Lucy sat slumped at her desk staring at a blank piece of paper. The darkness of her cloistered apartment gave her a morbid comfort. The silence spoke to her, saying do something anything to bring the silence to its death. Abruptly Lucy stills and tears fall from her eyes. "What?" Lucy whispers confused. Lucy raises her hand and wipes away her tears. She stands up knocking her chair over, and screams silently. "I'm alone." A strong wind blew causing Lucy's hair to blow in her face. A powerful voice echoes around her small apartment," Lucy Heartfilia…"
"Huh? Is someone here!" Lucy called out. "Lucy Heartfilia," the voice resounded again. From the corner of her eye Lucy noticed a faint light, turning her head there was a pulsing blue light coming from underneath some her packed boxes, "Lucy Heartfilia…" the voice sounding much louder than the other times. Lucy tensely walked towards the blue light walking over her fallen chair until she reached the pile where the light was coming from.
Moving a side the boxes that were in her way. There underneath a layer of boxes was a maroon box with a golden ribbon.
It was a strange color combination a red and gold box with a blue pulsating light. But it didn't even come close to the weirdest thing She had seen.
Her curiosity spiked, momentraly ignoring her sorrow. She grasped the end of the bow and pulled it loose from the box. She set it aside the pulled the lid off. Laying on a velvet cloth was a shimmering sword. The blade was thin as the sharp edges looked like they could break through skin with the smallest of pressure. The hilt was covered with a swirled design with a few curves on the hilt of the sword. It reminded her of the scarlet knights more mystical blades. She extended her hand and gently placed her fingertips on the metal. The blue light engulfed her and flashed for a moment then faded, and left in that place was nothing but a fallen chair and scattered boxes.
Somewhere Else
Lucy shielded her eyes with her arms trying to block out the immense bright light until it started to fade and once it was completely gone Lucy uncovered her eyes. Desperate to get her vision back she blinked rapidly. After a few minutes to regain her sight Lucy's eyes widened in shock and fear. All around her where large marble pillars to her sides. It seemed like a corridor. In between each pillar were hanging ferns each held in what looked like gold pots with three chains around it.
The floor ivy marble that sucked the heat of her limbs.
"What the hell?" Her words echoed silently.
"Where am I?" She cautiously moves to her hand a knees.
She peeks out the window and sees a beautiful indoor garden.
The air feels light, like a fresh breath after a heavy rain storm.
She stands tall, contemplating.
The situation is reminiscent of Edolas, like Anima. Except anima didn't act like teleporting but more like a wormhole that sucked up magic and magical beings.
She shakes her head. No, the magic felt all wrong, this is something else, or someone else's work.
She focused on her magic sensing it, but could she still use it?
Her hand fall to her hip, reaching for her keys.
She brushes over the cool metal with her fingers, feeling the thrum of magic radiating from her keys and grabs hold of her strongest Spirit.
Now was not the time for hesitation. Her guilt could be set aside for just this once.
"Open! Gate of the Loin, Leo!"
Her magic spiked around her, the familiar bell toll rings, and the light fades.
Loki materializes before his summoner, "Lucy are you alright?"
"Loki,I'm fine but I don't know where I am" relief fills her face;her magic worked, but quickly fades back to her shame filled eyes and small frown,"but I can use magic." she finishes quietly.
"Oh." Loki face flashes disappointment and worry, before he frowns in concentration. "I'm not sure, but something feels off about being here something familiar." He trails off.
"So we're not on earthland, or what do you mean?"
Loki flicks his eyes in her direction for the first time before staring at her, "Did you change your clothes to celestial clothes?"
Lucy confused looks down, "Ehh?"
She wasn't wearing celestial clothes, she was wearing an old blouse and a pair of pants.
Except she wasn't, the uniform she was currently wearing imitated celestial clothing very well but this wasn't it.
"I wasn't wearing this before."
"If you weren't wearing it where did it come from?" Loki asks.
"I'm not sure Loki." She frowns, "I didn't even notice my clothes had changed until you pointed it out to me." Lucy groans.
"Why does this always happen to me?" She shouts.
"Lucy it's going to be okay," Loki reassures her. "Let's focus on the main problem." Lucy nods her head, "Okay, Let's look around this place and search for someone they might be able to tell us what this place," she gestures around her, " is."
"Yeah, Okay." Loki agrees.
Lucy brushes her hands off, "Thank you Loki."
Lucy and her loyal lion begin wandering the garden and opon finding nothing they head inside.
The corridors all looked identical and long and every room they came across was a classroom of sort. before reaching a staircase with a small study area.
Under the banister a voice suddenly called out, "Ahh! What I wouldn't do right now for a bottle of wine right now." The voice mumbled something else.
Lucy was only able to understand a few words, something about including him in this crazy plan?Hmm. Perhaps he knows something.
They peeked down at the stranger. And by the look on Loki's face he learned something else from the man.
Loki leans into Lucy and whispers in her ear, "Lucy I think I know something but I have to go back to the spirit world." Loki leaned back and squeezed her shoulder gently. "Virgo will be here if you need anything."
"Who's there?"
"Huh?" Lucy startled jumps back, before descending the stairs.
"Uhh. Hello…"
At her voice the stranger with dark reddish hair stands up facing her, it reminds her of Erza's scarlet hair. He's tall and muscular built like an athlete. He's beautiful.
"Oh wow. You have certainly been blessed by the gods." He smiles proudly.
Loki prickles at his statement and nearly growls at him.
"Are you the human representative that I heard about?"
"Umm." Lucy is left reeling at the new information. Is he saying he's not human?
Alarm bells go off in her head. Who even is this guy?
"Who are you?" Lucy blurts out, and it's like she can't stop herself any more she adds, "Do you know what this place is?"
"Ah, well I wish I could be of help but I don't know what this place is exactly but I do recognize my father's work when I see it."
This time his face looks bashful, "as for not introducing myself, forgive my manners."
He clasps her hand in his and kisses her knuckles, "I am Dionysus," He flashes a perfect grin that nearly has her falling over, God of fertility.
"My name is Lucy , and that's Loki." She says absently.
Loki pulls Lucy back possessively, "Princess are you cheating on me?"
At the Dionysus steps back as if burned by her touch. "Oh, I'm sorry." Under his breath he muttered, "of course She's taken."
But Lucy felt her face flush, she felt hot and her anger even hotter.
Lucy embarrassed pulls back from both of them, and then whacks Loki over the head. "Stop saying things like that Loki!"
Both men looking at her amused and that irritates her more. "And you," she points dramatically at Dionysus, " don't you understand personal space?"
She huffs at Dionysus' laughter, God this is going to kill her one day.Wait did he say god?
"Wait your a god?"
Dionysus hesitated at her reaction, "Yes the Greek god of fertility Dionysus." He repeated.
His words made her head spin. What? That made no sense.
"What are we doing here?" Fear evident in her voice.
Dionysus softens his features at that, "Whatever my father is planning, I'm sure no one will get hurt. I promise."
Loki tenses at his words, and if something does happen is spirits are here to protect you." he attempts to comfort Lucy.
But at word protect Lucy freezes, " I don't- I doubt it will come to th-that. She looks away from them down the corridor and sees someone with red hair disappear down another direction.
Who?
She shakes her head, " in any case I'm going to look around this place more."
"I'm going to see if I can find out more about this place, you should go too Loki."
"But Lucy," Loki tries to protest.
"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough." Dionysus interrupts. He sits back down on the chair from before. "We just have to wait him out."
Lucy is tempted to take his word, but what would natsu and her team do? The answer was obvious they wouldn't sit around waiting for something to happen when they can get their answers themselves, and she won't either. Maybe because she felt alone maybe she had picked up their habits from being on a team with them for so long but it felt right to move forward even if she didn't know what was ahead.
And hopefully with a little luck she would find out the truth.
"I'm not waiting I want to know what this place is." She picks a direction and starts walking.
Dionysus just shrugs, "Well whatever we're doing here I'm sure I'll see you around."
"Mm. Thank you Dionysus for your help. See you she waves behind her flashing her fairy tail symbol.
"Stubborn one isn't she?" He calls out to Loki.
Silence greets him. Confused he turns around and sees no one.
"Strange," he mutters. "I didn't even hear him leave." He shrugs it off and sets his head down a nice nap to prepare him for his father's plan sounds good right about now.
"But that girl looked like she could use our help." a gentle voice drifted down the corridor.
"I'm sure she'll be fine without our help Balder."
"But she seemed nice." He trailed off.
"You're too kind for your own good." The voice sounded playful.
"Mmm."
"Hello." Lucy calls out to the two men.
Both turn around, one with long silvery blond hair with a surprised look and the other bright red hair with an irritated glare.
"Another girl?"
"Are you human?"
"Are the both of you gods?"
The two men stare at her as she stares at them.
"Um. I'm human, are you guys gods?"
The blonde one smiles at her while the other redhead looked away angrily.
However neither seemed like they were going to speak.
"My name is Lucy. Do you know what this place is?"
"Oh, sorry you just surprised me, your the second human I've met today." He walks over to her.
So they are gods.
"My name is Balder, and that's my friend Loki." He gestures to the redhead.
"It's nice to meet yo-ahh!" He tripped over thin air, like a blue haired dragon slayer she knows.
"Opff."
"Are you alright?" Lucy gets down putting her weight on her heels. She reaches out to help him stand.
He holds her, steadying himself. He still doesn't let go. The redhead whose name is also Loki looked ready to stab her.
"Umm can I have my hand back please?"
"Oh. Yes, it's just your also really beautiful." Her hands are not soft like the other girl Yui. He let's go of her hand.
"Thank you." Lucy murmurs stepping back to get some space between them. Geez do gods not have personal space?
She clears her throat "But do you guys not know anything either?"
"Hmm. Oh Loki was just explaining to me that someone must have set this up. But we're not sure who and there seems to be a mix of humans and gods."
"Balder, you don't have to tell her anything."
"That's about the same information that I got from the other god."
"He said his father was most likely behind this."
"Oh? Which God did you meet?" Balder asks interested.
"He said he was the Greek God of fertility, Dionysus, I believe."
"So the Greeks are behind this!" Loki shouts. He grabs Balder. "We need to find Thor!" He takes off with Balder. "Sorry little bird but we have to go."
And just like that Lucy was alone wondering the same questions as before. So one of the Greek gods is behind this. But she doesn't know any gods in fact. But this just kept getting more confusing hopefully Loki, her Loki is having better luck in the Spirit world.
"Brother this place is stupid."
"Mnn."
"At least we found Osamaru."
Another pair of gods?
"Ah wait, Osamaru don't!" A bunny ran back down the corridor.
Lucy was staring at the bunny. Its ears twitched. It started back. Cute.
Lucy slowly reached out and pet the white bunny.
It leaned into her hold.
Lucy looked at the collar for a name tag, there was nothing. "Now who do you belong to, hmm?"
"Hey! What are you doing to Osamaru?" A voice shouted from a distance. Lucy startled nearly fell over. "Who are you?" She asked quickly.
"Do you know anything about this place?" The new stranger demanded. He got really close and picked up the bunny hold him away from her.
That anger, the tan skin, muscular build, it was like seeing a different version of natsu. He even had spiky hair! She felt her stomach drop. Her mouth went dry. The disappointment hit her so hard. She lost all the air in her lungs, but couldn't breathe either.
"Uhn." Her voice didn't work.
"Huh? Do you know something? Tell me!" He looked ready to attack her, but another stranger stepped in.
"Your scaring her, I doubt she knows what this place is." A near robotic voice calls out to the blue haired man.
"I do!"Lucy shouts flustered.
"I know a little bit about what this place is." She trails off.
The bluennette huffs but leans back a little. He stares expectantly, " Well, tell us what do you know!" He snapped.
"Rude,"Lucy mutters, "anyway from what I've gathered one of the Greek gods is behind this. It's all part of something, but I don't know why we're here or really what this place is."
"That's not very useful information."
" What do mean? It's better than knowing nothing!"
"It leaves to many unanswered questions!"He growls.
"Ugh. Let's go brother."
They walk away,and just before they disappear down another hallway the blue haired god-she assumes, turns and glares "don't follow us."
"These god's have personality problems!" She shouts at the empty hallway.
Lucy Heartfilia
Lucy stands straight hyper aware of her surroundings. That voice.
Lucy Heartfilia
A bright light envelopes her before she can react, and then the light fades. She standing before two grand doors.
"Enter, Lucy Heartfilia." The same voice calls out.
Her throat feels dry, she takes a breath and steps forward.
She pushes the doors open, expecting them to be heavy, but a light shove and they glide open.
She steps inside the dark throne room, and cautiously walks toward the throne. She can feel someone staring.
"Thank you for coming, Lucy Heartfilia. I've been waiting for you."
Lucy stays rooted to the center of the room.
"Don't be shy. Come here."
Lucy feels compelled to obey. She steps forward finally close enough to discern a figure in red garments and a large staff in his hand. Long waves of golden hair, a golden beard, and the most vibrant golden eyes.
"Are you the god behind all of this?"
"Yes."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Zeus I am the ruler of heaven."
"Zeus… why did you bring humans and gods here?"
"Lucy Heartfilia I have summoned you to play a part in my plan."
Lucy frowns slightly.
"Since ancient times, gods have been beings that must both love humanity and be worshipped by them."
"However, the connection between the heavens, ruled by gods, and the human realm has grown lamentably weak."
"At this rate, a terrible future is inevitable."
He looks at her, "That is why I have brought together the gods who struggle the most with their connection to humanity, to educate them."
At this declaration Lucy gives a confused huff.
"You have already met five of them," floating images of every one She's met today appears.
"The Norse gods Baldr, and Loki. The Japanese gods Tsukuyomi and Susanoo. The Greek god Dionysus."
"What are humans? What is love? By making them understand these things, a terrible future can be avoided."
"This is why I created this school."
"Yes this academy of gods."
"Lucy Heartfilia. You will learn alongside them, and teach them about humanity." He points his shiny staff at her face.
Except it doesn't add up there is another human girl and while she can believe they are gods after all there are God slayers so there must be gods; she has never heard of Greek, Japanese or Norse mythology. Furthermore the air feels almost like magic the clothes look like celestial clothes. And why isolate these gods from humans and the human world? Why make this stupid academy?
"No, I want the truth or you can forget about me helping you in your insane scheme!"
"You do not decide. I do."
"Your a tyrant! I won't do anything for you!"
"I will not release you from this world until you have fulfilled my plan.
"Tell me the truth, this place it feels like magic, I've never heard of Greek, Japanese or Norse mythology! Why choose these gods specifically and then isolate them here? Why have two humans here"
"Hnn." he stared her down.
"He warned me you would figure it out, but this was unexpected, I underestimated you Lucy Heartfilia."
Lucy tensed, he warned him about me? Who?
"Very well, perhaps this will be beneficial to my plan. Two of the gods here are an the verge of creating a calamity that will destroy the known universe."
"I will not tell which of the gods, I had been planning this as a last resort but time is running out, if these gods don't learn how to control their power don't understand the human heart they will lose complete control and destroy everything. I was speaking to an old friend of mine that recommended you for my plan to teach the gods about humanity."
"Old friend,no way. The Celestial Spirit King!"
"Oh, the next time I see mustache man he's got to get an earful from me!"
The ruler of the gods smirked amused by her antics.
"But why have two human representatives?"
"Originally I had only planned for one human, but the Celestial Spirit King believed you would be invaluable to saving this universe. You have already proven to be willing to save the celestial spirit world which is not your realm, but have also saved you own from countless threats."
"I wouldn't say it was me. I just happen to be there when the fighting breaks out."
"That is not the point, in any case your purpose is to work with the other human representative and save this universe."
"That's… I can't do this!" There has to be a better way?"She pleads.
"No. I can't do this!" She shouts running out of the throne room.
"I warn you. You can not tell the others of what you have learned." He says just before the doors slam shut.
"I can't." She whispers to herself. She storms out angry tears threatening to slip from her eyes.
She walks out into a small field and slumps against a giant tree. "Why do these things always happen to me?"
"Miss are you okay?"
Lucy doesn't want to look up she doesn't want to deal with a god right now. "Not really no."
"Are you the other human representative? Another feminine voice asks.
Lucy surprised actually looks up there's a purple haired girl and blond haired man in front of her.
" Yes, I am my name is Lucy who are you?"
The blond haired boy answered first, "My name is Apollon a Greek god."
"I'm Kusanagi Yui, nice to meet you."
Both seemed kind, and that brought a smile to Lucy's face. "It's nice to meet you too."
"Are you okay though?"the blond inquires.
"Zeus, has some very warped ideas on how to save gods and humans."
"Oh."
A resigned understanding comes over both their faces.
"Yes, I just had my first encounter with him as well it seems your didn't go any better than mine." Yui sighs tired.
"I'm sorry Zeus can be terribly unreasonable at times." Apollon smiled apologetically.
"Hmm. Me too, you know my father used to be the same."
A sad smile spread across her lips as she recalled the letters from the 7 years time skip.
"In the end he understood, and I'm trying so hard to be understanding as well but this is a really difficult situation he placed everyone and I frankly can't wrap my head around it."
"Don't take all on your own we're here too. I'm sure together we can get things done." Yui says optimistically.
"Yeah, I'm all fired up!"Lucy smiles genuinely.
"And I'll be your guy's support with whatever you'll need. I'm your ally Yui, Lucy."
Yui gives him a brilliant smile, and Lucy gives a grateful nod of appreciation.