Star of the Grandline

Chapter 3: The Lost Keys

It’s been a month since I left the Celestial realm to start taking jobs, and so far everything is going well. I’ve been able to complete jobs on my own (and with my spirits) that would usually take at least myself and two others to complete. I've only done 3 jobs so far, but I've managed to get close to 800,000 Jewel for each since there was no damage to the surrounding area that would pull from the reward money. I finally had enough to last long enough for me to find a few keys, since I haven’t found any jobs near their locations.

I’m currently on a train down toward Margaret Town, home of Lamia Scale, as the closest key was in the mountain range just south of the city. The first key is Cheimon, the griffin. He is one of the stronger Mythical Spirit Keys, though he doesn't have a star dress. According to the list Gramps gave me, he is trapped in a cave in the center of the mountain range.

When I got off the train at the station, It was already late, so I decided to get a room at an Inn, and get a magic powered car in the morning. On the way to the closest inn, I found myself passing by Lamia Scale. The lights were still on and I could vaguely hear the guild members interacting with each other. They weren’t quite as loud as Fairy Tail, but it was loud enough for me to hear several yards from the closed doors. Just as I was about to continue on my way, the doors blasted open. I barely managed to get out of the way of a flying man, watching him land on his face exactly where I had been standing.

 I recognized the white haired man almost instantly.

“Lyon,” I gasped, kneeling beside him,” Are you alright?”

He lifted his head in confusion, blue eyes meeting mine as they widened in recognition.

“Oh, hey Lucy. What are you doing here,” He asked as I helped him to his feet.

“Oh, I’m looking for a gate key to the south of here. I’m going to room at an inn for the night and continue tomorrow.”

He nodded, rubbing the back of his head.

“I heard you guys disbanded? I tried sending a letter to Gray or Juvia to confirm but they haven't responded,” He asked.

I nodded,” Yes but only for a little while. Master thought it best if we train on our own for now.”

He gave a hum of understanding before giving me a panty dropping smile.

“Well if you see Gray, tell him I say hey and that he better be treating Juvia right.”

I laughed,” Oh don't worry, they are taking good care of each other.”

He chuckled before saying goodbye and running back into the guild, yelling at whoever threw him through the door.

✹✹✹✹

The ride from Margaret Town to the Aragon Mountains was a long and perilous one. I had to abandon the car at the bottom of the mountain, as the trails were too narrow to drive on. I hiked and climbed my way over sharp rocks and shere drops, Praying to any god out there that I wouldn’t be caught in a rock slide, or misstep and impale myself on the rocks in the gorges below.

By the end of the day I had made it halfway through the mountains, and I was forced to take shelter in a midsized cave on one of the trails. I fell asleep quickly after having a few pieces of fruit and jerky I had stored in my bag.

I awoke in the middle of the night, the sound of huffing and heavy breathing filling the cave. I cracked open an eye, as to not alert whoever was in the cave with me. What I saw was definitely not unexpected, but absolutely unwanted. Three Vulcans stood around my prone body, sniffing the air around me and mumbling “we love human woman”. I had to hold back a groan at their stupid antics, inching my hands towards the hilts of my blades.