Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 129 - Erza vs Invel

The rest of Makarov's family was not, by what he could sense, too far away. Laxus maintained their pace with decent speed thanks to his lightning, giving them a bit of a boost. He could easily have shot off and gotten there on his own, but wanted to stay back. Makarov, once, would have considered this an odd behavior. The Laxus that walked out on Fairy Tail, that attacked Fairy Tail, would never. But that was a Laxus burdened with the purpose of power; this Laxus was burdened with the purpose of the future.

Romeo maintained his focus, too. Finally, after years of waiting, he could be on the front lines of the war against the Twilight Empire. His strength was great, sure, but to Makarov, he would forever be that little boy, that pipsqueak doing his best to imitate Natsu.

Everything surrounding them was a mess. Dilapidated roads and buildings, a sky still churning to catch up with the shifted world. Irene had done a number on Fiore, certainly. Some more prominent and tall buildings remained in place and were quite intact. Crocus seemed like a nice place. Makarov had only ever passed by it, not ever actually been within the city, despite his many years of being a Guild Master. Fairy Tail didn't necessarily have the prestige for such. The popularity and notoriety, certainly, but only the elite and wealthy got entrance into Crocus.

Perhaps, with Hisui, that would change. Through the rebellion, she had seen that wizards of all sorts, from all guilds, were willing to risk their lives for the sake of their country and its future, for in doing so, they could protect their friends.

Bisca and Warren hadn't said a word, though both were clearly itching to get in on the fighting. Bisca's hands kept falling to her weapons. He couldn't blame her. The first Imperial that'd get in her way was in for the worst awakening.

Mavis ran the fastest ahead of them. Her feet hardly made a sound on the pavement. She was still only half-present, not in her full physical form.

A burst of magic rang out ahead of them.

"Someone's fighting," Romeo said.

"It's Erza," Mavis said.

"That's a relief," Laxus muttered.

"We can leave her to it," Makarov agreed. He winced. As if he'd be any help, in his exhausted state. Between fighting Jura and then Dimaria, he was quite tired, and the day had only just begun. Plus, the weight on his heart thinking of his children in combat with the upper echelon of the Twilight Empire...

"Right," Mavis said. Slowly, her run turned to a jog, and then she came to a complete stop. Makarov slowed as well. His heart pounded. He leaned sternly against his walking stick. The others also slowed down and stopped.

"What is it, First Master?" he asked through ragged breathing.

Mavis's big eyes stared at the ground before Makarov, and then, at him.

"You know I was there the day you were born, Makarov," Mavis said. She tried to smile, and it didn't really work. "The day your mother died."

Makarov said nothing. Laxus's lightning faded.

"I'm responsible for so much of what is wrong not only in our guild but now, thanks to Fairy Heart, our world," Mavis said. "It is my responsibility to attend to the needs of our guild as its master, or former master, and yet, there is something else I think I have to do. Something even more important."

"You cannot face Zeref alone," Makarov said.

"Actually," Mavis said. "I think I'm the only one right now who can."

"First Master, think about what you're doing. If you go to Zeref, he may take whatever power is missing from completing Fairy Heart, and then the war is truly over."