Chapter 36: New Era
She waited several seconds, in hopes that the potion had done its effect.
But the longer she waited, the more she noticed that something wasn't right. She checked her vitals, but she couldn't feel a heartbeat.
She cursed as her eyes burned. It was supposed to have worked. She glared at the empty tiny bottle in her hand. It had been pointless.
Just as she was going to tell the soldiers that were hiding behind the trees to get her again, there was a powerful gush of wind, blowing everything away as a dragon flew by. She could only see with wide eyes Aria's body started to glow a bright light that blinded everyone that was near. As the light lessened, Porlyusica's eyes widened as Aria's body disappeared.
She took notice of the soldiers standing up after being knocked out, "Find her body!"
It took her a bit longer than she thought thanks to the new tiny dragons that were roaming the streets when she finally caught scent of her mate. She sprinted as Lily held on to her shoulder. The exceed had used a lot of his magic. The moment they had landed, she immediately told him to rest on her shoulder. As she ran through the destroyed streets of Crocus, she had her twin glass swords out, slashing at any of the dragon hatchlings. Her magic energy was lowering, so she decided to save her diamond technique until later.
When she turned on to the street, she saw Gajeel being thrown by the dragon he was fighting. She saw it raise its talon at him that she jumped and slashed the talon, making it land in another direction.
Gajeel's eyes widened and immediately grabbed her and pulled her close, "Where the fuck have you been?!"
She took in his scent and the warmth of his body as she closed her eyes as she held him back, "So much to tell you. The most recent?" She asked as she pulled away, "I was fighting Rogue."
Gajeel seemed confused, "What do you mean?"
Lily decided to intercept, "She's not talking about the Rogue you know. This one is from the future. He deceived the princess, filling her mind with lies about the gate."
"Lucy from the future warned us about the dragons," she quickly said as the dragon started to walk towards them, ignoring the confused look Gajeel gave her, "However, Future Rogue killed her, claiming that her closing the gate was a horrible thing. But that was another lie. I fought him long enough for Natsu to get back to him."
She was right, so much had happened. Even then other facts were missing too but it was not the time to share everything. Gajeel looked at her already injured body and to the dragon, "You shouldn't be here. Something happens to you and—"
She grabbed his face and pulled him down for a quick kiss.
"I'm your mate and I'm staying by your side. Forever. I've already lost so much tonight, I cannot lose you either."
His eyes widened as he could see the pain in her eyes, "You know?"
Her cheeks started to turn red and he could see the tears welling up in her eyes, "Yes. The Princess told us."
He wrapped his arms around her, to support her in her most difficult time. However, their moment was interrupted as the dragon roared at them. They pulled apart, and she quickly wiped her tears.
She opened her hand and a diamond sword appeared. This is why she wanted to save the energy. Diamond would prove to be stronger than glass to slice across the scales of a dragon. Gajeel looked at her confused, "Since when can you do that?"
She smiled at him, "Inside the castle. Let's do this!"
Laxus growled as the talons of Atlas Flames attempted to crush them. He could hear his team, shouting at him to get out of the way. He could barely hold them off, his muscles straining as he pushed it out of his way.
And eventually, long and behold, Natsu took Atlas Flames away.
As they ran to get to the Castle where Wendy was struggling with her dragon, Bickslow fell into step with him.
"You sure you can continue on?"
Laxus clenched his jaw as his heart felt like a thousand pounds.
You can because I'll always be there…
His eyes widened as he looked around, but she was nowhere in sight. He growled internally. He needed to get his shit together. They continued running until ultimately, he finally caught the sight of the green dragon that Wendy was trying to avoid. He called out his Raging Bolt, which thankfully made direct contact.
Wendy panted as she looked at him, a small smile on her face to see him there to give her a hand. But their moment was interrupted as the eighth dragon that came out of the gate joined Zarconis.
"Let's go Wendy!"
"Tessa, now!" Gajeel growled out as he dove out of the way just as the dragon got ready a breath attack. When it let it go, it hit a mirror made out of diamond, reflecting it right back at it. It roared painfully as it shook his head.
Tessa panted as she dropped her arms, sweat going down her face, "And that's still isn't enough!"
Gajeel growled as he clenched his fists, "These damn lizards are stubborn."
She took a deep breath to recollect her thoughts. She waved her hand gracefully and her lance appeared before her, "We can't give up!"
Loud roaring in the skies made them look up and their eyes widened instantly.
"Natsu is riding the fire dragon!" Lily said with a wince as he held onto his arm.
"Maybe that'll be enough to defeat Rogue," she said breathlessly.
She then saw Gajeel transform his arm onto his sword and dashed at the dragon again. She wasn't too far behind and both of them worked together as they slashed any openings they could find. In occasions, Gajeel would grab Tessa by the arm and throw her for her to slash at the dragon's face. She would support Gajeel by continuing the attacks as he would jump out of the way after doing his own damage. She was graceful as she soared through the air and even if she was knocked out of the way by the dragon's tallon, she would get up and fight more.
They protected one another and watched each other's back. His green aura was combining with her pink one in a whirlpool as their instincts of protection overwhelmed one another. Their bond could be seen as they worked together viciously, not one of them willing to give up. They didn't have to say anything to one another as their movements and expressions could easily be read between them.
This was the power of mates.
The dragon knew they were mates the moment they started to fight together. He knew exactly what would happen if one of them were to die.
What if they both did at the same time?
Tessa saw the incoming attack at him. She moved immediately, raising her creamy hands covered in bruises and blood as she screamed as she raised the diamond wall to cover herself and him. It had worked. Gajeel let out a sigh of relief but it wasn't until a metallic scent reached his nose that made him freeze.
He heard her throat gurgling with uneven gasps and she dropped to her knees as the dragon removed its talons from the wall.
"NO!" He screamed in anguish as she continued to gasp, blood pouring out of where she had been stabbed right through the chest.
One of the claws had made it through the shield, penetrating her.
He felt his soul shattering into thousands of pieces as he cradled her and life left her eyes. He let out a scream of anguish as his magic exploded around him. He could not take it. Not this. He had gone through it one, but he had been practically blessed that Aria had been there and they had back then a blood bond. However this was different. There was no more blood bond and Aria was permanently gone as well. Now Tessa was too. He didn't care that the dragon was approaching him. He felt angry, beyond angry. A fury so powerful bubbling in the pit of his stomach, but his body wasn't responding. Because he was dying already too. His soul had been shattered the moment her heart stopped beating.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to help her overcome Aria's death and continue on, live for her memory. Create new memories together, as a family.
She was his everything and all he could see was her gorgeous smile in her heart shaped face.
The dragon felt a small tingle of pity. With no effort, he lifted his talon and brought it back down on them, crushing them as their bones snapped underneath him.
Lily couldn't believe it. One moment they were working perfectly and the next dead.
He was shaking and crying so much from his spot underneath of some of the rubble where Tessa had placed him after he injured his arm further. She had kissed his forehead and had kept on fighting with Gajeel.
And Gajeel…
He didn't even attempt to move.
Lily wanted to scream their names, but he couldn't even find his voice through the tears that kept spilling out.
His family was gone.
He had pushed the black dragon out of the way, just to see that Zirconis was about to get Wendy. He was exhausted, but he couldn't let her die. She had been important to her, making sure she had the proper training to become a damn good dragon slayer.
He shoved her out of the way and then he felt his body snap.
She gasped loudly, like if she was surfacing from being under water for so long. Her eyes were wide with shock and fear as her hand automatically went to her chest where she got impaled by the claw. She was visibly shaking and as her eyes looked at Gajeel, as he was too.
Just what the hell was that?
Suddenly, she saw the dragon attack, the same attack that had killed her. Gajeel reacted and got out of the way before she could even attempt to move. He jumped upwards and he transformed his fist onto his club and hit the dragon right on its eye. The beast howled in pain as it thrashed its head around. Tessa put more distance between herself and the dragon and Gajeel came to join her.
"What was that?" She whispered to him. She was so shaken up by what she saw she was still trying to gather herself. Gajeel ignored the roars from the dragon as it was still having much difficulties to see and pulled her close.
"I'm not sure. I saw it too."
He didn't even want to raise his voice, afraid that it would fail him.
Just then, a battered and injured Lily ran to them. Tessa saw him coming and as he jumped on her arms, wrapping his small paws around her neck as he cried. Whatever that had been, Lily saw it as well and was horrified by it.
She looked up at Gajeel, "We should figure out whatever that was later. Over sized lizard is coming over here."
Gajeel glared at the dragon, "Stand back for a bit. Get your head together before you continue."
She nodded at him as he passed her by, placing a hand on her head. She worriedly looked at his retreating form, by he was right. She was still shaking for what she saw and it would be more dangerous jumping into the fight again like this.
They weren't the only ones that experienced a moment of a 'dream' sequence. However, only a few would know who was the cause of it. Ur's sacrifice, the one minute she was able to go back in time, was exactly what was needed to make a difference. Many that had died were able to survive and a new vigor was spreading through their veins. Whether they saw it as a premonition or not, they were taking that opportunity of survival.
Everyone was exhausted, everyone was carrying various wounds from either their fight from the dragons or from the hatchlings. But no one was giving up. Humanity depended on it. Everyone could hear the vicious battle up in the sky, of Future Rogue against Natsu. The strength he possessed to not give up, to continue fighting until his last breath if necessary, inspired many to continue fighting.
The destruction was too much. Many homes and businesses have been brought to nothing due to the invasion. Many soldiers gave up their lives to protect the kingdom. This was demonstrating the start of a new era- but an era without dragons.
Suddenly, up in the dark sky, there was a giant explosion of fire and everyone could see both dragons spiraling down at a fast speed. The explosion of fire that was coming down reminded everyone of a supernova as the flames lit up the sky.
Laxus barely had enough time to get Lucy and Wendy out of the way of the door as Mira got Yukino as Natsu was screaming at them to get away from the Eclipse Gate.
The moment the gate was destroyed, there was a wave of magic and the explosion was unlike they had ever seen before. But the door was destroyed and that was exactly what they needed.
Everyone that was near the gate were panting with anticipation, when finally, all the dragons that came through the gate started to glow a golden light. Their bodies were becoming transparent and particles of light were starting to carry them up in the wind as each of the eight dragons were taken back to their time.
Everyone that had been fighting cheered. Some didn't know what had happened, but they weren't about to complain. Humanity wasn't lost.
The adrenaline finally faded from his body as Zarconis and the other dragon faded away. He sat down on the gravel as his gray eyes took an empty look. He ignored the blood coming out of the wounds on his arms.
Wendy had pulled away from Lucy after they had hugged since the gate had been destroyed. She noticed something on the ground and her eyes welled up in tears as she recognized it.
She walked up to it and grabbed it, and then made her way over to Laxus who wasn't looking at anything in particular.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, "Y-You dropped this…"
His head didn't move but his eyes did. On her dirty hands, there was a fingerless glove.
Aria's glove.
The hot pain in his chest came back as he gently grabbed it from her hands. He heard her sniff and his bloodshot eyes looked at her as she was barely holding back the tears. She knew what happened.
Her lip trembled, but as he opened his arms and nodded at her, she flung her small body to his, gripping him tightly as she cried.
Now they could mourn.
Now that the dragons were gone and feeling weak for not having to kill one, even with both of them working together, they made their way back to the castle. The adrenaline of the fight was gone and she was left exhausted. Emotionally and mentally. She started falling into a pit of mourning, now that nothing was distracting her. Gajeel could smell her tears, so he carried her on her back while Lily curled between the two of them. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let out a shaky breath as she snuggled on the crook of his neck. His grip on her thighs tightened, to let her know he was there to support her and be her strength.
As they walked, he could feel her whimper and shaking. She was finally letting it out, not worrying about a stupid gate or dragons. Just her with her own feelings.
His heart was tugging at the sound of it and as much as he would want to take her pain away, there was nothing he could do. Losing Aria would forever have an impact on Tessa.
It took a while for them to reach the castle, due to all the broken down buildings. Tents were already put up for the injured soldiers and mages from guilds that helped during the invasion. However, through everything, he could see the familiar Fairy Tail flag sweeping with the wind. Dawn was almost there and the cool breeze was softly blowing. As he neared, the familiar head of the lightning dragon came into view.
He had heard what Laxus told Aria just as the final event had started, and as much as he wanted to tell Tessa what he said, he couldn't bring himself to do so. Laxus was a mess. The cool collected asshole of a dragon was suffering and Gajeel pitied him. He never thought that would be the case. Never in a million years. But just on how Tessa lost something, he did too.
Mirajane was the first one to spot them and she quickly went over to them. Tessa carefully removed herself from Gajeel and welcomed the warmth of Mira's embrace. She may be young, but Mira was the mother figure of the guild. Her soft smile and sweet voice seemed to always fill anyone with joy, even through their hardest times.
Tessa cried more as Mira held her and the take over mage comforted her, running her hands through her golden brown locks.
And just like that, everyone started to pay their respects to her. Natsu was serious and quiet. He had witnessed Future Lucy dying, but then finding out about Aria through the Master when everyone started to come together left him feel empty as well. He had liked the woman. She was an exceptional partner to have during a fight. Juvia leaned against Gray as she felt sorrow, and surprisingly, he didn't push her away. He comforted her by wrapping an arm around her. Cana was holding on to Bickslow, who had been quiet ever since the dragons disappeared.
Eventually, Laxus finally had the guts to go up to Tessa. He was nervous. If the woman knew what his last words were to Aria, Tessa would officially hate him. But by the look Gajeel was giving him, it seemed she didn't know.
She felt him coming up to her, and as she wiped her tears, she looked up at him. There was so much she wanted to say to him, but she couldn't say anything because she could see through the dark hue his gray eyes had taken and how bloodshot they were, that he was in so much grief. She knew he was the only one from the entire guild that knew what it was like to lose Aria. Because he had loved her. She always had the suspicion, but seeing his face and the dark circles under his eyes, she knew he had been deeply in love with her.
From his pocket, he pulled out the fingerless glove Aria had worn in the arena. He had the other one in his pocket, the one Wendy gave back, but he knew the other one, the right hand one, belonged to Tessa. She had been Aria's right hand, her support, her family for so long.
She didn't know it was possible for her eyes to cry even more, but she let out a choked sob as she took a hold of the glove. She brought it up to her face and she inhaled her scent. Pine trees combined with the smell of rain. She looked at Laxus again and then she embraced him, her hand gripping for dear life the glove. He held the small woman and he hated that his eyes were burning again.
That's when Porlyusica appeared and her eyes held guilt. Makarov was the first one to spot her and he went up to her.
"What happened?"
Laxus heard and his head rose to see him talking to the old witch. He didn't like the look she had on her face. He pulled away from Tessa and made his way over.
She bit the inside of her cheek as she did not want to say that she had attempted to bring Aria back to life. She didn't want to give them hopes.
"I am not sure what happened," she said carefully and evenly, "But as we were in the mountain range, her body just disappeared. The soldiers carrying her looked for her, but nothing. A bright light had appeared, and she was just gone."
The news hit him like a boulder falling on his body combined with a hot knife digging at his heart. Now they couldn't even bring a body back to be buried.
A week went by after the dragon incident that the King decided to throw a ball to commemorate the success of the dragons going away and for Fairy Tail winning the games. They were congratulated by others from the other guilds as well as noble people that were invited to the festivities.
They tried to mingle, but those from Fairy Tail were having a hard time to do so.
Evergreen looked at her glass of champagne as she sighed, "So, he didn't come out?"
Freed sighed as he put his hands inside his pants, "No. He wouldn't even open the door at least."
Bickslow shook his head, "He's not doing good man. I took a look… at his soul… it's bad."
She sighed again, "Tessa isn't doing any better. Gajeel stayed in the room with her. It feels like she's doing worse than before."
Gray had been passing by with Juvia when he heard Evergreen, "Today was going to be her birthday."
Evergreen gasped as her eyes automatically welled up in tears again, "Oh my God…"
"How do you know?" Bickslow questioned immediately.
"Juvia had gone back to the room, to see if they needed something. Gajeel came out and through the door I could hear her cry. He's the one that told Juvia," the water mage said sadly.
It seemed that the cloud of sorrow wasn't going to leave them any time soon.
Sting heard them loud and clear from where he stood and his eyes burned. He blamed himself. He really did. Part of him wanted to go and provoke the lightning mage just to put him out of his misery.
Rogue cleared his throat from behind him and pointed, "She's there."
Sting rose his head and his heart skipped a beat as he caught eye of a silver/white head on the crowd. But it wasn't the same shade. And it wasn't her scent. It was Yukino.
He took a deep breath because he knew what he had to do. That's what she would have wanted him to do.
He straightened his shoulders and started walking, "Hey, Yukino!"
The following day after the party, they went back to Magnolia. The citizens cheered them on the moment they came in, with Natsu holding the trophy big in the air. However, those that really knew him knew that the smile on his face was forced. Laxus lingered all the way of the back of everyone, alongside Tessa and Gajeel. There was a carriage that inside it, was an empty casket.
Tessa despised the fact that they were going to bury an empty casket. She didn't even see her at all. All she could think was Aria's encouraging words for their mission to get Lucy back.
Tessa held on to that memory for dear life. She knew everyone else that had watched the games were remembering her in her worst state. Dead. Her memory was of her alive. Grinning at her with her leather one piece and her shoulders covered and ripped jean shirts and thigh high combat boots.
Gajeel could sense her distress again, so he wrapped an arm around her and held her.
Funny enough, even the sky of Magnolia was cloudy.
A week later, it was the funeral.
Kardia Cathedral was decorated beautifully. The participating guilds of the games got there early on that day. Lucy, Cana, and Levy were making sure everyone would be seated comfortably for the ceremony. All of them were paying their respects to the whole guild, specially those that had been close to her. The weather had not changed whatsoever, as a storm could be felt brewing with anticipation. Blue lilies had been brought to decorate the seats. According to Mira, who had gotten ready the entire thing, Tessa told her those had been Aria's favorite flowers.
Tessa finished getting ready, but she couldn't bring herself from her spot on the bed. In her hand, she still held Aria's glove and her eyes burned again. It just felt so unnatural.
Gajeel came in, dressed in an all black suit. His red eyes settled upon her form.
"It's going to start soon."
She looked up at him and he could see the deep blush on her face as she held back what she felt.
She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it and asked something else, "Have you talked to Laxus?"
"Last I knew he wasn't talking to anyone."
She sighed heavily. That's not what she was hoping to hear.
She stood up from the bed, her black skirt falling just over her knees as she fixed her sweater. She grabbed her purse and looked at him, "I'll go over to his house. I still have half an hour before it starts and it's on the way anyways."
Gajeel turned around as he had been heading to the door, "Are you sure?"
She wiped her face as she nodded, "Yes. In case Natsu gets out of control or something, you can be there. Maybe Laxus will talk to me."
He sighed but followed her as she made her way out the room. Her small heels clicked on the wooden floor as they walked down the stairs. He locked their house and walked her over to Laxus' place. She had been there once, to find Aria, but because of how much she has cried, the memory was hazy.
When they got there, Gajeel opened the gate to let themselves in. Right at the entrance, Evergreen, Bickslow, and Freed stood, all dressed in black. That was the first time Tessa had ever seen the woman with her hair tied back.
Tessa's green eyes moved to the inside of the house, "He's there?"
The three of them exchanged looks and nodded. "He's been inside her room ever since we got back from Crocus," Evergreen softly said.
"Only times he's come out is to shower… but even then that's rare… The last time he ate was three days ago," Freed shook his head.
Bickslow sighed heavily, "He won't talk to us."
A determined look graced her pretty face as she looked at the door. She didn't say anything as she stepped in and went up the stairs. Her nose led her to the room that just reeked of alcohol.
She took a deep breath and brought her small fist to the door and knocked softly, "Laxus? It's Tessa. Please, let me in."
She waited and waited. Just as she was about to knock again, she heard the click of the door and then it was opened. Her throat burned as she took the state he was in. There was deep dark circles under his eyes and they were still bloodshot, probably more than hers.
He opened it wider to let her in. She took in the state of the room, the numerous bottles on the small nightstand and on the bed. She saw some of her clothes scattered everywhere and the frown in her face deepened. They fainlty smelled like her. She closed the door behind her and turned on the light. He winced at the sudden light. He had the curtains closed the entire time he was there.
Something on the dresser caught her attention. Two picture frames.
One was of her and Aria at a music festival in Hargeon when they were seventeen. It had been Aria's idea to see the wizarding band since it was Tessa's favorite. They snuck in through the back and watched the entire thing. They had gotten spotted that they broke in and were kicked out. Outside of it, someone with a lacrima polaroid camera took a picture of them. Tessa had jumped on her, smiling at the camera while doing the peace sign with her tongue sticking out while Aria was giving her a look. It described their personalities perfectly.
The second picture was very hard to look at. It was of Aria and Laxus.
She gently grabbed it as she looked at it close, "When was this? I don't think I ever saw her wearing this before."
He walked up to her as he chugged the bottle in his hand, "Last day of training with the team before the games. I had no clue they took a picture of us. It was a summer festival. Probably Evergreen is the one that knew a picture was taken of us and gave it to her."
Tessa couldn't help it, but a tear fell down and landed on the picture frame. It was a beautiful picture. They were in the middle of the dance floor, with Laxus dipping Aria while the silver haired beauty had the biggest smile on her face. Even Laxus was smiling in the picture. She could see in their eyes that anything else around them didn't matter.
"Are you here to yell at me? Go for it. I deserve it."
His words were very slurred but she was able to make out what he meant, "What are you talking about it?" she asked as she looked at him confused.
"It's my fault she's dead. Don't you understand?" the volume of his voice increased, "I let my stupid fucking jealousy get in the way. I didn't hear her out. I told her I didn't wanna have anything to do with her! You—You didn't see her face, the way her eyes looked at me! If I— If I hadn't said that, if I had just heard what she had to say, she would've fought back. She wouldn't have let Minerva end her. Don't you fucking get it Tessa?!" He shouted, "I killed her!"
His grip on the bottle in his hand tightened and then hurled it at the wall. It instantly shattered as it made contact with it.
She didn't flinch at his outburst, "It's not your fault. None of this is your fault."
She took a deep breath as she looked at the picture, "This was just a crazy twisted way of fate playing with us. Whoever is up above just wanted to see us suffer. Things went south the night of that bar. I knew it was going to get complicated, but I hoped and prayed you would have your happy ending together. You didn't notice the way she would look at you. She loved you. She did. She was just too stubborn. This whole thing is all kinds of fucked," her voice broke, "She should've been alive after that fight. Minerva shouldn't have gone that far, but she did. That's the only person I point a finger to."
"I should have killed her."
"As pleasant as that would have been, it would not have brought her back."
She sniffed as she rubbed her eyes, "I ask that you please go today. She meant so much to you. If not, you wouldn't be like this."
He walked over to her and carefully grabbed the picture that she was holding.
"I loved her," his soft declaration echoed in the room. She could see the corner of his eyes becoming redder as they were fixed on the picture.
Her voice trembled, "I know you did. I need you to go. You-You are the only one that knows how I'm feeling, besides Gajeel. I'm barely hanging by a thread Laxus. I can't stand knowing that you're in here, killing your liver, on your own. She would hate me if I let you… Just please come..."
She started to cry. Her hand shook as she held her face, "I miss her!"
He immediately wrapped his arms around her as she shook. She was so fragile in her current state, he felt she was going to break. She gripped his shirt, not caring that she was getting it dirty, "We were suppose to celebrate her birthday together once we were back home, and instead I'm about to go to her funeral!"
The tears fell from his gray eyes as he held her. It wasn't fair. None of it was fair.
He wasn't sure for how long they were like that in the room, "I'll go."
She nodded against his chest, pleased with his answer, "Shower first. You stink."
And for the first time in so long, he chuckled.
"This was supposed to be a celebration to all of us. Not just for winning the games but to celebrate her birthday that was a week ago," Makarov said as he stood in the podium. The empty casket was at the front of the altar, Fairy Tail's flag draped over it as a picture of Aria was in a frame right behind it, "But grief has settled upon us. Our hearts are heavy as today we say goodbye to someone that changed our lives.
I still remember the day Tessa and Aria came into the guild. Tessa was ready to help," he stopped as Tessa and Laxus made their way in. They walked all the way at the front, with her pulling at his arm, and had him sit next to her as Gajeel was on her right. He immediately took her hand and she gripped it in gratitude. Makarov nodded at them, glad to see his grandson out of the house, "But Aria was unsure. Oh I could see it in her eyes. But she did it anyways. She took leadership, pointing those that were there to the right direction on what to do. And she gave my grandson a run for his money," scattered chuckles were heard. Even Laxus almost cracked a smile.
"But things weren't easy. Her magic wasn't stable. She needed help. And she got the help she needed and grew into a powerful wizard. She fought hard to get to where she was. Her strong heart is what made me select her for the trials, which was seven years ago for some of you. She protected her guildmates, and even then, she was ready to give up her life to make sure they were okay. You all saw her during the games. A force to be reckoned with! She was selfless. Ready to lend a hand to anyone and not afraid to confront those that were in the wrong. She was indeed, a fighter. Her strength will continue on to live in our hearts. The impact she created, will forever live within us. Today we celebrate her life."
And with that, he raised his right hand, index finger and thumb pointing upwards in sign of their guild, "For Aria."
Natsu was the first one to stand up and he raised his arm, "For Aria."
And then Gray followed along, then Erza, Wendy, Lucy. Little by little everyone that attended rose their hands to join in. Sting's head was bowed down as he got up and rose it. Lector jumped on his shoulder as he cleaned the tears that were coming down from his partner's face.
Gajeel then raised and soon was followed by Tessa. Her tear streaked face turned to look down at Laxus, who's eyes were bearing into the picture that stood there.
Come on Sparky, get up.
He gasped, turning his head around because again, he heard her. He swallowed the heavy lump in his throat as he got up, placing his right hand on Tessa's shoulder for support as he raised his left.
"For Aria."
And that is it! The story has reached its final chapter. I know this probably wasn't the route that some of you were expecting this would go.
However! A sequel is now on the works. So be looking out for that. I'm still struggling on figuring out a title for it. Again, thank you all for your support!