Chapter 147

Chapter 147

Three Weeks Later

The atmosphere in Fairy Tail's guild hall had shifted.

Gone was the festive energy from the Harvest Festival. In its place sat a tension that even the most oblivious members couldn't ignore. The Oración Seis had struck twice more in the past weeks—another research facility destroyed, a merchant caravan carrying ancient texts ambushed. The body count was rising, and the Council's patience was wearing thin.

Aiden stood in his office, reviewing the latest intelligence reports spread across his desk. NIMO hovered beside him, projecting holographic data streams that detailed every known Oración Seis movement over the past month.

"The Oración Seis is systematically targeting locations associated with ancient Nirvana research. Current projections suggest they've narrowed their search to a three-hundred-kilometer radius in eastern Fiore."

"Nirvana," Aiden muttered, studying the map. In the original timeline, this arc had played out differently—later, with different players. But his presence had accelerated events, changed variables.

Now he had to deal with the consequences.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," he called.

The door opened to reveal Mirajane, her usual cheerful expression replaced by something more serious.

"Master, they're all here. Everyone you called for is waiting in the main hall."

"Good. Thank you, Mira." Aiden gathered the relevant documents, leaving the rest for later review. "Let's not keep them waiting."

He descended the stairs to find five figures standing near the bar, their expressions varying from excited to nervous to grimly determined.

Erza Scarlet stood with perfect posture, her Lucario at her side.

Beside her, Gray Fullbuster looked serious for once, his usual casualness replaced by focused attention.

Natsu Dragneel practically vibrated with anticipation, flames flickering around his fists while his Charmeleon mirrored his trainer's excitement. Lucy stood next to him, looking nervous but resolute, her Clefairy staying close.

And slightly apart from the others stood Ultear Milkovich, her expression unreadable.

The main hall had cleared somewhat—other guild members gave them space, but Aiden could feel dozens of eyes watching from various corners. This wasn't a secret meeting. Everyone knew something important was happening.

Makarov sat at the bar, his small frame somehow commanding attention. 

"I'll keep this brief. You all know about the Oración Seis—their recent attacks, their search for something in eastern Fiore. The Council's joint guild task force is ready to deploy, and I'm sending you five as Fairy Tail's representatives."

"Yes!" Natsu pumped his fist, flames erupting around him. "Finally, some action!"

"Natsu," Erza said sharply, and the fire mage settled down, though his excitement remained visible.

"Try not to burn down any forests," Aiden said dryly. "The Council already complains enough about our property damage."

He pulled out the intelligence reports, spreading them across a nearby table.

"You'll be working with mages from Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and Cait Shelter. The combined task force will have around twelve members total. Your mission is to locate the Oración Seis, determine what they're searching for, and stop them."

"Stop them how?" Lucy asked quietly. "As in... capture or...?"

"However necessary," Aiden replied bluntly. "The Council has authorized lethal force if required. These are dark mages who've committed multiple murders. Don't hesitate if it comes down to your life or theirs."

The weight of those words settled over the group.

Gray spoke up, his voice steady. "When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning. You'll meet the other guild representatives at a designated coordinates in eastern Fiore." Aiden pulled out a map, marking the location.

Erza stepped forward. "What about you, Master? You could end the Oración Seis single-handedly."

Several guild members murmured in agreement. It was true—everyone knew Aiden's power exceeded anything the dark guild could muster.

"I could," Aiden acknowledged. "But what's the fun in that? You guys need the experience. Can't have me solving every problem forever." He looked at them with genuine warmth despite his casual tone. "Besides, you're more than strong enough to handle six dark mages. I've trained most of you. You've got this."

He moved closer to the group, his expression serious but not unkind.

"I won't always be here to protect you. Situations will arise where you'll need to handle things yourselves. This is that opportunity. To prove—not to me, not to the other guilds, but to yourselves—that you can handle S-Class threats."

"So go out there, kick some dark mage ass, save Fiore, and come back with some good stories. Don't overthink it."

The tension in the room eased considerably. When your guild master radiated that much confidence, it was hard not to feel some of it yourself.

Natsu's grin widened. "We won't let you down!"

"I know you won't." Aiden smiled. "And I'm not sending you unprepared."

Aiden pulled out another document. "I've also prepared detailed files on each known Oración Seis member. Their abilities, fighting styles, known weaknesses. Study them tonight."

He handed the files to Erza, who accepted them with a nod.

"Anything else we should know?" Gray asked.

Aiden hesitated, choosing his words carefully.

"The Oración Seis is searching for something called Nirvana. It's an ancient spell—a weapon, really—with the power to transform light into darkness. To invert morality itself, turning good people evil."

The room went very quiet.

"If they find it," Aiden continued, "if they activate it, the consequences could be catastrophic. Your primary objective is to stop them before that happens. Secondary objective is to destroy or secure Nirvana if you locate it first."

"How do we destroy a spell?" Natsu asked, flames flickering around his confusion.

"You'll figure it out when you get there," Aiden replied. "Trust your instincts. Work together. And remember—the Oración Seis isn't your only concern. Politics between the guilds, differing objectives, clashing personalities... inter-guild operations are complicated. Stay focused on the mission."

"Questions?"

They all shook their heads.

"Good." Aiden stepped back. "Rest tonight. Study those files. Say your goodbyes. Tomorrow morning, you leave at dawn. NIMO will provide coordinates and handle transportation to the meeting point."

“Dismissed. Get some rest. Tomorrow starts your mission."

The five mages dispersed, some heading upstairs to review the files, others seeking out friends and family for goodbyes.

=====

Evening had settled over Magnolia by the time Aiden returned to the fortress he shared with Irene.

The building stood on the outskirts of town, a structure that blended magical architecture with defensive fortifications. It had been their home for years now—a place of peace away from the guild's constant chaos.

He found Irene in the nursery.

The room had been prepared over the past months with meticulous care. Soft colors on the walls, enchanted lights that could dim or brighten based on need, protective wards woven into every surface. A crib stood in the corner, carved from Heartwood and reinforced with enough magical protections to withstand a siege.

Irene sat in a rocking chair by the window, one hand resting on her swollen stomach. At eight months pregnant, she moved with careful grace, her power still evident despite the physical burden she carried.

"How did it go?" she asked without turning around.

"About as expected." Aiden closed the door behind him, moving to sit on the floor beside her chair.  "Told them what they needed to know, gave them their equipment, sent them off to prepare. Standard mission briefing."

"And they were nervous?" Irene's hand moved to rest on his shoulder.

"A little. Especially Lucy and Ultear." He tilted his head back to look at her. "But they'll be fine. They're stronger than they think."

"Erza?"

"Determined. Focused. She'll keep the others in line." He reached up to take Irene's free hand. "She's so much like you."

"I'm perfectly reasonable."

"Of course you are."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the only sound the gentle creak of the rocking chair.

Aiden moved closer to Irene, wrapping his arms gently around her from behind, his hands covering hers on her stomach. "More importantly, how are you? How's our little troublemaker?"

"Active." Irene leaned back against him. "Very active today. I think the baby knows something's happening tomorrow."

As if to prove her point, a strong kick pushed against their joined hands.

Aiden laughed. "Definitely active. That was a solid hit."

"You sound proud."

"I am proud. Our kid's already showing fighting spirit."

Irene's hand covered his, and they sat in comfortable silence, feeling the baby move between them.

They lay in comfortable silence, both feeling the baby's movements, both imagining the future ahead. A future filled with chaos and joy, challenges and triumphs, sleepless nights and precious moments.

A future as parents.

"Aiden?" Irene's voice was drowsy.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For this. For everything."

"Thank you for giving me a family worth protecting." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "Sleep well. Tomorrow the team leaves, but that's not our concern. Tonight is just us, this moment, preparing for what comes next."

"Just us," Irene repeated, her breathing already evening out.

Within minutes, she was asleep. Aiden stayed beside her, his hand on her stomach, feeling each kick and movement from their child.

The future was coming.

And it was going to be extraordinary.