The cold stone walls of the cell pressed in on Erza as she sat cross-legged on the small, uncomfortable bed. Her once-pristine armor had been removed, replaced with a simple tunic, and she couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation. The damp air of the underground council facility was stifling, but it was the stillness of the silence that gnawed at her.
Her mind replayed the events that led her here. She had been separated from Aurelius after the bizarre interrogation, and now, she sat alone in this cold cell. She trusted him to handle whatever came next, but that didn't stop the tension from rising within her.
A few minutes had passed since the guards had locked her in. The faint sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor, but they didn't seem to be heading her way. It was strange, though. It was almost as if everything was too quiet. Where were the others? The council members, the magic council's messengers — had they gone somewhere? Were they preparing something? What was Aurelius up to?
Erza closed her eyes for a brief moment, trying to calm the storm of thoughts in her mind. It wasn't uncommon for her to be alone, but the situation was different this time. There was an undeniable feeling in the pit of her stomach—one she couldn't shake. Something wasn't right. Aurelius had a reason for acting the way he did, of that she was certain, but she couldn't help but wonder if she was being left out of the loop.
As she sat in thought, the door to her cell suddenly creaked open, and a tall figure stepped inside.
It was Seigrain, one of the the council's highest-ranking member.
"Are you comfortable, Miss Scarlet?" he asked, a thin smile creeping across his face. He leaned against the wall, his gaze piercing as if analyzing her every move.
Erza's posture remained unyielding as she stood up to face him. "I didn't expect a visit from someone like you, Seigrain."
He chuckled softly, not at all deterred by her sharp tone. "I just wanted to see if you're as resilient as they say. You've certainly kept up with all the trouble that comes with being a Fairy Tail member."
"Is this your idea of a friendly chat, or is it more of an interrogation?" Erza's voice had an edge to it, her irritation beginning to show.
"Neither," Seigrain replied smoothly. "I'm merely curious. You've been with Aurelius Nyx for a while, haven't you? And now that we've seen him in action, it raises some questions. Tell me—how deep does your bond go? He seems... unpredictable."
Erza's gaze hardened. "Aurelius is an ally. We've been through battles together. And if you're implying something else, then you're mistaken."
Seigrain smirked, clearly amused. "Oh, I don't think I'm mistaken. But perhaps you don't know all there is to know about him. His actions lately have raised some concerns."
Erza clenched her fists. "I know Aurelius. Don't try to play me. He's not the enemy here."
A long silence filled the room before Seigrain spoke again. His tone shifted to something more serious. "Then tell me, Miss Scarlet, what do you think his plan is? We all know he's more than just a mage with a few tricks up his sleeve. The question is... what does he truly want?"
Erza didn't answer immediately. She knew what he was asking. Aurelius's motives were often concealed, and his true intentions rarely made their way to the surface. But one thing was clear: whatever his plans were, they were far from simple.
"What I think," Erza began slowly, "is that Aurelius is always five steps ahead of everyone else. He does things for a reason, even if we don't understand it right now."
Seigrain eyed her carefully, seemingly contemplating her words. Finally, he straightened up and turned toward the door.
"You're either a loyal ally," he said quietly, "or you're standing too close to a dangerous man. I wonder which one you are, Miss Scarlet."
Before she could respond, Seigrain paused, his smile returning.
"You know, Aurelius is a tough nut to crack," he added with a light laugh. "We just finished talking with him. The council really struggled there. Every time we think we have him cornered, he slips away. But we'll see. Eventually, we'll get him to crack. They always do."
He turned to leave but paused at the door, his voice lowering to a more serious tone. "As for you, Miss Scarlet, you'll be staying here for only a day. Aurelius will be joining you soon, though. I'm sure you'll have much to talk about when he gets here."
With that, Seigrain walked out, the door closing behind him with a heavy thud.
Erza let out a long breath, her expression unreadable. She wasn't sure what to make of Seigrain's cryptic words, but one thing was clear: she couldn't trust the council, and she couldn't even begin to guess what Aurelius had gotten himself into.
Soon enough, the heavy wooden door to the cell swung open once again, the Rune Knights ushering in Aurelius. The guards made no attempt to stop him, knowing he had been sent by the council themselves. The moment he stepped inside, the door was locked behind him, leaving the two of them—Erza and Aurelius—in the cold, quiet cell.
Erza sat in the corner, her arms crossed, her gaze steady as she looked up at Aurelius. It wasn't often Aurelius was placed in a situation where he couldn't control the outcome, but she could sense there was more to him than his usual composed demeanor.
Aurelius surveyed the room briefly before his eyes settled on her. "Looks like we're both stuck here for the night," he said flatly, though there was a hint of something more behind his tone.
Erza offered a small nod, her posture unchanged. "What happened?"
Aurelius leaned against the wall opposite her, crossing his arms. "The council wasn't exactly pleased with my answers," he replied dryly, lying through his teeth as though his voice didn't carry the usual annoyance. "They didn't get what they wanted, so they decided to send me here to 'wait it out.'"
Erza gave him a sideways glance, trying to gauge the meaning behind his calm demeanor. "And now? What will happen to us tomorrow?"
"We'll leave," Aurelius answered simply.
She raised an eyebrow at him. "You think they'll just let us walk away?"
Aurelius didn't respond right away. Instead, he focused on the ceiling, deep in thought. Then, he said, "This should be just for show."
Erza didn't say anything at first, processing his words. Aurelius, despite being a cautious strategist, was always a few steps ahead. She could feel that now, even in this cold, dimly lit cell. He wasn't worried. He was planning.
"So Until then," Aurelius continued, glancing over at her, "we wait."
Erza let out a quiet sigh, leaning her head back against the wall. She knew better than to press him for answers. He didn't give away anything unless it was necessary. And as much as she disliked being in a cell, she had to admit that Aurelius' presence made it easier to bear. He was the kind of person who could make even the most dire situations feel almost... manageable.
...
The next morning arrived slowly, the faint light of dawn creeping through the barred windows of the cell. The air was cold, and the silence between Erza and Aurelius had settled into an uneasy truce, both waiting for the inevitable.
A heavy knock echoed through the door, interrupting the quiet. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a few Rune Knights standing in the doorway. Behind them, the figure of Siegrain entered, his usual calm demeanor slightly strained, as if the events of the previous day were still weighing on him.
"Aurelius Nyx, Erza Scarlet," Siegrain began, his voice even, though there was a subtle tension. "The council has made their decision. You are to be released back to your guilds."
Aurelius didn't move, simply nodding in acknowledgment, though his expression remained as neutral as ever. Beside him, Erza stood up, her armor clinking softly as she adjusted her stance. Her eyes flicked to Aurelius for a brief moment, before she turned her gaze back to Siegrain.
"You're letting us go?" Erza said with a sharp tone, though it was more of a statement than a question. "After everything that happened yesterday?"
Siegrain's lips curled into a thin smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "The council has agreed that there is no longer any reason to detain you, Erza Scarlet. As for you, Aurelius Nyx…" He paused for a moment, his gaze flicking to Aurelius, who remained unfazed. "…There was much debate regarding your involvement with the Luluby, but in the end, it seems the council recognizes your… unique position."
Aurelius inclined his head slightly. "I'm glad they saw reason."
Siegrain ignored the sarcasm, continuing. "You are free to go, for now. The council does not expect any further disruption. Your cooperation is appreciated."
Erza gave Aurelius a sideways glance as the Rune Knights moved forward, unlocking the cell door and motioning for them to leave. She could tell there was more to this than just the council "recognizing" their roles. Aurelius had a way of turning situations in his favor, and she was beginning to suspect that he had his own reasons for cooperating with them.
"Of course," Aurelius said coolly, pushing off the wall and stepping toward the door. He glanced back at Erza for a moment before continuing. "Let's go."
Erza followed him out, but not before casting one last look at Siegrain. "We'll be leaving now," she said, her tone flat. "But I won't forget this. I don't care what the council says, we'll be watching."
Siegrain met her gaze without flinching. "You're free to go, Miss Scarlet. Just remember, everything has a price."
With that, they exited the room and were led down the corridors by the Rune Knights. As they walked through the hallways of the council's building, the bustling sounds of the Magic Council's operations filled the air, a stark contrast to the quiet and isolation of the cell they had been in just hours ago.
Erza could sense Aurelius' calm determination beside her. He wasn't showing any signs of worry or concern. For him, this was just another part of the plan. And as always, Erza felt a little uneasy about the way he could so easily navigate these kinds of situations.
They reached the front doors of the council building, and the Rune Knights stepped aside to allow them to pass. As they stepped out into the open air, the fresh breeze was a welcome relief after their time in the dungeon-like cell.
Aurelius stopped for a moment, his eyes scanning the area. "Time to return to Fairy Tail."
And with that, they began their journey back to the guild, with Aurelius revealing to Erza that all this time, she was with a thought projection.
...
Fairy Tail had returned to its usual chaos, the usual sounds of laughter and chatter echoing through the guild hall. After the tense ordeal with the Magic Council, both Erza and Aurelius had returned to the guild to find everyone else back to their normal routines. It seemed as if nothing had happened at all. The guildmates were in high spirits, joking around and getting back to their usual antics.
"Hey, Erza!" Natsu called, practically bouncing on his heels. "Let's have another match! I'm feeling fired up today!"
Erza, who had just finished a quick conversation with Lucy, turned to face Natsu with a calm, unreadable expression. "We've already had our fight yesterday, Natsu," she said flatly. "I don't think you're in any condition to go up against me again."
Natsu grinned, fire flickering in his hands. "That's exactly why I want to! C'mon, I'm ready now! I've got new moves!"
"I'm not interested in fighting you right now," Erza replied, her voice still cool, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Maybe next time."
But Natsu wasn't having it. He stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "I don't think you understand. I really want to fight! Right now!"
"Really, Natsu, you should—" Lucy began, but was cut off by the fiery dragon slayer.
"No, no! I can take her this time!" Natsu shouted, ignoring all warnings. He charged at Erza with surprising speed, his fist aimed at her face.
Erza raised an eyebrow and sighed, clearly unamused. In an instant, she drew her sword and in one fluid motion, sliced through the air, deflecting Natsu's punch with a light tap of her blade. The next thing anyone knew, Natsu was launched backwards, crashing into the wall with a loud thud.
"See what I mean?" Erza muttered, shaking her head as Natsu groaned from the rubble of his landing.
A few of the guild members, including Gray and Happy, laughed nervously, knowing better than to get in the way. "You never learn, Natsu," Gray said with a grin.
Natsu, still recovering from the hit, pushed himself up from the ground with a sheepish smile. "Okay, okay, maybe I wasn't quite ready for that one," he admitted, rubbing the back of his head.
And just like the, the guild hall was once again covered in cheers. But that calm, lively atmosphere was suddenly disrupted by the faintest ripple in the air—a strange sensation that seemed to pull the energy from the room.
Aurelius was the first to feel it. His sharp gaze flickering. Makarov, sitting at the bar with a small mug of ale, also seemed to sense the shift.
Everyone suddenly felt a sudden wave of drowsiness wash over them, their eyelids growing heavy as if weighed down by invisible hands.
"Hey, what's—" Natsu began, his voice slurring as he tried to fight the wave of sleepiness. But his words trailed off as his body gave in, and he collapsed sideways onto the nearest table.
Lucy blinked, trying to shake off the overwhelming tiredness. "W-what's happening?" she mumbled, but the room seemed to spin, and before she knew it, her head slumped down onto the bar counter, fast asleep.
"Ugh, not again…" Gray groaned, but the same effect soon took hold of him. His eyes drooped, and with a last weak grunt, he too fell asleep, his body slumping down into the nearby seat.
In a matter of seconds, the entire guild hall fell eerily silent as most of the members collapsed into a deep sleep.
Only Makarov and Aurelius remained unaffected. Makarov rubbed his eyes, a familiar exasperated sigh escaping him. "Mystogan and his sleep spells… always at the worst times," he muttered, though his tone was more resigned than angry.
Meanwhile, Mystogan walked to the bar without a single glance at the now-sleeping guild members, his movements deliberate and slow. He leaned over the counter, speaking to Makarov.
"I've got a job to do," Mystogan said, his voice quiet but firm. "I'll be back soon."
Makarov nodded, his face expressionless. "As usual, you don't say much."
Aurelius glanced over at the sleeping members of the guild, still not a word escaping his lips. He already knew what Mystogan was like—always one to come and go as he pleased, disrupting the peace with his peculiar habits.
Mystogan, without another word, turned and made his way to the exit, leaving the guild hall as quietly as he had entered. The door swung closed behind him, and the silence lingered for a moment longer.
The silence lingered for a few moments longer, but soon, one by one, the guild members began to stir. Their bodies twitched, eyes fluttering open, and groggy murmurs filled the room as the effects of Mystogan's sleep spell began to fade.
Natsu was the first to wake up, groaning and rubbing his eyes. "Ugh... What happened? Did I fall asleep again?" He blinked in confusion, looking around at the now-silent guild hall, everyone else slowly coming to their senses as well.
Gray groaned from the table, lifting his head slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Man, I swear, he does this on purpose..."
Lucy shook her head, still trying to shake off the drowsiness. "Who does what?" she asked, blinking as she looked around, trying to make sense of the situation. "What just happened? Why did everyone fall asleep?"
"Guess who?" Elfman's voice rumbled from across the room, his eyes still half-lidded as he stood up from his seat. "It's Mystogan again."
Lucy tilted her head, clearly confused. "Mystogan?" She furrowed her brows. "Who's that?"
"An S-rank mage," Elfman said, stepping over to the group. "One of the strongest in the guild. Along with Erza, Aurelius, and Makarov, he's part of the debate on who's the strongest mage in Fairy Tail. You'll hear about it sometime if you stick around."
Lucy blinked in surprise. "Wait, so... Mystogan is an S-rank too?"
Natsu, now fully awake, stood up and stretched. "Yeah, he's a bit of a mystery, though. No one knows much about him, except that he's got some pretty crazy magic. Not to mention, he's a bit of a loner."
"Loner's an understatement," Gray added, shaking his head. "He's got this weird habit of coming and going as he pleases. And don't even get me started on how he loves to put us to sleep."
Before Lucy could ask more, Gray added, "I'm pretty sure only the Master and Aurelius know what Mystogan actually looks like."
As Gray was about to continue, a loud, confident voice interrupted from the second floor.
"I've seen Mystogan too,"
AN: 1 more review and I'll be mass releasing 3 chapters!
Chapter Titles:
Chapter 13: Impending Storm
Chapter 14: Demon of Disaster
Chapter 15: Fractured Bonds