Master Makarov stepped forward, his small frame somehow managing to project authority that filled the entire guild hall. "And you are?"
The silver-haired young man inclined his head slightly—a gesture that might have been respectful if not for the subtle arrogance in his posture. "Kouen Ren, third prince of the Kou Empire and bearer of the Djinn Leraje." He paused, letting that sink in before continuing. "I've traveled a very long way to meet with your guild member."
*"Leraje,"* Baal whispered urgently in Riven's mind. *"My brother of earth and growing things. But be extremely cautious—Leraje has always been the most politically minded of us all. His bearers invariably become involved in matters of kingdoms and conquest, even when they begin with noble intentions."*
Riven stepped forward, acutely aware that every eye in the guild was on him. "I'm Riven. What kind of proposition?"
Kouen's golden eyes fixed on him with an intensity that was almost physical. "The kind where we work together to prevent the world from tearing itself apart over the next few months. Because whether any of us like it or not, we're all caught up in something much larger than personal ambition now."
He gestured to the maps and reports scattered across the tables. "I assume you've been tracking the magical disturbances across the continent? The ice storms, windstorms, and earthquakes that have been causing panic in three different countries?"
"We have," Erza said carefully. "And we know they're connected to people gaining new magical abilities."
"New magical abilities," Kouen repeated with a bitter laugh. "Is that what you're calling it? These aren't people who learned a few spells from dusty books. These are individuals who have been chosen by ancient spirits of incredible power. Spirits who are waking up after centuries of slumber and looking for champions to carry out their will."
He pulled back his sleeve to reveal a gauntlet made of what looked like crystallized earth and growing vines. Unlike Riven's flickering manifestations of Baal's power, Kouen's connection to his Djinn seemed stable and fully controlled.
"I achieved full fusion with Leraje three days ago," he continued, and there was pride in his voice despite his serious expression. "Which means I can do this."
He raised his hand, and the wooden floor of the guild hall began to change. Vines sprouted from between the planks, growing rapidly until they formed an intricate pattern that resembled a map of the continent. Different areas glowed with soft light—some green, some blue, some flickering with other colors.
"Seven locations," Kouen said, pointing to the brightest points of light. "Seven Great Djinn, including yours and mine. Three have already awakened." He indicated the lights that were glowing steadily. "Four more are beginning to stir."
Gray leaned forward to study the vine map more closely. "The locations match the reports we've been getting. Iceberg, Bosco, Seven..."
"And here," Kouen added, pointing to a spot that was flickering with red light. "Somewhere in the desert regions near the border with Stella. Another Great Djinn is close to awakening. Based on the magical signature, I believe it's Marchosias—the Djinn of War and Beasts."
Riven felt his stomach clench. Baal had mentioned Marchosias as one of the Djinn who favored violent bearers. If that particular spirit was about to choose someone, the results could be catastrophic.
"What exactly are you proposing?" Master Makarov asked, his voice carefully neutral.
Kouen's expression grew deadly serious. "An alliance. The Oración Seis has already recruited the bearer of Valefor—the woman from Iceberg. Intelligence reports suggest they're actively hunting for the others, offering training and support in exchange for loyalty. Other dark guilds are beginning to mobilize as well."
He gestured to the flickering lights on his vine map. "But they're not the worst threat we're facing. There are organizations out there that make dark guilds look like children playing with wooden swords. Government agencies that want to control Djinn bearers as weapons. Ancient cults that believe the awakening of the seventy-two heralds the end of the current world order."
The guild hall had fallen completely silent except for the soft rustling of Kouen's magical vines. Everyone was absorbing the implications of what he was saying.
"So what exactly are you suggesting we do about it?" Gildarts asked, though his tone suggested he was already thinking along the same lines.
"We find the remaining Great Djinn before our enemies do," Kouen replied simply. "We ensure they choose bearers who understand that true power comes with the responsibility to protect rather than dominate. And if we're very lucky, we prevent a war that could destroy everything we care about."
*"He speaks truth, but not the whole truth,"* Baal warned privately. *"Leraje's bearers always have hidden agendas. This alliance he proposes would serve his purposes as much as ours."*
Riven studied the prince carefully. There was something in Kouen's golden eyes that suggested layers of planning and calculation beneath his urgent words. "And what happens when all seven Great Djinn have chosen bearers? The prophecy says only one can become the Djinn King."
For just a moment, Kouen's composed expression flickered, revealing something hungry and ambitious beneath the diplomatic mask. "That trial is still months away, assuming it happens at all. First we need to ensure that the seven bearers are people who can be reasoned with. People who won't use their power to crush anyone who opposes them."
"And you think we can be reasoned with?" Mirajane asked, her gentle voice carrying a subtle edge that suggested she had caught the same glimpse of ambition that Riven had seen.
Kouen's smile was perfectly practiced and completely untrustworthy. "I think the bearer of Baal cares more about protecting his guild family than conquering kingdoms. I think Fairy Tail has a reputation for doing the right thing even when it's not profitable. And I think that if we're going to prevent this situation from spiraling into global catastrophe, we need allies who share similar values."
He let the vine map dissolve back into normal floorboards and pulled his hood back up. "I'll be staying at the Silver Dragon Inn for the next three days. If you decide my proposal has merit, you can find me there. But decide quickly—every hour we delay is an hour our enemies use to recruit bearers who won't hesitate to use their power for conquest."
As he turned to leave, Kouen paused at the door. "Oh, and Riven? You might want to work on achieving stable fusion with your Djinn. The unconscious power leaks you've been experiencing will only get worse until you master full transformation. And the next time they manifest, they might not strike an empty field."
With that ominous warning, he was gone, leaving the guild hall buzzing with tense discussion and more questions than answers.
*"I told you Leraje's bearers were politically minded,"* Baal observed. *"But his information about the other awakenings is accurate. The question is whether his proposed alliance would help or hinder our ultimate goals."*
Riven looked around at his guild family—at the faces of people he would do anything to protect—and felt the weight of impossible choices settling on his shoulders. The simple quest for power to defend those he cared about had evolved into something that could determine the fate of the entire world.
And somewhere out there, four more ancient spirits were stirring, looking for champions who would shape the future through fire and storm, shadow and light.
***
Two chapters because of delayed update! Enjoy!