Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

38 - War Brewing

Advanced chapters on my pat_reon page! You can visit it to support me and get some other benefits if you're interested

patreon_com/TeemVizzle

Around 4-10 chapters are available if you want to read them ahead. Chapter 49 should be available by the time this chapter was uploaded.

Leave a review and drop some stones if you enjoyed the chapter!

__________________________________

[Fairy Tail Guild Hall]

— Dannis Martell —

He rushed forward, reaching the large building in record time. He had received the call to his lacrima from Master Makarov just days ago, and he's never felt so angry and worried in his life.

It was late afternoon when they arrived. They ignored the broken state of the guild building doors and ran inside.

They had just returned from their mission in the abandoned castle, completing an S-Class mission. What was supposed to be a day of celebration was instead greeted with a scene that screamed of chaos.

The once-lively guild hall was littered with debris. Overturned tables and broken chairs. One side of the wall was broken, with cracks that lined the stone and wooden frames. While an attempt to clean it was made, it seemed that other things took priority.

The vibrant energy of Fairy Tail seemed dulled. The normally boisterous members milled about quietly, talking in hushed whispers. Their presence immediately caught the eye of the few guild members still trying to clean up the mess left behind.

"What happened here?" Dannis asked no one in particular.

Mystogan said nothing, but a subtle glance at the faces of his guildmates told him the weight of the situation. Neither of them had expected this. They both approached the bar, where Mirajane sat with a bandage wrapped around her arm, staring listlessly into a mug of tea.

She looked up as they drew closer, her eyes clear with relief.

"You're back," she said softly. There was a small smile on her face, but there was no hiding the fatigue behind her eyes.

Before Dannis could ask any more questions, Mirajane nodded toward the back of the guild where a set of stairs led to a small medical area. "Master Makarov went to the council. But you should see Master Mavis first, Dannis. We'll talk later, okay?"

There was an odd tremble in her voice. Concern immediately filled Dannis as he and Mystogan shared a glance before heading in the direction she pointed. The moment they stepped into the room, they were met with the scent of antiseptic herbs and medical products, no doubt from Porlyusica working tirelessly to heal the other members.

When they finally reached the room, the sight that awaited them nearly stopped Dannis in his tracks.

"Master Mavis..." Dannis whispered, his breath catching.

The First Master of Fairy Tail lay sprawled on a cot, her form flickering in and out like a faulty projection. There were bruises and cuts that marred her skin. Even in her incorporeal state, it was clear she was in immense pain. Her body trembled with every shallow breath she took.

Beside her stood Porlyusica, clearly frustrated as her medication only works on the physical.

"Nothing is working," Porlyusica muttered under her breath, frustration clear in her tone. "Her body can't hold any of this. These injuries... they're not physical. How did that man even hurt a spiritual body? It doesn't make sense."