A/N: Yes. Loooong overdue. I lost someone very dear to me recently, and it's been a very difficult and very distracting time. Life is short, so please make sure that the people most important to you know they are dear to your heart(s). And don't take the time to hate. Vest that energy elsewhere.
With that said, please read & review. It's winding down after 3+ years. Not quite there yet, but close. Thank you very much for sticking with this story. Next chapter will be sooner. Promise.
Disclaimer: I'm only responsible for my OCs and manipulation of canon.
~OoOoO~
"It's her," Adie whispered from somewhere next to Lucy.
The stellar spirit mage didn't bother asking for clarification, as all available pairs of eyes were focused on the new arrivals. The large black ship was massive and undoubtedly lethal. It had barely disturbed the earth where it landed and was unlike any airship Lucy had ever seen. In her distraction, she did not notice Ultear; her eyes attempting to pick out any and all spirits in the foreground. She felt her fists clench as she caught sight of a handful for figures with black rings encircling their necks. They appeared wan and decrepit, and Lucy knew they must be approaching the end of their lifespans in this world. They had been here too long; it was the curse of a Stellar Spirit. She would need to act, and to do so quickly. Suddenly her heart ached to have Levy by her side, encouraging her and offering advice. If she wasn't so distracted by the newcomers, she would have tried to seek out her friend. The last time she saw Levy, Gajeel was carrying her to Wendy.
As her mind raced, the airship suddenly burst into angry flames, engulfing the sleek black mass with a furious roar. The ship exploded, scattering some of their enemies. Lucy covered her ears, falling back from the sheer force of the energy emanating from the explosion She could see Adie standing before her, unmoving as she watched Ultear and the cloaked form beside her refuse to be bullied by the attack. Her hands were clenched into white fists at her sides.
"That's Hades!" Jellal loudly informed them from somewhere to Lucy's left as the flames continued to climb higher.
Adie studied him for a moment, brow furrowed as she looked over her shoulder. She opened her mouth to ask a question, one that was likely filled with the irritation etched in her features, Lucy knew. From the months she had grown closer to the demi-spirit, she had come to recognize that Adassandra was a tightly wound ball of frustration and regret. Perhaps if they had met under different circumstances, Lucy would have come to see the side of Adie that Lilith and Barsky had known.
Lucy's attention was drawn away as the smoke suddenly billowed skyward, swirling in a swift vortex. She saw Ultear—or whom she assumed was Ultear—hold out her hand, a small round object spinning in the air as it hovered above her palm. The smoky cloud whirled more quickly, and within moments, the ship had returned to its original shape.
"What the hell?" Adie's eyes bulged in disbelief. Lucy gasped out of pure shock.
"She uses ancient magic," Jellal informed them matter-of-factly. He paused, giving them time to absorb the information. "She's far more dangerous than she looks."
Adie stared at him for some time before croaking, "Who is this Hades?"
"I don't know," he admitted somewhat softly, eyes on Ultear, "There were some things even I didn't know."
"What were you to her?" the pale-haired woman narrowed her eyes as Lucy wrung her hands, feeling the growing tension. "Why are you privy to this information?"
"I worked with her at one time. We are, erm, familiar," he offered briefly, not tearing his eyes from her face.
"If you were working for the enemy, then why are you still alive?" Adie cast a look between him and Erza, who was standing next to her childhood friend. Adie's eyes were narrowed with dislike for Jellal.
Jellal stiffened as he, too, felt the intensity of her look. Erza wasted no time intervening, her words expelled in curt snippets. "She manipulated him, Adassandra. She took his memories from him and convinced him he was working for Zeref. That's why he was working for her."
It wasn't the complete truth, Lucy knew, but they didn't have time to tell stories. Apparently Adie didn't believe Erza's condensed version, snorting in disbelief. This time it was Lucy who attempted to reason with her friend.
"It's no different than Lilith! She's probably being controlled by Ultear as well."
"And I will end her life if I have to!" Adie spat back incredulously.
"Without hesitation?" Jellal asked softly, studying her. "You'd kill whoever she is to you?"
"Lilith's her sister," Erza crossed her arms over her chest as she murmured that fact. "And she knows it won't be that easy. It wasn't that cut and dry for me, either. Or for Grey when he faced Lyon. Or for Natsu with Laxus during the festival. It's never that easy when you care about someone."
The two women glared at one another, and Lucy thought their looks would come to blows. Finally Adie looked away, her gaze flickering to the ground. Her voice was barely audible when she spoke, after a few moments of gathering her thoughts. "Sorry. It seems I'm not the only one to have to face this predicament. I was wrong to judge your situation, uh, er…" She cast him a glance from the corner of her eye.
"Jellal," he answered with a nod and an offering of his hand, "Jellal Fernandes."
"Jellal," Adie murmured, eyeing his hand distrustfully. Lucy knew it was progress, as the old Adie would have ignored the gesture altogether. She hid her smirk with a hand, as she knew it would only get a glare from the demi-spirit.
"Do you know her sister?" Lucy pressed Jellal somewhat hopefully. "Maybe you know Lilith? You were spying on Ultear!"
Even Adie appeared to perk up at this knowledge, her eyes losing their former suspicion.
"He doesn't," Erza informed them, much to Lucy's chagrin, "That was the first question I asked him as well. Good thought, Lucy."
Jellal watched Adie, studying her like he was trying to recall something. "No….I have no knowledge of this person. I only know that Hades was conspiring with Ultear. Something about another world—"
"One in which magic will survive and non-magic entities will not," Adie murmured, more to herself. She looked back toward the large airship, which was now completely restored. Her eyes widened.
Jellal continued, "She will not hesitate to use what you care most about against you. She has no mercy and will kill to achieve her goals. Your sister may already be dead."
"She's not," the demi-spirit shook her head. "I would know. I would feel it."
Lucy hoped Adie's intuition was correct, and she cast a glance at Erza, whose eyes flickered between the the duo before passing over Lucy's head. Her face grew stony and Lucy turned her head to see what was bothering her friend. She caught sight of Natsu and Makarov in a disagreement. The dragon slayer was waving his arms wildly, arguing with the former guild master. His face was pale and his eyes were bulging. Lucy knew that whatever their master had told him, it greatly displeased Natsu.
"Looks like Master Makarov has made his decision," Erza cryptically added, smiling sadly. Lucy thought she saw tears in her eyes before she blinked them away. Jellal raised his eyebrows expectantly, and Erza shook her head. "He's stubborn. If Mira failed to get him to change his mind, then there's no hope."
Lucy chewed her lip, taking in the information Erza was sharing. She looked at Adie, whose interest was solely in Ultear and her brethren. Lucy knew she was plotting, and she wished she knew what. She'd have been tempted to ask if Hibiki's screams hadn't caught her by surprise.
Her eyes sought him out somewhere behind an arguing Natsu and Makarov. He grabbed at his ears, his hands clamping over them as he cringed and whimpered. Mirajane was kneeling at his side, looking terrified. "No! N-No, I won't!" he yelled, teeth chattering. Blood oozed from between his fingers and Lucy felt her stomach sink.
"Boy!" Makarov was beside him. "Do what she wants. Don't resist. Only a fool would risk his life. What harm is there in it?"
Hibiki was trembling, tears streaming from his eyes as he looked at Makarov wildly. His teeth chattered as he tried to collect himself, nodding. His fingers were stained with bright red blood, tiny droplets falling in the grass as he tore his hands from where they were clamped against his head. The deep crimson fluid oozed from his ear canals and Mirajane dared to touch his face with her fingers, expression a mixture of fury and tender concern. Hibiki left bloodied fingerprints on her wrists as he gently pulled her careful hands from his face, shaking his head. He reached away, fingers slowly trailing over the translucent keyboard leaving streaks blood. Shortly after, a throaty female voice emanated inside all of their heads.
You foolish bunch! To think you can defeat me? I have yet to show you my true power!
Lucy met Natsu's eyes, and he clenched his jaw. She wanted to run to him if only for solace. If this wasn't Ultear's full strength, what hope did they have? And how was Grey holding up now that Ultear's presence was known. She hadn't seen him in some time.
Gatekeeper, what you value most, I have. All you have to do is accept my terms and it's yours….
Lucy's eyes widened. Was Ultear directly addressing her? She heard Adie growl profanities from next to her.
I have no use for these spirits, and their lives are of no consequence to me. I will use them readily, if you do not resist the destiny I'm offering you. The offer will only be short-lived...
Tears sprung to Lucy's eyes, and she saw Makarov's body tense as he shared a look with Porlyusica. Jellal was watching Lucy as well, which only served to upset her more. Adie made a gesture with her hands, and the Wisterians slowly filtered in, blocking Ultear from Lucy's view, though her vision was already swimming in tears. So many spirit lives would be lost if she didn't surrender...
I will wait. In the meantime, please do enjoy an encore from my friends. Look at the power I have at my disposal! Good luck...
With what appeared to be the end of Ultear's transmission, Hibiki fell to his knees. Lucy looked around, terrified as orbs of light flitted through the field leaving trails of eerie light. The remaining mages cried out in horror as their previously slaughtered enemies slowly jerked back to life, albeit somewhat less perfectly than the airship had revived.
"It seems she has the ability to manipulate these creatures as well, though not the living, breathing ones of our world," Jellal pointed out with a perplexed look on his face. Lucy hadn't noticed that their deceased human enemies were not rising.
"You seem surprised." Adie noted, hands on her hips.
"I told you—" he began, irritated.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," she hissed, waving her hand. "But tell me, why is she using a projection?"
Jellal narrowed his eyes, looking somewhat thoughtful as a half-smile formed on his face. "It appears that, despite our meager efforts, something has scared her."
Adie turned back to their enemies, following Hades' dark form as he or she returned to the airship with Ultear's projection. Lucy thought she saw Morpheus as Faux by Ultear's side as well. Another mage followed the pair as they disappeared in the massive ship.
"That would explain the barrier around that ship," Adie confirmed.
"It's strong, but I can penetrate it, I think," he informed her. "Maybe temporarily...I'll have no way to know unless I try, but I can see the the ruins that are making it up. Some are familiar enough."
As their enemies were slowly jerking to life, Lucy's earlier fears pitted in her stomach. She looked for Natsu, who was fighting beside Makarov, Laxus, Porlyusica and Ivan. She felt the bittersweet irony of their reunion in the core of her being. She was certain, from Natsu's earlier display of anger, that Makarov had come to die with his guild. Or, perhaps, for his guild. Fairy Law, used again, would surely kill him.
"What am I going to do?" Lucy suddenly cried out, chewing her nails and watching the monsters rise again. "How can we fight them? There are too many!"
"We have no choice," Adie told her, a slender hand slipping into armor.
"We do," Lucy argued, her voice higher. "I can surrender! I can do what Ultear wants," she argued, eyes wide with terror. She cried out at the sting that hissed across her cheek as Adie stood there, breathing heavily.
"Don't. You. Ever. Say. That. Again!" she spat, eyes bulging as her bare palm turned red with Lucy's stinging cheek.
Lucy cupped her face, surprised and somewhat invigorated. Her teeth hurt from their chattering. "What do we do? "she asked meekly. Erza was once again instructing mages and Jellal was nowhere to be found.
"We use Morpheus," Adie told her, sighing heavily. "I would have preferred to wait, but we have no choice."
"What? No we can't! He's pretending to be Faux, remember?" Lucy argued against the temptation to blow his cover.
Adie's voice was stern, "Not him...his army!"
Army? Lucy mouthed to herself. His….army? "Oneiroi!"
"Exactly," the demi-spirit confirmed. "You don't need Morpheus to summon them. They will heed a worthy call. Not many humans have had the opportunity to control the King's Army. And you have on more than one occasion."
Lucy stared in awe, taking in what was being shared. She wondered if this army was as strong as Adie was insinuating, her mind reminiscing her experiences with the Oneiroi. They had seemed so peaceful and quiet, not barbaric and lethal. As she mulled Adie's words, a black butterfly fluttered through the field toward the women. Lucy instinctively held to her hand, ignoring the battle that was commencing around her. It landed on her forefinger, wings gently flapping together.
"Please," she whispered to it, her face close. "I need your help. My friends need your help! They are going to kill those poor spirits!"
The creature lifted off Lucy's finger, transferring to Adie's shoulder. The woman whispered something and the tiny creature fluttered away. Lucy followed it with her eyes, nearly missing Adie quickly whirling and slamming into a rock goblin. The beast toppled and Adie leaped high, her fist shattering the monster into pebbles. Lucy looked about, noticing that the Wisterians were keeping her well-shielded from the enemy. She felt both small and humbled at her importance in this grave matter. She recalled Adie's words...
Surrendering was not an option for them.
Not if they wished to be victorious.
She thought their fight would never see the potential for victory. Comrades were being lost left and right, and the monsters seemed as if they were never going to yield. Minutes turned into hours, and Lucy felt that they were on the verge of annihilation.
The Wisterians were doing their best to keep her shielded, and so far, none had lost their lives. It gave her something to be thankful about. Regardless, the battle had intensified, and Lucy knew they were each fighting for their lives. She had caught glimpses of spirits, and Hibiki had been kind enough to ask the guilds to not kill the spirits, though harming them was inevitable. Adie had released a handful of the weak ones, and Erza's sword and deft hand had been welcome in removing the horrid chokers. Each spirit promised loyalty before disappearing, though Lucy was uncertain to what extent or capability.
She caught sight of the Amarok from the periphery of her vision, and she followed their movements as they raced along the field, chasing something unseen to her eye. Every so often, she'd catch a glimpse of white fur, and a splatter of blood as whatever it was mutilated the wolves. A dark flitting shadow and the soft sound of steps behind her caused Lucy to quickly spin. Her eyes widened as she saw the large spirit hovering over her, long katana pointed at her throat. She traced the blade to the hilt, where it was held by thick fingers with sharp black nails. She trailed up the pale fur-covered arms, and her eyes settled on the long white ears that fell behind its head, tied together at the nape of its neck. Dark horns curled behind its head from where they originated at the spirit's brow. Its wide-set eyes watched her with mild curiosity, narrowing as its nose twitched in an ironic display. The shiny black metal around its neck caught her attention.
"You're a spirit!" she croaked.
The creature flinched and the tip of its katana sliced through the tender skin of her neck. She felt the warm blood run over her collarbone. The flutter of movement was too quick to draw her attention upward as Erza fell from the sky, black armor and wings encasing her body as her Thunderbolt Iron sword sliced through the spirit's katana. The lagos-like being quickly reached for the saya at its waist, where another katana was waiting. It unleashed the blade in a lethal, fluid movement. Erza ducked under the blow, raising her sword once again to meet the spirit, should it attempt to attack Lucy.
"D-Don't!" Lucy's teeth chattered. "He—erm, or she, can't help it!"
"I won't harm this spirit if I can avoid it," Erza confirmed, eyes on the hare, "I can remove that collar if I have an opening."
"It'll be easier for me to kill this girl," the spirit responded in a surprisingly high-pitched voice. Onyx eyes glinted and nose twitched before the spirit leaped high with a speed Lucy couldn't follow. Erza cursed under her breath—allowing these spirits to live was becoming more troublesome by the minute. She inhaled slowly, trying to listen for her opponent. She spun around, swinging the sword.
"Duck, Lucy!" she screamed. The blonde did as she was bid, falling to the ground. Metal met metal and the spirit's katana once again shattered.
With another flick of its wrist, a third sword was brandished from its saya. Lucy wondered if the spirit had an unending supply of invisible swords.
It hesitated momentarily, "Ah, I knew you'd come if I threatened this pathetic excuse for a Celestial mage."
"Lulu! Stop!" Adie commanded from behind the spirit. Lucy glanced up to find her holding a furry wrist in her gloved hand. The demi-spirit nodded at Erza, who retreated to battle after the silent exchange, though she did not trod too far out of earshot, Lucy noted.
"The girl's caused a lot of trouble, Princess," the spirit responded coolly and cryptically. "It'd be much easier for elimination rather than negotiation."
"You know that's not the right answer," the demi-spirit responded. "And it's against our laws to harm humans."
Lucy's eyes widened. It was the first time Lucy had heard Adie referring to herself as a celestial being.
The spirit laughed merrily, though Lucy detected a deadly hint of contempt beneath it, "Our laws have failed us. And Lilith has been no help. How do you think our laws will handle her behavior?"
Adie flinched at that remark, and was met with a swing of the spirit's katana. She met the blow with a blade of her own, though not as remarkable as Erza's sword. They continued to spar for some time, and Lucy tried to track their agility, but the speed at which they were battling made it a difficult feat. She let her hand slip to her waist, where her whips and dagger were once again stored within reach.
The spirit slashed at Adie's neck, which she met with a forearm of armor Barsky had given her. The metal sparked off the material as Adie tried to reason with her opponent, "It would not help to kill a spirit mage, Kalulu."
"The human?" the rabbit spat. "You think I intend to waste my time on the human? Princess, make no mistake, I'm here to eliminate you. Understand I am left with no choice in this matter."
Adie drew back momentarily, and the spirit did not miss a beat, another sword cutting through the air. Lucy screamed Adie's name, but it was too late. The katana had cut through her shoulder, stopping at bone. Blood spilled over Adie's chest, and she stared at the wound as thick fluid spurted from it.
"Me?" Adie's features were pale as she weakly pressed on the wound, blood seeping between her fingers.
"Lilith is a pawn. The real problem—the real reason—is you!" the spirit yelled triumphantly in its sing-song voice, sword held high and ready to strike. "If you are no longer available, then this is all over!"
With those words, the sword was brought down, sure to slice through Adie's neck. The demi-spirit stood there, unmoving in her state of shock. Before the blow could hit its mark, Kalulu's movements were suddenly halted. The spirit twitched in agitation, attempting to pull against the force that was holding it back.
"Lucy?" Adie blinked a few times, her gaze more focused as she realized what had happened.
"You don't want to do this, Kalulu. Just let us help you." Lucy's voice was strong, and her grip steady as she held a whip in each hand. Etoiles was pulled tautly around the spirit's sword wrist, and her other whip encircled the hare's neck.
"A human? What good is this? You cannot help me! Or any of us," the spirit's ears twitched at its eyes narrowed. "You have no idea the horror we have been put through, all because we have chosen to protect these...humans!"
With a cry of indignation, the spirit leaped into a back-flip, kicking Adie in the stomach. She was thrown backward with a cry of pain, but did not fall, instead using her hand to stabilize her as she slid along the ground. Lucy withdrew her whips, ready to use them again if necessary. She stood tall as her opponent lurched toward her, anger buried in its large onyx eyes. Eyes that would be cute if it were on a rabbit that was not on a rampage, or so Lucy thought.
She felt something between her fingers, and she brought Adie's key to her face, surprised that she had summoned it. Kalulu noticed it as well, hesitating momentarily. In that short amount of time, Erza dashed between them. With an upward flick of her wrist, the deft-handed move sliced into the spirit's throat with a cracking noise that signified the shattering of Ultear's collar. A shard of it fell to the ground, and the spirit watched in confusion. Lucy felt a tugging on her arm, and she was propelled forward, stumbling in the process. Her arm felt as if it were going to be jerked from her body.
The katana dropped from Kalulu's thick fingers, and the spirit's eyes widened in shock, pain, relief—Lucy was uncertain. She blinked, gasping as she realized what had happened. Adie was standing between mage and spirit, holding Lucy's wrist firmly in her hand. She had plunged the key, with Lucy holding it, into Kalulu's chest. The hare looked down, then to Adie before focusing on Lucy. It was the first time Lucy had used Adie's key on a spirit.
"Sometimes," Lucy replied softly, voice warbling, "These humans are willing to die to protect spirits!" She withdrew her hand, key disappearing as the spirit watched her with mild confusion mixed with new-found respect.
"If you'd have listened, this would have been much easier, Lulu." Adie grunted with an air of frustration.
"It's...true?" Kalulu gasped, glowing more brightly as it studied Lucy, as if for the first time. Something had piqued the spirit's interest.
"It's time, Lulu," Adie confirmed.
"Ah," the spirit replied, "I suppose..I will have to repay the favor."
"Then repay it by advocating for Lilith!" Adassandra pleaded. "I will likely not be able to!"
"Free the rest of them, and return this world to its former state," Kalulu was looking at Lucy. "Don't waste her gift."
"I swear it. On my life!" Lucy lifted her fist to her chest, nodding her affirmation. The spirit wriggled its nose before its body quickly disappeared from their world.
Adie stepped back, muttering as she wiped blood from the corner of her mouth. She thanked Erza, who was examining her wound before suddenly drawing back in confusion.
"It's...healed?" the red-head stared at Adie, incredulous.
Adie avoided her look, inspecting the unblemished skin and confirming what Lucy already knew, "Perk of being bit by an Amarok, I s'pose. "
Erza straightened. "You were lucky. You were almost killed. "
"I know," Adie admitted, looking somewhat ashamed. "Sorry."
"What did that spirit mean when it asked you if 'it was true'"? Lucy inquired, trying to process the last ten minutes. So much had come to pass. "That Kalulu, or whatever, had wanted to kill you. Not me." She narrowed her eyes, toe tapping at she awaited an answer. Even Erza hung around to listen.
"My key," Adie mumbled. "That you are able to use it."
"So? Why would that impress a spirit?" Lucy pressed. It just didn't make sense.
Adie was growing annoyed as the two women watched her. She looked at the ground, "A typical human—mage or not—cannot use my key freely, Lucy." She looked past Lucy, as if sensing something.
Lucy's exasperated sigh of impatience pulled her attention back. "Why's that?"
Adie shrugged, "Because my key must be given."
"What if it's not given?"
"It won't be found," she quickly replied.
"That doesn't make sense," Lucy began. Adie growled her frustration, taking a few steps forward and pulling Lucy's dagger from her waist. She held it out, blade facing Lucy in one hand, her key in the other.
"See it?" Adie emphasized by shoving them toward Lucy's face. "See?"
Lucy opened her mouth to protest out of confusion. She examined the key more closely, pulling it between her fingers. She ran the pad of her forefinger over the millings of the key. She felt her skin catch on an aspect that was sharper than she had expected. She turned it over, noticing that the metal looked slightly blemished and lighter. She then examined the blade of her dagger. She held it closer to the key, gasping at the similarity of the blades shape and what she anticipated was a missing aspect of the key. She looked up at Adie, confused.
"You had summoned me weeks ago!" Adie's voice was rising. "That's how I survived being bitten by an Amarok."
"I-I didn't mean to!" Lucy rasped, horrified. "I didn't know!"
"Freya knew," Veleda's voice interrupted them. "It was her plan."
Lucy jumped, but Adie didn't flinch, her voice calm. "But why?"
"After your father's death...she came to me."
"And you easily agreed to read the future? I thought you couldn't do that for a spirit?" Adie shot back.
"You're only a half-ling, child. Some things I can see," Veleda paused. "I saw Lucy. And I saw parts of...this." She waved around her, looking somewhat withdrawn. Tired. "Each outcome as just as hopeless as the rest, but one...one was less dim."
"Go on," Lucy pressed, intrigued.
"One that didn't result in complete loss."
"You're not making sense, old lady," Adie hissed. "Why would my mother use my key for a dagger? And why would she ask that of you to look into the future?"
Veleda stared at Adie for sometime, as if lost in thought. "Lucy, you are the last of my bloodline. In your veins runs my mother's blood. Her sacrifice. This is your destiny—whatever the end."
"Your saw our deaths," Lucy whispered, her hand covering her mouth. Hopelessness clung to her soul.
"I saw the likelihood of defeat, yes," Veleda admitted. "But there was one outcome that could have prevailed—still can prevail. One in which you wielded Adassandra's key, which would not be necessarily given."
"So you mutilated my key? It's against Celestial Law!" Adie's eyes were wide with disbelief. "I suspected as much when I first found out the use of that dagger."
"I didn't," the ruddy-skinned spirit replied. "Freya did."
"A royal risk punishment?" Lucy interrupted. "It makes no sense."
"As ruthless as she could be, Freya was forgiving," Veleda bowed her head. "She gave my bloodline a chance to survive—to prosper."
"Forgive what?" Adie snapped.
"Child?"
"You heard me fine. Forgive. What." She hissed, eyes narrowed.
"Ah, I supposed I never did share why I was forced to live a life of seclusion," Veleda tensed, as if she knew her next words would be a devastating blow. Lucy felt her stomach clench in anticipation. Finally, the spirit spoke, her voice soft and rueful. "For my role in your father's death."
"Hades?" Ultear cooed, her form flickering slightly as an orb snaked over and under her hand as she smoothly twisted her wrist.
The hooded form turned its head toward the voice, saying nothing.
"You've been a real bore lately, lighten up," Ultear murmured, distracted by her orb as it flashed the scenes from the battlefield. "Faux, you've not been keeping Master Hades amused, now have you?"
"Ma'am?" Faux bowed his head reproachfully.
Ultear's gaze fastened on the other mage in their presence, "And you, my friend, will soon have your wish fall into your lap."
"Thank you, Ultear," the woman responded eagerly. "I look forward to meeting Lucy Heartfilia again."
"I'm sure you do," Ultear drawled, "Since she nearly killed you the last time you two faced off."
"I was weak," the mage responded, "This time, however, I won't hesitate to kill her."
"I don't anticipate she'll come alone," Ultear warned. "She'll bring Adassandra with her."
"We will be ready, Mistress," Faux responded, glancing at Hades, who was still silent.
"I don't care about the girl," she replied casually, flipping her orb through her fingers, "but keep the other one alive."
"Don't worry, I'll kill Lucy Heartfilia," the mage promised, a rueful smile on her face as she rubbed her finger over the scar spanning from her hairline to collar bone. Her cornea was milky, her vision lost from the injury to her eye. She bared her teeth in contempt at the memory of her loss to the other spirit mage.
"I trust that you will, Angel," Ultear purred, "But I wanted to remind you, as Lucy holds no value to me."
"I see," Angel replied, her fingers tracing over the keys on the ring at her waist. Faux watched the movement. "All the better. I can take my time."
"I'm going to quickly seek out that Alberona girl. She's overdue for a visit. " The dark-haired mage sighed, her form flickering and growing thicker in girth. Her hair became short and coarse, and her face was covered by a mask. "I'm thinking a slow painful death should suffice for the life of my dear Meredy." Her voice held a hint of regret and sadness, which quickly dissolved as she gave the group one last command before her form faded out completely
"Remember: do not kill Adassandra. She's our ticket to Zeref."