I struggled to try and get up. I breathed heavily and my whole body felt tired and weak. I watched Coro chuckle as he approached me.

"Poor, poor, Freya. Look at the trouble you've gotten into. You really should've taken my offer."

I'm almost out of magic energy and my body aches all over. I think it's time to use my more powerful spells. I only resort to them in dire circumstances, but I'd say this counts.

"Well, it's time to take you back to the guild so I can get my reward."

I sent Coro a cold glare and struggled to my feet. "I didn't want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice. I'm never going back! Shadow Eclipse!"

Coro began frantically looking around as darkness covered the area. I could already feel the shadows giving me strength to perform my next spell.

"Shadow Demon!"

The shadows began to rise up and cover my body. I watched Coro's eye grow wide and he slowly backed away from me. I knew my transformation was complete once my vision became clouded and red.

I could see the fear on the wind mage's face as I stalked toward him, snarling and snapping my jaws. Now towering over him, I leapt at him only for him to dodge around me.

"Storm Bringer!"

I watched as the small tornados flew around me. I stood motionless, the winds unable to harm me. I simply shook them off before heading toward Coro once more.

"Storm Shred!"

I could now see the panic on Coro's face as the blades of wind came at me. I didn't even flinch as the wind simply bounced off me. Now within range, I lunged at Coro and swiped my jagged claws at him.

He fell back onto the ground where I continually scratched away at him. No, I can't stop myself. This is why I rarely use this spell. I can never quite control it and things always get too far out of hand.

Once my monstrous form was finished with him, I picked him up and tossed him. He hit the side of a building before falling to the ground. Seeing that he was down, I knew I had won.

The shadowy form that surrounded my body began to disperse along with the dark haze that hung over the area. I could barely even stand I was so weak.

I used up the last of my magic energy. Not only that, the painful scrape on my arm still hurt. I held my injured arm and watched as the Wind Wall finally disappeared.

"Freya!"

I snapped my head around to see Bixlow, Freed, and a brunette woman I'd never seen. I turned toward the trio and watched Bixlow coming closer.

"Bixlow? What are you doing here? I thought I told you to leave me alone."

"Yeah, well, I didn't listen. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"No you're not, you can barely stand!"

Before Bixlow could come closer, a low chuckle interrupted. I quickly looked back at where Coro lay on the ground.

"You may have won this time...but I'll be back... Just you wait, Freya... You will be brought back to Draven eventually."

Just like with Gwyneira, Coro's body disappeared with the wind. I looked back at Bixlow again. In an attempt to take a step, I stumbled forward. Bixlow quickly caught me in his arms and kept me on my feet.

"Freya, baby, you need to rest."

I weakly pushed against him. "No, I'm fine. Just leave me alone."

He suddenly grinned down at me. "You don't get it. I'm not taking no for an answer."

I turned my gaze away and remained quiet as Bixlow helped me down the street and to one of the many buildings. Apparently, it was a small inn. For some reason, the three decided to rent a room.

Bixlow sat me down on the couch where he took a look at my arm. I winced when his fingertips brushed against my injury. I quickly slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch it!"

"Sorry! I'll wrap it up for you!" he stated apologetically.

He quickly searched and found some small bandages. I allowed him to carefully wrap them around my injury. Once he finished, the woman of the group came closer and gave a small smile.

"So you're Freya. It's nice to meet you."

"And you are?" I asked.

"My name is Evergreen, the most beautiful member of Fairy Tail."

She paused and looked me up and down before saying, "But by the looks of it, I think you'd come in close behind me. You're quite eye-catching."

"Um, thanks," I replied simply.

"This is my team," Bixlow told me. "We're the Thunder Legion."

Freed joined in the conversation, "We also serve as bodyguards to our leader, Laxus. He's one of the most powerful, S-Class wizards in our guild."

I looked between the three and replied, "That's...nice. But what are you all doing here?"

"We were searching for you," Bixlow answered. "I know you said you wanted to be left alone, but we couldn't do that. I still consider you my friend, Freya, and I don't leave my friends to fend for themselves."

"No way! No way!"

I smiled slightly. "Thanks. Just one question though, why'd we rent a room?"

"So you can rest up," Bixlow quickly replied with a grin. "You look worn out after that battle."

I nodded. "I am. I used up all of my magic energy fighting Coro back there. Man, he was annoying."

"Is that why the sky turned dark?" Freed questioned.

"Yeah. That was from my Shadow Eclipse spell. It basically creates a dome of darkness that blots out all light. It's very powerful."

Evergreen placed a hand on her hip. "You know, I've seen shadow magic before, but none as powerful as yours. You'd make a great Fairy Tail wizard."

I quickly shook my head. "No, no, no, I don't do guilds. It's too dangerous for me to be around so many people."

Bixlow frowned slightly. "But, Freya-"

"I don't want to hear it. Besides, didn't you say I needed to rest up? So let me rest already."

I collapsed on the couch and curled up on my side. I then covered my head with one of the small, decorative pillows, hoping for the trio to leave me alone.

Luckily, they got the hint and everything grew quiet. The only sounds I could hear now were footsteps and quiet murmurs.

After awhile of napping, I could smell the mouthwatering aroma of a hot meal. With my stomach feeling empty, I slowly uncovered my head.

The trio sat quietly around the coffee table in front of me, eating bowls of noodles. I slowly sat up and noticed that there was a fourth bowl sitting on the table. I slid off the couch and sat beside Bixlow while staring down at the bowl in front of me.

"Freya, you're up. You feeling better, baby?"

I looked up at Bixlow and gave a small smile. "Yeah, a bit. I see you prepared a bowl for me."

"Of course we did," Freed quickly replied. "We also made some extra tea for you as well."

"Really? Thanks."

I quietly ate with them, enjoying the delicious meal. I only just now noticed that it had gotten dark out. Seeing that our room had a small bathroom, I decided to take a warm, relaxing bath to soothe my tired body.

Bixlow's pov

With Freed and Evergreen sorting out the sleeping arrangements, I watched Freya head to the bathroom. I gulped, so many thoughts running through my head.

As if reading my mind, my babies surrounded me. "Go on. Take a peek. You know you wanna."

They're not wrong there. After a moment of thinking, I quietly went over to the bathroom door. I suppose a little peek wouldn't hurt. I grinned and leaned forward, ready to quietly crack the door open.

"Bixlow, you better not be trying to peek on a lady."

I quickly spun around in surprise to see Evergreen. I felt my face heating up as she seemed to glare at me.

"N-No! I wasn't doing anything!" I lied.

"That's not what it looked like to me."

She suddenly grabbed me by the arm and yanked me away from the door. She then pointed to one of the small bedrooms.

"You and Freed are sleeping in there. Freya and I are sharing the other room."

"Can't I at least wait to say goodnight to her?"

She suddenly flashed me a sly smile. "Alright, lover boy."

Freya's pov

Once I left the bathroom, I saw Bixlow sitting on the couch. He stood up and came over to me with a smile.

"Freya, baby, can we talk for a minute?"

"I suppose. But make it quick, I'm ready for bed."

He chuckled at me. "How can you still be tired after all that napping?"

I frowned slightly and replied, "I told you, because I used up all my magic energy earlier today."

"I know, I'm only teasing. I was just wondering if any of this would change your mind about joining Fairy Tail."

I turned my head away and quietly answered, "I don't know. Maybe. I guess...we'll see."

I walked around him and toward the bedrooms. I quickly stopped upon hearing his voice again.

"I hope it does. I really want you to see it for yourself."

I slowly placed my hand on the doorknob and said, "Goodnight, Bixlow."

I then went inside to see Evergreen already tucked in her bed. I climbed into mine and laid down, closing my eyes as I began thinking again.

What should I do? Should I keep on running and go back to being alone again? Or should I accept the offer and join Fairy Tail with Bixlow and the others? I just don't know.