This will be my story for the LaLu week 2018. It is rated T for some thriller/horror elements oh and possible swearing.
For this story I have searched up some sounds effect. These sounds can be found on youtu . be (copy paste without space). The sound effects are marked in the story. The animal's scream in the story is like a mix between a Nazgûl scream and a baby pig scream. It is up to you if you want to look it up. This story takes place after Tartaros! Like always, my apology for any grammar mistakes, I am improving though! :D Enjoy reading!
[1] /lzk-l8Gm0MY?t=99 (1:39-1:52) (Gate open, the creatures have appeared)
[2] /lzk-l8Gm0MY?t=6 (0:06-0:14) (Gate closes, the creatures are gone)
Disclaimer: I do not own fairy tail, I only own this plot line.
Have fun reading!
Chapter 1: Lost
'AAAAAAH! H-ELP ME, PLEASE SOMEONE…..AAAAAH!'
Laxus looked down at the woman who was clutching his shirt in her fists. Lucy was trembling on her feet, while her eyes were closed. She was quiet, but her lips were making the same words over and over again, like a little rhyme. The pulling force from her hands, made him freeze on his spot. He knew she was right, they could not safe that man, but that wasn't making this any easier. He looked out of the window and saw the man lying on the ground, swinging his sword around him in panic. They were not able to see the creatures that had been terrorizing them since the start of their mission, but they were there for sure. Laxus noticed a pressure change on the ground and small holes were forming. The creature was standing right in front of the man, but the sword went right through it, like it was a ghost. The man was unknown for the two ex-Fairy Tail mages. He could be a bandit... he could be an uncle who was searching for his lost niece from the close-by village "Benitoite". The Lightning Mage kept looking, knowing what was coming…
'N-OO...NOOOOOOOOO, AAAAAH…..!'
The scream of the man disappeared and it was followed by a terrifying scream, which could haunt you down in your nightmares. The scream can be described as one high-pitched screech from a baby pig in pain. Laxus flinched back. The scream was hurting his ears, but he didn't dare to cover his ears in fear he would make a sound that could betray their location. Lucy breath had stopped for a moment, she hated this sound, but she kept listening. The scream stopped, there was a moment of silence before a sound of a string being stroked was filling the air. [2]
"One…..Two…..Three…...Four strokes," counted Lucy in her head.
The sound stopped and it was quiet. She finally released her breath, she had been holding. The Celestial Mage opened her eyes and looked up.
'They are gone,' she whispered.
The fear was still in her body, but the trembling has started to calm down. Laxus nodded. He had a far better hearing due to the fact of his Dragon Slaying Magic but he is unable to hear the 'four strokes', as Lucy described it. He cannot hear them, so if Lucy told them they were gone, he needs to believe her for it. Laxus looked down at his shirt that was still clutched in Lucy's hands. She had followed his gaze and quickly released his shirt. She looked at her hands who were still trembling, trying to avoid any eye-contact in the process.
Laxus was the first to move and opened the door of their little hiding spot. The broken mountain hut had been literally only hundreds meters away from their possible deaths. The man that had been screaming for their help was gone. No human body, no blood or any other clue could be found. The man had just disappeared, together with those creatures. Laxus had tried to observe the whole situation like the other times, but he had nothing. One moment the man was there and the next moment he was gone, followed by that high-pitched scream. Lucy had finally followed him outside and she crossed her arms under her chest, trying to give herself some comfort about this whole situation. She had regretted coming with him for this mission and he knew that. Laxus bended down and touched the holes in the ground with his fingertips. He pulled back his hand and he sniffed his fingers, no scent could be detected. Not even the scent of the man that had been here minutes ago. It was like he never existed in the first place, only in their memories.
Lucy kept staring at the holes in the ground, while thoughts were filling her mind. In which way was this related to Celestial Magic? The sound when she opens a gate of her spirits and the sound of those four strokes were not even the same, but why does she has a feeling she knew those creatures? She had heard those sounds and screams before, but why can't she remember it? Again, fear was taking over her body. They were able to escape this man's fate by hiding in fear...and for what? Finding the source is the least thing she wanted to do right now. They had been climbing the mountain for two days now with creatures that could pop-up any second. She wanted to go home, back to her working desk. Convincing Jason to publish her stories she had been working on. Finding clues of the whereabouts of her friends. Taking a warm bath after her long working day and falling asleep in her comfortable bed. Last but not least, she wanted to see them! She wanted to see her friends! She didn't wanted to die...to disappear before a possible chance of a reunion with Natsu….Gray….Erza….and even Happy. She needed to live.
Laxus stood up and looked at the sky. Night was closing in and they needed to find a better shelter then the half broken mountain hut, they had been used for hiding a minute ago. Especially with those toxic Ethernano storms in this area. The next hut could be hours away. He wanted to call for her and looked surprised when he heard a little slap sound. He turned around and noticed the red glow on Lucy's cheeks.
'I want to apologize, Laxus,' said Lucy while looking at him in the eyes with determination.
Laxus had not suspected an apology, he could understand her anxiety. He had seen a lot of terrifying things, but nothing was like this. Those creatures are invisible and untouchable. They cannot hurt them, but those creatures can take them away in a second. The lack of knowledge about their opponents is giving him fear. So he knows, how she is feeling right now. The only difference is his experience, as an S-class Mage, on how to deal with this anxiety. He had pressed down his own fear, for the sake of this quest. He needs to know if those creatures can be beaten. Pushing himself….trying to learn about those creatures, as much as he can and he was able to learn so far because of Lucy. She can hear them. She can warn him beforehand. They were able to escape death many times, because of her!
'Blondie…,' said Laxus, but after one word he was already interrupted.
'No! I want to apologize. I know I can hear them and you can't. I know you need me for this mission, but I was losing myself right there. The fear was getting too much. I wanted to scream. I wanted to run! You know what that means right? If I give in, in this...anxiety, we will both die! Blue Pegasus will sign us off as potentially lost or death and the next group of mages will try to investigate this mountain, getting the same fate. We need to succeed this quest. I know you need me, but I need you too. I cannot guarantee that I can control myself enough when one of those creatures shows up again,' said Lucy frustrated.
She had been standing straight the whole time. The extra movements of her arms during her explanation was to distract herself from her own trembling body. She wasn't herself and she hates herself for it. Laxus' left eyebrow went up slightly and he wanted to make sure he was understanding her correctly.
'So technically speaking, you want me to distract you, without making any sound?' asked Laxus while crossing his arms on his chest, making himself more comfortable.
'If it is really needed, yes!' said Lucy.
Laxus kept staring at her. She was not looking away and the determination was still there. He nodded finally in agreement. He was not sure how, but he will think of a solution to distract her.
'If that will make you more comfortable during this mission, then I will do that.'
He turned around and started to climb up further on the mountain. Lucy was slightly confused. Had he just agreed to her without any questions? Until now he had always a second opinion, but now he hadn't? Unconsciously she could feel her whole body relaxing and the trembling had finally stopped. She had slapped herself in her face to overcome her fear, but she knew she needed something else, for this mission. She needed...trust! They were from the same guild, but they barely know each other. Lucy knows she can rely on him. He is a strong S-class Mage in the first place! However, she had never really felt safe during this mission...in some way. Trust was the issue. He had doubted her plans, he had doubted her hearing. He was pushed into a corner to rely on her and to believe in her because of something he is unable to see, hear, smell or touch. She had proven herself in the last two days and he has started to trust her and her judgment.
A smile was forming on Lucy's face. She had never imagined of becoming friends with Laxus Dreyar, or making the first steps of becoming friends….especially how this mission had started...
* Two Days Ago *
Lucy took a deep inhale of the cold air around her and breathed out slowly. Her breath became visible like a fog in the air. It is December and it wouldn't take long before the first snowflake will fall from the sky. There she was standing before the guild of Blue Pegasus. A cold chill went through her spine, not because of the wind, but due to the fact of a possible encounter with Ichiya. For this journey and job, she had made sure to put on enough clothing. Under her light brown long winter coat, Lucy was wearing her woolen pink turtleneck sweater. The sweater's arm sleeves were longer than normal with two little holes for her dumbs. This sweater was made for the winter, the extra-long arm sleeves was giving her some extra warmth and comfort. Next she was wearing a black skirt with two layered winter tights. On her skirt she was wearing a dark brown belt with her keys and Fleuve d'étoiles attached to it. At last she was wearing her dark brown snow boots, which were extra comfortable because of the warm fur on the inside. When she woke up this morning, she wasn't suspecting to be standing here. Jason had called her in distress. He was down with a cold, if she could take over his work. So she did, unknown that she needs to do an interview with Laxus Dreyar. Lucy sighted in irony. After almost one year since the disbanding of Fairy Tail, her first encounter would be with Laxus. She didn't had any objections, but it was hard to imagine how this interview would go. They aren't really friends and they barely spoke to each other during her time at Fairy Tail. A nod and a grunt for a greeting, some eye contact here and there, but that was it. They never really had a long talk, so last stand an interview. Lucy spoke some encouraging words to herself and opened the guild's doors. She had never been inside Blue Pegasus guild. She had heard that the building was partly a host club and it seems to be true. She had not even set one foot inside the guild and Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki, Eve Tearms and Ren Akatsuki were welcoming her in their gentle manner.
'I thought I caught a whiff of some exquisite perfume,' said Ichiya.
He made a couple spins and pointed his hands like two guns towards Lucy. Sparkles were forming around his face.
'Lucy-san, welcome to Blue Pegasus,' Ichiya followed.
Eve and Ren had kneeled down before her and offered her a bouquet of roses. More sparkles were starting to form around the Trimen members and Lucy had troubles not to get blinded.
'If you have me, I would like to be your pet for this evening,' said Eve.
'Hey, don't joke around. How can you be so good looking?' asked Ren.
Lucy laughed sheepishly, she knew this would happen. She ignored their gesture and looked around.
'Is Laxus here, I'm from Sorcerer Magazine. Jason is sick, so I will take the interview in his place,' said Lucy while showing her business card.
'Good you are here, then I'm done with my job for today,' said Laxus annoyed.
Lucy followed the voice and saw Laxus sitting on a couch in the far corner of the building. He wanted to stand up, but women on his left and right were holding him down on his arms.
'My job is over, fuck off,' he snarled at the ladies.
The ladies squealed in delight, his cold demeanor was having the opposite effect he had hoped for. He pulled the ladies hands off his arms and started to walk to Lucy. The Celestial Mage wanted to laugh, but flinched back when those ladies whispers were reaching her ears.
'A woman?'
'Who is that ugly!?'
Lucy kept her smile on her face and wanted to leave as fast as possible.
"Why do I always have this," thought Lucy while crying to herself.
She had no energy for a woman's jealousy, last stand for a whole group. If she was able to hear it, then Laxus had heard the women gossip for sure. Lucy saw no change in Laxus' eyes, though. Memories of Freed keeping the ladies at a distant during the Grand Magic Games was crossing her mind. Seeing him so cold towards the women makes her wonder, why he had chosen Blue Pegasus in the first place? It was not one of the questions Jason had prepared, but in the end it is Lucy's interview now. He wouldn't mind that she would bend a couple questions here and there.
Before she could officially say her greetings to the Lightning Mage, a door opened behind the bar. Master Bob and Hibiki had come into the room. They both looked worried, it was Hibiki that noticed first they had a guest.
'Lucy-san?' responded Hibiki in confusion.
Master Bob looked up. He had his left arm crossed on his chest, resting on his right arm while his right hand was touching his cheek.
'Oh my, oh my, what is one of Makarov's children doing here?' asked Bob curiously.
'Good evening Master Bob, Jason is sick, so I came to do his interview instead,' said Lucy with a smile and a respectful bow.
Bob kept staring at her, clearly in thought. He floated towards her and was using his Phasing Magic to shift through the bar like a ghost.
'Laxus and Lucy-dear can you both come to my office?' asked Master Bob after a long pause.
Laxus and Lucy both looked confused but agreed to it. Hibiki was the only one, who understood what Master Bob was trying to do. He sighed and started to scratch his head.
'Talk about timing... Lucy-san and Laxus-san can you both please follow me?' asked Hibiki.
Ichiya respected Master's Bob request and made room for the Celestial Mage, while keeping his arms crossed on his chest. His hands were still shaped as two guns and sparkles kept twinkling around his face. Ren and Eve were still kneeling with those bouquets in their hands.
'I will be waiting for you here, until my body will crumble, Lucy-san,' said Eve.
'It's not like I want to wait for you,' followed Ren, while looking away.
Lucy shook her head, some things are better left out. The Trimen hadn't changed a single hair. Ren was even married! Lucy would never understand these kind of men.
In Master Bob's room, Lucy looked around her and noticed that the room was pink with a lot of hearts carved in every possible object in the room. She knew Master Bob had an… interesting taste. She likes pink herself, so it didn't bother her too much and apparently it wasn't bothering Laxus either. He probably got used to Bob's taste in all these months a Blue Pegasus. Hibiki prepared a chair for their guest and suggested for Lucy to sit down.
'Do you like to drink something, coffee or tea?' asked Hibiki with a smile.
'Tea, without anything, please,' said Lucy confused.
In less than a second, the Archive Mage was already kneeling down next to her with a cup of tea in his hands. Lucy said her thanks, while smiling sheepishly and grabbed the cup of tea. Laxus had ignored the whole deal, he made his way to another chair in the room and sat down. Master Bob had made his way to his own desk and grabbed his light pen. A map was drawn and two names were written: Mount Arenal and the village Benitoite. Master Bob stopped his drawing and turned around, looking at Lucy in particular.
'Lucy dear, I hope you don't mind to do Laxus' interview some other day. I know how much effort Jason had put into this arrangement. He will get his interview, but not today. An emergency came up and I actually want you both to hear this,' said Master Bob seriously.
Lucy looked at Laxus who was shrugging, clearly unaware of what was going on. She nodded in agreement. Master Bob preceded his drawing, during his explanation.
'Laxus we got a request from the Magic Council a week ago, about some unknown weather in form of extremely concentrated Ethernano (magic particles). These Ethernano storms are terrorizing Mount Arenal for a couple of months now. Citizens from Benitoite and council members alike have disappeared. I had send Hibiki with our ship 'Christina' to analyze these Ethernano storms.'
Master Bob paused for a moment and looked at Hibiki.
'Our Christina was several damaged, but our Hibiki managed to determine the possible origin of these storms….'
Master Bob looked at Lucy with an apologetic smile.
'Celestial Magic.'
Lucy's eyes widened and knew what Master Bob was trying to do. She hopes her intuition was wrong. Hopefully they want some information and nothing more...She was not able to handle a mission...Aquarius...Tartaros...it was still too early...
'I want to send a small group for investigation. The storms area is growing and that makes me worried. Because of these storms I want to send an S-Class Mage on this job. I believe your magic is right for this job Laxus.'
Laxus crossed his arms on his chest. He can sense storms, avoid them or mostly in his case confront them for a nice snack. Ethernano storms, however, are not storms you want to encounter.
'Ethernano storms are deadly even for me,' said Laxus while remembering his experience with anti-magic particles during the attack of Tartaros.
Master Bob nodded.
'Yes, Ethernano storms are poisonous for humans and it can even lead to Magic Deficiency Disease.'
Lucy looked down at her cup of tea in her hands...her mother had died of Magic Deficiency Disease. To be honest, she barely knew what had caused her mother's death. She was too young then, to understand. Her spirits never spoke about it and Lucy had never asked.
'When these storms are going to spread further than Mount Arenal, a lot of innocent people will die. This quest is about finding the source of these storms and to find the missing villagers in the process,' said Master Bob.
'How can you be so sure the villagers are missing, if those storms are so deadly?' asked Lucy unsure.
'Notes from the council and pictures from Christina shows no casualties, but it is possible they have died,' Master Bob answered sadly.
'And you believe the source is made of Celestial Magic?'
'That is correct. Lucy-dear, I was hoping you would know something,' said Master Bob.
Lucy sighed softly to relax her body and mind. She touched her keys and placed her tea on Master Bob's desk.
'I have never heard about this, but maybe one of my spirit know something. Open the gate of the Southern Cross, Crux,' said Lucy.
A golden light appeared and from that light a man with a gray Cross as a head came out.
'Lucy-sama, how can I help you?' Crux asked.
Lucy stopped for a moment. It has been a long time, since she had used her spirits for a mission. Hopefully it won't be her mission. They wanted to have information and she is going to give it to them. She looked around her and noticed how the eyes of the mages in the room were fixated on her. She must have zoomed out, because their looks were telling her that she hadn't moved for more than a minute. Lucy pushed a fake smile on her face and looked at her spirit.
'Crux, Ethernano storms are terrorizing Mount Arenal and villagers had started to disappear. Can you look for information that can help us?'
The old man nodded and fell asleep. Hibiki was unsure how to respond to the spirit in the room. He had seen Karen's spirits, but none of them would fall asleep right of the bat. Laxus looked at the spirit with no emotions on his face, while Master Bob was simply smiling. Hibiki flinched back by the sudden scream from the spirit. He looked at Lucy, who kept smiling at her spirit, like it was the most normal things to see in the world.
'Lucy-sama, it is not much that I can tell you. In the past, Ethernano storms has been used as a magic source in rituals. The highly concentrated magic in the air has been used for the greatest and also for the most terrible things in the past. These storms comes with a heavy price, though. The caster mostly dies shortly afterwards. So I hope that you can understand, that I want to ask you to stay away from those storms. Do not approach them.'
'So someone or a group has used a village for a ritual. Possible with a Celestial Mage,' said Hibiki while analyzing their options.
'But the council members had been reported missing only a couple days ago,' said Master Bob.
Crux became slightly stiff by the new acquired information. Lucy noticed the change. The spirit's face was maybe unreadable for others, but she could feel his nervousness like it was her own.
'Grandpa Crux?'
Lucy sudden question made the others alert as well. Crux looked down for a moment and closed his eyes.
'Lucy…?' Hibiki had no time to finish his question. Lucy stretched her arm out in front of him to silence him.
'He is checking something again…' Lucy almost whispered.
Crux opened his eyes. The Celestial Mage knew that look and sighed softly.
'There is more information about these Ethernano storms, isn't it? The only reason you cannot tell us is due to the rules the Celestial King have set,' concluded Lucy from the look on Crux' face.
The spirit nodded sadly. 'Unfortunately, but correct. I can, however, tell you a rhyme:
Magical particles floating in the air,
do not approach, do not even dare.
They move and hunt in a herd,
escape before a sound of a door can be heard.
Do not move, do not speak,
until you hear a scream so high from its beak.
The one who had fallen, could never reach the sky,
lonely and in tears, unable to say their goodbye.'
[1]
Lucy looked up when she heard the sound. Crux looked at the gentlemen in the room. No one, except for Lucy, seems able to hear the sound.
'That was everything?' asked Laxus unknown what was going on.
'If you were able to hear the sound, then you would know I wasn't finished,' said Crux with a warning.
'Which sound?' asked Hibiki.
Lucy's body stiffened by that.
'You guys haven't hear that sound? A sound of four strokes?' asked Lucy a little bit frightened.
The men in the room shook their head.
'Lucy-sama…' Lucy looked at Crux' eyes when she heard her name. '...when you hear that sound, I would like to advise you to not make a sound. You will be safe once again, when you hear this sound.'
[2]
The men looked at Lucy, who had a concentrated look on her face. She wasn't really sure why, but somehow... she had heard this sound before. But when? Fear was crawling in her spine. The sound stopped.
'Safe from what?' asked Lucy in panic.
Crux shook his head.
'I'm sorry. I cannot say anything more.'
Lucy's spirit disappeared. A silence had filled the room. They knew the riddle had some hidden clues, about the missing villagers. And there was a sound, only Lucy seemed to hear. Laxus fell slightly on edge. There was a sound, he was unable to hear. He cannot even confirm if the sound was real. Only the expressions between Lucy and her spirit suggested that there was something. Something only Lucy was able to hear.
'Hmm, maybe I should add more members to this mission, but the Thunder God Tribe is already on a separate mission,' said Master Bob while thinking out loud.
'But even then it is useless if they can't hear "a sound of four strokes",' said Hibiki while activating his archive magic.
'I can handle it. You don't have to call them back for this,' said Laxus carelessly.
'At least take Miss Lucy with you,' said Master Bob seriously.
'Why me?' asked Lucy partly in fear.
Her left hand reached unconsciously out for her keys. The fear from those strokes was still in her body. She couldn't understand, why she was so afraid. The warmth of her keys had started to calm her down a little bit. Laxus was observing her and noticed the motion of her hand.
'I don't want to pressure this on you and I know it is suddenly, but I think you can be a great help for this quest. Celestial Magic, an unknown sound, we are unable to hear,' said Master Bob with an apologizing look.
'If that sound is real,' said Laxus softly.
Lucy looked sharply at him. Did he not believe her? Did he really think, she was making this up?
'It is too dangerous, Lucy isn't even part of a guild right now. We can search for other mages. It is still possible a dark guild is involved, by using these storms for their ritual,' said Hibiki in Lucy's defense.
Lucy nodded to that. This was too dangerous, especially for a mage who has been working as a reporter for the last couple of 8 months. She doesn't want this, but Laxus' disbelieve was setting her on edge.
Laxus stood up and grabbed Lucy's right hand, with the pink guildmark of Fairy Tail still attached to it.
'In her heart she is still part of a guild,' said Laxus bluntly.
Lucy's eyes widened and she could feel her rage building up inside of her.
"What is he doing?" she thought.
She pulled her hand back.
'Excuse me, what do you mean with that!' yelled Lucy back.
'You are still a Fairy Tail mage.'
'So you decided for me, to come with you?'
Laxus looked directly in her eyes, with a cocky grin on his face.
'Yes, or you want to chicken out?'
Lucy couldn't believe it. What is going on here? After almost a year and their first conversation is about Laxus calling her a coward. What a happy reunion...Really, Jason can do his own damn interview, she is not going to do this. Laxus was starting to piss her off.
'I'm not afraid! You guys just overwhelmed me, that is all. I came here for an interview, not to be part of a dangerous mission! Why not ask Yukino from Sabertooth?'
'I have already done that, dear,' said Master Bob with disappointment in his voice. 'Master Sting told me she was already on a different mission, so she is unable to help us.'
Lucy looked at Master Bob and then looked back at Laxus.
'You heard him,' said Laxus while shrugging his shoulders. His grin was gone, but she could see a small glimpse in his eyes. He was toying with her.
'Some people can adapt, Laxus, while others…..I-I need more time. After Tartaros...I'm not ready to go on a mission,' said Lucy while unconsciously showing her insecurity.
'So you are afraid… As a mage you set your life on the line for others every day. If you are enable to overcome your demons, then you should retire. It has already been a year, so get over it!'
Lucy wanted to speak back…but she was unable to make the words. Laxus looked at her from head to toe and shook his head in the end.
'I guess you aren't a Fairy Tail mage after all, you don't even deserve that mark,' said Laxus and he walked to the door.
Lucy looked at her right hand, which had started to tremble of furiosity. Laxus was maybe an old Fairy Tail mage, but no one should speak for her, like they know everything about her. Her mother's death had been painful and after Aquarius... She looked at the Lightning Dragon Slayer's back. He was the same like everyone else. It was pissing her off.
'You don't know me, Laxus! I have my reasons! If you are such a know-it-all, why don't you solve this mission on your own!' yelled Lucy back.
Laxus stopped in the door opening with the doorknob in his hand.
'Blondie, I do not care about your reasons. If you want to join me, then join me. If you are unsure, then don't go and waste my time,' said Laxus bluntly, without turning around.
'Laxus, you could have said that differently,' said Master Bob concerned.
'It is how it is.' He turned around and looked at her directly.
'If you want to join then I will see you tomorrow, 8am at the train station. Any second later and I will leave without you.'
The Lightning Mage left the office. Lucy flinched back when she heard the slam of the door. Why was he mad? She was pissed off herself. How dares he?!
'Lucy-dear, do not take Laxus' word the wrong way. He was trying to help you,' said Master Bob while his right hand was resting on his cheek.
Lucy looked confused. How in hell was making her angry the same as helping her?
'He sees that you are unable to let go of Fairy Tail. He sees that you are struggling with the disbanding. He wanted to motivate you to join him on this mission in his own way. He probably thought that a mission would do you some good.'
'How do you know that?' asked Lucy while looking at Master Bob with pain in her eyes.
'I'm a guildmaster, just like Makarov we have taken care of so many different people. Laxus is cold and rough on the outside, but he would always help a friend in need, no matter the time or place.'
Hibiki nodded at that sentence.
'Laxus wasn't even an official member of Blue Pegasus, but when he heard Ichiya-san was kidnapped, he immediately took action to rescue him,' said Hibiki with a smile.
Lucy looked at her guildmark on her right hand. Thoughts of her friends were crossing her mind, followed by an image of Aquarius and an image of her mother. Time passed and Lucy finally sighed. The frustration was gone and doubt had taken its place.
'The quest sounds really dangerous, but I will think about it,' said Lucy after some silence.
'You don't have to worry about your work, I will call Jason for you. My only worry is where you are going to sleep tonight. We have some spare rooms upstairs,' said Master Bob.
'And otherwise, I'm sure some members can provide you a comfortable bed for tonight,' said Hibiki with a smile.
Lucy shook her head. 'I had already reserved a room at an inn, so I will be fine, thank you. Master Bob, when I know my answer I will let you know. If it is ok, I will take my leave now. To be honest, I need some fresh air.'
Lucy smiled to the two man in the room, clearly with tens in her body. Master Bob nodded.
The Celestial Mage left the guild and could feel the cold wind on her skin. Her keys were radiating their usual warmth and calmed her down. She loved her spirits, they would be there whenever she needed them. Her fingertips were touching the keys one for one, until it rested on the broken key of Aquarius.
She closed the door of her room at the inn and swung her coat over a chair. Lucy laid down on her bed, after she had undone her feet of her fluffy warm boots. Her head started to clear up. The conversation she had. The rage she had felt.
Every word that Laxus had said, made her lost for words. His words felt like a slam in her face, while it pushed her in a familiar direction she had been trying to avoid for a year. Yes of course, it had hurt her how she didn't deserve her Fairy Tail mark and he probably went over the line right there. But he was right about everything else. She was afraid and she was a mage in her heart...her reasons doesn't matter, as a mage you need to overcome them.
Her heart started to beat faster by the thought of a new adventure. The doubt because of her losses over the years were making her quiet on the same time. She had trained for a reason and it would be foolish to deny her excitement.
'Maybe I have run away from my problems, far too long,' said Lucy finally to herself, when the last pieces of rage had left her body.
She looked outside of her window noticing the clear sky. The stars were shining brightly tonight and a smile was crawling on her face. She had made up her mind. People were disappearing and other innocent people could die because of these storms. If the source of this unnatural phenomenon was really based on Celestial Magic, then she was the best candidate to solve this mystery. And it is a mission with Laxus Dreyar S-Class Mage. Any opponent would be defeated before she could even notice them.
The next morning she ran to the train station and saw Laxus standing there with his bag ready with two train tickets in his hand, like he knew she would come along with him.
That is it for day 1! Lucy will not be that angst. She is ready to move on, but she just needed a slightly push. Tomorrow their mission is going to begin with the theme 'Mine'.
Laxus saving Ichiya is from the manga spin off Fairy Tail: Lightning God, I'm also trying to get his character traits right. Always difficult not to get OC, but I will try my best.
If you were curious how I got the idea of these creatures. My inspiration came by mixing two elements:
[Sound] Lord of the Rings (Screams of a Nazgûl)
[Abilities] Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (forest scene). A creature who is blind and respond to movement. They live in the shadows and merged with the shadow completely.
I have already used a version in LaLu week 2016 in chapter 6 – Games, but then slightly different.