Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima. I own the Original Characters (OCs) and ask you not to use them without asking for permission first. Please respect this, as I am very possessive of my OCs and don't share as easily as other authors!
Lu'Arna watched as Lucy and Al'Tana talked. Two things occupied his mind.
The first is Lucy leaving, and soon. He was glad she'd return home since he'd initiated a rebellion that'd plunge his country into a civil war. And Lu'Arna did not want to drag her into it. He knew Lucy's personality; she'd like to help.
And while he'd appreciate it, many others would not. An off-worlder foreigner would not be welcomed. Thus putting Lucy at a disadvantage, and Lu'Arna didn't need to protect her when trying to reclaim the throne.
"Hahaha!"
"It's true, Miss Lucy. He hasn't. Make you wonder?"
"Yes, yes, it does."
Feeling a chill roll down his back, Lu'Arna looked at the two females. Both were looking at him. Al'Tana had a mischievous glint in her eyes, while Lucy was contemplative and assessing.
Shifting, Lu'Arna frowned. It never bodes well when a female gives either look. And both could block him from their thoughts.
"Al'Tana, there is much indeed."
"Right!? Now let's plan dinner."
He watched as they left his quarters.
They were people he wanted to protect—one of the many reasons he wanted to start this civil war. Al'Tana was aware of what he was going to do after Lucy was gone. She'd been ecstatic, oddly so.
Yet Lu'Arna learned after questioning her that her whole clan and many others had just been waiting for him to make this choice. It was a pleasant surprise.
Though he knew what his biggest obstacle was.
Lifting his hands, Lu'Arna fingered the circlet his Uncle had placed on his head. He'd remove it soon enough. Then there'd be no holding back.
His Uncle would pay for his deceitful betrayal. As would all those who'd conspired with him. It would be a bloodbath.
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Rei'Neira frowned at what he'd just been told. It was unpleasant news. And he didn't doubt it was true.
He'd long had contact from another world—a mage with similar powers to the woman, Lucy.
This man, Albrick, had made contact with Lu'Shelia. A female that should have been his, not his half-brother's mate.
"Seems that the retal(rat) I left alive has decided it doesn't want to live anymore. Thank you, Albrick," He said as he glared at the husk of a female Lunar Moth.
"No problem. We are business partners, after all. You losing a valuable tool like that Celestial Mage and your throne wouldn't benefit either of us."
Rei'Neira smiled. He'd been in contact with this man for almost three decades. And though there wa a long six-year period of silence, he had not disparaged.
"I'll keep my eyes and ears open. When that retal makes a move, I'll kill him." He said while chuckling. "And I'll keep the female. But don't worry, I'll have access to the temple to send you the poisons of my people. You'll have your revenge on those that destroyed your clan."
"Thank you. I need to go before my medium passes out."
"Same. My little no-name niece is at her limit for today."
The faint glow in prismatic eyes dimmed slowly after the connection was severed.
Reaching out, Rei'Neira rubbed his niece's head. A soft hum came from her. She could not speak unless Albrick called him. Her head and throat were bound in the same circlets that his nephew wore.
And he did not care for how ungrateful his retal nephew was being by trying to send his new love back to her world. More of his family's blood would be on his hands, but Rei'Neira didn't care. What was the death of one more family member if he gained a stronger hold on the throne and kept Lucy?
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"Brother. Crux."
At the call from Virgo, both stopped their research and looked. She had a worried look on her face.
"Virgo, what's wrong?"
Sniffling, Virgo rushed to Leo's side and hugged him. Causing both Leo and Crux to share a worried look.
"I had gone to the Mercurial Celestial Body to meditate. And I overheard a conversation, brother. Crux."
Stiffening, Leo looked at Crux, who had a quill and scroll in his hands.
Only a few in Earthland recalled that the Celestial Spirits were also tied to specific Celestial( or heavenly) bodies. Virgo's was Mercury, the body of communication.
"Tell us, Virgo," Leo said. His hands rubbed soothing circles on her back.
"That dark Celestial mage Albrick called a person called Rei'Neira. And this Rei'Neira sits upon the throne. They have a deal to trade things between worlds. Poisons from Rei'Neira's world help Albrick get revenge for his clan. And to keep Rei'Neira on the throne."
Matching frowns appeared on Leo's and Crux's faces. They'd need to take this to the Celestial King.
A connection to trade between worlds had long been banned. Only two families left could open the passage, the Augrilas, and Heartfilia. The others had long passed to the annals of history. Or so they'd thought.
But if this Albrick could communicate and say confidently, he could do this. Maybe one of the clans hadn't died out? This matter was serious.
And to get access to that information, the Celestial King had to approve access to Mercurial's Archives.
"Sleep, Virgo."
Gently Leo pressed the pressure point on the back of her neck. When she went limp, Leo picked her up. Giving Crux a look, Leo teleported them to where Virgo could rest and recuperate safely. While he and Crux tried to sort things out and make sure Lucy would be safe and able to come home.
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Laxus watched silently as his Guild bustled around noisily. The deadline date was approaching when his gaze landed on Erza, who was talking with Jellal and his guild members.
It made him feel both insecure and possessive. But he still needed an answer from Erza. So he had no right to act like a jealous fool.
"Guild Master, Laxus."
He was shutting his eyes and taking a deep breath to calm himself. Laxus gave a slight nod.
"Are you sure you and the other Dragon Slayers will be able to stay calm as your magic is drained dangerously low?"
Opening his eyes, Laxus looked at Ultear. Carefully he thought of what to say. There was no doubt.
"Yes. Lucy is precious to each of us in her way. And with you, Angel, and Yukino, things should be fairly okay. Now, why are you asking this?"
"Let's call it a woman's intuition. And knowing the Bullshit luck that Fairy Tail has."
Stunned by the blunt honesty of Ultears words, Laxus laughed. He couldn't say a damn thing about his Guild's luck. It was random and utter bullshit.
"you think something will go wrong?"
"A good chance. That dark Celestial mage has not been found and caught."
Nodding his head, Laxus gave Ultear a cold, toothy smile.
"Then, if he interferes, he is in a world of pain. Freed, Levy, and Rufus have devised some nasty rune barriers. Plus, all the mages available from Fairy Tail, Sabertooth, Mermaid Heel, Quatro Cerberus, Lamia Scale, and Blue Pegasus will not go down without a fight."
The smile Ultear gave him showed her approval.
"Crim is ready for blood to be spilled. We are no stranger to a bloody war."
Again Laxus nodded and looked back out over his Guild. Only to find Erza looking at him, a giant smile on her flushed face.
He didn't need to hear what she had to say. He had his answer now.
TBC!
