Reviews are Nice; The pairings are NOT decided yet. I get people like Vander/Lucy, I like them too, they're adorable when she's sassy and keeps up with him, but...I really don't know if they will get together or if it will be a friendship...or how far this darkness is going to go.
I don't own Fairy Tail. Mashima Does.
I don't own the Pradesh Clan. Desna does (and thank you for them).
I own the Storyline. That's it.
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Libra's voice continued to fill the air, "...assault and infliction of possible life threatening issues upon One Graced by The Immaculate Light-"
"That can't be within-" Joren started, eyes narrowing.
Libra just slowly arched an eyebrow, continuing as if she hadn't been interrupted, "- and the vessel for the Holy Light from One of the Higher Celestial Realms, possession of no less than two weapons of Darkness from the Holy War…" She leveled a firm look at Joren, "and being a dark spirited asshole in general."
Hestor blinked at the long list of accusations and choked at the last one, "...I'm unsure that last one is punishable…"
"...you don't know the Celestial Realms," Lucy blinked slowly, "I think they can…they deal with all that is holy and light…"
Libra looked over her shoulder at the two, arching an eyebrow as if to say 'are you two done?'. When both shrugged, she looked back to the assembled mages, "as was the Plea from The Celestial Spirit Mage that holds the most of the keys of Ma'at and Ammit, This will be done within full view of the human realm, without being between time and space."
She watched as Joren paled, "Let the weighing of the souls begin."
The mages in question slowly floated up, each with one of the scales in front of them. They tried to struggle, but it seemed fruitless as the spirit held her hands out.
The Sisters of Ammit and the Brothers of Ma'at stood in front of the mages, slowly adding their magic before stepping to the next. There was complete silence before chimes started sounding out, the scales tipping and wobbling, as if deciding. Two of the mages' 'souls' were lighter and they were set down, back pedaling away from the Spirits with wide eyes as other souls were heavier, but to different extents.
A few, one of the Brothers of Ma'at walked over with a leveling device, checking it and shaking his head before pillars rose up, the mages being magically pinned to them. The sisters of Ammit looked like they were pouting as they watched, fingers twitching as they licked her lips. They could sense a meal they could have had, but their keyholder, whom they only whined at, had said 'no'. The women all crossed their arms on their chest as they waited.
Joren's was far too easy to see how 'unbalanced' the purity of his soul was to the Feather and he joined the rest of his mages that were held up. There was a hush over the entire arena as people tried to figure out what was going on, short of 'Something Big'. The workings of the Celestial Realms were rarely heard of, many vowed to tell their children about this day, because it was probably a once in a century event to see.
There were gasps as Two spirits Clothed in white appeared and their hands, held out in the empty space between them, were touching what many knew to be one of the Crystals of the Immaculate light. Eyes were wide as the commision board was quickly making calls, both the Dean in the Academe and Tesso in the Citadel where rushing. The Fact that both were there...meant this was a different crystal.
"...Hes…" Lucy's eyes were wide, her voice a hiss, "what...the...living...fuck.!"
Leon stepped up next to Lucy, "The Judgement of the Upper Realms. Who govern over The Holy Light."
The crystal was moved into the circle of the pinned mages and set down. THe Spirits looked at each of the mages in turn before stepping back.
Libra spoke, "we would ask a representative of the Human world to come forward. We shall wait for two hours."
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It was a harrowing wait, but soon, a large group of the Knights of the Immaculate light moved into the arena. Libra and the ten spirits slowly turned to look at them. The Zodiac Spirit arching an eyebrow slightly before giving a small smile and a bow, "It has been awhile...General."
General Tesso bowed to the Spirit, "It has, Libra, since before Zen was born."
"You stand as the Mortal Officiant?"
"I do," General Tesso watched the Spirit, having known her through his sister, Ganier and the woman's ties to Layla, he guessed that Lucy had inherited the Key, but he'd never seen her use it. He was glad though. The girl was powerful and it was a 'family key'. He absently mused if the Ivory keys, if they could be located, would go to his now niece.
Libra nodded and motioned, "Please Inspect the Holy Crystal."
Tesso looked behind him to the Priests and Maidens that had come and nodded, watching as they moved to the crystal, studying it and putting their hands on it before giving an affirmative nod that it was, in fact, just like the one in the Citadel. "I take it, Libra, that each shall go into the crystal?"
Libra gave a small bow of her head, "Yes, shortly." She glanced towards where Zen was and looked at the two Spirits there, "well?"
Monoceros bowed and smiled, "The Evening Star Healed him fully. Though he would benefit from Immersion, it is not pressing, Lady Libra."
"Good, we shall finish the Trial and I will assume that you," her eyes darted to Tesso, "can take him to one of the crystals in Bosco."
Tesso nodded, "of course, Libra."
"Then we shall begin," The spirit turned her eyes to the men and women still restrained and then looked at Joren, "you will be last."
What followed was not just something that had shivers running down spines, but would ring through the memories. This was, many mused, a Celestial Execution. Using the Holy Light to purge darkness. Bodies were drawn out, but a shimmering fabric curled over each body before anything could be seen of the state of it. Each body was set on platforms that rose from the ground. It was a long, long hour and when it was Joren's turn, the man snarled and struggled the entire way, the echoing screams of vowing vengeance filling the air only until the crystal came down to seal..and then the howls of pain barely lasted half a minute before the crystal opened, the same, strange sheet pulled over and then the man's body put on a platform.
With a hum, Libra stood there and looked to the Brothers of Ma'at and the Sisters of Ammit, actually rolling her eyes as they looked between Kaleb and the crystal, "...oh fine. Put him in there, Stars you lot are impatient..."
There were actually a few chuckles all around before Kaleb was taken into the crystal, Libra's hands shifting a bit and his hair floating about him as he stayed upright due to her magic until the Crystal Closed. She turned, addressing the crowd, and by proxy, the country of Bosco, "let it be known, The Light Realms have Blessed White Sea. The stars have taken their home within its halls. We protect our own, with the most impartial of judges, The Ancient Goddess of Judgement, Ma'at, and the Scales of Justice, wielded by myself, Libra of the Ecliptic Zodiac."
She waved a hand and the change in the arena slowly started to sink away, "The stars watch all, know all."
Lucy stood there as all that was eventually left was the two Spirits that had brought the Crystal, the Crystal itself, the Humans that had been there...and the shroud covered bodies. "...Zen? Van? Hes?"
The three men looked at her for a moment and she let out a small sound, "...thank you." she smiled faintly and then her eyes rolled up into her head, Vander letting out a startled sound as he dove into the shadows, coming out of the woman's shadow to scoop her up.
"...we should…"
Tesso put a hand on Vander's shoulder, "The games will finish resolving...go rest. All of you."
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Lucy and Hestor sat, both of them curled up in a blanket together, half dozing as they watched where the Crystal had been moved.
Vander snorted, "I almost feel left out."
Zen looked over at Vander and chuckled, "they're like siblings, let them be, hmm? And...she feels the need to tease him."
Vander quirked an eyebrow, "that I don't get…" He crossed his arms on his chest as he watched the two, "I wonder what about."
Zen shook his head, "I don't know...there was almost a tragedy, but she started finally factoring us into what she is doing, Van...we should encourage her to continue to do so."
The Shadowquip smirked, "of course...though...I'm not sure about that title they called me...maybe you could go talk to the dean?" He shifted on his feet, "Because...that...was fucking ominous as hell."
Zen pursed his lips slightly, "we will, after we know Kaleb is fine and give him an ass chewing for not avoiding that."
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"So?" Lucy looked up at Hestor, watching him with concern. His eyes had rings under them and she could see the strain in his features.
Hestor gave a very faint smile, "...that was a one off...I'll need to...get the last three keys...I've got...a year...less than a year."
He took a breath and rubbed his face as he slumped a bit, "I don't know how i'm going to do it….they triggered that, because we were not contracted…"
Lucy frowned a bit, rubbing his back and keeping her voice low, "we can help, Hes...we found the one...Zen found that one…"
Hestor looked at his hands as they fell to his lap and let out a low groan, "I didn't want to ask for help…"
Lucy gently put a hand over one of Hestor's, fingers threading into them and then speaking softly, "you're like family, Hes...let us help you, please?"
The Male mage made the mistake of looking at the blonde, seeing the pleading look and letting out a groan as his shoulders slumped, "I hate that look, it's got to be a crime to use it."
Lucy smiled softly, "Please? We can look for all the keys we can find…" She grinned, "So...before you think this is all about you.."
Hestor rolled his eyes and then smiled faintly, "Okay...no more pleading eyes though...hurts my heart."
"Okay, and I'll leave you to your man-crush moping," Lucy grinned and scrambled away, laughing as a throw pillow smacked her in the back of the head and she tumbled into Zen and Vander, eyes dancing, "hey…"
Vander arched an eyebrow, "hey, stardust, you having fun?"
The blonde blushed a bit, "Sorry, was just...teasing...and…" She shrugged as she kissed him gently and then leaned into Zen, "well, I figure it's not your place to find out what I'm teasing about yet."
Vander's brows shot up, "oh? Is that so?" He tilted his head and grinned, "I think I need to tickle it out of you."
Lucy let out a squeal as she tried to use Zen as a shield, only for the archangel to wrap his arms around her and keep her prone and at the mercy of Vander's tickling. She squealed and bucked, trying to get away only to let out a mewl as Vander did the one thing he could think of to keep her from kicking him, slid right between her legs and pressed their hips together.
The sudden heat tore through all three of them, leaving Lucy breathless and shivering as she bit her lower lip, "...wow...that…"
"That was new," Zen blinked slowly as he stood there and swallowed.
Hestor snorted, "oh, get a room, or a bath." He smirked at the scowls sent his way, "i'm going to go check on the crystal."
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Hestor sighed as he walked to the crystal and stood in front of it for a long moment. He crossed his arms on his chest and just waited. He'd not slept much, he had questions that needed to be answered, especially after he'd really reflected on what had happened. He recalled looking at Joren and seeing the dagger...and it had been a very, very clear shot. Suddenly, Kaleb had been there and he just...shut down. There was no reason at all…
The male celestial mage took a deep breath and slammed a fist into the crystal. There was a reason, he was the guildmaster, but that didn't make it in the least bit worth sacrificing himself. Hestor had much less to lose. His Keys, Lucy's friendship, the strange feelings of respect that had been building towards Kaleb, to the point where he did what a celestial mage tends to do only once: tell the person that they think is going to be close their entire life secrets that are otherwise not told. He knew Lucy teased him about the attraction, and knew she meant nothing more than that: a light tease to get a rise. They'd gone around quite a few times as she'd gotten more mature. When she'd started having issues trying to figure out her heart, he'd tease her. It would bring her out of the darker place...most of the time swinging.
It was a strange game they played and while he was sad that their dynamic had changed, she may have taken sexual pleasure off the list of things to do, but she never too more base things: hugs, dragging into cuddling, curling up with cocoa and a blanket. He was grateful for that, it allowed him moments of respite from the darkness that still tried to claw into his soul. He knew the keys he held weren't doing it on purpose, they were there to devour souls that Celestial Judgement found needed to, and simply seen as dark as their purpose.
He turned around and sat against the crystal, putting his head against his knees. He was confused as hell when it came to Kaleb. Yes, the man was attractive, insanely so, you'd have to be asexual to actually not see it; the man was of the firm belief that even the dead and undead would appreciate his beauty. He let out a low groan of frustration, trying to figure out where the respect had turned into...some strange twisting in his chest that he couldn't define.
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"Well?" came a soft voice, stepping up to the smaller figure by the viewing pond.
The smaller figure sighed, brushing a bit of hair back, a few moments passing before she glanced up at the other one, "Cephus...there is a good chance all three may awaken…"
"You think he's one that can do it?" The tall man arched a deep navy eyebrow, tilting his head, "well, Cass?"
'Cass' groaned as she let her head fall back, "I don't know...The Weavers looked into so many futures...this man…" her voice was soft, "is so dark in many of them, can we entrust him with one?"
Cephus smiled softly, "I think we can, we both can see how...light he is growing...It will benefit him….especially once the Four Kings and the Ivory keys come into play."
Cass spat and her lips curled back, "those four. What are they playing at. They've not gotten involved since the realms were divided. It makes no sense…"
"Well, My love, the weavers have not said anything ill yet of their involvement," Cephus smiled and wrapped an arm around the woman's shoulders, "let's see how this plays out. They've plenty of trials to overcome. Perhaps a new Age will dawn, perhaps it will not."
He chuckled at her pout as she lead him away, "You wanted the prior generation to start this…"
Cass groaned, "I did...the set up was near perfect, Ceph, if the two of them could have thought to…" her lips quirked, "get into some sort of Boscan three way marriage…" her brows moved up and down, "I'm sure they, together, would have had the power to unlock the one."
They both started at the slender figure that curled out of one of the 'alleyways', watching the silver haired man warily and he grinned lazily, "perhaps. Very well perhaps the two could have...but they accomplished a lot...and I think our dearest Star Lady much prefers how things are now…"
"Byakko," Cass hissed, "what are you doing here?"
The Spirit shrugged and smirked, bringing a clawed hand up to brush his hair back, "making sure Shinryu's investments pay off." he leaned down towards the woman, "After All...we've been waiting Eons for one of the Blooded to be strong enough."
Cass' eyes went wide, "...what did you four do?!" her voice was shrill as she glared at the other spirit.
Byakko continued to smirk, "That's for us to know, Cass, and you to... try to find out." he chuckled as he moved away from them, stalking down the road, "I have to go speak to the other feline spirits...do be good, Cass."
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Hestor started when he heard the hiss of the lacrama and stood, grunting as he caught the man falling out and carefully steadied the half aware Mindbender, "you're fine."
"...feel like I got run over," Kaleb couldn't find the energy to physically talk, leaning heavily on the other man and groaning softly.
"You did...by something coming at me that you should have…" Hestor trailed off and flinched at the feeling in his head, the sudden pain, "stop that. You don't get to chose that sort of thing."
"I do. Lucy enjoys spending time around you, you make her happy."
The Celestial mage rolled his eyes and snorted, "shut up, let's get you to see your brother...so he can make sure you're fine, other than sore, tired and dehydrated from being stupid which I expect from Lucy...not you."
Kaleb rolled his eyes as he leaned heavily on the other man, letting him slowly help him walk towards where he hoped Cris was. He took the silent comfort the man gave, letting himself not worry too much as he idly scanned through the man's mind. Unlike Lucy, Hestor couldn't fully shield his thoughts and there were so many.
The Mindbender's brow furrowed after a few moments and he couldn't help the next question he asked "...what is this about revealing things to only one person?"
Hestor groaned, "of course you'd poke around and find that…" he curled his nose, "let's get you recovering...then you can...ask your questions…"
Kaleb snorted softly as they walked, leaning against the other man, his hazy mind throwing him into confusion and he closed his eyes. "Want to know now."
"Stop being a petulant child," Hestor said softly as they walked, "I said I would answer your questions…" He arched an eyebrow as he looked at Kaleb from the corner of his eye, "do you doubt my word as a Celestial Mage?"
The mindmender took a little longer than Hestor liked to answer before he simply shook his head. THey had expected him to be slightly out of it, but he hadn't asked how close the shock of what was going on around them had caused for his injury to get worse. He felt bad, he didn't know what had gone through Lucy's head at that moment, but he knew she'd barely recovered from the inhaled poisons before Kaleb had been struck. He himself was only lucky because he'd recognized it early. What happened was a catch 22 in celestial magic: Despite the poison blooms inside the dome, the outside threat would keep Scotum in place...until their deaths or something disrupted the mage's concentration.
"Cristoff," Hestor called out as he got into the infirmary, snorting as the dragon slayer's eyes started awake and he let out a snort that was really a choked off snore from shock, "he's up."
The Lunar slayer looked over and then smiled, a soft look before he helped Hestor, "let's get him checked out, hmm?"
"I'm perfectly capable of talking…"
"And yet you aren't," Hestor arched an eyebrow.
"...water?"
