It was a long road to home, especially when you considered it no longer "home." Her home was the house she built and lived in, not the village that had betrayed her and the people who didn't stand up for her seven years ago. It was important that she reach the village first to prepare herself for the final battle, but she just couldn't force herself to go, not yet.
Coming over the crest of the hill into her little valley, she felt peace and happiness surround her. She took a deep breath tasting the clear air and felt the grass tickle her legs. Upon sighting her home she started running down the hill sliding down on the last part. Raising her hands pulsed out her magic striking her wards. She listened to the response looking for any breaks in them. Nothing was breached so she brought them down and entered her home.
"How no matter how many times I journey from here, this place will always be mine, my true home," Hoshi whispered, upon leaving the little foyer and making her way into the kitchen. The arch ceiling had been carved out of real solid oak with the wards spells placed on the beams. The kitchen was small, but it had enough room for a small breakfast nook in the right corner. There was a huge bay window behind it letting in the light. It also made a convenient shelf for storage.
Opening her fridge she pulled out a pitcher of water and a well prepared lunch of curry stew and seasoned chicken. Using her hip to close the door she made her way to the nook. Seating down she slowly started to eat her meal contemplating what she her next step would be.
How can I return home? The village hasn't been my home since I left it seven years ago. Why did the final battle have to be in the same place as Quing's resting spot? It's all so frustrating!" she pounded the table spilling her stew all over the floor. Rolling her eyes she found a mop and started to clean up. The silence of the house no longer comforted her as it did before. Finishing up in the kitchen she decided to go about the chores.
Throughout the day she did her regular routine. She harvested her vegetables, properly washed and canned them. After that she cleaned the house top to bottom making everything super clean. She rearranged her collections and moved some pieces around for a different look. She spent a few hours in her study, taking out her instruments she began to chart the stars while examine the books on the zodiacs. She compared the many translations with the Star Maiden legends, marking on a normal map where she had encounter one or on a star chat if they had been reborn as starts. As she worked the mysterious of the prophecy were unfolding around her.
"Fascinating, if what I've read here, corresponds to what I charted with the astrolabe and the timing from my astronomical clock, matches up with the exact angle and orbiting position of the Earth, eureka!" she exclaimed happily. After many hours of hard work she knew what she discovered was right. Any time in the past when questers had drawn closer to the end, a unique celestial alignment took place at an exactly the same time. If my translations are right, then that's the reason we can safely fighting with all our spirits, without danger of death to us or them!
Still that doesn't fully explained the blessing or how one unites the worlds, but I have a better understanding of how it's possible. I have the advantage here, even though I only have fifteen units to Lucy's soon to be twenty one units. No matter what happens, I'm positive I can do this!
Cracking her backwards she realized how late it was. Turning off the light she went to the bathroom to soak in the large sauna tub pouring in several minerals and scrubbing herself clean with cheery blossom soap. Her long green hair swirled in the water as she leaned back using a special shampoo mixed with meteorite dust that she had painstakingly gathered. It was the outer space element that gave it is find shape and thinness. Pulling a lever she felt the mineral water cleanse her hair. With a content sigh she got out, drained the tub, and took care of her nightly needs before heading to bed.
Her bedroom was painted a dark navy blue with star stencils in a variety of colors. Mobiles hung on the ceiling between her glow in the dark stars. Settling into her bed nook she closed her eyes waiting to go to sleep. She lay there for what seemed like hours, but sleep still eluded her. Checking her clock she was astonished that only two hours had passed since her attempt to sleep. She tossed and turned trying to get comfortable, but nothing was working. Finally she got out of bed tugging one key off her necklace. She called out, "Open the Gate of the Ethiopia Queen: Cassiopeia!"
She appeared in all her glory, though her crown was bit crooked. She was fixing the draping on her shoulder before loosely tying her silver hair in a ponytail. "My dear child, you realize it's one in the morning?" Hoshi nodded understanding her tiredness. "What could you possibly need now that requires my help?"
"You're a mother with a daughter," she replied softly. Curling her legs up she laid back against the pillows gazing at the ceiling. Cassiopeia settled down on a comfy beanbag in the corner. She sensed what this conversation was about. "I presume this has something to do with you returning to your village tomorrow correct?" Hoshi nodded and the spirit asked her to explain.
For a few minutes the mage was silent listening to the shifting of the house before speaking up. "You an Andromeda are mother and daughter, no matter if you're not the real ones from legend correct?" Getting a positive response she continued. "What exactly is your relationship like? She seems to hate you and treat you poorly, but you still try to comfort her and love her. You both requested separate days, except one. Why?"
Flinging her locks back behind her crown she activated one of the stones. A projection appeared showing the star formation of Andromeda coming to life. She had been much smaller and the queen younger. "I know what you're thinking. You're not use to seeing spirits age. I'll let you on a little secret. When we're formed the royals allowed us to choose our own appearance. Over time we grow and change until one day we pick our final form and live on like that."
"So if Andromeda was a little girl, she chose to stop when she became a…."
Cassiopeia nodded, "Yep a teenager, the world wasn't wrong when they said the teens are the worst. She's stuck in a perpetual fifteen year old state," The image changed showing their relationship. It did appear rocky and unhappy, but there were also moments of time of pure mother and child love.
The corners of Cassiopeia's eyes crinkled at a memory of seeing herself and her daughter fighting side by side with joy in their eyes and a laugh to their smile. "All mothers and daughters struggle with their relationship. I may not appreciate the way my daughter treats me at times, but I love her and put in the effort to make it work. That's why we decided on one day together. In future, it might change." The images disappeared and the spirit tucked the mage back in. Kissing her forehead, she whispered. "One day you'll be able to understand your mother's actions, whether made of malice or love, I hope you find peace." Hoshi yawned and turned to her side to sleep. Once her mistress was asleep Cassiopeia returned home, hoping she helped the girl.
The sun was part way up as the colors of dawn faded from the sky. The wind carried the scent of the ocean waves mixed in with the faintest trace of rose petals. Hoshi was on a small hill about to enter the valley where her home lay, but stopped and took a side trip to the Rosemary Village. During her youth the elders forbidden contact between the children of the two villages. Their reasons were that the children had to be loyal and pure to the village's duty and belief. It was only the middle age or emerging elders who made contact with their neighbors for trade and exchanges of news or such.
The last person to stand in the village had been Celestial Spirit Priestess Oba, who had warned them of the cult that would attack. The citizens had ignored her warning and the destruction of their village had been the price paid. At the time of the attack, the elders and Oba had casted the protective barrier of stars keeping Zeref's followers out. She had stood on her roof watching the attack confused by their inaction then. However it wasn't her right to challenge the elders, not then at least.
Entering the village, she could feel her magic reacting to the lingering energies of the slaughtered. The village was crumbling, with several house barely standing, the streets overrun by grass and weeds. A few skeletons appered scattered around the place. Even after all these years, the blood hadn't completely faded from the buildings. It was so sad here, the victims in their dying moments had become trapped in the village, invisibly repeating their last moments. When she reached the opposite end of the village; she found a hidden road. Zeref's Cult had managed to capture almost all the children and some of the adults. The others were slaughtered as if they were livestock on the way to the butcher. Pressing her hands to the hidden road, an image of the survivors fleeing their home without haste. It was awful.
"This disaster shouldn't have happened. If I had been Priestess, I would have risked some of our mages to assist instead of standing by doing nothing, because of an astrology prediction," she muttered to herself. The spirits here deserved some peace before she returned home. Calling upon her celestial magic it grew in her hands spilling over. "Celestial Heaven Wrap! Grant the spirits the peace they didn't have in life." The spilled glittering gold magic flowed across the village wrapping itself around everything. Through her link she could sense the spirits were at peace at last. Finishing the spell she recalled her magic back inside her, hoping the peace she searched for would be granted.
A short time later she arrived at her village, the barrier of stars still standing like the day she left. Her mark on her forehead glowed brightly as a beam connected with a keyhole that appeared on the barrier. There was a click and a door appeared. She stepped through whispering the command to bring the barrier down. As it swirled away, she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before opening them seeing her home village for the first time in seven years.
It was almost perfectly preserved thanks to the barrier, but nature wouldn't be halted if the dust and overgrown plants were an indication. The buildings themselves looked the same, though crumbling a bit. The houses varied slightly from one another. They were either made out of solid rock from nearby mountains or solid oak wood beams, both styles either two or three stories. The colors differed in shade, but most were yellow, blue, and gray, with trims of brown or aurora colors. The village was built in the shape of a five point star so all the houses were angled slightly.
Hoshi stopped every so often at places that stirred her memory. She could see her as a little girl in the park playing on the swings with her mother pushing her. A few blocks later the library came into a view. She had spent a good portion of her life in there, reading all sorts of books. In the center of the city was the Observatory/Temple. The greatest and most important monument in the whole village. Standing at the base she could hardly concentrate as the memories threaten to take over her.
"Of all the places that the final battle had to take place it was here. Where my journey started and my heart was harden," Hoshi said to herself. Surprisingly no one was greeting her, there were no sounds of people going about their daily lives. The laughter of children and the joy of music was absence. In fact it was very cold and desolate. Clutching her keys in her left hand she activated a spell with her right, "Space Magic: Dimensional Rift!"
At first, it appeared that nothing had happened. Just then a transparent middle age man passed through her body looking up towards the top of the Observatory. He seemed to be praying, but she couldn't hear him. In fact she couldn't hear or touch any of the villagers who had appeared. She strained to see some familiar faces, but the ones she wanted to see never appeared. Feeling her heart breaking she wiped her tears away. "I'm not the enemy, the prediction was wrong. I'm not destined to destroy the two worlds or obliterate are home."
Turning she started to climb the stairs to the top, ignoring the elevator. Ignoring the people around her before smoothing down her skirt. Gazing at her gloved hands she felt like that girl from one of the fairy tale books, someone smuggled into the village long before her birth. She had kept that book hidden in a hollow compartment in her bed. Thinking back to the story of the two sisters and a prophecy of doom, she couldn't help, but sing the song the elder magical sister had sung. It felt appropriate at the moment reaching the observatory and looking all over the Starwatcher Village. She started to sing softly.
"The snow glows white on the mountain tonight. Not a footprint to be seen. A kingdom of isolation, and it looks like I'm the Queen. The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside. Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried."
The people no longer left footprints, as this was an isolated village with it citizens living in a parallel spatial dimension, in lamest terms they were out of phase with reality because of their molecular alignment. She was the last Celestial Spirit Priest utterly alone. As her magic swirled inside her like a meteor storm that had barely been contained all these year. Staring at her hands she could feel it growing as her keys surged with energy.
"Don't let them in, don't let them see. Be the good girl you always have to be. Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know. Well, now they know!" Flinging her gloves off she let loose a powerful celestial surge to mix with the barrier she call up. The two magic's merged in a Unison Raid, flowing down all the streets bringing life back to the town.
"Let it go, let it go. Can't hold it back anymore. Let it go, let it go.
Turn away and slam the door, I don't care what they're going to say
Let the storm rage on, The cold never bothered me anyway" She sang as she molded her space magic, twisting it around restoring lights to the city, creating new structures such as bridges, stores, and several places for children to play. The village was staring to become the vision she desired as she reshaped.
It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small. And the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all. It's time to see what I can do.
To test the limits and break through. No right, no wrong, no rules for me
I'm free!" In response to her words she created a dazzling light show in the sky unlike anything before. Pulling her hands apart she created miniature versions of the solar system guiding it around the village so it appeared to be an infinity sign. Using her magic she levitated through the air watching her world come to life.
Let it go, let it go, I am one with the wind and sky. Let it go, let it go. You'll never see me cry, Here I stand and here I'll stay. Let the storm rage on." She got closer to the top of the tower landing on the tip, her magic spread all over as she slid down back into the main room. Outside the building was changing, getting bigger morphing until at last it resembled a giant observatory with a module sitting on the temple. Somehow the aesthetics worked.
"My power flurries through the air into the ground. My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around, And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
I'm never going back. The past is in the past!" She shouted as she used the magic to bring back the interior glory and prestige. Looking at herself she knew it was time to switch her clothes from apprentice Celestial Spirit Priestess, to a full-fledged one.
Let it go, let it go. And I'll rise like the break of dawn. Let it go, let it go.
That perfect girl is gone. Here I stand in the light of day. Let the storm rage on.
The cold never bothered me anyway." Closing off the dome the fading light caught her new outfit. Gone were the gloves and her old jewelry, replaced by swirling gold earrings and different bracelet. Her hair ornament was now a blue and yellow crystal flower, with pale blue beads attached to the gold diamond shapes. Her shoes weren't boots, instead aquamarine felt knee high sandals with silvery line cutouts. Her skirt was much longer though it shared the same pattern as before, most of it being bright green with a small grass green panel. Her shirt had a long silk bottom attached to a leather bodice with gold buttons and right shoulder guard. Her facial features hadn't changed, but now she was ready to face Lucy in the final battle.
The members of Fairy Tail were making their way to the last key in the Animal Zodiac, No one knew what to expect from the last spirit, but Fain assured them that she was a sweet loving, sometimes stubborn spirit. Looking at the picture in the guide book it was hard to believe that the two pictures were of the same spirit. The animal form of Ling, was of a beautiful pale pinkish white pig with bright blue eyes wearing a small tiara with a quartz crystal in the center with her picture on it. Compared to that her human form was youthful and lovely. She had a slender build that matched her beautiful fair skin. With long blonde hair with a violet band on the back complementing her blue eyes. She wore pink dress with light pink underskirt dark blue bodice and white sleeves and black shoes. She was about Wendy's age.
Wendy was walking with the book in front of her face having swapped with Carla. She hoped by reading about the last key, the pages on the final battle would appear. Skimming the book from the beginning to this point, reviewing what they learned. She ran her fingers over the pages muttering. Her eyes spotted more hidden words in a strange language. I know Gradeeney told me about this language, but I can't remember what. All I recall her telling me that this language was developed a trust between two races. I wonder, is this language mix of human and Celestial Spirit? "Hey Lucy, do the spirits have their own language?"
"Of course we have a language little one, you think we all speak human? We've created our own language, both spoken and written. Over the years the Star Maidens taught us human. If I reckon, during the reign of Star Maiden Esther taught the rudimentary of our language, I suppose the languages could have mixed together. It was such a long time ago," Yue spoke up. The spunky little rabbit had come out on her own to keep an eye on her year match.
Gray took the book from her juggling it in one hand. If this was a secret language then the first step would be to find the key to help understand this. "Can you decipher this?" Yue shook her head. Languages wasn't her strength. She looked at the key ring springing high into the air. "If you need a researcher try Crux. He can remember anything!"
Natsu laughed remembering how long it took that particular spirit to solve the mystery of the Eclipse Gate. It wasn't until it was too late that they had heard from him, which led to seven dragons attacking the capital. Boy was that a big disaster. "You want to trust that old dude to actually help us? Come on he'll fall asleep and won't awaken until after the climactic altercation."
Erza rolled her eyes and bopped him on the head. It wouldn't take that long and it was important that they figured out if these words had anything to do with the quest. Being careful to keep the weight off her foot using two swords as crutches, she spoke up. "We don't have time to dawdle, each of us must rely on our own strengths. If the spirits can help then let them. We need to work together to find the last key. Does the map show the location?"
Lucy nodded, showing the last unclaimed key. It was not that far, in fact only a relative short distance from them. The path didn't seem to be filled with any danger, but nothing was at it seemed. Everything time they had gone after a key they faced a guardian, a series of traps, and test. Maybe it would be a good idea to send someone up a head who couldn't get hurt. "Open the Gate of Ungulate: Sheep!" With a shower of wool Fain appeared standing in front of her. "What services do you need from me, my mistress?"
"Fain, how far can you astral project?"
"A few miles as long as the tether to my body isn't broken. Then I would need to occupy a vessel until reunited with my own body. Shall I project ahead for signs of trouble," he bleated. Lucy nodded, helping Natsu place him in the cart with Erza, who had to rest again. Gray and Natsu had to pull together because of the extra weight. Wendy and the Exceeds took point. Lucy had telepathically connected with Crux, using her magic to link him with the guide book to study it. With Yue by her side, the two witnessed as Fain spirit left his body and headed down the road.
"I hope he doesn't run into any trouble," Lucy said.
"I just hope he makes it back to his body. He's gotten lost once and a while on his astral travels."
The group continued to make their way down the path for the next half hour keeping a watch for Fain's spirit to return to his body. Erza wasn't in a happy mood. She still couldn't put pressure on her leg to stand for very long, it hurt too badly. Suddenly the carts fell down. "What in the name of the heavens is going on? Why have we stopped?"
Gray was holding his injured wrists close to his chest, panting. There was a clear expression of pain on his face. Slowly ice was creeping over the cast trying to ease the pain. "What's up with you Gray? Come on, you've been hurt worse then this and kept on fighting. Pulling a cart a couple weights worth should be nothing!" There was a cling of metal being unsheathed and Natsu had a blade to his throat. Turning he gulped realizing he was implying that Erza was heavy. "Oh I didn't mean anything by it Erza, I wasn't thinking."
"Mind your manner is the future Natsu, or I'll neutered you for such a comment!" That scared the teen stiff as he furiously apologized. At the moment both Lucy and Wendy were looking at Gray trying to determine how badly he was hurt. The little girl was coughing a bit, her lungs still not completely healed. She sucked up some of the air into letting it heal her before focusing on her patient.
"How would you rate the pain on a scale from one to cough ten cough," She asked. She coughed a few more times, as Carla patted her on the back to free up any fluid in her lungs. Gray responded, "I rate the pain near an eight ugh. It was healing yesterday, but now it's like an intense fire trying to sever it."
"I think you might have pushed yourself too hard with your magic yesterday. The stress from you trying to cast one handed hurt your other wrist, but at the same time you been trying to use your right hand a lot not giving it a chance to heal. Your Grade 1 could be turning into 2 if you're not careful," Lucy informed him as she studied the cast noticing it was getting dirty, with bruises forming on his fingers. "Wendy, does the kit have anything that could help? Maybe your magic?"
Wendy looked at the kit, not finding anything helpful. Taking a few deep breaths and only coughing once she casted the Sky Dragon's Healing Spell. Her magic covered the wrist reducing the sprain, but before it could finish healing she felt faint and had to stop. Her health hadn't completely returned so she needed to ration her magic.
"Gray get in the cart, you need to rest. Natsu you'll have to pull," Lucy told him, when he started to protest he was getting motion sickness just pulling the cart the girl looked ready to strangle him. Informing he was going to pull that cart no matter what she had Yue turn to her human form. Though a little girl, she still had a lot of strength and speed. So they continued at an uneasy pace trying to cover as much ground through the steep and twisty path that narrowed as they went along a cliff down into a gorge.
Fairy Tail had only just begun their descent when Fain returned, his spirit huffing and puffing. Upon recovering his astuteness, he tried to stand, but end up sitting on his legs so he could tell them what he had found out. "There's an old guild building crumbling on ledge near the bottom of the gorge. I felt Ling's energy. There were a couple loose rocks on the ledges above, just waiting to fall and crush. The real problem is the giant roadrunner waiting about halfway down the gorge. He's fast, with keen senses and an appetite to match. You're going to have to be both clever and brave to get pass him."
Cocking their ears they could hear the faint bird calls coming from further down, followed by a big dust cloud popping up. Shivering at the thought of being lunch, they started to come up with a strategy. Natsu was the first to speak up. "Why don't we hit head on. Happy and Carla can distract it from the air, then I trap it in a burning inferno. While its flapping its wings to get out, that's when the rest of you attack its wings so it can't fly then I push it off the cliff to go kersplat!" he described with little mini picture show was playing over his head. He flashed his fangs pounding his fists together. "Come on its full proof!"
"Do you know anything about roadrunners?" Yue looked at him with a skeptical eye. Natsu responded by saying it was dumb bird who ate a lot while avoiding a crazy coyote. In response Yue raced around him tying him up, slapping him in the head causing him to fall forward as she jumped over him and pushed him up. "That was a demonstration of a real road runner's power. There the fastest running 26 miles per hour from a dead start. They can use their wings to jump over obstacles and perch anywhere. They also have snap and grab speed eating things likes bugs and lizards. Two Exceeds would be a snack" she pointed out before adding that half of them could fully use their magic to begin with. It was time to come up with another idea.
The giant roadrunner was pacing and flocking its wings as it waited for the prey to arrive. He could smell the coming down the road. He jumped up on a nearby ledge waiting for the humans to get closer. Finally he spotted his prey coming down the road. He squawked loudly flaring his rings he let out a tiny screech as he lunged for the cart.
Predictably, the tiny little flying cats flew above his head taking shots at him. His beak snapped at them missing them by inches, turning around his long tail he knocked over the cart imprisoning Erza, Wendy, and Fain under it. Gray had jumped out performing one handed ice magic creating giant icy net. It partially netted the bird causing it to go off balance before kicking it off nearly striking down Lucy and Yue. The mage ordered her spirit to help Natsu get closer to hit it the bird. Natsu clutched the bunny against his chest as she ran at super speeds firing fireballs. The bird jumped over the attacks striking fast snagging the bunny. He threw her up in the air to eat when his claws slipped on ice. He started to fall over the ledge watching as the members of Fairy Tail vanish, to late figuring out they were astral projections.
The came to on the ledge above where the roadrunner had been, mentally exhausted. The girls seemed okay from the experience. Happy was asking when they would do that again only to hear moaning from Natsu and surprisingly Gray. "I don't think my body likes having its spirit wander. It makes my stomach hurt."
"How can my spirit get motion sickness? I wasn't even really in the cart blagh!" Fain shrugged his shoulders telling them that it was a different experience for everyone, especially first timers. It would get easier over time. As they got to their feet they heard Yue race towards them. She had fallen asleep next to the boulders and upon awakening used the domino effect to cause them to fall away from the road. The path was clear now!
There were no more distractions as they continued down, being careful not to disturb the land or run into cactus and animals. At last they reached the old guild. It looked as if it had been abandon for decades. The guild's name and mark had faded as the adobe crumbled all over the place. It read, "All Seeing Swine". Carefully as they got to their feet, they heard Yue race towards them. She had fallen asleep next to the boulders, and upon awakening, used the domino effect to cause them to fall away from the road. The path was clear now!
There were no more distractions as they continued down, being careful not to disturb the land or run into cactus and animals. At last they reached the old guild. It looked as if it had been abandon for decades. The guild's name and mark had faded as the adobe crumbled all over the place. It read, "All Seeing Swine". Carefully they moved across the broken glass, loose stone and shards of metal from the bar. Climbing the rickety stairs they saw it was filled with offices. The lettering had long since faded. However they had left an etching in the glass. Sensing the floorboards wouldn't hold everyone, Lucy asked to go on ahead with just Yue. The others nodded as Fain returned to his home.
Taking a deep breath she slowly walked across the floorboards testing each one. Carefully spreading out her feet, she inched towards each door looking inside. The third door on the far left lit up for a second guiding her to Guild Masters office. Before she took a step Yue whistled causing her to stop. "The floorboards are completely rotten through. We'll need another way to get in the door."
"How? Am I supposed to fly?" she remarked sarcastically. Looking at the door she saw a smaller window on the top and support beam running next to it. Getting an idea she used her Fleur De Lease to swing upward then through the window landing on the ruined desk of the Guild Master. Hanging on a hook behind him was the key. Instead of reaching for it she waited for the test to happen.
A blank piece of paper along with three ink wells appeared next to her. Slipping into the chair she read the back of the nameplate. "Only the one who can use the senses beyond senses can uncover our message. Use the correct inkwell to reveal our hidden message and the key belongs to you." The ink wells were filled with think black ink, lemon juice, and glitter glue. It was a challenge. Black ink was messy and could be used to write beautiful, but would its viscosity blot out the message? Lemon juice could write hidden messages, but not uncover them. The glitter glue would be sticky and hard to read. Which to use?
Yue waited patiently in the lap of her friend wondering what she was going to do. She watched in disbelief as she mixed the lemon juice with the ink, making it lighter before mixing it with the glitter glue, the mixture softened the glue allowing a liquid to form with less sticky glitter. She scrolled the concoction across the paper revealing a hidden message. "Congratulations on going beyond your senses. The key is yours."
Said key floated over to her hand, "Open the Gate of the Swine: Pig!" She heard an oink and sitting on the desk was Ling twirling her tail. "I'm glad to finally meet my summoner. Tell me your name."
"Lucy Heartfillia and this is my friend Yue. What are your powers and days?"
"I'm full fledge psychic of senses. I can use all my senses to glimpse in the future or view the past. In the present I'm able to find the hidden no matter where it might hide. I'll be summoned throughout the quest, but then my days are the middle of the week and the weekends. Agreed?" The two shook hands and smiled. The last key had been found.
When Lucy emerged with the key, the members of Fairy Tail let out a cheer. "Alright the quest is nearly over. All you have to do is beat the snot out of Hoshi and you win! I can't wait to see you get your rage on!" Natsu exclaimed. The others related similar sentiments making Lucy stomach twist in anxiety. Yes she had thirty one units, more then anyone had held in present time. Her hand to hand combat along with her mastery of the Fleur de Lease, made her dangerous. Yet, she wondered, did she have the drive to take a life if it came to that? She wasn't sure.
Lucy jerked her head up so fast she knocked some rocks loose causing them to tumble down the path. She noticed Erza was glaring at her, her arms folded. She still had her leg propped up though the sight of her cleaning her weapons still gave a deadly aura. "Sorry, I was a little distracted. What were you talking about Erza?"
Putting down her sword Erza flung her long hair behind her. Settling more comfortably in the cart she repeated her question. "Now that the keys have all been recovered, where is this final battle supposed to take place?" The others were also curious to know where they had to go next. They had been tramping all over Fiore for days now getting into trouble so much, their previous jobs paled in comparison.
Taking a close look, she furled up the map, tucking it away. "We're heading to the Starwatcher Village." Her words put everyone on edge. Before some of them could protest she held up a hand. "I'm not lying, see for yourself." She held the map out for them to see. "I have no idea why the battle has to take place there, but that's where we need to go."
Carla frowned, tracing the route with her paw, she looked at the marker showing Hoshi was already there. "We're at a disadvantage, this Hoshi's home and she's been there for at least a day or not more. This is a two day journey, who knows what could happen between now and then." Closing her eyes she tried to use her power to foresee the future, but it was misted for her. Even Ling couldn't use her powers to clearly see what the coming days would bring. They would have to face the future unknown.
"I say we do what our team does best, go in confident and hope for the best!" Happy proclaimed waving his fish around as if it was a cheer baton. Wendy giggled agreeing with him. At least two days would give them more time to heal. By then Gray's cast could be cut off, (If it healed right), along with Wendy's lungs fully purified. The only person still in traction would be Erza though Lucy bet 10,000 jewels she get involved one way or another.
Taking the rocky path back up to the other side of the gorge, something was tugging at Lucy's spirit. It was very familiar, with a warmth and safety. It kept tugging her in another direction. The road towards the village was straight with only a few bends. Her instincts were telling her to go off the path towards thick vegetation and dense spirit with chipped earth and leaves forest near the base of a mountain, as if it was Aokigahara Forest. The more she ignored it, the harder it got to move forward. After an hour of barely moving a third of a mile she sank to the ground. "I can't go any further."
Natsu cradled her in his arms looking over her. "What's wrong Lucy, I've never seen you like this. Are you feeling okay?" he asked, worriedness' in his voice. Lucy was losing color, he also swore the tips of her hair were turning silver. He tried to get her to eat an energy bar he still had, but she wouldn't take it. "What's going on? Can't you tell me what's wrong?"
Lucy pushed herself up, wobbling as she stood. Her face turned towards a small mountain in the distance where the forest lay. Slowly she inched forward towards the forest feeling better. In her mind she could her two familiar voices, her mother's and Master Mavis, talking in unison. They were encouraging her to come to them. She started walking only to be halted by Natsu holding her arm tightly. "What are you doing? That's the way to Forest of Death." (Actually the forest is known as Suicide Forest, but didn't want to imply Lucy was going to kill herself.)
She broke free of him, her eyes slightly glazed over. Her voice echoed as she spoke, "I must go to the forest. There lies a lost message for me. Head for the camping ground; its only three miles away in a sheltered glade. I shall join you afterwards."
"Let me come with you. It's too dangerous to go alone," Natsu implored, she shook her head marching away from the group. The fire dragon started after his friend, but Erza summoned a lance lifting him up by his scarf. This was a journey for Lucy alone. Their eyes followed her until she was gone. With a heavy sigh they let her go.
The entranced teen continued down a glowing pathway only she could perceive. Her steps carefully measured so she didn't step on hidden animal or holes in the ground. The further she went the darker it became as the thick vegetation tangled her up. Using her weapon she slashed the plants off her and pulled back a tree branch so she could move ahead. A river lay before her, the icy water spilling all over her. Automatically she looked for a way across. The voices told her where to find a log bridge. Finding it she climbed up unaware of the scratches to her skin. Next she crawled across the bridge until she got to the outside. She continued onward guided by the voices, shoving through shrubs, climbing up trees only to jump from them, even sliding down a muddy bank before she reached her destination.
There was a small archway built into mountain. Carved into arch was the Fairy Tail mark and stylized key crossing over one another. Underneath it was a small stand that might have been used to sell fortunes long ago. Inside two people stood side by side. One was the ethereal body of Mavis Vermillion, the first Guild Master. Next to her, was someone Lucy missed for a long time and never thought to see again. It was her mother's spirit, looking alive and healthy. Her trance lifted, she started to cry rushing over to her mom.
"Mom it's you! It's really you ahh," Lucy passed right through ending up sprawled across the stand, her chest throbbing. She heard a giggle from the first master, she mustered up as much dignity she had and spoke to them both. "Why did you call me here? Is there something related to the quest I need to know?"
"My Lucky Lucy dear, it's comforting to see you in person once more. I wish I could stay, but I only the night to speak with you, until I'm called back the night sky," Layla's voice echoes a bit, as if it was crossing a great distance to reach her daughter's ears. Layla looked at her daughter with a big smile raising a hand to stroke her hair, but pulled back. Her ethereal body was different then Mavis's because the Guild Master was an earthbound spirit, and she was a reborn star spirit. "I wish I had lived longer Lucy. Maybe then you would have been better prepared to take up this quest, to fully understand the prophecy and what it all means."
Chocking up on tears Lucy rubbed them as they bedashed on the ground. "Oh Mom, you did more than enough. I may not remember all the stories you read to me, still their teachings I've carried in my heart. It's because of you and Dad, that I was able to get this far," She admitted to her, while clutching her keys tightly as the wind blew harder through the air.
"I'm glad to hear that Jude kept his promise. His heart was so broken after my death he blamed magic for all his problems. I feared he would destroy the books, but I'm glad he kept his word allowing you to take them after you left forever. I was so happy you joined Fairy Tail. I knew you would be well protected there, that your magic would expand as the old ways returned."
"What do you mean by that? I'm not sure I understand. Is there a connection between Fairy Tail and the Star Maidens? What haven't you told me? First Master, why are you here instead of Tenrou Island?"
The ethereal Guild Master was hopping up a down clapping her hands. She plopped on top of the stand kicking her legs back and forth. Her smile was infectious. Her anaridia eyes sparkled as she looked at Lucy closely for the first time. "It's so amazing! I knew that one day I find someone just like me! Oh Star Maiden Maris was right to entrust me with the Four Quadrant Orbs," she said giggling happily. Seeing Lucy's eyes widen and her jaw slack she reached out to tap the girl's nose, shocking her when she did.
"You…met…a Star Maiden? Someone…who entrusted, a piece of their magic with you? How, when, why? Are you a Celestial Spirit mage…?"
Mavis laughed and patted the stand, so Lucy sat next to her as her mother moved to sit on the opposite side of the stand. "What I have to tell you is important for its one of the reasons you chose to join Fairy Tail and why you've gotten so strong. Years ago, when the guild was newly built I was on a job, see?" Mavis used her magic to make pictures of the past appear, a younger Mavis, (though she looked the same, just without her jewelry), was standing protectively over a young lady with bobbed black hair, gray eyes with a freckled face wearing an English looking school uniform. In her arms was a small black chest. Whatever was inside was glowing lighting up the coming darkness on the edge of town. There were three thugs dressed all in black with cannon blasting a star apart on their chest.
"A dark guild under the name Star Destroyers, was after the precious gift that Maris had. With instructions from the Celestial Spirit Queen herself, a power that was so great she needed it be hidden on Earthland to prevent mages trying to break through the barrier to steal them. Maris was going to a safe house when those men attacked. She had attempted to use her spirits to aid her, but her keys had fallen in the struggle. I stood in front of her using my magic to disrupt the thugs' attacks by creating dozens of fairies out of my magic. I used my tactical mind analyzing all my options, as I jumped about dodging attacks and landing blows. Before I ran out of magic I cast a prototype Fairy Sphere spell, imprisoning the thugs long enough for the authorities to take them away."
The scene changed, they were in the basement of the Fairy Tail Guild. Mavis was helping attend to Maris by fixing her injuries. The Star Maiden winced holding her side trying to stem the blood. "Those idiots, they got me pretty good. I don't think my Star Maiden powers can heal me."
"Star Maiden? Is that related to Celestial Magic?" Maris nodded explaining about the history and everything that went into being a Star Maiden. "My Queen, she's not going to be happy. I couldn't get to the safe house and with that Dark Guild hunting me, I risk exposing it. Ugh, I have to ensure the Four Quadrant Orbs are safe. They're magic is very potent and dangerous in the wrong hands," she said, taking the brown chest in her arms, opening it up to reveal clear orbs with different colored lights zapping all around. "I have to ensure the safety of this magic. Mavis Vermillion, I bestow the title of honorary Star Maiden to you. Please protect the orbs, use their powers for good. Please I beg you."
The images faded as Mavis looked sadly at the floor. Lucy had looked at the orbs the time and realized something. "The Orbs power, you used to create the Three Great Fairy Tail spells right?" Mavis nodded adding she used the fourth to create Lumen Histoire, hidden beneath the building. Lucy started to ask, but Mavis instructed her to ask Markov saying a phrase that would allow him to explain. "As the years past I saw how my three legendary spell kept Fairy Tail safe. That if used wisely no one would ever be hurt or hunted again. As death approached I cast a spell within the building itself. Should a Celestial Spirit Mage with a pure heart and the blood of Star Maiden ever join, these four powers were to gradually lend her the strength, until she came into full power to take upon the quest and earn the title." She floated in the air over Lucy passing a hand over her guild mark. Four other symbols appeared surrounding it, each representing the different magic's.
"No way, that's why I've gotten so strong? Does this mean I never grew into my power on my own?" She whispered to herself, gazing at her hand before looking up to Mavis. The ethereal master shook her head. The four magic's gradually bestowed power to her as she grew, the aided, but didn't cause the growth. Only by achieving the title Star Maiden, would she be able to use the four powers anytime she wished. "That's an awesome responsibility. I promise never to misuse it or take advantage of it."
"I proud of you my daughter, because Hoshi was betrayed by someone who didn't keep her promise," Layla told her holding a lacremeia flower. "In many ways you are both Hoshi's heroine and sister. Alike yet different, friend full and friendless, loved or unloved. Both carrying the blood and legacy of Star Maidens. It's not my place to say what happened, but this loss message might give you a clue."
The flower opened up revealing chaos in the background. Powerful strikes of magic rain downed from the sky. The buildings were rippling out of existence as people attempted to use magic to save themselves. In front of the flower was Priestess Oba, speaking very fast.
"This is a message to the outside world, both a warning and plead for help. Tonight an important ceremony was to inaugurate my apprentice; prepare her for the quest. Initially I thought it was wrong of me to cast a false prediction. I was not faithful to the spirits or my people, but after consulting with both Haruko and Aiday, I believed that a false prediction was needed. The reaction we're receiving from Hoshi indicates they were right, but I can't help to think we brought this on to ourselllllllllllll…."
Lucy watched the flower closed, a hurt expression on her face. "Why would Hoshi's family conspire with the priestess against her? I don't understand what she did. How is this related to the quest?"
"Just like it said it's a warning and plea for help. When you friends tell you what they uncovered it will be up to you to follow your heart. In this situation only you know what is right or wrong. I feel your burden daughter, but that's what it means to carry this title. My time is up, take this spell and use it tomorrow. It will get you where you need to go. Farwell my daughter." Both spirits departed leaving Lucy alone in the night pondering what she was going to do with their words. Sighing she got to her feet and started heading towards her friends. She had a lot of thinking to do.