Part 37

Evergreen shivered with every step that she took. Not even Amaterasu's warm light could keep her from shivering. The two of them were heading towards a room they could not believe no one had thought to look in. Albion's room. With every step towards that room Evergreen noticed a change. The whole world became colder and darker with each step that she took. If Amaterasu felt it as well she certainly didn't show it. The Mountain King still walked with her head held high.

"W-what is this feeling", Evergreen asked as they continued to walk.

"Grief", Amaterasu said and gripped her hand gently. "Do not let it overwhelm you."

"I… I'll try…"

"No you can't just try", Amaterasu said sternly. "This darkness around you is Albion's grief. If it overwhelms you there is no telling what you will actually do to yourself or everyone here. We need to stay calm and gentle. Think of it this way: Albion is a child that is grieving and you are his mother."

Evergreen blinked. That was the most ludicrous thought she had ever been told to think! Freed had always been the one to look after her like she was a little sister to him. She remembered what had happened the first time they met. Evergreen had been an outcast in the village where she had lived. People tormented her whenever they saw her. After she turned a rich boy to stone they had decided to burn her at the stake. She still had nightmares of the flames coming closer and closer to her. Then lightning had struck from the sky, statues came alive and a purple shield appeared around her so that the flames and smoke could not reach her. She had heard screaming and had dared to raise her glance and had seen three young men fighting off the villagers.

A young man with green hair had turned around and gave her a reassuring smile. She had turned her gaze away to avoid turning him into stone. The young man had taken notice of that but continued the fight first. After the villagers had all fled the trio had freed her and had brought her away from the village. She had been too scared to look any of them in the eye. She had not wanted to turn her saviors into stone.

The green haired young man had stayed closed to her their whole journey back to their hometown. He had comforted her and had told her that her powers were not something to fear or be afraid of. He had even suggested an experiment. Evergreen had noticed that one of the boys wore a visor for some reason. Said boy had been asked to give his visor to her. The other boy had reluctantly done so. Evergreen had put it on and the green haired boy had asked her to look him in the eyes. It had taking some prodding for her to do so but when she did nothing had happened. The green haired boy had looked quite smug when he had told her and the others that her powers most likely worked like the boy's who owned the visor in the first place. For their powers to work they needed direct eye contact.

She had been formally introduced to them then. Freed. Bickslow. Laxus. She had told them her name. Medusa. A name the boys had all decided that she should discard. She could still not remember what her name had been before the villagers had started calling her Medusa so she didn't know what to call herself. Once again it had been Freed that came to her rescue. She had caught him singing a song and in that song he had sung the word evergreen. Hearing that word Evergreen had felt a warm feeling fill her chest. Yes, yes she was evergreen. Her powers, other than her eye-magic, was fairy magic and white magic and as Bickslow said… "Your soul is ageless, timeless." What he meant she still didn't know.

She looked at Amaterasu. The woman looked stoic but Evergreen could see the worry in her eyes. Evergreen could see the resemblance then and there. If Amaterasu had sharper jaw-lines, paler skin, green hair, shorter eyelashes, thicker eyebrows and a beauty-mark underneath her eye she would look just like Freed. They were not twin-like but they were alike. In their way of acting as well. Amaterasu screamed regal and thinking about it, so did Freed. He always carried himself in an almost regal way. She remembered a time when they had been on a mission and the one giving the mission had thought that Freed was Laxus because he was carrying himself like a true gentleman and nobleman, something a great man like Laxus Dreyar surely must do. Freed had been really amused at that and Evergreen had been tempted to join in with Bickslow's jokes about it.

Evergreen looked upon Amaterasu again. The older woman looked regal, acted regal and her whole being screamed royal as well as powerful. If she understood it correctly Amaterasu was the oldest of them, now that Metatron was gone. She was an older sister, the oldest sister. Everything seemed to rest on her shoulders now, what everything was Evergreen didn't really know but she could still feel that Amaterasu was carrying a lot on her shoulders. But there was a question Evergreen wanted to ask before they faced Freed.

"If… if you need to kill him Amaterasu", she spoke quietly. "Will you be able to?"

"It will not come to that", Amaterasu answered calmly.

"Are you sure?"

"Evergreen", Amaterasu said and turned to her. "I am the goddess of the sun, but I also governs life. If there is a way to save a life I will do it and I can do anything to make that happen. If I say it will not come to that you shall have to trust me."

"Is it your powers talking or the big sister talking?"

"Both", Amaterasu answered. In truth she was scared that it might have to come to that. She also knew that she was not strong enough to kill her little brother. Her powers could do it of course but she could not will herself to do it. She would find a way to save his life. She had to. She would not stand to lose someone that she loved.

They reached Albion's room and she reached for the door handle. She needed to put her own feelings of grief to the side. Metatron was her only older sibling and they were close. Closer than any of the others. Metatron was only older than her by a minute so they had always been together. It had taken hundreds of years before Hades and Hel had arrived. Then more years before Albion came. Oberon, Fortuna, Nyx and Nemesis had also come after more waiting and Amaterasu remembered what it felt like when they all did.

There was always light and warmth and life until the Lord and Lady of Death arrived. With them time actually came and they became aware of that time passes for everyone but them. Things were born and things died that is how it works.

After death came darkness. Not the darkness that Nyx would later bring, not the night. With Albion came shadow and he would later on bring out more sides to all that lives. When he came Amaterasu had been made aware of that there are things that even the sun cannot chase away and for the light to be seen darkness was needed around it.

When Oberon came so did the magical beings of the world. Oberon brought the magic out in nature.

Fortuna brought luck and fortune, things Amaterasu had never been aware of. Those were the things all her siblings had brought with them.

When Nyx came finally came the night and they were presented to the beauty of the night sky.

Nemesis was the last to arrive but only after Albion brought the true darkness out in the world.

Nemesis was young and restless. Truth was that had not Albion looked into the darkness and asked what it could do Nemesis would never have been born.

It was strange, Amaterasu governed life but she still had no idea where she and her siblings came from and why. Why did they even exist? They could not die of old age. They could not die after days without food or water. They could kill each other she was aware of that, but they didn't. So why was it that they had been created in the first place? She knew that Albion on a rampage meant the end of the world, but why did it mean that? Why were they so important anyway? What did it mean with Metatron upholding the throne? Why were Hades and Hel the Lord and Lady of Death? Why was she the goddess of the sun and governor of life? Why was Albion the King of Darkness? Why was Fortuna the one to see the future of all but herself? Why was Nemesis forced to listen to the voices of vengeance and why was it that Nyx had to hold the whole weight of the night sky on her shoulders?

Amaterasu shook herself to rid herself of these thoughts. She had bigger things to handle right now. She looked at Evergreen and when the girl looked at her Amaterasu blinked and then chuckled. So that Erza girl was not the only heir of the Fairy Queen. My, my, my baby brother Oberon surely would enjoy knowing he had two "daughters" running around in the world. Oh how love can be powerful. That's it!

"Evergreen there is no telling what we are going to face in there", she said calmly. "But remember that whatever happens, whatever we see we have to show Albion that we do love him. With all our hearts. Light is strong against darkness but love truly conquers all."

"That was the corniest thing I have ever heard", Evergreen said dryly. "You and Freed are defiantly related." With that she turned to the door. Amaterasu nodded and pulled it open and then there was nothing.

Well it wasn't really true. It was just that couldn't really see anything because of the darkness. The darkness covered everything. It was if they walked through a thick, black fog. Evergreen felt Amaterasu grip her hand lightly so that they would not lose each other in the dark. Evergreen gripped the locket around her neck with her other hand. Freed had dropped it in the throne room so she had taken it with her. It had helped before, maybe it would help again.

"Albion", Amaterasu called gently as they walked around. She raised her right hand and made it shine like a little lantern in the dark. Evergreen felt as if they were walking through a dark cave or something. She felt cold though, from the darkness trying to claw its way up her body.

"Freed?" she called carefully. "Where are you?"

"Albion, you do not have to be afraid", Amaterasu said. "I am not here to fight you."

"Then why are you here?" a voice asked and they walked towards it. Soon the found who they were looking for. Albion sat on the windowsill but there was nothing outside of the window. Only darkness. Albion sat and looked out at it anyway. His whole being seemed changed. He looked the same as last they saw him but there was just something off and Evergreen understood what it was. It was grief. It rolled off him in big black shadowy waves and it seemed never-ending. Amaterasu and Evergreen walked up to him and stayed their steps just a little bit away from him.

"We wanted to find you", Amaterasu said and let go of Evergreen's hand. "You are my little brother and I did not want you to be alone with your grief."

"That's why I came too", Evergreen said and stepped forward but Amaterasu gripped her shoulder before she could touch Freed. As if he was dangerous.

"Evergreen?" Freed asked.

"Yes", she said bravely. "I came to look for you because you are my big brother. We're family. That's Fairy Tail."

"Is it?" Freed asked and looked at her and she felt a chill run up her spine. His eyes had changed. Well not so much the eyes themselves but the area around them. Freed had cried, black tears. It looked as if tar or thick ink was dripping from his eyes and down his pale cheeks.

"Yes, never doubt that", Evergreen said, her voice a little shaky. "I know that it was one of our own that hurt one of your family members. But she didn't do it on purpose."

"Nemesis has already said they were sorry", Freed said and looked at his hands. "I could here them call this mess theirs. But really it was not their fault. Had I told the guild the truth from the start none of this would have happened."

"And had mankind not attacked us all those years ago Albion none of this would have happened at all", Amaterasu said sternly. "You cannot carry the weight of the world on your shoulders." She gently pushed Evergreen back and walked up to him and took his hands in hers. "We are here to help with that."

"How?" Freed whispered. "Metatron is dead. Nemesis is out cold and I cannot feel Hel's fires."

"I noticed that too", Amaterasu said gently. "But you know Nemesis. They let their emotions steer them most of the time. Why Hel does not burn anymore I am not sure of but we will figure it out together."

"I can't stop it Ama", Albion whispered and looked up at her as more tears came down his cheeks.

"Who said you had to stop it?" she asked and caressed his cheek gently. Evergreen moved closer.

"Your sister is right", she said. "You told me yourself that not all tears are of evil. You're grieving. It's normal when someone you care about dies. It's… human." She held the locket out to him. "I don't know exactly what the lot of you are", she continued and watched Freed take the locket carefully. "But you all are human as well."

"Why?" Freed asked and looked at the faces in the picture.

"Why what?"

"Why are we human as well?"

"You make mistakes, you have feelings, you regret, you act rashly, you do what you think is right, you fight, you comfort, you protect but above all… you feel something. A green haired boy once told me that what we feel is what makes us strong and right now… I feel happy that you are alive and that for the first time… everything makes sense to me."

"What do you mean?" Freed asked and looked at her confused.

"I have always known that there is more to you than just a Rune Mage Freed. I have always known that you are stronger. I have always felt that even you are the most honest of us all you have kept something hidden within you. First I thought it were those demon shapes you used in some of our fights. I guessed you were scared to show that side of yourself to the world. But now I finally understand what it is that you are trying to hide. You are trying to hide the fact that even though you are still Albion, angry at the world for taking your family from you, you are also Freed Justine. The Fairy Tail mage that can forgive the world and the people in it for what wrong they have caused him. You have put your life on the line for me and countless others through the years have you not? What makes you the strongest of us Freed is not your demon side or even your Mountain King side. It's your heart that makes you strong and even though you have now faced a loss that has broken it…" she took his hand. "We are all here to help you put it back together again."

She caressed his hand and looked at him. She remembered a song he had sung to her once and looked at his hand and sang gently:

I am not a child now.
I can take care of myself.
I mustn't let them down now
Mustn't let them see me cry.
I'm fine.
I'm fine.

In his mind Albion was suddenly back to the worst morning of his life. He had closed his eyes when Evergreen started singing and now his eyes opened slowly but he was no longer in his room. He was looking up at a cloudless blue sky. Birds were singing around him and the whole world was humming. He looked around himself. He knew this place. This was the valley of Crocus. He could see humans moving around in the distance, looking through rubble and rebuilding a city. But there in the middle something was missing and he suddenly remembered what.

I'm too tired to listen.
I'm too old to believe:
All these childish stories.
There is no such thing as faith,
And trust,
And pixie dust.

He gripped his head and screamed out his pain to the skies. He knew he should have felt his magic surge but it didn't. Had he lost that as well? No, no it was still there he was just completely emptied. Was Metatron behind this so that he would not destroy the world? How could he not!? He got up and roared in anger towards the sky. How dared the sun shine so joyfully while his family was destroyed!? He looked around, looking for someone or something to kill. He didn't care what it was as long as he could kill it! He took to the skies. Mankind would pay!

I try,
But its so hard to believe.
I try,
But I can't see what you see.
I try.
I try.
I try.

He closed his eyes and opened them again. The church was burning, the city was burning. Blood from one of his many victims was pouring down the side of his face. He looked at the gathered people and took to the skies again. Let his anger fall.

My whole world is changing,
I don't know where to turn.
I can't leave you waiting,
But I can't stay and watch the city burn;
Watch it burn.

Then she was there. The little girl that had made him change his mind. The dead girl. The innocent girl. The innocent victim of his rage. What had he done? He had turned into them! He had become a man. He had tried to destroy the world he had taken so much pride in help building. No, no, no, no this could not be happening. He gripped his head. He could not turn into one of them! He had to set things right! He had to! He had to stop it! He could do it! He could do it!

'Cause I try,
But its so hard to believe!
I try,
But I can't see where you see.
I try.
I try.

He had to redeem himself. He had fled Crocus. He would not return. He had found out the truth now. His family wasn't dead. He only had to wait. Wait them out. He could do that he could stay hidden. At least he had thought he could. The Dragon Wars, the Great Magic Wars. All of those wars he had taken part in. But he never stayed to get any glory. He did not want to be recognized. He did not want to be feared again. He did not want others to fear him again.

I try and try,
To understand,
The distance in between:
The love I feel,
The things I fear,
And every single dream.

Zeref the boy had said his name was. He had wanted to bring someone back from the dead. Did he not understand what that meant? That meant he wanted to tear the fabric of life and death, of time itself. It was foolish and stupid. He refused to help him. He warned Zeref. He truly did. But Zeref would not listen and now there was another dark wizard in the world. It was his fault. He knew it was. Had he just explained it to the boy. Had he not forced him away. Had he just talked him through it. Things would not be as they were now. But a little part of him wanted the boy to go and fulfill his dreams of bringing his brother back. Albion had been given the gift of immortality so that he could wait out the return of his family. He had lost them all and they would be returned to him. So a small part of him wished that Zeref would be allowed the same grace as well. That was why he turned him away. That was why he sought the boy out and explained what awaited him now. That is why they became friends of sorts. That was why Zeref's demons were created. Because they became friends. Because even though they were from different times and ages they still had two things in common. They were both wishing for lost loved ones to return and they were both alone in their own darkness. That's what made them friends. That's what made them…

I can finally see it.
Now I have to believe:
All those precious stories.
All the world is made of faith,
And trust,
And pixie dust.

Guild Mate. That is what the blonde boy had called the pink haired boy. Albion knew everything about magical guilds, well he thought so. He was not so sure anymore. This young rash dragon and the somewhat older dragon were both unaware of it but he could actually see it. These two could be strong together if they ever decided to fight together and not trying to outshine each other. If they just protected each other. In a way they were but not in a way a real family would but still. There was still hope. He couldn't really say what it was that intrigued him so much about these people and the winged cat. He had no idea what it was that pulled at his heart when he watched the blonde protect the younger boy and the cat. Maybe it was recognition. The blonde reminded him of Metatron and the younger boy reminded him of Nemesis. Were there people in this guild that could remind him of his family? Was it possible for him to find a new place to belong so that he could wait out the remaining years before his family arrived? He would need to go soon anyway. He needed to understand this new world his family would return to. Yes, he needed to know. So he gave up. He didn't really know why he surrendered. It just felt right. It felt right. These people felt right. He would later, among them, realize why it felt right. Because they like him was…

So I'll try,
'Cause I finally believe!
I'll try,
'Cause I see what you see!
I'll try.
I'll try!
I'll try!
I'll try-
To fly.

"Human", Albion whispered and looked up at him. "That is what I have tried to be and not be all my life. Human. Humans let their emotions run wild with them. Humans makes mistake. Humans give forgiveness. Humans live. Humans die. I have not died yet… am I still human?"

"Yes", Evergreen said. "If that is what you want to be."

"I want to be…" But whatever he was about to say died away on his lips. His eyes widened and he gripped his head and screamed. The Shadows! He needed to stop them. He flew up and pushed his sisters back. Evergreen stared as he stepped on the locket, crushing it by mistake. Amaterasu got up and hurried towards him.

"Albion!" she screamed in terror and reached out for him but before her shining hand could touch him he screamed and threw himself out of the window. Amaterasu jumped after him. Evergreen followed, calling out her wings.

Pain, pain, pain that was all he felt. He was angry at the world for taking Metatron from him, for making him not understand! For trapping him! For working against him! He was jealous of the humans! They didn't have to live forever! They didn't need to watch the ones they cared about die of old age! He wanted what they had! He wanted to be free of the burdens his existence had cast upon him! He also wanted revenge on the humans for abandoning them! They were the cause of everything going south! They were…. Human! He was hovering above the mountain and screamed. His darkness exploded around him and all over Crocus the Shadows looked up at him and started heading for him. He kept screaming.

Nyx, Laxus and the Twin Dragons looked up at the mountain in horror, or in Nyx' case worry. She bit her lip and took to the skies as fast she could. She needed to get to the mountain!

Hades crashed through the window after making sure that Gray and Bickslow were okay. He stood upon the wall and looked up at the scene in front of him. Hel appeared at his side, leaning on him heavily. Weakened from her fight. Amaterasu came to them as did Nyx. The four of them looked at each other and then they looked at their new opponent. Nemesis was nowhere to be found and Oberon was occupied in the throne room. Albion screamed again and the scream turned into a roar. A huge creature of darkness appeared above the castle. It had bat-like wings, long tentacle arms, claws, horns, fangs and burning red eyes. But in the center of its chest was a pulsing purple light.

"What now sister", Hades asked Amaterasu just as Fortuna arrived.

"Now", Amaterasu said. "We fight my siblings. Together. If we want to save the world we need to fight this with all our might."

"But… it's Albion", Hel whispered.

"Right now that is not our brother", Amaterasu said. "He is in there I know he is. We need to reach him but to reach him we must defeat him."

"For the fate of the world", Fortuna said. "We will need him to stop the disaster."

"One disaster at the time thank you very much", Nyx said and cracked her knuckles. They all readied themselves, knowing that the mages of Fairy Tail would come to them soon. Hopefully they could defeat Ahriman before it was too late to save the world and Albion himself.

Song is not mine.

Please review ^^ that makes me happy.