Façade | Jerza

29 | Pergrande

"I'm takin' Route E for Erza!" Natsu chanted, skipping into the cave of his designated route.

"Aye, sir!" Happy yelled in unison.

"The look on Gray's face when he'll be stuck with Jellal and I'll mop the floor with Erza."

"Right," Happy nodded, before asking, "how do you know we're going to her?"

"I can just sense it! I sniffed her around here somewhere, and Gramps loves riddles. So she's gotta be on the route letter that starts with her name!"

"What about Mirajane?"

Natsu waved it off nonchalantly. "Who cares? Mira might be on Route B for all I know."

"I really don't know where you're getting these answers from, but I am one pumped up kitty!"

For lack of a better term, there definitely was a reason why nobody could trust Natsu's intuition. He was always, for the most part, incorrect.

Today only served to reiterate that point.

When he ran up ahead and found light at the end of the dark tunnel, there was no sign of Erza.

Happy's small voice echoed through the cave. "Hey, something the matter?"

Natsu sniffed around, "Nothing, buddy. Just can't seem to sense Erza anymore. Is there some way we can go back?"

"Didn't you hear Master? He said once you enter a route, you can't leave until you defeat or get defeated."

Natsu stilled suddenly, feeling magic energy beyond Erza and even Jellal.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

When Happy looked up at the figure waiting for them, he shrilled as though he had witnessed doomsday.

Gildarts smiled, "Looks like luck ain't on your side today, kid."

Happy cried, "We're doomed."

Natsu gawked at the exceed. "Hey, don't say that! Since when were you going to fight him?"

"Alright then. You're doomed."

"What have we done, Juvia?" Wendy wailed, shrinking behind the Water Mage. She asked as though they intentionally took this route, knowing what trouble they were going to encounter.

"There's...nothing to be afraid of, Wendy. We still have a very little chance of victory." Juvia said, though not coherently.

"You must face your adversaries with your held up high, even if you are scared." Erza announced, unmoving on the rock she stood upon. "This should prove advantageous for you, Juvia. After all, the water here is at your disposal."

Juvia's eyes lit at the mention of her own domain. Something she should have mastered and be far more superior in than Erza.

"You're right, Erza. This is my space, and I will control it at my will. I refuse to lose to you."

Erza smiled, nodding her head in approval. "That's the spirit. I will go a bit easier, considering that we have young Wendy amongst ourselves. But if it feels too much, please forgive me. I only mean well for you both. You both must understand that I went through this trial as well."

Wendy and Juvia found Erza's short monologue entertaining rather than serious. The way she expressed her emotions through the excess arm movements and undescribable passion only eased the tense atmosphere.

However, if Erza was going to be lighter on her blade because of Wendy, then the young girl would take advantage of Erza's underestimation of her.

Then again, Erza may not be underestimating her. After all, did Wendy really want to fight Erza? Her slight hesitation told her otherwise.