Hello! How are you all? I bet you guys are confused thinking 'She's updating a week early? What the hell?'. Well, I did say that I'm in my holidays right now and seriously bored out of my mind. Hence, the early update. I might be doing this quite a few times, updating every week or something so watch out for it all! Now, enough of my babble, this chapter is going to be AMAZING!
PS: You guys are probably going to be mad at me for the ending since it's going to be great and where I'm going to leave it is going to make you mad :D Oh, I'm sorry! I have too!
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Fairy Tail but Scarlet Destiny is all mine :D
He was going to die. He was sure of it.
Happy's gaze slid frantically between the two S-class mages that were walking along side him, crowding his space. He wasn't actually sure which one was more scary. Zolo was more of the murderous type of guy that would give you a heart attack, and then you had Erza who could literally kill you with a single glare. In other words, Happy was doomed.
Happy was sure he was sweating from every pore on his fur body. How could he not be? The two S-class mages were frequently glaring at each other and one of Zolo's hand was leaning against his sword. Ready to attack. Happy was directly in the middle of that.
"Cat, your leaking." Zolo spoke aloud with a grin etched into his face as he looked down at the flying cat beside him.
There were large sweat drops running down his body due to his fear.
"It's sweat." Happy's reply was instant.
Zolo only laughed loudly in return, head thrown back carelessly.
The three of them were walking down a hallway for quite some time. Nothing big had happened. Happy really wanted to run into Ren, Lucy or Natsu but it looked like that wasn't going to happen any time soon. Or at all at the rate they were going on.
"Happy, do not worry. Like, I said before, I will protect you." Erza interrupted as she too looked down at the blue cat.
Happy just sweat dropped in return. Sure, Erza would protect him but at the same time, she would also endanger his life at the same time.
"Aye, Sir..." Happy lamely replied back.
Silence. The only sound was from Erza and Zolo's shoes as they scruff against the red carpet floor. Happy wondered how the rest of the groups were doing. He hoped no one was in trouble or in danger. He knew most people in his guild could take care of themselves but they still had no idea who and what their enemies were capable of.
"So, you have mind magic?" Erza voice rang through the area, efficiently cutting off the silence.
Zolo landed his gaze on Erza before replying,
"Yeah I do, so what of it?"
"I haven't actually heard of strong mind magic like the one that you described before."
"That's because it's a dying magic. A few mere steps away from being Lost Magic actually. So far, I have come across five people with the same mind magic capability as mine. Two of those five are actually dead, passed away quite recently. The other two are travellers and are currently not in Fiore. The fifth is the most recent and the bastard that is currently manipulating yours and the rest of Fairy Tail minds." Zolo explained.
The expression on Erza's face at the ending of Zolo's sentence could be only described as venomous. Her brown eyes darkened and her lips settled into a thin line. She was one of those type of people who took account of every possibility, every angle that could happen. If it was true, if Fairy Tail was getting manipulated, she would make sure the person doing the deed would not survive her wrath.
"Is there any way to defend our minds from getting manipulated?" Erza asked curiously, hoping for a way of a defence.
Zolo whistled low at her question before replying,
"No there is no way that you can defend your mind. Only another mind user can protect other people's from being manipulated. In other words, I can protect your mind from getting manipulated any further. However, the bastard that's been manipulating your mind has been for some time. He's had an advantage in your mind then I have. That means it would take me a long time for me to clear your minds. Hence, your minds still belong to the bastard." Zolo explained.
The only tell-tale sign that what Zolo had said had effected Erza was the slight grit as her teeth clashed together. She didn't like the feeling of someone messing up with her mind. What's worse was the she couldn't even defend herself. For once, she was actually defenceless to someone's magic.
Zolo on the other hand realized that he had actually lied somewhat to Erza. No, there was another way to defend against mind magic. However, that power only belonged to his master, Jared. The young boy's phasing power allowed him to go through any attack, physical and mental as well.
Zolo remembered very well the first time he fought against Jared. How he had laughed out loud when Jared had challenged him to fight. How shocked he had been when his sword failed to make a mark. How furious he had been when he realized his mind magic wouldn't work on Jared. And finally, how utterly displeasure and despair he felt when he had lost to Jared, a boy few years younger than him.
It wasn't like he was going to tell any of this to Erza. Zolo would rather not talk about that fight. He respected Jared. A big part of that respect had been because of the guys power. Zolo only gave respect to those that deserved it. Jared earned it and that's why he was obedient and joined the boys guild at the beginning. At first, Zolo was positive he wouldn't fit into Scarlet Destiny mould. But after a while, that thought was banished from his mind. Even though, nearly all the members of his guild feared him they also relied on him. Zolo thought that it was way better than what he was in the past. He hated to admit it, but the guild had changed him.
"We should have another spar against each other soon. It was such a shame we didn't get to finish the first one." Zolo spoke up, interrupting his own sappy thoughts.
At this, Erza rolled her eyes and Happy sweat dropped.
"Didn't Jared warn you not to fight Erza?" Happy couldn't help but ask.
Zolo's grin was the definition of maniacal.
"What Jared doesn't know wont hurt him."
Happy could do nothing but sweat drop again. Yup, definitely a psycho. Erza on the other gazed curiously at Zolo, wondering why he wanted to spar against her so badly the first time. Her eyes dropped to Zolo's sword and where his hand had rested. The memory of Zolo's anger when she criticized his swords fluttered through her mind. He cared about those swords a lot, Erza knew this very well.
"Those swords...Akki and Kazuki, right? You said they have a mind of their own. How is that possible?" Erza asked strongly, her gaze meeting head on Zolo's.
Zolo didn't reply straight away, he just raised a single brow curiously at her.
"And, why ask this so suddenly?" Zolo replied.
"They mean a lot to you. They are your most precious property, are they not? You seem to always have a hand on them, as if you are worried that they would be gone if you don't." Erza replied with a shrug.
"I don't worry." Zolo deadpanned, his voice firm.
There was a moment of silence before he carried on,
"Akki and Kazuki have a mind of their own and I have no way of explaining why. They just do. But, why I keep them close if because both of the swords are a part of me. They only reveal their true power to the users they think are worthy to wield them. Akki and Kazuki both chose me as their owner. They reacted to my magic and felt me worthy of them. They are mine as much as I am theirs. Nothing more than that."
Erza's eyes widened just the slightest.
"You've had your swords for a long time, Aye?" Happy questioned, interested in the conversation.
A chance to learn about mysterious and murderous Zolo? Who wouldn't take that chance?
"As if! Yes, I have had Akki for a long time. Ever since I was a child, when I went on my first...No matter, I found Akki and he bonded to me. Kazuki on the other hand was a present given to me. Jared was the one to give it when I first entered Scarlet Destiny. This was only a few years back. Akki and Kazuki are twin swords but were separated. However, I brought them back together."
Erza nodded her head in understanding. This was all very new to her yet she drank it up like a thirsty man. Even though she owned so many different swords and other weapons, she still felt somewhat connected to each of them. A weapon was just as good as its owner, after all. So, each of the weapons she used were the best to fit her needs. The same went for her armors.
"I'm actually surprised you haven't recognised who I am yet, Titania. Although, I use to go by a different title back in my past, I was sure you would be able to recognise me still. Most sword users still do." Zolo announced out loud, his heavy gaze never straying from Erza.
Erza frowned slightly by his words. Who Zolo used to be? She racked her brain for the answer. It was obvious he was a skilled swordsman so of course he must be known in that world. But, she really couldn't put his name to any of the top sword wielder she knew.
She trailed her eyes up and down Zolo trying to think about what he said carefully. Characteristic were usually used when making up title for someone. Zolo had light green hair similar to seaweed, melted brown eyes, strong jaw, slightly crooked nose...two swords...Click!
Erza stopped short, jolting to a sudden stop. Her back went ridged and stilled to that of a statue. Her eyes ere wide in shock and her hands hanged limply at the side of her body. Her jaw slacked slightly and she couldn't help but stare at Zolo who was a few spaces in front of her, a shit-eating grin on his face.
Shit!
Happy flung his gaze between Zolo and Erza, extremely confused. This was the first time he has ever seen Erza so shocked ever. He had no idea even why. Did Erza recognise Zolo from somewhere? Or discovered who he was? Why was she gaping so unlike her like that?
"Finally go it, huh, Titania?" Zolo teased, a single brow raised.
"Y-You!...Y-Your-" Erza sputtered but she couldn't actually get a single out of her mouth.
He was...Oh god!
"No need to fear, Titania, I am not who I was. I will not hurt you. I swear it upon my swords." Zolo announced out loud.
"I'm not scared," Erza snapped back, her initial shocked dwindling down "I was just surprised...Most people think your dead. After all, you and that title of yours disappeared so suddenly. You know the title you had is not a pleasant one? I would be doing the world a favour if I was to kill you here and now."
Zolo nodded his head not disagreeing,
"You are right, Titania. I am not pleased with who I was in the past...I have too many enemies to count, each wanting to see me buried or burned. Too bad to disappoint them, but I have no intention to leave the world so soon." Zolo retorted.
Erza raised a single eyebrow at what he had said but didn't speak back. Happy was still staring at the two of them, face crumpled in confusion. He didn't understand any of what they were talking about. All he got was that Erza knew who Zolo was...But, that was impossible right?
"What was the real reason you decided to spar me against your masters wishes?" Erza whispered.
"I needed to know if your magic was intact. Sometimes mind magic can cause the victims magic to go haywire or rather change. I needed to make sure that hadn't happened to you or your guild mates. The spar was the reason for that. The answer was obvious that it hadn't. Although, I was pleasantly surprised. You have talents, Titania. But, still you need time to grow." Zolo replied with a shrug.
Then, he started to walk ahead not once turning back to Erza who stared at the back of the white shirt. With this new founded knowledge she walked forwards but very cautiously. This man was the pinnacle of danger. He was considered death in its true form. Although, he gave her his word that he wouldn't hurt her, that did not make her feel slightest bit better. Had this man really changed from what he was?
There was no answer to the question. Instead, Erza was actually hoping and praying that they come across Natsu soon. She did not want to stay even a moment longer in the green-haired man's company. What he had done in his past...He disgusted her.
Loud smashes echoed throughout the atmosphere. Each one straight after the other, not even a single pause in between. The source of the smashes was from a lone, tall fully black-clothed man.
Gajeel gritted his teeth in anger, as his iron arms/fist which are like clubs drilled a hole in the wall in front of him. A wall that had suddenly appeared in his way. Finally stopping his attack, Gajeel breathed heavily, red eyes wide. Damn!
The wall he was attacking was still intact.
"What the fuck is up with this wall?!" Gajeel yelled out loud, glaring furiously the object.
His answer was in a muffled voiced,
"It's magic protected. That's why I and Miyah can't use our magic on it...Plus, its way stronger than it looks. Why do you keep trying to break the wall when we figured this out ten minutes ago?"
Gajeel growled lowly as he stared at the wall. He was all alone on his side. His cat, Lily and the brats, Mia and Miyah were stuck on the other side. While walking, Gajeel was the first to hear the clicking sound as a warning sign. Although all four couldn't react properly when the sudden, white wall came barreling down. The result: him being stuck on his own and the other three of the other side.
"I thought I could break through with my Iron Clubs, tch." Gajeel replied back through the wall.
Lily sighed loudly on his side, in the middle of the twins Mia and Miyah, a few spaced back from the wall.
"This is not a time to be hard-headed Gajeel. We need to figure out what to do." Lily announced.
Gajeel frowned slightly and rotated his left arm in a circle, hearing the slight cracks as his muscles stretched,
"Give me a few more tries. I'll break through." Gajeel snapped back, already preparing his next attack.
"Dude, your attacks weren't working a few minutes ago. No point of wasting your energy, ugly man!" Miyah shouted through the wall, causing a tick mark to come across Gajeel's face.
"Watch it brat! Or I'll make sure you won't live to see adulthood!" Gajeel snarled through the wall, really hating that name.
"Miyah! Stop making scary man angry! I don't want him to be angry." Mia whispered and if Gajeel hearing wasn't increased he would have missed it entirely.
"But, ugly man is an idiot! He doesn't listen! It's clear we can't break through!" Miyah complained out loud.
Gajeel gritted his teeth and was about to snap back with a bunch of swearwords (sack it if these were children, they deserved it), when Lily spoke up,
"Stop fighting now. It's illogical. It's obvious we fell into a trap and I suggest we should try moving on. Staying and arguing like this only gives our enemy an advantage for a surprise attack."
"Fine." grumbled Miyah as she crossed her arms over her chest while Mia nodded her head.
Over on his side, Gajeel made a 'Hm' sound and crossed his own arms over his chest as well.
"I will carry on with Mia and Miya down the path we were originally going on. There may be a way to around this wall. Gajeel, I suggest you go backwards and take another path. Who knows, you might meet up with someone else? It's our best choice right now." Lily explained as he put forward his idea.
"Good idea, Lily." Gajeel replied with a devilish smirk, remembering that his cat is by far the best out of everyone else.
It only took a few seconds for them to get sorted out. Gajeel, not one to wait for others, left before Lily, Mia and Miyah did. His boots slammed against the carpet, the sound muffled, and his hands were locked behind his head as he walked slowly.
He wasn't actually that pissed that he got separated from the rest of his group. What was the point? He liked being alone after all sometimes. He knew he could very well defend himself. If he did come across a member of Lacus Animairum they were going down. He would make sure of that. Already his body was itching for a fight.
Suddenly, Gajeel stopped in his tracks. His eyes furrowed and his lips settled in to a straight line. Now, this was strange. On his right hand side was a door. A simple brown oaked door. It was the only door present and stood out painfully from the white wall.
What was so strange was that this door hadn't been present before. Gajeel was sure of it. The hallway he and his team mates had gone down was door-less. And, suddenly and magically a door appeared?
Gajeel was not a big idiot. He knew this had to be another some sort of trap.
Still, his mouth etched into a big grin. The door was calling for trouble and Gajeel so loved causing trouble. With not even a single hesitation, the spiky-haired man walked to the door.
Instead of opening it normally, he just lifted a leg and smashed it hard against the centre of the oak door. The door succumbed to his strength and brutally flung outwards.
At once, Gajeel was met with a very dark hallway. Darkness filled every edge of the narrow place. At the end, there was some sort of bright light.
"Tch." Gajeel said as he looked down the hallway.
He was hoping for something way more interesting. Gajeel strolled down the hallway, carelessly, not even a single worry for being attacked. The darkness did not phase Gajeel in the slightest, actually it edged him on even more.
Finally, reaching the end of the hallway he stepped through to the opening and into the bright light. It only took a few simple seconds for Gajeel's red eyes to adjust to the sudden change in light.
Once it had, Gajeel stared around, a look of slight disbelief on his face.
The room was large. That was obvious. Empty as well. No furniture. The wide space was simple and Gajeel had a feeling this was so people could move around more freely. Although, this was nothing what shocked Gajeel.
Large metal pipes ran along the room, reaching from one to the other. They twisted and looped around another making a large mess where Gajeel couldn't even tell where any of the metal pipes started or finished. The metal pipe maze was at the top of the ceiling taking up half of the room. If Gajeel was to really try, he could probably make it to the pipes.
That wasn't all. The walls were also made of metal. Not even a single part of the wall was rusted and each of them gleamed. Gajeel gaze dipped downwards and he saw that even the floor was made out of metal as well.
He just couldn't help himself. Gajeel tongue trailed over his lips. The room was oh so delicious for an Iron dragon slayer himself. Basically a heaven-filled land. Gajeel couldn't help but want to devour the room.
"Enjoying the view, huh?" a voice rang out in the room efficiently cutting off Gajeel's voice.
The tall man gaze snapped all over the place trying to find the cause. Instantly, his gaze landed on the man directly opposite him but at the far side of the room. Then, Gajeel stared.
The man was tall, and had spiky blacking/purple hair. He was wearing a plain black shirt and black trousers along with black boots. That was all Gajeel could see. His facial features were hidden by a white masked. Dark red outlined the eyes and mouth whole along with simple red lines on each cheek of the mask. The man's eyes were a bleeding violet as they stared surrounding by dark shadows made by the mask.
"Gee hee, looks like things are getting interesting." Gajeel spoke out loud as he couldn't help but smash a fisted hand against his other hands palm.
The man with the mask rocked his body backwards.
"I've got to agree with you there. I was getting kind of bored here all alone!...Also the She-Devil has already starting fighting which I thought was highly unfair! Why does she get to fight?!" the man with the mask grumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest.
A silver light caught Gajeel's attention. A silver bracelet, simple, was around the man's right arm. It stood out against his dark attire which made Gajeel what caused this man to wear something so girly.
The rest of the sentence caught Gajeel next. So, someone else was already battling a Lacus Animairum member?
"The name's Gajeel. You?" Gajeel asked, wanting to know the name of the person who he was going to beat up.
"Red," the man said simply "Call me Red...This is going to be fun! So, how would you like me to end your life? There are so many ways, after all this is going to be a very easy battle."
Gajeel teeth gritted together as he stared at the man with anger. He really hated being looked down upon.
"Say's the man covering his face? You really that ugly you need to cover it up?!" Gajeel retorted back as he stretched his arms.
His body already on edge, ready to lunge at any moment. He just wanted to go already. Gajeel was not a man of words, more of an action kind if you asked him. His opponent seemed to be the same. Red was slowly widening his legs and was bringing up his arms slowly in a defensive stance.
"Please, the mask is cool! And, why are you judging me? With a face like yours, I would be wearing a mask instead of showing it off." Red retorted and if Gajeel had to guess, he was sure the boy was smirking underneath the mask.
Instead of replying with words, Gajeel did what he did best.
He attacked.
'Iron Dragon's Club!"
One of Gajeel arms transferred into a hard Iron shaped club. The club extended towards Red at an incomprehensible speed. Red took a small step back and once the club was only a few feet away, the man jumped upwards and over the offending object, efficiently dodging it. The club smashed against the floor, breaking the metal ground and created a large hole.
Gajeel wasn't through though. His other hand transformed into a club almost instantly and like before, it stretched out to try to land a hit on Red who was in mid-air. Seeing this, Red quickly leaned his body backwards so gravity took work on his body faster. He landed on the floor swiftly, Gajeel club arm flying upwards and crashing into the ceiling of pipes.
Lost pipes parts fell down towards the ground. Gajeel grunted slightly and both of his club hands withdrew back to him. They instantly faded and revealed his hands.
"Shit, that was close!" Red commented as he got off the floor "Wait a minute! How come you get to attack first?! I was planning too!"
"It's not my fault your too slow." Gajeel snapped back with a smirk.
A simple second of silence past and both men just stood in their place. Then, they both charged at each other like raging bulls. Meeting at the middle, Red was the first to swing a fisted hand towards Gajeel, trying to clock the man in the face. Gajeel, however, was ready. He ducked low, bending down from the waist and thus missing the attack. He quickly through a punch of his own but Red copied his move and dodged the blow.
Undeterred, Red quickly swung his body around and lashed out a leg which Gajeel couldn't dodge. The hit landed on Gajeel's stomach and it pushed back a couple of steps. Gajeel gritted his teeth but refused to cry out and instead take the pain. A few seconds later, he was back to Red and launching a flurry of attacks.
A few minutes past while both men dulled hand-to-hand combat, neither backing down. Gajeel and Red seemed to be equals, each landing hits on each other on few occasions. Although, none cried out in pain whatsoever. Most of the time, Gajeel attacks were directed to Red's face trying to knock the mask off and reveal the face hidden but these were easily countered.
Thinking they were on a stand still, Gajeel took a couple of steps back as Red flung his fist forward to hit Gajeel. When the attacked missed, Gajeel launched a surprise one of his own. Raising both hands up to his lips, he took a deep breath,
"Iron Dragon's Roar!"
A spiral of blue magic and power flew out of Gajeel's mouth, almost resembled that of a tornado. There were bits of metal in the force as it shot towards Red at an incredible speed. Red couldn't dodge it since he was still finishing off his own failed attack. The tornado hit Red directly on his chest causing the boy to be thrown backwards and crashed into he metal wall with a loud thud.
Red's back and front took most of the hit and a small gasp escaped from behind the mask. His body was limp for a second as it crashed to ground, as he landed on his front. It took him a couple of seconds, before he could feel his body spring back to life. He was actually shocked that he had gotten hit like that.
Red stumble his feet ready to go against Gajeel however he wouldn't be allowed too.
"Iron Dragons Club!"
Red crashed back against the wall, the same spot he had last time making the body-shaped dent in the metal wall even deeper. Another sharp gasp spilled from the confines of Red's mask. He was a few feet in the air, hanging, being stuck to the wall. His only support was the hard iron club that was currently pinning him to wall, he stump digging painfully in the middle of his chest.
That wasn't all. The iron club was putting pressure on his body that was causing Red's back to painfully dig against the metal wall behind him, sharp jagged ends cutting into his shirt and skin.
Behind his mask, Red gritted his teeth in pain. Hands flung upwards, gripping the stump of Gajeel's iron club on either side, as if to remove it but to no avail.
Red stared up at the man who was quite far away from him, a long iron club separating and connecting the two. Gajeel was standing up on one leg, his other leg was pinning Red to the wall. Still, his balance was perfect and he just grinned manically at Red.
"That's all you got? I thought you were going to end my life?" Gajeel scoffed.
Red couldn't help it. His head chucked back, nearly banging on the metal wall, as he laughed loudly and obnoxiously.
"Tch, what is it?" Gajeel snarked not liking this.
He had the upper hand here. The masked man should not be laughing like he had the world at his fingertips.
"You don't see it. This isn't a battle you can win." Red said simply, head tipped back and his gaze on the ceiling full of pipes.
"What the fuck do you mean?" Gajeel yelled back.
Red brought his head forwards so he could bring his attention to Gajeel. His fingertips tightened on Gajeel's iron leg.
"If you were to fight against any other member of Lacus Animairum, you might have actually stood a chance Gajeel...Unfortunately, you got put with me...You stand no chance."
Red's fingertips dug into Gajeel's iron leg hard. The pressure was intense as Red's fingertips were turning a pale white colour. His knuckles twitched with the force he was putting in.
Before Gajeel could retaliate, his face turned to one of pure horror and pain. For once, Gajeel let out a large bellowing yell. Although, this was drowned out by a loud, sickening crunching sound. The source: Gajeel iron leg club.
Gajeel could only watch in blind pain. His iron leg seemed to crumple in on itself. It started from Red's fingertips at first but quickly it started to spread up Gajeel's leg.
It was almost like something was sucking Gajeel's iron leg inside out. The round sides of iron leg squashed on itself, and crumpled together in a leg much like how someone crumples paper but this was done with iron instead.
Gajeel couldn't take the pain. He ripped his leg away from Red who dropped to the floor swiftly as his support had vanished. Gajeel, himself, also dropped to the ground since the pain in his leg would not allow him to stand up.
Gajeel's leg returned to its original form and looked relatively unhurt. However, Gajeel could still feel the overwhelming pain. His leg felt like someone set it on fire...No, it felt like someone was sawing off his leg with a rusty knife.
It fucking hurt like hell.
Gajeel flung his hated gaze to Red who was slowly bringing himself up to his feet.
"H-How.." Gajeel started through his agony "How did you...do that to my iron club leg?!"
Never had someone been able to cause Gajeel this kind of pain. No one had been able to do that to his iron club leg...hell, whatever the hell that was.
Red laughed. Hard.
"Didn't I tell you? This is a battle that you can't win."
Red took a step forwards and his violet eyes narrowed on Gajeel,
"I bet the minute you stepped into this room and saw me, you would be at an advantage? After all, metal and iron fuels your magic, so of course you would be at advantage...However, this room was made specifically for me! It was made to give my own magic an advantage."
Gajeel's eyes widened in understanding.
"My magic is...manipulation of all metal. Any type of metal, whether it be steel, copper or iron, it has to bend to my will. I can control any metal with a simple touch...including you own iron! It all belongs to me! I am a metal manipulator." Red announced out loud.
Another step taken. Gajeel for once knew he was at a disadvantage. He had never fought with anyone who could use similar magic to himself. He hated it. His iron was his own for gods sake! No one else should be able to use it! But, the masked man had and rather easily! This was nuts.
"Now, why don't you sit still for me? After all, I doubt you'd be able to move that leg of yours since I did pretty heavy damage on it." Red drawled.
Gajeel was about to swear at him back. Like hell he was backing down! He would fight down to his very last bone before letting this arrogant bastard to beat him! But, before he could, he watched as Red moved a hand to his right, or more specifically.
Curiosity got the better of Gajeel for once and he watched as Red slipped that silver bracelet off his wrist.
Red held out the bracelet in one hand outstretched to Gajeel, who was sure that Red was smirking widely behind his mask.
Gajeel watched as Red slowly slipped the bracelet on his index finger and started to twirl it around the finger simply. Gajeel watched, eyes outstretched, at what happened next.
The bracelet seemed to snap in half. No, it snapped and was starting to elongate. The bracelet was now stretching to a very thick piece of metal and Gajeel watched as Red laid that very straight thin piece of metal across the back of his shoulders, horizontally.
The bracelet was no longer a bracelet. Instead the simple piece of metal had transformed in to a weapon. A very sharp weapon. A spear laid across Red's back, the sharp end pointing straight at Gajeel.
Gajeel had realized at once what had happened. Red had used his metal manipulation to transform the silver bracelet, most likely made of steel, into a weapon.
"I don't usually use my metal manipulation by my surroundings. I use it in a simpler way. This bracelet is my way. I change its form to any weapon I so wish. I'm very adapt you know at using multiple weapons. Of course, you'll be experiencing that first hand right now."
Gajeel readied himself despite the thudding pain in his leg that had yet to heal even the slightest by the attack. He knew he couldn't dodge so he had to take what was going to be dished at him.
Red rushed towards Gajeel, spear raised high, the sharp end pointed straight at Gajeel.
Shit!
Sarah leaned against the cool object, pressing her forehead against it. Most of her body actually weighed on the object as she sighed loudly. Her eyes that were previously closed, snapped open to be faced by a blank white colour.
The colour of the wall blocking her way.
"There's no way around this, is there?" Sarah asked softly, gaze trained aimlessly on the white wall in front of her.
There was a moment of silence, before a muffled reply came back,
"I know...I'm sorry I can't break through."
Jared. His voice was easily detectable. Sarah sighed as she remembered exactly how this happen. She and Jared had been walking along side each other, talking normally and hoping to run into either Ren, Lucy or Natsu when suddenly a wall came barrelling down, almost crushing Sarah.
Jared had reacted instantly. He turned to Sarah, and quickly pushed her out of the way to the wall, saving her. She had went flying back and landed on the floor the wall closing down to the floor, and cutting her sight from Jared who was standing on the other side. They were currently separated, on either side of wall.
"You don't have to be sorry, Jared. This isn't your fault." Sarah replied back.
A slight shuffling sound came from the wall followed by a frustrated huff. Sarah couldn't help but let a small smile on her face. She already knew what Jared was doing. She imagined him leaning against the wall, forehead pressed against it, just like how she was.
"I know...I just don't like this okay? I think this is the first time we've been fully separated since we've been children." Jared voice spoke back, soft and gentle but filled with annoyance at the situation.
Sarah frowned slightly. His words couldn't rang more true. This was the first time she truly felt separated from Jared. They were always together. Even since she was nine and he had been ten. It's been so long since then and Sarah doesn't even notice she spends most of her time with Jared. It was just a daily think, a focal point in her life. Jared was always at her side like he was for her.
"Don't worry. I'm sure everything will be fine. We'll find a way around this." Sarah replied back assuringly.
"Of course we will...but still! This is obviously a trap. I need to be with you so I can protect you!" Jared said back firmly.
Sarah's lips quipped up into a smile at his words. She leaned off the wall so she could glare playfully at it, almost like she was doing the same to Jared.
"You know, I can more than take care of myself, right Jared?" Sarah replied, mock annoyance plagued her voice.
"I know your strong Sarah!...But, that doesn't stop me not wanting to protect you...I mean, it's only natural for a person to want to protect the most important being in the world to them, right Sarah?"
Sarah smile dropped slightly. A warm, almost giddy feeling settled in the depth of her stomach at Jared's words. Her heart beat accelerated and for a moment she was really glad that the wall was there so Jared couldn't see the way the blood rushed to her cheeks.
"The most important being in the world, huh?" Sarah whispered lowly and affectingly, too low for Jared to hear.
She knew she meant a lot to Jared. But, it was always a wonder of how much she meant to him. It always made her extremely happy when he would say stuff like that to her.
"Sarah?" Jared's voice spoke out questionably behind the wall due to her abrupt silence.
"Ah, sorry Jared! I phased out for a second there," Sarah apologized taking a small step so she could once again lean her forehead against the wall "I...understand you. But, right now, I think we should come up with a plan. We can't get through this wall, you know that."
Silence for a few moments,
"I'll find a way around this. You stay right there Sarah. Don't move from the wall. I will go ahead forwards and see, there might be another way round. I promise I will get to you soon!"
The smile of Sarah's face bloomed, it was a wonder she could get it to all fit in her face.
"Jared, you don't have too-"
"You know, we work better together right? I'm going to find a way past this wall and to you." His voice was more than firm, it was a factual.
Sarah didn't reply to that. She couldn't. Jared was right about that. She was always much stronger when he was around.
"I'm going to have to leave...Will you be fine where you are? By yourself?"
"I will be Jared, don't worry."
"...Will you be fine with 'that'?" Jared hinted rather clumsily.
The smile slipped off Sarah's face at the mention of 'that'. She and Jared never really brought it up. They hated too, she more than him.
"It's fine Jared, I'm fine. Don't worry. It's all under control." Sarah replied smoothly.
A lie. It was never fully under control. She knew even as she spoke the words that Jared already knew she was lying.
"Okay...I'm going to go on ahead Sarah. Stay right there. Remember to stay calm, okay! I'll be with you soon!"
There was silence after. A few moments later, Sarah could hear echoing steps as Jared receded from the wall. It only caused her to press her forehead against the wall harder almost like she would be able to go through it.
She hated it. She didn't want Jared to go away. She knew it was clingy of her to feel like that but she couldn't help it. Like, he had said before, Jared was her everything. She wanted to be near him, next to him, supporting him. She didn't want to be away from him.
She couldn't even hear his footsteps anymore so she was knew he was gone. Sighing slightly, Sarah just had to wait. She had no doubt Jared would make his way to her. He always did find a way. It was only a matter of time.
Suddenly, Sarah felt it. Her eyes widened significantly as she jerked away from the wall, taking a few bumbling steps backwards.
Before she even knew it, her mouth fell open and a bellowing scream ripped out from her throat.
Her hands shot upwards and she clutched her golden blonde hair in two tight fist. Her eyes shut tightly as pain coursed through her. Her hands seemed to dig into her head harder by each second that past.
Without warning, another scream shrieked its way out into the atmosphere from her mouth. It was loud, deafening and sliced through the air like a knife sliced through butter. Unfortunately for her, Jared was way too far away to hear it.
Her legs gave out. Sarah crumpled to the floor, hands still clutching her head. She seemed to wither there for a second, rolling on the floor, trying to find some way to ease the pain but she kept on failing.
The pain was all coming from one place. Her head. It was so intense, like someone was bursting all the brain and blood cells in her head slowly. She couldn't take it. She didn't even know where it was coming from or why it came so suddenly without warning. It didn't matter as the pain consumed her.
Tears streamed down the poor girls face as she tried to keep her eyes open. It wouldn't work. Her mind was begging for the pain to stop. It wouldn't. Somewhere else, she realized that the pain was familiar. She knew she felt it before...But, due to the pain she couldn't think about where.
Suddenly, through all the pain, Sarah managed to register something else. Thuds. Loud thuds. Footsteps. Someone was walking.
There! Through blurry and tearful eyes, Sarah managed to make out two thick black boots coming in her line vision. Her face concerted with the pain that seemed to be increasing by the second. She had no idea who this was. She couldn't even bring herself to look up.
"The pain must be incredibly agonising, huh?" a male voice spoke, deep and scratchy.
Sarah could only let out another scream in reply.
"Yeah, it must be a sudden pain for you, huh? I know it's not very honourable to attack someone when they least expect it but I couldn't deal with you fighting head on...You might actually have wounded me and I can't have that. So, I attacked you when you least expected it." the voice spoke rather brutally ""Don't worry...The pain will soon vanish when I get inside."
Then, it all clicked in Sarah's mind. She remembered at once where she had felt this pain before. It was way back, when she was fourteen. The time when she came across Zolo...He had tried to get into her mind at that time! And, he had caused her pain in doing so...Although at that time Zolo had stopped halfway through...The person above her didn't seem to be.
This was...This person was trying to get into her mind.
No! He can't! HE CAN'T!
"S-S-Stop!" Sarah sputtered out "Y-Y-You can't...get in!"
Silence then there was a loud laugh. It taunted her, tormented Sarah which only caused the tears to spread down her face faster.
"Oh right...because of your secret right? The secret that Jared, master of Scarlet Destiny, has kept from his guild...The secret that can tear the guild apart...Although, I guess it's more of your secret then his." the male voice replied back.
Sarah gritted her teeth as another choked scream escaped her mouth. She had been talking about that secret recently to Jared. The 'That' they hated to mention.
"I-If you know...then you must know...W-What happens if you get in!" Sarah stuttered through the pain.
She didn't know how long she could keep at this. She was still trying to keep calm through all this. She had to be calm. She had to make sure he didn't get in.
"Oh, I know all about that...I don't give a shit about it either. So what? Whatever happens will be on you! Right now though, I'm going to get into your mind and your going to be mine for a while. There's nothing you can do to stop me." the male voice laughed back.
Sarah gritted her teeth. What he spoke was the truth. She knew it. There was nothing that could protect a person from mind magic except for another mind user. Zolo however wasn't here. She lost. She lost from the very beginning.
Still, Sarah head jerked up and she managed to bring her blurry gaze to see the person loomed over her. Her blue eyes widened into big saucers as she took in the man's appearance.
Oh My God!
Suddenly, the pain in her head increased ten fold and Sarah let out a bellowing screeched like a banshee. Her head crashed back to the ground and she groaned lowly in pain. It felt like her head was going to split in half or explode into tiny bits. Her vision was starting to blur. She wouldn't last much longer.
"HOW DARE YOU!?" the male voice seethed out loud in utter rage "HOW DARE YOU LOOK AT ME?! YOUR LUCKY I DON'T KILL YOU RIGHT HERE AND NOW!"
No reply.
"If I didn't need you then you would be dead! REMEMBER THAT!" the voice snarled lowly.
Sarah trembled on the floor as the pain washed over her. She couldn't take it anymore. Blurry spots clouded her vision. Her mind was open to him. She couldn't keep him out. She could feel him trail, crawl through her thoughts and her memories!
Memories!
She could feel her memories slipping in and out of her mind. They were from her younger years. Most when she was with Jared, back when she was only nine and he was ten. They seemed to slip through her mind like sand slipping through a person's hand.
XXX
"H-Hey Jared! How are you...?"
"Sarah..."
"I'm just wondering...You obviously do something while I'm gone, Jared."
"Stop that!"
"Stop, what?"
"Stop calling me Jared! That's not my name, Sarah!"
"...Well, until you remember your name and tell me it...then, I have to give you a name. And, that's your name. Jared. I like it. It suits you."
XXX
"Let's play a game!"
"Seriously, Sarah?"
"We're little kids, right Jared? Kids our age plays game together. I want to play something."
"...Fine! We'll play tag."
"Thank you, Jared!"
XXX
"Why do you always come back to me?"
"Huh? What do you mean Jared?"
"Don't you see, Sarah? I'm not right! I know I'm new to this village and around your age but that doesn't mean you have to keep hanging out with me! I'm going to leave soon, Sarah, you know that. Plus...I'm broken! Why do you still want to be with me?"
"Because..."
"Because what?"
"You're the first person that's ever shown me kindness. You're the only person that's kind to me, Jared."
XXX
"They hate you, Sarah. Everyone in this village. They all hate you...Even your own parents. They hurt you! All the time!"
"..."
"Why? Why do they hate you so much?"
"I...I can't tell you..."
"Why not, Sarah?"
"Because...I'm scared. I'm scared if I tell you then you'd hate me too, Jared."
XXX
"Why Scarlet Destiny, Jared?"
"Huh?"
"Why did you decide on the name 'Scarlet Destiny' for our guild?"
"Oh...well, Sarah. It's a bit because of you...I know things are bad right now, that you think everything you touch is bathed in blood. That your scared your future will be bathed in scarlet blood as well. But, it won't be I promise. We have a future! A destiny! And I know that yours will be great! The name 'Scarlet Destiny' reminds us that we have a right to change it all and what we have escaped Sarah...I won't let you go down your Scarlet Destiny!"
XXX
"I won't ever let you get hurt again, Sarah. I promise! I'll always be here, by your side to protect you! You won't ever be alone again! Ever!"
"Jared...That's something you can't promise."
"Oh yeah? Well, watch me Sarah! I promise! I'll NEVER leave you side!"
XXX
She couldn't remember any of it anymore. It was like someone had robbed all of her memories. They were gone. Every damn one of them. Her vision was filled with a blank light that was slowly fading. The pain was gone. She couldn't feel anything.
"That's it, let go of everything. Everything that's ever been precious to you. Your mine now..." a male voice cooed somewhere around her.
Precious...Someone is precious to me...Who? Who was it...? No one. That's right. No one is precious to me...
Finally, everything faded to a never ending black darkness.
AND DONE! OH MY GOD THAT ENDING THOUGH! ;_; NOOO! SARAH! I swear I'm going to cry myself.
Loads of shit went down in this chapter. Erza has recognised Zolo from somewhere but where the hell is that I wonder...Then you have Gajeel VS Red and let's face it, at that moment Red has the upper hand. We'll see how that battle goes. I gave Gajeel quite a big battle role since sometimes I feel like he doesn't get what he deserves (Like Tenrou arc where he fought a bloody goat and chicken only!) But, will he fight Red on his own?
And, as for Sarah...Let's just say something VERY bad has happened to her as you can guess. Why has she been attacked like this? Well, you have to find out so see. Just think about it...Wait, until Jared finds this out (he will find out) Dude, is going to go on a bloody rampage...Nothing is going to survive his wrath (Or will he...)
Till next time... SEE YH!
