Chapter 42: Choose Freedom!
The Fairy Tail Guild Hall:
Dreamer brushed a strand of white hair off of Macbeth's cheek. She leaned back with a smile when he opened his eyes at her touch.
They were in the guild infirmary, where she'd spent quite a deal of time not long ago. Macbeth was laying on the same bed that had housed her, while across from him, in another hospital bed, Sawyer—aka Racer—was still asleep. In the room also, were Wendy, Carla, Jezran, and little Syllestra.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
He sat up straight. "Fine," came the simple reply.
"Really?" She grinned at Wendy. "You're really amazing, you know? Poisoned and cured all in one night!"
Wendy put her hands up defensively, to deflect the compliment. "N-no, no! I-I hardly did anything! He already had an immunity to the poison so… all I did was speed up the process a little!"
"Oh child," Carla sighed and patted Wendy's hand. "Do learn to take a compliment, will you?"
Wendy blushed and twisted her hands awkwardly in her lap.
"Macbeth?" Syllest spoke now, halfway leaning on the bed opposite side of Dreamer. "Were you really going to run away?" Her pink eyes were narrowed. Accusing.
He looked at her, eyes slightly widened.
"Don't ask him questions right now, sweetie," Dreamer said, though the same question still rang in her own head. She still didn't know what Macbeth would choose in the end.
Sawyer stirred and began to sit up as well. He rubbed his eyes and adjusted to the sight before him. "If it isn't the traitor." He glared at Macbeth.
"Hey! Shut up, pointy!" Syllest threw a pillow at him. "Don't talk to my Macbeth like that!"
Jezran, Carla, Wendy, and Dreamer all chuckled. Macbeth gazed expressionlessly at Sawyer.
"Your Macbeth?" Sawyer gaped at her. He gave a halfhearted scoff and looked away. "You really are one of them now, aren't you?"
Macbeth stared evenly at him.
"Yes."
This one word elicited a gasp from Dreamer. She clutched her hands over her heart. Did this mean he really had chosen Fairy Tail?
Sawyer's lip trembled in a discouraged frown. "I guess I can't fault you for it," he said, to everyone's surprise. "I wouldn't want you and Cobra and Angel hating me if I finally got to run free…"
His words hung in the air for a moment.
"Sawyer," Macbeth said. "Tell me what you know about Resmond."
He shot his eyes at Macbeth, surprised at the bold change of subject. Jezran tensed.
"Who's Resmond?" Syllest asked, innocently.
"No one," Dreamer answered, quickly. She gave Macbeth a death glare. "It's grown up business. Business that doesn't need to be talked about in front of children." The glare intensified. Macbeth actually shrunk back slightly.
"I'm not a stupid kid, Mom!" she protested. Her little lips formed an adorable pout. "I'm a wizard too!"
"No, you're not." Dreamer started to raise her voice, but then swallowed hard when Macbeth's hand clutched hers.
"Erik," he said, simply, scanning her face.
"Oh, right." She nodded, successfully distracted. "He and… um, what's her—"
"Sorano."
"Right," she nodded. "He and Sorano are in the guild hall with Master. They were waiting for you two to wake up before we could discuss what happens next."
He released her hand and began to slide off the bed. "Sawyer. Come."
Wordlessly obedient, as if accustomed to receiving orders from the dual-haired mage, Sawyer got up as well, to follow Macbeth out of the room. Dreamer stepped quickly after them, and Syllest moved to follow. Jezran placed a wrinkled hand on her shoulder, stopping her.
"Let me go!" She pulled hard away from him. "I want to know what happens next, too!"
"Dear me, sweet child." He shook his head. "It is as your mother says, dear me. This is no place for a young one to—"
"That's not fair!" She stomped a foot in protest. "You guys keep leaving me out of everything! I'm not a baby! Macbeth is my friend too! I love him and I want to protect him just like you do!"
In the doorway, Macbeth paused, for the briefest of an instant, before walking out.
"Syllest, please…" Dreamer looked back at her with an exhausted sigh. "Just for tonight… Don't argue about this. Please."
Jezran squeezed the girl's shoulder. She glared at Dreamer and finally threw herself onto the hospital bed Macbeth had been laying on. She pulled a pillow over her head and screamed.
Dreamer watched her for only a moment before she followed Macbeth and Sawyer into the hall.
/
"Hit or stay?"
There was still quite a bit of activity in the guild hall, despite the hour. Piper sat at a table, cards out in front of him, dealing to a group of players including Cana and Sorano. The Oracion Seis member looked like she would rather be anywhere else than here, but since her ankles were tied tightly with rope, she wasn't really going anywhere.
"Stay…" she mumbled, casting her slanted eyes angrily away from him.
"Playing it safe, eh doll?" He winked at her. Her scowl only deepened.
Cana tapped her finger on the table for another card. "Hit me, Piper," she slurred.
"You's got it." He grinned. He placed a card down in front of her. "That's my girl! The risk is always worth the reward, ain't it?" He slid two chips to her.
"Wooo! That's right!" She took a long chug of beer and then stuck her tongue out at Sorano.
"Excuse me?" The tan-skinned wizard scowled in disgust at her.
"I'm playing to…" *hic* "…win, doll."
Piper raised an amused eyebrow. "You doin' okay, Cana? Lookin' a little more flushed than usual."
"Royally flushed!" She laughed out loud and nearly fell off the bench. "I'm great, babe. Let's keep playing!"
"Babe?" Piper laughed out loud and shrugged before continuing to deal. "Whatever you's say, doll."
/
Not far from the drunks, gamblers, and fugitive, a man and woman sat side by side on the edge of the stage. The man was tan-skinned, with spiky maroon hair and equally sharp ears. The woman was young, with short purple hair, plump cheeks, and a chubby form. Both of them looked to be in a daze, occasionally glancing at one another, sitting close enough for their arms to touch, but with a million miles in the space between them.
"So… We really grew up together?" she asked, quietly. Kinana was still trying to wrap her head around everything Erik had just told her. "And I was a snake that whole time?"
He gave a brisk nod. "Your name is Cubellios. We're… We were best friends."
She looked down, her eyes lingering on his hand beside her thigh. Outlining the strong shape of his fingers, his claws. Everything about him was familiar. Nostalgic. "I'm sorry, Erik…" She felt a tear slide down her cheek. "I don't remember…"
"Hey," he looked at her, "don't apologize." He reached up to cup her face in his hand, a thumb shooing away the stray tear. "I don't really care if you remember or not," he said, somewhat roughly. "All that matters is that I get to hear your voice again, Cubellios."
She blushed, his touch making her feel a strong wave of nostalgia. It was as if, in a distant life, she knew what it felt like to have her cheek stroked, head pat, wrapped around this man. But this was different.
"I'm not Cubellios," she said, in barely a whisper. "I'm Kinana. I don't even look like your snake friend. At least, not anymore…" She still had no idea what happened. Why she was a snake in the first place. Why she was in the tower of heaven. She understood now that somehow, she'd transformed into a human after she was separated from Erik at Nirvana. Then Master Makarov had found her and taken her in.
"I don't care," he reiterated, baring a fang. "I don't care if you go by Cubellios or Kinana, or if you look like a snake or you look like this. I can hear your voice again." Passion burned in his dark eyes. "That's all that matters to me. That's all that has ever mattered to me."
She couldn't hold a gaze that intense for long. She looked away awkwardly, but then rested her head against his arm. "I'm glad we're reunited, Erik," she said quietly. "Even if I don't remember everything. I think… I missed your voice too."
He was about to respond when figures emerged from a doorway to the right of them. The first to walk through was the tall, ever composed figure of Macbeth. He showed absolutely no signs of having suffered from Erik's poison, which brought a smirk to Erik's lips. As resilient as always, it seemed.
Sawyer came soon after, hands in his pockets. He was adjusting his goggles and frowning as if in defeat.
After him came the girl with pink eyes. The one whose name he'd heard repeated over and over in Macbeth's head. The girl who somehow, had changed the reflector-mage's inner voice.
Master Makarov saw them walk in, and jumped off the bar to meet them. He wasted no time in getting everyone's attention.
"Gather around," he climbed on a table and gestured at the benches. "We need to discuss the issues at hand at once."
Erik and Kinana slid off the stage and walked together to sit at the table. Piper collected and put away his cards before untying the ropes around Sorano's ankles and tugging her by the arm to a bench. Drunk and/or curious, Cana followed as well. Sawyer took a seat next to Erik, but Macbeth remained standing with Dreamer at his side.
"Ordinarily, as Master of Fairy Tail, a legal guild associated with and supervised by the Magic Council, it would be my responsibility to turn you in," Makarov immediately addressed the active members of Oracion Seis. "But…" he looked at Macbeth, "there are some extenuating circumstances here."
"You could always just turn 'em all in," Piper muttered, with a glance at Macbeth. His tone was more taunting than hateful, however.
Makarov folded his arms over his chest under the white cloak he wore. He regarded Macbeth with a hard expression.
"My boy," he started. "As far as I am concerned, you are my son. Regardless of the connections you have had in the past and regardless of your past choices. That being said…" He closed his eyes, the wrinkles weighing heavily on his brow. "I will not fault you if you choose to return to the family you knew before Fairy Tail. Even if you choose to leave us, you will always be a friend to this guild."
Macbeth's eyes were closed, posture rigid.
"That choice must be made now, Macbeth," Makarov continued. "After tonight, the Oracion Seis will not be welcome here in Magnolia. If you choose to join them, that will include you."
All eyes were on him. Dreamer resisted the urge to hold his hand, to beg him to stay. Instead, she clasped her hands in front of herself and prayed that he would choose Fairy Tail.
Finally, he opened his eyes. His gaze fell on Erik, who gave him a slight nod, having heard his thoughts.
"Erik, Sorano, Sawyer," he said. His black lips were a thin line, his expression unreadable. "Despite the hell we have endured, I've always relied on the bonds between us."
Sawyer looked away, a scowl painted underneath his pointed nose. He rubbed an eye. Sorano avoided Macbeth's piercing red eyes as well. Erik, however, continued to stare evenly at him.
Macbeth opened his arms, gloved hands open toward the ceiling. "When we formed the Oracion Seis under Brain, we sought two things." There was a strange power in his tone—a leadership instilled in him under the tutelage of his old "father." "We wanted freedom, and we wanted our prayers answered." The fingers on his right hand curled into a fist. "These desires kept us together."
There was a "thud" on the bench as Gajeel joined them, guitar in hand.
"Freedom…" Macbeth scoffed, bitterly. "I'm not even sure the concept exists in this world." His left hand dropped. His right moved to the fur scarf he wore. "But, as for our prayers…"
Gajeel strummed his acoustic guitar quietly, creating a background ambience to suit the mood.
"Brain's prayer was to conceal the power of Zero, and that prayer was shattered at Nirvana." He stroked the fur of the scarf, his expression remained firm. "Richard's prayer was to find his brother. That prayer was granted to him." His fingers traveled below the scarf, to the handmade, pink-diamond dream catcher he wore. "My prayer… was to find a quiet place where I could sleep in peace. I prayed for one night without nightmares—one sweet dream." His thumb traced the rim of the dream catcher. He looked at his old friends, one by one. "My prayer has been answered as well."
Sawyer, Sorano, and Erik all moved uncomfortably in their seats. There was something like fear reflected in the eyes of Sorano and Sawyer. Bitterness, envy, and fear that their prayers would not be answered. Erik, on the other hand, glanced at the girl sitting next to him.
"Fairy Tail answered my prayer," he continued. He glanced at Dreamer, giving her a slight smirk. "Who knows? I might find my freedom here, too."
"Doo bop~," Gajeel whispered in agreement, with a passionate strum of the guitar strings.
"So…" Cana leaned on the table, red cheeked and sluggish. "Are you staying or not?"
Macbeth met Makarov's eyes. "I'm staying."
Makarov nodded and beamed a mustached smile at him. Dreamer released a long breath. "Thank Mavis…" she whispered.
"Damn," Piper sighed. "That's too bad." But he winked at his roommate, who made a crude gesture with a gloved finger in response.
"Now that that's settled," Makarov said. "I believe there is still another issue to discuss."
"Resmond."
Sorano's head hung a little lower. Erik closed his eyes and leaned back.
"Sorry, Midnight," Erik said. "When the guy hired us, we had no idea he was out for your girl."
Dreamer's cheeks flushed. Piper's eyebrow twitched.
"We didn't know you had a girl," Sawyer interjected.
"HE DOESN'T!" Piper stood and slammed his palms on the table.
"Easy, tiger," Cana tugged him back down by the hair.
Erik smirked. "The point is, we didn't know he was playing us to get to you."
"What can you tell us?" Dreamer spoke quickly, taking a step toward the Oracion Seis members. "You're working for him? What does he want? What is he planning? Where is he?"
"Dreamer," Macbeth's voice pulled her back. He looked seriously at his old comrades.
"The truth is," Erik continued, nonchalantly. "We don't really know."
"How can you not know?!" She took another frantic step forward, moving as if she wanted to strangle him. Macbeth held her back by the collar and sighed.
"Hmph," Sorano watched with amused eyes. "That's right, Midnight. Keep your dog on her leash."
"Angel, stop," Sawyer said, gruffly. "There's no point. Let's just tell them what we know. We don't need to cause any more problems."
"Words of wisdom," Makarov nodded in approval.
"Look," Erik spoke again. "Resmond broke us out of prison and told us we were working for him. He promised us money, power, freedom, the usual."
"A place in his paradise," Sorano said, reverently.
"But we never went to his base and he was never clear about the details of his plan. He put us in charge of assassinating people who could be traced back to him. Like the smugglers responsible for transporting the diamonds he stole."
Macbeth and Piper shared a look.
Dreamer was shaking. Macbeth's fingers remained gripped around her collar.
"We do know what he's planning, though…" Sawyer said, quietly.
Sorano spoke up, puffing her chest out arrogantly. "He's going to destroy half of Earthland and rebuild a kingdom of diamonds—a heaven where angels roam freely."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Gajeel sat down his guitar.
"How does he plan on doing that?" Kinana asked, green eyes wide.
"He's got a weapon," Sawyer said. "We don't know what it is or how it works, but his shipments of diamonds have something to do with it."
"And he's keeping it somewhere in Iceberg," Erik added. "That's all we've got."
Dreamer clenched her fists and fought back tears. "What about Syllest? Why is he trying to take her?!"
The Oracion Seis members looked at one another. "Sorry," Erik shook his head. "We didn't know about you or the girl."
"Wait, can't you hear thoughts," Gajeel asked suddenly. "You mean to tell me that's all you know?"
Erik pinched his temple in irritation. "I hear everything," he snapped. "But…" he clenched his teeth.
"There are some things that can block out sound, restricting his ability to hear," Macbeth said. He knew because he could keep his thoughts from Erik using dark magic when necessary.
Erik scowled, as if frustrated by this secret weakness getting out. "Yeah… The guy was using something to block me out. So, you got it, steel-face. That's all I know."
The room was silent for a long moment.
"…He's powerful." Sawyer spoke up. "The magical energy around him… It rivals Zero's. No… It might even be stronger than that."
"It is," Sorano said with a slow nod. "It is the power of a king."
Dreamer put her head in her hands as images flashed through her mind. Yellow eyes, gleaming against a backdrop of black. Blood… Red streaked through long, cream hair. Pink eyes closed forever. A baby flailing on the floor, hungry, scared…
"Sorry," Erik said. He looked at Dreamer with sympathy. "We didn't know."
Makarov let out a slow sigh and stroked his mustache in thought. After a moment, he nodded. "This is more information on the man than even Jezran has been able to dig up in the past few weeks. Mark my words, Dreamer, we will find him and protect both you, and Syllestra."
Macbeth tugged her back by the collar and made her sit on a bench, where she continued to sob into her hands.
"Dreamy…" Piper got up and joined her. He threw an arm around her shoulder and let her cry against him. No one protested. Macbeth remained standing, expressionless and still.
"Very well…" Makarov sighed again. "It seems we've covered everything. Oracion Seis, you are free to leave. Keep in mind, however, that you are still an enemy to Fairy Tail. You are not welcome to return as you wish."
Kinana instinctively grabbed Erik's hand. She stared at him, wide-eyed, afraid. He smirked.
"Why don't you two go on without me?" He looked at Sorano and Sawyer, who were standing up.
"Are you serious?" Sorano gaped at him.
"Don't tell me you don't recognize Cubellios," he said, sporting a fang toothed grin.
Sawyer folded his arms and Sorano narrowed her eyes at the purple-haired girl. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Looks like my prayer's been answered too." He put an arm around Kinana's shoulder. She blushed and looked apologetically at Sorano.
"So, what?" Angel put her hands on her hips. "You're joining Fairy Tail now, too?"
Erik shrugged and looked at Makarov. "Any objections, old man?"
Makarov's eyebrow twitched. He sighed. "I can't say I didn't see this coming." He looked at Macbeth, then Kinana, then Erik. "Fine. But, like Macbeth, you will start out as an employee, not a member. Kinana will be in charge of giving you tasks to do around the guild."
"Fine by me," Erik said, contentedly. He squeezed Kinana's shoulder and she gulped, clearly not expecting this turn of events.
"And there will be absolutely no fighting with Natsu, do you understand?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot that fire-breather is a member too," he laughed.
A boot suddenly landed hard on the bench next to Erik, splintering wood. It was Gajeel, leaning to get in Erik's face, eyes narrowed threateningly. "Hey, bacteria-brains," he growled, "if you're really joinin' the guild, there's one thing you need to know?"
Erik raised an eyebrow, hearing Gajeel's words before he said them. "You're Beth's best friend now, huh?"
"Damn right," Gajeel bared his teeth. "I don't care if you grew up together, I'm his best pal now! And if you ever pull him away from band practice, I'll break your face in, got it?"
"You're in a band, huh?" Erik smirked. "I can play a few instruments."
Gajeel crossed his muscular arms over his chest and glared at Erik, sparks flying between them. "…Fine." He slammed a fist on the table, making Kinana jump. "You can try out for the band, but Beth's still mine!"
"Wait, I thought Midnight was with the pink-eyed girl?" Sawyer whispered to Sorano.
"Maybe he swings both ways," she said with a noncommittal shrug.
"Maybe it's a three person, polyamorous thing?"
"Who cares?"
Makarov cleared his throat. "Sawyer, Sorano. I don't suppose we'll be getting out the guild stamp for you, too?"
Sorano straightened up and lifted her chin in a dignified manner. "No."
"This isn't the place for us." Sawyer shook his head.
Macbeth walked over to them. He stood in front of the two of them for a long moment. "Will you return to Resmond?"
The remaining two members of Oracion Seis looked at one another. "Look, Midnight… Macbeth." Sawyer cleared his throat. "We don't want to fight you."
"But he promised to make our prayers come true," Sorano said quietly.
They shared a long, hard look. Macbeth nodded finally. "Choose freedom."
Sorano suddenly threw her arms around his neck once more. Sawyer hugged him as well. "I'm glad you're happy, Macbeth…" Sorano whispered.
"You choose freedom, too, okay?" Sawyer patted his back.
"I have," Macbeth said.
They pulled apart from one another. Without another word, and with tears glimmering in her eyes, Sorano turned and began to stride away. Sawyer paused to nod at Erik, who waved. And after that, they left. Members of Fairy Tail parted to let the last remaining members of Oracion Seis walk freely out of the guild hall.
"What a night," Makarov groaned and got off the table. He clasped Macbeth's hand in his. "I'm proud of you, my boy." He let him go before the surprised wizard could respond, and then walked toward his office. "Get some sleep, you rascals!"
"What?!" Cana stood up and raised a glass. "No way! It's time to parrrttyyy!"
Piper rubbed Dreamer's arm until she was calmer. "It's like Master says, Dreamy. We'll find Res, alright? Everything's cool. 'Sides, Mac is stickin' around. Ain't that what you's wanted?"
She wiped her eyes and sniffled before looking up. Unsurprisingly, she caught Macbeth staring at her. He showed no emotion, but his eyes were vortexes of blood, luring her in, capturing her. She nodded slowly. "Y-you're right." She squeezed Piper's hand and smiled at him. "Tonight's a night to celebrate, not worry."
"That's right." He smiled warmly at her and tucked a strand of cream hair behind her ear. His emerald eyes glimmered with gentle care and warmth, like the leaves of the forest on a sunny day. "So, let's celebrate."
She let him help her to her feet.
"Hey! Gajeel! Go wake up the boys and tell 'em it's party night!" Piper cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted.
"You got it!" Gajeel booked it toward the boy's dormitory.
"Kina, go get the girls!"
"B-but… It's like three AM…"
"Best time to partaaayyyy!" Cana spun in a circle.
"Dreamy, go get Pops and Syllest and MJ! Nobody's sleepin' tonight!"
/
Fairy Tail cheer soon took over the mood of the room. Dreamer tried to clear her head of the news of Resmond, just for tonight. She walked to Macbeth and smiled at him. "I'm glad you're staying."
He smirked. "What would I do without my own personal dream to torment?" He poked her cheek. "I'd die of boredom out there."
"I thought you were tired of me," she said, smirking right back. "You mentioned something about… Lucy making a better plaything?"
"Did that upset you, Dream?" He drew his face closer to hers. "Were you jealous?"
She gulped, a shiver going down her spine. "W-Wha, no! No! I know you were just being a jerk."
He chuckled under his breath. "It's too easy to get a reaction out of you." He pulled his face away. "And also amusing."
"So… You're not bored with me?"
He didn't answer. He turned and walked toward the bar, coat and scarf fluttering behind him.
"Wait! Where are you going?!"
"To get beer. We are celebrating aren't we?"
/
And so, a strange and tense night turned into a night of celebration—with Fairy Tail joined by a new ex-member of the Oracion Seis.