Chapter Five
Her Links
"Lucy, please meet Levy McGarden. She has taken over for her parents until they return from other duties, as the private Fae family scholar." Eileen gestured to the small pixie, that fluttered in the air in front of them. She was a tiny thing, not even bigger than my hand, and had a wide smile on her face.
Her voice trilled through the air as a high-pitched whisper, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Lucy." She curtsied mid-air, her wings working tirelessly to keep herself up and I smiled, nodding back at her.
"Levy, perhaps it would be a good idea to change forms." Eileen suggested, before adding, "So we do not have to strain to hear what you have found."
Levy nodded and I watched as tiny flecks of light surrounded her, touching her skin and expanding her limbs. We all remained quiet as she grew into a normal human size, which admittedly, was not much. Her petite short frame was a head under me, and two heads underneath Erza and Natsu. She wore a beautiful brown dress that stopped at her knees, with a light blue overlay that matched her raggedly cut hair.
Her eyes were round, and bright with excitement, as she curtsied again, "Apologies Princess Lucy, I should have been more aware of my size."
I waved it off and her smile dimmed a little, "I was told you are incapable of speaking. Would you like me to call for paper so we can discuss?" I went to nod but Natsu's voice cut in.
"There's no need for that. Lucy, will you accept my help?"
I did not want to accept the help of Natsu, mainly because, my thoughts were still buzzing and he was practically candy for my overactive mind. But I knew it would be seen as rude – and insulting – to reject his help now, especially since he had done so much for me previously.
No hips, no pink hair, nothing.
I nodded and he lifted his hand, pressing it lightly to my temple. The connection reached out between us, and linked us together, and I kept my mind carefully blank, to avoid the embarrassment of what he didn't need to hear.
"So, what have you found?" Eileen began to the conversation as Levy sighed, shaking her head.
"On the Origin of Banshee's, not much. Honestly, it's like they never existed. Whether on purpose, or accidental, a previous ruler made sure to destroy all scripts and books that explained it. However, I found something interesting after a little bit of digging." Levy dashed off to a table that was heaped with books and riffled through them before coming back with a brown, leather bound book that was almost as large as her head.
On the cover, it had 'Creatures born from Light.'
Light?
"She's confused about the fact it is in a Light book. Banshee's feed on death, so why would her species be in a book of light?"
"It mentions Banshee's a few times and their purpose. Although, I am not entirely sure that Banshee's are light or darkness at the start. It is correct that they feed on death, but that doesn't necessarily mean she is primary a dark creature. Demons are born from the shadows, and feed on darkness. That is why they are found in the darker side of lore."
So, I'm a creature of the light?
Natsu relayed my question and she bit her lip, making a motion with her hands that reminded me of a hesitant dismissal, "No. I think, when a Banshee is born, they come out neutral. Depending on the person's soul, behaviour and heart, they can tip towards light or dark. There aren't many neutral beings in this world, but it's very possible that Banshee's see their power as a duty. But some can see it as a curse, or a blessing."
I saw it as a curse.
A feeling of unease rippled through me and I addressed Natsu softly.
Don't tell her that, please.
He nodded minutely, before asking a question of his own, "What tips the scales from dark to light?"
"How they use the power." Levy explained, "Before we get into that, let me tell you. There are four different screams a Banshee can produce. The first, is her calling. To release souls from the dead and transfer them to whatever sort of heaven they go to. This scream, cannot be stopped."
Ever?
"Ever?" Natsu repeated, eyes narrowed as Levy nodded.
"It must be let out, or it can rip the Banshee apart from the inside. It can also cause the soul immense pain, and take longer for it to leave."
I'm the first found Banshee in over a thousand years, what happened to the souls that died when I had not awoken?
Levy paled a little, "To my knowledge, they served as ghosts before passing on."
I flinched as Eileen murmured thoughtfully, "That would explain the fields after the plague several years ago, the virus should not have affected the grass, but the ghosts of those who died, would have."
Levy nodded, "Yes. I believe that is the case. Ghosts can affect their surroundings, and fae souls are intertwined with the Earth."
My heart broke a little at the idea of people, unable to move on, wandering around aimlessly, waiting for their chance to travel to the peaceful place in the clouds.
"The second scream," Erza prompted, her face straight and business only, as always.
"Yes. Right. The second scream is the scream of threat." Levy flicked through the pages, before reading out a passage from the book in her hands, "When a Banshee feels threatened, the power will build and release, to protect itself from whatever is threatening it."
Levy then looked up from the book and stated, "In theory, that can be stopped. I mean, if Princess Lucy can calm herself and not feel threatened, the power should simply tuck itself away. In theory, as I said, it's a little difficult to tell what can and can't be stopped."
The third scream? Natsu repeated my words, and I noticed how tight the air was.
"The third is simply an emotional scream. Sadness, stress, anxiety, any sort of emotion that tips into the darker side, can cause this. This, along with the forth scream, can be used to cause massive amounts of destruction. If you were able to control the first and second scream, the calling and the threatening, they would only target those who deserve it in your mind. But the third scream, is all to do with your emotions. This scream can be connected to all the screams, do you understand how it could do that?"
I nodded before thinking, When Virgo died, the scream was more powerful because of the emotion that was tied to a close friend dying. So, it mixed the calling and emotional scream together?
She listened to Natsu before smiling a little, "Yes. That is exactly how it works. The more horror you feel, the more chance that you cannot control what happens when you scream. But the emotional scream is not the one you really need to worry about. You can learn to calm your emotions, you can control it. If you are feeling threatened, you can simply eliminate or ignore the threat until you feel settled. The first scream, once controlled, only affects the soul of the one who died."
"The forth scream cannot be controlled?"
Levy stilled at Eileen's question, looking to the book once more and flicking through the pages. She stopped at one and hesitated before handing it to me. My heart raced inside me as I took it, and looked over the picture.
Whoever had drawn it, was talented but I could tell it was old and dated. A figure stood in the middle of the field, and behind the cloaked figure, was bodies littering the ground. At the bottom of the page, the words that I read made my blood run cold.
The shriek of Ira.
Levy's voice swam through my blood-curdling fear, "The scream of Ira. Which when translated from the Dead Language, means Wrath. The scream of Wrath." I handed her back the book shakily, the image burned into my mind and she closed it softly.
"Lucy isn't a wrathful person. She gets angry, but that does not account to wrath." Erza stated, probably trying to calm the fears when Levy shook her head sadly.
"I don't think it matters. I could not find much on this particular scream, only that it comes like a wave of… death. And no Banshee has ever controlled it. I do not know what causes it, or how it works, but it's supposed to be enough to obliterate civilisations."
"Why could you find reasons and explanations for the others but not this one?" Eileen asked, her voice firm and calm as Levy bit her bottom lip.
"It says it's… forbidden to speak of it. Every time I asked my powers to search for it, they refused." Levy's voice was small and Eileen asked another question but I just took a step back, severing the connection between Natsu and I.
Erza stepped forward, and I held up my hand, shaking my head. I struggled to smile before curtsying and rushing away. Eileen called after me but I continued, walking as fast as my feet could carry me towards my room.
Fear burned through me, and it made my power fumble and trip over itself, pouring out of the cave. That white cloud of pure power drifted its way up, and I entered my room, pressing my hands to my throat to attempt to stop it. Pain burned through me and I felt my teeth press together, struggling to keep it inside.
It climbed up my throat, and stabbed at my tongue, urging me to open my mouth and let it out. I made a noise of pain as needles climbed up my legs, the burning heat of something wicked begging to be released. My body trembled and I collapsed onto my knees, crawling forward as that power grew angry, slashing and burning my throat, making my blood coil and heat inside me.
I should have stayed with Eileen; my power would have reacted to hers and shaped itself into something she could push down.
The thought was blurred together with a million others, and I endured the pain, trying to steady myself but that power was ready to come out, right now. I gripped the sheets of the bed in front of me, pressing my head against the side as I fought control, fought the instinct to scream and let it all out.
I would not kill them.
No, no, no.
The pain travelled to my brain and it made me moan in agony as it ripped apart synapses, burned neurons, killed cells. I slumped forward, my jaw aching and I turned my head to the side, tears streaming down my face as I noticed the tapestry on the wall. A lion. My families' animal to call.
Something clicked inside me at that moment, and I latched onto that thought desperately, eyes rolling to the back of my head just as my power began to meld and form itself into a lion.
I steadied myself on my hands, struggling to remain conscious as the lioness raced back down towards the cave, knowing it couldn't come from the mouth. A breathless laugh left me, I wasn't a shape-shifter, but if I could make my power into a lion, I had a shot of controlling it. It was part of my heritage, after all.
I felt it slash at my stomach, the claws so real that it made my body jolt with the feeling but the pain in my brain stopped. It slashed again and I pressed my hand to my stomach, coming away with blood.
It wanted out.
But it couldn't get out, because I wasn't a shape-shifter.
A growl leaked from my lips, the lioness angry that I wasn't letting her out, confused that she wasn't feeling the same. I understood what Eileen meant now, the power wasn't animal. It was simply magical. And if it thought it was an animal, then it would only hurt me, not manifest itself into a scream.
And if I managed to manifest my power into a lion, then why couldn't I talk? If I kept it in this form whilst I spoke, then I couldn't fear losing control.
A small pained smile spread across my lips as I lost all thoughts, the pain in my abdomen burning as the lion growled and realised I wasn't going to let it out. I couldn't let it out. My eyes slipped close just as the lioness stormed angrily back into the cave.
When I woke up, Erza was above me, eyes narrowed in worry. I smiled and croaked out, "Hi."
She stilled in shock, and I closed my eyes for a moment, seeking that cave deep inside me. The lioness looked up from grooming itself, lounging at the entrance of the cave. Her fur was a creamy white, ears crooked slightly backwards as it remembered how I hadn't let it out earlier. I tentatively tried to stroke it, hoping to soothe it but the lioness simply growled at me, then looked away.
When I opened my eyes once more, tears were swimming Erza's, "You can talk again?"
"I think so." My throat ached but her smile made me ignore it, as she laughed a little, the noise getting choked by a sob. I sat up, groaning a little at the pain that rippled through my stomach, before wrapping my arms around her. She hugged me back tightly for a moment before realising I was injured and changed it to soft.
"How can you talk? No more fear of the scream?"
She pulled back, wiping at the tears that prickled at my eyes, as I shook my head, "I still fear it, but, Eileen forced my power down when it manifested it's form into a leopard, remember?"
Erza nodded, listening intently as I continued, rubbing at my throat softly, "I managed to change my power into a lion. And it's stayed that way. I can feel it inside me, just the… image of a lion, not a lion itself but apparently, my power doesn't know any better."
"New power relies on instinct instead of skill and knowledge. It probably believes it's a real shape-shifter. It's not a permanent fix but it is… amazing. And it also explains the marks." She lifted my dress up, showing me the three claw marks on my stomach. I winced at them, and she nodded.
"My mother believed you had been attacked. She has Natsu and the guards searching for an intruder, but I could tell, these marks were made from within."
"You should probably tell her to call off the search, unless she plans on taking me in hand-cuffs."
Erza laughed and hugged me again, "I missed your voice. And your humour."
"I missed gracing you with my humour." I teased back, accepting the touch greedily and she leaned back, eyes glowing with new admiration.
"It is impressive that you managed to change your form like that. You were in the middle of an attack, correct?"
"Erza…" I bit my lip, wondering if I should tell her, "I don't think I can keep holding it in. I felt myself going… brain-dead. The power attacked my brain, because it had no way of coming out."
She rubbed her hands along my arms, "We will figure out something. But you now have the ability to change your powers form into a lion. Even if it is only temporary, it is something to work on."
I nodded quietly, and she whispered, "Smile, Lucy. There's hope."
She left me to go alert the guards to find her mother and stop the search, and a ten minutes later, Eileen was flowing into the room, with Jellal and Natsu following her. Erza and I had been speaking about our trip to the Vapids, when I looked up and smiled a little.
"You always knew how to make an entrance, Queen Eileen."
Eileen stilled, eyes shooting to Erza for a moment before she broke into a beautiful smile, laughing at my words, "My dear Lucy, a Queen must always make an entrance."
She moved over to my bed and took my hands, looking me over thoroughly, before asking, "What has happened? You can speak now, so I am sure the details are important."
I explained what I had done to her, and how I was able to speak, all while keeping a very close eye on my lion. The chances were, the longer I kept the power in this form, the harder it would be to continue tricking it into thinking it was a lioness. Like Erza had said, new power relies on instinct. It wouldn't be long before it began to poke at this form and find it to be fake.
"I agree with Erza, whilst it is a temporary solution, choosing your royal animal to call in an attempt to soothe your power was very impressive. Of course, it still leaves you with injuries." Eileen glanced at my abdomen which was covered up by my dress, a lingering stare that told me she wasn't exactly pleased with the outcome.
"I know. But it is better than destroying Kingdoms and killing people."
Eileen sighed, "Perhaps, but it causes you pain."
"If that is the only downside, I will happily accept it."
Erza pursed her lips, as if disagreeing with my willingness to accept the pain but didn't say anything. Eileen simply studied me before smiling slightly, pushing the topic away, "Now that you are able to speak, perhaps we should discuss your travels to the Vapid Lands."
"Has a route been decided on?" I questioned curiously, glancing at Natsu who gave me a smug little grin. My heart fluttered a little, and I allowed myself to feel that rush of warmth that I had become used to when it came to Natsu.
"Yes. You will leave tomorrow, at nightfall. Your Father has dropped the bounty on your head – for the moment – but still has soldiers looking for you. His request to have you returned to him, has been granted but seeing as we know what he plans to do, we will need to be swift and cautious."
A sense of unease rifled through my stomach nervously, and I bit my lip, nodding with her words. My father still planned to kill me, but he was trying to get me back on his lands so he could do it legally. If I entered the Star Lands, I would be judged by the public there and I truly doubted they would be so eager to listen to my story.
"You will travel through the out-lands once you pass the Fae border, stopping at only three small civilisations along the way. These are neutral stops, but I have told Erza to be wary, just because they are zones of balance, does not mean they aren't swayed by temptation and greed. The price on your return to the Stars is enough to make even the straightest leaders, crook their eyebrow."
"So, we avoid the larger Kingdoms, because so far, only the Fae's and Dragon's are fighting for my right to live."
"Correct. We will be trying to stay clear but after the third stop, I fear it will be difficult. The Glaciers of the North is one of the most powerful and influential Kingdoms and they are the closest to the Vapids. It means, you will have to travel through there to get to the Vapids. There is no other way. I have sent word ahead that precious cargo is being transported through there, but King Silver and Queen Mika have not sent back words saying it is allowed. If I do not hear back from them before you get there, you must travel through covertly."
I had met Queen Mika and King Silver before, as well as their son, Prince Gray. My Father had hosted a banquet when my mother was still alive and whilst it was a fleeting moment, I could remember their pale skin, and beautiful arctic eyes like it was yesterday. From what I could tell, the treaty they had with my Father, was one of the strongest that the Stars had.
They often shared resources, organised meetings and had a strong bond that was forged many years before I was even born.
I could understand why Eileen would be hesitant to let them know she was aiding the wanted Princess through their lands.
"I do not wish to cause you trouble." I told her softly and she reached out, lightly touching my shoulder, "I understand, but I do not agree with how King Heartfilia is addressing this situation. Children should be protected, not hunted, especially for something they had no awareness of."
Tears prickled to my eyes and I brought my hand up to press it against my hands, "I will never forget your assistance. I wouldn't have gotten this far without your help, Eileen. Truly."
"I promised your mother I would take care of you. I know the soul that rests inside you Lucy, and I will do anything to protect it."
It was then that Erza stood up, addressing me formally, "I, Erza Scarlet, Princess of the Fae Lands, wish to aid you in your endeavours to find what you seek. I will protect you, as if you were my own kin. I will give you company, and offer guidance when you need it. Do you accept my offer, Princess Lucy, of the Stars?"
She was offering a link. A special sort of bond which was not so easily broken between two royals. It wasn't impossible to break a link, but it did hurt both parties. It required trust, and friendship. It protected the pair, and was used to be used in many armies as a way of sharing a part of the souls with your team.
I sucked in a breath, before nodding, reaching out to clasp her hand. Eileen stepped away, watching us as Erza's magic tingled through me. I let my magic lightly, very lightly, touch hers and I felt the bond forming between us. My mother, and Eileen had made the exact same bond, and it had been strong until my mother died.
It was a bond of sisterhood, friendship and protection.
Her power clasped mine, threading our souls together and it wrapped around me like a strength of fortitude. Something like armour, melding around my body as our powers fused and a pairing was made.
"I, Lucy Heartfilia, Princess of the Stars, accept your offer, Princess Erza. I promise to cherish your company, listen to your guidance and protect you as if you were my own kin."
A small mew noise caught my attention and I glanced down at my bare feet, surprised to see a bundle of blue fur coiling between my legs, tail wrapping around my ankles. I stood in the fields, which were green and lush, the same fields that Eileen had said were plagued with death by the ghosts of those that had not passed so many years ago.
I crouched down and picked Happy up, "Hello Happy, how did you get out here?" Happy didn't answer, he just simply purred and coddled closer, seeking my warmth against the slight breeze. Despite the wounds on my stomach, which would be healed in a few days apparently – thanks to Eileen cooking up a soothing balm – I felt amazing.
My skin was warm, my power was lazily lounging in the cave like structure inside of me, and for the first time in for what felt like forever, I was at peace.
It was a fleeting moment that I would happily try to make the most of.
I knew it was partly because I had gotten a lot of warmth and power from Natsu earlier, and it disturbed me slightly, knowing that I could feed of his touches like a true nymph would. I didn't know if I should try and cut myself off from the last part of my mother's heritage, or if I should hold tightly to it.
"I brought him to keep you company whilst you were on bed-rest. But the guards alerted me that you had gone wandering and wished for privacy."
I glanced behind me, as Natsu made his way to me, hands in his pockets.
"How did you find me?"
"Vanilla is a strong scent." He told me and I turned away, smiling slightly as Happy cuddled into my chest. I stroked the mark on his forehead lightly, eyes wandering over the large expanse of fields. It was a bright night, filled with stars and fairy dust that softly drifted around us.
"Did you want company or should I make myself scarce?"
"I would not mind the company." I admitted softly, struggling not to glance back and see what his features said. He didn't say anything else, just sat down on the grass and I followed him down, adjusting Happy in my lap.
I glanced at him, watching him survey the lands with a curious look and asked, "You have been to the Fae Lands before, right?"
"A few times when I was a child. Don't remember much."
"That is a shame. I love this place." I scratched Happy's chin, the cool grass lovely on my bare calves. "It's one of my favourite places."
"One of my favourite places is this spot between three small volcanoes. It's great." He admitted happily, leaning back on his hands as his long legs stretched out in front of him.
"That sounds terrifying to me."
Natsu grinned a little, humming to himself for a moment before glancing over to me, "How are you feeling?"
"Much better." I told him truthfully before admitting, "I think one of the reasons why I was so quick to… for lack of better word, explode, was that I lacked human touch. It drained me, and left me feeling a lot darker than I usually am."
"Erza was telling me how level-headed you were."
"I normally have the patience of a saint, and enough spirit to keep myself going. I hadn't realised how badly it was affecting me."
"You've been through a lot these last couple of days, so I'm not surprised that you momentarily forgot." He lightly stretched his neck, partially hidden by the scarf I had scarcely seen him without, and it distracted me for a moment.
"I suppose. I am thankful to Eileen for making some potions to keep my sated."
"Speaking of the touch issue…" He begun softly and I glanced over to him curiously, as he took a deep breath in.
"As mutual attraction goes, Lucy, I am indecently attracted to you. All of you. I am not the sort of man to beat around the bush, I would rather you know my feelings so we don't tip-toe."
His honesty, and bravery made me gape at him for a moment before I cleared my throat weakly, "The feelings you speak of, are they only physical?"
"No, they are not."
Something inside me twisted around excitedly and I bit my lip, a little shell-shocked for words. I glanced away from him, trying to get my head around his statement and dissect it in all ways possible.
"I find you mentally, and physically attractive too, I suppose." I admitted softly, turning to him, bravely keeping my eyes locked onto his beautiful green ones.
"You suppose?"
"A lady doesn't easily confess her attraction to one of the opposite sex." I joked lightly, pleased when I heard his chuckle, before I cleared my throat lightly, "I appreciate your offer for companionship, but I would like you to simply think it over – it's not something that I can take lightly. I don't want you to regret offering something."
"I won't regret it."
I smiled a little, tilting my head at him, "Then you will not be bothered if you agree to wait a few days or so, until you offer it again."
He sighed, a smirk playing on his lips, "I walked right into that."
"Yes, you did." I laughed softly, and he sighed, gazing out at the fields that were only lit by the bright stars and flecks of fairy dust that travelled through the air. I basked in the quiet calmness, trying to imprint this moment in my brain so when we were on the road, I could think of this place and feel the same sort of peace.
I knew that the journey would be rough, and we had an entire Kingdom looking for me, but I trusted Erza. She would make sure we made it. Somehow.
Natsu stood up slowly and I turned my head to watch him curiously. He held out his hand and his teeth glinted in the moonlight when he grinned, "Allow me to do this properly." My eyebrows furrowed in confusion but I put Happy to the side and took his offered hand, allowing him to pull me up lightly.
Once I was on my feet, he let my hand rest softly on his and his deep voice rocked through my senses, leaving warmth and a tight, slightly intense feeling all over. It caused shivers to crawl up my spine, and mini-shocks of something wickedly hot between my legs, stomach and chest.
"I, Natsu Dragneel, Prince of the Molten, offer my service to you." A gasp ripped up my throat at his words, similar to Erza's but so different at the same time. His beautiful glowing green eyes began to bleed red, as he spoke in a soft, confident voice, somehow being deep and commanding my attention all at the same time.
"I promise to follow you through the wildest storm, to protect you from the darkest night and offer my company to your soul through the loneliness moments. Do you accept my aid, to find what you seek, Princess Lucy, of the Stars?"
My heart raced inside my chest and I stared at him for a long moment, drinking in his strong jaw, high-cheekbones, beautiful eyes. I felt his magic flow through his hand into mine, and my power became much more curious, as if sensing that he was alike it in ways that I did not yet explain. Something tingled in my brain, like I was missing something about him but I ignored it and let my power tentatively reach out and touch his.
I watched his features for any sign of pain or horror, wondering what that tiny taste of my magic felt like. To Erza, she had told me it felt like pins and needles. Not exactly pleasant, but bearable.
"I, Lucy Heartfilia, Princess of the Stars, accept your offer, Prince Natsu, of the Molten. I promise to lead you through the wildest storm, to protect you from the darkest night and accept your company. Your aid is welcome."
I felt a zap of power touch our skin, and it made me yank my hand away in shock but his hand closed around it, stopping me from doing so. He lifted it to his mouth and I watched, partly in surprise and partly in wonder as he lightly kissed my index fingers knuckle.
What I felt with Erza whilst making a bond of this sort, was nothing compared to what I felt with Natsu.
It was all heat, licking along my skin, not hurting, but keeping me warm. Filling me up from the inside, and giving me a boost of energy. I wondered what my power felt like to him. I doubt it felt as good as the link we had just made.
I had never linked with anyone, and now I was linked to two very different creatures. My body tingled and I watched as Natsu slowly opened his mouth and lightly bit on the skin of my knuckle.
Holy crap.
I linked with a dragon.
And he bites.
Questions to answer:
How long will this story be? Multi-chaptered. Probably around 20, I'll let you know later on when I've fully mapped it all out.
So, will Gajeel be in shortly? He will not be a main character, but he will be around much later on.
Are you a review monster? YES ^^
Will they live happily ever after? … no…
Can you explain Nimra to me? I sure can! Normal leaps or prowls of leopards truly do have an all-mother who looks after the cubs. Nimra is Arabic for female leopard. I tweaked it a bit because wolves have the whole 'Alpha' thing.
What is Natsu? Um… He's a dragon (?)
Why did this chapter talk about vampires? My love, it mentioned it once as a comment about blood and Natsu's attraction to it. There will be multiple times that I mention other creatures, even if they aren't in the book yet as a way of painting the picture of the world they live in.
You guys SMASHED those 15 comments and gave me 23 in less than 24 hours. Now, I feel the need to tell you, if I don't reach the comment quota, I'm not going to make you wait MONTHS for a new update. It comes every week without fail, the comments just give me more motivation to push out another one.
The new goal is 20 comments! And we are almost to the journey (thinks about the havoc I will create with this shit)
Be sure to leave a review, ask as many questions as you want because hey, it is sort of fun to answer them!
as always guys
stay fresh and positive
xo freshprincess