Two years had gone by in an instant. Despite all that can happen in that span of time, the wind mage found himself once more in the lands of Stella. Strife had been quelled in the area and the wind mage was happy to enjoy the travel once more. This time he was here for more pressing matters.

The mage dipped by a roaming dinosaur. The massive beast, pressed his heavy foot into the ground, leaving behind a crater. Two locals ushered the dino along. Kaz gazed up at the creature. "New lands," he whispered and made his way further into the city, through the crowds, and toward a small Veranda connected to a shop.

The mage took a seat and told the finely dressed waiter that he was waiting on someone. The waiter left the menus behind and headed back to the kitchen. The table cloth was ornate and a soft breeze wafted through the hanging plants.

The wind mage contemplated all the discussions that would be had, once his sister-in-law arrived. Between newfound family and the fates of the guilds. Strange to think how connected all the light guilds had become. At least among the GuildMasters.

"Nice to see you again," Kaz began to stand up and greet her, but she was already pulling out a chair. With a smile, he sat back down and slid a menu to her side of the table. It was far overdue for these two to meet. Something that had been on the backburning simmering. And now the two wizard saints sat facing one another.

Kaz looked around once more at the scenery and strange beasts of mammoth proportions. "So far so good. Some things to get used to," he said with a small chuckle. "Thanks for meeting me all the way out here. I've never been.Things have been busy with the kids and the guilds," Even though she was family now, and they had known of each other for some time. A small pause lingered in the mage's mind as he searched for how to begin the conversation. Instead, he just shook his head and laughed.

"Seems silly to be overthinking something like this," he ran a hand through his hair and ruffled it as he slid his hand down the back of his neck. "I think I'm gonna order the pancakes. And then...let's talk about a more formal Alliance I suppose?" He said calmly, letting the jitters fade and settling back into himself once more. His still eyes met hers.

"Oh! How is Sofia?" he asked, feeling rude that it nearly slipped his mind.

"Yeah, that's true. I'm surprised they can live in safety with them just marching around," Kaz leaned back in the chair with his attention turning from the dinos and back to Alisa. He returned thew soft chuckle at the strange environment they found themselves in.

"That's good. I've been wanting to explore this place a little more." He waited as Alisa delighted in the menu of traditional delicacies offered. The wind mage stayed true to his routine and ordered the same thing he always had. "I hear they have great food. I'm interested to see how they make their pancakes." For someone as traveled as Kaz, his pallet for food stayed rudimentary. "Oh...Sure why not," He shrugged. After all, it was a special occasion now, and one that was overdue.

A warm smile swept his face, "Glad to hear it. So you've taken this time to get closer to her side of the family?" He asked, still knowing relatively little about the woman. mostly through reputation and tidbits from Kari. "How are the daughters?"

"Kari is doing well. We are primarily just focused on the kids now. Never thought I'd say that" he gave a small laugh, with a hand on the back of his head.

Kaz folded his hand's ontop of each other, resting on the table. The thought of years of politics and conversation just like this swam through the corners of his mind. From one group to the other. "True. Fairy Tail and Blue Pegasus have been close for a long time. I still feel as though I've only been a part of the guild recently even though it's been two years. I've missed some of the rich historical connections. But I hope to change that. Its nice to be able to rekindle things. I don't know if you were able to spend much time with the former guildmaster."

He let her last words simmer in his mind. "People's races of suddenly changed. An influx of enumerable spell casters and beasts being able to cast spells now...I fear things are headed toward chaotic situations." He squeezed his hand gently.

"I agree. We should stand together for whatever comes. And if something threatens the safety of the people." He didn't know if she had any specifics she wanted to go over as far as what exactly that meant. But Kaz assumed they would face threats together and support one another. Nonetheless, he left a pause between them, to see if she wanted to elaborate on anything.

"Having kids will put things on a different path. That's for sure," Kaz rested his chin in the palm of his hand. It was true as much for Alisa and Sofia as it was for him now too. It was a busy two years for both of them.

"Maybe You'll end up moving down here if they like it that much," Kaz joked about the children sleeping more soundly here than back home. He and Karisa still had to decide on what permanent living situation they would have. Finish building the home that she wanted. A giant step made the glasses wobble on the table, ever so slightly.

A lopsided smile snuck onto the wind mage's face "Yeah It does," He replied to his own life turning upside down. He held back the faint wisp of weariness in his mind. He enjoyed the constant change and being Guild master. But moving from one leadership position to the next and seeing the string of death that accompanied it had weighed on him.

"It's a chair that does have a knack for creating distance. I only met the Fairy Tail Guildmaster on their way out. And I've never met any of the ones from Blue Pegasus...Well except for you," he added with a fleeting chuckle. He had at least heard of Belladonna, but Lance was a complete mystery.

Kaz leaned back with a deep sigh. One thumb rubbed across the back of his folded hands. "Yeah. I've heard rumors of the same. It's been a while since a dark guild has done anything. Nothing crazy since the awakening of that dragon. But a country-wide threat," he shook his head at the thought of how much destruction that would bring. "If it happens, of course we will do what we can and stand together." Kaz was reminded in many ways about his time in the rune knights. tasked with enforcing the law. In many ways it made him wonder how much difference there was between the knights and what people saw as the responsibilities of the light guilds.

Kaz stared back into the White Empress's determined gaze. To protect the king again? Was it the place or duty of the light guilds? And in the event of an uprising or political battle, he had to weigh how close he wanted to be to the king's side. "King Reign seems like he has worked with the commoners so far. If the kingdom and the people are threatened then Let's fight side by side," he brought his glass up for a toast, "As long as the king does right by the people." Kazimir had no problem protecting the current situation if the king continued to give his ear to the people and progress their lives.

"Hopefully we can enjoy a bit more time of peace though. But Fairy Tail will be ready when the time comes." He let a moment linger in case Alisa wanted to say anything else.

"There is one more thing I wanted to speak with you about. It would seem a fairly new guild has started. Do you know anything about them...Infinity Wolves?"

"oof, that's the truth. I'm already putting some thought into it," The mage smiled. "I may just become a vampire again, to get a few more years of work. I don't think I could live a passive retirement," he took a drink of his water. Light gleamed off the clear glass.

"Thank you," he replied at her knowing he would be there for her guild. The wind mage moved his drink and silverware to the side, making room for the stack of pancakes. One of the little-known and most important reasons he walked away from the vampiric life. "Yes. it's nice to have the talk and get everything out in the open." He gleamed a smile as much for her as it was for the pancakes. He was pleased that the conversation went so well, but he never expected it not to.

"Yeah...When I was a knight. That line and all those secrets made it hard to see the truth. But time reveals all. This land has seen enough oppression," He paused before plunging the fork into the pancakes to respond to Alisa. His thumb rubbed the handle of the fork as he thought about the strife of the past on the land.

"It's hard to think about what I may have done differently," he finally took his first bite of the pancake that soothed his uneasy thoughts about the past.

"May we never need it," He repeated back with an affirmative nod. "Although I suspect I'll try to sneak into more of your famous parties now. I've stayed home a lot to protect the guild when it seemed everyone was trying to conquer lands," he said with a big piece of pancake hanging on the end of his fork ready to be consumed. He had heard many tales of the woman's gift for festivals but had yet to really make it to one.

Kaz popped his head back up to see the woman rub her temple. The wind mage was not exactly sure about all the dealings of Infinity Wolves or who they were, but he was regretful that he may have tiptoed on a sensitive topic. He slowly swallowed and set down his utensils, neatly.

"Lee...I haven't spoken to her really in years now." He was a page in the knights when they first met. She was the first person he had met since coming to Fiore. His introduction into the world. "I see. She was... impulsive when I knew her. But always did try to do what was right." She was fiery but a great force against wrongdoers. He was at least happy to hear she was finding a place in this world.

"I had no idea about the split. Sorry...it can be tough to try to make sense of something like that," Kaz added, knowing what it was like to have splits and factions appear within a group and navigate it. And all the ways it can feel like a leader's fault.

"Ah. I had heard they were a demi-human focused group. Wondered how deeply that ran. Sounds like it would make it difficult to reach out to others that way. Are they living gout more isolationist?" While he had always thought that everyone should find a place they can call home. He felt it could be dangerous to begin something with such a...defined group identity. He worried it would make more divides than it would mend. "I'm glad they could find a place they feel safe. But I'm sorry that they didn't seem to feel that way with you. We haven't spent much time together. But I do know that anyone would feel more than welcome in your guild and around you." It was a terrible feeling for any guild master or leader to try and untangled in their mind. The ever infectious reason why.

"You're right. It's hard to know what goes on within a person's life. Have you talked to them since then?" It was no secret that Kaz had a rocky relationship with guilds and factions in the past, either. From the Knights to the Inquistion.

He rose his hands slightly and with a lopsided smile, "It's not great. I couldn't enjoy pancakes after all," he said making light of the vampiric change and the unsavory desire for blood. The wind mage wondered if staying a werewolf forever would be his path this time or not.

"Yeah...a shame how quickly power and lies can corrupt a person and then bleed into a nation," he could see the passion building in her eyes and the growing resolution in her voice. "Absolutley. If you take on the role of a leader. It must be to put the people first. Especially to reside over all the people of the land. " He thought about the ruling government and the laws in place. Some of them he didn't agree with and there was always a tense feeling on how dark and neutral guilds were determined. He didn't always trust the judgment, or perhaps there were better ways to stop people from falling into dark magic. Kazimir too harbored a few secrets, or rather topics people had forgotten about over the years.

Kaz looked away with his elbow resting on the chair and his face resting on his fist in response to her coy words. An airy chuckle came from his nose and wafted over his knuckles as his eyes shifted back to hers. "Well. I'll certainly have to make time for your next one now," he replied jovially. "A formal invite and all. I'll make some free time. After all, what's life if you can't enjoy it from time to time." It was refreshing to be able to sit and just chat, especially with someone that shared the same troubles of the world and leadership. They both had seen Fiore reshape itself more than once.

Kaz gave an extra dollop of syrup across his pancakes. Alisa spoke closer to the heart about the guilds and the government. Kaz leaned his face to the warm sunlight pouring across them. "During most of the chaos, I served as A rune knight or a faction of them. I always saw our job as to deal with criminals and held Guilds as something separate. taking on quests to better themselves while helping the people. I was worried when the Knights were disbanded that it would put too much pressure on the guilds to feel that void. It was a bad choice, I think. And I'm glad things are sitting more normal now." The wind mage said, never being one to shy too far away from voicing what he felt in a gentle way. Having worked so closely with nobility put a feeling of indifference on to him, but he was glad to see the new direction.

"Of course," he replied to Alisa not wanting members there against their will. They were both big proponents of freedom. "We can never tell the workings of someone else's mind. Or how people will change," Kaz swirled the glass of wine but set it back down without taking a sip. "The only reason I made my way into Fairy Tail was that my faction fell apart. Times changed for all of us, with the downfall of the knights and we ended up all going separate ways. But Now I have the chance to form strong bonds once again. The ebb and flow of life has been both painful and rewarding." He added, but he wasn't bitter about it. It was a pleasant memory to look back on.

"Just like I'm sure you will always have people around you," he finished.

"Ah, that's good to hear. Glad they will be safe enough to weather a storm. I hope the reunion goes well." Kaz assumed by the way she spoke she, had no hard feelings towards them about it. He hoped that it was not an awkward reunion for any of them.

Kaz cocked a brow as the woman leaned forward. She had a look on her face, that could only mean, a festival. After all...that's what they were known for. "Yes?"

"Oh...fifteen days...I'll try my hardest to be there for it Sister. Meeting with the others would be a good idea. The only one I have yet to talk to is Lee. And the guild masters should all get together at some point.' Kaz opened his mouth to ask for more information and ran his hands through his hair with one eye closed, ready to ask the difficult question about attire.

Before he could get the words out a terrifying presence appeared next to the two of them. Kaz felt a shiver run up his spine. A defensive flicker of magic sparked with the mage. A small breeze ruffled the table cloth as something close to an Angel appeared next to them.

"Oh...uh...yeah..That's all you want?" Kaz asked and began to point towards the beach area. "If so...it's that way. You'll pass by the tourists shopping areas on the way." Kaz left his hand in the air, pointing in the direction but with an eye on the strange being. "And no worries...Glad we could help?" Kaz said in more of a question than a statement.

"There are so many knights and they have a fortress. It was crazy to think that guilds could keep up with the workload. And nor should hey have." Kaz voiced as it was a matter that was close to him. Having lived through the transition and the founded of a guild to try and solve that issue.

The wind mage smoothed out the table cloth as she mentioned Phoenix Feather. It was a bitter-sweet memory. "Yes. A short-lived attempt at it. A few of us wanted freedom from the monarchy but to keep regulating the peace. So it was meant to be a splinter cell. In the end, the separation left both sides without enough to carry on," he shook his head and then hoped that Alisa didn't feel the same way about the split with IW. Although, BP had been around for a long time and he doubted it would go anywhere.

"I'm glad that we tried. And I'll always be thankful for the ones that joined me. We were all so hopeful back then. But I haven't seen any of them since the split. And I had some personal things to deal with as well." He made eye contact with the woman once more and softly smiled. "Thank you. I actually was thinking about Joining Blue Pegasus after Phoenix Feather fell apart...but then I found out Adriana was my god mother and that changed a few things." he laughed and took a swig of the wine.

The angelic being began to question them. Kazimir returned Alisa's gaze with a hint of confusion in his own. His wind died down at the simple question being asked.

"Won't believe us about what?" Kaz began to ask when his eyes widened as the being took on a face that was a mix of the two mages. The man's voice wasn't soft, but it felt like a continual threat to the wind mage.

"What are you?" Kaz asked as he studied the features of the being and tried to match his scent to anything he had encountered before. Kaz gazed around the area seeing everyone halted in time except for them. Whoever this was had immense power. As far as the mage could see, time had stopped.

Kaz watched the small child rush forward in a strange dimensional meeting both absurd and casual. "Uhm...no problem," Kaz said as the man turned to head to the beach, and time began to flow again. It felt like the wind mage could breathe again.

"Alisa...what do you...make of all that?" Kaz flexed his hand making sure he was still moving in normal time.

"Hardships will do that. In the end, the journey was worth it. What about you? have you been in Blue Pegasus your whole time" he asked not really knowing even that detail about her life. he assumed she was, as he never heard of her in relation to another guild, but who could know.

He smiled and stabbed his fork into another small piece of pancake. "Thanks. But it does seem I have a deep-rooted connection to Fairy Tail now," He said wondering if the woman knew just how close he really was to joining up with her guild. The idea of a unified guild of power had always had some appeal to him.

Alisa asked her own question to the being but just like that, the entity left with their son. A passive encounter that left the wind mage wondering. Whatever it was, it was certainly heavenly inspired, but not just a seraphim. And it didn't seem like it cared or knew what Kaz had done in the past. With unanswered questions, the being was gone and It was just the two of them again. The people around them started to walk and talk once more, as time settled back into place.

Kazimir gazed around at the spectacle and ran his hand through his hair. Kaz swallowed nothing as Alisa pointed out what it could have truly been. "I've met a Seraphim before. On a couple of occasions. Killed one once," he said settling back into his chair with a bit of a slouch. He didn't even think about how that statement was going to land with someone. "And it was nothing compared to that power. It had to be..." he didn't finish it, still not certain in the absurdity of who it could have possibly been. But it was the only thing that made any sense.

Her reaction put a half-smile on Kaz's face, spurned by how wild the situation was, "We would be marked just for implying he looked like us. Burned alive or worse...Being seen as prophets by the church and never having a moment of peace again," It was more of a joke but either way, their lives would be up-ended if the church did believe them. Kaz had never had a reason to disbelieve in the being, but he followed his own faith.

The wind mage watched where the Angelic being had walked off to. His brow furrowed in thought, "Regardless what he was. God or not. Why here, why now, and why us? He could have appeared to anyone, and yet he chose the faithless" He remarked, given that Alisa hadn't shown any fealty to Illumin, he assumed she was not of the faith.

"Seems someone scooped you up pretty quick. I'm glad you found your home and it seems you have flourished there." The wind mage could honestly not imagine the guild without her in it. She had become the staple of what he saw when thinking about BP.

"Absolutely not. I fought that Seraphim and the power I felt from that...entity eclipsed anything I've encountered. He certainly is of a higher level than a Seraphim, by a far margin." He contemplated what all it would take to rise to that power. How does someone even come into being that strong?

The only thing he could do was give a nervous laugh at the thought of being hated and hounded as prophets or heretics. "Guess this is one event we may have to keep to ourselves," he joked, but it was true. At least Kuri would believe him though. No...how could she?

"Thank you," Kaz spoke to the waiter as they had an intermission in dialogue about the god of creation.

The wind mage interlaced his fingers and placed his elbows on the table as they were about to settle into, assuming the man they saw was God. It was still a hard pill to swallow even with the feeling and seeing the power unfold.

"That's what worries me the most. A god that chose not to reveal himself to the people that have dedicated their lives to him. One that doesn't care about demons or angels when they were running wild on the world. I agree," It sent a shiver through him, thinking about the structure of the world and all the history with the church. "That would flip everything upside down. Even if they believed us...the church's only option would be to cover it up to maintain power. Because if that's true...then somewhere in the pits of history...there is a master story teller that has manipulated the strings of the world's view." He hated the thought. " Or just history's longest inaccurate game of telephone," he shrugged hoping it was the latter and that over time things just got confused and blended.

It was a relief in many ways though, that the killing of a seraphim was not on the almighty's mind. And they seemed to get along...well enough.

"I think the biggest question is..." He turned back to face Alisa and then looked back down to the beach. "Why does Illumin need directions..." He turned back to her with a laugh. All one could really do in this situation si try to find some humor among the stark implications.

He waited for the moment to settle back in before asking a serious question with eyes met with Ali's, "So then. Assuming that was...Him... Does that change anything for you?"

Kaz softly tapped his fork into the pancakes without intending on taking a bit. He listened to Alisa's point about the Church. it was also something that he feared. The foundations of an entire nation hung on the balance of a single name. "Yeah...who was the one pulling the strings. You're right...it has been built on a lie. Something that has shaped the landscape of the nation. Used to liberate people and oppress them. All in the name of a being that doesn't care either way."

Kaz hunted for the truth behind things his whole life. And seeing it face to face now, shook his understanding of the world. It made him angry to think about all the pain that was caused in the name of Illumin that was for nothing. "Can you imagine how many good-hearted people that based their life and their good deeds on Illumin would be crushed to know the truth. How many of them would lose what it was that gave them morality and purpose?" Riots would undoubtedly occur. Even if they could tell people and they would believe...would that even be for the best?

Kaz cocked his eyebrow at what the Empress said next, "More like us huh? I can't say I haven't wondered the same thing. Especially after we have faced off against the threats that we have." He made sure to make eye contact with her. His fork slid down beside his plate, "It almost sounds like you want to rival that power?" he asked, curious about her response.

His eyes gazed down briefly at the fist that was clenching around her glass. "I see. So you were at the Bosco incident?" Kaz asked not really keeping up with what was happening over there. "True. And to choose to meet the faithless. I'm sorry you went through that. Sounds like it was a difficult time. in Bosco. Even here...with the darker dealings of the church, Kaz shook his head.

"Death Cults and Demonic rites?" Kaz titled his head and his tone revealed it was a question for more information.

"It does seem that way. All forged by beings and people with their own agendas."

Kaz folded his hands together as she passed the question back to him. "It makes me rethink my whole life in a way. All the small things seem even smaller now. And I have even more questions than before. If Illumin wasn't the one behind setting the Agenda, what are the goals of demons and angels? Especially angels now? I used to think a few of them were bad but they were mostly good-natured. But now...what is their goal? What was the battle to push them out of Earthland all about?" Kaz squeezed his interlaced fingers together thinking about what all it could mean.

"Feels like dealing with corrupt politicians and rogue mages is an afterthought. The world seems fragile now that I know people are holding onto a false idea of God that gives them so much false confidence. And the things you already talked about...the crimes justified in his name. Honestly...it makes me want to bring the whole church down." He spoke in a more assured and serious voice than he had all day. He wanted to know more.

"If power is truly all it takes...then anyone has the potential to become a deity. Given it doesn't seem like Illumin would actually spend his time granted powers to the church or dealing in miracles." he shook his head as she continued. All that she said made perfect sense to him. He was thinking things along the same lines. "To think...he didn't even spend the time to correct them when innocents were being slaughtered. It's hard to believe that humanity has done more to protect ourselves than the deity the church wishes to attribute salvation to. We...have to do something about it."

"The world just keeps getting darker, doesn't it," he replied at her clenched fist. A single moment had redefined so many things for him and it seemed for her too.

So it was true...she did want to pursue that kind of power. "I can't blame you. Once you reach a certain point...what once seemed impossible seems a lot more obtainable. Especially with what we have seen already. I've thought about reaching the power of angels...but beyond that...maybe it is possible." The shift in tone to her ambitious goal was quick and fitting of the circumstance. Kaz looked back at her, "Perhaps it's time we trained together to reach that goal." He hadn't thought of it before. But with things being so silent for now. It was the perfect time to train with someone strong.

The topic shifted to her demon-hunting days. "Even if there were things that remained a mystery and others came up to take their place. It's undeniable that you saved lives and made things better. And in the end...it all made you stronger for what is to come." It was a thought that unsettled the wind mage. If they had been fighting pions and lackeys, how deep did the pool go? How many layers of otherworldly beings needed to be combed through. "It may never end...but fighting, will hopefully be worth it. I will fight for as long as I am able." He held back the anger towards angels and demons that he felt but his eyes flared with it.

He sighed thinking back to the incursions, and the troubles that the seraphim also brought with it. "The demons' and angels' goals may not be so separate. Maybe even some demons seek repentance. But...if Illumin is not a part of it...how is the whole process regulated. How are demons and angels formed? Are they predestined down their path or can they choose?" he shook his head again and pushed his empty plate to the side of the table. "If only we could capture and interrogate one. All I know is the one I dealt with was an angel of wrath and sought to bring about wrath into the world. So far that leads me to believe there is at least a sect of angels that represent core emotions." It was a theory he had only given some thought to and the sample size was small. But he intended on following it deeper.

"Yeah... it's terrible for the good ones, stuck under the thumb of the corrupt," he thought about her question and crossed one leg over the other. "To shape humanity...maybe they thought we were too unruly...or maybe...they thought they could garner Illumin's attention if they meddled enough." he hoped that it wasn't the latter of his statements.

"In it together," he smiled back. his shoulders slumped a little, "No one will ever believe. We may even be vilified if we take certain actions. Same. It seems we have our work cut out for us. And I'll be there if you need me. Where do we even begin?"

A sound remark that he nodded back to. He had not until recently put the idea of mortals and deities on the same level. Not until he had seen the power that humanity could obtain. "True."

A smile donned on her face, which surprised the wind mage slightly. As if he had stirred something on accident. A half grin appeared on his own face now and he scratched the back of his head. "Seems we have more than a few things in common." He added, given that they both hunted for something beyond themselves. When was the last time he had even sparred with anyone...let alone someone of this magnitude.

"Sounds good. We'll need to be in top shape," he squinted his eyes a little and tilted his head as he looked at her. "You know...I'm not entirely sure how you fight now that I think of it. With so much time having passed too, who knows how many more tricks you've acquired." He joked back, but with an underlying honesty. A woman like her never settled with one level of skill for long.

It was nice to hear someone speak about the greater fight ahead of them. Even having known little about the woman across from him, he understood that if there was anyone that would value the worth of a guild and teamwork it would be her. He didn't need trials on a field of battle to know that he could rely on her, keen intuition.

"Can't take the front lines as often," Kaz replied with a playfully cocked brow, but only for a moment as his face settled with a light sigh. "No matter what happens. I'll probably end up on the frontlines if it means a clash between us and angels and demons." Even as a leader before and a guildmaster now, he had always just marched forward and counted himself lucky enough that others wanted to march alongside him.

He interlocked his fingers and tried to think of an answer to his own question. A few things came to mind, but he wanted to wait for his companion's response. Nothing was setting concretely in his mind either. The path had seemed to run dry. But Alisa had a knack for knowing about the world and was privy to a great deal of information and experiences that may garner some more insights than the wind mage had on changes and subtleties. Especially with the Church.

He agreed. It was a hard battle to take down a seraphim and if they were servants then who knows what might there was still left to unleash. "Yeah...it'll take something grand for us to stand toe to toe with anything like that." He stopped to ponder for a moment, "And I still have a long way to go to fully realize my magic."

"My encounter with the Seraphim...he was trying to harness some of the power from the celestial spirits to create a way home for himself." It was something but not much to go off of. They still had no real leads

"Oh...your former apprentice? You've had some strong people serve under you. But yes Kaito has the ability now. An Aloof member of the guild. You're thinking we use his power to open a gate to the heavens...possible And with the right amount of preparation, an ambush could be effective. Now that they can't readily access our realm they can't spy on us as easily...in theory."