During the Seven Years

Chapter 12

I rest my head against the cool window, watching as the town of Magnolia recedes into the distance, fading away like a distant memory. Though I haven't lived here all my life, the sights and sounds are still familiar enough to tug at my heart. A heavy sigh escapes my lips as I scrunch my brows in concern; an uneasy feeling coils in the pit of my stomach. For reasons I can't quite grasp, I feel a deep-seated nervousness about this new adventure. I pull my knees to my chest and close my eyes, a wave of exhaustion washing over me. With the rhythmic clattering of the train and the gentle sway, I quickly drift into a deep sleep.

Suddenly, I find myself standing at the base of a towering mountain, shivering from the relentless cold that bites at my skin. The air is crisp and sharp, unlike anything I've ever experienced. Panic rises within me; I could die out here! I take a cautious step forward, heart pounding in my chest, when dozens of Vulcans—fearsome creatures with fiery eyes—begin to approach me. My breath quickens, and my eyes widen in horror as a chill races down my spine.

What's happening? How did I get here? I clench my fists in desperation as the first wave of Vulcans charges at me. I know I've improved since joining Fairy Tail, but doubts creep in. Can I really take them on alone?

Before I can formulate a plan, the Vulcans disappear into thin air, leaving behind only a heavy silence. Relief floods my stomach, but it's short-lived as familiar figures materialize before me. My heart skips a beat when I see my friends who were lost on Tenroe Island.

"You're okay! Thank goodness!" I exclaim, tears of relief brimming in my eyes.

"Lucy, this is all your fault," Natsu snaps, narrowing his eyes at me, the hurt in his voice slicing through my joy. "If you had gone with us, none of this would have happened." My blood runs cold at his words, disbelief washing over me. What did he just say?

"Yeah, we're gone because of you," another voice echoes, and my heart sinks further.

"You're wrong!" I declare, tears streaming down my cheeks as I feel the weight of their accusations. "Nobody could have changed what happened! I'm so sorry that I couldn't help you. I miss you all so much it hurts, but I'm going to do my best to accomplish my mission for your sake."

"I doubt you'll even be able to accomplish it," Natsu retorts, his words like daggers.

"Yeah, you're too weak," another voice chimes in, and I feel their judgment crushing me.

I force a bitter smile, trying to mask my pain. "Perhaps, but I will try my best, no matter what."

Just as quickly as they appeared, the image of my friends fades away, and a shadowy figure looms before me, its presence suffocating. An intense pressure emanates from the figure, and sweat beads on my forehead. What the heck is going on? My body trembles in fear as the figure starts to laugh—a chilling sound that echoes in the emptiness around us.

My eyes snap open, and I glance around nervously, the dream still vivid in my mind. Rain pours down outside the window, drumming against the glass in a chaotic rhythm. I pull my knees to my chest, tears welling in my eyes. Why can I remember that dream so vividly? What did it mean?

Before I can ponder it further, a warm yellow light flickers to life in front of me. Loke stands there, concern etched on his face, yet a serious glint shines in his eyes.

"Loke..." I say softly, relief washing over me as he pulls me into a comforting embrace.

"Lucy, are you okay?" he asks, his voice steady but filled with worry.

"I had a really weird dream," I admit, my voice trembling as he places his hands on my shoulders, searching my eyes for the truth. "I was at the bottom of a mountain, and it was unbearably cold. Then, dozens of Vulcans appeared. I don't think I'm strong enough to defeat them by myself!" Tears well in my eyes, blurring my vision. "Then my friends from Tenroe Island showed up, and they insulted me." My expression hardens, anger mingling with despair. "Before the dream ended, a terrifying figure appeared, and just his presence was overwhelming. I..." My voice cracks, choked with emotion.

Loke listens intently, nodding as I speak, and then he wraps his arms around me tightly. "I'm sorry," he murmurs, his voice soothing as I bury my face in his chest. "It sounds like you had a nightmare. None of that stuff is true, so you don't have to worry."

"I don't know about that," I reply, lifting my head to meet his gaze, my brow furrowed in thought. "That dream felt so real... It felt like a warning." I purse my lips, concentrating as a serious expression crosses Loke's face. "From what Crux told me, I would have to face many challenges to obtain a planet spirit. If that's the case, maybe the dream was showing me the obstacles I'll have to confront."

"That would make sense," he agrees, his brow furrowing in concern.

I lower my head in dismay, feeling the weight of my fears. "Even so, I'm terrified," I acknowledge, tears threatening to spill over. "What if I try my hardest and still fail? What if I'm not strong enough?"

"It's completely normal to be scared," he reassures me, his tone empathetic as he places a hand on my shoulder. "This mission will undoubtedly be difficult, tedious, and draining, but they chose the right person for it." My eyes widen in surprise at his confidence. "You're resilient and always give your best, especially in tough situations. Also..." Loke's face softens into a warm smile. "You're one of the smartest people I know. If anyone can do it, it's you, Lucy."

"Thank you, Loke," I say, my heart swelling with gratitude.

"To answer your question, Lucy, everyone fails," he continues, his expression serious yet genuine. "True failure is letting yourself give up and walk away. You'll fail more times than you succeed, but you have to keep getting up and trying. That's the only way to improve and achieve your goals."

A warm smile spreads across my face, and I pull Loke into a tight embrace. "Thank you... I needed that."

"Anytime, Princess," he replies, his voice a comforting balm.

Before we can continue our conversation, the intercom crackles to life, jolting us back to reality. "Attention, everyone!" a voice announces, capturing our full attention. "Our next stop will be Beanstalk Village. If you're traveling to the Phoenix Mountains, this is where you want to get off. It's been pretty cold there lately, so please be careful. Thank you for riding with us today!"

The announcement ends, and I exchange a determined glance with Loke. This is my stop. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come.

"Lucy, we have your back," Loke says, shooting me a confident grin that ignites a spark of hope within me. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to summon us. You can count on us! Good luck, Lucy."

And with that, he disappears into thin air, leaving me with a renewed sense of purpose. A newfound determination wells up within me, and a genuine smile spreads across my lips. With my friends supporting me, I feel like I can accomplish anything.

The train comes to a halt, and I quickly rise to my feet, the chill of the platform hitting me as I step off the train. A cold wind whips through the air, tangling my hair and filling my lungs with the brisk scent of rain. I can do this! I run a hand through my hair, feeling the tension ease slightly, and take a bold step forward, my heart pounding in anticipation. Even though nerves flutter in my stomach about what lies ahead, it feels refreshing to know my celestial spirits have my back.

With that thought, I set my sights on the Phoenix Mountains, determination coursing through my veins. No matter what challenges await me, I'm ready to face them.