33"Dialogue"
"Thoughts"
Magic
TRIGGER WARNING
I would like to start this chapter off with a bit of an author's note. As I've mentioned previously, there will be darker and more disturbing scenes present in this story - and this is probably the first chapter that shows that, in my opinion.
While I tried to word and describe the scene in question in a way that portrays the severity and dark tones I'm trying to portray, while also not being too detailed as to cause genuine discomfort and unease, I wanted to put this little heads-up here, just in case.
With that said, I'd also like to thank everyone for their continued support throughout my time of writing this story. Every review, as well as favorite or follow, brings me genuine joy and excitement to continue this project. I normally don't reply to reviews via author note unless it's a direct question, I want to make it known that I do read and consider every review I get. Once again, thank you all for your immense support in my efforts 3.
Special thanks goes to darkchannel30, who has given me plenty of inspiration and ideas to work off, through PMs, with this story. The most notable being the cooking competition, which was his idea to me, and will be a mini plot to fill in between major arcs. I appreciate every bit of advice or ideas they give me 3.
Now then, onto the chapter!
Mermaid Heel Infirmary.
Natsu shifted in his chair a bit, an inevitable sigh escaping from his lips as he did so. Standing up from his seat, Natsu made his way to the far side of the Infirmary, looking out the main major window that occupied most of the far wall. "Getting late my ass, Meredy." Natsu thought to himself, as he looked out at the sky. The sky was only beginning to darken, even after Natsu had sat and tried to get some rest of his own, for a half-hour, give or take. "I could probably find ways to better spend my time.." Natsu muttered softly to himself, as he turned around.
In doing so, he caught a glimpse of Mira, resting peacefully on one of the infirmary beds. "She looks so peaceful… hard to believe she's such a brute." Natsu thought to himself, as he found his gaze stuck in Mira's face. He never really analyzed her too much, before. Her slightly round face, with porcelain white skin, her beautiful white hair gently framing the sides of her face…
Natsu suddenly slapped his hands against his cheeks, which suddenly reddened in embarrassment, as he realized and caught himself staring. "Damn it... get it together, man." Natsu muttered to himself, suddenly turning so he was looking out of the window once again. While he felt his blush slowly fading away, Natsu worked to try and take his mind off of the model that was currently behind him - focusing on various things he saw outside the window.
Looking out the glass, Natsu didn't see too much of the city - with the Infirmary being more so towards the right wing of the guildhall, which pointed a lot more towards the open greenery of the surrounding country. Though a sight in particular did catch Natsu's attention - he saw a familiar purple-haired swordswomen, seemingly stuck in heated debate with an equally familiar redheaded swordswomen.
"Is that Kagura and Erza? Why are they.. fighting?" Natsu muttered softly, his curiosity piqued. Though from this distance, it was far too hard for him to be able to read their lips.
Kagura's POV
Kagura, after the fight between Natsu and Mira, got caught up in the thinning horde of mages, causing her to have difficulty making her way towards Natsu and the now unconscious Mira, before they had already vanished. While it would take a minute to make her way through, Kagura did eventually end up next to Ultear.
"Will Mira be alright?" The swordswomen asked, first and foremost - worried for her comrade.
Ultear nodded her head, her gaze seemingly locked on the guildhall, for a moment. "Yeah, she'll be fine. Just overexerted herself - like always." Ultear responded, with a little laugh at the end. "I'm honestly surprised Natsu wasn't unconscious. I thought he had overexerted himself magic-wise against you and Erza.. but he seemed to be putting a lot more magic into his spells, this time." Ultear said, with a finger on her chin, as she was caught up in her thoughts.
"I.. also wondered about that." Kagura nodded her head in agreement, finding it strange. Though she pushed that thought to the back burner, as she heard Ultear speak up again.
"But did you see how he was carrying Mira? So romantic! Maybe one day he'll carry me like that~!" Ultear giggled playfully, squealing a little in excitement at the thought.
Kagura's face reddened at this, not having expected that type of statement from Ultear… not at that particular moment, at least. "Well.. I can't say I fully disagree." Kagura thought to herself, not that she'd ever admit it aloud. "Ahem." Kagura cleared her throat, in an attempt to ease her own embarrassment at the situation.
"Well then." Kagura suddenly said, after a few moments. "I have to speak with Natsu.. but it'll have to wait until he's done getting Mira to the Infirmary, I suppose." She stated, before beginning to walk off.
"Hold on just one moment, missy!" Ultear called out, following Kagura rapidly. "Why do you have to speak to Natsu, hmmm~?" Ultear prodded, as she got right in Kagura's face, with a seemingly knowing grin.
"I- I simply have a few questions for N-natsu, is all." Kagura stammered out, after a few seconds. "Him and I had a sparring match, and I bested him - so the deal was I'd get to ask a few questions I've had, for a bit now." Kagura continued, with a much less embarrassed tone to her voice.
Ultear backed up, holding her palms up in peace, as she snickered a little. "Fine fine. Oh you're no funnn!" Ultear teased, with a giggle. She'd step out of Kagura's way, making sure she'd be able to walk past. "What type of questions did you have in mind?" Ultear asked, curiously.
"I wanted to ask him a bit about who taught him to use a sword." Kagura replied, simply. "He mentioned having a master briefly, but said he never had formal training for long." As she said this, Kagura couldn't help but recall that ominous feeling she had, a bit before her and Natsu had their sparring match in the forest - and how his sword made her feel sick.
Ultear stopped walking, crossing her arms over her chest as she proceeded to pout lightly. "You have the ability to ask him anything.. and you want to learn about where he learned to swing a sword?" Ultear asked, with an incredulous and non-convinced expression on her face.
Kagura gave her guildmaster and inquisitive look, as she regarded her words. "Yes.. that is what I'm asking about." She finally said, with a bit of confusion. "Why? What would you ask about, Ultear?" She finally asked, after a few moments.
"I don't know to be honest.. I can find out most basic stuff from council connections, honestly." Ultear said, no longer pouting and instead thinking to herself.
"Isn't it a little unmoral to get his personal information from the council?" Kagura asked, with a raised eyebrow.
Ultear simply giggled, as she shook her head. "Oh Kagura. Sweet, naive Kagura." She said, with a smile. "Natsu is a nice guy - I'm sure he wouldn't mind me taking the extra initiativeee~" Ultear said, in a sing-song tone, with an overly sweet smile.
Kagura just stared dumbfounded at Ultear's response, not sure what exactly to say. "Maybe Natsu is right when he calls her a witch.." she thought momentarily, before shaking her head, with the faintest trace of a smile. "If you say so, master." She finally replied.
"Glad you understand, Kagura!" Ultear joked, with a little laugh.
Kagura started to walk away, the two beginning to go their separate ways - but she found herself stopped in her tracks, a question eating at the back of her mind, itching to be asked. Finally, she'd turn back around. "Wait, Master - I was wondering.. why are you so… different, when Natsus is involved?" Kagura finally asked, her voice a little quieter in usual, partially due to the few small groups of people that still remained as remnants of the audience from the fight.
"Hmm.." Ultear stopped to ponder for a moment, as if trying to figure the best answer for Kagura's question. "Truth be told? He makes me happy. It's as simple as that." Ultear said, with a straight face. "He… I don't think he remembers, but him and I share a past together." Ultear said, as she started to walk, taking a gentle stroll with Kagura in tow.
Kagura would give a surprised look at this revelation, not having expected it. "A shared past? I wasn't aware. How come he wouldn't remember?" Kagura asked.
"He never saw my face - nor did he hear my name. Honestly, it's rough calling it a shared past - we've spoken once, a while ago, and that was it. But his words stuck with me, even all these years later.. I owe a lot to him, honestly." Ultear said, a happy smile on her face.
Kagura listened to Ultear's words, with understanding. "I see.. that makes sense, then." She responded, albeit a little lamely. "But if I may ask.. what did he say to you?" The purple-haired mage inquired.
"What he said to me?" Ultear asked, before going quiet for a second. Though it only took a few moments, for her to start giggling like a schoolgirl, once again. "Sorry - that's a secret!" She said, as she suddenly picked up her pace, moving forward faster, before giving Kagura a quick look back. "Find some juicy information out for me, then maybe I'll tell you!" Ultear exclaimed, with a smile, before walking off and into the guildhall, leaving the purple-haired mage to her own devices.
"wait-!" Kagura started, one hand outstretched as Ultear began to walk away. Her arm would quickly fall back to her side, however, as it became apparent Ultear had no intention of stopping - resulting in a sigh from the swordswomen.
"Something juicy..? What does she even mean by that?" Kagura spoke aloud, before shrugging it off. Shaking her head, she'd begin to walk towards the guildhall as well, planning to find Natsu so she could finally ask her questions. Though as she was walking, she suddenly felt a gentle, yet firm, armor-plated hand holding onto her shoulder - causing her to stop suddenly.
"Onee-sama - please be careful. You could've startled me." Kagura said, with a tone that sounded much more relaxed than she usually was.
Erza just gave the woman a soft smile. "I had faith." She responded, as she let go of Kagura's shoulder. "Could you come with me please, Kagura? I'd like to talk about something." Erza's words were soft, kind-hearted - but despite that, there was a bit of an edge to it all.
Kagura simply nodded her head, agreeing to Erza's request. "Yeah, of course." She said, before promptly following Erza.
Elsewhere.
Walking through the cart of a train, Wendy would be trying her best to concentrate on anything other than the roaring of the engine, or the screeching caused by the machine as it traveled across the tracks - the thing she hated most about riding on trains, was always the sound, after all. The blue-haired girl was currently holding Carla to her chest, much like a stuffed animal, as they walked through various train carts - trying to make their way back to Chelia.
"Don't worry Wendy, we should be there by morning." Carla said comfortingly, as she noticed the uncomfortable cringing of Wendy's face, due to the onslaught her ears received.
Despite her attempts to comfort the dragonslayer, this only earned a whimper from the blue-haired lady, at the prospect of having to sleep through the brutal noise.
"Maybe you can try practicing your new technique? I'm sure Natsu would be pleased to see his star pupil master it so quickly." Carla suggested, with a small frown on her face.
"I'm Natsu's only pupil." Wendy commented - though her body soon deflated in defeat, as she thought about it further. "Besides, it's far too loud for me to focus on meditating." Wendy grumbled - quickly covering her ears at a particularly loud screech from the wheels of the train. Though in her haste to do so, she'd accidentally let go of Carla - who reacted fast enough to open up her wings in time, floating up to hover next to Wendy, with a disapproving look.
"Be careful next time, child!" Carla scolded, with a shake of her head. The floating cat would look around the cart, noting the confused and bewildered expressions the two were getting from other passengers - especially as her wings appeared, gaining even more confused looks.
"I'm sorry Carla.." Wendy bemoaned, with a sullen look. She'd uncover her ears, taking the cat into her arms once again, as she began to walk back to her seat with Chelia. Though as they were walking, Wendy couldn't help but to shiver, the temperature seemingly having dropped significantly, in a matter of seconds.
"A- Acho!" Carla sneezed, the temperature drop getting to her. She wasn't the only one, many of the passengers were quickly caught off guard by the sudden drop in temperature, many people shivering, the sound of teeth chattering echoing throughout the cart.
"Why is it so cold..?" Wendy muttered, her own body feeling much weaker and heavier - almost as if she herself was freezing.
Suddenly, the train, which was in full motion down the tracks, came to an abrupt stop - crashing into some structure, or something, resulting in Wendy being knocked off her feet and to the floor, with a heavy thud, her head banging against the floor, as her vision abruptly going black.
The sounds of screaming and shouting quickly rang throughout the train, as people were sent flying against one another, due to the sudden and devastating impact - all the while, the train grew colder and colder, as layers of ice began to slowly envelop the locomotive.
Carla pounded against Wendy's chest, feeling her body being crushed between the petite dragon slayer and the train floor, trying to free herself or shake Wendy back to her senses - whichever came first. Though the dragonslayer soon came to, her eyes fluttering open as she shakily stood up, hearing the sounds of alarm all around her.
Looking around, Wendy took in the scene. Windows were shattered, glass laying all over the floors and walls, with her own arms being littered with tiny cuts. At the same time, the sounds of kids and infants crying filled her ears, the sight of unconscious people all around her, with others seeming to barely hold onto their senses, trying to make sure others are okay. Walking over to the nearest window, Wendy would stick her head out, looking to the front of the train, to see what happened - only for her eyes to widen. At the front of the train, only about eight carts ahead of where she was, a giant pillar of ice was present, having pierced through the front cart, which was now dangling from the air, having been completely disconnected from the train.
"What the.." Wendy muttered, only to stop speaking, as she felt the biting cold of the air stinging against her skin, further. It was then that she noticed the creeping layer of ice that was slowly encroaching upon her, slowly freezing over the carts one by one, and getting closer by the second. The dragonslayer quickly pulled herself back into the train, her eyes looking around frantically, darting from person to person, as she tried to see who needed the most help.
"Wendy! Over here!" Carla called out, as she floated near an unconscious man, with blood pouring from his head, which seemed to be struck by a nearby suitcase. Next to him was a hysterical child, being coddled in the embrace of an almost equally hysterical woman, who was busy trying to soothe the young kid.
"Coming!" Wendy shouted, quickly making her way towards Carla and the unconscious man. The dragonslayer found herself crouching down almost instantly, her hands hovering above the man's head just a few inches, as an emerald green glow began to emanate from her palms. "Heal." Wendy muttered, as the spell began to take effect.
After a few moments, no longer than a minute, Wendy would cease the spell, pulling her hands away as she looked to the child and woman, who both seemed more relaxed, albeit still shaken up. "Neither of them look hurt…" Wendy thought to herself, as she quickly stood up. "He may be unconscious for a little bit.. but he should be fine." Wendy said, before sniffing the air, turning to follow Carla's scent, knowing she would've gone to the next Injured passenger.
This process repeated for the next ten or so minutes, with Wendy running from person to person to make sure they were healed and alright. Though she couldn't ignore the biting cold, which seemed to grow stronger by the minute, her body growing heavier and more sluggish, as a result - as if it were draining her very strength.
"We… we can't keep everyone on the train.." Wendy muttered breathlessly, her brow furrowed as she was in the process of healing another injured passenger. Cutting off the flow of magic, Wendy would try to lift the unconscious man, his body resting against her petite frame, as she slowly moved towards the back of the cart.
Carla quickly flew over, grabbing the man by the shirt and lifting him off of the young dragonslayer, hovering just barely high enough to prevent him from scraping the floor some more.
"Thank you.." Wendy muttered, as she stuck her head outside the window once again. When she did so, she noticed the ice creeping up further along the train, having almost completely enveloped the cart before them - inching closer to theirs by the second.
Right as she was about to pull her head back in, Wendy would catch a glimpse of silvery black tendrils of air splashing against the ice-encased cart two spots ahead of them, instantly recognizing the magic as Chelia's. As if on cue, the godslayer's magic burst out of the windows of the train cart, shattering the layer of ice encasing it, in the process. Wendy would feel her body shake, the train shaking due to the outburst of magic - the dragonslayer having to hold onto the windowsill, to prevent herself from flying out.
"I'm glad Chelia is safe- but why would she use such a strong spell?" Wendy thought, until the realization hit her. "Wait.. is she.. there must be a dark mage up there!" Wendy's eyes went wide, at the thought, already worrying even further for the people in board.
"Carla!" Wendy called out, still sticking her head out of the window. "Get everyone who can move to go as far back in the train as possible! Once there, have them exit!" Wendy said, panic to her voice.
"On it Wendy!" Carla replied, before turning towards the passengers. "Well? You heard the lady - get moving! If someone's unconscious, you'll have to carry them!" Carla ordered, the passengers agreeing with no hesitation. Carla soon began to follow after the passengers, an unconscious man still in her grasp - but in the process, she looked back to Wendy, a small smile on the cats face as she did. "Never thought I'd see Wendy take charge like this.." She thought, fondly, before continuing down the train - warning passengers in every cart they went through to do the same.
Wendy finally pulled herself back into the train, as she began running in the opposite direction of all the passengers, back to the cart she shared with Chelia. She tried not to waste any time as she made her way ahead, but she did stop in the cart between them, for a minute, to heal someone who seemed much worse for wear than the others she's so far encountered. After doing so, she made sure to encourage everyone to make their way to the back of the train, as another blast of Chelia's sky magic shook the train, once more.
"What's going on in there..?" Wendy thought, as she leaned against one of the train compartment doors for a moment, to regain her composure from the sudden shockwave.
Before Wendy could begin making her way forwards once again, she'd watch as the door connecting the two train carts was forced open, as Chelia's body came flying through the center aisle, skidding to a halt Natsu's far in front of the blue-haired sky mage.
"Chelia!" Wendy cried out, rushing to her friend's side as she crouched down next to her. She'd immediately notice the condition the amaranth-haired woman was in - her arms and legs being littered with tiny cuts and scrapes, some of which were deep enough to draw blood. The most alarming part about Chelia's appearance however was the woman's skin, however. Parts of her body, all over, seemed to be freezing over - the skin a light blue-ish white shade, which continued to slowly spread out from their points of impact, like her skin was turning to ice.
"W…Wendy… you've.. you've got to run, now.." Chelia weakly muttered, her body shaking and spasming on the floor, due to the sheer intensity of the freezing surroundings.
Wendy hovered her hands over Chelia's body, which began to glow the same vibrant emerald green as before, as she tried to heal her friend the best she could. "No! I'm not leaving you!" Wendy exclaimed, tears streaking down her face as she tried her best to treat her friend.
"There's the second one. 'bout time you showed up, I was getting bored just toying with your weak friend."
Wendy's head snapped to the side, facing the same door Chelia just went flying through. Standing in the entrance way to their current car was a tall man, who almost took up the entire door due to his bulky physique alone. He had unruly white hair, which transitioned into light blue bangs near the bottom, with equally unkempt facial hair. His clothes were dirty and stained, and he was wearing what looked to be a tattered and torn up wizard Saint coat - though it was hard for Wendy to fully make out, due to the miniature storm of ice that seemed to rapidly vortex around the man.
"Wendy.. run.. now!" Chelia coughed up, as she tried leaning up, propping herself up on her right elbow, with her left hand outstretched. She began to charge up an orb of silvery-black wind, aimed towards the supposed assailant in the doorway. "Sky God's -" before she could finish her incantation, Chelia would watch as the pointed tip of an icy blue spike suddenly pierced through her palm, sticking out of the back of her hand, as its color slowly changed as it mixed with the crimson shade of her blood. She'd watch as her spell dispersed, having been snuffed out before even becoming fully formed. Suddenly, an ear-piercing scream echoed from Chelia's mouth, as sons of pain forced their way through her already hoarse and weak throat; almost as if the spell was even too fast for her pain receptors.
Wendy would watch this event unfold, having barely had time to notice the man in the doorway letting loose the spike of ice magic. So fast was the spell that her eyes couldn't even properly follow it, instead, she just barely saw the projectile piercing Chelia's left hand, the sound of flesh tearing, and Chelia screaming, echoing throughout her ears.
"Would you just stay down already? You're not doing yourself any favors. The boss only cares that you're alive - you don't have to be in one piece." The man said, his tone seeming distant and withdrawn, as if he wasn't even paying attention to the situation unfolding. He began to step towards the two mages, the sound of his boots slapping against the floor echoing throughout the train cart, as ice slowly began to creep in through the door, the outside of the cart having been fully coated, with the inside following behind the approaching man. As he walked, the man scratched at the back of his head, in a way that signified both boredom and… awkwardness?
"Gotta admit, putting out fake job requests has been getting us plenty of mages for the boss to experiment on. Kinda wish you two weren't girls though.. that really cramps my style." the man said, glass shattering under his feet, as he encroached closer and closer upon the dragon and godslayer. "But a dragonslayer and godslayer? Even I can't pass up on this. Both sky, too? I'm sure he'll have plenty of fun ripping the very magic from your bodies." A casual laugh escaped from the man's lips, as he was only ten or so feet away from the duo, now.
Wendy slowly stood up, her legs shaking, as if it was taking everything she had to prevent them from buckling under herself. Despite the apparent fear she was portraying, Wendy still managed to raise her arms up, her palms clenching into fist, as gusts of wind began to circle around them. "I.. I don't know who you are… but.. but… you'll pay for hurting Chelia, and all those innocent people like you did." Wendy said, her voice dripping with a strange mixture of fear and determination.
The man gave Wendy an appraising look for a moment, his eyes, which originally seemed no different than the eyes of a dead fish, were suddenly alive with interest, and curiosity. "You wanna go, kid? Beating on girls ain't my style… but oh well. I might as well have some fun." he said, as his body towered over Wendy, his posture relaxed and calm - with no worries in the world.
"Wendy.. don't eat.. the air." Chelia coughed up weakly, as her body continued to seize in pain. "He.. the ice - it's melting into the air in the train…" she finished, her voice weak and hoarse.
Wendy felt her mind racing, words of doubt and panic shaking her to her very core. "What am I gonna do!? What if I fail!? All these innocents will die… and what about Chelia!?" Wendy internally panicked, her eyes darting to see her downed friend, hand clutched to her chest, with blood looking around her. "If I drag the fight out, she could lose too much blood.. but if I rush things and lose, then what'll happen!?" Wendy panicked, her feet locked in place, as she was overcome with fear and doubt.
"Not gonna start? Fine, I will!" The man exclaimed, a grin on his face, as he pulled his hand back. "Glacial Impact!" The man exclaimed, his burly fist flying forwards, coated in freezing winds.
Wendy's eyes widened, as she saw the man's fist flying towards her. She instinctively felt her feet kicking off the floor, jumping backwards to avoid the powerful punch thrown her way - landing just a few feet away, with a gentle thud. Wendy quickly noticed the spike of ice which suddenly formed on the floor, from where the man's blow landed - a sight that didn't quell her worries. The dragonslayer's hands stuck outwards, silvery wind forming around Chelia's body, as she lifted her friend and pulled her away from the ice mage, using her concentration to get the injured mage as far away as she could, towards the back of their cart. "Alright.. she should be safe there. Now -" Wendy was immediately dragged out of her thoughts, turning her head back to her opponent, just in time to feel his fist colliding with the side of her face, sending her body crashing into the side of the train cart, roughly.
"Making sure the injured were safe.. noble. Though it looks like you're too green to know that being noble will just get you killed." The man said, with a disapproving grunt.
Wendy's body lit up in pain, as she was forced against the train cart brutally. Listening to the man's words, Wendy felt hopeless, weak, frightened, as if there was nothing she could do in her situation - after all, what was she meant to do against someone so much clearly stronger than her? Let alone in a tight train compartment, which wasn't the ideal fighting space for a sky dragonslayer, in the slightest. Her mind began to wander, thinking of all the different spells she could try, how she may be able to overpower or beat the man, with nothing coming up as a concrete plan, only adding further fuel to her feeling of despair. "How did I fight Natsu!?" She internally screamed at herself, until the answer suddenly hit her. "Wait… that's it.. I didn't think.. I just met my instincts take over…" she realized, her body going completely still, as a result.
"Give up already? Tch. And here I was thinking this was gonna be fun. Fine then, it's time to go - boss won't be happy if I take too long." The man grumbled, his voice clearly filled with annoyance. "It'll be easier if you two are unconscious. So sit still and make this easy, got it?" The man said, as he raised his fist once again, ready to slam it into the dragonslayer's face, all over again.
"Sky God's Bellow!" Chelia shouted, as a weak torrent of silvery-black win shot from her mouth, surprising and engulfing the ice mage as a result. Though Chelia knew her spell didn't do anything, nothing more than to ignore the man - she did at least hope to deal some damage. "Leave.. leave her alone.." Chelia muttered weakly, her hand still searing in pain.
Though as the gust of black winds subsided, Chelia's fears were proven true, as the man's left arm was raised up, frozen over in ice, and poised to cover his head - seemingly blocking the weak attack just about fully.
"You just don't know when to give up, do you?" The man responded, as he lowered his arm - his eyes glaring daggers into the amaranth-haired mage, as annoyance and anger swelled within him. "Fine. I'll take you out first, then the blue-haired bitch. You at least have some spunk to you." The man said, as he walked towards Chelia. "Freyja's Executioner Axe." The man muttered, calmly and coldly, as a large battle axe formed in his hand - the blade, shaft, and pommel of which being intricately decorated, like an ornate weapon made of ice.
He raised the weapon above his head, ready to bring it downwards at any moment, as the tip of the axe just barely touched against the train cart. "I'm sure the boss won't mind if I remove your hands." He muttered, his grip tightening on the handle of his weapon.
Before bringing the blade down, the man noticed a bit of movement out of the corner of his eye, turning his head just in time to see Wendy charging towards him, her right hand raised, cloaked in dancing clouds of wind. "You hungry for more-!?" He said, as he noticed her approaching. However, before he could do anything, he felt Wendy's palm slam into the side of his body, his eyes widening in surprise as he felt himself slam into the side of the train, as a result.
"Gah-! You bitch..! You used pressurized air to..!?" The man's sentence was cut off short, as he saw Wendy flying towards him, immediately.
"Leading Sky Arrow!" Wendy exclaimed, as she launched herself towards the ice mage, not giving him time to rest. Her left leg was cloaked in billowing sky magic, as she thrusted her foot into the man's stomach, pushing her further against the side of the train, which seemed to force the metal to dent as a result.
With her left leg still firmly implanted in the ice mages chest, Wendy began to gather magic around her right leg, which was now also cloaked in a shimmering layer of silver and light blue sky energy. Wendy would then twist her body, using her foot against the man's chest as leverage, as her right leg soared upwards. "Sky Dragon's Claw!" Wendy exclaimed, as her foot raked across the man's face.
"You fucking bitch-!" The man exclaimed, one hand shooting up to cover his right eye, after having felt Wendy's attack glide across it, his palm feeling the sticky warmth of blood which quickly began to leak down his face.
The dragonslayer would continue her assault, using the momentum of her kick to continue to twist her body, as she landed back on the ground. Using his free hand, the ice mage went in for a wild swing, hoping to get the dragonslayer when she had just landed from her assault. However, Wendy would manage to easily duck out of the way of the swing thrown by the ice mage, before effortlessly jumping over a follow-up low kick, her knees tucked into her chest during the jump - only for them to shoot outwards, pushing against the ice mages chest, propelling her backwards and towards the parallel wall of the train cart.
Landing in a low crouch, Wendy began to gather up energy, her hands forming a tunnel in front of her mouth, as she did so. "Sky Dragon's Roar!" Wendy shouted, as a torrent of light-blue win roared from her mouth, in a cone.
The force of the attack pushed back against the ice mage, who felt his body being pushed into the dented train cart further and further, unable to do anything except hold his ice covered arms up in defense.
Finally, with one last surge of strength, Wendy's roar suddenly grew large, the expanding force and surge of magic being enough to force the ice mage through the train cart wall, leaving a large opening in its place, as he went flying away. Wendy continued to hold the road, letting it go for a few extra seconds, hoping the extra time would be enough to finish off whoever their assailant was.
Letting the spell die off, Wendy fell down to her hands and knees, coughing and sputtering incoherently, due to the amount of magic and air she expelled, in the last attack. Though she didn't waste much time, as she quickly made her way over to Chelia - hovering over her friend, holding her hands over Chelia's injured hand, as a green glow emanated once more.
"Wendy… you.. that was incredible.." Chelia muttered weakly, a proud smile on her face, after watching her friend's fight. She noticed the wound on her hand healing, the pain slowly fading, as it closed up.
"I can heal the wound… but - but it'll probably scare over.." Wendy gasped out, feeling her magic container sputtering in the edge of empty. Despite that, a relieved smile slowly spread across Wendy's face, as she slowly but surely healed her friend.
"Thank you.. Wendy.." Chelia breathed out a sigh of relief, her eyes closing, with a relaxed smile on her face. Time seemed to pass by, as Chelia felt her wounds slowly closing and healing, though her eyes would stay closed, as she struggled to not fall into unconscious. The sound of the wind holding outside slowly died down, alongside the freezing temperature of the train cart, as she heard the soft and subtle sounds of the encompassing ice cracking and falling to pieces - a sign she took as a good omen.
Suddenly, Chelia's ears picked up another sound - almost like the sound of an arrow whining through the air. Realization struck her like lighting, as the amaranth-haired mage recalled the same sound from the ice mages previous attack - the one that pierced her hand. Despite her realization, however, Chelia's body wouldn't respond - too tired and fatigued to keep up with her minds reflexes. "No.. I have to warn Wendy…!" Chelia internally screamed, yet her mouth simply wouldn't open.
The sickening sound of clothes ripping, and skin being pierced, echoed throughout the train cart once more - as Chelia's body finally caught up with her mind. The Amaranth-haired mages eyes finally opened, her vision shaky and blurry, just barely clear enough to make out Wendy's widened eyes of surprise and pain, and the large spike of ice sticking out through her lower abdomen.
Chelia noticed the blood looking around the ice, as well as the blood that slowly trickled out of Wendy's mouth, feeling the warm liquid splashing down onto her own face, as Wendy slumped over Chelia's, in pain; the blue-haired dragonslayer falling into unconsciousness immediately.
"Dumb bitch… you really think that would take me out?"
Chelia could faintly make out the silhouette of the ice mage, recognizing his voice easily, as he slowly walked towards the two downed mages. She could see his clothes were torn and ragged, even further then they were at first. Though what really stuck out to Chelia was the man's eye, which seemed to already be scaring over due to Wendy's attack.
"You fucking bitch… I'll make sure to pay you back for taking my eye.." the man panted out, as his right hand rose into the air - the same axe from earlier in his right grip.
Chelia tried to act, she tried to move, to do anything before he could bring the weapon of ice down onto her best friend - but she couldn't; her body was too weak and spent, the best she managed to do was twitch her fingers, which were otherwise limp on the floor.
"N..no.." she muttered weakly, as she watched the man swing his arm downwards - her eyes, which were barely open to begin with, closing out of instinct.
Though the sound of skin being torn asunder never rang out, like Chelia expected; not even after five seconds of waiting. Instead, she heard a grunt of annoyance from the Ice mage.
"What are you doing here? You were hired to stall that pink haired punk… not accompany me." He grunted in annoyance. "If you want to die now, fine by me. I want revenge on Natsu anyways." He followed up with, his voice presenting a deep seated hatred.
At the mention of Natsu, Chelia managed to open her eyes once again, her vision still fuzzy and mostly black. Though she was able to make out the scene before her - the ice axe being mere inches from Wendy's back. Chelia then noticed why the man stopped, as the tip of an unwieldy long blade was pointed to his throat, though she couldn't make out who was holding it, from her angle.
Chelia then heard another voice, this time a feminine one; one which carried with it a soothing and gentle, yet somehow dangerous and sharp tone.
"My my… someone's lost their temper, have they? And that eye.. what a garish sight." A small giggle soon rang through the air, from the new woman. "Yes, I was hired to intercept Salamander.. but you were ordered to bring these two alive… no?" The new arrival questioned.
"Lecturing me about murder? Rich, coming from you." The white-haired man retorted, with a grunt.
Another giggle escaped from the woman's lips, as she withdrew her blade, sleeping sheathing it. As this happened, Chelia was able to catch a small glimpse of her hand, just enough to see the sleeve of a pink kimono, decorated with a floral pattern, but nothing more.
"Yes.. I suppose it is rich coming from me, isn't it? But meaningless death is ugly. Life should be beautiful, no?" Her words paused for a moment, before the woman spoke again. "Well… I suppose with that scar, your life won't have much beauty left any longer." she said, with a teasing laugh.
"You..!" The man's axe swished through the air, as he deftly and quickly repositioned it above his head - only for the weapon to shatter into pieces, falling to the floor around him.
Chelia heard the unmistakable sound of a sword clicking shut in its sheath, not having even seen the woman's blade tear the man's sword to pieces. "I know I'm barely able to see right now, but… even I can tell that was insanely fast.." Chelia thought.
"I shall treat their wounds, to make sure the girls don't die on the way to the Citadel. If I see you so much as put another unnecessary scratch on their skin, your head will roll." The woman said, her voice no longer soothing and gentle; but instead laced with venomous anger.
"Tch. Fine." The ice mage said, as he began to walk away - the sounds of his boots echoing throughout the train. "I'm going ahead, then. Get them back on your own." He groaned, before jumping out the hole in the wall, and departing into the distance.
Chelia heard a sigh escape from the woman's lips, not long later. The sound of wooden clogs in the metal train record in her ears, as the woman crouched down behind her, where she was unable to see her further.
"Rest. You'll need your strength for what is to come.. you two fought admirably. It is a shame you couldn't escape." The woman said, with what sounded like sadness and regret.
Chelia found her eyes grow heavier by the second, as if some external force was forcing her to sleep. Though before her eyes closed, she saw the woman place what looked to be a first aid kid down, in front of Chelia's face.
"I'll hold true to my words. I'll mend your and your companions' wounds, as best I can. Neither of you will die. Not here." Her words were soothing and gentle, lolling Chelia into a strange sense of security, as the amaranth-haired mage fell unconscious.
Carla stayed behind the closed train door - having heard the entire conversation. Her nerves were on fire, her heart was pounding in her feline chest, as she realized just how close both Wendy and Chelia came to death… all while she was gone.
"I… I'm meant to be Wendy's guardian… to aid her.. but I wasn't even here when she needed me most..!" Carla thought to herself, as tears streamed down her face. Even now, she couldn't bring herself to act - knowing she'd be helpless in the face of whoever was beyond that door.
"I know you're there."
Carlas head snapped up, as she heard the same feminine voice from before, speak to her through the door.
"Do not fear. I will not hurt you. Your blood would be meaningless to she'd, just like these two girls." The woman said, through the door. "I'm mending their wounds now. If you intend to save them… then I, bound by my word, will be required to stop you. I urge you to flee. Return to your guild, and warn your master. Have her send her strongest mages with Natsu, on his upcoming raid. Perhaps then his flames will have the strength needed to burn the Citadel without Sun." The woman's voice carried with it a sense of sorrow, as well as gentle kindness.
Carla felt her body shake with fear, unsure of what to do. "Natsu? Citadel without Sun? What are you talking about!? How .. how can I know you won't hurt them!?" The feline screamed through the door, tears stinging her cheeks, as fear rooted her in place.
"You have my word. And to me, nothing is more sacred than the vows I make." The woman replied.
"C…Carla…" Wendy suddenly muttered, her voice weak, as she struggled to regain consciousness, even for a few minutes. "Pl..please… warn the… others…" and with that said, Wendy felt her body fade away once again, as she succumbed to a dark slumber, once more.
With the sound of Wendy's anguished words, Carla was gone - her wings acting in their own, flying out of pure desperation, her sobbing echoing throughout the now deserted train, as she flew at her absolute fastest. Her head was empty of thought, it was like her body was on autopilot, acting independently from the raging turmoil of emotions coursing through her head.