Sorry guys for the wait. Coming back from America took a lot out of me. I'm still a little jet lagged. Wow... so again I apologize for the delay in this chapter. I hope you all can forgive me.
Anyway, we found out a little bit more about Kera and at the moment they're heading for another member! What will happen next? Stay tuned!
Rez: Glad you enjoy it!
Marty: I have so many ideas, but I can't put all of them in. Kera is still nice to Wendy which might be a good sign! There might still be some of the old Kera left. Now what will happen next? This is going to be good!
It has been a few hours since they decided to head for Bracka. The group was yet again silent. Kera was walking at the front of the group ignoring everyone. She was in her own little world as she kept on walking.
At the back Erza had pulled Wendy catching her attention. The little girl looked at her a little confused but started walking slower just like Erza. "Is… everything alright?"
Erza sighed slightly as she glanced at the brunette walking at the front. "You're still young Wendy, but… we all might need your help."
The little girl looked shocked. "Me?" She asked a little loud, but Erza quickly shushed her. "Try and keep your voice down."
Wendy slowly realized that she didn't want Kera to hear her and that this had something to do with her. She nodded her head slightly. "What can I do?"
The Requip mage wasn't sure about that quite yet. "I have a theory that Kera can be brought back, but only with your help. To us she's ruthless, but to you, she's still the old Kera. Maybe you can coax that out of her."
"But how?" She asked.
"That's what we still need to find out. I just need to know if you're ready to help us bring Kera back." She said looking down at the little girl. She was hoping that she'd agree because she was the only hope they had at the moment. Of course they still need to figure out more about this spell she used to fuse her soul with Crystol's but maybe Wendy can help before that, maybe to make her realized that she did change.
Wendy smiled and nodded her head strongly. "I'll do anything to help bring her back!" She said.
"Thanks Wendy." Erza smiled putting a hand on her shoulder.
Taking a deep breath she looked up ahead at Kera. "Let's just hope we still have time…"
"Gentlemen!" Lucretia shouted with glee as she stretched out her arms. She was standing at a table that was decorated with food and other delicious treats. Beside her Severina stood with a smile on her face as well.
Through the doors two men came walking in. One of them was a big bulky man who had somewhat of a military cut. He wore almost nothing, just a pair of camouflage jeans and two black straps that went down his muscular chest.
The other man had black hair that went up at the front. He wore a casual samurai outfit, instead of armor he was wearing a green overcoat and green sweatpants but you could feel the samurai aura coming from him. "Lady Lucretia." He spoke while giving her a nod as well as the other woman. "And Lady Severina."
Severina smirked as she crossed her arms. "So, men, why have you come to our little abode here? Hm?"
"Anything new Fernon?" Lucretia asked as she gave him a smirk.
The man smirked. "Unfortunately no, but we're here on different matters." He spoke.
The other man nodded crunching his knuckles. "We're here on business."
Lucretia smirked. "Very well, but please…" She said motioning to the table. "My men made a delicious meal for us. So please enjoy yourself while we talk business."
Domiel grinned as he saw the food. "Don't mind if we do!" The four sat down at the table and the men immediately got to dining. Lucretia motioned for one of her men and whispered something into his ear. He nodded and quickly left.
"So." Severina said taking a bite of meat. "What kind of business are we talking about?"
The bulky man swallowed down his giant piece of meat before turning to the ladies. "You know damn straight what! That damn of a Queen is killing our men and soldiers! She already killed Eldur and Draccus!"
Fernon nodded. "I know our relationship hasn't been the greatest especially with brainless over here." He said motioning to Domiel. "But we both agree that we should start working together on defeating this bitch." He said while moving his arm around which held a fork.
Lucretia hummed as she held a finger against her chin. "I see where you are going with this. She has been an annoyance. Severina's scouts have been killed and my spy has returned unsuccessful. We should work together. This way we might overpower the Queen."
In the meantime the man came back with a bottle of red wine. "As per request by the Lady we have some fine red wine to celebrate." He said pouring it into everyone's glasses. He bowed and quickly left.
Severina raised her glass. "Let us drink to this occasion. For once, the Keepers of the Lost Soul will work together."
The others took their glass as well and raised it into the air. "To the Keepers!" Lucretia shouted and everyone took a drink of the wine.
At least that's what they thought.
Both Lucretia and Severina stopped before they took their sip, the two boys not noticing this and simply drinking down the wine. They saw the glass down and grinned, oblivious to what just had happened.
"So, what will our plan be?" Domiel asked.
Lucretia smirked slightly. "I'm sorry, but our plans don't involve you at all."
Both Domiel and Fernon looked confused at her, that is until they both felt a pain in their stomach and chest. Fernon started coughing as he held his chest and leaned forward. He started coughing up blood and it spluttered all over the table.
Domiel gritted his teeth as he started gasping for air. "W-What… t-the… f-fu…"
Severina chuckled. "Didn't you hear Lady Lucretia? You boys aren't involved in our plans, thus not needed."
"Y-You b-bitch!" Domiel shouted blood spluttering out of his mouth. He as well as Fernon were trying to breathe but it was proving difficult. The pain was too much and before anyone knew it both men hit the table, not moving and their eyes drained of life.
Lucretia smirked. "Well… that was easier than I expected. It helps that these boys are such idiots."
Severina smiled as she leaned back. "It does. Oh by the way, my scouts have reported that our beloved Queen is headed for Zalus at the moment. With him gone we can finally move with our plan."
The black haired woman nodded, the smirk still plastered on her face. "Perfect, why not give them a surprise right away?"
"Oh you want to move out that quickly?" Severina chuckled slightly and Lucretia grinned evilly. "The sooner we deal with the Queen, the sooner we have the world."
"Is this the place?" Juvia asked looking up at the building they were standing in front of. Lucy looked at the map she was holding and nodded. "Should be, I mean… we're in the area and there's only one building here."
"Then let's get this over with." Kera growled as she stalked towards the building.
Erza sighed slightly. "Here we go again…" She muttered following the brunette. This time she knew what Kera was capable of. She'd just have to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't…
Slam!
She blinked as she hit something. Opening her eyes her eyes went wide as she felt an invisible wall in front of her. "What the…"
The others were also having difficulties of getting through. Natsu growled as he slammed his head against the invisible wall. "This is just like with Freed's barriers…"
"Guys…" Wendy spoke up. Everyone looked ahead and saw that Kera wasn't being held back. In fact she was standing on the other side. Kera was also slightly shocked. How was she able to pass through the barrier and they couldn't? Unless.
Kera growled her eyes narrowing down at the building. "This is a trap."
Erza slammed against the barrier gritting her teeth. "Kera listen to me, I know what you want to do. Don't, don't go in there alone when you clearly know it's a fucking trap!" She shouted.
The Dragon Slayer didn't move. She held her gaze at the building in front of her. "Kera!" Erza shouted again trying to catch her attention but the brunette was ignoring her completely.
Then she moved…
Towards the building.
"KERA!" Erza shouted slamming her fist against the barrier again, obviously furious right now. How the hell could she just leave on her own!?
And she knew it was a fucking trap!
She was pulled back by Natsu. "Calm down Erza! We just have to find a way to get in there. Lucy's already working on it." He said motioning to the blonde who was already working on the text.
Erza blinked. "How do you know what to do?" She asked calming down.
"Levy taught me a few tricks. Also the past year I kind of looked more into it." She explained looking at the writing that was in front of her. She moved some letters around only to sigh slightly. This was a difficult one. "This might take a little bit."
Erza sighed. "I guess it's better than nothing. Looks like we can't do anything anyway…" She looked towards the building and shook her head. How could Kera do this? If she didn't die in there she will kill the brunette herself.
"Hey Erza…" Wendy called catching the attention of the red head. Erza turned around and saw Wendy looking deep in thought. "I… actually remember something that Kera said when we found her… it might be important…"
Erza looked down at the girl waiting for her to speak.
Kera had left her friends and headed straight for the house all by herself. Why? There wasn't anything she could do to get them out. She knew nothing of runes and she didn't want to waste time on it.
Also if someone had set this up just to meet her, well… it would be rude of her to not visit them.
Her golden eyes looked up at the building and snorted. Just like Eldur and Draccus she will end this person's life. Luckily for her, this time there was no one going to stop her.
She walked up to the door, stopping for a moment. "So, you want to do this loud and destructive or some other creative way?" Crystol asked.
Kera smirked slightly. "This person clearly wants to meet me." Her eyes suddenly grew a darker shade of gold. "I definitely don't want to disappoint them."
Taking a step back her hand burst into flames, but for a moment the red flame showed a light gold color. Kera grinned. "Let's heat this place up." She thrust her hand forward and immediately the doors were blasted open, a high heat blasting through the house immediately.
She walked over the destroyed doors, her feet crunching on the splinters. Her head moved around the room and the brunette let out a snort. She didn't see anyone in the hall. "Looks like I don't get a greeting."
"Well it looks like you will have to make yourself known."
Kera chuckled. "Gladly." She spread her arms apart, a low rumble crossed through the entire house. The walls were shaking and everything inside was shaking. The brunette smirked. "I'm going to bring this house down."
Out of nowhere shackles shot straight towards her. The shackles latched onto her arms, pulling them down and apart. She grunted as she hit her knees, slightly surprised by this attack.
"What the…" She muttered but out of nowhere a sharp thorn like branch hit her in the back, right below her neck. She gasped out, arching her back as pain flared through her body.
"Kera! Talk to me! Are you okay?" Crystol shouted.
She wanted to talk but couldn't… whatever hit her back hit her nerves paralyzing her entire body.
"Well, well, well, looks like I caught something."
Kera's eyes snapped to the front where she could see a man walking straight towards her. He had a bob cut, his hair colored turquoise. He was wearing glasses and a dark blue coat. He was holding a pad in his hands as he walked towards her. "I'm actually surprised you fell for it." He said standing right in front of her.
Kera gritted her teeth. "Y-You… l-little… b-bastard."
He smirked as he started walking around her. "I've been collecting a lot of data on you. Kera from Fairy Tail. You're an Elemental Dragon Slayer also bearing the title Queen of Dragons. The daughter of the infamous Elemental Dragon Kayeleth."
The brunette tried to get out but couldn't move at all. The man chuckled. "No need to struggle. You won't get out. Using my magic on these shackles I was able to hit the area right below your neck that, if hit correctly, can paralyze your entire nervous system. Remarkable isn't it?"
He grabbed his pad and looked at it smiling. "I'm Zalus. I think you deserve to know the name of your enemy. I mean, I know so much about you that it's only fair." He stopped right in front of Kera again and smirked. "I mean… I literally know your entire story. From Ottoma straight to the Tartarus incident."
Kera's eyes snapped as she glared at him. "D-Don't y-you… dare… t-talk about… my past!"
Zalus chuckled as he took a step back. "Why not? I think it's remarkable. A normal person shouldn't have survived what you experienced. Torture from a young age until you escaped. You had a seal put on you and you were able to crack it. No normal human being could do that. My data also tells me that you actually died. Yet you still live. How is that possible?" He asked glancing at the brunette. "That's not normal."
Kera gritted her teeth. He was pushing her buttons and the problem was, he knew exactly where to hit her. Zalus went through his data pad again. "Survived being captured and tortured again, survived being stabbed by your own sister, owch that one has to hurt. Betrayed by your own family, well… even though she isn't literally family. By the way family… you learned something very important after Tartarus didn't you?"
Kera gritted her teeth. He didn't mean… no… he couldn't know… nobody knew except for her friends! Zalus smirked. "You're great grandfather. If that doesn't prove you're not human then I don't know what will."
Zalus lowered his pad and looked Kera in the eyes. "You're not human, you never were. You're just a monster."
Kera snapped. Her golden eyes flashed and she let out a terrifying roar. Zalus just grinned as he took a step back. "That's it! Just give me more proof that you aren't human! That you're a heartless monster! Nobody cares for you! Why else did your mother abandon you!? Why else did your sister stab you in the chest!? Why else did everyone abandon you when you needed them most!?" He shouted at her.
The brunette kept on letting out a roar. Her body was being surrounded by every element she could control. The shackles broke and immediately the brunette shot forward. Zalus grinned as he snapped his fingers. Runes appeared in front of him stopping the wizard in her tracks. The man smirked. "Just as I thought, you're not a human. Just look at yourself, you're just a raging beast… a monster."
Kera smashed her fist against the invisible wall that was separating herself from the man in front of her. Her eyes showed rage and fire. It was clear she wanted to kill the man in front of her. "I'll show you a monster." Kera sneered. "When I get my hands on you I will break every bone in your pathetic, worthless, little body. I will enjoy your screams when I hear them crack under pressure." She smashed her head against the wall. "After that I will rip your heart out and crush it right in front of your eyes as well as rip every other limb from your body. I will watch you bleed to death if it means you will die a horrible and painful death. If you want a monster… I'll give you a monster…"
Zalus smirked. "You already have. You don't have any humanity left inside of you. You've fallen too deep into the darkness and there's no coming back for you."
With another loud roar Kera smashed her flaming fist against the wall. Surprising Zalus the runes broke. He took a step back. "How… you shouldn't have been able to break the runes! They were specially made to stop you!"
Kera growled as she charged at him. Zalus quickly jumped out of the way missing a deadly attack from the brunette that would have definitely done some damage. How did he know? Well… maybe the giant crater where he was standing before told him.
The brunette turned around and glared at Zalus. There was absolutely nothing going through her mind, except for one thing.
Kill
"Kera calm down!" Crystol shouted but it seemed that she could do nothing to stop Kera.
The Dragon Queen smashed her fists together a bright light surrounding them. Thrusting them forward a giant beam of magic and light headed straight for Zalus.
The turquoise haired man jumped out of the way and swiftly moved behind Kera. "It seems I will have to take you down a different way." He hit a few spots on Kera's back making her slack down. She hit the ground with a thud and Zalus smirked moving his glasses back up. "Even a monster has its weak points and can be taken down."
His eyes went wide as he saw the girl move. One second later he was smashed against the wall a hand against his neck. He gasped. "H-How… i-impossible!"
Kera was standing right in front of him, her eyes showing nothing but death. She was breathing hard as if she couldn't wait to kill him. But he still couldn't believe that she was able to recover! He studied the human body and tested it out on his men. Hitting those areas shut down your nervous system. She shouldn't be standing!
That is…
She was really not a human.
His eyes narrowed as he gritted his teeth. "Y-You're a monster…"
Kera's hand tightened around his neck cutting off any air entering his body. "You pushed my buttons. You brought up memories that are painful to me. You done everything to irritate me and now you get your prize."
She got close to his face, her golden eyes burning into his soul. "You want a monster… now you got one."
Screams rang out through the building, nobody stopping the torture the man would have to suffer.
Outside the building a group of spies were sitting in several trees that were close to the building. They heard the screams and one of the spies raised their hands. "It's almost time, get ready. And remember…"
The spy turned around glaring at the others. "We do not fail Lady Lucretia."
The wizards were still trying to get through the runes. Lucy was working on it and was almost through. Everyone else was just waiting on her since they couldn't do anything else.
Natsu stood in the back, leaning against a tree his eyes closed and his arms draped over his chest.
His ears caught something and immediately he opened his eyes. Did he… did he hear screaming? It definitely wasn't a female voice. It sounded more like from a man.
"Natsu?" Gray asked sensing he was hearing something. "What's wrong?"
He held his hand to his ear so he could hear better. "I… I think I hear screaming."
Immediately Erza turned to him. "Screaming? What do you mean screaming?"
"It's not Kera." He told her quickly. "But… it's a man's voice… so there can only be one explanation."
Erza gritted her teeth. She knew exactly what he meant. She turned to Lucy her face showing urgency. "Lucy how far are you?"
"Almost through I only have to…" She stopped when suddenly the runes disappeared. Everyone looked confused. Juvia raised an eyebrow. "Did you do it?"
"No… this wasn't me…" She said slowly raising to her feet. If it wasn't her then why did the runes vanish suddenly?
"Shit…" Erza cursed before running straight towards the building. How could she let this happen!? Damn it… she knew something like this would happen again. This time the stupid runes blocked them off.
Now that they were gone they were able to head for the building. Erza just hoped they weren't too late. Yet seeing the runes suddenly disappear, they might already be…
What the hell was Kera doing?
Damn, Kera is raging at the moment. So what do you guys think? Any thoughts? Let me know what you guys think! I will try and update as soon as I can! And a few more reviews are appreciated!
Until next time!