Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 83 - The Magnolia Beacon

"Hisui," Laxus called.

Hisui snapped her attention back to Laxus. She'd watched Irene settle in with the others, trying to ignore the nagging voice that didn't want to trust her, that suspected some sort of foul play brewing just beneath the surface.

"Do you think this'll work out?"

"I do." Hisui folded her arms. "Considering how many people we've held back, we have a great chance to let Tartaros drop their guard if they approach Magnolia. We can hit them as hard as we can with you and Gajeel."

"And the Thunder Tribe."

Hisui nodded, but before she could speak up, Laxus continued.

"I'm serious. I know you've put a lot on yourself, but you need to remember that, in their own right, those three are remarkably powerful wizards. They single-handedly took down half of Fairy Tail once upon a time. Not a shining spot, for any of us, but it should at least speak to their abilities. I have something I need to do, so I want to make sure you know they're at your disposal."

"Something you need to do?"

Laxus let his hand drift toward the sword at his hip. It looked disjointed there, not quite fitting his muscular frame.

"I have to kill Ezel. He's a stepping stone to finally figuring out how I can beat her."

"Dimaria."

"I can beat her at her own game. She wants to play around with swords? Fine. I know I have the power to get her, now it comes down to the skill. Ezel is a perfect testing ground for the training I've done."

Hisui sensed her own sword at her hip. She held her tongue. Much as she wanted to encourage him, she couldn't muster the courage. As a princess, against her father's wishes but at the behest of Arkadios, she was trained in swordplay. Dimaria and Ezel were bred by the sword—Ezel quite literally.

But he was motivated. And if Hisui knew anything, there was little that could stop a motivated Fairy Tail wizard.

"I believe in you, Laxus," Hisui said. "And the Thunder Tribe. They can certainly help us level the playing field regarding the numbers we're up against."

"Exactly. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to tell them the plan so they can be prepared."

Hisui nodded.

She let her gaze linger on Gajeel, who slowly made his way over to Levy. The Broken Wizards were gone—Makarov and Erza were bringing them along so Bob could undo their Broken minds right away. It helped ease Hisui's mind as it came to abandoning their little outpost.

She was left with all of Fairy Tail's Dragon Slayers, the Thunder Tribe, and Irene. Plus, the Exceeds—Lily was particularly handy in a fight. Each, in their own right, could level a serious blow against the Empire. As one unit?

It was a fighting force designed to pulverize Tartaros.

"Queen Hisui!"

Hisui spun. Oh. And there was this one, Sherria Blendy. Her protege, her God Slayer. She sauntered up to Hisui with a curt nod.

"Good morning," Hisui said. "Finished your exercises?"

"Yup, and I'm ready to go!" Sherria exclaimed. "Where'd everyone else go?"

Hisui smiled. "Come. I'll explain to you along with the others. Best we get a move on. We have a big day ahead of us."

***

Erza sat at the front of the empty high-speed car while Makarov was at the other end. Bisca and Warren, still bound by Gray's cuffs, were separated from one another across the car.