Tartaros: The Ritual

(Jason's POV)

"What the..." I said as I saw Kyoka and Seilah hanging on a wall of thorns, "Kyoka! Seilah!!!"

I ran up to them. They were both unconscious as they bled from their faces. Who the fuck did this to them?!

"Ah." I heard a voice say

I turned to see Mard Geer standing in front of the Eclipse Gate. Next to him was a man wearing a black kimono and carrying a katana. He looked very familiar.

Wait, was that Suzaku? What the hell is a member of Diabolos doing here?!

Mard Geer gave me a slight smile as he held a gray book, it looked different to the E.N.D one.

"You!" I gave him a glare

I also saw both Natsu and Lucy on the floor, bleeding. From the looks of it, they were cut down by Suzaku.

"What the fuck did you do?!" I growled

Mard Geer chuckled, "What does it look like?" he said, "I am merely doing as I planned. I am here for the Gate. Oh, why am I telling you this? Suzaku, if you please."

Suzaku nodded as he placed his hand on the handle of his sword.

"Shall I cut thou down?" Suzaku said as he released an immense amount of magic power

I took a step forward and before I knew it, Suzaku had rushed past me. I then felt a massive gash open up on my chest and blood spewed out.

"Wha..." I said as I coughed up blood

"J-Jason!" I heard Lucy call out

I collapsed to my knees as I clutched my wound. I then watched as Mard Geer waved his hand and thorns emerged from the ground, wrapping around Lucy and raising her in the air and towards him.

I felt blood pouring out of my body, and I was beginning to feel dizzy.

I watched as Lucy was being suspended in the thorns next to Mard Geer.

"I shall begin the extraction." I heard him say as the book he held began to glow, "With the demon Grutton's ability of bottomless stomach, I can absorb the magic power the Gate has spent centuries storing. With this woman's magic power, I can open release the magic power easier than normal."

I then saw as Lucy's body began to glow and felt her magic power being drained.

Suddenly a massive frog-like head appeared from the book. It opened it's mouth and the Gate began to open and I watched as a massive stream of magic power poured from the Gate and into the Demon's mouth.

"What the.." I said before feeling Suzaku's blade on my neck

"Do not move." He said, "Or thou head shall be cut off."

"To think that this Gate is capable of traveling through time." Mard Geer said, "If I wished to, I could gather the 12 Keys and use it's power to return to the past, where Master E.N.D was awake. But that is not his will. Master's wish is to awaken in this era and to unite all the Demons. And we shall create a world where he rules it."

I gritted my teeth, "Just why are you doing this?"

Mard Geer turned to look at me, "It is of no concern of you, Human." He said, "But I must say, it is quite surprising that someone capable or rewriting a Book of Zeref with no difficulty. Kyoka and Seilah are now completely loyal to you. No matter, I shall take them back and have them restored to their original state."

I gave him a glare, "You..."

"Suzaku, this will take a while." He said, "Either keep him there or finish him off. I don't wish to hear him no longer."

I then heard a loud static.

"Mard Geer." I heard Silver's voice boom throughout the room

"Silver." Mard Geer said, "I am extracting the magic power. How are preparations over on your end?"

"I have gotten the others to retreat. The damage they inflicted was enough to keep the mages busy for a while." Silver said, "One thing, however, I was unable to capture a mage with great magic power. I have to resort to the barrels."

Mard Geer nodded, "That is fine." He said, "I have Kyoka and Seilah. When we return, begin the ritual."

"Understood." Silver said

Suddenly, the transmission was cut off.

I immediately lunged at Suzaku who was caught off guard.

"Vicious Straights!"

I unleashed a barrage of straight punches that hit him and sent him reeling back.

I saw as he sheathed his blade and readied a stance.

"Thoust made a mistake." Suzaku said

"Oh yea?" I said, "How's this for a mistake."

I extended my arms outwards.

"Domain: Ring of The Peerless-"

I then widened my eyes and turned to see my left arm was cut off. Blood spewed out everywhere. I didn't even see his attack coming at all. What the actual fuck.

I watched as my arm fell down to the ground with a thud.

"Kurnugi Sword Drawing Art:"

I felt an immense magic pressure being released. I looked as Suzaku gave me a serious glare.

"Underworld Cycle."

I then saw a flash of light as Suzaku drew his blade.

Next thing I know, he had cut my midsection, almost cutting me in half. I felt an immense amount of pain as I felt my body starting to collapse.

"L-Life...Return..."

I attempted to activate my regeneration spell but I felt the blade drive straight through my eye.

"Jason!" I heard Natsu call out

"Mine apologies." Suzaku said solemnly, "It is not mine wish to do this."

"It is mine master's orders."

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(3rd Person POV)

Inside Cube, Silver stood in front of several tanks where the Nine Demon Gates were kept. He merely had a slight smile on his face as Lamy walked up to him.

"Silver-sama!" She said, "Preparations are complete! Azel's curse is ready to begin the Ritual!!"

Silver turned around and walked away, "Good." He said

"We have everyone here." Lamy said as Silver left the room, "Even Kyoka and Seilah are back. But wait, Where's Keyes?"

Meanwhile, in Mard Geer's throne room, Suzaku walked up to the Demon.

"I know you have questions, Suzaku." Mard Geer said, "I am willing to answer them."

Suzaku gave him a serious look, "Why did mine master accept your request?"

Mard Geer smiled slightly, "You must be aware of Ishgar's Dark Guild's alliance, no?"

Suzaku nodded, "The Baram Alliance."

"Well, The Baram Alliance is slowly crumbling." Mard Geer said, "Oracion Seis was disbanded after their leader was killed. Grimoire Heart's Master was reportedly defeated. And then there is the event that caused the Etherious to be weakened. Slowly but surely, we are to be crushed by ourselves or other guilds."

Suzaku looked at him, "But what does that have to do with us?"

Mard Geer smiled, "I needed outside help. Someone incredibly powerful, that is capable of rivaling the strongest mage in Ishgar." He said, "I was able to convince Georg with the promise of massive treasures. And one thing in particular."

"The Flesh of The Dragon King Acnologia."

***********************

Silver stood in a cave-looking room as the entirety of Cube began to shake.

He looked up at the ceiling with a slight smile, "Azel has begun the conversion, huh?" He said as he crossed his arms, "Soon, we'll be able to resurrect E.N.D. and we'll be able to kill Zeref."

He then looked to his side.

"All that aside, it is time I put my plan in motion." He said, "But before that, I must figure out a way to fully break my link with you, you filthy Demon."

Besides him, Keyes was encased in a wall of ice.

Silver glared at the Necromancer.

"I'll make sure you'll never see the light of day again." He growled, "Even if it means if I have to taint my body with your demonic power, it doesn't matter."

"I'll kill all of you demons."