[ Eisenwald {2} ]
-L-H-
Reckless.
Insanity.
Exciting .
Those were the predominant feelings that rushed through Lucy as they raced in the Magic Four Wheeler, with Erza driving. Going at maximum speed over bumps and taking sharp turns as they raced over to the station that Eisenwald was last seen in, was frightening to say the least. Natsu was almost down for the count completely as he was jostled around violently, Lucy even had to resort to grabbing the handle inside of the vehicle as they flew down a hill.
She didn't even want to imagine how Gray was doing up top.
His screams were enough.
And yet, with her blonde hair flowing by as she sticks her head out the window and clenching the handle for dear life, she couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her in the midst of the ride. Full speed ahead, they were going, and it was so dangerous yet exilerating.
The adrenaline rush that was pumping into Lucy made her grin despite the circumstances.
It was fun.
Erza shouted, "We'll be there soon. I want everyone to be ready!"
Everyone agreed, excluding Natsu as they prepared to get ready to stop. Lucy's eyes narrowed once she realized that as they were making their way to town, there was a lack of people present. Not even people were walking idly down the street, and as she tried to focus her hearing, she realizes that she doesn't hear much either. A quick activation of her sensor causes her to snap her head towards the middle of the train station, feeling a large gathering of magical mana there.
They were at the right place, Lucy concluded as they grew closer to the station. She quickly began preparations as she reached for her keys, ready to summon a spirit if need be, only to realize that-
They weren't slowing down…?!
"ERZA!" Gray shouted as his eyes widened comically from on top of the wheeler, watching in increasingly rapid alarm as he realized along with Lucy that they weren't coming to a stop. Erza ignored him as she relentlessly drove forwards, already taking note that there weren't any civilains nearby. That meant that she'd be able to go straight to the source of the issue without any distractions.
Just as she liked it.
Kageyama stood in front of the train station, traveling back faster than them thanks to the use of his shadow magic. He stood in front of the steps arrogantly, watching as he suspected Salamander and his team were racing down towards them in the middle of the street. They were moving fast, he briefly thought as more henchmen came to support the welcome that Eisenwald had prepared for them.
He blinked in surprise as he watched as the four wheeler didn't seem to slow down for a moment, and he finally took a glance at the driver who's red head was whipping in the wind as she seemed to wear reflective material on her body while she accelerated the vehicle. Wait, red hair? Kageyama's eyes squinted as he realized that the "reflective material" was actually a suit of armour and-
"HOLY FUC- It's Titania! Everybody RUN! " Kageyama shouted desperately as the wheeler vaulted the steps, soaring through the air and over their bodies as he sunk into the shadows to escape. The car smacked through some unfortunate people as it crashed forcefully through the doors of the train station, before it smashed into a pillar and stopped working immediately. Dust settled in the train station as everybody groaned at the turn of events.
Lucy blinked with bleary eyes as she kicked the crushed door of the wheeler a couple times, before stumbling out with shaking legs. Happy was coughing as he collapsed dramatically on the ground, eyes spinning from a brief case of vertigo. Gray had flown off earlier, and crashed onto some ice that he had made in the nick of time, but Natsu was down for the foreseeable count as Lucy had to stagger back over and drag him out of the crashed vehicle, pulling his delirious body on the ground next to Happy.
Erza remained unscathed despite being at the front of the crash, much to Lucy's shock as she stood infront of the room, with eyes narrowed at Eisenwald who looked at the scene in disbelief.
Lucy didn't even blame them one second as she let out a weak cough.
"Happy, see if you can wake Natsu up," Lucy gently ordered as she slowly made her way to Erza's side, watching as Gray groaned and got up to make his way over as well. Erza gave her a quick side glance that Lucy matched, before quirking her lips in what looked like small approval before she turned her attention back towards Eisenwald.
"I'm assuming that you're Erigor?" Erza thundered.
"...that I am," Erigor confirmed as he shook off the rest of his shock at Team Haluna, Gray, and Erza's arrival. They knew that they were coming, but they weren't prepared for the abrupt entrance at all. Erigor's jaw clenched as he realized that they had unknowingly knocked out a considerable percentage of his force from their entrance alone. Fucking Fairytail guild bastards.
"I see," Erza continued without a hitch, "Then I am going to request that you hand over Lullaby right this instant." Lucy watched as Erigor's eyes widened at the sound of the name of the magical artifact, and his eyes snapped to the man that she suspected Natsu was fighting on the train earlier.
" Kageyama ," Erigor growled and Kageyama tensed a bit at the sound. He dutifully came over and stood in front of Erigor who only stared him down for a moment, before giving him a dark scowl. It happened too fast for Lucy's eyes to catch up, but one moment everyone was in a tense silence as they watched the Erigor and Kageyama exchange. The next, Kageyama's ear was on the floor as Erigor's scythe came down to cut it off, and Lucy slapped a hand over her mouth as she stifled a gasp of shock.
Erza didn't make any audible reactions, but Lucy could feel her body tense a bit in apprehension at the display of violence. How could he do that to his own teammate, Lucy's mind raced, but Gray was the one who answered her unspoken question as his dark eyes darkened, taking in the sight and then Lucy's state.
"Dark Guilds aren't like ours, Lucy. They aren't a family-they're all subordinates, with Erigor as their cursed ring leader."
Kageyama's stifled screams of pain as he clenched his side of his face had rubbed the Fairytail gang uncomfortably as Erza stepped up, with a tense expression on her face.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"There was only one rule. Don't let them see the fucking flute, and he failed , that. I make it a habit of punishing those who do wrong, just as yourself, right Titania?"
"We are not the same, Erigor." Erza scowled at what he tried to allude to. "It isn't justice to hurt one of your own for making a mistake. It's justice to punish those who try to do others active harm, like unsealing and using a sacred magical item."
Erigor shrugged casually as he snatched the flute from a subordinate, "Then it's shame that hundreds will die at the sound of the song from Lullaby. Sinners, all of them. How dare they revel in the riches and luxury of life as those without rights slave over their broken bodies to bring such wealth to them? You probably have no idea the realities of this world, do you?"
Erza stayed silent as she stared impassively at Erigor, who smirked defiantly at the lack of response. He thought he had won the argument, throwing the unfairness of the world in Titania's mighty face. Erigor doubted that Erza Scarlet could possibly know the horrors, considering her strength and her fame across Fiore. People like her don't understand, he assumed, as he boastfully stated that he was planning to broadcast the song through the system built into the town.
Gray stepped out and shouted curses at Erigor, getting into a stance as he prepared to unleash his ice magic. Natsu was up once more, jumping past his make-shift team as he slashed at a shadow claw that came from Kageyama by countering with a Fire Dragon Slayer's Iron Fist. Their magic repelled and canceled each other out as Natsu rebalanced himself, staying in front of them with a serious expression on his face.
But Lucy was too busy looking at Erza, who was standing tall but stiff, her eyes seemed glazed over. Just as Lucy was about to say something to get her to snap out of it, Erza was able to get a hold of herself subtly as she took in a deep breath and closed her eyes, before opening them again with a newfound determined expression on her face. Lucy stayed quiet during the entire exchange, before she decided to focus on the matter at hand as well.
She felt as if she had just intruded on something incredibly private, after all. Erza didn't know that she saw the entire moment, or maybe she did know but didn't want to acknowledge it. That was fine, Lucy thought as she placed a hand on her keys, they had bigger things to worry about right now anyways.
Erigor jumps on top of his scythe and begins to fly away as he shouts orders for the rest of Eisenwald to attack them. Erza was quick to counter with a shout of her own, ordering Gray and Natsu to follow that "reaper bastard" and they quickly shot off without a second of hesitation, leaving two other henchmen to follow their tail.
That left Lucy and Erza in the midst of the rest of the grunts, as the latter shone in a brief light before summoning a new suit of wonder, this time being full of spikes the color of obsidian with a large mace to match it's ferociousness. Lucy looked in pure wonder at the knight, as Erza quickly stood in front of Lucy in a protective manner.
"Luce," Erza spoke while glaring at the advancing group of enemies, "Are you an offensive mage?"
Some people's magic were well-suited for support roles, rather than being in the midst of the fight. There was more ways to be useful on the battlefield and it did not matter to Erza which role Lucy preferred to take, she will just accordingly. Because they were teammates now, and that's what Fairytail does. Protect each other and cover each other's weaknesses to the best of their abilities, even if they didn't know each other too well.
"It's Lucy, actually," Lucy chuckled as she cracked her neck before walking up to stand tall next to Erza, who looked at the her with curiosity in her eyes but also a small blush of embarrassment at getting her name wrong.
"Lucy?! But Natsu called you-"
"It's a just nickname he's assigned to me, but I don't blame you for thinking my name was Luce. He calls me that more than my real name to be honest."
"I-I'm going to teach him quite the lesson when this is all over," Erza stuttered, embarrassed that she had called Lucy such a nickname when they just met. That blasted fire breather moron, she internally cursed. He didn't even bother to correct her!
"I don't mind at all, Erza. Call me Lucy, call me Luce, it doesn't matter to me! But to answer your question earlier-," Lucy suddenly narrowed her eyes at the enemy before her as she grabbed a golden key from her belt, summoning Cancer who's gate opened as he slowly walked out with enlarged scissors, smaller ones spinning around his body as he stood calmly beside Lucy, staring down at his summoner's enemies.
"-Yes, I can be offensive if need be."
"You're a Celestial Spirit Mage?" Erza asked with small surprise, considering that Lucy's magic was a bit rarer than most. She could count on one hand how many celestial spirit mages she's met thus far in her life. Lucy nodded as she looked at Cancer, who flashed her a small, collected smile.
"Haven't seen you in a while Cancer, how are you? I really like your hair!"
Cancer's hair was down currently, out if his usual braided style. His dark hair took the appearance of locs with red dyed tips that was twisted together neatly. He gave her a bigger smile this time around, feeling pleased at the compliment. "It has been a while, Lucy. I'm doing well, but I'm sure you'll want to skip the pleasantries for another time, yes?"
"I'll be sure to let everyone out or to invite you guys for some tea at my apartment, real soon. For now, let's take care of these guys." Lucy nodded at her spirit, who immediately disappeared with insane speed as he immediately set off to work. She took her whip from her belt and cracked it on the ground, before turning to fling it at the first person that tried to stumble towards Erza.
Lucy planted her body down and twisted, throwing the person she had trapped in her whip across the room, causing them to smack into the wall before sliding down with a groan. Erza just blinked in small surprise, not expecting the strength that Lucy possessed. It seemed the celestial spirit mage was full of surprises, actually, and the red-head let out a rather pretty smile at Lucy.
"Lucy, the Celestial Spirit Mage. Let us work together smoothly today, yes?"
"Of course." Lucy confirmed as they set off to work immediately, with Erza showcasing her impressive strength and Lucy backing her up with keeping her blind side safe. Cancer was taking care of the rest as he slashed and twisted his blades through the enemy, whilst keeping an eye on his summoner just in case she overextended her position.
The women worked well together, as Erza took the lead with the reliable defense of Lucy and her spirit, Cancer. It didn't take long for the last one to remain as they took the rest of them out seamlessly. He took off running, and Erza quietly orders Happy and Lucy to go after him as she let out a tired groan, taking a moment to sit down by the run-down crashed car.
"Are you alright?" Lucy asked as Happy flew after the man immediately. Erza just gave her a small smile as she nodded, waving a hand dismissively.
"Quite, just a bit tired. Imbuing my mana to drive the Magic Four Wheeler took more energy than I thought."
Lucy was still a bit unsure about leaving her alone however, and was quick to shoot a wordless look at Cancer who nodded as he wiped off some excess blood and seathed his scissor blades. Protect and defend Erza, she had quietly stated with her eyes. Cancer walked over and took a seat near Erza, who was looking at the spirit in question before turning back to Lucy with a disgruntled look on her face.
"I said I was-"
"I heard what you said the first time, Erza," Lucy began firmly as she turned to make her way to where Happy flew off after the last survivor of the mini ordeal. "It would rub me the wrong way if I left you here in your moment of…rest, though. I'd feel much better if someone I trusted could help keep an eye out as you recover, before you head back into the fight."
Lucy was in no position to tell an S-Class mage what to do, she thinks. But being an S-Class mage didn't mean that you were suddenly invincible, and they deserved to have someone to at least watch their back for a moment before they handle business once more. Cancer will be there to watch her gain her bearings once more, and he'll be free to leave once that was done.
"Take care, and join us when you feel as if you've rested enough to handle business."
Erza watched, a bit stunned as she watched Lucy walk away with her head held high with confidence. She didn't tell her that she was being weak, Erza recalled as she watched the back of the celestial spirit mage get smaller and smaller. It was silence in the main entrance of the train station as Erza focused on recuperating while Cancer kept watch.
"...your mage is quite something. It has been a long time since someone has talked to me like that." ' And I listened. ' (which was left unspoken).
Cancer just gave Erza the ghost of a smirk as he spun a small pair of scissors and quietly replied, "I know."
-L-H-
In retrospect, it should've been obvious that Natsu and Gray were going to split up immediately despite orders to work together to chase after Erigor. Their personalities, their ideals, even their magic were polar opposites for the most part, and thus it rendered them unable to work together without someone else to be the buffer in between them.
Gray frowned as he started to hear a wind growing stronger around the train station as he searched for the broadcasting room. They had reached a split path, with Gray taking on side and Natsu taking the other. Why did a train station have so many rooms ? Gray was a bit peeved as he peaked in every room but achieved little success.
The wind was growing stronger, and Gray's face frowned even more at the news. The weather wasn't bad today at all, so was this the product of someone's magic? Why did it sound like a hurricane or a tornado was beginning to form?
In fact, Erigor seemed to know that they were coming…wasn't that a bit stran-
Gray knocked his head to the side upon pure instinct as two black cables whipped past him, smacking into to the wall with an audible crack that sent an adrenaline spark through him as he realized how close the attack had came. He felt the air crack, and Gray looked over his shoulder to stare at his opponent as he stood behind him with a scowl on his face.
Rayule, the person who attacked Gray, activated his magic without a second thought as the black bands on his body seemed to take form, dashing towards Gray who blocked them off with ice shards that he conjured. The two tangoed for a moment, with Gray making a hammer out of ice to slam into Rayule who got hit, but was able to cushion his fall with his magic to minize the damage.
Then Rayule did something that Gray didn't expect.
A rather weak attack that was easy to dodge, had Gray moved his body to the side to showcase the broadcasting equipment that was in the room. Gray blinked in mild confusion as he realized that he had finally found the broadcasting room, but why did the Eisenwald member just destroy the mechanism that they had planned to use? Unless…
"This was a set-up," Gray narrowed his eyes at Rayule who smirked at him.
"Damn right it was, and you fell for it like bees to honey."
Gray summoned his hammer once more, as he demanded answers. "Then what the hell are you bastards planning?"
If they weren't planning to play the death song in the town, then who was the real target? Was it their makeshift group? Erza? She was well-known for being powerful. If she was the target all along, they just handed her over to Erigor on a silver platter. Gray suddenly felt sick to his stomach as dread filled him at the thought.
"That's the question isn't it? One that you'll probably never find the answer too, as you're trapped here, thanks to Erigor's Wind outside."
Fuck, he really didn't imagine that sudden wind then.
"But since I'm feeling rather generous, I suppose I could fill you in. The target was never this dump of a village, it was Clover Town all along."
Clover Town? Gray's brow furrowed as his thoughts raced. What was in Clover Town and why was that familiar? Makarov tends to go there a lot for Guild Master meetings, but other than that. Wait.
Makarov.
"That's right," Rayule smiled at the sight of anger and realization on Gray's face at Eisenwald's true plan all along, "The Guild Master's meeting. Erigor is going to do the right thing and kill all of them, so that we can truly be free."
To bad he underestimated his opponent, as Gray's eyes grew cold and annoyed at Rayule's words. He stood still suddenly as Rayule's black marks shot at him, before Gray grabbed them and froze them, with created a trail of ice that made it's way towards Rayula who was surprised at the turn of events.
Rayule paused, and that was all Gray needed as he promptly ran forwards and grabbed his face as he dung his nails in to make sure he didn't lose his grip. Rayule let out a hissed breath at the feeling of Gray's nails digging into his skin as he tried to defend himself, only to see that the ice had finally reached his hands due to the nature of where his magic comes from and that it had imbolize his wrists.
Rayule's eyes widened in fear for the first time in their exchange as Gray stared at him with anger barely restrained in his eyes as he slowly froze his face.
"We're going to stop you, Eisenwald. You won't win , we won't allow it."
With a frozen, fearful Rayule left in place, Gray slammed the doors of the broadcasting room open as he ran down the hall, hoping to regroup with anyone so that he can share the news he had just received.
He didn't even care if it was Natsu, because this was suddenly worse than they could've imagined.
-L-H-
Cancer and Erza looked shocked at the sudden massive wind pillar that blocked their view from the outside, before looking at each other. Cancer raised a silent eyebrow, asking if Erza was well enough to get up. Without hesitation, Erza got to her feet as she stormed towards the broken entrance of the train station, with Cancer walking behind her at a more leisure pace.
He didn't know the criteria that Lucy had imagine when he said to look after Erza before he could leave. It hadn't been too long since they've parted ways, so he decided that he'll stay on the safe side and stick around just in case. The woman was strong and her spirit was impressive, Cancer looked at Titania with small interest.
It wasn't much of a hassle, for now.
They closer they walked to the wind pillar, the more resistant their steps were as they tried to make their way to the edge. With the strength of a rapid, tight tornado, Erza attempted to requip with some of her strongest suits of armor and force her way through the wind, only for a pair of arms to push her back. She staggered back with Cancer to catch her by the arm as he kept his eyes trained on the figure that suddenly stepped through the wind without any issues.
He seemed to be the cause of this then, Cancer concluded as Erza tensed up in anger at the sight of Erigor as he gloated in front of her.
"Having trouble, Titania?"
"What have you done , Erigor?"
Erigor shrugged. "Nothing yet, but I will do something soon. Just had to make sure I kept the security tight here before I leave, you know? Anyways, I'll see you around in the aftermath."
He wagged his fingers as he flew off, increasing the strength of the wind pillar before he left. Erza had almost pushed her way through after all, he noted. Erigor didn't want to take any chances for the S-Class mage to force her way through as she normally does, and to turn out victorious.
"Shit," Erza quietly cursed as she regained her composure and turned out with steel in her eyes, marching up the small steps of the entrance before she took a look at the lackeys that her and Lucy had defeated before moving on. Cancer walked behind her silently, although he had a small frown on his face at the turn of events.
Maybe he'll leave for a moment and make his way towards Lucy, to inform him of recent events.
"So who wants to tell me how to dispel this barrier, hmm?" Erza's voice carried in the silent room as those who remained conscious shivered. They looked at each other in slight fear and apprehension, before one of them spoke up with terror in his voice.
"W-We don't know Titania."
"What do you mean you don't know ? That's your boss, isn't it! You should know how he operates, or at least how to escape something of his own mechanism that he created. Does he not want back-up to protect him on his quest?"
"...I believe you're overestimating his kindness and leadership, Titania." Cancer replied calmly as he observed the state of Erigor's subordinates. The bare minimum of clothing, the tiredness in their bones. Erigor was a man that seemed to have created this group purely of selfish intentions. Or perhaps they all had the same goal, but Erigor didn't see comradery in them despite it. Regardless, "Or perhaps they knew that they would've been left behind in case things went south. The point is that they are not lying, and it'd be a waste of time to continue to interrogate them."
"How can you tell?" Erza asked Lucy's spirit, who seemed to hold more intelligence and combat skills than she originally thought. Maybe that is why his key was golden, as she remembered Lucy's summoning process.
"I am a Zodiac Celestial Spirit, Titania. It's something that we've always been able to do, determining spirits and such. If they are open enough, it isn't hard to determine if one is lying. These people are not."
Erza frowned at the news, but nodded that she understood Cancer. She crossed her arms as she ignored the rest of the men, thinking of making her way through the train station in order round up the rest of them.
"But…Kageyama.." Someone spoke up and Erza's attention snapped towards them.
"Kageyama? The one with the damaged ear?" Erza confirmed. They nodded and spoke up once more.
"I think he has the ability to dispel the barrier. I-I'm not completely sure though." They stuttered and Erza was quick to thank them for their services as she pondered over the new information. Before, these people had been her enemies. They still were, but they were no longer threats, and Erza wasn't interesting in treating beaten people like mere trash for being beaten. If they don't rise together to seek revenge, she was content in letting them lie.
And if they did, well she'll have to do what must be done to protect others.
But her job was finished with them right now, and she'll let the appropriate authorities take care and finish the rest of their justice.
It's people like Erigor that she's specifically after anyways, as she clenched a fist at the thought of the wind reaper.
"Erza." Gray's voice sounded through the entrance as he ran towards her. Erza's eyebrows rose at the sight of his anger, before asking him hurriedly,
"What happened?"
"This was a trap all along," He spatted out.
Gray recalled his fight and the information that he had as Erza's darkened at the news. The two sat in silence for a moment as they thought about how to proceed. Erza was the one who proposed their next plan of action, as she told him about Kageyama's potential for the wind blockage outside. Gray hummed as he agreed to help her hunt him down, but gave a quick look at Cancer who was leaning against the side of wall.
"Who's that?" Gray inquired lowly as Erza informed him that that was one of Lucy's spirits that she left by Erza's side with instructions to help her until she's strong enough. She then walked over towards Cancer who was looking down at her with an eyebrow raised, and she cleared her throat.
"Thank you for your assistance, but you may return to Lucy now."
Cancer's eyes flicked over to Gray and nodded, understanding that his job was done. Even if Erza wasn't 100% yet, she now had backup to support her which was what Lucy wanted in the first place. He disappeared in flecks of golden light as Gray looked on in small wonder.
"Wow…I didn't expect her to be a Celestial Spirit Mage."
"She had a pair of keys on her belt, next time use your eyes," Erza retorted with a snort, but Gray just rolled his eyes at the red-head as they walked deeper into the train station. The goal was Kageyama, as they focused on the task at hand.
To escape the wind prison, and save the guild masters in Clover Town from Erigor's planned massacre.
-L-H-
Natsu scowled as he rampaged across the station, splitting off with Gray seemed to have been the more boring move as he wandered. At least with the Stripper, he was able to be entertained somewhat. He pouted as he kicked some paper off to the side as he walked, wondering what Happy and Lucy were doing.
An instinct inside of him suddenly alerted him that he wasn't alone as he paused in the middle of the hallway, honing in onto his sense of smell and hearing to pinpoint any enemy. Natsu spins around with a flamed fist unexpectedly, knocking into Kageyama who was trying to sneak up on him from behind. He took the punch better than expected as he slashed a shadow claw to counter Natsu.
Natsu got slashed a little bit but ignored the brief pinch of pain as he dodged Kageyama's next attack, but missed his shadow moving to deliver a shadow punch to his stomach, knocking Natsu into the nearest room as he crashed onto a tower of empty boxes. It created a loud noise that echoed in the hallway as Natsu picked himself up quickly to spin kick towards Kageyama in a split second before picking him up and slamming his body back down, knocking the wind out of him with a strangled cough and gasp.
Kageyama coughed helplessly on the ground as Natsu towered over him, and footsteps signaled that more was coming on the way. Natsu's nose knew exactly who they were however, which is why he stepped slightly to the side as he made way for them to come inside to look down at an easily defeated Kageyama.
No one said a word for a moment as Erza tsked and glared at Kageyama, summoning a sword from her arsenal to point it at Kageyama's neck, where he laid on the ground. He looked down at the sword with wide eyes as he looked back up at Erza's stormy expression.
"You're going to tell me how the get out of this wind barrier Erigor placed."
It wasn't a question or a request. It was a command.
Kageyama gulped as the tip of the sword grazed his adam's apple, clearing his throat as he quietly asked if he could get up. After a tense moment, Erza allowed him to do so as he staggered onto his feet. He was on the verge of surrendering, complying with the mages demands when all of a sudden his eyes opened wide in disbelief.
They all looked at him in confusion as Kageyama's mouth opened and blood began to pool and drip out as they all took a step back in alarm. Kageyama gasped and clutched his stomach, where a knife was petruding from it, and Natsu let out a choked sound . They looked to see a figure stepping out of the wall, looking to retreat after accomplishing their job as the trio went into action.
"Fuck!" Gray cursed as he immediately caught Kageyama.
With a bellow from his mouth of outrage, Natsu practically flew towards the assulater and grabbed him roughly by the jacket as he yanked him out of the wall. Anger coursed through Natsu's veins at such an act between what should've been comrades, and he hissed at Karacka, the enemy.
"You goddamn coward ." Natsu began to punch him repeatedly as he growled at the man, before Erza yelled at him to stop and to help with stabalizing Kageyama. Natsu felt a sour taste in his mouth still, but complied as Karacka's slumped and bruised body fell from his grasp as he made his way over to Gray and Erza.
Gray ended up taking off his shirt and ripped it into pieces to use as a bandage to help stop the bleeding as Erza made Kageyama spit out the blood so that he didn't choke on it as he laid down. She had a feeling that he was going to surrender to them before he got stabbed, but in case he was thinking of taking a permanently silenced route, she wanted to make sure he was alive.
And after their best efforts, he was.
But he was unconscious thanks to the ordeal, and Gray was quick to punch the ground in a feat of anger as Erza let out a long sigh. Whether the goal was to kill Kageyama or not, they had succeeded to silence him which completed the task regardless. Natsu picked up Kageyama's body as they quickly decided to head back to the lobby of the station, only to see a frowning Lucy and Happy walking in at the same time.
Lucy's eyes brightened as she caught a glimpse of her team, "Hey guys! Do you find-"
She cut herself off with a gasp as she took in the sight of blood on Gray and Erza, and then snapped her head towards an unconscious man in Natsu's arms. She quickly made her way over as she softly ordered Natsu to set the body down as she took a look at the man, before looking at Natsu who was still fueled by irritation at the traitorious display.
"A stab wound," Lucy muttered to herself as she took note of a small feverish feeling that she felt the moment she touched his skin. The body's defense already activating to protect against being so exposed, but there isn't much to oversee considering how well he was patched up with what they had available. Gray and Erza were inspecting the wind pillar as Team Haluna dealt with Kageyama.
"What's wrong," Lucy quietly asked Natsu who scoffed as he looked away from Kageyama's unconscious form.
"Another member from Eisenwald was the one that stabbed him. Probably as a fail-safe measure to make sure we don't figure out a way to escape, I guess."
Lucy let out a harsh breath at the news, feeling a bit sad for Kageyama. His ear was already cut off by one, and then he was stabbed by another. Dark guilds really operate with no sense of morals, she thought as she shook her head. She was a bit surprise to see Natsu so affected by the ordeal, but for something who loves their comrades as strongly as he does, she supposes this was a low-blow to him, even for enemies.
"I just don't understand, Luce. Why the hell did he attack one of his own?"
"...it's not our job to understand. We're here to stop them from massacring people for no reason, and if that comes in the form of them attacking each other, then what are we to say? It's another bad guy stopped, isn't it?" Lucy said hesitantly. It was fucked up, it was a on the morbid side, but there was logic behind her words. This was just a weird case of the enemy of my enemy is an opportune ally, but not a friend. Natsu just shook his head in disappointment,
"It's about having some honor about it. There should've been another way."
Lucy didn't have anything to retort against that, so she didn't say anything as she got back up and walked over towards Gray and Erza who were growing frustrated by the minute as they figured out ways to escape the prison. Shards of ice were broken around her as she walked towards them, looking high up as she thought of ways herself.
The wind pillar seemed to go endlessly high, and her suspicions were confirmed once she asked Happy to fly up there, only to see the exceed struggle after a certain height. Quickly, she told him to come down and gave him a hug for helping her out as she crossed on leaving from above on her mental list.
So, they couldn't go above?
Lucy blinked as she suddenly looked at the ground.
But what about below?
If the wind pillar was creating a turbulence in the ground, then it would've made the ground beneath them very unstable from the force of the pillar. Yet she was standing on solid ground, which means that there was a chance.
Lucy could work with a chance and she's interested to see what her latest spirit has to offer for their current dilemma.
She took out her newest golden key and chanted, "Open the Gate of the Maiden, Virgo! "