Third person's POV

Lucy watched as Denzel interacted with the Phoenixes and how the reacted to him. They met him with such familiarity, it was clear to anyone, they have known each other for a while. Carys had kept an eye on Lucy. She didn't know what to make of her. Carys knew that Lucy was human. That made her keep a close eye on her. Carys knows well enough the damage a human can bring. Carys decided to question the human girl. She wanted to find out what she was doing here. She wanted to make sure her family was safe. She needed to be sure that she could let this human be around her children. Be in her forest.

"My dear child, don't take this the wrong way, but what are you doing in this forest?"

Carys's POV

I needed to know. As a mother, I am always concerned about my children. I am concerned about all the creatures that live here. I mostly have concern for the troublesome boy. I always make him come up here so I know he is still alive.

The human girl looked at me, and messed with the mask that she had taken off. I assume he gave it to her.

"I came here looking for a friend."

"A friend?"

I was not excepting that answer. Many times humans come here, it is for their own greed. Many hardly come here for other reasons. They are all the same... except for... Him. I wonder... Since humans are here in the forest, will He show up again? It's been a while since he has shown his face around here.

"Yeah, we came here..."

"I'm sorry, We?"

"Oh, yes. Me, and three others came here looking for this friend. I don't think I said this, but I'm Lucy. I came here with my friends Gray, Erza and Happy. We wouldn't be here if not for Denzel."

Denzel? I do not recognize that name? Is that the friend they are looking for?

"Is Denzel that friend of yours? The one you came here seeking?"

"Huh? Oh, no. Denzel is him."

I watched as Lucy pointed over to the troublesome boy.

"He saved us from this... Demon. Gray got hurt and he is helping take care of him."

The blonde hair girl let out a sigh.

"Why did you call him Denzel, that isn't his name. "

"Oh, well, he didn't tell us his name and we needed to call him something. I just wish I knew why he didn't tell us his name?"

"Names have power, but I understand that you needed to refer to him as something and Denzel... is an interesting choice. I normally just call him 'my child' or 'my boy', I hardly ever refer to him as..."

I was interrupted when the person of topic came over.

"Carys, I need you to head to my place... I need your help. I will head back shortly, but I need a few herbs that I am low on."

I nodded my head and looked at the girl. She will be fine. I feel like I can trust her. She is not someone I thought I would meet in this forest. I looked at my children and told them to head home. I would be gone for a while and I can't have them out when I can't keep an eye on them. They may not like it, but I will not be worry if I know that they are safe and out of danger. Crimson, of course stays doesn't leave. I am fine with that because I trust him to stay with the troublesome child.

"Of course, My boy. I shall see you soon."

I look at the human girl named Lucy and fly off. She seems trust worthy. I can tell that she is not like most and I hope that she can help him. Maybe, the others that came with her could help him too. Maybe... just maybe, he can leave.

Lucy's POV

I watched as the rainbow bird flew off. I wonder what she was going to say. Oh, well. I will see her later. I noticed that Denzel was looking at me. He was staring straight at me and it made me a bit uncomfortable.

"Uh, is everything alright?"

Silence. He was still looking at me, but he tilted his head a bit. I really wish I knew what he was think, but I don't and he doesn't say anything useful!

"Can you please stop, you are making me uncomfortable."

He moved closer to me and I could make out his breath. Why did he get so close?

"What... What's it like where you're from?"

Huh? Wait, What? He got close to me, made me uncomfortable to ask me that?

"It's a rather great place. There are a lot of people. Unlike here, it's noisy at times."

"Sounds... nice. Uh, Lu-Lucy? I will help you and your friends out of here safely."

"That's sweet and all, but I can't. Not until we found our friend."

"You can't stay here. It is unsafe."

"I don't care. This friend of mine, means a lot to me. I have to find him."

"You need to leave."

I was starting to get upset. He knows that I have to find Natsu. He knows that Gray is hurt and can't leave, but I guess he means after Gray is better, but still. I am not leaving without finding Natsu!

"Why do you want me to leave so badly!? Huh!? You don't know why we came here! You don't know what he means to me! You don't know what it's like to..."

He cuts me off.

"You don't know what it's like to not be able to leave the only place you have ever known."

"What?"

"I have never left this place, and I never will."

"... What... What if you come with us?"

What am I saying? We don't know him and I offered to bring him with us. I guess... Natsu would do the same... He did for me... I heard him sigh.

"I can't."

"Sure you can. You can come with us and..."

"I can't leave."

He grabs my hand and brings me to the edge of the cliff. What was he doing? Did he bring me up here to kill me? No. He is trying to save Gray, so why would he kill one of us? I heard him make a short whistle and no more then a second past did something fly up from the cliff and land right behind us. First Phoenixes now... a griffin?

"Hello Tyson. I need you to..."

The griffin screech.

"Tyson! She is alright! Please, trust me."

Once the griffin calmed down, he made little chirps and sounded a bit distressed.

"She won't hurt you. I'll make sure of that... Can you take us to the border? Please?"

The griffin tilts his head to the side, as if to think about it before turning and letting Denzel climb on his back. He helps me up into the griffin and has me sit behind him. I was... A little nervous...

Denzel made a short whistle and the griffin started to run toward the cliff and jumped off. I held onto Denzel and buried my face into his back. I was shaking. I was terrified to even look, but I bring myself to look.

We were high in the sky, a good way up beyond the trees. From the ground, you couldn't see the top of the trees, from here, you can't see the ground. Besides feelings scared, it was rather nice to be up here. I have flown because of Happy, but this is different.

It was very similar to the cat's flight, but I feel like this is more smooth in the flight. It was like he was gliding in the air. I let my hand go to the griffin and pet his fur. He was rather soft and fluffy, almost as if he was a Persian cat.

We were in the skies for a while before he started to descend. His landing was graceful and it was almost as if he never stopped. We hopped off his back and I stumbled into Denzel, who had to catch me. I quickly got off him and looked around. This was more forest.

"Where are we?"

"The boarder."

"The border of?"

"The place I can't leave."

"You can leave, just... Just come with us."

"I can't leave... I'll show you. Walk forward and turn around."

I did as he told me and when I turned around, I saw Tyson, but Denzel was gone. I became frantic and walked back. When I got the griffin I was confused. Where did he...?

"Over here."

"You... Why did you scare me like that?! Why did you leave?"

He sighs.

"I didn't move... You just can't see me unless you are in the border... And if I try to leave..."

He walks to the border and extends his hand. The moment his hands "touched" the border, he let out a scream. He dropped to the ground and was withering in pain.

"Denzel!"

He was shaking, but slowly got up after a moment.

"I told you... I can't leave..."

A/N's I actually posted this chapter. Yay! Also, yes, I did just do that. Haha. He is trapped, if the title of the name didn't give it away. Anyway, see you next chapter.

Posted: 6/10/2020

~Zolf