Cristoff crouched, smiling faintly.
He felt eyes on him, knew she was close...very close. They were weeks past the ordeal in Joya, everyone had physically at least healed well and he had taken Cida out to Lupine Island on the Grass Sea. The Island was large, not the biggest of the nomadic islands of the inland Sea, but it was just over 10 miles long about 6 or so wide and boasted some of the best grass and ferns of any place in Bosco so it was popular among the grazing wildlife that inhabited the Grass Sea. Buffalo, Gazelle, Deer and Elk came to this island to feed and that had made it ideal for the great spotted wolves native to Bosco.
The wolves stood about 5-6 feet at the shoulder, weighed in between five hundred to nine hundred pounds and were second only to the Havati of the apex predators the country boasted. Keenly intelligent they were also long lived, some surpassing 30 years before infirmity would claim them. There were packs across Bosco but those on the island were unique with their silvery white coats dappled with blue/black spots. Cristoff was from the clan that called these wolves their spirits, though his clan was all but gone now, only a few here and there still alive after a clan against clan battle that had happened when he and Bickslow were children.
That battle had resulted in Bickslow being claimed by Redart, the leader of Leviathan, a dark Seith guild, and Cristoff had...luckily, been taken by the Dragon Nurem.
Life had kept Cris and Bickslow both from the Island they had been born on for years, but both of them had finally managed to claim their birthrites, Cris had claimed a spotted wolf in combat at the age of 19, placed on the island naked with nothing but a long knife he'd had to hunt down and kill one of the wolves. His clan had always kept the population both protected and at healthy numbers, it was illegal for anyone not of the clan to kill one. With the death of the clan though, the government had had to step in to keep the wolf population healthy, and they had done a good job of that, but still, when he had come to the island, the wolves had seemed to know...and more than one had tried to engage him.
Now though, it wasn't the wolves he was focused on, it was a white tiger...Cida adored wild predators, and made herself known enough the pack had already interacted with them several times since they had arrived.
They had talked, Cida knew now she was a potential mate for him, and she had not rejected him, but...she had asked for time.
"I'm a mess...what they did...got me all twisted inside, I need a bit, jus' a bit ta be, ta...run an work on this…" She'd kissed him then, hands fisting in his black hair, rough and fierce enough he'd growled against her lips and she'd nipped his lower lip hard enough to draw blood before she'd drawn back, backing away, looking out over the island he'd brought her too.
"Lemme let the kitty run, get ma balance wit' 'er agin. I ain' sayin no...have ta be fuckin daft ta turn ya away Cristoff...I wan' ya...I jus need ta find...me..agin so I 'ave that to offer." She'd said.
He'd let her go, watched her run down the side of the tall rocks he had made a shelter in for them, and for the last week they had played...a strange kind of cat and dragon over the island. The wolves seemed to know, and interfered little...but they watched, and Cida had scuffled a few times with the alpha female of the pack, but she was fine, minimal injuries, and the wolf was fine too.
Cris smiled, watching her running down a gazelle...so far she'd not bothered much with cooking anything she caught...and he'd moved about the island with her, a few times pleasantly surprised when she'd emerge from the darkness into the light of his campfire to cuddle with him and share whatever meal he'd made.
Last night she'd purred, climbing into his lap and kissed him, her hands roaming his chest and face, pushing through his hair, and he'd wanted her so badly, this chance at happiness, with this beautiful enigmatic woman. Like Cana she was so battered by her life, but she was strong, ferocity so deep within her and she rose up past all of that. She was loving, smart, wise, and she had helped him so much these last months, given him hope again.
He loved Cana, had been completely in love with her when she'd rejected him, had nearly died because of that rejection, then had watched her...out of his reach, his dragon withdrew...and Cana had fallen in love with another man...with his friend...Rowan. Cristoff left alone, again. How many lovers had he watched find happiness with others because his dragon did not want them? He didn't want to count...so much wanting to be mated, so much wanting to be in love and to be loved, he kept putting himself out there.
This time...his dragon reached and Cida...held on, she hadn't closed the gap yet...but she promised she would as soon as she was ready, and out here on Lupine Island, the unclaimed mate she was...was safe under the eyes of her mate to be...and the wolves.
Before they left here...they would mate, and in doing, would make each other whole again…
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Vander hissed, grinning though, gripping the rail of the practice ring watching, Cobra beside him also watching intently as the ringing hisses and sounds of metal on metal rang out. Lucy stood a short distance away, leaning on Kaleb, shaking her head slightly with round eyes. Kaleb though was just smiling.
Farron was clad in training leathers, a pale tan color that hugged his tall body, made it clear he did not just sit behind a desk all the time, though right now, sword flashing, it was very clear he didn't.
It was also clear, Hestor didn't either. The Celestial mage in the shining armor Lucy had seen on Eiko in her key trial for Draco, bearing a similar sword, and he was giving ground, on the defensive, but, considering Vander had just been put on his ass by Farron while the man had warmed up for his workout with his mate...that really wasn't surprising. It was shocking to Lucy how skilled Hestor was with a weapon, she was good with her whip, maybe better than good, and under the right conditions she was also good with a sword, in her stardress she felt pretty competent...but she was the Starbringer. The one who brought the will of the stars to the mortal realms.
Hestor was the Starblade, the one to protect that will, and to destroy any that stood in its way. It fit that he was...this good. She'd seen Eiko fight in her key trial, the last Stablade before Hestor had won the title had been like Hestor was now, could stand toe to toe with Galasfriel, with Kayliss...both brutal with their swordsmanship, both far bigger and stronger than Eiko was, but Eiko could hold his own...had held his own for a long time against Marie and all of her spirits in the tragic, disgustingly unfair and unjust duel that had ended his life.
Hestor, and all of them...was training in preparation for the games and the man was determined to shine. He narrowed his eyes, while those watching might not know it, HE knew Farron was holding back and he wasn't happy about it...so...he hissed.
"Stop it." he snapped and Farron's lips quirked, blue eyes starting sharp on what they were doing, but taking on innocence.
"No idea what you mean." He retorted
"Bullshit, fight me for real or I'll MAKE you fight me for real." Hestor said fiercely and Farron's eyes narrowed.
He pushed a little harder, and Hestor grit his teeth shaking his head and shoving hard on the next connection, forcing Farron back and jumping back himself.
"Farron Ciel Pradesh...I know you can do better." He growled and Farron snorted "Hes...this is PRACTICE."
Hestor huffed "Practice to make us both better...you won't improve unless you let yourself reach and if you don't feel like I'm enough challenge? FINE."
Dark flames curled up and Abraxis appeared, smirking the big spirit adjusted his bracers before drawing his claymore. Farron adjusted the angle he held his sword at, narrowing his eyes.
"You'll fight us both." Hestor said and lunged, Farron's eyes flew wide and he had to bring his other hand up for the first time, a sword appearing in it as he did to take a swing from Abraxis at the same time he blocked Hestor.
"Oh snap…" Vander cackled gripping Cobras arm as Farron started giving ground, blocking Abraxis seemed to be within the blondes ability well enough, but for the sheer force Abraxis could put behind his swings with the massive claymore he used. Each swing forced Farron to give ground, but, he blocked them, and blocked Hestor as well, and was on pure defense until the golden wings finally emerged.
Farron pulled them out to stabilize himself but it wasn't long before he was using them for more than that, a wing taking on keeping Abraxis busy while his arms and other wing went after Hestor.
The fight was both short yet to watch blow by blow, terribly long. Farron physically could not draw blood on Hestor, his magic forcefully prevented him from harming his mate, and...forcefully prevented him from harming a Celestial Summoner whose base soul matched his in intent. Meaning, because Hestor was a good man...no matter what happened...no Archangel Mage could do him harm willingly. One of many rules they had learned were built into the magic during its development.
They had found "The Keeper of Angels" The slender man, Giermo Lusing, whos lineage was unknown but was a product of the labs of Seven, bore the golden dragon on his back like all shifters of Seven did.
An elegant man, with bi-colored eyes of blue and cold and long silvery blonde hair. He sported two fluffy spotted ears atop his head and a fluffy tail too, outward signs of what he was, the snow leopard he could shift into.
He held the 7 Ivory Keys of Enoch...the keys Farron and Zens mother had held. And because of them...was the top authority on Archangel magic…"The Keeper of Angels" because he drew them and pulled them to him, they instinctively knew he could help them.
Like their mother...he had been intensely researching the history of the magic, trying to learn why the original Triad had fallen apart, why the magic had failed to thrive like it should have. He had paid the price for that research too, attempts on his life were something his spirits were very good at thwarting now, but White Sea had secured him, given him a home and protection and he had thrived within the guild, been able to even continue his work. Work that was helping them now.
So Farron knew why he was unable to land a blow on Hestor, and Hestor knew too, but it didn't change that he wanted his mate to do his best, bring his best, when they trained together, so...should a duel challenge ever be issued...Hestor would not likely loose...he'd be damned well able to defend his beloved mate and destroy anyone who tried to take him.
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Lucy drew a breath, reaching down to smooth her hands over the butter soft white leather, black and gold that made up her formal guild regalia. Cancer was eyeing her hair one more time and looking over at Kaleb who was on one knee helping Raiu adjust his cloak while the boy grumbled about wanting pins like his father had.
Kaleb smiled patiently raising a brow at his son. "You have to earn them Raiu, and I fully expect you to work hard, train hard, stay at your studies and keep your marks high, I did it so I know you BOTH can handle that, you don't become a Wizard Saint or a Guildmaster by following an easy path." He said.
Both boys nodded, Hasu was tugging at the ends of his ruby red hair, green eyes moving from Lucy to Kaleb smiling but clearly anxious. The opening ceremonies of the Guildmaster games were a big deal, the biggest thing the boys had ever been in in their young lives.
These games were as big as the GMG back in Fiore, businesses were closed for the ceremonies, tickets to attend in person could not be purchased, they were awarded through a national lottery and it was illegal to sell them. If you were one of the lucky 450,000 selected Bosco even covered your travel expenses to get to the games which were held in Pelerno at the massive sports arena at the University of Pelerno.
The University hosted magic sporting events and had plenty of Wizards attend school there so the facility was well designed to accommodate the challenges the Guildmasters would face which were all centered around duels with other Guildmasters. And Guild teams facing off against other Guild teams to prove their Master knew how to train and handle his people.
Lucy was amazed by the differences between how Bosco tested their Wizards, handled their guilds, all of it. From her first steps into Bosco, being individually assessed by experts in her magic to determine her rank as a wizard to where she stood now as the Co-Guildmaster of White Sea with her husband, every step of the way was about personal growth, the support of each Wizard, a Fire mage wasn't put against a mirror mage to determine which could be S-class, no, the fire mage and mirror mages were both held to standards within their magic type to determine how they should rank, what jobs best suited them.
She honestly liked this system better, while she appreciated competition, she loved that Boscan guilds kept it limited to the games and that they showcased the Guildmasters so that the people of Bosco could see who was leading the guilds they sought help from. It kept guilds more honest too, if they played dirty in the games, they drove away the good honest people who might hire them.
Guilds were made and broken in the games every other year.
White Sea had held the top position for since two Guildmasters before Kaleb and many other Guildmasters felt the young leader of White Sea and his successful guild were only on top because they had started that way when Kaleb took over.
Kaleb felt the pressure to prove himself pretty intensely for these games since his last performance hadn't been good. White Seas membership hadn't suffered, the guild was still strong and as big as ever, with new members petitioning to join almost every day. Lucy had learned how to do inductions and Kaleb had even let her take over some of the screening.
He'd let her cherry pick her duties really, she'd known already he carried a lot of responsibility, but the weeks he'd been gone, held captive in Joya, she'd learned just how much he really did. That he managed to make time for her and the boys now impressed her alot. She'd struggled to find time to eat or sleep, let alone play with the boys, interact with family or anything else.
"It's all about delegating tasks, that and I can carry on several conversations at once using my magic." Kaleb had winked at her and she'd rolled her eyes.
"Cheater." She'd said and he'd laughed.
"Using my magic to help me run this guild has helped me make the time I need to assure my gorgeous wife wakes up nicely every morning usually moaning my name." He said slyly and Lucy, to her credit, had grinned right back at him.
"Mmmhmm, not long followed by you moaning mine." She returned and he'd gotten a devilish glint in those lavender eyes giving her only an instant to squeak and bolt for the door. For his size Kaleb was pretty damn agile and fast and he vaulted right over his desk after her, narrowly avoiding getting hit in the face by her well timed inward swing of the door which allowed her to dash into the hallway toward the stairs.
Here though the size difference played against her, Lucy was fast, but Kaleb had longer legs and arms caught her just before she had reached the stairs, deftly spinning her into him and slamming her against the door to one of the meeting rooms.
He'd held her hands over her head and dipped down teeth gripping the peak of a breast right through her shirt and bra making her hiss then whimper and arch into him.
Gods what he'd done to her then...he'd had her panties off in seconds, and she'd gotten his belt and opened his white pants but perched just out of sight of the entire guild hall on the second floor at the top of the stairs, even Kaleb had decided more privacy was in order and the they had stumbled into the meeting rooms.
Lucy had just enough time to thank the Gods nobody was using it before Kaleb had her bent over the table clawing at the smooth dark wood as he'd spread her legs and with a sultry groan, slid himself into her.
They didn't remain in there long, it was fast and rough but oh so thrilling and deeply satisfying.
He'd removed his shirt, pulling the white leather vest on and they used his shirt to clean up, Kaleb letting her fret about where her panties had ended up while he'd gotten himself sorted out and his clothing mostly right before plucking the pink lace bit of fabric from his pocket and twirling it on his finger with another wicked smirk on his face.
She'd narrowed her eyes and suddenly there was a shower of gold, Plue appearing and attacking Kaleb's ankles, distracting the Wizard Saint enough Lucy was able to jump on him and get her legs around his waist, trying to reach her panties that he was still holding too high for her to get to.
She tried pulling his pony tail but that just brought his mouth to her neck and he licked her and she almost fell off of him.
They were sort of half on the table, Guildmaster wrestling with both woman and little dog spirit when the door swung open.
"M...Master? Uh...Masters?" Both of them froze and looked, a group of teenaged wizards, young new inductees that had come from Pelerno to train at the Guild Headquarters with the very best White Sea had to offer stood clustered at the door staring, some snickering behind hands at the view of their Guildmasters, Kaleb sprawled on the table with Lucy on top of him still holding her panties out of her reach, only Plue moved, running up the table and snatching the panties from Kaleb's hand and waving them around with wild glee at his victory.
It dawned on Lucy at that moment her butt was toward the teenagers, she was in a very short skirt and Plue was waving her panties around like a flag…
With an eep she jerked off Kaleb and hid on the far side of him putting him between her and the teens.
Kaleb though, handled it beautifully...with his magic. All 14 teenagers froze in place, eyes going blank and Kaleb snatched the panties from Plue and handed them to Lucy laughing quietly while he did, loving his wifes bright red face.
Plucking Plue from the table he placed a kiss on the spirits head, by now the little creature had become such a fixture in Kaleb's life he wasn't sure anymore who loved Plue more, him or Lucy.
"Pun...Pun pun pun punn, puuun pu un." The spirit chattered at him and he got control of his humor, , offering a hand to his wife to help her off the table as she looked suspiciously between the frozen teenagers and her still chuckling husband.
"It's fine...we'll just duck out of here and I'll release them, I wiped what they saw out of their heads, they'll think they came into an empty room." He assured her before looking at Plue "They're in the top left drawer of my desk buddy, ask Lucy first though." He said firmly and the spirit turned, all shakes and wide eyes on her.
Lucy sighed "Yes you can have ONE of the suckers." She smiled and Kaleb set the spirit down so he could dart from the room through the teenagers legs.
Lucy and Kaleb had to do some maneuvering but they got past the teens and once they were in Kaleb's office he released the kids while Plue dug through his desk drawer supply of candy.
Moments like those? She knew now she owed to how Kaleb managed the guild. She was learning from him, she couldn't just mentally contact whoever she needed to do something and have them on their way instantly like Kaleb could, but she had a com and...she sometimes would just look at Kaleb until he sighed and relayed whatever messages and requests she needed doled out.
Now they were about to stand before all of Bosco, she looked to Kaleb again, his team of assigned attendants and Thane of course going over the boys and fretting over Kaleb himself. While Cancer kept the attendants assigned to her at bay with withering looks as he finished her make up.
Kaleb turned and Lucy's breath caught, Gods...she'd never seen him fully decked out in his formal regalia, but he absolutely looked snug white leather embellished with black and gold trim and gems, Glittering chains across his forehead angling back to hook onto the diamonds and amethysts on his ears and up to the gold band holding his thick platinum hair up in a high tail. The high collared white leather Jerkin like a second skin clung to his chiseled body sleeves embellished with black and gold plating to embroidered cuffs.
His ankle length white cape with the symbol of White Sea on the back was held in place by his usual Wizard Saint pins, the same ones Raiu had so wanted and his new gold choker with it's glimmering lacrima at the center of it now bore the emblem of White Sea on one side, and, on the other, the symbol of Lucy's magic, a cluster of stars.
On his left wrist was his new family band with she and the boys birthstones in it, chains running over the back of his hand to his wedding ring.
She wasn't looking bad herself, her own regalia similar to Kaleb's except for her she wore a sleeveless coat of white, with the guild symbol on the left breast, that flared out into volumes of white black and gold silk at the waist, framing her legs that were encased in white leather like Kaleb's.
Cancer had her hair set into an off center high tail with the long golden curls cascading over her left shoulder and like him she wore beautiful glittering chains dotted with gems across her forehead and in her hair.
Her own choker glittered around her neck, her wedding engagement and promise rings on her fingers.
His eyes softened on her.
You are so unbelievably beautiful….. He breathed and she smiled.
You're not so bad yourself handsome….
"Are you all ready? The entrance parade of Guilds is about to begin." An organizer said popping his head into the dressing room.
Lucy stood, thanking Cancer and moving to Kaleb.
"Ok, Hasu, Raiu, stay by our sides the whole time ok? If you're not close enough to touch one of us you're too far away, got it?" She said firmly both boys grinned up at her, Raiu bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"Got it Mom." Hasu said firmly.
"Yeah Mom." Raiu added when Kaleb gave him a raised brow expectantly. He didn't tolerate disrespect of any kind, including not answering when spoken to, his father had raised him that way and he was going to raise his own children the same way. Lucy was right with him on it too. The boys were mostly well behaved for 8 year old Dragon Slayers, but they had their moments.
When they entered the hall they joined the team Kaleb had selected. 8 mages. Cristoff was a given, having the top healer in Bosco and the best battle healer anywhere on the team was a must, Cristoff would be able to help teammates stay on their feet, prevent over tiring, they would still all have to watch their magic consumption but with him there, injury wouldn't mean being out of the fray.
Laxus, because he was the strongest Lightning mage Kaleb had by far and he knew Emerald Eye and Wolfrun both had a lot in the way of illusion and water type mages that Laxus' lightning attacks and Dragon Senses would keep him from being easy to fight.
Vander because nobody, not anyone in the guild was better at hand to hand close combat, swords, daggers, and Vanders eyes cut through illusions, they didn't work on him. Since being captured, as soon as he was well enough, Vander had intensified his usual training regiment, which was saying something, because his normal schedule was too brutal for Bickslow or even Presca to keep up with.
Only Cobra stayed doggedly with him, learning parkour, working on gymnastics, acrobatics, balance, all with his mate's guidance and all while doing his absolute best to stay at Vanders side. He'd chosen Cobra too, in spite of concern Cobra was overprotective of Vander more than ever, the Poison slayer had promised to follow Kaleb and Lucy's commands throughout the games.
Bickslow, because if anyone could get past Kaleb or Lucy, Bix would bring them down.
Hestor, because his abilities in a group fight were outrageously good and Kaleb had always, ALWAYS wanted a chance to ram powerful holder mages down Emerald Eyes throat because the Guildmaster of Emerald Eye was such a dick about thinking they were weak. Having Hestor AND Lucy in the games meant he was putting the best Celestial Summoners in Ishgar against a group of mages that had a long history of serious disdain for the magic type and that just….made Kaleb smile.
Then Gajeel, Farron was the alternate, which was perfect so he could be everywhere behind the scenes with Hestor throughout the games, and finally, shocking everyone but Cristoff, Cida.
"She's strong, you know she was awarded S-class Sunrise and her marksmanship is only the tip of the iceberg with her. Illusions don't really work on someone that has an animal side, the other senses fill in what the eyes or ears say don't match up, especially when it's a split personality like she has. White Seas biggest rival is Emerald Eye, their master...he's determined to bring me and White Sea down." He'd told her as they had laid on the lounge on their balcony one morning watching the sunrise and getting in some very nice cuddling while the boys slept in the room across from the master suite.
It had become a sure thing most mornings now, Lucy had given in and just had a table and chairs moved onto their rooms partially covered terrace and they now always ate breakfast there together with the boys. The kitchens always sent up a nice spread once Lucy sent word down she and Kaleb were awake and ready for their coffee.
"Cida will give us an edge Sunrise, everyone I've chosen will in their own way. The mated pairs will work so well together, not needing to talk to know where their mate is, they'll watch out for each other, strengthen each other, like we will." He'd said smiling, kissing her temple.
She'd been worried, they had been training, daily since returning from Joya, and she had a handle on keeping her draw on Kaleb's magic under control, but her default now, when she started to feel strained, was to summon him to her side, and, they had learned her magic gated him there faster and with almost no magic used compared to how fast her spirits came.
"It's how it's supposed to work." Loke had said with a smile when she'd complained about Kaleb appearing at her side, usually just in time to take the brunt of whatever attack was flying her way. Granted, his wings made that a small concern, he could take the hits hugely better than Lucy could, but she still really didn't like the fact her mate, her husband, the love of her life, was now her magics default shield. "Just look at Farron and Hestor, or Shimako and Zen." As much as the spirit had issues with all that had happened, the other mated couples...worked together so well, it was like watching a dance, much like it had been in the key trial.
She was learning something harsh about light magic, it didn't care. It protected. Possible injury to Kaleb, situation, the will of Lucy herself? The light didn't care, it drew what was best suited for whatever the threat was, and it was part of Lucy now and, it overrode her sometimes conservative choices, bringing Kaleb into use. It was something she was still working to master.
Now, conscious Kaleb worked differently than he had when he'd been passed out in Joya, his own will coming to bear, but usually, to Lucy's chagrin, his will agreed with the lights choices and he was fast, powerful, and she had learned, in daily sessions working with various sparring teams that came to put the couple through their paces, he hadn't coasted through his training to become a knight, her mate was as deadly with a sword in his hand as he was with his magic, combine the two and...yeah, Wizard Saint fit him like a glove more and more.
She could though nudge him to fight the way she wanted him to, and if he agreed, he seamlessly worked with her spirits and even gave her feedback through their link as they fought so her own tactically gifted mind could alter battle plans and fire them back at him and her spirits.
Under it all something truly amazing had started getting stronger and stronger between them too. Trust, complete and total, unquestioning trust, she'd never experienced it with anything but her spirits before, and sharing it with her husband...it was one of the best feelings she'd ever had.
He believed in her, trusted her so much he would release control of himself to her and let her maneuver him, and she, would alter everything she was thinking, everything in her planning, if he had an idea and she felt he believed it was better. It made them, according to Laxus and Beck, who were with Gajeel and Emzadi, Vander and Cobra, the only mages so far that could stand up to them for long.
Cristoff and Cida did a great job, but Cida would freeze in the middle of sparring...and switch from guns to hand to hand and throw off their rhythm in a way that was just good for learning, but even Cristoff had to end up laughing when Cida ended up as a tiger sitting on Lucy...which meant... on his own he didn't last long against Kaleb. Add in the boys? Who were now training with their parents once a week sometimes sparring with Draco himself and nobody, no couple, could hold on against them for more than a few , Cristoff and Cida came the closest, the Encan decent at finding ways to 'wrangle' the boys.
Hasu was learning to work with Lucy, and right now, until they found him his first key, his father was his "spirit" and he was getting better at pulling Kaleb to him and at influencing Loke and Virgo, though he did best with Lucy's silver keys for now, he'd learned to let his mother be the magic source for them, though he, in a much smaller way, could draw magic from his father. It wasn't from a lack of trying, either, Hestor had brought small boxes every few days with one or two silver keys and sat with both Lucy and him, none of them having responded...yet. He'd gotten a look in his eye and then said he had an idea. That idea...had been right, Hasu now had two 'companion' versions of Monoceros and Pegasus….that were just talky, sassy things, giving the boy a bit more confidence with each little outburst they had..
Raiu was a pure powerhouse, Laxus was now working with him separately twice a week, teaching him how to call lightning, and loving that since the boy could produce storms, call them up as long as there was water within a 10 mile radius of him, and with White Sea close to both the Ocean and the Grass Sea, Raiu at home was a serious powerhouse for being so young.
Xally worked with him too, able to teach him how to manipulate rain in ways that had him able to send drops of rain like bullets at people. Erza, who had not joined the guild but opted to stay in Bosco as a guest of the guild for the time being while Gray went back to Fiore, Lucy was sure to hunt down Natsu, Erza had become a great weapons teacher for the boys and she and Hasu in particular got along amazingly well.
She drew her thoughts together then as Kaleb started for the opening in the hall that would take them out into the massive arena.
Harvest Light, a guild Lucy had only heard of recently since they had been preparing for the games and she'd needed to learn who the masters were of each guild they would be facing, had just left ahead of them. The organizers stopped them to wait until Harvest light was well into the Arena walking the purple carpet that would take them to their designated spot in the center of the ring. All of the other guilds were already on the field now, White Sea would enter last.
"And our final guild competing this year will be White Sea, led now by Kaleb and Lucy Pradesh! Yes everyone, the Master of White Sea is officially OFF the market, he and Lucy, a native Fioran who came to Bosco just last fall were married on New Year's day of this year and the Masters of White Sea have already expanded their family to include the young mages walking with them, Hasu and Raiu Pradesh!" The announcer called.
"Supporting their Masters and representing the large number of mages White Sea has in its membership numbering over 4200 now are, Laxus Dreyar, Bickslow Pradesh, Gajeel Redfox, Cristoff Pradesh, Cidalise Gouselle, Vander and Cobra Pradesh and Hestor Kedanza with Farron Pradesh as their alternate!" The announcers voice boomed through the arena, making the Dragonslayers wince a little as the crowd went wild. White Sea was famous, and few people in Bosco hadn't in some way been touched by the guild throughout its long history.
Hasu gripped Lucy's hand suddenly, green eyes a little wide as he took in the crowds but Raiu was waving both his hands and turning in circles to the point he stumbled and would have fallen but Kaleb bent and scooped his son up, the boy settling on his fathers hip never losing his grin for more than a couple of seconds and continuing to wave.
Vander exchanged a smirk with Cobra, both men wearing proud uncle looks, were he not well aware of his own swirling black cape that he would have tripped on as easily as Raiu had just tripped on his, Vander might have been doing the same damn thing as his nephew. As it was he was already flirting with the crowds with waves and smiles to the point that, when they took their place at the center of the arena, Cobra, as soon as he saw the camera panning over them over the massive lacrima screens around the arena, grabbed him and kissed him with a possessive growl, very much needing to show the whole fucking world who Vander belonged to. Soon, all of Bosco and a large part of Ishgar would watch Lucy lead a team of her own choosing against other high caliber mages and Cobra smiled against his mates lips. "This is going to be FUN."
A/N Thank you to all the reviewers and people sending PMs every day with observations and ideas and encouragement! Yes, there will be more about what Lucy started uncovering during her key trial for Draco. I'm glad so many people are interested in that!
Nightmare Senshi, MsPuppetx, Darlingnikki, Starry, Sassy, Demon and all the others, you know all you do and I am so thankful for your help!