Chapter Thirty-Two: Forest Of Love
Following a possible lead to a lake with an unusual amount of magical activity outside of Nigella City, Gajeel and I were resting for the night in the woodlands before going further east and seeing what was going on. I had just gotten settled and shouted night to Gajeel as I waved my hand and called out Mushy. The moment the teddy bear spirit arrived he immediately started glowing and his right ear turned black. Knowing the signs, I threw on a pair of pants picked him up and ran back outside. Luckily Gajeel hadn't gone to bed yet and was still closing up camp. Seeing my alertness and the state Mushy was in, he stopped what he was doing and took in a deep breath scenting the air as he did."
"What you got Bunny?"
Now that Gajeel was alerted I took the time to listen to Mushy's quiet hum: there was something magical happening nearby, straight due North. Pointing the way I closed my eyes and then really concentrated. After a few seconds I slowly recognised what Mushy must have sensed, thunder and the smell of smoke. Looking over at Gajeel who had already caught the signs we were of one mind. Sending Mushy back the two of us took off following the sounds of destruction.
We were running full tilt through the wood and before I knew it we ran right into a battle with someone familiar at the centre: Sherry and Ren from Lamia Scale/Blue Pegasus respectively. Getting a lay of the land Gajeel and I didn't need any help to realise who we should be hitting as the clearing we found ourselves in was covered in Vulcans: lots and lots of forest Vulcans.
Not wasting time we both dived in to help as I tried to make my way to the others to check on their condition as I could see from where I was that Sherry appeared to be hurt. As I felt Loke come out on his own power I was about to call out Sagittarius when suddenly something jumped down from above me and wrapped two large arms around my arms and chest. Before I knew it I was in the air and flying through the forest taking a whack from a passing branch for good measure. Shaking off the blow and trying to orientate myself I knew the moment I heard the voice speak what had happened.
"My woman!"
Finally being able to see I recognised Sherry held in front of me by another Vulcan. I should have known the moment I realised I was dealing with Vulcans that they would target Sherry and myself and run off with both of us at the earliest opportunity. While I had flashbacks to my first adventure with Natsu in Mt. Hakobe I vowed to myself that this time it would be different and I wasn't going to make the same mistakes twice. When the two Vulcans paused to argue with several others about mating rights I knew my chance had come.
Telling Horologium what I wanted him to do, I braced myself as the second spirit I called appeared mid-air above my position. With a crack Capricorn's foot hit the Vulcan's head and I was free. Sending out my own Lucy-kick as I fell I threw the beast holding Sherry across the wood into a tree. Not stopping the two of us ploughed into the gathered Vulcans kicking and with my whip now active throwing them left and right allowing Horologium time to skedaddle with Sherry save from harm.
With Sherry now hidden, Capricorn and I tag teamed the dozen or so Vulcans left and I had to say decimated them. When the tree behind the biggest Vulcan sprang to life and started attacking him I knew Sherry must have woken up. Now the job just seemed too easy and a few minutes later every Vulcan in the vicinity was down and out. As Sherry glided out of the shadows I smiled and wasn't shocked when she was immediately glommed by Ren who appeared from thin air a few seconds later. Knowing what I'd find I turned and watched Gajeel come strolling from out of the tree like there was no hurry at all. Lifting a brow as I'd seen him do, I stared him down and waited.
"Never had a worry Bunny."
Satisfied I smirked and nodded and then had the unfortunate luck to be glommed myself as Leo made an appearance proclaiming his undying love. Not needing that after the Vulcans I let my leg extend and kicked him away. Hearing Gajeel's infamous laugh I choose to ignore them both and go over to Ren and Sherry and see if either needed medical help. Getting closer I could hear Sherry's worry about something on Ren's side and Ren being a usual man let alone a tsundere and telling her it was nothing as he fussed over her arm. Not even waiting I summoned a spirit.
"Ara."
Knowing what to do a bright light shone on the both of them and before they could object, a warmth filled the air. Feeling the pull on my magic I accessed Ara's scans and saw Ren had three broken ribs that were close to puncturing a lung and Sherry had a crack collar bone and slight dislocation of the shoulder. Also Ara noted something I wasn't mentioning until told first. Putting that thought away I knew internal injures requires extra magic and Ara had only just gained the level required to deal with damage that would be labelled severe so I gave her everything she would need. Seeing the light intensify I knew what was coming.
"The healing arts are ever present, beseech disciple and come."
Before the two of them was an ornate alter glowing with healing light. Seeing the shock and watching as the two of them started to back up I realised I had to explain.
"Sherry, Ren meet one of my spirits, Ara, the alter. She is a healing spirit of remarkable power. If you lie down on her alter she will fix the damage done to your bodies. That light you just felt was her scanning you to tell what was wrong."
Moving forward I stood next to Ara and smiled to show there was no need to worry. Moving forward first Sherry lay down and quietly gasped when the warmth of Ara's light touched her again only this time more powerful. Seconds later she rose looking fully healed and peaceful. Helping her off Ren looked like he was going to refuse so I solved the problem by bumping him off balance and the moment he touched the alter Ara got to work and he pretty much collapsed on to her. Knowing Ren would take a few minutes I turned to Sherry and started talking.
"Sherry it's good to see you, how have you been? Last time Leon came through he told the guild you were taking some time off."
Smiling at the mention of Leon, Sherry thanked me for the help with the Vulcans and the healing and then gave me the surprise or at least I let her think that. Pulling her close in congratulations I had enough time to ask whether it was a boy or a girl when Ren came up and also thanked me.
"Lucy I must give you thanks. Not just for saving my love my wife but for what you said to Hibiki. When he came back from that mission it was as a changed man, it was like having my friend reborn. He clasped Jenny to him and has not let go since. He has decided to take the new members under his wing and to train them and has proudly proclaimed that he will live on in Ichiya-dono's honour. Master Bob has decreed that he will stand as new master when he feels he is ready."
Beaming to show how glad and relieved I was that Hibiki had seen his way through the darkness I couldn't help but feel hope that I would also find my way. At the thought my eyes drifted to Gajeel who was busy scowling at Ren as he started giving him Love advise and I could see was really freaking him out. Holding in my giggle I moved closer to Sherry and told her about the different children in FairyTail and bid her to ask advice of any of us if she needed it.
Not really paying attention as we talked baby clothes and the best way to keep food down I vaguely saw Ren move in behind Sherry and hold her in his arms as he continue his own conversation with Gajeel. The first time I realised something was different was when the two of them started to separate and made to get going. Unbeknownst to me Gajeel had come up behind me the same as Ren and as the conversation had continued I had unconsciously mirrored Sherry and leaned back and relaxed against Gajeel's body. Seeing he wasn't making a big deal of it, I ignored the pleasant shiver I got when Gajeel squeezed my waist as he let go and focused on saying goodbye.
Before we could go our separate ways, Ren mentioned to me about a rumour he heard a few months back while out on a job, a rumour about a ruin site in the desert outside of Oak Town. On their last pass through Oak town the two of them had run into an old man who had stumbled across an ancient ruin out in the desert. It could be nothing but they thought I would want to know. Thanking them and promising to drop by the next time we get near the guilds Gajeel and I bid them luck as we head back toward our camp. This time I hoped to get a good night sleep before the next crisis hit.