I was so close to not uploading a chapter this week. I've been ill all weekend so I haven't written anything. But then Monday came along and I finished all the things I needed to for now so I could get this chapter out on time. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Still don't own it. :(
The two remained in that position for an indefinite amount of time. Gray form still shook rigorously; it appeared that he was using all of his remaining energy just to remain conscious. Natsu was still completely gobsmacked at the events that had just taken place. It suddenly all added up. Deliora's spirit must be the one causing the ice wizard's nightmares and must also be the cause of him collapsing in the guild. The Salamander then felt a warm substance trailing down his arm and his thoughts immediately went back to Gray. With all his strength sapped from him, there was no way he was going to be able to keep his wound frozen shut.
"Gray, you alright?" It was a daft question, but he needed the conversation to go somewhere.
"Of course… I'm not… alright… I'm fucking possessed… by Deliora…" Gray managed through panted breaths.
"Hey, don't worry 'bout it. We'll find a way to save you. I'm sure Gramps will know something," Natsu knew that now was definitely not the time for their usual banter. "Can you move at all?"
After a long pause, Gray responded. "No."
Upon hearing the raven's answer, Natsu picked up his rival, bridal style, and lay him down on his bed, making sure to put a towel under his shoulder to absorb the blood and keep the bed clean. "Do you have a med kit anywhere? Or some bandages?"
"Second draw… to your left."
As the Salamander rummaged around his house, Gray willed his limbs to move, but to no avail. Just what the hell was Deliora doing to him… and how the hell did he get possessed in the first place? Just the thought of Deliora sent shivers down his spine, god he was losing it. He could still hear that foul laughter booming in his mind as he felt a headache coming along. Just as he was about to attempt to sleep the headache off, the pyro returned with his med kit.
"Gray, I know you'll want to sleep, but you've gotta try to stay awake. If you're sleeping, Deliora will just torment you more." He began to clean out Gray's wound. "We'll take you back to the guild and talk to Gramps about your… problem. The girls are worried about you too."
"Since when… did you be-come… Mr Over Protective?" he winced through the pain.
"Since I found out my friend was possessed by one of Zeref's demons," he replied, bluntly.
Wait, wait, WAIT! Did Natsu, the Natsu, just call Gray his friend? It was safe to say that the ice wizard was at a loss for words. Natsu had never called Gray his friend for as long as they've known each other. This out of character friendliness definitely did not calm the raven. Natsu being nice to him meant that things were seriously wrong and the unsettling feeling in Gray's chest continued to rise.
"I'm done," Natsu declared, pinning the bandages together. "Can you move any better now?"
"A little," Gray answered, flexing his uninjured arm, "but I don't think I can walk."
"Well, we can't sit around here all day. C'mon," Natsu flung Gray's arm around his neck and pulled him off the bed. Using the pyro as support, they slowly, but surely, made their way over to the guild hall.
"Where the hell are they?!" A very angry Titania roared throughout the building.
"They'll be back soon Erza," Happy chimed. "You know what Gray's like in the mornings."
"Erza, don't worry yourself," Macao spoke up. "They're big boys. If something happens they'll be able to handle it."
"Why don'tcha just take a seat and enjoy a drink instead of fretting over those idiots," Cana slurred.
The red-head sighed. They were right and she should be shamed for doubting them. She'd known them ever since they were young after all; Erza should have more faith in them. Taking a seat next to the other girls of the team, the requip wizard ordered her signature Strawberry Cake in attempt to calm her nerves. It was a while before the boys finally showed up. Natsu's face was full of worry whereas Gray's face was paler than a sheet of ice. He was leaning on the pinkette for support and most of his limbs were shaking from the pressure of just trying to stand. Erza was shocked. She knew it! She knew something would be wrong. If only she'd joined Natsu in checking up of her friend. Jeez, she needed to have more trust in her instincts.
"Gray! What happened? Are you alright?" The woman spoke so fast that Natsu wouldn't have picked up what she was saying without his dragon hearing.
"Don't have time to explain," his expression turned serious. "Gramps, we need to talk to you in private."
It was then that Makarov finally looked up at the commotion. Seeing the state of one of his children, the tiny man immediately obliged and ushered them into his office. As the two walked through the guild hall, all eyes were on them, causing Gray to hide his face from view.
"Natsu, I think I can walk on my own."
The Salamander was reluctant at first, but he slowly pulled away from his rival. The ice wizard stood alone for about a second before his legs crumpled and was caught by the pyro. Saying nothing, the pair continued to his office.
"I have a terrible feeling I don't want to know what's troubling you," Makarov sighed as Natsu set Gray down on the chair and stood close by in case he collapsed again.
"Gray's possessed by Deliora, Gramps," Natsu stated, concern evident in his voice.
Makarov was shocked. "Yep, I didn't want to know. Go one, then. Tell me everything that happened."
Natsu glanced over to the raven, who just stared down at his hands. He took this as a hint to start talking. "As we told you yesterday, Gray had a nightmare about Deliora while we were coming home from a job. We didn't think much of it, but then yesterday he just randomly collapsed. When I went to check on him – Erza's orders – he was collapsed on the floor. When he woke up, his eyes were black and red. His voice sounded all weird but then his eyes turned to normal and he collapsed again. That's all I know."
"And Gray?" the Master knew Gray wouldn't want to talk, but he needed to know everything if they wanted a chance to help the teen.
"…" The raven was far too lost in his thoughts to respond, still trying to come to terms with his predicament. He was possessed…by Deliora. Of all the things that could happen to him it had to be this.
"Gray," Makarov's calm voice brought him back to reality. "I know you hate this, but you need to talk to us if we're ever going to help you."
He sighed. "I was on my job yesterday. While I was climbing up Hakobe, I kept feeling really tired… which I shouldn't do considering I've climbed Hakobe loads of times. Every now and then I kept hearing this voice telling me to sleep, but I just thought I was hearing things through the blizzard… I got home and heard the voice again, it actually started talking to me this time. By the time I realised who it was, I was already blacking out." He was met with silence. "I sound insane, right?"
"Not insane just… possessed," Natsu shrugged.
"Mmm," Makarov put his hand beneath his chin and the room was filled with silence. After a few minutes, he continued. "I think it would be best if I call Porlyusica to help. She may have a cure. For now though, it would be best if you remain in the guild at all times Gray. There's a chance you may collapse again…" Gray's form stiffened. "…and Natsu, I'll need you to keep an eye on him in case Deliora takes control over him again."
"He WHAT?!" Three female and two feline voices screamed from the other side of the door.
"I'd expect the ease dropping from Lucy, but Erza you know better than that," Natsu grinned as they charged into the room.
"Gray what is Master talking about? You're possessed?" Lucy questioned, tears forming.
Gray remained seated, his eyes hidden by his bangs. The raven clenched his teeth together and a slight growl was released. If Lucy hadn't know better, she'd say that the demon was currently controlling him.
"Well," Makarov addressed group. "Now you all know, you might as well help out. Lucy, you Happy and Carla can go into the eastern forest to get Porlyusica and bring her back here. As for the rest of you, there's a private room on the second floor you can stay in. I'd rather not have everyone else find out what's happening. If word got out that Deliora still lives and is in Fairy Tail, well… it won't be good."
"Understood," Erza replied.
"And Gray," the wizard in question glanced up at the Master, eyes tired and his face still incredibly pale. "Just hang in there, alright? And please don't do anything stupid."
"Yeah…" was all he could bring himself to say. He was tired. Too tired. He wanted to just go to sleep and be left alone in peace, as if that would happen. Being asleep was even more stressful than being awake. He just wanted it all to stop. Gray desperately wanted his friends, his family, to stop giving him those concerned looks he'd seen far too many times already. He wanted to be safe in his own mind and not have an immortal demon listening to his every thought. He just wanted everything to stop. Makarov gestured for the team to leave and Lucy, along with the Exceed's, dashed off into the forest. The others made their way up to the second floor, Natsu making sure that Gray stayed in between him and Erza just in case. Despite the guild's usual cheery atmosphere, the team were dead silent and Gray hated it. However, when the ice wizard heard the voice make its return, he'd decided that being in silence was a privilege.
You want it all to stop, huh? There's an easy solution to that. Just give up. Give in to my power. You'll be much happier that way.
No way am I giving up, Gray yelled in his mind. This was definitely the weirdest argument he'd been in.
You're far too tired, Gray. You won't be able to keep this façade up forever. Sooner or later you will fall. It would be less painful if you quit now.
Gray began to think of a response, but his mind fogged over and his vision fell to darkness. Was this how it was going to be from now on? Barely being able to stay awake and being at risk of collapsing at any given moment. He felt himself fall backwards, but the impact with the floor never came. He really hated this.
"Gray!" Natsu yelled, watching Gray falter before falling backwards. Natsu quickly grabbed him and lowered the raven down until he was resting softly on the floor. The ice wizard's eyes were tightly shut and he groaned in pain. He'd fallen into a nightmare already? That escalated quickly Natsu thought.
"Can you carry him into the room?" Erza asked, trying her best to remain calm.
"…Yeah…" Natsu replied holding him in a bridal position.
"Should I try to heal him?" Wendy's quiet voice asked.
"I don't think this is something you magic can cure, Wendy."
Makarov was gobsmacked. One of his children had been possessed by one of those vial creatures. The fact that it was Deliora only made things worse. If it were some other demon, while it would still be very bad, it wouldn't cause as much of a panic. However, that demon, the same demon that had tormented the boy throughout his childhood, was now trying to take control of his very being. What would happen if he succeeded? Makarov didn't want to think about that. They will save him, they have to. What would Fairy Tail become without Gray?
This is the first chapter of this story that I actually proof-read, so if there are any errors... well, you'll see why I'm not a beta-reader. :p
So is anyone else crying over the latest episode of FT? Seriously can't wait for the next one, plus a new op and ed. Though I will miss Never-End Tale.
Don't forget to leave a review, the make me smile. :D
See ya!