Chapter 61:

"Shit!" Laxus breathed as Rut's massive hand constricted. Even with the mouth of a gigantic lizard the horrific man could pull his lips wide and sneer. Davian let loose a agonized cry as strength that could easily crush bone threatened to end him. Laxus jumped from his perch. Consumed by lightning he flashed forward and punched the creature square in the jaw. It reared and screamed, whipping its head around to try and snap at him as he zipped around it in a burst of yellow light. He flung himself at Rut, summoned forth lightning in a fist of Roaring Thunder that made the massive creature fall back and thrash wildly as electricity dashed throughout his body. He released his hold on Davian who dropped to a heap on the ground and Laxus dashed for him, pulling him out of the way of massive claws that would have torn him in half.

"You… unequivocally heedless… fool of a man!" Davian wheezed and sputtered, eyes wild as he turned on Laxus, "You were to leave!"

"You're welcome!" Laxus bit, dodging out of the way of talons aimed at chest.

"This would be over by now if you hadn't interfered!"

"That's not how it looked from where I was standing!" Laxus growled, stretching out his hand and summoning a blast of lightning to rip down from the sky, engulfing Rut and sending heated dust into the air. He crossed his arms in front of his face to protect himself from the blast and could hear Davian gasping from somewhere ahead of him.

"Are you actively tryingto hit me or are you just not attempting to miss me?"

Laxus smirked through the smoke as the dust settled enough for him to see Davian before him, jaw set and fists balled, his white cape singed from Laxus's attack, "I'll let you decide that one."

Davian's gaze suddenly honed in on him and with an obscene amount of speed he lunged. Laxus dodged, ready to hit him with a burst of thunderous energy when something massive collided with gloved hands. Davian's fingers gripped under shimmering navy scales and he slid backwards, stopping the massive jaws of Rut as he'd lunged from the cover that Laxus's attack had created. A smile cut open Davian's face and he looked charged, violent, and Laxus found himself wondering just how insanely strong the man truly was. When he spoke he sounded different, his voice held inflection and power that made the air shiver. It seemed to come from him and around him at the same time.

"Just like when we were children?" teeth turned sharp in his mouth as he spoke and ears twitched into sharp points, "You couldn't overpower me then and you shan't now!"

Davian twisted, using his body to throw Rut by his snout alone and send him careening across the room. He slammed into one of the conveyor belts, his momentum causing him to tumble over it and crash into a cement wall. Laxus stared dumbfounded at Davian who simpered wickedly at his brother. As he watched Rut flounder, his smile quickly faded and he clutched at his chest. His features softened, returning to their usual human appearance. He almost looked startled.

"What the hell was that?" Laxus rumbled and Davian jumped, snapping his gaze to him as if he'd completely forgotten he'd been there.

"I…" Davian swallowed, his breathing suddenly labored, "I was… excited?"

"That right?" he quirked a brow at him.

Davian huffed, taking a tone that openly mocked his, "You're welcome."

"Creepy andpetty, great combination. How in the hell did you become a Major?"

"More hard work than you're capable of even fathoming, I'm sure."

"Nothing to do with that special touch of yours?" Laxus growled and Davian paused, narrowing his eyes at the blonde, "Think I didn't notice that, eh?"

"Well I couldn't just let you barge in like some ignorant thug, now could I?" he hissed, his tongue flipping out at him in agitation, "Thank you, by the way. My job is now going to be infinitely more difficult."

"Not my problem."

"It is if it ends in you getting killed!"

"I'd like to see 'em try."

"You, Mr. Dreyar, are the most infuriating, short-sighted brute I have ever had the displeasure of associating with! If you're so bent on throwing yourself headlong into your own demise, maybe I should just allow you!"

"I am an S-Class, Fairy Tail Mage. There is nothing you or your siblings can do that will get in my way so you might as well quit trying!"

Davian blinked.

Laxus returned it.

It suddenly dawned on them both that they were standing nearly chest to chest, neither of them with eyes on the giant lizard that had been attacking them just moments prior.

"To my back!" Davian breathed and they both turned, each facing opposite directions with their backs to each other.

"I fucking hate this shit…" Laxus charged his lightning. Tendrils of it raced across his skin and filled the air with energy.

"It's called a glamour," he hissed, "You've run into it before… with Bianca, I presume?"

"What in the hell is a glamour?" Laxus breathed, desperately trying to listen for signs but finding that both his and Davian's heavy breathing were making it difficult.

"It's a natural gift… and unfortunately, Rut has always been very good with it."

"Magic?"

"Magic can be dispelled or nullified, sensed when used, Mr. Dreyar. This cannot."

"Goddamn it…" Laxus grumbled, "How in the hell do we find him?"

"We could make him find us."

"What?"

Davian grabbed his wrist and pulled him close to his side and Laxus realized that once again his gloves were off. As sudden as the touch itself, prismatic light seemed to bow around them, translucent and shimmering as if the world were suddenly lit up and bright. Davian moved fluidly in front of Laxus as if to guard him and then together they stepped back as silent direction was sent into him straight from Davian's hand. A black tongue flipped slowly out as it tasted the air and they stepped back again and then to the side, slowly moving in a circular motion away from where they'd been standing. Silence fell thickly and Laxus's heart slammed in his chest, his breathing was tattered and mute.

"We can't keep fighting like this," Davian's voice was hardly a whisper, "We need to do this quietly."

"I can take him down in one hit."

"And bring the whole building down on us? Hardly a viable option, Mr. Dreyar."

"I don't see you coming up with any good ideas," Laxus snapped back, "And since I'm the power behind this operation it doesn't seem like you have a choice."

"Violent domination is not the only way to control a situation," Davian hissed.

"Says the guy with a magic touch that forces people to do what he wants."

"Glamour, Mr. Dreyar, if you're going to attempt to criticize me at least do it properly."

"This isn't an argument. I'm taking that thing down and you're not stopping me."

A shimmer caught Laxus's eye and they both turned just as a massive jaw swung above their heads. They ducked out of the way of viscous saliva that dripped down onto the ground around them and Davian steered them away without alerting the horrid thing to their presence. Despite his cool demeanor, Laxus could hear how labored his breathing was becoming. Keeping them concealed for so long was wearing him down. The grip on Laxus's wrist was starting to shake with weakness.

"I know you're near," Rut's voice made the air thrum as if it were living, "Little brother is weak, it grows tired…"

"Get me under him, I can take him down."

"Absolutely not!" his breathing was ragged as he kept them pacing farther back, still circling, eyes now trained on a massive tail that whipped back and forth, "I have to do this in a way that doesn't involve the entirety of Oleander running here with torches in hand!"

"It would be a shame if people found out what went on here," Laxus prickled, his fists clenching, "You plan on hiding what's left of the bodies too? Let their parents think they still have a chance of finding their kids?"

"I am not so heartless a beast as you like to see me, Mr. Dreyar," he hissed in reply, his grip nearly digging nails into his skin, "Of course, I'll return their remains."

Laxus was shocked by that. He'd assumed Davian was attempting to sweep everything under the rug, including the murders.

Rut's massive head swung their direction as he stalked forward, seemingly following their circular motion. His massive tongue flickered almost in tandem with their movements as he tried to sniff them out. In the dim light Laxus could see Rut's muscles rippling and flexing, ready to charge at a moment's notice.

"Give me a plan and we'll do it," Laxus conceded, "If you have a way to do this quietly, fine. But if it fails, I'm doing it my way."

Davian hesitated.

"All that shit and you don't even have a plan?"

"I have a plan," Davian snapped, his voice beginning to shake, "It's just extremely unwise."

"Fantastic," Laxus sneered, "What is it?"

"I need my sabre…" they both glanced over to see where it had fallen, now on the other side of Rut from where they were; a deadly run between clawed feet and past a maw of serrated blades, "…and neither he nor you can touch me."

"Fine by me. If you hold my hand any longer you'll start to weird me out."

"Don't flatter yourself," Davian was deadpan as he spoke but the lilt to his voice was something Laxus hadn't heard there before, "You're far too uncouth for my taste."

"Was that a joke or is pretending to have an actual sense of humor part of your weird glamour-thing?" Laxus leered back at him and Davian just shrugged.

"I'll let you decide that one."

"Nice."

"I do try," Davian was angling them towards his sabre, daring to get them as dangerously close to Rut's body as possible. His face suddenly became serious, "If I set my watch for five minutes, please assure me you're smart enough to run when it goes off."

"No promises."

"For your sake, Mr. Dreyar, I hope that was a joke," he breathed and Laxus eyed him suspiciously, "Distract him, if you would. And… um… you don't have any open wounds, do you?"

"No?" Laxus studied him but Davian hid well whatever he was thinking.

"I pray you keep it that way," he breathed, "Ready?"

"I've been ready," Laxus grinned and Davian lunged forward, releasing him to race beneath Rut's stomach as Laxus let loose a bolt of lightning at the beast's face. It hissed and reared, turned with massive claws aimed for Laxus to rip him apart. Laxus whipped out of the way of his impact and planted his feet onto the ground. As enormous maws opened to sink teeth into him, Laxus put the force of his entire body into his Lightning Dragon's Iron Fist, the pure strength of it forcing Rut's head to snap back jaws to slam shut. Teeth splintered, sending shards flying from his mouth as he dodged away from Laxus and roared. Blood mixed with saliva and dripped from his mouth in massive, acidic globs that made Laxus want to cringe.

"C'mon you disgusting fuck," he growled as his lightning flashed around him, "Show me what you got."

"Magess…" Rut hissed, taking in a massive breath the spewed mordant burgundy from his jaws, "I hatemagesss…"

"Come get me, then," Laxus snarled and the beast charged for him. Laxus gathered together his fists and stepped back, ready to release a massive blow.

"I evoke the power of Oros, The Sacred One,"

Rut stopped his movement. Laxus could feel his hot and rancid breath as he slowly swung his head around to look at Davian, completely disregarding Laxus as he stood in front of him. Davian was standing with feet in a wide stance, clutching his sabre in one hand with his other pressed shakily against the blade. Laxus wasn't sure when, but he'd taken off his cloak, standing in a black sleeveless shirt tucked into white slacks. Golden tattoos covered his arms and disappeared beneath his clothing, a pattern Laxus found similar to a Magic Seal but with characters and design he'd never seen before.

"Little brother…" Rut stepped towards him, lips pulling back to expose his teeth, "…what does it think…"

"Brighten the darkness in my soul,

And accept the willing sacrifice,

The blood that runs through my veins,"

"No… No!" Rut almost fell over himself in his haste to reach him and Laxus scrambled to stop him. He latched onto a monstrous leg and pulled, succeeding only in halting its mad rush to stop Davian from whatever he was doing. He let loose charges of lightning, power that could incapacitate a man only managing to cause Rut to screech and writhe in pain.

"Sustain me with your favor…"

Davian's hands were shaking so much that Laxus thought for a moment he'd lose his grip on his sword and he hesitated, taking a slow breath before he pressed his palm to the blade.

"Into the shadow with teeth bared."

"NO!" Rut pulled free from him, the panic in his voice enough to nearly induce it Laxus. Davian ripped the blade across his skin and crimson coated the blade, spilled down his palm and wrist, and suddenly he wasn't there. Rut snapped his jaws around the space where his brother had been just seconds before, screamed and hissed and flung himself around the empty space. He wasn't just invisible, it was as if he'd never even existed in the first place.

"Mage!" He whipped his head towards Laxus, "What has it done?!"

"Hell if I know!" Laxus growled, backing up a step as the beast turned its large, wild eyes to him.

"I'll rip you! Tear you! The mage pays for what it's done!"

Laxus gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, summoning a surge of lightning around him, "Go ahead and try it!"

Rut went for him but not like the times before. He wrenched to the side at the last minute and Laxus's attack went wide. His strike of lightning slammed into an old crane and a massive, navy tail whipped his feet out from under him, circled around his ankle and threw him. He didn't even see what he slammed into, only felt the solid cold as he collided with. He gasped for air that was forced from his lungs with the impact, gripped onto bits of torn metal in an attempt to keep standing. He had enough time to pull his gaze up and see a massive mouth of blood and teeth coming for him.

He snarled and braced himself for what was to come but suddenly Davian was in front of him, or what he thoughtwas Davian. The tattoos on his arms and back were glowing, glittering pieces of gold shimmered up off of his body and into the air before dissolving. Something blue and turquois was dotting across the skin of his neck, stretching into his hair; feathers or scales or a combination growing rapidly around his throat and down his shoulders. His hands had been clasped behind his back and Laxus could see the slash, red blood now gold and dripping like ichor onto the ground at Laxus's feet.

He snapped his unwounded wrist forward. With the same force as one might brush a strand of hair from their face he batted Rut away, the back of his hand enough to send him rolling away and clawing at the ground for purchase. He took a deliberate step forward and then another, still holding his hand aloft as if he were unsure what to do with it. Laxus watched in absorbed silence, trying to bring his tattered breathing under control. What had he done? Vibrant blue scales now crawled up his jaw and the sides of his face, his nails turned jet black and grew to points. Feathers, brilliant and iridescent flowered from his hair, around his face, framed his neck circled his wrists. All the while golden blood dripped steadily to the ground and his tattoos radiated golden light.

Rut pushed himself to his feet and let loose a deep growl-hiss, "The rites will not save it, halfbreed! It is weak! It is imperfect! It cannot stand against me!"

Again, Rut charged and Davian made not even the slightest motion to move from the way. He dropped down slightly and knocked his shoulder into his gigantic chin, thrusting it upwards with enough force that Laxus heard a snap. Ebony claws reached forward and wrenched Rut bodily upwards, forcing him to rear back and expose his chest. The next touch was almost delicate but the voice that came from Davian was anything but. It was guttural and mixed with another voice Laxus hadn't heard before from Davian; it sounded deep and ageless, like something long dead being forced to speak. It was horrible and even Rut seemed to be affected by it.

"Subjugate yourself to my will."

Rut's form shuddered, shrank in size, and Laxus could hear the popping and creaking of bones being forced to bend. He hissed and pulled from Davian's touch. Laxus's eyes widened as he shrank, his features shortened and arms and legs lengthened. He was turned back into a man, or mostly. He was still scaled and had those large, yellow eyes. Rut gasped, forced himself to stand straight, and snarled.

"It isn't the only one with Father's blood," he growled, "It cannot control me! I won't let it!"

Davian's hand was around his throat, the distance between them gone despite Laxus not seeing him move. He forced Rut down to his knees, bent him backwards at a painful angle. Their eyes were locked with each other's, Davian's boring into Rut's with obstinate wrath.

"I am the Favorite Son. You will obey my command."

Rut's mouth was agape and his pupils dilated, focusing on something that wasn't in the room with them, "Fa… Father…?"

"Suffer."

He choked, unable to scream past Davian's hand clenched around his throat. His hands scrabbled at Davian's wrist and hands but he didn't look like he was trying to fight himself free but almost like he was attempting to climb up him, and Davian leaned down as if studying him. Rut began to shrink in size again, scales disappearing and teeth and claws turning soft and replaced with human features. Round eyes were gaping and staring at something in horror as he quietly screamed. Soon his hands stopped their frantic clawing and his body became limp.

Laxus rose, fighting with himself over getting involved. Davian seemed bent on killing his brother. Was that something he could let happen? He couldn't get answers if the thing was dead but wasn't that what he deserved? He gritted his teeth. He had to do something. He could just stand and be complacent, could he? If he ever hated having a conscience, it was now that he really did.

"Major Bishop," Laxus called out to him but Davian didn't move, didn't seem to hear him. Something started to beep and Laxus glanced at the hand around Rut's neck to the watch there. The alarm was going off, "Davian, your alarm."

Again, he paid him no mind.

"You're going to kill him, Davian. You have to stop," Laxus closed the distance between them and placed a firm hand on Davian's arm. Lightning sizzled and popped around them, "Let him go."

Laxus became terribly aware of a noise, a silent whispering in the space between them even though neither Rut's nor Davian's lips were moving. The action was slow and fluid as Davian's head turned and when yellow eyes met gold the whispering become louder. The language was unfamiliar but Laxus could feel the intent as it hummed around them, execrable and furious and ravenous. Rut's body slumped to the ground and Davian stepped a foot back, his body jerking as if the task of moving was difficult or forced. As he turned and faced the blonde, Laxus felt increasingly small, like he was staring down some insanely massive creature, even far more massive than Rut had become. The shock of it was visceral and he could even hear it in the room with them, the scraping of scales against the cement walls, claws as large as a man's arms digging trenches into the dirt, and a heavy sigh that spewed acid into the air and ruffled their clothing; all of it stemming from Davian. The gold shivered like something unfathomably hot.

"You going to try and kill me, Major?" Laxus breathed and Davian made no response. Laxus saw clawed fingers twitch and he brought up his hand to block the attack only to gain an iron grip around his wrist that twisted, attempting to force his arm to snap. He gritted his teeth, "You better snap out of it, Davian, before I make you."

Lightning seared around them, growing more anxious to bite his offender as milky eyes stared unwavering into aureate. The tension filled his muscles with tight knots and he was so ready to spring. When Davian's free hand moved Laxus snapped his own around. The resounding twack had enough force to snap Davian's head to the side and he stumbled, not releasing his grip on Laxus's arm though it was now much lighter, no longer threatening to snap his forearm in half. The back of Laxus's hand stung. The alarm was still going off but neither of them could hear it anymore.

The oppressive feeling of some colossal thing looming over them was utterly gone. Davian's hands were suddenly quivering to near violence. He released Laxus and stepped away from him once, twice, three times. The light in his tattoos faded and with it his feathers wilted and disappeared into ash along with his scales. He gasped as he sank to his knees, clutching at his hand as if he were suddenly realizing there was a massive gash in his palm. The blood was red and slipping down his arm in gentle streaks.

"Ah… I'm going to be sick…" his words were lifeless and true to the statement he leaned over. Laxus turned his head away at the sound of retching, his eyes falling on the white of Davian's cloak across the room. He stalked over to it, shook off the dirt and calmly made his way back over as Davian stopped the alarm on his watch. He wasn't sure what he'd eaten, but whatever came back up was jet black and looked like ink. Davian's hands were still shaking as he reached into his pocket, the tiny clicking of tablets knocking into one another making itself known as he fumbled with the lid.

Laxus wasn't sure why he was being nice. He draped the cloak around Davian's shoulders and stepped around him, plucking the container from his grasp, opening it, and putting a couple of them in his hands.

"What is it?" Laxus cocked an eyebrow at him and was surprised to actually receive an answer.

"An extremely powerful sedative."

"Don't tell me I have to carry your ass out of here now."

"Hardly," almost as soon as he swallowed them, Davian's hands stilled and with great effort he pushed himself up, wavering on his feet for a moment before he began righting himself. Cape was snapped on, hair was tucked back into place, glasses fitted to the bridge of his nose. He appeared normal, every trace of what had occurred erased save for Rut who still lay with eyes wide in terror and mouth now clamped shut.

"What did you do to him?" Laxus prompted and Davian glanced over, a look of confusion on his face.

"I don't… seem to recall…" he paused, trying to remember. It took him a minute of pressing his good palm to his forehead with eyes narrowed miserably before he was able to speak again, "I think maybe… he's living what it's like… to be eaten alive?"

"Why? Why would you do that?" Laxus's words were critical and Davian shrugged in a way that almost seemed sheepish.

"I'm sure I thought it was fitting… or clever." he sighed and when Laxus glared over at him with a look that demanded explanation Davian was intently staring at his slit palm, "I wasn't exactly myself at the time, Mr. Dreyar."

Laxus let it go, merely grunting a reply. He stepped up to Rut, looking down at him as he still stared unblinkingly up. The sight was chilling. If Laxus weren't already watching his chest move up in down at a frantic pace he might have thought the man was dead… and truly now he did look like a man. There were no teeth, no claws, no scales. Everything had been erased by whatever Davian had done. Everything save the eyes that still gleamed, yellow and carnivorous. The same eyes as Davian; the same eyes as Bianca.

He squinted at the thought.

"How long is he going to be like that?"

"Hard to say for sure," Davian stepped up next to him and Laxus deliberately moved away, eyes snapping up to watch his every movement. Davian's shoulders tensed but he didn't mention anything about it.

Laxus didn't hide in the slightest that he was studying him, wondering quietly just what kind of strength Davian was hiding… a morbid curiosity wanted to know if he could also turn into one of those gigantic creatures. He wanted to ask but the tired look in Davian's eyes made him feel he wouldn't receive an answer if he did. Davian looked over at him and Laxus realized his eyes were no longer yellow. They were once again those shifting shades of blue and green, calculating and turbulent… but still subdued. Was it the sedative?

"Now… what am I to do with you, Mr. Dreyar?"

Laxus cocked an eyebrow in reply and crossed his arms, staring him down this time without an attempt to intimidate him. It was obvious at this point why that didn't work.

"Mn?"

"You've been witness to things you shouldn't have been," his voice was quiet and he seemed thoughtful, not menacing, "I shudder to think what would happen to you if word gets around."

Laxus's lip curled up slightly, "You mean your family?"

"Unfortunately," he turned his gaze to the body on the ground, "he's not likely to stay in jail. Undoubtedly, it'll be reported as to howhe was captured. I can argue as much as I want that it was his fault but, well, you are here, Mr. Dreyar."

Laxus looked down on him but said nothing. Honestly, he was confused. Davian sensed this and he scoffed although not in a derisive way.

"I do my research well… or, more appropriately, as well as it suits me. I know a mage of your caliber would have little issue dispatching a threat like Rut. The beast has size to his advantage however he is quite stupid… did you think my concern for your wellbeing stemmed by some simple one-on-one fight?"

"You're concerned for my wellbeing?" Laxus hummed, not quite grasping what he was saying.

"I confessed that I did not enjoy burying innocent men, did I not?" a little offhandedly he added, "And besides, you are such a popular man. Could you imagine the work involved in bringing about such a thing?"

"Your family doesn't scare me, Davian."

"Oh, but they should, Mr. Dreyar. You have no idea what they're capable of," he motioned at Rut and Laxus could see the blood soaking through his white glove, "This? This was child's play."

"Yeah?" Laxus inclined his head towards him, "and what about what you did? That fancy spell?"

"I am not a wizard, Mr. Dreyar. I cast no spells," as strange as it was, Davian didn't appear to by lying, "and it would serve you well to forget what you saw."

Laxus didn't respond at first, for once putting thought into what he said before he said it. He glanced over at Rut and then back to Davian, thinking. Tact was something he'd never been good with but he needed to find a way to make this work, to deactivate Davian and get information.

"You must be lying to me, Davian," Laxus said slowly, tilting his head to the side and running fingers through his blonde spikes, "to say you're not magic users… when I saw your brother use Beast Soul to turn into a giant lizard."

Davian blinked at him behind his glasses and his lips parted to say something but Laxus stopped him.

"…althoughI'll have to ask Mira what kind of Takeover magic she's familiar with because I don't think I've ever seen something like yours before. But it wasTakeover. I know a lot of people who use it. I would recognize it if I saw it."

Quiet realization lighted in Davian's eyes and he almost looked pleased, "The son of a Wizard Saint… maybe I shouldn't be so surprised you're actually somewhat sharp."

"Grandson," Laxus growled back at him, "but go ahead and continue to underestimate me. It works for me."

"Yes… I suppose I shall."

Davian dipped down and lifted Rut's wrist. With the practiced sort of movement that spoke of him doing this many times before, he hefted the man over his shoulder and straightened. It was sort of comical to see. Davian wasn't a large man by any means and Laxus had seen without his cloak that he was all lean muscle, similar to Natsu in build and Gajeel in height. Rut was nearly as tall as Bickslow, and so Davian seemed to lifting a man almost twice his own size as if he were lifting a feather.

"What are you going to do about the kids?" Laxus prompted as Davian began picking his way across the floor, "You said you'd return their remains."

"And I will. You have my word."

"Have you… have you found the others?"

"One," Davian said quietly, "although it won't be difficult to find the rest."

"You do this a lot, then?"

"Do what, Mr. Dreyar?" Davian snapped, "Investigate homicides?"

"Clean up after your family."

Davian's eyes darted over to him and then forward. Laxus expected a scathing remark but the reply was tired, begrudging, and it piqued his curiosity, "More often lately than I care to speak of."

Laxus pushed brazenly forward, "Why?"

"I shall warn you now, Mr. Dreyar, that I have nothing useful to offer you."

"I came here for answers, Major Bishop, and I'm not leaving until I get them."

Davian's lip quirked up cruelly, "You've been thwarted, Mr. Drayar. Take it with grace."

"Why are you after Gajeel?" Laxus pressed, unrelenting despite Davian's harsh words, "To keep him quiet? Or is it about revenge?"

Davian didn't answer him, just walked forward through the rickety building, taking care to avoid soft spots with the added weight on his shoulders.

"Is that what this is, Major?" Laxus growled, following close at his heels with static making the air feel thick and charged "Did you just want to imprison the man who killed your sister? Or do you plan to kill him?"

"I've said it once and I'll say it again: I have nothing useful to offer you." he bit back but it sounded more like a hiss.

"If it's not you that's after revenge then who is it, Major?" lightning began shocking the air around his fists and face, "And why would you go through all of this if it doesn't matter to you that your sister was murdered?"

Davian fell back in to his response of resilient silence, eyes glaring forward as he approached the exit. Laxus gritted his teeth, electric and angry and feeling more and more hopeless the closer they got to the outside world. He couldn't leave without answers. He couldn't stand to have all of this time simply wasted. If only he knew the questions to ask…

As Davian wrenched free the bar from the door, Laxus threw himself into the first thing that he could think of, hoping to finally trigger a useful response.

"Is it Father?"

Davian hesitated for the briefest of moments with his hand pressed to the door and Laxus swore the man's eye twitched. For a split second his eyes flashed yellow.

"So that's it…" Laxus breathed, "How do I get to him?"

The doors flew outwards and slammed against the siding at the force of Davian's uncontrolled strength. He stormed silently for the containment carriage and dropped Rut to the ground just long enough to physically rip open the door, grip the man by the collar, and literally throw him in. The whole thing rocked to two wheels before slamming back down again and Davian turned with wild eyes and teeth clenched.

"What have you done with my lieutenants?" his voice was icy and Laxus shrugged.

"We have them," Mira's voice gained their attention and she and Juvia stood over the two men who were passed out cold on the ground. She smiled sweetly, "Don't worry, they're just taking a rest."

Davian's eyes flashed yellow again, this time quickly changing between the two hues before settling to the shifting greens and blues once again. The vein on the side of his neck was standing out and Laxus could feel the slow build of his rage bubbling inside of him, rage that Laxus realized he was desperately trying to keep in check. Why?

"Whatever it is that you've done, undo it immediately," his voice held a deadly stillness in it.

Mirajane crossed her arms and offered him a smile of deadly nightshade, "I'm sorry, I can't. They'll have to wake up on their own."

"Juvia thinks it shouldn't be long. Maybe fifteen minutes."

He watched Davian closely. He man seemed riled; not quite unhinged but definitely on edge. It wasn't fear or anxiety that was driving him but something else, something more violent. Blue-green eyes shifted once to Mirajane, to Juvia, and swept hastily across Laxus. Laxus realized he was familiar with this kind of reaction, harkening to a man who was desperately trying to control his temper amidst children.

Anger… could getting him to slip really be as simple as getting him angry?

"Fifteen minutes with no witnesses… that's a long time," Laxus hummed and Davian's eyes snapped back to him, "And we're a long way from the nearest person who can hear you scream for help."

Davian's lip curled up and his voice became nothing more than a breathy snarl, "Have you not learned your lesson on threatening me, Mr. Dreyar?"

"Not a threat," Laxus said flippantly before setting his unyielding gaze on the Major, "Tell me how to get to him, Davian."

"No," there was finality in him, a fervid need for an end, "and there is nothing that you will ever be able to do that will make me."

"I doubt that," Laxus growled back at him and to prove his point he made brontide roll across the land, strong and livid, enough to make the air shiver and the building behind them groan against it. Mira glanced upwards, dropping her wicked leer at the fierce eruption in the sky. Juvia shivered nervously.

"I do not," Davian stepped towards him and his voice maintained its severity as he took a strong, ready stance. Laxus could hear his glove tightening against the hilt of his sword, "No amount of your foolish determination, of ruthless intimidation, and or of agonizing paincan sway this type of fealty. But please, Mr. Dreyar, go ahead and try to prove me wrong."

"What in the hell could he have on you that you'd be so loyal?" Laxus snarled at him.

Davian chuckled wickedly and shook his head, not gracing him with an answer.

"Is that the kind of guy you really are, Davian? Just some grunt that follows orders?"

"I know where I stand," his smirk faded slightly, "I understand my place."

"Mira, Juvia," Laxus snarled and in an instant they were both at his sides, "Last chance Davian. Tell me what I need to know."

He scoffed and Laxus studied him, hearing the sword lifting slightly from its sheath. Laxus didn't telegraph his attack. Lightning seared the air and struck where feet had been standing just an instant prior. Laxus heard it, the sound of a breath that skittered down his spine, and he moved in a flash. Juvia was suddenly on the ground and then Mirajane. The air shuttered and Laxus grinned at the sound of Davian's sabre being drawn.

In less than a heartbeat it was all over and Laxus was standing with a blade pressed lightly against his Adam's apple. Shifting blue and green eyes were boring into him and a black strand of hair had fallen free to rest on the side of Davian's face.

"You didn't dodge."

"Because you're not going to kill me," Laxus's voice rumbled along with thunder in the distance, "You're running out of tricks."

Quiet fury began to spark in his eyes, "You will not terrorize me."

"Ehhh? Or what? What will you do, Major?" Laxus sneered, letting his magic energy build and swell. It was like rolling his shoulders, relaxing for the first time the tight hold he had on his true strength. Static electricity snapped around them, heat lightning filled the sky with brilliant coruscating energy, and Laxus made his presenceheavy. He pushed it down on Davian like a boot to a snake, crushing and powerful and unwavering. Teeth became sharp in response and Davian resisted against it, forcing the point of his blade further into flesh enough that Laxus felt the sting and trickle of blood.

"Do not look down on me." the hiss had seeped back in to Davian's voice and he was gripping the hilt of his blade with enough ferocity that his hands were beginning to shake. Laxus's reply was simple and malignant: lightning striking just a meter away. Davian' didn't jump or waver.

Davian's eyes were wild and his expression enraged. He flicked up his sword and Laxus forced himself to hide his grimace at the bite as it sliced a slim line up his skin, pushing his chin upwards so it rested in softer flesh, "You have some nerve to threaten me with flashing lights and malicious intent as if I were some easily swayed mongrel."

"If you're not a mongrel…" Laxus was insidious, his voice airy and filled with mock-innocence, "…then why do I always find you picking at corpses?"

For a moment, Laxus was sure Davian would thrust his blade forward and run him through. He was ready, muscles tight and breath baited, to dodge or fry Davian or both. Instead, though, he wrested his infallible control back over himself. A flick of his wrist sent red splattering to the ground before he sheathed his blade and stood before Laxus with tumultuous eyes still full of bubbling ire. Laxus resisted the urge to wipe the blood from where it trickled down his throat, making his skin feel slick.

"This is over," Davian seethed quietly, his words holding finality as he took a step back from the blonde, "Good night, Mr. Dreyar."

He turned on his heel, walking for the lieutenants who were still collapsed on the ground. Mira was helping Juvia up from the ground. Her eyes were filled with concern as Laxus stood still in suffocating desperation. He'd done it, hadn't he? He'd set Davian off. How hadn't it worked? All of his answers, everythinghe needed to know was walking away from him, white cloak billowing out behind him like some lone hero who despite all odds had made it past his temptation. It was almost enough to drive him mad.

"Is this what you're willing to be for the rest of your life?" Laxus called after him. It was hopeless but he wasn't ready to give up. He couldn't, not yet, "Just some pawn that covers up murder?"

What could he do? How could he stop him now? He couldn't just keep running up against dead ends. He had to do somethingbut Davian wasn't listening to him, just marching on wordlessly as if the blonde weren't even there.

"You're an incredible man, Major. You're better than this."

Again nothing. No response. Laxus was watching the door before him slam firmly shut.

"I'm not leaving here without answers, Davian!"

"You are, Mr. Dreyar," he finally turned, not completely but it was enough for Laxus to meet his eyes, "Accept your defeat with grace."

Lightning flashed in the skies above. Laxus still hadn't reigned in his power and it flowed around them all, rampant and feverish and livid. It kicked up the dust from the street and heated the air around them. It carried with it all the frustration, all the hatred, all the desperation he'd kept buried down deep since they'd come to Oleander. He'd tried so hard to do things right but he just didn't seem able. Laxus was an unstoppable force and he'd never met an immovable object before, had never come up short so drastically in so many different areas. He'd never been forced to rethink his strategy until now. Now he was second-guessing, grasping at straws, trying to force his way through and finding that for once it just wouldn't work. He could beat at this wall with as much fierce determination as he wanted but he wouldn't get anywhere.

He had to quit.

It was bitter and cold, but Laxus found a way to contain the magic energy rolling off of him like the waves of a storm-driven sea. The flashing of lightning subsided, the charge in the air fizzled to nothing more than tense energy. He pushed his hands into his pockets and gritted his teeth. To his surprise, Davian didn't sneer or snicker at his expense. He settled, his grip loosened on his sabre, and the tension in his shoulder abated.

"Fine… you win," the words fell heavily to the ground at Laxus's feet and Davian watched him pitilessly. Laxus took a steadying breath, "I guess I don't have a choice."

Davian watched him quietly, waiting. Maybe he innately sensed that truly Laxus wasn't done, there was no way he'd give up so easily. He wasn't wrong, Laxus had one more idea. It was a shot in the dark, one more piece of bait to lay in front of Davian and pray he'd take it. He really was running out of options.

He set his jaw.

"Right," Laxus bit out, trying to keep the hostility from his tone, "Mira, Juvia, we're leaving."

"But Laxus…" Mira started but a stern look from him made her go quiet.

"We're heading to Sinlin Hills."

Curiosity sparked in Davian's eyes that was quickly taken over with suspicion, "And what, pray tell, do you hope to achieve there?"

Laxus quirked a brow at him, "Don't think that's any of your concern, Major."

Davian chuckled and just a touch of his feverish ire was able to escape within it, "The Ulrich Case is myjurisdiction. Anything you find in Sinlin Hills is my concern."

"I'm sure we won't find anything," Laxus sighed, shrugging dismissively, "You're sogood at your job. I'm sure the place has been turned over once already…"

Davian narrowed his gaze at him, "I am good at my job, Mr. Dreyar."

"That's what I said," Laxus hummed, the corner of his mouth quirking up slightly, "Unless… you think you missed something?"

Davian glared at him.

"A recording lacrima, maybe?" Laxus grinned maliciously at him.

Davian took a slow breath and crossed his arms, every bit of his priggish nature returning in the gesture, "What are you playing at Mr. Dreyar? My patience is thin."

"I can't intimidate the truth out of you, Major Bishop," he stated calmly, "But what about a bet?"

Davian scoffed, "You've got to be kidding me…"

"Humor me," Laxus could feel blood pooling in the collar of his shirt, sticking to his skin, "If I find something you missed, you tell me everything you know."

"Absolutely not," Davian rolled his eyes and Laxus took an advancing step towards him.

"Scared you made a mistake?"

"No," he derided.

"Then why not?" he took another step closer, not hiding the sly tone in his voice

Davian studied him, opened his mouth and promptly closed it. He was considering it and Laxus felt his heart beat harder in the realization, "How droll."

"What? Making a bet you know you'll lose or working with the good guys for once?" he was just a few paces away, barely keeping his magic in check in his approach.

"Good guys? A small circus, maybe," Davian sneered, "And one that believes it can play me for a fool."

Laxus stuck out his hand, not meeting him all the way, "Is it a bet, Davian?"

Davian studied his hand for a moment before slowly bringing his eyes up to meet Laxus's. He chose his words carefully, "Ifevidence is found, I confiscate it."

"I wouldn't expect anything different," Laxus hummed, "Assuming it's properly documented."

"Of course," Davian replied slowly, guardedly, "And I will not be answering every single thing that could come into your mind. I'll give you five questions."

Laxus laughed, "Twenty."

"Eight."

"Fifteen."

"Ten," Davian growled.

"Truthfully? No matter what the question is?" Laxus challenged him and Davian stepped forward.

"No matter the question," Davian's smile faded slightly as he said it out loud, "If we find anything."

His white gloved hand slid into Laxus's.

"Two conditions," Davian's voice dropped.

"I'll think about it."

"You come alone, Mr. Dreyar," Davian kept his gaze unwavering, any humor in his face gone, "And if nothing is found, you stop your incessant digging."

Laxus shook his hand, "Deal."