"I don't understand, why do you want me to enchant this sword?"
This older vendor with a purple hat and small glasses looks down at my steel blade as he asks.
"It doesn't matter, I have provided the required payment, the reasoning is not important."
200,000 jewel, every last one given to this man, a simple exchange. I asked him a simple task, something I know for a fact he can do.
"Alright, alright, but I'll have to inscribe the enchantment directly on the blade, is that alright?"
The short enchanter asks, sounding exasperated. I only nod in reply, a small inscription is nothing compared to the benefits I will reap. Apparently sensing my apparition, the man turns around, before pulling a large book from a shelf.
"Now, if you're this serious about getting the enchantment, I'm sure I don't need to lecture you about the parameters, however…"
He plops down the large, dust ridden book on the table beside my blade.
"Allow me to reiterate what will happen once the inscription is placed."
I sigh but decide against arguing with the elderly enchanter, letting him explain what will happen to my steel sword will probably only serve to motivate him to actually place the enchantment. As I watch the short, white-haired man flip through a multitude of pages, my eyes are drawn downwards to the clear, metallic, reflective surface of my sword. I can see myself in the reflection, and I don't like what I see. This sword reminds me of who I am, or, at least, who I was; it might be more accurate to say what I was, but regardless, I can't convince myself I've changed all that much.
"Ah, here it is."
The old enchanter suddenly stops on a page, shaking me from my thoughts and pulling my attention back up to the elderly man as he continues.
"I am going to inscribe an enchantment in Laurethium, and the characters you have requested translate roughly to 'Wounded this by this object shall revert damage caused in 88-time fractions, except when the wound is that of a self-affliction.'"
The man takes a breath in, before glancing to me.
"As I'm sure you know, Laurethium is not a spoken language."
I simply nod in reply. I use Laurethium every day, and while you can make assumptions which somewhat translate to a verbal form of communication, it isn't intended to be said aloud.
The old man glances down at the bag of money I gave him before he looks up at me. He looks as though he intends to lecture me more like he wants to give his opinion. But, when his eyes meet mine, I see any and all intent of him doing so fade away, almost like he realized how futile his efforts would be, how they'd be nothing more, than a waste of breath.
In the end, he saved his breath.
The guild hall has been really quiet for the past few days, everyone's been rushing out on jobs, taking whatever requests are available. It's either a collective, spontaneous sense of motivation, or I'm missing something.
Natsu doesn't seem to want any company besides Happy on these jobs, so I've taken the opportunity to take a bit of a rest. I mean, it isn't completely abandoned here, Mira's still here, Wendy and Carla are usually here, and I'm pretty sure Lisanna is here, though she'd be in the back room.
He hasn't woken up.
En's been out cold ever since that day Wendy and I were captured. His self-amputation of his right arm seemed to really hit his body hard, and every minute that goes by makes me worry about him a little more. None of us are entirely sure why he made the decision to slice his arm off, though it's obvious he did it to save Lisanna, and if he did something that decisive, then you would think he deemed it necessary.
Regardless of the reasoning, I think his actions have impacted every member of Fairy Tail, in some capacity. I think it was a sort of reminder of the kind of guild we are, I think it's safe to say we would all make that kind of sacrifice if we had too, but the fact En just joined and already acted on that philosophy really speaks volumes.
While his doings were undisputedly brave and heroic, I have caught myself worrying about his future recently. Realistically, his loss of limb is going to impact his life, and as much as I'd like it to be otherwise, none of these changes are going to be positive. A lot of his life is going to feel the consequences of what happened, especially his magic style. I don't claim to know anything about using a sword, but I can only imagine how difficult it is going to be trying to use something he obviously relies on for combat and magic.
I shake my head and stand up. I keep losing time and worry about En. It isn't going to help if I keep sitting and musing about his health and potentially dark future. Then again, what can I do to help this?
I let out a long sigh, maybe just being at the guildhall is bad for me right now, or maybe I'm just exhausted. There were dark circles in the mirror this morning, these past few nights have been pretty restless.
I guess I'll go home, trying to get some sleep is better than doing nothing.
Turning, I take a few steps towards the door, before a voice from my left grabs my attention.
"Lucy, do you have a moment?"
I slow to a halt, before looking over to our elderly, short, guild master.
"Yeah, what do you need?"
Answering his question with another question, I take a leisurely step towards him as he slightly readjusts his seating on the wooden counter he is often perched upon.
"I have a bit of a request to ask of you…"
Makarov starts, sounding somewhat hushed and serious. I patiently wait for him to continue.
"I need you to visit a secluded temple in the North."
He says in a hushed tone. As I'm about to inquire as to why he wants me to visit this place, Makarov reaches into his coat, with his right arm, and pulls out a sealed envelope.
"There is a woman, she has never stepped out of that temple. I need you to deliver this letter to her."
He extends the piece of paper to me. I just look down and stare at it for a moment, before saying.
"Umm, why? What's in the envelope?"
Makarov sighs at my question, before responding.
"Just a question, but a question of great importance. And that is all, you need to know."
It's rare for him to speak so dismissively, and almost angrily, so I take the hint and don't ask anything else. Before I grab the letter, a new question forms in my mind.
"Ok, but if this letter is so important, why are you giving it to me?"
Makarov slightly shakes his head, lightly ruffling his grey hair as he does.
"Do you see anyone else here I can ask?"
Instinctively, I glance around the ghostly guild hall. It's hard to argue with that logic, but…
"Wait, does that mean I'm your last option?"
I ask, trying not to let any anger seep into my voice. The old man instantly grows a large smile.
"Don't think of it like that Lucy, I just need a capable wizard to run an errand for me, and you perfectly fit what I need."
I sigh. He's not even trying to cover up the fact he's asking me just because it's convenient for him.
"Anyways, the lady you'll be looking for goes by the name Edea, and it is of significance that someone I can trust sees this letter get to her. I would go myself, but I don't feel comfortable leaving in the middle of En's recovery, and leaving the hall undermanned when a kidnapping just took place, it seems a little ill-advised."
I can't argue with that, him leaving now would be like stripping armor in the middle of a swords fight. Giving a single nod, I reach forward and grab the crisp envelope from Makarov's hand.
"And you'll need this too."
He reaches into the other side of his coat, this time retrieving a folded up piece of paper. I don't hesitate, this time, immediately grabbing the single, thin piece of paper.
"Directions."
He says with a smile. This whole thing seems oddly, relevant. I don't know how else to describe it, but this letter, and this Edea lady, I can just tell from the manner in which their being talked about, they are both extremely important.
Unceremoniously, I shove the folded page into my left pocket, as I hold the letter in my right hand.
"Another thing Lucy, let's just keep this whole matter between the two of us. I don't want to have too many people involved in this."
As he says this, he moves and erects to a stance on the counter. He stretches his short arms, causing his light jacket to sway around. Now standing, he looks straight into my eyes.
"It's important that this letter remains sealed until it is in Edea's hands. I'm sure you're curious about all of this, but I am being vague for a reason. You can ask Edea any questions you may have."
I nod slowly, before looking down to the letter. Quietly, I ask.
"Is it really ok for me to be wandering by myself? I mean, I did get abducted a few days ago-"
I'm cut off.
"Lucy, the people who kidnapped you were not after you, your abduction was nothing less than a consequence of circumstance. Besides, you are a member of Fairy Tail, so you're more than capable to look after yourself. When you fall, just look down at your hand, and remember we will always be here, to help you back on your feet."
I can't help but smile at his words. With new found confidence and sensing this conversation has concluded, I turn towards the door.
"Alright then, I'm off."
I say while breathing out.
"Be safe, my child."
He says calmly, with a weight of sincerity behind every word. Upon hearing that, I take a few steps forward.
Before long, I'm out the door.
Here's what happened next...