"Erza!"
Erza smiled, she could recognize that dainty step and cheerful voice anywhere. She had a joyful greeting prepared on her lips before she turned around.
"Good morning. You seem happy today, Lucy."
Lucy grinned, her expressive chocolate eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Oh, that's because I have the most exciting news! Come with me!"
Before Erza could formulate a single query or protest, the younger maiden grabbed her hand and yanked her down the hall with surprising speed and strength. Erza's smile widened into a grin as she followed her former pupil into a secret passage.
"You have been doing your strength training, as I advised you too, haven't you?"
A gentle blush rose on the neck of the golden haired girl before her, as the maiden threw a friendly pout over her shoulder.
"Y-yes, I figured I might as well… When others my age are participating in wars, the least I could do is perform my own training sincerely…"
Erza's grin softened and she gently squeezed the hand holding hers.
"An admirable sentiment, Milady."
Lucu just rolled her eyes, beckoning to her friend exuberantly as she stepped into a small, well-lit chamber.
The chamber was empty save for a circular bench made of stone at its center. Atop the stone was a metal safe with an intricate lock possessing three oddly shaped key holes. Besides this odd set up stood a nervous young maiden with short silvery gold locks, a lovely blue rose entwined in her luscious tresses. She turned to face the two girls as they stepped into the room, falling into a deep, respectful curtsey.
"Your majesty, and her eminence the Knight Scarlett."
"Oh, you may dispense with the formality, Yukino, tis only Erza and I!"
Yukino giggled a little nervously, shooting Erza a shy, friendly smile that was returned in kind.
"Why have you brought me here, Lucy?" Erza queried off-hand as she stepped forward to examine the safe and its strange lock.
"To see this new sight of course! And to ask for your advice." Lucy beamed at her friend. "This safe contains what grandfather calls - the source of primordial magic."
"Oh, it was bequeathed to you by the Master?"
"Not quite bequeathed… More like entrusted… According to Grandpapa it contains a huge amount of raw magical power in a very elementary form. Only three such sources exist - and this is the only one in Pergrande or our annexed kingdoms. Therefore, it is extremely precious and must be protected at all costs. It has been kept in this very special container with a very special lock - for which a very special set of keys has been crafted…"
Erza's lips twitched. "So I gather a very special person has these keys, now?"
Yukino's soft titters drowned out Lucy's indignant harrumph. But she nevertheless nodded to the gentle Yukino, who pulled out a set of three intricate keys and handed it to Erza to examine.
"Leo, Aquarius and Taurus?"
Lucy beamed at her friend, clearly pleased with her observational skills.
"How clever of you to notice right away! Yes, each key has a symbol of the zodiac carved on it for sentimental reasons, Grandpapa said. And now for the hard part…"
Lucy's look sobered as her serious eyes searched out her scarlet haired friend's - arresting Erza's gaze with warmth and zeal.
"This room will be guarded and sealed, but there is still no guarantee it can remain a true secret - nothing in this wretched castle can stay hidden for long, after all. The only way to ensure the safety of this powerful magical source is to keep the keys to this safe well hidden and secure. We need a warrior - brave, strong and loyal - who would be willing to be the keeper of these keys. It is for this purpose that I must ask… would you know… that is, would you…"
"Milady Lucy, I do not know if I fit the description you just detailed, but I would be honored if you would allow me to be the keeper of the keys."
Lucy let out a breath in a gust, her relief palpable.
"Thank God! There is no one who is braver, or stronger or more loyal than you! I trust you with my life, and I know you would be a perfect keeper of the keys. I just did not wish to place this burden on you, not without your willing consent at least…"
Erza nodded seriously, her smile grim as she accepted the treasure and securely fastened it to a ring beneath her breastplate.
"I will guard these with my life Lucy. I will never let you down. These keys will be safe with me."
As Erza gazed upon the set of keys in her hand, reminiscing on a past that seemed so long ago, she did not notice the horrified face peeking in through the narrow slit of her door. A head of blue hair whipped away from her chamber's entrance before she could become aware of the new presence, his crimson facial tattoo glowing in the flickering light of the few torches dotting the corridor walls.
Jellal had found what he had wished for.
And now, how he wished he hadn't.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Are you sure this is the place?"
Meredy whispered to her companion, eyeing the shadowy cottage with trepidation.
Her raven-haired friend grinned back.
"Why little one, are you frightened of the Witch of The Enchanted Wood?"
Her taunting words earned her a glare and a friendly swat on her arm.
"I've heard enough stories on our journey here to at least be wary of her! As you should be too…"
Ultear snorted. "Have you forgotten that I am a witch as well?! And a powerful one at that. What with our new connection, I feel even more powerful than before. You have nothing to fear, Meredy."
Meredy's eyes softened as she turned back to gaze at her friend. "Our connection has done wonders for me too - I feel power I have never even known before coursing through me now." She frowned slightly. "It is almost uncomfortable, but I cannot channel it through my usual means either. I have to find a new compatible medium to silo this excess magic, and soon…"
A gentle ruffle of her hair had Meredy blinking up at her smiling companion.
"That is yet another reason why we are here, right? To see if your friend Juvia would know more of your legends, and therefore be able to help you…"
"Ya know, it's kinda rude ta stand outside a bein's house jus ta gossip. Least ya could do is come in an let me in on tha fun."
Ultear whirled around to beam at the brown haired, violet eyed, buxom damsel who was unashamedly ogling them.
"Cana!"
"Wait. That's the witch of the enchanted woods?! She's not nearly as old as she's described in the stories!" Meredy exclaimed, cocking her head to the side as she critically observed the new woman.
The brown-haired beauty merely let out a raucous guffaw.
"That's cause tha title of 'witch o the enchanted woods' is under new management." The young woman winked at the pinkette.
"Ol Porly retired two years ago." She offered Ultear, smirking at her fellow witch. Ultear nodded, returning her smirk with one of her own.
"I know. One of our coven sisters told me last year."
"WAIT. You knew that the witch we would meet today was not the one we heard all those scary tales about?! And you didn't think to tell me this very important fact because…?!"
"You seemed so determined to gather every tale and every scrap of gossip regarding her, that I did not wish to spoil the surprise." Ultear cooed, her expression of innocence belied by the twinkle of mischief in her eye.
Meredy fumed, just as Cana broke into a loud bout of laughter once more. Meredy soundly berated her companion as the brown-haired beauty slowly subdued her mirth. At last, still shaking her head and chuckling, Cana motioned to the pair to enter her dark hut.
Ultear followed promptly, a slightly hesitant Meredy on her heels.
A magical camouflage charm had obviously been placed on the abode, for the interior was far roomier and cheerier than its gloomy, small exterior suggested. Numerous kegs of various assortments of wines lined the walls, and all sorts of sweet smelling herbs hung from different parts of the ceiling and the spiral staircase at the back of the cottage. Cana gestured to a pair of cushiony chairs, whilst she pulled another one out from under the dining table. She turned her seat backwards and plopped into it, her legs spread wide and her forearms resting on the back of her seat. She twiddled a nearly empty bottle of rum in one hand and occasionally took a swig as she waited for her guests to finish their inspection of her little home. The other two females soon settled gratefully into the proffered seats, Ultear promptly getting down to business.
"Our purpose here today is two-fold, Cana. First off, my mermaid friend Meredy would like to meet Lady Juvia of the Lockser clan, who we know is in Pergrande under the protection of the human side of her family. Secondly, we have information of an urgent nature to pass on to your ruler - there is a spy in her court, and we know who he is and what his true purpose here is."
Cana raised a brow. "Tha's a lot. Ya sure ya didn leave anythin out? Like tha end of tha world or something…"
Meredy giggled as Ultear just rolled her eyes in response. Cana smiled at the pair, rising momentarily from her seat to grab a small bowl of water.
"Well, yer lucky tha first part is easy enuf. Although ta be honest, its been a while since I've seen Juvia, much less talked ta her. Here, we'll try tha emergency way…"
Cana muttered an incantation under her breath, as she touched a single finger to the surface of the clear water in the bowl. It rippled and bubbled as Cana's fairy glitter magic lit up its surface. The other two females leaned closer, awestruck by the simple yet powerful show of magic.
"A scrying spell." Cana explained quietly. "Since Juvia always carries a flask o liquid on er, it's a surefire way ta reach er in a crunch. But she may not respond right away, she might have ta find a safer spot ta chat…"
"Cana? Are you trying to reach Juvia?"
A soft, melodious voice arose from the depths of the dark water, a shadowy face barely visible in its depths.
Cana grinned, turning to Meredy and handing her the bowl.
"There's someone special here who wants ta talk ta ya!" Cana responded to the obscure figure in the container, as she gestured to Meredy to speak.
"Err… Juvia? It is I, Meredy…"
"Meredy?! If you have come here to hurt Juvia or take her back…"
"N-no! In fact…" Meredy glanced at Ultear, warmth and affection in her gaze. "I come here for a far different purpose. I wished to apologize to you, and seek your advice…"
Juvia's voice came out far softer and gentler than before. "Oh. That is a different matter entirely, then. Could Meredy find a private place to speak to Juvia? There is much to share, and it is best if there are no interruptions."
Meredy glanced at Cana, who waved towards the spiral staircase.
"Up those stairs and first door on yer left. Ma spare bedroom's free. No one'll disturb ya up there. Come down when yer done."
Meredy smiled gratefully, and with one last beaming look at Ultear, she swept swiftly up the stairs. Cana chuckled as she headed to a keg to refill her empty bottle.
"Choose yer poison, ol friend."
Ultear grinned, grabbing a glass and filling it with a shot of whiskey before settling back into her chair.
"Yer lookin different from when we last met. Not as... err... troubled, or angry…" Cana critiqued, attempting a nonchalant tone.
"I feel different." Ultear responded, her tone amused. "And it is all thanks to that wonderful mermaid upstairs."
Cana raised a brow, taking in Ultear's affectionate and warm tone with raging curiosity. She did not pry, however, and opted to steer the conversation in a different route instead.
"So ya were sayin ya had news of a spy fer me?"
"Yes." Ultear aquisenced, her tone and demeanour instantly sobering. "He was an old colleague of mine. Last we heard he had passed through the Kingdom of Slein just North of Pergrande, and we believe he was headed straight here."
A knock on the door startled the two women, Ultear even whirling to her feet, a weapon raised in her hand.
Cana chuckled, waving her off.
"No need fer that. It's a friend, I sent word fer him jus before invitin ya two in. Jus didn expect tha fool ta arrive this fast…"
Cana sauntered to her door, cracking it open and casually gesturing to the sleek, orange-haired man on the other side to enter.
Ultear took in the new arrival with trepidation and disgust as the man gave her a cool once over and a flirtatious wink, strolling over leisurely to the assortment of chairs at the center of the cottage.
"You didn't tell me we would be having company, Cana. A little warning would have been nice, especially when said company is of this exquisite female variety…"
"Ma cards didn tell me the 'whos' Loke. Jus gave me an idea o what ta do…"
"You lazy witch, your cards can tell you whatever you want them too. You were just too bored to look."
Cana let out a bark of laughter, not bothering to deny his statement.
Ultear frowned. "Cards? I thought your magic types were fairy glitter and potions, Cana?"
Cana smiled a little guiltily. "Nay. Potions is more of a hobby. Ma second talent is card readin. Kinda kept it from ya cause ya were a little gloomy back then…"
Ultear chuckled, waving her hands dismissively. "Nay, you were wise to keep that from me. I moved with a far different crowd back then, and might have caused you a world of trouble had I known."
Cana grinned back. She resumed her seat and her bottle of rum, winking at Loke as she took a swig. She turned back to Ultear the very next moment, her expression surprisingly solemn.
"Can ya tell us what ya were about ta say before this buffoon interrupted us?"
Ultear nodded slowly. "As I was saying Cana, a colleague of mine traveled down to Pergrande with a nefarious purpose. Well, I say colleague, but we were more like accomplices…" Ultear lowered her head in shame and guilt. "Back then, I was a follower of a dreaded and powerful black mage. Under his command, I joined forces with this man to pillage and attack innocent villages in Alvarez - all in the name of our cruel, ruthless King. This man I worked with was not faithful to the King either - he had been sent there by his own masters, a group that called themselves the Oracian Seis, the ones who had created him…"
"Created him?" Loke interrupted curiously.
"He was a demon hybrid. I suppose he had possessed latent magic as a child, and then those horrible 'scientists' of the Oracian Seis got ahold of him and performed experiments to inject him with demon magic to enhance his abilities. It worked - Jellal was the most powerful mage I had ever met…"
"Jellal?" This time Cana interjected.
Ultear nodded grimly. "Aye. That was his name. Although I am positively certain you both would know him by another alias."
Wordlessly, Ultear conjured an orb from thin air. The transparent globe fit neatly in the palm of her hand. The other two occupants of the cottage watched in awe and curiosity as the transparent globe slowly slowly started to change color, a light blue mist arising within it, clouding its interior from view. The mist cleared moments later, to reveal a very familiar face and figure.
"Seigrien?!" Loke yelped, jumping up from his seat.
"Tha newest courtier of tha high court?" Cana frowned. "Weren ya investigatin him yerself, Loke?"
Loke scowled, aiming a jerky nod at Cana.
"Aye. And I knew he was an Alvarez spy already, but to hear he is a demon hybrid as well is… upsetting. And the fact that he is not truly loyal to his King is extremely disturbing. What is his true purpose here, if not to spy for his monarch?"
"I can hazard a guess." Ultear interjected solemnly.
"Please do." Loke sighed, rubbing a tired hand over his chin.
"Before we parted ways, Jellal mentioned something that, at a later point, worried me. He had always been obsessed with finding out his roots, and removing the powerful spell placed on his memories, and to that effect he began to contemplate retrieving a powerful magical source I had told him about myself." Ultear shot an apologetic, guilty and wan smile at the pair. "He began speaking about somehow finding and taking the Primordial Source…"
A second, louder yelp issued from Loke.
"No! That is his true purpose here?!"
Ultear sighed, nodding gravely in response. "To the best of my knowledge, yes. Knowing him, and knowing my old master, I'm fairly certain they have worked out a compromise and are aiding each other in this goal. I came here expressly to warn you - and offer whatever assistance I may in preventing this catastrophe. I truly am sorry, had I not told him about the source being in Pergrande, he would not have come…"
"Nay, don't beat yerself up about it." Cana smiled warmly at her old friend. "I know ya were strugglin with so much yerself at tha time. I heard about yer mother's death, and yer attack on Gray. Ya were angry, upset an confused. I don blame ya for goin a little crazy. I'm jus happy ta see ya over that…"
"Aye." Ultear smiled back shyly. "I'm happy too." She glanced in the direction of the spiral staircase, as if hoping a certain mermaid would magically appear on it.
"Cana is right." Loke added abruptly, rising from his seat once more. "We do not judge people by their pasts. At least, my mistress certainly doesn't, and she has drilled that into me. We are happy that you came to warn us, and we will let you know if we need your help…" Loke trailed off, his comforting, friendly smile diminishing as he reached the cottage's door.
"If you lovely ladies would excuse me, this news is urgent - I must convey it to her at once." Loke leveled a pointed look in Cana's direction to which the witch nodded gravely in response.
"Aye. I agree. Godspeed ya bastard."
With a smirk and a bow to both females, the orange-haired man swiftly exited the cozy abode.
Cana finally rose from her seat, stretching her arms above her head and glancing curiously in the direction of the stairs.
"Ya reckon Meredy is done by now?"
Before Ultear could respond, a soft voice answered for her.
"Aye, I am."
Meredy made her way down the stairs slowly, lost in thought as she drifted closer to the pair of witches.
"Well?" Ultear probed gently. "How did it go? You look a little upset…"
Meredy shot her a wan smile. "I'm not upset… It was a pleasant conversation. It was just that… well… Juvia's situation is similar to mine, although it doesn't seem she will be as lucky as I, and I believe she is feeling the effects of that…"
A wordless conversation ensued between the raven-haired witch and the mermaid for a few moments as Cana regarded them with growing curiosity and impatience. Before she could interrupt the pair, demanding an explanation, Ultear abruptly spoke again.
"Did Juvia have any advice for channeling your excess magic?"
"Oh!" Meredy exclaimed, her visage brightening considerably. "As a matter of fact, she did! Cana?" She turned to the other witch. "Juvia told me that you use a special tool to channel your own magic, and she suggested that I could try the same? If you could tell me what that tool is, I'd be happy to procure it and begin practicing with it…"
Cana snickered. "I'll do ya one better."
She strolled towards a cupboard, flipping open the door to the top shelf and rummaging about for a few seconds. Without turning around, she tossed something over her shoulder with amazing aim at the young mermaid, that Meredy instinctively caught.
"Cards?!"
Meredy looked up from the innocuous pack in her hands, glancing in confusion between her dear companion and the brown-haired witch.
"Why ya gamblin lush." Ultear smirked, slipping unconsciously into the casual dialect of the North. "Ya tryin ta pervert my little mermaid?"
Cana snorted. "Yer one ta talk! I know fer a fact ya ain't no Saint, honey."
A chorus of laughs ensued, echoing in the comfy cottage and rebounding in the surrounding darkening woods, as the three occupants of the happy abode settled into a light and easy conversation.