Lucy's right foot tapped against the platform of Magnolia Station in a rapid, uneven rhythm. The early afternoon sun cast long shadows across the station as she checked her watch for the fourth time, even though barely two minutes had passed since her last check.
"It's just a mission, just a mission," she whispered, fiddling with her celestial keys. The cool metal under her fingertips helped steady her nerves, sort of.
Erza had told them to be at the train station in thirty minutes. Lucy had rushed home, grabbed essentials, and sprinted to the station, arriving embarrassingly early. Her mind raced with possibilities of what could be so urgent that Erza herself was assembling a team.
Twenty-five minutes had now passed, and Lucy's eyes darted between the station entrance and the platform clock. A few feet away, Natsu and Gray were already at each other's throats—verbally, at least.
"What'd you say, ice princess?" Natsu growled, his forehead nearly touching Gray's.
Gray scoffed, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. "You heard me, flame brain. Just don't slow us down on this mission."
"Me? Slow us down? That's rich coming from someone who can't even keep his clothes on!"
Gray looked down to find his shirt mysteriously absent again. "When did that—? Ugh, whatever."
Lucy sighed, grateful they hadn't escalated to actual fighting yet. But her concern was focused elsewhere. Ben still hadn't arrived, and his absence made her increasingly nervous. He'd mentioned needing to grab something in town before meeting her here, but the longer the wait the more her mind wandered.
She recalled the subtle tension in his shoulders when Erza had entered the guild hall. While his face had remained neutral, Lucy had noticed how he'd gone quiet, the good mood he was in prior to her arrival fading when the red-haired mage had started giving orders. But it wasn't just the usual nervousness that everyone else displayed around Erza – this was different. Unlike the rest of the guild members who averted their eyes and practically shrank in their seats, Ben had done the opposite.
His gaze never left Erza, not even for a moment. His eyes tracked her movements with an intensity that reminded Lucy of a cornered animal watching a predator – alert, wary, calculating. There was no fear in his expression, just a kind of coiled readiness that made Lucy wonder what he'd experienced to react this way.
When Erza had walked past their table, Lucy noticed how Ben's breathing had subtly changed – controlled and measured, like he was deliberately keeping himself calm. His fingers had momentarily drifted from the counter to his side, poised like a gunslinger about to draw.
When Mirajane had later approached them about the mission details, Ben's enthusiasm had been noticeably lacking. He'd agreed to join, of course, but it seemed to be more out of reluctance than enthusiasm. It made her wonder what was going through his mind. Was it something about the mission itself, or Erza specifically that made him uncomfortable? Something about authority figures?
Lucy knew there was something Ben kept buried—something that went deeper than the occasional vague references to his life before Fiore. The way his eyes sometimes went distant when certain topics came up, the subtle tension that appeared in his shoulders at unexpected moments.
She absently traced the outline of her celestial keys, remembering their conversation on the train to Magnolia months ago. The gentle sway of the carriage, the countryside blurring past the window as Ben had opened up just a crack about his past.
She'd promised then not to pry, to wait until he was ready to tell her on his own terms. It was a promise Lucy intended to keep, no matter how much her curiosity gnawed at her. The way he tensed around authority figures, his nightmares that he tried to hide, the scars she'd glimpsed when his sleeve rolled up once while gardening—It was like having a jigsaw puzzle with the edge pieces in place but nothing to connect them.
All these fragments painted a picture, but what picture? Lucy had dozens of theories, each more unlikely than the last. Was he a former dark guild member? A refugee from some war-torn country? Sometimes when she let her imagination run wild, she'd imagine him as a secret prince in hiding or an undercover agent. But those fanciful ideas always crashed against the reality of Ben - the guy who spent hours coaxing reluctant plants to bloom and who'd once spent an entire afternoon listening to her bemoan her tutors and classes.
Lucy checked her watch again. Five more minutes until Erza's deadline. She bit her lower lip and scanned the station entrance for any sign of either Ben or Erza.
"Where are you, Ben?" she murmured, her fingers now anxiously twisting the end of her blonde hair. Her promise not to dig into his past didn't stop her from worrying about him in the present. Something about this mission, or perhaps about Erza herself, had clearly disturbed him. The look in his eyes earlier hadn't just been wariness—there had been recognition of something familiar and unpleasant.
"Still no sign of him?" Happy asked, floating down to perch on a nearby bench.
"Not yet," Lucy said, chewing her lower lip. She scanned the station entrance for what felt like the hundredth time. "He said he needed to grab something in town, but he's almost out of time and Erza doesn't seem the type to wait."
"Maybe he got lost?" Happy suggested, munching on a fish that seemed to materialize from nowhere.
"Ben doesn't get lost," Lucy replied, more sharply than she intended. "He memorized a map of Magnolia."
Another quirk she'd noticed—his almost obsessive need to know escape routes and layouts. He called it being "prepared," but sometimes it seemed more like paranoia than caution. Like the time they went to that restaurant in town, and he'd insisted on sitting with his back to the wall, facing the entrance. Or how he'd casually mentioned three different ways to exit the guild hall during her first week.
She twisted a strand of blonde hair between her fingers, still watching the entrance. Any minute now, she expected to see him hurrying through the crowd, that apologetic half-smile on his face, maybe rubbing the back of his neck the way he did when he was feeling embarrassed .
A shadow of doubt crept into her mind, but she pushed it away. Ben had never let her down when she needed help moving into her apartment. Not she'd dragged him shopping and made him carry all her bags. Not even when she impulsively decided to leave her home with nothing but what she could carry and join a wizard guild.
The mystery of Ben's past both frustrated and intrigued her. She wanted to know, to understand what made him who he was. But more than that, she wanted him to trust her enough to share it willingly. Until then, she'd have to be content with her collection of puzzle pieces, waiting for the day when they'd finally make sense.
"He'll be here," she murmured, as much to reassure herself as to answer Happy.
"You liiiiike him," Happy rolled his tongue, his signature teasing tone making Lucy flush.
"Shut it, cat!" She swiped at him half-heartedly. "He's my friend. Of course I'm worried."
The station clock ticked closer to their departure time. Natsu and Gray's argument had escalated to shoving, and still no sign of either Ben or Erza. Lucy's stomach twisted, she wasn't blind to the brewing tension. Between Natsu and Gray's constant bickering and whatever complicated dynamic existed between Ben and Erza, this mission was shaping up to be difficult before it even began. And unlike the casual jobs they'd taken around Magnolia, this one seemed different – important enough for someone like Erza to personally assemble a team.
"Come on, Ben," she whispered. "Where are you?"
"I'm right here," a voice answered from directly behind her.
Lucy jumped, a small squeak escaping her throat as she spun around. There stood Ben, regarding her with a slightly amused expression, his green eyes bright against his tanned skin. Somehow, he'd managed to approach without her noticing, despite her vigilant watch of the station entrance.
"How did you—? I was watching for you!" Lucy exclaimed, pressing a hand to her racing heart.
Ben gave a small shrug. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. Came from the south entrance."
Lucy took a moment to look him over. He was wearing something new—a brown leather jacket that looked much sturdier than his usual canvas one. The rich mahogany color complemented his dark hair and gave him a more polished appearance than his typically well-worn attire. A sturdy-looking satchel hung at his side, the strap crossing his chest diagonally.
"New jacket?" she asked, reaching out to touch the sleeve before catching herself and dropping her hand.
Ben nodded, adjusting one of the cuffs. "Yeah, figured it was time. My old one didn't exactly survive Natsu's... enthusiastic approach to the Everlue job." A wry smile crossed his face. "Turns out canvas and magical fire don't mix well."
"I still say that it wasn't my fault," Natsu called over, evidently having overheard them despite his ongoing shoving match with Gray.
"The pine resin didn't catch fire by itself," Ben replied dryly, though there was no real annoyance in his voice.
Lucy noticed that despite his casual demeanor, Ben's eyes kept darting around the station, pausing briefly on each exit before continuing their sweep. His fingers tapped against the strap of his satchel in that familiar, restless way of his.
"What's in the bag?" she asked, hoping to distract him from whatever was causing his unease.
Ben patted the satchel, loosening the buckle to reveal a glimpse of various pouches and containers inside. "Just some supplies I thought might be useful. I've been doing those small jobs for those alchemist shops around town, remember?"
Lucy nodded. Ben had been taking on extra work during his free time, delivering rare plant specimens or helping local alchemists with their gardens.
"Well, I figured I'd cash in a few favors." He pulled out a small glass vial containing what looked like red seeds. "The owner of that shop near the canal gave me these fire-bloom seeds. They burst into flames when cracked open." He carefully tucked them back in. "I've got exotic mosses, sleeping pollen, a few paralytic spores... even managed to get some seeds for vines that grow ten times faster than normal ones."
"That's... actually really smart," Lucy said, genuinely impressed.
Ben shrugged, closing the satchel. "If this mission is as dangerous as everyone seems to think, I figured I should have something more potent than my usual vines. My regular plants work fine for smaller jobs, but..." He trailed off, his gaze shifting past Lucy to scan the platform again. "Better to have options and not need them."
She was about to ask him more about his preparations when Gray's voice rose above the station noise.
"Will you quit shoving me, ash-for-brains? You're making us look like idiots!"
"You don't need my help for that, ice princess!" Natsu shot back, his fist now clutching Gray's collar.
Lucy sighed, turning back to Ben. "I think I'm going to be playing referee this entire mission," she muttered.
Before Ben could respond, a commotion at the far end of the station caught their attention. The crowd of travelers began parting like water around a ship's bow, revealing the source of the disturbance.
"Is that...?" Lucy squinted, then her eyes widened.
Erza Scarlet strode confidently through the station, her scarlet hair gleaming in the afternoon sunlight that streamed through the high windows. But what drew everyone's attention wasn't her commanding presence or her armor that glinted with each step—it was the mountain of luggage stacked on an giant cart she pulled behind her.
"I thought this was supposed to be a quick mission?" Lucy whispered, staring at the tower of suitcases, bags, and trunks that rose above Erza's head. The cart wheels groaned in protest with each turn, yet somehow the towering pile remained balanced.
Lucy felt Ben go rigid beside her. Glancing over, she saw that the casual posture he'd maintained was gone. His shoulders had squared, his stance subtly shifted—feet slightly apart, knees slightly bent, as if preparing for... something. His expression remained neutral, but his eyes had that same intensity she'd noticed earlier at the guild hall.
"Ben?" she whispered, concern flooding her voice. "Are you—"
But before she could finish, Erza had reached them, the massive cart of luggage coming to a halt with a final protesting squeak of its wheels.
"Good, you're all here," Erza said, her armor catching the afternoon light as she surveyed their small gathering. Her eyes moved across the group, brightening when she spotted Natsu and Gray locked in their unconvincing display of friendship.
"Erza! We're just getting along great, as usual!" Gray forced through a strained smile, arm still awkwardly draped over Natsu's shoulder.
"Aye! Best buddies!" Natsu added with an equally pained grin.
Erza nodded approvingly before her gaze shifted, landing on Lucy and Ben. Her eyebrows lifted slightly in recognition. "You two were at the guild yesterday. I haven't properly met you yet."
Lucy stepped forward, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "I'm Lucy Heartfilia," she said with a small bow of her head. "It's an honor to meet you, Erza. I've heard so much about your accomplishments." She clasped her hands together, hoping she wasn't coming across as too eager.
Erza's lips curved into a warm smile, much friendlier than the stern demeanor she'd displayed at the guild hall. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Lucy. I'm Erza Scarlet." Her tone softened considerably as she added, "Welcome to Fairy Tail. Mirajane has mentioned you both—said you've been fitting in wonderfully."
Lucy blinked in surprise at the transformation. The intimidating warrior who had silenced the entire guild with her presence now stood before them with an almost gentle expression.
Ben remained slightly behind Lucy, his fingers still grazing his satchel. Every line of his body screamed caution, but he managed a curt nod. "Ben Witt,We're Natsu's teammates." His voice carefully neutral. "Thought we'd tag along and provide some backup. Always good to have more hands on a mission, right?"
Lucy noticed how Ben's eyes never left Erza's face, tracking her every movement like he was studying a complex spell diagram. The intensity in his gaze made Lucy shift uncomfortably beside him. She also noticed that Ben had deliberately omitted Mirajane's request for them to accompany Natsu and Gray, but she decided not to correct him.
Erza's gaze lingered on him a moment longer than necessary, as if trying to place something about him. "That's thoughtful of you. This mission could indeed use the extra support." Her smile returned as she added, "I've heard about your plant magic from the others. Quite unique. I'm looking forward to seeing it in action."
"Are those all your bags?" Lucy asked, desperate to break the strange tension as she gestured toward the enormous pile of luggage.
"Just the essentials," Erza replied without a hint of irony, patting a particularly ornate trunk affectionately.
Before they could respond, Natsu broke away from Gray, stepping forward with a determined glint in his eyes. His earlier nervousness seemed to have evaporated, replaced by that familiar fire that always burned within him.
"Hold on, Erza," Natsu said, crossing his arms over his chest. "If I'm gonna help you with this mission, I've got a condition."
Gray immediately took several steps back, hands raised defensively. "Whoa, don't lump me in with this idiot. Whatever he's about to say, I had nothing to do with it."
Lucy's eyes widened, and she shot a worried glance at Ben, who watched the exchange with quiet intensity.
To everyone's surprise, rather than snapping at Natsu's boldness, Erza merely tilted her head, regarding him with curious patience. "A condition? What might that be?"
Natsu's fists clenched at his sides, a grin spreading across his face. "When we get back from this mission, I want a rematch. You and me, one on one."
Happy gasped, floating up to hover near Lucy's shoulder. "He's really doing it!"
For a long moment, Erza simply studied Natsu, her expression unreadable. Then, something changed in her eyes—a softness appeared, coupled with what almost looked like pride. The corner of her mouth lifted into a fond smile.
"You really have grown, haven't you?" she said quietly, almost to herself. Then, with a decisive nod, she added, "Very well. I accept your challenge."
"You're serious?" Gray blurted, looking between them in disbelief.
Natsu pumped his fist in the air, flames briefly flickering around his knuckles in excitement. "I'm all fired up now! Let's go do this mission so I can finally show you what I can do!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Erza cautioned, though the warmth in her voice remained. She glanced at the large station clock and gestured toward the tracks. "Our train leaves in five minutes. I'll explain everything once we're aboard."
"Train?" Natsu's enthusiasm deflated instantly,as if only now remembering where they were. His shoulders slumped as his face took on a sickly greenish tint. "Can't we just walk? Or maybe hire a carriage?"
"It's too far," Erza replied matter-of-factly. "The train is the most efficient way to reach our destination."
Lucy watched as Natsu seemed to shrink before her eyes, his previous bravado completely evaporated at the mere mention of transportation. Happy patted his shoulder sympathetically.
"Come on," Gray said, already walking toward the platform. "The sooner we get on, the sooner we get this over with."
As they began moving toward the waiting train, Ben leaned closer to Lucy. "Interesting," he murmured.
"What is?" Lucy whispered back, keeping an eye on their companions ahead.
"The way she handled Natsu," Ben replied quietly. His posture had relaxed somewhat, though Lucy noticed his eyes still tracked Erza's movements. "Not what I expected."
"I know what you mean," Lucy admitted as they followed behind the others. "Everyone at the guild makes her sound so terrifying, but she seems... nice, actually." She studied Erza's back as the warrior effortlessly pulled her mountain of luggage. "Intimidating, sure, but not the monster they described."
Ben nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful rather than tense now. "There's more to her than meets the eye. I'm just trying to figure out what."
Ben sat in between Gray and Lucy on the train, his posture relaxed but his senses remained on high alert. Years of practice had ingrained in him a habit he couldn't shake—always assess the situation, never fully let your guard down. Across from them, Erza had settled Natsu beside her, the Dragon Slayer's face a sickly shade of green as the train rumbled along the tracks.
Natsu groaned miserably, his head lolling back against the seat. "I think I'm gonna die," he mumbled, one hand clutching his stomach while the other covered his mouth.
Erza's brow furrowed as she watched him. "I'd forgotten just how severe your motion sickness was," she said, her voice tinged with genuine concern. "This is my oversight. I should have prepared for this."
To Ben's surprise, Erza turned to face Natsu directly. "Forgive me, Natsu. Let me help ease your suffering."
Before anyone could react, Erza drew back her gauntleted fist and delivered a swift punch to Natsu's midsection. The Dragon Slayer's eyes bulged momentarily before rolling back in his head as he slumped unconsciously against the seat.
Lucy gasped. "Was that really necessary?"
"It's more merciful this way," Erza explained matter-of-factly as she gently repositioned Natsu, guiding his head to rest on her lap. Her armored fingers brushed a few strands of pink hair from his face with unexpected tenderness. "He'll sleep through the journey now. Better unconscious than suffering, wouldn't you agree?"
Ben blinked, completely thrown by the sequence of events. One moment she was apologizing with sincere remorse, the next she was knocking Natsu out cold, and now she was cradling his head with almost maternal care. Every time he thought he had her figured out, she did something to completely upend his assessment.
Gray, seemingly unfazed by the display, merely shrugged. "That's one way to handle it, I guess."
Happy settled beside Natsu, curling up near his head. "Aye, he'll feel much better this way."
Ben frowned slightly, turning his attention to the rolling landscape outside the window. Erza Scarlet was not fitting neatly into any of the categories his mind had prepared. When he'd first heard about her at the guild—the woman who could silence an entire hall with her mere presence, who had Natsu and Gray trembling in their boots—he'd immediately catalogued her as a potential threat. A tyrant, perhaps, or at minimum someone whose authority bordered on intimidation.
But this woman... she was something else entirely. The way she spoke to Natsu and Gray carried the exasperation of an older sister dealing with troublesome siblings, not the cold calculation of someone who ruled through fear. There was genuine warmth in her eyes when she looked at her guildmates, even as she knocked one of them unconscious with a single punch.
Yet Ben couldn't reconcile this gentler Erza with the terror she'd inspired at the guild. He'd seen how Natsu and Gray had practically fallen over themselves trying to pretend they were best friends. He'd witnessed the entire guild going silent when she walked in. That kind of reaction didn't come from nothing.
"Is he going to be alright?" Lucy asked, eyeing Natsu with concern.
"He'll be fine," Erza assured her, absently stroking Natsu's hair. "He's quite resilient, our Natsu."
Ben watched as she adjusted her armor slightly to make Natsu more comfortable on her lap. It was such a strange contradiction—the violence of her solution paired with the gentleness of her aftercare. Completely at odds with what he'd expected from her.
Ben caught Lucy's eye, and she gave him a small, bemused smile as if to say, "I don't understand her either." He returned it briefly before shifting his attention back to Erza.
"I should explain why I asked for your help." Erza said, Her eyes surveyed each of them in turn, her tone shifting to something more serious before continuing. "We're going to be confronting a dark guild called Eisenwald."
Lucy's brow furrowed as she leaned forward slightly. "Dark guild? What exactly does that mean?"
Ben felt a small surge of satisfaction at knowing something Lucy didn't for once. The bookish blonde typically had answers before questions were even fully formed. He opened his mouth to explain, but Gray beat him to it.
"They're wizard guilds that have been kicked out of the Wizard League for breaking the law," Gray explained, his expression grim. "They operate outside the rules that govern legal guilds, taking on jobs too sinister or violent for places like Fairy Tail to consider."
Ben nodded, adding, "They don't answer to the Magic Council either. Most dark guilds survive by doing the kind of work that crosses lines no legitimate wizard would touch—assassination, theft, sabotage." He'd heard whispers about these guilds during his short time in Fiore, had even been warned to stay clear of certain towns where they were known to operate.
Lucy's eyes widened, a hint of anxiety crossing her features. "And we're just going to... attack them? All of us against an entire guild of criminal wizards?"
Erza shook her head, her scarlet hair swaying gently with the motion of the train. "That's not the plan—at least not directly. But we need to be prepared for that possibility."
"What exactly happened then?" Ben asked, leaning forward slightly.
"During my return journey, I stopped at a pub where wizard gatherers often meet," Erza continued, acknowledging Lucy's concern with a brief nod. "Some men there caught my attention when they began whispering about someone called Erigor."
"Erigor?" Gray's brow furrowed. "That name sounds familiar."
"It should," Erza replied grimly. "He's known as the Reaper of Eisenwald, an assassin who only accepts jobs to kill people. The Magic Council outlawed assassination requests years ago, but Eisenwald decided that money was more important than the Council's rules. That's why they were kicked out of the wizard league six years ago."
Ben's fingers tapped thoughtfully against his knee. "So they've been operating as a dark guild since then."
"Precisely," Erza confirmed. "But what truly concerned me was what I heard next. These men mentioned something called 'Lullaby' and spoke of a seal that had been broken."
Gray leaned forward, his expression serious. "Lullaby?"
"The name rang a bell, but I couldn't place it at the time," Erza admitted, frustration briefly flashing across her face. "I should have made them tell me more, but I didn't realize the significance until I'd already left. That's when I decided to report back to Master Makarov immediately."
"And?" Lucy prompted, when Erza paused.
"The Master informed me that the Magic Council had just reported a break-in at one of their secured vaults," Erza continued, her voice dropping lower. "An ancient artifact was stolen—specifically a flute called 'Lullaby.' This matches exactly what those men were discussing." Her expression darkened, a shadow passing over her face as she absently stroked Natsu's hair. "According to the Council's missive, this isn't just any magical item. It's a creation of the Black Wizard Zeref himself."
The name hung heavy in the air. Ben felt a chill run down his spine—even during his time living in Seven, he'd heard whispers of Zeref and the devastation his magic had caused centuries ago.
Lucy's eyes widened. "Zeref? The wizard from the history books? But he lived hundreds of years ago..."
"And his creations have endured," Erza confirmed grimly. "The Master says Lullaby is described in the Council's records as a flute that puts its victims into 'an eternal sleep.'"
"That's just a fancy way of saying it kills people, isn't it?" Gray muttered, his fingers unconsciously stripping off his shirt buttons until Ben shot him a pointed look.
"The records are intentionally vague," Erza explained, her eyes momentarily drifting to the countryside passing outside the window. "But given that Eisenwald—a guild specializing in assassination—has gone to such lengths to acquire it, I think your assumption is a safe one." Her voice dropped slightly. "Whatever Lullaby does, it's certainly nothing benevolent."
Lucy swallowed visibly, her fingers nervously twisting a strand of blonde hair. "This sounds incredibly dangerous. But wait—why would the Magic Council even keep something that lethal? Shouldn't they have destroyed it ages ago?"
Erza shook her head, her scarlet hair catching the light streaming through the train windows. "Destroying magical artifacts isn't as simple as smashing them to pieces, Lucy. Especially those created by someone like Zeref." She glanced down at Natsu's sleeping form before continuing. "When a powerful magical item is destroyed improperly, all the magic contained within it risks being released at once—often with catastrophic consequences."
"Like a bomb going off?" Lucy asked, eyes widening.
"Sometimes worse," Erza replied. "Magic infused with Zeref's dark energy is particularly volatile. An item this powerful? Proper disposal could take decades of careful spellwork to unravel the magic safely... if it's possible at all. That's why the Council keeps such items secured instead."
Ben nodded grimly, "I've witnessed the aftermath of improperly neutralized magical weapons. The destruction can be... extensive."
"Exactly," Erza said, her eyes narrowing. "So the Council locks these artifacts away, hoping to eventually find safe disposal methods. Which makes their theft all the more concerning."
Ben leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Eternal sleep... if Eisenwald intends to use this flute, we could be looking at mass casualties. A sonic-based death magic could affect hundreds at once if deployed in a populated area."
"And you're sure we should get involved?" Lucy asked, her voice wavering slightly. "Maybe this is something for the Magic Council to handle? I mean, if they're the ones who lost it..."
"By the time the Council mobilizes their full forces, it could be too late," Erza replied firmly. "They're still investigating the breach in their security, questioning their guards, following procedure. Bureaucracy moves slowly, but dark guilds don't. We need to act now, while we still have a chance to stop whatever Eisenwald is planning."
Ben studied Erza's face carefully, recognizing the weight of urgency in her tone. "Do we know exactly what this Lullaby thing does?" he asked quietly. "The mechanism of it, I mean. Does someone have to play it? How far does its effect reach?"
"The Master didn't have all the details," Erza admitted. "The Council keeps the full extent of such weapons classified. We know it's a flute that kills when played, but the range, the specifics of how it works—those weren't included in the alert. That's part of what makes this so dangerous."
Gray's jaw tightened, frost briefly collecting on his fingertips before dissipating. "And you think they're planning to use it somewhere specific? Do we have any leads on where they might strike?"
"Those men mentioned something about a big job coming up—something that could finally 'put them on the map.' Whatever they're planning, it sounds significant." Erza's gaze swept across each of them in turn, her eyes burning with quiet intensity. "That's why I need your help. Even I couldn't face an entire guild by myself, especially not when they have a weapon that could kill with a single melody."
"So what's the plan?" Ben asked, leaning forward. "Are we just going to wait for them to make a move?"
Erza shook her head, a determined glint in her eyes. "We're not giving them that chance. This train is taking us directly to Freesia Town—the rumored location of Eisenwald's guild hall. I intend to confront them before they can put whatever plan they have into motion."
Lucy's eyes widened. "We're heading straight to their headquarters? Just the five of us?"
"Sometimes a direct approach is best," Erza replied confidently. "But to be clear, we're not going in looking for a fight. Our primary objective is intelligence gathering - we locate the flute, secure it if possible, and extract ourselves without engaging the entire guild. Standing and fighting all of Eisenwald should be our absolute last resort."
Lucy visibly relaxed at this clarification. "That sounds more reasonable."
"Indeed," Erza continued, her expression serious. "If we can remove Lullaby from play without confrontation, that would be the optimal outcome. We're not trying to be heroes - we're trying to prevent a tragedy."
Ben nodded appreciatively. The approach was tactical, focused on the objective rather than glory. "Minimal engagement, maximum effect. Smart."
Before anyone could respond further, their conversation was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. A conductor in a neatly pressed uniform made his way down the aisle, smiling pleasantly as he reached their group.
"Tickets, please," he said, his voice cheerful as he held out his hand.
Ben studied the man with a subtle but careful assessment. The conductor was of average height with a lanky build that his uniform didn't quite accommodate. The sleeves hung slightly past his wrists, and the jacket seemed to have extra room around his torso - not dramatically oversized, but enough that Ben noticed. Black hair peeked out from beneath his conductor's hat, which sat just a touch too high on his head.
Something about the fit struck Ben as odd. Most company uniforms were tailored to their employees. This looked more like borrowed clothing than a permanent uniform.
Erza produced their tickets from a small pocket in her armor, handing them over with a polite nod. The conductor inspected them briefly before his eyes caught on the guild emblem emblazoned on her breastplate.
"Oh!" His face brightened with recognition. "Are you folks wizards?"
Happy, who had been curled up quietly next to Natsu's head, perked up at the question. "Aye! We're Fairy Tail wizards!" he announced proudly, raising a paw.
The conductor's eyes widened slightly at the talking cat, but his smile only grew. "Fairy Tail! I've heard so many stories about your guild." His face lit up with an almost childlike enthusiasm. "This is actually my very first trip, and I'm already meeting members of the famous Fairy Tail! What luck!"
Ben's eyes flickered briefly over the man. A new hire who hadn't received a properly tailored uniform yet. It explained the ill-fitting clothes, the sleeves that hung too long, the jacket with room to spare. Logically, everything made sense now.
And yet...
Something in Ben's gut refused to settle. He had enough experience to trust that feeling—the quiet alarm that hummed beneath rational thought. Despite the perfectly reasonable explanation, his instincts remained on edge. Maybe it was the way the man's smile didn't quite reach his eyes, or how his gaze lingered a fraction too long on their guild marks. Perhaps it was the subtle tightness in his shoulders that suggested he was forcing his posture to appear casual.
"Are you heading to Freesia Town for a job?" the conductor asked, handing the tickets back to Erza with a slightly trembling hand. Ben noticed how those fingers quivered—excitement? Nervousness? The tremor was subtle but present, and it only deepened his unease.
Gray opened his mouth to respond, "Well, we're—"
"No," Erza cut in smoothly, her tone casual but firm. "Freesia is just a stop on our journey to Tuly Village. We have business there."
The conductor's smile didn't falter, but Ben thought he caught a flicker of something—interest? disappointment?—in his eyes. "Well, Tuly Village is lovely this time of year. The flower festival should be starting soon."
"We've heard," Erza replied with a polite but distant smile.
"Well, you folks let me know if you need anything during the journey. We should be arriving in Freesia in just a few hours, barring any delays." The conductor tipped his hat and continued down the aisle to the next group of passengers.
Once he was safely out of earshot, Ben turned to Erza, his voice low and measured. "You noticed too?"
Erza simply nodded, her eyes still tracking the conductor's movements through the car. The subtle shift in her posture—a slight straightening of her shoulders, the narrowing of her gaze—spoke volumes about her heightened awareness.
Gray glanced between them, his expression darkening with confusion and growing concern. "You two want to share with the class? What exactly are we all noticing here?"
"His uniform didn't fit right," Ben explained quietly, leaning in so their conversation wouldn't carry. "Too large around the shoulders, sleeves hanging past his wrists."
"And he was far too interested in our guild marks and destination," Erza added. "The questions seemed casual, but his attention was... focused. Deliberate."
Lucy's eyes widened as she processed this information, her hands instinctively clutching the edge of her seat. "Wait, do you think he's with Eisenwald?" Her voice pitched higher with nervousness before she caught herself, glancing around quickly to ensure no one else had heard.
"It's admittedly unlikely," Erza replied, her tone steady despite the gravity of her suspicions. "But dark guilds often have eyes and ears in unexpected places. If word reaches them before we arrive..." She left the implication hanging, her gaze drifting toward the window as she appeared to recalculate their approach.
Ben's eyes followed the conductor's retreating form, noting how the man's shoulders seemed to relax slightly once he believed he was no longer being observed. It was a subtle tell—the kind of thing most people wouldn't notice—but to Ben, who had spent years learning to identify potential threats, it was as clear as a beacon.
"New conductors get nervous around passengers all the time," Lucy reasoned, though her expression remained uncertain. "Maybe we're just being paranoid?"
"Paranoia keeps you alive," Ben replied quietly, his tone matter-of-fact rather than ominous. He'd learned that lesson through hard experience. "Better to assume the worst and be prepared than to overlook a threat."
Gray nodded in agreement, his eyes hardening with resolve. "So what's our move now? Do we confront him?"
"No," Erza said immediately, shaking her head. "If he is with Eisenwald, confronting him directly could jeopardize our mission. And if he isn't..." She paused, the faintest hint of doubt crossing her features before her resolve returned. "We maintain our cover story and proceed with caution. The priority remains securing Lullaby before it can be used."
Ben glanced out the window at the passing countryside, watching as fields gradually gave way to more wooded terrain. The train rocked gently beneath them as it rounded a curve, and he found himself unconsciously tracking the possible escape routes, entrances, and defensible positions—old habits that never quite faded. His fingers drummed lightly against his thigh as he considered the implications of being watched.
"So what do we know about this guild's strength?" he asked, trying to move his thoughts to more actionable information. "Numbers, notable members besides this Erigor character?"
"Limited information, unfortunately," Erza admitted. "Eisenwald keeps a low profile by necessity. Based on Council intelligence, they're estimated to have between thirty and forty members, though not all may be present at their headquarters."
Gray crossed his arms. "That's still a lot to handle, even for us."
"A few hours to Freesia," Ben said quietly, his mind already working through potential strategies. "We should use this time to prepare. The more we know about what we're walking into, the better our chances."
Erza nodded approvingly. "Precisely. Now, here's what I'm thinking..."
Kageyama let loose a breath of relief as he exited the final car that held passengers. This whole ruse was a giant pain but they were under strict orders to not raise any suspicions, which is how Karacka convinced him to do this little dress up.
"Bunch of stupid sheep," he muttered, yanking off the stolen conductor's cap and running a hand through his flattened hair.
He shrugged off the slightly too-big coat, grimacing at how it hung off his frame. Both items were tossed unceremoniously onto the bound man huddled in the corner of the empty storage car. The real conductor squirmed against his restraints, making muffled protests through his gag that Kageyama completely ignored.
"Yeah, yeah, shut up," he said, kicking the man's foot lightly. "You'll get your crappy uniform back when we're done."
It really bugged him that he had to be the one scouting the train. Karacka could barely squeeze his fat ass into his own clothes, let alone this poor bastard's uniform. And Byard? The guy was so freakishly tall that wearing this jacket would look like some kind of sad joke. No, it had to be him, but at least his suffering wasn't in vain.
Fairy Tail wizards, and not just any Fairy Tail wizards. If he wasn't mistaken, the redhead in armor matched descriptions he'd heard for Titania, one of the guild's heavy hitters. The way she'd smoothly cut off her companion when asked about their destination hadn't escaped his notice either.
"Tuly Village, huh?" Kageyama snorted, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah right."
They were heading to Freesia Town, directly toward Eisenwald's base of operations. There was no question about it now—this was a strike team sent to interfere with their plans. The realization settled in his stomach like a cold stone.
"They're coming for us," he muttered, pacing the narrow confines of the storage car. "They're coming for Lullaby."
It wasn't a question of if they'd find Eisenwald's guild hall—they would—but what would happen when they did. Erigor would welcome the challenge, of course. The Reaper loved nothing more than proving his strength against worthy opponents. But a confrontation now, before they were ready to execute their plan...
Kageyama paused, staring out the small window at the passing landscape. A fight with official guild wizards, especially someone of Titania's caliber, would draw attention. The Magic Council might catch wind of their operation before they could even get Lullaby to their actual target.
He pushed away from the window with a frustrated sigh. As much as he'd enjoy watching Erigor tear into those Fairy flies, the plan had to come first. This wasn't about personal satisfaction; it was about changing the world.
Gathering his thoughts, Kageyama slipped through the connecting door to the engine car where Byard and Karacka were waiting. The cramped space smelled of coal dust and grease, illuminated by the flickering glow of the engine furnace. Byard was leaning against the wall, his muscular arms crossed over his chest, while Karacka sat on a small stool, nervously fidgeting with the edge of his cloak.
As soon as Kageyama entered, Byard's head snapped up. His impatient eyes narrowed at Kageyama's expression.
"What's wrong?" Byard demanded, pushing himself away from the wall. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Kageyama ran a hand through his hair, his mind still working through implications. "There's been a slight change of plans."
"What?" Karacka's round face pinched with worry. "Why? What happened back there?"
"We've got guild wizards on board," Kageyama explained, keeping his voice low despite the noise of the engine. "And not just any wizards. Fairy Tail. I'm pretty sure Titania herself is with them."
Byard's eyes widened, a mixture of alarm and excitement crossing his features. "You serious?"
"Dead serious," Kageyama confirmed. "And they're heading to Freesia Town. They're coming for us—for Lullaby."
Karacka's pudgy fingers twisted together anxiously. "What are we going to do? If we fight them here, on the train..."
"We don't," Kageyama cut in firmly. "That's exactly what we're not going to do."
Byard scowled, his pride visibly wounded. "You suggesting we run from these flies? Erigor would—"
"Erigor would want the plan to succeed," Kageyama interrupted. "And getting into a brawl with official guild wizards in a cramped train full of civilians isn't the way to do it." He lowered his voice. "Besides, I've got something better in mind."
The other two leaned in closer as Kageyama's thin smile returned, the expression twisting into something malicious that transformed his entire face. His eyes glinted with dark amusement as he straightened up.
"I'm going to give them exactly what they want," Kageyama announced, his voice dripping with sinister satisfaction.
Karacka's beady eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
Without answering immediately, Kageyama moved toward the corner of the engine car where he'd stashed his belongings before the conductor charade. He reached into his discarded jacket, rummaging through an inner pocket with careful precision. After a moment, his fingers closed around something, and the look of triumph on his face made even Byard take a half-step back.
What Kageyama pulled out was a flute—but not any ordinary instrument. The wood was dark and ancient-looking, twisted as though it had grown that way naturally. At one end was a grotesque carving of a skull with three empty eye sockets that seemed to stare at them with hollow malevolence. The other end resembled gnarled roots, curling around themselves like withered fingers.
Byard inhaled sharply. "Is that—"
"Lullaby," Kageyama confirmed, holding the cursed artifact with a reverence that bordered on obsession. "Or at least, a taste of what it can do."
He moved purposefully toward the control panel near the front of the engine car, where a small communications lacrima was embedded next to various gauges and switches. This was the heart of the train's intercom system, designed to make announcements to all cars simultaneously.
"You can't be serious," Byard said, though there was more admiration than objection in his tone. "If you activate that thing, even partially..."
He positioned himself in front of the intercom controls, adjusting dials with practiced ease. "It isn't quite the first strike we planned but there are more than enough people on this train to put the plan in motion."
He flipped the switch, and a small light glowed red, indicating the system was live. The passengers throughout the train would now hear whatever came through the system. Kageyama raised the flute to his lips, his eyes narrowing in concentration.
"Time to give these flies a lullaby they won't soon forget," he whispered, and began to play.