Lucy Heartfilia POV
Levy and I stood outside of Goldmine's door for a few moments before knocking. I stared at the old wooden door, mentally preparing myself for anything that was about to happen. I could feel Levy's gaze burning the side of my head, waiting for me to knock. I took a deep breath and did so. I was so nervous of what he was going to say about the situation. Was he going to be as baffled as we were about everything? Or worse yet, was he going to think anything against the situation would be completely impossible? I shivered aggressively. That thought scared me most.
"Come on in." I heard the deep rumble of my most beloved guard voiced behind the door. I glanced over at Levy as she grasped the door handle and turned it.
Here we go. I thought to myself as we entered his space. I stepped inside the dark room and my eyes automatically took in my surroundings. It looked exactly like all the other servants headquarters. A small bed sat in the corner, sheets folded neatly on the mattress waiting to be put back on, a large dresser sat across from it, pictures and random trinkets scattered across the top of the dark wood. My gaze went over to the large desk where Goldmine was sitting, studying some papers by candlelight. He turned and looked at us as we entered, a small, forced smile formed on his face.
"It's about time you girls' got here." He chuckled slightly. I smiled. Even though it was a pained chuckle, at least he could find something to chuckle about in this dire time to lighten the mood.
"Ready to hear everything we learned?" I asked, running through everything I was going to tell him in my mind.
A deep, troubled sigh left his lips. "I guess it's now or never, huh, girls'?" We both nodded. He sucked in a deep breath and rubbed his hands together. "Okay, hit me with everything you got."
"So, what we know is that Grimoire Heart, Oracion Sies, and the former Saber Tooth guilds have formed an alliance with each other in hopes of taking over the Kingdom. There are two leaders of this 'renewed' Saber Tooth and their names are Midnight and Sting Eucliffe.
"We believe right now that Sting is the bigger threat because of this letter he sent my father." I took the horrendous note from my pocket and handed it to the older man. He took it carefully in his hands, studying the outer part like it was some kind of foreign disease.
Taking in a shaky breath he opened the paper and skimmed over the lines. I watched his brows draw down in concentration and fury. I watched his eyes as they moved across the page, taking in every single word that monstrosity said about me and my father.
"This monster will never touch you my lady." He spoke suddenly as he met my eyes. His intense gaze nearly took my breath away. "I swear to you, I will protect you until my dying breath." He vowed. My vision blurred. This man, whom I trusted my life with, was ready to lay down his life for me. How many people had already died for me because they vowed to protect me until their dying breath? How many more people were going to die for me? I couldn't stand it.
"No." Came my response before I could stop it. Shock settled over Goldmine's features.
"Excuse me, Princess?" I shook my head, a single tear leaking from my eyes.
"I can't stand to watch anyone else die because of me." I shakily said, voice laced with unshed tears. "I will not allow it!" My voice came out strong and sure, every bit queen like as my mother had taught me when I was a child. "We will figure out a plan as to where nobody else has to die! I hate that people continue risking their lives because of me! I'm not special! Anyone can have the thrown, I just happened to be born into it. It's just not fair!" I sobbed out. Levy wrapped her fragile arms around my side and squeezed in reassurance. "I am strong! I can protect everyone! I'm not some fragile little girl that needs her hand to be held in every tough situation she's put through." I hadn't realized that I had dropped to my knees until that point and Goldmine was in front of me, looking deeply into my eyes with such sorrow, it broke my heart even more.
"You are strong, my Lady. I believe you can protect us." Goldmine took my chin between his thumb and fore-finger. "But no matter how strong you are or how well you protect us, people are going to die." His voice hardened, but was still kind. "This is war. Casualties happen in war. It doesn't matter how strong you are, people will die." His eyes softened. "We vowed to protect you with everything we are. All of the servants, all of us guards, everyone in the Kingdom absolutely adores you Lucy. We would hate seeing you perish without any of us trying to stop it. You are our Princess, our future Queen. You are much more than some fragile little girl. You are a strong independent woman who is going to take this Kingdom far. We all believe in you." A small laugh escaped his lips. "Why do you think we're so willing to die for you?" His speech made the tears fall even harder.
"I can't stand seeing so many people die because of me though." I whimpered. I felt like my twelve year old self, crying to Goldmine about something I didn't believe in because things had to happen a certain way since I was the Princess.
"I know but in the end, it'll shape you into the best Queen you can be. Not tough as a diamond, but strong enough to win any battle you may come across." His eyes fell. "I'm not always going to be here, my Lady. You have to begin to believe in yourself about everything you come across. You have to understand the consequences and rewards of all your actions." A small smile settled itself upon his mouth. "I can't tell you everything forever, Princess. You do have to figure things out on your own."
My bottom lip quivered. "But I don't want to."
"I know you don't, but someday, when I'm gone you're going to have to." He pulled me into a firm hug. I sat there and cried on his shoulder for a few moments, letting all of my fears and worries out. Goldmine was precious to me. He was like that crazy uncle that everyone has, or even a second father to me. In all honesty he had treated more of a daughter than my real father had. I know my father has many responsibilities and that's why I don't hold anything against him and I know that he had been there for me as much as he possibly could while I was growing up, but he did miss many things. He wasn't the one who taught me how to ride a bike, heal my wounds whenever I decided it would be fun to jump out of a tree or off the lowest part of the castle roof into a small, shallow stream because I thought I was small enough for it to cushion my fall. He never got to experience my childhood except for the couple random fond memories of him swinging me from the tire swing in our backyard when he took time off to see me from his busy schedule.
I admired my father and how he worked his ass off to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Kingdom, but part of me admired Goldmine a tad bit more. He was someone I could go to for anything and he would give me the right advice and make me feel better. My father couldn't offer me that.
But it was time to put on my big girl pants and fake smile. Time to face the truth and be an adult about it.
"Okay, I'm done throwing myself a pity party." I sniffed and untangled myself from Levy and Goldmine. "It's time to get back down to business." I looked over to my blue haired friend, noticing streaks of tears down her face. We needed that little cry fest to let everything out in order to be ready for the massive fight ahead of us. I looked at Goldmine and saw his determined gaze peer deep into my soul. I nodded to him feeling some of my confidence come crawling back.
"So, Sting and Midnight are the two recently matured Ancillas who have decided that they are going to rebel against everything the former leaders wanted. While the former guilds only wanted peace, these two are hell-bent on destruction.
"I'm not quite positive how they plan to accomplish their mission in taking over the Kingdom, but I have a pretty good idea. Since they are wanting me, I fear they are going to hold me hostage over my father. Use me against him so he would turn over the Kingdom willingly."
"But, my Lady." Goldmine interrupted. "In his letter he said that you have to be given over willingly. That kind of defeats the purpose of holding you hostage over him."
I thought about Goldmine's words for a moment. "Maybe he said that so when my twentieth birthday comes around my father would offer up the Kingdom in my place." As I said the words it made more sense.
"That's exactly what he's planning." I said more to myself than to the others. "He's planning on my father offering anything to keep me safe. He knows. He knows everything." The world started swirling. "He literally knows everything that happens here. He knows the conversations we have. He knows what we're planning the second we figure it out. That's why he knew exactly where the men would be that were observing their hideout in Acalypha. He has to have spies in the castle!"
"Princess…" Goldmine looked as baffled as I felt on the inside. "You could very well possibly be right." He placed a hand on his forehead. "That would explain why they know all of our moves. I do believe because they are vampires that they would be more intelligent and have better resources concerning the senses, but I don't think they would figure out what we've been doing nearly as quickly if they didn't have someone telling them everything." I panicked slightly.
"I need to go tell my father that we have a traitor in the castle." I said as I headed toward the door. I grasped the handle and started to head out, but instead of entering the hallway, I ran straight into a muscular chest. Said chest had arms attached to it and grasped my shoulders to steady me. Good thing to, otherwise I definitely would have fallen right on my ass.
"Slow down there Princess." I froze. I knew that voice. I looked up and saw the face I had only met that day. Max Alors stood in front of me, an easy grin upon his face. "Rushing into a very tight hallway isn't the best idea. There could always be someone on the other side of the door." I narrowed my gaze at him. Had he been listening to everything I had said?
"What did you hear, vampire?" I wasn't about to waste time worrying about it. I was just going to flat out ask.
Max raised a light blonde brow at me. "I do have a name, your Highness." A growl formed low in my throat. I didn't have time for Mr. McSweaty-Pants or his shenanigans.
I took in a deep breath to calm myself before I snapped at him. "Mr. Alors, what did you hear about our conversation in the room?" His eyes hardened and he looked up and down the hallway.
"Go back inside the guard's room, Princess." He ushered me back inside Goldmine's room. I didn't fight back only because I was curious as to what the vampire had to say.
Max looked straight at me, dark eyes intense. "I believe what you do, that there is a traitor inside the castle. I have already notified the King and he is keeping his eyes open to anyone who looks suspicious. He has also informed my comrades about the situation and is going to notify Makarov. He will most likely send over a few more vampires to help watch the perimeter of any sort of activity." Max smiled at me then. "Sorry but we're already two steps ahead."
I sighed. I wanted to help out in any way possible, but it seemed like they already knew everything I had figured out. I needed to be on the same page as all of them.
"Tell me everything you know." The vampire's smile widened.
"A little demanding now aren't we, Princess?" I struggled to not roll my eyes at him.
"Please, Mr. Alors. We all need to be on the same page so we can help one another figure everything out." He nodded, but kept the cheesy smile.
Suddenly he stood up and started heading for the door. "Follow me class! We're about to go on a field trip!" My jaw dropped. Was he being serious?
"A field trip? What are you talking about? Where are we going?" Levy asked. I eyed the vampire as he turned back around and faced Levy.
"We're heading up to one of the sound proof rooms." His eyes narrowed. "Our traitor is either a human or a witch and both of those species can't hear through sound proof walls. They can always hear through flimsy walls like these." He tapped on the wall next to him. "Who knows, guard, your roommate could be the traitor for all we know." And with that he stepped out of the room.
I pondered for a moment where he could be going. There were only three sound proof rooms in the entire castle. My room, my mother and father's room, and my father's study.
Wondering where he was going wasn't going to get me anywhere though, so I hurried after him, Levy and Goldmine quickly following me.
The walk up to the 1second floor felt as if we were walking for hours instead of just a few minutes. My mind wandered to where we were heading again only for Max to take a sharp left and my curiosity faded away.
Ah, so we're going to my room. As we neared my room a sudden thought hit me, my eyes growing extremely wide with fear.
Oh, dear God.
When we reached our destination, Max stepped aside and waited for me to open the door. I took a deep breath as I opened the door just a crack and peeked inside. A small 'eep' escaped from my mouth as I shut the door as quickly as I possibly could.
"Boys wait out here for a moment please." My face burned in embarrassment. Max smirked, probably because he had seen a glimpse of the disaster inside or because of the embarrassing sound that had just came out of my mouth while Goldmine just chuckled because he knew how I was. I jerked my head towards the door, looking at Levy with most likely a very panicked expression, motioning for her to follow me inside.
I opened the door just enough to let our bodies squeeze through the space. As soon as we stepped inside and closed the door we looked at each other and began to laugh loudly. Clothes were scattered everywhere around my room. Dirty, clean, sometimes I had difficulty telling which was which. I was probably the messiest Princess in the history of Fiore and messiest person in Magnolia.
"Just shove everything into my closet for right now!" I yelled to Levy as I began to grab as many shirts, bras, and underwear I could possibly carry at once.
It took us a good ten minutes to get the closet door to shut after we had shoved everything in there (after about five avalanches of clothes nearly suffocated poor Levy) and another five for us to make sure there wasn't anything left anywhere. Only fifteen minutes; my room was clean in record time.
"Come on in!" Levy said as she opened my door and the boys walked in. Goldmine quickly took his seat on the couch while Max walked around my room, eyeing everything curiously. I carefully watched Max as he went around my room, investigating dust bunnies in the corners and pictures scattered on my walls. He stopped at one of Levy and I from when we were little and studied it a little too closely.
Great, he's a pervert to. Just one more thing to add on to my list of why he needs to go away.
"I didn't realize that you and Levy have known each other for so long." He hummed out. I eyed him suspiciously.
"Yeah, we've known each other for at least fifteen years now, I suppose." I answered. Max hummed again and walked over to where Goldmine was sitting and crossed his arms over his chest.
"It's not very often you find people who have had friendships last so long without them being over about seventy years old." A small chuckle left his over-confident mouth.
What's his deal? I feel like he's not-so-secretly a psychotic killer.
"Yeah, okay." I took in a deep breath to calm my nerves down. I needed his information. No more time for chit-chat. "It's time to get down to business. Mr. Alors, will you please tell us all the information you have on Saber Tooth?"
Max sat down next to Goldmine and rested his elbows on his knees, a creepy smile plastered on his face. "Well, my young Princess," Eww… "we don't know too much more than you and your father. As you know the former guilds of Saber Tooth, Oracion Seis, and Grimoire Heart have banded together in order to create a new and better guild, which is now the reformed Saber Tooth. The two leaders, Midnight and Sting Eucliffe, are newly aged ancillas. The Elder of the old Saber Tooth, Minerva Orland, has disappeared. We thought at first that she had just given the role of Master to Sting in order to not have to lead the guild.
"According to our source, who is a former Saber Tooth member and an old friend of Makarov's, Minerva disappeared three days before Sting turned. Obviously, either he had something to do with her disappearance or she went into hiding since our source said in the past that Minerva never wanted the position of Master." I knew most of this already. I growled in my mind.
"Rogue Cheney, Sting's half-brother, is second in command and more powerful than Sting. They are called the Twin Dragons of Saber Tooth. Rumor has it that when they were little their mother, Grandeeney Eucliffe, had a witch cast a spell on the boys to ensure that they would be the most powerful among the vampires and have enough power to take down the Methuselah."
Every hair on my body stood straight up. A witch?! They were supposed to be extinct hundreds of years ago!
"How is it possible that a witch would still be alive?" Goldmine questioned. "They died out after the Salem witch trials and there has been no report of any witch activity in the last four hundred years."
Max grinned. "That's because you don't have access to the supernatural like we do." I froze. Holy shit…
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Goldmine questioned as he leaned closer to the vampire.
Max let out a deep breath. "Do you honestly believe Makarov tells the king absolutely everything? The man would go mad with worry if he knew half the shit I knew." I could feel my face pale at his statement. I felt sick to my stomach. There was so much we didn't know… And so much we didn't want to know.
"Why that's tre-"
"Enough!" My voice came out sure and strong, nothing like how I was feeling inside. "We can worry about what the vampires have kept from us later. Right now, we need to worry about the situation at hand. Mr. Alors," I gave him a stern look. "continue with what you know." Max leaned back on the couch, a smug look on his face.
"As you wish Princess." The Neonate cleared his throat and continued with his story.
"As I was saying, Sting and Rogue are supposed to have enough power to take down the methuselah but, there's a catch. They only have enough power if the two of them are combined."
"Hold up, I'm confused." I halted Max's story. "What do you mean by 'combined'?" Max's smug look turned even smugger.
"I mean like they have to be one person instead of two." My head started to reel. What the hell does that mean?!
"Please explain." Levy finally spoke up. She looked as confused as I did.
Max sighed. "There is a legend that states if an ancilla, who is not the Prince, becomes powerful enough and is worthy of the power, a witch can grant him or her the power from the Methuselah which also kills the current leader of the vampires. The special thing about the twin dragons is that because of the spell that was cast upon them as kids they are one person in two separate bodies.
"The catch is that they have to be of equal strength in order to be considered as one. Right now, Sting is trying as hard as he can to catch up to Rogue which is why he is one of the Masters of Saber Tooth instead of Rogue.
"The reason as to why I'm briefing you on Rogue as well as Sting is because he is just as great of a threat as the other members." All three of us nodded in understanding.
"Midnight is tricky on the other hand. Not much is known on him since nobody, not even his father, knew he even existed until after he had already turned and began the plan with Sting in order to unite the dark guilds." A troubled sigh escaped Max's lips. "That's all we even know about him so until we get more information about him, I can't help you.
"All the other members are average to above average Neonates. There guild has roughly about thirty members and continue to grow because Sting and Rogue keep turning humans.
"It's overly true that they're creating an army in order to take over the kingdom. They need everyone they can get in order to take down Igneel. Even though Sting and Rogue are supposed to be able to take him down themselves, Igneel has a lot more wisdom and experience than they do.
"Because of that fact, they are living in the ruins of Acalypha which is rumored to have a hidden body of water that contains magical properties." A sudden knock nearly made my heart completely stop. I noticed Levy and Goldmine had jumped to while Max sat there calmly.
"I'll get it, my lady." Goldmine spoke as he stood and made his way toward the door. I followed him closely with my eyes, wondering who was at my door.
"May I help you?" The guard asked after he opened my door.
"Hey, man! Have you seen our leader around?" Dear God, now Steroids Man knows where I sleep. He's gonna rape me! I sobbed in my mind.
"What do you need Joey?" Max was already at the door. I didn't even see him move let alone go the whole ten feet to my door.
"The King wants us three in his study for a meeting with Makarov. It's about Saber Tooth." I could see Max tense up from where I was. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have so many meetings and be in charge of so many people's lives. Oh, wait. I'm a Princess. This is going to be my life in just a few short years if not months depending on if they give me the thrown on my eighteenth birthday or after. I shuddered. I'm not ready to be an adult yet! This is frustrating enough, I don't want the rest that comes with being Queen!
"I will be back shortly, Princess. Until I return, please stay with your guard. It's not safe for you to be alone right now." Max looked at me with such a stern look I felt like I was being scolded. I nodded numbly. His nod was curt and short, completely dismissing us as he followed Joey out into the hallway. The door closed with a loud creak and soon we were plunged into silence.
"So, now what?" Levy said after a few moments of prolonged silence. I stood there in a daze. I didn't know what to do now. Everything Max had just said neither helped nor hurt our situation. There was no way to form a plan around this kind of information. We needed more.
"I really hope their meeting is going to be of use to us."
General POV
In the ruins of Acalypha
A dark, silhouette drifted quickly down sand hills into the heart of a deserted city, a black cloak floating behind the figure in the brisk wind. The figure pulled the hood of the cloak closer to its face, keeping the flying sand from getting in their face.
No sound could be found in the ruins that day except for the clinking of shoes caused by the stranger on the cobblestone streets of what used to be a great city. The figure floated down the old cobblestone with grace and ease, every bit professional.
A large, grand building came into view then, its cobblestone walls stained a tint of green from the moss growing on it. The building was falling apart on the left side where some kind of destruction, either caused by the Strigoi brothers or the weather, took out the wall but other than that looked very intact. The figure looked up to the once church of the great city of Acalypha, a smirk gracing itself upon the silhouette's lips.
"Finally."
"Orga!" Rufus Lore yelled to his comrade. The burly, teal haired man sneered and turned toward the blonde man.
"What is it?" He rumbled out. Rufus stepped outside to stand beside the large man.
"Do you see that silhouette coming closer?" The blonde questioned. Orga looked into the distance and squinted.
"Yeah, I see it. What about it?" Rufus sighed deeply, but kept his eyes on the figure approaching their hideout.
"Can't you smell it? It's a Neonate." Orga's body stiffened beside the blonde vampire.
"You know I'm still new at this. I can't tell the difference between any of you freaks." Orga growled out. Rufus chuckled slightly as he turned to go back inside.
"Just make sure our guest is taken care of." The green haired man humped as he watched the older vampire walk back into the building.
"'Make sure our guest is taken care of'." He mimicked in what was supposed to be Rufus' voice. Orga humped again. "Yeah, I'll 'take care' of our guest quite well." A smirk formed on the burly man's face as he watched the figure approach closer and closer.
The figure clicked its way down the narrow pathway leading straight to where Orga was patiently waiting, a smug look on his face. The cloaked figure scuffed at his arrogance, but continued to its destination.
"Halt in the names of Lord Sting and Lord Midnight stranger." The cloaked figure stopped in front of the guard, watching him carefully with dark eyes. Orga shivered. This was a very powerful Neonate. Every part of his being was screaming for him to run as far away as possible, but he knew Sting would kill him for sure if he ran and left the entrance to their lair unprotected.
"I'm here for Sting." The stranger's voice came out icy, calm, and deadly. The green haired man visibly gulped, terror coursing through his veins. He had never felt such fear before, not even when Saber had attacked his village and took him captive to turn him into the monster he was now.
"Sorry, but Sting isn't seeing anyone right now." The green haired man stuttered out. He mentally shook himself. He was a vampire now for crying out loud! He was a lot harder to kill now than he ever was. There was no reason for him to be cowering around this nobody.
The cloaked figure lifted its head just enough for Orga to see the dangerous smirk that had graced itself on the stranger's lips, fangs glinting bright in the dusk sunlight.
"Oh, he'll want to see me." The voice was so sinister Orga nearly fled from his post at that second. A drop of sweat rolled down the side of his forehead and he saw the figure's smile darken.
"I'll give you ten minutes." He spoke finally. The newly recruited Neonate just wanted the figure out of his presence. He had never felt so helpless before in his life and he never wanted to feel that way again. He would do anything to keep the satanic creature away from him at all costs.
"That's what I thought you were going to say." A dark chuckle emanated from the silhouette as it stepped around the guard and into the old church, slinking its way down the narrow hallway.
Orga took a much needed deep breath after the figure left, trying to calm himself down. He knew if his heart was still beating it would have exploded from how hard it would have been pounding.
"I see you let our guest inside." Orga sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Yes, sir. Our guest just wanted to talk to Lord Sting, I don't feel like it's going to be a problem with such strong vampires such as yourself in the lair." Rogue hummed behind Orga, considering what the burly man had just said.
"I suppose you're right." The second in command paused shortly, a sinister smirk plastered on his pale face. "But if you're wrong," Rogue leaned in close to Orga's ear and brought his voice down to a harsh whisper, "I'll torture you and everyone you love before I kill you slowly and painfully." Orga's face paled drastically as sweat poured down the back of his neck. He nodded numbly, fear freezing him in place. Rogue chuckled darkly behind him before walking down the same pathway the stranger had just taken moments ago. The green haired man let out a shaky breath.
"This place is going to be the death of me." He spoke aloud and shook his head. "I wish they had just killed me that night instead of making me this monster." Orga looked up to the darkening sky.
"Just remember Orga, Sting saved you from a life that wasn't worth living." Rufus stepped out beside the green haired man. Orga sighed.
"That may be true but this isn't much better. I still fear for my life as well as my family, but now it's worse. Before we only had to worry about having enough food for winter and now…" Orga paused, taking in another shaky breath. "Now, we have to worry about blood-thirsty vampires killings us slowly and painfully. I'd much rather starve to death than live in this fear." Rufus chuckled lightly.
"It'll be worth it once everything is in place. Right now everyone is wound-up tight, preparing for the future war and uncertainty. After Sting and Rogue have taken the Methuselah power and killed the Prince, things will calm down and go back to normal." The blonde Neonate said reassuringly. Orga let out a small sigh of relief.
"I hope you're right about that Rufus."
The cloaked figure walked briskly down the narrow hallway leading to where Sting was. The cobblestone hallway was dark and smelled of wet stones and blood. The figure inhaled deeply, mouth salivating instantly. The smell of human blood was enough to drive any Neonate crazy.
Soon the silhouette reached a large, old door caked in mold, mildew, and blood from past victims that had gone through the door before. The figure hesitated knocking for a moment already feeling the intense power of Sting.
Now or never. Thought the figure as it pushed on the door. With a loud and obnoxious creak, the door slowly opened to reveal a brightly lit room filled with vampires. Most of the group were Neonates but the figure could pick out a couple Ancillas as well. The cloaked Neonate stepped through the door cautiously, watching each and every vampire closely. No chances were to be taken with this guild.
"My, my, what a surprise it is to have a guest. Please, come in. Make yourself at home." Goosebumps began to form all over the stranger's body, giving away its fear. The figure scolded itself in its mind.
I'm acting too weak.
The figure lifted its head just enough to see Sting staring at it curiously, as if watching a foreign animal walk for the first time. The figure walked boldly up to the powerful Ancilla, a confident, smug grin gracing itself upon its lips.
"What is it you have come here for?" Sting questioned, a smirk playing around on his lips. The figure pulled its hood down, letting its scarlet waves flow freely down its back. Sting's grin widened.
"I'm here to join Saber Tooth." The stranger's voice rang out loud and clear in the dead silent room. Sting slowly stood up and walked over to the figure. He placed a hand on the Neonate's shoulder, eyes bright with triumph and certainty.
"Of course you are." His grin widened. "Welcome to the new and improved Saber," Sting paused, looking directly at his new Queen.
"Erza Scarlet."
Review! Bye, Loves:)