Hello!

Firstly, I hope you're doing well.

Thanks for the comments! Love it, and keep it up. I don't care if it's good or bad or if you threaten me. I love them all, and I'm thankful you took the time out of your day to read my story and write a comment. It does brighten my day.

I knew my last chapter was going to be controversial. However, due to receiving many comments, I can't possibly respond to all of them lest this author note take up too much of the word count. I'll let my writing do the talking for me. Just have faith. There's a method to my madness, and everything will be revealed soon.

I can't appease everyone. If I do something, someone, somewhere, will not like it. It's just the nature of the business, but you have my word that every chapter I push out has had much care put into it. I strive to improve and ensure every chapter is better than the last. That's why I appreciate comments, as it'll help me help you.

Lastly, have a beautiful, happy holiday, and be safe! I love you all!

Worth Woodsea, Fiore, Ishgar

"—What?!"

Brain's face contorted in ways that appeared inhuman. The vascularity around his neck was on display as veins bulged out from underneath his skin, as his eyes threatened to pop out from their socket. He took hold of his head as markings around his body and face disappeared, then he was brought to his knees. He supported himself on his wooden cane before he could topple over completely. Energy and maneuverability dissipated from his body like water in a desert. Overcome with the wave of emotions, he didn't know how to approach this.

They were searching for where Nirvana could be using Hoteye's Earth magic before everything took a turn.

"Oh? What's going on, Brain?" Hoteye, who was not too far away, saw his Master's display of anguish. It wasn't like the man to be brought to his knees like this. Especially abruptly and out of nowhere, presumably.

However, the Master ignored his calls and seemed to think deeply about something. Regaining his lost strength, he began to rise once more.

"I can't even reach her via 'Telepathy.'"

This brought the man to a single conclusion: she was dead. Brain left a one-way link open so he could contact all his subordinates whenever needed. Albeit, they couldn't do so conversely as it required much magical energy to keep such a connection up twenty-four/seven. Besides Brain, no one else in the guild possessed the magical ability of 'Telepathy.'

Some may have been overcome with grief or regret at the loss of their comrade. They may even plan revenge to get back at those who wronged them. This was the logical next step, of course. Who wouldn't at least be somewhat cordial with someone they spent most of their time with? They ate, fought, and slept under the same roof. However, Brain wasn't that sentimental. Rage built up in him as the heat was emanating from him. "What do they have planned?!" Almost like a volcano, he threatened to erupt.

Everyone was a chess piece for him to use to their maximum efficiency and throw away. Angel failed her mission, and he had been checkmate. Now, he was left with a board that had no bishop.

"Angel is dead." In a tone that lacked any feeling, Brain announced to Hoteye. "I can't get to her. So, it's safe to assume she is no longer with us. The mental connection couldn't be dispelled any other way."

"Is it impossible that the Magic Council found a way to dispel the connection? Jumping to her, dying…..seems rash. Angel is stronger than that, right? Not stronger than money, mind you—"

Before Hoteye could start preaching, Brain cut him off. "I crafted most of the spells they use today. I have pushed magical theory and spellcasting further than anyone within the Bureau of Magical Development. So I know how to bypass their rudimentary dispels, Hoteye." Glowering at the man for questioning his ability, he continued. "Even if they did break it, I'd know. There's a certain feel to it. This was different. It was quick and abrupt, like snuffing out a light."

Disconsolate with the news, all the air within Hoteye died out like a hot air balloon that had been punctured.

"We shall stay at the hideout after surveying this land. We'll wait for Cobra, Midnight, and Racer to return. I'll contact them with the news and make sure we keep updated at all times." Realizing the error in his ways, it had become apparent he may have underestimated this coalition team. This was something he'd rectify.

"Nirvana will be mine."

With Shirou

What does one do when they encounter a corpse? Do such things even go through the head of an average person? How will you even confront or engage in a situation like this? A curve ball had been thrown at them that they now had to deal with. How would they reconcile this while continuing their mission? Could they trust the Enforcers?

These, and many more questions like it, were running through the minds of the Allied Forces.

"Yup, that's her, just like in the photos." Lyon examined the body up close to verify. Although Ichya did give a presentation detailing the appearances of every member of the Oración Seis, the ice wizard was someone who wanted to confirm it himself.

On either side of him stood Gray and Sherry. Gray was overcome with a morbid curiosity, while Sherry didn't want to leave her beloved for a second. She had to be close to protect him, especially with all the tension brewing in the air. "Love will always prevail…."

"Are you okay?" Gray looked at the woman worriedly as she began dozing off and blushing uncontrollably.

"How about you mind your own business, you knock-off wannabee."

"Well, that was harsh!"

Everyone else stood several feet from Shirou as if he were a contagious man besides Arvid and Jura. Tension was mounting by the second as a fight seemed as sure as sunrise.

"Why…..why did you kill her?! Answer me!" Natsu nearly lunged at Shirou before Erza and Arvid took their respective spots, holding back Natsu as the other took his hammer and stood before his comrade.

"We need an explanation before this could proceed any further." She could bisect a man with the stare she was levying as it left no room for discussion. Most people would've caved in and submitted, but Arvid was far removed from such things.

"Surely you didn't pick up this job thinking it was sunshine and rainbows? You thought the Oración Seis would just raise their hands and come quietly? Don't make me laugh." The temperature in the area began to decrease as Gray took his position next to his team. It didn't seem Erza was in the business of holding back her teammates anymore as she held the hilt of her blade and prepared to advance herself. "With the amount of property damage you've caused, I wouldn't be surprised if some poor innocent sap got crushed in the chaos you Fairy Tail Wizards cause on the daily." Facing the frontal assault head-on, Arvid wasn't backing down either.

Before it escalated further, Shirou intervened. "Enough." Further fighting wasn't what he wanted, especially infighting. "I understand you distrust me." Shirou bowed his head profusely as a show of sincerity. "You must understand that I hated the outcome as much as you do. It wasn't something I took lightly."

Every scenario was calculated to a fault as he instantly knew the best course of action. Honing his abilities ever since entering the Clocktower, combat became Shirou's bread and butter, as he could even envision battles taking place in his head. "If I was him, I might have had more options."

Arvid gave his partner a side glance as he saw his hands were bleeding from how hard he was clenching them. As he was bowing, one could see he was shaking. What happened had obviously brought the young hero some inner turmoil. It wasn't common to see Shirou like this as he possessed foresight and levelheadedness most would envy of. So, what caused his flooring to crumble?

"Huh? You don't need to do all that, Shirou." Arvid stepped forward and touched his partner's shoulder. Fairy Tail instinctively took a step back as they remained vigilant. "Those dark guild scum deserve what's coming to them. They're all murderers, thieves, and menaces in society. Why should they be allowed to live?"

Shirou got back up and looked at his partner. Like a crazed man, Shirou was left uneasy at the facial expression he was seeing—pure, unadulterated hatred. If hate could have a face, what Arvid was showing would undoubtedly be the closest. There was no other emotion found within that contortion. Arvid spoke with convection, but it was diluted due to him being drunk or fighting. However, in this instance, Shirou could tell this was what he truly felt. Deep-seated resentment and hate had come to the surface like molten lava.

"You've gone insane. We're not judges or executioners. If we kill them, we stoop ourselves to their level." Unsheathing her sword, she leveled it toward the man. "If this is how you'll conduct yourselves, you may leave. We no longer need your assistance."

The rest of the Allied Forces were torn. Although they all agreed killing was bad, some sided with Shirou in this instance.

"If Shirou says there was no other way, I trust him. He hasn't led me to believe otherwise." Jura hoped his backing would restore some semblance of order to the group. The mission was too vital to have it derailed. "Although what happened to Angel is disheartening, she spied on our mission briefing and had intel that would've been detrimental if she managed to get back. The Oración Seis would've ambushed you all as you entered the forest if Shirou didn't stop her."

"We could've just regrouped and come up with a new plan, " Said Gray as he prepared his Ice-Make stance.

"That wouldn't be practical, Gray." Lyon stepped in front of his old friend, and Sherry followed behind. "If that buffoon Natsu hadn't run off that far ahead, maybe we could've done so. But we were separated, and trying to gather everyone while coming up with a plan is all the time the Oración Seis will need to move forward with securing Nirvana. Shirou did what was necessary."

"Y'know? I'm not surprised, Lyon. You were the same guy who ordered the death of a village. So I wouldn't be surprised you and your lackey are okay with killing."

"Who are you calling a lackey? You're just mad that Lyon is who I love~~~" Sherry, who wasn't fully aware of the seriousness of the situation, continued with her daydreaming.

"You're surprised we're okay with doing what must be done? Your inability and inaction is why our teacher is no longer with us. So I refuse to be lectured on morality and ethics by you." Lyon also got into his stance and was redying to combat Gray at any moment.

As the two ice wizards faced off, lines in the sand began to form. Lamia Scale and the Enforcers were on one side, while Fairy Tail was on the other. The Trimens stood by as they watched the scene unfold, unsure what to do. Strategies and decisions of this nature were usually left up to Ichiya.

"Um~~, so what are we supposed to do, guys?" Eve asked the question to no one in particular.

"I don't know. If Boss were here, he'd probably know. Wait—Where is he?" Ren looked around, trying to find their most senior team member. "I haven't seen him since we left Master Bob's place."

"We took care of him." Jura overheard the group's discourse and decided to quell their worries. "Angel attacked and tried to impersonate him. For what purpose, I don't know. I have a rock golem watching over him until he recovers, and I left him a message about where we were. It was nothing serious, so don't worry."

All three men bowed to the Wizard Saint. "Thank you!" They yelled in unison.

"So Angel attacked Boss?" Hibiki rose back up and stepped forward toward the corpse. A part of him wanted to be the first to find and fight the woman. He hoped his charm could swoon her to their side. "She's still attractive even like this…"

Although a grisly scene, he tried to imagine her without the blood and puncture hole in the chest. As he looked at her lying there dead, he couldn't help but appreciate her beauty. Even though she was an enemy and part of the greatest dark guilds on the continent, he couldn't help but have his heart flutter at her sight.

Looking a little bit further up from her, a sack caught his eyes as the gleam from the sun reflected on something metallic, signaling to him. Walking up to it, he saw a series of Celestial Spirit keys laid out not too far from her. Some were covered in blood, while others were pristine and untouched. This wasn't unusual since he knew Angel was a Celestial Spirit wizard, but one key in particular blindsided him. "Wait! Why the hell does she have this?!"

Picking up the Golden Key of the Ram, Aries, Hibiki's hand involuntarily shakes as memories of his dead girlfriend flash before him. "T-This is…..Karen's…." He fell to his knees, and tears formed in his eyes.

"Hibiki!" Both his teammates come to his side to support him.

"She killed her…..there's no other way Karen would've given…." Taking a complete one-eighty on his emotions for the woman, he stared with hate in his eyes as he pieced together everything from that night. It made sense. There was no other explanation that would fit other than Angel killing Karen and taking her keys from her.

As the realization hit, a tinge of guilt burned his heart. Not a bit ago, he considered the person who killed his girlfriend beautiful. He rushed to the deceased woman but was pulled back by his teammates. "Wait, stop Hibiki!" Eve, who was significantly shorter, was being pulled as Ren put in most of the work to stop his irate partner.

"What do you plan on doing? She's already dead. Desecrating the deceased is taboo, and you know this. You're better, so be better!" Ren tried talking reason into his partner as he and Eve struggled to calm him down.

Hearing this, Hibiki fell to his knees and sobbed uncontrollably. He couldn't make himself do something as depraved as that, even with all the rage bubbling up from within him. His body wouldn't respond to such commands coming from his mind, which was filled with thoughts he could never say out loud lest he be condemned. Unable to do anything, he releases all his emotions through tears.

"You see? That's all those scum do. They kill loved ones and leave broken hearts." Arvid, who seemed to be speaking from experience, a wistful look briefly flashed in his eye, pointed out the scene to Erza. "Do you not think he's justified to kill the person responsible for his loved one's loss?"

Eve and Ren moved Hibiki toward the woodline, away from everyone, so that he could be consoled from prying eyes. No resistance was offered in part by Hibiki, who seemed to be disassociated from his surroundings. Before being escorted out, he took the pouch of Celestial Spirit keys with him.

"Two wrongs don't make it right. Although I sympathize with Hibiki and his plights, as I've been down that road myself not too long ago, I was put back on the right path by my friends who are there by my side." Erza glanced over at Natsu, who smiled back at her in turn.

"I agree." Seeing the situation unfolding around him, Shirou put in his input. "Killing should always be the last option."

Arvid looked betrayed that his teammate sided with the opposition. Before he could say anything, Erza inquired further.

"Hypocrite. Trying to deceive me won't win me over!"

"I'm not lying to you."

"So you say you tried everything in your power to capture her alive but couldn't? Are you not an archer? That arrow fired belonged to you, correct? Did you not have any non-lethal methods of apprehending her?"

Natsu, piggybacking, added, "Don't even try to deny it. I smell tons of metal coming from you. There has to be more than you're showing."

"His senses are sharp." Shirou continued to be impressed by the senses of a Dragon Slayer. Although he couldn't sniff the magical energy here, he could sense danger and energy being given off. The magic this world practiced was different than back home. Rules, procedures, and rituals were in place, unlike here, where they seemed looser.

Magecraft was, in a sense, science. Magic in this world resembled what the average person thought of a magician or wizard. Of course, there was True Magic, but that was what every magus strived for, even Rin.

As he came off his musings, Shirou responded. "I'm not a real Archer, per se. I don't have all the abilities an Archer would have." Choosing his words carefully and tip-toeing between the line of truth and lie, Shirou gave his honest thoughts on the matter. "Even for me, the distance and speed the wool….cloud—" Not knowing what to call it precisely, he stuck with that assertion for now. "—was moving at would make it difficult to fire a non-lethal arrow reliably. Most of my arsenal is also lethal. The arrow I used was my only option as the others are….flashy."

Erza seemed to relax slightly from the explanation but still had some doubts lingering. "Why not fire at her mount? Surely you could've done that if you managed to hit her directly?"

As Shirou was about to explain, Arvid did so in his stead. "So she can grow another mount directly afterward? Plus, Shirou needed her blood." Arvid remembered how Shirou dipped some of the blood on his short blade onto the arrow before firing. He concluded that this was how he could attack so accurately from so far. "Mounts made from wool don't have blood. The arrow was set on that girl. Are we done now? We have a mission if you've forgotten."

Although she wanted to rebuke the man, Erza agreed they'd spent far too long confronting Shirou. She knew the importance of time and its critical nature in missions like these. However, she still felt like the issue hadn't been concluded yet.

Seeing Erza's hesitance and as if reading her mind, Shirou quelled these fears. "Erza…"

The Fairy Tail wizards all looked at Shirou earnestly.

"...If you're still unsatisfied with what I've said, I don't blame you. You're well within your right to feel however you want about me. I assure you I mean no harm to yourself or your friends. You have my word."

Everyone present, Lamia Scale, Fairy Tail, and even Arvid, could feel absolute sincerity within Shirou's words. It was like a parent promising to protect their child. There was no double meaning or hidden subtext within his words.

"If you still have questions, please wait until we bring down the Oración Seis. We cannot allow them to get Nirvana."

Gripping her sword more vigor, she bit her lip, thinking about what to do. After coming up with an idea, she looked back at Shirou with her response. "Fine, but I'm keeping an eye on you."

Both Natsu and Gray gave a sympathetic whistle as Gray nudged Natsu, saying—

"Having her keeping an eye on is as unfortunate as The Black Wizard having a thing for you."

"Yeah, no kidding."

They were both quickly silenced when Erza took a slight stare back in their direction.

"I agree to those terms." Shirou, not knowing what he had just agreed to, felt a level of foreboding feeling as soon as he agreed. "I hope these are just butterflies in my stomach."

"Fine then. We may proceed." Erza sheathed her sword back to her side and waited for the team to unite.

Arvid sarcastically bowed. "Thank you, oh great Queen of the Fairies, for your blessing." As he stood back up, they locked eyes as electricity seemed to form for their point of contact.

"Um~~~, let's just ease up, okay." Trying to mediate, Shirou soon regretted getting in between the two as he felt the glares go through him like he were translucent. "So~~, what's the plan?" Trying to divert the aggression, he attempted to reconvene the mission.

Jura, who was happy with how things resolved, stepped up. "We can continue with the previous plan. We'll locate and bombard their hideout, taking them by surprise before they can go on the offense. From there, we'll play it by ear."

The mages present nodded in agreement. They possessed an advantage in manpower. If they could wrap up this mission quickly, the number of casualties and damage would be low. This plan factored in both of those considerations.

"We'll wait till Blue Pegasus and your fellow Fairy Tail wizard return."

Gray, realizing that Lucy is still with Wendy a distance away, remembers they can't return unless they do something with the body. "So are we leaving the body, or what?"

"I'll bury her. It's my responsibility." Shirou was no stranger to this. He remembered he and Rin had to bury Illyasvial when he failed to protect her from Gilgamesh.

"A burial is too good for her. But if it's your prerogative." Arvid walked off to the woodline. "I'll be back. I got to go do something."

"I don't like his attitude," Erza remarked as the man walked away.

"He isn't like that, I promise. Somethings just up with him."

"I hope that's the case." Erza turned to her teammates. "Can you two go get Lucy, Happy, and the rest of the team and let them know our plan?"

"AYE SIR!" Both of them said in unison as they ran off.

Erza shook her head as she let out an exasperated sigh while Shirou sheepishly smiled.

"Do you need help with burying her?"

Shirou smiled at Erza's kind gesture but responded, "No, I'm fine. It's something I must do."

She respected it. She understood the pride that Shirou exemplified, following the code of a warrior by respecting the body of a fallen adversary. This showed the Enforcer in another light. She would be remiss if she partnered up with a murderer.

Unbeknownst to her, Shirou wasn't doing this due to some code of conduct. He simply didn't want the burden to fall on someone else and believed a burial was the least he could do for her. He had no warrior pride or any pride for that matter. Everything he did, he did to save or help another.

Ishgar Magic Council Headquarters, Era, Ishgar

"Chairman Doma! Chairman Doma!"

"Yes? What is it?"

The man sat behind his desk, sifting through paperwork. Taking a more hands-on approach than his predecessor, he refused to delegate admin work to those beneath him. Everything will go through him to ensure it is to his specifications—no one else's.

"Lord Arvid called in and reported the going on so far. He sent the message directly to your lacrima, my lord."

Quickly putting everything on hold, he allowed the correspondence to go through so he could read the message from his lacrima.

"Thank you. You're free to leave. Once you do, call in Yuri and Org. Tell them it's important and not to dilly dally."

"Um~~ sir, what do you want me to do with the recent citizen reports concerning Fairy Tail? They've been piling up—"

"I don't have time to deal with those buffons. Push them aside for now. I have more important things to deal with."

"Yes, my lord." Bowing, the assistant left and closed the door.

As soon as they left, Chairman Doma opened the message and read the report.

Chairman,

I hope this message finds you well….or at all. I still don't know how the hell to use these things. I swear I'm better at this when I'm drunk. Anyways, we killed one of those bastards. It was actually Shirou, but what the hell, we are a team, right?

That isn't what concerned me. Recently, we've been getting ambushed more than I care to admit. First time on the Bosco mission, and now Angel knew the location of the Allied Forces' debriefing and attempted to spy on our dealings. Again, it was a team effort and exposed her before she could get the intel out (it was actually all Shirou, but I'll take some credit).

Two times in a row is too much of a coincidence. I know you'd hate to hear it, but I'm afraid there's a leak somewhere in the logistics or intel department.

Anyway, I have to get back to Shirou before the Fairy Tail brats chew him out for killing the bad guy (Losers, am I right?).

Gran Doma pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed exasperated. "Why is the fool telling me he drinks on the job? Shirou needs to send out the reports next time." He was pleased with certain developments as he looked over the report again. "They killed an Oración Seis member. This is good….." However, the news that pleased him the most was, "There is a traitor in our midst."

As the door opened, his assistant walked through with Org and Yuri in tow. "My lord, as you requested." They bowed and left the room.

"So? What's the occasion?" Yuri, who was starting to think he was getting too old for all this and retirement was sounding better and better by the minute, begrudgingly took his seat across from Gran Doma's desk.

Yuri did the same but in a less disrespectful and whiny manner than his coworker.

Seeing everything was situated, Gran Doma revealed why he asked for them. "Remember our last conversation? I alluded to the prospect of a traitor in our organization?"

Both men nodded as they steeled their expressions. Apprehension gripped them as they felt knots forming in their stomachs. The thought of another coworker there being a turncoat was too much to bear. People who you trusted, ate with, worked with, and walked beside, suddenly being your enemy and never your ally, was a sickening feeling.

Although costly and hindered, the ruination Jellal and Ultear thrust on them when they left wasn't the blow that hurt them. Indeed, the stab in the back isn't what kills you. When you turn around and see who's holding the blade, it puts the final nail in the coffin.

"It seems my prediction was proven correct."

Both Councilmen were downcast at the news. Their minds raced, trying to determine if they knew the person or who it could be.

After a pregnant pause as the news settled in, Org said, "How will we move forward then? It has to be someone higher up, as any dealings with the Enforcers go through us and a few other departments."

"Nothing changes." As the Chairman said this, he leaned back in his chair and further elaborated. "The infestation must not know that we know. As such, all operations continue as normal. I'll form a group to do an internal audit and investigation separately and out of the purview of everyone besides myself. This will limit any possible interference. Once we find this cancer, we cut it out."

Both men feared that would be the answer. Although, in a way, the plan was foolproof. There was no denying that. For all his faults, Gran Doma wasn't an idiot and had definitely earned the spot he was at. The issue was lives were going to be lost in this operation. Plans and operations would be leaked if they haven't already so as not to raise suspicion in the matter.

Screening and forming a group of such size and resources would take time. There would be no way to know how long before they found this traitor. So much time being exposed and knowing it fully didn't sit right with Yuri or Org.

With all their reservations, neither man said anything. Whether it was due to cowardice or the fact that, on some level, they appreciated Gran Doma and all he's done to make the Magic Council powerful, or simply a mix of two, a myriad of emotions were swirling within both of them.

"Are we just as bad as he is for saying nothing?"

"That was all I wanted to discuss with you. However, I want both of you to review the lacrimas the investigation unit recovered from Tiberius' boat. There must be something more that can help us with locating this individual. There must be some correspondence that can be traced back to whoever this traitor is." Gran Doma said finally, "I will trust you two with this task."

"Of course." Both men said in unison.

As they got up and began heading out, Gran Doma reached into his drawer and pulled out a whisky glass and decanter with the liquor sitting in it. The amber liquid and strong scent appeased the venerable mage as he began to pour. Before he could reach the cup to down the drink, a crack began to form on the side of the cup as a stream of amber grew on his desk.

"Damn it. This was my favorite cup." As he threw the cup out and reached for another replacement, he began drinking to his heart's content.

In the future, he soon looked back at this moment and regretted not taking the omen seriously and changing course.

Worth Woodsea, Fiore, Ishgar

Standing before a mound of dirt, Shirou didn't know if it was respectful to put a headstone up. Was she even a Christian? Was Christianity even a thing in this world? He opted out of doing so and left it at that.

As Shirou dissipated the shovel he used to dig, he turned around and began his trip back to the group. As he found his way to the dirt path where he left the Allied Forces, a blonde hair poked its way out behind a tree.

"Shirou…..right?" A beautiful woman revealed herself. From what Shirou remembered, her name was Lucy, and she was a member of Fairy Tail.

"Yes, that's me. You're Lucy, correct?"

"Yup. I didn't get a chance to speak with you before, with the y'know—" Not knowing if she wanted to take it there again and not wanting to ruin the moment, she quickly diverted the conversation. "—anyway~~~" she drawled with a sprinkle of chuckles, "I actually wanted to thank you."

This perplexed Shirou. Not too long ago, her guildmates nearly broke out into a fight with him. What did he do that needed thanking? He was sure he never met this girl before. "For what if you don't mind me asking?"

The atmosphere became a lot more serious as Lucy's features hardened. "I wasn't aware of the whole Tiberius operation when that fake Salamander guy tried kidnapping me. I didn't know that creep was working for him and that he'd done something like that before." She paused for a bit to collect her thoughts. "Well….I just wanted to thank you for stopping him. Although I can't entirely agree with your execution, at least he won't be doing that to anymore unsuspecting girls."

Shirou saw it took a lot out of her to confront him. She didn't hear the explanation he gave Erza and everyone else. While with Wendy, she didn't hear any of his reasoning as to why he did what he did. She came to him thinking about what he had done to Angel and trusted he was a good person.

"You're welcome. I'm sorry about what happened to you. I wish I could've stopped it sooner."

No matter what he did, someone still managed to get hurt or slip through the crack before he got there. He wished he could absorb all the suffering and stop it before it occurred. However, he was constantly chastised by Rin about thinking that way.

"You'll only be disappointed if you think like that, y-you…idiot!"

"—irou?"

A wistful smile plastered its way to Shirou's face as an image of Rin flashed into his mind. His heart longed for her everyday. An unseen pain was aching in his heart as it grew daily, hour by hour, second by second. Was this what it meant to be in love? Why does love hurt so?

"—irou?"

He was grateful to the Magic Council. If he wasn't working, and his mind was occupied with doing something, he might've gone insane with a turbulent heart. Although, Shirou's love of being a Hero of Justice was just as great, if not more so, than his love for Rin.

Irregardless, he had faith he'd see his love once again. The missions he was doing felt like it was getting him somewhere. Where exactly? He didn't know, but it brought him joy. It was a joy he allowed himself to have since it also benefited another.

He felt like he was on a boat, dead set on a place he wanted to be. To accomplish a quest. To find a way back whilst in unfamiliar territory and overcoming tasks. To find a lost love. It was almost like the journey of an ancient Greek hero. He'd honestly laugh if it weren't a reality he was living. "So this is how Odysseus felt?"

Warm hands grasped his forearms as he looked up at concerned eyes staring back at him. "Huh?"

"I've been calling your name. You dozed off there for a second." She let go of his forearm as she blushed slightly. She pushed her hair behind her ear and added, "I'll get back with my friends. That's all I wanted to say. It was good talking with you."

"Likewise. I'm sorry for causing your guild trouble. I hope we can work with each other."

As the two broke off, happiness welled up with Shirou. "I helped her…" As he walked with an air of newfound resolve, Arvid and Jura intercepted him.

"Shirou."

Both men seemed to be hitting it off quite well. They did share a common interest since both are tied to the Magic Council in one way or another, but it seemed Jura and Arvid were getting closer. "Speaking of which, I need to talk to Arvid about what that all was back there…"

He remembered the venom dripping from his tone about the dark guilds. It was apparent there was history there. Is that why he joined the Magic Council? Was that why he switched from the Custody Enforcement Unit to the Enforcers?

"We were looking for you!" Arvid smacked Shirou on the back, inadvertently jerking him forward and disrupting his balance.

"I see he's acting the same as ever." Glaring the man down, while one part of him was annoyed by his actions, the other was happy that he hadn't changed too much.

"Everyone is gathered up. We should be heading out soon." Jura announced as he kept his distance between the two if Shirou started plumbing the man.

"That's good. I'm all wrapped up as well. Do we know what direction we're heading?"

Arvid pointed further into the dense foliage to a series of hills in the centermost part of the forest. "That is where they most likely have their base of operations. Great vantage point and is in the center of the forest. It's also one of the few places large enough to do any actual work in."

"I'm not listening to any directions or plans from you, remember?"

"Come on!" Arvid whined as he swung his arms around. "I told you that train incident was a mistake. I'm good with directions. I sail boats for fun, goddamnit!"

As Jura watched the back and forth between the two, he sweatdropped. "They have a working relationship, I guess." Getting to know Shirou, the man hoped to have more interactions with him in the future. It was rare to meet people you were genuinely happy to work with. "I could invite him to join the guild…."

"Alright! If you aren't going to take my word for it, ask him!" Pointing at Jura, Arvid asked, "Back me up, sir!"

Jura scratched the nonexistent hair on his head and backed up Arvid's claim. "He's right. That's probably where their hideout is and our next move. Unless you have something better planned. You do have amazing foresight. I mean, Arvid himself couldn't sense that intruder—"

"Nuh-uh! You'll not put that on me, Mr. Wizard Saint. Neither you nor Titania Erza and those two Dragon Slayers sensed that woman. How the hell am I supposed to know she was there when all of you failed?"

Shirou, shaking his head, responded to Jura. "I actually do think it's a good plan and suggestion. If I were them, I'd choose the same location. Probably for different reasons, but still. I was just pulling Arvid's leg a little."

"WHAT—"

"I do think we should pull the airship back. If that is how we'll air out the hideout, having it close to the front will make it a target to get shot down. Until the coast is clear, have it hide amongst the tree line."

Both Jura and Arvid thought that was a good plan. Jura moved a little off from the group to take the lead in rallying everyone. As he was out of earshot, Arvid inquired, "How's your hand? I saw they were a little bloody." He remembered when Shirou was bowing before Erza, blood dripping from his palm.

Shirou opened to reveal his palm to show no damage was done to his hand. Arvid was shocked. "I don't remember you healing them. When did you do it?"

"Ah. A magician never reveals his secret."

Although Avalon was next to useless without Artoria Pendragon being in the vicinity, it provided an abysmal healing factor. Anything that wasn't superficial, Shirou was better off healing himself as it saved time.

"I'm starting to think you're keeping too many secrets."

"Right back at you."

As the two Enforcers were at a fork in the road, a series of explosions not too far away caught their attention. Halting their conversation, they rushed to investigate.

"What was that!"

Seeing a plume of smoke and debris rise, Shirou and Arvid caught up to Jura, and all three men ran off in the direction. The closer they got, the more they realized it was where the remaining team was rendezvous to head out.

"Did the Oración Seis find us?" Jura questioned. He was worried about the state of his allies as he began closing in.

"How would they know of our location? Angel didn't return, and we were far from where we were anyway. It should've taken them much longer to find us." Arvid readied his hammer as he secretly gleamed at the recent events. His blood was pumping as he couldn't wait to fight some of his enemies.

Not saying anything, Shirou hoped everyone was okay as he moved further up the dirt path to see a group of men dressed rather eccentrically facing off with the guild mages. They numbered in the dozens and carried magical weapons with them. The ones that stood out the most were two men who looked like giant monkeys.

"We found them, brother, Zatô. Let's show these puny guilds what Naked Mummy is made of."

"Yup, we did, brother Gatô. I agree."

"Hey bro, should we show these guys what Naked Mummy is all about?"

"You already said that, and I said I agree."

"Oh…hey bro, these guilds don't know anything about Naked Mum—"

"Attack!" Zatô commanded his forces to draw fire upon the guild wizards, not allowing his brother to repeat himself anymore. The attacks nearly reached their targets with a cascade of shotgun fire, ice, wind, and even dark magic before an 'Ice Wall' blocked its path.

"Hey? Do we know these guys?" Natsu was thinking hard as he remembered these people's scents but couldn't place where he last smelled them.

"How the hell am I supposed to know? I don't keep track of nobodies." Gray focused on the wall once again, reinforcing it with more ice as more attacks began hitting it, slowly cracking it upon the immense pressure weighing on it.

"Remember them for me, Gray."

"What the hell does that even mean? You fire for brains?!"

Lyon ran past the duo, saying, "If you're done dilly-dallying, let's wrap this up." He waved a hand and instantly froze a number of the dark mages.

"My love is so heroic and dashing~~~" Lost in her sweet bliss. Sherry didn't realize she was about to get hit with an attack until a whip wrapped around her waist, pulling her back as the spot she was standing at exploded in flames.

"What the—" Sherry looked at the person who saved her. "How dare you separate me from my love, you harlot!" She pulled Lucy's hair as the two ensued into a catfight.

"This is what I get for saving you?!"

"Women are scary~~~" Happy flew around as he saw Wendy blowing back numerous Naked Mummy members with a strong wind. As he flew up, he took out a fish, "Want a bite of my fish?"

Carla, towing behind the Dragon Slayer, stared at the fish and then back at Happy, saying, "Repulsive."

The poor cat's entire world seemed to be crashing down as his heart felt like it was ripped out of his chest and stomped on. However, this didn't dissuade him. It only added more fuel to the fire as his love burned brighter and brighter for the woman.

Erza parried attacks as she slashed through her enemies like a bull running through a store composed of only red flags. Not even needing to 'Requip,' she considered these mages subpar of what she expected from a dark guild underneath the umbrella of the Balam Alliance.

As she quickly dispatched a dozen dark mages, she set her sights on the two leaders. "I assume you're the guild masters of the despicable guild?"

The two monkey brothers stared at each other as they were at a loss of words.

"This chick scary, brother Zatô! We should make a break for it!"

"I know, brother Gatô! I agree."

"I'm scared of this chick, brother Zatô! Let's run on three!"

"I just said I agree! Y'know what? I'm out!"

Leaving his brother behind, Zatô ran far away from Erza, hoping the few seconds of his brother's sacrifice could afford him enough time to leave the forest. As he was escaping, both Eve and Ren blocked his path.

"Nuh uh, not so fast!" Ren released a strong gust of wind accompanied by Eve applying his 'Snow Magic' into the mix, amplifying the speed and strength of his partner's attack.

"Oh no~~~" Zatô got blasted off as he flew into his brother, knocking them both out in the process. The area around the monkey brothers became pure white from Eve's attack.

"You truly disgust me." Erza walked up to the downed guild masters. "Not only were you willing to abandon your brother and fellow guild mate, but you planned on using him to save yourself as a sacrificial pawn. That is the lowest form of cowardice possible."

Erza had the look of someone who was staring at something revolting. Her looks turned upwards as her eyes betrayed nothing of her feelings. If it weren't for her code, she'd cut down these two instantly. The display she witnessed fully displayed the difference between a dark and legal guild. Even for all their differences, Lamia Scale nor Blue Pegasus would stoop to such levels. However, such camaraderie she'd never witnessed from a dark guild.

Shirou, Arvid, and Jura entered the fold as everything was concluding. Numerous dark mages were tied up with rope as whoever was left of the enemy side instantly surrendered once their leaders were defeated.

"Nicely done. We were momentarily concerned when we saw the explosions and smoke." Jura walked through and examined everyone to see if they were any injuries.

"Ah~~, has everyone been defeated? I hoped to put this bad boy to use before it begins to rust." Arvid put the massive hammer behind his back and his hands behind his head as he looked around for more potential threats.

Being glad no one was hurt, his attention, which was focused on Erza for a brief moment to thank her for managing the situation so well, was snatched away by a new presence. "Who are these people?"

These new individuals were strong. Even stronger than Angel and arguably up there with Jura.

"Why do we even have these people if they suck so bad."

A menacing individual with a cobra wrapped around him and another sitting on a carpet asleep made their entrance known.

"I hope Brain calls in so we can tell him where we're at!" As he shouted, he looked around the Allied Forces. "Which one of you killed Angel?!" Veins popped out as it was clear this attack wasn't only motivated by order and revenge.

As the duo got a response of silence, Cobra nearly let out a venomous gas, but another individual ran up to the two, halting his attack.

"Cobra!" Racer, lugging a massive coffin double his size, managed to get out what he wanted to say between huffs and puffs. "What's going on? I saw some commotion here and wanted to check it out."

"Nothing much. Give that coffin to Brain. He needs it. We should be fine."

"Are you sure?"

Before he responded, he took a look at his opponents. Cobra didn't want to admit it, but he might've been over his head. "A Wizard Saint…" Mulling over his decision briefly, he responded, "Drop it off and come back. We might actually need you."

"Of course. I'll be back in a flash!"

A dust cloud appeared where Racer once stood. As quickly as he appeared, he briskly vanished just as fast. Shirou, who saw the display, was astonished by the speed. "He could prove to be a problem." However, as his gaze refocused, it landed on the sleeping man on the carpet. "That one is the strongest." Deciding on his target, he prepared to make his advance if they attacked.

"Racer, Cobra, and Midnight," Eve remembered the names his comrade, Hibiki mentioned. Eve, turning around, saw his Hibiki was leaning up by a tree still disconsolate. Allowing him some time to clear his mind, his teammates offered him to return to the mansion where Ichiya was recovering, but he refused.

Arvid, Wendy, and Natsu looked at the one with mean eyes and a weird smell. They all concluded: "He smells like me/He smells similar to me."

"This can prove to be a difficult fight. Don't let your guard down!" Jura readied his staff as the ground beneath everyone quacked and reformed, obeying the command of the Wizard Saint. Magical power flowed around the man as a light blue sheen covered his body.

"Is that his magical power manifesting itself?" Shirou knew the man was strong. He could feel it through his matured battle senses and experience of danger. But having it right in front of your face was surreal. A part of him was excited to see what Jura was capable of. He was considered one of the strongest people on the continent and a Wizard Saint. How well would he stack up with someone of such reverence and caliber?

Just like Shirou, everyone else, including Arvid, was astonished by Jura's display of power. Just readying himself was causing the earth to quake and undo itself. His release of power was buckling the knees of those around him as if an immense weight was thrust upon them.

Arvid, who practiced Earth Magic himself, strived to have the same type of command over the element as Jura. "Such power…." He saw his hands shaking and simply standing close to the man, who, of no fault of his own, was making everyone around him rethink their profession. However, one person seemed to be completely unaffected. "How?!" Shirou, standing closer to Jura than he was, was analyzing the Oración Seis members as if Jura hadn't just unloaded a ton of magical energy into the atmosphere. "He can't possibly be as strong as them, right?"

"Oh?" Cobra raised an eyebrow. "This can be interesting."

Midnight raised his head, slowly waking up. The sudden influx of power disturbed his sleep as his eyelids fluttered open.

"I feel bad for you guys. I wouldn't take waking up Midnight so casually. Now, what do you say if we dance?"