple, I should have said something when I heard the dictator of Joya was in the city," the bluenette spoke as she set the old books down as she watched her boys play with their little cousin Drake and Reese.
Thankfully in spite of the age difference her normally rough and tumble boys were gently interacting with their cousin. Ren was plucking a few cords on a small guitar that Gajeel had gotten him for his last birthday and Axel was keeping Reese in check every time the little Dragon tried to take a toy away from the crowned prince.
"What does Joya have to do with this?" Ryos asked as Hisui sat down next to him bringing Levy back to the conversation at hand.
"Well for one a few hundred years ago it was known by another nameā¦Cintra," Levy said as a low growl came out of Sting as he glared at the solid script mage.
"No, you're lying," Sting hissed in anger.
"They changed the name so that it would be harder to link the country with it's past. As if renaming land would change what happened on it," Levy growled shaking her head.
"What happened?" Ryos asked as he watched Levy take a deep breath before whispering. "Genocide," the shock on the others faces was not unexpected, she herself had found the truth hard to swallow at times but the fact where hard to dismiss and Joya had done everything within their power so that none would learn the truth.
The sick thing was that it was actually working, as time had gone on and the old name for the country became forgotten and as such the sins of the past were forgotten and swept under the rug. Known only as tales of a far off land that none knew where the travesty had taken place. The Joyans never had to answer for the crimes that were committed in hate. Nor had the country moved on from the passed down prejudice. Only a few scholars and those from Joya knew the truth of what was hidden in the past.
"The Encarin people," Yukino asked once she found her voice.
"Yes, based off of the physical discerption of the Encarin people, Sting belongs to them," the bluenette informed as she felt her mate wrap his arms around her waist.
"No," the white dragon slayer insisted shaking his head as he fought the urge to run from the conversation.
"What did they look like?" Hisui quarried watching as Yukino sat Sting back down when he tried to stand.
"Skin as pale and the Moon's light, eyes the color of clear brooks, and hair the color of wheat ready for harvest," Levy read from one of the books she had from the celestial realm.
"So Sting," Gajeel grunted what everyone was thinking.
"Yes, and I have to say given the timeline of the Encarin people it fits," Levy spoke turning a few pages in the book she held.
"What do you mean timeline?" Sting questioned as he watched his son wrestle with Axel out of the corner of his eye.
"The Encarin people were tribesmen. They lived in groups of at most few hundred and traveled around the land during most of the year but all the tribes would come together for a festival they would call. Et Ave mat ben, which translates to mean the celebration of life. They would gather on sacred land to them. In the cove of modern day Joya, but the people who lived in Joya at the time despised the Encarins. The Encarins were gifted mages and as you can guess at the time magic was greatly feared. So one night during the festival the Cintran people attacked. They slaughtered many and took the rest as slaves, over the next ten years the Encarin people were wiped off the face of the Earth," Levy exhaled as she finally closed the open book in her hand as she moved to open the second one.
"How do you know all this?" Hisui asked in reserve confusion.
It wasn't that she doubted Levy, but if what the bluenette said was true and could be backed up by proof it would be enough to holt all negotiation. If it wasn't at her father's instance she wouldn't even allow the man quarter here. Joya had little to offer other than possible military support, along with meager money was not enough to tempt Hisui. But her father had insisted that the princess attempt to mend fences, "one never knows when a favor will be needed, best to collect them while you can," her father had said when she asked why he was asking her to do this.
After all Joya's stance on mages were the hardest Hisui had ever heard of. If you were a mage you couldn't even stand on the land of Joya without facing execution. The dictator had once threated Hisui's own life when her father had brought her to the country for peace talks. But as the years went on the man had lessened his stance against mages. But Hisui had always suspected that was out of necessity than out of a true change of heart. Over the six years ago Joya had gone through a time of great sickness and Fiore had offered healers to help, but once the mages had returned home she had heard that every mage and even simply the doctors were treated no better than a slave and we're often spat upon by the very people they were helping.
"I found this in one of my travels it is a firsthand account of an Encarin slave who was rescued by a man who brought her to Fiore," Levy said as she opened the second book.
It was old though it had been when she had found it years ago; the bluenette had to rebind the book before she would even allow her team to leave. It was still fragile, in spite of being one of the few books that survived Tartarus's destruction of Magnolia, several pages where merely tucked into the book and entire chapters were missing. But thankfully enough of the story had been saved so that once Levy had figured out how to translate it, the story was able to be understood.
"In it she tells a story that would be hard to believe if it wasn't for a few simple facts," Levy said as she began to read from the book.
"As the years passed by I have worked for the simple hope that Weisen will return to us. It was when my own children grew that I saw my little brother in all of them that I knew I must tell his tale. But his story is one I have only ever whispered to my husband in the silence of the night for my children are you young to know the truth of what I knew in my childhood. But this story began nine years after our people had become slaves.
"The work was terrible, always shackled in metal wrist cuffs that cut off our heritage. Days were spent building the great houses of the nobility, and once they were done we were sold and traded amongst the people as they pleased. And at the end of the day we were sent back to our tents which were kept in the middle of town heavily guarded so that we would never be free of them. Every night I would sit by the fire enraptured as my father and elder siblings would tell the tales of our people of the great journeys we would take, and the lessons that the teacher had taught us.
"But we never gave up hope that our protector would come to save us, so we allowed life to come as it did. I was still taught the ways of magic and our people though I had never once remembered a time when I was able to use it. And child after child came, watching in hopefully joy as my own mother swelled with him, my brother. But a year after his birth the Cintran decided to take our hope away.
"One by one they gathered up every child under the age of five and drowned them in the very river we drew life and hope from during the very time we celebrated new life. The shouts of sorrow and anger still echo in my head whenever I see a river. My mother hid our brother from them and in the dead of night snuck him out of the house with him tucked away in her robe. Disobeying her orders I followed my mother to the crest of the river where she pulled out a basket and place my brother within it. Her words still haunt me to this day as she prayed to the river for safe passage for her child. I cried as I watched him float away but before he was too far out guards came and tried to take him from his basket in a fit of rage, in spite of the shackles on her, I watched as mother used her magic to send him so far off that none could catch him.
"As when I watch my brother drift off to a new life I cried as I was forced to watch as they killed my mother for protecting her child. It wasn't long after that, that the Cintran decided to end the rest of our people. Tearing in to tent after tent they killed every man woman and child. As they approached our home my father and sisters pushed me out telling me to run. And so I did, I ran far beyond the camps where they were keeping us and I ran until I couldn't any more. Tired and weary I hid in some bushes as I heard my peoples screams fill the air. In the middle of the carnage a boy a few years older than myself found me hiding in the bushes. I recognized him as the son of a visiting noble from a land so far away that my people had never gone there. Throwing his cloak over me he led me to the caravan that was taking his family home. He tucked me away behind his luggage and brought me food and water whenever he could. Once we reached his home he begged his father to allow me to stay.
"I was given quarters and encouraged to continue my people's traditions. And when I grew and married the boy who saved me I taught them to my own children. And as I have since I was a child I pray to our great teacher every day. Hoping that Weisslogia found Wesion and gave him what only I was able to achieve. Freedom." Levy finished reading as she looked up to find Sting with tears in his eyes.
It was a hard enough pill to swallow that you were the last of your people but to hear that your own mother died trying to free you from it. Levy bit back her own tears at the thought of not only her parents but the sacrifices her brother had made to ensure her survival. Coughing she shook her head clearing her thoughts as she spoke. "There is something else you all need to know,"
"What?" Sting asked his own voice cracking as he heard his daughter began to stir in the other room.
"I found the descendants of this woman," the solid script mage spoke as she reached into her back pocket pulling out a folded piece of parchment. "It wasn't difficult, she sighed her name at the end of the book," Levy Continued as she unfolded the paper. "Laurana Drayer," she said simply as she laid the large parchment on the table.
There at the top was indeed Laurana and Mercious Drayer and all the way wat the bottom where three named that they all knew very well. Makarov, Laxus, and Lexie.
"Levy?" Yukino asked as she watched Sting disappear into the baby's room to calm her down.
"I checked every archive I have access to. The Drayer bloodline was at one point Fiorian nobility. The Drayer name fell when about one hundred and fifty years ago the only heir ran off with the daughter of the family's rival. They had one son Yuri. So I checked with Master and Master Makarov and he said that his father had something form their great great great great grandmother," Levy spoke walking back into her room to retrieve a large paper wrapped object.
"Why did you bring all this?" Hisui asked as she helped Levy gently unwrapped the paper revealing a fragile blanket.
"The anthropologist as Crocus University was going to help be figure out if this is what I am thinking it is," Levy said as they unfolded the blanket unveiling the intricate design it held.
The stitch work was delicately sown into the large canvas. On the left corner were scores of tents and people all stitched with fine red and purple thread. A large river in the clearest of blues ran through the middle as flowers of many colors littered along its shores. And on the right bottom corner was a large white dragon the threat seemed to shine as little pieces of shells were sown into its sides.
Taking a moment to absorb what they were seeing Levy took Verity from Sting as he approached the canvas.
"According to Makarov this is a story of her people' s beginning and the love of the great teacher," Levy spoke.
Sting's focus on one thing the white dragon on the canvas. It was crude and a little odd but as he stared at the image all he could think of was how much it looked like his father. Running his hands over the stitching gently he tried calming his racing mind as it worked in overdrive trying to process everything he had just been told. Hisui turned quickly and opened the doors before looking at her guards and staff that had been told to wait here until they were needed.
"Wake Doctor Meltin tell him he is needed at the palace at once," she ordered as two ran off. "Get my father he needs to hear this," she spoke to two more ran off to do as asked.
"This embroidery is impressive and indicative of Joyan archeological sites over five hundred years ago," Doctor Meltin spoke as he inspected the blanket.
He had arrived not an hour after he had been summoned to the palace and in that time they had found a way to hang the blanket for display. King Tomma had come nearer the same time as the professor and had since looked over the cloth but turned his attention to his grandson who was fighting the need to be put to sleep. The young prince staying awake no matter what they did to lessen the shadows, so the King paced in the darkest part of the room while the professor continued his inspection of the blanket.
"But these nuances are unfamiliar to me what culture do you believe it's from?" He asked not looking up from the fabric as Levy stood off to the side.
"Encarin, made over four hundred years ago," she said softly kissing her son's goodnight. The two Redfox princes clinging to their father as he carried them to their bedroom in the palace.
"Yes I would agree with the age, but I always thought the Encarin people were lost to time?" Professor said as he finally turned away from the blanket.
Cleaning of a few smudges from his glasses then running a hand through his salt and pepper hair. There were plenty of legends and lore about the Encarins but no artifacts nor traces of their civilization or destruction could be found. "Where did you come across this?" He asked looking over at Levy as she sat down.
"My old guild master said it has been passed down in his family, one of his ancestors make it, a Laurana Drayer," Levy spoke.
"Laurana is not a name normally found in Fiore, even during that time," the Professor mussed as he stepped back to get a large look at the artifact.
"Yes, and I also have this," Levy said as she held out the three books she had on the Encarin people.
"What is it?" Doctor Meltin asked as he picked up the oldest looking book there, struggling to read the language Levy handed him her note book which she had been working on translating. "What tongue is this written in?" he questioned as he looked over at the solid script mage.
"Dragon, specifically White dragon," Levy said proudly as the professor began to read over her work.
She had wanted to work with the man for some time but unfortunately Doctor Metlin was nearly as good as she was at deciphering ancient language so he never sent out request for help unlike many of the other archeologist in the land. But Levy knew that was all about to change thanks to the fact that she was the only none dragon slayer to successfully translate form draconic to Fiorian, and to make matters better she was now fluent in eight dragon tongues.
"My God," the professor whispered as he looked up from the books.
"You understand why we need you to authenticate this?" Hisui spoke as Doctor Metlin nodded his head.
"Yes but in order to prove this I need to go to the cove," the professor said as he gently placed the books down on the table.
"Why?" Sting asked gruffly.
"The book describes a burial ritual that the Encarin do, in which very specific items are eventually preserved and buried along with the bodies in the ground. If we can find evidence of this and hopefully though the genetics we can prove these people are Encarin. There's just one problem," Dr. Meltin spoke.
"Joya," Levy said knowingly as the doctor nodded his head in agreement.
"If this is all true they have a lot of interest to keep the truth burred. Besides the Minister at the moment is rather disagreeable, he refuses to allow any teams in the country in for any reason. It was never like this during his father's reign," Dr. Metlin huffed.
"I think I know a way we can change that," the king said with a smile.
"Tomma you'd better be right about this," the king of Bosco said as the two royals and a team of Dr. Metlin's people walked on to the Joyan cove.
It took calling in a few favors but the king had been able to convince several other nations to help convince the dictator to allow the teams on to the cove. Trade agreements and good productions had to be maneuvered but in a few short weeks here they were.
"Don't worry, if I am wrong you know it is Fiore that will take the burden," Tomma reassured but the unease he felt the longer he was standing on the shore was hard to ignore.
The deal was simple if the Joyans got the goods they needed if they allowed the teams of archaeologists in their country. If nothing was found the country would receive compensation, but if they found evidence of the Encarin people and their enslavement and slaughter the Joyan government would have to answer to the other countries. But their ever confident dictator had promised that quote. "No one with magic has ever lived long in Joya."
"Why is Bosco in on this?" Sting asked as he kept an eye on Yukino who was setting up a table for equipement.
"Joya has tried multiple times to invade Bosco, the last time it nearly cost the crown prince his life. If this will bring Joya to heed then Bosco wants in on it," Ryos answered.
"What is this countries problem?" Sting asked.
"Bring the sonar over there," Dr. Metlin ordered as his crew got to work. But before the device could be put in to place all work was stopped by a loud shout.
"Don't!" Bixlow cried as he finally made it to the sand. His chest heaving as he gazed out on to the sand.
"What's wrong?" Hisui asked as the seith mage stumped.
"It's hard to explain but I think I can show you," Bixlow spoke as he grabbed his bag. Setting up the alter he allowed his magic to permeate the rocky shore.
Once it started a gasp filled the air as the green light around Bixlow's eyes brightened as the crew saw what he had. Everywhere he looked there were souls, all of them in pain each shouting and crying. Each one began to take forms. Women, children, elders, men. Each crying out, and each looking like they were from the same family.
"My god," someone whispered.
"Bixlow how many souls are here?" the professor asked quietly.
"Several hundred, but there is one that is the strongest let's see if I can channel him fully," the seith spoke as he closed his eyes again taking a deep breath as he searched for the soul.
Soon a single figure seemed to step forward until it was right behind Bixlow. He was tall, sword as his side and held himself well.
"Who are you?" Bixlow asked as he held in to the man.
"My name is Aumon, I am chief of the Encarin people," the soul spoke through Bixlow as his magic translated and spoke what the soul had said.
"Aumon, what happened here?" Dr. Metlin asked as he ignored his crew who had begun filming the moment they stepped foot on the beach.
"We were gathering for the festive of life when it happened. The Cintran attacked, we are a peaceful people. But they slaughtered us none the less," Aumon spoke.
"Why would you simply not go elsewhere if the Cintran hated you so?" King Tomma asked as the king of Bosco stood next to him mouth gaping at what was before him.
"This is our land, it was gifted to us by the great teacher, and his lands cannot be maintained by anyone else. He taught us magic and gave our people purpose. We were here long before the Cintran," Aumon spoke.
"Then might you allow us passage on your lands to study how your people lived?" Dr. Metlin asked as the soul shook his head.
"It is not my permission you need, we are trapped here. The Cintran attacked while we were opening the gate to the great land. We cannot move on until the gate has opened and the ceremony completed, only they can grant you passage," Aumon said.
"How is that possible no one alive would know it?!" one of doctor Metlin's assistance shrieked as the soul turned to look at the white dragon slayer.
"You are of the people," Aumon spoke calmly as Sting tensed.
"yes," the dragon slayer answered as he stepped forward.
"Go to the edge of the sea, turn to the left and walk till you reach the stone wall. There you will find the entrance to the holy lands," Aumon spoke as Sting regarded the spirit unsurely.
Taking several deep breaths he followed the spirit's instructions. Slowly he followed the shore soon seeing that the camp out of sight. He knew he was being followed but that mattered not as he made his way through the rocky terrain. Soon a thick fog enveloped the dragon slayer but as he continued forward he sensed a presence he hadn't in a while.
"Dad?" Sting asked to the air as he pushed forward through the mist until his hands found the smooth mossy rock.
"Where's the entrance?' Dr. Metlin's voice broke the silence as Sting studied the stone noticing something he had only seen once before.
"You're looking at it," Sting spoke as he stepped back looking up at the large magic infused boulder that sat in the way.
A small etching sitting not far off, walking towards it he read what it said. I open for the people who speak my name, and for the child who holds my soul. Walking back the way he came he spied Yukino off in the distance with Hisui and Ryos.
"Stand back," Sting spoke as he looked up noticing the souls had all gathered around as he pushed the people back.
Turing to face the stone Sting took a deep breath before activating his dragon force. Taking a deep breath twelve spheres of light surrounded him as he pushed them towards the stone. Each seeming to know just where to go as they made their way towards the rock.
"Weisslogia," he spoke as the magic hit the stone as a blinding light filled the beach.
Soon a joyous feeling filled him as he looked around as each soul seemed to disappear until a single soul remained.
"Well done Wession," Aumon said as he took joined the other souls.
"Whose Wession?" the king of Bosco as everyone else gapped at the whole the stone had left.
"It was what my mother named me," Sting informed as he held a hand out for his mate.
Yukino raced forward and took her husband's hand. Walking forward they entered the cave it was dark and damp but all Sting could feel was an excitement that he could barely contain. Walking forward they saw a light at the end of the tunnel turning around Yukino gasped in surprise.
"No one is behind us," she said as Sting continued forward
"They need my permission and I want to see where this goes first," Sting said his voice echoing in the passage as they neared the end.
Walking into the light Yukino laughed lightly.
"Just like the isle," she giggled as Sting looked over the area in awe.
"Dad told me about this place," he said quietly as he walked into the white foliage finding a path that had been over grown.
"Why wouldn't he just bring you here?" Yukino questioned as she followed her mate.
"He wouldn't tell me. But I guess that he was afraid that I would suffer the same fate as my people," he said as he followed the path to the remains of what looked like a village.
Stone buildings sitting close together each covered in white vines and pants that now took up refuge inside. Off to the side he noticed an area that that was corded off by dragon scale rope. A sign hanging on the land. May you rest with the teacher, it read.
"This must be the burial ground," Yukino said as Sting noticed a path not far off.
Moving towards it he followed it until he came to a cave that still held a comforting presence that he knew growing up.
"Dad's cave," he said as he walked further in finding another piece of his father's hoard.
"We can't let them in here," Yukino spoke as she wrapped her arms around the dragon slayer's middle.
"No but they need access to the burial grounds, or they can't prove anything," the blonde said as he wrestled with the options.
"Then we set up a barrier. Mest gave us a few barrier lacrima that the council uses. We let them in during the day and keep an eye on them but at night they leave. We'll stay here in your father's hoard, they can do their research and still respect the fact that this is your land," the white haired girl said as she squeezed her mate.
It took some convincing and a magically binding contract but finally Sting allowed Dr. Metlin and his team on to his father's land. The group was in awe as they stepped into the village.
"I wonder if the other slayers would let me on their lands," Doctor Metlin asked as he over saw his crew as they meticulously excavate the burial grounds.
They had already found several intact urns that were still wrapped in fine linen. And as part of the agreement any and all remains found would be re buried where and how they were found once they were done with the site.
"I doubt it, most have magic protecting them and even if the slayer were to grant you permission there is not guarantee you could survive on the land. Igneel's land would kill you in an hour it's still so hot there," Ryos spoke as he stood next to his brother.
"Well we have found enough evidence to prove the Encarin people where here, and we even found several mangled remains buried on the shore. Each body dying from sword induced injuries. Once we can genetically match them to the ones found here Joya will have nothing to stand on. Especially since we found a few bodies that were wearing armor made from Joyan steel," the Professor spoke confidently.
Never in his lifetime had he hoped to find an archeological sight in such great shape. While time had changed the makeup of the area the magic that permeated the land seemed to have preserved the site longer than it should have.
"Just remember we will be burying the Encarin from the beach here once you are done. They will be put to rest with their family," Yukino said firmly as the professor nodded his head in understanding.
Wrapping an arm around his wife Sting sent a silent prayer up to his father thanking him for all he had done for his people.
