After finishing their negotiations, Ordo guided them to the main hideout of Dark Sky. Once they arrived at a certain distance from it, he instructed them to stop. He turned around to face the trio and brought out a piece of parchment.
Ordo undid its tie, displaying a detailed outline of the entire structure. "We'll discuss our plan here, any further and they would notice our presence." He put it on the ground as he sat down.
He looked at his temporary allies as they nodded, letting him continue. "Although nobody will be able to discover this location due to its terrain, those three still took precautions and laid out traps across the entire place." Ordo marked three specific points on the layout.
"Obviously, they can't full operate a guild with just them three, so there are also independent wizards who chose to work under their supervision. As such, their guild marks would act as identification when they use one of the three entrances." Ordo explained the functions of the base meticulously.
Kagura quickly noticed a problem. "If that's true, then are we to just charge into it directly with no other choice?" There was no other way around it, but she tried to think of other alternatives. Recklessly endangering their lives with an unknown percent chance of success…
She tightly held her weapon, staring at this thief with vigilance. Even until now, she didn't fully trust this person. Unexpected variables may happen when it came to situations like these. Dark Guilds in general are either cunning, or simply chaotic with an arrogant mindset.
The latter describes this subordinate guild more accurately.
"That sounds like the usual! We'll beat them up until they can't move anymore!" Well, a certain dragon slayer didn't mind such a approach. He was a simple man, and fighting riles him up like a blazing furnace.
"Aye sir! Don't worry too much, Kagura. Natsu's straightforward method always works. It's actually better than over-thinking, right?" Happy agreed with his partner, going along with his antics.
The swordswoman could only sigh at the duo. I want to refute it… But they're not even saying such things without substance. Their efforts in keeping the guild afloat were a testament to that. So, bonking them wordlessly with her scabbard was her response.
"Ow! That sword of yours really hurts, Kagura!" Natsu grumbled in complaint. Heck, he was almost used to the pain. Only barely though… He wondered if there were training regiments for headbutts.
"What is it even made of? I can't believe just light taps are so heavy." The Exceed rubbed his head in pain, curious about her sword. He thought of many possibilities through his fish-brained mental space.
Then, he came to a profound realization.
Happy put a fist on his open palm. "I understand now, Natsu! Kagura is descended from a bloodline of gorill---!" Before he could finish such a blasphemous sentence, his consciousness drifted away with the wind.
His profile embedded into the ground by a very annoyed woman. She scoffed quietly at the cat, ignoring the weird looks from the other two.
"You deserved that, buddy. May you rest in peace." Natsu was in a praying position, accepting the fate of his partner with no protest.
Ordo sweatdropped at their interaction, doubting himself if he made the right choice. They already made it this far anyway, so there's no point in regretting it now. He looked at Kagura and responded in assurance.
"I understand your concern, Miss Kagura. The layout ensures that these three entrances will only be the access to inside, so a direct confrontation is impossible to avoid." Ordo then shaded numerous locations until it covered each part of the entire hideout.
This got the attention of Natsu and Kagura, interested at what he was trying to convey.
"That's where my magic comes into play. I've placed multiple Silence Wards across each area without those monsters noticing." Ordo lifted his open palm as he circulated energy to form a transparent sphere. His eyes displayed sharpness, as if everything was calculated.
"Linking each one was no problem, considering it came from me to begin with. And the moment I activate them all at the same time…" He drew out his words, already sure of the results.
"It will envelop the hideout in a Soundless Domain." Kagura finished it for him. "Your magic is indeed unique. It's no surprise that you managed to steal Magic Items so effortlessly." She already expected such techniques from someone who vanishes like a ghost.
"But I don't think nullifying the noise is enough. There has to be a catch, right?" These were dark wizards who are probably within the borderline of S-Class, catching them off-guard is simply the first step. Defeating them is another matter altogether.
Ordo nodded. "Correct. Erasing sound is just one of my basic skills. The true essence of my magic is to obscure Ethernano to a certain degree. This means the domain can skewer their senses while in battle, giving us an advantage." He emphasized, closing his palm as the sphere disappeared.
"Won't we also be affected then?" Kagura inquired.
"Well, that's why I'm here, no?" The man chortled, donning a serious expression afterwards. "I just need to come in contact with your shoulders for a moment… Do you guys trust me?" He asked one final time, still giving them a chance to back out.
Natsu glanced at his companion, her stoic expression displayed trust in his decision. "Fairy Tail Wizards only look forward and are determined to overcome any type of struggle." He grinned in excitement, already ready to unleash some chaos.
"I've said it before, sound guy. And I'll say it again… I can knock your ass out! So don't worry about trust and all that mumbo-jumbo." There were no complications within the heart of the dragon slayer.
Enduring the tribulations in his life directly with no fear was how he lived. Along with the determination to fight for his friends and family. A simple and clear mindset that symbolized his value.
Kagura slightly smiled at his response, expecting such a response from the dense and lovable young man. Even she was influenced by his enthusiasm, eager to become an unbreakable sword for the Fairy Tail.
"Haha! That's a good answer, Salamander!" Ordo could only scold himself for having too many thoughts. He stood up and walked towards the group as Happy recovered from Kagura's hit.
Ordo touched their shoulders, encasing them in a thin transparent type of armor. "This can shield you all from the effects of the domain, so using all of your strength wouldn't any bring problems. Meaning we can go rampage against those bastards with no reservations."
"I like the sound of that!" Natsu punched his open palm, his magic power on the verge of cutting loose.
"Wait, I still need to share a brief rundown on their abilities."
"Damn it! I'm itching to go already!"
"Calm down, Natsu-san… Knowing who we're up against will boost our chances for victory."
"Alright, alright."
…
The Three Blights of Dark Sky.
Individuals that were hand-picked by the guild master himself. They were respected and feared even by the other subordinate factions under Tartaros. Their magic strong enough in wiping out groups with ease.
Fulgor, the third blight who has a variant of Earth Magic that can pass through solid objects. His sadistic personality symbolizes true malice, for he buries innocent civilians with pleasure. He also took on many assassination jobs, making him an expert in that profession.
Lockine, the second blight that uses Spike Magic. Its offensive power was deadly, combined with the indestructibility that bring about despair to his enemies… Crucifying them wasn't out of the question, because he was the most devoted cultist among the three.
Nyrod, the strongest blight with his ability to overwhelm wizards using Strength Magic. He simply joined due to the guild master handing him a humiliating loss. In return, he was promised blood-pumping battles. Fighting strong enemies was all that he wanted.
Argonia, Dark Sky's Guild Master. He was one of the representatives under Jackal of the Nine Demon Gates. A person with ambition, and one that was truly loyal to the cause. A dark wizard using Barrier Magic, to contain, deflect and crush. It was said he was only a tier below the rumored Zero in prowess.
Now, these powerhouses were enhanced by a new type of energy. One that belongs to Jackal as he gave them rewards for their efficiency and cooperation. It actually boosted their magic, yet also contradicted their existence.
They were too drunk by their huge improvements to even detect such a phenomenon.
But, Argonia received the biggest reward of them all, and was currently slumbering inside a human tube. He stated that after the process, it maybe even possible to request for a noble status within Tartaros.
The Three Blights each guarded a Lacrima that acted as generators, helping Argonia assimilate the endless reserves of Ethernano from the piles of Magic Items.
If one were to be destroyed, the process will weaken. And if you also destroy the other two… The human tube will shatter, while Argonia will experience the bloating sensation of biting off more than he can chew.
That was still only a hypothetical situation they conjured. A precaution to just ensure that nothing will go wrong. Nobody ever expected an attack on the hideout, as it was hidden for many years now.
Until today…
VRRMMM!
All Three Blights felt a familiar spike of magical power, identifying it was Ordo's doing. They were confused at first, wondering if this was just an experiment on his part.
The sudden silence didn't unnerve them, still relaxed and all. Nyrod in particular was bored out of his mind, ready to take a nap again. He had his eyes closed, adjusting his posture for the best position.
But in the next moment, he suddenly received a painful burning sensation to the stomach. He tried to scream under the silence, while getting flung down a lower floor within the underground hideout.
Nyrod hastily opened his eyes as the dust and debris fell around them. The noiseless background didn't stop him from clutching his stomach in agony. He looked up to see a pink-haired young man who was grinning in excitement, flames emitting from his being like a searing weapon.
"Are you ready to burn, pal!?" Natsu was not affected by the domain thanks to the thin sound armor. He kneed the blight as Nyrod crossed his arms in defense, cracking the ground again as his flames spewed everywhere.
The Soundless Invasion has begun.