Broken Fairies

by EnergyMageFrea

Light Magic has won over Dark in the battle to decide the Balance of the world, but shadow has never settled so thickly over the Fairy Tail Guild as it has now, and that darkness does not seem to want to leave. Is it possible, after all the evil and the pain suffered, lived through and triumphed over by the Guild- that Fairy Tail has finally broken? {Fourth Story in Series!}

14. Chapter 14- Judgement

Chapter 14

Judgement

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters, only my own OC's, Energy Magic, and Ideas

.:+:.

Frea let out an audible sigh, her hand falling on her chest as she walked side by side with Jura on her right and Doranbolt at her left- surrounded on all sides by the droves of Council Knights as they headed away from the Guild Hall and it's buzzing air of every emotion that made her want to groan.

They'd felt safe enough to omit using cuffs on her, which she was grateful for- but she knew every single Council Member around her were on high alert in case she tried anything... and she wouldn't be, though as she left the Guild behind her unease and panic was getting a little worse. She nearly had to force that sigh,

"... that went so much better than I was expecting.." She mumbled under her breath,

The Guild is gonna be so pissed at me for ordering them around like that when I get back...

"For a situation that could have been quite problematic, you handled it well." Jura commented beside her, smirking slightly as Frea nodded a bit.

"... thanks for coming to ease things a little, Jura." Frea murmured softly, "... it was definitely a good call, sending you... I don't think Master would have given in on letting me go if you weren't around."

"With good reason, of course." Jura murmured, "Given the scrutiny you're under at the moment, and your injuries... Saige is not the most motivated of people, but he seems to have your best interests at heart with how this Hearing will go." Frea sweatdropped a little, her eyes narrowing as they continued forward.

"... I was unaware you knew one another, Saige does not interact with other people often." Jura went on, eyebrow quirking when Frea grimaced slightly.

"... you noticed my reaction, huh..?" She mumbled,

"Indeed."

"... yeah, well... he... seems to have interest in helping me... why though, I haven't quite figured out." Frea admitted lowly, shaking her head as her hands hooked behind her neck, eyes closing. "... it's hard to figure out someone's motivations when you only have two damned conversations with them..." Jura blinked in surprise,

Frea unhooked her hands from behind her neck, letting her hands fall back and biting down on her tongue, wincing lowly as a sharp stab of pain pricked at the area between her shoulder-blades from the movement.

Oww... the potion's helping a lot but somethings are still getting through...

"How are your injuries, by the way?" Frea blinked, her eyes moving right at the question as Jura asked it.

"Hmm?"

"Given the extent of your wounds only a month ago, I will admit I am surprised to see you up and about like this." Jura elaborated, "You look much better, but I'm sure you're not fully healed yet, right?"

"... oh, no." Frea admitted softly, "... not quite healed all the way, you're right- but I should be fine to deal with this Hearing, as long as I don't do anything stupid... so please don't worry about it." He nodded slightly,

"... Lahar said it was a Death Watch."

Frea blinked, her attention snapping from Jura to her left at the unexpected voice- after all, he hadn't said a single word since arriving at the Guild Hall.

Doranbolt was glancing her way, his expression flat and eyes glittering slightly as she blinked at him in surprise.

"... that's what Druhma is, he explained it to me, after we left that first night." Doranbolt grumbled lowly, "... the injuries you must have had, to have a Death Watch placed on you, and with how bad Lahar explained you would have to be... I'm not sure I can believe you're even walking right now, after all of that." Frea sweatdropped slightly, his eyes narrowing as he stiffened. "... I believe you, and your Guild... but you should know, the Chairman doesn't. He thinks you and Fairy Tail lied about it, to barter more time to hide secrets from the Council. He hasn't been convinced by anyone else that's been questioned, either."

"... it's good, to see you healing... but seeing you like this will probably just solidify his belief in his theory." Doranbolt told her lowly, Frea glanced ahead, her eyes falling closed.

"He is right... the Chairman has called into question just how much he's been told being truth, or not." Jura added lowly,

"... I kinda figured." Frea replied softly, "... don't forget, I spent most of my life going back and forth with the Magic Council... I know how they work, and think... almost too well. I'd figured they'd question a lot of things, including whether or not my injuries were really as bad as they've been told." Frea sighed, shaking her head a little at the thought. "... thank you for the warning, but... I think I might have something that will change their mind."

Jura and Doranbolt blinked, eyes narrowed and confused as the statement- because what could she possibly have to prove it?

They stopped though, the whole lot of them as Lahar ordered them to.

"We'll begin transporting everyone to Era shortly, and then the Hearing will be underway."

He moved through the ranks to stand in front of Frea, light bouncing from his glasses. They had drawn to a halt further up the street from the Guild, the people of Magnolia looking on with wide, curious eyes- many of them recognizing the Energy Dragon Slayer.

"Will you be alright to travel via Transportation Magic, Ms. Frea?" Lahar asked, Frea nodded.

"Then let us go, Doranbolt."

Frea's head tilted back toward the sky, breathing in deeply as her eyes traced a few birds that flew passed overhead. She swallowed, biting back the unease and the fear rising in her soul,

I can do this

There was a split second of being consumed in Magic, the feeling of weightlessness and the ground gone from under her feet, her stomach whirling and flipping at the sensation that felt ghostly familiar to Mordren's life under Gweo.

Her feet met the ground again, polished marble and a buzz of Magic and equipment on all sides- the familiarity of the Energy in Magnolia replaced in an instants time- much to far even for her heightened senses to reach again.

Her eyes fell open to marble halls, swallowing again the queasiness and the lightheadedness that came from the Transportation Magic being used on her so suddenly. Her leg ached as she landed on it again, causing her to shift her weight from it for a moment, taking in a deep breath.

That made her feel more sick than she had anticipated, though maybe not a surprise, given she hadn't had any contact with Magic outside of Healing Magic for a month straight.

Jura, Doranbolt and Lahar were still around her- now facing a grand archway and a collection of other Knights, and a few of the Frog-woman that served Era.

"You will submit any and all items on your person before entering the Chamber." One of the Frog-women barked shortly, "Mr. Neekis, you are dismissed. Please take your place in the chamber."

"I will see you shortly, Frea." Jura told her softly, his hand landing on her shoulder for a small second, before he moved away.

"You two are dismissed as well." She ordered next, gesturing toward Lahar and Doranbolt both. They both nodded at her, before heading away themselves.

"Ms. Frea, please be aware that we will use deadly force to detain you, should you try to use Magic or violence against us." She snapped next, Frea nodded stiffly.

"... got it." She mumbled, stepping forward slowly toward the small group as her hand fell in her pocket. She saw the Knights tense, only relaxing slightly as she pulled the data-disc Porlyusica had given her from her coat pocket, and handed it toward the Frog-Lady.

"What is this?" She asked sharply,

"... proof of concept, I guess." Frea mumbled, "... it's data and Scans that my Guild's physician took of my injuries, following my battle against Mordren." The Frog-Lady stiffened slightly, "... she sealed it before handing it over to me, so I haven't tampered with them...and neither did Porlyusica. The Magic Council knows she would never create false data- even if Master Makarov asked her to- the Chairman knows that too."

"... I will present this to the Council." She replied stiffly, Frea nodded.

"You're going to take a Scan of me to make sure I have no other Magical Items on me, right?" Frea asked, the Frog-Lady nodded a little. "You might want to show him a copy of your Scan, too."

"... very well."

She said nothing else as she was ushered forward by the group, complying with barked orders and staying quiet as she waited for the Scan to finish- standing amongst a Magic Circle before the large, heavy doors of the Chamber her Hearing would be held in. She bit the inside of her cheek, her eyes locked on the door.

She could feel the Energy Signatures of the Magic Council members in that room, Jura too- and Saige Balthan. But among these were four other Energy Signatures she did not recognize at all, meaning they belonged to four Wizard Saints she had no clue who they were.

Given Jura, Master and Saige were all the Wizard Saints she knew- and there being only four Energy Signatures she did not recognize, that meant that only 6 Wizard Saints in attendance now. Master Makarov being barred of course, and as far as she knew there being at least Two seats she last heard were still empty (even with Jose and Jellal being eradicated a long while ago...)

That all being said and meaning at least one Wizard Saint had failed to show, right?

She hardly cared though, her head was throbbing already. Jura was powerful enough on his own, his Magic was potent and blazed bright as all hell no matter what- but these four she didn't know? They were ridiculous- Power flowed from them like separate oceans of themselves, and the color of the Energy was starting to bleed into the world before her very eyes no matter how hard she tried to block it out. She counted it a small mercy that Saige seemed to be hiding his Power right now, like he had showed her he could.

Frea's eyes fell closed as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

... this is going to be hell.. shit...

Her eyes opened when she heard the Frog-Lady that had been ordering her around let out a barely stifled gasp, a Magic Screen floating before her as she stared. She caught Frea's eyes for half a second, disbelief and slight inklings of fear sparking from her- before she quickly let the Magic die down, and shuffled off- barking at the Knights still keeping watch to usher her inside the Chamber.

Frea heard her feet die down a side hall, and caught the hushed whisper she let loose.

"The state she's in... how is this girl walking as if she's fine...?!"

Frea let her fade into the back of her mind, her attention focusing on the door as it opened wide in front of her-dark and dismal blue light filtering up from a massive Magic Circle running underneath a single walkway. That walkway spanned from the door and out into the center of the large, dimly lit hall, ending with railing and facing the far wall, where rows and stands stood- most of them topped by people, all eyes turned on the door and her standing in it's entryway.

This is it

She stiffened, her eyes falling a moment- hating herself the thought, and how painfully reminiscent it was- it was the same thought that had passed her mind that same day that Mordren revealed himself, after all.

"Go inside." One of the Knights around her grumbled, noticing the small, split-second of hesitation.

Frea started forward stiffly, her silver eyes glittering and reflecting the pale blue of the Magic Circle stretched across a chasm of dark below her.

The doors shut behind her, what light they let in dying as she felt Magic flare- locking her in.

She walked across the checkered black and white tile of the suspended walkway, her eyes locked ahead and expression neutral as she matched gazes with the Chairman sitting in the center of all those people standing around her, eyes trained to her and looking nowhere else.

She only faintly noticed the familiar faces of Jura and Saige (and in Saige's case, he seemed to have erected a chair there which he sat upon with not a care in the world), standing on separate stands not too far from her on the left, littered between them were three other men, and one woman with pale, lavender colored hair.

She halted without a word at the end of the walkway.

"Mage Frea, you have been summoned before this Council in regards to your actions, and your involvement with the Energy God Slayer; Mordren." Gran Doma, Chairman of the Council, spoke loudly, his voice echoing all around with ease. "You are suspect in the plot that put this Country and this Council to sleep, which resulted in the release of colossal amount of Tainted Ethernano into the atmosphere and the earth all over the continent of Fiore. These events have been seen no less as a terrorist attack on our County and our people- and at that heart lies you."

"Let it be known to all Council Members and those of the Wizard Saints- that this woman has faced hundreds of charges in her life, and been a part of dozens of national incidents before now." He growled, Frea stifled a growl.

"We have reviewed the accounts of Members and Guild Leaders from Mermaid Heel, Lamia Scale, SaberTooth, Blue Pegasus and Quatro Cerberus alike- all Guilds that witnessed the events along with the Fairy Tail Guild. The only people in the entire country who were awake and conscious of the events that transpired." A second voice rose up, belonging to someone Frea recognized among the slew of Council Members that had replaced the ones she knew in her younger years. This voice belonged to that of Org, who was looking down toward her steadily as he started into the motions, "What we have gathered, based on the interviews and the data that the Council collected for itself- is that this Mage, Mordren- targeted the whole of Ishgar with the hopes of sending the country into chaos. He intended to overthrow the Balance between Light and Dark Magic, destroy this country, and overtake the continent- and eventually the world. All of this was spurred and set into action through an Ancient Rite that involved Members of what he called the 'Forces of Creation'; Ancient, powerful Magics that he believed more powerful than any other Magics in our world."

"And among these, Energy Magic- the Magic you as well as Mordren utilize- was to be involved in the Rite to decide if Light Magic shall rule over Dark Magic, or the other way around. The competitors to decide these had to be Mages who used Energy Magic- being yourself, Mordren, and your Former Student- Chase Laec." Org paused a moment,

"... In the conflict that followed, you and your student fell into battle with Mordren, at which your student was defeated at his hands and you were left alone to face him. This resulted in your sustaining several serious injuries, until at one point- you fell, and it seemed you were defeated."

When he killed me

"Mordren intended to turn his sights on his plan then- at which we have concluded that while he has been amassing a Spell over the continent the entire time while fighting you and your student- it was at the moment he believed to have beaten both of you that the surge in Tainted Ethernano we detected was released. Though we are unsure of what his intention was involving the ethernano- his plans were halted as you engaged him in battle again, and ultimately defeated him."

And nearly killed myself again in the process

"Does this sound an accurate description of what transpired?" Org asked steadily, Frea simply nodded just once.

"Very well, then let it be known that while we have officially charged you with suspicion to commit treason, and the endangerment of the lives of the people of this country- the true intent of this Hearing is to understand completely the events that transpired, and to judge your actions on the part of a crisis on a national scale- as justified or not." Org called out steadily, "While we have heard many versions and reasonings of this story, it has become clear the only one among what few were able to witness the events for themselves- that you are the only one who could possibly know the full extent of Mordren's plans and beliefs, and you are the only one who could accurately justify your actions against him."

"The truth of the matter is we didn't not fully understand what spurred Mordren into action, or even who he really is." This voice was owed to someone new, one of those she guessed a Wizard Saint and a man with clean-cut, black hair, a well-groomed, mustache, pointy ears, and a tattoo on his forehead that was reminiscent of a cross.

"Mordren is a Wizard of the likes that rivaled even that of Zeref- he was able to put the entire continent to sleep, including the Magic Council and the Members of the Wizard Saints. We were powerless to stop him from doing so, and what we have seen of his Power from the recordings, and the remnant traces of his Magic still clinging to the earth where he set foot- as impossible as it seems to even think, he could likely have rivaled the Power of the Wizard Saints, and every Mage in Ishgar combined." The man seemed to grimace at the thought, along with many of the other people listening. "It is hard to fathom someone with such Power could have appeared from nowhere- there is no record of Mordren in any legend nor history book we know of. He seems to have simply appeared from thin air, and did so- while nearly throwing the country into disaster in the span of an hour."

"It begs the question, that if such a powerful Mage could evade all mention in history and appear at a single instant- and cause what damage he did in so little time... Are we to fear another Mage of Mordren's caliber will appear in his quake? And what are we to make of these Forces of Creation he spoke of? Forces you and he belong to... And of which you hold knowledge that no one else does." Frea sweatdropped slightly, "It has become clear you hold insight into the things that Mordren spoke of, knowledge that no one other than he could possibly know. This fact has shed suspicion down upon you, and we ask that you be truthful in explaining what happened, how you are truly involved in full."

"Knowing that you hold knowledge of the same caliber as someone like Mordren also casts doubt on what we've been told of your injuries as well." Gran Doma took over again, his voice just short of a growl. "It is hard not to imagine tale of your injuries was a ruse to keep you from our hands so you might have longer to hide whatever true connection you had with Mordren, that might have made it clear you are just as much a threat as he is." he huffed, "Fairy Tail has been involved in so many incidents it is increasingly hard to imagine you are all as innocent in the conflicts as you claim to be."

"... It was explained to the Council what implications need be present in order for a Member of Corialein, of the country of Adgnei, to invoke the right of Druhma in our country." Saige spoke up now, his voice cool and giving absolutely no indication of knowing Frea outside of the remained collected, and neutral.

"Druhma's are not invoked unless an incredibly grim picture is painted, and in review of the recordings we have of the fight- it was clear you were indeed injured. Accounts by the other Guilds as well as your own collaborate with the claim you're injuries were so severe that you could not have possibly answered the Council's summons any sooner than now, whilst still keeping your health in mind." Saige tapped his fingers against the armrests of the chair he sat in, his orange eyes flashing. "Doubts however, on the truth of this fact have formed, given the Council has been barred from seeing you at all until this very moment- and without having seen your injuries for ourselves, seeing you standing here now after what's been told does not seem a likely story to many in the Council." He sighed, shaking his head just a little as he leaned back in his seat a bit more. If it was possible he did seem bored, though Frea wasn't sure if he really worse or it was just a face he put up.

"And given your past difficulties with the Council- taking you on your word will likely not be enough to convince the entire Council that you truly were acting apart from Mordren and his ideals- and are in fact, innocent of anything. More so, given what has already been said and established of Mordren's Power- it seems impossible to think you could have contended with the likes of him, lived through it, and still be here even just a month later and stand there looking nearly fine to our eyes." Saige murmured lowly, his orange eyes fixed on her as several other people grumbled and nodded in agreement to the idea.

Frea blinked up at him, her eyes narrowing a little. She supposed it made sense he would talk to her as if they had no prior connection, lest he be considered a 'conflict of interest', but he was being so neutral it almost sounded like he was among the ones who didn't believe her innocent of all suspension.

A stupid idea, since she was entirely sure he knew she'd done nothing wrong, like the Chairman and some of the Council were starting to wonder.

He smiled, ever so faintly and almost not at all as they held one another's eyes a few more seconds. She looked away from him,

... so he's expecting me to find a way to defend myself, then? With no help from him?

"None of you really know me well enough to understand this- but ask anyone in my Guild, and they'll tell you I have something of a talent for durability." Frea started lowly, "I've on many occasion dealt with injuries that would have put most people out of commission- and still kept on fighting, and moving regardless. I can try and accredit the reason I am standing here now to that durability, and assure you that I was really hurt that badly... But my word has never counted for much in Era, you're right. So I thought it'd better to let you just see the damage for yourselves instead."

The people assembled seemed to stiffen slightly, eyes wide and looking at her in question and confusion. Frea gestured upward toward the Council with a small flick of her hand, her other on her hip.

"I gave one of your workers a data-disc before coming in- made and sealed by Porlyusica, the physician who's been treating me since it all happened." Frea explained, "While you might not know her personally, I would be willing to bet near all of you have heard of her before. She's an excellent doctor, and a respected one too, regardless of your Guild or affiliation. While she was working to save my life after I fought with Mordren, she took Scans of my body and all of the injuries I received- that Scan was uploaded into the disc. I brought it so you could see with your own eyes, instead of just taking me at my word."

"Tch... Where is this disc?!" Gran Doma boomed, his attention snapping to his side as the Frog-Lady from before appeared on a floating Magic Circle, the disc in hand and looking shaken.

"Its still sealed, sir...!" She chirped, Gran Doma growled as he waved his hand and broke the seal himself in an instant.

Several balls of light flicked forward from the Frog-Lady's hand, and dropped in front of everyone in attendance above Frea, Magic flaring as the contents of the disc were displayed in front of every Council Member and every Wizard Saint individually.

Frea arms crossed over her chest as her eyes fell closed, above her the same image propped up- the 3D silhouette of a young woman's body, marked across on every inch of it by red and crimson of varying hues- injuries and wounds that showed notes and details on whatever got tapped on. A common enough Magical tool, a Scan- most hospitals used them, and it was common enough that every person in that hall knew exactly what they were seeing- and it was no less than an exact, near carbon copy of every single thing that had hurt Frea on that day, and showed in full just how badly.

Shock and disbelief bounced around the room incessantly in the next few minutes, with here and there a small, faint twinge of fear. There wasn't a single place they could find in that Scan that wasn't showing some sort of injury.

"... This is..."

"... Dear lord..."

"... These injuries... She should be dead..!"

"This can't be possible, surely..?"

"... I've never seen injuries so... So severe... And so many in one person..."

"Oh my..."

Saige leaned his cheek in his hand, his eyes scanning the Magic in front of him as he let out a small breath. It was one thing to hear about this, but another entirely to actually see the full extent... It was a hard thing to look at, he felt his heart clench at it and glanced around to see the terror and worry spark in most people in the room.

... A harsh plan to prove the point, Energess... But it's likely to work.

"Even with durability, strength, or luck... Porlyusica, Wendy and Sherria worked to heal me tirelessly. They've poured hours and weeks into trying put me back together after what happened, I'm alive thanks to their work, I'm here standing thanks to them... But don't make the mistake of thinking I'm 'fine' just because I look like it on the outside." Frea grumbled lowly, "I had your assistant make a copy of the Scan taken today, that's meant to make sure I'm not carrying any Magical Items or the like." She added, her eyes locking on Gran Doma as he scowled slightly. "To prove the point that those injuries are very real- and they're still not gone, even with a month of tireless work and effort and Healing Magic. You're lucky it's taken only a month to heal enough to be standing here for this damned Hearing. And I'm only here because I wanted to keep conflict with the Council down to a minimum."

The first image was replaced with the next one- the one taken not ten or fifteen minutes ago, and the people assembled went deadly quiet as they stared.

The wound that had bore a hole in her right thigh was still unhealed, even with her walking on it relatively fine. Her ribs were still cracked and fractured in places around her heart, her heart itself still injured- her lungs still bearing marks and tear, her muscles all over her body still strained farther and shallow fractures dotting too many bones to count, and many more than anyone would have liked. Her stomach still pulled across by stitches and raw underneath the clothes and the bandages- scar tissue that shone on the Scan all over her body where nobody could see it by just looking at her.

To be entirely honest, if anyone other than Frea had the wounds she still had even in that instant- they probably wouldn't have been up and walking around, and certainly not standing here in the middle of Era.

Jura grimaced, his arms crossing over his chest as he watched Frea carefully.

'... not quite healed all the way, you're right- but I should be fine to deal with this Hearing, as long as I don't do anything stupid... so please don't worry about it'

Something of an understatement he felt, 'not quite healed all the way'. Especially now, seeing for himself the extent of the damage still lingering even today, he couldn't imagine how she was actually feeling- she hid it so well.

"... She shouldn't be able to move with these injuries." One of the Council Members grumbled lowly,

"The amount of pain she must be in now... she must have an incredible amount of willpower." A man with a dark green beard, standing in the center hummed lowly, his eyes narrowed at the Scan a few more moments, before he cast a glance Frea's way.

"Hmm... to think someone like this has been hiding in Fairy Tail."

"I'm astounded she's standing here at all..."

"This... you cannot be serious...?!" Gran Doma stammered, sweatdropping heavily as Frea simply nodded once.

"I swear to you, there wasn't any other reason it took me so long to make it here. My injuries are the only thing that kept me away so long." Frea growled lowly,

"But do you expect us to believe you defeated someone so powerful through sheer force of will?" A different Council Member asked instantly. "How could you have defeated Mordren? You cannot possibly be that strong, we would have known far earlier than now. You cannot deny that you shared knowledge that he did also, even if your injuries kept you away- your actions and the things you said to him are still questionable."

"How are we to know you really did defeat him? And he's not simply in hiding?"

"If his Power rivaled that of the Wizard Saints, there is nearly no chance at all you could have bested him."

"And regardless of injuries- this 'evidence' does not condemn a life-time of questionable actions. It cannot simply be swept aside that you have been directly involved in so many controversial issues beforehand. You and that Guild have stood at the heart of so many dangerous things, from DeathBolt to Phantom Lord, the Tower of Heaven, Deliora, Grimoire Heart, Acnologia's sudden appearance- and now Mordren. Let's not forget what role you and Fairy Tail had to play in Kasumi the Key-Maker's plans, either." Gran Doma snapped lowly, his hand lifting his staff a little as he hit the end of it to the ground in agitation- and call for silence among the other Council Members talking all at once.

Frea hissed under her breath, her eyes flashing as her fists clenched a little at her sides.

Gran Doma of course had always been one of the most advent of adversaries against Fairy Tail as a whole- annoying as it was. But he was slowly starting to piss her off- more so at mention of Kasumi of all damned things.

"Was it not you who said you had been sent to Fairy Tail to grow stronger, and become a weapon for Kasumi's own plans?" He hissed, "How are we to trust anyone coming from a Guild that's been involved with so many Dark Wizards and Guilds?"

Frea growled under her breath, her eyes falling closed as she forced the fire in her soul to quiet down- the more angry she got the worse things were going to be... The more the Dark would swirl inside of her, the more painful it would get. There was a stab of pain that raced forward from her center and through her like a wave, earning a small flinch from her as she struggled to suppress it.

"How are we to trust you, knowing that Fairy Tail was directly involved in all of this mess, and countless, countless others?"

Frea's fangs ground down on one another, anger being enough in that instant to let her ignore the pain altogether.

"Tch... Let me make this perfectly clear, Gran Doma." Frea growled, her voice like ice as her eyes moved up and locked on him, blazing silver in the dim and dark of the room. "Fairy Tail as a Guild in itself, had absolutely nothing to do with what happened with Mordren, and they sure as hell had nothing to with what Kasumi did either."

"How do you say that when it was Fairy Tail you were sent to after the KeyMaker sealed those two Demon's of Zeref inside of you?" He shot back, Frea's hand swept out in a gesture for him to shut the hell up, and he instantly recoiled at the action.

"After Kasumi spent months torturing me and wearing my will down- she stuffed the souls of Winter and Shadow inside of me, and then threw me out into the world with little a care where I ended up!" Frea snapped hotly, "I could have ended up anywhere, I could have joined Lamia or Pegasus or even not joined a god-damn Guild at all!" Frea took a step forward, her fangs baring upward at him as her voice rose higher, colder.

"Her aim wasn't to send me to Fairy Tail to destroy them- what she wanted was to give those Demons time to consume me entirely, give them time to take over my body and meld their Magic with mine. If that happened by destroying the Guild or a few towns, she didn't give a damn! Her aim was to make me a weapon, so that when I finally did fall under the willpower of both Winter and Shadow- Kasumi could swoop into the picture again, snatch me up, turn me into a Key and use me against the Magic Council!"

Gran Doma recoiled from her direction, along with several other people as Frea went on, anger rising by the second but no less steely in her conviction.

"It never had anything to do with Fairy Tail! She snatched me up when I was alone and confused, broke me over and over and did it so she'd shatter my will enough that Winter and Shadow wouldn't have any trouble consuming me! She wanted to break me so I wouldn't be strong enough to keep the Demons away from murdering people, wanted them to take over my body and my Magic and combine it with theirs- all to make a Celestial Key with the Power of Two Demons of Zeref and one Energy Dragon Slayer!" Frea snarled, her eyes flashing as she growled lowly, dangerously. "She was interested in destroying the Magic Council, nothing else. Fairy Tail had no part in her motivations, so quit blaming them- especially when you should be thankful that Guild existed at all, and that I ended up there in the first place!"

She could see the people in the room go utterly still, eyes wide and rigid as they watched her below them, eyes burning and fangs bared.

"If I hadn't ended up in Fairy Tail, I can't believe I would have ever held against Winter and Shadow like I had. I could have just as easily been sent to wander between towns, losing my sanity and myself- until there was nothing left and those Demons won. If not for Fairy Tail, Kasumi would have had her damned Key- and several of you would be dead!"

Gran Doma was staring, sweatdropping heavily as he watched her anger blaze brighter, her words chilling him to the core along with many others- and for the first time, the Council was utterly silent.

"The same goes for what happened with Mordren!" Frea snapped coldly, "He didn't care about Fairy Tail! The only reason he brought the Guild up to that mountain was so the sadistic bastard could make them watch as he did his best to murder me and my student! All he wanted was to force them to witness it as he destroyed everything and everyone! You dragged me here to understand what happened, and why. You're questioning me, not my Guild- so leave them the hell out of this!" She snarled, her fangs bared still as she took another step forward- not two inches from the railing as her voice carried across the entirety of the chamber with incredible ease.

"I've spent my entire life trapped under the Council's goddamn scrutiny about every single damned thing I do- regardless of the very real truth that I have never willingly done anything that would threaten nor jeopardize the safety of you, or any innocent person in the whole of damned Fiore. I've fought tooth and nail countless of times to protect the people I love, and stop the people that actually were threats. I've given every single thing I have to keep hundreds of people safe, to make safe the things that got broken- I've been willing to die to make sure needless death and pain is avoided, and I have done it over and over again! I've fought for my Guild, I've fought for hundreds of innocent people and strangers I don't even know- I've fought to keep everyone safe and I did it without thought nor expectation of being praised or even fucking liked for it!"

Frea's hand swept up, her finger pointing straight at Gran Doma,

"And that includes the whole of the Council! I've by now gotten used to the idea you'll keep on doubting and questioning me, but don't you dare forget that I've never done anything but try and help people! Regardless of who they are or how much they piss me off!"

Her hand fell back, her eyes snapping away from him and toward Saige, who smirked faintly as their eyes met for half a second, before her attention snapped back toward the Council Member who had called into question the fact that she had beaten Mordren regardless of his Power outweighing that of the Wizard Saints.

"And if you're still doubting me based on idea of Magic Power, the it's probably time I give a little perspective on that too." Frea grumbled lowly, her eyes falling closed as she took in a quick, silent breath to try and calm down- but mostly to quell the unease that swirled inside of her at the very idea of admitting any of that, or this-

"I'm sure you recorded the Magical Output of those things you dubbed 'Magic Anomalies', right?" She asked lowly, "It's probably time you know, both of those were caused by me."

"W-what...?!"

"You're being serious..?!"

"I-impossible...!"

The Council Members gasped and flinched, eyes wide and sweatdropping heavily at the sudden admission.

"Both of those Spells, regardless of their massive stature- were not of the type to cause harm." Frea glanced up at the voice, finding the Wizard Saint with the odd tattoo on his forehead from before. He looked down at her steadily, not showing shock at the admission- a common theme among the other Wizard Saints in the room, she noted- or at least not outwardly. She felt small flickerings of surprise from them none-the-less,

"They were not meant for attack, while I noticed no change from the first- the day of the second there was a great disturbance in all Magic and the earth itself. Following that Spell, the world calmed and returned to its normal state." He went on, "If you are indeed responsible for such grand displays of Magic, I would ask that you explain what the Spells were intended for."

"The first one was... Overflow, of a Spell I used to turn someone into a Celestial Spirit." Frea replied slowly, "... She was dying, but she had a chance if I made her soul into that in a Celestial Key. I don't have the same Magic as Kasumi, or permission from the Celestial Spirit King nor Jynx as the authority of a GateSentry- so I had to force the Spell instead. I wasn't intending for it to grow so out of proportion at the time, nor for it to be so flashy either... but it was." She grumbled, the man blinked, his eyes narrowing slightly at the several words that would have probably meant literally nothing to him- but he didn't question them either.

"How ridiculous." A Council Member broke in instead, "That name you just mentioned- 'Jynx'. I recognize is at the name of a young girl who used to be a part of the Fairy Tail Guild, before her death over fifty years ago now."

"You're right." Frea replied flatly, not at all bothered by the interruption. "But Jynx was also a Master Spirit Mage when she died, so even though she technically died- she was able to stick around in the form of a Ghost, because of her Magic."

Or Soul, would be more accurate I suppose

"You expect us to believe that?"

Frea tilted her head to the side a little, her eyes narrowing slightly as she let out a small huff.

"Would you care to prove the point, Jynx?" Frea grumbled softly,

"If you think it will help, Energy Dragon."

The whole of the room went rigid, jumping at the sudden voice and eyes wide as they found that blur of deep purple that suddenly appeared beside the Energy Dragon Slayer. Jynx stood beside Frea, her hands hooked behind her back and face neutral and she glanced briefly from Frea and to the room around them, dipping her head to the others assembled farther up from them.

"Greetings, Council and Saints." Jynx murmured easily, "What Frea says is true, due to the nature of my Magic- death wasn't the end for me, as it is for many others. I remain here as an astral form of myself, and have continued to help my Guild Fairy Tail where needed of me." She glanced upward at Gran Doma, "You'll need to note, that I cannot be of any Physical Form, nor a Thought Projection- the warding you have placed on this Chamber keeps both unwanted visitors, and other forms of Magic out. It would not usually protect against me, however- as my Magic is rare. In this regard you'll see what has been told to you is quite true."

Jynx's eyes fell closed a moment as she let out a small sigh,

"If you need further evidence, however- I am sure Saint Warrod would be happy to confirm the reality of my existence and my Magic to you." Jynx added in lightly, almost in exasperation as everyone in the room blinked in surprise- including Frea.

Wait, what?

"Heh... indeed, I can vouch that she is who and what she says she is." Frea blinked, her ears catching the voice as she cast a sideways glance to the owner, her eyes narrowing slightly at someone who looked-

... like a tree...?

"This is indeed Jynx. I know her, and her Magic rather well." He hummed softly, smiling to himself with his eyes closed.

"Tch... Warrod, if you knew this girl you should have said something before now." The Saint with the green beard growled impatiently, Warrod smiled and shrugged.

"I wanted to see all of your reactions when she appeared." He answered lightly, Frea felt anger bubble from the other man in tandem with his Magic Power throbbing faster and stronger. She had to close her eyes against it,

She had a headache that was getting worse by the minute.

"Anyhow, please continue your explanation." Warrod chirped, motioning toward Frea as she let her eyes open again, sweatdropping slightly.

"... right..." Frea mumbled, grimacing slightly.

The dim grey-blue light of the room was drowned in green for a second as she glanced up toward Warrod, before looking away quickly to try and ignore it.

"... As I said, the first Spell was just to save my friends life." Frea backtracked, "Because I had to work hard to use a Spell and a Copy of Magic I'm not technically able to use, I ended up overextending the reach and visibility of my Magic- which is what ended in a massive beacon of Magic that so many people were able to see." She grimaced slightly, "... It wasn't my intention to expend that much Magic Energy, in the midst of the Spell I lost control over it, at least enough I didn't limit how far it grew out the Building I was in- and ended up wasting all the Magic Energy I had at the time."

"... what data was recorded of the Magical Pressure coming from your Spell was no small amount." The first Saint murmured, "... but it was nowhere near the Power that came with the Second one."

"So what was your second Spell intended to do?" the green-haired Saint asked lowly,

Jynx glanced upward, at Frea from the corner of her eye, her red gaze narrowing slightly when she noticed Frea shiver, just slightly.

"... are any of you familiar with Cosmic Souls?" Frea asked lowly, earning blinks of confusion from most people in the room, before a few of them nodded.

"I have heard the tale, in old documents and the like." Gran Doma grumbled, earning a nod of agreement from Org and many of the other Magic Council Seat Holders, and a few of the Wizard Saints- notably Jura.

"I am well aware of what they are, and what Power they hold." The Saint with the tattoo replied, his hands hooking behind his back.

"I am aware of what they are as well, though I've never cared to know more than the basis." The green-haired Saint grumbled lowly,

Frea supposed she shouldn't have been surprised that some among the Wizard Saints would know about it- they were Fiore's most powerful, and knowledgeable Wizards after all. They probably knew so much more than she ever could fathom.

Frea swallowed slightly, a shiver running down her spine and her body feeling like it as being pushed down upon by hundreds of weights hanging over her head like a cloud. She could feel the Power thrumming off the Wizards in the room getting thicker, washing over her more- more potent as what little ability she had to ignore them was being stripped away. It felt like the air was water, swirling like a huge ocean over hear head as the Magics and individual Energies started to muddle together without end-

"To sum it up for those who are unaware;" Warrod smiled, "There are two Mortal Persons alive at all times on Earth whose Souls are connected to, and contain the essence of both the Sun, and the Moon. They usually posses great power and Magic that connects to what power the Moon and Sun hold as Celestial Bodies, the ones known as Cosmic Souls are great and incredible Wizards. When one Cosmic Soul perishes, the essence of their Power passes on to another- and the next one to inherit the power is known as Cosmic Soul. This cycle continues, so there is always two Cosmic Souls in the world at a time."

"Though commonly seen as nothing but a myth, these individuals are very real." Saige broke in next, his orange eyes flashing as several people looked appalled at the confirmation. His eyes did not find them though, his attention was fixed onto Frea as her hand lift, and came to a halt as she held the back of her neck- her eyes closed and silent for a second. He frowned a little, his eyes glittering as he let out a silent breath,

Jynx sweatdropped a little, her eyes softening a little when she noticed the faint traces of discomfort appear in Frea's expression for a few moments,

"... unbeknownst to Frea, the woman who's life she saved by turning her into a Celestial Spirit was one such Cosmic Soul- for the Sun specifically." Jynx started, her eyes moving from the Energy Dragon Slayer to the assembled. Frea felt the breath catch in her throat though,

What does she mean... unbeknownst to me?

Frea shot Jynx a narrowed look, the thought striking her out of nowhere.

... Jynx... Jynx is the Seleyn... is there any way she wouldn't have known Solana was a Cosmic Soul from the start?

"Human's are mortal beings, but Celestial Spirits are not. Converting that mortal Cosmic Soul into a the Soul of a Celestial Spirit broke what connection there is between the life-energy of the Cosmic Soul, and the Cosmic Power they represent. This severed the mortal connection our world has to the Sun, and upset the Balance between their Power to the point that our world and reality started to crumble." Jynx continued, oblivious of the look Frea cast down toward her.

"That is what was happening, that day of the Second Magical Anomaly." The Saint murmured lowly, already piecing together the details. "Magic everywhere was acting strange, plants were dying, the earth began to rumble, the sky tore open... disaster that was felt everywhere, and by everyone."

Warrod, Saige, Jura and the other Wizard Saints nodded slightly in agreement, the Magic Council Seat Holders rigid and on edge as the reality of that day was laid bare before them.

"... such disaster... and at it's core, caused because of you." Org murmured softly, his eyes landing on Frea as she let her hand fall away from holding the back of her neck, her silver eyes opening halfway as she grimaced slightly.

"... I won't deny it was my fault." Frea replied softly, "... I knew that from the second I realized what had gone wrong- I knew I had to find some way to fix it, anything to fix it... so that's what that second Spell did. It was on a larger scale than the first one, and needed more Power poured into it than the first one too... and it's essence was to mend the Balance in Nature that had been shattered, so it had to be on a massive scale to compare with what it needed to do."

"But how could you have fixed something so beyond this world?" was the immediate question, "The Powers you played with are on a scale far beyond you, and likely anyone!"

"... I did have help." Frea admitted, her head tilting toward Jynx beside her. "And as it is, my Magic isn't really like other Magics... to be honest with you, Energy Magic has thus far proven it can do a lot of impossible things, if you can handle the backlash of it. And the inner-workings of it are still fairly out of my ability to understand... at least all the way..."

She swallowed, her eyes falling closed when visage of a pale, magnificent creature with lavender eyes suddenly formed in her mind- breaking her heart a few more times in seconds.

"... As for what we did, Jynx used her Magic to anchor myself, and the two Cosmic Souls in a section of reality that sits between our normal reality and that of the Spirit World. From there, we merged our Magics so I could lock onto the Energy Signatures of both the Cosmic Souls, and whatever Energy Signatures the Sun and Moon have in themselves." Frea murmured, her hands lifting slightly as she traced her hands in air, creating invisible lines between four separate points, her eyes glittering. "... I had snapped the ties between the Cosmic Soul for the Sun without knowing it, and the shock of that snapped the tie between the Moon and the Sun themselves... while also fracturing the tie between the Moon and it's Cosmic Soul to the point they were unable to control their own power."

She drew her finger between two points in three different directions, grimacing a little at the memory.

"... I had to use my Magic and meld it with Jynx's to weave new connections between the Cosmic Souls and their Celestial Body in turn, using our Magic to twist and tie a Magical line between their Energies, Powers... and Souls." Frea went on softly, her hand halting a moment as her eyes fell closed. "... but with the connections needing to span across our reality, and the Spirit World, they were way too unstable on their own to just make and drop them where they were... they weren't strong enough to hold on their own, so I connected them all together, and then bridged them through my own body to make them stable enough."

Frea's hand fell lightly on her chest,

"... in essence I made myself the pathway spanning between the one Cosmic Soul in the Spirit World, and the other Cosmic Soul here in the Mortal World." She mumbled, sweatdropping a little more.

There were emotions flashing from the people in the room, but everything was jumbling so much and so overwhelming she couldn't tell what they were- and they just made her feel dizzy.

"... To accomplish that, I made a Spell on the spot, and made sure that even while I was bridging that connection through myself- I also made sure that in time the connection wouldn't have to rely on me to stay stable in the future- it would grow strong enough on it's own in time. That way when I died the connections wouldn't shatter again, and the Balance wouldn't follow it."

Which seeing as how she actually had died, that connection was gone. What little of it that had been left she used up when All Magic kicked in, and her Spell that day to fix the Balance was clearly working as it needed- the world wasn't falling apart around her any more than it was with just... her life, specifically.

"... following what happened with Mordren, that connection to me is already broken and gone. My Spell held up, regardless of everything... And I'm completely sure the connections won't break again." Frea's hand fell back down to her side as she finally let her eyes trail back up to those listening in such deathly silence.

"As you can probably imagine, any Spell that would manage all of that, had to be massive. That's why it spanned the country, and that's why so many people saw it." Frea finished softly, beside her Jynx nodded in affirmation of the story.

There was silence in that chamber for minutes that felt longer than they were, all eyes riveted on her, a mix of shocked and serious faces, of those blown away by the recant of the events- and those humbled by it.

This woman...

... she's being completely serious.

The Power she must have, the sheer skill...

... Everything she's said is the truth, she's not lying about any of it.

How has a Mage capable of something like that, remained unseen until now?

Frea took a small step to the side, her shoulders stiffening as she felt the Power on the air weigh about five times heavier out of nowhere, her eyes snapping shut against the headache and the dizziness.

"In completing that Spell, Frea managed to restore Balance into this world, and avert what disaster was sure to follow has she not." Jynx murmured, her eyes flashing as she sighed. "But since you seem quick to place blame on her for the situation, I think I had best mention that if it is to be anyone's fault for the situation- that fault lies with me, not her." Frea's eyes cracked open, biting down on the inside of her cheek as she looked down toward the Spirit.

So she did know

"I was aware of the fact that Soul she would be turning to Spirit was a Cosmic Soul, though I never disclosed that information to her." Jynx murmured evenly, "I had mistakenly believed that the connections between the Souls would hold against the shift, but I was wrong. For the situation coming about, that it my fault more than hers... and I am lucky she was able to fix it." Jynx let her red eyes rest steadily on the Chairman straight ahead of her, before sweeping her attention out among those still listening in utter silence.

"If the point has not been made clear, the Mage standing before you is perhaps one of the most Powerful I have ever come to see. Both feats involving the Balance Shift and the Cosmic Souls are incredible, impossible things that she handled with exemplary skill and strength. She has exceeded my expectations time and time again, and proved me wrong at every turn where I believed she could not accomplish something- and her victory against the sheer Power of the Energy God Slayer Mordren has shattered what I thought I understood of true Power." Jynx said steadily, her voice carrying easily despite how calmly she said the words. "... I have seen her master Magics beyond the scope of mortality, and contend with adversaries that would rival the strength of this Council. I have seen her commit to incredible feats... and I have seen her stand tall and fast against a man more God than Mortal. A God whose evil and sheer potency, that would put Zeref to shame- and a God she slayed with her own hands and Power. All while the rest of the world remained crushed and immobilized under his Will, powerless."

"All foes and forces she's battled against, with no more reason than to ensure the safety of every single person. I've never seen anyone more dedicated to protecting life, and light- than her. I have never found a single reason to doubt her actions, nor her convictions- in all this world there is not a single person I would trust more to remain as fair and just against every sort of evil and darkness."

Frea's jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing to slits as she stared down at her feet.

Jynx wasn't just posturing for appearance nor arguments sake- while she was surely trying to convince the Council she was telling the truth, and was capable without a doubt of beating Mordren- that damned Ghost was making a point, and it was being made directly at her.

... damn it... she's making a point to say it out loud... that she trusts me not to lose it... not to go... dark... and she's declaring in front of the most Powerful Wizards in the country, that's how sure she wants me to realize she is...

"There is nothing she has ever done, nor would ever do that would jeopardize the safety of this Council, nor this Country." Jynx murmured lowly,

Saige tapped his chin in his hand, his orange eyes falling closed. So, Energess... even the Seleyn believes you can keep from Falling... does her declaring it now mean you haven't been convinced yet, then?

He cracked one eye open, immediately seeing the way that said Dragon Slayer was growing more tense by the minute, even with how much she tried to hide it.

... is that fear making you uneasy, or it is having so many Powerful Wizards around you, their Magic pounding at your Senses...?

Frea swallowed, hard. She was getting dizzier, the Magic weighing down on her shoulders, and her senses and her head was getting thicker, stronger- she couldn't begin to understand why, it was all just such a jumbled mess. She shut her eyes to avoid seeing the wash of multi-color that was swirling like a river in front of her eyes,

... tch... everybody keeping on telling me... over and over... that I won't... damn it... why is it so easy for them to believe it?

So much Energy pounding at her on all sides, it was nauseating, maddening. She was finding it harder to keep breathing properly, keep herself composed enough- all she wanted was to get the hell out of this room and away from being right in the center of so many ridiculously, insanely powerful people.

"... this is all... completely unexpected." The Chairman managed to find his words at last, "... the implications of any of this... is just-"

Frea never heard a word he said, she was trapped in her head trying to settle her nerves that were quickly growing to an all-time high, her heartrate picking up in tandem with the crushing weight and pounding against her skull and body- it was just getting worse, in seconds, and why the hell would it be?! It was all so mixed up and jumbled up she couldn't make sense of any of it at all!

Her eyes snapped open, her body going rigid as she heart skipped a beat- her breath catching in her throat.

She felt it, it rammed into her like a giant hammer, power of insane measure that struck straight through her body, invisible waves of sheer pressure that made her bristle, her eyes wide and her jaw snapping shut involuntarily, her blood running cold as sheer terror hit her square on- she couldn't breathe, she couldn't even move as her head snapped up and her eyes locked onto the source of so much stifling power- and they were not a inch in front of her face.

The world shuddered to a grinding halt on that instant, her silver gaze locking with a sheer black one- belonging to a man with long, tied-back orange hair and bearing a scar over the bridge of his nose. He was dressed in fanciful white, black, and red robes- a large wheel of blades strapped to his back in the shape of wheel. He smirked, balancing easily on the railing just in front of Frea- elbows on his knees as he bent down, balancing on balls of his feet and leaning in close enough she could feel his breath wash up against her face.

W-Where in the.. hell...?!

"So, you're supposed to be a Dragon Slayer powerful enough to slay a 'God', huh?" He smiled, his eyes flashing as he inched in a little closer, his nose brushing up against hers as a shadow fell over his face- Frea couldn't move,

"You've got all these Old Timer's shaking in their boots, impressive!" He laughed, his smile widening into something sharper, more twisted. Frea felt her heart drop into the pits of her stomach,

"But all Dragon Slayer's pale in comparison to me- let's see how well you hold up against a true God," His hands moved from his elbows, Frea nearly flinched backward at the sheer rise in Power from someone already thrumming with so much.

"A Dragon God!"

Her sudden stillness shattered in the instant she sucked in a short, frantic breath- her feet immediately pushing her backward away from him as far and as fast as she could possibly manage. What slowness that had wrapped up the few seconds of him suddenly appearing was shattered as time sped up on ultra high- her heart and blood pounding in her ears as she watched him jump from his perch, hands swinging out around him and the air buzzing so loudly it was deafening on her ears.

"Serena!"

She had absolutely no idea who shouted the name in the next instant, their voice nearly got cancelled out altogether as the strange man with the orange hair smiled wildly- his Magic Power was... she...

"Sea King Dragon's:" He called, the sound of frothing water falling heavy on Frea's ears as water sprung up around him in mass; towering over far over his head as he jumped forward toward her, water dark and cold-

Frea felt her muscles lock, eyes wide and her body shaking out of sheer reaction- her heart beating frantically as she felt pure terror hit her harder than it ever had before.

"Encircling Deluge!"

The water rushed out toward her, its dark, freezing depths blocking out what little light was in the room at all, moving to encircle her one all sides, swirling, frothing, roaring- she could smell death and decay heavy on the waves. Feel their hunger as they moved to crash down over her head, pull her under into the pitch black, her lungs aching for air. Drowning over and over again-

Her body was shaking violently, her breathing ragged as all hell as she watched the waves move in on all sides- and she was frozen to the spot, already feeling herself suffocating, feeling the chill that ran so deeply she was numb and in so much pain all at once- ripped up and down out of the water into the air before being plunged underneath again, water filling her lungs and crushing her.

She was suddenly in the Reach again

I... i-I can't... move...i... I'm d-drowning...

She was panicking, her body frozen and shaking so much she couldn't have possibly been standing- terror and sheer fear of a caliber beyond even Mordren hitting her full force in seconds.

B-but... how the hell can... I even... the Reach....

She sucked in a quick breath, her heart leaping when the scent of death and decay vanished in an instant- enough she felt herself start moving, her mind racing and adrenaline pumping on an all time high in tandem with the panic that set in so deeply. She wasn't even thinking, she lashed out- her eyes shutting tight without her wanting them to, as she willed the water to stay back.

She hardly even noticed the pain that spread upward through every inch of her body, burning, bright, red-hot agony that raced through her as she swung her arms forward without even thinking about doing so-

The dim of the room shattered as silver rushed up from the center of the torrent of churning water- the dazzling, bright glow burning cold and powerful- sweeping upward around Frea and cutting clean through the water, tearing every single portion of it into pieces. Sending it spiraling out around her in a thin mist, the tiny specks of moisture dazzling and bouncing with silver light as Frea's eyes locked onto Serena, her hands rushing out toward him as the air shook violently with the sheer Magical Pressure that erupted from her in seconds.

Silver rushed forward in a wild, spinning silver and white vortex of sheer force- ramming straight into Serena with enough power that air rushed out around the room from the impact with his body alone.

He was blown backward in a single second, his body breaking clean through the railing and through the wall across from it with a deafening boom, Frea panting as she stood in her place, her body shaking as wisps of silver faded into none-existence around her.

Wizard Saints and Council Members alike went still, the sudden conflict starting and ending in only a few seconds- eyes wide and jaws dropping as they watched Serena get blown backward and through a hole in the wall.

"S-she...?!"

"She hit him?!"

"His Magic didn't even touch her, she destroyed it so easily...?!"

"She sent God Serena flying with one hit?!"

Frea blinked, time and reality rushing back up to her and her mind clearing in an instant- she cringed, her jaw snapping shut as she winced, her body stiffening as the pain made it through the haze of panic that had gripped her so tightly. She doubled over slightly, hissing as she felt the pain recede only a little- but her arms were burning, with her leg and stomach throbbing terribly.

She wasn't supposed to use Magic, her body wasn't near ready to handle using Magic- and certainly not as much as she just used in the course of only a few seconds. She'd been devoid of Magic for a month- and it all slammed into her right then, rushing through her like a blazing fire and she wasn't ready for it's ferocity, at all.

She felt herself struggling to quell the sudden surge of awakened power in an instant.

S-shit...!

What had she been thinking-?!

She bit down on her tongue, she hadn't been thinking- she lashed out without thinking at all, her body reacted on it's own out of terror. Terror because-

A bead of sweat fell down her face as she struggled to settle her breathing, or quit her shaking.

... It was like... I was back.. in the Reach...

"Are you alright..?!" Jynx was at her side in an instant, red eyes glittering as she looked up at a very clearly in pain Energy Dragon Slayer- who hardly even heard her ask a question. Frea was too wrapped up in trying to settle how wild her own Magic felt to her all of a sudden, like it wanted to break free- rush through her,

... it felt almost exactly like it had when she lost control of it, using All Magic..fuck.

"You actually hit me!"

Frea's eyes snapped open, her fangs grinding down on one another when she felt his Magic rise again- heard his voice, and flinched the instant she felt him close again. He'd leapt back into the room and out of what hole she had used him to make, smiling widely and looking excited as ever as he moved too quickly for even Frea to see him so do-

He didn't look like he had a scratch on him!

"Let's see you destroy this attack so easily!"

"Cavern Dragon's Earth Destruction!"

Frea flinched,

That's an entirely different sort of Dragon Slayer Magic...!?

Jynx stepped in front of Frea, her hands clapping in front of her as a burst of deep black and purple materialized- colliding head on with the floor as it ruptured under their feet, before it imploded under the force and Frea flinched- already having moved push herself backward and to put distance between herself and the attack. She didn't see Jynx fade into a haze,

She yelped lowly, her right leg buckling underneath her as she landed on it again- tilting back as she lost her balance and tensing up, knowing full well she was about to hit the floor.

The floor rumbled underfoot as dozens of pillars of stone shot upward from the ground and collided with the wave of destruction heading toward her from Serena's attack- halting it with a series of booms as she stumbled backward into another pillar of stone that had shot up behind her- stopping her fall.

"Are you alright?" Jura asked quickly, his tone low and urgent as he cast a glance behind him toward her, he'd moved from his place in the stands and placed himself between her and Serena just as Jynx had- it was his Magic that had halted the second attack, and saved her from hitting the floor.

She hissed, steadying herself against the stone and growling, waiting for her leg to listen enough to let her stand on it, before stepping away from it. She held her stomach with one arm, her body shaking and panting as she growled again-

"... f..fine.." She panted lowly, Jura grimaced slightly at the answer that was not at all convincing.

"Did I say you could bud in?" Serena snapped impatiently, suddenly having moved to stand on what little was left on the railing to Frea's left- avoiding Jura altogether. "You look out of breath, little Dragon Slayer. Is that all you have for me? Just one attack?" He lift his hand, his palm sparking with fire out of nowhere. "I wanna see all you've got, you can't just hide behind baldy here-"

Frea and Jura both recoiled a little, eyes wide and rigid as Serena broke off- the air shaking with one, high pitched burst of air as some invisible, insane amount of force rammed into the side of Serena's face and propelled him straight across the walkway to smash into the doors, knocking them off their hinges.

".. what the...?" Frea breathed, hardly aware of the fact that Jura moved to stand at her shoulder- her eyes were locked to where Serena was lying among the rubble of the doors. Where did that attack even come from?!

Serena jumped up onto his feet, scowling slightly as his cheek bruised a little- his hands rising above his head in animated fashion.

"What the hell you damned Geezer?!"

Frea stepped back a little, her leg shooting pain up through the rest of her body as she struggled not to tilt because of it, Jura's hands had moved up without warning to steady her before she did fall over. Her eyes didn't find him, though, they reflected the sudden wash of fire that Serena sent hurtling their way in sheer annoyance,

She went still, her eyes darting downward away from the Magic to see that someone else had popped up out of nowhere between the attack and both she and Jura.

Old Geezer...

Saige stood calmly in front of them, his back to her and facing the incoming wash of fire without any shred of nervousness. He lift his hand, his finger extended as he drew across the air before him- a line of glowing golden runes following his lead,

"Forgive me, I am about to add to your headache, Energess." Saige murmured calmly, throwing the apology over his shoulder and toward her without ever looking her way.

"Release."

He snapped his fingers, and Frea took a small step backward, her eyes snapping shut against as she ended up leaning more onto Jura than she would like. An icy chill running through her core as suddenly an immense, choking wave of Magic Energy suddenly rammed into her, and the Magical buzz that he always had, suddenly turning into waves of unbelievable power, and shook her to the core- the Magical Pressure from Saige and Serena alike couldn't have been so different in power.

"Ontai." Saige said one word, one incredibly foreign word in the time and place of Fiore and the present-time,

A shimmering wall of gold sprung up from the runes, the fire smashing against it with a heavy boom as wind blew upward to wash over Frea, Saige and Jura all- cold air.

Frea sweatdropped heavily, her eyes fixed on Saige's back as she shivered involuntarily.

He... one word and he channeled the fire through that wall into cold air... how in the hell... didn't he say he's only the 6th Seat in the Wizard Saints...?!

Saige waved his hand, the wall dispersing as the fire died entirely- his orange eyes locking ahead on a very disgruntled looking Serena.

"Enough, Serena. You've had your fun." Saige grumbled lowly,

"Come on, I just wanted to test this Dragon Slayer out for myself, Old Man." Serena huffed, "She's supposed to be a big-shot right? She's got all of you old-timers with your panties in a twist~!" He smiled widely, his hands waving about in motion as Saige sighed.

"... if you had bothered to arrive on time, you would know well enough she's not in any condition to be fighting you." Saige replied evenly, "It does you no good to fight someone so seriously injured, and not at their full potential- wouldn't you agree?" Serena blinked, eyebrow quirking as he glanced from Saige toward Frea, who held his stare as well as she could manage- though to be entirely honest the room was spinning more and more by the second.

Serena's nose twitched slightly, eyes widening a little as his head tilted to the side.

"Heh, I can smell it now." He grumbled, shrugging as she shook his head. "Fine then, spoil sport." He smirked, "-it's not like she stood much of a chance anyway~!"

"Enough with the boasting, Serena." The Wizard Saint with the tattoo grumbled lowly,

"Why are you here?" The green-haired one grumbled, Serena smiled.

"The Wizard Saints were summoned, right?" Serena replied brightly, "And I am the Number One Seat~"

Frea stiffened, what?!

"We did not expect you make an appearance." both of those previous Wizard Saints said in unison, Serena smirked.

"Well, once I heard you were questioning the little Dragon Slayer who fought against that fake 'God', I had to see what all the commotion was about." Serena replied all too easily,

"God Serena, this is a Hearing- not opportunity for you to test the skills of someone who caught your eye." Gran Doma growled lowly, "Your behavior cannot be so easily condoned." Serena shrugged again,

"Are you going to stop me, Chairman?" He replied, his tone dropping slightly as the Council Members seemed to stiffen at what was definitely a threat.

"Tch... I would advise you to quit this foolishness now." The green-haired Saint growled lowly, very clearly unhappy with what had gone on. Serena waved a hand at him in the most nonchalant manner, his eyes falling on Frea as he smirked.

"Well then, Little Dragon Slayer- brief as it was, that was interesting to see." He smirked, "You're not bad- but you're definitely nowhere near as good as me. I got what I came for- I don't plan on sticking around for the boring political bullshit." Serena waved a hand at the rest of everybody else he clearly didn't give a damn about, not whether or not he pissed them off, and certainly didn't give a damn about what he had done either.

"Later~"

He was gone in seconds, the air on Frea's shoulders and lungs suddenly weighing about a million pounds lighter- the relief smacking into her so hard she let out a heavy breath, trying to settle herself down.

She hissed, her jaw clenching against the sudden stab of pain that raced up from her core- icy, chilling agony that clashed with the burning, prickling sensation that lingered through her arms now after her Magic surged- her hand around Jura's arm tightened without her meaning for it to, her eyes closing as she waited for it to die down- her free arm held tightly around her stomach as she winced agian. Jura was still holding her up more than she was herself, she was just shaking too much, her head whirling without end, hardly able to focus let alone breathe properly.

"... that damn boy."

"God Serena... what the hell was he thinking..."

"... Saige even bothered to step in, that's unlike him."

"What a mess." Saige grumbled under his breath, his hand tracing another rune in front of him, before it popped- "Vellus." He murmured, Frea let out a shaky sigh when the pressure on the air died down a little more. Saige glanced back toward her, his orange eyes narrowed as he saw her shaking, face tight in pain and discomfort as she leaned against Jura- who had both arms holding on to her, face grim and serious.

"... Frea..." Jura grumbled, Saige sweatdropped slightly.

He turned, stepping forward a few paces as he glanced up at Gran Doma, his face lacking the bored neutrality and looking quite tense.

"Thank you, for putting an end to this nonsense quickly, Balthan." Gran Doma murmured, Saige nodded just once.

"May I suggest we take a break?" Saige murmured lowly, "- time enough to settle down, and clean up this mess, before continuing forward in this Hearing?"

Somehow that sounded less a request, and more an order.

Gran Doma grimaced slightly, his eyes flicking from Saige to the destruction, then over to the Energy Dragon Slayer who seemed hardly caring of what was being said nor done around her.

"... very well."

---

What the hell just happened?

Frea growled under her breath, her hands linked tightly together between her knees as she leaned over and let her elbows rest between them too. She had stopped shaking by now, her breathing easing too and the pain dulling enough to be something manageable- to be entirely honest, if she hadn't taken that Potion Porlyusica had made this morning, she couldn't imagine she'd have managed it through all of that as well as she had... and even now she felt like crap because of it.

Jura was hovering slightly on her left, his hand on the back of the chair as he watched her silently- he'd kept a steady hold on her arm as Saige ushered both him and herself out of the chamber and down the hall a ways to a side room bordered by the railing that looked over the city far, far below Era. He'd twirled his finger in air and erected a chair before softly ordering her to sit down in it- she didn't argue, her leg was killing her now more than even the burning in her arms and the throbbing all over her body... but slowly she felt the wound in her stomach starting to throb nearly as badly as her leg was- she thought maybe a stitch or two might have pulled.

Her dizziness had faded, while her head hurt too- it felt much better to be out of the room.

She'd moved too much, too fast- she'd used so much Magic in the course of a few seconds and her body was groaning under the pressure immediately. She could only guess she'd left some damage, somewhere- and maybe even everywhere. Small, little tears in the muscle, under the skin, small, new cracks in the bone... something, she'd overextended herself and what her body could handle and she was still pushing back against the Magic that wanted to grow wild, out of control- the more she pushed back against it, the more often she felt pain rush through her, the cold getting just a little worse at her center.

And she hadn't even thought about it in the moment, she lashed out without thinking and her Magic took over in the quake of her own fear.

Her hands pressed together a bit more tightly, her jaw clenching a little as she brought them up and pressed her forehead against them.

... the instant he used his Magic, that water... I froze.

She bit the inside of her cheek hard enough to draw blood.

... after all that time... did what happened in the Reach really leave that deep a scar on me...?

"... are you feeling alright?" Jura asked softly after a few minutes of sitting in silence to let her gain her bearings again. Frea nodded slightly, her hands falling into her lap again as she sat up a little straighter,

"... yeah, sorry." She murmured, "... that was a little too much excitement all at once... but I'm ok, now that I've calmed down." She smiled slightly, casting it his way with a small nod. "Thank you, for your help."

Jura sweatdropped slightly, his shoulders sagging as he sighed quietly. Her assurance did little, especially since he could see she'd grown paler, and more tired after all of that- and she was clearly still in a bit of pain, though she was getting rid of the evidence of that rather quickly.

"I must apologize, for not acting quicker once Serena arrived." He murmured lowly, Frea blinked. "I gave Makarov my word I would keep an eye on you, and yet you were still forced to retaliate regardless of your injuries."

"Hmm.. I feel I should apologize as well- I honestly had not expected him to appear at all, let alone do something so stupid." Saige grumbled, his arms crossed about his chest and eyes closed where he was standing a few paces in front of Frea, Jynx silent and tense beside him. "This should not have happened, he's made things difficult... damned brat."

Frea sweatdropped a little, her eyes softening slightly as she sighed.

"... neither of you need to apologize. You did step in and save me from actually getting hit." Frea murmured softly,

"Regardless of that, we were not fast enough to spare you from having to use your Magic." Saige said flatly, his orange eyes opening as he gave her a pointed look. "... I am impressed, that after a month of using no Magic at all- you managed to fend off Serena's attack, and land such a powerful blow." He grimaced slightly, looking a slight bit annoyed as Frea blinked at the look.

"You are lucky your Magic will need time to reach it's full potential again, otherwise using the Magic like you did just now would have done more than sting." He snapped lowly, Frea stiffened in surprise at how harsh his tone got out of nowhere. "The level of Magic you just used could have easily broken bones, or worse- it's a miracle you haven't done anything other than stress your body enough that it hurt, but not left it more broken." He huffed hotly, Frea felt her heart jump a little.

Wait- so I didn't do anything other than overexert myself just now? How does he sound so sure of that?

He hissed, looking annoyed as he waved his hand in front of him, a sudden shimmer of gold between him and her in the shape of a thin screen appearing. Frea blinked, she hadn't even noticed him conjure it up- nor realized he was using Magic at all, she'd been too busy trying to calm herself down.

"- I don't see any new injuries, following your actions." He grumbled hotly, answering her question about how he knew she had managed not to hurt herself anymore. The screen of pale gold disappeared as his hands fell on his hips, Frea heard Jura and Jynx alike let out small, quiet sighs of relief at the confirmation. "Though do not be surprised when you wake up tomorrow and can hardly move. You'll likely feel like you were hit by a train, with how much stress you just put yourself under." He grumbled hotly, Frea felt her heart drop a little, frowning a little uneasily.

... I can imagine... once the Potion Porlyusica gave me wears off... I'm going to feel like such hell...

Speaking of Porlyusica- if the Old Lady found out that she used Magic at all, she was going to make good on her promise for locking Frea in the Infirmary for a month.

"- and you are managing to keep your Magic under control, at least for now." Saige said flatly, continuing on in what was starting to sound like he was lecturing her.

Though Saige said nothing of it, he could easily see that keeping her Magic pushed down was becoming something of a chore for her regardless anyway. He could imagine it was something to adjust to, seeing as how she probably hadn't felt any Magic Energy in her body for a month- and surely hadn't been using Magic at all for that amount of time. Her actions against Serena had awakened what Magic had been lying dormant inside of her, having been wounded so seriously, and using every ounce of strength to battle Mordren. That Magic in itself was powerful, and much more powerful than she was used to- she had broken down what barriers were in her Magic from before, and now all that used to be untapped ability she had let loose in her fight would start rising, and getting stronger, now she had ignited the flame again.

And because she had let loose this Power in so little time, and not time enough to adjust to it- it was going to be very hard to keep managed. A thing he had told her before and something that nagged him all the time. But for the moment, he let that idea be, and turned to letting his annoyance show quite clearly-

"- but you lost control when you countered against Serena." He growled lowly, earning a small grimace from Frea.

He is lecturing me

"Barring how foolish it was to use Magic at all- you overdid it even more so. I know as well as you do, that you could have easily just put up a Shield and saved yourself getting hit." Saige snapped curtly, "There was no need for your Magic to go so far as to completely destroy his attack, and there was absolutely no reason to let it send him through a wall." His eyes flashed as Frea deflated a little under the stare, "You lost control of your Magic and your actions. You lashed out without thinking, and that is precisely when your Magic will grow on it's own, and become too wild for you to damper it down- wild enough it could injure you as it did when you fought against Mordren."

Frea swallowed slightly, her shoulders tightening a little as her eyes fall from him and into her lap. He was right, of course- if she hadn't frozen, gotten so worked up and panicked- she would have likely just put up a shield, and certainly never let her Magic rise to the point of obliterating Serena's Magic like she had.

That water

Jura was watching in slightly taken aback silence, his eyes wide and staring at the familiar figure of Saige Balthan- fellow Wizard Saint, and always so calm and collected he usually seemed unbearably bored with the world and other people. Among the other Wizard Saints, Saige was the one with little motivation and most of the time- seemingly little interest in being a Saint or a Mage at all. There had never been any occasion Saige had been anything but stoic, he didn't care to strike conversation with people unless absolutely necessary- he seemed absolutely content to staying apart from everyone.

But now that same utterly stoic, and anomic man was standing in front of Frea, agitated and with the annoyance of someone scolding a small child. This was the most interest Jura had ever seen Saige have in anyone or anything,

"Tch... Energess' and their foolishness, I swear." Saige hissed lowly, the man absolutely steaming as Frea blinked at him. He wasn't looking at her now, he had turned away and pinched the bridge of his nose, "... always doing rash things, always trouble... and now I have much less time than I was hoping for. One would think for someone capable of holding enough control over forces spanning the Clear and the Crossroads, you'd actually be able to manage to control yourself, bloody girl!"

Frea perked slightly, and Jynx did too- eyes wide and staring at Saige as if he was some incredibly foreign beast.

The Clear and the Crossroads

".. heh...?" Jynx breathed, Frea was reeling a little too- because those names were familiar.

W-wait... how much does this Old Geezer actually know about.. everything...?!

Saige forced a breath, shaking his head and muttering under his breath things too low for even Frea to hear them for a few seconds. Saige eventually trailed off, and let his head tilt back, his eyes closed and looking agitated still- Frea's head had cleared enough she could feel his annoyance with ease.

"... hmm... puddles and storm-fools..." He grumbled, the odd words making Frea's head tilt. Saige blinked his eyes open, casting her a narrowed sideways glance as he let out a hot breath, before pointing a finger at her in agitation.

"I am rescinding your ability to choose, Energess." He said flatly, and completely out of nowhere and all context Frea's mouth fell open to ask what he meant- he never gave her a chance to ask anything, though. "Sit still and wait here until you are called, I have things I need to see to now." He ordered sharply, Frea blinking in stunned surprise as Saige lift that same hand, twirled his finger in air- and promptly vanished from all sight as Magic spiraled up around him.

She found herself staring at the place had previously been standing, her mind having a hard time coming up with what happened- because what?

Silence settled between the three of them that were left as Frea deflated a little, eyes narrowing as she struggled to make sense of how he'd reacted (scolding her!), how agitated he seemed, how the hell he knew what the Clear and the Crossroads were- what did he mean, she's not allowed to choose?! Choose what?!

"Energy Dragon..." Jynx mumbled, looking just as about as lost as Jura did, and Frea too. "... who is that man?"

"... Saige... Wizard Saint... but... I don't really know..." Frea grumbled,

"He seems to know you," Jynx commented,

"I've only had three conversations with the guy!" Frea replied quickly, looking a little annoyed now at her own uncertainty.

"... I must admit I am confused." Jura mumbled, Frea grimaced.

"You and me both..!" She growled, her hands falling on top of her head as she stifled the wince that followed the movement.

.. tch... but why the hell does 'puddles and storm-fools' kind of sound familiar...?!

Frea shook her head furiously, banishing the thoughts and the questions and letting out an aggravated growl. She glanced up toward Jura, earning his eyes easily as he blinked in question.

"... can I ask you a question?" Frea asked, he nodded.

"Of course."

"... that guy, God Serena." Frea mumbled, Jura stiffened slightly. "... is he really the First Seat among the Wizard Saints?"

"Indeed he is." Jura replied,

"... do you know, what Magic he uses?" Frea asked slowly, earning blinks of confusion from Jynx and Jura alike.

"... I had thought you could sense other people's Magic?" Jura murmured, Fea grimaced.

"... usually I can, but my senses have heightened a lot since fighting Mordren- and I haven't gotten used to the increased sensitivity yet." Frea replied, "... to be honest with you, being around so many ridiculously powerful Mages like this is making it really hard to focus on any sort of Energy at all. I couldn't begin to pick apart his Energy Signature, let alone any of the other Mages."

"... that is what Saige was referring to, when he mentioned you having a headache?" Jura asked, Frea nodded stiffly. He sighed a little,

"... God Serena is a 2nd Generation Dragon Slayer, with 8 different Dragon Slayer Lacrima inside his body. Each with a separate element."

Frea went still, her eyes widening in utter stock. Eight?!

"... He is a formidable opponent. And with his Power, he is truly worthy of the First Seat among the Wizard Saints." Jura muttered, his arms crossing over his chest.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't as shocked as everyone else when Frea threw Serena through a wall... Jura wondered if Serena was shocked it had happened as well. It was almost unthinkable, because Serena seemed almost untouchable.

This woman... She's a Force of Nature all on her own, hmm...?

Jura paused though, remembering Serena being thrown through the doors. That hit was owed to Saige, who's Power was a shock too. Most people would never know, considering how little Saige ever did, or seemed interested in. Laziness seemed close... But underneath that?

Jura had to wonder if Saige was much more powerful a Wizard than anyone realized.

Frea bit the inside of her cheek, nervousness dawning in her expression as the words settled in.

Eight Dragon Slayer Magics... Someone like that... Could have killed me...

She was suddenly thoroughly shocked at herself for having blocked his attack at all. Upon shuddering at the notion, she shook the thought off.

"... Who are the other Saints?" She asked next, changing the subject. "I don't know any of their names, besides having heard Jynx mention Warrod-"

-which, thinking on it now, she would need to ask Jynx how she knew him at all, later.

"The man who has been doing most of the talking is Draculos Hyberion." Jura replied easily, Frea immediately noting he was talking about the one with the tattoo. "The other man is Wolfheim." Frea nodded slightly, "And the other, the woman who thus far has said nothing," Jura went on,

Frea had taken note of the only other woman in the room besides herself when she had walked in- the one with the lavender colored hair. And Jura was right, Frea had not heard her say a single thing the entire time. She just watched, silent.

"Her name is Silas Kuhu." Jura explained, Frea nodded once more.

"... Thanks." She sighed, "... That'll help me make keep track of who is who..."

"You're welcome." Jura replied, pausing a moment. "... May I ask you something?" Frea blinked in surprise, nodding.

"Yeah."

"You very clearly hid the truth of you being the one to cause the Magic Anomalies from the Magic Council." Jura murmured, "Does the rest of Fairy Tail know you are responsible, then? And what reasons you had to cause them in the first place?"

Frea smiled nervously, "... They know, but I didn't actually tell them right away... At least not about the first one." She rubbed the back of her neck a little, "I wasn't with the Guild when I used that First Spell... And when Master asked me what I thought the Anomaly was, I didn't tell him it was me. Somewhat because I thought it was done with, but mostly... I guess, because I was afraid of how everyone would react, knowing I could do something like that." She sighed slightly,

"... If I had had the chance to keep them from knowing about it the Second Time around I probably would have taken it... But the way it worked out I didn't have a choice but to let them know."

... Well... at the time I couldn't talk, so Moon told them for me...

"... It'd be hard to have been keeping that a secret, considering both Cosmic Souls are a part of Fairy Tail now..." Frea mumbled, almost as an afterthought, Jura blinked in surprise. She chuckled nervously, skipping past the thought as she twined her hands together a bit more tightly. "... The Guild was... Shocked when they heard, to say the least... And a little miffed..."

"... you decided to not tell them, because of how they might react when they realized you could manage such Spells?" Jura echoed lowly, Frea nodded a little. "... were you concerned they would be afraid to know you were capable of such power?"

Frea stiffened, not expecting it to be said at loud- the thing she'd had hard enough time admitting to herself. She bit the inside of her lip, her eyes falling into her hands as she hesitated to answer for a few seconds. Jynx cast Frea a sad glance, her red eyes glittering as she stood near the door in sheer silence.

"... I... I didn't want them to look at me, differently." She admitted quietly, "... I mean, it all sounds insane right? What I did? It sounds impossible, and crazy... and still I managed to fix the Balance of the World. How do you find out someone can mess with the Forces of Nature and Cosmic Powers like that, and not see them differently? Or be a little afraid..?" Frea pressed her chin against her hands as her eyes fell closed,

"... I know the Guild won't say it out loud, but I know how they feel- and I can guess what they're thinking. They've been doing their best to act like everything is fine and nothing's changed after what happened with Mordren... but having them seem me like that, fighting with him- using All Magic, throwing around so much Power, winning... all of it. They can't forget it, they won't- they've seen what I can do and they're... astounded, amazed yeah... but deep down under all of that, there's little bits of worry, and fear too. Something about me terrified them when I was fighting with Mordren, and they're never going to do away with the idea... it's all changed."

And they're probably right, to be afraid of me...

"I cannot believe there is a single person in your Guild who is, or could ever be afraid of you." Jura replied lightly, his tone nothing but calm and steadiness- Frea's eyes flickered open in shock. She glanced up at him, and he smirked slightly. "I've seen how much every single member of that Guild cares for you. They trust you, without hesitation- and they would put their lives on the line for you. As well they would- seeing as how few people have a way of making friends wherever they go, and earning people's trust as easily as you do." He hummed, smiling still. "People put their faith and trust in you with ease- they would not do so if they had any reason at all to really fear you. You've done nothing to earn that, every bit of Magic and Power you used was to protect others. You've not done anything that would convince anyone you would use your Power for evil." He chuckled a little,

"I for one, don't sense a single evil thing about you. You are an incredible Mage, and an honorable one. You should not be afraid that your strength will turn the people you care for against you, its not likely to happen for any reason at all." He smiled, nodding his head toward Jynx next who nodded a little in agreement. "Your Guild-Mates care for you a great deal, even if you were to make a mistake- nothing would ever change how much they care about you. Their love for you is much too strong for that."

Frea blinked, her eyes softening slightly as she fell into a moment of silence, her eyes falling from him for a moment as she swallowed slightly.

If he had any idea how many times she had heard someone tell her nearly the exact same thing as he did now... She dug her fingernails into her palms slightly. What had she said to herself?

'I have to try... I want to try... I want things... To be OK...'

And how many times she had had people assuring her that they trusted her? That they believed in her- those who knew about what Darkness was eating away at her Soul and those who had no clue. It didn't matter if they knew or not, they had all been saying the same thing.

"You'll never be dark, or evil... You don't have it in you. That person is not you."

"They love you, they trust you... They know you'd never be anything like Mordren..."

"Your Magic will not rule over you, nor will that Darkness either."

"... You're ridiculously stubborn, and bull-headed, and there isn't a thing you don't get done once you set yourself to it. Quit freakin' yourself out over 'maybe' and just set yourself to believing that you will get through everything and it will get better... You do that, and that annoying stubbornness of yours wouldn't dare let you fall apart and never pick back up again."

"... You couldn't ever fall that far, Teach... Not enough to be anything like him."

"... You're not gonna go dark, Teach... I know that... I believe in that. You won't."

"And don't ever forget you're worth saving just as much as everyone else!"

"You are definitely worth protecting! And you always will be! No matter what!"

"And don't you ever forget it. No matter what happens, you are worth protecting, Teach."

"Listen to all of them, and tell me it'd be better if you hadn't come back, Frea."

I said I wanted to try, right?

She let out a low, silent breath, her shoulders hunching slightly for a small moment.

Try harder

She smiled, her eyes moving up toward Jura as she nodded at him.

"Thank you." She murmured softly, her eyes glinting as he nodded a bit.

"Ms. Frea?"

All eyes in the room turned at the new voice, their attention falling on the pair of Doranbolt and Lahar as they stopped in the doorway- looking frazzled. They had come running the minute they had heard the walls and the doors crumble, a lot of Knights and Soldiers had- and the destruction they saw and the explanation of what had happened had them reeling. They both visibly stiffened when they lay eyes on her, regardless of how well Frea hid her pain or her exhaustion- there was no way around the fact that she looked paler than she had when they had come to collect her from Fairy Tail.

What conflict she had gotten into with God Serena had some impact on her, even if she hadn't been hurt by him directly- she was still injured after all. What little fighting she had done had certainly worn on her,

"Are you alright?" Lahar asked quickly,

"Did you seriously throw God Serena through a wall?" Doranbolt asked in the same instant,

Both Doranbolt and Lahar jumped slightly, their eyes snapping toward one another once they realized they had asked something at the same time. They seemed to sigh at themselves for a moment, before looking back her way.

Frea smiled slightly, though she looked a bit nervous too. "I'm alright, and... eh, yes... I did..." She mumbled,

Lahar stepped inside the room, his hand lifting to push his glasses back up his nose a little as he grimaced a little, before casting her a apologetic look.

"I apologize, it was never our intention to bring you here so you could be attacked." He murmured, Frea's eyes went wide in surprise as she lift her hands, shaking her head a few times and entirely flustered at the apology out of nowhere.

"It wasn't your fault, you don't need to apologize." She told him quickly, his shoulders sagged slightly as he straightened up again.

"Regardless of God Serena's actions, I cannot imagine the Chairman's questioning has been pleasant, either." He murmured, Frea paused. "He's been very fervent on the possibility you have something to hide, and other ulterior motives- despite all he's heard from other interrogations."

"... oh, ah... that's fine, I mean... It's not been that bad." Frea mumbled, sure she'd gotten worked up here and there, but for the most part it hadn't been anything she wasn't used to... expect maybe she hadn't simply sat in silence like she usually would have, and let him keep talking. She'd interrupted, a few times-

"The Chairman had been failing to debate any of what Frea said, just before Serena appeared." Jura commented, earning Lahar and Doranbolt's surprised looks. "What fire he had to convict her of anything seems to have nearly died away entirely." He smirked a little, "Frea has thus far been quite convincing- and she's not left much room for argument at all." Frea sweatdropped, blushing just faintly at the comment.

"She's been handeling the Chairman's accusations quite well." Jynx agreed lightly, her hands hooking behind her back.

Both Lahar and Doranbolt jumped, their heads snapping around toward Jynx as they stared, not having noticed her there at all until she said something.

"Who the hell are you..?!" Doranbolt stammered, Jynx blinked, before smiling apologetically.

"Ah, forgive me. My name is Jynx, I am a member of Fairy Tail." She replied all too easily, "I came to help explain a few things, is all."

"... but how did you arrive here..?" Lahar asked slowly, "... we didn't receive word of anyone arriving, or anyone being called..."

"I came when Energy Dragon asked." Jynx stated simply, smiling a little as she dipped her head toward Frea. "Call me again, if you need to, Energy Dragon- but I think for now it's likely best I leave."

Frea nodded, "Alright... thanks, Jynx."

Jynx faded into a purple haze as Doranbolt and Lahar both looked toward Frea in obvious question.

"Long story short?" She hummed, "Jynx is a ghost. She can pop in and out most places with little difficulty."

They stared, looking like they were waiting for her to tell them she was joking-

"Excuse me."

Doranbolt shuffled to the side of the doorway as one of the Frog-Woman stopped there, looking stern as she eyed the contents of the room, before letting her attention rest on Frea.

"The Chairman wishes to convene the Hearing." She said shortly, Frea nodded slightly.

"Right..." She replied, her eyes falling as she pushed herself up onto her feet- biting down hard on her tongue when pain shot up through her right leg. Her face must have given it away though, because she felt all three men in the room stiffen slightly, without even having to see them do so. She took in a deep breath, shifting her weight to the left as much as she dared and swallowing down the dizziness that hit her upon standing up,

She turned toward the door, her eyes flashing as she nodded toward the Frog-Lady just once.

"Lead the way."

---

Moon let out a low breath, her eyes scanning the window's in the front of the Guild Hall to see that the sky was starting to turn a russet-orange color as the sun set and the day drew closer and closer to a close- and still no sign nor word from Era, or Frea alike. Her tail-tip twitched incessantly behind her from her seat on the bar counter, a mug held in her lap and ears twitching too.

She was tense, the whole Guild had been since that morning and they didn't relax at all as the day dragged by and Frea was still not back. Master was brooding farther down the counter from her, his finger tapping against the edge of a mug he had left untouched otherwise, eyes closed and musing in his own head for the better part of the day. Gildarts was sitting beside him, every once in awhile casting the Old Man a look but hardly ever saying anything between the two of them. Mavis was sitting on Gildarts' other side, her legs swinging back and forth over the edge of the counter as she watched the Guild Doors in silence, much like Makarov- caught up in her own thoughts.

Jynx had popped into the Guild around noon to inform that she had talked with Frea- briefly. The Ghost-Girl had apparently been asked to come by Frea, to help explain things involving the Magic Anomalies- to which Frea had brought up on the midst of fighting to prove to the Council she wasn't untrustworthy. (Which Moon didn't quite understand at all- revealing that secret to the Council couldn't possibly make them trust her more, could it?)

Jynx had left out the portion involving God Serena's actions, however- thinking it likely best not to give the Guild reason to jump up and rush in in anger.

But apparently upon leaving, Jynx found she wasn't able to transport herself into the Chamber where Frea's Hearing was taking place- upon appearing unexpectedly the first time, the Chairman or someone else had taken the time to put extra warding on the door so she could not come inside.

Which meant whatever else the Council was questioning Frea on about for the hours now- no one had any clue whatsoever. A troubling thought, considering how long Frea must have been stuck, arguing away for so long now...

Moon tapped her chin with her paw, her ears dropping slightly as she shut her eyes.

They could still be questioning her credibility, and trustworthiness- but from how Jynx had explained it, Frea had been rather convincing on that end. So maybe about Mordren, then? A sore subject for Frea, Moon was sure- regardless of what the Energy Dragon Slayer said, or how diligently she hid her discomfort when the topic did crop up.

Was it about what he said about the Forces of Creation? Or about the Rite to decide the Balance of the World? Or maybe even what he meant when he said Frea's Mountain was the home for Energy Magic as Force in itself?

Or maybe they wanted to know about All Magic. Frea had been vague enough on that topic with everyone else, only saying so much as she really didn't know how she used so many different Magics- but that she wasn't likely to do it again. Not seeing as how badly using that Magic at all had hurt her, in the end.

And what about what Jura said earlier, then? About the Wizard Saints being called in? If Mordren claimed to have put every other person in Fiore to sleep outside of the Guilds he forced to watch, did that mean he managed to send the Wizard Saints to sleep too? He surely would have had the power for it... but they were Wizard Saints. The most Powerful Mages in the country, if they had fallen under Mordren's control like so many others- the realization must have been disconcerting to them, to say the least. Were they called in to see the very person who had stood against, and beaten the Wizard that could force them into sleep?

Moon lowered her chin into her paw all the way as she bit the inside of her cheek a little.

Frea had been out for hours, near the entire damn day being questioned, standing in the center of so many probably insanely powerful Wizards. The Energy Dragon Slayer had been physically spent just climbing the stairs up to the second floor of Fairy Hills last night, and had had to halt halfway through because she had gotten too dizzy to make it all in one go. Even with the potion Porlyusica had given her, she must have been exhausted already- more so, given how sensitive Frea had gotten to Energy around her.

It was clear that Frea's senses were being more than just 'annoying', as she had put it, upon first admitting they had grown more keen. Moon oftentimes found Frea shutting her eyes rather frequently, as if the light or even just looking at anything was painful- she was constantly shaking her head as if to clear some haze, and it had been a long while since Frea didn't seem to be suffering under some sort of headache. And it seemed to get worse with the more people around all at once- and would surely only be harder around more powerful Wizards. Moon could hardly imagine what that must feel like, with how hypersensitive had gotten to even just the little things.

Lily cast Moon a sideways glance as he saw the frown work it's way onto her face, blinking once as he watched her in silence.

"... this sucks..." Natsu muttered lowly, his fingernails digging into the underside of the table he had leaned over onto.

"... what's takin' so long...?" Gray grumbled, looking nor more happy than the pinkette.

"It's already been the entire day." Lucy mumbled softly,

"Hearing's don't usually take this long, do they?" Wendy asked tenatively, Erza shook her head.

"They usually only last three to four hours... but what happened with Mordren is a bit more serious than what Hearing's usually involve." the red-head replied lowly, her arms crossed over her chest and calm as she could manage. She frowned a little, her eyes narrowing at the door. "... It's also very odd for the Wizard Saints to be called into attendance."

"... you don't think Frea's going to punished, do you?" Levy asked softly, her question making several people in ear-shot grimace at the idea. "I mean... she didn't do anything wrong, but with how the Council's been acting about all of this..."

"We'd have heard by now, if they had decided to land her with consequences." Aisha grumbled, though she wasn't looking toward the bluenette at all.

Aisha had moved away toward the wall, working away for the last few hours shuffling papers around and writing notes in air with her Magic. She was casting through interrogation reports, Council documentation, Magical Readings, and miscellaneous orders from within Era- mostly limited to smaller, less involved divisions that wouldn't be directly involved with the Hearing- but if there was something wrong there would be hints of it littered in the smaller departments of Era regardless. Small notes kept popping into existence within the hall via Teleportation Magic, courtesy of 'friends' she had in the lower levels of Era's inner workings.

Chase was standing behind her a ways, his arms crossed over his chest and eyes watching her work in stony silence- carefully noting every fluctuation in Aisha's emotions that might hint she found something. Aisha had since by now learned to watch her reactions, though she wasn't always successful.

"They've not thrown her in jail, so far all they've been doing is questioning her- as far as I can tell." Aisha went, her hand pausing on a floating piece of paper in front of her, her purple gaze giving it a once over- before she directed into a pile of papers she had been keeping more separate from the rest.

"And you said that only six Wizard Saints showed up, including Jura?" Mira asked softly, pausing beside Chase as she asked the question.

Aisha's eyes flickered toward the pile she had just added to- a split second passing before she answered the question with a low, "Yes.."

Chase's eyes narrowed, his shoulders tensing immediately when he felt the unease flicker off of Aisha for half a second. "But?" He grumbled lowly, Aisha cursed herself under her breath.

"... tch... I have confirmation that the Wizard Saints; Saige, Wolfheim, Draculos, Warrod, Silas and Jura are all in attendance." Aisha shot back lowly, "Which makes perfect sense- seeing as how Makarov has been barred and there is no rational explanation for the last Saint to have showed up, even when summoned. And there are still currently two empty seats among the ten."

Aisha paused, letting out a low breath as she shook her head slightly.

"... but I've been getting several notes that have a rumor that God Serena suddenly showed up inside of Era, without warning, nor official confirmation of his visit." Aisha grumbled, ".. which would likely have been brief, considering the only thing I've been seeing is rumor trickling down from the higher levels."

- that with some other whispers of something being destroyed, up on the level where this Hearing is being held, Aisha added in silently.

Several people blinked, their heads tilting in confusion.

"God Serena?" Mira echoed, "... I'm not familiar with many of the Wizard Saints... but why would you think there would be no 'rational explanation' for him to gone to Era in the first place?"

"From what I know of him, he has no interest in the Council's political affairs." Aisha replied shortly,

"... but he was called, was he not?" Erza asked lowly,

"He usually doesn't care what the Council wants." Aisha answered again, sounding a slight bit irritated they were pushing the subject.

"... you look tense." Gildarts grumbled, his eyes casting sideways toward Makarov. Master sighed slightly, his face slightly grim as he listened in to what Aisha had to say.

"... God Serena is the Number One Seat among the Wizard Saints." Master replied lowly, earning a blink of surprise from Gildarts- and Moon's ear from further up the counter. Mavis' eyes finally dared to move from the door as she glanced his way too, keen and intent on every word with the concentration owed to the 'Fairy Tactician'.

"... and he is not one for Hearings, I can't imagine a reason he would have answered the summons." Master paused, his eyes narrowing into his drink. "... not unless his only interest was in meeting the one responsible for Mordren's demise. And then I can't imagine he was quiet about his interest in any way."

"... you don't think he'd start something, do you?" Gildarts asked lowly, Master shook his head.

"... I would like to doubt it he would, but Serena is a rather fickle personality." the Old Man grumbled, Moon sweatdropped slightly at the words. "An intervention by him, may be the reason they have decided to question her for so long." Master tapped his fingers against his cup a few more times, "... though in all honesty I'm more concerned with why Saige Balthan of all people seems to have taken an interest in this." He grumbled, Gildarts blinked.

"I take it you're not a fan, Makarov." Gildarts mused, Master huffed a little.

"It's not about whether I like him or not. Saige Balthan has never cared about anything more than a trifling fancy for as long as I have known him. He doesn't take things seriously, and he doesn't ever step in to any situation that doesn't directly involve him. If he did indeed take time to convince the Chairman to allow Jura to oversee escorting Frea, that means he's found some stake in this mess- and I cannot think of any reason why." Master grumbled, Mavis blinked, just once.

In Fairy Tail's First Guild Master's mind appeared memory of the night where she had been locked from the Infirmary room by someone unknown- though she didn't voice the thought aloud.

"... Um... do you think Saige is planning something that would hurt Frea's case?"

Gildarts, Mavis and Master Makarov glanced up, their eyes finding Moon- who had moved closer the longer she was listening in on the situation, looking serious as her pale blue eyes glittered. Lily had followed her silently, standing beside her with his paws over his chest. Master sweatdropped slightly, his eyes softening as Moon tilted her head a little.

"... if you think it's odd for him to have gotten involved in this Hearing, do you think he might have done so, with some sort of ulterior motive? One that might cause problems for Frea?" Moon asked softly, Master hook his head slightly.

"... I may find issue with his lack of seriousness in difficult matters, but he's never struck me as a man who would purposely look to start trouble." Master replied, "He's always been fair in his decisions, what little of them he moved to get involved in. I'd have to think he'd be willing to listen to the truth of what happened, and make a fair decision, regardless of anything." Moon seemed to relax a little at the words, "I simply wish I knew why he decided to get involved in this." Moon nodded in understanding,

Aisha cast Erza and Mirajane a sideways half-glare, huffing silently at the two S-Class Wizards who had moved to stand beside her in front of her wall of papers- reading them silently and bothering her slightly. She grumbled under her breath, shaking her head as she did her best to ignore them.

Aisha's hand moved to her left as another piece of paper appeared beside her, though her eyes remained locked to the document she was already reading as she grabbed it- and halted her reading altogether.

It wasn't a piece of paper- it was thicker than that, heavier. Her eyes moved to her hand as she blinked down at a neatly folded letter, sealed by Magic in the shape of some Rune she had no clue what it was. She stopped, holding the letter in both hands and flipping it over- looking it over and over and her face pulling into utter confusion.

"Something wrong?" Chase leaned in on her right, eyebrow quirked at the letter she seemed to obsessing over slightly.

"... this is not mine." Aisha grumbled, ".. there's no damn way this is mine, I have no idea who this came from."

"You sure?" He asked,

"Of course I'm sure, dumbass!" Aisha snapped hotly, Chase held his hands up in slight exasperation.

"Sorry." He mumbled, his eyes moving from her to the letter, blinking when he noticed the Rune keeping it sealed shut. He held out a hand for it, and Aisha placed it in his hands with a huff, Chase jumped slightly in surprise- immediately feeling some faint form of Magic flare under his touch, but it wasn't any sort of Magic he recognized.

Erza and Mira inched closer, by now having noticed the conversation as they watched Chase straighten up a little, holding the letter in one hand.

".. huh..." He hummed lowly,

"What is it?" Erza asked, Chase shrugged slightly, his other hand lifting.

"I can feel Magic coming off it, but not a lot..." Chase mumbled, his eyes narrowing in slight confusion as he tapped his finger against the rune sealing it shut. The Rune glowed dimly, Magic spreading across the envelope and across to the back- Chase flipped the letter over and watched in equally surprised silence as the other three girls, as words suddenly shown across the back where they hadn't been before.

"... eh... that's not weird..." Chase mumbled, his eyes moved up from the letter to see Erza, Mira and Aisha looking about as lost as he did. He sweatdropped a little, stepping to the side as his blue eyes moved toward the back of the bar.

"Ah, Master?" Chase called, earning the Old Man's attention and the Guild's too.

"Hmm?"

"Aisha just got a letter, that's addressed to you." Chase mumbled, Master blinked in shock.

"What?"

"Why?"

"That's odd..."

"From who?" Master asked carefully, quirking an eyebrow as Chase shrugged,

"Doesn't say..."

Master blinked, looking a little lost- before motioning for Chase to hand him the letter. Chase moved over toward the bar, Aisha, Erza and Mira in tow behind him, as they stopped- and Chase handed the letter over. Moon, Lily, Mavis and Gildarts looked on curiously as Makarov took the letter in hand, the Guild around them all listening too, a few of them moving closer.

Moon eyes widened in surprise, her eyes catching sight of the Rune stamped into the paper by Magic, "That's a rune in Old Telips," She murmured instantly, earning looks of surprise from everyone else. "... it just says... 'open'." Moon mumbled uncertainly,

Master jumped slightly, the Rune sparking brilliant gold as it lift from the page, taking the letter from his hands as the envelope glowed gold and melted away- leaving the letter inside as it floated in air before him of it's own volition. Lettering of a shimmering gold color comprised of Magic was sprawled across the letter itself,

"Good evening, Makarov." A stranger's voice suddenly floated from the paper, clear and loud enough anyone in the hall could have heard it.

"... huh...?!"

"... it's talking...!?"

"-And apologies, my Lady Celene. I'm currently a little too busy to pinpoint the location of Makarov on my own to deliver this letter, so I took the liberty of sending it through one of your friends." The voice went on, earning Aisha's wide eyes at the title she hadn't heard used in this country from anyone other than Lahar.

"I appreciate you handing it off, however, My Lady. Doubtless this will have reached Makarov faster than if I were to have sent a Messenger Bird, which suits my intentions quite nicely."

"Who the hell is this guy..?" Natsu grumbled,

"... and why is he calling me that?" Aisha hissed, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "... no one outside of Adgnei would ever-"

"But back to my original intent, Makarov- I have no doubt that you will very soon receive relatively cryptic and even vague summons from the Chairman of the Magic Council, ordering that you please make your way to Era as soon as you can possibly manage."

People all over the hall went rigid, Master's eyes widening in shock and slight unease.

"Summons?" Erza echoed tensely,

"Knowing that you, and the whole of your Guild have likely been brooding all day about the state of the Hearing- a sudden Summons with likely no explanation does not strike me as the sort of thing to go over too well. I half expect half of you to jump to your feet and strike out toward Era with little a care- action that would do no good, given the situation. To avoid unrest in a day that has already been long and tiring, I will take a moment to assure you that the reasons for these summons are not cause for real worry."

The Guild as a whole blinked in shock, looking nearly dumbfounded.

"As things have progressed, Frea is in no trouble. The Chairman isn't looking to hold her accountable for anything. As things were explained and details made clear, suspicion regarding our young Energy Dragon Slayer have been dissipated entirely. The Energess has convinced the Council and Saints alike that she is no threat- and quite the opposite."

Many people in Guild seemed to let out sighs or relief at the words, few of them really worried over who was delivering the news, nor why- and even fewer pausing on the sudden name of 'Energess'.

"There is still one matter however, that we wish to discuss. And given what decision we're likely to reach- we will require your presence among us, Makarov. Do not feel a need to rush, but you may want to hurry here none-the-less; I am sure the Energess would be happy to have this over with as soon as can be managed."

The Guild Door's opened, earning everyone's eyes as a Messenger Bird raced inside and halted in front of Master Makarov, a letter in it's beak.

"Summons for Master Makarov of the Fairy Tail Guild!" The bird chirped, before promptly dropping the letter in Gildarts' suddenly outstretched hand, and racing back out again.

"I expect I will see you soon, Makarov. For now- a brief farewell," The voice attached to the letter was still going as Master watched it silently, his eyes widening as he read ahead of the voice and toward the signature at the end of the page.

"Saige Balthan"

---

Saige was in the Hearing Chamber already, once Frea made her way back inside- after him having disappeared with little an explanation not ten minutes before. The doors and what destruction had been thrown about when Serena came out of nowhere was nearly gone all the way- there were cracks in the stone and the wall here and there, but for the most part is was as if it had never happened.

If only her body agreed.

"Before we begin, the Council and the rest of the Wizard Saints would like to apologize for God Serena's behavior against you." Draculos murmured, "His actions were unbecoming of his seat, and we are sorry for his childish behavior."

Frea nodded slightly, "It's fine." She murmured, Draculos dipped his head to her slightly.

"- it has become clear that worries and suspicions on your behavior- and the role you had to play in Mordren's plans- were unfounded." The Chairman took over, his voice steady and low as Frea blinked up at him in slight surprise. "You argued that none of your actions, past or otherwise, have given any real reason to doubt the fact hat your motivations are wholly benign... and while slow to realize this, we do see it now as true. You are right, nothing you have done should give any reason to doubt you- knowing now what you told us, and what he had already known as true ourselves."

Gran Doma's eyes fell closed, frowning slightly as he seemed to sigh- and it almost seemed he hated to be admitting any of that, which wouldn't surprise Frea all that much.

"... we do not intend to convict you of any crimes. But now we would like to discuss with you the things that Mordren claimed while you fought against him, what you know of his real intentions, and anything else regarding both him, and your own Magic you share, that you are willing to detail for us. Most particularly, we would like to know where it is Mordren came from- and what these 'Forces of Creation' he described, truly are."

"We ask you help us understand anything you can, there is still so much we do not know of Mordren, nor his Magic, or his beliefs, and what plan he had for our world." Draculos murmured, "Even the Wizard Saints know nothing of him, or what he intended to do. We are turning to you to help explain just exactly what happened, so perhaps we can fully realize what is it you did for this country, by defeating him."

"Please be patient with us, it is not often we come across a subject we know nothing of." Warrod smiled lightly,

"Please tell us what you can."

Frea paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in a short, silent breath.

This is what Saige meant, when he had told her that it was up to her to decide how much or how little she described to the Council about Mordren, her Magic, the Forces of Creation... all of it. She realized that now, and she hesitated.

What could she tell them without making it too hard to explain? Or without working herself up, either?

I can do this...

"... I can tell you what I've pieced together, what things I've felt... the things I've learned, about who Mordren is, what the Forces of Creation are... but it's going to be up to you to decide if you place any real belief in all of it." Frea murmured softly, slowly, her eyes falling closed a minute.

What could she ask them to believe? When in reality she wasn't sure she believed all of it herself?

But... I am trying to believe... and I'll try to explain...

"I don't have any proof- because there is no way to prove any of it... it would be like asking me to prove to you that the One Magic does exist, and it isn't simply a legend or theory passed down through the ages. Believed by some, and disregarded by others." Her voice got a little louder, a little steadier as she forced herself another deep breath.

"What little I truly understand of it all, I can try my best to explain it to you- at least enough that you can understand the underlying basis, the beliefs... but you have to choose whether you accept it as truth, or possibility.. or even just nonsense. In all reality, Mordren's ideals, and the Forces of Creation- they are all just as hard to understand and believe in, as it is to understand how my Magic can exist, and work- and do the things it can. I could try for decades trying to explain to you and prove why Energy Mages can sense other people's Energies and Magics as easily as it is to breathe. Longer to explain to you why it is possible for us to make a Spell on the spot, and it work- through sheer force of will, or power, or even just how strongly our emotions are in that moment. Longer still, trying to prove why I can use my Magic tamper with celestial forces beyond the mortal scope... I can't prove any of it, just like I can't prove the notion of the Forces of Creation is more than a tale, and a reality."

Impossible things... real things, to me, about me.

"... but I can explain why the idea of the Forces of Creation make all impossible, insane notions about Energy Magic not so impossible... I can use the Forces of Creation to explain why Energy Mages can do such ridiculously impossible things, because under the Forces of Creation- and what they say about the world around us- Energy Magic isn't an impossibility. It's a reality, whether you want to believe it or not. The Forces of Creation make what Energy Magic can do a possibility. The Forces of Creation are what make Energy Magic a reality- and a stepping stone to understanding the way Mordren saw the world to work. Because whether you believe it or not, he did- and there isn't a way to deny what he could do. There isn't a way to deny that if he won, the world would have fallen into chaos."

Terrible, terrible darkness...

"You recorded an astronomical amount of tainted ethernano the day that Mordren attacked me." Frea murmured, "Tainted etherion... because he let his Magic spread out across the continent and seep into the natural ethernano found in the air, the land, the people. His Magic corrupted it, started to change it's nature, and it's capabilities. He was letting his Power mix in with the natural Magic of the World- an Energy in itself that all Energy Mages know and feel on instinct, and at all times. The Darkness that lived inside of Mordren, and thrived in his Magic would have poisoned every living thing around us as you know it- killing off life, in plants, in people- twisting the things that are good into something darker. He would have infected the world with the sheer force of his Magic, and what evil that lived inside him would have consumed everything... plague, and war, famine, disaster- all of it in chain reaction to his Magic tainting everything in the world he could get his hands on- everything that has Energy in of itself."

Just like he, and it... have tainted me. Irreparably.

"All living things have their own Energy, their own life-force. All people, all animals, creatures, demons, plants. But Energy lives in the earth too, it's woven into the air you breathe and exists in all forms of Magic, no matter what type, or how large, or how small... Energy exists in near all corners of the world, and Energy Mages can touch it. We can bend it to our will, we feel it all around us, we can manipulate it, change it if we try- dispel it, and destroy it. The more Powerful the Energy Mage, the more hold we have over all types of Energy- and Mordren was powerful enough to infect the Energy of everything in this World. Powerful enough even to control people, by simply taking hold of their Energy. He could do what Energy Mages usually can't, where we're usually limited to controlling our own individual Energy, and small portions we come into contact with- he was not limited, because of his sheer Power."

Powerful enough to turn a country on itself... turn people who loved one another, against eachother. To kill eachother... slaughter, at their own hands, and at his.

"The Forces of Creation say that the world, all Magic, all reality- that everything around us, both intangible and tangible- all of it is created, and made up from four separate Powers. These Powers are the Forces that form the building blocks of everything, and between them- keep everything from crumbling in on itself. They keep things in Balance, and in everything you can find one, or two- or even all four of those Powers in some way or form." Frea's hands lift slightly, her hands cupping around the air in front of her as she looked down at them, and hardly ever up at the room and the people who were all so very silent around her.

"Four Forces.. Four Magics, that make everything." She murmured softly, "Energy, Time, Soul and Death. With these four melded together, there is existence, and reality, and life, and Magic- and between all of them- balance. Without them... there would be nothing."

Her hands fell, her eyes closing for a moment.

"... Mordren was member of one of the Forces of Creation, being an Energy Mage. Because the Forces of Creation make up both light and dark, it was in his mind that holders of the Forces of Creation would be the ones to decide if the world shall be consumed in darkness, or if it should be kept in light. He brought both myself, and my student to take place in that Rite- to decide if the world would fall into shadow, or if wouldn't... all simply based on whichever one us was the winner, in the end. For Mordren, the Forces of Creation is as real as his Magic... their role in the world is as real as he was."

As real as I am

She told them that Mordren lived in the time when Energy Mages were an abundance- in a Country a long, long time ago under the name of Adgnei- a country that exists in the present time, but it's history of Energy Magic destroyed when Mordren singlehandedly killed every Energy Mage alive. She told them that what incredible Power Mordren had was the reason he had lived for so long, cheated death for as long as he had and only continued to grow in Power over the centuries- waiting. Waiting until the age where he was no longer the only Energy Mage left alive, and he had his champions to decide if the world would fall.

She told them how Energy Magic could be used to create other Magics- All Magic. In all Magic there was Energy, so in theory if a Mage could manipulate their own Energy enough- it would be something new. She told them that All Magic had come to her on instinct, and that it had nearly killed her- where now she wasn't sure she could ever use it again, even if she wanted to.

She never told them about being the Malurey, or the other Mortal Incarnations. She never told them anything about the Reach, or any other place of reality dictated by any other Force of Creation. Mordren and his life before being consumed by that same, ancient, incredible evil that lived inside of her now was never once mentioned. What she had seen of his life and of her own were kept buried. Hilshine and Nvindorr remained her own secret to keep, and she never told them about Naraka, or Jynx.. and certainly never about Chaitanya.

Upon being prompted about her Mountain- she was told the Council could not find any trace of Magic anywhere inside that mountain. Almost as if it had just gone entirely- and she let it be at that, recalling instantly what she'd been told about Tombs being able to move on their own volition, and without warning.

She stood in the center of that room with a throbbing head and slowly feeling her strength drain, constantly keeping her Magic at a manageable level inside of her body, hours of talking- answering the questions that were asked of her from the Wizard Saints. The Magic Council Members fell into stiff silence, listening quietly as Frea talked back and forth between the Wizard Saints, explaining what she could- clarifying where she was asked to, and even musing a bit more when something was suggested, or proposed. Hours spent, talking about what happened, theory, legend- or truth, whatever you'd prefer to call it.

Hours avoiding the parts she meant to keep to herself, and hours discussing the things that for a month had made her panic and uneasy at the idea of doing so. And in those hours, there were few times she felt truly uncomfortable- some strange semblance of calm had worked its way into her core where she had never expected it to, and maybe she was just too exhausted and in too much pain to really care nor get worked up.

Hours passed, until finally the questions stopped- and silence settled in over the entire room, everyone in their own thoughts, and their own heads. All of them weighing what was recanted and all of them trying to decide if it could all be true, in the end.

"Thank you." Warrod was the first to speak up, smiling at her ever so gently as he dipped his head toward her. "I think perhaps we will need some time to process all of this, and you're probably tired, hmm?" Frea blinked, sweatdropping slightly at the comment.

"Give us some time to discuss things amongst ourselves, Energess." Saige told her easily, "Take a break, we will call you when we're ready again." Frea's eyes narrowed a little, swallowing against the heavy sense of seriousness and tenseness hanging on the air. She wasn't entirely sure why she was being ushered out- but the mood had changed drastically, and could feel it as well as see it- and to be honest, her leg was throbbing so much she had stopped putting weight on it near at all. And she had long since started to get dizzy, and started leaning against the railing with her hands- the idea of taking a break was a pleasant one, and she just nodded in agreement.

She made her way out of the room, biting down hard onto her tongue to keep from wincing as she walked, the heavy doors closing behind her and the hallway empty outside of two Knights standing guard on either side of the door itself. She paid them little mind and moved (more limped now) toward the same side-room from earlier, before sinking shakily into the chair still there with a ragged sigh. The sky was painted orange outside as the sun started to set,

She hissed under her breath, her arms crossing over her stomach as she leaned back, her head tilting back over the top of the back of the chair, eyes closed and her breath catching in her throat when a by now familiar, icy wash of pain ignited in her core and had her entire body going stiff against the sensation.

When it died down she let her breath out, panting slightly and shaky as she cracked her eyes open at the ceiling that was blurry and swirling slightly just like her head.

That had happened twice when she was talking to them, twice where she had done everything in her power to keep sign of her pain hidden from everyone- twice where she had to force herself not to start shaking, force her breathing to stay steady, twice when the Darkness swirled faster and she still kept it at bay... she would have liked to have said she was getting used to it, but she wasn't sure she was.

Her arms hugging her body loosened a little as she sank into the chair a little more, leaning against the armrest as her chin tilted down again, one arm unhooking itself to lay her hand lightly on her leg. Her eyes fell closed again, taking in a deep breath and hoping her body would stop shaking sooner rather than later.

I'm fucking exhausted... I think Porlyusica's Potion is slowly starting to wear off too...

She honestly wanted nothing more than to fall asleep- but that persistent throb of Magic Power washing over her senses wouldn't dare let her mind slip toward sleep for even an instant. Not that falling asleep right now would have been a wise choice, mind you- she had the feeling that once she did really fall asleep, she wouldn't wake up for a long while afterwards.

She was so tired she hardly even cared what the people in that room were discussing. She really just wanted them to finish and let her go home.

She took in a deep breath, only faintly aware the light from the setting sun was getting dimmer- the scent of Fairy Tail washing over her senses at the idea of being home, back at the Guild and it's people she knew so well... worth it at that moment, even though she would likely be getting a lecture from Porlyusica soon upon returning. She just wanted to be gone from here.

"... Frea."

She blinked her eyes open in tired surprise, her attention fading from the near empty she'd managed to fall into when she heard her name- and realized in the next instant the scent of Fairy Tail was not wishful thinking.

Her head tilted left a little, her eyes widening only a bit as her gaze locked with none other than Master Makarov, who's brow knitted in concern as she turned toward him- instantly seeing the exhaustion on her face and his stomach knotting at the fact she looked pale, at least enough to be noticeable.

"Master..." She mumbled, blinking once or twice in confusion, before smiling tiredly. She shifted to lean over the armrest a little, her arms crossing on top of it. "Tell me you're here to steal me away under the Council's nose?" She hummed lightly, amusement making it's way into her tone regardless of how soft her voice was.

He paused, a little surprised at the question- regardless if it was meant to be a joke or not. His eyes narrowed slightly, his shoulders tensing a little as his eyes darted over her quickly, trying to take in what damage- if any- had been done in her day of questioning. Outwardly there was nothing he could see to be wrong, other than she was clearly exhausted, and maybe even a bit shaky-

"Hmm... but honestly, I'm surprised to see you." Frea mumbled, her head lowering into her crossed arms as she let out a breath. "... I had no idea the Council called you in, I didn't think they would- given they were so quick to make sure you weren't allowed to come in the first place." He blinked, Frea's eyes falling halfway as she tilted her head to the side a little. "... is there any reason in particular you were asked to come, then?"

"... the summons were not specific." He murmured softly, "... truth be told, I had already been directed to head here even before the summons arrived. Saige Balthan sent a letter, explaining you haven't been charged with any crimes, and that the Council would want to see me soon to discuss something- though even he did not go into detail." He explained, surprise appeared on her face at the words, but less so than he would have expected.

"... he likes being vague.." Frea mumbled, her eyes falling closed a moment at the thought.

"... are you two acquainted with one another?" Master asked instantly,

"Sort of, but not really. We've talked three times now... and never for very long." Frea mumbled softly, missing the look of shock and wonder on the Old Man's face at the words. "... he gave me a bunch of Old Books and Spells to try and look over, and research to try and get ready for facing Mordren... he's been trying his best to be helpful, indirectly I think, with this Hearing, too." She shrugged a little, "... I've not figured out why... but I don't get a bad feeling from him, I don't think he's going to do anything to hurt me... or screw me over. He hasn't done anything but help, so far."

She yawned a little, her shoulders sinking slightly as she cracked her eyes open to look at Master Makarov again. "He just seems content to try and help... without getting too close, I guess." She mumbled, Master was listening to her stiffly, eyes narrowed and looking a little taken aback.

"... you never mentioned..." Master mumbled softly, Frea blinked.

"...sorry." She apologized quietly, "... it's just that... I hit the ground running right after the Rainbow Sakura Festival, I was so invested in trying to get ready for what was coming... and then it did happen, and after that... I haven't had a lot of time nor energy to really mull over meeting him... I wasn't trying to hide it from you, I've just a lot of other things on my mind." Master nodded slightly,

"I understand." He murmured, "... though I think I will need to have a word with Saige, before this over."

"Alright." Frea replied, "... try not to get mad with him, Master... I really do think his intentions are honest." She added, he nodded again in understanding.

For whatever reason I don't know...

"... You convinced the Council you were innocent of whatever they thought up, then?" Master asked, Frea nodded. "Jynx mentioned things had gone well on that end, though she's not been able to reappear here since coming to the Guild Hall."

"... yeah I noticed that." Frea replied, "... I don't know who it was, but someone put extra warding on the door."

"She told us this hours ago," Master murmured, "What has the Council been keeping you for in that time, then?"

"... well for the most part I've just been explaining things about Mordren, and the Forces of Creation." Frea told him, "The Council's not been asking much- but the other Wizard Saints have been asking a lot. We've been going back and forth for a long while, but it's not been anything but... talking." She shrugged a little again, "... they really just wanted me to explain anything I could about everything that went on, it's just such a large topic... it took a long time to reach the point where they hadn't anything else to ask." He nodded a little, letting out a small breath.

"I see." He murmured, his eyes falling closed a moment as he fell into his own thoughts. Frea watched him silently, before her eyes dropped closed and she let her mind wander toward what Master had said.

So the Old Geezer sent a letter... when did he have time? He's been in with the Council and the other Saints the entire time... maybe he sent it out when he disappeared... but it didn't deliver right away...?

She honestly hadn't a clue.

Master opened his eyes to glance up at her again, seeing hers had already fallen closed again as he blinked, his head tilting just slightly.

"... are you alright?" He asked gently, Frea nodded a bit.

"... yeah... I'm just super tired... and sore..." She mumbled, "... nothing bad, but I can't wait to get to go home and sleep." He paused, his eyes narrowing at the sore comment, before he stepped forward a pace or two and lift his hand toward her.

Frea didn't move nor react to the action, her eyes stayed closed even as he lightly pressed his hand to her forehead- to be honest, people had been doing that so often the last month she hardly cared anymore.

Master let out a small sigh of the slightest bit of relief, she wasn't warm like she was running a fever- which first thoughts seeing the paleness of her skin made him think she might be. But she wasn't... she seemed normal, if maybe a slight bit cold, but not really. His hand shifted from her forehead to rest lightly atop her head as he rubbed her hair a little bit- this time she let her eyes open to look at him a little curiously.

"Hopefully we'll finish this soon." He told her softly, "Will you be alright so see it through?"

"Yeah, I'll be ok." Frea smiled slightly, "This was my idea after all, I gotta stick it out."

I'm probably gonna crash as soon as we're done, though...

His hand drew away as he glanced toward the door, "Have they been discussing things long?" He asked,

"... mm... about twenty minutes or so." Frea hummed, he nodded. They both straightened up a little, the entryway to the room suddenly blocked by another figure- one of the Knights that had previously been watching the Chamber door stood there, straight-faced as he nodded toward the both of them.

"They are ready to reconvene." He said simply, shuffling to the side and waving a hand toward the hallway. "Please, follow me."

"Very well." Master murmured, his eyes moving toward Frea who was already climbing to her feet, sighing heavily as her hand lingered on the armrest a few seconds, before she straightened up and placed her hands in her coat pockets. She nodded at him slightly, before following Master's lead out of the room and toward the Chamber again.

The doors opened easily as they both passed through them into the dim of the Chamber, the stands still lined in Magic Council Members and Wizard Saints alike. Master's eyes scanned the people present in sheer silence as Frea followed him forward toward the end of the walkway, where they both halted.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Makarov." Draculos said lightly, dipping his head toward Master, who nodded in return. "Apologies for the vague summons, but we've had time to discuss this amongst ourselves- and we think you'll likely have no objections."

Master quirked a brow, Frea blinked as her head tilted a little.

"We have been reviewing what we have learned, and what we have seen of Miss Frea's actions- both against Mordren, and her other actions involving both Magic Anomalies, Senna the Poisoned, Kasumi the KeyMaker, and various other incidents she has been involved in. Including the work she did to Trap a Demon of Zeref not even the might of Etherion could match." Draculos went on, "In all of these it has become increasingly clear that she is a Mage of remarkable Power and strength- with the willpower, intelligence and conviction to match." He placed his hands together in front of him, straight-backed. "There are few wizards capable of the feats Miss Frea has accomplished in her young life, and few with the skill to match their intelligence in full. Even fewer people we have seen so solely dedicated to doing good, and fought so fervently against evil and other forms of darkness. It has been a long time since we have come across anyone we feel to be this wholeheartedly just, and honorable."

Frea felt herself blush a little, her eyes falling from him in a sudden wash of nervousness she wasn't expecting, at all.

"We must assume, regardless of your affiliation with her- that these are all qualities and beliefs you would hold about her yourself, Makarov?" Draculos asked lightly, Master nodded without a second of hesitation.

"Indeed." Master murmured firmly, several people nodded slightly at his answer.

"Given all of this, I proposed to the other Wizard Saints what action we shall take next." Draculos murmured, "We are all in agreement on the matter, and the Council has passed forward their vote of approval as well."

Frea eyes widened just a little, her heart skipping a beat- in an instant she realized what was going on, while Master remained confused next to her. Her eyes flicked toward Saige on instinct, his lips twitching up in a small smile as he shrugged his shoulders, and shook his head. Even without saying a single thing, it was clear to her what the look meant;

'This was not my idea- but you are still welcome to choose what you will. It is your choice.'

"It has become incredibly clear that we all owe a great debt to you, for risking your life to put an end to what destruction Mordren tried to bring down upon us." Draculos said solemnly, his head dipping toward her as he bowed- the room shifted as everyone up in the stands followed his lead. All heads and bodies bowed down to her as they went silent for a moment, Frea stiff in the center and completely taken aback by the shows of... respect.

Master glanced around quickly, looking just as astounded as she was- his eyes glistening as his mouth fell open in wordless awe.

The Wizard Saints and the Magic Council, were all bowing to her.

"Thank you, truly." Was the collective murmur among everyone in the room, all voices steady and all voices sincere. Frea swallowed a little, her eyes flashing.

... If Draculos is the one who suggested this, like he says... and that look from the Old Geezer up there...

Her fists clenched at her sides as she shut her eyes for a moment.

... the Old Geezer kept his word, then...

They straightened up, all expressions serious and calm as Frea cracked her eyes open again. There was a small twinge of fear in her core-

"You've proven yourself a spectacular Mage, with the strength and power that could easily rival any one of us in attendance. With that in mind, and knowing what you have given for the safety of this Country- it is the decision of this Council that we will ask you to stand among us not simply as a Mage of Fairy Tail, but also as someone more than worthy of the title of Wizard Saint." Draculos told her steadily, his voice easily heard among the enraptured silence of the entire room.

Her ears rung on that last word.

"We would be honored to count among the Ten Wizard Saints, if it is your wish to do so."

My choice

Master was still, looking stricken as he stared up at the other people over their heads- dazed almost. He couldn't believe his ears, he was so shocked he was trembling slightly. His eyes darted up toward Frea expecting to see her looking just as stunned as he was-

His jaw dropped a little more, eyes wide as he saw her standing there, her posture straight and unmoving as her silver gaze locked straight up onto the stands of people- no,

The stands holding this Countries most Powerful Wizards, those people who had her head spinning at the sheer force of their Magic Power- those people so out of this world and godlike- and those same people that had bent their heads to her, and acknowledge her Power as something that could outmatch them. Those who had placed her in ranks with them and did it without thought nor hesitation,

He saw her facing them with the utmost calm- that girl that had been flustered and nervous under praise from the Guild. That modest young woman who never flaunted her Power, or placed herself up above other people out of arrogance- the one who'd never boast to anything and really mean it. The one who had refused the S-Class Exams all her life and who had only grudgingly accepted the title of S-Class in the end.

She took in small, silent sigh as her eyes locked on Draculos- and Makarov saw nothing but tranquility in her.

I hated the idea, when Saige brought it up. I panicked, it freaked me out- I don't like the idea of having that much authority. I never did... because I'm been afraid of what I can do, what I might do... and it's just worse now.

Her fists tightened, just slightly.

... all the assurances, people promising... I do want to try harder.

Her hands relaxed a little, forcing herself.

And I think I get it now. A title isn't going to change what I am, or what I can do... Being S-Class wouldn't change that... and neither will being a Wizard of this is going to make this Darkness inside me any less real.

She felt the cold in her core sharpen, just a little, and she bit down on her tongue against it.

But I sure as hell can stop whining about it, because there is no damn way I'm going to Fall to it. Not ever. And nothing will change that.

Her chin titled up slightly, her eyes flashing in the dim as she held the eyes of everyone in that room with steadiness that hadn't been seen in her for far too long.

Try Harder... and make damned sure I will never be what I'm still so afraid of being. Ever.

"Yes." Frea replied, her voice unwavering. She nodded, her eyes glittering. "If that's the decision you've made, I won't argue. And I'd be honored."

Saige smiled, his lips pulling upward at the edges than it ever had yet.

What fire in those eyes of yours so suddenly, Energess.

He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head slightly as his orange eyes flashed.

Frea dipped her head slightly, her eyes falling closed for half a second. The Wizard Saints and the Council nodded solemnly,

"Then; We welcome you, Frea. From today forth, you are known as one of the Ten Wizard Saints of Ishgar."

---

Hope you enjoyed the chapter guys! Apologies, it's a bit longer than the other Chapters you have gotten so far~

A lot happened in this one though! I hope you enjoyed it regardless! Finally Frea's getting a bit of a confidence boost~

AAAAaand don't let yourselves feel too spoiled for the double update! I only put up two because I split the once chapter apart into two pieces XD

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