Usually, all creatures that roamed Earth and the Binding World gazed up at the sky in wonder if the heavens and it's star-strewn glory. But every time Lucy looked down from the Celestial Realm, she was struck with awe. The people-everywhere thousands upon thousands of souls, every one unique, all shining in their own splendor, and countless lands to explore.
Of course, she did love her own land. It was strewn with beauty incomprehensible to any below. The colors and light blossomed from all around, colors that humans couldn't even see. Lucy was surrounded by magnificence and the most powerful beings in the universe… And maybe that's why the world without any of that was so fascinating.
The desire to know how they lived, the simple things that made them happy, their closeness to each other. How they just stayed so strong-
"-believe Lucy is out gazing off into her daydreams again," she heard a deep voice sigh from the throne room. Her father.
The Celestial King was not her true father. After Jude and Layla, esteemed members of the Celestial Court, had passed, the king had taken Lucy in himself. After all, he had no other heirs to his throne.
From her perch on the edge of the domed roof next to the open window, Lucy pursed her lips in silent frustration. She loved her adoptive father, but what did it matter to him how she enjoyed looking through the stars to watch the creatures of Earth and the Binding World? She attended all of her other commitments dutifully, every Parliament meeting and invitation to rather irritating events with grace. Her little pastimes shouldn't be of any concern.
Curling her bare arms about her knees comfort, Lucy set her chin on them wistfully as her all-seeing eyes upon a young boy and girl on Earth, laughing as they ran through the rain for shelter. Their hands were intertwined. Across to the other side of the globe, a mother sang a lullaby to her daughter in a rocking chair on a front porch.
In response to her father's comment, she heard the voice of her friend, leader of the Zodiac, filter faintly through the window. "It is kind of her to watch over the worlds. Her job as princess of the heavens, is it not?"
"Watching over us one matter," the king said. "Longingly staring off into other lands as if wanting to abandon her duties to explore worlds unnecessarily is another matter entirely."
"All due respect, your majesty, but I believe it's rather harmless. We all had our stages of curiosity," Leo pointed out. Lucy felt the warmth of gratitude for his defense.
"I suppose," answered the king uneasily. "Perhaps I worry too much. In other matters… Report?"
Zodiac Celestial Spirits were assigned to different portions of the worlds, required to monitor and report vital issues to the king through Leo the Lion. Lucy scooted closer to the window; she always made sure to sit here for report. Her one act of rebellion, but she didn't feel it was too severe. All she wanted was to know what was happening.
"Genocide of Christians, Jews, and Muslims not aligned with ISIS continue with little progress in defeating the terrorists," Leo told him grimly. "Our Spirits and Tenshis can only save so many per day."
Clearing his throat, he continued, "More guidance is needed for the next generation. Demon corruption is up five percent just from this week; their means of deception get more clever every time and we suspect their king may be behind their new tactics." There was a crinkling of paper. "Famine, AIDS, cancer, and other diseases remain at the same levels as last report. Do you want the full list per continent this time, your majesty?"
"No," sighed the king. "Please save the entirety for the private advisor meeting."
Lucy's heart felt as if it were bleeding out. There was no denying that as the Celestial Princess, she'd been installed with the most power of any other being in the sky other than her own father, and possibly equal to Leo. She could've saved so many more, given her teardrops to cure the sick… if only she were allowed to rush down to their aid as the others did.
"Yes, sir. And for the Binding World…" Lucy heard more paper unfolding. The Binding World report was always a bit more in detail, considering how vital the Bond was. "The fairies are working hard to keep their areas pristine, but there's only so much they can do in keeping the Earthen pollution down through the Bond. The troll robberies are still on an alarming rise. The reason has not yet been found, but… there was a suspicious attack. The head librarian of the Summer Kingdom was transporting the White Grimoire, and she never made it to her destination. They suspect trolls stole it, but they've also never have been involved in kidnapping."
"That is concerning… but why was she transporting the Grimoire? It is not usually among fairies, especially with the shrinking spells necessary."
Lucy leaned closer to the window with interest. The White Grimoire? Disturbing indeed; that book held all the spells and information known of the Bond. If someone had stolen it…
"That is probably the most worrying matter," Leo said, voice growing lower. "The elves have reported only Binding World time minutes ago that several strands of the Bond are… unraveling."
Eyes growing wide, Lucy clenched her fists. Minutes in the Celestial Realm were far longer than that of Binding World minutes, so this was particularly breaking news. Her father voiced her thoughts from below. "Unraveling?! That's not possible, Leo. The Bond is as old as the realms themselves. It is a creation rooted in magic and science and nature… One cannot simply unravel it!"
"Humans may no nothing of the specifics of the Bond," Leo said slowly. "Yet it was a human wielding a dark magic spellbook that managed to damage the ties. The elves have captured him, but he hasn't told them anything."
"Where did this human aquire such a book? How did he manage to produce magic on Earth?"
"They don't know," the lion told him. "But the book is full of dark magic. It could only come from the demon realms. We knew they were going too far lately with corruption, but dark magic granted to a human is an entirely new level of offense."
The king was silent, likely mulling over all he was forced to take in. Then he let out a breath, saying, "Thank you, Leo. We must count on the elves to uncover the truth of this human mage; I don't know what kind of assistance we could give, but offer any if needed. And… any news of the dark prince? Was he, perhaps, involved?"
"Doubtful, your highness," Leo said. "The fairy scouts have not reported him leaving his lair for Earth. He remains inactive, neutral, and not a threat as always."
Lucy was endlessly frustrated by their mentions of a "dark prince." They'd never explained who he was to her, or referred to him by any other name. If he never did anything wrong, why did they keep calling him dark?
"Right." Her father's voice seemed to grow more tired with every report. "Any… good news?"
"Well," mused Leo. "My wedding is next month. It should be the party of the century, or so I've been told."
Lucy felt the flicker of a grimace. She'd been trying to forget.
"That reminds me!" the king boomed, seemingly trying to put the worries of the reports aside. "I must call my daughter down. I intended to make more preparations today. Would you stay for lunch?"
"I would be delighted, your majesty."
Before he could send for her, Lucy reluctantly pushed herself upward and made her way back down the side of the palace. She was far more acrobatic that she let on to anyone so that she could keep her little trips to the roof a secret. It took several minutes to walk around to the front, and that was with all the shortcuts. The palace was massive, spanning over a thousand meters wide with sparkling domes that reflected purples, blues, greens, and pinks of the across the constellation-scattered sky. Even Lucy hadn't seen all the rooms that the palace held in its enormity of seven tall stories.
Lucy took a deep breath before she entered, readjusting the golden, winged tiara and her blonde curls so that she didn't look like she'd just been up on the palace, eavesdropping. The front doors were crystal and gold, booming as she pulled them open and glided in as gracefully as possible. Her shimmering, white dress trailed on the pristine, tile floor.
Upon her arrival, her father up on his gilded throne seemed to brighten, saying in a voice that echoed throughout the chamber, "Lucy, darling! I was just about to send for you."
She curtsied. "What a helpful coincidence, as I was just wishing to come see you, father. Good afternoon."
He held out a hand, and she placed hers in his. "What is it you need, my dear?"
"Nothing more than the pleasure of your company, father." She smiled, turning her face to her friend that stood by. "Good afternoon, Leo. I trust your stars shine bright?"
"All the more, now that your highness has come into my presence," he purred, brushing a kiss on her knuckles. "You are radiant as ever, my princess."
"And you are a flirt as ever, I see," she countered with a smirk. "I take it it's time for lunch?"
The dining room was nearly as grand as the throne, table far too long so that the three of them sat at the far end together. The food given to them was as excellent as ever, and other than complimenting and thanking the servants, Lucy prayed that the table would remain quiet. So that they didn't have to discuss-
"I was wondering if this sort of meal would be a good selection for the reception, Lucy," her father brought up, making her internally wince. "Do you approve?"
"It's lovely," she murmured, eyes fixed on her plate as she shoveled more of the human-style pasta into her mouth to avoid further speech.
"The seamstress says she's got a stunning design for your dress planned out, but she'd like you to view all the selections before any decisions. When are you free to meet with her?"
She knew her father was trying to get more more engaged in the excitement, but her heart felt light years away. "I have nothing going on tomorrow afternoon."
Out of the corner of her eye, Lucy saw Leo shift uncomfortably. His ears, buried among his bright orange hair, twitched. "Is there anything I can do to be of assistance, your majesty?"
"Perhaps if you could make my daughter voice more of her opinions on her own wedding," mused the king, scanning her face with a tenderness that softened her slightly.
"I've grown to find her stubbornness rather endearing," Leo turned the request around carefully.
She shot him a grateful smile, but her father simply had to continue, "Convincing her to cooperate will be good practice for your married life together-"
Lucy stood abruptly, heart clenching overwhelmingly. "Excuse me. I'm rather full all of the sudden."
Leo didn't meet her eyes, but her father looked exasperated. Before he could protest, she strode away.
At the first balcony she found down the endless hallways, Lucy pushed her way outside where she leaned over the railing and breathed out. As always, her eyes desperately roamed the lower worlds for some distraction. A group of friends meeting up at a park and seeing who could swing highest on the set. A couple of dryads giggling as they chased one another through the woods. A beautiful boy flying with dragon wings-
Wait, what?
Lucy bent closer in interest. He was soaring across the Scorch that separated the enchanted forests of the fairies and elves, carrying two fairies North at breakneck speeds. No fairies ever wandered into that desert wasteland. What on earth could drive such a creature to make the dangerous journey to the equally dangerous elves? What creature even was that boy?
"Lucy?"
She snapped out of her focus and whirled at her name to see that her father had followed her. He looked hesitant, slowly making his way over beside her as if she were a cat that would skitter away if he walked too quickly.
"Yes, Father?" She tried to sound as pleasant and normal as possible, but she could feel the slight shake in her voice.
He sighed, grand robes wrinkling as he leaned against the rail. "I do not understand why you are so opposed to this wedding. You've been close to Leo since you were children, and you get along very well. He obviously cares for you."
Lucy's gut clenched. "He's a dear friend, father, but I've never harbored further feelings for him. He tries to have them for me to please you, but you've seen how he looks at Aries. I don't understand why you insist on having this wedding now, when I don't have my wings yet. We live thousands of years and I have plenty of time to-"
"Because I grow weary." The King certainly looked weary, eyes dull in the starlight. "You must take my throne sooner than I expected. You will grow to love him in time, and you will have your wings."
"That's not how it works, and you very well know that!" Lucy burst, fingers curling along the stone railing. "I have not felt my wings begin to grow in the hundred years that I have known him! You've been in love before, God rest her soul, and you know that's not how it happened. That's not how it has happened for my parents, for any spirit or Tenshi that has ever lived! How incompetent would they think their new ruler is, one who doesn't even have her wings?"
"Lucy." His voice was strained. "I know this is a difficult situation, but you've met every being in this realm and none have struck your fancy. It's the only option."
Lucy hesitated for a moment, before slowly saying, "Yes, in this realm."
Her father looked at her sharply. "Please tell me you do not fancy yourself interested in some human or elf or-"
"No, no!" Lucy squeaked quickly. "Not at all, father. But there are billions of beings in the other worlds. I haven't met a single one!"
"That's because other creatures have no business becoming king of the Celestial realm, Lucy," her father said firmly. "The matter is silly to even mention."
"Would I not have good enough taste to fall in love with someone worthy of a throne?" questioned Lucy testily.
"Leo is the only one who is worthy," grunted the king. "Experienced, loyal, honorable, trustworthy, powerful, takes good care of my lovely daughter, leader of the Zodiac, Lucy…"
"And my friend," Lucy emphasized. "He is a brother to me. I could not… I will not be his wife. I could certainly not even consider bearing him children. It would be wrong. I would feel wrong. This all feels wrong."
"Your feelings may change as you grow closer." Her father sounded much more like he were trying to convince himself rather than her.
"Why must I be forced into this when I have over three billion men in the other worlds that are an option?" Lucy demanded.
"They are not an option!" His palms slammed against the stone. "This is the only way and you must accept your fate; you may as well make the most of it!"
"I will decide my own fate and it does not involve this." Her hands trembled in shock at his outburst, but she kept her voice steady. "I wish to be alone."
He sobered. "Lucy, I meant no-"
"Please."
His gaze was long and blank, but he soon turned back to the doors. "I love you, my Lucy."
"I love you too, Father."
As soon as he left, she quelled her screaming thoughts by turning her attention back to the flying boy. He looked about as youthful as her, pink hair bright in the beating sun. His wings were a shining and scaly red, black, and gold. Her eyes adjusted for closer look, seeing his panicked expression and worry as he glanced down at the fairies in his hands.
Oh, of course! He needed help. Perhaps one of his fairy friends were sick or injured, their only chance being the healing of the elves?
Leaning closer, her eyes widened with suspense at the aching itch to help. But he was flying nearly at the speed of sound; surely he'd make it in time without her or her healing power?
At least, that's what she thought before a flaming, elven arrow filled with magic energy caught him in the shoulder, causing him to cry out and plummet from the sky. He struggled to flap his wings, but his damaged shoulder seemed to pitch him sideways so that he kept falling, falling-
Lucy hardened. She'd always longed to help those below in need, and now longed to escape to the other worlds in search for another solution to her father's decision. To hell with standing by any longer.
With a flick of her wrists, the clouds that blocked her in the palace gardens floated aside. She made possibly the stupidest and best decision she'd ever made; Lucy took a deep breath, climbed on top of the balcony railing, and focused her energy to the Binding World and the exact location she wanted to be. She jumped, and she fell from the heavens.
"Why do we even do this?"
Erza glanced sharply at Cana's sigh. "Because the Bond is what holds every universe together, and our responsibility as High Elves of the Centermere."
Cana only answered in a roll of the eyes. Pushing back some long, brown hair so that the pointy tips of her ears shown, she mused, "Yeah, and someone's totally gonna attack it… how? We've got centuries' worth of protective spells over every connection of the bond with Earth, spells around our source, protected by Celestial Spirits and Tenshis, the most powerful beings in existence. It's ridiculous to worry about; the demons don't even bother to mess with it!"
"You just want to get off your guard shift to drink more mead," Erza huffed, gripping the intricately carved sword at her belt. Her golden armor gleamed with the light of the Bond, not that she truly needed it; defensive spells worked as well as any armor. She simply liked the look and feel of it, and it certainly reflected her rank of General of the High Elven Army.
"Well, getting drunk is far more productive than standing here and just staring at the thing," Cana said shamelessly. She was only in her usual binding about her chest and short skirt, earthy colors complimenting her brown eyes. While most looked down upon her less-than regal attire, they'd still put her in guard rotation due to her surprisingly powerful magic.
Erza disagreed with Cana's last sentiment. No matter how many times she saw it, the Bond was still, in the largest potential of the word, beautiful.
The strands of light, millions of them, all glowing and twinning in neverending patterns that extended beyond any creature's understanding. It was nearly thirty meters in diameter, pulsing with magic and energy, all the clockwork of the balance of everything that existed. The awe of the Bond never ceased to humble her.
"It is an honor to be here," said Erza, ignoring Cana's scoff.
"It's a waste of time to be here-" her friend insisted but was cut off by the loud and sudden humming, thrumming like a heartbeat and causing the bond to flash, its strands straining.
The two elves gasped, stumbling back from the massive cord. Magic crackled up and down its sides like lightning, something that sounded a bit like a beast's moan echoing through the trees as hundreds of strands suddenly shifted, turning in an unnatural directions so that they began to unwind from each other.
"No!" Erza shouted, running to the Bond and throwing her hands out before her. Closing her eyes, she focused on and muttered every protection and magical renewal spell she knew. "Cana, go get help!"
"On it!" Cana called back frantically, and Erza heard her swift steps race off back to the city.
Sweat pouring down and causing her scarlet hair to stick to her face, Erza continued to whisper incantations, feeling the Bond drawing desperately on her support until she felt as if she'd be swallowed whole. Erza knew that her magic was nowhere near powerful enough to fix the very source of the universe's magic, but Erza was willing to have the life drained from her if it meant the Bond would would get minisculely less damaged. She didn't know what was happening, but she knew it was anything but good.
Her chanting rose to yells, all of her energy being depleted enormously by each passing second. She shouted for rewinding, healing, stability, a spell to draw out whatever was hurting the worlds' precious Bond-
That spell took hold greater than the rest. Her heart seemed to tug, almost making her trip into the strands of light. Some kind of magic was pulling back at her, dark and twisted. Surely the culprit of the Bond's sickness had been found.
Erza clung to the newfound magic. The black, evilness of it almost made her sick, but she managed to grit her teeth and use the strongest summoning spell she knew. The other magic was working so hard itself that it was pulled easily through wherever it existed in the universe…
...and right onto her.
Gasping, Erza collapsed under the exhaustion and sudden weight that had been dropped on her. She noticed that the Bond had stopped making the unnatural noises and flashing. She'd likely pulled out what the problem was.
Weak from the magic expense, she barely managed to push off of her… a body? Erza squinted her eyes open, catching a flash of blue and red. It was a boy.
He seemed to be nearly unconscious himself, groaning slightly as he flopped onto his back. An open book was clutched tightly to his chest, red brand marking his face and blue hair drifting into his eyes. He wore dark robes. A sick magic seemed to radiate from him.
The male seemed about her age, but surely someone using such dark magic could not be a Wood or High elf? A rogue demon, maybe. But demons had a natural form of dark magic that existed within their very being. This boy seemed more like… it was an infection. She'd seen a demon before; this was not one. Erza's senses were confused beyond reasoning.
Or perhaps…Was it even possible?
Hesitantly, Erza reached a shaking hand over to his hair. She pushed it away from his ears.
They were round at the top. Human.
Erza rolled away with a shocked choke, gripping her hilt so hard that she thought it may break. She was on her knees, staring down at him in a mixed horror and fascination. A human had never stepped foot into the Binding World. It wasn't possible. The only way they could visit a different realm was if they died a hero and were chosen to take a place among the stars in the Celestial World, or if they'd sinned horribly enough to invoke punishment in the Demon Realm. Humans had no business in her home world. Had this mere human managed to damage the Bond so greatly, something he should not even know exists?
By the stars; it shouldn't even be possible for humans to use magic! They had about as much magic within them as trolls. There had been several that managed to capture a demon's attention for summoning, but that never ended well.
Her weary eyes narrowed at the book on his chest. Erza wasn't sure it would be wise to touch it; surely it was where the human had gotten the spells. Dark magic… from hell itself. How did a human aquire a book from the Demon Realm?
Could demons even read?
Before she could shake out the ridiculous question, the sound of her reinforcements approached, a group of running feet that appeared to be Cana with her friend Mirajane and Lahar, an esteemed council member. Erza could hear a much larger group approaching, likely all horrified by Cana's news.
"Erza!" cried Mirajane and Cana at once, rushing over to where Erza knelt dazedly on the ground. She turned, becoming engulfed in Mira's flowing, silk dress and shaky embrace.
Cana helped her to her feet. "I'm so glad you're alright! Did you manage to stop… whatever in hell was happening?"
Erza tried to make the fact that she was leaving heavily on Mira subtle. "I-I think so… I summoned the culprit behind the… unraveling, and this h-human came out…"
Dozens of elves were crowded around the strange boy, as well as giving shouts of rage and terror at the damage done to the Bond. Surely the shock of it had been felt all over the worlds…
The boy suddenly sat up, gasping and clawing at the ground as if he'd been having a nightmare. The book fell from his grasp, and it was immediately swept up by Lahar. Seeing this, the human snarled, stumbling up and lunging after the volume. But the elves gripped his arms, bringing his wrists behind his back and tying them tightly with cords.
There was an insane glint to his eyes, some kind of red reflecting in their brown as he bared his teeth. "Mine!"
He spoke in English, hissing and attempting to leap towards his dark treasure. The elves held him fast easily, but the man struggled. The growls emanating from his throat didn't quite sound as human as he looked.
Though he certainly looked more beautiful than most humans.
Shaking that thought from her mind, Erza cleared her throat and called out over the scrabble of voices across the clearing, "My magic pulled this human from the Bond when I attempted to summon the reason for its damage! Pray tell, human boy… what exactly were you doing?!"
The boy stiffened, unnerving and mad wandering. His lips twitched upwards, and Erza tried not to let a shiver of terror sweep through her at the sight.
"The Master shall see to your unraveling," he said in a low, chilling voice. "This is only the beginning of your end."
Erza clenched her jaw in frustration, marching closer to him and balling a fist into his shirt. "Tell me who this master of yours is, why you have hurt the Bond, and how! NOW!"
"The Master shall see to your unraveling," was all he repeated. "This is only the beginning of your end."
While restraining herself from punching him square in the face, Erza glared straight into his eyes. Black oozed across them like blood, a smokescreen across their true color. She dropped him with a gasp.
"This human is possessed by a demon," Erza said, flinching away from the nausea-inducing presence of such evil. "I suggest he be taken to our most advanced cell available where he shall stay for questioning and purification."
Lahar agreed, face white as hers felt as the boy was tugged towards where they'd come.
Once the captors had left, Lahar asked for civilians to return home, telling them that this situation would be resolved. Cana and Mira, with Erza's persuasion, followed the crowd. Lahar then turned to Erza. "I've never seen anything like this happen in my three hundred years," Lahar told her gravely, hands behind his back as he walked over to the Bond. "Nor has anything like this been recorded in history."
Erza carefully evaluated him, the calculating eyes and tenseness of his jaw. But… "You don't seem as surprised as I'd think you'd be."
"I couldn't have foretold such a large scale catastrophe as this," he evaded, and Erza noticed.
"But you knew something was wrong," she urged. "Does this have to do with why the fairies were viewing the White Grimoire?"
His laugh was short, mostly amused. "You were always sharp, Erza. Cunning and perceptive. I cannot hide it from you; yes, there have been disturbances on Earth. Higher rates of demon corruption, certain bands of self-proclaimed wizards and devil worshippers coincidentally gathering at Bond connection points. It was reported by the Zodiac, and I requested that the Bond be more researched as far as if it were possible to damage."
Lahar paced, grimacing at the darkened strands that covered nearly a quarter of the bond's area. His black hair hung over his eyes, white robes billowed behind him impatiently. "The chief scribes and librarians of our society and theirs have been searching for any information and connections possible; I wanted multiple opinions. I did not expect something on this large of a scale or this soon… and by a possessed human, at that."
Emotions slamming together like tree branches in a storm, Erza said, aghast, "And you did not think to warn me of your suspicions? Whether or not you predicted it, I might've; magic like that could've killed a guard other than myself! By the stars, it almost killed me! We could've been more ready-"
"I did not want to terrify the public by my mere suspicion-"
"Better terrified than unprepared!" Erza spat. "As soon as the White Grimoire returns, I demand to see all results of the research-"
"The Grimoire has been stolen," Lahar whispered, coming to a halt and looking away from her.
"What do you mean stolen-!?"
The scream of a gryffon interrupted her heated questioning. A shadow cast over them and the magnificent beast, the eagle feathers gleaming copper in the Bond's light as it dove. With two great wingbeats, the creature landed beside them . From the back of the gryffon came Elfman, one of her trusted scouts. He was bulky for an elf, and taller than the rest though their species was known for their elegant height. A scar ran across his face, and white hair was tousled from the wind. His leather clad form dismounted his gryffon.
"General!" he boomed to her, giving a hasty bow before rushing closer to her. "We have, em, a situation in the south portion of the Scorch."
Erza frowned. "What sort of situation could you possibly have in the middle of a desert in which you'd have to come to me? Is everyone alright?"
"No more than non-fatal injuries," Elfman assured her. "But… We've captured a prisoner, and gained three, uh, guests."
"Prisoner?" Erza asked, eyebrows raising. "Who?"
There was a pause, as if he felt terror merely at speaking the name.
"The fire demon."
Heyo lovelies!
Look what I whipped up in my study breaks! Here's some Lucy and Erza POV - so much stuff I had to add to create this world hopefully without too much confusion. I know that with my other story, The Keys of Fire, I didn't think it through well enough, so here's trying to get better at that. I have a lot of ideas for Unraveling and I think this story could hold a lot of potential, so I hope you enjoy the ride with me!
As always, a million thanks to the reviews! I read and adore every one. Every word you say as a critique or encouragement brightens my day; I don't think I could be where I am with writing today without each one of you. Thank yoooou!
I'll see you guys more after my exams. O.O
Mizpah,
~LoneStorm