January 3rd, X785
'It's been a while since I was last here.' Meliodas thought, recalling his last trip to Lamia Scale several months ago.
He looked around the guild, which compared to Fairy Tail, was brimming with people. Meliodas had even recognized several guild members who, despite not knowing their names, he had seen around Fairy Tail. 'It's only been a couple of weeks and quite a few of Fairy Tail's members have left…'
"Meliodas?!" Lyon exclaimed with shock written all over his face.
"Yo!" Meliodas greeted with a small wave.
"I can't believe it, you're alive!" Lyon shouted, catching the attention of several other guild members.
"I shouldn't be surprised you made it out of Tenrou." Jura said as he approached Meliodas. "I'm glad to see you're alright. What brings you to Lamia Scale?"
"Actually, you're just the person I was looking for, Jura. I need your help." Meliodas answered. Jura's eyes widened, surprised that someone like Meliodas would request his help.
"What can I help you with?" Jura asked.
"I need access to Tremolo Mountain." Meliodas continued.
"That place? I don't know too many of the details, but I believe the council quarantined the area due to one of Zeref's demons showing up there. But why would you need to go to that mountain?" Jura asked.
"There's a material I need to get there for a new sword." Meliodas responded. Jura looked at Meliodas' back and realized Mel Force was no longer mounted there.
"Originally the council had their own measures for dealing with the demon, but that would take weeks. I suppose they won't mind if I brought you there with me in order to speed things up in dealing with the demon threat as I am a Wizard Saint after all." Jura commented.
"Speaking of being a Wizard Saint, I think I'd be interested in becoming one." Meliodas said.
"Hmm…" Jura stared at Meliodas in silence for a moment. 'With Makarov and most of the members of Fairy Tail gone, Meliodas becoming a Wizard Saint wouldn't be out of the question, especially since we still have several slots open.'
"I suppose it's possible with the way things are now." Jura said. "This wouldn't happen to be about your "unique situation" would it?"
"You know about that?" Meliodas asked, surprised at Jura's inquiry.
"I got a few hints from Makarov in our post meeting conversations. Don't worry, only I know about it in the council." Jura said reassuringly. "You becoming a Wizard Saint wouldn't necessarily mean you get access to the council's library of magic. That kind of thing is on a need to know basis so even I know nothing of the magic they may be hiding. Not only that, but you would have to prioritize your work with the council above all else."
"Which is why they didn't like Makarov." Meliodas remarked. Jura nodded his head in response, knowing the truth behind what Meliodas said, as Makarov cared far more about the guild than the council's work despite being one of the Wizard Saints.
"So joining the Wizard Saints might actually impede me then…" Meliodas continued.
"Perhaps. But I can tell you more things about the council and the Ten Wizard Saints on the way to Tremolo Mountain. Shall we get going?" Jura inquired.
"Sounds good to me." Meliodas replied.
---
Half a day later, Meliodas and Jura arrived at Ska Village, a small village that was just at the foot of the mountain. Council members swarmed the area with many of their tents set up just outside of the village. The village was noticeably empty, indicating that the council had already evacuated the villagers. A few of the councilmen walking nearby noticed Jura and Meliodas approaching.
"Is that Jura?!" One of them exclaimed.
"It is! But who is that with him?" Another councilman questioned.
"I think that's Meliodas from Fairy Tail. But why are they here?!"
A councilman wearing glasses and long tied up hair approached the two of them as he heard the commotion.
"What's going on here?"
"Hello Lahar. What's the situation here?" Jura greeted. Lahar looked at Jura with a confused look and glanced over at Meliodas who was standing next to him. 'I haven't even sent out the reinforcements request...why is Jura here along with Meliodas? No matter, I suppose them being here will help us.'
"Currently, we evacuated all of the citizens from the area. We've had no casualties in the past week." Lahar answered.
"I see. Well you can leave everything to Meliodas and I. We'll deal with this threat." Jura said.
"Of course." Lahar said as he bowed his head in respect to the Wizard Saint.
"So tell us what we're dealing with." Jura continued. The three of them began to walk through the small camp that the councilmen had set up as they talked.
"I'm sure you're familiar with the instruments of Zeref, a group of demons Zeref created that are based on instruments. Lullaby was one of them that Fairy Tail assisted in destroying in the past if I recall." Lahar said as he glanced over at Meliodas.
"I don't think I was in the guild yet when that happened." Meliodas responded.
"Well these instrument demons are very dangerous. Lullaby was one where those who heard the sound of its flute would be put into a deep sleep, never to wake up." Lahar continued.
"So death then." Meliodas said bluntly. Lahar nodded in response.
"What's this one's ability?" Jura asked.
"This one is known as Debilis. It is based on the violin. Those who hear the sound of its music will lose their five senses." Lahar answered. "A few of the councilmen were afflicted by this as they tried to scout near the top of the mountain. It took them several hours to gain their senses back."
"That sounds quite troublesome. We may have to deal with it outside of its range." Jura inquired.
"Have you guys tried earplugs?" Meliodas asked.
"Another scouting group attempted this with specialized magical earplugs meant to block out sound based magic. Even with the magic earplugs, the sound is only muffled, not fully negated. Earplugs only serve to stall the effects for a few seconds before you gradually start to lose your senses." Lahar said.
"Is there ever a time where the music isn't playing?" Jura asked. "We may be able to sneak up on the one playing the music."
"That may work. We haven't tried that yet as we currently lack the power to do so. But with you two here, that shouldn't be a problem. The best time for that would have to be before the sun rises according to the reports." Lahar stated. The group stopped walking as they arrived at a large tent filled with many cots. "You two are free to stay here until then."
"Excellent." Jura said. "It's best we get some rest then since we will be waking up early tomorrow morning."