A bit earlier
The three former dark mages observed the battle from a safe distance, their gazes fixed on the two mysterious shape-shifters clashing against the unknown creature.
Wow, they're really strong." Meredy murmured, her voice soft with awe.
Her eyes, however, weren't on the monster. They were locked onto the white-haired boy watching each transformation with growing fascination. She had never seen, nor even read, about creatures like those.
Ultear gave a small nod, her sharp eyes dissecting every movement, every exchange.
Her interest sharpened the moment the woman unleashed a beam of darkness from her mouth, obliterating the descending meteor in a violent burst of power.
Godslayer magic.
She knew the feeling of that magic well. She was their during when Hades trained Zancrow in the arts, and she had watched him sadistically reduce everything to ash with those those flames. From enemies, innocent people to how towns.
But this… It just more vile, it almost matched the feeling she got from the dark mage him self. Just who was she and did she a connection to Zeref
"Yes the are strong but…" Ultear narrowed her eyes, "... they fight as though they've done this before."
Jellal remained silent.
His eyes never left the battlefield, absorbing everything the rhythm, the coordination, the precision.
Ultear was right.
There was no hesitation. No uncertainty.
They knew that creature or at delt with something similar.
But after the battle ended they so the monster disappeared in purple particles and the Take-over mage did something to it though it wasn't clear what he did from their current distance and angle.
"Do you think he used his Take-Over magic on it or something else to get rid of it?" questioned Meredy.
"It's possible he used a never method but his version of Take-Over could have a different application to it." said Jellal looking at the young mage taking his features. " Do you think he is related to the Strauss siblings?"
Ultear shocked her head. "I don't know. From the information I got from my time in the council got on fairy tail mages majority if not all them has no families unless they were from the guild."
At first Ultear used to find it humorous that the fairy tail guild was basically an orphanage but after seeing how they all cared and fought for each other like a true family, she greatly admired and envied them.
Jellal's face turned somber when he thought about the fairy tail mages. He remembered when Ultear and Meredy had told him about how the dragon king had destroyed the island, his heart went especially heavy. But he didn't know what it was but something deep in his heart told him that they were all still alive and he would see Erza again soon.
"Guys I think they're about to leave shouldn't we go ask them some questions." Meredy pointed out getting the older mages out of their own thoughts.
Currently
Salem POV
The three just kept on staring at us for a bit of a minute now.
Like full-on NPC observation mode.
I mean, I get it. They're doing that whole "analyze the threat level" thing reading intentions, gauging power, all that anime logic stuff.
Still creepy if you just standing staring.
"Why don't take a picture, darlings," Morrigan said coolly, her tone laced with faint irritation. "It shall last you far longer~."
""We mean no harm," Ultear said smoothly, stepping forward. "My name is Lyra, and these are my companions Ren and Emi. andmerely wished to thank you for saving my dear Emi from being devoured."
She wrapped an arm around Meredy who gave us an awkward smile and wave.
Wait, are they seriously doing fake names? I guess it makes sense since they are wanted criminals on the run but I think that would work better if they had some disguises on. But whatever.
"Yeah sure no problem." I shrugged.
"Well then…" Ultear continued, her gaze sharpening slightly, "if you don't mind me asking… what exactly did you do to that creature?"
"And you're so interested because…?" Wasn't there a whole deal right now dealing with stuff involving Zeref. Or are one of the anomalies being held by a cult involving Zeref?
Also why is Morrigan being so quiet?
Jellal stepped in. "We intend no conflict. There have been increasing reports of unknown creatures appearing across Fiore… causing destruction."
His eyes locked onto mine.
"And judging by how you handled that one… you are experienced."
"Oh my…" Morrigan's lips curled faintly. "Concern for innocent lives? How… charming."Her eyes gleamed."Most amusing, coming from runaway devotees of Zeref~."
Meredy flinched.
Jellal and Ultear remained cool but the shift in their stance was immediate.
Ultear exhaled softly. "…I suppose there is little point in denying it."She crossed her arms under her busty chest, gaze steady. "And what, exactly, gave us away?"
"Oh, come now, darling. The two of you are rather… infamous. The Council does so enjoy its little lists." Morrigan answered mockingly ."Though I must say walking about without proper disguises? Quite amateurish~."
Ultear's mouth twitched a bit at Morrigan's comment. You could literally see her holding back a sassy reply.
"Wait, hold on, I understand your distrust towards us but we aren't those people anymore!" Meredy tried to explain.
Ah… the classic 'we've changed' speech," Morrigan sighed lightly. "How quaint." Her gaze softened mockingly. "Do try harder, little bubblegum girl~."
"Bubblegum…!?"
Jellal stops forwards, acting like a shield for the two.
"She speaks the truth," he said quietly. "We bear no hostility toward you. We only seek answers."
Morrigan's eyes shifted "Hm. Siegrain or should I call you Jellal? Former wizard saint."
Always dramatic. She really didn't need to bring out his whole profile like that.
She waved a hand dismissively. "Listen big blue I'm in a generous mode now and have places to go and people to meet. So I want try to take you pretty little heads now leave"
Her eyes went all Tokyo ghoul with dark purple and red aura began to surround her making the air get heavy.
Jellal let out a sigh, closing his eyes briefly. "I see we understand. We apologize for the intrusion."
Ultear turned to him in confusion. "Jellal what about…?"
"Don't Ultear. We can't force answers from them. " His big eyes hardened a bit and I just noticed the bags under them.
Guess this man wasn't getting much sleep.
" 'Tsk' Fine." She huffed.
Wow, a little tension there?
"W-Wait!" Meredy spoke again, fidgeting nervously. "C-Can I just ask one thing? Are you… um… maybe related to Mirajane Strauss…?"
I rubbed my hair in a little annoyance at the question. "No, I'm not related to them. What do you think all people with white hair are related to? Maybe you are the Salamander's long lost sister."
"W-What?! N-No, that's not..I just thought since your magic is similar and your hair and… " She stammered a little.
I chuckled a bit "Relax, I was just messing with you. I thought you would give me better villain banter than this."
Her head began steaming. "Y"YOU!! W-We said we're not like that anymore!"
"Alright Junior, we've wasted enough time, let's go." Morrigan brought out her wings and lifted me up.
"H-Hey w-hat ar…"
She blasted us into the sky before I could even finish the sentence.
I turned into a snake and slithered around her arm and gently wrapped my upper body around her neck.
"Okay what wasss that Mori?" I hissed. "Your acting a bit
"My dear Junior."She replied. "Those were involved with the Balam alliance and while they were more of a thing in Fiore they're influence was still impacted throughout Earthland with the most dangerous and fanatic Zeref cultists following them really affecting the underworld world wide. Not to mention that one of them was a former wizard saint so of course Caution seemed appropriate."
"Ah huh so if Jellal was the more dangerous one then why were you a bit more focused on Ultear than."
"Oh you noticed that then." She chuckled. "It was nothing major, remember. I was broke a bit in need of some quick income so I accepted an assassination job from some shady sources. I met this old man who gave me the details of the guild I had to take care of some troublesome shady organisation."
"Let me guess Ultear was that old man?"
"Indeed~~."
"Wait then how come she didn't remember you then."
"Because unlike that amateur I'm actually good at changing my identity~. Including my magical signature and scent." She began changing her facial appearance 5 different times for more emphasis.
Sometimes I wonder is the appearance she normally goes by her true appearance or was it just another cover?
"Now it's your turn as a junior."
"Huh?"
""You were far too relaxed," she said. "You knew who they were… yet showed no concern. Normally I would scold you for that but you seems you know a little something" Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Explain."
I let out a small hiss decided to coming up with a good lie.
You remember I met a water mage from the fairy tail guild one time?"
She nodded.
"Well she told me that she and ssssome of her guildmatesss were involved with the incident with Jellal which led to taking him and his goons down. But when the alliance of the guilds of Laima Scale, Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, to take down the Oracion Seis they met him again but something was wrong with him. She said he had lost his memory or something and wasn't all crazy anymore. Giving him a reset.
For Ultear she said she was her boyfriend's mentor/mother figure's daughter who was abducted and brain washed. Don't get me wrong there still responsible for a lot of trauma for my friends so it's not me feeling completely sorry for them,"
"Really she told all that? Since when did you become a girl pal?" She had an amused and suspicious look.
"Meh Juvia is an oversharer. You can pretty much get her whole backstory in one conversation." Well I wasn't lying on that part.
"Oh interesting? I wonder how much he still remembers?"
"Why do you care about that? You excess or something"
"Oh~ Wouldn't you like to know. But I think we reached our sharing limit for today" She rubbed my chin and picked up the pace to the capital.