Team Natsu, particularly Gray and Natsu, received a job request from one of the ten saints. Considering the importance and the status of the person, they gladly accepted it. Alexa chose to stay behind for this one, not in the mood to go out just yet. She apologized timidly and went back to her room. Later that day, they came back very late at night. So everyone was already fast asleep. Well, mostly everyone. Alexa Skywalker was still fully awake, lying down in bed, looking at the ceiling and awaiting time to pity her and finally let her sleep— the usual these past few nights.
"Alexa." Erza repeated for the tenth time. She had been standing by her doorframe knocking repeatedly for a few minutes. The redhead gave up and had kicked the door down. She gasped incredulously when she saw that Alexa wasn't the least bit fazed by her sudden barge and didn't seem to acknowledge her.
"You guys are already back?" The brunette kicked the thick comforter out of her way and hopped out of bed, her brown hair in a tangly mess and her eyes clouding for sleep. "That was fast!"
Erza's eyes narrowed in suspicion and worry. "I-It's been the whole day, Alexa..."
'Has it been really been that long?' The sky mage wondered to herself, scrunching her face in thought as she tried to remember the hour they all left. "So what are you doing here?" The brunette questioned, hoping to change the subject immediately.
The redhead's face changed from worried to serious, remembering the reason she came here. She walked over to the mattress and patted the space beside her. "You might want to take a seat for this one."
The sky mage reluctantly obeyed and placed herself on the requip mage's side, eyes brimming with curiosity. "What is it?"
She then explained everything that happened in Sun village. From the giants, the ice, seeing Minerva, Atlas Flame, Flare, E.N.D and the saint actually being one of Fairy Tail's founders. "Atlas flame mentioned something— E.N.D, a powerful demon from the Books of Zeref."
'Not this shit again. It's always Zeref this, Zeref that, could you give us a break?' Alexa ranted, but urged her thoughts to herself.
The redhead cleared her throat and continued when she noticed Alexa slowly drifting away from the conversation, telling the most important part of her story. "E.N.D might have some hints about Grandine, Metallicana and Igneel's whereabouts. The only problem is...the enemy might have possession of it's book."
"Who?" The blue eyed woman questioned.
"The gates of Tartarus." Erza stood up and circled around her room, her armour clanking against each other. "Of course, it might not be one hundred percent sure— Alexa? Are you okay?"
The brunette's face paled upon hearing those four words. Everything wasn't okay. Hendrickson's final words spiralled her ever since his death. Ever since that day, the brunette's mind couldn't shake the thought out. People noticed, of course. But they all assumed it had to do with grieving her parents, so they never asked about it. She didn't know what the gates of Tartarus were, but she had this uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach she couldn't figure out. Those words haunted her in her sleep. Was he bluffing? Do these so called gates even exist? Were they just meaningless made up words he mumbled to make her wonder her whole life— to go out unforgotten? Now that she knows this is legit, Alexa trembled and felt the hair on her body prickle up in fear. The blue eyed woman took a few minutes to keep her composure and stay calm, which Erza let her have. "Yeah." She managed to choke out. "Who are they?"
"No one really knows anything about them except that they're a creepy guild. Their location, members and numbers are unknown. But there are eyewitnesses accounts of their gatherings. The witnesses all said the same things." Erza inhaled sharply. "Their meetings are demonic rituals."
**********
"Porlyusica!" Makarov pressed impatiently, worried about his grandson and his other members's current condition. "How are Laxus and the others? Are they okay? Come on!"
"They are alive." The pink haired woman answered calmly before her face showed discomfort. "However, their bodies are permeated with magic barrier particles. Even a small ingested amount is poisonous, possibly fatal. I don't know if they'll make a full recovery. The contamination is especially bad in Laxus's body. So much that it's a miracle he's still alive."
Alexa had to shut her eyes at the sight of her fellow ill members. Guilt soared up within her body. This was all her fault. If she had told anyone about Hendrickson's final words, Maybe this wouldn't have happened. Hendrickson. A name she wished was now in hell. She curled her lips and shut her eyes, trying hard not to think about that white haired demon. It wasn't over. She had wished it was, but it's not. She hadn't notice the tears pooling up in her shadowy and disturbed eyes until Gray's hand set itself on her arm. It grazed lightly down to her wrist, telling her he could stop if she wanted him to. When she didn't do anything to push him away or jerk away from his touch, he reached lower and clasped her hand gently in his. Alexa felt a wave of reassurance. Her nerves calmed down drastically and she didn't feel nauseous any longer. She could finally breathe again.
"Laxus...saved...the town." Freed muttered almost inaudibly through tough pants. "If...it hadn't been for him..."
"I know." Makarov praised. "And you did well bringing everyone home."
**********
The fairies collected all the dots and came to a conclusion that the enemy is also targeting former Council members. Loke gave them the addresses of four members— considering that they all have to do with him smuggling with women. They all went in teams to protect each and every one of them. Tartarus is the enemy. They're a cornerstone of the Balam Alliance, just like Grimoire Heart and Oracion Seis were. It was time to avenge their comrades.
After a tough battle between Natsu and Jackal and Michello's terrified reaction, it is revealed that Face is a magical pulse bomb able to completely destroy magic all over the continent. Three former Council members used Living Link Magic to seal it away, but only the former Chairman knows who they are— hence the reason why they're murdering all of them.
Erza and Mira have volunteered to go help the Chairman. They would have invited Alexa, but they somewhat knew it would be a little too much for her. The sky mage never told anyone what happened at the castle with Hendrickson, but Erza only needed a glimpse of it to know it traumatized her and scarred her for life. The redhead briefly recapitulated what she knows and Mira agreed that it wasn't the best option to bring along the brunette for her own good.
"It would be best for her to be with Gray for now." Mirajane smiled out in the distance, holding Erza from the back as the armoured woman controlled the antelope they were both riding on.
"Indeed." Erza chuckled momentarily, holding the ropes tightly in her grasp.
Alexa and Gray taught no one saw, but everyone saw everything. How the ice mage held her hand, how her ragged breathing steadied upon his touch, how her anxiety simmered down greatly. 'It has always been like that.' Erza thought to herself with a small smirk. Gray always knew what to do and say to make Alexa feel better and vice versa. They are each other's half, and they just needed to realize it.
**********
Alexa and Gray had no luck with the member they were appointed to. When they had arrived, they were far too late. The villagers were gone—hell the entire place was deserted and it gave the brunette an uneasy feeling in her stomach. After communicating with everyone through the lacrima, the pair immediately hurried back to the guild. Her arms securely wrapped around the raven's torso as they rode the animal. Normally if it had been any other circumstances, she would have blushed and enjoyed hugging the ice mage in front of her. Inhale his scent, enjoy his touch, snuggle up against him—but she was far too busy coping with everything.
Gray practically felt her anxiety behind him. He had noticed this, ever since the day he gave her the matching bracelet. He couldn't help but blame himself, and himself only. He knew there was something wrong with her, and instead of confronting her about it, he left her alone with her thoughts. The ice wizard let out an irritated sound and shut his eyes full of self-hatred. All of a sudden, the grip around his abdomen tightened, her body shook with fear against his. Earning full attention of the raven, he pulled the reigns on the cheetah and looked back worriedly. "Alexa? Are you alright?"
She wanted to nod and fake a smile. But she knew damn well Gray wouldn't believe it. Instead, she shook her head and chewed on her lip. The animal lowered itself and took this opportunity to rest on the ground. The raven hopped off of it while Alexa remained seated on top of it's back. She positioned both of her legs on one side so she'll be able to face him properly. Gray approached and stood right in front of her, looking down at her with a sad expression.
"Please tell me what's on your mind." He pleaded with sincere eyes. He made a horrible mistake; he didn't make her feel like she could tell anything in the past few days and he intends to change that starting now.
"Gray..." She whispered shakily. "I have a confession to make. Back in the castle, when I killed Hendrickson, he said something. His last words were that the gates of Tartaros will succeed and to mark his words." She took her head in her hands and cried out "I'm so stupid!", earning a sympathetic and shocked look from the raven. Alexa bit her lip and swallowed down hard. "If...If only I warned someone or at least told somebody, maybe all this wouldn't have happened. Maybe the Council would still be alive, maybe...maybe Laxus and the others would—"
"God dammit, Alexa." He cursed through clenched teeth, stopping her at mid-sentence. There was a moment utter silence. The sky mage thought he was furious because of her untold secret, but his next words surprised her. "I told you that you could tell me anything that's on your mind. Am I..." He looked up at her teary eyes. "Am I not trustworthy or deserving?"
Her body jolted up. "No, Gray...that's not..."
Gray shut his eyes and clenched his fists by his side. He couldn't bear looking at her with all the guilt he's feeling. "I knew there was something bothering you and yet I still chose to be a coward."
Alexa's trembling lips parted agape until her fingers went up to clutch Gray's collar, gently bringing him down to her level. "You are the person I trust the most in the world. I'm sorry I didn't tell you anything, it is not because you aren't deserving." She took a deep and slow breath. "It's my fault, my own grievous fault. I wanted— no, needed you and I was the coward for not opening up to you."
"I didn't know." He spoke quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't know you needed me."
A smile appeared on her features as he watched her expression soften. Her hand went up to tuck a strand of her black locks away from his face. She then placed it on his cheek, lightly caressing his smooth tan skin with her thumb. Her face inched closer as the grip on her waist tightened around her. Her eyes looked up at him with blazing dark blue eyes. "I always need you, Gray..."
He pulled her from the animal to his chest, holding her tightly against him. Their bodies were pressed so close to each other in a strong embrace. He had to make it up for her, he was going to do everything in his power to protect her— to not make her feel alone in the world. He wasn't going to let anyone take her away from him like last time. And that's a promise he vows to keep his entire existence.
**********
A/N: Sometimes when people say 'I'm okay', they want someone to look at them in the eyes, hug them tight and say 'I know you're not'.