Saving Erza Scarlett, chapter 2
Revelations.
When I stopped speaking, they all swallowed with difficulty, all staring at me. The seriousness they were showing proved me that they believed me. Soon, they all surrounded me, clearly worried. For reassuring, I searched for the most soothing eyes I knew; my father's, but he was wearing the most worry look of the them all; visibly he had petrified by my assessment.
When I turned back to face my mother, she seemed to be looking through me; thinking. Then, I heard a slight giggle. I turned toward the people standing at her right; Gray and Natsu. Those two were staring at me, almost laughing.
''Nobody can kill Erza, she's invincible.'' said Grey, laughing, a bit nervously.
''Yeah, Gray is right...''
My mother glared at him, threateningly. She had not touched him, but her gaze had been enough to mute him. The Natsu I knew wouldn't have shut up that easily; she was doing justice to her high reputation.
Then, she looked at me, without a ounce of fear in her eyes.
''How are you supposed to save me and, most importantly, why?'' She asked expeditiously.
What was I supposed to answer? Ultear had warned me about not giving them too much details because that could change things, but I had to say something; they were all hanging on my lips, waiting for me to speak...
''In about a year, during a rescue mission...'' I tried not to look at my father saying those words.
''You will get caught in a trap and... killed.'' I finished my sentence swallowing with difficulty, lowering my head.
''And you are here to prevent that from happening, you, a kid?'' said my mother, putting her hands on her waist.
I was about to answer: yes your kid, but I stopped myself before saying so. I thought she wasn't ready to learn the truth now and I wasn't ready to share it with her, yet. After all, that was why I'd asked to Ultear to open space and time here and now, to be able to spend some time with her, to get to know her before that day..
''Yes, I still may be young, but I lived plenty. I came here to warn you, to make sure it won't happen.'' I said, lifting my head to face my mother, looking at her with seriousness and tenderness.
''Please, accept my help... That's all I am asking for.'' I added, keeping my eyes fixed on her.
She answered me with a sincere smile.
''I accept it gladly, Emma Jean. Thank you for your concern and for your heart's kindness'' she replied as she put a hand on my shoulder. I shivered when she touched me.
I would have wanted to take her into my arms and held her tightly, but I didn't do it; it would have been strange to the others. I consoled myself by saying that we would have time for that, almost a year before...
''Tell us more about you, Emma Jean!'' My mother asked, still looking at me and taking her hand off of my shoulder.
''Yes, tell us what the future is like, I must be the greatest and the best known magus of the whole country.' said Gray, enthusiastically.
''No, I am sure it's me! Years from now, I'll still beat the crap out of you.'' said Natsu, full of himself.
Seeing Natsu and Gray fighting made me think about Sunny Fullbuster and Phen Dragnir; my friends were exactly like their dads; apples never grow far from the trees, right...
Then, irritated, my mother glanced at them and they shut out.
To a certain point, I resemble my mother on that point; I have a temper; When we were kids, I used to yell at Sunny and Phen to calm them down. However, my father was more collected. When he had came back to my life, when I was seven year old, he soothed me a bit. Now, I think that I have almost reached a proper balance.
Thinking about my father, I took a quick look at him. His gaze was passing from me to the older version of me, back and forth; it seems to me like he was trying to make calculations, but were without any success.
Then, I turned to my mother and told her my history, parts of it, fully aware that I couldn't say too much of it.
''I am born in X792 in a little town outside Magnolia where I lived for the first twelve years of my life with my big and extended family. I've been raised by the nicest and kindest people there are.'' I said smiling. I was true, my mother's best friends had raised me well till my father had came back few years later.
I marked a break to think. I had to find a way for my history to lead to a connection with my mother; my actions needed to be explained. At this moment, I lifted my eyes and crossed my father's gaze and I found exactly what to say.
''In the last few years, I've been travelling a lot and I've met a lot of people. One day, I met a person who told me about a strong willed and kind women who had died much too young. He told me about you and his history really touched me. The more he talked about you, the more I wished I had known you, the more I thought the world would be a safer place if you were still in it. I have a friend who can create holes through space and time, so here I am; taking action to make the world a better place.''
When I stopped talking, I saw that they all were staring at me with intensity. Although the story I had just told them wasn't totally true, part of it was; my father had told me so many times how much of a great woman my mother had been.
''Who was that person, Emma Jean?''
I lifted my eyes when I heard my mother's question.
Then, I wondered, should I tell her the truth? No, not yet, but I had to answer something.
''I don't remember his name, but I recall his words perfectly; so strong, so true.'' I answered, glancing briefly at my father who was still staring at me, a bit disturbed. Had he figured out the equation?
When my attention came back on my mother, a feeling of dizziness took over me. I saw flashes of light as if somebody was closing and opening a very bright light before my eyes. I stumbled. Quickly, everybody gathered at my side. As my eyes were passing from one parent to the other, I lost conscience.
I woke up in a white room, in an hospital bed and wearing an hospital gown. I immediately noticed that someone was sitting on a chair at my side and his blue haired head was resting on the sheets. He suddenly woke up when I moved to sit. When he saw that I was awake, he stood up promptly.
''Are you okay, Emma?'' my father asked me, taking my hand in his.
For one moment, I thought I was back in X808. Emma... my dad used to call me that.
Promptly, I looked at his left eye, in the center of his red tattoo: no wrinkles; we were still on X791.
Reassured, I nodded, but my head was still hurting.
''You've been asleep for two days. You need time to recover. Ultear's spells have pretty strong side effects.'' He told me as his hand left mine. I continued to look at him as he crossed his arms on his chest.
Thinking about the words he had just said, I shivered; did he know the truth?
Then, he opened his mouth and spoke to me firmly, keeping his greenish brown eyes riveted on me.
''You're Erza's daughter, aren't you.''