A/N: Hey, all, thanks for still reading! The final adventure is beginning...
My Anonymous Peeps:
Vee: In regards to your mention about Lucy being too OOC as compared to the anime/manga, I will totally, utterly agree with you. The last chapter does not depict how she would act in either of those realms, currently. As I've said before, it's difficult to create a pairing out of something that is not there in the canon. That, my friend, is why it took 50+ painstaking chapters to get these two to this exact place. Here, she is not OOC, she is the character she has evolved into throughout my story—given the circumstances dealt to her. Fair, no? And, no plans for a book—though I have toyed with the idea. I would love to write professionally. I hope you still uphold your earlier declaration of love ;)
Raiking: Thank you so much! Faux is not supposed to look like Itachi. My vision of him is quite different, though I can see the similarities. It's always easier to see your own characters :D
Happy Reading, all! Thoughts? Impressions? Send 'em my way! RxR!
Disclaimer: don't own FT, take cred for the OCs
~OoOoO~
The tiny snippets of morning were sang sweetly through Lucy's partially-open window. The early morning birds were announcing the impending arrival of dawn, though the sun had yet to make itself known over the horizon. Natsu continued to stare at Lucy—drinking in her every movement as his mind relived the delicious moments of the past few hours. His eyes danced over her sleeping frame, the rise and fall of her bare breasts as her head was cast to one side. Her fingers were tangled in her hair, and there was a red welt on her neck where Natsu had become too arduous in his desire for her, though she, too, had shared that same fervor. Lucy, however, had the luxury of falling asleep, Natsu did not share that pleasure, too afraid to miss a moment he may never live again. He was exhausted, but it was worth it.
The night had evolved into something far from what he had intended. He had only come to share his fears and anxieties with Lucy, if only to serve as a distraction. He knew it was wrong, even after the night's turn of events. But, it wasn't as if he had expected this. No, he hadn't anticipated that Lucy would force him to lose control.
Four times, to be exact.
Of all the things he had experienced in this life, it was by far the most mind-blowing experience—more so than any victory he had accomplished as a mage. It was like some drug he couldn't get enough of, and, right now, he was tempted to wake her up for a fifth round.
His fingers trailed over the delicate skin of her hip, and he could smell the faint remnants of her desire as her skin puckered in gooseflesh. He leaned closer to take in the dampness of her skin, though it was long gone. The musky scent of her lust was something he would never forget. He would cherish it always. Forever.
She rolled away from him, mewing as she pulled the covers with her. Her body compacted in a fetal-like position as her eyelids fluttered with the late stages of sleep. The loss of her body heat—her comfort—pulled him from his dangerously carnal thoughts.
A soft rap at the window reminded him of his original agenda.
He peered at Lucy, satisfied that she was indeed sleeping. He slowly rose, his fingers unlatching the window. His friend was waiting outside, as was planned.
"Natsu, it's time—" the cat began, abruptly stopping as he noticed Natsu's state of undress. "Where are your clothes?"
"Hn?" Natsu grunted, offering nothing else as he tried to repress his contented smile. Happy was too young. "Give me a sec, will ya?"
"Is Lucy naked, too?" Happy's eye grew round as he attempted to peek in the slightly ajar window.
"Hey now!" Natsu quickly ducked away, quietly sliding into his pants and pulling his scarf around his neck as he plucked something from his vest pocket. He laid it on the pillow, next to Lucy, afraid that if he unfolded the tiny piece of paper, he would lose his courage. He leaned down, his lips soft against Lucy's head as she muttered in her sleep.
"Sorry, Luce," whispered against her head. "...Thanks...for everything."
He had never been one for lengthy speeches or discussing his feelings unless they related to his lust for bloodshed, and he found this moment especially difficult. With one last wistful look toward the mess of honey blonde hair on the pillow, Natsu opened the window. He shot Happy a look of annoyance as the perverted cat tried to peek past him, hoping to verify what he suspected. Natsu easily leaped onto the window sill, pulling the shutters behind him.
"Ready, buddy?" he inhaled deeply, staring down at the town below. Dawn was sneaking upon them, and Charle's vision was nearing its completion. He would find an hour or so to rest before he met Erza at the town's gate, as they planned.
"Aye," Happy nodded, casting a sideways glance at his friend. "You sure this is what you want to do?"
Natsu's jaw clenched. "Yep. It's the only way to ensure Lucy's safety. Had to do it."
"Did you?" the cat parried, picking up on his friend's uncertain tone. The Eksheed had been reluctant to agree to Natsu's plan, despite his loyalty to the dragon slayer.
"Let's just go," Natsu whispered, suddenly looking fatigued.
"Aye, if you say so," Happy agreed, quickly swooping down and plucking the pink-haired mage from the window's ledge as they prepared for the battle that lay ahead of them—of Fairy Tail.
Lucy's eyes fluttered open as the sunlight washed across her face. The previous night's events came flooding back to her, and she froze in a state of semi-panic and embarrassment. She couldn't feel the warmth of his body against hers nor did she hear his familiar snoring. She risked a peek at the bed beside her, finding it barren. She was partly relieved by that—she didn't have to immediately face the ramifications of their night together. She pushed the explicit memories from her mind as her heart raced. She drew the covers closer to her body as she bolted upright.
Harlot! her inner self reminded her as she scanned the room. What did he think of her?
"Natsu?" she meekly called out. Her eyes adjusted to the bright light, and she spotted her clothes strewn across the floor. She was too nervous to notice the lack of his, instead spying the papers that were scattered about. She noticed that her nightstand was broken, and she wasn't quite sure how that happened. She vaguely recalled awkward positioning...
She called his name again, her voice louder, less tentative. Her heart quickened in her chest as she suddenly felt as if she had made a grave error. Had he regretted it and fled? Lucy panicked as her hand absently traced the indentation next to her. It was long cold. The soft breeze that hissed through the partially-open shutters caught her attention. Hadn't she shut those? She looked around once more, confused. The sound of crinkling paper beneath her fingertips caught her attention. She saw the folded paper with the name Lucy scrawled across it. She recognized the bird scratch handwriting. She drew the covers up to her chin and her knees to her chest as she plucked the paper from her pillow. She was suddenly very anxious about the note's contents.
Natsu didn't leave notes.
She opened it with trembling fingers, her eyes scanning over the hand-written apology. Then again. And again.
Luce—Sorry. You'll forgive me someday, it's what you do best. Thank you for being a good friend. I'll never regret bringing you to Fairy Tail.
He didn't sign his name. He didn't have to. Tears filled her eyes as a half-smile found its way into her features. She didn't entirely understand his message. Why was he apologizing for their night together-hadn't she initiated it? Why did this sound so much like a farewell?
Lucy sighed, glancing around one last time. She was glad he couldn't see the blatant blush on her cheeks as she scrambled to find decent clothes. She cast an annoyed glance at her shredded bra as she pushed it under her bed with her feet. She swore as she saw the time on her clock: 9:45. Erza wanted them to meet at the front gates at six-thirty. She was late!
She quickly scrambled to finish dressing, pushing away her anxiety about encountering Natsu. She was slightly sore from their throes of passion, but she had expected that. It wasn't unbearable, just uncomfortable. A smile of fondness passed over her face as she haphazardly pulled her hair away from it, casting one last look in the mirror. There were dark circles under her eyes and a bright red welt on her neck—
"What the hell is that?" she asked, drawing closer to inspect the mar. Her eyes grew wide as she realized it was a sizeable bite mark on the delicate skin of her neck. "Dammit, that idiot! What was he thinking?" she hissed, her fingers tracing over it as her eyes narrowed angrily.
She cursed at her reflection before sprinting toward the door. Her feet skidded over the papers on the floor—the ones Natsu had brought to her the night before. His testimony of the feelings he harbored for her. She thought back to the night they shared, realizing that he hadn't actually admitted that to her. Sure, he had collected every memory of them, but he had never told her how he felt. He had never said the words. Part of her was hurt by that, the other not surprised. He was a man of few words—a man of action. And, last night, he was very proactive. Lucy smiled as she pulled her door open. She glanced over her shoulder as she pressed through the threshold of her apartment.
"Ouch, what the—?" she hissed as she rubbed her head, stumbling back from her doorway.
She shook the dizziness away, only to be hit once again with the same resistance. This time, she nursed a throbbing knee. She stared at the hallway that led to her door, confusion knitted in her brow. She hesitantly reached out a hand, her palm resting on the smooth, invisible barrier. Realization dawned on her as she recognized the rune magic she had seen on other occasions. Her eyes grew wide as the Natsu's scrawled words haunted her. She kicked at the door, angry at his deception—though it was not as unexpected as she would have liked to think.
No, given his recent reactions, this was quite expected of the dragon slayer.
"Natsu Dragoneel!" Lucy howled at the top of her lungs, fury emblazoned in her features as she realized her imprisonment. "When I get out of here, I'm going to kill you!"
Two hours.
Two hours had passed in her confinement. Lucy's mood only grew more foul as she furiously tried to think of a way to escape the rune that was locking her in her apartment. She only knew of two people gifted with such magic, and she had hoped that Levy had taken no part in it.
"How could he?" she hissed, slumping down her bed, her head resting in her hands. "That good for nothing fire breather. I'll kill him! Kill him!"
She should have known. Or at least suspected he would have a last-ditch attempt to prevent her from fighting. She second guessed his emotional confession the night before, but her heart told her that he was being earnest—that he had meant every word he uttered, despite his underlying motives. He had fought to maintain control, and Lucy suspected that he had not anticipated her promotion of such acts. Such very, very lewd acts.
"Stop thinking about that stuff, you dummy!" she hit her head, pulling at her hair as her cheeks burned. "Now's not the time!"
She laid back on her bed with a groan of frustration. She blinked at her ceiling, watching the shutters slowly wave in and out with the breeze. Suddenly she sat up, an idea in her head. She had spent two hours completely devoid of any other thinkable options. She had tried Loki, but the spirit had only mocked her for her disheveled appearance and the very angry blemish on her neck. His attempt to exit the room had ended in failure, as well—much to both their confusion. It had looked like Natsu had anticipated Lucy's attempts, restricting the invisible wall from both humans and spirits exiting the room. She didn't bother calling on her other spirits, instead opting to see if there was a time restraint on the magic, as speculated by Loki. Two hours later, it was still looming outside her doorway.
"The window!" she suddenly exclaimed, reaching outward with tentative fingers. She screamed in joy as her entire hand passed through the threshold. He hadn't thought of the window! She leaned outside, staring down a handful of stories to the ground below. Now she knew why he had neglected the window.
Lucy glanced up, refusing to be defeated. She saw the tiny stone sculptures on the roof of the building and she wondered if they were sturdy enough...
"Etoiles!" she ran for the whip. With a deft movement of her wrist, it lashed the sculpture, wrapping around the cherub's fat neck. She tugged, satisfied that it was secure. She glanced down, gulping as she realized what she was about to do. She climbed up onto the window ledge, her feet planted against the stone as she tugged again. She wrapped the whip around her hand as she slowly allowed it to hold her body weight. She clenched her eyes shut as she dangled a few stories above the ground, her palms sweating with the thought of plummeting below.
"Loosen," she commanded in a dry, hoarse whisper. When nothing happened, she instructed the whip again.
Nothing.
Why wasn't it working?
She peeked up at the stone cherub, her foot slipping from its traction against the stone siding. Her other foot followed, and she yelped in fear as she dangled from the side of the building.
"Elongate! Grow! Something!" she whimpered as she tried to regain her footing.
Still, nothing.
Her hands were growing sweaty, and her grip was failing her. Her upper body strength was nearly non-existent, and her muscles trembled with exertion. She could feel herself slipping. She desperately tried to use momentum to get her withing reach of her window. She was hesitant at first, using one arm to wildly reach for the ledge. She silently wished for someone—anyone—to help her.
Suddenly, two hands grabbed her arms, and Lucy looked up into Veleda's eyes.
"Child, just what do you think you are doing?" she asked as Lucy used her feet to help herself climb back into her window.
Lucy toppled onto the floor, using her forearm to wipe her brow, "I was trying to get to the ground. Natsu—" she began, explaining the entire situation to the ruddy-hued spirit. Or most of the situation.
Veleeda listened carefully, nodding slightly. "You need a speedy flight to get you to your friends in time for this battle," she mused.
Lucy rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Of course it'd be easier if I had a spirit that could fly..."
"Then use an Oneiroi," the spirit answered simply.
Lucy's mouth fell open. She hadn't thought of that. "But...they are Morpheus'..."
"And don't you hold his key?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, her tone sharp.
"Yes," Lucy weakly replied, feeling like a child being scolded.
"Then pay attention to your spirits' abilities and use them to your advantage, girl!" she snapped rather uncharacteristically.
Lucy straightened, "But I'm not supposed to call him."
"Don't call him," Veleda sighed, "Call them! They are an army at your disposal. Use them in your time of need." Lucy nodded hesitantly. She said nothing, and Veleda paced around the room, her eyes darting out the window, her back to Lucy. "Adassandra is undoubtedly sharing knowledge of Lilith's abilities with your comrades. She will need your help, remember that." She paused and Lucy could sense there was something else—something more pressing.
"W-What is it?" she asked softly, her warm chocolate eyes on the unsettled spirit.
Veleda's eyes flickered to her, as if deciding how she should answer. "If you should need to seal Zeref again..." her eyes fell to the floor, "I want you to use me."
"What? No!" Lucy recoiled in horror. "There has to be some other way!"
"I have to right my wrong," Veleda whispered, offering nothing else.
"If it comes to it, then," Lucy licked her lips, sensing the dire straits they were facing, "Then I will allow it, if that is your wish."
"Thank you child," Veleda raised her chin, looking directly at her. "I will tell you more when the time is right, but be careful out there. The creatures are dangerous, as are the intentions of those ruling them. If you should need help, don't hesitate to call on any of us. We are waiting to help you, much more than you can ever know...we all believe in you."
"Thank you," Lucy murmured, dipping her head in respect. Those fateful words again.
"And you can call on Adassandra as well," the Seer replied carefully, her eyes on Lucy's face.
"Huh?" Lucy whispered, unsure of Veleda's meaning. She knew that Adie would be a reliable ally when the time was necessary. "I know that."
"Do you, now?" Veleda's mouth turned up in a grim smile, her words distrusting of Lucy's admission. Before Lucy could respond, the spirit spoke once more, "Take care with Morpheus, he has served me well. Look after him, Lucy."
With that, she disappeared, leaving a baffled Lucy. Veleda's words had almost sounded as a farewell. Her attention was suddenly drawn to the dark black blob floating around her apartment. It swept out her window, and, soon, Lucy saw the dark-horse shape outside her window. She could her the beating of the Oneiroi's wings as it awaited her.
"Wonderful," Lucy chuckled nervously to herself as the winged creature's eye rolled in its socket. She leaped onto it from her window, her arms instinctively wrapping around its neck as she felt it jerk into motion with a soft cry. She kept her eyes closed as she felt the wind whipping her face. When she felt brave enough, she opened them, looking around with wild eyes as they soared toward the bluffs that lead to the open plains. She could see the large crevice dipping between the crags, and she knew that was where the guild had marched to—where they would meet their enemy. She squinted, guarding her eyes from the sun. Ahead, she could see the dark specks of the enemy lines through the giant cliffs of stone. She could also make out the smaller mass—the united guilds as they made their way toward the battlefield.
She felt a surge of pride at their dedication. Like them, she, too, was ready to fight.
"What the hell is that?" Gray asked, pointing at the sky as a dark shadow overtook them.
"Looks like a horse...with wings," Erza murmured, her features pale.
"Where?" Natsu nearly pushed Gray aside as he looked to where they were pointing. His eager eyes traced across the sky as the figure grew smaller. "No...it can't be." His voice was a whisper as Erza and Gray exchanged glances.
"Lucy?" Happy asked.
"No way. Not possible," Natsu firmly replied.
"How do you know?" the cat asked.
"I know," the dragon slayer quickly answered, his eyes still on the sky. Despite his disbelief, it didn't stop the look of concern that passed over his face.
"Is this something we should worry about?" Gray's eyes were still skyward as he spoke to Erza.
"Highly unlikely," Erza quietly responded, an eyebrow raised in amusement.
"How're you so sure?" the ice mage quickly fired back.
"Because, I already know what it is."
Gray waited expectantly as Erza barked orders to pick up the pace. They were nearly there. It didn't give them much time before the enemy arrived. She was going to use the bluffs as a vantage point, so that, if the numbers dropped, they could fall back and pick off the enemy that way. Bob's ship was carrying explosives in the off chance she felt like decimating the passage completely—as a last resort, of course. She signaled at the ship far east from them. She knew they could see her, as one of the mages had Telescope Magic—he could focus on a speck of dust kilometers away. She looked to her left, and the swathed mage nodded his or her head—Gray had no idea. The mage apparently used insects to gather intelligence, and could hear the goings-on on the ship.
Up ahead, Adie had escaped to speak to someone whose presence she had requested, though Erza was still foggy on the details. Judging by Charle's visions, she knew they were outnumbered, even with the overwhelming help they had received. But, it was their unified front that would see them through this, she knew. Even in the darkness they would find on the other side.
"Erza?" Gray repeated her name as she turned toward him, her armor glistening. It looked slightly different than he remembered, but he wasn't sure exactly what made him think that. His eyes darted to her face as she gave him a half-smile and offered him only one word.
"Lucy."
Shit, Gray inwardly cringed. Natsu had attempted his foolish plan. "Not good," he murmured under his breath. "She'll kill us all."
Women, he knew, were irrational like that.
Lucy felt oddly satisfied as she slowly circled her comrades, who were now staring at the unknown creature in anticipation. She felt as if she were floating like a hawk, the winged horse smoothly descending. It was as if she were on air. Lucy thought she saw more moving masses, from somewhere atop of the bluffs, but she couldn't be sure. She knew that Erza would have something planned for that space, and she was certain it was nothing to be concerned with. Lucy dismounted carefully as two figures broke away from where Erza was using Reedus' magic to create a giant map, waving her sword in the air as she pointed to various things on the round mage as he cringed each time she poked him with the blade.
Thank you. I will call you again, Lucy silently told the Oneiroi as its eyes focused on her face. She thought she could feel a strange ripple from the creature, as if it were a silent affirmation. It flapped its wings before disappearing. She inhaled deeply, thinking about her current predicament as she saw Nastu approaching with Happy. She was torn between wanting to kill the dragon slayer and wanting to hug him. He was a fool, but his intentions were not misguided. Would she have done the same had she been in his shoes? Perhaps.
"Lucy?" came the strained yell. She felt her cheeks flush as she recalled the night before.
"Natsu," she murmured. "Happy!"
"Lucy!" Happy smiled as he dropped Natsu in front of her.
Lucy cleared her throat, proud that she had foiled his plans. "Impressed?"
Natsu's jaw fell open as Happy nodded emphatically.
"Didn't think I'd get out of that spell you put on my apartment, did you?" she snapped in annoyance as her hands went to her hips. She awkwardly placed them between the whips planted on her belt.
Natsu's jaw nearly hit the ground as he paled. "I-" His voice was weak. Happy looked away.
"Fried helped him, of course," Erza was behind them, her lips pressed together as her red hair blew in the wind. "Told them it was a bad idea. But, unlike them, I figured you'd find a way out."
Lucy nodded, giving Erza's armor a once-over. "New?" she pointed.
Erza glanced down, "Not exactly. I let Adie work on it again. Supposed to absorb more from physical attacks and make my moves lighter. I think I can feel it, but I won't know until I battle. She called it Heart Armor—said it'd 'give me strength'." Her eyes faded as she shared this, and Lucy wondered if Adie had purposely used a double entendre. Erza blinked, resting a hand on Natsu's shoulder.
The dragon slayer yelped as she squeezed. "Sorrypleaseforgiveme?" he blurted as Happy said, "I want you to know I agreed with Erza and Levy."
"Traitor," Natsu growled at his friend.
Lucy sighed, closing her eyes. She couldn't suppress the smile on her face. "I suppose he did it out of his intense feelings for me, huh?"
Natsu's face turned pink as he looked away, "Uh, um..." He scratched his head nervously.
"You could say that, aye, Lucy," Happy quipped quickly.
"What's on your neck?" Gray asked as he, too, reached them. He squinted as he pointed at her neck. Lucy's eyes were wide as she tried to cover the mark.
"Uh, n-nothing, quit staring at me like that!" she growled. "Worry about yourself, Gray!" He seemed both baffled and leery of her outburst, his eyes darting toward Natsu in expectation.
"I-" Natsu croaked.
"Enough! I've heard enough! We have more important things to worry about, don't we?"
"Right, Lu-chan!" came the sing-song voice of her close friend. Lucy craned her neck to see Levy snapping a book shut.
Leave it to her to be reading last minute, Lucy thought ironically. She smiled, waving at Levy. Levy glanced at Natsu, then at Lucy, giving a sly thumbs up. Her eyes awaited an answer, which came in the form of Lucy's blush.
Levy smirked, "I'm going to hang back some. I'm more for when we encounter spirits. I know how to remove those hideous neck—" she used her hands to emphasize the dark magic used for them. "Until we can find out who created them. If we destroy that mage, then your spirits should be free."
Lucy nodded, her smile grim. She appreciated Levy's shared concern for the spirits. She hadn't known Levy had found a way to remove the chokers, but there was still the issue regarding their keys. She would ask her questions when she had a moment's time.
"Now, are we ready for me to go over the final formations," Erza looked around, "Now that everyone is here?" They all nodded encouragingly, though Lucy knew that Natsu not happy she had found a way to get here so quickly, when they had no idea what they were up against.
"Good," Erza smiled triumphantly. "Tory, if you wouldn't mind allowing me to use your Amplification Magic," she called out, her hands cupped.
"Not at all, Erza-sama," a pimply youth came forward, bowing respectfully. Lucy realized it was a girl. A very homely girl.
"Ready when you-" Erza began, her orders interrupted by someone calling Lucy's name.
Lucy spun around, her eyes scanning the area for the source. She quickly covered her eyes as the sun glistened off of something near the base of the large bluffs. She could see something—no, someone—quickly striding toward them.
"Who is that?" Natsu growled, his voice low. Lucy heard her name being called again—her full name. She recognized that voice as the person drew closer. "Smells familiar, I think," Natsu grunted, sniffing the air.
"Miss Heartfilia, we meet again!" the wide man smiled. He was nearly unrecognizable in the magnificent attire he was wearing. It wasn't traditional armor, but it held an air of familiarity to it. Lucy recognized the crest, thinking it to be something she saw in one of the fairy tales her mother used to read her as a child. His face was painted with an odd assortment of colors and patterns.
"Mayor?" she warbled, completely and utterly shocked. She could see a tall man striding next to him, the same crest as the Mayor of Wisteria. Fairy Tail was approaching as well, but she had a few minutes to question the man.
"You remember me? I'm honored!" the portly man bowed. She noticed he was not as fat as she had thought. Instead, he was quite muscular.
"What. The. Hell?" Natsu whispered, and Lucy shot him a look to silence him.
"We know him," Gray affirmed, looking baffled, "That's who Adie went to speak to."
"Aye," Happy agreed, though looking a little less surprised than Natsu. "They all came, the entire village."
"What are you d-doing h-here?" Lucy stammered, completely shocked.
"Oh, yes, that," the man finally reached her, shaking her hand enthusiastically before nodding at Natsu. "Yes, well, Adassandra had so kindly requested our help, though that was before we had heard that young man's message." He gestured toward the base of the bluffs, and Lucy's eyes widened as she saw the crowd standing there. She spotted Adie's pale hair as she quickly spoke to the newcomers, pointing around the crowd.
"Adie did?" Lucy's mouth dropped open, along with Natsu's. "But...why?"
"Why, you ask?" the man's eyes twinkled as he stood a little straighter. The youth next to him resisted the urge to smile. "Ah, my dear, because that is the point of our guild, through and through."
"Guild?" the words rushed from her mouth before she could stop them. What guild?
"Of course, dear child," he bowed again, waving his had, "We are Gryffon Crest. At your service."
"I've never heard of that guild," Natsu's eyes were narrowed. Grey and Happy shrugged, and Erza said nothing.
"Oh, you wouldn't," the man cheerfully replied, his voice lowering, "We have nearly been forgotten about. Ancient, you may call us."
"Huh?" Lucy and Natsu retorted in unison, glancing at one another.
Levy smiled knowingly, raising her hand to answer. The Mayor nodded at her and she stepped forward, her finger tapping her chin, "Their creation was to originally aid the first Guardian. That was their sworn oath or duty. I assume this guild is the descendants of the original members who fought Zeref hundreds of years ago."
The man nodded, "You are well versed, young woman. I can tell you are a vital member of this guild." Levy beamed as he continued, "That was our sworn oath. Our duty, as she had said. We are the descendants of those who fought Zeref, but with him contained, we were unneeded. Forgotten about, you could say. But, we continued to honor our oath, for our dead ancestors. For, we feared that one day, something, something like this would occur. It is a duty that we will always answer, given we survive."
"Oh. Of course." Lucy sighed, nothing surprised her anymore. Why hadn't I thought of this?
"I sense your skepticism, but I assure you, what I'm telling you is real. I may look like a lazy swine to you, but I promise you that we are guild of combatants, down to the smallest child. It is in our blood. It is our pride," he nodded solemnly. "Please accept our humblest apologies for keeping this from you. Only villagers and gifted blacksmiths have been aware of our existence until now. We are at your disposal, Miss Lucy Heartfilia."
"A group of bloodline mages. Marvelous!" Levy whispered to herself.
"We are not as many as we had been, our village being ransacked some years ago—our loved ones taken from us around the time we lost Daylon. It was rumored that slave traders had sold them for goods, but we have never found our lost relatives," the mayor admitted. "But please accept our humble numbers, Miss Lucy."
Erza's brow furrowed, and Lucy wasn't sure if Levy's words had struck a nerve or if she was skeptical of the newcomers. Lucy's head snapped back around as she saw him kneel in front of her, the young man by his side doing the same.
Lucy waved her hands frantically, "Stop it! Stop doing that. Stand up, dammit!" She tugged on his armor until he acquiesced, a smile tugging at his lips. "I'm a nobody, don't bow to me. I just want to help Adie."
"It hasn't sunk in, yet, sir," Levy sighed crossly in explanation.
"You are not a nobody, dear child," the man shook his head. "Oh no. Not if Miss Adassandra says so."
"Huh?" Lucy gawked at him, confused. She glanced at Adie, who was now watching with mild curiosity, nodding her head at the tall, older women speaking to her. The woman had a bow over her shoulder and two small blades at her waste.
He smiled at Levy before drawing his attention back to Lucy. "Both Freya's daughter and your friend seem to believe that you are the one we have been waiting for, all these years..."
"Me? Me?" Lucy laughed, though this wasn't the first time that prospect had been thrown her way. "I'm just a spirit mage. Coincidence, maybe?"
"If you say so. Adassandra disagrees." He didn't elaborate. Levy shook her head, tsking softly. Lucy would love to believe everything he was saying—think of herself as this Guardian person.
"Lucy, ever since your mother...passed..." Levy's words were soft. Encouraging. "You are the last living relative of Veleda. It has to be you."
"I know you want to believe that I am this person," Lucy whispered carefully, "But it's still tough to swallow. It's a lot to believe in, and I can't carry that burden, you guys."
The mayor lowered his head, "You will know when the time is right. Adassandra-"
"Oh, I see," Lucy murmured, suddenly understanding him. This was about his loyalty to Adie and her father. What Adassandra says goes. Lucy was wary as she carefully responded. "I'm sure Adie was very skilled in teaching your, erm, village how to fight, sir—"
"No, no, no, Miss Heartfilia. You have it all wrong. We are whom I have told you. Even if you believe nothing I have told you up until this point, hear one thing: Miss Adassandra did not train us," he spoke slowly—intentionally—his eyes shining with a deeply hidden amusement, "It is we who trained her. "