Gathering

Skullion Raider POV

"Oi, Kiria, calm down and eat your food." My voice carried a tinge of frustration as I chastised her for what felt like the hundredth time. I was just trying to enjoy my tea quietly in front of a café in Right-Hand Town. A simple request, right?

"Don't you tell me to calm down, Skullion!" she snapped back, her voice rising, full of fury. "I smell my pet, and I'm going to retrieve her!" 

I sighed deeply, my eyes lifting from my cup to take in her chaotic presence. Kiria was always a wild sight. A young woman with wavy blonde hair that covered half her face, leaving the other half to cascade down her back. Her long lashes matched the pale hue of her hair, accentuating her sharp, light eyes, slitted like a predator's. Her striking figure was adorned with armor that could barely be called functional—an armor bikini top with chain straps, decorated in swirling patterns, and a simple black bikini bottom with multiple straps that hugged her hips. A white cloth draped around her waist, mostly hanging on her left side, accentuating her lithe form. On her forearms, she wore armor adorned with wave-like designs, and bands with hanging ornaments clung to her thighs. Her crisscrossing straps ran from below her knees to her toes, and her feet were encased in high-heeled shoes. She even wore a necklace made of fangs, and a headband with wing-like ornaments framed her head. 

Her guild stamp, dark and foreboding, was emblazoned on her left shoulder—a mark of the guild we belonged to, and a constant reminder of the chaos we lived in.

Just then, she slammed her hands onto the table with enough force to knock over my tea. The warm liquid spilled over, soaking the table and further souring my already thin patience. I opened my mouth to tear into her, but before I could, Madmole's deep voice cut through the tension.

"Calm down, c'ha," he said, his usual serious expression unbothered. He stood tall, towering over us with his unique eyebrows, elongated earlobes, and cornrows tied back into a ponytail. His armor clinked lightly as he shifted his weight, and for a moment, I could almost feel the weight of his calm.

"Tsk!" Kiria hissed in response, sinking back into her seat, folding her arms like a petulant child. I wasn't sure if I should be relieved or even more annoyed by the fact that she seemed to get along with everyone in the guild—except me, her squad leader. Maybe that's exactly why she never listened to me.

"Why do I have to stay here? What about Neberu and Wraith?" she demanded, her frustration bubbling over.

I sighed again, deeper this time, realizing I had to go through this whole explanation yet again—hopefully for the last time.

"Neberu will do what he always does," I explained patiently, though it was taking all my self-control not to snap. "Trying to keep him still would only make him lash out and do something reckless, and that's the last thing we need. We're not a dark guild... yet, but we're on the edge. And with all these Magic Council guards patrolling the city, one wrong move could push us over."

She stared at me with that blank expression, the kind that made me feel like I was the idiot in this situation. I shifted uncomfortably under my helmet, wiping a bead of sweat that formed at my brow. Given our appearances, I wouldn't blame anyone for mistaking us for circus freaks. To the casual observer, we must have looked absurd.

I cleared my throat awkwardly, bringing my fist to my mouth. "As for Wraith, he's tailing the White Mage and her new pets. He's keeping an eye on their moves, so we can swoop in and steal Aldoron's power before she does."

By some miracle, Kiria didn't snap this time. Instead, her face grew serious. A cold sweat formed along her cheek as she glanced around cautiously as if sensing invisible eyes watching us. Her voice dropped to a near-whisper. "And... what about the boss?"

A heavy silence fell over the table. The shift in mood was palpable. My once-relaxed posture became rigid as my thoughts drifted to the unsettling figure that led us. Madmole, too, seemed to shrink under the weight of that single question, his normally upright demeanor suddenly subdued. My gaze wandered upward, drawn to the bright sky and the drifting clouds, but my mind was miles away, trapped in the dark memory of our last encounter with the boss.

2 Days Ago - Diabolos Guild

"So, you failed, huh?"

The weight of that simple question pressed down on me like a boulder as I knelt, my eyes fixed on the floor. Slowly, I raised my head, bracing myself to face the man before me—the one I admired, feared, and obeyed above all others.

Georg Reizen. My guild master. The first recorded Dragon Eater and the infamous fifth-generation Dragon Slayer.

He was a hulking figure, his body marked with countless scars from his battles with dragons, each one telling a tale of conquest and brutality. His wild, pointed hair seemed almost as sharp as his razor-like teeth. His dark, hollowed eyes gave him a constant look of menace, only amplified by the heavy coat and shell-like armor he wore, along with the thick bracelets that adorned his arms. At that moment, he sat lazily at a table, gnawing on a massive drum of meat—likely from some unfortunate creature that possessed a trace of dragon blood, the only kind of food he could stomach these days.

"Yes, sir," I croaked, swallowing hard. "By the time we arrived in Ermina, the White Mage had already stolen Mercphobia's magic power. Even if we had captured him, he would've been a tasteless meal."

Georg's expression darkened as he spat out a bone, irritation creeping into his voice. "Those pesky cultists again! Tsk, I should've listened to that old fossil Elefseria and wiped them out when I had the chance. Now they've got the nerve to steal my food?"

Elefseria? Who's that? I wondered, but before I could ask, Georg's eyes narrowed, locking onto me. My heart skipped a beat—had I said something wrong?

"Although we don't worship dragons like those weaklings out there, we still respect most of them enough to use their titles," he growled, his gaze piercing. "Why'd you call Mercphobia by his name? You getting cocky, brat?"

There was no real anger in his voice, just curiosity. Still, I had to tread carefully. A frown crossed my face, but it quickly turned into a sly grin.

"That's because," I said, my voice steadying, "one of our spies in Ermina reported that there's a new God of the Seas."

"Oh?" Georg's brow raised, and a predatory gleam sparked in his eyes. "Go on."

"Yeah," I continued, "he calls himself Leviathan. Even though Mercphobia was weakened, this Leviathan completely annihilated him!"

A twisted smile spread across Georg's face, the kind that sent shivers down anyone's spine. "Excellent! So why are you wasting time here? Go back and bring him to me so we can feast!"

"Because, Guild Master, why settle for a meal... when we could have a buffet?" I replied, my tone dripping with greed.

For a moment, Georg paused, studying me more closely. The air around us grew thick with tension. "Oi, brat," he warned, his voice lowering, "you better explain yourself fast. If you're toying with me, I'll settle for eating a Corpse Dragon instead."

Kiria and Madmole, kneeling behind me, trembled at the threat, but I kept my smile intact, even as my heart pounded in my chest. "According to that spy," I explained, "Leviathan's crew has joined forces with the Fairies and they're heading toward Drasil—toward Aldoron! The White Mage should be on the move too. If we time this right, we can bring you the bodies of the new Sea God, the Wood Dragon God, Mercphobia's magic power, whatever the White Mage has... and two first-generation Dragon Slayers!"

I stood up, declaring the plan with as much dramatic flair as I could muster, hoping it would be enough to sway him.

For a moment, Georg's ravenous smile filled me with confidence. But then his face grew stone-cold, and his next word sent a shockwave through my entire body.

"No."

No? What? My mind reeled. I stood there, dumbfounded. How could anyone, least of all Georg, resist such a temptation? But before I could voice my confusion, Georg slowly rose from his seat, tossing the table aside as he towered over me. My legs shook beneath me as I fought to maintain eye contact, barely suppressing my trembling. Then, to my utter disbelief, he placed a hand on my shoulder. Gently.

"You did well, Skullion." 

Skullion? He hadn't called me by my name in what felt like an eternity, not since he transformed into the violent, lazy tyrant he had become.

"You too, Kiria. Madmole." His voice softened as he addressed my subordinates, who stood beside me, equally shocked by this uncharacteristic kindness.

"Gather the rest of your team," he ordered, his words confusing me for a moment—wasn't that exactly what I had planned? But then, his next words made my jaw drop.

"I'll be coming with you."

All three of us froze, jaws slack in disbelief. Georg Reizen, the most feared and decorated Dragon Slayer since Acnologia, the man who had single-handedly slaughtered the Lightning Dragon King Elexion, the Sword Saint Dragon Kurnugi, and countless others, was coming on a hunt?

He chuckled, reading our astonished expressions with ease. "Hahaha! I've never eaten a Dragon God before, and now there's a chance to feast on three of them! Plus, some other delicacies... I can't let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip. Nothing can go wrong here." His eyes gleamed with dark excitement. "Come, let's feast in Drasil! It's about time I stretched my legs!"

We exchanged glances—expressions of horror turning into devilish smiles. With our guild master leading the way, there was no need to request backup. We followed him out the door, knowing that with Georg Reizen by our side, there was nothing to fear. Only victory.

Back To The Present

I lowered my head, casting a glance back at Kiria before speaking carefully. "Master said he's going on a walk. He didn't tell me where, and I didn't dare to ask."

"Tsk!" she hissed, biting her lip as she jerked her head to the side, her eyes scanning the oblivious townsfolk going about their daily lives—completely unaware of how much their world would soon change. Though she sounded annoyed, there was no real heat in her gaze. I knew she wouldn't have had the courage to ask him either if she'd been in my place.

A soft ding broke the silence, and I pulled out my Lacrima phone, curiosity flickering in my chest. As I read the message, a grin spread across my face. I turned the phone toward Kiria. Her somber expression twisted into a wild, feral smile as her eyes scanned the words on the screen.

Sender: Wraith

Message: Head to the five churches, across the five towns. You'll find an orb inside each of them. Crush them to steal Aldoron's power.

We exchanged looks, our shared excitement electrifying the air between us. "Coincidentally, Neberu's already inside one of them," I said, my grin widening. "And Wraith will handle another. The three of us will split up to take care of the rest!"

"Yeah!" Kiria's voice was eager, full of anticipation.

"Okay, c'ha," Madmole added, his usual calmness now laced with determination.

With that, we darted off in opposite directions, each of us focused on the hunt ahead. Our mission was clear, and our goal tantalizingly close. The Sea Gods could wait—for now, we'd devour wood first. Then, we'd wash it down with a flood.

Touka (Faris) POV

I sat down in front of the glowing orb in Saint Raishen Church, the heart of Rebellious in Drasil. Sweat trickled down my cheek as I glanced at the scene unfolding beside me. Even now, dyed in white, these Fairies hadn't lost their ridiculous, chaotic streak.

Juvia Lockser, tied to a pole, was my current source of irritation. I'd had to strip her of her magic power, so she couldn't dissolve into her water form and escape. And all because of her infuriating obsession with...

"I sense my beloved Gray-sama! Let me go so I can convert him!"

Ugh. What a clingy woman.

"Oi, Juvia, you're gonna ruin Touka-sama's plans. Just shut up and stay put," Gajeel Redfox growled, earning my approving smile. His words were music to my ears, and I was even more pleased when his partner, Levy McGarden, conjured a mouth gag using her solid script magic to silence the obnoxious water mage.

But my relief was short-lived. Juvia, ever the nuisance, continued making muffled noises, her "mmphs" and "hmms" ringing through the church.

I sighed, setting down my coffee with deliberate calm, before rising from my seat. Slowly, I approached the bound annoyance, my patience wearing thin. "Juvia," I called out softly, catching her attention as she turned her tear-filled eyes to me. I tugged the gag from her mouth, but before she could speak, I placed a finger against her lips.

"Shh... Juvia, you're really starting to test my patience," I murmured, my voice low and threatening. "If you keep this up, the only Gray-sama you'll reunite with will be a corpse. Understand?"

Her wide eyes filled with terror, the color draining from her face as she nodded frantically, tears streaming silently down her cheeks. Ah, fear. Fear born of love. Such a delicious thing. The sight made me feel alive.

Satisfied with her submission, I turned my gaze to the rest of my "pets." My attention landed on a certain white-haired beauty standing nearby.

"Mirajane?" I called out sweetly.

"Yes, master?" The eldest Strauss sibling beamed at me, her head cocked to the side in the most obedient, delightful way. Now this was how a pet should behave—obedient, eager, like a well-trained dog. Not that I cared much for dogs. These feline instincts still plagued me.

"Be a dear and fetch your friends and their new pals, would you?" I phrased it as a question because after all, politeness costs nothing—even if I am a villain, not a monster.

Without a word, Mirajane bowed deeply, her figure briefly enveloped in a pale white light with a yellowish tint before she transformed. Her tall, curvaceous form morphed into that of a hunchbacked old man still clad in our white robes. She promptly turned and left through the wide church doors, off to gather my new toys.

Be happy, Touka, I mocked inwardly. You'll soon be reunited with your precious Natsu-sama. I dismissed her weak, silent pleas for mercy, ignoring them entirely.

My eyes returned to the orb. Soon, very soon, I would have the power of three Dragon Gods at my fingertips. And then—finally—Elentear would be free.

Selene POV

I sighed in pure bliss as I sank deeper into the warm, magical waters of the spring, nestled in my palace at the heart of Elentear. The healing properties of this enchanted liquid were the perfect indulgence for a deity such as myself—a bath worthy of a goddess. The sensation of the water soothing my skin was almost intoxicating.

Foreigners, hmm? My thoughts turned to the trio who had previously shot into Earthland at a speed even I struggled to trace. Intrigued, I used my ability to warp between worlds and quickly pinpointed the realm from which they had come. But, for the first time in my existence, I didn't immediately rush to explore this new world.

Just glimpsing it made me feel something—a gaze, ancient and potent, landing directly on me. It sent a light shiver down my spine. A presence that could threaten me? Unlikely. But still... unsettling. Another Athena, perhaps? Or something else entirely? No matter. I'll deal with it in due time—after I've handled my four kin and that decrepit Elefseria. Or five, if I count that odd little halfling tagging along with the others.

Edolas is a waste. I won't bother going there—turning into a powerless maiden like the rest of those pathetic creatures? No, thank you. Elentear is already firmly under my control. Earthland will soon follow, once I lay my hands on that weapon. And then… that new world will be mine to conquer as well.

Though I couldn't yet locate Athena, the power wielded by that ash-blonde midget I'd seen—hmm—that might be enough to suffice. It'll take more observation, of course, to see if that boy is truly worthy of becoming my weapon. But the possibility is… tantalizing.

With a casual flick of my wrist, countless magical projections appeared before me, each one displaying events unfolding across Drasil. Plots, conflicts, and hidden currents were all at play, each vying for dominance. My eyes drifted to the center of it all, where my kin slumbered, and a slow, seductive smile curled on my lips. I took a leisurely sip of wine, my gaze unwavering.

"Well, my dear little Aldo, you've been asleep for 300 years. It's time to awaken and ravage the lands once more. Anything less would be unbecoming of a Dragon God."

I leaned back in the warm water, my smile deepening. "Now... all of you, entertain me with your very best."

Ignia POV

I immersed myself in the searing lava, feeling the molten heat flow over my skin as I reclined within the heart of the volcano beneath Flame Mountain. The bubbling magma was my perfect sanctuary, but today it did little to calm my eager anticipation. A fierce battle was on the verge of erupting between some of the most powerful forces in existence. Isn't this exactly what I've been waiting for?

I could feel the adrenaline coursing through me, the urge to join the fray rising with every breath. Drasil was calling to me—its impending chaos tempting. I wanted nothing more than to dive into the carnage and test my might. Yet, I restrained myself, a rare moment of discipline keeping me anchored. If I got injured now, Selene or Viernes might seize the opportunity to turn the tide in their favor, and that would render all of my, and Dogramag's, meticulous planning utterly meaningless.

The world I envision... The thought brought a smile to my lips. The grand future I long for will make this coming skirmish look like a child's game. There'll be plenty of chances to fight the strongest in the days to come. Today, I will watch from the shadows and bide my time.

I lifted my head, my gaze piercing through the mountain, as if it could travel miles across the land to where my brother—Natsu—stood. The thought of him facing this challenge ignited a fire within me that rivaled the molten lava I bathed in.

"Well, Natsu," I muttered, a sharp grin curling on my lips. "Let's see what you've got. You better not disappoint me."

I chuckled darkly, feeling the thrill of the unknown ahead. "And if you do... well, don't blame me for being impolite."