Alcina woke up surrounded by all her friends in the guild medical ward. She had over heard how Luxus had been excommunicated from being a guild member and that Makarov even tried to resign. She herself was very exhausted, Lucy and Loke seemed on edge while talking to her and asked her if she could remember their fight with Bickslow but all Alcina could recall was the blast of magic right before it hit Lucy.
"You got caught in its path and must have knocked you out." Lucy stammered waving her hand.
"That's so strange though, I don't remember being that close to it at all." Alcina pondered over it while adjusting her self in the plush bed.
"I would have grabbed you to if I had seen you." Loke claimed while lounging in a chair.
Laughing Alcina waved her hands at him " I know you would have. I'm not that bad off anyways, I bet all these bandages are just for show cause I don't feel hurt at all." She assured them.
Lucy and Loke sweat dropped, if only she knew what happened. "Well we will let you rest up either way, they just want to make sure everything is working properly." Loke reassured her with a bandage wrapped hand on her shoulder as they stood up.
"Ha sure, I'll see you guys later. Tonight?" Alcina offered.
"Yeah tonight for sure." Lucy replied as they rushed a bit out of the ward.
They didn't look back as Alcina seemed fine but the moment they were out they door her face contour in a twist as a sniffle escaped her paled face. ' I can't let them see him again. I hurt Loke and could have easily hurt Lucy and Happy as well. Trying to play off his burns like I didn't cause them. I cant believe that I did that. '
As Loke and Lucy made it further away from the medical ward they began speaking in hushed voices "What do you think that was before?" Lucy whispered.
"I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with her 'God.' I may see what I can find out from Horolugium, if he can even find something like that out. I don't think all of her magic is coming from her though and I have a bad feeling of where it could be coming from." Loke pondered as they continued on.
"I think you're right... I felt scared, like all of the hair on my arms stood up and everything was telling me to run when she put her hand on my shoulder." Lucy continued.
"Hmm right, I think its best we do some research on Deia Island and the gods that are involved with the place. Why don't you ask Levy to help you search through the library. I'll go back to the spirit world and see what I can find out." Agreeing they went their separate ways.
Spending a few more hours in the ward and Alcina felt very lonely, neither Lucy or Loke had returned by the time she was ready to leave. Given the green light,and had the bandages removed to show nothing but smooth skin. Her hair had a strange smell but they had explained while she was still unconscious the nurses had cleaned debris from her, and was probably shampoo or something, but Alcina could smell the slightest hint of blood all over her, but mostly in her own hair.
The sun had began to set as Alcina began walking home, heading down the water way the sun glistened off the water. All the shades of brilliant red, orange, yellow and pink played over the water. She wished her friends were here to see it with her but felt so very lonely even with the street full of happy people, passing by a store, Alcina smelled strong liquor inside. Stopping she stared at the entrance to the bar, some ache filling her chest. She knew of one way to stop that ache.
After Lucy and Loke meet up and had gone over what they found out it was already beginning to get late into the evening. But much to their horror over what they found out they knew they needed to find Alcina and talk to her. Lucy agreed to go to the guild and Loke would check her home. The sun had set hours ago but Loke hadn't found her at home so he was walking back to the guild to see if Lucy had any luck. On his way while he was passing a bar he heard shouts coming from inside, though he felt he had bigger problems then some drunks as they were pushed out of the bar. Side stepping around them Loke continued on until he heard a wild shout and a blast of magic burning the door to the bar open.
Standing back he watch as Alcina kicked the burning door out and sent it flying a crossed the street till it crashed into the water way. The men that had been shoved out the door moments before quickly clambered to their feet unsteadily as Alcina let out a loud 'Wop' and jumped at the men. She punched one of the taller men right in the mouth and he hit the ground, out cold. "That's what you get for touching my butt you filthy beast!" Alcina shouted turning on the other two men.
Loke quickly grabbed Alcina by her wrist and jerked her towards him. A red burst of magic plumed out of her mouth as she shouted again while throwing her head back. "Alcina! Stop!" Loke demanded.
Jerking her arms against him Alcina tried to pull away from Loke but he wouldn't let go as she struggled against him. "Let me go! I'll kick their ass!" Alcina commanded as another blast of magic shout from her mouth barely missing Loke.
"No! You need to calm down now!" Loke continued while tightening his grip on Alcina.
Growling at him he noticed that Alcina's eyes were bloodshot and her breath smiled horribly like vodka. "Will you guys just get out of here already?!" Loke barked at the men who Alcina wanted to tear into.
Quickly they grabbed the man that was still knocked out and rounded a corner, then were out of sight. All the while Alcina struggled against Loke who's grip wouldn't let up. "Alcina calm down, their gone." Loke drawled out.
"No! They are the scums of the earth. Thinking they can do what they want and then just leave! Like you left!" Alcina spewed.
"Stop it. Let me go!" Alcina cried out, tears pooling in her eyes as her voice broke.
Loke pulled her into him, wrapping her in his arms even though she pushed against him. He held her tightly till her struggles lessened to hardly even shifting in his arms as hushed whimpers escaped her lips. "Why didn't you come back?" Alcina murmured with her face buried into Loke's shoulder.
"I was trying to find something important first. When we came back you were gone so I was looking for you." Loke explained while holding her.
The smell of goldenrod's filled his noise as he rested his head on top of hers. He became lost in the smoothness of her hair and relaxing smell flooded his mind. Then it hint, just a whiff of metallic blood that still lingered in her hair and it snapped him back to why he was trying to find Alcina. Pulling away he still held on to her arms, "Alcina we have to talk." Loke intimated while staring into her eyes, they had returned to their normal beautiful green.
Smiling Alcina suggested "We can go back to my house."
Nodding Alcina and Loke began walking back down the water way. He was keeping his arm protectively around her shoulders to help keep her steady again. Once they reached her house, she unlocked the door and lead the way up the stairs into her house. When she opened the front door the fragrant smell of something tropical filled his nose. Looking around he noted that every ledge was full of an assortment off books, trinkets, flowers and sparkling rocks. The flowers that were all over were planted in sand or loose gravel and didn't look familiar to him. " Where did this all come from?" Loke questioned as Alcina moved through the house.
"They're flowers from Deia islands. There is apparently a trade ship to one of the islands and in some of the trades there were plants so I bought them, every one that I knew of and I bought it." Alcina stated admiring the plants that were all assortments but they all had one thing in common, the smell they gave off was wonderful and made the room fill comfy and relaxed.
Returning his attention to the true matter of his search for her. Sitting down at her low table Loke motioned for her to join him. Although a little sloppy she sat down a crossed from Loke while scooting a pile of books out of the way. "You certainly filled this place up in such a short time. When I first came here you had nothing but a bed and this table." Loke noted.
"Well of course I did, there are so many great this in Fiore. All the books and little statues. Their all part of your culture and I find them so very interesting. I just wanted to fill these rooms up so I could feel like I'm part of it now." Alcina explained while admiring all of her trinkets.
Loke wasn't sure how to respond to that, she seemed far happier here in her apartment then she had earlier. He was trying to figure out how to bring up what he and Lucy had been able to put together earlier with their research. "But enough of my trinkets. You came to talk to me about Ortex didn't you." Alcina addressed him in a flat tone.
"Is that the name of the Demon or God? The one that took over your body?" Loke assumed.
"Yes, his name is Ortex. But he didn't take it, we have an agreement, a contract of sorts for when I am in mortal danger then he can protect me. He knew I couldn't win against Bickslow, so he was going to win for me." Alcina revealed with a passive look.
"But his killing you in the process!" Loke slammed his hands against the table.
"No, its part of the contract. Humans weren't meant to have to powers of the gods Loke. Its just what happens when I can't protect mysel-" Loke cut her off "Then let me protect you! I'm strong enough that you don't need to use Ortex anymore!"
"Loke its not that simple. Ortex is my partner. He lives in my body just as much as I do. He and I are one being now and there's no way to force him out without me going as well! All that would be left is a empty husk of my body, no emotion, no life. Ortex can not leave or I will die." Alcina tried to reassure him.
"What do you mean? Of course he can leave, you lived fine without him and I'm su-" "No I did not live without him! Ortex is the only reason I am alive at all!" Alcina shouted smacking the table, her face was flush and her nostrils were flared.
Both said nothing for minutes as silence crept into the room till Alcina finally began to speak again. "When I was still a child I was weak and sick... Very, very sick all the time. Sometimes I would have bouts of good health were I could get out and play but they never lasted very long. I got lost one of those times, stuck of a sand bar during high tide.
By the time the water receded it was already too late for me. I was delirious and had became sick on the sand bar... No one had found me when Ortex did. I was on the cusp of dying when he found my weak little body dirty and covered in sand. We made a deal. Ortex would save me, not only from death that day but every day after.
Ortex is a strong Warrior God. He chooses only those he knows will be strong and protect others. He saved my live that day on that sand bar and other times after. I was never sick again, I became strong and went on to become a royal guard for my family. We left Deia island because Ortex and I both agreed. We had to find Erasmus and stop him from hurting more people. I'm sorry I never told you Loke... Or anyone about Ortex but I didn't want you all to worry. I'm strong because of him, my body is healthy and I can protect those I care about..." Alcina disclosed.
"You lost control! You were going to kill Bickslow in that fight just to protect us. You know you're not a killer Alcina." Loke exclaimed, how could she not see how dangerous is was to keep using Ortex's power.
"Some times Ortex gets made and I can't control him. I thought Bickslow had killed Lucy and I let him take control. I was so angry. I just wanted Bickslow to hurt and Ortex was going to make sure he hurt." Alcina uttered.
"Alcina you can't... you can't use him anymore. You'll die if you continue..." Loke stated.
"I know what will happen Loke. I normally don't need his help with magic, I am strong on my own but Ortex is my protector whether I agree anymore or not... If you want... Ortex could talk to you, maybe help you understand who he is since his part of me." Alcina offered.
"Will it-" "No Loke, it wont kill me any quicker. He wont be using his powers to talk." Alcina reassured him with her hand over his and a smile.
Her hair began shifting around, while her features got sharper and seems more pointed, her eyes were red when she opened them and the smile turned into a smirk. "My dear boy Loke. Oh you wouldn't believe the things that Alcina has had to say about you." Her voice was deeper though there was no echo like before.
"And I can tell you have some things you aren't sharing with her either. Like how you love her." Ortex purred.
Loke blushed and pulled his hand away "How did you know!? Does Alcina know?" He questioned.
Ortex threw his head back, the blonde hair rolling and shaking with him while he bellowed out laughter. " Oh dear boy she can't hear us, it's like she's sleeping right now. Alcina doesn't even realize it yet. She thinks she kissed you wrong back in the basement and now you don't see her fit to be your mate."
"Huh? But I overstepped. I rushed into it and I didn't mean to. She didn't do anything wrong, I did... So she doesn't hate me?" Loke asked him.
"Loke I am an old God. I'm older then you can imagine, older then even the dragons and I have seen a lot of love, hate, anger, depression and etcetera. But Alcina, she is something else. An old soul that is almost naive. She has seen horrible things but still wants to believe that there is good out there in the world, but her sisters death broke her for a while.
I hadn't meant it to happen but Morgana tried to stop me and she got too close. She burned against my magic. Alcina can still recall every moment of watching her sister die in her arms and I can feel her pain when she thinks about it, but when she is around you. Around her nakame, she doesn't remember it as much. You help her forget the pain till she doenst even remember that she was hurt to start with.
She has never been with a man before Loke. She doesn't know what she's supposed to be doing, she's in love and doesn't even know it. I don't want her to die Loke. I like being with her. She only has a few more times that she could use my powers before it kills her. One thing that has never changed is how weak a humans body is. It can only take so much damage. I will try to keep her from using it but only if I had your promise that you will protect her from the dangers that she is trying to face." Ortex imparted while leaning over the table.
"Of course I'll protect her! I woul-" "No Loke! I need your promise that you will do everything possible to protect her. Promise me!" Ortex demanded grabbing Loke's collar and jerked him towards him.
"I promise I'll protect Alcina with my life!" Loke shouted snarling at Ortex.
Ortex dropped his collar and return to sitting back at the table. "Good, because Erasmus is going to be a challenge even for you. Alcina isn't going to stop until she find him, she will try to keep you all away from him but you will have to follow her to defeat him. He is a God as well and a tricky one. He will do everything he can to separate Alcina from you." Ortex explained.
"But why does Erasmus want Alcina so badly? I know she wants to find him but why is he after her now?" Loke pondered.
"Because of me. Erasmus is someone from my past. He turned out to be file human, he didn't want to protect others but to rule them once he had my powers, but once I am a part of someone it is very hard to separate. I wouldn't help him and due to that he died. Only for a few seconds did his heart stop but I left immediately when it happened.
Now he has let a God called Banemuck take control of him and is always in the shadows. Waiting, taunting, driving people into madness. If he can not have my powers then he has decided that no one should have them. Now I don't know what he has planned but it can be no good for Alcina or I.
If something were to happen, I would kill Alcina in the process to protect her. Her spirit and mine would both leave her body and she would become trapped in the Eternal Realms with me. That's why you must protect so I do not have to." Ortex explained while ringing his hands.
Even though it was Ortex he was talking to, Loke couldn't help but observe Alcina's looks. She looked fiercer with Ortex in control, like no one would dare challenge her because she would destroy them. But in truth, she was still only human, without Ortex her body was still strong but not enough. "I won't let her get in such a position that you would need to help her. Ortex you have my promise that she will not get in harms way. I am a Steller Spirit, one of the strongest at that. I know I can protect her from Erasmus and Banemuck, both who are very unlucky to be facing me." Loke assured him.
With a smirk Ortex nodded at him. "Good, I knew you would be a great asset. Alcina will need you now more then ever. Banemuck is getting closer all the time and you will have to be the one who drives him away. Even though you're a Steller Spirit, he is still a God none the less... Now take care of Alcina. I'm taking my leave." Ortex stated as his features softened again, the blonde wild hair calmed till it lowered and hung over her shoulders, then Alcina opened her eyes to reveal the same beautiful green that Loke was so fond of.
With a smile Alcina rested her hand over Loke's again before asking, "So how did it go? Ortex says he likes you."
Loke blushed as he recalled the first part of their conversation, then said "It was a good talk but I am pretty tired. May I stay here for the night?"
"Huh?" Alcina started blushing madly as she glanced down at the table before stammering "Sure, but I only have one bed."
Loke stood up and pulled Alcina up with him, with a grin he said "It's okay. I don't mind." Before he kissed her check.
He let go of her hands and walked over to the bed, taking off his shoes, jackets, shirt and dress pants. Leaving him in his boxers and Alcina with such a deep blush on her face she could have been in a tomato contest and won. With a smirk her slid in to her bed, "Are you gonna come lay with me?" He asked oh so innocently.
Alcina fumbled with her clothes and then clumsily climbed into bed with him, even with the deep blush still over her face she felt content and safe in his arms as he held her while they laid together through the night.