Chapter 6
"They got captured, but how?!" Gray exclaimed.
"I-I don't know! First, our train had an accident, then this guy that Zander kept calling Brass just showed up out of no where and he started attacking us! The whole forest was leveled because of his weird sword wind magic! Lucy then told me to come back here! God, I should've stayed! I should've been with them!" Lisanna began to sob. Erza placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's ok Lisanna. If you hadn't run, all three of you would've been captured. Either way, it's a good thing you did what Lucy said." said Erza.
"Yeah. Even knowing she would be captured, she made sure you were safe." Mira said.
"And she was hurt! She was bleeding from such a large gash on her shoulder, but she still protected Zander and I from Brass for as long as she could!" Lisanna sobbed more.
"To think we said all of those bad things about her and she's the only reason you came back to us." mumbled Cana sadly. Almost all of the guild had guilty looks after Cana said that since they all said bad things about Lucy behind her back. Master Makarov had come out of his office after Lisanna returned and he slowly made his way over to Lisanna.
"Lisanna, did you say that the man's name that attacked you and the others was Brass?" Makarov asked.
"Yeah, why?" said Lisanna, slowly beginning to stop crying.
"This bad. Very bad." said Makarov.
"What are you talking about Gramps?" Natsu asked.
"I've heard his name once or twice in my days. In the past, he was know as the Wind Mercenary. He was a master at sword play and wind magic. Combined, he was a force to be reckoned with. Even against me." Makarov said.
"What!? But you're a wizard saint! Can he really be that strong!?" Erza exclaimed.
"I'm afraid so. But, he must have been hired by someone to attack them, since he is a mercenary after all." said Makarov.
"Actually, Brass did keep mentioning Zander having a 'job' that he hadn't accomplished." said Lisanna.
"I knew it! That guy is bad new!" Natsu shouted.
"Idiot. None of us even knew he was here before Lucy told us about him." said Gray.
"Anyway, that doesn't matter now. Wendy, you first heal Lisanna so she can lead the way to where the train crashed. Then, Natsu, Erza, Gray, Wendy, and Gajeel, you will all follow Lisanna and save Lucy and Zander." said Makarov.
After he said that, Wendy got to work healing Lisanna while the rest of the people who were going got ready to go. Lisanna was all healed in a matter of minutes and was ready to go. Since it wasn't to far, they could get there by foot. Lisanna lead the way as everyone else, plus their exceeds, followed as well.
"I hope they'll be safe." said Mira.
"So do I Mirajane. So do I. I also hope that whoever hired Brass isn't even more dangerous." said Makarov.
*Secret Base*
Lucy slowly began to open her eyes. She heard herself moaning as she woke up. She could tell she was sitting up right against something. When she tried to move, she heard the clanking of chains. Lucy looked up and saw her arms chained to the wall behind her.
"What the...Zander!" Lucy exclaimed. She saw Zander a few feet away from her in the same position, but still unconscious. When she tried moving, not only did the chains stop her, but she felt an intense sharp pain in her right shoulder.
"Gah! Oh, that's right. My wound." said Lucy, looking at her blood stained shoulder. Blood still ran down her right side and more of her clothes were still being stained.
"Ugh. Where am I?" Zander mumbled.
"Zander! Thank goodness. You're awake." said Lucy.
"Lucy!? What are you doing here?" asked Zander.
"That's what I'd like to know as well. Where are we?" asked Lucy out loud.
She looked around the room and saw that it was a brick room that only had one small window with bars over it and one wooden door that was closed shut. Suddenly, the wooden door began to creak open. The man that she recognized as Brass came in followed by a man slightly taller than him that wore a long cloak and a mask over his face.
"I see you've awaken." the masked man said. Zander's face paled, but Lucy didn't notice since she was staring at the two people who had just came into the room.
"Who are you!? What do you want!?" Lucy shouted.
"Ah. Right to the point. Well, my name is Jakkuna and I am the head of the organization called Hollow Demon." said the masked man.
"Hollow Demon? Lucy said in a questioning tone.
"That's right. Hollow Demon is an organization that deals with any kind of black market dealings and asassination jobs." Jakkuna explained.
"Never heard of it." said Lucy.
"Of course you haven't. The only people who do know of it are the only people who are our in my top command. For example, Brass here, and...you're little friend there." Jakkuna said, gesturing to Zander.
Lucy's eyes widen as she snapped her head in Zander's direction. Zander couldn't meet Lucy in the eye as his face was still pale. Lucy's eyes soon returned to normal and she shook her head around a few times before speaking again.
"No, you're lying! Zander wouldn't lie to his friends, and he definitely wouldn't be part of a group that kills!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Haha. Oh really? Miss Lucy, have you heard of Asuma Muto?" asked Jakkuna. Lucy's eyes suddenly widen and, if Zander's face could've gotten paler, it did.
"...Y-yeah. I've heard of him. He's said to be a merciless bounty hunter and nobody knows anything about him, except his name and that he never fails a job. So what!? What does he have to do with any of this?!" Lucy shouted.
"Heh. Miss Lucy, say hello to Asuma." said Jakkuna, once again gesturing to Zander.