3rd pov
Lucy stumbled through the forest, her vision blurring from the pain of her wounds. The trees around her seemed to sway and blur together, and she could feel her strength waning. Just as she was about to collapse, her eyes fluttered shut, and she fell into unconsciousness.
A pair of strong arms caught her just in time. Howl Pendragon, with his striking blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, looked down at the unconscious girl in his arms.
"Are you alright?". he asked, though he knew she couldn't hear him. Concern etched on his face, he noticed the blood on his hands from her injuries.
"You're hurt. We need to get you some help".
Without another word, Howl lifted her gently, his movements careful and deliberate. He carried her back to his moving castle, the enchanted structure shifting and groaning as it adjusted to their presence. As they entered, Calcifer, the fire demon, flickered brightly in the hearth.
"Why are you being so loud, Howl?". he grumbled, but then his eyes widened as he saw Lucy.
"Who's this? What happened?".
"She's hurt". Howl replied, laying Lucy gently on the couch. The cushions sank slightly under her weight, and she let out a faint groan.
"Calcifer, boil some hot water. We need to clean her wounds, make it fast". He ordered, Calcifer grumbled but complied, heating the kettle Howl placed on him. The fire demon's flames danced and crackled, casting a warm glow around the room.
Howl quickly gathered medical herbs, bandages, and other supplies from various shelves and cabinets, his movements swift and efficient. He filled a bowl with the hot water and soaked a rag, then began to gently clean Lucy's wounds.
"Hang in there". He murmured, his voice filled with concern. He continued to clean her wounds, working quickly but gently. The scent of the herbs filled the air, mingling with the warmth from Calcifer's flames.
As Lucy remained unconscious, Howl finished applying the herbs and wrapped her wounds with bandages.
"Calcifer, keep the water hot. We might need more". Howl instructed, his mind racing with thoughts of how to help her. Calcifer nodded, his flames steadying.
"Got it. But who is she, Howl?".
Before Howl could respond, a sudden flash of light filled the room. Howl jumped back, startled, as a figure emerged from the light. It was a woman with pink hair and a maid's outfit, her expression calm and composed.
"Who are you?". Howl demanded, his eyes wide with surprise. The woman bowed slightly.
"I am Virgo, a Celestial Spirit. She is my master and mistress. I am here to help tend to her injuries". She spoke, Howl blinked, trying to process the information.
"A Celestial Spirit? What does that mean?". He questioned, Virgo approached Lucy, her movements graceful and precise.
"It means I am bound to serve and protect her. Please, allow me to assist". She began to examine Lucy's wounds with practiced ease, Calcifer watched with curiosity.
"So, what happened to her? she looks rough". He asked, Virgo glanced at Howl, her expression serious.
"She was in a battle and sustained these injuries. I will explain more once she is stable, she's my main priority right now". She said, Howl nodded, stepping back to give Virgo space.
"Alright. Just make sure she recovers".
Timeskip
Once she was satisfied with Lucy's condition, she gently lifted her and carried her to a room Howl had prepared. The room was cozy, with a soft bed and warm blankets. Virgo laid Lucy down, ensuring she was comfortable before returning to the main room.
"Thank you for your help". Howl said, his voice sincere.
"Now, can you tell me what happened? who was she fighting?". He questioned, Virgo nodded, her expression grave.
"My Mistress is a Celestial Spirit Mage and witch. The Kingdom of Fiore believes she is a traitor for allegedly betraying the crown. However, Fairytail, her guild, has disbanded and no longer has any ties to the kingdom. The king is worried that mistress might join another kingdom or that they may use her power for their gain". She began to explain, Howl frowned, concern deepening in his eyes.
"Why is that such a big concern?".
"Being a Celestial Mage is far more dangerous than people realize, it's not just summoning us to your world". Virgo explained.
"My Mistress has perfected her celestial magic, making her incredibly powerful not to mention her interest in other magics that she quickly picked up during her travels. Many kingdoms want her and her power, which she doesn't want. This will have left her with no freedom. The king fears history repeating itself that relates to my mistress and other unfortunate incidents that almost took her life. with someone trying to manipulate powers that shouldn't be tampered with is very dangerous. Since my mistress possesses most of the Celestial Gate Keys, she is a significant target. This is why she has been traveling non-stop, training to become stronger to fend off new and former enemies". She explained.
"So, she's been on the run, trying to protect herself and others. Sounds like a tough life".
"Yes". Virgo confirmed with a nod.
"One of the people she was fighting was a member of her guild, Gajeel. He can track her by her scent, his magic is called Dragon Slayer, more specifically Iron Dragon Slayer. It's too dangerous for her to wander freely now with him looking for her. She fought against him to make it look believable and to avoid getting him and their other friends into trouble". She mentioned, Howl nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"She's safe here. We'll make sure she recovers and figure out what to do next". He said, Virgo bowed slightly.
"Thank you. Your kindness is appreciated". She thanked with a bow, Howl looked thoughtful.
"I have to admit, it's a smart move for her to stay hidden and keep training. With so many kingdoms after her, she needs to be at her strongest".
As the night wore on, Howl kept watch over Lucy, their thoughts filled with concern and curiosity about the girl who had suddenly entered their lives. The castle's gentle creaks and the soft crackle of Calcifer's flames created a soothing backdrop.
