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CHAPTER START---
On the western continent, at the highest meeting chamber of the Alvarez Nation's palace, Ivan Dreyar holds his position kneeling in the middle of the room.
The serene moonlight enters through massive stained-glass windows all around, each representing a different type of Magic. Within this luxurious room, there are no guards, no security features, and no need for such shows of force.
Because the Wizard King sits on his throne, and the human Mage second only to his father, Zeref, he needs no security.
With a head of long grey hair and a matching beard, wearing white and purple robes, August leans on one hand while casually reading Hades' request for supplies.
"And what do you think of his progress?" August asks, eyes skimming the request for a nation's coffers worth of resources. "Is Hades still a worthwhile investment?"
"The Magic Council recently broke up one of his project."
"So we've heard. But he claims to have another."
"He does, I have seen it. My spies are deep in his network. That tower is nearing completion."
August sighs. "The ritual doesn't fit the designs of a single tower. Placing the altars on the continent was essential, sacrificing countless millions was necessary, assuming the system would work."
"Master Hades assures his people that he has a plan to fuel the tower with sufficient Magic Energy. I believe his research into Zeref's creations is part of that."
August frowns, but Ivan's eyes are still staring at the floor, head down out of fear and respect. The only option when speaking to a man capable of crushing the combined power of all Wizard Saints.
'My father's creations…no, they don't possess that kind of power, even all together. There must be something else. It's best to let Hades do his little fool's errand for now, perhaps the power source will be useful to us.'
August tosses the papers aside, and with a thought they burst into orange flames. "Hades will have what he needs. Now, about your other request, what is it?"
"Sanctuary."
"Sanctuary? Has your father finally decided to put you down?"
"Gildarts has been searching for me, more than usual. I can't risk being discovered."
"We will keep you hidden, but on Ishgar, not here. I have no interest in keeping a traitor close."
Ivan swallows his pride and nods. "Thank you, your majesty."
"And about the boy, Oberon. Are the tales true, he has the Fairy Magics?"
"Fairy Sphere and Fairy Glitter, he hasn't used Fairy Law to our knowledge, but any contact with him should always consider that he has it."
August relaxes into his seat, tapping his chin. 'All of Mavis Vermillions Magics…why does mother favor him so much?'
August rises from his seat and with a wave of his hand summons a wooden staff with purple crystals in the head. It hovers for a moment before he grabs it and turns to leave. "My assistants will arrange everything…"
He teleports away in a purple flash, appearing on the balcony of a mansion atop the mountains just outside the city.
There he sees a beautiful woman with long blood-red hair, sitting idly at a small table in her bedroom robes, enjoying her late-night tea. She frowns at the sight of him, and doesn't bother to greet him.
"News from Ishgar, it seems the plan was delayed, again."
She rolls her eyes. "You should just let me go wipe out a few countries, that will get them to obey."
"Enough of your bad jokes, Irene. Father would be most disappointed if he returned to us exterminating a continent."
"Lord Zeref's little vacation is taking too long, I'm bored out of my mind here."
August walks to the railing and looks out at the city. "You should take over as acting king, you'd never be bored."
She scoffs. "Don't curse me with such a heinous duty. Besides, you're his son, you should be the next king."
August sighs and turns to face her, leaning against the railing. "About that. I'm going to Ishgar, you'll have to step up as leader for a while."
"How long? If you claim this is a small vacation like he did I promise it won't be a few years before I start conquering the other nations."
"That may not be such a bad thing," he says, and she puts down her tea to focus on him. "We should unite this continent under the Alvarez Empire before he returns, it would be a nice gift. He wants the Ishgar continent as a memento to my mother, but…our plans are delayed again."
"How delayed?"
"The main altars were destroyed. That would have killed most of the continent and Wizard Saints, allowing us to easily take over. That failed, our direct assault failed because their Magic Council threatened us with Etherion, and their Light Guilds are growing stronger."
"Then let's not worry about the masses," she says. "We conquer this continent, that gives us enough numbers to fight Ishgar. Consider that done. Which merely leaves the Wizard Saint, and either of us could kill all of them. Etherion would then be the next problem."
"And Face."
"They're too soft to use such a weapon."
"Against us, they will need everything they have."
Irene sighs. "I'll look into it. But are we agreed, conquest of this continent first?"
August frowns, but sees the wisdom in her idea. "Yes, you can begins while I'm away. I should only be gone a few months, at most. If you're not done when I return, we'll join forces and finish it."
"Fun. Now, what's this sudden urge to travel about? Are you going to find Lord Zeref?"
"No, I'm not going to find my father. I'm going to learn more about Oberon. That boy my mother favors. I want to meet someone Mavis Vermillion adores enough to bestow everything to."
Irene frowns. "You should tell Lord Zeref the truth when he returns. It's bad enough your mother died without knowing about you, without knowing she was even pregnant. But…your father lives beside you without knowing."
"I will not burden him with one more worry. He left to ponder a major decision, to decide how he'd shape the future of this world. That decision must remain pure, untethered."
"If you say so. Now, how do you plan to meet that boy?"
August smiles at her. "He is a Mage who adores Magic itself, and I am the Wizard King, why wouldn't he want to join me in some friendly research?"
While August is preparing the details of his journey across the sea, in the Fairy Tail guildhall, Master Makarov sits at his desk to carefully open a top priority letter.
A bittersweet mix of emotions flows through him after noticing the seal on the envelope. The noble crest of the Fex Kingdom's royal Moyer Family. The symbol of a dear friend to Makarov.
"Are things so bad that even you need help?" Makarov mutters as he quickly breaks the seal and retrieves the letter.
'To my dear friend, Makarov.
It appears that the side of good, standing in the noble fight, may once more stand alone. I have sent calls for aid and support to many, now I must call upon more personal connections. It is with a heavy heart that I ask you for help in this endeavor.
I truly hope the Magic Council finds it in their hearts to help us in our expedition to Hacot. To liberate the people there from the surge of necromantic evil plaguing them. It appears that my Holy Flame Magic is the cure to this evil, so this, I believe, is our only hope.
Resources will be limited, as is support. But people need us, so we must go. I do not ask for your children, for the risk is great. But any support you can lend will be greatly appreciated.
Your dear friend, Wizard Saint, King Osian Moyer.'
"Osian," Makarov mutters, considering his options carefully.
In the past, Fairy Tail has always answered his calls for aid, and he has always done the same for them. Gildarts has joined more than a few of the larger expeditions. But now Makarov considers how effective Gildarts would be with thoughts of Cana distracting him.
"Hacot… They likely have a protection enchantment, Crash Magic would destroy it," Makarov pinches the bridge of his nose. He then sends a telepathic call, and moments later Laxus knocks on the door and then enters.
"Grandpa?" he asks, closing the door and approaching the desk.
"Where is Oberon now?"
"He just gave his report on Bluenote to the outpost in Minstrel, he should be in Joya by now."
"Get me the information for the client there, I need to contact them to give him a new task after he's done with their Job."
"Did something happen?"
"Osian sent a letter. He's calling for aid in a new expedition."
Laxus's eyes widen as Makarov waves around the letter. He instantly appears as a bolt of lightning beside Makarov and takes it, quickly reading it.
"Hacot? The undead lands?"
"Yes, I need Oberon to meet them at the rally point.
"Damn, he gets to go on a Hero Expedition already. Can I—"
"No. There are usually years between them, you'll likely be strong enough for the next one."
"Awe, alright. I'll go organize everything."
Laxus leaves, and Makarov re-reads the letters, trusting his friend to take care of his children.
Completely unaware, that this would be the last expedition of Wizard Saint, King Osian Moyer, Hero of the Fex Kingdom…
CHAPTER END---
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-------------------------------IMPORTANT NOTICE-----------------------------
Chapters paused until January 5th. Holiday season etc. I hope you all have a wonderful start to the new year...and it doesn't treat us like the first week of 2020 did :(