Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

61 - Lightning Dragon's Roar

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[X784, Somewhere in Fiore, Two months ago]

— Laxus Dreyar —

"Laxus."

The voice came out of a lacrima crystal, the communication that the master gave to every S-Class mage. The figure of his grandfather was visible on the crystal's face.

Laxus sat back in his chair, boots propped up on the table, drink half-empty by his side.

"What do you want, old man?" Laxus asked with a gruff voice. The relationship between them was still strained, Laxus unwilling to do anything with the old master aside from guild business. The relationship they now had was strictly professional.

"Just so you're updated, Phantom Lord attacked Fairy Tail just last night. They merely roughed up our guild building, but it is still an act of aggression that I can't ignore." Makarov's expression remained neutral.

"Then why tell me?" Laxus grunted. "You and I both know you won't do anything unless they actually hurt anyone. It's this kind of passiveness that makes people like Jose think we're weak."

"I'm not here to debate with you about our principles. God knows we've done that hundreds of times already." Makarov sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "No, I'm here to talk to you about your father."

Laxus narrowed his eyes. "What about him?"

Makarov gave him a knowing look. "Stop this charade, Laxus. Did you really think I wouldn't know you've been looking for him?"

Laxus' hands cracked the wooden table in front of him. "First, you excommunicate my dad, and then you forbid me to look for him?"

Makarov's gaze softened in that infuriating way that Laxus hated. "I'm not forbidding you from doing anything. As a matter of fact, I encourage it."

That surprised him. "What?" Laxus asked incredulously.

"You're not the only one trying to keep tabs on my wayward son. However, I received troubling news recently. My sources say that Ivan is working under Oracion Seis, though I'm not sure what exactly it is they're working on."

"Let me guess," Laxus's tone was flat. "You want me to find out."

"Yes." Makarov nodded. "I know it's a bit of a sensitive subject, but I can't trust this to anyone else."

Laxus frowned. "What about Dannis? Or Gildarts?"

"Dannis is on vacation with Mira. Mavis knows that boy deserves it. Gildarts is still at Alvarez."

"Right..." Laxus mused.

"Besides, I know you still have plenty of questions about the truth of your father's excommunication." Makarov stated resolutely. "I know our relationship isn't the best right now. Truthfully, I realize most of it is my fault, but you're way past listening to my reasons. So perhaps seeing him yourself would provide you the answers you need."

A contemplative scowl appeared on Laxus' face as he processed the words. The tension in his chest tightened painfully, but he refused to show it. "Fine. I'll do it. Where is he?"

"We don't know yet. But considering that he works for Oracion Seis, there is bound to be alliances in that hierarchy. Scour the dark guilds and look for one that has a connection to Raven Tail."