Fairy x Adventure

by Magnafeana

In a new era after the Alvarez War, Lucy, Natsu, and the rest of Fairy Tail not only face new challenges but watch as their kids go on new journeys, learn new powers, and battle new enemies and old! Join Luna, Nashi, and the upcoming generation of Mages on Fairy Tail and more on their never-ending adventure!

141. Adventure 141

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any pop culture or classical references. All original plots and characters are mine.

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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.

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PREVIOUSLY, on Fairy Adventure: procuring stealth suits from Ena takes some faith, trust, and Silver's magic words in Julia and Gale's case. With these suits capable of invisibility, Gale put the spell to the test to listen in on Fatimah's conversation with newcomer Yara Sandström, the former Royal Healer and bystander of the relationship between the king of Bellum and the queen of Shamballa. Thirteen's moment to himself brings about an old friend and a message from his old flock while Vinyl starts understanding Vespers and Salentino's relationship. Julia's conversation sparks something is off, but that doesn't matter right now. Julia, Gale, Yara, and Fatimah have all made up their minds to get Inayah out of Shamballa, even if it means becoming public enemy number one. But between the Emir, Zayed, the Pasban, Deathhawks, and the Black Auction, it looks like getting out of Shamballa alive could prove to be harder than they thought.

"My evil genius."

"My songbird. My Kyary."

If the auction week is already this intense, who knows what more trouble could happen? And even once the trouble here ends in Shamballa, there still might be trouble back home…

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Chibi-Nashi appears with a grin and a wave. "Hi, everyone! Ready for more Fairy Adventure? To keep your eyes safe, make sure you read with at least one light on in a low setting! And here is the updated time zone table!"

Abbreviations – Time Zone Name • — • — •— • — Location • — Offset

MCDT • — • — Melandian Central Daylight Time – Melandia • — • UTC +7

CST • — • — • – Cipangu Standard Time • — • — • — Cipangu • — • – UTC +5

SST • — • — • – Sīchóu Standard Time • — • — • — Zhōnguá • — • – UTC +3

CIT • — • — • – Central Ishgaran Time • — • — • — Bellum • — • – UTC +2

CMT • — • — • – Charring Mean Time • — • — • — Minstrel • — • – UTC +1

FST • — • – Fiore Standard Time • — • — • — • Fiore • — • — • – UTC - 0:00

WIT • — • – Western Ishgaran Time • — • — • — • Caelum • — • – UTC - 0:00

ACT • — • — Arcticados Central Time • — • — • – Arcticados • — • — UTC – 1

CAST • — • — • — • — Caracole-Alicanto Standard Time – Fiore • — • UTC – 1

ADT • — • — • – Alvarez Daylight Time • — • — • – Alvarez • — • — UTC – 2

SST • — • — Shamballa Standard Time • — • — Shamballa • — • — UTC – 2

EAT • — • — • – East Andüsa Time • — • — • – Andüsa • — • — • — UTC – 2

AT • — • — • – Amazone Time • — • — • — • — • — Valchestria • — UTC - 4

EST • — • — • – Eastern Standard Time • — • — • – Meidiland • — • UTC - 6

Chibi-Nashi winks with a thumbs up. "See you at the end of the episode!"

---

The ultra-modern and luxury estate looked like something you would dream of while you lived in your shoebox apartment, waiting to win the lottery. The estate had its own palm trees grown up big and strong and special Green Mages who cared for them and all the precious flora confined to the land. The backyard had been graced with a sleek in-ground pool already cleaned and calmed for the morning while the crest of Shamballa was outlined in gold tile among the sandstone deck.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Morgiana Estate, one of the residencies owned by the Emir and his family, and is located in the community Morgiana, a newer and affluent place of villas and townhomes. Sheikh Mohammed, the prime minister of Shamballa, lives here with his family as permanent residents. He's also the uncle of Sheikh Kamir. Legends say an Afrait lives here to root out traitors and intruders, but the summoner of such Demon is still unknown. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The maids refused to slip up as they had the honor to help prepare the queen of their country for the morning. None dared to touch her veil. Inayah would daintily lift it to help out with her rose bath. She had stopped one of her bath maids from cleaning her below her waist, and it sickened her how sore and wincing she was.

One of the maids caught on to Inayah's nausea, but she mistook it and she asked, "Are you feeling sick this morning, Your Majesty? Shall I call the royal physician?"

"N-No," Inayah stumbled out as she hurried through cleaning herself. "No, thank you, please. I'm fine. I suppose I'm just…sore this morning."

Feverish pants as an intrusion battered between her legs. "So good," came marvel. The intrusion went harder to the point blood mixed with slick. "Almost there."

Shame and humiliation burned across her body as she pulled up the washcloth to her chest with shaky hands. She had no more tears left to give and her stomach would not give the maids the satisfaction of retching when they would misinterpret. I'm a whore, she numbly thought. I am…ruined. She bit down her bottom lip to keep from screaming. But… She touched her stomach as pure hatred mixed with her despair. I can make sure I'll never give them what they want.

"You're touching your stomach, Your Majesty, are you sure everything is all right?"

Horrified, she realized what this looked like and ripped her hand away. "I'm fine." She cleared her throat to force it down a pitch. "Please… Proceed with the bath."

The maids continued, but her heart twisted and she yearned to curl into a ball when she saw the maids taking turns eyeing her stomach in happiness. Gossip would happen behind closed doors, and she knew it would reach her husband. How the Emira looked sick in the morn; how she protectively held her stomach; how sore she had been—all would be fodder to feed the staff hopes of an heir on the way.

She nearly drew blood from her bottom lip to keep from telling them the truth.

The bath did not take too long and neither did getting dressed and perfected. The ladies always complimented her skin tone. It made her heart sink seeing the maids from Andüsa, who had come here for a better life and looked at her in such hope that a woman who looked like them could hold a position of power.

Would they still want this position knowing how she had to attain it?

A servant had come to escort her with guards making sure she was well-insulated with protection. She kept her hands clasped before her and chin high, just as she had been instructed to. Even if her hands shook the entire way of being led through the estate.

Conversation picked up, and Inayah realized she was guided to the family room, a beautiful place of peace decorate in rich green with maroon and gold accents, but white stood strong. Geometric motifs and scrolls took up the walls and shelves with one wall housing calligraphy from the holy text, specifically about their family. Simple wooden pieces added an updated look to the room. It was Sunnah to sit on the floor, but that did not mean they had to sit on the rugs and tile floor. Cushions had provided a sense of coziness for all the relatives gathered.

She felt like an outsider as she stood at the entryway to the family room. Family members had gathered over tea, chatting up a storm. Even little ones had joined them, always curious and mischievous, but such would be children.

Kamir noticed his wife and smiled as he stood to greet her. "Hayati."

Inayah tried to smile beneath her veil. "Albi." She accepted his proffered hand. "I'm sorry I'm late—"

"It's fine," Kamir murmured. He leaned close and said in a lower tone, "I heard from one of the servants you aren't feeling well. Is this true?"

Inayah's stomach knotted and she whispered, "I'm fine. I just thought of something unpleasant."

"All right." Kamir pulled away a little, but there was genuine concern in his frown. "Remember, Inayah, there is no need to force yourself to anyone's expectations. You are my wife and the queen, yes, but our culture isn't yours. If you should feel uncomfortable—"

"I'm fine, Kamir," Inayah assured him. "I will let you know if I'm not comfortable."

Kamir did not look convinced. "You—"

"Kamir, you know there are others present, don't you?"

Kamir sighed and murmured to Inayah. "Well, please bear with my family a little longer." He turned to address his grinning relatives and said diplomatically, "There's nothing wrong with making sure my wife is all right." He escorted Inayah to her seat next to his own. "And you would be in a much better position with your wife if you checked in a little more."

His uncle bellowed his laugh, a barrel-chest man with his proud keffiyeh and agal and a prominent salt-and-pepper beard. "I do that plenty, boy!" He smiled at his prim and proper wife. "She's the one who leaves me cold."

⌜COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

Name: Mohammad bin Saif Al Marwan

Age: 88

Occupation: Vice President & Prime Minister / Minister of Defense

Likes: making his wife's favorite comfort foods Dislikes: his daughter's current rebelliousness

Special Note: Mohammad met his wife when he was in military service in her kingdom! ⌟

His wife was a darling with noble beauty. She had darker skin a few shades close to Inayah, but she preferred to wear gloves with her abaya and half niqāb. Her light brown eyes could be seen critiquing her husband, and she tutted, "Silly man. You practically gave me a stroke when you faked being hurt for my attention."

⌜UNIVERSITY OF SYCAMORE

Name: Sooraya Shah

Age: 87

Occupation: Chancellor

Likes: her grandchildren Dislikes: her husband's antics

Special Note: Sooraya comes from the Republic of Ruda. However, she was forced to flee because of a holy war between her nation and a terrorist group! ⌟

Mohammad was unafraid to jest back, "But you were kinder to me a little more."

"I'm always kind to you," Sooraya said stiffly. "It's not my fault you're a clumsy fool. You'll make me get white hair before long."

"I think I saw one—" Mohammad chuckled over Sooray's narrowed-eyed look. "I'm kidding, hayati."

"Don't joke around too much, Mohammad," one sister called as she entertained her grandchild. "She's the one responsible for all your meals, remember?"

"I cook!" Mohammad said in his defense. "I know how to make all her favorites."

"Yeah, after nearly burning the kitchen twenty times," someone drawled and made the rest of the family laugh.

Inayah's heart softened as she listened to all the conversation around her and her gaze swept around. Skin tone varied with the lightest family member being a wife from Ishgar with her blonde hair and blue eyes. Not everyone wore headscarves since mahrams were present, but some did, and no comments were made. It all felt so warm and comforting. These people have been so kind to me since I arrived here. I suppose…this is what a family is like. It's…very nice.

A wide smile. "You all started without me; how cruel."

Inayah froze.

Kamir looked up. "I thought you'd be at your breakfast with your friends for a little longer?"

"You know I wouldn't miss time with all my family"—Zayed stood in his fashionable kurta suit and headwear and gift in hand—"Father." He upheld his gift. "And I wanted to give Mother her gift before the auction since I wasn't able to see her last night." He bowed his head. "I apologize for the intrusion."

"It's fine, Zayed," Kamir assured, gesturing to his son. "Come sit."

"Thank you."

Inayah felt her heart pound and all the noise tuned out for the acute sound of Zayed's footfalls. She tried to control her trembling, but it was hard to resist the urge to turn to her husband and shun Zayed. Her involuntary flinch could not be helped when he sat down beside her.

"Mother," Zayed murmured, "I was out with a few friends when I saw this and thought it would be perfect for you." He offered his gift to her, but when she did not take it immediately, he encouraged, "If you want to open it in private, that's fine. I just wanted to honor you with this."

A lady of the family cooed, "How sweet of you, Zayed. You always cherish your mother well. It makes me jealous my own son doesn't do that."

Inayah could barely hear the others give their agreements when Zayed's harmless contact of his leg touching hers made her breath labor and head swirl.

Zayed gave a blinding smile. "I apologize for my bad manners. I didn't mean to make anyone jealous." He started pulling back his gift. "I should've waited until a more appropriate time—"

"Nonsense," Kamir dismissed. "They all are just teasing. I'm sure we're all curious about the gift now. Inayah?"

"A-Ah." Inayah jolted. "Y-Yes, of course." For once, she was grateful for her gloves and went for Zayed's gift. A bout of sickness rocked her when his fingers lingered on hers, but she had to stop herself from snatching back her hands and wanting to take a hot bath. "Th-Thank you, Zayed," she appreciated and kept the tremor out of her voice. "I'm…honored for your gift." With care, she opened the box—

She froze.

Kamir took a look at the gift beneath his half-moon glasses. "Beauty products, Zayed?"

"These are actually made in Andüsa," Zayed supplied. "I know Mother has phenomenal products here, but I thought she might feel more comfortable with cosmetics from her homeland." He ruefully looked at Sooraya. "Am'mah Sooraya gave me the inspiration to look a little closer."

Sooraya regarded her grand-nephew in affection. "While Shamballa is wonderful, there are times I miss things from my home country—things I know I can't go back for with the terrorism." She looked at her husband. "And I'm always grateful when Mohammad goes out of his way to find little things from my home."

"You've honored your mother well, Zayed," Mohammad told his grand-nephew with pride. "So thoughtful. You've raised a great son, Kamir."

Kamir agreed. "He's always been thoughtful towards our family."

"I only am this way because of your guidance, Father," Zayed said, humble. He looked earnestly at his stepmother. "Do you like it? I'm sorry I couldn't be more specific in region…" His smile faded at Inayah's prolonged silence. "Do you…not like it?"

Inayah's bottom lip trembled. "N-N-No." Her voice came out hoarse. "I-It's… It reminds me of my home." Her eyes clouded as she looked into the box. These products are from my region… They're even Onisegun-certified. But… A muted whimper hid behind her sealed-shut lips. Why…? Why does he do this to me? These products…are only used for pregnant women.

Zayed smiled. "Wonderful! I'm glad I was able to give you a piece of home. And I hope you're able to use my gift soon." His smile widened. "Very soon."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"Ame no youna kaze no youna

Dareka no koto jama suru youna

Hito ni nante naritaku wanai kara?

Hare no youna hikari no youna

Dareka no koto teraseru youna

Hito ni naritai!"

nante itai tte dareka no koe ga?

Kikoetara nanda

Nagutte kowashite sayonara DILEMMA!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The desert was not for the faint of heart.

The sun's blinding gaze could be considered cruel to those unused to the unusual heat and much more in tune with gradual seasonal changes. One could hallucinate amongst the dunes and rock formations, but it was hard to differentiate fact from fiction when true dessert monsters lurked beneath the sand from a prime opportunity to hunt. Lacrima Sensors had been set up to keep all those traveling aware of when a sand-swimming monster was about to surface for lunch. A few dessert cats scattered at the caravan of SUVs blowing down the highway. A caravan of traders with their camels and magical beasts could be seen a couple of kilometers out, but they disappeared behind a dune.

The trail of cars led to a restored fortress hidden in the ranges of red rock, sparse vegetation, and a cackling creek. To the lazy and the childish, they might giggle about how the fortress walls looked like sandcastles and that the brave souls who protected this land were nothing more than fools protecting a sandbox.

Guards called out to each other to drop the wards and open the gates for the brigade to pass and in everyone went to the museum in all its majesty.

And how majestic it was.

The wards made it seem like the fortress had been neglected, but passing the wards, a beautiful greenery waited for them with a long reflection pool and bountiful aromatic plants. A sebil fountain had recently been clean. And because the garden was meant to envision paradise, honey, milk, and wine were also offered. The building inside the fortress walls looked too cinematic to be real. Keyhole archways were commonplace and beautiful inside with their girih geometric tiles crafted to display holy text and symbols and mesmerizing patterns, not to mention the large mosaic of the Tūba tree. Arabesque decoration could make a foreign guest breathless with such dedication and beauty.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is the Nasnas Museum, the once Al-Nasnas Fortress that held strong against rampaging desert monsters. The Nasnas Museum is committed to educating, exploring, and celebrating Alakitasian and Shamballa culture and challenging cultural stereotypes through teaching programs, thought-provoking exhibitions, technological innovation. The motto of the museum is roughly translated to Minstrish as "We will become a portal to the past and a window to the future". »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sheikh Kamir and his family were the first to unload as staffers excitedly waited for their parties. Valets were at the ready to help guests who needed any sort of assistance. A cute little old lady profusely thanked one valet who got her cane for her.

Once everyone had de-boarded from their rides, they rallied near Kamir and his family. He greeted, "As-salamu alaikum. Welcome, friends, to the Nasnas Museum. For today only, because of the auction, we have permitted you closed-door access to the grounds. With one o'clock approaching, we will excuse those of us with Zuhr prayer to the prayer room. For those not praying, you are welcome to observe our prayer or you may take an interpersonal tour of the museum. We ask that you stay with your party. Once our prayer is done, we will all reconvene for a tour of the facility, and then a brief lunch before the auction begins. I will now overturn all further talks to the director of our museum. Please."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." An attractive man stood before the crowd in his tailored Stellian suit. He did not don any headwear, but he looked perfectly comfortable in the heat. His ice-blue eyes, however, stood out to most. "Hello and good afternoon, everyone. I am Rashid, the director of the museum and a member of the Archeology Society."

⌜NASNAS MUSEUM

Name: Rashid Walter

Age: 31

Occupation: Director

Likes: comedians Dislikes: opera

Special Note: Rashid may live in Shamballa and is Alakitasian, but he is originally from Minstrel since his mother is Minstrish! He soon became employed at the Archaeology Society and is more than happy to connect with his Middle Alakitasian roots! ⌟

"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Rashid said warmly. "As His Majesty mentioned, today we have closed down the museum to visitors so that you all may have our undivided attention. There are very few places where you will not be allowed as we have opened our normally closed-off exhibits for your viewing pleasure. For the tour, we will divide you into smaller groups of roughly twelve, so you may learn more about the rich history and culture of what the museum has to offer.

"However, I ask that you do respect our closed-off areas," he said kindly. "This fortress was only recently restored within the last couple of decades, thanks to the grace of the late emperor Zeref. However, not even we who have been tirelessly working on this fortress know all its secrets. You might have seen rumors that tunnels, almost a labyrinth, exist in the fortress." He looked around. "And I can confirm right here and now that those rumors are true."

Murmurs broke about. Both Julia and Vinyl tensed at the news. Thirteen crossed his arms.

Rashid chuckled. "But you don't need to worry. From the entrances we have earthed, we have put appropriate wards to make sure you don't accidentally get lost there." His ice-blue eyes spoke of something dark. "This fortress withstood against militaries and monsters for a reason. Some say that the secret tunnels here were meant to lure enemies into thinking they had the upper hand when they walked into a trap. Overnight staff and overnight bookings have reported having strange dreams of the potential horrors unleashed her. Some can still hear the pleads from the fallen. That's why we implore you that your curiosity does not override your common sense."

His smile turned into a somber frown. "Or you may also become nothing more than a haunted memory."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 141

•

The First Auction

•

ファーストオークション

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Once those who need to pray and those who wanted to observe were escorted away, a good chunk of guests remained and loitered in the sahn (courtyard) surrounded by stunning riwaq (arcade). The heat had no chance of hurting anyone thanks to the shading umbrellas. A few hungry and parched guests were pleasantly surprised snacks were offered and that sweet wine was permitted on the premises.

Julia and Gale stayed together and took a stroll along the arcade. Julia's generous long sleeve dress kept her cool with how breathable Ena crafted the material and she wore a loose-fitting headscarf to keep away the heat. From the corner of her eyes, she watched as little spiders fled from her sleeve to crawl onto the continuous archways of the portico. Noko said he perfected his spiders. They'll start a whole network—The Web—and feed information back to our contact lenses and Gale's watch.

She glanced at Gale, but he seemed deep in thought. We haven't really spoken since last night. She looked away. Ever since…

"I'm saying…maybe we handled things wrong." Grim rubies. "Maybe Silver never needed the protection you think he did."

She kept a stiff upper lip. Why would he even bring that up now? Could he hear what Chunhua and I were talking about? She doesn't even know Silver and all he's been through. Oranges sparked, hiding her true blues. Still, he never replied back… Maybe he'll reply while we're away. It's not like I can contact him through the prepaid Coms anyway. She sighed through her nose. I know what I'm doing. But why does it feel like this?

"You okay?"

Julia blinked at Gale's murmured question and nodded to the side. "I'm fine." She looked up. "Never thought I'd use my passport to come here. Part of me wants to splurge on souvenirs for my family."

"I know I already will be," Gale muttered. "Princess back home is a sucker for postcards and stuffed animals, so I gotta bring her back something." He held up his prepaid Compact with the camera app open. "And take a lot of pictures."

They stopped and Julia smiled as Gale started capturing photos. "You talk to her this morning? I thought I heard voices."

"Yeah." Gale took another shot and decided to delete it for a better one. His lips twitched. "She called me an f-boy."

Julia snorted, crossing her arms. "Well, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck…"

"Your boy is one too, FYI," Gale grumbled.

Julia simpered and sidled to him. "He's a reformed one, thank you very much. And he's enjoying the beach with his little sister, or so all the pictures looked." She looked up at him. "She send you any pictures?"

"Try sharing her photo album with me," Gale said dryly. "She already set up a date where I'm going to be her little editorial assistant when she's home and can finally look at all the photos on the camera I bought her."

"And you sound pretty smug about it."

Gale took one last shot and examined his screen. "Yeah I am. Nothing like knowing my gift is getting a good workout." He scowled. "And besides, she threatened her precious 'baby' would help her if I didn't say anything."

Julia stretched up an eyebrow. "Did she 'threaten' you or did she mention my brother offered to help her and you took that as a threat?" She sighed when Gale sweated. "You know he's not an actual threat, right? It's called a platonic relationship."

"Why does it have to be a 'relationship?" Gale huffily complained.

"Because literally every type of interaction between people is a relationship. It doesn't mean romance and we both know you know that." Julia shook her head when Gale hmphed. "How are you jealous of him? I can see our resident fortune teller, but my brother? Considering who his crush is? Don't tell me you think she's a threat too?"

"I'm not even close to my friends like that," Gale growled. "I know you're not! Why does she have to be so intimate with them?" His eyebrow twitched, irked, remembering how much Ena and Silver doted on Luna, though perhaps his feelings were jaded and made his memories exaggerate the nature of their relationship when he imagined Chibi-Luna between her best friends as they spoiled her rotten and simultaneously gave him a middle finger. It's like they're rubbing it in my face I can't do that.

Julia gave him a what-are-you-talking-about look. "Do you remember I had an FWB relationship with a certain friend?" She grumbled under her breath, "Until her boyfriend ruined it."

Gale snickered. "You're just mad he's greedy with her." He shrugged. "I can't blame him. She's hot."

"She is," Julia agreed in frustration. "Which is why he's even more cruel." However, she could not help her grin when Gale chortled at her expense. "Hey… Are we okay? I know last night was a little tense at the end there…"

"Yeah." Gale nudged her. "We're cool."

Julia tried to downplay her relief. "Good. That's good." She looked around and lowered her voice. "It'll take some time for the spiders to make their web. But once that happens…"

Gale nodded. "You figure out why your dear uncle sent you here in the first place?"

Noko's question came back to haunt Julia. "No, I haven't." I don't understand Maxim's endgame. Did he want me to place a bid? Noko told me there is absolutely zero chance any little Gary's are running around or any of his…stuff to make babies. Am I supposed to meet someone here? She lifted her head—

Gale caught Julia's surprise. "What's up?"

"It's Chunhua," Julia relayed. "She's over there."

"Really?" Gale looked where Julia pointed and his draconic eyes enhanced. "Far out. It's her."

Chunhua looked to be with another man who shared much of her facial features. However, he left her out of the conversation as he spoke to another Zhōnguánese businessman and a freckle-faced man who had intimate ties with the businessman.

"The group said that they weren't coming to the main auctions," Julia told Gale, curious. "Chunhua doesn't seem like a liar." Huh… She watched as Chunhua rung out her gloved hands. I wonder why her brother had her come to this…

Gale offered his arm. "Come on. Let's get some more pictures of the courtyard." As Julia took his arm, he led the charge to see if they could get a picture of one of the fountains—

"—Your Majesty, please, I'm nothing special."

"But you are."

Gale stopped mid-stride. Wait… That sounded like…

"Please. My boyfriend will return—"

"And I am imploring you for just a moment of your time."

Julia frowned. "What's—?" She caught his look and sobered up to nod back at him.

Gale led Julia down the portico. Keyhole archways led out to the gardens where a few visitors wanted to take some pictures and admire the landscape. But Gale and Julia disregarded the garden to snake their way around. A baradari lived on the grounds, a twelve open-door free-flowing pavilion. With the land being flat and open, Gale and Julia lingered near one of the lion fountains and pretend to take pictures.

Gale aimed for the baradari with his vision enhancing. Just as I thought. Key looked to be inside the pavilion, dressed in a comfortable gray with her own headscarf, but she was not alone. The eighth prince of Dilmun had joined her with guards positioned to make sure no one came in. He whispered to Julia, "You see that?"

"Yeah." Julia blinked once, waited, then slowly blinked for her contacts to enhance her vision and see what Gale saw. "I can only see. I'm trying to read lips, but can you hear everything?"

"Yeah." Gale narrowed his eyes. All right, Your Highness. What business do you have with a grown woman?

°•°•°•°

Kyary hugged herself. It might have felt embarrassing to others how a child intimidated her, but they were not in the same position she was. She tried to hide more in the shadows and pleaded, "I understand you wanted to meet, but can't we wait for my partner—?"

"Your partner is why I can't wait." The eighth prince of Dilmun might not have been that tall, but those dark eyes of his possessed a cruel maturity shaped into him by the politics of his country and family. He looked like a proper representative of his asymmetrical sherwani and layered kanthimala, especially with the guards posted at all twelve entryways. "I apologize for your discomfort, but please bear with me for a moment."

⌜THE KINGDOM OF DILMUN

Name: Enmerkar

Age: 11

Ability: Unknown

Occupation: The Eighth Prince of Dilmun

Likes: his deceased teacher Dislikes: his entire family

Special Note: Enmerkar might be young and the eighth in line for sultan, but don't underestimate him! Most of his siblings are wary of him and even his father has awarded him Lacrima mines for his hard work, which basically establishes the sultan considering him as the crowned heir! ⌟

Enmerkar looked at Kyary. I cannot let this opportunity go to waste. He clenched his hands behind his back. I need to be quick.

"Have you ever heard of the country Iram?" Enmerkar asked.

Kyary shook her head. "I haven't. I'm sorry. I-I'm not that good at geography—"

"It's not a problem," Enmerkar dismissed, "since Iram isn't on any map. In fact, I'd be surprised if you recognized the name."

Kyary frowned. "I'm…not following."

Enmerkar sighed and looked to the side. "Iram is a lost city, actually. I'm sure in the west and east, you call it 'Atlantis of the Sands'. Some people regard it as a mere myth. It was a city that shifted with the sands or that it's buried beneath the desert. But Iram was very real and so were its people. A people so powerful that Magic nor man could touch them. They defended much of Andüsa and bordering countries from the wrath of Demons and Gods and Dragons. They were a kind people who believed in protecting the innocent and forging strong bonds."

His eyes darkened. "But hundreds of years ago…during the Second Black War…such a tribe and a city—they vanished without a trace."

'Vanished'? Kyary echoed.

"No one—not even the scholars at the Archaeology Society—could explain how the entire city could suddenly vanish like it had never existed in the first place. Cultivators had also died out in Sela, but they at least had ruins of their sects. But the people of Iram were completely wiped out with no one—not even halflings—were able to carry on their great power."

"I-I see…" Kyary hugged herself tighter. Why is he telling me this? "I'm sorry, but I don't understand all of this. What does that have to do with me?"

Enmerkar tightened his hand-hold. "Do you know the defining characteristic of the people of Iram? They came in all different shades. But there was one known factor about them that no one else could find anywhere else. It was in their eyes." He turned to Kyary. "They're gray eyes."

Kyar felt a chill in the air.

Enmerkar pursued, "It's not that gray eyes aren't natural. But most with gray eyes have the color too light or so dark, it looks black. But the people of Iram all had one color of gray in their eyes, even those who were half. And that shade never appeared in anyone else."

Kyary held back her swallow. "That's nice, but that doesn't have anything to do with me—?"

"Why? Your eyes look the correct shade of gray to me." He advanced closer. "You can't be this naïve to not understand my words or what I want from you. Your gray eyes aren't like others; I'm sure of it. You might be a descendant of a great people without even realizing it."

Kyary's back hit the wall. "Even if I am, that means nothing," she reasoned. "I don't have Magic. I've never had Magic—"

"And as I said, those people didn't have Magic," Enmerkar reminded, toe-to-toe with her. "They had powers that not even Magic could fight against. And you might be one of them too. An Ether Meter Reading wouldn't have picked up on it. But with your gray eyes, it's possible you inherited the same gift as your ancestors. A thousand years and such a power has been labeled extinct. But you could have it inside you."

"I don't," Kyary assured him, her visible eye darting around. "Please get away from me—"

"I'm trying to be nice, but you still don't see my point." Enmerkar stood his ground. "I can offer you whatever you wish. Maybe it's money. Maybe it's freedom. Maybe it's living a common life with your partner. I can provide it all if you help me in return." He reached for her. "All you need to do is"—his hand came close—"is show me that power inside you."

Kyary flinched back—

SNATCH!

"You shouldn't lay hands on beautiful women, Your Highness."

An ice-cold Fusajiro had Enmerkar's wrist in a vice grip, and he did not care the threat of violence was on his person by the alarmed guards. He glared down at the eighth prince behind his yellow aviators. "I heard your culture has a bad reputation with men getting away with putting their hands on women. It's a real shame it's true."

Enmerkar snatched back his hand, but he met Fusajiro's gaze with ease and held up a hand for his guards to stand down. "You think a child like me is capable of doing such a thing?"

"I know a lot more than you think, Your Highness," Fusajiro warned, tone hedging a hiss. "And I also know you have the wrong gray eyes."

Dark brown and liquid-gold met in a battle of aggressive silence.

Enmerkar calmly bowed out. "I understand. I didn't mean to get so caught up. Your partner is very intriguing." He let his gaze flush over Kyary. "My twelfth birthday is this year. In my country, that's the age a boy turns into a man and can start his own harem."

"I think it's time for us to leave," Fusajiro told him with his knuckles white.

Enmerkar smirked. "What? Did I say something wrong? It's true. Dilmun allows men to start harems at twelve years of age. I don't understand your hostility towards my culture. And I haven't decided if I want to start a harem." Something in his dark gaze shifted. "I just know who I would invite first."

Kyary latched on to Fusajiro's arm before he could do anything and she shot a harried smile at the prince. "I apologize, Your Highness. Please excuse us. My partner is not feeling that well." She tried to bring Fusajiro away and pleaded when he stood still, "Please, Jiro. Let's leave—"

"I didn't say you could leave." Enmerkar sighed over Fusajiro's locked jaw and Kyary's flinch. "Very well. You may go. I'll allow it. I look forward to seeing you both this week."

Kyary could only nod and herded Fusajiro away—

"And Miss," Enmerkar called without turning around. "I hope you'll accept my next invitation. I think you would benefit from it more than me."

Kyary's stomach knotted, but all she could do was give a tiny nod and keep Fusajiro moving out of the pavilion.

A guard came to Enmerkar and murmured, "Should we continue to keep watch over them?"

"No." Enmerkar looked out one of the doors to see Fusajiro putting a possessive arm around his girlfriend. "I got what I needed."

Rather than having his stare linger inappropriately on Kyary, it moved to Fusajiro. Now he knows I'm aware of who was behind rejecting my lunch invite. And he'll come in her stead to warn me. He adjusted his hand-hold. He's not just a simple company owner. Not if he could get past my guards and put his hands on me.

He turned away and called, "I'll be moving further in."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Enmerkar's expression went dark. He told me I had the wrong gray eyes, which means he's familiar with the mysterious tribe of people wielding a power that not even Magic or Curses could withstand. If I'm going to become Sultan, I'll need to use every resource I can. I need to find a descendant of those people. And once I do—a flicker of Magic went over his hands—I will show my country the same nonexistent love it showed me.

A smile. "Hey, Your Highness."

Enmerkar looked down the steps to see an angelic little girl hanging around with her knight at her service. Others probably saw this little girl as a grace of the gods and Mother, from her pale hair to the glow in her silvery eyes.

What a shame all he saw was the Devil inside her.

Her smile widened as her pale silvers went half-lidded with saccharine mischief. "Got a minute?"

°•°•°•°

Julia reeled back from the synopsis Gale provided her. "Shit."

Gale nodded. "Yeah."

Julia tried to make sense of it all, eyes wide. So that's why the prince had an interest in her, because of her eyes? He must've thought she also had Anti-Ether. But her eyes are lighter than Tesla's and since Anti-Ether people only had Tesla's eye color, Key isn't one of them. Still… If the eighth prince is hunting for Tesla, that could mean one of two things. He's that desperate to cling to anything to be a sultan. Or—her stomach dropped—Tesla's power is being spoken about around the wrong kind of people and she's in more danger than Zelda thought.

She whispered to Gale, "We have to tell her."

"You have to tell her," Gale corrected. "She doesn't know about me and she can't know about me, 'member?"

"Right." Julia chewed on the inside of her cheek. I'll need to pass word to Zelda about this. We're not leaving any in the dark again.

"Attention!" came a call. "All those with the auction, it's time for the tour!"

As Gale and Julia got up, she told Gale, "Okay, we need to get it in gear and get focused. Remember about your gloves."

Gale looked hesitant about his gloves, yet determined. "I'm not sure how much of this I can control, but I'll give it a shot." He adjusted his gloves. We decided I'd need to use my psychometry to verify Yara and Fatimah's intentions. And, if the opportunity presents itself, touch the prince or an object of the king. For as much as we want to help the queen escape, we can't do it without knowing we're on the right side. If Yara doesn't truly intend to take the queen home, we'll have to stop her.

"Ready?"

Gale offered his arm and Julia accepted it. "To do something probably illegal in a foreign country?" He looked up at the sky. "Sure. Just remember what my old man said."

"And what was that?"

He grinned. "Control the witnesses."

°•°•°•°

Gathering everyone into the lobby was simply enough. Staffers had gone about to assign people their own tour groups, and the tour guides made sure each guest had their own pamphlet enchanted to have a holographic map outlining emergency exits, pathway guidelines for how to get to certain exhibits, and even rest areas.

Once all was said and done, Rashid came forward and said, "Now that you have been assigned your tour guides, allow us to escort you to our welcoming four-dimensional theater." He gestured. "This way."

Thirteen kept his eyes everywhere and tried not to tense as much as he and Vinyl moved with the crowd. The Al-Nasnas Fortress is actually a well-kept paradise. It makes sense. Alakitasian Magic, especially in the middle east, is different than Ishgaran Magic.

"Thirteen?" Vinyl frowned when he did not answer her. His music is ominous and tense, all plucked and staccato. I don't blame him. Her aquamarines shafted a sidelong glance to Vespers as he hung onto the withdrawn Salentino's arm. We have enemies hidden in the masses.

The welcoming theater threw a few people off. From the dome screen structure to the seats that looked like they belonged on a roller coaster, everyone could pick out their own seat. A few guests were excited to have the privilege of being within such a theater and were curious about the experience. Fairy Tail minds think alike as Gale and Thirteen aimed for aisle seats on opposite ends of the theater. Chunhua sat quietly beside her brother as he and Wu talked up a storm.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is called a 4D theater, also called a Dome Theater, which uses the power of Lacrima to allow guests to be fully immersed in the film projections. One of the Forge's old students invented this idea since their Enchant and Magic Engineering were specifically tailored for entertainment systems. To this day, only a handful of countries and organizations have Dome Theaters. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Once everyone was fully settled in, the lights darkened and—

VOOM!

Everyone could feel the heat as the desert displayed before them. A camel caravan traveled through the dunes. It looked like this had come from olden times as the people riding their camels dressed in layers of dark blue and black and some had slitted glasses for their eyes. It was a trying time to travel through the desert, but these vagabonds did whatever necessary to survive the heat and make it to a new land.

"X-six-hundreds," the narrator started, a Minstrish woman. "The Wastes have become home to this lost tribe. They had been cast out from a power struggle in now-Ustan and now they wandered the Wastes of Alakitasia for a place to call their own."

The leader of this caravan took off his slitted eyewear as he looked about the desert.

"The man guiding them, Sheikh Marwan. The great prophet Mohammad had guided him that the gods had abandoned them ever since the atrocious war four hundred years before this moment. After telling his brothers that their days of worship had been in vain, he had learned his brothers and the ones before him knew the gods had abandoned them. The people's worship and offerings were harvested by his brothers due to their greed. In the end, Sheikh Marwan visited the prophet Mohammad for his guidance. And Prophet Mohammad told him to head to the wastes where he will all the help he needs."

The caravan continued to move as a timelapse showed sun and moon, day and night, blue skies to starlight. Sheikh Marwan had no choice but to motivate the people brave enough to follow him on his journey into the Wastes. He mourned when one died along the way. He provided care and love for the sick and the weak. But most importantly, he held faith in their journey.

However, soon enough, he stopped the caravan to look into the distance. A heatwave brushed by and rushed over the ground as the winds picked up sand and dirt. The sand started spiraling and growing into a small twister until a body came from the dust and sand. A woman appeared with her black abaya and niqab. Even in the Wastes, she looked comfortable barefoot and her stark crystal blue eyes held a mysterious air to them.

"It would not be until forty days and forty nights when the disowned Sheikh Marwan would meet a woman named Zarqāʾ al-Yamāma, a prophet for the three goddesses Manāt, Allat, and Al-'Uzza and gifted with knowledge and power Sheikh Marwan had never seen. And she also would become the catalyst to the country we now call Shamballa."

The movie played out the suspicious meeting between Sheikh Marwan and this blue-eyed prophet who could turn herself into sand and control the dunes if she so desired. She led the caravan and show them all there was hope in the Wastes, a hope they had been denied. Because the Wastes did end at a gulf and that was where her own tribe of people lived with vegetation and peace. The caravan and the tribe took to each other like family, welcoming with open arms, and Marwan could not help but get emotional he had found a home for the people following him to their deaths.

"Prophet Zarqā would show and guide Sheikh Marwan in the ways of her people and soon, the two tribes would blend as though they had become one tribe, one people. They prospered under joint leadership and learned how to control the Wastes and the water to their advantage. But Prophet Zarqā and her tribe did not learn their ways alone. Instead, they had learned it from a man named…Sheikh Spriggan."

Zeref appeared as Zarqā introduced Marwan to the man who made it all possible for her tribe to flourish in the Wastes. Marwan was ever-grateful as Zeref guided him as well. The Sheikh Spriggan used his prowess to show the prophet and fallen prince how to reinvent their fishing, their gathering, and even building their homes and creating wards to keep out desert monsters and lost souls without a scrap of humanity. Over time, the small tribal village blossomed into quite the bustling city.

"Shamballa's growth was rapid and graceful. Where questions were asked, Sheikh Spriggan had the answer. Where concerns were made, Sheikh Spriggan provided consolation and solution. The one-rustic village turned into an important port of call where travelers were dazzled in such architecture, art, religion, and much more. However, wherever admiration is present, so is jealousy."

The movie transcended into a theatrical retelling of plotting and war. Other sheikhs had gathered to appeal to a pharaoh in their kingdom. Slaves were commonplace here if their religion deviated from the pharaoh's true religion. The pharaoh was a stiff man with a young wife, and he held his silence as these sheikhs with blood in their teeth and envy in their eyes spoke in detail about their plans for destruction and fire and ash.

"The brothers of Sheikh Marwan gathered other sheikhs from their states. Hearing that the traitor Marwan had curried the favor of the wise Sheikh Spriggan and that he had stooped to interact with a sorceress was enough to have him killed for abandoning the teachings of their home, where such Magic was forbidden. They came to the king of Nuhas, Pharaoh Ramses, for his support in storming the blossoming country. In return, they would allow his influence into their ruling states as an overseer. But all were false promises the pharaoh could see through. Even so, he agreed to become the benefactor in such a war. However, he would not supply soldiers. He would supply monstrous creatures known as Nasnas."

Flames erupted to show hellish beings that smelled of sulfur and rot. They looked half malnourished and living human while the other half of them decomposed, rotting with insects eating away at the dead tissue.

"Pharaoh Ramses had permitted the tribal rulers to have his prized Shadow Charmer, who could control the Nasnas. And so, the rulers gathered their warriors and went off to cross the Wastes and destroy all of Shamballa."

It showed Marwan leaving his sleeping wife and their children upon the urgency of a servant. He rushed about to go to the mosque created in honor of Zarqā. The great prophet looked amid something powerful as sand twisted around her body with her blue eyes bright and gleaming. Once finished, she fell to the ground with servants attending to her. But when she looked at Marwan, he saw the fear in her eyes.

"It was the night of the rulers' leaving that Zarqā received a vision of the upcoming war and the horror the Nasnas would give their people. There was nothing left but corpses and ash that the Wastes would eat up in an instant."

Zeref made himself present in the religious building, calm and composed as ever. He spoke with both leaders to turn their terror into determination. Soon, every Shamballan had the resolve to defend their home with the powers beseeched onto them.

"But with Sheikh Spriggan's aid, such a vision would not come to pass. Al-Nasnas Fort was built into the cusp of the Wastes to detract enemies into thinking Shamballa was nothing more than a wasteland with little to defend itself. As expected, the enemies took the bait with ease. War broke out. And the Shamballans led their enemies into the intricate labyrinth of their fortress to mislead their enemies."

Even as they launched fireballs and arrows and spears at the fortress, it became abundantly clear the invaders were in a losing game. They stormed into the fortress and angrily followed their prey into the tunnels, but none of them returned from such a thing. The Nasnas had little to fear, however, and they did whatever it took to bite into pure flesh and eat their fill.

"Even as the invaders thinned, the Nasnas prevailed as an army. But as Marwan and the Shamballans tried to regroup, Sheikh Spriggan came forward. And with one movement of his staff, the Nasnas disappeared forever."

All celebrated joyously that their home survived what could have been a massacre. Drinks and food and song shared between everyone. Sheikh Spriggan had his fair share of offerings before it was time for him to move on with his staff. But it would not be long when Marwan and Zarqā guided their people to keep building and for seafarers to witness the innovation and beauty beholden of Shamballa.

"After the war, Shamballa strengthened itself. Wanders from the Wastes and voyagers of the sea had come to such a land that could survive the finicky Wastes. Sheikh Marwan established Shamballa as the Emirate of Shamballa, where the past met the future in the present day, while Prophet Zarqā led the religious teachings of this nation. And together, they have led the Emirate of Shamballa down a path of change and acceptance."

From a tribal village to an ultra-modern paradise, the movie timelapse the decades-worth of changes within Shamballa. A madrasa was erected and cultivated hundreds of students ready to learn, but over time, the looks of the students merged with fashion from the west and the east. The mosque where Zarqā taught grew into grandeur where many had come to worship and pray and seek guidance.

Stone and sand buildings were amongst sleek modern skyscrapers. Lacrima and Magic powered the country and revolutionized it with the help of Enchanters and Magic Engineers who had come for a better life. Magic Carpets and broomsticks were popular methods for Wizards to get by. Other immigrants had come of all colors and beliefs and they looked happy in this great land of theirs.

"The Nasnas Museum welcomes you and we appreciate that you have taken the time to learn of Shamballa's history and the history of its people. Please be encouraged to ask questions and explore all there is to see. For Shamballa is a portal of the past and the window of the future."

The movie last showed a horse-rider and a Magic Carpet rider heading across the dunes to Shamballa only to give pause when ceremonial fireworks erupted into the Heavens. Once the screen faded to the credits, applause rang out from the audience.

Gale frowned a little and leaned down to murmur to Julia, "You find it weird the guy who screwed up our country is a god here?"

Julia whispered, "Tell me about it."

Gale kept clapping with the others, but his mind ticked. Then again, it could make more sense. They called Zeref 'Spriggan' here. Even in Fioren history, while they are aware Alvarez attacked us, Zeref's name is never revealed. They just call him the Black Wizard.

Rashid came down and the spotlight was on him as he smiled. "Thank you for watching our introductory video. If you would all exit the theater, your tour guides will start you off on your paths."

Chatter rang about as Gale and Julia got up with everyone else.

Gale kept into his thoughts. Maybe it is just ignorance. From how Dad told the story, not even everyone fighting in the war knew Zeref's real name. The last master, Makarov, was the one to tell only a select Mages about the enemy. The Emperor Spriggan of Alvarez was said to have died in the war, but he also contributed a lot to the growth of Alakitasia. The Black Wizard was said to be a God-Cursed being, the Father of Demons, and even called the Grim Reaper. It wouldn't go over well and it wouldn't be believable both identities were one and the same. So now, I'm curious.

His eyes sparked. How could such a man have such extreme and opposite personalities? And why?

°•°•°•°

"This way! Right this way, everyone, gather around please!"

Thirteen and Vinyl's tour group had moved into an exhibit filled with religious artifacts and screens that showed olden pictures and artwork from the times of Shamballa's early days. But the tour guide brought attention to the crucial piece of the three chief goddesses riding their lion. The museum had preserved the stone statue all these years and looked as though it was newly born.

The tour guide explained: "This statue represents the three goddesses Zarqā and her tribe worshipped long ago." They gestured to the one sister with her palm branch and one hand on the lion's mane. "This is the goddess Al-Lāt who ruled over war, peace, and prosperity." They went to the next sister with three small trees in hand. "This sister is goddess Al-'Uzza who showed grace over protection and love." And they stepped around to show the final chief sister with her chalice and the crest of the moon. "And the goddess of time—of fate, destiny, death, and fortune—Manāt, who favored Zarqā."

A hand went up, and someone questioned, "But I thought the gods abandoned us a thousand years ago, didn't they? How could they favor her?"

The tour guide looked ready for such a question. "It's not that the gods abandoned us. It's that most ignored our plights and would rather keep their silence. As you know, the Gods still charged those who disrespected them with a God Curse. And it's true that much of the divinity that flowed through temples and places of worship vanished. But we personally believe our gods still keep a wandering eye, waiting for a devout believer to give their message and prowess to."

The guide stepped over to show a black-and-white image of Zarqā as she tended to children. "Prophet Zarqā's history has many unknowns, even with her age. Those with sorcery often lived for centuries on end and, in death, their bodies transcended into pure Ether to cycle back into our world. Historians, however, predict Zarqā came from an age where the gods still were active and merciful."

"But," one guest started, bewildered, "that'd make her six-hundred years old. Can Wizards live that long?"

"Some Wizards can have a lifespan now of up to four-hundred years," the tour guide supplied. "But back then, Wizards could live longer lives with influence from Gods, Dragons, and Demons, who were regarded as immortal back then. Historians predicted Prophet Zarqā received a Blessing from Manāt that allowed her to live for so long. However, her death was publicized. It is unknown about the identities of her murderers, but multiple civilian accounts witnessed her brutal death and the mosque she led had been vandalized."

The tour guide showed one of the Lacrima Screens that projected the mosque in all its glory, then how the terrorists tore it down, and how the modern-day Al-Yamāma Art Centre was restored and rebuilt. "The tomb of Prophet Zarqā is rumored to be underneath the Al-Yamāma Art Centre—"

"But why does she have a burial ground if she turned back into Ethernano?" came another inquiry. "I thought that happened to all Wizards?"

The tour guide smiled. "We believe it was a symbolic gesture to honor her death. However, to the public eye, no one has ever found her tomb. Beneath the art center was a series of tunnels used to connect to other parts of Shamballa. The reason for that is, in the event of invaders, worshippers could easily return to the Al-Nasnas Fortress and take shelter. The Archaeology Society has been working hard to excavate much of the tunnels below, but they haven't encountered the tomb, similar to the excavations taking place at the pyramids in North Andüsa. But legends say that Prophet Zarqā has continued to watch over Shamballa and, should someone find her tomb or show the same strong character she had, she will give them her powers to protect."

The tour guide chuckled as people murmured, intrigued. "That said, it's just a tale." They gestured. "Shall we continue?"

Vinyl looked around as the tour group followed after their guide. Her stare lingered over a few images from older times, when Shamballa was still growing into what it would become. She stopped at one image of a man dressed in an open-collared thobe with his white dupatta cross-wrapped to one shoulder. A white keffiyeh turban covered his hair. He stood on a dune with his gnarled staff. But with his back partially to the camera, his face could not be seen.

'Sheikh Spriggan', Vinyl thought. He must be Emperor Spriggan, the former ruler of Alvarez.

"See something?"

Vinyl nodded at Thirteen's question and pointed to the sheikh. "I'm pretty sure Sheikh Spriggan was Emperor Spriggan of Alvarez, right? What an incredible man."

Thirteen raised an eyebrow. "You know about him?"

"Who doesn't? He was a pretty big political power," Vinyl told him. "We learned about him in our Middle Era studies on Alakitasia. He unified hundreds of guilds and sovereign nations with his words alone and created a paradise." She frowned. "But I guess things are different in education between Minstrel and Fiore and Alakitasia in general."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, in Minstrel, we were taught Alvarez came to Fiore to help stop the terror of the Black Wizard, even though both nations were tense with each other," Vinyl informed him. "The Black Wizard had come with his forces to take a powerful magic artifact to create a perfect Magic World. Alvarez and Fiore won in the end and rebuilt rapport. But during the war, the Black Wizard and Emperor Spriggan faced off. At the expense of the emperor's life and with the help of the Allied Forces, the Black Wizard was defeated."

She shook her head. "We watched a video about the late emperor's funeral procession. It was huge. People from all over the world came to pay their respects. And hearing about how his heirs might even be alive and all that's going on with finding them… I mean, it's pretty insane."

"Yeah…" Thirteen drifted off. The heirs of the emperor… It's Prince Naseer from Alvarez here for the UAA meeting regarding finding the missing heirs. Alakitasia isn't as much of a paradise as it once had been. Tensions are pretty high between countries, especially with the mass genocides and holy battles breaking out. Everyone's desperate for the Spriggan heirs to return. Emperor Spriggan had been the one to keep the entire continent in a state of peace. And it's assumed his heirs have that same gift.

Murky oranges darkened. Even if he does have heirs out there…what a burden on them to bear. They'll be regarded as the sovereign of an entire region. That pressure… It's unthinkable. Not to mention they might have lives that couldn't fit within the empire. But then again, if they took the throne, the people here would go back to an era of peace.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

I wouldn't wish that sort of choice on anyone.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi felt at peace as she lazed about on a floating device in the pool on Gary's property. Lazily, she listened to her friend's goofy nonsense with her eyes closed, but she smiled when Gary swam up to her and kissed her knuckles.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

How torturous, to have that sort of power.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna focused on the medical lecture before her as she diligently typed out notes while Icarus dozed off. Though she did giggle when Icarus seemed to have quite a good dream as he chased after invisible squirrels with his paws and mouth twitching.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

They have to choose between the freedom of the few…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Galuna Island's forest still had much to explore, and Luke was keen on seeing it all, especially the abandoned temple. Didi was more than happy to guide him there, a little entranced at seeing the prince's unfiltered smile and laugh.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

…and the needs of the many.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Igneel relaxed in a pool of lava with his two-toned hair of blonde and black. The ugly and fleshy Cursed wound had started getting cocky in spreading its disease, but a nice therapeutic hour in lava would be enough to ease the pain.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

What a terrible, terrible curse to have.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Vinyl noticed Vespers and Salentino in another tour group and narrowed her eyes at how somber Salentino looked. His music… It's even more dampened to the point where it ruins the melody. But Vespers' music sounds as clear as ever.

She turned back to Thirteen and whispered, "So what do we do about…later?"

Thirteen got out of his thoughts to glance around. They were a safe distance from their tour group. He murmured back, "I'm certain they covered the entrance with wards and concealment spells. Maybe they even covered the entrances with an artifact or sculpture. You said you can hear the music of objects, right? Try and listen for any sort of tune that feels out of place with the flow of the room."

"On it."

Thirteen glanced down at her. "You know, you don't have to do this. Keep in mind, I won't be doing any heavy-hitting right now. My main focus is to isolate the enemy and monitor."

"And you'll still need help," Vinyl stubbornly insisted. "Last I checked, you didn't come here with a bunch of gear. I'm your best bet for recon. I'm no Dragon Slayer, but once I catch onto someone's music, I can single them out. So don't even think about leaving behind your back-up."

Thirteen sighed. "All right. Just be careful," he warned her. The group had been allowed to roam around an exhibit, but he and Vinyl stayed close, pretending to peruse. "These tunnels… They're more like an underground labyrinth if we go by the online forums. And especially since old Magic was used down there, you need to be extremely cautious. We'll be fortunate enough to have a protected guide, but you…"

"I know." Vinyl did not sound stiff or offended by Thirteen's insistence. She took it all to heart. "I might not battle as much as the others, but I've been on recon contract jobs before. I know this won't be easy for me. And I also know there's no shame in bailing if there's something I can't do." She grinned. "Honestly, Thirteen, I'm not a kid. You'd be better off saying that to some of the younger and more reckless members."

"Hm." Thirteen's lips twitched into an almost smile. "Yeah. Gajeel's youngest son especially. An evil genius and quite the resume, but the kid definitely inherited Gajeel's recklessness."

Vinyl blinked as though realizing. "I didn't realize you were close to Mister Redfox."

Thirteen raised an amused eyebrow. "'Mister Redfox'? I thought you said you were an adult?"

Vinyl colored a little. "Yeah, w-well, he's still my senior still…" But she turned it around to purr, "I could call you 'Mister'—"

"No."

As Vinyl puffed her cheeks and made a moue, Thirteen huffed. Damn kid. She lasted ten minutes without going there. Murky oranges glanced about the room, lost. Yeah. The Iron Dragon and I go way back…

• — • — • — • — •

Blood fountained down the pile of corpses that stood no chance against their eyes gauged and their throats ripped out. The fumes of death were never pleasant, but it smelled worse when death came from a predator hunting its prey for sport. Organs and bones were pulled and shattered for the thrill of it.

Blood dripped off black steel claws. And when the silhouette whipped around—

Burning rubies.

• — • — • — • — •

Heh… Murky orange glinted at such destructive and bloodstained memories. I guess people can change.

Vinyl let go of Thirteen for a moment to study an abstract piece an artisan Wizard had made long ago to symbolize how the Wastes and its dunes could move like the ocean. The dotted waves of the sand could mesmerize someone. Slowly, she heard the seductive, snake-charmer-esque tones of duduk while drums and a low lute laid the base for the arabesque improvisation. The tides of the desert calmed Vinyl's toes. Up and down, push and pull, tu and la—the Wastes transcended her into a gentle roc—

A smile. "Careful."

Vinyl blinked out of her reverie to see Vespers beside her.

"There's a warning about this piece." Vespers pointed at the little sign. "It says here this piece causes hypnosis. It's an unintended side effect, but it's still a side effect all the same. One moment, you have all your wits about you and then next, you'll listen to every suggestion whispered to you. How funny."

Vinyl went rigid hearing Vespers' nefarious waltz scatter the music of the Wastes. "Yeah." She looked at the painting. "Funny." Her hands clasped before her. I don't understand what he's playing at. Is he hinting at what he's done to Salentino? Or is he just trying to provoke me? Maybe both. But why give me a hint? And why does he need Salentino? And—aquamarines darkened—when did he make a contract with a Demon?

• — • — • — • — •

"Are you absolutely sure about that?"

Vinyl could not believe the bomb Thirteen dropped on her as they plotted in their hotel suite. She shook her head. "I mean, yeah, I had a bad feeling about Vespers, but… For him to actually make a contract with a Demon?"

"It's pure speculation based on me seeing his pocket watch," Thirteen warned her. "You think it's too far-fetched? You know him better than I do."

Vinyl opened her mouth only to frown, troubled.

Thirteen prompted, "What is it? What are you thinking?"

"Well…" Vinyl crossed her arms, thinking. "You've heard of the phrase 'a deal with the Devil', right? Or how artists sell their souls for their work? That's actually true in some circles and what I started thinking of last night when I found something."

Thirteen's gaze sharpened. "What did you find?"

"Nothing concrete, but it definitely affirms some things," Vinyl told him. "I told you I can hear music around organic and inorganic objects. Salentino and Vespers came, but something was off with Salentino. So I listened to his music. But it didn't sound right. It didn't sound like he was in control of his own song. Someone else was conducting his work."

Thirteen frowned. "Isn't that how music normally goes?"

Vinyl shook her head. "Composers can be the best conductors," she elaborated. "You made the song. You control the tempo. You guide your band. That's how it normally works. Someone was conducting Salentino's music and it felt…off. But I also recognized something else when I was analyzing Salentino's music. There was a subtle countermelody that I'd heard before. And it was in Vespers' ex-partners."

"I see." Thirteen understood. "You think he's been controlling his previous partners."

"It makes sense why so many of his partners always had an off-feeling about them and how drained and withdrawn they'd look," Vinyl told him. "Every ex-partner Vespers had always left with some contract signed, a lot of money, and we never heard from them again." Her expression darkened. "To be honest, I always thought Vespers treated them like a game. But his exes had some sort of connection that Vespers could use to gain. I reasoned that's why he's controlling Salentino. But more than that, about the 'deal with the Devil' thing… If Vespers really did make a deal with a Demon, it probably was to give his music hypnotic or possessive qualities."

"So you believe me about him being a Warlock?"

Vinyl sighed. "I never want to think the worse, but we don't really have a choice. It's entirely possible Vespers is a Warlock. And he's using his power to control Salentino. But I don't understand why?"

"He is the CEO of a big Stellian bank," Thirteen pointed out.

Vinyl deeply frowned. "I know, but it doesn't make sense to me. All of Vespers' exes related to the music field in some way. They could help him meet famous musicians, violin makers, opera singers—whatever. Because his family very much enforced the same principles as mine—we marry Mages and we marry musicians. So why is he dating Salentino? Why does he need to control him? What connections can Salentino provide him with?"

Thirteen thought on that. "I might need to call Coeus about this," he slowly said. "Genius is out of town. Coeus might be out there, but if it's about a conspiracy theory, he'll know where to start looking and he won't stop until he finds the answer." He looked at Vinyl. "If it comes down to it and you have to fight him—"

"Don't worry." Vinyl held strong to her resolve. "There's no love lost between him and I. I'll fight him with everything I have."

• — • — • — • — •

Vinyl straightened her shoulders. Vespers more than likely is going to the Black Auction. What will he bid on? For now, I just need to get basic information from him.

She slipped a question. "By the way… You never shared how you and Salentino met."

"I didn't think you'd care," Vespers said rather merrily. "It's a boring story. He was in Minstrel for business and we happened to be at the same restaurant for his meeting and my outing with friends. By the way, I'm sure your friend group back home all miss you. Anything you want me to pass along?"

Aquamarines narrowed. 'Miss' me? More like they were eager to use me to climb up the ladder and get recommendations. She dismissed the suggestion. "No, thank you. I'm fine." She pursued, "How long have you and Salentino been dating? You must be pretty serious to accompany him all the way here."

"I'd say the trip was more on a whim," Vespers replied. "This is technically our first official date."

Vinyl arched an eyebrow. "Really? So you haven't met his family?"

"No." Vespers' eyes twinkled. "Not yet. But let's hope for that to be a step coming soon. He talks so fondly about his relatives."

Vinyl could hear the thrumming swell of the waltz with its tempo sweeping up for a few measures like a racing heartbeat. I get it now. He's interested in Salentino's family. She remarked, "When he spoke about his cousin Chace, I got the feeling he adored his family too."

"Yes." Vespers' lashes lowered. "It's a shame he's not closer to him."

Vinyl hid her smirk. That must be his end game. His music is louder and picked up speed. He's using Salentino to get to his cousin. Blues glinted. But still, that doesn't explain as to what he's aiming for his cousin. Salentino said Chace is in Melandia for school. I'll have to tell Thirteen about this and get more information about this 'Chace'. For all we know, he could be in on whatever is going on with Warlocks.

"Family should be close," Vinyl sympathized. She smiled. "Just like how close you and your brother are, right?"

Vespers' smile froze. "Yes…" Something in his stare looked unsettling. "Just like your ex-fiancé and me."

Vinyl refused to take the bait this time. She would gain the upper hand. Smiling, she held her cheek in a hand. "You were always close to your brother if I remember correctly. You did everything he did and wore what he wore and wanted to follow him everywhere." She tittered. "It was so cute. It was almost like"—blues lit up—"you were trying so hard to become him."

Vespers tensed.

Vinyl laughingly sighed. "But that's all in the past now. You've both grown into such different people. Your brother will become the master and lord of your household." Her heels clicked as she brushed behind Vespers. "And you'll always be his sweet, little brother following him around." She let her hands drift as she passed him.

Vespers' clenched his hands until skin stretched across bony knuckles.

Vinyl's resolve strengthened as she walked away. I don't know what you're planning, Vespers, and I don't care. But I'm going to make sure you don't get your way.She reaffirmed her grip on her clutch. Because Fairy Tail gets revenge.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And so…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The catering hall had modern works of art donated and comfortably housed all the auction-goers. A five-course meal would be served tonight: appetizer, soup, salad, entrée, and dessert. Mezze (appetizer platter) and lentil soup had been provided for every round table, and everyone was delighted to dig into the small dishes provided. Conversation bubbled up as people shared their gossip, swapped contact information, or invited others for after-event fun.

The royal family sat together at a long rectangular table with ministers and their dates. With no little ones to watch over, this gave the adults a chance to catch up on more mature topics and talk shop and politics.

Fatimah pushed around her soup, zoning out from conversation. It made her stomach twist hearing Zayed's voice as he spoke with a few ministers, not to mention how Haya buttered up some relatives with her charm. Unlike her siblings, she had no choice in where she sat. Zayed got to sit next to their stepmother while Haya got an in with the more feminist aunts and politicians. Like a child, she sat by her father.

In a room full of people, she felt more alone than ever.

"Fatimah."

She flinched under her father's tone and dared to look up at him. "Yes?"

Kamir raised an eyebrow. "You're wearing your hijab today."

"O-Oh. Ah, yes." Fatimah kneaded her spoon as she remembered this morning.

Kamir's brow furrowed, and he murmured soothingly to her, "You know that no one will force you to wear your hijab. Either way, you are still strong in your faith." He said gruffly, "But if you choose to wear it so that a man may adore you for your smarts rather than judge you for other means, I won't complain."

Something in Fatimah's heart and she offered a small smile. "I know, Aba."

"Good. Because men are vicious creatures," Kamir warned her. "Don't listen to your uncles about how nice and sweet they were. They're all lying to you to save face in front of your aunts, I promise."

Fatimah chuckled. "I'm sure they are." Some of her appetite returned and she could stomach a spoonful of soup—

"And if your mother were here, she would agree with me."

That shriveled up Fatimah's appetite and made her freeze.

Kamir casually continued: "She, too, believed in choice, but her parents were not as open-minded as her. Still, it was her choice to always wear her hijab and not for the strictness of her parents, but because she felt it was part of her and comforted her…"

All of her father's words felt like they were fading as a dial tone set in.

Flames all-consuming. A smoke that would thicken, agitated.

Fatimah could hear every breath she took.

Someone was screaming. Who was screaming? Was she screaming? Was she screaming because she saw her home in the jaws of Hell?

Her heart thunderously beat.

• — • — • — • — •

Water and Fire Wizards had come to the rescue, working as a unit to tame and put out the beast that roared and eat the mansion. But she could not see their help. All that she could see were those monstrous flames as they snapped up everything within the mansion—including her mother.

Footsteps came beside her and an emergency blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Through her tears, through her shock, through her pain, she looked up to see her father. But he was not tearful. He was not shocked. He was not in pain. He simply looked at the fire, unreadable. "Mama." He set his hand on her shoulder. "There is no need for you to cry."

The flames danced in the darks of his eyes. "This is the will of our gods."

• — • — • — • — •

CLANG!

Her breathing—was she breathing? Her body did not feel like her own. She knew her heart was beating fast and her hands were twitching, but her mind felt like it was too far away to physically connect with her. She could hear, but at the same time, she could not. Everything felt too much yet not enough—

"Fatimah."

It was a struggle to turn her head, especially when she could feel judgmental stares pound her face and pierce her skin. "Y-Yes, Aba?"

Kamir looked at his daughter before leaning down and speaking in a deliberate whisper in her ear. "Zayed told me you had another tantrum. It's fine when it happens at home. But we are in public. This is making me reconsider taking you out of the hospital if you can't control yourself." He pressed a soft hand on her arm. "Do we need to take you back to the doctor?"

Fatimah's pupils shrunk.

• — • — • — • — •

White suffocated her.

White walls.

White floors.

White ceiling.

Her Room.

• — • — • — • — •

Fatimah let out a shaky breath. "N-No, Aba," she whispered.

Kamir patted her arm. "That's my daughter." He pulled back and smiled at all the attention they garnered. "Forgive us. Fatimah hasn't been feeling that well since last night. But she's all right, my strong girl." He patted Fatimah's shoulder. "She's as strong as her mother." Dark eyes gleamed. "Perhaps stronger."

Fatimah kept her eyes lowered.

"Kamir?" Inayah leaned close to her husband and whispered, "Maybe this was too much for her today. If she and I could excuse ourselves—"

"Come now, Inayah, you coddle her too much," Kamir quietly admonished. "She's a strong young woman. She'll be fine." He frowned at Inayah's barely-eaten food. "But you have hardly touched your food. Is it not to your liking?"

"It's fine," Inayah hurried to assure. "Honestly, it is. I-I-I just…" Her stomach churned. "I don't quite have an appetite right now." She quickly pointed out, "And neither does Fatimah. I-If we could step out for a moment—"

"Inayah," Kamir rumbled. He sighed at her flinch and softened his tone. "She is fine, ya hayati. Don't overly concern yourself with her antics. You don't need the stress." His eyes flickered to her stomach for a moment before taking hold of her hand. "Right now is a delicate time," he murmured. "You should focus on caring for yourself right now." He kissed the back of her hand. "Okay?"

Inayah glanced at Fatimah from beneath her veil before slowly backing down. "I…" Her head lowered. "All right."

Kamir nodded before lowering letting her go and sucking himself back into harmless banter with his brothers and uncles.

Fatimah had spared attention to watch the interaction between her father and Inayah. I still don't understand it. Is he treating her like this because he wants her to have the next heir? What does Father truly think of her? What was his reason for pressuring her into a marriage? And why—hatred burned her—did he kill my mother?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Fairy Adventure

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Julia and Gale were fortunate enough to be at a table with people who ignored them. They were not snooty; it was that some of them were friends or acquaintances and wanted to keep conversation to themselves. It gave Gale and Julia a pleasant respite to eat and plan.

Julia sipped from her water and monitored Chunhua from her peripherals. She could see how quiet Chunhua looked in her brother's company, but her brother looked like a regular politician, shooting the breeze with others at their table like Chunhua did not exist. Her contacts showed her information about Chunhua and her brother, from their full names to YouView videos and relevant articles.

Huh… So Chunhua's brother is Bei Luo, but he goes by Dylan Bei here. Everything Chunhua said about him is true. He's an established politician in Zhōnguá. Her pupils constricted as she kept up with the articles flooding in while a video played about Dylan shaking hands with another prominent family of Zhōnguá. Huh, rumors about him dating a famous actress… His military service… Stuff about sanctions.

She tensed seeing an interview video pop up. Hold on. What's this? She subtly moved her fingers to expand the video and looked at the translated subtitles between Dylan and a beautiful interviewer.

Dylan spoke in his dialect, but the subtitles read, "Yeah. Everyone and their mother always want to be invited to the Yang Estate. Out of the five families of Zhōnguá, the Yang Family has been around the longest and has brought the west the most wealth and sway. My family is hoping to open a discussion with the current head and the successor regarding the loss of our Guardians at the next gathering.

The interviewer asked him, "And have you had the honor of meeting the Yang family?"

Dylan shook his head with a sheepish smile. "I haven't, honestly. They're a very private family. Most people meet with envoys from the family during the meeting of the five families. All we know is that the current head of the Yang family is they have lived since our Guardians' abandonment. I'm told the next head is the son and he's traveling abroad. But I'd love to meet him."

Julia frowned. The Yang family… The more I keep hearing about them, the more curious I am. And these 'Guardians'…

"Ever since Zhōnguá lost our Guardians… I don't know." Julia remembered the soft sadness on Chunhua's face as they spoke on the luxury yacht. "It feels like all we're doing is biding our time. Our Guardians created our home. For a thousand years we've lived without them, but… How much longer can we go on living like this?"

Julia snacked on her appetizers and blinked away the information crowding her vision. To be honest, I don't know a lot about Zhōnguá. I just knew it was a pretty prosperous country and it was Jaxton's birthplace. But the way Chunhua was talking, it sounds like there's trouble in Zhōnguá without their Guardians. And with Magic being a taboo subject… Maybe I should ask Jaxton a little more about his home.

She glanced at Gale and picked up her glass again to speak behind it. "Anything?"

"Not yet," Gale murmured, on edge. He kept all senses pricked and alert. I can't catch her scent. I didn't sense she used any Magic to change her voice. Voice Modulation Spells are a lot harder to maintain, but I haven't heard her. I figured she might be a server again to make contact with the princess, but…

He looked Fatimah's way and saw her withdrawn from her family. Nothing's happened. Is Yara lying low until Friday?

He could feel the weight of Ena's stealth suit in his inner suit jacket pocket. I brought the stealth suit just in case. I just need to touch her and confirm her story before we do anything. Even if I couldn't sense she was lying, a master manipulator can still bypass my senses. But if she's on the property, I should check out the nature around here for a better scope.

Julia watched as Gale got up and raised a pompous eyebrow. "Abandoning me already?"

"For a moment," Gale said. "But if you feel my apparent babysitting requires you to wait for me outside the bathroom—"

"Fine." Julia gave him a dismissive wave of her hand. "You may leave."

Gale hmphed and left the table. He grinned internally. She's certainly getting used to being prissy. Or maybe she was like that deep down.

A quick word with the server had Gale headed out of the hall and towards the nearby restrooms. Hands in his pockets, he pondered the situation ahead. The Black Auction of Shamballa… Why would Maxim invite Lady J here? He didn't even leave her instructions on a bid. If that's the case—his eyes sharpened—then he wants to get a message across to her. There's a deeper meaning to making her see Shamballa's underbelly. But what?

"—in exchange for the Philosopher's Stone—"

"Shh! Sir, please, lower your voice! We need to go!"

Gale stopped. The Philosopher's Stone? Near the bathrooms, he ducked into the small hall and checked for any cameras. Coast clear, he fished out his Fairy Tail stealth suit badge as he listened to the fast-paced footsteps. All right. Let's give invisibility another shot. He pressed down on the metal badge and watched as the black stealth material covered his body. Another press on the insignia on his chest turned him completely invisible.

"You can't just say that sort of thing here," came nervous hiss as Gale started tracking down the source. A door opened and shut. "You don't know who is listening—!"

"Stop being so paranoid," came harsh and quiet reprimand. "You're getting on my nerves. If you don't finish this job, I guarantee your family will never see the light of day, you magi scum."

Gale found the source corralled in a private room. It looked to be some sort of administrative office, but by the windows, he was not so sure either man was part of the museum staff. One looked broad-shouldered with a crisp beard and a permanent harsh expression while the other man had quite the large scar across his face and his suit did not match him at all. Still, Gale hunkered down to peek into the office. What's all this about…?

The older man spoke. "Now I have good authority that there will be a Philosopher's Stone at the auction," he told his (alleged) subordinate. "Do you know how impossible those things are to get? Your job is the same as what you signed on the contract. What more do you not understand? You get the stone and your little Independent daughter and family are free and without debt." He sneered. "Just like your magi to forget your place."

The scarred man gulped. "S-Sir, please! You heard them on the tour. If I sneak into the tunnels, there might not even be a chance I can get there and back safely. C-Can't you place a bid—?"

"Are you stupid?" the older man snapped. "Did all your parlor tricks make you retarded? The second those people learn a Philosopher's Stone is being offered, the bids will instantly go into the billions. You think I have that kind of money lying around? I know you don't." He smirked and loomed over the scarred man. "I know you have a few millions of dollars in debt, don't you? I know how much money you borrowed to cure your wife's Curse. Isn't that right? And right now, your contract is the only thing standing between you and letting your wife and kids see you hang yourself or let the Brotherhood shoot you up for your disappearing act."

The scarred man looked close to tears. "S-Sir, please," he whimpered. He fell to his knees, overwhelmed. "Please, sir, you promised—"

"I promised what you signed on that contract," the older man said, cold. "If you don't bring me back that stone, the contract will make sure all your information is handed to the Brotherhood. My hands are tied. You magi should know what happens when you sign with a Contract Pen." He bent over to grip the scarred man's face. "Get me the stone and you have nothing to cry about, right?"

He snatched his hand away and watched in disgust as the scarred man trembled and struggled to compose. "Filthy magi scum. Get up. You have work to do."

Gale kept his back to the wall as the door opened. The scarred man left first with his head down and his face as white as a sheet. Gale's contacts swirled with information as he got a quick profile of the man. Huh… McArthur is an Independent Wizard. He used to be a rigger for a Lacrima-conversion E-fuel plant until he got a job as an aide. Married at 19. Has a wife and two kids. He lives in…Bellum?

His contacts cut off from McArthur to capture information about the older man. This man… He's a politician from Bellum. A few scandals occurred around one of his kids possibly being a Wizard, but nothing was verified.

He got up and watched as both men went down the hallway. How would the auction even get a stone? Only the Flammel family was capable of not only making but surviving the effects of such powerful and dark Alchemy and the family pretty much got back every stone in existence, if I'm remembering history right. But if it's true, then this Black Auction is a lot more dangerous. And if that stone gets into the wrong hands…

His eyes hardened. What the Hell are we doing here, Lady J?

°•°•°•°

Dessert had come in options of halva, maamoul, or rice pudding with some tea and coffee, and everyone enjoyed what was to offer. Excitement flitted about with the first auction of the week and who would bid on what.

Vinyl took a moment to be impressed at Thirteen's conversational skills as he spoke to a few others at the table about what was happening in Giltena. Huh. I didn't think he could be so chatty. Then again… All she remembered from Thirteen's range of emotions was mentally checked out to pissed off. It's not like I've actually seen him have much variety…

She helped herself to more rice pudding. His music… It's still very tense. I know he's putting on a façade. I just don't want him to strain himself. She glanced about the room when she saw a familiar face. Oh, and it's her from before.

The woman Vinyl had met in the bathroom sat at a different round table with her partner. Though something about them was different than before. Her smiles looked weaker and lackluster, and he postured almost too defensively. Those honored to meet him looked hesitant to broach pitches and ideas and took their chances on conversing arbitrary things.

Huh… They don't look so happy. Her lullaby sounds…melancholic, almost. She frowned into her dessert. I wonder what happened. I hope everything between them is okay.

Soon dessert wrapped up and Rashid came upfront to announce, "We hope you have enjoyed the Nasnas Museum's lunchtime catering. At this time, you have prepared your unique bid numbers and paddles for the auction in the auditorium. If you would allow us, once you are finished, please rise and we'll guide you over. If you need to use any of the facilities, please feel free to do so. Don't worry. No one will be left behind."

The chatter came back, excited. Gale and Julia and Thirteen put on their unique black masks while Vinyl put on her white one. Both Fusajiro and his partner had their own black masks. White and gray popped up in the throng as well. Chunhua put on her black mask slowly with her fingers trailing the edges.

The shift from the reception hall to the auditorium was smooth. It was a lecture hall, pristine and dark. Ushers were there to validate the bidders and give them their own Bidder device. It intrigued Vinyl as she and Thirteen sat down. Rather than an actual paddle, she had been given a circular Lacrima device with arrow direction buttons and a home button.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is a Lacrima Bid Paddle used at auction houses. These bid paddles are used in-house and are set up for each bidder to have a unique profile and projects the bid numbers for the auctioneer to see alongside synching up with a holographic bid number chart the auctioneer has. A bidder can customize their device to automatically sync up with their bank to make payment easier for the auction house and for them. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Vinyl tapped the ⟪ Home ⟫ button and a Lacrima Screen projected her credentials. A unique bidder ID and profile were made. She saw the options to verify her auction payment method and address for billing and shipping. What surprised her was when she saw two other icons: ⟪ Inventory ⟫ and ⟪ Preview ⟫. "What's this?"

Thirteen watched as Vinyl tapped ⟪ Inventory ⟫ "It's Spatial Magic. Once you win a bid, the item is put in the pocket dimension attached to your paddle."

"So it's like my Requip," Vinyl compared in awe. She went to the ⟪ Preview ⟫ icon and tapped it. To her surprise, it was almost like she was in an eShop with individual boxes for categories. She decided to randomize and a profile card appeared before her of a rare magical staff. The name, the appraisal, background, a base bid, and even the option to see the staff in AR appeared before her. "This is amazing."

She pressed the ⟪ ➙ ⟫ button to get another profile card season boxed seats for a MagiCross team of anyone's choosing complete with catering, hotel stays, transportation, autographs, and meet and greets. "So are these items up for auction all week?"

"For the most part," Thirteen told her. "They also have private trades and bartering after dinner and into the night all week long. If you reserve or claim a bid, but you later want to resell, you can use your paddle to set up private meetings with buyers or traders."

"I see…" Vinyl examined a profile card about purchasing wool spun from a magical sheep before hitting the button to encounter upon—

Aquamarines glinted. This is…

A gabble came down. A short anthropomorphic toad took the stage with his turban and thobe, his little glasses having a necklace chain for support. He had a little stool to reach his podium and smiled all around. "Hello, all, and welcome to the first auction of Shamballa's annual spring auction and fundraiser. I am Haşim and will be the presiding auctioneer for all three official auctions. And on behalf of the National Shamballa Auction House, we all welcome you and thank you for your time."

⌜NATIONAL SHAMBALLA AUCTION HOUSE

Name: Haşim

Occupation: Lead Auctioneer

Likes: fried salamander Dislikes: beets

Special Note: Haşim is part of a dying race of anthropomorphic amphibians that are technically Chimera! ⌟

As the applause died down, Haşim continued: "As you know, when you agreed to partake in this week's auction, you signed all terms and conditions set forth from the NSAH." The two Lacrima Screens sidelining the stage showed the agreement. "But I want to reiterate key points to you. Because this is a live auction, I will present the items to you. Your Bid Paddles will reflect the certified appraisal with a date and authentic signature. If your bid devalues the appraisal, we will deny your bid.

"If we accept your bid, your item will automatically go to your inventory as a 'reserved item'. To claim your item, please pay for it. Those of you who registered online payments can instantly claim your bid. If you choose to reserve your item, you need to complete the sale by eleven fifty-nine tonight. We do not accept payment plans and have the right to reclaim your bid as house property. Both claimed and reserved bids are eligible for private trades and resell as long as the deal is fair.

"Your paddles almost contain an itemized list of almost all items up for bid. I saw that because we do enjoy surprise bids, so keep your eyes open. A certain select few will be privy to rarer items up for auction. Conversation must be kept to a murmur. Assistants will be around for questions as well. Also…"

Vinyl nudged Thirteen and whispered his name. "Thirteen."

He lifted an eyebrow, but at her gesture to her screen, he peeked over—

Murky oranges widened. Holy shit.

°•°•°•°

Julia half-listened to the instructions and guidelines as she tapped through the auction catalog. This really is rare stuff. I see why coming here is the place to be. Even in the Black Auction exists, you can't deny that Shamballa is doing a lot of good.

Gale leaned over and whispered, "Mind if I look?"

Julia nodded and wordlessly slid the paddle to Gale to peruse the inventory. She watched Haşimas he broke down auction house rules, but her mind wandered. Why did Maxim send me here? He didn't leave me with any instructions. All he did was pave my way here. She clenched her jaw. I want to regret meeting him so badly. I know how much he has over me. But I can't ignore him.

"Yo, Lady J, check this out."

Julia looked over and her eyes widened. Well, shit. Are they for real?

The profile card showed information about a strange sort of hourglass with the three chief goddesses worshipping it and keeping it locked in place. On the bottom of the hourglass was the flying lion the chief goddess rode. But on the other side showed an engraving of Prophet Zarqā and her abnormal blue eyes. The appraisal value was more than a small nation's debt. And on the top, it was labeled:

❮ SANDS OF TIME ❯

⟨ The Archaeology Society dates this hourglass to the X200s and has been authenticated. Prophet Zarqā is said to have owned many hourglass artifacts of various shapes and sizes that helped her see into the future and watch over time. Most of those artifacts were buried in her tomb until five artifacts were unearthed a decade ago. Theorists suggest breaking the hourglass could allow the owner to go back in time. ⟩

A device that shows the flow of time, Gale thought. And capable of time travel.

"Is this real?" Julia whispered.

"If the Archaeology Society certified this, then yeah." But… Gale's eyes darkened as he looked at the hourglass. Having something like this at an auction… What are they thinking? I know all about how authorized Time Magic works and it's wonky as Hell. If this hourglass has the power to go back in time … He wanted to click his tongue. This auction just gets more and more interesting.

"All right!" Haşim lifted his gavel. "We'll begin the bidding now. Good luck, bidders! Don't hesitate to ask any questions and may the highest bid win! Let's start with our first item of the day…!"

The auction truly did bring in rare items. A thematic collection from a famous painter rumored to give onlookers Stendhal Syndrome had plenty of bidders hopeful to take the works of art home and display them loud and proud. Legendary signed items from deceased celebrities went for a pretty rupel. An adorable moment had everyone laugh when a man reluctantly won a very cute blind magical hedgehog-mole creature that could sniff out gemstones and he loudly and exasperatedly asked his wife if she was happy.

But for as impressive the bids were, some had little interest in anything coming out. Fusajiro sat back with his girlfriend. Enmerkar might have watched the auction, but his interested gaze occasionally flickered to Fusajiro and Key, all while the Enchanter from the Holy Eye seemed much more interested in the eighth prince. Chunhua kept her head down and she fiddled with her lace gloves.

SLAM!

Haşim cried, "Sold!" He set down his gable. "And that concludes the first part of this official auction, everyone. At this time, we will have a brief recessive before we depart for the second part of this auction. Those of you who have not set up your virtual payment through your bidder ID may use this time to meet with one of my associates to make arrangements. Thank you. Mister Walter."

Rashid took over the podium with a smile. "I have to reiterate, we thank you all for joining us at the auction. Because you are honored guests, we did want to confirm refreshments and finger foods will be offered. Once the auction is finished, as detailed in your itinerary, we will be moving to the Badr al-Badur Centre for Music and Arts to welcome performances brought to you by the University of Sycamore, followed by dinner, and then introducing the Shamballan Inaugural Orchestra, the all-women Jannah Orchestra, whom will be having a concert on Friday at the Dome, and they will be accompanying the esteemed Nuhasan Baladi troupe, the Cleopatras."

Applause echoed around as people collected their paddles and discussed the auction.

Julia stretched out while Gale got up and pocketed the device. "Well, that was fine," Julia yawned. She held out her hand.

Gale snorted, but he helped her up and pulled her close. "Yeah. Now the real fun gets started." He glanced behind her to see Chunhua and jerked his chin. "Isn't that one of your new friends?"

Julia glanced behind her to catch Chunhua staying within her brother's orbit, demure. "Yeah. She didn't tell me she was coming to the auctions, but she's here due to meeting up with her friends and her brother is her chaperone."

"But you see it, right?"

Julia's eyebrows furrowed. "What?"

"Her mask." Gale looked down at Julia. "It's black."

Julia blinked. What? She looked back and it hit her Chunhua donned a black mask. He's right. She has a black mask on. That means… She's been invited to the Black Auction? But why? Her brother's mask is black too. But neither one of them is connected to any illegal sources.

"Ha, geez." Gale ruffled his hair. "We have another one to keep an eye on, don't we?"

Julia kept her gaze on Chunhua and her brother and positively hummed. "Yeah." It just…doesn't make any sense about her brother. She zoned out a little as Dylan's cuffs road up to expose his wristwatch. But out of which one of them would have connections to the Black Auction? The glint of the watch started making her thoughts fuzz—

Her eyes sharpened with a jolt. Wait—

°•°•°•°

The recess was a nice cocktail hour. Some who had not been able to win a bid pulled aside others for a potential private meeting. Others took this as a latrine and exploration break. The gardens of the museum had such beautiful greenery and architecture and being privileged to have the entire museum to themselves was enough to wander for pictures and videos. Already, the chhatri (elevated, domed pavilions) were popular spots.

Vinyl and Thirteen had headed outside as well and stayed away from prying eyes. To others, it looked like they were taking a romantic stroll as blissful tourists, and that was all they wanted people to see.

"And you're sure about this?" Thirteen murmured.

"I am, but you're going to insult me if you keep asking," Vinyl told him.

"All right." Thirteen backed off.

They strolled towards one of the minarets on the property. Bathed in a rocky red and sandy gold and with its octagonal base, it looked to be neglected by the visiting party, but it was a perfect place to behold the land. The winding staircase looked like an optical illusion.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is a secular minaret called the Horizon's Eye. It had been used as a visual vocal point during the battle of the Nasnas. There are three minarets on the property, all which can be accessed by the public. The minarets are normally used for adhan (call to prayer), but in this case, watchers used this to relay the coming of the enemy. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Thirteen helped Vinyl up to the final steps to the top. An Alakitasian dome kept to the top and it was obvious those who cleaned and preserved the entire estate had restored as much as they could of the minaret's dome insides. It was mostly made of stone with a few slim windows that showed the expanse of the Al-Nasnas Fortress. Vinyl overlooked saw the luscious land and beyond the stoned walls of the fortress lay the desolate Wastes.

"It's beautiful," Vinyl murmured.

Thirteen could not deny that. "It is. It's not like deserts aren't common, but the Wastes of Alakitasia and Andüsa are by far the worst there is. Everyone says the Wastes have a mind of its own. It decides who lives or dies. Not to mention rumors of all the monsters and powerful Spirits who take up the Wastes. But Shamballa was one of the countries that could keep the Wastes' influence at bay." Murky oranges weathered. But it seems those monsters come from within still.

"Thirteen?"

He looked at Vinyl. "Hm?"

"Why did you really come to Shamballa?"

Thirteen sighed. "I thought you'd ask me that eventually." He approached the window. He plucked out what looked like a whistle, but when he blew on it, no noise was made. As he put it back, he explained, "I was debating about heading to Shamballa. I've been trying to clean up messes I caused before my time in Fairy Tail. And one of those messes decided to come here after missing for around fifteen years."

Vinyl was quiet for many seconds. "So…" A dreary aura darkened her. "You have a secret love child."

"What!" Flustered and irked, Thirteen coughed. "No, of course not!" He sighed out his frustration. "It's nothing like that." Shoving his hands into his pockets, he leaned against the window arch and looked that the sky as though waiting. "When I was younger, money might've been what kept me surviving, but it wasn't my incentive for living. Still, I was given a home and a means to survive in a world that didn't want me to survive at all. And when you know a world doesn't love you"—murky oranges reflected a soaring silhouette in the sky—"you reciprocate it ten-fold."

As the silhouette dipped and drew closer, he went on: "I wasn't blind to my actions. I knew every single detail of what was happening. It's rare for transparency to happen in the field I was in, but it's what built loyalty and trust. We didn't have any borders to stop us. We didn't need to worry about the authorities. All we needed to worry about was getting the job done."

"And what was the job?" Vinyl asked, looking at him.

Thirteen's expression remained neutral. "What else? Killing people."

Aquamarine widened, glinting, before they faltered and fell.

Thirteen could see the outline of Lammergeier the bearded vulture. "Torture, murder, poison—they were like breathing to me at the time. So the job was like any other, and I got it done. I knew the risks and the consequences of completing it. But to me, the risks were puny compared to my reward—surviving another day. But"—he shifted as the bearded vulture screeched—"because of that job, the effects spiraled into unfathomable damage—a mess I made. And I need to clean it up."

Vinyl hugged herself, unsure of what to say. "Thirteen," she started, but every other word fell flat.

Thirteen stood before the window and extended his arm for his vulture to land. "When Master came to me, she told me to trust in here to take me to a future where I can live and die freely—that she would bring me into a world where my past would never be my shackles. She would put her life on the line to bring me to that place. And she also"—murky oranges swirled—"reminded me of my pride."

• — • — • — • — •

A smirk. "Tch. You sure have a lot of pride, Titania."

The darkness and grime of this hellhole prickled his skin, but he looked up at this woman—at this queen—who had stepped into this Hell with the arrogant notion of being the one to save him from it.

"You can't save everyone," he told her. "You need to work on your worthless pride. Asking someone like me to look at you as my salvation and live for you? What moral high ground or right do you have to say that to me? Why would someone like you want someone like me to follow you? If you know Red—" He stopped himself. "If you know Gajeel…then you know what and who I am."

"I do." Erza did not back down.

"And you still think you can grandstand about this? Isn't it a bit hypocritical for you to want a Death Hawk in your little lawful kingdom?" As much as he wanted to keep mocking her, his words fettered into exhaustion and hopelessness. He shook his head. "You've got a lot of guts. I admit that. But that's it. You should leave while you can." He gave her his back. "This place isn't for innocents like you. You'll get dirty sticking around here for too long." He looked at his roughed-up hands. "And I'm already covered in filth."

A smile. "And you're under the delusion I'm not."

He sighed. "I understand you came here as a favor from your guildmate. But he should've known better than to tell you about me. Meeting him was a mistake. He knows the rules. Once you're out, you're a stranger. He should've known better."

Quiet.

"It's because he knows better that he spoke to me."

He sighed again. "Listen, lady, you don't—" He grew flabbergasted when the great titania of Fairy Tail dared to kneel before him, especially when the floor of the hellhole was rotten. "What the Hell are you—?"

"You told me if I stayed here, I would get dirty. You say you follow me, I'll become dirty. But you need to look at me closely." Erza gripped the hilt of her sheathed sword with her gaze strong. "Because I'm also covered in filth."

That quieted him, stunned.

"My pride has resulted in me getting me so dirty that no matter how hard I try, I will never be clean," Erza told him. "But… It was because of the worthless concept you call 'pride' that I could stay strong and stay alive. Because of my pride…I could continue fighting. And for me, anyone who dares stand in the way of my dream of the future is someone I need to fight and show my pride. Be it the government, the Council, my children, my own mind and memories… I will fight them all for the sake of a future where we can live as we are—where no one else needs to get dirty."

He looked at her before averting his gaze. "That pride of yours… If it gets to be too much, it'll become a sin."

"I know," Erza mentioned. "Pride can be such a sinful nature. But it can also be a virtue. Your pride can tether you to the past and force you to live in your own filth. But your pride can also be the one thing that makes getting dirty worth it all so the ones following you can stay clean. Instead of pain and greed, it can be used for preservation and protection. And for the sake of my worthless pride, I'll never surrender until that promised day."

Browns softened. "For someone like me, there was a time I had no pride. I had no meaning. But one day, someone I treasure dearly gave me a reason for my pride. Have you never encountered someone who gave you a reason for your pride? Who gave you a reason to keep going?"

That stupid sunny smile, that silly laugh—he remembered it so well like it had all happened yesterday. "I did." The weight of such grief made him feel he should be by her side in the ground. "But she's…no longer here. It's just me now."

"You have my sympathies for your loss," Erza murmured, sincere. "She must have meant a great deal to you for you to have a sense of pride for her and for yourself."

He scoffed. "You think I have a sense of pride?"

"I do. It's because of your pride you live like this, is it not?"

To that, he could not refute.

"I can't speak for what your loved one would want for you now," Erza told him. "That's not my place. That's not my right. But the pride she gave you… Was it to lead to this? Did everything she meant to you…mean this?"

He knew what she was talking about, but the heartbreak was too much. "You need to leave."

"I won't."

He gritted his teeth. "Get out."

"No."

CLICK-CLICK!

Erza stared calmly as he loomed over her with his gun aiming for her forehead.

Trigger slightly pressed, he sneered, "You think your worthless pride means shit to me? Look around you, Titania. We're living in a world that devours your little virtuous pride. It doesn't give a fuck about how honorable you are. Just like you, the world has its own pride. And it does absolutely nothing for you or for me. I'm not about to follow a conceited fool who can't even open their eyes. Wake up. Your stupid pride will do nothing outside of get you killed—!"

"And?"

Calm kobichas clashed with hard murky oranges.

"I think you have misunderstood me. I'm not afraid to die," Erza said. "My words about putting my life on the line weren't just words just as my sword isn't meant to be a threat. If someone brings a weapon, it's to use it. If someone speaks their promise, it's meant to be kept. My pride will make sure I keep to my word. Because I know there are forces in this world that will actively work against me to achieve my goal. And I'm going to do everything I can to live to see it until the end. I live for my allies and for the future. But I'm also not afraid to die. Because as Master of Fairy Tail, I don't allow my fairies to dirty themselves on my behalf. I don't want you to die for me. It is my responsibility and honor to be my guild's sword and shield. My pride won't let me be anything else."

His jaw locked. 'She's insane. But I can see it in her eyes—she means every word she says.'

"But if you think I'm lying, that's fine."

It jolted him when she grabbed his gun. "You—!"

Erza made sure to put the barrel directly onto her forehead with those eyes of her strong. "Then you can strike me down and kill me right now!"

That rendered him stunned and speechless. It felt like an hour passed until he slowly relinquished the trigger and dropped his armed hand. He put his gun back on safety before scrubbing his face. "Ha… You're insane." He snorted. "No wonder Red Eye likes you."

Erza chuckled. "Yes. Gajeel certainly has his moments too." She got to her feet. "When he mentioned you to me and the rules you follow, I had asked why he thought it was best for me to meet you. I thought it might be more damaging for him to pursue you than to let you live in peace."

"Yeah?" He raised an eyebrow. "And what'd he say to that?"

Erza smiled. "He gave me quite the riddle. He likened you to a vulture. He told me if all I saw was a half-dead vulture waiting to never fly again, I should put it out of its misery. But if by any chance, the vulture were to show signs of wanting to fly again, but it struggled knowing how…then I should care for it until it could breathe on its own again."

Murky oranges glinted. 'Red Eye… You really are a bastard.' He let out a breath. "Y'know, you have a way with words, Titania."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that at all," Erza chuckled. "I was a stuttering mess when I tried proposing to my now-husband fifteen times. I was just so nervous. It's embarrassing to think about."

He sweatdropped. 'What sort of man gets a monster like her nervous?'

(A certain someone flinched and sneezed.)

He went over to put down his handgun on his table. "Look. I'm not interested in joining another organization." He would not bend on that. Grabbing a clean shot glass, he got out one of his vodka bottles and helped himself. The full-bodied velvety taste buzzing his tongue throat told him he was right in sticking with his favorite brand of poison. "You came all this way for nothing. Legal Guilds can't give me what I need."

A hush.

Then quiet steps.

He doused another shot before getting out another clean shot glass and offering it to her. At the slight inclination, it took a few moves until he was offering her a shot, and she took it. Staring at the crisp and clean spirit, Erza told him, "And I assume you are wanting vengeance. That is something you believe Legal Guilds cannot offer you."

"Yeah." He was on his third shot, but he let it sit for a bit. "I don't need your Magic Council's restrictions and supervision." In the liquid reflection, he could see all the bloodshed he instilled. "I'm done with alliances and councils." He picked up his glass. "So. You wasted your time. Go home." He took the shot and went for another—

He was stopped when Erza covered his glass.

"You have a habit of misunderstanding me."

He loudly exhaled. "And what am I not understanding this time?"

"It's true Fairy Tail is a Legal Guild by Council standards. And it's true I sit in meetings with the Council on rules and regulations. But Fairy Tail does things its own way." Erza cocked her head. "And not even the Council will get in the way of our friends or our goals. If we have to cut down the Council, so be it." Browns burned. "We don't have the luxury of adhering to restrictions—not when there are people we have to protect." She looked at her glass. "Perhaps before…I relied on such guidance and behavior. There are a time and place for law and order. But I have learned if there are laws in place that stop me from bringing the ones I love closer to our goal, then those laws are meant to be broken."

He looked at her, searching. "So you support your subordinates causing chaos and breaking laws for the sake of your ideals?"

"Yes." Fondness gleamed in Erza's eyes. "I do. Throughout our lives, we have learned time and time again that this world is not fair. And nothing in this world will ever become fair. But…that doesn't mean we should let go of our ideals. It means we should live as we are. And as Master, I will stand tall against the Council to support the actions of my comrades. That is also part of my pride in being Guild Master. Fairy Tail will never surrender—not our ideals, not our friends, and not our pride."

She looked up at him. "If you come to Fairy Tail, it's the same for you."

"I can do as I please outside of a guild," he warned her.

"That's true."

He did not understand her. "So why would I even consider joining your guild if I can do everything inside of your guild outside of it?"

"Because out here, your pride will drive you to an unsatisfied death. But in here, in Fairy Tail… Your pride will preserve her memory and allow you to live."

Murky oranges glinted. He clutched his shot glass. 'Preserving her memory, huh?' He lifted his glass, but he stopped short. "I'll…think about it."

Erza smiled. "That's all I ask." She raised her glass. "A toast then. To pride." Browns softened. "And to living."

He shook his head. "Sure." He clinked his glass with her. "Bottoms up, Titania." He downed his shot, and she lifted her own—

"You know you shouldn't drink."

The reflex was too much for him to set aside. His gun was in hand and he had it prodding the temple of an intruder before anyone could blink. Heart-pounding, blood rushed into his ears and he had already started calculating strategies. 'What the fuck? I'm not that out of practice that I didn't hear him come in.'

Erza puffed a cheek, flushed, as a male hand took away her shot glass. "It was just a shot of vodka. I can handle my alcohol. You don't need to treat me like a child."

A warm chuckle before this intruder took the shot in her honor. "You're worse than Lucy," came affectionate tease. "And Wendy and Porlyusica would chastise you for this. You know you're prohibited from alcohol right now."

Erza turned away with her flush deepening. "Yes, well, you let me have coffee this morning."

"Decaffeinated coffee."

"Hmph."

He sweatdropped. 'What the Hell is going on?'

"Ah, excuse me, but…" Two fingers came up to tap the barrel pressing into a temple, and one finger had a wedding ring banded to it. "Would you mind lowering this? I apologize for startling you sincerely, but I can assure you I'm no threat."

Slowly, he lowered his gun, but his shields were up. He demanded to know, "And just who are you?"

"Oh." Prussian blue hair shifted as scarred hands pulled back bangs to show an intricate tattoo that looked like it could tell a story. A calm smile. "I'm just her husband."

• — • — • — • — •

Vinyl looked on at him. Thirteen…

"Right now, my pride is on the line," Thirteen said. "I joined this guild because Master wouldn't hold me back from defending my pride. I came to Shamballa to do that."

WA-A-A-AH! WA-A-AH!

A sudden gust rustled their hair and clothes, but for Vinyl, she captured the moment a gorgeous bearded vulture landed on Thirteen as a perch with its mighty wings flapping in excitement of being reunited with its owner. Blues shimmered when Thirteen grinned at the bird of prey.

"So I'm gonna be arrogant and clean up the mess I made…because of this worthless pride," he said. He stroked Lammergeier's chest feathers, much to the vulture's delight. My pride as a Death Hawk wasn't 'pride' at all. It was just me existing…until I found you. So even if this path strips me of everything I have…it won't take away the pride you gave me.

He saw the note attached to Lammergeier's leg and untied it while the silly vulture took to preening and cleaning his hair as though he was a messy hatchling. He looked at the note and it read:

V

21

A circle was drawn over the point of the V.

Thirteen understood. So I'm taking pointe tomorrow. Twenty-one… Blackjack—casino. That must be the fundraising event. Cassowary and Swan will meet me at the blackjack table tomorrow. He rubbed the paper and watched it start burning to ash. If Raven is here, they're a threat I can't ignore. But more than that, I need to find the nurse who hid for a decade and a half. If I'm right, she did come here for the auction—the Black Auction. And she'll need help.

"Hey, Thirteen? There's another note on your, um…"

"Oh." Thirteen rubbed Lammergeier's head. "This is Lammergeier. He's…" Murky oranges sounded. "He's a close friend. Say 'hello', Lammergeier." It made him chuckle when the bratty vulture rebuffed Vinyl to preen Thirteen's hair. "He has bad manners. I'm sorry." He found the other note and opened it up.

Murky oranges widened. What?

Vinyl could not stop watching Thirteen and the vulture. He has his own vulture? When did that happen? Aquamarines downcast. Probably…his life before he came to Fairy Tail. She cupped her elbows. I really…know so little about him.

A discordant melody crashed into her ears and made her wince. "Thirteen? What's—?" She froze at the look of pure hatred on his face. "Thirteen?" She stepped to him to see what the message held—

A noise of discomfort whimpered out when the music in her ears had no crescendo from mezzo to forte, and she put her hands over her ears in a reflexive attempt to block out the noise. Ah! My head! He sounds so angry.

"Viñella."

Vinyl could feel the music backing down and uncovered her ears. "Wh-What is it?"

Thirteen tried hard to reign in his anger. "There's been a change of plans. Tell me. When you hear someone's music, is it different every time? Like a soundtrack album? Would you be able to recognize someone by their music?"

"Ah…" Vinyl nodded. "Yeah. It's pretty rare for me not to feel someone's music once I've heard it. It's similar to prominent composers. In every score they do, there's always something about their music that makes them…them. Wh-Who do you need me to find?"

Murky oranges stormed. "Someone who shouldn't be here." He ground his teeth. This just went from bad to worse. Dammit.

The note only carried three words:

We see Red

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And so…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The second half of the auction went without a hitch with a recess so the auction could take care of business while the music students and crew set up the stage for the ensembles. The talented musicians were promising in their craft and with each ensemble and piece, it showed how dedicated Shamballa was to the arts. Vinyl had been critiquing every piece in her head, personally.

Dinner and dessert had been a grand affair with appetizers and desserts served buffet style and the bar opening up while the main courses were delivered to each participant. And while the dance troupe and orchestra prepared themselves, everyone else had the chance to linger in the lobby or gossip in the gardens.

Gale and Julia kept close together. An apathetic bodyguard and a bratty, spoiled heiress—what a fanfiction trope their cover stories made of them. Even now, Gale continued to play the part, ever vigilant and with his ward close while Julia pretended to check her nails. Yet her gaze could not help finding Chunhua and Dylan, especially Dylan. Chunhua kept close to her brother, but her brother rubbed elbows with the right people.

I only saw it for a moment, Julia thought. I can't believe it, but… That watch… Just like Cal, he's…

"You good?" Gale murmured.

Julia jerked a nod. "Yeah." She turned away. "I'm good. You catch her yet?"

"No. But we both knew there was a chance she wouldn't be here."

Gale guided Julia outside. The sun had gotten real low with the sky darkening and already the twilight lights on. It would still be some time until the dark of the night took over and made the Wastes a dangerous place to be, but for now, civil twilight was a beautiful time to be out and about when the weather had cooled enough for comfortability.

Once the pair were far enough away, arm in arm, Julia murmured, "You really think she wouldn't be here?"

"I don't know what to think about her," Gale told her, honest. "All we know of her is that she wants to free that person no matter the cost and wants to do it by the end of the week. It's a gamble to say she'd sneak in. That's why, before anything else, I need to make sure she's on the right side. I just need to find her and…" He stopped when he saw Julia deep in thought. "What's going on?"

A wind picked up as Julia gathered her thoughts. Should I say something based on pure speculation? Two eyes are better than one. But it's not like Chunhua's family is a target for us. Or maybe this is why Maxim sent me here, to gather information? Frustration welled up. Why the Hell couldn't he tell me what I'm supposed to do here?

Gale sighed and took in a breath—

His pupils shrunk. "She's here."

Julia looked up at him. "What, are you serious?"

"Her scent is in the air," Gale confirmed. He cocked his head to listen and feel. "This performance we're seeing tonight at the museum—it's not just for us, right?"

Julia shook her head. "No. I guess, when you're invited or buy your way here for the main auctions, all performances are included. But everything else, it's open to the public." She checked her smartwatch. "So about now, guests should be coming in…"

"This would be the perfect time for her to slip in," Gale told Julia, who realized it as well. "If this is a public affair, even if it's for the oligarchs and the rich and those who can score tickets and ride, all she'd have to do is sneak in wearing something fancy."

"But the security here is ridiculous," Julia pointed out.

Gale had to negate that. "Yeah, the security for us. Since this is now open to the public, it'll be like a normal performance for them. All they have to do is show their code, have it scanned, and that's that. Sure, parts of the museum might be closed off, but you think that will stop her?"

Julia contemplated. "But why would she appear? Even you said it was a piss-poor chance she'd come tonight. You think it's for the queen?"

"No." Gale shut that down. "It's way too early. And like Fatimah had said, the Emir treasures the queen way too much. If Yara were to approach the queen now, I'm sure security would know her blood type before she got within a fifty-meter radius."

"And you're sure you have her scent?"

"It's faint, but it's there. Traveled downwind." Gale thought hard. But why would she sneak into the museum? Is she really aiming for the queen or…? No. She wouldn't ruin her hard work. But if she came all this way from Bellum—

The pieces of the puzzle had all the corners and edges finished, and the middle was coming together. "Lady J, sorry to be that guy, but I'll have to raincheck on you. Kinda have another lady I need to see tonight."

Julia made a face. "Do you literally have an alarm clock for your 'guy needs'—?"

"No!" Gale looked at her like she was insane. "Christ, Lady J, have some faith in humanity. And in my fricken personality. I'm not gross, and I don't live in my mom's basement."

"For now," Julia smartly pointed out. "It could happen." She smirked when Gale looked like he could strangle her. "You know, my uncle is paying you to babysit me and you're already off sneaking out with other women. He's going to get pissed at you and dock your pay," she sweetly sang.

Gale showed her a sharp-teeth grin as he pinched her cheek. "Then little uncle's girl can cover for me since she's been a pain in my ass and I – couldn't – fucking – sleep when you and your boy toy decided to have very loud FaceCall sex."

Applause to both Julia's parents for being loud and proud about their inappropriateness rather than blushing shrine maidens since all she did was grumble, "You have noise-canceling headphones, so I don't see the big deal."

TICK!

Thoughts of murder came to Gale as his sharp smile twitched while Julia had zero shame for her actions. I hate you so much. He let her go to huff, "Just cover for me. I need to catch my lady of the night. And fortunately for you, I like older women."

Julia snickered. "Oh-ho-ho, I can't wait to tell your little princess you're into cougars now, and how Cane can shoot his shot—"

FWIP!

A lethal aura crackled around Gale as he pressed his hand down on Julia's shoulder. "Don't make me hurt you."

"Oh, go cry about it," Julia dismissed. "Go. I'll be fine." Her expression turned serious. "Just be careful. You have a limited time and we don't know how much time is left on there. Don't get caught. I'm not bailing you out if you do. I will lie on the stand and clap when you're sentenced."

"Glad to know family means something to you," Gale said dryly. "But you stay safe too."

"Yeah, yeah, now get going."

Gale stumbled when Julia shoved him away as a tick mark twinged his cheek. Don't start a fight, don't start a fight. Still, he walked away and grinned. But if my employer is letting me chase after a lady, I can't say, 'no'.

His grin faded as cleared his mind of all else but the task ahead. Yara Sandström, the current king of Bellum's former nurse. Health professionals have deemed his coma an undiagnosable anomaly with no possible cure, only treatments. And if Yara has held onto the memories of the king and Inayah for this long, I can understand why she's here. She wants to kill two birds with one stone.

He could feel the Wild grow excited at the prospect of a hunt. Yara, Yara, Yara… You shouldn't have gotten me interested. Because now, I want to know all about you. He adjusted his gloves. And to confirm the reason that you've come to Shamballa wasn't just for the queen but for the Philosopher's Stone.

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SLAM!

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Plenty of others had come. If someone was rich enough, they had chartered a car service with lucky chauffeurs who had the option of waiting for them on the property or seeing the performance. Others had driven here and would need a valet to park their car. Blac and white events brought out everyone making unique fashion statements with the two shades, but it was more curious to see those who had come for the performance donned colorful masks like tonight was a masquerade.

So… I'm here.

Gloved hands tightened their hold on a black clutch. The place of the first Black Auction.

Yara felt out of her depth in the black mermaid dress and shawl alongside her matte blue mask and wig, but such choices were out of her hand. Like all the others, she exited her chartered car and climbed up the steps. Greeters were ready with brochures about the program, raffle prizes, and donations. A smile went a long way, and Yara made sure to give her demure gratitude.

An argument caught her attention.

She glanced over her shoulder to see a young gentleman arguing with security. He had worn a black mask and his date wore white, but they were speaking in Shamballan towards the cool-headed guard who refused to allow them in.

I see. Yara looked ahead and kept walking with her clutch held tight to her person. So… My source was right. He told me informed me that everyone would be wearing black and white, but the masks could not be black, white, or gray. And he also informed me that—she looked out her peripheral and could feel the presence of Lacrima—there are hidden wards and scanners to detect weapons. But as long as I put the device in my clutch, the scanners wouldn't silently alert security.

She took a steady breath as she went with the flowing crowd to the auditory lobby. Drinks and food were provided and a silent auction and fundraiser held itself outside, but as she dipped inside, she took a scope at the concert hall. It felt deeper and modern with the seats surrounding the stage and slopping like vineyard terraces. The floating chandeliers emitted such a comforting and soft glow that warmed up the vibrant gold acrylics accenting archways and railways.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is the Badr al-Badur Centre of Music and Art, a vineyard hall named after a beautiful princess and how much she cherished liberal arts. The de la Muse head of household provided acoustic consultation to make this concert hall one of the top ten best-sounding concert halls in the world. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Yara shied away from an usher to walk around the edge. There's my seat…or that's the seat my double will take. She flicked her gaze around, eyes sharp, and could see people in black blending in with the shadows. Security at every corner, but they stay out of plain sight. You have to look for them. Not to mention the Pasbans. They're hiding in plain sight, not in the shadows, so they could be anyone.

She tapped her brochure to her lips and hung around the wooden railing. The Magic embedded into the concert hall aren't acoustic enhancements. If the de la Muse family designed it, they wouldn't have allowed any sort of enchantments to ruin the venue. Which means this is one of the most vulnerable areas of the museum and, as of now, most likely the most protected.

Clear blues flickered. I can't believe I'm here. But there is no regret now. I have been searching for fifteen years. I made it. Her grip on her brochure tightened. So I can't let this opportunity slip.

Casually turning around, she went up the steps to exit where she came. I did as recommended. I came in. Security will put me as a passing face, so my double can come in. Blues steeled. Now it's time for—

FWOOM…

She paused as a sensation washed over her. Someone's in great distress. They're…sick. I didn't think anyone here would trigger my abilities. She had to keep up her walk, but she eyed the doors leading outside. I can feel that stressed energy. It's outside. She hesitated. I know I shouldn't, but… Even if it hasn't been since His Majesty, I still took my oath as a Wiccan and a Healer.

Unable to help it, she beelined for the doors to outside. The moment she was outside in the crisp air, she let her powers take over. She could see the spiritual flow of nature all around her rather than the landscaping done to dress up the museum. The threads that connected all walks of life on the earth and in the sky looked like works of abstract art.

Where are they…? She turned her head to see a large energy ball pulsating and agitated. There. She hiked up her skirt to hurry over and concern spilled over when the mass of energy disrupted the spiritual currents around as the thread started dimming in their light. Their stress levels are at a dangerous high. The higher their stress becomes, the more they start subconsciously robbing the energy around the area.

Close enough, she let her vision change back, but she could see the fertile greens of the landscaping had started callously drying out and the soil looked cracked and hardened. The sound of sobbing and retching pulled her in as she went passed a tree that started withering. She touched the drying-out tree with care. No, it's not that they're robbing the area, the poor thing. She quieted her steps to see who she would be consoling. It's that they're making the land—

She froze.

…infertile.

Fatimah was there. Of course she was there; she was the only one who could handle this mess. And with no men around them and a time of close comfort and vulnerability needed, she had taken off her hijab as she shakily offered soothes and hugs the best she could. She could not afford to break, not when someone needed her more. And that someone was sobbing into Fatimah's hold with her veil taken away and her beautiful gown ruffled from mistreatment. The land beneath her had dried, its luscious color abandoned as though the Wastes had claimed this small piece of land.

But Yara saw none of that. Your… Your Majesty… Blue sparked. Your Majesty…was right.

• — • — • — • — •

A smile and a bashful blush. "You should see my queen's eyes, Miss Yara."

Today was a good day. He could walk with her on the grounds today—and when a day like today where it felt like the color, the air, and temperature were at their optimal prime, it would be a shame not to walk around—but he looked like he could float, a true boy in love for the first time. My oh my would the prime minister be aghast His Majesty had such feelings at such a tender age.

"They're so beautiful," he insisted as he scratched his cheek, flushing more. "I don't care that she says she's cursed. I know she's not." He looked ahead, but his smile looked like it was for someone else—for his queen. "Because how could someone cursed…have such beautiful eyes?"

• — • — • — • — •

A trembling hand came up to cover Yara's mouth before she could let out even a sniffle, but blues heated. You were right…Your Majesty… Her eyes…

Inayah's lashes parted to show teary eyes that could not be just "orange". They looked like they showed the gradient of the setting sun and its horizon. It looked so alluring, like a work of art, eyes that descended from a rustic orange to a dying gold and her pupils the color of the burning sun weary from a long day.

She has…such beautiful, cursed eyes.

And her other trembling hand dropped her clutch—

KRR!

Fatimah's reaction came quick and aggressive as a hellish fury raked over her glare. "Who's there?"

And for just a moment, her eyes… They looked…blue.

---

— • — • — • —

Starry Sky nemurenai yoru nee aitai yo aitai yo

Kirameita ittousei osaekirenai kimi e no omoi wo

•

Gyutto dakishimete mou hanasanaide

"aishiteru" dake ga zutto kagayaki tsuzukeru

— • — • — • —

---

The crowd heading into the museum was thinning, but some time remained until the start of the performance. People took advantage of checking out the outdoor art pieces provided to them or lingering to catch up with groups of friends. Another couple had come with black masks and were kept from entering the museum unless they changed out masks. There was no such thing as a romantic tryst on the property, but that did not mean tourists did not want to take the chance to get in their SNS pictures. And it certainly did not stop the second princess from comforting the crying queen and their observers from keeping a respectful distance.

And the Death Hawk saw all.

The black hawk with the galaxy in its eyes curved its trajectory to skew towards one of the three minarets. It went for a quicker descent. With the windows wider, it could flap its wings to perch upon the windowsill. An arm extended for it, and the black hawk hopped and hopped until it was back to perching on the shoulder of its favorite human. It rumbled at the appreciative stroke of its chest feathers before preening its side.

Hands moved to sign: Did he get the message?

Someone stood within the shadows, but partial light outlined the bottom of their chin and their jaw covered in black material. They nodded.

Another sign. Good. Hands went up to praise the black hawk before signing again, Invite the boy to the casino.

Another nod.

The hands moved again. Go.

And that presence that lurked in the shadows vanished without a trace or a name.

The phantom stranger dug into his pocket. He took out candy for him and a treat for his hawk. The black hawk happily hawked down the street, but the phantom stranger felt it was best to hold the candy before him. The moonlight bathed it—

The gentility of the snowfall somehow felt mismatched to those young tawnies eyes that had seen the scum of the earth and lived to tell about it.

The phantom stranger rolled the candy between his fingers. I suppose I'm sympathetic towards you, Red Eye, Vulture. You can't help but care and worry for a child. He opened the wrapper and popped in the candy. Teaching your child how to survive the lies and truths of this world—nothing feels more rewarding. I will teach my child the truth of this world.

He held up the red translucent wrapped to the window and let the moonlight hit the paper and project a soft red glow upon him. So I wonder, Red Eye…

The wind blew around his angelic hair. The paper crinkled and the soft square red light had now dropped to his chest, as though he had been shot through the heart. Did you teach your son the truth? About how you painted this colorful world—his sharp teeth ground on the red candy and the moist dye made it look like he stained his smile in blood—such a vile shade of red.

CHOMP.

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Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Inayah – Chipo Chung

Kamir bin Kwuyalid Al Marwan -

Mohammad bin Saif Al Marwan -

Sooraya Shah -

Zayed bin Kamir Al Marwan – Fady el-Sayed

Rashid Walter -

Julia Fullbuster – Michelle Ruff

Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes

Key / Kyary – Raye Boyce

Fusajiro – Derrick Snow

Enmerkar -

Vinyl de la Muse – Alison Viktorin

Thirteen – Mathew Mercer

Fatimah bint Kamir Al Marwan – Summer Bishil

Hasim -

Erza Fernandes – Colleen Clinkenbeard

The Husband – Robert McCollum

Yara Sandström -

— • — • — • —

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

⌜OPENING SONG

⟪ SAYONARA DILEMMA ⟫

Vivid undress

Lyrics by

yu-ya⌟

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⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ Starry ⟫

ClariS

Lyrics by

丸山真由子⌟

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Next time, on Fairy Adventure

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Episode 142

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NIGHTMARES AND DAYDREMAS

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THE EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL…

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Chibi-Luna greets her class, "Good day, class!"

"Good day, Teacher!" her students chorus. "What's the Fairy Lesson of the day?"

"Well…" Chibi-Luna puts on the Lacrima Screen projector and shows her PowerPoint presentation that showed a family portrait of a neat Perench family dated in the Old-Middle Era alongside an abstract portrait of a shadowed figure with their staff walking amongst the apocalypse. "Today's lesson is a two-part lesson! The first part is the story of The Wanderer."

She taps an arrow for the next slide to show the solo abstract art of a wandering cloaked man with a gnarled stave. "The Wanderer is a person from the Old Era and is considered both a magical and religious figure, but religions refer to them as The Eternal or The Everlasting. He was a man of faith with simple skills and no name for himself. Religious versions differentiate what happened, but everyone can agree The Wanderer had made trouble with a god. In that, the god cursed The Wanderer with, allegedly, immortality."

"How is being immortal a Curse?" a student questions.

Chibi-Luna smiles. "That's what The Wanderer wondered as well. He thought this was a gift instead of a Curse. But the god insisted to the Wanderer it was not necessarily immortality granted. And The Wanderer would see this 'blessing' was only a curse. And The Wanderer did. As his friends and family grew, he didn't. And because he didn't visibly age, people thought he was Cursed or made a deal with a Demon or a Dragon. He was ran out of town. He didn't understand. He thought people would want his immortality and worship him, but they treated him like the Devil.

"Repeatedly, The Wanderer would learn once people saw he could not visibly age, they would harass and try to kill him. But he shouldn't be concerned about the ones who wanted him gone. It was the one he thought would worship him he became afraid of. Over and over again, he was brutalized to see if he could die. Some thought consuming his flesh and blood would gift them immortality. And while The Wanderer could never die, he felt the pain of being beaten and eaten every single time he was tortured.

"And that was when The Wanderer realized it wasn't simply immortality that the god cursed him with. He had become invincible. Drowning, starvation, suicide—no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't die. And once he realized all his attempts to die were in vain, he cried and cried to the god that he had learned his lesson."

Chibi-Luna shows more artwork of the all-mighty god and a crying beggar at his feet. "The god came to The Wanderer and told him this would be his punishment until The End. Nothing and no one could ever kill him. He would never age. He would never get sick. He would live until The End, as was his fate. But a trickster god had overheard this and wanted to play a simple game. In secret, he told The Wanderer how to create an elixir that would grant the drinkers immortality and invincibility, so The Wanderer could at least have a loved one be with him.

"The Wanderer, thankful, would later create this elixir and present it to a man he had fallen madly in love with. This man had accepted his loved one was immortal and invincible, and, because of their strong love, he agreed to take the elixir.

Chibi-Luna showed the next disturbing piece of art that showed The Wanderer horrified as his lover turned to insanity. "However… This elixir had only made his lover become a madman so insane that he was forced to be killed to prevent him from harming others. This elixir the trickster god provided truly did allow immortality and invincibility. But the trickster god didn't tell The Wanderer the elixir only worked on less than half a percent of humans. There was no way of knowing who could accept the power the elixir could give them. And in that, The Wanderer continued to wander, vowing to be the only one who would live to see The End and understanding he was eternally damned to live a life alone."

A hand goes up. "How does that relate to the Flamel Family?"

Chibi-Luna ends the slideshow. "Well! You'll hear about that on the next Fairy Lesson!" She giggles when the students groan. "And now, a message from the Author!"

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⟨ Are you able to guess which region or country of Africa Inayah would be from in the real world? A word she used is commonplace in the culture. Lupita, in real life, would come from the Republic of South Africa. Nuhas would be Egypt.

Any guesses about the identity of The Wanderer and the elixir? (Hint: Episode 116 )

Iram is mentioned in the Quran and is regarded as a lost city or tribe of people. Jang-ta's conversation with Checkmate in Episode 96 might make more sense. The gods spoken about come from pre-Islamic times. Zarqā is also a pre-Islamic Arabian figure.

In my head, Zeref had a great influence over Alakitasia as Emperor Spriggan/Sheikh Spriggan, but he kept his identity as the Black Wizard separate to keep enjoying playing the game of life and death. And, once Zeref passed, those who knew the truth continued to separate his identities to promote peace. If more information about the White Wizard and their cult is shown in FT: 100YQ, I'll be happy. They already have a plotline in this story, but I keep pushing back their arrival since I don't know what the manga will do.

I took the little history we have of Gajeel and ran with it.

Psychological horror starts next episode.

Thank you for your support. ⟩

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PIN-PON!

"That's the bell!" Chibi-Luna waves. "See you for the next lesson! Part Two: The Flamel Family!"