The sun was just breaking through the horizon, bathing the island in a warm light that shimmered off the sun kissed morning dew. The smells of last night were washed away as the sweet crisp air became filled with the flourishing scent of the lush tropical plants, like those from Alcina's apartment. The one she wouldn't be returning to after today. Lucy had already agreed to take care of Alcina's personal possessions in Magnolia, after much crying and arguing when Alcina told them about her marriage.
The celebration ended sour once they had all found out, Eula called the party to an end with the onset of bad moods, claiming the bride must get her beauty rest before the wedding in the morning. Loke could not sleep all night and knew no one else in the guest house got anything close to sleep. He stayed up trying to think of a way to stop this wedding, anything to bring Alcina back to Fiore, but he knew she was doing what she believed she had to.
Protecting those that she loved, those she was bound by duty to protect and provide for. The rest of the islanders were yet to stir as the sun beams crept through the tree canopies. Taking this time Loke slipped away from the guest housing till he came to Alcina's, silently he crept through the door. He saw Alcina in the middle of a sunk in floor, her back was turned but he saw her red rimmed eyes in the reflection of the mirror that sat in front of her.
"Alcina..." He murmured as he slowly approached her.
She caught his gaze through the mirror and Loke felt his chest heave. Her warm green eyes had red shadow that seemed to make them blaze even though they held a bleary look, her light blonde brows were trimmed neatly into place and gave them a pointed arch. His heart fluttered as he took in her lush glossy lips, her cupids bow had a shimmer that drew his eyes to it. Her gaze was unwavering as she turned to look him in his eyes. Her golden hair was neatly combed and had braids pulling her hair away from her face. She looked so dignified with such a clean look that he wasn't used to seeing.
"Loke... What are you doing in here? Isn't it bad luck to see the bride the day of the wedding?" Alcina said while smoothing out her white dress.
"It's only bad luck for the groom to see the bride. But it won't matter, I'm here to convince you to stop before it's too late." Loke explained as he came to kneel next to Alcina and took her small calloused hands into his own.
"I care for you Alcina. I will do anything to make you happy and to stop this madness." Loke stated determined.
"Loke... If I don't do this. My family could be killed. Please, let me do this. I couldn't save Morgana but I can still protect the rest of my family." Alcina asserted as she pulled her hand from his.
Standing up she turned away from him and pulled her plush red gauze shrug closer around her shoulders. The silken white dress she wore hugged her curves in such a way it would have driven Loke mad in normal circumstances. Back home where they belonged, Alcina's mannerisms didn't match the islanders anymore, she had been gone for too long in a different land where everything was different. Her words weren't jumbled in English anymore, her accent was still noticeable, it was something he became accustomed to, maybe even something he enjoyed to hear.
Sudden realization hit Loke like a freight train. He didn't just want Alcina to stay with them, he needed Alcina to stay for him. His mind was racing with this new thought, concerns that he had been ignoring filled his head of what he would do without her around. Alcina had given him a true purpose, he didn't just want to protect her because Ortex made him promise. He wanted to protect her because he loved her.
Snapping out of it the soft click of the door rang through his head, Alcina meet his gaze as she stood in the morning light. She seemed to be radiating in the warmth of the sun as it played off her already golden strands. "We need to leave, Loke." Alcina stated in a flat tone.
Loke couldn't find any words as he numbly followed after her. He can't tell her now, he couldn't put that kind of hurt on her. Alcina did what she had to but tried to be everything for everyone, she couldn't do that knowing how he felt. Her decision was already taking its own toll on her, he could tell. The warmth had left her eyes but she faked a smile for him. But he hid his own grimace behind his own forced smile.
The islanders were all outside now, all busy with setting up decorations as Eula appeared and quickly pulled Alcina away to a tent at the far end of what Loke assumed was the isle way, that was now littered with bright flowers and torches burning brightly even though it was the middle of the day. Just as the tent flap was falling back Loke meet Alcina's eyes once more, when he saw what he believed were tears.
The group of visitors were kept away from the bridal tent where Alcina was last seen being pulled in and even farther from it once Hytat's tribe of islanders arrived. Hytat himself was a brute looking man, his onyx eyes were deep set and hooded that were fringed with thick eye lashes and dark eyebrows over them. His olive skin only complimented his dark long hair and sharp face.
He spoke very little and he didn't sound too kind from the little English he spoke, Loke hoped it was just wedding jitters. He also hoped that Hytat would leave immediately or find some reason to end the forced engagement. But as the time drew closer it seemed like everything was going smoothly. Loke, Lucy, Natsu and Happy were allowed to sit in the front of the isles, close to the alter to Deia where the ceremony would take place. Hytat was kneeling while Eula and the elder from Hytat's tribe both stood with offerings to the alter when the beat of drums began, low at first until they filled the air.
The beat slowed back down as chimes joined in pace, the tent flap was pulled aside and from the dark recesses Alcina appeared. Still in the white silk dress, now an orange sash tied ornately around her waist and a single red tear drop gem dangling between her brows from a thin silver chain that ran back through her braids. The red shawl was pulled tightly around her shoulders as she gripped it with white knuckles.
Her bare feet stepped softly over the flowers that filled the isle way as she made her way to the alter, stopping briefly before dropping into a low bow next to Hytat in front of the alter. Eula spoke in the islanders language, as did the other elder, but Loke tried to follow along the best he could. Alcina stood along with Hytat as Eula handed him a decorated blade. Turning towards all those that gathered Hytat spoke what Alcina had explained were what they would have called vows. Along the lines of protecting and providing for Alcina and the peace that would come between the islands. When he finished he used the blade to cut his hair off in a single swift movement with his right hand, Alcina had said it was very important to use the right hand or it would bring dishonor to the gods and they wouldn't bless the marriage. He bowed to the alter before handing the blade to Alcina.
The women's vows were different from men's Alcina had also explained. They followed along the lines of servitude, always following the mans orders and producing strong healthy children to carry on his bloodline. A load of crap was what all her Fiore friends thought that was. Happy had began cry by now and it was a full on water fall spilling down his fluffy blue cheeks with snot running from his nose, Lucy was not much better off but she didn't have snot all over herself. Loke was staring intently at Alcina. 'This really can't be it?! I'll never see her again.' He thought as his eyes widened.
As Alcina raised the blade to her hair she paused, sadness clouded her features when her gaze locked with Loke's. With a sudden strike her sadness transformed into confusion as the blade was batted from her hand. Hytat harshly grabbed her wrist and struck her a crossed the face. "How dare you use the wrong hand! Do you wish to bring the Gods wrath upon us? You inferior swine!" Hytat shouted as he jerked her backwards with collective gasps heard from the crowd.
Angered, he shoved her to the ground "Eula! She wishes to have us all killed by the Gods with this insolence." Hytat decreed.
The elder of his tribe spoke swiftly in the native language as Alcina stayed where she had been pushed down. Eula murmured from where she stood to her, Loke couldn't even hear her or maybe it was his boiling anger that he couldn't hear her over. Slowly Alcina stood before bowing to the alter, the elders, and then to Hytat, then picked the blade off the ground. Everyone had seemed to settle except for those from Magnolia, all of them were red in the face and had a look of pure anger for how Hytat just treated Alcina.
Holding the blade in her right hand she kept her eyes to the ground, she couldn't bare to look at her friends after such a display. She had to do this, it was the only way she could help her family. With trembling hands she gripped her softened hair that glistened. The pieces that were already cut short were now hidden under the braids that crowned her. It felt as though all of the island held still as she lifted her blade up and the cold metal against her skin sent shivers down her spine.
Just as the blade touched the first strand of hair the golden light began glowing from the center on the alter. The pillars shook as the light expanded, capturing everyone's attentions. Alcina let both her hair and the blade drop as Hytat and the elders back away from the alter, but Alcina stood mesmerized by the glow. The ground began to tremble as a large golden paw moved through the light, only to be followed the over sized flowing mane of fur surrounding the face of a lion. Moving past Alcina, the glowing lion stood over twice the height of her and towered all there on the island.
Eula dropped to the ground and began praying to the huge beast, many others from the island joined her. Those from Hytat's tribe did not, they stared in awe but did nothing other then that. Loke could feel such a strong magic resonating from the lion that it almost scared him. It felt like a tight line was running through his chest as he held his breath unconsciously as the earth tremble under the lion.
Though the lion stood still as a statue a voice still rang out from itself, filling the air with warmth. "This union is to be stopped. The Gods have converged and have deemed it as the down fall of these lands if it is to continue." It rumbled.
"This decision is final. Disperse now my children, for I will bring your land back into prosper when the time is right." The voice filled the air with its command.
This must be Deia. The Great Lion that Alcina had spoken so highly of. Loke could understand why he was held with such high regard, Deia was a monster of a lion whose golden glow was comforting and warm. Hytat suddenly shouted "See! This women brought ruin to our union, she did it on purpose!"
With a unseen movement Deia laid its huge paw down on Hytat, pinning him to the ground as his golden glow turned into a deep red. Chills ran through the surrounding air. "Filthy one. Do you dare challenge Deia. The King of this land. You are nothing but swine under me. If you ever return to this island then know I will devour you whole."
Alcina stood in the twilight of the beach, the sun setting fire to the ocean as its red fiery hues filled her view. The salty breeze playing with her blonde hair as she breathed in deeply, taking what she could with her. She had changed back into her clothes from before this whole ordeal had started to unravel. But she knew the island didn't need her any longer once Hytat and his tribe left the island in fear of Deia. Smiling she recalled the look on her sisters face when she told her that she would be the next chief after their grandma Eula.
Alcina still had much to do in Magnolia, she still had to find Erasmus. She still had her friends that needed her as well. Loke included, if she recalled correctly he still owed her a breakfast. As the last beams of the sun kissed the horizon Alcina turned, heading back to the dock where the ferry would be arriving to take them back to Magnolia. Where her life was laid out in for her to take now that all affairs on Deia island had been laid to rest.