Façade | Jerza

13 | Cause and Consequence

Horrible. It was the only word that could describe Jellal's current condition. His heavy lids opened to set his gaze on the sticky fluid drenching his coat, before they darted to Jose, who was smiling maniacally.

Delightfully, Jose grazed his thumb over Jellal's cheek, as if concerned for him. The action stirred unwanted memories resurfacing, invoking an involuntary shiver. "For a second there, I thought you died on me, you poor thing. Oh, how your awakening pleases me, Jellal!"

Jellal remained silent, confused about Erza's whereabouts and how Jose ended up keeping him captive. Had no one really tried going up against the guild master? Did nobody know that Erza was in danger and that he was utterly helpless?

There were unspoken words in their conversations. The younger mage held out his palm and shot out rays of light directed towards Jose. The magic destroyed everything but the target.

He felt the dull headache resulting from the gash. His head fell back against the wall as he breathed heavily. No sounds escaped him because of the sharp pain in both his head and abdomen.

Jellal felt like a dead man reliving his murder.

It took a few moments to recompose himself, and when he did, his eyes were squarely fixed on his captor. "What drove Erza to such extremes? And where is she now?"

"You mean her attempt to kill herself? It was foolish, honestly. Just a speech about love and friendship and all those sickening things. None of that is my concern, anyway. She's probably dead." Jellal's eyes widened, to which Jose lightly chuckled. "Oh, you don't remember? I can't blame you, with the injury and blood loss.

"I left her to die."

Jellal suddenly felt sick to his stomach. Jose forced him into a wall after Jellal found his footing. The resulting action caused his skull colliding with the wall. He would laugh if off later and call it a panic reflex for impulsively trying to escape. But now, he needed to find Erza.

Blood seeped out of his mouth and he closed his eyes, taking deep breaths as he tried focusing on anything but the feeling of broken bones. His rib cage hurt every time his diaphragm expanded and contracted. Everything hurt.

"You dishonour the title of a Wizard Saint, young boy. The Magic Council should have reconsidered giving the honorary to such a delicate thing." Jose mocked. Jellal glared at his captor, who showed no interest in reacting to his attempts to intimidate Jose. "Prove to me you are worthy of such a renowned reputation."

The younger mage attempted a short, humourless, laugh. "Is this what our quarrel is about? Is this why you're attacking an entire guild, over something so...trivial?"

Jose held his hand out, producing Shade after Shade. "You're desperation for fame has no bounds, little one. Not only are you a Wizard Saint, but a councillor as well? You really are driven by greed."

Jellal leapt on instinct to dodge them, being able to evade the attacks through simple staggering leaps. Jose observed his skills firsthand, impressed. "Careful, that wound looks horrible. It isn't even properly bandaged. Erza, oh that pathetic girl."

"She did everything beyond her capability considering her injuries, you don't have the right to say anything about that, not after what you've done."

"True, I must admit she was quite strong to hold up her own against me. But that doesn't change the fact that she's dead."

Jellal clutched his blood-stained abdomen and stood up again. "She wouldn't die that easily. I'll reach her...somehow."

Jose sent him flying to a wall when he attempted to escape. The magic tightened around Jellal's neck, suffocating him. He eventually fought them off as his fingertips produced energy from the stars to oppose the hollow creatures. They all disappeared when the bright light engulfed him. Jellal fell backwards, while Jose prodded closer towards him.