On the second floor of the Fairy Tail guild hall, several of the guild's top wizards — Makarov, Kael, Laxus, Erza, and Mirajane — were gathered around a large table for a private S-Class meeting.
Ur had departed a few days earlier, heading north to complete an S-Class mission and investigate some matters of her own.
Laxus leaned against the railing with his usual air of impatience. "Old man, I remembered your rule — no fighting between guilds, no starting a war with Phantom Lord. As soon as I got wind of their movements, I came straight back. Didn't even throw a punch." His tone was respectful on the surface but laced with annoyance.
Kael didn't buy a word of it. Knowing Laxus, he'd normally be the first to storm into Phantom Lord's base and start a brawl. If he actually restrained himself, it was probably because Mirajane had dragged him back by force.
Glancing toward her, Kael caught Mira's uneasy expression — clearly, she didn't want to expose Laxus. Still, the knowing look in her eyes told Kael there was more going on between the two than they were admitting.
Makarov finally spoke after a long pause. "You did well, Laxus. If we had been the ones to start the fight, the Council would've had every reason to come down on us. We can't afford that."
Erza slammed her hands on the table, standing abruptly. "So we're supposed to just sit and wait for them to strike first, Master?!"
"Exactly!" Mira added, her brows furrowed. "What's our plan, then?"
Makarov's tone deepened. "Guilds are forbidden from engaging in open war. It's one of the core rules of the Council. For now, all we can do is stay alert and prepare."
After some discussion, they reached a cautious compromise: during missions, at least two S-Class wizards would remain in the guild at all times, in case of any sudden attack.
Kael approved of the decision — it was exactly what he'd been thinking. Even if Phantom Lord made a move, Fairy Tail would be ready.
Days passed in eerie calm. Not a whisper of trouble came from Phantom Lord. Even Kael started wondering if Jose, their master, had realized that his guild couldn't possibly match Fairy Tail's strength — and decided to back down.
But Kael was wrong.
That very evening, deep within Phantom Lord's base, Jose sat upon his throne, cloaked in shadow. The dim light barely revealed his form, but the chilling aura rolling off him was unmistakable. His entire guild gathered below, silent and fearful.
Ever since Jose had returned from his last excursion, something about him had changed. His magic had grown darker — twisted — and he'd become increasingly cruel. A few members who failed him had "disappeared," and that alone had been enough to keep the rest in line.
"Master," one of the mages spoke up nervously, "Jude Heartfilia has issued a request. He wants us to bring his daughter, Lucy, back to him."
Jose's lips curved in a cold smile beneath his hood. "Oh? Then this… is the perfect opportunity."
His gaze swept across the hall. "Gajeel. Element Four. Come with me."
Before anyone could blink, his form blurred and vanished into darkness.
The members he had named exchanged uneasy glances, then looked upward — to the roof, where Gajeel stood, smirking down at them.
"No need to stare," he said, cracking his neck with a grin. "Looks like the boss has something big planned. And it's been too long since I had a good workout anyway."
Time passed quietly in Magnolia. Laxus grew restless again, half-convinced Phantom Lord had fed him false rumors just to mess with him. Even the guild's members began to sense something was off — the S-Class wizards hadn't taken a single high-level mission since returning from Galuna Island.
Instead, they'd been sticking to simple first-floor jobs, and that made the others uneasy. After all, the number of completed S-Class missions was a point of pride for Fairy Tail's reputation.
But there was no choice. To keep the guild safe, Makarov had ordered the S-Class wizards to rotate duties, ensuring that at least a few stayed behind at all times.
Just the day before, the Council had issued a special assignment — one specifically naming Laxus. That left only Kael, Erza, and Mirajane to guard the guild.
It was a normal afternoon. Kael strolled through Magnolia's market district with Cana, helping her pick up supplies for the guild's next event.
But then — his senses sharpened.
A pulse of unfamiliar magic flared from the tallest building in the eastern part of town. It was faint but distinct — and it didn't belong to anyone from Fairy Tail.
Kael's eyes narrowed. So it begins…
He didn't act immediately. Instead, he waited patiently for nightfall, knowing exactly who was coming.
Night — Fairy Tail Guild Hall.
"Tch. The Master only wants me to sabotage the place in the middle of the night? Hah, what a waste. I was hoping for some real fun."
Gajeel crept into the darkened guild hall, the moonlight spilling across empty tables and silent walls. He scowled — disappointed that there was no one to fight.
"Iron Dragon's Club!" he growled, summoning his steel-coated weapon — but before he could swing it, something cold pressed against his throat.
A gleaming blade of light.
"Tell me," came a calm, almost bored voice from above, "who gave you the guts to trespass in Fairy Tail?"
The lights flicked on with a sharp snap.
Kael stood on the second floor balcony, his eyes glowing faintly as his magic flared around him. The luminous sword at Gajeel's neck didn't waver.
"So," Gajeel sneered, baring his teeth, "someone's actually home. The Holy Ten wizard — Kael. I've been dying to see what all the fuss is about."
That smug grin — Kael had seen it before. It reminded him of Lyon, Gray's old rival, just before Kael had humbled him the same way.
"You really don't understand the difference between us," Kael said softly. "Then allow me to show you."
In an instant, a crushing wave of magic exploded from him, filling the entire hall.
"—!"
The floor beneath Gajeel's feet shattered with a thunderous crack. His knees buckled as the sheer pressure bore down on him like a mountain. Every breath became agony.
"This… this magic power… it's not human!" he choked out, his teeth grinding.
In his vision, Kael's form twisted — not human, but something monstrous, divine. The air itself felt heavier, suffocating under the weight of pure magical force.
Just as Gajeel was about to pass out, the pressure vanished. Kael lowered his magic, the atmosphere instantly lightening.
Gajeel collapsed to the floor, gasping for air, trembling from head to toe.
"Well?" Kael asked quietly, appearing beside him in a blink. His tone was calm, but his gaze sharp as a blade. "Do you understand now?"
The only sound that filled the hall was Gajeel's ragged breathing.
...
Hey everyone! Want to read ahead and unlock up to 100 early-access chapters? 📖Plus, enjoy even more exclusive novels! Join my Patreon now and dive into the adventure!
patreon.com/Rawink00