"You are trying my patience, Jellal."

Hades growled, his eyes boring into his colleague at the other end of the clouded lacrima communications device. The shining orb grew hot in his hand, absorbing some of his ire and transferring it to the mage at the other end. Jellal's cool gaze and blank, emotionless facade did not falter.

"I am working as hard as I can, Hades, as you well know. You have underestimated this Princess - she is far more shrewd and wily than the rumors give her credit for. Although the location of the safe wherein the primordial source is housed is an open secret, the elusive Keeper of the Keys is not. Only the Princess and her personal maid Yukino know that person's identity…"

"Yukino? Could this maid then be the key holder herself?"

Jellal let out a frustrated hiss.

"If only it were that simple. She is heavily guarded and is constantly by her monarch's side - if anything, she should be the damn key holder. However, I've gone through great difficulty to have her and her person searched extensively - with little luck. There isn't even a clue to whom this blasted key holder could be. It is as if those accursed keys have disappeared into thin air."

Hades just clicked his tongue, not a shred of empathy in his voice or features.

"We had a deal, Jellal. I gave you help above and beyond what was necessary, in the hopes that you would deliver the source to me, and here I find myself disappointed. Again. All those gold, jewels and serviceable soldiers gone to waste…"

"I'm not done yet!" Jellal spat out, his eyes holding pure venom for the speaker at the other end. "You're impatience will be your undoing, old man! Don't be so hasty! I will get us what I promised… in due time."

"Ah, my slick friend, it is time that you do not have! For I have it from very good sources, that the cloak of obscurity you wear as an Alvarez spy is soon going to be ripped off your shameless hide. Ultear is on her way to Pergrande - the bitch who betrayed me. And with the sole purpose of unmasking you."

Jellal started, unprepared for the news. A low string of curses streamed out unbidden before he quickly rearranged his features into a blank, impenetrable mask once more. But Hades had already seen through his facade - the old man shot his compatriot a twisted smile.

"Well. Perhaps you can make yourself useful in another way then, my friend? Kill my ex disciple - and you can take as much time as you need to find the source."

Jellal remained quiet, his face still an impassive mask.

"Well?"

"It still seems too wasteful. I would rather focus my efforts on finding the source before she arrives."

Hades glowered at the blue haired man.

"I knew it. You are going soft. It is that red haired bitch's doing, isn't it?"

Jellal's face instantly transformed into one of deadly fury. "Watch your tongue you old bastard!"

"I have my own sources, Jellal, and I've heard enough rumors to give me an idea of what is going on - if you fail this mission because of some pretty-faced whore, I'll make life a living hell for her…"

Jellal smashed the lacrima against the cold stone floor, his body trembling with rage and fear. The poisonous threat to his scarlet haired friend's life swam in his mind, jostling with all others to take precedence. Over the course of his friendship with the beautiful warrior, he had realized how deeply he felt for her - how much it made him wish to be a better man, one worthy of wooing her the way she deserved to be courted. But now his darkness had put her in danger. If anything happened to her, it would be his fault…

He had to find the keys. And he had to do it soon. Before it was too late…

For Erza.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Lady Erza? May Juvia speak to you?"

Erza sighed a little wearily, forcing a smile on her face before turning around to face the gentle and polite mermaid. It would not do to take her frustration out on one of her good friends - after all, the poor woman had probably been coerced into 'talking' to her by their nosy monarch. After her conversation with Loke, she had been exposed to something similar with Cana, and even a timid yet earnest plea from Levy. It did not surprise her that Lucy had now sent Juvia. Of all their common friends, the mermaid was perhaps one who held a special place in Erza's heart - apart from the golden-haired girl who was like her sister, of course. Although recently, Lucy's and her busy schedules and their obvious difference of opinion on the blue haired high court gentleman had driven a small wedge between them…

But Erza put aside her sad thoughts. She should be happy to see Juvia, at least. Since they now moved in such starkly different circles, it had been a long time since she had seen her good mermaid friend.

As the scarlet haired mage completed her turn and faced Juvia, the false smile she bore faded from her lips. The woman who stood before her was merely a ghost of the spirited, sweet maiden she had known for so many years. She looked so pale and frail that Erza instantly wondered what had happened to her. The question was forming on her lips, but the quick-witted mermaid beat her to it.

"Why is Lady Erza so aloof towards the Princess these days?"

Erza closed her mouth with a snap, instantly distracted from her original train of thought.

"It is not I who am aloof towards her - tis she who avoids me! What harm is there if I merely aid her in her desire to prevent all contact between us?"

Juvia simply gazed at her sadly, the perceptive female not fooled by Erza's harsh and haughty tone.

"You miss her as much as she misses you. She is afraid to talk to you, and you to her. Why?"

Erza looked away, heaving a deep, unhappy sigh.

"We do not see eye to eye on a few issues. And I am of little assistance to her these days. As sad as it sounds, it just seems natural for us to spend more and more time apart."

Juvia did not respond immediately, seeking a seat in the shade of the oak tree they stood under, in the center of the high court garden.

"Juvia is sad to see Lady Erza and love rival drift apart. They are sisters. How much ever Erza may love Sir Seigrien, it does not mean she should abandon her sister."

Erza gawked, whirling in her spot to stare down the seated maiden.

"L-love? I-I do not…"

Juvia gave her a pointed look. Erza struggled for a moment before her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Aye. I suppose I do love him…"

Juvia giggled, her eyes shining with happiness.

"Juvia understands, Lady Erza. And she also understands why it so hard for Lady Erza to talk to love rival about it as well. Love rival has not felt the same all encompassing feeling… yet. Love rival will understand when her time comes."

Erza's lips turned up into a reluctant smile.

"I suppose. It would have been better for all if I did not feel the way I do, but it is as if I have no choice. I cannot stop feeling for him, however hard I may try… Does what I say even make sense?"

"It does to Juvia."

The pair paused, enveloped in amiable silence for a few long minutes. At last Erza broke the quiet pause, addressing her companion solemnly.

"I suppose this was not exactly what you were sent to discuss with me?"

Juvia shot her friend a mischievous smirk.

"No, but Juvia knows a lost cause when she sees one. Juvia shall tell love rival so. Juvia knows just how crazy those who love can be. As I said before, love rival will only understand when it happens to her…"

Juvia trailed off, an intensely thoughtful look on her face.

"... And Juvia only hopes that she will feel that love for her darling Gray, so that his heart will not be broken."

Erza's head snapped up so suddenly she almost gave herself whiplash.

"?! Really? You want Lucy and Gray to be together? But… But you've always been so determined to keep them apart! And why do you still keep calling her your love rival then?"

Juvia blinked, looking a little perplexed.

"Because she is Juvia's love rival. She is Gray's love interest." Juvia paused, a sheepish smile hovering on her lips. "And yes, Juvia has acted jealous at times. But Juvia has matured much from those days. She never really hated love rival - she actually likes her as a human being, whether Lady Erza believes it or not. It just took Juvia some time to understand that Gray could never feel for Juvia what he feels for love rival. That is why Juvia now wants only what will make her darling Gray happy. And that is Lucy. At the end of the day, Juvia only wants Gray to be happy. For I love him."

Erza did not miss the first person tone she had inadvertently slipped into in the last sentence. It was undeniable proof of the deep affection she held for the ice mage, for Juvia never spoke in the first person except for when she was deeply emotionally affected. Erza's eyes softened as she gazed upon the innocent and noble-hearted mermaid.

"Juvia, I believe you may be mistaken. Lucy does not love Gray - she cares for him as a friend, and nothing more. As for Gray… he does not love Lucy either. He is just confused… and a bit of an idiot."

Juvia shot Erza a curious look, frowning a little.

"Juvia will ignore the way you called her darling an idiot. What do you mean by the rest, Lady Erza?"

Erza chuckled, her expression growing even softer and fonder.

"Look, Juvia. I know Gray - he is akin to a brother to me, and we share similar horrors in our past. I know well he hides his heart under an icy, aloof exterior just as I hide mine under a plate of armor. We both need people who are gentle, patient and persistent enough to break through these walls we have built up around ourselves. I needed someone like Seigrien, and Gray needs you. Not Lucy - you."

Juvia hesitated, her eyes falling to the carpet at her feet. She spoke after a few moments, her voice filled with hope and doubt in equal measure.

"But he seems to be so in love with her…"

"Nay. He mistakes general attraction and curiosity for love. Lucy is a wonderful person… but she can be harsh, impatient and careless. She needs someone who can match her fiery personality, someone who will not be offended by or afraid of her temper at its worst, someone who can make her laugh and tease her out of her vanity…"

"In short, she needs Sir Natsu?"

Erza grinned.

"I feel like Mirajane, but yes. I've always thought they would make a handsome pair."

Juvia hummed in agreement.

"Juvia agrees. And she also feels there is a difference in the way Lucy interacts with Sir Natsu and the way she interacts with the rest of her friends."

"Aye. That dragon boy loves her as much as she loves him. The heavens only know when those two will finally get together, though, for she is in denial and he is abnormally dense."

Juvia giggled, but Erza sobered a little, her expression turning searching.

"Juvia, are you ill?"

Juvia's expression changed, her features falling into a pleasant, impenetrable mask.

"Juvia is fine, Lady Erza."

Erza frowned, not nearly convinced.

"No, no you are not. You are far paler than last I saw you, in fact, you look like you are on your deathbed…"

"You exaggerate, Lady Erza. Juvia is fine."

The scarlet haired mage stood still, studying her friend and ruminating over the possibilities. She did not believe Juvia's admission of good health - the woman looked dead on her feet. As quick as a flash, a thought struck her.

"Has it something to do with Gray? Levy told me once about how a mermaid's life force is tied to her emotions - is pining for Gray making you physically ill?"

Juvia flinched. Her first instinct was to lie, but somehow she couldn't bring herself to do so to the kind hearted knight standing before her. She settled for the partial truth.

"Something… like that… yes…"

Erza waited patiently for the mermaid to continue. When no explanation seemed forthcoming, she sighed in defeat.

"…I will not press the issue. Have you told Gray of your condition?"

"No! I do not wish to disturb him, he is already stressed at war."

Erza frowned, truly worried now.

"But if it is connected to him, surely he would spare the time to help?! If he does not, just let me know, I know of many ways to convince him…"

Juvia panicked flailing her arms and vigorously shaking her head in negation.

"N-no! It would still be of no use. For, even if Gray darling wished to help, there is nothing he can do. This is a sickness that only Juvia can overcome, and Juvia alone. And she will fight it and overcome it - do not worry for her, dear Erza…"

Erza sighed, knowing a dismissal when she heard one.

"Very well, Milady Juvia. But will you come to me if you ever need my aid? Do not forget, I am your friend."

Juvia gazed at Erza, a slow, soft smile creeping onto her lips.

"Of course, Lady Erza. And please do remember, the same goes for you, for I am your friend too."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Pain.

It was the only feeling he could comprehend these days, his entire being intimately acquainted with its various forms and flavours.

Days and nights blended together in a turbulent and never-ending ocean of time. His limbs ached, protesting even the slightest of use, and the headache that throbbed between his temples never ceased. The magic-cancelling iron manacles that shackled his wrists and ankles to the wall of the moist, cavernous dungeon wall, bit into his thick hide, enhancing his torment even more. His mouth was parched and his hunger so savage he could feel his stomach attempting to devour itself. He could not remember the last time he had eaten or slept.

But none of that mattered.

Frankly, he did not even mind the pain - he relished it. It served an important purpose - the only thing that could distract himself from the agony of his emotions. His only link to sanity. All the beliefs, ethics and morals he had held dear as an honorable dragon… all of it had been demolished. He felt like his heart and soul had been ripped apart - the raw, bloody pieces scattered about, vulnerable and available to be trampled on further by all the manipulative, malicious beings around him. Despite his best efforts, he had reached the threshold of a demon's final maturity, only to realize the full horror of it. His demon magic demanded nourishment in the form of flesh, blood, and bone.

He now ate other being's flesh.

Demons were preferred, although other magical beings would also do. Humans were a delicacy that his entire being longed for. He had to keep careful watch on his own self, least he suddenly turn on some of his closest and dearest allies. He had searched for ways to force back these sickening urges, every new discovery only increasing his self-loathing. He had found that brutal fights to the death with his demon brethren could sate his blood lust… temporarily. Slightly more effective, but just as abhorrent, was sex. He had long since discovered that amongst demons, coupling was not only viewed as an expression of love - but also as a means to dominate, as a symbol of power over another that could then be used to increase one's 'status' amongst all demons. Many female, and even some male demons, had been eager to try their hand at 'taming' the demon-dragon hybrid. The resulting sexual escapades had been just as vicious as the battles he had fought - and somehow, even less appetizing. He felt filthy - inside and out. And he doubted he would ever feel clean again.

Natsu let his head fall back against the cold stone wall, the dull throb of the action masked by the whirl of thoughts haunting his frazzled mind. He was dangerous. So unstable and unpredictable, that his allies had unanimously agreed that he would have to be restrained in between battles, just to be safe.

He had not protested their decision.

That was left to his family and friends. His sister had wept bitter tears when he had first been chained. His father had been tied up himself - struggling against his bonds and roaring his determination to take his son back to Alagesia, away from this travesty of an army. Happy had stood by Natsu's side, white-faced and solemn - a silent sentinel who still haunted the corridor that contained the stone door to his damp prison. All his magical friends and family had each tried suggesting less extreme means of helping him… but all their pleas had fallen on deaf ears. For Natsu himself had insisted on the extreme conditions he currently bore. As he had realized by then, the pain was welcome. It was salvation. It was control. It was a bloody distraction.

One that he needed. Desperately. For he had one last hidden fact about demons, that he had not dared share with anyone… one that made him feel like a slave within his own body, one that made him feel as helpless as one would feel on his deathbed.

Demons were inexorably tied to their leader by a mental link. If the leader were to send out a mental 'signal' - every being with a hint of demon blood would receive it. After Zeref's disappearance, the demon's role of leadership had somehow transferred to his last challenger - Acnologia. And the signal Natsu continued to receive from him was loud and clear…

He was coming.