Author's Note: Welcome back to another thrilling installment of The Devil's Cast! Your continued support and feedback are the lifeblood of this story's growth. Thank you for being a part of this adventure, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reviews on the ongoing tale. Stay tuned for more excitement and intrigue!

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Techniques"

THE DEVIL'S CAST

CHAPTER 4: OMERTA PART 2

Obsidian stepped off the train, shielding his eyes from the sun's rays as he ensured the young dragon slayer was with him. Turning to Wendy and Carla, he gave out clear instructions. "Go meet with the mayor," he ordered, gesturing towards the steps leading to Hargeon's city center. "I'll scout the marketplace, maybe we can find our culprit and get this over with." He looked back at Wendy. "Any questions, lass?"

Wendy, eager to fulfill her role, asked her first question, her confusion evident. "Why scout the area instead of joining me?" she inquired, seeking clarification on their diverging tasks. This was just the beginning of her inquiries. "Is there anything specific I should ask the Mayor for?"

Obsidian sighed, realizing the need for explanation. He took the job request from Wendy's grasp and recited, "You must present your guild mark." He continued, "Last I checked, I bear no guild mark to speak of." He then responded to her second question, "Ask the Mayor about the frequency and timing of the crimes, and seek any eyewitness accounts. This will give us a head start in our search."

Prepared for more inquiries to follow, Obsidian remained ready to guide and assist Wendy as she embraced the learning process. The girl on her part nodded slowly, "Right." She went to turn around but was stopped by Obsidian.

"Forgetting something aren't we, lass?" The man had a knowing smirk as he waved the request in plain view for her to see. Chuckling at the light dusting of red gracing her cheeks at such a mistake he held it out for her to take. "Don't get ahead of yourself, mate, you'll just end up regretting it or dead." He advised with a small smile.

"Thanks Obsidian!" She called up to the man before she ran off towards the towns city hall waving back towards the man.

The Hayabusa offered a friendly wave and a smile, but as she disappeared from his view, his smile faded. His hand slowly dropped to his side, and he shifted his gaze towards the roof of an adjacent building. His eyes narrowed, emanating a dangerous glare. Instinctively, he sensed that they were being watched by someone – a skill ingrained deep within his very soul. Carefully descending the steps towards his intended destination, he glanced back at the building once more. Frustration painted across his features, but he pressed forward until he reached his awaited destination.

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"Are we going through this routine again, Erza?" Gray quipped, peering over the ledge from above. He gracefully descended to the ground, mirroring the blonde-haired girl's movements. "This guy sure is paranoid..." he remarked with a hint of complaint.

"Aye!" chimed Happy from beside Natsu. "Maybe he's just crazy?" he suggested while busying himself with a mouthful of fish.

Erza glanced over the ledge as Obsidian's silhouette vanished around a corner. "I don't trust that man one bit," she declared, her gaze firm. "Now move." With a commanding tone, she led the way to the next rooftop.

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Obsidian was keenly aware of being watched, their attempt at stealth leaving much to be desired. A dark-haired boy and a blonde girl stood out like sore thumbs. He recalled that the dark-haired boy had a peculiar habit of stripping, while the blue cat had described the blonde as "dumb as bricks." Their presence only fueled his suspicion further. There was no doubt in Obsidian's mind that the redhead was with them. They usually followed her like a Beowulf followed a manic depressive. Why were they here, what was their purpose? Trust? He thought back to Wendy's questioning. They hadn't been oddly specific; they struck him as more spur-of-the-moment questions than a way to extract specific information from him. He pushed these thoughts to the back of his head as he reached the market. He had a job to do.

Walking through the center of the market, which resembled a strip mall of sorts, he counted six stores. Three served food, two of which offered fresh produce, and one was a restaurant.

"Obsidian!" he heard, pulling him from his observations. He turned to see Wendy and Carla approaching him.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. "What'd you find out, mate?" he inquired. Wendy seemed a bit proud of herself, a small smile on her face.

She nodded. "Okay, so… the mayor said that the thefts happen around six o'clock, right around the changing of shifts for one particular shop." She pointed to the leftmost shop. "He mentioned that seventeen people have come forward mentioning what looks to be a boy in a white cloak." She continued as she looked over a tablet she had scribbled the details into. "One witness claimed to have seen them without their hood."

Obsidian breathed a sigh at the information it wasn't much to go on but he'd find something. He rubbed his chin in thought before settling his gaze on his companions. "How bout some nosh, aye?" He asked with an actual smile for once causing the dragon slayer to meet his smile with one of her own. He looked towards the restaurant that was nestled in the center of the shopping center. Walking with a stride that made Wendy's pale in comparison he reached the entrance holding the door open for her.

Wendy had finally caught up to the man smiling brightly as he held the door open for her. "Thank you!" She called up to the Huntsman as she entered the restaurant.

"Thank you, Obsidian." Carla called as well as she followed the Dragon Slayer a regal air to her stride.

Obsidian breathed out a chuckle as he followed behind Carla, his stature allowing him to look over all other heads in the restaurant sighting a booth off towards the back of the restaurant he headed towards it gesturing for the two to follow. He rose a brow as he past a table a few rows behind their own. "Oi, lass take that spot." He ordered Wendy as he took the seat that was against the booth behind him. Looking across the table at Wendy he looked down at his own menu. "Get whatever ya want lass." He offered as he began to slide out of the booth as he watched someone in a ridiculous disguise heading towards the bathroom. "I'm gon hit the carzey, I feel a gypsy's kiss coming long." He said leaving the two in confusion. He quickly followed the figure.

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He took a spot beside the man at another urinal leaving a urinal in between them. "Mate, how long do you plan on spying in that ridiculous get up?" He questioned as he finished his business and made his way towards the sink. He looked up into the mirror watching as Grey turned around.

Gray grunted, annoyance etched across his features as he turned around to look at Obsidian. "How'd you spot me, man?" he inquired, realizing his shirt was now conspicuously absent. "You sure have a healthy dose of paranoia," he added in a casual tone.

Obsidian shrugged in response, "Your stealth could use some work, mate," he remarked with a wry chuckle. "There's a fine line between caution and paranoia." He slowly turned around, facing the younger man. A perplexed expression overtook him as he glanced over Gray. "Mate... where on earth are your clothes?" he asked, a comical blend of confusion and amusement evident in his tone.

Gray jumped, startled, as he glanced down and realized he was now only in his boxers. "Gah!" he grumbled in frustration, then turned to face Obsidian. "Why does this keep happening?" he questioned, clearly vexed by the recurrent turn of events.

Obsidian leaned against a stall, folding his arms over his chest, and asked casually, "So, how many of you are watching me?" He pointed towards the entrance , adding, "I know the blonde's listening in right now." He took a moment, to listen to the tussling of them getting away from the door.

Gray chuckled lightly at the sound. "Yeah... She's not exactly stealth personified," he admitted with a grin. He was growing to enjoy the conversation, appreciating Obsidian's character. "Yeah, man, I'm sure you get the gist of what's going on," he commented, recognizing the understanding between them. Despite Obsidian's rough exterior, Gray could see he wasn't a bad person at his core.

He guessed that Natsu, Erza and Happy were with them. "Spot on," Gray confirmed, nodding at Obsidian's guess. He watched as Obsidian took a gulp from the flask, and at the remark, he grinned. "Look, lad, I get it, but you have to let the lass grow up," Obsidian advised, and Gray appreciated the insight. "She's got good judgment," he added with a chuckle. "I respect what you're doing; I'd do the same thing for my younger brother." There was an unspoken understanding in their shared concern for the younger members of their respective groups.

Gray sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, confessing, "You hit the nail on the head." He was genuinely pleasant to be around, and his demeanor made the conversation easy. Obsidian assured Gray he wasn't offended by what they were doing. Then, surprised, he asked, "You have a younger brother?" leaning against a counter top himself, intrigued by this new piece of information.

"Aye, two younger sisters and a younger brother," he began, a light chuckle accompanying his words. "Rose is my younger sister—she's a couple of years older than you. Then there's Akane, she's the middle of all three." He scratched his chin in thought, painting a picture of his family. "Rose takes after our pops, and Akane, well, she's more like me," he informed the boy, sharing the distinct personalities within his siblings. "Then there's Kaseigan, around fourteen. He's about the friendliest kid you can meet," Obsidian continued, lowering his hand roughly six inches below his shoulder. "A wee lil' whelp, he is," he chuckled at the fond image of the young boy.

"Fairy Tail's the closest I have to siblings," Gray responded, reflecting on his own connections. "You must miss your folks, dude," he empathized, sensing the weight of such absence. He chuckled about the boy's height, adding in a playful tone, "I guess the height skipped a generation?" A touch of humor lightened the conversation. "I'm sure they're all good people, man," he offered reassurance regarding Obsidian's family.

He glanced around, sighing lightly as he heard the sound of arguing outside the door. "Well, I'm caught," he admitted, acknowledging his situation with a sense of resignation.

Obsidian glanced towards the door, then shrugged his shoulders lightly. "How about you join us, lad?" he suggested, observing the surprise that flashed across the younger man's face. "That way, you can keep an eye on me and perhaps not have to deal with the redhead?" he proposed with a hint of playfulness, attempting to ease any tension in the offer.

Gray pondered Obsidian's offer for a brief moment, then nodded his head with a smirk. "Sure, why not? I could definitely enjoy kicking some butt," he said, showing enthusiasm for the idea. However, he noticed a shift in Obsidian's expression, prompting him to furrow his brows and ask, "Something I said?" concern coloring his voice.

Obsidian's expression shifted to one of disappointment. "We're not beating up a child, mate," he clarified, emphasizing the importance of moral boundaries in their actions. Ignoring the fact that Gray hadn't been informed about the individual causing the disturbance, he responded playfully, "I can't believe you," lightly chastising the Fairy Tail member for assuming his intentions.

Gray rolled his eyes at Obsidian's playful jabs, retorting, "Yeah, ha-ha, big guy, laugh it up." He bore an unamused expression, though he wasn't entirely resistant to the banter. Soon, he hopped over onto the roof beside Obsidian, ready to engage in their shared mission. "So, where to first?" he inquired, shifting the focus back to the task at hand.

Obsidian opened his mouth to respond, but both he and Gray had their attention diverted to the oh so recognizable voice of a Pyro maniac at the door. "Hey, that's not fair, we're spying on him!" Flames shot under the door singeing the ground and the situation seemed to escalate. "This isn't hide and seek, Ice Stripper!" the boy exclaimed, revealing a lively turn of events.

Obsidian looked back at Gray, then pointed at the door. "Well, I found the other one. What do I get?" he asked, a small smirk playing on his lips.

Gray found a smirk creeping onto his own face. "You can kick his ass if you want," he suggested, playing along with the situation.

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After enjoying a meal and dealing with the group glaring daggers at his back Obsidian met with Wendy back at the shopping center.

At twenty minutes to six, Obsidian turned a corner and found Wendy stealthily concealed behind a cluster of bushes. As he drew near, he crouched beside her, only for her to urgently hush him and point towards the store's front, where a young boy in a white cloak with delicate pink accents was approaching. "I think that's him," she murmured, meeting Obsidian's gaze. They were soon joined by the other fairy tail mages all watching the same boy.

Obsidian narrowed his gaze the cloak was familiar but the way this boy carried himself was all off. They were the same height as his younger brother but far too undisciplined to be him. Scoffing the Huntsman stood to his full height he needed confirmation on who that cloak belonged to. Stepping stealthily through the foliage, he advanced towards the shop.

"Obsidian..." Wendy murmured cautiously, only to be dismissed with a wave.

All eyes were fixed on him as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed, waiting for the boy to flee with the loot.

As the door swung open, he caught it and observed the boy rushing out, abruptly halting and falling at the sight of Obsidian. The hood dropped, revealing a striking resemblance to his brother, but with distinct eyes. Observing the scene, he asked, "Stealing again, lad?" The boy stumbled to his feet and bolted, prompting Obsidian to glance at Wendy and shake his head. The store owner emerged, confronting the man.

"Why didn't you stop him?!" he yelled, pointing accusingly, but fell silent under Obsidian's glare.

"piss off, you old cunt," Obsidian retorted, sauntering from the door, signaling Wendy to follow. He kept an eye on the boy, watching him dash into an alley. Halting near a building, he grasped Wendy's shirt and tossed her onto the rooftops, urging her to follow from above.

Without a moment to spare, he pursued the boy, swiftly entering the alley. Astonished, he watched the boy scale a wall that separated two alleys effortlessly. "Clever little rogue," he remarked, activating his powers, breaking through the wall and startling the boy. In the chaos, the boy dropped some items. Bending down to pick one up, Obsidian examined it, then turned to see Natsu and Erza approaching. He extended his arm, inadvertently hitting Natsu and deliberately pressing the item against Erza's armor.

"What's this?" he inquired, watching the boy continue his escape.

Erza glared at Obsidian before taking the item. "It's a healing magic item," she explained, examining it. "Not very potent, though." Observing the boy's getaway, she added, "I assume Wendy is tailing him." Obsidian pointed upwards, confirming her assumption. Erza sighed, eyeing Wendy soaring through the air.

Obsidian shrugged, remarking, "He's using it to heal someone or something." He then started moving in the boy's direction. "I'll catch up to the lad, stay back," he instructed, but was stopped by Natsu.

"What's your plan?" Natsu demanded, glaring at Obsidian. "We can catch him faster if we team up."

Jerking his arm away, Obsidian snapped, "He's healing someone, and this is a lesson for the girl," justifying his decision. As he walked past Natsu, the younger wizard grabbed his arm.

"What are you aiming for?" Natsu asked, glaring. "We can work together to catch him."

Pulling away, Obsidian explained, "He's healing someone, and this is a necessary lesson for the girl." He looked at the disappointed wizard before shaking his head and proceeding to pursue Wendy.

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In the quiet stillness, the distant whimper of an injured animal resonated as the boy finally reached his destination. He sank to his knees, breathing heavily, and offered a warm smile to the massive canine before him. This canine, towering over any regular pet, revealed the scars of its battles and struggles. "I've got what you need to fix you right up, buddy," the boy assured, though the dog responded with a low growl, somewhat annoyed by his persistence.

Despite the initial hesitation, the boy cautiously ran his fingers through the wolf's fur, prompting another reluctant growl before the exhausted creature laid its head back down, done with the boy's attention for the moment. However, the wolf soon lifted its head again, detecting a new scent in the air. Despite its fatigue, it tried to stand, assuming a defensive posture to face the approaching threat—Wendy, a blue-haired girl, and a white cat. It limped forward, positioning itself protectively around the boy, ready to ward off any danger.

From the concealment of the alley, Obsidian watched the scene unfold, his eyes widening as he recognized the wolf. It couldn't be, but this confirmed a suspicion. He knew he had to intervene before things escalated further.

Wendy, trembling with nervousness, cautiously backed away. "Good... good doggy... s-sit, boy," she stammered, attempting to assert control.

The wolf, prepared for a confrontation, seemed to respond to the command but then froze as its name, "Luna," rang out. A sudden change overcame the wolf as its tail wagged eagerly, and it turned, limping toward the familiar voice. The sight of Obsidian made the wolf whimper in recognition and move closer, seeking comfort and care.

Obsidian, bending down to meet the wolf at eye level, chuckled as Luna reached him, affectionately licking his face. "Who hurt your paw, girl?" he inquired, glancing back at the boy. "You've got a real knack for getting yourself into trouble, lad," he commented, shifting his attention back to the wolf, giving her the attention and care she craved.

Wendy began to slowly approach Obsidian, "Uhm…" She eyed the canine nervously before turning back towards her companion, "What should we do with the thief?" She questioned as she looked over her shoulder at the boy.

Obsidian ignored the girl for a moment as he continued to tend to Luna, "Why are you here girl?" He questioned seeing that her collar was missing as well. He looked at the boy once more, "Oi, lad, where'd you get the cloak?" He questioned, he knew good and well that cloak belonged to his little brother but the boy was nowhere to be found.

"Uhm… I found it with the dog…" He jumped as Luna growled at him barring her teeth.

"She's a wolf, lad, not a dog" he corrected the young boy. The wolf had no barring to any species known in Fiore. This had many outside of the lad confused. They had to know what kind of wildlife they were dealing with and the dangers that came along with their environment. But this 'wolf' had odd markings on its body. It had a reddish brown coat and stood at roughly three and a half feet. "I find that hard to believe, mate. My wee brother would never leave Luna alone," His eyes narrowed into a firm glare but he fell silent. "We're not going to do anything, he's a homeless lil whelp with nowhere to go." He trailed off as he stared down at the boy, "He didn't steal for selfish reasons, he did it to help someone else." He smiled as he crouched in front of the boy. "The good makings of a Huntsman- I mean Wizard." He corrected himself then looked back at Luna, "Say, lad, why don't you come back with us?" He offered the boy with a small smile.

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Deep in thought, Wendy walked alongside Obsidian, pondering the implications of their recent encounter. "Obsidian," she called, her eyes searching for insight. "We let him go, but was that the right choice?"

Obsidian let out a low grunt, idly cleaning his ear with his pinky finger. "What you ought to grasp from this?" He began, a sense of resignation in his tone. "Is the stark reality of a child forced into homelessness, pushed to steal for survival." He shook his head, a sense of frustration evident. "He wasn't driven by selfish motives, rather he stole to save a life other than his own." His gaze shifted to the boy walking with Erza. "This is a glaring example of a system failing its people, not the people failing to adhere to the system's constraints."

The weight of his words settled on Wendy, prompting her to reflect on the societal issues at play. "You're right," she acknowledged, a newfound understanding dawning in her eyes. "It's vital to consider the human aspect, the desperation and circumstances that lead to actions like this. Our duty is to extend compassion and work towards fixing the broken aspects of society."

Luna, having been healed by the Sky Maiden, stayed close to Wendy, affirming the sentiment with a contented wag of her tail.

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Author's Note: I confess, capturing Happy's essence in dialogue has been quite the challenge for me. While his actions define him, I've struggled to truly embody his quips in words. He remains somewhat forgettable in terms of what he says, though his purpose in the story is clear. Writing for him is a tad vexing, but I persevere.

On a positive note, we received our first review! Argorok, your encouraging words have fueled my motivation. Your appreciation for my work has brought immense joy, and I'll strive to maintain this level of quality. Rest assured, I'll do my utmost to not let you down.

Putting the Omerta chapter to rest is a relief. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Obsidian's intricacies, although the lack of flexibility beyond certain scenes felt a tad confining. While he carries a serious demeanor, infusing a touch of humor is something I relish. I am mindful of unnecessary profanity, as it can trivialize the narrative. My rule of thumb is to limit explicit language to maintain the story's gravity.

As for the unveiling of Obsidian's true origins, I'm still fine-tuning when to unveil this crucial plot development. Introducing another character from his world in this chapter was a choice considered to facilitate a smoother transition for their eventual revelation. However, after careful consideration, I realized it wouldn't flow seamlessly.

With all that said allow me to offer advice to fellow writers on this platform. If you sense a chapter requires revision, trust your instincts and revise it. If it feels too lengthy, don't hesitate to divide it in half. Recognize that if you're stuck at a certain word count, that's okay—sometimes that's all a chapter needs. Forcing yourself to write won't necessarily improve the story; progress can be made in smaller, more manageable increments. Rushed writing can result in characters seeming edgy, scenes feeling hurried, and chapter endings lacking satisfaction. It's about finding a rhythm that works best for you and your narrative.

Additionally, it's a good practice to keep copies of your original drafts. This way, during revisions, you might discover snippets of dialogue or sections that worked exceptionally well and reintegrate them into the chapter, enhancing its overall quality. Having these drafts as references can be invaluable in refining and optimizing your writing.

Wishing each and every one of you an absolutely fantastic weekend!

Next Time: Chapter 5: The Dead Don't Die