• Mystogan •
Like a shot of electricity, the blonde bolt up straight, panting heavily like she came from a run. Between fits of heavy sobs, she forcely wipe the tears with her comforter and look at the nightstand beside her bed. The clock shows it's still twelve a.m in the midnight.
Damn! How many more nights does it take for me to wake up crying in the middle of the night?
For some damsel like her in her early age, she should be enjoying life, experiencing different things, living her dreams, hanging out with her friends if she still have some— but no, life taught her to grow up.
To say that she changed so much would be an understatement when she compare who she used to be to who she is right this very moment. No one will ever thought that the joyous Lucy who never showed any sadness, titled as the ' light of the fairies ' is now living on her own shadows, became a stone that don't show any emotion at all.
Groaning, she stand on her feet to fix the bed and wrap her belt that contain her keys and whip around her hip a moment after before leaving the room only in her pajamas.
I need to think.
The streets of the town were dim and a few lampost flickering, every soul are sound asleep in their own respective homes like there's no harm lurking in the shadows explaining why there's no one wandering the lone streets anymore with the exception of the blonde. She cursed under her breath as she wrap her arms around herself, mentally scolding herself of how she forgot to bring a coat to cover herself from the night breeze.
This often happen, Lucy will wake up in the middle of the night crying after having a dream of a certain mermaid. It pains her a lot that she can't even rest from remembering her in her own dreams. Ever since the day she sacrificed her, there's not a night she wouldn't witness a nightmare. Every nightmare gets worse every night that she can't even put herself in a sleep again after having it. It's like a cycle for the past two years.
Even though it pains her to admit it to herself, she's weak and she don't need someone to tell it to her considering she repeat it endlessly like a mantra. After all the encouraging words her spirits gave her, she refuse to quit telling herself weak and can't even protect herself from any harm. Sometimes, Leo will open his own gate at night and find her in her usual worst state, crying her eyes out with always the same reason. He'll comfort her, stay for the night rubbing her back while telling her he understand. She'll stop crying at the end of the night but the moment he return back to the Celestial Realm, she'll start all over again. At times like this, she needs comfort, someone who will never get tired understanding her, someone who will never leave her side— someone her supposed friends should be doing but without telling, they just left and with the thought of how unfair they are, he could only clench his fist and beat them senselessly in his mind. Yes, he's been by her side all this time, understanding her, comforting her and never left her but he know she needs more than him.
At times when she's feeling low, the Lion and her spirits were the only ones by her side.
It was hard for her to witness her old guildmates, friends, family, left and part ways. When the guild disbanded, she was left alone with no one to turn to. She can't even remember who was the first one to leave, forgetting it was Natsu. All she just knew is that Team Natsu no longer exist. Natsu left with Happy to train, leaving without a proper farewell. Gray and Erza just disappeared one day.
Luckily, there are few who left after consulting her. Wendy and Carla didn't wanted to leave the blonde behind in the first place, they insisted on staying with her but Lucy reasoned that the dragon slayer's journey shouldn't end here. She need to experience life and shouldn't be stuck with someone like her who didn't knew which path should take. The girl is still young. Sherria offered their guild to Wendy, which was a good start. She took the offer shortly after realising that the blonde can't come with her. Lucy frankly told her that she don't want to leave Fairytail behind and no matter what the cost is, she'll wait until Fairytail reform.
Realising only she can help myself, the blonde stopped waiting and left Magnolia in hope to bring an old friend back. An information reached her that Aquarius' key was made and can find somewhere in the continent, leaving her a big hope. Two years had passed, yet here she is, unfortunately still haven't found it. Lucy admit she has grown tired, but she don't see any reason to give up. She'll look for Aquarius' key even though it takes a decade.
Two years
She survived in two years without someone's help, and turning to anyone. And on those times, she didn't had any communication with her old friends, not even Wendy or Levy. She became stronger as she travel throughout the continent, took jobs as an Independent Mage to earn jewels and live her life.
It's hard for Lucy to not to feel abandoned, feeling left behind by the ones she love— wondering if they even thought of what she'll feel the moment they accepted Makarov's decision. At times, she would ask herself why the news of her departure doesn't seem to concern them and come to look for her, and thought that perhaps they don't care anymore. After all, they have their own lives to take care of, and what would someone like her be a help for them?
Suddenly, the night sky turn darker and the clouds cover the moon. A thick fog enveloped the whole place and seemingly suffocates her. Lucy tried to reach for her keys but the darkness starts devouring her. But before completely loosing her consciousness, she saw a flash of light from the sky strike towards her.
-0-
The blonde's eyes start to flutter and immediately raise her hand to cover the sun's rays taking access from the window. Lucy massage her temple and felt a major dizziness and soreness all over her body before scanning her surrounding and realised she's not in her room or not in the room in the Inn she's staying.
She heard the soft creek of the door as someone slid itself inside. Lucy look around and tried to look for her keys but unfortunately, it's nowhere to be seen.
" I see, you're awake "
The blonde look up and met a pair of brown eyes. For a moment, her heart stopped beating at the sight of the man in front of her, never expected she'll see him of all people.
" Jellal? "
She heard him chuckle with a shake of his head.
" No, well yes, but not the Jellal you know "
The blonde stare at the man as if he grew two more heads, wondering what he meant. Did he gone mad? For a few moments, she stare at him putting the pieces together before having her eyes widen. He's back? But when and how?
" Mystogan? " He step forward and sit at the chair beside the bed before focusing his eyes on the blonde.
All she can wonder is why Mystogan is in Edolas. And if ever he returned in Earthland, he would be at the guild by this time or somewhere in Fiore, but why with her? As far as she can remember, she's currently in the Kingdom of Stella, a kingdom miles away from Fiore.
She stare back, trying to read his blank expression. She never knew Mystogan that well, and figuring if this man's words are true and he is indeed Mystogan is a hard puzzle for her. To be honest, she never knew both Jellal and Mystogan that well, considering she rarely interact with the former wizard saint and never had a coversation more than one with the former fairy. They are an exact image of one another, has the same voice and everything. How possibly could she figure out if this man is not the Jellal she knew considering they even shared the same cool? Same emotionless orbs and stoic expression?
He sigh, seemingly giving up his attempt of reading the blonde but the next words that left his mouth didn't failed on crashing her world into pieces.
" You're in Edolas, Lucy "
