The sun was setting at the Alvarez - Fiore border, a few kilometers away from the kingdom of Icegard. The sun's setting rays bathed the temporary rebel camp set up there in an ethereal, golden light, exuding a sense of warmth and peace.
The atmosphere within that camp, however, was anything but peaceful.
Grim faced rebels stood in a loose circle around a group of four. Ultear refused to look at any of the scruffy men, her haughty gaze fixed on a point above their heads. Meredy's eyes were only on Ultear, her gaze full of concern with a tinge of fear. A hooded figure stood before them, and right beside the hidden form stood a man with an intricate maroon facial tattoo and dark blue hair. Jellal gazed cooly upon the rebel leader, as she in return glared at him.
"Well, well. The prodigal son returns. What possessed you to come back to challenge me, Jellal?" She sneered.
Jellal's voice was steady and calming as he responded. "I am not here to challenge you, Irene."
She scoffed. "Oh? Then pray, tell me why you and your companions fought most of my men, insisting on confronting me?"
"We did not wish to fight them. We were provoked and we defended ourselves. But yes, we insisted on the chance to meet you - we had something we wished to discuss with you and you alone."
Irene frowned, her eyes narrowing as she turned to her second-in-command.
"Is what this man says true?"
The bearded, gruff man coughed, refusing to meet his leader's eyes. "Err… Our men may have gotten a little excited when they laid eyes on this vermin - he did decimate a sizeable number of our men last time we met. Not to mention all the villages he destroyed in the name of the king…"
"That does not mean you attack him on sight, you fool! We are at war. We have destroyed and pillaged as much as he has, if not more. If he is truly here to make amends, then we have no right to judge him. However…"
Jellal stiffened, standing straighter under the rebel leader's scrutinizing gaze.
"We have heard rumors of your betrayal… Stories of how you played double agent in South Fiore, with the ruler of Pergrande no less… How do we believe you are truly trustworthy?"
Jellal winced, shooting an apologetic glance at the hooded figure by his side.
"I know trusting me is undoubtedly an issue. And to be honest, I did not come here to earn your trust. I only came with a request - hear what I have to say, see what I have to offer, and do not be too hasty to judge."
Irene raised a brow.
"Very well, Jellal. Spit it out."
The bluenette bowed low before turning to his hooded companion. He gently and slowly pushed back her hood.
The gasp from the surrounding warriors was instantaneous. As was the blade of steel suddenly pressed to his throat.
"What sick, mocking wizardry is this?!" Irene spat out, her voice trembling with rage and grief.
"It is no wizardry." Erza spoke, her voice slightly rough from disuse. "Do not hurt him… Please."
Slowly, as if in a trance, Irene lowered her sword, still gazing upon the young scarlet-haired woman in front of her with utter confusion on her face.
"My name is Erza Scarlet." Erza began, a little unnerved by the intense stares of the rebel group surrounding them. "I was born in Alvarez in the small town of Ira. At least, that was what Granny Kloshta told me… err… that is, the woman who ran the orphanage I was raised in. Our town was attacked by royal soldiers when I was eight, and the orphanage was burnt to the ground. Granny Kloshta died protecting us. I, along with a few friends, managed to escape - only to be caught soon after by ruffians who forced us into slave labor at a place called the Tower of Heaven. That was where I met Jellal. He saved me… saved us all. But… we got separated, and I was injured and rendered unconscious. Very soon afterwards a high-ranking official of the Pergrande army found me, rescued me, and took me south where I was placed in the care of a kind friend in the Pergrande court…"
"You were a part of the Pergrande court?!"
"Astounding! But is she truly…?"
"She has to be! Ira is where she was born, was she not?"
"And besides, doesn't she look exactly like…?"
Irene raised a hand. The excited rebel warriors quieted instantly, their eyes trained on their leader. Irene took in a deep, quivering breath as she addressed her younger doppelganger.
"What was Granny Kloshta's favorite term of endearment?"
The rebels blinked, curious mutters running through the crowd as they regarded the scarlet headed pair with interest. Jellal's brow furrowed and a worried frown appeared on his face as his sharp eyes darted between the nearly identical women. Irene's words were a test, no doubt, one that Jellal felt was unfair - how could she expect Erza to remember such a random fact from her early childhood?...
Erza merely scoffed. "Is that a trick question? Granny Kloshta never used a term of endearment in her life! We were 'spoilt brats' at best and 'damn bloody demons' when she was cross with us…"
Erza let out a surprised yelp as she was smothered in a bone crushing hug. The leader of the rebels ignored the sound and the numerous shouts of warning and curiosity from her fellow rebels as she continued to lock the young woman in a strong embrace. It was many moments later that she finally let go, drawing back a little to look the young woman in the eye.
"It's you. It's really you. My daughter…"
No more words were needed, as the pair gazed upon each other, blissfully ignoring their excited audience.
They had found their family.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"So Granny Kloshta died a hero, eh?" Irene chuckled a little morbidly. "I would have expected no less from the stubborn old bird."
Irene, Erza and the rest of Erza's group sat in a tent, the mother and daughter chatting with warmth and affection as their companions watched on in amusement. It was indeed strange to see this side of the fearsome rebel leader and the terrifying maiden warrior.
"And you gave me to her to protect me, you said?..." Erza prompted hesitantly, curiosity and a tinge of hurt in her tone.
Irene smiled knowingly, running her hand gently through her progeny's soft, short locks. "It almost killed me to do it - but yes. Granny Kloshta was my nursemaid growing up, you see, so I knew there was no one better to raise you. I could not keep you with myself when I was essentially going to lead a civil war - and I dared not leave you at the mercy of any of our bastard relatives…" Irene grit her teeth, fury overtaking her features for a moment. "They are the reason I even turned a rebel, after all. After your father tried to strangle you for possessing magic, and I re-quipped for the first time to stop him by slaying him, I was outcast by our people…"
"He did what?!" Erza gasped. "But… why? The people in Alvarez do not hate magic like those in Pergrande… right?"
Irene shot her a sympathetic look.
"Hmmm… You were very young when you were taken away to Pergrande, so I suppose you never really had a chance to learn the nuances of our culture. Magic itself is not despised and shunned as it is in Pergrande, but strangely enough, those who possess it are still shunned and persecuted - especially by those in power."
"It is rumored that King Hector is insanely jealous of all those humans in Alvarez born with even a drop of magic." Jellal interjected gently, leaning forward to give Erza's hand a comforting squeeze. "So much so that he started the rumor that those that possess magic normally are 'cursed'... Just as our homeland is cursed."
Erza looked between her mother and her beloved, a guilty look in her eye.
"If truth be told, I am not even sure what you mean by our homeland's curse. Could you explain all?"
Irene smiled grimly, nodding to Jellal, Ultear and Meredy. The latter two swiftly stood from their seats to take stations by the entry flap of the tent, giving Irene a nod of solidarity in return. Jellal moved closer to Erza, offering her a gentle, affectionate smile before returning Irene's nod himself.
Irene took a deep breath.
"Many eons ago, the land of Alvarez was as rich in magical beings and creatures as the land of Fiore now is. We humans who roamed the land then enjoyed the comfort and conveniences magic offered - in fact, we grew greedy. We found increasingly horrific ways to harness and mould this magic to better suit ourselves - at the cost of many innocent magical beings and creatures. Despite warnings from the more powerful magical races - the high fairys, demons and dragons to be exact - we continued down our destructive path." Irene grimaced. "Finally, when our kind had reached a point of no return… she came. The deliverer and the destroyer. Our well-deserved punishment and our salvation. The celestial priestess." Irene smiled weakly. "She transferred all magical beings and creatures to Fiore and placed a curse upon our land - that magic would never be able to be used or performed again. She gave her whole life energy to perform the curse… and she only left this tiny sliver of hope, that one day, when we repent all our sins, and a pure-hearted being of truth and justice returns to govern this land, her daughter will return in that age and remove the spell placed."
Irene sighed, leaning back in her chair and staring at the low ceiling of their tent.
"It was a God-send in a way. Humans had begun to persecute each other, and removing these extra talents reduced us all to equals - whether we liked it or not. It forced us of Alvarez to adapt, to become more intelligent and resourceful. But we grew greedy again soon. We wanted magic back, and we did not want to wait for a 'being of truth and justice'. King Hector began a war on Fiore - intent on conquering their land and taking all their magical resources which he claimed were 'rightfully ours'. The people initially supported him, but when the war dragged from the promised months, to many fruitless years, they began to grow restless and discontent with our king. Covert experimentation began to take place - many unscrupulous humans in our land tried to extract magic from any source possible… sometimes even each other. These outlying groups would have been ignored and repressed, had it not been for the horrific event that happened soon after. King Hector's son, a gentle and good man whom all hoped was the 'being of truth and justice' that we were all waiting for - was brutally murdered… with the use of magic. Suddenly, possessing magic was of the utmost importance, to protect oneself and one's family… while, ironically, those who possessed it naturally were shunned. In the midst of this turmoil, King Hector suddenly decided to abdicate his throne in favor of his favorite nephew - a bastard, whom the whole of Alvarez dreads and despises. The people of Alvarez were so enraged with his decision, that they began this civil war. The rebels started banding together, but they still lacked a leader and a clear focus at that point." Irene paused, taking a sip of water as she thoughtfully regarded the ceiling.
"I was a part of the Kings Court at that time - a noble woman in an arranged marriage with a high ranking official of his court. You were a year old when the civil war started, and I had a suspicion that you were special… that you possessed magic. I felt a twinge of magic myself, although I had always easily concealed any signs of it, the curse on our land making it difficult to perform by accident. I was not too concerned with your state either, for no child in the history of Alvarez had ever revealed their magic so young."
Irene shot Erza a gentle yet grief stricken smile.
"Oh how wrong I was. It was an idyllic day that the unthinkable happened - you, my husband and I were in our private garden, the two of us discussing something whilst you played quite contently. When a caterpillar seemed to wander too close to you, you grew frightened. A sudden bright flash of light engulfed you, and you were suddenly adorned in the most adorable set of armor I have ever seen. Before I could react, my husband, in a fit of panic and stupidity, attempted to strangle you.
It prompted me to use the hidden latent magic within me. I requipped myself with a sword and skewered him. Hearing the noise, a few of my husband's guards ran outside. The minute their eyes landed upon his dead form, they attacked me. I instinctively used another magic I was capable of - universe one. But being so inexperienced with my own arts, I ended up rearranging my old castle so randomly, that many innocent beings were trapped within it and died. That was the day I became known as the scarlet despair. I left my home to join the rebels. And I have never looked back since." Irene paused, her look of intense love and adoration focused on her scarlet-haired daughter. "And I've never regretted what I did that day. Since it saved you."
Erza shot her a shy smile. The older scarlet-haired woman smiled back, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes as she turned to the blue-haired man sitting beside her beloved child.
"And how I have been rewarded! For here you are, with this handsome young man, ready to start a new life in Icegard. So when can I expect those grandkids?"
Erza gaped, her cheeks flaming a color rivaling her hair as Jellal merely smirked.
"As soon as you want them, mother-in-law."
Between Erza's high-pitched squeaks of embarrassment and the rebel leader's raucous peal of laughter, the happy group almost didn't hear the slowly rising roar of voices approaching the entrance of their tent. Ultear was the first to still in alertness, snapping out a curt word to Meredy to grab her attention, as she stealthily exited the tent to stand in front of the fluttering curtain.
The loud, beefy, and red-faced group of rebel men that approached would have made any other woman shudder… but Ultear was no ordinary woman.
"What business do you have here? Your leader has requested time alone with her daughter. Begone."
The men came to a halt, begrudgingly impressed with the bold and brazen witch.
"Be that as it may, we come to discuss a matter with her and her daughter that cannot wait. They will have to continue their 'bonding' session some other time."
Ultear scowled at the speaker, a caustic retort ready on her lips, when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Irene and Erza have said we can let them in, Ultear."
With a look over her shoulder at the young mermaid, Ultear nodded briskly to the group of rowdy men before her, sweeping into the tent without a backward glance. The men followed her warily, their eyes darting nervously towards their leader as they made their way inside the spacious accommodations.
Irene stood tall beside an equally imposing Erza, Jellal standing faithfully on her other side.
"Well? What do you scoundrels want?"
The man who had addressed Ultear spoke up, his voice the steadiest and most confident of the men gathered there.
"We need to talk, Irene. About these recent developments. The fact that you have found your daughter is of importance to the rebel cause…"
"No."
The man frowned. "What do you mean no? I have not even posed a question yet…"
"You don't have to. I know what you are about to say. You want her to stay and fight by our side, for the freedom of this land from the oppressive royal family. But why should she? She may have been born of this soil, but it gave her nothing but pain and loss - she was truly raised in Pergrande, far away from this land, where she has made friends akin to family, and found someone who could give her a normal, happy life… I want her to be happy. I want her to go to Icegard with Jellal and live out her days as a carefree, loved and cherished woman. So, my answer is no. She will not join our cause."
A soft sigh and a small squeeze on her shoulder abruptly interrupted Irene's train of thought. She turned to her daughter with a look of curiosity. The maiden smiled in return, murmuring a quiet request for permission to speak. Irene raised a brow, but nodded curtly.
Erza stood a little taller, her steady and strong gaze fixed on the rebel man who had spoken to her mother.
"I understand what you want of me. And as much as I understand my mother's wish for me to lead a normal life, I would like to remind her that the choice is not hers to make…"
Erza paused, regarding her parent cautiously and with a hint of defiance in her mein. The older scarlet haired beauty shot her a smile of encouragement, tinged with sadness.
"I will not dispute that point, Erza. But I still wish to make it clear that I do not want you to suffer as I have - especially when you have the potential to enjoy a truly peaceful and happy life."
Erza nodded slowly. "I understand. And as much as I respect your wisdom, I have my own reasons for questioning it." The regal looking maiden turned to the rebel men, her gaze stern and scrutinizing.
"I would like to know why you want me to join this cause."
The bearded, gruff spokesman of the rebels answered her promptly.
"The people of Alvarez look up to Irene. Since the beginning of the civil war, she has been their beacon of hope - their reason to continue fighting by our side. But of late, that fervor has wavered. We have suffered a few minor defeats at the hands of the Kings soldiers, and that has shaken the morale of our people. We need a new, fresh face to reinvigorate the fight. We know are close to the end, for the King grows desperate in his attempts to curtail us. The King and his dastardly nephew are losing the war in Fiore - therefore they are frantically trying to retain their foothold in Alvarez least they lose it all. But they cannot last long. If you are as powerful a fighter as your mother, then we are sure to finally taste the victory we so desperately crave…"
Erza nodded turning to her mother.
"Is what they say true?"
She sighed, running a hand through her long locks.
"Aye. It is."
Erza smiled. "Then there is no doubt in my mind." She paused to take a deep, steadying breath. "A dear friend akin to a sister of mine once said, 'I stand for those who need me. If I could give my life, this worthless body, to help another being improve their condition just a little… I would consider this life a life worth lived.' I took her words to heart. And I am thrilled to have the opportunity to honor my pledge. I would be honored to serve the rebel cause - in any fashion the rebel faction sees fit."
The rebel leaders smirked, a low strain of muttering starting up amongst the scruffy group. Irene watched her men in silence, her lips pursed in a thin line of displeasure, although her eyes shone with fierce pride.
"I have a condition, however."
The murmuring stopped immediately, as the men turned to the new leader warily.
"Jellal will be by my side, no matter what."
The men raised an uproar, many glaring at the man in question.
"Absolutely not! That demon hybrid was one of the King's dogs…"
"Whatever his magical ability may be, he has harmed too many of our people to deserve forgiveness…"
"We could not possibly fight by his side…"
"SILENCE!"
Irene's voice boomed out threateningly, causing her men to shut their traps instantly.
"My daughter displays a maturity and wisdom far beyond her years." The dignified older scarlet haired woman spoke. "She willingly joins a dangerous cause simply out of a desire to help those in need. She has suffered and struggled in a foreign land but has not let a hint of bitterness taint her. She gave her heart and soul to a man everyone was quick to deem a lost cause… and has therefore become his salvation. You have no right to refuse her. Jellal stands by her side. And I will stand by hers. You must take us all… or none."
The men stood stiff, their eyes fixed on their imposing leader. In that moment, Irene, Erza and Jellal looked magnificent - gods among humans, capable of conquering the universe and ruling it with firmness and compassion. As one, each rebel men fell on a knee, bowing to their newest leaders.
The end was in sight.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Irene sighed wearily, leaning on her staff as she waited for the rest of their retinue to catch up.
First things first, she was handing over her rag-tag team of men to her daughter for training the first chance she got.
Her offspring was simply amazing! The girl out ran, out fought and out rode every single man in camp. She was a powerhouse of energy and skill, and Irene suspected the young woman was still holding back. The older woman snickered under her breath, watching her beloved child tap her foot impatiently and make succinct remarks to her three young companions as they waited for the remaining members of their procession. It was no wonder the men were wary of her little girl. Irene sighed again, a frown making its way unbidden on her face. It was this wariness of her men that had led them to this point - on a journey to Icegard, for a very important purpose.
"She has defeated all our best warriors." Her second in command commented, unable to hide the disgruntled note in his tone.
Irene smirked.
"You sound disappointed?"
He huffed. "Nay. Merely sceptical…"
Irene raised a brow, her lips thinned in annoyance. "You suspect her of cheating?"
"No…" He hesitated, throwing a glance at his leader. "I only feel she needs to be properly challenged. Clearly what we have to offer her here is not testing her mettle."
"Then I shall engage her. Or you could study her bouts with her friends."
The man shook his head slowly. "None of those would do. You are her mother, so we do not truly know if you will be as hard on her as you usually are on your recruits. As for her friends... we trust them less than her."
Irene's eyes flashed with fury. "Then what exactly are you suggesting?!"
"The only one who would probably be able to exceed her in strength apart from you, would be the Prince of Icegard. We should take her to Icegard and have him judge her true level of skill. He would be an impartial judge, and our men would be able to accept his pronouncement without question for it would be without bias."
Irene grit her teeth. As much as she hated the idea, the man had a point.
"Mother? You seem upset…"
Irene jerked out of her reminisces to stare back into another pair of deep brown eyes. She forced out a smile, caressing her daughter's cheek affectionately.
"I am fine…"
Erza crossed her arms and raised a brow, clearly not buying her mother's words. Irene sighed, her smile becoming much more genuine.
"Can't a mother worry about her only daughter? Especially when she will soon be facing that brat of Icegard?"
Erza's lips twitched. "He is the Prince of Icegard, mother. A man so talented in the battlefield that he earned the moniker 'Absolute Zero'. I look forward to the chance to spar with such a prestigious warrior…"
Irene snorted, her eyes alight with amusement and exasperation.
"Of course you would! Like mother, like daughter, eh?"
Erza giggled. She did not bother responding, instead encasing her parent in a warm, gentle embrace. Irene sighed, returning the gesture briefly before reluctantly pulling away.
"Then you must defeat the brat - understood?"
"Absolutely. Nothing less would suffice."
Mother and daughter grinned at each other, their anticipation of the battle ahead adding an identical sparkle to their eyes.