Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's "Fairy Tail", but all original plots and characters are mine.
In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.
Previously, on Fairy Adventure, Natsu's team went against Bluenote, but things didn't exactly go as planned when Bluenote took out his horn. Turns out he summoned his own familiars to crash the party! Don't worry, though. The Mages of Fairy Tail and Lamia Scale can take them! Well, let's just hope Gary can. To make things worse, Bluenote turns into a half-demon himself! Natsu sends the others away and learnt Mary Jane and Igneel are safe…for now. Looks like everyone across Fiore is watching the war in Margaret Town and no one is exactly happy with what they're seeing. Mary Jane finally wakes up to meet…Dimaria?! But, she looks so old! With Ultear spilling about the rogue Mages and water creatures, the Mages are about to step up their game. Gajeel and Pantherlily try to make it to the museum, but, first, they have to get past some ugly chimeras. Gary is left to pull out a secret art: Dry-Ice Magic! But, all is for nought when the Magic tries to freeze him. Nashi tries to help him, but when she's caught in the act, Gary's Devil swoops to the rescue. But, when voices fill his head and tell him what to do, it's Nashi who saves him.
"Thank you, Angel. Thank you."
No need to thank Nashi, Gary! After all, she'll always be your partner no matter what! I just hope Julia will be okay getting back on her own…
CRUNCH. CRUNCH.
A jaw worked effortlessly to crunch ice.
Nashi's face looked peaceful as she slept. A makeshift pillow out of blankets and scarves was underneath her head and a blanket covered the rest of her body. Wet towels used to clean her were set aside and her sweater had been laid out to dry in front of a heater that had been viciously stolen from its packaging.
CRUNCH. CRUNCH.
More ice popped into a mouth as hands clutched a bag full of it.
The Devil watched his Angel as he ate ice like he was eating chips. Her chest would rise and fall rhythmically, and he listened to her steady heartbeat.
Inwardly, Gary drifted in his sea of blue. His eyes were closed, and a frown was on his face, but he was at peace still. His mouth opened. "Anything?" he questioned.
Outwardly, the Devil dug a hand into the bag and got out a handful of ice. "Nothing," he reported. "I feel no Magic besides Angel and smell only her scent." He popped in more ice.
Gary sighed. "That's good. I'm glad she fell asleep. She'll build up some more Magic Power."
The Devil hummed as he swallowed his mouthful of ice. Something stopped him for reaching for more. Something that nagged him. "Human," he said softly. "Human…hates me."
Gary's frown grew more prominent, but he did not confirm or deny.
The Devil smiled bitterly. "It is okay, Human. I may understand little on a human's emotions, but I understand hatred perfectly. I know your resentment of me for hurting Angel." He paused. "And, for hurting you."
Gary sighed again. "It's not entirely your fault," he confessed. "I'm at fault too. I should've had better control over myself and you. I would've never hurt her if I had better control or if I—"
"Or…if I did not exist," the Devil finished.
°•°•°•°
Inwardly, Gary's cracked open his eyes. He was no longer the only one floating in this plane of existence. His sea-blue bordered a dark blue that was one shade away from black. The Devil drifted in that dark sea, naked and unafraid. This was their existence together. This was the place between souls.
Gary did not know how to answer. "I… At the beginning, I really hated you," he admitted. "You… We hurt people. I didn't want you around. I didn't even think of you as part of me. And, when Angel was hurt again, I just—…"
The Devil understood. "'We' became 'Human' and 'Devil' once more," he filled in.
For some reason, guilt piled up in Gary. "I'm sorry," he croaked. "That's a messed-up thing to say."
The Devil shook his head, his smile resigned. "It is fine, Human. I understand." And, he did. "There may not be 'we', but the two of us agree in terms of Angel. I cannot forget the pain I caused Angel." He decided to add, "And the pain I caused my other half."
Gary shut his eyes at that.
The Devil continued, "For creations like me, our existence does not usually understand feelings of remorse or grief or caring. We do not need forgiveness or acceptance. But…" He tried to find the right words for he did not know what to say. "Maybe… I understand a little of it due to Angel and…and Human too."
Gary opened his eyes at that and tilted his head towards the Devil.
"I do not understand all of it," the Devil confided. "It…confuses me. Humans value life, an appeal…foreign to me. You are creatures needing to socialize and live in communities and express strange feelings like sadness. I do not understand the reason. I considered it a weakness with only breeding necessary. I…" He sighed. "Perhaps I was wrong."
Gary tried to get on the same track as his Devil. "So… What does that mean?" he wanted to know.
The Devil shrugged. "I care little for your guild mates or family. Before, I saw them as bags of meat who stood in my way to freedom, but… I am…willing to try and understand more of these emotions Human has. Only if it appeases Angel," he tacked on hastily.
That caught Gary by surprise. But, a smile came onto his face. "Just admit it. You want to change to the good side so you can actually stand a chance with Angel," he chuckled.
The Devil growled, though looked away when his cheeks warmed. "Do not mock me, Human," he snapped.
"You're even blushing!" Gary pointed out. He laughed. "Oh, this is too good! Can't believe my stubborn as Hell brother would want to really change because of a girl!"
The Devil caught onto one word. "You call me your kin?"
Gary's laughter died down. "Huh… Guess I did," he supposed. "I never really thought of you other than my Devil or anything. I mean we were, well, 'us', I guess, but I never turned it into anything else." He looked over at his Devil. "But, I guess we are brothers," he supposed. "Two guys who share blood and a body and even the same Angel."
The Devil hummed at that. "'Brothers'." He said the word like it was new to him.
Gary frowned. "What? What's wrong?"
The Devil looked away. "I have…never had family before."
"You have—"
"I do not consider them kin," the Devil cut in, already knowing Gary's reply. "They are yours and yours alone. Your sire… I respect him enough, but no."
Gary looked up, contemplative. "Well… I guess you have me, right? We're brothers—family. Nothing will change that."
"Even if a human is hurt because of me?" the Devil asked in a small voice. "If Angel is hurt?"
Gary softened. "Even then," he decided. "You might've been a pain in my ass and you might not understand compassion, but I know Angel is special to you too. You wouldn't hurt her if you could help it. Those whispers—"
"That is not an excuse." The Devil sounded firm in that. "I will not forgive myself for doing such a thing to Angel."
"I won't either," Gary said. "We're in this together, no matter what. We both share sins. We're brothers."
The Devil looked at his human counterpart before remembering something. "In my tongue, we call each other 'maõ'bo shakta'."
Gary furrowed his brow. "What does that mean?"
"It roughly translates to 'path-sharer'," the Devil explained. "There is no equivalent to human terms of kin. The word 'family' does not even exist for we do not believe in it."
"Well, I'm your family," Gary promised. "We're brothers. You might get on my nerves, but we're in this together from now on, okay?"
The Devil let his lips twitch as his eyes closed. "Very well, brother."
"You're learning," Gary teased. "Maybe, someday, you'll finally want to join Fairy—!"
"Do not push it!"
°•°•°•°
So, Nashi slept soundly. Her chest would rise and fall with her heartbeat beating steady.
And the Devil watching over her kept his own peace with his eyes closed and breathing moderate—
—and a soft smile on his face.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
As I close my eyes
Nokosu ato naku kobosu oto naku iku ate mo naku
I know that this is what I want, this is what I need
Ima mo kurikaeshite zanzou
•
Kizutsuita kako no bokura wa
Ienai mama de
Sonna karamawari kawaranai hibi wa
Mou tozashite ikun da
•
So now
Kore wa boku ga nozonda
My Nevereverland
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Elvin hissed as he darted around Linus, trying to find a weak spot.
Linus was not fooled for a second as he put a fist in an open palm. His Magic Circle appeared before him, a turquoise color tinted bluer than normal. A snowflake lay in the center with an upside-down triangle in the center of it. "Ice-Make: Arctic Wolf!" he chanted. An arctic wolf made entirely out of ice appeared before Linus the size of a full-grown horse. Spikes came off its legs and its blue eyes glared at Elvin before lunging for him.
Elvin narrowly avoided the wolf's initially grab and took a swipe at its jaw. He hissed at the pain he felt from that mistake, but he had no time to dwell on it when the wolf used its hips to slam into him. Elvin was bowled over and the wolf took the opportunity to dig its teeth into Elvin's legs and shake him up a little. It was more for show than for actual pain, but Elvin snarled when he saw he was bleeding. His webbed hands slammed onto the wolf's maw and began to boil.
The wolf yelped and was forced to drop Elvin as it pawed at its melting maw.
Elvin took the opportunity to haul himself away from the wolf and was about to get onto his feet when Linus stopped him.
Linus circled his arms around. "December Boreas!"
Elvin gave a noise of surprise when he found his body being lifted off the ground. Winds that nipped at your skin in that wintry way swirled around him, carrying him up into the air. He could not control any part of himself as the winds swept him away.
Linus held up his arms before slashing them to the right.
Elvin was abruptly dropped to the ground. He gritted his teeth as he tried to reorient himself only for a shadow to fall on him. He looked up.
Linus sucked in a deep breath. "Beira's…!"—his Magic Circle appeared before his mouth—"Raaaaaaaaaaaaage!"
Elvin flinched as he was covered in a fierce gust of snow and ice. He could not even keep his eyes open from the freezing cold and was forced to subject himself to being helpless. It was a few moments later Elvin noticed the attack had stopped and pried open his eyes. He looked at himself. His eyes widened.
He was covered in ice and snow.
Elvin gritted his teeth as he tried to wriggle out of his wintry imprisonment. He needed out. He needed to leave.
"You won't be getting out of that any time soon."
Elvin looked up to glare at Linus in his icy form and spat boiling water at him.
Linus dodged it effortlessly and leapt a safe distance from Elvin, squatting down. He grinned as Elvin hissed and snarled and spat boiling water onto his restraints. "It'll take you a little while to get out of that, little Strauss, so good luck," he teased. His grin faded into something more solemn.
So, he was affected, but he's not a Water Mage. There's no record of it, at least. Why him? If anyone should be affected, you would think Ice Mages would. The root of our Magic is water. So, why him and not me?
A small whine.
Linus looked over his shoulder to see his arctic wolf curled around him. It whined, and its tail thumped twice. Linus smiled and rubbed its muzzle. "Thanks for your help. You deserve to rest," he murmured.
The arctic wolf closed its eyes as it dissolved back into harmless Ethernano particles.
Linus turned back to the thrashing Elvin. He watched as Elvin hissed and spat boiling water onto the ice and grow irritated when nothing worked. "So, now what?" he murmured to himself. "He's like this because of the River Guardian. So, there's no hope for him to become anything else."
°•°•°•°
STEP… STEP… SLPASH…
Sneakers wobbled as they puttered through stone and through water. Deep pants penetrated the air over the noises of gods clashing and Mage versus creature.
°•°•°•°
Linus softened in pity as he regarded Elvin. "I can't very well leave him like this though. He doesn't deserve that," he decided. "Julia said he's Fairy Tail and I'd never hurt a friend, but…" His icy hands clenched into fists. "But, what choice do I have right now? He'll kill me if I let him go or get close to him."
°•°•°•°
SPLASH… STEP… SPLASH…
Boots sloshed through puddles, ignoring another soldier boiled and drowned and his blood tainting the water. Lips were pressed in emotionless frown and did not display a single care or worry over the fate of Margaret Town.
°•°•°•°
"I have to get him away from here," Linus planned. "If I can get him out of range of the River Guardian—"
"That won't be necessary."
Linus turned his attention to the eastern entryway to see two Mages, one critically injured and the other only splattered in blood and rain. "Paige… Penelope," he named. "What are you two doing here?"
Paige leaned heavily on her twin for support. "We're lookin' for our cousin," she explained. Her eyes went to Elvin and watched him try his best to wriggle his way out of his restraints. "Looks like you found him before us."
Linus nodded to that. "And it looks like you went through a lot more than you're letting on," he mentioned. "What happened?"
Penelope helped Paige get closer to Linus and Elvin as Paige answered, "Familiars. Bastards pulled a fast one on me while I was barely conscious. I was lucky I had enough Magic to get the Hell away, but even more lucky I ran into Nelly."
Linus blinked in mild confusion. "'Familiars'?"
Paige nodded as she and Penelope were standing side-by-side with Linus. "You can set me down here, Nelly," she murmured.
As Penelope did as her twin asked, she answered, "A familiar, in this context, are considered by-products of a demon. Similar to children. They carry with them weak to strong Curses and are capable of infecting others with those same Curses."
"You don't say," Linus murmured. "Familiars and demons, huh?" He caught his chin in-between his thumb and forefinger while a hand cupped his elbow. "So, she was serious," he mumbled to himself.
Penelope looked at the biting Elvin. "So, he's been affected as well," she presumed. "It makes sense. He's been ignoring his Magic for too long. The influence must've been too strong for him to resist it."
Linus looked at Penelope in his surprise as she stooped to Elvin's level. "You understand why he's been affected?"
Penelope nodded. "The River Guardian is rumored to have control over the sea. It is only natural for it to have influence of those of water, whether it be creature or man. I can't say the reason Ice Mages weren't affected, but Elvin has been ignoring the true nature of his inherited Magic. It's overpowered him."
"His inherited Magic?" Linus repeated.
"Stone Eyes is something he had to learn from Aunt Evergreen," Penelope confessed. "But, he possesses the same power of his father and my mother to transform into any creature, magical or nature-born. I was wondering when his Magic would overpower him. My guess is when the River Guardian's influence spread, his Magic chose that time to take over his body and act on its own. Nevertheless, he has a chance to recover without the River Guardian's say-so."
"But, how?" Linus wanted to know.
Penelope closed her eyes as a hand reached for her glasses. "In a normal case, there's a potion Elvin drinks to keep his Magic from overtaking him. But, for now…" She took off her glasses and opened her eyes. Pale red pinned on Elvin's withering form. "I should be able to help him."
Paige looked at his twin sister with a frown. "Nelly, you shouldn't," she tried to warn.
"If it means helping our family, I'll do whatever it takes." Penelope turned her head for one pale eye to meet the worried stare of her sister. "Try not to worry. I know what I'm doing." She turned back her struggling cousin. She held out a hand. "Forgive me, Elvin, but I will try to make this painless." Her Magic Circle blossomed beneath her, a fern green color with an eye dead center and a triquetra sitting in the iris. Her entire body began to glow in her Magic as she stared at Elvin. "I command this soul to leave behind its earthly tether and join me on its journey to the Otherworld. May we walk together in peace," she chanted. Her hands turned to knuckles and pressed against each other. The fists turned to open hands forming a triangle. The triangle turned the hands collapsing onto each other with the pointer fingers up and connected.
Linus watched in complete admiration as Elvin's thrashing body was outlined in Penelope's Magic. "Incredible," he murmured. "Her power is incredible."
Penelope straightened as her body began to float. Her legs crisscrossed and her hands positioned themselves on either knee in mediation. "Come! I order this as a Soul Reaper!" she chanted as her eyes lit up in Magic.
Elvin thrashed as he felt the pressure of Magic close in on him. He opened his mouth in a roar as Magic enveloped his entire body and seared into his own eyes. He was blinded. He saw nothing but Magic and felt nothing but insufferable pressure.
Then, he saw nothing.
And, he felt nothing at all.
°•°•°•°
Elvin woke up with a start. It was like he was breathing for the first time again, gasping for breath. He cared little for his surrounds or the fact he was back in his human form with his pointed ears and sharp canines and tattoos on his body. He was trying to take comfort he could breathe and did everything he could to fill up his lungs with oxygen.
"I see you've finally awakened," came notice.
Elvin blinked as he decided it was time to understand where he was. All he saw before him was a field of stars. The universe was before him and all of its creation. Galaxies were being destroyed and creature; stars burst into novae and transcended; black holes gathered; plants centered themselves around a viable light source. The universe was a beautiful thing, vast and never-ending and fair.
But, Elvin was not in awe of the expanse before him as he got to his feet, dressed in nothing but a loose white shirt and shorts. "You took me out of my body again," he surmised. He looked up.
Penelope stood before him in her regular clothes with a solemn look in her eyes. She nodded.
Elvin looked around. "I see," was all he said.
°•°•°•°
Linus watched the pair of them in great fascination. Elvin had stopped his thrashing and hissing and fell limp. If it were not for the rising and falling of his scaled chest, Linus would swear the Stone Gentleman was dead. Penelope's eyes remained covered in fern-green as she bobbed up and down, floating in mediation.
"What's she doing?" Linus wanted to know. "I know she inherited your father's Figure Eyes just like you, but I don't think I've seen or heard her do this."
"It's not something she likes to do."
Linus' eyes drifted to Paige.
Paige went on: "Our dad can do it and I can too, but it's not something we like to do often. We can see souls and collect them and even speak to them, like a medium, I guess. But"—her pale eyes dimmed into a sober emotion—"we can pull souls out of living bodies if we want."
That made Linus' eyes widen. "You can do that?"
Paige sighed. "Not exactly something we like to talk about," she said, "but, yeah. I can only pull an animal's soul from its body and Nelly can pull them from human beings, but our dad can do it out of just any living thing. It's called 'Soul Reaper'."
"And," Linus asked hesitantly, "what happens when you do that?"
Paige shrugged. "Heck if I really know." She looked back at her sister. "I've never done it or wanted to intentionally. I've only done it once, but it was by accident and I can't remember what happened. But, Nelly… She's had to do this before when Elvin's Magic got out of hand or when Mary Jane suffered a relapse."
"Huh." Linus watched the two at work. "That's still incredible Magic."
"Incredibly illegal," Paige added. "Not something Dad wants us to really do since the Magic Council isn't fond of Mages ripping out souls. Still, though… This is the only way to help Elvin. So, if it means doing something the Council doesn't approve of, then…" Her frown deepened. "Then, we'll just have to take that chance."
°•°•°•°
"So," Elvin started, "how bad was I this time?"
Penelope gestured before them as the universe collapsed and took the form of something else. "Why don't you see for yourself?"
Elvin did not watch in awe as the world morphed itself back into Margaret Town. He knew it was coming. He knew he would be right back where his body was and back in the square. He knew he would not feel the rain hammering down on him or the chilliness of the wind biting at his skin. He knew he would merely be standing there beside his body while Penelope stood beside her own. What was new to him was Paige and the evident pain her entire body was in. His eyes widened when he saw the multiple wounds marring her.
"Did I—?"
"No," Penelope cut in, already knowing the question. "Not all of them. You gave her a few burn marks and bruises and a few cuts, but the rest were from familiars who caught her off-guard."
Elvin roughly swallowed. "Right," he whispered.
Penelope regarded Elvin in what could only be explained as curiosity. "Don't you ever wonder what would happen if you just accepted—?"
Elvin was automatically shaking his head. "I'm just waiting for these tattoos to finally fade away, so I can live normally," he told her. "Nothing else."
Penelope frowned. "It's odd. Inherited Magic or Magic Transfer leaves distinctive tattoos on a Mage's body. If the Magic is untouched, the Magic and tattoo will fade away and cannot be used again." She cocked her head. "So, I wonder… You refused to use your Magic for years, but still, it never once faded away."
Elvin gritted his teeth.
Penelope closed her eyes. "I thought so," she murmured. "For Magic to just disappear, it either has to be used up completely or the Mage must be firm in never wanting to use that power."
"I don't want it!" Elvin cried, glaring at his cousin. "It's brought me nothing but regrets! It's hurt my own sister! It's hurt my family—!"
"But, even you have to acknowledge it's a deep part of who you are."
Elvin was taken back at that.
Penelope drove forward. "Magic isn't something too weak to understand the needs of its Mage. It understands us better than we could ever understand each other. It's connected to our life-force—our very souls."
"I know that," Elvin spat.
"Then, don't make it seem like you don't want your Magic." Penelope laid down such words in her bland tone, but they had a cut to them, a bit of edge. "The only reason it is this strong is because you're making it strong by neglecting it. Magic is wild if its Mage leaves it alone and doesn't even try to learn it or tame it."
Elvin glared at his limp body. "I can't," he bit. "Not after what I did to Ellie."
Penelope sighed. "If that's all you're going to say, then you will never tame your Magic." Her eyes opened and they glinted as they observed him. "And, you will continue to hurt the ones you love."
Elvin's eyes widened at that before narrowing in his anger. Self-anger was an ugly thing.
"Can you take control of your body?" Penelope asked.
Elvin gave a terse nod.
Penelope blinked. "Very well then." She moved in front of her own body to sit before it in the same position. She floated with her hands going to either knee and her eyes closed. "I return this soul to its body," she chanted. "Connect it back to its body and mind."
Elvin's own eyes closed as he felt the pressure of Penelope's Magic invoke upon his body.
°•°•°•°
Linus' eyes widened as he watched Elvin's scales and fins and gills fade back into scratched skin. Those biting shark teeth faded back into human ones. He was reverting back into his human form.
Paige watched with a smile. "So, she did it."
Penelope's eyes faded back into their pale red irises as her Magic and Magic Circle dissipated around her and Elvin. She grunted as she floated back to the ground and her body fell forward.
Paige's eyes widened. "Nelly!" She hauled herself up to drag herself to her twin sister with Linus helping her. Penelope struggled to keep herself upright, but Paige came to her assistance. "Are you okay?" she fretted. "Dammit, Nelly, I wish you'd be a bit more careful."
Penelope felt around for her glasses and slipped them back on. "I think between the two of us, you are the one who should be more careful."
A tick mark appeared on Paige's forehead. "Hey! Don't try lecturing me when you're the one who nearly fainted!"
A low groan.
Everyone looked over to see Elvin regaining his senses. He shut his eyes as he tried to move. "Nnngh…"
Linus went over to Elvin and put a hand atop his icy imprisonment. "Here. Let me release you," he offered. He closed his eyes. The ice dissolved into particles of Ethernano and freed Elvin from his constraints, letting him move on his own accord.
Elvin blinked open his eyes. "Linus," he rasped. "Thank you."
Linus smiled. "Don't thank me. I just restrained you." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder to the twin sisters. "Thank your cousins—especially Penelope."
Elvin's eyes shifted over to his cousins and softened as Paige kept trying to lecture her sister only for Penelope to quietly remark something back. "Yeah," he murmured. "They're the best."
Linus weaved an arm under Elvin's while a hand went to his chest. "Let's get you on your feet. Think you can stand?"
"Uh, yeah," Elvin said. He hooked onto Linus for support as the pair worked to get Elvin on his own two feet. He did not realize his cousins stood before him until Paige talked.
"Geez, coz, you really need to learn some control," Paige teased. "Nearly got me good. You're lucky I'm tough, but I'm totally kickin' your ass when we get back home."
Elvin chuckled at that. "Duly noted," he assured. "Sorry for all the trouble I've caused you all."
Paige grinned. "Our guild is full of troublemakers, so don't sweat it," she calmed. "Not like you did any real damage anyways. I think Mary Jane is a lot worse than you."
"Don't let her hear you say that," Elvin warned good-humoredly. "She's not one to take that lying down."
Paige lifted her chin in her arrogance. "Please. She doesn't scare me."
Penelope looked down at Paige's shaking knees. "Your trembling contradicts that," she remarked.
Paige blushed and glowered at her twin. "Sis, what the Hell? You don't need to go and embarrass me like that!" she hissed.
"Isn't that what I'm here for?" Penelope asked. "To embarrass you?"
Paige growled. "No! You're supposed to back me up like sisters do!"
"I am? Okay." Penelope looked at Elvin with her straight expression. "My sister isn't scared of Mary Jane. She could take her on in a fight and win easily."
"What?!" Paige looked around like Mary Jane could hear those words. "That's not what I meant! Geez, you tryin' to get me killed? What if she heard that?!"
Penelope regarded Paige. "She's missing," she reminded, making Elvin's eyes widen. "I don't know how she'd hear you."
"Wait. Mary Jane's missing?" Elvin butted in. "When was this? Does anyone have a clue where she could be?"
Paige frowned at that, her fear gone. "From what Nelly said, the last anyone heard of Mary Jane, she was leaving some of her new friends and disappeared. Apparently, Igneel was scented near her."
"Huh. So, Igneel's with her then," Elvin muttered. "She should be fine, then. If anyone can handle her, it's him. But, I don't know for how long." He steeled himself over at just the mere possibilities. "We have to go find her," he decided firmly, "before she does something she'll regret."
A smirk. "Oh? And, what about you all?"
Everyone looked up to the west and to a rooftop.
Elvin's eyes widened. "Oh, no…"
"What? No looks of happiness to see us?" came a laughing question. "I would think you Magi would be more than happy to see the real heroes."
Linus gritted his teeth. "Major General Maxim," he named like he was spitting out something rotten. "What the Hell are you doing here?"
Above them stood Major General Maxim in all his glory. He looked unperturbed by the rain, the bloodshed, the battle of gods, the killings—he was a man who was soothed by such chaos. He looked down at the group of Mages through his glasses with his self-righteous smile on his lips. To his left was a bald woman who seemed at home in the rain. She was as sleek as a lioness and had the eyes of a natural born hunter. A tattoo of a skull with two guns crossing behind it lay on her right eye, her blind eye. Still, she was armed with her choice weapons with even both her arms made of metal.
⌜TASK FORCE 93
Name: Rocha
Occupation: Magic Hunter
Likes: N/A Dislikes: N/A
Special Note: Besides Rocha's body being part Lacroid, she's a silent mystery…⌟
To Major General Maxim's left was another woman with thick lips and a mole underneath her right eye. Her body was short, but her size was not to discount her from being a worthy adversary in a fight. She had a thick braid running down her back with a spearhead at the end of it and there was no telling the number of weapons she hid on her person.
⌜TASK FORCE 93
Name: Corona
Occupation: Magic Hunter
Likes: N/A Dislikes: N/A
Special Note: Corona has no information on her… Not even her height…⌟
Maxim's smile broadened. "Like you, Jack Frost, I have orders. Orders to help you, if you will," he explained with an accent smoother than honey. "Came straight from the Minister of Defense himself; can you believe it?"
Linus growled. "No," he spat. "I can't."
Maxim merely laughed, his broad shoulders shaking. "You were always one without any humor, Jack Frost," he regarded. "Nevertheless, we're here to help all innocent Magi as the minister, Her Majesty, and Lord Draculos have asked of us to do. Now, that being said"—his glasses glinted as he looked at Penelope and her unnerving stare head-on—"from what I saw, you just used a form of illegal Magic." His stare switched to a terrified Elvin. "And, you… Stone Gentleman of Fairy Tail… We have footage of you not only attacking your cousin or Jack Frost but attacking Council personnel." His smile dimmed into a tough frown. "You see, that doesn't just sit well with us, Magus."
Paige stepped in front of her sister and cousin like she could protect them. "Now, just hold on! Nelly was just trying to help our cousin calm down! She didn't do anything wrong!" she yelled.
"That may be," Maxim supposed as the two females began to move away from him, "but we were told only innocent Magi were to be left alone. Anyone guilty won't be spared."
"That's not fair!" Paige shouted. "Just who the Hell are you guys, anyways? It's bullshit to think the minister or Draculos would send people like you to help!"
"Paige," Elvin whispered frantically, "don't make them angry."
"What? Why?" Paige demanded. "What they're doing isn't fair! They can't just—!"
"They can," Penelope interrupted, Paige looking at her sister. "These are the people who were once tasked to hunt down Mary Jane all those years ago."
That made Paige freeze. "What?" she whispered. "B-But… Who are they?" She shook her head as her rage was back. "They can't just take you guys! We can fight them!"
"We can't."
Paige looked over to Linus. His teeth were gnashed together as he glared unguarded hatred at the major general.
"Don't even try fighting them," Linus said lowly. "I know these guys and I know what they're capable of. They could bring Gildarts to his knees without even trying."
"That's bullshit!" Paige cried.
"It isn't," Linus countered. Sweat mixed with the rain on his icy skin as he reverted back to his normal appearance. "It doesn't matter how highly-ranked a Mage is. Once they're considered dangerous, these guys can instantly take them down without breaking a sweat."
Paige blinked. She tried shaking her head. "No, but… How?"
"Because they're not just normal humans," Linus told her. "They're something I wished died out centuries ago." His being shook with his own loathing. "They're vile and cruel assassins built to be our opposites." His eyes narrowed at Major General Maxim. "We call them…Magic Hunters."
Major General Maxim slid in his into his jacket and casually pulled out a strange gun. It was thick and shined in black with something pulsing inside it. He pointed it straight at Penelope and needed no help from a scope to know she was his target. His eyes glinted with an odd energy as he locked it on her. "Well, now…"—he took off the safety—"time to purge this town of you disgusting Magi."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure 029
Magic Hunters
マジックハン ターが到着！プッシュがショックになると、氷の悪魔が現れます！
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"Wild Lightning Storm!" Lance chanted as lightning lashed out from his person.
Juvia and the creatures surrounding Lance hissed as they leapt a safe distance away from the lightning strikes. A few water creatures and familiars were killed for being too slow, but Juvia merely snarled and glared at Lance for his attempt to keep her at bay.
What the familiars and creatures did not predict something else would attack them.
"Ice-Make: Crescent Blades!"
Juvia flinched as icy projectiles in the form of crescents rained about her. They slammed into familiars and cut them down with precision that could only take decades to master. The watery creatures were caught up in the confusion that they did not even notice poised lightning bolts whipping them until it was too late, and they exploded into particles of water. Juvia covered herself from the devastation and confusion and did not notice Lance running towards her.
Lance clapped his hands together before slamming them on the ground. "Lightning-Make: K'awiil Serpent!" he chanted. Lightning snapped away from him and traveled through the ground. The bolt of cyan lightning formed into a serpent of a winding body and four electrical claws. Its jaws snapped open in a roar as it made its way to Juvia.
Juvia squealed her surprise when the lightning serpent coiled around her. She hissed, but the serpent hissed back with a tongue of lightning. She was forced to let go of her water form in exchange for human skin. Her eyes were wild with hatred as she wriggled her way out from the serpent's bind.
Gray helped Lance up, but his eyes focused on his wife. "It won't hurt her?" he wanted to be sure.
Lance shook his head. "Not unless I wanted it to," he promised. "The worse it'll do is give warning shocks, but it won't hurt her any worse than that."
Gray nodded his appreciation towards Lance. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Lance admonished. "Are you sure this'll work?"
Gray heaved a sigh as his eyes drifted back to the furious Water Mage. "I just want to try," he murmured.
Lance noticed the shadows of more familiars. "I can buy you time," he promised. "I want to see Aunt Juvia again too."
Gray nodded. "Thanks, Lance."
Lance chuckled. "Like I said, don't thank me yet. Thank me when Aunt Juvia is back to being herself." He turned away as his cyan lightning charged his being. He burst away like a lightning bolt and towards the familiars daring to show face.
Gray turned back to his wife. He approached Juvia like approaching a rogue dog waiting to bite the hand that tried to feed it.
Juvia's eyes locked on him and she snapped her teeth in his direction.
"Juvia," Gray called softly. "Juvia, it's me. It's your beloved Gray. Can you understand me?"
Juvia snarled.
"Juvia, I need you to listen to me," Gray persisted. "This isn't you! I don't want to fight you like this! I need you with me, fighting by my side."
Juvia only thrashed even more.
"Juvia." Gray's voice wavered a bit. "I love you."
Juvia stopped her thrashing.
Gray kept going and took a few steps towards her. "That's why I need you to snap out of this. I love you and I need you with me. Our kids need their mom. Silver needs us to help him."
Juvia eyed him, but it seemed she understood his words this time around. Those hateful, glinting eyes changed back to her dark blue.
Gray kept his distance, but he continued: "Right now, there's a lot happening. The Guardian Duo are destroying Margaret Town. We're facing monsters. But, I can't face them without you and you know that."
Juvia's water form wavered a bit. Her skin and clothes were returning to her, slowly but ever so surely.
Gray took that as a cue to keep talking. "You and I are in this together. We're a team. I told you that at our wedding, didn't I?" He smiled a little. "I'm lucky there's a woman crazy enough to put up with me, you know that? And I'm lucky I got to marry her and get to love her."
Juvia blinked as her water body broke for her solid form. Dizziness and pain overwhelmed her and made her sway. "Da… Darling," she moaned.
Relief flooded Gray. "Juvia," he breathed.
The coiled serpent uncoiled around Juvia, its work done, and evaporated back into Ethernano particles. Juvia swayed and nearly fell face down, but Gray caught her in his arms. Juvia grunted against him.
"Juvia's beloved Gray," Juvia whispered. "How could Juvia forget her beloved and her children?"
"It wasn't your fault," Gray hushed.
Juvia shivered as a sniffle came out. "But, it is," she lamented. "How could Juvia want to hurt her beloved? She loves Gray!"
"I love you too," Gray assured soothingly. He kissed her dampening hair. "It's okay, Juvia. I'm just glad you're back."
"Juvia is sorry," Juvia cried. "Juvia is so sorry."
Gray held her tighter. "I know, but don't be," he calmed. "It's not your fault, Juvia."
"Juvia is sorry," she whimpered still. "Juvia is sorry… Juvia is…is…"
Gray noticed something was wrong and looked down at his wife with a frown. "Juvia, what's wrong?" he demanded to know.
Juvia's breathing became labored. "Juvia… Juvia…" She tipped her head up.
Worried darkness clashed with glazed deep blue.
"So…rry," was all she got before a blank look over came her face and she fell limp in Gray's arms.
Gray's eyes widened. "Juvia!" he cried. "Juvia, talk to me! Wake up! What's—?" His eyes saw something silver and looked at her left calf to see a dart had pierced her. It was the mark on the dart, however, that he noticed the most. Something thundered in his stare. "Hunters," he snarled.
SPLASH.
"We'll be taking the Magus now."
Gray looked up to see a team of two people walking towards them. One looked like a child with her braided hair and big eyes. She held a leash in her hand and a collar floating by itself was attached to it, tugging her along. The other person was female as well, thick and dark-skinned. Her hair was puffed in a curled afro and her eyes were a golden amber. She seemed at ease like the town was not being destroyed.
Gray glared at her. "Why did you shoot my wife?" he snarled. "She's not a criminal. She hasn't done anything wrong."
The dark-skinned lady smiled her demented smile. "From where I was standing, she seemed like she wanted to kill you and the little Zeus-wannabe."
⌜TASK FORCE 93
Name: Faye
Occupation: Magic Hunter
Likes: N/A Dislikes: N/A
Special Note: Faye is a mystery, just like the other Hunters.⌟
Gray clutched Juvia tightly like he was protecting her. "You can see she's not going to kill us," he countered. "She's fine now!"
"And, just when is this 'fine' spell going to end?" Faye wondered. "She would've went right back to trying to kill you."
"She wouldn't have!" Gray spat, wholly believing his words.
Faye shrugged. "Well, either way, she was a rogue meaning we have to tag her and bag her." She looked at the child with no softness in her eyes. "Let her go."
The child dropped leash and the sound of paws scraping against the earth quickened.
"No!" A Magic Circle appeared below Gray. "Don't you touch he—! Ah!"
Gray's Magic Circle left him as something bit into his shoulder and dragged him away from his wife like he was a rag-doll. He tried to get his hands on whatever attacked him, but he felt nothing but air.
Faye stepped up to the unconscious Juvia and picked her up like it was nothing, throwing her over her shoulder. "Don't you worry, Mister Fullbuster. This isn't like the little problem you had with your kid," she assured. She did not sound assuring. "Little Miss Juvia will just be taken outside of the town and put into a holding cell for twenty-four hours. If she's fine, she'll be free to go."
Gray howled when his right arm bled, wounded by teeth marks. "I would never trust the word of a Hunter! Not after what you did to my son!" he snapped. Black began to crawl up his left arm. "All of you are nothing more than the scum of this nation—of this world!"
Faye ignored him to walk away with Juvia. "Shoot him," she ordered the child.
The little girl casually pulled out her dart gun and aimed it for Gray.
Gray was not having it. "Give her back!" he roared. "Ice Devil's—!"
PING.
Gray's eyes widened when the dart hit his chest. The world tilted for a moment and everything went into double vision. The teeth on his flesh left him. He looked down at the dart and a sloppy hand tried to remove it. All that got him was his back slamming onto the ground.
SPLASH. SPLASH. SPLASH.
His eyes tried to follow the floating collar and dragging leash as it scampered back to the child. "No," he tried to fight. "Juvia… Give her…back…"
He could hear his name being called in the distance. His name sounded full of anger and panic.
"Juvia," Gray breathed as black dotted his vision. "Juvia…" Black ensnared him, and his consciousness slipped away.
Juvia…
The cage of rogue creatures and Mage had been melted in various places and that was not a good thing.
They were free to do as they saw fit. They were free to pounce upon their prey and boil them. The familiars ignored them and they the familiars. Neither held any interest to the other. The humans were their only prey. That was all they focused on.
"Iron King's Shield!"
Olivia cringed behind her shield as she felt boiling water hit her shield. Her Iron Beast Armor clung to her with a few scratches, but her body was worse off. Her left leg had a deep cut she was trying to heal, but she could not focus on it with the battling. She was too engrossed in defending herself she did not notice a wildcat familiar lunge for her until it was nearly too late.
SLICE.
Galileo slashed the familiar's chest with his arm blade, causing it to disintegrate. "God, sis, I leave you alone for five minutes and you leave your back wide open," he teased.
"Shut up," Olivia snapped with no real harm behind it. "I've beaten you enough to know I'm the better fighter." She pushed back on her shield for the rogue water creature trying to boil her to be slammed back.
Galileo shield himself from a Water Mage's slicer with a wall of iron. "You know, you insult me a lot for someone so short," he complained.
"We're the same height!" Olivia cried. She tore down her shield to see familiars and watery creatures alike (both of water and plain mythical creature) gaining on her and her brother. She growled. "You don't have the required dendrites for me to argue with you." She flapped her wings to get into the air before throwing herself into a ball. "Iron Wheel!" She slammed onto the ground in a mass of spinning gray and sped away from Galileo.
Galileo pouted. "I'll have you know my dendrites are intact, thank you very much!" he shouted back. He saw red grow onto his wall and let it evaporate only to look at hissing Water Mages and other creatures along with them. "Meanie. Here I am just setting the record straight. Oh, well." He clapped his hands in prayer as his Magic Circle appeared below him. "C'mon, you guys! Show me what you've got!" He put his hands on the ground. "I call upon the iron of Mars!" he chanted. "Let's go! Iron-Make: Ilmarinen's Hammer!" A giant hammer made of pure rhodium appeared before Galileo, ingrained with his same tattoos. The hammer wasted no time smashing only into familiars and watery creatures, letting the rogue creatures live.
Olivia burst free from her Iron Wheel only for a Water Mage to rage scalding water onto her armor. She hissed as she leapt back only for a familiar to ram into her. She was not one to take anything lying down as her metal tail glowed in Magic. "Iron Tail!" she chanted as she whipped around. She slammed her tail into the familiar and it bowled over, knocking back its comrades. She panted as she looked at her approaching enemies. "This is getting annoying," she muttered.
A fanged smile. "Hypnos' Touch!" came a chant.
Olivia looked over her shoulder to see a Water Mage falling to the ground, unconscious. Her stare went to the Mage who did it and smirked. "My hero, the King Cobra himself," she teased.
Orochi put his glove back on and grinned. "Always leaving your back open, Ollie. And, you became S-Class," he tutted all in a good fun. Familiars were creeping up behind him.
Olivia shook her head as she conjured daggers in her hands. "Don't be so jealous, Oreo. You'll make it there some day. Now, stand still and look pretty." Without any more explanation, she threw her daggers at the familiars and watched in satisfaction when they plunged into their targets.
Orochi glanced over his shoulder to see the familiars evaporating. "I feel like you're the prince and I'm the damsel-in-distress," he laughed. His eyes went behind Olivia as he saw creatures rushing towards them. He frowned and pulled off his glove once more. "Stay right there," he ordered Olivia.
Olivia smirked. "As you wish, princess."
Orochi held up his hands like he was clutching a bow and arrow. He made sure he was over Olivia's shoulder and he narrowed his eyes. "Poison Arrows!" he chanted and let go of his invisible string.
The enemies continued their sprint, but, right in the middle of their stride, something rained on top of them and they disappeared in violent puffs of black and disintegrated into innocent puddles of water.
Orochi put down his hands with a smile. "There. We're even."
Silence.
Orochi looked at Olivia to see her head had dropped ever-so-slightly. Concern etched on his face mixed with knowing. "Are you okay, Ollie?" he murmured.
Olivia took a shaky breath. "No, but I will be," she answered, honest.
Orochi noticed they were not alone, but that did not bother him. His attention was only on Olivia. "Are you sure you don't want to go back to the guild?" he asked. "You and Galileo should be with him."
Olivia snorted, sarcastic and humorless. "Trust me. That's the last thing Gale would want," she assured. "He would get pissed if he knew we were with him instead of fighting." She added quietly, "But, he should be out here with us."
Orochi put back on his glove to rest his hand on her shoulder. "If I know Gale, he's not going to like his big sister taking pity on him," he tried to jest. "You know he hates that. And, you're right. He'd want us to fight out here than be right with him. But, I can handle myself fine out here. I know Gally-Gally will want to stay here too. But, do you?"
It took Olivia a few moments to answer. "I want to avenge him," was all she said.
"Then, let's start with the audience we have," Orochi urged. "You go for the familiars and those water things. I can take out anything else." He smiled a little. "Anesthesia is my specialty."
Olivia chuckled. "Don't even start," she tried to warn.
"It got you smiling," Orochi reminded, smiling more. "C'mon. I don't think our audience will wait anymore."
Olivia turned around to see they were completely surrounded. She grinned, showing some fang. "We wouldn't want to keep them waiting," she supposed.
"Hey! Don't leave me out of this!"
Galileo inserted himself into the little circle they made with only a few scratches and no burns. He shook his wet hair and frowned as he touched it. "Oh, man, my hair," he lamented. "It's totally ruined."
"Really? That's what you care about right now?" Olivia asked dryly.
"I care about the hydrogen bonds in my hair," Galileo corrected.
"Tell me we aren't related," Olivia pleaded to Orochi. "Please. There's no way I'm his twin."
Galileo stuck his tongue out at Olivia. "You're just jealous I have longer hair."
"Why would I ever be jealous of that?" Olivia demanded to know. "Especially with you and your high maintenance, Perench-imported shampoo and conditioner—"
"It's called 'hygiene', Shortcake," Galileo sniffed at her.
A tick mark landed on Olivia's head. "It's called 'high maintenance', smart ass," she bit back. "And, I'm not—!"
"Guys, let's save the sibling rivalry until after we're done here, okay?" Orochi suggested as he saw their enemies inch closer and closer. "Then, you guys can argue until your hearts' content."
Galileo and Olivia huffed, turning away from each other like upset children. "Fine," they grumbled.
Galileo suddenly grinned. "Bet you I can take out ten times more than you," he challenged with his words slurring together in a rush. He touched his metal arm. "Hardon Mode: Activate!"
Olivia grinned back. "You're on!" she decided. "Iron Beast King Cannons!"
Orochi just blinked as he watched the twins transform before his very eyes. "Um… Guys…?" he called meekly. "I think we should have a game—"
"Iron Beast King…Rooooooooooooar!"
"Explosió Cinéticanos!"
As explosions violated the air and the sounds of alarmed cries blasted into Orochi's ears, he merely sighed. "…plan," he finished lamely. "I'm forgetting the Iron Twins don't do planning." His eyes sought a water creature trying to sneak up on him. It was a rogue bunyip with burning hatred in its eyes. "That's okay." His Magic Circle pulsed beneath him, a burgundy color with a mesmerizing swirl surrounding a toxic fan symbol at its core. His eyes began reptilian slits. "I'll just start with you." And his tongue flicked out, forked and snake-like.
T'oree looked like a fiery goddess as her eyes glowed orange and burned solar energy into the familiars and watery creatures trying to kill her. Her curled, lengthy tresses of red had fired up into literal fire and gone was her cute ensemble in efforts to look like a regular human. Her Vanhallan battle armor fit her just fine, a sun-kissed body suit with three suns of yellow, blue, and red on her chest. She looked like a warrior of the sun herself as she flew, destroying enemies as she saw fit.
"Lord Cadorius," she called, "do battles like these happen often at these festivals?"
Cade skateboarded down the street, trying to outpace the familiars and watery creatures sprinting after him. "Not really, but I'm starting to see a trend," he shouted back to her over the chaos of the storm. He gripped his cross necklace. "All right, Llamrei, let's do this!" His Magic Circle bloomed beneath him as he pushed his skateboard to go faster. It was rounded like the Round Table and appeared in a murky green color. Twenty-five swords pointed inwards, each holding a different name. The symbol of a rampant dragon stood at the center of the Round Table. "Transform! Knight Soul!" he chanted. "Sir Galahad!" His entire Magic circle rotated until one symbol took it over: a shield with a cross marking it. His own sword necklace transitioned from silver to a blooming ruby.
Take-Over Magic was different for every user and how it felt. You were taking over the soul, the very existence, of something else. For Nashi, she could feel herself in a serene place. Her armor would materialize at the permission of her Divine Soul and cling to her very being. For Ellie, she would see the souls of the different types of fae creatures before her. They would step forth and embrace her, willingly giving her their power. For Mira, she could feel the Demon Factor wrap around her entire body and transform her into a monster.
For Cade, he befell into a place he had seen over and over again. Red burned his vision as he saw the knight Sir Galahad before him in his glorious red armor with hints of white and silver and gold. His sword was plunged before him with his shield in front of it, a glistening white with a red cross bottony* on it. The symbol of King Arthur rested in the middle of his shield, gold and confident, not arrogant in the slightest. Sir Galahad looked as every bit as a Knight of the Round Table should be with his noble grey eyes shining and hair flowing behind him with his royal red cape.
Cade grinned at the Red Knight of the Round Table. "Ready?"
Sir Galahad nodded. "Always, my King."
Cade took off in a spring towards the Red Knight. Sir Galahad did not even flinch as Cade ran towards him. Instead, his eyes closed as red pulsed from his very being.
And, Cade slammed into him, making everything explode.
No longer were Cade's enemies trying to keep up with a male on a skateboard. A mare took the place of the skateboard, pelt white as snow with her own armor forged just for her. She pushed her hooves to go faster down the street. A knight road her like he was born to ride. Red and silver armor clung to his being, not overly-clunky or lacking its protectiveness. His cape flowed behind him with the Arthurian dragon stitched into its material. Cade wielded the silver sword Moraea with his shield Corbenic with ease and glanced behind him. The familiars and watery creatures were gaining ground.
"C'mon, Llamrei, I know you can go faster than this!" Cade spurred.
Llamrei snorted and proved him right as she pushed herself to go even faster.
T'oree flew to Cade's side and looked like a ray of sun doing so. "Where do we lead them, Lord Cadorius?" she asked, having no trouble keeping up with him and his mare.
Cade let out a terse breath. "I don't know, Tor," he grunted. "I don't know these streets like I know Magnolia."
"Shall I fly ahead?" T'oree offered.
"Go for it."
T'oree nodded and pulled ahead, ascending into the sky.
Cade's eyes flicked to watch her leave before glancing this way and that.
How could familiars be here? What does that even mean?
T'oree rejoined him and pointed. "I have found a cul-de-sac, I believe you call it. Would that suffice?"
Cade jerkily nodded. "Yeah! I can work with that! Let's go!"
Getting to the cul-de-sac was easy. It seemed like the cul-de-sac was for commercial buildings and retail stores all since-abandoned ever since the evacuation. T'oree, Cade, and Llamrei went deep into the cul-de-sac and their enemies followed them quite blindly. Their minds were dead-set on one thing: killing the humans.
T'oree turned to face them, floating in the air, while Cade pulled Llamrei around. She whinnied, a bit uneasy at the sight of the ugly monsters. Cade ran a soothing hand down her neck. "Don't worry, girl. We've got this."
T'oree looked up and her eyes narrowed as she saw more familiars and watery creatures surround them from the rooftops. "Lord Cadorius," she called, "I propose I take care of the enemies on the roofs and you stay below with your mare."
"Sounds like a plan, Tor," Cade agreed. He visibly hardened as he readied himself, twirling his sword. "On my signal."
T'oree nodded.
Cade watched as the enemy inched closer to them, not at all wary or suspicious. They were monsters blinded in a vengeful hatred with no sense of suspicion or caution. They prowled towards their target and were eager to kill.
"Llamrei," Cade said, "you with me?"
Llamrei stamped a hoof twice and neighed loudly.
Cade grinned. "That's my girl." He glanced at T'oree. "All right, Tor. Get ready."
T'oree let her hands ignite into the blazing colors of red and yellow as her eyes began to glow orange. "As always, Lord Cadorius," she promised.
Cade swallowed back any nerves he felt. "All right… Just a little closer…"
An awful thing that looked like a half-dead moth given a bigger body dared to flap closer to the Vanhallan, the human, and his steed. A watery Kelpie reared back on its hind-legs and gave a warring neigh before bursting into a gallop, impatient.
"Now!" Cade cried, snapping his reigns.
Llamrei neighed her own battle cry as she pushed herself and her master towards the enemy.
T'oree roared as she soared to greet the ones daring to attack her from the air. A beam of solar energy came out of both her glowing fists and she swept them across the rooftops. Explosions occurred, and the rooftops took damage, but the enemy was burnt to a crisp and crumbled without any fight. Cade and Llamrei pelted towards their own enemies with Cade readying his shield. "Corbenic," he called, "obey your knight! Cross Shield!"
The red cross glowing on the shield burst forth and rammed into a group of cretins, expunging them.
Cade readied his sword. "Morae, obey your knight!"
Moreae glowed a vicious red for its master.
"Moreae," Cade chanted, slashing his sword above Llamrei's head, "Volley!" Hundreds of swords appeared before Cade, each a copy of the original Moreae sword. Cade pointed into the fray with his sword. "Charge!" The copied swords soared at their opponents without hesitation. Some pierced their target directly. Others had minds of their own and hacked at the legs of bigger enemies to weaken them. Cade pulled Llamrei to move to the side as he shielded himself for a watery merrow that lunged for him. His sword electrified as he stabbed the watery merrow and its fragmented, breaking back into a puddle of water.
Swordplay came easier to Cade than he ever thought it would in his lifetime. What his copied swords did not kill, he killed himself with ease. His sword was like his extended arm and moved as swiftly. He used his shield sparingly. His reflexes were quick enough to perish his enemies instead of hide from them. Llamrei did her part as well. She stomped on anything that would try to nip at her ankles. The uneasiness in her movements was replaced with her own fury that creatures as vile as this would try and touch her rider.
T'oree soared in the air like an aerial ace. She led her enemies in an endless chase. Her hands glowed orange. "I shall show you a true war if that is what you desire," she snarled. "May the sun goddesses Elekt'ra, Phaët'ra, and Hekt'ra bless me with a halberd!" Orange broke into her hands in the form of her pole with a large axe-blade and a sharp blade forming at the top. The orange broke off for the halberd to be ready for use.
T'oree surprised her enemies as she looped around and plummeted towards them with her halberd. She cut down a hawkish familiar with no remorse before whirling around and her eyes beaming solar energy at a watery Horus. She swung her halberd around for its blade to puncture into a large watery Abaia. The creature choked as she drove her blade back and pierced more creatures with them. She did not watch to see them fall. She only care about killing as many as possible.
The fight did not take anything out of the two Fairy Tail Mages. Between Cade's sword and T'oree's halberd, the number of enemies dwindled until both were down to their last rabid few. Dispatching them took no skin off their backs, even if both of them had a few scratches from feistier familiars arguably stronger than their brethren. T'oree floated back down to Cade and Llamrei with her halberd in her hands and seemed rejuvenated rather than tired.
"Although these circumstances are not ideal, I had…fun!" T'oree admitted, beaming.
Cade snickered, shaking his head as he killed the last familiar daring to touch him. "I keep forgetting your people are war-driven," he said. "I'm happy the second War Princess of Vanhalla is enjoying herself."
T'oree giggled. "Verily."
A hiss made both of them tense.
T'oree's eyes shifted around. "Have we missed one?"
Cade furrowed his eyebrows as he thought it over. He looked around the empty cul-de-sac. "I thought we—" He stared at a quivering shadow hiding itself behind a pillar. Caution swept over him. "Hey, you!" he shouted. "Come out here, you coward!"
The shadow hissed and ducked back.
T'oree gritted her teeth in her agitation. "It dares defy us," she growled. She began to fly to it. "I shall have words—!"
"Wait, Tor!" Cade cut in. Something was not right. His eyes kept to the pillar and he guided Llamrei into a slow walk towards it. "Hey," he murmured. "Are you…? Are you a human?"
The shadow merely trembled.
Cade sheathed his sword. "I'm a Mage of Fairy Tail," he greeted. "Name's Cade le Fay, King Arthur of Fairy Tail." He pointed towards the wary T'oree trailing after him. "That's T'oree. We're not here to hurt you—we promise. We just want to make sure you're safe."
T'oree did not like the looks of this. "Lord Cadorius," she tried to hiss.
The shadow stopped its trembling and peeked a bit from the pillar.
Cade smiled a bit. "That's it," he encouraged. "You can come on out now. It's safe."
The shadow paused. Then, it slunk itself into the light, showing its form. It was a human, all right. But, it was—
"Silver?" Cade questioned. His eyes widened on the young Water Mage in badly-concealed surprise. "You were here this whole time?"
Silver said nothing. He kept his head down.
Cade's shoulders sank as he sighed. "Geez, kid, you were going to give us a heart attack," he scolded. He lightly kicked Llamrei's sides and she took that as her cue to walk. "Is anyone else with you? Are you okay? Last I heard, you were in a sick bay."
T'oree's unease was very present as she hung back. "Lord Cadorius," she tried to stop.
Cade slowed Llamrei down to a stop when Silver was ever-so-quiet. Worry made room for caution. "Silver," he said, careful. "You there, kid?"
Silver said nothing. He stayed perfectly still.
Then—
—he took a step.
Cade blinked his surprise as he watched Silver take staggering steps toward him, like walking was more of a chore than an everyday action. Llamrei snorted and shifted in her anxiety, but she would not move without her master's say-so. Cade could only watch as Silver approached him before stopping a good five footsteps away.
"Silver?" Cade called again. His eyes quieted into suspicion. "You okay?"
Silver did not say anything.
Silence passed between them with only the battle of the gods and the chaos of the storm to rumble in their ears.
Silver tipped up his head.
Startled grey clashed with hateful blue.
Llamrei reared up on her hind legs, clearly frightened, as Silver sprang at Cade with water coating his arms and forming gauntlets. Cade barely had time to shield himself as Silver landed a boiling bunch to his shield and knocked him clear-off Llamrei. His foot was caught in his stirrup and he landed awkwardly on the ground, arm bent on his sword. He shouted as Llamrei dragged him, galloping away from Silver.
"Llamrei! It's okay, girl!" Cade tried to soothe.
Silver to pursue his victim, but T'oree stopped him. She was not hostile as she gazed at the aspiring Triton of Fairy Tail, but her gaze held little warmth. She guarded Silver with her mighty halberd. "Lord Silver, I plead for you to cooperate." Her tone sounded poised and regal—she sounded like the war princess of Vanhalla and not the clueless alien of Earth Land. "You will not harm your friend."
Silver's wild eyes seared into her own unique ones before he switched tactics. He summoned a whirlpool and threw it in T'oree's direction. T'oree did not even need to flinch as the water evaporated before it could touch her. This made Silver angrier yet wary. He circles his arms around for water tentacles to come to his aid. He whipped a hand around. A tentacle responded and lashed at T'oree.
Again, T'oree did not flinch as the water evaporated before touching her. She landed back on the ground and walked gracefully towards Silver.
Silver snarled and kept up his tentacle attacks. His tentacles zoomed for their target, burning hot and ready to grab their victim. But, they were burned away before they came close to touching T'oree. She looked undisturbed as she kept her stride.
"Somehow, you fail to forget the power of your ally," T'oree noted, lifting her chin. "I am a sun-kissed royal. Fire may not douse your water directly, but you stand no chance against the three suns of Vanhalla." She let her halberd burst into harmless particles. "I shall remind you what you have forgotten, Lord Silver."
Watching T'oree ignite herself made Silver feel less hatred and more fear for the person he desired to kill. She no longer stood as a princess in her orangish skin and flaming hair. She had become a vessel of the sun itself. Her entire being was fabricated by the sun's radiant energy and burned within and without her. Her green eyes and golden irises transitioned into a dark orange and maintained their cool. The mark of the three suns stitched into her battle armor burned on her chest to remind all the three goddesses of Vanhalla's suns had kissed her and blessed her with their gift.
Silver dropped to his knees at the sheer power radiating off T'oree. His eyes were wide, still spiraling in unwanted hatred. But, they humbled with dread. Even water stood no chance against the sun. T'oree was only ten steps away and perspiration mixed with the rainwater clinging to his body. He could feel the intensity of the heat getting to him as his head swayed and his eyelids drooped. His water was drying up, even his own saliva. He desperately licked his lips to savor some moisture, desperate for the rain to give him strength, but with such intense heat before him, he could do nothing but be at its mercy.
The hatred glowing in those blue eyes died. Silver found himself more alert that he could no longer feel water below his skin. Death and thirst drained any resistance from his body. He looked at T'oree with those eyes she always saw when she stepped into the guild hall. "Miss Tori," he wheezed.
T'oree's gaze softened a tad. "You understand now, Lord Silver." She doused her solar prowess as sun changed to skin. The only flames remaining on her was her fiery hair, but she made sure the heat was bearable. Like a doting sister, she strode to Silver and knelt before him. "I am sorry for making you feel such a thing." And, she was. The remorse felt heavy on her tongue. "You are my friend. I do not wish to make you feel death."
Silver coughed. "S'okay, Miss Tori," he croaked. "What…? What happened? I just remember being at the sick bay and…"
T'oree grappled the situation. "On Vanhalla, if the great gods of the moons and suns grew wrathful, my sister and myself would show no mercy and rage. We would become the vessel of their ire," she explained. "This 'River Guardian'… Its own wrath must have influenced you."
Silver's eyes stung with regret. "I'm sorry," he choked, shaky. "I'm really sorry, Miss Tori."
"Do not be sorry, Lord Silver," T'oree chided in sisterly consolation. "I, too, understand your pain. When I woke from my suns' anger, I felt bitter at myself for falling for their whims. But, I have learned my actions are not my fault. Blame the gods. Their anger spilled onto you and it is not right."
Silver sniffled. "I'm really sorry," he whimpered.
T'oree wiped away a tear that strayed from Silver's eye. "Do not cry, Lord Silver, for your apologies are not necessary," she soothed. "I am the one who is sorry for making you feel such pain. I did not mean to hurt my friend."
Silver shook his head. "You didn't, Miss Tori," he insisted. "I should be thanking you. You saved me!"
"I wish she saved me," came dry note.
T'oree and Silver looked up to see Cade approaching them with Llamrei walking beside him, tamed. Cade narrowed his eyes at Silver. "Geez, kid, remind me to not piss you off," he joked.
Silver looked down, mind muddled in his own guilt. "I'm sorry, Cade," he mumbled. "I'm really sorry."
Cade dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "Nah, don't be, kid. Besides"—and he grinned and winked—"I'll get you back someday. When the next Guild Games come around, you better watch out for me."
Silver picked up his head to smile, if a little weak. "I promise I will."
T'oree frowned as she looked at Cade. "Are you hurt, Lord Cadorius? Do you need medical attention?"
Cade shook his head. "Nothing broken or bruised besides my ego, Tor," he jested cheekily. "You okay? You looked like a damn goddess when you lit up like that! I haven't seen you do that since you tried to nearly kill me way back, but just—!" He lowly whistled as T'oree giggled. "Thank Jesus you're on our side."
"You should see my sister. She lights up into the moon and looks so beauteous," T'oree admired. "I look nothing more than an untamed fire."
"Are you shitting me?" Cade asked, incredulous. "Tor, you look amazing like that! Just, please, don't do that to me when you're mad."
T'oree chuckled. "I would do no such thing, Lord Cadorius."
Cade grinned. "Now, I don't know about you guys, but I'm thinkin' we sho—!" His eyes widened.
T'oree and Silver blinked their shock when too many things happened at once. Cade's Magic enveloped him as he fell forward and left him stranded in his civilian form. Llamrei neighed loudly and tried to fight with everything she had, but she ultimately reverted back to being a skateboard. Cade fell flat on his face with a dart in his back and did not say a word. He did not jerk or flinch. He laid still.
T'oree and Silver blinked. Then, their eyes widened in horrid realization. "Lord Cadorius!/Cade!" they chorused respectively and flocked their fallen comrade.
T'oree took to cradling Cade as the naked worry haunted her eyes. She pulled out the dart and threw the poison elsewhere. Two fingers went to his neck. "He is alive," she said shakily as she found his pulse. "But, wh—?" Her own words died as her eyes widened.
Silver gaped as T'oree fell awkwardly atop Cade, limp. "Miss Tori!" he cried. "No! Please, wake up!" He noticed the dart on her back and yanked it out like T'oree had done to Cade. "Oh, please, wake up," he begged. "Miss Tori! Cade!"
SPLASH.
"Uncle Bundy, I caught the two aliens!"
Silver turned his head to see a proud little girl in her dual braids and missing her two front teeth and a bottom one was growing back in. The back of her hand had the tattoo of a skull and two guns crossed behind it. She looked quite pleased with herself as she held her gun and skipped about.
⌜TASK FORCE 93
Name: Brusca
Occupation: Magic Hunter
Likes: N/A Dislikes: N/A
Special Note: Brusca may be young, but there is no information about her.⌟
A warm smile. "You did well, Brusca."
Silver noticed an older gentleman with aging hair accompanying Brusca. He looked unbothered by the rain in his rain jacket and held two leashes with collars that magically pulled themselves like dogs yanking on their leashes. The gentleman noticed this and whistled. "Control yourselves," he barked on command.
⌜TASK FORCE 93
Name: Bundy
Occupation: Magic Hunter
Likes: N/A Dislikes: N/A
Special Note: Like all Magic Hunters, Bundy is a mystery.⌟
Silver did his best to glare at the two of them, but the fear he felt was overwhelming and he shook from it. "What did you do to my friends?" he barked. "They didn't do anything wrong! You didn't have to shoot them!"
Bundy noticed Silver and squinted at him. Something came to him. "Wait… You're the Ice Devil's little brother," he realized.
Silver was taken back at that.
Wait. Does he mean Gary?
"Brusca, say, 'hello', to Ice Devil's little brother," Bundy ordered. "He deserves some respect."
Brusca scampered behind her uncle to look at Silver in her shyness. She waved. "H-Hello," she whispered before hiding again.
If two of Silver's friends were not lying unconscious, he would have thought the action was cute. But, the situation demanded him to be angry. "Who are you people?" he demanded. "What did you do to my friends? They didn't do anything!"
Brusca frowned and grew a bit bolder. "But, they're aliens!" she argued. "They're not supposed to be on Earth Land!"
"So, what?" Silver snapped. "They're doing nothing wrong! They're innocent people!"
"They're illegal immigrants, Silver Fullbuster," Bundy rumbled. "They are not permitted to live in this world."
"The heck they are!" Silver fired back. "So what if they're from somewhere else? They're home is here! They're Mages of Fairy Tail!"
Bundy shook his head. "Magi never learn do they," he muttered. "Running their mouths like this. Brusca?"
Brusca took out her gun. "Yes, Uncle?"
"Shoot the Magus," Bundy ordered, making Silver panic. "He's a rogue. We'll take him to the holding cells."
"Wait!" Silver tried to plead as Brusca locked her gun on him. "Don't—!"
It was too late.
The dart pierced Silver's chest.
His Magic wreathed inside him, defeated and restrained. He could feel exhaustion hit him hard as his body fell to the side. He tried to keep his eyes open as he saw footsteps patter over to him.
"So, this is the Ice Devil's brother," came a note of wonder. "Can I keep him?"
A rough chuckle. "No, my pet. We didn't come here for that." The voice grew muffled as fatigue roared in Silver's ears and his eyes fell shut. But, he heard words he wanted to remember for they carried something ominous with them. "But, the Ice Devil is here with that little pet girl. If you're good, I'm sure Mister Gavrilo will let you play with her."
A cute cheer. "You think so, Uncle?"
The next words fell deaf on Silver's ears as he gave way to the exhaustion blanketing him.
From the safety of the guild hall, Erza and Ooba watched live feed of another Water Mage being hit with a dart and hitting the ground, unconscious. Erza hardened and Ooba gave nothing away.
"So, Hunters are in our midst," Erza hissed dangerously.
"We can't fight them," Ooba state, spinning her arms. "Not even an S-Class Mage stands a chance against a fully-realized Hunter."
"What do you propose then?" Erza challenged. "That we let out Mages be put down like a wild boar?"
Ooba watched another Mage and magical creature fall. "I think our captains and commissioner will have a better answer for us." She called out to them telepathically. Captains, Commissioner Eckart—are you with me?
Thaddeus responded in his childlike voice. I am here, Master Ooba.
As am I, Eckart thought gruffly.
Captain Frollo here.
Captain Tanya as well.
Why was I not alerted of the arrival of Magic Hunters? Ooba demanded to know. Did any of you know about this order?
Frollo answered. Negative, Master Ooba. My communications with anyone outside of Margaret Town is down.
I can't believe Hunters would be sent, Tanya gnashed. They call us names and mock us like we're disobedient pets. Their help is more hurting to our side.
They won't kill us. Thaddeus' voice sounded certain. Not when they're here under ministry orders. The worst they can do is knock us out.
'The worst', Commissioner Eckart echoed. And just who are they knocking out?
Erza added to the conversation. The rogue Mages and creatures will be their targets. But, knowing Hunters, there's always more on their list.
"Master! Master!"
Ooba and Erza looked to see flower child Kazari rushing to the stage with wide eyes.
"Masters, I can't reach them!" Kazari panicked.
"'Can't reach' who?" Ooba needed to know.
Kazari shivered. "Some of our guild mates are vanishing from my links with them," she explained. "I've been trying to call them, but no one is answering."
Something hit Erza and made her eyes widen. "Hunters… Oh, no…" She gave Kazari a hard look. "Can you reach Gary Fullbuster?"
Kazari put two hands to her temple as she tried to sift through her links and the minds of the town to find him. Her brow furrowed at her discovery. "Something's blocking me from him. I know his mind is there, but I can't talk to him," she answered.
"We need to find him," Erza told Ooba. "With Hunters here, he can't be left alone."
Ooba understood that all too well. "You're right," she agreed. "We'll send a recovery team to get to him."
Erza let out a terse breath.
I promise you, Gray, Juvia, I won't let him be taken away from you again.
Riding Flynn back into town was a bit of a workout for Julia. Her thighs burned, but she ignored the pain. There were more important things than that.
Flynn followed her command with ease. He was well-trained, not even hesitating to jump over dishes or gallop through ridiculously-sized puddles. He wove through trees and jumped over bushes.
CR-CRACK.
Julia looked over to see lightning had struck a tree in the forest. It was not close by, but it was still nothing assuring.
Flynn snickered a little, but he was undaunted.
Julia grinned. "Attaboy, Flynn," she praised.
The duo burst from the tree line and could see Margaret Town from the perch on a hill top. Julia's eyes scanned the town. She saw the broken houses abandoned and empties and buildings made for business to be crushed at the hands of the two gods. She saw the suzaku and the pixiu battling in the sky. The suzaku was did not give up on its war-path and made sure the pixiu could not defend herself. The suzaku blasted water at the pixiu and the pixiu, rather than run, tried to defend itself in a ball of cloud.
Flynn whinnied and paced in place as if to wonder why his new rider would desire to go into such a war.
Julia stroked his neck. "C'mon, Flynn. I've got to get down there." She snapped his reigns.
Flynn led her down the hill the best he could. He avoided as many obvious mud puddles and slid a few times, but he got them both down and closer to the town. Suburbs out-skirted the town with houses given a lot of land for their backyards. But, those homes were abandoned and untouched in bloodshed. Flynn took them into the suburbs to see carriages and Lacrima Four-Wheel Drives had been left behind. Toys in driveways were left for the rain to claim. No one was staying when such a battle fell onto their home.
A battle that should have never been.
CR-CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
Lightning streaked the sky.
Julia pulled Flynn into a cautious canter as they fled down the street. Her eyes slowly went this way and that as she tried to judge her environment. Everything seemed off about this being untouched. No sign of watery creatures patrolled for easy pickings. No Mages were here. It was nothing.
Julia slowed Flynn into a trot, then a walk. "I think you should go back to your rider," she decided. "I feel something ominous around here and, when it comes out to play, you shouldn't be here."
Flynn bobbed his head up and down and snorted, picking himself back into a trot.
Julia smiled. "You're a brave-heart, Flynn," she complimented. "Just don't say I didn't warn you."
Flynn snorted again.
Julia was vaguely familiar with this part of town and led Flynn as best she could. She saw the trolley line that connected the suburbs to the rest of the town. The trolley line went over over a massive bridge and Flynn and Julia approached it no problem.
Flynn stopped dead when he saw what was beyond the bridge.
Julia stopped as well.
A gluttonous familiar had taken to be the bridge-master with its fat stomach and hungry eyes. It looked like a demented baby that had been coddled all its life. It salivated as it looked at the sight of two new meals.
"So…hungwy," it moaned in a voice combining male and female. "Need…snack…Mama…"
Julia pressed her lips into a grim line. "Oh. I get it now." She dismounted from Flynn to stroke the stallion's jaw. "Flynn, you better go back now, okay? I can handle myself."
Flynn neighed and bopped his nose onto Julia's. His tail swished as he turned away and galloped back to his rider.
Julia kept her eyes on the familiar. "A familiar, huh? Interesting."
The familiar point a fat finger at her. "Eat you," it wheezed. "Eat weak human."
Julia slowly smiled. "You think I'm weak?"
The familiar showed its shark teeth. "No Magic," it spoke, pointing out a fact. "Weak meat."
"So, just because I'm not a Mage, I'm not really a threat to you," Julia assumed. "I'm just a weakling." She grinned as her hands went over and slid down her neck. "You disgust me." In a flash, her hands gripped something and pulled them out from underneath her jacket. They were blades that glinted strangely and she positioned herself offensively. "You're right," she said. "I don't have Magic Power. That was my choice. But, I get by."
The familiar licked its lips. "Eat you," it wheezed. "Eat weak meat."
Julia grinned. "You're made nothing from Curses, from Ethernano." She adjusted herself ever-so-subtly. "That's good for me. My Anti-Ethernano weapons are going to love you."
Without Flynn, getting back to Linus and Elvin will be a bit harder, but I can manage. As long as I have my weapons, I can make it back to them.
Julia charged at the familiar. "You want to eat? Then, eat, you bastard!"
The familiar gave a delirious giggle as it reached out for Julia. "Eat you!"
Julia avoided being grabbed and jumped onto its arm. She twirled her twin blades. "How does this taste, familiar?" she roared.
And, before the familiar could make a grab at her, Julia stabbed it in the eye.
Draculos sat in his office. The only light he needed was one desk lamp. No Lacrima-Vision or Lacrima Ball or anything else. He seemed at ease, like he did not just return from a meeting with the Ministry of Defense staff and he was not aware of the situation in Margaret Town.
At least, so what anyone would think.
He did not even open his eyes as he sighed. "So, it's come to this," he supposed. "Have you come to watch?"
There was silence in the room.
"All we can have now is faith," Draculos continued. "All we can do now is pray Miss Alberona was right."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Pantherlily cut through his last chimera, a lion combined with a turtle. The entire plaza was full of dead chimera who had fought valiantly to defend their territories. Gajeel was already running out of the plaza with his arms back to flesh and not caring blood that was not his own touched his clothes.
"Let's go, Lily!" Gajeel shouted.
Pantherlily took off after Gajeel in an instant.
The two passed through another entryway to see the Museum of Fine Arts. It was surrounded in chimeras ready and willing to lay down their lives in the name of their Tamer. Some circled around the museum in patrol rotations, but most made sure the entire museum was guarded from outsiders. Needless to say, the ones on the steps noticed the Dragon Slayer and the ex-Traitor of the fallen Extalia. Growls and hisses rippled among the masses with hackles raised and tails lashing. Intruders. Outsiders. They needed to be killed.
Gajeel flexed his right arm for it to turn into a chainsaw. "You ready, Lily?"
Pantherlily wielded his Müsica Sword with ease. "Don't even have to ask, Slayer."
The chimeras looked restless with the violent need to descend onto their prey, so that was what made it weird. None of them moved from their post.
Gajeel narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Are they expecting us to come to them or somethin'?" he grunted.
"I don't know," Pantherlily said slowly. "It's like they're waiting for something."
And, wait for something they did. The chimeras blocking the stairs parted. A different chimera descended the steps, more different than the current chimeras. This one looked like the leader of the herd with broad shoulders and a lion's eyes. It had the size of an overgrown lion as well with the tusks of an elephant and the muzzle of a wolf. Bullhorns rested on its head and gills reflexively shifted on its neck. Its paws were clearly feline with claws sheathed, for now.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« This is a Royal Chimera, often found to be bigger, stronger, and faster than regular chimeras. A Royal Chimera cannot be made, but it is born. So far, magizoologists have only recorded fifteen Royal Chimeras in existence, but theorize there may be more. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
It graced itself onto the ground and stared at the two before it. There was no hatred in its eyes. It looked like it was observing the two, trying to communicate. Eventually, its head swung into Pantherlily's direction and began to chuff.
Pantherlily growled as his teeth bared a little. It was no out of aggression. He was communicating back with his tail flicking.
The chimera stopped its noise and turned back, climbing up the steps.
Pantherlily sheathed his sword as Gajeel asked, "What was that?"
"His Tamer would like to meet us," Pantherlily revealed, following after the chimera. "I suggest we play along."
Gajeel locked his jaw, but his arm turned to flesh, and he followed the duo.
The walk up the steps was not without chimeras flashing their fangs and snapping them at the outsiders, the intruders. They did not like this. But, their Tamer had given command and they would not abandon his orders to sate their own needs. The Royal Chimera needed no help opening the doors to the museum for the doors opened on their own accord. It began to lead them through like it was giving them a tour. Chimeras were posted at stations and would bare their necks in submission to their chimeric leader, showing fang to the outsiders. Gajeel and Pantherlily found themselves stopping a few times when they saw bloodied guardsmen that had fallen into the claws of chimeras with their aralez dutifully dead at their side. Gajeel tensed, but he kept walking. He could not afford to stir up trouble in his own growing anger.
The Royal Chimera led them up to the second floor. It was the same—chimeras that despised the intruders and dead guardsmen littered here and there with their blood poisoning the floor. They came up the last staircase to the third floor when things got different. Gajeel and Pantherlily were swallowed in runes with meanings they could not begin to understand. Yet, they did not care for such an ancient text. They did not care for the centerpiece of the Guardian Duo and the masked maiden who could soothe them. They cared for the scraggy man sipping his beer near the balcony and entertaining himself with the battle of the gods.
"You made it," Spezi announced.
The Royal Chimera left the guests to go to its Tamer. It purred as its head rubbed against Spezi's head. Spezi stroked the muzzle of the Royal Chimera as if to thank it.
"So, Bluenote wasn't lying. Good for him," Gajeel said gruffly. "What the Hell is a Tamer doing all the way out here? Especially one that likes to evade being arrested."
Spezi smirked. "Captain Redfox is in the building, everyone," he mocked. "I'm a Tamer, Captain. You think I'd miss this for the world?"
"Not even an S-Class Tamer can tame creatures that powerful," Gajeel snapped. "They're spirits."
"You're right, Captain," Spezi agreed. "Tamers can't tame a spirit. Only a Celestial Spirit or Zen Mages can befriend spirits with access to their medium." He let go of his Royal Chimera to reach into his pocket. "But, I never said anything about taming them." He drew out something and dangled it for all to see.
Gajeel snarled at the pocket watch and the symbol on it. "You're one of them," he spat. "A Warlock."
"Perceptive." Spezi pocketed his watch.
"What the Hell do you want with the Guardian Duo?" Gajeel demanded to know. "They ain't actual gods—you know that, right?"
"They're gods in a way," Spezi said airily.
"And, you think you can control the gods," Pantherlily stated, lips curled into a sniff. "You'd be arrogant to think such a thing, Tamer."
"Of course I'd be too arrogant to try and control gods. I'm not stupid enough to try that." Spezi took another sip of his beer. "Trying that is a whole can of worms I'm not trying to open."
"Doesn't matter if you're trying or not—you're screwing around with the River Guardian." Gajeel's arm turned into his club. "Meaning you're the one to take out if we want to fix this mess."
Spezi smirked. "Don't be so quick to act, Captain. Remember, they're spirits. What would knocking me out accomplish?"
"You're the one who possesses their medium," Pantherlily decided.
Spezi shook his head. "I wouldn't go as far as to say I have it. But, I wouldn't go as far to say as I didn't have a little fun with it…"
Gajeel realized something. "I heard about some dick robbing the museum of that urn thing with some poison it could make."
"Guilty," Spezi declared. "Bluenote was in on it too. And, that Mist Mage, but, well, she was cut from the group."
"Which means you poisoned the medium," Pantherlily concluded. "You're controlling the medium."
Spezi shrugged. "I'm taming it," he agreed. "But, I hate to break it to you. See, knock me down all you want. Nothing will change." He swirled around his beer. "Ya see, Bluenote, his associate, and I knew you'd try to take us out to stop our little show, so we had a little contingency plan drawn up. Even if we all die, the great gods of this shitty town will keep going until everything is destroyed."
Pantherlily snarled. "What do you gain from this? This is nothing but senseless chaos!"
"Everyone wants something," Spezi assured. "We do this for reason. And, letting the River Guardian loose and raging is all part of the plot, even if it is just a subplot."
"So, this is one big game to you until you get the outcome," Gajeel growled. "But, what do you want? What do you want at the end of this?"
Spezi's eyes glinted. "Simple," he assured. "We want what everyone wants… Freedom."
As Elvin and Paige rounded the corner, Linus and Penelope stopped to give them some time, their Magic Circles blossoming.
"December Boreas!" Linus chanted, flowing his arms out before him and sending wintry winds in the direction of the Magic Hunters.
Penelope's eyes glinted as one hand turned fist and the other hand slid to cover it. The hands slid out to cup each other in front of Penelope with their palms facing the street. "Ghoul Drive!" she chanted.
Rising before her was a mass of souls that did not look human and more beast. Humpbacked, rotting, and dead eyes—they were nothing more than blood-suckers and body lusters.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« These are Ghouls, demon souls that enjoy the taste of blood and collecting riches. A ghoul often hangs around farmlands for easier prey, but powerful Mages can summon them. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Penelope's Ghouls eagerly lopped towards their incoming prey with the winds of winter swirling around them.
Linus bounded away with Penelope flying right beside him. They heard the sounds of explosions and buildings caving, but they paid them no heed as they went after Paige and Elvin.
"We have to slow them down somehow," Linus told Penelope. "Magic might get them to move, but we both know spells don't work on them!"
"I know," Penelope said. "If I could, I would use the full extent of my power. But, I don't want to give them anymore reason to take me in."
Linus agreed to that. "I have an idea. It won't stop them, but it just might slow them down enough. Keep going and catch up with them." Without any more warning, he screeched to a halt and whipped around while Penelope flew away. His eyes caught Maxim's down the street.
Maxim smirked.
Linus let his Magic Circle bloom beneath him. "Snow…"—snow swirled around his left arm—"and Ice…"—ice swirled around his right arm—"With you, I summon the Everstorm!" His hands came together and slammed down on the ground.
The result of Linus' Magic was instant and frightening. Ice burst away from his body and layered the entire street without second thought. Snow and wind crashed and mangled together in a mess with hail joining the fiasco like it belonged. It was impossible to see anything down the street from an ever-storm that refused for mortal eyes to see through it.
Linus kept up the spell with ease. It drained him a bit of Magic, but not enough to exhaust his reserves. A good Mage knew what spells and forms would plummet your energy and what risks to take.
I can only hope this will slow them down, Linus thought. If anything, I'll keep them busy so the others can esc—
The sheer pain of what he felt next nearly has him stop his spell.
Linus looked into his shoulder to see a dagger had dared to kiss his skin and wedge into it. He could not help the cry of agony he felt form it.
Dammit. An Anti-Ethernano weapon.
A blur leapt out of the Everstorm and over Linus before another one join. Both were the women Hunters and they sped off to their prey. Their hunt was not with the Jack Frost of Lamia Scale.
Maxim was the next face Linus saw and he smirked at the rage and anguish cursing Linus' eyes. "You Magi never change," he tutted. His hand whipped out to take the blade from Linus' shoulder and ripped it out—
—only to plunge it into Linus' stomach.
°•°•°•°
Penelope easily caught up with Elvin and Paige, but, now that she did, her pace was dangerously slowed to match Paige's limp.
"We can't continue at this pace," Penelope insisted. "I can levitate you—"
"Nelly, don't give me that crap," Paige spat, hissing when her foot twisted a bit. "You don't think I've noticed a drop in your Magic Power?"
Penelope's eyes sharpened. "I didn't become S-Class without reason," she argued in her cool tone. "Levitating you is nothing. Same to Elvin."
Paige glared at her twin. "And, then what?" she snapped. "We can't just fly off and leave Linus! If those Magic Hunters are that dangerous, we have to help him! You have to help him!"
Penelope stood firm on her decision. "Not without making sure you're safe, Paige. Unless…" Her eyes went to Elvin.
Elvin steeled himself. "Penelope," he warned.
"Shift."
"No," Elvin snapped back. "I'm not going to hurt Paige anymore. It's not worth the risk."
"I have to help Linus," Penelope said, siding with Paige. "You can get her out of here faster. Shift."
Even Paige looked uneasy of the command. "Nelly, we shouldn't fight about this now."
Penelope swiveled her gaze on her twin. "I can't afford to lose you." Her words, for once, sounded less cool and more grieving. "If anything Anti-Ethernano hits you or Elvin, it would be disastrous. In your state, death would come. Elvin would shift no matter what. If his body is too injured, his Magic will take charge."
"I can't do it." Elvin swallowed as he shook his head. "We need to think of something else."
Penelope barely sensed them as she whipped around. Two hands curled and twirled around before thrusting forward. "Soul Protect!" she chanted.
Elvin and Paige flinched back when Penelope's translucent fern-green shield protected them from the female Hunters and their weapons. The females did not give up as they tried to find a chink in the armor, a weakness in the shield. Paige, however, looked horrified and gaped at her sister.
"Penelope, you can't!" Paige pleaded. "Dad said that's too dangerous! You're not supposed to use your soul like this!"
Penelope locked her jaw as she kept up her shield. "I have to…protect you both," she gritted out. "My soul is bound to Magic, but the Anti-Ethernano can't do much damage to it."
"But, the risk, Penelope," Elvin hissed. "You could die if you use your soul like this!"
Pale red burned into chestnut.
"I'm not afraid to take risks for my loved ones."
And, just like that, every word Penelope said hit Elvin.
Penelope's eyes swept back to Paige. "Go," she urged. "Get away from here. That Major General must be fighting Linus. These two have Elvin and me they're hunting for. They won't touch you, Paige." She let her eyes drift back to her frozen cousin. "Protect her with everything you have. I will do my best to hold them off while you escape. The sheer force of my soul will at least keep one of them back, but not the other. Run as fast as you can."
Elvin avoided her eyes. "I'll always protect my family," he murmured. "I'll get her to safety."
Paige wanted to fight—God, she wanted to!—but it was pointless to stay and argue. She resigned to nodding at Penelope. "You know I love you, right?" she rasped.
Penelope let her lips draw into the smallest of smiles. "I love you too, Paige. Now, go."
Elvin scooped Paige into his arms with care and did not even think about wasting time. He pelted down the street with Paige watching her sister in pure worry.
Penelope noticed one of the Hunters—Rocha was her name—took quick notice of her prey leaving and tried to dart towards them. Penelope raised up an arm as her hand turned into a bear paw. "Soul Hands!"
Rocha gave no cry of alarm as fern-green energy wrapped around her with fingers, keeping her in place. The other female Hunter—Corona—looked a bit surprised at this turn of events and especially when her own weapons could not put a dent into the hand.
Penelope panted as a hand reached up and clawed at her heart.
I can't keep using my soul as power, but I at least can buy them some time.
LUB-DUB.
Penelope sucked in a squeaking breath as her eyes slammed shut. Everything hurt. Her body, her Magic, her soul—they were rejecting each other from the decision her mind made. And, her heart was being punished for it.
Please, she begged to no one, please let me keep this up for a little longer.
LUB-DUB.
Please… Please…
Penelope's hand pawing at her heart slowed down.
Please…
Her entire arm fell limp.
°•°•°•°
Paige slumped against Elvin with her pale red eyes burning in shame. "You should've just left me," she muttered. "I'm slowing you down."
"Don't say that," Elvin shushed. "You're not slowing us down. We don't leave any Mage behind."
"We left Nelly," Paige lamented. "We left Linus… We should've stayed and fought with them."
"And let them put you in a coma?" Elvin said, tone biting. "Anti-Ethernano weapons are no joke, Paige. A Mage at top form would contract a Level 3 Stage of MDD. But, you could die from getting hit. I'm not letting you die."
"Nelly said they weren't after me," Paige pointed out.
Elvin grimaced. "I bet they are now," he had to admit. "Don't worry, though. I won't—"
Everything slowed.
The hair on the back of Elvin's neck rose.
His entire body caught itself into a crouch as the stone of the street began to curl—
—and was hit with darts.
Elvin found himself back in real time as he kept up his run. Paige's eyes were wide as she peered over Elvin's shoulder to see Rocha and her emotionless mask pelting down the street for them.
"No," she whispered. "Nelly…"
"Turning your own soul into power is something only the strongest of Mages can do," Elvin admitted. "She bought us time."
She took a risk. Penelope's braver than I'll ever be.
Elvin avoided more darts as, with each step, he created sharp pillars to protect him and Paige. For a while, he thought it worked and kept running. He could not stop.
But, he had to when Rocha leapt over him and into his path.
She pointed her gun at him with no remorse and every intention.
Elvin did not take his eyes off her as he set Paige down. He stepped to protect his cousin. He would not leave her alone.
Rocha took the first shot.
Elvin protected them as his Magic Circle appeared below him with the stone shifting out of the ground in the form of snakes. They hissed as they tried to stop Rocha, but she took it in stride. She leapt onto their backs and ran for Elvin.
Elvin found his options dwindling.
I have to protect Paige. I can't let her get hit. I can't.
Rocha was closing in. Just a few more meters…
Elvin's left hand twitched.
Magic won't work… But, I…—his eyes closed—I can't…
Rocha leapt up. She was above Paige and Elvin and her target was in-sight. She fired her dart.
Paige could not tell you what happened and how it happened next. Elvin was a man standing before her.
Now, her cousin was a lavender elephant with the dart wrapped in his trunk.
Paige's eyes widened as Elvin threw the dart away. "Elvin…" she whispered.
Elvin let all a trumpet noise through his trunk as Rocha fell back on the ground. He was not just a boy anymore. But, a change like this never affected a Hunter. If anything, it excited them on the thrill of it.
Rocha swapped out her gun for another one. She pointed it at Elvin before letting it fire.
Elvin's entire body shifted and shrunk down into an alligator. The dart ricocheted off his hard skin as he opened his jaws, baring his teeth in a sign of high aggression.
Rocha did not even bat an eyelash at the threat. "So, he is a Shifter, a Changeling," she mused, accent thick. She put her gun back into its holster to show her metal arms. Her hands sunk in for blades to replace them. Anti-Ethernano blades. "This will not take long."
Elvin hissed at her in crocodile tongue before charging at her, midway changing into a lavender rhinoceros. He let out a roar before bowing down his head for his horn to pierce Rocha.
When Rocha was just about to pounce on Elvin, Elvin's form shifted into a violet peregrine falcon. He cawed as he soared away to fend for himself.
Paige was horrified. "Elvin, no!"
Rocha skidded to a stop and her sharp eyes latched onto Elvin. Then, they slid to Paige who tried to look strong. They narrowed. "I not take you," she spoke in her rough accent. "Not the objective." So, her blades became hands once more and she dashed in Elvin's direction—
—leaving Paige to sink the ground she tried to understand what happened.
°•°•°•°
Linus was shoved into a door and barely had time to dodge from a blade aimed for him. He rolled away in his Ice Form. He did not make it far when Maxim swung a fist at Linus's jaw. Linus staggered back in a grunt and did not even have time to recover when a foot kicked his gut. His eyes flew open and he was pushed back onto the ground. He coughed and tried to get to his feet.
Maxim smirked as he walked over to Linus. "I can't believe S-Class Magi are so weak!" To emphasis the adjective, he kicked Linus again. His hand grabbed onto Linus' head and dragged him upwards.
Hateful forest clashed with cocky dark.
"Now, don't look at me like that, Magi," Maxim chuckled, mocking his coo. "After all, you got yourself into this mess. I'm just getting everyone else out of it."
"And, you're doing a fine job of that," Linus spat. "Beating me up is proving what, Hunter?"
Maxim yanked on Linus' hair even harder as he produced a knife. He was casual to press it onto Linus' throat, but he took inward pleasure in the burning Linus felt. "It's proving a point, Magus," he whispered. "It's proving no matter how strong you Magi get, no matter how many levels you make, no matter how strong of an opponent you defeat, you will always fall to a Hunter. You can bet your ass the little Ice Devil you care about will be back where lab rats belong."
Linus growled at that. "You're trying to control a storm, Major General. No one can do that."
Maxim's deep laugh rumbled in his chest. "Let me put you in on a little secret." He leaned forward so his lips were in Linus' ear. "You think your uncle killed the head scientist behind your precious 'Storm's capture all those years ago? You think you arrested those people?" His lips twirled into a crafty smirk. "Oh, Jack Frost… They're all still alive."
Linus' eyes widened. "No," he whispered.
"And, they can't wait to see how their little lab rat faired all these years…"
"That… No…" Linus refused to believe it. "No, they can't…"
HSSSS.
Maxim dropped Linus as he avoided a shuriken trying to hit him. He was light on his feet as several more came from multiple directions and tried to hit him. When the attacks came, Maxim looked around before looking at the shurikens.
His eyes widened when he saw they had surrounded Linus and were all simultaneously pulsing.
He ducked down the street and the shurikens exploded into a mass of thick smoke. Maxim stopped his running to walk through the smoke. His eyes shifted around.
WSH…
Maxim caught the tail-end of a silhouette, but that was it.
He heard nothing.
He saw nothing.
By the time the smoke cleared, Maxim was left alone. No Linus, no shurikens—just him.
He smirked. "My, my… Someone has seemed to think they got the drop on the Hunters."
°•°•°•°
DRIP.
Blood curled out of Penelope's nose.
DROP.
But, she held strong to her soul power as Corona pounded on it.
Just a little longer… I can—!
She gasped when Corona tried to pierce the shield with her sword. More blood streamed out of her nose.
Pale red eyes showed emotion. Rare, yes, but it happened. They glistened with pure regret.
No, I… I can't be… I have to give them more time. You can't—!
LUB-DUB.
She sucked in her breath as her heart pounded against her chest.
I can't go through rejection again. Not when I…
LUB-DUB.
Penelope's body shook and staggered onto her knees. She tried to keep up her shield, but it was decreasing in size.
And, Corona noticed that.
DRIP.
A tear streaked Penelope's cheek.
DROP.
"Please," she begged. To whom? Perhaps her Magic? Her body? Just to something. "Let me do this. Please—Gah!"
Corona used both her swords to stab into the shield.
The entire shield broke.
Penelope fell forward as her eyes blanked into nothing.
LUB-DUB.
Oh, no… Penelope thought. I…failed…
Corona dropped to the ground before surging for Penelope. She changed from blade to gun and was ready to shoot point-blank at her target.
HSSSS. HSSS-HSSS-HSSS.
Corona leapt back as shurikens surrounded Penelope's fallen body. When she saw then pulse as one, she ran off.
BOOM.
The shurikens exploded in a mass of smoke.
And, when the smoke vanished, Corona saw she was all alone.
°•°•°•°
Paige found herself hobbling back in Penelope's direction. It was hard and she used anything nearby as a crutch. She could barely move, but this was her sister. She would move for her sister.
"Nelly," she coughed. "Nelly…"
I have to…get back to her… Dad said using Soul Power isn't Magic. You convert your soul into energy. But, even if you use that energy…you could—
Her knees buckles and she fell onto her hands and knees. Breathing was hard. Walking was hard. Everything was just too damn difficult.
"Shit," Paige laughed with little humor. "I can't be giving up like this. I promised Mom I'd look-out for Nelly."
STEP… STEP…
"Well, then, keep that promise."
Paige tipped up her head to look at the sight before her. A stupid grin was drawn on her face. "You came back…"
There stood Julia with rain staining her skin. Linus and Penelope flanked her with different types of injuries. Linus had lost a fair bit of blood, but not enough to keep him permanently down. Penelope just looked throughly exhausted with a self-given bloody nose.
Julia smirked. "Did you really think I'd leave you guys?" She shook her head as she drew everyone closer to Paige. "Where's your faith, Wild Thing?" She held out a hand.
Paige took it. "Ugh. Don't even talk to me about faith. I still hate church." She grunted as Julia helped her to her feet and her pale eyes met her twin's in heavy worry. "Nelly, you okay? You're bleeding."
Penelope did not even blink. "Self-inflicted injury. Result of using Soul Power. Nothing I can't fix."
Paige frowned, but she did not even try to argue. "Well, Elvin got away with that Hunter chick," she informed.
Julia's eyes widened. "He shifted? Are you serious?"
Paige nodded. "He did it to protect me," she confessed. "He led her away—"
"Not necessarily him," Penelope interjected. "If he shifted, his Magic might've just wanted to get away from its predator. Maybe it looked like Elvin helping you, but I doubt he was in total control."
Paige found herself disheartened. "Right. Got it," she mumbled.
"We need to move before the Hunters are back on us," Julia ordered. She turned her head to Linus. "Know anywhere safe?"
Linus nodded slowly. "Yeah. I have a friend who lives around here with a cellar. Runs off its own power and everything. He was always afraid of the end of the world and turned it into his own 'Apocalypse safe house'. I can take us there."
The walk to the house was not that far. It was in-between a florist shop and another townhouse. A nice thing with two floors and flower boxes attached to the windowsills. Linus had no issue finding the spare key in the flower box and unlocking the door.
"Are you sure this is okay?" Julia wanted to know.
Linus pulled out the key and opened the door. "Yeah. He's fine with it. Told me if I'm ever in a bind, I could hide here." He jerked his head towards the inside. "Get in."
Everyone shuffled inside with Linus coming in last. As he shut the door and locked it, Paige took a look around. The entire house was immaculate with odd antiques everywhere. Even the shoes were color-coordinated.
"Wow. This guy is freaky," Paige remarked.
"A bit of OCD mixed with constant paranoia does a number on you," Linus supposed. He led the way down the hall with a hand covering the wound on his stomach. "It's this way."
Linus led the ladies down the hall and to a door. He opened to reveal—
Paige cocked an eyebrow. "So, this dude's safe house is a…coat closet."
Linus grinned. "You would think so, wouldn't you?" He raised a hand to the coat closet. "Unlock," he commanded.
In a flurry, violet runs crawled onto the entryway, blocking the view of the coats. They cluttered to make a puzzling door complete with a giant key hole dead center.
Paige blinked her surprise. "Woah. A ward…"
"Speak your truth," came a disembodied rumble. "She who is damned by marriage, sinned with lightning, and grieves eternally is who?"
"The one with no eyes and no children, the Lamia," Linus answered flawlessly.
A pause. "Very good."
The door fell into a solid state of violet before burning into a stainless steel. The entire door was tattooed with the mark of the Lamia Scale. A series of clicks and turns cane before the door whistled open. It was surprising to see how thick the entire door was, but was more surprising was the steps leading downstairs.
Linus looked at the girls who looked at him in shock. "Let's go check out the safe house, shall we, ladies?" he proposed.
To the girls' surprise, the safe house had wooden steps leading down into a cellar. The cellar was nothing built for luxury—that much was clear. However, it looked relatively clean and functional. More than just functional.
Paige was slack-jawed. "So, there's a kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom, a living room, and even a walk-in pantry," she listed.
Linus drifted to the couch. "Everything's fully-stocked and up and running," he informed. He grunted as he sat down on the couch and kicked off his shoes. "He powers this whole safe house on a dIfferent generator, part Lacrima and part regular electricity." He swung his legs onto the couch to lay on it.
Julia was at his side soon enough. She was gentle as she took his hand off his stomach injury and her navy eyes darkened in concern. "Anti-Ethernano, huh?" she assumed.
Linus hid his pain with a smile. "Not as bad as it looks," he promised. "I've got a lot more Magic Power—"
"That keeps draining quicker than it should," Julia finished for him and knowingly-so. "You know as well as I do that you can't go on like this without your wounds treats."
Linus chuckled. "Are you going to nurse me back to health?" he teased.
Julia rolled her eyes as she got back to her feet. "You wish, Jack Frost," she muttered.
Linus smirked. "If I wish for it—"
"Not happening, dumbass," Julia answered boredly like she knew what she coming. "Try not to die while I go find some medical supplies, okay? Can you at least do that much?"
"I'll be good just for you since you asked nicely!" Linus called as Julia strayed away from him. He leaned back into the couch and sighed, closing his eyes. He could hear Maxim's voice slipping into the cracks of his mind.
"Let me put you in on a little secret. You think your uncle killed the head scientist behind your precious 'Storm's capture all those years ago? You think you arrested those people? Oh, Jack Frost… They're all still alive."
Still alive, huh? Linus thought. We should've known it wouldn't have been that easy. Storm… I know that you don't trust me. But… I won't let anything happen to you again. No one deserves a fate like that.
Knuckles pressed against each other with the pad of thumbs touching. Fern-green pulsed off them as the hands slid into an open triangle.
Two words whispered out of a mouth. "Healing Wavelength!"
Linus' eyes snapped open as he felt something glorious washing over his entire body. His mouth opened to gasp, but all he got out were little chokes of confusion and bliss. The wounds on his body entirely closed. Black smoke exited Linus' mouth. It was the Anti-Ethernano being purged from his body. He felt like his body was numb with a pleasuring warmth to the point of a blush settling on his cheeks and a slight moan leaving him.
The process was over after a few moments, and Linus was left alone. He looked down at his body to see himself good as new. "That was…amazing," he whispered. He turned his head. "Penelope—"
THUD.
Penelope crumpled on the ground with blood coming out of her nose and mouth.
Paige poked her head out from the kitchen. "What was—?" She saw her twin sister and her eyes darkened. "Crap."
As Paige tried to hurry to her sister, Linus was on his knees, cradling Penelope. "What did you do?" he lamented. "Why did you do that?"
Paige grunted as she lowered herself onto her knees. She rubbed Penelope's back. "She used her Healing Wavelength on you," she assumed correctly.
"But, why?" Linus demanded. "You need it—!"
"Linus. Look at me."
Linus did so and was shocked. Many of the wounds Paige sported were slowly healing themselves without need for a Healed. "What the…?"
"Animal thing," Paige wrote off. "Well, more like a Take-Over thing my mom can do. If I ever need it, the souls I collect can help me heal. I'm not as fast as my mom, but it comes in handy sometimes." She winced. "The only bad thing about it is I'm left without the use of my Magic for a little while, so I don't like using it."
Linus understood. "I see." His forest eyes went back to Penelope. "She's amazing," he complimented. "Using the power of her own soul? I mean, yeah, you have Take-Over Mages, but nothing like this."
Paige smiled. "My sis is pretty special," she agreed. "A lot of it came from what our dad taught."
"Bixslow can use his soul like this?" Linus questioned.
"Yeah. The old man doesn't use it a lot since it's a borderline Taboo, though," Paige explained, grimacing. "The Magic Council may or may not have seen him use a wavelength once before and fined him for it."
"Committing Taboos are high penalties," Linus reasoned. "We still don't know the extent of them. Some Taboos could kill you or the people around you. Some Taboos make you ten-percent weaker. But, some of the more obscure ones can make you do something. Maybe you have to make origami for the rest of your life or maybe you have to torture animals every Friday." He shook his head. "She risked too much to heal me."
"Nelly never does anything she doesn't find necessary," Paige defended. "Even if it's weird to us, she knows it's necessary. If she used her Healing Wavelength on you, then I know it was needed."
Julia came back with two medical kits. "Okay, guys, I have the…" She zeroed in on Penelope's crumpled form and rushed over. "Jesus, what happened?!"
"She healed me using her soul," Linus answered. "We need to get the blood off her."
"Just clean it off for now," Paige instructed. "The nose-bleeding stopped."
Julia opened a kit to do so. "So, what should we do next? Should we head back to the guild?"
"Not when Paige is healing and Penelope is knocked out," Linus rejected. "We'll be safe in here. Once Penelope's back on her feet, it'll be easier for us to travel."
"Good idea," Paige praised. She frowned. "I just hope everyone else is okay. If those Magic Hunters are running around…"
Elvin… Will you be okay?
Julia touched Paige's shoulder with a warm smile. "I have faith Elvin will keep himself safe, or, at least his Magic will. Hopefully, when Penelope wakes up, we can go find him."
Paige nodded at that, but she still looked saddened over her cousin's abandonment.
Linus and Julia shared a glance before Julia went back to cleaning Penelope.
I'm more worried for Gary. If Hunters are back… He'll be in the most dangerous if he's found. And, if they plan on doing what they did years ago…
Her navy eyes steeled with the need for revenge.
…I'll be sure I'm ready for them.
The Household of Eucliffe was a nice condo that kept close to the Sabertooth Guild. Dishes were in the wash. Leftovers were put away. The lights were off in every room except for three: two belonged to teenagers and one belonged to their parents. The master bedroom had been a complete steal. It was large enough for more than a queen-sized bed and dresser and a desk. An electric fireplace was inside the room with a Lacrima-Vision mounted above it. Pictures of the changing years were placed carefully on the surrounding bookshelves and on top of the mantle. Some were of the children and their playing between each other and their friends. Others held the entire family. Others would hold rare moments when both parents were caught in the midst of a romantic time.
A low growl came from the couch before the fireplace and Lacrima-Vision. Angry blue eyes watched the news broadcast
"The Hunters, though, John—are they really necessary?" Yoko wondered, a beautiful thing with deep brunette hair and a twinkle in her eye. She watched the live streaming of the war upon Margaret Town. "I've always heard Hunters weren't anything to be messed with. Sort of terrifying to me."
John was her co-host, skinny but good-looking, even if he did not know it. "Honestly, Yoko, I'm not too big of a fan of Magic Hunters," he said in his opinion. "They're walking Anti-Ethernano and I hear they do a lot of dirty work in the underground. But, if Task Force Ninety-Three was sent out, we know there has to be a good reason."
A remote was thrown and nearly broke.
"There is no good goddamn reason!" came a snap. The snap came from a man of blonde hair that had been slicked back over the years. The cowlick was still there. He sat in a tank top and sweat pants with irritation written all-over his face. His fangs flashed as he bared his teeth at the Lacrima-Vision. "Just what the Hell is the Ministry of Defense thinking? Shit, what's the Council thinking?" he raved.
⌜SABERTOOTH
Name: Sting Eucliffe
Occupation: Guild Master
Magic: White Dragon Slayer
Likes: fighting Natsu Dislikes: N/A
Special Note: Master Sting may be a Guild Master, but he still causes destruction on jobs every once and a while – not that Yukino is happy about that!⌟
A soft sigh. "Sting, please, not so loud," came a chide. "Lector is sleeping and the kids don't need to hear you swearing."
Sting softened his growl, but that did not mean his temper was gone. "Sorry, Yuki," he apologized. "This is just...!"
Yukino came over to the couch. She had changed very little over the years with her silvery-blue locks framing her face and her eyes ever-so-gentle. "I know," she soothed, "but getting angry won't solve anything."
⌜SABERTOOTH
Name: Yukino Agria-Eucliffe
Occupation: S-Class Mage
Magic: Celestial Spirit Magic
Likes: dancing with Libra Dislikes: paperwork
Special Note: Yukino is a kind woman with even a kinder heart—but don't you dare talk badly about spirits or her guild!⌟
Sting guided Yukino to his lap and held her against him. He huffed. "You don't know how badly I want to be there," he grunted.
"Still can't get through to Ooba or Erza?" Yukino asked.
Sting shook his head before nosing his way to Yukino's Mark. "No, and it's killing me," he rumbled. "I swear, Natsu gets to have all the fun nowadays and he loves to rub it in my face."
Yukino laughed her disbelief. "You Dragon Slayers and your weird need to one-up each other," she teased. She stroked the back of Sting's neck, thumbing at his hair. "I haven't had much luck getting anything out of my connections to the Ministry of Defense," she noted. "I don't know why Minister Marignano would give the order to send out the task force." Her mouth molded into a hard frown. "Something more must be happening if he'd stoop to using the Hunters."
"After what happened with Gray's oldest kid, I will never trust a Hunter," Sting growled.
Yukino hummed her strong agreement, but it was best to change the subject. "Did you call the other Guild Masters in the Provincial League?"
Sting groaned. "Yeah," he muttered. "Since the whole town has those stupid soldiers surrounding it, there's no way we could sneak in without facing the consequences. Master Mi ultimately made the call that we can't storm in. Said somethin' about Draculos ordering for us to stand down and crap. Can you believe that? How could he expect us to sit back and not help our friends?"
"Draculos always has something up his sleeve," Yukino pointed out. "Whatever he says, he says for a reason." She smiled at a memory. "Remember when we first met him at your first Council meeting?"
Sting blushed a bit. "Don't remind me," he moaned.
Yukino decided to tease him a bit more. "And, he said—"
"Yukino…!" Sting whined loudly, causing said wife to giggle.
Yukino put her forehead against Sting's. "We both know how strong Fairy Tail and Lamia Scale are. With the Council on their side, I don't want to believe they'll lose because they won't," she soothed.
"I know," Sting mumbled, "but it doesn't make me want to be fighting with them any less."
Yukino softened. "I know that too," she murmured.
"What worries me the most is Evergreen telling us those kids were missing," Sting revealed. "My own damn godson is missing and all we have is that he was scented last where Mary Jane went missing and…" He suddenly growled. "That idiot! He's even stupider than his dad!"
"Don't let the Dragon King here that. He might just kick you out," Yukino jested lightly. "We just have to pray to the stars that everyone will come out of this alive. Even if we can't fight right by their side right now, we're all with them in spirit."
Sting smirked at his wife. "You and your spiritual lectures," he teased before he kissed her nose.
"I'm a Celestial Spirit Mage," Yukino reminded, laughing. "It comes with my Magic."
"Yeah, yeah, Yuki, whatever you say." Sting blinked and his worry and frustration boiled inside him once again, but this time, he did not show it in the form of a scowl. His blue eyes misted into something more vulnerable. "I just hate feeling helpless when my family is out there," he confessed. "It feels…wrong. I'm supposed to be fighting with him—with them."
Yukino's face sobered as she kissed Sting's forehead. "We'll help them from the outside," she promised. "All of us still need you to lead Sabertooth and be ready to face your guild tomorrow. If this hasn't stopped when we get up in the morning, I'll call Mirajane and see if we can get Mages to the convention center and help with supplies. Maybe we'll get a signal and we can get in-touch with Masters Ooba and Erza, okay?"
Sting sighed. "Okay." He pecked her lips. "I'm going to stay up a little bit longer. Rogue and I get restless at times like this."
"I understand." And, Yukino really did understand. "I'll stay up with you—"
"No, Yuki, you need your sleep," Sting argued, firmly but gently. "I know how much you've been worrying over Kari and over our friends. Sleep. If anything major changes, I promise I'll wake you up, but sleep for now."
Against Yukino's wishes, she let out a quiet yawn. "You better," she mumbled in warning. She sluggishly got up from Sting's lap and stepped out from his hold. Before she could go to the bed, she bent forward to give his lips a chaste kiss. "Get some sleep yourself. No one needs an exhausted Guild Master."
"Whatever wifey says, goes," Sting murmured. He pecked her lips once more. "Now, go to bed before you sleep standing up again."
Yukino mumbled something incoherent as she moved towards their bed. Sting ran a hand through his hair as he watched the Lacrima-Vision. A late-night commercial had come on in an ad for vacationing at the Lucky Duck Casino. He sighed.
Wendy, Gajeel… You two better look out for the king and my idiot godson.
°•°•°•°
It was not unusual for Hibiki Lates to work in the basement for in a special room in the basement, he had claimed it his study. The room was filled with Lacrima Screens on mute. Multiple late-night shows were on those screens with their muted words spoken for in closed captions. Other screens held website information. From blogs to odd videos to discussion boards, it was all there and being processed into the database. A few other screens scanned through titles and information on Mages. Most all of them were from the Fairy Tail Guild and the Lamia Scale Guild. Some were being cross-referenced for information. Others were scanned and dismissed.
Hibiki swiveled his chair as he typed on his keyboard. His messy hair from his youth had become a neat and brushed-up hairstyle, still the same dirty blonde. Stubble was on his face and reading glasses reflected the information he dug up. He leafed through articles he pulled up on Guardian Duo.
⌜BLUE PEGASUS
Name: Hibiki Lates
Occupation: S-Class Mage
Magic: Archive
Likes: flirting with beautiful women Dislikes: allergy season
Special Note: Hibiki is now a one-woman type of man! He only uses his charms to flirt with his wife, Misses Jenny Lates!⌟
Hibiki stopped his researching when a sound pinged into the room. He rolled his chair to the left to see an email appeared on one of his screens.
An email from Coeus, huh?
Hibiki opened the email to see Coeus had sent him a regular email detailing about Fairy Tail's current status and the opinion on others. It was nothing major.
So… He thought he had to crypt it. This must be more severe than I thought.
Hibiki got to work as he looked at the first name that appeared and highlighted it with his mouse. "Here he mentions 'Bruno'… Then, here it's 'Liberty'… Then, 'Aine'…" And, this is what he did. He highlighted the names Coeus typed to him with a few repeating themselves. When he was finished, he opened up a document to type the first letter of each name into it. What he got made his dark eyes narrow.
BLACK MAGE
CULT
WORLD
DEMON
Hibiki leaned back as he took into account the five words given to him.
'Black Mage'… So, it means Zeref is involved in someway. When I see 'cult', that's what I'm thinking. We discussed those followers of Zeref, but… It's spreading worldwide now, but I knew that. And 'demon'? Is it talking about…?
He folded his hands and let them graze his lips.
No. Not him. 'World' is connected to 'Demon'. But, meaning what? What are you trying to tell me, Coeus?
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Hibiki slid his hands across his touchpad and to the left for the document and the email to be replaced with another research paper.
CRRRRRRRRR…
The door creaked open.
Shuffling.
"Daddy," came a yawn. Female. Young adult. "What're you still doing working?"
Hibiki smiled as he swiveled around in his chair to face his intruder. "Sorry, Smiley. Blame Coeus. He loves sending me riddles to solve," he chuckled. His smile dropped when he noticed how his intruder looked. "What's wrong, Smiley? You look tired. I know you got back from Enca for the photoshoot. Still jet-lagged?"
Shuffling. "A little," came sheepish admittance. "Actually… I woke up a little while ago and turned on the LV and…" A thinking pause. "Daddy, what's happening in Margaret Town?" came need for knowledge. "I'm seeing news articles about the Guardian Duo and these 'spirit' things attacking my friends. I know May-Jay was in Margaret for the Festival of Gratitude, but I can't get through to her."
Hibiki looked solemn. "Right now, Smiley, you need to sleep," he ordered gently. "We'll talk more in the morning when you've gotten more rest. I know you're tired from your traveling."
"But, if May-Jay is in trouble, I can't just—"
"Smiley, please," Hibiki pleaded. "We'll talk more in the morning, but you're looking dead on your feet right now."
A huff. "Thanks for the compliment, Daddy."
Hibiki grinned. "You know I love my women in or out of make-up, in a dress or in their pajamas, and you know I will always find you beautiful, Smiley," he flattered. "But, even a princess as gorgeous as you needs her beauty sleep."
"Just because your little charms worked on Mom, I'm not falling for them," came a bluff. The words sounded a bit pleased at the praise. "Fine. I'll sleep, but I want answers when I wake up, okay?"
"Yes, Smiley," Hibiki promised. "And, don't even try researching things tonight on your Compact. You know no Compact in bed. Mom's rules."
A groan. "Yes, Daddy," came soft hiss. "Just promise me Presto and Hen don't wake me up. Especially not Spence. He's too annoying to deal with until after I've had coffee."
"I promise, Smiley," Hibiki vowed. "Off to bed."
Shuffling again. "Okay. G'night, Daddy. Love you."
Hibiki softened. "Good night, Smiley," he murmured. "I love you too."
Shuffling pitter-patted away from the study and back up the steps to the first floor.
Hibiki turned back to the screen and slid his hand right across the touchpad for the email and five blaring words to appear once more.
'Black Mage'… 'Cult'… 'World'… And, 'demons'…
He cracked his hands as he straightened in his chair.
All right, Coeus. You have my attention with your riddle.
And, his eyes glinted as the world CULT reflected in them.
°•°•°•°
Ace was close to losing his mind.
Compact to his ear, Ace paced his living room with his hair disheveled, his eyes wild, and his Lacrima-Vision on.
"Shalom, guys, gals, and my non-binary bitches. Justin is out for the moment but leave a message for me!"
The second it beeped, Ace was leaving his voicemail. "Uh, hey, Justin, I just wanted to call and make sure you're okay. I'm seeing the news and I'm worried about you and your sister. Call me back when you can. See you." He ended the voicemail as he ran a hand all over his face. "Oh, Jesus, that baby boy is too cute to get hurt in all this," he groaned. His eyes went back to the Lacrima-Vision and he cringed when the suzaku managed to hit the pixiu's paw.
Ace looked down at his Compact to check the train schedule for Margaret Town to see everything for tomorrow had been delayed with the threat of cancellation and refunds. He opened his Twit app to scroll through his feed. Peopled twitted about the horrors happened in Margaret Town with hashtags of GuardiansDuont and MageLivesMatter being popular choices.
When a message popped up, Ace tapped on it. It was work-related and confirmed his schedule for the next week. He got out of the chat to see Justin's name. It was hesitant, but his thumb pressed into the message chat.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
⟪ Ugh. I hope this storm isn't gonna ruin the drag show tomorrow. ⟫
⟪ Honey's already bitching about his losing his tuck tape, but we all know he keeps it in his vault ⟫
⟪ Be warned. He's excited to meet you. As in he just might jump you when he sees you ⟫
⟪ Lol. I'm excited to meet him too, just not about the jumping part. Promise you'll protect me, baby boy?⟫
⟪ Well, when you put it like that, I have no choice, but to be your knight-in-shining-jock strap ⟫
⟪ We're still on for our own after-party after your show? Or, do I have to share you? ⟫
⟪ If you're talking about a three way, you know I'm always down ⟫
⟪ Jk We're still on. Are you sure you don't want to tell me where we're going? ⟫
⟪ Not chance. It's a surprise ⟫
⟪ And it might even turn into a celebration date ⟫
⟪ You're so lucky you're hot ⟫
⟪ Fiiine. No telling. But I have to go. Master's calling a meeting. Shoot me now ⟫
⟪ No can do, baby boy, or else I wouldn't have someone to take out ⟫
⟪ Stop being so cute. It's distracting. ⟫
⟪ Now I really have to go. Bai bai ⟫
⟪ See you soon ⟫
Today 7:21 PM
⟪ I'm watching the news right now. What's going on? Are you okay? Is your sister okay? ⟫
Today 8:34 PM
⟪ My train's been delayed for tomorrow. Please, just let me know if you're okay. ⟫
Today 9:05 PM
⟪ Please be okay, Justin. Please get through this ⟫
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Ace sighed and put his Compact to rest. He settled back on his couch. A husky curled on the couch whined and crawled onto its human's lap, icy-blue eyes blinking up at Ace. Ace stroked the husky's head.
"I'm worried about him, Jack," Ace murmured. "And all of them. They don't deserve this."
Jack made a small growl in the back of his throat and licked Ace's hand.
°•°•°•°
Rika carried the laundry basket down the hall, only for the sounds of the Lacrima-Vision to draw her attention to the living room. Curious, she padded out of the hall and into the living room to see her littlest sister in the living room and her eyes glued to the living room.
She sighed. "Mint, what are you doing?"
"Watching LV," her sister spoke. She was a cute thing with Rika's hair, but she was born with dark brown eyes. "Fairy Tail and Lamia Scale are losing."
⌜MAGNOLIA TOWN
Name: Mint
Age: 10
Occupation: 4th Grade Student
Likes: chicken nuggets Dislikes: romance movies
Special Note: Mint wants to become a Tamer some day and enter contests! ⌟
Rika softened. "Mint, I know you're worried, but you need to sleep," she reminded. "We have family coming in for Thanksgiving and it's way past your bedtime."
"But, Rika…!" Mint whined. She looked up at her sister with imploring eyes. "I have to make sure everyone is okay!"
Rika walked down a few steps and into the living room. "And they will be," she assured. Her eyes flicked up to the LV. "But, you need to go to—"
Her eyes widened.
She gasped.
Her basket of laundry dropped.
"Oh, my God!" Rika cursed in a whisper. "Oh, my God, that can't be…!"
Now Mint looked more concerned for her sister than for the events on the Lacrima-Vision. "Rika, what's wrong?" she fretted. "Are you okay?"
Rika swallowed roughly. "U-Um, I'm fine, Mint," she brushed off. "Just, uh, remembered something important." She picked up her basket and kept glancing at the Lacrima-Vision. "Let's get you to bed, okay? We don't want Rosemary, Cayenne, and Dad to worry about you."
Mint groaned and got off the couch. "Yes, Rika," she muttered crossly. She left the living room in upset stomps.
Rika went to a side table to get the remote. She set down her basket and was all set to turn the Lacrima-Vision off. But, her eyes could not stop looking at it and at the person on it. She shut her eyes and turned off the Lacrima-Vision.
"It couldn't be," she told herself. She set down the remote to turn off the light. "There's no way…" She picked up her basket and fled from the living room.
And those hazel eyes stained her mind.
°•°•°•°
Hisui sat in a private room with her seat close to the fire and her eyes on the Lacrima-Vision. A scotch glass was in her hand with the glass half empty-half full of something a bit alcoholic. She needed no sound, only video.
She only needed to see the destruction of Margaret Town.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« This is the Crimson Lotus Drawing Room where Queen Hisui may entertainment private and personal guests to drinks, games, and conversation. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The door to the drawing room opened. There was no need for the guard to utter who it was. Hisui knew as the steps came towards the couch. The door closed. She still watched Lacrima-Vision.
"What are you doing in the drawing room so late at night, Lord Arcadios?" Hisui sighed.
Arcadios bowed slightly. "I could ask you the same thing, Your Majesty."
Hisui hummed her dry laughter. "I'm watching my people suffer at the hands of two gods." She really needed more to drink. "I let my own Mages get cut down by not even monsters—by Hunters."
Arcadios was silent.
Hisui bubbled out her empty laugh as she raised her glass in the air. "I'm a queen!" she blurted. "Father, Mother—aren't you proud of me?" She tipped back her head to drink. She swallowed, smacked her lips, and smirked. "I'm a queen who can't even protect the people. See, Mother? I don't even need a king to be a queen. I'm a queen all by myself."
Arcadios was still silent.
Hisui's eyes shimmered as her smirk died. "I let my own people fight battles when I vowed to protect them from this." Her voice cracked. "Let's face it, Father. I can't even protect my own heart, let alone a nation. When you made me queen, is it because you saw this and didn't want to rule? You left me to feel guilt for not standing up for my people?" She closed her eyes and shakily sighed. "I'm a queen," she mumbled. "What type of queen am I, Arcadios?"
"One who loves her people so much, she can't even sleep when they're warring," Arcadios answered. "An admirable queen."
Hisui scoffed. "An 'admirable' one, huh? Tell me, Arcadios, you hear the parliament and the ministers speak of me behind closed doors. I know what they say. They're worried their queen will remained weak-willed without the strong hand of a king. Afraid they won't get their next heir to brainwash." She rolled around the dissolving ice in ber glass. "They held love for their last king and want a love for a new one. They don't have love for an unwed queen."
"That's not true," Arcadios cut in, insistent. "Don't listen to the elders of the parliament and some of the ministers. They're so used to having a king, they forgot the times when queens took charge. They're stuck in their misogynistic ways. Many in court hold high respect for you—"
"Their queen is a Mage," Hisui reminded bitingly, scathingly. "They've never had a royal who was a Mage and you know it. When my mother was brought to court, I heard all about how it was unheard of for royalty to practice Magic, even if she was a consort. I should have never even been a queen because I broke law."
"A law your father tore down before handing you the throne—"
"And, look at me now!" Hisui cried.
"I am, Your Majesty," Arcadios promised gently. "I see a fine young woman who did what no other monarchs did. You improved our relations with Bosco. You helped reestablish Veronica and the Alvarez Empire. You helped Ishvan in its time of crisis. You are the first ruling monarch to understand the trials of being in the minority, of being a Mage. You love your people, Hisui. Don't ever doubt that."
Hisui said nothing.
DRIP.
A tear streamed down her cheek.
DROP.
Arcadios straightened. "Lady Madelia is still awake, Your Majesty. She had business to attend to. I will fetch her, so she may help you to your room." He did an about-face and marched to the doors.
"Thank you." It was soft. A wisp of something sincere and grateful and grieving.
Arcadios put his hand on the handle. "I will always believe in the woman who told me she would unsheathe her own blade for her country. And, you, Your Majesty, have not changed from that woman." He opened the door and swiftly left.
And, Hisui shed another tear.
In the convenient store, everything was a peaceful quiet. The Devil was finished eating as much ice as he wanted and took to keeping silent vigil over his sleeping Angel. Her dressings had been changed and her wound routinely cleaned. All was well.
The Devil's left ear twitched and his body went rigid. He listened closely.
CHK-CHK.
A growl was stuck in his throat as he shifted protectively to Nashi.
What? What is it? Gary asked.
I have not felt such vile presences in a decade, the Devil hissed. Hunters. I sense three of them near. They will not touch Angel.
I'm pretty sure there are apartments upstairs, Gary revealed. Take her to one. Get her somewhere safe. We need to run.
The Devil snarled as he gathered Nashi in his arms. He was careful not to jostle her too much as his eyes scanned the store. Do I make my own entrance?
No. There should be a side or back entrance somewhere. Try some employees only place. Go out that and looked for a fire escape.
The Devil found a sign reading EMPLOYEES ONLY on a door and dashed as fast he could to it without waking Nashi. There was a padlock to keep out the commoners, but the Devil did not care. He stomped a foot and a pillar of ice shot up to break down the door. The Devil ran into a slightly messy employee break room with abandoned lunches and jackets. His eyes darted to the exit and he ran to it. He made another pillar of ice to break down the door and ran outside and into the pouring rain.
The Devil looked around. He found the fire escape on the side of the building and darted for it when a pungent essence angered him.
They brought them, the Devil growled. The Mauthes…
Get Angel safe. Gary's voice sounded shaken. Hurry!
The Devil snarled as his wings snapped out and unfurled. He gave a powerful flap as he lifted himself off the ground and up into the air. He risked taking them to the top floor and circled when he saw a window. He soared towards it before wrapping his wings around him at the last second as he broke through the window. The winds howled at that and thunder raged with glass spewing everywhere, but the Devil had no time to think of picking out glass. He landed himself in a living room. It looked hastily abandoned and comfortably lived in by someone with an eye for graphic design. He furled his wings as he raced towards a bedroom with Nashi and hid in it. It was the master bedroom with room to spare and an unkempt bed waiting to be laid in.
The Devil laid Nashi in the bed as gently as he could and skimmed over her body. She seemed unperturbed at her surroundings and blissfully asleep. His wings had protected her from the glass and he was thankful it was one less thing he had to worry about. He let a hand brush her hair as his icy-blue eyes scanned her. "Worry not, Angel. They shall not get to you," he promised softly. He let her go to slam the bedroom door shut. He merely placed a hand on it for the entire door to freeze over, so none could hope to get in unless with brute force. He went to the window and peered below through the blinds.
Two shaggy black dogs had made it into alleyway. They looked more wolfish than dog and devilishly-so. Their manes were wild and fluffed up and their curled black claws needed to sink into flesh. They sniffed around with glowing eyes of red holding white irises.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« These are Mauthes, a breed of Hellhound notorious to be bred and tamed as Soul Hunters for the Council. Through the naked, human eyes, they are invisible and untouchable. No matter the weather, so long as they know the Soul Scent of the object or person they seek, they will always find their prey. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
One of the Mauthes glared up the building and growled something to its companion who shook the water from its fur, showing off its collar. It growled something back and trotted off, probably back to its master.
The Devil snapped the blinds shut. Anger pierced through him, but he felt more emotions provoke him. He could feel Gary's fear feed into his own and make it bigger than it should have been. "They cannot take us back," he nearly whimpered. "We cannot go back. Angel needs to be protected. Human cannot suffer anymore."
Just calm down, Gary snapped, even if he did sound just as distraught. We can't be certain they're here for us, right? If anything, they probably came for someone else instead or maybe even to help the River Guardian.
The Devil growled. Do not lie to me, Human. Even you know your words hold false hope in them.
°•°•°•°
The apartment number was 36. The door was decorated for the festivities with images of the two guardians swirling around the number. There were autumn leaves and the symbol of Fiore taped onto the door for passersby to see.
A shadow was cast over the door, hulking and powerful.
°•°•°•°
A slight groan caught the Devil's attention. He looked onto the bed and could hear Nashi's heartbeat quick a smidge, as did her breathing. As another small noise breathed from her mouth, the Devil rushed over to her.
"Shhh, Angel," he cooed. "Sleep now. You must rest."
Nashi sighed as her stirrings halted and she fell back into her sleep.
The Devil sighed as well before quickly hardening. "I can keep her safe here." He smirked. "Unlike you, brother, I can use dry-ice and demon ice without freezing our body."
Shut up.
°•°•°•°
Bony fingers marred in black hovered over the locked door. Red pulsed around the fingers.
CLICK.
°•°•°•°
The Devil bristled as he glared at the frozen door. His ears pricked when he heard the distance creaking of the front door.
ERRRRRRRRRRRR…
Familiars, the Devil hissed. I sense them.
Inwardly, Gary tensed in his sea of blue. Can you sense how many?
The Devil could hear paws and claws scrap on the floor outside. I sense twelve insofar, but I know there are more. It is Angel. They sense her light. They want to possess it. He flexed his hands for icy claws to forge on his fingers. But, they will not touch her.
BOOM.
The Devil glared at the frozen door as he heard familiars throw themselves at the door. Their snarls and howled did not fall on deaf ears and the Devil snarled back at them in his own ire.
That is right. You will not get through and you will not touch her.
If it were not for the Devil's animalistic senses, he would have missed it. He would have been killed. But, he heard the quiet whistle and whipped around with his hand lashing out as the sound of glass crashing pounded in his ears.
He looked down.
His claws caught the bullet aiming for his heart.
The Devil looked up to see a familiar invaded the room. It was larger than most and a humanoid one at that. Its rotting flesh looked unappetizing and it lashed a whip-like tail. It had tusks, something unusual, but the Devil did not miss the gun lodged in its throat.
It smiled at the Devil.
The Devil flexed his claws.
Bullets pelted from the familiar's mouth, but the Devil had no problem swatting them away as his hands covered in his devil ice. He flung himself to Nashi and grabbed her before she could be shot. He shielded them both with ice popping up to keep the bullets at bay while he ran them to the bathroom. He settled Nashi inside the spacious tub for her to begin to stir.
"Nnn… Wha…?" she mumbled.
The Devil shook his head as he caressed her cheek. "Sleep, Angel," he shushed. He abandoned her reluctantly to get out of the bathroom. He shut the door before freezing it solid. He turned back to see more familiars were crawling through the broken window and begun their assault on his shield.
I will not let them near you, Angel, he swore. Their deaths shall be in your honor.
The Devil tore down his shield as he lunged towards his first opponent—the humanoid familiar shooting at him. He latched onto to its head and cracked its skull with his claws. He roared when a familiar leapt onto his back and reached for his claws to dig into its scruff. Talons sunk deeper into his skin, but for once, the pain was not pain. The pain was soothing to him. He retched the familiar from his back and flung it into another one trying to pounce on him. His teeth sunk into the neck of the humanoid familiar and tasted the vileness of its black blood.
The humanoid familiar let out a piggish squeal as it toppled over and thrashed.
The Devil slammed his claws into its heart.
The humanoid figure began to disintegrate at that.
The Devil spat the blood gathered in his mouth when something heavy hit his jaw and bowled him over. He tried to get up when a familiar pinned him down. He looked up to see it had taken the form of a large rat with acidic saliva bleeding from its jaw and charring the wood. The Devil roared at the familiar and a blizzard hurled from his mouth. The familiar hissed as it was blinded and forced to get off him. The Devil wasted no time in lunging at the creature and raking his claws down its front. Black blood gathered under his claws, but the rat-like familiar disintegrated. This was what the Devil had to face as more familiar piled into the room and attacked him at first sight.
As the Devil bashed to skulls together, he snarled as the familiars sized him up.
Their movements are sloppy and weak. They attack me together, but that is their downfall. They have no order or precision. They attack in their blind rage.
He whipped around and kicked a familiar in the jaw before pouncing on it. His claws cut off its tongue before sinking into the side of its head. Satisfaction flashed in his eyes as the familiar wavered and disappeared underneath him.
Don't get too carried away, Gary warned.
The Devil smirked, teeth stained in blood, and he wrestled another familiar to the ground. You worry too much, brother, he purred in teasing. I am in control. My goal is to protect Angel. I will not lose sight of that. His kill was a quick slice to the throat before focusing on his next prey.
A hunter only took satisfaction when his prey was dead. A fighter only took satisfaction when his opponent was down for the count. But, these creatures were neither hunter or fighter. They were predators who enjoyed playing with their food. The Devil could not fight the sick triumph when he saw the blood staining his hands and splattering onto his chest. There were a few hasty whispers that would come and leave in his mind, but this time, he did not feel the same pressure he felt before. Because his mind was clear on one thing: Nashi needed to be protected.
The Devil slammed his foot down on the throat of another familiar when a muffled scream made his entire body grow rigid. His eyes darted to the sealed bathroom in his panic.
Angel.
A familiar took advantage to bite into his shoulder, but he had no time for silly games. He grabbed its scruff and threw it back. He slaughtered his way to the bathroom to hear Nashi scream again and a mixture of fear and anger bubbled inside his stomach. "I am coming, Angel!" He grunted when two familiars teethed his ankles. His palms slammed down on their heads and they yelped as they were covered in ice.
Nashi's screams grew louder and more frightened.
The Devil snarled as his claws breached the ice with a purpose. He slammed his head against it and the entire structure shook as it cracked from the wall. He slammed his head into his ice again and again, ignoring the familiars snapping at him.
Angel. Angel. I have to get to Angel.
The icy seal finally broke down and the Devil went with it. But, he was not one to be idle. He shook off the familiars on his back and whipped around. He slammed his hands into the ground and ice shot up from ground to seal back up the bathroom. The familiars howled and snarled as their claws and talons scraped the barrier, but no one would get in.
A smirk. "It's been a long time now see…"
The Devil's eyes widened. He turned around.
"…Ice Devil…"
The Devil's eyes met with the same eyes he hated a decade ago. The same eyes that would taunt him and watch him with no pity and only amusement. The same eyes that made him furious and made him want to retreat. Those same violet eyes.
The Devil said the name like it was the dirtiest thing on this planet. "Lee Gavrilo."
The man before him looked nothing less than amused. He smirked at the Devil before him like the Devil was a child caught doing something wrong. Those eyes—those violet eyes that spoke of something wild and feral. Yet, it was all contained, controlled, and calculated. He wore nothing short of that suit that made sure everyone knew his wealth. His baby face had its charm and was clean-shaven. He looked unarmed with his hands in his pockets, but, then again, nothing was ever so easy.
⌜TASK FORCE 93
Name: Lee Gavrilo
Occupation: Magic Hunter
Likes: N/A Dislikes: N/A
Special Note: Not much is known about this man… Not even his own age…⌟
Lee's smirk broadened. "You look so happy to see me," he chuckled. His eyes drifted downwards and to his right. "So does this little girl. Wouldn't you say, Wilkes?"
The Devil looked down to see Nashi doing everything she could to keep her cool as two Mauthes flanked her. The one was curious and sniffed her neck while the other made sure Nashi was unable to run as testament to the blood on its fangs and the blood on her left ankle. A man with a bandana covering his mouth kept Nashi in a loose choke hold and looked at the Devil with his soulless eyes beneath his hood. He looked tired and frail and old to boot, yet he was anything but.
⌜TASK FORCE 93
Name: Wilkes
Occupation: Magic Hunter
Likes: N/A Dislikes: N/A
Special Note: Magic Hunters have little to no information on their lives and Wilkes is no different.⌟
Nashi met the Devil's eyes. Hickory battling away trembling fear for determination connected with vexed icy-blue.
"Let her go," the Devil snarled. He could let go of Gary's own fear when she was in danger. "She isn't who you're after."
Lee hummed. "Isn't she?" He dragged his eyes over Nashi's half-naked state. Interest piqued in his eyes and made the Devil's skin crawl. "She's younger than what I normally go for, but she seems like she could be tamed, with a little training." He took a step towards her.
The Devil snapped and tried to get to him. "Do not touch her!" His plans were foiled when someone knocked him to his knees. He grunted as he fell to his knees and, before he could move, an arm choked him and he felt something prick his skin. He was forced to be still when his eyes darted to a syringe at his neck.
He paled when he saw the black liquid inside it.
Lee noticed the Devil's look and cocked his head. "Nice work, Roeder. Putting a mutt in his place was always your specialty."
A man held the Devil with relative ease. He looked younger and shorter than the rest with shades over his eyes and a deep yet healed cut over his lips.
⌜TASK FORCE 93
Name: Roeder
Occupation: Magic Hunter
Likes: N/A Dislikes: N/A
Special Note: Roeder must have a thousand stories to tell, but there is no story of his history.⌟
Lee knelt beside Nashi. "Bring back memories, Ice Devil?" he asked, playing coy. His hand drifted up to Nashi's chin. She tried to flinch away, but Wilkes held her steady in her panic as Lee's hand settled on her cheek.
Nashi growled and glared daggers at him. "Don't touch me, you motherfu—! Ah-ha!" Her words were cut off when more pressure applied to her throat.
"The little girl is feisty," Lee remarked, tone tweaked with amusement. "You haven't broken her in yet? She seems like a fun one to train."
The Devil snarled. "Do not touch Angel!" he bellowed.
"Have you screwed this one?" Lee wondered casually. His hand traveled to Nashi's stomach and his amusement deepened when she flinched. "Maybe she's already carrying your cute, little mutant baby."
"Screw you!" Nashi snapped, earning herself a tighter hold.
"She does not carry my heir, Hunter," the Devil thundered. "You have no reason to touch her, so let her go!"
Lee raised an eyebrow. "Since when do I do what you say, Ice Devil?" he wondered, feigning curiosity.
"Why are you here?" the Devil demanded. "The Guardians should not be—!"
"I'm not one to care for your little Magi creatures," Lee intervened. "You forget I'm part of your Ministry of Defense's little task force. We step in to clean up the mess Magi make."
The Devil bared his bloodstained teeth. "You have no right to call them such names when you are no better, Hunter," he sneered. "You torture innocent humans—!"
"The humans we 'torture' are never 'innocent'."
"This human is!" the Devil snapped. "He does not deserve pain, you—!" He broke off in a grunt when the needle pressed against his neck.
Lee laughed out loud as he got back up. "Mutt, it doesn't matter what you think. You're nothing more than an untrained dog that desperately needs to be muzzled," he commented. He came in front of the Devil with his chin lifted and his eyes downwards on his inferior. "We were to put down any Magi and filthy animals unfit to be of service. And, right now, mutt, I'm looking at something that needs to be put down."
The Devil spat at the Magic Hunter. "Do what you will with me, but Angel is to be let go," he insisted. "She is injured and weak. Let her return to her guild."
"It's funny you think you can command me," Lee snickered. "You see, no matter what you bark, mutt, I still bite." He glanced at Nashi and found himself laughing at her murderous expression. "See? She's even got some fight left in her," he remarked.
"'She' has a name," Nashi hissed. She sucked in a squeaking breath when the arm pressed against her throat. "Let us go, you basta—ah-ha!" She cried out when a Mauthe bit down on her injured shoulder. Tears burned her eyes, but she tried not to let them fall.
"Angel!" the Devil cried. His eyes seared into Lee as Lee laughed. "Let her go, Hunter! She is innocent!"
Lee casually walked towards Nashi. "But, this is becoming so much more fun than before," he remarked. "Last time, you refused to break, mutt. We had nothing to break you. Even at the threat of your own family, you didn't break. But, now…" He went into his coat pocket and pulled out something for all to see.
The Devil's eyes widened.
It was a syringe filled with black liquid.
Lee flicked the needle. "Now, we have something that will make you break. Your little screw toy." He strolled to Nashi and the Mauthes deserted Nashi for their master to kneel beside Nashi. He smirked when her breaths began shaky and shallow as she eyed the syringe. A hysteric squeak accidentally came out when Lee brushed her hair from her neck. He rubbed her pulse. "Little girl, you don't realize how much you disgraced yourself for associating with a mutt," he whispered to her. He tested the syringe.
Nashi flinched out of sheer nerves. "You're wrong," she got out from her hold. "H-He is one-hundred times the man you'll ever be."
"You have her well-trained," Lee acknowledged to the Devil. "She must really believe you aren't a monster to threaten me, but she hasn't seen you in your true form, has she?"
The Devil snarled loudly. "Do not touch Angel!" he roared.
Lee ignored him for the trembling Nashi. "Don't worry, little girl, you won't feel too much." He put the syringe to her neck. "It's painless," he promised. "Just some Anti-Ethernano Serum, nothing major."
Nashi's eyes widened at that.
"So, you know what it is?" Lee chuckled at her terror. "You'll be fine, little girl. Just stay still…"
"Get away from her!" came a different shout, trembling and full of pleading.
Nashi's eyes darted to see the Devil was losing himself for Gary. Gary's cerulean eyes fought to see her in his desperation and he violently jerked from the hands of his captor.
"Please, just let her go!" Gary begged. "Don't touch her!"
Nashi's breathing hitched when the needle pierced her skin. Tears rained down her face as she looked deeply into Gary's eyes. "I'm s-s-sorry," she whispered. She winced when Lee thumbed away her tears, and she sucked in a breath.
"Don't be sorry, little—'Angel' is what he calls you?" Lee purred. "If my mutt uses that, I'll use it too. Don't cry, my little Angel. None of this is your fault."
Gary sniveled loudly. "Please, Gavrilo, just let her go! I'll do anything! I-I-I'll go with you willingly! I won't fight you, just please, don't do that to her! She means everything to me!"
Nashi tried not to sob. "Ga—!"
Nashi's words were silenced when Lee put his hand on her mouth. She shut her eyes as tears left her while Lee eyed Gary like he saw his dog put down his own leash for a walk. "Come with us willingly?" he mocked. "You think I'm really going to stop because of that offer?"
"Please," Gary raggedly whimpered. "Please don't hurt her."
Lee smiled. "Begging and everything. You sung a different tune last time, Ice Devil. You cursed me out like a disobedient mutt." His smile darkened. "But, I'm not seeing what I want to see right now and you know it. I'll give you a chance to shed that skin of yours and show me what you truly are."
Gary was unashamed of the tears gathering in his eyes. "Don't touch her," he begged, voice cracking. "I—… I'll try, but, please—!"
Lee shrugged. "Wrong answer." He pressed down on the plunger.
Gary watched in complete horror when Nashi's eyes widened as a scream tore from her lips and was muffled by Lee's hands. Once the syringe had been drained, Lee took it out without preamble and stood up, letting Nashi drop to the ground. She convulsed and choked as her veins grew more prominent. A ragged cry tore from her lips. Her breathing grew thin and labored and shaky. She was having another attack.
Gary violently jerked in the arms of his captor, not caring that a syringe could puncture his neck without any preparation. "ANGEL!"he screamed. "ANGEL!"
Lee nodded at Gary's captor. Roeder let Gary go.
Gary darted to Nashi as she panted and sobbed, her body spasming out of control. "Angel, shhh-shhh-shhh," he desperately tried to soothe. "Please, breathe for me, darling. Breathe."
Nashi coughed before her cries started back up. "Ga-Gary," she hiccupped. Endless tears flowed out of her cheeks. "Gar-ry…!"
Gary's lower lip trembled as he cradled her. "I'm right here," he soothed. "I'm right here."
Lee watched the ordeal with feigned curiosity. "So, she can still get those cute panic attacks," he noted. "Well, she won't suffer long now. The serum should be taking affect soon."
Just as Lee spoke, Nashi's spluttering and labored breaths evened out. Her body calmed itself and she gave weak coughing. Her initial panic was subsiding to make room for this awful fatigue that drained her very soul and made everything feel like lead.
"Gary," Nashi whimpered.
"Don't talk, Angel," Gary pleaded. "You need to stay awake for me, okay?" He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the tips of her fingers. "Just stay awake and everything will be fine." He kissed her palm and let her hand slide onto his cheek, holding it gingerly, like she was glass. "I won't let you go, okay? Just stay with me."
Lee gave the empty syringe to Roeder. "All of this could've been avoided if you just did as you were asked, Ice Devil," he sighed. "But now you had to go and get the girl involved. Oh, but, don't worry." He pulled out a vial from his pocket. It sloshed a golden liquid thick in substance. "I have the antidote right here. The purest Oreka in this country. All you have to do"—he grinned in his own sick way—"is shed your fake skin."
Gary gritted his teeth.
Nashi shakily breathed as she looked up at Gary, trying to stay awake for his sake. "Gary…"
"So, that's it," Gary murmured lowly. "Just like last time. You want me to become that monster for you to play with." He picked up Nashi in a bridal fashion and kept her close to him. "Hurting my Angel is all a part of your sick, little game."
Lee shrugged and pocketed the vial. "I take it you will won't do as I say, will you, Ice Devil?"
"This time, you're wrong…Lee."
Lee cocked an eyebrow at Gary.
Gary's hair was fluctuating between its normal black and its snow white. A black aura pulsed around him in that dreadful way. His Magic acted on its own accord. Wintry zephyrs picked up and swirled around their mastery, shuffling about snowflakes and particles of ice.
Lee exhaled from his nose and frost came out. He looked at the bathroom counter for ice to eat away at the surface.
°•°•°•°
"Star Shot!"
Luke watched as the emerald energy fire away from his bow. A flurry of explosions burst before him and killed anything that had no soul. He, however, did not have the luxury of watching the end result when a familiar tried to pounce on him. He batted away with his bow before firing another Star Shot.
BOOM… BOOM… BOOM…
Luke caught a break to see a familiar larger than he would have liked making its way towards him. It looked like a bear on its hind-legs with an eye on its stomach instead of its face and its mouth opened in malicious need of blood and flesh. Luke fired another Star Shot to buy himself enough time to cast a spell. He closed his eyes as his Magic Circle bloomed beneath him.
"Wild Fox Koān!" Luke chanted. Golden energy charged his very being as he manifested a large aura about him. The aura wriggled and morphed into a nine-tailed fox of golden fur and golden eyes. It spread its nine-tails in defense as it took in the enemies surrounding its master. When its eyes saw the large familiar, it hissed and drove itself into its stomach, knocking it back a few meters.
Luke let his bow revert back to a Star Coin and slipped it into his pocket before taking out another one. It showed the symbol of Taurus and he flipped it in the air before catching it. "With this coin, I summon—!" But, something landed on his nose. Something cold and different from the rain. He looked up to see— "Snow?" he questioned. Rain and snow was a dangerous combination in itself and an unwanted one. Not only did he feel the chilling effect, but he felt wetter than before as snowflakes dusted his hair.
Why is it snowing now? How could it—?
Luke's eyes widened. His eyes went westward as a chill racked down his spine.
That massive energy… I've felt it before…
Hazel steeled over into something ugly and wrong. Something that should have never been born in such kind eyes: hatred.
This time…I'm not letting the same mistake happened twice.
°•°•°•°
Paige growled.
Julia was on alert.
Linus slowly straightened. "You feel that?" he wanted to confirm with everyone.
Paige cracked her neck. "Heck yeah. Talk about animal instincts," she muttered. "The bad sense I got just got a whole lost worse. It's like…" She paled and looked at Julia. "It's just like that feeling I got at the Harvest Festival."
Julia's eyes were steeled in knowing and something else. "No, it's a bit different than that." She began to stand up. "I have to go."
Paige's eyes widened. "What?! Julia—!"
"Let me come with you."
Paige looked at Linus' firm expression in disbelief. "Linus," she argued, "no—!"
"This isn't your fight," Julia said quite coldly. "I'm ready for him this time."
Linus shook his head. "You weren't there at his first attack," he countered. "He's not just your family."
"He's my brother," Julia fought back. "Where the Hell is your DNA test with him?"
Paige was taken back at the seething anger in Julia's words. "Julia…"
"He's still family to me," Linus retorted. "Storm's important to me. Just like your family is." Softly, he added, "Just like you are, Jewel."
Furious navy seared into resilient dark forest.
Julia rolled her shoulders and turned her back on Linus. "Stay out of my way," she growled in condition. "I trained for this. I know what I'm doing. I won't let him be taken away from me again."
Linus softened as he tentatively stepped behind Julia. She stiffened when his hand rested on her shoulder, but she relaxed a second later.
"He won't be taken this time," Linus promised. "Not this time. We're ready this time."
Julia tipped her head up and looked at Linus. Their eyes—they spoke without needing words to pass between them. It was the type of communication every person wishes to have.
Linus broke it first with Julia off to get back her blades and hid them. His eyes drifted to Paige. "Paige, stay with Penelope," he dictated. "No one can get in this safe house even with forced Magic, but make sure she's safe."
"Uh… Yeah, of course," Paige agreed, "but, what about you guys?"
Julia shed her jacket. "My idiot big brother is getting himself into trouble, so we're bailing him out." She took off her shirt.
Paige's eyes widened. "You hide guns in your bra and blades on your arms?!" she gaped.
It was true. Twin holders were on either side of her tank top with compact handguns. She lifted up her tank top for a holster to be placed in-between her bra cups. She made sure her Smith was in place. She had wrist sheathes attacked to her and stooped down to pick up her blades.
"Yeah, I do." Julia smiled in satisfaction as her blades were concealed once more. "I'm not a Mage, remember? So, I fight with weapons."
As Julia put on her shirt again, Paige just gawked. "Yeah, but… Guns? I thought you just do shurikens?"
"I do them," Julia assured. "Have them stored on my body. But, I carry guns and knives with me made entirely of Anti-Ethernano. Harmless to a regular person, but deadly to Mages."
Paige recoiled a bit at that as Julia shrugged back on her jacket. "You sound…kinda like one of those Hunters," she admitted.
Julia did not even flinch. "When you're fighting your greatest enemy, sometimes, you have to become them." She tucked her hands under her hair and fanned it out of her jacket. "I was helpless back then. I was stupid to think I could fight the people who took my brother away with Magic." She let out a loud exhale. "I'm not stupid now."
"What are you talking about?" Paige wanted to know. "Did Hunters take Gary?"
Now, Julia stilled.
Linus watched her carefully.
Julia let out a long sigh and headed for the stairs.
Paige watched Julia walk away in her own confusion. "What was that about?" she muttered as Julia jogged up the steps.
"The past isn't always a great memory."
Paige looked at Linus, but Linus was looking at the staircase.
"They never had it easy," Linus confessed. "Not back then. You're right. Gary was taken by Hunters once."
"But, why?" Paige wanted to know. "Why would Hunters ever track him down?"
"A story you should ask Gary himself," Linus decided to say. "It's not my place to tell you Storm's past." He walked towards the staircase.
"Why do you call him 'Storm'?" Paige asked finally.
Linus paused after taking the first step up. "Because, when he gives into his emotions, he's a true storm. And, there's no one that can stop him but him." And, he walked up the rest of the stairs with Paige needing more answers.
°•°•°•°
Everyone noticed the sudden shift in weather. Even the familiars paused in their fight, but they did not because of the snow. It was because of what caused the snow. It was because of a new source of energy they felt, one with such prestige they felt compelled to obey.
Mustang held a bloody Dazzler in his arms as they hid behind crates with Crimson. He looked up in a mixture of weariness and bafflement at the new snow. Mystogan sheltered himself in barriers of his own Magic, but the snow still touched him. Saudade felt the snow kiss her arms and shivered. Majime abandoned his own jacket to give to his girlfriend with Ellie looking up at the sky. Thaddeus shielded his men with his prayers, but he noticed the thin layer of snow gathering beneath him. Cana, Sir Briocoso, Orochi, Olivia, Galileo, Honey, Amani—their casting stopped when they realized winter had begun.
Natsu snarled with his eyes willing to change into their glinting red and emerald. He had Bluenote in his talons, but he was not nearly as satisfied with it.
"Do it," Bluenote goaded. "Kill me, Your Majesty."
"I'm not like you, Bluenote," Natsu sneered. "I'm not killer. We will never be the—" His eyes widened when he felt something, something deep and dark and greedy for hate and despair. "What the…?"
Natsu's distraction was all Bluenote needed to get away from him. He flew a safe distance away in his laughter. "Don't you see what's happening, Your Majesty?" he cackled.
Natsu glowered at Bluenote. "The Hell are you yappin' about?"
Bluenote held out his hand. "Oh, nothing. Just…" Snowflakes fell into his hand and his smirk broadened. "A change in the weather is all."
Natsu's eyes widened and he looked up. It was snowing. It was snowing in November. Fiore winters never started until a week into December, if that. "Snow?" he whispered. "No… It can't—"
Natsu paled.
Bluenote cackled in mad hilarity. "He realizes it!"
"It can't be possible," Natsu whispered. "Gary would never willingly do that."
Bluenote's eyes twinkled. "And, when you saw your queen lying in her own blood, what did you do?"
The disbelief was quick to change to red-hot anger as Natsu roared and barreled at Bluenote. He pummeled the Warlock into the ground for even the earth to cave in to make a massive dent. Debris of faulty buildings circled around them to remind them of the damage they committed, but none of that mattered to Natsu. Onyx mixed with emerald submitted to furious blood red.
"What did you do to my daughter?" Natsu demanded in his distorted snarl. His claws tug deep into Bluenote's throat, pricking a bit of blood.
Bluenote coughed before sighing his pleasure. "I did nothing, Your Majesty. Blame the Hunters." Silver lit up mischievously. "Threaten the bitch and her mate always retaliates. Isn't that—?" His words were cut off in a wet choke as Natsu warmed up his claws and pressed them more into Bluenote's throat choking him. Bluenote wheezed his laugh. "So predictable?" he croaked.
"I'll ask you again, Bluenote, so listen up," Natsu hissed. "Why the Hell are you here?"
Bluenote smirked as his silver eyes darkened and twisted into black. He picked up his head as much as he could to put his lips close to Natsu's ear. "I'm just a messenger," he whispered. "Your dear little friend Cana was completely right all those years ago."
Natsu's eyes widened.
And Bluenote's next words struck home.
"Long live the king…"
°•°•°•°
Igneel's growling was what made Mary Jane jump.
Her eyes darted over to Igneel along with Dimaria to see Igneel make an effort to get up. She blinked in bewilderment, too stunned to move. "Igneel," she said softly. She realized her mistake and corrected it. "Moron, stay down, dammit," she tried to command. When he ignored her and hauled himself and his growl closer to her, she glared at him, irate. "You stupid moron, you're injured," she snapped. Ah. So, her bite was not gone after all. "Stop trying to haul ass and stay down."
"Mister Igneel," Dimaria called, "you need to lay down and rest." She tried to help him, but he did something that shocked both Mary Jane and Dimaria.
He snarled at her.
Dimaria and Mary Jane were silent and unmoving as Igneel dragged his body to the Dark Empress of Fairy Tail. "Feel…danger," he growled out, even if saying a mere three syllables felt like he was using his dying breath. "Must…protect…MJ…"
Dimaria blinked her surprise and was not afraid to show it.
Mary Jane's entire face blanked.
Igneel finished his hard journey to Mary Jane without anyone telling him otherwise. He did not have the strength to sit himself up. He just could not do it. But, he had enough strength to haul his head and neck into her lap. His breathing turned shaky and his arms wobbled. He could not sustain himself anymore, not with his injuries, not with his trauma. His arms gave out and his head went onto Mary Jane's lap unceremoniously. His growling turned weak yet was still hostile.
"MJ," he rasped. "Protec…" His words died off as the unbearable pain slipped him back into sleep. It was easier to deal with pain when you slept. You did not feel it that way.
Mary Jane looked down at Igneel as he slept with a furrow in his brow. Her cerulean eyes gave little away. What was she thinking? What was going on in her mind?
"He's right, you know."
Mary Jane looked up to see Dimaria staring up at the unique ceiling in something akin to grief.
"I feel something is waking up that shouldn't be," Dimaria explained. "Even all the way down here, I can sense it. It's powerful."
Mary Jane did not even blink at that.
A soft sigh was what grabbed her attention again.
Mary Jane looked down to see the furrow in Igneel's brow gone. His nose was in her stomach. He seemed at ease to have her musk, her dirtied scent, right there. She closed her eyes and gave a quiet sigh of her own. "Moron," she insulted. No harshness. No hostility. No teasing. Just…a moniker. Her hand moved on its own accord. It hovered over Igneel's hair that was messier than usual and had a cringeworthy combination of sweat and dirt in it. Her fingers twitched as they thought to soothe his hair and tame his gnarls. But, they hesitated. And, that hesitance turned into retreat. Mary Jane leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Inhale. Shoulders up. Exhale. Shoulders down.
"Sleep, you moron," Mary Jane murmured. Her eyes closed. "Stop worrying about a bitch like me when you're this weak. I can protect us all."
His words rang in her ear.
'Feel…danger.'
He must've felt that chill, she thought to herself. That unshakeable feeling… But, how did he wake up just to protect…me?
°•°•°•°
The entire bathroom was freezing over. This was not just natural ice or Magic ice—this was cursed ice. This was ice that defied all things and could freeze over a sun if asked. Lee watched as his own Hunter associates began to be covered in ice and snow. Wind chilled everyone to the bone. It did not matter if you had Magic or Anti-Ethernano coursing in your blood and soul—this ice would touch you and bite you, make you submit to its frightening dominance. And, Gary was at the heart of it all with black outlining his entire being and his body trying to make up its mind of which form to take.
"You ask me to 'shed' my skin for your sick little hunt," Gary murmured lowly. "You'll get exactly what you wished for." His eyes met Lee's.
His eyes had been swallowed in complete silver with burning blue for irises.
The impact of his Curse would have frozen the Hunters, but the Mauthes suffered the most damage and were instantly covered in ice. Ice began to seep into cracked and condemn the entire building to an arctic paradise. It was art, in a way, to see such ravenous ice devour couches and clothing and brick without a care. It needed to satisfy its desire to freeze all it touched.
Gary's skin began to molt off his entire body, tearing off without any blood spilling. He did not seem bothered by this. His skin was making room for his new form. His legs extended—his whole body extended. It was growing into a massive form that looked like it would not even fit the apartment. The tattoo on his back sunk into his very skin, making his back bubble. His wings were trying to take form, but they were trying to understand this new form and the form they would shape into. His hair elongated itself in a mass of half-black and half-white. Horns broke from Gary's skull, making him bleed, but he did not cry about it. They spiraled in two sets and were so dark blue, they could have been mistaken for black. His skin tore to make room for thicker skin tinted blue and burned to the touch in coldness. Ice curled around his very body like his own personal armor, spiking his shoulders and winding around his arms and legs. Ice even curled around the sides of his face like it was forming a helmet for its master. Claws replaced the nails of Gary and gripped Nashi like she could die without him near her.
CRACK.
His wings burst from his back in a show of blood—black blood. They looked off. They were not the same. The right wing had become like a bat-wing and ugly too. Ice spikes covered it with a large talon of ice at its peak. The left wing was the same inky black it had always been. Even though different, the pair complimented each other. They would fly their master anywhere he desired. They were his to control.
Nashi's eyes barely stayed awake, but they were tinged in grief as she saw Gary, as she saw what he became.
Gary… No…
Lee broke into wild laughed, not caring that ice mauled his lower legs. "Oh, this is perfect! He's finally shedding his fake skin!" He licked his lips in delirious delight. "Tell me who you are, Ice Devil! Tell me what you want to do!"
Gary's eyes closed as he let out a shaky breath. Snow and frost exhaled from his mouth like a beast, like a demon. His eyes opened, silver and blue, and they landed on Lee Gavrilo.
And, they iced with accursed anger.
"You have hurt my malã'ika," Gary snarled viciously. His words… They were not his own. The untamed tongue of the Devil and the affectionate tongue of the Human had combined, overlapped. They spoke in unison with their thoughts in sync, even if their words sounded distorted and feral—demonic. He bared his icicle teeth. "You will die at my hands, Hunter."
Lee seemed positively and sickly giddy at Gary's words. He thirsted for more. He ached to hear more from the inhuman before him. "There it is, Ice Devil! You've shown me your true skin!" he laughed. "Do it! Kill me! Show me who you really are, Ice Devil!" His eyes sharpened with lust—the type of lust of seductive pain. "Let them see, Ice Devil. Let them see how much of a monster Magi can be!"
Nashi found herself slipping as the cold ran its pleasure-filled hands over her skin and whispered to her the sweet nothings of a dreamless sleep. She could hear and feel Gary—the Devil—the Ice Devil's seething madness rolling off him in violent waves.
"You Humans are insects I will swat down like flies," Gary—the Devil—the Ice Devil seethed. "You do not deserve death!" He snorted more snow and ice. "But, I will enjoy tearing out your skin and devouring your soul!"
Gary, Nashi thought, trying to get to him before the cold seduced her into sleep, before her draining Magic forced her to sleep. Gary…
Lee cackled like a madman. "You're so bloodthirsty, Ice Devil! You've been trained so well!" His hands dug into his hair as his wide eyes looked at the monstrosity before him. "I can feel how much you want to kill all of us! You've been holding back on me, Ice Devil! But, now? Now, I see what your trigger is!" His eyes went to Nashi's weakened body. A moan escaped his lips as he licked them. His mouth was already salivating as he drank in her appearance. "What a good little trigger she is too," he commented. His words were saturated in his desire and the air was tainted in his foul arousal. "Feisty, but a submissive. Oh, yes…" His hands drifted to his crotch and he adjusted himself. "No wonder you're in-between her legs. I want my turn when you're done with the bitch. She looks like she'd be a nice addition to the task force"—his eyes glinted—"as our new toy."
Gary's eyes widened.
Those words… Such poisonous words… Such goading words… But, those words…
His eyes narrowed.
Those words… Such poisonous words… Such goading and sickening words…
Gary's entire body shook with a new emotion that went beyond rage, beyond hatred, beyond fury. It was something far darker and forbidden. It was a black emotion that spilled off him without hesitation.
Such foul words…
"You… Insignificant mutum…" the Ice Devil rasped. His eyes went to slits and threatened to cave into complete silver as he froze Lee with his glower. "ZA TULA SHOA!"
The world slowed down for Nashi. She barely registered what happened next. The intense cold intensified with waves of Curses and ice and snow bursting off Gary's body. She could hear loud crashes, the sounds of structures breaking, the sounds of bones snapping. She heard his animalistic roar shook the earth and demanded retribution, demanded blood.
But, no one could hear her.
Gary...
The darkness consumed her. Her Magic was being eaten away from her. The cold was too much.
I just need you to know…
She could see the image of a smiling Gary fading from her, slipping from her grasp and tugging her into the black.
…that you're not…
Everything was dark.
…a monster.
Love you Love you Love you
himitsu no I love you
naisho no kisu wa imitation?
toke nai mahō mitai ni torawarete so crazy for you
•
kimi wa marude illusion
shibireru love session
aimai na sono motion
sō sa konya wa fiction
kimi wa marude illusion
tame rau love session
gōin na sono motion
Unbreakable magic
TO BE CONTINUED…
Oh, no… Gary, what's happened to you? If you want to see how this'll play out, find out on the next Fairy Adventure!
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
In an unknown location…
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"In the universe, there is Matter and Antimatter…"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
All was not quiet in this place. In a way, it felt like a dungeon. The dank hallways with gaslight lights. Cells were on either side of the hallways. The prisoners were none ever seen on Earth Land. They looked too exotic to exist. Some were mere beasts beaten and broken down. Others looked like humanoid monstrosities with a conscience and a will to live. Each was given a loose shirt and pants with serial numbers to identify themselves. Guards stayed post in each intersection and ever so many meters in a hallway. They looked anything but human, but there was no way to describe them. They were not alive for they were wraiths. They were masses of shadows and dark energy in the form of a broad male with tattered hoods to shadow their face and eyes.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
« These are Wraiths, a type of low class demon that can only follow the orders of the one who contracted it. Some say looking into a Wraith's eyes will mean an instant death as you will catch a glimpse of their enteral suffering. »
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"Matter is naturally what you are made of. Everything is made of matter…"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
A cloak swept down a hallway with deliberate strides. They knew exactly where they were headed and soon found themselves in front of twin doors larger than life. Etched into the metal was an odd symbol that meant so much more than anyone would know.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"Antimatter is the twin of matter and its opposite in many ways… They both coexist to balance each other and the universe…"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The doors opened without preamble to let the figure in. The figure slipped inside before the doors could close. They were swallowed in an endless tomb of books. There was no telling how many books were there and how extensive this library was, but the figure was not there to find that out.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"In Earth Land, 'matter' has taken the name of 'Ethernano' for all living things are made of Ethernano."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
The figure began to look around. There was no curiosity in their stride. They were waiting for something.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"Beings who actively use this Ethernano are called 'Mages'... While being a Mage and using Magic isn't common around Earth Land, it is still practiced."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
A warm smile. "So, you've come to visit me after all?"
The figure spun around to face this new face. "Of course," came an equally warm reply. Female. "I had a few questions of my own and needed to borrow a few books."
"By all means, you are always welcomed into this sanctuary. Browse to your heart's content."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"In nature, there is the prey and there is predator to ensure there is a constant state of balance. The predators ensure the prey does not overpopulate and the prey ensures the cycle of nature is continuous."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
She smiled. "You were always so good to my clan. I wish I could repay you."
"There is no need to repay me. You know this. I am only doing my job."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"In Earth Land, 'antimatter' has taken the name of 'Anti-Ethernano'. A twin to Ethernano to keep the balance."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"I know you only do your job, but you could always refuse me access," she reminded softly.
"I never deny access," came a reminder. "I have no gauge of your terms of 'good' or 'evil'. I only do not grant access to those who mistreat the books."
She laughed as her hands went to her hood. "Always the same as ever, aren't you?"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"So, in nature, as predator and prey keep the balance, then it would make sense…"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"Just as you are…" came words as the woman dropped her cloak.
A woman of golden hair braided down her back. Her eyes displayed light chocolate in them, pure of heart and stronger than steel.
"…Meira Heartfilia…"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"…to call those who use Anti-Ethernano…"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Meira shook her head. "I won't be long," she promised as she turned away. "I have to return to home soon. As you know, I have a very special guest in my house."
"I do," came assurance. "Enjoy your time at the Library, Meira. I shall be here if you need me."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
"…Magic Hunters…"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Chibi-Igneel and Chibi-Mary Jane fill the classroom in their professional ensembles, Chibi-Igneel beaming while Chibi-Mary Jane looks pissed off as always.
"Hey, guys!" Chibi-Igneel cheers. "Ready for your next Fairy Lesson?"
"Aye, sir!" the class chants. "What are we learning about today, Mister Dragneel?"
"Today, we're gonna talk about the different types of Mages, teams, and partners," Chibi-Igneel says. "My flames are burning just thinkin' about it, so let's get to it!"
Chibi-Mary Jane uncaps her Light Pen and begins to write the term Mage and makes branches off it. "All right. You should know by now being a Mage doesn't mean you're in the system with the Magic Council," she informs. "When a Mage reaches the age of ten, only then can they officially register as something we call a 'Legal Mage'." She writes the term in a connected bubble. "If you're a Legal Mage, you can join guilds, go on legal missions, and all of that fun crap."
Chibi-Igneel swipes the pen to write out the next term. "But, you can still be a Mage and not be part of the system. We call you 'Independent Mages'. The Council doesn't really recognize them, but they keep a close eye on 'em."
"That's right," Chibi-Mary Jane agrees. "By the way, no matter which route you take, the Council still has a file on you. If you even accomplish one of those stupid spells from the LacriNet, they'll have something on you in their database. Take that as a lesson."
The entire class cowers back.
Chibi-Igneel chuckles. "And, lastly, we have 'Dark Mages'!" he introduces, writing it out.
One student raises her hand. "Isn't that what Miss Dreyar is?"
A tick mark pops against Chibi-Mary Jane's forehead. "Excuse me?" she hisses. "I am not some lowlife Dark Mage. I am a Darkness Mage. There's a big difference and you should never insult a Legal Mage like that again."
"Easy, MJ," Chibi-Igneel soothes as he writes the next term. "She didn't mean to be rude. That's why we're teaching them, remember?"
Chibi-Mary Jane rolls her eyes. "A Dark Mage is basically the scum of the magical world. They're vile and cruel—the rejects who try to get away with stealing, murderer, and terrorism. They take on a lot of illegal jobs from the underbelly of society," she explains.
"Never make a deal with a Dark Mage," Chibi-Igneel warns the class. "They don't really have any honor or anything. They'll pretty much go back on their word at any given time." He taps LEGAL MAGE. "But, let's talk this term," he decides. "Both Legal and Independent Mages can form guilds. But, Legal Mages can officially do it and form teams and partnerships between other Legal Mages of their guild."
"Forming a team or partnership isn't that hard," Chibi-Mary Jane educates. "Bit of paperwork, but it's nothing bad. See, a Mage has a choice to ride solo or shack it up with one or more people. When you decide to settle down with just a partner, be careful of your choice. You need someone you can work well with in any situation, no matter the circumstances."
Another girl raises her hand. "Do you have a partner, Miss Dreyar?"
Chibi-Mary Jane snorts. "Like I trust anyone that much."
"Can I be your partner, teach?" comes a male shout and the entire class laughs.
Chibi-Igneel smirks. "Sorry, everyone, but MJ is taken by me!"
Chibi-Mary Jane groans. "How many times do I have to tell you that I am a solo Mage? I don't need a partner!"
"Oh, c'mon, MJ!" Chibi-Igneel whines. "You won't even listen to my proposal!"
"Because it's a stupid one, you moron," Chibi-Mary Jane claps back. "I don't like you. I barely trust you. And, I don't want to fill out the paperwork for it, especially if I have to take your little team name."
"I can fill out the paperwork!" Chibi-Igneel cries. "What's wrong with taking my name? It's awesome!"
"My answer is 'no'," Chibi-Mary Jane huffs, glaring away from him. "You've been rejected, moron. Give it up!"
Chibi-Igneel gets down on one knee, clasping his hands as comical tears stream his face. "Just listen to my proposal one more time!"
"I am feeling very violated that you won't take 'no' for an answer."
"MJ…!"
"What part of 'no' don't you understand?!"
The students look at their teachers in a combination of bewilderment and amusement. One girl whispers to her friend, "Doesn't it sound like Miss Dreyar is rejecting Mister Dragneel's marriage proposal?"
"Yeah," her friend whispers back. "I think it's be cute of they got married."
Chibi-Mary Jane snaps her glade onto the two students who stiffen. "I can hear you," she growls, irate. "I made a promise to my sanity I would remain single for life, so you can count walking down the aisle and saying 'I do' out of my future. Especially with something like him." She jerks her head towards the groveling Chibi-Igneel.
Chibi-Igneel suddenly grins. "You'll say, 'yes' to me eventually," he promises. "I already asked your family and got their blessing."
Chibi-Mary Jane's eyes widened. "You did what?!" she screeches. She begins to storm off. "Daddy! Why the Hell would you try to give me away to someone who pisses me off?!"
Chibi-Igneel laughs. "Next time, on Fairy Adventure: WHO DO YOU SEE?" He fiddles with his scarf. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to try and hunt down my partner." He pulls out a thin packet of paperwork. "I still need her signature and initials on the paperwork. If she resists…" A devious smirk takes over his face, chilling the class. "There's always blackmail." And, he runs out of the class, hollering. "Hey, MJ! I need you to sign something!"
"Stranger Danger! Someone help! A moron is trying to kidnap me!" comes Chibi-Mary Jane's cry.
The entire class sweat-drops.
A male student stands and looks around to his peers. "All in favor of thinking Mister Dragneel might die by Miss Dreyar's hand?"
The entire class raises their hand. "Aye, sir…"
Voices of New Characters in Order of Appearance
Sametria Ewunes as Faye
Brina Palencia as Brusca
Ed Baylock as Bundy
Michael Frost as Captain Frollo
N/A as Captain Tanya
Morgan Garrett as "Smiley"
Amory Watterson as Mint
Travis Willingham as Lee Gavrilo