The Hisui and Mest gathered the rebels around the massive structure, with only a few of them aware of just what they were looking at. They were in a massive cavern, one that'd been mostly caved in but was repaired sometime later thanks to the work of Iron Rock Jura, a person Hisui had been struggling, immensely, to get a hold of lately.
Jura and some of the other more powerful wizards were out on their escapades. She wished to have them at her side for this assault, but something inside her knew they wouldn't be needed…yet. Not until they had to really take on Crocus, and beyond that, the Twilight Division.
They stood in one massive clump around the structure, gawking at it and some of the bloody murals around the cavern. They'd been painted by Hisui, though none were true artwork. It was the old splotches and stains from the blood of the Oni guard she had to defeat to secure this place. It was completely off the grid, not on any map the Empire had.
It was her first base of operations upon escaping prison, upon realizing her magic to its fullest extent.
She made her way down the makeshift stone steps that formed a small ring around the structure as Mest vanished and reappeared before it, excusing himself in front of Cana and Max to turn on its auxiliary system, creating a lacrima map of the kingdom. While there was far more to it, showing some of the other territories of Ishgar, only that of Fiore lit up bright enough to be visible.
"What are we doing here, Hisui?" Makarov asked. "Are you trying to get us all killed?"
Hisui rested her hand on what he was talking about.
"You're playing with fire, Hisui," Jellal said.
"I'm playing with embers," Hisui said. "And you know that." She leveled her gaze on Makarov. "There's no harm to it, Makarov. They were destroyed and decommissioned in the invasion. What you're looking at now is a memory, with just enough power to help us out. It's like a memory of what used to be, of what once made our enemies tremble."
"I still don't get it," Natsu said. "It's a big old pillar, so what?"
Hisui touched down with the rest. They parted so she could approach the control dais next to Mest.
"I imagine it was a well-kept secret once," Hisui said. "Makes sense. If the rest of the wizards on Ishgar knew these were around, they'd probably throw a fit. Maybe rebel."
"But what is it?" Gray asked.
"It is known as the White Inheritance," Hisui said. "Face."
"A bomb," Makarov said, "that wipes out all magic in its vicinity. If set off we'd be left without magic for the rest of our lives."
"Then what the heck are we doing here?" Happy exclaimed.
"The Face bombs of Fiore, Bosco, and Stella were destroyed in the initial Alvarez invasion," Hisui said. "While Zeref used less than half of his forces, he let a few of his generals slip through."
Her eyes locked on one particular person.
Irene.
"The bombs are not only gone in those three countries," Irene said, startling a great many of the wizards in the room. "They're gone around Ishgar. August and I saw to that."
"I imagine that didn't sit well with foreign dignitaries?"
"Without Face, what can they really do about it?"
Hisui rolled her eyes. "Regardless. The bombs were left inert but there is enough magic power in them to run rudimentary lacrima. I figured no one would be crazy enough to come to check on the bombs after they'd been destroyed and began my work from here, using tracking lacrima I stole from the palace to begin finding wizards. It's how I found Mest, how I found the survivors from Fairy Tail. Eventually, it was how we learned of you all."
"And it lets you see Imperial movements, doesn't it?" Meredy asked.
"It does," Hisui said.
"Then how come you haven't been operating from here since we got back?" Natsu asked.
"I have, from time to time. However, I needed to be in the field while Lucy was in Crocus to be able to receive and deliver information at critical times. I couldn't wait for a hand-off from Mest, that was too risky. Now that we're all gathered together here, though I figured it would be a good time to officially establish this base as our springboard for the next phase of our plans."
Mest nodded to her. They'd talked it over briefly, about bringing everyone to their most secret spot. It would have to be done eventually.
"Everything you all have done for the last few months has led to this," Hisui said. "We have an opportunity, right now, to apply the most pressure against the Twilight Empire. Two Divisions are down, if not completely out. We have momentum, and more importantly, we perhaps have an element of fear on our side. The people might have hope now."
Before, the refugees at the Blue Pegasus guild hall may never have left out of fear that they had nobody to protect them. Fairy Tail and Crime Sorciere changed that. If they could find the courage to go back into the world that threatened them, perhaps others would, too.
"Make yourselves at home for now," Hisui said. "Jellal, Makarov, Mest, on me. We need to discuss some things a bit further."
The former guild masters nodded and left their respective parties behind. Hisui backed up further along the dais. Mest shrunk the visual down to just Fiore and then moved the lacrima so it was in front of Hisui, allowing the four of them to see the former kingdom's borders a lot easier. Their meeting wasn't that secret at all, given that they were out in the open, but nobody seemed interested in listening in.
Irene hovered behind Erza while she spoke with Meredy and Tayaka. Natsu chased down Macbeth alongside Gray and Happy, while Gajeel idly spoke with Richard Buchanan, Lily, Max, Lisanna, and Freed of the Thunder Tribe. Evergreen strode down a corridor lithely with Cana and Laki, Max and Romeo and Elfman followed—Elfman following closely behind Evergreen, too. Lucy and Yukino were together with Juvia, Wendy, and Carla, the little group closest to the dais, but they definitely did not listen in.
Kagura was making it abundantly clear she was eavesdropping. Millianna was napping nearby and Kagura stood near her, arms folded, gaze occasionally drifting.
"Take a look at this," Hisui said. She waved her hand over the lacrima, and it recognized her magical signature.
At once, each of the rebel bases around the old kingdom appeared, but some were blurred, if not all that bright, unlike about five others. The one they were at was still hidden.
Jellal hummed while Makarov asked, "What's going on here?"
Hisui pointed to the Blue Pegasus base. "Any base like this means it's been destroyed or abandoned. Look how many are left."
"Less than half."
"And we're fortunate for that amount at all," Hisui said.
"Scores of dark wizards have been pillaging around the countryside trying to expose or destroy our bases," Mest said. "We think Tartaros is behind this."
"They're trying to weed us out," Makarov said.
"Meredy and Crime Sorciere took care of quite a few of those Dark Wizards and I suspect all that remains of their forces is their prime strength: the demons they've made, the Eight Demon Gates, and the three Underworld Etherious."
"Etherious?"
"Creations of Zeref," Jellal said. "Each designed to kill him."
"And what makes those three so special?"
"They're not, really," Jellal said. "To be honest I've never quite understood the distinction."
"They are the Etherious Zeref made immediately after his supposed greatest creation, E.N.D.," Mest said.
"That's the old master of the Tartaros guild," Makarov said. "What happened to them?"
"Nobody knows," Hisui said.
"And who are the Underworld Etherious?"
"Mard Geer Tartaros," Mest began, his gaze distant. Hisui knew the sacrifices Mest had to make simply to acquire this knowledge, and the horrors he had to stare down, "Captain of the Twilight Division, and wielder of the Memento Mori curse, one which blurs the line between life and death." He sighed. "There's also Bloodman, the Grim Reaper, an aspect of death itself. Within his soul is a gateway to hell itself, they say. No one can kill him without also suffering a similar fate. Then, lastly, there's Larcade, master of Pleasure and Pain."
"There doesn't seem to be too much demonic about that," Makarov muttered.
"He is the most powerful of the bunch," Mest said.
"Fortunately," Hisui said, "Bloodman is away in Alikitasia. There's an attempted uprising there he is snuffing out. Tartaros isn't at their full strength."
"And of the demons they have, there are several minor wizards that have been taken and mutated, as well as two that…well, the rebellion is familiar with."
Makarov let out a heavy sigh. Here was, Hisui assumed, where the hitch in the plan would come. Makarov loved his guild more than anything. They were his family, and he did everything he could to protect them.
What then would happen if he came face-to-face with Mirajane?
Hisui feared there was an answer for Mirajane, and it was not with Fairy Tail, nor Crime Sorciere…but with the woman whose allegiance was to defending Erza.
"So," Jellal said, "Tartaros has eliminated several bases. It's clear what they're really doing, and it isn't drawing us out."
"No?" Mest asked.
"It's simply wiping us all out," Jellal said. "Plain and simple." He looked up across the lacrima to Hisui. "We can't fight them as we are now. We need to get to these bases and protect these people. And we need more strength."
"I agree," Hisui said.
Jellal set his jaw. "The question is where are we going to find it?"
Hisui fiddled with her hands. Damn nerves. She looked around the room. They'd have to reach out to rebels already doing critical operations. They were too few, even with Jellal back.
"If I may, I have a suggestion."
The voice rose up from below. From Kagura.
She slowly made her way up the dais and stopped next to Jellal.
"I've seen how incredible Meredy's Sensory Link magic is," Kagura said. "I know how powerful it can be. If there are more people we need, perhaps we mustn't look simply beyond the Empire, but within it."
Jellal narrowed his eyes. "Recruit Imperials?"
"Two, specifically, that I have in mind," Kagura said. "Two with a bond tightly bound to a few members of our group already, Jellal. To, even,you."
Jellal's eyes widened. Hisui didn't understand until Jellal muttered their names, and it all clicked at once.
"They'd never go for it," Hisui said. "Not without Yukino, anyway, and we need her here, Jellal."
"I know," Jellal said. "But Kagura's right. Meredy's Sensory Link magic only continues to improve. We may not need Yukino for this. The question is how to draw them out."
"I think," Mest said. "You're the answer, Jellal."
"If Jellal makes his presence known the entirety of the damn Empire will be on him," Makarov said.
"Or just a bit of it," Jellal said. "Enough who feel prideful enough that they couldn't catch me before. Or that have a score to settle with people from their past."
Hisui held her tongue. It was risky, far riskier than anything they'd proposed before. But if they could pull off snagging the only remaining Celestial Spirit Wizardandyet another Dragon Slayer from the ranks of the Empire, only to bolster their own forces?
"Get your people and do it," Hisui said.
"We can't let Jellal go just like that," Mest said. "Crime Sorciere is too important!"
"We can if it means they come back far stronger," Hisui said.
Mest's stare wavered as Hisui met his eyes. He sighed, and let it go. Jellal and Kagura stepped down from the dais and into the rest of the rebels. Millianna stirred and followed.
The ache in Hisui's chest from all the budding anxiety magnified. Her heart thundered.
"And what he said was right," Hisui said, if not to Mest and Makarov then to herself, "They'll be going after those bases to wipe them out. Those are good people there, people who depend on us. We can't let them be eradicated."
"How can we help them then?" Mest asked. "I can try to get to them and bring them back but using that much of my magic will catch their attention."
Hisui stepped to the old Face bomb and rested her arms against it. There had to be a way. There had to be some way they could bring them all back.
And, of course, the path forward was simple. She balled her fists. Talk about risks. Damn it.
Before, when there were so few rebels, it was easy to make decisions. All of their moves were coordinated and tiny. They weren't throwing heavy blow after heavy blow. But now they had that sort of firepower, now, as she said, they had that momentum.
If it came down to it, couldn't they win? This was Fairy Tail.
They'd yet to truly let her down.
"Call everyone back," Hisui said. "I have a plan."
Makarov and Mest hesitated but didn't make Hisui repeat herself. She turned back to the rest of the cavern and raised her chin. She began breaking her plan down further, began breaking down her strategy, her mode of attack.
Yes.
This would be it, this would be the stroke that would be forever remembered as what began the downfall of the Empire.
But, still, her hands shook, her stomach ached, and she wanted so desperately just to sit down and rest for…well, for the rest of time.
Everyone came into the room again, including Crime Sorciere, who were all together.
There was no rest for the weary. Nor the wicked.
"So," Hisui said, realizing she was alone on the dais as Mest and Makarov filtered into the crowd. The dais, once not seeming so large, felt massive, like it would swallow her whole. " As I'm sure a few of you are aware, Dark Wizards have been picking off bases and villages one by one, killing rebels or causing chaos. We must put a stop to this."
"Our scouting and findings show that the Tartaros Division is the one behind all of this. In order to save these rebels, we may find resistance from them. That means having to defeat Demons of the Book of Zeref, like Lullaby or Deliora."
Lucy and Gray, in the crowd, tensed. Hisui momentarily locked eyes with Jellal.
He probably wouldn't agree. SheknewMest and Makarov wouldn't. Throwing everyone out into the world at once on a rescue mission was begging for trouble, but what it also begged for was combat. They could draw out the demons and defeat them one by one, slowly whittling down Tartaros's forces until the Division was wiped out.
Thankfully, none of them would run into Mard Geer in the wild. He never made a move himself unless it was a foe he deemed worthy, and Hisui doubted someone as touted as Makarov would be enough to get Mard Geer on his feet. That left his servants.
Kyoka and Seilah would be problematic but conquerable. Torafuzar had already been defeated, and of equal or similar strength were Tempester and Ezel, who Hisui was confident in her rebels to defeat. Jackal was a wildcard but they had several of their own.
One of the aces of Tartaros was the necromancer, Keyes. There'd been so many dead rolled up under the Empire's boot that his army of the dead could be endless. That was one they'd have to be careful about. Not to mention there was a rumor about an invincible Ice-Make wizard paired with the division already.
Given all of that, there was also the matter of the recruits in the Tartaros Division: Jiemma and Mirajane, no mere slouches in the combat department. Mirajane likely had strength on par with any of the Demon Gates.
As such, moving forward, Hisui had to be cautious and calculated.
"There are five locations that need our attention," Hisui said. She swung the viewing lacrima back up and enlarged it for all to see. The bases remained highlighted. "Going to each one as a group would draw far too much attention. We need strike teams to head to each of these locations and get the rebels and villagers out."
She scanned the crowd. Decision time.
"First," she said, and pointed to Onibus, "we have a significant piece of our trade disruption here. We cannot afford to lose our grip on this station. I want Gray, Juvia, and Yukino to go there."
"Of course," Gray muttered before Juvia leaped on him. Yukino smiled at the couple. They were a couple, right? Had to be.
"Next," Hisui said and guided their attention to Freesia Town, a smaller place, "we'll have Natsu, Lucy, and Elfman. It's a smaller settlement, and there shouldn't be much room for chaos." After a moment where Happy looked around confused, Hisui clarified, "Happy you're going with Natsu. All Exceeds are going with their Dragon Slayer."
"Aye, sir!"
"And then we have Oak Town," Hisui said after a moment to catch her breath and think. "We've managed to maintain a hold on the old Phantom Lord fortress—what's left of it, anyway—for some time, but if Tartaros gets their hands on it that claims a significant victory for the Empire. Erza, take Lisanna and Gajeel with you. Gajeel I understand you have a significant history there."
"As does Juvia," Gray said, quickly.
"Juvia's talents are best suited to ensuring your safety," Erza said before Hisui could make an excuse.
"Um, Hisui?" Lisanna chimed in as the laughter settled down. "I—I have…concerns."
"Concerns?"
"It's Tartaros. It's who they are, who they—look if we run into Big Sis out there, I don't wanna have to face her alone."
"You won't be alone."
Lisanna balled a fist. "What I mean is, I don't want to face her as the only person in our family. Can Elfman come with us?"
Hisui pondered this. That would leave Natsu, Lucy, and Happy alone. Then again, the three of them were well-renowned as a powerful trio before the world fell to ruin. Plus, Oak Town would be a prime spot if Tartaros got wind of their operation. Having more reinforcements there was wise.
"Yes," Hisui said. She moved on quickly. "To Malba City, then. We have a base on the outskirts of town, well hidden, and it may take time to sniff it out. As such, Laxus, take the Thunder Tribe with you while bringing Wendy alongside as a better scout."
"Two Dragon Slayers? Nice!" Bickslow exclaimed.
"Finally," Hisui said. "There's the Sun Village, home of the Giants and our friend, Flare Corona. Flare returned to check on her family and I'm concerned the Empire may target her and the Eternal Flame. It's fairly forgettable but a significant piece of our country's heritage we cannot afford to lose. Makarov, you'll take Cana, Max, and Laki."
That still left a few people out. Crime Sorciere, for one, along with Sherria, Romeo, Mest, Tayaka, and, of course, Irene. Sherria, though powerful, was arguably the easiest to figure out of the bunch. She was still too green, too volatile.
"Mest I want you here with me in case of any emergencies," Hisui said. "Sherria, you'll stay behind with me, too, I'd like a bit of God Slayer firepower in my back pocket. Romeo and Tayaka-"
"I want to stay here," Romeo said, balling a fist. "I want to keep an eye on Miss Porlyusica and make sure she's okay."
Hisui nodded. Good.
"And us?" Jellal asked.
"You know your mission, Jellal," Hisui said. "See it through, and come back to us. By that time I imagine the situation will have developed significantly."
"So, then, if it's all the same," Tayaka said, moving slowly through the crowd. The girl was once so sheepish, so small in her frame, but seemed to grow taller, more into herself. The Arc of Time drifted around her torso, "I want to go with you."
"It's dangerous, Tayaka," Meredy said.
"But it's what Ultear would've done if she was here," Tayaka said. "And if I want to learn how to master these abilities, I need to learn from the people closest to her."
"We won't be running a seminar," Meredy said.
Jellal rested a hand on her shoulder. "You can come with us. I'll oversee your training. You're right, this is what she would've wanted."
Meredy sighed. "Fine. But don't you dare slow us down, kiddo."
Tayaka sidled into the group of former criminals. Everyone else was in their squads. Fairy Tail would splinter, divided toward the five remaining major safe havens of the rebellion. In doing so, they'd come toe-to-toe with Tartaros.
In doing so, they'd face the possible destruction of Tartaros.
Hisui wiped the sweat from her brow. Her hands shook uncontrollably, and she could barely keep her legs upright. Her knees wanted so badly to buckle.
Tartaros had once seemed a nightmarish distance away but there they were, on the precipice of a true war with the demonic division. For once, Hisui had the firepower to truly challenge and stand up to the Empire.
Yet that sinking feeling continued to open like a bottomless pit in her heart, and she had to force herself not to recall all of her orders and beg for more time, beg for more of a chance to stay safe on the run. Eventually, she knew they'd have to stand and fight. She thought she'd be ready for that day when it came, but she was just as distraught as ever as it'd come.
The groups slowly headed out, leaving Hisui alone on the dais as she stood before the former weapon of the Magic Council.
No, what, she wasn't alone.
Irene Belserion stepped up, examining Face.
"Orders, Your Highness?" Irene asked.
Hisui felt her heart skip a beat. "You love your daughter, don't you?"
"More than anything."
"Do whatever you must to keep her alive and happy," Hisui said.
Irene narrowed her eyes, still not looking at Hisui, and nodded.
"Consider it done."
The Demon Gates finished boarding the Cube. Their little Demons had come with them. Kip, the new one, was still leashed up with Seilah.
Mirajane followed behind Ezel and Tempester toward the control room where Mard Geer and Kyoka waited. Seilah had to head down to Hell's Core to keep Kip in stasis to keep him detained for a bit longer. Jiemma was allowed to roam freely, though Franmalth was more than content to keep an eye on him.
Her head swam trying to keep up with everyone—and Bloodman wasn't even with them. Technically Keyes wasn't either, but he'd already received his orders from Mard Geer on how to proceed for their operation.
Mard Geer folded one leg over the other.
"Good," he said, his voice slithering out from the shadows of the room. "All are accounted for. Then we will proceed."
He touched his index and middle finger to his forehead.
"We may depart."
The Cube was still an enigma to Mirajane but she'd be told not to question it. It was a massive structure, one home to hundreds of demons and several weaker wizards under the sway of demonic possession. Tartaros was a true army in and of itself, and it had one purpose:
The eradication of Fairy Tail.
Ideally, they wanted to absorb a few Fairies into their ranks. But, if they were all killed, so be it. Mirajane was partial to saving Lisanna and Elfman since their abilities would blend well with the demonic transformation.
"Where shall we set our first course, Lord Mard Geer?" Franmalth communicated.
Mard Geer thrummed. Ezel leaned against the wall while Tempester blew out a small sigh. Mirajane eyed Kyoka.
"Our scouts reported odd flashes of lightning moving toward an old begotten canyon not a day ago," Kyoka said.
"Laxus," Mirajane said.
"So they're all nice and tucked away," Mard Geer said. He laughed. "For now. Hisui isn't one to stay still for long. I imagine she'll want to send the Fairies out to cause some more chaos. That's fine. I trust you all to deal with this as necessary." He held his hand up. "There remain five rebel cities I wish burned to the ground. Deal with them as necessary. Pass the word along to Seilah, too."
"Keyes will continue as usual?" Kyoka asked.
"Yes."
Kyoka nodded. Mirajane folded her arms. Finally, some action.
Finally, some Fairy hunting.
"It saddens me," Mard Geer said as he shifted in his seat. Most of his figure remained completely obscured in the control room. Mirajane had yet to see his full face. "That we should kill someone once so important to our dear creator. That we should kill…Master."
Master?
Mirajane wanted to speak up and ask but knew her place. The Demon Gates and Mard Geer had a curious fascination with this figure, E.N.D. Mirajane never asked for their identity.
How would wiping out Fairy Tail lead to the death of their master? It was clearly someone close to Zeref. There must've been someone else with Fairy Tail that they were targeting. Perhaps that was Keyes's operation.
"We could handle it with care," Kyoka said. "Send me, Lord Mard Geer. Do not worry yourself."
"You must remain to pilot the Cube, Kyoka," Mard Geer said. "I want you to prepare Hisui's chambers for when we have her. She will be yours to play with."
"Of course."
Mard Geer almost stood, but a new presence entered the control room, one radiating with power and a haunting positivity and calmness. Mirajane's insides churned. What—what was this magic?
Mard Geer sighed. "You. I didn't think you'd actually answer the summons."
The new arrival was bathed in a white light, bearing a metal cross on his back while several white markings and tattoos lined his body. His hands were placed together before his torso, and his expression was soft. Muscles rippled down his bare upper body leading to soft pants.
"We had similar concerns, it seems, my Captain."
"The hell you doing here, Larcade?' Ezel muttered. "Haven't seen you for months."
"I'm doing as my Captain ordered, and hunting down Fairies."
This was Larcade? One of the great Underworld Etherious of Zeref? But he looked so pure, so clean, so…
Larcade glanced at Mirajane, and showed her, within his eyes, a roiling hatred one could only find within the deepest pits of hell. Within those eyes was torture, agony, and despair, all of which he robbed from his enemies, making them beg for an end to their lives writhing in ecstasy.
Mira felt it in her. She had to keep herself still lest she wish to jump on him and have her way, even if, truly, she didn't find him attractive in the slightest. Damn him.
He was a demon.
"Leave E.N.D. to me," Larcade said. "I can take care of him."
"You understand what you're saying, Larcade," Mard Geer said.
Larcade smiled. "Of course. But I wouldn't want you all getting so involved. After all, it's best if he and I must keep our business in the family."