Epilogue

"Are you willing to pay the price?"

"I am."

A low humming noise woke up Natsu. Lifting his head, he felt a warmth seep through his clothes and into the skin of his back pressed against the giant stone glowing dimly in the room. But today, the glow was different. It seemed to pulse as if representing a heartbeat. Smiling, he leaned his head back to watch the light dim and brighten in time with the faint hum inside the stone.

"It's finally time, huh?" he asked no one since he is alone in the room, but the crystal seemed to hum louder in response. He grinned in the darkness.

"I'm getting fired up."

A young woman skipped towards the large entrance gate, her blue hair bouncing with her hyper movements. "Jet, Droy! We're here!"

The tall redhead stared up at the school's name engraved in a curved plague above the gate. "Can't believe Phantom Institute accepted our applications."

The dark haired young man of their group tapped his book about Botany against his leg. "I am not looking forward to working off the loans we already owe them..."

Laughing heartily, the true blue haired heart of their little trio tugged them through the gate. "Guys, lighten up! We're off the streets, out of that rundown house and on to a better life. Be thankful for this second chance."

Both Jet and Droy groaned at their childhood friend. "You're just here for their library, Levy! Admit it!"

She giggled, "Yuuuup!"

The three young students entered the campus with some hope to turn their lives around, never knowing their lives at this campus will never be the same...

FIN

Author's note: First let me thank every single one of you for reading Doubt and Trust. Your reviews and favorites really made me smile and humbled that I kept you in suspense. If you haven't figured it out already, YES this is a prequel to Viam a Erebus. Admit it, did any of you see that coming?

I am sure I have left many reeling from the rapid turn this story took. If I have made anyone angry, know that I apologize but I do not regret how I ended this story. Please rant and rave in the reviews. You have the right and I will read every single one. (There are at least a 100 of you who read chapter nine, but did not leave a review. I was really wanting to know your thoughts too!)

Originally this story was only suppose to be a oneshot for By Your Side where Gajeel finds a little fairy, follows her home and chases all the fairies around to try and catch them, but fails hilariously. As you have read, it ran away from me. DNT was also going to be four to six chapters, but the ending never fit until I realized this could be the hint to the back story I needed in Viam. The title of this story is actually from the D Gray Man anime, Doubt and Trust by access. Not very fairyish but the lyrics fit Gajeel in his development getting to Levy.

I am also proud of myself for really finishing a story. It is rare and I have drunk half a bottle of wine to celebrate such a thing happening. I can only hope I use such efforts to finish my others fics. See you guys in Viam!

Love, Kitani