Title: Rising Hope for Tomorrow
Genre: Adventure, Action, Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Slight Humor, Drama
Pairing: GrayxJuvia
Summary: Team Natsu had decided on a mission for Lucy's impending rent. For some reason, Wendy, Charle and Juvia tagged along without knowing about it. It turned out to be in Juvia's hometown in which the rain had been nonstop. How could the water mage face her past self again? What could her new family do to make her embrace her present and future whilst accepting her past?
Disclaimer: Anime and manga HIro Mashima; Story Mari Kia Aishiteru
Note: Pardon the errors. Reviews are welcome!
RISING HOPE FOR TOMORROW
By: Mari Kia Aishiteru
…
PART TWO: THE DEVIL
The next morning, Juvia led team Natsu and Risa towards the place they believed the bluebells came from. They trudged a steep mountain. It turned out that the place was above a mountain, in a forest not far from the town. They wore their jackets and hoods covered their heads, refusing the umbrella because it was troublesome to hold.
"How come you knew about this place, Juvia?" Lucy asked quietly, walking next to her. Juvia smiled sadly as she looked forward. "K… A dear friend of Juvia brought her here often."
Lucy stared at her. She knew that look. She was hurting inside but trying so hard to hide it to not worry her friends. It was rare to see Juvia like this. It must have something to do with what was happening in this town… or her own past. "I see."
Silence ensued between the two and Lucy, having experienced something so painful before, tried to reassure her friend. "Ne, Juvia…" she said as she held her friend's hand in hers. Juvia was startled with the gesture and turned to her with confusion in her eyes. "Lucy?"
She smiled brightly at her. "If there's something bothering you, don't hesitate to talk to me, alright?"
The water mage looked surprised but suddenly smiled softly. "Thank you, Lucy."
They both giggled.
"Hey!" Natsu's voice cut through their moment. "We're leaving you!"
Lucy stared at him in haste. "Ah, wait for us!" she turned to Juvia and pulled her. "Come on!"
Juvia nodded with a bright smile. She felt better.
The group finally reached the top of the mountain. The rain continued to fall as they walked. The wind picked up a little but didn't pay any mind to it. The group stared at the swaying bluebells. The top of the mountain was full of bluebells. It was supposed to be beautiful, however because of the rain, its beauty was hidden. A big tree stood proudly despite the wind and rain at the middle of the bluebells.
"So this is where those bluebells came from?" Lucy wondered, looking around.
"I'm not sure. There are many bluebells here," Risa commented, walking forward slowly. "...but there's no sign that those bluebells left by the culprit came from here..."
"No..." a small voice said.
The group turned to the water mage with a confused look. "What do you mean, Juvia?" Erza asked.
The blue haired water mage didn't answer, just walked forward towards the big tree. They decided to follow her quietly.
Juvia stopped at the big tree and placed a hand on its trunk. The group saw that there was something written on it, carved words to be exact.
I will always watch over you. Live your life to the fullest, Juvia. –Kyu.
They all looked at her sympathetically except Risa who looked away. She knew how close those two were, despite her in the picture. However, because she loved Kyu so much, she didn't say anything, except when he died. It was Juvia's fault; that was why she hated her.
Juvia walked again, behind the tree and that was where they saw it.
A dried and vacant lot.
Grasses were around it, but the vacant lot was voided of any sign of life.
They trudged towards it and Natsu sniffed the air. He stiffened and it didn't go unnoticed by the group.
"What's wrong Natsu?" Lucy asked. "Did you smell something different?"
"Yeah." The fire dragon slayer replied and turned to his ice mage friend. "Gray."
The ice mage stared at his eyes and they nodded in understanding. The raven haired mage's right arm darkened and his raven hair rose up. Wendy gasped in surprised, Erza as well but regained composure.
Lucy's eyes softened and said, "Oh yes, this is the first time you saw this. It's Gray's devil slaying power."
The mages watched closely as Gray absorbed the devil power within the ground.
Black and a swish of air could be seen and heard.
After a few seconds, the atmosphere lightened. The rain continued to pour lightly on them. Gray stood up and faced Natsu. "You're right, Natsu."
"There is a devil power here, in this place."
Juvia stiffened in her place and her friends didn't notice.
"You mean, our culprit might be a devil?" Happy asked innocently.
"Wait... let's discuss this properly." Lucy began and the others turned to her attentively.
"Our culprit kidnapped blue haired girls ever since the rain started again. They leave bluebell flowers in their houses. These bluebell flowers came from this place, possibly from this open lot. However, we learned that there was a devil magic present here. So, it means that the culprit is a..."
"A devil." Juvia finished, seriously staring at her friends.
"Juvia?" that was Lucy.
"Do you know something?" Erza inquired.
The blue haired sighed and bit her lip. "J-Juvia had an idea of who it may be..." she began. "She thought of it because of the rain... and now, she was sure that it is possible that he is the one behind all of this because of its nature."
"You know a devil, Juvia?" Natsu asked.
She nodded grimly. Juvia didn't want to relive it; her past. But it was necessary for the investigation. She had to tell them about that devil.
"Juvia," Gray said, stepping forward. "You don't have to tell us everything if you're uncomfortable with it." He said as he gripped her shoulder. He had an idea that his friend was having an internal battle. She wanted to help but she also didn't want to tell her past. Yes, he was sure that devil was part of her past in this hometown. She wasn't ready.
Juvia smiled at Gray. She was happy to know that he was worried. Hearing the things in town, seeing the people's actions about her appearance, there was no way Gray would sit still. He was kind and she felt appreciated by this efforts of protecting her.
Her feelings.
"Thank you, Gray-sama."
The ice mage's eyes widened.
"A-Are you sure?"
The girl shook her head. "Juvia's not. However, she could tell everyone about the devil without telling all of her past with him. That, Juvia can do at least."
Gray nodded. She already decided. All he had to do was to support her.
"I understand."
She smiled. She looked beautiful.
I hope you always smile.
Wait—What?
He shook his head. His thoughts were weird.
Juvia turned to the rest. They stayed by the big tree, to find solace while they hear out the water mage's knowledge about their possible enemy.
She took a deep breath.
"Juvia... met him when she was eight years old, in the forest. He said his name is Shin and he was a powerful mage. Juvia believed him because he proved it to her like cutting trees and reverting it back, stopping rain from pouring on him and the most powerful one was that, he was able to revive a dead bird. Juvia didn't know that he was really a devil until later." She finished.
"He... was supposed to be dead, eight years ago. Two weeks after Juvia met him. However, as things stand right now, there was no other people who could be the culprit for what was happening."
She bowed her head, hesitantly uttered out.
"And... another thing..."
"What is it?" Erza asked.
"Juvia... thinks that he was kidnapping blue haired girls because of her."
Their eyes widened.
"Wha—Why?" Lucy asked, shocked.
She tried to lightened up the situation. "Because Juvia knows, Shin is searching for her. This rain, the bluebell flowers..."
Her eyes were far away.
"All of these are related to her... so she was sure... he wanted... to get her."
Gray didn't like the faraway look in her eyes. He could feel that something bad was going to follow her statement.
"So... Juvia proposes to be a bait to lure him."
See?
"No way!" That was Gray. "I disagree!"
"Juvia-san, there is still something we can do aside from that. You don't have to do this." Wendy said.
Nice Wendy! Gray thought.
"Wait... actually, Juvia's idea is effective but..." at this, Lucy turned to the blue haired water mage. "I also don't like you to be a bait."
Nice Lucy!
"Juvia is the only blue haired mage in our group. Wendy is too young for the role. Juvia can take care of herself so she is the perfect decoy."
Stubborn Juvia! Argh! Just stop it, dammit!
Wait—what's with my thoughts? Gray, what's happening to you?!
He shook his head once again. Natsu looked at him weirdly.
"What's with you, ice princess?" he asked curiously.
"None of your business, flame brain."
"What was that?!"
"You want to fight?"
"ENOUGH."
"Yes, ma'am."
Erza sighed and turned to her companions. She weighed their options. Juvia had a point. She also understood Lucy and Wendy's sentiments since she was the same.
Gray already disagreed and Natsu?
"Let Juvia do what she wants. She's strong! No problem."
"Aye!"
Well, typical Natsu and Happy combination.
Charle shook her head and shrugged. "I'll leave the decision to you, Erza."
"Hmm..." she placed her hands on both hips and turned to them. "Alright, here's what we're going to do."
She breathed in and... "We will follow Juvia's plan."
The blue haired girl smiled approvingly with a nod. Natsu nodded. Risa was unresponsive. She just didn't care as long as they capture whoever was doing this. Gray, Lucy and Wendy sighed defeated. When Erza decided on something, there was nothing they can do about it.
And so... they planned on how they were going to capture the culprit.
The rest of the Fairy Tail members hid in the bushes. Gray being on the big tree at the middle. Juvia stood in the open field of flowers, making it rain. With her magic power, they will be able to lure the devil out, since he knew of Juvia's rain.
As expected, a few minutes later, a dark smoke surrounded the place.
"I cannot see anything!" Lucy said as they all move out of the bushes.
"Gray! Where's Juvia?" Erza asked loudly.
The ice mage who jumped from the tree let out a small whisked of ice to clear the smoke.
He saw Juvia in the middle and in front of him, there was a figure covered in dark smoke.
"Juvia knew it would be you, Shin."
"Finally… I found you, Juvia Lockser."
The water mage prepared for battle. "You won't escape this time."
Dark whips appeared out of thin air and from the ground as Juvia was trapped in them. She tried to change her body to water to no avail.
"Let's go…"
"Juvia!" Gray called out. Juvia extended her hand. "Gray-sama!"
A few meters away from his reach, Juvia was consumed by the ground. Gray's eyes widened. "JUVIA!"
A devil's laugh could be heard fading through the night as the smoke and rain cleared.
The members of Fairy Tail stopped in front of Gray. "He got her." he punched the ground in anger.
She slowly opened her eyes. She tried to sit up, but realized that her body was numbed. Her breathing was shallow, as if she had run a thousand miles. Leaning on the wall, she surveyed her surroundings. She was in a wide room, not even a jail. There was no restraint to stop her from escaping; however, her body wouldn't listen to what her mind says. Her blue weary eyes slowly moved towards the middle of the room and it widened in shock.
There he was, or rather his body, suspended in the air, hands locked in chains. His image was the same as she could remember: dark messy hair, toned muscles, tall height and the peaceful look in his face whenever he was sleeping. Juvia wouldn't forget that about him, even if she tried.
His eyes were closed so she couldn't see if his eyes were actually the same as before: dark blue.
The blue haired water mage tried her best to stand, still leaning on the wall to get a better view of the image suspended in the air. She'd done it successfully and slowly tried her legs. Realizing that she could move, her feet led her slowly to the center of the room. She stared at the body of her best friend, and wondered.
"Why…"
Why is his body here? Why is his body even like this? He should've… rotted a long time ago. It had been eight years for goodness' sake!
Suddenly, she heard a noise and turned around so fast, she felt like falling, but she endured.
A dark smoke danced around the figure behind her and her eyes narrowed.
"Hey… Juvia."
"Shin."
The figure laughed, his horn vibrating. Juvia thought he also hadn't changed. Long spiky white hair, Joined pointed horns and red eyes.
"Oi oi... what's with the change of heart?" the demon let out a heartfelt laugh. "You used to call me, 'Shin-sama' back then."
"Juvia was naïve back then. She didn't realize earlier that you were a devil. You don't deserve that honorific." She said calmly, turning to him fully.
"Oh?" the devil snorted. "You've changed. Strong willed now, are you? Is that what you learned from your guild, hm?"
The water mage's hands clenched into fists.
"I know what you've gone through, my dear little rain. Ever since you escaped from this town, I've watched you. Your days in Phantom Lord guild, until you join Fairy Tail. Even the missions you've done with your so-called… friends."
Juvia's heart beat fast. She knew what this devil was capable of doing. All of the things he was saying right now… she knew it was the truth. It didn't lessen the fear though. Yes, she was afraid; however she had to be strong until they come. Until he come to save her.
"What do you want? Why do you kidnap blue haired girls? Why is… he here?" she asked, probing information from him. She had to buy time.
"Curious? No worries, I'll tell you." He walked towards her. "You play an important part in this after all."
"What should we do? How do we find her?" Lucy asked, a little worried.
"I have an idea." Gray replied, closed his eyes and concentrated on his magic. The dark markings on his body appeared, hair rising as the markings reached his face. Seeing this, Erza realized what he was doing.
"I see. Gray is planning to find the devil's aura using his to find a place with the same signature as him. In this place, we only have two devil aura."
"You mean… Gray-san and the devil's?" Wendy asked.
Erza nodded. "Yeah. If Gray can find a devil aura that wasn't his then it must mean…"
"That it's the enemy's!" Lucy chirped with a smile. "That's a good plan!"
The dark slaying ice mage searched with his mind. He focused searching for the devil's aura. He had to find her. He had to.
Suddenly, his eyes open wide and turned around. "I found it!"
"Really?"
"Where?"
He pointed to a faraway landscape. A big castle was seen in the middle of a forest. "There."
They heard a sharp intake of breath and realized it came from Risa. "What's wrong?" Charle asked.
"That is called the Nero Taphos. It's… the cemetery of the past leaders of the water mages' clans. All of the tombs there belong to thousands of water mages."
"I don't see any problem with that." Natsu said, with a hand on his hip.
"No… it was surrounded by a very powerful spell and a water mage cannot go inside. If ever a water mage managed to, they cannot use their power and the spell will slowly eat at it… until the mage had nothing left… that will cause them to…"
Their eyes widened.
"Then Juvia's in danger!" Lucy cried out.
"Let's go!" Erza barked as they all ran towards the palace.
As they ran, Gray prayed to all of the Gods out there to let him make it. He had to make it.
"I kidnapped blue haired women for their blood. A part of their soul was also needed to recreate the body of this water mage. Though, you, was enough to do the job. But since you are not here, and I cannot get out of this town, I have to be satisfied with blue haired women in this town."
Juvia knew it. It was her fault that the women in this town had suffered. Just because they had the same hair color as her.
What a cruel fate.
"After recreating the body. I planned to resurrect him." Juvia's eyes widened at this. "But… I cannot use the blue haired women anymore. They are not enough. So I decided on a plan to get you here."
"So that's why you made it rain?"
"I didn't expect you to be a bait though, but I thank you for that."
Juvia's breathing became heavy.
"Why… do you have to resurrect him?"
The devil laughed. "Why? Because I want to kill him!"
Juvia fell on the floor. Her body couldn't take it anymore. What was happening to her?
Through Juvia's hazy eyes, she stared at the devil in front of her. "He killed me to save you. Do you know how much suffering I had in hell after that?!" He held onto her hair tightly causing Juvia to yelp.
"I did my best to escape that hell, my desire for revenge driving me to do it. I swore… I swore to myself that I will resurrect him, to kill him."
He let go of her and stomped on her head.
"It's painful isn't it? Having your magic power eaten away from you?"
"…eaten away…" she managed to choke out. "What… do you… mean?"
"We're at the Nero Taphos."
Juvia's eyes widened. So that's why she cannot use her power and she felt this way! Nero Taphos was the sacred grave of the water mages. In honor of them, water magic was forbidden. A spell surrounded the area and it will eat any water magic inside it, until they die.
If this continues, she will die even before she stopped this devil's plans!
"W-Where… are the girls you kidnapped?" she asked, blood oozing out of her mouth which she ignored.
He smirked. "You're going to die and you still worry about those pests?"
"Where… are they?"
The devil sighed dramatically. "Oh dear Juvia, do not worry yourself about them. They are in good condition. They were hidden in this place though."
"I see…" she lost consciousness in relief.
The devil called Shin, stared at the blue haired water mage. "I take back what I said earlier. You haven't changed. At all."
The devil raised his right hand, as Juvia's body float.
"Well, change or not, you're still going to revive that brat. So I can finally kill him!"
A blue light engulfed Juvia's figure, so bright that it materialized as a blue pillar of light that reached the sky.
Slowly, the body of the man also received the same blue light.
The devil laughed. It was starting.
The Fairy Tail mages saw the pillar of light and Risa stopped running. These didn't go unnoticed by the mages.
"What's wrong Risa? We have to hurry!"
She ran forward, followed by the mages. "You're right! We have to hurry!"
"Do you know the meaning of that light?" Happy asked, as he flew next to Natsu.
"It's a forbidden spell! That devil is planning to revive someone! I don't know who but that the only explanation for that pillar of light was. I think he plans to use Juvia for the resurrection."
"WHAT!"
"If this happens, Juvia will die!"
Erza bit her lip and thought of a plan. "Happy, Charle, take Natsu and Gray ahead. We have to stop this spell before it even happens!"
"Aye!"
"I understand!"
Thus, the two male mages went straight to the castle through the air.
"Happy, Charle, please hurry!" Gray said, heart beat plummeting against his chest. He didn't like the feeling.
"I know!" the white exceed told Gray, because she was the one holding him.
Natsu destroyed the ceiling and they landed inside.
The smoke because of the destruction slowly cleared and they stared in horror as Juvia's body was engulfed by the pillar of light.
"No! Juvia!"
"You bastard! What are you planning to do?" Natsu asked as they faced the devil.
"Oh? The rescue squad has arrived."
"Bullshit! Answer me!"
"Well, the resurrection magic of course!" he laughed.
"Stop it right now!"
"No way. Most of Juvia's soul is already in his body. It's almost done anyways, there's nothing you can do!"
"Not if we can help it!" Gray ran towards the light, hands posed to create magic, "Let's go, Natsu!"
"Yeah!"
"Ice make: Geyser!" A huge pillar of ice appeared as the caster manoeuvred it to fly towards the body of the water mage.
"You—" Shin tried to get Gray however Natsu interrupted him. "I'm your opponent!" he punched him with fire blazing fist, and flew at the other side of the room.
Gray landed, with Juvia in his arms. The light disappeared as soon as he caught her.
He stared at her face. She looked pale than usual. He touched her face and his dark blue eyes widened in realization. She wasn't breathing!
"Juvia! Wake up! Please!"
"Gray! Get her outside! I'll take care of him."
"Yeah! I'll leave him to you!"
Without further ado, Gray ran towards the exit. It was only one path so he wouldn't get lost.
He held onto her as tightly as he ran, hoping that she would make it.
On the other hand, Natsu faced the enemy. "You bastard. I will not forgive you for hurting my friend."
"It's over for her."
"Shut up!" he attacked him with his fire dragon's roar and the devil shielded himself with the dark smoke. Natsu kicked him with the fire dragon's edge. The enemy seemed to be affected, though, not much.
Outside, Gray finally appeared and as soon as he settled on the ground, Erza and the others came.
"Gray! How's Juvia?"
"Wendy! Do something!"
Hearing his frantic request, the sky dragon slayer got to work. "Hai!"
"Gray, where's Natsu?"
"He's inside, fighting the devil." He replied. "I planned to defeat him myself, but…"
Erza nodded, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. She'll be fine."
"I hope so."
"This is bad. Her magic is exhausted." Wendy faced them. "I'll try to buy time and channel magic power to her body."
"Isn't that dangerous? Especially she's a water mage, we cannot give her magic power if isn't elemental." Risa said. She had read books about it before.
"I know. But we don't have time." Wendy replied. Risa sighed. "I'll help then. I'm a water mage as well. Not as strong as her though."
The Fairy Tail mages gave a grateful smile. "Thank you."
"It's nothing. I hate her but not enough to kill her."
And I know he will hate me if I didn't do anything to help.
Erza nodded to Gray. "Go and defeat him. You have the power to do it."
The ice mage stood and nodded firmly. "Yeah." He glanced one last time at Juvia before facing Wendy. "Take care of her Wendy."
"Hai, Gray-san, leave it to me."
"I'll go now."
"Yeah, good luck." Erza said.
"Take care!" Lucy seconded.
And the ice mage quickly ran back inside the castle.
Natsu once again attacked him to no avail. Damn devil power. Kinda reminds me of Tartaros. He thought.
"You cannot kill me, dragon slayer." The devil laughed loudly, mocking him.
Natsu was so pissed. "You—"
"Natsu! I'll take care of him!"
"Gray! What about Juvia?"
"Wendy is taking care of her!" he replied. "Go outside and protect them. I'll finish him off."
"Gray…"
"I have the devil's power, remember?"
Natsu sighed and smirked. "I know. Beat him up for Juvia."
"Yeah, I know."
"I'll leave him to you!" Natsu said as he sprinted outside, repeating what he had said earlier.
Gray smirked and faced his enemy. Shin faced him with eyebrows raised, red eyes calculating the ice mage.
"You have the devil's power?"
"Yeah," the dark markings appeared and spread towards his chest, (he stripped again) to his face as his hair rose up. "I'm a devil slayer."
"Oh~"
"Prepare yourself!"
He posed to create ice magic that cannot be melt.
"Ice make: sword!" He ran towards him and attacked. The devil shielded himself with the dark smoke, stopping the attack. Gray smirked and his ice sword absorbed the dark smoke. The devil was surprised.
Gray brought down his sword, leaving the devil a large gash on his chest. The devil slayer jumped away from him.
"You…" he coughed out. "How could you…"
"That's still a small wound compared to the suffering you've brought upon the people in this town. To Juvia!"
"So this is all about her? Who are you? Her boyfriend?"
"Shut up!"
He ran to attack him however, a bright light engulfed them. "W-What the—"
"Th-This is…"
A beating was heard.
A destruction of chains was heard.
A footstep was heard.
The light disappeared as soon as it happened and the devil and mage faced the new figure in between them.
The devil's mouth turned into a sinister smile. "Finally! Finally you're alive!"
His head raised, and Gray saw a pair of dark blue hues.
The man blinked. He looked at his hands and moved his fingers, as if seeing them for the first time.
"W-Where am I? I'm dead, right?"
"No my dear Kyu, you're alive. I revived you, you see?" the devil said, causing Kyu to looked at him. His eyes widened. "You! You're supposed to be dead!"
Shin shook his head with a laugh. "It's been eight years since our last meeting though."
"Eight years?" he asked, confused. "What's that supposed to mean? Why am I here?"
Gray sighed and looked at him. "I don't know what's up between you two but he's telling the truth. He revived you with Juvia's power."
"W-What—"
The man with dark hair called Kyu, held Gray's shoulders, to the surprise of the ice mage. "Where's Juvia! Is she alright?"
"What's with you?"
"Tell me! Is she alright?"
"My friend is taking care of her so will you let me go now?"
Kyu sighed as he let go of Gray.
The devil laughed. The two males faced him. "Fairy Tail mage, you're confused aren't you?"
Her eyes opened slowly.
"Juvia! You're awake!"
"Everyone… where…"
"Please don't move, Juvia-san. You're still weak."
"B-But I have to…go…"
Lucy held her shoulder. "Go where?"
"To Gray-sama."
Erza's eyes softened. She sighed. "I understand. We'll move inside. Natsu, carry Juvia."
"Yeah."
Risa sighed. "Always the stubborn one."
And they all ran inside the castle.
"Do you want to know the relationship of those two?"
Gray glared at him. He wanted to, however, this wasn't the time for that.
"Those two… they were…"
"Gray-sama!"
They turned to the entrance of the room and saw the blue haired girl, being held by Natsu and Lucy.
Juvia's eyes widened in shock. He was alive!
"K-Kyu nii?"
"Juvia!" Kyu ran so fast towards her that they didn't notice it until he was embracing her.
"I'm so glad you're fine! I heard about Shin reviving me using you so I'm worried."
Juvia, though surprised, smiled. Kyu didn't change since then. Revived or not.
"Juvia's fine."
"K-Kyu?"
A teary voice said from behind. The man let go of Juvia and faced her. He blinked but after a few seconds, he smiled. "Long time no see, Risa."
"Kyu…"
A clap was heard and Shin laughed. "What a reunion. I'm touched."
Kyu turned to him. "Shut it. If it wasn't for you, this wouldn't happen!"
"So you have to thank me right?"
"Yeah, by killing you again!"
Kyu let out a big and sharp water slicer as he ran towards the devil. It cut the devil's arms as he jumped on his shoulder and twisted his head without hesitation. Continuing, he materialized a sword out of the dark smoke from earlier, as he turned to Gray. "You! Help me out here, will you? Since you're a devil slayer, we can ensure his death with your help."
Gray didn't like being ordered around but he was right so he nodded and materialized two swords of his own using his devil slaying magic.
"This will be your end." Gray cut his head off as Kyu ran his sword through the devil's body. The devil screamed. Gray mimicked Kyu's actions and ran his sword also through him, making him screamed louder.
"You… pests… I'll never forget this!"
Kyu smirked. "If you managed to get past hell this time."
A magic circle appeared under the devil and Kyu recited a spell…
"Lords of darkness, Lords of night, bring this hex now to flight. Take this devil I see before me now, speed up his karma, bring him down. Take him to hell. Lords of darkness, Lords of night, bring this hex now to flight. So it be!"
A chain appeared from the circle and locked the devil. It dragged the body in the magic circle, as Kyu told Gray to jumped away. They all stared at the devil. "You cannot escape now. You will be forever locked away in hell."
"You… I should've killed you the first time I saw you!"
Kyu smirked. "You cannot kill me. Not anymore."
"Curse you!" Shin screamed and it faded as soon as the magic circle disappear.
"Finally… he's gone." Lucy sighed in relief.
"Yeah." Natsu nodded in agreement.
All of a sudden, Juvia fell and she gripped her chest in pain. "Juvia!" Gray ran towards her and kneeled. "Are you alright?"
"It must be the magic here. We have to get out." Happy said.
Kyu shook his head. "No. I already used the spell surrounding this area. It isn't the reason why Juvia is suffering right now."
"Then why?" Wendy asked.
"Because she still needs her magic. And it's within me."
Juvia's eyes opened as Gray held her. Kyu kneeled next to her. "Juvia… don't worry, I'll return your magic now."
"Kyu nii… wait. Juvia still wants to tell you something."
Kyu sighed and signalled her to continue. Juvia reached for his face, tears gathered in her eyes. "I'm sorry." She said. Kyu's eyes widened in surprise, Risa kneeled next to Kyu and stared at Juvia. "I'm so sorry. If it wasn't for Juvia's naivety, if only she believed you… you wouldn't have died. The clan wouldn't have to suffer, Risa-san wouldn't have to suffer. I'm so sorry."
Gray, who was holding her, held her tight in comfort. He knew she was guilty of something. He didn't know the entire story but for some reason, he could feel it was related to this man. All he could do right then was to comfort her and be there, just like what she'd done for him.
Kyu ruffled her hair affectionately with a smile. "Stupid. It's not your fault. I'll do anything for you. You're like my sister. You know that."
"But…"
"Juvia. Don't. This is not your fault. I would have given you my life for anything, if not in that situation."
Risa lowered her head. He was right. He was always like that. He was prepared to offer his life for the people he loves. And Juvia was one of those people, but she hated her, all because of her jealousy.
"Juvia…" Risa began. "I'm sorry as well. I'm sorry that I blamed you for everything. Kyu's right. It's not your fault."
"Risa-san… but Juvia took him away from you. You're supposed to get married but Juvia…"
"Juvia… it's okay. Kyu loves you. He will protect you. And that's one thing I love about him. I realized that now."
"Risa-san…"
Kyu smiled at her. "Risa…"
The long haired woman smiled and turned to Juvia. "So it's okay. I don't blame you."
"Kyu nii… Risa-san…"
"Now… as for your magic…" Light engulfed Kyu once again, as he placed his hand on Juvia's forehead. "Fairy Tail, please continue to take care of my stubborn and cute little sister." He said with a smirk.
The mages nodded with a smile. Erza replied with a "Juvia's in good hands."
Kyu turned to Gray. "You, what's your name?"
The ice mage stared at him. "Gray Fullbuster."
"Gray, huh?" Using his left hand clenched in fist, he bumped it on Gray's Fairy Tail mark on his chest. "Protect her and make her happy."
The ice mage nodded determinedly. "Yeah. I promise."
He smiled. He turned to his fiancée and reached for her hand. "I'm sorry, Risa, that I have to go again."
The woman shook her head. "No, it's okay. It's enough for me to see you after all this years."
Forehead to forehead with hers, he whispered, "I love you."
Risa's tears streamed down her cheeks despite her smile. "I love you too."
And with that, small balls of lights appeared, as the body of Kyu faded.
"Thank you and take care." Those were his last words.
Risa cried as Juvia went to embraced her. The Fairy Tail mages let them be for now. They needed this to move on.
The mission was finally over.
To be continued to Part III: Epilogue – Sunshine
Note: Nero Taphos – greek words meaning Water grave.