▶┆Chapter eighty [80]

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❝You never really know how much you love a person until they're gone.❞

▶Author's note◀ : Isn't my new format beautiful? I thought, why not make my writing more...stylish? Haha, anyway, thank you all for reading as always! I love you, my little apple tators! [I will LOVE you if you get that reference (;]

On to the chapter!~

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LEVY STARED at the novel in front of her, her eyes sliding over the creamy paper and leather casing. Running a finger across one of the pages, she barely even acknowledged the forlorn face beside her.

“That's Luce's book, right?" Natsu questioned quietly. Mira had forced Laxus and himself to take a break from searching to rest for a day. At first, they had argued, but Mira had been stern. Surprisingly, Erza didn't join in on chastising them. She too wanted to keep searching.

“Yeah...it really is astounding...” Levy replied softly, sadness leaking into her voice.

A moment of silence followed, and neither person said anything.

“Do you think...Do you think you could maybe read it? Out loud?” Natsu asked a certain level of desperation behind his request.

“Why out loud?” Levy murmured.

“So everyone can hear.”

Levy sighed but flipped to the first page nonetheless. Deep down, she wanted to read it again too. She wanted to hear Lucy's own words again, and remember when they had been best friends.

“My name is Lucy Heartfilia. And my story, well, it isn't some amazing story of how I became the greatest wizard in history. That's Natsu's story. It all started the day I entered Fairy Tail; I'll admit, it was one of the best and worst decisions of my life. But I wouldn't change it for anything, ” Levy began. People began to gather around at Lucy's name.

“When I arrived at Fairy Tail, it was as if my life suddenly had meaning again. As if I wasn't just the daughter of a dead woman and a selfish rich man. I abruptly had a purpose I had never known I needed. And the one who gave it to me was none other than Natsu Dragneel.”

At the mention of his name, Natsu went stiff. What would she say about him? What did she think of him? Did she loathe him for his prior actions, or did she see him as a friend? He didn't blame her if she despised him. After everything, he had done.

“Natsu was the first member of Fairy Tail who I became friends with. He was a man with a courageous heart, and he never backed down from any challenge. He became my best friend fairly quickly. But just who is Natsu Dragneel? Did I even know?... When I remember those good old days, I remember the days I truly believed Natsu was the most talented and amazing person I had ever met. Well, other than maybe Erza. And even now, I still deep down know Natsu is meant for great things. He is a force to be reckoned with, I know in my heart he'll one day be an astounding wizard.”

Natsu blinked back salty tears, thinking of how she had thought of him as a friend, despite all odds. He had to save her...how could he just let her be lost? Or dead! He was horrible to her, and in order to repent for his sins, he had to find her! He had to bring her home!

“Another person I met was one of my closest friends. His name was Gray Fullbuster. Yes, I know, the famous ice stripper. At first, I thought he was super cool. I guess it wasn't a thought; he was cool, and still is. He was like my older brother. I felt so at ease when I was with him. Another girl in my guild, Juvia, would always accuse me of loving Gray. And maybe at one point, I could have seen myself and him together. But because I care about him, the moment Juvia walked into his life, I knew deep down he loved her. He just wouldn't admit it. And, who can deny that they're made for each other? All I want is for him to be happy...even if at one point, we weren't that great of friends.”

Gray listened to Levy talk, and couldn't help but be utterly shocked by her words. By Lucy's words. She had seen him in a romantic way at one point? It didn't appall him perse— it just reminded him of the fact that he had once seen her in that light too. But she was right. Juvia had changed his life for the good, but they'd always be brother and sister. Have a bond that was unbreakable.

“In case you all don't know who Titania is, I'll let you know. Erza Scarlet; my role model. She is everything I hope to be someday. She's so stunning, always strong and confident like a crimson rose in full bloom. Someday, I hope to have half her strength. Erza was my sister—if not by blood, then by bond. I adored her. Even if I didn't show it. She scared me sometimes, but I still loved her. And I will forever cherish her presence in my life.”

Erza nearly crushed the cup in her hands into metal shavings. How could Lucy say such kind things about her? Her role model? Some role model! Erza wasn't even able to save her! She felt the cold prick of tears behind her tired eyes. She thought of her as a sister...as someone strong and beautiful. But, Erza knew the truth. She had been too weak to save Lucy. And Erza promised she would not stop until Lucy was found.

“Lastly, there was Happy. The most loyal individual I have ever met. Such a sweet exceed, even when he was cheeky and patronizing. He was my baby. He made me laugh and stuck by my side through the worst of my days. Even when everyone turned against me, he was a flame of hope. Someone who still saw me. And I'll forever think of him as my true partner.”

Happy choked back his gurgled sobs. His adopted mother...his best friend. She had thought so highly of him. And where was she now? Gone—and Happy was in pieces. All he could do was aid Natsu in finding her. And Happy couldn't take the fear of not knowing. Not knowing if she was dead, or lost in the darkness...He held back a cry. He missed her smile...he missed her hugs, and most of all, he missed her.

“In case you didn't notice I just listed off the members of my team. Well, before adorable little Wendy joined.  We were the strongest team in Fairy Tail history. We were called Team Natsu, I felt unstoppable with my best friends at my side. I thought they cared about me too...or at least thought of me as a friend. But plenty of things happened in the time I was in Fairy Tail, and one of those things was the return of Lisanna Strauss. Now, don't be fooled by a sugar-sweet image—for sometimes, it can all be lies. But don't worry, I'll explain who she is, and who everyone is. We'll get to that in a very short while.”

By now, everyone was tuned into the book. Everyone was intrigued and wanted to know who Lucy would write about next.

Each person's description written by Lucy made everyone sadder.

“Mirajane Strauss. A girl who has been through so much. A girl who never stops smiling. A girl who I think of as a close friend. She's a woman with endless beauty and grace, not to mention the strength of a demon. Well, literally. I love her so much. She makes me feel better when I'm sad and was the person who welcomed me the most to Fairy Tail. Someday, I hope I can be as talented and elegant as her.”

Mira shivered, even though she wasn't cold. A forlorn expression spread across her features, and she held back her distress. As strong as a demon? Then why couldn't she break the barrier? Why was she so pathetic?

“I've had my ups and downs with this girl. Juvia Lockser. Trust me, we've had our fair share of arguments. But when it comes down to it, she is still my friend. And I love her just as much as any of the others. She proved to me that she was a true friend, that she would always support me. And I'll forever be in her debt. I pray that one day, Gray will realize how much she really adores him. As much as she loathes me for being Gray's close friend, I truly do believe she deserves him.”

Juvia shriveled up in her seat, large crocodile tears cascading down her cheeks. Even back then, Lucy believed Gray and Juvia would end up together. And that made Juvia feel so guilty. She had treated her so badly back then. All those insults...and arguments, for nothing.

'Lucy...I'm so sorry...' Juvia mentally cried.

“This one's for you; Wendy Marvell. The courageous and kind little girl who was always there when something went awry. A genuine smile was always on your face, and you were my little sister. No matter who tells me otherwise. Your kindness will forever leave an impact on me. After becoming so close to me, you made me a better person—you inspired me. So thank you.”

Wendy shuffled her feet, avoiding eye contact with everyone. She was afraid if she looked at anyone she'd burst into tears. Didn't Lucy know how kind she was? Why was it that bad things always happened to the best people? Why did Lucy have to go through such horrifying events?

“Jellybean! Ha, this is about Jellal Fernandez. My roomie! Or bestie to be exact! He was there for me when every one of my friends was presumed dead, I will never forget his comforting words. Or how he made sure I didn't go mad with grief. Sometimes it felt like he truly healed my heart from all the wounds that had been caused prior. So, thank you Jellal. Hopefully, Jellal and Erza will end up together and have thirty-three JeRza children!”

Jellal couldn't help but roll his eyes at how out of all the people she wrote about, his was the silliest and most endearing. She was wrong though. He hadn't healed her—she had healed him. She had saved him and brought him into a world full of light. A world where Erza was. And he would always owe her. When he thought about her being missing, it made him want to vomit. How could they have let her flee in such distress? She was struggling with emotional issues, she was attacked, and she felt as if everyone had lied to her. Who knew what had happened...Jellal shuddered. They had to find her.

“This person...well, he's special. I can tell you that much. Laxus was always unique. But what makes him so amazing, isn't his magic, appearance, or strength. It's his personality. It's who he truly is. Deep down, he cares for others. And I love him. I am utterly and irrevocably in love with him. The man who saved me from my own demons. The man who taught me how to be strong, who believed in me since the beginning. And I will forever love him...no matter what.”

Laxus was frozen. He couldn't...he couldn't. He had meant so much to her...as much as she had meant to him. But what had he done? He had failed her—failed one of the few humans who understood him. And how could he fix that? How could he save that sweet, brave, loving woman before something terrible occurred? He...he swallowed thickly. Lucy...he could only hope she was okay. And that he would eventually gain some luck and find her. He would save her!