AN: So this chapter is the longest one I've written so far and I hope you all enjoy. I hope to get at least one other out before Christmas maybe two if my muse is kind.
Thanks for all the comments, PMs, feedback and support you've all given me. A few have asked for more Lucy pairings with Zen or Kaleb or Vander stories and I wanted to let you guys know I've been playing with a few storylines with that in mind for either my next multiple chapter story or potential one-two shots. If you haven't read Pradesh posted by Desna yet I do have a Bickslow story and a Zen-Lucy Christmas gift story posted there that I wrote for Desna. I might post them alone eventually but for now I'm more concerned with writing new material. I hope to write another Lucy one shot before Christmas so keep a look out for that.
Ok now on to the chapter.
-Chapter 21-
Without warning Bickslow scooped up Erza in his arms and hopped on his babies. He'd waited too god damn long to be with this woman and while the timing wasn't ideal he was not going to wait a second longer. He was going to take them to his room and not come out until it was at least noon. It may still look like it belonged to an adolescent boy complete with monster movie posters, famous wizard figurines and his first wood carved projects but it was comfortable and private up on the second story. He slid open his window and helped Erza inside before being pulled in then pressed harshly against the wall from the force of a fierce kiss. There was nothing soft and sweet about it, teeth clashing, lips bruising, but Gods was it satisfying in its wild passion as the two wizards finally found their moment to be together. No more interruptions.
Erza wasted no time getting her hands on Bickslow's body practically tearing into his clothes. Since the night he'd taken her dancing she'd wanted to run her hands over the muscles his normal armored getup hid so effectively. Dig her nails into his naked shoulders while she rode him for all she was worth. Requipping out of her typical breastplate, gauntlets, white blouse and blue skirt in a shower of sparkles Erza pressed her freed breasts into his much larger and firmer body reveling in the skin contact, how his hard angles shaped her soft curves, how as she moved to lavish kisses and bites across his chest her nipples moved just enough to tease her, nerve endings lighting up like fireworks. She loved how Bickslow let his hands explore every little bit of her body almost just like how she'd been fantasizing he'd do for what felt like forever now. Their tongues wrestled fiercely for control as Erza let her hands wandered down his body gripping his bare ass grinding her hips against his.
Bickslow groaned as she continued grinding into his already very painful erection. She pressed her chest harder into his body increasing the friction as her mouth sucked on his shoulder and hands massaging his backside. When her mouth finally broke away so she could breathe she stared trailing little kisses down the path her hands had made until she was kneeling before him licking up and down the sides of his cock faster than he could process. Damn is Erza was just having her way with him and her loved it. Her tongue curled around the piercing near the head and it about stole his breathe away.
"Fuuuck!" Bick's bit back trying to focus just enough his knees didn't give out, it had been way too fucking long. Her mouth was so hot and wet Bickslow was lost in pleasure he hadn't been ready when in true Erza fashion she took him all into her mouth without preamble. He could feel her throat constrict around him as she swallowed them hummed before pulling him out and repeating again.
"Gngh!" Bicks could even think, he was getting too close already (he blamed his abstaining from sex for so long) but he refused to cum until he'd given her at least one orgasm first. Grabbing her by the hair again he harshly pulled his goddess back up kissing her mouth harshly as he walked her backwards to his bed before shoving her down on the mattress and spreading her knees. Looking her straight in the eye Bickslow winked with his tongue lolling grin before diving in and making her scream.
Erza couldn't control her body anymore as her hips drove up to meet his tongue and her hands fisted in his blue black hair almost suffocating him with her strength in chasing to get more contact. Bickslow smiled against her lips loving the gasping mewls his little kitten made as he drove her into the heavens tongue buried deep in her core.
She couldn't last much longer from Bickslow's assault, that little piece of metal in his tongue driving her to her limits so quickly.
Bickslow could taste it, one more push and he'd have her screaming his name. Sealing his lips over her sensitive pearl he sucked hard pressing his piercing against is.
"Biiiiiiicks!" Erza cried her release came hard and she worried for have a second that her thighs clamping down on him might be too much for him to survive before all thinking became impossible. Bicks drew out her orgasm reveling in a job well done. Gods he could watch his kitten lose herself completely at his mercy over and over again. As she finally calmed he slowly made his way back up her body training lines over her heated flesh favoring a few little areas his brief exploration earlier yielded for the best reactions. One just under her heavy breast made his Amazonian warrior twitch and moan grasping at his sides.
Erza struggled to think beyond the sensations wanting more, needing control again. She was done waiting and wanted to explore his body and make it do her bidding so hooking their legs she flipped their positions pinning the seith mage down. She started with his well-defined abdomen letting her tongue outline each crease, licked around his navel before delving in then moving swiftly to the cut V over his hips that led to her prize once again. She'd barely gotten a true taste before, too zealous to prove herself accomplishments as a bed partner to her much more experienced lover, but now she was going to savor him like he was the intense super sweet strawberries she still yet to get her hands on they were so rare. It was like her own personal hell letting Asuka eat the only one she'd seen to date but she had picked it for the child and was honor bound to let it go.
Any other day and he'd of been happy to let Erza take charge and use him in any way she saw fit but today wasn't any other day. Too much had happened over the last few days that he'd been powerless to stop, help or change. What he needed right now was to know that he could still act and influence something outside of himself and driving his feisty little kitten to her end once was not enough. He needed to know he could control Erza completely if only just this once.
His eyes flashed green only briefly when Erza looked up at him while she was circling around the base of his dick giving him a brief and tenuous hold because of her magic eye but he used advantage to shift enough to free himself from her gasp and get the upper hand again. He now had Erza pinned on her chest arms pulled tight behind her back. He maneuvered her knees up and wide forcing her ass in the air. Gods the sight was beautiful, her wet nether lips just begging him for more attention.
Without hesitation he rammed into her glistening sex until his hips met her ass with a loud smack. The feeling of smooth wet tight heat surrounding his already near to bursting erection had him stopping to catch his breathe.
"Fuck. Me. Harder!" Erza commanded struggling to get free but only managing to rock enough it was more arousing than the satisfying friction she so desperately needed. He slapped her ass leaving her pale skin a bright pink, she hissed through the sting as Bickslow purposefully slowed their pace just to prove he could do with her as he liked. The one hand that didn't keep her pinned down leisurely stroked her abdomen and occasionally moved to pinch and twist her pebbled peaks just enough to elicit quiet mewls. He continued his torturously slow but firm pace until Erza finally stopped fighting and slumped moaning in an almost half cry from frustration giving Bickslow complete control. Oh and was she rewarded.
Suddenly his pace became frantic releasing her arms and gripping her hips as he took up a brutal tempo that would most likely leave bruises around her waist. Arms finally free Erza now used them to meet his thrusts pushing against him harder and faster. She was so close but it wasn't enough. Almost as if reading her mind Bickslow wrapped one of his hands in her long scarlet hair and pulled her head back forcing the angle to change and sweet Mavis he was hitting a spot in her that she thought was a myth along with sparkly unicorns and lecherous leprechauns. Her orgasm slammed into her like a truck going high speed it was so intense she couldn't even scream for several seconds mouth open wide arms flailing try to find something anything to ground her.
Bickslow groaned thrusting brokenly as his own end came but he couldn't enjoy it for long because at the moment of initial release he felt a piece of his very soul ripped from his chest. Instinctively his eyes flared to take it back but hesitated at the sight. Erza's gentle soft blue soul cradled his bit of gold soul like a parent would their precious child while a piece of her own broke off and pushed into the gapping whole left in him. The pain stopped then but he was entranced watching her soul now put his where the piece had been taken. He honestly forgot how to breathe. This was not something that should have happened. It was just like how Lucy and Cristoff had described what had happened to them when they mated asking for his opinion and to take a look at their souls. He couldn't believe it even though he saw and felt that it had just happen to him. Erza's soul with his golden piece nestled right near her heart was undeniable, only, neither of them had dragon slaying magic so it was just... That's when he remembered what Safra had said when she's first arrived. His very own Erza was born from a dragon slayer. She of course wouldn't have a piece of a dragon's soul embedded in hers since she was born from one but that didn't mean the nature of her spatial magic wasn't draconic in origin.
She'd always been much stronger than the people around her, healed incredibly fast, ate boat loads of cake without gaining any weight, her magic regenerated quickly and she always had a crazy heightened sense for when there was danger. She did lack the fangs and enhanced senses but not all dragons had though from his short experience with them during the Dragon King's festival after the GMG that first year.
Did she even have an element she could eat to gain power? Cake?... That would make a lot of sense but was probably too specific. He internally rolled his eyes at himself as he finally collapsed on his side beside his mysterious fiancée, Mate, and pulled her closer into him. He saw a very long and complicated talk in their future but he just wanted to enjoy holding her for as long as possible. They were mated, however unlikely and unexpected, and no one could touch that. His father was going to flip.
-DTRE-
"Emiiiii! Dance with me!" Lucy cheered giggling before she twirled in place to music only she could hear.
The solar dragon slayer just sat back slowly working out the absolutely tiny braids Lucy had worked into her long blonde hair earlier in the day. The celestial spirit mage had been crying, begging to go back to her brother and it was the only thing she could come up with to distract the woman. She hadn't intended for Lucy to do it with such gusto though.
Normal drunk Lucy Emi could easily handle, had to handle already after stopping at the bar for happy hour after their shopping spree earlier in the week. The shorter bubbly woman became hilariously flirtatious with absolutely no boundaries and was so much fun to be around. She'd literally had to peal Lucy off of the brunette working the bar because in her intoxicated state she though Cristoff had found her and didn't want to leave him again so soon. Gods, bringing her home smelling of liquor, sex and other men, for Cristoff to see almost made her pee her pants. Right as they had gotten through the door one of Lucy's hands gripped her breast, underneath her top, while the other cupped her own as her brow furrowed. Now, being 6 feet tall, beautiful, busty with hips that emphasized her rounded ass, Emi was used to random gropes, enjoyed them enough that she almost always wore a veil dress no matter the occasion as almost an invitation. It wasn't like she was going to get cold, her magic were the flames of a sun, molten and intense. What had her stopping and taking notice though was that it was Lucy doing the groping and that not a foot away was Cristoff slightly bent as if he'd been about to kiss her but then froze. A bright smile, a declaration that she was still ranked #1 in breasts and an accusing glare later had her almost dying in laughter. Her brother really had not appreciated their bonding time at all.
Sad moon drunk Lucy separated from her mate so he could heal Vander had been a nightmare at the beginning and it wasn't until after Emi was sporting braided dreads and sat the smaller blonde on the couch with her recently purchased lpad that Lucy had been distracted enough she wasn't crying; Lucy had been begging her to try the new device out before committing to purchasing her own. Now though, with the full moon so high in the night sky Lucy had gone native on her, dancing naked in the moonlight that streamed through the balcony's glass doors.
"If I join you I don't get to watch you," Emzadi reasoned trying not to laugh. It was enough for the magically sloshed woman as she continued to dance around like sprite in the forest. Gods, she was so very glad Vander had extra security lacrimas stashed away in his place. It had taken her all of 5 seconds to grab one and set it up to record every second of Lucy's frolicking, a recording she was going to just love teasing her new sister with for years.
The female dragon slayer was a little jealous that Lucy's pheromones didn't have any effect on her, like Cristoff's didn't on anyone in their family, but she knew they were there. There was a queue of people trying to get past the front desk, drawn in by the trail Lucy'd left behind when the pair had walked to Vander's penthouse to secure her away earlier that day. Emi needed something to take the stress from the weekend away and sparring with the handsome beast of a lightning dragon slayer had worked wonders until they got back to her father's and they found out about Vander's condition. God's she needed a night of some serious fucking to help her vent and if her brother could just get here and seal away with his mate she could let up a few of those tasty people downstairs up, though she was tempted to go out to find some lightning to ride. Laxus was big, strong and powerful, she knew he'd be able to get the job done and she had no doubt he needed it too.
Thoughts of Vander's prone form lying too still on his bed had the heat building in her veins, she felt like she would go supernova if she didn't let some of her frustration, fear and anger out. Her poor brother had died and was in a coma and there was nothing they could do about it. Oh how much Emi wanted to go find that sad excuse of a human and drive a clawed hand into Kurino's stomach, pull all 25 feet of her intestines slowly out then wrap them around her throat and strangle her with them…but no. For some reason that bitch was still breathing.
Emi's eyes travelled back to the monitor eyeing the group of people who'd wandered here because of Lucy. One of the double S class mages from White Sea had just wandered up and she couldn't stop the delighted growl from purring in her chest. The big beast master mage was definitely getting invited up, she'd had him before and a nice rough fuck, the kind he delighted in, was just what she needed.
"Cristoff I missed you!" Lucy's squeal brought Emi's attention back toward the balcony where, just like her new sister had declared, he was.
"Fucking finally," Emi said under her breath. The full moon was already almost half over and she needed tonight to forget about everything and lose herself in pleasure.
"Glad to see you too," Cristoff said sarcastically scooping up his naked little mate already covered in a thin layer of sweat that made her glow in the moonlight. He was going to enjoy licking every inch of his mate clean a thought that had the lunar slayer quickly closing the distance to the Master bedroom. Vander had the place so highly warded with protections and runes from his days as a Blood Hunter that it was by far the safest place the pair could spend the night unmolested. Cristoff grabbed Lucy's wandering hands before they could dip into his pants just yet.
Emazadi didn't waste a second as she crossed the room toward the phone to call down to the front desk. The man working there was well versed in how to handle full moons while on duty by now and didn't need to ask questions, they all tipped him generously each month.
In more time than she'd wanted to wait a brief knock on the door was heard before the tall shirtless male she'd requested walked right in. Emi couldn't stop the lusty growl of approval at seeing his shirt in his hand. The man was massive, dwarfing over her with broad strong shoulders and thighs thick with muscles each as large as her waist. Yes, he would do nicely.
She was on him in the blink of an eye, hands gripping his long dark green hair and pulling his down into a fierce kiss.
"The little dragoness seems hungry," Beck purred against her lips before using his weight and leverage to push her against the counter neither hearing the loud crack over Emi's snarl.
"Just shut up beautiful and lose the pants," she gritted out locking her thighs on his hips and kicking the back of his knee bringing them both down. Limbs everywhere the pair wrestled around the flat smashing into without a notice growling and nipping between dominating kisses. When Beck had Emi bent of the Sofa's arm his bicolored eyes, one blue the other gold, flashed.
"Fuuuuuck!" Emi swore struggling to move. "You just had to cheat didn't you," she sneered. Her fucking dragon soul came from a very lusty male dragon who'd been mated to another male and the damn beast, typically on the very same page as she was, had a little thing for the beast masters magic. When asked directly the fucking little sub would roll over for Beck, was always reward for it too. Gods, she couldn't blame her dear little submissive soul, the things this man was doing with his tongue made it hard for her to breathe let alone fight an integral part of herself. They knew, her dragon soul and she, that Beck, as delicious and fucking great as he was, wasn't her mate.
"Unngh ssooooo good, yes! Right...there!" Emi cried out legs pulling the much larger body as close as possible.
-DTRE-
Cristoff smirked as he tossed Lucy on the large king size bed. She'd somehow twisted in the air and landed on her hands and bare ass presented to him. He had use so much of his magic through the better part of the day on his brother he still had full control but he could feel the moonlight flooding his magical contains even now giving him enough of a high it took more than a little of the edge off after the past couple days.
As Lucy turned to face him he held her in his gaze letting his hands dance a little over his still covered body. Growling low letting it wash over his mate Cristoff let his hands travel over his body. He'd caught quite a bit of Lucy's performance earlier so it was only fair that he give her one of his own. With practiced ease he let his body roll and move as he hummed a seductive little tune, clothes slowly pulled off. When finally his boxer briefs freed his poor neglected cock he heard her breathe hitch and arousal heighten. Gods he was close to giddy now, the moonlight bathing all of his tan skin and there his sexy little mate was, wide-eyed, still on all fours and lips parted ever so slightly.
He held on hand out and Lucy sprung to her feet wrapping her arms around his waist, hands gliding up his back tracing the muscles as his lips finally descended on hers.
It didn't take long before the reassurance in their kiss turned into an irresistible hungry need for the each other.
He growled at her wandering hands, nails digging into his broad shoulders. No matter what had happened earlier today, the rest of this night was going to be about only them. Everything else could wait.
"I love you my sweet beautiful lovely little mate," he said laying them down on the massive king-sized bed where they spent the next several hours until well after the sun came up indulging in the sweet passion they would only ever find in each other for the rest of their lives.
-DTRE-
Arman, followed by two of his domestic employees, ladened down with enough breakfast for a small army entered his youngest child's penthouse pausing on the threshold. The whole place looked like a storm had run through it. The plaster on the walls cracked, furniture broken…even the kitchen islands marble counter hadn't come out unscathed. Seeing his daughter and a member of Kaleb's #1 team for White Sea wrapped around her on the thick area rug had him rolling his eyes. He'd have to get all the repairs done before Vander saw his place like this, Arman's heart clenched and his fists tightened as he controlled his breathing.
"Setup over there. I have some calls to make," the head of the family directed. He was still so angry about everything had happened. Altiene had no excuses this time, couldn't ignore complaints about her behavior saying it was just the pressure of the crown she was getting used to or the exaggerated tails from a spurned lover. Arman had suggested his friend make Kurino seek help after the wars with Joya but that had been brushed aside as well. His wasn't sure if their friendship could stand up to this last…incident would be the polite word…goddamn fucking torture and murder of his child. They'd barely kept him alive and the one woman that had made sure they got there in time had a warrant out for her arrest.
Altiene had some serious penance, starting with upholding the law to its full extent even with his own children if he was truly sorry. Kurino could have been checked years ago, passed over her inheritance when the immaculate light killed her, been given help before any of this happened.
Arman pulled out his com. If he was very lucky the family that used to make the repairs to his home when all the kids were little would still be in business.
-DTRE-
It was quiet in the room as Lucy sat writing her novel. She'd setup herself in Vander's room keeping an eye on his still sleeping body, a small desk brought in so she could spread out her papers. It had been 3 weeks now and her friend still hadn't woken. With all the crazy things that had been happening Cristoff and she had decided to stay in Pelerno to watch after Vander until he awoke so everyone else could return to their more pressing needs and work, Lucy having planned to be on vacation anyway Cristoff had already planned to take 2 months off to visit his brother so the only thing that had changes was the location and circumstances.
When not together Lucy had been spending time with Arman to learn of the investments he'd made in her behalf and drawing out plans for her property while Cristoff started preparing for his move to Magnolia so he and Lucy could stay together. With the surprise of Bickslow mating Erza and needing time to complete the process, Laxus had to get back to Fairy Tail and with him went Erik, Wendy, Gajeel, Levy and Tysun leaving the large home on the end of the Grass Sea fairly empty and quiet.
While it was widely known the couple were dating it had been a surprise finding out Erza had inherited something from her dragon mother, the need for a mate and that Bickslow was it.
All in all Lucy was satisfied, no one ended up dying, well staying dead, and there was this deep sense of joy and satisfaction at having two of her really good friends and kin experience the same happiness she had with her own slayer. She figured it might have something to do with the growing dragon instincts that had started influencing her behavior after meeting the raven haired hunk in all hi glory. So the pair weren't stuck in the in small childhood room, Cristoff offered the use of his own nearby apartment. He was going to be selling it anyway and a mating couple really needed a lot more space to solidify their bond.
Farron had been sent into Iceberg offering aid and help to handle some issues dealing with some visiting Boscans that had been in the country either on holiday or working before they disappeared without a trace. Tourists and vacationers from all over Ishgar were disappearing as well as local citizens but with a mysterious disease spreading through the heart of the country and the appearance of more and more foreign dark creatures there the Boscan King decided having either Arman or Farron at ground zero to help the struggling country would be more beneficial. In recent years Iceberg had become a very important tactical position and economical stakeholder to their more temperate southern neighbor. The request had been strained and awkward with the tensions as they were between the families knowing exactly why this was not a good time, but something had to be done and the two Pradesh ambassadors had always been the crown's go to diplomates.
The people of Iceberg had taken more of the rush of missing people but with the continuous winter they usually experienced being even harsher than usual, their regional chiefs and military were so busy scrambling trying to find enough food and supplies to provide for their people for the next several months that those cases sat unsolved with more and more people being added to them. It was a vast country, third largest in the continent, but with their climate, Iceberg didn't have the normal single localized government but instead elected chiefs for a region that would meet each summer in a conference to represent their people's needs when travel across the nation wasn't so difficult. It had been a very efficient way to govern the country but it's weaknesses were being exploited and tried with the unforeseen climactic changes. With widespread illness, missing people and starvation they'd recently called an emergency meeting and made requests for aid from Bosco, Minstrel, Stella and Fiore to join them.
Xally and a few other researchers were sent from where they'd been near the northern border into Iceberg proper to meet up with the delegation and continue their work diligently to find a cure for the disease. It was a pull of resources and knowledge with the researchers in Iceberg's main research hospital the likes of which had never been done before.
So, Farron had chosen to join his sister with loads of food and heavy winter supplies to help relieve and support the struggling nation. He'd made sure to take Emzadi with him too, mostly because of her solar dragon slaying magic so he could work in some sort of comfort in the negative degree weather.
Just two decades ago bringing Emi into Icebergian boarders wouldn't have been possible since the major religion in that country revered the winter and hated everything to do with the summer and even fire to some extent. Emzadi would have caused an international incident the likes of which no one would have wanted to even tempt back then. Fortunately for all concerned parties, 25 years ago an innovative chief suggested they educate their youth in more specialized fields like engineering and the sciences to try and make their people's lives more comfortable and prosperous across their country. Each Chief returned to their regions and selected 5 youths each year with specific aptitudes and sent them off for higher education and training paid for by the state with the understanding they would return and apply their knowledge to help their people for at least 10 years after their studies were completed. It had worked wonders for the nation as it now boasted the best year round winter sports and activities with comfortably built resorts that catered to tourists and vacationers by the droves. The last decade, as more youth from Iceberg returned from the various universities in Minstrel, Bosco and Fiore, had seen the most prosperity that the country had had in recorded history. Their economy, until this rash of bad luck, had been growing exponentially and with such success and increasing comfort the citizens easily forgot their superstitions about offending their dead God Hroth, embraced higher education and all things warm and life giving. Bit with the darkness now falling over the large country some citizens were returning to their ancient beliefs thinking to appease the ancient god of winter but the more part were too happy with their still fairly new prosperity to return to the starving isolation most still remembered all too well while they'd worshipped the dead deity. That made the need and desire to help Iceberg through this time of trial not so charitable since Bosco had huge trading interests with the snow-ladened country.
Kaleb had to return to White Sea to take up his responsibilities as guild master again. He was even charged by the King himself with creating a special team to look more into the schemes Kurino had been up to with Seven's Queen. For now, their family had decided to keep Minda's involvement with the princess a secret in hopes that more could be learned and maybe, just maybe, something could be found that explained what was happening with her and why such a morally upright woman would suddenly betray everything she believed in. She'd been as close to a mother that most of Arman's children had had so learning her of deception and that it had led to almost losing Vander forever had been a hard hit. Lucy knew Arman was still holding out hope that Minda was playing a much deeper game and hadn't foreseen this as a potential outcome – no one really could have – but the rest of the family had their doubts. Her actions had been too pointed, decisive, in what they'd discovered already to be a ruse. Lucy had a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach that this was only the beginning to the coming darkness. It was too much like the time before Zeref came with his armies to rain down hell and destruction on her home for it not to be.
Lucy paused in her writing as Cristoff entered the room to do his daily restoration of his brother so Vander didn't waste away slowly in his comatose state.
"How is he?" she questioned standing up to stretch letting her back give a satisfying pop then moved to his side.
"The same." Cristoff turned and pulled Lucy into his body burying his nose in her hair. Seeing his brother like this for so long was hard. He'd not see Vander so vulnerable since he was a small boy plagued by constant nightmares and now it had almost been a month since seeing his brother smile. There was nothing physically preventing Vander from waking up but with Kaleb, Bickslow and Erik all otherwise occupied there was no way to know if his mind and soul had recovered just as well from the drugs or if he was still struggling.
Lucy's arms wound around his waist holding him as tightly as possible. It was the only comfort she could offer him but knew it hardly made any difference. She could feel his anxiety, stress and helplessness through their bond and it pained her knowing there wasn't much she could do. Moving one of her arms around his neck she pulled him down to her lips letting her own anxiety and need to comfort him take over. It was more cathartic than arousing as their lips moved together slowly tasting the salt from their tears.
"Unless I'm invited to join in can you take your foreplay somewhere else?" Vander's weak voice croaked out.
The couple broke apart quickly turning toward the smirking shadowquip reclined on one elbow. The smirk didn't last since Lucy quickly threw herself at her friend ignoring the injured grunt as she cried into his chest as Cristoff poured his brother a glass of water.
Vander was more than a little confused. He'd not expected ever to wake up again after taking the little magic that hadn't been sealed away to have a shadow do enough damage internally so he was sure to die before the Shades took over his body. Even more surprising was waking up to Cris and Lucy making out not even three feet from his head. Not that he really minded that they were but the pair was the wrong set of people who he'd of expected to wake up to had he had a choice. He felt fine so assumed Cris had gotten to him in time to save him from Kurino's drugs and his own damage. His body didn't ache and he still felt a vague fatigue so figured he'd been down for a few hours. Still it was funny to wake up to their little moment like he'd hadn't been there the whole time, especially since Lucy wasn't all that good with that kind of intimacy around people. Chaste kisses to the temple or cheek, sitting and cuddling together was about all she felt comfortable with among company.
Vander looked toward the open door trying to see all he could. Surely his fairies would know he was awake by now and be coming? They would most definitely have heard him by now.
Rubbing Lucy comfortingly on the back he wished was a different blonde one that wasn't so… "Gods your heavy woman!" he rasped out before trying to rub the new pain of her knee in his kidney only to be smacked in the head too. "Hey!"
"I'm not fat!" she huffed rolling off of him making sure her elbow dug into his side.
"I'm already injured you heartless woman." Vander groaned and curled up on his side. "I never said you were fat. Damn Cris, you making her lifts weights with you or something?" Cristoff just pressed the glass of water into his brother's hands and helped him sit up to drink it all the while sporting a huge disbelieving smile on his face and chuckling lightly. Of course the first words Vander would say after dying would be to solicit sex.
"Not much else to do since we've been watching over your lazy ass." He now pulled him up all the way into a spine cracking hug.
"Ugh Cris, loosen up. You're acting like I died or something." Vander groaned and rubbed his aching throat. The water had helped but he'd of preferred something warm. At the concerned looks that passed between his siblings he only raised an eyebrow waiting for an explanation thinking it was better not to try talking anymore until he got some tea first.
"Van, you did die and have been in a coma for three weeks now," Cristoff said settling his brother back on his bed.
"What?! How long? Where's Saf and Gin?" Vander's dark maroon eyes were wide and frantic now as he struggled to get up from his bed again in earnest but Cris was holding him down. His nose wasn't as sensitive as a dragon slayer's but it was most definitely sharp enough that he could tell who had been here recently and he couldn't smell Saf or Gin in the room at all. He'd not been concerned of their lack of scent in his room since they'd spent most of their time in Safra's skini after Bicks returned from his trial. Their absence when he woke he had been trying to convince himself was because Cris needed space to work ignoring the deep-seated fear.
That reasoning was all shit now knowing how long he'd been out and had him frantic. Surely in 3 weeks the pair would have spent a significant amount of time here with him leaving their scent everywhere but he didn't smell them at all. Where were they? What happened after he pasted out on Kurino? How had he been saved in time? Did Kurino or one of her attendants realize that things had gone too far and called for the healers? Had Safra and Gin stormed the palace after seeing what was going on? That was the very plausible reaction if either of them decided to look in on him while he was with Kurino, he now feared it the most.
One of the first things he'd learned about the pair that held true for most fairies was they often watched people using their viewing mirrors at home like people watched lacrimavision. They were very curious creatures and liked to watch all sorts of normal interactions and activities like some bizarre form of reality LV. He knew when he'd left to follow the royal page that had brought the request from Kurino that the two would eventually look in on him and Kurino out of curiosity. He hadn't even been concerned then about them being jealous or anything either since he knew they wouldn't be bothered by it, what he was doing had nothing to do with love. What he was doing was in duty, duty to protect his family and without a formal relationship he was obligated to serve. Hell, they'd happily watched him torment Virgo with pleasure until she couldn't handle it and had to suddenly return to the spirit world just so he could fulfil an old promise. The best part of that night was right after Virgo flashed away they were on him hungry mouths tasting his skin faster than the smoke could clear. He'd hoped that after Cris healed him up the three of them could bath together and have another very intense session, maybe even partially join again, feel there answering love for him so deep and all-encompassing it would have cleansed him body and soul. What he had not considered was the amount of abuse he would take immediately when he got there and how they would have reacted to seeing that. Gin would have planned and probably involved his father in getting him out safely but Safra's emotions ran high and could not be restrained, they never could, and she would have acted immediately storming in. He doubted anyone could have stopped her outside himself, his shadows being the only thing they'd found could restrain her when she shifted into light. Gin would have followed hot on her heals just to make sure she wasn't alone. Gods and now neither of them were here. Did they die? Were they injured too? Had they been caught and arrested?
"Calm down," Cris fought his struggling brother harder using a lot more force than he thought Vander could handle right now with Lucy now helping him with holding his legs.
"Calm down?" he yelled. "Where the fuck are my fairies?" he screamed before dropping into the shadows and out of their reach. Vander's world turned erratically making him light-headed and unable to safely navigate in the shadows so he pulled back out having only made it to the doorway almost collapsing to the floor if not for Cristoff's arms steadying him.
"Damnit Van, if you will just listen for a goddamn minute! You've been down for too long to push yourself this much already. My restorative magic can only do so much now come lay back down." Vander's hard eyes just looked up at him defiantly demanding an explanation before he would so much as take another step.
Sighing Lucy placed a calming hand on both men. "As far as we know they are fine. If you sit down I'll tell you everything that happened that day, it's a long story." Taking a deep steadying breathe now that his worst fears were allayed Vander walked back to his bed focusing on the fact that Safra and Gin had not died trying to save him; had that happened there would be no question of whether or not they were fine and Kurino would not last the night.
"Ok so it all started when I brought Safra here to tell her all about what to expect when you returned home later…"
-DTRE-
Vander's heart clenched in his chest. They thought he was dead and lost to them forever. Gin had fled with an unconscious Safra shortly after she had almost died doing whatever spell she'd done to Kurino as vengeance so she would be safe from Bosco's reaction. He'd never refer to that woman by a title again since she was nothing but a malicious parasite; there was no way she deserved any kind of respect. He was a little sad Kurino hadn't died but also thankful now knowing the condition she now lived with since none of their healers had been able to cure Kurino after all this time. The king fortunately knew better than to ask Cristoff for help in this situation. Imagine, a person so wrapped up in becoming more powerful brought down to being absolutely helpless. That bitch was living with a fate worse than death and hell being too weak to even walk by herself and unable to access her magic. From what Lucy told him Kurino had even lost her beauty; skin a blotchy uneven gray, her toned body now nothing more than skin and bones, vibrant dark eyes listless and dull. It made him giddy knowing his little poppet had done that all for him. Kurino even lost her position as heir to the thrown to her younger brother and his husband.
The part of Lucy's story he couldn't bare though was that the last time anyone saw Safra she had blood coming from every opening on her face and that they both thought he was still dead. He understood Kaleb's decision to let them leave – they were far safer outside of the King's reach for now – but why he hadn't sent anyone to follow them or tell them he'd survived was beyond him and he said as much.
"In what world would either of them not have turned right back around to stay with you the second they learned you survived? There are already warrants out for Safra's arrest and orders to detain Gin for questioning," Lucy said incredulously. Unluckily for them they were the ones who had started an investigation into where Safra's body was before Kaleb told them what had happened. When the King's investigation turned up that an unknown knight had made the pronouncement and that both disappeared immediately after, it wasn't hard to figure out what might of happened. Even with his daughter's crimes and disgrace she was still part of the royal family at the time and the attack against her needed to be paid for. Lucy understood where Vander was coming from though, had their roles been switched she'd have been desperate for Cristoff too but she would rather he be away from here ignorant and safe than with her and in danger of being arrested and hanged.
Vander knew it made sense but also that something was wrong. He needed to go after them right now. Once again he struggled to leave hating that using his magic right now was too much for him so he couldn't just slip out. It probably would be unstable for a few more days until he got more of his equilibrium back. "Cris, if it was Lucy out there thinking you were dead what would you do?" the argument was soundly addressed to the dragon slayer and he could see the uncertainty creep into his brother's midnight blue eyes. "Don't deny it. You'd be chasing after her even if your spleen was hanging out even if you couldn't use your magic."
He was right. Cristoff knew he was right. He'd have chased after Lucy even if he had had to crawl to get there. The dragon in his head had already been fighting him this whole time to let his brother up so he could go find his mates. How or why his dragon was calling them both Vander's mates was something to think on later but for now it was enough to know his dragon was against his rational mind. All it wanted to do was grab Lucy and Vander then chase after the pair himself to restore peace to their tatsu. Vander was kin and in pain without them and that was unacceptable. They needed to help him not hold him back. Fuck, the lunar dragon slayer thought. He knew he couldn't stop Vander from running off after them for long but he also knew the dangers in the direction the fairies had ran off in and he wasn't going to take Lucy anywhere near Stella and Iceberg. Whatever illness that was ravaging Iceberg was hitting Stella a lot harder than Bosco since Bosco's efforts had isolated the affected areas to just the very north of their country. He did not want to tempt fate by taking his mate anywhere farther north than they were currently. Lucy would probably give him hell for them not going with Vander but he'd rather her safe and a little angry than the alternative of watching her life slowly drain from her and not being able to stop it. It was bad enough that he wouldn't be able to stop Vander from running off for very much longer or that Farron and both his sisters were already there without asking him to risk the very same fate for his mate. He drew a hard line there plus it had been over a month since Lucy had been back home and even that trip had only been a few days. He knew his mate missed her friends and had even started watching movies with Dom over her com when she sat with Vander at night. Still, he couldn't let Vander run off alone and they were out of available siblings since Bickslow was still in the process of mating. It would take a while for his brother to get back to his peak performance so he needed someone there to watch his back until he was able to travel the voids safely again. Cristoff had a plan to help Vander cover some distance but it would risk Minda leaking the information making Vander vulnerable and put Safra and Gin in more danger. They still had very little clue as to the depth or reason behind Kressa and Kurino's alliance. Vander'd need a plausible cover story and a powerful trustworthy ally if this was going to work.
"I will let you up on 2 conditions." At that Vander stilled and waited anxiously. "First you take a couple days to recover until you are steady on your feet." Cris held up his hand to stop his brother from arguing just yet. "We'll need that long to find an airship that can take you into Bellum anyway. That's the direction they were heading and probably the best place to start looking plus it will save you at least two weeks of travel on foot avoiding a lot of trouble out that way." At the wary acceptance he continued, "Second you take someone with you. You know how hostile and dangerous those countries are so should something happen I want someone there to have your back." Vander nodded already knowing who he would ask to join him. Presca, as another former Blood Hunter and friend, would be the only person outside his family that he would trust. He was powerful and could drain people from the very energy that gave them life if needed plus he wouldn't mind travelling hard. If they ran into problems along the way there was nothing that could stop the two when they worked together. A bonus was he would know the areas just as well as him if not better from their time as spy assassins for their government. He was also used to travelling quickly through the void if needed, so they would make great time without any unwanted attention. Plans already forming in his head he didn't notice Lucy leave and come back with a tray of hot tea and a hearty stew until the smell had his stomach growling. Smiling up at his heaven sent little sister he tucked in and ate slowly not wanting to get sick, three weeks without real food was not something to ignore.
Cristoff and Lucy excused themselves to notify the family and start on their own tasks to prepare Vander and themselves for travelling. It have been too long since either had had a truly normal day and Lucy was aching to see her family back at Fairy Tail now that all Pradesh siblings were healthy and accounted for.
-DTRE-
Vander shuffled around his room looking for his communication lacrima. His ride was going to leave in an hour and take him as far as the Bellum Gulf near the Pergrandian boarder. From there he would be sent down the gunship's short transport beam since they couldn't land and join up with Presca. Turns out his curious friend had decided weeks ago to follow the pair on his own but hadn't been able to catchup to them since they'd taken Delphin across the grass sea. Vander knew his grass runner could carry him for days without issue so the two considerably lighter fairies wouldn't have a problem riding her much faster and for longer than he could before exhaustion became an issue. Presca didn't have a chance at catching them even when they left the grass sea.
His friend was now going to hang out near the harbor at Solice and wait for him to join him before crossing into Pergrande to continue on the fairies' trail. Vander assumed Gin would be taking them back to the Charm to hid away for a while and if they needed to pass into the eastern part of Pergrande no wonder they were so paranoid of being discovered. The Pergrandian labs would be within 2-3 days of their home where they would be dissected if the scientists found them. He only hoped he caught up with them before they made it to the charm and out of his reach.
Sighing he ducked down to check under his bed since it was the only place he hadn't torn to shreds looking for the blasted thing and there it was. So fucking predictable! Com in hand he noticed something else still glinting under there. Curious he pulled it out and blinked. Safra's portable viewing mirror. She must have dropped it after seeing him that day. He could call her and clear everything up and have them wait for him or turn back. He. Could. Call. Her! Standing up and channeling his magic he whispered, "Safra," and waited for the telltale flash to show it connecting. Nothing. "Safra," he said again louder pouring more magic in the device. Still nothing. "I said Safra! Gin! Come on!" he practically screamed but nothing happened. "Fuck!" Vander pulled at his hair. There was no reason it shouldn't work. He'd seen Safra use it, he'd used the one in the skini multiple times. Pocketing it with his com he left his room. It didn't matter anyway. He was going to find them soon and then they'd know. They'd know and everything was going to be ok. He had to believe that.
-DTRE-
Lucy sighed snuggling into the broad chest of her mate enjoying the excited monologue of Juvia recounting her fairytale wedding with Gray. That was one thing she'd been sad to miss out on during her time away but her friends understood that she couldn't leave Bosco like she'd planned. The wedding sounded like a little girl's dream full of puffy dresses, piles of lace and ruffles. She chuckled imagining her still very cool friend surrounded on all sides by the crazy romantic fantasy. He must have been as uncomfortable as all hell and she wished she could have seen it and spent the day teasing the hell out of him too. When Lucy got married she wanted a sweet, simple yet intimate ceremony having had plenty of pomp and circumstance during the first 16 years of her life to last the rest of it easily. But the wedding would wait until her dear mate satisfied her only childhood fantasy of him proposing to her with some sort of unique gift that made her world perfect and complete instead of a useless bobble. It was a tall order but she was in no hurry to marry even though Arman had made it no secret that he was a little impatient. Even had the paperwork ready for their use as soon as Cristoff officially proposed. It's not like they didn't have the time. She was still physically very young even though all her legal documents stated she was older than her mate by several years.
Arman wasn't the only person already anticipating her nuptials though. Dom had already started sketching various gowns for Lucy to choose from for her wedding and had brought them out one evening while he had them over for dinner. Mira also had an entire list of wedding things for the reception for Lucy to sign off on. The matchmaking barmaid even tried to strong arm them in picking a date before they were engaged. It was all so ridiculous and very much something to be expected by her crazy friends.
What she was anxiously anticipating was their night tonight after they left the guild. It was all worked out. At a specific time, hopefully before the pair started drawing heated looks from those around them, Mira would let them know it was time to leave and they would say their farewells to their friends and go home to the new house Cristoff had finalized purchasing just yesterday. They would spend this full moon christening each and every room and surface of their brand new home planning all the furniture they would need to purchase the next day. Hopefully, her ever increasing libido and matching stamina was enough to see them until the moon had set tomorrow morning. She didn't want either of them to wake up until well into tomorrow afternoon where they could sip their coffee and watch the promised first snowfall of the season snuggled together in a cocoon of blankets.
She loved the house Cristoff had picked for their future home. Loved even more he showed her it to get her approval before making an offer. It was in the same neighborhood as Freed's Victorian cottage near the arts district and about a 10 minute walk from Bickslow's in the market district. Their new home was much larger than she'd planned boasting five bedrooms and various other spaces including a library but in need of some serious renovations to make it perfect. Something to grow into he'd said to her arching eyebrow not sure who he thought he was talking to when she first saw the house. She loved children, definitely wanted them sooner than she'd expected, but there was no way in hell she'd spend 2 full years inflating to uncomfortable proportions only to push four of those little bodies out of the much smaller opening of her hoo-hoo. She'd seen Levy give birth to Tysun and like hell she was going to do that four times. No thank you!
Also, thanks to a timely call from Kaleb just last night letting them know Vander and Presca had checked in saying they would probably catch up to the fleeing fairies tomorrow, Lucy would finally get to ride her very own dragon tonight too! It had been hard to focus on Kaleb's verbal message regarding Vander though since he had also pressed into her mind through the magic of the com telling her just how malleable and willing to please her mate would be tonight...perfect for her to try out her favorite daydream. What had distracted her from his vocal address was said fantasy pushed into her mind with a slight variation and a promise that it would be well worth to try it. Mavis she'd been speechless with the familiar images of their naked bodies and the realization that those most likely were also seen by Erik as well. To the poison slayer's knowing look she just blushed and looked away. It was so embarrassing! Enough so that she was definitely going to start practicing the mind barrier exercises Cristoff had taught her more. That shit was private and her kin did not need to know any of it!
Still, what Kaleb had shared had been helpful and kindly meant. She couldn't even blame herself for not knowing about it his malleability until now. Her first two full moons mated to Cristoff had been him teaching her the basics about her own body and his with surprising patience given his happily drunken state. The third had been interrupted by tragedy and even if Cris hadn't had to heavily use his magic for healing, the pervasive depressing emotions were enough to make Lucy just want to be held or made love to. Her growing little bondage kinks influenced most likely by her friends and a very specific spirit had no place then when all she wanted was comfort and to feel loved. Now though, Vander was healthy again about to be reunited with his sýzygos, Kurino was handled and any other drama going on in the outside world could wait. Tonight was her night! They'd leave the guild soon since she was already starting to feel giddy and Cristoff's light caresses were pushing a mite inappropriate for general consumption, at least in Fiore. That last pass he'd tweaked her nipple discretely and she'd had to bite her tongue not to moan but couldn't stop her hips from grinding into the stiff bulge pressing between her cheeks.
Twenty minutes later had Lucy climbing up Cristoff's body as she tried to make him "purr" and Cristoff's eyes silver and hands on Lucy's ass to help in her efforts.
"Juvia wants her beloved Gray to make her purr," the rain woman said before climbing up Gray's frozen frame.
"Juvia not here!" he hissed out when her hand closed around his already responding member. Gray was freaking out just a little. Gods now was not the time for his stripping habit. Where the hell had his boxers gone?
Mira kindly walked up to Cristoff and Lucy placing a hand on each of their shoulders. Laxus had warned her she was supposed to send the pair home an hour ago but she'd just been too curious to see what the fuss with the full moon was all about. She had not anticipated the current state of guild wide groping teetering on the edge of a full blown orgy. Wendy had to be knocked out since she'd had poor Romeo pinned to the floor whispering about making him a consort. They were only 15 and not mates; Mira couldn't let that promising ship play out no matter how cute she thought they would be together. She'd also probably have nightmares for a while after seeing what her little brother and Ever were doing right now on her bar. That was punishment enough for her poor decision.
"It's time for you to head on home." She smiled kindly. Cristoff got up stumbling only a little when Lucy lost her grip and almost fell.
"You sure you don't want us to stay so you can watch?" Cristoff chuckled before walking out of the bar with Lucy nipping at his neck. He'd smelled the demon woman's arousal, well until right before she came over. Seeing her brother doing a very manly job of working up Ever had doused any burgeoning ache she might have he. Cristoff was just happy had a much better tolerance than Lucy for the overwhelming power build up since his magical containers were much larger and it would be probably another hour before he was as far gone as Lucy. Still though, his mate was no longer interested in spending more time with her friends so he teleported them directly to their front door already trying to find his keys cursing internally that they hadn't left a window open even a crack. Lucy had been right that it was getting too cold to do that but still it was damned inconvenient.
"Get her," somebody said softly but it was loud enough for Cristoff's enhanced hearing to pick up and his mind fully cleared instantly on alert. Seven people surrounded them moving closer. They were fucking insane thinking they could take him on tonight of all nights. It only took three more seconds before all hell broke loose and magical attacks were flying at them from all angles but the over powered pair had been ready for them. They easily dodged the attacks and slowly knocked out each of the mages. The fight hadn't even been a challenge for Lucy's whip and Cristoff's bare hands at least until more than a dozen other mages showed up out of nowhere. The couple were slowly separated by their attackers and it wasn't until Cristoff turned to check on his mate that he realized she was across the yard about to get hit with a spell from a mage hidden up a tree. Growling Cristoff teleported to her side in his full Holy Knight armor just in time to intercept what he now realized was a binding spell as black and red jagged strips started wrapping around him too tight to move until he suddenly found himself somewhere else entirely. By the pain exploding in his chest he knew he was now very far from his mate.
-DTRE-
Lucy turned in time to see her mate disappear and the sudden pain brought her to her knees. Ignoring the people now slowly closing in on her collapsed form all she could think about was Cristoff. They'd taken her mate. These fucking weak ass mages had taken her mate because she hadn't wanted to damage their new neighborhood and not been aware of the idiot in the tree. She had let them direct here in his range separating her from Cristoff. Pain turned to anger, anger turned to fury. These fucking cunts just ruined her perfectly planned night - her chance to ride her dragon! She could feel Cristoff was still alive and not injured but their connection was tenuous. She needed her mate now!
Lucy's magic exploded in one devastating electrical burst taking out the group of mages that had just been ready to capture her. Standing up slowly the magic pressure surrounding her tossing her long curled hair wildly she looked around her front yard and counted. One bastard was missing and she was not in the mood to play with her prey. She readied to follow him but paused suddenly, eyes wide, surprised at the faint feelings in her abdomen. Somehow she could feel another delicate life growing in her, small and precious. She was pregnant. She was carrying her first child and the fuckers had her mate. This guy was going to scream until they told her everything they knew. With a clap of thunder she was gone.
-DTRE-
It didn't take long for the pheromones to wear off all the mages in the guild once Cristoff and Lucy had left. Laxus had come down from his office to check on his guild mates once the strong smell of arousal had worked its way up to his office. The guilty look on Mira's face along with the several couples starting to strip right there in the guild was all the lighting slayer needed to know what had happened. Shaking his head he should have known better than have Mira be in charge of his amorous moon drunk kin. Well placed jolts of electricity had everyone back to their senses quickly though. He'd even gotten Macao on his bare ass since his face had been buried between Cana's tits. The card mage had calmed significantly since she'd stopped drinking so much and to see the old man taking advantage of a woman he knew didn't mess around like that had his hackles raising. His dragon was pissed too; the man was old enough to be her father! Strolling down to the bar weaving his way through his guild mates various stages of surprised embarrassment and in some cases fearful shame Laxus kept his eyes locked on the She-Devil. He needed to have some serious words with her but stopped when the lights in the guild flickered.
He'd recognize the type of magic that caused that kind of disruption anywhere but why would Gyzor be out wielding her magic tonight of all nights? Grabbing Mira from behind the bar and a sopping wet Gray from Juvia's clutches, Laxus dragged them with him just in case. If Lucy had called out her little dragon she might be in some serious need of help. Opening the door the young guild master felt someone grab his arm right before he had the group flashing through Magnolia and landing on Lucy's front lawn. Mira and Gray's questions died in their throats when they saw almost 2 dozen mages unconscious on the ground sporting electrical burns but no Lucy or Cristoff could be seen.
"The fuckers took Cristoff and Lucy's about to rip off the head of our only lead." Cobra said already running off after where Laxus supposed Lucy was. It didn't take a genius to realize Cobra had come to the guild probably because of something he'd heard. That man always had an ear trained on the celestial mage when she was within his incredibly large range whether because he was paranoid something might happen to her or just realistic given her track record with being hunted.
"Lock these fuckers up and call Bickslow. Get his ass and Titania here asap," he ordered taking off after Cobra also realizing it was him that had hitched a last minute ride with him from the guild. Mira was already in her Satan Soul form and looked ready to kill but settled herself to cleaning up the scum while Gray had already made an ice cart so they could load them up and take them to the guild. If she was very lucky one of them would wake up before Laxus got back and she could have fun questioning them for answers.
-DTRE-
Laxus and Cobra stopped as they came around a bend in the trail of the forest not quite believing what they were seeing. Lucy was standing there holding some guy by the neck with vibrant iridescent blue claws at the ends of her delicate fingertips. She had what looked like dragon scales covering every inch of her body in shades of bright yellow and the same iridescent blue that was so reminiscent of her dragon Gyzor. They up until just under her jaw but banded around her hair line holding back long wild blond curls. Lightening arched across her body in several places from her barely restrained rage. Eye's narrowed but glowing that same iridescent blue she snarled at the man showing long fangs.
"Blondie?" "Tink?" both men called out cautiously. Scary Lucy had just received a fucking dragon upgrade with magic pouring into her from the full moon and neither male wanted to incite her wrath.
"They took my mate and he knows where." Her voice was calm but the screams coming from the man as she poured more electricity through him meant she was anything but.
"She's all yours boss. My ass would be lit up if I got anywhere near her and that shit hurts." The poison slayer said ready to grab the man and start his own form of interrogation as soon as Laxus had Lucy calmed.
Laxus grunted in acknowledgement and started his way toward his little sister. He figured she was somehow borrowing Gyzor's magic like she did with her Zodiac spirits and a part deep in him swelled in pride. When the shit hit the fan Lucy had chosen to use his element instead of Cristoff's when both were available. As it should be, his dragon rumbled. She was his before anyone else's and this shit fucking proved it.
"We'll get him back sis. Let Cobra do the dirty work you know it'll go quicker." Laxus was right next to Lucy hands on her shoulders now absorbing her unrestrained magic as she thought about what he said. It was a hell of a kick for even the massive man.
Nodding she threw the man at Erik with a simple, "Don't be too gentle," and growled in approval when the first thing the poison slayer did was grab the man by the balls and pumped some of his venom in him. Laxus' strong arms now wrapped fully around her trembling body. Gods she was still so angry but the pain of Cristoff's separation was getting unbearable. She could feel him fighting again and was terrified that she wouldn't get to him in time. Turning around she curled into Laxus' larger form and started to sob. "We need him," she cried out between sobs confusing one slayer and getting a much more violent interrogation from the other. Lucy took comfort in Laxus' hold. If she didn't think about it too much his body was so similar to her own black haired mate. The biggest difference was Laxus smelled of a wild storm tinged with ozone while Cristoff of a minty evening dew.
"I got what we need from mama's boy here. The She-Devil and Ice Demon are at the guild already and what we need to get to Cristoff is there," Erik said dragging the now unconscious man behind him by one of his feet as he gripped Laxus' shoulder. He'd not missed Lucy's little revelation and now that he knew to look for it he could smell the slight change in her scent and hear the slight variations in sound coming from her uterus (not something he would typically listen for in her but in other women it came in fucking useful so he didn't end up knocking up some chick during a one night stand). Lucy was in the very early stages of her pregnancy and all this stress and a missing mate was not good for the baby. In a sudden clap of thunder the four were at the guild greeted by Mira's smiling face. It was her dark evil terrifying smile that promised pain as she held up what looked like five small lacrimas. If those were what Erik knew they needed to grab from Lucy's attackers their lives just got a hell of a lot better. The man he'd question had one but Lucy's electric torture had fried the device and he'd been hoping a few of the other mages transportation lacrima had survived her initial attack.
-DTRE-
Cristoff turned around quickly and snarled. The pain deep in chest and the presence of four males with weapons and cuffs behind him he knew had been intended for his mate had his dragon completely unleashed ready to shed some blood. His silvered eye narrowed as he flexed his power shattering the binding spell wrapped around his armored covered body calling his broadsword to his hand before launching himself at the men. In a matter of seconds he had decapitated 2 men, gutted one and the last one was missing an arm pressed against the wall sword against his neck.
"Why are you after my mate?" Cristoff asked through gritted teeth right against the bleeding man's ear so he could be heard over their terrified screams.
"I don't know! Gods don't kill me!"
Cristoff growled viciously. "Don't lie to me or you lose the other arm."
"I'm not lying," the man pleaded then screamed as Cristoff moved swiftly lobbing of his other arm.
"Next I cut off a foot."
"Please no! They'll kill me!"
"You're already dead but how long I make you suffer is up to you." The man closed his eyes crying reeking of fear and urine. He was young, probably 19 but that did not stir a sense of compassion in the battled hardened warrior. He'd seen children take up arms in war; this was nothing.
"S-sssomeone t-took the S-sssstaff of Umbră from Ap-pollo's T-t-temple and she was there. The High Priestess wants it b-back. That's all I know, I swear!" the young man stuttered out before Cristoff cut his throat cleanly, blood spraying his face, before letting go and watching his dead body slide down and crumple on the floor. Turning toward the door he had a priestess to find and a mate to return to.
-DTRE-
"Safra you need to eat," Gin pleaded holding a fiddlehead to her lips. "They're your favorite." Safra didn't react at all just continued to stair off into space murmuring.
"He's dead. Everyone I love dies." It was all she said now, over and over again from the moment she'd woken up after Vander's death until she finally passed out in exhaustion. Gin set down the food and held her close to his chest.
"I'm still here, right here, Sunflower. Please come back to me." Tears dripped from his chin into her hair. Weeks and Safra hadn't had anything to eat or drink. The only thing keeping her alive was because she was mostly a fairy and could survive off of the earth's ethernano and her element. She may not be eating but she also couldn't stop him taking her outside daily at noon to they lay on the ground for hours. Her body automatically absorbed the earth's ethernano and the light of the sun to sustain her but to what end? Would she ever come back from wherever she'd retreated? Human's had the capacity to move on and continue living because as time passed their intense emotions dulled so the pain didn't stay so acute. Their memories faded too and while they may never forget and never stop loving the person they lost they could find fulfillment in other things and someone else still. Fairies didn't feel things as sharply as humans but it penetrated deep. They loved romantically like this only once in their lives and that was it. When they lost that someone it was like a piece of themselves was ripped out but they survived and coped. They were never able to forget like someone who lost their eyesight or limb would never forget its absence, just adapted their lives but not even a moment passed without the knowledge of what they lost. Safra, poor Safra loved like them both and had a perfect memory and it was killing her. He knew the fairy part of what she felt well but refused to take on a human form opening himself up to the same pain his Sunflower couldn't avoid. In some sort of strange miracle Gin and she had found love twice, for him both times to impossible people. If he lost Safra as well as Vander…The very thought made it hard to breathe even in his true fairy form. He wasn't sure how to save her but he had to try.
They were in Pergrande now, close to its capital, so he couldn't risk travelling any farther to get to the charm without Safra starting to at least eat or drink something. She was already painfully thin and he doubted she would live through the three days it would take to clear this area completely without her daily time outside – it would be too dangerous to stop to have her sun bath any closer to the city. They'd been here a week already Gin doing all he could to help her but she wasn't improving and he was getting desperate. How long could this last? Would she ever be able to move past it? Picking her up, he took her outside again and laid down with her in a grassy field near the base of a mountain in the direct sunlight. Curling around her he wept silently praying that somehow she could be saved.
-DTRE-
"There, they're out again and close." Presca said pointing toward the looming mountains ahead before the world went dark and cold. He fucking hated it when Vander did that shit without warning. The evil things lurking and chasing them through the voids always had some seriously nasty things to say he'd rather be mentally prepared for instead of just thrown in. Still, travelling the voids meant they covered a lot more ground a lot faster.
Vander passed through the deep voids in the direction Presca indicated searching for the familiar life signatures he could use as homing beacons. At this distance he would normally be able to sense the person he was looking for but fairies life signatures were so similar to that of large trees that he needed to get closer relying on Presca's ability to see and feel their magical signatures. Finally near the mountain base he felt them and his sudden stop had them falling from the voids unintentionally. He ate the grass hard when he landed taking the brunt of Presca's impact as well but he didn't care. Gin's signal was strong and normal but Safra's was flickering. He'd been told all about the spell and Presca told him how he had charged Safra with Kaleb's magic then Gin's magic when she was getting close to death and Kaleb's energy wasn't getting absorbed correctly. He hadn't anticipated her still being so close to death after all this time, she should have recovered by now. Grabbing Presca's hand again he dropped back into the voids and sped even quicker now. In no time at all he came up sharp in a large field leaving his friend gasping for air on his hands and knees his own eyes focused on a pair of figures not 10 feet away. They were curled together in the grass and he could hear the sound of crying. Gin was in his true fairy form for everyone to see and that had the shadowquip concerned. Something like that was very dangerous to be doing right now. Eyes moving away from snow white limbs of one of his loves to the protruding hips and ribs of his other where there used to be soft curves. Her face was vacant but lips moved muttering something he was just barely close enough to hear. Gods why hadn't Kaleb stopped them. They would have been safer hiding out in her skini with his comatosed body setup there by their sides instead of on death's door in very hostile lands.
Slowly he moved forward, almost afraid that any noise or sudden movement would break whatever spell was in this glen, that they'd disappear and he'd be left alone. All lingering doubts of his plans for a future with these two now gone. If this was what they were like without him? Fate could go fuck itself. They were his.
Gin finally looked up and their eyes met. Shock, disbelief, love and hope flitted quickly over his face. Vander didn't need any more of an invitation. In half a heartbeat he had both of them in his arms and he finally let his tears fall. He was here with them now and everything would be ok.
-DTRE-
Lucy and all the dragon slayers in Fairy Tail grabbed one of the teleportation lacrimas from Mira. They'd already contacted Bickslow and Arman both ready in Bosco to make arrangements for travel once the location at the end of the spells were known. Activating the lacrimas they were ready for their fight to rescue Cristoff the second their new location focused but what they saw was both good and bad. Four men, most in multiple pieces were on the floor obviously dead and Cristoff wasn't one of them. Natsu, with the sharpest nose made for the door directly not even waiting for the others flames licking up his arms. It was much colder here and none of them had come prepared for the arctic chill so his ragging flames were actually much appreciated. Lucy followed her best friend closely still in her Gyzor-Draco star dress, the scales actually retaining her body heat remarkably well.
Moving swiftly through the tunnels they all started to hear fighting up ahead and started running desperate to aid their kin in his battle. Turning the corner they saw Cristoff in his gleaming Holy Knight armor covered in blood facing down at least 50 people still standing and they didn't waste any time in their attacks.
Natsu ran in slamming the first person with a flaming fist so hard he heard her neck snap under his fist but he didn't care. During the Alvarez war he'd learned what killing felt like and when it was necessary and now with the threat to his kin and tatsu there would be no joking, no holding back. They only needed a few to live to get answers from anyway, the rest were dead.
Cobra sped through the chaos of the fight randomly selecting the most like people he could find that would have answers then knocking them out and tossing them into a corner. He'd not liked the plan where he didn't get to kill anyone but understood he was the best person to find the people who could actually give answers through his soul magic. The constant running around also kept him warm in this freezing cave.
Lucy saw her mate and was at his side in a flash. She didn't really know how to use the dragon magic she was using but letting her instincts guide her. It was why only her tatsu was here with her and no one else since it would be unpredictable how she would react. Several times she'd taken a hit but the dragon scale body suit, it was more like a second scaled skin, protected her as spells and blades alike were deflected. With her mate at her side nothing could stop her.
Gajeel grinned maliciously as his chainsaw like arm tore through person after person reveling in the bloodshed. He'd had so much stress this year and the hunting trips he took had done nothing but taken the edge off. His dragon needed to kill larger prey and these guys after coming after his family were ripe for the cutting.
Laxus controlled his attacks keeping an eye on Blondie. Cobra had told them all she was pregnant before they left but with as much pain as she was in from her separation from Cristoff, leaving her behind had not been an option. Still, he needed to make sure she was ok.
The fighting ended shortly after their arrival the six of them all using dragon slaying magic just overwhelmed the much less powerful enemies. When the last body dropped Lucy jumped at her mate growling viciously trying to get through his armor as she attacked his mouth. Covered in blood and gore it didn't look like either mate cared half a wit where they were or who they were with. They needed to repair their bond after being so forcefully separated. Cobra pointed out the mages that he'd cherry picked for Bickslow and Kaleb to question once they got here and the four slayers grabbed the men and cleared the room a little sick at the thought of what the two were going to have sex around and in.
-DTRE-
Xally looked through the microscope at the latest sample. She was freezing her ass off here and they were making no progress. There was absolutely nothing physically wrong with all these people. No mysterious virus or microscopic organism attacking from the inside, no magical signatures left behind when they dissected the lost victims who agreed to be used as part of their research. Gods, what the hell was this thing! She may not be as brilliant as Farron of Kaleb but Chemistry and Biology just drew her in and there had never been a problem she hadn't been able to sort with her skills and knowledge. It was only because of a coin flip that she'd chosen the pediatrics route instead of venturing into potions and research.
Her com rang and she rubbed her temples. It was one of her siblings probably with more bad news. Answering her com she was surprised to see Bickslow bright smiling face which was entirely unexpected, not the smile but the person in general. The last update she'd had was he had a mate and would be busy with that for the foreseeable future so she hoped he was smiling.
"Hey Bicks what's up? You look happy."
"Oh I'm about to make you even happier. We found out what's causing you all those sleepless nights Farron says you're having." He tongue was out eyes sparkling with joy.
"What? Really? This is not something to joke about I'm getting nowhere here. How did you find out? Why am I still freezing?" Xally was excited aquamarine eyes once again focused and awake. She brushed her dark bangs back. The second she got this wrapped up she was going home back to the tropic weather she grew up in and loved.
"It's a pretty dark spell some religious group out there in Iceberg was using to harvest a person's life to use to resurrect their god. It literally pulls the life out of anyone near the castors area. They tried kidnapping Cosplayer for another reason but caught Cris instead during a full moon. They hadn't counted on a sexually frustrated over powered dragon slayer and his kin coming after him so soon."
"Oh gods that's fantastic. I'm assuming they're all fine since you're still smiling?" At his nod she continued, "How do we counter the spell?" She could just imagine the surprise on the peoples' faces when they found themselves facing her brother that night, instantly terrified and turned on with the power wafting off of him. A spell that worked on people without being case on them explained why they hadn't detected a magical influence…
"Already working on it. Farron's organizing a strike with the regional chiefs to track down the various groups casting the spells. We think their attempts to raise Hroth is what's causing most of this nation's instability too. The kidnappings were being done for blood sacrifices and are all being held in the same place. We're leaving the rest to Iceberg to deal with so you guys are coming back by the end of the week."
"I'm packing already." She smiled back at her brother before the line disconnected. Hopefully that put an end to all this shit and they could go back to their normal lives again.
-DTRE-
"Tell me again why we're heading into the most dangerous place in Pergrande?" Presca's steel colored eyes scanned the area under his newly gifted cloak as he and Vander passed through non populated alleys. After a month of surviving off of hunting and scavenging for his meals he would be the first in line to appreciate something a little more complex in flavor but he could wait until they got to a small town or even Bellum to hit up a pub. Hell, the food Safra still had stored in her travel pad had already been an improvement.
"Because this is the closest place with a bakery and Safra has a wicked sweet tooth. She needs all the calories she can get right now and I figure a fresh cake and some take-out would be the best thing for it." Presca scoffed but continued following his friend quietly. Vander had changed so much since his death but here was a glimpse of part of his original personality. If the man wanted something, in this case pampering his girl, he would do the craziest shit to get it done and drag him along with him. He couldn't really blame him for this though. Had he found his wife near death instead of long since dead he'd of done anything to help her pull through. When he'd finally caught his breath in the field to see the pair were laying with his friend he had a hard time believing they were who he'd met months prior. Vander had told him they were not human but fabled fairies, he still hadn't been prepared to see Gin all white and turquoise and Safra so frail and thin, he was surprised she was still alive. An incredible bath, some food and tea in her well-equipped tent and a long explanation in what had happened that day over a month ago later had all his questions answered. He also had a new appreciation for Earthland with another one of its myths come to life.
Presca'd been to Rommell a few times to kill a couple of the worst senators Pergrande had to offer during his Blood Hunter days so he knew the city relatively well. Even agreed with Vander on the restaurant they were headed to for the best takeout food they could get here but all he wanted to do right now was have a shower and another nice long soak in Safra's large bath. Gods was he going to look into creating something similar for himself. He'd spoken to Gin on the magics and plans involved in creating such a place making a list of strong enough mages with the required skills needed to make something similar. He was betting if everyone involved agreed to help they could create one for each of them and that would be all the incentive it would take to get their cooperation. Not having to stay in shady inns or having to camp rough would be well worth their time. Turning the corner behind his friend he collided right into his back.
"What the hell? Why did you just stop?" Presca asked looking up at a large poster. It was for a fight at the colosseum for a gladiator named The Dark Eagle who was very obviously Boscan judging by the eagle clan tattoos but that's when a light went off. "I thought he was…"
"So did we…" Vander's mind was reeling. There was no way this could be his brother but his tattoos matched Farron's and he looked just like their Dad did when he was younger.
-DTRE-
"Zen, you're up today so get ready!" a man yelled into a larger cell placing a key into the lock. He'd pulled the short straw today and was not happy about it. Sure he had his small team of heavily armed men under his command with him to handle the seasoned gladiator but that would not be enough to spare any of their lives should The Dark Eagle take offense and lash out. He might not kill them all before being subdued but being the closest to the man in proximity meant the largest chance of death. It didn't help they were only allowed to carry non-lethal weapons so they didn't accidentally kill their Lord's prized fighter as if they could even with deadlier weapons. The gladiator wore five different magic cancelling restraints and was always unarmed in the pits but that still didn't mean he wasn't deadly.
He personally had a serious need to be afraid of the man too. Before now his men and he had always been kept on duties preventing direct interaction with the gladiator now standing and approaching the opened cell door. They'd had so much fun harassing the beautiful Boscan pet with whatever they could find. Showing him his family living life happily without him, using his preferred female slave when he had one right in front of him, mocking his long feminine hair, dropping his food on the floor before giving it to him and a whole lot more. It was only yesterday that the previous guard captain that had this duty had been killed by Zen's hands when he couldn't help himself and touched him while bathing. Being well over 6 feet tall, sculpted hard bulging muscles, dark mahogany long hair with golden highlights and vibrant deep purple eyes he couldn't blame his fellow captain for trying to get a feel. This gladiator exuded power and was the hottest piece of ass he'd ever seen but so far no one had been able to break him, tame him so they could get a taste. Their boss didn't care if they tried as long as they knew they weren't allowed to permanently damage his merchandise and that it was their life they risked. Arms up and chained while being bathed hadn't held Zen enough to prevent him from grabbing the man's hand pulling him into the water and snapping his neck. Watching that happen while he protected the senators that had paid for the same privilege had him hard and straining in his suddenly tight pants.
Only one man other than the King himself had gotten to feel how tight his ass and it had taken all of his men to subdue Zen when he was only 16, three dying in the process. That man gloated for a week before Zen got his revenge after his next fight in the colosseum. The Dark Eagle came out after victoriously fighting a bear and a lion and took the guard's head clean off before anyone had a chance to even blink. Lord Crinshaw just laughed heartily and told Zen he had 3 visiting nobles to entertain that night and to bathe before walking away.
He sneered knowing Zen had an assignation tonight as well if he survived his fight today. Zen walked slowly before them toward the prep cell where the chosen weapon for this event waited. The drugs never lasted for long and the only people who'd not died during the experience had been the only ones that hadn't tried penetrating the man. As it was they were going to have to find something else soon to do the trick, preferably something in a gas form so they could just pump into his cell and be done with it.
"You know the routine. If you live leave the weapon in the arena before you come back or you get a taste of your favorite deterrent," he said before holding up the short bat like weapon and let it spark from the electrical lacrima embedded in the tip. The Dark Eagle just turned his stony face away and moved to pick up the waiting spear as the door slammed shut and was locked. Today he would fight 3 berserkers and the guard captain hoped that today, The Dark Eagle would fall.
-DTRE-
"Hurry up sweetling," a young woman called out. A small boy stopped immediately his dark mahogany hair flying out as he turned to face the voice.
"Mama!" he cried joyfully running up to her jumping only for her to catch him and spin them around giggling. The people surrounding the pair looked on anxiously unfamiliar with such open displays of love and frivolity. Garnering attention here was dangerous especially for such an attractive pair especially since one was female; the fact that they were foreign and visiting the city was even more alarming. Most of the figures turned away from the beautiful young woman and her child. While her dress was conservative in muted colors her deep red hair and pale blue eyes were bright in the midday light. Her young boy was beautiful too and would fetch an incredible price in the slave trade especially as young as he was. He'd grow up accustomed to slavery and be all the better for it.
"Should we go meet your father and brother?" the young woman asked settling her son on her hip.
"Can we pick up treats for them?" the little boy asked large amethyst eyes pleading.
"Another time angel." She kissed his little pouting lips then rubbed their noses together until he was smiling and giggling again.
"Sstooop, mama!" he laughed out burying his face in his hands only to have little kisses pepper his face in the gaps of his fingers. Giving up with a little smile he uncovered his face and caught her next kiss with one of his own and finally settled in her arms placated.
"Alright let's get back to the embassy and find your father." She smiled but it did not truly reach her eyes. Walking quickly down the pavement she could feel eyes following her and it made her skin crawl. Her free hand closed around a silver key already silently telling Chymmai to be prepared just in case.
There were more following her now, she could feel a few readying magic just waiting for a blind spot to attack. Gritting her teeth to bite back her anger she was ready to teach these idiots just how stupid they were for thinking they could take her or her son. Changing her direction into a blind alley she'd noticed on their walk out here earlier in the day the slavers took the opportunity and attacked but had not been fast enough. A circle of rock formed around the women deflecting the ranged attacks as the very ground bucked everywhere else in the alley toppling her pursuers to the ground. Rock quickly cased those bodies pinning them down and the ring around her and her son settled flawlessly back into the ground.
"All of your assailants have been disabled Mistress," a very young boy said walking up to the woman arms clasped behind his back.
"Beautifully done as always Chymmai. You grow more gifted each time I call you. You've already managed your human form I see." She said surprised as she squatted to eye level in front of one of the two spirits she just had not been able to pass on when she retired from mage work.
"First of my siblings," he said pride shinning in his eyes. His other siblings were close to doing it too but Adro was hopeless. His little brother just didn't see the need to 'pretend to be something he wasn't' even though their father more often than not took a human form. Their mother never did, too proud of her true form, something Adro must have inherited.
"Well done, would you mind escorting us back to the embassy while you are here?"
"It would be my pleasure," the young spirit bowed formally then offered the woman his hand. His was much too short to escort her on his arm so had settled on the alternative. As they walked back his bright gray eyes scanned their surroundings and he was so glad he'd tied back his long brown hair earlier that day. It kept his curly locks from obscuring his vision as he led his master to safety.
When they got to the gates he bowed once more before popping back home at the slight nod and smile from his mistress followed by another expressed thanks.
"Mama he was so cool! I want magic like him one day." The little boy finally spoke for the first time since the incident in the alley. It was one of the few rules he and his brother had been taught as soon as they could understand. When something dangerous was happening stay quiet and close to either parent until they had reached safety. Inside embassies were always safe so now he let his excitement loose. Straightening his posture to mimic the young spirit he held his hand out like he'd watched him do earlier. It was harder, he was much smaller, but he managed and his mother took his hand as they walked past security and made their way to the library where they were to meet his father and brother.
"His magic is neat but yours is so much more exciting."
"Really? But he's a dragon."
"Yes but you have archangel magic said to be just as powerful as a dragon's but even more rare."
"But all I can do is this," he said as two large beautiful white wings sprouted from his back.
"Give yourself time, I'm sure you can think of amazing ways to use them. It's said that the last archangel mage Galafriel was able to block any attack with his wings and split a hair in two he could make them so sharp." His bright eyes lifted as he moved to an open space to start practicing with his wings while they waited. His brother could already punch entire holes in things with his magic and he was only 2 years older, he needed to practice a lot so he could be just as strong.
"Mama look! Nothing can get me in here," he said from behind his wings as they fully surrounded his small body when they suddenly turned jet black. Startled and a little concerned he came out of his wings to ask his mother what happened but no one was there. She'd never left him alone before and he hadn't even heard her leave and that was impossible because he could hear everything only… Now that he was focusing he realized things were quiet, too quiet. He could hear himself but nothing else. He moved around the table where his mother had been sat and saw her clothing and a pile of dirt. His young mind didn't understand, he was only four. He saw something shining from the pile and reached in pulling out one of her ruby earrings and her keys still on the wristband she always wore. They were her magic, her protection. Clutching the items in his fist tears started streaming down his face in confused fear. "Mommy?" he called out tentatively his voice echoing through the empty building. When there was no answer he called out again louder and more demanding. Again and again he called out until he was screaming, begging her to come back. He was so scared and alone and nothing made sense anymore.
"Mommy!" he called out then abruptly awoke breathing harshly. He looked around his surroundings and swore. Every time those scum pumped him full of those drugs he always had the same nightmare of when he lost his family. Until his system purged it all from his system those memories would haunt him in his dreams.
If he allowed it, his magic would have cleared it all out hours ago but since his guards had left the magic cancelling braces on him during his bath after he came back from being used by the visiting "noble" woman he couldn't risk using it. It would give him away and he currently didn't have enough available yet to succeed in his escape plan. Any show he had access to any of his magic they'd clamp another piece on him before he could blink. Already he could feel a large amount of his magic ready to be called but he wanted to make sure he had enough to get free. He'd only been this close one time before but that time one of his owner's competitors had ruined it. He'd hired someone to sneak in and poison his food hoping to kill him, taking away his rival's cash cow. Unfortunately the guard on duty had eaten half his meal like usual then promptly died an hour later. When Zen was obviously fine while the guard dropped to the floor convulsing it was too late – both for him and the guard. An hour hadn't passed before they clapped the collar on him and threw the corpse in the incinerator. Now all his meals were checked and the little lordling would often make him fight to the death in the arena with his ever present jewelry still on just to be. If he lived using his magic, stronger binds, if he died he'd make a killing on all the lost bets and continued on business as usual.
Zen pushed back his long mahogany locks then fingered the keys strapped to his forearm. They and the earring he wore was all that he had left of his old life; the only sign he'd ever been free and happy. That day his entire world collapsed and it had taken him years to fully understand and glean what had happened piecing together the truth from all the lies that spewed out of everyone's mouths. A bomb had gone off planted by the Pergrandian government especially designed to kill every living thing but leave everything else untouched so when the remaining Boscans fled for home the local government could still use the embassy building and have a laugh at the country they'd pulled one over on. His wings had saved him that day only for another member from the same group of slavers that had attacked them earlier that day to find him. He had followed them to the embassy and when he saw what had happened he went in, in hopes of finding some valuables but found him alone instead crying curled on the floor. He wasn't sure what happened after he'd been found just that he woke up in a research lab and his life had been hell ever since.
"What is your name?" a gentle female voice asked from someplace he couldn't see. Zen became alert immediately searching for any source of magic.
"Who are you to be here and not already know who I am?" Zen responded shifting his face away from the recording lacrima just in case; the cameras didn't record sound just visuals.
"I am Safra. Someone important to me is looking for his brother and you look very similar to his father. What is your name?" the woman explained and asked again. She suspected this was who all four of them were looking for here in the slave pits but just in case she would not say any names. Her father always taught her information was power and while her name would be useless, Vander's would draw attention if this man was not who she thought he was and told the guards.
Zen glared at the space the voice was coming from and he felt a very slight magical presence. It wouldn't be the first time the guards had made him a fool with stories and acted out scenarios about escaping but this was a first they'd of involved a woman, a woman with magic no less. "Show yourself," was his only reply. Suddenly a woman with golden hair appeared right in front of the bars of his cell and he hissed. The recording larcrima would be able to see where she was standing proving this was some crazy elaborate ploy. She was beautiful but thin and he wondered what kind of promise had been made to convince her to participate in doing something so cruel.
"Do not worry. I can only be seen by you at the moment. I use light magic and bend the light around me."
"So you say," Zen said turning away from the woman. She had an answer for everything but he was not going to be taken in again. He saw the woman shrug.
"Please, your name and then I will go."
Eyeing her silently he figured answering her couldn't hurt. "I am Zen Pradesh now leave me," he finished and right before his eyes the woman disappeared again. His eyes widened and his hearing strained as he heard very light footsteps walking away now that he was focusing on them. His mind raced at the possibility. Was she telling the truth? Was he possibly the person she'd even been looking for? He sat in silence in his cell unable to fall asleep for what felt like hours before he felt another presence. This time it was completely difference and he couldn't really tell if it was actually there or if he was imagining things.
"I think you've been locked up in here for long enough don't you?" A man wearing skin tight black leather, dark red eyes and a disarming smile pulled out of a shadow on the wall as the woman appeared with two other men. This, this was too elaborate for his tormentors to arrange but still deeply ingrained doubt held him back from real belief. He couldn't let himself hope until he was far far away from here and freed from his binds.
