Chapter 46

Konsilisto- We shall see it's who you think it is.

I'm pretty sure you have seen a teaser of him once with the Wood Elves. At least up to Tenrou Island.

I'm honestly keeping my expectations for Hazbin Hotel low. I find that people set their expectations too high and they end up disappointed whenever a product comes out. It's why I don't give in to hype that much. It's why I wasn't disappointed with the Star Wars sequel trilogy or any of the Star Wars products made by Disney, though I will admit I felt that the Book of Boba Fett was all over the place and disjointed.

Sea

"I can't believe they managed to escape the local authorities so quickly. How did they manage that?" Said Diederick as he, Juvia, and the rest of team Natsu steered a small boat to, what Natsu claimed, is the direction of the group of wizards that kidnaped Erza. And so the group of teens was on their way towards Erza's supposed location. After getting Natsu back and reporting to the authorities what occurred at the casino, the group departed in the morning to bring back Erza and Happy, who was also taken by the group of mages that kidnapped Erza for some reason.

"Must have escaped on a small boat if they slipped away undetected." Said Gray. "Or they got away quickly enough before anyone figured out what was going on. Either way, it doesn't matter. What matters is that they have Erza and Happy and they're going to pay for it." Everyone nodded at that, fully agreeing with what Gray just said. As they steered their boat towards Natsu's given directions, the team looked at Natsu, only to see him groaning in pain due to his motion sickness. Groaning at this, Gray yelled at him.

"C'mon man!" Yelled Gray as he looked at Natsu in annoyance. "Now is not the time for you to go mopey on us! We need you right now to give us directions so we can save Erza and your stupid cat!" Juvia, furious as well though for different reasons, spoke in agreement.

"How dare you disappoint my darling Gray with your childish antics!" Yelled Juvia, causing both Diederick and Lucy to look at her with raised eyebrows.

"He's under stress from his motion sickness and that's what you have to say?" Asked Diederick as he looked at Juvia, disapproving of what she had to say to Natsu. Before Juvia could even say anything, Natsu suddenly gasped out loud, completely recovered from his motion sickness, something that was a shock to Gray and Lucy as the boat was still moving.

"Guys, can you feel that?" Asked Natsu as he looked around. Before anyone could question this, they suddenly heard the sounds of birds squawking. Looking up they all saw flocks of colorful birds flying in the air only to abruptly collapse and fall towards the water. As more birds began to the ground dead, Diederick grabbed one and examined it to see what the cause of this phenomenon was. While first glance showed that the bird was clearly dead, Diederick wanted to see the exact cause of it. Having been trained by his mothers to spot such things, Diederick wanted to use that training to the best of his abilities. That and he wanted to see if whatever was affecting the birds will affect him and his friends.

"Well, judging by the corpse, something magical stopped all its vital organs." Said Diederick as he looked into the eye of the bird before hearing its heart. "And I'm not just saying that to simplify things. This thing's vital functions have just stopped. Its heart, lungs, and even brain just stopped working. It's as if a magic spell was cast on it and it just died along with its flock. I don't know what spell could do that. Nor in the range, it had to be to affect all these birds."

"Same here." Said Lucy in fear. "And why isn't it working on us? Shouldn't what's affecting the birds also affect us?"

"Probably only works on animals or it's modified to not work on humans." Said Gray before seeing fish and turtles start to pop out from the sea. He could even see sharks coming out as well. Just before anyone could make another comment, Juvia suddenly gasped out and pointed ahead of them, shouting at them to look. Looking up ahead, everyone gasped as they saw the broken remains of a ship. As they passed it they saw the flag that it flew as well as the symbol on the hull.

"That's one of the Magic Council's warships!" Yelled Lucy in recognition. "They were here?! We only reported what happened last night…last night."

"It's one of their scout ships so they must have been investigating this area for some reason." Noted Gray as he eyed the ship and its design. "Hope there were survivors."

"If there were, then they must have ended up there." Said Diederick as he pointed at a barren island. Grabbing some binoculars that he brought with him, Diederick spotted dozens of guards watching the sea. "Damn, the place is defended well. If they're hostile, we can't go straight towards them."

"And to make matters worse, I'm guessing that's where Erza and Happy are, huh?" Asked Gray, causing Natsu to nod. "*Sighs* Great, any ideas on how to slip by all of them?"

"I do, my love." Said Juvia before casting a spell around their boat, encasing it in water. "My water dome can keep us from being seen." Upon hearing that, Lucy sighed in relief.

"That's good. Great work Juvia." Said Lucy, making Juvia smile from the praise. "So what's the plan guys. I'm guessing that we can't go in through force."

"No. Even if Erza and Happy weren't in danger, it'd be suicide to attack them head-on without a plan of attack. Plus we don't have any knowledge of their capabilities." Said Diederick. "I know that it isn't your style, but perhaps we should try to scout the enemy first. Determine their strengths and weaknesses before engaging them?" Though it wasn't their preferred style, Natsu and Gray found it to be boring, and everyone agreed with Diederick. Now was not the time for fighting. The lives of their friends were on the line so they had to play smart. Thus, Gray had the boat stirred to a location on the island that appeared to be safe from the guards.

Meanwhile

Magic Council

"What do you mean that the R-System is still active?! That's impossible!" Yelled a member of the Magic Council as they heard what Siegrain just informed them along with the rest of the Magic Council.

While Team Natsu was attempting to save their friends from the group of mages that attacked them, an emergency meeting of the Magic Council was being held. The ten members that composed the council stood on top of their magic circle, fear and worry in the face of many. All except two. Siegrain and his fellow council member Ultear.

"I'm afraid so I can confirm what Siegrain just said. The last report from our scout ship sent to investigate the anomaly off the coast of Caelum confirms it." A councilor wearing a hood and glasses replied. "And it's the same R-System from eight years ago that a group of cults that worshipped black magic constructed."

"I know that part, Leiji," Org, a bald man with a white beard, responded. "But want I want to know is how the R-System is even active. All seven were completely destroyed by the Magic Council. There shouldn't even be any ruins of them left."

"Indeed, we destroyed those seven towers. However, there was an eight tower that we missed." Said another council member before showing an image of the black tower that their scout ship reported appearing above them. "And it's this same tower that Siegrain and Leiji reported in. Upon hearing that, Org gritted his teeth before asking a question.

"Is it close to completion?" Asked Org.

"I'm afraid we don't know that." Said Leiji. "We lost contact with the scout ship and its entire crew after that last report. I was going to give them orders to see if it was close to completion when I lost contact with them."

"Well, judging by its appearance, it looks complete to me." Said Ultear as she examined the tower.

"And if it's complete and in the hands of those that worship black magic, then they may…" A fourth council member was then interrupted by Org before he can complete that sentence.

"We cannot allow that to occur!" Stated Org, knowing what the council member was going to say. "We have to mobilize the army to destroy it immediately!"

"That not's an option." Objected Leiji. "We know so little about our opponents and their capabilities, we'll be sending the army to a slaughter."

"Indeed. Not to mention that my brother is there as well." Said Siegrain agreeing with Leiji. "Whether or not he's the leader of those occupying the tower is irrelevant. Just him being there is enough to warrant caution. He's a powerful Dark Wizard, easily capable of defeating hundreds of regular humans with ease. Just sending the military will only end with the death of hundreds. We must act cautiously. That being said, we cannot just stand idly by and allow Jellal or whoever is in control of the tower to use it even once. Therefore, to both save the lives of our soldiers and to prevent the tower from being used, I motion that we use Etherion to wipe the Tower of Heaven off the face of Earthland." Upon hearing that, everyone gasped out loud and looked at Siegrain with wide eyes.

"Are you mad, Siegrain!?" Yelled Org as he looked at his fellow Council Member with shock and disbelief.

"Etherion is much too dangerous to be used!" Yelled Belno, a tall woman with blond hair and a long nose. "It's meant to be a deterrent against invasion from the Alvarez Empire or other threats. It's only meant to be fired as an absolute last resort! Nothing more!"

"Indeed, that weapon is more dangerous than the R-System at its prime!" Protested Leiji.

"Yes, you're all correct, but we can focus specifically on the Tower of Heaven." Argued Siegrain. "It limits collateral damage while also ensuring the destruction of the R-System and the threat it imposes to the safety of Earthland itself." As everyone either glared at Siegrain for suggesting to use Etherion or was looking at each other, unsure of what to do, Ultear rose her hand up.

"I agree with Siegrain." Said Ultear with reluctance, causing everyone, baring Siegrain, to look at her in shock.

"You what!?" Yelled Org in shock.

"Not you too, Ultear." Said Belno, also in shock.

"We have no choice." Said Ultear, arguing in favor of Siegrain's plan. "It's either this or send hundreds of our men to their deaths." After a few moments, Leiji spoke up.

"I vote in favor of this as well." Said Leiji as he rose his hand in the air. Shocking his colleagues. "They are nine of us total, If 2 more votes are in favor, then the Etherion would be unleashed." With that, the conversation between the council members began on whether or not to fire Etherion or not.

Meanwhile

"That's a lot of guards." Said Diederick as he looked at the assembly of guards before him and Gray, hiding behind some rocks so they wouldn't be detected. They counted, at least two dozen men with spears and magic guns along with a few dragon-like beasts with them.

"We should just charge right in." Whispered Natsu as he and Lucy were behind Diederick and Gray.

"No way." Whispered Lucy. "Any wrong move and we'll have this entire place on us. And they might try to harm Happy and Erza to stop us."

"But they'll find us soon if we don't get a move on." Said Gray as he looked at their surroundings. It wouldn't take much to notice them if they don't move it. "Any ideas?" Before anyone can make a suggestion, Juvia suddenly appeared from the water, having gone underwater the moment they landed on the island.

"I do, my beloved." Said Juvia as she spoke to the group. "There's an underwater passageway that leads inside the tower complex."

"Really?" Asked Gray in surprise. "That's great news. Nice work, Juvia." Upon hearing that, Juvia immediately gloated at Lucy.

"You hear that, Lucy?" Asked Juvia as she smugly looked at Lucy with a victorious smile. "I've just been praised by Gray. Not you." Upon hearing that, Lucy sighed and spoke up.

"Yeah. Yeah." Said Lucy, wondering if this was going to be an occurring thing with her, something that Diederick wondered as well. With that done, Juvia spoke again, this time more collected.

"It'll take around ten minutes for us to arrive there." Said Juvia. "I can pass through without question. As for you all…"

"Hmm…can we hold our breath for that long?" Asked Natsu, wondering.

"Probably." Said Gray with a shrug, causing both Diederick and Lucy to shake their heads.

"That's not physically possible, you dolts." Said Lucy in annoyance. Juvia then gave them a solution to their problem.

"For those who can't hold their breath for that long, I suggest you use these." Said Juvia before forming a bubble of air. "It's a water bubble containing oxygen. This should allow you to go through without much difficulty."

"Awesome." Said Natsu with excitement. "Now…who are you again?" The question caused Juvia to sigh in dejection.

"You serious, Natsu?" Asked Diederick upon hearing that question. "She used to be one of Phantom's Element Four."

"Oh really?" Asked Natsu in surprise. "Well, she must be pretty chill if we're letting her tag along."

"Uh…yeah. She is." Said Diederick as Gray took off most of his clothes besides his boxers.

"Enough slacking people, we got Erza and Happy to save." Said Gray before Juvia began forming a water bubble around his head. With that, everyone soon took off their clothes and stored them in Lucy's Celestial Spirit, Horologium, though Diederick kept a knife with him just in case. Soon they all acquired a water bubble and began swimming towards the passageway Juvia spoke of, with Juvia leading the way. Ten or so minutes later and the group arrived at an underground cavern with dozens of walkways above them along with some weird mask things.

"This must be their basement or something." Said Natsu as everyone looked around while Lucy got out Horologium so Diederick can have his stuff back.

"Erza and Happy are around here somewhere." Said Gray as he stopped looking around. "They're probably in a more secure location in this place. Meaning they're held up in the upper levels. We should…" Before Gray could finish that sentence, he was interrupted by a guard spotting them and yelling.

"Hey!" They looked up and saw the platforms and walkways above them being filled with more guards. "Who the hell are you guys?! Raise the alarm!"

"That's just great." Said Gray as he saw more guards arriving with those beast things from before. "Hoped to have the element of surprise until after we freed Erza and Happy. *Sighs* Not like we're good at stealth anyway. Ready for a fight, guys?"

"Oh hell yeah!" Yelled Natsu while cracking his knuckles. "These guys need a good beatdown for being the guys that kidnapped Erza and Happy." With that, Natsu slammed the floor beneath him with a flame-enhanced punch, creating a dust storm that the wizards took advantage of to jump toward their assailants. "We're from Fairy Tail!"

"Stop them!" As the wizards began brawling or blasting away the guards, Diederick was getting out his bow and quiver full of arrows. Notching an arrow, he aimed at one guard flying one of those beasts with wings and fired at the beast, intending to bring it down to ground level so it won't pose a threat to the others. Having been trained by some of the finest archers in Fiore, Diederick's aim was true and hit one of the beast's wings, sending it crashing to the wall in pain as the rider tried desperately to gain control of it. Congratulating himself, Diederick did the same with a few others before a few guards realized what he was doing and thus two beast riders came at him.

Smirking at such an easy kill, the guards were about to charge their beasts at Diederick when Juvia came and sent a water cyclone at them.

"Drip. Drip. Drop." Said Juvia before looking at Diederick. "Do you need me to send you to a more secure location? This location isn't ideal for an archer or a non-magic user."

"Please do." Said Diederick, knowing that she was right. With that, Juvia grabbed Diederick and encased him within her body of water as she turned into her water form. She then quickly moved towards a more secure location away from the fighting so Diederick can safely shoot. Once she was sure he was safe, Juvia spoke.

"You're doing well." Said Juvia as she looked at Diederick. "I hope you can match your mothers in their reputation." Diederick, a bit flustered at hearing that, was about to reply that he wasn't nearly as good as his mothers when Juvia sent a jet of water towards a group of guards that were looking at them. She then quickly went away, allowing Diederick to go back at sniping the beast riders from afar.

Eventually, the fighting stopped with all the guards incapacitated or retreating. Once that was done, everyone regrouped around the pocket of land around the water. As they started to catch their breath, everyone was startled when one of the mask things on the walls opened its mouth, and a stairway came out of it.

"What the… Are they just letting us in?" Asked Diederick in confusion as he looked at the stairway.

"Looks like it." Said Gray with suspicion as he looked at the stairway. "Though it looks more like an invitation."

"But why?" Asked Lucy upon seeing the stairs with a frown. "Why invite us at all?"

"No idea, but we're not getting any reason unless we take it." Said Natsu before taking the stairs with the others soon following.

Meanwhile

"I don't understand, Jellal." Said a black-haired man as he looked upon a blue-haired man that looked uncannily like the Magic Council member, Siegrain, on a throne with a cocky smile. Looking upon the lacrima showing the Fairy Tail members and some random blue-haired woman with them, Jellal just replied back.

"As I said before, this is all a game." Said Jellal with a confident smile. "They passed the first level and now I want to provide them a bone for their hard work. Rest assured, they won't win."

"But still…shouldn't we be focusing on the ceremony? The Magic council…" Started the black-haired man before Jellal stopped him.

"Don't worry, Vidaldus." Said Jellal with a smirk as he thought of the Magic Council. "They're falling right into my hands as we speak." Raising a hand in the air, he spoke up. "Even now, their plans to stop me will only end up benefitting me. And no one else."

Meanwhile

Near the Tower of Heaven

Just outside the perimeter of the Tower of Heaven's security defenses, Lady Lilea ship was awaiting the orders from Lady Lilea herself, being cloaked through magical means to prevent the Tower's occupants from seeing them and obliterating them all to hell, as they did the Magic Council scout ship. The ship of Lady Lilea was of traditional Druchii making. Fast, emphasis on spikes whenever feasible, and filled with an assortment of weapons designed to either destroy or incapacitate vessels for either plundering or gathering slaves, of which its enlarged cargo holds are fit for.

Lilea, looking at the Tower with a telescope from the helm of the ship, hummed to herself about what to do. As she did so, the captain of the ship came toward her.

"Lady Lilea, shouldn't we proceed to invade the island? We have sufficient forces to do so." Said the captain, causing Lilea to look at him in disgust. The captain of her ship, to her disgust, was a human male. Unlike her siblings, who had Druchii helmed their personal ships, hers was manned by a human, a sign of her inferior position compared to her siblings. It annoyed her to no end and, despite the human being an adequate captain for her ship, hence why he was still alive, she still found it humiliating that one of the inferior races was captaining her personal ship. Hopefully, once she comes back with the spoils from the Tower of Heaven, preferably the tower itself, she'll earn enough prestige to gain a Druchii captain. For now, though, she'll tolerate the human until the day comes she deems him unsuitable to govern her ship anymore.

"Because, human, the defenses of the tower will obliterate us before we can make landfall." Said Lilea as she turned fully towards the captain. "It's only through our sorceresses that they cannot see us. Without them, we'd be dead in seconds. Besides, why fight them when our enemies can do it for us. When both are exhausted from fighting each other, we'll swoop in and kill them all and take the tower for ourselves. Understood, captain?" Upon hearing that explanation, the human nodded and saluted her.

"In that case, ma'am, shall I prepare your personal wyvern for travel? I know how much you desire to personally deal with any Fairy Tail mage." Said the captain. Lilea nodded at that.

"Do so. And don't get irritate her or injure her in any way." Said Lilea. "If I find even a single scale of hers stained, you'll pay the price, captain." Gulping upon hearing that, the captain hastily went down the holds towards Lilea's wyvern, hoping it wasn't as murderous as it usually was. Looking at the tower, Lilea looked at a medallion around her neck, shaped like a basilisk and carved from obsidian.

"This had best work or heads will roll." Thought Lilea as she thought of how she acquired the medallion. It cost her much to acquire it, but if it worked, then the Fairy Tail mages would be at her mercy. Baring Erza, of course. She heard that she was more skilled in physical combat than the rest of her guild, baring the elves within. Fighting her will most definitely be a thrill and she'll also gain a thrill in killing her or, better yet, taking her and making her an enslaved person in Bosco. She was a beautiful young woman and no doubt will fetch a high price in the slave trade.

Chuckling at the image of Makarov being horrified to hear that Erza was reduced to a slave, Lilea made it a goal of defeating Erza and then taking her back to Bosco as a slave. Along with anyone else that she can obtain.