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

Chapter Thirty-Five: Dust and Shadows

Natsu wasn't quite sure what happened, but he knew that as soon as Lucy proclaimed who she was to the world, the entire building began to shake. People dropped to the ground, crying out and wrapping their hands around their heads and stomachs. Annea crumbled against the wall, gasping for air and closing her eyes to stop her head from spinning. Wendy and Evia were no better, clutching each other for strength even as their legs gave out. Gray groaned, swaying and collapsing to one knee.

Lucy looked around wildly, not understanding what was going on. A crack from overhead drew her attention, and she glanced up to see a massive chunk of the ceiling break away and hurtle toward her. Her eyes quickly scanned the surrounding area, and a brief flash of satisfaction shot through her when she saw she was the only one in the path of the massive stone. She longed to run, but even now her limbs were filling with lead, her eyes struggling to stay open.

The stone was growing closer and closer, her eyes fell shut, she screamed at her muscles to move, a warm hand pressed against her back-

The chunk of ceiling slammed into the ground, cracking the smooth stone around the impact site. Smaller pieces continued to tumble down from above, landing amongst the crowd of unconscious and groaning inhabitants of Grimstone Manor. As the dust began to settle, only two figures remained tall and strong.

Ajax curled his lip, looking around at his ruined Great Hall in disgust. He searched for Lucy in the rubble, not caring if she was unconscious or not. She was going to pay for what happened here. He would whip her to the bone, mutilate her pretty body, harm her beyond repair, and he would make whoever her partner was watch. And then he would force her to sit by as he wiped every trace of her existence from the world. Then, and maybe only then, would he finally snuff out the life who had caused so much destruction here today.

"Ajax," Verlane called, coughing slightly as the dust invaded his lungs. He waved a hand in front of his face, clearing the air and meeting Ajax's wild gaze. "They're all gonna be out for a while. Let's go see the extent of the damage, see if Lucy's partner is still alive, and then we can return up here and fix things."

"We should restrain her first," Ajax growled. Verlane shook his head.

"I'm ninety percent sure she's under that pile of rubble," he said with a motion of his hand. "Besides, all of these people have been without ethernano for their entire lives. It will take them a while for their bodies to adjust. It'll be fine. We'll be back with plenty of time. Come on, this is important."

Ajax took a deep breath, the lingering dust somehow not bothering him. "Yes, I suppose you are correct. Although..." He flicked his wrist at the rubble before turning on his heel and stalking out of the room. The answering groan of pain at the shift in debris made him smirk in sadistic satisfaction.

Verlane and Ajax hurried through the empty halls, heels of boots ringing against the stone floors as they walked very quickly. They passed only a few stray servants or guards, and Ajax made sure to memorize their faces. Punishment would be swift for failing to listen to his declaration. The only ones he would excuse were those two guards he had left in charge at the stairwell. Although... the more he thought about it, he wasn't so sure that those guards were innocent. For Lucy's coconspirator to get so far, they would have had to make it past those guards. How much of his manor had Lucy turned against him? Oh, that bitch was going to pay.

They passed by those two crumpled guards, their faces contorted in discomfort and confusion. Verlane noticed the chunk of rock, well, ceiling, crushing one of the guard's legs. Yet he didn't have it in himself for pity. Nor was there time to move the rubble. Especially not for a man who had likely committed treason.

Together the lords of Grimstone Manor hurried down the staircase, the lack of ethernano continuously filling their veins becoming all the more apparent. Ajax scowled when they caught sight of the ruined fabric lying in the center of the hallway.