Rumbling (2)

Touka (Faris) POV:

How dare he! How dare this inconsequential nobody—this scruffy-haired himbo, this dandy boy—to insult me?! I am the Great White Mage! Does he really believe that a mere flicker of magical energy makes him someone worthy of fear? If that were the case, I would never have dared to steal the power of that insipid, glorified fish!

And how audacious of him to threaten me in front of my new pets! All of this for the sake of that insufferable blue-haired brat.

Do you think you can intimidate me? Do you believe your pitiful words carry any weight? I scoffed, my face twisting into a wicked grin as I mimicked his movements, raising my arm and opening my hand toward him in defiance.

It was at that moment that a figure emerged in my mind—a venomous woman, no, a beast! Yes, a blonde-haired monstrosity clad in a delicate kimono, with a heart darker than the very depths of evil itself. The true figure I fear is not you! I screamed inwardly, my eyes darting toward Yuno, that insipid brat.

"Whiteout!" I bellowed, unleashing my signature spell, one perfected by my world's shrine maidens. Instantly, the group of ten nuisances was drenched in the hazy glow of my incantation. Their magic surged into me, and I reveled in their anguished cries of disbelief.

"Gaa-ack! What is this?!" 

"M-my magic is slipping away?!"

"W-what have you done to us?!"

Euphoria enveloped me as I soared on cloud nine, savoring their desperate pleas—pleas that would remain eternally unanswered—as their magic and wills fell under my iron grip.

"Kekeke!" Laughter erupted from deep within me, uncontrollable delight flowing forth as I envisioned my new thralls. I would allow this gold-eyed insect to retain his autonomy a while longer, forcing him to witness as I twisted that brown-eyed twerp into a puppet of despair, ultimately leading her to take her own life in obedience. Oh, how exquisite it would be to watch him bow before me, addressing me as his master while I added him to my illustrious menagerie of pets.

Yet, as this fantastical scene played in my mind, I abruptly halted. Despite the magic pouring into me, I was struck by a revelation—this Yuno, despite having an impressive reservoir of magical energy, was not supplying me with nearly as much power as I had anticipated.

What?! I opened my eyes in bewilderment, only to feel my spell dissipate and the magical drain abruptly cease. Slowly, I turned my gaze toward the group before me, my pupils widening in shock.

There they were—the Fairies along with some silver-haired harlot—panting heavily on the ground, glistening with sweat and a hint of fear. But rather than kneeling in submission, they looked up at that ash-blonde hulk of a boy with expressions of...gratitude?! I watched in disbelief as he had raised a strangely shaped sword adorned with a clover on the head of its blade high into the air above his head—looking at me as if I were some village idiot or country bumpkin! 

In that crucial moment, the tide shifted, and for the first time, I felt a flicker of trepidation in the presence of this seemingly inconsequential boy.

Grr, how dare he?! Did he just cancel my spell?! Was this some form of nullification magic? But that makes no sense—he shouldn't have been able to summon any of his power while my "Whiteout" spell was active. Wait... what magic did he use?! I squinted, concentrating my magical energy into my gaze as I scrutinized him. My shock deepened when I sensed not a single drop of magical power within him! Not a single particle of ethernano circulated through that absurdly toned physique of his, nor radiated from his odd, dust-covered floating book.

Does he wield some different kind of power? Spirit Arts, like the subordinates of that devilish woman? Alchemy, maybe? A curse? A rapid-fire volley of questions surged through my mind, but I quickly steadied myself. This was a realm I could grasp, at least.

Yet the most bewildering sight was Yuno, standing confidently in front of the group, his arm still outstretched and his finger pointed directly at me—completely unfazed. Unlike the midget behind him, I could still perceive the seemingly unending flow of magical energy coursing through Yuno, even if he masked it well. It was clear: he hadn't lost a single drop to my spell.

"Why didn't Whiteout work on you?!" I barked, my voice dripping with disbelief as sweat trickled down my cheek. I bit my lip, incensed by his mocking smirk. I stretched out my hand toward him once more, disbelieving his audacity. All magic yields to the white arts!

"Whiteout!" I cast again, but this time, I honed all my focus and power solely on this gaunt freak! I didn't avert my gaze as he became enveloped in the hue of my spell, but a chilling pit formed in my heart as I noticed the enigmatic friend behind him, calmly observing me like I was a pathetic fool—a bud of some inside joke that I was not privy to.

I would have cursed him then and there if I hadn't felt it. Or rather, felt nothing. Yuno stood tall and unfazed, his emotionless eyes boring into mine, igniting in me a sense of helplessness that only that woman had made me feel. Not a single drop, not even a thread of magic poured out of him. Desperation clawed at me, mingling with a paralyzing fear as my poise crumbled; my pets clustered around me protectively.

Instead of beckoning his magic with a call, I tried to pull it from him, to compel it to come my way. But my efforts were futile—it was like trying to yank a child free from their parent's embrace. No amount of force would budge it; the magic entwined within him, the ambient ethernano in the atmosphere clung to him as if it were a devoted lover, leaving me feeling powerless. I experienced a sensation I hadn't felt since arriving in Earthland—a place where I assumed I could act with impunity, devoid of fear or despair. Desperation. What sealed the irony of this moment was the overwhelming tide of my own magic energy, almost giddy to escape, yearning to flow toward him. 

He needed to do nothing—just standing there was enough for all this world's power and might to quiver in reverence, eager to serve him, terrified that he might turn away if his desires were not met.

I could feel my tenuous hold on Touka slipping, my power suppressing her waning. I ceased my spell and crumpled to my knees in utter defeat.

"Touka-sama!" My pets called to me with a feigned (yet unknowing) concern, but I paid them no heed. Water brimmed in my ears as I struggled to peek over Laxus's shoulders, trying desperately to meet Yuno's gaze.

What are you? What the hell are you?! I longed to express my desperation, but all that escaped my lips was a hoarse whisper. "H-how?"

"None of your business." This curt statement was the only reply I received as four-pointed stars of various colors—red, blue, green, and yellow—materialized before him, brilliantly linking together as they channeled their starlight into a single point.

"Quartile Hasta," was the last incantation I heard leave his lips before that focal point unleashed a searing beam of starlight aimed straight at me. Oddly, despite Laxus standing protectively in front of me, I felt no security in his presence. Unfortunately, there was a reason for that. 

Before he could intercept the attack with an electrifying punch, a black star blinked into existence right above his head, and in an instant, he was whisked away, reappearing behind the group. The only target he struck was the wooden doors of the church, obliterating them into a tempest of splintered wood.

As for me? I was left with a gaping hole in my chest, the beam having passed through me, undeterred, leaving a massive gash in the wall behind me. A pity—had it just been a smidgen to the right, it would have annihilated that orb as well. But did it matter? I no longer had the means to destroy the other four.

My pets uttered no words of concern, even as I fell into a donut shape on the ground. I sensed my vision blurring, blood mixing with tears, while my body grew colder, watching my pets stagger and then collapse in frustration. Figures—my hold on them had been severed. I was left no better than a corpse—no, a dead woman now, which made sense.

"Every dog has its day." The mocking laughter of Touka echoed through our mental bond, a grim reminder of her regaining control over her body. The last thought that crossed my mind as I collapsed into a pool of crimson, my eyes fluttering shut—likely for the last time—was not for my homeland, now seemingly forever shackled beneath that woman's tyranny. No sorrow for my shattered plans or my wasted life. Instead, I felt a pang of pity. Pity for the door. It was expensive, you know. Custom made.

Wendy's POV:

Flashback just moments ago:

What are they doing here?! My heart raced wildly as I wanted to scream alongside Natsu, my voice echoing his disbelief. Those hooded figures, shrouded in mystery, suddenly revealed themselves. My breath caught in my throat; they were not just faceless adversaries—they were our beloved guildmates... our friends... our family. But amidst them stood Jellal? My mind spun as they parted to allow a petite figure to step forward, and her chilling words pierced through the haze of confusion.

For reasons I couldn't comprehend, the White Mage had transformed our friends into unwitting puppets, draping them in white, like some twisted reflection of their true selves. I felt anger swell within me, a fiery indignation that made me clench my fists. I didn't voice my feelings to Carla, but a deep-rooted hatred for this woman bubbled up inside me—how could she take such cruel delight in playing with our lives?

"Kill yourself." My heart sank as her chilling command sank in. Was she really telling me to end my life, or was it a threat—if I didn't, she'd extinguish the lives of my friends under her ghastly control? Why was I her target? Confusion wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket. We had never met, at least not in a way I could remember. Sure, I had thought poorly of her, but it wasn't like I'd been vocal about it! And I could only imagine the darker, angrier thoughts swirling through my teammates' minds at that moment.

But why me? Did she hate children? I mean, I wasn't a child—I was fifteen, practically an adult! Was it my identity as a Dragon Slayer? No, she seemed perfectly fine controlling Laxus and Gajeel. What was so special about me? Was it my healing abilities or my enchantments? My brows furrowed in suspicion. Could my powers pose a threat to her somehow?

As my teammates turned their concerned gazes toward me, I felt their support, but it quickly morphed into fierce anger directed at the White Mage. I fought back the tears welling in my eyes, desperately trying to gather my resolve to protect my friends. I knew Fairy Tail always emerged victorious. I could hardly recall a time when we had faced casualties, but this felt different. The stakes here in Guiltina were significantly higher. The forces before us made even Alvarez and Tartaros look like mere child's play, and I couldn't bear the thought of risking anyone's life. This White Mage showed no signs of mercy!

But why couldn't I bring myself to do it? Was it because I didn't love my guildmates enough? No! They meant everything to me! After all they had done—taking me and Carla in as part of their family. I suddenly realized, after all these years, I was still that same coward, terrified of pain. The thought of self-harm was enough to send chills down my spine.

Before I knew it, tears spilled down my cheeks. I hurriedly wiped my face, mortified at the idea of showing weakness, afraid I would bring shame to my friends or look even more pathetic than I already felt. Just when I was about to pump myself up with a quick smack on my cheeks, I felt it—a gentle yet firm hand patting my back. The warmth clashed with the heavy air of despair.

"Mister Yuno—" I started to say, my shock evident, but then I caught a glimpse of his intense expression, a storm of emotions swirling in his eyes. There was a fury there, one that would usually be reserved for my guildmates. But this was Mister Yuno, someone I barely knew—to see such anger directed on my behalf was unsettling. I took a cautious step back, my heart racing, but also felt a strange comfort in the warmth that flickered within me at his concern.

Determined, he stepped in front of our group, his gaze locked on the White Mage. His stance—so fiercely protective—was so unlike the calm demeanor I'd seen before. The expressions on Noelle and Asta's faces mirrored my own feelings of apprehension. Asta beckoned us to step back behind Mister Yuno, a solid wall against the malevolence before us.

"Whiteout!" The command rang out like a death knell, and in an instant, my knees buckled, and I found myself collapsing to the ground, magic slipping from my grasp as if it had been yanked away. So this was what it meant to be cloaked in white. I could hear Lucy, Gray, and Erza crying out in frustration and confusion, but my attention was elsewhere.

Asta and Mister Yuno stood resolute, unaffected by the White Mage's spell. I wasn't surprised by Asta; he had no magic to drain. But Mister Yuno—he was a force to be reckoned with, his power probably stronger than all of ours combined. Why wasn't he crumbling under the weight of the spell? Maybe his magic was so vast that this attempt to drain him was like trying to take a drop from the ocean. And yet, he should still show some sign of struggle! Perhaps the White Mage had underestimated him, but why? 

I could see him enveloped in that eerie white glow, standing strong, while the rest of us felt so helpless. My heart pounded in my chest as I processed my swirling thoughts. What made him different? What strengthened his resolve while the rest of us began to falter? I felt a flicker of hope as I tried to understand—maybe, just maybe, if he could stand tall, then I could find a way to fight back too.

Just then, my gaze was drawn to Asta as he summoned that peculiar clover-marked sword from his grimoire, a blade radiating with potential. As he raised it high above his head, tendrils of purple and blue cascaded from its form, intertwining beautifully with the oppressive force of the White Mage's spell. At that moment, electricity crackled in the air, and her power faltered the instant Asta's magic made contact. Relief washed over me as the pull on our magic and souls abruptly ceased, and I exchanged grateful glances with my friends, the heaviness of despair momentarily lifted. A shaky grin broke free on my lips as I caught sight of the incredulous shock etched onto the White Mage's face.

That's Anti Magic, you twisted villain! I screamed inwardly, exhilaration intertwining with relief. Perhaps she had suspected something, as she didn't seem entirely unprepared for Asta's arrival. Her attention, however, was completely fixated on Mister Yuno, his presence clearly causing turmoil within her. It was a sensation I could relate to—a feeling of unease that mirrored my own confusion.

I felt an instinctive urge to shout a warning to Mister Yuno as the White Mage prepared to unleash Whiteout again, this time solely aimed at him. But hesitation gripped me as I glanced at Noelle, her sly grin filling me with cautious optimism, coupled with Asta's look of contempt directed toward the White Mage, as if he were confronting the biggest fool in existence. 

It turned out to be the right call. I watched in awe as the once menacing figure of the White Mage crumpled to her knees in despair, utterly incapable of affecting Mister Yuno in the slightest. The strange transition tugged at my heart—it was curious how someone who had just evoked such potent feelings of fear, rage, and anguish moments ago now elicited a sense of pity from me as I noticed her mumbled, inaudible words of confusion.

The compassion within me blossomed further as I witnessed Mister Yuno's decisive movement, transforming the White Mage into a bloody mess with a single, swift strike. I winced to see her collapse, the brutality of her condition stark against the backdrop of our struggle. It struck me then how actions could cut so deep, as I recalled both Mister Yuno's relentless determination and Asta's unflinching resolve when he faced Leviathan, their allies. The people from the East certainly fight with an unforgiving ferocity, I thought.

"Everyone!" Lucy cried out, her voice laced with concern as our guildmates faltered, teetering on the brink of unconsciousness before collapsing to the ground. Panic surged through me as I rushed to check their conditions, a sigh of relief escaping my lips as I confirmed their vital signs were intact. They were merely experiencing a similar restorative slumber like Mercphobia. Unlike him, however, all their magic returned, liberated from the White Mage's sinister grasp.

I approached the White Mage, her life slipping in the balance, and let out an exasperated sigh. My instinct compelled me to heal her, bathing her in a soft, white glow tinged with a rosy hue. My magic reserves, momentarily siphoned away, returned to me like a tide. It was not an impossible task to save her after all.

I struggled to justify my actions, grappling with the heavy weight of my conscience. The thought of letting her die sent icy fingers of dread curling around my heart. What would become of Mercphobia's powers if she succumbed? Would they vanish into the void along with her, or would they return to him, requiring us to confront his rage once more? The implications of that scenario chilled me to the bone, shattering any remnants of certainty within me. Or was there something even worse lurking in the shadows, waiting to rear its ugly head?

The flickering chaos of my thoughts painted horrifying images; I envisioned Mercphobia regaining his strength, fueled by her demise—a vengeful storm rising once more to threaten our guild and all that we held dear. I couldn't allow that to happen! The stakes felt impossibly high, and with every second that passed, the urgency of my decision pressed down on me like a suffocating shroud. 

Yet, even grappling with the potential consequences of her death, the very idea of forsaking a life—any life—was a torment I simply could not bear. My heart ached for the ideals of compassion and mercy that had been instilled in me by my friends. How could I stand by when I had the power to alter fate? The conflict within raged like a tempest, leaving me desperate and torn. The question loomed larger than ever: could I really turn away from her in her final moments, knowing that I had the ability to save her? 

Guilt mingled with fear, creating a tempest in my chest. I swallowed hard, bracing myself against the storm, knowing that whatever choice I made would carry the weight of consequences far beyond myself. My heart raced as I wrestled with my thoughts, unable to escape the feeling that I stood at a precipice, the choice looming over me like a dark cloud. Couldn't I at least try? Maybe, just maybe, my decision would make a difference—both for her and for all of us.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Mister Yuno stepping beside me, his gaze intense and curious as he observed the exchange. An eerie moment of silence enveloped us as the White Mage's life stabilized, soon allowing me a reprieve to focus. Finally, he broke the stillness.

"She wanted you dead, you know." His words pierced the air, prompting me to bite my lip in tension as I glanced down at her fragile body. It seemed a cruel irony, the contrast between her seemingly delicate form and her venomous nature. 

"I know. But you see... I may not have a right to her gratitude, but I can't simply stand by and watch someone perish before my eyes when I have the power to save them. Even if they're my enemy! Even if they've wronged me!" My voice trembled as I poured my feelings into the air, sensing a lightening of the weight in my chest but still feeling hesitant as I hung my head. I feared the judgment awaiting me from him—the disdain often cast at idealists like me.

Yet, to my surprise, his response didn't carry the sting of reproach. "I have a friend, a healer just like you. She saved a guy who was part of a group that wanted to annihilate my kingdom. I can't say it's the best choice in every situation, but you could always choose worse. Asking a healer not to save a life is akin to forbidding an author from writing, a chef from cooking, or a scholar from teaching. It forces them to go against their very nature. That's the true injustice."

I raised my head, genuine puzzlement etched across my face. My lips parted, overwhelmed with emotion. There were so many things I yearned to express—a tidal wave of gratitude and understanding—but all I could say was, "Thank you." Thank you for not judging me, for standing up for me, for so much more left unsaid.

His expression softened into a gentle smile, and he nodded at me with understanding that I never could have anticipated. I felt emboldened, though I longed to prolong this moment before Happy inevitably drew everyone's focus back to the White Mage.

"Look, guys!" He interrupted, pointing to her as she began to glow with a gentle light. I gasped, eyes wide as the glow faded, revealing her sprawled form on the floor—but this time, there was something on top of her!

A small Exceed with white fur, light blue stripes, and playful pink ears nestled atop the defeated White Mage. Dazzling blue eyes fluttered open, and the tiny creature stirred from her slumber. She wore a simplified version of the White Mage's robes, ribbons adorning the sides of her gold headdress, making her appearance strikingly adorable.

Shared bewilderment rippled through my team as we exchanged glances, the Exceed's dazed gaze gradually sharpening in focus. What now? our collective thoughts echoed, accompanied by the soft groans around the church as our guildmates began awakening once more. I stayed on guard around the little Exceed; while I sensed no malice in her grateful eyes, caution remained paramount. At last, it seemed we were finally on the brink of receiving some long-awaited answers.