Chapter Fifty-Five
"What's going on?" Sting asked as he watched Gray and Ultear standing more or less shoulder to shoulder with the Flame God. They hadn't moved in a while and he was beginning to worry that the Flame God didn't actually know how to fix the problem at hand.
"The air around them has been gradually shifting." Alfie's voice came through his comm and he jumped and snarled at the pocket of his pants as he pulled his comm out. Erza grinned and Jellal snickered softly, trying to mask it as cough. Meredy rolled her eyes openly while Romeo stared at the large flame. He had learned it was actually the magic of an ancient dragon who had died; but whose magic and flames had lived on. He couldn't believe it. He'd heard stories of such things when he was a small hatchling. But he had thought they were just stories told to keep hatchlings quiet and entertained.
"How so?" Erza asked for clarification and Alfie hummed.
"It seems that Ultear and Gray are cooling the air while the Flame God is increasing it; and shaping the air."
"Shaping air? How can you shape air?" Rouge asked in confusion and furrowed his brow.
"It's a form of air magic." Alfie informed him and they froze.
"A fire dragon can control air?"
"Apparently." Alfie hummed and Erza lifted a brow. That was snakier than usual. She would have to talk to Lucy about trying to cool the snark around the AI. At the thought of Lucy, her heart clenched and she hoped whatever feeling has been edging into her mind and heart weren't anything to worry about. She was half tempted to ask Alfie but she didn't want to get distracted from the mission at hand. And she had a feeling if she knew what was causing her worry; she wouldn't be able to focus properly.
"Let's get into the ship." Erza said and started to push Romeo and Flare away from the three they had been watching.
"Why?" Romeo asked looking over his shoulder.
"Because the mixing of hot and cool air can result in horrific storms. It's basic weather science." She said and pushed and as she said that, the wind suddenly whipped through them and Flare's hair was pulled away from her. Romeo put his arm around her waist and helped lead her to the ship. Rouge had grabbed Meredy's arm and then Sting grabbed her other and the three hurried into the ship as well. Jellal and Erza made their way towards the ship against the wind.
"You definitely called it." Jellal called over the howl of the window and Erza was about to say something when she turned, and she pushed him aside with her hip. Sting caught him as he careened towards the opening of the ship and they watched as Erza pulled a sword out of thin air and blocked an attack from a being they had never seen before.
Large horns popped out of what appeared to be a silver-gray helmet with a large purple circle in the center. A feminine face was surrounded by the collar of a cape that fanned out in the wind. She wore a purple skintight outfit; but as the wind ruffled the sleeves they saw that her hands and forearms were large claws. and what looked like almost human legs cut off mid thigh and turn into avian like feet.
"Huh…I wasn't expecting to see Re-equip." The newcomer murmured and stared at Erza. "But that ancient magic won't help you now. Surrender and I'll make sure your deaths are quick."
"Who are you?" Erza demanded and stared at the thing in front of her.
"I am Kyôka, the right hand of Lord Mard Geer. I have come to collect that which Lyon failed to acquire."
"You won't get your hands on the Flame God." Erza snarled and her body erupted in light as she changed into the Heavens Wheel Armor. Kyôak blinked and then sneered.
"Going for such magic draining armor first? Obviously you have no idea how to use that magic you have. You must be a human."
"I am human, but I promise you; the choice to don this was intentional." Erza stated and twirled a sword in her hand. "Let's get something straight. Just because I'm new to my magic doesn't mean I haven't studied up on it with the help of the libraries on the Fair Tail Guild Station."
"Libraries? This word means nothing to me. But I assure you, I'm unimpressed. Honestly, killing another human is going to be such a waste of my skills."
"What do you mean another human?" Erza asked and tensed, her body feeling like the weight from earlier was pressing even more. Kyôka smiled at her, and the chill spread through the opening around the ship.
"I believe her name was…Levy." Erza's hold on her sword faltered and Kyôka struck, sending Erza skidding away from both the ship and the trio trying to melt the purple-pink ice. "Poor little thing that she was, wasn't really a challenge but she was annoying nonetheless."
"No!" Erza shouted and charged forward, swinging wildly. Kyôka dodged and the two parleyed for some time; neither landing a blow.
"Yes!" Kyôka finally taunted. "Her screams of pain are like music echoing in my ears as she was tortured. Broken leg, broken ribs, broken fingers. Her tears tasted like the best salty treat I could dream of. Dying all alone on the street while others lay injured from our surprise attack."
"Your lying." Erza bellowed; swords flying from behind her and Kyôka swore as one grazed her thigh and another her upper right arm. She hadn't expected Erza to have command of the swords yet. The last weilder of that armor had taken twenty years to master the swords. How she had managed to control them already was an unsettling surprise.
"Oh, you only wish I was." Kyôka hissed. "Wendy, the young Dragis is also gone…blown to smithereens. Which is a shame as I heard Air Dragis scales are quite useful in armor. The theory is that is what Heavens Wheel Armor is made from."
"No!" Rouge and Sting shouted and Erza's hands on her sword loosened. Kyôka used that momentary sign of weakness to attack and Erza was sent flying up into the air. Kyôka blocked an attack from Jellal and sent a dark energy bomb at the ship. Jellal and Meredy immediately started to send up protective barriers as the bomb neared them. But then, there was Erza, taking the bomb to her chest.
"No!" Jellal shouted as Erza's shape was outlined in black light before it turned white and he had to look away. Kyôka was surprised; she hadn't seen Erza twist in the air and make her way to intercept the bomb. But it would be nice to have one less distraction. She smiled coldly.
The smile was short lived as from the fading light, leapt Erza, now in a dark black set of armor. The long thin black sword cut a swatch of Kyôka's cheek and she within inches of her. She leapt back and Erza landed on the ground. She wore black pants tucked into black boots with silver trim. The black and silver armor ran from neck to knees; openings showing exposed skin but also highlighting her physical form. Everyone on the ship had come out to stare; many remarking that they hadn't realized Erza was as toned and strong as the armor allowed them to see.
"Black Wing Armor." Rouge whispered.
"What?" Jellal asked, his eyes never leaving Erza as she charged forward; the wings on the back of the armor opening and helping her to move even faster.
"Black Wing Armor. It was created using Shadow Dragon scales and is said to increase the offense of the wearer as well as increase the amount of damage any attack causes. It even allows for short distances of flying."
"She's summoned another ancient armor." Meredy whispered in awe. Erza moved so quickly that Kyôka couldn't keep up. She grunted as more and more blows landed.
"How dare you not just die!" She shouted and emitted a pulse of black magic that had Erza falling to the ground and rolling out of the way as Kyôka brought her clawed feet down. Erza got back to her feet and the sword in her hand disappeared; replaced by a large battle axe.
"Humans will never die quietly or easily!" Erza shouted. "We will defy death with all of our might to ensure those we care for are protected."
"And yet you couldn't protect Mirajean."
"What?" Erza stumbled as Kyôka's word threw her off mentally and Kyôka used that distraction to swing out with her leg and send Erza into a tree. Erza dropped her battle axe and pushed up onto her hands and knees. Romeo tried to race forward but Flare grabbed him by the collar of his vest and held him back. She had never seen a battle like this. When she was focused, Erza was frightening. And while she didn't know the people being named; she could see how much the redhead cared for them as it opened her up for the blows from her opponent.
"Mirajean…poor thing. Got caught up in the demons released from Mard Geer's black energy bomb that had some of our scouts in them. She was consumed…her body infected…her life forever tainted. My underling Seilah even managed to latch onto her and infect her with her Macro magic to control her."
"No! Mira is too pure for demons to touch her!" Erza shouted, thinking of the smiling and quiet girl who had shown such gratitude at being saved and protected.
"It's nothing compared to the damage Jackal inflected on the Celestial Mage and her Guard…the one called Loke. The power to kill a Zodiac Guard is immense…but the cries of the Mage as she was covered in her Guard's blood…will replay in my dreams for eternity."
"Loke too?" Erza's mouth trembled. If Loke had fallen, then that meant that Lucy was in danger…had…She shook her head. No. If they had her in their clutches they would be bragging more. But that does mean that Lucy had lost one of the strongest Guards.
"Yes. Loke too." Kyôka's tone was soft and taunting. She blinked a few times and started to laugh.
"Are you crying? How amusing."
"Erza…" Jellal murmured, his heart heavy as he watched tears running down her face. He knew how hard it was to lose fellow soldiers and warriors. He'd lost many over the years battling Mard Geer.
Erza's armor shifted; gone was the Black Wing Armor. In it's place was an outfit they'd seen before. Red pants with white fabric in various spots up the side. A top of white cloth that appeared to be wrapped around her chest multiple times. She held a single katana sword in her right hand. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail and she was barefoot.
"What is this? This is no armor."
"I call this my Clear Heart Clothing. The armor I can access may protect my body and heart; but to defeat darkness like you; I have to be willing to open my heart and the walls I have built to protect myself. It's only by allowing the darkness in that I can eradicate it with the light of hope and honor!"
"Pathetic words that are as useless as the breath used to speak them." Kyôka muttered. "You cannot defeat me or the darkness that brought me into this world. Mard Geer and his powers are too much for you and your band of misfits to hope to topple."
"Bullys always fall in the end." Erza murmured and ripped some of the clothing off of her pants and wrapped it around her eyes and ears. Jellal started to move forward but Meredy stopped him.
"Meredy…"
"Wait. I feel something…I can't explain. But trust Erza." She whispered and he bit his cheek to stop himself from rebuking her.
"Oh you are making this even easier." Kyôka crooned and Erza shifted her feet, raising her katana. Kyôka sped forward but as she was about to strike, Erza sidestepped effortlessly and brought the sword down on the demoness' back. She howled in pain as she twisted around but Erza had leapt into the air, her foot connecting with Kyôka's head, sending the helmet flying. Green hair spilled out around the horns and the female snarled in anger. Erza landed several feet away and didn't speak. She only waited.
"Can you two hold this while I go help Erza?" Gray asked but there was a rumble from the Flame God.
"Do not break form. We are close now."
"She is being attacked by a demon!"
"And she is holding her own." The Flame God informed him and Gray bit his lip. Ultear felt a tear slip from one eye. She wanted to help the girl who had proven so many times in the short amount they had be together; that she was worthy of admiration. But she also knew that they had to free the giants soon. While they may not be killed having been frozen, every minute they were trapped; the weaker they got. They couldn't risk them getting killed if they were too weak to defend themselves if more demons appeared.
"Jellal is there. If Erza needs help, he'll get involved." She said, hoping her words were true. Gray gritted his teeth and kept summoning his magic up as he had been told to do. The sky was darkening as the storm they were creating grew. The Flame God's body grew and shrank as the winds pulled and twisted. His smoke adding to the heaviness of the air around them. The lantern stood close by waiting for him to jump into once the rains started so he wouldn't be at risk of extinguishing. Although he had said if it was how he went out; protecting the people who had for so long worshipped him; it would be a passing any Dragon would be honored to have.
Gray tried to tune out the taunts of Kyôka and the sounds of the fight. But it was hard. And the thoughts of having lost Levy, Wendy, and Mira tore at him. They were his friends. Maybe not for a long time; but still his friends. He thought of all the times the two humans had made him smile and laugh. And of the years spent watching Wendy grow into her scales. She was the little sister he had never had the chance to have with his hoard.
He gasped as pain ran up his side and his leg started to give out on him. He lowered one hand and created a brace of ice up his leg and then returned his hand to position. Ultear shifted and he shook his head.
"If you fall, we fail." She warned and he shook his head, sweat breaking out all over his body. He felt a sensation he'd only felt once before. He was reaching his limits.
"I won't fall, and we can't fail." He said and pushed harder. If he used all his magic, all of his life force; it would be worth it to protect this planet and keep the Flame God out of the hands of Mard Geer.
"Gray…" Ultear's voice was faint. She could see the blood running down his side from the early wound he had received from Lyon. But the Dragis ignored her. His scales shifting this way and that as he forced more and more power into the air. She stared, unsure how Dragis had such stamina and what seemed like endless power.
"Look out!" Meredy's voice carried to them on the wind and she looked over her shoulder. A black energy bomb was heading straight for them. She didn't know what to do. If any of them broke from the current pattern, the storm would falter and all the energy and magic they had used would have been wasted. But if they did nothing; then they were going to get hit and all would be lost for Solarium anyway.
"No!" Romeo's voice sounded gutted and Gray and the Flame God turned ever so slightly to look behind them as well. Flare stood there, her hair billowing around her, weaving quickly through and around itself, making a large net between her and them. The energy bomb hit her, and she was lifted off of her feet and into the air. Her scream echoed; but the hair shield she'd woven held and none of the explosion got to them. But as the last of the effects of the explosion faded; she fell towards the ground. She didn't move once she landed, and her hair fell to the ground, the healthy sheen it usually had all but gone. The smell of her blood laced the air and the Flame God started to roar.
And as he did, all hell broke loose as the storm finally broke. Gray watched as the Flame God turned away from the storm, and instead of aiming for the lantern, headed for Flare. He grabbed the lantern and started to follow; Ultear beside him, helping to support him. The Flame God licked at Flare's body but she didn't move. Fat drops of water started to fall; but everyone who paid attention to them over the battle of Kyôka and Erza; saw that the drops were normal rain drops. They held miniature flames and as they landed; heat could be felt.
"Liquid fire." Romeo murmured and looked across the stretch of ground to where Flare lay still unmoving. The Flame God roared and his flames licked at her face and body.
"Get up child! Now is not the time to fall." He urged but she didn't move. Gray threw the lantern forward and the Flame God was pulled into it and Ultear dropped Gray as he knelt besides Flare. She checked her and found a very light pulse. She pulled out a healing device and started to set it up; but it exploded in her hands when black lightning shot by Kyôka struck it.
"Leave her be…her death is just the first of the many on this planet!" Kyôka howled and the tone sent shivers up and down everyone's spines. But her howl of laughter was cut off as Erza brought her katana down, cleaving off her left arm. She screeched in pain and spun around; her leg catching Erza in the stomach and she was sent flying. But right before she would hit a large tree, she twisted; her feet touching the bark before she bounced off of it like it was made of rubber and she flew through the air back at her opponent. Kyôka stared; horrified and unable to move as a white light surrounded Erza. But this light wasn't Re-quip magic. No this was something more ethereal. It was the light of her soul; brightening up the world around her. As the light drew closer; Kyôka couldn't help but scream in agony as the light burnt through the darkness that stitched her together.
"What is that?" Meredy asked in awe and Jellal shook his head. He had never seen anything like it.
"I'm pretty sure that's…Fairy Glitter." Sting whispered in awe.
"What is Fairy Glitter?" Jellal asked and the others from the ship started to murmur.
"It's an attack that the Guild Station founder Mavis created. It's said that in times of dire need; any true member of Fairy Tail could be used to executed the spell. It's said to be merciless light that will wipe out the existence of all enemies nearby; but the amount of magic needed can kill the one using it."
They all watched with bated breath as the light got closer and closer to Kyôka and then she screamed as Erza finally collided with her. The light was so bright they all had to close their eyes. When they finally opened them; Erza was standing in a small crater surrounded by scorch marks. Pieces of flesh and purple fabric were all that was left of their enemy. Erza stood, her katana held high over her head; as the storm whipped her hair around. The light slowly faded, and once it did; she pitched forward. Jellal moved; catching her right before she hit the ground. He turned her over, trying not to grimace at the heat rolling off of her body. She was breathing raggedly, but still alive. He picked her up and ran for the ship; pushing through everyone and heading for the healing room. Alfie lit up the way for him.
Outside; Ultear was trying to pick up Flare's body but she didn't have the energy to. She was too exhausted. Gray handed her the lantern and scooped the girl up but only made it a few steps before his legs gave out and he fell; shielding her from the fall the best he could. He got to his knees and started to shuffle on them, biting back the grimaces as rocks and debris dug into his knees.
The rain came down harder, and he prayed that the magic within it would start to melt the ice and free the giants. But he also had to get Flare medical aid, or the giants would probably blame them for her dying. And he didn't want pissed off giants coming after them. But as the rain kept coming down, he felt like the rain was healing his injury. His energy felt like it was reviving. He wondered if it was a side-effect of the magic that the Flame God hadn't warned them about.
He started to push off of his knees when he heard something snap in the trees to the right. He turned his head and thought he saw something but when he blinked, there was nothing there. Instead he doubled down and forced himself to his feet. He stumbled to the ship right as Rouge and Sting returned from checking up on Erza and Rouge grabbed Flare while Sting went out and grabbed Ultear and the lantern.
Inside in the medical room everyone was running around quickly while Alfie preemptively brought supplies out. Meredy watched in awe as the AI seemed to know what was needed before even the medical staff that were on board. She had never seen an AI that prepared and wondered if maybe there was some credit to speaking to AI like it was a real person. Granted their AI had not been created by Blue Pegasus so it may not work. Their technology was always a little different than the majority of tech that was in the majorities of galaxies and universes.
When she watched the stats on Ultear come across as safe levels, she released the breath she had been holding. She turned and looked over and grinned as Gray struggled to get off of the bed, claiming he was fine. It took Sting, Rouge and Romeo all three holding him down for Alfie to produce straps that held him to the bed.
Flare's screens were blinking quickly, and the lantern beside her was shaking side to side as the Flame God barked orders that were ignored as the medical team worked on her. Alfie finally put the lantern in a box that silenced it and everyone watched as the lantern changed colors until it returned to a small flame.
"Is he okay in that box?" Jellal asked and Alfie hummed.
"I have made sure there is a steady stream of oxygen to keep him fed. But until he can be quiet and behaved, he's staying in there." The AI announced and Sting chuckled.
"You are definitely taking after Lucy. I can totally see her telling off a god."
"And she'd do it with a smile." Gray laughed and that made Romeo and Rouge chuckle as well. Jellal looked down at the sleeping Erza and over at them.
"You all truly adore this Lucy very much, don't you?"
"We adore all of the girls that were Lucy and Erza. They're good people. But Lucy is someone who brings out the best in those around her. And she doesn't judge."
"Good to know. Hopefully she'll make sure that the Thunder Legion doesn't try to attack me and my guild when we meet. I do believe that Laxus once threatened to put his fist through my face if I dared to show it around his grandfather."
"If you hadn't insisted the General's decision to let that bounty hunter ship go the threat wouldn't have been made."
"We need allies not potential enemies." Jellal argued and Rouge shrugged and looked around.
"They've never been seen or heard since. So where is the danger?"
"Still waiting potentially." Jellal said and walked over to Ultear and touched her forehead. She was cooling down and he smiled. "Thank you all for tending to her as well as the others."
"We have to look after one another. We're all in this together." One of the staff said and covered Flare with a blanket as they were done with the intense treatments. Now it was for the healing lights that were below and above her. The box containing the Flame God was lifted and they dealt with some smoke rings and then watched as he eased out of the lantern. He hovered over Flare and then settled over her much like a feline curling against their master.
"Such a foolish little thing to take a bomb like that. This body is too fragile."
"But her will was strong enough to keep her alive." Sting murmured.
"Will? No…there was another reason but what it is, I can't say." The Flame God murmured and growled softly. Sparks flowing from him to her and they watched as her health metrics started to improve dramatically. Alfie started to hum.
"You are transferring some of your magic into her. Even though it will weaken you."
"I am Atlas, the almighty fire dragon; general of King Igneel's hoard. I can transfer magic endlessly if I so desire."
"Perhaps that's what Mard Geer was hoping for. Your ability to transfer magic and grant magic to others." Meredy whispered and Atlas sizzled in annoyance.
"I will never help that monster."
"You won't have to. With Solarium safe from the ice and that demon; you can continue to protect the Giants and this planet. Once we find someone who can translate the Giant's written language; we'll return to Earth-land and take the fight to Mard Geer and end this war once and for all." Gray muttered from his bed and he watched as the fire turned it's visage to him.
"You have that much faith in the people you know there?"
"Of course. And after everything you've said; I trust that Natsu and Lucy will help bring around the end of this chaos more now than ever."
"Yes…In all the excitement I forgot. You have the heir of Igneel and the Celestial Mage. Protect her though. If darkness were to taint her…"
"That will never happen." Romeo shook his head. The Flame God looked at him and he didn't look away.
"You are young but carry much conviction. Don't lose that young hatchling."
"I'm not a hatchling. I'm totally old enough to fight and be considered an equal and not some baby that needs protecting." He crossed his arms over his chest and the Flame God chuckled.
"Youth hasn't changed. I appreciate that."
"Hmmm." Flare moaned and his attention returned to her. Her eyes fluttered open and for a few seconds they were hazy and unfocused. But once they cleared and she saw him hovering over her, tears sprang to her eyes.
"You are safe…thank all the good in the universe."
"No…it is thanks to you. You and your recklessness." He chided and she nodded and he sparked at her gently. "Someone as small and fragile as you should know better than to take on a bomb."
"I had to protect you and the others…I had no way of saving my family. But you all could. If I perished but they were saved…then it was worth it."
"I'm not sure if they would agree. But I won't argue. You need to rest and finish healing." She nodded again and closed her eyes. Atlas growled lowly and then returned to the lantern.
"Hard to be angry when she was only concerned for others, huh?" Jellal asked the lantern and Atlas puffed out a smoke ring in agreement. Jellal chuckled and looked over at the others. Gray had finally stopped fighting his own body and fallen asleep. Erza and Ultear were both resting as well. He turned and looked around.
"Everyone, until the storm outside is over; we may as well get as much rest as we can. Once it's over, we'll go out and see if all that was done today was effective and if the Giants were freed from their frozen prisons."
"Okay." "Sure." "Right." Everyone agreed and slowly left the medical room. Jellal looked around as Rouge and Sting each put an arm around Romeo and ushered hm out. Jellal started for the door and stopped and looked back at each bed.
"Alfie?"
"Yes General Jellal?" The Ai asked, its tone almost emotionless and he smiled sadly to himself.
"While I know I have no right to ask; will you notify me if anything happens to anyone in here."
"I will notify you." Alfie stated and he nodded and walked away and settled in the rec room where he had first sat with Erza and the others just a day ago. He couldn't believe it had been so short a time; as it felt like it had been months longer. But they had had numerous adventures crammed into such a short time. He leaned back and closed his eyes. He knew he should probably go back to his ship with Meredy but he also felt like he needed to be here. Who was he kidding? He felt more welcomed on this ship than on his own. He heard a noise and opened his eyes and turned his head. Meredy tiptoed in with her blanket and pillow and a bench appeared out of the wall. She curled up on it and he smiled. Guess he wasn't the only one who felt more at home here.
"No…No!" Jellal stumbled into the medical room and over to Erza. She was thrashing on her bed, and he'd been alerted by Alfie. If you can call having the chair you are sleeping in whipped around and sprung forward—effectively catapulting him to his feet as alerting him.
"Erza…Erza…wake up!" He said and gently grabbed her shoulders. Her eyes opened instantly and he stared into them; seeing fear and pain. He wanted to look away to check her readouts to know what hurt; but at the same time he felt like she needed the grounding that came with eye contact. "That's it. Deep breathes. You're safe in the medical room on the ship."
"What happened?"
"You defeated the demon; and Flare protected the trio so they could finish their storm spell. We're all waiting for the storm to end so we can go check on the Giants."
"Good." She blinked a few times and he glanced at the readouts. They didn't say that there were any injuries that should still be causing her pain. When her eyes opened and met his again, he felt a pull.
"Tell me what's hurting you…so I can try and help you get the rest you need." He whispered and she bit her lip.
"Unless you can tell me that everything that demoness said was lies. You can't fix the pain of losing loved ones." She whispered and he felt himself shrink a little. She was right. He couldn't bring the dead back and for all he knew, the words that they had all heard were the truth. But you often lose those you care about in wars. It wasn't fair, and it wasn't right. But it was the truth of war. It stole from everyone; no matter what side they were on.
"Who is supposedly deceased?" Aflie inquired and Jellal cleared his throat. Erza's expression too pained to answer.
"Some of her friends. Levy, Wendy and a Mirajean."
"They are not dead." Alfie stated and hope flared in Erza's eyes and she started to struggle to sit up. Jellal wanted to tell her to stay laying down but figured that would be a losing battle and instead twisted so he could wrap an arm around around her shoulders and bring her to a sitting position.
"Do you mean it Alfie?" Erza asked and a screen rose at the foot of her bed. Alfie hummed as the screen lit up the room.
"Of course. Lying to you would not be conducive to your healing or to my ability to stay in working order." Alfie ran through a list of files that made not sense to either Jellal or Erza before movement came on the screen.
They saw a small makeshift camp and people moving around. Erza pointed to a blonde on the screen. "There's Lucy."
"What is this?" Jellal asked surprised to be seeing this kind of recording.
"Drone footage. I have several Blue Pegasus drones in the air keeping an eye out on the blocks surrounding them for any more enemies or attacks from Mard Geer." Alfie stated. The drone feeding them footage lowered a little.
"There's Mira! She's really alive and okay." Erza sighed as the white haired girl appeared walking out of a Magi-Hover and heading to Lucy. They headed to a make shift table and Jellal heard the shuddering breath of Erza.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothings wrong." Erza shook her head and ran her finger over the head of blue hair sitting next to a surly looking Laxus. "That's Wendy and she's alive."
"Where is the one called Levy?" Jellal asked and Erza searched the screen. It split and they saw on screen the inside of a Magi-Hover. Levy was laying in a bed, surrounded by black and red fuzzy blankets. On the wall behind her was health metrics. Something shifted in the corner and they watched as Gajeel moved out of the shadows and sat on the bed beside her. He lifted her right hand, wrapped in bandages and he cradled it gently in his hands.
"What happened?" Jellal asked and stared at the sight, unsure of what to make of it.
"She was tortured. Mira heard it; while the drones were too late to witness it." Alfie stated. "A demon of Mard Geer's army beat her. Kicked her. She had multiple broken ribs, a broken leg. Right before Mirajean appeared; the demon held Levy down and broke her fingers one by one."
"If I get my hands on that demon…" Erza's heart rate spiked on the screen and Jellal felt her body stiffen.
"You cannot." Alfie hummed and the screen of Gajeel and Levy shifted. They watched a fight between to demons; until the drone caught sight of the face of the winning one. Erza gasped.
"That's Mira." She said in awe and they watched as Mira absorbed the demon.
"As you can see, you cannot fight the demon who tortured Levy. Mirajean has disposed of her in the most effective way possible."
"What happened to Mira?" Erza asked, concern lacing her voice.
"She learned that she has Takeoverian magic like her brother."
"Wait, two more humans have magic?" Jellal asked and Alfie hummed in concurrence. He looked over at Erza. "Are you sure you all are human?"
"Alfie has said we are." She said and he shook his head.
"Her Takeover magic is aimed at demons while her brother's is aimed at beasts. Both of which are more ancient forms of the magic."
"What is it our magics all being ancient types?" Erza asked and Jellal shook his head. He was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that these people were developing magic with no warning.
"There is no telling. Magic is known to be finicky in the best of times. Entire races have lost their magic and regained it throughout history. As if the magic wants to teach them lessons or be temperamental."
"I wonder…." Erza shook her head as she watched her friends on the screen. A sense of relief filled her. More than she could express with words.
"Do you think you can rest now?" Jellal asked and she nodded and he helped her to lay down. She thanked him and he nodded before walking out of the door.
"Thank you Alfie for letting me know they're okay." She whispered and Alfie hummed softly. She closed her eyes and felt safe enough to fall asleep quickly.