The 'Blood' Dragon Slayer
Several days passed, and Sienna, for the first since arriving, was enjoying just killing time in the guild with everyone else. Everyone noticed how much fun she was, now that she had opened up to everyone. She had a friendly personality, but she loved getting involved with all the various fights that went on in the guild. Most people in the guild had already forgotten what she could be like, and referred to her as the Water Dragon Slayer, rather than her nickname which she despised so much. At about noon, Lucy came over to see her after spending a bit of time at the Request Board. Sienna was sitting at one of the tables with Natsu and Gray.
"Hey guys, I think I found a sweet job for us!" Lucy said placing the job request on the table.
"OK, so what is it?" Sienna asked.
"We've been asked to catch a band of thieves that have been wreaking havoc over a number of towns," Lucy explained.
"Couldn't we of picked another one. I mean c'mon Lucy, you could've got one a bit harder," Natsu said.
"Shut up Natsu! Look, it's rumoured that the bandits use magic to steal, so they needed wizards to catch them. Come on, it could turn out quiet interesting," Lucy said trying to encourage him.
"Well, I'm up for it. I think with the amount of missions we've been going on lately that have ended up with us almost getting killed, it'll be good to go on a regular mission for once. What's the reward?" Gray said.
"It's 60,000 jewels. So if we split it up, that's 10,000 each," Lucy explained. She waited for a few moments for Natsu to answer.
"Fine, I'll go!" Natsu said impatiently.
"Great!" Lucy said.
"Hang on you said there were 60,000 on offer and spitting it up would give everyone 10,000 each. I know it's usually you three, Happy and Erza, so who's the 6th?" Sienna asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Gray asked with a smirk on his face. Sienna's face went blank. She had no clue what they were talking about.
"It's you Sienna! We want you to join us on this mission. Something like this will be great for getting you used to team mission, rather than solo ones," Lucy said. Sienna's face dropped.
"But, I...no...but..." Sienna said franticly trying to explain herself.
"You said you would come with us on something, right. So what do you say?" Lucy said beaming. Sienna let out a sigh, giving up trying to argue with her.
"Alright, I'll come," Sienna said.
"Wonderful!" Lucy said. "I'll go ask Erza as well," Lucy said as she walked off to find Erza.
"Is she always that happy?" Sienna questioned.
"Yeah, pretty much 24/7," Gray said taking a drink from his glass. Sienna sort of giggled before taking a drink.
"Sienna, my dear?" Makarov asked as he walked up to the end of the table that the three of them were sitting at.
"Yeah?" she replied.
"Would you mind coming with me for a second?"
"Err, yeah, sure," she responded as she stood up.
"Somebody's in trouble!" Natsu chanted.
"Shut, up!" Sienna muttered. She followed the guild master to the back of the guild hall, and into another room. It was fairly large, but there numerous documents and other pieces of office wear. It was clear to her that this was probably the master's office. Inside there was a man standing at the window, looking out to the street opposite. He turned around when Makarov and Sienna entered. Sienna remembered seeing him before, but couldn't quiet match up his face with a name. Sienna stood facing him as Makarov closed the door behind him. He then walked in front of her and then hopped up onto a desk so the two of them weren't speaking down to him as much.
"So what did you want?" Sienna asked crossing her arms and leaning on one side.
"I don't think we've been properly introduced. My name's Gildarts," he said holding out his hand to shake. Sienna then remembered. Of course this was Gildarts. He was the one who had sent Natsu flying when she first arrived.
"Sienna," she said taking his hand.
"Well now that that's over with. I want to tell you why I called you in here," Makarov said. Sienna looked at him with interest. "I understand that your 'transformation' is something that you're having some trouble controlling," Makarov. Sienna looked shocked at what he had just said. One of the dragon slayers must have told him why she had transformed in the first place.
"I was told about what happened when I wasn't here a few days ago. The master asked me to try and help you," Gildarts went on to say.
"Help me?" Sienna questioned surprisingly. It was a few seconds before she spoke again. She didn't look either of them in the eyes. "I'm sorry. But I don't think this is something you could help me with. I don't even know what it is that controls me," she said clenching her fists. She knew that they were only trying to help but it was making her feel worse.
"Not true," Makarov said. Sienna raised her head again. "None of us may not know what exactly your condition is, but that's no reason to give up. You know now how much everyone will try to look after each other in this guild, don't you?" Makarov said. His words reminded her of when Natsu and the others had made her feel like she had a family again. The thought brought a small smile to her face.
"Whatever is inside you, it couldn't have appeared there by chance. And there's no way you could of got it, if there wasn't a way to get rid of it," Gildarts explained.
"He's right. So, Gildarts is going to help you to try and regain control on whatever power lies within you," Makarov said. Sienna didn't show it but she couldn't be happier. Her heart warmed once more with that feeling on belonging.
"But, no offense, but why can't you do it master?" Sienna asked. Gildarts suddenly looked downhearted.
"Not enough spare time, I'm afraid," Makarov explained.
"Yeah right, old man. Every time I see you, you're always got your face in a glass of bitter!" she thought.
"Besides, Gildarts have travelled far more of this world than I. I'm sure that there must be something that he picked up on his travels," Makarov explained.
"I see," Sienna said. Gildarts began to beam.
"So how about we start tonight?" he asked looking at her.
"So soon?" she asked a surprised look on her face.
"Why not? Might as well get the ball rolling, right?" Gildarts said.
"OK, fine. I'll start tonight," Sienna said. Makarov beamed with the friendliness she was expressing and the prospect of her having more control over her hidden power.
Later that day, it was dark outside and there was few people left in the guild. Mira was still there along with Elfman, along with the master and Cana. Natsu was just leaving the guild.
"See you, Gramps! And I'll you tomorrow, Sienna!" Natsu called as he walked away.
"See you Natsu," Sienna called back. She went over to the table where Gildarts was sitting and sat opposite him.
"So how do you suppose we go about this?" she asked leaning back on the bench.
"Hm," he responded stroking his chin. "I think that we should jump straight in with trying to control it, rather than working out its origin. If you can control it I think we can take a step backwards and try and work out where it came from, from there," he went on to say. Sienna nodded.
"Sounds like a plan," she said.
"OK, listen closely," he said leaning forward. Sienna did the same.
"When you were being controlled, can you remember anything about where you were or what was going on?" Gildarts asked. Sienna thought for a bit.
"Well, now that you mention it..." she said as she recalled the dark place she was in. "There was some place I remember. It was dark and clouded and there was nothing else there but myself," she said remembering how lonely she felt.
"So, how did you break through that, and regain control over your body?" he asked.
"Well, previously, I had to wait till that thing was either tired or let me go. But what happened a few days ago, was totally different," she said.
"How so?" he asked intriguingly.
"It's kinda hard to describe, but, it's as though Natsu's voice managed to break down the darkness,"
"Natsu's voice?"
"Yeah," she said nodding. "His voice, along with a bright light managed to break through. And then...I saw a hand and grabbed a hold of it. I didn't do a thing, but that creature, couldn't take it, and released me," she explained. She looked up to see Gildarts had a puzzled look on his face.
"You think I'm crazy don't you?" she said condescendingly.
"No, no. Just curious that's all!" he said beaming and stroking the back of his head. His face then dropped and he came more serious.
"OK, I want you to try something for me," Sienna looked at him intensely. "How about, you try closing your eyes, and focusing on that place. You may find some answers there," he said.
"But...what if something happens...I couldn't bear it if..." Sienna said.
"Stop worrying! What do you think I'm here for? If anything should happen, I'll be the one to stop you, alright?" he said a smile on his face. His words, that smile, it reminded her so much of Rufus and Biagon. She nodded, and closed her eyes. She tried to focus on the dark place she was in once before. At first she pushed it really hard, but nothing happened. She tried loosening up on the pressure, and then she could feel herself sinking a bit. After a few more seconds, she felt a sudden rush through her head. She opened her eyes to find herself in a bright place. She knew she was no longer in the guild anymore. Around her she could see some clouds floating by. She looked down but she couldn't work out what she was standing on.
"So, you've managed to find this place, huh?" Sienna turned around to see something that shocked her. There were the black and dark purple clouds being emitted. In them the only thing she could see was two eyes burning like wild fire. Her face dropped.
"It's you..." she realised that this was what spoke to her, what controlled her, and what gave her, her retched nickname.
"What? Don't speak like you're surprised. You did come down here after all!" the voice said.
"Who the hell are you?" she demanded.
"You want to know who I am. Well, I've been called many things, but you can call me Scor!" it said.
"Tell me, where did you come from, and what the hell do you want from me?" she asked.
"Huh? You think you can talk to me like that? Foolish human!" It yelled. Suddenly something black out of the clouds went for her. She instantly put up her defences and jumped back. Unfortunately, it was too fast. It weaved about and grabbed her neck. She fell to the ground clutching her throat as the black hand, or whatever it was, tried to choke her.
"You have nowhere near enough power to control me, and you can't stop me!" Sienna's eyes were wild with fear. "Don't try to talk to me again until you learn that much! And if you do, I'll rip you out of this world!" Sienna instantly snapped her eyes open, to see Gildarts in front of her. Sienna fell to the floor, on her hands and knees. She was panting and covered in sweat. Her body was trembling. Gildarts instantly got up and went to her quickly. He placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Hey are you okay?" he asked worryingly. "What the hell happened?" After a few seconds of her trembling, to his surprise, Sienna began to smile.
"Scor..." she said.
"Huh?" Gildarts said. Sienna managed to turn her head to look at Gildarts.
"You were right, I did find some answers," she said, though not very loudly. Gildarts looked puzzled at first but then let out a small smile.
"Come on! I think you need to call it a night!" he said putting one of her arms around his neck, hoisting her up.
"Scor...just you wait...I'll become strong enough to defeat you, and that's a promise!"