Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 72 - Makarov's Children

Everyone finished regrouping in the center of the Sun Village and after some cordial greetings got back to work setting traps. Flare, it turned out, was a massive help in the effort, as she was able to point out some of the structural weaknesses in the town or direct them to spots that the Empire used as a means of attack in their initial invasion years ago.

Cana wasn't alone in setting the traps, either. Max and Laki worked with her to infuse her cards with their magic; Cana had, at her disposal, quicksand and bramble cards that would contain anyone. If they were particularly powerful they'd be able to break out, but at that point, Cana would know and the Fairies and Flare could launch into their attack.

With all the traps laid, Cana was at last able to rest. She set herself down in the plaza in front of the massive Eternal Flame that burned bright enough to fill the entire village with light. Max and Laki sat next to one another for a moment until Laki approached the Eternal Flame to study it, ever the curious one. Makarov set himself up next to her, but he was also sitting while he read over some of the ancient text scrawled at the base of its hearth.

Flare wrung her hands as she approached.

"I'm glad it still burns," she said. "Back then, nobody was able to put the flame out. The people who came to the village said it would take someone extra powerful to do it, someone like Zeref."

"Good thing he ain't around," Cana muttered.

She scanned their area. It was a horrible place for a fight. There were too many places to hide, too many spots where their enemies could creep in the shadows. Sure, most of them had magic that was effective at range, but the strength of their team was with Gramps, someone who, typically, fought up close.

Cana kept her hands together, letting the magic flow easily from her body. Stressed though she was, it did not prevent her from allowing her magic circuits to stay open and keep her abilities active. But, boy, did she wish she could have a drink. She hadn't had a good brew in weeks! It was goddamn torture.

"There's an old legend," Flare said, "that this flame used to be alive."

"Alive?" Max asked.

"Yes. A great creature wreathed in flame that would bring a burning warmth to the entire village. That it created the village as a means of curating life. This was a long, long time ago, though."

"Fascinating," Laki said, continuing to read the hearth. "A living flame."

"Its name is a bit of a lie, though," Flare said. "I remember it was brighter when I was younger. Warmer."

"Seems to be a running theme these days," Makarov said. "Yes, I also remember the flame as something a bit more lively. The Giants often enjoyed celebrations and festivities around it. Perhaps their presence has dwindled its potency. If what you say is true, then as much as the Flame created the village for the purpose of fostering life, it may be that same life that imbued the Flame with its eternal nature."

"So, not magic?" Cana asked.

"It is indeed magic, Cana," Makarov said. "Just the most ancient kind of magic there is: Love."

Cana pursed her lips. Love wasn't magic, love was...

An emotion, a force. It was what bound the members of Fairy Tail to one another, what bound Cana to her father despite...well, despite himself.

Laki stepped away from the hearth. "A living flame. What a remarkable idea."

The flame, emitting a dull roar, seemed to shift. Max stood up at once while Makarov remained calm and cocked an eyebrow. Cana jumped to her feet, summoning two cards to her hand. Flare stepped back, grabbing the long braid that slipped down her body.