Dico paced the room slowly, a grin appearing on his features as he watched the men in front of him. Two were filling Drip Bottles, while the other two began the process of capping and cleaning them. With Rhythm and Melody out of the way, the dark wizard has been able to quadruple his product and his profits. Adding the medication he was making not only increased the quality, it allowed them to make almost ten times as much.
While the dark wizards find themselves soaring with profits, a percentage of their supply is being siphoned by a single individual.
Dico was elated to tell the Guild master the good news. With this last installment of Drip, they would be able to supply the entire town of Magnolia for months. As part of their plan, the dark wizards wanted to get as much of the stuff into the town as possible. An act such as this one would cause Fairy Tail to declare war on Grimoire Heart. The dark wizard was extremely confident in his plan.
It won't be long now… The tattooed man lamented. I'll get that wizard for putting so many wrinkles in my plan.
Ever since 'Remi' came into the picture, Dico could feel his plans crumbling at his feet. He knew that she couldn't be trusted. However, because Melody was a good friend and judge of character, the tattooed man let it slide.
If he would've known she was a narc, he would've killed her in an instant.
The Dark wizard has been unable to sleep, waking up to dreams of a brunette and pink haired woman ruining his position at Royal Tree. He would awake in a cold sweat, seeing the two women's features seared into his psyche.
He just wanted to be able to sleep.
"How much longer is this gonna take?!" The tattooed man began scratching his arm intensely. After doing several 'quality checks' of the product, Dico was beginning to get more dangerous.
"We're almost done, just go in the other room and cool down." The newest recruit mentioned, keeping his head down.
The rest of the wizards in the space went completely silent. The tension was palatable.
"Darling! You shouldn't speak up!" His partner whispered.
"Shut up! You don't tell me what the fuck to do. I'm not about to take advice from some yearlings." The dark wizard glared. "Don't forget you're still on a probationary period."
A knock on the door startled the men and women in the room.
"D." Caprico stated in a monotone voice. "It's time for that meeting. Let's go."
Dico rubbed his forehead, exhaling the large breath he'd been holding. The young man looked extremely stressed. "This little project better be finished by the time I get back." The tattooed dark wizard glared towards the crew before he followed the Celestial Spirit.
Walking swiftly to the meeting area, the duo kept silent the entire way there. All that could be heard was the noise of each foot quickly walking across the floor. The tattooed man was slightly nervous about this particular meeting. Dico had been asking for several months to take 'The Exam'. It was a rigorous test that every dark wizard had to pass in Grimoire Heart if they wanted to be a part of the Seven Kin of Purgatory.
The Dark wizard felt the need to prove himself to the rest of the guild. He wanted to be the youngest of the Seven. At only nineteen years old, he wasn't the youngest in the guild, but he was close. There were several members who were over the age of thirty, and hadn't even attempted to take 'The Exam'.
In order to pass, a guild member must fight one of the Seven Kin in order to gain their spot. Several attempts have been made in the past. However, the seats on the Seven Kin of Purgatory have not changed in nearly five years.
Dico was hoping today was the day they would announce his candidacy. There had been a lot of buzz around Grimoire Heart about the selections over the last few days.
The two wizards find themselves at the end of a long hallway. Capricorn knocks in a specific, light pattern. A small click was heard before the goat opened the door. Dico and Capricorn both walk into a room with several guild members. All of the members of the Kin were here, along with six other wizards from the lower ranks that he recognized. There was a woman with bright red hair standing next to Ultear he didn't.
The tattooed dark wizard looked towards their guild master in the center of the room. He sensed his eyes glaring at him from all the way across the room.
"Glad you could finally make it.." Hades gave a curt nod.
"Sorry for the delay, sir." The goat took a bow before quickly moving in line with the other members.
"Now that everyone's here. There are a few announcements that need to be made." The Dark Guild Master stood from his chair, walking to the center of the room. "As you can see, there are a lot more members in this meeting than normal. That's because I've decided it's time to see if the Seven Kin are really the strongest members of the guild."
Whispers began among the Kin, unaware of the actual reason for the extra guests.
"I asked each of you to choose a member based on a certain criteria. These seven members of Grimoire Heart have the possibility of being your successors." Hades looked around the group, seeing many of the weaker members get excited at the chance. However, most of the Kin showed no signs of anxiousness.
"We'll begin The Exam with the Attack on Magnolia." The Guild Master chuckled darkly. "The group will be split in half, and each given the remaining Drip that is being processed. Whichever team passes out the most, will have a clear advantage going into the second round."
"Why Magnolia? There are larger cities to create a bigger impact." The scarlet haired woman piped in. "Thinking logically it would make sense to hit Onibus, or Hargeon."
"I appreciate the ambition." Hades nodded towards her. "However, Magnolia is a place that is truly close to me." A sinister grin came over his features. "I want to see those precious Fairies grieve over their little town."
There were cheers around the room, coming from nearly every member.
"The Second Round." The Dark Guild Master continued. "Will take place on Tenrou Island. A sacred place for Fairy Tail. We are going to attack on the day of their S–Class Trials. All of the guild's strongest wizards will be in one isolated location, making it the perfect time to attack!"
"First, we must wipe out every single guild member. It shouldn't take long considering how strong the Seven Kin of Purgatory are." Master Hades chuckled darkly. "After that, we'll have a battle royale of our own! The last seven standing will be the new Seven Kin of Purgatory!"
"How much longer do you think Dico will be?" One of the men in the room piped up, startling the other three in the room. The pale wizard looked around the table, wondering why everyone was still so tense.
"Not sure.." Bin Nubiru shrugged. The blonde man was one of the newer members of the guild. Already completing sixty of his ninety day probation, he was eager to become an official member. "If they're in a meeting, it could take hours depending on how many conversations get going."
The ice wizard nodded as he rotated his neck from side to side. He's only been in the guild for a week. However, the amount of information he's gained has been extremely valuable. The young man reminded himself that he would need to have a talk with the scarlet maiden. While unsure of where she was placed in the facility, the ice wizard knew she would rise through the ranks quickly by her strength alone.
Thinking back, the pale mage remembered the first day he contemplated joining Grimoire Heart.
"I'm glad the three of you could join me before you set off." Master Makarov had a grim smile on his features.
"Is there something you need, Gramps?"
The Guild Master was silent for a few moments, contemplating his words carefully. "This mission is very important. However, I'm afraid that it will also be taking place during the S-Class Trials. I was going to suggest Gray and Juvia to compete-"
"REALLY?!" Gray yelled frustratedly, interrupting Master Makarov. "I've been waiting for this opportunity for years! This is so unfair!"
"If you'd listen to what I have to say, you'll see that I'm not being unfair at all."
The Ice Mage took a few deep breaths. This helped slow his heart rate to a normal level. Once Gray finally calmed down, he looked towards the guild master. "I'm sorry.."
"As I was saying." Gramps cleared his throat. "I was going to suggest that you compete this year. Unfortunately, that would mean we would postpone the games. In all the years that the S-Class trials have been held, they've never been canceled or delayed. I am not going to break tradition.
"With that being said." The guild master snickered, looking towards Titania. "Erza and I have come up with an alternative."
"What is it, Master?" Juvia asked curiously.
"If Grimoire Heart needs to be infiltrated, it's easily considered an S-Class mission. This is not a mission I would take lightly. Under normal circumstances, I'd never let one of my children recklessly endanger their lives in this manner, unless they were properly trained. Erza has decided that if the plan comes to this and you are successful, the two of you will gain your S-Class Status through this mission."
"Really? No way!" Gray pumped his fists into the air in excitement.
However, when the scarlet maiden decided to actually enact the plan, the Ice wizard became a little apprehensive. After seeing the way a dark guild operates, Gray wanted to stay as far away from the inside as possible.
"Have you lost your mind, Erza?!" The Ice Mage all but screamed at his guild mate. Titania, Gray, and Juvia were attempting to gain as much information on Grimoire Heart as possible. There were so many lives counting on their actions.
However, watching from the sidelines wasn't getting them anywhere.
Titania proposed a plan similar to this in the beginning. Although it was going to be a long shot, it's the quickest way to get results. Erza was a little nervous about infiltrating a dark guild. Such a mission would be an S-Class mission by everyone's standards.
Master Makarov warned the scarlet maiden that it may come to this. If he believed in the trio to get the job done, then Titania should too.
"It's the only logical way to get any valuable information, Gray." The red haired woman had a very serious tone to her voice. "We've been trying for weeks, and the only thing we've been able to ascertain is that they're going to attack."
"I hate to say this…" Juvia looked down at the ground, moving the earth beneath her toes with her feet. "But I think Erza's right, darling. If Lucy can do it, I'm sure we are up for the challenge! Besides, we know we're strong enough to be S-Class wizards! We can do this!"
The Ice mage sighed, rubbing his temples. Although he didn't want to admit it, Gray was feeling nervous about their new objective. Shaking the sweat off his hands, the young man However, Juvia was right. If Lucy could get entangled with a dark wizard and come back, so could they!
"You're right Juvia." Gray mentioned, turning to see her gushing over him. "We can do this."
"I've been able to ascertain they let just about anyone in with some magic ability. It would be easy to get in, the difficult part is remaining hidden and not getting ousted by the other members."
"Hey! Less daydreamin' and more fillin'!" Bin shouted towards Gray, shaking him out of his thoughts.
"Sorry man, just got lost in the minefield." The Ice wizard chuckled as he shrugged it off, continuing to work at a fast pace. Soon, he caught up with the rest of them, even surpassing the two across from him.
"Damn… I wish you two were here the week we had a triple shipment!" The other individual mentioned, this being the first time he spoke since he arrived.
Gray, Juvia, Can you hear me? A worried voice popped into their minds. Thankfully before they left, Warren taught them a spell that helped them communicate through telepathy.
Yes, we hear you! The water mage piped up.
Is everything okay, Erza? Gray questioned.
We're going to need to contact Master Makarov immediately. What they're planning is more sinister than we thought.