Chapter 23
The Emerald Oasis, home to wizards who want to let go of their past and start anew. Coral was behind the bar, humming and wiping down cups. She had convinced Basil to open it up to the town, as a way to expand on their newfound fame.
"But, Master Makarov is not allowed," she stated with her usual smile. Basil chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head.
"That's oddly specific. Any reason you'd single him out? How about Ichiya? He could also be considered… a unique personality." Basil tried to reason, hoping to deflect the focus.
Coral's smile didn't waver. "Have you heard about Anna Heartfilia's engagement? I would be delighted to welcome them." Uno, Dos, and Tres scurried about, diligently putting away clean dishes.
"That's wonderful..." Basil trailed off, shifting uncomfortably. "But… perhaps a small visit from Master Makarov wouldn't be too disruptive? Building rapport with other guilds could prove beneficial…"
A flash of amusement crossed Coral's face before disappearing as quickly as it came. "Master, surely you're not unaware of Master Makarov's reputation, particularly when it comes to aspiring young mages. Mirajane-san has expressly advised me to keep a close watch whenever he's around."
Basil gave a nervous chuckle. "Now, now, he's an old man. What harm could he possibly do," he added hastily.
Coral's expression hardened ever so slightly. "We have an impressionable young mage, Master. And as his protector, I take my responsibility seriously."
Basil began to sweat, the weight of Coral's unwavering gaze pinning him in place. "Oh, my! Look at the time! I have a meeting with the other guild masters today. I must get going!" With a flurry of awkward arm movements, he hastily excused himself and practically fled the guild hall.
Dos paused its task, tilting its head as it watched the retreating figure. It then slowly lifted its wooden arms, mimicking Basil's flustered gestures.
Coral gave a soft chuckle. "Don't worry, Dos. Master Basil does that when he's trying to get away from a conversation." Dos simply nodded, then resumed its work.
Shortly after Basil had left, Luna walked through. She approached the bar area and gave Coral a slight bow.
"Good morning, Coral-san. Have you seen my sister?"
Coral hummed in thought, wiping down a glass. "I think Lyra had mentioned something about going out for a run. Maybe you should join her?"
Luna frowned. "A run? She did not say anything about that. Lyra usually takes her morning walks alone… and never tells me before leaving," she added, a hint of worry in her voice.
"Sounds like someone's eager for a bit of healthy competition!" Coral chirps, "Perhaps you should join them next time for a sisters' race!"
Luna's frown deepened. "Competition? Why would Lyra train without me? And them?"
As if on cue, yelling was heard approaching the door.
"Come on! Move! A snail could outrun those thunder thighs!" Fiora's voice rang out, sharp and playful. "Remember, hot guys like strong mages!"
Lyra and Fiora burst through the guild hall doors, both dressed in athletic attire. Lyra was slightly out of breath, wiping sweat from her forehead, while Fiora brimmed with boundless energy.
Coral beamed. "Well, speak of the devil! Looks like your sister's found herself a great training partner!" She paused, her eyes widening slightly. "And… ahem, perhaps some excellent motivation as well!"
Luna's eyes darted between Lyra and Fiora, a storm of confusion and disapproval brewing on her face. A faint, shimmering aura seemed to flicker around Lyra, gone in the blink of an eye.
"Fi... I said... to hold back... on the name calling..." Lyra heaved out, clearly exhausted.
"Name calling? I call it motivation for the soul. Why else would you have asked me to train?" Fiora spoke, still brimming with energy. Lyra looked up, seeing her sister.
"Oh... Luna. You're early." The older sister straightened up. Luna looked between the two, suspicion on her face.
"Yo, Blink. You wanna join us in training?" Fiora offered with a smirk. Lyra crossed her arms.
Luna's hands clenched into fists, her knuckles turning white. "Lyra," she began, her voice dangerously low, "I demand to know who this man is."
Lyra blinked in confusion. "What man?"
"The one Fiora mentioned, of course!" Luna retorted, her voice rising. "The one you're apparently desperate to impress!"
Fiora let out a loud whoop. "See, Ly? Your sis gets it! Now, who's the lucky guy?" She nudged Lyra playfully with her elbow.
Lyra's face flushed crimson. "I… I don't…" she stammered, struggling to find the right words.
Coral, amused and eager to help, chimed in. "Oh my! A secret admirer? How romantic! Perhaps a dash of my Forget-Me-Not elixir would help ease his nerves? A touch of bravery, you know?"
Lyra groaned, burying her face in her hands. This was turning into a disaster.
"Listen!" she finally burst out, her voice strained. "There's no guy! I simply wanted to… to get a bit stronger, that's all!"
Fiora tilted her head in confusion. "But why? Unless… is someone bullying you?" Her eyes narrowed, and a fiery aura flickered around her.
"No! No one's bullying me!" Lyra protested, waving her arms frantically.
Luna stepped closer, her expression a mix of concern and suspicion. "Lyra, are you sure? If someone is hurting you, I will – "
"I swear, I'm fine!" Lyra insisted, the frustration rising in her voice. "It's really not what you think, I just wanted to…" Her voice trailed off, and her gaze drifted downwards. The doors to the guild opened again, but this time a new face entered, all but one, Lyra immediately recognized. Curly blonde hair pulled into a ponytail with a pair of goggles sat on her head. Her white blouse, overalls, paired with knee high boots spoke of hard worker, mechanic perhaps. Her blue eyes looked about the guild. Her eyes met with Lyra.
"Oh hi! Lyra, right? I'm not sure if you remember me." She said as she walked up. She held out her hand. "Harlow Rinn, Magnolia's most talented Lacrima mechanic. I was looking for Abernathy. Is he around?" She asked.
Lyra's voice was caught in her throat. She remembered who Harlow was. It was the girl that Abernathy was with in that café. The others looked between the two.
"I haven't seen him come in yet." Coral slipped in. Harlow put her hands on her hips and shook her head.
"That's strange. I know he slipped in here to take his nap." Harlow explained. All the girls were stunned. How did she know that? Who was this girl?
"It's fine, I'll look around. I'm here to give him a lacrima he asked for. It was great meeting you all!" The mechanic rang as she continued into the guild. As she passed by, everyone's eyes snapped to Lyra to gauge her reaction.
"Onee-san, who is that?" Luna inquired.
"Lyra, she's here for Abernathy." Coral reminded, a gut punch.
"Is she the one bullying you?!" Fiora snapped.
Lyra's face burned a deeper shade of red with each passing second. "B-b-bullying? No! Of course not! Harlow's just Abe's friend …" Her voice trailed off as a wave of conflicting emotions washed over her. Why does it suddenly feel like she is?
Coral took this chance to jump on Lyra's hesitation "Lyra, darling, you don't have to hide your feelings! A strong woman like Harlow is fierce competition!"
Fiora, fueled by a mix of protectiveness and her own misguided motivation, pumped a fist in the air. "Ly! If this is about that girl, I say we double down on the training! She won't know what hit her!"
Luna, her worry morphing into determination, stepped forward. "Lyra, if this Harlow is causing you discomfort, simply tell me. I will unleash the full fury of my shadow weaving-"
"STOP!" Lyra's shout echoed through the guild hall, silencing the chaos. She squeezed her eyes shut, then reopened them, a spark of defiance replacing the earlier hesitation. "There's no guy, no bully, nothing like that!"
The three women stared at her in bewilderment.
"Then why…" Coral began, but Lyra cut her off.
"Look, I… I just wanted to feel better about myself, okay?" Her voice was quieter now, laced with a touch of vulnerability. "Is that so wrong?"
A moment of silence hung in the air. Then, surprisingly, it was Fiora who broke it. A mischievous grin spread across her face.
"Nope!" She punched Lyra lightly on the arm. "In fact, it's the most badass thing you've ever said! Alright, ladies," she announced to the room, "Lyra's self-improvement mission starts NOW!"
Coral, quickly regaining her composure, beamed. "Wonderful idea! And I have the perfect pick-me-up drink…"
Luna, though still slightly puzzled, gave her sister a tentative smile. "Perhaps… I could offer some pointers on mental exercises? It never hurts to be prepared."
Lyra stared at them, a mix of exasperation and warmth swirling within her. These were her friends, her guild, and though their methods were a bit… unconventional, their support was unwavering. A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Alright, alright," she conceded, "But someone get me a glass of water first. I'm dying out here."
Lyra downed the entire glass of water in one gulp, gasping slightly as the cool liquid hit her throat. The world seemed to slow down as she caught her breath. Harlow. Here. Looking for Abernathy. Panic gnawed at the edges of her mind. Why did Harlow have to show up now, just when Lyra was trying to get a handle on her own feelings? Was this some kind of power play, a subtle warning shot? And how did she even know about Abernathy's secret napping spot? Did they hang out without her knowing, sharing some inside joke she wasn't privy to? The thought sent a pang of jealousy she tried to disguise as righteous indignation. And what in the world did Abe want with a Lacrima? Was it some kind of manipulative thing to make Abernathy fall for her? No. It couldn't be. Abernathy isn't the type to be swayed by… well, anything really. He's his own, slightly lazy, eccentric self. But still… the image of him under some kind of spell lingered.
Lyra stole a glance at the others. Coral, ever the optimist, was already brewing a new concoction, humming a cheerful tune. Fiora was bouncing on the balls of her feet, eager to get back to the "training." Luna was still waiting for an answer to her earlier question. None of them seemed to suspect the elaborate, slightly insane plot Lyra's mind had constructed in a matter of seconds.
A desperate plan started to take shape. She couldn't just sit by and do nothing. She had to protect… well, not Abernathy per se, but the general well-being of the guild. And her own sanity. That's what mattered. Right? With a determined glint in her eye, Lyra straightened up and turned back to her friends. "Alright," she announced, her voice surprisingly steady, "Since we're all here, let's get this training started. Double time!"
The others looked at her in surprise, but Fiora, ever the enthusiastic one, cheered and grabbed Lyra's arm. "That's the spirit! We'll have you kicking butt in no time!"
Lyra forced a smile. Right now, all she wanted to do was get the truth out of Abernathy, figure out what Harlow was up to. Distraction would have to do for the time being.
As the guild erupted in a flurry of training exercises, Lyra found herself going through the motions. Each swing of a practice sword Fiora found, each dodge and parry, felt hollow. Her mind was a whirlwind of questions and anxieties. Maybe, under the guise of "getting stronger," she could subtly interrogate Abernathy about Harlow, try to glean some information about their connection. Not that she cared! She just wanted to know why Abernathy was being secretive!
Abernathy had crafted his hidden sanctuary amidst the overgrown foliage of one of Basil's enthusiastic botanical experiments. A giant potted Fiddle-Leaf Fig, its enormous leaves broad enough to dwarf a small child, provided the perfect camouflage.
Within this leafy haven, a nest of haphazardly piled blankets created a comfortable cocoon. Abernathy lay sprawled on his back, one arm flung over his eyes, the other resting on his stomach. Soft snores escaped his lips, a gentle rhythm that blended seamlessly with the rustling of leaves in the faint guild hall breeze.
A half-empty cup of lukewarm tea rested precariously on the floor nearby. A worn book, its pages filled with cryptic symbols and diagrams, peeked out from under the blankets, hinting at the complex thoughts that kept him from truly restful sleep.
Cassiopeia's words echoed through Abernathy's mind, "Wizards who can alter time are dangerous. You're dangerous. You can undo anything that is done. You could go back in time and try again and again until you're satisfied. If you really wanted to, you could live the perfect life." She explained.
His fight with the Wyvern ended in defeat, no matter how it was spun. The Wyvern had simply stopped and chose to concede out of pure curiosity. He turned back time again and again to find a way to beat Wyrnxoth, to finally succeed in the form of Fiora. He went back so many times, it was now ingrained into his memory. The Wyvern's attack pattern, his dodges and counters, even when he didn't know what they were, all of it was ingrained into his memory. And now, it was over. It was done. He was on an unknown path, the future entirely unknown.
He didn't know how long he lay there, staring up at the leaves, lost in his own thoughts. Perhaps hours, perhaps minutes. But something being dangled above him pulled him out of his thoughts.
"There you are. I figured you'd find somewhere comfy." Harlow's voice echoed. She was dangling a bag above him.
Abernathy bolted upright. "Harlow!" He exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"I have what you asked for. Well, I have what I could get my hands on. That thing is a bit rare." She said. Abernathy's eyes widened. She actually did it. He had asked for a time lacrima several months ago, and his friend had actually found on.
"Thanks Harlow. How much do I owe you?" Abernathy asked. Harlow shook her head.
"Oh, I don't know. How about the date you promised me if I got it for you?" She asked with a smirk.
Abernathy nodded. "Yeah, sure. When do you want to go?"
"Tomorrow night. I'll take care of everything, just meet me in town."
Lyra moved through the guild, her focus narrowed to finding a secluded spot where she could question Abernathy without interruption. Her earlier training session had only fueled her determination to unravel Harlow's motives. As she rounded a corner, voices drifted towards her…
"… the date you promised me?" Harlow's voice, playful and laced with a hint of satisfaction, cut through the air.
Lyra froze. Abernathy and Harlow… A sickening feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. Was this what she thought it was? Unable to resist, she inched closer, her body instinctively pressing against the wall.
"Yeah, sure. When do you want to go?" Abernathy's voice replied, the casual tone slicing through her like a knife.
Lyra felt her world tilt on its axis. A date? Why would he agree to a date with Harlow? Images flashed through her mind – romantic dinners, shared laughter, perhaps even… she couldn't bring herself to complete the thought.
"Tomorrow night. I'll take care of everything, just meet me in town." Harlow's words were a death knell. Tomorrow? A wave of panic threatened to overwhelm her.
Before Lyra could process the full impact of what she'd overheard, a gasp startled her. Whipping around, she came face to face with Luna, eyes wide with concern.
"Onee-san? What are you doing?" The young star weaver asked. "Were you… eavesdropping?"
Lyra's mind raced, the conversation echoing in her head. She had to salvage this somehow. With forced calmness, she turned to Luna, eyes wide with feigned shock.
"Luna! I... I didn't mean to overhear," she stammered, a touch of calculated vulnerability in her voice. "But, did you hear that? Harlow… making plans with Abernathy?"
Luna stared at her sister, then her gaze darted back behind the corner, as if expecting to see the pair still in conversation. "A date?" she squeaked, her voice rising with alarm.
"I think so," Lyra whispered, wringing her hands theatrically. "It sounded like they were planning some sort of secret… rendezvous."
Luna gasped dramatically. "But why? What could Harlow possibly want with Abernathy-san?"
Lyra shrugged, feigning helplessness. "I don't know," she murmured, a subtle frown creasing her brow. "Maybe… maybe she's trying to… I don't even want to say it out loud!"
Luna's eyes widened further. "You think she might be… blackmailing him?" She leaned in close. "Or worse, trying to...?"
Lyra let out a small, calculated gasp. "Luna! Could that be it? It would explain why he hasn't…" Her voice trailed off, leaving room for Luna to fill in the blanks.
"Onee-san! He has been taking less naps." Luna shared, her voice tinged with a mix of genuine concern. "But... Harlow seemed so nice. And she seems to be a friend of his."
Lyra's eyes glinted with a spark of triumph. Luna's words were music to her ears. "See, Luna? Something is definitely off. His behavior has been strange lately…" She paused, emphasizing the implied connection to Harlow.
"We have to find out what she is up to!" Luna asserted, her voice filled with righteous determination. "Abernathy-san is too carefree to notice someone sneaking up on him. We have to protect him!"
Lyra masked an eager smile behind a mask of sisterly concern. "You're right, of course. But how?" Her voice took on a note of desperation, subtly goading Luna into action.
Luna's brow furrowed in concentration. For a moment, she was lost in thought, a fingertip tapping against her chin. Suddenly, her eyes lit up with inspiration.
"I know! We will follow them on their date! Observe from a distance, gather evidence… like true celestial detectives!" Luna declared, a hint of theatrical flair in her voice.
Lyra tried to hide her excitement. This was even better than she imagined. "But Luna, won't that be… you know… rude?" She feigned hesitation, playing the voice of reason against her sister's impulsiveness.
"Nonsense!" Luna waved a hand dismissively. "We are doing this for his own good! Besides," she added with a mischievous grin, "it could be quite an adventure!"
Lyra allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. The wheels were in motion.
-Next day-
Lyra ran into the guild, having finished her workout, to find all the girls at the bar, almost as if waiting for her.
"Uh, morning everyone. What's the occasion?" She asked. Fiora exploded out, a smirk on her face.
"Alright! She's here! Time to plan for operation 'who the hell she thinks she is'!" Fiora grabbed the bar area's chalkboard, writing and underlining the name. Lyra was wide eyed stun. Viperion raised her hand.
"Good! Vi has a suggestion! Whatcha got?" Fiora prepped herself to write. Viperion placed her hands in her lap and smiled.
"What's going on?" She asked cheerfully.
"We're planning the downfall of the homewrecker who's after Abernathy!" Fiora announced. Lyra's face flushed red.
"What? No. It's not like that." Lyra tried to explain.
"Oh it is. Blink told us all about it. Right Blink?!" Fiora asked. Lyra looked to her younger sister who had a confident smile.
"Yes! Onee-san said she was incredibly suspicious, so we are going to follow them on their date and find out what she is up to." Luna explained. Lyra's stomach sank.
"So, the homewrecker is Abernathy's girlfriend?" Viperion asked. Fiora nodded.
"She wants to be. Her name is Harlow. But I say to hell with that! I want her dead." Fiora's face grew dark.
"Uh, Fi, the goal is to not do that." Coral reminded. Fiora waved her off.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm just saying, if she wants to die, then that's how it's gonna go."
The other girls look over to Fiora, surprised at her words.
"Fiora-san, does this mean she's our guild's sworn enemy now?" Viperion inquired.
"Sure does. So we're going to kick her ass!"
"Ok that's enough!" Lyra marched over and snatched the chalk away, Fiora recoiling in surprise, and a little fear. "I-I think Abe is a big boy and can handle himself. And we're NOT killing her." Lyra stared daggers at the fire wizard.
"Then, why did you say that about Harlow yesterday, Onee-san?" Luna asked.
"Yes, from what Luna told us, Harlow seems adamant in trying to steal our Abernathy. Who knows what her intentions are." Coral added, a hand over her mouth to cover her smile, loving the pressure on Lyra.
"Well...!" Lyra started strong then faded.
"Is it because you're jealous, Lyra-san?" Viperion asked innocently yet bluntly. Everyone looked to the insect girl and Lyra blushed.
"W-what? Me? Jealous? Ha! That's crazy! I mean, why would I be? It's not like Abernathy and I are an item. He can go rewind into a ditch for all I care. Know what?" She asked rhetorically. She underlined the operations name several more times. "Abernathy is a lazy bum. I bet he'd fall for whatever nefarious scheme Harlow comes up with. But it's our job to take care of our own." She said, deflecting everything about her jealousy.
"That's the spirit! So, where do we start?" Fiora asked. Coral raised her hand.
"We should first get the lowdown on what the date is. Where are they going, what are they doing? Perhaps, Lyra should ask. After all, of everyone, she's the least suspicious. Any one of us would break, especially Vi-chan and Fi." Coral suggested. She hid her smirk again, looking over at Lyra with mischievous eyes.
Lyra tried to keep a calm face, but her heart was racing. What were the girls playing at? Did they somehow figure out the truth? Or was this just a twisted game, designed to torment her with her own lies? Or did they truly care about this and wanted to help? Either way, the only way out was through.
"That's not a bad idea. I'll go talk to Abe now. If any of you have anything to add, just come find me." Lyra nodded, hoping the confidence in her statement would give her courage.
She turned to walk away, but not before glancing back at the board. 'Operation: Who the Hell She Thinks She Is.'
-Later that day-
Abernathy sat at the guild bar, his head resting against the wooden countertop, eyes closed. The time lacrima came at a funny time. After letting go of the past, here it came, to remind him that he still fears the future. What if another event happens and it needs to be rewound? Would he still be able to get away with it? How far would he go? The thoughts raced through his mind.
"Hey, Abe?" A familiar voice called out. He opened his eyes to find Lyra standing next to him.
"Oh, hey, Ly. I saw you running this morning. Thats some motivation. Almost made me join. Almost." He gave a small chuckle.
"You know, you could join me. It would be good for you. Plus, it's not like you do much anyway." Lyra countered. Abernathy shook his head.
"Nah, I'll pass. But thanks. So what's up?" Abernathy asked.
"Well, I was wondering what you and Harlow are planning. A date or something? Maybe I can help out. Like, tell me where you're going and I can recommend the best spots." Lyra gave a small smile.
"That was you eavesdropping yesterday, huh?" Abernathy asked. Lyra's face fell, but she nodded.
"Sorry, I was just curious." She explained.
"It's fine. I'm glad you did. Otherwise, I wouldn't have remembered. But no, I don't need help. Harlow has it all planned out. I'm supposed to just show up." Abernathy took a moment before continuing.
"Can I ask you a question?" He asked.
"Sure, anything."
"If you had a chance to turn back time, and stop the Lunar Fissure from happening, would you take it?"
Lyra blinked in surprise. The Lunar Fissure was a sensitive topic for both sisters, especially since it was the main reason Lyra left Lunae.
"What brought this up?" Lyra asked. She took a seat at the bar.
"When I fought one the Wyverns, believe it or not, space time broke." He explained.
"It broke?" She asked. He nodded.
"It broke. It was weird. Of all the people to be immune to my magic, it was her. The Wyvern's name was Cassiopeia. She and I fought, and it broke... everything. And I was alone... it was a no win situation. We didn't save Ishgar, or anything, but Wyrnxoth win didn't either." He said. Lyra was wide eyed.
"I could have kept it like that, but obviously I didn't. I had an anchor that would take me back all the way before I joined the guild. But I used it to fix everything, but it meant not being able to go back. So I guess what I'm really asking is, would you give up the opportunity to go back?"
Lyra pondered the question. The Lunar Fissure had caused many problems, not only for her, but for the entire village. It caused many problems, both economically and magically, and was a sensitive subject in the village. And it was the reason she left. She was ostracized for her magic, saying that she was unraveling tradition. And when that rogue wizard came to steal from the village, she didn't stop him for good reasons. She was selfish. She wanted to show her village that her magic was special, and could help them, but that backfired.
"I'm not sure. I think a lot of people would want to go back, but how far? All the way back before the fissure, or after the fissure? Or before I used my magic the way I do now? That's hard to answer." Lyra said. Abernathy nodded.
"Yeah, it is." He said. Lyra stood up.
"So, this date, is this one you want to go on?" Lyra asked, probing.
"I don't know. It's been awhile since I've been on a date. And I know Harlow is a fun girl. She's helped me out, so I want to show her a good time, you know?"
Lyra held back a hurt look, not knowing why she had it in the first place.
"What if... I help you out? Maybe give you some pointers, make sure you don't wear whatever mess you find in your closet." She offered.
"You wouldn't mind?" He asked.
"Not at all." Lyra smiled. "I mean, someone has to make sure your date doesn't end up in flames."
Abernathy laughed.
"That's Fi job." He joked. Lyra laughed.
"You're right, but I can't have her messing with you. So, afternoon, my place, we're gonna make sure this date goes off without a hitch!"
"Your place?" He asked.
"Well, yeah. You think I'm gonna let you get ready for your date here? Come on, I'm a girl. You think I'm not gonna make sure you look good?" She smirked. Abe scratched the back of his head bashfully.
"Would take out the pain of having to do the thinking." He joked, his laziness shining through.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. So, what time are you meeting her?" She asked.
"Um... 7. I think." He said, a bit unsure.
"You think or know?" Lyra asked with hands on her hips.
"You'd think I'd do better." He replied. Lyra shook her head.
"7 it is then. See you at my place. Don't be late. Or early. Just be on time." She said.
"Got it."
Lyra walked away with a smile... Did she just offer to help Abernathy get ready for a date she was to spy on?
-Afternoon, at Lyra's Apartment-
Lyra walked around Abernathy eyeing him up and down. On her small dining table were several outfits he brought. They were all plain, basic outfits, nothing that stood out. She looked him up and down and shook her head.
"Nope. Not going to work." She said.
"What do you mean 'nope?' I look snazzy in some of those!" He argued. Lyra shook her head.
"These are basic outfits. Boring, everyday wear. You need something that stands out. Something that shows that you actually care. Plus, you're not exactly a 'snazzy' guy."
Abernathy raised an eyebrow at the comment.
"Says the girl whose outfits color scheme are almost always dark blue." He teased.
"Hey! That's not true!"
"Ok, then let's see what you have in your closet. Something that shows you care about your dates."
"H-hey! Hold on a second!" Lyra tried to stop Abernathy but missed. He approached her closet and opened it.
"Oh man, if these blues were any lighter, I'd think I was looking at Coral's closet." He joked.
Lyra's closet was full of different shades of dark blue. Not just the color of the ocean, but also a deeper blue.
"Alright, alright, so I like dark blue. They remind me of home..." Lyra trailed off, the memories of her past coming back.
Abernathy picked up on the mood and looked at her.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring it up." He stepped back and closed the closet. Lyra shook her head.
"You didn't know." She looked back at him. "We can go through your clothes. I'm sure we'll find something."
They walked over to the table and started to look through his clothes.
"I mean, Harlow knows me, so it shouldn't matter what I'm wearing." He states while feigning deep thought with his arms crossed.
"That's not how this works. You have to look nice! Even if Harlow doesn't care, you should! It shows that you put in effort!" She said as she looked through the clothes.
"You're awfully invested. Should I be worried?" He joked. Lyra's heart stopped, but she kept her eyes on the clothes.
"What? No! It's just... you don't have many dates. Or any dates. So, this is important!" She said.
"Thanks, Ly, but really, it's fine. I'm just going to go with what's comfortable." He said. He grabbed a pair of dark red pants and a white button up shirt. Lyra stepped in front of him with a finger on his chest.
"Listen lazy-pants, if it was me, I'd demand you to dress your best. After all the crap I've put up with between you deciding to work hard and then disappearing for your naps, you would owe me that much."
Abernathy blinked in surprise.
"If it was you?" He asked.
"Y-Yeah! That's what I said!" She said, a bit defensively.
"So, if you were going on a date with me, you'd want me to dress up?"
Lyra's face flushed a deep red.
"I-I... uh..." She stammered.
Abernathy placed a hand on her head and ruffled her hair.
"Ly, are you asking me out? I'm spoken for you know." He teased. Lyra smacked his hand away and crossed her arms.
"W-what? No! I'm not... it's not like that..."
Abernathy smiled.
"Relax, I'm just teasing. But, thanks. You're a good friend, Ly." He grabbed the outfit he chose and walked towards the bathroom. "I'll change in here, so don't peek."
Abernathy winked and closed the door. Lyra's mind was racing. Did he figure it out? Did he know why she was helping him? Did she just blurt out her true feelings and ruined their friendship? Was this a good thing or a bad thing? Her thoughts snapped back to the present when a knock came through her door.
"Onee-chan? Are you home?" Luna asked. A louder more aggressive knock followed.
"Ly! Where'd you go! Did you find out where the date is?" Fiora asked.
"Fi-san, that was a bit much." Luna said.
"Who cares! I want to know!" Fiora shouted.
Lyra opened the door and stopped the girls.
"H-hey! Why are you both here?" She asked them.
"We went to look for you but you were gone. Tres said he saw you leave the guild. I guessed you would be here." Her little sister responded.
"And I thought we could catch up and talk about what the homewrecker's plan is!" Fiora said.
"Shush!" Lyra shouted and covered Fiora's mouth. Fiora raised an angry eyebrow and began to bad mouth the Star weaver through the hand.
"Well, we are here! What is the plan?" Luna asked. Lyra heard the bathroom doorknob behind her jiggle.
"Uh, be right back!" She slammed the door in their faces and walked to the bathroom door.
"What do you think?" He asked, walking out. He wore the dark red pants and the white button up shirt, along with the black boots he wore.
Lyra blushed at the sight of him. He looked good.
"W-wow... you clean up well."
"You think so? You're not just saying that cause it's my only good outfit, right?"
"No, it looks really nice. You should wear it more often." She said. Abe chuckled.
"I'll take your word for it. Anyway, I should get going. Thanks for the help." He said walking toward the door.
"Wait!" Lyra shouted.
"Something wrong?" He asked.
Lyra stopped herself. This was her chance.
"N-no, but uh, maybe I could, you know, tag along. Be the help in your ear so you can make a good impression."
Abernathy chuckled.
"You don't need to. Harlow knows me already. I'll be fine. I'll let you know how it goes."
Before he reached the front door, Lyra grabbed his arm and pulled him away. She weaved her other hand secretly, creating an illusion of herself at the door. The illusion opened the door and exited.
"The hell was all that? We heard yelling." Fiora questioned. The illusion chuckled slightly.
"It was just a bug." It lied. Luna eyed the illusion suspiciously.
"Onee-san, you look... different." She stated.
"Different? I'm me." The illusion countered. Inside the apartment Abe was bewildered by the pull.
"Ly! Wh-what happened?" His confusion was quickly replaced with a chuckle. "Oh, I get it, you're worried, aren't you?"
He turned to Lyra and put a hand on her head.
"Listen, you have nothing to worry about. I promise I won't fall asleep at the appetizers." He joked.
"This is no joke, Abe!" She said. "I don't want you messing this up. This is a chance for you to show her how great you can be. That you're a smart a-and caring guy. Any person dating your lazy butt should know that."
Abernathy stared at Lyra wide eyed. She looked away bashfully.
"Y-you know what I mean. Just... just promise me you'll try, ok?"
Abernathy smiled. He nodded. She let out a sigh.
"Hey! This isn't Lyra! It's one of her illusions!" Fiora yelled through the door. Abe turned in confusion.
"Well, good luck! I'll see you out." Lyra approached her window and opened it. She weaved her magic and a mini Jabberwocky formed. It grabbed Abe and whisked him out the window. Lyra waved at him.
"See you later, Abernathy."
"What the hell is going on?! Ly!" He shouted. The Jabberwocky jumped down to the streets and rushed off with him. At the same time, Fiora burst through the door, flames all up her arms.
"Alright! Where's the real Ly!" She shouted. Luna appeared behind her and looked around.
"I knew she was acting strange, but that illusion was good."
Lyra was still staring out the window, where she saw the Jabberwocky disappear with Abe. She turned to face them, her face red.
"I h-had to wrap up something important. Anyway, I don't know what you're talking about, Fi." Lyra said.
"Don't give me that bullshit. I know an illusion when I see one. So, spill it." She responded. The illusion's face was very off, looking nothing like Lyra.
"I'm not lying, Fi. So, what's up?"
"Why the hell did you make an illusion?"
"It was... uh..." Lyra's mind raced for a response. She looked over to the table, realizing that Abernathy didn't take the clothes he brought over with him.
"I was trying to tidy up! I hate having guests over when my place is a mess. You know how it is."
"Tidy up? You are just moving things around." Luna pointed out.
"W-well, you know me. I'm a bit of a neat freak."
"Well, whatever! We got planning to do. Ain't gonna let no hussy dupe Abe. You find out where the date is?" Fiora asked.
"Uh, yeah, it's a restaurant in town called 'The Steakhouse.' He's supposed to meet her there at 7." Lyra said.
"Perfect! Operation 'Who the Hell She Think She Is' is a go!"
Lyra held a business card in her hands, one that Abe probably forgot he put in his pocket.
-Dusk, The Steakhouse-
Abernathy sat at a table in the restaurant, a cup of coffee in his hand. He looked at his watch, and the time was 7:00. As if on cue, Harlow walked in wearing a form fitting dress with her curly blonde hair draped around her shoulders.
"Abernathy!" She called out. "So sorry I'm late." She kissed his cheek and sat down. "I got caught up with something, but I'm here now. So, how are you?"
"Good, and don't worry about it. You look nice." He complimented.
"Why thank you. You look good yourself." She replied.
"Quite the place you chose. I didn't think a mechanic would choose something upscale. It's not the kind of place I'd expect someone from your line of work to like." He stated.
"What? Can't a girl treat her date?" She asked with a flirtatious smile. Abe chuckled.
"You're making me feel bad. I ask you to find the time lacrima, and my payment is to let you spoil me? Not much of a date, is it?"
"Oh, it's not a problem, really." She said.
"Harlow, it's nice that you wanted to treat me, but you didn't need to. You've already helped me out. The least I could do is pay." He said. Harlow shook her head.
"Relax, Abernathy. It's fine. You know, we could always split the bill if that would make you feel better."
"Alright, that sounds fair. Anyway, how's work?" Abernathy asked.
"Work has been work. Same old, same old. But, things have been picking up recently..."
Several tables away, Lyra and Coral had sun hats and sunglasses while they were hiding behind menus, looking over at the couple.
"Playing spy is pretty fun, don't you think Lyra?" Coral asked.
"I... guess so. But this feels wrong." She said. Coral raised an eyebrow, but hid a smile behind the menu.
"You know, perhaps this could have all been avoided if you were honest from the start." Coral stated. Lyra looked back in surprise.
"W-what?" She asked.
"Oh, just a thought. It's nice that Abe has friends to look out for him, but telling how you feel would have make things a bit easier, don't you think?" Coral asked.
"How I feel? What are you talking about? I just wanted to help Abe." Lyra said, her eyes avoiding Coral's gaze.
"I do too. It's just this spying business feels a bit... much. I mean, would it kill you to be honest?"
"I am being honest. I just want to help him."
"Uh-huh, and it has nothing to do with your feelings?" Coral asked.
"Why does everyone keep asking that?" Lyra whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
"Hmm, I'll leave it alone for now." Coral said. She looked over to the couple, who was laughing. "Look, it seems like they're having fun."
Lyra looked over and frowned. Coral looked at her sympathetically.
Abernathy was chuckling.
"Yeah, I remember that. You wouldn't let Zeph back into your shop after." He said.
"It was gross! I spent all day cleaning it! So, I banned him for two months."
"Two months? He cried for three days straight." He said.
"That kid is dramatic. If he wasn't such a cutie it would have been for life."
"You're going soft. Two months is a long time." He said.
"Well, I'll let you in on a little secret. You coming in to defend him convinced me otherwise. I think it was the way you made the case. I never expected the boy scout to have it in him." Harlow leaned in, "You can be a real badass." She whispered seductively.
Abernathy leaned back and gave a small bashful chuckle. "You think so?" He asked.
Harlow nodded, a coy smile on her lips.
"I think so."
"Excuse me." A server arrived to take their order. The couple looked up, with Abe caught off guard.
"V-Vi? What are you doing here?" He asked. Viperion, who was dressed in the typical wait staff attire, gave a small smile.
"Working. I've been floating around town in different places. Apparently it's because I 'make the uniforms look good', or whatever that means. I can't say I understand it, but it's been fun." Viperion explained.
"That's cool. I take it you both know each other." Harlow asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah. Believe it or not she's also a part of my guild. One of our newer members. You didn't see her when you came by, but I assume because she's been working. Which explains why we haven't seen you too much these days." Abernathy explained.
"I've been making loads of jewels. It's because of that nice crowd over there." She explained, pointing to a crowd of gentlemen wearing 'Antenna Goddess Club' shirts.
"They go wherever I work and bring in tons of business. They keep saying they're my fan club, but I don't know what that means." She explained with a smile.
"Interesting. And how long have they been following you?" Harlow asked.
"About a month. They seem to be very generous people. They even tip me extra and buy drinks for customers. But, that's not why I'm here. I wanted to let you know that I'll be taking care of your date, and," Viperion gave Abernathy a very conspicuous wink, "Got your back, Abernathy-san."
Abe raised an eyebrow.
"Um, thank you... Vi. We're ready to order."
Several tables away, Lyra was agape.
"W-w-w-why is Vi there?" She asked in shock.
"She's just waiting tables. I wouldn't be too worried about it." Coral tried to calm her down.
"B-but... Vi can't keep a secret! She doesn't know what it means to be 'incognito'."
"Maybe it will be fine. Maybe she knows and will keep it to herself."
"Or she'll blurt it out!"
"Calm down, Lyra. No need to blow a gasket." Coral said.
Viperion looked over her shoulder, looking right at the pair and gave a wink and a thumbs up. Both ladies pulled up their menus.
"I stand corrected." Coral sighed.
"We should do something." Lyra said.
"I agree. What's the plan?"
"I-I don't know. I didn't think this through." Lyra said. Viperion skipped over.
"Coral-san, Lyra-san, I'm keeping watch too." She reported.
"Viperion, please be quiet. We don't need Abe finding out." Coral pleaded.
"He hasn't spotted you two yet, has he? Don't worry. I'll keep watch." Viperion said with a big grin.
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, this isn't good." Lyra muttered. Viperion looked back over to Abernathy and gave him a wink and a thumbs up too. Lyra and Coral ducked.
"The ship is sinking!" Lyra exclaimed.
"There's still time. We can salvage this. Let's just... go with the flow."
"Go with the flow?" Lyra asked.
"Trust me." Coral said.
Abernathy noticed Viperion's actions.
"Did... she just wink at us?" Harlow asked. Abe looked over with a head tilt.
"Vi is from out of town... so social cues isn't her thing."
"Social cues?" She asked.
"Yeah, sometimes she likes to do random things. Like right now, it's like she's signaling something. I don't know why she's doing it, though."
"I see. Well, it's refreshing to be around someone who just says what they mean." She said with a smile.
"I'd hope so. I mean, this is a date, right?" He said.
Harlow smiled.
"Yes, it is. And as your date, I want you to relax. There's no need to worry. I want you to have fun."
Abernathy gave a lopsided grin. "You should be the one having fun, though. I mean, it's the least I can do after you helped me find the time lacrima."
Harlow shook her head. "Just let me spoil you, ok?" She said with a coy smile. However, her smile started to fade when Abernathy's eyes looked out to the distance. "Is... everything ok?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing, just a lot on my mind." He replied. Harlow shook her head.
"You're always in your head, even when we first met. But now, you seem really out of it since the whole Wyvern incident." She commented.
"I'm sorry. It's just... I don't know. I still have a lot to learn. I feel like I'm not doing enough." He said.
"Abernathy, that's not true. You're an amazing wizard, and your guild clearly relies on you. They love you. Isn't that worth something?"
"Of course, it is. I just wish I could do more." He said.
"Maybe, but what can you realistically do? Your time magic isn't all powerful." She pointed out. Abe looked to Harlow with a look of apprehension.
"Harlow... there's something I want to tell you, it's about my magic and the reason I needed the time lacrima."
"What is it, Abe?" She said while leaning in close. She placed her hand on his.
"I..."
A fiery explosion came from the kitchen. The entire restaurant looked in shock, as did Abe. Harlow's mouth was gaping, seeing a glimpse of the kitchen, which was now engulfed in flames.
"Fire!" A waiter yelled. But instead of a spreading flame, it was Fiora wearing an apron.
"I'll give ya fire!" She held up a platter. "Now, where is Abe!"
"Fi, what are you doing?!" He exclaimed. Fiora grinned.
"What do ya mean? I'm here to serve you and your... date... your meal." Fiora said, glaring daggers at Harlow.
"Fi, stop. I know when you're pulling something, and this is something. What's going on?" He asked.
Fiora set the platter on the table and dropped her act.
"Listen, I know what she's doing. She's trying to butter you up and then break your heart. That's why I'm here. She's going to take advantage of you and she's going to take you away from us!" She exclaimed.
"Fi, stop." He said firmly.
"You think I'm lying? Why are you even dating her anyway? She's a stranger! Lyra and I are your friends!" She accused, pointing at him.
"Lyra?" His eyes immediately scanned the restaurant. He scoffed then turned back to Fiora.
"What the hell are you talking about? Take advantage of me? Harlow is one of the first friends I made when I came to Magnolia. She's not out to get me."
Fiora glared at Harlow. Harlow stood with an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry Abe, I've caused you a lot of trouble with this date." She said. Abernathy shook his head.
"You don't have to apologize, Harlow. If anything I should be the one to say I'm sorry for ruining our date." He said. The restaurant fell silent at their back and forth. Abernathy reached over and grabbed Harlow's hand.
"I think we should go somewhere else." He said.
Harlow was taken aback.
"R-really?"
"Yeah." Was his simple response. The couple exited the restaurant, but Fiora wasn't having it. She stormed out too. Coral and Lyra looked at each other before leaving as well.
"What is your problem?" Fiora yelled. "You'll take out this girl but you won't spend time with us, tell us anything about you, or even talk to Lyra! Even I see it!" She accused.
"See what, Fi. Because whatever you're getting at has nothing to do with this!" He spat back.
"It does! You're such a jackass sometimes! Abe you're strong but you're the most blind guy I've ever met. You never see how Lyra feels!" She yelled.
Abernathy's face morphed into confusion and irritation. He furrowed his brows and looked towards her.
"Why do you keep bringing up Lyra? She has nothing to do with this. She has nothing to do with me! She's living her own life."
"It's the way you say stuff!" Fiora accused. "Lyra deserves more than what you give her! We deserve more than you keeping us at arm's length!"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean, huh?" He yelled back, but Harlow placed a hand on his chest.
"You say you want to do more, but I was right. Your guild loves you." She nodded toward Lyra and Coral.
"Lyra? Coral? What is this?" He asked. His eyes scanned between the three. Lyra removed the disguise. She wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. This whole thing happened because she didn't want to admit the truth. How could she? She knew Abe and knew nothing about him at the same time. But when it came down to it, she found her courage. She opened her mouth to speak.
"Abe..."
"Don't even try it." He said. Lyra flinched. Abernathy lowered his eyes. "I appreciate whatever it is you're trying to do, but I don't need any of you. I'll do my part in the guild, but stay out of my business, " Abernathy stated. The hurt evident in Lyra's features as his gaze pierce her, and her heart as his words crushed her.
He left without another word. Harlow followed, worried about what had transpired. Lyra stayed frozen in place. His words repeated in her head. Coral held her, but that didn't stop her tears. She touched her face, not understanding why she was crying.
"That asshole! I'm gonna-"
"Fiora! I believe you've done enough. I understand that you care, but this is something none of us can fix." Coral said, shaking her head in disappointment. Fiora took a step forward.
"But she... it's just not right. Abe should know."
"It's not our place." Coral stated. The Star weaver stood and wiped her tears.
"I'm sorry. I made a mess of things." Her voice wavered at the end. She turned around and began walking away.
"Lyra, I'm sorry." Coral called out. But Lyra continued.
Lyra sat on a benches in the square of Magnolia town. She didn't understand why she had felt the way she did. And furthermore, why it hurt that Abernathy told her to stay away. So, maybe he didn't think that, but it felt like it. At the same time, she understood that he has walls and boundaries, and respected that he had them. But, to see him put down his guards for a person who he hadn't known as long... Lyra looked up to the moon, thinking of the home she had left behind. She still had to find a way to stop the Lunar Fissure, but yet she was here crying over some boy. It felt silly and childish. Abe was her friend, sure. But that's where it ended. He clearly didn't feel the same. Besides, the last time she went head over heels for someone...
"Tears are unbecoming of a young woman such as yourself." A voice said next to her. Locks of silver cascaded by with violets eyes that followed. Lyra was captivated by the beauty of the woman that had stood in front of her. Her presence radiated elegance, reminding Lyra of her mother.
"I'm sorry, I look like a mess." Lyra sniffled, looking to the side to wipe away her tears. The woman eyed Lyra closely, almost as if she was analyzing her.
"I didn't say it was ugly. In fact, it makes you look more beautiful."
"That... can't be true." Lyra said, looking away embarrassed.
"Indeed, it is. Tears are expression of deep emotions. It is one of the few things people can do that they have control over. Fate can't prevent them from crying." She stated. Lyra tilted her head to the side.
"Fate?" She asked. The mysterious woman nodded.
"Fate is a funny thing. I used to think it was absolute, but even I can see that isn't the case. There are many who can't escape their fate. Others change theirs, and a handful can alter the fate of others."
"You'll have to excuse me, but I don't know who you are." Lyra pointed out. The woman gave a smile and a nod.
"I am Cassiopeia Sky, of the Sky Dominion." The woman informed. Lyra's heart raced and jumped from the bench, her hands already weaving. This was the woman that pushed Abe to the limit and then let him go. But the Wyvern waved her hand. "There's no need for that. I'm not here to fight. In fact, I'm here to help. You can call me Cass. Lyra Nightshade, yes?"
"How do you know who I am?" The Star weaver asked defensively. Cassiopeia crossed her arms, and placed a hand under her chin.
"A certain young man and I had a... sort of discussion. I'm sure you know what I mean. I decided to let him go, I had lost any reason to continue. However, he had inadvertently opened himself up to me, and I could see the people that mattered to him. One of them mattered more than the others, but it was clear he was ignoring his feelings." She explained. Lyra listened intently
"Why are you telling me this?" She asked, lowering her hands. Cassiopeia made her way to the bench and sat. She pat the spot next to her. Hesitantly, Lyra complied.
"Allow me to ask a very important question. What would it feel like if you forgot all about Abernathy? Your memories erased, as if he never came into your life. That if you ever saw him again, he'd be nothing but a stranger."
"I... I can't imagine not knowing him." Lyra responded.
"Can't or won't?" Cass inquired. Lyra looked away. "I see. I have to be frank with you, Star weaver. While I don't know what truly happened, I know that you have a unique bond with this Wizard. He sees that the thing that anchors him here, is you."
"Me?" She questioned. "No, he and I are friends, but I don't understand what you mean by anchor. I'm not holding him back."
"Perhaps not physically, but mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I know the reason why he doesn't want to get close to anyone. The reason he keeps everyone at arm's length." She informed the young woman. She stood and smoothed out her dress. "Your guild has a unique blend of people wanting to let go of their past. I can see that from the small amount of time I've been here. It's quite lovely. To think I wanted to destroy a human town. But, I digress. You have a choice to make Lyra Nightshade. Will you let fate take its course or will you change it?"
"I... I don't understand." She said, looking up at Cassiopeia with teary eyes.
"Let's keep it simple, shall we? How important is it to keep your memories of Abernathy? To make sure all your guild members remember him. So that when the time comes, he'll choose to stay. Or, would you rather forget about Abernathy?" She asked. Lyra stood up and shook her head.
"No! I don't want to forget!" She exclaimed. Cassiopeia smiled and nodded.
"Then why did you let him walk away?" She asked with a wink. The Wyvern then sauntered of into the night. Lyra stood in shock, trying to process everything that had happened. How long was she watching them for? Why would she tell her this? But most importantly: why didn't she stop Abernathy from walking away? She remembered the way he looked at her. The way he said her name. Was it disappointment? Betrayal? No. Abe was her best friend. She wouldn't let him go. Not like this. Lyra took off, running through the streets of Magnolia town, searching for Abernathy and Harlow.
Abernathy sat on a bench in the park with Harlow next to him. His arms draped the back of the bench while looking at the sky. They had been there for quite a while.
"As much as I enjoy sitting here in silence, will you tell me why you were up in arms about your guild mates following and spying on you?" She asked. Abe sighed and looked at Harlow.
"Because... the last thing I need them to do is for them to get close. It's bad enough they know what I can do." He said, looking away again. "I don't want to be alone, but I can't let anyone in."
"Why not? You have a guild that cares about you. Whatever you've done or has happened to you, they'd be able to see past it. You're the type of guy that's worth that." Harlow said. Abe scoffed and shook his head.
"You don't understand." He stated. She rolled her eyes and leaned back into the bench.
"Then tell me." She said. "I'm here to listen, Abe."
Abernathy looked away, trying to find the strength to bring the story into light. The words were trapped in his throat, begging to come out. The only thing that held it back was his fear. He took a deep breath and began.
"I was trying to tell you why I needed the time lacrima earlier. Time magic is unstable and powerful. In the wrong hands, everything can come undone. Having a set amount allows for an easier time in trying time manipulate it." He explained. He held two fingers up, allowing his magic to shimmer above them. "My magic lets me rewind time for myself. I can do it a certain amount of times until I get sick and collapse. But, the responsibility of it is crushing. If you had the power to save people, shouldn't you use it?" He asked rhetorically. Harlow looked on, listening intently. "I thought that too, so I tried my best to help others. But, I made a mistake and it cost me everything."
Abernathy stood and placed his hands in his pockets.
"The lacrima was going to be used to power an anchor I had set up to take me back several years... before I met you or my guild. It was a safety net in case something bad happens. I always had it close just in case. But when the Wyverns attacked, I had to use it. And now everything is up in the air. But that's not what I really wanted to tell you."
Abernathy turned towards Harlow. She saw the tears forming in his eyes. He had never looked so vulnerable before.
"When I was a kid, I was a prince of a kingdom. My mother was a kind and powerful woman. My father was a great warrior and king. We lived happily until my 10th birthday. A catastrophe happened that would destroy the whole kingdom. That's when I discovered just how powerful my magic was. I rewound time to prevent it from happening. But, it happened anyway. I didn't give up though. I kept trying, and trying, and trying. But the result was always the same. Over and over and over again. The kingdom burned. My parents died. Then..." Abe's voice became choked, the pain he buried deep inside resurfacing once more, overwhelming him. He dropped to his knees as the tears he held back fell freely. He clenched his fist. "I tried for years and years until finally, they disappeared from existence. All of them. Everything. Gone. And it was because of me. Because of my power! I tried to rewind further, but they were just... gone." He explained.
"I tried to do it over, but I couldn't. Instead, I created a different timeline. Another version of the past. The only person that remembers them is me. So, I stopped using my power. Then, I met you and the guild. They gave me a place to belong. I... didn't want to lose that. But, I was afraid that I'd lose them too, that my power would do something irreversible. And now, with what happened with the Wyverns, I know that it's inevitable."
Harlow placed her hand on his cheek. She knelt down and gave him a small kiss on the forehead.
"Stop, you dummy. You're torturing yourself. What happened was not your fault." She said. Abernathy shook his head.
"If only that was true."
"You did everything you could, and that's all you can do." She said. "You don't have to carry this burden alone. You have friends."
"I know, but-" He tried to argue, but the sounds of approaching footsteps stopped him. Lyra was approaching, her eyes burning with the tears she cried.
"I think it's time you stop keeping everyone away and remember that you're not alone anymore." Harlow stood and walked toward Lyra. She stopped next to the Star weaver.
"This is something that I can't console him on. Only you can. Consider this a small truce, between love rivals." Harlow stated. Lyra raised an eyebrow.
"But, we're not-"
"You and I both know that's not true. I'm not a fool." She walked off toward her home. Abe stood wiping his tears.
"Ly, why are you here? I said-"
"Abe, listen to me." Lyra said firmly. Abe looked at her, a little shocked by her tone. "I know you want to protect everyone, but you're not some damn superhero! You're human! It's ok to not have all the answers! It's ok to be scared!"
"I'm not-"
"You are. I can see it in your eyes. I've seen it since the beginning. When I first came to the guild, you were still trying to find your place with Coral, Zeph, and master Basil. Then I came, and you made sure that I felt welcomed. You were there for me when I joined. You and the others taught me what it was like to have a trusted friends. And soon you all became my family. But how can we be family if you won't lean on us?! How can you keep such a lonely secret?!" Lyra's voice was starting to crack, and her tears fell again. She wiped them away. "You are a good person, Abe. You're the first person to really see me. To see beyond the smiling girl pretending she was put together! And if you want to walk away because of that... then walk away. But don't expect me to let go so easily. You've made me feel safe and loved, and that's not something I can just forget!"
"I... Ly..." He tried. She walked up and grabbed his collar.
"Shut up and let me finish! Because I can't. I can't forget about you. Even if we forget all about you, I'd remember. If you ever try to erase yourself from our lives, I'd personally come after and drag your ass back. So, don't even try it. If anything, I'll follow you and make your life miserable." She said through gritted teeth. Abernathy stared wide eyed, having never seen Lyra this way.
"You heard... my story?" He asked in a small voice.
"Yes. And you know what? It doesn't matter. None of it changes how I feel. It doesn't change who you are. It won't stop me from love-" She stopped herself. Her face flushed the deepest red. Abe looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Ly, what did you just say?" He asked. Lyra's eyes widened, realizing what she almost said.
"I-it was nothing. You must have heard wrong. I'm just saying that we're your friends, and that's not going to change." She let his collar go and stepped away. "You're stuck with us Abernathy Tomlin. Whether you like it or not. We're not going to leave you alone. We're family." She stated. Her words were firm, but there was a sense of tenderness to them. Abe's lips turned upward, and he let out a small chuckle.
"Jumping from hot and cold so quickly is going to make my head spin." He said.
Lyra smiled, wiping her tears away.
"You're such a jerk." She said.
"But you love it." He said with a small grin.
"I'm... still figuring it out." She said. Abe walked up to her.
"Let's take things one day at a time. I can't say that I won't struggle, but I can promise I'll do better." He pulled her into a hug . "Thank you, Ly."
"Of course." She whispered into his shirt.
They stood there for a while, letting their feelings wash over them. Lyra buried her head into his chest, her face pressed against his shirt. After a moment they stepped away from each other.
"I'll see you at the guild tomorrow. I think I owe them a story. Or two." He said.
"They'll be glad to hear it." Lyra said.
"One more thing," Abe began. "I know that you weren't going to say it earlier. It's a conversation for another day, but just know, I'm willing to hear it."
"I..." Lyra looked to the side. "I don't know what you mean."
Abe raised an eyebrow.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear it. But, like I said. It's a conversation for another day. One day at a time, right?" He asked.
"Right." Lyra nodded.
"Good night." He said.
"Good night." She echoed.
She watched as Abernathy walked off into the night. A sigh left her lips, and she felt her heart flutter. Her hands went over her chest where her guild crest was.
"Stupid Abe." Lyra whispered to herself.
