X2094
When she'd gone out on a walk, she'd not intended to find this.
Yet, as late afternoon fell over the land, Lucy Heartfilia found herself standing before a strange, ancient building with a frown on her face. She'd purposely driven several hours away from the city, wanting to simply spend the day out and about hiking to clear her mind. As a lover of old and ancient creations, Lucy couldn't say she wasn't happy, but still. It was odd to find something like this that she'd never heard of, especially when she'd spent so much time in the ruins of Old Crocus and other such places – all except for the Eclipse Gate, which she'd avoided for some reason or another. She'd never been able to explain why she'd felt such a strong need to stay away from the ruins of that all-powerful stone Gate, but she knew better then to not follow her intuition.
Bad things tended to happen when she didn't.
But her intuition was telling her to enter this abandoned old space, and she found herself wary of doing so. It seemed…odd, to intrude upon such an ancient and beautiful space. The entry way stuck out of the side of a cliff that ended hundreds of feet above, and it looked as if it had been carved into the isolated mountain that held not even a hill around it.
So, so old. No sign of technology, or people, just ancient stone that was chipped and broken. The forest surrounding the area was just as ancient, surprisingly lush and green for this time of year, when cold crept in during the night and slicked the grass with frost. The trees towered dozens of feet above her, intimidating her, but it was still gorgeous in its weird way.
Lucy's curiosity got the better of her and she pushed against one of the double wooden doors. It swung open with surprising ease, and she paused to admire the condition of the doors. Surprisingly well-kept despite the age.
The air was musty and humid, but pleasantly warm. Not overly so, either. Sunlight crept in from overhead vents that had been built in, stone hatches hanging open so that air could come in and be shut when the cold truly came, although she wondered how they were shut. They were dozens of feet in the air.
Despite the age of the space, it looked as if someone had been there recently. There was a space that looked to be like a front desk, crafted expertly from metal and mahogany wood. She slid her fingers over the surface, noting the lack of dust, and then eyed a rusted bell that resided there. She blinked. That was a bit too modern for the likes of this place.
Lucy tapped it once, listening to the shockingly clear sound that filled the air. When it fell silent, she moved on, sliding past the front desk. She paused when she found herself with a "make your own path" scenario.
There were two archways. On her right was an archway that led right into a tunnel of sorts, while the archway on her left led to another well-lit area. Smartly, Lucy chose that one. She trailed her fingers over the stone as she stepped through and gasped.
She'd seen many beautiful places throughout Fiore, famous for their architecture and historical importance, but nothing could compare to this. The mountain had been hollowed out, and there were stone stairs that led to dozens upon dozens of levels of shelves that were also made of stone. In each available spot, there were scrolls and books and parchments, surprisingly neatly arranged.
At the center of the space was a massive rug that had been thrown down, a hearth at the back alight with flames that danced merrily. A desk sat in the middle of that beautiful red rug, made of the same materials as the front desk, and papers littered it alongside scrolls and quills and ink.
Lucy let out a small sound of amazement as she began to pace through the area. She paused to run her fingers over the desk before grimacing. Someone was here, she realized, looking at the flames. Someone had to be here. There was no way those flames would be burning around such valuable things if no one was around.
Lucy took a deep breath and began to meander. She ran her fingers gently over various books, keeping an eye out for anyone who might come out. She knew she should have left, should have turned and left the second that she realized people were around, but…
Something was urging her to remain, to skim through these books, and she wasn't one to turn down such things.
She found what she was unconsciously looking for in a darker corner, and with great care, Lucy removed it from the shelf. It was a heavy leather tome, and she ran her fingers fondly over the leather cover as she flipped it open to check the publication date.
She was, instead, greeted with the first page, a title page. The New Age: The Official Unedited Records of the New Age, As Scribed by the Keeper of the Archives.
Her breath hitched in excitement. The Keeper of the Archives. She'd heard that title in several other history books, had heard it mentioned in classes and by others of her field. It was a title well-known and well-renowned. The Keeper of the Archives was one of Fiore's most precious historical figures, and was known for having kept detailed records of history throughout the centuries.
Lucy was preparing to skim through the pages when someone politely cleared their throat from behind her. Lucy whirled around, already grimacing guiltily as she faced who was likely the owner of the space.
She hadn't known what to expect, but the blonde girl before her was not it. Petite with incredible lengths of blonde hair and wide green eyes that shimmered with wisdom beyond her age, she lifted her chin with pride. Lucy was alarmed to see her upper arms decorated, the left clad in an arm band with the emblem of the historically well-known Fairy Tail guild and the right with one supporting a symbol that Lucy couldn't remember having seen before. "This is not a place you should be in."
Lucy grimaced again. "Is this yours?" she said, gesturing to the space. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude and intrude, I was just…exploring, so I guess I was being kind of rude. Sorry."
The girl's eyes sparked with delighted amusement. A knowing look entered her face as she stepped forward, hands held out. Lucy fearlessly handed her the book she'd been looking at. The girl thoughtfully ran a hand over the cover as she examined it. "We are often drawn to what is familiar to us," she hummed, "even if we are not aware of it." She chuckled as she offered the book back. "This is not my home. It belongs to someone else. I was asked to protect it during their absence, however. It seems this is an important day for many. Keep the book…it will help you in the days to come."
Lucy took the book slowly, confused by this odd girl. She practically spoke in riddles. "Thank you," she whispered uncertainly.
The girl smiled in response. "I ask that you refrain from returning here until the time is right, friend. It would not do for you to meet those who are not ready."
"Sure, no problem." Lucy tucked that strange tome beneath her arm and took a hesitant step back. "Thank you for the book." She smiled slightly and then turned and swiftly left, eager to get out before something else happened.
As she left, the small blonde girl slid her upper body into a polite bow, standing alone among that large cavern. "Good luck," she whispered aloud, her smile warming, "daughter of the stars. You will need it when your fate comes to claim you."
Lucy was still, admittedly, reeling over the events of what had happened in that strange library when she got home late that night. She didn't bother to spend too much time playing about in her car, instead grabbing the book and making her way up the dozen flight of stairs that led to her apartment. Once there, she unlocked the door and quickly let herself in.
Once inside, she found herself unleashing a shockingly large breath she didn't know she'd been holding. "What a day this has been," she muttered under her breath.
Relaxing, Lucy dumped her things in various locations and switched on lamps. Once she'd made a cup of tea and changed into a set of pajamas, she went to drop into the couch beside the massive floor-length windows that overlooked the mountains silhouetted in the mass of light the city of Crocus produced.
Carefully, Lucy set her tea aside and pulled that book into her lap, her heart pounding as she traced her fingers over the cover. Fascinated, she pried it open to a random page and began to read.
"– King finally emerged at the request of a desperate king and queen, who wished to request the assistance of dragons in a war against the empire that was threatening to destroy them and the peace they longed for. The Fire Dragon King agreed to a meeting and it was during this meeting in the year X759 that he met the country's princess – who would eventually be known as the last queen of Fiore.
"The Fire Dragon King and princess struck up a friendship, and it was with the approval of her parents in mind that the Fire Dragon King became the first dragon to Mark* one who was not a dragon themselves. This also marked the beginnings of an alliance between the dragons and celestial spirits, who had – before this point – held a rivalry with one another.
"The next nine years found the Fire Dragon King regularly visiting the queen, and it was at her coronation that she was introduced to his son alongside several other dragons. This coronation was also where she met her future husband and the future last king of Fiore, who was disapproved of by her parents for being a wealthy merchant and not one of royal bloodlines. Nevertheless, in the year X770, the pair married with the approval of the Fire Dragon King. Two years later, in X772, the queen gave birth to a child who would eventually become known as Fiore's Lost Star.
"Peace reigned for the next five years, but it was in early autumn of the year X777 that things took a turn for the worst. On the evening of a celebration for the five-year-old Lost Star's birthday, devastation reigned. The king and queen were murdered in the initial attack, and the Lost Star disappeared. No one knows where she went, or what happened to her, but the Fire Dragon King, in mourning of his Marked One, ordered the withdrawal of the dragons from the world.
"The next year, X778, was a year of change for Fiore. The Fire Dragon King's son rebelled against the King's decision, and he and several others retreated from the nest, instead joining various guilds throughout the country. Fairy Tail became home to two dragons, one of which being the Fire Dragon King's son, while the two others became nomads that roamed the country. Within the communities of dragons themselves, the situation became dire. Frustration and close quarters resulted in the deaths of dozens of a dying species.
"Blaming the Fire Dragon king's son for this, the son of the iron dragon Metalicana earned his fame. He became known as an enemy of Fairy Tail after tearing the famous guild's home to pieces and attacking various members, leaving some – including the future Keeper of the Archives and his future Marked One – in tatters. It was only with the Fairy Queen's help that the son of the Fire Dragon King was able to conquer the iron dragon, and their guildmaster delivered his sentence upon him: he became a member of the guild he had destroyed.
"Fairy Tail was and still is known, of course, for its place as a guild of redemption. The son of Metalicana redeemed himself and even Marked the Fairy Queen herself before becoming Guardian of the Archives when she was appointed their Keeper in X783…"
Lucy skimmed through the passages with startled fascination, in awe of what she was reading. She'd heard of many of these events – had even heard of Metalicana's son before in other history books, although they'd never stated that he was supposedly a dragon. She tapped the page, checking the asterisk beside "Marked" at the bottom of the page as she prepared to turn it.
"*Marked, Marked One – A term referring to a ceremonial exchange between a dragon and their chosen companion. It does not necessarilyy refer to a romantic relationship, as displayed by the Fire Dragon King and his Marked One, although it is often the case. It is known to be an exchange in which the dragon places a piece of his or her soul into the chosen mythic or human. It's also said to grant those who perform the ceremony a variety of extra abilities, such as extra magic. Marking was banned in the year X797, when the Fire Dragon King's son razed the city of Old Crocus."
That caught Lucy's attention, and she sat up a little, shifting the big book in her lap. The years X794 to X797 were known as the Lost Years for the simple reason that no one knew what had happened during those years. To hear mention of them – in addition to a possible reason that Old Crocus had become ruins, something that no one else in the historical field of work could clarify…
Lucy quickly flicked the page over.
"X783 became the year in which a new series of Keepers and Guardians were assigned to various positions, overturning the previous order entirely when the last of the Keepers for that generation finally died. The Keepers of the Eclipse Gate, the Archives, and Visions were appointed, and granted the ability to choose their Guardians. The son of Metalicana became the Guardian of the Archives, while the Keeper of Visions chose a Fairy Tail valkyrie he was close with to be his own Guardian. The Keeper of the Eclipse Gate did not choose a Guardian until the year X785, in which the two dragons known for creating the Sabertooth guild in X786 became the first paired Guardians. This would be the last generation of Keepers and Guardians, aside from the last Keeper and Guardian of Celestial Spirits, who would be appointed at a later date.
"Peace continued until the year X794, in which starts what will now be known as the Lost Years.
"I, the author and final Keeper of the Archives, have omitted these years from this record of history for reasons known only to those who did not have their memories erased. This erasure of memory was the last order given by Makarov Dreyar, the final officially declared guildmaster of Fairy Tail, although the god that lives within the guild took over his position.
"History, in my version of it, continues at the end of last year: X797. It hurts me to write this, and I hope that whoever reads this, if, for whatever reason, this series of records is removed from my Archives, understands that it's not his fault.
"It falls upon me to report the following:
"At the end of the year X797, the son of the Fire Dragon King fell victim to his grief and annihilated the city of Crocus – now fondly called Old Crocus. He fell into a rampage that we of Fairy Tail were unable to stop, and it is due to this rampage that we were left with no other option.
"As of the last day of X797 and the beginning of X798, the son of the Fire Dragon King was sealed away in the Sacred Mountain for his own sake as well as the sake of those living in this world. With the loss of the Eclipse Gate, the Guardians and Keeper of the Eclipse Gate have taken over the duty of caring for the Sacred Mountain and will from here on out be known as the Guardians and Keepers of the Demon King, for that is what he truly was, though he hid it from the world for so long: the Demon King, who the Fire Dragon King supposedly destroyed in X000.
"It is now the year X798 and the decision has been made to rebuild Crocus around the guildhall of Sabertooth. Fairy Tail will assist in its building and has offered to pay for a monument in honor of not just those who the Fire Dragon King's son killed in his rage, but also in honor of the one he lost.
"We know not what happened when you were lost once more, but we will be waiting, and we pray for your sake – and for his sake – that you will return to us."
Lucy let out a low whistle as she set the book down, impressed. The hair on the back of her neck had risen and stood on end as she sat back. There was still so much more of that book to read – information regarding various wars and guilds, stacked neatly into chapters – but something about that last statement…
Thirteen hundred years, Lucy thought. That message had been written to survive all of time, in hopes that someone they weren't sure of would return would someday see it and come home to those who cared for them.
Lucy smiled fondly at that book, and put it aside. She'd read more tomorrow, she decided, settling back to look at the world outside her window, just as she did every night. Her apartment window overlooked the gorgeous mountains, and despite the massive overpopulated city, the stars were gleaming in an extraordinary way that night. She curled up, reaching for the mug of tea she'd been sipping at while reading. Her gaze studied the beautiful night sky, which looked like black velvet that shimmered.
She scanned the skies, picking out constellations she'd taught herself when she was young. She found herself tracing the available zodiac constellations especially, thought that the stars winked in the way they glowed back at her. Lucy hummed softly under her breath, a song that she remembered from days long gone, and wondered if the parents she'd not known had taught the song and the love for stars to her. She couldn't remember them, but she hoped so.
For all the pain not having them had brought, her guardian – an older woman, who'd been kind and protective – had been a lovely person, who'd ensured she knew precisely just how loved she'd been before their deaths. Lucy appreciated that she knew it, was grateful that she didn't have the anger that some seemed to feel over the matter.
Lucy sighed softly and quickly drank the rest of her tea before reaching over to set the mug aside on her coffee table. She returned to her spot when done and peered out across the landscape of the city again. Her gaze shifted to the mountains, and remained there as she frowned.
Something seemed to be moving among the steep slopes. Something big. Something that took its time choosing where it stepped, yet moved with agility that made her shiver. A massive black shadow that had her shuddering in fear.
Lucy closed the curtains, a sense of dreadful foreboding running up her spine as she got up, ready to start preparing for bed.
From the second that he entered that ancient library carved into a mountain, he knew something was off. The generally warm, comfortable air Gajeel Redfox had called home for going on thirteen hundred years had shifted, and he slowed to a halt, a low sound rumbling deep in his chest. As his crimson eyes skimmed the area, the woman at his side stopped, too. The chains on her left arm clinked against the band wrapped around her slim upper arm, the scales decorating her forearm rising in alarm. She looked questioningly to him, hazel gaze wide. "Gajeel?"
"Stay here, Levy," Gajeel told her and then stalked forward, inhaling sharply.
He checked their living quarters first, and when he'd cleared them, he began to retrace his steps, knowing that it must have been in the massive library. He paused when he returned to Levy's side and could practically feel the ache in her arms from the weight of the heavy tomes she held cradled to her chest, the scrolls piled atop of them. Gajeel soundlessly took them from her. She followed him into the library without an ounce of fear, her gaze darting this way and that.
He desposited her things gently on the desk he'd carved for her, and then narrowed his eyes at it. He dropped into a crouch before the desk, studying the material closely. The scent that filled his nose was familiar, but not, lacking something he couldn't put his finger on.
Levy frowned at him from where she stood, folding her arms. "Gajeel," she repeated his name, "what's wrong? Who was here? I did give Rufus and Wendy permission to enter whenever they wanted, you know that. And Gildarts couldn't have been here, it's his own law to not come in–"
"It wasn't any of those that you've mentioned," a voice they knew well said. Both spun around and found a familiar blonde girl standing a few feet away from Levy. Gajeel strode towards them, taking up a stance beside Levy as the girl's green eyes shifted from one to the other, sparkling with mirth.
"Then who was here?" Levy demanded impatiently. "Don't keep us waiting, Mavis, if someone got past the spells–"
"Think," Mavis responded, clasping her hands behind her back and rocking back on her heels. "Who else have you given permission to enter at their own desire?"
Levy raked through her mind, grimacing when Gajeel glared at her for it. Such a sensitive subject for him, she knew. It was risky, allowing people in to such a location to begin with, even before she'd started loading it down with so many valuable writings. If anyone touched the valuables he held so dear to his heart…
In his own words, he'd "make the destruction Salamander plastered on Old Crocus look like child's play."
Silence reigned as Levy considered who it could have been and then she gasped, her voice rising to a high-pitched trill in shock. "Lucy." The second she said the name that hadn't been mentioned in centuries, Gajeel recognized it. It had been Lucy, just not the Lucy they'd met before. Her scent had lacked that familiar tinge of smoke and power that accompanied the psychotic creature she'd dragged around.
Mavis nodded in confirmation, and Levy's knees nearly buckled. "Of course. She knows much of our history, just as she claimed, but she doesn't know the truth just yet. I suspect that her part of the story will be sent into motion soon, which means that we have a very short amount of time before we learn what my brother-in-law's fate will be." She rocked back a second time. "I gifted her a book, of course, a tome of historical events ending in the year he was sealed away, written by yourself. It will not harm her. I ensured it before gifting it to her."
"That was mine," Gajeel grouched with a snap of his jaws.
"That was mine," Levy corrected rather sharply, "and I say it's fine, especially if it was Lucy. Thank you," she added to Mavis. Mavis merely nodded and disappeared between one blink and the next.
Silence fell between Levy and Gajeel. She could tell he was agitated, felt it spiking in her mind. Practice allowed her to separate from it and run her fingers soothingly over his forearm. "I'll scry him. See if he's like we left him last year. I'll contact Rogue when I'm done, let him know."
Gajeel grunted and ruffled her hair affectionately, letting his fingers linger in blue locks. "That spell won't last much longer. We gotta start getting' ready. It was only meant until she started nosing around."
"Hence," she muttered," the reason I'm contacting Rogue. We can't leave again, not until next year on the equinox. The others will have to take care of this without us." She paused, pressing her lips together. "I hope Lily comes home soon. I know Magnolia's a good distance away, but…"
"Should be back tonight or tomorrow," he replied. "Go scry with Rogue if he picks up. I'm gonna go reset the borders. Lucy or not, she shouldn't have been able to get in here. I'll be back before midnight." Gajeel flashed her a mocking grin and then started for the wooden doors.
Levy watched him go with a frown and then set off for their living quarters. She strode through a small living space, a bedroom, a massive cavern lit with flames that held a variety of valuables. And, on the other side of that cavern, was a small tunnel that led to an even smaller room.
She knelt before the pool that resided within that cavern and touched the water, whispering the words of an ancient language. Finished, Levy sat back and looked into the clear water intently as a shape took form.
Relief flooded her when she saw that, just as he had been for countless centuries, he was asleep. He could have been any other sleeper, curled onto his side, although his appearance differed massively from that of a normal person. Levy felt a stab of guilt. He hated that form. When he finally woke up some day, she knew he'd be upset. Incredibly upset, over so many things…the form he'd been forced to remain trapped in, with them, for trapping him as they had, and most certainly for the loss that would seem so fresh in his mind. She hoped that he would forgive them - and that they would have help the second time around.
Levy watched that pool for a few minutes, and then nodded. Things were as they had been for the last few centuries.
Just as she sat forward to cancel the spell, however, she stilled, watching as he suddenly shifted, muttering in his sleep. Her heart missed a beat, true fear spilling into her. In response to her fear, she felt worry. She soothed that worry unsuccessfully.
For the first time in over a thousand years, a red eye cracked open, and she worried at the sight of the rage-filled grief that still lingered.
First chapter! And some information about a variety of things! Next chapter will be a delight...we'll have two little interactions that I'm excited to share. ;)
A quick note: most chapters will not be this long. I changed the average chapter word number to about 3500 so. I might have made it 4000 for the first few.
stranger1999, regarding the quote...YES! I absolutely fucking love the Infernal Devices. :D I actually came up with the title of ODAS from that specific quote, which is why I placed it at the beginning.
Meow Orbit, regarding the Part announcement...nope, there was nothing else that was intended to be there! There will be three more chapters like that! They're place holders announcing the beginning of the next part. :)
Thanks to reviewers (Amictus Lavillant, Anna-Mae1242, stranger1999, fairlystrange, Kerasi, Meow Orbit, xHallowedFangirlx, Inky-Paws, and Naruto4Sakura!) as well as those who favorited and followed!