"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Aquarius bellowed. "I'm in the middle of a date, how dare you summon me while I'm with my boyfriend you little bitch!"
Lucy said nothing as Aquarius berated her. She had, of course, expected this much from the spirit. No matter how nice Lucy was to her, Aquarius had never once shown her any ounce of respect. Lucy silently wondered why she had even wanted to retrieve her key from Faux. Risking Happy's life for....this.
"ANSWER ME!" the spirit hissed, her free hand thrust onto a scaled hip. "Don't think you can summon me just because you feel like it! And to a place like this!" She glanced around the dark cavern, waving her arm in exasperation. Her eyes briefly flickered over the still forms in front of her, her lids narrowing slightly.
"Worthless girl!" The spirit stuck her nose in the air. "Your sense of timing is horrible!" Her voice was becoming louder as she worked herself into another frenzy.
"Enough," Lucy whispered. "Enough yelling--"
"How dare you talk to me like that! Your ignorance is exactly why you don't have a--"
"Boyfriend," Lucy interrupted, her shoulders slumping. It was the same comment Aquarius made every time Lucy summoned her. You need a boyfriend. Get a boyfriend. Find a boy.
"I know," Lucy sighed, visibly defeated. "A boyfriend."
"Huh?" Aquarius mumbled, taken aback by Lucy's behavior. "Since when do you get to finish my sentences?" A blue eyebrow twitched her dislike of the mage.
Lucy's fists clenched at her sides as she slowly raised her eyes to meet Aquarius'. "I need your help. That's why I summoned you. I don't have time to be reprimanded! My friends need my help!"
"WATCH YOUR ATTITUDE--" Aquarius began, her anger flaring.
"How did you ever get a boyfriend with your attitude?" Lucy's eyes flashed her own temper. "These," she waved her hand in the air, "mood swings...they are atrocious!" She had no time to deal with Aquarius' rampages or quick changes in temper, not when her friends' lives depended on it. Her gaze quickly flitted over Faux.
"DON'T YOU DARE MENTION MY BOYFRIEND!" the spirit lifted her urn threateningly.
Lucy had been prepared for this tirade. She knew Aquarius' weaknesses, despite never finding a way to get her own spirit to like her. As Aquarius's reaction became what Lucy had silently predicted, the mage began to feel a surge of courage. Perhaps it was the emotional high she was running on, but whatever it was, it was helping her stand her ground.
"Maybe I'll just ask him," Lucy's lips curled into a slight smile, as her fingers found Scorpio's key. The movement wasn't missed by Aquarius.
"I'll kill you!" she warned, her eyes narrowed. Her knuckles were growing white as she clenched her urn.
"You wouldn't!" Lucy could feel her own anger rising; it was lapping at her insides. "You are forbidden from hurting humans!"
The spirit's eyes widened slightly, before her face contorted into one of rage. "TRY ME!" Aquarius bellowed, "I would love to end you for your inconsideration and stupidity. It would be a blessing."
Lucy ignored her threat. She wasn't entirely certain that Aquarius wouldn't kill her. Instead, she hoped that the spirit lived by the Code enforced by the Celestial Spirit King.
"I'm his master now, did you know that?" Lucy's smile grew more mischievous, more knowing.
"S-So?" Aquarius crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at Lucy murderously.
"So, I know that you two have a relationship, and I've been kind enough to not summon either of you unless I absolutely need to. I respect you more than you give me credit for, Water Bearer. If you realized that, then you would also realize that I wouldn't stoop so low as to ruin your relationship," Lucy pointed out, as Aquarius opened her mouth to respond.
Lucy cut her off with a wave of her hand. "That's more respect than you have ever given me! And, right now, I don't have time for your temper tantrums!"
The spirit's eyes widened at Lucy's words, her cheeks turning red with indignation. "How dare you--" she began.
Happy and Gray whimpered from next to Lucy, interrupting Aquarius upcoming temper tantrum. The mage 's demeanor changed slightly at the noise from her friends.
The blue-haired spirit narrowed her eyes, "What's wrong with them."
"He—Faux--" Lucy pointed in the spirit's direction. "He's being controlled by someone who is using Stellar Spirits for evil," she attempted to explain, shaking her head at her cliche explanation.
"He's trapped them in a vision. He's killing them!" She could feel the hot tears filling her eyes. She had told herself not to cry in front of Aquarius. Dammit, Lucy! she silently screamed at herself. Why do you have to be so weak?
"Controlling him? Spirits are made to be controlled, honey," Aquarius' laugh was a mixture haughtiness and disdain. "We are nothing but mere tools. Use and discard at a human's will."
"No," Lucy shook her head, as she glanced at Natsu, who was curled up in a ball on the ground. "That is not true. You are here to help us. You are not made to be used or controlled."
The mermaid's eyes rounded slightly, as her nonplussed smile grew more grim. She quickly looked in Faux's direction, shrugging slightly. "I don't know him, so I could care less. Your problem. Figure it out on your own. I have a man waiting for me--"
"But he's hurting my friends!" Lucy screamed, her face turning red from the effort. "He's going to kill them!"
"So whaddya want me to do? Hmm?" Aquarius hissed. "What? Your highness?" She mocked a slight bow, her eyes devoid of emotion.
Could she be this cruel? Lucy wondered. Could she really hate me—no, hate humans—that much that she could care less? Lucy only had one more card up her sleeve. She quickly decided that now was the time to play it.
"Nevermind," Lucy whispered, her voice hoarse. "I'm sorry for bothering you. I shouldn't be so foolish as to think you would willingly help me, even after I risked my life and my friends' lives to save your key from falling into the wrong hands--"
"YOU LOST MY KEY?" the vein in Aquarius' head throbbed in anger. "YOU WORTHLESS--"
"You are free to go," Lucy replied, stepping past the blue-haired spirit as her hand found the ivory handle of her whip.
"Huh?" Aquarius yowled, confused by Lucy's sudden change in demeanor. She blinked a few times. Was she just dismissed? By this little good-for-nothing girl?
"I don't know what it is that I've done to you. Maybe I have offended you," the blonde mage shrugged her feigned indifference. "But you hold something against me, and I am truly sorry for whatever it is. You are free to go as you wish. Your help is not needed here. "
Aquarius was dumbfounded, taken aback by Lucy's sudden disinterest in her. "You don't get to dismiss me like that!"
Lucy's back was to her, her slight smile hidden from Aquarius' view. Check mate. Lucy knew it was a despicable trick, but she had some idea as to what it was that Aquarius respected. Pretty girls who were weak were not held in high praise by the spirit. It was a gamble, Lucy knew, but to perhaps act strong....to act disinterested in the Celestial being...
It was only a hunch she had from the interaction she witnessed between Adie and Aquarius.
"I don't need you," Lucy's voice was louder. Stronger. She unleashed the whip with a loud crack, turning her head slightly. "You can have your freedom, Water Bearer. I was mistaken to think you would be helpful. I can do this on my own."
"Eh?" the spirit contorted her face in a frown of confusion. Her eyes wandered over the length of the whip that Lucy was holding. It was different from the one she was used to seeing—the feeble-looking leather whip that would do no more than sting its victim.
"What the hell are you babbling about? Why call me here if you don't need me? I WAS ON A DATE WITH MY BOYFRIEND!"
"I'm going to grant you your freedom," Lucy answered simply. "Go back to your date."
"Freedom?" the blue haired mermaid whispered, as if the word was completely foreign to her. Her ability to go from angry to timid was confusing to Lucy.
Lucy sighed, as if suddenly annoyed that she had to explain. "If I live through this, then I'll give you your key. No human will control you ever again," Lucy stated. "Close the Ga--"
"WAIT!" Aquarius roared, reaching out an arm toward Lucy. Her eyes still shone with bewilderment. "What happens if you die?" Her voice was slightly softer. Lucy did not know if it were due to concern for Lucy or concern for her own future if Lucy died. She decided that the latter was a safe bet. It was Aquarius, after all.
"My keys," Lucy shook her head, "My spirits will fall into the wrong hands. They will be controlled by whoever has kidnapped Lilith. And probably used to unleash an even greater evil."
Aquarius' eye twitched at the mention of Adie's sister. Her voice was slightly strained, "L-Lilith has been taken? That means--"
"That's right," Lucy grinned painfully. "We are all doomed if whoever is behind this can't be stopped. Those spirits that are captured," she nodded toward Faux, "wear those collars. We think it prevents them from returning to the Spirit World on their own accord."
Lucy felt slightly proud as Aquarius gasped. She had never sounded so profound in her life, she knew. It was a tiny victory that she would cherish deep within her heart....
"Step back," Aquarius commanded, her voice chilling. The thought permanent separation from Scorpio was too much. She'd be damned if she'd allow that to be a possibility.
"Wha?" Lucy clamped a hand over her mouth to prevent her teeth from chattering. She had done so well this far, too!
"I SAID TO STEP BACK!" the spirit barked, her anger rising once again. "Damned girl!" the spirit mumbled. Lucy yelped as she jumped backward in time to see Aquarius leap into the melting river.
The blue-haired spirit quickly reappeared, her urn filled with the icy clear water. "I'll handle this." Her angry eyes fell onto the other Celestial Spirit. She didn't look at Lucy as she spoke, "I can't guarantee I won't drown your friends. Understand, girl?"
Lucy nodded, "Y-yes."
"Good," Aquarius growled, her back to Lucy. She turned her head slightly, her features appeared softer as she spoke. "I don't hate you. But, to have a pretty face and no character is a waste of life. I don't like weaklings. Women should be strong."
It was Lucy's turn to gawk, her jaw hanging open. "Huh?"
"QUIT BEING SO DAMNED STUPID! STEP BACK!" Aquarius warned.
She quickly raised her urn above her head, screaming as it crashed down in the water, creating a giant whirlpool in the water. The pull quickly tugged Faux off of his feet. He blinked a few times, as if realizing he were falling. His arms flew away from his body as he began to fall backward into the fiercely swirling water.
"DROWN!" Aquarius roared as she called forth a tidal wave that crashed down on Faux's face.
Lucy felt sorry for the spirit as he attempted to block the wave with his arms. The large wave crashed down on him before rushing toward the churning whirlpool. The water reverberated off of the far shore, before swelling and coming back toward Lucy.
"Oh no," Lucy murmured, realizing that they would be affected by the wave as well.
She quickly braced herself, grabbing onto Natsu's ankle as the wave washed over her, knocking her backward. She broke through the surface, her feet sliding across the floor. The wave was not as strong as she had anticipated, and she was able to keep Natsu from sinking under the water. The weight of his body caused her to collapse as the water sucked back into the larger river. She managed to grab hold of both Gray and Happy as they were nearly pulled into the swirling vortex of water. She spit the cold water out of her mouth, gasping for air. She turned in time to see Faux's head disappear under the surface. A minute later, it had not reappeared. She said a silent prayer for the spirit, saddened that she had contributed to his demise, as well.
Two, Lucy told herself. You have done what you swore never to do—to two spirits. She frowned as she looked around at her friends. Gray coughed.
"What the hell was that?" he struggled for breath, trying to push himself upright. "I—I saw..." he trailed off, blinking at Lucy.
"Hi," she smiled as Happy choked on the water in his mouth. She patted him on the back, expelling the fluid from his lungs. Happy blinked a few times, before realizing where he was.
"What happened?" Gray asked, his voice hoarse.
"Faux's eye," she whispered, glancing at Natsu. She pushed his hair from his face. Blood slowly trickled from his mouth. Surely he was safe now, too, right?
"It was odd.....so real," the ice mage sat upright, grabbing his side. "I think I have a broken rib."
"What was happening in there?" she asked softly, worriedly glancing over Gray's face. He looked to be alright.
"Don't want to talk about it, Lucy," he murmured, shaking his head. "Don't know if those two shared the same vision. But...."
"I see," Lucy replied, as Natsu began to stir. His eyelids fluttered open as he rolled onto his side. The wounds he had sustained while under Faux's trance were still open and oozing. His dark eyes focused on Lucys' face, and he blinked a few times before speaking.
"Lucy!" he breathed, his voice barely audible. "Is that you?" He quickly pushed himself to his knees, wincing at the pain.
Lucy rolled her eyes, "Natsu, try to take it ea--"
She was cut off by his cold hands cupping either cheek. His eyes worriedly inspected her--his eyes darting around the soft curves of her face. His breathing was ragged, as his eyes spoke more than his silence ever could. What was it that she saw in those eyes?
"It's me," she whispered, taken aback by his sudden display of concern.
"You're not hurt?" His eyes were tortured.
Just what had he seen? she silently wondered. Was it that bad?
"Nope," Lucy replied, inspecting him as well, the warmth of her cheeks causing his hands to become less chilled.
"I thought---" he shook his head, his eyes falling to the ground momentarily. As quickly as they had dropped, his gaze returned to her face. "It's really you?" he asked, his face a mixture of agony and fear.
"I said it was, you idiot!" Lucy replied, looking over him with equal worry as she pushed his hands away from her face.
She could feel the imprint of his hand on her skin as she peeled his fingers from her face. She was amazed that she could miss such a small, insignificant touch. Before he could say anything, Natsu leaned over and spit clotted blood from his mouth. He used his fingers to pull the rest from between his lip and teeth. Lucy laid a reassuring hand on his back.
Natsu clenched his eyes shut, "I thought....it was so real!" His voice cracked as his knuckles turned white.
"Thought what?" Lucy asked, eagerly awaiting him to share what he had seen. She had heard his cries while they were all mesmerized. What was it?
She glanced at Gray. "It was the same vision," the ice mage whispered, as he worriedly watched Natsu come to terms with what he saw.
Happy was shaking his head, pushing the water from his ears. "Lucy, why is your mouth bleeding?" he asked as he scratched behind his ear. He pointed a tiny blue finger in her direction.
"Yeah...." Gray asked, looking from Lucy to Natsu. Lucy could see him slowly piece the evidence together.
"Vampire?" Happy asked, his eyes wide.
Lucy touched her lips with trembling fingers, inspecting the blood on their tips. It was blood that hadn't washed away with the thundering wave. She glanced at Natsu's bloodied mouth, realizing Grey and Happy's inferences. Her face immediately reddened as Gray's eyes narrowed questioningly. Natsu appeared to be lost in his thoughts, oblivious to what was going on around him.
"It's not what you think!" Lucy snapped, her ears burning.
"Just what were you doing?" Gray asked, his voice low. He smiled weakly, enjoying anything that did not involve discussing what they had just seen.
"Shut up!" Lucy spat. A loud splash behind them force her head to snap around.
"Done!" Aquarius replied, crossing her arms over her chest. The golden bangles around her wrist glinted in the light.
"T-Thank you," Lucy replied weakly, pushing herself from the stony ground.
"Those idiots are fine?" a blue eyebrow raised in question as she jerked her head in their direction.
"They are," Lucy replied, as she searched for the key. She unlinked it from the ring, holding it between her thumb and forefinger. She sighed, holding it out toward Aquarius. "Here. It's yours. I promised." She, surprisingly, felt sad at letting go of one of her strongest spirits.
Aquarius reached out toward the key, her expression triumphant. Before her fingers could touch the metal, she drew back. She sucked on her lower lip, glancing at Lucy with narrowed eyes. "Why would you give me my key? What benefit do you have, huh?"
"It was a promise. I'm keeping my word," Lucy replied her head lowered in defeat. "Besides, you never liked me anyway. And if I don't have your key, it could fall into the wrong hands." She glanced toward the water's still surface.
"Hmmph!" Aquarius replied, leaning back on her tail, her gaze boring through Lucy. "Maybe I was wrong about you..."
"Wha?" Lucy replied, the side of her mouth twitching in confusion.
"You may not be as bad as I thought. How long is this promise good for?" she asked, her tail lightly patting the water. Small ripples emanated away, dancing silently as they melted into water.
"Um...erm, as long as I hold the key, it's good whenever you want," Lucy studied the spirit, angling her head.
"Maybe I'll stick with you for a while, then," Aquarius tapped her chin. "Besides, Scorpio may think less of me if I take my key...."
"You're only worried about your boyfriend?" Lucy asked, her face falling. How vain could this spirit be?
"DON'T JUDGE ME!" the spirit hissed. "I'll kill you if you ever lose my key again, d'you hear? KILL YOU!"
"Y-yes," Lucy's teeth chattered. Serious mood swings, she conceded.
Aquarius turned her back to Lucy before disappearing. "And, Lucy?"
Her soft tone caught Lucy off guard. "GIRL!" Aquarius yelled, louder.
"Yessss?" Lucy squeaked, the air hissing between her teeth.
"Get a boyfriend," the spirit replied calmly. "It'll do you good--give you something to fight for. The pink-haired one isn't too bad. The black-haired one's cute, too."
"Huh? What the--" Lucy gaped.
The spirit disappeared, leaving Lucy to stare at the empty air where Aquarius had just been. She still doesn't wait for me to release her! Lucy seethed. But, she couldn't complain, as the spirit seemed a bit less hostile toward her.
"Heh, she thinks I'm cute," Gray replied, as he tried to lift Natsu from the ground.
"I'm fine!" Natsu growled, pushing Gray away.
"Your spirit broke Faux's spell?" Happy asked, squeezing water from his tail. "I like her."
"Yes," Lucy replied softly, staring at the calm, flowing water. Only Happy could like a spirit that looked like a giant fish.
"Where'd he go?" Natsu grumbled, wiping the blood from his face. He opened his jacket and vest, inspecting the wounds on his chest. "What the hell?"
"You believed what you were seeing," Lucy whispered. She was met with three questioning gazes. She sighed, "Remember what Veleda said? Why do I have to keep repeating this?"
"Oh," the three said in unison.
"The question is, how do we get out once we are in?" Gray replied thoughtfully.
Lucy walked toward the three mages, an awkward smile on her face as the men collected themselves. "I had Aquarius attack him directly."
"So breaking his concentration works," Gray mused.
"Were you affected, Luce?" Natsu asked.
"No," Lucy replied softly.
"I wonder how you--" Gray began. His sentence went unfinished as a howl rang out from behind Lucy. She spun around to see Faux slowly lifting himself from the water, pushing the sopping dark hair from his eyes.
"You!" he hissed, staring at Lucy. "I'm not leaving without you!"
He wavered as he tried to wade through the knee-deep water. He held his arm, glaring at Lucy, his hair covering the odd eye. "How did you avoid it?"
"Huh?" Lucy asked, her jaw falling open.
"Get away from her!" Natsu barked as he took a few steps forward. He was still weak on his feet, and Lucy was concerned about his state of health at the moment.
"How did you get out of my gaze, girl? What other magic do you have?"
Other magic? Lucy's mouth fell open in surprise. She, too, wanted to know how she had managed to avoid his hateful magic. "I--
Before she could answer, another loud noise echoed through the cavern. A massive explosion sent pieces of rock flying around them. Lucy dropped to her knees, covering her head and face. When the noise died down, all eyes waited expectantly for the source to reveal itself. The dust slowly settled, as someone's boot appeared through the rubble.
"Erza!" Natsu grinned, his teeth still stained red. Erza was suited in her normal armor, her sword in her hand as she stepped over the stone shards. She stared at the scene in front of her with her magical eye.
"Sorry, we're late," Adie grunted as she adjusted the gauntlet on her hand. It was the source of the bone-crushing strength—a glove that allowed her to crush almost anything with her fist.
"'Bout time," Gray replied, jerking his head toward Faux. "He's not as easy an opponent as we thought."
"No shit," Adie replied calmly. "Never underestimate a Spirit." She peered around the tiny cave, her eyes wandering from mage to mage.
"Where's Veleda?" she asked, her eyes falling on Lucy. Four sets of eyes glanced at one another, none meeting Adie's expectant gaze.
"I said—" the blacksmith continued, her voice more shrill.
"We heard you," Natsu sighed.
Adie's eyes widened slightly, as she realized the implication. "What....d-did you do? Who?" she hissed, her face turning white.
The silence encompassed them as Adie awaited a response. Lucy sucked in a deep breath. She knew that she could not lie--she was responsible for whatever happened.
"I did," Lucy whispered, her eyes falling to the ground. Her hands trembled at the vicious memory.
"YOU?" Adie roared. "OF ALL PEOPLE!"
"I know," Lucy whispered, the memory still hurtful. "I didn't want to. Didn't mean to--"
"Why?" Adie's mouth dropped open, as she took a menacing step toward Lucy, her eyes flashing murderously. Erza reached out a gloved hand, gripping Adie on the shoulder.
"I'm sure Lucy has a perfectly reasonable explanation. She's not one for rash behavior," Erza spoke softly, her hair falling in her face. She hoped to calm the angered demi-spirit. They would have to defend Lucy if Adie attacked, and she didn't want it to come to that.
"She killed her!" Adie spat, her vehement gaze boring into Lucy. "It's unforgivable!" She swung her arm out to her side, punching the stone frame that she had formed earlier. The wall cracked and crumbled under the force of her punch. Lucy yelped, jumping backward.
"She showed us the future!" Happy replied, stepping forward in hopes to help protect Lucy. "I saw it!"
Adie said nothing, her eyes bulging as she glared at the mages.
"It's true," Lucy replied weakly. "I saw everyone....dead....I saw you and your sister...you had that black thing around your neck, too. Both of your keys were hers--"
"It's a lie!" Adie hissed between her teeth.
"I saw it, too!" Happy replied his eyes watering. "I died as well! What Lucy is telling you is true. Veleda said that it would come true if she were not..." he hung his head in defeat, his tiny blue fists clenching at his sides.
"What the hell?" Natsu looked at Lucy, his gaze full of concern. She saw all of them die? Happy dies? They...they all die? Lucy avoided his gaze, shaking her head slightly. She could feel the tears threatening to break loose from their dam.
"A horrible vision," Erza murmured . "To see your friends and family die before you..."
Adie's eyes flickered to Lucy who was silently sobbing. What had they seen? the demi-spirit silently wondered. She felt nauseous at the thought that Lucy had killed the prophet. She had thought that there would be another way. There had to be!
"I see," Adie whispered, her voice trembling. She wasn't sure if she was on the verge of fury or defeat. "You did what you thought was right."
"It was right!" Natsu interrupted. "Can't you see what effect it's having on her?" he pointed toward Lucy, whose tears splashed on the cold ground. "No one wants to do that!"
Adie chewed her lip. She didn't want to hate Lucy for succumbing to Veleda's wishes, but she knew the demi-spirit's persuasion could easily overcome a human. Part of her understood, the other part was angry that she had dragged them into this. She shook her head, Now is not the time to discuss this. What's done was done, and there is nothing we can do about it.
"Lilith?" came the hoarse whisper from behind Lucy. Adie's head snapped toward the voice, her eyes wild.
Faux was staring at Adie in wide-eyed awe. "You...look just like her--"
He did not get a chance to finish, as Adie's fist connected with his jaw. She had quickly flashed to his side, angrily wailing on him. It was her displaced anger, she knew, but it felt so good to hurt someone.
"Where is she?" Adie howled as she reached into the water and pulled Faux toward her by his cloak. She ignored the burning pain in her arm, as her veins screamed their adrenaline-fueled fury.
He smiled, blood running from the side of his mouth, "I cannot tell you--"
She slammed her fist into his face a second time. Then a third. "I'll make you tell me, you piece of shit!" she screamed, her anger taking over.
Lucy stared in horror as Adie overtook Faux with her impeccable speed. The pale-haired woman would pummel him to death, she knew. With a cry of exasperation, Lucy leaped into the water, dragging her legs through the cold depths to reach Faux and Adie.
"NO! Stop!" Lucy screamed shrilly as she leaned over the spirit before Adie's fist fell for a sixth time.
She braced herself for the spine-crushing blow, but was met with none. She turned her face, looking at Adie, who was glaring down at her with a mixture of confusion and horror, her fist drawn back. Her hand shook from the emotion that was coursing through her. Adie silently released her grip, pushing away from Lucy and Faux before slowly trekking toward the shore.
"W-why?" Faux croaked, as Adie released her grip on his cloak. Lucy managed to keep him above water and began to drag him toward the shore, looking pleadingly at Adie, who remained silent.
"Why what?"Lucy snapped, not entirely on good terms with the spirit.
"Why would you protect me?" he asked softly.
"I already answered that question earlier, not that you deserve that protection. But, I don't think you're doing this on you own free will," she replied curtly as she left him laying on the angled stone shore. Adie walked past her, cursing under her breath as she paced around Faux, glaring at him.
"You hate me," he wiped the blood from his mouth. "Understandable."
Adie hissed at him. "Tell me where she is! You know where she is!"
"I told you," he sat upright, "I can't tell you. It's physically impossible."
"Sealing spell?" Erza whispered. It was rare to see anymore, as it was lost magic. But, apparently it was still viable....
"Exactly," he replied, wiping his mouth. He pulled his matted hair over his magical eye. He looked up at Adie. "But you are her sister, are you not? The resemblance is undeniable, though the personality is quite different."
Adie's silence answered him. "I see," he replied. "She will be happy to know that you are fine."
"I told you not to talk about her--"
"But I love her too!" he sneered. Adie answered with a sharp intake of breath.
The spirit bowed his head, resting it on his hands. "Yes, I love her. I would do anything to help end her suffering—even bring more spirits into Urtear's clutches." He glanced at Lucy.
"So that mage--Urtear--is responsible for all of this," Lucy murmured. "We need to let the Council know--"
"Oh they know," he laughed haughtily. "They've been overtaken."
"WHAT?" Erza gasped, her eyes wide as her face drained of all color. That means...Gerard...
"Those cowards went into hiding, too embarrassed to admit their defeat," Faux sneered.
"Who's summoning you---er, the spirits?" Lucy asked, already fearing the answer. If the Guild is taken over...then it was likely--
"Angel-sama," Faux spat the words. He disliked the eccentric summoner. She was ruthless and cruel—uncaring about her spirits or their well-being. She was the perfect counterpart to Urtear's plans.
"So they have been freed," Gray replied, glancing at Erza. "That means Gerard is freed, too."
"Wonder what he's doing," Natsu nodded, knowing very well the impact that news had on Erza.
"Don't know," Faux answered. "But you have to help her—help Lilith!" he pleaded. "Adassandra--"
"She will," Lucy relied calmly, standing. "She will free her sister. We will help her make this all better. No one will die," Lucy replied with conviction, avoiding Adie's bewildered gaze.
"Lucy..." she whispered.
"It's alright," Lucy replied softly, her back to her friends. "We will find your sister. Lilith will be fine."
"Thank you," Faux whispered, his shoulders falling. "I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Natsu asked. "You're sorry?"
"For what I've done. What I've caused you to do," he replied, his eye still downcast.
"You're only doing what you think is right," Lucy replied softly, glancing at Adie, who was now nursing her injured arm. "That's all we can do."
"I was wrong about you," he looked up at her, his eye studying her face. "You are....you are one of a kind, Lucy."
Lucy's face reddened as he continue, "I've encountered many spirit mages, and none were as open-minded and courageous as you. They often cower behind their spirits, leaving them to the danger. It's rare to be treated as an equal. To offer a spirit their key back--"
"What?" Adie blurted, immediately covering her mouth.
Lucy's ears burned. "Y-you heard that?"
Faux nodded, "My hearing is still intact when I use my eye." He tapped his temple.
"What else--" Lucy began, but the sudden rumble of the cave knocked them off their feet.
"What was that?" Gray asked, as he helped Erza to stand. A second wave followed the first.
"That would be me," Faux admitted. "I set a trap. I expected to get out by this time."
"You are collapsing the cave?" Adie asked through narrowed lids as she tried to maintain her balance.
"Get out while you can," he warned.
Natsu's head shot upward, "I smell....something..."
"Not now," Lucy moaned.
Adie's cocked an ear, "No, he's right."
As soon as the words left her mouth, a shrill screech tore through the air. Five dark, winged creatures swooped along the water's surface. They flew along the river, crossing each other's paths, their heavy wings beating furiously.
"What the hell are those?" Natsu asked as he eyed the creatures. "Not more of 'em!"
Adie shook her head, a grim smile on her lips. "Oneiroi. Shoulda known."
"Huh?" Lucy replied as the five creatures swooped near them.
Their hooves scared Lucy as they skimmed the water's surface. They were the size of a large dog, with the body of a horse. Their features were softer and cuter than what the mages had been dealing with. Their eyes were covered by patches, and two short, thick horns protruded from either side of their heads.
"Don't let their appearances scare you, they are harmless. For now," Adie cryptically replied as one landed next to her. She stroked it's head, and it...purred.
"Wha?" Lucy drew back. "Did it just...purr?"
"We don't have time for explanations," Adie replied shortly. She quickly mounted the tiny creature, as its wings expanded to epic proportions. Everyone stared at her in wide-eyed awe.
"What did you just do?" Natsu asked, eyeing the one next to him with suspicion. It nuzzled its head under his hand.
Adie shook her head in frustration. "This cave's gonna crumble, get on and let's go!" she snapped.
"Will...can they carry us?" Lucy asked, hesitant that such a small creature could carry a human's weight.
"Just get on! They are stronger than they look!"
Erza glanced at Lucy before quickly following Adie's example. Soon, they were all mounted on their very own black-winged creature. Lucy could feel hers anxiously pacing. This is ridiculous, she thought, as her winged horse trotted along the ground. She leaned forward, hugging its neck and closing her eyes. "Eeek!"
"Happy, you'll be fine flying, right?" Adie asked.
"Aye!" he replied, sprouting large white wings.
"We're missing one," Lucy pointed out as her Oneiroi drank from the icy water. She didn't move from her clutched position at its neck.
"Missing one what?" Adie replied calmly.
"For him," she pointed toward Faux, quickly drawing her arm back for security.
Adie said nothing as she looked down at the unruly spirit. So this was her sister's lover. The man that led her to lose her key and to be overtaken by the wrong people. She did not trust this man, nor did she like him. No, he was unworthy of Lilith's love and trust. He was the reason why all of this was happening.
"No, I'm on my own," Faux smiled sadly, avoiding Adie's scrutinizing gaze. "I've done enough."
"But--" Lucy attempted to argue.
"You heard him," Adie replied coldly. The reverbration of another aftershock tore through the cavern. "We need to leave! NOW!"
"He'll die here!" Lucy wailed, her eyes closed as her Oneiroi fell into formation behind Adie's.
"I'll be fine, Lucy," Faux replied calmly, his voice loud with conviction. "Adassandra is right. I don't deserve your pity."
"But you're not a bad person!" Lucy argued. She fell forward, wrapping her arms around the creature's neck. It's long hair cascaded over her arms.
"You don't know the things I've done, Lucy. Horrible things," he smiled sadly as the cave began to slowly crumble around them.
"Let's go!" Adie called out. She kicked off the ground, leaning forward on her Oneiroi. The black horse-like creature screeched as it launched itself into the air with graceful ease.
"Everyone deserves a second chance," Lucy wailed, her Oneiroi following Adie's. She turned and stared at Faux as they were whisked away—flying over the water's surface, toward an exit.
"Don't worry, Lucy-chan," Faux replied sadly, "I won't die that easily."
He pushed himself from the ground, looking around him, as the cave collapsed. His fingers trailing over the collar he wore—the sign of his imprisonment. "I hope you can save her...save us. Next time we meet, Fairy Tail, one of will surely die."
*****
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Long chapter (for me)! Hope you like it! Aquarius showing emotion is a bit more difficult than I thought!
To my anonymous reviewers
Lurker: the name made me smile! I work hard to maintain the characterizations, and I'm glad to know I can hold your attention!
Nobody: thanks for reviewin'! That makes you at least somebody to me...thanks for the kind words!
ELouise: Howdy! Today's your lucky day--here's another chappie :)
Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing. You are all so freakin' wonderful. Have a good week!