Hello everyone!

Here is chapter 22!

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Twenty-Second Wish:
Hear Me

A tear fell gently from her eyes. What was that? Even when she doesn't remember fully, the sadness she felt at that time was even greater than the time she spent when she's all alone in the Abyss. Why? Why? What happened? What did she do? Why did she have to leave him? What was her fault? What on earth happened back then? And the boy . . . who was he?

Why would she throw away such precious memories if it was supposed to be the happiest moment of her life?

Natsu punched the wall. "What are you trying to say?"

Loki looked at him coldly as he explained. "That person . . . is no good for her. He only brought misfortune to her. . . He's just someone . . ." he stopped himself. No, there's no need to tell him about that.

There's no telling that this thief can keep the fact from her. That person is a scum who would use Lucy's power for his own gain.

. . . And caused a disaster that even caught the attention of Heavens.

Loki's eyes were hidden by the white glint of his glasses.

"Your contract states that she just has to find the person again, right? She doesn't have to know about him. Actually, she doesn't have to know it's him. Maybe she even met him already. Then, if you win the heart of the princess, you'll both be free from the contract! Maybe there is truly no need to look for the boy. . ."

Natsu frowned. He knew that wasn't what she wanted. "Are you trying to cheat her from my side of the deal?"

Happy gasped.

Loki was not pleased. "Cheating? I didn't expect you to be the honest type. . ."

He grabbed Loki's collar, yanking him closer. "So what? I may be a thief, but I do practice honesty to those who deserve it. Do you want to make her cry again?"

Again?

Natsu looked at him disapprovingly. For some reason, he felt that Lucy would only cry with the way this guy is handling things. They try to keep her away from everything, intending to protect her, but they never realize that they only end up making her lonely inside. . .

How long has this been happening?

"Why do you care? You only need your princess" Loki glaringly reminded him. He doesn't like being preached by someone who knows nothing.

Natsu blinked at that.

Indeed . . . why does he care? He was just a regular street rat running around alleys and stealing without a care of the world. He was just someone who wants to take the things that were out of his reach. He was just a mere creature bred from darkness, constantly longing for a light to escape the pit he was in. Why was he hoping for that creep to hear him out for her sake? Why was he concerned about her? Since when did he learn to care about others?

He let go of him.

Loki wasn't really interested for his answer. He fixed his tie. "Anyway, I'm not forcing you. In the end, it's all up to Fate anyway but it's not like we cannot make a choice. I merely offered you a suggestion that's mutually benefiting. If you don't want it, then fine."

Happy frowned. "Are you going to help us?"

Loki gave his usual smirk. "Well, I'm not going to make any promises. I'll just stick my nose in when I feel like it."

Natsu crossed his arms. "I don't trust you".

In the end, he wanted to refuse this man.

The man just shrugged. "You don't have to. It's not like you'll have a choice anyway. . ." he started to walk away. "I'm going to look for Lucy. . ."

"Wait!"

Loki stopped and turned towards him. "Yes?"

The boy she was searching for . . . what was he like?

Natsu hesitated. He was curious to know. He wanted to know what kind of man that naïve and selfless girl was longing for. But at the same time . . .

. . . Why was he scared to know? Why was he hesitating?

"How are you going to help us find him? You don't even know anything about him!"

He ended up asking a different question. Loki looked at him in a regarding manner. Seeing from his eyes that he was weighing and scrutinizing his words, Natsu tensed and felt his stomach curl. Could it be that he knew that she was regaining her memories!?

With that sudden thought, he felt bad for her. If that creep knew, he was sure he would take it away again. But then again, he doubted that was truly the case. If he knew that she still remember it, he will definitely put a stop to it immediately by now. If he doesn't know anything, then how is he going to help? Can they even search with such utter lack of clues?

"Simple. We just have to look for the divine treasure" the creep answered him nonchalantly.

Natsu and Happy looked blank about it. "Divine. . . Treasure. . ?"

He nodded. "I gave a golden necklace with a divine stone to Lucy before we went to this world and she lost it to that guy. . . Ah," Loki realized that the two tramps might have no idea about what it is so he explained.

"It's a divine stone made by the gods or powerful spirits. . . It's usually sealed in gold or silver in the form of accessory. It's like a device that helps you control the forces of nature . . . People who held divine treasure will gain unimaginable powers. I believe you humans call it magic?"

"Boss Bora, all the preparations are ready"

The person who spoke bowed in respect as he made his report.

In the midst of darkness, a man with blue hair and a tattoo above his eyebrow smiled wickedly.

"Good."

The gods must have been smiling down upon him. To have given him such power beyond human understanding. Indeed, The Comet must have been sent for him just like what The Woman told him.

The darkness in his eyes gleamed with glee as he looked at the ring in his hand. The gemstone in his ring glowed red like burning coal. With the Heaven's treasure and the fairy in his hands . . .

He will fly above the heavens. He couldn't contain his laughter as he envisioned the things he could obtain. No one would be able to get in his way.

A gruesome laughed could be heard beyond the sealed doors Juvia Lockser was in. Tears fell from her eyes. How can things turn this way?

She remembered the smile of the young raven-haired lad, biting her lips as she felt the pain in her heart. He thought he died years ago in the shipwreck. If only she knew that he was still alive. . .

Heavy clouds gathered, threatening for a rain fall.

Desperation filled her. Struggling with all her might she wanted to escape from her bounds. She cried, she screamed . . . but no one would hear her voice. . .

Your life is cursed to be full of rain and sorrow . . . until the Curse is lifted . . . the fairies will be the one who will help you on your way . . . so you must take this and keep it safe . . .

Tears dripped from her eyes to the Teru Teru Bozu hanging in her neck. Her heart was in desperation for someone to hear her plea.

Please . . . someone . . .

Help me!

Suddenly, a cold feeling went down Lucy's spine. She heard it.

Turning away from the beautiful scenery in front of her, she looked at the darkness that suddenly sprouted. The air had turned heavy as if it was grieving. She frowned.

"What . . . is this?"

. . . * . . .

End of Chapter

With Lucy having heard Juvia's cries for some reason, how can she help in soothing the darkness in her heart? But what about her? Who will be the one to hear the longing in Lucy's heart?

Thank you for everyone who favorite and followed this story!

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