This chapter's song is Island Pt 1 Dawn by Pendulum.
The day is not nearly as exciting as before, the Grand Magic Games over, a winner declared, and the frenzy over. Neloth is still cowering at the sight of me, so that's good. Among the people gathered, there are several awkward situations. Created, almost solely, by me.
Kurohebi and Flare, the only surviving representative members of Raven Tail, stand apart from everyone else, as Vidaldus greets the two of them, the guitar-wielding mage excited to start training the two of them and introduce them to the rest of the Family.
He came to me earlier this morning and asked for the opportunity of training Flare, who expressed interest in both him and our organization, if she could take care of the evil people instead of innocents. I made a decision to let her in.
We aren't as exclusive as we used to be.
The others, not moving to our side, as it seems to be designated, glare at them, Kurohebi in particular. His new armor clings to him in all the right spots, and I can think of at least seven people off the top of my head who will immediately appreciate it, in our Family. He's going to be…. groomed. And we're a Family. It's not like we would ever stand for something as unsavory as that in our halls. Anywhere else, if it's who they have to kill, as long as the job is done. (198)
Rogue, as well, stands somewhat apart from everyone, his gaze levelled on Nightshade. She is standing off to the side, her hands clasping the opposite arm, tension coming off her in waves. If anyone else looks that tense, it is most definitely Rogue. He's hesitating, I can tell. HIs Dragon instincts are building up to a war inside of him. One nudge should get him over here. But what nudge?
Sting walks over, accompanied by Dobengal. He starts to speak to his partner in Slaying, but the Shadow Dragon Slayer doesn't move his vision from Nightshade.
Unwisely, Sting starts to yell at the quiet man, frustrated at his muteness. Finally, the blonde looks where Rogue is, and gets in his face, yelling about how he can't bond to a murderer and monster like one of them. (199)
Just as unfortunately, Rogue snaps out of it to find Sting insulting his not yet bonded Mate (200). He growls out a warning, and Minerva, from the cluster of people who aren't joining and simply wish to go, shouts, "QUIT BEING AN IDIOT, YOU IDIOT!"
He didn't regard the warning, and Rogue, his Dragon instincts taking over, lashed out, grabbing Sting, not reacting quickly enough, and throwing him towards the rest of the people, as Dobengal shook his head at his guildmaster's stupidity.
Rogue then moved to Nightshade's side, his Dragon side happier. For some strange reason. He still kept his distance, as unbound Mates tend to do, but the two relaxed some, although I doubt that Nightshade knew why or that this was the original cause of her tension.
Everyone in the group of 'non-corrupt,' as they might say, looks shocked as hell that that just happened. Laxus, Natsu, Gajeel and Wendy, however, share understanding looks. The pull of a Mate is stronger than anything. Other persons that might be able to understand that are Cana and Gildarts, family. It's almost like that. Unconditional love. It's irreversible. Sometimes sadly.
Porlyusica is staying to service the Family here, under my jurisdiction. Neloth might not want to admit it, but he and Porlyusica are bonding. Mostly over their mutual hatred of people.
"Everyone here is free to leave as they see fit." I announce, which is true. There is nothing truly stopping any of these people, even my Family, from leaving. Which is at least slightly weird, though.
Hibiki, however, stands apart, considering his options. Morrigan is perched on the roof, basking in the sunlight, her pale flesh almost reflecting in its glow. He looks at her, and nods once. "I'll stay." he whispers, but the Dragon Slayers and I catch it. I smile and nod at him. His magic is fascinating, and this will give me the chance to study it further. Well, if he actually joins the Family. I would like to have him, but honestly, it would be better to ease him in. Morrigan can take him on jobs for now. Show him our 'noble' side.
Everyone, under my watchful eye, dares to do nothing else but clear their throat. I step down the stairs in front of the palace, and walk towards the group, which makes almost everyone take a giant step back. My power is fearful for them.
But I do not let it deter me. "Eve." I call into the middle of the crowd.
The smaller boy moves towards me, and I smile at his courage. "You have earned my respect with how well you stood up to your opponents. Take this."
I hand him a token of gratitude, a particularly unique sapphire that will send out a signal to any of my assassins in the area, do not harm him. This Snow Wizard has earned it.
"I wish you well, wherever your path may take you."
He looks astonished, and accepts it, looking at it in awe.
I fold his hands over it and whisper, leaning in, "May Arkay protect you."
Eve. The Snow Wizard from Blue Pegasus. He deserves much more respect in the world.
I hope he gets it.
One more group stands apart from the rest, but it is not because they are considering joining. Jellal is glaring at me, as is Meredy, and their rage is making literally everyone uncomfortable. Erza is dead because of me. I can only imagine their pain.
Well, I probably can, because I have lost countless Family members, but really, this makes it personal. This one death makes it terribly personal.
The other guilds disband from this meeting, going back to their normal lives, trying to rebuild, hopefully attract new members under the new government. Mine.
The breeze ruffles my skirt, which reaches down to my feet in the back but dramatically shortens in the front, ruffled and black as night. A corset interrupts the dress, white and red with black hooks keeping it in place. Rich maroon, just a tint away from the shade of blood, colors the c of my socks and sleeves, which ties together at the front, a ruffle hanging down and partially covering some of my chest. Red straps, from the corset, helps support it by making it a tank top. A spiky crown with pale blue spikes and a black base adorns my head. My wings stood out, fine in the breeze and barely moving. As much as I dislike standing in the sun, this is a necessary evil. Reporters everywhere are getting pictures of me giving personal farewells to the contestants of the Grand Magic Games. Of course, they'll include a tiny piece about how the great Titania Erza fell during the games, but it will be a side note. Footnote, really.
The remaining guilds are led away by Lucy and Laxus, the power couple effectively helping their comrades stand up via walking away.
At the end of the goodbye, the only ones left in the courtyard of the palace are Jellal, Meredy, Nightshade, Rogue, Vidaldus, Kurohebi, Flare, and myself. Flare, Kurohebi, and Vidaldus all take off to the train station after a courtesy goodbye, as I'd be checking up on their progress soon. I do that to all the new recruits.
Rogue and Nightshade walk into the palace together, and the reporters left with the defeated contestants. It's Crime Sorcerie and I alone in a rather private area.
Hmm. Perhaps they would like tea?
I smile at the pair, and wave my hand at them, indicating they should join me inside. With one look, they start to trudge in, albeit grudgingly. Even as a former Wizard Saint, Jellal would not wish to pit the two of them against me.
I bring up the rear, shepherding them into a quiet and beautifully adorned tea room. Once inside, servants scuttle about and start to brew the tea. I suppose I should have called ahead, but, oh well. Might be better this way.
"What would you like to speak to me about?" I ask them, lounging back in a red patterned chair over a cream background, the entire thing supported by gold arches. It's quite beautiful, but, not really my style. It is, however, nice to throw people off sometimes.
"You killed Erza." Jellal slams his fist into the couch armrest. I frown at him, already thinking about the damage he could have done. Rude.
"No, I did not. Well, not necessarily. Was I the one who struck her down in battle? No. Morrigan took her down, and she died from her injuries of the battle. So, while I was not the one harming her, you blame me because I orchestrated this entire thing, did I not?" I smile at the end of my sentence, calling them out on their reasoning.
Jellal's expression is hidden from me, but his stormy and cold demeanour radiate from him. His teeth start to grind together, and he finally snaps. Dramatically, he stands up, and shouts.
"YOU ARE THE REAL KILLER OF TITANIA ERZA! YOU ARE A MONSTER! THE WORST DEMON OF TARTARUS HOLDS NO CANDLE TO YOU! ZEREF HIMSELF WOULD QUAKE AT YOUR PRESENCE, YOU EVIL, MANIPULATIVE, BELITTLING TYRANT."
I calmly meet his eyes, and in bursts the servants, carrying a tea tray as well as a tier of pastries and snacks. He takes a step back, the help coming in and setting it down, pouring tea for all of us in quaint little cups. They're black and red, vines branching out in the red, accenting the black perfectly. The inside of the cup, however, is a slight gray, allowing for some sight to see your tea.
I smile at the wait staff, who bow out once they finish pouring it, ever so elegantly, if I do say so myself. The tea is a black, caffeinated tea, excellent for waking up in the morning if coffee is not present.
Jellal sits down, frustrated that he couldn't really yell anymore because of the timing of the interruption. I sip my tea soothingly, and resist the urge, however slight, to smack my lips. While it would undoubtedly creep my guests out, I do not very much care for it nor the rumors that might occur with it.
Fortunately, I have this situation handled. (201)
The two across from me fidget in their seats, carefully checking their tea. I raise an eyebrow at them. "What? You think I would sabotage my staff's fine work?"
They share a glance, and begrudgingly swallow some. My plan isn't actually to poison them. Well, not one of them, at least.
I have been hunting down Crime Sorcerie for ages. Jellal Fernandes has a price on his head and his soul must be sent to Sithis. The entire independent guild has sent a total of twelve of my Brothers and Sisters to jail, something that I do not take kindly to.
So, I'll indulge them in conversation this once. But in a few moments, they will pay for their crimes against my Family.
"What are you planning to do next?" Meredy asks, and I smile at her boldness. She has talent. Talent that I can use.
"Honestly? I have no idea. Other than improving relations with countries, which, is going to be easy because I am the new head of all of them, I'm not sure what else. I can assure you, however, it will be glorious. And quite helpful for all of us. For example, the Spriggan Twelve of the Alvarez Empire are already pledging their allegiance to me, and promise to help out wherever I wish. Be it controlling the populace or dispatching several people. All that power, at my disposal."
"Wasn't that empire headed by Zeref?" Jellal butts in.
"I'm not sure, and I don't really care. It is now under my control. This world is under my control. If you think for a moment that you can challenge me and somehow win, you will be severely disappointed." I smile sweetly at them.
"Drink up." I say cheerfully, and gulp my tea down before licking my lips. "Mmm…. Yummy."
The two don't really know how to react to this, and Jellal sets his cup down as Meredy drains hers.
"Let's get down to business." the blue haired mage states.
"I thought that was done?" Smirking, I set down my own cup as well. "Would you like more tea, Meredy?"
She shakes her head no and places her cup next to Jellal's, the action making the leftover tea move in the cup.
"We want vengeance for Erza's death."
"That's stupid." I mutter, unable and unwilling to stop myself.
"What?"
"If you think, for some strange reason, that I'm going to let you take down either one of my best Lieutenants or myself, you have another thing coming." I smile at the pair, leaning back and settling my back against the chair's own cloth covered back.
"We aren't asking for permission."
"I'm not saying you are. I'm saying you," I point at the two of them with one hand. "are stupid. No one in their right mind would actually do this. You don't go up to someone, allow them to panic, and possibly let them get away. So you're either going to die now, or, oh, wait, that's your only option."
I bring out two spells of Paralyze, expecting them to resist, but they do not.
"Funny thing about Paralysis. You can hear and see everything around you, but you can't do anything about it." I state, bringing out the syringe full of sloshing Unholy Vorpal Philter. "This little mixture is my puppet master deal. So much fun."
Moving to Meredy, I slide the needle point into her arm, pushing the plunger down. "Have fun, little birdie."
If she could, she'd undoubtedly gasp, and faint. She does only one of those, the spell wearing off as real unconsciousness takes her. I open her eyes and watch the darkness take over. She's mine now.
Jellal, whose attempting to struggle, judging by the grunts he's making, is shocked at this. "What-did-you-do?" he eeks out, eyes screwed up in concentration.
"Easy. She's mine now. And you will be dead soon enough." I kick the former Wizard Saint in the face, knocking him out cold with my boot.
"What a harvest." I giggle, before sending a message to my guards. In come two loyals, and they drag away both bodies to the dungeons. Jellal, to a cell in the depths, where only I and the loyals have access to, and Meredy to a secure holding cell, like the one with the journalist.
A fun day. I sit quietly and pour myself another cup of tea. It should not be wasted, this delicacy. A sandwich is nibbled on, and the wait staff come in, clearing it all away as soon as I've finished my sandwich and cup. "Excellent work. I am quite pleased with all of you."
I do not mention, however, that I am more pleased with my captures.
The dungeons underneath the palace are a convenient place to hide prisoners. Nothing else is quite as secure, not to mention as dark and dreary.
After 6 hours of staring at paperwork, though, it gives my eyes a break that I thank Sithis for. Nothing soothes overworked eyes like darkness. Anyway, it is time for me to break some people.
Well, one person in particular. I am looking forward to taking out this thorn in my side. Normally, I kill quickly, occasionally not so much, as a contract calls for it. However, when a person has put away several of our best operatives, I find myself in a position where I decide their fate.
But, no one, in my entire lifetime, has put away as many as Jellal. So, special jurisdiction is required.
I smile darkly as I step down to his cell, entering and leaving my crown at the doorway to enter. No need for blood to get on it.
My Dark Brotherhood robes are on, and I enjoy the familiar feeling of the cloth, still wearable after so long… Nothing like people.
I unroll a long leather pack, basically a series of pouches that keep together torture tools for my convenience. Picking up my favorite instrument, I flick my own finger along the edge of the blade, drawing it down slowly, relishing the pain. It draws blood, dark red, almost black.
If it can cut my skin, it can cut anything. There is no need to sharpen it.
Jellal is awake, having awoken from unconsciousness a few hours ago. The complete darkness surrounds him, except for the bright light shining directly on him, disorienting him.
With a flick of my wrists, the lights flood the room, darkness no longer present here. Jellal throws his blue haired head back, blinded by the sudden light.
"Hello again, Jellal." I speak, my face hidden beneath my raised hood. I'm still examining the precision tool. "Normally I would have someone else do this, but, well, you've put away far too many people of mine for me to not take this personally. Say goodbye to your sanity."
"I can take whatever you throw at me." he confidently says, his head coming to a normal angle.
I chuckle darkly, and turn to face him, but only halfway. He can clearly see the tools, as well as the knife I'm holding. "Of course you will. But I do so enjoy breaking people. Your resistance will just add to it."
I walk calmly over to him, his body suspended in air by chains, binding all four of his limbs to the ground or ceiling with magically binding chains. Nothing can break them. (202)
"We're going to have so much fun." I whisper to him, close, as I run the knife down the side of his cheek. "Are you sure you don't want to start pleading now?"
Jellal has, by my count, suffered 47 minor cuts, 12 major ones, one severed artery, numerous bruises, at least 18 broken bones, 3 busted joints, two concussions and 21 lashes from a chain whip. He won't die- the magic of the room won't allow it. It keeps the user in pain, but if they get seriously in danger of dying, it alerts a medic. And myself.
I am impressed he is still breathing, but it's only been half an hour. I haven't even started to use my fists yet.
"Do you want to know what's next, Jellal?" I ask gently, pulling his hair back, his head coming along with it.
He gasps in pain, blood trickling down his forehead and face.
"No? Aww, shucks. It's a good one." I chuckle, and firmly grasp his shoulder, wrenching it back and pulling it out of its joint. Dislocations are not pleasant.
"Let's see, what else can we break?"
I let out a small gasp when I realize. I can break his mind.
I knew this was going to be a good day.
I shut the lights off, and leave, packing up the equipment. He won't be going anywhere, even if he could escape. A console before the cell allows me to plug in a lacrima to power it, and show whatever I wish to the prisoner inside the cell. It works auditorily, as well. Let's set it to Erza Scarlet's voice, which is quite popular among people, and guilt tripping.
He'll be gone before morning.
I chuckle darkly before leaving the dungeons, changing into my normal robes and placing my crown on my head like normal. Because what is more normal than this?
Nightshade's POV
The dark halls that once beamed with light are silent. All around me, my Family glares through the darkness. My mother's voice echoes in my mind.
"...Touch him again, and you will perish…."
"Do not test me… I will destroy you…."
"Your safety is irrelevant to me and my plans….."
"... you are a disappointment….."
"This was the best you could do?"
"... how dare you call yourself my daughter…"
"Anyone can do better than that."
"You are not worthy."
"You are unworthy…."
"YOU ARE UNWORTHY."
In my head, laughter surrounds me, until it starts to seep into me, into my soul, as I can't stop it from penetrating, I can't stop it from coming in and i can't stop it from twisting me and hurting me and stabbing me through my heart and mind and soul and the pain oh sithis the pain
it only sharpens the betrayal it only makes me feel it more as i try and calm down and try and fail and try to breath through my lungs and through my magic and i can't control it anymore and this monster inside of me wants to break free and i can't feel like myself anymore because this
this PERSON in my mother's life is now more precious than me that she would kill me to keep him safe even though he abandoned her he abandoned us
but no she lets him back in and lets him into our circle and would die for him and cries for him and laughs with him and it's too much it's too much i can't take it i'll break i swear it by sithis i swear that i'll break if i have to give one second of my life to that freak that villain that devil and demon and i know i know i'll take him down and then i'll have my mommy again she'll be mine and i'll be hers and we are all the other needs and we'll be fine together as long as we're together we'll be fine we'll be fine forever
I smile as I come into the light and walk down the darkened hallway. All will be well.
198- On principle, though, I attempt to steer us away from those kinds of people. Nasty business. Had to kill several in our Family. Messy. Anyway, at all costs they are avoided, or killed. It's not okay to scar people like that for life.
199- Emphasis. Heavy. He spit it out like he couldn't even imagine such a thing exists.
200- Well, it looks like they might be Mates. However, Dragon Slayers do feel pulls towards people sometimes that are later… not as important as they might appear to be at first.
201- Well, hopefully.
202- I've been captured and bound in several of them. They require almost godly strength or magical energy, when forged normally, but with my skill, I doubt a god could break them.