Hot and Cold

Warrod Sequen

~*****~

The next morning, we all boarded the train-- much to Natsu's dismay, as he seriously did not want to leave the warm embrace we put ourselves in. The train ride didn't last long and we trekked the rest of the way on foot. "It's been a nice walk so far," Wendy comments happily.

"Yeah! And this weather is amazing!" Lucy sighs.

"Especially with this breeze," Erza agrees.

"Kinda feels like we're all goin' out on a family picnic, doesn't it?" Happy hums.

"Perhaps it would, if it weren't for those two." Carla mentioned.

I sighed as I glanced back at the two already arguing. "YOU ATE MY JERKY, ADMIT IT!" Natsu roared to Gray.

"AS IF I'D EVER EAT ANYTHING YOU TOUCHED!" Gray bellowed back.

They shoved their faces against one another, glaring heatedly. "SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND PUT A SHIRT ON!" Natsu roared again.

"IF THERE'S SOMETHIN' YOU DON'T WANNA SEE, THEN STOP LOOKIN'!" Gray shouted.

I sigh again and palm at my face. "Simmer down, you two," Erza orders. "Master asked you to behave yourself around this client."

"I tagged along so I could help with that, but honestly? I'm not sure that's even possible," Lucy sighed.

I snort loudly. "No kidding. It's like trying to pull apart two squirrels fighting over the same nut." I yawn lightly and start walking again.

"Okay, so if I remember everything correctly, the Ten Wizard Saints are chosen by the Magic Council, but how does someone get to be an Emperor of Ishgar?" Lucy asks. "The same way?"

I nod with a hum. "Master Makarov and Lamia Scale's Jura have been Wizard Saints for years. Jose of Phantom Lord once held this title, but was stripped of it. For that matter, so was Siegrain when he left the Magic Council." I explain. "But the Wizard Saints are far from equals. The four strongest among them are called Emperors of Ishgar."

"M-Maybe we should just go back to the guild," Lucy whimpered as she held onto Ballad in a tight grip.

"What's Ishgar?" Wendy asked.

"One of the names of this continent." Erza mentions.

"So, one of the strongest wizards around, needs help from these dorks?" Lucy murmured as she peered back at Gray and Natsu still bickering.

"I HOPE ERZA BITES YOUR FRIGGIN' HEAD OFF!" Natsu barks.

"YEAH, WELL, I HOPE SHE RUBS YOUR HEAD IN DRAGON CRAP!" Gray retorts loudly.

"WELL, I HOPE SHE--" Their argues get swallowed as they start arguing louder and louder with each other.

"Why does it feel like I'm the one being insulted here?" Erza asked dryly.

I sigh again. "No clue." I mention irritably.

"Is that the place?" Ballad called out. We all shot our glances over curiously.

"Oh, I think you're right!" Wendy agreed. "Up there on top of that hill! See it?"

"Good eyes, you two," Erza hummed.

Lucy let out a soft sigh. "We finally made it."

"How do we know that's the place?" Happy asked.

"We looked at a map," Carla retorted.

"So this is the home of Warrod Sequen, huh?" I mutter. "Thought all those dudes with fancy titles lived in fancy houses."

"No kidding! Dude lives in a hovel!" Natsu comments.