AAAAH!
Where have I been?
Well, Morgana is sorry, but she hasn't forget about Dalila! Nope! Here you go ;)
One months later, after Dalila had left Warrod's house!
A month later...
Cemetery of Linveland, late afternoon...
Dalila moved uncertain steps among the tombs, where the remains of the human beings were resting until the end of time, unconscious witnesses of the silent steps of the living.
It was the end of summer, and a light breeze was gently caressing the grass between the graves, and the last flowers of that year.
Soon winter will come, thought the dragon slayer, passing by a few primroses, and the ground would be too hard for anything to grow.
Despite a whole century had passed, the cemetery of Linveland had changed little since last time Dalila had been there. She was twelve, and her granddad had passed away a few days before. After the funeral in the small chapel of the town, Dalila and her parents and a few other relatives and friends had accompanied the body to the graveyard.
"Isn't it comforting, knowing that grandpa is resting in such a beautiful place?" Had asked her mom to the young Dalila, whiping the child tears and trying at the same time to hold her own.
Dalila could not recall what had been her answer then. She was young, and that was the very first time death had broken into her happy, little world. Now she understood better her mother. Trying to comfort a child, her mother was also comforting herself. A sad smile played on her lips. I had no-one to comfort, when my mother passed. She hadn't even been there. I miss mum... and Dad... and my sister and my friend...
Maybe it would have been comforting to be able to present them a last goodbye
I have to mourn them by myself. I am alone, even in mourning.
But that was the reason she had come that day to Linveland. She had been worried at first, stupidly, that people would have recognised her - the girl who had been missing one century ago, came back to her hometown! - but soon realised that no one was paying attention to her, as she walked in the crowded streets and squares of her hometown.
A century had passed. How stupid to think someone still bothered looking for me.
She thought, walking among houses that were so different from her time that, hand't she knew she was in Linveland, she would have thought she had stepped
into a whole different part of Fiore. I don't even recognise the city, so it's only fair that the city does not recognise me.
Before going to the cemetery, Dalila had walked to her old house. She hadn't resisted the temptation to peek inside the window, and she had seen a woman, carrying a huge pile of what seemed to be towels of bedsheets, and behind her, a toddler was running, declaring that he wanted to carry towels too. The woman was laughing so hard, that the and the bedsheets were almost dropping from her hands.
It has always been a happy house... Dalila retrieved from the scene, fighting a lump in her throat. At least that hasn't changed.
We have been happy. Dalila thought, as she wandered among the neighbourhood a while more, trying to orientate herself. Even when my sister was ill, even then, I felt were, somehow, happy. Now I know we really were.
Again, 'a little comfort'.
The dragon slayer had then walked downtown, looking for her music school - which was still there, now much bigger and with the facade painted bright red instead of the creamy shade of one hundred of years ago.
None of the cafes she used to visit with her friends was still there, and shops and restaurants had took their place throughout the years.
She hadn't had the courage go into the Archives of the town, to check when her parents had passed away, or her sister. Mavis told me everyone I knew wasn't here anymore, they had already checked... There is no point making this harder than it already is. Thought the wind slayer. Maybe one day I will... she told herself, knowing perfectly that she was never going to do it. And it was ok.
But she wanted to pay a visit to the cemetery. She felt it was important, even if there were going to be no tombs to kneel in front of, or to bring flowers to.
The man at the gate looked at her suspiciously - her boots were dirt, and so were her cloak and bag - but he let her pass anyway.
Dalila had been walking around the tombs for a while, spending the afternoon looking at names and dates. Who knows if these people are remembered. She asked herself. Have they been happy? Do their beloved ones come visit often?
The sun was setting, and as her shadow grew longer and the light turned from golden to orange, Dalila realised the cemetery was going to close soon. She looked around for a nice place where to pay her goodbyes.
I remember there was... Ah, here it is!
She spotted a small mausoleum, standing among dark green cypresses, in a. Corner of the cemetery.
I remember this. She thought. We came here, after we buried my grandpa.
She remember that, before leaving the cemetery, her parents and her had entered that small temple, to pay their homage to the gods and ask them to carry the soul of the dearly departed onto the peaceful lands of eternal life, and to ask protection for their house and family.
Her father had deposed a small offer at the feet of the altar, and then they prayed for a few minutes, with words that Dalila couldn't remember. She remember only the feel of relief she had felt once she had come once again in the daylight, like she had just say goodbye to her grandpa in the only proper way, that was, with the wish they could meet, when the time had came, once more, in the happy afterlife.
And that was what she was going to do now. She had nothing to offer, she realised, as she walked up the few step that lead to the mausoleum, no money, no food, no jewellery.
I don't even know which gods have to be praied... not even if I truly believed there are gods out there. Right, but Dalila did believe in the souls of her beloved ones. It will be them I will thank and cherish, their the protection and guidance I will
seek. My memories of my family and friends are much more alive than any god can be.
She knelt down, and lowered her head. Thousands of scents filled her nose, and she perceived, distinctly, the strong savoury smell of incense, the cold one of the stones carved many centuries ago by crafty hands, the salty one of thousands tears and cry of desperation, as well as the falsity of many mourning speeches that had been held on that very same spot.
Yes, she could smell all of that. I am getting good at this. She smiled, thinking about what Warrod had told her about her nose. She didn't need to hide, or to despise her magic power. It was within her.
Acceptance, a feeling she thought she was never going to feel again, washed over her. I am here, I am alive, and I am grateful. Holding onto my past will not help.
And as the thought took form in her mind, she understood. And she began to speak. "I am here to bid you farewell to the ones who I loved, that are no more," she started, addressing the cold air of the mausoleum, "I thank you for the time we spent together, for what everyone of you had taught me, for the love and friendship and trust I have received. I am here to honour what has been, so I shall not forget it."
The small altar twinkle in the rays of the setting sun. The wind had risen outside, and was coming from the open door of the mausoleum behind her, dragging with it leaves, dust, the rustling of the trees and the distant sounds of the city.
"I am here to promise you, that I will live the life I have been graced with, and I will use the power that has been bestowed to me for good, and good only."
But the love you gave me, that gives me the strength to keep going on, no matter what, it's the most precious gift you all could ever give me.
"I promise you, I will be happy." Dalila felt a lump forming in her throat. "I will be happy, as you wanted me to be. I will be friendly, and I will not lose the focus on what's important in life. I promise I will listen to every cry of-" "Help!"
Dalila stood shocked. She was about to say 'cry of help' indeed, to express her will to help others, but she had not expected someone to complete her sentence.
She looked around, but there she was alone. Behind her, much far away, she heard the custodian starting to close the gate. And she could smell no living creature around the temple.
The wind rustle, carrying again the same scared voice. "Help! Someone help me!"
It was the voice of a young woman, and the desperation and the panic were evident in her plea.
There was no time to waste.
Dalila jumped on her feet, and she rose, the wind grew stronger. "Seems like I will go and fulfil my promise." she said to the walls of the mausoleum.
She bowed slightly, and she did, she believed she saw, in a glimpse, many pale figures, dressed in an old manner, standing beside the altar. Their faces were smiling, and waving with their hands, but when she looked back, the vision was gone. Behind the altar, only stone wall was staring back at her.
Dalila's mouth twitched in a smile. I will not fail you.
A second later, the wind slayer was sprinting out of the mausoleum, towards the entrance gate.
The custodian looked at her coming rather disapprovingly, trying to keep his hat in place. He had just closed the gate! Now he had to open it again! And why had the wind risen so suddenly, what an annoyance! It was supposed to be a quiet, nice day of end summer!
"You know miss," he started, taking off a key from his pocket with a hand, the other still pressed onto his hat. "you are quite late for..."
His words never came out, for his mouth remained open.
Surrounded by the wind that seemed to pull her, or even coming from her, Dalila was now a few meters away from the closed gate. She didn't slowed her pace, but accelerated instead, and then, much to the custodian surprise, she stomped hard on the ground, and she rose in the air, flying past the gate, as a feather carried by the wind.
"I know I am late, I am sorry!" she shouted, waving at the gaping custodian. "Have a nice evening, sir!"
The custodian stood dumbfound for a few seconds, and only when Dalila was up to the sky he slowly lifted his hand. "Have a nice uhm-travelling, miss!" he said.
He stood rooted on the spot until Dalila was nothing but a dot in the organic sky. When the girl finally disappeared, he startled. He looked around, and being sure no one had been there to witness his idiocy, he shook the head to himself. "These young people... Always late..."
Mountains around Linveland
Dalila was flying in the wind as fast as she could. The night was falling, and had she not be a dragon slayer, she had not be able to orient in the darkness between the mountain peaks.
She was still wandering how she could have heard that voice calling for help. The wind must have, for some unknown reasons, brought it to her.
She had been flying for almost an hour now, and had left the valley of Linveland behind her proceeding deeper and deeper into the Blue Mountains, were the mountains were insanely tall, and the peaks covered in ice and snow glistening in the dying light of the day.
After discovering who was in danger and helped them, she was going to was going to flying on top of them. Yes! The view must be amazing! Ah, I have been flying around for a whole month, and every time I see a peak I am still tempted to reach its top! If it was for a childish enthusiasm, or simply because she was the damn wind dragon slayer, she couldn't know. But the sole thought of reaching those peaks, so close to the sky, sent a rush of adrenaline running through her.
"Help! Oh my god!"
The voice was heard again, and Dalila speeded up. She was close now, she could feel it. She took a large breath, eating the wind that surrounded her. She couldn't afford to be tired.
"Some... Someone... Anyone..."
"I am here!" shouted back Dalila. "Resist!"
The wind swallowed her reply and carried it away. Dalila kept flying. Soon, she arrived at a mountain which looked taller than the other. Her flanks were black and bare, instead of being covered in snow like the others. It was casting a menacing shadow onto the near peaks, and when Dalila entered its shadow, she shivered.
"Here!" the voice was heard again. "I am here! Please, help me!"
The sun had settled down and only a glimpse of light was illuminating the sky. Dalila narrowed her eyes, searching the flanks of the mountain and the valley behind her. "Where are you?" She needed to hurry. "Keep talking! I am close!"
"Yes..." the voice was trembling, "I am... Here... On the mountain..."
Dalila looked at the huge black wall in front of her. "Where-Wait, I see you!" she shouted. She had spotted a tiny, white form against the blackness of the mountain. "Resist!"
Dalila rushed to the white spot, and as she grew closer, she distinguished a young girl, holding onto a prominence on the vertical wall, standing with both feet onto a slim rock. "Plase help..."
"Don't worry, I am here now."
The slim rock where the girl was standing was so thin that the poor things had her back pressed against the mountain, and couldn't move a muscle not to lose her balance, and fall int he abyss underneath.
As Dalila came a few feet from the flank of the mountain, the wind brought to Dalila the smell of exhaustion, pure terror, and trembling muscles. A few minutes more, and her legs would have given out. Thought Dalila with a shiver, finally managing to stand in front of the poor thing.
Holding her balance on the current of wind, the wind dragon slayer held out her arms. "Jump!"
The girl looked at her in fear, her cheeks lined with tears. "What?" she shrieked, eyeing the abyss in front of her.
The wind blowed harshly, almost carrying Dalila away with it. Damn! The wind is too strong! The dragon slayer fought to keep herself close tot he mountain. I will not be able to stay still for long!
Yes, that was one thing. The wind was great for flying and going from one place to another, but keeping still in a closing current was a whole different level. A level Dalila had yet to master.
"I can't stand still for long!" she shouted, as the wind dragged her a few feet away from the girl.
Following Dalila struggle against the roaring wind, the girl gasped, putting both of her hands of her mouth.
An unwise move, since as her ands lost their grip over the mountain wall, the girl lost her balance. "Aaaah!"
"No!" Dalila saw the girl bend towards the abyss, quivering.
The wind dragon slayer called to her aid all the magic she possessed. Slipping among the gusts of wind, grasping them like they were a million of invisible threads, Dalila plunged herself forward, and her stretched out hand met the girl's waist in the moment one her feet slipped form under her.
"Got you!" Dalila chirped with a grin, but one second after, her expression of victory turned into a grimace of horror.
I have never carried someone else with me! How stupid I am! She thought, as they were dragged down into the void.
The girl screamed and clutched herself onto Dalila, who tried to regain balance and to take the wind once more. Part of her remember of a certain poison dragon slayer, and how they avoided to smash onto the ground out of pure luck, but Dalila was not going to rely on luck once more.
With the high pitched screams of her passenger inside her ears, and the black bottom of the mountain getting closer and closer at every second, Dalila fought to concentrate and master the magic around them. Finally, she felt the wind howling and embracing them both, deviating their trajectory and lowered them gently on the rocks beneath.
Whoa! That had been close! Very damn close!
When her feet touched the ground, Dalila knees gave up, and she let herself fall, breathing heavily. She realised on that moment, that she was holding tightly to the girl she just saved - who hadn't been able to stand as well, and was now sobbing loudly on the crock of her neck.
Immediately, a familiar scent filled Dalila's nose.
Lucy? was her first thought, but the girl was not Lucy. But somehow, she smell like the Celestial Mage.
Dalila stood silent for a minute, letting the girl calm down - and taking a few deep breaths herself, and calming her own thumbing heart.
I have never met this girl in my life, and for sure she is not the relative of no one in Fairy Tail. The wind slayer decided after having sniffed the girl again.
"Come on, we are ok... You are safe now." Dalila crew slow circled with her hands on the girl's back and slowly, the girl's whimpers subsided.
After a few more minutes, she had calmed down enough to lower her hold onto Dalila, and the two drew apart. Dalila studied carefully the girl's features. Blue hair, brown eyes... She looks a little like Lisanna...
"Th-Thanks!" the girl sobbed. "I thought-Thank you so much!" She sniffed. "My name is Yukino."
Of course it was was Yukino Agria. Dalila had never seen the Celestial Mage of Sabertooth, but she remembered of what Lucy had told her about Yukino.
Of course they have the same smell! Had thought the dragon slayer. They use the same kind of magic!
After explaining Yukino that no, Dalila was not following her and they had actually never met - because the young Celestial mage had fallen in a bubbling mess of apologies for not having recognised Dalia - the two had decided it was better to find shelter, before night got too dark even for Dalila too see.
"I came here with two guild mates, Sting-sama and Rogue-sama!" Had said Yukino. "A request came to Sabertooth a week ago. It seems that some dark mages are using a monster to terrify and rob the villagers of these valleys!"
Dalila had gasped. "It is terrible! Who would ever do that?"
"We don't know exactly how many mages there are in this dark guild." Yukino had shook her head. "We know only about the Master. Rimbaud it's his name. He took my Keys."
Dalila had felt pain stinging in her heart. She had seen enough of Lucy to understand what that meant. "It is... How come?" She had asked.
"Rimbaud and his guild, and the monster are hiding in a cave." Yukino sniffed. "We went there this morning to make an inspection, and... And I got separated by the others. Someone his me in the back of my head, and when I woke up, I was on the flank of the mountain, and my Keys were gone!"
"We will take your Keys back!" Had said Dalila immediately. "You don't have to cry! You have been very brave, resisting for so long!"
"Thank you!" Yukino had smiled weakly. "I hope it is not too late... I wanted to stay and search them, but I haven't the strength for... Maybe with Sting-sama and Rogue-sama..."
"We will take your Keys back! Now where is the place you and your guild mates are staying? We can't keep you out in the cold like that!"
Yukino had nodded. "Our inn is in a small village not far from the mountain! It should be at the end of this valley. Thank you, Dalila-sama! Thank you so much!"
The village was actually not that far away, and in a couple of hours, half flying and half walking, Yukino and Dalila saw the peeking light of the village, glistening at the bottom of the valley.
We made it just in time. Thought the wind dragon slayer, breathing in relief when they finally entered the main hall. Night is pitch black in the mountains. I am exhausted, and Yukino has almost reached her limit.
The Sabertooth mage had not let out a whine or a complaint as they walked through the woods and up and down in the valley, but Dalila had felt her body getting colder and colder every minute, and there was little she could do, apart from keeping Yukino close to her warm body and breath on her hands from time to time.
Indeed, Yukino visibly relaxed as soon as she was enveloped in the warm air of the inn. "We made it!" She whispered, with the eyes full of tears. "I thought I was going to die out there!"
"Surely not!" exclaimed Dalila, looking around. Now, it was a matter of finding her team mates and telling them Yukino was safe. "You team was going to come and rescue you!"
Yukino smiled. "Dalila-sama, without your help I-" "Yukino-chan!" "Yukino!"
Yukino was interrupted halfway through her sentence. Well, interrupted was a euphemism. The young girl was literally crashed onto the ground by a flash of light, which a second later took the form of a tall, blonde young man, with a reddish cat on his shoulder.
"We thought we lost you!" cried the blonde, squeezing Yukino so tightly Dalila believed she had just heard one of her bones cracking. "We have been looking for you in the whole valley! We were so scared - just about to leave, no way we were going to let the night pass without looking for you!" "Yukino-chan, where have you been?" cried the red, teary-eyed cat - An Exceed! Dalila realised with surprise.
"And then, we thought, she might have fainted! You have no idea how terrified we were! Lector has been looking for you under every rock!" The blonde was speaking at the speed of light, not letting Yukino the time to reply or breath.
"Sting!" coughed the poor Celestial mage. "I can't... breath!"
"We have split up and went looking for you, but nor me nor Rogue could-oh hell, you are freezing!" the blonde scanned Yukino with his dark blue eyes, taking in every single scratch and bruise. "We need a doctor for you, now!"
This must be Sting Eucliffe, thought Dalila, stepping aside and looking carefully at the blonde. Master of Sabertooth and the white dragon slayer. And the Exceed must be Lector, if I am not mistaken. A smile pulled on her lips. They were really worried.
Until that moment, neither Sting nor Lector had registered the presence of Dalila, and Yukino was took busy fighting for air to properly introduce her.
Dalila was about to clear her throat when a much deeper, husky voice sounded right behind her. "Yukino! It's a relief to see you are good!" "Fro thinks so too!"
Dalila spun on her heels and found herself face to face with a pale, tall man - Why on Earthland does anyone I meet have to be taller than me? - staring at her with ruby's, serious eyes.
"I assume you are with Yukino?" he asked in a slightly threatening voice.
"Fro thinks so too!"
The unfriendly attitude of Rogue - because Dalila immediately understood who was the pale man in front of her - and his wary gaze could not be taken seriously, when in his arms and Exceed wrapped in a dotted pink costume was bouncing happily.
Resisting the urge to pet the Exceed, Dalila bowed and smiled. "Good evening. My name is Dalila von Altzner. I am a Fairy Tail mage. I found Yukino on the back of-" "You are a Fairy Tail mage?"
Sting had finally let Yukino go, and was now staring at Dalila with his mouth agape. "A Fairy Tail mage?" he repeated.
Dalila giggled. "Yes, I-"
"She saved me!" Yukino panted - Sting should have really started controlling his outburst of affection, otherwise she might die from lack of air one of these times - "Please be nice to her, Rogue! She is a dragon slayer too!"
"Oh!" the twin dragon slayers stared at Dalila, who scratched the back of her head. "Ehm... Yes, I have joined the guild a few months ago..."
They stared harder, in complete silence, to the point Dalila was about to introduce herself one more time - handn't Lucy said those two were just as hard-heads as Natsu and Gajeel?
"A Fairy Tail mage?" Breathed Rogue, turning to look at Sting. "A Fairy Tail mage!"
"A Fairy Tail mage!" Sting started nodding enthusiastically, and beamed to the shadows dragon slayer.
"A Fairy Tail mage!" echoed Lector, clapping his hands.
"A Fairy Tail mage!" cried Rogue, his countenance disappearing. "Fro thinks so too!"
Sting jumped and hugged Dalila, lifting her from the floor. "A Fairy Tail mage!" he laughed.
"A Fairy Tail mage!" Rogue grinned, tightening his grip around Frosh.
Dalila met Yukino's eyes. The Celestial made shook lightly her head. "Guys..." she mumbled, but there was no way the two dragon slayers were going to calm down any soon.
"A Fairy Tail mage!" the chanted together, dancing awkwardly around Dalila. "A Fairy Tail mage! A Fairy Tail mage!"
"Ehm!" Dalila would have said that she was as much happy as them, but could Sting please put her down?
"And a dragon slayer!" Lector started to fly above their heads. "A dragon slayer!"
I guess that is a no. Dalila was almost thrown in the air by an enthusiastic Sting. "Sting!" tried Yukino with a little more force. "Could you just be quiet for a second?" "A Fairy Tail mage and a dragon slayer! A Fairy Tail mage and a dragon slayer!" "Ah, why am I even talking!" groaned the Celestial mage.
When the two dragon slayers and their Exceeds had finally calmed down, Dalila was invited to stay for dinner, and a bed was added in Yukino's room for her to rest.
Dalila had been glad to accept their offer. She was starving.
Sitting with the Sabers, now that they were not jumping like crazed kids around the room, but were eating just as messy, Dalila had time to study them a little more closely.
And by studying, she meant smelling, of course.
Sting smelled like the sun, and a warm, crowded beach in summer. White petals gently raised by the wind... And happiness, bursting into laughs, sudden hugs, selflessness... The darker scent of regret, hidden under a cheerful smile, and the longing for something that was lost, was mixed with the naturally sweet smell of the white dragon slayer.
Lector smelled pretty much the same - but the Exceed smelled of witty comments, teasing jokes, and a little but more like cherry.
On the other hand, Rogue smelled of bitter spices, and curiously of cinnamon and whipped cream. The mixture was tantalising, and as Dalila took in a deeper breath of Rogue particular scent, she also felt... Whispers coming from dark corners... and fear, the fear of something terrible... and also like there was something, or someone, missing...
Frosh smelled of candy. Definitively. And a clear pond in June, with croaking frogs and butterflies. No wonder Rogue keeps it always next to him! Thought Dalila, noting herself to ask Rogue if she could hold Frosh for a while as soon as they got into a little more confidence.
As they were eating dinner, the two girls explained how Dalila had found Yukino, and how did they managed to get back at the inn.
"I was so scared!" Yukino shivered. "I thought I was going to fall, or just to die on that rock."
"You were very brave, Yukino-chan!" said Lector, patting her shoulder.
"Yes, you have resisted for several hours!" Rogue nodded. "And you are safe now, which is the most important thing!" "Fro thinks so too!"
"Dh-alila, sh-o i-u can f-hlai?" asked Sting, with his mouth full of meat and potatoes - and therefore investing Dalila with drops of said meat and potatoes, before Yukino slapped his back, reminding him to swallow before speaking. "That's super cool!"
Dalila smiled. I am talking with other slayers about my magic! So cool! "I am not exactly flying. It's more like I let myself carry in the wind." She explained. "If the wind is too strong or too weak, there is not much I can do. I have not practice that much yet."
"Where did you learn?" Asked Rogue, feeding Fro with some potatoes. "Seems pretty complicated!"
"Nah." Dalila snorted. "I just learn by trying. And I was with Warrod Sequen for a while. He taught me!"
The mention of Warrod Sequen rose great surprise around the table. Dalila had to explain she had been with him for a few months. "We were... I have met him a few years ago."
"Wait, then you were not raised by a dragon?" asked Sting, raising his eyebrows. "And Warrod had taught you?"
"Yes. Warrod did what he could, and I believe I couldn't have a better teacher." Dalila nodded to herself. "But I am what is called a 'second generation' dragon slayer, so no, no dragon parents."
The mention of 'parents' send a painful shiver all over her, but the girl fought it bravely. I have promised them I was going to be happy. She reminded herself. And I will.
Sting whistled in amazement. Next to him, Rogue frowned. "How come?" he asked. "The news of a dragon slayer entering a legal guild would have spread quite fast."
"Rogue, this is not polite!" Hissed Yukino angrily.
Dalila chuckled embarrassed. "There is nothing to hide, Yukino, don't you worry. It's just that... It is a long, old story, that's all."
"Well, we have plenty of time tonight!" Sting beamed, putting his feet onto the table, and taking them off promptly as soon as Yukino glared at him.
Dalila forced a smile. Argh. That was not planned. The tight bundle of feelings she was keeping in her chest was still there. In the past months, she had got used to it, but it was hurting as the first day she woke up in Fairy Tail infirmary. It was easier to not think about it.
"Well..." Dalila swallowed, looking at her hands folded in front of her for the strength of saying what she was about to say, and not finding it.
Come on Dalila! It will help you! She scolded herself. But of course, it was easier said than done. Damn it...
"Dalila-sama?" Yukino's soft voice made Dalila lift her head. "Is everything alright?"
"Uh?" Dalila had not realised she had fallen into silence. "Yes, I am sorry..." she cleared her throat. "I suppose that..." Will I be able to tell my story? Do I want to tell my story?
The questions looked much alike, but they were different indeed. Yes, she was able to tell her story, she decided. Enough time has passed. It was hurting, but she could managed her memories without bursting into tears. And I want to tell my story. It is no secret.
"Well, make yourself comfortable!" she said, forcing a smile that was, in the end, not so forced. "We have to go back a few years... One hundred, to be precise..."
And so, Dalila told her story. All of it, starting from the time when she was in Linveland, until when she left Warrod house one month ago. The only detail she left out was about her fight with Cobra.
As she spoke, Sting and Rogue had fallen progressively silent, and their eyes had been fixed upon the wind slayer, drinking her every word.
Sting was sometimes shifting on his seat, uncomfortable in hearing that Dalila had fainted and then woke up in a totally different world. Rogue's face had turned to stone the moment Dalila had mentioned the dark mages that had captured her two friends, and then her, in their foolish attempt of implanting a dragon lacryma. Yukino sniffed, when she said that all the ones she knew were now dead.
"After that month at Fairy Tail, I was ok, but I knew nothing of magic, still." Dalila explained. "So Master Makarov sent me to Warrod. I have been with him for three months, then I left."
"And where have you been?" Asked Lector.
A strange smile graced the lips of the wind dragon slayer. "I have travelled." She said. "I have flown among valleys and mountains, and I never stopped. I have reached the frozen tops of the Blue Mountains, I have seen the valleys were snows never melts. I have tasted the water of springs so cold, I could barely have a sip. I have flown For the last month I have travelled in the mountains."
Dalila sighed, and her eyes wandered in the room. "I have learnt to listen to the wind, and to master my magic. A little more, at least. Warrod had trained me, but it is not the same to have a monster right in front of you." Dalila chuckled. "I have been to villages and town, helping as I could whenever it was needed."
Yukino caressed her shoulder sympathetically. "I am really sorry for what happened to you. But you have found a new home, right? Fairy Tail is an amazing guild!"
Dalila nodded. "I miss them... It has been a while since last time I called." Actually, four months.
Right. Four months. Dalila had been thinking about it for a week now.
When she had left Warrod house, she knew it was not yet time to go back to the guild. It would have been too soon. There were many things she wanted to see and explore, of that strange world she had been thrown into. She couldn't say she was completely satisfied after that months spent among the mountains, but it was true that she had started to think about Magnolia more and more often.
Dalila had never been away from Linveland, her friends of family for long, but assumed that persistent thoughts could be classified as 'homesickness'.
It is time. She suddenly realised. It is time for me to go back at Fairy Tail. To go back home.
"Your story is incredible." Rogue murmured. "Dragon lacrymas have a strong magic aura. Even above a mountain, a skilled mage should be able to individuate them!" He said thoughtfully.
Dalila shrugged. "I don't know about that... I was found in a magic barrier. Maybe because the lacryma was already inside me?"
"That might be it..." Rogue thought that a magic shield such as Dalila just described was an enchantment far from dragon slayer magic.
But before the shadow dragon slayer could speak, Yukino cut in. "Oh, does it matter, Dalila-sama? You are alive now, and you have found a great guild!" she said with a big smile. "Since it is a long time you have not been talking to them, why don't we call Lucy-sama? It has been ages since I wanted to hear from her!"
Meanwhile, in Magnolia...
Lucy entered her apartment, and immediately threw a big travelling bag on the floor and let herself fall on the couch with a grunt. She was exhausted. Tired and hungry.
She should have still a few bites in the fridge - but you never never knew, Natsu had been dining at her place last time.
Why there is always an empty fridge waiting for me when I come home after jobs? she groaned. It's too late to go to the groceries... And I am too tired to go the guild... I could order something at the restaurant but it's expensive... But that time she might afford that. We got the whole reward, after all...
Their last job had been a week long. It was nothing too complicated - they had to clean a whole estate from some infectious bugs that where coming from Mavis- knows-where. The only problem was that the estate they had to clean was bis as a whole neighbourhood of Magnolia, and the client was very meticulous.
And seeing Cobra eating those bugs alive... Bleah! The memory made her hunger disappear in the blink of an eye.
The poison slayer had come back one month ago from his secret mission with Juvia and Gajeel. Lucy had been surprised by the choice of pairing done by Master Makarov, but after all, Juvia, Gajeel, Lily and Cobra were the perfect mages for an undrercover mission. And it had been a success, indeed! Sure they are a hell of a team. Maybe even stronger than team Natsu... But wait, we have Erza. Lucy giggled to herself. Erza is invincible.
It was Erza that had been yielding a 'disinfesting sword', and gone all around the estate, looking under every bush to find those hellish bugs. And she even fought some! The image of Erza slamming her sword on the ground, cutting in two an invisible insect, glinted in front of her eyes, and Lucy giggled again. That part had been funny, at least!
There had been little that had happened in the three months when Cobra was away. Summer had come and gone now, but days were still long and hot days.
Lucy could still wear his favourite shorts and tank tops without freezing, but she hated to sweat and having to take two showers a day. "For the tops and the shorts, I guess I can do that." she said to the empty room.
She had picked jobs with Natsu and the others - sometimes with Levy, and once she even got caught in between Mirajane and Lisanna, that needed her for a special baking contest they had won in the end. The reward? A whole series of cookbooks, beautifully covered with leather, with exclusives recipes from the top chefs of Fiore.
Yes, that was the only thing worth noticing while Cobra was away. And since he came back, things have been much the same as always.
Rewards eaten by the destruction caused by her team, Mirajane plotting to close Levy and Gajeel into the closet, Cana trying to get Cobra drunk, Gray hiding from Juvia...
Yes, decided the Celestial mage, everyone is good as always.
Her mind wandered, and went to Dalila. Sometimes Lucy was thinking about her. I wonder what is she doing now... Where she is...
The last voice message of the wind dragon slayer was around four months ago, right after she left. Dalila had said that she was going to stay with an 'old friend' of her for a while, and that she was going to learn more about her magic. Lucy tapped her chin with a finger, thinking. The only friend she has alive should be Warrod... If Master had not found someone else still alive!
But Lucy felt sure it was Warrod the mysterious friend of Dalila. I doubt Master would send her anywhere else... If there was a person Master could trust and that could train a dragon slayer, one of the Wizard Saint of Fiore was the perfect solution.
Well, I hope she is ok. Lucy sighed. I miss her.
Sure, Lucy and Dalila had been together for no more than a month, but that span of time had been enough for Dalila to win Lucy's affection. When will she come back? It's been a while now... Four months! She is a Fairy Tail mage, after all...
She really hoped Dalila didn't ended up like Gildarts, taking years-long missions, and coming back without even recognising her own guild mates. Staying away for so long...
Mindlessly, Lucy took her communication lacryma. She fumbled with the digits, filling the object with her own magic, and went back listening to Dalila's message one more time. 'Hello Lucy!' it started, 'Ehm... I don't really know how to say it, but... I left Magnolia. Master Makarov and I had thought that I should learn more about dragon slayer magic, and he-'
driiiin driiiin!
The name of Yukino appeared on the display of the lacryma, together with the writing 'incoming visio call'.
Yukino! Lucy immediately sat up, and her eyes brightened. I have wanted to call her the past week, but with this job, I hadn't had time! Lucy pressed the 'accept' button and in an instant, a greenish screen appeared in front of her.
So good that also her has a communication lacryma with the vision option! thought the Celestial mage, waiting for her friend to appear. Last time she told me she is the only one in her guild being able to make communications lacryma work... Maybe it's for the best, I can't imagine Sting having one of them...
"Hello Yukino!" called Lucy smiling, when some silhouettes started appearing on the screen.
"-teach me, I am not that bad, Yukino-chan!" "Sting, you will break it!" "Shut up, Lector! I am good as anyone else!" "Master Sting, please, give me back the lacryma, otherwise we will not see Lucy-sama!"
Lucy giggled. Yukino must be with Sting and Lector.
She waited patiently as the line steadied, and finally the brown eyes of Yukino appeared on the screen. "Hello Lucy-sama! How are you?" "I am good, Yukino!" Lucy bowed. "What about you?"
Yukino was placed the lacryma onto a table, and Lucy could have a view of the whole room. In front of the screen, she could see Yukino and Sting sitting on a couch. Lector was with Frosch on a huge pillow, and Rogue was standing behind them. And next to Yukino... It took Lucy a few seconds to recognise those white hair and those gleaming, grey eyes.
"Dalila!" cried Lucy in surprise.
"Surprise!" Dalila waved and laughed. "I met Yukino while I was-well, I was flying around here!"
"It is correct to say that you saved me Dalila-sama!" Yukino bowed her head. "If it hadn't been for you..."
"Wait, what?" Lucy cried. "What are you guys talking about?"
"Oh Lucy-sama, I have been so scared! Master Sting, Rogue and I had arrived here int he Blue Mountains a couple of days ago. There had been some recounts of a beast scaring the inhabitants of the villages of the valley. So, we went investigating..."
Lucy drank every single word of Yukino, interjecting sometimes with exclamation of surprise or horror.
"Your keys..." she whispered, when Yukino finished. "That hideous mage took your keys!"
"It was horrible, Lucy!" Yukino was on the verge of tears. "I feel so bad for my Spirits! I am not a worthy Celestial mage!"
Cries of protest came from her friends. "Don't you even say that!" "That's is not true!" "Fro thinks so too Yukino!"
"Yukino, there was little you could have done!" Dalila caressed the Celestial mage hand. "You were in a terrible situation, but you didn't give up!"
"Yukino, having our keys taken away is like tearing our soul apart!" stated Lucy with a trembling voice. "But the only important thing is to never cease to take them back!"
"Lucy's is right!" Rogue put a hand around Yukino shoulder. "Tonight we are all weary and tired - we would do nothing good by going back inside the mountain. Tomorrow we will wake up before dawn, and by the end of the day, you will have all of your keys back!"
Yukino sniffed. "Thank you Rogue, thank you all guys... This is important for me!"
"What could go wrong, Yukino? You have three dragon slayers with you!" Dalila winked.
Lucy nodded. "I travel with three dragon slayers regularly and I can tell they always find a way out! Maybe they will destroy everything that is in sight, and maybe you will get half of the rewards, or no reward at all, but you will have your keys back, don't you worry!"
Yukino nodded. "Yes, I will not disappoint you nor my Spirits!" She sniffled.
"That's the right thing to say!" Lucy clapped her hands. "I am so glad you all are good. This seems a though dark guild you are going to fight tomorrow."
"The only thing is that they are hiding in a cave." explained Rogue, picking up Frosh who had fallen asleep. "It is good for me, but it is harder for Sting and Yukino."
"Then we just have to destroy the mountain!" nodded Dalila thoughtfully. "Then, all of us will be able to fight!"
Lucy paled. Destroy the what? "Da-Dalila?" I don't even know if there is a fee for... for... destroying a mountain!
"Sure, but we need to do it from outside." Sting mumbled. "From the inside I have not power enough!"
"Rogue from the inside, and I can lift you and we can hit from the outside!" chimed Dalila, swinging happily. "Yukino, you will come inside with us as soon as the way is clear! They will not be able to hide anymore!"
"Yes, sounds like a good plan to me..." muttered Rogue.
Yukino and Lucy exchanged a preoccupied glance. Very preoccupied. "The way is clear, Dalila-sama?"
"Yes!" exclaimed Dalila with a huge smile. "We will get your keys back, and defeat that dark guild in no time!"
Sting, Rogue and Dalila didn't destroy any mountain the next day. But they managed, with their roars, to open a breach in its flank. The base of the dark guild was therefore revealed, and the part of the plan regarding the dark mages not being able to hide anymore was perfectly working.
Especially because the dark guild was composed by a lonely mage - the very same Rimbaud that Sting, Yukino and Rogue were looking for.
Four mages - well, three, since Yukino was disarmed without her keys - against one? It seemed a piece of cake, until the dragon mad this appearance.
"A dragon? They said it was just a monster!" Had cried Sting in disbelief.
But yes, it was truly a dragon the one that had appeared out of no where in front of the four mages. And what a dragon it was! It was huge, and covered in golden scales as hard as diamond, claws big and sharp as swords, and eyes bright as the sun. And its strength, resistance and swiftness were even more terrible than his aspect.
None of the attacks of the dragon slayer worked against him. Not even a combined attack of Sting and Rogue was able to scratch its hard skin.
And even worse, as Rimbaud ordered the dragon to attack, a pillar of golden light had erupted from the maw of the beast, pulverising everything that was on its way.
"He is impossible to win!" Had cried Rogue, sweating and tired, jumping to avoid the huge tail of the dragon, that almost sent him smashed onto the ground. "He is too strong!"
"We need to think about something!" Dalila avoided another pillar of golden light. "There must be a way!"
But the attacks of the dragon were destroying the mountain around them. As soon as they got out of the way of the golden pillar of light, they always risked to get killed by huge boulder of rock falling from the flank of the mountain. The soil was uneven, and the mages were forced to jump among the debris, always fighting not to fall in the valley below.
The more the fight continued, the more it was clear that they had no hope to win. Hidden behind the dragon, Rimbaud was laughing, making fun of the mages. "Truly, dragon slayers they call you!" He was sneering, Yukino's keys pending at his side. "You wouldn't even kill a lizard!"
"It's not done yet!" Growled Dalila. Flying was easier the it came to avoid the dragon's attack, and the wind slayer didn't risk to stumble and fall int he craters the attacks of the dragons were opening on the ground, but she was tired. And I am in any case less strong than Rogue and Sting! She thought. But there must be a way!
"We have been playing enough! Dragon!" Cried Rimbaud. "Finish them!"
Dalila saw with horror the eyes of the dragon glinting. The huge beast suck the air in his lungs, and the wind slayer felt a terrible attack was coming. "Hide! Everyone hide!"
The golden dragon roared terribly, rays of light exiting from his mouth, crushing on the ground, opening a huge crater on the already unstable ground. Dalila flew higher. Sting and Rogue jumped out of the way just in time, and Yukino was missed for mere inches.
However, the Celestial mage was not quick enough to put her feet onto the solid ground. Hit by the force of the dragon attack, the rocks under her feet her cracked and broke. Yukino screamed, feeling the firm ground missing under her feet.
"Yukino!" shouted Dalila.
Int he blink of an eye, a shadow run across the crater, and one second later, Yukino was safely brought onto the other side of the crater.
"Rogue!" shouted Sting, and the dragon slayer emerged from the shadows next to the Celestial Mage. "We need to take Yukino's keys!"
"Hahaha!" Rimbaud laughed evilly, patting the golden dragon's flank. "You think you can pass through a real dragon? Haven't you had enough, dragon slayers?"
Sting gritted his teeth. "We will take back Yukino's keys, and we will defeat you! You and your dragon are done terrorising the villagers of the Blue Mountains!"
"Hahah! You really amuse me!" Rimbaud cackled. "But as I said, we have already played enough! Dragon! Silence that petulant pest!"
Dalila, Yukino and Rogue screamed in fear, as the dragon golden eyes fixed on Sting, and before the mage could dodge it, a ray of golden light exited from those terrible fangs.
The light surrounded the dragon slayer, and Sting cried in pain, as he was crushed on the rock wall behind him. Dalila covered her eyes with her hands. From the other side of the crater, she heard Yukino and Rogue calling his names.
"Surrender!" bellowed Rimbaud. "You are nothing to me!" "Never!" cried Rogue from the other side of the crater.
"Sting! are you okay?" Yukino tried to reach for the light dragon slayer, but the golden dragon blocked her crushing his tail in front of her.
Dalila rushed towards Sting, crouching next to him. He had fainted. "Sting... Sting?" She called him, and started to shake him when he didn't wake up. "Sting!"
Sting opened his eyes and groaned.
"Oh my god, Sting! Something broken?" If one single blow has crushed him like that...
Sting murmured something, so low that Dalila had to put her ear close to his mouth to hear him. Sweat, and sunny days and laughs, a lot of laughs, and of hugs and a light heart... "I am..." murmured Sting, "I am all... all fired up!"
Dalila snorted, but something aught her attention. Something that was onto Sting, but was not smelling like him.
This smell... Dalila smelled closely Sting. This is not Sting... It is not his smell... This is... It's dragon magic!
Behind her, Rimbaud cried again, rejoicing over his victory, but Dalila was too busy sniffing to bother about him. It's weird... But... It it similar to the way Yukino smells... And Lucy, too...
Sting had his eyes opened, but a pained expression on his face. "That dragon... is strong as hell..."
Yukino... Yukino and Lucy... Lucy and Yukino...
"Do not worry, Sting. Stand up." Dalila helped the dragon slayer onto his feet. "We will find our way out of this."
"Are you still on your feet?" cackled Rimbaud from behind the golden dragon. "I am impressed... But I am sure another blow from my beast will take you down definitively! Dragon!"
Dalila looked worriedly as the golden dragon slowly moved his head towards them.
I need to get Sting out of here!
The dragon opened his mouth. Gold light started to brim among his sharp teeth. Yukino let out a high pitched scream. "Dalila-sama! Sting-sama!"
The dragon stroke. Dalila saw a golden pillar moving fast towards them.
Yukino and Lucy... Lucy and Yukino...
Her brain was working at a speed she could not control, unbothered by the fact that there was a pillar of golden light about to hit them.
A pillar of golden light...
One instant before the attack hit them, Dalila flexed her muscles, and jumped with all her strength. Golden light grazed Sting pending feet, and Dalila drag them upwards.
"Oh, you think flying will save you?" Rimbaud beamed amused, looking as Dalila struggled to keep her and Sting in the air - damn, Sting was much more heavy than Yukino!
But Dalila was not listening to him. Her eyes had fallen onto the glinting Celestial Keys Rimbaud had secured at his side. You took Yukino's keys... Thought the wind slayer. But why...
Why?
And then, Dalila mouth twitched in a smirk.
She landed next to Rogue and deposited Sting on the ground. "Yukino," she whispered, eyeing Rimbaud and the golden dragon. "How much energy would you need to keep opened the gate of the constellation of Draco?" she asked.
Yukino looked at her puzzled. "The constellation-I don't know exactly. A lot, I assume! But why?"
Dalila glanced at Rimbaud. He looked perfectly fine, standing straight next to the golden dragon's tail. But he is not attacking us right? Rimbaud is too weak to give the dragon enough strength to attack many times in a row.
"Wait Dalila, you think that-" "Yes Rogue," Dalila nodded. "Rimbaud caught Yukino's keys not only to weaken us, but because he is a Celestial mage. And the one key he is using right now is the key of Draco."
Yukino gasped. She glanced at Rimbaud, then at the dragon. Her brain processed what Dalila had just said, and then the young mage started nodding frantically. "Yes! Dalila-sama, it is true!"
"But how can you say that?" Whispered Rogue. "The keys..." "The magic of Dragon smells like Yukino. And like Lucy. It is Celestial Magic. I am completely sure."
Rogue pressed his lips together. "But why is he calling only one Celestial Spirit?"
"A Celestial Spirit of this dimension takes a lot of energy. He can maybe keep the gate of Draco open for a while, but opening another one in the meantime is another story." Yukino glanced at the golden dragon. "We can't pass Draco... Even if he doesn't attack, he is fast, and smart."
"But maybe his Master is not as smart as him." muttered Dalila. "Otherwise, he would have already closed the gate of Draco and opened other three gates to fight
us. He is blindly using the strongest spirit he has." Rimbaud is playing bad his cards... It was easy, but know we have found what is his strategy, he is doomed.
And indeed Rimbaud was. Because the wind slayer had instantly worked out a plan on how to beat the dark mage. It was a crazy plan, but still, the only plan they had for the moment. "Rogue, I have an idea. As soon as the dragon leaves, take the keys out of Rimbaud!"
"The dragon... Will leave?" Rogue eyes widened. "What-" "Just trust me! We have but one chance!" Dalila rolled her shoulders. A single, slim chance. "Yukino... Keep an eye on Sting."
Yukino had no idea what Dalila had in mind, but the wind slayer had already saved her once. So, Yukino was going to trust her. "Yes, Dalila-sama!"
"I... I got your back, guys." The three of them turned to look at the light dragon mage. He had sit on the ground, and looked exhausted. But he was smiling. "We'll win!"
Dalila nodded, and lifted from the ground. "Good."
Then the wind slayer twirled, and placed himself right above Rimbaud and the dragon - well... Draco.
The dark mages studied her. "Oh, you are still flying?"
"I am!" Dalila beamed, and to prove her point, she flipped mid air. The wind around her was gentle and fresh, sustaining her as of she was as light as a leaf. "But you told me your dragon can fly too!" She chirped. "I have never seen a dragon... I wondered... Is he fast?"
Draco growled. Dalila ignored him.
"If he is fast?" Rimbaud bursted into laugh. "He is the fastest dragon you could find!"
"Oh, is he?" Dalila flipped again. "Is he faster than the wind?"
"Sure!"
"Mmmh." The wind slayer grimaced. "Nah, I don't think so!"
Draco growled again - seeming more angry than before. Once again. Dalila ignored him.
"What?" Rimbaud gritted his teeth. "Yes he is." "No."
"What is she..." "Sssh Rogue-sama! Let Dalila-sama carry out her plan!"
"I propose you a race, Rimbaud!" Dalila smirked. "It is your dragon against me. The one who wins, gets the keys of my friend. Alright?"
"My dragon agains you?" cackled Rimbaud. "Have I told you how amusing you legal mages are? And whom I have the honour to race against, by the way?"
Dalila bowed theatrically. "Meet the wind dragon slayer, Rimbaud."
"My pleasure." Rimbaud smiled wickedly. Next to him, the golden dragon chest rumbled. "And you wish to race?"
"I do."
Rimbaud eyes gleamed viciously. "I don't think he needs to fly to catch you... Dragon, take her down!"
The dragon didn't let his Master tell him twice. His long neck snapped forward, and with his fangs he tried to reach for Dalila. But the wind dragon slayer had predicted that move, and at the very last moment, a gust of wind brought her a few feet from Draco snapping fangs.
"Oh, come on!" she chuckled. "Is that the best you can do?"
Rimbaud fumed. Next to him, Draco seemed just as furious. "Dragon, I said take her!"
Again, Draco head moved fast towards her, but once again, Dalila moved faster. She was slowly going upwards. "Are we sure your dragon can fly?"
"You are not going to survive this!" Rimbaud was growing red on his face. "Dragon! Strike!"
A huge pillar of golden light erupted from Draco's mouth. But, if for Dalila it was a piece of cake. She easily dodged Draco attack. "You know." She yawned. "If you are just too afraid I will beat your dragon, you could just say it! There is no need to be mean!"
"Grrrr..." Rimbaud was totally red now. And Dalila was quite sure she had all his attention. Right as she wanted. With the corner of her eyes, she saw Rogue preparing to turn into shadows.
Such and idiot this Rimbaud. He has disarmed Yukino and neutralised Sting, and he has forgot about Rogue.
"Well, I guess I was thinking your dragon more powerful." Dalila pouted. "I am disappointed."
That was too much.
"You little... Dragon! Go!" Idiot and short tempered.
But that was the last thought Dalila was allowed to make. Because, from that instant onwards, her attention was solely focused on the golden dragon, sprawling his wings and launching himself in the sky.
She took an updraft and flied quickly away from the ground, but behind her, she felt the hot breath of the dragon on her neck.
Oh-oh...
For the first few moments, Dalila was afraid she had miscalculated the dragon's abilities. Or better, her abilities. And when Draco's fangs snapped a few centimetres from her feet, she had the final confirmation her plan had been the most crazy and stupid idea ever conceived by a dragon slayer.
Draco couldn't hit her with a blow - it was true then that Rimbaud could not make him strike many hits in a row - but Draco was a dragon. As Rimbaud had rightly said before, a real dragon!
I am sure Natsu has had worst ideas in his life, but why couldn't I think about a smarter way to do this?
Draco's hot breath burned her back, and Dalila accelerated, gripping to the wind with all her strength. Rogue, MOVE! she mentally cried, letting a current take her away from the dragon trajectory. I can't keep this up for long!
The advantage of being so small against a beast so big, was that Dalila could use the small updraft and currents to change her trajectory quickly. The disadvantage, was that currents were making her unstable and it was difficult to use any other strategy.
And even if he was giant, the dragon was much faster than her anyway.
Oh Dalila, maybe he is also proud! Thought the wind slayer, as the dragon's claws missed her for an inch. Now he is really mad at me!
Ok, use your head, little one... Not like you just did with this crazy idea... What did you learnt with Warrod? Right, stronger currents are up, weaker down! Daila stopped going upwards, where the strongest wind blew, staying where the wind was a little weaker, so that the huge dragon had to struggle to maintain his position in the sky. Ha! I knew it!
Right when she thought she had a little advantage, Dalila had to take a sharp turn, to avoid Draco teeth. Oh my Mavis, this is not helping!
I can't keep this pace for long! Why is Rogue taking so much?
Suddenly Dalila had an idea. It was another stupid and crazy idea, but maybe it could buy her a minute.
She went straight, and fast, aiming at an invisible point in front of her. Draco followed her closely.
Dalila went faster. Draco accelerated.
She waited until Draco was a few feet for her - she didn't have to wait much, in fact - and then she flipped, inverting the direction and passing under the dragon's body.
Draco growled, seeing her disappear under him, and Dalila allowed herself a small smirk seeing him fighting to chase her again.
Yes! Good job Dalila, that was sma- "Aaaah!"
The tail.
Dalila had avoided Draco's sharp claws and fangs, but in her little stunt she had not taken into account his damn, long and powerful tail. As soon as she had passed the dragon's belly, said tail hit her onto the side, making her totally lose control, sending her straight into an unknown and unplanned direction.
"Aaaaaah!"
The world was sent spinning around her. Fast. Very fast. Her stomach hand't even the chance to feel sick.
"Oh my Mavis!" Dalila cried from the top of her lungs. "Oh my Mavis! Oh my Mav- ouch!"
She had hit something. Something soft. Well, more or less. It is not rocks... This is good...
But when she felt the texture of the place she landed... Scales? Oh no, scales is not good!
A laugh boomed from above her. "That was a nice trick." said a deep, deep voice. "But I am too old to fall for it."
Dalila's blood run cold. She slowly looked up and saw the huge face of the dragon, smirking and showing her his sharp, white fangs. Around her, the grasp of his claws was holding her tightly. His wings were immense, now that she was so close, a huge dome of golden scaled and muscles, shining into daylight.
Dalila squealed, in surprise and fear. "Let me go!" "I am not. We are going back to my Master."
"We are absolutely not!" cried Dalila, fighting to break free. "He is an evil mage! You are not meant to scare people out, Draco! You are more than that."
The dragon looked amused. "Young wind dragon, I was surprised you guessed who I am. But maybe I should not." he was thoughtful for a moment. "You have smelled me right? Wind dragons have always had excellent noses, after all."
"Yes, I do-No, don't bring me-do not go down!"
Dalila cries had no effect. The dragon flexed his wings and a moment later, they were heading towards the crater again. "My Master is waiting for us." "Just listen to me!"
But Draco was not listening to her, and soon, they were on the ground, and Dalila was free of the hold of the golden dragon.
This is not finished yet!
She readied herself to fight. "If you think you two have won, you are wrong!" she cried angrily. "We will fight and retrieve Yukino's keys! We will not surrender!"
The dragon chuckled, looking even more amused than before. "I was not expecting you to surrender, wind dragon."
Dalila went onto fighting stance, expecting Draco to attack her any moment, but Draco just crouched lazily to the ground, not paying much attention towards her. He was looking expectantly at the crater hem, instead.
The wind dragon slayer narrowed her eyes. What is he looking at? She followed his gaze. She couldn't see nothing, but soon, three figures emerged from the crater.
"Oh my... Yukino! Sting! Rogue!" cried Dalila in amazement. "It's you!"
Behind her, Draco let out a small puff of golden smoke. Dalila rushed towards the Sabers, with a huge smile on her face.
Yukino's keys were pending again at her side, and she was holding in her hand a big, brilliant Celestial Key. "Dalila-sama!" she cried, rushing towards her. "You are good! That was an excellent plan!"
"We made it!" Dalila hugged the young girl. "Are you ok? How are you Sting, and Rogue?"
Sting was lumping a little, but looked fine. Rogue was carrying the unconscious body of Rimbaud, and looked all but satisfied. "Nice trick." He winked at Dalila.
"After Draco went after you, Rimbaud must have understood he had done something stupid." Yukino chuckled. "He tried to defend himself opening the gate of Libra, but she refused to collaborate. She started arguing, and by that time, he was already at loss of magic. So I took the key of Draco." Yukino smiled proudly, holding the huge Celestial Key in her hand, and showing the fine carvings around its holding - a dragon, dotted with topazes and rubies.
Dalila clapped her hands, happily. They made it. We are safe! "Master?"
The four mages turned towards the immense golden dragon. Yukino moved a few steps, hesitantly. Her eyes were filled with wonder, and pride, and all the things Dalila had seen in Lucy's eyes when she talked about her Spirits. "Draco? Are you talking to me?"
"Yes, Master."
"Oh!" Yukino blushed, realising that yes, now it was her who was yelling the key of the Celestial Dragon. "Don't call me 'Master'! Yukino is just fine, please!"
The dragon seemed surprised, but then his bright eyes glinted, and he looked more than pleased with the choice of Yukino. "Fine." he grumbled. "Yukino."
