Chapter 29 - Revolt
Man, it's been a while since I updated, maybe two months? Been focusing on Video Editing and YouTube. Old Trope Discussions were taken down because they were shit. However, if you decided to check out my channel before the new ones come out, look at 'Berry Mechanics Analysis!'
That's the style the new Trope Discussions will be made in :)
Anyways, enjoy the chapter!
Each strike was increasing in intensity. Jellal took a closer look at the slaver's face, which was always covered with a mask, now revealed. I can't even tell! Blood was openly dripping from every inch of his body, and it didn't even look like the man would last the day. No… That's why they bothered with this! They must have been torturing him since the meeting! Jellal began grinding his teeth, his self control not enough to hold back all the anger.
"Well?" The main slaver stopped his strikes, glancing around the crowd of slaves with all their attention on the spectacle that was occurring.
Jellal could tell that every single slave, including himself, was struck with terror. Yet, the only two people that could stop this was him and Shiron. Widening his eyes, he looked at the other slaves, locking eyes with some of the other kids from his cell. NO! If they start torturing them in front of Shiron… then he wouldn't be able to last!
But how will he stop that? How?! Anything he could think of! ANYTHING!
"…"
Nothing.
Despite his knowledge, despite his skills, he just… couldn't.
As much as he hated to admit, he was powerless. Jellal saw the slaver take out a staff with flames dancing around the central orb. The vibrant orange fire intensified to the point where the boy had to shield his eyes from the glow.
"One more chance!" It was obvious the leader was getting frustrated that no one was making a sound, nor a confession. Thankfully, Shiron was still holding on. God knows his stubborn hero streak would force him to act. Jellal prayed from the bottom of his heart that Shiron would not sacrifice himself again. If he did, he likely wouldn't be returning, ever.
The slaver frowned, waving the staff in a circle to address the slaves. "Very well then…" He pointed the staff towards the slaver that aided them. "Any last words, traitor?" Despite his condition, the dying man was able to manage a single grin. For the briefest of moments, the slaver's eyes focused to the side, then to him. Shiron…
"This beloved Tower of yours… will burn!"
Each of the slaves stared at him in shock, veins of all sizes began bulging from his would-be executioner.
"I see… then DIE!" The flames coalesced towards the bloodied man. It would usually be in this moment, that a hero, or perhaps divine intervention, would come and save him. Jellal didn't move. And this time, neither did Shiron.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
An anguished final cry preceded by a resolute declaration. Within seconds, the former slaver was no more.
The burning anger within Jellal's belly threatened to erupt at any second. Yet, it was pushed down by sheer coldness. The rage that existed within him flew strongly; from what used to be a blazing inferno, was now a boiling pool of lava.
I never… even learned his name.
For Shiron and him, the death of the cultist remained in their mind. For the kids? They were shaken. Even compared to before, the looks on their faces were solemn and joyless.
But they'll be free soon.
Yes, indeed that was true. Today marked the first day of the eighth month they were here. Now? The final step of the original plan drew near. In just three days, they were going to attack. All the rotations, weapons, and shipment of slaves would line up today. True, they had no way to confirm if they would be right, but this was their only chance!
We either get everything right…
Or they will all die.
Thankfully, the slaves they managed to convince didn't reveal any of their intentions. Of course, Jellal had only told them to be prepared to fight the slaves when the signal came. How many of them actually meant it? There was really no way to tell. As far as he was concerned, all of them could have just been saying it.
Jellal sniffed, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
What if no one bothered helping? What if only he and Shiron end up fighting by themselves?! Damn it, stop thinking of stuff like that! No matter how many times he told himself that such negativity didn't help, he still ended up thinking of them.
Ignore that paranoia! He had to.
"Psst… Jellal." Simon, however rare, was working beside him this time. Unfortunately, the slavers didn't allow them to talk unless spoken to; however, they were still able to do so if they were careful.
"What?"
The brown-haired boy, slightly younger than himself, was now completely healed from his previous injuries. "Do you really think we'll be able to get out?" And he just had to ask that question. Jellal sighed, tired of hearing the question he asked himself dozens of times daily.
"Yes." Simon narrowed his eyes, not bothering to question the uncharacteristic lack of resolve from the older boy.
Perhaps it was a lie. Maybe deep down, he knew that there would be no freedom from this tower. Perhaps he believed that death was better than slavery. Jellal looked down at the ground, his shoulder drooping forward, and his mouth curled inwards. Why am I feeling like this… when we're so close!
No. The flames that had faded in the past month stood strong. No! They were going to escape! Some of them would die, but the rest will be free! Even if he had to stand alone against the slavers so everyone else could escape, he would in a heartbeat! Three days. Everyone has to be ready to fight to the very end.
Myself as well.
The resolve slowly flowed its way back to Jellal's eyes, whose gaze bore into Simon's own.
"We will be free." The younger boy smiled, this time believing him.
Originally, Jellal had actually meant to attack the slavers after the workday. His was thinking that after a full day of standing around, the slavers wouldn't have been as attentive, making it easier for them to escape their notice. HUGE flaw with that; however, somehow, he completely forgot about how doing physical labour for the whole day would heavily impact their ability to fight.
God, he felt so stupid after being shut down by Shiron.
Really, him, missing a detail as important as that? Thank goodness someone else caught it, otherwise they would have kissed freedom goodbye.
Sighing, the boy opened his eyes again after being unable to fall asleep. Their work usually started right after dawn, which meant if they attacked just before, they would be able to catch the slaver that opened their cells by surprise. After all, he needed the keys to free everyone.
Just an hour left.
Looking around, the anxious boy noticed that Erza's eyes were wide open, staring into his own. Normally, he would have found this extremely creepy, because that would mean she was watching him sleep. However, just before their 'big' day? That's a reason to excuse something like that, just this once.
Erza, noticing that Jellal was awake, decided to get up and move towards him. What is she…?
"You guys can't sleep either, huh?" Jellal looked towards Shiron, who slept in his usual spot just in front of the back wall. Really, how could anyone? Soon, something that could decide life or death was going to occur. Everyone, everyone, had to be fully attentive.
"Of course not… not when it's so close." The blue-haired boy got up, only for Erza to sit beside him, huddling close. Sighing, Jellal decided to just give her this one time. Only once!
"Even though we planned this for months," Shiron got up, giving Jellal distant look, "it still feels… surreal." That's certainly true; perhaps the anxiety went so far it reversed and became an eerie calm?
"Yeah." The planner gave a soft smile to the girl sitting close to him, before ruffling her hair to her embarrassment. "All our hardships will soon be a thing of the past!" His friend chuckled, crossing his arms behind his head.
"Heh, that's one way to put it!" Jellal gave a glance to the others, who seemed to sleep as if nothing were wrong. Then again, perhaps nothing was. They spent so long perfecting their plan, running through their minds countless times. Each and every turn, every action, every step, was ingrained.
Smiling, the blue-haired boy stood up.
"Be ready everyone," the boy gave one more pat to the girl's head before walking towards the front of the cell. Gripping the bars as hard as he could, he turned to give his two awake comrades a resolute glare.
"We'll be fighting soon."
Just a day before, two boys were finalizing their plan. A map in front of them and a stack of papers to the side.
"We only have one chance to get this right." Jellal slammed his hand on the table to emphasize his point. "We have to be ready moments before!"
…
The sun was up.
Jellal had woke up all the others, making sure everyone was wide awake and attentive before taking out the tools he managed to smuggle from the tool depots. They aren't weapons, but it's better than our fists!
Of course, none of the tools were noticeable by someone that would be standing at the cell entrance. A calculated risk, one that he was more than comfortable making.
He should be here within a minute…
Jellal and the others lined up like they were normally asked to. The boy turned back and gave everyone one last nod of reassurance. Despite the fear and anxiousness they felt, everyone nodded back.
*Click*
Soon, the sound of the adjacent cell being unlocked could be heard.
This is it!
Multiple footsteps came, followed by the metal clink of a lock.
In just a few seconds…
From the right, the slaver came into to view. Luckily, he seemed very relaxed, allowing Jellal to give a small smirk.
Moment of truth!
The slaver unlocked their door, with Shiron at the very back, close to where the weapons were. At his command, Jellal followed the slaver's directions outside, until he was just behind him.
…
"When the slaver comes, we will have to be coordinated, quick, and sudden."
…
NOW!
With one swift movement, Jellal lifted the slaver's robe and snatched the two staffs attached to his waist. Shocked, the slaver tried to take it back from Jellal. Just what I wanted!
*Clang!*
In the moment the slaver was distracted, both Shiron and Simon struck his head as hard as they possible could, knocking him unconscious. Soon, everyone from his cell wielded their own weapons, while Jellal took claim to the slaver's staff.
This was one of the crowning achievements during step 1. The realization that not all of the slavers knew magic. Some of them were using button-activated staffs fueled by primitive lacrima. And now? He had one too.
…
"We'll have to get out before he wakes up."
Shiron smiled dangerously. "He won't."
…
*Squelch!*
Jellal flinched at the sound. Despite his protests, Shiron was extremely stubborn in making sure that their enemies didn't get back up to attack them again. Taking the key chain from the slaver's pocket, he unlocked his own collars before doing the same to everyone else.
"Everyone, be prepared," the blue-haired boy called to the rest of the floor, "our fight for freedom… begins now!"
…
"We have only five minutes to free our entire floor and arm them."
"How do we know which key to use?" Jellal smiled.
…
Another collar dropped on the floor. Soon, their entire floor was both armed and freed. The slaver's laziness was a true blessing!
"Everyone!" The boy grabbed the attention of the thirty men, women, and children present. "This is the moment we've been waiting for…" Despite their fear, they constantly glanced towards the death slaver that laid on the ground. Even if it's just one, it showed one very important thing.
The slavers were not invincible.
"Follow me to freedom!"
Within seconds, the small crowd began cheering, all of them running after the boy that freed them from their shackles.
…
"What about those in the floors above us?" Jellal sighed, a downtrodden look on his face.
"I'm sorry Shiron, we can't save everyone."
…
Jellal glanced backwards quickly, only to see Shiron's regretful face as he ran. They may have gotten lucky in many things… but, this was just not something they could accomplish.
I'm sorry.
The blue-haired boy scoffed, a vein bulging in his head.
This is the best we can do!
Within seconds, the wave of free men entered the next floor.
*Boom!*
Before the floor guard even knew what was going on, Jellal struck him with a direct hit from his stolen staff. Quickly, Shiron grabbed another set of keys and began working with Jellal to free the entire floor.
…
"By my estimation, they won't be able to gather a force big enough to contest us for at least thirty minutes."
Shiron smirked. "Then we'll do it in twenty."
They continued down the floors, grabbing a new key every single one, decreasing the time it took to free each floor. In less than fifteen minutes, they made it to the lift of the 46th floor.
Scowling, Jellal gripped his staff harder as they entered the most difficult portion of their final escape plan.
Behind him, was nearly 200 people. They only stole enough to arm 50, so they had to take a detour to the tool depot on the 32nd floor.
Jellal turned to three other grown men with keys. "You three, with me! We're going to free every single slave from this floor to the 32nd!" Turning to his friend, the blue-haired boy gave him a serious gaze before giving him the second staff, "You know what to do?" Shiron took it readily and nodded in response, prompting Jellal to run with the three men.
…
"Taking the lift down to the bottom floor would be stupid." Shiron nodded in agreement. "So, we will split up on the 46th; one of us will go for the tool depot, while the other goes to the 15th floor."
"Then I'll destroy the lift."
*Boom!*
Jellal managed to reach the 36th floor with no casualties as he heard the explosion. Meaning Shiron made it to his floor! Now? They were going to free every single slave in between them and push forward with their combined force!
Floor by floor, cell by cell. They were forced to leave those above them behind - the ones in front, however? No one, not even those who could not fight with them, will be left.
If I have the power and I can see them… I will save them!
Jellal's conviction burned brighter with each collar dropped onto the dirt. Dozens of slavers had already fell to their numbers. Smiling, the blue-haired boy continued down the flights of stairs.
Of course, due to their meticulous planning, the part where they ran down the tower was easy. He could only wish that what they did was enough to get them through the hardest portion of the plan.
The main entrance…
The boy, looking back to see the massive crowd of slaves resolutely following him, could only grimace as he thought of the time it took for them to gather.
It's almost thirty minutes…
Deep inside, he knew; he knew that the slavers would be waiting for them in force at the bottom. Considering the choke points that would occur trying to get them, it was the smart choice. Obviously, he expected this.
But even then! Jellal gritted his teeth.
Many, many of them will perish in the upcoming battle.
…
"Will we have time to run past the slavers?" Jellal shook his head.
"No… no matter what we do, we will have to fight through them at the entrance."
…
Perfect execution: few mistakes and with minutes to spare. The plan that was months in the making couldn't have gone smoother. They successfully freed every single slave from their floor to the 2nd. They numbered more than a thousand, with more than a third of them being armed.
Smiling, Jellal turned to the crowd following. We have just over a dozen people that could use magic too!
The numbers were in their favour. Everyone was ready, it was time to earn their freedom!
…
Soon, Jellal joined with Shiron's group and made it before the main area. Really, he actually wanted to give some sort of inspiration speech just to rile up everyone around him. But… that would probably cost us time and kill the surprise.
Giving a nod to his black-haired friend, the boy motioned all the slaves to be quiet by putting a finger to his mouth.
"Let's go."
"Are they here yet?" A junior slaver turned towards his boss, getting anxious on having to wait for the mini army that they were about to meet.
The elder slaver let a sweat drip from his brow. "Our last report was fifteen minutes ago when they broke through the 19th floor. They should have been here by now!"
So why weren't they?!
All of the slavers were becoming wearier from the anticipation. Despite their superior weaponry and power, the slave's numbers were nothing to scoff at. Thousands, possibly more, were armed and some capable of matching them for magic.
Even then, they were sure to win. After all, they were capable of summoning endless waves of cannon fodder at their enemies. They could dwindle down the slaves, but the slaves couldn't do the same for them.
Victory was basically guarant-
*BANG!*
From the corridor in front, a massive plume of flames spewed towards them, burning some of the slavers standing in the front.
Now? The battle has begun.
…
After the first wave of flames, the entirety of the slaves began pouring out of the gap, with Jellal and Shiron leading them. Every single one of the slaves were taken aback, many frozen in fear.
"What are you idiots doing?!" Despite the leader's frantic shout, half were still stuck in fear-driven stupors. "ATTACK THEM!"
"But sir, we can't see-"
"I SAID FUCKING FIRE!"
In an instant, dozens of beams and minions rushed into the gap, only to be bounced back right back at the slavers.
…
"Many will die in the battle."
Jellal turned towards Shiron, his eyes drooping forlornly.
"I know…"
…
Dozens upon dozens of projectiles were being fired against the other side. Despite their aggressive charge, Jellal gritted his teeth as he saw that their numbers were slowly dwindling. And they still have their minions!
Counters or not, they simply didn't-
OH CRAP!
A red beam narrowly missed his head as he tilted to the side, drawing blood on his right cheek. The boy gave an exasperated look to the slave desperately firing his weapon in all directions. He knew that the slavers had superior weaponry… but this was something else!
How?
How could they possibly win? Keeping up his advance, Jellal looked from side to side, only to wince at the level of damage his side was taking. Shiron, Rob, even the hunter that he met on the ship were all taking damage. With every minion they take down, another took its place; with every one of them that falls, that was it.
So HOW?!
How were they supposed to beat them?
*Clang!*
Jellal swung his weapon at one of the minions, only to be forced away by another.
They can regenerate?!
The single wound that Jellal tried so hard to inflict, was closing in mere seconds.
"DAMN IT!"
In his anger, the blue-haired boy swung again and again, dodging every strike that came at him. Unknowingly, he was accelerating… drastically. Of course, this feat did not go unnoticed.
"Men! Take down that kid!" The head slaver lifted up his own weapon, preparing to fire.
A quarter of the slavers, numbering just over a hundred, went from randomly firing into the crowd into focus firing Jellal.
*BANG!*
"AUGGH!" The blue-haired boy was sent flying back by the combined concussive force. His bones rattled against his flesh as patches of skins were ripped from his resulting slide.
"Jellal!" It took all of Shiron's attention to continue his charge. The one moment he looked to the side towards his friend, meant disaster. A stray blast struck the boy in the chest, propelling him painfully back.
How could this be happening?
Jellal looked from his spot on the ground. Every inch of him throbbed with pain.
They had it! They did everything right! The boy clenched his fists, pushing himself from the ground. All the slavers were freed; they even armed themselves with magic! So WHY?!
Why were they losing so spectacularly?!
Jellal forced himself back on his feet, before widening his eyes at his emptied hand.
Damn it the staff! I lost it!
The only thing that allowed him to fight on even ground was lost. The sheer chaos that was his surroundings would not made it even remotely possible to find it.
Standing up, the boy spat out a glob of blood.
I promised them!
Dozens more fell around him, the only thing masking the sounds of explosions were the cacophony of anguished screams.
I promised that we would be free!
The blue-haired boy took off into a run, before small gilded particles slowly emerged from his body.
I swore we would get out of here…
Another blast was just meters from striking him. Yet, Jellal found himself seeing it with crystal-clear focus. Lunging to the side, he far outpaced the blast and continued his charge.
Even if it's the LAST THING I DO!
Within a fraction of a second, the boy erupted into a brilliant golden aura, before emerging at the slaver's flank in the blink of an eye.
"You're mine."
.
.
.
.
Chapter 19 Done! Next Chapter: Magic and Slaves
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