Erza found that she was quite agitated when she realized that Jellal was nowhere to be seen. Again. For someone who'd simply refused to leave his fortress, he'd been out and about quite often as of late. She grumbled about it as she stalked through the fortress, seeking him.

It took her quite some time before she found her Keeper in one of the highest towers of the fortress. She couldn't imagine what he was doing up there; he'd only gone this high when they'd first been exploring the fortress at the beginning of their time here. But there was Jellal, seated on the stone floor with his goblin companion attached to his cloak, head tipped back to stare up at the open sky above. White breath puffed around his face as his revealed eyes searched the stars. Erza felt a flicker of unease; he'd never expressed interest regarding the idea of going home, to the stars. But that could always change.

"Hello, Erza," she heard him breathe, and she found her agitation melting away. Regardless of his annoying behavior as of late, she loved him. She loved him, and she knew he loved her. She took a seat beside him, and was somewhat surprised when his hand found hers, seeking comfort. She offered it where she could, not prying.

He told her anyways. "I saw the death of someone very important to our world, and there is nothing we can do to stop it." Erza blinked, realizing that there were dried tear tracks on his face. The goblin whimpered, pressing closer. Jellal never cried, even when he'd been freed from the Council's prisons.

Erza tightened her hand on his. "Who is it?"

"I can't say, or it could change what comes after." His voice was hoarse. "And what comes after must occur, or things will be even worse than a single death. There was another vision, too, one just as important involving Lucy." Jellal fell silent; Erza waited for further instruction. She could feel it as his Guardian. He needed something from her. And he came through a moment later.

"Erza, we need to go to Magnolia," he murmured, sighing softly. "I need to speak with her. It appears that she will need the company of someone she can speak with about all matters frankly."

"Can she not speak with Natsu?" Erza asked with sincere interest.

"No." Jellal shook his head, firm. "If what I have seen is the truth, then Lucy...no. She needs to speak with me."

"Okay then." Erza shook free and brushed her fingers over his arm. "Come along then. We will travel to Magnolia, Jellal, if that's what you insist upon."

"It is." Jellal rose to his feet in one smooth movement. He turned to the goblin. "The treasure you guard for me. Bring it to me at once, and be swift about it."

"Yes!" squeaked the goblin and bolted. Erza frowned. Jellal had a treasure that she wasn't aware of...how interesting. But, she vowed to not ask about it, for something about his expression warned her against the matter, and Erza knew better than to pry too hard when Jellal was in such a state.

The goblin was gone long enough that they'd descended from the tower by the time it returned. Erza paused in surprise when she saw what it handed to her Keeper, recognizing it immediately. "That's what Grandeeney gave to you when she came to us."

"Mm, yes. An important item, that must be protected before anything else," he told her. "Before even me."

"I'm your Guardian, Jellal," Erza said a little sharply. "You are my priority, not that."

Jellal ran his finger over the small casing. "Then you will protect this, for its loss means my death, no matter what might happen beforehand." He tucked it securely into his cloak, striding down the corridor. The goblin latched onto his cloak as per normal, and Erza shook her head as she followed, already reaching for his hand. She hated traveling with him instead of with her winged horse, but she got the feeling they needed to be quick this time.

Erza just hoped that this time, they made it to Lucy before anything bad happened.


Lucy winced when she kicked the door to her apartment shut behind her, fighting the urge to sag against it. Six weeks of hard travel had left her weaving in place, ready to pass out. After all, the later winter months were not times in which one wanted to cross through snowy mountains. Nevertheless, she supposed she was safely home, and fully expecting an impatient Natsu to come barreling in at any moment.

She wouldn't hesitate to admit that she'd been somewhat avoiding him. Sure, she'd been around him constantly as per usual for the time it had taken them to come back from Crocus. She'd even rode on Salutem with him when it had gotten far too cold for her liking, taking turns with the equally chilled Wendy. Natsu had found it amusing to know the degree to which he'd been desired simply for warming purposes the entire way home.

And Lucy would give him credit; he'd been shockingly patient, though he'd nearly vibrated the entire way back with the need for knowledge. He'd known that it wasn't a conversation to have around the others, and had waited until they'd come home to start getting overly pushy about it, and even then, he'd waited until Gray and Wendy had gone inside.

He was nearly burning her from the inside out with the intensity of the desire to know. She could feel him even now, trying to sift through her thoughts as if he could read more than what she felt. She was pleased he couldn't, her fingers curling into fists until her fingernails tore at her flesh. His craving was normal, she knew, though she wasn't excited about it. Natsu simply wanted to know what made him a supposed enemy of the Archives, just as much as Lucy had wanted for so long to know what Acnologia had wanted from her.

"Hm," she murmured. "We might need to go see Algieba…" He could have answers. If he'd been alive that long…he could know more than he'd let on.

Lucy took a deep, nervous breath, the small dinner she'd had as they were riding into Magnolia churning in her stomach. She was going to end up ill tonight, she thought to herself, pushing away from the door. She flopped heavily onto her sofa, fingers touching the keys at her hip. They were searing, as they had been from the moment Lucy had started becoming suspicious of their motives for choosing her to be their next Keeper. They'd supposedly loved Layla, especially Loke, but...she wasn't sure if she believed them now. She had so many questions about everything, just as many as Natsu.

Lucy dropped her head back, groaning. She could make a list of things they needed to know. Who didn't want Natsu's memories restored, the celestial spirits' true intentions, telling Natsu about Crocus, learning what Acnologia had done to make Natsu as tense as he was about the subject, and everything in between?

Lucy wondered if everything was going to come back to Anna and Acnologia. Would letting Acnologia have his way be better in the end? she couldn't help but wonder, gaze sliding expectantly to the window as she felt something in her gut shift. Natsu was coming, and he would expect answers, just as much as she did.

After the test, she'd ask him, already exhausted. She had no idea how he'd truly respond, but...she fully expected it to end badly, and she didn't want to end Loke's test before they'd even started. She didn't want to ruin their already slim chances of passing by telling Natsu she'd lied to him.

Her stomach twisted and tears burned in the backs of her eyes. She slid her hands over them, rubbing to try and dispel the tears, but it only made it worse. Liar. Such a liar. She was lying to the one person who full-heartedly thought she'd never lie to him, who trusted her more than anyone ever had and ever would. Her Marks ached at the mere idea of him finding out.

Slowly, Lucy bent until her head rested in her lap, a shuddering sound escaping her. She was going to tell him. Today. And he'd hate her. She loved him fiercely, had beheaded a ghoul for him and gone to hell and back defending him against the opinions of others, but he'd hate her after this, regardless of the sudden sweltering, blistering fury that shot through her gut towards whatever had made her so upset.

He might be upset with her now, but he still had faith in her, trusted she'd not betray him as Makarov, Igneel, Zeref, and countless others had.

She wanted nothing more than to curl up with Natsu and pretend the rest of the world didn't exist forever.

A hysterical sob bubbled up in the back of her throat, but before it could escape, the door flew open and slammed hard enough into the opposite wall that the knob slammed a hole in the wall. She jolted upright, caught off guard, and found a fuming Natsu standing there. Smoke poured from his nose and mouth, fury gathered in his face. Happy bristled on his shoulder, eyes glowing as he controlled the magic pushed through his furry body. "What?" he growled. "What happened?"

Her mouth opened, and then closed. Explaining what had happened would mean likely ruining Loke's test before they'd even started it. So, instead of even trying to lie to the one who'd know otherwise, she rasped, hastily swiping at her aching eyes, "I...can't tell you right now. Later."

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, sorting through everything she felt. She felt him drag those talons along her soul, as if raking through it to try and figure it out anyways. Finally, it shifted into a simmering heat that swelled in a comforting manner. It almost made her cry again when he kicked the door to her apartment shut and strode over, carefully letting Happy slide from his shoulder before dropping down heavily beside her, side pressed into hers.

Lucy rubbed her face tiredly, leaning into him for a moment. It was comforting, having him there like that, even if all she could smell was the smoke pouring from him, even if his agitation was coiling through her and setting her on edge, too.

After a few minutes of calming herself down, Lucy finally rasped, reaching for the keyring at her hip, "Can we try Loke's test? Now? I want to get it over with. And I have some questions for him about Acnologia."

Natsu eyed her for a long moment. "Yeah," he said finally. "Sure. If you think it's a good idea."

Lucy blinked when his fingers suddenly wound through those on the hand resting limply on her leg. A comforting motion, indicating that he'd be there while they went through with this, and that he'd be there after if she needed him. Lucy sniffled, wanting to cry all over again, and cursed herself for her teary behavior.

"Loke," mumbled Lucy, lifting his key.

He appeared before them with a grim expression, the flash of light muted to avoid blinding them. There was a hint of annoyance in his face as he said rather sharply, "We don't tend to like it, Lucy, when our potential Keeper doesn't trust us as she should."

"Yes, well," said Lucy, too tired to even try and be snappish back at him, "you guys all love Anna to pieces, and Acnologia's apparently intending to rewrite history so that she doesn't die." It came out a little accusing, and she felt even worse when hurt flashed over his face.

"You think we want Acnologia to rewrite history so that Anna doesn't die?" he rasped.

"They failed you," said Lucy bluntly.

"And so did Layla, but you don't see us urging you to go give yourself to the Eclipse Gate to bring her back to life."

"Layla had you bargain with the Wild Hunt on her behalf. She understood what would happen. Anna's death was unexpected and entirely unlike Layla's."

Natsu's gaze snapped back and forth between the equally as agitated pair beside and before him. Finally, he cleared his throat and rumbled, eager to get this bickering over with, "Look, just tell us what you think on the matter so we can get a move on."

Loke's eyes blazed with anger as he growled, "If you can comprehend how Natsu feels about betrayal, Lucy, then you can comprehend that we are very alike in that manner. When Acnologia failed to protect us and Anna, he betrayed our trust. Just as Igneel and Layla did. Yes, we mourn her. Yes, I wish Anna had survived. But even the stars do not play with Death. Acnologia is a fool for thinking his actions won't have dire consequences. The Fates...Death itself...they do not appreciate when we consider ourselves their masters."

Silence fell as Lucy considered his answer. Finally, she murmured, "Thank you, Loke."

His anger slid away, and his features softened. "The difference between the stars and the likes of you who walk this realm...what creatures like Natsu, and Jellal, and the Dullahan understand...we have seen this world change. Countless times. It will continue, regardless of what happens, Lucy. With or without those who think themselves above the rest. We understand that things do not remain as they are - cannot go back to what they were before."

Her gaze slid to his; he held it. After a few moments, she said, "So is that what you represent in humanity?"

A smile appeared and then vanished just as quickly. When he spoke, his voice was gentle, and he sank down to sit before them, less than foot away on the floor. Lucy could practically see the shift from Loke to Leo, a spirit who was almost as old as the world. "No. No, I do not represent the instability of the world, though I'm sure Aquarius would love to represent such a thing herself. Sometimes, as fiercely as she supports what she represents, she'd prefer to be a little more chaotic."

Natsu scowled. "So what do you represent then?"

Loke's gaze slid from Lucy to Natsu. "I am Leo," he said quite proudly, and Natsu fell quiet. Lucy got the feeling that this was meant to transition them, to warn them of what was coming. "The leader of the twelve celestial spirits who are Keepers to the keys that open the Eclipse Gate and summon us to the realm. I answer only to the Spirit King, and sometimes to the pretty woman who holds our contract." He lost the cold look just briefly, baring his teeth in a playful grin at Lucy. It earned him a hint of a smile in return.

"I have been alive since the beginning of time," he continued. "I have seen beings of all kinds come and go. I have seen relationships begin and end." He cocked his head. "I watched Anna fall from the skies. I watched as Acnologia became what he is now. I watched Layla's birth and that of the child I bargained for. I watched Layla's death." He faltered slightly at that. "Just as I did Igneel's, and Anna's, and every other Keeper and Guardian I trusted. Yet, none have been capable of passing this test, because no creature is capable of what I ask."

Bored, Natsu yawned, slanting an impatient look at the spirit. "We get it, Loke, you're old and weird. Can you get a move on?"

He ignored Natsu, focusing entirely on Lucy. "Do you know, Lucy," he asked gently, "what breaks most people when they hear words on the tongues of another for the first time? Do you know what sends most people spiraling into darkness? What has some fleeing for the hills and others describing what it feels like to have a knife twist their heart without so much as a blade?" Her lips trembled, true fear creeping through her veins. "I know you do. Just as well as you know that such things always come out in the end, regardless of how hard one tries otherwise."

Natsu puffed smoke, impatient - and angry with concern when Lucy's face turned white. Loke's gaze softened further and he gently reached up to cup her cheek. She flinched at the cold rings that touched her skin, and Natsu rumbled an angry warning, ready to rip the spirit's arm from its socket.

"I am Leo," he said kindly, "and I represent the honesty of humans. Well, I should say the lack of. No human is capable of complete honesty. The same goes to mythics. Even you, Natsu, are incapable of complete and utter honesty. Lying means survival. Sometimes, it is to one's face. Others, by omittance. Some lie to save themselves...others," he looked at Natsu, and then slid his gaze to Lucy's again, "to save the people they love. But in the end, all lies come out into the open. All secrets are revealed. Whether they are intended to protect or harm, they will show themselves.

"As Keeper and Guardian," he continued, "honesty is the key to not ending up like Anna and Acnologia or Layla and Igneel. My test is what killed Anna, what killed Layla." His gaze sharpened. "If you two can be fully honest with one another and trust one another enough to not utter even a single lie...then you will be better able to defend one another, and us."

Even Natsu looked somewhat worried as he rasped, "So what's the test? What killed Layla?"

Loke was quiet for a moment. Finally, he said softly, "Layla and Igneel attempted my test three days before she died. Layla was forced to reveal the bargain, the one she made with the Wild Hunt. Igneel was shattered that she'd not trusted him enough to tell him sooner, angry enough that he was avoiding her. In the end, his avoidance was what killed her - and likely why he was so torn up about her death, more so than the average dragon would be."

Lucy felt sick. Felt as if she wanted to curl up in a corner and not look at anyone ever again. "Then...your test is-"

"To complete my test, you must inform one another of what you want them to know the least. I already know what those pieces of information will be. So I will know if you are lying," he added warningly with a glare at them both. "And then to finish it, you must be capable of accepting such things and continue on. If you cannot accept it, then you will have failed and you will be rejected as Keeper and Guardian, though you will keep our contracts, Lucy."

Lucy snapped her face towards Natsu, who eyed her. She felt his anxiety as it curled around her own. The tears that had faded came back in full force as she gently removed her hand from Natsu's.

She knew from the wall Natsu was already building in preparation of what was coming that they'd failed before they'd even started.


One of several moments everyone's been waiting for! Next chapter's a whole ordeal. I'm so excited for you to see.

On another note, I forgot to update yesterday and my sincerest apologies. In exchange, know that I've hit a very exciting bit of writing.

Thanks to reviewers (Sele de la Luna, Meow Orbit, AthomeinFairytail, madaraswife, Bookwork129, Guest #1, Lissuin, valerioux, rao hyuga 18, itsxoi, Uchida Akira, Lovetoreadff, stranger1999, TigerArrowgirl, and Surfy!) as well as those who favorited and followed!