For as long she could remember, stars had always been a source of comfort for Lucy. They were her guiding light,her friends, her family.
They were there to wish her good night and they soothed her when her heart was filled with doubt and it felt like the world was against her. She would wait -almost impatiently- for the day to end so that she could talk to them and see their familiar faces. In return they listened to her tales, when no one else would. She loved them. A love she shared with her mother.
In the late hours of the night, her mother would wrap her arms gently around young Lucy as they sat in the gardens of the estate. As a cool breeze would blow, Lucy felt safe in her mothers warm embrace as she listened to her mother pointing out the different constellations that shone against the dark sky.
'Every constellation has a story' her mother told her. As other children grew up listening to the tales of 'Snow White' or 'Cinderella' , Lucy grew hearing only the tales of the stars.
Her mother was a master story teller. With each new tale, Lucy fell deeper and deeper into the tale of "The Great and Powerful Zodiac."
Those were simpler times. Times when her mother was still alive.
On the day of her funeral, Lucy felt numb. She didn't cry. She had done a lot of that when she realized her mother wasn't breathing.
Her father had told her that her mothers' sickness was nothing to worry about.
Her mother had told her that she was fine.
They lied. But, what else would you tell a seven year old?
Honestly, she thought she had run out of tears. Her eyes felt like they were on fire. It was only at night did a thought occur to her. Like a ripe fruit falling to the ground did the realization hit her. The tales of the Zodiac had come to an untimely end.
It was also, when the dreams began.
Every night, without fail she had the same dream. Opening her eyes she would find herself floating on thin air, surrounded by a seemingly endless starry sky.
In the horizon the starry sky faded into black. Suddenly, without any warning, the stars shone brightly, dazzling and causing her to shield her eyes. When the stars returned to normal and she looked back, the same sight greeted her.
A single golden key. The sign of the constellation; Aquarius engraved on it.
A feeling of familiarity gripped Lucy as she dazed at the key that seemed to call out to her, compelling her to grab it. However, should she ever reach for it her eyes would snap open. Bringing her back to the world of reality, the starry world gone.
However.
Tonight the dream was different. The darkness that had always been so far away was almost at arms length. More frightening was the fact that the darkness only seemed to be creeping closer. Little by little. Slowly. Like a predator stalking its prey. A malevolent aura seemed to be emitting from it, suffocating her.
The golden key was already there, glowing brightly. Almost urgently. As if saying that time was running out.
"For what?" Lucy thought confused. But as she looked back at the darkness she found her answer.
Her blood ran cold.
A pale had was reaching out from the darkness, slowly making its way to the glowing key. A cold smile seemed to float in the abyss.
Without realizing it, her body moved on its own, lurching for the golden item that separated her from the malevolent entity only one thought registered in her mind.
They can't have it!
A bright smile made it's way to her face as her fingers wrapped around it. It felt warm as it engulfed the space around them with a warm golden light. The darkness and the hand disappeared.
Lucy swore that she heard a slightly irritated, feminine voice fill the empty space.
"Sure took your sweet time, didn't you?"
Lucy's eyes snapped open.
A/N:- So so so sorry that I'm late! Exams have been hectic but I was Atleast able to write this and I've already started writing the next chapter! I hope you guys like this and will continue to support me! Please tell me what you think of this.
On another note this week chapter was awesome! I loved the Gray and Lucy Brotp moment! Can't wait to see what happens next chapter! Though I'm really sad that it's going to be ending in two volumes, Fairy Tail has been a huge part of my life and I wouldn't be who I am today without. Any way hope you all have a nice day! ^_^
