They were no ordinary bandits. In fact, they weren't bandits at all.

It was a small group of men dressed in black, daggers strapped to their side. They had appeared at out of no where. Literally. Morgause must have used her magic to track us and transport her minions.

Or Minerva was still playing traitor.

But none of that really mattered. Yes, I could fight very well with a sword. But what I needed was my magic, not a sword. And it was awfully hard using magic in front of the prince of Fiore.

I tried. I really, really tried. But Natsu, Gray, Jellal, and I were no match for Morgause's people. Especially when she had armed them with magical weapons.

One minute we had the cup.

The next minute, Natsu and Gray were fighting four of the men and Jellal was on the ground.

The Cup was gone.

~ ~ ~

"IF YOU THINK LOSING THE CUP WILL MAKE ME STOP YOUR MARRIAGE, THEN YOU ARE WRONG!" Faust roared, as soon as Jellal and the king had entered his chambers.

"I'm sorry," Jellal apologized calmly, his eyes blazing with fury. "There were these bandits and-"

"THERE ARE ALWAYS BANDITS!" the king yelled. "Bandits are everywhere in Fiore! That's no excuse-"

"How did these bandits know exactly where we were? How did they know we had the Cup?" Jellal retorted. "Don't you understand? We have a spy in this castle."

"It's Scarlet," Faust said immediately. "I've been suspicious ever since she disguised as a girl and managed to beat you up. It's impossible. No girl can be that tough."

"It is possible," Jellal muttered.

King Faust didn't hear. "We may have a traitor, but we can't let that break us apart. Whoever has the Cup knows how it works. We must prepare for war. Rally up the knights."

"Yes, Father," Jellal said obediently, and reached for the doorknob.

"Oh, and Jellal?" his father said. "The wedding will be delayed. I will ask King Jude to fight alongside us. Princess Lucy and Minerva will be brought to safety and the East Tower. Understand?"

~ ~ ~

"You are gathered here today because King Ivan deems you loyal," Morgause said, addressing the thousands of men that fought by Ivan's side.

Minerva strode up to Morgause and placed the Cup onto the altar.

"One by one, you will take a drop of your blood and put it in the Immortal Cup. I will enchant this ancient Cup and you will be immortal."

"Then," Ivan said. "We will have the power to destroy Fiore."

Laxus and his grandfather watched, as one by one, Ivan's army- no, Morgause's army became immortal.

And all Prince Laxus could think was how helpless he was, letting his friend's country being attacked by immortal soldiers.

~ ~ ~

"Minerva, my dear?" Faust called. "Where are you?"

The king gently opened the door to Minerva's chambers

He stepped inside and called his ward's name again. Lady Minerva was no where to be seen.

~ ~ ~

"Soldiers," Gray panted, kneeling before the already angry king.

"How many?" Jellal asked anxiously.

"Thousands and thousands," Gray whispered. "And every single one of them are immortal."

"This is war," King Faust muttered. "War has begun."

"My troops are ready," King Jude said. "Lucy, go upstairs. You- servant girl- take her upstairs."

Mira Jane nodded and escorted the princess to the East Tower.

"We can't fight an immortal army," I said, speaking up. "They are, after all, immortal."

The king glared at me. "We will try."

~ ~ ~

We were outside, waiting for the approaching army. We stood in perfect rows, shoulder to shoulder.

"Be careful," Jellal whispered to me.

"This is war, Jellal," I replied. After a moment, I added, "You be careful too."

Jellal stepped out of the crowd of knights. Of trainee knights. He turned around slowly and said loudly and clearly, "People will die tonight. But those who die will die for a good cause. Those who fight are fighting for a good cause. We are here tonight, to fight against this battle of magic."

I winced.

The Crown Prince raised his sword into the air. The rumbling of horses galloping was now coming closer.

"For the love of Fiore!" Jellal yelled.

"For the love of Fiore!"

"Long live the king!" 

"Long live the king!"

The first battle of magic had begun.

~ ~ ~

You've probably never fought in a battle before. Let me describe to you how it feels.

You feel alone. Yes, you have an entire kingdom- make that two kingdoms- fighting on our side. But I had magic, yet I was fighting against it. It made my heart ache thinking about how magic is used for evil.

You feel claustrophobic. People, good and bad, surround you. There's movement and blood and noise everywhere. It's something you can't avoid.

You feel scared. You try to act brave. But it's impossible when you're fighting an immortal army.

And I was scared.

~ ~ ~

"There's too many injured people," Porlyusica murmured, as I watched her bandage Gray's wound. 

"I tried using magic. It won't kill them either," I said in a low voice.

Suddenly the door to the infirmary was opened and Jellal and Natsu tumbled in.

"What's wrong?" I asked, realizing how stupid of a question that was.

"We're losing badly. They're taking over the castle."

"Where's Lady Minerva?" Porlyusica asked curiously.

"With Princess Lucy and Mira Jane," Jellal said. "At least I think so."

"There was this woman with curly blonde hair who's leading the army," Natsu added. "She's a sorceress."

"Oh, and..I noticed that these are knights from Bosco we're fighting," Jellal said sadly.

I knew how close Jellal and Laxus were as children. I felt bad for them. I could hardly imagine what it would be life if Mira and I met in battle.

"Where's King Faust? And Prince Siegrain? And King Jude?"

"King Jude is with Princess Lucy and Minerva. Father said that Jude is a guest and doesn't want him to fight. As for Father and Sieg..I can't find them."

Porlyusica took a deep breath. "We need to retreat, Prince Jellal."

"But-"

"She's right," Gray said hoarsely. "We need to evacuate."

"Only Father can order an evacuation-"

The door to the infirmary began to shake as someone attempted to break the lock. I had a feeling it wasn't a knight of Fiore.

"Leave," Gray hissed. "Natsu and I will hold them off."

I looked at Gray in surprise. Out of all people..Natsu?

"You're the prince-"

"But Sieg-"

"GO!"

"Come on, Jellal," I whispered, steering him behind the door. Porlyusica followed us.

The door burst open and two of Ivan's men, both immortal, entered the room. Natsu and Gray bravely fought. Together, side by side.

We quietly slipped past them and ran outside. Jellal managed to round up most of the trainee knights and told them to evacuate with Porlyusica. Turning towards me he said, "We need to find Sieg and my Father."

And together we ventured deeper into the castle.