After Tartaros

The Meeting?

"This is odd," Levy commented, looking around and then back down at the piece of paper in her hand. "We're supposed to meet our client at this address, but all I see is an empty lot!"

It was true. They were standing between two houses on one of the side streets of the town, but there was nothing but a grassy field between the two.

Happy volunteered to fly above and scout around, but descended with still no answers.

"Mira told the client we were coming, right?" asked Wendy, frowning.

"Maybe I can be of some assistance," a familiar male voice told them. The group turned around to find Ichiya, a member of Blue Pegasus, standing behind them.

He gave them all a slight bow, then straightened, clearing his throat. "I know this seems odd, but the client wishes to remain anonymous at this time. She asked me to give you this." He handed Lucy a piece of paper.

They crowded around to read it.

"Dear Fairy Tail members, Thank you for responding to my advertisement. I am sorry I am not here to meet you in person, but I must be careful with my true identity. When the time is right, it will be revealed. Until then, Ichiya from Blue Pegasus is my liason. The book I wish you to find is an ancient tome that I'm worried will fall into the wrong hands. It is the book of END. It must be kept out of the hands of Zeref, the dark wizard! It also must be kept away from a guildmate of yours - Natsu Dragneel. I cannot explain more at this point. Please find the book and bring it to Ichiya at Blue Pegasus, who will then seal it and give it to me. I realize this is an odd way to conduct business, but I promise it is for the utmost safety. I have given you a map to the last known location of the book. When it was last in my possession, I hid it inside another book titled Daybreak after I stole it away from Zeref. Know that he is also looking for the book and be careful."

Silence.

"I'm worried we're not strong enough to do this. Going against Zeref," Lucy finally said, looking around at the group. "At least, speaking for myself."

"No, you are the right mages for the job," Ichiya stated, giving them a hard stare. "It has been foretold. Have faith in yourself - you are stronger and wiser than you know!" He handed them another piece of paper - the map - and bowed to them once again.

"Why wouldn't the client ask Blue Pegasus to complete this job?" Carla asked Ichiya as he started to walk away. "This does not make sense."

"It is a job only Fairy Tail can complete. It has been foretold!" Ichiya declared again. "Good luck, my friends!" He turned and walked away, disappearing in the distance.

"I didn't know he could move that fast," Happy muttered, bringing his hand up to shield his eyes. "Weird, yes. Fast, no."

"Just be glad he wasn't sniffing us," muttered Lucy.

"Let's look at the map and figure out a plan," Levy sighed, folding up the letter and putting it in her pack.

"It's like a treasure hunt, isn't it? X marks the spot?" Happy suggested, earning a glare from Carla.

"Well, yes, in a way. If you include hazards along the way like Zeref. I wonder why the book needs to be kept from Natsu?" Lily wondered aloud.

"It looks like we start walking north from here," Lucy said, inwardly flinching at the mention of Natsu. Only Happy knew she continued to have nightmares every night, replaying the scene in her head of Natsu attacking them. They both had an unspoken agreement not to talk about him. The fact that he hadn't returned to the guild only made things worse.

Levy folded up the map, also placing it in her pack, and nodded. "So, let's start."