Summary: Warmth blossomed over Lucy's hand and a faint echo of metal bouncing across marble reached her ears. She didn't feel the panic she expected when she saw the blade disappear into Ava's stomach, but she knew the guilt wouldn't come either.

Authors note: I feel like a broken record apologising for late updates. But I needed to get the story ideas in line. Everything is going to be pretty fast paced and I wanted to make sure I get everything done right. When I finish this story, I think I might post up my notes so you guys can get an idea of how I worked through it all, mainly about the Zodiacs that are going to be appearing from here on out.

Disclaimer: I in no way own Fairy Tail! I do however own my own characters. Or the origin of the Black Zodiac though the names and descriptions used in this story are of my creation and interpretation.

Arc: Greed

Chapter 17: The First Gate

Her heart was in her throat as she stared at the key in her hand, the familiar symbol of Cancer glinting back at her in the light of the setting sun. The forest surrounding the Blue Pegasus Guild was silent, no animals lurked in the bushes and not even a breeze rustled the trees. It was amongst the silence that Laxus, Bob, Evergreen, Freed and Bixlow watched on, anxious as they waited for Lucy to act.

The blonde Celestial Mage gripped the key in hand, her magic snapping and cracking in the air around her, eyes glowing gold before she threw out her hand, key point towards the ground, "I call upon the Black Gate of the Prophet! Open! Propheta!"

In a shower of black glitter and smoke, a small figure appeared before Lucy, a grey cloak hiding the figure from sight. Everyone was still as the small figure hunched, as though lowering themselves before their master.

"Ello' Mistress. I must thank you for liberating me from my previous master." The spirit spoke, shocking them all with the soft, lilting tone in which she spoke.

"Propheta… right?" Lucy spoke softly, crouching down in an attempt to see into the hood of the young spirits cloak, "I'm Lucy. You don't need to call me Mistress."

Propheta shook her head, something green slipping out from the shadow of her cloak and she squeaked but did nothing to hide it from view. Lucy took that as her invitation and reached forward, her fingers brushing the green strand aside only to gasp, flinching away and making her newest spirit cower.

"Forgive me Mistress! You should not touch Propheta for Propheta is not worthy." The spirit lowered completely to the ground, her cloak spreading around her like a puddle.

"No. Propheta. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Please sit up." Lucy sat in front of the spirit, now obviously a young girl. The Spirit obeyed her master and sat up, unable to do anything as Lucy gently push the hood from her head. Those watching could only gasp as the spirit was revealed.

Propheta could only close her eyes, the wind returning to the forest and making her cringe. What should have been hair was actually seaweed on her head, half of it held back from her face by numerous barnacles that rested there. They took up one side of her head and disappeared down her neck, and Lucy, being as gentle as she could, unclasped the cloak, only to blink back tears at the sight. The poor spirit looked away, ashamed at her failure being brought to light. But rather than being cast aside, she found herself shocked as Lucy wrapped her arms around her, cradling her as a mother would her own child.

"Mistress. What-" Propheta could only allow her newest Master to cry, "I don't understand."

Lucy pulled way, wiping her tears as she did so, "You've been hurt so badly… and I can feel how you hate the way you are. It's just… so sad…" Lucy sniffled, glancing at the only claw the spirit had, "I can feel the pain… I'm sorry you had to go through the war Propheta. I really am."

At a loss for word, the young spirit didn't even realise she had shed a tear until Lucy wiped it away, unconcerned about the rough barnacles her hand passed over. Her shock was written all over her face and Laxus chuckled, approaching the pair at a subdued pace.

"You'd better get used to this squirt. Lucy isn't your typical mage. You can ask her other Spirits about that." Laxus stopped before the pair, sinking his hand into Propheta's 'hair', and gave her an affectionate pat.

"I… I don't…" The Spirit took a breath, her lips twisting in what they assumed was a smile.

"A thank you would suffice. And I'm sure we'll work on that smile of yours." Lucy laughed, sharing a look with Laxus as he helped her stand before he lifted Propheta up from the ground, careful of the claw that looked wickedly sharp. Her tattered white dress blew in the wind and he stepped back to let the females get on with the true purpose of the black gates' opening.

"Thank you Mistress." Propheta bowed her head before she glanced up sharply, eyes serious, "You wish to know more of the Black Zodiac." It was a statement that, while true, blew Lucy away with the sudden nature of her words.

"Well yes. And I wanted to know about the Infernos siblings. Or more exactly… what they are." Lucy shuddered, a cold breeze blowing past her. Propheta raised her claw, opening it as she spoke.

"All knowledge comes with a price, Mistress. You must place your arm in mine and accept that the payment will be your blood. The more knowledge I provide, the more I require. You must make the call on your own when you have received what you desire from me." Propheta closed her eyes and waited while Lucy shared a nervous smile with Laxus and those that waited behind her.

"Lucy… Be careful. Please." His plea caused the blonde woman to smile, giving him a small nod before she put her bare arm in between Propheta's claw, taking a fortifying breath before she spoke.

"I'm ready." Upon finishing affirmation, Propheta's claw clamped down on her arm, drawing blood instantly and a pained yelp from her Master.

"Payment has been made. What is my Master's first desire for knowledge?" The young girl spoke with an eerie echo in her voice, awaiting instructions with a far off look on her face.

"My first request is… What are the Infernos Siblings?" Lucy winced, the constant pressure on her arm keeping her focused. She knew that Laxus and the others were listening, so she could allow herself to be distracted by the pain.

"Infernos siblings. Name derived from Old Fiorian of Infernus. Definition: Hell. Each sibling is not related by blood, but by their merge with the keys of the Black Zodiac. They are created from living humans and merged by their Master. They are altered by their keys, those once known are now unknown and their only salvation is death… They are sins incarnate and will stop at nothing to appease their master."

Lucy gasped, accidentally tugging her arm and chocking back a cry of pain.

"Do you have another request for Knowledge Master?" Propheta spoke again, her voice strained.

"I do. My second request for knowledge is… Who is the Master that merged them? Who was strong enough to do it?" Lucy waited and she only had a split second to brace herself as Propheta's claw cut deeper, drawing more blood from her arm.

"Their master is Zeref. His magic knows no bounds." The young spirit seemed to cringe as Lucy let a few tears drop, the blonde mage combating her pain as best she could, "Do you have another request for knowledge?"

Noise buzzed around her and Lucy could barely make out Laxus trying to tell her to stop, but she swallowed, taking a deep breath before facing down her spirit

"I have another request." Already Lucy could feel the claw preparing to clamp down harder, her arm burning with pain as she spoke, "The Zodiac Wars. Tell me your side of the story."

Lucy screamed as Propheta hit bone, her knees buckling under her. She clung to consciousness, panting and sweating as the Spirit started speaking.

"We lived together with humans and alongside the Golden Zodiac. Those of the Black Zodiac were jealous, pushed aside for those that were positive symbols of the zodiac, that had no negatives to their powers. People feared the ability of strength that required a price. We were hunted, supported only by a small group of followers. But while the people considered us evil, they didn't realise that they themselves were evil. More sinister than even we were for our required payment. Our payments had taken lives, they had wounded and torn families apart. But they didn't understand that we only acted on the will of those that gave payment." She paused, as if she too were reliving the events of thousands of years ago, "We were hunted by our Golden Partners, tortured by the humans, we were mutilated, scarred and then banned from our own realm. By some power or will, we survived for millennia in this world, our power draining, driving some insane when they found and used us, abusing our lack of control on our powers. Some Spirits were warped and twisted, seeking revenge in any way they could. When the Spirit King finally tracked us down, we were taken to the Spirit Realm, a realm that once acted as our home had become a poison to us. Every moment was pain and the combined strength of the King and the Twelve Zodiac Spirits sealed us to our keys before scattering us across Earthland until we were once again found by the Dark Mage Zeref. Our most recent memories are of the merge, the ritual that fused us with our now deceased hosts…" Propheta paused, taking a breath before she spoke again, grief coating her words, "Do you have another request for knowledge?

Lucy winced, the screams of those behind her telling her how worried they were, but it seemed as though none of them could get close. Against her better judgement, Lucy nodded, a cold sweat coating her face as she prepared herself from what she knew was to come.

"I do. Propheta… tell me what happened to you." Lucy waited, expected the claws to close completely and severe her arm from her body, only for her Spirit to completely release her and collapse to her knees, resting her forehead on Lucy's.

"Why would you want to know that Mistress?" Tears fell and the two couldn't tell who it was that cried more, "I will not accept payment for my knowledge. But I acknowledge your request. Let it be heard."

Lucy nodded, her body burning and her arm freely bleeding, "Thank… you."

"When I was captured by the King, Cancer of the Golden Zodiac dealt out my punishment. The punishment was my arm, their reasoning was that I would take less payment. As a result, my magic twisted, turning me… into what I am today. A monster of the sea, a Seer of misfortune and knowledge, Seeress of the Black Zodiac."

Lucy cried, feeling the pain Propheta had felt as if it was her own. It made sense to her that she had had to offer her arm for the payment to be taken, as though the Spirit was wanted to project what she had been through. No words described what she felt, nothing explained the burn that spread from her arm to the rest of her body. She shuddered to think what losing her arm actually felt like.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you went through that. I truly am." The Celestial Mage wrapped her good arm around her spirit and pulled her to her properly, cradling her to her chest like a child, "I promise, I'll do what I can to make it right. I'll do everything I can…"

"Lucy!" Laxus bolted forward, the force holding him back from her disappearing and Propheta became transparent.

"My time here has come to an end for now Mistress. I will be waiting for your call should you need me again, though I regret the payment will be the same." With remorse, the young spirit vanished and without her weight, Lucy fell backwards, straight into Laxus' chest.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly while Master Bob and the rest of the Thunder Legion surrounded them. Freed grabbed her wounded arm, drawing a scream from the blonde woman from the movement.

"Forgive me Lucy. But we need to stop the bleeding." Together with Master Bob, they coated her arm in a thick coating of green ooze before wrapping it in gauze, applying enough pressure to stop the severe bleeding.

"What were you thinking Lucy? You could have lost your arm!" Laxus felt panic claw at him, his inner dragon tearing at him to get her away, to protect her from her pain and it took all of his self-control to stop himself from lashing out at those around him and Lucy.

"I need… I needed to know… I needed to find out…" Lucy gasped, her body shutting down under the pain and stress she had put it under, "I have no regrets. W-we finally have some… some answers."

Under the duress she had been subjected to, Lucy finally slumped against Laxus, her body sagging as she fell unconscious.

"Damn it all Lucy." Laxus grunted as he fixed his hold on her, allowing them to finish wrapping her arm. He met Master Bob's gaze and could only frown at the serious look on his face.

"We're up against something serious Laxus. And I don't like it one bit…"

xXx The First Sin xXx

I just have to say, I absolutely love Propheta's character. I will likely delve into her character and the characters of the other Black Zodiacs as chapters go by. Now, while I have the chance, I don't think this story will exceed twenty-five chapters, serious chapters anyway. I might make a few extra's but only expect maybe another seven or so chapters! So please, I will try get my updates out on at least month if not more frequently, I promise I'm trying really hard to get this all out to you guys. All the names are derived from Latin as well, so if you wanted to know how I came up with them, there you go!

In saying that, that you guys so much for reviewing the last chapter:

Tiernank
The Wimmel
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Srinivasan Kalidas
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