[X784, Martell' Residence]
— Mirajane Strauss —
Watching Dannis attempt what should be an impossible feat felt surreal. He was trying to bring someone back from the dead.
Even after everything she had witnessed over the past few years, this somehow still eclipsed everything else.
Death had always been absolute. A fact of the world they live in, or at least that was what everyone had always believed.
Yet Dannis stood calmly in the center of the yard as though challenging that very law of nature. Her beloved really did have a habit of doing the impossible.
The backyard of Dannis' home had fallen silent as Dannis stood perfectly still. His eyes remained closed as his incantation echoed through the warded yard.
Every word and syllable seemed to carry a weight that made the air itself vibrate, and even Mira through the soul within her. It took a second for her to place it, but whatever was happening, Lullaby was reacting to it.
The tattoos covering the left side of Dannis' face had spread farther now, crawling down his neck before disappearing beneath his shirt, dark mist leaking from the marking like smoke.
Beneath his feet, his shadow had become a lake, a pool of endless darkness stretching unnaturally as hundreds of eyes watched from within, the eyes of the other Wraiths, but only one in particular mattered in this instance.
Wraith Jellal was like a beacon as she eyed the pool of darkness. Unlike the others, his soul shone brilliantly, shining a bright gold colour, as a twinge of red glow was visible from the markings he had on the right side of his face.
The shadow rippled as a single wave spread outward, surging toward the stone platform where Jellal's body rested.
Mira instinctively tensed. The entire pool flowed across the ground like liquid night until it reached the corpse, and Jellal's wraith slowly rose into the air, higher and higher till it reached thirty feet above his own body.
The gloomy darkness coating him since becoming a Wraith slowly peeled away like smoke blown from a flame. Instead, a radiant silver light began to emerge beneath.
Mira frowned as she saw rivets of sweat fall from Dannis' brow. His breathing had noticeably deepened and his normally steady posture had become rigid as every muscle in his body visibly strained.
The incantation never faltered, not once. But she could tell that this was costing him quite a bit. But despite that, she knew to trust him and refocused. The scenarios where the bad things could happen still rang in her mind, and she was determined to stop it if Master Mavis' fears actually came true.
A sudden pressure suddenly intensified from Dannis' magic as Mira's eyes widened. It felt as though someone had draped an impossibly heavy blanket across the entire property as the air became thick and dense and breathing itself suddenly required effort.
An unnatural cold spread throughout the yard and Mira glanced toward the massive tree Dannis had planted a year ago. The tips of its leaves had begun frosting over, tiny crystals of ice slowly crawling across the bark.
Looking around, she saw Erza shake slightly from the pressure as Mystogan's grip tightened around his staff. His expression remained composed, but she saw him subtly brace himself. Even Mavis floated lower, golden eyes fixed intently upon the ritual.
Only Laxus seemed unbothered by it, who had uncrossed his arms fully, a frown crossing over his face. Golden lightning danced lazily over his skin as his eyes remained fixed solely upon Dannis, prepared to move at a moment's notice.
Jellal's Wraith began descending, slowly. As it fell, the last traces of shadow disappeared. The dark tint that was Dannis' soul curse dissolved fully into silver light.
It looked...peaceful.
The descent finished, Jellal's ghost fully sinking into his body as a blinding flash exploded across the yard.
Mira instinctively raised an arm to shield her eyes as the light consumed everything.
Through the gap in her fingers, she saw a black pillar rise upwards from Jellal's body straight into the sky. It slammed against Mystogan's barrier with enough force to make the entire dome shimmer into existence.
"Anima!" Mystogan lifted one staff, this one clad in many Edolas runes as he began pulling some of that excess magic into the staff. Mira noticed how he focused his efforts on the loose tendrils circling the rim of the pillar instead of the pillar itself, no doubt being careful to not interrupt the ritual.
Slowly…the pillar diminished, and the blinding light faded as the weight and pressure disappeared.
Warm sunlight once again returned to the backyard as a silence swallowed the yard. Everyone waited with bated breath.
Then, Jellal inhaled sharply, his body jerked upright. His breathing was ragged as he looked around frantically, eyes wild with manic.
Mira's eyes went nowhere but to Dannis, noticing as his knees buckled the moment the ritual ended. She reached his side almost instantly.
"Easy." She put his arm over her shoulder, steadying him. His body felt frighteningly cold. "You overdid it again."
"I might have." Dannis laughed weakly. There was a redness in his eyes as if he hadn't slept in days. His breathing came in slow, exhausted breaths. Yet despite that, he smiled. "It worked."
"J-Jellal?" Erza spoke hesitantly as she took a cautious step forward. With a thought, the imposing Armadura Fairy dissolved into motes of light, replacing it with her familiar Heart Kreuz armor.
Jellal stared blankly ahead, one hand slowly rose to clutch his forehead.
"What...happened?" His voice sounded hoarse. "Where am I?"
"You're in Magnolia." Erza said softly, tears threatening to fall from her eyes, her voice trembling. "You…died, Jellal. But you came back. Do you remember anything?"
"I…do. I think. The Tower of Heaven…the council." Jellal furrowed his brow, his hand tightened against his head. He winced. "But it's all…jumbled."
Dannis nodded weakly from beside Mira. "That makes sense. Having his mind addled for over a decade…the memories are probably trying to sort themselves out."
Jellal suddenly stiffened, his breathing became erratic as his eyes widened. A manic look taking over.
"What..." His gaze slowly lowered toward his own hands. "What have I…"
His head snapped toward Erza, locking eyes with her as his expression twisted into raw anguish, "I hurt you. I–"
Whatever he wanted to say next was cut off as Erza crossed the remaining distance in an instant, wrapping both arms around him.
Jellal froze, his eyes widened. Then slowly, he returned the embrace, just as tightly.
Watching the two of them hold each other, Mirajane finally allowed herself to relax. She let out a long, quiet sigh of relief.
…
[X784, Clover Town]
— Makarov Dreyar —
Makarov filled his tankard once more.
Amber liquid splashed against the sides of the mug as he tilted the ceramic jug, the rich scent of aged ale immediately rising to greet him. He took a long pull, savoring the familiar warmth that spread down his throat before setting the drink back upon the polished oak table with a satisfied sigh.
"Ahh..."
There were few things in life as comforting as sharing a drink with old friends, especially after everything that had transpired over the past month.
Around the circular table sat four individuals whom Makarov had known for decades, each one guildmasters of their own right as they attended the meeting that Makarov himself had asked them for.
Of course, as was the norm for them, the supposed meeting began with a round of drinks as they all began catching up with recent events.
"My, my, Makarov. An alternate dimension? Fairy Tail's shenanigans remain to be quite mystical as always," Bob, Master of Blue Pegasus, leaned gracefully against his chair, elegantly swirling the wine inside his crystal glass.
A raucous laughter came from Goldmine, Master of Quatro Cerberus. "Things certainly hadn't changed from when we were young, eh?"
"Hmph, I forgot that all of you were once Fairy Tail mages yourselves before leaving and founding your own guilds," the only woman of the group, Ooba Babasaama, Guild Master of Lamia Scale, noted.
"That was a long time ago," Makarov smiled nostalgically. Images surfaced unbidden of a much younger Bob, along with Goldmine before his beard had turned gray.
The three of them with Porlyusica receiving mission after mission beneath Master Precht's leadership. Those days felt like another lifetime.
"We caused plenty of trouble ourselves."
"That's an understatement." Bob laughed. "I distinctly remember someone destroying and flattening an entire forest because he misjudged the force behind his Titan Magic."
Ooba paused, head slowly turning towards Makarov, who coughed into his fist.
"...It grew back, didn't it?"
Goldmine burst into roaring laughter. "Ohoho! I remember that! It took Master Precht three months to stop complaining."
"It wasn't entirely my fault." Makarov grumbled.
"Oh?" Bob raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Then whose fault was it, dear Makarov?"
Seeing his silence, both Bob and Goldmine burst into laughter and even Ooba failed to suppress a small smile.
Despite being the source of teasing, Makarov let out a few chuckles himself. It felt…nice. They all knew half the reason they were here anyway. Despite it officially being a meeting amongst guildmasters, all of them still had to grieve for another lost friend.
Raising his tankard, he thought to himself. 'This is for you, Yajima.'
Swinging back the drink, Makarov placed his mug down on the table as his cheerful expression slowly faded.
"Perhaps..." His voice became noticeably more serious. "It's time we begin the meeting proper."
The atmosphere shifted almost instantly.
Bob nodded as Goldmine straightened in his chair. Even Ooba placed her teacup neatly upon its saucer.
Makarov folded his hands, gaze sweeping across the room "We're here to discuss the aftermath of the defeat of Oración Seis . I apologize for the delay, considering Fairy Tail's recent troubles. Now then, how are each of your guilds faring?"
"While we suffered some attacks, they weren't too damning, all things considered." Bob said, waving dismissively.
"The same goes for Lamia Scale." Ooba said, "I had worries since sending both Jura and Leon weakened us considerably. Fortunately, my remaining wizards proved more than capable."
"Fairy Tail was the same," Makarov nodded, remembering the few attacks that underwent the guild when Dannis' team was still in the Worth Woodsea. "It at least confirms a few things for us, mainly that the Balam Alliance aren't united in the truest sense."
"They're cooperating, but only when convenient." Ooba observed with a tilt of her head. "Though we have to be careful going forward. Oración Seis' defeat might push both Hades and Mard Geer to work more closely together."
"That is my fear," Makarov nodded.
"Tch, I'm kind of jealous of all the attention you lot are getting now." Goldmine said, taking one of the pitchers and pouring himself a drink. "I knew I should've joined the alliance when I could."
"Why didn't you?" Ooba questioned.
"Bacchus and my other senior wizards were doing their own S-Class mission," Goldmine huffed. "I wasn't about to throw my younger lot against Oración Seis of all people."
A sensible decision, Makarov thought. The only reason Makarov was confident in sending the less experienced mages like Lucy and Lisanna was because three S-Class mages were there, and he had been proven right.
Dannis, Mira, and Erza were more than capable in defending their guildmates. It also allowed the others to gain valuable experience in taking down powerful dark mages. Experience that was sorely needed in these trying times.
"Hmm," Bob hummed aloud, gently swirling the wine inside his glass. "Regardless, the victory stands. Oración Seis is defeated, their core members dead or captured. Last I heard, Angel, Cobra, and Hoteye are being kept in the Magic Council's high security prison. All prisoners kept in the Ring have never once seen the light of day again."
"Another problem is the fact that Oración Seis' subordinate guilds had scattered to the winds. At least those that weren't captured." Makarov said, "Many surviving Dark Guilds sought new protection, going under Grimoire Heart or Tartaros. But the former's recruitment slowed considerably after they themselves were caught into Edolas, which allowed Tartaros to grab the majority."
"Oho...that is rather concerning." Bob's smile finally disappeared. "That would make Tartaros the strongest Dark Guild currently operating with both quality and quantity."
Makarov's mind turned back to Edolas, the weight of magic that the one called Hades possessed. He swirled the drink in his hands, wondering why in Mavis' name did the man feel familiar. "I wouldn't say so."
It tugged insistently at memories Makarov couldn't quite grasp. As though he had once known the man a long time ago. But that was impossible…wasn't it?
Bob tilted his head. "No?"
Before Makarov could explain further, the doors to the conference room slammed open. Every Guild Master immediately turned to see a young man stumbling inside, breathing heavily.
"M-Master Makarov!"
"Mest?"
The Fairy Tail mage nearly doubled over trying to catch his breath. His chest rose and fell rapidly, urgency radiated from every movement.
Makarov was already on his feet. "What happened?"
"Master Makarov, we have an emergency." Mest panted, "The Magic Council's prison was attacked!"
…
AN: Here we are, something I've been planning for a long time, and that is the resurrection of Jellal Fernandez through Dannis' soul curse magic.
I don't think it was ever explained how Wendy just fully resurrected a man back to life in the Oracion Seis arc and how it was never mentioned again.
That is crazy. Wendy literally brought A MAN BACK TO LIFE and IT WAS JUST GLOSSED OVER.
Well that won't happen here, certainly not, because this action will have consequences. After all, does not a god of life and death exist? One that has been shown to be incredibly petty?
Anyways, the next arc is gonna be really fun. The Tenrou arc is literally the top 3 arcs in all of Fairy Tail and thus translating that into a fic to make it just as interesting is going to be hard, but I relish in the challenge.
Advanced chapters on my p-word! Chapter 114, which is the start of the new acts should be available now! Check it out plss!