Chapter 35: Cold Weather.
Chapter 35: Cold Weather.
If you want to read up to 20!! chapters ahead go to /cornbringer
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Don't forget to check the auxiliary chapter about Adam. It's like an info chapter.
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[Adam POV]
For the next few days after my meeting with the trio, I found myself observing as Ur trained the two kids she had taken as her pupils in her signature magic, Ice Make.
I could sense that Ur was not happy with me being there. Though she did not voice it, I could see it in her eyes whenever she looked at me, exploring the area with Lilia.
I didn't blame her; after all, I was an outsider to her world, and based on where she had set her house, it was easy to see that like Porlyusica she was not used to having strangers around.
But despite understanding her I couldn't do much for her, I had a job to do, and I was not going to let her unhappiness affect it.
Beyond that, I had to say I was impressed with Ur's skills as a teacher; her patience and willingness to offer the duo guidance were more than commendable.
It was truly a sight to see her use her magic, and all and all, Lyon and Gray were proving to be quick learners, picking up the techniques she was teaching them quite fast, despite their rebellious nature working against their training, the rebellious part being especially the case for Gray.
As for us, well, Lilia, Mavis, and I were keeping ourselves focused on the job, leaving the ice-making trio alone beyond the smallest interactions.
Taking shifts between Lilia and me, to avoid being possibly exhausted when the time came, we had been waiting for Deliora to appear, who despite having yet to make an appearance, I was certain was still lurking in the area.
It didn't help that most demons had no magic power to sense or a real soul for that matter making the task of locating them an extremely difficult endeavor.
So, trying to counter this stealth mode Zeref had installed on his fucking creations, alongside wanting to avoid more deaths at the hands of that wretched monster, I would spend most of my days tracking and gathering information about the demon's whereabouts.
Mavis had been particularly helpful in this aspect, her knowledge of the local terrain and creatures proving to be invaluable to our mission's success.
When I wasn't looking for the beast, I would be training in my inner world, trying to prepare myself for Deliora.
The thing was, I wasn't sure how strong the monster I was dealing with was.
And it didn't help I didn't have much to go by when it came to its power, I honestly had nothing at all to go by, was he as strong as one of the demon gates? weaker? stronger perhaps?
The truth was, that despite my supposedly useful canon knowledge, I had no fucking idea what I was dealing with and that alone made it very difficult to plan around.
But... It also made it all the more fun.
I guess you could say I was having conflicting emotions about this.
I was both concerned, and happy. Both doubtful and thrilled about the prospect Deliora represented.
I could hardly wait.
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[Two months later.]
One evening, one the first week of the second month since my arrival, as Lilia, Mavis, and I were sitting around the campfire, Ur broke her silence. "What exactly is your mission here?" she asked me, her tone neutral.
I looked at her surprised by the sudden question, and interaction seeing that beyond the occasional nod here and there we hadn't exchanged words since our first meeting. "I'm here to kill the demon that has been roaming around," I replied honestly.
Ur's eyes widened for a moment before returning back to normal. "In that case, allow me to save you; the time. Leave, and don't come back unless you have an army."
I let out a short laugh, completely understanding from where she was coming from. "Don't worry, I am well aware of my limits. That being said, I have a job to do, and I will do it."
Ur said nothing else, only continuing to observe me in silence until she finally nodded. "First Gray, and then you, it's like the newest generation is full of stupid brats, honestly, I pity our future as a civilization."
"Thanks for your vote of confidence," I said, with a small humored smile.
"Don't you dare insult Adam-sama!" Lilia hissed, having had enough of Ur's attitude.
At this, Mavis jumped to her feet, her small hands clapping and her eyes wide with glee. "Ohhhh, fight, fight, fight!" she cheered as she swayed back and forth, and thankfully I was the only one that could hear her.
"Just remember I warned you. This is a task well beyond the range of someone like you, who does not have the strength and experience required, to defeat this demon," Ur warned, ignoring Lilia's words or her glare.
"I understand," I replied.
"Then if that's true, do yourself a favor and find someone who can take this job. Someone with experience," Ur said, turning away from me. "Someone who can protect you."
I remained silent, understanding her words and the hidden meaning behind them. When it came to Ur, it all came down to the guilt she felt about Ultear.
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[Ur Milkovich POV]
I watched as the kid and his companion continued with their mission despite my words.
I had tried to warn him, but he had not heeded my words.
I didn't know the kid. He seemed like a nice enough boy, but his mission was sure to lead to disaster.
I was sure he thought he was prepared for the fight, but he had no idea what he was up against. Deliora was no ordinary demon. He was a demon of legend, one of the strongest creatures in all of Earthland.
And yet, despite all that, he had still decided to take on the task.
No matter what I do, I can never protect anyone, not even from themselves.
Not him.
And not... my Ultear.
I sighed before turning my attention back to the campfire, my mind whirling with thoughts, going back to the same corner they always would.
Ultear, my daughter.
Maybe if I had been there for Ultear, maybe if I had tried hard enough, things might have been different. Maybe if I had been there to protect her, she wouldn't have died.
My heart clenched at the thought, the familiar guilt spreading through my chest.
Would I fail Lyon and Gray too?
I didn't want to think about that.
I didn't know.
But I had to believe that things would be different this time.
That I could do something different.
That I could help them, and protect them.
I had failed Ultear, but maybe I could make it right this time with Lyon and Gray, maybe... just maybe.
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[Mavis Vermillion POV]
I watched in silence as Ur tried to warn Adam of the dangers of this mission. Despite her warnings, however, Adam seemed determined to continue his mission, even though I could see the slightest hint of hesitation in his eyes.
I couldn't help but admire his courage, then again, it was to be expected from a member of Fairy Tail, even if I knew it was foolish of him. If Ur's words were to be trusted, Deliora was more than a match for what lay ahead.
I had many reasons to be worried about Adam's and Lilia's safety.
Ur's power wasn't that far off from Adam's. In terms of power alone, if I had to rate them, Adam was a 10, and Ur an 8.1, however, what she lacked in raw power in comparison to Adam, she had in experience.
That alone told me this demon they were facing was not a threat to be taken lightly.
And while I had no doubts that Adam would eventually succeed in his task, a grim question lingered in my mind, would he survive it?
I shook my head, a small smile forming on my lips.
Fairy Tail had faced worse, and we still stand.
Besides, he wasn't alone.
He had Lilia.
He had me.
And against what most would believe based on her harsh words, he had Ur.
I knew her type, and her eyes were of the type of person that had already decided to protect those around her, even if she doesn't know it herself.
My smile widened.
It would be alright.
I had faith.
And as long as we had faith, nothing was impossible.
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