A/N: This has taken forever. And I know, I've already gone back on my word. I said this would be up by the weekend and it's already Wednesday. Sorry, I didn't plan on lying to you.
Thank you guys for sticking with me, despite the long wait. Things will be picking up and I suspect there's gonna be another 10ish chapters or so. I thought this was gonna be a short one, but again, I lied.
There were 86 reviews the last time I checked. Can we possibly make it to 100? *squeals*
As always, thank you for following, favoriting, and reviews. You guys are amazing!
Chapter 11: Scars and Broken Pieces
Things were finally falling into place. Natsu had successfully (he hoped) infiltrated the War Council, Erza was on his side (he prayed), and they were going to find Jellal (honestly, how many other words could Gray use to describe "hope"?). If this was a success, then everything was in place, and they would be able to retrieve Jellal before the day's end. Again, Gray prayed.
He seemed to be doing that a lot these days.
He stared at the long mane of scarlet hair before him, billowing behind the woman it belonged to with a life of its own. He marveled once again at its magnificent color, so vibrant against the dark hues of the somber castle.
And the woman herself was like no other. She lit up the entire place like a candle in the darkness, paving the way through the night. She was the light at the end of the tunnel, her spirit the fire lighting the way. Gray couldn't help admiring her, and again wondered why such a vibrant soul was trapped in the underworld when it should be soaring through the heavens.
He was so lost in focus that he didn't realize the abrupt stop Erza made, nor the masculine arms that latched onto hers, until it was too late. If it was a guard, they were done for. He skidded to a stop and made to unsheathe his sword (in a matter of a few milliseconds- faster than he'd ever done before, but he'd save the self congratulations for another time), before he recognized a familiar shade of hair color before him.
"Uhh, Natsu?" Gray gasped, his sword falling slack in his grip. He frowned, deeply confused as to why Natsu was standing before him with an equally confused look on his face. Gray's eyes narrowed, sliding over to the man holding Erza in his grasp.
He looked formidable, which most likely meant he was formidable. His calculating blue eyes were narrowed with interest as he looked Erza up and down (for once, not sexually; he was actually looking her over as if he considered her a threat- which, in Gray's opinion, she was). Dressed in a fine-looking suit, Gray had to guess this man was an officer of some high status.
Erza was shaking. Any other person would have guessed she was shaking with fear, because the blonde with the fierce blue eyes certainly was one to shiver in fear of, unless, of course, you were someone like Gray, who was rarely scared, but Gray knew differently. Even though he'd only known this fiery redhead for a short amount of time, Gray could tell that she was anything but scared.
Angry, was an undervalued way to put it. She was furious.
She was still angry that Gray lied to her (and still ignoring the fact that she didn't tell him the whole truth either), angry at Minerva for stealing Jellal away, and now furious at yet another person holding her back from the one person she needed to see.
She didn't know what to make of these feelings for this man. Even though she knew him for, what, a few weeks? Not even? Even though she'd only known him for a short amount of time, she felt as if she'd known him all her life. She felt a sense of ease when she was able to spend a few blissfully short moments with him, despite the tensions running amuck in the castle.
Maybe it was because of the bond they shared, of the chains binding them to this dreadful place. They were both prisoners of this insidious war, caged and trapped. In a way, this confinement was probably the reason why Erza felt so close to Jellal, because she knew the pain he must be going through, not only being imprisoned by Minerva but also held prisoner by the very country he'd been fighting against. No doubt he'd lost comrades, family, and friends, and here he was, locked away, unable to help anyone.
She glared furiously up at the man holding, seeing nothing but pure curiosity in his bright blue eyes. "What the hell are you doing here?" she heard the other one say, but she didn't tear her eyes off the man holding her. He had spiky blonde hair and a scar running through his right eyebrow. Dressed in a regal looking suit with medals decorating the right shoulder, Erza had to guess he was some high general or something in the army.
"Are these two with you, Dragneel?" the man said to his pink haired companion, not taking his eyes off of Erza.
"What the hell, you idiot?" Gray snarled, storming up to the pink haired man and grabbing him by the lapels of his coat. "You told him about us? What part of incognito didn't go through that thick skull of yours?"
"I'm the idiot?" the one called Dragneel snarled back, likewise grabbing Gray by the collar. "Maybe you should rethink that statement, moron!"
"You're fraternizing with the goddamn enemy!"
"If you only listen-"
"What possible excuse could you-"
"Ahem," Erza said, clearing her throat loudly. "Bickering aside, can we please focus on the matter at hand?"
The blonde snickered. "I agree with the young lady here," he said, letting go of Erza while the two others dropped their arms.
"Do you want to explain what you're doing here with him?" Gray muttered, pointing an accusing finger at the blonde man standing next to Erza. She raised her eyebrow at his condescending tone, but luckily Dragneel didn't bother to argue.
"That would be Sting Eucliffe," Dragneel said, jerking his head at Sting, who smiled at Gray and Erza and waved.
"Sting Eucliffe?" Gray gasped, his hand going for his sword. "Natsu, you do realize who that is, right? Not only is he one of the best generals Pergrande has to offer, he's also the damned king's nephew!"
"Thank you for pointing that out," Sting said dryly, winking at Erza in amusement, who couldn't help but smile back. "I'm quite sure he didn't know that for himself."
"Watch it, Pergrande," Gray snarled. "I've got half a mind to not slit your throat right now."
"Okay, that's it," Erza said, stepping in between the testosterone war brewing before her. "Can we please not turn this into a war of who's-dick-is-bigger thank you very much?" She sighed and pressed a hand to her forehead. "What happens when you get three obvious males together in a confined area..."
"If you gave your friend the chance to explain, he'd probably be able to tell you that I was trying to get him to your confined friend, which, from the looks of it, you're looking for him too."
"Jellal?" Erza gasped, turning to Sting and grabbing his sleeve. "You know where he is?"
"Where's Jellal?" Gray asked warily, one hand still firmly gripping his sword. "How do we not know you're lying?"
"Because I believe him," Natsu declared. He nodded in Sting's general direction. "You don't understand, Gray. He saved me. He knew who I was at the council and he still didn't give me away. Even after the council, when he confronted me, instead of arresting me, he heard me out and was willing to find Jellal for me."
Gray's eyes narrowed. "How did he know about Jellal?" he asked suspiciously.
Sting sighed. "I met Jellal a few years ago," he confessed, looking around to make sure the corridor was empty before continuing. "We were engaged in a battle deep in the heart of Iceberg. My men managed-"
"-to annihilate his platoon," Gray interrupted. "I know. We saw the aftermath."
Erza's hand dropped from Sting's sleeve. Her mouth dropped, and she felt a sudden coldness rush through her body. She'd known about Jellal's capture and imprisonment, but she'd never known how he'd come here. How scarred he must've been, watching his comrades shot down before him before he was taken away.
Sting looked at her. "Are you one of his friends too?" he asked curiously. His eyes looked her up and down, calculating and intense. "You certainly don't look like a soldier. Or are you in disguise as well?"
She shook her head. "I met Jellal here," she whispered. "We're both prisoners trapped in this vile place."
Gray frowned, turning to her. "I thought you were-"
"A serving girl?" Erza snapped bitterly. She glared at Gray forcing him to take a step back. "Well, you thought wrong? Do you think any of us want to be here? Think again! Half of us are innocent people stolen from our towns and villages. I watched as the Peregrande soldiers murdered my mother and father and burned my village to the ground. We're not servants," she spat angrily. "We're slaves."
The others went quiet, staring at her in awe. Her chest heaved, and Erza realized that she hadn't ever released her bitterness for what Peregrande had done to her. She kept the anger burning inside her this entire time, and now it had finally burst out of her in one fell swoop.
Gray was quiet. He'd always known that Peregrande had raided many villages in the countries they had invaded, however, the idea that they murdered people and kidnapped others was positively vile. That just proved the depths of Peregrande's depravity; they were rotten to the core.
Sting hesitantly reached out and touched her arm, aware of Gray's grip tightening on his sword. "I'm sorry for what my country has done to you, Ms. Scarlet," he murmured. Erza tensed, pulling her arm away from Sting's touch.
"I'm not the one you have to apologize for. In fact you're not the one who needs to apologize," she hissed, looking away. "It is your uncle who needs to atone for his sins, and apologize to all the people he's hurt."
"Can I at least do something to alleviate your pain somewhat?" Sting asked hesitantly.
Erza turned her dark eyes to him. He stared into those fathomless brown depths, detecting anger and sorrow, but underneath that, something else. Something harder, something he least expected to see in the eyes of a person who seemed to have lost all hope.
Determination.
"Yes," She whispered, jerking her head towards the end of the hall, where, behind one of those doors, was a man who was her present, and now possibly, her future. "You can get me into his room and let me talk with him."
"Whoa, whoa," the pink haired man said, stepping forward. "Is that wise?"
Erza turned her furious glare on him. "Listen to me," she snarled. "I've spent a few months here, suffering under Minerva's wrath. He's been here for years. Granted, my pain is nothing compared to what he's gone through, but at least I know what he's going through. You," she turns her gaze to the other two men standing in her way. "You know nothing of what we've gone through."
The other men looked away from her. Sting frowned, biting his lip. Erza stayed put- she had to see Jellal, before the others did. They didn't understand this need to see him. To tell him everything was going to be okay. To be there for him.
"She's right," Gray spoke up, making Erza turn. "She should see him first."
Sting frowned, but Natsu, the pink haired one, stepped forward. "I trust Gray's judgement," he said, reaching a hand towards Erza. "You're right," he continued. "We don't know what he's gone through for these past few years. You do, which is why I think it's best if you talk with him. You understand him better than us right now."
She smiled hesitantly at Natsu, placing her hand in his. His grip was strong and firm, and Erza felt the beginning of a friends blossom between their entwined fingers. He grinned, a wide toothy grin, full of life and vigor. "Hi," he murmured. "I'm Natsu. It's nice to meet you, Ms. Scarlet."
"Okay," Sting said. He gestured towards the end of the hall. Three doors stood between her and Jellal, and Erza narrowed her eyes. "We're trying to figure out which room Jellal's in. From what-"
"You know," a slow voice spoke up behind them, making all three of them jump. "If you're so desperate to know which room he's in, why don't you just ask?"
Erza whirled around, but even her fast reflexes couldn't follow Sting's movements. He was on the stranger in a heartbeat, his sword drawn and pressed against the man's throat. It all happened in a matter of heartbeats, and Erza's eyes widened. Here she was, standing before the real thing. Sting, he was exactly what she'd always dreamed of being. A soldier, a warrior.
"Who are you?" Sting snarled, and Natsu stepped up beside him, one hand reaching inside his jacket. Gray placed a warning hand in front of Erza, his other reaching for the sword hanging at his side.
The man was of slight build, with a tapered waist, dark hair, and a three scars marring the left side of his face. Erza once would've considered him handsome, but unfortunately for him, now that she'd seen Jellal, nothing could compare. There was just something about Jellal that drew her to him, like nothing she'd ever felt before. Once, she almost felt it towards Gray, but he never occupied the majority of Erza's thoughts like Jellal did.
Wait a second, Erza realized, narrowing her eyes. I know you. She recognized his face, and the familiar dark hair, similar to Gray.
"Stand down," Gray said, stepping forward and placing a hand on Natsu's shoulder. "I know him. We can trust him."
"How do you know that?" Sting hissed, keeping his narrowed blue eyes locked on the other man's turquoise gaze.
"Because," Gray said, nodding at the other man. "His name is Doranbolt. He's Jellal's guard, and my contact with him. He can help us. He knows where Jellal is being held."
Doranbolt smiled, then turned his gaze back down to Sting. "Forgive me, sir," he murmured quietly. "But can you please take your blade away from my throat so that I may explain? I'd prefer to not have my throat slashed while I speak."
Sting smirked. "Well, well," he chuckled, taking his sword away from Doranbolt's neck and sheathing it. "You've got quite the mouth on ya, for a guard, don't you? I like that."
Erza didn't have time for pleasantries. "Doranbolt," she said abruptly. "I'm really sorry, but you need to tell us where Jellal is, before anyone comes."
The dark haired man looked at her, his eyes dark. Hmmm, he thought, taking in her scarlet tresses and those brilliant dark eyes. So this is the woman Jellal can not stop thinking of.
Granted, Jellal never told Doranbolt of Erza, but Doranbolt could tell. There were only a few things that drove a man to such lengths of determination, and one of those was a woman. Considering obvious intense feelings this woman, Erza, had for Jellal, and how Jellal's mind always seemed to be occupied with something, now someone, it was clear to Doranbolt that this indeed, was the woman who stole Jellal.
Keeping a careful eye on Sting (despite the fact that the man was indeed a general and the King's nephew) in case he did decided that Doranbolt's head looked better detached from his body, Doranbolt nodded his head to the last door on the left. "He's in there," he said. "You may want to see him, I don't think he's doing too well right now."
"What do you mean by that?" Gray said, in a dark voice. Natsu narrowed his eyes, one hand gripping whatever he had concealed inside his coat. Erza simply held her breath and stared.
"I think you should probably hear it for yourself," Doranbolt whispered. Something about his quiet tone clicked within Erza, and before she knew it her feet were flying towards the door Doranbolt had pointed out, hands reaching for the handle. She heard someone call out for her, but she ignored them; grabbing for the door handle and yanking hard. Upon realizing it was locked, she snarled in frustration, until a heavy hand landed on her shoulder.
She turned to meet the dark gaze of Doranbolt, a still suspicious Sting standing behind him. Doranbolt took her hand and placed a slim key in her palm, curling her fingers around the silver tool. "Go," he whispered quietly. "You should see him."
Gray stepped up behind Sting, giving Erza a comforting smile. "Take your time."
She nodded gratefully at the men who, despite being a part of her life for mere moments, have already shaped much of her future. Then she turned, sticking the key into the lock and turning. She heard the faint click of the door unlocking, and took a deep breath. This is it, she thought. He's waiting.
He heard the door unlock, and immediately took up a defensive position, fists raised and held in front of his face, knees slightly bent, all his weight resting on the balls of his feet. He was determined to fight. If it meant raising a hand against a woman and no doubt being killed for injuring her, then so be it. He would not let her take advantage of him again.
He wasn't a doll to be manipulated and toyed with for one's own amusement.
But when the door opened, instead of revealing a sinister succubus, he met the concerned gaze of Erza Scarlet, a woman he couldn't seem to forget.
Her eyes widened upon seeing him, no doubt surprised at his frazzled state. He dropped his hands quickly as she stepped inside, carefully closing the door behind her. She stared at him, her hands behind her back as she leaned against the door.
"Hi," she whispered, staring at him with a mixture of awe and concern pooling in her dark eyes. She made no move towards him, but stayed hesitantly by the door, watching him carefully. "Remember me?"
"Of course," Jellal whispered, his voice coming out raspy. "It's hard to forget hair like yours."
She smiled, running a hand through her hair. "Right," she said. "It is a pretty noticeable color, isn't it?"
"It's beautiful," Jellal blurted out, then quickly looked away in embarrassment. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.
"Don't be," Erza said, smiling softly. She pushed off the door and took a step towards Jellal, freezing only when he jerked away from her, his eyes widening and filling with distrust. He put out a warning hand, and Erza raised hers in a non threatening gesture.
"Jellal," she whispered slowly, taking another slow step forward, reaching out a comforting hand. "It's me, Erza Scarlet. I didn't come here to hurt you."
He slumped against the wall, and Erza rushed forward, catching him quickly, before he hit the ground. He made no move to push her away, and Erza slid to the ground, holding him to her chest. Her eyes widened as he clutched her clothes, burying his face in her neck, shaking softly.
"Oh, Jellal," Erza whispers, gently running her fingers down his spine and through his hair. "What did she do to you?"
His shoulders shake uncontrollably, and Erza feels her heart clench in pain. To see such a strong man brought down so much, especially a man like him, was heartbreaking to watch. And yet, what did Minerva do to him that would render him to this state? Erza bent over, whispering soothing words in Jellal's ear, and rubbed his back in comforting circles. "Hey," she whispered, running her hands through his hair. "Can you look at me?"
There was a moment of silence, where Jellal's shoulders stopped shaking and Erza's breath stopped. Then, after the moment passed, she heard Jellal heave a slow, shaky breath, before raising his head.
"Hi," Erza whispered, staring into his unfocused forest eyes. They were swimming with pain and fury, and behind that, gratitude. "Do you want to talk?"
He pulled away from her, leaving her feeling cold from lack of warmth, but then he leaned against the wall next to her, his shoulder pressed against hers, hands slightly touching, legs brushing. "I don't think I can," he replied, his eyes downcast. "Just... not now. Please."
Erza nodded. "Alright," She said softly, placing her hand over his. "I understand."
He looked down at her hand, then back up at her. "What-" he began, before coughing sharply. Erza frowned, sitting upright, but his coughs subsided almost immediately. "What," he continues, suddenly squeezing her hand. "What are you doing here?"
Erza looked away so he didn't catch the flush on her cheeks. "I came here because I'm worried about you," she said softly. "And because I want to tell you a few things, while things are somewhat calm."
He gave her a look of suspicion and alarm. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked in a raspy voice, his voice somewhat shaky.
She carefully eyed the door before returning her gaze to his face. "Jellal," she whispered. "I met Gray Fullbuster."
Immediately, he sat up, all signs of his previous terror gone. "What?" he nearly snarled. "What did he tell you. What's go-"
"He's told me everything, Jellal," she whispered, letting go of his hand and folding it neatly in her lap. "I may have caught him in the act, conversing with Doranbolt, and confronted-"
"You what?"
"I know everything is confusing right now and you're stressed out, but please listen to me, Jellal?" Erza begged. She gestured towards the door. "Gray, Doranbolt, and two others, Natsu Dragneel and Sting Eucliffe, are standing outside the door right now, guarding us. But we don't have much time. Minerva may be back at any moment."
"Sting? Natsu?" Jellal whispered in shock. "What are they doing here?"
"Natsu and Gray came to find you," Erza explained, reciting in her mind exactly what Gray had told her earlier. "Something about a General Rogue looking for you. Sting found out about it, and supposedly he's the one who turned you in, like that matters now, but he's helping, and Doranbolt found Gray after being sent by you to-"
"Sting's here?" Jellal whispered.
Erza impulsively reached out to cup his cheeks, however, she forgot how on edge he was. Before she could recognize what was happening, she was lying on her back with his arm pressed to her throat, his other hand clenching onto both wrists, held high above her head.
"J-Jellal," she croaked, gasping for breath. Her wide eyes stared up into his narrowed green ones, burning with anger. "Jella-"
His eyes widened, lucidity clearing away the anger. His mouth formed an 'oh' and he quickly scrambled off her, nearly pushing her away.
"I'm sorry," he gasped, clutching his face. "Erza- God, I'm so sorry-"
"Jellal," she murmured hesitantly, sitting upright cautiously. "It's me who should apologize-"
"For what?" he whispered, dropping his hands to watch her mournfully. "I should not have lashed out."
She shook her head, crawling over to hesitantly touch of of his hands. "Whatever she did to you," she said carefully, giving his fingers a light squeeze. "It was painful and scarring. I shouldn't have been so careless."
He looked at her, carefully, distrust lingering in his gaze, but doesn't push her away as she leans in closer, gently laying a hand on his cheek. He flinched at the initial contact, but almost immediately his body loosened up and his eyes softened. He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes as she gently caressed his skins, finger brushing over his tattoo.
"You don't deserve this," she murmured.
His eyes opened, and his hand shot up, cupping the hand cupping his cheek. "Neither do you, Erza," he whispered. "You, at least, are not tainted with the blood of a hundred men on your hands. You have a home to get back to. I do not."
She glared up at him. "I do not," she hissed. "My family was murdered before my eyes, my town was burned to the ground. I have nothing left."
She sighed, lowering her head. She dropped her hand from his cheek. "I guess you and I are not so much different, huh?" she whispered. "Equally distraught, equally messed up."
"Erza," he mumbled. She felt his fingers brush her chin before putting pressure on lightly, forcing her to meet his burning forest gaze. "Don't say that."
She closed her eyes. "But I am, Jellal," she said. "Being here has left me scarred, maybe in different ways than you have been, but scarred nonetheless. You and I are both prisoners of war, different contexts of course, and thus, we're not whole anymore."
"You don't show it," he whispered.
She shook her head. "I'm not at the liberty to show it," she whispered. "There's other people here, others that need me to be strong for them. So they can still have hope. You need to have hope too."
He looked at her almost in wonder. "I think," he began slowly. "You are my hope."
She froze, her heart pounding. Her mouth dropped open as he looked at her, moving his hand from her chin to cup her cheek. Yet, she made no move as he leaned in, her gaze drowning in the intensity of his eyes.
He leaned in closer, until their breaths mingled and Erza could no longer focus on his eyes properly. She closed her eyes, sensed his slight hesitation before his lips barely touched hers-
A pounding on the door jolted Erza out of her reveries, and she jumped back from Jellal as if she'd been electrocuted. He blushed and looked away, his hand dropping from her cheek, which chilled at the loss of his touch.
"Forgive me," Jellal whispered, getting to his feet, swaying for a second. Erza flushed, especially when he reached down and took her hand, hoisting her up. Her breath caught in her throat when he pulled her flush to him, one arm curling protectively around her. They locked eyes for a brief moment before pulling apart, just as the door opened and Gray slid inside, followed by Sting.
"Jellal!" Sting exclaimed, smiling. "It's good to see you!"
Jellal's eyes narrowed. "I'm not so sure I can say the same," he said gruffly. "After all, you are the one who threw me in this hellhole to begin with, am I right?"
Sting smiled sheepishly. "I know," he said. "But I didn't want to kill you. I agree it wasn't-"
"No offense," Gray began, cutting Sting off. "But Doranbolt just came back from looking for Minerva. She was in her chambers a while ago, but he says she left. We don't have much time, especially if she comes here."
Erza saw Jellal's body tense upon hearing Minerva's name, and saw the glimmer of unease pool into his eyes. She laid a comforting hand on his wrist, trying to calm him. The effect was instantaneous, and she saw his shoulders sink with relief. However, she missed Gray's keen eyes catching the moment, and narrowing at the sight.
"We've come up with a plan," Gray continued. "Jellal, we need to get out of here before it's too late. The others will be meeting for the next few days to come up with a game plan. We'll have Erza deliver the information to you with the help of Doranbolt."
"Do me a favor," Jellal asked, his voice remarkably steady. How is he so composed, Erza though, her eyes wandering over his fatigued frame.
"What?" Sting said.
"I met Laxus Dreyar," Jellal whispered, not missing Sting's sharp intake of breath. "I need you to find him, and try and get him out of here as well. We need him. We don't have time to explain but he will be useful to us."
"Anything else?" Gray asked, his eyes flitting from the door to Jellal.
"Yes," Jellal continued. "There's another man, maroon hair, with a scar on his face. Find him as well. We need them both."
Gray nodded. "Fine," he whispered. His eyes softened. "Jellal," he continued. "Hang in there. Not too much longer now, okay?"
Jellal nodded. "Just hurry," came his tired response.
Sting gestured at Erza. "Come on, Scarlet," he said, turning to the door. "We need to go now."
Erza froze, turning to face Jellal. He nodded encouragingly at her. "Go," he whispered. "Be safe." But the look in his eyes, those green depths pooling with fear and anxiety. Her heart went out to him, and before she knew it, she was turning back to him, pressing her lips against his ear and whispering, "I'll come back for you," before joining Gray and the others, leaving Jellal in the dark once again.
He touched his lips and forever engraved the memory of her in his mind, to cherish for the rest of his life, because he just realized he'd given his heart away, and that he didn't want it back.
Minerva knocked on the door, and waited a moment before the door opened, revealing Rufus standing behind. He smiled when he saw his sister, reaching out to kiss her cheek gently.
"Hello, sister," he greeted warmly. "What can I help you with?"
"A servant told me you had a run in with my gift to you," she said, leaning against the wall. "What do you think of her?"
His eyes burned with wanton lust. "She's magnificent," he breathed. "A fine specimen. Minerva, you did a wonderful job picking her. I am not displeased."
"Well of course," she purred. "I am your sister, I know what you like best. Think of her as a thank you present for that man you gave to me."
"Ah, yes," Rufus said, picking at his nails. "What was his name again?"
"Jellal."
"Right," Rufus said. "Jellal. And how is he?"
"Spirited," Minerva mushed. "But definitely worth the time. I will enjoy breaking him."
She leaned forward. "Just another few says, brother. Then we'll both have what we desire."
A/N: There hasn't been enough jerza lately, so here's plenty of Jerza to make up for the lack of it canonwise.
special thanks to AmnaK96 for being the bestest bae I could ask for.
there's obviously typos, but its 3 am and i'll edit later. There's probs more I wanted to say but i'm too tired rn to think of them. So good night, and see ya soon!
-Wolf