Secrets, part 16
The next day finally dawned, the fated day of the ceremony that just might save Valentine. Everyone was eager to see if it could be done. Yona had spent the night deep in the caverns beneath Serpent Wing, leaving Lucy to wonder where she was that morning. Eventually, the dragon slayer made her presence known. She had much to tell her friend about her sneaky smile, but it would have to wait. After all, today was about Valentine, not Jasper, though Yona did worry for his coming torment. Still, she wondered what exactly they were going to do the spirit she considered a big brother.
"Seriously, though, what happens when we open the book?", she asked. Lucy shook her head, tired and worried. She didn't rightly know, herself. "Think Nova knows?", ventured the dragon slayer. "Nova-sama knows everything!", beamed Tepin, hanging upside down nearby. "Nobody asked you, rodent", teased Yona. Tepin didn't seem bothered by the banter. Her mind was fixed on her mistress. Had Nova finally found a way to unseal her magic? And would Zeref crash the party?
Natsu had finally been convinced to behave himself and helped Puck with the final preparations for the night's events. "How do you think he managed that?", asked Charle, watching them work. She had been discussing Natsu's remarkable behavior with her exceed companions. Happy seemed to know the answer, thus Rani stared at him waiting. "Oh, that's easy. He promised Natsu a fight when this is over", replied Happy, oblivious to the implications. Ronen sighed deeply. "Just like Yona...", he trailed. Rani chuckled at the sentiment. Both teens were hopeless. They sought trouble and reveled in it when found. Neither of the twins had particularly fretted over their missing companion during the night. It was common for Yona to sleep in places other than her room, especially since Jasper showed up.
To everyone's surprise, Blythe was checking in on everything and he wasn't alone. Kavi kept a firm hand on his shoulder, being led until his magic recovered. Still, it was a great relief to finally see him out of his room again. Rani smiled to herself at the sight of them. "Of course Kavi was too shy to hold his hand", she thought. "Kavi-san!", beamed Wendy, "How are you feeling today?". It didn't take long for the others to take note. He grinned politely. "Much better, thank you", he said. Blythe smiled brightly, pleased to be helping Kavi move about. "I wondered when you'd come out", teased Yona. Making it worse, she grinned evilly and playfully added, "I wasn't about to peek in on you two. God knows I don't wanna see that." She laughed as the boys blushed. Getting used to her antics, Lucy simply sighed and shook her head.
Puck approached his son with hope in his eye. "Glad to see you moving about", he grinned. "It's nice to be up", replied Kavi. Puck could see it in his son's face that the loss of his vision still weighed heavily on his mind. He was just putting on a brave face for everyone else. Glancing around, Puck asked to be excused, hinting for the others to leave them. Once it was just himself, Kavi, and Blythe, his tone became more serious. "Are you well enough to be walking so far?", he asked with concern. "I'm all right. Blythe won't let me fall", replied Kavi, a faint grin on his lips. Puck sent the blood mage a questioning look. He trusted him to keep Kavi safe, but he wanted a real status report on his son. Blythe nodded with a shy smile, letting him know Kavi was okay or at least going to be. Now it was Kavi's turn to lower his tone. "The eclipse is tonight, isn't it?", he asked. With a deep breath, Puck affirmed it. "Yes, but don't worry yourself. Jasper won't be alone."
Kavi nodded, figuring that meant Veda. "Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?", inquired Blythe. "I already told you I'll be fine", assured the dragon slayer. "We'll get him back to you as soon as we can", said Puck with a soft smile. "Why do you even need me? I don't know anything about spirits", said Blythe, still confused. Puck maintained a level expression, but something in his eye seemed foreboding. "Valentine can only be summoned with blood. If something goes wrong, Lucy may need you", he stated calmly. "It's all right, Blythe", assured Kavi. After some idle conversation, the boys headed back to Kavi's room. He was getting stronger, but he still had a long way to go and needed his rest. Blythe promised himself they'd spend the day together. He really didn't want his lover to be alone.
Hours passed and day eventually faded to twilight. In the main guild hall, Wink knew something was up. Everyone seemed to be on edge without explanation. Hushed conversations kept him interested. Maybe he could still learn something interesting from the guild before leaving. He did like to have the advantage, after all.
Deep in the sanctum, Nova sat in complete stillness, meditating, gathering her strength. The air around her crackled with concentrated ether particles. Tepin loyally sat by her side despite the discomfort. She'd reverted to her opossum form and her fur stood on end, but she refused to move. Lucy watched from the distance, praying for success. Beneath the ceiling crevice, Yona stood by the altar Puck had placed. Valentine's book sat squarely at its center. She gently fingered the edges of the tome, deep in thought. The twins eyed her with concern. It was rare to see her so deep in her own mind.
The other members of Fairy Tail stood nearby, waiting for things to begin. Finally, Nova opened her eyes and quietly got to her feet. Blythe waited near the altar, hoping his magic wouldn't be needed. Still, no one was sure what was going to happen, but it was clear that both Nova and Puck shared some dark concern. Pulling his thoughts from his sons, Puck asked Nova if she was ready. Nodding, she said, "Yes. The eclipse is upon us." Glancing up, the fairies could see the approaching moon. "It won't be long now", sighed Yona, her own mind torn. Everyone, especially Natsu, watched Nova carefully as she took her place in the moonlight. She held her hand out for Lucy to join her. Yona stepped aside, making room. "Ready, princess?", she grinned. Lucy nodded, a determined look on her face.
A warm breeze began to swirl amongst the cavern as Nova concentrated once more. Mixed emotions stared on as she nearly hovered over the sand. Her magic had been stifled for centuries and was ready to explode. She needed to focus to control it. Still, it nearly tore her asunder as she began to chant. Strange languages rang out from her lips. The area grew dark, then small points of light began to form patterns around her. The seal of Tartarus was burning intensely. It could actually be seen glowing from beneath her clothing. Ignoring the pain, she pressed on. The patterns took shape. They were no random gathering, they were constellations. One by one, an odd light took them over, creating portals. Everyone watched breathlessly. Lucy couldn't bring herself to even blink. She was finally about to see the other zodiacs and she wouldn't miss a second of it.
Shadows came through the miniature constellations, becoming solid as they set feet upon the sand. Gray grinned, easily recognizing Loke. The others would be new faces. Still, Loke wasn't wearing his usual attire. His garments were archaic in style. As the others came through their portals, Nova struggled to keep them open. The guild mark on her chest was now white hot and burning through her clothes. Her chanting ceased, giving way to a retched scream as the long sleeve and glove on her right arm burned into nothing. He ashen limb was bare, for all to see, as she hit the ground. The portals sizzled as they erased from existence. As the light dissipated, five figures stood in a circle around their fallen queen. Lucy watched with wonder as they came into focus.
As older man with a spotted pelt tied over his shoulder lent Nova a hand. "On your feet, Nova-sama. You shouldn't stand lower than us", he grinned, a faint twinkle in his eye. Struggling to her balance, she uttered, "Thank you, Pop." A woman with jet black hair seemed to be debating on what to say. "This is your form now?", she finally asked. "Watch your manners, Bran", said Loke, glaring mildly. She snubbed his chiding remark. Looking her over, her clothing seemed similar to Puck's garb. Wondering if there was some connection, Lucy stepped closer. All turned to see who dared approach their fallen queen so brazenly. Another woman stepped forward. Like her mistress, she had heterochromia, and like Domino, she had mixed hair. White hair and a red eye on side clashed with the light brown hair and a nearly black colored iris on the other. "It's all right, Shŭ. She's a friend...In fact, she's why I've called you all here tonight", said Nova, leaning heavily on both Loke and Pop. A man with dark skin and hair glanced skyward. Rounded bear ears and fangs marked his features. "Calling us to meet under the blood moon...How auspicious", he ventured. "Gee, I really missed your colorful personality, Hania", taunted Bran, her attitude brimming.
"Enough", said Nova firmly. The spirits all withdrew their banter. "It's been centuries since you've been together and I won't have you acting like children", she chided. "Why have you gathered us after all this time, Laniakea?", ventured Hania, the bear warrior. Silence fell over those present. That name seemed to have some deeper meaning. Just who was Nova anyway? The girl with mixed hair bowed low. Her garments were clearly foreign. "Forgive us, empress", she said calmly. "You know of the experiments done some 400 years ago?", began Nova. The spirits nodded. "One succeeded", stated Nova grimly. Gasps and a few looks of rage filled the circle. "I've called you to undo the agony put upon a mortal soul. You served me well in the past. Will you serve me now?" She waited for a response. Glances went back and forth. Eventually, the spirits all nodded, one by one. Before she could go on, a violent cough caused blood to spurt from Nova's lips. Loke quickly took her weight from his old friend and lowered her carefully to the floor. "You overdid it again", he chided. A soft smile made the fallen seem serene. Her exposed false arm emitted a faint glow of heat, lava now replacing her blood.
Stepping closer, the old jaguar, Pop, leaned upon his staff. "Why haven't you reclaimed your true form?", he asked, nearly pleading. "You know I cannot", replied Nova. Tepin had seen enough. Resuming her human shape, she ran to her lady's side. "Nova-sama!" Bran eyed her suspiciously. "You're no spirit", she sneered. "Leave her be. She's precious to me", said Nova, weakly taking the girl's hand. "I need you all to listen. There isn't much time...Follow Leo's lead. He knows what to do. Don't focus on me. Help Lucy..." Hania turned toward the girls standing nearby. "Which of you is Lucy?", he asked stoically. Yona nudged her friend forward. Glancing back to Nova, the bear asked, "Is this your true wish?". The demon nodded, the intense pain taking her voice.
Loke placed a hand on Tepin's arm. "Let her rest. You know what to do", he said. Tepin fought her tears, but nodded. "Nova-sama, just relax. I'll take care of everything, okay?" Squeezing Nova's hand on more time, she hurried to her post before she could change her mind. The spirits stared toward Loke. "Our orders?", inquired Shŭ, obediently. Getting to his feet, Loke quickly explained the situation. AS he finished summing thing up, Yona said, "We're out of time."
All looked to the sky. "The umbra has been breached", observed Hania. "To your places", directed Puck. Bran lingered a moment, seeming to recognize him. Quiet fell over the sanctum. The fairies stood nearby, willing to help. Yona and Lucy each set a hand on Valentine's book. "Begin", said Puck. Lucy took a deep breath and began speaking softly. Her words gradually grew louder. When the moon was dyed blood red, her chant ended. In sync, she lifted the tome's cover with Yona. Blythe stood by Natsu and watched with wonder and worry.
Amazingly, the binding that once refused to move, now obeyed easily. The book's cover peeled back with tendrils of what looked like half rotten blood still clinging to the pages. The scent of death instantly filled the air. Yona and Natsu were hit hardest, both covering their noses and gagging for fresh air. "Dear god, Valentine...What are we getting into?", coughed Yona. Lucy stared in horror. The symbols that filled the page in front of her seemed to move as if crawling about, trying to scratch their way out of the tome. "Lucy, the key!", called Puck. Snapping out of it, she grabbed the bone key and used it on the book like summoning Aquarius to water. The spirits formed a wide circle around her. "Get ready", order Loke. Lucy ran her fingers over the sharp edges of the key. As her blood dripped down it onto the book, the tome itself seemed alive. Coagulated blood sloshed from the pages making an awful sound and smell. Something was happening.
Natsu stepped forward and ran straight into one of Puck's barriers. "What the hell?! Lucy, are you all right?!", he yelled, banging his fist against it. Lucy nodded nervously as she stepped back from the podium. Something was trying to come through the pages. "Why can't we get through?", demanded Gray. Blythe didn't really have answer. "Puck probably set it to separate the area once the eclipse started", he guessed. "Then how are you supposed to help if they need you?!", yelled Natsu, frustrated. Wendy looked on with worry. How would he?
Back at the podium, the five spirits released their own energy, creating a field around the tome. Yona watched with terrified fascination. She'd seen Valentine summoned many times, but never like this. A bloodied hand sprang from the pages. "It's him!", she yelled, running forward. She grabbed the hand and pulled hard. "Come on, princess! He weighs a ton!", she shouted. Jumping in to help, Lucy pulled with all her might. Puck focused hard to keep the barriers stable. "Something's wrong", he thought, "The barrier shouldn't be shaking this violently." Even the fairies could sense something ominous. "That's not him", uttered Natsu, near breathless.
The girls pulled hard and something finally came out of the book. It struggled to take shape and finally settled on something human, but it wasn't Valentine. "Who the hell are you?!", demanded Yona, "Where's Valentine?!". The being seemed to laugh, a rich, dark laughter as he looked over his new body. "After all this time, it's finally happened", it crowed. "The hell is that?!", yelled Bran. Breaking the circle, Loke grabbed the girls by their waists and jumped backward, dragging them to safety. Pop stood to his full height, ready to take on this newcomer. As the blood trickled away, it became clear to all that whatever had sprang from those pages was NOT Valentine. A middle aged man laughed manically as he looked into his hands. "I planned on coming back younger than this, but it's a start. Now then, who do I have to thank?" He looked around, taking in his surroundings. First his eyes settled over Loke and the girls. He peered hard at Yona. "Chesed? No...A relative? How amusing! That girl had no idea of my true intentions!", he laughed. Yona stiffened visibly as she kicked herself loose. "You! How are you here?!" Lucy looked between them. "Lucy, I know it is...It has to be...", said Yona, gritting her teeth. "Xenophon", she spat. "In the flesh thanks to you, girl", grinned the mad man.
Lucy began shaking. "What have we done?", she uttered in shock. Loke tried to pull her focus back, but it was no use. She was distraught beyond reason. She had planned to save Valentine this night and instead she'd raised the hated man that created him, Xenophon. Nearby, Natsu pounded the barrier. "Let us in, damn it!", he yelled. "I can't risk this thing getting loose!", shouted Puck, trying hard to keep his focus. The man flexed his fingers experimentally. "So, this is what it feels like to be a spirit", he ventured. "Chesed was blind not to see that I was mixing my own tissue in with that boy's samples! I've succeeded!...I've become..immortal!", he cackled. Yona ran toward him with fury. Shŭ stepped between them with her arm raised in defiance. "There's no need for that. With the five guardians here, he'll be no trouble", stated the rat. The young dragon slayer was shaking with rage. "Stay out of my way. This is personal", she argued. "Stand down, girl. We'll handle it", assured Pop, proudly.
As the spirits closed in on him, Loke had no choice, but to leave Lucy alone. A concentrated attack left dust swirling in the air. It was too fast to follow with the naked eye. Natsu had enough and was bent on smashing his way through Puck's spells. A blood curdling scream rang out from the fury of movement inside. When the air cleared, Xenophon was gone and the five celestial guardians stood covered in blood. Yona had begrudgingly backed down and was helping Lucy up when the dust settled. "What'd you guys do?", she asked, awed at their combined power. Bran smirked and wiped the blood from her lips. "There's only one way to deal with something like that man", she smiled, clearly showing blood on her teeth as well. Lucy shuddered. Had they really...eaten him? Even Loke?
Nova struggled to sit up and smiled lovingly upon her servants. "He's been destroyed?", she ventured. The spirits all nodded or bowed in acknowledgment. A moment later, the red stains across their bodies vanished as the last of the resurrected Xenophon dissipated into ethernano. Lucy covered her mouth, ready to vomit. Had the others seen it, too? Glancing toward the fairies outside the barrier, shocked faces awaited her. Wendy clinged to Blythe, her faced buried in his shirt. Blythe himself stared in horror. A grim expression was worn by both Natsu and Gray. What had they just witnessed?
"Breaking the silence, Nova looked to the altar where the book remained. "Try again, Lucy. You can do it this time", she said. Seeing the look of disgust on the spirit mage's face, she offered a kind, sympathetic grin. "Do not judge them, Lucy. They were chosen to be leaders of their respective clans for a reason and that title holds responsibility...If I were myself, I would have done it...The only way to kill a spirit is to have another consume it...Try to understand..." Loke sent a pleading gaze to his friend, but she shied her face away. She couldn't face him yet. It was just too much. With a little encouragement from Yona, Lucy went back to the altar. Grasping Valentine's key, she squeezed hard, sinking her flesh into the razor sharp edges. This time, her blood flowed the edges of the tome and down onto the ground. It grew into a large puddle with a shadow deep inside it. Yona grinned faintly to herself. "This time for sure", she said.
Sure enough, Lucy's spilled blood grew and morphed into human form, nearly six feet tall. When it fell away, the pale spirit in white and gold stared back with his silver eyes. It was him this time, but something was off. Leaving Lucy to lean onto the altar, Yona cautiously walked toward him. "Valentine?", she ventured. He forced a smile, but he was clearly in pain. He held his abdomen tightly. Grabbing his arm, Yona helped him lean onto her, taking some of his weight. "What's wrong?", she demanded. "I don't know..I feel weak somehow...My chest hurts, I feel sick to my stomach...What did I just miss? Something's not right here", he replied. "I'll fill you in later. Right now, we're running out of time. Come on", said Yona.
She helped him toward the other spirits. Loke offered a kind smile. "Valentine, are you ready?", he asked. The other guardians looked over him with interest. "You used to be human?", asked Hania calmly. "Do we have to give him back to the humans? He's kind of cute", smirked Bran. "We have a task given to us by our queen", said Pop stoically. Valentine's eyes settled over the weakened Nova. "Thank you", he said, genuinely. She smiled politely, too weak to get up. Shŭ stepped close. "Are you ready? This may not be a pleasant experience", said the rat. Valentine smiled half-heartedly. If only they knew what he'd been through to get here...
"Do it", said Yona, letting him carry his full weight. She stepped back and nodded encouragingly. He glanced back toward Lucy. She grinned at him with tears in her eyes, praying for it not to hurt him. He'd already been through so much pain. Loke led the five spirits to surround him. A warm light filled the area. Lucy took her place beside Yona and they watched with anticipation. Honestly, they had no idea what would happen next. His pain seemed to fade as a tender smile crossed his lips. A whirlwind of celestial power enveloped him. When it ceased, the five guardians faded back to their respective realms. Puck's barrier dropped and everyone moved closer. Yona looked curiously over her brotherly friend. He seemed at peace, just relaxing with his eyes closed.
"Did it work?", she asked, getting closer. Poking him experimentally, she said, "Are you squishy again?". Slowly, he lowered his face from the sky and smiled softly upon her. She didn't like what she just realized. She didn't actually touch him. When she poked his side, she felt something warm, but not alive. Soft lights floated around him almost tenderly. "You don't have to worry about me anymore, Yona. I'm going home now", he said, tears of joy streaming his face. "What? But I thought - !", started Lucy, but the serenity in his eyes negated any arguments she may have had.
Everyone stared as various wounds and scars appeared and disappeared over his body. "What happening?", ventured Wendy, Charle clutched to her chest. Puck helped Nova to her feet and approached Valentine. "It's all right. He's in no pain. It's just time catching up with him", explained the demon. "You mean...he's going to die?", asked Lucy. Stroking a tear from her cheek, Valentine smiled whole-heartedly. "Don't be sad...I died a long time ago. You haven't killed me, Lucy; You set me free." He grinned softly to himself as she launched herself into a hug. "I'm so sorry! We were trying to save you", she wept. When she finally let go and looked up, an aged face awaited her. "Four hundred years is long enough to wait...Don't you think?", he said in a kind tone.
An unexpected sound caught everyone's attention. "Laughter?", ventured Natsu, confused. Yona smiled serenely toward the moon as it passed from the earth's shadow. "It's Kaur", she stated, tears forming. Blythe stepped beside her an set a comforting hand on her shoulder. Valentine glanced around as his vision began to fail. "I hear you, Kaur...Sorry I made you wait so long..." Turning toward Yona, he smiled one last time. "She's be proud to see who you've become." Yona's calm exterior finally broke. Blythe gave her a shoulder to cry on as Valentine burst into hundreds of tiny light orbs. Lucy, too, burst into tears. Natsu puled her close, unable to say anything.
Juvia and the others watched with wonder, reminded of the souls they'd seen when they first met Yona. An overwhelming sense of peace permeated the air as the lights drifted up toward the heavens. "I knew you could", said Nova, blood running from her lips. Puck looked over her with a grim expression. He knew she had made her choice, but what was he to tell Tepin? He tried to sneak her away from the others in silence, but Natsu had a nagging feeling this was his last chance to learn the truth. So, he begrudgingly left his friends behind to follow them. Lucy would be all right without him for a few minutes.
Away from the main group, Puck carefully set Nova down to lean upon some stone. Her hand had been covering her old guild mark and now she pulled it aside. The mark was no longer there. Instead, its shape had burned straight through her flesh into her lungs. She was dying. "You will look after Tepin, won't you?", she asked weakly. Puck nodded. "Of course. I gave you my word, didn't I?" Nova smiled lightly, glad to be free from accursed existence. "What about Zeref?", asked the elf. "The gods will keep him check...My curse only sealed what they began." He sat beside her, ready to hear her last testament. "And Natsu?", he inquired. "It's better this way...", she trailed.
Stepping into the light, Natsu stared them down. "What is?", he asked. He was clearly shaken by all of this even if he couldn't explain why. Nova smiled lovingly toward him. "You should be with your friends", she chided. "And you should have told us helping would kill you", he retorted, slowly striding closer. "Don't tell Lucy..She's troubled enough...I simply left in the night..", said Nova, wheezing heavily. Natsu stared at her exposed ashen limb. It did smell strongly of Igneel. Was Puck right before? Was that all there was to it? Reading the situation, Puck stood with a sigh. "I'll be nearby", he said, stepping into the shadows. They needed to be alone.
"Come closer", said Nova, reaching toward him. "Who are you?", he inquired, taking another step. He looked at her with mixed emotions. Her weak arm fell to her side without her hand being grasped. "I knew your father, isn't that good enough?", she asked, the color draining from her face. Natsu stared firmly at the ground, a dark shadow over his face. "Gray was right wasn't he?...He was just being an ass back then, but...He really was right...", he trailed. Tears rolled down Nova's face, unable to answer him. "Don't be silly...Demons don't birth humans...Human create demons", she said softly. Natsu swallowed hard, internally struggling to find the truth in her words. "I'm sorry...I couldn't..tell you more...", said Nova, her eyes dimming. Natsu finally took her hand. For some strange reason, he felt like he was home as he held her frail fingers. Her arm disintegrated into is ashen components before his eyes. He'd grasped other hand. Being rapt in the emotions, he never noticed their skin beginning to fuse.
"You've grown well...Igneel would be proud...Keep...getting stronger, okay?...And be happy...", she said, her voice barely audible. He nodded, clenching his eyes tightly shut. "I will." He managed to catch the last glimpse of her sorrowful smile as her body began to evaporate. He held her hand tightly until it was gone, still unaware of the previous fusing. When she was gone, Puck returned, placing his hands softly on the dragon slayer's shoulders. "Let's respect her wishes and keep this between us", he said solemnly. Natsu nodded, unable to speak. Puck stayed with him for several minutes. When it became clear he needed some space, the elf retreated.
Natsu was so torn inside. What was that home like feeling? Who was Nova really and why wouldn't she tell him? And what's more, why did his hand feel so strange. It dawned on him that something was hidden in his palm. Turning his hand opening his fingers, he stared in wonder at the object slowly sinking into his flesh. A dragon's scale? It couldn't be!...Could it? It was black as the night and seemed to melt into his skin. He had no idea they were once one in the same. They were many things he couldn't explain about Nova and a lot of them would likely haunt him for a long time, but in a way, he glad to have a piece of her. "The last dragon...", he uttered to himself. "Rest well."
To be continued...