Gajeel walked ahead to the head of the single file line the 8 wizards made. They were almost to a place where they could get to a train, much to the Dragon Slayers' chagrin, when they axed that idea altogether moments ago. After their daily lacrima call to Fairy Tail, they could not take the train or even venture near another town again.
They learned through the Mira that another village had been attacked the night before. The one with the pub. Again, every last citizen was dead. Solemnly, they realized they could not go through towns anymore. That's exactly what the demons were trying to force them to do…stay on the beaten track. They would punish the people even though they had nothing to do with it.
"We're being followed," Gajeel said to Laxus, quietly so as to not cause alert.
"I know," Laxus said flatly, "but as long as they let us keep moving, we should do just that. Magnolia is still at least a day's walk. Keep your eyes open. If they get too close, we'll have to make a stand."
Gajeel nodded, stepping back into line.
"Stay close," Gajeel whispered to Levy.
Her eyes went wide, unconsciously moving her body closer to his. He took her hand, keeping her in front of him.
Noticing the short exchange, Lucy became uneasy, edging closer to Natsu. He patted her hand, following Gray in a straight line. It was unusual for Natsu to be so quiet and somber. Her own burden weighed heavily on her. What if she couldn't figure it out? What if the time came and she froze, unable to do whatever it was Gildarts thought she should be able to do?
Cana threw another card, retreating behind the Fairy Tail counter with Mira.
"There's more this time," she said to Mira.
Mira nodded, transforming and darting out to attack. She jumped into the air, striking angrily. Her brother's large body flew backwards beside her. He got up and continued attacking.
"We're not going to make it," Cana said to herself. She glanced around the guild. Everyone was giving it all they had, but there were a lot more demons this time.
"Shit!" Lisanna dove behind the counter, "I'm running out of power!"
"We all are," Cana agreed, "Poor Wendy and Carla have been running their asses off, trying to tend to the wounded."
"We need a miracle," Lisanna closed her eyes, praying for it, before hopping over the counter again for round 3. A blast blew apart the counter where she'd been standing not 3 seconds earlier.
As though the heavens had heard Lisanna's prayer, the guild watched in a stupor as multiple demons flew backward into the guild. They heard the familiar stomp before they saw him, all guild members breathing out an absolute sigh of relief as a very angry Master Makarov entered the guild, eyes on fire.
He only said 4 words, but it was enough. The battle was over in that blink of an eye.
I invoke Fairy Law!
"We had heavy damages this time," Cana was telling the group of 8 wizards. They were huddled around the lacrima, listening to the news that their guild had been attacked again.
"Wendy's done all she can," Mira continued, "but we lost Nab. We're still not sure if we're going to lose Jet. Porylusica is now treating Wendy for exhaustion and she's done everything in her power to keep the wounded fighting."
"I don't think we'll survive another attack," Lisanna said bitterly, "We were lucky Master got here when he did. But he can't protect us by himself and the rest of us are tired and wounded. Where in the hell are you guys anyway?"
Levy buried her face in Gajeel's sleeve. He brought her to his side, knowing she was upset over Jet and Nab.
"Enough Lisanna," Mira said quietly, putting a hand on Lisanna's shoulder, "It's not their fault."
"No, Lisanna cried angrily, "It's Lucy's. It's always Lucy and her damned Celestial magic. How many times have we as a guild had to sacrifice? How many times have we suffered because of her? As usual, you're all traipsing across the country to rescue her ass! What about your guild? We're falling apart here - and none of you are doing anything about it!"
"ENOUGH LISANNA!" Mira pushed her sister back, leaving the lacrima view to ostracize her sister.
"Lucy, my dear," Makarov said, moving into vision, "She's scared and she doesn't mean it. Do not take it to heart. However, we do need you home. Are you almost home, my children?"
Laxus sighed heavily, "We're trying. We can't go in the cities anymore. Every city we visit gets ransacked. Same reason we're not on a train right now."
"You're right," Makarov said bluntly, "Protect the people as much as possible."
"We're probably a half a day away. And we're being stalked," Gajeel spoke up, "We're in good enough shape, but we're tired."
"We're coming home as fast as we can," Levy promised, "Please hang on."
Makarov nodded, "Fairy Tail out."
The lacrima went dark.
The group was camping, unable to take the chance of getting a hotel for the night. Laxus appointed Natsu and Gray for the first watch. The rest hit the hay, hoping to catch a few hours at the least.
Natsu could hear Lucy sobbing in her place on the ground. It was cold and he wished he could cuddle her and make her feel better.
Lisanna had been awful, but Lucy couldn't say it wasn't the truth. She knew the family of Fairy Tail helped her often throughout the years, which is why she had worked so hard to get stronger. Still, it stung. And this again was her fault. Because she was a celestial wizard, Fairy Tail was targeted again.
"They're getting closer to Fairy Tail, Master," the demon reported, "But we can wipe out Fairy Tail with one more attack."
"Good," Lord Anwick was happy with this news, "Now, work on separating the girl from her group. They cannot reach Fairy Tail under any circumstances. The sooner we tear them apart, the better. Get the egg, kill them all. Except the girl. She's mine."
"I don't think it will be hard to separate the girl now," the demon cackled, "The white haired one we possessed did her job well. The Celestial wizard should be greatly doubting herself now."
"Good," Lord Anwick grinned evilly, "Divide and conquer."
"I shall go right away," the demon promised, "to get the girl."
"No,"Lord Anwick said quietly, "I think I'll go get her myself. This ends now. Summon the Demons Three. Have them get their spells ready for her friends. We need them alive in case we need...bait."
"Luce?" Natsu called softly as he crawled beside Lucy. He was done his watch shift. He and Gray had both been relieved by Laxus and Erza, "Baby, you awake?"
She pretended to snore softly, hoping he wouldn't turn her over and see the tears on her face.
He chuckled, having been around her enough to know when she was fake-sleeping, "Weirdo. Anyway, just wanted to tell you Lisanna was way off base tonight. Nobody thinks that you cause trouble. Don't listen to anything she said, okay?" he paused, pulling her into his arms, "And Luce?" he added, turning on the heat for her a bit, "If it even got to a point where I was forced to make the choice between you and the guild, it would still always be you. Fairy Tail is important to me...but I love you more. It will always be you."
She hid her eyes in her elbow and hoped Natsu couldn't see the tears streaming down her face again. But he was a dragon slayer..he could smell them. Pulling her even closer, he turned her into his chest and held her tight.
"I think that way too, Snookums!" Gajeel mimicked in a high, girly voice.
"And me, Babycakes!" Gray mocked.
Both of them burst into laughter.
"Don't forget me, Sugarplum!" Laxus added.
"And me also," Erza said in her usual flat, serious voice. She paused, fatefully adding, "Pookey." That made all 8 of them laugh until they almost peed.
"All of Fairy Tail loves you," Juvia said with a yawn.
"Which is why we will come for you," Levy continued Juvia's thought, also yawning, cuddling into Gajeel for warmth.
"Every single time," Natsu finished, kissing her nose.
"Just like you've come for us every time we need you," Erza said, "because that is what makes us Fairy Tail."
"Thanks guys," Lucy said softly, wiping away her tears, "I needed that."
No more was said. With the exception of the guardians of the camp, they all fell into fitful sleeps.