Chapter 13: Eisenwald
Fairy Tail Guild Hall – The Night Before
The guild hall had settled into its evening rhythm—laughter mixing with the clink of mugs, conversations flowing between tables, the warm glow of lamplight casting familiar shadows across worn wooden floors.
Mirajane approached the bar where Lucy sat reviewing potential missions, Yume occupying his usual corner spot with a cup of coffee.
"Lucy, Yume—could I borrow you both for a moment?"
Lucy looked up immediately, eager. Yume set down his cup, expression neutral.
Mirajane's smile carried a hint of concern. "Erza's heading out tomorrow on a mission. Natsu and Gray are going with her, and..." She paused, choosing words carefully. "I'm worried those two will spend the entire trip fighting each other instead of focusing on the actual job."
"You want us to go with them?" Lucy asked.
"If you're willing. Just to keep things... manageable."
Lucy's face lit up. "Of course! I'd love to help Erza!" The prospect of working with Fairy Tail's famous S-Class mage was clearly exciting.
Mirajane turned to Yume, hopeful. "What about you?"
He shook his head. "Can't. I've got a mission tomorrow."
"Oh?" Mirajane's expression shifted to curiosity. "What kind?"
Yume pulled a crumpled mission flyer from his coat—standard issue, minimal details. "Dark Guild activity near Oshibana Town. Client wants it handled quietly. Details are supposed to be shared after I arrive."
Mirajane took the flyer, scanning it with practiced efficiency before stamping it approved. Her concern didn't entirely fade. "Dark Guilds can be unpredictable. Promise me you'll be careful?"
The genuine care in her tone made him pause. He managed a small, grateful smile. "I promise."
Mirajane nodded, though her worry remained visible as she watched him collect his stamped mission flyer.
Lucy, already bubbling with excitement about tomorrow's adventure with Team Natsu, didn't notice the brief exchange. "This is going to be amazing! Working with Erza Scarlet! I wonder what the mission is?"
"Knowing those three," Mirajane said with a knowing smile, "you'll have your hands full just keeping them from destroying half the countryside."
Lucy laughed, nervous but excited.
Yume finished his coffee and stood. "Good luck tomorrow, Lucy. You'll need it with those three."
"Thanks! You too—be careful with the Dark Guild!"
He nodded once and headed for the exit, mission flyer secured in his inventory.
The night air was cool as he stepped outside, Magnolia's streets quiet under lamplight. Tomorrow would bring whatever it brought.
For now, rest.
***
Magnolia Station – The Next Morning
Yume arrived at the station with ten minutes to spare before the Oshibana train's scheduled departure.
Except he heard it—a distant mock whistle, already fading into the countryside.
The train was leaving.
"Dammit."
A near station attendant noticed his frustration. "Sorry, sir! That train left three minutes early. Unusual, I know, but the conductor said they had priority cargo and needed to adjust the schedule."
"Priority cargo." Yume's eyes narrowed slightly. "To Oshibana?"
"And beyond, yes. Is there a problem?"
"No. Just inconvenient." He turned away before the attendant could offer alternative arrangements.
Three minutes early. On a route that normally runs precisely on schedule.
He filed the detail away—probably nothing, but his Batman-trained instincts noted anomalies automatically.
Yume walked to the far end of the platform where fewer people gathered, pulling out a folded map of Fiore from his inventory. The movement drew a few curious glances—people probably thought it was Requip magic.
"Oshibana is... here. About eighty kilometers northeast. Normal train route takes roughly two hours, accounting for stops."
He traced the rail line with one finger.
But there's a more direct overland route. Forty kilometers if I cut through the forest preserve and follow the ridgeline.
"Mi can cover that in... thirty-five minutes if I don't push too hard. Twenty-five if I do."
He folded the map and stepped away from the platform, heading toward the outskirts of Magnolia where he could summon Mi without drawing excessive attention.
The morning sun was warm on his shoulders. Birds called from nearby trees. It was the kind of peaceful spring day that made people forget the world had dangers lurking in its corners.
Yume knew better.
Once he was clear of the town proper, surrounded by empty fields, he called forth his shikigami.
"Mi. Come forth."
The shadows at his feet rippled, and Mi materialized in a shimmer of plasma and violet light—sleek, dragon-like form resembling Miraidon, its bio-mechanical body humming with restrained power. Jet-like engines purred at its legs and tail, plasma rings glowing softly.
The shikigami lowered itself, ready.
"Oshibana Town. Fast route, but don't burn yourself out. We've got work when we arrive."
Mi's acknowledgment came as a pleased trill. Yume mounted up, settling into the familiar position, and they launched forward.
The world blurred.
Fields became streaks of green and gold. Forest canopy passed beneath them in a continuous wave. Wind whipped past, sharp and cold, carrying the scent of pine and distant rain.
Twenty-seven minutes,Yume calculated, feeling Mi's pace. We'll arrive before the train by a comfortable margin.
He used the travel time to review what little he knew about the mission.
*Dark Guild activity. Oshibana Town. Client wants discretion.*
That's it. Everything else gets explained on arrival.
Probably extortion. Maybe smuggling. Could be recruitment harassment. Standard Dark Guild operations in a town near a major rail hub.
Handle it quietly. Report back. Collect payment.
Straightforward.
His hand rested on Mi's back, the steel cool surface familiar and reassuring.
Though if they're actually dangerous, this could be interesting.
The thought carried anticipation rather than concern.
Twenty-seven minutes later, Oshibana Town appeared on the horizon.
***
Oshibana Town – Late Morning
Yume dismissed Mi about two hundred meters from the town's edge, approaching on foot to avoid drawing attention. The shikigami dissolved into shadows without complaint, returning to wait until needed.
Oshibana was larger than he'd expected—a proper town rather than a village, built around the intersection of two major rail lines. The station dominated the town center, a impressive stone structure with multiple platforms and constant traffic.
He was halfway to finding his client contact, when he noticed the crowd.
A crowd was gathering outside the station. Dozens of people, their voices rising in confusion and alarm.
Black smoke billowed from somewhere inside the building.
That's not normal.
Yume moved closer, staying at the crowd's edge, listening.
"—train derailment, they're saying—"
"—my cousin was supposed to be on that train—"
"—Dark Guild? Here? That's insane—"
"Please leave the premises immediately!" A railway staff member's voice cracked with stress. "This station is currently closed due to an accident! Please evacuate the area!"
"An accident?" someone in the crowd shouted back. "That's obviously not just an accident!"
"I heard Dark Guild mages took over the station!" another voice added.
The staff member looked close to panic. "Please, just—everyone needs to leave—"
Then Yume heard it.
A voice—amplified, commanding, cutting through the chaos with absolute authority.
"If you value your life, leave this place now!"
He looked up.
Erza Scarlet stood atop the station steps, megaphone in hand, her presence commanding instant attention despite the crowd's size. Her armor caught the sunlight, and her expression carried the kind of serious focus that made people listen.
Erza. Here.
Which means Natsu, Lucy and Gray are here too.
Which means...
Yume's mind connected the pieces rapidly.
Eisenwald. The arc. This isn't just "Dark Guild activity near Oshibana."
This IS Oshibana. The Eisenwald arc Oshibana.
I didn't realize because I don't have every town name memorized. I knew the arc was happening—Eisenwald, Lullaby, the Guild Masters' meeting—I just didn't know the specific location names.
Accidentally walked right into canon.
He almost laughed at the absurdity.
Erza's voice continued, brooking no argument. "The station has been taken over by evil mages, and they are about to unleash magic that will destroy everyone here! Evacuate as far away as possible!"
The effect was immediate and dramatic.
The crowd scattered.
People ran with impressive speed—parents grabbing children, elderly folks moving with sudden athleticism, the entire mass of humanity flowing away from the station like water from a broken dam.
At this speed, Yume observed with dark amusement, even a cheetah would be embarrassed.
Within sixty seconds, the area was nearly clear.
A railway staff member beside Erza looked horrified. "But—but why would you cause such panic?! People are terrified!"
Erza's response was calm, certain. "Better terrified and alive than calm and dead. You should evacuate as well."
The staff member fled.
Yume stayed at the edge, partially concealed behind a vendor cart, watching.
So Team Natsu is inside, dealing with Eisenwald directly. Erza stayed outside to handle evacuation and prevent civilian casualties.
Efficient.
Then the air pressure changed.
Yume's instincts screamed a warning a split second before it happened. He threw himself behind the vendor cart as wind exploded outward from the station.
Not natural wind. Magic wind. Forming a massive dome-like barrier around the entire building.
The barrier's edge sliced through a nearby lamppost like it was made of paper. The metal section fell, crashing against cobblestones with a sound like a death knell.
Wind barrier. Probably lethal to anyone trying to pass through.
Yume peered around the cart's edge.
Above the station, a figure hovered—dark cloak snapping in magical currents, death's-head grin visible even from this distance, a wicked scythe held casually in one hand.
Erigor.
The man's voice carried easily despite the distance, amplified by wind magic.
"I wanted to fight the queen at least once, but it's a shame I don't have time."
With a flick of his hand, he cast another spell.
Erza, who'd been moving toward the barrier, suddenly flew backward—thrown by invisible force directly into the wind wall. She tried to break through, tried to escape, but the barrier's winds cut.
Blood appeared on her arm where the wind found exposed skin.
She pulled back immediately, trapped inside.
"Stop it!" she shouted up at Erigor. "What is the meaning of this?!"
Erigor's grin widened. "This wind wall only allows passage from outside to inside. Anyone trying to exit will be cut to pieces. I've wasted enough time on you Fairy Tail pests—I'll be taking my leave now!"
"Where are you going?!" Erza demanded, but Erigor was already ascending, building speed.
"Somewhere more important than dealing with small fry!"
He shot forward, heading northeast at high speed.
Yume tracked the trajectory automatically, his tactical mind plotting the course.
The Guild Masters' meeting. Just like the arc.
He pulled out his map, confirming.
Clover Canyon is the fastest route from here to the meeting hall. Natural flight path. He'll pass directly through there.
Which means...
Yume felt anticipation build in his chest.
He'd seen the arc. He knew how it ended.
Thet will escape through that barrier eventually with Virgo's help. Then Natsu with Happy chase Erigor down and fight him at the Canyon.
They'll can handle the station.
But Erigor is heading to Clover right now.
S-Class equivalent wind mage.
How long before Team Natsu breaks out? Fifteen minutes? Twenty?
A grin tugged at Yume's lips.
More than enough time.
This wasn't about saving anyone. Team Natsu had this handled. The Guild Masters would be fine—Natsu would arrive in time, just like in canon.
This was about something much simpler.
Three months of training.
Caesar got his test against the Volcanic Ogre. Good for him.
But I haven't really tested myself against someone seriously strong since I got here.
S-Class equivalent.
That's a real fight.
Yume called Mi, who materialized instantly. He mounted up without hesitation.
"Clover Canyon. Maximum speed."
Mi's engines flared violet-white, and they launched.
The world became a blur of motion—trees, roads, fields streaking past faster than thought. The wind tore at Yume's clothes, but Mi's form created a barrier that kept him stable.
Erigor's got maybe two minutes head start. But he's probably not pushing maximum speed yet—doesn't know anyone's chasing him.
The landscape shifted beneath them—farmland giving way to rocky terrain, elevation increasing as they approached the canyon region .
Five minutes of flight brought them to Clover Canyon.
Yume dismissed Mi immediately, landing on a narrow path that overlooked the only viable path the train tracks through the canyon to the Guild Masters' meeting location.
He'll come through here. Has to. Only approach that gives him the angle he needs to reach the meeting hall without flying over populated areas.
He pulled out two Pandora Orbs, and they rippled with reality-distorting energy as they transformed into his twin gunswords. The familiar weight settled into his hands.
The remaining six orbs began their slow orbit around him.
He called Swift, who materialized and immediately took to the sky, circling high to track Erigor's approach.
Through the falcon's eyes, Yume saw him—distant figure moving fast, low, following the train tracks.
ETA: forty-five seconds.
Yume centered his breathing, checked his stance, ran through tactical options one final time.
S-Class equivalent. Wind magic specialist. Enhanced speed, aerial superiority, ranged advantage. Scythe suggests close-quarters training too.
I've got versatility he hasn't seen. Shadow magic, shikigami support, Pandora adaptability, Batman combat training.
Conventional wisdom says we might be evenly matched if I don't use my shikigami.
His grin widened.
Good. That makes it interesting.
Erigor came into direct line of sight—fifty meters away, slowing to a hover, scythe held loosely but ready.
"Who are you supposed to be?" Erigor's voice carried easily across the distance, amplified slightly by wind magic. "Some lost brat? Or just another fool who wants to die?"
Yume didn't move. Didn't lower his weapons. His voice carried calm certainty.
"Yume of Fairy Tail. And I'm here to fight you."
The statement hung in the air for a moment.
Then Erigor laughed—genuinely, like he'd just heard the funniest joke of his life.
"You? Fight me ?" He spun his scythe lazily, wind gathering in visible currents around the blade. "I'll give you credit for boldness, boy. But boldness without power is just suicide."
"Then come on."
The laughter died. Erigor's eyes narrowed, reassessing the teenager blocking his path. The strange black orbs orbiting him. The absolute stillness. The complete lack of fear.
Something in Yume's stance—or maybe just the sheer audacity—made Erigor pause.
"You're not here to save anyone, are you?" The wind mage's tone shifted, curious now. "You just want to fight."
"Got this one right."
Erigor's expression changed again—contempt fading to something almost like respect. "Heh. At least you're honest about it. Most mages hide behind moral righteousness, pretend they're heroes." He raised his scythe, wind beginning to howl around him. "Fine. I'll kill an honest battle junkie over a self-righteous hero any day."
"How generous of you."
"Don't get cocky, brat. You're blocking my path to something important. I'll give you thirty seconds of my attention before I step over your corpse and continue on my way." Erigor's magical pressure spiked, wind screaming around him. "Try to make it entertaining."
Yume's grin turned sharp.
"Thirty seconds." He raised both gunswords, Pandora Orbs accelerating their orbit. "I'll try to last at least fifteen."
For a heartbeat, Erigor just stared. Then his face twisted with rage at the implied mockery.
"You arrogant little—STORM SHRED!"
Wind exploded.
Dozens of cutting blades, each one capable of slicing through stone, screamed across the canyon directly at Yume.
[To Be Continued in Chapter 14]