Chapter 14: Elvin Reach
Basically things have been normal since I told Laxus and the rest of Fairy Tail the truth about my past, and they have been doing their best to keep the Council off of my tail. Truly with everything being so good I should be happy shouldn't I? Yet something is telling me that this happiness I have with everyone else isn't going to last that something horrible is going to happen soon. My fears are my own at the moment though because I don't want to worry everyone else, especially since my biggest concern right now should be the twins. The council hasn't even told us what they have found out about the group that is targeting me.
Another thing I've noticed and that I'm shocked Laxus or the other slayers haven't noticed yet is that Kyouka and her associates have been following me around. When I'm in the guild they leave me alone, but everywhere else I can sense them surrounding me. Knowing they are following me is filling me with dread because I worry that maybe they have heard something through the other dark guilds and are acting because of it.
Now knowing the truth about me it seems that Laxus is an even bigger worry wart then before. According to Mira and Cana it's because he is afraid despite my reassurances that I will carry my mother's version of the curse. He's waiting for me to either miscarry our twins, or for me to end up dying to bring them into the world. No matter what I do I just can't seem to sooth his troubled mind even when I try to distract him with certain things he just ends up pushing me away telling me that we shouldn't. If I didn't know of his fear I would probably see it as him rejecting me.
I had thought that after the truth was out that this constant fear would go away, but I guess I was wrong. Now I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop; and for either the council to come and take me into custody, or for the people who want the twins to attack me once again. Half of the time I wake up mid scream from the nightmares that plague me and I know hearing me scream like that isn't very good for Laxus either. Each time I wake up from a nightmare he's right there beside me looking terrified before he realizes that I had just had another dream.
With my sleep schedule being interrupted by the constant nightmares I had decided to take a nap in Laxus's office. Making it so that Laxus would work on some of his paperwork well I rested since he couldn't seem to concentrate unless if I was in his sight. Yet he wouldn't allow me to help with the paperwork making me spend all day relaxing or resting. Maybe I should be bored by now, but it was actually better for me to relax for a while since stress isn't good for the twins.
Really I had just gotten to sleep when I heard the first screams causing me to bolt up on the couch and look around in fear. Laxus was nowhere to be seen and there was a telltale glow of runes on the door telling me he had gotten Freed to use his magic and ward me in his office. I was terrified and even though I knew that I was safer in here since I couldn't use magic I found myself taking a rune pen off of Laxus's desk and rewrote Freed's rune making it so that I could escape the office.
As I ran towards the landing I realized that there was no one upstairs and there were sounds of battle reaching me. Not the usual brawl that Fairy Tail has almost every single day, but a full out battle. Who was stupid enough to actually attack our guild in broad day light like this and think that they could get away with it?
Seconds later I was peering down to the first floor of the guild shocked at what I could see. There seemed to be like a hundred cloaked figures attacking us all of them with the same weird symbol on their clothing. It was a symbol that I hadn't even known that I knew from when my apartment had been attacked. Once again I was putting my family in danger because of something that I had done. Unlike the other times though I couldn't fight and help my family because I knew by trying to fight with them that I would just end up hurting them in the end. Everyone would be worried about me and trying to protect me that they would forget to worry about themselves as well.
Yet there was something else that I could do. Obviously this dark guild was looking for Lucy Heartfilia the sunny blonde brown eyed light of Fairy Tail. No one had yet seen how I truly looked like when I released the seal since I had kept it on to keep everyone safe afraid of even one outsider seeing my look. Yet it had seemed like this guild might be Zeref worshippers when we had fought them on Tenroujima they gave off that feeling. So how would they end up reacting to find a girl walking into their midst with the same eerie eyes as Zeref.
Seeing that no one had yet noticed me I knew I had to act fast if I wanted to be of any help. Since they didn't know I was unable to use magic at the moment seeing an unknown person would put the attackers on edge. Plus if I remember correctly Kyouka had once told me that if I ever released the seal it would also send a warning to the demons of Tartaros and my grandfather meaning by doing this we could end up having back up.
Taking a deep breath I knelt down and took off the anklet that had been a part of me for so long carefully slipping it into my key pouch so that it wouldn't get lost. For once I would be Lucilla granddaughter of Zeref, but I would be going back to Lucy Heartfilia when this is all done. Since for me Lucy is my true self and she is the one I want to remain until I have no other choice in the matter.
As I walked down the stairs I was shocked when for a moment I had seen my reflection. My once shoulder length hair was now flowing behind me reaching down to my back the silver color of it could easily rival the moon. The crimson orbs peering out from under my eyelashes were strange to look at. Even my height seemed to increase slightly making it so that I was no longer recognizable as the light of Fairy Tail. No this look showed off the darkness of my soul that I hid from everyone I loved so well.
A hush seemed to fall over the fighters when I came into view. Like just my appearance alone commanded their respect, but not one pair of eyes that was looking at me seemed to recognize me right away. Master and Laxus were nowhere to be seen at the moment and I prayed that they would be alright. Right now though I have my own role that I have to play to ensure that Fairy Tail will live to see another day, I unfortunately don't have the time to worry about my mate or his grandfather.
"Who are you that you dare go against Tartaros?" I demanded keeping my voice cold and dark. Not an ounce of the cheerfulness I usually exhibited was left in my voice and just my tone made me sound unrecognizable to my guild. My guild even seemed a little confused that I was asking why their opponents were going against the strongest dark guild that was known. After all Tartaros was the last remaining of the Balam Alliance.
"We are Elvin Reach, and we wish for the blood of the dragon slayer children to resurrect Lord Zeref," one fool of a man said stepping forward. Truly I found it hilarious that they seemed to believe that Zeref was dead does no one understand that Ankhseram only kills when it's been contradicted?
Leaning my head to the side I tried to figure out if I had ever heard of the Dark Guild Elvin Reach. Yet not a bell rang in my head even when I was still allowed to help Laxus with his paperwork I don't remember hearing anything about this guild. You would think that a guild of this size would end up being on the Council's radar or at the very least one that I would have heard of as a member of Fairy Tail.
"Cute you actually think that you can resurrect Zeref, you are a hundred years to early to try. Do you think that if it was so easy to get Zeref to awaken that we in Tartaros wouldn't have done something about it by now?" I punctuated my words with a hollow laugh making it seem like they weren't worth my time. It was odd how easy it seemed for me to act like a villain when I was in my true skin, and a part of me feared that this is who I truly am.
"You claim to be of Tartaros, but you have not yet even introduced yourself who are you?" a brave woman asked coming forward. She at least seemed to have some sense to her unlike the male who dared stand up against me. Even know the man was shivering just from me sending a glare his way such a weak spineless man.
"Well I am Lucilla and I guess you can say I am not of Tartaros, but rather Tartaros is my servants. Unless if Zeref says otherwise I can make them submit to my every whim," a glance at my nails made me seem like I didn't even care what was going on around me.
"Aw you started without us Lucilla-sama," a familiar voice said as the sound of wings were heard and Seilah and Kyouka appeared on either side of me. Their appearance seemed to scare Elvin's Reach even more since they were obviously members of Tartaros. Not to mention that they were addressing me as sama making me words seem even truer.
"Then you should have been quicker to get here Kyouka," my tone made it seem like I was bored completely or rather that what was going on wasn't worth my time. It truly is amazing how much you can get someone to react if they believe you don't care at all.
"Kyouka and Seilah of the Nine Demon Gates!" the woman spoke looking at them in fear.
It seems that this dark guild does at least know something even if they haven't learned that you don't mess with Fairy Tail. Heck Fairy Tail helped destroy Oracien Seis and on our own we defeated Grimore Heart, why does a measly dark guild think they can beat us. Even without the help of the demons I am certain Fairy Tail would have pulled through in the end because we always pull through.
"Oh so you are smart enough to know who we are. Good then listen very closely you have angered us by attacking this guild, you think that a measly guild like yourself can defeat Fairy Tail when not even the other two runners of the Balam Alliance could. Are you trying to say you are stronger then Oracien Seis and Grimore Heart were, if so why don't Seilah and I show you the truth. That you are nowhere even near that level yet," she said cackling.
The next few minutes were a blur as Seilah and Kyouka unleashed their curse power on the unsuspecting guild. Luckily they didn't kill anyone since that would be hard for Fairy Tail to explain later on, but they made it very clear that this guild wasn't yet ready to take us on let alone climb to the top. Besides I'm pretty sure that we were able to make it seem like Tartaros only cared of what was going on here because of the insult to them. Since obviously the dark guild that would take Fairy Tail down would become a new member of the Balam Alliance, at least that was the rumor we were going to get Elvin Reach to spread.
My guild just stood by and watched in shock as someone they knew as my ally helped defeat the enemy. Hopefully they would be quick enough to finish everything off before the council gets wind of anything since I want Seilah and Kyouka to be long gone by then. Plus I'll need time to put my ankle charm back on and make it seem like I had never left the safety of the runes that Laxus and Freed had put up.
At least Natsu isn't being an idiot and trying to fight alongside with Seilah and Kyouka or worse attack them. Seriously anytime he sees someone that he finds stronger then himself he wants to battle them to see how far he can push himself. It's admirable when he comes out on top from enemies who would have wiped the floor with him before, but his constant brawls with certain people weren't even Natsu trying at his full strength. Really if he actually tried harder those he fights would admire him instead of get annoyed when he challenges them half-assed.
"Who are you that you command such respect from the demons," the woman who had been so brave before hissed at me from the floor beneath Kyouka's feet.
Smirking at her I walked forward tilting her head up until she was staring right into my crimson eyes. "Is it not obvious, I am Zeref's blood when he is gone I command the demons who've become restless. So stop trying to go after others to resurrect him when it is time for him to awaken I will be the one to do it." The fear in her eyes was amusing as I laughed at her. Looking around to make sure no one else had heard me I really don't need Laxus to get mad at me.
"Leave here now unless if you want the council called and for you to be arrested," Kyouka demanded of them looking amused as they scurried out of the building. Those unconscious being dragged by their guild mates, all of those conscious sharing the same look or pure terror.
Then before Fairy Tail could react Seilah picked me up and we flew off making it seem like we had left too. Instead Seilah flew back in the window of Laxus's office dropping me there so that I could quickly put my anklet back on. With one final wink she flew off leaving me where I was and making it seem like I had never left. Even if I have to dwell on that side of myself I will do everything in my power to protect my family as long as I am capable. Since one day I fear that I won't be around them anymore and will share one of my grandparents' fates.
I'll have to be careful from here on to make sure that the council doesn't suspect a thing. I am certain that the woman will spread how Zeref's blood looks like making it so that the council will no longer suspect me, not that they do at the moment. However the look of Lucilla is very different from the look of Lucy Heartfilia and it would take a large leap for someone to jump to me from her. So for a time being I am safe just as my uncle is safe with his obliviousness. He at least I hope never learns of the truth behind his fate just as I hope that the others don't learn of where they originally came from.
Another thing I know as well is that if I do end up dying from this curse I don't want Laxus to doubt my love for him. Besides I want it so that our children will definitely be able to grow up by his side if I ever need to leave their side for any reason. Either because I died and left them behind, or if to protect them from the Council I would have to leave them behind.
Even if all of Fiore knew that Laxus was the twins father they would still be sent to an orphanage and need to be adopted if he wasn't my husband. Archaic laws of our country making it so that unwed parents rights were halved as they convinced them to marry. Wanting the twins to be his legally as well isn't the only reason I wish to marry him though. I want everyone to know that I love him since everyone knew I had sworn never to marry unless if it was for love. Even my father's old associates knew it and I wanted to do this I wanted to Marry Laxus and become Lucy Dreyar.
"Lucy," Laxus's voice broke me out of my thoughts and I looked up at him smiling brightly which seemed to puzzle him.
"Laxus I want to get married," I told him watching amused as Laxus looked like he was about to faint from happiness. Most likely after everything we have gone through together he hadn't imagined that it would be this easy for me to accept him as my husband. After all it had taken him months to convince me of his love something he would still be working on if Master and Kyouka hadn't spilled the beans about me being his mate.
He looked like he wanted to say something but obviously decided against it. Maybe thinking if he said the wrong thing he might ruin everything. Instead he ended up walking over to his desk puzzling me as he opened a drawer and took out a velvet box. Looking at him I was shocked as he came towards me carrying it with him and I knew immediately what it was. Just how long had he been carrying it around waiting for the right time or rather for me to tell him?
Kneeling down in front of me he took my hand and looked into my eyes his radiating all the love he felt for me. "I'd be honored to marry you Lucy," he told me flicking open the box and my breath caught in my throat. In the box was the most gorgeous ring I had ever seen even though to some it might be minimalist. There was only one yellow gem the type I am unsure of, but what made it perfect for me was that the gem was in the shape of a star with a little lightning bolts carved around the white band. No other ring would have been as perfect for me as this one.
Slipping the ring onto my finger I leaned forward kissing him as hard as I could with as much feeling as I could glad that we could for a time at least have our happy ending. We probably sat there for an hour just kissing each other with all the love we felt for one another before I pulled away. I wanted to get married before I was too far along and that meant that we needed to get Mira and the others on the planning as quickly as possible.
Laxus seemed to know why I pulled away and he smiled gently at me picking me up in his arms making it so that my left hand would be the focus of everyone's attention. I hope Master is downstairs already because he might be a little upset if the rest of the guild found out that we are engaged before he did. For now as I was carried down stairs by my mate I prayed that we could stay this happy.
Squeals greeted our ears the minute we walked downstairs. Everyone was cleaning up after the battle that had taken place meaning that except for Laxus and I the entire guild was downstairs. The first squeal came from either Mira or Levy or maybe it was both of them because they came rushing towards us immediately bringing the entire guilds eyes on us. At first they seemed confused since Mira was blocking their view of the ring, but Mira grabbed my hand waving it back and forth and squealing even more.
"Ooh we have so much planning to do," she squealed again.
That night was spent with us celebrating with our guild everyone basically forgetting about the dark guild that had attacked earlier that day as we all discussed wedding plans. A wedding that Mira had only a month to plan I had passed the reigns onto her completely telling her it would be too stressful for me to plan in a month in my current condition. Although the girls seemed disappointed when I told them Evergreen was going to be my maid of Honor, I wanted one of Laxus's best friends to be in that important part, and Freed was his best man. Bickslow would also be an usher, but he and Ever would have fought terribly if they had to dance together.
In a month I will be Lucy Dreyar, but how many names will I go through in the end? How many times will I have to change my name if the curse becomes active? Or will I be lucky enough that the curse remains dormant and I will age like a normal person? I know with my upcoming wedding I shouldn't be having such sad thoughts, but they were something that I would always end up worrying about. I'm just glad that the twins will never have to go through this worry and doubt.