Hello everyone!

Happy Halloween! As commemoration, here is chapter 28! I dare say, I kinda wanted to put a teaser chapter and cut it off around the 10th paragraph before posting the whole chapter but nah (I'm going to give a treat instead of a trick for halloween) xD

I think I really like how Lucy and Natsu really parallel each other.

Enjoy!

Twenty-Eight Wish:
I Don't Want To See

The sight that greeted them had shocked them stiff.

They had expected to see the fiery fire spread among the trees, but when they had arrived, there was not even a hint of smoke.

Instead, they arrived at the forest path with grass standing tall and trees with leaves of bright and healthy color. It was like the whole place was rejuvenated.

It would have made a beautiful scenery . . . if it weren't for the numerous bodies that lay on the ground, unmoving.

Dark ashes float gently as the breeze lightly blew at the forest, scattering them like petals and leaves in autumn. This ominous sight was in such contrast to the bright forest, creating a vague and strange atmosphere.

And in the center of it all, amidst the ashes and bodies on the ground, was a woman with golden hair and alluring figure. . .

Her expression was shadowed by her untied hair that was being gently swayed by the wind.

A familiar figure, but at the same time, very unfamiliar.

She was excluding unfathomable power that gave chills to a person's bone. Her ethereal and noble aura would make one stare in reverence at this beautiful and graceful figure that was definitely not from this world.

. . . Seeing her like this, Natsu felt fear in his heart.

It was not because of the oppressive aura in the air nor the powerful force being excluded from her. It was not also because she looked so intimidating right now. Rather, it was because he was familiar with her.

He knew the person in front of him but seeing her like this. . .

. . . It made him feel like he was staring at a stranger.

The girl he knew was childish, but the one in front of him was dignified and noble. His genie was clumsy and noisy, but this one was filled with might and elegance in every way. She was warm, sweet and lively, not cold, unfeeling and unapproachable like this person who was very distant and far away from him. . .

This odd feeling like she was far away despite being in front of him, that feeling of being unable to reach her no matter how much he stretched his hands . . . had made his heart cold with fear.

It was like he was losing her. . .

Those were his unspeakable thoughts. Not even his mind had verbalized the feelings he felt in that moment.

In that instant, he didn't even have time to process his mind as it was only filled with her visage and this strange stirring of emotions he didn't even bother understanding. His face was shadowed by his bangs as he strode over to her, leaving behind the other two who came with him staring with wide eyes at the scene.

While the woman's beauty and ethereal aura would definitely charm all beings to the point they couldn't look away, her actions was actually more striking.

Her hand was raised, fingers stretched out. Above her was a man with blue hair, suspended in the sky and shining with brilliance . . . literally.

Above her was a human lantern. His eyes, ears, nose and mouth was pouring out white light, making one wonder if there was a star hidden inside him. Even his nails were glowing with brilliance from his outstretched hands and feet. In fact, he was shining with so much brilliance; you couldn't even see his figure if you don't look closely. It looked like there was a huge cross made of light suspended in the sky.

It was a frightening sight. They really don't know whether to look in terror . . . or in awe.

The shock had made their brain process much slower. They couldn't react immediately, unlike the uncouth youth who approached without hesitation.

Without regard to the surrounding pressure, Natsu took a step forward. He didn't even bother taking a glance at the human cross above.

"Hey. . ."

Getting closer, the woman didn't seem to hear him . . . nor did she seem to even notice his presence.

"Hey!"

. . . There was no response. He gritted his teeth and stood in front of her.

"What are you doing? Didn't you hear me!?"

But no matter how he yelled, she remained unresponsive towards him. She continued being in a blank daze.

He stared at her. His dark onyx eyes held a strange mixture of emotions as it gazed at her.

Now that he was facing her, he could see her expression clearly.

Her hazel eyes that were usually shining brilliantly like the sun had lost its glow. Now they look like glass that couldn't reflect anything. They were eyes that were devoid of all emotions, cold and unfeeling.

His heart clenched as he looked at her.

Why?

Why are you looking like this?

Why is it so painful to see your expression like this?

I don't want . . .

I don't want to see . . .

I don't want to see you making such a lonesome face!

He grabbed her shoulders and he looked at her resolutely.

"Hey! Snap out of it!"

The moment he touched her, something flashed in his mind.

She was just a child. . .

Bewildered, Natsu stared at the small figure with the same golden hair and gentle hazel eyes in front of him. She was young and her features were rounder and softer, yet her aura held a noble air to it. Neither proud nor humble, she was more aloof as if she was free from the mundane desires and affairs of the mortals.

Yet despite this, she was releasing an air of benevolence. Her face held a smile that was so dazzling, it would make your heart melt. It was the kind of smile that would make flowers bloom, stop storms, and turn the darkest nights into brightest day.

But behind this expression, behind those hazel eyes full of warmth, was there anything else? In his inexperienced eyes - no, even if he had experienced - he would never have noticed that that smile she held on every day might actually be just a mask to hide away her feelings . . . or her lack of it.

Now, as he looked at the young child and remembering the genie he met, he noticed there was a huge difference from their gazes but could not identify what it was. All he knew was that he preferred the smile she always had ever since he met her.

He looked deeply into her eyes.

But in her eyes, he wasn't reflected. She couldn't see him. Deep in those eyes, there was only the visage of the boy.

The boy she made a promise with?

The boy was surrounded by darkness and gradually disappearing into it. Bit by bit, his silhouette was gradually disappearing as if melting into the shadows.

Tears formed into her eyes until a glistening drop made way to the side of her cheek.

No!

Natsu's heart dropped.

He doesn't understand, but his heart felt panicking. He quickly shook her, wanting to wake her up. He doesn't understand why he was seeing what she was seeing.

At this rate, she'll follow him into the darkness!

"Oy, wake up! Wake up!"

He doesn't understand. It wasn't rational. It was only a vision, it was not real. And despite being ditzy and clumsy, she was actually a very strong person. Even when she seemed wavering, he knew that she wouldn't fall into darkness. But. . .

Seeing her in pain was enough to get him anxious. Despite her blank expression, she was hurting all inside!

He cannot let her suffer anymore!

Yet, no matter how much he called out, he couldn't reach her. His voice couldn't reach to this person's heart. In her heart, there was only that boy. . .

It made him really frustrated.

"Oy! You idiot! Why don't you answer me!?"

"Aren't you my contractor!? Aren't you my genie!?"

"Fairy, answer me!"

No matter how much he shook her, she remained impassive. Even when he tried to rile her up, she wouldn't respond. He bit his lips. How to move her?

His mind stopped to think, in his anxiety, the words that left his mouth was not something he had realized himself until he uttered them.

"Please. . . look at me. . .

"Lucy!"

. . . * . . .

End of Chapter

Had Natsu ever called Lucy by her name before?

Thank you for everyone who favorite and followed this story!

For those who reviewed, thank you! I'll try my best!