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December 14th, X778

The collection of carved bones, stones, and other odd knick-knacks didn't seem like a lot to Natsu, but they clearly meant a lot to Levy. She'd spent days now working on her small collection, carving them with tiny runes and ensuring each piece was perfect and to her liking. She'd worked night and day on them. Even the button Natsu had pulled from his coat was carved with tiny, intricate sigils.

At least they'd been able to salvage some of the meat from Levy's deer for Wendy to eat, though she'd not been thrilled about it. Happy and Charle had certainly enjoyed their big meal.

Finally, Levy was finished making her scrying collection, and as Wendy slept soundly close by, snuggled up beside the fire, Levy cradled those items in her hands. She whispered to them in a language Natsu didn't recognize. When she finished, she rattled them gently and then cast them onto the earth before her.

Old, powerful silence stilled the air. Even the flames seemed to crackle a little quieter. Natsu watched curiously, holding his breath, as Levy leaned over the items and began mouthing words to herself, studying the scrying items.

Eventually, after several minutes, Natsu prompted, "Well?"

Levy shot him a nasty look. "I'm not done."

Natsu rolled his eyes and sat back, waiting. When Levy finally leaned back and puffed out a startled breath, Natsu glared at her impatiently. "You're going to be annoyed with me," complained Levy.

He narrowed his eyes. "I'm going to be more annoyed if you don't start telling me what they say."

Levy considered whether or not she honestly wanted to tell him before giving in. "They tell me you saw something vital – a clue, as to where Lucy's wandering soul might be. It appears that she's not entirely safe, but she's not currently at risk either. Something still feels off about it though. I can't get a read on what it is, but something regarding her soul's situation is off. And then there's the other part of the message." She frowned deeply, shifting anxiously. "Gajeel might be involved, but not directly. There's a conflict that seems to be connected to her soul, and he's walking directly into it. The bones," she gestured to a few particular bones, "tell me that he might be in danger, but he might not be. It's…confusing. I've never had so much difficulty with it."

Levy had been right: Natsu was annoyed with her. Exasperated, he asked as she finally – finally – gave him back Lucy's necklace, "Are they connected somehow? What the hell are we supposed to do with that?"

"I don't know." Levy gathered her scrying objects and tried again, scattering them. "I'm unable to read anything else at the moment." She gathered the objects yet again, but this time, she put them into a small coin purse Wendy had given her. "I'll take a look again come morning time, Natsu."

Natsu sighed, disappointed that it didn't seem to be anything new. He checked on Wendy, who was still sound asleep. When he was certain of it, he told Levy quietly, "Luce…I want to make sure she's safe, even if it's somewhere I can't see her anymore, Levy. I don't want to bring her back, and I don't want her to become a Vhalis or demon or something like that. She would have hated all that."

Levy seemed startled by the admission, though her gaze warmed a moment later. "Loving someone is difficult," she said softly, "for both sides. I worry about losing Gajeel again, all the time, but it's worth it, too. I imagine it's similar for you, but I don't think I can fully understand how difficult it must truly be. I'm sorry, Natsu – that you've lost someone you clearly care so much for. I…I never wanted something like that to happen to anyone, let alone a friend."

Levy wasn't the one he really wanted comfort from, but at the same time…he appreciated it. He acknowledged that she might be the closest he'd get to someone else understanding how he felt. At least, the closest he'd get to someone like him. It was nice to know he wasn't entirely alone in his grief.

Uncertainly, Natsu asked, "When Erigor first got your diale off of you…how did you manage the loss? I feel like there's a knife just twisting constantly in my chest. It won't stop hurting. Every time I turn around, there's something else to remind me of Lucy."

Almost casually, she mused, "Erigor wasn't the one who won my diale." Levy leaned back, propping herself on her hands. "But I reminded myself of everything I loved about Gajeel, no matter how much it hurt me, because he was worth it."

For some reason, it wasn't the second part of her statement that he noticed. "Erigor wasn't the one who won your diale?"

Levy blinked, startled. "I didn't tell you? No, he wasn't. Another man won it off me – one Erigor was friends with for a short period of time. Erigor stole my diale from him one night and ran off with it, eventually forming his own little group." She grimaced. "I'm grateful for it, I suppose. The other man…he was around for a long, long time. I'd wondered if he was Porlyusica's Favored, or something like that."

Something was nagging at Natsu. Before he could start sorting his thoughts about the matter, however, something slinking along the edges of the small clearing they occupied caught his attention. The Vhalis was on the larger side and had been dead for some time. It followed the protective ring of runes Levy had set up before they'd shown up. Natsu instinctively touched his pocket, where Scorpio's key lingered. The key threatened to burn him, even with fabric between them.

"It won't cross the runes," Levy told him, confident.

Natsu continued to trail the Vhalis with his eyes, effectively distracted from their previous conversation when he asked, "Have any of Valhalla's keys ever burned you?" She shook her head, confused, and Natsu showed her one of his hands. It was hard to see in the darkness. The flames of the fire nearby cast barely enough light for Levy to see, and she frowned deeply. "I've never heard of them doing that. But, Natsu, those look like–"

The Vhalis screamed, startling Wendy awake. She bolted to her feet, heaving for air and eyes wild with panic. Happy and Charle leaped to their paws, bristling. Natsu grimaced when Wendy stared at the Vhalis glaring at them, clearly petrified by the sight of it. "Wendy," he called. She didn't so much as look at him for an instant, locked onto the Vhalis. "We're safe. Levy's wards are holding, remember?"

Wendy faltered. "You're sure?"

"Confident." Levy's smile was soft, sympathy bright in her eyes. "The lost soul can't get you."

Wendy waited until Natsu had agreed to turn away. She dragged her sleeping bag closer to Natsu and only then did she sit back down. Happy and Charle curled up with her immediately, pleased to have their warmth back. With Levy around, Wendy had forgone her tent for the night, enjoying the bits and pieces of warmth that remained.

Natsu rested his chin in his hand, eyes distant as he recalled the sheer joy on Lucy's face when she'd felt the warmth Levy had created. It was one of the rare moments he'd seen her so carefree and happy – a moment of peace before the typhoon that had come hours later. She'd been so happy to simply feel warm.

Wendy flinched when the Vhalis snarled, yawning, "Did you finish with your bones, Levy?"

Levy nodded. "They're somewhat helpful."

"Then you're coming with us?" Wendy sounded hopeful. Natsu suspected it had just as much to do with the warmth she was enjoying as it did Levy's company. Levy seemed to think along similar lines, for her lips curled before she responded.

"Perhaps – if Natsu doesn't mind, of course. I owe Lucy for what happened, after all; ensuring her soul rests peacefully is the least I could do. Besides, Gajeel appears to be connected somehow, and it worries me. I think it's best if we work together to understand what is happening."

Natsu really didn't want to, but he nodded nevertheless. Lucy's soul was more important than the pain Levy's presence brought him.

He could have sworn Wendy whispered gratitude to the breeze that whisked lovingly over them, delighted that she'd continue being at least somewhat warmer.

It seemed like eons ago that Lucy had sat there peacefully on the step of a home on Hyacinth, her fingers curled around a mug of hot chocolate that she passed back and forth with Natsu as he told her his plans to help Gray and Erza find a god that they'd felt was nearby. She remembered how surprised he'd been by the taste of that warm drink, how he'd fondly given her the keys that had saved her life alongside his scarf. The memories pierced her over and over again, threatening to drown her beneath the pain they brought. She missed him. She missed him badly.

Now, Lucy sat there alone. She held some tea, which she used to help keep her warm as she waited for Loke to come back. He'd disappeared in the middle of the night with little to no warning after being rather clingy for the last few days. It worried her – especially seeing as they'd be leaving the next morning with Yukino, Rogue, and Sting in tow. The group had decided they'd not stay together following their exit, but that it would be easier to simply leave on the same boat.

Lucy wrinkled her nose, suspicious of Loke's disappearance. It wasn't like him to vanish in the middle of the night. She hoped he was okay.

A body dropped to sit beside her, bundled up to help fend off the chill. "So," Yukino said, her dark eyes thoughtful as she eyed Lucy. "Your friend isn't here and you're out here waiting for him in the dead of night despite it being recommended that you come inside, where it's far safer."

Lucy snorted softly. "I don't know where he went. I'm waiting for him to come back so I can get answers though. I'll share when I find out." Likely not, but Yukino didn't mind the small joke.

Yukino thought it over. "Is he like Natsu?" she finally asked. Lucy suspected it was Sting who'd nudged Yukino out to talk with her; he'd been nosey about what had happened upon returning home to find out she was back in Hyacinth.

Lucy propped her chin in her hand, listening to the distant crashing of waves on the shore. Yukino and Sting had seen some hints of Natsu's otherworldliness, she recalled. He'd been angry with them the last they'd been in Hyacinth. They'd seen ash on his breath and a few other hints of things. "Yes," she admitted, "but he's…he's nothing like Natsu at all."

Yukino watched her closely. She bit her lip, considering what to say. Finally, she asked softly, "Where are Wendy and Natsu, Lucy? You seemed really close when you were all here last time. Did something happen?"

It was the question everyone seemed to ask when they realized Lucy wasn't accompanied by the sun god, and it made her stomach flip. She remembered every moment that they weren't there without being reminded of Wendy's tear-streaked face – of the golden trails that glowed along Natsu's cheeks as he promised her things she had no desire for. Her heart twisted with grief, and Lucy swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. How badly she'd hoped Mirajane had been in Hyacinth, if only because she would have helped Lucy track Natsu's diale right to him.

Lucy wrapped her arms around herself after setting her tea aside, abandoning it entirely. "We came across another group. It was…it was nothing like Hyacinth, Yukino. No matter what's happening here, I'd take it any day over that group."

Yukino winced lightly, murmuring an apology for bringing up what was clearly a sensitive subject. It didn't stop her from asking, "Are they okay at least?"

"As far as I know." Lucy bit her lip. "We got separated. I've been trying to find them, but even with Natsu being…special, you know how hard it is to find someone in Fiore nowadays. Loke's helping me, but it's…it's not the same, and we're no closer than we were a month ago. I miss them."

Yukino reached out to pat her shoulder soothingly. She rocked back a little, puffing out a thoughtful breath into the air. "Do you remember," she mused, "how nice things were before? When we had phones? I wish we still had them. It'd make everything so much better. We could keep in touch easier than we could now. And you'd be able to figure out where they are in moments."

"Me, too," said Lucy with a choked, rush of a laugh that drew a small smile to Yukino's face. "Cars were rather nice, too, weren't they?"

The pair huddled together on the porch, reminiscing about easier times. Yukino pretended that she didn't instinctively shift away when Lucy leaned closer to her, and Lucy pretended that she didn't notice Rogue eyeing them from the window.

As if he was hesitant to leave Lucy alone with Yukino.

It was nearing the early hours of the morning when Loke finally came back. When he did, Lucy was waiting. She'd still not moved from the front steps of the porch, even after Yukino had gone in and Sting had stepped out to mention it wasn't a good idea for her to stay outdoors past dark. The leftover tea had gone cold long ago. At least she had an extra blanket Yukino had lent her to throw over her body alongside her coat.

"Lucy," said Loke, exasperated as he made his way up the path to the house. "Honestly–"

"Don't you 'honestly' me," she nearly growled, eyes flashing with irritation. She could nearly see every part of his face beneath the bright light of the full moon. "Where were you? I've been out here for hours–"

Loke grimaced, sighing heavily – as if she were a child. The blanket was, suddenly, a little too much. Ripping it from her shoulders, Lucy rocketed to her feet and glowered at him. "Don't you dare think for one second that I can't try and find Natsu on my own, Loke–" She uttered a strangled, furious sound of frustration as she pushed sweat-dampened hair from her face. She proceeded to yank her coat from her arms, bewildered as to why she felt so hot when it was freezing cold outside.

Loke spoke softly, voice almost gentle. "It will stop when you calm down. You'll get better at controlling things like that with time, Lucy."

Her lips parted, taken aback.

"You have a fever, Lucy. You're going to rest."

"I breathe ash. Gajeel has shrapnel."

"Your fever broke this morning, but you're not going to get any better by pushing yourself too hard, Lucy."

It shouldn't have been a surprise to her. The gods had always displayed signs of what had ultimately killed them in their human lives when emotion had overrun them. Especially when it came to being angry. How many times had she seen ash blow on Natsu's breath? Gray's hair had laced with hoarfrost. Even Gajeel had fished shrapnel from his flesh, just as Natsu had pointed out.

Denying the obvious was a way to get one's self killed in times like these, but Lucy admitted, voice quivering, "I don't want to get better at controlling it. I want to be like I was, Loke." For all her eagerness to learn how to hunt a god so she could find Natsu, she wanted nothing to do with the rest of it. She wanted it even less than she had when she'd first heard what Loke had done. She didn't want to be like the otherworldly creatures that forgot what it was like to suffer and live as humans did.

"Yeah, well, tough luck. Ain't like the rest of us like it much either."

Lucy choked on her own saliva as she spun around to gawk at the god casually watching them from where he'd made himself right at home on the porch she'd sat on for hours. Lucy couldn't have even begun to understand how the hell he'd gotten there without her noticing. He looked as smug as a sated lion as he smirked at them, crouched with his elbows on his knees on the top step. Crimson eyes gleamed with delight.

"Gajeel?" sputtered Lucy.

Loke furrowed his brow, though he seemed far more pleased than Lucy was. "I thought I'd sensed someone about," he commented casually, which made Lucy want to throttle him again. That was why he'd disappeared into thin air? And he'd not bothered to tell her?

Gajeel's gaze slid between them, narrowing a fraction. "Ain't surprised," he commented, jerking his chin in Lucy's direction. "You being Natsu's Favored and all."

Lucy ignored that, demanding, "What the hell are you doing in Hyacinth?"

Gajeel glanced over his shoulder at the house behind him, thoughtful. "Caught a whiff of something up my alley," he told them, looking back in their direction. Lucy got the distinct feeling he was looking past them, at the darkness of the town at night, as if he saw something they didn't. His smug pride vanished, replaced with a serious, grim expression. The smile he gave was razor sharp. "You two should get outta town. Soon."

Tugging her coat back on after a breeze began to bite at her skin, Lucy hardly glanced at Gajeel when he came to stand beside her. "Yukino said there were some conflicts between the residents here, but war?"

Gajeel rolled his eyes. "Wars ain't just about fighting, y'know. And it's not about the numbers either." He rocked to his feet, seeming less than thrilled. In fact, Lucy didn't think Gajeel wanted to be in Hyacinth at all. "What are you two doin' here anyways?" He paused. "Actually–"

Before he could launch into the same questions everyone else had asked her, Lucy cut him off. "We needed supplies before we head north to look for Natsu and Wendy. Have you heard anything about where they might be? I was hoping they'd start heading here."
Gajeel shook his head. "Nothin', but Levy's north from here. Wasn't gonna bring her here after what happened." His gaze darkened as he recalled Erigor and everything that had happened alongside the man's name.

Deciding he was done with the conversation, Gajeel ducked past them, hopping from the porch. He stopped, considering, and then turned to face the pair again. "Seriously. Head out in the next day or two. Whatever's bubblin' up here is gonna break out really soon. I can feel it. If ya can find Levy, she might be able to find Salamander for ya. She was talkin' about making some new stuff for scrying. She'll know you're lookin' for her."

"Thanks," said Lucy, blinking in surprise. She'd not expected such a suggestion from the likes of Gajeel, who'd liked her as much as he seemed to like Natsu.

"Gajeel," Loke called when he turned to leave again, drawing an annoyed grunt from the god of warfare. "Look for signs of Mavis. She's not in Valhalla."

That particular statement had Gajeel turning towards them again, his eyes flickering with alarm. He hid it rather well, however, when he rumbled, "Yeah. I'll do that." He furrowed his brow, seeming to think over the matter before shrugging. He promptly vanished, as if he'd never been there, and Lucy threw her hands in the air.

The god who'd gone on and on about preserving power couldn't walk like a normal person?

"We're leaving in the morning," Loke told her, and Lucy let her hands fall to slap against her legs. "If Gajeel's here, those arguments between the residents…he doesn't usually offer warnings like that. We need to leave."

"We should get the three to go with us," Lucy replied, worriedly looking over her shoulder in the direction of the house they'd been staying in.

Loke murmured his agreement. Running a ring-clad hand through his hair, he eyed Lucy thoughtfully for a few moments. "I'm sorry," he said finally. "About disappearing on you as I did. I thought, perhaps, I'd sensed something that needed to be investigated. I ought to have told you." He hesitated, and then admitted, "The way the twelve of us work…it's separate from the likes of Gajeel. We're connected in a way that you will never understand. I don't have to tell them what I'm doing. They usually know. We're a single part of a whole, working independently towards the same goals and ideas. I don't think like you or people you might know. I think I understand it a little more since we've been working together, but regardless, it's still sometimes a surprise to me."

He was clearly struggling to explain it to someone who'd never experienced it, but he was trying, and Lucy appreciated it. Gently, she elbowed him. "I suppose I should start getting used to it," she admitted quietly. "I don't like what's happened, or what I've apparently become, but…"

Denying the obvious was a sure-fire way to get killed, and that was something Lucy had recognized from the beginning of the Fall. She'd done her best with the gods, but ultimately had been forced to confront it when Gray had come looking for Natsu the first time.

She supposed the time had come to start accepting things as they were. She couldn't change them.

She could only move forward.

So, Lucy squared her shoulders and met Loke's gaze. "I'll go wake up Yukino and the others. We should probably leave at first light." Regardless of the dangers in Hyacinth, it would be more dangerous to head for the shores of a Vhalis-infested land before the sun rose. They were caught between a rock and a hard place at the moment, and unfortunately, they'd need to stick with the rock in the middle of a shark-infested sea.

"I'll ensure our things are together," said Loke, shoving his hands into his pockets. He looked over his shoulder, grim. "It's unfortunate this place is no longer a safe one. It would have been convenient to wait here for Natsu and your friend, if what you think they were planning is true."

Lucy only sighed her agreement.

Look who met up with Lucy and Loke! ;)

Very excited. Wasn't sure how I was going to write the reunion. Came up with some nonsense that proved to be even more exciting then planned. Adding some shenanigans to upset everyone. My usual business. ;) All I'll say is this: if you love a ship, you gotta wreck it. :D

Thanks to reviewers (DREAMCHASING, InWonderl4nd, InfiniteMiste, xennia-x, galactiaconstella, Sir Sasquatch, XxStar'sDustxX, & Slayer Queen Dragneel!) as well as those who favorited and followed!