Laxus looks at Levy, impatiently tapping his foot. They stopped running almost as soon as they started, when Levy decided to come to a sudden stop without giving Laxus the slightest running. It took him minutes to realize that the Solid Script Mage was no longer in sight, and that the footsteps that he heard as he ran through the hallway were only his own.
He came back to find her reading a book, one that she was so concentrated on she didn't spare him a single glance or explanation, and seeing as Laxus didn't understand whatever language the book was written in, he couldn't grasp the situation, no matter how much he wanted to.
Knowing better than to leave Levy by herself, (he may seem nonchalant, but he really cares about his guild mates) he took to waiting, trying his best not to let his frustration show. Levy knows the gravity of the situation as much as he does, so he trusts that whatever she's stopping for must be important.
Her blue hair matted against her head from all the running and her porcelain skin is covered with dirt. Her unsightly nails dirty the book with each touch, leaving smudges everywhere. She's made herself comfortable on a conveniently placed chair with the large book in her lap. She's already flipped through nearly all the pages, despite them only being there for a short twenty minutes.
Within each passing minute, Laxus feels his resolve to be patient dissolve. So many questions are buzzing trough his head that its making him go insane. All of Fairy Tail's battles have been so straightforward, and basically the same.
Find the bad guy. Beat the bad guy. Have a party afterwards.
But Tartaros is truly something else. As far as Laxus knows, everyone's been affected by something, and he's guessing that E.N.D has something to do with it, too. But, it's hard to gain intel to properly fuel his possible theory when there's no time to talk and no one who's willing to.
Laxus knows that Tempesta's down. And Torafuzar should be, too. And he's certain that he's not the only one who kicked some ass, so really, all the Nine Demon Gates should be dead, with Hell's Core broken.
But, if that were the case, they wouldn't still be in this hellhole, and yet, they are. If Laxus could just piece together what happened after Tempesta's defeat and waking up in chains surrounded by his guildmates, maybe things would be a little easier.
But when he tries to remember, he sees nothing but darkness. Whether it's his mind drawing a blank or a valid clue, he doesn't know.
"Laxus." Levy says, breaking him out of his train of thought. Her eyes are still glued to the book, her finger retracing what looks like a paragraph. Laxus grunts in acknowledgement. He doesn't have time for dramatic build-ups. He's tired of the unknown.
"We have to find Lucy."
"Gone?" Gajeel questions, looking at Lucy in disbelief. "Salamander can't be dead!"
"I don't know if I would say dead…" Lucy murmurs, her voice trailing off as her eyes shied away from Gajeel's gaze. "He's just gone."
Confusion takes place of Gajeel's surprise, and a small scowl forms on his lips. "You'll have to be a bit more specific than that, Lucy."
Lucy involuntarily flinches at Gajeel's tone, regretting bringing it up. She is not eager to talk about many things, and E.N.D's revival is one of them. So, she lets go of Gajeel's arm, hoping that he'll be kind enough to drop the subject.
But he doesn't, and he gently grabs her hand. Lucy looks back up at him, noticing how stiff he is. He isn't one for physical contact, lest it be with his fists, and Lucy can tell how much discomfort his action is causing him, but that just shows how much he cares for the blonde.
It's the pitiful look in his eyes and his oh-so-sad smile that makes her frown.
"Do you need to talk about it?" Gajeel prods, his coaxing tone nearly sending Lucy into rage.
She is not a child.
"No, I don't." She snaps, shoving past him towards the next room. Gajeel stares dumbfounded after her, unsure of what he did wrong. He figured that since the blonde is such a softie, that "heartfelt" sympathy would be the best course.
He was expecting Lucy to start wailing in his arms about how Natsu died, or rather how he's "gone", and Gajeel will tell her it's all right. Levy told him that's how heartfelt confessions go in her novels- why would it be any different in real life?
He shakes off the frustration he feels from his nescience of what exactly happened to Natsu and follows behind the blonde, careful to stay at a safe distance.
He quietly follows her through the Cimmerian hallways, extending his mental map of the place. A sudden ripple in the still magical environment stops him, although Lucy continues, undeterred.
Hello?
"Lucy wait!" Gajeel shouts, and the blonde halts, still refusing to look back to him.
Hello?
"Do you hear that?" Gajeel asks, and Lucy finally turns.
"Hear what?"
Hello?!
Gajeel's hand instinctively fly to his forehead, forming a salute. Someone's using telepathy, whether it's friend or foe is unknown.
"Who's this?" Gajeel growls, trying his best to sound intimidating lest it be an enemy.
"Gajeel!"
"Shrimp?"
"I'm not a shrimp! Anyway, I'm glad to have-"
"How you are communicating with Levy?" Lucy questions, suddenly right next to Gajeel. She puts her hands to a salute. "I can't detect a thing."
Gajeel shrugs. "I'd like to know that, too. Oi, Shrimp."
"Did you hear anything I just said?!"
"No." Gajeel says flatly. "But I have something important to ask- two questions. How can I hear you but Lucy can't?"
"You're with Lucy?! Laxus, we found her!"
"You're with Laxus?" Gajeel mutters, frowning at the thought of the lightning dragon slayer and Shrimp in the same vicinity. "And you're not answering my question!"
"Where are you?! I'll explain when we get there, but I have a plan!"
"Oi, Bunny Girl. Where are we?"
"How am I supposed to know!" Lucy growls. "Just tell her to find Hell's Core. We'll stay put until they find us."
"Find Hell's Core. We'll be there." Gajeel repeats. "My other question was to ask where you are, but I guess that doesn't matter now, huh?"
"Yup! Sit tight! We'll be there sooner or later!"
With that, another ripple surges the room, and Levy's voice is gone.
The two sit down in the dim hallway, enveloped in silence.
"Since when could Levy use telepathy?"
Author's Note
I absolutely despise this chapter, but whatever. I hope at least you guys enjoyed!