The Shadows of Tragedy

Chapter 36

That last conversation had left Erza shaking like a leaf. Her skin had turned pale and her legs were buckling. She couldn't recall a time that she had ever been so afraid. In fact most of the time Erza was a very brave woman who was believed to have no fear at all. But today she realized what it was that scared her most in this world. Her beloved nephew, the boy who she's loved like her own son, being taken away from her by some terrifying person who she's now discovered isn't even human.

"Calm down Erza." Gray told her gently. "It's going to be alright."

"Where's Romeo?" She asked him.

"He's upstairs with Juvia. You asked her to keep him occupied, remember?"

"I want to see him. Now."

"Okay, okay. I'll go get him but first I think you should sit down and take a breather."

Gray quickly helped her into a comfortable chair before she could collapse and started to make his way upstairs to fetch the boy. He had just entered the hallway when he heard a faint voice calling his name.

"Gray...Gray...Gray."

It was coming from the attic. He went up there to investigate and he started out walking slowly until the faint voice became more clearer as he got closer. Clear enough for him to recognize who it belonged to and when he did he bolted up there as fast as he could. Upon arriving at the top he saw the person who had been calling him and at the sight of her again he thought that he would go into the same state Erza was in.

"Wendy." He said to the ghost of the little girl standing before him.

"Hello Gray." She said.

He slowly approached her, hoping that she wouldn't run away from him like he did last time. She didn't, when he understood that she was going to stay out he fell to his knees right in front of her.

"Oh Wendy is it really you? Really, really you or have I gone mad?"

"It's me big brother. I have come back."

Tears were already in his eyes.

"I thought that I would never see you again." He bit back a sob. "Why did you run away from me the other night?"

"You know why. Because I couldn't stand the sight of you killing someone. It was too horrible to bear."

"I know. I know that I've done terrible things and you cannot imagine how much I hate myself for doing them. But I promise you Wendy that I have never harmed anyone sincerely innocent or moral."

"I know you haven't Gray but I'm frightened."

"I would never hurt you Wendy or anyone else in our family. Never!"

"I am not frightened for myself or for the family. I am frightened for you. The more you kill people the more of your humanity you lose. I'm afraid that soon you'll become a complete monster."

"Don't worry Wendy, I'm on the verge of curing myself from this terrible curse. I haven't harmed anyone in almost an entire month. I'm getting better."

"I know and I hope that you will soon be free of this awful pain that has befallen you. But I don't have much time, I have a very important message to tell you. Please listen to me because I can only say it once."