Chapter One: The Last Normal Day
The sun was warm on my face as I stepped out of the Fairy Tail guild hall and into the lively streets of Magnolia. Children ran past me, giggling as they chased a bouncing ball. The smell of freshly baked bread from a nearby stall mixed with the floral scent of early spring blooms caused a smile to appear on my face. It felt like a perfect day.
I adjusted the strap of my travel bag and glanced down at the quest flyer in my hand, it was a solo mission I'd chosen for myself. It wasn't anything too dangerous, just a delivery job to a remote village that was about five days away by foot. But to me, it was more than that. I had often felt that I wasn't as strong as my fellow guildmates and this quest was a chance to prove to myself, and to the guild, that I didn't always need someone watching my back.
"Lucy are you sure you don't want company?" Mirajane had asked that morning, her usual warm smile tinged with concern.
"I'll be fine," I had assured her "It's only a few days, I'll be back before you know it."
Natsu, of course hadn't taken the whole situation as well, he had showed up at her small apartment while she was getting her things ready coming in through her window. "You don't need to prove anything Lucy! We already know how strong you are." His voice had been gruff, his arms crossed as he gave me his signature frown when he didn't get his way. "Why cant I just come with you? It's five days! You shouldn't have to go alone" he looked frustrated, the kind of worried that made his flames spark just from emotion alone. I remember smiling at him, trying to ease the tension. "Because I want to do this myself Natsu."
His expression softened, but he still huffed "Fine" he had paused "but if anything happens, I'm coming after you, no matter what."
His words had caused my heart to ache in a way I wasn't used to, a mix of comfort and confusion. I felt something stirring- a feeling I hadn't quite put a name to. But my resolve didn't waver. "I know," I had replied softly trying to steady my thoughts. "But I need to prove it to myself."
After hugs and farewells, I set off down the familiar streets, the hum of guild life fading behind me. I didn't realize it at the time, but it would be the last time I'd see the guild hall as it was bright and full of life.
The journey to the village took five days, just as I'd planned. I followed winding forest paths and crossed old wooden bridges, my mind quiet but focused. On the second day, I summoned Plue to join me. His little white figure trotted beside me, his tail wagging as he sniffed at fallen leaves and pebbles. Each night, with Plue curled up by the fire, I set up camp beneath the stars, building small fires to keep warm and fend off the chill. The crackle of flames became our company as I cooked simple meals and stared into the vast sky. Plue's soft chirps and companionship eased the loneliness a bit, but there was still a quiet determination in me—a reminder of how much I'd grown and how far I was willing to go to prove myself.
By the time I reached the village, I felt the weight of unease pressing down on me. The streets were quiet, too quiet. People moved cautiously, glancing toward the edges of the forest like they expected something monstrous to lunge from the shadows at any moment. Children who should have been playing stayed close to their parents, their laughter stilled by fear. Even the wind seemed to whisper warnings as it passed through the narrow streets.
"Thank you for delivering this," the village elder told me as he accepted the package, his voice heavy with gratitude and unspoken worry. His weathered face was kind, with lines that spoke of years of wisdom and hardship, but there was a shadow in his eyes that made me pause. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as though the very air might carry his words away. "Please, be careful on your way back. Strange things have been happening."
I frowned, tilting my head slightly as unease crept in. "Strange things? What kind of strange things?"
The elder nodded, but his hands trembled slightly as he spoke. "People disappearing... families left with empty beds and no answers. Dark shapes in the woods—more than shadows, something alive, something wrong. We've posted extra guards, but... they never seem to come back unscathed, if they come back at all." He glanced nervously toward the window before continuing. "We sent word to the Magic Council, begged for help... but no one came. We're alone out here." His voice broke on the last word, and he looked away for a moment as if trying to steady himself.
I woke early the next morning, restocking my supplies and checking my map. The elder's words clung to me like a fog, making every step feel heavier. As I tightened my bag's straps, I glanced toward the dark woods instead of the main path. If I were with Natsu, Erza, and Gray, we'd never leave without investigating. That thought gave me courage. With a steadying breath, I veered off the familiar route and headed deeper into the trees.
The deeper I went, the more unsettling it became. The woods felt different—quieter, like even the birds had fled. Branches hung low and twisted unnaturally, and the ground felt softer, almost like it was trying to pull me down. Then I found it: a clearing where the grass was blackened in a perfect circle, as if something had burned through magic itself. Strange, clawed footprints circled the spot, and I knelt to touch the charred earth. A pulse of energy, faint but dark, traveled up my fingertips, sending a shiver through me. I took a deep breath my body curling inward, my stomach turning nauseous.
I straightened quickly, scanning the tree line. My breath caught as the leaves rustled unnaturally, though no wind stirred. Whatever had been here wasn't gone it was watching, I could almost feel the weight of its unseen gaze pressing down on me. My hand hovered near my keys as I took a cautious step back, heart hammering. "Show yourself," I whispered, unsure whether I truly wanted a response.
The forest remained still, holding its secrets but the feeling of being hunted stayed with me, a cold reminder that I was far from alone.
I took another slow step forward, unsure but resolute. Each step felt like a choice, pulling me deeper into the unknown. My breath was steady but shallow as I tried to keep my composure. The forest grew darker, shadows stretching long like sentinels guarding some hidden truth. The trees around me felt more like watchers than mere plants, their branches reaching out like they wanted to hold me back. A faint whisper—too soft to be wind—curled around my ears, making my heart quicken. My thoughts raced: Was I brave or foolish for pressing on? Was this what my friends would do, or had I gone too far? The chill that followed reminded me of how alone I truly was, but I kept moving.
Suddenly, the ground shifted beneath my feet, and I stumbled. The tremor was subtle at first, a warning hum through the earth, but it built into a low groan, as if the forest itself was in pain.
Plue let out a worried whimper and pressed close to my leg. "It's okay," I whispered, more for my sake than his.
Then came a flash of movement—a shadow darting through the clearing. I whipped my head toward it, hand clutching my keys. "Who's there?" My voice wavered, but I held my ground.
For a heartbeat, the clearing seemed to hold its breath. And then I saw them—figures emerging from the treeline. They looked like silhouettes of people, but their bodies were gaunt and warped, their skin a dull gray that cracked like scorched earth. Glowing crimson eyes pierced the gloom, seething with hunger. Their limbs were long and unnaturally thin, joints bent at angles that defied reason. Their movements were sharp and erratic, as though they were pulled by invisible strings. The sight of them sent a shock of fear down my spine, a primal reminder that these creatures were once human—but something had twisted them into nightmares.
"No way..." I whispered, terror threatening to lock my knees.
The figures growled, low and hungry, their steps quickening as they moved toward me.
"Plue, back!" I summoned my courage and held up my key. "Open, Gate of the Archer—Sagittarius!"
A brilliant flash of starlight erupted, and Sagittarius appeared, bow drawn. "Lady Lucy, do you require assistance?"
"Take them out!" I commanded, my voice ringing with urgency as I stepped back, my heart hammering in my chest. The corrupted figures closed in, their clawed hands reaching as their guttural growls grew louder. I felt the air tighten around me, thick with the weight of their presence. I could see their cracked, jagged skin glisten under the faint starlight, and the glow of their crimson eyes seared into my mind. My fingers tightened around my key as the forest seemed to darken around us, but I refused to falter.
Sagittarius loosed a volley of glowing arrows, each one striking true. The creatures howled as they were forced back, but more came from the shadows. Their numbers were growing.
I knew I couldn't hold this ground alone. My thoughts raced, calculating how long I could last and whether calling another spirit would drain me completely. I could feel the weight of the fight pressing down on my shoulders—my magic reserves dwindling with every second. As I watched the creatures lurch toward the direction of the village, I realized their path wasn't random. They were being drawn toward the lights and sounds of life. If I faltered here, they would overwhelm the villagers. That terrifying realization sharpened my resolve. My friends wouldn't have given up in my place. That thought rooted me as I made my decision.
"Sagittarius, cover me!" I turned and sprinted through the forest, Plue bounding beside me. Arrows flew past, lighting up the gloom as I ran, the thudding of monstrous footsteps behind me.
My heart pounded as I ran, the trees blurring past me. The shadows' growls echoed behind me, but I didn't dare slow down. I could hear Sagittarius loosing arrows behind me, the sound of his bowstring taut and steady. Plue whimpered but kept pace, determined to stay by my side.
The village came into view through the thinning trees—a cluster of small buildings and dim lanterns flickering in the distance. Relief surged through me, but it was quickly tempered by the realization of what I had seen. My mind raced as I pieced it together: the creatures weren't wandering aimlessly—they were moving with purpose. They were heading for the village. I burst out of the forest into the outskirts, stumbling onto the main path, my heart pounding with the weight of the warning I needed to deliver.
Villagers looked up, startled by my sudden arrival. Some gasped at the sight of my disheveled state, their eyes wide with fear as they took in my frantic expression.
"Get inside!" I shouted, waving my arms. "There's something in the woods!"
The village elder emerged from his home, his face pale and his eyes wide with worry as he took in my words. His hands trembled slightly as he clutched the doorframe, as though the weight of my arrival might knock him over. "What happened? Are we in danger?" he asked, his voice tight with fear, though he was trying to stay composed.
"They're coming," I said, my voice breathless. "They're real. The shadows—the monsters—they're real." Sagittarius appeared at my side, bow still glowing with celestial energy.
The elder's face hardened, his eyes narrowing with grim determination as he raised his voice. "Everyone, to your stations! Get the barricades in place!" His voice rang out like a beacon of authority. Doors slammed shut as families ushered their children inside, and the village square became a flurry of movement. A few brave villagers stepped forward with makeshift weapons—pitchforks, axes, and hunting bows—their fear evident but overshadowed by resolve. One of them, a young woman with braided hair, handed out extra arrows and barked orders alongside the elder, their teamwork inspiring the others. Even the smallest sound seemed amplified as they prepared for the fight of their lives.
I drew another key, the weight of what was coming sinking in. "We have to hold them off!" I called out, urging the villagers forward with as much confidence as I could muster. For a moment, I thought about Natsu—his fierce grin and unshakable belief that we could face anything as long as we stood together. That memory lit a spark in me. Sagittarius loosed another volley of arrows, each shot striking true. The villagers with their simple weapons stood their ground, fear in their eyes but resolve in their hearts. My pulse steadied as I reminded myself that Natsu would never let fear win—and neither would I.
I summoned Taurus next. "Open, Gate of the Golden Bull—Taurus!" In a burst of starlight, Taurus appeared, twirling his axe.
"Mooove over, monsters! I'm here to show them who's boss, udderly!" Taurus bellowed with his usual pun-laden enthusiasm, twirling his axe.
With Taurus swinging his axe and Sagittarius covering us from afar, the tide began to turn. The villagers fought bravely alongside us, using any advantage they could, but there hadn't been time to set traps. Instead, they struck with precision when the cursed creatures stumbled or faltered, seizing every opportunity to push the creatures back.
One by one, the corrupted creatures fell under the combined efforts of the villagers and celestial spirits. With Taurus and Sagittarius leading the charge, the dark creatures crumbled, leaving behind silence and wisps of fading magic.
Finally, the last shadow creature let out a guttural wail before dissolving into ash. The forest grew quiet once more, but my heart still raced.
I lowered my keys and took a breath. The villagers began to cheer, their fear replaced by relief. I turned to the elder, who looked stunned but grateful.
"We did it," I murmured, though my legs trembled beneath me. My magical energy was nearly gone, each breath feeling heavier than the last. I could feel the telltale ache of magical depletion tightening in my chest, but I forced myself to stand tall. As I looked toward the horizon, a gnawing thought took root—was this happening elsewhere? Was Magnolia under attack too? My mind drifted to Natsu and the others. Were they safe? Were they fighting their own battle, just as I was?
With the last of my magical energy, I pulled out Loke's key and held it tight. "Open, Gate of the Lion—Loke!" I whispered, my voice almost breaking. In a golden flash, Loke appeared, his familiar smile faltering as he took in my exhausted state.
"Lucy, what happened?" he asked, stepping closer.
I took a shaky breath and explained everything—the cursed creatures, their direction toward the village, and the fear that this was only the beginning.
Loke's eyes darkened with resolve. "I'll warn Fairy Tail. You need to rest. You've done enough."
I nodded weakly. "Please... make sure they know."
Loke gave me a reassuring nod before the air shimmered around him. With his ability to open his own gate, he vanished in a swirl of starlight, heading straight for Magnolia.
I watched the spot where he disappeared, the fading shimmer of starlight lingering in the air like a silent promise. My heart twisted with worry, but a flicker of hope fought its way through the exhaustion. I pictured Natsu, Erza, Gray, and the rest of my guild standing together, fierce and unbreakable. They'd know what to do—they'd fight, just like we always had. I had done all I could here. Now, I just had to believe in them and hold on to the hope that we'd all see each other again.