Chapter 3

At Dusk

"Goddamnit." I sighed.

I had been searching non-stop for 3 days, eager to find any clue at all to the secret that was the Stars of Origin. But no matter where I looked, it remained a mystery. Truth be told, I was absolutely exhausted; mentally, emotionally and physically. I needed to get out, a break. Eager to relax my mind, I strolled from my apartment, and entered a trance-like walk amongst Magnolia. I observed the quiet night life, felt the cool breeze that ran through, and welcomed the peace. I found myself walking towards the train station, a part of me fixated on leaving Magnolia. Before long, I was purchasing a ticket for a placed called Haven. I had no idea what processed me to purchase this particular ticket, but the absolute feeling of serenity that overtook my body prevented any second thoughts from surfacing.

It was about 20 minutes into the ride, that was when I regained control of my senses. Strangely, a sense of panic that I might've usually felt was absent. The odd sense of peace still existed, but I was no longer inclined to do anything in particular. Glancing out the window, I took in the scenery. Lush greenery decorated the sides of the tracks, trees that reached for the skies housing a multitude of different birds and other such creatures. I smiled. A sudden pang of sadness soon followed, the absence of my keys leaving me feeling isolated and alone. The world felt abnormal now that Leo wasn't popping up unexpectedly, or Virgo's masochist comments every time she was summoned. A solemn smile graced my lips Yes, I hoped I would be reunited with them soon. It made me all the more determined to seek out what happened to them. At the back of mind, I knew that whatever overtook my actions was linked to my current mission, and this feeling was all that I had, so I clung onto it, hoping.

My deep thoughts were interrupted by a powerful aura suddenly consuming the air, and as I looked opposite me, a man cloaked in black sat down. He raised his head, grey eyes matched my own chocolate ones. A jagged scar cut across his nose, it seemed to glow with a black energy. My instincts told me to flee, I didn't know what, but something about this man kept me on edge.

"Hello." He smiled.

I managed to flash a short grin, "Hi."

"Beautiful scenery isn't it? I do love the countryside."

I simply nodded in response, eager fort the eye contact to cease. Minutes passed, and I could still feel his ever-present gaze fixated upon me. My gut churned.

"Say, you wouldn't be from the Fairy Tail guild would you?" He asked with enthusiasm.

I unconsciously touched by guild mark.

"Yes. Yes, I am"

"I've always wanted to join a guild, but… I guess I never got around to it. A bit too late now, isn't it?" He said with a small chuckle.

"What? No! It's never too late to join a guild. They accept members of all ages!" Why? Why was I helping this man? Every feeling I had told me to stop talking, but the words kept flowing.

He chuckled again.

"What? No. I didn't mean that I was too old to join a guild. I… let's just say I've done some things I'm not proud of."

The hairs on the back of my neck rose. This man just freely admitted to committing criminal acts. Who knows what he had done? Theft? Terrorism? Murder? I should leave right now. Nothing good can come of talking to this man any longer.

As I got up to move carriages, large, boisterous steps were heard. They sounded powerful like they held much authority. My expectations were met when a tall, slender but muscular woman came into view. Her beautiful flaming hair dropping elegantly to her hips, her figure heavily complemented by a long silken black dress. Her crystal blue eyes gazed into the carriage, intimidating me. Her eyes made contact with the strange man's, and her face transformed into a look of smugness.

"Found you."

The man opposite me grinned in return, raising his hands as if he gave up.

"Lady Katherine! So lovely of you to join us. I was just conversing with this lovely young lady about joining a guild! Wouldn't that be such a good time?"

Katherine snarled in response.

"Oh, don't be like that" He retorted.

"Dusk. The only guild you'll be joining is the prison guild. Please stop trying to resist, and come quietly. Delaying this any further is just wasting both our times."

"Milady!" More footsteps were heard, and a man of around 20 with striking blonde hair and an almost angelic appearance joined Katherine.

'I think I found... wait… oh, you already found him." The man said.

Katherine shook her head.

"Honestly, Gerard, keep up," Katherine replied.

Quicker than I could blink, Dusk grabbed me with a black dagger marking my throat. I held back a gulp, as panic started to build inside me. The woman, Katherine, calm and collected glanced over to us. My mind urged her to do something. Her hand slowly went to her waist, as she touched a bit of her waist.

"Let go of the girl, Dusk. She has no place in our quarrel." Katherine said, voice calm. "Don't make me use my glyphs."

"Oh please, your bluff is amusing. I know you won't use your glyphs with a hostage here. Precisely the reason why I got a hostage in the first place. Don't take me for a fool." Dusk exclaimed.

"Do not test me. It's true I would rather not use my glyphs, however, given how much you have eluded us, I might not have a choice in the matter."

The tension in the carriage was phenomenal. Katherine projected such an aura of power, elegance and raw strength that it made me wonder what exactly Dusk had done in the first place. Dusk, however, was no idle threat either. Despite the knife against my throat, I could tell that he didn't actually want to hurt me. However, he also had an interesting aura, one of a mixture of darkness and light, but also one of strength and weakness. He was an enigma. Dusk seemed to realise that Katherine wasn't bluffing this time, as he stepped back. Glancing slightly at his expression, a slight panic had overtaken his previously overconfident eyes.

"I see. Then you leave me no choice." Dusk sighed.

My heart sank as I heard his response. I was going to die.

However, much to both mine and Katherine's surprise, a flash of darkness occurred and suddenly a rush of wind was blowing behind me. He had blown open the train.

"It was nice talking to again Katherine. However, I must now depart."

Before I knew it, I was thrust out of the train.

First, there was screaming, then pain, then nothing.

(A/N): So, I haven't uploaded in a long, long time. Oops. Well, I'm on holidays now from University so I might write more? Maybe. Probably not. Oh well, here's a chapter. Pls, don't hate it. Follows/Favourites are appreciated, as are Reviews. Pls review, I'm aware my writing isn't nearly as good as it can be, but to improve I need peoples feedback. Anyway, thanks for reading, enjoy

- StingIsNotHere