~Natsu~

"Well, you kept the apartment nice and tidy," Lucy said when we entered the utterly destroyed apartment. I grabbed the back of my neck embarrassingly. "I'm sorry Lucy, I thought I would eventually get to sorting this entire mess I made." Happy flew over us grinning like an imp. "Nat-zu threw a few fits here and there Lu-shee. It was all him I had nothing to do with this!" I grabbed Happy's tail pulling him back to my face. "Way to throw me under the bus pal!" I exclaimed when Lucy laughed. "No, no. It's actually alright. I mean, we're going to have to clean it up, but it's fine. I'm not upset."

"You're not?" I asked letting Happy go. Lucy looked down with a smile on her face. "Yeah, I'm anything but upset. I'm home. I'm...alive." She said returning her irises to me. After Lucy told off Daniel, or what we came to find out was the First God Ankhseram that possessed the body he used to watch us, it was chaotic with the guild crying out of joy when Lucy came to our rescue.

~~~

"You are real." I gasped tracing my hand up Lucy's arms to her face. Lucy nodded, tears of blood falling as she finally smiled. "Yes. I'm here Natsu!" I let out a laugh before wrapping her in a tight hug spinning with joy. Lucy placed her hands on my cheeks when she leaned down and kissed me tenderly on the lips. Her lips were plump and warm, the soft taste of strawberries and vanilla that I nearly moaned from the sweet taste. Lucy leaned her head on my frontal when she laughed. "I'm home, Natsu." She whispered when I stopped spinning, but never intended to let her go from our hug. "Welcome back Lucy," I replied kissing her one more time to embrace the sweet aroma of her intoxicating kisses. When I pulled away, one of the first people to come up to Lucy were Levy and Erza. "Lu-chan!" Levy sobbed taking my place in Lucy's hug as she cried. "I thought we were going to lose you! I was so scared I'd never be able to see you again!" The blue-haired mage cried out as Lucy continued to hug her. "I'm sorry Levy. I must have worried you to death."

Erza came next with a hug. "Don't ever even think of doing something stupid like that again! If you try to die again I'll just do it myself you hear me!" Erza lashed out with tears descending her cheeks. Jellal stepped in with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Lucy. Erza and her mood swings are starting to worsen, but we are happy to see you healthy and on your feet. That's what Erza is trying to say." Erza had flames of rage around her. "That's not true at all I'm telling her that if she tries to kill herself again then I'll do it for her!" Jellal sighed exasperatedly at his wife. Next came Gray when he pulled a bear hug and swung Lucy only once. I had to remind that Stupid Stripper to not touch my woman so much. "Lucy you nearly scared me to death! When I thought it was my own damn fault this all happened to you." Gray restrained his tears of emotion whilst Juvia comforted him and glared daggers at Lucy's direction. "I'm so sorry Gray. I swear I didn't mean to put you in such a difficult situation. I wasn't in my right mind when I decided to make that stupid choice. Can you forgive me for putting you in that situation?"

"I will if you promise to not consider doing that again," Gray replied. Lucy stifled a chuckle. "It's definitely a deal." Lucy and Gray formed their deal with a quick fist bump. I snaked my arms around Lucy's waist not even realizing I was growling in Gray's direction. Lucy this time chuckled at me. "You know it's you I'm in love with right?" Lucy asked when I held her tighter. "Care to remind me again?" Lucy was unable to at that moment when the Giver nearly pushed the crowd that surrounded us. "My child! Your heart beats! Is it..." The Giver came forward as if she was looking at Lucy with her own sown eyes. The hunched lady moved closer until she placed her ear on Lucy's chest. Lucy didn't even seem concerned that the Giver was doing such a questioning action. "It's his. You hold his heart." The Giver wept when she pulled Lucy close to her. I had no choice but to let Lucy go so she and the Giver could embrace their hug. "Yes. He's gone, Giver. I've lost my Guardian Angel."

"No. He's still with you my dear. Hades is a piece of your soul now, as well as your very heart." The Giver moved away releasing Lucy from her hold. "Does that mean you remember everything now? Has Light and Darkness become one entity and you hold them?" Lucy nodded. "Yes Giver, I know everything. I understand now why you and Hades were unable to tell me. I had to control the Balance before I knew of the Gods plans. Still, to lose so much for the cost of knowledge I'm sure I will come to regret it over time." Lucy and the Giver closed their eyes like they were praying for mere seconds. The Lucy before me was entirely different yet the same ole' Lucy Heartfilia. It's almost like she had learned who she truly was and was capable of even the impossible. "Luce, please, there's no need to talk about what you've learned today. Today is a celebration for you!"

"I'm afraid I can't celebrate," Lucy replied looking back at me. "In return for my survival, Hades had to forfeit his heart and soul for me to live. I felt his emotions the moment he gifted me his beating heart, but there was no time to say goodbyes. He was already gone when I woke up from my long slumber." Hades...he was gone? After everything he's done, all he did to protect Lucy, at the very end he did perish. His love for Lucy was his downfall, or maybe even his uprising to defy his creators. "I'm sor-"

"Don't apologize, Natsu. It's what he wanted at the very end. Deep down, he was spent being the Bringer of Death. A new Bringer will be born for the sake of Balance and yet I'm afraid even the Balance of the cosmos is tipping." Lucy glanced around the Guild Hall. "The Council Member you all fought wasn't human, to begin with. He is my brother Ankhseram: God of Life and Death."

The entire guild gasped.

"God Ankhseram! Does that mean Chronos: God of Time, and Kemoriyon: God of Wildlife and Nature are also your brothers?" Levy asked as Lucy broke a smile. "Well, Kemoriyon tends to occupy girl bodies so you may as well call Kemi a girl, but my siblings are genderless. They're made of an intelligent energy that makes them supreme beings as it also allows them to harvest the power of creation and order, so I may as well be the black sheep of the family." Lucy extended her hand out when she displayed the same energy Daniel showed earlier before. It didn't wave off etherious which meant it wasn't a magical source of power. The energy Lucy held didn't even have a matter form to it either. At one moment it appeared to be liquid when it quickly changed from a gaseous to a solid to what could possibly be a fourth form. "I also hold the energy that they use to create life with. However, I too carry a soul, unlike the Gods. I have a gender and I have a connection to humans. I hold order in my hand, and yet I am the entity of chaos itself. It's been known that all living life forms hold dark, chaotic power even if they are good in life. It's our downfall as being creatures with a soul of our own. I brandish both order and chaos. Creation and Destruction. I truly am one with the Balance of Magic and even the Cosmos. Needless to say, I'm not liked when it comes to my siblings because I hold such power. I overrule them if it came down between me and my three siblings. I'm stronger even when all three of my siblings combined." Lucy dissipated the energy that she held in her hand. "Which is why they have tried to erase me in the first place. Since my memories are restored I've come to learn that all of the Five Realms is in peril."

"Peril? What's happening Lucy?" Lisanna asked as she cared for her older brother's shattered hand. Lucy came forward, gently taking Elfman's hand into her palm. Lucy's dark veins appeared as she started to glow with a gentle silver light. Elfman had his face scrunched until he softly sighed. "My hand! You healed my hand!" Elfman exclaimed as he was able to move his wrist and clench his fingers into a fist. Lucy didn't say anything in return when she came to Alzack who was unconscious whilst resting his head in Bisca's lap. The Gun Mage was crying silent tears as she caressed her husband's face. "He hasn't woke up. Is he gonna be okay?" Bisca whispered until she wept. Lucy placed her hand on Alzack's forehead. "He has been touched by the very power my siblings hold. I can heal him easily, but he will endure trauma." Bisca smiled relieved that Alzack can be healed. Lucy did the same action with her Dark powers until Alzack groaned. Bisca and their daughter, Asuka, hugged the mage tightly. "Alzack! You're alright!" She cried burying her face into his chest. Lucy returned to me staring through my very soul.

'Natsu, there's so much I have to talk about. However, the only thing I can say right now is please be patient for a little longer. I have to announce dire news to the whole guild until we can speak alone.'

I nodded my head when I waved my hand. "Go on Luce. What was it that you had to tell us?" Lucy glanced around when she closed her eyes. Suddenly, Lucy spoke with both eyes showing the Light Goddess and Dark One.

" The Sun, Moon, and Stars shall align and become a Trinity of all Demise
...
Blood and Soot will rain down before the land staining the filth of Unholiness
...
The ground will tremble and quake then behold, the Gods shall rise from the Heavens and smite the Corruption
...
An army greater than ever seen, touched by the Five Realms, will serve them unknowingly
...
She who stands in the way is the Deceiver of the Gods
...
She who stands against the Almighty will be the End of All Realms "

Lucy finished her message when her eyes returned to normal. A powerful aura surged with strength from Lucy as she spoke this unknown prophecy until she was done. Lucy returned her sorrowful look back to me. "I must tell you all, one that I had to nearly be erased to come to know, is that we will face the Day of Reckoning. A day in which my siblings shall come down from their treasured thrones to once and for all annihilate the Five Realms in one fell swoop. They will come and wreak havoc to the mortals of EarthLand, all so they will erase me."

"What?!" One of my comrades shouted as another person wailed in horror. "You mean to say the Gods we pray to is going to kill us!?" Another person shouted in angst. "Yes. They will create an army more powerful than any weapon there is to be found on EarthLand. The only defense EarthLand has...is me." Lucy looked down. "Once more, I am responsible that this is happening. I tried to reason with Ankhseram that if I turned myself in then he was to spare the Five Realms, but it didn't matter. Even if I had allowed them to keep me in the Abyss they would still destroy the Five Realm. I have...'corrupted' the very air you all breathe. They wish to start anew and in doing so they must first eliminate everything they have created. Which means they are coming after all of you, all living beings, and all they have done. It will be swept away if I don't stop it."

"You did all of this? You've sent us to our deaths!" Max screamed which made me move in front of Luce as a way to protect her. "Lucy has done nothing!" I shouted with my arms shielding Lucy who was standing behind me. "Don't you realize what she just said!? It doesn't matter that even if she surrendered the Gods would have still killed us! Lucy has given up everything to save us and yet here you are accusing her that she has sent us to our deaths! SHE'S SAVING US YOU STUPID ASSHOLE!"

"Natsu," Lucy laid her hand on my bicep. Somehow I was placed in a state of serene and calm when Lucy smiled. "It's alright if Max wishes to be angry at me. What matters more than anything right now is preparation for the Day of Reckoning. We won't plan tonight, but tomorrow is when we must begin." Lucy peered to the Sand Mage. "I'm so sorry Max. I know this must upset you, and I'm sure there's many more in this Guild Hall that is upset," Lucy sighed, placing her hand over her heart. I felt it then, the adoration and love she held for all of us. "But I promise, no matter what, I will protect my comrades and the people of EarthLand. My one objective is to prove to my siblings the mistake they wish to enforce. I refuse to allow the decimation of my home." Max's glaring eyes became softer. "O-Okay then. I see you haven't changed that much then. Even though you're a God an all." Max replied rubbing the back of his neck embarrassingly.

Lucy turned to the Giver. "Giver, if I may ask a favor, will we speak alone for a minute?" The Giver returned a curt nod. "Of course. You are the God I have sworn myself to follow. Please, lead the way." Lucy looked back at me one more until she came up to me and placed a quick kiss on my lips. "Help clean the Guild while I speak to the Giver. After I'm done, we'll go home." The kiss made me air-headed that I nodded without saying anything. Lucy smiled, caressing my jawline until she and the Giver went up the stairs and to the direction of the infirmary room. "Hang on," I said to myself when Happy flew over to me. "Did she say we're going home?" Happy smiled, but behind his smile was a snarky cat that knew what I was thinking. "Yep! The apartment in which you obliterated with your angry fits." He said back before giggling at my apprehension. I broke into a nervous sweat. "Wonderful..."

~~~

Lucy sat down on the mattress that was lying on the floor as the wooden bed rest was scattered around the torn blankets. "At least we don't have to worry about making the bed in the morning." Lucy chuckled picking up a feather that was from a pillow until blowing it gently away. I sat next to her still ashamed that I hadn't cleaned up the place. "I'm so sorry," I admitted shaking my head with shame. Lucy shushed me whilst she placed her hand over mine. "Again, it's alright. You may think I'm lying but I'm not upset that the place is a mess. I put you through so much Natsu. You had to be told so many secrets I kept hidden from you, learn so many new things about me...you even had to defend yourself against the Balance." Lucy began to shake. "It could have killed you. No mortal should hold a tie with the Balance and yet here we are tied together by our Souls Connection." Lucy tucked her head between her legs. "I've doomed you."

"You haven't doomed me." I retorted when Lucy stifled a sarcastic snort. "I'm serious!" I said when she looked back at me. "Why aren't you mad at me? This would be so much easier if you were yelling at me, cursing at me, and blaming me for everything that's happened to you." I clasped for her hand. "Because all that matters to me Lucy is that you're alive! That you're happy and not willing to kill yourself every five seconds." Lucy rolled her eyes. "I don't want to kill myself every second."

"Again, I'm serious." Lucy pulled her hand away. "You haven't fully realized yet, have you? You're immortal now, Natsu. You're in love with a God that has a target on her back that was put there by her own "siblings" and is connected to the most powerful magical entities that have been created. Which I may add can kill you if they truly wanted to." I shrugged my shoulders whilst leaning further back in the bed. "I'm not bothered about it." I replied lazily when Lucy shook the bed. "Why! I took your life! I stole your chance at being a father, a granddad, and any hope of someday moving on to a better place! You should despise me right now!"

"I don't hate you, idiot. I'm in love with you." Tears of blood brimmed in Lucy's eyes. "And what of Vivian?" She asked which completely threw me off guard. "Vivian?! How do you even know of her?" Lucy rolled her eyes once more as she wiped her tears. "I'm a God for Gods sake. Plus I can read your soul just as easily as the Giver can." Lucy sighed until she sniffled to fight against her tears. "She can give you the life you deserve. A life of mortality, and a life where you can grow old happy together." I forced Lucy to look at me despite her wanting to hide her tears. Blood fell down her cheeks when I tried to wipe them away. "Vivian isn't you, Luce. You're my Soulmate; not that woman I saw in a dream." Lucy darted her eyes away. "You're meant to be a human, not an immortal being bound to a corrupted God that her siblings couldn't hate even more than they already do."

"Why do you have to make that decision?! Maybe I want to be with you for eternity! Ever thought of that?" Lucy snapped her attention back to me. "You don't want this! Do you understand why I know you won't; because I didn't want this!" Lucy seized up and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" She yelled but wasn't talking to me. "I didn't mean to lose myself, but I'm alright." Lucy slowly relaxed until she opened her eyes.

'I almost made a grave mistake. I have to remember that I share my emotions and body.'

"The Balance..." I had to only say those two words and Lucy bobbed her head. "Light and Darkness became one entity. It's still new for me to not have to control both anymore. We made a truce for us to function together. They're adapting fairly well, but it's still a struggle for me to share my body. I'm learning." I wanted to reach out and hold her, to tell her I was here to help. "Lucy...do you realize I was a husk when I thought I was going to lose you?" Lucy and I locked eyes. "I wasn't even a Half-Soul, and yet I could feel nothing. I was nothing. Say what you want that it's because of the Souls Connection, but everything I feel is real. I know it's real because I felt this way before any of that happened. I want to be with you, Lucy! Even if you were mortal I'd still want you for eternity, and now, we have eternity together!"

"Natsu...no. You don't understand, you will never grow old. We will watch our comrades...our friends die of old age. You will never see them again after they pass away. I won't allow you to have that fate." Lucy stood up waving her hand away. "Lucy, please don't leave!" Lucy stopped so she could look back at me. "I just want to go for a quick fly. I'll be back soon. I...I have a lot to think about." I came a step forward. "Please let me help you."

"You will. First, I have to know what our next step is in stopping the Day of Reckoning. Next, is our Souls Connection, and finally is to decipher the message I remember. I need to try to find an exact date as to when the Day will come." Lucy came back when she placed her hand on my cheek. "I won't be gone long." She smiled at me with love and devotion. "While I'm away clean this place up. I'm not upset, but it is a mess." I repressed my aggravated sigh. I thought she said we were going to clean it together?

'You thought wrong.'

Lucy placed a kiss on my cheek when she went to the window and dove out. Her wings appeared and hued a gentle gold light until she vanished into the clouds. All the while I still felt her soul so close to me. Tucked away in my heart as if she never even left. "I love you, idiot," I murmured with a smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Lucy~

The wind held a chill as I flew across the night over the clouds. My head spiraling with endless thoughts of what is to come. "Another war. Even worse a war against the Gods I once prayed to. I'll have to face them alone with the time comes.."

You are never alone, mutt.

The corners of my mouth perked up. "No, I suppose not. However, just as much as you can feel my emotions, I also sense your fear in facing your creators. If it truly comes down I may have to kill my siblings."

Yet without the Gods, the Balance shall collapse. Chaos shall fall upon the Cosmos and even then the Five Realms shall fall to ruin. Killing the Gods isn't an option.

"I know," I admitted flying higher until I was above the clouds. I twirled upwards collecting the clouds to follow behind me until I spread my wings out. I recalled what the Giver warned me, telling me that no matter what war will fall upon the Five Realms.

~~~

The Giver and I stood face to face when I clasped the old woman's hand. "Giver, tell me that there's a way to avoid the Day of a Reckoning. Is there a possible solution without violence?" The old lady glanced towards my face with her sowed eyes. "No. I'm sorry Lucy, but there isn't a path I can guide you to avoiding the Day of Reckoning from ever happening. It is set in stone that war will come upon the Five Realms." I closed my eyes before sighing heavily. "Then, what of a date. When does the Day come upon us?"

The Giver held the right side of her temple. "It's...hard to decipher. Only Lord Ankhseram knows of when the Day shall happen because he will decide so. He hasn't made a decision yet. Lord Ankhseram is doing this on purpose so I cannot warn you in time." Once again, my brother's cunning intelligence has trapped me. "Very well then. What of my Souls Connection with Natsu? Do you see a way to shatter the connection without harming him?"

"There are many possibilities, but all results in death. By my calculations, I see Natsu is at a higher chance of breaking the Souls Connection because of his strong urge to protect you. Unlike you, his body is still fragile, and the solutions I see is he will die taking every hit that is aimed at you-"

"I've heard enough!" I ordered walking away with my hand over my mouth. There must be a way to find answers. The message I remember. It contains the key to what the hell will happen in the future. Until there's a precise date as to when the Day happens, the Giver can't clue me into what will happen. How will we win? What will be our best strategy as to fighting against the Gods? Who are we even fighting against? "Giver," I returned my eyes to her. "Tell me one thing, and I won't ask again." I moved forward; concentration clear in my eyes when I kneeled to the old woman. "What is it, my Lady?" She asked when I held her hands together. I released a quick breath of air. "In the end, do you see the people of EarthLand alive?" The Giver grew silent whilst her face fell to the ground. "I...only see one path. But, the path, does not show me any visions. The only path I see that all of EarthLand shall survive is faint like an old memory. I see it vanishing more and more as the other paths of the Gods winning overwhelm me. This path is narrow, but not impossible to reach." I smiled before bowing my head. "That's all I needed to hear. Thank you."

~~~

Maybe all of this is one in an infinite change of us winning, but I have to try. My only two objectives are to protect the people I love, and the Five Realms from destruction. "I may be immortal and invincible by even the Gods, but I am still a human girl that holds weakness. The first thing to do is to unite the humans under one banner so we may fight together. I must bring peace so we may stand a fighting chance."

We can take them down altogether. Why risk the feeble humans to die when we are strong enough to overthrow the very Gods!

"It's not about overthrowing the Gods from their thrones. It's about returning things to the way they were. The Gods must understand I hold no intention in overthrowing the Cosmos. We must prove to them they are wrong."

Wonderful. We can't kill them nor overthrow them. It's politics at this point.

I laughed. "Sure, politics that decides the fate of the Five Realms. At least we're on the same page." My eyes returned to the starlit night sky until I folded my wings close to my back to begin falling. I fell through the clouds continually spinning in a spiral while placing my hand over my chin in concentration. "There must be some way to show the Gods of their mistake. For now, the best option at this moment is to go to the capital and speak to the Council and Saints of what's to come." My angelic wings grew back out catching me before I even noticed.

They will do everything in their power to arrest you. With that fraud of a human Daniel gone, you will be blamed for his disappearance. I'm not sure the Giver will be able to save you this time.

"I don't have enough time to play their petty politics. I'm trying to save their life and yet if they resist my help then I will simply try another way. Right now word must be spread that the Day of Reckoning is coming upon us!"

Countless humans have attempted to declare the end of the world, and all of them were wrong. If you wish to be listened then let them see you not as a human, but as a God. You can't keep holding yourself back if you want to be listened to. Let Us all go to Crocus and face this Council of yours head-on.

I smiled diving down back to the ground until my feet gracefully landed on the cobbled street of Magnolia. "Agreed. However, first, we must stop in Aria. From what I was informed Sterling was placed as my temporary Hand until further notice. Something isn't right; I feel it in my bones that there is already a shift within the Balance. Sterling may have a big influence if I don't reach out to him in time." It's even worse that my hold in all the Realms feels different. Something is happening, and yet I can't place it as to what it could be. The Gods are doing something that is somehow not being seen even with my own eyes or Sight. "Ankhseram may have the upper hand at the moment, but if I can unite EarthLand to one goal, and bring my armies from the StarLight and Midnight Realm...then perhaps there is a fighting chance. It's decided then." I concluded as I began my pace to go home.

Agreed. No matter what We do, war is coming. The time to prepare is now. You've shown Us there is a way to truly be Balanced, but We fear that on the Day of Reckoning even the Cosmos shall tremble before the Gods unwavering power. Even if We unite the race of humans under one banner, what shall they face on the Day?

My fists tightened as I thought more about this. My siblings are observers; they watch and control fate to their whim on living beings excluding myself. The Darkness and Light were speaking the truth...what would I be facing on the Day of Reckoning? "That hasn't come to mind yet. Right now, our main motive is to bring unity and strengthen the EarthLand Realm. After that, I will move forward and bring the Guardians of Light and my Shadowlings to fight at our side. With all our strength combined, I'm sure we'll manage to hold off the Gods until I can bring them to their senses." The Balance said nothing which troubled me. "Is it a bad plan?" I asked waiting to listen to them.

It isn't a bad idea at all. The only thing We fret about is that...people will die in this battle, Lucy. You will lose people that you love and hold dear to you. Are you going to let Natsu join the battle even if that chances you to becoming a Half-Soul? He's immortal, but not invincible to even the Gods power unlike you.

"I can keep him safe!" I snapped hearing my voice echo the empty streets. "They will all be kept safe," I said, this time in a whisper for only myself to hear. "No matter the cost, or what I must do, no one will die! The Gods won't take my comrades from me! Not after they've taken everyone else from my life..."

What you're saying is impossible.

"Maybe it is now," I said as I stopped walking. "But I refuse to give up and let the people I hold dear to me die. My siblings won't take my nakamas all because of the sins I've committed. I won't allow the Gods to act upon their methods just so they can erase me. No one will be penalized for my actions!"

Calm yourself, mutt. We will do everything in Our power to support you to protect your people and comrades. In some unusual way, they're Our comrades too. We wish to keep them safe from the brutality of this war to come. Know that We are on your side.

I released a huff of air. Even after being in a bed for weeks I somehow grew weary. More than anything, I wanted to return to Natsu. I wished to be wrapped in his arms and feel the warmth his body heat waved off. His gorgeous onyx eyes staring at me with his childish grin brightening an entire room. More than anything...I've missed him. "Let's go home. Tonight let's pretend everything is normal for a change. No Gods, no war, and no Balance talk.

Does that mean We shouldn't converse for the rest of the night?

I managed to laugh as I arrived back at the apartment. "Well, I wouldn't mind," I replied with a smile. I opened the entrance door of the apartment already feeling the Souls Connection guide me up the second floor to where I can find my Soulmate.

There I can finally be home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As always Lovelies...love you all!❤️