Erza Scarlett's POV:
The rhythmic clanking of my armor echoed softly as I stepped off the train, lagging slightly behind the group, my mind occupied with lingering thoughts. Yuno had left us with some final words as we disembarked, his expression still serious.
A moment earlier:
Natsu and Wendy had bolted ahead, desperate to escape the source of their motion sickness, with Happy and Carla not far behind. Their eagerness drew a small chuckle from me, but it was brief; my attention remained on Yuno. It was clear there was something weighing on his mind.
Just as I was about to ask him, Asta—always one to jump in—beat me to it.
"Come on, bro, whatever you're thinking, just say it," Asta said, resting a hand on Yuno's shoulder. The shorter, ash-blond warrior had a muscular frame that could rival Elfman's, yet despite his stature, there was a raw power about him. Yuno, taller and more slender by comparison, still had an athletic build. Though he wasn't as physically focused as Asta, it was clear Yuno didn't neglect his training—a rare trait among caster mages.
Wait, he's a caster, right?
I noticed Noelle, Gray, and Lucy had also shifted their attention to Yuno. Or rather, the golden-eyed man before us. It struck me then—I wasn't entirely sure how old they were. The trio carried themselves with a maturity that belied their youth, yet my instincts told me they were younger than us. Regardless, all five of us gave Yuno our full attention as he finally spoke.
He turned to Noelle, his silver-haired companion, who I vaguely remembered introduced herself as a member of House Silva. "No matter what, don't let Leviathan out, and don't even let his presence leak from your grimoire."
Noelle's brow furrowed, not in irritation but in curiosity. "May I ask why?" she inquired. Her voice was regal, elegant—fitting of someone with noble lineage. I couldn't help but appreciate its refined tone each time I heard it.
Yuno, without missing a beat, beckoned us closer and lowered his voice, careful of eavesdroppers. "Although Leviathan shouldn't have the same issue with Aldoron that he did with Mercphobia, I'm not keen on testing that theory, especially after what happened in Ermina."
His words tugged at a grim memory, and I found myself frowning. The battle in Ermina—another clash between dragon gods. The destruction they leave in their wake is unparalleled. The last thing we need is a repeat of that devastation.
Yuno continued his point not yet made. "Even if Leviathan behaves, Aldoron might not. We have no idea how he'll react to another Dragon God encroaching on his territory. I'd rather avoid a fight with the world's largest dragon until we know for sure he's an enemy we have to face."
Right. Aldoron's silence for centuries suggests he might be like Mercphobia, uninterested in conflict. That would be ideal—at least for the rest of us. Natsu, of course, would rather have a good brawl, but he'll have to deal with it. Mercphobia was barely at 10% of his strength and still crushed him. I'm not about to hope Aldoron is in a similarly weakened state. A full-blown battle with a Dragon God could easily end with us in our graves. Regardless of whether their title is self-proclaimed or not, the power those five wield is indisputable.
"And that's not all," Yuno added. "We know another force has likely set its sights on Leviathan."
He didn't need to elaborate further. There was no point mentioning Diabolos—those dragon eaters wouldn't just ignore Leviathan. Even though they claimed to leave, I wasn't naïve enough to think they hadn't been snooping around during our battle with Mercphobia and Leviathan's rampage. Clearly, Yuno wasn't talking about them.
"The White Mage," Lucy called out softly, capturing the attention of the entire group as we approached the exit, the light of the outside world beckoning us forward.
"Exactly," Yuno affirmed, a serious expression etched on his face. "Mercphobia was explicit in stating that the White Mage could see everything while he was under her control. There's no way she could have overlooked the colossal presence of the new sea god, Leviathan."
He paused, letting the implications of his words sink in. "What's more," he continued, "the white magic cult known as Rebellious has its headquarters right here in Drasil. So, remain vigilant if anyone approaches you donning a white robe with golden linings. Their intentions are far from benign—especially for you, Fairies. Considering you fought Mercphobia, even while he was manipulated as a puppet, your existence is undoubtedly under the White Mage's scrutiny."
A heavy silence fell over us as Lucy, Gray, and I lowered our heads, the weight of Yuno's warning pressing down upon us. Our companion from the east, Noelle, bit her lip, her concern palpable for her partner. I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks as Asta instinctively wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulder, a gesture meant to comfort that somehow seemed far too intimate. H-how is this so indecent?
"But..." Yuno's tone shifted, piercing through the tension in the air, drawing our attention back to him. "Mercphobia also made it clear that the control the White Mage exerted over him faltered when Leviathan mortally wounded him. This means the White Mage is unaware that Leviathan is currently residing within Noelle's grimoire. She might assume he's still hiding out somewhere or has taken on a human form like the other dragon gods—perhaps even mistaking one of us for him. We can use this to our advantage to draw her out and fan the flames of her greed. Instead of stumbling into her trap, we could turn the tables, effectively using ourselves as bait to capture her and, ideally, reclaim Mercphobia's magic power."
I could feel a collective wave of relief wash over the others, but still, a somber realization coursed through me as I glanced at Yuno. There was something significant left unspoken. The White Mage would likely suspect that Leviathan was among the trio of potential hosts—Asta, Noelle, or Yuno himself. With Leviathan existing in the form of a man, that left Noelle out of the equation entirely, positioning the White Mage to target either Asta or Yuno. A brainless fool could predict who would be the prime target: the magicless one that likely caught the White Mage's attention when he intervened to assist Mercphobia, or the one who, despite his efforts to mask his magical presence, exuded an aura that could rival even the mightiest of dragons.
Considering the cult's beliefs, even if the White Mage knew for certain that Yuno wasn't a dragon, she would be irresistibly tempted to obliterate his power and bring his magic under her control. And Yuno was well aware of this, I mused as I scrutinized him. When he suggested using ourselves as bait, it was clear he meant for himself to be the focal point of this dangerous scheme.
As expected, within moments, I watched the relief on the faces of my companions crumple as they began to grasp Yuno's intentions. The dark expression etched on Asta's face indicated that he was far from pleased with his brother's plan. Bonds forged in the fires of hardship were proving to be just as strong here in Ishgar.
Asta's indignant voice broke through the tension. "You got any other ideas? Don't tell me you don't trust me?" Yuno answered with a slight, mocking smirk, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.
"That doesn't mean I'm okay with you doing something reckless, you bastard!" Asta roared, his anger palpable. In that moment, I couldn't help but notice how similar Asta was to Natsu in their expressions of concern for their loved ones.
"Asta." Yuno's voice was steady, halting us all in our tracks as he looked down at his brother with a serious demeanor. "What exactly does it mean to be whited out?"
What a peculiar question. Surely he had already explained it moments ago, and Asta didn't hold back, his voice full of impatience. "To have your magic and control stolen from you! It makes you lose your will and turns you into a puppet. I'm not an idiot, get to the point!"
"Asta," Yuno replied, an unwavering look transforming into a confident smirk. "Have you forgotten? I am beloved by mana. Unless I willingly part with it, it will never abandon me."
What? Mana? Is that what they call ethernano in the east? A glance exchanged with Lucy and Gray reflected our confusion, but my attention was quickly refocused on Asta and Noelle, who suddenly wore expressions of understanding, their tension fading as clarity washed over them.
A sly grin spread across Asta's face as he looked up at his brother. "Yuno, you cheeky bastard!" With that, he gave Yuno a playful smack on the back. Just as I was on the verge of asking for clarification, our conversation was abruptly interrupted by Natsu, Wendy, Happy, and Carla, who called us over, urging us to join them.
As I caught sight of Natsu, his trademark toothy grin lighting up his face while he pointed at some strange contraption that seemed to captivate his attention, I couldn't help but be swept up in his exuberance, eliciting a chuckle from me. Sometimes, perhaps it was wiser not to pry for an explanation, especially when the world around us was ripe with surprises waiting just beyond the horizon.
Lucy POV:
Sure enough, I sighed as Yuno's prediction came to fruition with alarming speed. Shortly after our arrival in Drasil, we asked for a map and any information about Aldoron. The townsfolk gave us guarded yet enthusiastic looks, revealing both their curiosity and their caution.
It was apparent that Aldoron held the same revered status in Drasil as Mercphobia had once done in Ermina—a guardian deity, a godlike dragon venerated by the people of Guiltinia.
We were handed a map showing the largest city on this continent, a sprawling layout of five towns. As I examined the map, a dreadful realization struck me. The towns were arranged in a shape reminiscent of a body, and it took a moment for the horrifying truth to sink in.
Aldoron is not merely in Drasil; Drasil exists on top of Aldoron! As expected of the largest dragon ever documented in history.
Yet that fact, while shocking, wasn't my primary concern. I had encountered so many bizarre situations since joining this unconventional band of misfits, whether it had been two years ago or nearly nine, that my sense of surprise had dulled considerably.
No, the real dilemma presented itself in the form of a hunchbacked old man clad in a white robe with gold trimming, who eagerly offered to give us a tour without asking for the slightest compensation.
I'd be ashamed to admit that I probably wouldn't have recognized his ulterior motives if not for Yuno's warnings. I had always thought of myself as an optimist, someone who sought the best in people, but perhaps I was merely a naïve fool, clinging to the illusion of kindness in others.
It took me longer than I'd care to admit to realize that this man was subtly maneuvering us towards Saint Raishen Church, the headquarters of Rebellious in Drasil. Even Wendy and Carla, who hadn't been present for our conversation, seemed to pick up on the sudden shift in atmosphere and the subtle warning glances Yuno and Asta directed toward them.
Only Natsu and Happy appeared blissfully unaware, chuckling along with the old man's corny jokes and attempts to liven up the mood. They probably thought they were lowering our guard, but perhaps it was better they remained oblivious. If Natsu had known, he would likely have insisted on confronting the old man right away instead of indulging him—perhaps even trying to beat the truth out of him.
How did I possibly fall for such an airhead? A fond thought crossed my mind before I felt a rush of heat in my cheeks, recalling that playful scene with our doppelgangers in Fairy Nail. Shaking my head to dismiss those unhelpful thoughts, I focused on the old man instead.
Strangely, he looked familiar. Was he truly unaware that the other eight of us were watching him like hawks? Not all of us had done a stellar job of keeping our suspicions concealed. (Cough, cough, Gray—could you stop shooting him those deathly glares and please put on some pants, you pervert?) Goodness, the last thing we needed was for this old man to escalate matters before we could find out what information he held.
Or perhaps he simply wasn't ready to confront us yet, not willing to start a fight. It was possible that not everyone affiliated with the cult could use the infamous "whiteout" technique, with only the White Mage possessing such power. Maybe this old man was merely a lesser loyalist of the cult, unqualified or unworthy to challenge Yuno, Leviathan, or any of us.
As we approached the next stage of the tour—or perhaps the final destination—I looked up at the imposing twin wooden doors that blocked our way into Saint Raishen Church. This was the place where our inevitable confrontation with the White Mage would finally unfold… assuming we survived the encounter.
As Natsu and Happy prepared to charge through the doors with unbridled enthusiasm, Asta swiftly placed his hands on their shoulders, halting them in their tracks.
"Natsu, Happy, it's quite rude to storm into a church, didn't you know?" he remarked, wearing a strained smile that was more of a grimace. Happy's wide eyes betrayed his fear while Natsu's gaze darted between Asta's serious expression and the rest of us, finally taking note of our grim faces, the realization dawning on him that our visit carried more weight than he initially thought.
He looked back and forth between Asta and the old man, his gaze finally seeking me for confirmation. My heart fluttered at that moment, knowing he always looked to me for the truth. But now wasn't the time for sentimental feelings; I simply offered him a grave nod.
He seemed to take my acknowledgment in stride, giving Asta a brief nod before grabbing Happy and standing with the rest of us. Asta's expression remained stoic as he directed his focus on the old man.
"After you, old man," he said, gesturing toward the entrance—his polite tone belied by the rudeness of his phrasing. It was impressive how he could embody such contradictions with ease.
The old man's lips curled into a twisted smirk as he regarded Asta, his gaze narrowed with suspicion. Having yet to share his name with us, he licked his lips as his eyes flickered toward Yuno before he opened the doors and stepped inside.
We followed him into the dimly lit hall. To my dismay, the old man joined a group clad in identical cloaks and hooded robes, their gazes directed toward us. My shock deepened as I felt their familiar magical energy, my dread only solidifying when they lowered their hoods to unveil their faces.
"W-why are you g-guys here?!" Natsu exclaimed, indignant, as the hunchbacked old man was enveloped in a white glow, transforming into the tall, slender, kind white-haired woman I knew and loved. Yet this time, I felt none of her signature warmth or nurturing aura; instead, a chilling malevolence settled in the pit of my stomach.
Just as we readied ourselves to confront them, the gathered figures ignored us, parting to allow another figure to pass through their midst. She was a slim woman of average height, her striking green eyes framed by prominent dark eyebrows. Her hair was styled in thick curls, cascading down her back and framing her face, accentuated by dark green ribbons woven into her locks. Clad in a corset over a layered dress, she wore dark-colored stockings and adorned herself with an elaborate gold headdress featuring a decorative rose and a small blue jewel.
She greeted us with an unsettlingly soft smile that shattered the silence enveloping the church. "Welcome, Fairies...and friends..." Her gaze shifted between our group and the trio of allies we had brought along. "It's so kind of you to cooperate and indulge us... As a gesture of gratitude, I will permit you to join us. Now, be good boys and girls, and hand over your power. Believe me, it won't be a pleasant experience if I have to extract it from you."
Just as we prepared to charge at her defiantly, her gentle smile morphed into a dark frown as she pointed at…Wendy?! "You there," she intoned slowly, "if you want your friends to remain safe... kill yourself. But only after you hand over your power, okay?"
How dare she speak to Wendy like that! I felt the urge to punch this vile creature right in her smug face, but surprisingly, Yuno took a step forward, placing himself in front of us.
"I've changed my mind," he began softly, but his voice sent a chill down my spine. I glanced at Asta, who was breaking a sweat, urging us to step back behind his brother. Just as I opened my mouth to ask for clarification, Yuno continued, his tone steady and ominous. "Before, I was going to capture you to get some answers… but now, I think I'll just kill you."
Despite having known him for little more than a week, the maniacal grin that spread across Yuno's face as he glared at the White Mage felt utterly alien. I could already envision the nightmares that awaited me after this encounter.
As Yuno raised his right arm and opened his hand to point at the White Mage, she mirrored his gesture. Her fierce smile revealed that she was far from pleased, the atmosphere thick with tension as both sides prepared for the confrontation looming ahead.