Task 6: find your strength (Part 3)
She was excited and it was strange.
More than strange, it was unthinkable.
She had ducked again, used overturned table as a shield, did somersault behind it to be able to emerge quickly on the other side and throw her next fireball spell in him. Hearing another enraged yell as her fire burned more of Vulkan's already singed fur, she felt another wave of excitement invaded her chest. And it was very strange.
Levy avoided physical battles all her life, tried to be as far from guild's daily brawls as possible, choose jobs, which were supposed to be free from violence. As a child she was timid, preferred to hide somewhere with her book instead of participating in usual mischievous attics, which were common among her energetic Fairy Tail friends. Her teen's years flew quietly in the peaceful abode of library; she occupied her time with reading and learning, developed high level translating and deciphering skills, could speak fluently a dozen of languages and accumulated in her mind encyclopedic knowledge about every subject that attracted her curiosity.
And, oh my, was she curious about everything, including battle tactics and tricks, although she never fought, continuing to devour books about all kinds of subjects. She reached position of TOP linguistic mage in the Guild, was valued for her intelligence and research skills, but always considered physically weak and she wasn't near the strongest on the battlefield, that's for sure. Such state of things didn't upset her much and she continued with her routine, being cheerful, kind and quiet by nature.
Acquaintance with Gajeel left her in a painful shock, but it made her realize that she needs at least to master basics and she did, as usually putting all her resources into the task, but it was only for defense's means, when highly pressed. Thought as time rolled by she had to admit that she began to enjoy watching other's friendly fights, especially when one particular person was participating, but desire to join never bothered her mind, she was content to watch from aside, admire and cheer.
She was 100% sure that she is a peace-loving kind of mage, unable to catch combat's pleasure, and here she was, excited to fight huge enraged beast, whose height was almost twice her height, whose power greatly overcame hers and whose temper right now was completely uncontrolled.
Vulkan roared with rage, spitting saliva and blood while swearing. He couldn't reach her. Why couldn't he reach her? This small insect kept avoiding and dodging his attacks with a maddeningly cunning knack. He already got heavy blow from her iron, 3 fireballs and gut smashing wind attack and still wasn't able to lay a single punch on her. Such an absurdity drove him mad. By this time he should have squished her! Easily, like a midge she is. He rushed forward more livid than ever.
'Wait!... Wait!... To the left! Now!' Gajeel's voice ordered in her head. She obeyed, evacuating herself in last second, which caused Vulkan to crash into a wall at full speed. Another furious yell and the whole place shook when monster, unable to hold back his rage, heavily hammered his huge fists into the wall. He faced Levy with a look that displayed absolute hate.
"Kill you, Crum!" He growled. "I'll kill you."
His distorted with rage face, the bloodshot eyes, stained red and black fur, fists covered in cuts and sickening smell, which came from his burning skin, not mentioning giant height, towering considerably over hers, made Vulkan's appearance incredibly frightening. However, tiny girl stood straight, firm determination in her eyes. She got something that made her feel strong, the strongest in her life, endowing her with power she never dreamt of having.
Her eyes constantly on Vulkan, she moved slowly more to the left, leading the monster further from the injured man, who was still laying on the spot he fell after her unsuccessful attempt to free them. Kids slipped past fighters some time ago, following her command, and now were hiding or searching in the darker side of the room. She couldn't see them and with a noise their fight created Levy couldn't tell what they were doing. At least they were away from firing line, as safe as they can be for now.
Script Mage sensed her opponent readiness to launch another attack and prepared herself to dodge and counterstrike. Monster made a launching move but instead of aiming at her, he abruptly changed direction, attempting to strike the man.
"Iron shield" Levy shouted instantly. "Push!"
"I don't let you harm him!"
But through her spells worked pushing the beast away from a helpless male, Vulkan grinned menacingly throwing his both hands forward on a sudden. Levy's eyes registered two flying objects, she managed to cast another "shield" to protect the man, but hadn't time to dodge or repeat the spell for herself. The sharp stone hit her firmly on the right shoulder, chipped edges cut her skin and inflicted laceration. She couldn't suppress painful gasp, but managed to stay on her feet, fighting the numbness, which quickly spread through her arm.
'No', Levy stepped back a little, trying to buy some time. It was her working arm, she can write spells with her left too, but they came slower and usually a considerably weaker. She tried to move her shoulder to overcome the pain, she needed this arm back.
"Ga!" Vulkan produced pleased whoop. He hit her at last and the wound was bleeding profusely, filling the air with a nice smell of fresh blood. 'Good', he leaked his lips, anticipating the taste. 'Soon', the crum looks fragile, she won't last long.
He lunched on the girl again, Levy managed to dodge, but she stumbled and nearly fell. Her head started to spin and she was forced to lean on stool, catching her breath. Vulkan shrank for another attacking jump and Levy braced herself, when her ears caught faint sound, coming from her left. She looked and found injured man's eyes open and gazed directly at her.
"Come to me" he mouthed again and she rushed with all her remaining speed, casting "trap" spell behind her with her left hand. It wasn't very strong but it will give her a little time.
Levy crouched near the man, assuming that he needs some help, but he closed his eyes again, placing his palm on her wounded forearm and inaudibly whispered something. She felt cold tickling sensation and gasped staring at her arm – thin silver substance was slowly spreading over it, starting with her fingertips. It reached her elbow, proceeded higher, covered up her wound, cutting the bleeding instantly, then the whole shoulder, neck, other arm and the rest of her body like a second skin. Armor-like second skin, she realized, metallic, similar to Gajeel's. Only his had scales on it, hers was smooth, softly shining in the dim room.
"Ga!" She was so distracted that she completely missed when Vulkan broke through her 'trap' and attacked her. Levy remembered him and their fighting only when his fist collided solidly with her head. The force of stroke was enormous, it would kill her on the spot before, but now her head only jerked back a little while the rest of her body kept previous position and all she felt was he only slight vibration of pain.
"What the?" They both exclaimed bewilderingly, equally astonished with the outcome of his strike, but Vulkan's confusion was destined to be short-lived. For the first time in her life Levy McGarden's fist purposefully met someone's body. She placed a blow to his jaw then another one to his gut, her limbs moving in a way she so often saw performed by her combative guildmates. Vulkan's jaws clacked and with a gulping sound his massive carcass crumpled to the floor and stood still, unconscious. Levy had gasped, looked at him then at her hands, slender metal covered fingers trembling slightly.
It was when an understanding of how close she was to her end struck her with full force. The girl suppressed the urge to slump to the floor and concentrated on controlling her shaking. It wasn't a victory yet, just a break, and if she doesn't use it wisely, she might not have another chance. She needs time, as much as she can get, she needs to secure Vulkan immobile, what spell best suited for this goal?
'The only strike is not enough! Prepare combined spells, where each word strengthen the other!' Another part of Gajeel's training advice popped up in her mind, giving her much needed inspiration.
"Glue!" Levy shouted, and, despite alien cover, her magic worked, coating the enemy with a thick layer of viscous liquid.
"Rope!" Motionless figure on the floor looked like giant cocoon now.
"Cage!" Solid bars grown around unconscious body, locking him inside.
'This should be enough, should it, Gajeel? I'll make it, right?' He won't answer her, she knew that, but to refer to him made him closer somehow.
Levy eyed her work, then returned to the man, who never changed position since he had helped her, his breath strained and short.
"Hold on" she whispered, gently touching his arm, "just a bit more. I'll go and look for exit. Please, hold on."
She run to the other side of the room, calling for kids, but no one answered her. Except for her gasps, Vulkan's and male's difficult breathing the room was silent.
Levy casted the "Light" spell and stopped abruptly, when previously coated with darkness part of the room illuminated, revealing deserted space cluttered with various mostly broken stuff. Kids weren't here anymore, Levy frowned but brightened instantly, assuming that there can be only one explanation – they found the exit somehow; in this case she can find it too.
The girl rushed ahead, examining each piece of furniture, stains on the walls, cracks on the floor, trifles that can be magical items with utmost attention. She was in the middle of her exploration, when her peripheral vision spotted green light, starting to ooze from roughly made wooden stool, which was placed in the farthest corner. Then a "puff" was heard and familiar white-haired boy appeared holding the arm of the older man, whose facial features wore visible family resemblance. Both newcomers looked frightened and on high alert, man's free arm clasped big knife, but kid's eyes sparkled when he saw her, although at the same time they had rounded seeing her silver skin. He tugged his companion's arm toward the girl nevertheless.
"It's she!" He eagerly exclaimed. "Dad, it's she!"
"Right, Zenya, stay here and the second he'll move go into the portal!" The man ordered to the boy after quickly observing the room, his gaze lingered on vulkan's still unconscious body for short moment, before relaxing a little. Then he directed his attention to Levy, ignoring her unusual appearance for the sake of a more urgent issue. "Hurry, miss, take my hand and we are out of here."
"No!" Levy immediately recoiled from him. "There is other person, he is injured and can't move. We can't leave him!"
And she dashed back, creating the float while running and proceeded to deposit wounded man on it. The boy's father joined her, definitely uncomfortable and constantly checking unconscious beast, who looked like he was about to awake soon, and together they managed to complete the task without much disturbance to the injured male.
The float moved to the spot where kid was waiting, his hands fidgeting around wooden surface, face white, but determined to stay at his post. When they approached and Vulkan still was the motionless heap on the floor the boy hiccupped, relieved, and promptly climbed onto a stool pressing his body firmly to the seat and green light appeared, surrounding him. Boy's father moved her float closer to the stool and grabbed boy's arm, placing it to the float. Mist intensified and with a mild sound they both were gone.
"Now our turn," the man said to her. "It may be dizzy a little. Hold on to me."
Solid Script Mage did as she was told, sparing one last glance at the Vulkan, who started to stir a few moments ago. Creature, whose limbs were now glued to his body and tied tightly with an impressive amount of rope, attempted to rise, when portal was engulfing her, but failed altogether. The room faded and the last thing she heard when she was transported somewhere was a muffled roar full of helpless rage.
A/n Yes, she did it! Levy is great, it's a pity than manga shows us only small bits of her magic. Will Gajeel be proud when he finds out? Oh, yes, he will be! :D
Thanks for reading. Till next time!