(Jason's POV)
"How do you know about Tartaros?" I asked Kyoka as we sat on the table, "I mean, I made you my servant a while ago, do you still know their plans?"
Kyoka stood next to me as Seilah stood behind her.
We were in an inn where Sabertooth and Fairy Tail had rented it out solely for gathering. In a large round table, I sat with Minerva, Kagura, Erza, Lucy, Natsu, and Gray. I didn't see the rest of Sabertooth, I could only imagine they were busy with something else.
Kyoka had told me that Tartaros was on the move but didn't elaborate on it further. I was wondering what she meant by that. I can only assume that she knows of their plan and didn't tell me before.
Before Kyoka could respond, Minerva spoke up.
"Enough with your antics, Jason." She said
I raised an eyebrow, "Eh?"
She had her arms crossed as she gave me a serious look.
"You can do your 'activities' after we deal with the threat of Tartaros." She told me, "In the meantime, we must discuss a plan to attack them directly."
"Directly?" I said
Erza nodded, "With Kyoka and Seilah on your side, Tartaros is currently crippled." She said, "Further than they were before. I take it that they are still weakened?"
She was asking Kyoka this.
Kyoka nodded, "From my knowledge, they haven't restored their power." She said, "But I knew about the next step of their plan. Which is why I told Jason that they are making their move."
Kagura looked at her, "What step?"
"Regardless of whether or not Franmalth and I had any success in our attack of the city, Tartaros was going to launch a full-scale attack on the city as a follow-up." She said, "We were merely the first wave."
I looked at Kyoka, "And you didn't bother to mention this to me?" I asked
She smiled slightly, "We were busy." She said
Seilah blushed as she stayed quietly.
I sighed, "I guess so."
Minerva cleared her throat, "So you mean that the entirety of the guild will launch an attack on Crocus?" She asked, "Why? What's their objective? You've mentioned that they require mages in order to refuel their strength, but what's the purpose of attacking the city?"
Erza placed her hand on her chin, "It is peculiar." she said, "They're making the attacks seem irregular. Almost as if they want us to think they're random."
Gray spoke up, "Maybe they're doing it on purpose to mess with us." He said, "Randomly attacking guilds to see if they can capture strong mages for their use. Their attack on the exceed village definitely seemed pointless."
"Fuck them!!!" Natsu growled, "I'll kick their asses for that!!"
"Calm yourself, Natsu!" Lucy told him
I sighed and leaned back.
Kagura raised her eyebrow, "Is there something you wish to share with us?" She asked
I nodded, "Just a hunch." I said, "But on second thought, I don't know why they would target it."
"Target what?" Minerva asked
I looked at them, "Eclipse."
They all looked at me with surprise.
"What's that?" Natsu said
"Eclipse is a Gate that uses Celestial Magic and Magic from The Books of Zeref." Kyoka explained, "Jason, how do you know about Eclipse? And you're saying it is located here in Crocus?"
I nodded, "Doesn't matter how I know about it." I said, "It is a gate that can travel through time. It was created by Zeref 400 years ago. From what I understand, It was used a couple of times using the 12 Celestial Keys. "
"A spell that can allow someone to travel through time?" Kagura said, "Why would Zeref create such a spell?"
I knew the answer to that question. But I wasn't just going to blurt it out.
"Point is, that Eclipse can store an insane amount of magic power." I said, "Maybe Tartaros wants to utilize its stored magic to their advantage."
I looked at Kyoka. She had a surprised look on her face. I don't think she expected me to know about Eclipse.
Lucy then spoke up, "I didn't know about this spell." She said, "If it requires the celestial keys, wouldn't you think that they would target Yukino and I?"
I shook my head, "I doubt it." I said, "Like I said, I don't know why they target it. It's just a hunch. Unless I am correct."
"I cannot confirm that theory, Jason." Kyoka said, "Mard Geer would only disclose so much information to me. Only Silver knows more..."
As soon as she said that name, Gray's expression changed. Maybe something clicked in his head or something.
I shrugged and leaned into the table, "Alright, here's what I think." I said, "From the information Kyoka gave us, Tartaros is severely weakened. They need mages to refuel their power. I can assume that those they deem worthy would be spared, but turned to their side. Also, they wanna do something in order to resurrect E.N.D. who's their Master and allegedly the strongest demon created by Zeref. Now, if I am right about that plan to resurrect E.N.D. then it would be kinda bad to let them do it."
Kyoka looked at me, "E.N.D." She said, "He hasn't been awake for a long time. If he awakens, then the world would be laid to ruin."
Erza looked at me, "What do you think they would do to resurrect him?"
"Not what I think, but what I know." I said, "If I am right, and I probably am, they'll use Face."
"H-How do you know about Face?" Kyoka said completely surprised
I waved her off, "Doesn't matter." I said, "Look, I say we stop them before they launch their plan to resurrect E.N.D. We are at an advantage now. The majority of them are weakened, but not completely weak. If we strike now before they get back to their original strength, we'll definitely have a harder time. Now, we have two of the Nine Demon Gates on our side, so the odds are at our sides."
Minerva spoke up, "But aside from the leader, Mard Geer, one of the Demon Gates isn't weakened." she said, "Should we be worried about him?"
I shook my head, "If you want, I'll handle him." I said, "He isn't a demon. He's a Devil Slayer."
Natsu looked at me, "Devil Slayer?" he asked
Gray also looked at me, "Why would a Devil Slayer work with demons?"
I shrugged, "Ask him yourself if you wanna know." I said, "Point is, we can definitely fight back."
Erza looked at me, "Do you think we'll be enough to fight back a full-scale attack?" She asked
I nodded, "We have the majority of Sabertooth, you guys from Fairy Tail, and Kagura." I said, "I think we should be fine. Unless they pull out some crazy shit from their ass, we'll be able to handle them."
Seilah then spoke up, "Master." She said, "Might I speak, I would like to state that Mard Geer is at a level of power above us Nine Demon Gates, even at our original strength."
I gave her a smile, "Don't worry." I said, "Mard Geer won't be a problem if I fight him."
She returned the smile, "I see." She said, "If its you, Jason-sama, then I shouldn't worry."
I then faced the others, "Alright." I said, "Now I'm not much of a strategy, but I would like to formulate a plan."
Kagura nodded, "What do you have in plan?" She asked
"First, send someone to the Royal Palace." I said, "That is where they are keeping Eclipse. Inform them of the issue at hand. If they are targeting Eclipse, then it would be wise to increase its security."
Lucy nodded, "I have a good relationship with the Princess." She said, "I could talk to her."
Natsu smiled, "Hah! That time we saved her from those bandits really paid off, eh?" He said
"Next, we shall fortify the city's weak entrance points." I continued, "We should take into account that the enemy could slip past our gazes and attack from within. I suggest sending some people to patrol the sewer system, just in case."
Minerva nodded, "I have the manpower to do that." She said, "I'll have my people do that."
I then crossed my arms, "And here's the riskiest part of this simple plan." I said
"What is it?" Erza asked
"Our heaviest hitters." I said seriously, "We shall lure each of the Demon Gates to fight our heaviest hitters 1v1. It is the best chance to defeat them. Since they're weakened, it is the best chance."
Natsu smirked, "Let me at 'em!!" He exclaimed, "I'm getting fired up!"
Kagura looked at me seriously, "And what would you do?"
I gave her a slight smirk,
"I'll kill Mard Geer."