(Jason's POV)
"We need to talk." Kagura said as she grabbed my hand, "Come, Mavis. Let Erion play with Arania."
"Huh?" I said confused
We were back home, after dinner. Anna had met Erion and was currently engaged in building blocks with him, Arania was about to join. They seemed to be quite fond of the kid.
Kagura pulled me to our room as Mavis followed.
"What is it?" Mavis asked, "Is something the matter?"
Kagura walked towards the center of the room, "That job Arania and I did." She said, "The man who hired us, I asked him a few questions."
That's right. Someone hired Kagura to retrieve a piece of a relic for them. I almost forgot about that, she said she was going to ask him if he knew anything about the gods or something like that.
"Did you learn something?" I asked
She nodded, "A lot." She told me, "The Temple you went to, I asked him about that. His face went pale and began to shake nervously. He told me that nobody should go there, it is a Temple of Asura that was overrun by Cultists and Blazing Acolytes."
I raised an eyebrow, "Blazing Acolytes?" I said, "I heard that somewhere before. What are they?"
"From what he disclosed, they're enigmatic followers of The Blazing Black God." She said, "Incredibly powerful mages that have worked in the shadows to manipulate the flow of events. They have had some hand in the fall of the Ifrit Empire and played a major role in the Dragon Civil War from 400 years ago."
The Ifrit Empire? Igora's race? She mentioned that Endless and the Eclipse God were responsible for that. Not just that, the Battle God Asura and his champions have become her race's enemies. I wonder if it's all connected. I might go ask her more.
"I see." Mavis said, "This Asura has no direct connections to the Cultists?"
Kagura shrugged, "I don't know." She said, "But that specific temple was occupied by his Champions. Something must've happened for that to change. The Dragon Cultists and Acolytes have occupied it since a couple of months ago, I wonder why."
"The Temple was empty." I said, "There was no sign of life. And Anna swore that it was the source of the Ravines' power surge. Someone used a powerful Time Spell there. For what? I don't know."
"I assume they've moved." Kagura said, "Just know that they were probably the ones that used it."
I crossed my arms, "There was this letter on the map, it was from a Therion." I said, "This man....could he be an Acolyte?"
"Maybe." Mavis said, "You think he's the one holding Irene captive?"
I put my hand on my chin, "I don't know." I said, "Maybe....."
"Are you sure it's worth looking for her?" Kagura asked me, "Irene that is...."
I looked at her, "She's Erion's biological mother..." I said, "Of cou-"
"We're his mothers." She cut me off, "Irene was a member of Alvarez, she might still be. She could be an enemy, Jason."
I sighed, "I understand." I said, "But I owe to Erion and Erza to try and look for her. I must give Erza some closure."
Kagura looked away, "Erza doesn't need it." She said softly
"Well, she hasn't been the same with Jason since the War ended." Mavis said, "I think it's a good idea to try and make things better with her. However, I agree with Kagura on one thing; She could be an enemy. I don't trust her, she was loyal to Zeref."
"So was Brandish." I said, "And look how that ended up."
She frowned, "That's different and you know it." She said seriously
"What do you want me to do then?" I said, "Stop seeking the Blazing Acolytes? It's pretty obvious they're the ones behind Irene's captivity and the Ravines' Surge."
Kagura looked at me, "I want you to be careful." She said, "I can't have you going to a death trap."
"I'll be fine." I told her
"I kinda don't want you to go back to the East, either." Mavis said, "If you venture there for too long, who knows what could happen....."
I sighed, "Okay...." I muttered, "I'll take a breather.....You were the ones that said I could go out and adventure....."
"Not too far East, Jason." Kagura said, "Ishgar has plenty of adventure. Besides, you can always go and ask Fairy Tail for a job."
"Nah." I said, "You know what? I gotta go back to the Hot Springs, see how business is going with my friend."
Mavis raised an eyebrow, "Business?" She said, "Or....Pleasure?"
I looked at her, "What does that mean?"
"Kagura told me of the first time you were there." Mavis told me, "I know what happened."
"Huh?" I said, "I swear I'll only go and check in on the business...."
"Sure." Kagura said with a sarcastic tone, "That's definitely the truth."
I shrugged, "Whatever." I said turning around, "I'll go and talk with Anna."
************************
"Sorry to have you guys outside like this." Anna said with a serious tone
We were outside, it was already dark. Erion was inside being tucked in by Arania who offered to do so.
"What is it?" Kagura asked, "Something the matter?"
Anna nodded, "Jason, you know of what we spoke about earlier?"
"shit..." I said, "Give it to me straight."
"What is it?" Mavis asked, "Is this about Erion? Anna I overheard something when you got here, you said you were going to check him..."
"I told Jason about this when we were in the East..." Anna said, "And I'm afraid it is the case....."
"Erion is the reincarnation of The Dragon Eater...."