~Lucy~

The following morning of departing Duskwallow wasn't friendly nor ended on such a good occasion. After the ravaging that transpired destroying the entire town, it was well decided our presence was no longer welcomed. My nakamas and I all returned to our rooms after I apologized for what happened. The remainder of the night consist of restless naps and the toss and turns of what Kemoriyon and Chronos had told me. My thoughts were scattered from what has happened all within a matter of one day. I lost my home Aria, and nearly lost the man I love due to his human emotions. His pride decided that very moment he would stand and attempt to fight my sister Kemi. He was utterly foolish. As most humans were.

Then again, I am a human in some unusual way.

We were on a train again with the mayor ordering all Mages of Fairy Tail to leave their village and to never return. Now returning to the present, with my head resting against the dark tinted window of the train, I concentrated to think again of what Chronos and Kemoriyon were explaining to me. It is likely possible they were only throwing me a false lead, but that was unlike the Gods. They aren't one to lie only instead keep secrets. Would they also not lie to my face, or are they going to start breaking their own rules? It was me that began to break the rules when I was created, but do they honestly think I meant to disturb the peace? My head was killing me when I rubbed my temple with my hand. A terrible headache was stirring when I glanced at the person sitting next to me. Natsu had his arms crossed over his chest whilst his eyebrows furrowed in frustration. His eyes were closed, and yet his lips would scowl as if he was irritated for some reason. "Hey," I began to say gently rubbing my hand on his bicep. Natsu opened his eyes slowly gazing close to my view. He hummed. "Hmm?"

"You alright?" I asked in concern. Natsu rubbed his head. "Other than the headache you gave us I'm just tired. Seems I never catch up on sleep anymore." Natsu admitted by rubbing his eyes. I placed my body close to him waiting for his warmth to surround me. "I'm sorry. I'm mostly to blame for your lack of sleep, if not mostly then entirely to blame for it." Natsu wrapped his arm around my waist pulling me closer to him. I was enveloped in a warm and tranquil atmosphere as his gentle aroma wafted my sense of smell. "Don't worry yourself, Luce. I'm a lot tougher than I appear to be. Plus, we have about less than two days on this wretched moving death trap which means I'll be able to sleep eventually." Natsu used his other hand to pull my chin to look at his face. "Only if you promise to rest beside me. The last time you got rest was the night you managed to come back from the Abyss. Rest your brain, Lucy." I wanted to agree and fall asleep at the very thought, and yet, my brain wasn't tired. I felt quite the opposite when I noticed my appetite wasn't as big when I went to the guild with Natsu all those days ago. Could I possibly be starting a resistance to my intake of human sustenance? Gods don't need to eat or sleep from what I recall. Is my human side slowly being extinguished? "I will," I promised resting my head into Natsu's shoulder as he propped his chin on top of my skull. His eyes were heavy when he hummed his reply already falling asleep. "You...better." He slurred until his body went limp; already he fell asleep. I chuckled whilst checking over my comrades that were also sleeping for this long travel ahead of us. Being on the train reminded me of what happened when we were visiting Aria the first time. As everyone slept I was the last awake when the train was attacked by what must've been a Shadowling in a weak state. It's unbelievable it's almost been a year since that happened. Like last time, I was to stay awake to watch over my comrades.

I will do whatever I must to protect those I cherish.

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

~Natsu~

The sun bathed me in a gentle embrace. My eyes were closed as my head lifted to allow the rays of sunlight to cover me in warmth. A slow sigh left me when the sound of a child screamed shortly laughing afterward. My eyes opened witnessing a field of barley glistening like gold as I noticed a woman with blonde hair clutching a child with pink peach hair. The woman was none other than Lucy, but the child was a person I've never met before. She was small, no older than six or seven years old. She had skin that was kissed by the sun, her hair poking in every direction as it trailed over her shoulder blades with the peach-tinted locks catching the sun's light. When the child smiled her teeth were sharp like canines but never appeared threatening. When the little girl opened her eyes, she had the same chocolate brown irises as Lucy. Both of the girls were wearing pretty white dresses that went down to their knees, however, the little girl had my scarf wrapped tightly around her neck making her appear smaller with the long end of my scarf nearly reaching her feet.

She must be...my daughter.

"Natsu! Come join us!" Lucy insisted before spinning with the girl in her arms. I watched with awe when the girl screamed and giggled with joy telling Lucy to spin again and again. I stood but stayed rooted in place to watch a little while longer. "This is a dream," I stated with a sad smile. Lucy glanced back when she chuckled. Her heartwarming smile made butterflies grow in my stomach. I haven't seen her smile that way in so long. "Perhaps, but why state the facts when you should enjoy the moment? Now come," Lucy placed the girl back on her feet. "Join me and your daughter on this adventure! You deserve to have a well rest that doesn't involve chaos." I stepped forward taking Lucy's hand when I knelt to look closer at my daughter. She had Lucy's eyes; from the color to their very shape. My daughter giggled when she placed her hand over my cheeks and squeezed them together. "Daddy's a fish now! Daddy's a fish now!" She sang playfully jumping up and down repeatably. "Well, it's obvious where she gets her stamina from!" I joked causing Lucy to laugh alongside me. My daughter released her hold from my cheeks until running a fair distance and began to spin in circles on her own. "Do you know her name?" I asked looking at Lucy. The blonde's smile grew wider as she placed her arms over her chest. "Nashi. You were so hardheaded on that name I couldn't refuse you. It's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl." Lucy cocked her head at Nashi when she squeezed my face one more time. "Daddy! Can we play horsie?" She asked with her sweet eyes glazing up to me. She struggled as she tried to climb into my arms and over my shoulders to reach my back. I managed to place her where she was sitting between my neck whilst I held onto her little feet to make sure she didn't fall. "Of course darling, but first allow Lucy and I to discuss important matters." Nashi huffed in annoyance. "Make it quick Daddy!" She ordered not before drumming her fists on top of my head like a drum. Her small hands did very little damage to my thick noggin, and yet Lucy politely yet firmly told Nashi to not smack her dad's head.

We walked in silence for some time. With only Nashi to break the tension in the air, Lucy eventually placed our daughter back to the barley field and told her to go play. Nashi ran off attempting to catch a butterfly by jumping in the air and sprinting to go chase it. "This is all I've ever wanted." I hummed slipping my hand to entwine with Lucy's. The blonde glanced over in my direction when she reassured me by tightening our hold. "Who knew wanting something so badly could be so hard to achieve. You almost have this, Natsu. It's right in front of you that all you need is to just reach for it. Nashi can be here. She can exist if you so much grasp the very desire. Why only envision this dream when you can create it!"

Lucy pulled my face close. "What's stopping you right now?" I gazed closely into her irises finding no trace of the person she was. Her eyes were the silk chocolate brown I first met. "You know already, Luce. You said so yourself that this could never be a part of our future. Marriage...children. Why create something so beautiful when it will only perish in time?" Nashi let out a yelp when she had the butterfly captured safely in her hands. The child released the butterfly for it to fly only so she could continue the chase to catch it again. "Because that is what makes it beautiful." My eyes cut to Lucy smiling. Her eyes never wavered away from my gaze but only melted to a soft smile. "Vows are an oath from one soul to another. It's a lifetime commitment that you can't take back once spoken. Mortals cannot give a piece of their soul unlike us; so instead of a spiritual vow, we have made they gave their souls through their words. I like to think of us already married. You feel my emotions. You endure the pain that has been inflicted upon me. You surpass the unwavering itch of us being apart from each other. Over and over again you've proven your love to me and the only way I can repay you is by not trying to kill myself. It isn't fair for you to simply accept this as your life for eternity. How can this be fair that you will never hold your child or to one day exchange our souls through worded vows?"

"I-..." I wanted to retort Lucy as to what she was saying, but everything she stated was all true. How was this fair for me? "It isn't fair." There it was. The one thing I couldn't admit to anyone or even myself. None of it was fair. Lucy told me this long ago and still, I ignored her words of truth. "If I am to give up so much then why push away the possibilities? We don't even know what the future holds for us! So, what is stopping us from trying for a chance..." A chance to be happy is what I wanted to finish. Lucy smiled, but her eyes held sadness. "Will you ever tell her how you truly feel? You're afraid to admit to her how you feel, don't you?"

"Is it that obvious?" I asked with a sense of guilt. Lucy's eyes fell. "Only a little." She admitted returning her attention to our daughter. "Nashi!" She called out as she ran to fetch her. I watched with adoration when Lucy swept Nashi into her arms whilst both were laughing. It was a sound I could hear for eternity, just my two favorite people happy in the moment. They both returned to me when Nashi jumped into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her to catch her small frame close to me. "Daddy," Nashi begin when I heard her playful tone vanish. Her eyes looked up to me, but they were concerned. "will we stay together? Can we always be together with Mommy?" She asked with tears building in her big loving eyes. My heart was crushed because I knew this was a dream. My "daughter" was just a figment of my imagination. She wasn't real.

She wasn't ever real...

Lucy turned Nashi's face to her. "No need to ask silly questions, Darling. Know that your father and I will always love you; even if we are unable to see you." Lucy placed her hand over Nashi's heart. "Will always be right here. No matter how far away we are, even if we're apart from space and time, we'll be here in your heart forever." Nashi rested her small hands over her chest. "Forever?" Lucy moved her eyes to mine. This must be my answer for both of them. If I tell my daughter, real or not, the answer I want to tell her, then I'm telling myself that I'll speak my heart to Lucy. Even if it does break her heart I have to tell her how I truly feel. "Forever," I answered back vowing to Lucy my feelings. Nashi smiled wrapping me in a warm hug. "Always!" She replied never letting me go.

I embraced her hug one last time.

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

The dream slipped away only by the sound of train tracks coming to a skidded halt. "Hey, we're here." Lucy was still sitting beside me; both of our hands intertwined when I saw we made it to Crocus. "You slept for the majority of the ride. I'm surprised how well you slept! It seems I just needed to hold your hand and you're back in tip-top shape!" Lucy joked with a giggle. I just wanted to kiss her senselessly after hearing that.

It's been ages since she's joked around, especially about my motion sickness that will never seem to go away. I held onto her hand tighter than ever. "Are you ready?" I asked uncertain of what we were about to face. Lucy's smile faded only for her natural stoic persona to return. "I have to be. Whatever happens, if they try to separate us-"

"I won't let that happen." I interrupted holding her hands close to my chest. Lucy's eyes gazed into my irises, wanting reassurance that this will all somehow work out. I returned that reassurance by hugging her and wrapping my arms around her to hold her tight. "They won't separate us again. Not this time." I whispered into her ear. The sensation of warm chills spread all over me as my cheeks flushed crimson. 'Ah, Lucy you make me only fall in love with you even more. Don't blush too hard okay?'

'Says the man that makes my heart flutter. Don't leave my sight. I already have a suspicion of what's about to happen, so stay close to me. You have my back while I have yours?' I nodded. "Always." I returned still whispering into her ear. Happy flew past me straight into Lucy's chest that she took a step back to catch herself. "Lu-shee! Guards have already surrounded the train station and they're ordering for all of us to come out! They already have Wendy, Gray, and Juvia!" Lucy's heart fell to her stomach as did mine at the same time. "No rest for the wicked." Lucy spat holding Happy tightly. "The others?" She asked to the Exceed. "They didn't leave the entrance unlike the other three. They're ordering for not only Fairy Tail Mages but for you to come out with your hands raised. They want to arrest you, Lucy."

"That isn't going to happen!" I barked as we left the train cart when the remainder of our group joined us. "Lucy! It's just as Master Makarov warned. The Council is ordering your arrest and trial the moment they knew you stepped foot in this Godsforsaken city." Jellal said as Lucy stared past him and through the entrance. Wendy, Gray, and Juvia were on their knees with their hands behind their head. There were shackles around Juvia's wrists meaning she must have resisted the guards when they seized them. Gajeel scratched his jawline in boredom. "I say let's just kick their ass and call this thing off. There's no way the Council's gonna listen to us. Much less you Bunny Girl after the whole event of being evil an all." I glared at the Iron Dragon Slayer as Levy elbowed his side. "Way to put it, Gajeel." The blue-haired bookworm muttered to him. Lucy was still quiet when she sighed exasperatedly. "We don't have enough time for this." Lucy eventually said with a hint of anger. She held out Happy to me when I took him from her hands. "Okay, I have an idea." My blonde goddess said as she walked to the entrance of the train station. Lucy waved her hands causing the doors to fly open as she raised her hands into the air. "I shall willingly surrender if you release my guildmates from apprehension under the Council's order!"

"Lucy!" I yelled shocked that she was once again willingly letting her life be at stake. Lucy glanced back at me. 'Trust me. I have a plan, but first I have to act like they think I would in this situation.' Lucy turned her head back, talking to the fleet of soldiers that were cowering in their boots as Lucy stepped closer. 'It's obvious they're not going to follow my orders. But, if I make it seem like I'm desperate and trying to strategize a way for all of us to escape, they'll think they have the upper hand. This is when they will use all of you against me so I can falsely admit I killed Daniel StormCloud.'

Lucy fell to her knees, hands still raised as she bowed her head lowly begging the Captain of the fleet to just let us go. 'This is a straight shot to the Council. Knowing them they'll take all of you in the trial room so you can be their hostages. I won't let them abuse me like last time. Time is too valuable for me to take punches. Please, just trust me and we can get this over with.' I stood still with a pit forming in my stomach. It was a risky move that Lucy decided to push. What if we weren't going to be taken to the same place as her? What if the Council separates us? How do I know Lucy isn't lying and she is trying to earn our freedom?

'Natsu...' Lucy pleaded through our Connection. My trance broke and I realized the obvious: I've got to start with a chance. I put one hand up still holding Happy close to me as I followed suit. "I surrender! Just don't hurt her!" I yelled when the rest of my guildmates looked at me like I was crazy. I closed my eyes waiting for it all to backfire. One of my comrades would screw up the plan, or one of the guards was going to hurt Lucy or those I hold close to me. "Stand down Fairy Tail!" Erza shouted as I heard her fall to her knees and hands raised behind her head. "Follow the orders given to you! We ask for a fair trial and our Guild Master to be notified of our apprehension."

"Don't move!" The Captain barked taking slow steps towards Lucy. "Lucy Heartfilia!" The man shouted as he held his sword up. "You are under arrest for the murder of First Rank Council member Daniel StormCloud! Your trial will be immediate and prosecuted by the order of our new First Rank Monica Reaver!" Lucy's head snapped. "Monica?! The Council allowed that crazy bitch Monica to take over!?" Lucy shouted when the feeling of uneasiness welled inside both of us. 'This isn't good. I wasn't expecting Monica Reaver to take authority of the Council. She tried to persuade the Council and Saints to keep me as a weapon. No doubt she'll do the same again.'

'Let's just fight our way then. If she sees you at your true potential then she'll realize she can't use you!' I said through our Connection. Though I was behind Lucy, I saw her shake her head. 'No. Fighting through the city will only make the situation worse. They'll never listen to us if we fight like barbarians. We're about to walk into a trap; please keep your guard up. Tell everyone else to stay alert.' Lucy replied when the Captain came forward. "Madam Reaver told us to not harm any Fairy Mages when entering the city. Do not resist or I will have no choice but to cuff you like your Water Mage friend over there." Juvia shuffled her arms which made the sound of her shackles rattle for all of us to hear. Gray that was beside her was shaking from the rage that was burning behind his eyes. Lucy nodded once. "All I ask is for you to not harm my comrades as we proceed to my trial." Lucy lowered her head. "Please." She muttered.

The Captain eyed Lucy for mere seconds, which made my blood boil as his eyes moved up and down in a sickening way. He licked his lips when he waved another one of his men forward. "Chain her up. We'll release the cuffs on your comrade so long as you wear your shackles." Shackles and chains. It was happening all over again. "Over my dead body, you'll chain her up!" I yelled when Happy tried to calm me. "Nat-zu!" He exclaimed whilst Lucy snapped her head in my direction. "I'll do as you say! Keep your word and I shall willingly be restrained."

'Stay calm, Natsu. It's going to be okay. Their enchanted locks are nothing but a paper bracelet. All of you, on the other hand, may have to fight your way out of the room if things don't go as I planned.' Lucy whispered. Her eyes softened when I noticed a small smile on her face. 'I know you'll have my back when we enter the courtroom. And like you, I have your back as well. Watch over our comrades as we get this sorted.' Men surrounded Lucy before prying their hands all over her. Lucy closed her eyes, anger boiling in her stomach as well as disgust, whilst the men locked the chains into place around her neck and wrists. 'It's alright. They're not hurting me.'

I couldn't help but snarl. 'They're touching you like you're a tramp. I should have them by their throats!' Lucy couldn't help but snicker. 'Even now you somehow find a way to make me laugh.' Lucy opened her eyes, both our irises locked together as the Captain released Juvia of her bindings. "Keep yourself on a leash!" He sneered as Juvia rubbed her neck. The men held onto the chains that were bound to Lucy, but even with the shackles around her neck and wrists, I saw in Lucy's eyes that I haven't seen in so long. It was pride. She held her head high and unwaveringly followed suit. When we were all filing behind as guards surrounded us, I managed to whisper to Happy of the trap that was set in place and to pass the word. Everyone had to have a clear head when we face off the guest. Whatever happened, my eyes would never leave Lucy.

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

~Lucy~

It was all the same since I last left here. The marble floors, the columns, the large chandelier that had thousands, and the sons of bitches that sat in front of us. Once again I was in the center with guards waiting for the order to beat me as the rune below my feet shined. I wanted to laugh; this tune was almost pathetic to stand on. Monica was in the center where Raphael or Daniel would have sat. Her slanted blue eyes gawked at me as she grinned. My comrades were on the far left side of me, one guard each behind them in case one of them had an idea. Natsu watched me when I felt he was stressed about what they were going to do. I looked at him telling Natsu whatever happens it'll be alright; that somehow we'll get through this like we always do. "My, my Miss Heartfilia." Monica began when I rolled my eyes to her. She tapped her fingers over the black marbled table. "Why must we continue meeting this way. Aren't you tired of being in chains?" I didn't answer back. "You must miss being my prisoner if you willing came to Crocus. Honestly, it was rather stupid of you to come. You took the fun out of chasing you."

"I'm not your prisoner, Monica. I only came because I came to warn the Council." My voice never stumbled. I was authoritative with the power of the Balance making me feel stronger than ever before.

Do not fear this weak woman Mutt. She's nothing compared to you.

"Warn us?" Monica laughed. "Warn us of what you'll do to us if we don't follow you? You are a demon if you were able to kill First Rank: Daniel StormCloud." Monica stood from her chair. "But, you don't scare me. I still see you as the small, insolent, little girl you are."

"You're quite mistaken. I've come across information. As far as you know Daniel came to Magnolia for reasons he said were business. It was business, but not for the Council. Business for the Gods." Some of the Council members glanced at each other. "The Gods?" One of them whispered as others murmured under their breaths. Monica looked back and forth. "Silence!" The Council fell silent. Her eyes glowered with vicious intent. "You must take me for a fool. "Business for the Gods"? I've heard better excuses from petty thieves!" I sighed pulling my head up to the ceiling. This was too exhausting to deal with.

Can't we kill them?

"No, we can't kill them." I huffed not giving a damn if I said that out loud. "But, I'll stop playing nice." My hands that held shackles over my wrists began to grow hot. I curled my fists when the chains around my ankles, wrists, and neck started to melt and roll of my skin. I flicked away the melted metal and took a step forward when the guards gasped and jumped away. "F-First Council!? Your orders!" Monica dropped her face when she also stepped back. "Those chains were enchanted! You idiots restrain her!" The men in front of me were frozen when I took my third step to the table. One made a move when my eyes snapped my gaze to him. He stopped with his body shaking in utter fear. "What's wrong? Aren't I just a small, insolent...little...girl?" I cocked my head with the veins of the Dark One trailing up my left arm. "M-Madam Reaver!" The soldier cried out until throwing his weapon down and ran. I decided to let him go. If some of the people in this room see I'm not some killing machine perhaps this can be even easier than I hoped. "Go on Monica," I continued moving towards the table. "give your orders. Whatever will you do to bend me to your will this time?" Monica was beginning to shake as the remaining Council members trembled in their chairs. The council woman's eyes went up to my comrades. "Apprehend the Mages! If she makes one move I want you to kill one of them!" The guards suddenly had their weapons up as my comrades were fighting back. The guards moved their attention to them. I stopped moving when I heard my nakamas yell, kick, throw punches to avoid being a hostage. "Lucy! Whatever your plan is just get on with it!" Erza yelled when her husband came to her rescue. I turned my body to them raising my hands. "KILL THEM!" Monica screamed.

"Stop moving." The soldiers that crowded my comrades came to a still. The ones that were holding down some of my teammates became limp. Their bodies became ragged like a puppet. I bent my fingers moving the total of sixteen bodies for them to form a line behind them. They went into formation as I willed them to fall to attention. The soldiers' faces were clear and passive with all their eyes the same color.

Black.

"Do you see, Monica? Do you see why I came here now? This is what's to come! Daniel wasn't human, but was God Ankhseram! I am not human nor a God, but I know I'm the only one that can prevent what's to come! The Gods deemed your Realm, all the Realms no longer formidable to exist. They wish to erase your very existence! The Day of Reckoning is coming!" Monica was seething where she stood as were all the other Council members. How would anyone feel if they were told the End was coming? "Is this your little game, Heartfilia? Not only to scare us but to lie about the End of Days to our very faces! I'd been wrong this entire time. You're not a little girl. You're a monster...just like the rest of us."

They'll never listen. Peer into their souls. You must read them and find their weaknesses. If they won't listen, let them fear of losing what they cherish.

"Monica, you aren't a monster in the eyes of your son." I saw the woman's eyes widen. One of the Council members gazed at Monica in confusion. "A son? What is she saying, Madam?" I trailed to the next Council member. "Not in the eyes of your parents. You still visit them every weekend don't you?" The man was trembling in his chair. "How do you know I see my parents? I ensure for their safety that they were certified as deceased. No one can know that."

"Because I see with not human eyes, but as one of the Gods. Your secrets, your thoughts, and soul is mine to read willingly. You all here love something which for what I am told is something a Council Rank can never have. Having something or someone to love or cherish can make your line of work "complicated" if I'm correct. To keep them safe you hide them in the dark, sheltered away so not even your greatest enemies can ever find them. All except me." Monica looked around the room in a panic. "I know your son was an accident, but you wanted him more than anything in this world. That's why you told the father you miscarried, but it was to protect him too wasn't it?"

"Stop it! Stop speaking about what I've done! I loved that man, but if he knew I was with child he would want to stay and care for my son. It was better off if I broke ties than to keep him around and risk his life being in danger!" I placed my hand on the table, leaning down closer to where Monica was. "And you didn't even think of the risk you would bring to your son's life. Your son...Micah?" That set Monica off. She threw herself over the table as she wrapped her hand around my neck before squeezing it with all her strength. "NEVER SAY MY SON'S NAME DEMON! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU!"

The soldiers that were possessed under my authority pulled Monica off of me. I moved my eyes back to my comrades when I noticed they all held the same face. It was a look of fear. How I knew all of this information and why I was using it against them made me appear sinister, manipulative, and even evil. I had to remember it was all for a good cause. I'm trying to save these arrogant fools and the people they love; even if I have to become the bad guy for this very moment. "I am neither human nor God. All I am is trying to warn you of what's to come. If you love Micah, you will listen to me." Monica was brought to her knees when her head hung low. Seconds later, she was weeping with her dark hair hiding her face. "What do you want..." She wept as if her voice was broken. Perhaps I did go too far into convincing the Council to listen, and even if it was for a good cause didn't mean it helped me or anyone for using their weaknesses against them. They were only monsters to protect their loved ones. I waved my hand to release the soldiers from me possessing them when they all fell to the ground groaning and coughing. I pulled Monica by grabbing her elbow to stand. "I want the same thing you do, Monica. To protect those I love by doing whatever I must do to see them safe."

Monica's eyes cut me off. They were sharp, boiling with anger. "We are not alike. Unlike you, I have someone I love. You may think what you're feeling is love, but it isn't. You're possessive. All these people that you have wrapped around your finger are nothing more than a trophy for you to keep. Something like you doesn't know what it feels like to love."

We say let's kill her.

"No," I muttered through my teeth. I released her arm and took a step back. "You're wrong. Think what you will of me, but you need my help. Unless you want Micah and everyone else you hold dear to die you have no choice but to agree with my terms." Monica and I stared down at one another; neither of us willing to be the first to break contact. My powers buzzed within my veins with the Dark One sizzling with strength; whereas the Light Goddess yearned to call forth my blade. "Monica-"

Suddenly, the room trembled. I nearly fell forward when some of the guards yelled out from shock. My chest suddenly felt like it was being torn open when I wheezed out from the inexplicable pain that shot through me. I tried to shut my Connection to Natsu, but when I glanced at him he was suffering the same reaction I was. He held his chest like he'd been stabbed as he hunched over himself. "Natsu!" Gray yelled as Juvia and Jellal ran forward to help me. The entrance doors burst open with two stationed guards running inside. "Madam Reaver! It's those things all those months ago! They've returned tenfold! They're attacking the city! It's the Shadows!"

"My...Shadowlings? But, I never called for an attack." I said between breaths. This could only mean one thing; it was another attack by the Gods.

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Sorry for the long hiatus Lovelies! Your poor author had a little writer's block for this chapter but all is well now!

Again, so sorry for the long wait!🥺

As always...love you all!❤️