New chapter update. Don't wanna talk much. Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, just the story.
Ch. 11: Anna Heartfillia
Without knowing, the group of wizards fell asleep around the campfire. By the time Sting woke up, calling everything else to wake up as well, night has fallen over them.
They all rushed to get up, tripping over each other as they tried to see in the darkness. Natsu grabbed a nearby stick and blew on it, creating a torch that allowed them a light source other than the moon and the stars in the sky.
Hisui and Erza commanded everyone to listen to them.
"Alright so now we're all rested up and everything, we can't waste any more precious time. Right after we meet with Anna Heartfilia, we're going to get some fuel and leave immediately for Acnologia," Erza barked.
"Don't forget that there is no turning back after we leave this island. You're either committed or not, Lucy and Yukino know their choices, if you feel uncertain with that, then stay behind," Hisui added.
Nobody stayed behind, instead they all smiled confidently and backed up the two celestial wizards.
Natsu put a hand on Lucy's shoulder.
"We know their choices, but we also know ours too," he said.
Happy flew on Lucy's other shoulder.
"Aye! What are we still standing around here for? Lets go!" He commanded.
Happy flew ahead with Natsu running after him, both friends laughing as they went. Hisui, Erza, and Jellal ran after them, desperately calling that they don't know where they're going. The rest of them followed after them.
Gray, Wendy, and Gajeel ran with Lucy. She is gives them a soft smile.
"No need to stay behind you guys. Run ahead, I'll catch up."
Gray scoffed, "And miss out on spending what time we have left with you? Lucy, we're not forgetting the consequence and loss we're going to have once this is all over."
Wendy smiled, but it was a sad smile.
"I want to enjoy what we have before it's gone. It's hard to imagine things ever being the same again after Acnologia's defeat. But even during a time like this, I want to cherish every single moment."
Lucy felt tears well up in her eyes. Her friends were right, these little moments were so very precious even in times of darkness and despair. They had each other, and things won't ever be like this afterwards.
The ruins of the city was not all that difficult to travel and navigate through. Though the structures were old, crumbling, and stony. Nothing really blocked their path or hindered them in any sort of way.
It was more of a beautiful stone city than the ruins of an old civilization. There were many large rounded buildings that were creatively shaped and extremely tall. In fact this whole city seemed really urban compared to the other towns the wizards were used to.
Eventually, they reached the Great Cathedral. Which is not what they expected to be.
Instead of a large church-like appearance, the building was more squared and simple. It was extremely large, and the inside of the building was a long hallway that seemed to lead to several other halls in a maze like pattern.
Natsu began to feel sick by just looking at the area.
"Man, this reminds me of the temple back in the Alvarez Empire. Except bigger!" He groaned.
Arcadios walked up to the first door that leads to the next hall.
"Everything will be fine. I memorized the entire map of the area and the puzzles we'd have to do in order to unlock the next hallway. Just follow my lead," He commanded as he spun the wheel on the door in a specific pattern until a click could be heard and the door opened up.
Everyone followed the knight into the next hall, where he pushed the statues on the ground tiles to a specific location, unlocking the door.
Hisui looked impressed, "You did a good Arcadios. I also memorized the area too. Well at least I tried to. But you're doing great so far. Thank you."
Arcadios shook his head humbly, "No. I'm just doing my part in this journey."
Lucy put her hands together, "Well then, we won't interfere."
After several more minutes of puzzle solving and walking through many different hallways, the group got to the last room of the Cathedral.
It was large with beautiful stained glass images on the wall and old stony steps that led to a slightly higher level in front of them. However, there is no sign of a spirit or a the feeling of one nearby. Yukino looked confused.
"That's odd. Princess, are you sure we're in the right area?"
Hisui nodded vigorously, "I'm positive. Remember the man back at the town? He confirmed that Anna Heartfilia would appear before celestial wizards who would use their powers for good."
Lucy began to sweat and clasped her hands together, looking up at the top of the steps.
"Are we...not doing the right thing? Great celestial wizard, Anna Heartfilia? It is I, your descendant, Lucy Heartfilia. My friend Yukino Agria and I came here, looking for you guidance. Please help us." She quietly said.
A figure suddenly moved over at one of the bleachers on the left side of the room on the second level. At first, it looked like a wisp of light, then the image became more clear.
A young misty-looking woman stood before them, wearing a blue, white, and gold outfit with a white cape and tights. She resembled Lucy in the blonde hair, the round brown eyes and not to mention the extremely curvaceous body.
The whole group was stunned as they gazed at the spirit of the great Anna Heartfilia before them. Lucy couldn't move nor speak, until Yukino gently pushed her forward towards the spirit.
At first, nobody spoke a word, until Anna tilted her head and looked at Lucy. The young celestial wizard tried hard to stand her ground.
"So I was right," Anna suddenly said in a playful voice.
Lucy and Yukino were both confused. "Huh?"
"My descendants DO get more attractive the further down the line," Anna explained.
Lucy felt her cheeks go red, but it wasn't in embarassment.
"Oh uh...thank you. But you're not too bad looking yourself ancestor."
The spirit threw a hand, "Please don't refer to me that way. It feels really really really awkward between family. But if it makes you feel better, go ahead. Though I prefer the name Annemarie. Just kidding, call me Anna. It's better than calling me great great great great great...grandmother!"
Yukino looked at Lucy as if to say is this how the great Anna Heartfilia really is?
Lucy shrugged in reply. She focused on the reason why they came here.
"Ok then, Anna. We've been through so much and in just a few days and all for a single reason, to do what you did over 400 years ago. The impossible."
Yukino continued on from there.
"400 years ago, you summoned all of the spirits and the thirteenth one in their eclipse forms to defeat Acnologia. Lucy and I have been preparing to do exactly what you did. We want to bring another time of peace for the people we care about."
Anna's expression went serious, "Yes, I did. But upon doing so, I ended up sacrificing my own life and taking another one with me. The duration of defeat of the Dragon King is only ten years—"
"Which doesn't seem like a lot but it's worth it. It'll be enough time for us to prepare against Acnologia when he awakens again!" Yukino persisted.
However Lucy caught onto something that Anna said in her last sentence.
"Wait a minute. What do you mean by 'taking another one with you?' You said you 'sacrificed your own life and took another one with you.' What do you mean by that?" She asked.
Anna's eyes turned sad and looked to the ground. She pursed her lips uncomfortably before looking at the two celestial wizards and gently speaking.
"It's not something that I wanted nor planned to have happened. But it did, and I realized that it's also necessary. Now without further ado, you two came for guidance right? And I shall give it to you."
Anna gestured towards all of the wizards behind Lucy and Yukino.
"Now. Choose," she said.
Yukino looked from the wizards to Anna.
"What?"
Anna explained, "Choose among your friends. Just one person, one person who is very close to one of you. He or she shall be the sacrifice to ensure the defeat of Acnologia is successful."
Lucy and Yukino's eyes widened along with everyone else. Hisui and Jellal stammered.
"Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Another sacrifice? But I thought the celestial wizards were the only ones to give their lives," Jellal replied.
"It must be part of the unfinished story of Acnologia's defeat. I knew coming here was the right thing, but I didn't know it would be like this," Hisui mumbled.
The spirit of Anna nodded.
"Exactly princess. Let me finish the whole story. Once I summoned the thirteen spirits in their eclipse forms and they've put Acnologia in the state of stasis, I had to remove them of their eclispe lacrimas to allow them to return to normal and back to the celestial world. I was successful in all of them but one.
The thirteenth spirit, Opiachus, was under Acnologia's dark infuence from the battle like the rest of the twelve, but it wasn't a true Zodiac so I lost control of her."
Anna's voice cracked a bit at this part and she pulled herself together.
"Sorry. Anyways, I couldn't remove Opiachus's lacrima or send her back, so she went out of control and became dangerous. But I wasn't alone that day, my fiance, Chris Kenji, accompanied me to help defeat Acnologia.
He was also a skilled wizard and a smart one too. He realized, that in order to remove Opiachus of the eclipse lacrima, he would have to do it physically, so...he merged himself with the celestial spirit and forced it to it's normal state and back to the celestial world.
But not before Opiachus inflicted a mortal strike on my body, thus ending my life moments later. Two lives were lost that day. But nobody knew of Chris's sacrifice that was needed to complete the final battle."
The entire room fell deatly silent. Lucy and Yukino looked to their friends, breathing rapidly and shaking their heads.
"No...no...no! Are you saying we would have to choose among our friends to be merged with the thirteenth spirit?" Yukino yelled.
Anna shook her head.
"It can't be just anyone. That someone must be very close to the ones who will vanquish Acnologia. Or else it wouldn't work."
Lucy shook her head even harder, "I can't allow that! I won't do it! This is meant for us to be happy! What's the point of bringing happiness if nobody is there to enjoy it with you?"
Hisui looked to Anna with begging eyes.
"Anna Heartfilia. Is there any other way for us to do this? A less painful one perhaps?"
Anna took awhile before answering the princess's question.
"I...don't know. I'm so sorry everyone. I know how hard this must be on all of you. But it's something that must be done. But knowing you people, I'm sure you'll come up with something...and vanquish all evil forever."
With that the spirit of Anna Heartfilia had vanished away. Lucy ran towards the empty spot where the spirit once stood.
"Anna! Please don't go yet! You have to help us find another way! Anna!"
Natsu walked up to Lucy, "Lucy. It's not going to happen. Listen, if it comes down to it, I'll volunteer to be your—"
"NO!" Lucy harshly cuts Natsu off.
Yukino backed Lucy up.
"NObody is going to be used as a sacrifice. NObody is going to die. Anna Heartfilia said that we'll be able to find a different way of defeating Acnologia. And we will!"
Natsu's eyes widend. Gajeel's jaw dropped and everyone looked at the two celestial wizards with hope.
"You mean that you guys..." Sting began. Lucy nodded and smirked.
"That's right. We're not going to sacrifice ourselves either. If you all promise not to sacrifice yourselves, then we won't either. Lets find a way to bring happiness, this time for reals."
Jellal stepped towards Lucy and Yukino.
"I understand your intentions, but the problem is we don't even know where to start. I mean we came this far because—" Yukino interrupted him.
"Of research," she ended.
Suddenly Hisui and Arcadios lit up.
"That's it! Everyone, we can go to the dragon's graveyard back in Crocus! The last time we were there, we learned of the dragon civil war. We should be able to find something that may be helpful in creating a different way of defeating Acnologia!" Arcadios exclaimed.
Natsu pumped a hand up in the air.
"Now that's an idea!"
Happy agreed, "Aye sir!"
Lucy walked to the front of the group, "Then lets go."
Erza stopped her, "Are you sure? I mean, if you don't feel ready or comfortable—"
Lucy put up a hand and smiled at Erza, "It's alright. It's like what The princess said."
Hisui raised a brow, "What I said? Oh!"
The whole group of friends yelled together.
"There is no turning back!"
Lucy added underneath her breath, "Not anymore."
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