Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 113 - By Land, Sea, and Sky

START OF FINAL ARC - EMBERING HOPES

***

Hisui stepped to the prow of their airship. Her cloak rippled in the high-air breeze, fanning out all around her. They closed in on Hargeon, a port city renowned for its integrity and size. But what it'd been the last time Hisui saw it, well over a year ago, was nothing compared to what it'd come. August and the Twilight Empire wasted no time in making Hargeon the primary import station for any seafaring goods into Fiore.

Dozens of frigates and galleons rode the seas or rested in Hargeon's docks. Military-class ships lay everywhere, prepared to restart the blockade that had initially sealed Fiore and Stella away so long ago. They were armed well—cannons and harpoons to take out any other ships of equal class, likely laced with Bane particles to eradicate any ship's magical protections.

Tears slid away from Hisui's face thanks to the cold air and strong winds. She blinked them away. Part of her ached to be on the ground and in her own country again, but to do so would attract a touch too much attention for their mission. She had to keep going.

They were high enough in the air not to confuse the ground, and their ship was marked properly so that it'd get through any Imperial checks below. August had probably figured out that the rebels took Vistarion, which should've given Hisui enough time to cross the sea between continents and arrive before he thought to turn his gaze inward at Fiore.

The port was nearly full. Soldiers crawled around everywhere. Hargeon was at its strongest; it was a symbol of the Empire's growing might and greed. A ruination of what made Fiore so great before, and a sign of what was to come for the rest of the continent.

Unless Hisui could stop him.

Hisui raised her hand, then closed her fist.

"Descend," she said into the wind, where it whipped back around to Mest behind her. He vanished and relayed the command.

***

Gajeel adjusted his glove one last time in the cargo bay when Mest appeared.

"It's time," he said.

Gajeel glanced across the way to Juvia. The former Element Four member nodded at Gajeel, who gave her a sneer in return.

The cargo door slowly opened its maw. Juvia adjusted her sleeves and approached. Mirajane said goodbye to Lisanna behind her.

"I'll see you in a moment," Mirajane said.

Gajeel rolled his shoulders, but a hand reached out and grabbed his. Levy yanked Gajeel back. His hand fell to her waist, and her hand reached up to his cheeks. He turned red. She was being awfully forward in front of everyone.

"Be safe," she said.

"Yeah, I know," Gajeel stammered.

"And kick some ass."

She gave him a shove toward the door. Gajeel stumbled back.

Lily clasped his shoulder while Gajeel approached the opening. The wind whipped up around them.

"Be right behind you," Lily said.

Gajeel smiled, nodded, and stopped just at the edge of the cargo door. A full fleet of ships waited, docked. Gajeel's iron scales slithered over his skin.

"Alright," Gajeel said. "Glad they brought the party."

"Hit them as hard as you can, as quick as you can," Mirajane said. "We don't know who else is waiting for us down there."

"You two worry about everything in town," Juvia said. "Let me take care of the fleet once you've landed."

Gajeel opened his arms. "Sounds like a plan!"