Chapter 7

I jumped and instinctively did a backward somersault in the air, landing backwards as I narrowly avoided being hit by the number of daggers that were thrown at me.

Gladius grinned. "Looks like you're improving."

I grinned weakly. We've been training like this for a full two hours. Earlier today I was supposed to summon Pisces in the woods to form a contract with them, but Gladius came out and started attacking me with random weapons all over! I mean, if you took one look at the forest, your first thought that either a war broke out, or a woman is on her period and her man called her crazy.

I stumbled backwards, tipping my balance. Gladius requipped a bow and arrow, aiming at me. I moved my head to the side, since it was the only part of my body I could move. I didn't move fast enough because my cheek was nicked. It stung as blood dripped down.

I fell backwards on my bottom and winced, realizing that my arms and legs were filled with cuts. I frowned sadly and stared at my wounds.

Gladius' weapons disappeared. "Are you alright? Did I go too far?" Gladius asked as he walked towards me and sat in front of me.

I shook my head. "No, your training is fine." I said, trying to sound upbeat and cheerful, but in honestly I was just really sad.

Gladius noticed this and sat beside me. "What's up?" he asked.

I sigh. "I… I don't know what I'm going to do now."

Gladius gave me a skeptical look. "What do you mean?"

"Well, mom is gone, Yurika is gone, Sorano is missing… I may be a mage, but I don't feel like joining a guild. Yukino can't take care of herself without me there, and I can't do anything on my own." I said before closing my eyes. "What's wrong with me? It's times like these when I really want mama to give me advice."

Gladius stared at me for a few minutes before looking up at the sky. "To be honest, I'm not sure what to do either." He confessed. "I'm just a spirit. A tool for Celestial Mages to use whenever they need me. I can't choose my own path anymore. I'm stuck."

I turned to Gladius as he stood up from his place. He shoved his hands inside his pockets and turned to me. "Let's go back." He said.

I looked at him, puzzled. "Go back? Where?"

His expression softened. "To your house."

I followed behind Gladius, walking back to Cedar Town. My mind was racing with thoughts with each step I take. Memories of mama, Sorano, and the other villagers flashed through my mind as I neared my old hometown.

Surprisingly, we came here faster than I anticipated. The last time it took Yukino and I to escape the town was more than a day. But when coming here, it took a mere two hours.

I supposed it's like that. Both of us did have aching bodies and bruises all over, and we couldn't even take two steps without having to find inside a tree or under a bush just to escape the cult of worshippers. I guess considering both me and Gladius' current health, it did take us faster to come here.

My expression was solemn and soft. Cedar Town was in ruins. My imagination made the scene even worst, reminiscing the scenes where it was still on fire and where people were screaming in pain and pleading for help.

My body must've did a visible reaction because I felt a hand on my shoulder, shaking me to reality. "Calm down." Gladius said before looking forward.

I followed his gaze, finding myself staring at the old light yellow painted house built atop of the hill. I swallowed before walking towards it, Gladius following me behind.

We arrived at the entry of the house. I gulped as I stood in front of it, staring at the doorknob as if it was about to eat my face off. Hesitantly, I reached towards it. The feeling of cold metal was familiar on my palm, and with a gentle twist and push, the door leading inside opened.

It was the same as before. The main room with a table and three chairs were still there. Beside the dinner table, the living room was there. The couches and the small glass table was still there. The kitchen, though dusty, still had that same embarrassing drawing I made when I was younger of me and my mom hanging above the sink.

"Gladius, you still haven't told me why we're here." I said as Gladius entered my mom's room.

He ignored me and walked towards the drawers, opening each one of them, as if he was looking for something. I twitched and crossed my arms.

"You're not looking for her old underwear again, are you?" I asked flatly.

He turned to me with a blush and a nervous smile on his face. "What are you talking about? I never ever would— Hey!"

I grabbed a pair of panties he was hiding behind his back and gave him a look.

"You know, I've come to expect this from the male species." I stated with a sigh before throwing my mom's underwear somewhere else.

He glared at me comically before pulling another drawer. I gaped when I realized what drawer he just opened.

"Y-you perverted pedophile!" I cried as I tried my best to avoid the rain of matching bras and panties came falling down from above me.

Gladius was much too focused looking inside the drawer. "Wait a minute… I know it's here somewhere…" he hummed, rummaging through the drawer.

I sigh, relieved that the rain of lingerie stopped. I opened my eyes and I was surprised to see an envelope and a small sack shoved in front of my face. I looked up and found Gladius handing it over to me.

I took it my hands and gave him a confused look. "What's this?" I asked him as I inspected the envelope. I looked at the back, and I was surprised to see my name written on the back.

'To Erika Roswell,

My loving daughter.'

My eyes widened in realization. "Mama?"

Gladius nodded. "Read it. I want to know what's inside, but it was meant for you."

I ripped the top of the envelope open and took out the folded piece of paper inside. I unfolded it and started reading the contents.

'Dear Erika,

I'm not sure when you might read this letter. Maybe when you're already a teenager, or maybe while you're still a child. I'm not sure. But as of now, you're still a wonderful little baby sleeping inside the crib, hugging your cute onion monster plushie.

In the future, I know you'll experience many things. Whether they be happy or sad, they'll be waiting for you. So many surprises are in store for you, my little Erika.

I'm sad to say this, but I'm sure when you grow up, I won't be there for you. I won't tell you the reason why. Maybe when you get this letter, I'm already gone. I'm sure you're confused of what happened, and why it happened. Don't worry Erika. You must keep in mind that what happened in the past, stays in the past. Don't let me keep you from moving on.

I want to tell you that if you choose the path of magic, my spirits will be there for you. Or rather, my friends will be there for you. Most mages think of spirits as tools in battles, but not me. They have a heat and feelings, and I think both humans and spirits are equals.

You'll probably go through many painful things in the future. As much as I want to be there for you, by your side as your grow up into a beautiful young woman and hold you in my arms, I can't. I want you to live your life to the fullest, so you'll never have any regrets.

If, by any chance, you're already a mage, I suggest you go and join a guild. I would suggest Fairy Tail or Lamia Scale, but it's your choice. I just want you to be happy, you know? That's what all a mother wants for their child.

I'm not sure what your future has in store for you, but I guarantee that you'll have on filled with surprises. I don't know why, but I have the feeling that you're a special child. Maybe it's just me.

Erika, I love you my sweet child! So what are you doing, still reading this letter? Get out of bed, you lazy girl and stand up! Stand up with those cute, chubby, baby legs of yours into the future! You are my pride and joy. Don't forget that, okay?

-Eufelia Roswell

P.S. Erika, inside the small sack is an advanced or belated birthday gift. Also, when you mature, do not look for your father.'

I hung my head low, causing my bangs to shadow my eyes. I clutched the letter tightly in my hands. Gladius looked at me in slight concern. "Erika?"

"This letter…" I murmured as I hugged the letter to my chest. "It holds mama's wishes… her wishes for me… the words she couldn't say to me at that time… all this time… she knew what was going to happen to her!"

I didn't cry. I didn't feel anything that was strong enough to make me cry. But I did feel touched. My mother knew she was going to die in the future. She knew. That's why she prepared me for everything.

"I promise!" I said. "I promise mama! I promise! I promise I'll live my life to the fullest! I'll make you proud!"

Gladius smiled at me and patted my head. "How about we go back? It's getting pretty late for a little girl like you to be alone."

I looked up at Gladius and stared at him for a moment. I smiled and then bowed at him. "Thank you, Gladius." I said sincerely.

He was taken back from my action. He rubbed the back of his head and turned to the side. "What? Uh, no, it's fine! 'Sides, your mom told me to give it to you, so, uh, yeah."

I grinned. "You're so awkward, Gladius."

"Shut up before I decide to continue our training."

On the way back, I looked inside the small sack mama left me. When I opened it, a small bracelet was inside. It was a plain bracelet filled with red and white stones. I smiled contently as I placed the accessory on my right wrist.

I exhaled. "Huh, I can't believe it's been so long since that day." I murmured to myself as I walked back towards town. "It really does feel as if time flew by in a second."

Suddenly, I realized how old I sounded when I said that. I giggled under my breath. "Well, if I counted my real age, I wouldn't be surprised anymore." I said merrily before jogging back to my apartment.

I arrived in town, and I was surprised to see many people buzzing around the streets. I raised an eyebrow in question as I maneuvered my way through the crowds of adults and children alike.

"What's up today?" I asked out loud. "Even during Spring season, we never had this many tourists before."

I spotted a nearby vendor, who goes by the name of Felix, smiling and beaming as a number of people bought most of his merchandise. Hear me when I say that in a blink of an eye all his stuff was gone, because it was all sold in a mere minute!

Felix was beaming and chuckling maliciously as he stared at the bag of money in his hands. I sigh and walked towards him.

"Um, Felix-san?"

He jumped and turned around, alarmed. When he spotted me, he relaxed and chuckled. "Hello there Erika. What brings you here? If you wanted to buy some more clothes, I'm afraid I'm sold out."

I nodded. "I've noticed. How did they all get sold out? Usually, you have to beg just to get at least five customers in a day."

I noticed his ego deflate. "Please don't say that nonchalantly."

"But how come there are so many people today?" I asked in curiosity.

Felix looked happy. "A mage from Fairy Tail has arrived! She accepted an S-Class job in the nearby woods to exterminate a huge monster. She saw my clothes and bought nearly all of them! I heard she even went towards the magic shop and bought each and every last armor she could see!"

Armor? Fairy Tail? S-Class? She?

Oh. My. God.

I ignored the rest of what Felix said and darted to a nearby restaurant. Crowds of people were gathered outside the windows, watching expectantly. I entered the building and looked around, only to spot a familiar looking red head inside.

She was exactly as I remembered in my past life. Red hair, brown eyes, and an armor plate worn on her chest. Her hair was tied in a braid behind her back and she had some sort of fencing sword attached to her left side.

Erza Scarlet!

I felt myself spaz out, and before I could think of anything, I ducked behind a nearby pillar and hid myself from her sight.

Oh my gosh! Erza Scarlet is in the same restaurant as me! What should I do? Should I say something to her? But how?! If she's already an S-Class mage, then maybe she already survived the Tower of Heaven. No, I can't use that as a conversation! She'll kill me the first chance she'll get!

"Um, excuse me?"

I froze. Ridigly, I turned my head to the side, finding Erza standing right behind me.

"Kyaa!" I cried in surprise and fright. I quickly regained my composure and backed away a few spaces. "H-hello Erza-san!"

She looked at me, slightly confused. "Do I know you? How do you know my name? And why are you hiding from me?"

How bluntly she asked these questions made me want to become a balloon and flya way from here. I was too shy and overcome with how popular she was to answer at once, but I did when I noticed her staring impatiently at me.

"You don't know me, but I heard your name around here in these parts. And as for the last question… I heard you were a really strong mage and I was sort of intimidated." I said, though the last part made my voice sound a bit squeaky.

Erza stared at me for a few moments before nodding. "Alright," she said. "How about you? What's your name?"

"Erika," I answered. "Erika Roswell."

Erza smiled and held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Erika."

Blushing, I shook her hand. "You as well, Erza-san!"

After our meeting there, I decided to give Erza a small tour around. It didn't take long, because our town was small. But Erza was easily fascinated by the merchandise and people around us.

"And what do you call this?" she asked, holding up a piece of clothing.

I looked at her funny. "That's a wedding dress, Erza."

She turned to me with a funny look on her face. Her pupils were shrunk and her eyes were the shape of wide almonds. She had a blush on her face. "Do you mean that ceremony where two lovers get married?!" she asked, or demanded loudly.

"Y-yes it is!" I squeaked in surprise on how agitated she looked.

She then calmed down and stared at the dress, as if considering whether to take it or not. After a few seconds, Erza bolted to the cashier, bought the dress, and entered it in her requip magic space.

Once we walked out of the store, I walked behind Erza, looking at her with a nervous smile as she hummed a happy tune under her breath.

"Y-You really like clothes, don't you Erza-san?" I stated from behind.

Erza looked behind me and blushed. "W-what's that supposed to mean?!" she asked, no demanded.

"N-nothing ma'am!"

"But Erza-san, why are you here in this town anyway?" I asked curiously. "There's not much to see here, nor are our products that amazing."

Erza calmed down and crossed her arms. "I've accepted a job to exterminate a monster nearby. I think it was a B class or an A class."

I stared at her, mildly impressed. "Wow!" I said. "You must be a very strong mage then! What kind of magic do you wield?"

Erza seemed to be surprise by how I praised her. "W-well I use requip magic."

"Requip?" I repeated. "Isn't that where one mage exchanges weapons from a magical space and uses it to fight?"

Erza smiled. "Yeah, it is. I'm surprised you know about it. I take it you're a mage as well?"

I nodded. "I am. I'm a Celestial Spirit mage."

"Spirits?" Erza asked. "How does that work?"

"It's somehow similar to your magic Erza-san." I said. "Instead of using a magical space to summon weapons, I use my keys to summon spirits I have contracted with from the spirit world. Using my contract, I'll be able to have them fight or help me when I'm in trouble."

Erza looked impressed. "So in other words, you have a magical contract with your spirits and use keys to summon them?" she said. "I would like to see how that works."

I grinned. "Why not? I'll show you!"

"Really?" Erza asked, rather excitedly.

I nodded. "Yeah! Let's head to the woods!"

We entered the woods and stopped when we reached a clearing. I took out a silver key from my holster and showed it to Erza.

"These are my keys," I explained. "I use them to summon my spirits. There are two types of keys; the silver keys and the gold keys."

"As I recall, you could buy the silver keys in any magical store." Erza said. "But how about the gold keys?"

I picked up a gold key from my holster. "Gold keys are exceptionally rare. They hold the spirits of the 12 zodiac spirits! They are very strong and can handle fights much better than silver keys."

"But I prefer not to categorize them that way," I said. "All of my keys, to me, are equal power to each other. None of them is better than the other. They're all my precious friends."

Erza smiled. "You would fit in Fairy Tail."

I looked up in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Fairy Tail is the guild I joined in," Erza said. "The feelings you have to care for your friends and think of them so dearly… Fairy Tail will definitely accept you. Unless you have already joined a guild."

I shook my head. "I haven't yet," I admitted. "But I am planning to."

"Why not join Fairy Tail?" Erza suggested with a smile. "Even though most of the people there are reckless and stupid, they still are caring and kind to each other."

I smiled at the thought of such a wonderful guild. "I think I will soon," I said. "But not now. I still have to support my little sister, Yukino."

"You have a little sister?" Erza asked, surprised.

I nodded. "Yes, though we aren't blood-related. I just think of her as a sister. She lost her real older sister in an… accident," I nearly said destruction of a town. ", and she has been dependent to me ever since."

Erza smiled. "I understand," she said. "But if you ever want to join Fairy Tail, you will be welcome there."

I smiled and nodded. "Thank you Erza-san!"

"Don't call me that," Erza said. "We sound like strangers. You can call me Erza."

"Erza?" I repeated. "Alright then!"

"Well, now that you've explained to me your magic, I'll show you mine." Erza said as she unsheathed her sword.

"You will?" I said excitedly. "Woohoo!"

Erza smiled. She opened her mouth, probably to chant 'Requip!' to summon an armor or so, but then a loud noise interrupted us.

A large shadow loomed over us behind us. We turned around, and to our surprise we found a gigantic purple spotted blue monster. It looked like a mix of a giant frog and a catfish.

"Kyaa! It's a monster!" I cried, scared.

"It's the one I'm supposed to exterminate!" Erza said, her face hard.

She held her sword in her hand and held it in front of her.

"Requip!"

A bright red magic circle appeared in front of her, and in a flash she wielded two dual swords. She leaped up, raising the dual swords and letting out a battle cry. She landed a hit on the monster, but only managed a giant scar.

"Damn it!" Erza said as she landed back. "It keeps moving! If it doesn't hold still, I won't be able to finish it off."

Then she looked to her side, probably expecting me there. "Erika?" she called before turning around. She then spotted me hiding behind a tree.

"What is wrong with you?!" Erza cried in annoyance.

I laughed nervously. "I don't want to get in your way Erza," I said. Then I pumped my fist out in the air. "You can do it!"

Erza threw a comical glare and started pointing one of her swords at me. "Don't joke with me! You're fighting with me too!"

I looked at her, dismayed. "Do I have to? I don't want to die yet."

"YOU'RE A MAGE AND YET YOU CAN'T FIGHT?!"

"But it's a huge monster! And you said it was A or B class!"

"YOU WILL FIGHT OR SO HELP ME I'LL CUT YOU IN YOUR SLEEP!" Erza barked as she glowered over me.

Frightened out of my wits, I gave her a salute. "Y-y-yes ma'am!"

I took out a golden key and stared determinedly at the 50 foot monster towering above us.

"You find a way to immobilize it, and I'll strike." Erza ordered.

I nodded. "Okay!"

I raised the key in front of me. "Open, gate of the paired fish! Pisces!"

A blue green circle appeared in front of me. A sound of a clock rang and soon, two gigantic eel-like spirits came flowing out of the magic circle. One was black and the other was white. Each of them had the symbol of Pisces imbedded on their foreheads.

"Go, Pisces! Wrap yourselves around that monster and restrict its movement!" I commanded.

Without a moment's hesitation, the two gigantic eels twirled around the monster. It wrapped itself around the monster's body tightly. The monster wailed and cried in distress.

I turned to Erza, who looked surprised to see my spirits. A part of me was cheering, yes! I finally impressed the great Erza! But another part of me was doubting that we could possibly take on a monster like this.

"Thank you!" Erza yelled as she ran forward. She then jumped up once more.

"Requip!"

Her body was surrounded in light, and two red magic circles appeared on her sides. They surrounded her body and in a flash she was wearing a wing fashioned armor. The skirt was past her knees and metal feathers covered her chest. She wielded the same dual swords from earlier.

"Heaven's Wheel Armor!"

I clasped my hands together and stared at awe. "Amazing!"

A ring of swords appeared behind her. "Dance, my blades! Heaven's Wheel; Blumenblatt!"

The ring of swords spun around her, creating a highly dangerous circular attack. The second she shouted the attack name, the ring of blades grew larger and attacked the monster's eyes.

"One more time!" Erza cried. Hundreds of swords appeared behind her in the air, all aimed at the monster. "Pierce, my blades!"

All of the swords in the air zoomed towards the monster, attacking it simultaneously. The speed of the swords made it look like they were shooting stars.

"It's… beautiful…" I murmured, awed by what I saw.

Erza then landed on the ground, her back turned towards the monster. I noticed that all of the blades had completely missed Pisces and not even one had grazed it.

"The accuracy and aim… it's amazing." I observed. "To think that it was merely an anime before was just stupid of me."

Erza then opened her eyes and smiled at me. "Good job, Erika."

It was sunset, and Erza had just told her client that the monster was done and dead. For further proof, she took off one of the monster's legs, which as scary as it sounds. The poor client nearly had a heart attack on the spot.

"5,000,000 Jewels!" I gasped as I looked at the money sack she was given as reward. "That is so much!"

Erza nodded. "Yes, but I was looking for more of a challenge than that." She admitted. "I didn't even get a chance to use my Black Wing Armor."

But then she smiled at me. "Though, if you haven't immobilized the monster, I'm sure I would've been injured so…" she took an extra sack and poured half of the content in it and handed it to me. "… you should take the other half."

I blinked and shook my head. "What are you saying Erza?" I asked. "I'm not an official mage. And besides, I don't want the money! It's your reward!"

"Take it," Erza said firmly. "You helped me, and I want to thank you for it. So take it."

Seeing the look in her eyes frightened me, so I hesitantly took the sack. I small smile graced my lips and before I knew it, I tackled Erza in a hug.

Her armor hurts!

"You're the best, Erza!" I said happily. "Thank you so much!"

Erza seemed shy about the hugging thing, but she followed and hugged me back anyway. "I-it's fine." She said awkwardly. When I pulled away, I saw her fiddling with her fingers. "I'm usually awkward around others, but I'm trying my best."

I smiled. "You're doing just fine, Erza."

She looked at me, surprised. Then she smiled. She held out her hand at me. "I have to go now. Master is expecting me tonight." She said. "It's great meeting you, Erika."

I shook her hand and agreed. "Yes, and it was a pleasure meeting you as well."

"That suggestion about joining Fairy Tail, do keep it in mind, will you?" Erza said as she took her bag and slung it around her shoulder. "I'll look forward to seeing you again in the future."

I nodded. "I am too!"

She then walked away in the woods, waving her hand and giving me a smile. I smiled back, waving good-bye to her and yelling her good luck.

Once she was gone from my sight, I lowered my arm. My smile was still on my face as a gentle breeze blew by me.

"Fairy Tail, huh…"

[A/N:] Hello readers! :)

I'm sorry for the late update, but I had writer's block and I didn't know what to do. :\ I hate writer's block. Damn it.

But on a brighter note, I have good news! For those Hunter x Hunter fans and Harry Potter fans, I've created a fanfiction for each of those categories! Check them out, and do leave a review while you're at it. It will be well appreciated!

Reviews are love!