Song: The Gift
                     By: Gavin Luke

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There was nothing to do but watch in a daze. With the chains that bound me to the Abyss, I was imprisoned. Just when I finally obtained my memories, when I remember everything about what I am, I've been stripped of any chance of trying to return to my human body.

It's ironic...a God needing a body to live on. My siblings would laugh at such a thought if I was even considered to be part of their little circle. Ankhseram got what he wanted, along with Chronos and Kemoriyon I would soon cease to exist. Not pass on, but simply be erased. If my siblings truly wanted to spit in my face they will also curse those that know me. I would only be a figment of their imagination and then be forgotten. Those that I held closest to my heart would never know I ever lived. It was what I wanted for a long time for my family to simply forget my existence, but now that I know what will come to pass I can't give in. I have to fight for however long it takes until Natsu finds the shards of my missing Soul. I have to keep fighting.

There's no point. Our Creators have forsaken Us. They have left you to cease from ever existing. We will die...We will die.

"You sound as if this wasn't supposed to happen. Come on, you both know the damage you caused. Everything you touch perishes and then dies. The only good thing that came from the Balance was the birth of Magic. Other than that the two of you are nothing but trouble."

How are We trouble? We only did what We were meant to do. We kept balance. By doing that We had to fight. Without chaos how can there be order?

I stifled a smirk from rising over me. "I tried telling the same thing to my sibling. You can see how that worked out." The chains kept me close to the ground of the Abyss. It only reminded me that my encounter with Ankhseram really happened. I was face to face with the God of Life and Death. The very god that cursed the black wizard, and the one that decided when the Day of Reckoning comes. "I really wish I could hate you both," I said without hesitation. "but just like me, you're terrified. You two are equally powerful and know the truth when it comes to the natural state of order. My siblings are blinded by their agendas and laws. They do not realize that with order comes chaos. They concluded they made a misstep in my creation, and to fix this small hiccup they must simply extinguish the Realms itself." I bowed my head, shaking it back and forth. "If I could only show them the truth. This would be so much simpler for everyone. I could save the lives of the Five Realms and prevent the Day of Reckoning from ever happening." A humorless chuckle came out of me. "I forget that I am somewhat human. Humans can dream such silly things in a time of wishing for hope."

Hope is real. It lived within you.

"How so? As far as I can see I don't have much hope to spare." I felt their anger rise in my throat. Like a roar about to escape from me, I had to swallow it back from letting it tear it out of me.

You still are a stupid mutt. If you must know then very well. We, Light and Darkness, are and will always be equally matched against one another. There's no possible way for one of us to beat each other. We fight an endless war for the sake of true Balance. But, you knew this already. Now that you remember, you know.

"I do. When you both had your own host it was not too close that you wouldn't embezzle each other's powers to where one would have more power, but not too far so you would never be out of reach. Being in one body with both of you is too dangerous. You stay in a constant state of fighting so you can keep the Balance in an equal state for both sides."

Yes. To extinguish Our powers from ever being overwhelmed, staying in a constant state of battle is the safest solution from ever being in turmoil.

I tilted my head. "Have you...Have you ever thought in- I don't know- forming into one entity?" With the way it was quiet, I assume they were thinking I was insane.

Do you think We even tried? Of course We haven't! A host like that would have to be indomitable and sufficiently powerful for Us to even consider in allowing Our powers to become one entity. We would need-

"A God?" I asked now grinning. They were speechless. It could have been either minutes or days until they eventually spoke in turn.

Our masters may have deemed you exceptional to be called a God, but you are nevertheless still weak-willed. For Us to be one entity would be like two people controlling one body as Our own. You would lose control, and in the end, so would We. No, you may be a God to their eyes, yet in the end, you are still a stupid mutt.

"So that's it then!? Without even giving me a chance you'll decide that fighting and proving to my siblings that eradicating the Five Realms is the best solution! I know what I am capable of! I can handle the burden of carrying the power you both will share. I'm not as weak as you see me. For so long you held me back. You abused me and manipulated me because all you both ever wanted was control! You both fought to control me that way the victor could push one out for them to find a host of their own! Well let me tell you something, I am not afraid to try and be the host of the Balance!"

You should be. The power that comes from Us if We ever become one entity is too great even for your "siblings" to handle.

"Then why do you think they want the THREE of us gone? Yeah, I know I broke basically all the rules of the cosmos, but if they wanted me gone it's because they know I can bear the Balance as one entity. If Light and Darkness became one entity, then there would be a true, and peaceful state of balance for Magic. Order and chaos would slowly return and who knows, maybe by then Ankhseram and the others will notice. Maybe there's a possible good ending to all of this if we at least try!"

You're not only putting yourself at risk. The Fire Mage will also be at stake in even grazing Our immense power, and he's a human of all things. Do you expect to burden Our great power, and protect the man you love so dearly?

"It's your fault that he was even pulled into this the first place! You used his soul as a scapegoat that way the Gods wouldn't harm any of us!" I drew in a deep breath to calm down. "Regardless, all the rules have been thrown out of the window. I can deal with any obstacle that stands in my way. With your power, my body and soul, we may be able to prevent the Day of Reckoning from coming. Everyone that I care about will live on, and Light and Darkness will continue to live. Everyone wins as long as all three of us can work together. Do you think the two of you can do that?"

We have been at war for so long calling for a treaty seems dubious. How does either of Us know if one or the other isn't scheming to overthrow?

"Because we're all calling this a truce. No treaty, no signing of blood or whatever you entities do. This is a truce. A promise to each other that we won't betray anyone in this small circle, and if we need help then we help! No more fighting, no more manipulating to control, and certainly no more backstabbing!" Why on Mavis were they thinking about my set of rules I placed. "If it helps," I rolled my eyes, sighing at their childish behavior. "I won't allow the Balance to die when I go back to the living. I won't force Light or Darkness out of my body if anything think of it as your body now. We share my body and call it ours as long as we all get along, but I will aid in any way possible to carry the burden of your power. Does that seem like a fair truce?"

It seems too good to be true. How can We be sure that you will be able to withstand Our power? You know what will happen if this plan of yours fails. Your lover will be affected as much as you if this goes wrong.

"I can keep Natsu safe! Never lend your powers to him since he is only human, and I will continue in finding a way for the Souls Connection to shatter without anyone having to die. There must be a way where we can all live through this." Light and Darkness were voiceless once more. It seemed like they were disagreeing with my statement with their quietness, but I wasn't ready to give up on returning Natsu's mortality. "Natsu is human. He should have his mortality and live as any human should. He was given the opportunity to grow old and start a family. But because of you two, he was stolen of that right!"

We did what We thought was best. You were going to kill Us!

"Do you see why I was at one point!?" They didn't reply which made me scoff. "Of course you didn't. The only thing you think of is yourselves and your survival. I could fall dead and neither of you would bat an eyelash."

That isn't true...

"How so? Because ever since I came in contact with both of you, the Balance has traumatized me internally, manipulated into controlling my body, managed to hurt not only me but all of EarthLand, and despite the fact I was going to allow myself to die you both stole a piece of Natsu's Soul so not only I but the Gods wouldn't harm him! You are conniving and backstabbing! Anyone that has ever been near you dies! You two are nothing but selfish!" I huffed with disgust. After all the emotions I held in between those two I finally released it. They needed to hear it for themselves of what their chaos has done to my life as well as those that are a close radius to them.

We...We know.

That, I didn't expect to hear. "You know? What do you mean you guys know?!" I asked grasping my fists to control my temper.

We know everything We touch withers away. Everything We ever cared about has died by Our own hands. The war We started and never finished has decimated the people We cared for. We truly cared for Our previous hosts. Seraphina, the Light Goddess, and Zelroath, the Dark One. We loved them beyond recognition because they helped Us the meaning of emotions. It didn't help they despised each other, but it was Our fault. We don't know why, but from the moment We were created by Our masters We were always lead to believe that We must hate one another. It was the only thing that ever felt right. If We hated each other then Balance is restored, right?

I shook my head. "Hatred is the only thing holding Balance back from ever forming. You two must learn to coexist because without one the other simply cannot exist. How hard is it for you to learn to get along? Have either of you ever tried talking to each other? Maybe find something in common or come to terms that you're both stuck together? Find some form of level ground and...call a truce?"

No, never. We've never been so close to Each Other until being forcefully paired to your body and soul. It was torture at first, but as We kept our alliance up to control you, it was easy to realize that working together was better. We just...never wanted to admit it until now.

I managed to smile. "At the very end of it all, you finally break and admit that working side by side is better than the constant war? You two really are hardheaded when it comes to your so-called rivalry." There was a sense of peace that washed over my shoulders.

We wish to fight no more. Today, We call for peace.

And so, the mighty have fallen. Light and Darkness have banded together at the very end of it all. I wanted to say it was a little too late to declare peace, but I decided against it. For the first time in a very long time, I felt my mind ease into serenity. There was no more fighting; no more urge to gain control. Now they were together, as one entity by itself. Now, they were in a Balanced state once and for all. "Good you two, now stay that way for the rest of eternity." I heard them chuckle as one being.

We can arrange that after We both have come to terms with Our own agreements. In due time We will stay Balanced, and never break Our truce that you helped establish.

I felt adoration radiating from both entities. They were thankful, that even after all the hell they put me through, I still didn't give in to their bidding. Through it all, I didn't give up on them.

We still don't understand. Not even Our creators wanted to keep Us...so why? Why would you, the one We have inflicted so much pain upon, save Us?

That was a question I least expected. If I was being truly honest, they remind me of myself in some unusual way. They were lost like I was until Natsu found me in Hargeon. Hades managed to push me on the right path when I begged him to take my life. I know who and what I am now. Light and Darkness on the other hand are still trying to find themselves. They had no one to go to for guidance; not until I decided enough was enough."I know the feeling of being lost. When you think you have no one to go to for help and left defenseless. In reality, you always had each other. Neither of you just wanted to see that for yourselves because you were afraid of the unknowing. You may have been apprehensive that one of you would betray the other. It all relies on trust now. If we're going to work together there must always be trust towards the three of us. I have no doubt that we can save the ones we care about from the Gods Day of Reckoning."

Though you know of being a God you still keep a touch of your humanistic side. It's...pleasant.

"Soon enough you'll get a feel of it. I won't hold you both back from being more involved in my decision making. If we're all gonna share a body then we should also share decisions. That's how this works."

Very well. We can agree with these terms. This "truce" you speak of sounds like a promising start for the Balance of Magic.

The shackles around my wrist led me back to the realization of the situation. "It will be a good start. Once we're brought back to the living only then can we see if this truce will be set in place. For now, our only option is continuing to wait, and hope Natsu is able to bring us back."

He is strong. Not even We expected his stubbornness to be such a hassle. He will bring you back...Lucy.

"That's the first time you willingly said my name." My head became foggy for mere seconds when I laughed.

Don't get used to it.

"I wasn't expecting to." Another wave of calmness washed over my mind. With the Balance accommodating now, maybe I can finally learn to turn to the Balanced Form. I can now see my full potential and discover for myself the powers my siblings are fighting to prevent from unfolding. We can only rely on Fairy Tail's help.

I can only rely on Natsu to bring my soul back to the living.

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As always Lovelies...love you all.❤️