From the Ashes, Part 12

Juvia had finally gone to sleep. Gray held her in silence. She'd tried to tell him everything that happened, but she ended up only crying harder. He stared at the lacrima she'd brought back. She had said it was Sting's and that could only mean one thing. He hated this place and the people who ran it. The only good thing he'd managed to pick out of nearly incoherent purge of information was that the vizier was dead. He hated her, but hated Fathiyya even more. Sahara was cold and cruel, but she was doing her job. The so called empress seemed to be in it for laughs. He tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling. He wondered how everyone else from the guild was fairing. From what Rogue had said, the majority of Sabertooth was already gone. He heard whispers from the servants, the only source of outside news, about the other guilds. None of it was good. His gaze hardened as he thought. He was actually in the castle and what was he doing to stop this madness? He cursed himself. He felt weak and useless. Juvia had come after him instead of fleeing like he wanted, so now he felt responsible for her, as well. A faint smirk crossed his lips at the thought of Natsu barging into the throne room without a plan. At least some things would never change. He wondered if Erza had made it home yet and when everyone would finally say they'd had enough a launch the attack that would stop this useless war. The early counter measures never ended well. At least now he had more information that could help the cause, if only he could get it out.

A soft knock at the door jarred his thoughts. It was Rogue. He slipped in quietly. "She doesn't look well", he observed. "No, the dungeons did a number on her today", replied Gray. Rogue sent him a questioning look. She was already on the empress's side. "That witch Sahara took her down to show her the cells...", he trailed. Rogue was now looking at the lacrima in thought. Gray held his tongue, unsure how to give the news. Rogue quietly picked it up and closed his eyes with a bowed head. "You don't have to tell me. His scent is all over this", he stated. "I'm sorry", offered Gray. Several minutes of silence passed. Eventually, Gray said, "She wanted you to have it." Rogue nodded. It was far better he held onto it than to let Fathiyya toy with it. Rogue sat in silence, staring hard at the lacrima. After a while, he said, "This is what's saved me so far." Gray caught on quickly. So that was how he was defying her will. Somehow, Rogue had managed to send the invading magic into the lacrima inside his body, leaving his heart relatively free. "What will you do now?", asked Gray. Rogue sighed, still coming to terms with the loss of yet another comrade. "The same thing I've been doing, I suppose." Gray waited for more. "I'm still earning their trust. I think they know something's off, but I hope they'll let me in on some secrets soon. Then I can start getting more people out of here." Gray froze, his eyes wide. "More?", he questioned. Rogue nodded. "I found a way to smuggle a few prisoners out here and there without causing too much commotion. Unfortunately, it doesn't work with the higher profile mages incarcerated", he stated. "How?!", asked Gray, eager to learn. He had jarred Juvia inadvertently. She slowly sat up and rubbed her swollen eyes. "Rogue?" He nodded to her, unable to offer a smile. "How are you doing it?", repeated Gray. Before Juvia could ask, he explained what had just been said. Part of her was elated at the thought, while part of her brooded that Gray was not one of the few spared. "There's another mage here that specializes in a type of magic that allows him to pass through objects", explained Rogue. "Like walls?", inquired Juvia, still waking. "Yes. He's been able to get some of the prisoners with a low guard rating out without ever being seen. I'm here to help make sure he stays unseen." "You're rerouting the guards?", asked Gray. "Something like that", replied Rogue. "Who is it?", asked Gray. Rogue glanced at Juvia and shook his head. He didn't feel safe saying the man's name. "I'm sorry. If her powers takes hold...", he trailed. "Juvia understands", she said solemnly. He was right to be careful. She didn't have the same advantage as he did.

After a few small exchanges, Rogue departed, Sting's lacrima in hand. Juvia watched where it had been. "Don't worry. He's got it", assured Gray. She nodded, unsure what she say. Should she tell him she knew what caused him to break? He was clearly trying hard for her sake to stay near her when all he really wanted was to be left alone. "What is it?", he asked, reading her expression. She fiddled with her nails and avoided eye contact. It slowly it dawned on him. "You know, don't you?". She shyly nodded, unable to face him. The room suddenly felt much colder and bigger than it was. He seemed miles away from her. Incapable of baring the silence, Juvia said, "Juvia understands if you want to be alone." At that moment, their eyes met. Shame and despair poured from his face. It broke her heart to see him this way. With a deep breath, he said, "It's all right." Juvia jolted from her seat. "No, it is not!" He looked at her in surprise from her sudden outburst. She was crying, not for herself, but for him. "It is not all right! No one should ever hurt Gray-sama! Especially not like -...", she trailed off, sobbing into her hands. Silently he stood before he and held her near. "Please stop", he uttered softly. "But Gray!", she argued, crying too hard to add the honorific. He placed a gentle hand over her hair and pulled her closer. "Why?", he whispered, his own tears beginning to form. Confused, she pulled away enough to face him. He was shaking. "After how I've always treated you, why are crying for someone like me?", he asked. She reached a gentle hand forward and wiped away his tears. "Juvia loves you", she replied warmly. This time it was his heart that was breaking. He grabbed her unexpectedly and hugged her tightly. After a few tender moments passed by, he said, "No more tears. We can fix this...Together."

Somewhere outside of Magnolia, Erza grinned to herself. She was looking out the back window. Charle had flown ahead to get information on their friends. Wendy smiled to herself, as well, trying not to say anything that would ruin the moment. Erza was far from spacing out. She was watching Jellal outside. He was running through some basic exercises, glad to have his leg back. As soon Charle got back, he planned to head out. He was sick of sitting on the sidelines, waiting to hear who else had been arrested or worse. Eventually, Erza handed the young dragon slayer some tea. Sitting across from her, she said, "Thank you." Wendy smiled in kind. It felt good to help someone again. The infant she had brought with her was sound asleep, exhausted from playing with Erza. "Do you think Charle will be back soon?", asked Wendy. "As long she stays safe, we can wait", replied Erza. "I heard rumors...", trailed the girl. With a deep breath, Erza said, "Some of them are probably true, but try not to worry. I'm sure our friends are fine." Wendy nodded, still unsettled. The back door opened and in walked Jellal, sweaty and tired, but pleased. He sent Wendy a soft grin. "I'll never take my mobility for granted again", he stated, siting near the girls. They chuckled, taking one last moment for themselves before entering the hell awaited them. Their friends would not suffer alone much longer.

Inside the city, Lucy carefully walked the streets. Feeling useless around the others, she'd insisted on going out for supplies. It was twilight and she knew she had to be careful. She carried a bad full of food close to her side. It wasn't uncommon at this point to be robbed for such simple necessities. She tugged at the hood that shadowed her face and glanced at the glove that covered her guild mark, something she had worn with pride. She sighed to herself. If it weighed on her this much, she could barely imagine what it felt like when Natsu had been out. Sticking to the side streets, she made her way back to where they had holed up. She tread nervously, sure she heard footsteps nearby. "Lu-chan?" She turned, relieved to see a friendly face. "Levy", she sighed with relief. The two hugged and Levy led her inside to safety. Lily was surprised, but pleased to see his guild mate unharmed. Lucy looked around the dimly lit room that Levy was currently calling home. Levy had a scarf that used to hide her face outside and now pulled it down to speak. "I was so worried about you", she said. "Same here", replied Lucy. "Is it just you two here?", she asked. "Gajeel's out", stated Lily. Lucy sent Levy a sneaky smile. "Is that so?" "It's good to see you're safe. I'll head up and keep an eye out while you girls catch up", said Lily, leaving no room for argument.

"It's just been us since Gray and Juvia", stated Levy. "We heard", said Lucy softly. "How is everyone?", inquired the script mage. "We had to leave Mira and Laxus behind during the last relocation. Happy's doing a lot better since the attack", she said. "We heard about the Raijinshuu and Elfman", offered Levy sullenly. The two sat and discussed what each had seen and what the other didn't yet know. After talk of Lyon and others, Levy grew quiet. "Levy?" "I heard something from a runner this morning", she began. "The only one left from Mermaid Heel is Kagura." Taking it in, Lucy stared off to the distance. The doorknob turned and Gajeel entered. He dropped a sack of supplies and looked over Lucy. "Do you know where Salamander is?". She nodded, taken off guard. He smirked. It was time to introduce the plan.

To be continued...