Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 88 - Alegria

It was such a curious curse. In much the same way that the Etherious could enter their second, truer, and more powerful form, the Cube required an incantation to undergo its transformation. Not only that, but few had the authority to transform The Cube into the all-consuming Plutogrim.

It was also a simple curse. A mere utterance of the incarnation by Mard Geer was enough to completely warp the environment into a far more forgiving one for the demons. Much as he enjoyed the dreary, dark, and dank halls of their current guild building, he much preferred the atmosphere that represented the belly of an underworld beast. His quarters would be largely unchanged, of course.

Plutogrim was an agent of all that was humanity, or human life in specific. It ate it, attempted to silence it. Soon, it would be instrumental in bringing about the last gasp of the human spirit in Fiore.

"Franmalth," Mard Geer said, two fingers to his temple. "Activate STAR."

He lowered his hand. STAR, in its current state, would take some time to initiate, particularly if they wanted it to have the effect August and Queen Sonya wanted. It was an aggressive move by the Queen, but considering how quiet she'd been since she woke from her little slumber, it was a move that had to be made.

Plus, the weapon had to be tested sooner or later. What better time than when a horde of enemies was together?

Mard Geer eased back in his seat, bothered once more by the implications of the weapon and Tartaros's role in it. Words would be shared with August upon their return. Mard Geer considered a reckoning, but given the truth of August's place in everything—given his place and relationship with the Emperor—it would not be worth fighting. August's intentions were valid.

It was their execution that ruffled Mard Geer. To think that his fellow Etherious would be vaporized all for the sake of the Empire was...

It was what had to be done.

He was king of the Underworld. He would eliminate his enemy no matter what, and no matter the cost.

If some Etherious didn't come back, then so be it. They were weak. If the Emperor desired, he could write another book and bring them back in some newer form, a more powerful one.

Tartaros stood for death and undeath, defying both. They were invincible, killable only by the hand of their own creator, who could not be killed by any force of this world.

Mard Geer unfolded his legs. He hadn't sensed the spike in power he expected from STAR's priming.

"Franmalth. My patience thins."

Typically, the little wart of a demon would respond. But this time there was nothing. Mard Geer did not stand, but summoned one of his viewing lacrima. He expanded his view to cover several areas of the Cube.

"Ah."

Within several rooms, or just outside of their guild hall, the various Fairies that Kyoka gathered were engaged in the fights of their lives. Franmalth included, against, of all people, General Eucliffe.

Mard Geer sat back. He would give Franmalth and his allies a few minutes more. Let them have their fun. Then, he would accomplish their mission, and that would be that.

***

The top of the Cube was a wide open expanse, and while it gave Cana plenty of room to cast her spells, it gave her no room to hide from Jackal's explosions. It was his playground, his perfect place for a fight. Cana held five cards in both hands.

Sparks and smoke drifted in the air around Cana and Jackal, the latter standing among a circle of various circles and lines. Landmines, if Cana had to guess. She equally guessed that if she stepped in one, a card wasn't going to save her. She had cards that could undo some magic, but nothing against Curses.