During the Seven Years

Chapter 33

As the dust settles, Lahar stands rigid, his expression a mixture of determination and frustration. "Sir, it's a complicated situation," he begins, addressing the enforcer with a respect that reveals the weight of authority the other man carries. "These mages were attacking our guild under the name of Crimson Blood. But—"

"Lahar," I interject, desperate to steer the conversation. "They're not just mindless criminals. They—"

But the words die on my lips as Lahar gives me a warning glance, a silent plea for me to trust him. The enforcer's piercing gaze flicks between us, measuring the tension in the air.

"Enough, Lahar. I'll handle this," the enforcer says, his voice firm. "Thank you, Lucy Heartfilia, for your assistance in subduing these mages. Your involvement hasn't gone unnoticed."

The words hang in the air, the acknowledgment stirring a mix of pride and unease within me. I want to argue, to plead for the mages' understanding, but I know the reality of the situation: my allies, Jellal, Meredy, and Ultear, stand on the precipice of exposure. I can't risk their identities being revealed.

Lahar nods, and the enforcer shifts his focus back to the fallen members of Crimson Blood. "You will be taken into custody under the authority of the Magic Council. Your actions will not be tolerated." He gestures sharply, and the knights move forward with precision.

The air crackles with tension as the guards approach the mages, who struggle to regain their composure. The black-haired woman glares defiantly at them, her chest heaving with barely contained anger. "You think these cuffs will hold us forever?" she snarls, her voice low and threatening. "We're not done yet!"

"You'll be done once we take you in," one of the guards retorts, affixing magic-proof handcuffs around her wrists with a practiced ease. The clanking sound echoes ominously in the hall, a stark reminder of their loss.

"Get your hands off me!" the teal-haired girl protests, her earlier bravado waning. She casts a fleeting glance at me, uncertainty flickering in her hazel eyes. "We didn't want this to happen. We were just trying to be strong!"

I step forward, compelled to respond. "Strength isn't about hurting others. You can still choose to change your path," I urge, hoping my words might resonate.

"Change?" the purple-haired woman interjects, her cold demeanor wavering. "What do you know about it? You've always had the luxury of safety in your guild, while we've had to scrape by."

"Please," I say, my voice softening. "I know it's hard, but you can find a better way. There's still time to make things right."

But their expressions remain hardened, caught between anger and the stark reality of their defeat. The guards finish securing the last of the cuffs around the leader, who stares back at me defiantly, his face twisted with frustration.

"You think this is the end?" he says, his voice low but simmering with intensity. "You don't understand what we're fighting against! The guilds are corrupt, and so are the Council members. You're just another pawn in their game!"

"Enough!" the enforcer snaps, and the room falls silent. "You're going to answer for your actions, and you'll have your chance to speak in front of the council. But for now, you're under arrest."

The knights step back, forming a line to escort the mages away. I feel a surge of desperation, wanting to reach out and somehow convince them that their path doesn't have to end in darkness.

As they're led away, the black-haired woman casts one last glance at me, her fierce gaze flickering with a mixture of challenge and something else—maybe a hint of understanding. "You'll see. We won't be the only ones fighting against you," she warns, her voice low and fierce.

"Maybe one day you'll understand that strength doesn't have to mean revenge," I reply, feeling the weight of her words linger in the air.

With a final glance over her shoulder, the teal-haired girl murmurs, "We just wanted to be strong enough to not get hurt again," before she's ushered out alongside her companions.

Once they're gone, the hall feels emptier, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. I turn to Lahar and the enforcer, my heart heavy with unresolved emotions. "What happens to them now?"

"They'll face the council," the enforcer replies, his tone more measured now. "It's up to the Council to determine their fate. But for now, the legal process will take its course."

I nod, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. There's nothing more I can do here. My heart aches for the choices they made, but I know the council's judgment will be harsh.

As I step back, ready to leave this part of the chaos behind, Lahar approaches me, his expression softening. "You did well, Lucy. It's not easy to confront people like that."

"Thank you," I say quietly, though I can't shake the feeling that this isn't over yet. The challenges ahead loom larger than ever, and I can't help but wonder what the fallout will be from today's confrontation.

But even in this moment of uncertainty, I feel a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this isn't the end for Crimson Blood, but the beginning of something new.