I can't believe I'm 300+k words deep. I want to thank everyone who has contributed by adding, fav-ing, and reviewing. The continued encouragement is a motivator for me. Please, keep 'em coming. Review!

I do apologize for the past few short(er) chapters. I figured I would rather put out these acceptable length ones rather than wait until I get around to writing longer ones. It takes longer to write, read, and re-read.

I don't own FT. I do enjoy creating OCs. Like it or leave it.

~OoOoO~

My heart's breaking apart…..

Erza's sword easily swung in her grip. It felt feather-light. Like it was meant for her hand.

I'm so sorry!

The weapon hesitated slightly, but no one beside her would notice.

I can't be wrong.

She watched his mouth move as he surrendered to her execution. She thought she caught the word love. She couldn't be sure. Maybe her mind was playing tricks on her?

I…just…can't…be..wrong….

Her heart caught in her throat, and her mouth was as dry as a desert.

I will end this.

She glanced at his neck, the skin visible to her. The gesture firmed her resolve and the sword sang as it parted the air.

…as I am sworn to. I am Holy.

She closed her mind off, her arms descending as she willed them to. She felt the sword cut into his neck, and the telltale giveway of the metal meeting its desired target.

It is done. I must look.

Her breath was coming in ragged gasps—almost whimpers.

Despite her reputation, she hated killing. She hated death. And she hated fighting and the loss of her loved ones. Emotionally, her fight with Jellal had nearly crumbled her resolve. She had promised so many people to do what was right….

She forced her eyes open, her body so rigid with anxiety that she was nearly ready to lose the contents of her stomach—as scarce as they would be. She had never been so afraid in her entire life, and right now, she was coated in a layer of cool sweat. She met his blank stare as his eyes looked back up to her.

Her aim had been true. Her accuracy was a deadly gift. She looked at his face again, but this time, there were no words. She knew from his eyes that she had been right, in them was a mixture of fear and relief.

Part of her wanted to smile. For the first time in her life, she was able to read something so miniscule in someone else's expression. She thought others had a gift she'd never be able to share.

How ironic, Erza.

She had always wondered how others could see something so intangible in another's expression or gaze. She was never good at picking up on the subtleties of vocal inflections, minor messages in a look, or silent expressions that cause some greater transfer of knowledge that hadn't been there before.

No, Erza Scarlet was plain and simple. She relied on honesty. She relied on knowing one's character. People don't change. Not their inherent natures, anyway.

And she knew Jellal.

Didn't she?

In her frustration and weariness, she opened herself up to a flood of tears. The day's toll weighed heavily up on her and she fell to her knees, toppling forward onto her hands as she sobbed incoherently. Despite the noise she was making the tears were silently disappearing into the dry earth, only whispers of her torment. The sword fell heavily next to her, and she reached for its hilt—still warm from her tight grasp. She had been holding on for dear life. The thought caused a new wave of sorrow to roll over her, and she stayed there for another moment, rocking gently and gasping for air between sobs as her fists pummeled the earth.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" he suddenly croaked from next to her, his shock washing away as shaking fingers searched his neck. He winced as he felt the separation in the hideous choker, his skin red, irritated, and oozing. His eyes were nearly bulging from his head in disbelief. "Are you crazy?"

She knew he wasn't referring to the fact that she had taken a swipe at his neck. No, he had fully expected her to kill him. To release him. He had truly felt there was no other way. Erza fisted the earth, calming herself and repressing the still ripe urge to vomit.

"It was y-y-you," she muttered between dwindling sobs. "I-It was you!"

Jellal slowly turned to look at her, and she could feel his gaze as she peeked at him through her now short locks. He looked a decade older. How much of a toll did his deception take? The unattractive choker was in two shards around his neck. His eyes momentarily widened at her accusation, but he said nothing—only staring at her as if he'd never see her again. Erza had seen that very same look in cornered animals—the torment of capture versus death.

Her eyes moved to his neck. She silently thanked Adie. The demi-spirit had sworn to Erza that the metal would cut through anything. Erza had banked on that promise. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply before whispering again.

"The entire time. The information to Makarov. I felt your presence, Jellal. I knew what we were being told about you couldn't be true. You were the informant. But how—"

Jellal nodded his head slightly, a rueful smile upturning the corners of his mouth. "After everything…you still managed to have faith in me. What a silly, stupid girl, Scarlet." He looked away, a silent tear tracking from the corner of his eye, "Erza…."

"Don't apologize, you idiot!" she smiled sadly, suddenly sitting back on her haunches. "You did what you had to. You were being controlled. It was a projection—but still you…." She turned to look at him with a serious expression. "It wasn't faith, you know. Or some silly girl's intuition."

He said nothing, staring at the sky and setting his jaw, his fingers curling at his sides. She smiled at him.

"I've always known you," she whispered, reaching out to assess the damage she had dealt him. Her fingertips danced over the black shiny metal at his neck. She felt a thrum from it, and drew back. It was an ugly invention. Between herself, Lucy, and Levy, they should be able to free some of the prisoners.

He closed his eyes tightly, his hands now balled into fists. "You weren't supposed to know! I wanted to tell you, but…..I also needed to protect you. And everyone else."

She mulled his words, elation filling her. He had thought of her this entire time. He still thought about her. She was important to him. Her next words were more cautious.

"Jellal, how long after your release did you—"

"You want to know if I toyed with siding with Ultear again?" he finished her thought. She pressed her lips tightly together. It was best to be honest. She nodded her head. He glanced at her, sighing. "At first I knew the information would be invaluable. Ultear had found someone—a girl—whom she is manipulating in the same manner she had manipulated me. I suppose I had never truly considered it."

Erza nodded her understanding. "I remember."

Jellal glanced at her, "The girl can use bonding magic and sense another's feelings. What one feels, the other feels."

"She could sense you lacked loyalty," Erza concluded, somewhat sullen.

Jellal watched her intently, quickly looking away, "Y-Yes…I suppose that was it. Meredy could read my mind, essentially, and this is what resulted." He gestured toward his neck. "Luckily my projection was still present, and I got away with espionage until they found it..."

He suddenly pushed himself to his elbows, his brow drawn together angrily. He was slightly above eye level with her. She could smell the sweat on his skin. She was sure she smelled less pleasant.

"Erza, believe me, I never meant to cause you more pain. I asked Makarov to hide it from you in case I was killed, or were forced to fight. I didn't think we'd figure out a way—" He looked away again, collecting himself. "If you had been angry enough, you could have easily ended my misery. Just like in the tower—"

"You wanted me to kill you, you fool?" she yelled in disbelief.

He closed his eyes, "Erza….what is happening—it's miserable. It's filled with death and fear and…..despair. I just wanted it all to end, if that makes sense. I couldn't help Fairy Tail anymore, and—"

The sound and sting of Erza's palm hitting his cheek shook him, and his eyes grew wide as he stared at her incredulously. She returned his look with an angry disbelieving stare.

"Jellal Fernandes, how dare you give up!" She grabbed the front of his jacket, her earlier tears now dry, but fresh ones rimming her eyes. "You hid information from me! Worse is that nearly led me to think you were something you're not—and in doing that I was ready to kill y—"

"I've loved you for longer than I can remember!" he blurted, eyes wide and face pale.

Erza's words choked in her throat from the sheer shock of his words. Before she could say anything in response, he grabbed her face with both of his hands and pulled her roughly against him. Their lips crashed together, teeth hitting teeth. His lip was bleeding, but he didn't care. He wanted to know what it felt like to kiss her—to taste her. His hand slipped to the back of her head and he pulled her closer. There was no time for any of it, he knew. He hadn't expected to live, and he had Erza to thank for it. If he was going to die today, he wanted her to know how he felt about her.

How he had always felt about her.

And by the way she was kissing him back, her fingernails digging into his neck and fingertips capturing his much longer hair, he knew she felt the same way.

"Jellal," she murmured against his lips, as if it pained her to say his name. Her cheeks were damp, and he smudged dirt on them as he attempted to wipe them away.

"Even in my darkest moments, Erza, you were the one thing that brought any sort of hope to my heart. I wish I had told you sooner…." His eyes studied her face, all of it. He had longed to hold her, to smell her, to kiss her—and he was saddened this had to be the fodder for him to do so. He had given up hope he would ever feel her body against his.

She sobbed, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. She didn't want to let him go, but she knew there was a war going on around them. She whispered her own secrets into his ear, and he had never felt more at peace.

"You almost done, my dear Erza?" There was sadness in Mirajane's voice. Erza looked up to see the wistful smile and tear-filled eyes. "As much as I'd like to see you enjoy your happiness, we're surrounded."

Erza nodded her head briefly, peeling herself off of Jellal while feeling mildly ashamed of her actions. She offered a hand to Jellal, but he waved her away, pushing himself to his feet as he surveyed the battlefield. She silently noted his pale skin and thin frame. Mirajane yelled commands to Elfman. Elfman in turn sent those remarks to Jura.

"So you're on our side now, right, Mr. Fernandes?" Mirajane asked cautiously, winking at Erza in a rare display of playfulness. Her clothes were barely decent, and there was an angry bruise on the outside of her thigh. The skin was missing along her shin, and was oozing.

The mage looked at his hands, still taking in the fact that he was, technically, a free man. Free to choose sides. Free to choose whether to fight or run. Free to be where he wished.

He looked at Erza, who was pretending not to listen. He nodded briefly.

"Good," Mira remarked seriously. "As the guildmaster of Fairy Tail, I'd like to offer you acceptance into our humble fraction. We are dwindling in numbers and could use a few good hands." She caught his expression of surprise as she informed him of her title. He glanced around, no doubt to see if her words were true.

"Makarov is….dying," Erza confirmed, sorrow swiftly passing over her features. "It can't be helped."

"Well, Mr. Fernandes?" Mirajane asked. "We're short on time. I need to know if I need to kill you now…"

He glanced at Mirajane, speechless. She didn't know him, yet she was trusting him. A good for nothing nobody.

He briefly looked at Erza, who gave him an encouraging smile.

She has believed in you this entire time. Even when you were at your worst.

"I accept." He squared his shoulders after another sweep of the battlefield. "I will become a member of Fairy Tail. Until my dying day."

Mirajane raised her eyebrows, "Well spoken, sir. Like a true gentleman, my brother would say." She laughed under her breath. "Now, I do apologize. You'll understand if we do not have time for an acceptance speech or for your mark."

Jellal nodded, his fingers drawn to his neck. He inspected his fingertips, which were coated in blood. "You cut me," he murmured to Erza, his stoic manner returning.

Erza glanced at him, grabbing his chin and turning his head from one side to another. "So I did. I thought I was more accurate than that. It's just a small nick."

"Your idea of a small nick?" he chuckled as he looked at the ragtag bunch that were now his allies. He had never felt so at ease or at home-not in these past few years. A small smile spread across his face. "I did expect to be beheaded for my crimes. I guess I'll consider that getting off easy."

"You do that," Erza told him, her expression serious as she changed armors, "Because none of us may make it out of here alive."

Lucy felt as if she had been battling for days—weeks, even.

Every muscle in her body was screaming, her joints were aching, and her skin was sun-burned and raw. Her lips were dry and cracked, and she wished for a shower more than anything. Right now, she would kill for a sip of water.

She wasn't sure how much more of this she could take. Even Natsu was tiring, something that terrified her beyond words. They were all losing their stamina, and slowly, one-by-one, they were collapsing. Somewhere, Wendy and her squadron of healers were watching over the growing number of wounded, Happy had reported. The dead bodies were carefully cast to one side of the field, the bodies now created a barricade if anyone was morbid enough to do so.

She watched Natsu fighting, the monsters overwhelming him. She screamed, running to him as Happy swooped down to pull a creature off of his friend. Lucy released her whip, one monster successfully removed. She met Natsu's wide-eyed stare as he opened his mouth to shout something. Before the words could leave him, and as Lucy hurtled to his aid, an explosion throttled her away like a ragdoll.

Her head hit the ground, and her teeth chattered from the impact. She winced as her tailbone felt as if it had collided with her skull. She whimpered, eyes tearing from pain and the smoke. She could smell the stench of burning skin, and the scene became oddly familiar. She rolled to her knees and weakly pushed herself to her feet. Blood trickled down the side of her face, and she spit out part of a molar.

No. No!

It was just as she had experienced it in Veleda's vision. She stumbled through the smoke cloud, arms outstretched as she called Natsu's name. She heard Happy's muffled call for her. She found him, a ball of hair hidden under a mound of goblin bodies. She pulled him free, his injuries much more trivial than she had expected. She hugged him to her, kissing his head in joy. He cried out in pain, his tail broken.

"Don't worry about me, Lucy! Find Natsu," he commanded, brushing himself off. "I'm glad you're OK."

They met each other's eyes for a moment, and their silent recognition of this scene passed between them. She nodded her understanding of his urgency, and she could tell from his limp that his hind paw was injured as well. She opened her mouth to comment on his healed eye, but decided against it, her goal to find Natsu much more important.

Her head snapped around as she looked left and right, the smoke marring her vision and filling her lungs. She raised her fist to her mouth to shield her cough, her eyes glancing skyward at the shadow hulking toward her.

"Duck, Lucy!" Happy screamed, and Lucy did just that, falling to the ground as something whizzed past her head. Her eyes were wide as she stared at the blood-soaked dirt.

"Now run!" the feline warned her.

Lucy's head snapped upright and her eyes widened as she saw the being in front of her. It was taller than even Gildarts, and donned a tangled mess of black armor. Its face was masked atop a thick body and large limbs It was carrying a large black battle axe that was almost as large at its body.

Her jaw fell open in fear and awe, and she suddenly felt as if the air supply was choked off to her. She tried to inhale, but there was nothing to breathe in. She grabbed at her throat, willing her lungs to expand, but to no avail.

"Lucy, run, dammit!" Happy growled, wings sprung as he flew around the monster in an attempt to distract it.

Lucy leaped to her feet, sprinting for her life. Suddenly, her lungs filled with the vital gas, and she croaked in relief, tears streaming down her face.

What is that thing? she frantically wondered, I felt as if my soul was being sucked out. I couldn't breathe!

She turned in time to see Happy avoid a swipe of a weapon, his flight weakening, likely succumbing to the same sensation she had just felt. She screamed as Happy fell. He collided with an armored fist, his body limply thrown meters away. The large monster turned toward her, moving fluidly in her direction. She turned and fled, praying for Happy's safety. She tripped, rolling over a dead body. She whimpered when she recognized Laki's lifeless eyes, her head nearly severed from her body.

The choking sensation took over Lucy again, and she looked up to see the monster's armored boots, their dark curled tips coated in blood. Her mind raced and she was certain that this beast was the Angel of Death.

She clawed at the ground, looking for anything—something—to use as a weapon, her belt torn from her with the last explosion. She pulled her knife free from its holder on her thigh but knew it would not help her. With each step toward her, her life force was tugged from her being.

Is this the end point of Lilith's magic? she wondered as she choked for air, her fingers encircling her throat. She looked up, tears in her eyes as the monster hunkered toward her, its tattered cloak fluttering in the windless air, dark curving horns held high as ragged nails stretched from its horrid hands. She stared at the devastation that was hovering above her and the death that trailed behind the creature.

She suddenly felt terribly hopeless.

No. Snap out of it, Lucy!

"Luce, get up. Now." Her eyes opened wide at Natsu's voice. She looked up at him, his body shielding her from the approaching beast.

"Now!" he hissed, grabbing her roughly and lifting her to her feet.

She noticed the burns on his face, and her tears fell more freely. His eyes were bulging from his head as he looked over the approaching monster. He turned to look at her, and she could tell that the burns were only limited to half of his face. His eyes flickered to her necklace, and he reached out to tough the gold and silver keys, the corners of his mouth twitching downward. When he looked back at her. She could feel the despair in his eyes.

"I don't know what this is, but we can't beat it," he told her, "You have to run, Luce!"

She shook her head, in shock. She had never seen Natsu afraid, and it chilled her to the core.

"Go," he urged her, pushing her to get her running. She stumbled, her legs too numb to move. Surely he wasn't giving up on the fight? Was he really saying goodbye?

"Go, Lucy!" he yelled hurriedly. "Get as far away as you can!"

Her eyes widened as the monster closed in, the axe slashing through the air. She pushed Natsu, who had the good sense to follow through the arc of movement, avoiding near decapitation.

Lucy looked up to find Natsu crouched in front of her, his body alight with flames and skin littered with scales. He turned to look at her, his pupils slightly off—his irises more elliptical in shape. Her vision was glowing blurry from the crushing pressure that was surrounding her. It had to be emanating from the creature, she deduced. It was as lethal as it looked, and Natsu was about to square off with it to save Lucy.

"It's not a matter of you being weak, Lucy. It's never been," he whispered, an arm glowing blue. "It's been about how much I care about you." He shook his head, the words never coming to his mouth; his eyes told her all she needed to know. "Now, you need to get out of here! I'll give you a headstart. Find Gildarts!"

He leaped to his feet, running at the creature with a yell of fury. The collision caused a wave of heat that pushed her off her feet and threw her backwards. A cloud of smoke swirled around them, and Lucy squinted, sucking in a deep breath of stale air. She could see a shadow dancing through the smoke, and she screamed in fear as she saw Natsu's limp body clutched in a large fist. The monster lifted him higher squeezing his neck and shaking roughly before flinging the dragonslayer's body away. Natsu landed in a heap on the ground, unmoving. Was this the part of the vision she had seen?

Lucy tried to crawl toward him, praying the beast couldn't see her, to no avail. Natsu! No!

The monster was over her, its crushing aura causing her bones to creak. She felt her body grow cold as she reached for Natsu. She squeezed her eyes shut as her head began to spin. In her dwindling thoughts, she focused her mind on one thing…..

A scream rang out from above, and Lucy felt a body crash into her. The two beings tangled together, tumbling backward down the gentle slope of the crater. Lucy screamed in pain as her shoulder jammed into the ground, a bolt of hot fury shooting down her spin. Her eyes snapped open, and she quickly realized she was not yet dead. It was a welcome feeling, surprisingly.

Her mind raced to Natsu and Happy before settling on the person before her.

"Adie!" she rasped, her throat aching from lack of moisture. The woman looked around wildly, springing to her feet while holding a red wad of fabric tightly against her body. It took her a moment to recognize what had just happened. "A dress? Where are your clothes?"

"I c-can't take clothes with me!" Adie was still frantic, confusion marring her features. Lucy could see her ribs poking through her back—she had been wasting away. The woman awkwardly tried to pull the fabric over her head. Lucy recognized the ball gown the demi-spirit had worn months before.

It was all just a faint memory. A memory that, in her current situation, she cherished. Her heart ached when she thought about Natsu.

She quickly reached out and tugged the dress over Adassandra's buttocks, the supple leather boots already on her feet. The entire scene would have been hilarious had they not been on the brink of death.

Their tumble had manage to put some distance between her and the creature, and Lucy could see a handful of mages attempting to battle the creature. Two were falling to their knees in much the same way Lucy had. She knew they were feeling the overwhelming spiritual pressure it exuded.

"Shit," Adie muttered as she spied the creature. "Shit, shit, shit." She quickly ripped the bottom hem of the dress, likely to make more room for movement or weapons.

"Why can't you take clothes?" Lucy seemed to find this much more important than what their next move should be. Perhaps it was the long absence of oxygen that was muddling her brain.

"Because, you moron," Adie looked up at her, her features showing her distress. She opened her mouth, closed it, and then opened again. "I can't take clothes with me when I'm summoned!"