Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 74 - Dysfunctional Families

Gajeel led the group to the cellars where he suspected the rebels were hiding out. Erza stood with him, side-by-side, as they delivered the news about Tartaros. Lisanna was outside, hidden in one of her Animal Soul forms to keep watch alongside Lily while Elfman, Erza, and Gajeel helped the rebels pack up. There weren't any secret ways out of the town, unfortunately, but they were able to begin scrambling out of the castle.

Gajeel folded his arms as he watched them go. Not nearly that many, and few of them were wizards. Erza didn't recognize anyone among them.

"It would've happened sooner or later," Gajeel said, gesturing to the group. "Getting found out like this. Ruins or not, eventually the Empire was gonna come for the castle."

"It's a manly place," Elfman said.

"A good fortification, and foothold in the region," Erza said. "I suspect the reason they didn't bother with Oak Town just yet was their reach to the wider world. Think about it. Why focus so much on building an airfield and port into Cedar if not to expand trade? What good is a castle such as this when it comes to that?"

"I hate when you think strategically," Gajeel said. "You're too sensible to be hangin' out around Salamander all the time."

"My sensibilities help balance out his erratic nature," Erza said. "But thank you."

He nodded. He hadn't spoken much since they arrived at the castle. Gajeel had hesitated before opening the door to the cellars. It wasn't until they were in there that Erza realized they were, in fact, training grounds. It was divided into five different zones, each marked by a different sign, that was clear to distinguish: the four natural elements, and one of iron.

"Must've been an honor for Master Jose to create an entirely different area just for you," Elfman said. "Separate the men from the boys."

"Yeah, that was the thinking," Gajeel said. "We couldn't be bothered with the other wizards in the guild. They were too weak. Porla didn't want us getting mixed in with that or it could start softening us up."

"Not much of an honor if he thought like that," Elfman said.

"Not at all, big guy," Erza said.

Gajeel's back was turned to the area. While he still faced the castle, he was looking up, as if away from it. Any remnants of Phantom Lord were gone—sigils, flags, and markings had been wiped away in whatever battle took the castle down. Still, there was the memory. Erza had been back to the guild hall and while she felt at home, it was not the same place at all.

There were a few more remaining, some who took a little more time to get their things, maps, and such, to ensure they had a clear path ahead. All bases were off-limits, so they'd have to regroup somewhere remote and try to restart. They wouldn't have the comfort of the castle, unfortunately, but at least they'd be alive.

Before that last batch was out of sight and they could close up the cellar, a few of the ones from the front of the pack reemerged, moving with haste toward the group. Erza raised an eyebrow.

"Is Tartaros here, did they see the enemy?" Erza asked.

Gajeel leered. "Weird. I didn't smell anything."

Just then, a few stopped. They were the wizards of the bunch, most having to use Caster magic to compensate for their lack of strength. They slammed their staffs to the ground, with one at the front of the pack carving a magic circle into the ground. The last of the rebels stopped to look at them, confused when at once they too locked up.

The rest of the rebels quickly came from behind the wizards, rushing at Elfman, Erza, and Gajeel.

"Are they setting up a defensive wall of some kind?" Erza asked.