Lucy wept as her mother Layla finished explaining the choices of her actions. She had now realised that through her mothers choices to experience a true human existence she was able to be born.
The Dragon Slayers were also coming to terms with the fact they had been brought to the future from the long distant past as they try to figure out how they fit in to everything.
"Thank you, Momma. I understand now why you had to go away." Lucy said as she wiped tears from her eyes.
"So where do we go from here?" Gajeel asked
"Ultimately defeating Obsidian is our goal, his actions 400 years ago made it abundantly clear that his time has passed. Although I personally cannot aid in combat... I can, however assist in your development, allowing you to achieve the power I planned for you, all those years ago." Layla responded.
"I'm fired up!" Natsu proclaimed standing up from his chair with a clenched burning fist.
"Developing you all will take time, we can use this dimension to get around the normal flow, however we do not want to stay here too long. The rift I opened back in the palace will be slowly closing and after about 2 hours it will be completely closed." Layla announced.
"2 hours!" Lucy exclaimed "but we have already been here atleast 6!" the 4 humans all began to freak out.
"You promised us this was safe!" Gajeel angrily said
"Are we going to be stuck here forever?" Wendy said shaking in fear.
"Don't panic, although it has been 6 hours here, it has only been 4 minutes in Earthland" Layla said smiling before explaining "Remember I told you this place was the opposite of the Celestial Realm. it's 3 months here to 1 day in Earthland"
All 4 wizards calmed down knowing they weren't in any imminent danger.
"So just to make it clear, I said the rift takes about 2 hours to close that means the maximum amount of time we can safely be inside here, is a little over one week but we can draw the line at 6 days to be safe" Layla gave a reassuring smile to the group.
"Oh, well then this place really is amazing for training we can get 6 days of training into 2 hours!" Natsu said excitedly
"Yes, It's the reason I made this dimension to give you a place to train without interfering with your Earthland Lives" Layla said reassuringly.
"But for now we best return to the party, although its only been 4 minutes since we left, im sure someone is probably trying to snoop"
As Layla said this she stood up from the table, the other 4 wizards all followed her lead and stood up.
"It's a shame Kori wasn't with us. It would have been easier to explain it all at once." Layla said with a small sigh
"Oh yeah who is Kori, obviously she is another Dragon Slayer, but what is her power?" Lucy asked
"Kori is slightly unique, her Dragon Saphira is a combination of 2 Elements, Water and Ice" Layla responded.
"Another Gray!" Natsu exclaimed.
(I hope they aren't also a pervert) both Lucy and Wendy thought to themselves.
"What gives how come they get 2 Elements" Gajeel said slightly jealous.
"Water and Ice really can't function well with any other Elements, but they are closely paired. However..." As layla said this her eyes turned a deep blue as she stared at bother Natsu and Gajeel
"Why are you complaining mister Shadow Iron Dragon Slayer?" Layla said this giving a playful smile.
Natsu raised his hand and opened his mouth but before he could say anything.
"And before you try anything Natsu I can see that lightening" Layla quickly cut him off.
Natsu shut his mouth and crossed his arms as he pouted.
Wendy giggled but couldn't help but wonder what she could gain.
"Holy" Layla said for apparently no reason.
All 4 of the wizards looked at Layla in confusion before Wendy realised Layla was staring at her.
"Holy?" Wendy responded as she pointed at herself.
"I figured because of the topic you were probably wondering what your next closest Element was for compatibility" Layla smiled before adding "It's Holy, as Wind purifies, Holy cleanses"
Wendy smiled with a look of excitement in her eyes.
"Well we should all get back, I would like to meet the 2 people you mentioned earlier Rogue and Yukino." Layla said as she walked towards the door stopping for a moment.
"We must speak to Sting the Holy Dragon Slayer as soon as possible" As she said this she opened the door to the cabin prompting the others to follow her outside.
The group of 5 slowly made their way back to where they entered, the Maginium pile made it easy to spot in the green field of grass
"Are you concerned about the Shadow, Natsu mentioned Momma?" Lucy asked Layla as they walked.
"Yes, if what Natsu has told us is true, and the 'Shadow' is talking to Rogue, then this would be a demon known as a Shade" Layla responded, the 4 wizards all gasped
"A Demon! like that Deloria and Lullaby thing!?" Natsu shouted
"Yes, Obsidian's speciality was creating Demon's, he was quite fond of their destructive nature and ability to incite fear." Layla said showing a hint of anger.
"Explains Zeref's facination with them also, seeing as he is Obsidian" Wendy said.
"This Obsidian guy is really starting to piss me off" Gajeel exclaimed as he punched his fist into an open palm.
"We best find the Holy Dragon Slayer first. If it is a regular Shade I can vanquish it, however if it is Obsidian, The Holy Slayers Magic is best suited for the task."
As she finished saying this they had reached the Maginium pile in the green field and prepared to return back to Earthland.
"Almost forgot" Layla exclaimed before she quickly clapped changing the attire of the group back to their formal wear herself included.
"What's the deal with that metal over there" Gajeel asked pointing at the chunk of Maginium before licking his lips and saying "It looks good..."
Layla giggled before responding "Please don't eat that... It was an expensive... 'gift' from the King" She said this with a smile.
"What do you plan to do with it?" Gajeel asked as he curiously stared at it.
"I plan to make something with it... 400 years ago I would never have done this, but now..." Layla said pausing.
The 4 Wizards all looked at her curiously raising eyebrows before Layla continued.
"I'm thinking about making some armor and weapons to help against Obsidian" Layla said with a sigh.
"Armor and Weapons?" the 4 said looking at each other.
"I'm sure Erza would be excited!" Natsu said
"Erza? Is that a member of your guild?" Layla asked as she hadn't decided who to give them to yet.
"Yes Erza is an S-Class wizard in our guild" Lucy proudly responded before adding "And she is probably the only person who can control Natsu and Gray when they are fighting" Lucy sighed
"Hmm she can control the Son of Igneel?" Layla stared at Natsu who was frowning at the thought.
Layla smiled "I like her already! I guess I'll have to talk to her about it."
"Well lets get back shall we, we must find Sting as soon as possible." As Layla said this she raised her right arm up and the rift they had entered through re-opened nearby.
With a Nod the 4 wizards all jumped through the rift, however Layla stopped and looked back at the Maginium.
Layla let out a sigh "It's the only way..."
Layla lowered her head in sadness then slowly walked through the rift back to Earthland.
As Layla exited the portal she looked around at the other 4 wizards who were all standing around her, Lucy frowned noticing the sadness in her Mother's eyes but chose to not say anything.
"Hmm this place is a mess, I'm sure the King would complain if I left it like this" Layla said as she raised her hand which was enveloped by a noticeable white glow, and with in seconds all the books and paintings in the room returned to their original locations and mint condition.
"Wow that's kinda like Ult..." Natsu started to say before he quickly interrupted himself covering his mouth.
"Yes this is Timeark Magic Natsu, I know the one you were about to mention... She cast a very powerful form of Time Magic during the Dragon Incursion reversing time over the entire city by 1 minute... It was a remarkable feat for a human... But unfortunately it cost her her life." Layla said
"She died?!" Lucy said covering her mouth in shock.
"No. Luckily for her when it occurred, I immediately knew what had been done. I was able to reach her before the negative effects of that spell could take hold... However the life she spent I was unable to return. My only option was to give her a tiny bit of my own life force to fill the void she had created. She will have about another 10 years before it expires" Layla responded reassuringly.
"10 years is a tiny bit?" Wendy said relising that she wasn't much older then that
Layla Smiled "Well I am immortal remember. But enough about any of that, please find and bring Sting to me as soon as possible, I'm going to go return the room key to the King."
The 4 wizards all nodded as they exited the room.
