Five Little Sacrifices

Chapter 33

"No mold in east", Sting assured.

"Not in west either", Natsu said.

"The library mountain is clear as well", Wendy said.

"What about south and the middle of the town?" Roscoe asked.

"Nothing here", Rogue said and they heard Laxus grunting something agreeing.

It was such a relief and the townspeople who had came with them cheered. Since there was no mold and nothing smelled suspicious, the air wasn't poisonous.

"There are no much moss anymore", Laxus said. "And all that's left is frozen because of the weather."

"It's like these mountains are protecting our town", Roscoe smiled. "Now we can get rid of the moss before it can cause more damage."

"You can all come in the town but be careful", Laxus said.

"Be prepared when you come. It's not a beautiful sight", Natsu warned with a serious tone.

They all started to approach the town. Soon they were on its streets, looking around and Freed heard gasps. So many buildings were nothing but ruins anymore. Fire had destroyed most of the town and even though there were so much snow all around, they could see blackened houses and walls.

Crying was inevitable when the people who used to live in this town could see all the destruction. No matter how much white snow fell down from the sky it wasn't enough to cover what all horrible things happened here.

Freed moved his gaze when he saw corpses lying on the street. They had done their best yet there was so many lost lives... If only they had known about the attack sooner...

"Let's scatter around and investigate the whole town", Erza said. "If you see anything even slightly strange, inform others immediately. Do not walk alone", she commanded and others nodded. "Stay in groups of at least three people and do not touch anything if you're not sure what it is."

One after another they decided who would go with who. They decided it would be the best if at least one mage would go with those who had no magic. Freed was waiting for his group and soon a man and a woman stepped ahead. Freed frowned as he saw something familiar in that man with a black long hair...

"Ketkel", he said surprised when he recognized that face.

"So you do remember me", Ketkel chuckled. "It's nice to see you again, Mr. Justine. Oh, I mean Dreyar", he quickly corrected himself. "I heard about the wedding, congratulations."

"Thank you", Freed nodded with a smile. He had ended up taking Laxus' surname after all, it made things simpler. And if he was completely honest, it had been somewhat a dream of his to be called Freed Dreyar.

"I can go to another group if this is not okay", Ketkel assured. He had some really haunting memories of a certain lightning dragon slayer almost making him soil himself when he tried to approach the rune mage...

"It's alright, Ketkel. It's in the past. And you are?" Freed asked politely from the woman who smiled.

"My name is Milalai, nice to meet you", Milalai said. "So which way should we go?"

"I was thinking about going to see the library", Freed said and Ketkel and Milalai nodded.

"Freed!" they heard Levy's voice and looked at the tiny woman who came to them with two others. "You're going to the library right?" she asked.

"Yes", Freed nodded. "Do you want to come with us?"

"If you don't mind", Levy smiled. "It's a big area to investigate, better if there are more of us, right?"