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!

142. Adventure 142

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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LAST TIME, on Fairy Adventure: things are buckling down at the Nasnas Museum. While the art and architecture bring together the past and future, the present looks pretty bleak with Fatimah's isolation from her family, Vespers' secret on why he controls Salentino, the eighth prince of Dilmun, Enmerkar, searching for the last anti-Ether wielder for his plot to become sultan, and Gale overhearing the Black Auction will have the sacred Philosopher's Stone. Nothing like a good mystery to keep our heroes on their toes and there's plenty of unsolved mysteries to go around. How did Enmerkar know about the last Anti-Ether Wielder? Why did Vespers target Salentino? What is so special about Inayah? And did the emir really have his own wife die in a fire?

'She has such beautiful…cursed eyes.'

They do say eyes are the window to the soul, but maybe eyes can mean something more. Not only that, but it looks like Zeref's influence in Alakitasia ran a lot deeper than we thought…

---

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 leans in and says, "This chapter may have uncomfortable themes not suited for every reader, so don't stress yourself!" She winks with a thumbs up. "See you at the end of the episode!"

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People dressed in fitted suits and elegant dresses were more than happy to talk shop over champagne and read the brochure about the performing acts, principal cast, and how they could donate tonight. Those who could swipe tickets for such a performance in a hallowed hall were taken aback at the vineyard concert venue and were more than happy to take a look around to capture the moment. The fundraising ticket raffle and the silent auction were a hit in the lobby with gift baskets and prizes that looked far too tempting to not put down a price.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Badr al-Badur Centre of Music and Art

Nasnas Museum

Shamballa, Alakitasia

7:27 PM SST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fatimah perused the lobby. As a social pariah to her own family, she was more than happy to answer questions of those ignorant of her reputation. She laughed when a little girl asked about her hijab. The little girl wanted to wear one now that she saw a princess wear one. Her parents profusely apologized, but the sentiment was sweet. Nervous university students from the west hoped for an autograph, but she detoxified their nerves to have a delightful conversation about their education as liberal arts students.

She happily sighed as she watched them walk away. This is what I've missed. It's nice to not be seen as the 'ungrateful princess'. A deep ache thrummed. Mama… I wish they could see you here too. She turned away to head back into the center. Sweeping her gaze around, she smiled. I remember how we would watch when the troupe came. You told me we could meet the dancers.

"Of course we can meet them, ya mama!" A beautiful smile. "Whatever my little Fatii wants, she gets."

That wistfulness—a sort of wanderlust but the desire to travel back in time rather than a destination—filled her as those happy memories were shaken off. You should be here too. But… Her lips thinned. I can't…hold onto the past forever.

She pushed herself to walk only to slow again when she saw the boxed seats for her family. She could make out her father and Haya, but two people were notably absent. Wait. Dread sickened her. Where's Inayah and Zayed? Her eyes darted around in a panic too strong for her to control. This way and that, she looked, but she saw not a sign of either of them.

Zayed's words whispered in her ears. "We've been trying for a boy."

Who cared if she was rude? Fatimah fled from the concert hall and looked left and right. No, no, please, no! She wanted to run, but she aborted the move when she could not find a clear direction. Please, please, let her be okay! Don't let me be too late! Her breath labored as all the stress and panic heated her eyes. Please let me find her!

A sudden jolt made her look at the doors leading to outside and something whispered in her ear, There.

No time to waste. Fatimah gathered her skirt and rushed to the doors. No, she would not stop when she saw royal security was intending on doing that. She burst free from the doors and into the outside. Night guarded the sky and darkened the outdoor gardens, but she would not be swayed. She started going this way, then another, while her heart thundered and everything inside her went cold. She went to scream Inayah's name only to stop it. Where is she? Where is she?

The winds picked up sand around her—

A quiet whimper sounded so sharp to her and deep within the garden.

Fatimah's stomach dropped. No. She sprinted into the grass and did not care if her dress dragged and got dirtied. That faint whimper turned into pleas and sobs, but the obvious signs of aggressive struggle made her all that more determined and disgusted. Not this time. I don't care that I have no power. She has never deserved this. Her jaw went taut. Even if I don't have any power, I can still protect her.

A gloss of blue went over those murderous dark browns.

The sight she found made so many feelings want to explode. Zayed nursed a bloody scratch mark on his cheek, but he looked more irritated about Inayah's veil still being on than her attempts to shove him off her. Frantically, she tried to get away, but he overpowered her with the skirt of her dress scrunched up.

"Please," Inayah sobbed. "Get away from me—!"

"Take off your veil!" Zayed snarled. "I saw how you were looking at that guard—!"

"Get away from her, Zayed!"

He never expected his sister to interrupt, much less punch him away. He spat on the ground and did not care to wipe his scratched cheek. All he did was sneer when Fatimah defended Inayah as the queen crumbled to the ground, shaken. "Stay out of this, Fatimah," he snapped.

"Adhhab ala aljahim, Zayed," Fatimah snarled back. "No, not even Jahannam is a bad enough place for you to rot. Stay away from her, you rapist—!"

"Or what?" Zayed did not look pissed or amused. He had the audacity to look disinterested at Fatimah's threats. "You'll tell Father? Haya? You'll tell security?" He straightened his clothes like he had not assaulted his own stepmother. "I told you. Go ahead. They'll never believe you. Everyone already knows how sick in the head you are."

He went toe to toe with her and bent his head to be at her level. "The day you get locked up in an insane asylum will be a blessing for this family. You're just biding your time. So go ahead and run your mouth. It'll just mean your time outside is up—"

SLAP!

Zayed snorted at Fatimah's hit on his clawed cheek. "Don't get violent with me"—darkness smoldered his eyes—"when you can't take a hit back."

CRACK!

Inayah choked when Fatimah fell from the harsh slap and looked like she was rendered near-unconscious. "Fatimah!" She held onto the second princess, despaired, before drawing up the courage to look at Zayed in plea. "Don't do this. She's your sister. She doesn't deserve this—!"

"And what will you do for me?"

Inayah flinched when Zayed crouched before her. "Wh-What do you—?"

"My own sister was implying I raped you." Zayed mocked a wounded look. "She's running her mouth at me, thinking I've been assaulting you. I think I'm in my right to get angry with her. First, she implies our father had our mother killed in a fire and now, she's making me out to be the bad guy. Don't you think I should shut her up before she hurts herself?"

Inayah trembled. "Please," she whispered. "Leave her out of this. Please. She has nothing to do with this. W-W-With"—her lips quivered—"us." She flinched and closed her eyes when Zayed cupped her chin over top her veil.

"That's my queen," Zayed murmured in praise. "I'll be lenient right now. She runs her mouth again, and I won't be. But you can stop that." His thumb rant over her lips—Inayah felt so darkly grateful her veil stopped her from feeling the touch firsthand—and he said, "I'm still angry at you. So tonight, you'll make an excuse to be in your own room instead of your marital one. And I'll come visit you."

"I-I-I—"

Zayed grabbed a fist full of Fatimah's hair through her hijab and made Fatimah cry out—

"No, no, I'll do it!" Inayah whooshed in tearful promise. "Please, just let her go! Please!"

Zayed did as she requested. "See? That was easy." He leaned forward. "I'll look forward to tonight." He got up and smoothed down his shirt. "I'll let Father know our dearest Fatii had another breakdown and needed the queen to calm her down. But I wouldn't stay out here for too long. Security trusts me with my queen." He looked at his younger sister and his cold stare meet her icy glare. "They'll shoot a psychotic princess without any hesitation."

He walked away, leaving both women with that.

Inayah, shaking, fretted over Fatimah. "A-Are you alright? Your cheek—"

"I'm fine." Fatimah winced as she sat up and decided it was best to take off her hijab. Her hair roots stung a bit, but never that mind now. She looked at the Emira with such anguish and self-loathing. "I'm so sorry. I didn't even realize you had gone with him—" She could not speak anymore, too choked with anger. He was about to rape her, that psychopath. He needs to be stopped. I have to make the world see what a monster he is.

"You shouldn't have interrupted."

A part of Fatimah felt she heard incorrectly, but when the silence kicked in, so did her disbelief. "What?"

"I-I-I…!" Inayah kept her fingers close to her stomach. "I-I… I was…shocked when he surprised me with it. But it… I would have complied. You shouldn't have interfered and gotten hurt." His hands trembled. "Please don't interfere—"

"Inayah." Fatimah scooped Inayah's hands into her own, broken-hearted. "You… You don't deserve this. You don't deserve any of this. No one does."

"It's fine." A tremor took Inayah's voice. "But please don't get hurt—"

"I don't care if I get hurt," Fatimah vehemently told her. "That doesn't matter right now. I had worse at the psych unit when I was younger. What happened to me isn't important—"

"But it is," Inayah insisted almost desperately. "It is important! You heard what he said, Fatii; you could be sent away again, and you don't deserve that sort of treatment here. You've done nothing wrong. You haven't done anything wrong—"

"And neither have you—"

"That's different." Inayah backpedaled, withdrawing. "I… I'm used to it—"

"And you shouldn't have to be!" Fatimah exploded. "You shouldn't have to be 'used' to any of this! Inayah, listen to me. What they are doing to you is wrong. It's rape. It's assault. They claim they're people of faith, but they'll be damned to the worst places of Jahannam for doing this to you. How could you think you deserve this? How could you ever think that?"

Quiet.

"Because…I have nowhere to go."

That shocked Fatimah.

Inayah's watery confession was followed by a sniffle. "I-I have…nowhere. I have nowhere, Fatimah, and no one—" She hiccupped into her cry. "This is the o-o-only place I have left—!" She sobbed and peeled back her veil to show those eyes that looked like the setting sun and its horizon. "I have no one," she sobbed. "I can't go back. This was…! This was the only way I could—!" But she broke down into a choking cry.

"I'm sorry." Fatimah held Inayah as the Emira sobbed. She closed her eyes when she felt her own tears crowding and could only hug Inayah tight and rock her like her own mother had done years ago. "I'm sorry. I'm…so sorry, Inayah." She sniffed and rubbed Inayah's back. "I'm so sorry for everything."

Self-loathing pricked her heart. I'm sorry I stood by. I'm sorry you were forced into this. I'm sorry…I was weak that I couldn't protect you. But I'll protect you. She reaffirmed her embrace with her resolve torn between all the sisterly warmth she had for the crying woman in her arms and that vicious hatred for her family. I will do everything I can to protect you and give you a better life—so you know what you deserve.

The land beneath them dried and eroded, and the sands of the desert fluttered around them, almost as a barely seen shield.

You are worth so much more than this, Fatimah wanted to tell Inayah. And I'll devote everything I can to get you out of here and keep you safe. A hardness enveloped her heart at the determination—

• — • — • — • — •

The Wastes might have looked like a dune wasteland to others, but feminine feet walked over the unforgiving sand like it was her duty. She marched on, riding the waves and enduring the heat. She would soldier on even when her people could not walk with her. And as her hand twirled, the sand danced for her.

A woman's voice belted in haunting song.

The tomb was filled with hourglasses. The sand kept moving, but none of the hourglasses ever emptied to one side of another. This was the purpose. They would keep time moving forward at a regular pace.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"You wish to protect her."

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The three chief sisters looked elegant in statue, all-powerful and all-knowing. A prophet prayed before them with her abaya and niqab. Others prayed with her at the mosque with their clothes linen white. But she differed in her widow black as she led worship.

The woman's voice wailed her story.

The prophet sat up and stood before the three-chief goddess. Slowly, she turned—

Vibrant blue tourmaline. "Then find me."

• — • — • — • — •

KRR!

Something powerful tried to break free from Fatimah's chest and overwhelm her at the sudden noise. A deep sense of protection made her instantly on aggressive defense and she could hear the waxing and waning of the dunes. Her eyes opened and, for a moment, they looked blue.

"Who's there?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"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!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Yara hesitated, stunned. What was that? For a moment, I felt something…powerful. She cleared her head. It doesn't matter now.

Slowly, she stepped out of hiding to reveal herself. "It's me." She kept her voice steady.

Fatimah slowly recognized Yara. "What are you doing here?"

"My veil!" Inayah, flustered and fumbling, went for her veil, breathing hard. "I-I-I'm not supposed to be seen without it—!"

"It's okay, it's okay," Fatimah soothed. "It's still dark outside. She can't see anything." She helped Inayah put back on her veil and situate it properly. "You're all right. No one has to know. You're safe right now." She gave Yara a perplexed look. What are you doing here?

Yara recognized what Fatimah's expression meant and swiped her clutch. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to get some fresh air away from the crowd. I didn't mean to interrupt, and I won't tell anyone about this. I'll just…get out of your way." She stepped back, but she selfishly stole another glimpse of Inayah. I've finally seen you after fifteen years. And all I want to do is hug you and tell you everything. I want to say how sorry I am for not finding you sooner.

Her eyes dipped to the land. With Fatimah calming Inayah down, the garden became luscious and fertile again. Forcing herself to stride away, she thought, I know I have to retreat, but I feel like I'm failing her even more. I have to be patient. I have to be. I won't allow my emotions to misguide me. She tightened her hold on her clutch with smoldering blues ready for a battle. I'll fight with every ounce of power I have to get her out of here. But even more so…

She opened her clutch to take out the thin device inside. With one press of a button, it showed her the blueprints for the Nasnas Museum—and also for all the excavated tunnels and how to disable their magical traps.

I'll get the Philosopher's Stone. Smoldering blues burned bright. And I'll save His Majesty.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 142

•

Nightmares and Daydreams

•

悪夢と白昼夢

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gale crouched on the roof as he watched Yara depart from the second princess and queen. Having a Dragon's sight came in handy to enhance the imagery and see well at night. Watching all of that was fucking brutal. He cracked his knuckles. That prince… He doesn't deserve to even be called a 'human'. His Wild reared to sink his fangs into the prince's flesh and watch him bleed.

• — • — • — • — •

"You're almost there, Your Highness." A coaxing breath and an unwanted feeling of deceitful pleasure stirring her lower stomach. Her tears would not end when something rubbed against her, never daring to force its way inside her, but the girth and length were enough to get the message across.

A heated pant was close to her ear. "I'm almost there too."

• — • — • — • — •

Those violating memories made Gale lurch for a moment and his claws wanted to come out. The Wild paced, not understanding why he had not gone for a hunt and destroyed the man who assaulted his little moon. It's one thing for her to tell me, but to feel her from her perspective… He would never, ever forget when those memories filled with despair bottomed out to a protective numbness. How he could feel her give up the fight when warmth spilled onto her stomach and her body betrayed her—

The Wild tried to take over, snarling, demanding retribution, but he shoved it down with a rough grunt. Don't think about it. Not now. Not here.

He stood on the roof in his black stealth suit and tracked Yara's movements. Well. If you're really here to help her, I'm your ally, Yara Sandström. But if you're not—rubies hardened—then you're another one of my enemies. He quietly ran along the edge of the roof to keep a good distance back from Yara's hurried movements. When she disappeared into a kuchech (narrowed alley), Gale kept pace with her, ears in tune with her footsteps.

He stopped when she came upon a secret courtyard with its own mosaics and a quaint shadirwan (fountain) with water trickling down the thin streams over the wavy surface and into a reflective basin. It might have looked perverted that he did not look away when he shed her dress for something more athletic beneath, but sensibilities and things of that nature were abandoned during espionage. What are you doing here, lady?

He watched Yara take out an ornament that looked to be of the three chief goddesses. She placed it onto a matching indented sculpture on the fountain and—

GRRRRRR…

The basin of the water fountain shuffled back and the water dried up. Stairs to an unknown darkness were all that was left. Yara peeked around before she gathered her dress and headed down the steps and into the darkness. Once she was submerged, the earth closed again.

Quiet.

Gale dropped to the ground and reached out a hand—

GRRRR!

He forced the earthy basin to part again and reveal the staircase. I don't like where this is going. But I can make an assumption. These tunnels probably lead to the portal to the Black Auction. I'm sure, by the end of the night, Lady J and the others will be given a safe and guided tour to get to the portal. If Yara is after the Philosopher's Stone and doesn't have an invite, I'm sure she's using this opportunity to get her hands on it first.

Rubies narrowed. But even I can feel the incredible Black Magic inside here. Is she that confident she can navigate through it? Or did someone else give her the confidence? He adjusted his mask. Either way, I can't leave her down there. If she wants the Philosopher's Stone for selfish reasons, I can't let it slide. Sycaña, are you with me?

Even if I disagree, you'll still go.

Gale chuckled over Sycaña's dry tone as he headed down the tunnel steps. Yeah, well. I'm a little shit like that. As he emerged in the darkness, he stopped and watched as the earth started swallowing him up. And as he turned, out of the corner of his eye, he could have sworn he saw a bird until—

SHUT!

The small courtyard was back to being a hidden secret.

Until a pair of boots stepped in and the silhouette of a bird of prey soared overhead.

---

Julia settled in her seat with a gracious smile at the people next to her. Standing room only meant this would be quite the performance to see tonight and excitement thrummed in the air about seeing the sensual and liberating Nuhasian dance troupe. The Jannah orchestra had settled in with their women's choir and the tone was set.

Julia looked at Gale's empty seat and tried to discourage the worry niggling in her gut. He'll be fine. I just need to trust him. She looked around and ended up finding Chunhua next to Dylan, but their seats were too far away for Julia to gesture and gain Chunhua's sole attention. But Chunhua…

The lights flickered and dimmed. It was time for the show to begin.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence. But as everyone listened closer, they could hear the winds of the Waste and the waves of the sand. It was arrhythmic, but it felt rhythmic as well. The soft footfalls of sturdy donkey and camels that crossed the desert with their caravans.

It surprised everyone when the ceiling was gone and replaced was the night sky of Alakitasia. The stars were arranged to show a woman walking the dunes as she led her faithful camel through the Wastes and her people trailed behind her.

A woman's voice distantly wailed in a beautiful, reverberating tone.

The ney laid down a D4 while the qanun (zither) played with its melodramatic rifts.

The stars formed together all the places this woman, but with each place she passed, she lost her people. She passed through the Great Kiira. She passed through the great pyramids. She traveled through the Wastes to see what monsters existed alone. And now, she was alone in her venture. But that never stopped her journey moving forward. For she renewed herself and found weary travelers the Wastes tried to claim. They followed her and followed her, gathered one by one, until she delivered them to the promised land of the three goddesses.

A gorgeous voice soothed in an old Nuhasian lullaby, "Nami nami ya saghirah… Tanghfaa ea lihasirih… Nami nami ya saghirah… Tanghfaa ea lihasirih…"

The winds of change blew, carrying the scent of the desert with it. And yet, through those winds, you could hear the rush of the caravans and the footsteps of the people who crossed the Wastes. White outlines showed animals and people walking about the hall as they all ventured toward the promised land. The lullaby continued as the stars showed the audience the glorious creation of Shamballa, of the fallen prince and his people uniting with a prophet, of their victory over their enemies, and of the future Shamballa provided with connections to the past.

"Nami nami ya saghirah… Tanghfaa ea lihasirih… Nami nami ya saghirah… Tanghfaa ea lihasirih…"

The tambourine went as a baseline subtly used its influence to swell the room until they all transitioned to a C4.

A lone accordion started to play. A spotlight hit a woman who seemed to be sitting on a swing high in the air as she played her according. But she was not alone. Two dancers with her—two Cleopatras. They adorned their veils with one having a bob and headdress and another having a bubbled ponytail. They shared smiles as the accordionist continued her improvisation, telling a story.

But soon, more dancers came to listen to the tall, stepping free from the shadows and gliding down the aisles. It enthralled the audience to see such beauty and grace. The dancers surrounded the stage in their bedlahs and some of the men donned viz skirts or harem pants. As the accordionist landed on stage, she received air kisses from the dancers before they departed, and a muted light was given to the surrounding dancers.

Silence.

PA… PA… PA…

With every snap, the lights pulsed, and the dancers were in another pose like they were moving hieroglyphs. Their breaths and hearts were one as they moved in sync.

Julia blinked when the flashes started hurting her head. She rubbed her temple and shut her eyes. Nnngh…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

PA… PA…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gas masks and goggles and gloves.

The shadows kept their faces hidden, but she knew the truth. She could feel the sedatives make her body heavy and eyes droopy. The metal cuffs stapling down her to the impersonal lab table made her want to thrash like a wild animal, but all she could do was drool sluggishly. An IV had been given to her as a mercy, but that was it.

A wide grin. A gloved hand flicked the end of an injection needle filled with a black liquid.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

PA… PA…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The world felt like it was going double vision. Julia tried to stop falling forward when it felt like a balloon had swollen in her mind.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

PA… PA…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The injection sites were painless with all the sedatives. Black liquid swirled down tubes, but that was not all that she had to endure. Wires had been taped to her head and chest and she could feel subtle electric shots run through her body as though trying to prepare her. She tried shaking her head when mumbled conversation was directed to her, but she could not do anything.

The black liquid pumped into her—

A full voltage of electricity hit her system—

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

PA… PA…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The dancers continue their strut, but Julia had to leave. Mumbles pardons came out half-hearted as she got to the aisle. She did not hear the ushers ask her if she needed any help. Her hands came out to brace for impact and push against the hall doors—

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

PA… PA…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Was she screaming?

She could not tell anymore.

She knew she spat up blood, but no one would try and help her. She could feel her Magic lash out against this injustice. It was the natural order of things. When a Wizard was in danger and their body could not physically defend them, their Magic took it into its own hands to protect their wielder.

But when Anti-Ether was inside your body, the battle of rejection versus protection felt like death ten times over.

Her vision crusted with crimson as she felt her Magic give everything it had to protect her. But she could feel it war with Anti-Ether, trying to freeze it and drown it, but it stood little chance against a power that was its natural predator.

Hands came near her head, and she looked up with the last wisps of her vision, choking on her own vomit and blood. She saw the reflection of glasses. "You're coming along beautifully"—a smile expanded to show a diamond tooth—"Experiment Nightingale."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

PA… PA…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Nightingale? Nightingale!"

Julia nearly fell into a wall when her knees felt weak, but someone caught her. She coughed, her stomach threatening violence, but she staggered to stand up herself. She could make out familiar features through the strain. "Chunhua?"

"Yes, yes, it's me. Here, let's sit on this bench."

Chunhua guided Julia to sit on the bench and helped her sit back against the wall before she scurried away. Julia put a hand over her eye, pale and panting. Nnngh… What…was that? Was that a memory of my surgery?

"Here."

Water was put before her and already was uncapped, thanks to Chunhua.

Julia took the bottle and waterfall it before leaning back her head and closing her eyes. "Thanks," she rasped.

"No problem." Chunhua took away the water bottle to cap it again.

Julia's lashes lowered; oranges dull. Why did I think of that now? It was so long ago… She sighed, closing her eyes. I can't look back at the past. I need to keep moving forward.

Chunhua brushed back her hair. For today's event, she had adorned a modified qipao in honor of Zhōnguánese tradition and a black butterfly mask outfitted her face. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Julia breathed. "I'm fine." She tried to get up. "I need to get back—Nnngh!"

Chunhua helped Julia sit again before she fell over. "Just keep still for a moment," she soothed. "I know the performance is great, but they're selling videos of the event if you miss it. Just sit, breathe, and drink some water, okay?" She rubbed Julia's shoulder when Julia took a shuddering inhale and exhale. "Has this happened before? Panic attacks?"

"Not a panic attack," Julia gulped. "It was… I don't even know what it was." She staved off more conversation to drink more water before capping it again and putting it to her forehead. "That's never happened to me before."

Her jaw twitched. I put it behind me after I was finished with surgery…and Maxim's training. So why…? She scraped the thought of glancing at Chunhua. "So how have you enjoyed the auction? You didn't tell me you were invited."

"A-Ah, yes, well." Chunhua wanly smiled. "Things…change, I suppose." She looked up. "My brother told me I was to accompany him to all the auctions this week, but it was very last minute. And since he's my chaperon for the week, I couldn't turn him down. Which is a shame." Black opals glinted. Her smile tinged in bittersweetness. "Tonight was a group movie night. Well, not so much of a group. They're doing a water-projected movie down at the marina. We were all going to see it together, but…" Her lace gloves gripped her skirt. "Well." She fed Julia an obligatory smile. "I suppose there's always next time. I'm fine."

Oranges glinted.

"Don't worry, Lady J." A worn smile as dry ice slipped down his cheeks, steaming. "I'll be fine on my own."

Julia slowly brought down her water bottle and watched the water shift.

"I'm okay." That foolish smile even when bandages and scrapes covered his body. "I-It was my fault. They were just joking. Please don't be mad. I'm fine."

Oranges fell half-mast before her hands gripped the water bottle tighter.

Chunhua moved on. "But anyway—"

"You're not fine with it."

Chunhua's smile faded. "Ex… Excuse me?"

"You're not fine with it," Julia repeated. "You all say that you are, but you're not. You always give that same smile—that smile that's supposed to assure me. But all it does…is make me worry more about you."

Black opals widened, glinting. Nightingale?

Julia tipped the bottle to watch the water tip one way or the other. I know that smile. I grew up around that stupid smile. Oranges glinted, angry. I've always hated that smile.

All those moments watching her older brother keep it together with his smile as fans swarmed him, but she could see him shaking and wanting it all to go away. All those times watching her younger brother smile and laugh off every joke at his expense, but she could see he wanted to cry.

And in those moments, all she wanted to do was protect them both from the world.

Why…? Her jaw clenched. Why do you always smile like that? Why do you make it seem like you're fine…when I know you're breaking inside? What else do I have to do to protect you so you can rely on me more?

"Ah… I'm sorry." Chunhua tucked back a lock of hair, a bit flustered she had been caught. "I-I didn't mean to deceive you. I just thought that…"

Julia sighed loudly. "It's fine," she dismissed. She leaned back and closed her eyes. "You don't owe me an explanation of what you're feeling." She put up her water bottle to her forehead—

"Do you mean that?"

That soft question made Julia's hand stop. It went down again, and her eyes opened.

Chunhua continued, quiet, "I don't mean to overstep. Please, just ignore me."

Julia did not answer.

And they sat in silence.

Until…

"I'm sorry."

Chunhua turned to Julia, frowning.

Julia kept leaning back, but her eyes were open and onto the wall ahead of her. "For last night. I snapped at you when I shouldn't have. You were just trying to give me advice…" Her eyes cut away. "And I…didn't react that well. I didn't react how I should've. And I'm sorry for that, Chunhua. Honest."

Chunhua hummed. "It's all right. I should have known better than to press. You seemed protective over your family a great deal." Her smile looked tainted. "I wish…my brothers were just as protective of me as you are with your brothers." She fiddled with her fingers in her lap. "Unfortunately, being the only girl in the family doesn't equate to much. I only get in everyone's way. I don't have that much of a talent for politics. So I just…do what I can." Black opals dimmed. "And just hope…that's enough for them. Even though it never is."

She snapped out of her thoughts to politely chuckle and wave a dismissive hand. "I'm sorry. I'm rambling about boring things again. You should be focusing on recovering."

"No, it's all right," Julia murmured.

Another quiet.

"You know…I envy Wizards."

Now Julia looked at Chunhua.

As Chunhua kept fidgeting her hands, she continued: "When a Wizard is only ten years old, they're able to partake in such a fruitful life. They're already independent and can make their own choices with their abilities. They could join a guild or an organization." She sheepishly laughed. "I've been a fan of this Wizard from Fairy Tail, Luke Dragneel, since a friend showed me a video of him during secondary. Zhōnguá tries to ban coverage of the GMGs and such, but it's easy to find a way. It was amazing to see him. Wizards have such a negative connotation in Zhōnguá as being a 'dirty power'. But him… They saw his power is similar to Spiritual Power, like Cultivators once had. And I found myself admiring him as much as I envied him.

"His achievements, his power—it was amazing." Chunhua's smile winced as she rung her hands. "But…I wished so badly I could have that talent too. It's said every human has a possibly to become a Wizard. But if you're not born a Wizard or have Magic in your bloodline, it's improbable you'd become one. You could try your hand at a grimoire if you could afford it and it was authenticated, but they were expensive. Same to a Lacrima surgery. An Enchanter potion is a sure way to a permanent stay in a hospital or in jail. But still."

Her hand clutched to her chest. "I wanted a power like that, a power that allowed me control over my life. If I could have it, even a fraction of it, then I wouldn't be scared. And I could like a fruitful life just like that Fairy Tail Wizard. If I…! I could just have that power…!" Her hand shook. That power… I remember it so vividly…

• — • — • — • — •

Her traditional room had upheld all the standard her parents had set. Her uniform was pressed and hung for the next day, and she had made sure to get her homework and cram school work checked over. Once she locked her door and shut off the lights, she could not help but hide under the covers, use a VPN on her PAL, and watch the video.

It amazed her to see the battle that had broken out. A Mage had conjured hundreds of golem knights, but young Luke Dragneel looked prepared with his beautiful golden Magic glaring around him and musing his pink hair. is sigil lit up beneath him as he flipped a coin that burst into an arrow. As he pulled back, multiple golden sigils came before him, connected. His Star Shot let loose to hit his target—

SHING!

BOOM!

Her eyes widened as a blush worked her cheeks, amazed when more celestial arrows rained fire down on the army. 'Wow… He's amazing…'

• — • — • — • — •

Black opals hardened as Chunhua tightened her fist so it stopped shaking. He's around my age and he was given such power…

"Power…isn't everything."

Chunhua blinked to see Julia hunched over, expression solemn.

"I understand you," Julia murmured. "You feel weak and helpless. No matter what you do, life will come up with a way to push you back. Even when you've tried everything—even when you've given your all and you thought it was enough—nothing was enough. Nothing…was ever enough."

Chunhua lowered her head. Nightingale… She looked at her lap. "I know I should be grateful for my life. Being part of the Bei family and one of the five political families of Zhōnguá… So many people would envy me for all the power I already have. And yet, here I am, giving myself pity." She played with her fingers. "You must find me awfully spoiled."

"I don't."

Chunhua closed her eyes, smiling. "Well, that's that. Thank you for not thinking of any less of me for this."

"It's all right." Julia turned her water bottle and saw the blurred reflection of her face. How could I think less of you when that's how I thought of myself? Powerless. Helpless. Nothing more than a burden. All I could do…was let things pass me by.

The memories of Gary's absence always made her hollow. When her mother had exhausted herself and her tears, Julia was the one to slip out of bed and hold Silver as he cried under his comforter. She had already cried in Nashi's bed. How could she cry now when her little brother needed her to be strong when he could not be?

I had power. My Water and my Ice. I had it all, but… The reflection showed her a well-worn young woman. That power left me defenseless to protect them so they could live their own lives. I was told I was a prodigy. Even if Water and Ice are close affinities, they're very different to control. And I was gifted with them both. But what the Hell do those gifts matter—oranges sparked—when Hunters could still take them away from me?

• — • — • — • — •

A bludgeoned and battered Silver laying on a cot with his life only bare threads and all she could do was try not to break when not even Wendy's healing could beat him shoving out what felt like final breaths.

She could see Gary sitting in his room. He was so close. If she crossed the threshold, she would be in his room. But the glimpse of his expression showed her, no matter how close their physical distance was, he would always be in another world, cold and numb.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'And yet…even when I have the power I wanted so desperately…why are they still so far away from me?'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

She could not say it did not hurt giving her goodbye to Gary as he left Magnolia to return to the north. Her mother was a mess, and Silver was all snot and tears—like mother like son. But she felt a kinship when she saw her father's face watching Gary leave with Nashi holding his hand. Her father looked sadly resigned, even if his ice-cold exterior did not look it. And when she watched Gary turn and give a big wave back…

…her heart broke.

Most of the time, she never had an issue getting close to Silver. He was easy to tease and prod and get flustered. But when she looked for him, it felt like an intentional chasm of black was between him and her as he laughed with his friends. But…that did not sound like the laugh he had around their parents or Luna, not his real laugh. And his smile… It looked wrong. But even when she wanted to cross that distance, she remembered those few moments when his glare leered at her like he wanted nothing to do with her.

And she stayed rooted as he walked away.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'Why…do I feel even lonelier than before?'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Julia's lips twitched before pressing together.

Chunhua watched as Julia got him and fretted, "W-Wait! You shouldn't—!"

"Chunhua."

Chunhua's words stopped, surprised.

Julia's hand with her water hung at her side. "There's nothing to be ashamed of, wanting power for yourself so you can live," she said. "You need power to live. You need power to survive. Because without power, you're nothing more than a puppet waiting for your master. You're helpless and weak. But when you finally attain that power you so desperately wanted"—her hand clenched as her teeth gritted—"you'll become even lonelier than you ever felt. And then you'll wonder…"

She tilted her head—

Dead orange clashed with black opal.

Julia questioned, "'Is this lonely despair…the price I pay for this power'?"

Black opals widened. Nightingale… Chunhua opened her mouth, only to close it, and looked at her lace gloves.

Julia sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm just…tired. I should go back inside. Thank you for the water." She turned away. "I'll pay you back." She walked away—

"Do you regret it?"

Julia stopped.

Chunhua looked at her hands. "You just… That question sounded regretful. How do you live…with that sort of regret?"

Oranges fell half-lidded. Regret, huh? Julia readjusted her hold on the water bottle. "I have…no regrets."

Chunhua looked up, hopeful. "Then, you—!"

"But I have remorse."

Chunhua stopped.

Julia walked away. I'm not 'sorry' for obtaining this power. And I will never regret it. But…I'm responsible for this loneliness. I'm responsible…for not being there when they needed me, for letting this power…drive them away from me.

Sad rubies. "Have we…really been protecting them?"

Julia's lips flattened. I have no regrets about becoming a Hunter to protect them. But I have remorse…for not being close to them. That's why, Chunhua, you can feel regret having attained such power. But to feel this remorse… You're asking me how do I live with it? She pressed a hand over her heart. I…don't know.

---

Gale knew without a doubt his father would never let him live it down he was down in the dirt like a worm. His shitty dad gave him enough crap without ammunition. He refused to give that old man any more leverage over him. That asshole was already giving him Hell for salivating at a jewelry store and almost eating a poor woman's 24-karat ring.

In his defense, he was hungry, and gold was nothing more than a fancy-looking appetizer.

In her defense, it was her future wedding ring.

Needless to say, he was banned find indefinitely from the store (like he cared since those gemstones were not as savory as the ones from down the street) and was red in the face while his father laughed at his expense and hassled him all the way home. Damn him.

Why did his very intelligent mother have to marry his bastard father of all people?

Even so, Gale navigated through the pitch-black tunnels with ease. His draconic eyes could not help him in total darkness, but his heightened nose and ears helped him a great deal. The more he walked, the more his boots agitated him to the point his Wild growled in his chest. I don't get it. He crafted another marking into the wall with ruby, his shoes more uncomfortable than ever. I've never felt this angry over shoes. Am I turning into Mom?

He shuddered to think of that. His mother had a vendetta against high heels. A woman so small should not have such pent-up rage let alone again high heels.

You're in your element, Sycaña offered in explanation when he walked over bones, leaves, and debris. Soon, your skin will feel agitated by your clothes, but you should be able to offset the comfortability. Your human mind understands shoes are necessary in case you step on something unsightly. Your Dragon mind doesn't understand. You have a better advantage feeling the vibrations of the earth without your shoes.

Huh. A hunk of debris made for a narrow hallway, but Gale used his Magic and sift through the rubble and widen the tunnel again. Then off he went. I guess that makes sense. He stopped and contemplated his decision. Ah, fuck it. Might do me some good.

As he untied his boots, his thoughts darkened. I've been keeping track of Yara's scent, so I'm not thrown off. But the trail keeps ebbing. And I can't hear her heartbeat or footsteps. The deep Magic in these tunnels was used to defend specifically against the Nasnas, and they had amazing senses to track their prey.

Boots and socks off, he shrunk them both and put them into one of his skinny utility pockets. A deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Slowly, he closed his eyes he took his meditative stand with his arms before him. He slid one bare foot on the ground before lifting his other and stamping down—

BWOOSH!

It was not that he could feel the intricate tunnel systems; it was that he could feel it. He could feel the winding of the tunnels and where dead ends lay. He could feel the critters dwelling within the tunnels clicking and skittering along the earthen walls and flooring. The connection to the magical plants that thrived off no sunlight resonated with him, like they were all part of the everything.

Woah… He could feel the sensations slowly fade away, but the map his mind made would be impressed. This… This is righteous.

Can you feel everything? See everything? Sycaña asked him.

Yeah. Gale stamped his other foot forward and the vibrations of the earth made his sensational map reaffirm itself. I can feel all of it, or at least most of it, I think.

It is said the first Earth Dragon could feel the entire realm beneath his mighty claws, Sycaña told him. In my prime, my prowess allowed me to feel close to that. And one day, your footsteps will feel the world beneath it and carve a path.

The Wild preened, embarrassed its dame spoke with such high hopes, but it puffed its chest, not wanting to let its dame down. Gale asked, Do you really think so?

I know so. A touch of arrogancy reaped her words. I'm your mother, aren't I?

Gale snorted and stepped forward to feel the vibrations. Yeah, yeah. He focused on what the vibrations impressed upon him. I felt faint footsteps of a rushing human. He kept his pace light and careful as he traversed the tunnels. That must be Yara. I don't scent anyone else. Ideally, it'd be nice to use my Magic to cut a path. But…

He stopped to touch a wall and impart a shard of ruby before moving on. I can't risk triggering the deep Magic here. Marking my place should be passable. Anything more could mean I'm not leaving this place alive.

Working through the unexpected twists and turns of the tunnel was not too difficult. The urge to change from skin to scales drew back with his bare feet feeling the ground. He was careful to step over the roots and vines and dry moss that were interwoven with the tunnel and kept placing ruby markers. Even so, he could feel that tingle of gooseflesh and that not right feeling settled in his chest.

I don't know why, but… He was forced to take a right. Something doesn't feel right—

Gale stopped when the overwhelming decay made him cringe back and that sour fungal smell made his skin crawl. Ugh… Fungus… I hate smelling fungus. He felt the earth and could feel hundreds of organic lives swarming the tunnel ahead. He got a feeling of the texture but not of the type. I can't place them. I think they're…mushrooms? He rubbed his head. Well, shit. Maybe I should've actually listened to Luke drone on about this sort of thing. Sycaña?

I believe these are puffball mushrooms, from the scent.

'Puffball mushrooms'? Gale echoed. Oh… I know those. They release their spores upon impact. And they're edible too. Non-lethal. He carefully stepped into the tunnel. The squishiness of the mushrooms beneath his feet made him wince, but the smoking spores bothered him none. Ah, well, I need to keep moving forward. And casting a Bubble Mask might trigger something.

He moved forward, ignoring the spore puffs, and tried to get a feel for the earth below. Something's been bothering me. I was certain that I felt a human running around. But now…there's this distant noise that I can't place. Does something else live here? Like a guard dog? It's not uncommon for Magic Labyrinths to have magical creatures inside to protect whatever the person is hiding. Ghouls, maybe? A Demon? Something that can survive total darkness, so it has to have heightened senses…

He stepped on another mushroom, and it sputtered smoking spores.

Quiet stuck to the tunnel. The mushrooms coughing their spores amounted to silence. Even his very steps were muted, like the tunnels had robbed him of knowing how he got from A to B. But he pressed on, even when his nape tingled, even when his gut twitched, even when the Wild kneaded its claws, on edge—

"Why are you alive?"

That hissing whisper came from over his shoulder, and Gale whipped around, heart-pounding.

Silence.

What…? He tried to calm his heart as he rooted in place. What was…that?

More silence.

Careful, he swallowed and turned forward—

"Why aren't you dead!"

The sudden scream in his face made him stagger back and fall atop mushrooms that puffed their spores at him, irked.

LUBDUBLUBDUBLUBDUBLUBDUB!

Breath labored, he tried to gather his bearings, but it felt impossible when he recognized that shriek. He would know that voice anywhere. "E…" He trembled. "Emma?" He wanted to move, but he could not. He stayed still, not giving an inch.

Silence.

He could hear his heart skip a beat and how loud his once-quiet breaths were.

KAN… KAN… KAN…

JJARA… JJARA… JJARA…

His breath stuttered when he Heard those ominous footsteps, and the rattle of chains echo closer to him. No… His feet moved, trying to move him back, and his arms caught up soon enough. No, no, no, this isn't real. This isn't real. He tried to get up, but his feet betrayed him as those footsteps and the rattle of chains came close. Shaking, he felt the floor and wanted to drag himself away.

"This isn't real," he grittingly coached himself. "This isn't real."

KAN… KAN… KAN…

JJARA… JJARA… JJARA…

"You don't deserve that power," came snarl. "Give it back to him. Give it back to him!"

Desperate, Gale got up, slipping, but fuck it all. His breath came out in hurried pants as he heard those chains and footsteps sauntering after him like a lazy predator wanting to tease their prey. He hit a wall and blindly reached out to make sure he was near something—

"Get back here!" came shrill command. "Give it back to him!"

BAKI!

He ducked his head when he heard those chains whip out and slam into the tunnel. His steps faltered and he nearly fell over, but he would have crawled on all fours. More and more slams of chains slapped around him as he stumbled in the darkness. He hit another wall—

A hiss punctured his ear. "You'll stay in here until you give it back to him!"

He pushed off the wall only to crash into another one. Dizziness shook his head as his eyes darted around, but the total darkness forced him to forgo his sight. He could hear those footsteps and the warning jingle of those chains harass him at every corner. "I need to see. I can't see. I can't see," he whimpered. "I don't want to be here anymore, I'm sorry—"

BAKI!

He crumbled when chains slammed close to his ear with his hands violently shaking. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he pleaded. "I'll give it back, please, I'm sorry—Ah!" He scrambled when the earth moved beneath him, crumbling, rolling, and he had to claw like a desperate animal to get out of the vacuum that was sucking him in and keep running—

"Why did you have to live, and he have to die!"

He cringed back when the sound of chains hitting near his feet nearly made him fall to the ground. I need to see. I can't see. He tripped on a root, but he could not stop running when that metal and those footsteps taunted him—

A wild scream and a helpless sob. "Stop, please! D-D-Don't touch me!"

Panic overwhelmed him. Luna. Her distant pleas and cries renewed him to break into a wild run, hitting vines and crashing over bones as he heard her beseeches of please, stop, it hurts and that nauseating male panting that tried to consume her sobs. "Get away from her!" he screamed. "Don't touch her—Nnngh!" He broke his fall with his arms, but getting up made him want to vomit when the noise of her pain—her assault—circled him. "Stop it! Stop it!"

"So close, Your Highness, ah!"

"Get off me! Please, get off me, get off—!"

He fell to his knees as he roared, "Stop it!" All his anger marred when he remembered those feelings, those impressions. It felt like such a wrong dysphoria, like he possessed her body in that moment. He could feel those fingers batter her. He could feel that son of a bitch rub against her, chasing his own pleasure at the expense of his pain. And even when it was her memory and her body, that assault—that violation—made his skin crawl as though he was going through it all.

Why was this happening to her, to him, to them? She did not understand. He did not understand. They did not understand.

Tears burned his eyes, the same tears he could feel from her body—their body—as she felt trapped by that man's weight on top of her. That man's hands fondled her chest—his chest—their chest—and he sobbed with her when she tried so hard to buck him off only to be forced down even more.

"I'm sorry." He did not know who he was whimpering for. Was he feeling sorry for himself for invading her memories, her feeling, her trauma? Was he apologizing for not saving her from this sort of torment she would have to live with? He did not know. "I'm sorry. I'm so…so sorry—"

"Ah, fuck, you feel so big!" A moan tangled in his ear, heady and so, so fake. "Just keep fucking me like that and you can call me 'Luna'."

"No!" He slammed his fist to the ground, snarling and between tears as those moans of pleasure mocked him. No, please! I don't want to hear this! Please! The horrendous squeaks of that old mattress and the slaps of skin made him want to vomit for how his choices led him to such a mistake. The fervor, the bed shaking, those mewls and moans, his rough grunt into a shallow finish—he wanted to take it all back.

"I'm sorry." Now, what was he saying sorry for? For himself or for the one he betrayed when he committed to his choices? "I'm sorry—"

BAKI!

Chains hit the ground next to him.

A snarl hit his ears. "If you're sorry, you would've died instead of him!"

"Why did he have to die?" His mother was crying. "Why did you have to live?"

His father's snarl was in his ear. "It should've been you in the ground!"

"Please," he breathed as tears streamed down his face. "Please, I'm so sorry…! I'm sorry!" The repeat of those chains boxing him in with their whips on the ground made him shrink into a ball. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry," he kept repeating.

"You murderer!"

"I should've fucking killed you!"

"Why did it have to be you?"

He clutched his head as the noise beat his ears and made him want to expel his dinner. Deep beneath all his whimpering apologies, he tried so hard—so hard—to keep it together through being bogged down with death. It's…not real… Not…real… Not…real…

"Gale…"

He did not care how much of a fool he looked. He did not care how much his family screamed at him to die. She was there. His moon, his salvation. "Luna," he breathed in reverence.

"Oh, Gale…" Her sweet voice shielded him from the surrounding horror. She sounded so close like she was in his arms. "My tortured Dragon… I'm here."

Soul-sinking relief made him want to bury his head in her lap and cry. His princess, his little moon. She was here.

"I'll always be here." Her voice swirled around him. Something was…off with her voice. "Remember? You Marked me. I'm yours forever now."

He froze. What?

"Don't you remember?" She always sounded like a sweet fairy to him, but now she taunted like a sly vixen. "Don't you remember how you forced me? When I tried to run away from you?"

"Gale, don't do this, please!" Those cries. Those gut-wrenching cries and the smell of blood—her blood. "Let me go, please, I promise, I love you!"

"NO!" He tried to block out her helpless shrieks, but it did not matter how much he covered his ears. He could hear her every word. "I didn't, I didn't—!"

"Stop fighting me!" Was this his voice? Was this snarl his snarl? It bellowed over Luna's panicked pleas. "Stay fucking still—!"

"Get away from me!" She sobbed this now as the sounds of furious struggle made him want to vomit. "Pl-Please, Gale, don't do this—! Nnngh, no, no, stop it—!"

Stop it! he cried. Don't do this to her, you sick fuck—!

Have you ever heard that scream?

That scream that was so blood-curling and pained that you felt sick to your stomach?

That scream that told you something unspeakable happened?

Luna screamed that scream.

And that fucker—him—moaning even with her screaming that scream made every part of him go numb. The sounds of Luna's cries and those groans assaulted his ears, staining his memory. Those sadistic coaxes, those whimpers of pain, those groaning croons, those halting cries—they cemented in his head what was happening. What that monster was doing to her?

What was he doing to her?

Not like this. Not like this. Not like this.

He could hear him rutting and her screaming. He could hear that sickening slap of slick skin. Her desperate scratching and panicked wriggles to get him off her and his frantic bucking and vice-like grip to keep her still.

Not like this. Not like this. Not like this.

The Wild had nothing left. All those drake dreams of hoping his little moon would look his way; cherishing when she graced him with a smile and her tinkling laugh; earning back her trust and affection and changing for the better; and one day, when they were older and wiser, he would nervously present a den and a nest to his moon in the hopes she would like it and accept it and accept him as a worthy male—

He knew what she felt like when she gave up. He had seen it. He had felt it. When her mind could not handle such tragedy and torment that it saved her from more pain by numbing her to nothingness. Scream at him, swear at him, beat him—anything! Anything but the silence—this fucking silence—

Eager groans shredded him. He knew what that meant. That this monster—that he—considered her silence as submission. She was not fighting it; she was accepting it. This monster had won.

But he knew better.

This was her last defense to protect her sanity.

A tear shed, hot and pathetic.

DRIP…

DROP…

That strangled moan into a release ruined everything.

He ruined everything.

He always ruined everything.

DRIP…

DROP…

"Now you have nothing left." This voice. It had been thirteen years since he heard this voice, so chipper all the time, so excitable, so much better than him. "You should just die now, okay?"

DRIP…

DROP…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'I should just…die.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

It was a bad day for rain.

Had it not been raining, maybe he would have sniffed out who was who at this event. But today was a sad day. At least, he amassed that much. Mama had been inconsolable as of late and she always smelled so sad. Some days, she did not eat or drink or leave her nest. She did not want to play anymore, and she always cried. Not to say Papa was not solemn and gray, but his steel stood strong enough and weathered all these heavy emotions for everyone.

Livy and Galileo were in all black too. This was the first time he had seen Livy wear a dress and she did not put up a fight.

And she was there too, in her black dress—standing like a broken widow.

Mama had bathed him and put him into this stuffy outfit. All the anxiety and sadness made him uneasy, but Mama stroked his back and guided him to her neck so he could smell that maternal cotton scent so familiar and comforting. Papa stroked his hair, calming him down, but his eyes curiously went to what everyone was standing around.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'I know…I don't deserve to live.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

His crying always annoyed her, he knew, but he could not help it. He wailed when she grabbed his wrist and dragged him downstairs. He did not like going downstairs with her. More tears came out when those chains dug around his neck and wrapped around his wrists. With a final shove, he slammed against a wall, wincing. But he helplessly cried out when the closet door closed on him and he was left in total darkness.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'I should just die.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

He laid on the musty ground with those spitting insults, those fake pants, those terrifying pleas of mercy swarming around his head while chains beat the ground around him. No matter how tight he wound his ball, nothing would stop the noise from pressing around him. The life started to drain from those reds as he laid there as vines hovering by slowly slithered towards him.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'I'm sorry.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The vines were careful in touching him, as though not wanting to spook their dinner. But he could feel nothing as the vines circled his arms and legs and midsection. Was his heart even beating? Did he deserve to have his heart beating?

KAN… KAN… KAN…

Footsteps approached him.

The voices and rattles were muffled as a dial tone played in his ears. His entire body felt numb like it had given up on him too. He could not be bothered when strong hands shuffled his body and yanked him free from the carnivorous vines. All he could think of was I'm sorry and let his body abandon his mind. The side to side of the gait carrying him was enough to sway out the voices and feelings clouding his head.

ZAAAAA…

Because instead…he remembered the rain. He remembered how hard it rained that day.

ZAAAAA…

• — • — • — • — •

It rained as hard as Mama's tears, persistent and quiet.

They were alone, he and his immediate family. Everyone had left. Well, almost everyone. His auntie Lucy had pulled away Mama, and he had been put into Papa's arms while his auntie said a few words. The rain made it hard to hear, but he knew his auntie would say the right things. She always did. The Dragon King lurked with his two princes. He had spoken with Papa, but his eyes always looked at his queen's stomach swollen with the newest princess like he was fearful the new princess would arrive any moment now.

Nashi stayed close to her papa, but she looked at Gary. He stared at the filled ground with such void eyes, even for being six years old. Not once had he shed a tear. It was as if he had nothing in him to cry. He simply held still like he was waiting for something that would never come the more he looked at the gravestone.

Uncle Natsu swooped in when Aunt Lucy stepped away from Mama. He said words to Mama, too quiet for him to hear over the rain, but his care settled on his queen and worried for her and their newest princess. Papa told him Uncle Natsu worried more about how weak Aunt Lucy was whenever she left her nest.

He would have to hope Igneel would be in a better mood so he could sniff at his aunt again. The moody prince guarded his mother's stomach with teeth he was not ready for, defensive. Even coming into Uncle Natsu and Aunt Lucy's den—the house—was a battle with Igneel snarling and refusing him to be anywhere near his mother or her nest.

But Aunt Lucy smelled pretty. She smelled like spring and starlight. It wasn't fair Igneel hogged her so much.

He blinked when Papa set him down underneath Livy's umbrella, but it made sense when he saw Mama stray into the rain and fall apart. Dutifully, Papa shielded Mama from the rain and held her. Livy grabbed his hand, holding it tight, and he could smell her grief.

"Aaaaaaah!"

Mama was crying again.

Papa held her taut, unshakable against her anguish. She wailed harder than the rain. He was certain the angels Mama spoke about would hear her cries.

And it donned on him…that perhaps the rain would never end.

• — • — • — • — •

KAN-KAN-KAN…

Someone came up the steps that the basin and fountain hid before. The moon was still out, but they had enough cover as they brought back a catatonic Gale in their arms who registered nothing and no one.

Black feathers ruffled.

Footsteps came over until two hands worked. One hand opened one of Gale's eyes wider and the other took off his contact lens to see—

Blank ruby.

The hands were careful to put back in the contact lens, but Gale did not fidget nor recognize the action. His mind as in another place.

A hand dipped down to bring out candy and bird snacks. The deathhawk received its treats and was quite happy. As it gnawed on its treats, the phantom stranger unwrapped his candy to see he had gotten a black one this time. "Tell me your name."

It took a moment until Gale's lips reluctantly moved only for him to make a gurgling sound.

The phantom stranger sighed. "May I know your name, please?"

Gale's lips parted. He answered faintly, "Gale…Redfox…"

The phantom stranger toyed with his black candy, thumbing it around his fingers. So Red Eye… You are alive. And with a confirmed son who has the same resistance to my Voice as you. I might need to eat more candy.

His hand reached up to scratch his deathhawk's chest. "Did you locate the woman he was following?"

The person holding Gale nodded.

"And did you take care of that woman following him?"

The person nodded again.

"Good." The phantom stranger brought up his candy and that black orb replaced the moon's glove as he looked up. "Your father was something of family to me—nest." He said this all to the catatonic Gale. "He was nothing more than a lone bird. I didn't force him to join the nest. He always had a choice. And since my Voice rarely worked on him, he intrigued me." Fingers wrapped around the candy. "And then he left the nest without a word. I was worried for Red Eye. You don't just leave my nest. But my prized Vulture had already flown away, and I had other things on my mind."

The deathhawk finished its snack and took to preening its wings.

"But then…I heard interesting things," the phantom stranger continued. "And I saw interesting things. It would seem Red Eye had a new nest. And you were the most interesting little bird, weren't you"—the hand raised the candy over a smiling mouth—"Black Dragon?"

Gale's eyes were too lifeless to show any hint of acknowledgment.

"And you don't even know what I'm saying," the phantom stranger continued. "That Hatif in the tunnels drives some of the strongest people into insanity. You needed a blessing from the three chief goddesses for safe passage. That's how the Shamballans defeated their enemies. Driving them into the tunnels and their Hatif turning their enemies so insane, some would commit suicide or the Magic of the tunnels would kill them. And now, you are nothing more than a hollow shell." His hand slid to cradle Gale's jaw. "Well. Not too hollow. Had he been any later and you most certainly would be dead."

He touched Gale's forehead. "May you please retain your sanity and forget you saw my friends and I?"

Silence.

A faint glint started working through Gale's eyes.

The phantom stranger stepped back. "Put him down. It'll take a while for him to recover."

As the person laid Gale down on the ground, the phantom stranger took out another candy to unwrap. This time, he received a white candy. He held both candies between his fingers. No one is capable enough to escape that Doctor's laboratory. Yet this one did it within one night. His smile widened. Hm. He'd make such a gifted Hawk—a Black Hawk…with those stunning red eyes.

The moon's light bathed over both candies.

Tell me… What can you see through those eyes the color of blood? Can you see the chaos you'll induce? Can you see The End you'll cause? What do you see? Can you see…my Mother? Is She with you at The End? Have you…met Her?

The deathhawk shook its tail feathers before launching off the phantom stranger's shoulder.

He popped in both candies to suck on them and ordered the other person, "Go."

The person nodded and vanished without a sound or a trace.

The phantom stranger put his hands in the pockets of his trench coat, not bothering to stay with Gale as he recovered. The Doctor and that little woman might've failed in some ways. But they succeeded in others. If I keep my hawk's eyes on you, I'm sure you'll lead me to Her…

The moon glossed over Gale's eyes to bring out the sanguine color.

…failed Experiment Seven-Seven-Seven.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

PACHA-PACHA-PACHA!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Applause stuttered around the vineyard hall as the conductor helped rally the orchestra for the bows and exit. After such a sublime performance, everyone was in high spirits and could not help their unreserved cheering.

Thirteen clapped along and stood up with the rest when it was time for the standing ovation, but he could not help but be uneasy without Vinyl at his side. Her empty seat mocked him. She's still not back yet. He tried not to let that disgruntle him. I know she can handle herself. But still, it's not her I don't trust… Murky oranges stormed. It's that Voice.

• — • — • — • — •

"Gale is here? Are you sure?"

The sanctity of the minaret was wonderful for this sort of conversation. He sent Lammergeier on his way while he glared down at the note, but Vinyl could not step out of her disbelief. "But…why would he come here?"

"I don't know." Thirteen locked his jaw. 'That's a lie. Knowing that kid, he's sticking his nose in something he shouldn't be. But where's the connection that brought him here? What is he looking for?' He crumpled the note. "We need to find him immediately."

"But how do you—?"

"Viñella."

Vinyl quieted herself at Thirteen's severe look.

"I can't tell you how or why, but he's here and this is something we have to take seriously," Thirteen stressed. "I need to know. Can you or can you not find him?"

"I-I—!" Vinyl quickly gathered her bearings. "I can." Blues hardened. "I'll use the opportunity that I wanted to get to the auction to go look for him. Even if he's masking his Magic, his melody will seem familiar to me. So I'll find him." She stepped closer. "And then I have some questions."

• — • — • — • — •

As conversation broke out during the exit of the dancers, Thirteen stood still. Drowning out the noise was easy; drowning out his worries was not. I know she'll have questions, questions I can't answer. But… His hands fisted at his sides. Right now, we're on a time limit. I just have to hope he's like Gajeel. If he can also resist the Voice, then…

"Oh, handsome! Yoohoo…!"

Thirteen jolted. That voice…

"Oh, don't be so shy, darling! Yoohoo…!"

TICK!

A tick mark bulged Thirteen's cheek. You have got to be kidding me.

Swan happily waved for Thirteen with two men at their side. They wore blue and red masks respectively and form-fitting suits, but Swan, of course, stood out with their mermaid dress and feathered shawl and fan. They even had feathered venetian masquerade mask that outshined most others. "Don't just ignore me, you silly man! I'm talking to you with the gorgeous orange eyes from last night!"

TICK!

Thirteen could imagine taking out his knife. That little… He calmed himself when eyes landed on him. I can't lose my shit here. I have to be calm.

"Oh, honey!" Swan cooed.

Thirteen relaxed his shoulders. When he turned, he had a rakish smile on his face. "Darling, I missed you," he called back. "Give me a moment. I'll come right down to you so we can talk away from all the noise."

Swan tittered to themselves as they saw Thirteen's bloodlust come out in waves, oblivious to all else. Oh, my. He certainly looks like he wants to kill me, doesn't he?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

KRT!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Swan smiled when one of the loyal men at their side cracked open their drink for them. "Thank you, sweetie." They caressed the man's cheek. "Now go be a dear and wait for me. I'll be back in the room in a little while. And we'll play, okay?" They exchanged a sweet kiss before Swan watched the man leave with appreciation for his backside.

"And here I thought you would've gotten rid of them."

Swan shrugged helplessly as they watched both their men. They both looked like they wanted to stay by Swan's side, but they would not dare disobey their master and left with little fuss. "No need to sound so jealous. I told you before, they were trophies I won when they dared hold me hostage all those years ago. And now, they hold me hostage in different ways."

Thirteen grunted, leaning against the wall. "You and your trophies." He blinked when a drink was offered to him. The brand looked familiar, a classic fruity drink.

Swan's playfulness fell for sobriety. "I think we should chat. After all, we have a long…long night ahead of us." A flicker of a grin and eyes that roamed Thirteen's body. "If your stamina can keep up, that is."

Thirteen snorted and accepted the drink. Cracking it open, he took a sip. "When did they find out?"

"Not sure." Swan stood before Thirteen as though they were having a secret rendezvous. "But a hawk's eyes see all. Even so, I noticed something about the child while I was on a date with my darling trophies. He was wearing something to make those beautiful red eyes of his blue. But he looks exactly like his father." Their eyes darkened. "And that's not a compliment."

"I know." And Thirteen did know. At least the kid had the decency to keep his eyes a different color, but… He clenched the drink. If Vicious already knows of him, it's only a matter of time.

"So." Swan gave Thirteen a patient look. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking"—Thirteen looked at the childish logo with a winking face—"that a father needs to have a sit-down with his son."

"I concur," Swan murmured. "Did you send your baby screech to find him? Or…"—their eyes lid to Thirteen—"did you send her his way to get her out of your way?"

Thirteen tensed.

Swan's dark blues narrowed only just. I'm sure he knew Cassowary would see her. Their relationship was always a mutual one. He must've relied on Cassowary to keep the baby screech safe to avoid Raven piecing together her importance. And yet… "You truly don't know how powerful your baby screech is, do you?"

Thirteen raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?" He watched Swan's gloved hand feather down his arm.

"Oh, just that… Your little screech…" Swan's finger came back up to go under Thirteen's chin. "Don't you know who she was once engaged to?"

Thirteen's eyes hardened. "You checked her?"

Swan chuckled. "Have some faith in me. I'm not that catty to think I need to set aside the competition. Especially when a man like you hardly deserves being a measly prize." They thumbed Thirteen's lips. "I was just curious how…intimately you know her."

"Enough," Thirteen said gruffly. When he grabbed Swan's hand, he was much gentler than the first time they met. "All I need to know."

Swan laughingly sighed when he kissed her hand. "Of course. You were always like that."

"You didn't seem to mind."

Swan turned to wrap their arm around Thirteen's and religiously lean against him. "Yes, well… That's what it takes to be one of us. We don't need to know much else except that we're each other's allies." They swirled their drink. "And that…we have a common enemy."

Thirteen's eyes sharpened.

Swan looked up and whispered in his ear like they were offering sweet nothings, "The first day of the auction is over. Would you accompany for the first night of the auction? I'm sure we have much more to talk about."

Thirteen leaned down and to the average observer, it would look like he was planting a kiss on Swan's lips. But he only murmured, "You only get tonight."

"Oh, honey, don't you remember?" Swan's eyes sparked in mischief. "One night with you is hardly enough."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"And that night was the first night of the Shamballa Auction. Both above…"

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The guests were raving as those in colorful masks funneled out the main gate with their coats and shawls, talking nonstop about the beautiful performance they witnessed. Some had been lucky enough to chat with the musicians and dancers afterward and boasted about being invited to an after-party.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"and below…"

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Those with black masks were honored to cluster together when a guide took them to an exhibit. It was the large painting that had nearly swept Vinyl away. The entire wall moved to show a darkened tunnel and out from it came a silly harlequin Shadower who carried with it an ornament of the three chief goddesses. It would lead them to safety to the auction. Chunhua wrung her hands as she stayed close to her older brother. Julia looked withdrawn from the entire affair. Vespers hung onto the arm of the blank Salentino, but he smirked to himself seeing someone else on Thirteen's arm.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"Four days and five nights… That's how long this twisted auction would continue."

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The SUV opened up. An unconscious Vinyl was carefully placed in the backseat with her mask on her lap. The light placed the silhouette of a lithe and hooded person to be the culprit, but they backed away and shut the car door for her to continue to sleep.

The moon let her clouds peddle along, but Gale was beneath it all, alone in that courtyard. Little signs of sanity—of life—spread back into his eyes as his fingers began twitching.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"And two days and two nights of darkness done…"

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

She could not cry.

Naked and numb, Inayah lay on her bed like she was nothing more than a doll. The time for tears and resistance would only make it more painful, but even attempting reciprocal pleasure would break her even more. So she laid there as this monster—her stepson—took what he pleased and rutted like a man possessed. But when he angrily choked her when she did not kiss him back, that was when the silent tears shed and her emotionless mask cracked.

Fatimah could not do much else outside of stay in her bedroom. Zayed's heavy hand only gave her a bit of sensitivity and swelling, but nothing compared to the worry in her gut as she thought about Inayah and how much she wanted to storm out and bring her to safety.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

"…just how much more of this could any of them take?"

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Kamir hovered over his fireplace as he read the note in his hands before throwing it into the flames. He watched as the flames tore apart the handwritten note, but he saw three words that would stick out to him:

حجر الفيلسوف

مسلوب

Once the note had turned into nothing but crisps, he moved away from the fireplace to stand tall in the sitting room with his guests. Prince Naseer had joined him this evening in his sitting room with a cup of tea at his disposal. But he was not the only one. A man with an alarming scar on his face sat in his primate attire with his holy mother and her unnaturally sharpened teeth. Others had come, each with their own agenda yet their ideals aligned with the cause.

And as he stepped toward them to start their conversation, the fireplace's glow illuminated the mantel. A mirror had been dedicated with pictures posted across. Those pictures showed the happier times with the family. It showed Kamir and a brilliant woman smartly dressed laughing as they took a picture with their three energetic children. It showed when Emperor Zeref himself and Aide Invel had come to Shamballa and shook hands with the previous Emir as well as Kamir.

The wedding of Inayah and Kamir was there as well. How Kamir laughed with his friends and male relatives during the baraat. Other pictures captured the nikah nama signing, how wide Kamir smiled during the arsi mushraf, how Inayah put icing on Kamir's nose during the cake cutting, and the grand picture of the new family at the walima.

"Thank you for waiting," Kamir started as he rooted around his pockets. "I believe we'll be starting"—he pulled out a pocket watch and opened the lid to check the clock—"right on time."

And the pocket watch snapped shut.

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Fairy Adventure

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

The light—it burned.

It kept swinging this way and that, blinding her, mocking her, burning her.

Light reflected off goggles. "What a pretty nightingale."

The blood was everywhere. No matter where she looked, Silver's body was mutilated with bruises and blood. He laid there, not breathing, not moving, just laying there with all that blood and all those bruises. Muffled noise of Wendy calling orders with her PPE on. First aid technicians bustled around, ready to provide support, and she knew she needed to leave, but she could not when all she could see was Silver blooded and bludgeoned.

The light still burned.

Why were they so far away from her? She could see them, her brothers, so clearly. They were right there, but the more she walked to them—the more she ran to them—the further they were away from her. Why were they so far? Maybe if she just ran a little faster, that's all. If she could just run a little faster—

"Stay away from us."

Such cold, cold blues.

She had seen Silver's eyes look mutinously at her before, but Gary… She had never seen that indifferent gaze on her before.

He braced Silver's shoulder as he looked down at her. "You're just like the Hunters who took us." He turned Silver away from her with those icy-blues apathetic. "Don't ever come near us."

Her pleas for them to wait, stop, let me explain sounded like she was underwater. No amount of her screaming for them would bring them back. She had to watch as that numbness filled her. They had abandoned her. She had done this for them, and they had abandoned her.

The light still burned.

SLICE!

Her vision blurred as she spat blood. The Ring—her out-patient "therapy"—would be Hell on this earth, but it never mattered. The blows kept coming, but she dodged the knives even more carefully. Adrenaline fueled her as she regripped her own knife and waited for an opportunity to thrust—

CLANG!

A large silhouette and those damn glasses loomed over her as her blade met his. "You have to do better than that, Nightingale." His jagged smile. "Don't you worry. The Colonel will teach you everything."

• — • — • — • — •

Julia woke up like she was wide awake, but it was nothing too alarming. For a moment, the world distorted, but she realized she was sleeping in her hotel room and not in her bed at home with Silver right down the hall.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Burj Al'umi Hotel

Shamballa City

Shamballa, Alakitasia

5:27 AM SST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

As she turned onto her back, she was thankful she remembered to take off her make-up, but damn did she wish she had showered before bed. Rubbing down her nose, she reached for her personal Compact to check it over.

⟪ Sleep Mode ⟫ had been godsent to suppress the influx of notifications, but the moment she unlocked her screen, she saw her ⟪ Instagraph ⟫ had blown up and so had a few other apps. As she browsed through ⟪ Instagraph ⟫, it made her smile at what was on her immediate feed. She ignored the brands and celebrities to see photos Tesla had taken. This series showed them in the city, being tourists. Jaxton looked above it all, but he forced an overexcited Gary to heel and sit still. In front of one of the artistic city letters, Justin and Tesla had done the splits with their Starfox.

The group had hit the club scene last night and Tesla had taken a selfie with her tongue out like Jovon the Stallion and everyone having a blast.

She kept scrolling until she found Luna's posts come up. She had done beautifully capturing all the sights she saw in Caelum. The medical center she was at had its own therapeutic art gallery and even an emotional support animal center where regular and magical critters that had failed in their professional guide animal training got a home here to help emotionally support patients and visitors.

Her heart softened when she saw Luna had taken a photo snuggled into a half-amused Silver who could not deny his best friend. Though he made her giggle when he playfully attacked her with cheek kisses only for both to laugh when a jealous Icarus climbed up and whacked Silver with his fluffy tail so he could have his mistress' sole attention. Silver…

She went into her ⟪ Messages ⟫, but to her displeasure, her scarce messages to her brother had been delivered, but that was all she had to go on. He seems to be doing just fine… Backing out, it was not anything new about the family group chat, but she saw messages from her father from yesterday. Curious, she opened their thread and saw:

« Hey, kid. Have you heard anything from Silver? Your mom's tried calling him, but her calls are going to voicemail »

« If you manage to get a hold of him, just let us know he's okay. And don't forget to send us pictures. Your mom is glued to her Com waiting for your vacation updates even though it's been two days »

Julia frowned. He hasn't said anything? She went out and saw Gary had texted her.

« Hey, is everything all right with Silver? »

« Also, PLEASE send something in the chat. Mom's worried you and Gale murdered someone. I have a bet with Uncle G and Dad to see if you two actually handled your witnesses »

« Mom was not amused. »

« I'm the only one who bet for you. Dad and Uncle G bet against. »

« Wait no Aunt Levy says she'll be in your corner. So, you know, don't murder without silencing the witnesses or we lose »

« My beautiful, gorgeous Angel is betting for you both too! She's so amazing~ »

Julia snorted seeing Gary's love soliloquies about Nashi and had to scroll past all 27 texts and 15 pictures. Nashi would freak if she saw this. No one can say he doesn't brag about her.

The last message of Gary's thread read:

« Managed to get a hold of him. He didn't…sound that great. Is everything all right at home? »

Frowning deeper, Julia thought, Silver wasn't sounding great? And if he only answered Gary and not Mom and Dad… Carefully, she called Gary only to be hit with his voicemail. As she stretched, she left a message. "Hey. Saw your text. Um… Maybe give me a callback? Ah, without any 'Angel' tangents. Bye."

She ended the call, unsettled. Is everything okay? He looks safe last night. Everything should be okay… Getting out of bed, she tried to shake off her worry. I'm sure he'll text me back. Maybe it's Ena-related or something.

She could not cure all her doubts with that thought.

The steaming shower she took did nothing more than get her warm and feel clean. As she toweled her hair, she decided to call Dash and put herself on speaker ⟪ Speaker ⟫. "Morning."

"G'morning." Dash's voice sounded thick with sleep. After heavily sighing, there was some shifting and he mumbled, "Can I go back to sleep now?"

Julia smiled. "How's Iris? Does she like the beach?"

"Mmm, she loves it." Dash sounded three breaths away from falling asleep. "Wally's having the time of his life too." A brief pause as he deeply exhaled. "Jet came up. Wanted to see Iris, so he's sleeping out on the couch. He's leaving before her mom gets here to take her on vacation, but still."

Julia could tell Dash sounded disgruntled at the sudden shift in his plans. "And how's that going?"

"Fucking fantastic," Dash muttered. He sounded like he was rolling over. "I'm trying to keep being happy for Iris. I know how much she loves the bastard, and I don't want to wreck her holiday. She gave me all those sad eyes when I wanted to skip dinner with her and Jet." A yawn. "She's fucking lethal with those eyes. I think Wally taught her, the little shit."

Julia simpered when she overheard Wally's eager sniffing and paws.

"No, get down, fuuuuuuuck, fine, you asshole, come up here." Dash could be heard scratching Wally while his Bellish shepherd happily panted. "How's things going on over your way? You miss me yet?"

"You mean missing my little spoon? Yeah." Dry enough, Julia switched to her oils and lotions. "This has been an, ah…interesting vacation. And I'm only on day two. And if things keep going on this roller coaster ride, I'm going to lose it."

"Mm. How's Gale holding up?"

Julia paused. Gale… He's… She softly answered, "He's…fine. I don't know. He's just…distant right now. He's so quiet." Navies glinted. And he looked so…

"Did something happen?"

"I don't know." Julia said that truthfully and just as perplexed. "I seriously don't. When I saw him before, he was fine and himself. But then later, it was like… It was like… I don't know, like something flipped off inside him. He just looked so down and out. We didn't even talk getting back to the hotel. He just shut himself in his room and that was it."

"Shit." Dash sounded more awake now. "Was he hurt? Any bruises? Can you sense any Magic on him?"

Julia winced at the last question. "Um, no bruises or anything. No…Magic, from what I could tell." Technically, not a lie. "He was just…gone. I don't know. I've never seen him so quiet. He looked like how he gets on his birthday."

"Oh, that look." Dash knew it well and gravely so. "He might need some time to himself today."

Julia swallowed. "Yeah." She took a moment to fish out her contacts and slipped them on, blinking repeatedly until she could see her orange eyes in the mirror. Finished with her routine, she brought her Compact with her back to the bedroom.

"I respect he doesn't like celebrating his birthday," Dash started. "I mean, Hell, Cane sure as hell doesn't either. I just don't like making it a big deal anymore. But Gale just looks…different. Darker, y'know? Even the days leading up to his birthday make me want to stay away from him. He just doesn't feel like himself."

Julia's eyes darkened at the memory. Yeah. I know. She fluffed out her hair. "Yeah, it's weird," she agreed. "I'll make sure he at least eats breakfast. I have a fundraising brunch event to go o with my new friend group."

"Should I text him?"

"Nah." Julia's eyes flickered to her closed doors before she went to ruffle around for panties and a sports bra. "I think you're right. He just needs some time to himself. If anything, maybe Luna will call him." Putting on her attire, she snagged her workout tank top and shorts. "We'd plan to hit the gym, but I think I'll do a solo workout while he wades out whatever he's going through."

"Good idea. Can I go back to sleep now?"

Julia laughed at Dash's whine. "You have such a bad rep, y'know that? Here I was expecting some gruff, Alpha considering that's what all your exes said, but I get stuck with a child. Cane would give you so much shit if his partner in crime was actually a hue whiney brat."

"I have daddy issues. I get some leeway. And he has daddy issues too."

"Uh-huh." As Julia slipped into her comfy shoes, she jested, "Should I have you start calling me 'daddy' now?"

"Daddy as in sugar daddy?"

"You're the one with the cash."

"No. We're both the ones with the cash. You just don't like being spoiled, but fuck yeah do I like it when you spoil me." He laughed at Wally's huff. "And my little shit over here. When's Kore coming back? I think Wally's lovesick. Or maybe you just want puppies with an older woman, huh, you jackass?"

Wally made some noise.

Julia laughed feeling her Hellhound's instant bristling over the mere thought of mating such a low-bred juvenile. Can a Hellhound even have puppies with a dog? She tarnished the thought. "No, puppies for Wally, sorry." She put on her MilchiaWatch, all charged and ready to go, and went to get her EarPods.

Dash mumbled something away from the Compact before cracking up at all the shuffling. "Iris is here. She wanted a cuddle puddle, apparently, and now my nice, big bed just suddenly got a lot smaller. Yeah, you can say 'hi', Iris."

"Hi Lady J," Iris shyly greeted.

"Hey, Iris," Julia helloed back. "I'll let you guys get to your cuddle puddle. Iris, can you make your brother play nice today? And if he doesn't, you have the right to snitch on him to me and I'll deal with him accordingly when I come home."

Iris giggled. "Deal!"

"Wha—? Hey! What the Hell is this betrayal? Why do all the women in my life walk all over me—? Wally, don't actually walk on top of me—GODDAMMIT! Not that close to my crotch, dumbass!"

Julia chortled and could hear Dash swearing up a storm while Wally barked, thinking they were playing, and Iris was too busy giggling at her brother's expense. "Okay. That's my cue to leave. I'll talk to you later, Eiji, okay?"

"This dog's going to fucking kill me," Dash groaned. "All right. Have a good day, Peaches. Miss you."

"Bye, Lady J!" Iris hollered with Wally excitedly barking.

"Bye, guys." She hung up the Compact, warm and fluttery inside. He's such a weird guy. I don't even think Amber met Iris and she was guild. She grimaced as she remembered Amber's attitude. Then again, she was more of a convenience than a girlfriend, I think.

As she popped in one of her EarPods, she wondered, He's so close to his sister. I respect that. No. Oranges softened. I…envy that. She checked her message thread with Silver again, but nothing had changed. It's not like we're not close, but… It still feels like a wall between us.

"'Is this lonely despair…the price I pay for this power'?"

A mirthless smile touched her lips. 'Despair'. How stupid. I chose this life to protect others. There shouldn't be a price to pay to protect someone. This isn't a sacrifice. This is a choice. I just…need to remember that.

Ready with her workout attire and swapping her personal Compact for the prepaid one, she abandoned her room, but her eyes went straight to Gale's door. Carefully, she sidled up to it and knocked thrice. "Gale? You awake?" she called. When nothing but silence was her answer, she tried again, "I don't need you to come out or anything. If you're awake, just let me know."

Silence.

She pulled away—

"I'm awake."

Julia could sag with relief. "Um, okay, uh, well…" She cleared her throat. "I'm, um… I'm just gonna go hit the gym for my morning routine, and, uh… I'll be back, y'know, later. Breakfast was already ordered and everything for you, but I'm having a whole thing with the group. You're more than welcome to stay here."

Quiet.

Soft footballs came, and Gale opened his door, looking like a hungover wreck. It was obvious he had gotten no sleep and must have tossed and turned.

Julia leaned against the doorway. "Hey."

Gale took a deep breath, coming back his messy hair. "Morning." Sighing, he told her, "I'll get ready—"

"No, you need to stay here and rest," Julia softly insisted. "I told you last night. The auction was nothing special. I mean, it was special, but it seemed tamed in comparison to the shock factor of preview night where we learned unborn babies and a women's uterus were for sale."

Gale did not have it in him to find humor. "You said there was no Philosopher's Stone?"

"No." Julia studied Gale. "But that might be a Day Two kinda deal. I mean, the Philosopher's Stone is pretty much banished and only the Flamel Family has the right. They're walking Philosopher's Stones and even they aren't allowed to be part of any scientific or magical studies."

Gale nodded. "Yeah.

Julia murmured, "Just…have a rest day. We have no auction business to do today, and I can watch my own back. You know I always carry. And besides…" She lazily grinned. "Our parents and my brother have a bet going on to see if we murder anyone and control the witnesses. Dads against, your mom and Gary are for. My mom was not too happy about the bet."

"Hmph." A bit of humor glinted in Gale's regard, but not enough to move him.

Julia patted his chest. "Take a mental health day."

Gale hooked up an eyebrow. "Oh, so now I really am your employee? Your uncle might get pissed hearing you were without your bodyguard."

"If I know my uncle, and I do, he's most likely desperately getting it on with his body pillow who he calls his 'girlfriend'," Julia said dryly. She pushed away from the doorway. "Go relax. Take the day. I'll do some undercover work and figure out why Maxim sent me here."

Gale hedged before conceding. "Fine. But call me if—"

"Ha! I am not calling you if I'm in trouble. My gun will save me before you—"

"I was going to say, call me if you need an out from all the socializing," Gale growled. "The fuck do you take me for? I'm not saving your ass, Batwoman, so chill out."

Julia pursed her lips. "Does that make Dash my Catman? Maybe a cat…boy—?"

"Out."

Julia chuckled and made sure she had her room keycard. She went to leave only to stall and glance back at Gale. "Will you be all right?"

Gale opened his mouth only to stop and look away. He jerked his head into a nod. "Yeah."

Neither believed it, but Julia could not afford to press. "All right." She opened the door. "I'll be back." Once she was out and shut the door, she stopped and let out a loud sigh. Gale… She pulled away to head to the elevator. Please don't keep this in.

°•°•°•°

Gale heard Julia walk away from the suite before going back to his bed. He sat on the edge and rubbed his face before looking at his Compact. Seeing Luna smiling, however, did him in and he put his Compact back on the charge to crawl back into bed and looked at the ceiling.

He could still hear Luna's shriek at the pivotal moment. He knew what the scream meant.

He had done the unthinkable to her.

Phantom noises of slinking chains brushed his ears and that angry snarl, "It should have been you in the ground."

He rolled onto his side with a heavy breath. Why? Why now? All those hisses and cries from last night haunted him and made him want to claw at his ears. The Wild sunk deeper and deeper into the abyss, broken-hearted and disgusted. Why can't—his hands shook—I stop thinking about it?

A mother's warmth. Little Gem—

Don't, Sycaña, Gale begged of her. Just don't, please.

Sycaña swarmed him in her perfume, subtle and warm, like a lavender garden. The Wild curled into a ball at its dame's comfort, feeling like a hatchling all over again. You would never do that to her, my little gemstone, she soothed him, making him hear her purring, that intimate purr for those close to the heart. You are not like that monster—

But I could've been, Gale whispered, tortured. He shut his eyes. Fuck, I could still be—

You never will—

How do you know that? Gale snapped. But beneath his snarl was a whine. You saw what I was like! You saw into my head! When she ran from me, I was gonna—! He buried his head into his pillow, rejected, disgusted, alone, and heaved a breath. I don't want to be like that, he whispered. What's…wrong with me?

Nothing. Nothing is wrong with you, Sycaña promised him.

You're just saying that—

I am not. Sycaña stood strong. You are not flawless. But you are…a work in progress. Just as all living things are. You have endured terrible things and perhaps caused terrible things too. But you strive to change yourself. Somedays, you may feel like you have not moved and other days, you may feel like you climbed a mountain. But every day, you changed.

How do I know that I even changed for the better? Gale asked her, lost. I should've died instead of him—

No one deserves death, Sycaña soothed. Be it you or him. But you should respect the dead. You should respect the life they lead. And I am certain, if he were here, he would encourage you the same as I. He loved you, Gale. You were very much loved by him. Your memories showed me that.

Gale wanted to deny that. I stole—

You stole nothing, Sycaña cut him off firmly. Your grandsire chose you for a reason. You were always meant to be born with a Dragon's heart, soul, and body. You cannot steal your birthright. I cannot say why Metalicana chose you over all others. But I approve of his choice. And I would not want any other drake as my son. I know your heart hurts for the past. As does mine. But you stole nothing.

Gale still could not believe that, but still… You really wouldn't want anyone else? Such a childish question, but one that needed an adult answer.

I wouldn't. It felt like, to Gale, Sycaña was nudging him into her side as her purring deepened to calm her young. Dragons rarely adopted outside their species. Slayers were born, yes, but it was not out of love. It was more of having a student than an heir. It was having subordinates, underlings. I did not see the appeal of taking on a Slayer. But then again, having a mate and rearing my own horde was not something I envisioned either. I did not expect to be so fond of you.

And now?

He could feel Sycaña's smile and nuzzle. Now, I have grown to love you as human mothers love their young. I hurt when you hurt and bleed when you bleed. I have pride when you shine and become protective when you falter. I want to teach you about the world so you may be safe in your journeys. And, she added softly, I will be the most joyous mother in this realm when your little moon accepts your den and nest.

Gale cringed.

It's still a long way from now, Sycaña amended, feeling his overwhelming discomfort. They both knew those terrors would not go away with words alone. I know you now fear you will drive her aware. But you are young and immature and inexperienced in love and in Chosens. With time, you will learn how to properly care for yourself and others. As will she. You will go on your journey with this 'Jura'. And I am sure, when you return, your little moon will become a fierce little meat-eater with claws and fangs of her own. Your sire will teach her well.

Rubies softened. I know.

• — • — • — • — •

It was a dreary day outside, but the sun did not give a care that it lazed about its job.

A night terror had stolen all the liveliness from his little moon. His purring had been enough to sate her, but he had been away when it started, and it sunk its claws to rip out all the laughter and smiles she had from the day before. Nothing breathed life into her. In times like these, he wished Igneel was home. With Luke and Nashi gone and the king and his queen away, even for a moment, he thought about bringing Silver and Ena in the hopes she would respond at least to them.

No one dared to fight when Gajeel gave her a plated meal first. The Wild had tensed when its sire came close, flashing teeth, but he lowered his eyes when his father flicked a glance that spelled warning and that flared scent that subdued him. He knew what it meant. It was fine to be protective, but if he challenged his father anymore, his father would give him a perfect effort.

Luna flinched at the noise of the plate setting down. If she had the nose of a Wild, she would smell his father's comforting scent. It was a small comfort to him, at least she was drenched in his scent with his hoodie big on her, but the longer she did not eat, the more the Wild shifted, stressed and worried. Maybe coming upstairs was a mistake. Maybe he should have kept them downstairs—

"Luna."

It was rare for his father to call anyone by name. But when you did, you knew it was serious.

But when Luna fidgeted, not picking up her gaze, the Wild twitched too.

Gajeel regarded Luna with a quiet sobriety and murmured, "All you have to do here is eat." And he went back to his food.

Silence.

Then…

Shaking, Luna picked up her fork and divvied a small portion of her food to nibble on. Even if grief rolled off her in waves, at least she was eating.

• — • — • — • — •

Perhaps she may even use those claws and fangs against you.

Gale quietly snickered thinking about Luna baring fangs and snarling at him as she coveted her food. Yeah. That'd be nice. Six beats. Do you think, one day…I could give her what she deserves?

I think, one day, you will be the Dragon both of you deserve.

More quiet.

Do you think…I should introduce her to him? Do you think he'd like her?

Four beats.

Sycaña purred even more, bathing him in a mother's love. I think he already loves her.

Gale felt sleepy and his own quiet purr started. Maybe it was his sleep deprivation that made him feel Sycaña gently rubbing her scales against his, rocking him to sleep like he truly was her young. Y'know… Sometimes, I really wish you were here. I know I have Mom, but… The old man told me how he met Granddad again, even if it was for a little while. His Soul was there.

The smell of lavender deepened, but his mind drudged up his human mother's perfume of ink and books and, guiltily, he remembered his little moon's wispy starlight. I wish…you could do that too.

And as he finally went for a peaceful sleep, he thought he could feel Sycaña's breath over him. "I already have."

---

Since the cleaning did not need to be done for a little while, the servants of the estate were here for more personal attendance. The kitchen staff exchanged shifts, bustling about to make sure they had everything ready for all the guests staying. Security guarded every door. No one got in or out with the Emir's stamp of approval.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Morgiana Estate

Shamballa City

Shamballa, Alakitasia

10:13 AM SST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

KNOCK-KNOCK!

"It's Fatimah. I… I'm coming in."

Fatimah nudged open the door to see the queen's suite. Pristine and pretty—that was always how it looked. An attendant had already delivered the queen her tea and breakfast. But Inayah had touched nothing. Dressed for the day with her veil, she simply sat at her round table and looked out the window, ignoring much else.

Fatimah made sure she closed the door with effort and took loud footsteps not to startle Inayah with her approach, but she never moved. Heart breaking, Fatimah rounded before her father's wife and kneeled before her. "Inayah?"

The queen made a faint hum of acknowledgment.

Fatimah slid her hands into Inayah's own. She had so much to say, yet none of it could get out. "Would…? Would you like to go on a walk with me in the gardens? Please?" she added when Inayah remained silent. "I…!" But she closed her mouth, bottom lip trembling. How can I say I don't want her sitting in this room? Not when I know what happened.

"All right."

Fatimah looked up at Inayah, but she had yet to leave her gaze from the window. "All… All right." She squeezed the queen's hands. "Let's go take a walk."

°•°•°•°

The landscapers (a mixture of Plant and Green Wizards and Alchemists) had done a great job shedding the winter for the spring. The jasmine flowers looked lovely this time of year, as did the hyacinths and hibiscus. The reflecting pool shimmered the sunlight and blue sky with its stagnate streams all running to the shadirwan. Another innocent fountain had been recently cleaned and polished with lions spewing water into the basin.

Fatimah accompanies Inayah, escorting her with a parasol. The queen's guards and attendants kept pace but also at a respectful distance when Inayah wordlessly signaled them to keep back. Fatimah made sure to keep Inayah under watch, but her silence was deafening and only made Fatimah sick to her stomach.

She looked away. How much more must she take in this place? How much of her freedom has Zayed robbed? And—her grip on the parasol tightened—how much longer will I stay this powerless to protect her?

She looked up an apricot tree caught her eye—

• — • — • — • — •

"Mama, come here!"

The focus ran to a woman dressed in such satin garb. She sat on the tree bench swing with her own paring knife as she finished pitting another apricot with the slices on a plate. Smiling, she encouraged, "Come and eat with me, Fatii."

• — • — • — • — •

Smoky quartz glistened before lowering.

Fatimah put on a gentle smile for Inayah. "Come on. I want to show you something."

She led Inayah over to the apricot tree. A stone bench sat beneath the shade with another babbling fountain a little bit away. Closing the parasol, she sat down beside Inayah and spoke, "Apricots are always planted for the queens. They're pretty much planted in all our gardens." Fondness tinged her eyes. "My mother loved sitting under the apricot trees. She'd handpicked and pit them herself."

The peacefulness of the garden settled over both women.

Then, Fatimah started in a murmur, "I was my mother's favorite."

Inayah slightly tilted her head.

Fatimah had that sort of wistful smile on her lips. "I know that sounds arrogant, but it's true. Haya hated how much Mama loved me. But she was always our father's proud daughter. And Zayed stuck to our father too." A deep breath in. A deep breath out.

"What was she like?"

Fatimah squeezed Inayah's hand at the soft-spoken question. "She was beautiful," she breathed. "I used to be told all the time how much I looked like her. She was so much fun. She was one of those moms who, no matter what happened, always had the answers to everything. I got scolded when I said my mother knew more than our gods. But to me, she had all the answers. I loved every moment with her. And I…miss her so much."

Inayah squeezed her hand back. "What…? What happened to her? Kamir—ah, your father never told me… He just said she had moved on."

Fatimah felt gratitude for the brief comfort and the interest. "It's all right." A self-deprecating smile. "I'm sure he wouldn't disclose to you what happened." Straightening her shoulders, she told it as it was. "My mother died in a fire years ago."

• — • — • — • — •

MERA-MERA!

Countless screams.

Flames that danced and cackled in their quest to burn burn burn.

Dark carob brown reflected the animosity of the flames. "This is the will of our gods."

• — • — • — • — •

"It was a freak accident, according to the investigation," Fatimah explained, not believing her own words. "Apparently, the fire started from an unattended gas leak and a trippy wire. It grew so out of control that the firefighters here couldn't stop it. One evening, one of our homes burned to the ground. We lost dozens of servants as casualties. And…I lost my mother. We didn't…" Her breath hitched. "We didn't…even get a body. They found the ashes of her remains, but that was all. She died. She was gone, just like that."

She swallowed roughly. "Originally, my siblings and I were staying with cousins, but I begged Am'mah Sooraya to take me back home since I missed my mom. Mother was sick, so she had to stay home. It was…" She bowed her head for a moment, trying to blink away not the memories but the overwhelming grief those memories gave her.

Inayah knocked their knees together.

When Fatimah could speak again, she tightly said, "In our religion, we mourn…differently. We can grieve our dead, but it's not exactly… I was a wreck my mother died," she started anew. "It just felt so unfair that she was gone. I hated everything. I hated our gods. I just…hated. And I couldn't stop crying. Even at the funeral, I just couldn't control it. But you have to. It's fine to cry, but… There're certain ways to mourn and I just couldn't comply. We did a commemorative burial at the holy city and my imam told me all my crying would just make my mother suffer even more. My nanny took me away from the funeral. I just…couldn't keep it together—"

Inayah lifted her hand to thumb away Fatimah's cheek.

Fatimah grappled for her words. "I was inconsolable. I thought my family was cruel for being so silent. I know that's our way. Am'mah Sooraya was the only one I could turn to. I guess, in her culture, it was more normal to grieve. They have wailers, I think. I just couldn't get out of bed or eat. I got dragged to prayer. I just…couldn't do anything. My mom was gone. My whole world was just gone. And when she died, it felt like my father's care for me died too. And that I deserved it."

"You were depressed," Inayah soothed. "He should've been there for you—"

Fatimah sadly smiled, shaking her head at the queen. "No. I was the one bringing shame to the family." She rubbed the side of her nose. "Anyway, I knew Am'mah Sooraya had fought with my father over his treatment of me. I don't know what happened, but she stopped coming over. Haya told me she started sleeping in her own room and stayed away from family events. Am'mī Mohammed was furious. I know they look happy now, but it was really tense."

She waved a hand, swallowing. "Anyway. One night… I don't know, I just didn't want to be alone. Everything just hurt. I just want my baba back. I just wanted him to tell me things would get better. I snuck out and went to find him. And I…" Her shoulders hunched. "I…heard it."

"'Heard' what?"

Fatimah looked at Inayah, gaunt. "His confession."

• — • — • — • — •

Nighttime felt like the worst had yet to come.

The focus nudged open her bedroom door. The corridors were empty of guards, but she knew someone was always watching. It struck her as odd her room confinement guards were not on duty, but it made it easier for her to slip out of her chambers and creep down the hall. The steps to Baba's apartment were easy ones, but her path got derailed when she heard hushed arguments in Shamballan.

Curious and sleepy, she found her way to the voices and was surprised turning down into another hall only to quickly retreat and hiding behind a wall. Crouching low, she took another peak to see Baba in hot discussion with three hooded figures. 'Who is that with Papa?' She watched as her father steered both figures into a room. 'Isn't that…his private study?'

Double-checking no one else was coming, the focus tiptoed down the hallway to listen in to the conversation.

"You have no right coming to my house unannounced," Baba coldly warned. "We can discuss business at a later date. My country is still in a sensitive transitional period, and I need to lead them. You, Assistant, I had business with tonight. And we will continue our business now."

"Thank you for your cooperation. My apologies for the trouble." Someone with a fairykind voice said it like their words were so addictive that you kept leaning and listening for more. "We only need to finalize a few things and discuss your options from there."

"Of course, please sit." Baba sounded considerably nicer to this fairykind person, nicer than he had ever been to his own children. "Would you care for a drink? Do you need to stay the night? I can have a room prepared—"

"No thank you to both. I can't leave the Doctor's side for too long, but thank you for the offer."

"Very well." Did Baba…sound disappointed at the polite decline? "Now." Baba's voice dialed down back into the iciness. "What do you two want? Can't you see I'm in mourning?"

"You look quite happy for a widower." A raspy woman remarked this.

"I'm never happy," Baba deadpanned. "What is it you want?"

"You know what we are searching for." A man with a voice as shifty as the dunes spoke. "Where is the tomb? Did she tell you? Did she give up any information to you at all—?"

"You were there," Baba reminded, a tad impatient. "Everything I know, you know as well. She was silent until her death."

The raspy woman swore in a dialect unrecognizable. "This order is becoming more and more troublesome with their secrets. We need to know where Zarqā's tomb is, Sheikh Kamir. You know how important that is to us right now. You can't expect us to believe she didn't share any secrets with you."

"She didn't," Baba said simply. "Do you know how hard it was playing 'husband' to her? If it wasn't for that potion, she would've rejected my proposal. She suspected me the entire time we were courting. I even had to play 'perfect father' to those spawns, and she still never told me anything."

"What was the last thing she said to you before death?" the shifty-voiced man asked.

Baba told, "That she knew my purpose in marrying her. She knew I targeted her. But her secrets would die with her. No matter how much I tortured her, she wouldn't say a word about the other members, even when I told her one of her own precious allies ratted her out. I tried everything, even threatening those spawns, but she wouldn't say a word. All she kept repeating was how she knew the truth. And that her Mother will save her."

"Not to interrupt," the Assistant piped up. "Sheikh Kamir, here's the Contract Pen. If you could sign here…"

"Oh, yes, of course." He was so nice and gentle one moment and then he said flatly, "That's what I got out of her."

"Honestly, how dramatic," the raspy woman sighed.

Baba scoffed. "Yes, well, she was always one for theatrics. Once the Pasbans confirmed she was snooping around even more aggressively, I knew I had to make my move."

"An Infernal Fire," the raspy woman said. "How cruel of you to do that."

Baba countered, "You know I couldn't leave a trace of her behind. She was one of them."

The focus widened. 'Wait. Why is Baba…?'

"How cold of you to say that about your deceased wife," the raspy woman teased.

Baba made an irate noise. "She was barely my wife, what nonsense are you on? It's a relief I don't have to deal with her anymore. That Devil was questionable but hiring it was one of the best choices I made. And watching that thing burn it all to the ground and finally get rid of that woman…" A grin could be heard in his words. "I've never felt so alive."

• — • — • — • — •

"A 'confession'?" Inayah echoed.

Fatimah let out a shuttering breath. "Yes. A confession. And one that resulted in my nickname."

"'The ungrateful princess'," Inayah forlornly mentioned.

"Yes." Fatimah locked her jaw. "I still remember the day I broke down. My father thought it was best for me to be admitted into an asylum for my issues. And even after I was released, everything changed. No one trusted me or believed in me. I'm still not allowed to have knives, even though I'm not suicidal. At university, I had no friends. Even some of my professors hated me. I thought I could at least turn to Haya and Zayed—"

Inayah flinched.

"—but they abandoned me for their own interests." Fatimah sighed. "This country…has no love for me, even when I've loved it with all my heart. To be honest"—life emptied from smoky quartz—"I thought about dying and giving up, all if it meant I'd stop living in this torment."

That shocked and saddened Inayah. Fatimah…

"It sounds selfish, I know, but… It was so hard—it still is hard—having to live in this family, this country. I just…didn't think anything was worth living for." Fatimah looked at the queen. "Until I met my father's wife."

Inayah blinked and pointed at herself. "Me?"

Fatimah smiled. "Yes. You."

"Oh… Oh. Oh. O-Oh, wait a minute, wait a minute!" Inayah flubbed, waving her hands. "I-I-I think you have the wrong impression of me, Fatii, and I really do love you as a friend and all that, but I-I've never—!" She stopped when Fatimah burst into laughter. Fatimah…

"I didn't mean it like that," Fatimah simpered, swiping away an imaginary tear of mirth. "You're too cute sometimes, Yaya."

Inayah huffed, puffing a cheek. "You know I'm technically your mother."

"Oh, please, you're more like the older sister I wish I had," Fatimah chortled. She poked Inayah's forehead. "Like someone as nice as you could be my mother." She leaned back and looked up at the apricot tree. "Honestly. It's weird calling you 'mother'. I just can't get it through my head." She closed her eyes to feel the breeze—

"I have a son."

That jolted Fatimah and instantly put her attention to Inayah. "What?"

Inayah shook, hands under her veil and over her mouth. "I shouldn't have said that," she whispered. "Please, please, don't tell anyone, Fatii, please—!" She dry-heaved.

"Shhh-shhh, I won't, it's okay, shh, I've got you." Fatimah hugged the queen, a million thoughts in her head. She has a kid? Her heart plummeted. "I-Is it with—?"

"No!" Inayah rushed to answer. "No, no, it's not—!" She gulped, pulling away, but she kept close to Fatimah. "My… It happened before I came here. He's not…his." The name refused to sit on her tongue. Her hands felt her stomach. "I'm… Th-There's no need to worry. I won't ever have a child with him. I've made sure of it."

Is a servant sneaking in contraceptives? Fatimah tucked that away for later, straightening out Inayah's dress. "Okay." She hesitated, but she added softly, "Thank you for telling me. I'll take it to my grave, I promise." She hugged Inayah again. If she gave birth before she came here… Why is she separated from her son? What happened? Is that how Father forced her hand in marriage? Holding her son hostage?

"You really have no idea what our little stepmother is, do you? The real reason Father spent a month spoiling her in jewels and riches until she agreed to become his dutiful little wife?"

War sparked in smoky quartz.

Inayah meant to pull away, but Fatimah held her steady. "Fatii—"

"I'm going to get you out of here."

Inayah stiffened at the whisper.

"I promise you; I'll get you out of here," Fatimah fervently vowed. "I won't let you stay in this country. I promise, Yaya. I'll get you out of here so you can live—"

"Don't."

Now Fatimah froze.

Inayah pulled away, but she kept her head close to Fatimah's. She whispered, "Please, don't do this. There's… There are things you don't understand. I have to stay here. I have to do this—"

"No, you don't," Fatimah soothed. "I know you're scared—"

"It doesn't matter if I'm scared," Inayah cut in. "Please, Fatii, I love you and I'm so grateful, but please, don't do anything. Not for me. Please. I have to say here—"

"But why?" Fatimah needed to know. "Why do you need to? Why do you have to or-or want to? Yaya, this place is toxic to you and it's going to get worse. Zayed is going to keep—"

"It's not like that," Inayah quickly inserted.

Fatimah did not believe that for a second. "So you wanted him? You want to have his baby? You want him to keep 'visiting' you at night and 'trying for a boy'?" Inayah's flinch was all the confirmation needed. "This place is killing you—"

"Fatimah—"

"I know it's hard to see it because you feel trapped," Fatimah said. "But I can help you. I've been there before—"

"Stay out of this, Fatii, please," Inayah begged, glancing around. "Th-This is something I have to do. Your… Your father… H-He's good to me—"

"By forcing you to wear a veil and blinding anyone who sees you?" Fatimah aggressively pointed out.

"Th-That's…!" Inayah made herself smaller. "I know you won't believe it, but he's… He's treating me well. Please, let's just leave it at that. Please," she beseeched when Fatimah opened her mouth to argue. "For me, Fatimah, please, please, let's just let it go. Let this go. You just…don't understand."

But Fatimah could not. "Then help me—!"

"Mother!"

Inayah and Fatimah saw Haya had come out with the aunts, cousins, and important ladies of Shamballa.

"I need to go." Inayah gathered her skirts. "Please, Fatii, don't do anything, please! I'm saying this for your sake—"

"And what about yours?" Fatimah pressed. "What about you? What about your safety, your freedom? I want to help you—"

"Maybe I don't deserve it!"

Fatimah was stunned into silence.

Inayah gave a breathless cry. "I'm sorry. I-I-I…! I didn't mean to shout, I…! I know you care, but just… It's fine. Everything's fine. I have to do this." She stood up and tried to control all the emotions boiling inside her—

"Why?" Fatimah took Inayah's hand, keeping her there, desperate to know. "Just…why?"

Inayah gave Fatimah a long look charged with emotion. "For my husband." And she pulled away to quickly clear away the shake in her voice to greet the party of ladies.

Fatimah sat beneath the apricot tree, bemused. She observed the way Haya took charge, greeting their stepmother with air kisses and making sure that the queen shined all by her doing. But Inayah's words sat firmly at the forefront of Fatimah's mind. For her husband? For…Father? She does this for him? It did not make sense. But… Why would she have loyalty to him? She thought harder and harder—

"She's married." Hard blues. "She's married to the king of Bellum."

A thread of light peeked through the apricot tree leaves.

For her husband… Things started resonating as Fatimah watched Inayah with new eyes. Her husband… Her actual husband, the king of Bellum. Was that her hint to me? Did Yara visit her? No. No, I would've been told. So… Maybe this was a hint. Something that anyone eavesdropping wouldn't truly understand. If this is about her marriage, no wonder she can't talk about it. And…

"I have a son."

The ideas kept turning. A son… Is her son with the king of Bellum? And if her marriage is legally recognized, that makes her son a prince. But if she got married to the king before he was in his coma… Yara said the coma happened 15 years ago. No wonder she said she had her son before. She was a teenager—a practical child—when she had her own child. Her heart broke. And from what little Father told us, she had no family ties when she was younger. And with her husband in a coma… To give birth so young and all alone… That must've been terrifying for her. And how she's still enduring this…

The pity was there, but so was unfortunate admiration. No one should be admired for enduring such dark circumstances, but what was done was done.

Fatimah slowly got up and watched the ladies circle Inayah. Sooraya took to Inayah's other side, and it looked like there was solidarity between both women with how close Inayah stuck to the chancellor over Haya, who narrowed her eyes a bit.

How did she meet the king? If she's enduring all this just for him, I hope he's worth it.

"You really have no idea what our little stepmother is, do you? The real reason Father spent a month spoiling her in jewels and riches until she agreed to become his dutiful little wife?"

Was Zayed talking about Inayah being the legitimate queen of Bellum and mother to the first prince of Bellum? Fatimah frowned as she came by the reflecting pool. There's still not enough information. What did Father say or do involving Inayah's husband? He must obviously know Inayah is married. Maybe he knows about her son. It's not for certain if he told our imam Inayah was wedded beforehand or not. I just…

She stooped down and touched the water, seeing her frustrated reflection. I just need to know what he and Zayed have over her so I can protect her. They've brainwashed her to think this is the only way for her to live, but that's not true. She made ripples in the water. She deserves to be free. She deserves to reunite with her son and her husband. This was never her home. And maybe I don't know where her home is, but…

She stood up strong. I can help her find it. I love her too much to stay idle. She looked at the estate like she was preparing her declaration of war. Father took Mother away from me. But I won't let him do the same to my friend. Zayed and Haya have already warned me. I don't care. Strip me of my family name. I don't need it anymore. I'll abandon it freely. I have only one responsibility. Ironclad resolve steeled smoky quartz. And that's keeping Inayah safe.

LUB-DUB!

She flinched when her heart hurt. What was…? My heart… She brushed it off and walked away.

But her reflection did not walk with her.

The water kept rippling, but it warmed to show blue tourmaline eyes glowing from a woman in black niqab and abaya.

And the water rippled again.

And nothing there was left.

---

The restaurant was one of those ritz fusion ones of Stellian and Perench cuisine. It had it all, the swanky staged bar, the attractive servers, the seductive music—it was definitely not a surprise to realize only those in fine dress and with even finer taste were permitted through the doors. Even for a brunch rush, most tables had been taken, but the delightful thing about this restaurant was the immense privacy. Instead of clustering tables together for better business, the tables and booths all had their own space apart from other parties.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Logos Ristorante

Shamballa City

Shamballa, Alakitasia

11:01 AM SST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Vinyl could put up with a lot of things. The crazy PJ nights at Fairy Hills; the booze and brawls at the guildhall; students who hated practicing; giving her brass instruments a bath—she could handle it.

Her eyebrow twitched. How…?

Thirteen sat on the opposite side, nursing his drink. But he was not the issue. The issue was Swan clinging to his arm with their feathered shawl and fan and the two broad-shouldered men waiting on this person's hand and foot.

Swan teased Thirteen by offering him a forkful of their food. "Open-wide, honey."

TICK!

The aura of murder supercharged Vinyl (and scared other customers) as she watched the scene unfold. …the Hell did it come to this!

"Oh, don't be shy, honey," Swan cooed when Thirteen leaned away, a tick mark twinging his temple. "I'm just going to keep coming closer until I pin you down—!"

"Fine." Thirteen took the morsel, but it irked him when the two men gave him laser eyes. Glancing at the table, he saw Vinyl glaring at Swan and Swan's trophies glaring at him. But when he looked at Swan…

"Oh my, this is such a beautiful date spot!" A flowery aura spun around Swan as they enjoyed their meal. "Isn't this place just beautiful, honey?"

Of course you're thriving off this mess, Thirteen wanted to bite. Sighing instead, he told Swan, "Can you cut it out already? You're making things awkward here."

Swan smiled. "Why would things be awkward? Oh!" They laughed. "Is it because we were passionate lovers for several years?"

TICK!

Thirteen went dreary as that murderous aura spiked from all sides of him and Swan grinned, eagerly waiting for his answer and living for the chaos. His hand twitched for his gun, but he resisted. If I can handle Coeus, I can handle this. He explained tightly, "Yes. Yes, it's because of that."

"Oh, darling, that shouldn't be a problem! It wasn't like we were exclusive. Oh, wait! We were!"

TICK!

Thirteen withered even more at the lethal pressure. "I want to strangle you," he threatened under his breath.

Swan hummed their laughter. "What if that's what I was hoping for?"

Thirteen shivered in a bad way when a heel danced up his leg and tried to restrain himself when both "trophies" worsened their dirty glares (though, in his eyes, they looked like jealous puppies). "Would you knock that shit out?" he barked. "You just live to be shitty for no reason."

Swan chuckled, but they withdrew. "Sure thing, honey." They winked at Thirteen. "We'll just continue this when it's just us." And the moment they turned their attention to the men they brought, it was almost like both men were wagging their tails.

Thirteen grimaced. It's like watching dogs get excited their master is petting them Who would ever want that?

("Achoo!" Gary and Silver both sneezed. And Jaxton felt twitchy.)

"Thirteen." It looked like vinyl would need an exorcism from the violent aura rushing around her and the way she stabbed her food made it seem she was imaging the merry Swan at the other end. "Can you explain things now?"

He sweatdropped at how effortlessly merry Swan looked in contrast to Vinyl's countdown to a death match. Why do I get stuck with the crazies? He sighed. "You officially met Swan. They'll be…working a little closer with us right now since plans shifted."

"And I plan to work very close," Swan purred.

Lighting sparked between a smirking Swan and violent Vinyl.

"Is 'Swan' even your real name?" Vinyl snidely questioned.

Swan hooked up an eyebrow. "Is 'Vinyl' your real name, baby screech?"

TICK!

Vinyl leaned forward and hissed, "I am not a screech!"

"And you never answered my question." Swan's smirk broadened. "Is 'Vinyl' even your real name?"

Vinyl knew she could not answer that, but she growled nonetheless.

"Stop being a dick." Thirteen reeled Swan in at the expense of Swan's trophies glaring at him for daring to touch their master. "Look. Circumstances change. All of us know this. We have to make allegiances where we can, and our focus should be on the mission, got it?" He leveraged both a warning look.

Vinyl muttered, "Fine."

Swan dramatically sighed. "Oh, all right. We can have fun later." They mockingly grinned at Vinyl. "Adult fun. You understand that, right, baby screech?"

"Anyway," Thirteen barreled before Vinyl could fight back, "we're going to need to split up tonight."

That was news to Vinyl. "What do you mean?" No, she was not jealous when Swan and Thirteen exchanged one of those looks, that we-don't-need-to-talk-to-communicate looks. "What's going on? Why are we splitting up?" She scowled when Thirteen hemmed and hawed. "I thought we were in this together?"

"We…are," Thirteen slowly agreed. "We just have different tasks designated for different skillsets." He leaned forward, expression serious, and murmured, "I'm going to need you to tail Vespers tonight."

Vinyl turned somber. "Did something happen last night? I thought I should still go after—" She stopped and hazard a mistrusting look at Swan.

"Change of plans. Follow Vespers and Salentino. Covert," Thirteen added. "His pocket watch is bad news. And you were right. It's suspicious someone like Vespers would conveniently cross paths with Salentino. We need to understand why he came to Shamballa. He hasn't placed any bids underground. That doesn't mean he won't later. See if you can gather any suspicious about him. And try to break Salentino away from him."

Vinyl nodded. "Understood. But…what about you?

Thirteen hesitated as he tried to word it properly. "Well, I—"

"We have a date tonight!" Swan grabbed onto Thirteen's arm, more amused than smug at Vinyl's instant irritation. "So go play with the little kids while the grownups go to work, baby screech."

"You can't be serious." Vinyl gaped in disbelief when Thirteen did not deny it. "You can't be serious!"

Thirteen sighed again. "It's not a date," he amended, "but we do have somewhere to be that only we can be at due to our…history."

Vinyl faltered. "But… We're a team."

Thirteen ruffled his hair. "C'mon, kid, don't make that face. 'Course we're a team, but we need to multitask. There are some things I need to do tonight that you can't. Just like there are things you need to do that I can't. And we'll meet up later tonight for a debrief."

Vinyl's blues fell. "Yeah, but…" She swallowed all her protests. "All right." She winced when a heavy hand laid atop her head, but it surprised her when Thirteen was responsible for patting her head. Thirteen…

He looked more disgruntled at his own action yet equally flustered. "Don't look so down and out about it," he muttered. "It's just for a night, all right? You'll survive." Murky oranges softened. "You are Vinyl, the Composer of Fairy Tail. You'll be fine out there."

Aquamarines widened before glistening. "Right."

Swan put their fan to their lips. Oh-ho… How interesting…

Thirteen pulled back his hand, clearing his throat. "A-Anyway, as I was saying. So you need to…"

He… He patted my head. An innocent blush dusted Vinyl's cheeks as she remembered that tingling sensation. He really patted my had. Fuck being innocent; her mind conjured erotic imagery that had her drooling. Maybe he's a hair-puller? Oh, that'd be so freaking hot! He'd toss me down on the bed like a beast and just fist my hair like I read in all those YA books!

• — • — • — • — •

"Oh, you're such a savage!" she could hear herself breathlessly moan as she sprawled on a nice big bed.

"Baby…" Fantasy-Thirteen settled before her, half-naked and beautifully cut. He had one of her legs tossed onto his shoulder while he cradled the other and kissed her ankle. "Let me show you how savage I can be."

• — • — • — • — •

Thirteen's eyebrow twitched at how disturbing it was seeing Vinyl's overly pleased expression (he hoped sincerely that was not drool from the corner of her lips). I can feel her dirty mind from all the way over here. Who the Hell fantasizes about someone right in front of them?

("Achoo!" Silver, Gary, and Juvia sneezed. Now Tesla felt twitchy.)

VRRRR!

Thirteen blinked when he brought out his Compact to see Coeus' number stained across the screen. That fast?

As he got up, Vinyl jolted out of her fantasy (which was such a shame before her Fantasy-Thirteen had kissed down to her inner thighs) to see Thirteen get up. "Ah, where are you—?"

"Important call," Thirteen told her. He narrowed his eyes at Swan. "Behave yourself."

Swan batted their eyelashes. "But you liked it when I didn't."

Thirteen grumbled under his breath and walked away from the private table to settle his Comcall.

Swan wordlessly motioned, and both their trophies kissed either of their cheeks before leaving the table as well.

Vinyl had the right to feel suspicious. "Where did you send them?"

"My trophies aren't just arm candy," Swan told her as they stirred their drink. "I like to collect beautiful things. But beauty comes in many forms." They dipped in their glass to collect one of their ice cubes and held it up. "My two trophies are beauty in its many forms. Their intelligence, their bodies"—she looked at Vinyl through the ice—"are too beautiful for me to let them go. And they also find me beautiful."

Vinyl sat back and crossed her arms and legs. "So they're your assistants."

"Something like that." Swan put the ice on a napkin. "But when your trophies once drugged you and kidnapped you to trafficking, do titles really matter?"

Vinyl gawked against Swan's calm and sparkling aura. They were going to take Swan into human trafficking and now they work for them?

Swan watched Vinyl with a critical eye. This baby screech… She's definitely that child. Vulture and Cassowary wouldn't have been interested in all the backdoor secrets from then. But she really is that child. Their long acrylics drummed their cheek. "So. You were once engaged. What happened?"

Vinyl stiffened. "He told you that?"

"Baby screech, my conversations with him will never be about a little girl like you."

TICK!

Vinyl had the restraint of a champ to clamp down her insults against Swan's smile. "Then how did you find out?"

"I always do," Swan said offhandedly. "Whether you believe it or not, I'm not asking out of malicious intent—"

"You're right. I don't believe you."

Swan simpered at Vinyl's scathing retort. "Your choice. I won't lose any feathers over it." They added slyly, "It's just curious to me. Your fiancé… He was quite older than you, wasn't he? Set to marry a little girl who was barely a woman. And this marriage had all the support in the world from your parents and his. In fact…" They lazily stirred their drink. "That article about your love story—I could've cried."

Vinyl froze.

"It was so buttery sweet," Swan lackadaisically continued. "A childhood crush sparked into a teacher-student affair protected by the Juliet Law. No one would question the authenticity of such a love story with how thorough you covered your bases."

A hush fell over the pair.

"How?" Vinyl lifted her head, blues haunted. "How did you know about that? They scraped sending those articles out to the tabloids."

Swan's smile widened. "Oh, baby screech." Their nails whipped up—

Vinyl saw that Swan had caught not just a fly but the wings of the fly.

"Nothing escapes a hawk's eyes." Swan crushed the fly with their nails before dropping the deceased bug onto their spare napkin. Leaning forward, they murmured, "Your families were playing a dangerous game, forcing your fiancé's hand like that."

Vinyl tensed. "What does it matter? He just wanted me to be a good little housewife." She remembered those blues, so deep and stormy.

"Hm."

Vinyl looked back at Swan, on edge. "What?"

Swan shrugged. "Oh, nothing. I just keep remembering you really are a child."

"I'm twenty-four," Vinyl snapped back.

"And your fiancé now is in his late thirties, isn't he?"

Vinyl tried not to wince. How do they…?

Swan pretended to pick lint off their dress. "A thirteen-year age gap. Although they always say, 'age is but a number'. But you were truly a child when you met your fiancé for the first time. And to a child"—blue clashed with blue—"adults can be the scariest people in the world."

Vinyl swallowed, but she stood her ground. "Just tell me what you want to say."

"I don't think I will. It doesn't benefit me."

TICK!

Chibi-Vinyl was raging. Then what are you talking for!

"But I still say this."

Vinyl chilled at the look in Swan's eyes.

"Precious baby screech, think back to all your interactions with your dear fiancé." Swan leaned forward. "And see him through the eyes of a grown adult instead of a scared child."

Aquamarines glinted. The eyes…of an adult? She opened her mouth. "But what does that—?"

"Oh, baby, you're back!" Swan cheered as one of their men returned. He lit up when Swan pressed a sweet kiss onto his lips and poutily murmured, "You were gone for too long. I thought you were going to leave me all alone here with Miss Children's Menu."

TICK!

Inwardly, Chibi-Vinyl was playing a concerto like Tom the Cat and Swan was the mouse running away from the keys trying to kill them. I am literally sitting in front of you! Huffing, she angrily looked away. But thinking more on Swan's words dismantled some of her ire for contemplation. Look at him…with the eyes of an adult? But… What do they mean by that?

And as she pondered it, Swan let their trophy feed them. Hm. Maybe that wasn't enough of a hint. Well, whatever. Their lashes lowered with a shy smile when their man kissed their neck.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'Now we're even…'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

No one disturbed him in his bath, thankfully. No one disturbed him period, but his baths allowed him to be religiously abandoned by the staff and his minx of an interim assistant with too much attitude and too tempting of an ass.

Steam wafted off the rosewater, but he knew better than to soak his troubles away. Grabbing either side of the clawfoot tub, he breached. Water sluiced cut and taught muscle, but those rivets glossed over the tattoo on his back. Names dotted together—first names on the right and last names on the left—created the monstrous bird expanded across his shoulder blades and back.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'…Falcon.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Thirteen found a suitable spot away from all the noise to accept Coeus' call. He saw one of Swan's trophies and did not feel the need to glance around. "You got back to me that fast? That's a new record."

"I needed work to do to be patient," Coeus said.

Thirteen's brow tangled. "'Be patient'? For what?"

Quiet.

"I'm going to break into her apartment—"

"Oh my gods, why?" Thirteen rubbed his face. "Stop tormenting your therapist! It's creepy!"

Quiet.

"But everyone says I'm creepy except Master and Bixslow."

Thirteen needed a stronger drink for this. "Yeah, well, this is more than your average 'creepiness' levels. Doctor Llewelyn doesn't need you breaking into her apartment just to satisfy your sick need to see her breakdown."

"But I don't want her to break down." Coeus sounded like he was frowning. "I just…" He sounded troubled. "Have you ever wanted to make someone so fearful and helpless because it seems so intoxicating and also adorable?"

"I'm telling Master you need a new therapist," Thirteen said dryly.

"Thirteen."

He frowned hearing how serious Coeus sounded. "I mean, no, I've never had that feeling." He softened his blunt tone. "But keep in mind, your head works way different than mine. We have two different normals and that's fine. Yeah, you can be creepy, but that's also normal for you."

Coeus hummed, distracted.

This put Thirteen on pause. Does he actually have a thing for his therapist? He grimaced imaging Coeus being romantic (which involved his conspiracy boards, his mask, and his lack of common sense when it came to manners). Ugh. This is above my pay grade.

"Anyway." Coeus deleted whatever misgivings were in his tone before. "Had to call in Genius' assistant for some help. I'm sending the files to you now. Vespers Vivaldi is a Black Widow and every person he dates gets caught in his web."

Thirteen got out his EarPods to pop them in so he could look at the files Coeus sent him. "Any deaths?"

"No, but a lot of convenient disappearances," Coeus told him. "Every one of his partners could give him something he couldn't get as the second son of the Vivaldi family. They were socialites and musicians. All of them were more talented than him. Now about Salentino? That's the question."

Thirteen frowned seeing images of Salentino with lady dates and also another man with striking green eyes. "This is—"

"Meet Chace Duchenne, the first cousin to Salentino on his maternal side," Coeus explained. "Everything about him looks clean. He went to prestigious academies. Rich family. And managed to get into the genetics program at the USA in his pursuit of genetic counseling."

"So what's wrong with him?"

Coeus' grin could be audibly heard. "That's the question. Chace's father—no, his entire paternal family—seems to be running a very wealthy business and has connections to some very wealthy Wizards."

Thirteen saw Chace's father shaking hands with a Doctor Faust. A montage showed Chace's father interacting with powerful people. At one point, he had a sit-down with the matriarch of the Von Hohenheim family.

"The entire family is upper class and private, like the Von Hohenheim's. But look at this image I enhanced."

Thirteen squinted as a photo blew up to show— "Shit," he cursed. "A pocket watch?"

"A Warlock," Coeus said gravely. "And this relative isn't the only one." As the Compact showed more of the Duchenne family with their tattoos and watches, he continued: "It looks like a lot of his paternal family are in on it too. The family has a conspiracy theory around them that a love god or something blessed them. But I think it might just be an amorous demon. Succubus or Incubus at best."

Thirteen could not believe it. Well, I'll be… "So the Black Widow's connection to the cousin…"

"Right. I confirmed Salentino and Chace were very close growing up, despite the age difference. Salentino has a lot of sisters. I'm sure Mister Duchenne felt like his only brother. Mister Duchenne was fifty-fifty split between Pergrande and Stella, but that all changed when Ran was officially dubbed the headquarters for the Holy Eye. He finished school in Pergrande, but he abruptly left to go to Melandia and hasn't been to many family gatherings in either of his home countries since."

"Was he always that interested in genetics counseling as a trust fund baby?"

"That's the question," Coeus said. "Melandia is pretty far. But it's also far enough that if he missed holidays and birthdays, he had a viable excuse. I'm not sure why he chose genetic counseling, but the USA took on an interesting project funded by Doctor Faust. Looking more into it, the USA has gotten pretty big projects. And when I looked on my regular forums, there are conspiracies the USA does secret genetics projects underground."

Thirteen put it all together. "And our first cousin either could be part of the problem or want to solve the problem."

"What a question with so many answers."

Thirteen thought, I'm sure Vespers would've wanted to go straight to Chace, but it wouldn't be possible. If Chace's entire paternal family is full of Warlocks, he would know what Vespers is. And if he potentially left Pergrande to get away from the cult, Vespers arriving would only cause more trouble. Using Salentino as an in is smart. A dick move but smart. "All right. Table this for now. What else do you have for me?"

"Right. I've been looking at the intergalactic darknet forums for some insight about the auction's inventory," Coeus remarked. "And I think I finally narrowed down the scope to what a retired Healer for a comatose king would want."

Thirteen recognized that pink-red stone before the name popped up. A Philosopher's Stone. He lowered his voice. "But the Flamel Family—"

"I triple-checked. Nothing has changed. But the stone is still rumored to be part of the auction, which is unheard of."

"Which explains why a Healer deep into hiding would travel here," Thirteen leveled. But a Philosopher's Stone… Without being part of the Flamel Family, using that stone results in instant madness and suicide. But considering Bellum's state of things, she might be desperate to get her hands on whatever she can to save him, even if it's such a miniscule chance.

"But this Healer is a lot more than we thought."

Thirteen frowned. "In what way?"

"It took some convincing for Genius to hand over the information," Coeus forewarned. "But this missing Healer isn't just a random nurse. She was Royal Healer Yara Sandström."

That hit Thirteen's gut. "No shit," he breathed. "It all makes sense now." No wonder Hendrika was targeted. Her mother is a fugitive and a high-profile one. But… "Why didn't Genius release that to you?"

"You know how he deals with information, but this time, I'm not sure. He sounded…agitated," Coeus revealed, troubled himself. "I've never heard him so moody."

"And if you're saying that, it means something really is wrong." Thirteen stored that information for later. "Well, whatever. We'll deal with it later. Send over what you can. I'll keep in touch."

"Okay."

Thirteen debated whether to say it or not, but he went for it. "You know Master introduced you to your therapist for a reason, right? Just so you can talk about what's going on in your head."

Silence.

"I do talk."

"Then why all this, uh…interest in your therapist?"

"She listens."

Thirteen sighed at Coeus' patient answer. "That's what a good therapist is supposed to do."

"I'd know that better than you."

Coeus did not sound cold—he sounded more innocent matter of fact—yet Thirteen still winced. "Shit, right, my bad. I just…don't want you to be confused. Maybe…this thing with your therapist is just coming from you talking and her listening."

"But there is no 'thing' with her," Coeus pointed out.

"You know what? Never mind," Thirteen sighed. "Go do what you normally do. I'll touch base later." He hung up before Coeus could say anything and felt his temple throb. The last thing I need to do going home is to learn he got arrested for breaking into the poor woman's apartment. Why the Hell am I putting up with this? Rather than heading back to the table, he went to the bar. And Gajeel thought I'd fit in with this guild.

When a bartender came over, Thirteen placed his drink order as bits of nostalgia flashed before him. I was told Fairy Tail was reckless, but I didn't think it was to this extent. Does Master have some weird kink for picking up strays? She makes her assassin her assistant. Frees a high-functioning Schizophrenic with zero human skills from one of the most max-security psych wards in Fiore. Enlists a hermit gamer with a weird addiction to C-Pop. Takes in a human-loving Lacroid and a runaway with her head in the clouds—scratch that, her head in erotic books.

Murky oranges glistened. And she gives a chance…to a killer like me. You're truly a strange one, Titania.

He blinked when a rock glass with a spherical ice cube was put in front of him. "Uh…" He looked at the bartender. "This isn't my order."

"Oh, sorry, not your bartender," the person said, spiffy in their vest and rolled up button-up. Nodding to the drink, they explained, "This one is from a secret admirer, actually. If you don't want the drink, though, I can take it back—"

"No, it's fine." Thirteen took the rock glass and palmed the little napkin that had cushioned it. "Do you know who ordered it for me?"

The bartender looked at the scope of the bar, but they gave up seeing all the waiting guests to helplessly shrug. "They aren't at the bar. And between you and me…" He leaned in to murmur, "Wasn't too recognizable of a face. Not something that'd stand out in a crowd."

Thirteen chuckled. "Well, thanks, man. Salud." He took the drink and napkin and abandoned the bar. The moment his face was shielded, all his good humor dropped for tension. A face that wouldn't stand out in a crowd, huh?

He flipped the napkin over and saw handwriting on it that made murder spell on his face. You son of a bitch.

The writing read:

Tis years ago there lay a garden with a vulture

Such a bird with foul eyes that poisoned a man's very core

But then came a little fairy, so lovely and enchanting, for the vulture's respite

"I have no weakness!" the vulture proudly declared as he had before

But when the fairy died, the vulture wept—"tell me truly, I implore!"

"Who killed my fairy? Who killed my weakness?", you implore

Quoth the Raven—"Nevermore!"

KRR!

Thirteen crumbled the napkin in his fist. Vicious… I hope your eyes are on me. Because after this week—a bloodthirsty smirk ran jagged across his face—I'll make sure your precious Raven becomes nothing more than roadkill.

---

— • — • — • —

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 room was…predictable.

A high-rise suite for an heiress-apparent and her bodyguard. It was certainly staged correctly. The heiress had all her belongings sloshed around with no male touch in sight. Interesting.

Their steps, their breaths—nothing about them made a noise. A closed door was before them, but they opened the door and still, there was no sound, nothing.

There was never any sound.

A boy—no, a young man—slept in the only bed in the room. As they slowly approached, they took stock of everything in the room. From the charging Compact to the products in the en-suite bathroom to the clothes thrown into the open suitcase. But the focus landed on that strange bracelet wrapped around the young man's wrist. Magic subtly came off it as they drew near—

Red eyes shot open, serpentine.

The fight started in an instant.

The focus swept back when claws gunned for their throat. So, the kid had fast reflexes. For a boy of his size, they assumed aggression would dominate the fight, but they were wrong. The kid delivered power blows, but each move was calculated in the risk and reward. His agility could use some work, but he moved better than most people his weight class. And rather than attack with reckless abandon, the kid made sure every kick and punch cornered them into the bathroom.

Smart.

They had little reason to keep this up, all this dodging and blocking. Instead, they feigned hesitation and watched in interest as the kid took their shot immediately. Black scales splotched their tan skin and a feral look was in those eyes the color of blood. They put up no resistance nor winced when the kid tackled them to the ground with nails digging into their throat and another clawed and scaled fist pulled back, ready to punch.

It looked like the attack did not leave the kid winded. Even though he had no warmup, he was still breathing evenly. Good. Very nice.

Claws dug more into their throat under threat, but they simply watched the kid's mouth to see pointed fangs bared. And then, the kid moved his lips.

"Who the fuck are you?"

---

Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Fatimah bint Kamer Al Marwan – Summer Bishil

Zayed bin Kamer Al Marwan – Fady el-Sayed

Inayah – Chipo Chung

Mysterious Woman – Zehra Fazel

Yara Sandström -

Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes

Hemlock (voice) – Alex Organ

Julia Fullbuster – Michelle Ruff

Bei Chunhua – Kelsey Asbille

Gary Fullbuster – Griffin Burns

Silver Fullbuster – Yuri Lowenthal

Sycaña – Cristen Auten

Emma Redfox (voice) -

Luna Dragneel (voice) – Brynn Apprill

Levy Redfox (voice) – Kristi Kang

Gajeel Redfox (voice) – David Wald

Phantom Stranger -

Thirteen – Mathew Mercer

Aoide Viñella "Vinyl" de la Muse – Alison Viktorin

Swan – Kayleigh McKee

Kamir bun Kwuyalid Al Marwan -

Maxim – Major Attaway

Eiji "Dash" Ackermann – Leraldo Anzaldua

Iris Ross –

Coeus – Orlanders Jones

— • — • — • —

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

⌜OPENING SONG

⟪ SAYONARA DILEMMA ⟫

Vivid undress

Lyrics by

yu-ya⌟

•

⌜INSERT SONG

⟪ Nami Nami ⟫

ODO Ensemble⌟

•

⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ Starry ⟫

ClariS

Lyrics by

丸山真由子⌟

---

•

•

•

•

— • — • — • —

Next time, on Fairy Adventure

•

Episode 143

•

TWENTY-ONE!

— • — • — • —

•

•

•

•

TO BE CONTINUED…

---

Chibi-Luna is all set to present. "Good day, class!"

"Good day, Teacher!" her students chirp.

"Are you ready for today's Fairy Lesson?"

"Yeah!"

Chibi-Luna starts up her slideshow with the classroom lights off. "All right! We'll continue part two!" She clicks to the next slide to show an attractive Perench family in their portrait. "With the Flamel Family!"

The next slide show artwork of The Wanderer traveling on a dirt road alone. "The Wanderer, cursed with immortality and invincibility, continued his lone journey away from humans. And he would've continued to live in solitude if it wasn't for him stumbling upon Alchemists Nicholas and Pernelle Flamel during their travels to Sin."

The next work of art shows the young couple meeting a bewildered The Wanderer. Chibi-Luna narrates: "Nicholas and Pernelle were traveling to Sin to receive help in translating alchemical notes they had purchased from a traveler. It's a little unclear what happened, but it can be summarized from various theories that The Wanderer took a liking to the couple and helped them with their translations. It's sad the couple and The Wanderer became close as they traveled to Sin—so close that The Wanderer was the first to know that Pernelle was expecting a baby! But…"

The next work of art shows a horrifying abstract work of Nicholas sobbing over his bleeding out wife while The Wanderer looks on in fear.

"Tragedy struck the group," Chibi-Luna explains. "Sinnish soldiers had found Pernelle and were brutal in their attack on her since they saw she had the park of an Alchemist. She was beaten for not being able to turn metals into gold and, as a result, she and her baby were going to die."

The next work shows The Wanderer and Nicholas working together with various ingredients.

"It was then The Wanderer realized he had no choice. He had to use his knowledge to save Pernelle and her baby. So, he taught Nicholas the recipe for what would become the Philosopher's Stone, a miracle elixir. Nicholas had to give it to Pernelle mouth-to-mouth. And soon enough, much to Nicholas' shock, Pernelle became good as new and their baby was safe."

The next artwork showed Nicholas in shock and awe that his wife and child were safe and in his arms, but The Wanderer looked at them all in such worry and defeat.

"The Wanderer explained to the two Alchemists would had happened. That now, and forevermore, they would be immortal until The End and even if they were starved, ripped apart, or burned alive, they would still heal and come back to life. They were now cursed with his ability and so was their child. He warned them not to divulge the secret of the Philosopher's Stone to anyone else before leaving the couple, too distraught from what he had done."

Chibi-Luna shows the next slide of Nicholas, Pernelle, their baby, and their loving families. "But Nicholas and Pernelle considered their newfound immortality and ability what they had been searching for. The miracle elixir was only in fairy tales and for Dragons and Gods. For them to possess the miracle was a dream come true. And so, they ignored The Wanderer's warning to replicate the elixir. They wanted to experiment and share their abilities with their loved ones. They could make gold. They could live forever. Live was good…until it wasn't."

The disturbing work showed apoplectic people surrounding Nicholas, Pernelle, and their children. Fire and blood spewed around them as these people went through such a tear in sanity that it was hard to stomach.

"The elixir of life wasn't the blessing. It was a curse," Chibi-Luna says. "Rather than have eternal youth and astounding abilities, every person they gave the elixir to became insane. The elixir fed into their madness and, instead of giving them immortality, it quickly made them kill themselves in mass. The townspeople were devastated and fearful the Flamels were in league with Demons. So they were chased from their home and realized this was why The Wanderer warned them."

The next slide shows the Flamel Family, a little larger, but they were living in a mansion atop a hill and away from a village.

"It took some time until the Flamels could settle down again. Earth Land at the time had races who lived long lives and were generally accepted by humans. They faked being Vampires at the time and had the support of a coven and its Supreme to help get them back on their feet," Chibi-Luna tells. "And as they lived together, they realized a few things about their immortality. When a child was born into the Flamel family, they grew at the same rate as a normal person. But soon, their aging would stretch out until it officially stopped around their thirties. But it was only the children.

"The Flamel children did attempt to get their lovers to drink the elixir, but the result was always the same. The children would be immortal, but their parents outside of the Flamel family would die at the same rate. So, the Flamel family found workarounds to help prolong their beloved's lives, but the price was always steep and illegal in today's world."

The next photo montage shows the Flamel family throughout the ages, but the most recent one taken with a Camera Lacrima was of the frowning Adrian Flamel in his professor's robes for his university.

"That's Professor Flamel!" a student gasps.

Chibi-Luna nods and smiles. "Right! Professor Adrian Flamel is the last-born Flamel of the Current Era. His mother is a Flamel and his father is an Alchemist, but they never married. And, like his family, the professor is a walking Philosopher's Stone with the elixir actively part of his body." The next slide is black. "And that concludes the story of the Philosopher's Stone and also of our Fairy Lesson! And now a quick word from the author!"

---

Long ago, someone had mentioned they liked how I write the "Wild" within these new sentient magical creatures. I hope to show more of that. Animals and humans think very differently and, while Dragons were very powerful, they are still beasts.

In a very short extra of Ignia kidnapping Igneel (titled "Days in the Wild"), there are no words. Igneel's kidnapping happened at an age when he was still nonverbal and much more in touch with being a Dragon than human. Ignia started understanding his own father and why the mighty Igneel chose to raise Natsu as he spent time teaching his nephew the ways of a Dragon. It's adorable when Ignia panics when he can't find Igneel and it's a big learning curve moment when he has to calm down an overly stimulated Igneel.

If you would like to see that extra posted, let me know.

There are so many things I'm excited about for the future of this story. Look out for My Mistress Is Such a Cutie! in honor of Shikimori-san's Not Just a Cutie's anime adaptation. Silver sees all the ways his mistress can be so cool around everyone, but in his eyes, she's just such a cutie. And in turn, Ena's cute assistant can be much more fearsome than she thought.

I turned on review moderation due to an unfortunate reviewer. I will be turning off review moderation tentatively, but it will be turned on if strong language is used again.

Thanks for your support!

それでは、また次回

---

PINPON!

"That's the bell!" Chibi-Luna chirps. "See you in the next lesson!"