Who Am I?
The battle was over. Deliora, another demon from the accursed Book of Zeref, lay defeated. First Lullaby, now this. The pattern was hard to ignore, and as we trudged through the dense jungle toward the makeshift storage camp where the Islanders of Galuna were staying, I couldn't help but voice it aloud.
"I think there's some kind of pattern here, guys," I said, pushing a low-hanging branch aside as we walked. The air was still thick with the humidity of the island, and the remnants of magic that hung like a haze after the fight seemed to cling to my skin.
"You mean the Book of Zeref?" Erza asked. Her voice was steady, though her usual sharpness was softened, replaced by a strange calm. She wasn't her fiery, commanding self—more reflective, as if the battle had weighed on her in a way she wasn't ready to admit. It was a stark contrast to how furious she'd been when we arrived to bring Team Natsu back to the guild.
"Yeah," Lucy chimed in from beside me, her fingers laced with mine. Her warmth grounded me, a quiet reassurance against the heavy thoughts swirling in my mind. "Most people go their entire lives without ever seeing one of those demons… but us? Two in less than a month." Her tone was thoughtful, almost distant, her amber eyes fixed on the path ahead.
"Let's hope this trend doesn't continue," Erza said, crossing her arms in that familiar, no-nonsense way of hers. Her expression was tense, her gaze scanning the surrounding jungle as if she half-expected another enemy to emerge. "This time, we were this close to dying—and to releasing that demon into the world."
"Hey, now you can't be mad at us for this one," Natsu piped up, his voice louder than necessary, as usual. He gestured animatedly, his fiery energy undiminished despite everything. "If we hadn't come here, that Cold Emperor jerk would've unleashed Deliora anyway and doomed everyone eventually!" He shot a heated glare at Leon, who walked a few steps ahead, flanked by his subordinates. They were all bound together in icy chains that glinted faintly in the dim light.
Leon didn't respond. He kept his head high, his expression cold but resigned. Ur walked beside him, her presence like a thundercloud ready to burst. Her eyes burned with restrained fury as she matched Leon's pace, Gray close by her side.
I watched her out of the corner of my eye, feeling the weight of what was unsaid between us.
How much does she know?
Ur had been revived—something I'd made happen. My actions, my decisions… they had consequences, ones I couldn't avoid. The others didn't know the full story, didn't know about the Brave Saint cards or what I'd done to bring her back. But Ur? She knew. The look she'd given me back there, amidst the rubble and chaos, was proof enough.
We're going to have a talk.
"Anyway," Lucy said, breaking the tension as she squeezed my hand gently, "We've handled worse." Her voice carried that unwavering optimism she always seemed to find, even in the darkest situations.
"That's debatable," I muttered, shooting her a crooked smile.
But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the end. The Book of Zeref wasn't done with us.
The atmosphere among the Islanders was… unexpected.
We had anticipated grief, maybe the somber task of rebuilding what Deliora had destroyed. Instead, a massive celebration was underway. Music and laughter echoed through the camp, fires crackled warmly, and the air buzzed with joy. Yet, there was something different—something undeniably unnatural.
The Islanders weren't just half-demons anymore. The odd patches of demonic transformation we'd seen before—limbs, heads, torsos—were now complete. They were fully transformed, their forms sleek and otherworldly, with claws, horns, and wings. Yet they welcomed us with open arms, their glowing eyes brimming with gratitude as though nothing had changed.
I froze, watching demons dance and sing like they didn't have a care in the world.
"They're fully demons now," I murmured under my breath.
Lucy, standing beside me, gasped. "The curse… it completely took over!" she exclaimed, drawing her whip sword with a dramatic flourish. Her eyes darted around nervously, locking onto the demonic figures flying overhead.
"They don't look cursed to me," Natsu said, grinning ear to ear. His reaction was almost childlike, and I caught him waving at a group of demons dancing in a circle nearby. "They look like angels, don't they?"
Lucy's jaw dropped. "Angels? Natsu, are you seeing the same thing I am?"
"No need to worry, Lucy," Erza interjected calmly, stepping forward with her usual confidence. Her gaze was fixed on the tribal leader, Moka, who nodded solemnly in agreement. "There was no curse on this island to begin with."
"No curse?" Lucy echoed, lowering her sword slightly.
"Look at the moon," I said, pointing upward. A clear, full moon hung high in the sky, its silver light spilling over the jungle. "See? No purple haze like before. The so-called 'curse' was just a side effect of the Moon Drip ritual. That fog created a blanket-like atmosphere around the island—it only affected demons because of the spell's proximity to the temple." I gestured toward where the temple had once stood, now reduced to ruins in the aftermath of our battle with Deliora.
"And how are you so sure about this?" Lucy asked, her eyes narrowing.
"Ask Leon," I said simply, turning toward the silent white-haired mage trailing behind us. His head snapped up at the mention of his name, his expression guarded. "He and his goons have been on this island for years, but none of them transformed, did they?"
Leon's icy glare sharpened. "Those were my friends," he growled, rattling the chains that bound him. Behind him, Sherry, Toby, and Yuka glowered at me, their silence heavy with accusation.
"Friends who are dead now," I shot back, my voice like steel. "Because someone thought it was a brilliant idea to release a demon powerful enough to destroy everything in its path. A demon that forced your teacher to give up her own life just to stop it. You still think you're blameless, Leon?"
His face twisted with anger, but he said nothing.
I exhaled sharply, turning away from him and fixing my gaze on Ur. She'd been silent throughout the exchange, her expression unreadable, but I could see the storm in her eyes.
"They're your responsibility now," I told her. My tone softened slightly, but only just. "We'll decide what to do with them tomorrow."
Ur nodded, though she said nothing, her focus lingering on Leon. There was a weight to her silence—a confrontation waiting to happen.
Without another word, I left them behind and stepped into the festivities. The demons greeted me enthusiastically, congratulating me on our victory or offering their thanks. Their smiles were wide, their voices warm, and though their appearances should have been unsettling, they weren't.
I smiled back, raising a thumb in acknowledgment. Their joy was infectious, and for a moment, I let myself relax.
But even as I sat down by the fire, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at the back of my mind. Something still didn't sit right about all of this.
Where is Ultear? She's not gonna try to assassinate us at night or something, is she?
Rolling…..
You rolled: Black Mirror (Marvel Primal)
A hand mirror that allows the user to peer into, and travel between, other times, realities and dimensions, from chaos spheres to nightmare realms, the Dark Dimension, and more.
Cost: 400CP
Hell yeah, gimme that right now. Since this world has time traveling shenanigans, not to mention parallel world up in the clouds, this will help. Can I save Future Lucy with this or better yet don't let future timeline happen in the first place.
There is no way Me on Future timeline is going to loose.
100CP Banked
Total: 100CP
The party was in full swing, the air alive with laughter and music. Even I, usually the one keeping an eye on every detail, found myself relaxing for once. I had a good reason, too—my latest pull from the Celestial Grimoire had been better than I could've hoped for.
A cute demoness handed me a plate with a cheerful smile, her fangs glinting in the firelight. I returned her gesture with a nod, taking the food and finding a seat near the campfire. The flavors were incredible—a mix of roasted meats and exotic fruits that I couldn't quite place. If the demons ate like this, I didn't mind joining in.
"So…" a familiar voice drew my attention. I looked up to see Ur settling beside me, her sharp features softened by the warm firelight. She held a bottle of booze in one hand, her other stretching toward the flames for warmth. "Finally got ourselves some time, didn't we?" she said, her voice carrying a mix of weariness and something lighter.
I raised an eyebrow at the bottle. "Where'd you get that?"
She smirked, taking a long gulp. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"I'm guessing you want to talk about how you're back?" I asked, stabbing a piece of meat with my fork. The flavor hit me immediately—rich, smoky, and tender. My expression must've given me away because Ur chuckled.
"You like it?" she asked, tilting the bottle toward me in mock cheers.
"Best thing I've eaten in weeks," I admitted before going back for another bite.
Her smirk faded as her gaze turned to the fire. "I know I was alive for years as ice," she began, her tone steady but reflective. "And I know I was dying when the Moon Drip ritual started. It wasn't just my body—it was everything. My memories, my sense of self… they were slipping away, melting with the ice." She paused to take another drink, a small stain forming on the simple cloak Erza had lent her. "But then you did something. You healed me. You brought me back. And now…"
Her voice dropped. "Now I feel something else—something new. And I keep hearing voices."
I swallowed the bite I'd been chewing and nodded. "Me too, actually. Those are prayers."
She blinked at me. "Prayers?"
"Yeah." I leaned back, letting the firelight play across my face. "When I brought us back as angels, we became messengers. It's kind of our job to hear them now."
Her laugh was sharp, almost bitter. "Messengers to who? God?"
"Supposedly," I said with a shrug. "But I used magical artifacts to make it happen, so it's not exactly divine intervention." I paused, letting the weight of her question settle. "But that's not really what you want to ask, is it?"
Ur turned to me, her expression open but serious. "Am I still me?" she asked bluntly.
The question caught me off guard, though I didn't show it. I set down my plate and met her gaze. "Who else would you be?"
Her shoulders tensed, and for a moment, she hesitated. Then, the words came out in a rush. "Not some creature. Not an angel wearing Ur Milkovich's memories like a mask. Am I still the woman who grew up in the North? The woman who had a daughter? Who taught two foolish students and sacrificed everything for them?" Her voice cracked. "Because I don't feel like I'm the same. It's like I'm… more."
We sat in silence for a moment, the crackling fire filling the void as I let her words sink in. I needed to think—needed to find the right way to explain something so complex. Finally, I spoke.
"You think you're different because your body feels different," I began slowly. She nodded, her expression taut with tension. "Okay. Let me ask you this—do you know who you were? Not who you are now as an Angel, but who you were as human?"
Her brows furrowed. "I know my name. My age. Where I lived, who I loved…"
"That's not you, though," I interrupted, my tone gentle but firm. "When someone asks who we are, most of us just give our name. Like I'd say I'm Lucas Heartfilia. But those are just words my parents gave me—they're labels, they are called names, not who I am."
I gestured to myself. "Some might say this is me—this body. But it's not. It's just a vessel. When we're sick, we say, 'I'm not going to the guild.' We don't say, 'my body is sick so it won't be there.' See what I'm getting at?"
Ur chuckled softly, the tension in her posture easing slightly. "Okay, philosopher. Keep going."
I smiled faintly. "We don't say, 'am hand,' or 'am leg.' We say, 'my hand, my leg.' Just like we say, 'my name.' So who are we, really? Who are you?"
She shook her head, a small smirk playing on her lips. "I don't know. That's why I'm asking you."
Then, in true Ur fashion, she tossed aside her cloak, her exhibitionist tendencies on full display. Thankfully, her underwear stayed in place.
I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose before continuing. "I think we live in three planes of existence simultaneously. We're spiritual beings, we have intellect, and we exist inside physical bodies. But because we're so locked into the physical, we struggle to see beyond it. That's why you feel different. Even though your mind and soul are the same—they've never felt death—I gave you a new body. A body that feels different because that's all you can perceive."
Ur fell silent, her eyes fixed on the stars as the weight of my words sank in. There was a light in her gaze now—a spark of understanding.
"How old are you?" she asked suddenly, catching me off guard.
I hesitated, realizing that as an angel, I couldn't lie. "This body was born fifteen years ago," I said carefully. "As for how old I am… who knows? How many life cycles have I gone through? How many have you gone through before you became Ur Milkovich? We can't know."
She nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. For the first time, she looked truly at peace.
And for once, so did I.
Morning came easily, the first rays of sunlight breaking through the treetops as I woke up, still tangled with Lucy. Somehow, she had managed to drag me to their camp after the party last night. Natsu and Gray were sprawled in opposite corners, snoring loudly, while Happy had cocooned himself in Natsu's scarf.
"You know you're in so much trouble, right?" I muttered, my head still resting on her chest. Only her thin—very thin—t-shirt shielded her modesty.
Her groan was long and drawn out. "Sorry," she said, voice muffled, as her arms tightened around me. "It was a sudden decision, okay? I didn't have time to wait for you since you were off with Erza. I thought it would take longer... like, this long."
"Oh, so you're sorry for not dragging me into your mess instead of throwing yourself headfirst into danger?" I pinched her side, making her squeak and squirm, a mischievous grin spreading across my face.
"Hey, we've gotten so strong now," she shot back, half-whining.
"That we have," I admitted, burying myself deeper into the comfort of the moment. Despite her protests, I couldn't shake the memories swirling in my mind.
Four years ago, there had been a grand gala at the Heartfilia manor. To everyone's surprise—and our and a few people's horror—our father, Jude Heartfilia, had announced the betrothal and engagement of both his children: Lucy to a businessman's son and me to a foreign noblewoman. The entire affair was suffocating, made worse by the scandal that followed just a few months later.
A murder. Right there in the manor. The victims? My supposed fiancée and Lucy's intended groom.
That was the day everything fell apart. Father's power, connections—everything he'd built nearly crumbled down as he fought to contain the fallout.
And that was the day Lucy grabbed my hand, and we ran. No looking back.
Even now, despite all her confidence and strength, Lucy still won't face her fears. She won't acknowledge the weight of our name or the skeletons lurking in our family's history. She pretends that if she ignores it all, it'll somehow go away.
But deep down, I know better. A rude awakening is coming for her. And being the good brother that I am, I'll make sure she's ready to face it—by any means necessary.
Rolling…..
You rolled: Witcher Signs (The Witcher Novels)
One of the most useful tools in a Witcher's arsenal is the bastardized form of magic known as Signs. These simple spells can be used with one hand and require little knowledge about magical theory to use. There are a variety of Signs with various powers andou know all of them, though you start out with only a basic level of skill with them. With practise you may be able to improve their power and duration. If you also understand how to utilize magical spells you may become able to alter these spells into new signs, though they retain their relative simplicity and cost.
Cost:100CP
The punk magic that can be used with hand sign without any chakra bullshit? Gimme that. I will be best monster hunter like certain White Wolf, believe it.
100CP Banked
Total: 100CP
The next morning, we said our goodbyes to Galuna Island. The villagers were smiling through tears, their gratitude pouring out as they bid us farewell. Solving the Moon Drip problem had lifted not only the curse but also the weight of fear and misunderstanding they'd carried for so long.
Elder Moka, in particular, looked both relieved and emotional. After all, he'd lived with the guilt of believing he had killed his own son, not knowing that the "curse" had merely revealed their true forms—Demons.
Thankfully, demons are far sturdier than humans.
"So, this is goodbye for now!" Natsu shouted, his voice carrying over the crowd. "Don't forget to send a request to Fairy Tail if you have any problems!"
A massive cheer erupted in response, the villagers' voices a mix of joy and bittersweet farewells.
With the last wave and smile, we turned toward the beach, where our pirate friends were waiting for us, their ship anchored and sails fluttering. They cheered just as loudly when they saw us, waving eagerly as Erza and I led the group toward the shore.
"Looks like they missed us," I muttered with a small smile.
Erza nodded, a rare calmness in her expression. "It's time to head home."
The ship ride back was surprisingly fun—for everyone except Natsu, of course. His motion sickness was in full effect, and I couldn't help but feel bad for him. It's the one time Natsu Dragneel, of all people, actually prays to a higher power, just for the chance to calm his stomach.
"Don't worry, Natsu," I muttered quietly, watching him groan over the railing. "I'll find a cure for it. I mean, I'm practically an angel now—how hard can learning complex healing magic be?"
Of course, all the lightheartedness ended when Erza gave her orders. The captain led us to the lowest room on the ship, the equivalent of a basement or dungeon. It was cold, damp, and barely lit by dim lacrima crystals that only made the atmosphere feel even more oppressive.
Leon, Sherry, Toby, and Yuka stood silently in the middle of the room, chained. Their pet rat, thankfully, had been freed and left on the Galuna Island, where it could frolic in the jungle. Meanwhile, Erza, Gray, Ur, Lucy, and I stood in a circle around the three captives.
Leon was keeping his composure, his face aloof, but Sherry, Toby and Yuka avoided everyone's eyes, their shoulders slumped.
It was Ur who broke the silence first. "Leon, do you know why I'm angry with you?"
Leon didn't speak immediately. He just stared at her, conflicted, before finally opening his mouth. "Because I freed that demon? Because I broke your seal? Because I tried to surpass you?!" His voice rose with each accusation, only for it to crack as he hung his head. "Now I know I can't. I rushed forward without understanding."
Ur sighed, looking at him softly before her gaze hardened. "None of those are the reasons." She glanced briefly at the faint light from the lacrima before focusing back on him—and Gray. "The day you surpass me, Leon, will be the happiest day of my life. You and Gray are my students. My pride."
Her voice softened for just a moment, before turning ice-cold. "But that's not why I'm angry." She stepped forward, her eyes sharp as daggers. "Leon, let me ask you this: Where are the cultists you roped into this crusade of yours? Where are the people of our valley—the people I gave my life to seal Deliora?"
Leon's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding audibly, but he said nothing.
Ur turned her glare to Sherry and Yuka. "And you two. At least Leon had a reason, however foolish it was. What's your excuse? You still had people—people who could've rebuilt what Deliora destroyed. But no, you chose to manipulate them. You fueled their hatred and turned civilians into nothing more than savages and bandits."
Sherry's head snapped up, her voice sharp. "How do you know what we've been through?! You don't understand the pain we felt, the hatred we carried just to see that demon dead!"
Ur's expression didn't change. "Oh, I understand perfectly." Her tone was calm, but it carried a chilling weight. "Instead of growing stronger yourselves, you threw blind faith into Leon, a boy who foolishly believed he could surpass his teacher. You made others fight for your revenge, knowing they had no chance of survival."
Sherry flinched, and Yuka lowered his head even further.
"And do you know how I know?" Ur continued. "Because I heard everything. Even as Iced Shell, I could hear it all—the laughter, the fanaticism, the cruelty. You killed anyone who got in your way, didn't you? Travelers, shamans, mercenaries and mages, who came to lift the curse on Galuna Island before you got here. For two years, you let that happen."
Silence followed. Not even Sherry tried to argue.
Finally, Leon spoke again, tears brimming in his eyes. "I'm sorry… This all started because I couldn't accept you were gone, Master. I refused to let go, unlike Gray."
Gray stiffened but spoke up, his voice firm. "I didn't let go of anything. I just… I found people stupid enough to not let me go." His eyes flicked briefly to Erza, Lucy, Happy, and me before he tugged on the collar of his shirt, where the guild mark rested.
Erza crossed her arms, her gaze unrelenting. "Even with this realization, we can't let you go free. Not after what we've seen. When we captured the cultists, we didn't know they were civilians. And because of someone's reckless decision to unseal the demon…" She paused, shooting a look at Leon, "Lucy and I had to watch as our prisoners turned to dust. Not to mention the danger you put all of us in."
She gestured toward me. "The only reason we survived—and you're even alive—is because this boy keeps pulling miracles out of thin air."
I scratched my head awkwardly. "It's not that big a deal…"
Erza ignored me, her attention back on Leon.
Leon bowed his head, tears dripping onto the cold floor. "I accept whatever punishment you see fit. This isn't how I wanted to be reunited with you, Master… but I'll face my actions before I face you again."
Ur's expression wavered. For a moment, a storm of emotions crossed her face before she sighed deeply, her shoulders relaxing. "Fine. If you accept it… then so will I." Without another word, she turned on her heel and marched out of the room, leaving us in stunned silence.
After a beat, Erza spoke up. "You three are still facing punishment for stealing an S-Class quest."
Lucy and Gray flinched in unison, both shrinking back slightly as they muttered weak excuses. I, on the other hand, flashed Erza a shaky smile. "Me too? I mean, I didn't exactly—"
"We'll see," Erza cut me off with a huff before walking out, leaving me standing there with my awkward grin.
"Well… that could've gone worse," I muttered to myself.
Lucy and Gray groaned in unison. "Don't jinx it!"
Didn't actually went smoothly as I thought, but writing philosophical shit is hard. Gimme reviews and pointers if I made oopeie.
The interaction motivates me.