In The Times Of Fairy Tails

She did a double take as Thomas winked at her. She looked at him, startled for a couple of moments. He... Winked at me? Who does he think he is? Who exactly? And yet... That's more attention than most people have paid. That Ander guy just walked off without even talking to me so you know, what the hell. Let's entertain this guy a little. Sure he overplays himself a bit, but whatever. Looks like it'll be fun anyway- If only to laugh at him being silly. She smiled at him and walked over, arriving just after Cal did. She sat down on a bed next to him and smiled at Thomas, leaning back, holding herself up by her hands placed behind her.
"Sure I'll listen." Alessia said. "Sounds like an adventure. Let's hear it all, I'm sure it'll be great." There was an aspect of genuineness in what she said. Necromancer huh? I feel sorry for them, that must have been horrible. All those rotting bodies and stuff going for them with weapons. I wonder how he would have fared with Alastor. Let's hear about it though, since I have no idea what the other groups got faced with.



"Ander, I never said it could. Merely what some people believe." Caliborn corrected gently. I am not one of them. And then he walked off suddenly, obviously upset. Someone died in his past and couldn't be saved I assume. Death weighs heavy on a heart. I wonder who Bryce was. He'll talk when he's ready to, if he ever is. Some men simply aren't ever ready. He returned his attention to Silvia who hadn't yet walked off and seemed okay, if a little surprised that she was asked to do something like that for the guild. "Thank you Silvia, it's very much appreciated and I'm sure that you're better than you give yourself credit for. Most people underestimate your talents- It's natural. If you would like, I'm sure we can get someone in to teach you more, or any books you may wish to read and we'll be able to supply the ingredients you want." That scar, why does she hide it so? What gave it to her I wonder... A question for another time. If she's hiding it then it's not up for discussion and right now, she needs to feel secure in the Guild. The questions about her past can come later. He noticed her expression changed, and she started to tremble a little bit and look down at the ground again. He knew immediately this was a bad sign.
"Silvia are you alright?" He asked, concern notable in his face and voice. Normally he'd place a hand on the person's shoulder to comfort and stabilise them, but right now he couldn't move and besides- He didn't know Silvia's temperment all that well, so it was unwise to try anything so familiar as of yet. She was a member of the guild that he'd be seeing regularly so it was best to wait and understand them before anything like that. Some people didn't handle physical contact that well. "Is it anything that you want to talk about, or is it okay?"

 

Guild Hall:



Ander's pov:
Bryce why did you die for me. It should have been me.
He still had images of that mission that battle.
I am fighting for those who can not fight. Those who can be helped
Everyone can be helped, everyone but me.
He looked around the guild hall who could he help.
Sadness still in his eyes.
He spotted Alessia deep in conversation with Thomas.
He felt like he should apologize to her. He just left her there. Levi could have waited, but he just blow her off.
Why was he like this? Was he forever to be cursed with the no friends. He began to think about his past. He has not made a single friend.
For eight years he was friendless.
Any friend he made was gone before he knew it.
Was something wrong with him?
He would have to make it up to Alessia.
It seemed like everyone he had came into contact with he hurt in some way or another.
Then He spotted Ren, he was alive?
Well that was nothing but a good thing.
"Ren" He said happly.
"What happened to you? Did a clam get you? he said jokingly"
The sadness from before gone.
"It is good to see you ren."


Guild Hall:




Sara's pov:
This Ander person..
What a mystery he was.
Then Caliborn said something about books.
Was a book a answer to what she was looking for?
She was not much of a reader so....
She thought about talking but She cut herself off before she did it. Her voice would barley addable. so soft like it would be like it was not used in years.
No one wants to here that.
Forgetting to look for her locket for now.
Time to find a book, or someone to talk to.
She left her bow behind on the floor.
I will come back for it latter she thought.
She then spotted Cassandra
What to say.
Curse this shyness she thought.
Years ago she was not like this what had happened?

 

​

As soon as the report had finished, Ren had excused himself to take a bit of a breather off to the side. It wasn't so much that he was physically exhausted, more so mentally. One moment he had been dealing with the issue at the cathedral, the next he was all of a sudden thrust into the midst of a battle, with absolutely no clue as to who or why they were fighting. That reminded him, Leon... hopefully someone could do a better job at helping the poor dead child find peace. Ren decided he'd take a trip over to the cathedral to check up on things once he got the chance. Hopefully things would turn out well for them all.
His musings were interrupted by Ander and his greetings. "Hello Ander," Ren smiled. "You've been fighting as well, I assume. How'd that go?" Ander didn't seem too badly off, as far as Ren could tell, so it seemed as if the fight hadn't been too bad. Or perhaps the other man had already had a chance to heal up and rest.

​

With the report out of the way, Mizuki made her way to a secluded corner, somewhere close enough so that she would hear when it was time for the last fight, but far and hidden enough so that she wouldn't be able to be seen at first glance. She'd also drawn her sword and was polishing it: all of this, combined with the mixture of shadows and lighting, made for quite an intimidating appearance. Not something she intended, but if she'd known she wouldn't have minded. It would keep fools at bay.
As she wiped down her sword with a cloth, removing the grime from the cold blade, she surveyed the guild hall before her, and in particular watched what everyone else was doing. That idiot kid was making a fool of himself as usual, Thomas was it? Some girl seemed to be entertaining him as well. Whether she was really impressed, or playing along with him, Mizuki couldn't tell. The S-class member, Caliborn, was speaking to a few people, mostly women interestingly, although the one guy that had spoken to him had been both angry and sad it seemed. About nothing of significance, mind, she was sure. She watched this man leave and make his way over to... that man. The target greeted the other man with a smile, and seemed to be friendly with him.
How can he smile? He's a killer. He's a traitor. He's lying to this guild just by being here. How can he smile? She gripped her sword, grinding her teeth slightly. How can he be so calm when he's caused so much chaos?

 

Guild Hall:



Ander's pov:
"Not as well as I hoped."
He then told Ren the story of the battle with Thea.
Along with Levi story.
"I tried helping her but in the end she chose not to take that help."
Levi attacked me. Can everyone be helped ? he asked.
Ren I fear that there maybe more people here that are not what they seem.
Anyone can be out to kill you to kill the guild.
His voice serous when saying this.
First this guild attacks then this Levi.
There may be more people here hurt us to hurt you.
At first I thought that this guild that attacked might be the...
His voice was low and he trailed off.
Then he said in a low voice that only Ren could here.
"I could not save Bryce but I will not let any harm come to anyone that I care for"
He seemed sad at the mention of Bryce..
"I got this feeling that we are being watched.
Sometimes I feel like I will never be out of battle"
He was not sure why he was telling Ren this.

 

​

Ren listened to Ander carefully and tried to follow along with everything. The other man had a lot to say, and none of it really related. "There is usually somebody somewhere watching," Ren said once Ander finished. "Or at least, it's good to assume that someone is, to encourage you to be careful about what actions you take. Otherwise, what you've done in the past will undoubtedly catch up to you," Ren finished with a smile. He didn't seriously entertain the idea that they were being watched specifically though, and dismissed it as paranoia on Ander's part brought on by the stress of the battle.
"As for that Leviathan guy, forget him. What he did was wrong, but Dale dealt with it. It won't happen again, I'm sure." Ren wasn't sure he was hearing the entire story, but as far as he could tell, things had been sorted, and there really wasn't anything he could do about it. Besides, Ander's other words had intrigued him.
"Would you like to tell me about Bryce?" Ren offered. Ander seemed the type to keep his secrets close, so if he was opening up then perhaps this was his way of asking Ren for help. "He was your friend, someone you cared about, right? And the guild, it has something to do with him as well, I gather. Do you want to talk about any of that?"
He waited to see how Ander would react. He might completely blow his top and tell Ren to mind his own business, or he might close up even tighter. Or, he could do the best thing, and open up now that he had started. "I might be able to help you," Ren added as a final word of encouragement.

 

Gaius walked up to Veilen and Thomas, who seemed to be recounting their battle, and decided to chip in. "Our guy was hurling zombies at us constantly, even tryin' to turn me into one of them. If that'd happened, we would have all been screwed, I guess it's a good thing that I was strong enough to beat it. Dunno if Thomas here would've been able to take another hit from me, sometimes I wonder whether he's still recovering from the last one or not" the young mage said. He, like Veilen, much enjoyed teasing Thomas. When a guy was as easy to mess with as Thomas was, it was just about impossible not to do it. "That Orpheus guy hit pretty hard and didn't wanna go down, but he was against the strongest team in Sapphire Eclipse, so he was gonna fall in the end anyway. There isn't anybody alive that would be able to beat us, and we'll prove it to ya when we get to Ezekiel!" Gaius claimed, believing every word he spoke.


At Gaius' claim, Skadi Wynter strolled over to them. "Gaius, you're a tough fighter, and you've proven that time and time again to me, but you have to be more careful. Ezekiel's attacking an entire guild, so he's probably fairly sure he'll win. He came in before and beat the stronger members like it was nothing, does that sound like somebody you should just try to beat with a few members? If we're going to beat Ezekiel, we'll have to do it as a guild, so I don't want you going off on your own like you like too" the girl said. The tone she spoke in was a fairly serious one. She was tired both physically and emotionally after the battle against Yana, and the idea of one of her best friends getting full of himself and getting himself killed was not one she welcomed.

Gaius was surprised, but he nodded in response. "Alright. I'll try to be careful, but I'm still going to kick his ass. You don't need to worry Skadi, I'll get this guy before he can hurt anybody else" the male said, confident as ever.​

 

​

Thomas's offer to explain what would likely be him tell how the battle went while making himself seem better than what he actually did had had gain the attention of two other guild mates. The first time he attempted to speak, Gaius said what was probably closest to the truth then came Thomas saying pretty much exactly what Veilen was expecting him to say. That didn't stop Veilen form laughing at the end of it. "I suppose what we left of the undead probably had some life left in them, so the little amount of awesomeness you have was enough to snuff out the little life they had." Honestly Thomas made it too easy to tease him sometimes. "But yeah, aside from a few details about what he did, at least some of what he said was actually true." Veilen added.

 

Alessia listened to the story intently, nodding and smiling, even giggling a little at the totally ridiculous parts of Thomas' version of the tale where he clearly overplayed himself, although Gaius and Veilen obviously weren't letting that fly. There was a nice banter between them as they discussed their battle against Orpheus and could see that they were all really good friends. I hope I can find friends like that around here some day. They've already fitted in so well. I almost wish I hadn't been so stuck up and joined in their fun on the first day.
"Well Thomas that sounds amazing. All of you. It sounds like you guys really can't be beat can you?" Alessia said. She wasn't sure what to say exactly, being that she enjoyed their company plenty enough for her. Then, she had an idea. If they're so unbeatable, then why don't I test them a little? I'll have to wait until after we've beaten Ezekiel clearly, but that could be fun. I mean, I want to see where I stand compared to these guys. "I'd like to how good you are some time. Maybe if we head out on a mission together I'll see." She looked at Thomas, trying to figure him out. She wasn't terribly good at reading people though, so that wasn't going anywhere. I wonder why you winked at me... And overdoing the flirting so much. It's nice but, it doesn't feel personal to me.. It's like he's trying to chat up every girl in the room. He'll never get anywhere if he's talking generic like that. Unless he's trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator.
"Wait- What was that part about turning Gaius into an undead? What happened there?" She asked suddenly, remembering one of the crazier parts of the story and it sounded like it wasn't made up. Looking at Gaius, that must have been unpleasant.



"I'll see if I can arrange the necessary recipe books for you then Silvia." Caliborn said when she mentioned that she'd need recipes. Good progress, good progress. They'd make a guild member out of this nervous girl yet. Then, she appeared even more nervous and when he asked if she was okay, she left in a hurry. I'll ask her later, after this is over. It's better to let her be for now. She'll be ready to talk another time, but for now it's probably best to wait. Besides, she may not like talking with all these people around given that nervous disposition of hers. After she had gone, Caliborn lay back to rest again. He needed a bit more while he could still get it- They were going to face Ezekiel soon and he might be required to help fight him, so he'd be needed out there with the rest of the guild. He had to be rested up and ready and above all, he needed to naturally heal as best he could so he could use his Sky Dragon magic to fix the rest.

 

"Wow! That's pretty almost Thomas." Calxiyn glowed. "I wish I could fight half as good as you, but ya, Alessia's right, we should totally go on a Mission together sometime!"


Johanna knew she would have to come out of her room eventually. Evanora had told her she was going to lead one of the Squads. She stood at her own table, arms crossed and looking rather upset. "Squad 1! No time to lose let's go!" She snapped at the group.


Just as she heard the clearly strict Johanna, Mikasa came zipping through on her maneuver gear. She stood on one of the tables. She didn't have to say anything, but just stared at the newer Guild members so they got the idea. It wasn't a simple "Get over here" it was a "Get your asses over here before I kick them all the way to Ezekiel."

 

After lying there uselessly for a few minutes, he finally exhaled. He was calm again, although a little subdued inside. Being upset always made him feel a bit empty. It was just the way of it. So much feeling had been expended in being upset that he didn't have any more to give right now. In the back of his mind however, that same final statement flickered in his head. "You're impossible!" I'll make it up to you Johanna, somehow. Somehow I'll fix this... It's too painful for you to hate me, because you're the one thing that I've got keeping me in this guild. I'd strike out on my own and get away from all this. Sure I like it here but... there's got to be more than this. And what does it bring me? People that I can't talk to, people that I fight all the time? Hell do I even really feel proud of this guild or do I just say that? I don't know, is this what I usually think or is this just because of me worrying over her? I don't know, I don't understand! Checking that there were no signs of his tears on his face, he left his room and walked down. Evanora would need him soon for sure. He was going to lead one of the teams going to fight Ezekiel. Time to take you out you annoying *******. You've been screwing with me too long. You've made this all worse. He walked into the main hall again, now calmly opening the doors and slipping in quietly- Nothing too attention grabbing. He spotted Johanna calling her team to her. He felt a pang of sadness and he squashed it quickly. They had a job to do.
"Squad two form up on me!" Dale ordered, shouting so that people could hear him and then stepped up on to a chair so that everyone could find him. "We've got an Ezekiel to beat!" I'll let you all believe I care. Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. Right now this is what my job is to do so I better do it.



Ah, there! I'm ready! I've healed just about enough now. Caliborn summoned his magic to him and held a hand out into the air.
"Sky Dragon's heal!" He whispered, as not to attract too much attention over using a healing spell. It wasn't exactly necessary and it would be far, far overdone if he did. He felt a rush of wind around him, before feeling it flow into him, mending the injuries that he had sustained with arcane power. He felt refreshed and renewed, the magic coursing through his veins. He saw Mikasa returning and heard Johanna calling the group to arms. It's time. Caliborn swung his legs off the bed and stand up. He had only just healed, so his legs collapsed under the sudden weight, forcing him to one knee but he soon stood again far steadier than he had. "Group 3! Here! Let's save our guild!" When he looked around at everyone, he noticed something was off about Dale. Perhaps it was the slightly slumped position he was in, or the empty look in his eyes, but something seemed off- Badly off. I wonder... I heard him raising his voice earlier although I didn't hear at who. I was too busy talking to take notice. I should ask him later. I was his mentor in the guild after all.

 

Guild hall:


Amanda's pov: She got up apparently there a battle coming up, better get ready she thought, he walked in the guild hall ready for what came next.

Guild hall:

Jack's Pov: "wait", but it was to late caliborn already took off somewhere, maybe he would be able to talk to him later, for now it was time to prepare for the battle that was coming.

 

Guild Hall:



Ander's pov:
"Or at least, it's good to assume that someone is, to encourage you to be careful about what actions you take. Otherwise, what you've done in the past will undoubtedly catch up to you,
Ren said.
"Did you do something in your past that you think will catch up to you?
"Would you like to tell me about Bryce?" "He was your friend, someone you cared about, right? And the guild, it has something to do with him as well, I gather. Do you want to talk about any of that?"
Bryce saved my life.
It should have been me.
I was in charge. A leader is to die before the rest.
He was the closet thing I had as a friend for years."
The guild it ..."
His voce trailed off.


Guild Hall:



Sara's pov:
She missed her chance to talk to Cassandra.
Si
What to do?
Why was she so shy around people.
She remembered a time when she would just...
Now she thought about it she never really talked to anyone.
Maybe there would be another time to talk to her.
The battle was incoming.
She walked away from Cassandra going back to were she left her bow.

 

​

"Sure I am." Veilen replied as his laughter finally came to a halt. Recollecting himself, his attention was gain by what Alessia had said. "I'll happily show you just how good I am." He proudly declared, pumping his fist into the air. In the short time from him getting back from defeating Orpheus to now he was already feeling pumped and ready to fight.

"Group 3! Here! Let's save our guild!"

And his wait wasn't long as Caliborn had called for his group to meet up, which Veilen gladly did. So far he was the first person to head over there, least form what he could tell. The sooner that the rest of the group had got here, the soon they could go face Ezekiel.

​

Zwei hadn't done all that much aside from sit and wait around for things to pick up again. Which they soon did when Johanna had called their group. So when he headed over there, the first thing that he noticed was how Team King's flirt was there as well. Honestly Zwei didn't know what to think of this.

 

​

Ren listened to Ander closely, hoping that he would open up. He didn't get much, but at least Ander said a little more about Bryce. A good start, such as it was.
"Did you do something in your past that you think will catch up to you?"
Ren shook his head. "No, it's just a general state of mind I like to keep," he smiled. "I'm afraid my history is a bit boring and not quite as epic as I would have hoped. Mostly spent travelling, I have to say."
Ren continued, eager to leave the topic behind, and move on to Ander's issues. "I'm sorry Bryce died, but I think even you know that there was nothing you could do. He died, yes, but he did it bravely and honorably. He died fighting for something he believed in, and he only got that far because you were leading. A team is composed of at least two elements, a leader and a follower. You did your job in having the guts to bring your friends into a dangerous environment. He did his in following you there, and giving his all in an effort to complete the mission. Now all you have to do, is commend him for a job well done, mourn his loss, and then move on to continue leading," Ren said confidently, resting a reassuring hand on Ander's shoulder. "I know -" he was going to continue, but the call for the squads to form up interrupted him. He sighed and stood up to leave. "We'll talk about this later, if you want," Ren offered. "That ok with you?"

​

Thankfully it hadn't taken too long for the S-class members to call for the squads to form. This useless loitering around wasn't going to win them this battle. As for those that needed healing, perhaps it would be better to just leave such weakling behind. If the couldn't stand a few knocks then -
She stopped herself, realizing that the stress was getting to her. Right now she needed to focus. Hating on other people would just distract her from the more important task at hand. That task being handing Ezekiel his ass.
She made her way over to where Mikasa was, taking a seat nearby. It didn't seem as if the other members were in a rush, although chances were Mikasa would change that if they took too long.

 

Guild Hall:



Ander's pov:
"No, it's just a general state of mind I like to keep," he smiled. "I'm afraid my history is a bit boring and not quite as epic as I would have hoped. Mostly spent travelling, I'm have to say."
Ren past:
Boring, Ren did not seem like the type that had a boring history.
What did Ander really know about him?
He was the closest thing that came to a friend he had in 8 years.
yet, Ander told him a lot for someone he did not know well.
He has to say he was interesting in his past even if it was boring.
"one man's boring is a series of books for another"
"I'm sorry Bryce died, but I think even you know that there was nothing you could do.
He died, yes, but he did it bravely and honorably.
He died fighting for something he believed in, and he only got that far because you were leading.
A team is composed of at least two elements, a leader and a follower.
You did your job in having the guts to bring your friends into a dangerous environment.
He did his in following you there, and giving his all in an effort to complete the mission.
Now all you have to do, is commend him for a job well done, mourn his loss, and then move on to continue leading,"
"sometimes I feel like he could still be alive.
Wishful thinking I guess.
The mission never got complete.
I let it happen. I let him die.
I don't wish to lead anymore."
"Ez is calling"
"one last thing Ren" He put a hand on his shoulder.
"you can tell me anything.
I lived though more then you could imagine.
Besides it not like You will die from telling me."
When Ander said this: Besides it not like You will die from telling me." It was like it meant something.
"I would like to go on a full mission with you Ren"
perhaps we can form a team."
He was not sure if he was serious or not.
The full mission yes the team he was not sure.
"there maybe a mission of interest coming up."
"I will let you go now."

 

​

This guy... needed help. Ren wasn't the guy to give it too him, if he was honest with himself. "Yeah, sure, if there's something I ever need to tell you, I will," Ren grinned. What exactly he would need to tell Ander at any given point in time was beyond him, but it was a gesture that Ren felt he should appreciate. Somehow it just felt a little force, though. "See you later then, after this is all dealt with." Ren finally turned to leave, tapping his staff along the ground as he did so.
Four squads to choose from, with four quite different leaders. There was Mikasa, who true to form did not look inviting. Next up was Johanna, who had seemed to have contracted a similar disease to Mikasa, the one that abhorred human interaction, although in Johanna it manifested itself in a huge scowl. Damn, that was scary.
Since those two were out of the way, that left Dale and Caliborn. Caliborn was much the same as always, if a little beaten up, as was Dale who looked as pissed as usual as far as Ren could see. Hard to choose between the two... eeny meeny miney ah screw it just go with Dale because he's the closest.
Ren made his way over, making sure Dale noticed that he was joining the squad but doing no more in an effort to avoid being the target of Dale's temper. Now that he was closer to Dale, it seemed to Ren that the other man was marginally more pissed that he usually was. Wonderful.

 

Guild Hall:



Ander's Pov:
He started thinking. I hope I did not tell Ren to much.
Anyone that got close to him, friends, they did not last.
He would have to watch it this would not happen to Ren.
The list of squad sign ups went up.
Jo, Dale, Mikasa
No, Jo, does not tell you everything, Dal and Mikasa just no
that left Cailborn, well at least it would be present.
He then looked at who would be in his squad no not her anyone but her.
Cal.
Maybe it would not as pleasant as he first thought.
He found Cailborn.
"Sorry I am late."

Guild Hall



Sara's pov:
She reached her bow
Maybe if she did not touch it. It would not go off, and she might not not have the misfortune of it going off.
She was not that lucky, but it did not hurt to try.
She took a stick out of her bag and carful as she could moved her bow into her back.
She got lucky and it did not go off.
She made her way over to Johanna.
She just stood there without saying a word.

 

It was happening, the girl's dream to reach the guild and become a member was only moments ahead of her. Her eyes grazed across as a smile fell upon her lips. Hikari Akatsuki, a girl also known as Dawn, looked at the guild. It wasn't the way she expected it to be however given the destruction that was around it. Something happened to the guild of her dreams, to Sapphire's Eclipse the damage was measurable. The girl stood in shock as she looked, however the sound of people within meant the members survived. This was good. They could just repair the guild hall and things would be nice again.

The door opened as Dawn walked in. Her arms were folding over while her head was farther down than usual, frightened at if she would be accepted or not. She couldn't just walk up to someone and say hello. That wouldn't work given that she could not speak. It was a curse to say the least but it was one that she learned to live with. It had its advantages at times. All she could do was hope to tap someone's shoulder and get them to acknowledge her. The question was who though. There were so many candidates that she could choose from. It didn't help that she was just shy and didn't have the courage to actually follow through with it.

She swallowed the fear and walked to the first person she saw. He seemed happy enough. He was tall and had deep indigo hair. His clothes were that to match. (Thomas). The girl walked up to him, shyly, her finger tapping onto his shoulder. She pulled out her notepad and began to write something.

<-{ Hello }->

She pulled the paper off and held it in her hand to show the man whenever he chose to turn around.