Chapter 7: Devil's Redemption
When Laxus was able to see who the last two were he almost attacked them, but he remembered what Andromeda said and reigned in his anger. 'She said that I need to listen to what they have to say, that they have news about the pending destruction of Earthland. She also said that they come from the same 'realm' I do. That means they're alive, but only one should be.' The first one to speak was a young looking man with short black hair and golden eyes. He was wearing a long sleeve black shirt with gold and blue trim over black pants. Around his abdomen was a three-inch black belt with gold designs. His pants were tucked into mid-calf high black boots with gold buckles. Over his left shoulder was a full length black cloak with gold trim that the left side of his body and back. His voice was low and calm, yet still demanded respect.
"Hello. I do not believe we were officially introduced when your guild purged the darkness from me. Allow me to remedy that. My name is Tenebris Caelestia, however you know me as Zeref. Before anything else I would like to thank you and your guild for purging the darkness from my soul and letting my immortality fade. Now as my mind ages so will my body."
"How are you still alive?!"
"I do not know, nor do I wish to question it. I have been blessed with life clear of possession and cursed with guilt. This may be the universe's way of punishing me for all I know. Or maybe I have been allowed to live so that I may redeem myself of sin by helping you save Earthland."
"There is nothing you can possible do to fully redeem yourself. You have hurt, killed, and cursed too many."
"You are right; however I must still try."
"I'm going to trust you because Andromeda said that you, both of you, have been cleansed. Which means that your intentions are pure. However, I you make me regret trusting you then I will hunt you down and destroy you for good."
"That is only fair."
Now that his point was across Laxus turned to the second man. He was very tall with spikey black hair and dark purple eyes. His once full beard cleanly shaven. He was wearing black leather armor. The chest piece was designed to look like dragon scales. Attached to the armor at the shoulders was a long black cape, the Raventail symbol engraved into the silver clasps that held it in place. Over the leather pants he wore mid-calf high boots that silver buttons with the Raventail symbol engraved on them running up either side of the boots. His eyes were downcast, not having the will to look Laxus in the eyes.
"As for you. What right do you have to be here? Your one goal is the downfall of Fairytail. You deceived Ikazi, almost killed me, forced gramps to excommunicate you, cheated in the Grand Magic Games, and tried to force information about Lumen Histoire out of me when you knew that if I told you I would face the same fate as you. What could have possibly changed you?"
"You have every right to hate me. Just as I have no right to be here or call you my son. I have done many evil things, and if not for your mother I would have done a great many more. She made me realize that what I was doing was not strong, wise, or just. She told me that she did not fall in love with a monster, but a man. Then she left. She was gone again. It made me realize that I had done nothing but hurt her, and you. I'm sorry Laxus. I know it is not enough, that nothing will be enough, but I am sorry."
"You're right, it's not enough. Words can be false, actions can be deceiving, and minds can be cunning. I will eventually forgive you, but I will never forget what you've done. I will never forget the hurt you have caused. Most of all, I will never trust you."
"I understand."
"Good. Now tell me what the fuck is going on."
Zeref was the one to explain to Laxus what was going on.
"Contrary to what everyone believes, when Fairytail cleansed me the demons I created did not get destroyed. Rather my magic transferred to one of them giving it a power boost. All the other demons are now following its orders. The magic is fueled by those which it controls. Therefore, to destroy it you must destroy all the demons. Once all the demons are destroyed the magic will be at its weakest and will try to find new victims. You must destroy the host demon before it can claim more lives, yet after the demons are destroyed. If all the magic's victims are destroyed then you can destroy the magic itself with a purification spell, therefore purging it from the universe forever."
"How many demons are there? And who is the leading demon?"
"There are ten major demons named Malum, Letum, Odi, Timor, Cupiditas, Lucrum, Edacitas, Caedis, Dolus, and Nox. Nox is the one who inherited my dark magic. Other than the ten major demons there are four thousand minor demons."
"What are the ten major demons capable of?"
"Malum is the demon of all that is evil. She uses shadow magic, curse magic, and darkness magic. Letum is the demon of doom. He uses shadow magic, death magic, and gravity magic. Odi is the demon of hate. He uses shadow magic, darkness magic, and human subordination magic. Timor is the demon of fear. She uses shadow magic, dream magic, and illusion magic. Cupiditas is the demon of lust. She uses living magic, death magic, and concealment magic. Lucrum is the demon of greed. He uses acid magic, living magic, and copy magic. Edacitas is the demon of gluttony. He uses absorption magic, egg magic, and fire magic. Caedis is the demon of murder. She uses possession magic, nullification magic, and sword magic. Dolus is the demon of deceit. She uses deception magic, illusion magic, and darkness magic. Finally, Nox is the demon of night. She uses darkness magic, shadow magic, death magic, and my old magic, Ankhseram Black Magic. As for their physical abilities, they all look like normal humans but have the strength of Deliora. Their intelligence is nothing to laugh about either."
"In other words, fighting one of these singlehandedly and winning is a lost cause."
"Correct, you will need to fight them with at least two other people. But they are weak to light magic, holy magic, and spirit magic. They will probably try to erase those magics from existence first if they have any intelligence."
"I see. We need to inform gramps and all the other guild masters what is going on. Once we all return to Earthland meet me on Tenroujima. I will make sure that gramps is there."
"That is a wise course of action. I will leave now and prepare for the journey. Oh, one more thing. As I said earlier my real name is not Zeref. I would appreciate it if you called me Tenebris, or any variation of it."
"No problem."
With that Zeref bowed and walked into the light, and out of the realm. This left Ivan and Laxus the only ones in the realm.
"So why are you here? Zer- ah I mean Tenebris, already informed me of everything."
"I'm here to ask you to allow me and the rest of Raventail to fight beside you in this upcoming war with the demons."
"It's not my decision. Gramps is still the guild master of Fairytail, and he is the one who will decide who will or will not join in this fight. If you really want to fight the demons, come to Tenroujima with the others."
"Fair enough. That is all I wished to say. I will leave now."
Ivan then left the same way everyone else did. Laxus could feel his head getting heavier as he once again blacked out. When he came to he was laying on the ground of the indoor garden, Draconia sitting next to him reading a book. He sat up and Draconia closed her book and started to speak.
"Andromeda contacted me while you were in the trance. I already know about the demons. What I want to know is if you realize that the only way for you to travel to Domum Viventium is if you are pure of heart."
"I sort of figured that out. I met my mom there too. She asked me to forgive myself for her sake."
"And will you?"
"I think I already have. My own feelings don't matter, it's what everyone else thinks that matters. If they have forgiven me then why should I not forgive myself? I'm choosing to follow the right path and that's all that matters."
"That's right. Now what about Lucy?"
"Andromeda asked me to protect her, and the best way for me to do that is to…"
Laxus dropped off what he was saying. 'The best way is to mate her, but what if that's not what she wants?' But that's when Draconia said the one thing that gave Laxus that final push.
"Tell her the truth and let her decide what path to take. The best way to protect her is by telling her everything and allowing her to choose her own path, whether that path includes you or not."
"Do I have to tell her everything?"
"Yes, you need to tell her everything."
Laxus left the cave and slowly walked to the mountain's summit where he knew Ikazuchiryū was training Lucy. He used the time it took to reach the summit to figure out how he was going to tell Lucy what she needed to hear and mentally prepare himself for rejection. When he finally reached the cloud high training grounds he saw Ikazuchiryū and Lucy sparring. Both were moving with practiced grace and it looked like a dance. Laxus took a minute to admire their movement before he made his presence known.
"Hey old man, mind if I interrupt?"
Ikazuchiryū smiled and caught the punch that Lucy threw at him before pulling her to him and immobilizing her.
"I win star child; however you learn fast. Soon you will be able to defeat even me in a spar. We will end here for the day, I believe the boy needs to speak with you."
He then let go and started to exit the grounds. When he reached Laxus he placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered to him.
"Speak gently yet surely. What you have to say will not be easy to hear. I and Draconia will go on a flight. Take her to the gardens."
"Thank you Ikazi."
Ikazuchiryū smiled and continued down the path. A few seconds later two formed were seen flying away from the mountain. Laxus walked over to Lucy and offered her his arm.
"You'll get cold soon, let's talk somewhere warmer."
Lucy took his hand and the two left the summit. A couple of minutes later they reached the gardens. Laxus led her to where Draconia had used the spell on him and sat down, gently pulling Lucy into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and held her to his body, resting his chin on her shoulder. He started speaking right away, his voice was low and soft.
"Please don't pull away when I say this. I need to tell you a couple of things, and I don't really know how. I'll start with the easy one. Zeref's not dead, although he isn't bad anymore."
Lucy was deathly still, her voice shaking.
"How do you know this?"
"Draconia used a spell on me that sent my mind to some sort of spirit realm. When I was there I met four people. One was an angel, one Andromeda, one was Zeref, and the last was Ivan. Andromeda told me that he and Ivan had passed through the Spirit Rivers and were now pure of heart."
"You met Queen Andromeda?!"
"Yes Lucy."
"Okay so what did this new Zeref have to say?"
"First that his real name is Tenebris, and second that his demons are still out there and need to be defeated. Everyone is going to Tenroujima at the end of the week to devise a plan to get rid of them. Ivan and Raventail is going to be there too."
"It that what has you riled up?"
"No. The second thing I must tell you is what's bothering me. Before I say anything, I need you to promise me something."
"What?"
"I need you to promise that you'll let me finish speaking before doing or saying anything. Please, I…I don't think I'll…"
Lucy turned around in his lap and kissed him, silencing him.
"I promise Laxus."
Laxus stared at her wide eyed for a moment, but easily regained his composure. He cupped Lucy's face in his large hand as he spoke softly, his eyes never leaving hers.
"I once told you that I had feelings for you, but the truth is so much more. You are my mate. Weather you choose to be with me or not is up to you, but you are the one my soul is attached to. I was going to end this conversation here and let you think about what I said, but Draconia said I needed to tell you everything. When a Dragon slayer finds his or her mate they…we… begin to slowly die unless we mate with that person. Dragon slayers also mate for life, so if their mate dies or leaves then they die. At he moment I only have about a month left before I would die because I've stalled for so long."
Laxus eyes dropped from hers and his hand slowly followed, preparing for the rejection he knew was coming. Lucy smiled at what he said. 'I'm his mate. That's more than just an 'I like you' or 'be my woman'. That's a heartfelt and soulful 'I love you'. But what should I say? I really like Laxus and I want to be with him, but if I agree then it's for life. If I die or leave then his life is forfeit, but it's forfeit either way isn't it? That's it. My mind is made up! I already know he's liked me since the games he told me that much, if he's been stalling that long…He's been slowly killing himself.'
"Is that all?"
Laxus nodded in response. Lucy hugged him tightly and waited until she felt his arms tighten around her before she spoke.
"I don't really know a lot about you, and I was hoping to learn more about you before we started going out, but that doesn't mean I don't have feelings for you. I like you Laxus, and one day that may turn into love. I'm sad that your magic is taking away the time we would have had to grow our relationship into something great, but I don't want to lose you forever because of it either. So, I'll become yours. I can't promise that it'll be easy, but I will promise to be loyal. The rest is up to you Laxus."
"You realize that by doing this you're basically marrying me right?"
"Yep!"
"And you're okay with that? I won't force you."
"I know you won't, and I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't okay with it."
As soon as the words left her mouth Draconia and Ikazuchiryū entered the gardens. They both looked winded, even with Draconia smiling from ear to ear. Draconia spoke softly at seeing the new couple.
"What a wonderful thing to hear after flying for so long. You do realize how much your life will change, correct?"
Lucy looked at Draconia puzzled
"What would change?"
At the vocalization of that dreaded question Ikazuchiryū quickly retreated, not wanting to hear the utterings of women. Laxus got up to also leave but was stopped by Draconia clutching his blonde locks.
"My mate may be speedy enough to retreat because I allow it but you, Laxus Dreyar, are not. As for your question my dear, a great many things. Male dragons and Dragon slayers are extremely possessive of their mates. If they leave their side for too long they get greatly distressed, and many refuses to eat, sleep, or even move until their mates return. Unless their mates are gone long enough for someone to find them and force them that is. Also, the mating process always causes pregnancy. From these things it should be obvious how much your life will change. Are you positive that this is what you want star child?"
"It is Draconia."
"Then I and Ikazi will rest somewhere else tonight. Take her gently Laxus."
Before Laxus could say anything Draconia was already a good distance away from the mountain, Ikazi not far behind her. "Really? Damn giant, scaly, pain in my asses. They had to just fly off and leave me with the…pleasure…. Of telling Lucy how Dragonslayers mate."
"So how exactly does this work Laxus?"
Laxus was about to spill everything when a cruel idea come into his head. He slowly advanced towards Lucy, his step sure, but menacing. With every step closer his sensitive nose could pick up her growing arousal, which caused his member to jump in response. When the distance between them was fully closed Laxus gently gripped her chin and made her eyes meet his. His words were said in a low and seductive voice, their volume barely above a whisper.
"How bout I show you instead of tell you? If you're feeling a little adventurous, that is."
"Will it hurt?"
"Only a little at first, but it won't last long."
"Then show me."
The smile that Lucy showed him as she said that almost drove him over the edge, it was almost impossible for him to remain in control as he sat down in the grass and pulled her into his lap. Once she was comfortable he gently kissed her, his hands resting on her hips. It only took a couple of seconds before she began to kiss him back, their lips moving in perfect sync. As they broke the kiss Laxus gently turned them over, so he was looming over her and slowly began to remove her clothes, his hands gently brushing over her soft skin as he did so. Once she was bare to him he began to trail kisses down her jawline and shoulder, down her chest, and to her ample breasts. He began to gently lick the soft peak of her nipple when his mouth finally reached it. His hands grazed her sides, gently tickling her, as his mouth sucked and nipped at her sensitive nipple. His right hand finding her other breast and gently squeezing it and rolling its sensitive nipple in his fingertips. A soft moan left Lucy's lips and Laxus let a low growl of approval escape his lips. After a few more minutes he switched and began to lick and nip at the other nipple while his left hand played with the breast his mouth had just left.
Once he felt that both of her bosoms had received enough attention he began to trail kisses down to her waist, pulling her skirt down as he got closer and closer to his destination. Once his mouth reached the edge of her panties he gripped them in his teeth and pulled them down and off Lucy. The sight of him doing that made her go mad with desire. She was now completely bare before him, a slight blush adorning her cheeks. To his surprise Lucy reached out to him and began to slowly unbutton his dark purple shirt, her fingertips skimming over his taunt core and chest with every little movement. The pure lust in her eyes sending shivers down his spine. When she had released the last button and the soft shirt had fallen to the floor, she moved her hands down to the buckle of his pants. A large hand stopped her from going farther as Laxus reclaimed his position on top of her and brought his mouth to her ear as he whispered to her.
"This is your one and only chance to back out Lucy Heartfilia. Any farther and I won't be able to stop myself from taking you completely, you would be mine forever. You would be my lover, my mate, my wife. You would be Lucy Dreyar."
He released her hands and she released his belt in a swift motion.
"I know, and I'm willing."
Laxus finished taking off his pants and kissed his way back down to her moist womanhood, lifting her legs over his shoulders. He started to lick her entrance and gently suck and nibble on her clit, her breathing getting heavier with every lick and nip. Soon Laxus could take no more, he needed her and now, his inner dragon demanding it. He rose from his position, her legs gently falling to his sides as he sat upright. He offered her his hand as he spoke softly.
"Come here."
Lucy took his hand and she too came to a sitting position, her legs folding under her. Laxus grabbed her and held her tightly, but not tight enough to hurt her, as he rolled onto his back. Lucy ended up straddling him. Her hands remained on his chest, and his travelled to her hips, as she sat up. He gently picked her up and helped her down onto his massive member, supporting her weight fully. When he felt himself break and pass her hymen he surged his magic through his hands and onto her hips. He moved his hand down to her thighs as she went the rest of the way by herself. Once he was fully sheathed inside her he smiled and spoke to her, his voice full of pride.
"You did it Lucy."
"I did, didn't I?"
"You did."
It was then that Laxus noticed the tattoo like marks on both of her hips, the mark that claimed her as his. They looked like a golden key with blue lightning sparking off it. He knew that the marks would soon fade, as if never there, but it still made him proud. Smiling he gently flipped them, supporting Lucy as he did. He then began to move inside her, setting a slow and careful pace, being sure to give her pleasure. Soon the pace was not enough for either of them and Laxus sped up, his thrusts getting deeper and fiercer as they both came closer and closer to ecstasy. He sat strait and grabbed her hips, gently pulling her onto him as he thrust into her. Her moans filled his ears and it pushed him over the edge, his hot seed filling her womb. The sensation triggered her own orgasm, her pleasure filled scream echoing around them. Laxus slowly withdrew his still erect member from her, knowing that she wouldn't be up for another round. He then pulled her into his lap and held her closely, nuzzling her hair while his arms rested around her midsection and his chin on her shoulder. Lucy relaxed into his arms, closing her eyes and enjoying the feeling of Laxus's arms around her. Suddenly their comfortable silence was broken when Laxus spoke.
"When we get home, and before the fighting starts up again, I was wondering if you would marry me legally."
"Sure, I mean we're technically already married right? It would be nice to share this with the guild."
"I think so too. Let's get some sleep okay? I'm sure were going to be trained to the bone tomorrow."
"Sound good. I'm sleepy."
Laxus then stood up, a dozing off Lucy in his arms. He somehow managed to pick up their clothes and cover Lucy up with this jacket. He was about to carry her to their quarters when he remembered the key Andromeda said would appear. He gently put Lucy down, and sure enough in his right hand was a black translucent key. He gently shook Lucy awake.
"Hey Blondie, wake up for a minute. I have something to show you."
Lucy woke up, still groggy from her quick nap.
"What is it Laxus?"
"Andromeda gave this to me. She said that I should make a contract with it."
"That's a diamond key. What an honor! Want me to show you how to contract it? We could do it together."
"Yea. That sounds good."
"Okay just let me get dressed."
