The Art of Trouble

Chapter 24: The Last

"Please, dear, the world needs you..."

After her conversation with Gyna, Lucy's exhaustion was now indescribable. She was too tired to go back to her and Gray's abode. So, she decided to set-up a fire camp and to take a nap. But, even in her dreams Gyna's words lingered.
"You're the only one who could save us."

It was a burden she found heavy to carry. As heavy as the burden her father placed on her as the next of kin to the Heartfilia clan, back when she was younger. Nonetheless, unlike being an heiress that she had managed to escape, today's forbearance is inevitable and should be dealt with head on. 
According to Gyna, if she agrees to to this arrangement, she should meet her at the lake, and  they would go to Arkinea proper. Together, they will convince the king that as a celestial mage, she can withhold the astrioia from landing towards the earthland through her spirits, because, if not, Arkin had already an alternate plan on using the Videforas to reflect some light towards where the astrioia had momentarily stationed, and direct its landing on Croccus.
The fact that Arkin would alter the direction of that massive rock towards Croccus to save Arkinea is just inhumane, and this had made Lucy shiver in fear. Doesn't he care of the people's lives in Croccus? He could kill thousands or millions of people including her friends in Fiore. Then again, she gave herself an answer. "Because, he is mad, hence, he doesn't care at all."

And another thing that made her bothered was the thought of convincing the king to do otherwise. If he has really gone mad then, there should be a zero chance that he would listen to reason, especially, coming from a young mage herself. But, when she frankly asked Gyna if it's true that Arkin has gone ballistic, she only answered that the man was merely misled, causing his ideologies to go unreasonable.
This circumstance is utterly hard for Lucy, yet, she needs to agree with Gyna whether or not it may be a success. Otherwise, the fall of Croccus, and as well of Fiore is formidably certain.

The sun had apparently risen and the humidity of the surroundings was already felt by the young mage. She stirred from her position on the ground in order to set off the fire when a young man let himself get noticed.

"There you are... It had been hard to look for you, you know, especially, when Lameria keeps pushing around."

It was none other than Gray. The two mages locked gazes, before Lucy realized that, his partner should not know about her situation, and she would break their promise this time.

She managed to give him a smile before ending her gaze towards him.

"Then, we should get going then. Lameria might be too harsh on us today as punishment for being late."
The blonde tried her best to be as cheerful as the way they usually banter, yet, the other did not fail to see that something was different from Lucy's tone. He only chose to shove it off, as maybe her friend was only tired. Indeed, she was up to something last night, to think he found her sleeping outside, and on the woods; "What are you up to, Lucy?" He asked himself.  However, he was somehow faithful that Lucy would tell him sooner or later, since, they made a promise to never hide anything from each other.

It was already midday. The three were now in an arena-like structure, gathering as if they would about to enter a grand magic game.

"I brought you here since this will be your last training."

Lameria spoke in an expressionless manner. Gray and Lucy, meanwhile, gasped in relief. At last, no more merciless boot camp for them. Lucy who was happy to hear the news forgot her dilemma as of the moment, but then, upon recalling so, she thought she would rather face robust and mental torture trainings from Lameria than dealing with her problem now. She fell silent. The ice mage had noticed Lucy's indifference, and was about to ask the latter when Lameria began to interject.

"But, I will not make this last training easy for you. You will have to be strong and wise on this. Apply all the things you've learned from the past exercises we've had. And...
Be careful of unforseen circumstances... You may now begin!" Then, Lameria stomped her staff twice signaling them to start their task.
Smoke and air began to form as Lameria was about to fly off when Gray asked

"Are you not supposed to observe us?"

Lameria was not able to move away, instead she went closer to both of them, "This time, you will be on your own. Please, do watch out, know who you can and cannot trust. Fight hard, Luna. " Then, she tap Lucy's shoulder, "You can do this."  Lameria finally disappeared from their view. Lucy and Gray felt Lameria's desperation as she said those last words. With that, the two became determined to focus on this last exercise.

"We should get this done and over with." Gray uttered in a serious tone.