ⓗⓔⓡ ⓢⓘⓝⓢ ⓐⓝⓓ ⓒⓤⓡⓢⓔ
"Be patient, you are not supposed to use the power yet. Remember the purpose of losing those memories. Don't ever try to unlock them, it'll only torture you."
Rae looked around in the empty world, searching for the voice. Everything was black, but there's no doubt that the voice was indeed hers. "Who are you? Are you the real Rae King? Or are you Blaire Heartfilia. Answer me, please!" There was a chuckle in reply. Rae turned around once she sensed a presence of someone behind her yet no one was there. Everything was too overwhelming and a light began to appear in one spot ahead of her, but she couldn't move, there were hands holding her legs. And there she was, a figure who looked very much the same as her.
"Poor child. Rae King, Blaire Heartfilia, you, me, we are all the same person and vessel." The clone of hers smiled, yet her beautiful face did not look happy at all. "It's difficult, isn't it? To lie to everyone." She approached Rae slowly and although they looked similar, Rae could feel their differences. The girl in front of her was prettier than she ever could be. There were no scars on her, unlike her, she didn't have her ugly fingers whereas Rae had no nails. No flaw on her except there was no sincere smile on her face.
"We are the same?"
The clone nodded. "We are indeed." Her eyes looked at the tattered clothes Rae was wearing and the scars she had. "It's going to be a more complicated path from now on but please bear in mind, you shall not unleash your power yet. At least not now."
Rae was confused. "What do you mean? If I am truly the powerful Rae King, then I need my power back to fight with my family—"
"You will soon understand why. Just bear in mind that this is what you wanted back then. It was your wish to temporarily erase those memories and conceal the magic power. It was your decision to be captured by Surtur during past years. It was all a part of your plan, you have foreseen al of these beforehand. But know this, you weren't supposed to be found by Fairy Tail yet, there might be a change of plan but the target hasn't changed. You shall not expose you are in fact, Blaire Heartfilia, the wife of Zeref Dragneel."
Rae raised her hand to look at the ring. "Zeref—what are the relations between—"
"Everything has its time and this was your decision. The Prophecy of Black Enchantress did not end with Zeref's magic and our 'first' death." She touched Rae's cheek and soon rested her forehead on hers. "It is going to be hard and difficult but we can do this. We've lived too many times and each life ended with a curse because we are not supposed to be here. Each life ended with our loved ones dying. Each life we met the same people and fell for the same person. At the end, everyone died because of us. But this time, we have to change the ending. There's a reason for everything, for why our life is eternal and why we could not have our euphoria."
Unconsciously, there were tears streaming down her face, Rae held back a sob in her throat. "If that's true, why us? Why is this happening to us? What did we ever do in our first life to be cursed this way? I'm sure deep down we have regretted our sin so why must we bear this curse?" How strange it was, although she didn't have any clue what the clone was talking about, Rae felt a heavy pain in her heart as if she had been stabbed on every inch of her chest. "And even if we sinned, why must they pay the price as well? My sister—my child—"
"Haruka." The other fragment of Rae King's soul pronounced the word slowly, each letter had her lips smiled softly. "Although there's no blood ties, we really love her as our own and each life, we failed to save her sister and each life, we failed to see her growing up during those 7 years in Tenrou."
Rae cried even more. "But couldn't we change things? You said, we had foreseen this—"
"That's a part of the curse. We can foresee it but we shall not do anything to change it—"
"There must be a way!"
The other Rae gripped her arms tightly to look at her in the eyes. "What do you think we have been doing for centuries?! Each timeline we tried to find a solution but everything ended up with deaths. If we do not follow the curse, it will devour everyone alive and everybody dies!" Her eyes were red. "Like those years we spent in Tenrou, we tried to not go there to avoid Acnologia but then he went to Fiore as the compensation! He killed everyone! We can't escape the curse and we don't even know what is the curse exactly! We don't even have any clue of what we have sinned!"
"Century by century, we have tried everything, we tried to live in a forest quietly without meeting anyone, yet Fiore still had its destruction. We tried to die but it didn't work. Everything was futile, it was a never ending circle—"
"But you said earlier, I wasn't supposed to be found by Fairy Tail yet—is that something happening in all timelines?"
"No. It's the first change that happens but the curse would find its way to—"
Rae had her breath stammered. "Then, there's a chance to end this curs—"
"Weren't you listening—"
"I was! But there must be some thing! I know there will be a way. Even if we fail this time and live for another life—we'll change our plan again. We will keep trying. Even if we meet same people again, we will love them wholeheartedly." Rae had heard bits of stories about her 'betrayal' during the war against Zeref from Gray and stories of how distant she was when she first joined Fairy Tail. She understood all of it very well now. The reason why the past Rae King avoided Gray.
Her clone smiled sadly. "He still loves us?"
Rae nodded.
"Out of all things happened, he still loves us in every timeline. Both of them."
"Jellal?"
She raised her hand to touch Rae's cheek. "The time is up now."
"Wait—I still have a lot to—"
"Farewell, Blaire Heartfilia."
"Don't go!" Rae suddenly jolted and got up immediately from the lying position, her hand quickly touched her chest where the pain was killing her a few moments ago. It didn't hurt anymore but the arms that were tightly hugging her definitely hurt her. No doubt it was Lucy and Haruka however, she didn't expect Erza would join them as well. The three of them fell on the bed ontop of her and Rae let out a groan, that was a lot of damage. Is this something happening in every timeline as well? But now she sure knew that this timeline was different than others.
"Nee-chan!"
"Mama!"
"Rae!" Natsu and Happy jumped on them as well.
Gray hit the boys on the heads. "You idiots, do you want to kill her?!"
Rae turned her head to look at him. Unexpectedly, her cheeks grew red once she thought of what her other self said about Gray falling in love with her in every life. But her attention soon diverted to the girls crying on her chest. "Don't die again, nee-chan!"
"Don't leave us, mama!"
Natsu wailed like a child, joining them. "Uwa, Rae, did you die because you healed me?!"
Bella could feel her patience was running out. "She didn't die yet!"
Needless to say, it was hard to separate them from her but thanked to Gray, Bella, Wendy and Carla, Rae was saved. Later, Lucy helped her to change clothes and apparently they were invited for a breakfast with the Water God Dragon. But how shocked Rae was to know that she had fainted for the whole day. Rae did take a note to not try using her power again but she wasn't exactly aware of how did she do it. But Rae was determined to disobey that anyway, she could not just stand there and let the others fight when she could have used her power easily.
Although it was called a breakfast, everyone talked about the Quest and Mercfovia told them anything he knew about the other God Dragons. And one moment later, they were all their way to the next target. By now, Rae had grown confident in herself, she knew she was indeed Rae King and there's no need to feel afraid anymore. Even though she still did not remember any of her previous lives, she knew she would do it and she knew Fairy Tail was her family. But she definitely would not tell anyone about it.
Their next objective was the center of the Giltena continent but their first step to go there was already complicated as Natsu and Wendy had scratched the paper to erase the train route on the map. There was clearly a train line going to the center from the city nearby. They headed to Tekka first to stay for the night and Rae couldn't sleep that night, thus she went outside with a robe draping on her shoulders. Somehow, even after knowing the curse placed on her, she felt completely peaceful.
"I am really a part of them." She raised her hand to the sky to take a look at the insignia on the back of her hand.
Gray peeked over her shoulder. "Of course, you are."
Rae let out a small scream and almost fell over. "Gray! You scared me! And where are your clothes?"
"Ah! Damn it! Might have thrown it somewhere else again." He took a sit beside her and followed where her eyes looked at. "Looking at the moon? Is it that beautiful?"
She shook her head. "Sure it's beautiful but it looks sad for some reason."
Gray expressed a chuckle. "Oh really? Please enlighten me more, Miss Moon Expert."
Rae glared at him being playful. But then, she looked at the moon again. "It witnesses everything. All the sorrow and happiness humans bear—it sees everything but it could not do anything to help them. The Moon is only there as a sign of 'time to rest' for humans and the moment the Moon is replaced by the Sun, humans continue to live in despair and joy. For those who are unfortunate, the Moon is the only place they can look at when the night comes to find peace. I'm sure the Moon wishes nothing but happiness for humans."
"Damn, that's deep." Gray whistled and Rae bumped his shoulder with hers playfully.
Rae pulled her knees closer to let her chin rest on them, her hands hugging her legs. "Say, Gray, if we meet again in another life, would you still love me although I can't return your love?"
The Ice Mage froze for a while but slowly, his lips smiled and his head leaned back against the tree. "Even if my eyes are blind, my legs and hands are not intact, this heart will still long for you, Rae." He then let out a yawn and sneakily stretched his arms to put one around her shoulder—pulling her close to his side to let her rest her head on him. "If you can't return my love? That hurts but I will live as long as you're happy." Gray moved his head aside to kiss her on the forehead, his heart still ached knowing that's the maximum boundary he got to do with her.
Rae bit her lower lip and curled up to share their body heat. "You're too good for me, Gray."
"Again with that sentence." He rolled his eyes yet he still held her close to his heartbeat.
She smiled. "But it's true." You've been waiting for me in every life.
∆∆∆
"Tell me, do I tolerate this in every timeline?" Rae mumbled to herself as the sounds of Erza aggressively swinging her sword to Natsu were pretty loud although, she didn't pay much attention to it since her focus was on her reflection on the mirror. That darned cheeky Dragon Slayer had drawn things on her face, she just hoped Natsu wasn't using a permanent marker or else, he too would have faced her wrath. Sighing to herself, she took out a handkerchief and dipped it in the water before gently wiping her face.
"Haruka did it too! Why are you only chasing me?! Gah!"
"My niece would never!"
"Hehe, mama let me help you!"
Rae handed the handkerchief to her daughter and smiled to herself once she caught the sneaky expression on her face, of course her daughter would be involved too. Probably, Natsu's cheekiness had been rubbing off on her. The mother squinted her eyes. "I'm sure it was your idea first, right?" Haruka only let out a giggle, nodding her head. Her small hand wiped her face gently, Rae could only watch her do the work with an undescribable gaze. If she did not commit her sins, would Haruka live a happier life?
"Was I a good mother, Haruka?"
Haruka froze for a while and slowly her eyes began to glisten with tears. "You are a great mama to me! Why are you asking me this? Are you going somewhere? Will you be leaving me again?" She threw herself on Rae and started to sob in her neck, hands clutching her blouse. That gained everyone's attention and Lucy immediately joined them, almost crying as well as she listened to Haruka asking too many questions about Rae leaving them. "You don't love me anymore? Is that why you're leaving us again?"
"Haruka, no!" Rae pulled away from her daughter and cradled her face in her hands. "Heavens no! I love you! I would never abandon you! I was just asking—I did bad things before, Haruka. I have many enemies—they could come for you—"
Bella then came flying towards them. "Well, if that's the case, we would blast them to the end of the world, right?!" Her cheeks were puffed and Rae laughed at her cute aggressiveness.
Haruka nodded vigorously. "Yes! Mama, you don't have to worry! This time, we'll protect you!"
"Me too!" Lucy jumped on Rae's lap as if she was a child and that resulted in everyone laughing at her. "Nee-chan is mine!" She stuck her tongue out.
Rae softened her eyes. Both her hands stroked their hair gently, as if they were her beloved treasures. "My beautiful girls."
Their journey continued and they were on their way to Town of Tekka. Of course, Natsu hadn't stopped whining about not wanting to ride a train although it will be only 8 hours. It was a beautiful town however, Rae couldn't help but notice the way the townspeople looked at her. Insecured with her looks, Rae unconsciously turned her head towards Gray as if he was a place for her to feel comfortable and he was indeed. Gray straightened his back and stood in front of her protectively, holding her hand in one hand.
"Did you see that? She looks like Raeliana."
"Is that her?"
"Why are they looking at us?" Haruka furrowed her eyebrow, almost letting out a yelp once she noticed a teenager suddenly appeared in front of her.
"Are you Haruko?"
"Hah? Haruko? My name is—"
Somehow, some of the townspeople began to crowd them and even asked for Erza's signature but luckily, they were saved by a girl who looked pretty much Erza. Apparently, her name was Erkis and there was a celebrity guild, named Fairy Nail. Rae slapped her forehead—wondering if there would be a copyright issue. Anyway, Erkis invited them inside and Rae almost lost her sanity when she saw a guy resembled Natsu sitting down on a sofa with a cup of coffee in his hand.
"Hey, manager, where are ya?"
"Yes, I'm here!"
That would be Nack, their biggest star and his manager, Lucia. Wendy giggled and pointed at a very dashing guy in his tuxedo, Gray's lookalike. However, he was a pole dancer and Bella had to pull Haruka's hair harder when she said the pole dancing sounded fun. Rae stood there awkwardly, she can't describe her feelings in words once she took a look at Gray and Juvia's lookalikes. It seemed like they were together and that reminded her of the fact that she pretty much did not belong in this world.
"Loki, the pornstar—"
"Porn?"
"You don't need to know that!" Lucy crossed her arms in an x motion and stood in front of Haruka and Wendy to cover their eyes.
"It reminds us of Edolas." Wendy stated.
"Raeliana? Is that you?" Rae turned around and saw Nack, Natsu's doppelganger. His eyes looked at Haruka beside her. "Is that my child?"
Rae almost coughed. "I'm sorry—what—"
He grabbed her hand. "Did you have fun running away from me with him?"
"Hah?!"
"You think I wouldn't know you raise this child with my bro—"
Rae immediately pushed him away and told him to stop not come to her. "Look, I'm sorry but you have the wrong person! I'm not your Raeliana."
"Nack-san, she is saying the truth!" Erkia came for her defense. That was chaotic, Gray and Natsu had to hold him back to explain their situation properly. "Um, Raeliana-san was his girlfriend and she was pregnant with his child when she eloped with his own brother. Raeliana-san is a famous singer, I heard that she is now in another country with her daughter. Haruko is a well-known pianist."
Rae blinked her eyes. "That's wild."
Natsu was upset. "You cheated on me?"
"God, no!" She hit his head.
Apparently, Erkis was playing the role of a young lady in love but she had no experience with romantic love and speaking of romantic love, Gray had been bothered for a while now. For some reason, he noticed that Rae had been kinda avoiding him and she was quiet for the whole ride of train now. But then again, she wasn't the type to be so lively like Natsu. He can't help but wonder what got into her pretty little head. He tried to think about it, right, she started to act like that since they visited the guild.
"Is she perhaps bothered by Juvina and Glen?"
25/6/23
another plot twist is here.