Author's Note: Please don't hate me for the piteously short chapter! I promise that they'll get longer! Pinkie promise! TT^TT

XXXVIII: Storm On The Horizon

Jet and Droy sat sullenly in Shadow Gear Books & Such, staring morbidly at the sheets of rain coming down from the sky. That day marked two weeks since they had last seen or heard from Levy.

They felt like such cowards, fleeing from the Beast's iron stronghold while Levy stayed. They begged the Rune Knights to rescue her, but their reaction to their testimony was as much the same as last time: blatant disbelief and ridicule. They refused to "waste their resources" on what they thought to be a fairy tale, but what Jet and Droy knew to be real.

As much as the image of Levy being held captive by the Beast tormented them, they knew they were no match for Gajeel Redfox.

"What are we going to do?" Droy whispered once more, hiding his face in his hands. "We can't leave her there. We have to save her, somehow."

"I know," Jet said for the millionth time. "But what are we supposed to do? We'd just be making things worse if we go down there by ourselves." He abruptly stood up and started pacing the room, feeling more and more like a caged animal. "We need someone stronger to help us, Droy. We're too weak to protect her."

"Who? No one believes us, and only a desperate person would march into the East Forest with the money reward we've managed to scrape up," Droy pointed out.

"What if we sold the shop?"

"No one's going to take the shop," Droy scoffed. "Besides, what would we do for money once we got Levy back?"

"It doesn't matter. All that's important is that we get her back," Jet said fiercely.

The bell above the door interrupted their debate, drawing their attention to the looming figure stepping into the bookstore. He was broad and tall, his face covered with a hood and his cape dripping with rain.

"We're closed," Jet said coldly.

The man removed his hood, revealing a shock of blonde hair and a chiseled face marred by a long scar. He glared at them for a moment, taking in the clutter of junk in the shop and its owners' sorry appearances.

"I'm just looking for a job," he said finally. "One that pays decently. And you guys look like you could use some help around here."

Jet and Droy exchanged a glance. This guy looked pretty strong, but they knew looks could be deceiving. "What's your name?" Jet inquired.

"Salux. Salux Reyard."

Jet fiddled with the rim of his hat, looking nervous. "How would you like to make a thousand jewels?"

"Jet, what are you doing?" Droy hissed.

"We need someone strong and desperate to save Levy, and this guy is perfect," Jet replied, jerking a thumb at Salux.

"I've got ears, you know."

"Sorry," Jet apologized. "Look, have you ever head of the Beast that lives in the East Forest?"

"Yeah, I used to hear stories about him all the time," Salux replied, crossing his arms and looking skeptical. "So what? He's just a myth."

"No, he's not," Jet said. "Our friend Levy was taken by him. We're not strong enough to get her back, so we need you to do it for us."

Salux rubbed his chin, scratching the translucent blonde stubble that was beginning to sprout. "I guess I can do that for a thousand jewels," he decided. "All I have to do is find the Beast's cave and bring your girl back, right?"

"Well, it's not a cave, exactly," Droy said. "It's a castle made completely of iron. The Beast, he's actually an Iron Dragonslayer who was cursed by the Witch of the East Forest after his dragon left. The story wasn't completely accurate."

"How do you guys know all this?" Salux asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He told us. Levy made a deal with him and he let us go. We told her we'd come back for her." Jet gave Salux an intense look. "That means you have to get her on our behalf, no matter what. Stop at nothing."

Salux held up his hands. "Alright, alright, I'll get your girl for you. It shouldn't be too hard for me to find a big metal structure. I'll whoop his ass and be back within three days, probably."

"Don't underestimate him," Droy warned.

Salux waved a dismissal hand as he turned and pulled up his hood, preparing to dart back out into the subsiding rain.

"Wait!" Jet said again.

"What now?" Salux growled.

"We're coming with you."

The blonde man snorted. "No way. I work alone."

"We're not giving you the job if you don't take us with you," Droy threatened. "We'll find somebody else."

"You're bluffing," Salux accused. "You wouldn't be offering me the job if everybody in Hosenka hadn't already turned you down."

"We'll go to Magnolia," Jet challenged. "Surely there's someone there who'll help us."

Salux narrowed his eyes. He did know of one powerful mage in Magnolia, one with a bleeding heart who would help anyone in trouble, no matter how ridiculous the situation. He sneered. "A cheap shot, but well played. Hurry up and pack your stuff. As soon as the rain stops, we'll go after your girl and kill the Beast."