Chapter 8! (Cheering around for record timing woo~)
New vocab word: Arvanvor means heaven but in the story it is just a separate land that you will find more about later!
TWO WARNINGS:
1. This is, sadly not a happy fairy tale (haha cuz you know fairy "tail"... anyways...) so there is war and there is death so be warned!
2. I will be going on a road trip starting tomorrow with my advanced photo class the whole week (we're staying on a boat for two days! Sorry I'm excited...) I will most likely not have wifi, so I may not post a chapter until Friday. Do not worry I won't being doing it to torture y'all! I will have a lot of car time though so if I am unable to post during the week, y'all can expect two or more chapters being posted on Friday (so the wait will be worth it!) That is all for now so (as I always say) Enjoy!
The dark king walked the golden path of perfection. He breathed in the sweet air as the warm sun wrapped itself around him in a sunny embrace. Everything had more color and more beauty then anything he had ever seen. The trees danced with a non-existant wind and the crystal grass swayed to a different melody. This was Arvandor, the place of myth that had been long forgotten by the people who lived in Iantica, but King Acnologia never forgot.
The land around him was not the real Arvandor, but a dreamscape of it. The replication created by the dark being that floated toward the awaiting king. The creature was a man that looked as if he had been born from darkness itself. Living in such perfection, he stuck out like a deceptive weed. Though his feet never touched the ground, the trees and grass and even the color of the land seemed to part, making way for the shadows that followed his every move.
The king thought he was beautiful in his darkness, with his pitch black hair that fell into his bottomless eyes, eyes that absorbed everything around them. His skin looked as if it was carved out of the smoothest marble, so white and flawless that it seemed to shine. What was even more marvelous was the breath-taking wings of black feathers that graced his back with an imperial force that made lesser creatures bow in fear.
King Acnologia did not bow, nor cower in fear. Instead, he glared at the magnificent creature and stormed over to clear the space between them.
"You did not warn me there would be such a strong barrier. Am I supposed to send two nations to destroy a barrier that cannot be broken? What would you have me do now?" The king snapped.
The darkness encircled the man as he smiled softly, "Patience my king, all will be revealed in due time."
The king bristled at being talked down to, "When?"
The man ignored his question and gracefully sat on a crystal rock that rose from the ground. It quickly lost all its bright colors when he touched it, "I shall give you a gift." He curved his wing towards the king, "Take some feathers."
The king wasted no time in grabbing a fistful of feathers and ripping, relishing in the pain he could cause the arrogant creature, but if the man before him felt any pain he did not show it.
"Our plan is nearly finished, do as I have instructed and all that you wish to have will be given to you," He sang, "But first you must do something for me."
"And what is that?" the king asked with narrowed eyes.
The shadow picked up one of his fallen feathers and twirled it between his fingers, "In your world there is another. When you conquer the elf kingdom, you must bring me one of her feathers, only then may I be resurrected."
"How will I find this creature?"
The man ignored his question once again. Acnologia wished to rip those beautifully dark wings from his back, wished to see pain on that perfect face. The man lifted his head to the flawless blue skies, "Morning is nearly upon us," he spoke softly before turning to the king with a delicious smile on his face, "Shall we shroud your world in darkness?"
The king couldn't help but smile in return, "So we shall, Zeref."
The forest of Edhelos was quiet. The trees didn't dare move. The birds and the other inhabitants went into hiding, as if knowing what was to come. Every Kelvaden and Naurnian was armored and ready as they crowded infront of the large tree stump, in which the dragon king stood on with all his dark metal glory.
Many Kelvadens, including Lisanna and her siblings, had chosen to fight in their animal form. Large hawks, wolves, and even wild hogs grouped together in a hoard of animals. Lisanna's bushy tail wouldn't keep still as she waited in anticipation for the King to speak.
"Kelvadens, Naurnians, today on this still morning, we will make history." The king boomed, "No more will we be discriminated against! Alone, we would not have come this far, but together, bonded between dragon and beast, we will take Edhelos for ourselves!"
Every ai dragon, man, and animal roared in response. Lisanna couldn't help but fell her heart drop dead in her chest. She had wanted this. She had wanted war, but looking around at the familiar and unfamiliar faces, she started to fear what was awaiting them. She glanced to her right to find her brother staring at her. His large white mane cradling his head in a furry halo. Lisanna loved seeing her brother in his minya helma. He was probably the more beautiful of the siblings as when he wore his white lion face, so strong and ferocious in his appearance it made other Kelvadens keep at least a five-foot distance between them and him. Her sister, no less beautiful, was on Lisanna's left. Her shiny white fur perfect, and the black strips on her back a warning to all that she was fearsome as she was beautiful. Lisanna looked down at her own white paws, taking in the random black spots that crawled all over her fur. She was the smaller of the three, her minya helma being a white snow leopard. Though not as big as Elfman, or lethal as Mirajnne, Lisanna was the quickest and much more deadly when it came to stealth.
The king continued his speech, "Lend me you hand, and I promise you wealth beyond belief. Tare down any obsticale in you way with the rewards hanging in you mind. Let us fight for wealth. Let us fight for revenge. Let us fight for freedom!"
The ground shook as the crowd cheered once again, some even raising their weapons in the air, promising that blood would be on them soon. Lisanna caught the eye of the prince that stood behind his father. He exchanged a knowing nod with her before turning his attention back to his father, ignoring the younger man that stood beside him and stared at him with an unreadable expression. The familiar pink ai dragon stood on the other side of the prince, unable to contain his constant yawning.
Lisanna jumped when a horn screeched in the distance and the crowd rushed past the trees with war cries. Lisanna took in a deep breath; it was time for the fight to begin.
Gajeel refused to show his exhaustion as he soared above the bloody battle. They had been fighting for hours, but had yet to pass the Edhelian capital's walls, as if some invisible force kept them outside. Every elf, beast, and ai dragon clashed in a battle that seemed to have no end. Why did his father need a war like this? He couldn't understand it. The metallic smell of the blood that soaked the ground reached his nose even though he flew far above the action. He had yet to raise a single wing or nail against anyone. He couldn't quite explain it, he knew that one day he would be the next Blood King, but something within him kept him from joining the violence. Perhaps it was him not agreeing with his father, perhaps it was him rebelling against his destiny, or perhaps it was the sapphire princess that had haunted his dreams.
Everytime Gajeel had closed his eyes he had glimpses of honey-gold eyes and shiny blue hair. As Gajeel flapped his strong wings he looked down at his hand that had once held her wrist. Such a delicate and small wrist, so fragile and innocent compared to the death and blood that had become a part of his life. Why he was thinking about her when he had only seen her twice, he didn't know. All he knew was that he wanted to see her again.
"Gajeel watch out!" A voice cried. Gajeel was snapped out of his thoughts as an Edhelian arrow nearly shot him out of the sky. Gajeel was surprised. It was not the arrow that had surprised him, but who the warning had come from: Rogue. His brother rushed to his side with his pure black wings so much like Gajeel's. He had to snap out of it he realized, he was in a war and thinking about an enemy princess would only confuse him even more.
"Rogue," Gajeel greeted with a nod, "Thanks for the save."
Rogue glared at him, "If I wanted you dead I would have killed you myself a long time ago. Now focus on the enemy." Gajeel couldn't help but feel slightly touched despite Rogue's harsh sounding words. Gajeel had always thought his younger brother hated him, but maybe he had misunderstood.
With another nod Gajeel swopped down, his brother following closely behind. The two night brothers crashed into the fray with a force that knocked several Edhelian Knights off their feet. As quick as bullets, Gajeel and Rogue curved back up into the air to repeat the same strategy. Shadow and Iron, Darkness and Steel, together they were a force to be reckoned with. Gajeel took notice that like himself, Rogue never actually killed anyone but simply knocked his enemies out with the strength of his wings or with the swipe of his sharp nails. Gajeel had indeed misjudged his younger brother, and felt as much happiness as he could on a battlefield to be fighting next to Rogue.
Landing on a strong branch of a tree, the two took a moment to catch their breath. Gajeel and Rogue stared at each other as they silently came to an understanding.
Gajeel clasped his brother's arm, "Who knew young brother was such a fighter."
Rogue, surprisingly, let out a short laugh, "And who knew older brother was such a softy in battle."
Gajeel raised an eyebrow, "I don't believe I saw you killing anyone either."
His brother responded with a light shrug, "I'm sure our Father would be disappointed in us both right now."
The brothers' laughter died down as they shared a moment of silence. Rogue's face shifted to one of regret. "Gafeel I—" But his brother's words were cut short as his face slacked to one of painful shock. He slowly lowered his head to find an Edhelian arrow sticking out of his chest. Gajeel's heart froze as his world crashed around him and time stood still. Blood poured out of his brother's new wound, soaking his black and red leathered armor in dark red.
"Rogue…" Gajeel whispered, afraid to let time start moving once again, but it did, and Gajeel watched in horror as his brother fell from the branch and hit the ground with a thunk.
No! Gajeel's mind screamed as he rushed to his brother's aid. Rogue's breath came out in ragged gasps, his eyes darting around wildly until falling on Gajeel. He kneeled down by his brother and gently lifted him up.
"Gajeel—"
"Quiet. Don't speak, you will only make yourself worse." Gajeel rasped as he tried to carry his younger brother, but Rogue's hand stopped him and grasped his arm desperately.
"Listen to me, I don't have much time," He wheezed.
Gajeel couldn't stop the tears that threatened to take him over "Don't talk like that!"
"Listen!" Rogue snapped, which caused him to fall into a fit of coughs, he continued, "Listen Gajeel, I have to warn you. Last night… last night I sneaked into Father's tent and... I saw something, a dark aura of sorts cradling around him. He's planning something Gajeel, I feel it and it scares me."
Gajeel couldn't understand what his brother was saying. A dark aura? What did he mean? Gajeel was about to ask, but Rogue's body shook in uncontrollable coughs again. Rogue covered his mouth and when he pulled it away, his hand was covered in new blood. His younger brother looked up at him with a new fear in his eyes.
"Gajeel I'm sorry I—" But once again Rogue was unable to finish as his body slumped in Gajeel's arms and the light in his eyes faded away. His brother was dead.
A cry of pain rose up in Gajeel's throat as he cursed the sky. He cried out for the loveless life he lived, he cried out for the lost time, and he cried for the life of his brother, gone in the blink of an eye. His shouts met no ears, he was alone with a hollow shell that had once contained life. Gajeel became numb to the battle around him, numb to the dying cries of elves, beasts, and ai dragons. This war was pointless, all of this was pointless, and it was all one greedy man's fault. Gajeel's head turned towards the direction of the camp, his father had to pay for his crimes. He was probably enjoying the safety of the camp, unaware that he had lost a son. Well now he has lost two sons, Gajeel thought. He looked one last time at his brother, before standing up and making his way towards the camp, set on making his father for once feel the pain that had taken over Gajeel's now-dead heart.
Lucy poked her head out of Natsu's tent to check if anyone was coming. When she saw nothing, she quietly slipped out. Lucy ignored the guilt of lying to Natsu, but there was something she had to do. She needed to find Levy, to at least talk to her and warn her of the impending dangers; then she would return to Natsu's side. She had settled on this a long time ago if she was honest with herself. She loved Levy, but she also loved Natsu now. It was crazy to think that the pink goofball had captured not just her, but her hearts as well. She hadn't figured out her confusing feelings just yet, but she wanted to be by his side and talk with him the way they had done in his room for days. She blushed at the thought of him seeing her in her real size for once, and wondered if he would be thrilled or disgusted, but first she had to find Levy.
Using her small size, Lucy darted between tents to keep herself hidden, popping in a few of them when different guards passed by. Lucy tried to ignore the sounds of the war being waged just a few miles away. Flying as fast as she could, she suddenly halted at the sound of whispering in a fairly large black tent.
"Your majesty, we have yet to make it past the barrier. If this keeps up we will lose this war." A voice said from within.
"Be still Cobra, everything is going as planned, all we need is the final key and then it will all be mine." Lucy shivered at the deep voice. She didn't like the sound of this and strained to hear more, but their words became more hushed. I need to know more, Lucy thought as she quietly snuck into the black tent.
Lucy darted behind a chair to eavesdrop more. This could be her chance to learn vital information that could save Levy. She tried to silence her inner voice that screamed for her to run and ignored the strange tingling in her wings.
The two huddled men were talking about something that had to do with a tree and a ritual. Lucy wasn't understanding, and froze when the man that had to be the king suddenly ended his sentence and sniffed the air. She didn't dare breath as the king and his companion stood up and looked her way. Her heart stopped, there was no way they could have heard or seen her, there was no way, but her panicked words were cut short as the copper-haired man rushed at the chair she was hiding behind, and grabbed her by the wing before she could even react.
Lucy tried to cry out, but remembered that she had no voice. The thought of not being able to call for help made her body shake. The man holding her by the wing held her up so the king could inspect their little spy. If the king was shocked by her unusual appearance he didn't show it, in fact upon taking a closer look at her a despicable smile stretched across his thin lips.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my lucky day." The king purred, his hot breath making Lucy's eyes tear up.
King Acnologia reached in his pocket to pull out a black feather. Lucy's eyes fell on the feather as she felt a jolt of something familiar… a memory maybe? She still couldn't remember, but she did know that she didn't like the feeling of being in the same room as it. The king brought the feather closer to her. She faught against the man holding her wing, but her struggles were in vain as the king tapped the black feather on her small wing.
Lucy's noiseless scream begged to be heard as a scorching heat rushed throughout her body. Her bones expanded and crack and broke as her body was forced to grow to normal size. Lucy had never experienced such pain. She couldn't even remember the pain she had felt the day she fell out of the sky. This was a pain of every bone breaking and popping back into place. She was dropped by the king's companion to allow her to finish her change. Lucy lay on her stomach using her wings to cover her body, panting from the horrible shift. Her body refused to respond to her mental commands as the king leaned down to study her again. Her cheeks heated in shame, she felt defiled to have been forced to revert to her normal size, and now she lay here, naked, before the king.
"Aren't you a pretty little bird," The king cooed as he stroked her wings. Lucy wished with all her might that she could fight back, to slap his cold hand away. King Acnologia continued to run his hands on her soft feathers until his fingers wrapped around one and ripped it out. He smiled when Lucy flinched.
He looked at the long white feather in his hand before casting a now disinterested look her way, "Dispose of her."
And those were the last words Lucy heard before her world was enveloped in darkness.
Oh no! What's going to happen to Lucy? How is Gajeel going to react with the death of his brother? Where the heck is Natsu? Why does this sound like a commercial? So many questions so little time!
Hopefully I get wifi sometime next week...Until then!(:
