Yay! Chapter Four!

This chapter is dedicated to my awesome new beta, Tatertotrocks, who I am so grateful for! Thanks so much for your help (and for making me feel like an official writer with a beta OMG so fancy).

Without further ado, the next chapter of Prabha.

Prabha

Ksh—

Kshhhhh—

"H…li…"

"…in! H…"

"W…tch…ca…ful…"

"…IN! BEHIND YOU!"

Kshhhhh—

Wendy stood, feet planted in the sand, paying no heed to the tearing desert winds or to the grit that scratched her face. Unconsciously she crossed her arms over her chest, anger twisting her normally sweet face. The shadow's mouth curved into a grin, noticing the way her shoulders hunched in on themselves, the tightness of her mouth, the slight tremor that had nothing to do with the cold—the unspoken fear that could not be hidden by bravado. She opened her mouth to begin, but Wendy cut across.

"Who are you?" she asked, voice full of tense, false calm. "Why are you doing this?"

The figure twitched, a flick of her shadowed head the only indication of her movement. Wendy squinted, trying to make out any feature, any clue to the shadow's identity. No curves. No gender specific clothes, no discernable characteristics but long, long hair. Whatever it was, it was the embodiment of nothing; the epitome of the unknown.

"My, my," it grinned, unconcerned with Wendy's scrutiny, "it's not like you to speak first. It's not like you to do anything first, actually. You always have to be approached first." It sighed dramatically. "Look at all the work you're making poor me do. I have a life too, you know."

"If I'm making you do so much work why are you still here?" Wendy ground out, doing her best to ignore the jabs at her timidity. "Get out of my head and leave me alone."

"That's not true, though, is it?" it mused, lost in its own world, as if it was completely unaware of Wendy's presence. "I suppose no one really has a life."

It tilted its head to the side, angling its (presumable) face in Wendy's direction. Wendy could practically see the insane smile aimed at her; the thought sent shivers down her spine.

"Your life is not your own," it droned. "Your life is nothing, and when it ends you will be nothing, and no one will care. Who would? Who could possibly care for someone so weak?"

"I'm not," Wendy began, voice strong—but it wavered, her hesitation clear—"I'm not wea—"

"If you're not weak, then why can't you do anything for your 'friends'?" the shadow spat. "If you're strong, then save them."

"If you think you can."

.

.

.

"MIRA!"

"MIRA-NEE!"

Suddenly the shadow was gone, and Wendy's true nightmare began.

Mirajane, who had always been so kind to her, her pure white hair stained with blood, hung suspended in the air by each limb, forming an X with her body. Ropes of sand coiled around her wrists and ankles, her head lolling to the side, clearly unconscious. At her feet Lisanna and Elfman struggled, bound by sand that seemed to have taken on a life of its own.

Wendy stood rooted to her spot, uncomprehending as the ropes pulled at Mirajane's arms. Her body stretched, straining against the unnaturally strong pull.

Lisanna screamed wordlessly, her voice grating against her throat. Elfman roared, thrashing from side to side. The sand remained heedless. It pulled and pulled and pulled—

"Huh?" Mirajane's eyes began to open, slowly at first, until they snapped open, registering the pain. She shrieked, opening her mouth to cry out—

For Wendy, it was as if everything went silent. Mirajane's body snapped apart, and blood became rain.

"Why, Wendy?"

Sound came rushing back. Lisanna glared, tears in her eyes as Elfman openly sobbed, trying vainly to drag his body to the scattered pieces of his beloved sister. Nothing would come out of Wendy's throat,

"You should have saved her," Lisanna whispered, drenched in the blood of her sibling. "It should have been you!"

earlier that day

"Welcome to my grandfather's house!"

The Fairy Tail mages looked up at the huge mansion in awe. It was built completely out of stone, with copious windows and a front garden—a garden, in the desert! Wendy's mouth dropped open for a moment before she realized and shut it quickly, embarrassed.

"Wow, your house is freaking huge!" Natsu grinned, arms behind his head. "Ya got anything to eat?"

"Quiet, idiot!" Lucy snapped, wiping a hand across her forehead. "It's not polite to just ask for food!"

"Aw, lighten up, Luigi!" pouted Natsu. "I'm hungry, I didn't eat anything on the train!"

"Yeah, Luigi! Don't be mean to Natsu!" Happy circled her head, batting at her face with his paws.

"Shut up, you stupid cat! My name is Lucy," she growled, grabbing at the Exceed.

Merin stared. "Is this…normal, for you? And why is that cat talking—for that matter why is it flying?"

Wendy smiled awkwardly, mouth twitching. "It's…a long story. I'll explain later, if you want." Gajeel snorted at the displeased frown that appeared on Romeo's face.

"Cool!" beamed Merin, inserting a key and opening the front door. "Later, though. Right now we have to introduce you to grandfather," he eyed the girls up and down, "and get you properly dressed."

He threw open the door, and Wendy's mouth dropped open once again. Only this time, she didn't bother closing it.

The front hall was spacious and gleaming with white. Pure marble floors seemed to absorb the golden lights, reflecting them back as if they were glowing. Two staircases swept up either wall, connected by a landing that extended into the upper floor, presumably where the bedrooms were. Merin led the slack jawed group down the hall, past an elaborate dining room, a comfortable looking parlor, and into a smaller but no less elegant family room. The shades were down, darkening the room considerably, but it remained lit by small lacrimae. At a desk in the corner sat elderly looking man with hair whitened from age. His face was serious, wrinkled, but the crow's feet around his eyes indicated he smiled he often.

Merin bowed. "Grandfather, I've brought the mages of Fairy Tail," he said, eyes fixed on the ground.

The old man turned, smiling at the sight of Merin. He began to speak in the same harsh but elegant language as before, his voice calm and pleasant. Merin straightened and answered in lilting, bird-like tones, his voice lifting and falling.

Wendy shifted from foot to foot. Calm down, she thought. This is your mission. You're the healer. You can save—she choked mentally, thoughts coming to a halt.

Save…who can I save? I can't save anyone.

Time slowed. Wendy's heart beat faster; her eyes unfocused as she panicked, doubt welling up in her mind.

I can't do it. It can't be me. I have to ask Romeo-kun or Gajeel-san or Natsu-san to be in charge for me—

A hand wrapped around her wrist, slightly callused but still warm. Romeo's gaze remained fixed forwards, but he leaned his head to the side, just over her shoulder. "Don't be so nervous. It's my mission too, you know. I have to protect you, and it won't do me any good if you're panicking while I'm trying to…well, do stuff," he ended lamely.

Wendy blushed reflexively at the feel of his hand on hers, but it soon faded as she took in its warmth. She breathed deeply once, allowing herself to feel the presence of her family around her. The scent of old paper and ink from Levy, of earth from Gajeel, Natsu's passion, Lucy's kindness. Charle landed on her shoulder, providing quiet assurance to her charge. The sound of fluttering wings echoed as the other Exceeds took their places on their respective Dragonslayers' shoulders.

I'm not alone, she thought fiercely. I have my nakama. It's not just me.

The old man said something, glancing at the mages. Merin answered quickly and walked purposefully out of the room, closing the door behind him. With a glance at each other Romeo and Wendy stepped forward.

The old man smiled and stood. "Welcome," he said in more accented but no less fluent Fioran. "I thank you for coming, wizards of Fairy Tail."

"I apologize for my idiot grandson." He glanced wryly out the door. "He probably dragged you here without explaining anything."

"Got that right," Gajeel grunted, crossing his arms. The old man looked over at him, seemingly unfazed by his pierced and menacing appearance.

"Let my introduce myself," he continued. "My name is Zahin Edris. My grandson, whom you've obviously met, is Merin Edris. May I ask for your names?"

Natsu grinned, bright and warm always. "The name's Natsu Dragneel, gramps! Nice to meetcha! And this is Happy," he pointed to the small blue cat perched on his shoulder.

"Aye!"

"Don't be so rude, Natsu!" moaned Lucy. She gave Zahin an apologetic look, but he only chuckled and shook his head. "I'm Lucy Heartfilia, sir. I'm a Celestial Spirit Mage, and Natsu is a Fire Dragonslayer."

"A slayer of dragons, you say?" Zahin's eyes widened in disbelief. "You must be truly powerful indeed."

"Flame Brain? Yeah right," Gajeel snickered. "He couldn't take down a dragon if it laid down in front of him and rolled over."

Natsu growled, stepping towards Gajeel, who grinned and cracked his knuckles. "What was that, you son of a—"

Levy stepped in between them, hands out. "There will be NO fighting in someone else's house, or so help me I will find Erza and get her down here," she said calmly. "Have I made myself clear?"

"Y-Yes ma'am!" Natsu snapped to attention.

"Tch," Gajeel frowned but turned his head to the side, backing down.

Levy turned to their host. "It's nice to meet you, Zahin-san," she beamed. "My name is Levy Mcgarden; I'm a Solid Script mage and here to act as a translator. This lug over here," she pointed to Gajeel, who scowled, "is Gajeel Redfox, the Iron Dragonslayer, and his partner Pantherlily."

Gajeel said nothing, but nodded. Pantherlily gave a gentlemanly bow. "A pleasure."

"Likewise," Zahin nodded. "But if I recall correctly, the request was for a healer. Which leaves…" he turned to Wendy and Romeo's direction.

Squeezing Wendy's wrist once and letting go, Romeo stepped forward with his head held high. "I'm Romeo Conbolt, a Rainbow Fire mage. I'm escorting our guild's best healer."

He turned his head backwards, smile bright, eyes inviting her forward. Wendy stepped forward, speaking carefully so as not to stutter.

"My name is Wendy Marvell," she said quietly, feeling the pride of her companions warming her back. "I'm the Sky Dragonslayer and a healer; this is Charle, my guardian." Charle nodded imperiously.

"Romeo and I chose this mission, with Levy's help," she continued, voice unwavering. "I'll do my best to help with whatever problem you have. Please take care of us." She bowed quickly.

Zahin's eyes softened at the young mage's grace. "The same to you. I have every confidence that you will be able to help us."

Abruptly the door slammed open, bouncing off the wall and shocking the mages. Merin beamed, still full of enthusiasm. "I brought them, grandfather!" he crowed.

Wendy sagged, putting hand over her racing heart. Zahin sighed.

"Yes, Merin, I can see that. As much as you seem to think, I am not yet blind."

Merin artfully ignored his grandfather, passing out a long strip of airy cloth to Wendy, Lucy, Levy, and even Charle. "You have to wrap these around your head, to cover your hair."

"I meant to ask earlier, but what is the significance of that?" Levy inquired, examining her strip of bright blue cloth, embroidered with azure butterflies—a perfect match for her aquamarine head.

"It's considered modest to cover one's head in our culture," Zahin offered. "It has religious connotations, but overall it is a symbol of humility. Men sometimes wear similar caps as well, but not always."

"More importantly than that, how the heck do you put it on?" Lucy grumbled, tossing the cloth haphazardly over her head. It was pure gold, bold and brilliant, patterned with small suns. On Lucy's head, it emphasized her hair and brightened her face, as if she was shining. Natsu's mouth opened slightly, his eyes staring until she snapped at him to stop, face red.

Wendy looked at the long piece of fabric she held in her hands, contemplating the best way to wrap it. It was pure white, and floated in her hands as if it was made of nothing but air—fitting, for a Sky Dragonslayer such as herself. Charle's was a light pink with tassels on the ends that complimented her white fur.

"Well, I think having it on your head is a good start," said Zahin, one hand posed critically on his chin. "After that, I'm…not entirely sure," he trailed off.

"You mean you don't know?" cried Lucy.

"Well, I'm not a woman," he said defensively. "Merin, do you know?"

Merin spluttered as Wendy and Romeo giggled. "Of course not! Why don't you ask—"

A sigh sounded from behind. Wendy turned towards the door, where an elderly woman stood with a basket full of vegetables in hand, shaking her head at the boys' foolishness. She wore a long, loose skirt and cardigan, and her hair was covered with a black cloth.

"Whatever will I do with you two?" she chuckled, sweeping into the room and setting her basket on the desk. Zahin looked at her with a soft, dear expression, and she covered his hand with hers for a moment, looking deeply into his eyes. Merin made a face.

"Come here, girls," she turned to them, eyes sparkling with good humor, "I am Aaliya, this old fool's wife. I will show you how to wear them."

She took the cloth gently from Wendy's hands, draping it over her head so that the end closest to her touched Wendy's forehead. She grabbed both trailing parts and twirled them around her shoulders, tucking the ends under to hold them in place, leaving Wendy's face uncovered. Romeo's breath caught; the way she was she looked almost like a bride.

Gajeel's foot thumped the back of his ankle gently but firmly. "Cool it, kid," he rumbled. "You look like a tomato."

Aaliya repeated the process for Levy, Lucy, and Charle. "There now," she said, "such beautiful girls."

"Thank you very much, Aaliya-san," Lucy smiled.

"I'm going to start dinner," said Aaliya. "We'll have a feast, to celebrate the arrival of such heroes in our home." Natsu preened, puffing out his chest. "Merin, come help your old grandmother."

"Do I have to?" he whined, even as he hurried to grab her basket and open the door. "And you're not old, grandmother." He looked at the contents of the basket, and stopped. "Are you going to make masgouf? Because if so, you forgot the tomatoes."

She gasped. "I didn't!"

Making her way over to peer at the contents of the basket, she sighed. "Merin, you'll have to go fetch some."

With a sly look at Wendy, Lucy quickly spoke up. "Why don't you take Wendy too?" Romeo's head whipped around to stare at her, mouth open. His eyes screamed betrayal, to Lucy's delight.

Wendy, meanwhile, was blissfully oblivious to the plotting happening behind her. "Sure! That would help to get me acquainted with the village."

"And we would be happy to help you, Aaliya-san," said Levy.

"Perfect! Let's get going then, my lady!" Merin jokingly held out his arm.

Until now, Romeo had resembled a bomb about to explode, his jaw working up and down without actually saying anything, hands clenching and unclenching. At this, however, he exploded into movement.

"I'll go too!" he practically ran in between Merin and Wendy, snatching up Wendy's arm in his own, ignoring the small twinge of pride in his chest at her instantaneous and furious blush. Merin cocked an eyebrow, looking vaguely amused.

"F-For security purposes," Romeo blustered. He pretended the excited giggles in the background weren't happening because there was no way Lucy had set that up on purpose the conniving little—

"Well, then," said Merin, "I guess we'd better get going!"

"And the church is over there—"

"The church?" interrupted Wendy.

"Oh yeah," nodded Merin, tomatoes in hand. "We call it an udram. A lot of the people here are very religious. That's a lot of the reason everybody freaked put when you guys showed up with no covers; but it's mostly the old people who haven't gotten out much, you know? It's kind of hard since most of them don't, well, really know much else—"

"I think you'll find that we 'old people' know much more than someone like you, Merin Edris," a deep, icy voice cut in.

Merin came to stop, for the first time with a look of true annoyance on his face. Sucking in a breath he erased the emotions from his face and turned to face the voice.

An old man, around Zahin's age stood in the doorway of the udram, wearing long robes of white and an elaborate golden headpiece, wrapping around his head like vines. His head was free of hair, covered by a white round cap. His white beard was trimmed short, and his gnarled hands clutched a long wooden staff. Wendy took a step back as his small, beady black eyes fixated on her, narrowing with disgust. Romeo frowned, taking a half step in front of her with his arm slightly out to the side as if to shield her from his gaze.

"You Edris fools," the old man growled, the sunspots on his hands evident as he gripped his staff. "What have you done, bringing these dirty foreigners into the middle of our sacred city? You shame Ulli with your treachery."

Merin glared right back, refusing to back down. "The only one here who shames Ulli is you, Ibnir, with your refusal to accept the outside world. These foreigners, as you put it, are here to help us, regardless of your ignorance." Whispers began to form behind them as people from the marketplace stopped to watch the ongoing confrontation.

"How dare you insult a chosen of Ulli?" Ibnir sneered. "You forget your place, boy."

He turned to the crowd that had quietly gathered, raising his arms as if beckoning them forward. "We need no mages to help us! Only the grace of Ulli will save us from doom! Live your life in submission to Ulli and you will be free of fear!"

Romeo looked to Merin, who translated. "He is saying that we don't need you; that only the grace of our god Ulli will save us. Ibnir is a foolish old man, who won't take no for an answer. A lot of people listen to his babble just because of how long he's been a priest—but most of the elders listen because they agree with his outdated beliefs."

Ibnir looked to Wendy and Romeo, speaking in heavily accented and malicious Fioran. "Only children. You must be a truly powerful healer, boy. I certainly hope the rest of your guild aren't as weak as you and your wench look."

Romeo stepped up, face a mask of anger and opened his mouth to speak—

"He is not a healer."

Wendy gently pushed Romeo behind her with a hand on his chest. He stumbled back, mouth still open. She looked to Merin, who nodded silently. He repeated what she said in Meshbaalan. The crowd buzzed.

Wendy folded her hands together, gripping tightly. With calmness she certainly wasn't feeling she projected her voice. "I am Wendy Marvell, the Sky Dragonslayer and healer of our guild, Fairy Tail. I am here to assist you in what capacity I can."

The reaction was instantaneous. Distantly she heard Merin shout what she said back, but his voice was drowned out by an explosion of noise from the crowd. Ibnir roared, waving his staff madly.

"Blasphemy!" he cried. "This woman—no, this girl presumes to say she is healer? That she is a slayer of dragons?"

"It's true!" Romeo shouted back, wheeling to face the crowd. "Wendy was taken in by Grandeeney the Sky Dragon when she was very small, and she trained her in Dragonslayer magic—"

"Disgraceful!" Ibnir shouted, looking positively thunderous. "It is not the place of a woman to learn magic, or to heal! This insolent charlatan is trying to makes fools out of us; she is trying to taint the women of our community! She is nothing! She cannot do anything!"

"Do not listen to this demon's words, I implore you," he begged the crowd, even as his eyes shined with malice. "Remember your place, all of you women, and Ulli will forgive you!"

"Forgive them for what?" snapped Merin, momentarily stopping his translation. "For being born? Wendy probably has way more power than you, Ibnir!"

"I will not have this insolence," Ibnir cried. "Ulli will not be denied—"

"I think that is quite enough of this nonsense," a familiar sounding voice stated authoritatively from the crowd. The crowd parted silently to admit the same elderly woman from earlier. Her sharp eyes took in the situation, silently noting the beginnings of tears in Wendy's eyes.

Merin leaned in close to Romeo and Wendy, murmuring. "That is Ashmat. She is an elder of the community. Her ancestors were the founders of Hamil—and she's never been one to listen to Ibnir about women. She's kind of a radical around here, but people listen to what she has to say because of her ancestry, and because she actually thinks before she says anything."

"You will leave these people be, Ibnir," she said—no, commanded. "If they say that they can help us, then I am inclined to believe them. They have done nothing to incur your wrath."

"Ulli will not abide by this, Ashmat—"

"No, you will not abide by it, Ibnir," Ashmat cut him off. "Or do you fancy yourself to be Ulli incarnate?"

Ibnir said nothing, only ground his teeth and swept back into the udram, slamming the doors for good measure.

"And you, Merin," she looked sternly at him as the crowd began to disperse, shooting looks at Wendy and Romeo. "No matter whether you agree or disagree with them, show some respect for your elders."

"Yes, efendim," Merin bowed.

"Youngsters," she grumbled good-naturedly. She turned a slightly kinder eye on the young mages, switching languages. "Do not take what he says to heart," she said to Wendy. "Ibnir does not have his head screwed on straight; the day he speaks sense is the day Ulli comes for us all."

"Thank you very much, Ashmat-san," Wendy bowed quickly wiping her tears. She nodded once and turned on her heel, making her way through the crowd again.

"I think it's high time you told us exactly what this 'problem' of yours is," Romeo said to Merin. He sighed.

"Grandfather is…still working some things out. He'll take you to the place tomorrow; until then I'd rather not say anything," said Merin.

"But—" Romeo tried to argue.

Wendy gently put a hand on his arm, stopping his words in their tracks. She looked at Merin and nodded.

"We understand," she said. "We'll wait for tomorrow."

after the nightmare

Wendy laid in the room she had chosen, heart hammering, face wet with tears she had unconsciously cried, thinking over the events of the day to distract herself from Mirajane's gruesome death. She looked at the clock—12:01 AM.

"I guess it's tomorrow."

desert outlying Meshbaal, date and time unknown

Gray leaned back on the sand, fingering his necklace absentmindedly. His eyes followed the swaying leaves of the palm tree above his head; he and Erza had made camp in a small oasis close to the town they had come from.

"I wonder where they could be hiding her," he mused. "There's not exactly much cover in the open desert, except for under the sand."

"Regardless, we have completed the physical search," Erza said from her place by the pool of water. "Tomorrow we will use the magical detection device that was given to us to search for concealment; hopefully that will be more effective. Until then, get some sleep."

"Sir yes sir," Gray grumbled quietly, turning onto his side.

"What was that?"

"Nothing ma'am!"

"That's what I thought. And put your shirt back on; it's not good to sleep bare in the desert. You'll get sunburn."

He closed his eyes and thought of home.

They have begun to move.

Just in case anyone was confused the italics at the beginning of each chapter are Wendy's dreams-I might not do an "aftermath" every chapter, but just assume that they are occurring each night one after the other (wow I'm so mean to poor Wendy). I promise they have relevance!

Please leave a review on your way out-reviews are my favorite snack!

-WD2645

Song: Glitter (Starving Trancer Remix)-from Fairy Tail