Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 18 - Iron Will

Erza had to stand between Gray and Natsu's recovery ward beds so the two didn't get at each other's throats. Gray was already good but hadn't been cleared, unlike Lucy, who was on her feet yet chose to stick around with her friends. Wendy continued to hold Natsu's broken arm, which had apparently been completely shattered after he took Jiemma's attack head-on.

It was an impressive feat. Erza suspected Natsu would do something bold like that, not allowing a foe so strong to think they could easily break Natsu down.

Of course, that same mentality landed Fairy Tail in what would certainly be an interesting predicament, particularly within the city itself: they'd been exposed. Anyone who considered or questioned if one of the Fairy Tail members looked like their true identity, but reconsidered such thinking they were dead, would know who they were instantly. The Empire, without a doubt, knew about them. There had to be Imperials from other wizard guilds they encountered seven years ago that remembered the guild; that, or there were other people affiliated with the guild who were associated with the Empire.

Natsu, when he entered the room and saw Erza, clearly anticipated a scolding for revealing his true identity. But...it was only a matter of time. They could only keep their heads down for so long, even if they weren't in the Grand Magic Games. Fairy Tail meant chaos and insanity to the world before the Empire, but maybe that's what those stifled under its heel needed. Maybe Fairy Tail suddenly coming back from the dead wasn't a bad thing after all. Would it put them in the crosshairs of the Empire?

That was up for major consideration. Gray expected they'd have to fight their way out of the city, and a tiny voice in Erza thought as much, too until Natsu was brought to the room. They could've kidnapped him or done something else to him, but there he was, good as always. In fact, besides a nurse every few minutes, no Imperials had yet to arrive.

Lucy mentioned that she had another date with Axel on the horizon, where they'd probably try and gauge Fairy Tail's overall interest in the Empire. They had to know that the wizards would largely be against it, particularly given how Natsu's fight with Jiemma ended.

The Imperials were a despicable bunch. But for now, they were playing hands-off. They had to have a longer game in store for the Fairies, but Erza, frustratingly, couldn't see it. Was Hisui aware of these events? Could they somehow contact her?

Agh, but there was also that Kagura woman and her association with Racer, a once-criminal. Erza rubbed her temples.

"Need to sit down?" Wendy asked, patting Erza's arm.

"No, just thinking," Erza said. "I feel as if my head is going to burst."

"Well don't get too distracted," Gray said. "We're still here, in Clover Town, which means we can sort of continue to do things on schedule."

"And we don't even have to hold back anymore," Natsu said, wincing as he gave a thumbs-up with his broken arm.

"Of course, the moment we get permission to go all-out, I'm out of the tournament," Lucy said. "I couldn't even let my Spirits flex after seven years!"

"I'm sure you'll get the chance," Erza said and smiled at Lucy. Lucy nodded back, knowingly.

"Someone's coming," Wendy said, her nose wriggling. "A Dragon Slayer."

"Oh, great," Lucy muttered.

"No, not him," Natsu said. "Another one."

The door slid open. A pale man in a dark blue cloak with black hair lined with green highlights eased into the room with a soft yet haunted expression. Dark veins pulsated from the center of his chest.