Another chapter down! More to go! A little warning as this is rated M, and will have subtle, dark themes. Nothing crazy, but enough to warrant the rating.
All rights go to Hiro Mashima, the creator and lord of Fairytail.
A groan escaped chapped lips, with another following as the body tried shifting aching limbs to find a more comfortable position. It halted its movements as it almost became too strenuous to move, a cold to the limbs that restricted the small stretches. With bleary eyes, and a grumble about her poor choices of hotels, she opened her eyes to quickly freeze in alarm.
Cold, heavy chains enclosed around her legs, and her eyes quickly darted up to see her wrists sharing the same fate. In a weak attempt, she tried lifting her arm causing a small rattle from the chain, a shaky strain in her arms that worried her. The cuff itself wasn't heavy, nor big from where it encased her limbs, the weight didn't seem natural in comparison to cuffs she had seen in her past kidnappings. Almost startling, she couldn't hold back her confusion in a hushed whisper, "What the…"
Then, an almost too cheerful 'You're awake!' rang out, her head reeling to look up at the speaker. Dread shot through her body at the sight of a lax body beside hers, her head reeling more in confusion. As her blurry eyes tried inspecting the stranger, slight recognition hit her at the sight of red scales dancing up an exposed leg to the gleeful expression dancing on a demonic face.
Out of fear, and some ounce of stupidity, she tried backing away before a pained cry broke her lame attempt at fleeing. A sharp pain wafted in her leg, becoming almost unbalanced, the sight causing her fear to double. It was wrapped around in badges, the only sign of treatment as red splotches littered the white covering. A flash of memory of her leg from before gave her a clue of what happened to it, her only guess of it being broken was from how painful even moving the leg was.
Still, as her eyes honed in on the now limp limb, her mind tried scouring for memories, or anything to clue her in on what happened. She trailed through her memories, some blotchy while others showed a more coherent telling of her previous night. She remembered she was in Clover Town for a date, and it had ended horribly enough that she wanted to drink the night away. Then, it began to get blurry as her vision was engulfed in wooden walls and rowdy cheers, the stench of alcohol almost becoming obnoxious. Pressing on, the memory almost struck her like lightning. Bacchus had bought her a drink, and they began talking, the odd feelings of warmth and confusion that Bacchus had made her feel coming full force to where she felt it now.
With a small blush, almost bashfully as she pushed past it to remember what happened after, had her almost startled as nothing came to mind. As if nothing happened after they talked, and even after when she went to leave the small pub. It didn't explain how she was here, or even where this place was.
Trying to rack up her memories wasn't working anymore, only intensifying the dull hangover that began to softly pound in her brain, leaving her to look around in mild curiosity as she ignored the gaze of the stranger beside her.
She didn't recognize where they were, with the room seeming endless with expansive white walls and tall ceilings that she couldn't tell when they ended or began, only seeming hollow in her search for answers. Almost as if following a pattern, there was no decoration, no chairs or anything that told of anyone living there, only the couch that she laid on as it connected to her chains.
A soft snore interrupted her search, her eyes honing in on the slumbering body on the floor.
A startled gasp escaped her lips before worry etched into her actions as she tried moving towards him. The rattling of chains followed, before another as her body was brought back down with an alarming clang. A cry escaped her lips as the fear from before came back full force, her eyes lining with tears as her head whipped towards the now smirking figure.
"You shouldn't do that, Lucy," the voice soothed as if advising her. Startled, but not yet deterred as she ignored the pain, Lucy looked back towards Bacchus in worry.
He seemed fine, the only sign of their kidnapping being the chains that seemed more prominent on him. His chest was wrapped in the heavy iron, as if trying to encase him more in hopes to subdue him, all of the interlocked metal connecting to cuffs adorning his limbs. He was more trapped than she was, allowing no movement if he did wake up. Still, in worry, her eyes traced every part of him, hoping to not find any markings or signs of bruising.
This was her fault, and he was here because of her. The guilt laid heavy on her chest, almost dulling out the pain wracking in her leg in comparison. It had to be her fault if they were both in this mess, and yet at the same time it didn't make sense to her. Bacchus was a known S-class mage, one who took pride in his skills enough that most knew to be wary of him, so why was he also kidnapped? Did they not know the troubles they were asking for by also taking him?
Lucy shook her head, now wasn't the time for useless questions. She had to find out some clue as to why they were there and to find a way to get them both safely out.
So, with a refined but shaky breath, she asked, "What are you going to do with us?"
A chuckle bellied out of the stranger, the oddly familiar noise had her itching closer to get a better look at the kidnapper. She was met with a piercing stare, confident, jade-green eyes bearing down onto her own. A snap of realization brought her to glare at the woman venomously, forcing herself to stare down the woman. Of all the people, why the nice bartender?!
"Nothing yet, not until the big guy wakes up," the woman, now recognized as Jade, brushed off. Lucy held back a screech of frustration as Jade began to boredly inspect her nails. That woman was infuriating now!
Lucy huffed in a show of defiance, before turning back to gaze sadly at Bacchus. He was still sound asleep, the only sign of him possibly waking up being the subtle, occasional twitch of his nose. He continued to snore, it becoming the only sound in the otherwise silent room.
As time continued to go on, so did her anxiety. She still didn't know why they were kidnapped, or what was going to be done to them once Bacchus woke up, the thought causing an unsettling turn of her stomach. So many questions remained unanswered, and with no answer in sight, Lucy turned to wringing her hands together to try ridding of the overwhelming feeling. With her hands in her lap, she felt the soft fabric of silk.
Confusion wafted in her, her eyes drifting down to widen in shock. Her clothes were not so see-through before. A dress, one that was cream white, adorned her body. Layers upon layers drafted down to the helm of the dress, her only saving grace of having herself not exposed, as the layers were only together by a thin, golden beaded belt. It held the top half tighter to her body more securely, the silk only covering the necessities as it trailed up to leave a single strap to hold it all in place. While cute, it was off-putting on how it even got on her. She was not wearing this at the bar, and she wasn't wearing it minutes ago and knew at the back of her mind she never owned anything like this before, it held her suspicious gaze. Why did they dress her up for a simple kidnapping? And even more so, why so specifically?
A rather loud snore broke her from her thoughts, her eyes landing on Bacchus who continued to sleep peacefully as her mind stilled. He was also dressed up, almost matching her in theme. Silk cloth covered the necessities in the form of a wrap, adorned by golden beads woven at the knot as well as a matching, loose beaded belt. He looked to be a slumbering god, with the rich silks adorning his tan and sculpted skin of his.
Her mind thumbled for a moment, another connection taking place the more she thought on. If she were right, then they had to be dressed like the Greek gods she had read about with Levy before, but as to why she couldn't place. It didn't make sense, why dress prisoners in something so pristine?
As Lucy tried to think of reasons, she growled to herself in frustration. Nothing made sense, and wouldn't till Bacchus woke up. As if on cue, rattling sounded from the floor.
A cool, almost bland drawl came from Jade as she spoke, "You're awake."
Both watched intently as Bacchus's body stirred, the small rattle from his chains going along the small movements.
Lucy couldn't suppress the small smile that lifted her lips at the sight of Bacchus waking up. As he slowly hefted his torso up, all the while grumbling about hangovers and needing another drink, was when he bolted up in panic.
"You!" He glared at Jade accusingly. He looked around before while continuing to shout, "Where is Blondi- oh, there you are." Her smile lifted as his eyes landed on her, noticing the way they softened before hardening back to glare at the woman next to her. He moved to stand, his chains moving along before tightening suddenly, causing his body to fling down back to the floor. "What the-!"
With a startled yelp coming out of both of them, Jade stood with an annoyed sigh. She walked a few, brisk steps away from the couch to the side, and with a wave of her hand, a scroll appeared in her grasp. "Now that you're awake, we can begin explaining your trials."
"Trials?" Bacchus parroted mockingly, eyes set on a glare towards Jade. "Who says we'll listen to you, or even do the trials?"
"If you want to continue on living," Jade huffed, her own hard gaze set on the man. Then, she continued with a stress to her words, "You will listen to me as I explain everything."
The only agreement out of Bacchus was an irritated growl, while Lucy tried to sit up more to pay attention. While Bacchus might not be so willing to listen, it lead to it being up to her to piece together their plan of escape.
"Now, I will read over the scroll while you two listen. Then, when I finish, then you can ask questions before the first trial begins," Jade statically said, her attention staying on the aged paper.
With a breath, Jade began reading out loud. "You are here for one reason, you two are destined soulmates-" A choked cough escaped Lucy, gasping for breath at the news. Soulmates?!
Lucy turned to Bacchus who let out his own sound of surprise, looking even more confused than before. She was slightly thankful that while they were in a shitty situation, that at least she wasn't the only one being thrown for a loop.
Jade continued, unhindered by the shocked responses she gained, "Under the guidance of Eros, you will be set to three trials to see if you are worthy of his eternal blessing. Out of all of these trials, one of you will be selected to complete each one to move on to the next, and once passing all three; then you will be freed to either accept or decline Eros's divine fate." She looked up then, warily eyeing the two who remained silent. Once noting the silence, she read on further. "However, under set rules of guidance, all three trials must be completed in the span of 24 hours."
A startled gasp left Lucy, dread filling her veins in a cold, ice-like grip. That wasn't much time to accomplish much, and with the set rules in place, they were doomed to fail without a true chance.
With an almost pathetic laugh, Lucy tried reasoning with the woman, "What if we decline? What will happen then?"
Jade, while wrapping the scroll back into its original form before tying a knot to secure the paper in place, looked up with a disgruntled sigh. It was almost eerie to see the woman look empathetic towards them. "Then, you both die. If you at least agree, then Bacchus will live no matter what."
Her eyes stung with tears as the same dread from before clawed at her. She really wasn't going to live past this, even if they agreed to undergo the trials, it would be impossible to make it through in only 24 hours. She tried curling up on herself, her good leg curled up against her chest in an attempt to hide the prickling tears that slowly slid down her flushed cheeks.
"Your fucking crazy to think I'll agree to letting her die," Bacchus growled, his glare set on Jade with a renewed anger. Lucy peeked up from the veil of hair she let hide her tears, shocked at the almost protective words that were growled out. They were at most acquaintances, only knowing each other from having mutual friends, but to hear him swear her safety had her almost questioning herself. Did she miss something, a part of the puzzle that was Bacchus to miss something so vital? Why would he care for her safety enough to voice it out so defensively? Then, as if not enough, he once again growled out, "No way are we going to agree to this batshit, insane idea of yours."
She gaped at him from the couch, her face flushed at the intensity of his words. He looked determined to protect them both, his eyes dancing from Jade to her whilst he slowly scooted his body closer toward her in slow scuffles.
With a snarl and a flick of Jade's wrist, Lucy's chains rattled before locking into a tighter hold. The once-forgotten cuffs tightened in an almost bone-snapping grip, and a startled shout of pain as a new cuff was locked into place around her neck. Her hands clawed at the now choking piece of metal, raking at it to get the offending object from choking her out.
"You don't have a choice," Jade growled, another flick of her wrist causing Lucy's body to be dragged to her feet. As Lucy laid there, still clawing to loosen the grip the cuff had on her, in her struggle looked up to see Bacchus fighting his own chains in his reach for her.
Lucy couldn't hold in the tears at how distraught he looked, his eyes widened in panic as he clawed at his own chain. He continued to fight against the hold Jade seemed to hold over them while screaming towards her. She tried straining her ears to hear, but the pounding of her heart clouded his pleas to her with a recurring beat.
Soon, her grip slackened, the once fight she had slowly seeped out of her as her muscles began to go slack. Delirium crept onto her, the vision she had of Bacchus now becoming dotted with a creep of darkness.
In her moment of vulnerability, her eyes tried memorizing every scant detail of the man who fought so hard to save her. It was the least she could do, and her will fought through the droopiness her eyes had to trace over him. His once neat, slicked-back hair was out of his usual bun, instead now stuck to his face in inky strands. Almost blood-red eyes still looked at her in panic, the once almost intoxicating color now coated by misty tears that brimmed on his eyelashes. His skin looked sickly pale compared to his proud tan, and the thought brought a heavy weight on her chest. He looked so distraught over her, and she still didn't understand why.
He didn't look like the Bacchus she knew. The man who was cocky and prided himself on his skills, the one who couldn't be caught without liquor in his hand with a wild look to his eyes. Instead, he looked frightened, almost as if her death would affect him more than it should have.
Her heart stopped as his wail broke through the thundering of her heart, the desperate cry for the woman to stop taking her by surprise.
Desperate to console the now sobbing man, with the last amount of strength in her body, she reached out in hopes to calm him down. She didn't want to see him so broken as the dark spots began to become bigger, almost encompassing her entire vision.
With a last, struggling breath, the pressure eased entirely. A strangled gasp left her as air came in greedy puffs, her body going slack to focus on bringing in air into her deprived lungs. She counted her lucky stars that Jade didn't go through with killing her.
"Thank you…" Came out the rasped voice of Bacchus, his worn-out body slacking against the chains grip.
With an annoyed tsk, Jade looked at them with disdain. Lucy, from her place on the floor, saw the small glimmer of confliction before it was masked by boredom. Before she could ponder on the look, Jade's voice began to come to her ears.
"This is your only warning of denying Eros's generosity," Jade warned, her arms crossed over her chest. She flicked her wrist, relenting the chains to become lighter. Lucy took that as a step forward in the right direction, but, as her breathing became more steady, had more questions itching to be answered.
If they did have to go through these trials, then she wanted to know everything they could to have the best chance to succeed.
With a cough, Lucy began sitting up to face Jade. With a stagger, her arms still weak, she was helped up by Bacchus to fully sit upright. She was surprised to see him there at all, that Jade allowed him to even be so close to her, but left the thought as his hands stayed on her lower back to be her temporary support.
With as much confidence as she could muster, her throat feeling raw still as she tried to question, "Why were we chosen by Eros?"
Jade looked relieved at the compliance, showing in her words as she spoke, "The fates have decided you are destined to be together, or as you humans call it, you two are soulmates. You both were chosen to undergo the trials to further prove yourself as loyal servants to Eros."
Lucy looked at Bacchus in conflict. She cared for him, in more ways now that he almost witnessed her dying, and with how he tried saving her. But did that mean that she could love him?
She couldn't answer her own question as her eyes locked onto his. He had the same turmoil dancing in his own eyes, the same confusion she shared. It was if they shared the same question: could they love each other?
Confliction nested deeper within her mind, as she sat in silence to ponder over everything that was said.
Bacchus wasn't an undesirable man, if anything, he was desired by most from how known he was. He was powerful and handsome and had the suave charm that most wished for. But did that mean that she could open herself up to him, to let him in to see the deeper parts of herself more than he already has?
Before more of her thoughts could consume her already frantic mind, a gentle hand tore her back to reality. Looking back to see Bacchus staring at her thoughtfully, as if he also underwent the series of overwhelming dilemmas, he gave her a strained smile to confirm her suspension. At least he was being level-headed about it now that he calmed down from earlier, still on guard from how shoulders were tensed but open enough to console her.
With an appreciative smile, she silently thanked him. Now, with the almost rock-like presence his hand had on her, Lucy looked towards Jade to continue her questioning.
Forcing her voice to be firm, Lucy asked, "So, if we are truly soulmates, then why the trials? Why couldn't we have realized that naturally?"
An amused smile danced on Jade's lips then, before she went to sit graciously on the couch to watch the two. Lucy still was sitting up, a bit shakily from how her limbs quaked to stand strong, whilst Bacchus loomed over her protectively, keen eyes warily looking between the two. Then, Jade's voice began to speak in an almost hushed tone, "Because of certain events in Earthland, such as the eclipse accident, have changed fate itself for every person involved in some way, and that includes your fates."
Lucy sat in a bewildered silence, her mind jogging up memories of facing her future self and the uprising of the dragons. It wasn't a pleasant memory, one that always brought a stab of pain where Future Lucy was shot by Future Rogue, almost like a phantom pain.
"Does that mean during the Grand Magic Games was when Bacchus and I were supposed to well …" Lucy started before fumbling for an easy, as platonic-as-can-be word, not willing to give in to the idea of being soulmates so easily.
"Get together?" Bacchus offered an amused tilt of his brow accompanying a small smile directed towards her. Lucy bashfully nodded, heat flaring in her cheeks. She still wasn't used to how gentle he looked with a smile, or how his voice was calming her worked-up nerves in a way she couldn't describe.
"Yes and no. You had already met beforehand, but the Grand Magic Games were supposed to have you two teaming up in the final battle," Jade explained as she leaned back against the couch.
It was almost startling to know that such a thing could have happened if it wasn't for Future Rouge's meddling. It would make sense as to why they never met back during the games, Lucy was too beat up to participate and soon after came the dragon attack. It wasn't like there was much time to mingle while trying to escape with their lives. It left an unpleasant taste in her mouth that the man who plagued her nightmares still continues to affect her life. That even after death, he continued to be a plague that ruined opportunities she didn't even know of. It was frustrating to know that chance was now gone, but did that mean they would have never known unless Jade did interfere, that this Eros person had decided to bring them together?
Would she have ever realized that Bacchus was her soulmate?
An unknown panic swirled in her, forcing her to voice out the thought that sent her breaths to become uneven, "Would we have ever realized?"
"Realize what?" Jade questioned, her face pinched to show her confusion.
"Would we have ever realized that we were soulmates? Would we have ever gotten together if you didn't kidnap us?" Lucy questioned, still reeling at the unknown answer she would receive.
Jade became hesitant, almost at a loss on how to respond. It was all the answer Lucy needed before tears began trailing down her swollen cheeks. A sensation of loss clutched at her, but hope wavered within her as well; there was still hope, a hope she couldn't understand on why she wanted it.
She didn't love Bacchus, never looked his way twice, and never thought that him not being in her life would feel so suffocating. As if someone tore out her heart and squeezed out every fleeting dream she had.
"No, you wouldn't have," Jade stated, her eyes still holding steady on the two. "Lucy would have married Natsu Dragneel with two children, and Bacchus would have remained single with a daughter named Amelia."
Lucy balked, horrified at the woman's cold-cut words. She tried to imagine marrying Natsu, but nothing came. Her mind remained eerily blank as she tried to conjure up an image, anything to represent her possible future; yet all she could see were a pair of blood-red eyes looking at her in wistful bliss, the softness of them becoming too inviting for her to try to think of anything else.
"Then, why did you stop us?" Came the distant voice of Bacchus, who looked defeated. "Why stop our future?"
Lucy flinched at the truthful words. She didn't understand why it hurt her to hear him ask the question, if anything it was the most reasonable one yet. Still, as she looked down at her hands to see them clutching at the white dress, she faintly knew why.
A small glimmer of hope had sprung in her, a sapling of a new world she never imagined had warped her mind that seemed almost too good to be true. Soulmates were set for life, an eternal love that wouldn't face the regular troubles of normal couples, it sounded too good to be true as Bacchus's words became the harsh reality dose she needed. They barely knew each other and had two immensely different lifestyles that neither were willing to give up, it wouldn't work then, and wouldn't work now.
"You two were chosen specifically by the fates to be together, it isn't up for us to question their choices. If anything, you should be grateful for such a blessing to find your other half." Jade said with a confused tilt in her tone. Lucy, still silent, continued to wait for Bacchus's response.
Bacchus growled at the woman, his body lifting more with a clank of chains hitting one another. "You kidnapped us, interrupted our lives, to tell us bullshit? So what if we are 'soulmates', that doesn't mean we should be together. We deserve to decide who to be with, not you, or this Eros asshole!"
Jade stood up, her glare set on Bacchus who returned it tenfold. With an animalistic snarl, she lowly growled, "You will not speak ill of Eros, as he has given you an opportunity of a lifetime."
Before Bacchus could retort, Lucy held him back with a gentle hand on his chest. He still engulfed her from behind, his body now up more as if he was ready to strangle the woman if Lucy hadn't kept him at bay. So, with a whisper, Lucy consoled, "Calm down Bacchus."
He turned confused eyes to her, the uncertainty showing in his posture. To soothe him further, Lucy continued, "We just need to go through these trials, right? Then it's up for us to decide our fate whether Eros likes it or not."
His body froze, as if realization dawned upon him with her words before he went slack and sat back down. It seemed enough for Jade to also sit back down, keeping her eyes set on Bacchus in unease.
Trying to be the voice of reason, even if she still was frazzled by the turn of events, Lucy turned towards Jade with a question. "So what are these trials?"
With an almost grateful nod to Lucy, Jade began to continue her explanation. "As I have said before, you will have three trials to go through if you wish to be freed: these trials being attraction, trust, and love." She paused, looking for a sign of interruption, but after seeing none continued on, "You both will undergo the lessons of love set up by Eros, and then if you choose, will decide to either make do with the lessons or to continue your life as normal."
"At the expense of Lucy's life?" Bacchus drawled, still agitated.
Jade choose to ignore him, not pondering on the harsh reality in favor of boredly resuming her nail inspection. With her own drawl, one that was noted to be as irritated as Bacchus's, she spoke, "The first trial is the trial of Attraction. You will have to gather ingredients that remind you of why you're attracted to our dear Lucy and gather each ingredient correctly in order to successfully pass."
"That's it?" Bacchus blew off, his frown marrying up into a somewhat-cocky smirk.
Lucy fought the urge to smack him upside the head, cooling her anger with a deadly glare. This was her life on the line! That way of thinking will end up with both of them killed!
As if feeling the potential attack, he turned his head down to look at her, the same cocky smirk in place. "Nothing will happen to us, I promise. I'll make sure of it."
Lucy grumbled, facing away from him to mutter about idiotic men.
However, Jade almost bristled at the nonchalant way Bacchus brushed off the trial. It reminded Lucy of a pissed off cat, with the way the woman's hackles raised and her face turned into a sneer. "Do not brush off the gracious opportunity before you! It is called a trial for a reason!"
With another flick of Jade's wrist, Lucy watched in horror as a green light took hold of Bacchus's body, and then consumed him till he was gone. A shriek of terror left her sore throat, moving to clutch at the air that his body once took. There was no trace of him, no sign that he was even there from the start.
Lucy rounded on the woman, forgetting about the way her throat constricted in pain and the way terror consumed her, "What did you do to him?!"
Her body shook in fear, her breathing becoming ragged as possibilities ran through her mind in rapid succession. He couldn't be dead, it would defeat the whole purpose of the trial.
Jade took her time watching Lucy slowly break down before deciding to answer the frantic girl's worries. "He's alive. Eros has decided it was time for your trials to begin."
Still left confused, Lucy watched as Jade patted the spot beside her. Hesitation filled her movements as she obeyed the silent command, sitting at a distance to keep the fear at bay.
An orb fell into her lap, one that was cold and almost slimy before it lit up to show a grassy plane. The tendrils of grass licked at a body who groaned in place, Lucy quickly realizing it as Bacchus as he continued to utter profanities. A relieved smile graced her lips at the sight.
He really was alive. He was okay, or at least okay as he could be, and hopefully he could get them out of this mess. With a hopeful sigh, she continued to watch the orb in silence, a wishful hope lingering in her mind.