We all stared shocked at the sight before us. Most people in the guild had never seen Aki before. Well nobody had seen her apart from Levy, myself and the rest of the generation zero dragon slayers. I could see a determined look gleaming in her large innocent hazel eyes. Raina appeared to be just as started as the rest of us, she looked like she had just seen a ghost... Well, she kind of had...
A large crystal sword bursting with magical energy appeared in Aki's small hand. That was right. The McGarden family were the ones who sealed us away in lacrima crystals... So was their family magic some sort of lacrima-make magic? Aki jumped forwards towards Raina who jumped back in just the nick of time.
"Raina!" Avera wailed as she was just about to fly straight into the fight. However, before she could do so Lilias was able to gently grab her out of the sky.
"You need to stay here," I heard her murmur, "It's not safe to get involved..." What she said next was so quiet that even a dragon slayer like myself was unable to hear it.
Sword in hand, Aki slashed forwards. "Don't you dare even think about hurting my sister!" She slashed forwards once more. "18 years ago now, Levy and I freed all of you generation zero dragon slayers. Is this the thanks you give us? After all we've done for you, After I died for you leaving Levy all alone... How could you?"
"Aki stop!" I heard the sound of Levy's strained sob.
"No Levy," Aki spoke in a serious tone, "I need to do this."
"So you're a McGarden too." Raina breathed. I could see her pale hands trembling by her sides. I could tell that this wasn't going to end well... Though I was still rooted to the spot - unable to do anything... Useless.
"I used to be." Aki murmured, "When I was alive." Raina gazed down towards the ground, her midnight eyes sparkling with tears.
"I'm sorry," she spoke, shaking her azure locks, "But after everything that's happened to me. All I've missed, all I've lost. I doubt the burden of hatred on my heart will ever fade away..." Aki's features softened slightly.
"I never expected forgiveness," She spoke - a wise air around her words, "All I ever wanted was for you all to be free. What happened to all of you generation zero dragon slayers was unfair. You were treated like objects rather than people. Everyone deserves freedom." Silence filled the clearing. The whole guild taking in the words of the small ghost girl. I looked down at my hands, staring down at the silver mark of the generation zero dragon slayer. I couldn't help but wonder whether this mark had made me who I was today...
"If it makes you feel any better," Aki's voice broke me out of my trance, "I'll carry the burden of your hatred for you. So you'll be free to live your life." Raina stared up at Aki in shock.
"Still!" She yelled - tears flowing, "How can I ever be free if I've lost everything I once loved and have been bound by the fate of the generation zero dragon slayer!" Aki shook her head, a bright smile forming across her lips.
"You're wrong. You're not bound by the fate of the generation zero dragon slayer," Aki turned - her hazel eyes gazing fondly over myself along with my fellow generation zero dragon slayers before turning back to the distraught Raina. "As a generation zero dragon slayer - you forge your own fate. You forge your own life."
Suddenly, the memories all came flooding back. Right from where it all started for me. The kindness of Levy and Aki followed on by my journey with Xavier, Miriza, Lokni and Lilias. Joining Fairy Tail, meeting my parents, finding Bluebell... So many happy memories, that had filled my dark life with light. Despite our fate as generation zero dragons slayers - to remain slaves to our power - we had been able to live a fulfilling life. That was what Aki was talking about.
"The power to reforge your destiny," Aki continued, "Is one of the strongest powers of all. Stronger than any generation zero dragon slayer. My fate was to die, but here I stand. What do you say?" Aki extended her hand towards Raina, "Will you leave my sister alone and forge your own fate?" Hesitantly, Raina stared at the small hand before her. I could sense her uncertainty. Everyone could. However, nobody could have sensed what happened next.
A blinding golden light began to shine, piercing everyone's vision. This blinding light was radiating from the small blue haired girl: Aki. Steadily, the light began to dim. When it was dim enough for us all to see again, I felt a gasp escape my throat. Aki's form was fading. "I'm sorry," she began, "But I cannot prevent this. I'm afraid to say this is goodbye. Forever."
"W-what do you mean..?" Levy spoke, her voice choked.
"All this time I have been able to remain with you, to protect you. I've only been able to do this by borrowing your aethernano... I did this to watch over you and protect you... However... It seems with my last attack I used up what little energy I had... It seems... I'm done..." Slowly, my brain began to process what was happening.
"But you can't leave me Aki!" Levy sobbed, "I thought you were going to stay with me! I thought we would be together forever!"
"I'm so sorry Levy... for putting you through this pain again... But at least... I was able to protect you... At least... my existence... was useful..."
"No Aki!" The blue haired girl cried as tears fell from her hazel eyes. "You can take all the aethernano you want from me! Just please! You can't go and die on me again!" Instantly, I could feel my heart clenching tightly and the warm tears forming at the corner of my eyes. It was at that moment when I realised how much I actually cared for the McGarden sisters. After everything they'd done for us, after everything they'd been through... Aki shook her head.
"All I wish now," her voice was nothing more than a whisper in the wind. "Is for all of you generation zero dragon slayers to go ahead and reforge your own destiny together... And to protect my sister... Any Levy..." The latter stared speechless at her beloved twin. "Know that I have always loved you from the bottom of my heard... You're the best twin sister anyone could have ever asked for..." And with those final words, Aki completely faded away.
What happened next was obscured by the blur of my own tears. I couldn't help it. I guess, I was weaker that I had imagined. Or I had just been strong for far too long... Slowly, I began to turn and walk away. I didn't need the rest of the guild to see me right now. I needed to be alone... As soon as I was far enough away, I slumped down against a tree and began to sob - unable to contain my emotions for much longer... Just at that moment, I felt a throbbing pain in my head.
Hello Faya Dragneel I heard a voice say.
Who's there? I thought. I could easily tell that the voice was coming from my head - despite not being able to think straight through the fog of my emotions.
Who am I? I heard it again, I am your dragon. The one that gives you your power. I see everything you see, think everything you think, feel everything you feel... You could even say that I am you...
Author's note
This was always going to be a part of the story... And yeah, I kind of have been putting this chapter off a bit... :'(
On another note, I doubt that the next chapter will be up any time soon as I still need to figure out what I'm going to do next etc. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know because I'm completely stumped :(
Also, does anyone care about this fanfiction anymore? I know it's been a while since I've published anything at all - so I would just like to know.
Coming on to a completely unrelated topic, I have quite a few Naruto fanfictions that I've started but haven't published since I don't want to publish anything I'm not going to complete. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do? It would be very much appreciated :)
