Another chapter today? You guys are lucky!
It was raining. Of course it was, why wouldn't be? Nashi stood in front of her dresser, brushing her hair while looking in the mirror. Normally Nashi woke up full of energy and ready to go, but today it'd taken all her energy to crawl to her dresser and get dressed for the day. Today wasn't a good looking day for this shit, anyway. Nashi straightened the remainder of her hair and watched as her bangs cascaded back over her right eye, and she sighed.
"Eleven years, huh?" She asked her reflection. "That's a while long ago now, Steph" It was eleven years to the day Damien had lost control and killed his little sister, and Nashi was not looking forward to her day. Today everyone was super sad and emotional, Nashi included. It didn't help she got depressed easily due to her childhood. Nashi once again pushed her bangs from her face and stared at her reflection. She, like everyone else, was wearing black clothing. She herself had a black dress and matching high heels. Nashi would've complemented her reflection for how the dress hugged her curves if she wasn't so upset. There was a knock at the door, and Nashi put her brush down. "Come in" She called hollowly. Ultear and Elise appeared in the doorway, both wearing dresses to Nashi.
"Hey," Ultear greeted, standing in the doorway.
"Hey." Nashi replied. No one said anything else as Nashi continued to brush her hair in a van attempt to straighten her hair. Growling in frustration, Nashi turned to Ultear preparing to beg, and the older girl sighed and took the brush. Elise sat down on the edge of Nashi's bed as Ultear did her best to straighten Nashi's rebellious hair.
"Eleven years?" The iron eater asked, and Ultear paused the brush to sigh.
"Yeah," She replied solemnly. "Been a while now, huh?" Nashi nodded as Ul managed to keep her hair straight.
"Hard to believe it's been so long" She whispered. "Feels like it was yesterday" Nobody replied to her, which didn't bother Nashi. Ultear finished brushing her hair, and Elise sighed.
"Drake and Simon are waiting for us." She said quietly. "We shouldn't keep them waiting." Nashi nodded silently as she followed her friends from her room and down the stairs. When she rounded the stairs her eyes landed on Drake and Simon, who both had black suits on. Simon was pacing back and forth, while Drake was sitting down on the bench next to the exit. They looked up as the girls approached.
"Hey," Drake said. "You guys look good" Nashi nodded appreciatively.
"Yeah, you guys too" She replied. Simon closed his eyes and sighed.
"Today's going to suck" he whispered.
"I know" Ultear said, placing a hand on his arm. "But it's for her, we can manage." Simon nodded at her as thunder sounded outside.
"Of course it's stormy" Elise hissed. "What else could go wrong?"
"I'll cover us" Ultear said. "Just get ready" Ultear stepped towards the door and the others walked behind her. "Water Shield." Ultear said, a circular water shield materializing over their heads. Ultear expanded the wall to cover them all, and they stepped out into the rain as it fell around them. Nobody spoke, no small talk could be made on such a shitty day. Nashi, Elise and Drake had been to every one of these since it happened, Simon and Ul had missed a few.
"How do you think Damien's holding up?" Nashi asked, curious as to how the takeover mage was handling the day. "He hasn't been here for eight years, after all."
"Terribly, probably" Simon responded darkly, hanging his head. "Last I him last night he was drowning himself in booze."
"Poor guy" Ultear said quietly. The rest of the walk to the guild was silent, and Nashi couldn't think of a better way to do so. When they arrived, the rest of the guild was dressed similarly to them, and only small conversations could be heard, uttered in small tones. Nashi could see Damien sitting by himself, exuding such a dark aura that nobody dared approach. Nashi dared, however. She approached her friend silently, and smiled weakly as she reached him.
"Hey, Damien" She said quietly, and the man didn't even acknowledge her presence. "How are you?" Still no response, obviously. "Weather's pretty shitty, huh? Kind of fitting for today..."
"I don't want to sound rude, Nashi" Damien interrupted in a dark tone. "But I am really not in the mood for small talk." He didn't continue to say anything else, and Nashi frowned at him. She made an understanding sound and turned to leave Damien by himself to skulk. She walked back to her own friends, and Elise turned to her.
"How is he?" She asked. Nashi sighed.
"As you'd expect." She replied. "Unresponsive, dark, the usual" Elise nodded sadly, and Ultear hugged herself tightly.
"It makes me so mad even to think about." She said. "It isn't his fault, it was that thing he tried to takeover into" Simon nodded and pocketed his hands.
"He isn't to blame, but he can't see anyone at fault but himself." Simon reasoned. Nashi nodded.
"He told me in Edolas when we first saw Steph." Nashi told them. "That we all have demons inside, and we're responsible for what they do when we let them loose."
"There's a limit" Drake hissed, crossing his arms. "If the demon hijacks your body and uses it to hurt and kill people and destroys a city, it isn't your fault." Nashi nodded. She and her friends made small talk as the remainder of the guild filed in, including Nashi's parents and Drake's mom, and Nashi heard Master Laxus' office door open. She turned to find the Master looking like absolute shit, and Mira not looking any better.
"Alright" he said hollowly. "Everyone ready?" A resounding yes answered from the guild, and Master Laxus sighed. "Alright, let's go." Everyone followed Gramps out of the guild, and Ultear and Juvia made another water shield above them, covering the whole guild. Nashi walked in silence as the townsfolk moved out of the way for them, they also knew what day it was. Nashi was unaware if any of the townspeople knew Damien had been the demon that attacked the city, but they all knew Steph had died. As they approached the graveyard, the mood darkened considerably. They weaved in and out of tombstones as they approached the one they were looking for, way in the back with Fairy tail guild mark engraved on it. As they reached the tombstone, the guild stopped, and Nashi watched as Gramps and Mira walked forward next to it and faced them.
"T-t-today..." Mira tried, and stopped when Gramps placed a hand on her shoulder, causing her to step back and sniffle. Master Laxus turned back to everyone.
"Today, eleven years ago," He spoke in a loud, yet shaky tone. "A monster took my little girl from me" Nashi watched as Damien flinched. perhaps that wasn't the best word to use to describe the demon. "And we are gathered here today to honor her, and remember her." Laxus turned and placed a hand on the gravestone and sighed. "Hey sweetie, how are you?" he asked shakily. "Everyone's here to see you, we all miss you. Natsu even came back, you remember the stories? Uncle Natsu?" Laxus began to shake slightly, and Nashi did her best not to cry. "Mavis, I miss you Steph..." Mira whispered something to him, and he stepped back. Mira walked up in his place.
"Hey Steph" The white haired women said. "How are you doing? I've been good, but..." Mira began to wail and collapsed. "Steph! Steph! Please, come back! COME BACK!" Nashi watched as Damien pushed his way away from the crowd, leaving the graveyard. he needed space, Nashi knew that. Everyone stepped up: Macao, Romeo, Gajeel, Levy, Wendy, Jet, Droy, the list went on forever until Nashi watched her parents step up.
"Hey Steph." Her mother said with a weak smile. "How have you been? Natsu came back, he's sorry he couldn't have met you" her father nodded.
"Sorry I never met you, kiddo" her father managed. "I'm sure I would've loved you like my own. Everyone tells me you were a little angel. Rest in Peace, Steph" As her parents stepped back, Drake stepped up.
"What's up, Steph?" Nashi's best friend asked as he knelt down to eye level with the writing. "Been a while, huh? Been on some interesting adventures since you went away..." Nashi watched as her usually calm and collect friend lost his cool. "Shit Steph, I really miss you. We saw you in Edolas, and...well...That didn't go well." Drake ran his hand across the writing. "I wish I could hear you again, Steph. The real you." Drake stepped back and wiped his eyes, and Ultear walked up to the tombstone.
"Man, I said I wouldn't cry this time" Ultear whispered. "Hey Steph, sorry I wasn't here last year. I was out began a wizard and all, like you always dreamed of. It didn't go so hot, but things happen, huh?" Nashi watched as Ultear sniffled. "There was this little girl I met while I was out. Keiko was her name. Mavis, she was so much like you. When she died, it reopened the wounds from losing you...Sleep tight, Steph" Ultear walked back and nearly collapsed into Simon's arms, who rubbed a comforting circle on her back and whispered comfort to her. Elise sighed as she stepped up to the gravestone.
"Steph" She said with heavily sarcastic enthusiasm. "How are you? been to long girl. I..." Elise's voice cracked and she covered her mouth as she began to cry. "I...man, I thought I was over losing you. Than Edolas happened and we got to see you... You were so beautiful, Steph. Just like your mom in those old spreads in Sorcerer Magazine she used to do. See you later, Steph" Elise did her best to hold her head high as she walled back, and Simon stood Ul up straight as he took his own turn.
"Steph" Simon spoke. I...wow, it's been two years I missed these, huh? didn't think it'd been so long. Well, I was out on a job like Ul, but it took me a while longer than I expected. Maybe one day I'll tell you about it, would you like that? You were always one for the stories, you loved hearing your dads. Shit, we all did" Simon placed a hand on the tombstone. "Can't say it enough Steph, I wish things were different." Simon stepped back, and Nashi felt compelled to step forward and say a few words. She walked up to the tombstone and bent down to be on eye level with it.
Stephanie Dreyar
Beloved Sister, Daughter, and Friend
R.I.P.
Nashi sighed as she ran a hand across the writing. She'd been here every year since it happened, but the emotional impact was always the same.
"Hey Steph" Nashi said with a weak smile as she withheld the tears. "A lot's happened in my life this year. Let's see... Oh, my dad came home, just like you said. I learned how to use magic, and I'm told I'm pretty damn good." Nashi sniffled and covered her mouth to prevent crying at the thought of the little blonde girl smiling at her. "You always told me both would happen, and I didn't believe you...Steph, I'm so sorry. I wish things had been different, but...shit happens, I guess.I hope you're happy, where ever you are, I just hope you're happy. Maybe you're watching us, not wanting us to be sad...Rest in peace, Steph"
"Man, that was depressing" Drake growled as he downed another mug of booze. Drake and Simon had shed their coats a while ago, and Nashi could understand why, the guild hall was incredibly hot. Ultear crossed her legs and hiccuped. It didn't take a genius to see she was wasted.
"Where's Damien?" She demanded. "That fuck should be drinking like the rest of us." Nashi sighed as she rested her head on her hand.
"He wants to be alone, obviously." Nashi replied to the tipsy water wizard. "Today of all days I don't think we wants to drink."
"Poor bastard" Simon hissed, taking a swig from his own mug. "I mean really, how has he not just shut himself away from the world?"
"It must be impossibly difficult to put on that mask of normalcy" Elise reasoned. "That thing is still in him, too. it's not like it was a one time thing. How does he do it?" Nashi shrugged.
"Maybe he doesn't." She reasoned. "Maybe he just wants to give up, but can't."
Damien stood, getting soaked in the rain, staring down at the tombstone solemnly. He planned on standing here all night if that's what it took, but he wasn't planning on leaving until the guilt was somewhat quelled.
"Mavis, Steph" he said aloud. "I can't be more sorry for what I did to you." No one responded, who was there to do so? "He did it to you...he took my body and made me watch while he tore you apart...Mavis, I'm sorry..." Damien felt the tears escaping his eyes,and someone sighed.
"You are one sad sack of meat, Damien" The familiar voice said flatly. Damien gasped as he whirled around, almost throwing up. He stood there, in a tux as black as his armor, smiling at Damien. "although I admit, today must've been hard. Damien watched as Xisplate walked up next to him and stared down at the tombstone. "my my, rather unimpressive for the Master's daughter, huh?"
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Damien growled, clenching his fists. "I don't want you here, get away from me!" Xisplate sighed, crossing his arms.
"My my, have you forgotten what day it is, Damien?" he asked with a coy smile on his face, and Damien growled again as thunder sounded overhead.
"It's the day you killed my sister you bastard!" He shouted back, and Xisplate sighed.
"Well, yes, but I was thinking more along the lines of the anniversary of the day we met." Damien's eyes widened.
"You...you sick twisted fuck..."
"That's so kind of you to say Damien! And on our anniversary, too!" Xisplate laughed. "I have missed you, my boy, how are you?"
"Fuck off!"
"Hm, I see. I've been well. The demon world is fun, as always. The 12th Circle of Judgement gets the weirdest dead people passing through, I swear."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. This one guy kept yelling about your friends, Nashi and Ultear. Something about his loss being bullshit and how he was a master of Impact magic, I don't know"
"Great to know..."
"Yeah, it's true. But I didn't come here to talk casually."
"I don't want to talk to you at all."
"I know, but I adore our conversations. Anyways, I have come to warn you."
"About what?" Xisplate remained silent as rain continued to fall, but Damien began less and less interested by the minute. "I don't have all day what is it?!"
"After the Grand Magic Games that take place in 7 months, a tragedy will befall Fairy Tail" Xisplate replied, turning to stare at Damien. "One that cannot be stopped, and it will be ten times more devastating to your guild than the loss of your dear Stephanie."
"What?" Damien demanded. "How? What's going to happen? How do you know?" Xisplate sighed as he ran a hand through his midnight black hair.
"I know not myself. I do know one thing though." Xisplate got right into Damien's face, glaring at him. "There will be a catastrophe. And when it reaches it's climax, one of the six in your group will not leave with their life," Damien paled as the demon burned holes right into his soul with gaze. "I know not who. maybe the water wizard, perhaps Oberon. or maybe it'll be one of the dragon slayer, who know's?"
"You should! You're the demon of death, it's your forte!"
"As true as that is, I cannot see more." Xisplate began to walk away, leaving a soaked and confused Damien in the rain and thunder. "Be ready for when it comes Damien, the Balam Alliance will not be ready to play when it happens." The demon disappeared, and Damien stared down at the ground.
"Ul...Simon...Elise...Drake...Nashi" Damien whispered. "Me... who is it going to be?" He asked no one in particular, before clenching his fists. "No, that will not happen, Xisplate. I will protect them, all of them..."
"Even if it means my own life is the one forfeited."
Woah, this is a really dark chapter. Lot's of plot progression, lot's of stuff to remember for the future. Hope you enjoyed, leave a review! Let's try and get five!