Chapter 7
Separated?!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters, only my own OC's and Ideas
.:+:.
Hora sighed slightly, her blue gaze shifting over the room around her slowly, landing on each figure of Sting, Rogue, Lector and Frosch where they were strewn about the room on the couch, and a cot that had been pulled from a closet and lain on the floor. They lay, sleeping deeply and completely dead to the world, she doubted she'd be able to wake them before they wanted to- all their tension, fear and worry seemed to have caught up with them tenfold, and hit them like a train. So much so, that they had passed out at her apartment rather than going back to their own... not that she necessarily minded.
She leaned against the doorframe leading in toward the kitchen, her arms crossed over her chest and eyes glinting in the light of the silvery moonlight filtering in through the open window to bathe the room. They had stayed long after she had finished talking, resorting to simply telling her what had been going on at the Guild while she had been out of it, and what measures they had been taking to keep the fact they had helped her against Jiemma's orders out of the limelight. She'd have to thank Yukino and Rufus when she got that chance... but she was a little confused still.
They said that Jiemma had been locked up in his office for the past week, with no reason at all- and that he hadn't been sending out orders or anything. And on top of that, Minerva had been gone on some assignment that her father sent her to, and she still wasn't back either, which meant whatever she was working on was considerably delicate, or difficult. Maybe even both, but what could either of those two be doing?
She had the distinct feeling she was sure to find out when they went to the Guild tomorrow, and she flinched slightly at the feeling of dread creeping into the pits of her being.
Sting, Rogue, Rufus and Orga would be leaving to go on their Training for the GMG soon, so she wouldn't be seeing them at all up until the GMG- Minerva never allowed any 'outside distractions', and it wasn't as if she and Hora saw eye to eye on any regular day anyway. But she would miss having the rest of them around, they would be gone for a number of months.
She coughed into her hand as a flash of pain ran through her chest suddenly, hissing slightly at the metallic taste that came with it, as she turned into the kitchen and away from the sleeping figures so she wouldn't wake them up.
'You feel something is amiss, do you not?'
Hora bit the inside of her cheek for perhaps the fiftieth time, hearing the sudden cold, wispy voice reverberate through her mind again- however much she attempted to ignore it.
Amiss?
Hora stopped beside the kitchen sink, her hands falling atop the edge of the basin and shoulders hunching. Her blue gaze swept out the window set atop the sink, seeing the distant figure of SaberTooth's grand Guild Hall atop the hill at the edge of town, overlooking the darkened and silent buildings of the town cowering in fear under its shadow... always.
She blinked, eyes narrowing and glinting suddenly in slight anger at the thought. She could feel something was off, yes. She felt something deep inside her gut, and it wasn't just that things had changed now that her friends knew how deep her pain was running... it was something else. Something deeper, something darker... it was a feeling that was festering at the edge of her senses, so faint and so far out of reach she couldn't begin to place what it meant- but it was still there. Something heavy, something that had her one edge constantly, and it was getting worse and worse.
There was some sort of dark cloud amassing on the far horizon, growing larger and larger in size. The storm it would unleash was growing in power, and it was slowly coming closer and closer, threatening to unleash it's fury on her head.
'A blizzard rising, is it?'
Her fingers gripped the edge of the sink tightly, eyes shutting tight. She let out a small hiss of agitation, she wouldn't answer that voice though, she wasn't going to allow herself to give into it... she wanted it gone.
It had been so very long since she had heard that icy, cold phantom hissing away inside her mind. Years... and she hadn't ever missed it, not really. And now that it was back, she felt that sense of dread rising higher and higher.
Something's coming... something dark.
Her eyes shift from the window toward the dark entryway into the living room, the sound of their soft breathing reached her ears.
.... What'll happen.. to them..?
.:+:.
"Hora..!"
Hora glanced ahead, her eyes opening as she was snapped from her thoughts. The sun shone over Saber Town as she, Rogue, Sting, Lector and Frosch made it to the top of the hill in which the Guild Hall stood. She smiled just faintly, seeing Yukino rushing from the front of the hall toward their small group, worry and sudden relief etched into her features, Orga and Rufus followed behind the bluenette more slowly.
Hora drew to a halt as Yukino stopped just in front of her, Yukino threw her arms around the older girl lightly, pulling Hora close and squeezing gently.
"I'm so glad to see you looking so much better, I was so worried!" Yukino said quickly, Hora stiffened slightly at the unexpected contact, but let it go. She took in a small breath as Yukino pulled away, her heart clenching to see the concern shining brightly in her eyes. "How are you feeling? Are you ok? What happened?"
"... take a breath, Yukino." Hora murmured softly, smiling slightly.
"Seeing you walking around is cause for relief at any rate." Rufus murmured lightly,
"You were gone so long though, Master's been getting fidgety." Orga mumbled, directing his attention toward Sting and Rogue. "He's been waiting on you two, to send us off on our Training for the Games." Sting and Rogue sweatdropped slightly,
"Is he in a worse mood than usual?" Sting mumbled,
"Only slightly." Rufus murmured. Hora bit the inside of her lip a moment, "He's been locked up in his office a lot, with several letters coming in from the Council."
"The Council..?" Hora murmured under her breath, eyes narrowing a moment. What on earth could the Council be discussing with Jiemma so frequently?
"Hora." Yukino called her attention again, Hora blinked. "What happened? Are you alright?"
Hora paused a small moment, feeling her heart jump a little as she sweatdropped. Even Orga and Rufus and Yukino all looked worried... worried about her. She hated this, she didn't want them scared or concerned about her, she hated the attention.
I hate all of this.
She smiled slightly, it was meant to be reassuring but she couldn't make it as bright as she wanted to, she just seemed tired- and she was, she hadn't slept since coming back.
"I'm fine, really." Hora replied softly, "Lamia's Sky God Slayer healed me up, so I really am ok. I'm just a little tired and frazzled from everything is all. You don't need to worry so much."
Damn it, she could feel Rogue, Lector, Frosch, and Sting's unbelieving stares on her back. They knew better than to know she was ok, even slightly.
They saw the broken pieces, and they'll never forget it either.
"Are you sure?" Yukino asked, Hora nodded,
"Yeah I'm sure, I'm just glad to be back." She smiled a little brighter this time around. "I suppose I ought to say thanks, too. For helping out you guys." She nodded to Yukino, Rufus and Orga alike. "I appreciate it."
"Of course." Rufus nodded,
"No prob." Orga smirked slightly, not that Hora was sure he really did anything, but he'd pout if she didn't say it. She smiled internally in slight amusement.
"You don't have to thank us, of course we'd help." Yukino murmured, though Hora knew helping had been forbade, and she was a little miffed they had- they could have been placed under Jiemma's wrath for all their help, regardless of good intentions. She hated to think what might have happened if Jiemma had found they were helping, she supposed it was good luck that Jiemma had been preoccupied. And a good thing Minerva had not been around either,
Hora took in a small breath, her eyes falling closed a small moment.
She felt the distinct urge to simply turn away from the Guild Hall and walk back down the hill, to leave the Guild behind and alone for another day... but she couldn't. She had to face that bastard of a man sometime, and she'd ought to do it sooner rather than later. Jiemma was never much of a fan of her being away for too long without knowing precisely what she was up to, that came with the territory of being his slave.
She growled inwardly, her eyes opening again as she rest her hands on her hips for a moment. "Well, better get this over with, hmm?" She murmured, she glanced backward at Rogue and Sting, who blinked, sweatdropping slightly. "You know Jiemma's gonna be pissed if you stay away any longer." They nodded slightly m though they looked less than happy about it.
A part of her figured they were worried that Master Jiemma would still be on the warpath, and they certainly would hate for Hora to be the center of his brutality again, especially after just getting back on her feet.
There was no avoiding Jiemma though, at least not for much longer- even for Hora. She was his property after all, and he liked to keep what was his very, very close.
Her fists clenched at the thought, cursing the man for maybe the millionth time in her life, and hating him all the more. Most days she wished Jiemma didn't exist, others she wished their paths had never crossed... and some days, awful as it was, she wished that man was dead.
Sting and Rogue's eyes glittered in the deepest sort of uncertainty and tension she had ever seen from the both of them, at least up until the last few days anyway.
She looked away, she couldn't look at their worried faces anymore, and she carefully avoided the gaze of everyone else around her as well. She stepped forward and approached those grand doors into the Guild Hall, sweatdropping slightly as they creaked on their hinges, and the entirety of the inside of the hall went deathly silent. All eyes turned toward the group coming inside, most eyes trained to her first, before seeing the collection of Sting, Rogue, Rufus and Orga together. The Guild was of course waiting for Jiemma to send the GMG team on their Training, and many of them wondered if he would, and when the last member of the team would be joining the rest. Minerva had been gone since the day Hora was given her punishment, the same day Master shut himself up in his office and had seldom been seen since.
Hora felt a shiver run down her spine, she could feel Jiemma's Magical Presence prickling at the air on the floor above, she could nearly feel his looming, and she swallowed, her heart dropping slightly.
He was waiting for us... shit.
"Master, we're back!" Sting called, his expression falling blank but Hora could tell he was tense.
"Do you intend to make your Master wait long for you to wander back?!"
Hora flinched, including everyone in the hall as Jiemma's booming voice shook the air. Instinctively there was a shuffling of feet as everyone lined up in rows, their attention turning toward the balcony of the second floor as they saw Jiemma's massive figure looming there, the air around him dark and heavy with his anger and bubbling rage. Sting and Rogue lines up on either side of Hora, eyes trained to the man and shoulders rigid, while everyone else lined up around them, shoulder to shoulder... like soldiers.
Hora bit the inside of her cheek as Jiemma's eyes landed on her, forcing herself to keep her expression neutral. "And you, you little rat. Have you learned your lesson or will you be needing a reminder?" Jiemma growled, his words dripping in malicious intent. Hora felt Rogue and Sting press closer to her, she grabbed the back of their shirts lightly and tugged them, making sure Jiemma didn't see, before she shot the both of them a warning glance.
"No, Master." Hora replied steadily, her teeth gritting slightly. "I've learned, I will not disobey you again." Jiemma growled slightly, his gaze piercing as Hora held it steadily.
The monstrous man suddenly turned and made his way to the ground floor, taking a seat in the large throne set at the center of the back wall just below the balcony.
"You four." Jiemma hissed, his eyes landing on Sting, Rogue, Rufus and Orga collectively. They stepped forward slightly, nodding a little. "You'll be leaving immediately to train for the GMG. You had best make sure you will not lose, SaberTooth is the strongest Guild, don't you dare disgrace this Guild, or you will be punished." Jiemma growled, Hora bit her cheek again, her eyes narrowing to slits as she felt anger boil inside of her. The four standing ahead of her all nodded solemnly, looking tense but they hit it well enough- they heard the same words every year of course.
There was a great deal of stress and danger that came with being a part of the GMG team, especially in this Guild. Each and every person knew that if any of that team were to lose a match in the GMG, or even slightly slip up enough to anger Jiemma, they would be met with the harshest of punishments, and the full wrath of Jiemma's rage. Jiemma cared for the Guild's reputation above all, and he certainly wouldn't stand for the GMG team to fall short of his expectations. If they did, the backlash would be... cruel.
A part of her worried most around this time of year with the GMG. Sting, Rogue, Rufus and Orga were all very strong, and they usually had no trouble in the Games, but she still worried. Jiemma wasn't a forgiving man, and it would take little to set him off.
"Will the Lady be joining us before we leave, Master?" Rufus murmured,
"Minerva is busy on an important assignment from the Magic Council." Jiemma growled, Hora blinked, along with most everyone else in the building. "Until her assignment is complete, Yukino will take her place in the Grand Magic Games."
Hora felt her heart drop to her stomach, and icy chill washing over her as her eyes instinctively snapped left toward where Yukino was standing.
Yukino went rigid, a haunted and terrified look flitting across her face as Jiemma's piercing stare suddenly settled on her. Hora sweatdropped heavily, mimicked by most everyone in the room as their hearts seemed to stop.
He's sending Yukino into the Games?! She's never participated before, she's not in practice either!
Hora knew Yukino's limits, and she knew well that she was not the sort of fighter suited for the challenges the Games offered. She wasn't practiced for the combat required in the Games, especially not if Fairy Tail was going to join, and even Lamia's best Wizards. The likelihood that Yukino could lose a match she was forced into wasn't an unbelievable notion, and if she did lose, Hora hated to think what Jiemma would do to her.
A flash of pain ran through her core, she had to try hard not to cough as her heart started beating faster, seeing the terror grow in Yukino's face as she was sure the same sort of thoughts Hora had were suddenly going through Yukino's own mind.
Without even thinking about it, Hora stepped forward ahead of Sting, Rogue, Rufus and Orga, her deep blue gaze locking to Jiemma unflinchingly.
"Master, I would gladly take the Lady's place in the Grand Magic Games instead. Surely you'd prefer someone with prior experience in the Games?" Hora said quickly, she couldn't let Yukino participate, it was too great a risk to take, she couldn't!
Rogue and Sting stiffened, sweatdropping and jaws clenching as Hora suddenly stepped forward- they hated how quickly Hora stepped in, especially when they knew the Master wouldn't take to it kindly.
Hora you idiot!
"Hold your tongue, rat!" Jiemma boomed, standing up from his seat and causing Hora to step back slightly, though her gaze remained firm. "How dare you question my orders?!" He snapped, Hora forced herself to lower her head a little, her eyes falling to the floor.
".. I meant no offense, Master. I simply had the Guild's interests in mind." She murmured softly, submissively.
... I am so done giving in.... damn it..!
"Speak out of line like that again, and you'll be met with a punishment worse than what you received the week prior!" Jiemma boomed, his anger bubbling more and more now, the whole Guild fell deathly silent. "You are being sent away on another matter entirely, and you will have no part to play in the Grand Magic Games, or any part in observing it either!"
Hora's head snapped up in shock, eyes wide and heart jumping slightly at the sudden affirmation. Everyone else in the hall exchanged glances, not sure where the sudden change in subject had come from, or even what the Master was referring to at all. Hora was at a loss for words, she hadn't been expecting for Jiemma to plan something else for her to do, she'd always been around to watch the Games.
She tensed, and her heart dropped a little.
Jiemma only ever 'sent her away' when it was something important, high paying... and dangerous.
"I am sending you on an assignment sent from the Chairman of the Magic Council. You are to complete it in full, and you will do so in a way that represents the power and the reputation of this Guild- and you will do so without fail, and without complaint." Jiemma growled, stalking right up to her as Hora remained rooted to her spot, her mind racing suddenly at just what in the hell this 'assignment' was. From the Chairman?
She stiffened, her deep blue gaze fixed to Jiemma as he glowered down at her, the air around him dark and laced with menace and no small amount of rage and hatred. And danger, warning-
"Fail this assignment, and you will wish you had died doing it." He hissed lowly, his voice dropping so low she was the only one who could possibly hear him.
"And the rest of these worthless rats will pay for your mistakes."
Hora's jaw clenched, fear racing through her heart suddenly. He knew, Jiemma knew what the utmost punishment for her was. Not beating her, not killing her- but hurting everyone else.
Hora's gaze dropped, her head lowering in submission she had no choice but to show. In her heart was that burning hatred for the man, the fire that screamed at her to disobey, to stand up to him, to say no.
But she didn't have a choice, he knew how to beat her, she was his Slave... and she had no choice. She gave in, but she hated herself for it.
Rogue and Sting stared with wide eyes, sweatdropping heavily and suddenly seeing that indignation growing in Hora so suddenly die out, as her head fell in complete submission, utterly defeated.
"Yukino will take Minerva's spot on the team." Jiemma growled, his voice ringing around the hall. Everyone stood in terrified silence, Hora couldn't bring herself to look back, she couldn't take it, she couldn't handle seeing that terror and heart-wrenching fear in Yuikino's eyes. "Failure is not an option."
'A slave, and a coward.'
Hora's eyes shut tight against the hissing in her head.
..... weak.
.:+:.
Hora grit her teeth, her eyes shut tight as she stood alone in the center of the dark train station, she had only been there yesterday, and already it felt like a million years. Her hand gripped her shirt about her chest, sweatdropping and the other hand gripping firmly the few papers of instructions and details that Jiemma had shoved her.
This assignment... It might kill me.
Her eyes opened, glittering as she stared at the floor. Of course it might, that's why Jiemma gave it to her. He wouldn't dare give it to his 'beloved' daughter, and he certainly wouldn't put something so important to the Council in just anyone's hands. He chose her because he knew he could, and he knew she had to do everything she could to get it done. She couldn't fail, because the price for losing was too high for her to bear.
Getting killed wasn't the worst punishment this job offered, it was the cruelty Jiemma would subject everyone in the Guild to if she failed this. She couldn't let that happen, she had to finish this job, she had to do it right, and she had to do it on her own.
I have to do it... for them. For their safety.
Jiemma was manipulating her, he always was. He pulled the strings tied to her feet and hands, and he could make her do what he wanted, whatever it was, she didn't have a choice.
And of course, he could cut her strings whenever he wanted to. Her life was his to do with what he wanted.
She wanted it to end...,
She stepped onboard the waiting train, the papers crumpling in her fists as she turned her back on SaberTown without a word and without a glance back. Her eyes fixed to the floorboards of the train as it moved off, the silloute of he Guild atop the hill remaining like a dark shadow as she left it all, moving farther and farther forward toward what would probably kill her, and what she couldn't let be the death of her.
She left it all behind, not likely to see the Guild, nor Sting, Rogue, Frosch, Lector... anyone ever again. Or for at least a very, very long time. She wouldn't be there to keep an eye on them all, to subtly help to keep them out of trouble, to cheer them on at the Games, or to pick them back up when they were down.
She left without a word, and left them remembering simply what had happened that past week. When they were finally able to see she how broken and shattered she was inside, the last image they had of her, was how twisted she was, how defeated.
I'm sorry...,
Her head snapped around when she heard footsteps in the station behind her, her thoughts snapping back to the present, seeing Rogue and Sting approaching with Rufus, Orga and Yukino trailing behind. Hora's eyes flitted over Yukino for a split second, before she glanced away before their eyes could meet.
"Hora..!" Sting huffed, panting slightly as if he had been running. Frosch and Lector floated beside the two Dragon Slayers, looking worried.
"We thought we missed you," Rogue huffed out, "You left the Guild without saying anything."
She had, Jiemma gave her the assignment and made it clear what was at stake if she failed. He told her what she was supposed to do, and relayed just how dangerous and difficult it was going to be. She realized how likely she was to die on this, so she hadn't the heart to face everyone when Jiemma was done, she just left.
A part of her had been hoping to leave before they caught up with her, but a part of her wouldn't let herself. She was torn... torn in too many ways, and too many times really.
I wonder... is this what I was feeling? That darkness..?
"...That assignment Master gave you, from the Magic Council." Sting murmured, his blue gaze glittering as Hora lowered hers, both her hands clenching around the papers she held. Rogue and Sting blinked in shock at the reaction,
"... Is it that dangerous...?" Sting breathed, Hora just nodded. Frosch and Lector sniffed slightly, tears of fear pricking at their eyes.
"Hora, you can't..! You only just got back on your feet!" Rogue said quickly,
"We aren't gonna let you go off by yourself! Not if you could get hurt again!" Sting snapped,
"I don't have a damned choice!" Hora snapped, her head snapping upward and blue gaze glittering in agitation and something deeper they couldn't place it. They flinched slightly at the sudden outburst, especially seeing as she had been so quiet up until that point. "Listen, things aren't as simple as you want them to be! This isn't something I want, I don't want to go on this mission, I want to be there when the Games happen, I want to be with you guys, I want things to be easy and simple but they aren't!" She swept her hand out to the side in an agitated fashion, "If I don't do this mission, Jiemma will take out his anger on the rest of the Guild, and I will not let that happen." Her eyes flashed in determination so bright they all blinked,
"This isn't all that different from usual, I don't see you guys these three months you're off training, so that'll be the same. If I'm gone for the Games, you'll just have to live with it! You have to keep your heads about you, you can't screw up and you can't get distracted- not because of me, and not for anything. You have to do your best, and I promise I will do mine. But you have to trust me, trust that I'll be fine on my own, regardless of how hard this mission will be." Hora went on, sounding ever more agitated, but her uncertainty seemed to vanish suddenly, and for a moment they saw the Hora they had been missing as of the last week or so. "I promise, I will do my very best, and if I can I will finish this before the Games over, you have my word. But until then, you have to do you're best. Keep your heads in the game, you can't slack off, not when every other Guild is going all out in the Games this year. And especially not right now." Hora's voice dropped suddenly, "Yukino's on your team now guys. She's not used to the sort of combat the Games play with, so you have to keep an eye on her! Do your best to keep her safe alright? Especially since I won't be able to." She took in a small breath, her agitation simmering down as she gazed at them steadily.
"Promise me? That you'll guys will do your best to be safe and ok while I'm gone?"
Rogue and Sting exchanged small glances, looking unsure and hesitant. They didn't like this, not one bit. They didn't want to be separated from Hora, especially not when she would be walking off into danger by herself.
But they were walking into danger too in a way, and they knew she made sense with what she was saying, though they certainly didn't like it, at all.
"Alright." Rogue murmured, both he and Sting nodded to her.
"But you gotta promise something too, Hora." Sting murmured, Hora blinked. Both Sting and Rogue's eyes softened, glittering in sadness and pain and worry that was so strong she felt a small flash of pain strike her core again.
"Don't die, please." They murmured in unison, their voices catching slightly as if they struggled to say those three words. Hora went rigid, eyes widening slightly in shock, before she sweatdropped and her expression softened slightly.
I hate those looks, how sad, how much pain they're in...
This mission would be the hardest she had ever had, the one with the most risks, the most difficult and the most dangerous. And she would be alone. Hora was strong, but clearly she had her limits, and with Over-Drive still working it's way with her, she still wasn't in the best of standing.
This mission would be difficult for a whole Guild of Wizards, let alone one all alone. Hora, all on her own... with nothing but her burning drive to keep her friends safe pushing her forward.
This mission, it's insane...
She nodded slightly, her eyes steady as she looked to the both of them. This was the last time she would see them for a long while, she just wished they were smiling. She liked that better.
"I promise." She murmured softly, she meant it. She would do her very best.
.... The Chairman, he asked Jiemma to send a group of Wizards on this assignment. But Jiemma is only sending me...
"Identify, Locate, and Destroy the Demon of Zeref; Neveleous, currently under the control of the Leader of the Dark Guild North Wind, Eider Borealis. Disband the Dark Guild North Wind, Destroy the Demon of Zeref, and return Eider's Magic artifact to the Magic Council, from which it was stolen."
'Finally going to be facing a Demon, are we? You failed it last time.'
Hora's fists clenched at her sides, she felt a burning, fiery cold flame ignite in her very core.
Not this time. Not again.
.:+:.
Alrighty! Another Chappy Up and next will be jumping into some Action, and maybe a little more on Hora's Magic? (XD Maybe?)
Thanks for the follows, favs, and reviews guys! I'll be updating my other Fic 'Balance In Our Lives' before another Chapter for this pops up!
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