Chapter 16 : Silent Pact

Aurelius stood at the edge of the island, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the battle unfolding in the distance using his magic sence. Gray and Lyon were locked in an intense confrontation, ice and ice clashing with each strike. The tension in the air was palpable, thick with emotions and magic.

"Three projections should be enough," he murmured to himself.

With a quiet, deliberate motion, Aurelius raised his hands, weaving 3 thought projections. In a matter of moments, three figures manifested from his ethernano—clones of Aurelius, each one formed from his magical energy. They were tangible, real in the sense of the word, but their purpose was clear: to observe.

The 3 clones hovered over Natsu, Lucy and Gray. All three were carefully placed to observe the group without drawing attention, each clone tasked with silently watching their every move. His projections would remain hidden, only interfering if absolutely necessary, allowing Aurelius the space to focus on something far more pressing.

Aurelius took a breath, closing his eyes for a brief moment, before turning his attention to something far more pressing. The thick, almost oppressive presence of Ethernano in the air was undeniable. He felt it—a dense, shifting energy, unlike anything he had encountered before. It wasn't from any of the individuals he'd been observing. This was something else entirely, something ancient.

His projections would remain hidden, only interfering if absolutely necessary, allowing Aurelius the space to focus on something far more pressing.

With his mind settled, Aurelius shifted his attention to the more pressing matter. The dense, oppressive pulse of Ethernano had only grown stronger the longer he lingered on the island. It was as if the very land itself was charged with a strange, unfamiliar power, and it tugged at his instincts. Something ancient—something powerful—was at play here, but it didn't belong to any of the people he was watching. It came from deeper within the island, from somewhere hidden, concealed in a veil of magic.

Without hesitation, Aurelius moved toward the source, his senses guiding him as he followed the trail of magic deeper into the wilderness. The air around him grew colder the further he traveled, and an unnerving pressure began to mount, as if the world itself was holding its breath. The energy felt familiar, but he couldn't place it yet. He needed to see it for himself.

Aurelius found himself standing before a dark, overgrown cave entrance, its edges marked by creeping vines and the thickened branches of trees. He stepped inside, the eerie silence of the cave pressing in around him. The cold that had followed him outside seemed to intensify, and with every step he took, the air grew heavier, thicker with power.

Aurelius moved swiftly through the cave, his senses sharp as the eerie chill in the air grew thicker. The pulse of Ethernano tugged at him, growing stronger with each step. His mind raced—there was something hidden here, something powerful. He followed the trail of magic, his thoughts focused on finding the source of this strange disturbance.

As he rounded a corner deep within the cave, he stopped dead in his tracks.

Before him lay a massive, hulking figure encased in thick, unmoving ice. The chilling sight hit him like a punch to the gut. Aurelius' breath caught in his throat as his eyes locked onto the frozen form—Deliora.

"Deliora?" he exclaimed, his voice sharp and filled with disbelief. The name of the Demon of Disaster echoed in the cave, the sound seeming to hang in the air for a moment before it faded into silence.

He took a step closer, his mind racing to make sense of the situation. The ice that encased Deliora was thick, almost unnatural in its purity—unmelting, untarnished by time. The energy that radiated from it was suffocating, a powerful magic that caused his skin to prickle with discomfort.

How? Why was Deliora here?

Aurelius' thoughts were interrupted by a sudden movement from behind. His instincts kicked in immediately, and before he could even turn around fully, his hand had already grasped the hilt of his sword. He drew it in a smooth motion, sending an Ethernano-charged slash toward the presence behind him, the blade cutting through the air with deadly precision.

The attack landed with a sharp crack—but it missed its target. The figure had dodged, their movements fast and fluid, like a shadow slipping through his strike.

Aurelius spun around, his gaze narrowing on the figure now standing just a few feet away. The stranger was cloaked in dark robes, their face hidden behind a mask, but their presence radiated a palpable sense of power. The air between them was tense, charged with the aftershock of Aurelius' attack.

The figure said nothing, but the faintest glint of recognition passed over their eyes. Aurelius' own eyes narrowed further, assessing his opponent. Whoever this person was, they had been quick to evade his strike—and that alone told him they were not to be underestimated.

Aurelius raised his sword again, his grip steady. The situation had changed. This encounter was no longer just about observing—he had to stay on guard. Deliora's presence here was a complication, but this stranger, this masked figure, could very well be the one behind it all.

The figure raised a hand, as if to signal they meant no harm. "Impressive," the figure said, their voice muffled but clear. "But I'm afraid I'm not your enemy. Not yet, at least."

Aurelius' grip on his sword tightened. His eyes never left the figure as he kept his stance defensive. "Who are you?" he demanded.

The figure tilted their head slightly, the mask catching the faint light of the cave. "Zalty," the figure said, their tone calm and deliberate. "And I've been watching you for a while now."

Aurelius' mind raced. Zalty. The name meant nothing to him, but there was something unsettling about the way the figure spoke, as if they were aware of him in ways that didn't sit right.

Before Aurelius could ask any more questions, Zalty raised his hands, his fingers twitching in an almost practiced manner. The air around them began to hum, and in a split second, Aurelius felt the shift in the atmosphere. His instincts flared, and he barely had time to react before Zalty released a burst of magic.

A sphere with glowing energy shot forward, its speed and power taking Aurelius by surprise. The magic surged toward him with deadly force, and in an instant, Aurelius was forced to step back, his sword raised in a defensive stance. But Zalty's magic moved too quickly. Aurelius sidestepped just as the sphere crashed into the ground where he had been standing, sending a shockwave through the air.

The blast left a lingering pulse of energy, but Aurelius didn't waste a moment. His sword flashed forward, cutting through the air in a swift arc aimed at Zalty. But the figure's movements were fluid and swift. He dodged with ease, not breaking a sweat as he smoothly avoided the attack.

Aurelius' eyes narrowed. The figure had power, that much was clear. But why was he here? What did he want with Deliora?

Zalty lowered his hands, his eyes gleaming from behind his mask. "That was only a warning," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an underlying edge. "But I must admit, I'm curious about you. Let's see how well you handle this."

Without giving Aurelius time to react, Zalty launched another wave of attack towards him. The attack was faster, more concentrated than before, forcing Aurelius to spring into action. He parried the magic with a quick slash of his sword, deflecting the sphere with precision, but the force still sent him stumbling back.

Aurelius' gaze never left Zalty, his mind quickly calculating his next move. Whoever this figure was, he wasn't here for a simple skirmish. There was something far more dangerous going on, and Aurelius needed to know exactly what Zalty was after.

Aurelius' mind clicked into place as everything suddenly made sense. The energy, the way the figure moved, and the knowledge that someone was using such powerful magic—it all connected in his head. His grip on his sword loosened slightly, a realization creeping over him.

He took a step back, his eyes narrowing at Zalty. "So, is this about my recent actions in the council?" Aurelius asked, his voice calm but filled with an underlying curiosity. He was testing the waters, trying to understand the motive behind this unexpected encounter.

Zalty, however, didn't seem to respond the way Aurelius expected. He shook his head, his movements still fluid and controlled. "No," Zalty replied flatly, his voice unwavering. "I have nothing to do with the council."

Aurelius cocked an eyebrow, his suspicion growing. He tilted his head, considering the figure before him. Then, a sly smirk crept onto his face, his tone now laced with intrigue. "That's surprising," he said, the words deliberate. "I thought the council would be the ones to hold a grudges against me, considering my... previous actions."

For a moment, Zalty's body froze, an imperceptible shift in his posture that was just enough to tell Aurelius he'd struck a chord. But Zalty didn't show any emotion, his mask obscuring any hint of reaction. He remained silent, not confirming or denying Aurelius' observation.

Aurelius, sensing a small opening, decided to push further. His voice was calm but firm, as if he were testing a theory rather than questioning. "Are you really Zalty?" he asked again, this time more pointedly. "Or should I call you… Miss Ultear?"

Zalty's stance shifted slightly, the briefest flicker of surprise passing over him before he quickly regained his composure. The name hit like a storm, but he didn't let any emotion betray him. His gaze remained neutral, though there was a subtle tension in the air now that hadn't been there before.

Aurelius took a slow breath, his smirk growing as he prepared himself for the next move. He was certain now. The energy, the magic, the pattern of behavior—it all lined up. Ultear, the council member, now working under a new guise. The pieces fell into place, and Aurelius could feel the weight of it all.

The figure before him, Zalty, gave no verbal response, but the tension in the air said enough. Aurelius, now fully confident in his realization, readied himself. "I must admit," he continued, "you've changed quite a bit since the last time I saw you. But it doesn't matter what name you're using now. I know who you are."

Zalty—or rather, Ultear—remained silent, her body language stiffening ever so slightly. She had been caught. But how she would respond was yet to be seen.

Aurelius stood tall, his sword held loosely at his side as he studied Ultear, whose identity was now revealed. The tension between them was palpable, and his smirk deepened as he noticed the subtle shift in her posture, confirming what he already knew. His voice, cool and calculated, filled the stillness of the cave.

"You know," Aurelius began, his tone deliberately casual, "I've been hearing some interesting things lately. I'm sure you've heard too." He paused for effect, his eyes never leaving her. "The people of Fiore have been calling me something new recently. A title, if you will."

He didn't wait for her to respond. His words continued, dripping with subtle mockery, "They've been calling me the 'Master of Deceit,' especially after I tricked Eisenwald. Quite the flattering title, wouldn't you say?"

Aurelius let the words linger in the air, his gaze unwavering as he watched Ultear closely, waiting for any sign of recognition or emotion. "I suppose you should know, considering you're part of the council."

He took a step forward, his posture confident as he locked eyes with her. His smirk never wavered. "When you tried to fool me with your weak illusions, it's only natural that I won't get fooled right?," he continued with a slight tilt of his head, "Afterall, it would be a disgrace to the name, wouldn't it? Imagine the so-called 'Master of Deceit' being deceived... It's a bit of an irony, don't you think?"

Aurelius' words echoed through the cave, and for a moment, the silence that followed felt as heavy as the air around them. He could feel the weight of the unspoken challenge hanging between them.

Ultear stood silently for a long moment, the weight of Aurelius' words hanging in the air. She had been caught, but instead of showing any frustration, she allowed her usual composure to take over. Her eyes softened just slightly, the smallest hint of recognition flashing across her face.

"You're right," Ultear finally spoke, her voice steady. "I underestimated you." Her tone was calm, but there was a trace of respect in her words. "As for the title, I'll admit, it's fitting. The 'Master of Deceit'..." She let out a soft sigh. "I suppose that's one way of putting it."

Aurelius stood still, watching her closely. His smirk remained, though there was something more calculating behind his gaze. He knew that the conversation was shifting now, that the moment of confrontation was passing. But there was still something to be gained here.

Ultear continued, her gaze unwavering. "Now I have to ask you to keep my identity and presence here a secret." Her words were firm, yet with an edge of caution. "I'm on an undercover mission, and if you're as clever as I believe, you'll understand why I can't afford to be exposed."

Aurelius nodded once, his expression neutral. "Sure... Your secret is safe with me," he said simply, but with an air of finality. "But in return, you won't speak a word of me to anyone, either."

The unspoken agreement settled between them like a silent pact, their eyes meeting for a moment before they both turned to leave. But before Aurelius could fully turn away, Ultear spoke again, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Nyx" she called, her tone light, almost teasing. "Aren't you a bit curious about my mission? I know you've certainly given it a thought."

Aurelius paused, his back still turned. His lips curled into a slight smirk, and he glanced over his shoulder without looking directly at her. "I am curious," he admitted, his voice carrying a trace of honesty. "But it's not worth my attention. I'm a professional, and from my experience in this field, it's likely confidential. So I won't waste my time asking about it."

Ultear's eyes twinkled for a moment, and she let out a small, melodic giggle. It was a rare sound, one that caught Aurelius slightly off guard. She seemed genuinely amused, despite the tension of their earlier exchange.

"You're quite the professional then," she remarked with a light smile. "

Aurelius gave her a brief nod, his expression still unreadable. "Yes," he said, his voice steady. "And I plan on keeping it that way."

With that, the two parted ways, moving off in opposite directions, the understanding between them clear but unspoken. The air was thick with the knowledge that their paths had crossed, and that this meeting, though fleeting, held far more weight than either of them would reveal.

Chapter Titles:

Chapter 17: Silent Observer

Chapter 18: Silent Intervention

Chapter 19: Shattered illusions