Bound by Fire and Stars [Rewritten NaLu Fanfic]

9. Rallying Light

Happy soared higher into the twilight sky, his wings flapping with urgency as he searched for Lucy among the treetops. The forest below stretched endlessly, a sea of darkening greens and browns, but the flickering lights in the distance continued to elude him. He pushed harder against the wind, scanning for any sign of his friend.

"Lucy!" he called, his voice small against the vastness of the forest. Where are you?

Just as doubt began to creep in, something caught his eye, a flash of red among the shadows. Happy tilted his head, his heart racing with newfound hope. There, beneath the gnarled branches, he spotted a familiar figure clad in shining armour, her crimson hair a beacon in the gloom.

"Erza!" he exclaimed, fluttering down to land on a low branch. "Is that really you?"

Erza turned at the sound of his voice, her expression shifting from concentration to recognition. "Happy!" she called, her voice steady and reassuring. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for Lucy!" Happy replied, his little wings quivering with excitement. "She's gone, and Natsu is—"

"Gone?" Erza interrupted, a sharp edge entering her voice as concern flickered across her features. "What do you mean?"

"He's out here searching for her. I was trying to scout from above when I spotted you!" Happy explained, glancing back towards the thick trees. "We thought she might have run into trouble!"

A determined glint shone in Erza's eyes, and she nodded firmly. "We need to find them both. The tales surrounding this forest have drawn me here, but now it seems there's more at stake than mere folklore."

Happy's wings buzzed with enthusiasm. "You know the stories too? About the spirits and the lights?"

"Yes, and I have encountered enough darkness in my journeys to know that not all spirits are friendly," she replied, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, glinting in the dim light. "We need to move quickly. The forest has its secrets, and I fear they might not be safe."

As they began to navigate the twisted paths of the forest, Happy glanced up at Erza, admiration swelling within him. "You always know what to do, Erza! We'll find Lucy and Natsu together!"

"I won't let anything happen to them," she said, her voice fierce yet steady. "We'll work together and uncover the truth behind these lights and whatever darkness has taken root here."

As they pressed deeper into the forest, the atmosphere grew heavier, filled with a palpable tension. Happy's heart raced not just from the thrill of adventure but from the hope of reuniting with Lucy. Erza's presence brought a sense of strength, a reminder that they were never alone in their battles.

"Look!" Happy pointed ahead, where the lights flickered again, casting an otherworldly glow that illuminated the trees. "That way! I can feel it—Lucy's nearby!"

"Let's hurry!" Erza urged, her resolve ignited. Together, they sprinted toward the glowing orbs, determination fuelling their every step.