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Chapter 4—Whatever it takes

Gray

I almost cried out when she left, taking those two buffoons with her. The performance she had just put on left the whole guild speechless. That was no ordinary magic she used. But it wasn't dark magic or forbidden magic. I had no idea what it was. Seeing her again was… something I never dreamed of happening. Everything she was now was so… different from before.

I rounded on Gramps.

"What's going on? What was that? Why did you kick her out?" I shot at him. He held up a hand. He looked distraught. He rubbed his hand through his aging hair. I clenched my fists. I needed answers now.

"Master, I need to know. Please…" I pleaded. He sighed and looked me in the eye. I was almost appalled to see he had tears in his eyes. I looked around to see the others looking just as shocked and terrified as me. Erza stepped forward but paused. She didn't know what to do. None of us did.

"Gray, that girl is not who you think she is." The master said quietly. I turned to him again.

"What are you talking about? Her name is Akira Bellfront. She's my best friend in the whole world and I know her, inside and out." I said firmly. My voice cracked on the last word. I was trying to convince myself more than anyone else. Akira was my best friend. She was alive.

But I couldn't hide the fact that she had changed. How much, I didn't know. But the way she kept trying to pull away from me. The way she never talked about herself or allowed herself to touch me. The blue in her hair matched her eyes but they had grown weary. They no longer held the same bright spark like they did when we were kids.

I almost lost myself after our village was destroyed. I can only imagine what happened to her after she found out Deliora was to blame. She didn't show much emotion when I told her Deliora was dead, but it was there. Relief, guilt, pain, anger, anguish. That's how I felt when I found out he was dead and had been for years after Ul had sacrificed herself.

"Gray, sit down. This is a matter that needs to be discussed with the entire guild. It may affect all of us." The master said solemnly. He walked up to the bar and stood on top of. I sat down clumsily next to Natsu like I was in a daze. He was quiet and grave. There was certain seriousness in his eyes that I don't usually see.

"As you all know, there are many guilds in this land. The majority of them form a coalition known as the light guilds with a Magic Council as their governing leader. Then there are some that broke off from the coalition, known as Dark Guilds. Among these dark guilds are what are called Assassins guilds." He let that information sink in before continuing on.

"Now, about fifty years ago, a man… well not so much as a man, more as a… monster… built a secret assassin guild and built up a network of allies and members all over the globe. This man's name is Albian. Very few people know this guild exists and it is one of the most dangerous guilds in all of Fiore. Albian trains his members to be master killers, or assassins if you will. No one, in fifty years knows the location or the identity of the people in this guild, nor the location of the guild hall itself."

I raised my hand and talked over him, ignoring the disappointed glare I received from Erza.

"This is all fascinating but I still don't see how it has anything to do with Akira." Heads turned in my direction and Lucy, sitting across from me, hissed at me to hold my tongue. I gave her a look and she looked away. The master bowed his head.

"I was just getting to that. The magic Albian practices is a deadly one. It is neither dark, nor forbidden, or lost. It is invented. He conjured it himself and to this day, no one knows how he did it. This sort of magic allows him to read his enemy thoroughly. It allows him to see and exploit their strengths and weaknesses. it also allows him to store different weapons, and magic in an ex-quip fashion. He has every known weapon and magic known in this land stored and can beat anyone, no matter their skill level."

"That's the same magic Akira used…" I whispered. I felt like screaming. I felt like hitting myself on the head with a bat. How could I have been so stupid?

"That's correct, Gray, it is. Now, from the evidence picked up over the years, we know that Albian doesn't take apprentices. No one uses the same magic as he does. So why is it, that a young girl found under the ruble of a destroyed city be given special treatment by the master of the most deadly assassin's guild in the kingdom of Fiore? From all this, we can at least assume that Albian has trained your friend and taught her how do be a killer."

I shook my head, gripping my head in my hands. I didn't want it to be true. It couldn't be true. My Akira couldn't be a murderer. I knew her. She was always happy and excited to see me. Her eyes sparkled in the sunlight whenever she laughed. Maybe she was shy at times, but she was always there. Always bubbly and happy. She was not a murderer.

"No… she's not… she's not…" I croaked. I choked up a sob. Someone's hand appeared on my shoulder and my whole body racked with guilt and betrayal. Then something popped into my head. Something she said when those two men showed up.

It's only been three months since he told me about it. It's harder than you'd think to find jobs that pay five hundred thousand jewels

"She owes him money." I said, lifting my head up. I turned around to face the master who was staring at me gravely. "She was in debt. She had to be there. She didn't have a choice. That has to be it. It's not her choice to be there!" I stood up, my eyes lighting up. The master shook his head.

"No, Gray, stop it. You can't start this—" the master grabbed my arm but I ripped it away.

"This is perfect! All we have to do, id get her back here! She'll do jobs and save up on money to pay him back and then she'll be free! Gramps it's perfect! Please, you have to trust me on this one. She'll never—"

"Gray! Stop this! She's a murderer! Didn't you hear her? She's killed seven people, Gray. Seven people!" he grabbed my shoulders and shook me. He only reached my waist but used his magic to extend his arms long enough to reach my shoulders. I froze, his words sinking in. my brain was refusing to accept it.

"No… it… doesn't matter. She… she didn't have a choice!" I pulled away and faced the back of the guild. She didn't have a choice. She couldn't have had a choice. Akira would never have done that.

"Gray, I understand how you must be feeling, but enough is enough. You will not bring her back here, and you will not go looking for her. Anything you want to do that has to do with her will not be happening. Do I make myself clear?" he looked me in the eye and I could see how dead serious he was. I shook my head.

"I can't just let her go—"

"Gray, the master has forbidden it. You have to obey his wishes." Erza drew her sword and pointed it at my neck. "Or face the consequences." I rolled my eyes and pushed her sword away.

"You don't scare me, Erza. Not anymore. This is real for me. This isn't some rule-breaking charade thing like last time. This is about someone I care about. Someone I might even—" I was caught mid-sentence by Erza gutting me in the stomach. I gasped and hunched over, feeling the air leave my body.

"You need to take a breather and think about this. I'm sorry, Gray. You're getting out of hand." She whispered over me. Sometimes I forgot how freaking strong she was. I felt myself blacking out.

"Not… this time…" I hissed before completely falling into darkness.

I woke up in my room at my house. I sat up and winced at the pain in my stomach. I looked around and almost fell over when I saw Juvia sitting not two feet away from me. I jerked backwards pressing my bare back against the wall next to my bed.

"Holy… what are you doing here?" I gasped. She grinned at me, eyeing my chest longer than necessary. I always felt so self-conscious around her. She liked me way too much. Like way too much.

"Erza and the master asked me to watch over you. I made your favorite lunch." She said grinning up at me. I scooted backwards even though my back was already up against the wall. She punched a tray towards me. I took a deep breath and tried to collect myself. I needed to calm down. She wasn't dangerous. She was just… lively.

"Um… thanks, Juvia. I… uh… I really appreciate it." I got off the bed and picked up the tray. It was only then when I noticed I was naked, save for my underwear. I felt my cheeks warming and I cursed myself for stripping again. It never usually bothered me but ever since Akira said she thought I looked good… I've been more self-conscious.

I went into my bathroom and splashed water on my face. I looked at myself in the mirror and made a decision. I was going to save Akira. I didn't care what it took, I was going to get her back.

I exited the bathroom and walked up to Juvia. Her eyes lit up at my abrupt approach. She looked up at me with admiration and… love. I felt myself throwing up a little on the inside.

"Okay, Juvia I need your help." I said, swallowing the bile in my throat.

"Of course, my love, anything you wish." She said with glee. I sighed, feeling kind of bad or taking advantage of her. She would help me, I knew she would, but it wasn't because she would agree with me.

"I'm going to get Akira back. But the only way the master will let her anywhere near the guild is if she is free of all ties and connections to this Albian." Juvia's smile faltered as I mentioned her name. she looked down in sadness. She looked hurt, like I had stabbed her.

"Of course. You wish to rid your friend of the debt she has with this person." She said quietly. I nodded my head and turned my back, thinking out loud.

"Yeah, and she said she was five hundred thousand dollars in debt. There's no way we can just take a bunch of jobs before handing her the money. It has to be in one go. We need to find a job that will pay the entire amount and have it done so she can take the whole thing and get out of there as soon as possible." I turned back to Juvia and she lifted her head up.

"The master would want you to sit at home for today. Would you like me to find a job that fits the demand?" she asked meekly. I smiled and walked over to her. I took her shoulders.

"Juvia, this means the world to me. You know I would never ask anything like this of you if it didn't mean everything to me." I said honestly. She smiled sincerely.

"I know, my darling. I will do this for you. I want anything that will make you happy. Wait for me here, I will be back in twenty minutes maximum." She squeezed my hand on her shoulder and left, the door shutting softly behind her.

I went to my closet and pulled out a shirt and some pants. I looked at myself in the mirror and tried to make myself promise not to take any of them off. I touched the necklace around my neck. I still remember her giving it to me on my tenth birthday. I smiled at the memory of her shy face passing me the small box and her eyes lighting up when I told her I loved it. I would do anything for her. I still will.

Twenty minutes later, Juvia walked in the door with a job flier. She sat on my bed and stared up at me solemnly. I gave her a look.

"I know you want to save this girl. But this was the only job I could find with five hundred thousand dollars as the reward." She passed me the flier. I glanced down at it and almost crumbled backwards in shock.

"Juvia… this is an S-class quest!" I exclaimed, pushing the paper away like it was a disease. She took it back from me and nodded her head, her eyes filling with tears.

"I'm so sorry I failed you, my darling Gray." She whimpered. I shook my head and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You didn't. it's just… the last time I went on an S-Class quest… I found out that my psycho ex-friend was trying to thaw my master to revive a monster just so he could prove he was stronger than her. To say I'm a little overwhelmed is an understatement." I sighed and looked at the paper. I nodded my head in determination.

"But this is what I'm going to do. I need to do this for Akira. I owe it to her and I said I would do anything. If this is what it takes, then so be it." I took the paper out of her hand and walked over to my desk. I sat in my chair on one side and Juvia joined me on the other.

"The job is to defeat a monster that has been terrorizing a city. We don't know what the monster is though. No one does. But if they're willing to pay this much money, I'm pretty sure it's a big one. We'll need help." Juvia said as I read over the job description. I looked up.

"We? You want to help me?" I asked quietly. Her cheeks turned pink and she looked down sheepishly.

"Of course I do. I will always be here for you." I smiled.

"Thank you, Juvia. And you're right. We will need help. We can't ask any of the S-Class wizards because they're all too loyal to the master and there's no way they'll let us go on this mission. So no Erza, Mira or Laxus to help. We can't ask Macao or Wakaba because they're too loyal to Gramps either. We need someone who is loyal to the guild but agrees with me, or doesn't care. I would suggest Gajeel but I still don't fully trust him yet." Juvia gave me a knowing look.

"You and I both know who we need to ask. You just can't handle having to ask him for help." She said matter-of-factly. I sighed and nodded my head.

"I know I shouldn't be so selfish but you're right. We'll have to ask the pyro for help." Natsu may be reckless and unpredictable but no one could doubt he was strong. Not only was he strong but he knew me and would know how much this meant to me.

"And I hate to admit this, but Lucy should come with us as well." I looked at her, confused.

"Why would you suggest her? You hate her." I said pointedly. Juvia sighed.

"As much as I hate to admit it, she has some powerful spirits. Plus she would do anything for you. She is my rival after all." Juvia's eyes flashed with anger. I smirked.

"Juvia, I promise on my honor that I have no feelings for Lucy and she has none for me. But you're right. She's a god pick too. Both of them can be persuaded easily and fast. We need to leave now." Juvia nodded and stood up.

"Let's meet at the train station in twenty minutes. I'll bring Lucy, you bring Natsu." She said. I nodded and we headed out.

I headed to the park. I was pretty sure Natsu would be there with Happy and Lisanna. Ever since she came back, Natsu has been hanging out with her a lot. Maybe they've rekindled an old fire. I knew they used to be close. Lucy seemed like Natsu's new love interest now but I could have been mistaken.

I found him and Happy walking by the big tree in the middle. I walked up to them, and joined him on his walk. Natsu was annoying and crazy and incredibly stupid but we had a connection. A hidden friendship that I would immediately deny if anyone ever accused me of it.

"Natsu… I know I kind of freaked out today but…" I started. Natsu silenced me with a finger.

"Save it, Gray. I know why you did it. I'm pretty sure I would react worse if the master forbade me from seeing Igneel or something." He said understandingly. I smiled but almost immediately wiped it off my face. I cleared my throat loudly.

"Um… yeah, about Akira… what did you think of her?" I cursed myself for being too chicken to just come right out with it. I hated asking for help. Especially from this annoying bone-head.

"She was cool. Kind of quiet, reserved. Not really what I expected. I bet she could kick your butt though!" he cackled. I snarled at him.

"She could kick both our butts and have a fun time doing it!" I countered.

"She couldn't beat me, I'd never let myself get beat by a girl!"

"Yeah, says the guy who cowers from Erza and Lucy!" I snapped.

"I do not cower from Lucy!"

"You do too you lying pyromaniac!"

"Do you want to go now sir?" he shouted, his hand igniting. I rolled my eyes, about to shout back when Happy jumped in the middle of both of us.

"Hey! Stop it! Gray, if you came here for a fight then I suggest you get lost because Natsu and I were going to go fishing. If not, then spill because you're wasting my fishing time!" he shouted in my face.

"Maybe you should tell your dear friend not to diss my best friend! Akira is stronger then you will ever be and I need to save her from a future I know she'll never escape from if I don't act now!" I yelled back. Happy jumped behind Natsu's shoulder in fear from my tone. Natsu stood up and lowered his fists seriously.

"Gray, what are you talking about?" he asked compellingly. I sighed and rubbed the bridge of my nose.

"Juvia and I need your help. We're going to get Akira out of her debt so we're going on an S-Class quest and we need someone else to have our backs and—"

"Hold up, Gray. You had me at 'S-Class quest'." I looked up to see him grinning. "Yeah, let's go kick some butt and get your friend back! I'm all fired up!"

"Aye, sir!" Happy exclaimed just as enthusiastic. I smirked at their immaturity.

"I didn't think you'd agree so easily." I said quietly. Natsu put a hand on my shoulder.

"I know how much she means to you. And you would do it for me. I know you would." I smiled and nodded. "I still hate you though." He withdrew his hand and walked away. I rolled my eyes and fell into step beside him.

"Oh don't worry. Don't think that fight was over back there. I'll still give you what for." I said, smirking. He grinned back.

"I look forward to it."

We arrived at the train station ten minutes later and saw Juvia and Lucy waiting for us. I smiled at Lucy as we walked up to them. She smiled back and nodded. Juvia had explained to her the situation. She was letting me know she was with me. I was grateful for that.

"Do we have to take the train?" Natsu complained next to me. I looked over at him. He had a certain weakness with motion. He had a severe condition that caused him to get sick whenever he was on something that moved. He looked really pale just looked at the train. I laughed.

"Do you want us to walk hundreds of miles?" I asked him sarcastically.

"It would be less painful." He said gulping. I rolled my eyes and shoved him in front of me.

"Enough complaining, let's go." He stumbled into the train in front of me, grumbling about how much he hated me and how much I would pay for making him ride on the train. I sat next to him in a booth with Juvia and Lucy sliding in on the other side. The train started and Natsu gripped his mouth and made a disgusting vomiting sound.

"You know what, Natsu?" I said finally. He looked over at me wearily. Before he could react, I gutted him hard, causing him to pass out. "You just sleep it out. You don't need to know much anyway. Just kick butt and you'll be fine." Lucy eyed me disapprovingly.

"Did you really need to hit him?" she asked. I shrugged.

"How else was I going to get him to shut up?"

"You enjoyed that didn't you?" she asked sighing. I shrugged smirking slightly. Juvia placed the flier on the table in front of us. She pointed at the town name.

"Enough banter, we need to make a plan. This monster supposedly is too powerful for the town mayor and his arm. So they're asking help from wizards because the Fiore army won't come help." Juvia explained. I nodded and took the flier, staring at the menacing picture of the monster. It had wings, and it was jet black. I had never seen a creature like this. It looked like… it had a beak. Was that a lion's tail?

"What did you say the town's name was again?" Lucy asked.

"Caldera. We're going to Caldera."