Keeping Secrets

Divide The Armies

I said if I didn't have this chapter completely edited before Friday was over, I wasn't posting it today.

Well... where I'm at, it's still Friday!

Enjoy!

Also, I realize I made several mistakes in chapter 28 that I will be going back and fixing. The biggest one is there were supposed to be four other mages in the Magic Council Headquarters with God Serena and Irene, not three. My bad guys :D

Chapter title taken from the song of the same name by Bleeding Through.

KEEPING SECRETS CHAPTER 29: DIVIDE THE ARMIES

Makarov stared intently at the blimps on the screen that represented his children scattered across the battlefield. Each dot pulsed faintly, signifying his guildmates- his family- now engaged in the most dangerous battle of their lives. He and Mavis had carefully divided the guild into three teams in order to hold the line against Alvarez's relentless invasion of Fiore's main port cities.

To Hargeon, he'd sent Wendy, Carla, Laxus, Bickslow, Azlack, and Bisca.

To Morgate town, he'd sent Erza, Elfman, Lisanna, Gajeel, Lily, Levy, and Evergreen.

And to Cedar, he'd sent Max, Laki, Cana, Jet, Droy, and Kianna. Cana was certain she could contact Gildarts in time to meet them there.

He fully suspected Alvarez to begin pushing towards the capital and to Magnolia, since Zeref's ultimate goal was taking Fairy Heart. For that purpose, he'd kept Mirajane, Lucy, Mest, Juvia, and Gray at the guildhall. Freed too, since he was maintaining the barrier around the city. They also had Crime Sorciere in the guildhall with them, ready to enforce any of the teams at a moment's notice.

Even if Alvarez tried to send someone into Magnolia discreetly, there would be no way for them to pass Freed's barrier unless they had the Fairy Tail guild mark. Civilians had been evacuated from the city as well, so there was nothing to fear about leaving one of them trapped outside with no protection.

But Alvarez's strategy was baffling. Despite having cemented their positions in the port cities, the empire's forces were making no moves to advance further into the mainland. Their massive fleets were looming over Fiore's coastlines like ominous shadows, unmoving but ever threatening. What are they waiting for?

Makarov's thoughts were interrupted by the sharp ringing of his communication lacrima. Glancing at the id, his stomach sank. It was Wolfheim, the second highest ranked Wizard Saint.

This can't be good. He answered the call. "Makarov here."

"Makarov! One of your brats has turned traitor and is helping Alvarez invade the Magic Council Headquarters!"

Makarov's blood ran cold. "What? No! That's not possible! My entire guild is accounted for-" He froze mid-sentence. All but Natsu. A horrifying thought surfaced in his mind. Did Zeref brainwash the boy into fighting for him? The idea made his fists tremble.

"I'd recognize Titania anywhere!" Wolfheim shouted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Makarov felt his heart skip a beat. He certainly didn't expect that. "E-Erza? That's not possible! She's in Morgate Town battling one of the Twelve!"

"Well I'm telling you she's here! She claimed you all had captured God Serena, and was helping escort him to the holding block when she suddenly turned on the rune knights escorting them!"