Hi guys Azza here!

I know a change I've done to Moria is going to either make hype or piss people off well its going to be a thing because it should have been a thing in the Canon story so I'm rolling with it now. Just letting you all know its fully intentional.

Reviews

Erasenpai946 – You probably won't like this arc then because Moria is going to be absolutely busted like Oda should have made him in Canon as well as more ruthless. All the hype he gets now doesn't seem deserved because of how lacklustre he was so by making some key changes I've made a Moria we can all still hate as a Villain but he's not a trash tier foe anymore in his own arc.

And Robin will get her time to shine but remember she still doesn't really know how to use her powers yet so it won't be anything too crazy yet.

Anyway on with the story!

I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.

Fear The Light, Curse The Shadows

/Mordred's POV/

"I swear you've just gone and dragged us into some kind of trap haven't you," Mordred growled as Kupo waved his hands out in front of him in slight fear.

"N-no way would I do that to you guys! Trust me you'll all be glad I'm bringing you here and not leaving you to Moria's clutches!"

"We know Moria can manipulate shadows but is he really that powerful," Chopper asked as Kupo began to nod frantically.

"This guy has a power that I've never seen before, taking the shadow right out from under ya and placing it into a dead person or animal and bringing them back to life! But that ain't even the worse part because not only does he take your shadow but without it if you step out into sunlight ... you die."

"What," Usopp and Nami gasped fearfully.

"I'm guessing you die because in a way your shadow is part of your soul, right?"

"Damn you are one smart cookie, for a knight that is-."

"OI WHAT HAVE YOU GOT AGAINST KNIGHTS!?"

"But you're one hundred percent right," Kupo continued, ignoring Mordred's rant. "Just like you can't exist without your organs, or soul, you can't go on without your shadow. Without a shadow you defy the law that governs all existence and so in turn the light will claim you in exchange ... or so they say."

"Who said that," Chopper asked as Kupo turned around with his visible eye sparkling mischievously.

"Oh, no one you'd know little raccoon dog-."

"I'M A REINDEER YOU BASTARD!"

"Same thing, anyway we're almost here!"

As the group looked around in confusion a dull glowing light began to approach them accompanied by a figure that had Mordred instantly summon Clarent and point it directly at Kupo once more.

"I knew you were just leading us into another undead trap!"

"WAITWAITWAIT! I SWEAR HE'S NOT A ZOMBIE," Kupo cried before fleeing behind it. "Come on and tell em Spoil!"

Chairman Of The Thriller Bark Victims Association

A Man With Major Wounds

Spoil

"Kupo is correct young lady I am in fact merely an old man with major wounds, not in fact one of Moria's zombie soldiers."

"Could've fooled me," Nami scoffed as the old man took several steps forward.

"Yeah I mean carrying around that rusty lantern combined with how you look I'd have been trying to cram salt down your throat the moment you arrived," Usopp added prompting the old man to chuckle.

"Yes well you wouldn't be the first to react to me in such a way let me assure you all of that. However enough of this, Kupo where exactly did you find these people and how do they still have their shadows?"

"They were just dragged in by Moria and his Servants, luckily I found em just as Absalom sicked his undead soldiers onto them too, though Mordred here cut that bastard up pretty good too!"

"Truly!? You actually managed to wound one of Moria's top crew members?"

"That perv is one of Moria's best," Nami growled as she subconsciously hugged herself. "No way is he gonna be anything once we're done with him!"

"Moria's forces might appear ... odd, however do not underestimate any of them lest you find yourself another member of their growing undead horde," Spoil replied as the group gained more serious looks.

"So you know what we're all up against here," Mordred asked as she dismissed Clarent. "Because we aren't the only ones here and I know my Master wants to kick the shit out of Moria personally, so does the Captain of our little crew too."

"If you have come seeking to challenge Moria then I do hope you are prepared to put everything on the line to win," a new voice said that put most of the group on guard. "He might appear like a fool however in truth his power is equal to that of the upper echelon of the Warlords Of The Sea."

Stepping out from the shadows a woman with bright pink hair and a rather portly appearance approached the group. To the surprise of everyone she stood before Usopp and got down on one knee.

"Would you be so kind as to marry me?"

"..."

"WHAT THE HELL ... NO WAY!"

"Excuse her," Spoil sighed as more people began to emerge from the surrounding tree line. "She's always been like that."

23rd Daughter Of The Charlotte Family

Former Minister Of Chocolate

Charlotte Lola

"Anyway where was I," Lola said after dusting her knee off as if the last thirty seconds hadn't even occurred. "Ah yes, do not take Moria lightly."

"Why would you say that," Nami asked prompting Lola to smile in response.

"It is obvious that you are not from the Grand Line or the New World otherwise you would know exactly why I'm warning you all. Gecko Moria before becoming a Warlord was already a ruthless Pirate and even after becoming one his mastery over the shadows has only increased."

"I know that when I was younger I used to hear tale of how Moria's crew was tearing through the New World, slaughtering entire islands and converting its people into soldiers for his undead armies," Spoil added quickly as he placed the lantern down onto the ground. "The World Government couldn't stop him, the Warlords at the time couldn't stop him and it was only once he faced down one of the Four Emperors that he was finally halted in his tracks!"

"However even after losing everything and retreating back to this half of the Grand Line Moria has only continued in his mad quest with the World Government offering him the Warlord position only to ensure he attacked islands that they desired rather than indiscriminately. Truly the man is a vicious psychopath and aside from that one man there hasn't been a single soul capable of stopping him!"

"Sounds like it's a good thing Master wants to take him down then," Mordred sighed shaking her head. "If Moria really is as bad as you say then Master will take him down, that I promise you."

"Did you not hear what we just said girl," Spoil snapped back. "No one can even touch Moria let alone defeat him in single combat!"

"Actually Spoil Mordred's Master is someone who could truly pull it off," Kupo cut in as both Spoil and Lola's heads snapped toward the floating Servant.

"Impossible," Lola gasped. "Kupo you have seen Moria's power for yourself, surely you cannot believe anyone normal could stand against such a force!?"

"Fortunate for us that Natsu isn't normal by any stretch of the definition then isn't it Lola," Kupo grinned in response. "Like my old buddy Natsu is one of those people who just knows how to kick an ass right!"

"W-well if that is the case then where is he?"

"Master is exploring the island elsewhere at the moment," Mordred replied dismissively only for Lola and Spoil's faces to morph into one of dread.

"We've got to find him ..."

"Huh?"

"Do you not understand young lady what we've been telling you this whole time," Spoil snapped as the entire group returned looks of confusion.

"Well you said that Moria was some powerful Warlord but what does that have to do with Natsu exploring," Chopper asked only for Nami to gasp in realization.

"I-I just realized what they're on about!"

"What is it Nami?"

"If Moria is capable of taking the shadows of people and putting them into zombies loyal only to him, what happens if he takes Natsu's shadow, or Seilah's!?"

The entire group, Mordred included, went as white as ghosts with Usopp dropping to his knees in terror.

"W-w-we have to find them," he said shakily as Mordred looked back toward the looming castle in the distance with a frown.

"I assume you guys know your way around here," Mordred asked prompting Lola and Spoil to nod quickly. "Alright we need to come up with a plan to find Natsu and Seilah quickly before Moria can take their shadows. If those two know Moria will try something like that then there is a good chance that they can actively prevent him from taking them but if he manages to catch them off guard then shit is going to hit the fan in the worst possible way."

"You said it," Kupo shivered. "Imagine a guy with the power of Natsu under Moria's control ..."

"He could blow up all of Thriller Bark in one attack if he wanted to," Mordred sighed shaking her head. "Alright enough moping from all of us, the time for being pathetic cowards is over! Let's work together and find them, quick!"

The group let out cries of approval as they got to work discussing Thriller Bark's layout in its entirety.

/Seilah's POV/

As Mordred and her group began to prepare Seilah was currently chasing after Luffy who had split off from her group, charging headfirst into the castle itself. Using the shadows Seilah had managed to close the distance between the pair and could hear the sound of Luffy's footsteps on the stone floor however she could also feel the strange power flowing throughout the entire building that played havoc on her senses.

'From the walls to the air itself it's like the embodiment of all things undead,' Seilah mused to herself as she melded into a nearby shadow to avoid being spotted by a charging group of zombie guards. 'Honestly if Natsu wasn't asking me to do this I would've given up by now ...'

Looking around where she was hiding she watched as a large group of undead shambled past shouting about killing the intruder on the order of someone named Absalom, whoever that was, and again inwardly sighed at the loss of any form of surprise they may have had.

Once they had turned the corner Seilah darted after them, sticking to her shadow form and waiting until they were free from the strange hallways covered in what appeared to be animate paintings.

Or perhaps haunted, who could say?

The moment the undead had crossed over into a more gothic styled dungeon area Seilah struck as her shadow form suddenly lurched up from the ground, glowing Crimson Red eyes and an elongated mouth the last thing they saw before being crushed under a veritable tidal wave of shadow, their very forms crushed into thin flaps of skin before being spat out the nearest window.

As the shadows attempted to escape Seilah grabbed onto them and with one swift movement severed a thin tie at their tip which seemed to send them screeching out in all directions, walls not being enough to halt their departure as she quickly sunk back into the ground once more.

'How strange, what was that thing attached to those shadows? Was that how Moria has gained control over them ... but how can he control so many?'

The sound of Luffy growling prompted her to shake her head of such thoughts for the moment and forge on ahead unaware that she would get her answers much sooner than intended.

/Natsu And Robin's POV/

"Do you find it strange how not one of the undead down here have attacked us yet Natsu," Robin asked as the duo continued down the dark passageway to parts unknown. "On the surface they were quick to attack us on sight and yet down here they seem to be giving us a clear pathway?"

"Well it could be because they believe whoever or whatever is down here is strong enough to beat us or perhaps they are able to sense our power and are wary of us," Natsu replied as he paused mid-step and looked over at a strange undead with eight legs that seemed to shamble across the floor in a circle aimlessly. "Though judging by what some of these ones appear like I think the latter is the more likely scenario."

"Have you noticed the markings on the walls Natsu?"

"Markings?"

"They've slowly been appearing the deeper we go but they are in a language I've never seen before, a rare find for me since I am an Archaeologist who has studied all of the known ones both modern and ancient alike."

Humming to himself Natsu walked over to the nearest wall, crushing the form of the strange eight legged undead in the process as he traced a hand over the writing.

"This is ... English?"

"En-Gleesh?"

"It is pronounced In-Gleesh not En-Gleesh, spelt E-N-G-L-I-S-H, you know how it is with different ways of pronouncing letters and all that I'm sure."

"Some languages do possess that trait; I take it this ... English does as well?"

"Yes it definitely does but ..."

"But what?"

"This isn't a language native to this world Robin rather it is native to a world based in many Realities known as Earth. If something is written here in English then that means it is the work of a Servant for sure."

"A Servant who can speak English, does that narrow down the possibilities as to their identity," Robin asked curiously prompting Natsu to snort in amusement.

"Oh yes it narrows it down to a couple billion maybe ..."

"Oh, well that doesn't help us much now does it?"

"Not the language alone no however what does narrow down the possibilities considerably is that the substance used to write this is blood."

"Blood? Why is that important?"

"Let me read to you what these lines here say Robin," Natsu said as he expanded his flame to illuminate the entire wall.

Through The Binds Of Virginal Sacrifice

Grant These Hallowed Halls Protection Most Devile

Pacify Those Of Beastly Guile

Grant The Permitted A Stroll Safe From Trial

"Wait so that means that-!?"

"This is Blood Magic," Natsu said darkly as he motioned toward all the undead who shambled around aimlessly. "Pacify Those Of Beastly Guile means that these undead here are bound not to attack us since the Blood Magic prevents them from even considering the option. Through The Binds Of Virginal Sacrifice means that the blood taken to line the walls of this place were of Virgins."

"Is that significant, aside from the fact that they were likely young of course?"

"I do know some Blood Magic spells however any Blood Mage worth his salt knows that the strongest blood is those of the pure and untainted. Virgins are considered 'Pure' which grants their blood special properties. In my world Blood Magic was a widespread issue and as a result it was actually encouraged to ... well to have sex pretty much as soon as you became sexually active."

"B-but that's barbaric!"

"Is it? Keep in mind that this actually did cripple the Blood Mages who used to either capture or buy fresh virgins to harvest blood for their rituals on a regular basis," Natsu replied sadly as the pair resumed their walk. "It was considered a fate worse than death to be caught and used by a fanatical Blood Mage in my world so in turn the Magic Council with the backing of the King at the time, loosened the laws on sexual conduct however there were clauses still put into place to ensure scum like those who would abuse younger children wouldn't have free reign to do as they pleased, instead the act was limited to those of their own age bracket."

"So basically if two teens consented then it was fine but a young teen couldn't do it with someone over a certain age?"

"Eighteen was the age you were considered a legal adult if I recall correctly ... I was in Scarlione for a long time so I never really had to deal with any of that," Natsu replied with a shake of his head. "But I know that as disgusting as the practice sounds in theory it saved the lives of tens of thousands of young teens who might have been taken and sold into a grim fate."

"Back onto the topic of Blood Magic Natsu," Robin replied slightly unnerved at the rather disturbing topic they had just been discussing. "Does it narrow down who might be the Servant at the end of this long corridor?"

"It does however it only confirms that they are capable of using Blood Magic narrowing down their Servant Class to either Caster or one of the extra classes like Avenger. Beyond that though I have no idea so I suppose we should continue our little trek."

"I would feel a lot more comfortable not knowing that rather disturbing bit of your world's history you just so casually told me about, it just feels rather wrong ..."

"Let me ask you this Robin," Natsu sighed as he turned to face the Demoness. "If you were born into my world and those laws were already the norm with your Parents, Grandparents and their Grandparents all having grown up with them, would you believe them to be barbaric?"

"W-well-!"

"Remove yourself from the morality of it Robin and take a step back for a moment, really think about all that you have known growing up. You have grown up knowing that reading the Poneglyphs is forbidden, so did your Mother and her Mother and her Mother as well. You and your Mother challenged the norm that has been in place for hundreds of years and what is the reaction to it?"

"B-but those two things are completely different! You cannot compare the desire for knowledge with-!"

"Can't you? Both are Governmental decrees put into place centuries before your conception however the only single difference is that we know why the law in my world was enacted and it was to stop the rampage of Dark Blood Magic users who were kidnapping young teenagers by the thousands, draining them of their blood or selling them in underground auctions to the highest bidder."

Sighing as he saw Robin's shoulders droop he placed a hand onto her shoulder with some of her hair gently wrapping around his wrist.

"I know it is a hard thing to look at Robin however I've been alive for quite a long time and seen things far worse than two horny kids getting it on. Combine that with the fact that I understand how these things work from experience and trust me they can be sinister like what the World Government is doing here in preventing the knowledge of the Void Century however they can also be positive like mine in wiping out a radical group of Mages."

"I suppose it's just hard to detach myself from the morality side of it ..."

"Morality," Natsu chuckled darkly as Robin looked up into his almost hollow gaze that bored into the dark before them. "That word is nothing more than a farcical means to justify the notions of 'Good' and 'Evil' deeds, masking them behind a curtain of deceit and facetious lies!"

"I-I don't understand," Robin replied, taken aback at the sudden venom in his tone.

"There is no 'Good' side or 'Evil' side Robin, merely Intent. The notion of what is considered 'Good' and 'Lawful' changes at the drop of a hat, the same can be said of 'Evil' and 'Chaotic' deeds. The World Government is a prime example of this concept since they cry Justice yet employ Assassins and endorse things like slavery, neither of these concepts being what one would consider 'Good' and 'Lawful' and yet since they are the strongest power they are given the right to decide for the populace."

"I think I understand what you mean," Robin said slowly as she replayed Natsu's words in her mind, the gears beginning to turn as she understood what he was getting at. "It's like how all Pirates are considered enemies of the world itself and yet the Navy and the World Government are willing to allow the deeds of the Seven Warlords to go unwatched and unpunished so long as they agree to aid them."

"Precisely! Moria clearly has been going around wiping out all life within the Florian Triangle yet where is his punishment? Why haven't the Marines called in a Buster Call on him and brought him to 'Justice' like they've done to so many others? Why would they let Crocodile almost take Alabasta yet they send CP9 after you?"

"Because they are considered 'Good' and 'Lawful' in the eyes of the world," Robin replied grimly. "I see now what you mean about Morality not being as one dimensional as many believe it to truly be."

"Then you are learning Robin," Natsu said with a small smile as he wrapped an arm around her slender form. "I remember having this very same conversation with Naruto and Jiraiya back in the Elemental Nations when we were out on our training trip, took all of two seconds for Naruto to understand what I was getting at due to his upbringing but Jiraiya took much more convincing. He couldn't even conceive as to why Naruto would so easily think in such a way because he hadn't experienced the brutal upbringing from birth like that boy did."

"So where do I rate on that scale then?"

"Well you certainly did better than Jiraiya," Natsu chuckled softly. "Took him several weeks to finally understand and even then it didn't deter him of his dream to establish lasting peace."

"Doesn't that just fall back into the notion of what one considers 'Good' or 'Evil' though?"

"Yeah, but in hindsight a world without conflict would be the ideal one to live in," Natsu sighed as the pair paused. "Well now ..."

"A light?"

"It seems we've almost reached the end of the tunnel then," Natsu grinned. "About time too!"

"Natsu?"

"Hm?"

"Will you debate with me more sometime, about things like this?"

"Really? You actually enjoyed me shattering the concept of 'Good' and 'Evil' for you?"

"I believe it was an enlightening experience, one you no doubt often share with Seilah so ..."

"Ah, don't worry Robin I'll teach you all you need to know in time. Seilah if prompted can hold a debate with me on pretty much anything because she is technically older than I am and has more life experience. Not to mention my Brother taught her and let me tell you Zeref ... oh man don't even get me started on how into debate and philosophy he could get!"

"He did have centuries to practice his skills with me you know?"

"Yeah and it made him into someone you found yourself inwardly agreeing with no matter the topic," Natsu laughed in response.

"So should we check out this light?"

"But of course," Natsu replied in an overly dramatic way as he bounded forward several steps before spinning around on the spot and extending his free arm. "Shall I escort the fair lady to her destination?"

"Indeed you can kind sir," Robin giggled in response as she wove her arms into Natsu's own, the pair strolling toward the light unaware of the hell that lay beyond its depths.

/Seilah's POV/

Seilah sighed as she finally caught up to Luffy. Despite her using Shadow Travel the Rubber Human seemed to just have boundless energy and continued to charge forward without a care in the world.

Just as she was about to emerge from the shadows and scold Luffy from running off she froze as she felt a powerful presence quite literally 'materialize' right in the centre of the room. Looking beyond Luffy she inwardly cursed at her luck as a massive shadowy figure now loomed over the stunned Straw Hat.

"You did well to make it this far Straw Hat Luffy, defeating Cipher Pol Aegis Nine and taking out another Warlord, and Crocodile of all people, is a feat most Pirates wouldn't even dream of achieving!"

"Oi, who the hell are you!"

The shadowy mass seemed to quiver before defining features began to take shape as Gecko Moria himself appeared before Luffy, his amused form absolutely towering over him as he began to laugh.

"Kishishishi! But I'm afraid that this is the end of the line for you Straw Hat! As we speak I have my crew systematically moving in to destroy your fellow crewmates, not even Dragneel will be able to save you from this!"

"Cut the bullshit Moria," Luffy snapped back as he clenched his fists. "I saw what you did to the people on Ardorton; you killed all of em and took their shadows! I'm gonna kick your ass for what you've done!"

"KISHISHISHI! By all means Straw Hat just go ahead and try," Moria laughed as Luffy charged toward him.

"Gum Gum: Pistol!"

To the shock of Luffy his attack struck Moria only for it to then pass right through him as the Warlord began to laugh once more. Retracting his arm backward he jumped away from Moria before stretching his arm backward once again, twisting it around as he charged toward him again.

"Gum Gum: Rifle!"

This time he struck Moria right in the face however the smile never vanished from it, Luffy's fist simply fazing right through it and striking the wall behind him.

"What the hell is this!?"

"KISHISHISHI! You really are a fool Straw Hat," Moria jeered as he held out both his hands, two massive shadows rising up in the shame of swords forming right into his waiting hands. "You've come this far into the Grand Line and yet you still don't understand anything! Fortunately for you this is where you meet your end!"

"What the hell-!"

Luffy barely managed to duck in time as Moria took his first swing, slicing apart everything next to and behind Luffy causing the half above the attack to shift forward ever so slightly. Thinking he'd avoided the attack Luffy was shocked when a wave of shadow rose up from the ground seconds after the attack had been launched sending him flying down the hallway, crashing into the wall as he fell to one knee.

"What the hell ... how?"

"KISHISHISHI! Still haven't figured it out yet Straw Hat," Moria jeered as he struck the shadow blades together swiftly, shaving off small shadow droplets that were fired directly at Luffy who barely managed to roll out of the way in time. "I'm a being who ate the Shadow Shadow Fruit making me a Shadow Human!"

"A Shadow Human," Luffy gasped as Moria struck his blades together once again firing out another barrage of attacks. "But even so ... why can't I hit you? Wait-no you can't be-!?"

"Finally figured it out did you," Moria jeered right as his attacks finally struck Luffy. "I ate the Shadow Shadow Fruit, a Logia Class Devil Fruit!"

"A Logia," Luffy winced as he rose to his feet. "But then that means I can't hit you!"

"KISHISHISHI! Of course, which means you're finished Straw Hat," Moria cried as he formed an X shape with his shadow blades. "Shadow Shadow: Dark Point!"

It appeared as if the swords simply decided to leave Moria's hands as the two blades began spinning around creating a massive swirling void of shadow that quickly rose to the ceiling. The spinning eventually slowed down as hundreds of the small shadow attacks he'd been hit with earlier right down onto him.

"KISHISHISHI! Die like the pathetic fool you are Straw Hat!"

The attacks struck setting off an explosion that engulfed the entire hallway in smoke. With a mere wave of his hand Moria cleared it expecting to find the hole ridden body of Luffy only for his eyes to widen at a blanket of shadow protecting him.

"What ..."

"Luffy you absolute idiot."

"Th-that voice," Luffy gasped as Seilah rose from the ground before him no longer wearing her usual kimono.

As her form fully materialized Seilah was now wearing a battle kimono that appeared to be made entirely from her shadow based abilities. The excess skin normally shown off was gone now instead with the kimono fully clothing her as a Crimson Red floral pattern adorned her black and white themed outfit. Her feet however bore no shoes whatsoever instead opting to coat them entirely in shadow rendering them into a shadowy mist giving off the impression that she was in fact floating.

"You're one of Dragneel's dogs," Moria said as he spun his shadow blades in his hands. "Seilah ..."

"Luffy, go back and regroup with the others."

"But-!"

"You cannot harm Moria. He said it himself that he is a Logia Devil Fruit User and you have no means of harming him, not even your own blood."

Gritting his teeth Luffy looked between Moria and Seilah before nodding and taking off down the hallway.

"He won't get away; my zombies will catch him before he escapes."

"Let them try Moria," Seilah replied as she coated her hands in shadow, her eyes beginning to glow Crimson Red.

"You dare challenge me with the shadows," Moria hissed. "No one has mastery over the shadows like I do! No one!"

'He hasn't shown me much to go on other than he is a shadow user like me ... but even so I must at the very least buy time! Luffy was a fool to charge in blindly and had we done things properly we would have learnt of his Logia status through his henchmen!'

"Let us see who the shadows favour more," Moria shouted as he began to sink into the ground with Seilah following suit moments later. "I'll destroy you and put your shadow to good use!"

"I will not fall to the likes of you Moria," Seilah replied calmly as the two fully submerged themselves into the ground and charged toward one another.

The two pools of shadow smacked into each other, bouncing away as the entire floor shattered leaving the pair to dart between the debris. Moria and Seilah both sent shadow based projectiles at one another as the pair were falling which shredded the rubble around them and the lower level they had fallen into before the pair finally managed to attach themselves to solid surfaces.

Moria had managed to latch onto the upper part of a wall with Seilah using the shadow cast by a curtain to regain her own position as black tendrils of shadow began to strike out across the hallway, smashing through walls, doors, floors and windows once again tearing the entire place apart.

Eventually Moria seemed to tire of the back and forth and fired himself as a tendril based projectile which slammed into Seilah's pool of shadow, smashing through the side of the wall she was on which led them onto the outer edge of the castle walls.

Darting away Seilah prepared her next attack with Moria in hot pursuit, her pool of shadow climbing right up to one of the top towers and wrapping itself around it before a shadowy clawed arm formed and fired off a claw based slash.

"Is that the best you can do!? Shadow Shadow: Dark Lance!"

From Moria's shadow a massive shadow lance was fired that struck Seilah's shadow claw, the two attacks cancelling each other out as the Warlord's shadowy face suddenly shot up out of the ground. His glowing red eyes and his open mouth displaying razor sharp shadowy teeth prompted Seilah to fire out a tendril that latched onto a nearby pole, pulling herself away as the face bit a chunk out of the tower.

The top of the tower collapsed due to the lower half having been taken out however it was caught in a shadowy net by Moria who tossed it at Seilah. Inwardly growling Seilah stretched the size of her pool to accommodate it and in turn absorbed it much to the surprise of Moria.

"I wasn't expecting you to do that however it has left you wide open!"

Moria's shadow zipped downward and charged toward Seilah's only to suddenly find itself being pushed back as she began firing shadow coated bits of the debris at him. Whilst doing so Seilah repositioned herself off of the pole and back onto the castle wall as she began to fully emerge from her pool, her entire body coated in shadow with Moria doing the same the moment she ran out of debris.

"Perhaps not as wide open as you had intended Moria?"

"Grr ..."

"Enough playing around," Seilah snarled as she held out her right hand with a pitch black sphere beginning to form at its centre. "Devil's Aura: Darkness Shot!"

"You think that frightens me," Moria shouted back as he snapped his fingers. "Shadow Shadow: Black Wall!"

Seilah's attack struck the wall setting off a large explosion that shook the entire castle however to her genuine surprise it didn't blow right through Moria's Shadow Wall which seemed to have held it off without much difficulty.

"Hmm ... troubling."

Spinning around Seilah kicked away a shadow projectile before jumping backward right as Moria reformed his swords, spinning them around eagerly in his hands as he took several steps forward.

"Come on then and show me your mastery of the shadows so that I can crush them with my own!"

Inwardly Seilah grit her teeth as she prepared herself to engage the Warlord once more, unsure as to what else he would have up his sleeve.

Tales From The Tale Verse

Pride Seeks The Ultimate Challenge VIII

Jibril The Flugel

"And here we are," Jibril chirped cheerfully, the trio landing before a rather large and old looking building. "This is my home!"

"You live here," Feitan asked as he looked at a sign next to the entrance. "This says it's the Elchea National Library though?"

"And?"

"You live in a library?"

"Well where else would I live," Jibril replied cheerfully before motioning the pair inside.

After several minutes the pair found themselves seated at a rather large table with refreshments placed before them. Escanor kept his gaze firmly locked onto Jibril however, sensing that there was something familiar about her though he seemingly couldn't quite recall where he'd felt it before ...

"All right now that we're seated and ready to go let's get down to business-!"

"Hold on a second," Feitan said prompting the girl to simply cock her head to the side. "How do we decide who goes first in the question asking?"

"I suppose I shall be the honourable host and allow the two of you to ask one, since you are my honoured guests and all!"

"Right ..."

"Feel free to fire away you two!"

"Fine then I'm just gonna ask it right away," Feitan said as he leant forward. "Why did you bring us here really?"

"Well it was truthfully a desire to learn more about you two on my part however my Masters have asked me to pry out of you two any information we might benefit from," Jibril replied before grinning. "Now then what exactly are the two of you?"

"Human."

"Human."

"Is that all you are though-?"

"Ah ah," Feitan replied wagging his finger in a childish manner. "One question each!"

"Drat!"

"Tell us ... who are your Masters?"

"The King and Queen of Elchea of course! Now then are you both entirely human?"

"No. Who are the King and Queen of Elchea?"

"King Sora and Queen Shiro. What is it that the two of you are?"

"I am both a human and a Devil."

"A am part human, part Devil and one of the Seven Deadly Sins."

"Now then, do your King and Queen know why we are here?"

"Yes."

This surprised both Escanor and Feitan who assumed that no one aside from the strange God they had met upon their arrival would have known their true intentions.

"Now then, tell me what the two of you plan on doing here?"

"We plan on recovering a fragment of power that belongs to one of our superiors that has landed in this world," Feitan replied before narrowing his eyes. "Now how do you all know about why we are here?"

"King Sora and Queen Shiro already seemed to know, beyond that I have no idea," Jibril replied in what appeared to be an honest tone. "Now then tell me ... what will you do to take this power back?"

"Whatever is necessary," Feitan replied casually. "Tell me why your King and Queen haven't simply given it back if they know why we're here?"

"Because they cannot. Tell me why we should simply hand over that which you seek?"

"Because higher powers desire that it be brought back. Tell me why they can't simply give back the fragment?"

"Because God has forbidden the action," Jibril replied prompting Escanor to rise from his place, slamming his fist down upon the table.

"You mean that boy is forcing us to waste precious time knowing full well that the High Arbiter needs his power returned to him!"

"Though you asked a question out of turn I shall answer since you have every right to be angry," Jibril sighed as she flapped her wings several times. "Lord Tet is an interesting God and it is highly likely that he finds amusement in forcing the two of you to jump through all these hurdles to gain your prize."

"But even still ..."

"But tell me, golden knight, what is it that you hope to accomplish exactly by letting your anger take a hold of you? After all it isn't like you can use that fabled strength of yours to get your way ..."

"Who are you really," Escanor asked prompting Jibril to smile as her eyes began to glow Midnight Blue.

"Impossible ... she's an Elder Goddess," Feitan gasped prompting Jibril to giggle lightly in response.

"I suppose it would be such a surprise to see one such as I living a rather mundane life here rather than conforming to the silly little rules that the Council cooks up however as Lord Tet no doubt told you this world is ... unique."

"So unique that you cannot actively engage in direct combat with others," Escanor sighed as he sat back down.

"So they let you simply remain here? How long have you been here for?"

"Well my true age is around six thousand four hundred and ... seven, I think!"

"Wait if you're that old then-!?"

"I earned my right to retire and do as I please," Jibril sighed. "I was born to a God Of Creation and spent a lot of my life fighting wars on a scale most Gods and Devils of today could scarcely comprehend. Well actually if word from outside is to be believed the High Arbiter might have an idea of it but for the majority of you ..."

"As fascinating as this is," Feitan said slowly as he regained his composure. "Knowing full well why we've come is there any way you can convince this King and Queen to grant us an audience?"

"To gain the fragment?"

"Yes."

"Well gee I just don't know," Jibril hummed as her eyes returned to their usual coloration. "I suppose I could be persuaded to ..."

"What do you want?"

"Tell me something, both of you. What is it that each of you believe is the biggest flaw in your characters?"

"Why do you want to know that out of anything you could possibly ask," was Feitan's immediate reply as Jibril merely shrugged.

"Call it mere curiosity, or don't, however I want an answer from both of you."

"Fine then," Feitan sighed. "My biggest flaw is that I'm easily frustrated."

"Are you certain?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm, yeah see I'm not feeling it so pick something else."

"That isn't how this works!"

"But you didn't answer honestly, you barely even thought about it at all," Jibril pointed out as she leant back in her seat. "Until both of you answer truthfully then I'm afraid there won't be any audience!"

Feitan grumbled in response to Jibril's declaration however to the Flugel's delight Escanor's brow was furrowed in thought.

'It seems Lucifer might have been right after all, he is capable of change despite being one of the Seven Sins.'

Time seemed to fly by as the trio sat in silence. For Jibril it didn't feel like more than a fleeting moment however for Feitan it was an eternity as he struggled to come up with anything aside from being easily frustrated as his biggest flaw.

After four hour mark came around however Escanor suddenly shifted in his seat, drawing the attention of the others as he cleared his throat.

"My Pride."

"Interesting. Why do you believe that Escanor?"

"My status as the Sin Of Pride has been something I saw as justification for my power, for my actions as I journeyed with the other Seven and fought against the Demon King. However ever since I have come to this world I have come to realize that I am not the unbeatable force I had assumed I always was and there are limits as to what I am capable of. My pride demands that I act in a way that places me above all others, where I believe I should always be, however it is clearly evident that in a world such as this I am nothing."

"I must say I'm surprised you came to that conclusion Escanor."

"Pride has always been my greatest strength however it is clear that in this particular world and indeed potentially in many others ... Pride is not what defines true strength, therefore proving to me that I am indeed far from the perfect being I once toted myself as. My greatest strength is now my biggest flaw and I must say it is a rather enlightening experience to finally realize this rather blunt truth."

"You are correct Escanor in everything you have said however never forget that no being, regardless of their make is perfect. My own race the Flugel were all born with supposed 'Perfection' and yet here I sit before you, the apex of my very species, yet my Father gifted me with imperfection. There are many things we are incapable of however as living beings we are capable of true change and today by merely admitting that Pride itself is your greatest flaw you have truly begun your journey to overcoming it."

Jibril then turned her attention toward Feitan who was too busy staring at Escanor with wide eyes to even process that the Flugel was looking at him prompting her to sigh in response.

"I suppose I shall get his answer later, for now however it has gotten rather late and the King and Queen are likely asleep. Therefore it would be the best choice to have the both of you stay here with me for the night and in the morning we shall head to the castle and speak with them."

"Thank you for your hospitality Lady Jibril," Escanor bowed only for Jibril to begin giggling again.

"Oh my it's been several millennium since anyone has referred to me as 'Lady' Jibril! Please simply call me Jibril I'm not one for the formality stuff anymore!"

"Very well Jibril," Escanor replied with a smile before turning to Feitan. "Alright then looks like we'd better get settled in for the night, eh Feitan?"

"..."

"I suppose you'll come back to us in time," Escanor shrugged. "For now let us continue this feast, I am positively famished!"

"Please enjoy to your heart's content," Jibril chirped prompting Escanor to dig in with gusto leaving the still stunned Feitan to watch on in utter silence.

Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!