Chapter XV

Natsu's injuries were tended to, but the boy was still unconscious. It had been two days since the incident, and Lucy wondered if he would ever wake up. Surely he will, she told herself, sitting in a chair next to his bed. He's Natsu.

"Natsu…" Happy's voice muttered behind her. The blonde looked over her shoulder to hear the rest. "If you die, I'll never forgive you."

Neither will I, Lucy thought to herself. She turned back to the pink-haired fireball. Please wake up soon.

As she finished her thought, Anna came in. "He's still unconscious?"

"Yeah…" Lucy answered, not taking her eyes off him. "Do you know if he'll wake up anytime soon?"

"Physically, there's nothing wrong enough to keep him in this state. If my suspicions are correct, there's something bigger going on inside."

Happy sniffed. "What can we do?"

"Pray that something, or someone, brings him back. For now, Lucy, we should focus on your magic," Anna suggested. "When he does wake up, he may not be strong enough to defend himself."

"But he's Natsu," Happy objected indignantly.

Anna disregarded him. "Let's go, Lucy. I'll teach you all about those celestial beings."

"R-Right." Though she was hesitant to leave his side, Lucy complied.

She followed Anna to a clearing in the nearby woods. It seemed like a peaceful spot to learn new things.

"Alright," the older blonde began, addressing the area around them. "Pick a spot to relax."

Lucy did so, sitting with her legs criss-crossed. It was the center of the clearing, where the light shone brightest. She turned to look back at the older woman, who was smiling at her.

"That's my favorite spot, too," Anna informed her. "I can always find peace there."

Lucy smiled back at her.

"Now," Anna said, commencing the lesson. "Close your eyes and meditate. No matter what, do NOT open your eyes."

Lucy did as she was told. The world soon went black around her when she shut it out. All was quiet, but peaceful, just as the older woman had mentioned.

She listened as she heard the wind whisper barely audible words, and she swore she could hear the sound of a falling leaf passing her ear. The sun's rays hit the girl's face with a comforting warmth, but there was a cold bite on her cheeks following a gentle passing breeze. The clearing smelled of dying flowers, and the ground was cold underneath her. When the wind picked up, Lucy could hear the sound of more falling leaves and their dry crunching noise when they hit the ground or each other.

From somewhere in the distance, she could hear Anna calling, "Summon the celestial spirits from within you!"

Anna's voice was growing fainter, and Lucy suddenly felt outside of herself. Outside of her own body. She listened as the last utterance of Anna's words made their way into her subconscious, and a bright light shone from within.