chapter seven: holy healing magic

"Did she mention, by any chance, what the voice said to her?" Makarov Dreyar asked.

"No," Gray said.

"I can't make it out. It's like something is blocking me from healing her mind," Wendy Marvell said. "I'm so sorry. If only I was more powerful…"

"Rogue, did you feel anything in the shadows?" Master Makarov asked.

"No, sir. So I don't know what's going on. But the train station, when we walked in, it's like it was completely empty."

Master Makarov lowered his head in thought. "Erza is still gone on a job request. I don't know if we have anyone here who can go and inspect the place."

"Sabertooth can. I'll have a few of my members go there at once. I'll have Orga and Rufus meet Yukino there," Sting told him. "Rogue and I will stay here and help you guys out. If it was something in the shadows, Rogue can definitely sniff it out."

"That'd be a big help. Whatever this was hurt one of my children. I cannot simply stand by while this happens." Master Makarov left the infirmary, and it was just Wendy, Sting, Rogue, Gray, Natsu, Lector, Frosch, Happy, and Carla in there.

"What's wrong with Lucy?" Erza said, opening the door. Sting and Rogue jumped.

"She heard a voice, and it's affected her somehow. But I can't heal her mind," Wendy said.

Maybe the voice… was part of the shadows? Rogue mused to himself. No, that's impossible. But if it was dark magic, maybe Sting and Wendy together…

"You're looking deep in thought," Erza said to him. "What's up?"

"Well, I was thinking… maybe it was a voice of dark magic that spoke to her. Sting's dragon slaying magic is holy, and his and Wendy's dragon slaying magic together might work."

"Holy healing magic?" Sting asked. He looked over at Lucy. "Could it work?"

"Yeah, maybe. If we use our power delicately enough together, it could," Wendy said.

"Okay. Let's try it."

Sting walked over to where Wendy was standing. He looked at her for guidance.

"I don't think the word 'delicate' is in Sting's vocabulary," Lector said, snickering.

"Shut up!" Sting said.

Wendy laughed nervously. "Okay, put your hand over her head like mine is."

"Like this?"

"Yeah. But over more towards her ear."

"You're already messing up and haven't even done anything," Gray said.

"Shut up!" Sting said again.

"Now we combine our powers. Gently, now,"

Sting released his magic as gently as he could. He watched as his magic combined with Wendy's and trickled into Lucy's mind. "Wow. Holy healing magic."

Lucy's eyes fluttered open. "Where am I?"

Natsu ran over to her. "You're in the infirmary in the guild hall. You passed out at the train station a few hours ago."

"I'm sorry for worrying you guys," she said. She started crying again. "I'm so sorry."

"At least you're okay now, thanks to Sting and Wendy's magic," Erza said.

Rogue stood by the door. How did I know that would work?

"You knew because you are the Shadow Dragon Slayer. The shadows are your domain. So, naturally, you knew there was something dark inside her mind that needed to be healed with holy magic," Erza told him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know I spoke out loud," Rogue said.

"It's okay. No need to apologize."

"I think that's all of it," Wendy said. She sat down and sighed.

"Man, I've never used my magic like that before!" Sting said.

"We appreciate your help," Master Makarov said, coming through the door. "Lucy, how are you feeling?"

"A lot better now, thanks to Sting and Wendy." She began to get out of the bed. "I even feel well enough to get out of bed."

"Good. then you can attend the welcome party we're having for Sabertooth!" Makarov smiled.

"What?" Sting and Rogue said together in unison.

"It's the least we can do since you guys helped out Lucy!" Happy said.

"Alright! Now we get to show you guys we really party in Fairy Tail!" Gray said.

"Um, I don't think that's a good idea," Lucy said.

"What are you saying, Lucy? Of course it's a good idea!" Natsu said.

Lucy laughed nervously. "Of course you'd think it was a good idea," she told him.

"We'll be waiting on you outside, Lucy," Erza said. Everyone left the room, except Rogue.

"What's wrong, Rogue?" Lucy asked.

"If whatever that… thing… was that you heard was part of the shadows, why could I not sense it?" he asked.

Lucy lowered her head. "I'm not sure."

"What did it say to you, if I may ask?"

"That my friends are hindering my true power…" Lucy looked at her hands in her lap. "I don't know what that means."

"Sabertooth learned from Fairy Tail that true power lies in friendship. And it's the same for you. Someone is trying to get you to abandon your friends. And I know you won't do that." He turned around to look at her. "You're a member of Fairy Tail."

Lucy stood up. "You're right. I'm never going to abandon my friends. They're what got me this far."

"We'll be waiting on you, Lucy." He waved at her before leaving.

Lucy began changing back into her clothes. They're waiting on me. She climbed the stairs that led back into the guild hall and passed the guild's library. She hesitated for a moment before going inside. "Maybe there's something in here about it?"

"Is there something specific you're looking for?" a voice said.

"First Master Mavis!" Lucy said. "I was hoping to find something out about what happened to me."

"That was a dark magic that could only be Zeref's doing," she told her.

"So… it was Zeref I heard? But how?" Lucy asked, trembling. "What does he want with me?"

"Don't worry, Lucy. You're protected by many friends. You'll never fall into Zeref's hands," she told her, smiling.

Lucy looked up at her. She felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Master Mavis."

"Your friends are out there waiting on you. Go and greet them with a smile!" Mavis told her.

"Yeah!" Lucy left the library with a smile.

Mavis sat down on one of the tables. "Zeref. What are you up to?"