Fairy tail Next Generation

46-Encounter

Nashi and Sylvie sat on a fallen log, going over their part of the rescue plan. The icy winds of the region whipped around them, but they barely noticed, too focused on their discussion.

"So, you're supposed to create a diversion while I-" Nashi began, but her words were cut short by a commotion from the nearby woods.

Suddenly, two figures burst from the icy treeline - Naku and Esmeralda, their clothes torn and bodies covered in cuts. They stumbled towards the camp, looking exhausted and frightened.

"Naku! Esmeralda!" Sylvie cried out, leaping to her feet. She and Nashi rushed towards their friends, worry etched on their faces.

"Mom! Dad! We need help over here!" Sylvie called out, her voice urgent.

As they reached the pair, Nashi reached out to steady Esmeralda. But the moment her hand made contact, Esmeralda flinched violently, stumbling backward.

Sylvie's brow furrowed in confusion. "What's wrong? Esmeralda, are you okay?"

But Nashi didn't move. She stood stock-still, her eyes fixed on Esmeralda with an unreadable expression.

Oh no....

Naku looked between them, his voice trembling. "Nashi? Why aren't you helping Esmeralda?"

Sylvie turned to Nashi, about to ask the same question, when suddenly Nashi's fist ignited. Without warning, she unleashed a powerful Fire Dragon Roar directly at Naku and Esmeralda.

"Nashi!" Sylvie screamed, shocked. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?!"

As the flames dissipated, Nashi's expression hardened. "Those two aren't Naku and Esmeralda," she said, her voice cold and certain.

Sylvie stared at her in disbelief. "What are you talking about? They're right there!"

Nashi shook her head, her eyes never leaving the pair. "When I touched Esmeralda, I felt my fire magic swirl with her wind magic. That shouldn't happen."

"Why not?" Sylvie asked, still confused but starting to sense something was indeed wrong.

"Because Esmeralda and Naku use Wind God Slayer magic," Nashi explained. "My fire magic shouldn't draw any reaction from a single touch. Their magic is fundamentally different from dragon slayer magic."

As the realization dawned on Sylvie, the forms of 'Naku' and 'Esmeralda' began to shimmer and distort. Their appearances melted away, revealing two unfamiliar figures - likely members of the Element Slayers' forces.

"Clever girl," one of them sneered, their voice no longer resembling Naku's. "But figuring it out won't save you!"

Sylvie, her eyes narrowing, stepped forward. "Who sent you?" she demanded, her voice cold and controlled.

The one who had been posing as Naku smirked. "We are Anil and Aura, personal guards of the Wind Slayer."

Aura, the fake Esmeralda, began to speak. "We came here to-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Nashi's flaming Iron fist connected with her face, sending her stumbling backward.

"Shut up!" Nashi snarled, her eyes blazing with fury. "I don't give a damn who you are. What have you done with Naku and Esmeralda?"

Anil let out a cruel laugh. "Those two? They were taken out the same day they arrived in Elementia. Pathetic, really."

Aura, recovering from Nashi's punch, added with a sneer, "By now, they're probably already with Lord Azrael."