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[X782, A year later]
— Dannis Martell —
"They should be around here." Mystogan told me as we trudged through the swamp near the northeastern borders of Fiore.
This wasn't really a place I would choose to be in voluntarily, but life rarely ever takes you where you want to go.
It had been over a year since Alvarez attacked Fairy Tail. Looking back, it felt like a lifetime ago. But as always, Fairy Tail bounces back.
Everyone put the entire thing behind them, and the guild's usual boisterous energy slowly returned. Laughter echoed in the halls again, the tension on everyone's shoulders slowly eased with each uneventful month that passed. Master Makarov had even gone forward with the S-Class Trials that year. Mirajane, Cana, and Mystogan had all participated, but in the end, it was Mira who came out on top.
I still remember how happy she looked, standing in the guildhall as the newest S-Class mage, a big smile on her face as she made the peace sign with her fingers. I couldn't help but smile back. She definitely deserved it.
I shifted my gaze to Mystogan, who was walking a few paces ahead of me. The man was still as quiet as ever, his face hidden beneath his cloak and hood. We'd formed a quick friendship after our talk three years ago, and since then, most of my missions had been with him. While I spent quite a few times going out on missions with Mira, Mystogan had become the new friend I never thought I needed after the whole debacle with Laxus.
Our abilities complemented one another and working together was easy. Not to mention, the constant missions gave us the perfect excuse to keep traveling in search of the anima gates without raising too many questions.
Like today. Our mission was supposed to be simple, traces of magic similar to the Anima was detected by Mystogan somewhere around these swamps. My job was to help escort him there just in case any magical beasts took interest in them, like the last time with the Vulcans. His job was to be the one to close the portals. But as usual, nothing ever goes as planned.
"Dannis, over here." Mystogan called out.
I followed his direction, stepping through the thick vegetation until I reached his side. We stood on the edge of a small hamlet that was utterly ruined. Wooden huts that were half-collapsed, the dirt path singed with ash, and a few trees nearby were uprooted. The scene reminded me of that time with Grilthos and the village.
I turned to see an old man, hunched over a cane, slowly making his way toward us. His eyes were sharp and narrowed, most likely suspicious of us as outsiders. Especially considering the recent attack.
"Who are you?" he rasped, his voice as worn as his body. "What are you doing here?"
Mystogan and I exchanged a glance before I stepped forward, showing him the back of my hand that held Fairy Tail insignia.
"We're Fairy Tail mages, we're here to investigate a magical event in the area."
At the mention of Fairy Tail, the old man's eyes widened slightly. The tension in his posture loosened, though the caution remained. "Fairy Tail, you say? If that's true, then perhaps you can help."
"What happened here?" I asked, looking around at the destruction. "Who did this?"
"A bunch of Lizardfolk thugs came in," the old man spat the words like a curse. "They've been terrorizing our village for months now. We've sent word to the Rune Knights, but they never came. Now, we're left to fend for ourselves."
Mystogan and I exchanged a glance. The Rune Knights had always been stretched pretty thin. Considering recent events with the dark mages and Alvarez, I wasn't surprised that troubles in a small settlement like this got lost through the pool.
"Do you know where the Lizardfolk nest is?" Mystogan questioned.
The old man pointed further into the swamp. "Deeper into the marsh. They hide themselves in a cave. Nasty creatures. There are at least thirty of them, maybe more. We've tried fighting them off ourselves, but..."
His voice trailed off, I could see a haunting sense of hopelessness welling inside the old man. I gave a reassuring nod. "We'll take care of it. You don't have to worry anymore."
He looked up at me, his tired eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you... truly."
With that, Mystogan and I set off, following the old man's directions into the heart of the swamp. Not wanting to unnecessarily trudge through the mud and muck, my left eye glowed red as I activated my Clairvoyance. My mind played out an image of me and Mystogan discovering a small cave, just up ahead.
"That trick of yours is useful as always," Mystogan remarked quietly as we followed the tracks.
I smirked. "It's got its perks."
The cave wasn't hard to find after that. Nestled between two large, gnarled trees, it looked like nothing more than a dark hole in the earth. The inside was pitch black, with the path stretching deep into the cavern. While I was fully capable of seeing through the darkness, Mystogan didn't share that ability.
"Do you have anything that can conjure light?" I asked my enigmatic friend. All I received was a silent nod as he lifted one of his staves, its tip emitting an orb of soft light. I nodded at that. "Nice."
"Ready?" I asked, my hand already gripping the hilt of my blade.
Mystogan's eyes gleamed under his hood. "Always."
We didn't wait. I activated my Eye of Midnight and we charged forward, not bothering to hide our presence. Our steps echoed through the cavern, and it didn't take long for us to hear the barks and chirps of the Lizardfolk as they emerged from a winding turn. Scales the color of olive green, with webbed feet and sharp claws. They wielded primitive bronze and iron weapons, no doubt looted from the nearby village.
I unsheath my sword, a blade of dark energy forming in my hand. The first Lizardfolk didn't even see me coming. One swift strike, and its body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
The battle was quick and brutal. Lizardfolk aren't particularly strong, but they're fast and agile. This particular nest wasn't dangerous, relying more on numbers rather than skill.
My darkness-infused blade cut through them like butter, while Mystogan set the ones on the back to sleep with an application of his magic staff. We tore through the ones still standing, the rest falling into a magic induced slumber. It didn't take long before the cave was silent, the last of the Lizardfolk lying motionless at our feet.
I sheathed my blade, exhaling slowly as I took a cigarette and lit it. "That was easier than I thought."
Mystogan knelt beside one of the fallen Lizardfolk, inspecting the remnants of their makeshift nest. "They're desperate," he murmured. "Starving. That's why they attacked the village."
I frowned, glancing around at the meager supplies scattered around the cave. I had assumed that an anima gate was nearby and it was causing the lizardfolk to go feral, but it seems they simply did what they did to survive. The poor hamlet was just an unfortunate victim
Then again, that was the law of the world. They were a threat to the innocent people living there, and we did what had to be done.
As we gathered what little supplies were left, my communication lacrima buzzed. I tapped it, and Master Makarov's familiar voice came through, filled with urgency.
"Dannis, Mystogan. We have a situation."
"Master?" I replied, straightening up. "What's going on?"
"It's Mirajane. She and her siblings took on an S-Class mission, but they're in trouble. I need you both to head to Earlwood Forests, immediately."
Mirajane? In trouble? My blood ran cold at that. I glanced at Mystogan, who was already packing up, and gave me a nod.
"We're on our way," I said before cutting the connection.
Without wasting another second, Mystogan and I took off, racing toward the Earlwood Forests.
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By the time we arrived, the scene before us was chaos. Blood stained the ground, and the entire forest was wrought with destruction. Mirajane was slumped against a tree, out of her Satal Soul form and her white dress torn and bloodied. She screamed something unintelligible toward her sister, Lisanna, who was facing off against a monstrous creature. Elfman was nowhere in sight.
The beast was massive, its hulking frame covered in brown fur and claws as thick as trees. Its eyes were wild and animalistic. I watched in horror as the beast lashed out, its massive arm crashing into Lisanna. I swore I heard the sound of her bones snapping.
"Lisanna!" Mirajane's scream cut through the air, her voice thick with fear and desperation.
I didn't think. I acted.
"Get Mira and Lisanna to safety!" I shouted to Mystogan as I charged toward the beast. My blade shimmered with dark energy as I closed the distance between us.
Mystogan didn't hesitate. In a flash, he was by Mirajane's side, lifting her up and retreating to a safer distance. But even as I engaged the beast, I could hear her voice.
"Wait…Dannis!" she gasped. "That's Elfman! The beast is Elfman!"
Her words caused me to pause slightly in my steps. I knew what I was fighting, the Beast was a famous S-Class monster that had been on the mission board for quite a while. I even contemplated taking the mission once or twice but never actually got to doing it.
Elfman must have forcibly taken over the beast to protect his sisters. He went feral when its soul was more powerful than Elfman had realized.
But there was no time for hesitation. If I didn't stop him, he'd do even worse things. All I need to do is get Elfman back the hard way.
I lunged forward, dark energy coiled around my sword as it sliced through the air. Elfman—or the beast, really—roared in fury, swiping at me with claws that could easily tear through flesh and bone. But I was faster, ducking beneath his attack and slashing at his side. The blow landed, but it barely made a dent in his thick hide.
I needed more power.
"Black Samurai," I whispered, invoking one of my most powerful spells. Darkness surged around me, forming into armor in the shape of a samurai.
I charged at him again, this time landing a solid blow. My blade sunk deep into his shoulder, and for a moment, the beast hesitated. I saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes, a brief moment where Elfman seemed to be fighting against the monster within.
"Elfman, if you can hear me, fight it!" I shouted.
But the beast roared again, its fury returning with renewed force. It lashed out at me, its claws grazing my armor, sending me skidding back across the ground.
"Darkness Magic: Umbral Chains"
Chains of darkness formed that coiled around the beast, forcing its arms to its side. This specific spell of mine possessed the absorption properties of my magic. As the chains held against the strain of the beast's strength, it was slowly sapping his magic and adding it onto mine.
I dashed forward, sliding between its two legs as I slash my sword straight through its calves. The beast was forced to his knees as a result, still struggling against the chains. The beast roared once more and I could hear the chains creaking from the force.
I have to end this quickly.
I took a stance with the sword, dark energy pooling along the length of my blade as I prepared to throw an overcharged version of my signature move.
"Avidya Slas-"
I wasn't fast enough. The chains broke as pieces of darkness were launched off as the beast swiped its fist in a backhand in my direction. My armor held, but the force of the strike sent me skidding back across the ground.
Alright then, if my chains aren't capable of holding him still, something more powerful is in order.
"Sorry about this, buddy. I'm gonna have to play a little rough." I muttered under my breath as I raised my arm, my palm emitting dark purple energy as a dark mark in the shape of my hand was formed in the center of its chest.
"Darkhold!"
As the beast struggled once more, I pulled back Obsidian, a dot of black light forming at the tip of my blade.
"Eclipse Cannon!"
An overcharged concentrated beam of darkness was unleashed that shot towards the beast at high speeds. While this technique was meant to pierce, I altered it slightly and blunted it. The beam hit the beast in the chest and launched it back towards the thick of the Earlwood forests, trees and shrubbery uprooted as a trench was formed on the dirt.
When the dust settled, the beast was on its back, a large bruise that was slightly bleeding was visible on its chest. Its furs were singed and breathing labored as my dark mark disappeared.
It then flashed in a display of light, showing a myriad of colors as it slowly reverted back to the form of Elfman, who lay unconscious on the ground. I stayed in my Black Samurai form for a little longer before willing it away, the armor disappearing like smoke.
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— Mystogan —
While Dannis engaged the beast, Mystogan sprinted toward Lisanna's crumpled form. His heart pounded in his chest as he reached her, his eyes scanning her body for injuries.
She was alive, thankfully. Her breaths were shallow, her chest rising and falling with effort. Blood stained her clothes, and her skin was pale.
"Lisanna, hold on," Mystogan whispered. He knelt beside her, carefully assessing her wounds. Broken ribs, deep cuts, and bruises covered her body, but she was alive. That was all that mattered for now.
Mystogan reached for a healing potion, this particular one being a creation of Fairy Tail's resident medical expert. While it won't heal all of her injuries in one go, it should stem the worst ones to the point it'll stop being lethal.
Just as he was about to apply the potion, a surge of energy rippled through the air. His eyes snapped to the sky above them, and his eyes widened. An anima portal was forming above Lisanna's prone form.
He wouldn't mistake that swirling, ominous energy anywhere. Why the hell was it forming here of all places?!
Lisanna's body was slowly being absorbed, her current state making her too weak to fight against the pull. Mystogan's body moved before his mind could catch up. He raised his staff to forcibly close the portal before the unthinkable could happen.
He was too late.
Lisanna's body was swallowed by the portal, her form vanishing in an instant.
"No!" Mystogan shouted. Immediately, he switched targets. Instead of closing it, he anchored the portal's energy in place, preventing it from closing and keeping it open as long as he could.
He slammed the staff down, puncturing it into the dirt to keep it aloft. Without a second thought, he lunged forward, diving into the portal after her.
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When Mystogan opened his eyes again, the world around him had changed. Gone were the dense trees and thick fog of the Earlwood Forests. Instead, he stood in the middle of a vast clearing, the sky above him a strange, pale blue. The air here felt different, lighter, almost unnatural.
This was Edolas.
His home.
Memories flooded back as he surveyed his surroundings. Fortunately, they didn't land anywhere close to civilization. In the distance, he saw a large tree that was fashioned into a building. The words Fairy Tail etched above the doors.
But none of that was his concern right now.
In the center of the clearing was Lisanna's crumpled body. Mystogan's heart raced as he sprinted to her side, hoping that she was alright.
He knelt beside her, putting his fingers to her neck to check her pulse. It was weak, but steady. Relief washed over him. She was still alive. He had feared the teleportation would've harmed her, but it seems the one good thing that came from his father's genius was that the anima caused seamless transportation.
"Lisanna," Mystogan whispered, gently shaking her shoulder.
Her eyes fluttered open, confusion and pain filling her gaze. "M-Mystogan…? …What happened? Where… am I?"
Mystogan hesitated. He wasn't ready to reveal the truth about Edolas, about his past, not now. "We're in Edolas, but don't worry about that right now," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You're safe."
Lisanna's eyes searched his masked face, and for a moment, she looked as if she was going to ask more questions. But then, she nodded weakly, her body too tired to protest.
"Hold on to me," Mystogan instructed, lifting her into his arms in a gentle princess carry. She was in too much pain to respond, but her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck as she rested her head against his chest.
Mystogan felt a warmth in his chest, but quickly pushed the feeling aside. There was no time for sentiment. He had to get her back to Earthland, and fast.
Raising another one of his staves, Mystogan conjured a magic circle in front of him, its light purple runes spinning rapidly as it gathered energy. The portal began to form, swirling and shifting as it connected the two worlds. He made sure to tether this one to the portal on the Earlwood Forests.
"Hang on," he murmured, tightening his grip on Lisanna.
With a final burst of energy, Mystogan stepped through the portal, the familiar pull of magic guiding them back to Earthland.
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When Mystogan emerged from the portal, they were back in the clearing where Lisanna had been taken. The ground was stained with her blood, and his staff that stood rigid on the ground crackled as the lacrima ran out of magic, causing the portal to close behind them.
But Dannis was there, standing tall with Elfman's massive body draped over his shoulder. Mira was by his side, her eyes wide with panic as she searched for her sister.
"Mira, it's okay," Mystogan called out as he gently set Lisanna down on the ground.
Mira's eyes filled with tears as she rushed forward, her hands trembling as she knelt beside her sister. "Lisanna!" she cried, her voice breaking with relief.
Mystogan wasted no time, immediately applying first-aid to Lisanna's wounds. He pulled out the vial of healing potion, carefully administering it to her as Mira held her sister's hand.
Lisanna winced as the potion worked its magic, the pain in her chest subsiding slightly. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her cheeks flushed with color as she glanced up at Mystogan, looking up to him with gratitude.
Mystogan gave her a small smile, his eyes crinkling beneath his hood. "You're welcome."
Mira wrapped her arms around Mystogan in a tight hug, her tears soaking into his cloak. "Thank you, Mystogan," she whispered.
Mystogan returned the hug briefly before pulling away, his attention shifting to Dannis. "She fell into an anima portal," he explained quietly. "I managed to get her back before anyone from Edolas could notice."
Dannis nodded, his expression grim but understanding. "Good work."
Mystogan glanced at the unconscious form of Elfman, before looking back upwards, where the anima portal had just been.
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AN: Mystogan is so cool. I love his character.
Pretty meaty chapter here, over 3300 words. We're quickly approaching canon. Just a few more chapters before Lucy makes her appearance.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter, cheers.