Chapter 11 — The Trap of Wind and Chains of Light
The hall of Oshibana Station was silent.
The scent of scorched metal and magic residue hung in the air like the ghost of battle. Every Eisenwald mage lay sprawled across the floor — bruised, broken, or unconscious. Only Yuta stood in the center, dusting off his coat, his right hand still loosely gripping Kyōka Suigetsu, the blade shimmering faintly in the dim light.
Artoria stood beside him, sword lowered, her golden armor reflecting faint motes of residual magic energy. Her breathing was calm — composed. A knight who had not simply fought, but judged.
Yuta exhaled slowly.
"Alright. That's all of them."
He sheathed his blade, letting Kyōka's illusory mist fade into nothingness. Around him, Erza, Lucy, and Happy were catching their breath among the fallen mages.
Just as the tension began to lift—
BANG!
The station doors burst open.
"Erzaaa! We're back!"
"Like hell we are—"
Gray stumbled in, dragging a soot-covered Natsu by his scarf. Both looked slightly singed, though Natsu was in considerably worse shape.
Yuta blinked, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Of course they're back. Why wouldn't they be?"
Erza straightened, armor gleaming despite the dust. Her eyes sharpened immediately.
"Why are you two here? Where is Erigor?"
Gray's expression darkened, seriousness replacing his usual sarcasm. "He's gone."
Erza froze mid-step. "What?"
"They're not after the civilians here," Gray continued, tone grim. "It was never about Oshibana Station. This whole place—" He looked around the battle-scarred hall. "—was a trap."
Lucy frowned, confusion and dread creeping into her voice. "W-What do you mean? A trap?"
Gray's gaze lifted to the ceiling. "There's a giant wind barrier outside. No one can leave. Not even air mages could slip through."
Natsu clenched his fists, frustration visible even through the lingering dizziness from motion sickness.
"They tricked us…!"
Erza's jaw tightened. "Then what is their true objective?"
Gray looked at her squarely. "Erigor's heading for the guild master meeting. He's planning to use Lullaby to kill every guild master in Fiore."
The words struck like a thunderbolt. Lucy gasped audibly, covering her mouth. Even Happy's wings drooped; his usual cheer vanished.
Yuta POV
I felt my stomach drop.
So that was his play.
Use us as bait, seal the area, and strike where no one expected. Smart — for a corpse walking his last few hours.
Before I could respond, a rough, mocking voice slithered through the hall.
"Well… looks like you finally figured it out."
I turned sharply.
Among the pile of unconscious Eisenwald mages, one was still barely conscious — the man who had kicked Natsu back on the train.
Kageyama.
His lips curled into a weak, bloody grin. "You people from the light never learn… while you're busy protecting others, the dark takes everything. The Eisenwald will—"
He didn't finish.
Because I had already grabbed his coat collar and yanked him up.
My voice was low, controlled, and dangerous.
"Save the speech. You're going to tell us how to remove that wind barrier."
Kageyama coughed, glaring with defiance. "I'd rather die."
I sighed softly. "I can arrange that too, but you'd be more useful alive."
Erza's gaze flicked toward me — she didn't stop me, which said enough.
Lucy stepped closer, worry creasing her face. "Yuta, he's stubborn. We need another way—"
Before she could finish, Happy suddenly perked up, digging through the tiny satchel strapped to his back.
"Oh! I remember something!"
We all turned toward him.
Happy triumphantly pulled out a golden celestial key, its metallic surface gleaming under the fractured light filtering through the ceiling.
Lucy blinked. "Wait… what's that doing with you?!"
Happy fluttered up, proud. "When we beat that pervy Duke Everlue, the giant maid lady gave this to me! She said, 'Give it to the celestial spirit mage named Lucy when you see her.'"
Lucy's jaw dropped. "HAPPY! You forgot something that important?!"
Happy flinched midair. "S-sorry! I was busy carrying fish!"
Yuta pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. "Only in Fairy Tail would world-ending events depend on someone forgetting a shiny trinket."
Lucy took the key, holding it tightly. "This… this is a Zodiac key."
Erza arched an eyebrow. "Which one?"
Lucy raised it high. "Virgo! Open, Gate of the Maiden—Virgo!"
The floor trembled. A swirl of golden light burst open beside her, forming into a tall, pink-haired maid with a cold, formal expression.
"Punishment time?" Virgo asked, deadpan.
Lucy screamed. "N-NO! Not punishment! We need your help!"
Virgo blinked, bowing slightly. "Understood, Princess."
Yuta muttered under his breath. "Princess? I feel like there's a story there…"
Lucy hurriedly pointed toward the outer walls. "There's a wind barrier surrounding the station! Can you create a tunnel or passage that leads outside it?"
Virgo paused, thinking, then nodded. "Affirmative. Commencing earth tunneling protocol."
Before anyone could question what earth tunneling meant, Virgo clasped her hands together and dove straight into the ground like it was water.
A rumbling followed — deep, steady, powerful. Within seconds, cracks spidered through the floor, and the sound of moving rock echoed beneath their feet.
Happy stared wide-eyed. "Whoa… she's digging under the wind!"
Erza nodded approvingly. "Efficient."
Lucy beamed. "Virgo's the best!"
Yuta smirked slightly, tightening his gloves. "Good. Then we've got our way out."
Yuta POV — Reflection
As the rumbling continued, I looked around at the others. Gray and Natsu were still catching their breath, but their determination was written across their faces. Erza's eyes burned with that commanding light she always had before a major fight. Lucy was focused, for once, not panicking. Happy floated near her shoulder, proud of his contribution.
And me?
I quietly brushed dust off my sleeve, my hand brushing the cards at my belt.
Erigor.
He wanted to wipe out every guild master — destroy the heart of the alliance that held Fiore together.
A wind mage targeting the guilds themselves.
That wasn't just arrogance. That was war.
I took a slow breath. "Alright, team. Once Virgo's tunnel is ready, we're moving. We catch up to Erigor before he reaches the meeting hall."
Erza nodded firmly. "Agreed. We can't afford another second's delay."
Lucy turned toward me, eyes steady. "Yuta, you think we can beat him?"
I gave her a small, confident smile. "I don't think."
I slid a card between my fingers. "I know."
Scene End
The ground cracked open, a newly formed tunnel glowing faintly with Virgo's magic. Cool air rushed upward, brushing across their faces.
Virgo resurfaced, bowing. "Passage complete, Princess."
Lucy grinned. "Thank you, Virgo!"
Virgo nodded once and vanished back into the Celestial World.
Yuta looked at the dark tunnel, then toward his team.
"Alright, Fairy Tail." He adjusted his jacket, Kyōka Suigetsu gleaming faintly at his side.
"Let's move before the wind stops us for good."
Chapter End.