Dawn of Adventure {Book One of The Paths We've Traveled}

Chapter Thirty-Two: Set into Motion

Lucy clicked the door shut behind her and Erza, borrowed cloak swishing around her ankles. The requip mage smiled grimly, pulling her own hood up over the distinguishable hair she had let down for the first time in ages. "You ready?" She murmured, shifting her cloak to further hide the daggers hanging from her belt. It was times like these when she wished the people in Benos fought with swords like she did instead of the small daggers that forced her into close quarters with her enemies.

Lucy nodded once, fingers wrapped around the key ring shoved into one of her apron pockets. She drew strength from the familiar warmth, determined that she would see them again by the end of the day. "Let's go," she replied, aware of the people they were leaving behind in the apartment. Her skin still burned from the touch of Natsu's hands against her chin and neck, his forehead against her own. She'd ignored the looks passed between Wendy and Gray, knowing they'd never give her an answer even if she asked.

Together, Erza and Lucy set out through the halls, using the late afternoon silence to their advantage. Lunch had ended about an hour ago, and typically no one was out and about until dinner time. Many chose to nap or to relax, while others chose to remain in the Great Hall, even if Verlane and Ajax weren't there all the time. But today... today their plan finally began. They were finally setting into motion the actions that would free this country from the sickness that had unwillingly plagued them for years. And with help from their teammates and the friends they had made, they were going to succeed. There was no possible way they couldn't.

Lucy pulled Erza into the nearest servants' passageway, knowing that most would be taking advantage of the empty hallways. The scarlet warrior cast a disdainful eye at the dark interior and tight space. "Yet another reason to dislike Verlane and Ajax. That the manor could be so spacious and grand but the servants are resigned to dingy passageways meant to keep them away from the nobles," her lip curled slightly as she shook her head, "it really is quite despicable."

The women started moving down the hall, hems of cloaks brushing against the stone floor and walls. Lucy had argued against the cloaks last night, but Gray had brought up the good point that it would keep their identities hidden if they ended up getting caught. And it also allowed them to dress differently than they were expected. Lucy took advantage of it by wearing a pair of Erza's boots and hanging her whip from her belt; Erza had simply added more weapons to her personal armory. Evia had warned them to not change completely. They still needed to blend in if worst came to worst.

Lucy took the lead, knowing the passageways well after spending seven months using them. Their breathing rang in her ears, even louder than her boots against the floor. Her nerves began to set in. What if someone was coming? What if they were found out? What if Erza couldn't do it?

A warm and heavy hand landed on her shoulder, shocking her out of her panic. "It'll be alright," Erza murmured. "Deep breaths, hmm? It's not too late. Gray or Wendy could come with me instead."

Lucy shook her head, doing as Erza suggested and inhaling deeply. "No, no, I'm good. Just nerve-wracking, you know? But I'm good. We got this. Besides, the others have their own jobs they have to do, and we have ours." She sent a smile back over her shoulder. Erza squeezed Lucy's opposite shoulder before letting her hand drop back to her side.

"Then let's keep moving. We don't have much time to waste." Still with a smile on her face, Lucy set off again, Erza close behind.

Yet after only a few minutes, they were forced to a stop again. As Lucy took a step into an intersection, another body rammed into her from the side. She stumbled back into Erza, glad for the presence of the requip mage that kept her from falling. Yet the motion knocked the hood from her head, revealing her completely to the new person in their midst.