Whoop Whoop! Day 2!
This reminder will be placed in every chapter. The sound effects can be found on youtu . be (copy paste without space). The sound effects are marked in the story. The scream is like mix between a Nazgûl scream and a baby pig scream. It is up to you if you want to look it up. 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 story.
Chapter 2: Mine
'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
-0o0-
It takes them at least seven hours before they will reach the town of Benitoite. Five hours before their train reach its end station Clover Town and two hours to climb their way up to the start of the mountain area on foot. Benitoite is a small mountain village near the mountain Arenal that is lying north-east from Fiore. Lucy is more of a summer then a winter person, so she had never traveled too much up in the north. The closest near Mount Arenal would be Wendy's previous guild Cait Shelter. Even though she had never been to Benitoite, she had read about the village when she was still living with her father. Even her mother had some exclusive jewelry from that place. The origin of high society "pride" were mostly associated with the gems they were wearing and the village Benitoite could provide them of those luxuries. She had read that the village Benitoite got its name because of the gem 'Benitoite'. The gem they have been mining for centuries had provided the village enough money to make a more than decent living. Benitoite is an expensive gem that can light up under specific circumstances. The mine itself was even a famous attraction for tourist, but after a landslide accident, the mine has been closed. In that accident three years ago at least 46 people got killed and 17 people got hurt. The mine was too dangerous and too unstable. It was going to take a lot of money to get the mine in its former glory. No one knows why the villagers have declined the restoration's' offer. They had the money, but they simply declined. The villagers kept the mining problem to themselves and...now they had another issue. The Ethernano storms that are tormenting their crops and their homes. Getting help from outside was already a challenge on itself, due to the fact that it is only possible to enter their village through the rocky-terrain by horse or by foot. Word got out, but apparently too late for the missing people.
Lucy sighed in relief when she entered the latest train compartment. The compartment was quite empty in comparison with the rest of the train. Lucy took a seat next to the window and was surprised when Laxus took the seat next to her. He laid down his bag on the opposite seat and placed his legs on it. Blocking two free spots in the process. Lucy didn't asked, what he was doing. Maybe this was his way of traveling? She grabbed a book she got from Grandpa Crux and started to read. Any other passengers wasn't even getting in their head to ask the Lightning Dragon Slayer to move his feet away. Laxus sat silently with his headphones on, eyes closed and his arms crossed under his chest. His feet didn't move, until an old lady approached him. Lucy couldn't hide her smile when Laxus had helped the old lady with her luggage. The lady took the seat opposite of Lucy at the window and thanked the young man for his help. She greeting Lucy and the old lady opened a newspaper. Laxus placed his feet back on his bag and sat silently enjoying his music. It was rush-hour and Lucy knew how busy it can be during this time of period. They had a spot to sit and that was the only thing that mattered for her at the moment. The Celestial Mage noticed the warmth of her keys and heard Virgo talking in her head. This mission had come in a rush and Lucy came to Blue Pegasus with an interview in mind, not for a complete mountain hike. For that reason she had asked Virgo to pack as many stuff as possible at Lucy's home and to hold it for her in the Celestial World. The chance was high she had forgotten something, but this was better than nothing. Lucy thanked her spirit with a smile. She could always count on her spirits and they were the best friends she could have ever wished for. They were there for her after the Tartaros event and they were for her when her mother had died.
After 35 minutes, the Celestial mage shook her head and saw the swarm of people at the next station. The annoyed looks on the people's faces said enough. Rush-hour and not enough compartments to give everyone a seat. The swarm entered the train and Lucy noticed how greedy some passengers were. Like stress was building up in their system seeing a free seat and the only thing people were thinking was "mine mine MINE". Like hungry dogs lurking for a bone. The free seats in the compartment were starting to fill. The people who were simply too late were standing in the middle of the compartment path. Lucy looked at Laxus' feet that were still occupying a free spot. It was not like no one knew about that free seat, it was more that Laxus was scaring them away without even a movement. Lucy had laughed sheepishly, by the men and women who had the courage to approach him. They left in defeat, without even getting a response from the Lightning Mage. One man however kept trying. Laxus was still sitting silently with his headphones on, eyes closed and his arms crossed under his chest. Lucy was holding her breath when she noticed what the man was trying to do. The Lightning Dragon Slayer opened one of his eyes and glared at the hand that had shook him on his shoulder. This man knew that Laxus was awake, but the man was radiating another level of irritation to understand the situation he had brought himself into. The man looked at the old lady, hoping to have a better chance with a glare in his eyes. The old lady looked at Laxus and back at the young man. The glare of the young man was making her uncomfortable. Lucy noticed the slight tremble in the old lady's body.
'I'm…,' said the old lady, unable to finish her line.
The man took a step forward and stood now against Laxus' legs. The Lightning Dragon Slayer other eye opened and he looked at the man annoyed. The old lady flinched back by the sudden invisible pressure of the man directed to her.
'I'm…' tried the old lady again.
Lucy stood up and took her stance between the old lady and the irritated man. He looked at the smiling innocent face of the Celestial Mage and then back at Laxus.
'Is he your boyfriend?' asked the man irritated while pointing to the grumpy Lightning Slayer.
'He is my partner, but I need to apologize, there aren't any free seats here,' laughed Lucy sheepishly.
'Well tell your partner, I need to travel for two hours and I am not gonna stand, what right does he has to occupy two seats!?' yelled the man angry while grabbing Lucy's arm.
She flinched by his sudden movement and needed to concentrate on her spirits to keep them in check. Lucy could understand her spirits, but even if this man was rude and rough, he was still an innocent passenger without any magical powers. In no way, she was going to let her spirits beat-up this man.
Laxus noticing the magic that the keys were radiating and looked at the man, who was harassing the Celestial Mage. The old lady unsure how to deal with the angry man in this whole situation was looking at the young man.
'I was keeping that spot free for someone,' said Laxus finally.
Lucy noticed how the man's hand had tightened around her arm, when he heard that. She kept her innocent smile on her face, but a small drop of her sweat became visible on her face. Suppressing four golden keys at once was hard, but not impossible.
'As far as I can see is that person not around. So I'm allowed to sit there,' said the man not backing down.
'Mother? Mother, are you ok?' asked another passenger.
The man turned around and noticed a woman coming through the crowd. Laxus finally moved his legs, he stood up and grabbed his bag.
'You are a selfish bastard aren't you?' asked Laxus.
The man eyes widened. Why was he selfish, when that young man was occupying a free seat?
'Scaring an old lady, harassing my...partner and taking a seat away from a pregnant woman.'
The man noticed that people in the compartment had been looking at him, during the whole conversation. His irritation had become dull and whispers of his fellow travelers were reaching his ears.
'A fight?'
'Why is he holding her like that?'
'That girl looks in pain, is she alright?'
'Taking a seat from a pregnant woman, what a bastard.'
The whispers started to get louder and the man looked at his hand and then at the pregnant woman who was now practical standing next to him. The belly of the woman was now clearly visible. He felt an uneasy pressure from behind and sweat was getting visible on his head.
'Will you release my partner?' asked Laxus dangerously low.
The man released Lucy's arm and he immediately pushed his way out through the crowd in the compartment.
'Mother, I have been looking for you!'
The old lady and the pregnant woman hugged each other.
'I was so worried, I should have picked you up,' said the young woman.
'Nonsense, I'm maybe old, but I can take a train on my own.'
'But you never go on your own with the train.'
There was a pause and the old lady looked slowly at Laxus
'...I had some help,' said the old lady.
The pregnant woman looked at the Lightning Mage on her opposite seat.
'This seat is for me?'
Laxus didn't say anything. He took care of the woman's bag and sat down. The woman bowed to him as a thank you and took her seat next to her mother. In the meanwhile, Lucy looked at the ladies in front of her, then back at Laxus. She sat down quietly and tried to listen to the ladies conversation. Apparently Laxus was the person who had helped the old lady getting the right ticket and train. He knew she was going to Clover Town with her pregnant daughter and that was the reason he had kept that seat occupied until she would arrive.
Lucy's spirits were calming down and she sighed. She rubbed slightly on her arm and noticed a stare from the slayer next of her.
'Have they calmed down?' asked Laxus.
Lucy eyes widened and he looked at him.
'How…?'
She didn't finish her question and shook her head. He is a Dragon Slayer. His senses are sharp. He had probably sensed the magic that was radiating from her keys.
'Yes...they have calmed down, thank you for asking,' said Lucy with a smile.
Laxus just shrugged and went back to his music. The train rode further and Lucy noticed the noise was getting louder in the compartment. She looked at Laxus and noticed the volume of his headphone had gotten louder as well. She couldn't really hear the lyrics, but the beat was telling her that he was listening to rock music. Not really her music, but she could appreciate a little bit of rock during her workouts. Working out on classical music just felt wrong and not motivating at all.
Virgo's key warmed up and without Lucy keeping her gate closed, a light appeared in the compartment. Some passengers screamed slightly from shock by the sudden appearance. It was already crowded last stand with this sudden visitor. Virgo was standing in her usual maid clothes and had Lucy's personal lacrima in her hands.
'Princess, you have a personal call, punishment?' asked Virgo with no emotion on her face.
'Oh my,' said the old lady curiously.
Lucy eyes widened when she noticed how the compartment had become silent in a flash. Only the music of Laxus could be heard echoing on the background. Whispers of her being a mistress was now going through the apartment. A wrinkle was forming on Lucy's head, by hearing those words.
"These people are unbelievable," thought Lucy annoyed.
Laxus snorted and he quickly moved his body back to normal, like he was sleeping, when he felt Lucy's eyes glaring at him.
"Not you too," thought Lucy in unbelief.
Lucy calmed herself down, grabbed her personal lacrima from her spirit while keeping her smile in place.
'Thank you Virgo, that is all.'
Virgo bowed and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. The Celestial Mage looked at her lacrima and saw Jason's head. Knowing she would get a yelling at any moment. She did go on a mission with Laxus, without discussing her upcoming deadlines. The papers that needed to be done...Lucy sighed again, preparing herself for the worse. She pushed a little bit of magic through the lacrima and Jason's sick face showed up.
'I know Jason. I'm so sorry. I….'
'COOOOL!' yelled Jason with a rough voice.
'You get to see Laxus Dreyar fight from up close. This interview will be so COOOOLLL!'
Lucy sighed again. "I should have known," Lucy thought to herself and a little laugh was slipping from her lips. This was going to be a long day.
* Five Hours Later *
With every station they had crossed, the compartment was getting more and more empty. At Clover Town they waved their goodbyes to the ladies that had accompanied them in the train. The ladies wanted to give Laxus something for his help, but he simply declined it.
He even had declined Lucy's offer to keep his bag in the Celestial World. Lucy couldn't understand why he said no to that, it is easier to climb up a mountain without any luggage then with luggage at all. She sighed, while thinking what was up ahead. She had trained her condition in the past year, but climbing a mountain was not her expertise.
She looked at the large back that was walking in front of her. Laxus had been silent for the whole trip so far. He was observant, she knew that. Master Bob had tried to describe him and Lucy think he wasn't far off from the truth. Even though, Laxus wasn't good with words, he was helping others in his own way. The event on the train was a good example of that. It was hard to imagine that the Laxus from the Battle of Fairy tail was the same Laxus that was walking in front of her. He had changed in the years, in a good way. He was still cocky...yes still cocky, but he wasn't power consumed anymore.
Due to that, Lucy had a feeling that Laxus wasn't that kind of person to ask for help himself. The pale color on his face after the train ride, suggested that he had motion sickness just like Natsu. He didn't say anything about it, didn't warned her or wasn't showing any weaknesses. But she knew he wasn't feeling well.
'How are you doing?' Lucy asked.
She was met with silence.
'Do you like Blue Pegasus?' Lucy asked after the five minutes silence.
No response again.
'Any ideas for this mission?'
…
'I have seen you fighting and all, but is there anything I need to know?'
Lucy shook her head. It was useless to ask more. Starting a conversation seemed to be harder then she thought. She didn't mind the silence, during the train trip. She was doing her thing and he was doing his. Now...now they were the only two people on the road with no distraction of a book to keep her mind occupied.
Lucy thought about her luggage in the Celestial World. They had eaten food in the train and she had some more sandwiches and water in her bag, but if they need to stay more than a couple of days on Mount Arenal, they would run low on supplies. Maybe the village could provide them for some food? Especially water would be a problem in the mountains, no electricity... If she had known about this a couple days ago, then she wouldn't be thinking now about these unnecessary issues. Lucy's mind went on and on about the mission, the possible dangers and the food issues. Laxus stopped in his track and turned around. Lucy was standing still, clearly in thoughts.
'Are you tired already?' asked Laxus while looking at her.
Lucy looked up and noticed how the distance had grown in the time she had been thinking. Since when was she standing still? She shook her head clear.
'Huh! Of course not!'
And she ran to him to get back on track.
After two hours they had finally reached the village Benitoite. Lucy was sweating from the two hours climb and she looked around her. The village was silent, almost like a ghost town.
"Great...more silence," thought Lucy.
The whole trip to Benitoite had made something very clear. Team Natsu and Jason had one thing in common. Silence wasn't in their dictionary. She had never felt in her life as awkward as in those two hours hike. Her mouth wanted to ask, wanted to speak, to break the silence. Lucy looked at Laxus, noticing how he was checking the surroundings.
"I guess I should do the same," thought Lucy, unsure where to begin.
After a couple minutes to catch her breath, she saw an apple on the ground. She kneeled down and looked at the apple more closely. Someone had taken a bite from it not long ago. The yellow color from the flesh of the apple had just started to get brown, but it was clearly fresh. And the teeth marks suggested a human and not an animal. Were there even animals here? It was quiet...no birds were chirping, no mountain goats or stags had jumped out of their sight. There was no life to be found, except for this apple. So there were still people in the neighborhood.
'Laxus?' asked Lucy unsure if he would respond now.
He kept his thoughts to himself, looking around him while he slowly made his way to Lucy. The Celestial Mage felt the uneasiness. He had finally responded to her...in a way...and their first clue is going to be an apple?
'Someone had tried to eat this apple, very recently,' said Lucy as normal as possible.
Laxus ignoring the awkwardness that Lucy's body was spreading, he narrowed on the apple and then on another piece on the ground.
'The person have spat it even out, what isn't a surprise.'
Lucy's left eyebrow went up. Trying to think for herself. Laxus was clearly not a person to give the answer on a big serving plate.
'Because of the Ethernano storms? Conclusion, all the grounds around this mountain are contaminated?'
Laxus nodded.
'So...Don't touch anything unnecessary?' asked Lucy, while Laxus walked towards the closest house.
No answer….
'I guess that is a yes,' whispered Lucy, while picking her own house for inspection.
After an hour, Lucy walked to him after finishing her fifth house.
'Nothing, but something is clearly off,' said Lucy. 'Did you had anything?'
She was met with silence.
'I guess that is a no.'
Lucy sighed.
'Can you smell any corpses or human scents at all in this village?'
There was again no response.
Lucy stood next to him, looking at the sun that had started to go under. A smelling sound from Laxus' nose had pulled her attention. His face was concentrated and his eyes went from the sky to the mountain. She hadn't seen his face while asking those questions, so maybe…
'Laxus?'
'Sssh.'
Laxus' wasn't liking the situation of the village at all. There were no human scents except for him and Blondie, not even dead bodies. Like the village had been abandoned for hundreds of years. That doesn't make any fucking sense. If villagers got kidnapped, they leave a trial. If people die, they leave a trial. It is like they never existed. Even some households supposed to have a dog or a cat, but even they are gone. Laxus had tried to smell some personal belongings of people, but even those objects had no scent. Plus the lack of animals in general on their way to this village had made him on edge. Ethernano storms are silent killers for wild animals. Some animals would detect the danger and move to a different location, but most of the animals would just stay and leave a clue of life.
The Lightning Dragon Slayer looked at the footprint he had found through the village. Lucy unsure if she was allowed to speak followed his gaze. A footprint?
'There were more through the village, not so different, but also not the same,' said Laxus while in thought.
Lucy took a closer look. There were four holes in the ground. Three on top and one at the bottom.
A bird? No...maybe a reptile? No… Lucy had never seen these kind of footprints and seeing Laxus' face, she wasn't the only one. What kind of animal can it be?
Laxus turned around by hearing human voices in the distance.
'We are getting company,' said Laxus.
Lucy's hand automatically went to her keys.
'Enemies?'
Laxus nodded.
'How do you know that?'
'Firstly they possess magical powers and secondly they are talking about the mine.'
Electricity was sparking around his body and a smirk was crawling on the edge of his mouth.
'What are we going to do?' asked Lucy trying to understand what was going on in Laxus' mind.
'Obvious, we defeat them.'
Lucy's eyes widened.
'Wait,' said Lucy quickly to make him stop.
'What?' asked Laxus annoyed, while he subdued his electricity.
'If they are mages, we should follow them. Maybe they will guide us to the origin or any other clue for that matter. We have almost nothing at this moment.'
'We can also get that information while defeating them,' said Laxus while cracking his knuckles.
Lucy grabbed Laxus' signature black coat that was not hanging on his shoulders this time, but being worn in a normal way due to the cold.
'And then what, you cannot guarantee you will get the right information from them. They could lie to you.'
'And your plan is solid?' Laxus snarled back.
'No but my way will give us more options. Maybe they are friendly mages from a different guild. Maybe they are from the council. Maybe they are dark mages. Who knows! But we should observe them.'
Laxus growled in annoyance. Lucy flinched slightly by that sound. Maybe she preferred a silent Laxus above a snarling, growling Laxus. The situation wasn't asking for much arguing, but Laxus wasn't liking her plan that was for sure. Laxus moved away from the village and she simply followed him, unsure how the Thunder God Tribe would have handled this situation.
'Dude! This is a goldmine!' yelled one of the mages.
Ten people with swords, axes and scars on their faces had reached the village Benitoite.
'Maybe you are right for once. No one is home and the gems are here for the taking,' said another mage.
The leader of the group laughed softly.
'Search the houses, take anything you can find.'
'Yes, leader,' said everyone at the same time.
Pots were breaking and objects were moved. The houses were being searched one for one. Minutes went by and one of the thieves came out of a house with jewels in his hands. He noticed the apple on the ground. He picked it up. Tried to clean it with his coat and took a good chump out of the apple. The taste was bad, but he didn't care. Today was going to be a good day.
Laxus and Lucy sat silently behind some rocks on a hill observing the bandits. They saw and heard people moving in and out of the empty houses.
'They are simply bandits,' said Lucy disappointed.
'Tch.'
Lucy glanced at her hands on her knees. Laxus was angry that was obvious. The Slayer stood up and walked to the edge of the hill, electricity spreading around his body, ready to give the bandits a surprise. Lucy wanted to follow him, knowing that Laxus' beating up plan had gotten into play, but stiffened when a cold wind blew through her hair. The wind had always been cold during these days, but something was off. She doesn't know why, but fear was crawling in her spine.
[1]
"This sound!" Lucy thought to herself. The rhyme of grandpa Crux came to her mind.
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.
'Shit!' Lucy cursed to herself. She fought the fear in her legs and ran to Laxus as quickly as she could.
'Laxus! Stop!' yelled Lucy in despair.
Her eyes widened, knowing her mistake.
'Who's there!' yelled one of the bandits that had heard Lucy's voice. A couple of bandits had stopped their ravaging and made themself ready for a fight. Some grabbed their weapon while others activated their magic. Laxus turned around, being even angrier than he original was. Electricity still sparking around his body. Laxus wasn't angry that the bandits had discovered them. He loved a good fight above being stealthy in the first place, but the lack of brains from the Blondie was making him wonder if stupidity from Natsu had been contagious. He thought she was the brain of that team, but apparently he was wrong. Speaking against his order is something he can handle, but now she was yelling at him. The whole mountain knows where they are.
And her blunder didn't ended there. He felt a hand on his arm that was followed by a soft hiss sound. Laxus looked at the woman, with burning marks on her hand. Blondie felt more and more as a burden.
'Not very smart, Blondie!' growled Laxus annoyed.
Electricity had been crawling on his skin, who in the right mind, would touch him? Well clearly this woman!
Lucy wanted to punch herself in the head, but her mind was panicking. They needed to get away from here. That sound! She had heard the warning of the four strokes.
'Laxus, we need to take cover and be quiet. The four strokes. I have heard them.'
Laxus raised one of his eyebrows.
'You got to be fucking kidding me. First you were yelling and now we need to be quiet. There are no four strokes...'
'There they are! Don't let them get away!' yelled another bandit.
'...What I have heard is your screaming my name, to give away our position. Now get ready to fight, Blondie!' yelled Laxus angry.
'No, Laxus you don't understand, we need to…'
Lucy's eyes widened when terrifying screams were filling the air.
The bandits stopped in their tracks and looked around them.
'What the hell was that!' yelled the leader of the bandits.
'I don't know,' answered one of the bandits that was trying to find some protection near his leader.
A man that had just finished his apple was looking at the ground, when he noticed a footprint he had never seen before. It started with only one, but then more footprints started to form in the ground in his direction. He channeled some of his magic and rocks were forming on his body. A sharp rock got formed in his hand and he threw a rock in the footprints direction. There was nothing there and the rock just simply bounced on the ground. The bandit hold his breath. It must be in his head...yeah. There was nothing there…. His eyes widened, when the footprints in form of a claw was speeding up in his way. The bandit started to sprint away, unaware that his movements were giving away his position to the creature that had come to haunt his nightmares.
Laxus stood still and looked at the village below them. The high pitched scream made him on high alert. Lucy had heard something. Something that his ears couldn't hear. He didn't believe her, but he was able to hear that scream. That was not a scream of a human, but more of a beast and his instincts were telling him to run away. Running away? Him? The Slayer looked down and noticed that the bandits who had seen them, were less interested now in them and where more focused on the panic that had formed in the group.
'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,' whispered Lucy to Laxus to get his attention.
Laxus looked at her with confusion on his face.
'Do not move, do not speak, until you hear a scream so high from its beak,' she whispered again.
'That's…'
Laxus couldn't finish his sentence when they heard a scream of man.
'AAAAAAAAAAH.'
Laxus and Lucy looked down again, noticing that the bandits had started to fire their magic in every direction possible. Laxus looked closely and noticed how one of the bandits had simply disappeared in thin air.
'Shit,' said Laxus softly and his instinct was screaming even louder in his head.
They heard again a high pitched scream and Laxus wasn't going to wait any longer. His electricity around his body was gone and he pulled Lucy up as a sack potato on his shoulder.
'Laxus,' whispered Lucy.
Laxus wasn't listening and he ran away from the village, towards the mine he had spotted in the distance. Screams of the bandits were followed up by a high-pitched scream a minute later. One for one the screams subdued until there was nothing left. Lucy was covering her mouth with one hand while glancing at the ground.
"Do not move, do not speak, until you hear a scream so high from its beak."
What had attacked those bandits in the village, is possible alerted by sound. They had gotten away because of Laxus' quick thinking. The creature's high-pitched scream had deafened their noise and therefore their position! Lucy's body was trembling, she could detect a mixed feeling radiating from her spirits. Fear...resolve….and sadness? Lucy looked up. Laxus had been running for ten minutes straight to a destination unknown for her. It had gotten dark and it was hard to see the village in the distance. Wind was touching her skin. Her eyes widened and her other hand went up to her mouth. They were close…! She doesn't know what or who. But something was following them. How? She started to listen and could hear the sound of Laxus' boots on the ground. The wheels in her head started to spin. They are moving, they are making a sound! These unknown creatures could hear them even from this distance!? As long as they are making a sound, these creatures will be able to find them. This is going to sound stupid, but they need to stop moving! Lucy looked further up when she noticed they had entered a cave.
Laxus' breathing was heavy and he set Blondie down on her feet. The Dragon Slayer focused on his senses, but was unable to hear clearly because of the wind that was pushing against the mountain.
Lucy blinked a couple times to adjust to the darkness, but it was really hard to see. She looked around her, the entrance and some big piles of rocks were the only thing she could see. It would be dangerous to move any further without some light. Apparently Laxus was thinking the same thing...
'I will make some light,' said Laxus while opening the palm of his left hand.
'No,' whispered Lucy while placing her hand on his arm.
Laxus got annoyed again.
'What is it now?'
Lucy tried to pull him, but he didn't budge.
'We are not safe yet….those creatures….You got to believe me. They are following us,' whispered Lucy softly.
'Who are they, how can you be so fucking sure?'
'I don't know... I-I can feel it alright. Please believe me. We need to be quiet en sit still until they are gone.'
'And when is that going to be?'
'I...I-I guess, the sound of f-four strokes…' said Lucy unsure.
Laxus sighed...again this nonsense about four strokes. He wanted to argue, but apparently they were not allowed to have a conversation. He pulled her quickly behind the big pile of rocks. He moved his head slightly around the pile and looked at the entrance of the mine. He could recognize one of the bandits. Or this bandit was smart or just as stupid...
The bandit was looking around him, after he had entered the mine. Laxus covered Lucy's mouth to be sure. He couldn't predict how she was going to respond. There was still enough light for him to see the surroundings. He understood the situation. The enemy is only one man. As long as Lucy is quiet he can take care of their stalker in a second.
'Damnit,' cursed the bandit softly behind his teeth.
Lucy's eyes widened. Understanding, what Laxus' reason was to move them behind the pile of rocks. She felt with her hands on the ground and noticed that the ground was very coarse and soft. Her hand went to the pile of rocks behind her and noticed how a large hole had started to form around the rocks. Like its weight was pushing it down. The cave had already collapsed once….and the villagers didn't wanted a renovation….What if they didn't wanted a renovation because…
'I know you guys are here. Dude, give me the blond woman and I will keep you alive!' yelled the bandit with all his courage.
After the third scream, the bandit thought it was smarter to run after two bystanders then to stay close to an invisible creature that was picking out his friends one for one. He was unsure what had happened in the village, but in no way is he going empty handed. He had noticed the blond woman on that guy's back. He was sure, he would get a high price on the slavery market for her.
"So he is stupid," thought Laxus.
Laxus wanted to smirk at this retard of a bandit, but his instinct was yelling in his mind again. He looked down at Lucy and noticed that the blond was responding to something as well. Her eyes became wider and her heartbeat was getting louder.
'It's no use to hide! I will blow up this whole mine if I have to!' yelled the bandit again.
Yellow fire was merging from his hand and flew in the air next to the bandit. Lucy blinked a couple of times and noticed the walls around them. The walls were looking weak and the coarse ground between her fingers had changed into powder. If her theory was right, then this mine could collapse any moment. Starting a fight here would not be the smartest thing to do.
A high-pitched scream was filling the air and the bandit turned around.
'Shit!' he yelled when more fire was forming in his hand.
"I don't know what they are, but they aren't going to get me!" thought the bandit.
The bandit fired just above the entrance and ran a couple meters away from it. The entrance had collapsed and more rocks were falling down.
Laxus was covering Lucy's body and made them small as possible. Laxus noticed a sigh of relief from the bandit. A sigh of relief? Really? Laxus wasn't sure if this bandit was crazy or stupid, maybe both! The bandit however looked proud of his plan. His plan had worked, the entrance was now completely sealed off. He didn't know what kind of creatures had made his friends disappear, but in no way is he going to get this opportunity slip.
"In no way are they going to get me," the bandit thought.
He looked at the blocked entrance and his eyes widened when footprints were forming on the ground just in front of the pile of rubble of an entrance.
"It went through the wall?" thought the bandit in disbelief.
'No...that is not possible,' said the bandit in panic.
The creature responded to those words and walked to him.
'NOOOOOOO!'
The bandit fired his magic at the invisible monster, while screaming for his life. His magic went out of control and a fireball blasted against the pile of rocks where Laxus and Lucy had been hiding. The pile of rocks collapsed on them and the sudden shift of the weight made the earth under them collapse. Lucy and Laxus fell down into the depths. Laxus wanted to curse and shifted in the air with Lucy in his arms. His back slammed into the ground. He gasped for air and opened quickly his eyes. He saw rocks falling their way. He quickly turned himself with Lucy still in his arms around and that was the last thing he could remember.
Lucy opened her eyes and was unable to see her surrounding. Her body felt painful and heavy. Dust was filling her lungs and it was difficult to keep herself from coughing. She covered her mouth with her hand and with the other hand she went down to something warm and big that was lying on her body. She could conclude from the scar on the face that it was Laxus, but he was not responding to her touch. Lucy's eyes widened when she felt something wet on his forehead.
"Blood?" thought Lucy.
She had wanted to check on him, but felt how her body stiffened. Again the same chill was crawling over her. Those creatures were getting closer. Probably the collapse and their fall had made a lot of noise. Lucy was holding her breath, while covering her mouth with her hands. She tried to concentrate on Laxus' body. The soft movements of his chest she felt on her upper legs was all she needed to know for now. Laxus was alive! He was alive! Probably heavily injured on the head, but alive. Now the question was for how long. Their situation was dire. The surrounding was getting colder and Lucy noticed how the fear was trying to take over. She needed to calm down!
"Do not move, do not speak, until you hear a scream so high from its beak. Do not move, do not speak, until you hear a scream so high from its beak…." Lucy said over and over again in her head. It wasn't getting the fear away, but it gave her at least some control. By concentrating on that little rhyme she was able to move her mind away from the danger. After ten minutes that had felt like an hour, she heard a high-pitched scream that was followed by four strokes.
[2]
Lucy didn't dare to move yet until her heart had calmed down. The fear she had been feeling was ebbing away. She couldn't explain it, but she knew the creature or creatures were gone.
'L-L….'
It felt like there was a block in her throat. It was hard to swallow and her voice wasn't coming out.
'L…L-a-a...'
It was no use….She moved her hands from his head to his neck and she was able to measure a heartbeat.
They were trapped in a mine, but alive.
That is it for day 2! Don't play with fire in caves ok! ...hmm, just don't play with fire in general. I'm guessing that is the golden tip here!
I know that Lucy made some obvious errors here, but she is getting there. She is now unaware of her fear for those creatures. Because the anxiety, she cannot think really straight at the moment. Yelling to Laxus for example. Plus the fact that she has been on a hiatus for missions for almost a year. Tomorrow you will find out how they will survive in the mines with the theme Snowflake!
Don't get used to the long chapters :P. Tomorrow the chapter will be shorter.