Fairy Tail: The Red Swordsman

Chapter 3: Crocus

Time jump to the cliffs on the outskirts of the capital, Crocus.

After days of travelling across Ishgar, Lexios Granger returned to Crocus. Now dressed in a cloak to hide his affliction he stares out across the city as a gust of wind blows in off the sea. The waves crashing against the rocks, which breached the seas surface like jagged teeth running along the base of the cliffs below. 

The city appeared as a thing of beauty, everything from the palace to the housing to the cobble streets were all intricately constructed. Every building appearing with it's brownish-red tiles for the roofs and stonework perfectly pieced together to form the primary structures, clearly suggesting it to be a place of marvellous masonry. Standing as the pinnacle of this vast city, the royal palace was decorated plentifully with tall towers and carefully constructed spires, all ornamented with glistening gold which reflected and coated the city in beautiful rays of sunlight. 

It should have felt great to be home. His return should have been filled with celebrations of his great victory, large feasts held in his name at the palace, and a chance to see little sweet Hisui after such a long time away. However, with nothing but bad news to relay as well as his body now resembling the look of a demon and no way of controlling it, Lexios struggled to find the comfort he was looking for.

Walking through this illustrious city, he could hear the sound of horse drawn carts plodding along the carefully laid cobble streets. The large fountain in the square dazzling in the sunlight as it sprayed many passers-by with delicate water droplets. The main stretch of the city bustled with life, laid out with an abundance of shops and stalls, plenty of people busy gossiping as he passed. He could hear the whispers of the people as he crept by, as if a dark cloud loomed over him. "Who is that?" some said, "He's a shady character", others said. 

As he approached the gates of the palace, the guards stepped forward, "Who goes there? State your name". Being careful to keep his hood fixed over his head, Lexios responded, "I am Lord Lexios Granger, I request to see the King at once". The guards stuttered as they rushed to the gates to open them for their returning hero, "Oh.. eh... yes sir, right away my Lord". 

Lexios was led to the throne room by a set of guards who greeted him with pleasantries as he entered the palace gates. "It's great to see you return safely my Lord. But may I ask, where are the rest of your men?", asked Captain Escanor, a tall stocky built man, easily distinguishable from the others due to his oversized mustache shaped to resemble the letter M. "That is what I must discuss with the King, if you'll excuse me Captain", Lexios tautly responded as he entered the room.

King Toma rose from his throne as the doors closed, "Lord Lexios, welcome back. I assume everything went accordingly?", he said with a pleasant smile and his arms splayed out offering a long distance embrace. 

As Lexios knelt to greet the King, a cheerful high pitched scream appeared from the corner of the room. "LEXIOS, YOU'RE BACK! I knew you would return", Hisui appearing from one of the other rooms, rushed towards Lexios greeting him with a warm embrace. 

"It's good to see you again, I hope you haven't caused Arcadios any trouble while I've been away?", Lexios gently replied while making sure to keep his face hidden. 

"Well... maybe a little", she giggled, her smile as warm and soothing as he remembered. 

As much as Lexios was happy to see Hisui he did not want her to see him the way he was. He ushered to Arcadios who currently stood at the King's side. He turned to Hisui, "I'm glad I got to see you again so soon, but your father and I have important matters to discuss, ok?". 

Hisui sighed , "Ok, but don't be too long, I would like to hear stories of your adventures", she said as she skipped along cheerfully to stand by Arcadios' side.

"My King", Lexios started, "I have some grave news. The task you entrusted upon me did not go as planned, my entire company of men were killed". The King looked bewildered, "How could this have happened?" he asked gravely. 

Lexios took a deep breath before continuing, "We found the sword", he reached to his back and placed the sword on the floor at the King's feet. "However, it was being protected by a dragon". 

The room gasped in astonishment. As the onlookers muttered between themselves, attempting to comprehend what they had just heard, Lexios could not help but contemplate his own negligence. He was entrusted to lead those men and he lead them to their deaths. As anger and frustration began to build within him he felt a twinge in the back of his head. 

The King continued to speak, however, Lexios could no longer hear what was being said. His words wandering the room like indistinct whispers, as an eerie silence crept over Lexios as he became lost in his thoughts. 

A figure appeared out of the corner of his eye, drawing his gaze. 

"Don't let your emotions run wild Lexios, your powers are not yet under your control", Azrael stated as he came into view. The King continued to mutter in the background as Lexios struggled to make out his words.

"Don't worry, only you can see me" he said, as he stood appreciating the artistry and craftmanship of the tapestries and statues that decorated the great hall. 

"How?", Lexios asked in confusion. 

"It's like I said, we now live as one. My power resides in you now, as do I. This is a warning to you, control your emotions or your powers will be let loose on this city. You don't want your ward to get hurt now, do you?". Azrael vanished, leaving his words of warning ringing in the ears of the disassociated Lexios.