Two
The darkness was something she wasn't sure she would ever really get used to.
The fact that she was now blind was something Lucy had both understood and accepted for the time being, but it was still extremely weird to know that she could have her eyes open, could blink even, and still not ever see anything again.
Lucy took the silence prevailing in the small group as a chance to try and get as accustomed to the dark as possible. She had to, especially since the likelihood of her needing to fight in that condition was very high.
The thought both scared her and fuelled her determination, because she knew all too well why she was pushing herself so far.
Natsu.
"Don't keep erratically increasing your pace, Lucy," a mildly irritated voice came to her left. "Or give us a heads up."
"Sorry, Evergreen," she apologised to the Fairy helping her walk. "You too, Brandish." Lucy turned her head to her right to apologise to the Spriggan supporting her as well.
It saddened Lucy to hear the loud silence from her. The overwhelming regret Brandish was feeling was almost palpable, and Lucy wished she could magic it away.
"And thank you," she said instead, feeling Brandish stiffen next to her. "You tried your best to protect me and Natsu from her. So, thank you."
Lucy smiled softly when Brandish's arm around her tightened reassuringly in response, somehow certain the expression was being reflected on Brandish's face as well.
If anyone noticed how Lucy refused to say Dimaria's name, no one made it known.
It took some more walking before Lucy felt it - two very familiar magic signatures, one of which was too low for comfort.
"This way," said Lucy pointing from where she could sense them. "I can feel Gray and Wendy… and a third too. Juvia, I think."
The group increased pace, Porlyusica matching theirs effortlessly, her age as though irrelevant, something that impressed Lucy. She could hear the strength of her stride in the steady sound of her footsteps and it made her feel more pride to be affiliated with the healer.
All that warmth, though, was effectively dampened when she heard the whimpering.
Very masculine whimpering.
"What's…" Lucy wasn't sure if she even wanted to ask.
"Gray's down," Evergreen informed as they approached the group. "Wendy is healing him."
Lucy swallowed thickly. It wasn't easy to make Gray need healing on the battle ground, much less have him crying.
And all her suspicions were proven right, when she smelled the tell-tale odour of charred flesh.
Gray's charred flesh.
The thought nearly made her retch right there.
"What about Juvia?" Lucy asked, knowing the presence she could feel a few yards away from where Wendy and Gray were.
"The water mage looks okay, though clearly recovering from a beating," Brandish spoke up finally, "she seems to be resting."
"That's good," Lucy sighed, trying to focus on the positives.
"Hold on Lucy-san," Wendy's voice came. "I'm nearly done with him, and then I'll treat yours and your friend's wounds."
It was obvious Wendy hadn't really looked up from her task yet, something Lucy was glad for, even if the respite was momentary.
And as much as Lucy wanted to not put anymore strain on the little slayer, she couldn't refuse the aid. She knew she was still in very bad shape, and she needed to be in her best form if she had any hope of saving Natsu.
So Lucy shrugged out of Evergreen and Brandish's secure hold. The brunette immediately darted to check on Juvia along with Porlyusica, while Brandish looked on awkwardly as Lucy sat next to where Gray lay on the ground.
And heard Wendy gasp as she finally noticed.
"Lucy-san, oh - "
"Lucy?"
Gray cut off whatever Wendy was about to say, his voice sounding surprised.
"Yeah, I'm here."
Gray seemed to let that sink in momentarily. He then slammed a clenched fist next to him, before laying that hand over his still watering eyes.
"I'm sorry. It's Natsu.. Natsu's END…and I had to..I didn't want to…but Dad…how could that flame brained Jackass be him?! Why him of all people?"
"Shhh, Gray," Lucy cooed softly, reaching over to run her fingers through his hair, her heart breaking at how defeated he sounded. At sound of Wendy too, who was also sobbing now. "I know; and it wasn't your fault, Gray. Besides, he will be back."
"No. No he won't." Gray pushed the words through his teeth, still refusing to look towards her. "He's gone, Lucy. That's not him."
Now that ticked off Lucy.
Her hand shot out of his hair to grip onto his shoulder, the other hand descending on the other - grabbing him and forcing him several inches off the ground.
"You hear me, Gray Fullbuster," she sneered, unable to see how Gray's eyes widened at finally seeing her. "Natsu in that state, saved my life again. Natsu in that state, did not kill the one who did this to me. He is still Natsu. Our Natsu. He's out there somewhere and he needs help, and I'm going to get him back, you hear me? END or not!"
"L-Lucy-san…" Wendy interjected, and Lucy let go of Gray, turning towards the little girl.
"Wendy," she requested earnestly. "I'm sorry to ask this of you right now, but when you're done with Gray, please treat me as best as you can."
"I-I'm done here," she said. And Lucy could hear her resolve despite how shaky her voice was.
Moments later, Lucy felt the familiar warmth that was Wendy's magic. It was only then, as the pain her body was humming with this whole time gradually started disappearing, that Lucy actually realised just how badly she had been injured.
Tortured.
Lucy shook away the thought as soon as it came. She'd have plenty of time to deal with her own stuff once Natsu was safe.
"Thank you, Wendy," Lucy wished sincerely when the little girl was done, pulling her into a hug.
"I'm sorry I can't do more Lucy-san. Y-you're eyes…" Wendy apologised, looking up into Lucy's now open eyes, the warm glow in them so visibly dimmed.
Lucy shook her head. "It's good enough to not have that itchy gauze around. Besides, this makes my decision not to cut my bangs now seem much smarter." She added with a wink.
The watery giggle she received warmed her heart.
Humour at tough times - what Natsu would do.
"Child," came Porlyusica's voice. "We need your skills here now."
"Go, help Juvia," Lucy prompted, knowing the hesitance she could sense from Wendy wasn't just her imagination.
"And what are you going to do?" Wendy asked softly.
"Find Natsu."
Wendy sounded like she was about to say something when Porlyusica called once again, forcing her to leave Lucy's side.
Though not without a warning. "Lucy-san, I don't want to have to treat worse wounds than these."
Lucy nodded firmly, internally saddened by how much the twelve year old had to witness at such a tender age. She was supposed to be happy, safe and protected and as far away from war and suffering as possible.
Lucy slapped her cheeks, centering herself. "I'll be heading out then!" she called out to where everyone was near Juvia.
"I'm coming too," Brandish's said, interrupting Lucy's attempt at saying anything more.
Lucy took a second to appreciate how Brandish had yet to leave her side.
"No, Brandish."
"But - "
"No buts. You've already nearly died trying to protect me and Natsu. What if he's near more Spriggans? I don't want you to get hurt, least of all on our account. And if you must, please, defend my friends here, they may need it." Lucy pleaded.
Brandish was about to argue when -
"I'll go."
Both of them turned towards the baritone.
"Gray?" Lucy said, wondering if she had imagined the sheepishness there. What she was sure of was that he was feeling better, and was now on his feet.
"Yeah. I - uh - I was focused on the wrong things. Not anymore. Let's get him back, Lucy."
Definitely sheepish. But also definitely the Gray she'd always known.
Lucy grinned. "Yeah, let's."
She sensed Gray walk up to her and gently take hold of her hand. Lucy jolted at the sudden reminder of the threat her newfound disability could pose.
Heck, did pose.
She was suddenly very glad Gray was coming too.
She turned towards Brandish and smiled at her. "See? I'll be fine."
She only heard Brandish sigh in defeat and if it weren't for the concern she heard in that gust of air, she would have smirked.
What she did miss was the look the Spriggan shot to Gray, and the nod Gray returned.
Gray knew he couldn't afford to lose his way again. He was going to help bring Natsu back. And he would do everything he possibly could to make up for not being around to prevent what happened to Lucy.
Still holding hands, they picked up pace, breaking into a small run.
Surprisingly, it was Lucy determining the direction of their movement and Gray soon caught on, following her suggestions. At one point he turned towards Lucy, watching the obvious determination on her face.
He'd always known she was strong, especially with her giant heart, but this was a sort of strength he had yet to witness before. It made him even more proud to call her a guildmate, teammate and friend, the pride easily cutting through his remorse.
No wonder it was her that the ash-brain -
"Oh no," Lucy said, the abject fear in her voice stilling every thought in Gray's mind.
"Wha-" and in the next split second he pulled Lucy closer and had an ice shield made, protecting them from the massive wave of magic that suddenly came towards them.
And not just any magic.
Incredibly strong magic.
Dark magic.
'He wasn't spouting nonsense,' Gray thought worriedly, fortifying his ice shield with a second layer as the previous one began eroding under the onslaught.
Lucy summed up the million thoughts whirring in his head perfectly. With the right amount of horror.
"Oh no, Zeref."
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