Chapter Text
Chapter 7 Canes Venatici
Summary of Chapter:
Lucy summons Canes Venatici. Wendy reads books on Healing magic and speaks with Natsu about throwing Lucy a surprise.
Lucy: 18 years old
Natsu: 19 years old-ish
Gray: 19 years old
Erza: 20 years old
Wendy: 13-year-old
'Dear, Mama, and Papa
So, it’s the start of spring and it’s been seven months now since my kidnapping. I’m not sure how I am feeling exactly. I’m ok, I think. I’d rather not talk about it in general. After all, I still have a normal life, I go to the guild, I write and train. Training has actually gone very well for me. I’ve trained with my spirit a lot more than before and I’d say that I’m definitely more powerful now. Working on new spells and even trying to create some new ones are a big part of my workouts. After a hard work out I feel incredibly satisfied, maybe even more than when I’m writing. Mmm…maybe not that much but it’s close; either way I need to get stronger anyways, or how else am I supposed to keep up with Erza, Gray and the other without getting kidnapped…
Anyway, we’re finally back from our latest mission. We got back a few days ago, but the mission took two weeks to be exact; it was worth it because I got a new silver key as part of the reward! Also, Natsu, Grey, and Erza caused minimal damage for once; meaning I have rent for the next two months. I’ll talk to you more about my key a little later, but we made it home before the Flower viewing party this Friday night! Master had talked about having a special activity that'll take place once the sunsets. When the sun sets, Fairy Tail will hold a ball under the rainbow sakuras. I can't wait! We would have been home sooner but Natsu refused to get on the train. He still refused to get on the train even when Erza told him too…which lead to him getting a beating from Erza. Even after that he still refused until Happy suggested that Natsu's head should be laid on my lap. Of course, I played it off as if it was wrong and that it should have been Erza instead of me. But as you both know I was secretly happy to do it. Well, I got to go; talk to you later. Bye mama, bye papa. I miss and love you both.'
Lucy folded the sheet of paper, placed a red Heartfilia seal on it and placed it in a locked drawer since team Natsu read the last ones. Once the letter was safely locked away Lucy leaned back and sighed. "Yo Lucy!" greeted Natsu as he and Happy came in through the window. "Lucy we were heading to the guild and thought you might want to come with," said Happy flying over to Lucy. "Oh, normally, I would love too, but I’m going to train with my spirits, you know I need to stay in tip-top shape for our job requests,” she replied looking up at the floating cat. Happy thought for a sec. before speaking, “Than we can join you.” Natsu nodding in agreement. Lucy fully turned around in her chair to look at both of them, “Natsu, Happy, you know you can’t. I have to do this by myself. Now go. I’ll stop by the guild later I promise.” With that Lucy stood up from her seat and made her way out leaving two frowning guildmates. “Natsu?” Happy asked with concern. Natsu frowned before ushering himself and his bud out the window.
She felt a tad bad for not letting them join her, but she needed this. It’s not that she can’t learn from them; she just wanted to prove to herself she could handle herself… protect herself. With a deep breath to calm her mind, Lucy stood from her seat pulling out one of her golden gate keys beginning to cast her spell. “Open gate of the shining lion, Loke!” Two beautiful ring-like magic circles appeared crossed around the tip of the key, summoning the lion spirit. Ding! Dong! With a burst of golden light, the spirit appeared wearing his usual suit. Greeting his master with a suave grin, “Hey, princess, how are we doing this morning?”
“I’m alright, made Natsu pout. Other than that you could say my mornings been uneventful,” the celestial mage replied. Loke raised an eyebrow coaxing Lucy into a gentle fit of giggles. The spirit smiled kindly hearing her voice. Since she had returned from her regrettable stay at the hospital her laughs were few and far between. Lucy had been putting up an incredibly convincing front, yet her spirits like himself could feel the depth of her pain and fear. A fear she would one day conquer however never truly forget. Truth, be told he feared Lucy may be taking training and getting, “stronger,” too far. Using training as a coping mechanism is not a bad thing, don’t get him wrong. To the little fairy, training helps ease her anxiety like when she’s writing, and it has the added bonus of keeping her body strong and healthy. His master, on the other hand, had begun to spend many hours training her physique and her magical prowess to the point Lucy was running herself ragged.
“Loke?” Lucy said gently waving a hand to try and grab his attention, “Are you alright?” Snapping back to reality the lion only nodded sheepishly, then suggesting the get a move on.
So, they made their way out of town to the East Forest with a stone-faced expression upon both of them. For some odd reason, this happened every time they head to train. Leo, of course, noting it easily, not liking the strange staleness of their walks. Still, he said nothing hoping they'd get to their training ground quickly. ‘I need to do this by myself,’ she assured herself repeatedly, ‘I need to be stronger. I was too weak…’ Her internal analog soon came to an end when she arrived at her usual training spot. Here was the perfect spot to train in her opinion. First, being that is spot was a small clearing with an exceptional variety of terrain. Terrain such as a small field of grass, a moss-covered rock hill, and a sandpit alongside a small muddy riverbank. A perfect location to hone one’s skills for different types of battles. Second, it was somehow a spring of magic power; here ethernano rose from the land like spring water. Honestly, she had stumbled upon this spot on her first training day when she had been running from a Vulcan.
She walked to the center of the clearing and talking in a deep breath letting the sounds, smells, and magic of nature to overcome her senses. Pulling a silver key, she allowed her magic to follow into it while light began to beam form the key surrounding her. “I call upon thee in the world of Celestial Spirits! I beacon you to my side at once, PASS THROUGH THE GATE! OPEN GATE OF RAVENOUS HOUNDS, CANES VENATICI!
With a ding of the bell and the shine of the gate being open as a trio of hounds materialized before the young mage. The trio howled to the sky releasing their magic pressure to demonstrate their power. When they had finished the three wolf-like dogs stood side by side each other with heads held high. There wolves were, like dire wolves, larger in size and muscular structure than the normal mammal. In terms of superficiality the had deep moss green fur from their head along their back to their tail and a beige almost white color from its chin, underbelly, and legs. Lastly, around one front ankle of each of the hounds was a shackle and small chain. With the dog in the center had two for each front paw. (A/N: This actually more or less what I had in mind, except in three. I know most don’t expect mythical hounds to look like this, but I believe it fits well. https://www.deviantart.com/sarah888/art/Wolf-Link-206543116)
Upon seeing them Lucy felt rather shocked as there were three hounds instead of two, prompting some confusing within her as she knew that that constellation held two spirits not three. Either way, she summoned them so time for the making of their contract.
“Hello, I’m-” she began but was quickly cut off by a voice. The voice was that of a female but in a deep almost ethereal, coming from the hound in the middle leading Lucy to assume that perhaps that was the Alpha. So, with a resemblance to Erza’s voice yet cold with her words she spoke, “We know who you are, girl. You are one of the few Celestial wizards left in the human world; holder of 9 of the Zodiac keys and one for the tri-spirits.”
Lucy remained silent holding an expressionless face. Apart from Aquarius none of the spirts she had ever summoned spoke to her with a sense of spite. However, Lucy was not one to back down when spoken to with a harsh tone. The Alpha continued to speak, “The Spirit King and the spirits contracted to you have spoken many tales of you supposed acts of heroism; including that of when you and your human allies enter our realm during the Kings madness.”
“The King speaks of and humbles himself before a human!” the Alpha growls as do the other two, “We for one do not credit you part in his majesty’s renewal as selfless. Nor do we believe you helped the King or the spirits out of loving volition. You humans only took action when you realized that your world would perish if our world ceased. We do not trust humans let alone those who would convince their spirits to spread false testimony of one’s nonexistent achievements.” The triad finishing as they growled at the lion spirit who responded with a warning growled, however, the hounds did not submit. Lucy frowned as she opened her mouth to speak before quickly getting silence by one of the smaller hounds. “Silence. Human, as you know we are only three of the many paired hounds who reside within the constellation of Canes Venatici. We are the leaders of all the pack within the constellation, and as such, we refuse to make a contract with you. If you wish to have a contract with that of the constellation Canes Venatici call upon another, for we won’t form a contract.”
Lucy could only feel fury at this; knowing fully well where her morals and ideal stand, Lucy refused to allow this spirit to belittle her. “Before you return, allow me to at least defend my ideals and if then you refuse to form a contract I will do as you suggest. My spirits are all free-willed beings as are you, am I correct? (The hound remain silence but none moved.) Though it is true that the spirits contracted to me are to do as I say within contract restrictions, I have no say in how and what they do within their own world. I cannot force them to say or do anything they do not wish to do, nor will I make them.”
The hound continued in silence allowing the girl to make her case. The hounds were a particularly hard species of spirit to convince as they hold their values and opinions high; this human child could not convince then otherwise. Regardless, at least this human new a bit about Celestial law. Lucy when on to explain that she couldn’t care less about any fame she got, her spirits mean the world to her and would do anything from them.
“Normally, I would continue my argument, however, being that you are spirits specialized to hunt, observed and to battle allow me to show you who I really am.” As she spoke Lucy got herself into a fighting stance with a determined grin on her face, “I may not be the most skilled at fighting like the rest of my team nevertheless I can pull my own weight. Spirits of the Canes Venatici constellation I challenge you for the right to form a contract with you, through which you yourselves can decide if I am worthy.”
The trio of canines bared their fangs growling feeling offended. “Insolent Child, we are spirits of battle, with eons of experience, do you genuinely believe you can show me something I have not seen before?” the hound to the left spoke with spite. The dog to the right barked lividly, “Human girl, we will accept your challenge simply to humor you, however, be prepare; we do not limit our strength for any being.”
Lucy smirked mentally and physically preparing herself for the fight, “I’d be insulted if you did. So, before we start do you have any requisites?” This earned a growl of annoyance from one of the dogs. “Only that you do not use any of your contracted spirits. This battle is to prove yourself, thus you give undeniable evidence that your claims are to be believed.” At this Loke became furious, Lucy was a Celestial mage. How dare they deny her, her most powerful resource. Summoning her spirits was the whole point of her magic. “Canes Venatici, that is uncalled for and an unjust requisite. I will stand beside my princess in this spar regardless,” the Zodiac leader exclaimed furiously.
Lucy steps up to her friend placing a calming hand on his shoulder, “Loke, it's okay. This is unfair, but remember that as you wizard I don't use you as my weapons or shields to do all the work for me. I want to fight alongside you, but how can I if I can’t even handle a simple spar.”
Canes Venatici snarled at the lion before speaking, “Let's begin, (sniffs the air) the moment is right. Child, your insolent pride will be your downfall this day.”
The wind whirled around them rustling the leaf-covered branches. The whistle of rushing air resonated within her ear. Her pulse raced with determination, this was her chance to see the results of her training, Lucy was done being weak. Silence…the air suddenly still, the spirits howled loudly signally the commencing of the fight. “Awoooo!” rang three voices as they separated into an attack formation. Lucy’s eyes flickered from side to side; watching carefully the movements of each canine. Each wolf ran fast each in sync with their seemingly random sprints. For a while Lucy watched them sprint in all directions, going diagonally, crossing each other’s paths and due to the fur color scheme the soon became flashes and blurred images.
Lucy grinned determined, “Bring it!”
[Fairy Tail Guild]
The Fairy tail guild was busy with many people were going in and out. As always the guild was bustling with mages, townspeople, and tourists, all wanting to visit the famed guild. When you arrive you first pass through the stone gates to the Fairies café and behind that the main Fairy Tail guild hall. Anyone could walk into the hall after all the bar was inside, however, only guild members were allowed to access the second floor and other facilities such as the gym or pool behind the guild.
Max and Warren working the gift shop, Mira working the bar, Kinana and her army of servers attending all the guildmates and customers. All were busy and just enjoying their Fairy Tail experience all but Wendy. Sitting at a table with her best friend and Exeed, Carla; Wendy was having trouble concentrating due to the hustle and bustle of the guild. See their table was covered by stacks of books. The dragon slayer had all kinds of medical books, magical medical books, books on drugs, books on surgery, and even books on the psyche and therapy. Wendy even had books of dragon legends about miraculous recoveries. The girl groaned as she slammed her head atop the book she was currently trying to read. The small white cat sighs with a weak smile, “I did tell you trying to study at the guild wasn’t very logical, Wendy.” “Yeeah, but I was hoping to meet up with Levi or Lucy. I need their help to read these ancient medical journals…" Carla looked confused for a moment wondering why Wendy needed to read the complicated ancient text before understanding the reason. Since actual healing magic was lost magic, it made sense that the only journals on the subject would be from the ancient era in which it was commonplace.
While both girls talked a tall man with two cross-shaped scars came through the threshold. “Hey, Mest about time ya got back, “ Wakaba exclaimed as he noticed the former magic council operative. Macau who, like usual, was not too far from his old rival along with Redus, Nab, and Vijeeter, all welcoming their friend back. Macau smirked knowingly, “Those oI’ farts of the council giving you a hard time?” Mest grimaced crumbling to the floor as his soul leaked and flew up to the ceil causing all the surrounding people to laugh full-heartedly. Mira who was crossing by taking pity on the man by taking hold of his soul, choking it unknowingly, before roughly shoving it down his throat causing Mest body to spasm for a split second then returning to normal. This of course made those around cringe at the rough treatment, even if it was unconsciously done by the she-devil. The teleportation mage rose to his feet with a sweat drop thanking Mira for her help. “You’re welcome Mest, and welcome back. I’ll get you some water in a bit,” Mira replied gleefully making her way to the bar.
Striking up conversation Mest told them about how much paperwork was involved with running the guild and keeping the council pacified. To which Macau nodded his head placing his hand on the younger man's shoulder; prompting Mest to freak out yelling, “The hell is that supposed to mean!” Of course, Macau having once been Master of Fairy Tail and it’s destructive members; albeit not as destructive as the Tenrou team members, but nonetheless chaotic. Even though Erza was doing a great job at leading the guild and keeping Natsu and the other trouble makers in check there was always so much paperwork. Either way, lightheartedness settled between them fast making jokes and teasing each other about their age, although Mest was still the youngest among that specific group. After a while, Mest moves on to find the smallest of the dragon slayers in her apparent misery.
“You alright there Wendy?”
??? “Huh,” was her initial response staring up blankly at her guildmate.
“Forgive her Mest. Wendy’s been struggling with understanding these old runes,” Carla said sympathetically. The older man nodded in understanding taking a seat beside the exceed, “I might be able to help you out.” “Really!!” “Sure, I had to read many kinds of ancient scripts whenever we confiscated illegal manuscripts,” Mest replied taking a quick look at what she was reading, “Medical books, huh? Trying to improve your healing magic?” Wendy sighed, “Yes. I got most of these from Porlyusica and the magic library; I’d really appreciate the help. I’m trying an experiment but I need to know as much as I can before trying to implement that.”
The young fairy was trying to find a way to improve not only her own healing magic but that of Healing in general. Healing magic was lost for a reason, it was incredibly taxing to use due to the spells used the mages magic and life energy to heal. It wasn’t anything like it cut years of your life since life energy can be replaced by resting and maintaining a healthy body. Still, it was draining allowing for a decreased amount of spell usage. The energy drain was something Wendy had long overcome with the growth of her magic container from intense training and the painful unlocking of her second origin. No, the real issue Wendy wanted to overcome was the healing of incurable diseases, brain and nervous systems problems, and severe damage or loss of organs or limbs. Heal magic had been a staple when healing many common diseases, broken bones, damaged internal organs, muscle, etc. However, damage to the brain's nervous system, loss of organs, limbs, and cases of a terminal disease were out of reach. Sure, Wendy had the Sky dragon’s Healing spell but this specific spell was more a one time use as it used all her magic and energy to bring someone back from near death; leaving her exhausted and practically defenseless for a most of the day.
For example, her healing magic to fix an organ that has shut down or that is so damaged its no longer functional, such as bones or muscle back to perfect health and functionality. However, more delicate organs like the heart, brain, or kidneys were not easily repaired; requiring a more delicate and precise approach. That being said surgeries had come an incredibly long way yet still had unknowns coming to that of problems of the brain, nerves and physical heart. Not to mention that once an external limp is lost there is practically no solution. Lost an arm, a leg, how about an eye? Hmm, well there’s not much to do but accept it. Wendy wants to be able to develop a way to tackle the unknowns and unobtainable.
Okay, the bluenette knew it wasn’t an easy accomplishment for a thirteen-year-old, but she considered herself smart, patient, and with enough magic skill to do it. Plus, with all the experience mages to help her with magical details and balance and knowledge with Levi, Lucy, and Porlyusica to help with the anatomy studies Wendy was certain she’d be able. At the moment she was just happy that Mest was helping read this horrid book, that taunted her with scribbles with unknown meanings.
After, a while they decide to take a break which Wendy used as a chance to get some food from the bar. Walking up with Carla in her arms they were greeted by an overly excited Happy who complimented them both of their beauty, “Thanks, Happy, your cheery today, haha!” Happy grinned and pointed with his tail at the fire mage sitting next to him, “I am, but Mr. Buzz Kill over their keeps bringing down the mood.” At this Natsu snapped up glaring, “Hey, I’m not an annoying buzz kill, take that back!” “Ah, ah, ah, I didn’t say you were annoying,” Happy said eyes closed waving his finger as a matter-of-fact-ly. Wendy sweat dropped thinking that Happy’s reply didn’t make his initial comment any better. Looking up at her brother figure a tad bit confused knowing that if Natsu was grumpy he still could just as easily start a full-blown brawl. “Anything on your mind Natsu?” Catching Mira’s attention she came near to listen intrigued. “It’s Lucy. She doesn’t want to hang with us anymore…”Natsu replied glumly to his younger friend. Natsu was having trouble understanding Lucy, to be honest; a few weeks ago she couldn’t be at peace if he or Happy weren’t there. A few months have passed since the incident and their favorite blonde bombshell had recovered from it. The girl in question. The girl in question had definitely acted as if nothing was the matter; whereas Natsu felt odd. Lately, she had been keeping to herself often writing on a novel or training, and when they managed to get her to join the team on a job she distances herself while working out a plan all along.
The slayer didn’t doubt Lucy’s intellect when solving problems and piecing clues together was top notch. No, the issue was that Lucy seemed to want to do things all on her own without even consulting with the rest of the team until just before her plan was to be put in place. Natsu like usual would come into Lucy’s apartment asking to go have fun or go fishing, and more often than not she refused, making up excuses about being tired, wanting to sleep or training for hours; it also wasn’t with just him but with Gray, Erza, even Levi.
Mira’s eyebrows scrunched a bit before speaking, “What do you mean? I’m sure she fine; though I supposed she hasn’t visited the guild all that often…”
“Natsu’s right, every time we wanna do something fun she makes up excused to get out of hanging with us,” Happy replied munching on his fish, “I mean I understand why she wouldn’t want to be around Natsu long term but I’m Happy. Lucy can’t be thinking right if she doesn't want to talk with the Happy!”
“Happy, please control your ego for a bit,” Carla said looking at the ton cat with annoyance, “If Lucy is trying to be private you boys should respect that. Every young woman needs her personal space and doesn’t need buffoons pestering her constantly. (Turned to Natsu with a softer expression) Natsu, I understand you worried for Lucy it’s perfectly normal, just remember Lucy has always appreciated a sense of privacy, now more than before.”
The pink-haired young man nodded. He knew that the exceed princess was speaking the truth, having been told by Lucy would mostly like have trouble trusting unknown people. It just hurt that knowing that her fears stretched to even those how she knows and trusts to begin with. Holding his jaw shut as thoughts race through his head, which you could say was unbelievable for the fire mage. The smaller slayer could feel the distress the older dragon was emitting as his magic made subtle changes in the air. “Natsu, how about we plan a surprise for Lucy. Maybe at the moment, we can’t help directly, but we can remind her that she can trust us and when she’s ready she can talk with us,” Wendy suggested with a smile. This excited Mirajane who clapped her hands with glee, “Yay, I’ll get team Natsu and Levi to meet at your place tomorrow around noon, Natsu.” With that, she turned around skipping away thinking of what could be done for Lucy’s surprise. For the first time that day the Salamander chuckled looking down at his short guildmate, “Well, you’ve done it now Wendy. Mira’s going to be out of control until the surprise is ready itself.” “Aye” “Undoubtedly,” Carla chirped in. Wendy smiled as she sweatdropped, “Oops, haha, let the crazy begin!”
Natsu nodded, yeah this going to be good…
[With Lucy Heartfilia]
“Haa, haa,” panted the girl visibly drained still her determined expression never fading. The young maiden was not done yet. The girl was slouching on hand on her knee for leverage and her whip in her other hand. Cuts and bite marks littered her body and her clothes were shredded. Her magic low and new that it was up. “Howling Triad,” thundered three voiced as magic energy spiked. With eyes widened gazing up in fright at the incoming attacker. In an instant three blue glowing wolfs slashed at her with sharp claws and canines each crossing each other’s path stopping way behind the woman releasing a harmonious howled. Slowly, her vision gave way to darkness then tipping over letting gravity bring her down. Thankfully, strong arms caught her in time securing from contact with the rocks beneath them.
With the starlight child unconscious, the trio of hounds began to glow and fade. The man holding her shone as well but used his own magic to replace hers in order to maintain his gate open. “As we expected,” barked one of the betas with a glare. The second beta spoked, “Foolish child ignorant of the warnings and paid heed only to her own pride.” The third dog, the alpha remained silent with a stern gaze as their bodies began to dissolve. Loke tightened his grip on his wizard with a glare that could kill. “Leo, you have disgraced yourself by allowing yourself to be contracted to this arrogant girl,” insulted the Alpha allowing herself and her pack to return to the spirit world.
Turning to look at his mage’s face he felt his stomach knot. Lucy had fought hard and used all the skills she could but wasn’t able to do much against the hunting dogs. They were not wrong when they warned Lucy that they would not be surprised so easily due to having eons of battle experience. The redhead also fears that Lucy wasn’t fighting at her best, maybe not at her self-esteemed best. “Oh, Lucy I know it’s been hard on you. I regret not being able to help you when you needed me the most. I’m for guardian spirit it’s my job to keep you safe, but I failed you…”
Gentle, Loke lifted Lucy in his arms and stood. Making sure Lucy had her keys he proceeded to head to Lucy’s apartment to up her to bed. The sun was just past its highest point meaning it was around 1pm in the afternoon. Lucy was not okay like she told everyone; it was a façade, a mask to hide her pain. In truth, Lucy was suffering PTSD.
“For now, just rest princess.”
Sleep. Cosmic tale. Ethereal Chains. The maiden of light.
Heavy breathing sounded and hard steps reverberating through hollow halls. Heat seeping into the cold floor from hurt feet. Batter and bruised yet still running. A dark chilling hall never ending with anything to fill it but the echoes of hoarse panting and stomping feet. Running for seemingly hours from many a spirit behind. A presence reaching to pull her back yet somehow just out of grasp claws. Now voices sprung from the distance of ailing bring the girl to a halt. Words cutting deeper than a sword; each word belittling her and inflicting damage to her self-conscious. Lecherous, lewd, lustful slut, worthless whore, pathetic heiress, nothing more than a body warmer, all these things bounced off the walls gaining volume with each reverberation. Covering her ears to try to block the soundwaves was futile, bring screams from her torn throat. Shadows now reaching and wrapping around her encasing her in a sphere of her fears, doubts, and pains.
The young girl’s lungs burned and ached from her frightened wailing, soon her voice died down allowing her to notice the voices were gone. Though the voices were gone so silent it was deafening taking in a moment of hesitation she slowly opened her eyes. What the woman saw was a black iron key a dear red aura emanating from it and loot as if it was areas where it glowed as if having been heated.
Suddenly, her body was spun in place as she was facing a gate. It looked like a gate made of iron bars and spearhead upon every bar floating over an endless void. Thick chains crossed over the gate; chains that had an unknown script upon each link which glowed on and off in an eerie pulsation. Lucy gasped and frowned as she sensed the power within the chain, it felt as though it was magic but not entirely. It was as if there were three more elements to it. As a wizard, she held the ability to sense magic, and after the battle against Tartaros, she had done training to sense other forms of power such as curses. The girl focused for a moment and sense both magic, curse, and even technology and from what she was getting from those overly fortified links was that there was an incredibly powerful seal. Her eyes swiped left and right as she gave the ominous gate a closer inspection. That’s when she noticed that on either side of the barred gate as part of the gate were to giant Iron Maidens; they looked old and with some rust in some areas. Each maiden had soulless eyes and a head, just as filled with spikes as their insides.
Their door wide open displacing the blood-soaked spikes and carcass remains. Upon every inch of their surface rune of the same caliber as the chain on the gate. A seal so strong on the entire gate emanated a horrid aura and a pressure coming from behind it. Yet, when she peered through the bars, she saw nothing there but felt the pressure of something want to be released. The young woman stood still cold as ice. Nothing happened around her, yet her heartbeat shot to high records, sweat covered her skin, her breathing quickened, and eyes shifting in all directions looking for something to come. Something was coming or more over something was happening but what. In an instant, a black key appeared in front of her face with the teeth facing downwards. At the presence of the key, the maidens responded by letting out a bellowing that should the girl to her core. The yell from the torcher devices held an abnormal power and almost harmonic sound; yet as if a contradiction it sounded like a distorted scream of agony. It felt as if the maidens used the voiced of those who had been inside them. Chains erupted from the depts of the void and tired to encase the key, all the while the Iron Maidens’ continued their song. The key sparked repelling the chains and turned towards the gate ready to open the gate. The key shot to the gate which was confronted but a neon purple barrier formed by the Maidens. Her body now trembled uncontrollably with unadulterated fear. She hears bleeding from the roaring gate. Eyes fixed on the gate noting how the Maidens’ eyes shone the same color as the barrier. The sheer amount of magic imbued into the barrier seems ungodly in amount that could rival that of August from The Spriggan Twelve.
However, the woman’s stomach tightens into a painful knot as she watches the key cut through the barrier as if passing through thin air. Just as fast as it passed it unlocked the gate. Breath gone from her lungs the girl watch as the gate burst open a power blast out and glaring solid blue eyes gazed upon her as a hideously sinister grin appeared before it shot towards her. She screamed
“Ahhhhh!,” came a scream that rang through her home as she rose from her lying position. “Lucy, you’re okay. You’re home, Okay. You’re safe,” Happy exclaimed as he hugged Lucy tightly. The exceed just to sound as calm and as confident as he could but he’d be a horrible liar if he said he wasn't scared. Happy was terrified beyond belief as he did his best to calm his favorite girl to mess with. Lucy's eyes were wide open while she sat in her bed staring out into her darkroom. Fear displaced so evidently on her eyes, yet her eyes looked to be focused on something even though the room itself was barren except for Lucy and Happy. The feline continued his mantra of pacifying words because it was the only thing he could think of doing. The human girl herself lost in a living nightmare, “Eyes of Lapis Lazuli. Keys of Hierro and Azufre. Eighty-eight heavenly bodies. Draconic and Fairies’ harmonics. Fairy Heart.”
Finishing those last few words she lost consciousness falling back against her pillow leaving a worried Happy in the world of the awake. Happy used his wings to carefully lift himself from atop Lucy tears running down his cheeks. He didn’t know what to think. Lucy hadn’t reacted so badly to her nightmare for months, not since she had first been released from the hospital. Even so, this was something different altogether. She looked almost possessed. Happy had been awoken from his sleep when he felt Lucy’s magic began to spike in a way that has his whiskers quiver. He had been sleeping curled up over her belly and when he lifted his head Lucy was still sound asleep. Happy honestly thought Lucy was having a normal magic spike. See, for wizards, it was common for their magic to sometimes spike while asleep. It was most common among less experienced wizards, even master wizards were not immune from his phenomenon it was just less common for them. Still, Happy witness how Lucy’s magic rose so drastically that the room began to fill with magic pressure. The atmosphere quivered just like his whiskers and that was when the shouting began. Lucy screamed like she was about to be attacked, raped, killed, or all at once. The screams themselves held such fear Happy couldn’t make out how deeply it broke his soul. When Lucy shot up he was momentarily thrown away from her but he immediately rushed back to calm her. What scared him far worse was when she began to speak about things in a voice not her own.
Woooshhh.
A puff of pink smoke appeared then vanished revealing two glowing spirits of the Zodiac. Leo the Lion and Virgo the Maiden both appeared with what looked like their won sleepwear. Odd as it may seem spirits did sleep if only as a way to relax. Nevertheless, the two members of the Zodiac show much worry as they looked around the room form any potential threat. Loke came closer to his Fairy Tail members' jaw clenched then asking, “Happy, what happened? We felt Lucy’s magic rise like never before. Did someone attack you?!” Virgo walks up after coming back from inspecting the whole place, “Brother, there is no one in here apart from us. There is also no sign of any like of damage or magic usage other than Princess’.” Virgo said as she explained with a not so common frown. Leo nodded before addressing Happy again, “Happy tell us what happened?” Happy cried as he explained what happened through hiccups and sniffs.
“Eyes of Lapis Lazuli. Keys of Hierro and Azufre. Eighty-eight heavenly bodies. Draconic and Fairies’ harmonics. Fairy Heart.” The orange-haired man said slowly trying to process the words. He kept his eyes closed knowing fully well that he would give away his own worries through his eyes if they were open. Here they were in the middle of the night talking about something Loke and Virgo really wish they could avoid talking further. Virgo placed her hand over her wizard’s forehead and concentrated on Lucy’s fluctuation magic letting a sigh of relief once done. “Happy, Princess is going to be alright. Her magic is soothing itself and most likely she will sleep in. Do not worry, I’m sure she’ll be alright tomorrow when she wakes up,” Virgo said comforting the exceed by gently petting him on the head, “As for the words she spoke we can’t really say what they meant, but brother and I will look into it. For the moment I’d like you to not tell anyone about this.” Happy looked confused the frowned and whisper shouted, “Are you crazy?! I need to tell Natsu and the rest of the guild of this! Lucy needs help this is serious!” Loke took the opportunity to place his hand over Happy’s mouth to keep him quiet. Looking at his fellow feline in the eye he spoke, “Happy, trust me when I say that I don’t want to keep this from the guild either. You have to trust me when I tell you this need to stay between us for the moment. Trust me, when the moment is right we’ll tell everyone.” The blue cat looked incredulously at the, “grown-up cat,” and whisper in defeat, “Okay…” Loke and Virgo gave their wizard and her home one last check-up before returning to the spirit world. The blue magic cat sat alone in the room with the may sleeping Heartfilia.
“…Lucy…”
Hierro is pronounced Yi-eh-r-oh. Azufre means brimstone.
Well, that’s if for this chapter. I know this isn’t really all that much but filler. I’m really trying to build a story that isn’t rushed but not at a turtle’s pace even if it seems that way for now. Either way, hope you enjoyed and I look forward to constructive criticism and maybe even suggestions. Hope you visit again.