Hello, hello! I didn't hear much regarding the last chapter, which was a point of heavy debate for me. It's war. It's disappointing. People (some of my faves) will die (or will they?). I do like to know if I have struck people's heart strings as it's extremely important to me that I am creating the emotional turmoil I aim for when writing.
Anyhow, please send your thoughts my way. It's the fuel that keeps me writing, and I appreciate the extra step that is taken to review any written work. And, as always, thank you for reading/sticking with this story. Happy Reading!
Disclaimer: I only take credit for OCs.
~oOoOoOo~
Wendy felt the panic rise in her throat as the world exploded around her, literally, throwing her bodily from the ground. Her eyes stung with tears of pain as her vision slowly cleared. She felt her mouth fill with blood, and the painful sting told her she had bitten through her tongue. She spat the metallic liquid from her mouth as she healed the gash. When she was satisfied, and had regained her breath, she rolled to her feet as her eyes anxiously darted around for any sign of Erigor—who had been nearby only a moment before. The dust was slowly settling, and she had still not spied him. Had he been injured? Or worse?
The warm stickiness that trickled down the side of her head brought her fingertips to her temples. She pulled away, inspecting the dark red blood on her fingers. Not fresh blood. She couldn't recall any recent head injury. Had she been unconscious? And if so, for how long?
The blanket of protection she felt with Erigor at her side was violently yanked from her with that last explosion, and she was utterly terrified. Terrified and discombobulated. Her head ached and she had an annoying ringing in her ears. She felt as if the entire world was moving in slow motion. She reached for the tiny vial in her pocket, saying a prayer of thanks that it was not crushed from the impact. Shaky hands brought a drop to her lips as her newly healed tongue darted out in seeking. It instantly warmed her, calming the violent tremor in her limbs. She inhaled as deeply as she could, willing the broken rib to heal itself.
She once again quickly inspected the scene around her, and she clamped a hand over her mouth to stop her teeth from chattering as she surveyed her comrades' injuries. She was surrounded by the horrifying monsters as they mercilessly hacked at her allies. Their sharp teeth ripping flesh as their eyeless faces howled to the sky in beastial victory. They were gruesome and deadly, and Wendy felt helpless against them. Her earlier anger and resolve had easily crumbled from the hours of endless fighting and fear—never knowing if the next blow would be her last. She suddenly felt like a helpless child. Tears prickled the corners of her eyes as she recognized the overwhelming feeling of despair. Part of her wondered if the heavy feeling upon her chest was magically induced by some dark force nearby.
She did her best not to cry, but a sob escaped her lips. Her eyes immediately widened as the feasting monster sensed her proximity, its head swinging toward her as the slits for nostrils flared in an attempt to pick up her scent. She stood deathly still, hoping it would retreat from the still-warm carcass of a Lamia Scale mage—a girl barely older than herself. The lifeless eyes of her comrade stared back at her, an ear hanging from the enemy's mouth as blood dripped from its jowls. Her nose picked up traces of entrails and she nearly lost the contents of her stomach as it clenched forcefully from the smell of bowel.
Her heart thudded in her ears, You need to collect yourself, Wendy. Fight! Remember what Erigor taught you! Fairy Tail needs you.
She tried to heed her inner voice and be strong for herself and for others. She sent warm thoughts to Charle as she steadied herself, her fists clenching with determination. The monster had caught her scent, and there would no retreating. She anticipated the attack, wasting no time waiting for the creature to make its move. She crossed her arms over her chest, summoning her magic to her core. She was feeling weak, but the regenerating potion had repleted a majority of her lost reserves. It was a long-acting concoction, capable of releasing bursts of energy—an ingenious invention. It gave her the strength she needed to respond speedily. She opened her mouth, the air quickly escaping her lungs with a forceful heave. It swirled in scythe-like motions, quickly reducing her enemy to bloody body parts and doing some damage to the dead girl in its grip. She saw another monster leap on a nearby Wisterian youth, teeth already bloodied with flesh. Her temper flared.
"No!" she huffed, her right hand raised in front of her, two fingers skyward with the first two fingers of her left hand touching her right wrist.
She closed her eyes, calling her magic. With a quick burst of concentrated air, the beast was blown hundreds of yards backward. She quickly leaped to the Wisterian's side, her hands quickly coated in warm blood as she attempted to put pressure on the spurting artery of his neck. She silently cursed the monster for attacking the vital spot.
Anywhere else....
Her magic pulsed in her fingertips, but his blood loss was too great for even her to reverse. Tears streaked her cheeks as she grit her teeth, angry that she couldn't help as his body lifelessly twitched with the finality of death. He never stood a chance, and she hated knowing that his life could not be spared. He was another casualty of war. Her eyes traced along his fine armor, and she so very badly wished she were anywhere else.
The ground violently quaked before her, and she thought she could faintly hear Erigor yelling from somewhere in the distance. Was that her name on his lips? Together, their power was greater than each divided. That realization forced her to scramble to her feet, only to be knocked down again. Her knee hit a rock and she cried out in pain, her hands clamping over her mouth when she saw the large horned monster in front of her, club in hand. She whimpered in fear as she spied the drag marks in the field, fresh blood lining the spikes of its club. Her teeth freely chattered as the bile rose in her throat. The monster was stocky and tall, and she felt helpless against the massive club it was raising above its head. A shadow fell across her face as the weapon blocked the sunlight. Her body became numb and she watched the club's arcing movement with little time to consider moving. In some tiny part of her brain, she recalled a faint voice telling her that if she remained still, this would all come to an end...
This is how I'm going to die. This is it.
She was doomed to die a horrible, bludgeoning death by a grisly other-wordly beast. Her eyes studied her enemy for a moment. She would have found the curve of the horns around its ears comical if she wasn't seconds away from her impending death. Time seemed to slow, and Wendy's mind briefly flickered to the what ifs of her future.
Get up! Get up get up get up! her mind screamed in sudden denial. She was too slow. It was too late. Her heart was in her throat as her short life flashed before her eyes. She would never see Grandine. Never see Charle's smile. Never have a first kiss—one where her lips hurt from the excitement...
She closed her eyes, her mind whispering a silent goodbye as the impending doom loomed over her.
A loud whoop alarmed Wendy, and her eyelids snapped open in time to catch the blur of crimson that passed in front of her. The wind stung her cheeks and made her eyes water, causing the scene to blur even more. The object continued to gain momentum as it barreled into the monster's midsection. The creature staggered backward, its club dropping heavily to the earth. Wendy realized that the quick moving object was actually a person. The newcomer used the momentum of the impact to launch off of the monster, easily sliding along the ground. The monster growled in attempt to regain its balance, obviously taken unawares by the attack.
"Sand Armor!" A girl's voice yelled as the tiny grains swirled around them, growing thicker as the newcomer shoved her hands forward.
The cloud easily moved in the intended direction and a wall of particulate matter coated the enemy, quickly forming a barrier and making movement impossible. The monster attempted to open its mouth in refute, but even that proved to be too burdensome as sand entered its airway. Soon, all movement ceased and a monstrous statue remained. Wendy stared, unblinking, as the girl quickly and fluidly assaulted the enemy. As she landed in an expectant crouch in front of Wendy, the sound of cracking pulled Wendy's attention upward. Hairline fractures were spreading along the hardened sand, the phenomenon sounding as if a thousand glass windows were shattering. Pieces began to slough off, slipping over one another before hitting the ground and breaking into fine granules. Dark fluid spilled over as the monster's blood freely poured over the ground, disappearing as the sand absorbed the liquid like a sponge. Wendy gaped at the gruesome spectacle, unable to tear her eyes away.
"H-How? It just split apart!" she breathed, more to herself. It was a truly terrifying display.
"Miss Wendy!" the female newcomer happily chirped, clapping her hands together before placing them on her slender hips.
Wendy's eyes darted toward the speaker, quickly recognizing her protector. Her eyes widened, "O'Onani?"
The girl no longer looked like a girl. Her hair was in one long braid that fell over her right shoulder, woven with a gold ribbon. In her left ear was a long, intricately beaded earring adorned with a turquoise feather that fell to her left collarbone. Tattoos snaked along her hairline, jawline and neck, her arms covered with the swirling patterns of deep auburn. Bronze bangles littered her wrists and arms, which were bare. Her pants cuffed below her knees, ballooning in the breeze. She wore a sleeveless top of thin material that exposed her bare breasts. Wendy quickly tore her eyes away.
Nani looked nothing like the girl Wendy had met weeks prior. She seemed more confident. More mature. Stronger.
"Oooh, that looks like a nasty cut, you need help," Nani pointed at the gash as her hand encircled Wendy's arm for better inspection. Her eyes quickly scanned the battlefield to ensure their safety. "O'Rien you want to help her?"
Wendy's eyes widened in realization, and she suddenly wanted to curl up and die. Had he seen her cowering before death like that, so ready to give up on herself? She barely heard his footsteps as she avoided his eyes while he, too, examined her arm. His fingers encircled her limb, though much more gently than his sister.
"No need, I'm f-fine!" Wendy insisted without looking at him. Her fingertips glowed with magic as she reiterated her words. She hadn't noticed her biceps had torn...
"It hurt you." It was a statement, not a question. His voice was somewhat grating, but deep. A man's voice. Wendy's face was on fire.
"I'm fine, it's nothing!" she grit her teeth as she felt the muscle reattach. It was a draining magic, but so far, her potion had done its job. She could feel the familiar sting of skin closing. Rien watched her, his eyes hidden and face expressionless. He still wore a large scarf, sunglasses, and a yellow earring adorning his right ear. His chest was bare and firm. Wendy couldn't help but glance at him a few times. Did these people not wear clothes?
His smile was grim, "We arrived later than anticipated."
"Don't whine, Rien! We came as fast as we could, Miss Wendy!" Nani insisted, the pout in her voice but her expression holding a sternness about it. "He was in such a rush."
"How did you know—" Wendy quickly realized the answer. Hibiki. His announcement had no bounds. She hoped that he was faring well, as it probably took a lot out of him to do so.
Nani smiled, her eyes flickering to the left. Wendy saw the quick flurry of hand movements, and she followed Nani's gaze. She could feel Rien's eyes on her face, but she avoided looking at him. She was ashamed that they had seen her in such a weak position. She silently swore to not allow it to happen again.
"Is that—are they your family?" Wendy asked her jaw falling open as she counted the people standing on the steep banks bordering the battle field. There had to be a thousand of them. Backups would be welcome, especially if they were as strong as Nani.
"Yup! That's my mother right there—the former cheiftan! She's scary, right?" A large, muscular red-haired woman stood proudly, her stance tell-tale of her strength as she surveyed the battlefield. Her breasts were restrained by a short leather vest that was doing little to keep them contained.
"She is," Wendy agreed, picking up on Nani's words as she tore her eyes away. "Former?"
"Nani was—" Rien began.
"Don't interrupt, Rien!" Nani berated him after an elbow to his exposed ribs, "I want to tell her."
Tell me what? Wendy wondered briefly before realization dawned on her. Suddenly, she knew Nani's secret. "You're a dragon slayer too!"
Nani's smile faded, and Wendy recalled the girl's dislike of that term. Her clan revered dragons. Wendy attempted to redact what she said, but Nani ignored her as her gaze became slightly unfocused. "In your words, yes. My clan...we are reunited. It was the only thing I could do, I had to..."
"What does she mean?" Wendy looked to Rien, concerned with Nani's words. Her eyes darted over his face. The scar on his neck rippled as he swallowed, his Adam's apple bouncing with the effort.
"She challenged the chieftan...our mother," the corners of his mouth twitched upward with a sense of pride, "And she won."
"As was expected!" Nani crossed her arms over her chest as her eyes narrowed.
Wendy stared at Nani in awe. She recalled the brutal tactics of Nani's people and the continual fear the girl and her brother had to endure as they became the last of their siblings to survive. "And so...you displayed your, er, abilities you had learned."
"Harenae taught her well," Rien grunted in agreement, sharing the name of the Sand Dragon. "She was strong."
"It wasn't easy, but I made some changes of course," Nani offered with a wave of her hand and a sigh, "Things needed to move in a new direction." Her eyes flickered to her brother as an air of sadness fell over her. "Rien no longer is bound to me like a puppy dog."
Wendy's surprise was evident on her face, and she hoped it didn't look more like pleasure. Nani paid her no heed. "He can choose to have a family, now. No more of this 'guarding Nani until death'."
She smiled, weakly, her grin crooked but filled with compassion for what he had been ready to sacrifice. She had survived many assassination attempts, and her guilt over her brother's past injury still haunted her, Wendy knew. It was her gift to him: a chance at a life. It was the change she had promised to bring to her people. No more brutality, only peace.
Rien cleared his throat, "Nani, we discussed this—"
"I know, not now, you said, but someday you may want to change your tune." She winked at Wendy and the brunette felt her face drain of color.
"Are you healed?" Rien asked softly, reaching out to inspect Wendy's arm. Before she could answer, he whirled around, an arced blade in his hand as he sliced through an enemy that Nani coated in sand. His movements were fluid and barely detectable and the siblings moved together intuitively. Her turned back to her, expectantly—as if the event had never occurred.
"I am," Wendy nodded, staring at his chest in amazement.
"I'm glad."
"Thank you."
"OK, OK," Nani rolled her eyes, "I came here to fight! I'm going to signal the others. It looks like you guys could use back up anyway." She chewed her lip as she surveyed the scene. "Where's Natsu?"
"I must be the only dragon slayer not interested in killing things," Wendy whispered to Rien, who nodded his agreement hesitantly. "I don't know, Nani. But, Erza-san is around here somewhere."
"Well, I'm sure she won't mind! Miss Lucy remembers us! I should find her—"
"Duck," Rien told her.
"Huh?"
"Duck!" he yelled, leaping past Wendy and throwing Nani aside. In a swift movement, he debilitated an enemy mage by decapitation. Wendy deduced that Nani and Rien's magic differed in that it enhanced their fighting abilities, and wasn't used in a casting sort of fashion. Their general energies were augmented by their magic.
"Wendy?" Nani proffered, "Do you mind providing a little more of your wind, perhaps a little sand storm is what they need." Her voice was filled with mischief. "That's where my people fare the best, you know."
Wendy understood, "I can do that!"
She quickly and deeply sucked in the stale air around her, releasing a large gust of wind from between her lips. Nani produced a cloud of sand, the two magics combining and complementing each other as the sand swirled and quickly crept toward the enemy. With a swift lowering of her arm, Nani signaled her clan to move. With a deadly ease, her people put their protective eyewear in place and quickly launched themselves from their roost with movements that were quick, sure, and lethal. Wendy stared in awe as they disappeared from sight. Moments seemed like hours, but Nani's mother quickly emerged from the other side, looking no worse for wear. Others followed her as the cloud slowly dissipated by a shake of Nani's arm. Sand fell to the ground and Wendy gasped. The enemy were slain and left dismembered on the battlefield, quickly incapacitated by the tribe.
"You see," Nani whispered, "We may not look like much, but we are bred for battle."
"I think you and your...family..are just what we need," Wendy told the girl. "So, how about we show Ultear the power of a dragon slayer?"
"Oooh, sadistic, Wendy. I like it," Nani grinned toothily as the corner of Rien's mouth twitched upward. "Let's end this!"
Wendy nodded her agreement as Nani's people surged past her in silent duty. They didn't owe them anything, yet they were willing to sacrifice themselves for the guilds' cause. It was that human conviction that gave Wendy the strength she needed to restore her faith and dedication. She would not falter again. She clenched her fists, her resolution returning. No more cowering, Wendy.
If she survived this godforsaken war, she planned to get that first kiss. Besides, she had just the young man in mind.
Lucy stared at the two people in front of her. Her mouth was dry as she studied them. They looked alive enough.
Her parents.
They didn't come any closer. The smile on the woman's face froze Lucy's soul; there was no mistaking her identity. Her heart told her it was an impossible circumstance, but her eyes screamed otherwise. Did this mean that her father was indeed dead if he were here, too? Or that perhaps her mother was still alive, after all...
Remember what Aquarius told you, Lucy, she reminded herself, she'd have no reason to lie. She knew your mother long before you were born.
But, she was only a spirit. She did not live in this world, nor did she understand human affairs.
Shame on you for that thought, Lucy!
"My Lucy," the blonde woman stretched her arms, the smile never leaving her features as she interrupted Lucy's internal turmoil. Her voice was so familiar that it made Lucy want to run to her mother and put throw her arms around Layla's neck. The man—her father— wrapped his arm around the woman's shoulders. His dark eyes were not cold. Instead, they were warm and inviting.
"No." Lucy's voice was meek and filled with uncertainty. She wasn't sure whether she was answering her internal struggles aloud or if she was genuinely refusing her mother. Perhaps she'd been wrong all this time. Perhaps her parents really were alive!
Don't be a fool! her mind hissed in warning. This is war. Aquarius warned you.
"Do you not see us before you? Come to your mother and father, Lucy," Layla cooed. Despite the warmth in that smile, her eyes spoke something else to her daughter. The effect was quite confusing.
"No," Lucy shook her head, tears threatening to fill her eyes.
"How can you deny your own parents?" her father spoke this time, his voice soft and without his usual air of irritation.
Nothing could prepare her for the devastating blow to her being. Her heart felt as if had broken into a million tiny pieces, and she had never wanted something as much as she wanted this to be real. Her mind, however, was being exceedingly rational, and pointed out the this was just what the enemy wanted her to feel. Knowing that replaced longing with anger. No, rage.
Whose magic is this? Her eyes flickered around the vicinity. Someone was playing a cruel joke on Lucy. It was despicable, and she hated whoever was doing it! Blood pounded in her ears as thoughts of murdering the responsible party screamed in her head.
"Lucy, I don't like this," Gray cautioned her, "I know how hard this must be, but perhaps it's best to...er, stay away from them." He had never seen necromancy work, and he could only imagine the psychological toll it could take. He looked for Natsu. The dragon slayer could calm Lucy.
"I still remember your fifth birthday, my dear sweet girl," Layla spoke, her red lips spreading but the smile unmoving.
"Lucy?" Gray interrupted, warily glancing past her at the man and woman.
"I got this, Gray," Lucy told him, feeling relieved that she was able to hide the fear she felt deep inside her being as the anger bubbled over. She wanted to to listen to her mother's voice—to take in how she looked. But, she knew that this was all some cruel, sick joke. And she didn't like jokes that were hurtful.
"Right," he nodded hesitantly. "If you need me, just call."
Lucy said nothing as Gray joined the fight again. Her mouth was dry and her heart was furiously pounding in her ears. Their voices were intoxicating, and she had to keep shaking the feeling from her head, reminding herself of the blood-lust that was quelling in her core.
"That beautiful pink ribbon your father and I gave you..." Layla was unrelenting. "Do you remember?"
"I loved that ribbon," Lucy admitted, tears welling in her eyes as she reached up to touch the pink ribbon that she still used to secure her hair. They know me. They know about me. It has to be them. Someone raised them.
Layla smiled wider in acknowledgement. Her father stared at her expectantly with eyes that warned her to run.
"Momma? Poppa?" she whispered, the moisture slipping over her cheeks. The Heartfilias nodded simultaneously, looking sadly at one another before again waving for her to approach them. Two sets of arms were now outstretched. Lucy took a step forward, her mind foggy with longing.
"Don't take another step," the hiss in her ear stopped her in her tracks as the coldness of fear and anger washed over her. "They can't harm you unless you approach them."
Lucy blinked, quickly realizing that Cana had a firm grip on her upper arm. She looked up at the face of her friend. Cana's eyes were red-rimmed and her cheeks puffy. Her neck was badly bruised, and Lucy could see the purple outline of fingers encircling the tender skin.
"Cana? What happened to you?" she whispered, her eyes on the brutal marks.
"They tried it with my mother, too," she answered through gritted teeth. She looked down at Lucy, pain etched in her features. "And she tried to strangle me. My own mother!"
Lucy gasped, suddenly feeling awful as tears spilled down Cana's cheeks. "I'm sorry, Cana."
Cana said nothing, raising a card to eye level. Lucy could see the Grim Reaper, its scythe unmistakable as the card sat between her forefinger and middle finger.
"What's that?" she whispered nearly forgetting her parents.
"Fried added a Rune Charm to my cards," the brunette looked to Lucy. "We don't know how to get rid of 'em, but we can contain 'em. Get close enough, and they'll hurt you, too, Lucy. Remember that they may look and sound like 'em, but they aren't your parents. At least, not your real parents. Can't let you get hurt, sorry."
"Don't listen to her, Lucy," Layla informed her, her voice convincing but her expression counter-intuitive. "I'm your mother. Don't you know me? Know us?"
"Horrible magic!" Cana screamed, her eyes bulging and the vein in her temple throbbing. "To use the ones we love against us! What bastard did this?"
Cana hurled the card at Lucy's parents, and she fought the urge to scream in protest as they flung up their arms protectively. The card split into four—each one floating to create a four-point perimeter around the Heartfilias. Once the cards hit the ground, a blue wall of runes shot skyward, the unfamiliar script running down like a waterfall. Jude Heartfilia's hand shot out to touch the wall, and it glowed more brightly, burning his flesh. He didn't flinch, drawing back to examine his hand out of curiosity. Lucy could see the bones of his fingers, and she recoiled in disgust. He looked at his daughter, and she could swear that she saw relief in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Lucy! I know hard this must be." Cana collapsed to her knees, sobbing into her hands. "It's a two-way rune. The living can't pass through from the outside, and the dead can't pass through from the inside. They are trapped. At least, until we can figure out how to kill, er, return them, again." Cana wiped her eyes, collecting herself. Lucy knew that the fighting was wearing on the card-wielding mage. "I had never seen Gildarts so distracted, as well. It was horrible. He had to tear her fingers from my throat. My mother..."
Lucy nodded, her lips pursed. She ached so badly to run to her parents, to hug her mother and smell her hair. The thoughts made tears sting her eyes once again. The soft sounds of footsteps next to her made her swing around, whip immediately in her hand. Her wrist was caught before she could snap it back and release her weapon.
"Capricorn!" Lucy gasped. "How'd you—"
"Aquarius told me," he murmured, eying Lucy's parents. He wore a stern expression on his face, and Lucy knew that he was not happy with what he was seeing.
"Mistress Layla," he dropped to his knee, bowing his head.
"Capricorn, my dear sweet spirit! Please release me from this so that I may be reunited with my daughter," Layla instructed curtly, her eyes softening. Lucy had a feeling that it was only the body that was under control, not the soul—and that knowledge only served to enrage her more.
"I cannot," Capricorn informed her smoothly. "You are not, er, yourself."
"Surely you're kidding, do you not recognize your master?" Lucy's father spoke, his voice thick. "She took good care of you while you were in her possession, did she not?"
"She did," the spirit answered honestly, his fists clenching at his sides, "But you would prefer me to let you out so that you may kill your only living child?"
Layla said nothing, but her eyes spoke volumes. In their depths, Lucy could detect fear. And pain. Capricorn turned his head toward her. "Your ring."
"What about it?" Lucy asked, eyes flickering toward the stone on her finger.
"It has the ability to sense spirits, as it contains a portion of the soul of another spirit mage," he quickly told her.
"Heartstone," Lucy nodded her head. She had heard the this already.
"Your mother created that ring when she knew that there was no hope for her health," he told her, facing her parents and speaking quickly. He did not see the surprise that flickered across Lucy's features. "She wanted me to take it to Veleda. You are related, you know."
"But Veleda said-" Lucy began.
"Veleda said what she needed to in order for you to accept the reality of your role in all of this, Lucy," Capricorn smoothly informed her. "Would you have listened if she told you otherwise?"
Lucy said nothing as she mulled over his words. Veleda had made the ring seem much more important, and would Lucy of weeks before-sniveling, weak Lucy-would she have believed it? Probably not. But, how had Freya obtained the item? She would likely never learn of that tidbit, and the reality of the situation was that it didn't matter. All that mattered was that her mother had left something for her to help guide her to where she was today. Lucy studied the ring. That's why it could detect a spirit's presence...because of her mother's influence and Lucy's predisposition. Her fingers traced over Etoiles at her side. Virgo had mentioned, long ago, that she had the whip stored for her. Had her mother left that as well? She looked up at the two individuals in front of her. They were pale with dark circles under their eyes and hallowed cheeks. They were frail and withered, their hair thinning and unnatural. Images of her parents during her childhood flashed in the forefront of her mind. It was a much happier time and the nostalgia was overwhelming. Painful, even.
"Those are not my parents," Lucy hissed, her former anger returning as she waved at her mother and father.
"I have known your mother her entire life. She is in there, but not wholly," he agreed. "An evil has taken over her body. The same applies to your father. I can see it in their eyes. Can't you?"
"This is cruel. She deserves better than this." Lucy growled, tears stinging her eyes, "So does Cana's mother—and everyone else who is seeing the living dead of their pasts." The more she spoke about her parents and the more she stared at Cana's bruise, the angrier she was becoming. She noticed the pulsating warmth on her finger, and she saw the ring blazing.
"Much better," Capricorn agreed. "Humans always use emotions as weapons. I don't understand."
"It's the easiest way to get us to crumble," Cana nearly laughed, her fingers tracing her throat.
"Your mother," the goat cryptically whispered, "Always had a gift of foresight. I think she knew this day would come..."
Lucy looked at her mother but spoke to Capricorn, "You can let her spirit enter your body, can't you? Like you had with that mage before, who kept you in this world."
Capricorn said nothing for a while, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "I can try."
"Please," Lucy whispered. "If you could."
"You impress me with your astuteness, Lucy." With that, the spirit bowed his head, his body becoming rigid. His hands suddenly relaxed and, after a few moments, he rose and turned toward her. The voice that came from his was not his own.
"Lucy? My dear sweet child Lucy!"
It was her mother's voice, but the spirit's body. Lucy nodded, hesitantly. Would she attempt to hurt her? She shook her head at Cana, who snarled and had another card ready. Capricorn's body slowly approached, hands shakily reaching to touch Lucy's face. Chestnut eyes close briefly, and she felt the warmth of the spirit's body as arms enveloped her shoulders.
"Momma?" Lucy whispered into the jacket.
"I knew you'd figure it out, my child. We are joined in heart, and that is the strongest bond," her warm voice washed over Lucy. "You were destined to find my ring and bring us together, if only for a moment."
"Momma!" Lucy sobbed into Capricorn's vest. Her mind was racing, and she so badly wanted to beg Layla to stay.
"Lucy Lou," he mother murmured. "Life has been cruel, but you have persevered. And now I have seen you grow into a wonderful woman."
"Is Poppa dead, too?" her voice cracked as she asked the lingering question.
"Yes," she sadly answered, glancing behind her. "He regrets not being able to earn your respect before he died. He sends his love."
"I love you both so much," Lucy cried out, holding Capricorn's body to her as she sobbed more furiously.
"I know," Layla's voice was in her ear as the spirit's lips pressed against it. "But now we have to go. Help us, Lucy. Others are being affected and we have no control. We will watch our loved ones die by our own hands. Think of us as different types of spirits from what you know."
Lucy glanced at Cana, who was staring at the ground as silent tears stained her cheeks. She would never get to speak to her mother again. She thought of Levy and Mirajane. She though of Hibiki and Eve. She thought of Natsu and Gray. They had all lost someone close to them but they had found happiness again. So would she. She knew what needed to be done, and she had never been so angry or certain of anything in her entire life. Lucy nodded, wiping her eyes and stepping away from Capricorn's body. She hated whoever had brought about these emotions. This type of magic was cruel and unforgivable.
"Momma, Poppa, I love you both very much, thank you for being my parents," she whispered, finality in her voice.
"You can do anything if you put your heart to it." She nodded toward the ring on the mage's finger.
Lucy clasped the pulsating ring to her heart, ignoring the searing burning in her finger as she whispered into her fingertips. Tears splashed her cheeks and knuckles as she willed the horrid spell to end. She didn't open her eyes until she heard her father's voice call out to her.
"You have made us so very proud, Lucy."
Then her mother, "I know you will save those poor spirits, my Lucy Lou."
Lucy hiccuped, holding her hands over her heart as she watched her parents slowly disintegrate before her eyes, their expressions no longer sad, but rather filled with pride and love. Cana hugged her as Capricorn silently watched nearby, a fingertip briefly wiping under his glasses. After a few moments, there was no trace of them, aside from a faint pile of ash.
"Your ring," Cana remarked, suddenly. "It's smoking."
Lucy glanced down, waving her hand frantically until she realized that there was no pain. Cana eyed the mysterious bauble skeptically. The stone was no more, and she was left with a gold band. It slid from her fingers and she inspected it more closely. She saw writing inside and she tilted it in the sunlight to get a better view. Jude & Layla. Love & Lucky. The inscription brought a smile to her face. It was her mother's wedding band, and she would cherish it, always.
"I'll miss you. Every day," she whispered, touching her fingertips to her lips. "Thank you."
Cana wiped her nose, saying nothing as the fighting around them calmed temporarily. Capricorn bowed his head to her before disappearing as Lucy mouthed thank you. For a moment, she was able to convince herself that none of this: war, death, monsters, spirits—none of it existed. But, it was only for a moment.
Cana interrupted her wishful thinking. "Let's find out who cast that spell."
Lucy clenched her jaw, "My sentiments exactly."
She didn't care that she felt weak, worn, and extremely sore. She didn't care that she was nearly bruised to the bone and every muscle screamed for reprieve. She would never forgive Ultear nor would she ever forgive the Necromancer who cast that horrid spell. Lucy was never one to hold grudges, but this would be her one exception. Harming spirits and raising the dead were not tolerable on her list. And it was enough to cause her to see red.
The brunette tucked her cards neatly in her belt. "One condition."
Lucy silently raised an eyebrow, awaiting Cana's stipulation.
"I get to tear the mother fucker apart. Limb by limb."
"I can agree to that," Lucy grimly smiled.
"Good, then let's win this stupid war," Cana cracked her knuckles, "I want to drink."
Lucy wouldn't disagree with her reasoning.
"And I want to get laid," the woman continued with her typical vulgarity.
Lucy smiled. She couldn't disagree with that rationale, either.