Aurelius kept his distance as he followed the trio—Natsu, Lucy, and Happy—through the streets of Magnolia. He was no stranger to stealth, and his abilities were ideal for shadowing others without being detected. The trio was oblivious to his presence, though he had been tracking them for a while now. They were heading toward a Carriage station to go to Mount Hakobe, the last known location of Macao, and he had already decided that he would intervene first.
Aurelius had already anticipated their destination. As much as he wanted to simply follow them and wait for the right moment, he couldn't afford to do that. He had his own plan to execute. The mission wasn't just about saving Macao; it was also about testing and learning more about Lucy.
He didn't know if she was ready for the challenges ahead, but this was the perfect opportunity to see if she could handle herself when things didn't go as expected. After all, she had shown signs of potential, but potential alone wasn't enough. She needed to be able to adapt, to think on her feet when situations became unclear or dangerous.
When they reached the carriage station, Aurelius saw his opportunity. He had been trailing them closely, but now he made the decision to break away. He had already made up his mind to go ahead to the mountain first, to confront Macao's captors, and set everything in motion.
With a final glance at the trio, Aurelius moved away as he started to travel by foot in a fast speed. He moved swiftly, using his illusions to cloak his presence, ensuring that no one would be aware of his journey.
Aurelius had arrived ahead of Natsu, Lucy, and Happy, trekking through the unforgiving terrain of Mount Hakobe alone. The wind howled, biting at his skin, but he was unfazed. His mission was simple: find Macao, deal with the Vulcan threat, and return before the trio could catch up. However, his mind was focused on something else entirely—something that had been nagging at him ever since Lucy had joined Fairy Tail.
He couldn't explain it. It was more of a feeling than anything concrete. There was something about her, something that didn't sit right. But what? He couldn't put his finger on it. His senses were never wrong, and the lingering sensation that had been haunting him.
Maybe this test of hers would provide the answers.
He had taken off ahead to deal with the situation. He was no stranger to going solo when necessary, and this was no exception. Macao had been gone for a few days now, and from what he'd gathered, there had been no signs of him returning. The Vulcan threat had escalated, and Macao took the job of clearing out a group of these massive, gorilla-like creatures. But Aurelius guessed the reason why he still hasn't returned. "One of the Vulcan had probably used Take Over magic on Macao..." He thought.
Aurelius moved swiftly, his boots crunching in the snow as he neared the area where the battle had likely taken place. The wind was picking up, but it didn't matter. Aurelius had learned long ago that the elements were just another obstacle to overcome.
It didn't take long for him to find the site of the battle. Deep gouges marred the earth, and scorched patches of snow showed the signs of fire magic. The remains of the Vulcans were scattered about, but there was no sign of Macao—or the last remaining Vulcan.
He felt it before he saw it. The last Vulcan was hiding nearby, most likely watching for any would-be rescuers. Aurelius could sense the creature's presence, though there was something strange about the magic around it. The beast had likely fused with Macao's body, and whatever remained of Macao's mind was being suppressed by the power of Take Over.
Aurelius carefully approached, moving silently like a shadow. He needed to be quick—he couldn't afford to let the Vulcan escape or put Macao in any more danger.
And there it was.
Aurelius looked at the massive Vulcan through a narrowed eye, studying its every movement. It was a formidable creature, its massive form shifting slightly, muscles rippling as it prepared for battle. The beast was already aware of the presence in the clearing. Its heavy, labored breaths cut through the cold air, and the wind carried the scent of scorched earth.
Aurelius remained still, letting the tension build. Every muscle in his body was primed for action, but he knew better than to strike too soon. He could feel the magic in the air—wild, untamed energy pulsating around the Vulcan like a storm cloud, but something else lingered just beneath the surface. The familiar weight of Take Over magic.
He could sense Macao's fading presence within the creature, a fragile thread of humanity still holding on. But it wouldn't last. The Vulcan would strike first, and Aurelius couldn't afford to let it get any stronger. Not when the last of Macao's will was trapped inside.
The creature shifted its weight and growled, its eyes narrowing as it finally locked onto Aurelius. A low, guttural sound rumbled from its chest as it lunged forward, its massive arms swinging with enough force to flatten anything in its path.
Aurelius didn't flinch. He was already moving, his boots barely making a sound on the snow as he sprinted toward the Vulcan, closing the distance between them with terrifying speed. While on the move, he pulled his sword from his waist and it gleamed in his hand, its blade pulsing with ethernano, waiting for the right moment.
The Vulcan's fist came crashing down, but Aurelius was already gone, dodging it with a grace that belied the intensity of the moment. He darted behind the beast, his sword flashing in the cold air, and struck. The blade sank into the thick hide of the Vulcan's back with a clean, swift motion, drawing a violent roar of pain from the creature.
For a moment, the world seemed to slow. The Vulcan stumbled, its massive frame shaking as it reeled from the blow. Aurelius didn't hesitate, driving the sword deeper, cutting through the beast's defenses as though they were paper. The magic that had bound Macao to the Vulcan seemed to flicker in the air, and the creature staggered again, its eyes growing duller with each passing second.
Then, with a final, bone-shaking roar, the Vulcan crumpled to the ground, its massive body falling lifelessly into the snow.
Aurelius stood before it, his breath steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He watched as the beast's form began to shift back, muscles retracting, fur vanishing, leaving behind the familiar face of Macao.
Macao groaned weakly, struggling to sit up. He looked dazed, his eyes unfocused as he tried to comprehend what had just happened.
"Macao," Aurelius called softly, his voice carrying through the quiet of the mountain.
Macao staggered upright, his movements slow and shaky. He blinked several times, trying to recognize the figure before him.
"Aurelius?" Macao's voice was hoarse, his body trembling. The takeover magic had left him disoriented, his words dragging as though his mind was struggling to catch up. "You... you saved me?"
Aurelius regarded him with a calm, assessing gaze. "You're safe now," he replied, sheathing his sword. "The Vulcan is gone."
Macao looked down at the lifeless beast, then back at Aurelius, disbelief etched into his face. "I... I didn't think anyone was coming. I thought—"
"You thought wrong," Aurelius interrupted, his tone sharp but not unkind. "Master sent people after you. I simply got here first."
Macao's eyes flickered with guilt, his voice lowering. "My son... I thought I'd never see him again."
Aurelius' visible eye softened momentarily, though his voice remained firm. "You'll see Romeo again. But first, you need to stay alive."
As Macao swayed slightly, his strength faltering, Aurelius stepped forward and steadied him with a firm hand. "Hide behind those rocks," Aurelius instructed, nodding toward a nearby outcrop. "You're still weak, and the others will be here soon. I'll handle the rest."
Macao frowned, his voice rising with frustration. "Why should I? I'm not helpless! I've been in Fairy Tail longer than you, kid. I can—"
Aurelius turned on him, his gaze like ice. "Macao," he said coldly, his tone sharp enough to cut through the mountain wind. "If you step out there and ruin my plan, I'll personally drag you back to the guild in chains and maybe I'll exchange a few words with Erza when she gets back."
Macao's eyes widened, a bead of sweat forming despite the biting cold. He swallowed hard, his defiance crumbling under the weight of the threat. "Fine," he muttered, his voice reluctant. "I'll hide. But I don't like it."
"You don't have to like it," Aurelius replied, his voice steady but firm. "You just have to do it."
Reluctantly, Macao retreated into the shadows, hiding behind the rocks as instructed. As he crouched behind cover, he cast one last glance at Aurelius, who was already scanning the horizon, his focus unshakable.
The trio would be arriving soon, and he needed to be ready.
...
Natsu, Lucy, and Happy soon arrived at the base of Mount Hakobe, the carriage dropping them off at the foot of the mountain. The cold immediately hit them like a wall, and Lucy let out a small gasp, pulling her coat tighter around herself.
"Brr! It's freezing!" Lucy exclaimed, rubbing her arms in an attempt to warm up.
Natsu, on the other hand, seemed completely unaffected by the chill. "What are you talking about, Lucy? This is nothing! I've fought tougher battles in colder weather than this!"
As the biting cold of Mount Hakobe continued to assault Lucy, she couldn't help but shiver uncontrollably. Her teeth chattered as she huddled deeper into her coat, trying to block out the icy winds that cut through the fabric. She had never been great in extreme cold, and this was far beyond anything she had ever dealt with.
Natsu was ahead of her, seemingly unaffected by the chill, and Happy was floating happily beside him. But Lucy could hardly focus on anything else besides how freezing the mountain air was.
Lucy could barely focus on Natsu's usual enthusiasm. The chill cut straight to her bones. "I can't take much more of this!"
As Natsu forged ahead, Lucy fumbled for something in her pocket. "Of course!" she muttered. She pulled out a small, ornate key. "Open, Gate of the Clock, Horologium!" she called.
The celestial spirit appeared in a flash of golden light, its mechanical body whirring as it manifested. Horologium's clock face glowed warmly, a comforting presence amid the biting cold.
"Horologium, can I stay inside to keep warm?" Lucy asked, her voice shivering. "I can't fight this cold alone."
"Of course, Lucy," Horologium's mechanical voice replied. "Step inside."
Lucy nodded gratefully. Without hesitation, she stepped into the mechanical body of Horologium. As soon as she did, she was enveloped by a warm, soothing feeling that washed over her like a blanket. The warmth was almost immediate, and Lucy sighed in relief, her trembling body slowly beginning to warm up.
"Ahh, this is better…" she muttered, her shivers dying down as the warmth continued to envelop her. She could still hear the howling winds outside, but she was safe inside Horologium's protective body.
As they moved deeper into the mountain, Lucy couldn't shake the strange feeling that something was off. The air was too still, and the silence around them felt almost unnatural. Her hand instinctively went to her keys, ready for anything. Whatever lay ahead, she was prepared to face it—with a little help from her celestial spirits.
Natsu marching forward with determination spoke. "Let's get going! We've gotta find Macao and get him back to the guild."
Happy followed suit, gliding along beside them. "Aye! No time to waste!"
Lucy sighed as his celestial spirit hurried to keep up. The trek up the mountain was difficult, the snow and ice making each step more treacherous than the last. But with her staying inside, she got saved from the cold.
As they moved deeper into the mountain, Lucy couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The wind seemed to whistle in an unnatural rhythm, and the eerie silence around them only heightened her unease.
"This place is too quiet," Lucy murmured, glancing nervously at the thick snow surrounding them. "It's like something's watching us."
Happy shivered—not from the cold but from the strange atmosphere. "Aye… it's creepy. Like we're not alone."
Natsu frowned, his eyes narrowing as he sniffed the air. "Relax. If something's out there, we'll deal with it. Let's just find Macao."
Lucy paused, her gaze falling on the faint trail of footprints leading up the mountain. They weren't Vulcan tracks—they were too precise, deliberate. It looked as if someone had been walking here just ahead of them.
"Do you think these are Macao's tracks?" she asked, pointing at them.
Happy tilted his head. "Maybe… but it doesn't look like he was running."
Natsu shrugged. "If it's him, then we're on the right track. If it's not, we'll figure it out."
Lucy lingered for a moment, a gnawing suspicion tugging at her thoughts. She clutched her keys tighter, her instincts telling her to stay alert.
Unbeknownst to her, Aurelius was already watching them from afar, cloaked in illusion. His sharp mind took in every detail—their formation, their pace, their awareness of their surroundings. They were competent, but not enough to detect him.
"They're progressing well," Aurelius muttered to himself, his gaze briefly lingering on Lucy. The strange feeling he had about her still nagged at the back of his mind.
Shaking off the thought, he continued observing from his concealed vantage point, his plan already set in motion.
Lucy, though she couldn't shake the unease that had settled in her chest. They pressed on, the snow growing thicker as they climbed higher. And then, they reached a cave covered in ice. The ground was disturbed, with deep ruts carved into the earth and large, scattered footprints leading in all directions.
"This is the place," Natsu said, his tone grim. "The battle must've taken place here."
Lucy looked around, her heart pounding. "But where is Macao?"
Before they could react, a loud, guttural roar split the air. The ground shook as a massive figure emerged from the shadows—one Vulcan. The creature was enormous, easily ten feet tall, its fur matted with snow. It locked eyes with the trio, its snarl reverberating through the cold air.
Lucy's heart raced. "It's a Vulcan!" she shouted, her hand reaching for her keys.
Natsu smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Finally! A real fight!"
But as the Vulcan charged, Lucy felt a strange sensation—one she couldn't explain. The air around her seemed to ripple, and her instincts screamed that something wasn't right. She shook it off. There was no time to think as she exited the clock and sent her celestial spirit back.
The fight was about to begin.