Façade | Jerza

30 | One, Two, Three Steps Ahead

Freed, Bickslow, and Gildarts set sail for Hargeon Port upon the first part of the trial concluding. The trip was slow, seeing that they used a tiny boat rather than a ship when they first came to Tenrou Island. Considering Gildarts was onboard, Freed and Bickslow were further apprehensive. Any movement from Gildarts could cause the boat to tip over.

Bickslow stared back at Tenrou Island, before realizing something was amiss. "Hey guys, weren't Levy and Gajeel coming as well?"

"I'm not sure about Gajeel, but I think Levy wanted to return to the guildhall. I wonder why there was no further communication." Freed answered. He turned to Gildarts for an explanation, but the wizard simply shrugged.

"Don't think about it too much. We have another ship on the island. They can all come back together."

The green-haired mage curtly nodded. "Yes, they can. If they get off the island anytime soon."

Gildarts raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, first, there was a red flare that appeared in the sky, and now Master Makarov is fighting an airship. Not to mention, there are more members of the Magic Council on their way to the island."

"A red flare?" Gildarts questioned, looking up at the airship that Makarov was fighting against. He was casting Fairy Law at that moment. "This isn't part of the trials after all. Turn the boat around. We're going back to the island."

Bickslow channeled his magic energy to do a one eighty with the boat, before setting for a faster pace back to Tenrou Island.

Within moments, an explosion resounded up ahead. The trio witnessed one of the council's ship explode into pieces. All the members on the ship died instantly and Gildarts had to wonder why the reinforcement ship of the Magic Council was heading for the island.

Freed's gaze narrowed to the source of the explosion. "I doubt that's one of our guild members who did that."

Gildarts huffed, "You're right. Nobody in our guild would be insane enough to kill off that many people. Whoever did that must have been from the other guild."

Freed pondered aloud, "We can also be their next target if they see us."

Gildarts stared at the Magic Council ship for long moments. "Bickslow, tail the reinforcements. Perhaps we can even eavesdrop to find out what's going on."

Bickslow sped the boat towards the Magic Council's mother ship. Freed's eyes flickered to the members on deck to find Lahar giving orders from up there. They were moving slowly to prevent any incidents like the previous group.

"Bickslow, Gildarts, look." Freed pointed to the mage that just teleported to the Magic Council ship deck.

Mest.

"Don't tell me he's been a spy for the Magic Council this entire time?" Gildarts said through gritted teeth. "These damn councillors don't know when to leave us alone. They sure are adamant about our downfall."

"I can't hear them at this distance," Bickslow complained, ushering for Freed to cast a rune enchantment. Freed created a hearing enhancement enchant within the boat, allowing the mages to better listen to the conversation above them.

"They're all on this island," Mest said with wide eyes. "Fairy Tail, Grimoire Heart, and Zeref."

"Zeref?" Lahar announced, just as shocked as Mest was. "If Chairman Gran Doma finds out, then everyone on that island will be annihilated. Including Fairy Tail."

Confused, Bickslow asked, "What does that mean?"

"Etherion." Gildarts uttered, now in a state of shock.