Salem's Pov
After a few minutes of flight, Morrigan finally entered Crocus' airspace. I shifted slightly on her shoulders coiling, then stretching to get a better view of the city below.
Honestly… it wasn't what I expected.
Compared to massive capitals like Hargeon or Taiyō, Crocus didn't feel like a sprawling metropolis. From up here, the most striking feature was the enormous castle at its center, with the rest of the city built in neat, circular layers around it.
Still… maybe it'd feel different on the ground. You never know. I don't remember much of it from the series.
"Oh my, that's new," Morrigan mused, pointing toward a mountainside under construction. "I wonder what they're building down there?"
''Oh cool the gmg stadium.'
I made a mental note to check it out later. Watching the first Grand Magic Games live? Yeah, that was definitely happening.
Thinking about it, I always wondered what the earlier tournaments were like. It would've been nice to see how Sabertooth actually rose to power.
Speaking of which…
'Wouldn't the core members be my current physical age?'
Sting and Rogue looked about Natsu's age post-timeskip, so right now they'd be what twelve? Thirteen? The others I don't really remember their names except Rufus because of a certain mole rat, should be mid teens maybe?
Still didn't explain how they dominated for seven straight years.
I mean, sure they're strong. But other guilds had monsters too. Lamia Scale had a Wizard Saint, and Lyon was just a bit weaker than Gray. Also he was members blue Pegasus weren't slouches either especially that weird perfume guy.
Then again… this is an anime world.
A seven-year-old prodigy could probably surpass a veteran with decades of experience.
Yeah… logic doesn't always apply here.
I hummed to myself.
'Hum, wasn't there a dragon graveyard down there too? Guess I know what I'm going to do today.' I nodded to myself.
Morrigan landed on the outskirts of the city and slid higher on her shoulders transforming into a my black cat form sitting on her shoulders causing to give a look.
"Do I look like a free transportation service to you?"
"Give me a break, I've been training all day, then I had to fight an SS-class monster. Just let a dude rest will you."
"I've noticed you've been relying on your animal forms more often," she said, idly stroking my fur. "Careful, junior. You might lose your humanity."
She smiled.
"Though… I suppose I wouldn't mind a permanent little sidekick."
"You're the one to talk. Are you going to go back to normal or what I think you normally look like. Or you're looking for some attention here in the big city. " My tail poked her cheek.
When she was changing her looks in the air she landed on looking like a beautiful latino woman in her early 30s, light brown skin, green eyes, long curly hair, busty, and nice ass.
(Looks like this)
"Oh~?" she teased. "What's wrong with this one? I've caught you staring, you little pervert." She flicked my nose making me hiss at her.
" 'Pft' Whatever." I blushed a bit making myself more comfortable on her shoulder. "Hey random question but I've been wondering something about your magic for a minute now. I've seen you transform into a guy sometimes soo…"
" Yes," she said immediately. "I can give myself a penis. Yes, I've used it to fool around with women before. Yes, I can control the size."
"…Yeah. That answers everything."
Crocus definitely earned its title as the City of Flowers.They were everywhere lined along the streets, woven into buildings, decorating balconies.
Must be hell for the people with allergies,
"So who or what's this contact of yours?"
"Oh she's just another treasure hunter I've known for a long time now."
"Does she also have any weird quirks I should know about to prepare for?"
She hummed tilting her glasses. "Well… she's far less charming than I am, has a stick lodged firmly up her posterior, and is hopelessly obsessed with history."
"Good to know."
We stopped in front of a modest two-story wooden building. Nothing special except for the carved suns with faces by the entrance.
SUN BAR
Inside wasn't much different. A few patrons, sun-themed paintings lining the walls…
Still, something about this place felt familiar.
"Welcome, ma'am," the bartender said, leaning slightly forward. "Can I get you anything?"
"Yes," Morrigan replied smoothly. "I'm looking for a rather severe-looking woman. White hair, perpetually displeased expression?"
The barkeep stared at the badge and nodded. "Yes she's in the deluxe room. Right this way."
He led us up stairs towards a door which had a pink coloured sun decoration on it. He left telling us the woman was in the room, not before another effort trying to flirt with Morrigan but failed again and left looking defeated.
Meh at least the guy tried and wasn't pushy.
"What's with that face?" She asked.
I shrugged. "Nothing, I'm just surprised that you didn't flirt back with the guy."
She arched her brow. "Do you take me for some sort of Jezebel?"
"Well you can't blame me, you do like to play femme fatale. Remember Tristan you slept with him the first chance you got."
"The Atlantian. He was really handsome and strong but was a bit of a button with…"
"Okay I get it man. I don't need extra info." I cut her off.
"Oh, don't be so prudish. In fact…" Her grin turned wicked. "Since you're nearly fourteen, perhaps it's time I properly educated you."
I didn't need one since I'm still mentally nineteen or should it be twenty one now counting the years spent here in Earthland?
She opened the door and it revealed a private drinking room with sun decorations, a shelf full of alcohol.
She was really pretty with long sleek flowing white hair, brown eyes, smooth fair skin busty, she looked about maybe 5 '9 in height. She had a light brown blazer draped over her shoulder, a white blouse, a black pleated mini-skirt, shiny heels, and a layered necklace.
(She looks like this)
Morrigan waved and winked at her. "Heeellooo Aure dear~ Long time no see~."
The woman turned towards us looking at Morrigan up and down, rolling her eyes.
"You're late, Mori." She said in a bit of a cold tone.
"Apologies, darling," Morrigan replied lightly. "We stopped to admire the flowers and scenery. Crocus demands it."
Aurelia raised a brow, a soft exhale leaving her." How unfortunate… I see your wit remains just as dry as ever."
Morrigan took a seat and I hopped beside her.
"It's good to see your still the same ice bitch as ever"
"And I see you've acquired yet another face," The lady tilted her head slightly. "Do tell me is this one for business… or one of your more honey trap pursuits?"
"I sense jealousy in your voice. But I wouldn't blame you, I mean what woman wouldn't be jealous of this ability." Morrigan made her body thicker and the lady just rolled her eyes.
"Hardly. Some of us have no need to rely on such… excessive versatility." The lady brushed a strand of hair back with confidence.
"Well as much as I love our little verbal spars." Morrigan stroked my head. "This fluffy little menace here is my protege… Say hello Junior."
So I transformed back to normal and waved at her.
"It's nice ma'am my name is Salem. Salem Shupiwe." I greeted her.
Morrigan snorted "Again with the etiquette . Seriously, where was all this when you first met me."
"Well she didn't steal my stuff so..."
"Are you ever going to let that go and besides I know you're just being polite because she's exactly your type. Older, pretty and busty, your perfect type match" I stuffed my hands in my pockets whistling making her chuckle "Your not even going to deny it."
I raised my arms "What do you want me to say? I am not going to lie. She's really fine."
The lady cleared her throat to get our attention. Her eyes were more focused on me.
"So you're the child Morrigan spoke off." She hummed, leaning back a bit. "Well little changeling. My name is Lady Aurelia Viremont. I see you look very similar to one of Morrigan's more favourable faces. I hope you're more tolerable than her though."
"Oh shit shit your royalty or something. Should I call you Lady Viremont, Lady Aurelia, just Viremont." I asked her and she just looked a little amused
"Well aren't you an adorable little thing and Lady Viremont will do." She took a sip of her drink.
Morrigan rolled her eyes. "You're dead to me if you do that Junior. Just address her ice queen. It rolls off the tongue better."
"Feeling a little green with envy dear Mori."
"Please at least I don't, unlike you, I don't need some titles for a confidence boost."
"Okay I'll stick with Aurelia then. Can we get on with this please." I interrupted their banter.
"junior's right now that we got the character introductions out the way. Sure we get to business shall we Aure~?" Morrigan looked at Aurelia.
"Yes we should." She poured some beer for Morrigan. "Tell me little changeling Morrigan here told me you specialize in dealing with things out of this world."
I gave Morrigan a deadpan look and she drank her boos. What a hypocrite after all those lectures she gave me about keeping the whole thing on low.
"Yeah I got some experience with it, why?" Don't tell me that one of the anomalies was guarding some ancient treasure or something? Wait, that would actually be pretty cool.
Aurelia began to explain. "You see just a few months ago there had been word going around that a mysterious temple had seemingly appeared out of nowhere here in Fiore"
"Hm sounds familiar huh junior." Morrigan nudged me a bit and I nodded remembering the Quetzalcoatl's temple back in Perganda. "Sorry, Ice queen, please continue~."
"Well it's good to see this situation is familiar to the both of you. I finally managed to get the location and found the temple but unfortunately every one who had tried to explore the temple have either been unsuccessful or haven't come back. Just a few weeks ago I led my people on an expedition to the temple, however we were met with multiple setbacks making us turn back."
"Well you didn't tell me that. They must have really been something to make you of all people to turn back."
"They were from all the traps, monsters leaving many injured and especially the sacred language I've never seen or heard of. Even my top translator could not decipher it, this was the main obstacle in our progress."
Morrigan's tone shifted. "Interesting. So what do you think Junior?"
I tapped my chin and asked. "Hmm. You got a pic of this temple?"
She took out a camera showing us a picture of the temple. From what I could make out of the size it was a massive temple a bit similar to the Quetzalcoatl's, some stone heads and was surrounded by a dense jungle. I remembered seeing this temple when I was looking through any new anomalies in Fiore and it was just a temple from the Tomb raider series, it was weird at first there were robots and evil trees so maybe facing a whole structure wouldn't be that far off.
Morrigan chuckled."My~ Oh my~ the resemblance is uncanny~. I can tell that there would be a lot of interesting goodies in there."
I nodded, "Yep, it's called the temple of Kukulkan."
"You recognize it?" Aurelia asked quickly—too quickly for her usual composure leaning forward with genuine interest.
"Somewhat," I said. "Built by a tribe called the Mayans. Dedicated to a god. That's about as far as my knowledge goes."
"Then you must tell me everything you know," she said, voice sharpening with excitement. "Its origins, its builders, anything at all."
shrugged. "That's really it."
"And the language?" she pressed. "Were you able to interpret it?" I made a so-so gesture.
She exhaled softly, a real smile breaking through.
"Then this expedition may yet prove worthwhile." Her gaze drifted slightly, thoughtful. "A lost linguistic system… preserved within an intact structure…"
"Oh no, she's getting excited." Morrigan chuckled and wrapped her arms around me. "Wow, hold on their Aure if you want my adorable little protege's services than you know that it's best to establish a binding contract for it."
"…Excuse me?" I said. "Why are you talking like you're selling me?"
"Hush, junior."
"Hm that's understandable." A golden glow emitted on Aurelie's hand and a paper and pen appeared on it. "So shall we did guess the term, conditions and how will split our findings?"
"Yes we shall~."
I got out of my mentor's hold. "Wow hold on Mori I'm not sure I'm going to be part of this whole thing."
She raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you the only one who's always begging not to get involved in my treasure hunting business."
Aureila walked over a little too close to me. "Salem… Do you truly understand the rarity of what stands before us? A temple that should not exist untouched, undocumented, and resisting every attempt at entry."
Her eyes gleamed slightly.
"An archaeological discovery of this magnitude is not merely an opportunity, it is history waiting to be rewritten. And naturally… your contribution would be compensated most generously."
"Lady back up a little. And as much as I want to go tomb raiding with you two, I go…" My phone began sounding an alert from my pocket.
"What's that?"
"Hm. Hold on, I need to step outside for a little bit." I stepped out of the room and hurried to the men's bathroom.
After entering one of the stalls I took out my phone from my pocket and so the fusion alert was going off. Opening up the map I saw the temple icon was glowing purple and it changed growing veins all around it and had mechanical segments on it.
(Looks like this)
According to the info it had merged with the divine beast Vah Naboris from legend of Zelda breath of the wild, and a fragment of the forest deity from princess Mononoke.
'Man these things just keep on getting weirder and weirder.'
Seriously thought what were the odds, this feels like some bad plot convenience. Guess I'm going treasure hunting after all.
After I was done I went back to the room.
"Okay I'm back and it looks like it's your lucky day Ms. Aurelia. I changed my mind. I'm coming along."
Aurelia looked confused "Really why the change of mind. I thought you had other responsibilities to tend to."
Morrigan took poured herself another drink. "Well looks like you don't have to use plan B to convince him Aure~."
"Plan B? What's plan B?" I asked them.
Aurelia cleared her throat "There's no need to worry about that little changeling but before we begin the contract. I have to inform you that I sent out a guild request to assist us with the exposition."
"Aure why would you do that? The three of us are perfectly capable of handling this. And if you needed extra hands I'm sure your employees are competent enough to handle it."commented Morrigan
"They are but a good amount got injured already during the last expedition and are still recovering, along with a lot of damaged equipment, so we'll need more manpower particularly since guilds in Fiore are a bit more powerful wizards than normal ones in Ishgar."
"Okay so which guild is coming with us then?"
"Some mages from Sabertooth and one from Mermaid heel."
My ears stood up a bit when she mentioned the guilds.
Morrigan looked a bit confused "Sabertooth? Never heard of them before. Are you sure it's a good idea to let some no names take this mission. Believe me from what I learned with anything which has 'Salem Shupiwe' in the name things can get pretty crazy."
She didn't have to use my name like that.
"Well at first I thought of picking the fairy tail guild but the members have a rather undesirable reputation of recklessness, I fear that if I hired them there won't be much of the temple left. Also I heard their strongest members were killed by the black dragon so they were not an option. So I went on reviewing the records of other guilds and the results were impressive… Not satisfactory to say the least.
Sabretooth, while not as popular as the others, has gathered a remarkable reputation just in the past few months. The mission success rate is high with top efficiency and minimal damage. Their mages are said to possess very rare and powerful magic."
I scratched my pointy ear. "Well you can't argue with logic like that. Wait, what about mermaid heel? They don't really have powerhouses in that place."
Hell Kagura had been and continues to be their biggest hitter for years and no disrespect to my girls as strong as she was, she really wasn't top tier, now and in the OG show.
"Funny you should mention that the only reason she is coming is because of you two. Marellia called me and requested one of her girls from her little pond to come along and requested you two, especially you Mori, to look after her."
"What tell her no. I'm not her bloody pound's den mother." sighed Morrigan
"Sorry Mori but I am ready to accept." Aurelia shook her head but I saw a small satisfied smile on her face at Morrigan's being all frustrated.
A little while later
After finishing the terms of the contract the three of us came out of the bar walking towards the royal residential area where Aurelia had booked a sweet.
"Alright I'll find you guys at the hotel, something I need you to check out."
Morrigan just waved off "Alright have fun."
Aurelia gave her a look. "Wait, that's it, you're just letting the boy go by himself?"
Morrigan just shrugged. "Meh, he can take care of himself. Plus he knows how to find me."
"Do try not to exhaust yourself before tomorrow," Aurelia said, her tone gentler now. "Exploration of this scale demands clarity… and stamina."
"What are you my mom…" I transformed into an owl. "Alright ladies see you in a minute byie~"
I took off to the sky towards the soon to be the grand magic games stadium. Next stop the dragon graveyard.
—xx—
Another note:
And that was chapter 62. I'll work hard so that the next chapter should come out this weekend.
Now if you all have any comments about the story, be it likes, dislikes, what you think should be adjusted or future ideas don't be afraid to leave them, also leave a review if you can. As it shows me that people are still interested in the story