Hello my lovelies~!

I present to you a new GruVia story that I've promised to write for half a year! I hope you like it, because this is my first GruVia story and no JUVIA IS NOT GONNA BE CLINGY. Arigatou for reading!

All right, here we go!

What are you willing to pay?

The voice echoed in Gray's head. He looked down at himself; he was coated in blood that didn't belong to him.

What will you give up for what you wish for?

Gray closed his eyes and clenched his fists. He bit his lip and tried to hold back the tears that threatened to burst forth. "Anything."

Anything? Even your life? Your family? Your friends?

"I don't have a family. Or friends. They're all dead." Gray whispered, voice hoarse from how much he'd screamed and cursed when they fell down dead right before his eyes. He remembered how their blood spilled. Only hours before, they'd been watching football and competing with each other on the Xbox. Now, his house was but a memory, and his family forgotten even by time as their souls were reaped by death.

Are you certain they're all dead? What if one of them is still alive?

Gray laughed hollowly. "Right, and I'm king of Fiore. Face it, they're dead."

Very well. You wish for control over ice. Why is it that you wish for this power?

"Because ice is just like me." Gray answered briskly. "Cold and dead." It was a figure of speech, he knew. It probably knew too.

There are many things I can take from you to give you power. I've taken many things in exchange for power. Memories, emotions, years off one's life, family, friends, souls...I've taken many, many things. Are you certain you want me to take something from you in exchange for power?

"If I can prevent anymore deaths, I'll give anything. I don't need the tragedy of my family's death befalling another." Gray chose his words carefully, hoping to sway it onto his good side.

Are you certain? Once done, it can't be taken back.

"I wouldn't be asking you if I wasn't sure." Gray snapped. He tried picking the dirt out from under his nails. "Do it."

As you wish. In exchange for the power of control, I reap you of...

Gray saw a white light, much, much brighter than the sun itself. He felt a chill pass through him, sharper and more forbidding than the eyes of that man. He suddenly felt cold, as if the tons of coats he donned were nothing but air. A scream erupted from his already exhausted throat. He could feel the torture known as pain tear him apart and piece him back together again. It ripped up his insides and carved the agony known as magic into his body, something that would forever remain engraved within him like words on a tombstone.

This was it. He could never take it back.

...your time.

"So you need my help?" Gray inquired, arms crossed and eyes closed. He had one leg over the other as he sat in the chair, his goggles perched on in his spiky, rebellious obsidian hair.

The man who requested his presence, the king of Bosco, nodded his head. He was a short, obese old man with far too much of an obsession with jewelry and being rich. He was more interested in himself than ruling his kingdom justly and caring for the citizens that thought so highly of him. Gray ignored the bitter taste in his mouth, the one that told him to run and exit the selfish, spoiled country. Fiore was much better than this tiny nation that it fought to take over.

"Yes, Mr. Fullbuster-"

"Gray is fine, Majesty."

"Right, Gray." The king opened a map up over his desk and ushered Gray over. Gray obeyed, standing up and heading over. "Fiore is invading Bosco from the south and west sides with about five-hundred thousand troops. They outnumber us five to one."

"Is that why you hired me?" Gray asked. "Because I have the strength of a 'thousand men?'"

The king nodded. "Yes, sir. There isn't a man or woman out there who hasn't heard of the great Ice Demon Slayer."

Gray's jaw hardened. "Right. Basically, you want me to fight on the front lines and prevent Fiore from invading?"

Another nod.

"All right." He held his palm out. "Now pay up."

The king raised his thick eyebrows. "I'm sorry?"

Gray restricted himself form killing the man. "Look, when I take a job, I expect the pay prior. You promised me a hundred thousand jewel. Hand it over."

"...very well."

Gray also noted that the king was a total coward too, for not fighting alongside his own men.

The check he received was stuck into his coat pocket. Gray pivoted a one-eighty. "Pleasure doing business with you." He finished, coat fluttering behind him.

All the countries in Ishgar went to war around fifty years ago. Fiore aimed to take over Bosco, for it already adsorbed Veronica and other nearby nations that Gray didn't bother remembering the names of. He didn't care. He wasn't involved. He didn't get involved until his parents were killed in the invasion.

He didn't care about anything anymore. After gaining control of this new power known as "Ice Demon Slayer," Gray put himself up as a mercenary. He earned himself the same title as his magic, and found himself rather rich thanks to the high-paying jobs. He often used that money to donate to charity and children who could use it more than he could.

Gray walked down the majestic marble hallways of the Bosco Palace, taking in the breathtaking scenery and lavish, intricate paintings and gold that he really could care less about. No matter how rich someone could be, they could never bring the dead to life. Never.

He wanted very much to end this world war that had been going on ever since he turned eighteen. When he turned eighteen, fifty years ago, his family and friends were slaughtered. They were all shot full of holes with all kinds of rifles he only remembered as deadly and monstrous. No one used magic. Magic was something one had to pay a price for.

Gray had paid his time.

Not that he cared.

YES! FINALLY UP!

Hello, my lovelies! What did you think of the first chapter of Fated? Was it good? Was it super short (I'm sorry)? Did I make any mistakes? If I did, point them out so I can fix them! Arigatou!

Keep an eye out for Hassle! Bye!

~HeavenDragon