Magic in the air 17- Jail break.
It was dark now, and the desert landscape was already cooling.
We'd been traveling well over 3 hours, but it had been worth it.
Looking over the sand dune we were using as cover, I laid my eyes upon a variable tent city.
Multiple tents of different types, colors, and styles were spread out over a few hundred meters, with wagons posted on one side.
I counted at least twenty tents, two of which were pretty big, but it was the wagons that had my attention.
There were 3, all of them were caged, and all filled with people.
Well, at least we knew where the civilians were.
The tents were a problem though, there could be people in them, slavers or slaves was still undetermined.
They need checking, it would be close quarters, I'd need to check my targets.
And while I doubt any of them have any REAL fighting ability, I wasn't about to underestimate them just because they weren't mages.
Not after the Blackcat, and certainly not after training with Sasha.
"This it?" I whispered to Carla, to confirm. The last thing we wanted was to attack a large group of traders and their guards, or soldiers and their prisoner's, not that they were but you get my point.
"Correct," She nodded, glaring at the area.
"What now?" Wendy asked quietly, nervously biting her lip.
"Those wagons aren't going anywhere without horses, and we won't have time to hitch them up," I informed them, never mind the fact I didn't want them anywhere near this.
I paused and readjusted the hammer I had brought with me, it was bigger than I was, made for an adults frame, and heavy to boot.
"Our best bet would be clearing the camp and then retrieving the civilians, but the moment I attack they might attempt to flee rather than fight. If that happens I'll have to blow the wheels off, but that's risky," I summarized.
To be completely honest, there were dozens of bandits and slavers down there, some might choose to fight while others might flee, and I can't be in two places at once.
Wendy frowned obviously not liking the idea.
"Perhaps we could sneak them out beforehand?" Carla thought aloud.
"Yeah," Wendy perked up, "Then we wouldn't need to fight."
I sighed at the optimistic girl, "Wendy the whole point IS to fight them, and stop them, so they can't hurt anyone else."
She frowned, upset, but nodded resolutely.
"As for getting them out? That's even riskier, we don't know their condition, if they can't walk, they can't be moved. And if we're spotted moving them they'll be in even more danger than in the wagons," I informed the cat girl.
She frowned in annoyance, "There must be SOMETHING we can do."
If only the world were that nice.
"Honestly? I think the best bet here, is for me to just assault the camp. I can send any slaves not in the wagon this way for Wendy to look over, while Carla plays defense in case any get through me. Then, once we're clear, we can help the others," I rattled off.
I was playing this by ear, the camp was mobile for a reason, and we had no way of knowing how long they would be here for.
Worryingly that was likely how they stayed ahead of the guard, they were spread to thin to be a threat to the camp and any patrols that tried would be out numbered.
Granted, the guards were better trained and likely able to take them 5 to 1 easy, depending on the skill of the guardsmen, and an officer would likely make the whole thing child's play. The problem was, the civilians, they could easily become hostages, and the strength of the guard varied wildly depending on where they were stationed.
But if it was too much for the bandits, they'd just take their slaves and run.
I'd looked into it shortly after finding out Sasha and Alister were ex-military. Needless to say, the two HAD to have been officers.
"What if I sabotage the wagons?" Carla pondered aloud, "Myself and Wendy could defend them until we're done."
Wendy smiled at that, "Yeah, that'd work, right?"
I was reluctant to let them near the camp, hell, I was reluctant to even have them THIS close.
"Wendy can't fight, she'll need her magic for healing," I countered.
"Which would be useless if they died," Carla responded sharply.
...
Damn it, she had a point, and watching innocent people die would be traumatizing for them.
The wagons were even in a good position for a play like that. They hadn't been spaced out, all three were right next to each other.
"Alright then, new plan, we circle around and blitz for the wagons, I'll hold them off, while you two free them and get them out, as soon as you're clear take up defensive positions, while I clear the camp," I reevaluated.
"But what if they can't walk?" Wendy questioned, throwing my own words back at me.
"Then get them back on their feet, or have the others help you carry them, we won't have much time. I CAN beat them, but I can't hold a position for long, there's just too many, some WILL get passed me," I stressed, flanking was a thing, and I couldn't be everywhere.
Both nodded.
I didn't like this, granted the girls had been in life and death situations before, but the risk of failure here came with a far worse fate than simple death.
I would fight these bastards to the death to ensure that didn't happen, theirs... and mine.
"I believe a quiet approach would be for the best, the longer we can go without drawing attention, the better," Carla commented holding her chin in concentration.
I nodded in agreement, ideally the girls wouldn't have to fight anyway, but the slavers 'merchandise' would be under heavy guard.
"Carla can you scout the area from above before we go in?" I asked.
"I can," She hesitated, "But, if I can see them, they could see me."
Alright, scratch that, "Not worth it then, if we raise the alarm before we're even there, it'll be much harder for us."
Note to self, buy spyglass for Carla.
I buttoned up my armored coat, "Alright then, let's get this done, nice and quiet."
BANG!
A Bandit flew several feet through the air, as the hammer's head detonated on impact.
Now, that hadn't been intentional, but damn, if that wasn't awesome.
Numerous more bandits approached, grouped together.
Easy pickings.
I raised my hand and aimed through the gap between them, "BACKBLAST!"
The center of their formation exploded.
Several were flung into the air screaming, while a few just dropped, shredded by ballistic sand.
I panted, and more came.
How many have I dropped now?
20?
30?
Not important.
Thunk!
"AH!" I growled, more in shock than pain as an arrow lodged itself in my armor, but no deeper.
I yanked it out as I stamped my foot and funneled my det magic under the redrawing archer.
Bang.
The sand under him exploded, slightly muffled.
He dropped.
Found you.
One of the wagons was trying to leave, trying being the key word.
Shing.
"Gah," A Bandit dropped from the wagon, courtesy of, CARLA!
"Damn it, Carla!" I hurried to the wagon, and passed by the still breathing man, "I told you to stay on defense."
Carla huffed leveling her saber, "There's no time, their trying to leave, hurry!" She pointed at the caged wagon, filled with people.
I put my hand onto the cages lock, doing my best to avoid listening to the begging and pleading coming from the enslaved people, in favor of focus.
Bang.
The lock exploded.
"There, get them out, and don't come back, I'm leveling this place now!" I turned, as Carla nodded seriously.
Another group was coming.
"Of course," She responded, then addressed the now freed slaves, "Help each other and follow me, no one gets left behind!"
I charged out of their hearing range to stall the next bandit group. It was bigger and more organized, two groups covering each other, and working as one big group.
There were too many to get into melee range with, my new hammer had more than helped me conserve magic, but I'd be overwhelmed by numbers.
But I did have a plan, I just had to adjust my position, panting as I did so. We were only 10 minutes into the fight, but it was exhausting and physically taxing.
This wasn't going too well, we'd been made the moment we needed to open the cages, no key, so I had to blow it.
Stupid.
That got the camp's attention quickly, and Wendy had taken the first group back as things heated up.
We'd left the supply bag behind as a marker for our fallback point.
Then the second group had gone with Carla, by that time I was stuck defending the third.
Some had gotten past me, but it looks like Carla had it handled, her group was leaving now, and I needed to check the tents.
But, without the girls to see it, I could also cut loose.
As this group was about to find out.
I held my arms out, hammer still in my hand, nothing was behind them from this position, "High yield, Full Force!"
Skreeeee, bang, bang, bang, pop, pop, pop.
And like that, 30 slavers ceased to exist, their shadows vaporized in the light of the orange rolling detonation.
Okay, wow, draining, so glad I've been training my reserves and control.
I looked at the area I'd hit, the sand had fused to glass.
That was a full fifth of my reserves, not bad considering a low yield would have done about two fifths over a month ago.
There.
I charged into the closest tent, "Anyone here, we're here to help!"
...
No response.
I turned, no time to waste.
"Gah," An arrow sail passed me, just missing me.
Son of a-
I pitched a Blast Bolt back at her.
CRACK.
She did a nice flip from the force, and landed hard.
The next 6 minutes were much the same, with me countering groups of bandits, with magic and hammer.
There weren't 20 tents either, there were more. Several smaller ones sat in the shadow of the larger ones, and the larger ones alone could probably hold at LEAST 30 people.
There weren't dozens of bandits here, there were hundreds, upward to 200.
We were lucky that the groups were spaced out, somewhat, most likely for safety, and to avoid infighting.
It made their response staggered and manageable... at first.
Now they were trying to box me in.
Still, their training sucked, but numbers were a quality of their own.
Thankfully, my magic more than compensated.
I tore my way through the back of one of the large tents, as I was pursued.
"Shit," I swore as a blade sailed over my head.
But the bandit had aimed too high, likely expecting an older opponent, my hammer didn't make the same mistake.
Crack.
Down he went, his jaw shattered.
But I had a new problem, on the other side of the tent I had just left were easily 50 or so bandits, and by this point there must have been 80 or so bandits after me, and they were closing in.
Lucky for me, that's just what I wanted, that was the last tent, after all, I was clear.
There was no need for grand standing or ceremony, "FULL YIELD, GROUND ZERO!"
I didn't level the camp, I glassed it.
Carla P.O.V
I was scared.
There was no other way to put it, Salem was fighting alone, again.
He was resistant and adaptive, I knew that, but people had limits.
"Wendy!" I called out to my sister, as I led the final group to our make shift camp.
She looked up at me, panicked, trying to help all of these people. I counted 88 including those with me, it was too much.
"These are the last," I motioned to those following me.
"R-r-right," She responded, looking around her, overwhelmed.
The people around her were huddled together for comfort, protection. They were hurt, all of them, skinny, and weak.
This place was horrid.
I was beginning to understand Salem's hatred for slavers. I knew of them, of course, but not enough, apparently.
Seeing it, was worse than simply knowing.
"Wendy, what needs to be done?" I tried to help, she can do it, I know she can.
"I-I, water! They need water," She moved to the bag digging frantically for the water skins.
I looked back at the slavers camp, checking for followers, but nothing.
Small explosions briefly echoed through the night, Salem was still fighting.
They were too focused on him to follow us.
We were only a few hundred meters from the camp, but they had yet to follow.
Wendy pulled back from the bag, "Here, I've got-"
...
The sun rose, and I found myself thrown to the floor from where I hovered moments before, the ground shaking.
Sand crystallized and sparkled throughout the hot air.
I breathed, "AHHHHH."
Holding my ears tight at the ringing in them, "Wendy!"
I fought through the pain, looking for her.
She, She was curled into a ball, holding her ears.
I called for her, but couldn't hear my own voice, no doubt others were doing the same.
Then slowly the light faded, the winds died, and silence returned.
"W-Wendy? Wendy," I was upon her as soon as I was able, shaking her.
She winced, tears in her eyes, as she turned to look at me, and then past me, her eyes widening.
I turned, worried.
Salem.
...
The camp was gone.
Salem P.O.V
I'd blacked out for a moment, the pain, and emptiness from spending all your magic at one wasn't a fun one.
I pushed myself up partly, with some effort, fighting against my twitching muscles.
Not only that, but I couldn't see for the dust, it was, however, slowly fading away in the wind.
"Thank you," Hestia's voice echoed on the wind.
"Your welcome," I mentally apologized for the body count, Hestia, like my friends, didn't like loss of life. But if I didn't take care of them here and now, more families would be at risk.
My family.
I pulled myself up fully, still panting, holy shit.
The ground was slick, the silica in the ground fused into glass, all of it.
That... That might have been a bit much.
I shuddered, is this what I'm capable of.
I'd never used Ground Zero at full yield before, and only once at high yield, it was too dangerous, to indiscriminate. Yet, even this wasn't actually FULL yield it was just over half my reserves, more than high yield but not full, it's everything I'd had left in the tank.
I'd thought it worth the risk here, I swallowed.
It was eerily silent, where once there had been tent's, and people, and noise, there was now glass and silence.
...
"Salem," A voice cut through my newest fear, quiet and far away.
Carla.
I moved forward, wanting out of this self-made hellscape.
"I'M OKAY!" I shouted back, trudging through the hot glass.
Step after step.
Until finally sand.
There they were, safe and sound.
I tiredly raised my hand, before realizing it was the one holding my hammer, that had been dragging across the glass, apparently.
I shook my head.
My body felt numb.
But, I still felt the impact of Carla's small frame on my body, and Wendy a split second later.
"Ouf," I stepped back to prevent myself from falling.
"Are you okay?" Carla looked me in the eye as I looked down to her clinging to my chest.
"Yeah, yeah, just tired," I vaguely felt Wendy's magic on my body.
"Is everyone alright?" I looked past them to the people we'd freed, scared and panicked.
"Y-yes, shocked but alive, though, what did you do?" The she-cat inquired, concern lacing her words.
I looked back at the new Glasslands behind me, nearly 300 meters of it each way from the epicenter.
Thank Hestia, I'd been smart enough to do it on the other side from our camp.
"That," I swallowed and shivered slightly, "Was Ground Zero at above High Yield."
The sooner I learn barrier magic, the better.
Carla inhaled sharply, then patted my chest, "I've never been so glad that it's YOU with such magic, and not someone like THAT."
She gestured back to where the slaver camp had been.
"I'm not sure anyone should," I hugged the girl in thanks regardless.
It was the only attack I had that could rival Dragon Slayer magic, and it was completely uncontrollable.
Speaking of Dragon Slayers.
"Wendy?" I asked, she paused, I think she's in shock, just doing what's instinctual.
"Come on," I released Carla and put an arm around the little dragon slayer, guiding her back to our camp.
The ex-slaves were terrified, but thankful?
I think? It's difficult to tell.
Time to make it clear, "All right everyone, let's get you back to town, I'm sure the church will be willing to help you."
Some relaxed at that, others looked more suspicious, some cried, most were still scared.
I sighed.
The walk back was sort of difficult, but after dolling out some water, while Wendy assisted those worse off with some quick healing, we were on our way.
It added an extra hour to the journey, but it had already taken an extra hour and a half to get these people sorted beforehand anyway.
Well, that and all the hearing loss.
...
My bad?
Yeah, I'd apologized profusely for that, but the detonation had been bigger than expected.
At least they weren't combative with us.
That I think that was my fault, I'd scared them, much to my shame.
Likewise, Wendy's eyes were a thousand miles away, but she was functional, just... processing.
Carla was with her up front, while I kept an eye on things in the back.
The last thing we wanted was to lose someone while marching through the desert with scared, weak, and confused ex-slaves.
We arrived back in the town proper around early morning, or late at night, depending on who you ask.
I think that's when it finally sank in for most of them that they weren't trading one master for another, but were actually free.
There was more crying, but it was in relief.
It was nearly 3 am by the time we made it to the church.
"Knock, Knock!" I pushed the doors open, it's not like we were being quiet, we had waaaaay too many people with us for that.
Pretty sure we'd woken up most of the town by now.
We WERE being watch now, after all.
The church was full, I'd been right in my prior assessment, it was like a hostel, people were sleeping.
But that wouldn't last, people were waking up, wondering what was happening. The Father himself had indeed left a light on for us, more specifically a candle he had lit on the altar and was preying in front of.
Good man.
"W-What, is this?" He startled and began to approach, wide-eyed.
"Didn't Wendy already tell you? We went to save everyone," I beckoned the ex-slaves into the building, "We already fed and watered 'em, but they need somewhere to rest."
The man looked stunned, hell, even the church guards present were just kind of watching not sure on what to do.
"Emma?" A blue-haired woman spoke up as she awoke, focusing on the new arrivals.
"Liz?" A woman with pink hair stepped forward tentatively, shocked, wondering if this was real.
Annnnd that about did it, as the women scrambled for each other.
"Sis!" I heard, as they embraced, crying.
Well, that's heart-warming.
Wendy sniffed, oh, good, she's back.
She grabbed my arm, even as her other continued to hold Carla.
"What of the Sapphire Stars?" The holy man asked in wonder.
I shrugged tiredly, "Blew 'em up."
"Look father, I'm really tired, we all are, do you mind if we rest here?" My voice was heavy with fatigue.
"Of course, of course," He nodded, waving people in, and insisting they find places to rest as he did.
That's all I need.
"Come on," I pulled the two girls to the side finding a nice... umm, well, an unoccupied piece of floor to rest on.
Which I promptly collapsed onto.
And that was that.
Nothingness.
...
"Really?" I questioned the void.
Then I felt warm, like I was being hugged.
I guess so.
"Thank you," The goddess sincerely praised.
"Don't thank me," I sighed guiltily, "Thank Wendy, not me, I-"
"Were looking out for YOUR family," She finished for me, "And I'd expect no less."
...
"Regardless of that, you still helped anyway when I couldn't. I could feel your fury, your want to help, but more so your need to protect your new family," She smiled softly, "I shouldn't have asked, it wasn't fair of me to ask you to do that."
I snorted, compared to other gods she's a literal saint. Kronos, for example, it's hard to believe the two are father and daughter.
"A little late for that, isn't it?" I waved her off, "It's fine, I wanted to help anyway."
She smiled far more genuinely this time, "I know,"
She released me from her hug and immediately patted my head, "Good boy," Her tone was light and joking.
I huffed a small laugh.
"I'm sorry, about the... casualties, by the way," I told her more seriously. I was sorry, not so much that I'd done it, but that it had upset people that I DID care about.
That included the pacifist Goddess before me, she'd given me a second chance, after all.
Her smile turned downward, sad, "It's alright, you did what you believed you had to. And if you hadn't, well, it would have ended worse."
Right, she's a goddess, she'd know, "Speaking of the future, this is the first time I've seen you since I passed out. I wanted to ask, if it comes down to it would I be able to, saaaay, call myself a Sear?"
It was a blatant change of subject, but I don't think she minded considering the prior subject.
Hestia sighed fondly, "Your still on that?"
I shrugged, or I think I did at any rate, the dreamscape was weird like that.
She broke out into a big grin after a moment, "No, you can't say that, you don't have the magic for it. Besides your," She paused and smirked, "Friend, already has that magic, even if she can't use it, yet."
Carla, right, so it was JUST a magic here, not a god thing.
"Don't look so glum Salem, I hope you figure it out, family should share things after all. Just don't start an apocalypse alright, that would be bad," She wagged her finger at me in a faux browbeating.
"Yeah, I know, I know, I won't take that risk, I CAN'T take that risk anyway. Thanks for that by the way, that could have been... bad," I nodded seriously.
She sighed, "Your welcome, I'm sorry that I had to."
"Don't be, I'm still determined to try and find a workaround, but only if it's safe," I sighed back.
She nodded, "Good, make sure you let me know first, alright?"
"I will... so is there anywhere the gods CAN'T see," I continued trying to find that work around.
Then she giggled, "Maybe."
...
She didn't elaborate.
I sighed.
"Well they can't see us here, considering the apocalypse hasn't started yet, right?" I knew the answer, but it never hurts to check.
"Nope," She popped in confirmation, "You have my blessing, so we can communicate without issue, so long as I'm not missed."
I sputtered, I hadn't known about that little bit of information, "That doesn't seem like a good idea, wouldn't that stick out to other gods?"
"Yup," She popped again none nonchalantly, "But that's not a problem, a lot of Gods give out blessings."
...
I groaned, "And what does this blessing do, exactly?"
She puffed up proudly, and gave a small grin, "You'll find out."
I twitched slightly.
...
She just kept looking at me.
Well, it's obvious she isn't going to tell me.
I sighed, "And this is normal?"
She grinned softly, "Well a little boy loses his family, and gains a new one that he swears to protect. That's the exact kind of person that would have my blessing, it's not that unusual, it's the other part that's unusual."
"Other part?" I asked tentatively.
Hestia hummed lightly, "Ok, so technically you're sort of, maybe my champion in this world."
...
"And you're only telling me now? WHY!" I was admittedly shocked, and if I still had a mouth, it would be agape.
The Goddess had the decency to blush, "Weeeell, you kind of had a lot on your plate last time, coming to terms with everything, and it's not that important, yet."
"Yet?" I repeated, "What does, yet, mean?"
She grinned happily, and waved me off, "Nothing bad I promise, you're carrying out my will on the mortal plain, so it's just something to level the playing field."
"Wait wh-"
She snapped her fingers.
"-at," I blinked awake, not again.
I hate when she does that.
The hell was she planning?
"Good morning, Salem," The she-cat greeted me, getting my attention.
I was sitting against the supply bag, when had I fallen a sleep?
"Morning Carla," I shifted then stopped, Wendy was sleeping against me after all.
"How long was I out?" I WAS going to sit watch.
"A few hours, it's morning. Are you alright?" She cocked a brow at me.
Morning?
"Have you been up all night?" I blinked the sleep from my eyes, as I asked the question.
"Indeed, someone had to keep watch," She yawned lightly, covering her mouth with a paw.
"You should have said something, I cou-"
"Enough, Salem," Carla glared with a huff, "You were out of magic and exhausted, I'm more than capable of keeping watch... trust ME."
I opened my mouth, then paused, she was right, "I DO trust you Carla, thank you, for taking watch," I did my best to show that gratitude.
The girl puffed up happily at my response, red-faced and embarrassed besides.
"Sorry," I continued quietly, "I know I have a tendency to take on some of the more... difficult parts of the workload if I can. It isn't because I don't trust you, I just don't want to see either of you suffer."
"And you think we want to see YOU suffer?" She crossed her arms.
My gut twisted, "What? No, of course not."
She was silent for a moment, then looked away, "I thought you were dead," It came as a whisper.
I paled at the admission, "Carla," I began slowly, "You know I'm highly resistant to explosives."
"That's just it, resistant not immune. I- It was just like when you fought the dire wolves, you were alone, again," There was a crack in her voice.
"I... That wasn't my intention," I sighed, granted I would have given my life for them.
But.
This isn't the show, what happens to me effects them, and want to live with my friends.
"I know," She spoke under her breath.
"Besides I wasn't alone, assault is my job, I only won because of your support. Thank you, by the way, if you hadn't come back for those civilians, I might have been in trouble," I praised, "We all played our parts it's why we won."
The Exceed blushed, "Your welcome, but I wish I had done more."
"We'll get there," I replied adamantly.
"Yes, I suppose we will," She stretched tiredly.
"Murrrrr," Wendy shifted at the noise.
The church was actually pretty quiet right now, people were out and about now, it looked to be around mid-morning.
"Too loud," The bluette whined.
I shook my head in amusement, "Why don't you get some sleep, Carla, we still have a village to find after all."
She hummed in agreement and padded over to her sister as I dislodged myself from the waking girl.
"Sleep well?" I asked.
Wendy nodded quietly.
The girl wasn't in shock anymore, but she had been quiet since I glassed the camp.
I'm thankful she wasn't afraid of me if I'm being honest.
I know I shouldn't be, we're friends, and we trust each other, but it was still a scary situation for her, and I played a part.
"So," I tried, "Carla's gonna catch some z's, and then we can head out, that good with you?"
The girl blinked for a moment, still sleepy, "Yeah."
With that single word, I felt so much relief.
"Excellent," Carla sighed, equally as relieved, as she rested her head against Wendy.
The girl yawned, "Mu, where are we going?" Wendy questioned.
I raised a brow at the unexpected question, "To find Sun Village, that's what you wanted to do, right?"
"Yeah," She smiled softly, as some unknown tension bleed from her, "It is."
A/N: So yeah, here you can see just how destructive and deadly Salem can actually be when he's let of the metaphorical leash against 'Normal' people.
It should also be noted that Salem tends to use more magic in a fight, than the girls, because he's a more aggressive fighter. Yes his reserves aren't nearly as large as Wendy and Carla's, but compared to almost anyone else his age without a lost magic or such, his reserves are massive, and his magic requires a lot of juice to use.
The problem is, he's comparing himself to the dragon slayers in the show alongside other s-class mages. And in person Wendy and Carla, none of which are normal mages, and of which Wendy and Carla he knows will grow to be strong mages.
Granted he knew he COULD be dangerous, but he's figuring out just how dangerous he is NOW. Having said that he still pales in comparison to heavy combatants at the start of canon, and he knows it.
As for Wendy well the whole situation was way out of her element, but she wants to help people.
And she succeeded, by facing that fear of hers of confrontation, by going on the attack and trusting in the team.
People did die here and she knows it, even if she didn't see or hear it becaise of the Detonation.
Next up, time skip so you don't have to be with them in the desert while they search.
My new fic: It's a Pokemon world, should be up now as well, I wanted to give a third point perspective a try.
@XenoLucifer: Not a bad idea, especially considering the girls sensitive ears. but stealth isn't really his forte, maybe later as his skills and abilities expand and adapt, his biggest concern right now is hitting harder.
@BiazarKaiser: As you can see in the chapter, you aren't wrong, but right now he is more using the weapon for extra reach and hitting power, he's still working out the kinks in his fighting style.
@Carlmike94: Yes and no, lots of mooks, but no heavy hitters, they haven't made nearly enough of a splash to get the attention of people like that in this part of Fiore, later though, well, none of them have fought equals in strength and ability, yet.
@nexusplayer: To answer your question regarding salems sexuality and why I made a note of it at the beginning, it's more to let people know before they get into the story, people like different things, and for some its reason to read and for others a reason not to. So it's more for politenesses sake. As for who he will end up with, it's up in the air right now, not a concern in his mind. Carla does have a cruch on him, but he is completely oblivious because he thinks she will be with Happy in the future, he's still seeing things through the shows lense, though not as heavily now. As for spicy scenes, lemon's aren't really something I'll be writing, any exposure will go about as far as Fairy Tail does, more dates and other off screen things to keep in the spirit of things.