The Elemental Sorceress

Chapter Eighteen

CHAPTER — EIGHTEEN

Journey for the Keys [2]

They make their way further into the vast tunnels of the cavern. Several booby traps are hidden, most are easily stopped or redirected by Nova. It takes them nearly two hours to find their goal. It's a large chamber with two jewel-encrusted doors. On the side of the doors is writing engraved into the walls.

To receive what you seek

The blood must be unique

Nova stares at it furrowing her eyebrows, "Lucy... I think it's asking for you to uhm..."

Lucy grimaces and stares at the words, "Look there's a small imprint of the doorway." She points to a small spot that appears to be a fingerprint. "It needs my blood to know that I am a Heartfilia." She turns to look at Nova her brown eyes hard and determined. "You wouldn't happen to have a knife on you, would you?"

Nova shakes her head and shrugs, "I'm in a swimsuit. I don't exactly have any easy hiding spots on this thing."

There's a flash of light and Lucy's pink-haired maid spirit appears at her side. "I have something that may help you, Princess." She holds out her hands to reveal a beautiful silver dagger. The hilt has a name inscribed, 'Layla.'

"Was this my mom's...?"

Virgo nods letting her key holder take the blade from her hands. "Cancer said that he's been holding onto this since you were younger. Your mother wanted it passed down to you when the time was right." She then turns and bows to Nova. "I will be taking my leave now, and it was wonderful to see you Deam Magnam."

After the spirit disappears Lucy rolls the blade in her hand. It felt as if it was charged with some sort of magic energy. "It feels odd."

Nova places a finger over the dagger and hums. "That's because a bit of your mother's life force is fused into the blade." She says looking back up at her friend. "It's an old form of magic. My parents did the same to their swords, it makes the weapon stronger if someone the owner loves wields it."

Lucy blinks and recomposes herself. "Here goes nothing I guess." She quickly swipes the blade across her index finger leaving a decent sized cut. Her face contorts from the pain, but she still places it against the wall. The doors to the chamber creak and begin to open. Inside is a large room with vaulted ceilings, it seemed as if a dragon could fit easily within. At the very center is a stand with a large black key. Surrounding it was a visible force field. Whoever designed the chambers put in a lot of effort for security. Lucy starts walking towards the key but hesitates inches away from the force field.

"I'm sure it's an enchantment of some sort. If you step through you'll be okay." Nova says gesturing to her to keep moving forward.

Lucy takes a deep breath and crosses the barrier, and nothing happens. She reaches for the key but it's stuck and won't move from its spot.

A voice speaks from it startling both women. "Who is trying to obtain my key?"

The blonde squares her shoulders. "My name is Lucy Heartfilia, I am a celestial mage. I've been given a mission by the Deam Magnam herself to retrieve the remaining two keys."

There's a moment of silence, "She personally gave you the mission?"

"Yes. She is standing behind me right now."

The key Lucy's holding seems to disconnect from the stand and falls into her palm. There's a surge of power through the room and a creature appears before them. It's a hydra, the size of a dragon, maybe even larger. His eyes shift over the room until they catch on Nova. There's a puff of smoke and standing in front of them is Neptune. He's tall and toned, less muscular than Titan but still rather fit. Dark blue hair falls against his shoulders tied at the back of his head.