During the Seven Years

Chapter 35

As we continued through the forest, an unusual quiet hung over our group. The memory of Crimson Blood was hard to shake—seeing those defeated faces as they surrendered, stripped of all defenses, left us all feeling a strange heaviness. They hadn't been monsters, just people who had suffered deeply, clinging to each other out of necessity rather than friendship or loyalty.

Meredy broke the silence first, glancing over at me. "I was worried when Lahar showed up, honestly. I thought he might not believe us... even with you standing by our side, Lucy."

I nodded, remembering the intensity in Lahar's eyes. "Lahar's dedicated to justice, but that dedication sometimes blinds him to what people have become. He can't easily separate us from our pasts."

Jellal gave me a look of quiet gratitude. "It's true. With our histories, it's hard for someone like Lahar to see us as anything but criminals. If you hadn't spoken up, Lucy, I'm not sure he would've left things as they were."

I gave a slight smile. "I understand why he's skeptical. But I know you're not the people you used to be. He'll come around, in time."

Meredy's expression softened as she looked down, her voice quieter. "The members of Crimson Blood... I keep thinking about them. They weren't fighting out of hate or anger. They were... desperate."

Ultear's gaze was distant, reflecting a deep empathy. "They had each other, but it wasn't out of true connection. They were just holding on to anything they could find in a world that had treated them harshly." She paused, a solemn expression in her eyes. "They were broken, just like we once were."

Her words struck something deep inside me. I remembered facing them, sensing that beneath their aggression and fear, they were grasping for anything solid to hold on to. When I'd tried to reach out to them, to offer a glimmer of understanding, it had felt like reaching into an abyss. They hadn't known anything beyond survival. And a part of me ached, knowing that not everyone was lucky enough to find a place like Fairy Tail, a home and family that accepted you as you were.

Meredy's face grew wistful as she thought about her own journey. "I remember when I was lost like that," she murmured, a small, sad smile crossing her face. "Juvia... she reached out to me when I was ready to end it all. She didn't have to show me kindness, but she did, and it... changed everything. She looked past my mistakes and saw someone worth helping."

Ultear nodded, her expression softening as well. "And Gray... he helped me understand what my mother, Ur, truly wanted for me. He didn't treat me like an enemy; he saw someone who was still searching, still figuring out who she was meant to be. Without him, I wouldn't have understood the path my mother wanted me to follow."

A pang of longing surged through me. "Fairy Tail does that," I said quietly. "They see you as you are and offer you a place to belong. They saved me too. I wandered for nearly two years, moving from town to town, with no purpose except survival. I felt like I didn't matter to anyone." My voice grew softer, heavy with emotion. "Then, Fairy Tail welcomed me in. They gave me more than just a place to stay—they gave me a family."

The others looked at me, their understanding deep and heartfelt. They knew what it was like to be adrift, to find yourself among people who made you feel whole.

The ache for Fairy Tail grew stronger with every step we took. I hadn't seen my guild mates in so long, and the memory of their warmth, their laughter, filled me with both joy and sadness. I wanted to see them again, even briefly, just to remind myself of what I was fighting for, to draw strength from their belief in me.

After a pause, I took a deep breath and spoke up. "I know we're not close to Magnolia, and it could set us back, but... would it be alright if we made a quick stop there? I want to get a few things from my apartment and... I'd like to say goodbye to my friends, even if it's only for a little while."

Ultear glanced at me, a small frown tugging at her lips. "Lucy, we're on a tight schedule. Any delays could make things more difficult."

I looked back at her, trying to convey how important this was. "I understand, Ultear, but... Fairy Tail is my family. Seeing them again, even just for a moment, would mean the world to me. It would remind me of what we're doing all this for. Just saying goodbye—it would make me feel... whole."

Jellal nodded thoughtfully, a small, understanding smile on his face. "Family gives us a strength that's hard to put into words. If it helps you stay strong, I think it's worth a small delay."

Meredy beamed, clearly excited at the prospect. "I'd love to see Fairy Tail, too! I've heard so much about them. I can't wait to see what Juvia's guild is like!"

Ultear sighed, but a reluctant smile softened her face. "Alright. But let's make it quick. We still have a mission to complete."

My heart filled with gratitude and relief, and I smiled. "Thank you. I won't take long, I promise."

As we set our path toward Magnolia, I felt a renewed strength settle within me. This journey wasn't just about gathering the planet spirits or proving myself; it was about protecting the people who had given me a home and a purpose. Knowing I'd see them again—even for a short time—filled me with the courage I needed for whatever challenges lay ahead.