A/N : Alrighty, time to get into action. This is a longer chapter. So..
Enjoy !
Jet came back at 8:57 AM. Everybody was waiting, only a few lucky ones managing to get some sleep. He was panting and breathing heavily. Levy rushed over to help him.
"Jet!" she exclaimed, guiding him to a nearby chair.
Everyone gathered around him, eager to hear what he had discovered. However, his expression was one of disappointment.
"Nothing much, to be honest. Everyone who heard about Zorath could only tell me stories from five or ten years ago. Nothing recent," he declared, feeling a little downbeat.
"Hey, you did amazing, Jet. You have all my respect," said Erza, her voice firm and reassuring.
"True, we're lucky to have you," added Gray, nodding in agreement.
"Thanks again," said Natsu, giving him an encouraging thumbs up.
8:58.
8:59.
9:00. The clock ticked, and there was still no sign of me returning.
"It's nearly time. Get ready, everyone. We're leaving," commanded Erza. Everyone got up, preparing to head out when I finally stumbled into the guild, drenched in sweat and completely exhausted.
Everyone rushed towards me. "Haru!"
"Is... is Jet back?" I asked, panting heavily, barely able to catch my breath.
People moved aside, letting my gaze land on Jet, who was resting in a chair. "Thank God..." I murmured, relief flooding through me.
—
I sat down, trying to catch my breath. "Zorath... They're still a thing," I said, my voice tinged with desperation.
"Did you see anything?" asked Lucy, her eyes wide with concern.
"The old HQ they had is a goner. But I caught a guy wandering around. And guess what, he had a spider mark on his hand. So I just asked him a few questions," I said, a dark edge to my voice.
"Yeah, you fucked him up," Gray translated bluntly.
"Not gonna lie," I continued, "I don't think he'll be able to walk straight for a few days. But anyway, they've split up into different groups, each commanded by its own leader. As today, nobody knows how many. And guess what, one of them is controlling the area where Wendy went. Those thugs she chased were employed by Zorath," I declared, my fists clenching.
"Those bastards," Natsu yelled, flames flickering around his fists.
"I still don't know why they came all this way for Wendy. But I know they did, and I'm not gonna let that slip," I said, my resolve hardening. "Everyone, take some deserved rest. We'll be leaving early this afternoon," I declared, my voice firm and unyielding.
We all started packing up. I went to see Mira, Kinana, and Laki. "Hey, girls," I called, catching their attention as they turned towards me. "I wanted to ask... Would you mind staying here to keep an eye on Wendy?"
They looked at me and then smiled.
"Absolutely, Haru. That's no problem for me," said Laki, giving me a reassuring nod.
"You can count on me," added Kinana, her eyes filled with determination.
"I would prefer coming with you, Haru," Mira said, her voice tinged with concern.
"We'll be fine, and there's no need to put you in any danger whatsoever," I replied, trying to sound reassuring.
Her gaze dropped, but I swiftly grabbed her chin, gently raising her head back up. "Everything is gonna be fine. We'll be back before you can even think about it, okay?" I said softly, looking into her eyes.
Mira's eyes softened, and she managed a small smile. "Okay," she whispered, her voice wavering slightly but filled with trust.
"Okay, everyone, gather up! We'll be leaving soon," announced Erza.
We all left the guild from the front door, going blind-eyed straight into what we knew was a complete unknown fight.
—
We had thought it all through and divided into multiple groups. Waren, Bisca, Alzac, and a few others formed the scouting team. Levy, Jet, Droy, and Elfman headed straight for the village, aiming to gather more information that Jet might have missed. Team Raijin, led by Laxus, went back to Wendy's mission area. Natsu, Gray, Erza, and I stayed together, heading back to where I found the old HQ. Lucy decided to stay with Wendy, keeping Mira, Laki, and Kinana company.
"Natsu," I called out.
He looked at me, curiosity in his eyes.
"I know every time you get hot-headed and just smash everything without thinking, you get scolded," I said, earning a simple pout in response.
"But this time, you have the freedom to do as you want," I added with a slight smirk.
At my words, flames started to tingle from his body. "I'm all fired up! Imma show those bastards what it means to make Fairy Tail angry," he declared, his fists igniting with determination.
We all returned to the spot I found the other day. There was no sign of life to be found, the area eerily quiet and desolate.
"Stay on alert, every single second," I added, my voice tense. "We have no clue where these guys are actually active."
At my words, I felt Gray behind me make a swift 180-degree turn, yelling, "Ice Make: Barrier!"
His magic activated just in time to meet the incoming attack, blocking it and releasing a cloud of dust over our heads. When it faded, we were met with a new figure.
She stood right there, a strange woman with long black hair and a web tattoo on her face.
"Well, well, well, looks like the little fairy from yesterday DID come back," she smirked, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
"Who the fuck are you?" asked Gray, his voice filled with suspicion and anger.
"Oh, you don't really need to know. How's your little fairy doing? She didn't die, I guess?" she taunted, her dark laugh echoing around us.
My eyes filled with fury as I zapped forward instantly. But before I could connect with anything, I felt something constricting my legs. I looked down, realizing I couldn't move an inch. A shadow had wrapped around my lower body, blocking every movement.
"What's this shit?" I gritted through clenched teeth.
"That, my dear, is your death sentence," she said, smirking confidently.
Natsu, with rage boiling inside him, covered himself in flames before roaring. The power emanating from him was unbearable. And before I could even realize it, he had broken free from any restraints.
He lunged forward, flames roaring around him, aiming a powerful punch at the mysterious woman. She barely had time to react as his fiery fist connected, sending her skidding backward. The ground beneath her scorched from the intense heat.
"You little pest!" she hissed, wiping a trickle of blood from her mouth. With a wave of her hand, she summoned dark, web-like shadows that shot out towards Natsu. He dodged them skillfully, but the shadows twisted and turned, relentless in their pursuit.
"Gray, cover him!" I shouted, still struggling against the shadow binding my legs.
Gray nodded, quickly forming a massive ice barrier. "Ice Make: Shield!" The barrier intercepted the shadows, shattering them on impact. Gray then turned to me, his eyes determined. "I'll get you out of this. Ice Make: Lance!" He formed a sharp ice lance and aimed it at the shadow binding my legs. With precision, he shattered the shadowy restraints, freeing me.
"Thanks, Gray," I said, leaping back into action. "Aelion, Gale Force Burst!" I cupped my hands together at my side, then thrust them forward, sending a concentrated blast of wind shooting toward her. The air pressure created a visible distortion, throwing her backward with great force.
Meanwhile, Erza had already switched into her Flight Armor, her speed unmatched as she closed the distance between herself and the woman. "You're not getting away!" Erza declared, her swords flashing in the light. She slashed at the woman, who dodged and retaliated with a burst of dark magic. Erza blocked it with her swords, the impact causing a shockwave that rippled through the air.
The woman chuckled, before raising her hands, summoning more shadows that coiled around her like living serpents. "Shadow Bind!"
The shadows shot out in all directions, aiming to ensnare us. Natsu, Gray, Erza, and I each faced our own attacks. I zapped to the side, narrowly avoiding the tendrils of darkness. "Kirin's Thunder Fist!" I clapped my hands together, creating a spark that grew into a surge of electricity. My hands covered with thunder dancing around them, cutting through the shadows and forcing the woman to retreat.
Gray created an ice barrier around Erza, who switched into her Black Wing Armor. With renewed determination, she charged again, but the woman was ready. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of shadows crashing towards Erza, knocking her back.
Natsu roared, flames engulfing his body as he lunged at the woman again. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" His fiery punch met her dark magic in mid-air, creating an explosive clash of elements that sent both of them flying backward.
The woman landed gracefully, smirking as she raised her hands again. "Shadow Web Entangle!" Dark webs shot out, wrapping around Natsu and pinning him to the ground. He struggled against the restraints, but the webs tightened, cutting off his flames.
Gray's eyes widened in horror as he saw Natsu trapped. "Ice Make: Geyser!" He slammed his hands on the ground, causing a pillar of ice to erupt beneath the woman. She leaped into the air, avoiding the attack, and sent a volley of dark spikes toward Gray.
He barely managed to create an ice shield in time, but the impact knocked him off his feet. "Damn it, she's strong," Gray muttered, struggling to get back up.
Erza, her armor battered, gritted her teeth and summoned her Heaven's Wheel Armor. "Circle Sword!" She unleashed a flurry of swords at the woman, who deflected them with ease using her shadows.
"You'll have to do better than that," the woman taunted, her smirk widening. She summoned a massive wave of darkness, preparing to engulf us all.
"Not on my watch!" I yelled, "Storm Bringer, Storm Phoenix!" I thrust both hands forward, focusing energy into a single point. A concentrated blast of wind and lightning shot forward, creating a spiraling beam of destructive energy. The clash of our energies created a shockwave that shook the ground beneath us.
Despite our combined efforts, the woman remained unfazed, her power overwhelming. "You Fairy Tail mages are nothing compared to me," she sneered, her eyes glowing with dark energy.
Natsu, still pinned by the webs, growled in frustration. "I'm not done yet!" With a final surge of strength, he ignited his body in flames, burning through the dark webs and freeing himself. He charged at the woman, his fists ablaze, but she effortlessly dodged his attacks, her movements a blur.
Gray, panting heavily, formed another ice lance. "We need to find her weakness," he muttered, his eyes scanning the battlefield for any signs of vulnerability.
Erza, battered but determined, switched into her Flame Empress Armor, joining Natsu in the fiery assault. "We won't let you get out with this," she declared, her swords clashing with the woman's dark tendrils.
The battle raged on, the woman proving to be a formidable opponent. Our attacks seemed to barely faze her, and her dark magic continued to assault us relentlessly. But despite the odds, we fought on.
The woman's smirk grew wider as she evaded another fiery punch from Natsu. "You're all so predictable," she taunted.
Erza, her armor clinking as she moved, narrowed her eyes. "There has to be something... some weakness," she muttered.
Natsu, flames still roaring around him, growled, "We have to find it! She hurt Wendy, and I'm not letting her get away with that!"
Gray, breathing heavily, observed the woman closely. "There has to be something we're missing," he said, forming another ice lance.
I nodded, zapping closer to the woman. "Kirin, Whispering Tempest!" I spun on one foot, arms wide, gathering wind before releasing it. A large, swirling vortex of wind formed and rushed towards the woman, the winds howling eerily. But my attacks just barely missed her. She dodged with ease, her movements almost fluid as she melded with the shadows.
"Tsch. I can't get close to her with my speed, if not I'm just an easy target," I gritted once more.
The woman's smirk grew wider as she evaded another fiery punch from Natsu. Erza switched to her Heaven's Wheel Armor, launching a barrage of swords at her. "Circle Sword!" she shouted, hoping to overwhelm her with sheer numbers.
The woman laughed, her voice echoing through the battlefield. "Pathetic!" She waved her hand, and the shadows danced around her, deflecting Erza's swords effortlessly.
Gray's eyes narrowed, and he studied her movements more intently. "Wait... I think I've got something," he said, watching as she summoned another wave of shadows. Her left arm twitched slightly as she directed the shadows toward us.
"Guys!" Gray yelled. "Watch her movements when she uses her shadows!"
Natsu and Erza exchanged glances, then focused on her. Natsu charged again, flames flaring, and she summoned a wave of shadows to block him. As she did, her left arm twitched more noticeably.
My eyes widened. "You're right! It's like she's controlling them directly. If we can disrupt her concentration, we might have a chance!"
Erza nodded, switching into her Black Wing Armor. "Let's test that theory!" She aimed her attacks at the woman's arms, hoping to force her into using her shadows to defend.
The woman sneered, summoning more shadows to block Erza's attacks. As she did, her left arm twitched again, more noticeably this time.
Natsu, seizing the opportunity, roared, "Fire Dragon's Roar!" A massive torrent of flames engulfed her, forcing her to defend with both arms. The shadows wavered, and for a moment, her control seemed to falter.
"Now! Hit her with everything you've got!" I shouted, "Kirin, Thunderous Wrath!" I unleashed a powerful blast of lightning at her.
Gray formed multiple ice spears, launching them in rapid succession. "Ice Make: Lance!"
Erza, her swords flashing, launched another attack. "Blumenblatt!" The swords swirled around the woman, cutting off her escape routes.
The combined assault forced the woman to split her focus, her shadows struggling to keep up with the barrage. Her movements became more erratic, and she snarled in frustration. "You think this will stop me?"
Natsu's eyes blazed with fury. "You hurt Wendy. You're not getting away with that!" He charged, flames intensifying. "Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!" He lunged at her, his fiery headbutt connecting with her left arm.
The impact disrupted her concentration, and the shadows around her flickered and weakened. "Now's our chance!" I yelled, "Tempest Fury, Storm Phoenix!" focusing all my power into one final attack. I created a massive ball of energy and sent it directly in her direction.
Gray and Erza followed suit, their attacks converging on her. "Ice Make: Prison!" Gray trapped her in a cage of ice, limiting her movements further.
Erza, her swords poised for the final strike, looked at Natsu. "Finish it, Natsu!"
Natsu, flames roaring higher than ever, grinned fiercely. "With pleasure. Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!" He unleashed a massive burst of flames, engulfing her completely.
As the flames died down, she staggered, her shadows dissipating. She glared at us, breathing heavily. "You... won't win... this easily," she hissed, but her strength was clearly waning.
"What's your name?" I demanded, stepping forward.
She sneered, struggling to stay upright. "Selene... Selene Nightshade," she spat, her eyes still burning with defiance.
I came closer and grabbed her by the collar, lifting her slightly off the ground. "Now listen. Where the fuck are the people who hurt Wendy? TELL ME NOW!" I yelled, my voice echoing with fury.
Selene laughed weakly, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "You think... I'll just tell you?" she sneered, struggling against my grip. "You're... more naive than I thought."
Natsu stepped forward, flames still flickering around his fists. "You better start talking, or things are gonna get really hot for you," he growled.
Gray formed an ice blade, his expression cold and unforgiving. "Answer him, or you'll regret it."
Selene's eyes flickered with a mix of defiance and fear. "You're all... so pathetic," she spat. "But fine... I'll tell you... not because I'm scared... but because it'll bring you nothing but despair."
I tightened my grip, my patience wearing thin. "Talk."
She smirked, a glint of malice in her eyes. "The ones you're looking for... they're exactly where your little friend went to seek justice. To be honest, her little magic trick didn't please Vesper..." She smirked again, tauntingly.
"Vesper? Is he the one?" I demanded, my anger boiling over.
"Maybe, maybe not... you know I—" she started, but I cut her off with a swift punch, knocking her out cold.
I let her go, her body collapsing to the ground. "We don't need her. We need to contact Laxus and the Raijin team. They're already at the right spot," I said, turning towards the others.
"He just knocked out a person... Haru, that's not like you." Gray thought to himself, grimacing.
"I'll try contacting Warren and the scouting team," said Natsu, holding two fingers to his temple. "Warren? You hear me? ... Yeah, it's Natsu... Can you transfer to Laxus? ... Right... Got it, thanks." He finally said, lowering his hand.
"Let's go," he added, his voice filled with determination. "Laxus is already on it."
A/N : And done ! First fight is over. Tell what you thought about it. Haru is getting increasingly mad, however... Next chapter will focus on Laxus and his team.
Until then, see ya !
.Nei.