Disclaimer: Fairytail and its characters belong to the amazing manga artist Hiro Mashima. If I do, Gajeel and Levy would already have a bunch of noisy, impish adorable brats. now, i think i'm getting obsessed with my OTP. pffft.
Author's note: Every chapter begins with a certain story taken from a fairytale, a myth, a song or a quote denoting that their lives were directed in a twisted adaptation of various stories.
Chapter 2: The Beauty Meets the Beast
A black chariot sped through the void of darkness down and down until it reached the deepest chamber of the dead realm. The ruler of the underworld welcomed his abducted wife with the gruesome view of the macabre horrors, where shadows lurk, where disembodied souls flicker like wild abandoned fires and where suffering souls writhe beneath their feet.
He grasped her dainty hands and held it near his hollow chest. The feel of his bony fingertips were cold and daunting as the chill of death.
"This is my realm… and I rule over its vast darkness. I can shower you with pleasures no foolish mortals can offer. I can grant you all the hellishly passion of your deepest desire. Ask, my dear, and everything in my dominion, in my realm, in my power, is solely yours. "
Yet her heart contracted at the horrid sight, tears threatened to fall out of those lovely eyes.. "Home… I want nothing but to go home! "Her voice quake in fear.
"Home, my dear?" the grim line of his mouth softened before it stretched into a disturbing malicious grin. "But you ARE already home, love. In your NEW home."
Hades smiled and he felt he just gave the most grandiose of all welcome, promising his wife the darkest pleasures through all these eternal damnation.
-The Rape of Persephone
"Tsk tsk… you sure do know how to make a first impression."
A black cat emerged from the shadow and sat atop his broad shoulder. "And here I thought I'd never see the day when a girl who would LITERALLY swoon at the sight of you, Gajeel."
The man didn't seem to be fazed that the cat just talked to him. "What the hell do you mean by that? Are you implying that I'm ugly, bastard?"
"well... she DID faint."
... if looks could kill, his cat would already be dead.
" I'm only saying you look revoltingly… intimidating." The feline chose his words wisely and snickered.
"To hell with those! Did you see what they offered me, Lily? A bloody sacrifice! Just what am I supposed to do with HER?"
The feline looked at his comrade like he'd grown another head. He didn't expect Gajeel to be this clueless when it comes to humans. "Gajeel…. Use your sixth sense."
He sniffed the fainted maiden tied at the stake which made the feline face-palmed. This overgrown iron lizard was worse than he thought.
Lily groaned and shook his head. "Sixth sense! Use your common sense you metal scrap head!"
The man snarled and sulked. His cat was right; this was one of those times he can't help but mull over that his pet was indeed more knowledgeable than him when it comes to human interactions. Sometimes, he wondered if their roles were even reversed.
Gajeel roughly removed the ropes that bind her to the stake and he can't help but feel overwhelmed that the maiden in his arm was so... small and frail. A furious growl erupted from his lips as he realized he didn't need to inspect her to see those visible cruel marks across her wrists. As the last of the ropes fell, he abruptly carried her toward his lair.
"Fucking bastards have the guts to call me a monster when they had led an innocent girl all the way to this damnable place? Tied to a bloody stake no less?" Gajeel growled at the irony of the situation. He felt sorry for the lass. No matter what heinous crime she might have committed, tying her to a stake left to be fended off to the likes of him was just too much!
As he settled her down in his silver chamber, he gazed at the unconscious maiden. Levy's lithe yet slender body was laid out in front of him - so fragile, so smooth, and so defenseless against his conniving stares. Gazing at the slim yet lovely goddess in front of him, Gajeel felt his throat stiffen.
What were they thinking offering such a beauty to him?
Lily saw the dragon slayer's nose twitched and before he could lecture him that it was an inappropriate gesture among humans, Gajeel's face morphed into disgust.
The vile smell of ink wafted through the air. He lifted the garment that covered her waist and noticed the despicable mark of the Phantom guild cruelly engraved in her. Judging from her bruise, the girl had perhaps put on a struggle before she was tied. He turned her back searching for other clues and instead saw the white emblem of the Fairytail guild on her left shoulder blades.
… They took a victim from another league?
His cat took a letter from the stake and he wasn't surprised the note held the same vile smell as the ink plastered on her waist. Opening the letter, his vision darkened more with each passing words:
Tis the dragon's approval that we need
To join forces with the phantom guild
A virgin sacrifice was offered to thee
A present we leave to where we thought you would be.
A bloody virgin sacrifice… Was the cost of innocent blood nowadays a great deal enough to be fended off to some vile creature?
"Brutal savages…" Gajeel scowled as he crumbled the paper. "Phantom's gonna bloody pay for this!"
Across the lands of Fiore, the leader of the Phantom guild was seen savoring a drink stolen from another town.
"It'll be a matter of time before the Iron Dragon pays me a visit" a vicious laughed was heard followed by a merry gurgle from his drink.
Emerging behind the shadows, a gloomy water mage made her presence known. "Do forgive Juvia for interfering, Master Jose, but you didn't let the maiden read the dragon's writings. How could Master Jose possibly know what the monster wants? Isn't it… wrong to presume what the dark creature desires without decoding first his writings?"
Jose Porla looked at the woman in alarm. "Wait… are you trying to tell me she wasn't supposed to be a sacrifice?"
The blue water mage shook her head. "Juvia does not know. Juvia thought Master Jose was punishing the fairy by binding her to the stake. Did the fairy displeased our master in any way?"
He felt terribly anxious that he ignored her queries. "But for what reason then, did you even capture the small blue haired fairy?"
The woman was aghast. The leader didn't know? "Why, she's supposed to decipher the writing for us!"
And before the leader could open his mouth, the ominous wings of the Black Steel Dragon was heard foretelling their doom. The wing blew fiercely, violently as if urging them to run for their lives. A streak of lighting blazed through the sky. Thunder rolled and the earth shook beneath their feet.
The dark creature of the night has come to visit its prey.
The leader shook with fright. "But a certain price has to be offered! I need his powers in order for this guild to triumph over the other guilds! I know the maiden we presented wasn't well endowed but surely she got a pretty face! Do tell me, Juvia– do I offer someone more- more-"
He snapped his fingers repeatedly, as if he wanted to say something that was just on the tip of his tongue. Then he looked at her voluptuous form. Ah-haaa!
Jose took a moment to appraise her looks. "Shall I say… more endowed in some particular areas? "
Perverted bastard.
Here was her master fearing he might not be able to appease the creature whilst everyone in the guild was scared shitless for their lives. They say ignorance is a bliss – yet her master's ignorance was so...so profound! So immense that it can already considered as stupidity! To hell with ignorance is bliss! What bliss is there to feel if all of them will be in imminent danger?
Their door was blasted by an attack that can belong only to the Iron Dragon. The creature loomed showing its gruesome head – the color of his scales as black as night. His eyes, the color of blood, seeking, hunting the cause of all this uproar.
"WHO OFFERED ME THE MAIDEN?" His roar thundered as his eyes ablazed, striking terror to anyone who dare utter a single word.
"I did." Jose Porla stepped out of his throne. The moment he finished saying it, a large metal pole landed on his face with a strength powerful enough to send him plummeting across the room.
Silver daggers went through the direction of the fallen leader but water was formed to shield him. The water sprite stood in front of him blocking the upcoming attacks. As perverted and ignorant her master can be, it was her job to protect him. "The guild wasn't able to depict the dragon's writings. So we assume to give you something you might like instead, Gajeel-sama."
"Didn't my letter reach to you that I'll join your guild IF AND ONLY IF you find the other Iron Dragon Metallicana? What does it has to do with offering a maiden at my door step?"
Juvia's eyes widened in comprehension. She wished she intervened earlier to let the script mage decode the writings!
But it was too late. The dragon had run rampant. His ominous form loomed over the guild, rearing his ugly head; dark black scales seemingly glint in the harsh eerie glow of the moon as he toyed at the fleeting wizards. His mere presence enough to make everyone cower in fear. He wore a feral grin, razor sharp teeth showed with uncut lust. "Bloody savages… let's see who's the real monster, eh?"
A dark laughter escaped the dragon's lips, his lips set in a cruel vicious smirk. It was unsettling no one could live to tell the tale- or so the dragon thought. They could do nothing but run for their lives as the dragon annihilate them in the sickest and most disturbing manner he could have ever thought.
When nothing but a heap of smoldering ashes lay where the guild was once erected, the dragon took its flight. Gajeel didn't notice a pool of boiling water beside the blistering ashes. The water twirled and took form of an enrage crying woman promising vengeance and revenge for what was left of her guild.
Levy woke up savoring the silken sheets that covered her. Moans of pleasure inevitably escaped from her lips. Her mind felt so light she might have mistaken this sanctuary as paradise itself. She didn't know that eternal bliss was waiting for her in the afterlife!
She felt her heart beat pulsed and realization dawn upon her that she was – actually alive. Frightened, her eyes opened and her vision was greeted by seemingly cold glints of silver treasures that can only belong to the iron dragon. Various metal weapons ranging from different sizes adorned the four corners of the chamber. Metal chains, spikes and shackles hang dangerously low from the ceiling.
Levy swallowed in fear realizing she was, indeed, in the lair of the dragon.
In his den…
his sanctuary…
In. his. own. bed.
Definitely she wasn't in heaven at all! This place might be disguised as her worst nightmare – a form of hell, luring her with the possible darkest desires and tempting pleasures before the dragon consume her.
With only the faint glow of the moon to serve as her light, she squinted her eyes to look at the disturbing interiors of the room. Aside from the various weapons, she noticed that the lair has no door or mirror – the eerie radiance of the moon came from a lone window six meter above her– an odd sight for a bed chamber. She perceived that dragon's passage was through that lone window above.
As she lurked around the dark expanse of the bed chamber, her hands tracing the possessions of the dragon, Levy understood what Persephone, the goddess of spring, felt when she was tempted by the dark lord Hades – willing to forsake the warmth of sunlight in exchange for the tempting shadows of the underworld.
And just like the spring deity in the myth, she realized (a little too late) that she was wearing nothing beneath the expanse of the silky white satin. Hurriedly, she clutched the fabric near her chest. Her body trembled in fear knowing the dreaded meeting with the dark creature would come soon. With only the faint illumination of moon to serve as her light, she began to make her way through the room in hope for a secret passage.
"Awake already… I see." His growl was velvet, his voice was deep and rich, all consuming with passion- purring with heat.
She was so beguiled by that dark voice she even didn't notice his presence. And before she could make the slightest move, the man held her imprison. His seemingly large callous hands caress the span of her slim shoulder and down to tempting curve of her collar bones.
Dark.
Domineering.
Possessive...
It was just a simple touch, nothing but a mere contact of skin. Yet never had she felt something so spellbinding that thrills of excitement run through her.
"Try to defy me and I'll take hold of your wrist." His deep baritone voice held that tone as if he expected her to be subjugated to his every whims and commands. She should have been offended. Men like this were the most despicable – trying to underestimate and threaten women with their power and masculine authority. Yet here she was, beguiled and entranced by that mysterious voice - the thought of disobeying his words didn't ever register in her mind. There was something about his voice that drew her to him like a moth beguiled by the tempting flickers of flames. There was something compelling about the man behind her, something about his rich dark velvet voice that intrigued her.
"You might want your dainty hands to keep that garment from falling, don't you?" the voice taunted.
Levy snapped from her fascination and looked at her predicament. She scolded herself for being lured by such dark provocative spells! Gazing at the hands that held her, she began to consider her options. The man was tall enough to use his height in an open combat. Challenging him dressed in nothing but a flimsy cloth was reckless. However, she was desperate to survive – if only she could get away from his hold and cast a spell...
Looking where his hand held her, a knowing smile found its way to her lips.
The dragon made a mistake by holding her shoulders and NOT her hands. Consequences be damned but she struggled to move her index and middle fingers. "Solid Script: ROCK!"
Suddenly various stones and pebbles emerged beneath their feet and she took the opportunity to hurl them with all her might. It took Gajeel by surprise. The moment his hands released her, she sent another spell to the stranger behind her. "Solid Script: LIGHTNING!" The force was strong enough to sent Gajeel plummeting against the boulder behind.
Levy gasped. With her body moving without the mind's permission, she ran to the enemy. Dear, sweet, innocent levy hadn't hurt anyone in her life! And to injure someone who she didn't even know gnawed her conscience. A dent was left in the wall made of iron; she marveled in shock at the chaos she had caused. Then her gaze went toward the direction of the fallen man covered beneath the rocks.
Guilt coursed through her. But then, a little voice inside her head told her that this man was her enemy. And to beat him single-handedly… wait, she did – WHAAAT?
"Oh wow… " Levy couldn't believe what had just transpired. She had done what the strongest knight had failed to achieve– what no mage or wizard dare to execute – she, Levy Mc Garden, had fought the Iron Dragon and emerged victorious!
"WHOAAAA!" Eyes alight at this sudden revelation, she squealed and giggled like a school girl who got the highest honour in her class. The small sprite was so delighted she even made a small dance of victory.
Her happiness was short lived however, when suddenly a large fist shot out from the ruins followed by a loud maniacal laughter.
How her bliss turned to fright then to foreboding panic within a matter of milliseconds was beyond her wildest dream. She should have known better that the dragon wouldn't be defeated by such a meager assault! Defying the iron dragon in a place where EVERYTHING was in his dominion was her first mistake.
Levy discreetly scanned her perimeter before she moved a great distance away from him. Her magic was only suited in long range battles – both in attack and defense – her heart pounded wildly against her ribs in fright as the man stood up like nothing happened at all.
Never had she feared death as much as at that moment.
"Gihihi… I'm glad they sent a bloody warrior instead of a seductress!"
"E-eehhh?" Levy was momentarily distracted she actually tripped. She expected vile words spitting out of his mouth, a curse or a promise of revenge but certainly not this! Strangely, the words sounded more like an endearment rather than a threat to her ears.
An intense blush rose to her cheeks for this is the very FIRST TIME a man had complimented her fighting abilities. If it weren't for the situation right now, she might have smiled bashfully and deny his flattering remark. Call her a masochist, but she was thrilled beyond words that someone had admired her. (Even if it was a sadistic mysterious guy with a disturbing lust for brawls and open battles.)
Why, this was even more thrilling than her erotic novels! She thought giddily. And like a snap from a whip, her eyes widened as the very thought shocked her. Such wayward thoughts should be considered as blasphemy! She scolded herself. Did she already lose her mind? She didn't even know his name much less seen his face! She shook her head- now wasn't the time to be thinking of those. She quickly generated the word "SHIELD" just in time to see iron knives thrown at her direction.
Her hair fluttered like a crest of flowers as she charged head on amidst the dark shadows of the chamber. A dagger went passed her tearing the linen silk in the process. It revealed a teasing view of her dainty legs beneath that wide expanse of cloth and the dragon was given a view of her tempting beauty. With her eyes ablaze solely on her target and her body garbed in nothing but a scantily piece of silk fabric– she looked every inch of a furious goddess. Or perhaps an enraged water sprite since she was so small –
"Solid Script: ICE! "
Gajeel had to take cover when splinters of frosted words were thrown above his head. The squirt had distracted him enough!
Even though people had labeled him a beast, Kurogane Gajeel was still made of flesh and possessed the ardent desires and passions of mortals. It didn't help that he also possessed the raging hormones of a boy who had just kicked in puberty. If his foster father Metallicana knew about this, he would have been very proud!
He was brought back to reverie when large letters made of wood hit him squarely at the chest with a force powerful enough to send him crashing to the wall. The squirt can actually fight even in this dim light? To say that he was impressed would underestimate what he was feeling. He was thrilled beyond words! Let's see if she can make him fight seriously enough to draw out his Iron Dragon Slayer Abilities.
His smirk widened into a maniacal grin as he dove to the ground, grabbed a fistful of weapons and hurled it at her. The squirt didn't know she was playing such a dangerous game. Gajeel scrutinized her moves as she quickly dodged the upcoming attacks.
As he had anticipated, a split second later another word materialized.
"Solid Script: MAGNET!"
His jaw dropped. Gajeel hadn't predicted THAT one.
True to his element, he can't help but be attracted to the pull of the magnet; his body moved against his will. A blush adorned her cheeks as the enemy struggled from being held captive. How their fierce battle turned into a naughty, teasing banter was beyond her wildest imagination. Forcing herself to focus, she waved her hands in a large halo-like position as all the floating lethal objects (iron swords, daggers, spikes and knives drawn to the force of magnet) were all in position to do her bidding.
Damn. He should have known this girl would put his weapons to good use!
Black Steel Gajeel-the name that strike fears to those who hear it –– the intimidating dragon feared even by the bravest and most valiant warriors- was held captive in his own lair by a DAMN MAGNET. (There was something mischievously erotic about this turn of events) His movements were controlled giving her an opportunity to attack in every method possible.
Gajeel had to hand it to her. This blue haired fairy could plan some wicked fighting tactics and she was resourceful enough to even imprison him in the most tempting manner he could ever thought. Who knew that behind that innocent, naïve face, this blue-haired angel was quiet a tease?
Never had the dragon taken any interest in women but oh, this squirt had entertained him in more ways than one.
Despite the predicament he was in, the dragon had the audacity to laugh, loving the thrill of the fight. And it unnerved his opponent, mistaking his unsettling mirth as a taunt that he was taking her too lightly. Levy already has the upper hand; so why did this man still underestimate her skills? She'll show the dragon what she's capable off! Her cheeks puffed in indignation as her hands swiftly move again. She pivoted her footing in a three-hundred-sixty degree before throwing the air-born weapons in his direction again. "REPEL!"
Just as she finished casting the word, he was able to move again – performing a magic Iron Dragon ability just in time to evade her attacks."Tetsuryūsō: Kishin !" His hands changed into lance and fended off her assaults. even though she looked frail and vulnerable, the squirt was a quick thinker. Undaunted, she began to cast her spell again.
"Solid script: IRON!"
He arrogantly wore the grin she was wearing a while ago. The tables have now turned.
As she threw the word at him, he caught it in mid air and devoured it. This event surprised her, leaving her distracted in just a fraction of seconds. He took the opportunity to pin her hands above her head making her unable to cast her spells– the satin fabric cascaded down like waterfalls leaving her vulnerable to his menacing stares.
With nothing to cover her but the dark shadows of the night, Levy let out a whimper as he held her against the cold wall. His eyes glittered in the darkness, his gaze nefarious, wild and maddening just like a predator would savor its prey before he consumes it. And as they stood face to face, his mere presence made her frighteningly aware of him in a way no man had ever done before.
"You're a bloody fool to defy me in my own damn lair." A cruel smirk etched across his face. "A fool, yes – but damn headstrong nonetheless. As much as I want to have a full out brawl, Princess– I have to return this clothing to you."
Levy was surprised by his actions – and at that teasing pet name he called her. Huge golden eyes met his crimson metallic ones.
Before the fabric had entirely plummeted to the ground his other hand had grabbed it and held it up shielding her in the process. His heightened sense allowed him to see everything amidst the darkness of the chamber – and never has the dragon witness something so… so breathtakingly beautiful like this maiden's purity. The dragon made it sure he would honor it before he could take a glimpse of her again.
"Can you promise me you won't do anything bloody rebellious again? Not that I fucking mind, of course. But you've provided me enough entertainment for the night. " His voice held an underlining tone of amusement.
She can only nod at the sudden turn of events. Gently, he removed his hold from her hands. The tenderness the dragon has shown her contradicted with his burly attacks and devil may care attitude. His other hand held out the piece of tattered bed sheet, waiting for her to take it- showing her that he could trust him… as for now.
Ironandpen's corner: So here it is! I hope you like the second chapter. And if you happen to love her teasing banter with the iron dragon slayer, just ask and I'll make more naughty fights involving those two – of course, with levy always emerging victorious in the end. (winks )
Some readers asked how Levy had acquired her magic, and how it seemed unsettling that for every wish, something horrible has to happen. Here's a little explanation I'd like to share with all of you:
Levy couldn't control this certain magic yet. it all began in the first chapter when Makarov told her that "Spells can be cast just by words. A wish recited out loud can even materialize in front of you." (see prologue)
In chapter one we saw levy having insecurities with herself.-"Ever since she was a child, Levy has grown to believe she was plain and nothing out of ordinary." (see chapter1) this led her magic to go haywire. Even when she was able to make a wish and materialize them - her inner insecurities held her back resulting for her wish to be granted in the " most bitter, twisted and sickest version anyone could have ever imagined..." (see chapter 1) as long as she had insecurities deep down in herself, a single wish can be granted but in exchange for an impending doom.
And for shybutterflykiss's question, your wish isn't actually far from being real, dear reader. ANYTHING our mind desires can actually HAPPEN. Frightening, yes, but the thrill of making them REAL can be exciting, don't you think? In the real world (and I mean OUR world) this certain magic actually happens to us. It's just that we people give it some scientific names and prefer to call it "reverse psychology" ^_^
Reverse psychology mostly happens because of two thing- INSECURITY and FEAR. And what we fear the most happens right in front of our eyes. This is the basis of Levy's magic in my story - it denotes how powerful words and imagination can be to the point of making it a reality.
I'd like to thank Pikinanouart ( I collaborated with a certain fan of yours and we have a lot of fun imagining Gajeel in the most twisted way because of your "adorkable" fanfics.) Aralys, Elielou (thank you for the advice! It helps a lot! ), MedleyNightfallen (here's a lot of fan service for you. Lol) Gajeel-rocks, Era-of-tearing-rain, shybutterflykisses (remember anything you wish can happen as long as you have the will power and desire to really make it happen), H3art star , Reever rayne. This chapter was completed with you guys solely in my mind. ^.^