Chapter 375: Mobilizing
(Jason's POV)
"Not sure if it'll become a problem or not..." I said
"It's going to become a problem, Jason..." Lucy said
I looked at her, "Oh, you think so?" I said sarcastically
We were in the main briefing room, gathered. The majority of the Fairy Tail members were present, mostly the S-Class mages and the other prominent members.
I had told them of what had happened. About Erion showing a bit of hostility towards Wendy out of the blue. The little Dragon Slayer was a bit flustered and she was feeling down because of it. Not her fault.
"Why would he react to her like that?" Makarov asked me
Mavis also looked at me, "Yes, Jason." She said, "It's a bit odd."
"Hm..." I said crossing my arms
I had put Erion to sleep and him in a secured and sealed room inside the Ship. I had it reinforced with enchanted steel beams and made sure his bed was comfortable enough for him not to be bothered by it. Felicity was also monitoring him and would alert me if he woke up or threw any sort of tantrum. He was fed and changed for the time being so that bought us some time to not worry about him.
Man, what a Dad I am. I don't know how to do it, to be honest.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he growled at Natsu, honestly." Gray chimed in, "He did punch him."
"He was a dragon, how was I supposed to know?" Natsu said while flustered, "I'm sorry Jason..."
I was pacing back and forth, "No, it's okay." I said, "Maybe he's a bit traumatized, you guys don't know what he went through right after birth."
Mavis looked at me, "You mentioned Acnologia.." She said
I nodded, "He fought the Dragon King." I told her, "Acnologia ripped his chest to shreds and displayed his overwhelming power."
They all gasped with surprised, as if they didn't expect to hear something like that.
"Maybe he smelled that Wendy was a dragon slayer and felt a bit threatened..." I said, "Or maybe....."
I then remembered my fight with Natsu all that time ago. Yea, I think I know what it was. Erion must've sensed Grandine inside Wendy and since Grandine is a Dragon, he felt threatened by her for some reason. I might also be right about him being traumatized by Acnologia, the poor kid, he was only a newborn dragon, getting attacked by that bastard.
"Maybe what?" Mavis asked me
I looked at her, she was looking at me with a concerned face.
"N-Nothing..." I said looking away, "It could be that she's a dragon slayer."
I don't think now's the time to tell them that they still have their Dragons inside them. I did tell Igneel that his time isn't here yet. Which brings me to another issue at hand. Acnologia...
I'll deal with that when the time comes. There are still a lot of questions I need answered but for now, Zeref and Alvarez should be my priority.
"Why would he be threatened by that?" Laxus asked, "Acnologia is a dragon."
I looked at him, "He was a Dragon Slayer at first, then he became a dragon." I said, "Or so the legends say, I don't know much about it. I'm not saying that that's a for sure thing, I'm just theorizing. Either way, I don't think it's appropriate that any dragon slayer gets near him, including you Laxus."
He nodded, "Fine by me." He said seriously
Wendy looked at me, "I was going to help Lucy with him..." She said with a sad tone, "I'm sorry."
I smiled, "Don't worry, kiddo." I said patting her on the head, "Ain't your fault."
"I ain't good with kids anyways..." Natsu said poking his nose
"Nobody was going to ask you to babysit, Natsu.." I heard Happy say
"Jason." Makarov said, "There is one thing that's bothering me. And it isn't just me...."
I looked at him, "What is it?"
He looked at me, "The boy..." He said, "He.....well....."
I gave him a serious look, silently telling him to drop the subject. Out of all the people here besides Mavis, he's probably the only one who will understand why I would keep quiet about something.
Makarov closed his eyes, "Never mind." He said, "Let's focus on the important matter at hand.....where we should mobilize our forces...."
I nodded, "Yea." I said turning around and beginning to walk, "You do that. Let me know what you come up with."
I'm glad he caught the silent message. Right now, there are a lot of secrets that I'm keeping and I am in no mood to address them. There's also the fact that it ain't the right time to tell the truth.
Or is it?
I don't know anymore. There's the whole thing with Silver and Gray. Erion and Erza. And then there was Mavis and.....
I turned to see Mavis giving me a neutral yet serious look as I was walking away.
"Hm...." I said quietly
It appears she caught on to something. She ain't stupid.
I'm sure she'll ask me about this later.
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(3rd Person POV)
In the Western side of Fiore, several hundred miles from the coast a massive army of hundreds of thousands was marching down a chokepoint; a small ravine that was formed by something or someone that had several fortifications on it ranging from turret towers, barriers, and minefields.
This chokepoint had slowed down the advance of Alvarez's Western Armies that were supposed to invade right after Ajeel and Brandish's Vanguard armies. They were being bombarded by artillery fire as several magical barriers were deployed, preventing any physical advance.
It had been hours since they had been halted by there was no progress.
In the far rear of the Army's march, a lone figure stood atop what seemed like a platform with wheels underneath that was being pulled by several magical beasts.
It was Emperor Spriggan, or rather Zeref, The Black Wizard.
"Hm...." He said, "I figured we'd be farther along by now....."
Out of nowhere, a soldier appeared via teleportation, kneeling down.
"Your Majesty!" He said without making eye contact, "Invel-sama says that the army has been halted by what looks like a heavily fortified chokepoint!"
Zeref placed his hand on his chin, "Interesting...." He said, "I knew this landscape seemed different than before. And not only that, our Air Fleet has been halted and stalled all over the county at the borders....."
"My apologies, your majesty..." The soldier said, "Invel-sama says it'll take a bit to try and break through."
Zeref smiled slightly, "This is not the work of the Magic Council...." He said, "This is his doing, for sure....."
"Jason..."