Chapter Cover: Eve seating against a railing as she stared outward toward the night sky which had a moon above her.
The ball continued for quite late into the night. They were more dancing done into the night and I was simply enjoying the festivities with everyone. It was still nice to have some days like this after all the fighting that we have been doing since we arrived here in Crocus. I was looking at the dancing couples thought my mind keep going back to that Elizabeth girl, making me wonder who she was really.
If she had somehow gotten inside the castle during the festivities, she must have been someone from higher standing than most, and it made me wonder why she had decided to go that shy girl route just to simply ask me to dance. She simply should have been herself and I might have decided to even let her dance with me. Letting out a soft sigh, I took a sip from the alcoholic drink that I was holding in my hand before placing it down upon the table finishing it completely.
I made my way toward the entrance of the ball, giving the laughing and smiling people a soft glance backward before leaving the room behind. I was never really a great help at parties and if I was drawing as much attention as Erza and the others were, I needed a few minutes to take a breath of fresh air after all, there is only so much that someone can smell the taste of food before starting to get annoyed with it. The hallways of the castle were still light up with lacrima lights which bathed it in a beautiful yet, soft light. The building was really well made with the statues of knights standing guard around the building like an endless watcher of the sight.
I made my way through the building, turning a glance toward the side finding a balcony giving way toward an opening outside. I quickly opened the glass door that led to it and opened it. The soft warm breeze of a summer night rippled through my clothing as I made my way into the opening. A blue moon was shining above us, bathing the expending city of Crocus into the shining light of the celestial body that was seating upon the cloudless sky.
Stars were gently twinkling above in the night sky and I looked up toward it, breathing in the warm air letting it fill up my lung before breathing out. It was quite a calming experience as I stood there in the balcony of the castle. I turned my gaze downward toward the large maze of edges that were on the ground beneath us thought some of them looked damaged probably form the Dragon attack that happened a few days ago. It was still hard to believe all that had happened on that fateful July 7th. The people who traveled back in time…the Dragon who came pouring out of the Eclipse Gate…Future Sakura who had come back from the future to kill me…
It had been a life-changing day…that same day that I was born into this wonderful, dangerous and love filled world. I had met many people over the years here more than I never knew back in my old world. I don't think much of Earth now, and the memories I had of that place were strangely like a dreamlike sensation. Whenever I tried to think of tv, the thing my mind conjure now is the lacrima video that they have here in Earth land…when I think of my mother, Nova's features were the one that came to mind, not the woman that I knew was once my mother…when I think of friends, the people of Fairy Tail were the ones that I remembered not the ones that I knew before…
"Life really had taken a strange turn hasn't it?" I mumbled softly, "I never expected to be able to live two lives and remembering living these two lives…but I am really thankful for it…I don't know if I was lucky or if there really is a higher power out there…whoever had made this possible, thank you."
I leaned against the railing of the building feeling the wind breathing through my hair as it danced the bang that I had over my left eye and as wind was dancing softly I gently started to hum one of my old songs that I still remembers from the times that I played guitar back then. It was strange that I remember most of the songs that I used to play. A soft chuckle grew from my lips as I stared at the moon above me and then I opened my lips and started to sing softly tapping against the railing with my hand.
Shipwreck in a sea of faces,
There is dreamy world up there,
Dear friend in higher places,
Carry me away from here,
Travel light, let the sun eclipse you
Cause your flight is about to leave,
And there is more to this brave adventure,
Than you'd ever believe….
A gentle smile grew upon my face as I stared up toward the moon above. The life here really had been one of a kind that I would probably never forget. The many things that I have seen here, the endless adventures that I had…all of the trials that I had endured so far…
"Where will you carry me now I wonder," I said staring up toward the moon.
"That was quite a nice song," a familiar voice said.
I turned finding Erza there. The young woman approached me, with that small smile upon her features. Her dress still looked amazing despite the dancing we have been doing in the party. She had this gentle concern on her face.
"I saw you leave," she said when she reached me.
"Just needed some fresh air," I answered her, "Gotten tired of the party already?"
"From what I have seen before I left," Erza answered leaning beside me, "They seems to be going even stronger."
"I'm guessing Natsu is at the middle of it," I told her.
Erza chuckled softly.
"Yeah," she said.
I couldn't help but grin at the thought. If there was one person I could always count on to have a festive mood going for many hours was our resident pink-haired Dragon Slayer. He was always at the center of attention even when we were back at the guild, that is, if he isn't fighting with Gray over something.
"Really, what is going on Eve?" Erza asked leaning her head to the side, "Ever since that day we've fought the Dragon you've had that expression on your face."
I gave her a confused glance, "What expression?"
"Like you were afraid," Erza told me.
I was surprised at that. Did my face really look like that? I didn't think that the worries I had about what I learned from future Sakura were so easily noticeable. I had placed them at the back of my mind so that I could enjoy the festivities and the ball but even then…
"Was I really that obvious?" I told her.
"I know you Eve," Erza said, gently taking hold of one of my hands, "I would be a pretty poor girlfriend if I didn't notice when something was wrong."
I looked at her eyes and I can see the worry she had within them and the concern in those brown eyes as well. I gently intertwined our fingers together as I turned my gaze toward the city bellow.
"Do you remember when I went looking for Sakura before the battle against the Dragon started?" I asked her.
"Are you talking about what kept you?" Erza asked.
I nodded.
"Yes," I said, "I was fighting against Sakura."
Erza was surprised.
"What?"
"She had been Possessed by a Future version of herself," I told her, "That woman had been the one responsible for Hellfire hunting me down when I went looking for Jellal. She was the one behind the attack on me on the Second Day…"
"You were attacked?" Erza said shocked.
"Oh yeah…I didn't say anything about that to you did I?" I said sheepishly scratching the back of my head.
"Eve…I thought we promised each other that they would be no more secrets," Erza said.
"Hey it wasn't like it was something that grave," I told her, "You forgot that because of that we managed to completely dominate the Third Day of the Games. Considering how high our spirits were back then, I decided not to say anything so that it won't put a damper on our mood."
Erza frowned, "You should have told me either way."
I chuckled, "Alright fine…sorry for not telling you about it."
The redhead simply shook her head at me muttering something about "hopeless silver-eyed quiet girl" and I couldn't help but continued to giggle at her…thought the thought of what Future Sakura said to me during our fight quickly removed the smile upon my lips. Erza noticed this as well.
"Eve…," she said gently.
"Future Sakura said that I betrayed Fairy Tail sometimes in the future," I told her causing Erza's eyes to widen in shock, "She said that because of me Fairy Tail lost to Zeref and that because of me…it was completely destroyed along with Magnolia."
I raised my hand toward my left eye, gently tracing the tattoo that was there upon my skin.
"And I will use that power to do it," I said softly, "While in the fight, I did say to Sakura that I won't fall into darkness…some part of me still fears the possibility of it happening. That's the reason why I am like this."
"Oh Eve…," Erza whispered taking me into a hug, "I can't even imagine what that must have felt like for you…fighting against her like that. I know how much you love them both Miyu and Sakura."
I gently returned the hug leaning my forehead against Erza's shoulder. I could feel her hands gently caressing my back as I simply leaned against her, breathing in her scent. It oddly enough was like strawberries and I almost laughed, considering how much the redhead loves strawberry cakes.
"I'm a Demon from the Book of Zeref," I told her, "Darkness is in my very blood and it's in the very essence of my being…I have accepted it, and I want to be able to protect Fairy Tail even if I was born thanks to him."
I looked at Erza.
"There is something I want you to do for me Erza," I said to her, "If I have become a danger to Fairy Tail I want you to…take me down."
"No," the redhead interrupted, shaking her head.
"Erza…,"
"Don't you ever ask me something like that Eve," Erza said her voice sounding scandalized at what I was suggested, "Do you want me to harden my heart and take you life when I love you this much? Do you really want me to have that blood on my hand?"
"It's just a precaution…," I told her.
"I won't do it," Erza said, shaking her head, "I won't…"
"Erza," I said firmly, "This is the future of the guild we're talking about here…"
"If it's you, then allow me to be selfish for once," she answered, "Even if you did become like that…I don't think I would have been able to do something that cold Eve and you want to know why."
I stared at her confused.
"Why?"
"Because I would have never allowed this to happen to you in the first place," Erza said, determination appearing upon her features, "I don't care what kind of blood you have in your veins or where you came from. You have been at my side since I was nothing more than a scared little girl….you helped me to do a lot of amazing things and even when I doubted myself, you gave me strength…you have always been there…and now…I'm going to be here for you Eve."
She had both of her hands on either side of my face her eyes never leaving mine.
"And I swear to you," she promised, "I will never allow you to fall… I will do anything and everything my power to keep you here as the strong, selfless, caring, amazing and beautiful girl I fell in love with."
I stared at the redhead in front of me, my eyes wide at her declaration. I can feel my heart hammering in my chest as I stared at her. Erza just went and showed me just why she was amazing again and I think I just fell in love with her all over again. That worry that I had in the back of my mind seems to be disappearing and to my greatest surprise, tears had started to fall from my eyes.
"Eve…you're crying,"
I raised a hand toward the tears that were falling from my eyes. It was strange…I don't think I remember feeling like the need to cry so where did those tears came from?
"I'm sorry," I told her, wiping them off, "I…I don't know where those tears came from."
Erza smiled. I returned her smile and then spoke.
"I think I just fell in love with you all over again," I told her, gently leaning against her.
Erza wrapped her arms round my waist as she held me against her. The gentle wind of the cool summer night echoed around us as we stood there for god knows how long enjoying each other's warmth.
"And as I continue to love you Eve," Erza said, "I will always be there when you need me the most."
"I know…thank you,"
The next day, a beautiful sun was shining down from the sky from above us. I glanced up toward the sun, a small gentle grin upon my lips. I was leaning against the wall the building I knew Erza and the others had been staying for the Games. Most of the other guilds had already departed from Crocus. I turned away from the sight as a carriage stood there. It was something given to the few members of team Natsu as a mode of transportation back to the guild. I had this small smile upon my lips as I observed it knowing that Natsu probably is going to have a fit at the sight of it.
"Eve?"
I turned my attention toward Wendy, who was wearing a pretty frilly white dress along with white sleeves. She had red belt wrapped around her waist and her hair was still into the two long tails that she had. She even had a bowtie of a red color above her chest.
"Hey Wendy," I greeted with a smile, "I see you're ready to go."
"You're coming with us?" Wendy said smiling.
"Yeah," I told her, "And look, we've already got a ride waiting for us."
Wendy stared at the carriage that was waiting for us there and her eyes widen in surprise as happiness took over her features.
"Wow," she said, "It's amazing."
"It's quite extravagant," Carla said staring at the carriage in appreciation.
"Hey guys," Wendy yelled out to the others, "Come look."
The others came out of the building, all of them curious about what Wendy wanted to tell them. Team Natsu stood there looking at the carriage in front of us and instantly I noticed that Natsu had gone pale into the face at the sight of the vehicle.
"Look like we get to travel back to Magnolia in style," she said.
"And extreme comfort as well I might add," Carla smiled.
The others were already taken a look around the carriage that we were standing with and Erza gave me a small grin of greeting at seeing me here. She then returned her attention toward the large brown horse that were pulling the carriage forward and petting one of them.
"It's certainly is lovely," she said.
"The Garoun Knights got it for us," Wendy said.
"The men had no fashion-sense," Carla said, "Perhaps it was the ladies."
Natsu however was completely still as he stared at the carriage, "Please…don't make me."
"Probably look like a deathtrap to you huh," Lucy teased grinning at the Dragon Slayer.
"You'll be fine," Happy reassured him, "Wendy had that spell that can keep you from hurling."
That seems to get the pink-haired young man going, snapping him out of his pale face.
"Oh yeah…I love that one," he said, "C'mon Wendy…hook me up."
That seems to have the opposing effect of what he was hoping for.
"I'm…I'm sorry," Wendy said, "The Games and the Dragons have taken it all out of me…so I don't know when I'll be able to use magic again…"
I patted her on the head, letting the small girl hug me around the waist.
"There there," I told her, "See Natsu, you made her cry."
"I'm sorry," Natsu said, "its okay Wendy…I can hack it."
"Really," Gray grinned, "You know…you could always take the ankle express you know."
Erza had crossed her arms as she stared at the Dragon Slayer.
"You've got your fear Natsu, conquer it."
I couldn't but sweat drop at that. I love Erza, I really do, sometimes she do the most strangest thing and treated everything like a battle. I'm just glad that I could pull out the girl that I know that hides underneath all that armor.
Natsu however seems to be fired up from something Carla had told him.
"MOTION SICKNESS, TODAY I WILL DEFEAT YOU," Natsu yelled as his head suddenly caught fire from his magic growing around him.
"Well then let's go," I said, my arm still around Wendy as the girl was still holding on to me, "C'mon Wendy."
The Sky Dragon Slayer nodded as we both made our way into the carriage. It was quite spacious inside, with enough room to actually stand up fully inside of it. The chairs inside looked quite expensive and when I took my seat upon it, it was quite soft and comfortable. Natsu got in after us and took a seat with the most battle ready face I have ever seen upon him. The other followed after him and then when everyone was inside, the carriage started to move.
Natsu's face was completely green in a few seconds thought he looked like he was trying to hold himself in place because of his declaration of battle that he was going to completely defeat it today. Thought barely twenty minutes inside the carriage he had his face completely green as his motion sickness completely overcomes him.
"Just think of the vehicle as a friend," I told him, feeling a tinge of pity at the sight of him.
"N…Never…vehicles…are evil…Arh…," Natsu answered.
"Told ya," Gray said staring at the young man across him with annoyed look upon his face, "You should have just hopped back to town you idiot."
"Weak mind…weak stomach," Erza sighed as if she was actually going to see Natsu win his never ending battled with his motion sickness.
Lucy, however was fixed upon the window as she gazed back at the city that we were leaving in the distance. She had a small smile upon her face as she was staring toward it, a gentle look upon her face.
"Goodbye Crocus," she said softly, "What a crazy time."
We did have a crazy time back at the capital of Fiore. I couldn't help but reminiscent to the days of the Grand Magic Games that had happened and all of the fun we had. The strange adventure with the Gate…talking to Zilconis learning about the Dragons and even what future Sakura had said, but instead of feeling worry about it, I felt confident within me that I could face anything that the future is going to throw at me as long as I have my beloved Erza, and my friends from Fairy Tail right here at my side.
Finally leaving Crocus behind...
Next Time: Back Home
Hey guys! How is everyone doing? Decided to update a little early since i dont have school right now :)