Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 13 - Bob's Your Master

Laxus and the others emerged from the boundary of Worth Woodsea to what had to once be a fairly splendorous place. A window in the shape of a heart was cracked in half. Laxus almost laughed at the sight. The walls were faded pink, with splotches of dirt marring the walls that were stained from years of neglect and abandonment. Laxus folded his arms.

"You really think they're still here?" Laxus asked.

"If not then we may have an indication for where they've gone," Makarov said. "I highly doubt they are still at the Blue Pegasus guild hall, which means they will have fallen back here, to Bob's Palace."

"Doesn't look all that fortified," Laxus said.

"Looks can be deceiving," Makarov said. "Come. Any defenses here should recognize us as allies of Blue Pegasus, given we still have our guild marks."

Laxus nodded. Evergreen walked with them, as she was getting better about handling the Broken magic within her. She had the ability to at last close her eyes if she felt the onset of the urge to act on the Empire's will approaching. Just a day ago, that would have been a miracle.

The doors were still closed. Maybe there were still people here. Makarov opened the door.

Laxus took point, Fried just behind him. Bickslow walked side-by-side with Evergreen while Gramps inspected something on the door, maybe just something Guild Masters knew to look for.

The rest of the place looked like the outside: beaten up and abandoned. Wood creaked in the introduced breeze from the open door as rafters and banisters hung on strands from falling up above. Doors were blown open, walls were destroyed.

"Empire did this place over, that's for sure," Laxus said.

"It's a shame," Fried said. "That they would come to such a remote place and perform this."

"Gotta be thorough," Evergreen muttered.

"Want me to send the babies?" Bickslow asked. "They can scout things out."

"Hold on a moment, Bickslow," Makarov said, stepping up. "That may not be necessary."

Something skittered. Debris trickled down on Laxus. The rest of the wizards pretended not to notice. Laxus kept his arms folded but stirred his magic.

"It would be frugal to split up," Makarov said. "Our best plan is to stay together. From my few stays here, I can tell you that this is not a large place."

"Right," Laxus said. A flower drifted by his feet. From inside. More debris, this time from behind. Makarov put his hands together.

Evergreen raised a hand to her head and closed her eyes, groaning while she forced back the Broken urge. Biscklow rested a hand on her back.

"Lead the way, Gramps," Laxus said.

Makarov nodded. He moved a few steps, and when Laxus did, he heard the definitive sound of scabbard meeting steel from above.

Laxus spun and blasted lightning at the figure dropping on them: one who had two massive scythes already in a swinging arc down toward them. The lightning deflected off of one scythe while the other continued.

"Justu Shiki!" Fried shouted, and the rune wall shot between them to brace the assassin between the Thunder Tribe.

However, with the other scythe, he cut right through it. He landed and with incredible speed cut out toward Bickslow, but Fried, hand already on his rapier, deftly stepped in the way and parried the blow.

At once, Laxus was yanked away by some unseen force. He managed to turn his head to a bald... flagman. Laxus roared his lightning to life, two bolts almost striking the guy.