Okay So this one will be long I promise. Sorry for not updating lately! I hate it when my favorite authors do it so I feel really bad when I do it...
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Natsu, Erza, Gajeel, Laxus, Warren, Wendy, Gray, and the exceeds headed towards the town where these anti mages were. Everyone was silent as they walked along the wide path.

Before they left they were given more information about what they were getting themselves into, though this was information they would have rather not known. Levy had still been wondering why they went after Lucy. Lucy was strong but there were definitely stronger mages around. After searching through every resource she had, she stumbled across an old ritual the anti mages performed every one thousand years. It was said to bring them favor from whomever they worshiped or something like that. The ceremony was the sacrifice of a celestial mage. They were going to sacrifice Lucy.

As Natsu walked he lost himself in his thoughts. Hang in there Lucy, I'm so sorry all this happened. It's all my fault. I should have gone with you, maybe if I had-

His thoughts were cut short as he slammed into Erza's back.

"We're here" she announced looking at the gates in front of her. They had been traveling for three days now but finally made it. Without saying a word Natsu walked to the front and sniffed the air. At first he couldn't smell anything coming from the eerily empty streets in front of him, but then the familiar smell of strawberries filled his nose. 

"She's here." he said looking at the streets.

"Where is everyone?" Wendy asked.

"I don't know, but I have a bad feeling about this" Gray responded.

"Way to state the obvious Popsicle-" Natsu was cut off by a hand on his shoulder. 

"Do you smell that?" Gajeel asked with concern as he returned his hand to his side. Natsu sniffed the air again. If Gajeel is concerned it had to be- No!  Natsu took off running through the empty streets with Gajeel on his heels. 

"Natsu!" Erza shouted. Wendy stepped forward sniffing. Everyone watched the small girl in anticipation. Her eyes widened. She turned back to face them.

"Wendy, what do you smell?" Gray asked concerned.

"Blood." she whispered,

"Lucy's blood."
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Following the scent, Natsu and Gajeel ran through the streets.

No no no we can't be too late. Natsu's thought screamed at him as they ran. Suddenly they both stopped. There was cheering. Cheering meant people. So this wasn't a ghost town after all.

"Natsu! Gajeel!"

They turned around to see the rest of their group sprinting to catch up.

"Don't ever leave us like that again!" Gray shouted but was instantly shushed.

They walked a little farther following the noise. Then, they came across an open courtyard filled with people. There were easily a thousand people crammed into the area.

"I guess we know where the people are" Laxus whispered talking for the first time.

"What's going on?" Warren asked.

Someone in front of them turned around.

"Have you been living under a rock?" the stranger asked eyeing the group. "It's the 19th day of torture. Tomorrow is the finale!" he shouted clearly excited. He watched their facial expressions, realising they were still confused he continued to explain. "You know, the big finale? Where they sacrifice that wretched celestial wizard for all her crimes. 19 says of torture and draining heragic than we set her on fire and watch her burn... Are you new around here?"

Erza began to talk to the man but Natsu was no longer listening.

19 days.

Torture.

Sacrifice.

Lucy.

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Sorry it's been so long... I hope to update again soon. Thanks for reading! Comment, vote, and... Smile :)

Comment Question: if you were a mage what kind of magic would you use?