Without You, The Beginning of Magic {Magical AU}

Chapter 6: Endings (Part 4)

After breakfast I went straight to my room to get ready for my lessons with my teacher Nico Robin. Today we'd be learning the history of saviors. "I'm so excited to learn it! I wonder if there's any saviors in this day and age..." I grab my necklace and hold it to my forehead as it glows gold. "... Law would be one... I know he would... I want to be one too... So Law and I can travel together..." I tear up and nuzzle it and the bracelet feeling Law's warmth. "I miss you..." I opened it and looked at the picture as I played the message Law left in the bracelet.

Tears began falling, "Law... I miss you..." I hiccup softly, but wipe my tears and sniffle, "N-No crying! You have work to do! You have to get stronger! Those three are leaving soon! I have to send them off with a smile, so they don't have to worry!" I nod, "Yup! I'll be ok! It's already been a year! What's another five?" I took a deep breath and looked to see a worried Gengi.

I tilt my head as I motion to hop up, "What's wrong Gengi?" I flinched as he said in my mind, Iris... There's something you need to know, but... I'll tell you after some more details. I just wanted to check up on you. I smile softly, "I'll be fine... Go head back and listen. I'm going to the library for my lessons now, ok?" He hesitantly nods and hops off as I head towards the library with Zoro.

I jerked as Zoro looked at me, "... Just because you smile when we leave... Doesn't mean we won't worry..." I stopped and held my necklace as it turned green, "... I want to be strong enough... To where you don't have to worry about me... Zoro... I won't be writing to you guys... I have plans and won't be able to contact you... I won't tell you what they are, but just know... I can do it." He huffs and strokes my hair, "Iri, you can do anything you put your mind to..." I smile at him, "... Thanks Zoro..." I glance down and then at him smiling, "Come on... It's time to learn what saviors are..." He nodded and slipped away as we continued on our way to the library.

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Apparently there are two saviors. A female and male, one a support and one a for battle. It could be a tank or damage dealer, but always a support and battle. It made me feel nervous. What if Law was a savior and I wasn't... Would he go traveling around with another girl? Will he still even remember me after all that time? My insecurities couldn't stop building as time went on. No matter how much I focused on studies and training, my mind wandered to Law and what he was doing. What if he had already forgotten me or what if he was already with someone else. 

I nuzzled the locket as it started flashing between all the colors. Gold, red, green, blue, gold, green, blue, red, gold, blue, red, green. My mind was a mess as it was soon my fifteenth birthday and week of them departing. My head shoots up as I hear a click. I saw Law's present open, so I dashed over and looked at it. "Apply your mana." I did as asked and teared up as I saw a pair of earrings matching the bracelet.

I slipped them on immediately and cried softly as I felt Law's presence stronger and a new message. "Happy fifteenth birthday Iris-ya. I made these to be just pure mana crystals shaped like an iris. As you know, things covering mana crystals, such as the gold on my earrings, preserve the feeling, so when used the presence is more evident... However, I'm sure you're feeling insecure right now. I made these in the purest form I could manage. These should allow you to know whether I'm safe or not. Since it's our mana that's in the crystals we'll know the condition of the owner. Although it's only able to be normal or critical..."

He took a deep breath, "These earrings also have a healing function like mine, but my mana will be directly sent to your injury through the puncture in your ear. It can heal anything, but a life threatening injury. In that case a barrier will form and do it's best to stabilize you. I know these are drastic, but I just need you to be safe no matter what. All these healing and barriers are for our reassurance, but don't just run ahead all the time, alright? Please be careful..."

I heard his voice shake a little, "I love you... I always will. We might've been kids and we're too young for love, but just know... I love you and I miss you. Happy fifteenth birthday Iris-ya. I hope you have fun and will wear these everywhere you go." I fell to the ground bawling my eyes out as my necklace glowed a bright gold and I held the box to my chest.

Gengi nuzzled my leg and comforted me as Shanks, Makino, Luffy, Ace, Sabo, and Zoro ran in and stared wide-eyed at my breaking down. Makino walked next to me and hugged me, so I turned and nuzzled her as I cried and Shanks looked down. He patted the boys and motioned them to leave, so they just looked down and followed.

They flinched and teared up as I bawled, "I don't want to be alone! Everyone's leaving! I don't want to be alone, Aunt Makino! It's so lonely!" She stroked my back and helped me calm down, which I managed to do a few minutes later. I sniffled, but she just continued stroking my hair and back to comfort me.

I hugged her and mumbled, "I'm sorry..." She shook her head, "Don't apologize Iri. It's important to express your feelings. Wanna talk about it?" I looked down, then pointed to the earrings then told her what he told me. How he was right about my insecurities and about my thoughts on the savior and everything that I was bottling up and trying to hide.

She stroked my hair, "Iri... Come to us when you get that way. While they may be leaving Shanks, Gengi, Luffy, and I are still here, right?" I sniffle and nod, "... I can still see Nami and Najiko on occasion too..." She nodded, "It might be lonely without them around, but you're not alone Iri. Please keep that in mind, ok?" I nod softly, "Alright..." I picked up Gengi as we made our way to the bathroom. "... I know it's stressful, so let's give you a relaxing bath, alright? Your party is tonight, but everyone else is having a party beforehand." I nod softly as I get ready.

As I set Gengi in his little float in the bath and strip down I asked her, "Aunt Makino... I made some stuff for them... I ran out of ideas for presents, so... I made Sabo gloves, Ace a bracelet, and Zoro a bandana... They're made of crystal fiber and silkweed... I gave them each a barrier and first aid spell, but that's it... I put a crystal in the middle of Ace's bracelet, the base of Sabo's gloves, and in the end of Zoro's bandana... It was really hard and I had to get help, but I engraved an iris inside the mana crystals... I wish I knew beforehand..."

She takes my clothes and puts them to the side as I wash off before getting in the bath. "I'm sure they'll be more than happy, I know it." I smile softly, "... Yeah." After getting in she set a towel on the counter, "I'll put your clothes on the bed, so all you have to do is change. Have Gengi get me when you're ready for your hair, ok?" I nod softly, "Thanks Aunt Makino..." She smiled, "Of course... Try and relax, ok?" I nod and turn to Gengi who was curled up on the small floaty.

I lean back and relax to my shoulders, "... Gengi... What was so important by the way? It's been a month." He looked down, I have confirmed that a clash with demon beasts happened in the north. Apparently Shanks is having trouble finding people. The boys are going to be gone and Monkey boy is too young. I looked up, "... A wave?" He shook his head, It seems like a war has broken out against them. They had to retreat an entire town. They need to send at least one capable person by next year apparently.

I hum softly, "... I'll g-" I flinched and pouted at his glare. "What?! I have you and I can handle some beasts!" He sighs, You're not strong enough to link with me completely yet... You're very close, but at the moment I can eat your mana, but you can't take control of mine. Which is necessary in combat. I look at him, "If I manage to do it?" He laid down, You'll be able to soon, but you have to be proficient in it, which will take years. I huff and soaked deeper, "... I'll do it... I'll become so proficient in it, you'll want me to go." He chuckled, Good luck Iri.