Author's note: Hey! Here we go again with a new chapter :)
This is the last "setup" chapter. Starting from Chapter 7, things are really going to start picking up, and I can't wait to show you all what's coming. As for this chapter, to be honest, I'm not super thrilled with it. It feels like it lacks standout moments for my taste. That being said, everything explained here will be important later on, so it's a necessary part of understanding the overall plot. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it anyway.
Happy reading!
xxXCrimson-Wolf-MoonXxx: Of course you deserve my gratitude for the reviews you leave me! While most people are content to read without saying anything, you always take the time to leave feedback, and it's never just a one-liner. So, you definitely deserve my thanks, 200%. It makes me so happy that you seem to be enjoying this story so much, and I really hope to keep you satisfied with what's coming next ^^
I also think it's only fair to respond to the comments people leave. Personally, whenever I leave a comment, it takes me a lot of time because I like to explain in detail what I liked or didn't like, and it's so frustrating when the author doesn't respond. Plus, I'm genuinely interested in hearing people's opinions. I put so much energy, time, and passion into this story that it's really important to me. So, I don't like to just receive feedback without engaging in return, it feels like the least I can do to acknowledge the generosity of my readers.
Thanks again for all your compliments :)
I'm relieved to hear that the conversation between Gray and Lucy didn't bore you. And yes, Gray's been through quite a lot so far!
I guess it's probably obvious by now, but I'm a big fan of the Gray/Natsu dynamic, so I tend to focus on that relationship a lot (always with Natsu at the center, because he's the best). I try to give every character their moment of introspection and importance because I also love the way Natsu connects with other characters, but I have to admit, the Gray/Natsu bond is my favorite. So yes, Gray's going to keep getting put through the wringer, but it's NOTHING compared to what's coming for Natsu. You'll see what I mean very soon.
As for Zexion, I'm glad you like him! We haven't seen much of him yet, but I can tell you've got a good sense of his personality. There's a bit more to uncover about him, he's a bit more complex than what you've seen in chapter 5 alone, but overall, you're spot on. I can't wait to hear what you think once you learn more of his little secrets. I'm also thrilled that Gajeel's role has piqued your interest, because I really love what I'm doing with him in the story. Lots of secrets, and they'll keep piling up! You'll get some answers fairly soon, but those will just lead to more questions, and so on, all the way to the end. But expect a long and complicated plot! I keep saying it, but I really can't wait to have more of this story out there.
As for the reunion with Natsu, it's going to be heart-wrenching. I hope you're all ready.
Everything leading up to it is designed to add more and more layers to the situation and make that moment even more intense. I'm really, really excited for it ^^
Thanks again for your feedback! I hope this chapter satisfies you, even if it's not as exciting as some of the others, in my opinion.
See you very soon!
kuroshiragami0: Hi! Huh, I think you probably misunderstood something (or maybe you posted this in the wrong fic), because there's neither Zeref nor Natsu in this chapter xD. Were you talking about Zexion and Gajeel or something else ? Thanks for the review anyway ^^. Hope you'll like this chapter too.
Lunaris: The hints and subtext in the conversation between Gajeel and Zexion were totally intentional, so I'm glad you picked up on them and that it makes you want to know more! Like I mentioned earlier, the moment when the team reunites with Natsu is going to be really emotionally intense, but there are a few things that need to be set up first to make it even more impactful. The tension is going to rise quite a bit in the upcoming chapters, and I hope to really build up the readers' anticipation for Natsu's return.
I think you'll enjoy it, or at least I really hope so!
Thanks again for your feedback, and see you soon!
Chapter 6 : The Astrals' Passage
At dawn the next day, Zexion waited for them on a deserted path about a league north of Geffen, lined with orange trees and yew-leaved redwoods, and surrounded by open plains. In the distance, a small forest with lush vegetation and mossy soil stretched out behind Zexion's house, easily distinguishable with a slight squint. Leaning against one of the walls of his dwelling, the storyteller was scanning the horizon and watched them approach. He straightened up as they reached him.
His appearance was much the same as the day before, except for the katana scabbard now fastened at his hip. Small, pearly stones adorned the pommel, and the blade's hilt formed the majestic shape of a dragon, its scales glinting in the warm rays of the sun. Dawn now enveloped the city in its golden light, bathing them in a sense of calm and well-being. They greeted him with a wave, and he nodded in response.
"I see that you are ready," he said. "Excellent."
"So what's the plan?" Elfman asked right away. "How do we get across the border?"
Zexion crossed his arms with a smug look that made a certain ice mage grumble. The storyteller paid him no heed, though he seemed particularly pleased with the reaction, the corners of his mouth twitching upward for a brief second.
"What we refer to as the 'border' is actually a massive magical barrier that prevents any magic user from crossing it," he explained in a neutral tone. "It appeared about twenty years ago to separate the two countries, but no one has ever known how or why. People say that a secret agreement was made between the two governments, but that seems unlikely to me."
He paused for a moment, glancing at his companions to ensure they were following his story. Their focused expressions pleased him; the mention of the magical barrier had clearly captivated them. This ancient mystery had always sparked speculation and theories among mages, none of which had ever been proven. No one wanted to interrupt him after these first explanations, least of all Lucy, who was utterly fascinated by such tales and unexplained phenomena.
Catching his breath, Zexion recalled the countless tales and legends he had studied over the years. His knowledge on the subject clearly surpassed what most people knew, and he felt compelled to share this information, gradually steering the conversation towards what truly concerned them.
"Several years later, the border and Geffen were attacked by a group of Lüditzian extremists who wanted to restore their country's declining magic by using Fiore's," he continued. "Fortunately, the Alimecians helped the Geffenans repel them."
"Really?" Lucy asked in surprise, recalling what she had read about this people. "I thought they were enemies?"
"That's what the texts say, but it's not necessarily true," Zexion disagreed, shaking his head. "Shortly after that attack, they were decimated by Dragon Lords, who took their city and pinned the blame on them to remain in the shadows. The Alimecians have always been peaceful; they had nothing to do with it."
"Dragon Lords?" Erza repeated thoughtfully. "That name sounds familiar."
The storyteller looked down, suddenly prey to a curious mix of dismay and resentment. Yet, he quickly composed himself before anyone could question him, raising his head to continue his explanations.
"Yes, they are indeed a dark guild from our country," he confirmed with a hint of nervousness. "They operate in the shadows and are extremely dangerous. They settled in the Dark Lands after massacring the Alimecians, and no one has any idea what their objectives are. That's why no one dares to venture into that area anymore, and it's why the region is called that."
It took Lucy less than a second to detect an inconsistency between this new information and what Mirajane and Elfman, as well as the Geffenans, had shared. Her anxiety spiked the moment she connected the dots.
"B-but then… if the Alimecians did nothing, who did Natsu fight?"
"I think you already know the answer to that question, Lucy."
The young girl hadn't wanted to believe it, but this time she was forced to accept reality and all the troubling possibilities that came with it.
"Does that mean… Natsu faced this dark guild on his own?" she asked, her face growing pale.
"I did assist him a bit, but yes," the storyteller confirmed after a brief pause, as if searching for the right words. "We managed to drive them out of the city, but removing a few members isn't enough to eradicate an entire guild, especially not this one. They're still active."
Which made sense. They knew Natsu's strength better than anyone, especially when he was protecting someone, but single-handedly defeating a dark guild as powerful as Dragon Lords seemed to be was impossible. What worried them most was that their friend had put himself in the crosshairs of these cold-blooded killers, and they feared reprisals. They prayed they hadn't spent the last five months trying to get revenge on him.
Zexion sensed their mounting tension and concern, but he felt it was still too soon to delve into details that might exacerbate the situation beyond his control. For now, he needed to set aside his desire to earn Natsu's friends' trust and manage the crucial information with discretion.
"To return to our previous topic," he said, deliberately changing the subject, "after the Lüditzian attack on their city, the Geffenans used a summoning technique to protect the border."
Once again, the storyteller paused, weighed down by the dilemma of what to reveal at this early stage of their journey. Uncertainty lingered over some details, as the historical texts about this part of Fiore's past were often incomplete, leaving much open to interpretation. Zexion preferred to confine himself to truths that were firmly established and supported by evidence.
"Among them were the descendants of a people known as the 'Summoners,' of whom only a few remain," he continued after a moment. "They are a very ancient lineage of mages, the only ones capable of wielding this ancestral magic. Since then, the border has become impassable, even for the most powerful mage. Anyone who approaches is attacked by an army of monsters whose power is beyond imagination. The few who have tried are no longer here to tell the tale."
His interlocutors were taken aback by the mention of such magic, particularly Lucy, whose own powers closely resembled what could be termed summoning. Stellar mages were already rare in themselves, she was astonished by the existence of an even more elusive magic. The fact that she had never heard of it was more than a little strange, given her lineage's proximity to this kind of magic. Perhaps history had deliberately concealed the existence of the Summoners for some reason, or maybe their story had been distorted over time, but it was inconceivable that she wouldn't have known about them if there were written records. The lack of any historical mention suggested something significant must have occurred to erase their existence from common knowledge.
Moreover, while she was aware of the Dark Lands fearsome reputation and the threat it posed, she had never encountered any mention of the Lüditzian attack, nor of the Alimecians and their supposed quest for vengeance. Something was clearly amiss, and she couldn't shake the feeling that Dragon Lords was at the center of it all.
In any case, the presence of these summoned monsters wasn't going to simplify their journey. They were left wondering how Natsu had managed to breach the barrier and, more crucially, how Zexion intended to help them resolve the issue. The solution to both questions was likely intertwined.
"Fortunately, the Summoners' lineage is not entirely extinct, though only a few remain," Zexion continued, looking deep in thought. "By repelling Dragon Lords, Natsu earned the gratitude of the people of Geffen, and a Summoner he had rescued during the attack agreed to temporarily lift the summoning spell so he could pass through safely."
Zexion paused to control the emotions stirred by the memory of the subsequent events, and Elfman seized the opportunity of his silence.
"But then... we just have to cross like nothing's wrong?" he asked, full of hope.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, but it wouldn't be that simple," he countered, a hint of amusement in his tone at the innocent remark. "Even without that, crossing the border isn't that easy. However, I do have what we need to get us through."
He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a rolled-up parchment, which he presented to them. His listeners examined the object with a blend of curiosity and skepticism, caught between fascination and wariness.
"Lüditz magic is used very differently from ours, and especially rarely due to their land's limited magical resources. However, there are scrolls like this one that can store it. They use them to collect water extracted from rocks in various U-Bahns to transport it to cities facing drought or lacking exploitable natural resources, even with magic."
"Got it," Erza acknowledged, carefully noting every detail. "How will these scrolls be useful to us?"
"The Lüditzians use these scrolls mainly for their basic needs, but that doesn't mean they can't serve other purposes. They can store any type of magic, including ours. For instance..."
He repeated the gesture, handing Erza a second parchment, which she accepted. The moment her fingers touched it, a subtle wave of a very familiar magic washed over her, evoking the deep connection she shared with its source. A comforting warmth spread through her, intensifying as she gripped it tighter, stirring distant, cherished memories. Troubled, she looked at Zexion with a question in her eyes.
"This one is imbued with Natsu's magic," he explained, noting her look of confusion.
He reached out to retrieve his possession, but Erza hesitated, as if mesmerized by the soothing sense of security conveyed by her lost friend's intangible presence within the parchment. Noticing her reluctance to relinquish it, the storyteller withdrew his hand. Erza continued to hold the parchment close to her chest, cradling it tenderly as if it were a fragile baby bird.
"Can I keep this one?"
Zexion nodded, his reaction to the request showing no hint of surprise. He always kept one on him, its warmth a constant reminder of what his selfish actions had cost him, and a beacon of hope that he might one day reclaim it. It was a first step toward redemption, a gesture that reassured him, though he knew the journey was far from complete. He hoped that with enough effort and determination, Natsu's heart would eventually forgive him, just as his mind already had.
Erza tucked the parchment away in her clothes and thanked Zexion. He gave her a knowing glance, one that Gray was sure to react to.
"What do we do with these?" the ice mage interrupted, annoyed by the silence and embarrassed by their overly sentimental behavior.
His voice jolted Zexion out of his emotional reverie, startling him with the sudden reminder of his presence.
"Let me show you."
He picked up an empty parchment, held it in his left hand, and closed his eyes in concentration. After several seconds of stillness, a silvery glow began to emanate from his palm, enveloping the parchment in a shimmering embrace. The onlookers watched in breathless anticipation, their eyes locked on every subtle movement.
The wait came to an end when Zexion opened his eyes and, murmuring the spell's name, abruptly halted the operation, causing the magical aura to vanish. The spectators immediately grasped the urgency of his action as his face contorted with pain. He pressed his right hand against his left arm, wincing and collapsing to one knee, prompting Lucy to rush to his side.
"What—What happened?!" she exclaimed, quickly kneeling beside him and placing a hand on his back to support him.
"It's nothing," he tried to explain, his face still contorted with pain.
"Nothing? You're hurt on your left arm, aren't you?"
The storyteller merely tightened his grip on his arm, avoiding both an answer and eye contact, clearly discomforted by the question.
"You need to get treated immediat—"
"That's unnecessary," he interrupted, a bit more abruptly than Gray and Erza would have liked, making them wince in irritation. "I've already applied every possible treatment, but they can only ease the pain slightly. They likely won't fully heal it."
"But—"
"It's fine, Lucy. Thank you."
Though slightly hurt by his reaction, she chose not to press the matter, recognizing it as a clearly sensitive topic. She wasn't sure what he was hiding, but she had a strong feeling that this secret was serious. If this wound couldn't be healed, it was likely far more severe than Zexion was admitting.
Recognizing that pressing for an explanation would be futile, she quietly helped him to his feet. Once upright, Zexion tossed the scroll to Gray, who caught it effortlessly.
"I've transferred my spell inside. Use it. You'll understand for yourselves."
Gray stared at the scroll, overtaken, then nervously glanced at Zexion for answers.
"Uh… how do I do that?" he asked finally, doing his best to mask his anxiety.
"Channel some of your magical power into it, just as you would when preparing a spell. The rest will take care of itself."
The ice mage nodded and took a deep breath, closing his eyes to sharpen his focus. He gathered all his magic and hurled it in the parchment with all his strength. An icy chill swept through him as the item absorbed the brutal surge of magic, compelling him to halt the flow abruptly. He raised an eyebrow in surprise as he observed the now frozen scroll. Annoyed by his lack of control and his distressed look, Zexion rolled his eyes.
"Don't release your magic so recklessly, and this rule isn't limited to just this scroll," he clarified, his tone slightly exasperated. "You all need to learn to control it better. As you know, magic is forbidden in Lüditz, so we should only use it as a last resort. You must exercise utmost caution, or we could be considered criminals."
He paused as the group considered Zexion's words. Controlling the very essence of their magic would be challenging, but their success hinged on it, so they would make it. Traveling under the constraint of being pursued by the Lüditzian authorities, constantly fleeing and hiding, would only hinder their progress and slow them down. Any lapse in caution could severely complicate things, and neither of them was willing to jeopardize their chances of finding Natsu as quickly as possible. Despite their tenuous trust in him, it was clear that following Zexion's advice was the prudent course of action. The latter noted their serious, determined expressions with satisfaction, reassured by their focused mindset.
"Returning to our matter," he resumed once he was sure the message had been received, "try to focus on the magic emanating from the beings, objects, elements, and materials around you. Take the time to feel its flow and channel it into the scroll. Follow each step carefully, don't rush, and you'll succeed. Try again."
Gray nodded and repeated the experiment with greater care, adhering to Zexion's advice despite his reservations. He tuned into the external energies, tuning out the surrounding sounds, and focused on the currents of magic swirling around him. Immersing himself in a cocoon of tranquility and seclusion, he lowered his physical barriers, allowing the magic to flow freely through his veins. He felt each movement, each nuance, each particle with heightened sensitivity. Gradually, he took control, concentrating and shaping the magic as he desired, releasing it in a steady, controlled stream.
Once again, a violent chill abruptly engulfed him, shattering the calm he had managed to maintain. This time, however, he couldn't control it and the cold intensified, spreading through his body until every limb began to shiver uncontrollably. Behind his closed eyelids, darkness twisted into a maelstrom of distorted shapes and colors, swirling together, accompanied by a piercing high-pitched sound. It sliced through the silence and the barriers separating him from reality, merging with the hurricane of intense sensations raging within him—rising, falling, expanding, refining, growing even more powerful. Then, he was overwhelmed by a rush of clarity.
Gray recognized the voice unmistakably—it was Zexion's.
"Gray!"
He opened his eyes abruptly, gasping for air. The once elusive reality now revealed itself in all its clarity, though it took him several seconds to grasp what was happening, so disoriented were his senses.
For about thirty meters around him, everything was encased in ice. Every pebble was covered by a thick layer, and the bark and branches of nearby trees shimmered with blue and purple hues sparkling in the sunlight. Their leaves had coalesced into a striking emerald mass, delicately encased in ice, with crystal-clear icicles hanging from the tips. Each element, imprisoned in its icy shell, appeared frozen in time. Gray was awestruck by the beauty his magic had bestowed upon the scene but had no time to fully appreciate it.
He turned his gaze to the left and saw Zexion struggling to hold up the wind shield he had placed between himself and the group. With his palms facing out and his legs bent, Zexion was clearly exerting a tremendous effort. When he finally let the shield dissipate, he dropped to his knees, gasping for air, and used his hands to steady himself.
"You idiot!" he shouted as loudly as he could. "Get a grip, damn it! You could have killed us all!"
Confused, Gray averted his gaze and muttered a barely audible apology. He didn't like being scolded and called an idiot by someone as infuriating as Zexion, but deep down, he knew the man was right, which only added to his frustration. Zexion sighed as he noticed the scowl on Gray's face.
"We're safe and sound, that's what matters. Anyway, the spell worked. Look."
Gray complied and raised a hand in front of him to acknowledge the effects of the spell. He quickly realized that gentle but powerful currents of wind were swirling around him, forming a complete barrier that shielded him from the outside world.
"I am a wind mage," Zexion explained as he stood up. "This magic can be used to create a magical barrier that conceals the user. My mastery of this element allows me not only to render my physical form invisible but also to make the very essence of my magic undetectable. It's a complex spell that normally I would only be able to use on myself, but Lüditzian scrolls make this possible, as long as the user's magical power matches or exceeds the strength needed for the stored spell."
Impressed by his undeniable command of magic, the group felt a mix of reassurance and unease about this newfound power. Their trust in him remained tenuous, and if he were to turn against them, the physical and emotional fallout could be severe. They were certain that their new ally was withholding crucial information, including the details of how he had acquired the Lüditzian scrolls and the origin of the mysterious wound on his arm.
Their only certainty was that Natsu had relied on him to continue his journey, and they would have to do the same.
"So Natsu used them too, right?" Elfman asked, trying to mask his suspicion.
"Indeed. But it was a bit more complicated for him."
"What do you mean?"
Zexion hesitated before answering, carefully choosing his words, "One of the drawbacks of these scrolls is that they require an amount of magical power and energy equivalent to the strength of the spell you want to use. The spell Gray just used was too powerful for Natsu to use safely, especially since he's a Dragon Slayer. In his condition, it would have killed him."
He paused, observing the despondent expressions on his listeners' faces, and felt the weight of the truths they were yet to learn, both on this matter and many others.
They had avoided thinking about it since Natsu left, but deep down they knew his health couldn't have improved. The wounds that had caused his horrendous spasms and excessive bleeding would never heal without months of rest, yet Natsu had only had a single day to recuperate. The severity of his injuries meant that without proper rest and care, his recovery was impossible if he continued to push his body beyond its limits.
Zexion's words only confirmed their worst fears, adding to the anxieties stirred up by the latest information they'd gathered since arriving in Geffen. They could vividly imagine how much the battles he and Happy had fought over the past five months, starting with the one against Dragon Lords, had drained his energy and magic reserves. They were too afraid to contemplate the severe impact these battles might have had on Natsu's health, fearing a reality too grim for their hopeful hearts to bear. Their growing sense of urgency remained unchecked—they needed to find him as soon as possible.
Despite their mounting impatience, it was crucial to maintain as much composure as possible. Remarkably, Gray succeeded in doing so, even though memories of his rival suffocating and agonizing in his arms had resurfaced, threatening to overwhelm him.
"How did he pull it off, then?" he asked calmly, picking up the conversation where they left off.
"The scrolls are an effective way to use someone else's magical power or to combine the power of several people to activate a powerful spell. By uniting their powers, the mages of Geffen were able to gather the necessary strength to use one."
"Couldn't you just give him the extra energy he needed?"
Zexion hesitated, absently placing a hand on his left arm. While the answer to the question might have been straightforward, the implications were far from simple, stirring up his feelings of guilt.
"No, not in my condition," he replied, closing his eyes briefly, resigned to remain as vague as possible. "I can't use magic as freely as I'd like, and a spell as powerful as that one would kill me. That's also why I couldn't go with him."
"You're saying you need us to get across the border, right?"
Zexion didn't respond, but he maintained his composure, silently affirming Gray's deduction without showing any signs of being unsettled by his insight. The two men locked eyes for a few moments, with Gray's suspicious gaze failing to disturb Zexion. Gray couldn't shake the feeling that Zexion had been manipulating them all along and that his tentative behavior the day before had been a mere charade to earn their trust. It felt as if he had been waiting for their visit all along to achieve his own ends, and that his intentions were far from the selfless facade he had portrayed.
"Exactly," Zexion confirmed firmly, finally breaking the silence. "So it seems you still have a few brain cells working."
The ice mage frowned but, contrary to expectations, chose not to rise to the provocation. Though he was tempted to slam him against the wall, he understood that his insult was merely a diversion. He wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had succeeded in deflecting the conversation.
Unfortunately, he had to concede defeat in extracting any unwanted information from Zexion, which left him deeply disappointed. He had hoped to crack through Zexion's facade by pressing him hard enough, but it appeared that this man remained unfailingly unflappable.
"If you can't use the spell, how did you manage to store it in the scroll?" he finally asked, his voice deliberately revealing the suspicion he felt.
"To put it simply, transferring a spell into a scroll requires almost no magical power. What matters is the power of the person who uses it."
Gray found himself up against a brick wall again as he tried to read between the lines of Zexion's words and actions. He still felt an unsettling sense of manipulation, but he began to question whether his suspicions were justified. While complete trust was out of the question, perhaps he should consider giving Zexion the benefit of the doubt, all the while keeping a close watch. Analyzing his every move might only deepen the mistrust between them and provide him with reasons to stay on high alert. If Zexion had any ulterior motives, they wouldn't be uncovered by mere confrontation. Subtlety would be key.
Fortunately, Mirajane managed to break the tension that had ensnared him, intervening with another question.
"There's something I don't get. The summoning spell is still active, isn't it? I doubt we could take down those monsters, no matter how many of us there are."
"Don't worry about that," Zexion assured her. "To dispel such a powerful and ancient spell requires immense magical power. As long as the Summoners haven't fully regained their strength, the barrier will remain vulnerable. We'll be able to cross safely."
"I see."
The five friends were grappling with the dense and intricate knowledge Zexion had just shared. Even though he had resolved to keep his suspicions to himself, Gray couldn't resist trying to dig for more answers.
"I've got one last question. How do you know so much about a place you've never been to? And if this barrier is so impenetrable, how did you get these scrolls?"
"Well, because I've been there before?" Zexion retorted with a sarcastic tone, delighted to be able to throw his irritating arrogance back at him. "A long time ago."
For a moment, his thoughts drifted back to painful memories, and the intensity of those images nearly caused him to grimace. He abruptly severed the connection to his recollections as Natsu's blood-streaked, chocked face surfaced in his mind. What had transpired that day...
He shook his head, stopping his mind from delving further.
"But I don't feel like talking about it," he said abruptly, cutting off any further questions. "This isn't really the moment. I'll share everything in due time. For now we need to move."
"Fine," the ice mage agreed, having noticed his evasive behavior. "But this conversation is far from over."
The storyteller made no attempt to justify himself, noting the ice mage's relentless quest for the truth without showing his own concern. He knew he'd eventually have to provide explanations, but for now he was relieved not to have to address them. Given Fairy Tail's current suspicion and his uncertainty about their reaction to the truth, it was wise to keep things under wraps for now.
"Alright," he continued, turning to the rest of the group. "I'll prepare several more scrolls so you can practice using them yourselves. You need to master this before we reach the border. But let's not waste any more time here; we'll handle it on the way."
Lucy furrowed her brow, worried, as she remembered the pain Zexion had caused himself by merely storing a single spell in one of those peculiar scrolls. Unlike her companions, she held Zexion in high regard, though she couldn't quite articulate why. From their first meeting the day before, she had sensed a vulnerability behind his composed demeanor and unshakeable facade. She felt a surge of compassion for him and a genuine desire to understand him better and forge a friendship. The thought of him enduring that kind of pain again by using those mysterious objects didn't sit well with her at all.
"Can't we just use the same scroll as Gray?" she suggested, not really believing it. "If you have to store more spells like this... Or maybe we could help by giving you some of our own magic power?"
"Thank you for your concern, Lucy, but once a scroll is used, it loses all its magical properties. As for me, I would only need your help to cast the spell on myself when the time comes. Don't waste your own energy, you'll need it more than I will. And as for the pain, if it's a price to pay for making amends, I'm more than willing to accept it."
Everyone was eager to ask about the mistakes Zexion had mentioned, but it was clear their new companion would deftly sidestep the question, so no one pressed him. Lucy reluctantly nodded, and the group followed the storyteller. Along the way, Zexion stopped briefly to dispel the wind shield around Gray, explaining that the spell would continue to drain the ice mage's magical energy as long as it remained active.
Lucy was caught up in the soft murmurs of her friends as they struggled to get the stubborn scrolls to work. Surprisingly, she had been the first to succeed on her very first try. Erza followed closely behind, with Mirajane not far off. Despite his relentless efforts, Elfman was gradually wrecking the path with his repeated attempts. During one such try, his magic nearly destroyed the scroll, leaving him grunting in frustration at the uncooperative parchment. Zexion stifled a chuckle at Elfman's exasperation, which didn't go unnoticed by the take-over mage.
"What's so funny?" he snarled with a grumpy expression.
"When Natsu tried for the first time, the scroll literally exploded," Zexion explained with a look that was somewhere between fondness and amusement. "It took him at least twenty attempts to get it right. Moderation was never his strong suit. Looks like he's passing on the tradition."
Nostalgia softened Zexion's features, and his words were further validated when they arrived at the edge of a clearing. There, a crater six feet deep and twenty feet in diameter lay before them, a silent testament to a massive impact that had hollowed out the ground.
"Take a look at what happened," Zexion said with a chuckle.
"You mean that..."
"Exactly, Erza. Natsu did that. By accident, of course."
They all laughed heartily, patting Elfman's shoulder in encouragement. Energized by their support, Elfman's eyes blazed with an unyielding determination as he raised his fists, brimming with the will to succeed. With Zexion's guidance and an enthusiastic declaration of 'I can do it, because I'm a man!' from their friend, they set off once more.
The sun hovered just above the horizon, casting a vibrant glow over the vast frontier ahead, evoking both reverence and awe. As they drew nearer, the vegetation dwindled to near non-existence, the once cheerful rustling of leaves replaced by a gloomy wheeze. Amidst this unsettling atmosphere, Lucy couldn't help but shiver.
"Here we are." Zexion signaled for them to halt, and the five friends complied, gazing at the immense wall before them as though it were the gateway to a forgotten realm. They stood mesmerized, strangely attracted by its presence and unable to look away, feeling as if it was peering into their very souls, trying to unravel their deepest motives. "The magical waves it emits can mess with your emotions," Zexion warned, refocusing their attention on their mission. "You need to ignore that. Keep our goal in sight."
The exchanged glances among his companions revealed the impact of his words. The air was thick with tension as they all grasped the enormity of the challenge that lay ahead. Once he was sure that everything was in order and the group was prepared, Zexion distributed a new parchment to each member.
"Erza," he called, turning to her, "I will need your assistance."
She glanced away from the object when her name was called, surprised, but quickly recalled Zexion's earlier explanations.
"What should I do?" she asked him, unflappable.
"Out of everyone here, you're the one with the most magical power, aren't you?"
"I suppose so," she replied vaguely, as if admitting this reality in front of him might be risky.
"I would like you to provide the magical energy I need. If you agree, of course."
She hadn't anticipated being asked to handle it, as the thought had entirely slipped her mind since the border loomed before them. Its presence was so unsettling that she had forgotten all the reasons she was there, as if its mere existence had drawn her into a vortex of intense unease and confusion. She studied Zexion for a few moments, struggling to shake off the disquiet and regain her focus. Every instinct in her urged her to be wary.
"Of course," she agreed, gathering her strength to ignore the sensation. "Tell me what I need to do."
"The scrolls can also store raw magic that I can then absorb," Zexion explained. "But both actions need to occur simultaneously. As you infuse your magical power into the scroll, I'll gradually take it in while casting my spell. Be careful not to release it too quickly, or I won't be able to handle it."
"Understood." She took a deep breath to dispel any hesitation that might cloud her focus, reminding herself that, despite his suspicious nature, Zexion was the only one capable of guiding them past the frontier separating them from Natsu. The thought of their friend gave her the confidence she needed to overcome her doubts, and she prepared herself, resolute and ready to face the challenge. "I'm going for it," she said, more to herself than to anyone else.
As Erza set to work and Gray kept a vigilant eye on the process, Lucy focused her gaze on the horizon. Beyond the magical barrier stretched vast, open plains, and a few hundred meters away, just beyond the wall, stood a shattered tower. The base was broad, its surface ribbed like a tree trunk, and it featured a flat rock embedded in it that resembled a tombstone. The tower itself rose into the sky, tapering for about thirty feet before ending in jagged, irregular edges. The top of the structure had collapsed and lay in ruins, scattered into thousands of fragments. Lucy, intrigued, wondered if this might have once been a Lüditzian outpost, constructed long before the period known as "The Decline," a tumultuous era when the Lüditzians were driven back into the mountains.
The distant toll of a bell brought her back to reality. The steeple of Geffen was tolling the start of the afternoon, marking that more than four hours had passed since they had woken up. They had squandered precious time on explanations, and the thought of someone intervening to stop their progress made her anxious. Shifting her focus back to Zexion, she watched as he halted the flow of magic.
"Good, everything is set. Use your scrolls." The rest of the group obeyed, each successfully using their scrolls with ease. "Let's go," he said to his traveling companions after making sure everything was running smoothly.
After a quick exchange of glances and a shared resolve, they pressed forward, drawing strength from each other's courage and determination. As they approached the massive wall of magic, their anxiety grew almost unbearably, making the temptation to turn back nearly overwhelming. The journey had truly begun, and despite the imminent dangers, they were resolute in their commitment to see it through to the end. They only needed to remind themselves of what they would be able to get back at the end, and the intangible wind of their resolve would guide them forward. After five months of relentless searching, Natsu felt closer than ever.
The pressure from the frontier's overwhelming presence intensified with every step they took, its immense magical power pressing down on them with growing force. Each effort drained their energy and left their lungs gasping for air. Each meter grew increasingly challenging, to the point where their breaths became labored and uneven despite the steady rhythm of their steps.
Thus, feeling as though they had run for miles, they halted just a stone's throw from the immense transparent wall. They stopped behind Zexion, who remained curiously serene compared to the rest, probably because he had crossed this barrier before as he had mentioned earlier. They were puzzled over how he had managed it without scrolls, but they didn't consider asking him now. Their primary priority was to rid themselves of the oppressive sensations by finally crossing the dreaded border.
They waited for their guide's instructions, but Zexion remained still, his gaze fixed on the sky where the wall of magic was no longer visible, his brows furrowed in concentration. After a moment, he cautiously extended a hand towards the barrier. The wall did not flinch as his fingers touched it, creating small ripples spreading from the point of contact as if it was a common liquid surface.
The storyteller turned back to them with a reassuring nod, which they reciprocated. In the next moment, he slid his hand completely through the magic barrier, and this time, the wall reacted immediately.
The swirls of color composing the barrier abruptly turned opaque, instantly shrouding what lay beyond it. Panicked, Zexion yanked his hand back and stumbled a step away. He had no time to consult his companions before the barrier began emitting intense pulses of magic and sound at regular intervals. These pulses were visible as powerful waves of colored light, and the accompanying shrill noise and blinding brightness rendered any immediate reaction nearly impossible.
None of the group fully grasped the severity of the situation until the ground beneath their feet began to quake violently, fissures splitting the earth. It was only then that they sprang into action. The convergence of the magical pulses and the relentless shaking resonated deeply within them, causing their very essence to tremble.
An oval of murky light materialized a few meters ahead, hovering slightly above the ground, and began to expand visibly. Zexion was unsurprisingly the first to react. He turned to his comrades, his expression a mix of concern and urgency.
"They're coming…"
The Fairy Tail mages immediately grasped the gravity of the situation, their faces reflecting the same bewilderment as Zexion's. Even the storyteller, usually so knowledgeable and composed, found himself at a loss before the impending arrival of these formidable creatures. Paralyzed by the looming threat, Zexion's usual calm shattered, and Gray's panic escalated as the danger became all too real.
"What do we do?!" he exclaimed, trying to get him to react.
"I-I don't know… The spell shouldn't have—"
"Yeah, we know that, but we can't just stand here doing nothing!"
Zexion turned his back on them, more to conceal his own feelings of inadequacy than to focus on the unsettling phenomenon unfolding behind him. The realization that he wasn't equipped to handle the situation grated on him deeply.
In any case, the only viable option left was to flee.
"Princess, over here!" called another voice nearby, struggling to be heard above the surrounding noise.
Recognizing the voice and the nickname immediately, Lucy turned her head towards its source, her eyes widening in astonishment.
"L-Loke?!"
The celestial spirit stood not far from them, waving in front of the dimensional gateway he had evidently created to join them. He nodded at Lucy, encouraging her to act. This was enough to spur her into action, and the rest of the group quickly followed her lead.
When they reached Loke, he wasted no time on explanations,
"Zexion, right?" he called out to the storyteller as the Zodiac Gate closed behind him. "Do you still have an empty Lüditzian scroll on you?"
The storyteller nodded but remained silent, caught off guard by the stranger's unexpected arrival and insight. He was reassured by Lucy and the other Fairy Tail mages' evident trust in him and handed over one of his precious scrolls. It was then that he made the connection with what he had been told.
"You're the celestial spirit of the Lion, aren't you?" he asked. "Natsu told me about you."
"Natsu?" Loke repeated, clearly surprised. "Why would he—" His sentence was cut short by gusts of wind that surged, intensifying the renewed seismic tremors. "Never mind that, we don't have time for this!" he said urgently. "Princess, you need to channel your magic into this!"
"Loki, what are you—"
"We'll talk later!"
The maelstrom intensified even more, almost drowning out their voices despite the short distance between them. It whipped up huge clouds of sand and earth that swirled under the wind's relentless force, compelling the travelers to shield their faces to avoid being blinded.
The shrill whistles were so intense that Loke had to shout over them, knowing that the chaos around them was making it difficult for Lucy to focus on what mattered most.
"Trust me! Just go for it!" Lucy accepted the parchment, clutching it tightly. Loke gave her a final encouraging nod, his voice booming over the tumultuous noise. His instructions were clear and calm, aiming to provide as much reassurance as possible amidst the chaos, "Just act like you're using one of our keys, and it'll take care of itself!"
"O-Okay!"
Sensing her friend's tension and setting aside her own, Mirajane placed a reassuring hand on Lucy's shoulder. The latter turned to her, drawing strength from her composure to bolster her own resolve, before sharing the same reassuring gesture with the rest of her friends, who nodded encouragingly. Energized by their faith in her, she nodded determinedly, steeling herself for the challenge ahead.
Without further hesitation, Lucy closed her eyes and focused on channeling her magic, immersing herself in the familiar warmth of her keys. The surrounding chaos and danger receded into the background as she concentrated, feeling the essence of her magic connect with the spirit world. When a powerful vibration coursed through her, she knew her attempt had succeeded and she opened her eyes. Loke retrieved the parchment, now glowing with the potent energy of celestial magic.
"What do we do now?" Elfman asked, taking advantage of the brief break in the weather to speak without shouting. "What's your plan exactly?"
"I think he wants to use the Astrals' passage," Zexion interjected. "Isn't that right, Loke?"
The two men stared at each other for a moment, a silent understanding passing between them. After a brief hesitation, the spirit confirmed his assumption with a nod.
"Yes, it's the only way to avoid fighting them all at once."
"I guess we don't have a choice."
At that very moment, the maelstrom began anew. They needed to move now.
"Alright, let's go!" Loki ordered, trying to sound as encouraging and composed as possible. "Get through the portal now! I'll handle the rest!"
Zexion was the first to step through the dark vortex, and his unhesitating act urged the others to follow, their hearts racing at the terrifying thought of the unknown awaiting them on the other side. Just before following, Loke injected as much magic as he could into the parchment and hurriedly threw it across the border. The next second, he too was rushing through the passage.
Inside the tunnel, the heat was unbearable for human lungs, which had not been designed to withstand so much pressure. The air was suffocating, thick with oppressive warmth that seemed to cling to their skin and sap their strength.
Panting, their muscles taut and aching, the group raced through the unending tunnel of darkness that seemed to stretch infinitely before them. The oppressive heat and pressure made every step a struggle, as if their bodies and hearts were trapped in a vice that was tightening with every moment, draining their air and energy.
With Zexion leading the way, the team of mages pressed on despite their exhausted limbs. The overwhelming fear fueling their movements provided a surge of adrenaline that pushed them forward, compelling them to follow its lead through the oppressive darkness.
A dimensional crack tore through the relentless blackness, halting the group's advance. Zexion extended an arm to signal them to step back and observe the unfolding event. His eyes narrowed as the fissure widened, revealing a looming shadow. On high alert, he drew his weapon and took a defensive stance, ready to respond to any potential threat that might emerge from the rift.
The silhouette emerged clearly as a creature, compelling Zexion into action. With a quick, wind-assisted leap, he landed atop the beast before it could react and try to throw off its unwelcome guest. His blade plunged deep into the creature's flesh, and with a swift motion, he ran along its back, slashing expertly from side to side. The monster disintegrated into a cloud of green smoke and a final, pained rattle as Zexion nimbly returned to his original position.
The storyteller sheathed his sword and resumed his run without pausing to catch his breath. The Fairy Tail mages, both amazed and anxious about his formidable power, followed closely. Their getaway continued with relentless cadence; whenever a new creature emerged from the darkness, either Zexion or Erza would strike decisively. Zexion's swift, precise blows and Erza's fierce attacks ensured that the enemies were dealt with before they could fully manifest. The pair moved seamlessly, each attack blending into their unbroken advance.
Run, leap, slice, and then run again. The cycle was relentless and unending, with each moment bringing forth more formidable summons, increasingly astonishing in their ferocity. Their lungs felt like they were burning from the effort, their muscles ached with a relentless, fiery pain, and their heads throbbed with a pounding intensity. Exhaustion loomed ever closer, threatening to overwhelm them with each grueling step.
A halo of light burst through the enveloping darkness, its radiant glow spreading until it consumed every shadow around them. They felt themselves plummeting through the light, the sensation of falling at a dizzying speed, before finally hitting the ground with a jarring thud.
Stunned and disoriented by the harrowing experiences and the sudden shift back to reality, the group remained on the ground, gasping for breath. The oppressive sense of urgency quickly resurfaced as they turned their heads, struggling to focus on their surroundings. Just a few meters away, the cavity they had been expelled from floated ominously in the air, its menacing presence now dormant. Behind it, the magical barrier had returned to its original, tranquil state, as if the tumultuous events had never occurred.
Despite the lingering shock and disbelief, an overwhelming sense of victory washed over them, mingled with the relief of having overcome the formidable and frightening challenge.
"W-We actually made it?" Lucy asked, astonished.
"Looks like it, Lucy," Erza replied with a satisfied smile.
"It's all thanks to Loke," Gray added proudly. "By the way... where is he?"
The question lingered in the air, passing from one person to the next as they exchanged uncertain glances. No matter how many times they scanned their surroundings, Loke, the lion's spirit, was nowhere to be seen. The absence of their celestial ally left them uneasy, the victory they had just achieved now tinged with concern over his fate.
"Don't worry," Zexion interjected before they could panic. "He drew on his reserves for too long to keep the passage open. He had to return to the spirit world."
"A-Are you sure?" Lucy insisted. "I didn't feel anything..."
"That's because he used his own magic to open his gate, not yours. I saw him disappear just before we left the tunnel."
Relief washed over Lucy's face as she let out a sigh, though her concern for Loke's well-being lingered. She was relieved to know he was safe, but the thought of him potentially having exhausted himself weighed on her. With a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction, she sprawled out on the grass, her arms outstretched as she tried to catch her breath.
"Is it normal for the portal to stay open?" Mirajane asked, leaning against a rock. "I have a bad feeling about this..."
"Nee-chan," Elfman began, "do you think that—"
A crackling sound emanated from the vortex, drawing everyone's attention. Zexion's eyes widened in amazement as he watched the vortex shimmer and shift, its previously stable form now exhibiting unpredictable fluctuations. The air around them seemed to pulse with a newfound energy.
"No, it's not over," Zexion announced, suddenly pale. He leapt to his feet, every sense on high alert. "Run!" The storyteller turned and grabbed Lucy around the waist, pulling her along. Elfman did the same with his sister, while Erza seized Gray's hand, yanking him up and urging him to follow.
Barely five seconds after they had dismounted, a shell-sized crater tore through the ground where they had been standing. They turned on their heels to investigate the source of the phenomenon and came face to face with its cause. A menacing silhouette hovered against the glowing twilight sky, casting a vast, ominous shadow over the land. The ground beneath it trembled, and birds scattered in panic as the dark figure hovered just inches above the earth. Behind it, the gate finally closed, sealing off the danger from the other side.
The scarlet-scaled creature landed with a heavy thud. Its vermilion eyes swept the ground, searching intently for any signs of movement or prey.
"A-A dragon?" Lucy whispered, stunned.
"H-How is this possible…" Erza echoed her disbelief.
Fueled by fury, the dragon arched its neck like a serpent poised to strike and unleashed a torrent of fire into the sky. There was no time to deliberate; they had to act quickly to prevent it from tearing them apart.
Erza stepped forward, her resolve unwavering as she prepared to shield her friends. Gray and Lucy joined her despite their shock. The ice mage clasped his two hands, bracing himself to cast his first spell.
"No!" Zexion interjected, panic in his voice like no one had ever heard from him before. "Wait, don't attack him!"
"W-What?" Gray asked, surprised. "But—"
He stopped when he saw Zexion pass by and place a hand on his tightly clasped ones, compelling him to lower them.
"Please, Gray."
His voice was so pleading that despite his lingering distrust, he felt compelled to grant his request. The storyteller withdrew his hand and moved toward the dragon, his expression a mix of determination and distress.
"S-Sheogh?" What seemed to be a name elicited no positive reaction from the creature, which responded by smashing the ground and letting out a menacing roar. The Fairy Tail mages tensed, ready to spring into action, but held their ground for the moment. Zexion evidently hadn't given up, whatever he was attempting to do. "Sheogh?" he repeated, louder and more firmly, striving to erase any trace of hesitation or fear from his voice.
"Zexion," Lucy tried, worried that his recklessness might put him in danger. "What are you—"
She couldn't complete her sentence. The dragon suddenly shook his head vigorously, as though struck by a powerful mental assault. When he opened his eyes again, they had shifted to a bluish hue reminiscent of the sky. The storyteller pressed on, eager to build on the positive development.
"It's you, isn't it?" he continued, hoping to deepen this positive response.
The dragon let out a fearsome roar. Whether it was one of rage or despair remained unclear, leaving everyone frozen in place. Moments later, the dragon's eyes flared red once more, and he began to thrash the ground with his massive paws. In a murderous frenzy, he lifted one of his claws, poised to strike down the hesitant storyteller. Zexion took a single step back, closing his eyes in resignation despite the imminent assault.
'Sheena, Reegart... forgive me.'
"Zexion!"
Encouraged by the unified voices of his allies, he sprang into action. Meeting the dragon's sharp claws with his weapon, he deflected the attack and launched himself a considerable distance. He landed gracefully in front of Gray, Lucy, and Erza, who were now ready to join the fray.
"Is this a summon?" Lucy asked, keeping her eyes on the dragon.
"Yes," Zexion replied, looking dejected. "Unfortunately, he has gone mad since..."
"Since what?" Gray pressed, taking advantage of his temporary instability to force an answer.
Unfortunately, his direct approach to demanding answers wasn't enough to corner him effectively. As always, Zexion dismissed the question with a single, resolute sentence.
"Go. I'll take care of this." He stood before them, one arm extended to deter any attacks. "Head east from here. I'll join you as soon as I can."
"We're not leaving without you," Erza objected, gripping the hilt of her sword she had just summoned.
"It may just be a summon, but it has nearly all the traits of a real dragon. You don't stand a chance. So please, just go." With this warning, he positioned himself in front of the creature, which regarded him with glowing eyes. "Against a dragon, there's only one thing to do," he murmured to himself, gripping the hilt of his sword.
He bent his knees, bracing for combat. Ignoring his previous warnings, the Fairy Tail mages advanced, resolute and unwilling to be deterred.
"Why would you have a better shot than us?" Gray growled, refusing to be underestimated.
"What are you doing?!" Zexion exclaimed, fearing what they might try to do. "Hurry up and get out of here!"
Erza met his gaze with unwavering resolve, and the strength of her determination left a strong impression on him.
"No," she refused categorically. "I don't know what you're trying to do, but there's no reason for us to leave without you. And we won't, no matter what you say."
"Let us help you," Lucy added, recognizing that fighting this summon was taking an emotional toll on him. "You don't have to face it alone."
"We don't abandon our own," Gray concluded firmly. "Remember that."
Mirajane and Elfman joined in their declaration with a simple nod and a resolute air, leaving Zexion stunned by their confidence and pride. The more he got to know them, the more he understood just how exceptional Fairy Tail was. Even more so than he had gathered from Natsu's stories and the fact that the fire mage himself was a man like no other.
Gray clenched his fist into his palm, grounding himself with a firm stance. Erza brandished her sword in a commanding position, its tip aimed resolutely forward, mirrored by Lucy who held up Taurus' golden key. Elfman thrust a defiant fist skyward, his arm now adorned with the emerald scales of a creature whose powers he had harnessed. Only Mirajane remained at the rear, positioned beside Zexion, who could only watch in speechless awe at the display of unity and resolve.
No sooner had the storyteller regained his composure than the Fairy Tail mages unleashed the full force of their powers, streams of magic surging across the battlefield and weaving a complex tapestry of energy. They launched their assault with synchronized precision, each member executing their moves in perfect harmony for maximum impact and effectiveness.
While Lucy took a few seconds to gather the energy needed to summon Taurus and Gray carefully envisioned the shape of his impending ice creation, Erza and Elfman charged to the front, ready to lead the charge.
"Kansô!" Erza exclaimed as she leaped with agility, easily surpassing the height of the dragon.
A halo of golden light enveloped her, briefly obscuring her form. The light spread outward in widening circles before dissipating into the sky and blending with the clouds. As Erza's ruby hair flowed, carried by the magic's currents, it fell gracefully over her shoulders and down her back. When the light receded, she was encased in a magnificent suit of silver armor, and two pairs of majestic, fearsome wings unfurled from her back. A dozen swords fanned out behind her, each blade pointing menacingly at the enemy. They spun at an imperceptible speed before launching toward their target, encircling and distracting it with their whirling dance. With her own weapon poised, Erza prepared to strike directly between the creature's eyes.
"Ice-Make, Saucer!" Gray's colossal disk of ice was hurled forward with tremendous force, bursting into a spectacular display of blue reflections. Its jagged edges glistened in the sunlight as it sped toward its target, intentionally aimed to intersect with Elfman, who stood deliberately in its path.
Elfman waited until the last possible moment before leaping forward, using the spinning ice wheel to propel himself higher. Gray's attack, undeterred by the weight it carried, continued its trajectory and struck the dragon's left wing. The beast roared in pain as the icy disk sliced through the membrane, causing it to disintegrate into black smoke with no trace of blood. With its ability to fly compromised, the dragon was now grounded, granting them a significant and well-timed advantage.
Simultaneously, Erza's sword struck the dragon's head, eliciting a roar of agony as the blade cut through the flesh between its scales. At the same time, Elfman's fist, reinforced by the sharp carapace covering it, slammed into the creature's chest, driving it backward with another enraged roar.
The summon shook its head in a mix of fury and pain, their relentless attacks leaving it no chance to counter. After a brief respite, it gathered its strength and expelled a jet of searing flames into the sky. The flames were then redirected straight at Zexion and Mirajane, who were standing back. As the inferno roared toward them, Gray turned in alarm.
Although Mirajane longed to leap into action and join the battle, she found herself frozen, her body unresponsive due to the weight of her past and the fear of using her powers. Sensing her struggle, Zexion extended an arm, urging her to take refuge behind him.
When he saw them vanish behind the blinding explosion, Gray's eyes widened in terror.
"Zexion! Mira!"
He was about to charge forward, but hesitated when a hissing sound rising and growing louder from where their two friends were standing. He quickly grasped the situation when he saw the flames splitting apart, clearly repelled by the material they had encountered.
Zexion had drawn his saber and raised it in front of him, gripping it with both hands for added stability. With clenched teeth and feet firmly planted to counteract the force trying to push him back, he was using a thin but dense layer of wind wrapped around the blade to deflect the flames. At the cost of his own strength, which was fading despite his unyielding resolve, the reinforced metal forced the jet of fire to split into two arcs, narrowly missing him on either side. His arm muscles vibrated under the intense strain, and the clash of elements made the earth tremble beneath his feet as he struggled to keep himself grounded.
Despite the sudden, intense drain of energy, Zexion quickly gained the upper hand, decisively slicing through the flames. The fire dissipated with a final burst before evaporating into thin air.
With the immediate danger averted, Zexion straightened and sheathed his weapon. He turned to Mirajane, who was still behind him, to check on her. After she had collected herself, the young woman nodded in gratitude.
"Thanks, Zexion."
The storyteller acknowledged her nod with a silent, humble acceptance of her thanks. He then refocused on the battle unfolding behind him, just in time to see a second, coordinated assault from his new allies strike the summon head-on. His heart clenched once more, but he kept his gaze fixed on the scene, unwilling to look away.
'It's just as well you can't see this, Natsu...'
He observed the combatants maneuver across the battlefield with a precision that resembled a well-choreographed dance, relentlessly cornering their opponent without missing a beat. A wave of admiration surged through him.
'But I have to admit that your friends are amazing. You weren't exaggerating.'
"Now, Taurus!" he heard Lucy call out, taking advantage of an opening provided by her companions.
The celestial spirit responded with a resolute lowing, leaping into action. His axe gleamed as he swung it heroically above his head, striking the dragon's remaining wing and rendering it useless.
The moment Erza's other swords reached their mark was pivotal, as they provided just enough distraction to deliver the finishing blow while preventing any counterattacks. Adorned in a new, all-black armor, Erza's weapons pierced the dragon's flesh simultaneously. She followed their trajectory, bringing her own sword down on one of the impact points and piercing its back effortlessly.
The dragon's claws dug into the ground as it roared in agony, and Erza used the momentum to propel herself backward. She landed gracefully beside her allies, who had withdrawn from the fray after their respective assaults.
The summoned creature collapsed and began to vanish in a cloud of black smoke. Zexion watched as it slowly dissipated, and at the last moment, he saw its eyes return to their original color, gazing up at him with a plaintive whimper. As the final wisp of smoke disappeared, the storyteller clenched his fist, consumed by fury and sadness.
'You'll pay for this, Temenas.'
He closed his eyes, steeling himself to avenge the unjust destruction of a creature that had always been so loyal to its former masters. Because of this cruel man's mad ambitions, another good being had perished, and he vowed never to forgive him.
The fighters, weary from their battle, turned their attention to him. The storyteller made an effort to restore his neutral demeanor, and he and Mirajane approached them carefully. Zexion then offered a small but satisfied smile.
"Well done," he congratulated them.
Everyone responded to his compliment with a proud or satisfied smile. Zexion then noted the waning daylight and realized they had lost valuable hours, making it impossible to reach the first camp before dark. The sun was sinking, casting a deep orange glow, while twilight began to chill the air around them.
"Let's move as far away from the border as possible," he advised. "It's too dangerous to stay here any longer. We'll set up camp for the night after we've walked a bit east. And remember, from now on, only use your magic in life-threatening situations, and especially not in town."
Despite the many questions burning on their lips about the recent events, they merely nodded, their curiosity momentarily subdued. Their immediate priority was to find a safe place to rest before nightfall, to avoid being caught in the encroaching darkness that could bring further danger.
Author's note: That's all for now! They've finally arrived in Lüditz, and now we're about to get into the real action!
I don't have much to say about this chapter, as I mentioned above, I'm not super crazy about it. I hope it wasn't boring! The Astrals' Passage is something I completely made up, so I hope it felt believable. You'll definitely hear more about the Summoners as they play a pretty important role though they won't be mentioned again for a while. Same goes for the summoned creature they fought.
As for the battle itself, I tried to keep it dynamic but didn't want to drag it out too much since the stakes aren't super high here. The main purpose was to reveal some key information that will be important later on.
At this point in the story, I'm mostly excited for the next chapter, which I really love, and don't even get me started on the ones after that! I can't wait to share them with you!
Well, I think that's all I have to say for now. See you in about a month for the next chapter! If you're enjoying the story, please leave a quick comment, I promise I'll respond at the beginning of the next chapter! ^^
See you soon!