Song: The Final Sacrifice
By: Kkev

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~Lucy~

War is merciless. War is a bloodthirsty beast that has an endless thirst for the innocents. A child, man, or even woman can never escape the canine of conflict. The world is stained by the countless bodies of innocents that fought against one another. A war that was far too menial to allow so many lives to be taken. War is helpless.

War is pain.

~~~~~

The smell of blood was unbearable. The sun that before was dawning through the sky had now started to fall to evening. The dark solar eclipse made the sky darker in appearance with the fallen bodies of allies and enemies covering the red-soaked field. I was unable to see who had perished and who remained. Late noon came when the Dragons that were still blind-sighted took to the ground and waylaid destruction. The Celestials were the toughest among the enemy line with the Eclipsed Celestial King giving the enemy more strength and stamina. The gift I had given to the EarthLand army faded hours ago, but their barrier was still intact for those fighting.

We had to fall back when the Dragons overwhelmed us. We managed to fall back within the city walls and place a barrier to regain our strength. Where we were now was within my large barrier as I concentrated my energy on keeping the army safe. There were close to a hundred thousand soldiers that came to fight, and now we were down to forty-five thousand. We've lost more than half our army, and to make matters worse the Gods army looked like they haven't been scathed. Though more enemy bodies littered the battlefield, they were more in number than triple the amount.

I sat with my legs crossed holding my arms over my head to keep priority on the barrier. Veda, Addie, and Levy were the volunteered medics that went around to help those to get to the Guild Hall for treatment by our healers. Natsu, using his new wings, moved the severely wounded faster than the girls could. Solantir was keeping his part in protecting Natsu from injuries. Out of everyone here my husband didn't even have a scratch on him. The moments where he was hit in the first hours of the battle Solantir healed him, whilst the Balance kept Nashi safe too.

The battle was waning, but we were on the losing side. I had to think of a battle plan that will prevent further casualties. The Dragons were our biggest issue hence the Dragon Slayers can't fight with there being almost a hundred Dragons. We were overwhelmed, and if we become too exhausted then it'll be easy to wipe us. I can't freeze time due to the Dragons flying at incredible speed. The only hope I saw was keeping the barrier up long enough so my comrades and allies regain most of their strength. "Lucy!" Veda called out as she ran up to me. I kept my eyes closed but perked my head down when I knew Veda reached me. "We have more bad news to share. There are about twenty wizards that need to be taken to the Guild Hall. Only two from your Guild, but they're in terrible condition."

"Do what you have to. I'll keep this barrier up for as long as I have to for the wounded to get aid." I replied intensely pushing more of my power into the barrier. Veda went off calling for more hands to rush the wizards to the healers. 'Natsu, the Guild Hall, how many wounded are there so far?' I asked through the Connection. 'It's bad Luce. Close to two hundred were injured. The healers are using the outside of the Guild to care for them. Are there more wounded?'

'Twenty wizards, two from Fairy Tail. Please come back when you have the chance and take as many as you can to the healers. We've lost too many soldiers and archers alone. We can't start losing our wizards if we're gonna push against this next battle.' I said with cold sweat falling behind my neck. Mine and Natsu's stomachs twisted from tension. He and I were both thinking the same thing, the sheer uncertainty if we're gonna make it through this second wave of the battle. 'It'll be alright. We'll see this through. We will win when the sun comes up the next morning.'

'It's only late noon, Luce. Let's worry about surviving the night before speaking about tomorrow.' Natsu was right; focus on surviving today and worry about tomorrow when it comes. If it even comes.

Don't start thinking like that now Mutt. Another situation has arisen.

"What now?" I gritted with clenched teeth.

The Eclipsed Spirits have surrounded your barrier. In approximately twelve minutes they will cast a powerful spell to break through your barrier. Normally you may be able to handle this attack, but it gets worse. The Dragons will also be unleashing a Dragon's Roar in unison with the Spirits spell. Your barrier will break due to the large space you have covered.

"So the larger my barrier is the more vulnerable! Wish I had known that." I uncrossed my legs to stand as I opened my eyes. I had twelve minutes to think of a strategy. Through the Connection, I told Natsu what the Balance explained to me so he can inform everyone that were at the Guild Hall. "Everyone that is still able to fight come to me!" I announced with authority as the majority of people surrounded me. With my wings, I levitated myself with my hands still raised over my head. "I have dire news to share. Within twelve minutes my barrier will be destroyed. The Spirits and Dragons are casting a unison spell that will break through the barrier I'm holding onto." People began to panic. "How are you going to stop them! What are you planning on doing!?" One of the foot soldiers yelled questionably. My gaze became hard with silence giving their answer. "She doesn't know. Oh, Gods, we're doomed! We've lost over half the army and we're sitting ducks waiting to be killed!" An archer cried out collapsing into their knees. "How could you have let this happen! You said there was hope in saving our home! Where's your hope now Demon!?" Shouts screamed in my line of direction throwing insults and crying for help. "You murdered us! I left my homeland to fight in this useless war! You took me away from my family! How could you, you monster!"

"Everyone that's enough!" Avery hollered silencing the mob. Her body was covered in minor bruises and dirt, otherwise, she seemed fine as she clenched her fists in a fit of anger. "It seems most of you have forgotten that regardless if Lucy Heartfilia wasn't here or not, we'd all die! The Gods you placed your faith in have forsaken you, and at this very moment while they're trying to destroy the remaining hope EarthLand has you have the AUDACITY to blame the one person that's trying to save us!? Shame on all of you! Lucy never placed hope on herself, instead, she placed hope on all of us! You've lost hope in yourselves, not Lucy!" Avery shook with rage. Though I didn't want to show the insults that were thrown at me hurt more than they appeared, it was nice to see one person that stood by my side. Even if that person only adored me because of my Dark One form. "Thank you, Aves," I said genuinely meaning my gratitude. "Everyone, I know right now this seems hopeless. We're facing a situation that seems impossible, but I didn't ask your countries to join the alliance to send you to your deaths; I need your help. There's only so much I can do on my own, which is why I wanted EarthLand to stand united so we can plan against the Day of Reckoning together. I have let you down. I've let the people that have fallen on that battlefield down. Please, help me make this right! Don't let any of their deaths be in vain! As long as we still stand together then there is still hope in defeating the Gods!"

"Lucy's right! If we continue to fight together then we still have a chance! Come on people, let's also help Lucy, and find a way to get out of this dilemma alive!" Romeo exclaimed jumping up with his fists pumping up. "Lu-chan!" My comrades that left to take the wizards to the healers returned. Veda, Levy, Addie, and Natsu came towards me hardly breaking a sweat when their attention went up to the barrier overhead. "Natsu informed everyone at the Guild Hall what's being planned on the enemy's side! So, what's the counterattack?" In her Dark Knight's uniform, Levy unsheathed the obsidian blade with a dagger spinning in her other hand. "That's what we're discussing at the moment. To be honest I don't have a plan and we're down ten minutes before the barrier comes down."

"Your barriers, they make great shields when it comes to defenses," Veda stated with her hand on her chin. Her dark grey eyes squinted in concentration still observing in silence. "Thank you, Veda, but right now the barriers are about to be breached-" Veda's eyes cut to me. "Use the barrier on them." She said which cut me off. Use the barrier on my enemies; not as a defense tactic. . . "Use it as a trap." I finished as Veda smiled. "Exactly."

"I like that idea, but how would we use Lucy's barrier as a trapping mechanism? Can you make a barrier that large to entrap them?" Gray asked when he came forward with a few of my nakamas. I glanced up again surveying the space between the Dragons in the air to all the Guardians and Shadowlings that were on the ground. "It's possible, but the barrier would be too large. Something I recently found out is if my barrier is too large it grows more vulnerable with every attack it obstructs. If I managed to haggle all of the Gods's soldiers in the barricade the longest I can hold it is hardly half an hour. Possibly even less with the Dragons inside."

"That won't be good enough. We need a precise moment to capture all the fleets in the same spot at the same time. That alone is impossible given the flying and ground enemies." Gawen stated with his hands resting on the hilt of his sword. My eyes, which were still on the sky, squinted as I watched the Dragons. It was a pattern, Igneel led one fleet as two more squadron leaders directed the Dragons. Their formation was still in terrible shape given I blinded them, but it seems they have the form memorized. Shadowlings can fly, and when the battle commenced after my last encounter with the Gods the Guardians were using the Shadowlings to fly. The Celestials can also fly given that the Eclipsed Celestial King has given them one gift after another. Is it possible if there was a distraction big enough to get all of their attention they'll take to the sky at that exact spot and time to land an attack? Perhaps. . .a decoy of some kind?

"They need to be baited," I said unexpectedly which caught the group's attention. "Bait? Where're gonna find a bait big enough to catch their attention?" Avery asked scratching her head. Natsu's eyes snapped to me before I could even say it aloud. "Absolutely not!" My husband roared when he was suddenly grasping both my shoulders. "Get that stupid thought out of your head or else I'll knock it out for you." Natsu threatened with his teeth clenched and eyes narrow. "What!? Come on we don't have a Connection like you guys so just spit it out!" Addie yelled impatiently. I had a stare-down with Natsu, both of us fighting back and forth as to what I knew must be done and him refusing to allow it to happen. "You know it's the only way."

"There can be a different way!" I sighed shaking my head. "Then think of that different way with eight minutes to spare! Meanwhile, I'm deciding that this will be the plan until you think of a new one." I roughly pulled Natsu's hands off me and then looked at the people that were waiting to be told what was going on. Natsu's gaze fell to the ground with his veins throbbing from how furious he was. "I'll be bait. There's a pattern as to how the Dragons fly. If I cause enough rampage then the army will realize that if they gather on top of me it'll be more difficult for me to take them on alone. That's where Natsu threw his fit. I have to go up to the sky alone. If anyone else comes with me then I won't get the distraction we need. We just need the ground army to fend them off until I can cast the spell to make a barrier and trap them!"

"But Lucy, going against the army alone is too dangerous even for you! If you just have one person with you-" Before I could retort Veda, Natsu intercepted her. "She isn't going up there alone! I'm going with her." I turned my enraged face to my husband. "Natsu!" I seethed tightening my fingers to my palms. I was about to yell and explain how stupid of a decision he was making until his Connection overwhelmed my thoughts.

'You promised me, Lucy! You promised you won't be a hero and that includes this ridiculous scheme you're coming up with! If anything happens to you-' Natsu choked up. The feeling of despair came over me like a tidal wave. 'I would lose myself, Luce. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you. Keep your promise to me. . .and let me go up there to keep you safe. Don't be a hero!' Tears threatened Natsu's irises when he finished speaking internally to me. I bit my bottom lip to prevent myself from speaking out. Eventually, I broke when my head fell. "Fine. . ." I turned away so I could clear my head. The feeling of sorrow hasn't left me after I took a few breaths to get myself under control. Don't be a hero. . . I should have just kept my mouth shut when he said that. I have to keep him safe. I have to for my sake. . .and for Nashi as well. "You better keep my husband safe Solantir." I hissed under gritted teeth.

Nashi will also be safe. You've done well to keep yourself from gaining any serious injuries, save for cuts and bruises. We won't let you down Mutt.

When I knew I had my emotions under control I returned to the crowd with a stoic expression. "Listen up! Six minutes now the barrier will be breached! Right now I need everyone to gather around me. When the barrier is shattered I'll be uprooting the ground for us to cover beneath the earth. You will be falling, but I will catch you." Some faces held questioning looks as to how I would do this. I knew I would be taking up a large section of Magnolia since I have to use debris and the very earth as a makeshift barrier. I added another covering to every person that stood together in a loop formation. The thousands of people shimmied from the translucent gold and silver light of the Balance's power. Honestly, I wasn't sure if this would work. Stopping time itself is no easy task hence I've only done it twice. But I knew I had to do it or else we all burn alive by Dragon's fire. I kept my focus on the barrier above us counting the minutes when the Eclipsed Celestials all began to glow with an ominous blue and purple hue. The Celestial King rose over the barrier covering himself as if he were trying to meld himself into it. I realized he was looking for the weak points to which I pushed the Balance in keeping a hold on every crack that was made to make the impact a lesser risk to the people in my barrier. "Break my barrier, so I can make this as difficult as possible for you," I grunted feeling the weight of the barrier's tension on my shoulders.

My arms were struggling to stay above my head with every intense pressure that kept piling on top of me. I began to sweat from the intensity between the Celestials alone and my barrier. "You can do this Lucy!" A voice who I knew was Sting. His grin was on his face showing enthusiasm as he encouraged me to hold the barrier for a minute longer. "Hold it a bit longer Miss Lucy! We believe in you!" A member from Blue Pegasus exclaimed shining from his beauty. I stumbled when my feet landed on the ground slowly being further pushed down. 'Hold it for a minute more Lucy.' I told myself even when the discomfort of the weight grew worse. I was down to kneeling hardly keeping my arms raised until I felt strong hands hold my elbows. I peeked with Natsu in front of me watching intensely into my eyes. 'Just a few more seconds Luce. We trust you.'

They trust me. . . They believe in me.

My teeth clamping down on my jaw I thought they shattered with my muscles tense to the point I could feel my blood vessels close to bursting. I had to pray to the Balance they kept Nashi safe from the unseen weight falling on my body. I prayed that my body was strong enough to handle the strain I was putting it through. The Dragon's roared in unison when they flew together to release their attack on the barrier. My eyes snapped to my feet. "NOW!" I released my hold on the barrier and slammed my fists to the ground. The sense of a heavy weight was gone when the ground beneath me vanished. I was suddenly weightless, falling forward with no sense of sight. I felt too lightheaded like the blood in my head just fell to my feet. My moment of woozy haze fell short when I heard the sound of screaming. We were still falling. I used my wakening moment to remember what was going on and stretched my arms out from my sides. "STOP!!!" I screamed out loud staring at the flames that had shattered through my large barrier. The remainder of the ground around us came to a slow stop as the sensation of the wind was stagnant now. I let out a quick breath looking back and forth to see if my time stop had worked. Though time around the creatures and humanoids were immovable the Dragons were still moving at a very slow pace. The fire was still spewing out from their mouths and close to reaching the ground where we were. I had to act quickly using my other hand to find the roots within the earth to come to my aid. Having to keep my attention on my time stop whilst calling for the earth's roots was no easy matter. My headache pounded against my skull hindering me to the point I thought I was going to explode. "B-Balance. . ." I begged. "The damage?"

You are suffering from severe fatigue and without Us to help equalize the chaotic energy you'll begin to lose control. Your baby is still safe, but your body is experiencing convulsions. You must rest your human body or you will collapse!

My baby is safe that's all that matters. I returned to pulling the roots to me with the time stop still intact, but the Dragon's fire is closer! When the roots broke through the wall of the hole I ordered the roots to make flooring in every direction. The roots worked as more roots broke out in every direction until I knew it was safe to land. After the roots were in place I raised my other hand to move the debris altogether to make a solid shield. It was time-consuming as the pain in my head grew worse in the slow minutes. My heart was erratically beating like a loud drum in my ears, and the rate of my pulse was skyrocketing out of control. I pushed on, still keeping my attention to the time stop and shield when it had covered the top of the hole I made. For my last effort, I placed a barrier underneath the shield for precaution in case the shield wouldn't be enough. It was complete. The army of EarthLand would be safe for another moment to rest. Knowing we were ready to release the time stop, I closed my hand into a fist resuming time back in place. The screaming returned for a moment until we landed into the roots that were solidified ground. I felt the Dragons and Celestial's unison magic spell hit the shield and barrier, but thankfully both defenses were strong enough to withstand. My back was the first to hit the roots until I rolled onto my side holding my head in agony. I couldn't see due to what was now a migraine that distorted my vision. There was a loud ringing going on in my head when I swore I could hear someone calling for me. "Lucy-" The voice was cut off due to the pain it inflicted. Everything was too loud, too bright for me to register. I pulled myself into a ball so I could attempt to hold myself together. 'Lucy,' The voice asked again, only this time it was in my head. It was Natsu that was talking to me. 'Sweetheart tell me what's wrong? Your head is killing you and your muscles are spasming!'

'Just. . .tired.' So tired. I just wanted to lie down and fall asleep for the rest of my life. My bones felt too heavy and my head was in such tremendous pain the thought of even moving proved to be difficult. Even my lungs felt like they were filled with broken glass; breathing wasn't even easy. 'Give me a second. I just need a second.'

'You need more than a second Luce! For Gods sake your bleeding out of your nose!' The warm sensation of hands gently picked me up till I was sitting. I didn't understand at first what Natsu meant about my nose bleeding. I didn't smell blood, hell, I didn't even feel the warmth of the blood dripping from my chin. 'Open your eyes, Lucy. You saved us! You did it, but everyone is waiting for you now. Come on Sweetheart open your eyes!' Begrudgingly, I opened one eye to see what my husband meant. Natsu was in front of me using his scarf to clean up the blood that dirtied my face. He was right, both my nostrils had a trail of blood falling to my chin from how much blood was on his scarf. "Sorry. . .about your scarf." My words slurred still having trouble opening my other eye. Natsu sighed with relief when he could feel my migraine eventually start to pass. "Don't worry about it. My scarf can be easily cleaned when this is all finished." I attempted a smile but I'm sure it looked more like a misshaping grin of all smiles. Natsu kissed my head and then helped me back to my feet. I lurched forward to allow the wave of dizziness to pass until I was finally able to stand on my own. I took a deep breath and then exhaled invigoratingly. "I'm better now. How's everyone else?" It seemed no one had major damage. Aside from the unexpected impact everyone sounded and appeared fine for the most part. I glanced up to listen to the army above the hole that roared and bashed everything they had into the shield and barrier. We gained more time, even if it was just for a little while longer. "How did the roots appear? And where did that barrier come from with the rubble on top of it?" An unnamed archer questioned rubbing his shoulder from his abrupt fall. "I did it. Stopping time is a power unlike any other if you can control it. However, I may not be able to do it again so let's take this spare time and move further into planning." I came forward with Natsu following my heels until I made it to the center of the large army. "Take this moment to rest more. My companions and I will continue to plan while we're able to." My close comrades met with me with the other Guild leaders also coming forth. We sat around in our inner circles with Veda beginning the topic. "This isn't looking good for us so far. The chances of us being able to leave the makeshift underground fortress are slim to none. The probability of the Gods army overwhelming us before we can even strike is a greater risk."

"What about if we send a team to go out and get the attention of the Gods army to give our men enough time to escape the hole and join back into formation. Forty-Five thousand soldiers are stuck down here barely clinging to any sense of hope. We have to get them back out there and attack!" Jura exclaimed with his Guild master, Ooba, agreeing. "The wizards alone cannot hold back against the tide Miss Lucy. We must push harder when it comes to the Dragons! They must be shot down from the sky!"

"Kill them!? That's what you ask of her!" Natsu retorted with a twisted look of rage. Gajeel sneered in Ooba's direction. "Killing the Dragons will only get more people injured, possibly killing them in the process. Bunny Girl won't even do it because our parents are up there! The last thing we need to think about is the Dragons."

"The Dragons are the main problem! If we get them out of the way our odds of winning will improve!" Jura said hitting his knee with his fist. Sting disagreed stating his viewpoint. "The Dragons are being given strength by that dark-starry figure! If we can take care of the Celestials first it will weaken the army and gives us the advantage!" Yukino gasped from hearing her Guild master. "No! It wouldn't! The Celestial Spirits are in the same predicament just like the Dragons. They're all being possessed by the Gods. Why should we harm the Spirits if they have no control!?"

"Same goes for our parents!" The Dragon Slayers cried out together. Veda glowered at the arguing that was growing. "None of this will help our cause! We must work together or we all perish!" My head fell into my hand. Nothing was coming along as I hoped for. The guild leaders and captains continue to yell over each other. Some called to place our advances on the Dragons whereas the others pointed their fingers at the Spirits. There were even a few that had given up on saying a single word. I stood back up for them to continue their quarrel so I can think alone. If we don't find some way to make our way out of this we'd all die. Unconsciously, I held my stomach to find the little comfort my baby gave me. I imagined that Nashi was already in my arms hugging my neck as I whisper sweet nothings in her ear. The vision of my daughter eased my trouble thought until I heard a cold voice speak to me. "Chikara." I looked to my side to find Nari glaring at me with her hostile, ocean blue eyes. "When we first met I sensed the strong spirit washing over you with his power. He has the vigor of a Dragon and the power of the white flame." A wave of confusion came over me. "Yes, his name is Solantir. How do you know about him? I've never mentioned him to you before."

"Your people call it magic. We call it Wonders. I have a keen sense of sensing otherworldly beings. Our ancestors take shape of animals and select the strongest members of our tribes. My brethren allow their form to take over. Their wondering instincts." Nari rests her hand over her chest. "Your wonders, magic, he can give you the shape also. He is like the ancestors, only greater in power." Nari's words brought a realization to me. The memory came back to me when I was at the Grand Magic Games. Standing at the closed gate with no hope of destroying it Gwen, my lost mentor, transformed herself into a Dragon. She said it was an unspeakable spell that can only be used once. A spell that was life-threatening to the one that casts it. "Just-. . .Just give me a second. Let me think."

"You said yourself we need a distraction. You and the man will not suffice and we will die. I don't care what happens to you chikara, but I will do anything to keep my people safe. You swore to be our sword and shield. Be that." Nari walked away to leave me with my thoughts. "Solantir, come back to me."

"Lucy? Is something wrong?" The Spirit Dragon asked with concern. "What's the spell to change me to a Dragon?"

Lucy, you can't be considering this! A spell that big will exert your energy! Not to mention you are with child! We have no idea if this can hurt you or the baby! The spell killed Gwen. How big of a risk are you going to take and do this?

"Nari is right. We're sitting ducks while the army outside will work their way in. If we don't take action now everyone is going to lose their lives. Plus I've managed to handle the chaotic energy on my own so far. We'll continue with our tactic. I'll be fine performing the spell and give the army all I got! If anything happens your priority doesn't change!" I rubbed my head to soothe the headache coming over me. "Solantir, what's the process of the spell?"

"If you wish to perform this unspeakable spell it will require both of us to unify as one. You will take an altered form of my physical self. Casting the spell can put a toll on your magic capacity, but staying in the Dragon shape is where the risk comes in. How long are you wanting to be in the Dragon form?" My brows furrowed. Estimating the time it will take for the Gods army to swarm me and place a barrier large enough to trap them would mean I'd be in a Dragon form longer than Gwen could hold. She was in the form less than five minutes. . . "No more than an hour."

An hour!? Dammit, Mutt We thought you were finished trying to kill yourself!

"I won't kill myself. I can do it. I know I can. The only concern is without Solantir Natsu is vulnerable to taking damage. That's why I have to work fast and get the army in my makeshift prison. Plus, Solantir will help me if something goes wrong." The whisper of the Spirit Dragon interrupted. "I can't help you, Lucy. In a sense you are becoming me, possessing my body and spirit to use at your will. I won't be aware of anything until the spell is finished." That was a cause for concern. I should have guessed since Solantir and I are unifying between his spirit and my body one of us would have to give control. Even if Solantir was unable to help I still had to do this. "Alright. Even without Solantir to heal me or Natsu, I'll do it. Balance, you know what to protect. When I have the chance to imprison the army I'll take it. Are we in agreement?"

We hate this plan. Natsu is going to hate this plan. He'll tell you you're being a hero again.

"And I made a promise to the people that are fighting to be their sword and shield. I'm not a human like Gwen was. Turning into a Dragon is nothing compared to other forms I've changed into."

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

~Natsu~

The arguments hadn't stopped until Lucy returned with a suspicious glint in her eyes. My arms were crossed over my chest as every leader in the circle allowed Lucy to begin the discussion of her newest plan. My already short of patience came to an end when my wife finished telling us her plan. My blood boiled with rage and my veins were close to popping from the sheer frustration of this idea Lucy made. "This plan of yours isn't so bad. Though it is concerning that you would have to shape yourself into a Dragon. Will it hurt?" Veda asked nervously biting her thumbnail. Lucy shrugged somehow smiling at the woman. "To tell you the truth I don't even know. My mentor cast the spell and she didn't appear to be in pain." My silence broke when I unleashed my anger on Lucy. "Because she died using the spell! Gwen is dead because of that spell and you want to use it too?!" My intimidating figure stood over my wife with heat fuming from my skin. Lucy crossed her arms this time. "I am not a human."

"Does that even matter? You said it yourself the spell is unspeakable for a reason!"

"It is, but I won't die. I can't die Natsu."

I bit my tongue to stop myself from going too far. Just because she can't die doesn't mean shit! "Will you cut it out in being a hero for once in your life!? You'll become a big target! A BIG one! There's nothing I could do to protect you if you do this! I won't allow it!" Lucy's eyes snapped when she unexpectedly pointed right at my face in anger. "I don't need protection, Natsu Dragneel! What I need from you is to follow orders and stand down from your superior! I'm performing the spell and doing this attack strategy with or without your so-called consent. We're in a war, Natsu, not a silly quest for you to swoop in and save the day when I'm in danger." I was taken aback. Lucy who was my wife called herself my "superior." The one person I confided my fears and secrets to threw it all back at my face. My fear of losing her, the constant nightmares of watching her lose the life in her eyes. None of that meant anything to her if it wasn't done her way. Before Lucy could turn around I grasped her wrist and pulled her to me with our faces only inches apart. "If you do this," I whispered with malevolence. "I'll never forgive you. I mean it, Lucy. No matter how much you grovel at my feet I'd rather die than forgive you."

My words caught Lucy's eyes in a state of shock. For a second her lips trembled and her eyes were stained by the tint of red. For a moment I felt remorse rose in my stomach until Lucy pushed aside the guilt that was building in her stomach. Then Lucy yanked her arm away from me until she turned walking away to start the spell. "Natsu, come we need to start moving." Veda took me by the elbow and proceeded to drag me away until we were close to the circular wall of dirt and stone. The army and wizards followed suit when everyone excluding Lucy was touching the wall. My wife was in the center of the root floor breathing and then exhaling at an even pace when an aura began to glow around her. At first, the aura's color was the same as Solantir's flame: white and pristine. Lucy closed her eyes, clenched her hands, and started to breathe harder. She made her decision; she'll reap what she sows.

And yet, my instinct kept riling me to go after her. What could I do!? And why should I even help her when I'm against this!? I meant what I told her earlier about not forgiving her. A person we both knew and cherished died casting this spell. Why is Lucy risking this? What is making her do these drastic actions? Then I recalled what she told me before the battle started when I forced her to promise me to not be a hero. She said she would if it meant to protect me. Just like I would, she's risking her health, possibly life, to keep me safe. I don't care if she was made of diamond or paper, I didn't want her to get hurt! How could I ever think of forgiving myself if I couldn't even forgive her! "Luce. . ." I wanted to make a break for it and somehow help. She told me after she explained her plan for me to stay with the EarthLand army and fight against any enemy that hasn't caught the attention of the bait. Lucy wants me to follow orders, but could I gamble the chance of my wife being severely injured?

Lucy's aura grew brighter with the white glow enveloping her until she had turned into a beacon of light. A pain shot through my chest I had to catch myself against the wall before I fell over. It was spreading through my body from the pits of my stomach into the ends of my fingers and toes. Lucy was feeling this! She was changing with her bones growing dense and her skin being pulled too tightly. I felt the muscles tearing and bones snapping and reshaping themselves as the beacon grew larger by the second. Sweat rolled down my neck and face still suffering the pain and discomfort of the changes Lucy was feeling. "Look!" Avery exclaimed when all eyes were staring at my wife. My eyes lazily looked back until a gasp was caught in my throat. The white light of Solantir was shifting to a different color. Like water paint an essence of pink mixed with the white light, then followed by the color yellow. It mixed beautifully together still dancing over the growing figure that was now over forty feet tall. The light blew out from the new figure. Standing before us with a powerful and glorious Dragon.

She was the color pink with a white neck and belly and an untamed mane that was peach yellow. Though she had hard glistening pink scales, the Dragon had a total of six wings covered in pink feathers. On her head were four horns, two on top of her head and two that curved close to her jaw. More feathers ran down her arms and the back of her legs as her talons shined from their sharpness. Last her tail also covered in scales unwound from her torso and stretched between her feet. The Dragon opened her eyes showing one gold eye and one red iris. This Dragon was Lucy.

"She's beautiful," Nari murmured in astonishment. She was more than beautiful. The Dragon before me was unlike any that has ever existed. There was no word to describe how gorgeous the Dragon was. Lucy's large head glanced up to the barrier and shield until she let out a roar that shook my bones. The barrier exploded shooting the debris that was on top of it upwards where the enemies were still hovering and flying where the entrance of our underground fortress was. The majority of Dragons and Shadowlings were hit which caused a moment of hostility between the enemies which gave Lucy the chance to expel herself from the hole. Not even using her wings, Lucy propelled herself up until she was out of the hole and then expended all six wings. Even with the little sunlight left every scale on her body glistened. Already the majority of the enemies had caught sight of one of the largest Dragons flying up to face the army of other Dragons. The roots beneath our feet started to uproot us like an elevator until we were back on the Earth's surface. "Forward! This is the last stand! Fight for your lives and the ones you hold dear! Fight! FOR MANKIND!" I felt my wings lift off with both my hands lit with flames. There were quite a few Shadowlings and Guardians that were still on the ground when we took the opportunity to overwhelm them. I made the first hit by disintegrating a Shadowling's unformed face. The army followed behind me killing anything that was in our way of victory. There was a beat within the battle that I followed along with every kill I inflicted. I focused mostly on Shadowlings still having difficulty in taking the life of any of the Guardians. I pushed going further into the heat of the battle until I noticed the Shadowlings were whisking away with the Guardians holding onto them.

My eyes looked high into the sky to catch sight of Lucy. She was fending off the Dragons that bashed their heads into her and released a full-force attack of fire onto her scales. The Spirits had also full attention on the Pink Dragon as they continued unleashing every attack they had on her. I noticed they were trying to hit her face or around her eyes which would keep her in a state of distraction. The Shadowlings and Guardian did pot-shots all over her body that even her scales started to take a toll on the attacks happening on every inch of her scaled body. "Oh Gods. . ." I said distressed about what was arising. What utterly horrified me was that Lucy wasn't fighting against them. She was allowing it to happen! Lucy would roar and then fend off the enemies surrounding her to keep their captured attention as they grew more in number. When I returned my eyes to my surrounding there weren't any enemies left! For the ones we managed to take down the rest had joined their fleet and waylaid every incursion on Lucy! "No! No NO!" I flew with the help of my wings to go and help my imperiled wife. I wasn't even halfway and I could already see the damage they'd done to her. Blood stained her once glistening scales. There were massive cuts that tattered her body and burns simmered her poor state. When she opened her mouth to roar again blood flew out as her sharp teeth were now the color red. Lucy must have been pushing against the Connection so I couldn't feel the pain that was inflicted, but the sight alone was too unbearable! "Hang on Lucy!" I tried to fly as fast as I could. My news wings were tough to control as I've never had to use my back muscles to control another part of me before. I did my best to attempt to flap harder so I could push the airflow to propel me higher and higher. Lucy caught sight of me when she roared in my direction to tell me to stay away. I ignored her warning still flying at my saddest pace of flying fast. Lucy was about to roar again until one of the Spirits managed to hit her directly in the left eye. Her golden eye was bleeding from the impact of Aquarius's hit when I heard my wife in complete agony. She let out a roar, but this was different.

It was a sob.

"LUCY~!!!" I felt the pain in my left eye also somehow reaching to the back of my head. I held the left side of my face when the injuries Lucy carried came over me. My bones felt shattered like glass I felt like I was bleeding out. I bit the side of my cheek to regain my lost consciousness to reach Lucy. My wife, still wailing from the loss of her eye, didn't see the Dragon that was coming at her right side. I saw Igneel with his black eyes opening his large jaws to ready his strike on Lucy. It happened. . . painfully slow as I could only watch. My father clamped his jaw on Lucy's arm where her shoulder meets her elbow and ripped it clean off. Igneel bit Lucy's arm out of her only to leave a stump where her bicep should be. Lucy's only good eye dilated from what had just happened. Igneel opened his jaw to let her amputated arm fall from the sky. I held my arm, fearing I had somehow lost my right arm just as the nerves in my arm screamed in torment.

I couldn't even hear the anguishing cries that came out of me or Lucy. The loud ring within my ears was the only thing I could listen to. Pain traversed like a train all where the stump on my arm should be. I held my arm to attempt to shake it away, but the mere touch sent me to a point I thought I would collapse. My right arm was still attached to me, but my mind was unable to process the obvious fact. It was too great of a trauma for my mind to come to that realization alone. The sound of my wife somehow snapped the ringing out of me. A moment of sensory overload caused me to scream in a state of panic. I had no control. I was lost within a sea of misery. My eyes went to Lucy seeing as her right side was covered in dark blood. The army was right on top of her as Lucy finally called for her barrier. The barrier was spherically threaded in a dark and bright matter when it enclosed around the Gods army. . .and Lucy. My mouth fell open having just witnessed what Lucy condemned herself to. My wings faltered for a moment I thought I would fall until the barrier began to shrink in size.

Though I couldn't see the inside of the barrier it was growing smaller every second until I saw a figure falling from the bottom of it. Lucy, in her tattered clothes, was falling back down to EarthLand. "LUCY! NO!" The trauma of the "missing" arm or eye hadn't left me, but I descended to catch my falling wife. With the sight alone I knew she lost too much blood, and with her right arm's wound she could bleed out any second. The left side of Lucy's face was disfigured and also covered in her blood. Her only good eye was shut, and her skin a deathly pale complexion. I was close to losing consciousness yet reluctantly held on to catch my wife. This fall could be the death of her! She told me she wouldn't die! She may have not promised that but she told me and everyone else that she couldn't die! "HANG ON!" I shouted with my outstretched arm. The ground was about to meet us. In the last second my right hand managed to snag Lucy's remaining wrist as I veered up to lighten our fall. I twisted my body around and held Lucy too tight for comfort in my chest. The back of my head was first to hit Earth until we skidded to a stop. My back and wings were scratched from the impact as was the back of my head. I tried to hang on to the remainder of my awareness. More than anything did I want to check on Lucy's condition. But, I couldn't even move. The last thing I heard was the running footsteps in the distance coming closer. My eyes rolled in the back of my head as the trauma became too excruciating.

All that was left. . .was darkness.

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:(

The end is coming too soon. How's it gonna end is the real question, hmm?

As always. . .love you all.❤️