Secrets, part 13
Jasper was still concerned for his brother. Was Kavi truly blind now? Knocking on the door, he overheard Blythe pleading his case for something. Entering slowly, he seemed to be interrupting an argument. "But, Kavi-kun, please think it over! It'll be easy if you just let me help!", begged the blood mage. Kavi's dead eyes stared angrily into the distance. He firmly shook his head. "But - !" Before Blythe could go on, Kavi raised his hand for silence. They weren't alone. Jasper cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. Blythe turned to face him, his face red from crying once again.
"Is everything all right?", ventured the incubus. Blythe shied his gaze with a plaintive sigh. Jasper made his way to the far side of the bed before taking a seat. "How are you feeling?", he asked quietly. Kavi shook one hand in the 'so-so' fashion. "Forgive me for interrupting...", trailed Jasper. He was clearly interested in what the fuss was about, but too polite to ask. "It's all right...Kavi won't agree in a hundred years, anyway", said Blythe sadly. "Agree to what?", inquired Jasper carefully. Blythe took a steely look in his eyes. "Tepin, the girl that -...helped before...She can give one of my eyes to Kavi-kun so he could see, but he let me do it", explained the blood mage, carefully avoiding the details of her earlier help.
Now that his brother was present, Kavi could communicate more complex thoughts. They both knew sign language, which was useful with Koko, but Blythe had not yet learned it. Kavi signaled several things with his hands as Jasper paid close attention. "I see", he sighed. Blythe stared at him with huge eyes wanting to know Kavi had said. "It's okay, Blythe. He knows about the transfusion", explained the incubus. Another complex series of finger motions. "Something about a dream with your blood", translated Jasper. Blythe blushed abashed. "I know you're mad...I'm sorry, but I couldn't lose you!", stated Blythe, filled with emotion. Kavi grinned softly and took his hand tightly. With his free hand, he signaled his brother once more. Jasper smiled, too, at the message. "He says he understands, but please don't do anything like that again." Blythe set his other hand over Kavi's and squeezed hard. He'd been forgiven.
Another knock at the door broke up the sentiment. Puck entered. He nodded toward Jasper, glad to see him visiting. "You're looking better today, Son", said the elf, looking over the dragon slayer. Kavi blushed faintly. Though he didn't call Puck his father, the feeling was known well enough. The small music note on Kavi's forehead had begun to darken, a good sign of his magic returning. With a relieved smile, Puck unsealed his spell. Kavi instantly felt the difference. Garbled static filled the air. "Take it easy now. You still need to recover", said Puck. Kavi sighed and nodded. "You'll need to restore your mana", added Jasper. Blythe lit up. That was easily understood. That just meant Kavi needed sound to eat.
Blythe began to sing a song he'd learned from gypsies back home. "Music grows in the rose, rock, and rain, and the blowing sandstorm. Everything seems to sing, everywhere I go..." The next verses disappeared from the air as Kavi inhaled deeply. The final line, "Let me be your song", was the only audible bit left. Puck grinned faintly to himself. It was an old song and one he very much loved. Everyone stared at their patient, waiting for his first words. "Thank you", creaked into their ears in broken tones. Blythe beamed, happy to help. After all, his voice was delicious according to Kavi and everyone else agreed he sang like an angel. "Save your magic", chided Jasper. Kavi nodded with a small smile. He'd been silent for going on two weeks now and was glad to have his voice back, weak as it may be.
Once more, Kavi signaled with his fingers. Both Jasper and Puck nodded. "I understand", said Puck. Turning his focus, he placed a hand on Blythe's shoulder. "Come with me. We have things to discuss", he said softly. "Go ahead. I'll wait with Kavi", assured Jasper. Kavi sent Blythe a gentle grin, telling him it was okay to go. Once he and Puck left, the brothers were alone. "He refused to leave your side the entire time you were sick, you know", uttered Jasper. Kavi nodded. He'd guessed as much. "I'm very lucky", he signaled, blushing lightly. Jasper grinned wide. "You really are", he agreed.
Elsewhere, Blythe and Puck held their conversation. "Is this about Wink?", asked the blood mage. Puck offered him a kind smile. "No, I have other things to tell you", he said. Blythe's senses had been sharpened over a lifetime of bounty hunting. He knew they weren't alone. Slowly, Nova stepped forward. She smiled softly upon him. "I'm glad your current incarnation is so gentle", she stated in a kind tone. Blythe was a little confused at first, but he put it together quick enough. "Wink called me the 'Blood Baron'...You know more, don't you?", he ventured. Nova nodded as Puck sent her an encouraging look. "We can tell you more, but you must not hate who you once were", she said. Blythe glanced at Puck, afraid of the answer.
"Blythe, your magic hasn't been awakened long, has it? Still, you're doing well to learn it", began Nova. "Lives have been saved because of your quick mastery", said Puck. "However, you have much more potential than you know", added Nova. Blythe looked between them, wondering what this was all about. "When you've fully realized and mastered your skills, you will be a truly powerful mage. One day, you not only control blood, but mold flesh itself", said the demon. Blythe thought it over briefly, then smiled brightly. "Does that mean I can fix Kavi's eyes?!", he asked excitedly. "Maybe one day", replied Puck, grinning at his enthusiasm. Blythe deflated some, knowing that meant it would be a long while before he could even try. "I know you have questions. I can answer a few, but don't probe too deeply just yet", warned Nova.
"Why the title?", inquired Blythe. Nova cast her eyes downward with a deep sigh. "Your first incarnation earned that name. A few more followed the same path. Others, like yourself, were not so callous", she said. Blythe's gaze narrowed at her last word. "The original mage crafted your magic for good. Like so many before and after, he was corrupted by the power he wielded. In time, he turned villainous, striking fear into the hearts of everyone he encountered...Still, you are not that same person. You can use the power you've given for its original intended purpose - saving and improving lives." It was a lot to take in. Blythe now understood her previous statement. He accepted it all well enough. "I know I can't be held responsible for the actions I didn't commit...It's still heavy, though...", he said, placing a hand over his heart. "You have a good soul, Blythe. We're telling you this to help you move forward, not hold you back", offered Puck. Blythe nodded. "I understand."
After a few more questions were answered, he returned to Kavi. Nova was impressed with his capacity to handle the information. Still, the darkest part was kept secret for now. Blythe had no reason to burden himself with ties to Zeref. "Are you sure that was the right thing to do?", asked Nova, staring after him. Puck took a deep breath, a sure sign of his thoughts. "He'll learn the rest eventually...To be honest, I didn't even want to tell him this much just yet, but his cousin's interference left little choice", sighed the elf. Knowledge of the past was a wonderful thing, but sometimes, it was also a heavy burden.
Out in town, someone stared at the guild with hate in his heart. Judd was finally rid of Wink, but he still had a job to do. Nova would not slip by this time. Besides that, the guild had rebuilt and that was shameful to the Order, something he would have to remedy. He knew well that some of the fairies were visiting. It was a thorn in his side. He would be glad to slay them, as well, but then he would have the wrath of Fairy Tail to deal with in a swift manner. He didn't really have time for that right now. His primary target, the demon, Nova Necahual, was here. His honor was riding on this mission. Finishing off Serpent Wing in the wake of Tanya's failure as just for fun. He glanced over his shoulder toward an approaching presence.
"If it isn't the hand of god", he smirked. Aerona scowled at him from she stood. She really couldn't stand the man, but she had orders of her own to carry out. "Don't be jealous of my title. It's not my fault you never earned it", she scoffed. Judd turned to glare at her. "You spunky harlot", he sneered. Avoiding his eyes, she stared toward the guild, too. "I saw you kicked Wink around again", she said absently. "Don't think I won't do the same to you if you get in my way", he stated coldly. "You may be older and more experienced, but I'm faster and crazier than you. Remember?", she taunted. Shirking his anger, he watched for his current target. "I know you're plum crazy. I ain't looking for a fight. Just stay out of my way", he said.
Eventually, Yona emerged from the building with some of her visiting friends. "What's Fairy Tail doing here?", asked Aerona, her interest piqued. "I reckon they're friends or some other kinda nonsense along that line", replied Judd. "Any sign of the demon?", she inquired. "She's hiding somewhere close. I figure I'll draw her out and have a little fun at the same time", grinned Judd, spitting his tobacco at his ally's feet. Aerona curled his lip in disgust. She really hated Judd and his filthy habits. "Cleaning up after the recruit?", she asked. Judd smirked. "Her failure is my duck shoot." Aerona rolled her eyes. "You mean snake shoot?", she corrected. "Doesn't matter. There's blood to be spilt and I aim to be the one to spill it. Damn mages are like an infestation these days", he replied.
They watched as team three exited and headed the opposite direction from Yona. "There, the one with the eye patch. I've got him marked, so don't touch. You can kill his friends if you want", stated Judd, pointing at Van. "Why that one in particular?", asked Aerona. "He reminds me of someone I used to know...Someone I hated...and gutted like a pig...Besides, I've been watching him. I know his habits. When he runs the next poker game, he's mine. All I gotta do is catch him cheating and I'll have a reason to shoot", he explained. "Since when have you ever needed a reason?", she teased. Judd grinned at her words. "Figure of speech, girl", he said. "Whatever...How often does he play?", she asked, killing time. "Often. I plan to catch him tonight at the bar there. Fool has no clue he's on borrowed time", said Judd, gripping his pistol anxiously. Aerona looked him over. He wasn't one to play with prey like this. "Must remind you of someone special, all right", she sighed. Judd's eyes burned into the back of Van's head as his team walked the street. He even glanced around nervously once or twice. "You're mine, Patch", grinned Judd.
A few streets over, Yona, Wendy, and Charle were looking for traces of Noctis. Yona sniffed the air here and there, searching for the scent of strangers, but the streets were busy and it was difficult to pick out one scent among the hundreds. "Blue uniforms with red symbols", said Charle, concentrating on her thoughts. She hoped to pick up something in her visions, but all she was getting was the same image of Wink again and again. "My nose is good, but I can't smell colors. Got anything else?", said Yona. Giving up, Charle shook her head. "What did you see?", inquired Wendy. "That man with the blue hair...He was at some kind of fountain...," trailed the exceed. "Why didn't you say so?", beamed Yona. All eyes turned toward her. "There's a big ass fountain at the edge of town!", she stated triumphantly. Wendy smiled nervously, hoping that was just a figure of speech. Still, she wouldn't put anything passed Yona.
Back at the sanctum, Lucy poured over the books in Puck's private library. The eclipse was tomorrow and she was running out of time. Nova promised to help, but still, what could they really hope to do for Valentine? Even if they unsealed his book, and someone could read the language inside, was it even possibly to give the poor spirit his humanity back? What he do if they did? She sighed heavily, her mind overrun with questions. Jasper helped as much as he could. He could read many of the languages within these strange tomes, but there was only so much he could do. He'd asked Lucy about the eclipse and genuinely wanted to help her. Still, translating the books was about all he could do for now.
Elsewhere in sanctum, Gray, Natsu, and Happy were working with Puck to prepare for the ceremony. Puck instructed them carefully. The site had to be where the moonlight would fall from the crevice above or it wouldn't work. Gray and Happy were busy, so the elf took the opportunity to pull the young dragon slayer aside. "What's up?", asked Natsu cheerfully. "I know of your meeting with Nova", stated Puck. Natsu's smile faded. "How's that your business? Besides, it's not like she really told me much", said Natsu. Puck took a deep breath. "I know you're curious, but I'm asking you not to bother her...At least until the eclipse passes...", said Puck. Natsu looked him over. Where did he get off telling him what to do? Shying his gaze, Natsu sighed. "I know her from somewhere, don't I?", he asked. Puck maintained his silence. Annoyed, Natsu glanced up. "I don't know what the big secret is...and maybe I'll never find out...But I know her scent and it's bugging me, okay?"
The elf's expression softened. "I understand your frustration...Her scent?...I see...You smell Igneel on her", said Puck. That caught Natsu's attention. It almost made sense. "How is that possible?", he asked. "You've seen how she keeps one arm covered", began Puck. Natsu nodded. "That arm is not of her flesh. It was lost and replaced...By your father. He used his magic to make her a new limb...I've already said too much...So please...Let that be enough for now." Natsu thought it over. She did smell like Igneel. Maybe that was it. A simple answer for a question his curiosity had blown out of proportion. "...Does that mean her arm's made of fire?", asked Natsu, wondering what it tasted like. "No", said Puck, shaking his head with smile, "It's more like ash...Still, I hope you'll give her some breathing room now." Giving in, Natsu sighed, "All right. I won't bug her." Puck smiled genuinely upon him. "Thank you."
From a few yards away, Gray hollered, "Are you helping or slacking off, flame brain?!". "I'm doing my part!", snapped Natsu, instantly defensive. Puck hid a grin as he watched the boys line the stones as he'd told them. It was good to see friends being themselves despite the situation. It almost reminded him of someone he knew a long time ago back in Avalon, before things turned sour. Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he concentrated on placing runes and barriers. He hoped the ceremony would go well. Nova was taking a risk offering to help, but without her, Lucy stood little chance of success. Still, there was always a chance of things going wrong. With Nova's celestial spirit powers sealed, what would happen if the balance shifted? Nova has warned Lucy about creating a monster. For the girl's sake and the sake of the spirit she was trying to help, Puck prayed that fate was on their side. It wouldn't be, but a day until the eclipse. "May Oberon have mercy on us all", he thought.
To be continued...