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Chapter 11

I awoke to warmth, the way it cradled around my body and filled me with comfort. I didn't want to move however; the events from earlier swirled in my mind and I pushed my body forward. My eyes rapidly blinked at my surroundings. I was still in the forest, laying on what looked to be a familiar black fabric I had seen a pink-haired... Whatever he was... wear. A bright fire bloomed in front of me, releasing a comforting smell. The only thing I couldn't spot in the moss-covered forest was Natsu. His bag was right next to me, so I know he didn't leave. Why would he after seeming so protective over me? Suddenly my face felt hot, and I turned away from the fire to lay back down.

It was silent for a while until I heard branches rustle and sticks crack. I quickly shot up to see what it was, and sighed in relief when I saw the dragon boy. "You scared me." I admitted, my hand clutching my still racing heart. Natsu sat by the fire and used his hands to imitate claws, "Grr," he said playfully. I giggled at his antics and scooted closer to him. "Where were you?" I asked. Natsu pointed from where he came. "There's a river over there, I was taking a bath." He explained as tiny spheres of fire fell from his hand and into the fire. "How are you doing that?" Natsu stared at me like I was the craziest person in the world. "Are you serious?" I blinked in confusion, but nodded nonetheless. "It's my magic, I was born and trained to do this. Isn't it like any other magic?" I looked down at my own hands and felt an overwhelming urge to cry, but as soon as my eyes began to water the pain in my head came back. I balled my hands up in fists to stop the tears. "I don't know..."

"You don't know!?" Natsu almost yelled. I flinched slightly. "N-No, magic isn't my specialty." The flames stopped pouring from his hand. "You're an elf, isn't your race supposed to be one of the most powerful with magic?"

"W-Well, yes but-"

"I see, you're a princess who is cooped up in her tower, guarded by her knights who do all the work for her."

"No! That's not-"

He's right... He's always right... My mouth closed and I turned my face from him, the pain almost becoming unbearable.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound like that..." Natsu began, but I had enough.

"You know why I'm the princess locked in her tower!? Why I'm called the dumb princess!? Do you!?" I yelled at him, tears streaming down my face and my head pounding. Natsu's eyes widened in shock. "I can't use any goddamn magic, alright!?" I screamed at the top of my lungs, my eyes not bothering to look up at him. "I can't... even... use magic. I'm weak. I have no way to protect myself. I'm the only one in this godforsaken world that can't use any stupid magic." I whispered. Why do we always fight when we converse? Why can't we just-

"I'm sorry." Natsu whispered as he pulled me towards his chest. My breath caught in my throat. I stared up at him with wide eyes. "If it makes you feel better, I'll protect you. You'll never have to worry if I'm by your side." He said as his calloused hand patted my head. I sniffled as my tears started to dry. I nodded into his chest, gripping his shirt. "Okay."

When I pulled away, he offered a soft smile and kind eyes. "You should probably clean up yourself." He dragged his thumb across my cheek, wiping away any stray tears.

After he guided me to the river and started to retreat back to camp, I couldn't help but to call out to him. "Natsu!" He turned around, waiting. "Y-You'll keep an ear out for danger, right?" I asked anxiously. He smiled. "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe."

When I thought he was out of earshot, I whispered to myself: "I know."


I came back to the camp, only to find Natsu sound asleep. He looked so peaceful leaning against a tree. I almost wanted to touch his face to see if it was real after seeing how... Surreal he looked- his lips slightly parted, and his eyes that seemed to be dreaming a wonderful dream behind the safety of his tanned skin. I sat down next to him and rested my head on his shoulder. He'll keep me safe...

"I don't want to remember. I don't want to remember!"

"Never shall you ever..."

"Make it stop!"

"He can't keep his promise, baby."

"Mama..."

"What happened, Mama? Mama? Mama!"

I jolted awake in a cold sweat. My heart hammered against my chest as my eyes darted around the camp. I could barely see anything with only embers remaining from the fire. The only thing that I knew was there, was Natsu.

But what on earth was that dream?! None of it made any coherent sense... It was just a bunch of voices saying the same thing over and over again... Voices that sounded so familiar. How am I to keep living with these weird images and words and dreams that randomly appear in my head? It's never happened before... At least not until-

A small sound rips me away from my thoughts. A simple crack of a branch snapping. My ears are suddenly on high alert and I quickly shake Natsu.

"Wake up!" I say in a strained whisper, my heart rate accelerating once more. Natsu moans as he sits up on his elbows. "What?" He asks in a groggy voice. I try to calm the bubbling that is now in my stomach to speak. "I-I think something is here." I say fearfully. Natsu wastes no time in getting to his feet, his hands ablaze. I watch as his eyes scour the surrounding wilderness. His face is so intense...

The wood stands still as Natsu's eyes skim across everything. I hold my breath as the crickets sing.

After a few moments, Natsu sends a burst of fire at the once burning fire pit. I yelp in surprise which Natsu laughs at. "It was nothing. Probably an animal passing through or somethin'." "I could have sworn It was something else... Like... I heard it's movement stop as soon as I sensed it. Do animals do that?" I asked as Natsu added more sticks to the fire.

"I wouldn't worry about it." Natsu started as he walked back towards me. "Maybe you're just paranoid. After all, there is nothin here that could hurt us-OOF"

"Natsu!"

A thing, an akuma, suddenly tackled Natsu to the ground in a black ball of fury. I ran behind a tree to watch the event.

The two of them clashed. I watched with terror as the pale-skinned beast tries to claw at Natsu, but before his sickening claws can even touch him, the dragon-boy is on his feet with his entire body on fire. The akuma growls, sharp black teeth peeling through dead lips. It stands up and the two of them circle each other. Natsu holds his fiery fists up, his eyebrows scrunching up with concentration. His onyx eyes never leave the monster's red ones. I shiver in fear as I remember the one from the castle... The one that almost killed me.

The akuma from then and the one here now... They look the same... The same black hair, clothing, scales, claws, teeth, wings: everything. The same lifeless eyes that were still filled with hate and bloodshed. My breath quickens as fear envelopes my entire being. He's going to try to kill me too. He's going to end my life and I will never be able to save my brother. I will never be able to redeem my people if I am killed by this murderer. But Natsu... He'll save me. He told me he will. I mean, he's saved me before.

Easy Lucy, calm down. He'll save you.

When I look back at Natsu, his hands are around the akuma's throat. It tries to claw at Natsu's hands, but his attempts are futile. I see Natsu smirk at the thing. "Not today." He says. What did I miss? When the akuma replies back to Natsu it is in a foreign tongue I have never heard. Even his voice is unpleasant as it slithers from his mouth.

Suddenly, Natsu's fire pulses with rage as it spreads to the akuma. It screams and cries in pain. I want to close my eyes and cover my ears from it's dreadful sounds. I coil closer to the tree and grip it's bark. It doesn't take long for the sounds to stop. I whimper against the tree as I imagine the pain of burning. I don't want violence...

I jump when Natsu places a hand on my shoulder, but I quickly sigh in relief. "You look mortified." He says. "I am. I don't like... violence. I just hate blood."

"Come here." Natsu grabs my hands before I can give him a reply. I look up at him when he pulls me against his chest. "Akuma don't bleed, Luce. If you want to survive this journey then you're gonna have to do something for me." "What is it?"

"Don't die." He lowered himself a bit to stare directly into my eyes. I was so mesmerized by them that all I could do was nod. "I know you can't use magic, but that doesn't mean you can't fight. If you want to survive, you're going to have to fight alongside me, OK?" I nodded once more. He sighed and walked away from me. I watched as he knelt by a pile of black dust. He picked some of it up ad watched as the grated substance fell through his fingertips. "Damn." I heard him mumble. His sudden reaction confused me? What was the matter? He killed the thing, so why is he suddenly displeased?

When he got up, with his bag in hand, I quickly went to him. "We can't stay here. The other akuma will be coming after us.. Probably." He said. "Others?"

"Normally, akuma appear in groups. There's rarely ever a lone wolf. If there is one... It means it's leader is either playing with us or doesn't consider us a threat, which I highly doubt." Natsu stomped out the fire. "Who is their leader?" I ask. "I guess you could say it's... General? It's hard to explain right now. Care to get going?"

"OK, where?" I spun myself around, trying to find another source of light. There wasn't one.

"Here." I am confused by his words, but when he suddenly takes me into his arms and abruptly takes off, I have no clue what to expect next.


Yayyy! Development! Did I surprise you guys or am I being too predictable? I'm trying to make this mysterious so ya'll don't know alllllllllll the ins and outs. Hopefully you don't. If you do, I think we need to discuss you joining the X-men because you can read minds or some shit.

Any who, just a reminder for my poll: I'm closing it some time around New Years (I've got plans so I'm not sure when..) so get your votes in! I updated it recently so you better check that out if you didn't!

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Ciao!

XOXO

~locoanime