dear_mun | Chapter 398

Entry tags:

canon: fairy tail

Chapter 398

Looks like it's all up to me now - I won't let everyone's efforts be in vain!

Though I'm glad Mira stepped in when she did. I might have been able to get out of that situation on my own, [Due to their old rivalry, part of her doesn't want to admit that she needed Mirajane's help.] but she certainly beat Sayla quicker than I could have.

[The look on Erza's face turns downright sadistic.] As for that Kyouka woman, whether it's back home or you find her here, I'll make her pay for that torture chamber tenfold! I may have already dealt with that pet of hers, but that was nothing compared to the punishment that she's earned!

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[Oh Erza. What an amusing human you are.]

I believe that is my line. Let me teach you the concept of true pain.

[Speak of the devil. It takes most of Erza's self-control to not attack her on the spot.]

You'll find I'm an abysmal student in that regard. When my friends, and the entire continent, are in danger, the pain you can dish out won't even slow me down, even with that curse of yours.

Edited 2014-09-02 19:33 (UTC)

[Is that supposed to scare her? It will take more than that.]

Your friends and continent mean nothing in face of our devotion to Zeref-sama. I won't allow you to stand in our way.

[She's counting on it.]

Your devotion won't save you from what's coming. You ran away the last time we fought, but this time, there's nowhere for you to run to.

[Bring it on.]

I had other places to be then. Now however, I'll be delighted to subject you to my full attention.

Good. Since you forced me to focus on your efforts at torturing me, I'd hate for you to be distracted, even for a moment, as I return the favour.

...Though you do not appear to have any distractions here, if you wish to face a preview of what's to come. [The offer is more for the sake of Kyouka's mundane than Kyouka herself. If mundanes weren't involved, Erza would have already started attacking.]

Edited 2014-09-03 11:53 (UTC)

Don't underestimate her. She's one of the strongest demons I've ever created, and commands as much respect in Tartarus as she does for a reason.

Of course I won't - after what she did to me, I'll be going all-out from the start.

...Though I'm surprised to hear you, of all people, telling me that. [From what she'd heard of Zeref from stories, she figured he'd sound a lot more arrogant and cruel about all of this.]

Are you?

{ And he very well might have been a long time ago. History has apparently gotten a lot of things wrong about him, after all. }

I'm not a member of Tartarus. I only know what it's members are capable of. I would be remiss if I implied Kyouka was anything else.

At least you're being honest about it. The fact that she absorbed her ally's power is going to make her even stronger, I'm sure, but I have my armour this time - I won't lose to her.

From what I understand, you have been through quite a lot. I hope it is enough.

Tell me, do you know what Tartarus' goal is? Why they want to activate Face?

[Erza's somewhat surprised at that, but it makes sense - given that Zeref had vanished for who knows how long, the demons probably came up with their own plans in his absence.] I don't know for sure. Kyouka demonstrated that magic-draining items don't work on their powers, so they'll probably slaughter as many people as possible once Face is activated, either to get your attention or just because they can.

It doesn't matter, though - I won't allow them to activate it.

Edited 2014-09-02 21:56 (UTC)

They use Curses. It's functionally similar to magic, but it's power comes from a different origin, so anything that would drain magic won't work on them, because they have no magic to drain. As for what they intend to do with it... that's only partially correct.

{ A sigh. }

They want to awaken their Guild Master. Their true Guild Master, who is still trapped inside his Book. A demon as powerful as him can only be summoned under very specific circumstances. Those happen to be when the world has more Curse Power than Magic. Face is just a means to that end. { Pun unintended. } They hope that after doing so, they will be able to join me at my side. Would you believe me if I said that Tartarus has never actually met me, in person?

A simple thank you would have sufficed. [Mira smiles, her words said in jest. This smile falters a little, though.] Sayla's my enemy. I just wished I rendered her out of commission faster so she wouldn't have caused more trouble. [Re: puppeteering the dead chairman to activate the 3000 or so Faces and controlling all you guys' bodies too.] I'm sorry I wasn't quick enough.

Thanks. And don't blame yourself. You made it so they can't revive themselves after being defeated, which means we won't need to deal with them constantly coming back, and you beat her before she could use her powers on anyone else in the guild. [The idea of Sayla controlling Makarov or Laxus is certainly a frightening possibility.]

Besides, they've got to be running out of back-up plans soon - this is at least the third or fourth time that their plan has been derailed. ...Though all of these methods of reviving people from the dead that they have access to certainly helps them.

Edited 2014-09-02 16:09 (UTC)

Mm, I agree. Little by little, we're putting a dent to their plans. Soon enough, we'll defeat them all and put a stop to all this.

[While she does keep her smile after saying these words and to also acknowledge the compliment Erza gave, Mira still can't help but worry.]

I have faith you'll be able to defeat Kyouka, Erza, but please do be careful. Now that she also absorbed what remains of Sayla's power, she'll be even stronger.

Right. I'm sure I'll have to pull out all of the stops to beat her, though I hope that some of my stronger sets of armour withstand the experience. [For being her strongest armours, sets like Purgatory and Armadura Fairy had an unfortunate tendency to break on her, which cost her quite a bit in terms of repairs.]

I'm concerned about what might happen to you, but we've got Minerva on our side now. As odd as it is to trust her, [The thought of doing so wouldn't have crossed her mind a few weeks ago, that's for sure] she should be able to get you out of there before Kyouka decides to get revenge.

Edited 2014-09-02 18:35 (UTC)

[The smile on Mira's lips widen a tad at Erza's words. She has seen most of Erza's armors, even battled some, so Mira's sure they'll be able to withstand anything. She still can't forget how one withstood Jupiter Cannon before.]

You don't have to worry about me, I'll be fine. But if it will help ease your worries any, I'll go ahead and seek safer ground with Minerva and the exceeds. I'm glad to know, though, that she's starting to turn a new leaf. I hope it's for good.

I suppose you would be - we've probably left each other in worse conditions over the years, after all. [Whenever they crossed paths while competing in the S-Class exams, the results weren't pretty.]

I think so. At least she's got Sabertooth to go back to; with Sting in charge, she'll be seen as a friend rather than a strong fighter, and that would make a world of difference.

Ah, those were the days. [There's an amused tone in her voice, if not subtle nostalgia. Remembering how she was back then is only funny to her now.] I can't say I miss them, but they certainly prepared us for this kind of situation. I'd have to recall who had it worse, though - you or me.

[Not answering that because, well, old rivalries die hard and there's always a little part within Mira that will tell her that she and Erza are still on par with each other even if the redhead had certainly come a long way compared to her who placed fighting to rest for years.

On with the topic of Minerva, though-]

But that's great. She finally found a good purpose to live. I'm sure with Yukino there too she'll be treated as a valuable friend.

Edited 2014-09-03 07:27 (UTC)

Nobody I'd rather entrust this fight to.

Just do me a favor and make sure there's a little for me once I finally show up.

That means a lot, coming from you. Thanks.

I'm sure their guild master will take a lot to put down - Hades took on six of our guild's top mages on at once, and he's nothing compared to these demons. [The fact that one of the weaker members of the Nine Demon Gates was using him as a power-up seems to be a sign of that.] I'm sure either you or the master would be best suited for that job.

Edited 2014-09-02 18:28 (UTC)

Don't sound so surprised, Erza. You've come a long way, and you don't show any signs of slowing down. Why wouldn't I be confident in you?

[He grins, clenching a fist.]

Oh now you're just getting me excited. Even when fighting Bluenote I was holding back some... it'd be nice to actually cut loose for a change.

You've been away from the guild for so long - I figured you'd still see me as the kid who fought with Mira over everything and bossed Natsu and Gray around. [...Okay, so maybe that last part hasn't changed much.]

We'll have to make sure not to get caught in the crossfire. As long as we're still standing, I'm sure that as many of us as possible will be there to help. [Though she's sure he figured that would be the case - ridiculous determination (and even more ridiculous property damage) is what the Fairy Tail guild is known for, after all.]

[Have a hand ruffling your hair a bit.]

To see you as just that little girl that butted heads with Mira all the time would be doing you the disservice of ignoring what you've accomplished. In such a short time, you've become one of the most powerful and respected mages in the guild. While I may hold those memories close to my heart... I can't see you as anything other than an equal, Erza. You've worked hard, and it's paid off.

[He grins, rolling a shoulder.]

I'm just glad everything is already kinda busted up to the point that my going all out won't effect Magnolia too much. ...I hope.

That's good to hear. You've changed a lot too, especially after finding out about Cana... Though in many ways, you're the same as when you left all those years ago. The master nearly had a heart attack when he found out that you left again, you know. [A bit of an exaggeration, but he didn't take it well at first. Though Makarov had appreciated Gildarts's reinstatement of Laxus before he gave the guildmaster title back.]

At this point, it doesn't seem that it could make things worse. [Then again, Gildarts's magic tends to defy expectations, seeing as the last time he fought, he broke a black hole.]

Yeah... that's not something you can just hear without changing. I still kick myself every night for not putting it together sooner... she looks just like her mother, after all...

[He takes a deep breath, thumbing his nose a bit.] Heh... it was only right, really. I'm no leader, and Master has earned that title more than I ever have.

...That sounds like a challenge. [Have a grin rather reminiscent of Natsu's smirk.]

[What a scary face. Jellal would almost feel sorry for whoever brought such a wrath upon them, if he wasn't utterly certain that it's entirely deserved.]

No doubt, you can do it. I'll be cheering for you.

[Just hearing that means the world to her - it's a relief that they finally can talk like this without having to worry about things like amnesia or brainwashing getting in the way.] Thanks. I hope your plans work out too. I can't say I trust the Oracion Seis, but hopefully you'll be able to keep them in line.

[Jellal can only agree. Being able to converse normally like this... it still seems a little miracle to him.]

I can't quite either yet, for all that I would like to. But I think, like all things, trust will be a matter of time and work.

[Between all of them. For all that history ties him to the formers members of the Seis that he has folded into his guild, forming true bonds isn't something that can happen from one moment to the next.]

Even so, I do hope that I'll be able to show them into a better future.

There's the Jellal I knew. [She hasn't heard that tone of voice, that belief that everything will work out, since they were kids.]

At least Hoteye - I mean, Richard has had a change of heart. That, and Brain being out of the way, should help.

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Chapter 398

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