I mad this story to Leonstar123 from Deviantart, this is kinda like a tribute to her as I lover her artworks. Hope you approve this story!
Credits to Leonstar123 who gave me this idea to write this fan fiction, by making this awesome artwork, you should check it out on Deviantart! (It's the cover image, look, look!)
For you guys coming from Fairy Tail Industries, yes, it's coming! the next chapter is on it's way but It's going slow, but it's coming!
Hope you guys like my second story! I'll make more chapters if you like it. Just wanted to feel the vibes on this one. Enjoy!
IMPORTANT! I might change the rating to M If I want to give it more of the lemon/lime flavour.
With a low knock on the door, one of our butlers stepped inside my room. He bowed deeply before he spoke, acknowledging my presence. "Miss Lucy, your father asks for your presence. His waiting for you in his office."
"Yes, thank you." bowing again, he closed the door and left. What does he want from me now? Letting out a loud sigh as I tossed myself on my bed. Why won't he just leave me alone, looks like the expedition with Levy just have to wait.
I swam downstairs to my father's study.
As I was about to open the door I hesitated, breathing slowly and deep. It's probably nothing. Slowly, I turn the doorknob, peeking my head inside shyly. "You asked for me, father?"
He didn't even bother too look at me. Just as cold as usual. "Yes, come over here." I did as he pleased and stood in front of his desk. "Sit."
The tone of his voice made it obvious he had important matters to talk about. I sat down on the chair, waving with my tail nervously. He just continued writing with his quill, making beautiful movements.
Finally he placed the quill down on the desk, folding his hands while he looked directly at me. For the first time in ages, it felt like he looked at me properly, looking at me like I'm he's daughter. I felt like a child again, making me smile childishly at him.
"Your getting married."
"..."
You said what?
Married?
Me?
The little image I just created of him shattered. Last time I checked I was eighteen and single, hoping to live out my dreams. "..I am?"
"Yes, you are going to marry prince Dan Straight. His the youngest of his seven brothers, but he will make a fine king and suitable husband." What is he talking about? I'm not getting married to a guy I've never met!
"It's for our kingdom, to get on better terms with their kingdom. And he will give me many grandchildren."
"Grandchildren..?"
"Yes, grandchildren. Assuring the safety of our bloodline."
"Father, I'm only eighteen."
"Suitable age to become a mother." A mother? Why is he acting so calm about this, why don't he care about my life? My dreams? I don't want to be a mother at the age of eighteen, that's way too young for me! I have so much to see, so much explore! I haven't even been up there, yet.
"I won't do it."
"Yes, you will. It's your duty." His words stung like I was impaled by a swordfish.
"I refuse." I tried to be calm and fierce, but I failed completely.
"You will do as I say, even if you like it or not." He overpowered me, his voice was cold and careless as ever.
"NO!" My tears streamed down my face, not willing to stop. I couldn't take it anymore. Storming out of the office, slamming the door behind me as I screamed in anger. Swimming the fastest I could back to my room, to let out all the feelings that bulit up inside me. I got pity looks from the servants, but this wasn't so unusual. I often cried when my father wasn't pleased with me, when I tried my best to please him, for him to show some kind of affection towards me.
I couldn't meet Levy now, we have to do it tomorrow instead. I'll send one of the servants over to her, she would understand.
As I opened the door, I was met with Levy's smiling face.
"Oh-no Lu-chan, what happened now?" Her glistening yellow tale swayed her way over to me and wrapped her arms comforting around me. "What did he do this time?"
I sobbed in her arms, trying to calm down so I could say understandable words for her to understand. "I'm getting married."
"YOU'RE WHAT!? With who?"
"The youngest brother of the Straight brothers, Dan Straight." Saying it out loud made me only cry more. Think of all the things I'll never be able to see now.
"That bastard! He went way over the line with that one!" Cherishing my back, Levy tried her best to make me feel better. "What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know." She let go of me, looking at me. Then it hit me. If I leave now, then I don't have to marry that fool. I can do what ever I want, I can travel where ever I want. "Let's talk about something else." I needed to get my mind on something else.
"Well.. Do you want to hear about the book I just read?" She sounded kinda exited to talk about it.
"Do that, I want to hear."
"It's about a tale of an ancient magical race called the Ferez people. It's said that they're suppose to look like mermaids, only that they got wings too. They lived with the mermaids in peace sharing their magical powers with us. But at some point, we got greedy and we killed them to get their magic."
"What kind of magic?"
"Anything! That's what's so cool about it! They could transform you to a shark, if you wanted that of course. I couldn't stop reading, it was so interesting!"
"Even a human?"
"Yeah, even that! The most exiting part is that the legend says that they live in the Quantas Depths, next to the graveyard and Straight Kingdom! It's even supposed to still be a cavern there, but it's impossible to find it. And the ones who swam down there, it's said to never have returned."
I was so captivated by Levy's story. What if there really are something called the Ferez people down there? Was there seriously the slightest possibility for me to be able to walk on the earth? To feel the sand between those.. what is it called again? ..Toes!
Legend or not, I have to check it out.
"Imagine all the books I could get if I had that kind of magic!" I giggled at her expression, it looked like she were drooling, just thinking of all the books. "Well, Lu-chan, I'm off. I'll talk to you tomorrow, bye!"
"Wait!" She stopped.
"What is it?"
"Do you still think the Ferez people is down there?" She puzzled at the question, but answered shortly after.
"Definitely! You can't disagree with the books, bye!"
I waved her off as she swam out of my window.
Time to get ready.
The moonlight from the surface shined down in our garden. The corals looked beautiful in the moonlight, I always liked it better at night. It was quiet, easier to get around, fewer mermaids to avoid.
I had packed my brown pouches and fastened them to my belt. Maybe I should have packed more? I only had a small knife, some food and a few gold coins with me. Well, I'll figure something out on the way.
I grabbed my lantern with blue fire burning wildly inside. The blue fire gives us warmth and light. It was said it was given too the mermaids a long time ago. As a token of someone's gratitude, I don't remeber the rest of the story, but I know for a fact that it was a token for something! The perks with the fire is that it won't die out, it'll burn forever, handy right?
Sitting in the windowsill, I looked out, imagining my new adventure.
If I can't find the Ferez people, then what? I can stay with Juvia for a while, take cower there for a while, but father will figure it out sooner or later. Maybe I'll make my own home, somewhere no one would find me, ever.
I leaped of the window swimming out in the dark, lightning up a few meters up ahead. The whole town looked empty as all the streets and voices were gone. Only a few street lights and houses had the blue flame shining up the city, only like a dim light. Even the castle were sleeping.
Levy had said the cavern was supposed to be in the Quantas Depths, deep down. Before I'm able to get there, I have to pass the Coral Reef and the Straight Kingdom and not far from there, lies Quantas Depths.
Never have I been so far out like that I'm going to do now, because father always said no, 'it's dangerous for a princess'. I understand what he meant, but I need to move freely like everybody else.
I had reached the Coral Reef and it looked gorgeous. Some fish looked like they were almost glowing in the dark, and all I could think about was how Levy would have loved this. Should I asked her to come? I should at least said goodbye, but I knew she wouldn't let me go if she knew. She would have said the same thing as father, 'it's dangerous'.
It took me a hour before I was swimming over the Quantas Depths. It was huge! I'm never going to find that cavern down there! I need to get a better view. To get a better look, I swam down closer to the darkness, feeling the air getting colder. I shivered at the thought at how cold it would be down below. I saw a smaler part there it might would be a possibility for the location of the cavern.
This is it.
Lucy, you can do it.
Hesitantly I swam longer down, just to be swallowed by the darkness. The longer I swam the faster I waved with my lantern. What if there's a monster here!? Or I'm inside one right now!? No, calm down, do it fore the toes! I can't get scared off already!
Minutes past and I never reached the bottom. It's endless! And I'm starting to get freaking cold. I tried to rub my palms together, to get some more heat. Until I felt the lantern slip out of my grasp. The blue light sunk deeper into the darkness and all I did was only to stare at it.
"..."
"I need you! Come back!"
Desperately I tried to catch up with the lantern, but I couldn't get high enough speed, my body was too cold.
Just as I thought it was gone forever, a loud clinking sound filled the water. The lantern had stopped moving and I had finally reached my destination. The depth's of Quantas. Swimming down in joy as I picked the warm lantern up, warming my hands in it's flames. Looking around with no clue where to go. Which way should I go? Right? Or maybe left?
"Well, hello darling."
I jumped at the sound of someone else's voice. It was dark and rusty, almost sounded like he had eaten way to much seafood. Slowly, I turned around, making minimal movements. I slightly lifted the lantern up at the strangers face. I held the lantern in front of the face of the stranger, and the sight wasn't pleasing. With light grey colour covering it's eyes, but he was white around it's mouth. This looked terrifying familiar.
"Don't be afraid love, it's not often I see a beauty like you down here." His white teeth lighted up, while he was staring at me with he's black stones of eyes. I looked in the eyes to one of the great white sharks.
"You are a mermaid, right?" My body froze, and all I could was to star at him. I managed to give him a light nod.
"Good, but what is this?" He prodded the lantern with his nose.
"..This? Oh, this is a holy light." My voice was at it's limit, it would break any second. I was scared to death, all I wanted to do was scream for father.
"Why would you bring a holy light down here?" Sounding curiously.
"Well.. I need to be warm and I need light." Why is he torturing me like this. I'm going to die from a heart attack if he don't try to kill me soon!
"You smell good." Slightly opening he's mouth.
"Thank you.." That's my cue! With that, I hit him with my lantern and franticly swam the opposite direction.
"Come back here! I want a taste!" yelling behind me.
He wasn't far behind, and I couldn't swim fast enough, compared to the speed I usually have.
"You can have the lantern!"
"I'll take you first, then I'll take the lantern!"
Starting to lose the feeling in my body made the white shark catch up, only a few meters behind. "You're getting slower!" And he was getting closer. I had to find a small hideout, were only I could fit in, and fast.
Only with a few seconds he had caught up with me, now only inches away from my tail.
Right then I swam passed a large hole, it even remind me of a.. cavern! With a U-turn, I managed to slip right past the shark, hitting him in the process. Growling in pain, he followed after me again, but to be denied by the entrance. He just too big to get through.
"Come back here, mermaid!" Snarling at me in anger.
"Sorry! I have to get my toes!"
That was close! I thought I was shark bat for a few seconds there.
The sound of the shark rapidly hitting against the entrance to the cave, trying to press his way through, echoed around me. As I were swimming further inside the cavern, the sound became weaker, until it was compleatly gone.
The water was so cold that I doubted about the legend. No one could live down here, it's too damn cold! Maybe I should turn back?
Slowly, the blue light started to fade away. It was at the size of a pearl before if vanished. "You got to be kidding me! Eternal life my ass!" In a desperate attempt I shook vigorously the lantern around, hoping that it would magically light up again.
"God. I'm screwed. Now I'm never getting out."
"You want my help?"
A blue light started to glow right in front of me. I looked at my lantern, no, it wasn't mine. It was held, held by a hand. Glowing brighter I saw a face, it looked kind and harmless. I felt safer at the sight of a mermaid face and not a.. shark. Is he one of the Ferez people?
I could only stare at the man, he was beautiful, with pale skin and dark hair. He gave me a weak smile and reached out his burning hand.
"Doesn't it hurt? Your hand.. it's burning."
"Touch it." Looking directly at me. Is he serious? Just because his doing it, won't mean I will! "It's not dangerous, I promise." Hesitantly I touched his hand, it was cold as ice.
"You're right." I looke stunned at him, how could he do that? Our flames are like real fire from the earth land.
"Why have you come all the way down here, princess Lucy Heartfilia?" He took me by a surprise as he mentioned my name and title. "Are you looking for the Ferez people?"
"Maybe.." Just then, I realized I were still holding his hand. Letting it go, wrapping my arms around my waist shyly.
"You want your own legs."
"How did you know? Can you read my mind?"
The stranger laughed at me, waving around with the blue light. "No, I heard you wanted your 'toes'." Still laughing.
"Ah, that make more sense I guess." Fiddling with my hair, as I shyly looked down. He must have thought I never had seen a Ferez. But hey, it's true!
"So tell me princess, why did you travel all this way, only to ask about legs?"
"Well, I have always wanted to travel around the world, too meet new mermaids, humans and even animals. When I was a child, my mother always took me to a peek, close to the shore. It's called Layla's Peek. They named it after her when she was attacked and killed." My voice began to become heavier, at the thought of my mother. Swallowing hard, as I gave it another shoot.
"She wanted me to experience and see new things. I gave her a promise. That when I visited the earth land, then I was going to tell her everything I had seen. So now you know."
The stranger only looked at me, while he lifted his hand up high. Several blue flames surrounded us, lightening the cavern up.
"You're not a Ferez." My body froze as I noticed the lack of wings and the tail he was missing. Instead of a tail, he had legs. "What are you?"
"That's correct, I'm not." He stepped closer towards me. "My name is Zeref. And I'm the only thing that has ever lived in this cavern. I'm the one and only to be what you call a Ferez."
"So the legend-"
"Isn't true. But, it's true that I possess magical powers."
"Magical powers?"
"Yes, and I would like to share them with you, only because I grown a liking in you." My heart started race like waves slamming against the shore, he was actually going to help me achieve my dreams. "But, I have conditions."
"What are they, I'll do anything!" Eagerly grabbing Zeref's hand.
"If you as much as touches water, you will become a mermaid again." I can't believe it, I'm going to be able to walk on the earth! Don't need to tell me that twice, bye Dan Straight and your stupid kingdom!
"Yes, stay away from the water, got it!"
"But there is one more thing." What else could it possible be? Don't touch salt? "You have to find love."
"You said what?"
"Love, and it has be a mutual affection. If you find that love, then you would be able to be a human, forever." This guy is nuts, why would I search for love on the earth land, they look weird. With their legs and all. No, thank you.
"If I would do all this for love, then I could just stay home and marry that Dan Straight guy." Rolling my eyes at Zeref's stupid condition.
"If you won't accept my conditions, then you don't need my magic." He was serious, and he got a point. I'm just a brat that came barging in, asking for his powers.
"Isn't there anything else?" I gave him pleading eyes, begging him for something else.
"I've made up my mind Lucy, you need this. You need to learn a lesson. So if you don't accept then I have to give you an ultimatum. Tale or no tale." I can't throw this chance away, I need my legs to fulfil my dreams.
"You got an deal."
"I'm pleased with your decision, princess Lucy Heartfilia." Smiling satisfied, Zeref waved with his arms. The blue flames that had circled us just a few seconds earlier, were now devouring me. They crawled up my body, and I felt.. nothing.
My eyes started to feel heavy and my head was dizzy. Zeref reached out an hand, placing it on my face. I saw his mouth moving, but I could only hear the flames.
Closing my eyes with two of his fingers, Zeref pushed me backwards. Making everything black.
A dim light woke me up.
It was warm, but cold at the same time, like when wind brush against my body. Wait, wind? Rubbing my eyes to see better, to know what was going on. I didn't swim to shore, or did I?
I tried to move, but there wasn't that much space. A cage? I'm in a cage, did I get caught somehow? I was trapped inside something that looked like a fishingbowl. I got to get out of here! Slamming against the see-through materiel, to no use. It wasn't glass, it was something different, something I haven't seen before. It was only water up to my fin so that I could splash around.
People outside the room startled me as someone started to shout. "You can't go in there! The boss won't let anyone look at the mermaid before the show, so get out!" I need to hurry up! If Zeref's magic works, that means I only need to get my tail dry, until I get my legs? Won't it? Then I can climb out of this fishbowl.
"I want to see the mermaid!" One of them shouted.
"How did they capture her?" Another one eagerly wanted to hear the story.
"Some of the guys were down at the beach collecting some shells, but then one of them saw her, a blond little mermaid just lying there!"
"And?"
"They sent word for the boss, and he said she would be a good attraction for the circuit. That's why this show is on such a short notice! He wanted to show the mermaid right away! We're going to be famous!"
"Have you seen her?"
He paused for a few seconds before he answered "..No."
"Then how do you know if she's real?" He got a point there. "Let's check her out, I bet she's gorgeous!"
"Hold up, the boss said no."
"We shouldn't listen to that old man!"
It sounded like they were walking away as I only could heard chattering now. Its almost dry!
YES!
My pink tail glowed in gold, blinding me for a few seconds. It felt lighter and before I knew it, it turned into two long legs hanging over the water. I wriggled with my new toes ecstatic. They looked so great and I couldn't wait to try them out for a walk.
As I looked higher up on my body, something was missing. Something very important! I was completely naked! I need something fast to cover myself up with! Pronto!
Climbing out of the bowl, I lost my balance falling straight on my face.
"Ouch.."
"Have you heard something more from the guards about the raid?" Gray looked seriously at Gajeel.
"No, they have told everything they now." With a cold tone in his voice, he shifted in his saddle.
"I think there's a traitor among the guards, or several for that matter." Natsu cut in.
"Don't you think that's a very serious accusation?" He looked for support at his statement in Gray.
"I think Gajeel got a point there."
"I think I would have noticed if one of my guards were spies. It's not easy to get around unnoticed "
"Don't you agree Natsu?" Gray looked questioning at his friend. "Natsu?"
"Look a circus! Let's take a look!" Before the boys knew, was he already galloping away from them.
"He really is a kid."
"You got that right, ice princess."
Natsu stopped in front of the tent, surrounded with people waiting for it to begin. He jumped around to get a better look what was going on.
"Hey, excuse me, madam, do you know what's going on?" A older woman looked at the curious boy.
"Rumour has it that the circus will show a living mermaid here any second now!" Natsu's eyes lightened in ecstatic.
"Really? That would be so interesting! Thank you madam." Bowing polite Natsu walked back over to his horse, but something caught his eye.
A girl, she was crawling under circus tent, naked. She only wore a brown belt around her waist.
"What the..?"
She fumbled forward struggling to keep her balance, falling into a bush. He chuckled at the sight, stopping as soon as he saw her despaired facial expression.
Loud sounds came from the tent, starteling the crowed. It was a man screaming in anger "FIND HER!"
The girl ran as fast as she could into the forest, at the sound of his voice. Natsu understood, something was wrong, she needed help.
"What's going on with you Natsu! You can't just run of like that, I'm suppose to be your guard, remember!?"
"Yeah, yeah." Natsu brushed Gajeel off, making him snort in despair. "I'll be right back, I promise!" With that, he sprinted of in the direction the blond girl had went.
He had lost the sight of her, she was no were to be found. Natsu stopped running and looked around for her. She couldn't have gotten that far with her legs. Was she hurt? Maybe he should turn back before Gajeel try to kick his ass. Natsu had run after the mysterious girl, longer then intended. For he was no deep inside the forest. As he was about to turn, he heard a big splash.
"NO!" The sound came from the bushes close by.
"Unbelievable! Who put a pond in the middle of a forest!?" Natsu lurked up behind the bush, shyly peeking through. Then he saw something he never had seen before. A beautiful mermaid, splashing around in the water. Her tail glistened in the sunlight, the scales on her tail was in every possible colour of pink. With her fin moving gracefully around as she tried to move. He couldn't take his eyes of the blond beauty. Her long golden hair floated around in the water underneath her. With her pale skin and big brown eyes that melted with her face. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
"I'm stuck! It's not enough water. Why couldn't my legs work just as everybody else's" She sighed and closed her eyes.
Walking out from the bush slowly, stepping into the water. "Need some help there?"
Soothing her eyes open, the mermaid splashed water on Natsu with her tail in panic. "Stay away from me, you hear!"
"Calm down, I won't hurt you." Splashing him down again. "Fine, then I guess you'll have to figure how to get out by yourself." Natsu started to walk away. Knowing she would ask for his help.
"...W-wait!" He turned around and looked at her questioningly.
"What?"
She looked shyly down on the ground whirling her hair around her finger. "I'm stuck.. can you please help?"
"That's more like it!" She jumped as she noticed how straight forward he was, as he bent over and swept her out of the water. She blushed at his touch, while they looked directly at each other. Lucy looked flushed as he gave her a wide smile.
"My name is Natsu Dragneel, but call me Natsu."
"I'm Lucy, Lucy Heartfilia."
"Nice to meet you Lucy." Natsu gave her a smirk, making her blush slightly at him.
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