Wow. I really like Meliera, but I keep doing horrible things to her.
"Meliera, are you ok?"
She had gone white and was holding her stomach. The worry in Gray's voice was appropriate.
"My Rifts have woken," she gasped, falling to her knees. "I don't have much time left."
"No!" he cried. "Meliera, you can't go. Not again. Please, not again."
He caught her as she fell to the ground. Tears were streaming down his face. Her breath was coming fast now.
"Gray," she struggled. "Gray, promise me this. Promise me that you won't let this ruin anything for you."
"There's no need; you're going to be fine," he insisted. "You have to be."
She laughed softly. "I think I know now why you and Natsu fight so much. It's because you see yourself in each other, and it scares you. But you have to promise me. Promise!"
"I promise," he choked. "Meliera, you can't die. Not now." She didn't seem to hear him.
"Two last spells," she murmured. "Then I must go." Meliera struggled to her feet. "I can't save myself," she said with a smile, "but I can do this." Two magic circles appeared near her. "The Rifts are working against themselves," she laughed. "They may be killing me, but I can use their power to cast this."
"What are you talking about?" he shouted. "Just stop!" She looked Gray in the eye. Cracks were streaking across her face, with light pouring through them. Meliera looked like a broken doll with a lamp inside.
"Good-bye," she whispered, "all that I love. Forgive me." Then she exploded into fragments of fire and ice.
"No!" Gray screamed. Her fragments came together and formed two crystals. One was about a foot in length and shaped like an egg, the other was the size of his hand. "Meliera," he whispered. "Meliera!" Both crystals vanished in a flash of light. What am I going to tell the others?
"Where's Meliera?" Natsu asked when Gray came back alone. He couldn't bring himself to tell Natsu that he was a widower. Gray just looked away instead. Natsu stared at the ground. He felt dizzy. Meliera's gone. She's gone again. Not again. Please, not again. The world was spinning around him. Lucy was speaking to him, concern in her eyes. He forced himself to pay attention her gabbling.
"... you ok? Natsu, answer me. Are you ok? I know it's a shock, but you need to answer me." Ok? Asking if he was ok after he found out his wife had died? He lost his temper.
"Ok?" he shouted. "Am I ok? I just found out that my wife died; I am not ok! My wife… Meliera…" He fell to his knees, emotion overwhelming him.
The funeral was going to be quiet, Lucy thought. She had checked on Natsu the day before. He was just staring at the wall, not responding to anything. She had tried her best to comfort him, but he didn't even register that she was there.
In the morning, she went back over to his house. Lucy had to help him dress and lead him to the funeral. He seemed frozen in pain. It was sad.
"I miss you," he whispered hoarsely. "I want you back. I love you."
If it's any consolation, I hated myself for writing this part.