Chapter Twenty-One
Her Soul
Nomad Bickslow; A confident, cocky nomad that spends his time travelling all around the place. Insists on not having a true home, but amuses himself with an idea of his own castle and will even go as far to try and steal King Laxus's tower. He's done this twice now, and all times King Laxus has zapped him from the air and made him kneel for three days as punishment. Calls Laxus a scrub, whenever he knows he's listening, and in payment, King Laxus made him a legal citizen of his kingdom. (But really he was just a little worried that Bickslow would piss off the wrong person.)
"I see them!" I shouted, a smile breaking my features at the two stark profiles heading our way. The expanse of white making their red and pink coloured hair stand out even more. Erza took the front, racing towards our position. We were almost at the border to the Vapids, hunkering down along the small cover of trees.
Ultear sighed, "They are late."
"You should tell Erza that, you know how seriously she takes punctuality."
Ultear jumped down from her horse, her boots crunching in the thick snow and Gray followed her, sliding off shakily.
"It's weird. You can't be in this good of a mood," Ultear stated as I was attempting to loosen the strings of my pants that I had gotten tangled in the stirrups.
"Why can't I?"
"We just got out of the woods because of poisoning and now, we are going to attempt to ask demons - one of the most volatile races out there - for a favour." I undid the first knot, wondering how I had managed to create such a mess.
"That's why we need to be positive! If we go in there smiling, maybe they'll think, 'Oh, they are smiling, they aren't a threat. What pretty smiles they have too, we'll just let them have a nice bath and help them out. Just this once.'"
Ultear blinked before smiling slowly, shaking her head, "I don't know if it's endearing or alarming that you aren't joking."
"It's a bit of both," Gray muttered, also hiding his own smile as I triumphantly released the next knot, working on the last. Ultear busied herself with making sure everything on her horse was secured, as well as pulling out her orb, letting it hover in the air beside her. Gray leant against my horse, watching me fumble with the strings as the sound of approaching horses grew louder.
"So, you've never been to the Vapids before?"
"Nope!" I chirped. "But, I am not going to strip down to appease anyone," I remembered Erza telling me that every visitor, as well as the citizens, had to announce their magic power and that their state of dress would change depending on how much they had. The less magic, the fewer clothes you were allowed to wear, essentially.
"You are a first-timer so you have that choice."
"Natsu said the same thing. But you guys will have to do it, right?" I checked, narrowing my eyes at the knot that only seemed to get more tangled.
"I will have to, but it won't be my first time so I'm not bothered. Besides, it's… interesting to see where you measure up against the divine light." I stopped, turning to him with a confused smile.
"What's the divine light?"
Gray frowned, obviously surprised. "It's the thing that the Vapids guard. A pure magic. Hidden away deep inside. Way back when the rulers of the world came together and gave it to the demons. It's pure light magical power, so the demons can't take it for themselves, but they also guard it because it would stand to reason that they don't want anyone else having it if they can't."
"So, it's an 'if I can't have it, you can't have it either' sort of thing?"
"Exactly."
"And when you enter, you measure up against this pure magical power? I had assumed that you were measuring against Zeref's power since he's the ruler of the Vapids." I made a triumphant noise when I managed to loosen the knot and fed the string through the hole carefully.
"Zeref is powerful, but he's nothing special compared to the Divine Light," Gray stated, before adding, "The first time I visited the Vapids, I agreed to the terms and ended up naked. Granted, I was only twelve. But my mother got a laugh out of it."
I giggled, finding the idea of a bewildered Gray, naked, in front of his mother and god knows who else, incredibly amusing.
Gray stepped back when I swung my leg over, slowly dismounting my horse, my legs a little shaky and weak from the pace Ultear had set to get here in time. I tightened my grip on the saddle before slipping down, my boots meeting the mushy floor of the forest at the exact same time a warm, intoxicating heat brushed up along my back.
I spun around immediately, throwing my arms up and around Natsu's neck. He grunted but his arms found my waist and he pulled me towards him, pressing us together tightly.
"Missed me?"
"Didn't even notice you were gone."
He laughed softly, moving his cheek against my hair in a soft nuzzle. Butterflies floated through my stomach and touched my arms, hands, and then fingers. His heat filled me, even though the bracelet still sat on my wrist, which let me know that it wasn't going to be working much anymore. It was slowly dying down to a simple bracelet, a fact that was a little more than frightening to deal with.
"Erza wants to talk to you when you feel like you can let go of me," he teased quietly and I pulled back, giving him a faux glare, which made him grin ruggedly.
"Keep talking like that and I won't be so willing to give you any sort of affection."
"The horror of that promise makes my blood curdle, Princess Lucy. I'll behave," he chuckled, leaning down to lightly press his lips to mine. I sighed, relaxing back into his embrace, brushing my lips against his teasingly.
"No tongue allowed!" Ultear exclaimed loudly, which made me pull back, rolling my eyes fondly at her words. I detangled myself from his arms, placing my hands on his shoulders so I could move him to the side. He laughed at my actions, reaching out to lightly brush our fingers together as I passed.
I smiled a little, allowing the tingles to settle me into an even better mood while walking over to Erza, who stood by her horse, brushing the snow off the stallion's thick coat.
"What's up?"
"I just wanted to make sure you are ready for the possible outcomes entering the Vapids will bring. It will be very lucky if they allow us to get through without some sort of payment, but in the worst case, they will not allow us to talk at all."
"You think they'll attack us?"
"I know they will."
A shudder of fear ran up my spine but I just nodded, putting on a brave, serious face for her benefit and my own.
"So, what's our plan?"
She dug through her bag and pulled out a light pen, a pen capable of writing in the air. Ultear, Natsu and Gray wandered over, as if they knew they should hear this as well.
"The Vapids is built like a fortress," she started, drawing a large circle, then a smaller circle inside of it. Then she placed a dot in the middle, which made it look like a darts board, not a castle. "Low power demons stay in the mainland and are relatively easy to combat. Our only obstacle there is in the number of demons, but, to avoid becoming trapped, we will keep moving. Head towards the middle of the land, no matter what the cost."
"Because that's where the castle is?" I guessed, watching her draw lines to the middle from the outer circle.
"Yes. But entering that land has its own set of problems. Natsu?"
Natsu stepped up. "The demons allowed in that section of the Vapids are strong. And, it's a constant power struggle between them. Whenever someone is stupid enough to visit, they feel the need to assert their dominance. Do not let them win. If you do, it's basically giving them permission to treat you like a slave or at the very least, someone lesser than them. We have to be dominant against them but don't get carried away. Our mission is to protect Lucy the minute we get in there, if she Screams, it will be seen as a threat against the whole of the Vapids. That's something we don't want.
"But if everyone else but me is fighting, won't they target me as weak?"
Erza sighed, rubbing the skin between her eyes. "Yes. They will. And demons will always go for the weak."
"Then I'll fight."
They all looked at me, as I closed my eyes, summoning the courage to say my next words, "I'll be smart. I know some combat moves."
"If you get injured…"
"Then I get injured," I cut Ultear off, clearing my throat. "I will not stand by and watch as my friends fight. I'm the reason we came here, and I'm not going to ignore my duties."
"Lucy…" Erza implored softly, and I opened my eyes, staring into her single one with steeled determination.
"You didn't think I could stop Loke. I did. You didn't think I could stop a scream. I have. Every time you doubted me, I came out stronger. Imagine what would happen if you just… believed in me."
They were all quiet, apart from Gray who had turned away mid-conversation, as if he knew this didn't involve him. He wasn't coming along after all, we were going to drop him off right before we crossed the borders into the Vapids.
Ultear slowly began to smile, and Natsu let out a long breath, nodding slightly.
"Trust me to do this Erza. Trust me that I'll figure it out. Trust me that I will get Jellal back as soon as we get what we came for."
We stared at each other quietly, before she reached out, lightly touching my arm. A shot of strength and friendship simmered against my skin. Our link together strengthened, healing everything that we hadn't talked about, healing the once-rocky ground our sisterhood was on.
"Alright. Then we fight. Four against a whole nation shouldn't be too difficult to handle."
"I could probably take out the whole place with one hand tied behind my back." Natsu smirked smugly, stretching his hands out behind his head. I stifled my giggle when Erza's eye twitched.
"How do you plan on doing that when you can't even take me down?"
"That's different. You aren't a demon. You're my friend." Natsu waved her words away as Erza sneered, although a small, surprised blush crept up her neck.
"We are merely acquaintances, Natsu. Nothing more."
"I saw you in diapers Erza, I'm practically your big brother." Natsu's smirk widened into something evil, goading and not cute at all. Really, it wasn't cute. At all.
"Excuse me." Erza turned to him, bringing her fist up when Gray's small, pained laugh stopped her.
"You guys make it really hard to hate you."
Ultear laughed. "Why would anyone hate us? We are great people."
"No, I'm a great person. You guys are… eh," I joked, laughing when they all turned to me. Natsu shuffled away from Erza, approaching me with a cocky swagger.
"Eh? Eh? I'll show you eh." He tried to grab me but I danced backwards with a laugh, eyes glued to his cocky grin. His dark eyes twinkled, obviously thrilled with the idea of me as prey, and it made a flutter of anticipation fidget through my body.
"Lucy." Gray's soft voice stopped our stare-off, his tone making my mood simmer down slightly as I turned to him, taking in his sloped shoulders and the almost guilty expression on his features, eyes so tortured that it hurt my heart for a moment.
"What's wrong?"
"I've been lying to you all."
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as Erza stepped forward, closer to him, "What have you been lying to us about?" Her voice was careful, blank, but it held a vague threat. I was sure she was coming to the same conclusion I was.
Was he a plant so the King could track our movements and take us out?
If so, where was he?
"Don't you think it was strange that I was out of my own lands, doing patrols?"
"You explained your reasoning…" I murmured, biting my lip as Natsu growled softly, the air around us suddenly becoming warmer.
"Were you the one following us in the forest?"
The image of the dark red eyes, peering at me through the cover of the dark forest made a spike of fear and confusion rush through me. To my knowledge, Gray didn't have red eyes during his change, and I was sure that it was a dragon-like creature.
Gray frowned, "I waited for you to get closer to the borders. My guard, Lyon, had been tracking your whereabouts through his sources then I took off to intercept you. My aim was to capture Lucy without your knowledge."
"Did King Silver put you up to this? We searched you for tracking devices but you could have another way of contacting them. Do you?" Erza barked, approaching him swiftly, her own magic power mixing with Natsu's heat, leaving a stinging sensation biting at my skin.
Gray opened his mouth to reply, but the glint of his necklace took my attention. I blinked, eyes narrowing at the piece of jewellery that seemed to glow the minute Erza approached him. It was a simple silver cross, nothing particularly fancy, but I could tell it was pure silver.
"Erza, wait!" I rushed forward, catching her arm, a shot of strength running through my system at the contact.
She halted, glancing at me for a moment, a tight look of anger in her eyes but I just pulled her away slowly, watching his necklace slowly lose it's glow. Gray seemed to know where my eyes were because he went completely still, his shoulders raising defensively.
I pulled Erza back towards Gray, watching the necklace begin to burn brighter, as if it was burning into Gray's skin.
"Ultear. What is that?"
"It's just a piece of royal jewellery," Ultear stated, confusion on her features as I let Erza go and approached Gray myself. He flinched back, but held strong.
"Gray. What is that?"
"I caught him when he tried to flee. By the Rites of Frost, he is my prisoner to safe-guard," he stated.
My heart jumped up into my throat, and I reached out, yanking the chain from his neck. He winced but didn't move, the thin silver chain breaking with my rough movements. I held it up to my eye before wrapping my hands around it, closing my eyes. I heard Erza state my name questioningly, obviously still a little slow on what the situation was.
Or maybe, she was just in shock and refusing to believe it.
But if there was a prisoner in here, that only reacted to Erza being near…
I summoned a fleck of my magic, imagining the mist leaving that deep, dark cave inside of me, and then spreading down my arms. Once it touched my fingers, I felt it.
"Jellal," I whispered, the soul of someone I knew, someone we all knew, trapped inside of this tiny cross.
"What? What did you say?" Erza demanded, walking up to me and I almost dropped the necklace with how hot it got at her proximity.
"He's there. I can feel his soul."
"They took his soul from his body?"
"It's seems impossible, but it's definitely him. Here." I placed the cross in her hands, "See how warm it gets once you touch it. It glows when you are near it. I don't know how I didn't notice it before."
"Lucy… It's not glowing." Ultear stated, her voice soft.
I looked down at the cross, frowning because it was practically a stream of white light, beaming with the soul trapped inside.
"It's… It's glowing. It has to be. I can see it."
"It's not warm," Erza whispered. "It's cold."
I looked up to her, my voice rising, "Erza, I can feel it! It's hot!"
She jolted, surprised, dropping the cross on the ground as Natsu approached me, "Your eyes…"
"What?" I snapped, annoyed that they weren't listening. I reached down to pick up the cross gently, feeling for that soul, looking to see if it was hurt. I felt Natsu crouch down beside me, and two warm fingertips touched my chin, tilting my gaze to his.
"Banshee's travel souls to that other place. It would make sense that you would see a soul that is in a place where it doesn't belong. Neither in its body, or in that realm."
"You believe me?"
"Of course." He brushed his thumb against my bottom-lip. "I'd believe even if your eyes weren't full of stars."
His words made me blink and I reached up to lightly touch the skin underneath my eye.
I looked down to the cross, feeling Jellal's sadness because he had been trying to get Erza to see he was there. He had been trying so hard, and it was all for nothing if Erza couldn't feel that he was there.
I stood up shakily, holding the cross gently, as if it would break apart in my hands at even the slightest bit of pressure. Natsu stood beside me, offering his silent strength as I stared at Gray.
"How did you do this? How is this possible?"
He glanced away but answered softly, "A man visiting from the Thunder Wilderness. He offered his assistance because we didn't believe our prisons could hold a knight like Sir Fernandes sufficiently. He took the knight's soul from his body and transferred him into this. I was ordered by my father to wear it as a sign of strength."
"Can it be redone? What is this man's name?" I demanded, failing to keep my voice down, an uncontrollable rage rushing through me at the idea of someone plucking Jellal out of his earthly body, and King Silver's command that Gray wear it as some sort of trophy.
"To my knowledge, yes. But only by him. His name was Bickslow the Blind. He's one of King Laxus Dreyar's closest friends."
"I don't care if he is a god above. A soul is not to be tampered with, even in punishment. It isn't a trophy or some sort of keepsake! It is a being! A soul that has feelings, and life!"
"I didn't decide th-"
"There are no excuses Gray. I have been open with you. I have been honest when I could have lied and told you some story about how I was being wrongly framed. I own up to my mistakes and my darkness, whether people tell me it's neutral power, or that I had no control over what I would grow to be. You should have been open with me."
"I didn't know how you would react. I had been working hard to gain your trust."
"You gain trust from being honest from the start!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the forest as the rage twisted inside of me, beginning to peak my power. Natsu touched my elbow lightly, trying to ground me, but Jellal's soul in my hands, and the horror of a soul being ripped out of their place, made me sick.
And angry.
"Is he still here? In the kingdom? This, Bickslow?"
Gray faltered, "I believe so, yes. We had been planning on returning Jellal to his body once we delivered you to your father."
My hands shook as the power crawled up my throat, ready to release the tension in my head. The longer I looked at Gray, the more it reminded me of Jellal's pain. I pulled away from Natsu, handing him the cross softly, closing my eyes to imagine throwing that power behind a thick iron wall.
"Luce…"
"I'm fine. I just need a moment."
I wanted to go to the Vapids more than anything. It was the plan after all, collect Leora Heartfilia's diary, hope that she had some wisdom to pass down from her time as a Banshee. After that, figure out how to fix the problem with my father as well as control my new powers.
But leaving Jellal like this, powerless, hurting, made me feel sick to my stomach.
If only there was a way to contact Bickslow…
An image flew through my mind, Gray reaching down, observing the communications device Romeo had thrown to the floor. He had explained that it was useless the minute the guard connected to it stopped channelling their magic through it. I had found it fascinating so I had put it in my bag - after checking with Ultear that is was really turned off, of course - as a souvenir.
I turned around and walked swiftly to my horse, digging through the bag to collect the small circular object, cold to touch.
"What are you doing?" Erza asked, as I moved over to Gray, who hadn't moved from his standing position.
"Fix it. Get me in contact with your Kingdom."
"Lucy-"
I ignored Ultear's shocked statement, looking into Gray's deep eyes. "I know you can fix it. I understand why you didn't. I'm thankful for everything you've done so far, and I want to trust you. But, I cannot until Jellal is returned." I held it out to him, my hand shaking and he looked down at it.
"The minute I turn it on, they will track you."
"Good."
"Lucy, please think about this-" Erza tried but I shook my head.
"He's hurting Erza. Trapped in there. We can't leave him like that."
Gray took the device quietly, closing his eyes and I watched as the little light on the side slowly flickered to life.
"It's on."
A voice came from around us, but from the device at the same time, making me still, "Prince Fullbuster! Is that you?"
I took a shaky breath in, noticing how Gray didn't answer, speaking clearly, "My name is Princess Heartfilia, of the Star Lands. I demand a conversation with King Silver."
There was a flurry of gasps and voices speaking from that side before the same voice stated, "You are trespassing. Turn yourself in and you can speak to King Silver then."
"I will not waste time on a person below my social standing. You either get me King Silver or I will turn Prince Fullbuster in without a limb."
Gray's lips twitched and I inwardly sighed, aware that he knew I wasn't going to chop off any of his limbs willingly. Natsu touched my back, drawing me into his side, offering me strength but I could see the faint grin on his lips as well.
I struggled not to smile, despite the circumstances, leaning into his embrace with a slow, even breath, focusing on calming my racing heart.
"Princess Heartfilia. I, King Silver, welcome you to the Northern Glaciers."
"It's been a frosty welcome so far, King Silver. Am I to assume that we can't skip pleasantries?"
My father would have cut my tongue out for speaking so crassly to a king of another country, but Natsu's grin only widened and Gray looked away, obviously fighting his own smile.
The deep voice of King Silver had darkened a touch, obviously not used to attitude from anyone, "I had hoped we could talk peacefully."
"As had I. But you opted out of the peaceful route when you took Jellal Fernandes' soul from his body."
"Certain measures had to be taken to ensure the safety of my kingdom, Princess Heartfilia," he all but growled, but I refused to let that scare me, surrounded by the courage of my friends, and for once, the power that rested inside of me.
"I hope you are willing to go to certain measures again, King Silver."
"Is that a threat? You presume to threaten me in my lands?" His voice was low, but it held anger. A shot of fear rolled up my spine, but I pushed it away, stubbornly.
"Threat's aren't my style, King Silver. I only wished to travel through your lands to reach my destination. Although, given your relationship to my father, I can understand what prompted you to deny access to a peaceful party. However, my goodwill and patience ran out when you hurt one of my friends."
"He was not touched. Mr Fernandes' body has remained in perfect condition. If something as little as a soul has made you so upset, then perhaps you are younger and more naive than your father has told me."
Anger burned through me at his words, and I closed my eyes, allowing it to wash over me and strengthen my resolve.
"Do you know anything about souls, King Silver? Are you knowledgeable in their extraction, health and state of being?"
"I know little, but my advisors assured me-"
"Well, one thing my father taught me, is to not trust the words of a man who has no knowledge of the matter at hand. Perhaps you are not as wise, or as kingly, as I once thought." Ultear made a small noise and I glanced over at her, finding her hands clasped over her mouth. Tears shone in her eyes and her shoulders moved.
Seeing her struggling made me struggle and I turned my head into Natsu's neck, my incredulous laughter bubbling up in my stomach. Honestly, it was probably the fact I was insulting a king who could easily throw me back to my father, and my probable death.
Shock and adrenaline did funny things to you.
"How dare you? You insolent child. Release my son at onc-"
"No. You don't get to make demands. You listen to me. I want Jellal Fernandes's body, as well as the man named Bickslow to come to our location before the sun sets."
"And if I don't comply with your negotiation?"
"I throw Gray into the Vapids, bound by rope."
"The Vapids would not touch him."
"You would believe a bunch of blood-thirsty demons, that probably have all sorts of anger towards the prince who has killed over one hundred of their kind, wouldn't touch a subdued enemy?" I asked slowly, my voice dripping with sarcasm. He was quiet, for once, which prompted me to repeat, "The body, and Bickslow, at our location, before the sun sets."
"You're at the border of the Vapids. That trip from the Kingdom is impossible to make in that time frame."
"You figure out a way to get here. I don't care how. I won't even bother to tell you not to bring back-up, but if anyone makes a move to harm me and my friends, all bets are off and you'll be carting your injured off."
"This is enough reason to start a war, Princess Heartfilia. Will your friends support your brash words?" King Silver growled, anger throbbing through the line.
"With my power, King Silver, I'll take on everyone you have to offer by myself and split your kingdom in two," I replied darkly, before adding, "I've done it before, after all." Then with that, I threw the communication device to the floor and stepped on it.
"Natsu, you cover from the trees. Ultear, I want you to hold the horses right beside the border. If we need to make a quick escape, I don't want to lose the chance because of the horses," Erza ordered, spitting out rapid-fire instructions as Natsu nodded, leaning forward.
"Be careful," he murmured softly, brushing his lips against mine. They were warm, chapped, and heavenly. I slid my tongue along the seam, tasting him lightly, carefully refraining from slipping my tongue into his mouth. He groaned softly, body slouched to accommodate my tongues gentle caress.
He tasted… wild.
When I dropped back onto the flat of my feet, I stared up into his dark eyes with a breathless smile, "I feel like it's been ages since we've touched."
"Amazing words to stay, at the worst time."
My smile widened as I wrapped my arms around his torso. "Will we get a chance in the Vapids? Or would that undermine our authority and dominance?"
He ran his fingers through my hair slowly, tugging lightly. "I don't care if it makes me look like the weakest man in Fiora. We are definitely getting a chance in the Vapids."
I hummed, resting my head against his sternum, the soft, tugs against my roots making a jolt of slightly painful pleasure tingle against my nerves.
"Natsu, you have a job to do. Lucy, stop distracting him," Erza scolded lightly, and I pouted, reluctantly pulling away.
"But he's just so comfortable…" I muttered to myself, clearing my throat weakly when I realised Natsu probably heard me say that. My suspicions were confirmed when I noticed the smirk he was wearing. I glared at him petulantly, but it was half-hearted, a smile tweaking at my lips.
"You're pretty comfortable as well. Hips and all."
"Get out of here," I laughed, pushing him away as he grinned, obviously pleased with himself. He walked away, and shrugged off his coat, allowing me to see the two long tears that he must have made to accommodate his wings. A second later, he rolled his shoulders and I watched as his wings snapped out of his spine in a fluent motion, that would almost seem graceful if it wasn't so… peculiar.
"Lucy, if you are quite finished...since you made the demand, they will be expecting you to make the trade. I will provide back-up only a few feet behind you and Gray." She reached up and grasped my shoulders, leaning down slightly so her one eye was parallel with mine.
"Are you ready for this?"
"Yes."
"Good." She nodded firmly before her grip loosened, an almost vulnerable expression flowing over her beautiful features. "Thank you for this."
"It's what you would have done for me," I replied softly, and we shared a very brief, but emotional hug before I turned away, glancing up at the sky.
"Incoming!" Natsu shouted from his position and I walk over to Gray, shoving him lightly with my shoulder.
"You are finally going home."
"I've been home all along, but I understand what you mean," Gray said lowly, both of our eyes staring across the ice, watching the three blurred figures approach us from afar.
"I'm sorry that I was so harsh on you. I took my emotions out on you and it wasn't fair."
Gray shrugged, a small smile on his features, "It's what I needed to hear. I've always been weak when it comes to honesty. More so, when Juvia died, but maybe having a Banshee scream at me is just the momentum to start telling the truth and being brave once again."
I nodded, a smile on my own features as the blurry figures began to even out in my eyesight, two large bestial creatures, and one horse with a figure on it.
"Thank you for your help and cooperation. It's been great seeing you again, Gray."
"I almost wish I could come with you," he said, out of nowhere, and I glanced at him, surprised.
"Why?"
"You look like the type to have a lot of adventures. I like adventures."
"A simple man has simple needs," I laughed softly, before turning to him, and giving him a soft hug, despite the fact his hands were bound in front of him.
He laughed quietly, before we pulled away.
"Now, excuse me while I get angry." I winked at him playfully before turning to the approaching guards, crossing my arms over my chest. The two beasts behind them seemed to be wolves, their deep brown coats stark against the white, pure backdrop. They stopped a few metres away from us, but the horse rode a bit closer.
As the man slid off his horse, I took in his appearance.
An ashy-brown conical hat came down low on his head, matching his long robes that pooled slightly at his feet, only the tip of a brown boot visible. His skin was an odd caramel colour, that could have been heritage or tan, and his body was tall, slightly taller than Natsu if I was to guess.
I caught a glimpse of a wicked smile, but other than that, I couldn't see much of his face. I did see the Thunder Wilderness markings along his bare fingers and neck, the only skin that was uncovered.
"That's Bickslow." Gray murmured as Bickslow leant over to retrieve the body I had not noticed lying over the back of his horse.
He gently lowered Jellal to the ground before sweeping down in a low bow, a drawl issuing from him that could only come from such a wild place like the Thunder Wilderness.
"Princess Heartfilia, it is an honour to meet you."
I narrowed my eyes at him, not liking the teasing lilt in his tone before asking, "Are you a god?"
He remained bowed but his head tilted. "No, Princess Heartfilia, I am not."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely so," he replied, amused. His tone was curious, probably wondering why I was asking such questions.
"Really. That's interesting. Because to my knowledge, only gods have the right to remove a soul from a person's body ahead of their time. Of course, if you were a god, I would be inclined to shut my mouth and accept it. But, by your own admission, you are not a god."
He slowly stood, keeping his head craned low, "If I had known that he was a part of your team… I wouldn't have done it."
"What does my company have to do with this?"
"King Dreyar has recently decided to travel to the Molten Lands and enter an agreement with the great dragon King Dragneel. It is part of the treaty agreement that we are to assist you in your endeavours. Since I am a citizen of the Thunder Wilderness and one of King Dreyars trusted associates, I am under that oath also."
I managed to keep the surprise off my face, and simply blinked, despite being completely taken aback by his words. I had never met King Laxus Dreyar before. In fact, he had denied my father's offering to trade for years now, even though he had previous experience and trades with my mother when she was queen.
I pushed those thoughts away for now, instead settling on crooking an eyebrow at him, "So, if it was somebody who wasn't in my company, you would happily take their souls and shove them into a stationary object?"
He cleared his throat. "Happily? No. But if I was asked to by the right people, yes."
Anger burned through me, but I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand, "Return Jellal to his body now. Once you do, all misunderstandings between us and you, will be cleared up."
"That easy?"
"I mostly just don't want to waste my time with you. Do it, now."
"Of course, Princess." He bowed once more before slowly untying the blanket that was wrapped around Jellal's form. It almost looked like he was sleeping, and it was more than unnerving to see his chest move with his breathing, even though his soul was in my hand.
I walked over to him, holding my hand out to stop Gray as Bickslow knelt beside the body, using his hand to open Jellal's mouth. I handed him the necklace, keeping a safe, careful distance away, despite everyone being on high alert.
Bickslow rubbed his fingers against the chain before wiggling them softly. I watched, amazed as he coaxed the soul out of the totem and slid it back down Jellal's mouth. It was a few seconds before he jolted upright, gasping for breath.
The soul manipulator stood, a little closer than he had been before and I took a cautious step away, but was unable to stop the smile of gratefulness from spreading over my lips.
"Jellal, go to Erza. Now." Despite the way I commanded it, I couldn't help the warmth in my tone. Jellal shot me a relieved look and mouthed 'thank you' before standing up shakily, moving toward Erza who was doing her best to look unaffected.
"Gray, come forward. He has done what I asked him too," I stated, ready to walk away so the trade could be over with when Bickslow grabbed my wrist and spun me towards him. I gasped as his lips slammed against mine.
A roaring, vibrant power smashed down my throat, leaving me clutching at his robes. In that split second, I could feel him reaching, reaching, searching for… my soul. My eyes snapped open when I realised it. He was trying to swallow my soul.
Or at least tasting it.
A growl ripped up my throat and I slapped my power out, throwing it down his throat, reaching into him. Now he was gasping as I shoved more magic into him, until I could see his soul. And it was as colourful as he was, in the worst, and best of ways. Flickers of images, painful, lonely then happy memories danced behind my eyelids, before he pulled himself away and fell to his knees in front of me.
My power sunk back into my skin, leaving his body as I rubbed my mouth with the back of my shirt, disgusted with how he tasted. A body landed in front of me, a low, feral growl ripping out of the chest in front of mine.
"Natsu…" I cautioned, glancing at his wolf buddies who looked torn between interfering or staying out of it just yet. They were probably shocked that he kissed me.
Bickslow laughed from the cold icy ground, the noise a little high and frantic.
"Holy hell. I didn't believe it when I saw your soul, but that's enough proof. You are a Banshee."
Natsu reached out and grasped Bickslow's collar, lifting him up from the ground. I held my hand up to stop Erza who I could feel was coming to intervene, placing my hand on Natsu's arm.
"Easy. Don't start a war over a horrible kiss," I cautioned.
"Horrible?" Bickslow squawked, seemingly not worried that a dragon was now holding him up. But I saw the shiver of uncertainty and fear on his face, which had been slightly revealed at Natsu's rough treatment. He wore a metal visor around his eyes, but his nose was strong, and his cheekbones might have been able to rival Natsu's in another life.
"Don't ever touch me again. And don't ever think of kissing a girl without her permission," I stated seriously, tugging on Natsu's arm a little firmer. Natsu took a deep breath in and dropped Bickslow. I wasn't surprised that he landed neatly on his feet, and began to fuss with his mask and robes.
Natsu turned to me, red eyes vibrant and angry.
I placed my hand on his cheek, brushing my thumb against the bone, "I'm sorry. I should have pushed him away sooner. But I got caught up in trying to protect my soul."
"He tried to take your soul?" Natsu snarled, his words a rumbled bass that made shivers crawl up my spine.
"Keyword here is tried." I attempted to soothe him with my soft words, but he just turned back to Bickslow who grinned, rolling his tongue out.
"I will definitely be telling Laxus this story." It surprised me that he called the King by his first name so easily, but I ignored it, glaring at him.
"Don't ever do that again, to anyone, got it?"
"Yes ma'am. I'm sorry, by the way. I got a little excited. I've never met a Banshee before and they are supposed to have the toughest, most incredible souls. I just wanted a nibble, really."
"Just take Gray and go," I sighed, a little disgusted with him, but strangely, amused. Of course, laughing about it with Natsu in this mood was a bad idea so I just continued to glare at him, rubbing my lips to remove the feeling of his.
Gray walked past us, giving me an amused, if slightly teasing grin and I rolled my eyes, glad someone else could see the hilarity of this situation.
I mean really, who kisses someone just to taste their soul?
Madness.
"Well, Princess Heartfilia, I think we are going to meet again."
"I surely hope not."
He laughed, the noise wicked and somehow charming, in an odd, emotionally childlike way. He reached up to his hat, and threw it, my hands snapping out to catch it, eyeing the cone shaped hat confusedly.
When I opened my mouth to ask why he gave me this, he just winked.
"Just so we have to meet again."
And I'm back again ~ a few days early than I had scheduled but that just proves what a bunch of kickass readers you are!
I had to cut this chapter in half because when I sat down to write Bickslow/Jellal, I got a little carried away ~~ Do you forgive me? ;) I mean, I gave you a Bickslow and Lucy kiss as repentance.
And a jealous Natsu to top it all off!
I'll definitely give you Zeref next time
Alrighty mints, it's Question Time;
Btw I can't imagine Aquarius with legs, cuz she has legs here, hasn't she? Indeed she does! She has webbed toes.
You should ask someone to draw a picture of Lucy true form? Actually, I have commissioned someone and she's working on a little something, something right now. But you'll just have to be patient!
Please tell me that Romeo decides to travel to the Lava lands to learn some fire? It's okay fam, Romeo is a big boy, if he wants to travel, he can be free like a lil bird.
IS ULTEAR GONNA BE OK? *sigh* The amount of 'don't kill Ultears' I got for the last chapter was alarming. Guys, it's just a little bit of poison, she has the cure. Why you gotta assume the worst of me? ;.;
What happens when Lucy gets her period? How will Natsu react to the blood? Eurgh.
Who was helping the dead cross over before? Are they just lost souls? or is Lucy just sort of a bonus worker who helps souls transition better into the afterlife? So what I am trying to say is are souls able to transition into the afterlife without the banshee so the banshee is just deaths extra helper? They are lost souls. Eileen stated before that the lands were growing unsteady with haunts and ghostly projections. In Fiora there are hotspots that ghosts will travel too and mingle there (and before you ask, no they don't LITERALLY mingle, ghosts are like zombies, dead souls that just kind of moan.)
Why 126 demons? Random number or does it have some special significance? It was the either the tears I shedded when Aquarius died or the fucks I gave when Minerva was being thrown around by Erza.
How could Lucy be a banshee/demon if demons are identified (normally) as creatures of dark and a banshee, based on this fic- is identified as a neutral creature? That is a very good question, but once again, spoilers, and just because I may have entertained a theory about Banshee's being demons, doesn't mean that's completely true.
How long does it take you to finish a chapter? Or do you try to get ahead of the game and write in advance? I always try to write in advance, but if I'm running late, I can normally push 5000 words out (which is my word minimum for my chapters) in two hours. Then I spend a little time fixing and tweaking, before sending it off to my editor.
Does that mean that Juvia is a like a ghost right now? All water affiliated creatures return to the water at death, so technically she's a water ghost. There's hotspots under water as well before you poke holes.
Are we ever going to see Natsu in his full dragon form? If so, will his demon blood have any affect on it? Yes & yes.
Which demons do you plan on introducing? All of them or just a few? *snorts* ALL OF THEM. That… seems like… a lot of work.
Is Lucy's power equal of a smaller goddess? Would be wired though if her "godpower" sparks Natsu's demon powers? This is actually a really impressive theory and it would match up with some of the characteristics I've given Lucy but, unfortunately, her power isn't up to par with a smaller goddess (these are gods we are talking about after all)
And why did you have to kill the poor baby Juvia! Because I can :)
Will Lucy scream again soon? Yeppp~
Will Mavis somehow play into this? She might ;)
If natsu can heal Lucy, can't he just drink the potion and then fix Lucy, or have an orgy with ultear and her? Laxus, escort this madman out please.
So if Macao is a Yeti, what's Romeo? Does the creatures people become correlate more with genetics or is it random? It can be both but in this case, Romeo got his fire powers from his mother.
Do you count reviews from other chapters as part of the 35 review count? If I get a review AFTER I post a new chapter, I count it. Simple as that :)
Do we have to see him next chapter? Can we see Jellal instead? And you say I never do anything for you ;)
Why would Romeo be allowed to be a serf of the Fullbuster royal family if he is 13-14 years old in the current manga and his age transfers over to this story? And speaking of age, what is the age of the other characters in the traveling troupe if their manga ages are? I don't think I've ever specified that the age transfers from the manga into this story. Besides, it is a made-up land and if I truly wanted the north to take on little kiddies, I would. But for this instance, Romeo is 16. All your ages are true btw, but Ultear is 21.
WHERE THE HELL ARE THE LEMONS?! In the box :)
Are you gonna have the galuuna island demons help sneak them all inside the vapids? It's best to assume that all demons, are naughty demons that won't want to help our motley crew
"Black-haired dumpling"... is that Zeref or...? It was Zeref but since the chapter turned out to be soooo long.
Oh Juvia...why? Why did you have to make it so sad? Because I can :) ~~
Is the poison attacking Ultear and Lucy the same poison that killed Juvia? If so, is Zeref behind all this? No, the poison that hurt Lucy and Ultear, was from a bush. Juvia was killed by poison in the water. No, Zeref is not behind this.
And I'm sitting here, patiently waiting for you to stop cockblocking, and then you have them split up!? They are back together now, put your panties back on!
Is Zeref still going to be Natsu's brother? Maybeee.
You guys really kill me with your questions tbh, I love answering them!
Thanks for the amazing support on the last chapter and I hope you enjoy this one~
It's 40 reviews for an earlier update ~~
As always guys, stay fresh!
xo freshprincess