The King stood before the court unfazed. He was not scared in the slightest bit. Erza was also brought to the court and was in chains. She looked haggard and was not even able to raise her face. She was made to stand alongside with him in the Royal court. The Court procedure had not started as Cardinal Lapointe, Prince Sting and Council of Elders had not arrived yet.
Utilizing the opportunity, she asked softly.
"What made you do this, Lord? Why did you surrender?"
He whispered in an equally low voice into her ears. "For you, Scarlet. Have you forgotten my oath? I will go through hell if it is for your sake."
She was shocked. "Does that mean that you didn't kill the Queen? But I saw you pulling the stake from her chest that night and thought that you did it not heeding my words as a pay back to Queen's actions. So I felt morally responsible for your actions and surrendered voluntarily."
He smiled. "I always knew that you wouldn't have done it as you are a light so bright that makes darkness run away from its path. But have no fear. These chains do not have the power to hold me long. When I accepted them, I had two missions – to free my allies from dungeon and to declare myself as a challenger to the throne."
"But Lord, didn't you tell me that a King cannot be a challenger and fight?" She asked anxiously.
"Yes, Milady. I won't fight, but my hands will. As I have told you before, I have already decided the person who would take up arms for me." He paused, looked down for a moment and then raised his face up. "Scarlet, go to Magnolia once you are freed and meet Igneel and give this." He slipped a ring into her hands. "Tell him that the time has come for retribution for what happened thirteen years back."
She nodded and then asked slowly. "Have you seen the killer? If so, why don't you tell his name aloud? Is it by any chance Mard Geer?"
"My….My …. Scarlet, you pick up pretty fast, don't you? But I won't spoil the fun by revealing every single bit to you as it would spoil the whole fun. Sit back, watch and enjoy the ride for the time being. I assure you that this dangerous game does have lots of twists and turns."
The Royal court became silent all of a sudden. All eyes were suddenly focused on the door through which Zeref had just arrived. He was wearing a black high-collared robe with golden border and a white toga was draped around his torso.
The crowd started whispering to each other and their faces highlighted their contemptuous attitude to the man who had just arrived.
"Why did he come now? Does he want to save his protégé or does he want to claim the throne as now it is vacant? Of course he might want to usurp the throne as it rightfully belongs to him. Jellal became the King only because he was his favorite protégé. Has he forgiven the Empire for the wrongs done to him?"
The questions that popped up were thus numerous. Zeref was aware of all this and hid a smile at the corner of his face. He went and stood before Jellal disregarding entirely the presence of the court.
"It's a pleasure to see you Jellal after such a long time. Did you forget entirely that you used to have a Master or did power lust corrupt you up to the point that you started disregarding relationships?"
"Master, it had been my long-term goal to measure up to you. When I think of it, I am now sure that I was fighting with my own shadow. And believe me, even now, it is like that. "Jellal said with a cold smirk.
"Jellal, are you even aware what you are talking of? There haven't been born a soul who could measure up to me. It is my charity that you are standing as the Ruler of the nation. Once I flick my finger in the opposite direction, your position is gone forever." Zeref said icily.
"Threatening me, Master? I don't care for being the Ruler at all. I'd be rather happy if I could find the root of all evil in this country and nail it down than being seated on the Golden throne." Jellal replied calmly.
Zeref brushed his hand along his hair and smirked. "Nail the root of evil? Don't you think you are a bit amateur for it? Or did you develop a God complex after sitting on the throne? If so, remember that you cannot change what you really are. The more you chain up the monster inside you, the more it tries to break free."
"I won't fret so much Master as the light which stays close to me has the power to dispel the darkness in me."
"What if that light is trapped in the black abyss within you thus never letting it out?"
"It won't get trapped Master as that light is reinforced by a ray created from the darkness to erase its existence."
"All the best with your fallacies and false notions. May heavens grant you success in your noble endeavor. But I am curious. How do you plan to measure up to me?" Zeref raised Jellal's chin with his finger.
"With the help of the light borne from you." Jellal replied nonchalantly.
Zeref was a bit shocked and twitched his brow. "How did you know that?"
Jellal smiled and tilted his head to one side. "You will know Master when the time comes. Just understand that the blood of my child won't go waste and it will indeed be avenged along with that of my wife."
Zeref suddenly turned back and marched out of the Royal Court.
Erza looked at Jellal's face and said. "I could neither make head or tail of it. What was it all about my Lord?"
Jellal grinned and said. "Guess that you are a few years too young to understand it. Fear not. You will know everything soon enough. "
Within ten minutes, all the members of the Royal Court arrived including Cardinal Lapointe, Council of Elders' head Crawford Seam, Council of Nobles head Org and the acting Prime Minister Lahar. Prince Sting was the last one to arrive. He came there along with Mard Geer who went and sat in the Guest Row. Sting occupied his usual seat in the court but his head was bent down and could not dare look into the eyes of his older brother.
Cardinal Lapointe stood up and asked. "Do you voluntarily accept the charge your majesty or did you have someone pressuring you to make the decision?"
The King had a slight smile on his face. "Why do you think that I had been pressurized? Levy is known to be one of my most loyal subordinates. She falsely claimed to be the eye witness to protect me. Isn't it Levy?" He lied smoothly and gazed coldly at Levy in rage.
Levy was feeling butterflies in her stomach and she started sweating profusely. She knew more than any others that she would not live another day once he is free as she had betrayed him coolly. Was it her ambition for power that made her betray him or loyalty for Sting as he had been her childhood friend? Her eyes were always stuck on the highest honor of the country - the seat of the Prime Minister. Though she was smarter than any other, she had never been offered one because of the empire's prejudice towards women. Jellal himself was pretty chauvinistic and she knew that he would never consider her for such a coveted position.
It was then the offer of Sting had come. She used to have a 'crush' for him since childhood. Ruling the country with him in a respectable position seemed more or less like a dream. So, when she got a chance for that, she did not hesitate. She also wanted to prove to Jellal that women are not to be under-estimated and they could be even more poisonous than men. She was ready to go to any extreme to prove that which included even sleeping and using Gajeel who never knew her plans and became a pawn in her grand schemes.
When did she become so twisted? She mused. Where did that old innocent smart girl vanish? Was it when she started lusting for power? She did not know for sure.
"You didn't answer me, Levy. Aren't I speaking the truth?" Jellal's strong voice awoke her from her reverie. She became thoughtful for a moment. What should she do now? It was her credibility that is now under threat. If she says that she really saw Erza striking down the Queen, then that means the King will be free and so will be her soul from her body. On the other hand, if she says the reverse, Scarlet will be free and he will be punished and her ambitions will also be fulfilled.
"Yes, my Lord. I wanted to protect you from the gallows." She acted as if she was shameful of her actions.
"Haven't you heard it, Honorable Jury? She just confessed her false testimony which means Lady Scarlet is innocent. So, isn't it better for the court to acquit her and pass judgment to the real offender?" He smiled inwardly for mind-raping Levy and making her saying the very words that he needed to free his beloved.
The Jury looked at one another and discussed the issue.
"The Jury hereby decides that the trial for the murder case will start on the day after the coronation. Levy Mcgarden is strictly warned not to play with the Judiciary anymore and she will publicly apologize for her false testimony. The court apologizes to Lady Scarlet for the inconvenience caused and exonerates her. The court postpones the hearing of the case to a day after coronation of the new King."
Soon the court was adjourned and the courtiers started leaving one by one. Sting was also about to leave.
"Where are you leaving, Sting? Why won't you meet your older brother face-to-face?" The baritone voice was more than enough to scare the hell out of Sting. "Longed for the throne so much? What made you think that if you have the support of someone stronger, you will be able to overpower me? Did it not occur to you that you are trying to make a fool of yourself by letting to be a pawn to the enemies?"
Sting laughed aloud like a maniac and went and stood before him staring at his eyes.
"Thank you, King Jellal Fernandez for proving me right. Right until now, I was having second thoughts about my decision to stand up for myself betraying my family. But the words that you've just uttered proved again how much you put the throne above relationships. No wonder even your 'loyal wife' betrayed you."
Jellal did not flinch by the rude remark.
"I feel sorry for you, Sting. If you were ambitious enough to long for the throne, you could have rather made yourself strong by honing your skills so that you can have a chance against me? You are not even an opponent worthy enough to get the thrill of this game. I'd rather face the one controlling you from shadows, aren't I right, old friend Mard Geer?"
Mard Geer was now standing near him staring at him with a smirk plastered on his face.
"Oh! Dear, did I get myself caught? As you see Jellal, the ball is now in my court. Let's see who is able to score the golden goal two days from now. I'm curious Jellal. You know my true strength. Yet you are ready to face me head-on? Why do you even think that you'll prevail?"
Jellal smiled back and said. "My goal is to reach someone far beyond your level to re-open those chapters which were forgotten thirteen years ago. So, isn't it quite natural to understand that I have to surpass you to reach that one?"
It was now the turn of Mard to laugh aloud. "Don't tell me that you've got the guts to face Acnologia, the be-header. You don't know him. He will remove your head from your neck even before you start your first move. Even your loyal dog Igneel Dragneel was a noob before him during his prime."
"If that is the case, then let be it. But start counting your days, Mard. Once I reclaim my throne back, we'll have our score settled and that is my promise."
Mard was excited more than ever. "And Jellal, do you know what the trophy will be? It will be none other than the Lady of war herself - Scarlet."
"Nay, Nay, Mard. You belittle the lady too much. She is not an object to be taken and kept under one's possession. For god damn sake, she is a living human and can make her own choice." Jellal's lips curled in amusement.
"Guards, take him away. He is just sprouting nonsense about escaping, taking part in challenge etc when virtually that is impossible. Introduce him to the wild creatures of Abyss which makes him learn his lesson." Sting thundered. He was rather annoyed at the conversation between Mard and Jellal as both of them totally ignored his presence.
"Monsieur Mard Geer, I think it is high time for us to return to our previous discussions which were postponed due to the sudden turn of events." He marched ahead with his bodyguards. Mard Geer waved at Jellal and followed suit as he didn't prefer to antagonize the young prince and spoil the whole game-plan which they had carefully laid out. But while going through the corridors, he saw a glimpse of the blonde soldier whom he had tasked to light the castle.
"Zancrow? Why is he back? Don't tell me that he had been sent as a spy by the Queen of Edolas, Kyouka." He thought inwardly and sent an eye-signal to Zancrow to follow him secretly.
The Abyss
Jellal stared on to the face of the young lady who stopped them at the gates of Abyss. Kagura Mikazuchi had worn her usual black and white attire, but her face was beaming with cold rage and determination.
"So your majesty has lost your entire honor and has become a pitiful existence. If you thought that killing my brother and your wife has made your route clear, then you are horribly mistaken. As long as I'm alive, I will not allow you to live peacefully. "Kagura raged aloud and her hands and legs were trembling due to her rage.
She unsheathed her sword and roared. "Guards, remove his chains and cuff and hand him over a sword. Make it quick."
The Guards looked at each other. "We cannot do it, your Ladyship. His Majesty is a Class 1 prisoner and a dangerous one at that. We were only able to put him in chains because he conceded to protect his ally. We don't know again whether he will concede or not as his ally is….."
"Cut the crap, dumb fools and release him or else I will cut every single one of you into pieces. I had been waiting for this moment since ages and I won't forgo it at any cost." She was shaking with fury.
Jellal bemusedly watched her; then he turned to the guards and said. "You don't need to open them. Just give me a sword and it is more than enough. I think that the Lady overestimates her too much to even think of lasting against me in a fair sword-fight."
Kagura was really offended at his words. "After everything that has transpired, your audacity and arrogance remain unchanged. Don't you even have an ounce of shame for your actions, Highness? As long as the love and commitment for my older brother sleeps within me, I will obliterate you with all my might."
"Lady Mikazuchi, if what you want is just revenge, you can have it in plentiful once I settle the scores with my enemies. At that time, I won't even resist and you can have it in your own chosen way. But before that, let me apologize before you for what I have done. I treaded into territories which a King shouldn't have and so deserves punishment. I promise you that I will not let myself enjoy the pleasures of life unless my wrongs are punished by the victims." Jellal said with a slight smile at the corner of his face.
Kagura got irritated at his words to the point that she threw a sword at him and sprung upon him. He caught the sword and dodged her with a hair's breadth.
"That was close", he said to himself. Kagura then showcased her highly skilled swordsmanship with which she aimed to cut him down. But Jellal was too strong for her. He dodged and parried her moves though he was many times slower than usual owing to the presence of cuffs and chains. Still he foresaw her every move and reacted in accordingly.
Within a few seconds of the start of fight, Kagura clearly understood how clearly she had been out-matched. "If he is this strong in chains and cuffs, then how strong will he be without them? I need more training to face him off. Guess that Erza was right at least in one aspect." She muttered inwardly. At that moment, she was pinned to the wall by him with his chains and was about to give her the final blow. She closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable. But nothing happened other than the loosening of the chain and cuffs around her neck. So, she opened her eyes slowly and was awe-struck at the sight she saw.
Someone looking like a savage had struck him from his blind-spot behind and was successful in wounding him fatally. He had tried to dodge owing to his quick inhumane reflexes, but the presence of the chains and cuffs restrained him. He turned back to see his assailant.
"Gajeel, what did you do?" He asked before collapsing to the ground.
"I never thought that I'd be successful with this poison coated sword, King. I had only to make sure that it hits you and makes contact with your blood for the poison to take its course."
"But Gajeel, Why?"
"For her sake. If you are not killed now, you will kill Levy as soon as you escape which is nothing more than a child's play to you. I had promised to protect her by any means even be it treachery." Gajeel laughed aloud like a maniac.
"Savage, what are you doing with my prey?" Kagura haughtily asked pointing her sword to his neck.
"Find a man yourself woman if you have so much spunk in you. He is my prey for the time being." Gajeel put the young sovereign on his shoulders and within a flash of a second, jumped on to a horse and made a quick escapade into the nearby forest.
The soldiers were shocked beyond belief and were in a daze when they were suddenly woken up by the command of Assistant Captain. "After them, folks. That savage has dared to touch his Majesty and has wounded him fatally. He should not live another day to tell tales. Catch him and reclaim his Majesty back."
The guards rushed after them in their horse-back leaving a trail of dust behind.
Kagura was about to follow them when she saw a shadow behind the trees. She readied her stance and roared.
"Whoever it is can come out. If what you wish is a decent battle, then I shall not disappoint you."
"Look at you talking like a big shot when you were on the verge to be obliterated. Thought that I will take your life silently as I'm widely known for my silent killing skills. Guess that I didn't live up to my reputation this time as I got excited in the battle which I just saw. We assassins always introduce ourselves before taking the head of someone so that the person can die in peace knowing who his/her killer is. So, let me introduce myself, Juvia Lockser, the torrent." She wiped her mouth with battle-lust.
"You are too talkative for an assassin, Lockser. Guess who set you off for this mission?" Kagura narrowed her eyes.
"That is none of your concern. So, let's start." The two women clashed at each other like wounded tigers not yielding an inch.
"Now, this is going to be interesting." Each muttered in their minds while readying their stances again to pounce and overwhelm their opponent.