Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

92 - Zero

[X784, Cathedral atop Nirvana]

— Dannis Martell —

"So the maggots have arrived..."

The voice oozed disdain as it echoed through the ruined cathedral. Dannis and Mira landed inside, gazing at what used to be a grand and resplendent building.

But now all it was were half-shattered stained glass windows and broken pillars. The only interesting thing being the strange floating screens that depicted all kinds of diagrams and data that Dannis couldn't even begin to comprehend, all surrounding the man who stood at the center of the chamber.

Brain's features were cold and scholarly. His face was covered with intersecting black lines that criss crossed with one another. Though what caught Dannis's eye was how some of those dark lines seemed fainter than the others, as if partially erased.

"I must commend you," Brain continued, lips curving into a smile. "To have defeated three of the Oración Seis. You Light Mages sure are persistent."

Dannis tilted his head, hand casually resting on his sword hilt. "So what is all this? You activated Nirvana, congrats. But what exactly is the final play? Where are you heading that's so important that you neglect the Wizard Saint in our number to pursue it?"

Brain just smiled, ignoring the question. "Tell me, Black Blade. Were you the one who defeated Ivan Dreyar and destroyed Raven Tail?"

"Nah. That was the portable battery. He had some personal business with his old man, you see?" Dannis idly said. "Raven Tail worked for you right? Ivan certainly did his job. He was the one who gave you the coordinates of Nirvana from Jellal, right? That was why he was in the Tower of Heaven."

Brain's smirk widened. "Ivan was a most useful tool. Unlike Jellal, who perished far too soon. Such a shame really. That boy contained knowledge I would've loved to dissect. Such a waste."

"Well too bad about that." Dannis quipped, feeling Jellal's emotions from his connection to the Wraith. He kept his face impassive, letting only the faintest amusement show. "You're a pretty interesting guy. I heard an odd rumour once. Is it true that you were once a member of the Bureau of Magical Development?"

"Why, yes." Brain spread his arms, clearly enjoying the recognition. "The Bureau birthed many of the great magical innovations of this age. It is there I mastered the craft of runic formulas...and where I learned to do this."

At a snap of his fingers, glowing runes surged outward, forming a barrier that surrounded Dannis and Mirajane.

Mira raised an eyebrow. "Is this Jutsu Shiki?"

"Yeah," Dannis replied dryly, "though I've seen better from Freed."

Brain scoffed. "I doubt it. This array is special. You see, I've studied you, Black Blade. Your ability to nullify magic—just like Grilthos the Wizard Killer—fascinated me, and you're hardly the only one to have it. Aria of the Great Sky with his Airspace Zero, Yuka Suzuki of Lamia Scale with his Wave Motion Magic."

"Your point?

"By studying about them," Brain's smile widened. "I've learned to replicate and refine it! Observe!"

The barrier pulsed, siphoning at Dannis's magic. He felt the tug immediately, like leeches against his veins.

"Dannis." Mira glanced at him, her brow furrowed as a bead of sweat fell from her head.

"Yeah. I've had enough of this."

He unsheathed his blade as Mira cocked back her fist. Their movements were perfectly in sync. With a synchronized punch and slash, the barrier shattered like