Well. Here we are again. We got bored so we uploaded again haha.
Expect uploading speed to slow down a lot after this.
Anyways-here goes!
Enjoy!
Meanwhile, in a castle far away, a hooded figure sat, his face cloaked in shadow, only a few strands of black hair able to be seen.. A young woman with blue hair sat nearby, listening as the man speaks. "The fool Jellal has raised his prices far too high. He expects us to continue trading with Fiore?! Does he want to bankrupt us? They have prospered far too long, while our citizens starve. Juvia. Assemble the soldiers. We march to Fiore in the evening. We will raze it to the ground."
Meanwhile Erza was traveling to Jellal's castle. Night began to fall, and she quickened her pace. After hours of tiring walking, she sat down on a rock to rest and pulled out some food to eat.
Hearing the clanking of metal behind her, she instantly dove behind a bush and peered out carefully. A battalion of soldiers in blue and white armor were on the move, swords and spears swinging from their belts.
"Ikreasians." She said to herself. "Gray's soldiers. Why are they here?" With a start, she realized it would only be that they were heading towards Fiore, most likely to start a war. Carefully, she managed to get closer to the army. Gripping her sword tightly, she leapt out and killed a soldier before anyone could react. Jumping on the fallen man's horse, she rode off at full gallop, listening to the frantic cries behind her, officers shouting out orders desperately. Another hour later, she made it to the castle. "I need an audience with the prince." She gasped breathlessly, holding out the flute. "Lullaby is dead."
The guard ushered her into the throne room, where a young man with deep blue hair and a red scar on his right eye. He wore a dark cloak and was looking at Erza with an amused smile.
"So my battalions have failed to slay the mighty demon, and here, a woman has done it?"
Erza looked at him angrily. "Don't underestimate me." she warned. "You don't want me angry at you."
Jellal laughed. "So you're saying I should appoint a woman who is basically threatening me...as my bodyguard?
"Appoint whoever you wish. I have more important matters to discuss. On my way here I spotted a large force of Ikreasian soldiers moving this way. I believe they mean to attack us."
"Ikreasians?!" Jellal appeared alarmed by this. "Ultear! Meredy!" Two women came out and stood next to Jellal. One had black hair and dark purple hair and eyes. The other had strikingly pink hair. Both seemed to be waiting for orders. "My two most trusted lieutenants." Jellal said. "Fiore is under attack by that idiot Gray. Gather the royal army and meet the Ikreasians at the border. "But-Prince Jellal!" Ultear stuttered. "What about you?"
"I will follow after I prepare." He turned to Erza. "Looks like you came at the perfect time. I could use a guard in the war that is obviously approaching us. Come with me." He beckoned, then left through a side door. Erza followed. Jellal was in his private chambers, pulling out a jeweled sword from a closet. He tested its weight and seemed satisfied. Pulling up his hood, he swept by Erza, and opened a door and walked outside.
When the Fiore army reached the port town of Hargeon, Jellal ordered them to set up base there. The citizens were evacuated, and the army set up a perimeter around the town. Jellal and Erza sat down to eat before the battle that was soon to come. While they ate, Jellal casually asked, "So, where did you learn to fight?"
"My father taught me when I was young. The town I lived it had a lot of bandits and criminals, so I had to learn how to defend myself. After I grew up, I either captured or killed most of them myself. But life was still boring. When I saw the notice about killing Lullaby, I thought that being your bodyguard might be more interesting than just sitting around every day. And looks like I was right." She gestured around them.
Jellal nodded gravely. "To think that Gray would actually attack us...our two nations have had a long standing treaty. I hope we can resolve this issue quickly.
"Sir!" A soldier called from a high building. "Ikreasians coming from the west. A-And the east as well. A fleet of boats!" Jellal drew his sword and stood up. "Let us go to the west." He told Erza. "Meredy and Ultear can hold the port."
An army had assembled at the city borders. Their lines parted, and a single man strode forth. Jellal walked out to meet him, Erza by his side.
"Gray." Jellal said quietly. "Why have you attacked us?"
"Fiore grows and prospers while my Empire is in poverty. Our trading helped give us enough resources to get by, but recently you have levied numerous extra taxes and raised prices too high. We will no longer be allies. The only hope for the Ikreasians is to take over Fiore. You have many fertile lands that can be used for growing crops and raising livestock, along with mines and quarries for other materials. Now, enough talk. Prepare for battle." He walked away. Jellal stood there for a while until Erza pulled him back, out of harm's way. With a loud battle cry, the Ikreasians surged forward.
"Archers! Fire at will!" Jellal yelled. A hail of arrows rained over Erza's head as the rooftop archers opened fire. The Ikreasians fell back from the initial shock of the attack, but regrouped and attacked again. Fiore knights charged from the city to meet them.
"Let's go!" said Jellal.
"Requip: Heavens Wheel Armor! Blumenblatt!" Erza summoned a large supply of swords around her, at her command, they all flew at the enemy, killing many at once. Meanwhile, Jellal was using his own magic.
"Meteor!" He shouted. His body began glowing golden yellow, and when he moved, his speed was greatly increased and he became a blur. He sprinted through enemy lines and cut them apart with his sword. All was going well for the Fiore forces, until Gray joined the battle.
"Ice Make: Cannon!" Erza heard Gray yell. Jumping up, the ice wizard blasted a stream of ice at the Fiore knights, freezing several. Gray then landed hard on the ground, sending dust billowing into the air. When it cleared, he held up his hands to show ice-covered fists. He ran into the battle and began slamming aside many Fiore soldiers with his ice. Erza kept fighting.
As she fought, she saw a spearman behind Jellal, getting ready to strike while Jellal was occupied with fighting a group of swordsmen. Erza ran and sent her sword flying through the man's torso before he could move. "Thanks!" Jellal said. Suddenly Erza felt a chill behind turned, but not in time. Gray's ice cannon shot her into the ground.
"Ice Make: Sword! Cold Excalibur!" A large two-handed sword made of ice formed in Gray's hands as he slashed down at Erza. He was fast, but Jellal was faster. He appeared in front of her suddenly, and held up his own sword to block Gray's. "Don't lay a finger on her." He turned and pulled Erza to her feet. "You alright?" he said kindly.
Ok. Gray has been introduced as an antagonist, and we've had a brief fight scene.
Not much Jerza yet but it's coming trust me.
See we had this whole plot outlined so we have lots of exciting parts in the future. Hope you liked it.
-Crimsonflames2862