Quest for the Eighty-Eight Keys

Chapter Seven: Preparations

WARNING: MENTIONS OF SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE!

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Lucy stared up at the Celestial Spirit King, this time alone with him except for Makarov standing at her bedside. She tried not to fist her hands into the covers that were over her legs, knowing that doing so would hurt her fingers significantly.

The Celestial Spirit King smiled down at Lucy, "thank you, old friend. The celestial spirits of my realm and I are forever grateful." He then lifted a hand, a bright light emanating from his palm. When the light faded, he drifted his hand down toward the blonde, presenting her with what had appeared in his palm. Lucy looked at the small scroll with a ribbon of starlight wrapped around it and tied into a bow. She reached forward to pick it up and look over it. What was this for? Why did she need a scroll?

Her attention was dragged back up to the Celestial Spirit King when he spoke once again, "this scroll will give you the location of what keys are closest to you. However, it will not tell you which keys it is leading you to." He then added, "although, I will tell you that the first location that the scroll will give you is where the keys of Auriga and Monoceros are. They are important spirits that you will need to collect first for your quest."

Lucy nodded as she looked back down at the scroll. It'll make this easier, if only slightly, which she was thankful for. She then asked, "what can Auriga and Monoceros do? Why are they so important?"

The large celestial spirit answered, "their main purposes. Auriga provides a fast method of travel and Monoceros is a healer." Lucy nodded once again. Fast travel and Healing Magic would be important for her mission. She looked back up at the Celestial Spirit King as he continued to speak, "I cannot promise that all of the spirits will be fond of the idea of contracting with a celestial wizard. Several have purposefully hidden their own keys because of a string of abusive wizards."

Lucy nodded understandingly. She knew that abusive celestial wizards have always been more common than kind celestial wizards, and it made her sick. She hoped that she could befriend the spirits whose keys she will be collecting. She expected to face hostility from some of them, but she didn't mind. She'll show them that she had no intention of ever harming them and that they can trust her. She then inquired, "is there anything else?"

The Celestial Spirit King was silent for a few moments before he looked to Makarov and stated, "I believe it to be best that Lucy take a small group of mages with her. I encourage that she does not go alone."

Lucy furrowed her brow at that. She wouldn't be alone. She'd have her spirits. She didn't want anybody coming with her because then she'd have to continue her act. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to hide the effects of everything that's happened. She has to be happy and smiling. She couldn't do that for what would likely be several months. She looked at Makarov, silently willing him to refuse the idea.

However, luck didn't seem to be on her side, as Makarov nodded his head and spoke, "I agree." He then turned to Lucy, asking, "who would you like to accompany you?"

Lucy opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She was going to argue, but she could tell by the look on the Guild Master's face that he would not hear any objections from her. She sighed and looked down at her hands that were in her lap, responding, "I don't know."

Her eyes were locked on her hands as she listened to Makarov ask the Celestial Spirit King, "is there anything else that she needs to know?"

The Celestial Spirit King answered, "no, however, if something comes up that she should know, then I shall send one of her spirits." Then, a bright flash of light signified his departure.