Sanctum Sanctorum
Inside the walls of the sanctum, four people can be seen sitting quietly on seats.
They were Kael, Erza, Mirajane and another who sat quietly on one of the couches, his hood pushed back, revealing a face that made Erza's breath hitch.
Her eyes widened as she stared intently at him, every detail of his face identical to someone she knew. The silence stretched until Erza finally spoke, her tone low but firm.
"Just who are you, Mystogan?"
Mystogan exhaled slowly, his gaze flickering toward Kael. "I told you," he muttered, his voice quiet, carrying faint annoyance, "I'm not needed here."
Kael gave a grin as his arms crossed. "You're needed," he said evenly. "Whether you like it or not, you're coming."
Erza's eyes narrowed slightly, her voice growing colder. "That doesn't answer my question."
Mystogan met her gaze. "I am not the Jellal you know," he said simply. "I am… someone else. Just... with the same face."
Erza's lips parted as if to say more, but no words came out. She looked between the two men, Mystogan and Kael.
Seeing her gaze, Kael nodded before speaking. "He's telling the truth... and I'd say Mystogan's identity isn't for us to dig into."
Mira, sitting across from them, tilted her head curiously. "Well, this is… quite a surprise," she said with a small, hesitant laugh. Her tone lightened the tension, even if only slightly. "But Mystogan, don't worry too much. If anyone here isn't needed, that's probably me."
Kael turned his gaze to her, his expression softening a fraction. "Well Mira, this is your chance to get back in shape. I heard about how your fight with Freed went and I'm quite confident that you can still keep up."
Erza nodded in agreement, her voice steadier now. "He's right. You proved your strength when you defeated Freed."
"You also won't be alone. If things go wrong, you'll have three S-Class mages with you." He motioned to himself, Erza, and Mystogan. "Not to mention, the other guilds will be sending their best. So there's noting to worry about." Kael spoke further.
Mira's gaze dropped to her lap for a moment before she nodded slowly. "Alright," she said at last, her voice soft but resolute. "I'll try my best."
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Erza and Kael's faces while Mystogan kept his gaze on Kael.
Scene Break
In the once lively guild hall of Fairy tail, things seems to be out of the ordinary.
At one corner, Natsu sits slumped over the counter, chin buried in his arms. "Tch… why didn't he pick me?" he mutters, a flicker of fire escaping his mouth. Happy, floating beside him, pats his back.
"Aye… maybe Kael didn't want you burning the forest again."
"That was one time!" Natsu snaps back, puffing his cheeks.
Across the room, Gray sits on a bench, half-dressed as usual, spinning a spoon in his mug. "Honestly, can't blame him," he says. "He probably wants people who can keep their cool." He glances toward Natsu with a teasing smirk. "Like people who don't pick fights every five minutes?"
"Say that again, ice cube!"
Before they can erupt, Macao slams a mug on the table. "Alright, cool it, you two. Master said Kael's leading the team. He's in charge and none of you are gonna change that."
Nearby, Elfman clenches his fists. "If only I was strong enough, I'd go too! A real man protects his family!" He slams his hand on the table, startling Levy, who nearly drops her pen.
"Oh please, you're probably just jealous that your sister got to go but not you." someone teased.
And so, a moment of laughter spreads, lightening the tension. Yet, in that fleeting warmth, the unease remains.
As chatter fills the hall, Lucy quietly stares out the window. "Oración Seis… a six people guild..." she murmurs.
Gray stands up, placing a hand on her shoulder. "They'll be fine. I mean, Them alone could probably beat Oracion Seis"
As Natsu heard this, his eyes seems to brigthen as he rose up suddenly, the previous sulking behavior gone.
Scene Break
The rhythmic creak of wooden wheels and the steady clop of hooves fill the forest air. Sunlight filters through the canopy, scattering patches of gold across the dirt path. Inside the carriage, Kael, Erza, Mira, and Mystogan ride together.
Mystogan sits silently near the window, his face once again obscured by his veil. Beside him, Mira lets out a soft sigh, resting her chin on her palm.
"I still can't believe we're traveling by carriage," she says, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're telling me the great Sorcerer Supreme doesn't have a faster way to travel?" She said teasingly.
Hearing this, Kael just crossed his arms.
"There are no trains... And besides, flying will mostly just tire us out..." He responded
Erza, seated next to Kael, nods.
"He's right. The less magic we use, the better. We'll need our full strength against Oración Seis."
"Exactly," Kael replies. "Besides, it gives us time to think. Preparation is worth more than speed."
Mira leans back with a teasing smile.
"Still sounds like an excuse to me."
Kael sighed hearing this. "Well, I've been developing a magic that should solve this problem... A way to connect to locations for travel."
Erza tilts her head.
"And what of teleportation magic?"
"There's also that." Kael's tone turns thoughtful as he looks out the window. "However, teleportation sends you instantly from one place to another. What I'm creating is… an open path. basically, connecting two locations, maybe more, at the same time."
Erza's eyes widen slightly. "That kind of spatial magic… if it works, it would change everything for the guilds."
"That's the goal," Kael says quietly. "So we won't waste time traveling."
Then the carriage jolts slightly as it rolls over a bump. Mira stretches and peeks out the window.
"I think we're here... It's not every day we get sent to a villa."
"It's one of Master Bob's," Erza says with a small smile.
The carriage slows as the forest opens to reveal an elegant building with the flags of Blue Pegasus fluttering in the breeze.
Soon enough, the group steps down from the carriage and approached the grand double doors. They opened it revealing a dark interior.
Erza narrows her eyes. "No one here?"
Kael lets out a quiet sigh. "From the looks of it, yes..."
They take a cautious step forward and then, without warning, the entire hall bursts to life.
Heart-shaped lamps flare along the walls, and a spotlight shines on a wide staircase ahead. Standing before it are three men striking exaggerated poses, each surrounded by rose petals seemingly appearing from nowhere.
"Welcome, mages of Fairy Tail!"
The three men spin dramatically before striking their final pose in perfect unison.
"We are the Trimen of Blue Pegasus!"
The group watching this, had different reactions.
Mystogan, as the myterious man that he is gave no reaction.
Kael, just let out a breath.
Then there's Erza who just stared at the three men.
Then finally, Mirajane who seemed to be entertained "O-Oh my… this is so Blue Pegasus."
The one in front, Hibiki, gives a dazzling smile and slicks his hair back.
"Ah, two breathtaking beauties! Truly, Fairy Tail lives up to its reputation."
Ren, the quieter one, bows smoothly toward Mira.
"You must be Mirajane Strauss. Seeing your beauty in person exceeds even the rumors."
Eve steps forward next, his tone dramatic and overly courteous.
"And Erza Scarlet... Titania herself! I never imagined the goddess of battle could be so radiant up close!"
Mira experiencing this scene chuckles softly. "You three certainly know how to make an entrance."
"Only for Fairy Tail's finest!" Hibiki says, stepping forward with a grin that gleams almost unnaturally. "You're welcome to stay as long as you like, and if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."
Then, as the scene unfold, a booming voice was heard.
"MEN!"
An overly dramatic voice echoed from the top of the staircase. Everyone froze and looked up.
There, standing proudly with one hand on his hip and the other pointing toward the ceiling, was a man with slick orange hair, and a clean white suit that radiated perfume.
"A beautiful fragrance fills the air..." he said, his voice low and theatrical. "It seems we've met again, my honey."
Erza stiffened. Her usual composure faltered for the first time in the entire trip. "…Oh no…"
The Trimen, looking at the man, stood at attention, faces turning serious as they saluted upward.
"Boss Ichiya!" they said in perfect unison, their previous flirty energy gone in an instant.
Ichiya smirked, eyes glinting as he slowly descended the stairs, each step echoing dramatically. Then he stopped midway, looked directly at Erza, and struck a flamboyant pose.
"It is good to see you again… my honey."
Erza froze. "…Please. Don't call me that."
But Ichiya only smiled wider. "Your scent is unmistakable! Passion! Strength! And… strawberry shampoo, perhaps~?"
At that, Mira nearly choked trying to suppress a laugh. She leaned closer to Erza, whispering with a playful grin. "I didn't know you had a boyfriend, Erza~."
Erza's face turned a shade of red that rivaled her hair. "He's not my boyfriend!" she snapped, almost defensively.
As Erza tried to glare both Mira and Ichiya into silence, Ichiya, ever unfazed, suddenly appeared before them.
"Welcome, Fairy Tail!"
He threw both arms outward dramatically while the Trimen instantly struck poses behind him, rose petals once again scattering through the air.
Ichiya's demeanor then suddenly shifted, his posture straightened, his voice dropping into a serious tone.
"Enough play, men. We did not gather here merely to bask in beauty.."
The Trimen nodded sharply.
"Yes, Boss Ichiya!"
Erza, still red-faced but regaining composure, exhaled. "Let's just… get this meeting started."
Mira smiled lightly beside her. "Don't worry, Erza, your honey seems quite reliable when it counts."
Hearing this, Erza glared at her but Mira only giggled in response, clearly enjoying herself.
For a brief moment, things seemed to settle. Ichiya standing proudly, his Trimen behind him, Fairy Tail's group trying to adjust to the perfume-infested air.
But then…
"Now then…" Ichiya began again, his tone dropping low as he took a step closer to the women. "Before we discuss alliances and darkness, we must first address something far more radiant…"
Erza blinked, already sensing trouble. "What are you..." She was able to finsih her words as sudenly, the man before her appeared close to her.
Ichiya's eyes glimmered. "Your parfum, my honey! Still as fierce and elegant as I remember.!"
As he approached, he leaned closer. Too close. Erza immediately froze in visible discomfort, her body stiff. Mira, meanwhile, simply crossed her arms and watched with a small amused smile.
"Mira-chan," Ichiya turned toward her next, his voice dripping with exaggerated charm. "And you… your parfum is like a field of blossoms after a storm!"
"Mm. Thanks," Mira said casually, completely unfazed.
Erza, however, had reached her limit.
Ichiya inched close enough that his cologne practically burned the air between them. "Erza, my honey-"
WHAM!
Her gauntleted fist connected directly with his face.
"STAY. AWAY. FROM ME!"
Ichiya went flying backward like a cannonball.
"MENNNN!!!" he screamed dramatically as he soared through the air.
Then, the doors of the villa opened.
A man with silver hair and a calm, cold demeanor stepped through, catching Ichiya by the head mid-flight with one hand. Without a second thought, he encased the struggling man's head in a neat block of ice.
The entire room fell silent.
The man glanced around the shocked Blue Pegasus mages before landing on Fairy Tail's group.
"A unique greeting," he said dryly, voice sharp but calm. "Tell me… do you people consider yourselves equals to Lamia Scale?"
For a brief moment, no one moved. Then without another word, the man threw Ichiya across the polished floor like a sack of potatoes.
Ichiya spun through the air with a muffled "Mmmfffhh" before landing headfirst.The ice shattered on impact, exploding into glittering shards as Ichiya lay sprawled on the floor.
Then, a muffled voice escaped him.
"Mennn… handsome… men…"
Kael and Mystogan, who had been watching silently, both stepped subtly to the side, as if instinctively avoiding involvement.
Mira giggled behind her hand, amused at the ridiculous display.
The Trimen, however, were not laughing.
"HEY!"
Hibiki stepped forward, glaring at Lyon. "What the hell was that for!?"
The man crossed his arms, his tone flat and unimpressed.
"He started it."
Ren's expression darkened. "Do you even realize what you just did? That's our general!"
Eve also chimed in. "If you asked me, all men except us should just leave."
Lyon's eyes twitched slightly. "...You've got to be kidding me."
Before he could retort further, a smooth, confident woman's voice came from behind.
"There's also a woman here, you know."
All eyes turned to the entrance as the woman, Sherry Blendy stepped inside, her hands on her hips and a teasing smile on her lips. "I swear, Lyon, you walk too fast."
Meanwhile, Ichiya, miraculously back on his feet began wobbling toward Erza again, clutching his bruised face dramatically.
"Erza, my honey!"
SHING!
Erza's spear materialized instantly, the tip gleaming inches from his chest. Her tone was sharp, her eyes deadly.
"Back. Off."
Ichiya froze in place, hands raised in surrender.
"M–Men…" he whimpered quietly.
Around them, tension mounted.
The Trimen and Lyon's group squared off, glares clashing.
As this happened, Kael and Mystogan stood at the side, exchanging glances.
Then as they watch, things got even more interesting as a powerful strike hit the ground, shaking the room.
THOOM.
Everyone turned immdediately.
A tall, bald man with calm eyes and a commanding presence stood at the center, his red staff embedded in the floor.
"Enough," he said, his deep voice echoing through the villa. "We are not here to fight among ourselves."
The commanding voiced silenced the room. Even Lyon immediately composed himself, stepping back. And the Trimen followed.
"Our mission," the man continued, "is to stop Oración Seis. Not fight amongst ourselves."
His gaze swept across every guild present.
"Jura Neekis" Hibiki muttered, his earlier bravado vanishing. "The ace of Lamia Scale."
Erza straightened her stance, her voice low but filled with respect. "One of the Ten Wizard Saints."
Mira smiled softly. "So he's finally here."
Kael, after all that finally stepped forward and met Jura's eyes.
"Finally," he spoke. "It's about time you arrived, Jura."
"Yes... I apologize for the delay." Jura Neekis responded as they stood face-to-face.