Note : Hey. Back with the eleventh chapter! Erm, I know I said in the earlier notes that I'd insert Sting and Rogue in the story, but I don't think it's possible anymore. I mean, I will try, but it all depends on the way the story bends. So, sorry to whoever who wanted them to be in the story. Anyway, off to the original topic, I hope you like this chapter as much as I do. Enjoy, my dear readers!
VOLUNTEER NEEDED! URGENT!
Once he had read those three words, he just ripped it off the request board. Now, staring at the paper in his hand on the train, he wasn't sure if he should be regretting or not.
First of all, his work of the day was to help around with any casualties in a small village. He was fine with that, but apparently, there weren't any more details other than their urgent need of help, much to his dismay. Also, he had used up all his money he got from the previous missions to pay back his debt to Macao, and he was left his only some jewels enough for some cheap food.
When he had come to Magnolia, he hadn't expected to find a sword so perfect, and had immediately used his savings to buy it. After that, he borrowed some money from Macao, for all the expenses and such, and used the hard-earned money from two missions to pay him back the following week.
He sighed and ran his right hand through his hair, making it look even messier.
There was another problem too.
He fished out a small pouch from his pocket – he decided not to bring a backpack, considering that he had no money, he wouldn't be able to stay a night – and dropped the very few Jewels he had left onto his palm.
He looked up and sighed loudly.
What have I done to deserve this, dear God!
Using the trail in the forest leading to Crystal Shelter from the station, he arrived in half an hour at a leisure pace and his eyes widened as soon as he saw the village.
What he saw that very moment was not what he had expected.
People were scattered around, some mourning for their loved ones, some helping around and passing food. Even the people's houses were damaged. There were so many different kinds of damages that it was so obvious that this was a mage's doings.
But do they know that?
He would have preferred to investigate the matter, but there were more pressing matters to attend.
He heard the wailing of a child, chanting, "Mom! Dad!" over and over again. He looked to the left and saw a young child digging at the rubbles. He instantly headed there.
What the hell happened here?
He knelt down, and the boy just continued to wail. He looked at the rubble and saw a hand sticking out from under it. Immediately, he started off by pushing the giant piece of thing that was obviously the main obstacle and then, started to try to get whoever was in there, out.
He pulled the body out as carefully as he could, and it revealed to be a woman's body, lifeless. The child instantly wrapped his arms around his mother and wailed so mournfully that Ea felt his heart break.
Ea stood up abruptly, closing his eyes and clenching his fists. He couldn't bear to look at the scene anymore.
They don't deserve this.
He searched around the house – was it possible for it to still be called a house? – for the father.
It felt weird. It was as if his ears were ringing and he could hear every sound in the world at the moment. The noises were everywhere. Wailing, screaming, shouts, orders. He walked on and jumped, even yelling in surprise when he felt something grab his ankle.
Still regaining his composure, he looked down and saw a man, whole body on the floor, the bottom part of his body trapped under a giant block of rubble.
He could not hear him when he said, "Help". There were too many noises around him, but he knew that he had to act. Immediately.
He started to get him off from under the rubble. He wanted to ask if he was okay, if he needed help, but it was all just a waste of breath. After all, the village attacked, houses destroyed, people killed. Who the hell could be okay?
He sat the man up, and said, "Wait here. I'll go get some help."
He ran pass the boy, still hugging his mother, and searched around frantically for someone – anyone – with a stretcher, or a first aid box – anything at all.
He saw someone, a girl in a maid's uniform with shoulder-length pink hair, carrying a first aid while retreating after treating a man's broken arm in front of a half-destroyed church. He ran to her and said, "Help. There's a man who's injured."
He led her to him and she started treating him immediately. As he watched her treat him, he accidentally said aloud his thought, "Lucy's here?"
Virgo didn't look away from the bandaging, and answered, "Yes. Princess is at the far end of the town, finding people who are injured."
"Oh. I see."
His heart fluttered at the thought of being able to see her again, but he knew he had to put the people's safety as priority over his selfish desires.
"Ea-san, don't worry about the people in this area. I have this area covered. The situation at the far end of the town is more serious," she said as she finished her bandaging and looked at him
"Really?" As the words sunk in, he said, shocked, "More serious? What do you mean more serious?"
"Ea-san, I cannot say anything at the moment. Princess had asked me to make sure everyone in this area is bandaged and taken care of. If you have any questions, please ask her directly," she said as she continued on to tell the news to the boy and help his mother.
He smiled a little, said his thanks to Virgo and walked very fast to the far end of the town.
As he walked further and further, the attacks seemed to have gotten worst, more serious.
He could smell a burnt smell somewhere, he could see houses turned into nothing but rubbles or even nothing at all. Some bodies lay scattered, burned and no longer recognizable.
He closed his eyes and stood at the spot, wondering what he should do. It was as if he was in a totally different area. It was so quiet, with no shouting and wailing, but just soft sobs.
He walked around, searching for anyone who seemed to be in need of help. He saw a woman, bandaged almost all over her body except her face, cuddling a baby while crying. He looked away and walked on.
Was that baby dead?
He saw a ginger-head and a man who had his hair braided to the back, making it look like the crab's pincers, carrying a stretcher. On that stretcher was a woman, clutching her stomach, her face in pain. The temporary bandage that was on her stomach was completely soaked with blood. Ea looked away and walked on, now much faster.
He heard moaning here and there after walked for a moment, and saw people bleeding, injured and dying. Then he saw a blonde treating them, one by one.
Lucy.
He didn't approach her, seeing that she was so concentrated in her work. So, he turned somewhere else and approached the nearest injured person. He looked at what was left of the house. Just an arc with the door gone. He went under it, and saw a pair of legs shaking ever so slightly under rubbles, wood and metallic stuffs.
He immediately got everything off of the person, and when he did, what he saw shocked him. It was a girl who couldn't be more than twelve years of age, scalded terribly all over her body, and now that the weight on her was gone, she was shaking terribly.
He didn't know what to do. He moved his arms on top of the girl, wondering what to do, and tried carrying her bridal style but when he touched her, she made a sound like she was about to cry. So, he didn't touch her and the question kept echoing in his mind.
What am I supposed to do?
He looked at her eyes, her eyes so full of shock and pain. She was muttering something incoherently, and he neared his ear towards her mouth.
"H-Help m-me…" All he could catch were just a few words. "Ch-church…"
He asked, quickly, "Alright. I got you, I got you. Bring you to the church, am I right?"
He waited and waited. Second after second, and nothing. He was given no answer at all. He retreated and looked at her face, and saw her eyes still open, her mouth agape. Ea grimaced and closed her eyes, muttering, "Rest well."
He stood up and walked slowly towards the arc that stood there as if representing some kind of history legend. Had they done it on purpose? As mockery?
He shook his head. I'm thinking too much.
He placed his hand onto the right side as he went under the arc. Suddenly, the arc crumbled down and bricks fell on top of his head. He immediately ducked down and put both his hands on his head.
"Ow!"
He moved left and right, muttering "Ow" over and over again.
He stood up and looked at his hand.
Blood.
He groaned. "Damn."
He tapped his fingers on his head again, and saw more blood on his hands. He sighed and he heard someone giggling in front of him. He looked up and saw Lucy holding a fist to her mouth while giggling.
"What? You're laughing at me?" He asked playfully.
She said between giggles, "I'm sorry."
After her laughing session, she walked towards him and told him to sit down. She looked at his wound and saw a cut. She took her first aid box Virgo had gave her by the strap and took out a bandage. As she placed the bandage on his head, she asked, "What are you doing here? Trying to help or giving me more work?"
He sighed and shook his head but Lucy hit him lightly on the head and said, "Don't move, you idiot."
"Actually, I don't know either. I mean, I came, like, ten minutes ago and all I see is people dying."
He saw Lucy frown. "Don't say that. People here aren't dying. They're recovering. Think on the bright side."
When Lucy finished her bandage work, she ruffled his hair and said, "There, all done. I don't think anyone would notice it since you hair's red too. So don't worry."
He looked away slightly, feeling light-hearted so suddenly. "I'm not worrying about that. Why would I even worry about that?"
She stood up and smiled as she crossed her arms over her chest with the first aid box slung over her shoulders.
"Well then, Ea, if you're not going to worry about that, lend me a helping hand. There's one last area I need to cover," she said as she held out her hand.
Ea smiled and took her hand gratefully. "Of course, Princess."
All she did was laugh.
Night had arrived when they reached the church. Lucy had summarized what had happened to him and she had said that she was spending the night at the church, where everyone, injured or not, would be resting.
"If I finish covering the area when it's already night, I'll be sleeping at the church."
"What? Why?"
"You saw those attacks, didn't you? I'm going to investigate the attacks, maybe try to find a clue to who did this."
"I'll help you."
The church was a big place, at least, big enough to fit almost everyone left of this town. The tall building now only consisted of the ground floor, its roof gone, and area cleared off of rubbles with Taurus' help.
Virgo and Loke were now by her side, ready to help anytime. After they had finished tending to the injured, Lucy asked them all to rest. She didn't settle down, however, although Ea did, and kept watch of the people's condition.
She could hear the sobs, the sniffles and the endless muttering. Virgo took her leave and Loke stayed back for a while, observing the people as well.
"Lucy," he whispered. "If you want to, you can ask Aries to cast her spell that makes people sleep. With very good dreams."
She looked at him, her face visible from the moonlight shining brightly just above them, and said, "There won't be any side effects, right?"
"I think we better ask Aries for that kind of question."
She walked out of the church, together with Loke, and summoned Aries.
"If I cast Wool Shot, the people affected will feel warm and relaxed, but if they feel a slight pain, they won't wake up. Only an injury which cause them a lot of pain will wake them up," she said and muttered a soft "Sorry" as she fidgeted shyly.
"So a little pain won't make them wake up? Not even move?"
She nodded.
Lucy touched her chin with her hand, and hummed. "I… I don't think I'll take that chance. Anyway, thanks Aries. I'll see you soon."
"Sorry!"
"So you're going to stay up all night?" Loke asked, concerned.
"I'll get a long sleep tomorrow when I go back in Magnolia, alright?" Lucy said as she walked towards the entrance of the church.
"No." Loke sped up and walked side-by-side with Lucy. "I'll stay here. And we both can take turns on watch."
"No thanks, Loke. Don't think I don't know what you're going to do. You're not going to wake me up and you'll stay on watch the whole night. You need your rest so go back. I'll be fine. Ea's here anyway."
Loke stopped Lucy from entering the church by putting his hand on the door. "Can he be trusted, Lucy?"
She said nothing for a moment. Then she said, "Every member in Fairy Tail is my family, you know that."
"But –"
"Loke, can we please stop talking about this? Go back and rest," she said, her voice soft and caring.
Loke did nothing but nodded. Before he left, he said, "If you ever need me, any of us, you know what to do. Don't let what Gajeel talked to you about affect you. Think about what you want."
Lucy smiled tenderly. "Thanks, Loke. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Lucy," he said as he returned the smile.
She placed her hand onto the church door, and took deep breaths. Before she entered, she summoned Lyra and after telling Lyra what she wanted her to do, they entered the church.
Lucy leaned against the wall, next to Ea who was lying down and then, Lyra played the harp, her beautiful voice loud but tender, in harmony with the sounds of the harp.
Lucy heard a soft shuffling noise and opened her eyes. She saw Ea looking at her, with his head placed on his arm as a pillow.
"It's not morning yet," Lucy said.
"Yea, I know. I also know it's time to sleep. You're not sleeping?"
She hesitated for a moment. "No, I am. I'm sleeping after Lyra finishes her song."
He hummed as a sign of understanding. Then, after a few moments, he sat up and settled down next to Lucy. "Then I'll wait with you."
She looked at him, and said, "I'm staying up. You sure you can handle tomorrow without any sleep?"
"Of course! I used to be a solo mage."
Lucy hummed in response and closed her eyes, relaxed while listening to Lyra's song.
Note : Did you like it? I wanted to stop at the point where they arrived at the church but I decided not to. Since I update new chapters inconsistently, I'd figured I'd write more. So, how do you think Ea's personality is like? Is there anything that confuses you?
Thank you, my lovely readers!
