Reviews are Nice; The pairings are NOT decided yet. I get people like Vander/Lucy, I like them too, they're adorable when she's sassy and keeps up with him, but...I really don't know if they will get together or if it will be a friendship...or how far this darkness is going to go.

I don't own Fairy Tail. Mashima Does.

I don't own the Pradesh Clan. Desna does (and thank you for them).

I own the Storyline. That's it. Apparently I have also adopted "Good Hestor".

I also own All Things "Bellum" in this Story. it's my original creation, including the characters within the country.

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The group was settled after dinner, Bickslow looking at Xally in confusion, just like he had been the entire evening.

"Bixy…" Xally looked at him over her mulled cider, "spit it out." She arched an eyebrow, "you're being weirder than normal."

Bickslow frowned, "well...I thought ya two were mates...you zeroed in on each other on the island…did he put his mate mark somewhere hidden?"

Xally and Laxus both started laughing, the woman putting her drink aside as she rolled off the couch and wrapped her arms around her stomach. Kaleb sat there and snorted in humor, shaking his head as Xally's laughter even reached her mind.

The group all watched, snickering as they sat there and waiting. It took a good ten minutes for Laxus to stop chuckling and another five for Xally to eventually stop bursting out into laughter after small fits of calm.

Xally slowly pulled herself up onto the couch next to Bickslow and patted his arm, "That's a good joke..."

"But..you two...at the island..." The Seith mage looked utterly and completely confused as he looked between a very relaxed, but highly amused looking Laxus and his sister.

"Bixy...we shared pleasure when he was here before...we would have known then," Xally smirked at him, "his dragon just recognized me as a receptive partner"

"Well, now I feel stupid about what I yelled," Bickslow scratched his cheek as he sat there.

Lucy let out a low laugh from where she was curled up between Vander and Zen. "it's fine, but I mean...tensions run high, especially after you guys thought you were dead and then boom!"

Zen snorted softly and kissed the top of her hair, "Don't tease."

Lucy grinned up at Zen, "aww, okay."

"Punishment, Hime?"

Bickslow let out a screech as he fell forward off the couch, half turning and looking at Virgo. That made the entire group dissolve into more laughter, especially when the Maid Spirit simply had the bags for the group that had retrieved them.

~)~)~)~)~)~

Bickslow pursed his lips, "So...let me get this straight...Weirdo-"

"Hestor," Lucy scowled at Bickslow and crossed her arms on her chest.

Hestor looked faintly amused as he was settled in a bay window, reading a book as Lucy caught the Seith mage up on 'current' events.

"-is from a wacky Stellan Celestial Mage family that worked with Seith Mages…" He looked between them, "and judged criminals in Southern Stella in a city close to the Boscan border…"

Hestor let out a hum, "Correct and the reason I felt off was because I only had part of the set." He arched an eyebrow at Bickslow, "or do i still feel dark?"

The Seith mage frowned as he sat there, eyes flickering before he studied Hestor for a moment, "...nah...it's like...muted now...with green magic as well."

"The Brothers of Ma'at," Hestor smiled, "Their magic is in a more green magic realm."

Bickslow pursed his lips, "yeah...you're not as creepy now...still creepy and weird...because...sorry dude...I grew up around you during that weird phase…"

Hestor shrugged, "and I still see you as that buffoon that Lucy calls one of her better friends." He arched an eyebrow as he sat there, smirking a bit.

There was a knock at the door and all three looked over, Lucy smiling as she saw Kaleb, "hey."

Bickslow watched out of the corner off his eye as Hestor seemed to withdraw a bit and nodded to Kaleb before looking back to the book in his lap, "sup, bro?"

Hestor spoke, "Master Kaleb." he flipped a page in the book, finding it 'riveting' at that exact moment.

The Seith mage didn't miss his older brother flinching at the Celestial Mage's words, realizing something was going on. Hell, the tension in the air alone let him know that.

Lucy looked between the two and smiled, "c'mon Bixy, I've got to show you all the new Spirits I got." she stood and stretched, "we'll be back, Hes."

Hestor let out a low hum, hearing two sets of footsteps leave and let out a soft sigh, "can I assist you in any way, Master Kaleb?"

Kaleb carefully closed the door behind him and took a breath. He could feel the standoffishness in Hestor and knew he had to do this carefully. Or he should. The man stood there for a moment and then slowly walked over to Hestor. The mindbender carefully put a bookmark in the book, closing it and taking the sharp look from the other light haired male, "...I'm sorry. I...if I could turn back time...I'd take back those words that hurt you...I didn't mean them. I...my pride got in the way all these months..."

Hestor's features went from sharp to wary as he sat there, staring up at Kaleb as the man took the book and he folded his arms across his stomach, almost as if trying to protect himself. He was confused, hurt and not sure where Kaleb was going.

Kaleb looked at Hestor for a long moment, setting the book aside and then reaching out. He flinched at the slight recoil from the other man and then spoke softly, "I...was frustrated, and I lashed out." he took a moment, then gently sat down next to Hestor, "...as frustrating as you are, I missed talking to you." he gave the other a small smile as he sat there, gently running his fingers through Hestor's hair, playing with the silvery blond strands.

Hestor's brow furrowed and he felt his chest ache, "Then...why did you say it? Why did you…" there were so many questions, from that day after the games to the New Year's party and the pain just took his breath away. He'd truly thought he'd gotten past it.

The mindbender looked into the steel gray eyes and spoke softly, "I don't know. I know better...I was...raised better than that. I grew up in a house with Lucy…" he let out a soft sigh, "I don't think Celestial Mages are weak."

"Then…." Hestor trailed off, arms tightening just a bit around his stomach as he looked away and out the window.

Kaleb watched the other man and then carefully drew his hand down, cupping his cheek and making the man look at him, "It was like I was speaking without thinking, compelled to...and it hurt me afterwards. Cris...couldn't find anything wrong...and for months, something made me feel justified that I had done no wrong."

"You wouldn't talk to Lucy that way," Hestor spoke softly, head tilting down a bit as he sat there, eyes lowering to his own knees.

Kaleb nodded, "I know...and it was very wrong of me to act that way….and...part of me aches, feeling you hurting like this." his voice was soft.

"The New Year's party?" Hestor spoke softly, feeling a bit broken as he sat there.

Kaleb quirked his lips a bit, "Which part?"

"You acting like a possessive asshole?" Hestor quirked an eyebrow, eyes flickering up to look at Kaleb.

The mindbender blushed a bit and shrugged, "I...don't know...exactly where that came from. Part of me was...so angry at the thought of you with someone else, even my own brother and I couldn't figure it out. It was like the same thing that was making me be...well…"

"A jackass?" Hestor smiled faintly when Kaleb chuckled and nodded slightly. He took a breath though and watched the mindbender, "...where do we go from here? I'm…"

Kaleb spoke softly, "you're hurting...and...I have a lot of ground to regain." He gave the other a small smile, "I'd like to work on it." he paused, "without outside interference."

Hestor arched an eyebrow as he looked at Kaleb, "what do you mean by that?"

Kaleb pursed his lips, as if trying to find the right words, "I know we have to start over because of what happened, I can see it in your eyes." he took a breath and slowly let it out, "so..please, let me try again to see...where...this…" he motioned with his free hand between them, "will go."

Hestor stared into Kaleb's eyes for a moment and nodded, "no more kisses to shut me up when I'm ranting."

Kaleb opened his mouth and then shut it, grinning sheepishly before nodding, "Alright."

"You start from the ground up...you need to re-earn my trust, Kaleb...I've hurt for almost a year."

"I know...and I'm sorry." Kaleb leaned forward, not quite letting their lips touch, "let me make this right."

Hestor let out a low sound, eyes falling shut a bit at the closeness and he smiled as he murmured, "deal." he leaned forward, pressing their lips together. He didn't fight the feeling of needing to melt into the man. He might be hurt still, but they would try and he hoped nothing went too wrong.

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Laxus stood out in the hallway of the medical wing, looking at a door with a furrowed brow. He heard voices inside.

"I feel a lot better, Cristoff."

"I know, Rowan," Cris' voice carried his smile, "I'm just checking on you. You were in a really bad way there since Lucy, Van and Zen mated."

Laxus made a face as he stood there. He took a breath and slowly opened the door, "hey, Cris, uh...Rowan...right?" The lightning slayer looked at the mage that was there and his inner dragon raised its head, purring out the word 'mate' in his head.

The Redheaded Green mage watched Laxus, eyes locking onto the other man and Cris looked between the two. The slayer could feel the magic rising and grinned, "...I'll leave you two...and put a do not disturb on the door."

The Lunar Slayer slowly stepped out, listening to what was going on for a moment.

"You're...my mate," Laxus' voice was soft and shuffling footsteps took him closer to the bed the other man was on.

Rowan made a curious sound, "we've barely talked."

Laxus snorted softly, "dragons want what they want."

"Cocky, aren't you?" Rowan sounded amused as he tilted his head, lips quirking in a smirk.

Laxus let out a low growl as he leaned over the other man, "yeah…" his eyes danced, "but well deserved."

Rowan let out a low chuckle, "oh, Thunder dragon, you don't know what you're getting into." his hands shot out and he grabbed the purple shirt the slayer was wearing, dragging him close and into a bruising kiss that tore moans from both of them. When they parted just a bit, he murmured, "give me two days. You've made me very ill...I'm going to have to punish you."

"Punish?" Laxus' brows shot up as he looked down at Rowan.

Rowan just let out a low growl as he grinned, "punish."

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Kaleb watched Hestor as he and Lucy sparred. Using the Keys of The Hall of Two Truths at one time was obviously not something that Hestor wanted to do, he believed that promise that Hestor had given him, but using the Spirits alone or in mixed pairs was interesting. Hestor was picking up more and more from their own spars and even a few private lessons in his own private training area.

The man still had a very lithe build and Kaleb was fairly certain he wouldn't look good any other way, which was why instead of muscle building, pushing the upper limits of what Hestor could lift, he had him on muscle toning. This kept Hestor able to move quickly, which, for a Celestial mage, he was coming to believe was the biggest part of what they needed to be able to do: get out of the way, even if they were fighting in a battle. The support that they could offer would be useless if they got hit and hurt.

The Mindbender had wondered, given the first few times he'd seen Hestor sparring the man was using weapons, if it was simply a female Celestial Mage trait that they needed to be able to dodge, but really, after watching the two, it was something all of them needed to do. He understood he could have asked Dean Kalperdan, but somehow, he felt that he needed to do it this way: Discover how Hestor ticked, not just Celestial Mages in general.

He'd taken over a decade to understand how Lucy worked, at least partially; She was still very much able to knock his thinking for a loop. He studied the two, having brought them to his private training area when he felt..strangely like they were being watched. It wasn't uncommon, but it was the type of watching that had the small hairs on the back of his neck standing on end.

Lucy was only using Genbu, trying to get used to the spirit, while Hestor was throwing almost everything he could at her. The two were panting and Hestor was no closer to actually hitting Lucy in their spar. Genbu was, amazingly enough, a versatile Spirit that offered plenty of defense and offense as well.

Hestor was the first to fall, and not from a hit. The mage just groaned and flopped down, laying on his back and panting, "okay. I give."

Genbu chuckled softly as he watched and crossed his arms on his chest with an amused look on his face, "There is a reason I am one of the Four Kings."

Lucy slumped to her knees, "other than you pull a massive amount of magic?"

Genbu arched an eyebrow, "there is that."

The blonde looked at him, "normally I'm able to actually pull from Van and Zen…"

The King of the North shook his head, "you won't with our keys. It's a safeguard that we put in them when the archangels and others were created. We're not meant to walk this realm for long periods of time…" he trailed off, lips moving into a thin line.

Lucy watched him for a moment and then reached out, gently touching his leg, "it happened before, didn't it?"

The Spirit looked down at Lucy, giving a small nod, "it did. Our last contractor killed four archangels in a fight by keeping one of us out and draining them to sustain us. We won't have it happen again."

Lucy sat there, realizing what he was saying and horror flickered over her face as she brought her hands to her mouth, "why…"

Genbu gave her a thin lipped smile, "I offer an ultimate form of defense. That is why."

Lucy puffed her bangs out of her face and nodded, "okay." She smiled faintly, "so...when is a good time to call you?"

"Use my key as a last resort, if I don't respond…" Genbu trailed off as he looked at her.

Lucy nodded once, "That means you think I'm strong enough to handle it with my other keys and resources."

"Exactly," He gave her a small smile, "we have faith in you." He looked towards Hestor, "you've surrounded yourself with good, strong and steadfast companions, Star Maiden. Never doubt the power both of you hold."

Hestor groaned as he sat there, "well at least I got a work out."

Kaleb chuckled softly and shook his head, "yes, you both did, I'd suspect the magical work out was more than the physical one."

Lucy smiled as she watched the two, features soft as she saw the trust slowly mending. It would be a long road, she knew, but...she had faith that it would work out. A Celestial Mage did not chose The One easily. It was a long process and she knew for a fact that he didn't have to tell so much to Kaleb if he'd wanted to go after the keys, he felt he could trust and find something more there.

Hestor looked up at Kaleb as the mindbender crouched down. He watched the other, too tired to move too much and smiled faintly as the larger man brushed sweaty hair back, "What?"

"Bath," Kaleb's lips quirked as he stared at the other, eyes soft.

Lucy let out a laugh, tugging just gently on her bond with Vander, "well, I'll be going! Enjoy the bath." she grinned broadly before shadows curled around her, then two warm arms and she smiled up at Vander, offering up a kiss before the two were gone.

Genbu rolled his eyes, but had a fond look in his eyes before he bowed his head slightly to the two men and disappeared back to the Celestial realm.

~)~)~)~)~

Genbu stretched, stepping into the Palace again with a warm smile on his features. It felt good to be home. He frowned as he felt a disturbance, moving fluidly through the halls until he got to the great room and rolled his eyes as he saw Cassiopeia.

The female was snarling at Suzaku and the Firebird looked about ready to attack, "what do you four think you are doing?!"

"I think, Cassiopeia, we are doing what we pledged to do Eons ago," Genbu called out as he moved through the doors, water soothing through the marble and swirling about to collect in the empty pools.

"YOU!" The spirit spun and sneered.

Genbu watched her and then moved past her, hand gently curling out, running along the delicate and defined cheek of Suzaku. The two smiled softly at one another before Genbu turned, "me. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

She hissed, "what are you four plotting?! I have a perf-"

"We may be required, by the Spirit king to receive any spirit that wishes to visit..," Genbu spoke, knuckle gently continuing to stroke Suzaku's cheek, "however..."

Before she could speak again, Suzaku spoke in a calm voice, "you need to leave, you are not welcome here...you have not been welcome here since The Holy Wars."

The female spirit pointed at the two, "we will have this conversation! If I have to go to the King himself!"

The two watched as she spun and stormed away, Genbu letting out a soft chuckle as Suzaku lightly nuzzled him, "Hello."

Suzaku spoke in a soft voice, "welcome home, I missed you."

"I missed you more," Genbu relaxed against the taller spirit, eyes closing.

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"So...tell me more about what happened last Summer," Kaleb spoke softly as he sat with Hestor in the bay window the man was rather partial to.

Hestor let out a hum, eyes half lidded as he read and used Kaleb's shoulder as a rest, "after you got knocked out?" his lips quirked a bit, but his eyes were still guarded.

Kaleb gave a small nod, "Yes." he wanted to wrap an arm around the other, but didn't, not daring to as Hestor was finally relaxed. He'd noticed that the man still flinched from time to time when he tried to touch him; he knew it would be a long road, but...getting Hestor comfortable with just touch after he broke his trust would be a journey.

Hestor let out a soft sound, "you were hit...and haven't you wanted the Lacrama recording?" he glanced up at Kaleb, arching an eyebrow.

Kaleb made a face, "it's confusing to me. I'd rather hear you explain what happened."

Hestor let out a low hum that sounded incredulous before he looked back to the book, slowly flipping a page, "I didn't have all the keys, but...from what we've gathered, after the attack on Zen, the celestial realm was ready for a fight." he took a breath and pursed his lips, "when your dumb ass decided to play hero-"

"I was protecting my mage," Kaleb huffed as he looked down at Hestor, scowling a bit.

Hestor smiled faintly, "-again, played hero, I called the keys I had, intent on...I don't know…" he paused and spoke softly, "no...I do know...I wanted to kill him." he took a breath and let it out slowly, "Then...the others of the set appeared, forcing me to open the Hall of Two Truths...it took all my willpower to actually make the demand I did." he made a face.

"It was the right choice, " Kaleb mentally consoled, shifting his head to very gently kiss the other's temple.

Hestor gave a small smile as he looked at the book, "instead of summoning the Hall of Two Truths there...we were brought back to the main arena…" his voice trailed off, "...they called me a member of the Xing family...and...I.." he shook his head, "I don't know...It's all very hazy."

"Hazy?" Kaleb frowned slightly, "what do you mean, Hazy?"

Hestor paused, a hand moving to his mouth as he thought, "Like...I was underwater, I suppose. The Spirits were using me as a conduit for that, but...I had very little control because I was not contracted to all the keys." he shook his head, "It...was Hazy."

Kaleb shifted a bit, daring to carefully lift his arm and drape it around Hestor. The Flinch was almost gone, but it was there, "go on."

"The mages were judged after your Uncle Tesso came..you were put in the crystal the Spirits brought...and then...we waited." Hestor let out a huff, "and you know the rest from there."

Kaleb looked out the window, letting his chin rest on top of Hestor's head as he gave the man a small tug, ignoring the indignant sound as he pulled the other into him a bit more. "I'm sorry. I...don't know how many times I will have to say it until I don't feel guilty."

Hestor murmured, "I'll tell you when it's enough, or when i'm sick of hearing it." his lips quirked a bit as he sat there then brought a hand up. The man idly touched the Lacrama that the mindbender wore on his choker, letting his fingers curl through it, "Promise."

Kaleb gave a small smile, "I know. Your promise is your word." he shifted and kissed the top of Hestor's head again.

"Good, now...off with you," Hestor pulled away a bit before he looked up at Kaleb, "you need sleep."

"I-"

Hestor pinned Kaleb with a firm look, "you've got bags starting under those eyes." He prodded the man in the chest lightly, "Don't argue...please?"

Kaleb wanted to shoot back that he had things he needed to do, but as the sunset curled over the two of them through the glass, he found he wasn't able to argue before giving a small nod, "Alright."

The two stood and Hestor moved to lead Kaleb to the door. There was no need for the two of them to talk; Kaleb didn't want to break the serenity of the moment and Hestor didn't know what to say, still working on making the ache go away.

They stood there as Kaleb stepped into the hallway and Hestor smiled, "Good night, kaleb." he leaned forward, gently kissing the man's cheek before stepping back inside and closing the door.

~)~)~)~)

Farron pursed his lips as he looked out over The Bellum Capital of Vonja. Bellum rarely reached out to the other countries, it's own internal strifes keeping it well within its own borders. It wasn't to say that they didn't have a presence on the 'world stage', but they kept it quite low. He could see the tension in the streets as the two Princes were currently fighting for the crown. Ironically, the two did not want bloodshed to actually fall onto their people and kept as much of it as Political as they could.

That didn't stop the factions that followed each prince from fighting, in fact, Farron mused, that is what made it so volatile.

Each Prince had children, Prince Admentos had two sons, both of whom would follow their father to death, either on the battlefield or by screening his food and drink. They'd already lost their sister to poisoned wine not a month earlier. Prince Karanos had three daughters. The Eldest Krasomila had been polite and cordial when she'd greeted him, her red hair pulled back into a stylized bun-hive. What had struck out to Farron was the eyepatch she wore; she had commented on his looks, but had smiled tensely when her father had asked about taking a husband or consort before pointing out she was his right hand and would not take anyone but the strongest of warriors as her partner. That had caused the second eldest girl to snort.

She was a warrior, through and through and Farron could see that. Her long red hair fell down her back and the leather with hints of lace that she wore alluded at that; as if the massive claymore she had on her back did not. Zlatica made it impossible for him to not realize that she did see him as someone she would pursue, if given an option.

The third daughter was soft spoken, but no less as hardy a warrior. Liljana was clothed in delicate robes, with many trinkets in her hair, but as a Holy Warrior of Thaulos. He'd not seen what she was capable of, but many shied away from the delicate looking young woman, almost in fear. Her eyes fascinated him, they were a deep orange color, not bright like Emzadi's, but a gentle orange that reminded him almost like embers in a campfire that were almost ready to go out.

He looked over his shoulder as he sensed someone coming and smiled at the young woman, "Princess Liljana, what do I owe the pleasure?"

The young woman smiled and bowed her head, hands held, he noted, tightly in front of her, "Father and Uncle are ready for you again." She tilted her head, "hopefully you can end this strife soon, so our people will stop destroying one another…"

Farron stood from his seat, "that is the plan." he smiled a bit more warmly at her and held out his arm "shall we?"

Liljana looked at the arm for a moment before nodding and turning, staring out of the room. This was what had Farron so confused about her. She very much came off like a lady, but it was as if she was afraid to touch anyone.

"Did I offend?" Farron watched her from the corner of his eye as they walked through the hallways at a slower pace than most walked. Though, the steps seemed to alert those in the hall and their eyes darted to the woman escorting him before they seemed to find rooms off the sides to be in.

The redhead smiled softly and shook her head, "no, Ambassador, why do you ask?" she paused, "oh, was it the offering of your arm?" she let out a soft laugh, that rolled over him in warmth, "most fear my touch. I am a holy warrior of Thaulos, his fire burns through my viens…" her voice softened, "I do not wish to burn you, which...has happened often in the past."

Farron nodded, "it...sounds like a double edged blessing." he was glad this woman would at least talk about the religion. Not that others wouldn't, but she did seem more open to it.

Her smile got a sad tilt to it and she murmured, "it is. My birth was a great blessing for the country, but...it also took my mother from my father and has kept me in a life of semi-isolation."

Losing his mother, Farron could understand and he gave a small nod as they walked, "I see."

The woman let out another warm, yet light and soft laugh, "it's easy to see, just by walking the hallways, Ambassador."

They paused when fighting was heard through a window and the woman gave a soft smile, "go down this hall, there's a large set of doors. I must help my sisters and cousins quell this fight."

She turned and Farron couldn't help but stare as she went right out the window, fire curling around her, embracing her and he stood at the window, watching. All five of the cousins stood, Liljana landing on light feet as fire continued to curl around her body. As the last to arrive, it created a question, but he saw many of the citizens stopping what they were doing just as the woman entered the field.

Her voice rang out, soft, yet powerful and he felt a shiver curl down his spine, "Our God Thaulos wishes you to not fight." the tone was pleading as she stood between the two factions, the other four redheads having pursed lips and looking like they had been ready for a fight. "Please, do not give into senseless violence."

Zlatica snorted as she hefted the claymore, letting it rest on her shoulder. It amazed Farron that the slender woman was able to wield the weapon with one hand, "they sta-"

"I am finishing it, Sister," Liljana gave her older sister a firm look, "do not make this more complicated than it need be."

One of the males, Matej, the elder of the two, spoke, his green eyes burning with fury, "if you had let us-"

"Cousin," The word was soft, but sharp and it was obvious that he was biting his cheek at the admonishment, "enough." She smiled warmly, "do not show this side to our visiting guests, the Distinguished Ambassador needs to see the best in all of us, from all walks of life."

Farron barely heard the scoff from the side of the mob that was behind the brothers before an arrow flew through the air. His eyes were wide, wondering if they knew what they were doing as it flew through the air towards the Holy Warrior and her hand came up. She curled her fingers and the arrow burst into flames.

"That is enough, do not disgrace our people any more," her eyes slowly went over the crowd and she pointed, "That is the man that attempted to attack me."

Dimnos, the younger of the two males turned, storming through the crowd and grabbing the man by the arm. He didn't listen to protests as he half flung the man into the middle area, eyes narrowing, "you dare attack one of Thaulos' chosen? The Arbiter of the Will of The Throne?!"

Farron had seen it before, while the two families were in an argument over succession, all four of the elder cousins were fiercely overprotective of Liljana. Her status as a Holy warrior made it so that she did not choose either side, but was an agent of the Throne, no matter who sat on it. She didn't seem happy with her place though and he realized that she was trapped there, by her magic, by her birthright and it made his heart reach out and ache a bit for her.