Chapter 28
A/N: Time was a little tight, so this is more of a rough draft. As always, thank you for reading and reviewing.
Minerva's words of "we're done here" faded away, and Natsu woke up in his dingy guest—prison?—room. Too exhausted, he briefly nodded when Seilah had come in; once again, her eyes trailed his marks. As silence fell between them, he asked her what she did within the base, and upon her exit, she told him:
"All cultures need a historian, less their version of history falls through the cracks."
Version of history—the victor's version, the only one that seemed to matter. Natsu snuffed the thought, leaving it to someone who particularly cared why the world existed and the vague importance of the past. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the "piercing," and—after putting an ear to the door, confirming the empty hallway—Natsu pushed the lacrima into his palm.
Lucy looked out the window of her new apartment to the empty street bordering the canal, a single boat with barrels pulled to the water's edge, intent on ignoring her yelling landlady from behind.
"The rent is 70,000 jewels per month! You hear me? You miss it, you're kicked out. I won't say it again, miss!" With a huff, the older woman readjusted her red shades and trudged out, not without first exposing Lucy to the horrifyingly low neckline of a dress three-sizes too small.
She'd already unpacked, propping up several of her fondest possessions onto the wooden cabinet: a few books including Mavis' Tale and the ever-classic Fiorian Literature: Renowned Works Transcending Eras, a locked-shut journal, her mothers' two letters (she refused to remove the keys from her pocket), a princess doll she had forgotten in her old home, and the latest copy of Sorcerer's Weekly.
The silence hovered. She could go to Magnolia's theater, to the bookstore, to the public bath, the coffee shop—anywhere, where her own thoughts, of her father, of whatever lay ahead, would be quieted.
A knock on the door.
A brief, "Come in," and Levy entered. She shut the door, locked it, and turned to Lucy.
"I need you to swear to secrecy."
Lucy laughed. "For what? New gossip? A secret club?" She caught Levy's solemn expression, falling quiet.
"I've been in contact with Natsu," Levy said. "No one else knows, save from Makarov. However, it felt a little odd leaving you in the dark, and he's contacted me to meet up. As you just got back, I was wondering—do you want to meet him?"
Words couldn't come out, confined in her closed lips, yet she nodded.
Levy twisted off a ring, a shard embedded in the middle. A lacrima, Lucy corrected, as Levy pushed down against it. Above her cabinet, a light blue outline formed, becoming clear enough for her to make out spiked hair and a scarf.
Natsu waved. "Wow, hey there Luigi! It's been a while!"
She huffed. "My name is not, has never been—"
"Lushi?"
Lucy sank into the nearby chair, tucking her head into her hands. "Why did I agree to this?"
""Looks like we're off to a good start." Levy smiled. "So, what did you need, Natsu?"
His outline blurred as he crossed his arms. "Not much, really. Just checking out this piercing lacrima thingy. Can't believe metal thug actually did something useful."
"Metal thug?"
Lucy rubbed her eyes. Levy wasn't blushing right now, was she?
"This random asshole over here," Natsu said. "But, he's like my free tour guide, so I guess I can't complain that much."
"I think you'd be the only person to go to Tartaros and think of it like having a tour." The temptation was there, to call Natsu out for leaving to risk his life on a slim chance that his comrade might be there, his refusal to acknowledge that actions always had consequences. Some consequences which, no matter how hard one pushed or pulled, fought or resisted, could not be reversed.
But to say such a thing… she might as well criticize his character. It was who he was, and, if she dared admit it, she liked him better for it.
"What's going on for you, Luce?" So he did know her name. Kind of. "Have ya gone to my horde yet?"
Lucy ignored Levy's curious look. "Not yet. Other things have been going on."
He laughed, a bitter quality attached. "Yeah, I can relate to that."
Natsu didn't know about her father, did he? And she knew nothing about what had happened to him. He couldn't go to such a place and not be affected… Save for his markings, there were no open scars, no bruises, no cuts or lashes to hint at a story. No, she'd be a hypocrite to think that way. She herself had learned that not all stories bring scars.
"I'm getting outta here soon, with Gray tagging along."
"You've figured out a way?" Levy almost sounded impressed. "Or, wait. Did Gray find out a way?"
"Gee, thanks Levy, for all that confidence. Of course it wasn't him. It was actually—nope, uh, never mind, totally me. But the plan's going down soon. We're just about there."
What would be coming next? There was the matter with the horde, her mother's request, the poison… She refused to dwell on the matter, not now, or at least, not yet. That her father was murdered. Happy's desire to find fellow Exceeds flickered across her mind, as did Mira's reaction to Tartaros' name. She'd been drowning out the rest of the world, focused solely on the next step and nothing else.
That wouldn't be possible for much longer.
As Natsu wrapped up, claiming that his escape plan was incredibly solid, mind some potential bumps here and there (Levy groaned at that), Lucy ignored the nagging sense that something wasn't right. Or rather, too many things were right. If escape were as simple as he'd described it, then Tartaros would not be living up to its reputation. All Lucy could do was hope that she was wrong.
"You still haven't shown me that statue," Lucy said. "I'm waiting for the Magnolia 2.0 Tour, by the way."
"Oh, I'm so gonna take you up on that. There's this perfect spot on one of the lower roofs for dropping egg shells—"
"Wait, that was you?" Levy interrupted. "Erza said that pieces of an egg had fallen on her once, and if she ever met the perpetrator, she would—"
"You know what, I think I'm good for now. I'll see you guys later!"
His outline faded.
Lucy rose from the chair, stretching her legs. "How do you think he's really doing?"
Levy looked away. "Holding up, but from what I've heard… he's had it rough. Keep that in mind when you see him again."
When she saw him again. Faith was the key word.
All Lucy could do was believe in him.
The lacrima hidden in his pocket, Natsu leaned back on the metal-framed bed, closing his eyes—
"Hello."
Mavis. Pushing up to sitting position, he let loose a yawn. "It's been a while, huh?"
"Yes," she admitted. "It was a little difficult finding you, as Mard Geer has been focused on keeping you out of the common eye."
"Why would the big-boss be watching me? Now, Mavis, I've got an ego as it is—"
"It's true." Her gaze centered on the beige walls above him. "Mard Geer hopes to keep you away from Acnologia. For instance, he sent you on that mission just as Acnologia's messenger visited to overlook the current affairs. However, when Acnologia comes, he will leave you here to avoid overt suspicion."
She didn't answer him, Natsu recognized. No one would answer him—at this rate, he'd have to bust down some doors, maybe throw a fist here and there, to get some sense of the truth.
"Mard Geer's plan, however, is on the basis of foolish arrogance. How could Acnologia not be aware of you? Regardless, we shall make use of the chaos of Acnologia's arrival tomorrow to finally commence our escape."
Escape: they had reached the common language of destruction. "So, who are we bashing? Can we take down some Tartaros thugs? There's this one woman I gotta take down, oh and there's this one guy with a tail and dog-ears who's such a—"
"Hopefully none of them. Unfortunately, even Mard Geer must acknowledge the vulnerability of this moment."
To Natsu's ears, he interpreted it as: Shit's inevitable, so a fight or two is guaranteed. Mavis glided to a corner, sat cross-legged, and put a hand on the wall. Natsu jumped out of the bed, noticing the forming beads of sweat on her forehead, and how she had turned her right ear closer to the surface. Was she hearing something, so faint, that even he couldn't hear it? Was there something in the walls?
She moved away, looking up at Natsu. "This is the key to our escape, or rather, my role in it."
Mavis had mentioned her heart, hadn't she? It wouldn't be a stretch, Natsu concluded, if her heart's influence extended throughout the base. "So you're doing your magic. Got it. Then, what's my role?"
"Freeing my heart."
When Loke had mentioned Natsu's horde, Lucy hadn't thought much of it—until Happy led her and Loke across a stone path in Magnolia's forest, stepping over tied-together twigs and other laid traps. When her foot landed on the edges of a hidden gray plate, she ducked, several arrows flying right over her.
"Did you see that?" she hissed. "How did he even—wait, does he even have the rights to—"
"Probably not," Loke quipped, squeezing between two crossed branches. "Though, considering the effort put in all of this, I'd bet that Makarov worked some deal out with Magnolia's council."
Before them, Happy's tail swung with extra enthusiasm. Lucy didn't need to see his face to know he was smirking. Several minutes passed, and several sets of arrows as well as a flying hammer dodged, they reached a cave. A line of white chalk bordered the perimeter, though when Happy placed a paw upon it, whispering "Super Secret Code," the chalk vanished. Shrugging, Loke followed, with Lucy close behind. As the daylight faded, the torches ahead offered guidance, highlighting a faint glow down the tunnel.
The pathway opened up, a flash of light blinding her.
"Wow," Happy breathed. "That's a lot of gold."
A succinct way of putting it, Lucy mused. Bracelets, rings, jewelry boxes; trophies, coins, bars; carved roses, ore, busts.
It was nothing but gold. Save for one thing.
On the edges of a pile, Lucy found it—the silver-spine book, the cursive Fairy Tales for Those Who Wander emblazoned upon its cover. As she picked it up, holding it gently between her palms, Loke came over.
"I'm surprised he'd have this, unless Igneel gave it to him." He quirked a brow. "I have a feeling you'll meet the author of this collection, some day."
No author's name was listed. Yet the way Loke spoke of the writer… She placed it back in its own little island, separated from the piles of gold.
Happy dove in and out through a nearby pile, finally nestling on a golden shield and lying belly-up. "Think of it, Lucy. All of the fish I could buy."
Loke straightened his back. "Don't even think about it. It's a sin to take from a horde, even for loved ones, unless given permission.
"But speaking of permission," Loke continued, "I think I found what we were looking for."
Happy flew over Lucy, blocking her view until he landed right on the so-called destination: a chest. As she leaned down, ending at eye-level with the lock, Loke said, "Try one of your keys."
"My keys? How'd you know about them?"
Loke rubbed his chin. "I've known for a while. Sharpened senses, mainly. If anything, your keys sound… loud to me. Like a heavy wind, when you move. I don't know why, but…"
"I didn't hear them," Happy chimed in. "And my hearing's definitely better than you puny—um, you human."
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Not a problem. Sorry for not telling either of you. It hadn't really come up." She hadn't felt like saying much of anything, recently. After some fidgeting, she decided on the single silver key; a push, a twist, then a click. With a shrug, Loke pushed it open. A pendant with a blue gemstone shined up at them; beneath, a leather-bound book with the initials E.N.D. protruded out, and upon seeing it, Loke froze.
"What's wrong?" Lucy asked.
"I'm… not sure, but…" Loke lifted his head, making eye contact with both of them. "This may sound a little strange, but no one can find out about this book. Can you do that? Swear to me, that you won't mention the book to anyone. Including Natsu."
Happy and Lucy exchanged glances. Both nodded reluctantly, and Loke tucked the book under his arm, hiding it from view.
Happy, undeterred, reached for the pendant. "What about this? It's kinda sparkly—oh my fish lord!" He pulled back his paw, quickly bringing it to his lips and kissing it, repeating "Hot!" with the fervor of a mantra. With his free arm, Loke too stretched for the pendant. As he neared it, closer than Happy had gotten, he winced, leaning back.
Shaking his hand, he said, "Lucy, try giving it a go."
She looked once more at Happy still kissing his paw. With an exhale, she reached out, waiting for something to repulse her, for a burning sensation, for that moment to pull away. Her fingers latched the pendant. It felt cold.
Lucy imagined a faint humming, a warmth, coming from the pendant's gem. She placed it around her neck without resistance; when the gem pulled down, coming to equilibrium, it possessed a soft blue glow. Loke narrowed his eyes, cautious, uncomfortable even, though he said nothing about taking it off.
"Any idea what it's for?"
Loke shook his head. "Can't say. But I do recognize the gem—pretty sure Layla had shown me a painting with it. I'll see if I can find the painting, but first…" He sighed. "This will sound a little odd, but have you ever heard of the Spirit Realm?"
"Briefly. I've heard how there may be a realm beyond ours for passing souls."
Loke didn't confirm nor deny it. "It may help you to look into the Spirit Realm, going forward. Also, about that pendant…"
"Do you want me to take it off? You were looking like—"
"No, don't. I… I don't like it. Something about it bothers me just like that book, but in a different way. It's like… like the song of a darkwing."
"A darkwing?" Happy repeated.
"I haven't heard of it, either," Lucy added.
Loke crouched down. "I'm not surprised. They were more common centuries ago—they've been hunted to near extinction at this point. People mistake them with crows, labeling them a bad omen, but the darkwings had been loved by the d'ehmonaius for their songs. They usually sang out of desperation, and if their song was ever heard at a battlefield, the d'ehmonaius would drop their weapons and stop fighting.
"This pendant… it's like a blackwing's song—it exists for it has to. As a plea to end a conflict."
A/N: With this, there's one chapter (or two shorter chapters) left for the Tartaros arc. It will be long, and I'd prefer to give it as much attention as needed instead of rushing it… It will come out in about three or four weeks, so until then, thank you for reading, and I'll see you next time.