Chapter 160: Tenrou Island (4)
~Third POV~
Meanwhile, Silva managed to proclaim victory leaving the rest of the contestants fighting Ur and Replica's the rest stayed in the Rest Space cooking up a feast for everyone and a special reward for the newly added S-Class Wizard Member.
The Rest Space is a shelter built in a certain area to act as a meeting and relaxing space for the Fairy Tail members not actively taking part in the exam. In a glade, a large pavilion with a square base was erected, this possessing plain walls but a pointed roof covered in vertical dark and light stripes, getting smaller near the pointy summit, and triangular sections hanging over the lower part from the roof, with each section hanging from a stripe with a color different from its own.
More triangular sections, all light in color, were shown sprouting from below such upper ones; the pavilion had each of its edges linked to the ground by a rope connected to a stake planted in the ground itself, and access to it was given by a rectangular door which could be closed by a cloth door, usually kept folded above the door to keep it open.
To the left of the pavilion's entrance was a high pole, which had a light banner bearing a dark Fairy Tail symbol, with a multitude of thin strips hanging from its lower edge, secured to it by a rope, which sustained its upper edges passing through a pair of small holes in it; not far from the pole is a pile of large logs, held in place by ropes, with a large board being leaned against it.
Sitting by the pavilion's other side is an open-air structure, with a large and puffy cloth roof and a multitude of thin strips hanging from its lower edges, held up by four poles at its angles.
Below such roof is a large oven made of stone, flanked by a number of crates piled one on the other and by barrels, and several pieces of furniture which seem to be carved into short, cut trunks: sitting around three trunks acting as tables, which, curiously enough, are held up by four thin limb-likes branches below it, is a number of smaller trunks acting as seats. Each table bears a short, decorative flowerpot in its center.
Erza was cooking the meal for everyone with Mirajane and Juvia helping in the process. Erza spoke to the two of the preparations in a cheerful tone, "How is the stew coming along Mira? We can expect the boys and girls a big meal after taking the Trials."
Mira chuckled as Juvia was cutting the vegetables replying to Erza's words in a happy tone, "It's coming along great now Erza. Shame my brother couldn't have made it with the others. There's always next year Hehehe…"
Elfman and Evergreen could be seen setting up the tables and plates as Juvia muttered bitterly having unfortunate luck facing against S-Class Wizard Erza, "Yeah right… Juvia and Elfman merely had bad luck going against them…"
Lisanna is seen helping Elfman causing him a smile on his face as Gildarts responds smashing the pieces of meat, "I wouldn't say that girls. The guy just had a stroke of bad luck dealt to him against his older sister. Now how do I cook this…"
Erza's eyes dart towards Gildarts as Bickslow and Fried assist the others speaking to the oldest S-Class Wizard in a curious tone, "You know I had expected you to leave already Gildarts. So, color me surprised when you wanted to help cook with us. Any story you want to share?"
Gildarts laughed nervously as Mira spoke cutting the meat Gildarts prepped causing him to flinch voicing her own opinion spitefully for the man to hear, "Oh, I know! It must be the stories that he found out that Gildarts here had a daughter Cana in the guild… only 18 years later to figure that out leaving family out like that being a womanizing drunk. He's trying to become a better father which is nice, but you don't abandon family…"
Erza even flinched listening to Mira's venomous words as Gildarts sighed responding to her words in a defeated tone, "Yeah… no need to mince words. Had that coming but I promise to be better and change."
Mira only side gazed at Gildarts and huffed at him causing the man to sweat at this. Erza supports Gildart's choice to change preparing another meal speaking to Juvia happily, "Now then Juvia… I wonder who's cooking will appease him?"
Juvia's body stiffed listening to Erza's words turning around in full spirit motivated to defeat her in a category, "Hmphed! You may have won in battle Erza but Juvia will best you in cooking and take my man's heart!!"
Fire figuratively in her eyes Erza accepted the challenge only for Mira to voice her opinion causing them to freeze at her words sticking a tongue out and teasing them, "Hehehe… sorry girls but I'm quite interested in the boy you like. I'm in this competition for real now earning his heart. Best of luck you two…"
The two were shocked by the news as Mirajane now took an interest in Silva her heart beating lightly thinking to herself happily, 'I mean at first, I wasn't… in fact, we were more annoying enemies no friendemies sounds right. But ever since he managed to help bring my sister back… I guess I sort of started seeing him as a man than a boy.'
Trying to distract herself Mira only smiled happily recalling new memories with Lisanna in them since it was an impossible dream for her.
Depression cast in her demon heart but when Silva first appeared helping her in every step of the way to save her sister and bringing her back home her point of view of him changed.
Mira thought to herself happily placing one of her hands over her chest having a hard time believing she would fall for someone in an unsure tone, 'Still to think I Mirajane Strauss would find myself having a crush on a man. Usually, it's the other way around but it's merely a crush nothing too big. For now, I –'
*Bang*
Everyone's attention soon turned to the red signal blast eyes widening realizing what it meant.
*Thud*
*Klank*
Erza dropping the pot creating a sound exclaimed in shock realizing Condition Red had been initiated expressing a stern look changing into battle, "That spot is where the Master was located… Everyone prepare for battle!!!"
Condition Red is a signal established, which, if activated, temporarily puts the exam itself on hold getting everyone prepared to know this.
Such incidence caused by an unlikely enemy attack on the island, is communicated throughout the island by the firing of a red signal blast at the hands of one of the Fairy Tail Mages, activating the so-called Condition Red, which prompts all of the guild members present on the island at the time to ready for battle to defend Tenrou Island from the invaders.
Gildart's eyes turn serious cracking his knuckles and preparing for combat using his <Magic Sense> to locate the strongest ones nearby, "Those bastards are going to pay for ruining such a good day. They won't be getting out of this alive if they harm my baby girl…"
/////
In the far distance away from the island coming into view, the Dark Guild Grimoire Heart Airship could be seen piercing through the clouds coming out. Housing an entire guild, the airship is noted to be very large in size: it consists of a central hull at whose sides are located two larger, elongated parts jutting frontwards.
It seems to be kept flying by several large magical glyphs floating near it, with a pair of them being located behind it, at the ends of the protruding sections, something which makes them highly reminiscent of propulsors, and an even more massive one sitting under it.
The hull's shape is that of a real boat, possessing an arched, pointed lower part, ending on the front in a dark section that houses the guild's symbol, with an open zone right above it, where the main hall seems to be located.
*GWAN*
*GWAN*
*GWAN*
Hearing the sounds of the engine roaring within the airship Ultear in her new outfit announced to Hades that they found Zeref in a happy tone, "We've finally found him! Though it seems he's sleeping. It appears the time has come Master Hades."
The other members of the Seven Kin of Purgatory all waited patiently for Hades to announce their attack on Tenrou Island claiming Zeref, "That man… descended to ancient ground Mastered the black arts… Birthed tens of thousands of demons and pulled the world into chaos. The most evil and powerful force in the history of the magical world… Zeref the Black Wizard! Let us begin! Set course for the Fairy Island!"
*BANG*
An orange energy shot was seen aiming at Grimoire Hearts ship managing to destroy a portion of the ship.
*BOOM*
*RM*
*RM*
*RM*
Feeling the shock of the ship getting damaged being repaired by Ultear <Arc of Time> Magic Hades' eyes glared at the one responsible distance away thinking to himself, 'How could someone made that shot manage to shoot us here? No matter. With Ultear <Arc of Time> she could repair the ship but now we lost the element of surprise on our side. Whoever took that shot is a Deadman.'
As the sounds of the explosion could be heard from the distance the people on the island were now alerted of the danger.
*Boooom*
Makarov soon used his <Giant Magic> magic to confront the group...
/////
Archer using Pumpkin saw the ship was prepared as the fight with other Guild Members all stopped seeing the Red Condition retaking aim.
*Klak*
Aiming his shot he soon twirled it back as a member of the Grimoire Hearts scouts tried to attack from behind, "Shit –"
*BANG*
*SPLAT*
Aiming for the head instantly killing the person Archer soon sees more members come to surround as he places his fingers downward…
*PEW*
*PEW*
Suddenly the members were pierced by Assassin using Zhat and its Veda <Lustrous Flow, Rush Before Me> killing them in the head as Archer repositions himself taking another shot at their airship.
/////
A man stood alone awake from his sleep opening his eyes and speaking in a tired tone, "Sigh… why must these humans cause so much pain…"
The man in question is Zeref Dragneel considered to be the strongest, most evil Mage of all time, who possesses extremely dangerous and powerful Magic and is the founder Emperor of the Alvarez Empire, under the alias of Emperor Spriggan.
He wears high-collared red and tan robes with gold trim and a large, flowing white toga draped around his torso. He has short black hair, dark eyes, and abnormally sharp canines. He also wears a pendant, where he keeps a childhood picture of Natsu and himself.
Sensing the Magic in the air his eyes slightly widen in shock recognizing a magic he sensed those months ago in a surprised tone, "Oh! It seems like the magic from months ago is present on this island… no. I should go rather than meet this magic caster that caused Irene and August such a headache the past months."
Walking Zeref was now on the move heading towards Silva's direction…