Woop!  I updated just like I sad I would! ^.^  I hope you are all happy about that, haha!~ ♥ Also, I hope you enjoy the chapter. c:  Speaking of which, I dedicate this chapter to LucyAshleyHeartfilia!  She's always been a role model of mine, and her books were the first I read on here! ^.^  She's amazing!  Well..feedback is very much appreciated, and until next time everyone!

{ яу-¢нαи | тнє иαℓυ ωяιтєя }

========================================================================

Erza exclaimed softly as she swung her sword through the air, dropping to the ground in her Heart Kruez armor; she didn't even change yet.  The monster she had just striked fell to the ground with a loud bang, and Erza turned to look at its now-dead body.  It had been a giant insect, which she had slain easily.  Letting her swords disappear in a flash of yellow light, Erza made sure to keep a look-out for those Nightmare Vines again.

I almost got snagged...  Erza thought, her face strained.  By my calculations, I should be near the exit soon...

Suddenly, another monster appeared, but this one was in the water which resided at least ten feet away from her.  It was a giant fish,with gray scales and three inch long white teeth.  Turning abrutly, Erza used her seven sword combo and sliced it to pieces in an instant, making the remains drop back into the murky pond with a splash.

Erza re-opened her eyes.  This is waisting time...

She let her swords disappear again, this time calmly walking on.

I should be seeing the exit soon...

_________________________________________________________________________________

"Not again!"  Gray exclaimed, groaning with annoyance.

Wendy, who was starting to tire, sat down on the ground with a thump.  Carla sat beside her, watching her with a little worry.

Wendy panted for a few minutes before speaking.  "W-Where now, Gray?  We've come back to where we've started after we split with the others three times now!"

Gray slammed his fist into a nearby tree out of frustration.  "How're we supposed to find our way outta this stinkin' place?!"

"Oi, Ice Face!"

Gray looked up in surprise, but then it turned into annoyance once he saw who it was.

"Natsu!"  Wendy exclaimed with delighted surprise.

Natsu dropped to the ground in between Wendy and Gray.  "If you two were paired together, maybe Erza and Lucy are together too.."

Gray nodded.  "Let's hope so."  Suddenly, he realized something.  "Hey wait, how'd you find us?"

Natsu rolled his eyes.  "I followed your scent, how else?"

He suddenly smirked mischeviously at Gray.  "You were so dumb and goin' in circles so much I could smell how many times you've wandered around!"

"Shaddup, Fire Hazard!"  Gray exclaimed, clenching his fist in Natsu's face.  "If you think you're so good at maneuvering around in this freakish-forest, be my guest and lead the way!"

Natsu smirked.  "On it.  Just follow me, Popiscle!"

_________________________________________________________________________________

"This is as far as we've gone, Wendy."  Happy exclaimed, and they all stopped at an intersecting path.

"So we really have to decide now?"  Wendy asked, looking at both Natsu and Gray.

Gray nodded.  "I guess so."  He looked in all the presented directions.  "The exit is that way, right?  Well, we need to narrow it down to two and figure out which one to take."

"I vote the right one!"  Natsu exclaimed childishly, right after Gray finished speaking.

"Don't decide so quickly, moron!"  Gray exclaimed, hitting him upside the head.

Happy turned to Carla and Wendy as Natsu and Gray bickered.  "What do you two think?"

"I feel like the left will be the right one..."  Wendy murmured, and Carla nodded in sassy agreement.

Deciding on to do just that, Natsu and everyone else decided to take that path, concluding it as they walked down the left path.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Getting through the labrynth had been a breeze.  Erza hoped her friends were already outside, but she had doubts.  The exit where sunshine filtered through beckoned Erza to come and get out of that grotesque forest.

But...there was one problem.

Another monster stood in her way, and this one was a lot trickier.  It was faster, and it easily blended into the woods.  She had been standing still for a few minutes, the monster able to slash at her arm before disappearing into hiding again.  Erza's face was strained, and her eyes glided over all the bushes, trees, and other brush in search for the monster.  Some of the bushes rustled, but by the time she looked, it was hiding once more.

Deciding to take care of the creature as quickly as possible, Erza transformed into her Heaven's Wheel armor.  Summoning one hundred swords, Erza sent them flying in all directions, leaving no room for the monster to escape.  

Eventually, she heard the cry of the monster, and realized her swords had met its mark.  Taking this chance to run, Erza headed straight for the exit with urgency.

Bursting out of the woods, the first thing Erza did was notice how her friends were nowhere in sight.  That must've meant she was the first out.  She had to wait for the others, then.  Erza put her hands on her knees and panted slightly, making sure her breath was fully under control.  When it was, she turned back to woods, hoping her friends would burst out safe and sound.

All Erza could do was wait, because if she went back inside in search for them, she might get lost all over again.

I hope you're all safe...  Erza thought, looking back into the trees.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Natsu exclaimed with excitement as he saw the damage of his fire all over the plants, which meant they were going the right way.  As they passed that, they made a few lucky guesses on the next turns and ended up in a small clearing, where they stopped for a short rest.

"It's getting dark..."  Gray murmured, still breathing shallowly as he looked up at the darkening sky.  "We need to leave before it gets pitch dark, otherwise we're in some serious trouble!"

There was a short silence in acknowledgement, everyone regaining their breath and then nodding in agreement.

"Hey, look at that Natsu!"  Happy suddenly exclaimed, pointing ahead.

Natsu followed suit along with the others, and their eyes widened in surprise.

"It's...one of Erza's swords!"  Wendy exclaimed, smiling in relief.

"Then that means..."  Gray started, turning his head to look to his left.

They all gasped with delight when they saw the exit, the sun no longer shining as the sky was now purple.  

"The exit!"  Carla exclaimed, relieved.

"Yes!  Let's go!"  Natsu exclaimed, running forward.

The others followed.

"I hope this isn't another trick!"  Gray exclaimed, hope on his face.

In desperation, they all literally jumped for the exit; diving for it as if it would flash away if they didn't grab it in time.  Flying out of the cover of the trees, they all slid down a small incline and into the open.  Natsu jumped up, pumping his fist into the air.

"We made it!!"  He exclaimed, grinning madly.

"Look, there's Erza!"  Happy exclaimed.

Erza jogged forward, relief slightly on her face.  "I'm glad you're all okay.."

They all stood up.

"Oi, where's Lucy?"  Natsu asked, looking around.

Erza stopped, her breath halting.  "S-She isn't with you?"

"We thought she was with you!"  Gray exclaimed, nervousness creeping into his voice.

"No, she's not...!"  Erza exclaimed, gasping as she turned to look back at the woods.

Natsu froze, his face becoming fearful as he looked at the Endless Forest again.  "L-Lucy's still in there?!"

"No.."  Wendy murmured, a hand to her mouth in fear.

Natsu's face was suddenly urgent, and he took off into the forest and its shadows.

"Natsu!"  Hapy exclaimed after him, but was left behind.

Natsu disappeared.

"Lucy's still in there...!"  Natsu murmured to himself as he ran.  "That only means..."

An image of Lucy wrapped in those vines made him sprint even faster, along with making his heart plummet.

"Be okay, Lucy!"  Natsu exclaimed into the air.  "Don't let my nightmare come true!!"

Racing blindly through the paths, Natsu desperately hoped for a scent of Lucy.

Frustration built with the worry in his chest.

His worst nightmare...

Was Lucy truly leaving him alone.

========================================================

Stay Tuned for the next chapter, Chapter 5: Just A Dream!