Chapter nine

The sun was beating down hard as the group of Fairytail mages made their way through a dry lifeless canyon. Master Makarov and Happy lead at the front of the group, while Erza and Lucy took up the middle, at the far back was Natsu and Gray, and between them a slumped over Draxsis was being held up by the pair of mages as they walked on.

Both Erza and Lucy glanced back at the older mage who had been passed out for the past two days they had been walking for since the battle and defeat of the Lullaby flute.

Erza looked forward to Master Makarov before speaking, "Master, I'm worried about Draxsis, being passed out for two days like this is serious. Perhaps we should find a place to rest and wait for him to wake."

Makarov nodded his head, "Yes I think that would be best, for now, I'm a little worried about him too, the battle must have taken more out of him that even he thought, but hopefully, he'll recover his strength and magic enough to wake up soon."

The group made their way over to the canyon's edge and started to settle down for a break, Erza helped Natsu and Gray set Draxsis down gently using his coat as a pillow for his head as they lay him down.

Looking concerned at Draxsis for a minute Lucy frowned before turning away looking too Happy who was currently looking over the edge of the cliff, "Are you sure this is the fastest way back to the guild hall? Draxsis needs help as soon as possible." She stated as the small blue cat turned to her with a slightly abashed look on his face and Lucy's mouth dropped, "Don't tell me you've gotten us lost again… wait a minute. Why are we following a cat anyway!" she yelled out loud as her voices echoed through the canyon all around.

"What do you mean again? I wasn't lost before, this is the first time I've gotten us lost!" Happy complained right back.

"First time or not, we can't be lost right now," Lucy said sadly, "we need to get back now so we can let Drax rest."

Erza frowned as she looked down at the sleeping form of Drax who looked to be sleeping peacefully with no signs of waking up, before looking up and around trying to spot any sign of civilization, seeing nothing but a wasteland for miles around.

"Aw man," Natsu complained holding his gut, "I'm starving. I need some food." He groaned as he grim-faced.

"We all do," Gray snapped at him, "talking about it only makes us hungrier."

"I can't help it if I'm hungry jerk!" Natsu yelled back at him.

"No but you can stop running your mouth can't you!" Gray snipped back.

"Listen up!" Master Makarov yelled before grimacing, "We need some food…" he said depressingly.

""Yeah we know!" both fire and ice mage yelled back at the short master irate and hungry.

Lucy whined as her stomach growled slightly, "I'm hungry too," she said before glancing over at Drax, "If only Drax would wake up, he'd be able to cook us something delicious," she sighed thinking back, "and he'd play us some of his amazing music too, it would be brilliant." She hummed to herself.

Gray raised an eyebrow, "And just how is he meant to cook us a meal out of nothing to use for food and no equipment?" he asked in a deadpan voice.

Lucy smiled, "because he has supplies and equipment in his magic storage, he just pulls them out and bam, five-star meals in no time." She praised.

Makarov groaned as his stomach grumbled, "Well it's no use waiting for Draxsis to wake up, for all we know he could be passed out for another two days yet," Makarov stated before an even louder rumble echoed through the whole canyon, making everyone stop and look in the general direction of its source, Drax as the sleeping mage let out a disgruntled groan as his eyes started to slowly open flinching slightly from the bright sun shining down on them.

"Damn. Feels like I haven't eaten in two days. Someone mind telling me where we are, and why my eyes feel like they're on fire?" Drax winced raising his hand to his eyes trying to shade them from the son.

"""""Draxsis!""""" everyone cheered as they quickly moved to see him

Drax winced at the yell, "Not so loud please, my head's killing me too. And can you all back off please? I need to breathe here ya know." he requested as he slowly got to his feet holding his head slightly as he steadied himself from the feeling of vertigo.

Lucy moves to his side concerned, "Are you sure you should be up like this, you've been out cold for two days, maybe you should take it easy, you used a lot of magic." She asked in worry.

Drax gave her a half smile, "Yeah I'll be fine, I just need a minute," he reasoned as he reached into his Haramaki for a moment as he looked for something before fishing out a small phial and sighed seeing it, "my last one, I'll have to make a fresh batch when we get back." He stated before opening the stopper and tilting the phial back drinking the potion in a single mouthful before giving a sigh, "There, it'll take some time but that should help my magic recover quicker after exerting so much, in a few hours I'll be just fine." He reasoned.

The others nodded to him with looks of relief, which quickly changed to ones of pain and discomfort as multiple stomach growls could be heard as they were quickly reminded of their hunger pains and the subsequent lack of food to fill them.

It was then that Happy spotted something over the edge of the cliff and let off an excited squeal, "Look guys down there!" he yelled pointing down over the edge of the cliff.

In curiosity the others all looked over to see one of the strangest sights they've ever seen, multiple fish flying around the lower depths of the canyon. They had yellow capped heads with what appeared to be wing-like appendages instead of fins, the rest of their bodies varied from dark blue, green and red with red or blue puffy lips, but the strangest thing is they were talking.

"I can fly!" "I can fly!" "I can fly!" "I can fly!"

"Those are winged fish!" Happy said with excitement, "they're supposed to be a legendary delicacy! And they're super yummy from what I hear!" he continued his mouth beginning to water.

"A legendary delicacy?" Gray stated

"Winged fish Hm" Erza added with interest

"Sounds good enough to me" Natsu finished grinning.

Drax smirked, "yes it does, don't think I've actually had the privilege of cooking these up before, which is saying something, should prove to be interesting"

Master Makarov put his hand on Happy's shoulder nodding as he cried tears of joy, "well done Happy you make this old man very proud," he said nodding his head as the sounds of stomach growing filled the air as they all started looking forward to the future food.

Lucy frowned, "Oh come on guys, quit it with the growling stomachs," she complained before her own let out a particularly loud growl itself.

"You were saying?" Gray smirked at her.

Only to get a death glare in response, "Shut up" she spoke dangerously.

Happy stepped forward holding a makeshift fishing rod, complete with line and hook, "Time to fish!" he declared standing proudly.

Drax blinked, "Hm where did the fishing rods and lines come from, and where did you get the hooks?" he asked openly only to be ignored by everyone as they went over to the edge of the canyon and started to fish for the flying fish dangling the lines over the edge.

Erza handed him one of the fishing rods that had miraculously appeared out of nowhere.

Looking at the fishing rod for a minute he shrugged before he pulled the line from the rod, the others looked at him in confusion.

"Um Drax why'd you do that?" Lucy asked as the others continued fishing.

Drax just smirked as he sat down and started taking one of his sandals, "You guys fish your way," he stated as he tied one end of the line around his big toe before he dangled his leg out over the edge, "I'll fish mine, keeps my arms from getting tired." he smirked before lying back on the ground to wait.

Five minutes later and the seven of them were still waiting without a single bite yet, and tempers were starting to grow with the hunger pains.

"Aw come on you stupid fish, just hurry up already so I can eat ya," Natsu complained as yet another fish missed his line.

"We gotta fish harder guys!" Happy yelled.

Drax yawned, "I'm not sure that's actually possible," he stated as he watched the clouds roll by.

Lucy sweat dropped as she watched the fish below, "I'm not so sure anymore, are you sure these things taste that good?" she questioned.

"Just be quiet and fish," Erza stated, "anything edible will do" she added sounding quite irritated.

Lucy gulped, "I didn't know you were that hungry." She said not liking what that final stamen implied.

Drax grimaced, "That's a little drastic isn't it Erza? Everyone's got to have some standards especially when it comes to food, and what they're willing to put in their bodies," Erza didn't reply only wincing when her stomach let out another loud growl followed by Drax's doing the same and Drax sighed, "but then again desperate times and all."

More time passed and Drax sighed as he sat up, "Well I don't know about the rest of you all, but I could use some music to make this waiting more bearable" he stated before snapping his fingers and his acoustic guitar appeared in his arms, strap over his head and shoulders.

"Drax, you shouldn't be using your magic so soon after being as badly drained as you were," Erza berated him, "you need to give yourself more time and let your potion work"

Drax gave a small chuckle before giving her an amused look, "Are you really the one trying to give me a lecture on watching my magic levels after you depleting yours on the mission twice?" he mused.

Erza grimaced at the statement and looked away slightly embarrassed, not used to being called out like that.

Drax just gave a light chuckle, "I know how to manage my reserves Erza, besides, a quick equip like that doesn't take that much" he reasoned as he checked his guitar was in tune.

"Hey wait a minute," Gray said in realization, "if you can use your magic couldn't you just bring out some food from your stores like that, so we wouldn't have to fish?"

Drax shook his head, "Food doesn't work like that, I can requip items from my storage, but food and stuff that's organic needs to be brought out via openings in the storage dimensions, something about the requip magic and the organic material not working well with each other, and opening the portals take a fair bit more energy than a simple requip, I'll be able to do it in a while but I need to let my reserves fill back up before I try it," he said as he checked the last sting on his guitar satisfied, "for now let's get some music going to pass the time, I know the perfect tune for this activity" he said before he started to strum.

Waiting on the world to change (John Mayer) - Acoustic Guitar Solo Cover (Violão Fingerstyle)

watch?v=I1GWCccn5Bk

As Drax continued to strum and puck at the strings he let his legs wing back and forward in a little jig as he lay back on the ground continuing to play as the music flowed taking everyone's minds off their painful stomachs as the music seemed to lift their spirits and get some happy smiles from them.

As the music ended after a few minutes, Drax got a vocal applaud from the others.

"Awesome man", "not bad", "Wonderful", "that was beautiful", "very appropriate", "Cool!"

Drax gave an amused chuckle as he bowed his head in return to the varying applause, before a tug on Natsu's line got everyone's attention, "hey, hey I got a bite," he called as he pulled on the line as he pulled up one of the fish before jumping up and catching it in midair.

Setting it down Natsu groaned, "Ah it's so small."

Erza sighed, "All that trouble for one fish." she said disappointedly.

"Well, there's no helping it now." Gray said shaking his head.

Natsu nodded before gathering flames in his hand and blasting the fish, cooking it for eating, "Go ahead and eat it Happy," Natsu sighed.

"But that wouldn't be fair to you guys." Happy said reluctantly.

"There's not enough to go around," Lucy explained, "if we had a bite we'd just want more."

"Just hurry up and eat it before we change our minds." Makarov cried tears in his eyes at saying the words.

"Ok!" Happy said his reluctance disappearing as he lifted the fish, his eyes turning to star's as he eyed the fish.

Drax just eyed the fish reluctantly for a moment before turning away from the group to do something while the other's crowded round Happy as he eats the fish, their stomachs growling.

Happy scoffed the small fish in him in three bites eating it so happily, the others watching on with tears in their eyes, "who knew one fish could bring so much joy" Lucy added watching happy eat happily, "I never thought, I'd be jealous of a cat."

Seconds later Happy was revolting at the taste in his mouth, "Ewwwww, gross!" the taste of the fish completely disgusting him.

"Are you kidding me?!" Lucy yelled in disbelief.

Drax chuckled as he shook his head watching the scene, "Well what did you expect? You flame fried something that lives in a wasteland, that had hardly any moisture in it, to begin with. Of course, it was going to be nothing but flaky skin." he said getting the others attention and their jaws dropped at what they saw.

A table with chairs was all set up, and just across from it was a large cooking pot set up over a roaring fire, a thick stew already on the boil as Drax worked at a table beside it cutting up ingredients and scrapping them into the pot. The smell of the stew caught their noses extracting another set of loud growls from their stomachs.

"Now if you'll all wait a few moments, I'll have the meal ready in just a minute or two," Drax said as he worked with speed stirring the pot with a large ladle.

The others all bolted for the table taking seats as in no time at all Drax was serving bowls of the stew out along with bread rolls and iced water, as Happy, Natsu and Makarov eat with tears streaming down their faces in thanks.

"Um Drax how did you cook this so fast, we only had our backs turned for a minute?" Lucy asked confused.

Drax smirked handing her a bowl, "Simple," he said before gesturing to the white flames below the cooking pot, "Magic flames, while some magics don't mix well with foods, there are the exceptions, those flames burn ten times hotter than regular flames, makes cooking faster, but I wouldn't recommend them for eating Natsu, they'd even be too hot for you to handle." he explained seeing Natsu eye them and pout at being told that before with a wave of Drax's hand the fires extinguished.

Taking a drink of water and sighing Makarov looked to Drax, "Well I think it's safe to say your magic reserves are back to full capacity."

Drax shook his head, "No about half way. But then just a single potion was never meant to completely restore my magic, it wouldn't be possible with my level of reserves."

Makarov nodded, "Yes I suppose that would prove difficult for someone of your strength." he said seriously before taking another drink.

Erza looked to Makarov curiously for a moment before speaking, "Master you said something similar to that back in Clover, you referred to something about a title of sorts" she recollected as the others looked between both Drax and Makarov at that, interested as well.

Drax who was serving up his own bowl at that moment stopped to take notice as Makarov looked to him before Drax just shrugged and continued to serve his bowl before commenting, "I think a history lesson is needed before that's explained, would you care to do the honors Master Makarov?"

Makarov sighed before nodding as the others took interest and were listening intently to what the small master had to say.

"Well it's not exactly well known to most, but it is fact though many have forgotten. When magic was first utilized there was a single source of it, and from that the strongest and oldest forms of magic branched out, these came to be known as the original magics from which all forms of modern magic today are descended in one form or another, these magics keep each other, and the world, in balance" Makarov explained seriously, "now as these magics are so important there must always be someone who utilized that form of magic to keep the balance between all magics and the world. To this extent, long ago it was decided that a council would be made each of its individual members who holds a seat at the table would utilize one of each of the forms of the original magics, making each of them extremely powerful, the equivalent of supernovas of extreme magical energy, forces of nature powerful enough to devastate entire cotenants, raise entire cities to the ground, alter the very face of the planet if they so desired." Makarov stated getting looks of fear and shock from the others around him listening to what he was saying, "For that is the level of power required to maintain the balance and is why none of those at the table has ever done so for they keep each other in check, none would make a move without the approval of the others, lest they draw the combined wrath of the others for doing so"

Lucy gulped, "But if these guys are meant to be so powerful, then how come not everyone knows about them?"

Makarov nodded at the statement, "because it is rare that they ever have to show themselves, or announce themselves when they do, and they rarely, if ever, intervene unless the situation is most dire and the balance is threatened." Makarov answered as he sighed, "they are the hand behind the curtain, they move behind the very world itself to make sure everything runs smoothly and everything stays balanced, for without them the world would fall into chaos and would ultimately destroy itself, for that is their purpose"

"And how is it you know of this group master?" Erza asked internally wondering what this has to do with Drax.

Makarov nodded, "Given that it's practically forgotten by most, there are few who must keep track of such things, the council of magic is one such group and by extension those of us who are members of the ten wizard saints are also privy to such information as there is a chance we may encounter them or they seek us out for information at different times."

Gray nodded starting to understand, "So there's this group of extremely powerful mages using some of the oldest magics in the world, what I want to know is what has any of that got to do with Drax?"

Drax smirked as he sat down, "That's actually very simple. It's because the magic I use, my main magic, is one of those extremely powerful magics, one of the five oldest in the whole world, because I'm one of those who is part of that group which Master Makarov is referring to," Drax said casually, "and the title to which he is referring to that I hold is known as "the shadow of the eclipse", it is the title given to the one who holds the second seat at the table of five" he said as he reached into his coat pocket taking out one of his cards and showing the symbol in the magic circle, "this is my mark, the mark of the eclipse, one of the five marks of power and how we identify ourselves and how Master Makarov knew to confront me as to its use."

Everyone bar Makarov was looking at Drax as he ate with eyes wide in shock and awe at his words not sure exactly what to say to that statement before the tension was shattered by a particular blue talking cat.

"So you're like some really old guy then?" Happy stated dumbly only to get bonked on the head by Drax's bowl in annoyance.

"I'm not that old ya blue fur ball," Drax stated with a tick over his eye in irritation, before he stir his stew shaking his head in disbelief, "the original magics are passed down through family members or those who have a blood connection to the original users of the magics, normally it's from parent to child but on odd occasion another is chosen if the current user has no children to pass the magic to, this is to ensure that there is always a user of the original magics in the world to keep the balance. Five years ago my father took early leave from his seat and as such deemed me fit to take his seat at the table as was dictated by tradition, I was required to do so to maintain the balance of the magics."

Erza slowly pondered Drax's word and something seemed to strike her as odd, "then why did you decided to join a guild then, surely if the five are as powerful as they are such a thing is a rarity, as whatever guild they would join would have risen to the top spot with such a strong member spearheading the guild, if that happened then your group wouldn't be as unheard of." She reasoned

Drax chuckled, "True, in all actual fact it's never happened before, mainly due to the secrecy behind the five, we keep to ourselves most of the time only acting when we need to and never join guilds, but I just wanted to settle down, I've been traveling since I was young, seeing the world and its wonders, I guess I figured it was just time."

Lucy looked at Drax strangely, "But wouldn't taking your dad's place at the table, mean that you couldn't travel as much with such a responsibility?"

Drax shook his head, "Not really. As important as the five of us sound we rarely ever gather unless something major requires discussion and or possible intervention. The last time I think a meeting was called was two years ago, and the times before that was to vote on what to do with Lullaby and between the two of them was the one called for me to take my old man's seat." Drax explained. "So meetings are generally a rare occurrence and you'll rarely ever see more than two of us in the one place otherwise unless something big has demanded our attention. Mainly it's due to the some of the more… volatile attitudes of some of those in the seats. So as to prevent fights breaking out that could potentially destroy large areas of land and as a result."

Lucy gulped hearing that, the concept of a group of wizards with that much power getting into fights any time they got together was scary and she didn't want to even what the outcome of that battle would be, but then it occurred to her about something strange, "Wait, didn't you say your father took the lullaby flute to the five to decide what to do with it? Why not take it to the magic council, isn't that their jurisdiction, to decide on what's to be done about dangerous magical objects like the flute?"

Drax nodded once in response, "Yes it is, and to the average person you'd be right. But those of the table of five, are above that of the council's command, due to our immense power. They have not the power nor the spine to command us, nor would they dare, for they know we would not stand for it and to tempt our wrath for their arrogance would be borderline suicide. The table of five has been around for millennia before even that of the Fiore Empire, even the royals and those of the church recognise and respect our traditions as they have been around since times of old. While the magic council keeps the guilds and wizards in check along with keeping a certain level of magic in check. When it passes a point of danger that's where the table of five step in to take over due to the level of magic involved."

"Is that to do with the whole balance of magic that they keep?" Gray asked curiously.

Drax nodded, "Yes, it also maintains to keeping things in check and maintaining the balance of power between the magics. With each type of magic stemming from the original five it's only natural that we'd want to keep the items that are the creations of our branches in check. Lullaby was no exception. It was a dangerous item that was left in the open for any to use and so when it was found it was brought before the five by my father and a vote was cast for it to be sealed away or destroyed." Drax said with a slight hint of disappointment on his tone, "Needless to say the five voted to seal it away and not destroy it in order to maintain the balance at the time," he said before sighing pushing his bowl to the side of the table and looking up, "chances are by the time we get back to the guild I'll be summoned before the others members of the five to explain myself and my actions for going against the councils ruling."

Hearing that the others looked at him in shock.

"What but why you were only stopping it from killing everyone!" Natsu said in anger.

"Yeah, you were only doing it to protect everyone from the flute's dark magic." Lucy reasoned.

"Are you telling us they're going to throw the book at you for that?" Gray yelled.

Drax chuckled, "Be that as it may, and regardless of my reasons, it was decreed it was to be sealed away for the balance to be maintained. Even if it was released by another I was still the one who destroyed it. As such I will have to deal with the consequences of my actions, that's all there is to it." Drax stated while inwardly thinking, 'but if they think I'm just going to sit back and let them chew me out for their screw up they have another thing coming'

Erza frowned hearing that Drax was going to get in trouble for doing something that he was obviously in the right to do, the flute was dangerous and the world was better off without it around to cause trouble, so what if it was destroyed, Drax shouldn't get in trouble for doing something right… but then a thought occurred to her, multiple times during the mission she had heard Drax talking about destroying the flute, how he planned to do what should have been done so long ago and that's when it hit her, "Drax you planned this didn't you, you knew what you were planning to do would get you in trouble with the others and yet you did it anyway." She realises aloud.

Drax smiled and nodded, "I did, I never agreed with the ruling on what happened to Lullaby, but as I was still my father's student at the time my voice didn't matter at the meeting so I couldn't do or say anything. Ever since I got my seat I've pushed for the council to intervene and make a difference with things. We have all this power and we only use it when we absolutely have to, it infuriated me that we don't act more, so when I saw the opportunity to correct what I saw was a mistake made by the council that needed to be corrected, you can be damn sure I stepped in to fix it permanently. If they want to try to take issue with me on that I'll be more than happy to give them an earful of what I think on the subject before things undoubtedly go to blows when things get heated." Drax stated with confidence and faith in his actions.

Makarov nodded approvingly, "Well we'll just have to worry about that if and when you are summoned. In the meantime, there's no use threating now. If it does happen, I hope you'll allow those of us who were there to come to testify if that is how the process works."

Drax sighed, "While it's not normally permitted for others to be present at meetings other than the members and apprentices." Drax said before smirking, "I'm already in trouble, so what's a little more, not much they can do to me when my old man plain out refuses to retake his seat given how much of a headache the meetings were for him. Normally they last anywhere up to a week when debates start on serious matters, my old man hates that stuff and it's the same with me, so I don't see anything wrong with you guys tagging along when I'm summoned. Although I'll give you all a warning, I hope you won't be offended when I tell you that when there you should keep your mouths shut unless you're spoken to. Some of the members can be rather high and mighty and should things get heated to the point of violence I'd be the one held responsible for your actions, and while I don't mind that per say, I highly doubt it would go over as well."

Makarov nodded in agreement, "Very well then Drax, I'll make sure that any who come with are on their best behaviour," he said reassuringly.

Scene break

With the meal finished and all the equipment packed up the group started walking again in the direction, they were heading following Happy's directions. It was another hour or so before they happened to spot a town in the distance sheltered between large rock structures.

Walking in through the main entrance to the village the group looked around slightly unnerved by the lack of people as they passed through.

The ground was paved with grey stones and the buildings were all concrete and plaster, most with rounded roofs with different shades of coloured slate, which seemed to be the recurring theme as they passed through to the village centre which unnerved them more as they had not seen a single person the entire time they were walking in.

"There's no one here." Gray said looking all around

"It does seem awfully quiet doesn't it?" Lucy frowned as she gripped her arms and shivered as a cold wind blew through the centre.

"Maybe they're taking an afternoon nap or something," Natsu suggested before cupping his mouth to yell, "Hey anybody here!" only to get silence in reply.

Drax frowned as he walked up to the centre of the town centre looking over the statue in the middle, it looked like a large green mushroom with six smaller ones circling it, and there was just something about it that unnerved Drax before he looked around again.

"You really think the whole town is taking a nap?" Gray asked thinking it was a ridiculous suggestion

"Well it's either that or they all got drunk and passed out." Master Makarov suggested in retort.

"I think that only happens back at the guild" Lucy sweat dropped at the suggestion making Master Makarov smile.

"He-he, we do love our spirits don't we" Makarov said in a small laugh in return.

Drax's eyes glanced over the empty square, there was something in the air that he didn't like a magic that made his skin tingle, shaking it off he turned back to the others, "I think we should take a look around, there's something not quite right here," he said getting nods of agreement from the others, "split up but stay within ear shot of each other, call if you find anything." He said as they all moved off from the town centre to check the buildings.

Drax opened one of the house doors and looked inside, there was no one inside but yet there was a table top with full feast spread out on it that looks like enough to feed four people. Drax's eyes narrowed on it as he looked it over distractingly feeling a shiver that ran down his spine that he couldn't place the reason for.

Scowling he turned from the building closing the door behind him before calling out, "If you find any food in the buildings don't eat it, there's magic in the air that I don't like so be on your guard!"

"You got it!" Natsu called as he opened a door across the street, "Hey there's a full meal in here, still warm too?"

"Same here," Gray called out, "but no one's home." He added.

"Exactly the same here," Lucy called, "this is getting weird"

"Over here!" Erza called from one of the smaller buildings that didn't have any windows. Everyone quickly centred on her and looked in to the building.

It was a storage unit by the looks of things but the items inside were giving off an aura that made the mages shiver aside from Drax, Erza and Makarov as the three of them stepped forward inspecting the objects.

"Master are these?" Erza asked leaving the question open.

"I would say so," Makarov said looking at the tools in front of him, "there's no mistaking that aura."

"Tools for practicing dark magic," Drax spoke, "their aura has been twisted by the evil intent behind their use," he said before scowling, "but for this many tools to be in one place, there's only one explanation that I can think of that comes to mind."

Erza nodded as the same thought occurred to her, "This village was home to a dark guild,"

Makarov nodded, "Indeed, but the question remains, where are they all now?" he stated as he looked over the room.

Drax shook his head, "I don't know, but let's get out of here and back to the centre to think, there's something off about this magic that I don't like." Drax stated getting nods from the others as they all moved out of the building and made their way back to the centre.

"This is all too weird" Gray stated, "what do you think happened to everyone?"

Drax shook his head, "I can't be positive but there's just something off about the magic in the air around here."

Makarov nodded in agreement, "yes I've felt it too, but I can't place the source it's like it's all around us," he said as they got back to the centre.

"This place is weir-aaahh" Happy stated before seemly tripping over something and landing on his face with a cry.

"Hey happy you alright?" Natsu asked as he helped Happy up.

"Yeah, ow, but my foot caught on something," Happy said looking back to indicated the grove running through the ground.

Drax looked at the groove and followed it as it seemed to continue on of a while and split off at certain points, blinking for a moment he looked around to see there were multiple of the same types of grooves all over the ground, walking over to one of them he knelt down running his hand over it as if to inspect it a little closer.

Makarov walked up beside him taking an interest also, "Draxsis what is it?"

Drax indicated the groves, "I think I've found the source of there the magic we've both have been feeling is coming from," he said before he stood up, "Everyone out of the village now, double time, it's not safe here!" he called in a serious tone, before looking to Master Makarov, "we need to get to higher ground now." Makarov just nodded in agreement.

They didn't question him and just did as he said as they all started towards the village boarders and started up the path up heading to the top of a cliff face that looked down on the village.

As they all look down over the village Gray speaks up from beside Drax, "So you want'a tell us why you said it wasn't safe down there?" he asked taking a side glance at Drax.

Drax narrowed his eyes looking over the town below them before replying, "the markings on the ground, they were made for an intended purpose," he replied cryptically as the others looked to him confused by what he mean, "just watch all will be made clear." He finished as the others just nodded and looked back to the village.

No sooner had they than the ground of the whole town started to glow a dark ominous purple making all the mages eyes, bar Draxs, widen as a magic circle array formed and started to pulse powerfully.

"What's going on here?" Lucy asked partly afraid.

Drax frowned, "just as I suspected, the grooves carved into the ground, they were actually the markings of a magic circle array." Drax crossed his arms his frown turning into a deep scowl, "They were saturated with magic, that's what we were feeling all the time while down there Master Makarov."

The small master nodded, "I see but the question is, for what kind of magic was the array for?"

"I think I know," Drax spat with disgust as the circle reached it brightest pulse before activating fully. The magics engulfed the town and everything in it in seconds, and the next moment everything began to change, buildings changing into large grotesque serpents and creatures, lamp posts turning into tentacle like beings, furniture gaining life and starting to move on its own. All this only proved to add more hatred to Drax's tone as he spoke a final word, "Alive"

Makarov frowned, "Yes, I was afraid of that, it would appear that the dark guild of this town was foolish indeed to mess with such a powerful and forbidden magic, it's all beginning to make sense now"

Lucy gulped, "Alive, I don't like the sound of that, what's it meant to do?"

Drax gestured before them, "I think it's obvious don't you, it takes ordinary in animate objects and turns them into living breathing creatures, only difference is, unlike born creatures these abominations don't have a soul between them," Drax explained as his scowl deepened, "this kind of magic is nothing more than a water down form of the dark magic the evil wizard Zeref used, the same magic that was used to turn a simple flute into the demon you all saw back in clover. That's the reason the council ban it's use, and it's why the five do their best to seal away all remanence of his magic, such magic was never meant to be used, it's an abomination, to create something without a soul is to create it for a single purpose, to destroy and devastate all in its path"

Makarov could only nod in agreement, "Yes and its blatantly obvious now what has happened here, the dark guild sought to abuse this magic only to get caught up in it and eaten by the very monsters they brought to life."

Lucy gulped and shivered at the concept as the monsters below them were roaring and thrashing about, "Um what do we do about them now?" she asked unsure of what the plan was.

Drax still serious started to smirk slightly, "well that's obvious isn't it, we can't very well leave these things here to because trouble can we. There's only one option left, we go down there and exterminate them and destroy the magic circle that created them." He said as he cracked his knuckles, "and this couldn't have come at a better time, I was planning to resume my old training regimen when we got back, this just gives me an excuse to start early"

Natsu smirked, "so we just gotta kick the crap out of these things and smash some magic circle? I'm in."

Gray grinned, "So am I, this should be fun, and there's plenty to go around."

Erza seemed to smile lightly, "indeed, perhaps this will be a good training experience."

Lucy gulped, "Um I think I'm just going to sit this one out, it looks like you four have this covered"

Drax chuckled, "Sure think," before waving his hand and a small table appeared out of a portal with a pot of freshly brewed tea with seats and cups, "why don't you, Happy and master Makarov just sit back and relax while we take care of this, it shouldn't take too long" he said before stepping close to the edge as the others rushed off to start fighting, he glanced back, "enjoy the show you two." He said before he leaped from the cliff face pulling the small hammer from around his neck as it started to grow.

Natsu already down on the ground was facing off against a large grey serpent like beast that was roaring out as green spittle flew from its mouth disgustingly.

Natsu grimaces staking a stance as his fists caught on fire, "alright, time to get exterminating, let's see how you like this, Fire Dragon: Iron Fist!" he yelled launching himself on jets of flames from his feet at the monster, before impacting its throat with his flame enhanced fist making it roar out angrily and try to bat the dragon slayer away with one of its limbs only for Natsu to push off it and rear his arms back, "I'm not down, Fire dragon: Wing attack!" he roared as two tendrils of flames lashed out at the monster in a large explosion of flames.

Gray spread his stance in front of his own opponents, a confident smirk on his face as he stared down the three large beasts, "I think it's time I put you three on ice" he stated at two of the beast lunged for him but before they could reach him he took his stance as his magic circle spread out beneath him glowing a cold blue as icy winds whipped around him, "Ice make: Fishnet" he called before raising his hands and the winds seemed to focus and shoot forward from them in a large outward spray freezing the monsters solid mid attack.

Erza looked serious as she faced her monsters three very large serpents, her eyes narrowed as her magic circle extended out covering her in a flash before revealing her re-quipped into her heaven's wheel armour once more as she proceeded to raise up into the air, "this won't take long" she spoke as multiple of her swords seemed to appeared around her spinning, "now dance, Circle sword" she called our as she and her bladed lunged for the monsters in front of her.

Drax let his gaze glance around him, several large serpent and tentacle like monsters surrounded him as he held his hammer at his size, they hissed angrily at him as he looked solemnly at them, waiting for one of them to make a move, he didn't have to wait long.

One on the serpents on his left lunged for him, he saw it coming out of his peripheral vision and launched himself into the air and over the serpents head in a cartwheel before he crashed back down on it with the hammer first lighting sparking off it as it impacted hard. This action seemed to spur on the others as they all attacked in unison.

Drax twisted atop the first serpents head gripping his hammer as both it and his ring glowed the ten changing to a four as the hammers head grew drastically as Drax used his strength to life and swing it, catching one of the serpents in the side of the head knocking it away as Drax let its momentum pull him as another two tried to attack at the same time just to miss him.

The hammer changed back mid-air to its long body and head sized head as Drax landed with a skidding halt twisting himself around before he launched himself forward catching another serpent in the head with an under swing knocking it back and up as he dove under it and grabbed one of its scales letting it pull him up before he raised his hammer once more coming crashing back down on another's head as he and it impacted the ground hard sending out an electrical blast that made the remaining serpents around him cry out before falling to the ground smoking from being cooked from the inside out.

Seeing his opponents down Drax turned to see how the others were fairing, and frowned seeing that as they beat back their opponents more just kept coming as more and more inanimate objects just kept becoming alive.

'I've got to end this now, before we're overrun with these soulless monsters' he frowns to himself as his hammer starts to spark again this time with an overpowered air as Drax started to pump more magic into it as he starts to raise it and spin it above his head and with a mightily cry he jumps from the serpents head and slams the hammer into the ground as a large electrical blue magic circle opens up and a crack of thunder is heard as the electrical energy bursts from the hammer, as the ground shakes and the magic circle that created these monstrosities appeared only to shatter the next second in a bright flash of light that filled the entire clearing.

When the light faded Drax looked around as he stood up frowning, around him were the groaning bodies of men and women, all wearing cloaks covering their bodies. The spell had been broken and by the looks of them Drax could tell exactly who this lot were, the dark guild idiots who though they could play with forbidden magic and not get burned.

Scene break

After gathering the large group together Drax was starting to get a head ache as explanations were given, and this was what lead to Drax currently rubbing the bridge of his nose trying to sooth the headache forming.

"So you're telling me that you're not a dark guild, just a town full of complete idiots who thought it wise to mess with forbidden dark magic," Drax said in an irritated groan as the towns people seemed to shrink under his words and irritated gaze.

"We were just curious," a woman replied, "we were using the circle to try and cast other forbidden spells, to better the town, but we got the circles mixed up and ended up summoning those monsters instead, they appeared out of nowhere and took over everyone in town, we couldn't do anything."

"Then those monster's we fought," Erza spoke realizing, "that means you were all inside of them."

Another man nodded, "When you entered the circle you activated it, we were powerless to stop it, or ourselves, we're sorry for any trouble we caused, we didn't mean it"

Master Makarov nodded, "I see, it was a foolish mistake on all your parts to even attempt any such forbidden magic, because it is forbidden for a reason. You should be grateful we came along when we did and Draxsis managed to shatter the spell you were under. I hope that you've learned from this experience," he says with a serious tone, before smiling slightly, "but as long as it doesn't happen again, I won't report you lot to the council. Is that a deal?" he finishes giving a stern glare.

The woman nodded, "Yes of course, we never want to go through that again. Thank you so much."

Drax sighed heavily as he turned, "You better keep to that, otherwise you'll have bigger problems to worry about than just the council coming down on your heads" he says ominously before he starts walking.

Lucy looked to him, "Drax where are you going?" she called.

Drax shrugged, "well things are all cleared up now, and in case you guys forgot we've still got to get back to the guild. I'd imagine everyone's wondered where we've gotten off to, and I could do with nice long nap after all this drama, you lot coming or what?"

The others sweat drop in response but all start walking as well knowing there was nothing left to do but continue the long walk back to the guild hall, at least they did it on a full stomach, that was one good thing at least.