Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

101 - Preparing the Assault

AN: Advanced chapters on my P-Word! You can get up to two chapters ahead for the Dark Swordsman if you're interested!

Cheers guys!

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[X784, Edolas, New Magnolia]

— Dannis Martell —

"So this is where you all were."

That gravel-edged voice made all three of them turn at once.

Laxus Dreyar stood beneath the arch of the tent flap. He looked ruffled, as if he just came back from a battle. Parts of his clothes were singed, though there didn't seem to be any injury or fatigue marring his body.

He tossed a small burlap bag onto Dannis, who caught it from the air.

"Courtesy of Mystogan, Master Mavis, and the old hag." Laxus said.

Dannis untied the string. Inside were a dozen blood-red pills.

"What are they?" Levy asked, twisting one of the balls on her between her fingers as she studied them under the light.

"He called it X-balls. It should allow you to use magic while you're here." Laxus kind of grimaced. "One bite will do. Don't chew unless you like feeling your insides catch fire."

Dannis didn't need convincing. He took one, broke it with his teeth, and felt it burn down his throat like swallowing thunder. The world shifted almost instantly, his senses sharpened, his magic flaring alive beneath his skin.

His heart pounded once... twice... and then there it was. The hum of magic in his blood.

Levy gasped beside him, her hands glowing faintly blue as runes shimmered around her fingers. "I never thought I'd miss my magic this much."

"Juvia as well," the water mage breathed. Her arms dissolved into streams of glistening water, curling gracefully before reforming into flesh.

Dannis clenched his fists a few times before nodding. "Did Mystogan contact you?"

"Yeah, I got here with the other Dragon Slayers. They should be scattered around Edolas, waiting for the fuse to be lit."

"Then that settles it." Dannis straightened. "We're taking the fight to Faust."

Later that night, the four of them met in the war tent with Edo Dannis and his lieutenants.

A large map of Edolas covered the table, inked with red lines, arrows, and markers denoting patrol routes and fortifications. Dozens of candles flickered along the walls, casting long shadows across the gathered figures.

Edo Dannis stood at the head of the table, arms folded, cloak draped loosely over his shoulders, the black headband of his rebellion tied firmly around his brow. His raven perched silently atop a lantern behind him, its eyes glinting like shards of onyx.

He smirked as they entered. "Good to see you're joining the fight."

"We have our own reasons," Earthland Dannis replied coolly, stepping forward. The two shared a brief, knowing look, a silent acknowledgement that neither trusted the other completely. "With our magic back, it should be enough firepower to challenge the Kingdom."

"I'm glad to hear it," Edo Dannis said, leaning over the map. "I have the numbers, but Faust's army is still well-equipped and disciplined. He has his elite commanders, Erza Knightwalker among them. And there are rumors..." His voice dropped lower. "Rumors of a new weapon hidden within the capital. Something that channels the magic they've stolen."

Juvia's brows furrowed. "A weapon that uses the magic of Earthland?"

"That's what the scouts say," Edo Dannis replied grimly. "Whatever it is, Faust has been testing it on border towns. Places that no longer exist."