A/N: ModernRogue11 reporting in. You're wondering why I have a chapter published earlier than expected, right? Well, there's only one reason. October 11, which is a Monday here in the Philippines, is my birthday! That's right. I just turned 26 last Monday and I'm such in a good mood that I wanted to publish a chapter earlier than what I'm used to. This is my way of saying thank you to the supportive readers of this story. It truly warms my heart that all of you awesome people find Reapers Among Fairies to be enjoyable.
So, without further delay, let's proceed to the chapter!
Chapter 13: Project Eclipse
"Gajeel?"
The Iron Dragon Slayer finally returned from whatever hole he found himself in the mine shaft. It was already nighttime when he got out of the hole, he found himself in. He arrived at the bar the guild rented to celebrate their victory; he saw everyone enjoying themselves. The iron mage was still pissed that Natsu turned on him just to get a two-on-one fight with Sting and Rogue. What his guildmates didn't know was that he found a dark secret hidden within the annals of the mining complex beneath the stadium.
"If I ever see a mine cart again, it'll be too soon," the raven-haired dragon slayer said in annoyance.
"Where've you been?" Happy asked.
"Yeah," Natsu, who was the cause behind Gajeel's recent misfortune, added. "You jerk. Why'd you take off in the middle of our match?"
"For real!?" Gajeel exclaimed at the insinuation. Now pissed off, he got in Natsu's face and angrily stared at him. "I just spent the whole day crawling out of a hole because the lava-brained in front of me put me there!"
"Oh," Natsu expressed like he just realized something. "Is that true, Gray?"
The ice mage got annoyed and sarcastically replied, "I seriously worry about your lack of brain cells."
The fire-breather didn't mind Gray's comment and just mocked Gajeel for his earlier predicament. "That must've been really rough for you."
"Ugh. Just forget it," the son of Metallicana groaned. He then proceeded with his real reason for showing up. "Anyway, I need you to come with me." He then looked to the other dragon slayer in the room. "You too, Wendy. I've got something to show the two of you."
"Hm?"
From the way Gajeel sounded, it seemed that whatever he found was serious and they needed to see it immediately. Natsu and Wendy looked at each other and nodded before following Gajeel to wherever he may lead them.
After the encounter with the mysterious child, Jellal quickly met up with Meredy and Ultear at a designated rendezvous point just outside the amphitheater. The Heavenly Body mage revealed the information he gathered from the girl he met earlier to his partners. Their reaction to his intel was less than pleasing.
"Are you serious?" Ultear asked Jellal with doubt. "I don't believe it. If this is some sick joke then it's in poor taste."
Even if Jellal didn't want to believe what he had found out from the child, he can't just disregard it now that things are starting to become clear. The mysterious power they've been sensing for so long, Ichigo's hunch that it might be a device, and the inadvertent siphoning of spiritual energy; it all makes sense now. "I'm afraid we gravely mistook the situation," the blue-haired Crime Sorciére mage stated. "If there was a joke in this mystery is that our fates have already been sealed.
Jellal recalled the device's name and the tragedy to come. "The gate that will change the world, Eclipse, and the Dragon King Festival."
Only one word could explain what Sabretooth guildmaster Jiemma Orland was feeling right now.
Angry.
The loss of both Sting and Rogue to Fairy Tail's Natsu Dragneel caused not only the loss of the top spot of the games but also the humiliation of the supposed strongest guild. As such, he had summoned the two dragon slayers to demand an explanation. The other members were enjoying the grilling that the twin slayers were experiencing. The only ones who seemed worried were their Exceed, Frosch, and Lector.
"I have no comment on this defeat," sighed Rogue as he remembered the beatdown they got. "He was much stronger than we thought."
"Are those the words of a member of the strongest guild?" rumbled Jiemma as he stood up, upheaving the food and drink in front of him. "Who told you that you could lose? Who allowed such a shameful action? You disgraced the name of the strongest guild, SABRETOOTH!"
Jiemma flared his magic, causing Rogue and Sting to stumble to the floor. Both members were still sporting the injuries from their battle against Natsu and were not in the best condition.
"You are not worthy of calling yourselves SABRETOOTH!" bellowed the irate guildmaster as he punched and kicked the downed members. "Erase the symbol of the guild from your bodies! We have no use for weaklings!"
Unable to watch his best friend in pain, Lector intervened, saying that Sting did his best, and from that loss, he could grow stronger. Unfortunately for him, Jiemma's attention turned towards him and in his anger, questioned who the hell he was. The red cat answered that he was a member of Sabretooth. That reply made the already mad guildmaster furious.
"Animals have no place in this guild," Jiemma declared and charged his energy. "DISAPPEAR!"
Lector's body was consumed by the magic of Sabretooth's master. Frosch, Rogue, and especially Sting were shocked at the sudden turn of events. When the dust settled, not even a speck of the Exceed's jacket remained.
Lector was gone.
Everyone was shocked. They never expected the master to outright murder one of their own. Even though they don't have that tight-knit bond like Fairy Tail, they would never wish death upon anyone of their members. For some odd reason, only Minerva was smirking at Lector's apparent demise.
"Lector… Lector is…" stammered Frosch in fear before Rogue quickly scooped him up into his arms as if protecting him.
Sting looked in utter shock as he continued to stare at the space Lector occupied just a few moments ago before screaming in anguish.
"Shut up! It was just a stupid cat," scoffed the burly master, letting his guard down.
Sting finally snapped, and before anyone knew it, he had slammed his fist into Jiemma's stomach with all his magical power, piercing through the wizard's whole body. Sabretooth's master coughed blood as he fell to the floor as the whole guild witnessed Sting's anger and tears pouring in waves. Minerva looked at the scene with a smirk before swooping in with her plans.
All around, Ichigo can only see death and destruction. His allies and friends all lay dead or carry dead eyes at the despair they were facing. Comrades from the Court Guard all bloodied and defeated beneath the Sternritter and their armies. His friends from the Human World all perished in its annihilation. These images, they keep coming back.
Head Captain Yamamoto cut in half.
Byakuya getting shredded by his own Bankai.
Rukia shattering into pieces under her Hakka no Togame.
Renji getting overpowered by Mask de Masculine.
"Ichigo…"
Kenpachi imploding on his own power.
Uryu grieving over Nemu's lifeless body.
"Ichigo…"
Isane crying over Chad's mangled form.
Tōshirō holding Momo one last time before they were crushed under Gerard Valkyrie.
"Ichigo…"
Finally, Kisuke and his father Isshin pushing him, his wife, and his sisters into the darkness within the Precipice World before it finally collapsed.
"Ichigo!"
"AAAHHH!"
Ichigo woke to the sound of Orihime calling his name. Panting heavily, he looked at his wife to see a troubled expression on her face. It wasn't just her though. Yuzu and Karin were also concerned for him. Even Kazui and Yukino were worried.
After the day's events, Ichigo decided to take a quick nap to rest himself. It was just supposed to be a light sleep, but he never expected to have those vivid dreams of the past.
"Bad dream?" Orihime asked. Her voice had an effect that made the anxious carrot-top feel relieved.
"Yeah," Ichigo replied.
"What was it?"
"The war…"
Everyone, save for Yukino, felt crestfallen. The memories of their friends and comrades dying to save them still left a bitter feeling in their hearts. No matter hard they try to accept that they're gone, it still hurt.
"Are you going to be okay, dad?"
Ichigo stared beside Orihime and saw Kazui looking depressed. The boy was worried about his father when he saw him having a horrible nightmare. Wanting to ease his son, Ichigo ruffled Kazui's hair and smiled before saying, "Of course, son. As long as all of you are here, I'll be fine."
Kazui didn't show it, but he was still doubtful of his father's words.
"Why's everyone so sad?"
The Kurosakis all looked to their new family member and saw her confusion. They remembered that they haven't told her the whole story of how they got to Earthland in the first place. All they said was that they came from a dimension that was destroyed in a war.
Yukino had a suspicion that it might be a bad memory. "I'm sorry if I asked," she apologized thinking she was rude.
"It's okay, sweetie," Yuzu assured her niece that she didn't do anything wrong. "You were just asking and there's nothing wrong with that."
"Still, I shouldn't be prying on something private," the Silver-haired girl argued.
"Nonsense," Karin said. "Besides, since you're a part of this family now, you should learn the whole truth about us."
"Come here, honey," Orihime called Yukino. She patted the vacant space of the bed beside her.
Still hesitant, Yukino slowly made her way beside her adoptive mother and sat down. Kazui was picked up by his father and sat on Ichigo's lap. The twins were sitting on chairs just a few feet away from where the family of four was.
"So, what do you want to ask about?" Karin asked her niece, not once beating around the bush.
Yuzu inwardly groaned at her sister's lack of tact before focusing her attention on the Celestial mage. "…But seriously though, you can ask us anything. Don't be shy."
Mustering a bit of courage, Yukino finally spoke. "You mentioned a war…," she said timidly. "Was that why everyone was sad earlier?"
"Yes," the Kurosaki patriarch replied. "We are war survivors. You could say we're refugees."
Orihime began to elaborate on what his husband said. "We already told you last night that we're not from Earthland. We came here fifteen years ago to flee from a war that took everything precious to us."
"What kind of war would make you come here?"
"A war where the fate of three realms hangs in the balance," Karin interjected. "It was a war instigated by an individual hellbent on ending the cycle of death itself and he had the power to do it."
Yukino couldn't believe what she just heard. End death? That's not possible. "What kind of man would have such power?"
"He wasn't a man, Yukino," Yuzu clarified. "He was a god."
Yukino's eyes widened. "A…g-god?"
"He had the power to see multiple futures like grains of sand and choose the one outcome he desires. He is known as The Almighty. With his power, he led a powerful army and consumed the lynchpin of existence, the Soul King, destroy the three realms in our dimension and remade it back into its primordial state where the cycle of life and death did not exist."
"He is the father of all Quincies," Ichigo said, getting his daughter's attention. "Being the children of a noble Quincy, my siblings, my son and I descended from him. With all the atrocities he's committed, he will forever be remembered as the one who took all that we hold dear."
Yukino was left speechless after hearing the story from her new family. Their world. Their friends. Their comrades. Everything they ever held dear…gone. Why would a god do such a thing? Aren't gods supposed to be benevolent? And to think that her adoptive father, his son, and his sisters descended from a deity. Still, there was one crucial detail that Ichigo had yet to reveal…
"What was the name of this god?" the only wizard in the family asked.
"His name…" the family patriarch spoke, "…is Yhwach."
Once again, Yukino was silent. The way they said that name had a sense of dread. Truly, this Yhwach person and his unbelievable power are to be feared.
The Celestial mage looked somber after hearing all of this. Even though they were willing to share their terrible past, it still didn't seem right for her to inquire about it. It brought about bad memories that even to this day still affect Ichigo, Orihime, Karin, and Yuzu.
"I'm sorry."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow at Yukino. "Why are you apologizing?"
"Because I brought up some bad memories," she meekly answered. The wizard was then surprised when Orihime caught her in a hug.
"There's no need to apologize, dear," the family matriarch assured. She then separated from the hug and looked her daughter in the eyes and said, "Even if we talked about it or not, it won't bring back what we lost. So, don't beat yourself up just because you wanted to know about your new family. Besides, we were going to tell you eventually."
"Big sister," Kazui called. Everyone looked at the young reaper and saw a caring and thoughtful expression directed at the mage. "The thing about memories is that there will always be good or bad. The only thing we can do is cherish the good ones and learn from the bad."
For someone so young, Kazui had that wisdom you rarely see for children his age. It made Ichigo proud. "Well said, son."
Everyone smiled, not only for Kazui's endearing words but also for finally letting Yukino learn of their true origin. Though at first, the mage was nervous, it seemed that in the end, nothing was there to be worried about.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Everyone's attention turned to the source of the sound. Who could be visiting them this time of day?
"I'll get it," Karin volunteered and Flash Stepped to the front door. Once she opened it, imagine her surprise to see the royal army on their doorstep. "What the?"
"Good evening, ma'am," the leading knight greeted. "Does this happen to be the inn where the Kurosaki family are currently residing for the duration of the Grand Magic Games?"
"Yeah," the Soul Reaper twin replied. "Who wants to know?"
"May we humbly request an audience with the head of the family, Ichigo Kurosaki?"
"Let me get him for a sec." Karin then turned around and called her brother. "Hey, Ichigo. I think the royal army wants to talk to you or something."
"Let them in," the older reaper said. The soldiers slowly came in and stood in front of the Kurosaki family. They were indeed soldiers from the royal army. Curious, the patriarch of the family questioned the army men of their reason for the visit. "Can we help you with anything?"
"Good evening, Sir Kurosaki," the leader of the squad greeted. "I'm Corporal Bourdon of the Cherry Blossom Royal Knights. I was sent here by my superior, Colonel Arcadios, to tell miss Yukino Agria that our commanding officer is requesting an audience with her."
Ichigo's narrowed, making the soldiers nervous. They were given strict orders not to earn the ire of this man and to handle this request as cautiously as possible.
"And what reason would this Arcadios fellow want from my daughter?" Ichigo asked the terrified man, hollowfying his voice, and emphasized the last two words that unless these people give him a damn good reason, he won't be handing over Yukino to them.
Corporal Bourdon was trembling. The demonic voice sent shivers down the spines of both him and his men. He looked around and saw the other family members ready to pounce on him with killing intent. Karin was clutching the hilt of her sword, Yuzu had a Seele Schneider in hand, Orihime's hairpins were glowing furiously, and even Kazui was reaching for his zanpakūto.
"Of course, sir," the officer stammered. "Miss Yukino along with fellow Celestial mage Lucy Heartfilia has been requested to meet with Commander Arcadios because their help is necessary for a top-secret project the highest officials of the kingdom have been preparing for seven years."
Ichigo and the rest calmed down then urged the officer to continue. "Go on…"
"Their power, specifically the 12 Golden Zodiac Gate Keys, is needed to activate a device that would in theory help destroy both Zeref and Acnologia."
If Ichigo was surprised, he didn't show it. A device that could destroy Acnologia and Zeref? If this is true then this device might be what they're looking for. "Are there any more details about this secret project?"
"I'm sorry, sir but that is all I can disclose to you."
"Well, that was expected," the reaper thought. This could be the chance they've been looking for to get to the bottom of this conspiracy. However, he isn't just going to let Yukino go with these people. The mission might be important but the safety of his daughter is above that. "I need to talk to my family for a moment."
The corporal quickly nodded. "Sure."
The family left the soldiers alone as they entered a separate room. Ichigo along with the adults looked at each other before turning to Yukino.
"I'll be honest, Yukino," Ichigo began. "What they said about that device, we've already known about it."
"What?" replied the surprised mage.
"All of us here along with some members of Fairy Tail have been investigating an unusual concentration of dark energy that's supposedly connected to Zeref. We suspected that it was a device since no wizard has a magical container that could store seven years' worth of power inside them."
"I understand. But what does this have to do with me?"
"They need you for whatever it is they're planning. You could help us find out what this device is and learn more about this mysterious project. However, it is still up to you if you'd wish to go or not."
"Huh?"
"Dear," Orihime stepped in to explain. "We understand how important it is to find out about this device but all of us value your safety even more. If you don't want to go, then it's okay as long as you're safe."
"Thanks, Orihime. Ichigo," the mage said in gratitude for their concern yet her decision has already been made. "I'm going."
"You are?" Kazui asked.
"Of course. All of you have done so much for me in a short time. You took me in when I had no home. You protected me when my old guildmates tried to hurt me. Most of all, you made me feel like I belonged here…that I'm not alone. This is the least I could do to repay your kindness. Besides, it's Zeref's followers that took away my sister. If this can help prevent any more atrocities, then I'll gladly do it."
"Okay," Ichigo agreed since this was a decision Yukino made on her own. "However, Kazui and Yuzu will be going with you just in case. Also, Yuzu…"
"Right," the younger twin nodded and approached the Celestial wizard. In her hand was a pendant with a five-pointed cross dangling from the lace. In one swift motion, the Quincy slung it around her niece's neck and said, "This cross will help us find you if you ever get in trouble. Just put some of your energy into it and it will give us your location."
"Got it," Yukino replied.
With that settled, the family of six exited the room and approached the soldiers. Ichigo was the one doing the talking.
"We'll let Yukino go with on the condition that two people accompany her," Ichigo stated.
"Yes, of course," Bourdon quickly agreed. "Commander Arcadios even said that should your daughter agree to come with us, she can take with her trusted people as an escort."
"Good." After that remark, the oldest Kurosaki sibling then turned to the three people who will be going with the soldiers. "Although I'm confident you three would return safely, the parent and brother in me still want you to be careful. Stay alert and watch over your nephew and niece, Yuzu. Yukino, Kazui…look after each other."
The three nodded and followed the soldiers to the exit, finally disappearing and heading to the royal palace.
Karin quickly stared at her brother with a questioning gaze. That Quincy pendant Yuzu put on Yukino wasn't just some locator item. It served a far more important purpose. "That Quincy Cross…" she began. "Are you planning what I think you're planning?"
Ichigo smirked. "You're perceptive as ever, Karin. You're right. After the end of the game, we'll be training Yukino to be a Quincy."
"That's a wonderful idea, sweetheart," Orihime exclaimed.
"I agree," the Soul Reaper twin added. "It will complement her Celestial Magic very well."
"It's very thoughtful of you to do that for her, honey," Orihime expressed.
Ichigo wrapped his arm around his wife's waist and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "I'm just doing what any parent would do," he said with a smile.
After leading them through the mining tunnels, the dragon slayers and their Exceeds found themselves within the inner levels of the shaft. For some reason, Lucy and Gray tagged along. When they finally reached the place Gajeel mentioned, all of them were left speechless.
"What are these things?" Gray gasped.
"They look like giant bones," Lucy commented.
"These aren't just any bones. These are dragon remains," Natsu clarified.
"Dragon remains!?" asked a surprised Lucy.
"There's so many…" Carla remarked as her eyes wandered around the graveyard.
"If you ever want proof that dragons existed, then look no further," Panther Lily commented.
"What are all these bones doing here?" the ice mage asked.
"Don't know," Gajeel answered while he led them further into the chasm.
"Well, I'd like to know," Natsu voiced. "Why are there piles and piles of them down here?"
"Something bad must've happened," Lucy said.
"Who knows? Maybe we might find Igneel here," Happy remarked causing Carla to reprimand him. He forgot that Natsu was here. "My bad."
"No," the Fire Dragon Slayer assured. "He isn't here."
"Yeah," the Iron Dragon Slayer agreed. "It's only been fourteen years since our dragons disappeared. These bones look like they've been here for centuries."
"That might work!"
Everyone looked to the youngest dragon slayer in confusion.
"What do you mean, Wendy?" the blonde Celestial mage asked.
"The Milky Way spell," the bluenette clarified. "It's one of the new spells in the book that Grandeeney gave me. When I was first learning it, I thought it was some sort of an attack spell but I just had a thought. What if it's something entirely different? What if we can use this spell to hear the voices of dragons who have passed on?"
An expression of surprise was seen on everyone's faces.
"If we can somehow commune with the spirit of one of these dragons, then maybe we can find out what happened here. Also, they might be able to tell us what happened to our dragons."
Taking a stick, Wendy began drawing the necessary runes that formed Milky Way's magic circle. At first, she thought that she misunderstood the characters since she initially thought of it as an offensive spell. Looking back, now she understood the purpose of the script since she looked at the spell from a different angle.
After completing the circle, he advised everyone to stand back because she'll begin reciting the incantations to activate the spell.
Gathering her magic, Wendy recited the incantation. "Oh, wandering spirits of dragons long past, reveal yourself and share your wisdom with me. Milky Way!"
The circle came to life as it glowed bright green. Miniscule orbs of magic particles ascended to the cavern's ceiling. The energy did not break through the rocks above but instead scattered above like ripples. When the Sky Maiden found a spirit of a dragon, she clasped her hands together to call upon the entity. She then fell into a trance.
The energies emanating from the magic circle coalesced, forming into a reptilian creature with wings, claws, jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth, and emerald-green scales.
They finally managed to call upon the spirit of a dragon.
The specter of the once-living beast roared, frightening the mages present that they all screamed like girls at the same time.
"HAHAHAHA!" the ghost laughed. "Even in death, scaring the ever-living pants out of you humans is still as hilarious as when I was alive."
Scared stiff, the wizards could only stare in utter disbelief at the dragon for getting punked.
"My name is Zirconis," the dragon introduced. "I am called the Jade Dragon when I was still alive, for obvious reasons. I'm quite impressed that you managed to summon my spirit. By the looks of it, this must be a spell of the Sky Dragon, Grandeeney." Zirconis looked around, searching for the caster of the spell until his eyes fell upon Wendy. "Aww," he cooed. "How adorable. So, this little girl was the conjurer of the spell."
The Jade Dragon eyed Wendy like she was food. Natsu saw this and immediately threatened the dragon from doing anything to the girl.
"Back off!" Natsu yelled. "Don't even think of touching her!"
"Then I'll eat her," Zirconis suggested. "…And she's just the appetizer."
"I won't let you!"
"Geez, lighten up, dummy," Zirconis teased while letting his ghostly finger pass through the fire mage. "Eating you would be pretty hard to pull off if I can't even touch you, hehehe."
Everyone sweatdropped at the dragon's weird behavior while Natsu was irritated. Still, they had more important things to discuss than the dragon slayer's short temper, so they asked the spectral dragon for any information regarding the dragon graveyard. At first, Zirconis didn't want to answer since he didn't like humans unless they were on a silver platter but when Happy, Carla and Lily asked, he quickly obliged.
"It was four hundred years ago," Zirconis began. "We dragons thrived in the world. We flew in the skies, traversed the lands, and swam the oceans. Us dragons were the masters of the world and all other life forms were merely fodder beneath our feet. Humans were simply a good source of protein. That is until one dragon came with the notion that we can coexist with humanity. At first, this was simply dismissed but like all radical ideas, there were bound to be followers and detractors. It didn't take long for the two sides to engage in conflict and plunged dragonkind into civil war. As for myself, I fought against the fanatics."
"Wait a minute," Lucy interrupted and nervously asked, "So, does that mean you don't like humans?"
"True that I'm not fond of you humans," the ghostly dragon answered. "Unless you're perfectly cooked…medium rare."
Natsu found something funny about that statement. "Didn't your parents ever tell you not to talk to your food?"
"Hey! Try respecting the dead, why don't you?"
"Anyway," Carla chimed in, "…you were going to tell us about your civil war?"
Zirconis grunted and continued his story. "Both sides were evenly matched. Our war was so intense that it left continents barren and scarred. Until finally, the dragons supporting coexistence came up with a plan that doomed us all. They granted humans the power that would be known as Dragon Slaying Magic. With this new power, mankind joined the war."
This revelation left everyone in the cave shocked.
"So, the first dragon slayers were like ancient warriors?" Happy asked the huge reptilian spirit.
Zirconis nodded to the blue cat and continued to tell his tale. "The power of the dragon slayers was so great that it turned the tide of the war. We thought that victory was certain for the other side. That is until a great travesty came to pass. The dragon slayers became so powerful that they turned on the very dragons that granted them power. It was a massacre."
The mages could see the look of sorrow in Zirconis' face. Even as a spirit, he still recalled the bloodshed that he experienced during the dragon civil war.
"There was one man who was so powerful that he bathe the countryside with the blood of my kin." Zirconis' look of sorrow now turned into dread. "The mere mention of his name still scares me. This man slew countless dragons and soaked in their blood. He used his power so often that his skin turned to scales, his teeth sharpened into fangs, and he stopped being human altogether."
Lucy was terrified. The way this was narrated made it sound like… "He turned into a dragon?"
"That is the fate of all who practice dragon slayer magic." The emerald dragon stated. "All the bones you see here were the remains of the dragons slain by that man. Despite his human origins, he became the king of dragons, and the war he waged came to be known as The Dragon King Festival. His name…was Acnologia. Once a human, now a dragon cloaked in wings of darkness."
A unified gasp escaped from the Fairy Tail mages. Acnologia was the black dragon that attacked them in Tenrō Island. Nothing they could put a stop to the monster. That dreaded creature…was once a human?
After he revealed the dragon war and the black dragon's origins, Zirconis found it strange that his essence still hasn't disappeared. That's when he sensed something primordial and spiritual. Energy, so fluid yet powerful, emanated from Wendy. He recognized this energy and knew the beings who were able to harness it. He wondered why this dragon slayer had it so the dragon decided to ask.
"It seems that the little dragon slayer has been touched by the gods of death."
"Huh?"
"This girl," Zirconis pointed at Wendy, "I can sense the powers of a death god flowing within her. How did this come to be?"
The mages were lost I thought. Blessed by the gods of death? When did this happen? None of them knew what the dragon meant until Lucy said a name…
"Kazui!"
Everyone save for Wendy looked to the blonde curiously. What does Kazui have to do with this?
"Can you explain, Lucy?" Carla requested.
"Kazui is a Soul Reaper which is essentially a death god. When Wendy fought Chelia on the third day, she had a white mask that looked similar to Kazui's when we first met him. Maybe when Zirconis said that Wendy was touched by the gods of death, it meant that she had Kazui's powers, or at least traces of it, within her."
Everyone finally understood what the dragon meant and recalled the girl's sudden power boost during her match.
"Soul Reaper," Zirconis said, gaining the attention of the wizards. "It's been centuries since I've heard of that word."
"You know anything about them?" Natsu curiously asked.
"There were only a few during my time yet each one had the power to destroy a continent hundreds of times over."
The mages were dumbfounded by what the dragon said. They already knew that their new members were powerful. But, to that extent? Though she was still surprised, Lucy fully understood what the dragon said. Even so, she still has no idea how truly powerful the Kurosaki patriarch is. After all, the man hasn't even released his Bankai yet.
"These beings were so powerful that even the gods such as Ankhseram and the battle deities fear them. They were the protectors of the cycle of life and death, guiding souls to the afterlife. However, they were protectors only by name. The strongest of these Soul Reapers were nothing more than a group of ruthless, merciless, and bloodthirsty murderers. It is said that one of them learned eight thousand styles of killing while their leader had flames that could burn all of creation to ash."
Every mage shivered in fear after hearing that statement. Bloodthirsty killers? And with that kind of power?
"Even the likes of Zeref and Acnologia would fall to them. They were truly…monsters."
"So, what happened to them?" Panther Lily asked.
"I don't know. Some stories say that they waged war against a race of monks that was led by a man who could shape destiny. That said, it all happened long before your era." The dragon's visage started to become blurry. Zirconis' ethereal body was dispersing as his essence slowly disappeared from this world. He looked at Wendy one final time. "This girl will no doubt ascend to the highest echelons among dragon slayers. And with the blessing of the gods of death, you can be sure that it'll happen very soon." Zirconis finally vanished, his image fading into the ether.
"Wendy," Lucy called as she approached the young dragon slayer.
"I'm glad we got answers from Zirconis," Wendy smiled and looked to where the mighty specter once stood. "Wherever he is, I'm sure he will finally get his long-needed peace."
There were many things that the wizards need to contemplate after hearing what the deceased dragon revealed. However, the three dragon slayers have only one thing on their minds.
"DOES THIS MEAN WE'RE GOING TO TURN INTO DRAGONS!?" Natsu yelled at the top of his lungs.
"HOW THE FUCK SHOULD I KNOW!?" Gajeel retorted. He also feared for his supposed fate.
"BUT I DON'T WANNA!" Wendy cried in fear.
"That's not likely to happen," a voice echoed through the caverns.
The mages looked in the direction of the voice to find a tall knight clad in impressive white intricate armor. It was Arcadios.
"Who are you!?" Natsu questioned the stranger.
Arcadios didn't answer and instead, posed his own query. "I took the liberty of eavesdropping on you and found out that our research was historically accurate after all. Although, the myth behind death gods was a surprise. Still, you would want to hear what I'll say. Tell me, have ever heard of the demons from the Books of Zeref?"
Natsu, Lucy, and Gray remembered the two demons they fought in their adventures: Deliora and Lullaby.
"Acnologia can be likened to those creatures since it was Zeref who help turn the man into a dragon." This bit of information was a surprise to the wizards. "Therefore, if you wish to conquer the black dragon, you must first need to conquer the black wizard."
"Who are you!" the Fairy Tail mages questioned the officer.
"I am Colonel Arcadios, leader of the Sacred Cherry Blossom Knights, the Crocus garrison force of the Fiorian Royal Army." The colonel began to explain his true intent behind the games. "Please, allow me to clarify. For several years, I along with some officials have been working on a highly classified project, but its success required the power only a Celestial wizard can provide. We would've recruited miss Yukino Agria into our ranks but unfortunately, she was adopted into the Kurosaki family before we could make our move. Right now, I have requested an audience with the former Sabretooth mage. I just hope that she accepts my request."
"So, you specifically needed that type of magic," Wendy said for clarification. "Why though."
"Get to the point!" Natsu yelled at Arcadios. "Stop with the formalities and tell what you're doing down here!" Arcadios didn't answer and simply praised the fire mage's performance earlier in the games. Getting more impatient, Natsu threatened the knight. "I said quit the formal shit and tell us what you're doing! Why the hell are you trying to get your hands on a Celestial wizard? Answer me because when I demand an answer, I expect one right away."
Arcadios was not intimidated. He casually turned around and told the Wizards to follow him. It was better to simply show than just tell.
The mages were led to Mercurius Palace by the royal knight to their astonishment. Once inside, Arcadios began to explain the purpose behind the Grand Magic Games.
"The Grand Magic Games, if you must know, was simply a ruse to siphon magical power from the various mages that participate in it."
Learning this fact made the wizards react negatively, calling them deplorable and messed up. Even so, Arcadios was not deterred by their words.
"Think what you must," the knight remarked. "You are entitled to your opinions on the matter but I firmly believe that the end justifies the means."
Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Gajeel, Wendy, and the three Exceeds finally stopped when they come face to face with a massive object.
It was a large gate with an elaborate design. At the center of the door is a sun with a darkened moon below it. The lower section of the door from the sun past the moon is dark blue with golden lines, the upper section is green and split into twelve segments. Around the sun are several circles, the innermost one connecting the moon and twelve holes, one in each segment. A set of steps leads up to the door and two pillars stand on either side of the door with an arch connecting them. Atop the arch is an emblem consisting of an eclipsed sun. On either side of the Gate is additional support, fashioned in the shape of a leg.
"What is this?" Wendy questioned. Her words were similar to what her guildmates planned to ask.
"This is Eclipse," Arcadios answered. "It is the door that will change the world. Without massive amounts of power, this door could've never been constructed."
"It's a door?" Carla expressed.
"To where?" Happy added.
"When the Sun and Moon intersect," Arcadios began, "…we will use the power of the twelve Zodiac gate keys to open the gate and travel four hundred years into the past and kill Zeref before he attains immortality. His destruction is our ultimate goal."
Astonishment cannot begin to explain how the mages were feeling right now. Travel back in time? Is it even possible?
Arcadios then further explained that the reason why they needed Celestial mages was that they wanted to utilize the unique temporal properties of the Celestial World. Due to the scarcity of Celestial mages around the world, the colonel thought that they'd be forced to use an alternative source of power. But now that the necessary gate keys are in reach, they won't have to resort to other methods.
…And the final person needed to complete Eclipse finally arrives.
"Sir!"
Arcadios and the wizards turn around to see a soldier leading three individuals towards them. The high-ranking knight smiled knowing that the last person necessary for the project is finally here. The wizards, on the other hand, were surprised to see their fellow members present.
"Kazui? Yuzu? Yukino?" Lucy and Wendy voiced their surprise.
"What are you guys doing here?" Gray asked.
"The soldier that guided us here said that his superior, Colonel Arcadios, wanted to have an audience with Yukino," Yuzu explained. Her eyes then darted towards the massive door behind the officers. The energy it emanated was the same energy they were after. There was no mistaking it. This was the device they were looking for. "So, this is it…"
Arcadios caught the Quincy's remark and questioned her. "What do you mean?"
"I've known of the existence of this gate the moment I stepped in this city," the Quincy revealed.
It was Arcadios' turn to be shocked. "What!?"
"My family, specifically me and my sister-in-law, are very sensitive to different energies in the environment. This gate isn't just absorbing magical energy, it's also inadvertently gathering reishi."
"Reishi?" Arcadios muttered in confusion. "What is that?"
"Pure spiritual particles," Yuzu answered. She lifted her hand and it glowed blue. To everyone's surprise, flecks of bright blue energy were flowing from the surroundings to her hand. Even more shocking was that she was able to absorb energy from the Eclipse Gate itself.
This demonstration worried the commander. He never expected that there were members of the Kurosaki family who could absorb energy. Furthermore, their entire operation was already in jeopardy the moment this family entered Crocus.
Yuzu noticed something strange. The glowing of her hands slowly diminished until it stopped altogether. Looking at the massive gate once more, she concluded what that strange feeling was. "Just as I suspected," she began, "My ability to absorb reishi isn't as strong as it normally is."
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked.
"The amount of energy that I can absorb is barely a quarter of what I can usually do," Yuzu revealed, shocking the mages and the knight even more. "My theory is that this device is limiting my absorption ability."
"Who are you?" Arcadios questioned suspiciously.
"Yuzu Kurosaki, the Last True Quincy," the youngest sibling proudly answered. Her eyes then narrowed at the knight. "What is it that you want from my niece?"
Arcadios was a person who wasn't easily intimidated. However, there was something different about this tunic-clad woman. She felt…otherworldly. Not wanting to risk a confrontation, he explained the purpose of the Eclipse gate as well as the necessity for Lucy and Yukino to be in this project.
"You're playing with dangerous forces here, colonel," the last Quincy told Arcadios.
"I am fully aware of that," the decorated knight countered. "I am willing to pay the consequences if it means ridding the world of the likes of Zeref and Acnologia."
"Be that as may, have you ever considered the opinions of the two wizards you need?"
"Surely they will see that this is for the greater good. Besides, we cannot wait any longer. The time for action is upon us." Arcadios turned his attention to the two Celestial wizards present. "When the Sun and Moon intersect; this will occur three days from now on July 7. We ask for your help, Miss Lucy and Miss Yukino."
"July 7!?" were the thoughts of the three dragon slayers. This was the day their dragons disappeared. This can't be a coincidence.
Suddenly, a swarm of royal soldiers entered and surrounded the group.
"What the hell!?"
"What's going on!?"
"We didn't do anything wrong!"
"You looking to pick a fight!?"
Various cries of surprise, confusion, and angst were expressed and yet, it did not stop the armed men from pointing their weapons at the supposed intruders.
"It would be wise for you to surrender before things get messy, Colonel Arcadios."
The mentioned knight turned around and was surprised to see Defense Minister Darton. "What is the meaning of this!?"
"I should be asking you that," the old minister said. "Why are you revealing state secrets to outsiders? This is treason you are committing."
"They are not outsiders!" Arcadios argued. "They are necessary to the Eclipse Project. I will not let your opposition jeopardize the safety of this kingdom. Call off this farce immediately!"
"Don't you understand that altering time has consequences!? This project of yours will disrupt our entire history! Colonel Arcadios, you are hereby under arrest for treason against the kingdom!" Darton declared and then pointed to Yukino and Lucy. "Take the Celestial wizards also. They are accessories to the crime."
The moment Darton said that order, a powerful pressure wafted the chamber. The soldiers were at a loss as to where this sudden feeling came from. Darton and his men began gasping for air while the mages tried their best to resist the overwhelming force.
"How dare you?"
Everyone, including the downed soldiers who managed to stay conscious, looked to the source of the voice to see the young Soul Reaper seething in anger.
"Kazui?" Wendy whispered. Her concern for the boy growing.
"You were going to take away Yukino," Kazui muttered. The pressure further intensified when his hollow mask began forming on his head. "I won't let you take my big sister!" Enraged, the boy pulled out his zanpakūto and aimed the tip forward. His spiritual energy bursting from his body like a fountain of gold, laced in red.
Yuzu, who wasn't affected by her nephew's reiatsu, had her eyes widened at what Kazui was about to do. Her initial feeling of concern turned into fear. "Oh no…"
"Shine, Mange–"
Before he could complete his release command, Kazui suddenly felt his energy drain away from his body. His energy disappeared and his hollow mask shattered before he began to collapse on the floor.
"KAZUI!" Wendy, Yukino, and Yuzu shouted. Wendy and Yuzu quickly rushed to the unconscious reaper with the latter arriving just in time with her Hirenkyaku, catching him before he landed on the floor. Yukino wanted to go to her little brother but some soldiers who managed to regain themselves restrained her.
"Kazui. Wake up," Wendy pleaded as she reached her friend and shook him awake. "What happened?"
"His spiritual energy was absorbed," Yuzu answered. "I should've warned him earlier."
"Don't even try to resist," Darton warned. "Even using a tiny bit of your magic will cause the gate to drain all of it because you're close to it. Wizards unable to use magic pose no threat to our trained army." Gesturing the soldiers to move he gave his final command, "Escort them out of the premises. We keep the two mages."
As soon as they had been kicked out of the palace, Darton told them that they'll be holding both Yukino and Lucy until further notice. That didn't sit well for any of them.
"You bastards," Gajeel growled at the old minister.
Wendy had Kazui resting on her lap. She was worried about the boy's condition after his energy got absorbed by the Eclipse Gate.
"It was never my intention to harm anyone," Darton explained. "There's simply too much at stake. However, I can somehow extend an olive branch for your troubles. If you manage to win the games, then I can get you a private audience with the king himself."
"We don't care about the king," Yuzu countered surprising Darton.
"What?"
"You were lucky that my nephew wasn't able to finish the release command."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"None of you would've lived."
When Darton looked into Yuzu's eyes, he could see the anger directed towards him. Her eyes. It reminded him of Arcadios' words regarding Ichigo Kurosaki. The eyes that hold killing intent. She has it too.
"You just made an enemy of my brother," the Quincy twin stated. "You arrested his daughter without any warrant and his son is currently unconscious. I'm more than enough to storm in there and annihilate everyone but, since Ichigo will find out soon then I'll leave you with a warning."
Darton was tense. He could feel the same pressure he felt earlier inside the palace only this time, it was only directed to him. A bead of sweat raced down the side of his face as he waited for the woman's words.
"Fear the wrath of the hollow, for it will finally be released."