Two chapters in one day! I've never done this, but since this is shorter then I guess I can manage that! I am really excited for this little brain child of mine.

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Fight for Survival

Lucy

Rolling my head back and around to stretch the tense muscles, I hobbled slightly on the sore ankle. It's been a week since I was dropped into a time that was not my own. Loke and Virgo managed to find a small cave system that I would be able to stay in for the time being. Luckily, they were permitted to bring small items from the spirit world to make the transition easier. Then again, some dishes and utensils, pots and pans, a few blankets, pillows, books, and changes of clothes was the extent of their allowance. The rest I would have to find on my own, which is why I now find myself dangerously navigating the uneven rock surface of the mountain path leading down to the lake I've been getting water from.

Food has been hunted by Sagittarius and Virgo was gracious enough to teach me the various berries and plants that are safe for me to eat. After failing with dinner the first night, she took it upon herself to carefully prepare and cut any meat I receive so I can easily cook it myself. I am grateful for all the help from my spirits, but I wish more could be done. In a time not my own, I have no way of knowing what is safe to do and what is not. Those places to avoid and those that would beneficial for me to visit. I know there is magic, the land is crawling with dragons.

Narrowly avoiding stepping on the uneven surface of a wet rock, I extend my stride with my eyes glued to the ground to avoid tripping over anything. A rustle of leaves to my right pulls my attention to the tree line and I can feel my heart rate picking up. Adrenaline floods my system and my tender ankle is forgotten as my fight or flight instinct is triggered. I take off down the barely worn path, barely touching my keys to silently summon Loke to help. A flash of golden light appears beside me and he falls into pace with me as we run into a small clearing. His face is wild with instinct and I can see the gears turning in his mind. A small pack of wolves stalk closer to use, barely breaking the edge of the clearing with their sharp eyes and large paws. Stepping back, I find a large tree behind me and pray to Mavis that there are no wolves behind me as well.

"Lucy, stay behind me. I don't believe there are any others out there, but they can always circle around to surround us." Loke's tone was harsh, biting. He was fighting himself with the decision to get me out of the dangerous situation or fight off the threat.

A snap of a twig to my left brought my attention to the shaded portion of the woods and I was met with the large snout of a massive wolf. Its coat was the deepest black I have ever seen; those eyes held an air of intelligence about them. The wolf seemed to be regarding me closely, shifting its gaze from Loke's tense form, back to my own hunched against the tree. The cool silver eyes of the wolf reminded me of the purest color of moonlight. A snarl from Loke pulled my eyes back to the canine treat wanting to make me into a meal. Well, if I am going to be prey to yet another predator, then I'm going down fighting. My hand cradled my whip securely within my grasp, the bright blue and yellow light of the celestial whip glowed and brightened as I extended the length beside me. The first wolf broke formation and shot forward towards Loke. He locked the beast in a headlock and struggled to bring it down. With a quick glance to my left, my whip wrapped around the second wolf to charge forward and I flung it against the nearest tree with a flick of my wrist. Not as powerful as Loke, but it could get the job done without letting their teeth sink into my flesh, then I would take that as a win. The large midnight wolf turned in a tight circle before sitting lightly on its hunches, remaining still while watching the two of us battle the pack of ravenous wolves.

The wolf I tossed shakily got to his feet before he charged me again, this time with help of another. Opening another gold gate would exhaust me, but I have no other choice if I want to make it out of this fight alive. I have too much to do to end up as puppy chow. A brush of my keys and Taurus opened his gate with a swing of his axe.

"Miss Luuuucy! Good to see you and that hot body again!"

"Taurus, please focus on the creatures attempting to eat me!" The midnight wolf shifted with the arrival of Taurus.

His head tilted to the side and he slowly crept forward as the wolves back off to regroup and attack as a unit. I stood between Loke Taurus, taking quick stock of the injuries we have all sustained. Loke has a number of bites decorating his arms along with a few scratches on his face. Taurus was seemingly unaffected beyond the bite mark glaring at her from his left calf. Fury radiated from every fiber of my being as I stared down the wolf pack that attacked me and my spirits. Stepping forward I placed herself at point with my two strongest backing me up.

"Look here, you overgrown dogs. Back off." I channeled every ounce of anger into my voice as it dropped to a near growl, crouching forward and daring to glare at the canines.

The one wolf, assumed to be the alpha, moved forward to answer my challenge. He snarled and bared his teeth, pawing at the ground with his front paws. I coiled my whip around my right hand and dropped the length directly to my side. We were locked in a battle of wills, neither one of us backing down; refusing to lose dominancy to the other. I slowly shuffled my foot forward, bringing my weight in a slight lunge, ready to take on the wolf with my bare hands if needed. Before I could wrap the animal, a lone howl sounded from behind us and I felt the weight of disappointment within myself for forgetting about the dark wolf watching from the trees. The animals before us back away slowly before turning and sprinting through the trees, leaving the way they came. I spun in place to come face to muzzle with the large beast. Not being able to see his full size under the dense shade if the trees earlier, I am just now realizing how large he is. Sitting on his hind legs, he regarded me for a moment before I could hear Loke suck in a sharp breath. I almost forgot that they were still standing behind me.

"Princess, I believe this is another spirit. I have not seen him in many, many years."

"Oh?" I turned to look into the cool moonlit eyes watching me closely. "Would you happen to be Lupus?"

The wolf bowed his large head while blinking slowly. His telepathic message came across as a deep guttural voice, "Indeed, I am, My Lady. May I ask what brings you to these woods? Not many mortals would dare venture this close to the mountain without reason."

My answer was out loud, for I was not certain if the mental connection worked both ways. "Is that so? Well, Lupus, I was dropped out of the sky from another timeline. I have been making a small home for myself nearby and I have wondered why I have seen no one else in the time. May I ask what you are doing wandering around these woods?" Regardless of the time, I know from experience with Loke, spirits could not last long outside of the celestial realm without weakening and eventually dying.

"My Lady, I am here simply because I felt a strong celestial presence near my key. I find these woods soothing to my senses. I do not live within this world, although I could if I wish. I may not be a battle spirit, but I am built for protection and companionship. The air of this realm does not weaken me, I draw my strength from the moonlight." Lupus spared a glance at the tense form of Loke before continuing. "If it is alright with your lion, I would love to accompany you, My Lady. It has been a long time since I have come across a presence like your own and I fear I will not find another mage like you."

"You want to make a contract with me, Lupus?" Elation filled my body and I could no longer feel the aches and pains from stress. To think, I can still build my family and gain new friends even in a new timeline! Relief flooded Loke, and Taurus smiled before closing his gate to return home and conserve my magic. I felt his key warm against my hip and I brushed an appreciatory hand over the comforting piece of metal. Loke straightened himself beside me, obviously waiting for me to finalize the contract.

Before Lupus replied, he stood tall and shifted into his humanoid form. Standing tall in the place where the massive wolf once stood, a man of impressive height stood, watching me with a careful smile and appraising eyes.

"It would be my honor, My Lady." His voice remained the same as he adjusted his leather pants and white linen top. At full height he had to be at least 6' 2", coming close to the height of the lightening slayer at home. His rod straight waist length hair was just as dark as his wolf coat, a black so dark it almost looked blue under the afternoon sun. A muscular build filled out his pants and top perfectly and reminded me of Gajeel.

Thinking of those I left behind lanced a spear of pain through my heart, but I shook off the feeling in favor of getting to know my newest spirit.

"Please, call me Lucy. There is no need to be so formal."

"Forgive me, Lady Lucy, I prefer to remain respectful." Lupus offered a slight bow before he stood tall and turned to the lion on my right. "Leo, it has been awhile, dear friend."

"It has, Lupus. Have you been well?"

"I have, better now that I found a trustworthy companion." A wink in my direction brought the conversation back to where it needed to be.

"Lupus, when are you available to call?"

"Anytime you may need me, Lady Lucy. As I stated before, I am built for companionship. I believe I see the canis minor key among your collection, I take less magic than even the little dog. You would replenish the magic I use long before you run out."

"Basically, you are a constant companion?"

"Correct, this way at least you have some form of protection at all times without exhausting yourself of magic."

Loke cleared his throat before adding to the conversation. "Princess, if I may. Having the gate of Lupus open constantly will also assist with increasing your magic reserves. He may not use much, if any, but the consistent drain will force your containers to hold more to compensate."

"Sounds good to me. Thank you, Loke. I appreciate all of your help today. Please pass along my gratitude to Taurus as well."

"Very well, Princess." Loke closed his gate with a flourish of his hand and I was left alone with Lupus standing before me in his humanoid form.

"Walk with me Lupus. I would like to hear more about you, if you don't mind." I looped my arm through the arm of the wolf and we made our way to the path leading back to my lake haven.