The Art of Trouble

Chapter 34: The Path of the Star

The garden still held the scent of twilight, the last traces of morning dew clinging to the leaves as Lucy stood in quiet contemplation. The conversation with Arkin III still weighed on her mind, every word a puzzle piece she had yet to fit together.

Then, without warning, a sudden pulse of energy rippled through the air beside her. A familiar presence emerged, materializing in a shimmer of golden light.

Loke.

His arrival was never announced—never needed to be. Over time, Lucy had grown accustomed to his appearances, his presence no longer bound by the need for summoning. His form was as imposing as ever, his mane-like hair framing his sharp features, an embodiment of his celestial lineage—the lion among spirits.

His emerald eyes met hers, filled with both concern and curiosity. "You’ve been quiet," he remarked, tilting his head. "That’s never a good sign."

Lucy let out a small breath, arms crossed as she glanced toward the distant horizon. "It’s because things aren’t adding up."

Loke nodded, understanding. "What exactly did he tell you? I haven't heard from the spirit king yet, but, I knew he also has his mission that involves Virgo."

She hesitated, recalling the conversation. "Arkin's version of the past doesn’t match what Lameria told me." she admitted. "I can’t jump to conclusions yet, I need time. Time to understand him… to understand this kingdom."

Loke crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "So, you’re staying."

"For now," Lucy confirmed. "I have to know the truth. And that means staying close enough to see things for myself."

Loke studied her for a moment, then let out a small smirk. "Fine. But.. Trust is a dangerous thing in this situation, you should understand that as your spirits, we are always on guard ."

She nodded. “We’ll meet again soon, once I have more answers. And please Loke, take good care of yourselves.’’ Lucy meant it to all her spirits.

“Will do..’’ Loke gave her owner a small but reassuring smile.

With that, he dissolved into golden light, vanishing as swiftly as he could in a thin air.

***

The morning light streamed through the grand windows of the dining hall, casting long shadows across the polished stone floor. The air was thick with an unspoken tension as Lucy sat across from Arkin III. The clinking of silverware was the only sound that filled the vast room, the silence stretching between them.

Lucy had thought of a dozen ways to approach the conversation, each one carefully crafted to probe for information without seeming intrusive. She needed to know more—about Arkin III and his father, Arkin the 2nd, about Arkimedia, about the truth buried beneath centuries of secrecy.

Then, with the little courage gathered, she began.

"You spoke of Arkin's knowledge-your grandfather," breaking the silence. "How it was both a gift and a curse. And if he knew what was coming, why did so many try to silence him?"

The man exhaled slowly, his eyes steady as they looked deeper into hers. "Because knowledge is power. And power, when not controlled, is feared."

Lucy frowned slightly, her mind piecing together the fragments of the story she had been given. "So they wanted to erase what he knew. To make sure no one could ever use it again."

"Not just erase it," the man corrected. "They wanted to bury it—along with the truth of how we survived. If the history of Arkimedia was ever fully known, it would shake the foundations of the present world. There are those who benefit from keeping the past hidden, Lucy. And they would do anything to keep it that way."

A chill ran down her spine, though she refused to let it show. 

Arkin III set down his fork to drink something from the cup near him. Then, he once again met her gaze.

"We need to return to the library. But, you should have a good breakfast first." he said politely, while gesturing to point at her somewhat uneaten dish.

The library was just as she remembered—vast, domed like a planetarium, the ceiling a moving tapestry of stars. But this time, there was something else. A projection hovered in the center of the room, a planetary model rotating in slow, deliberate motion.

Earthland. And beyond it—another entity.

Lucy stared at it, realization dawning as the projection moved, accelerating toward its inevitable collision.

"In twelve days," Arkin III said.

The words sent a chill down her spine.

There’s no time.

"What are we supposed to do?" she asked, her voice steadier than she felt.

Arkin III stepped forward, his expression grave. "There is only one way to prevent this catastrophe. You must manipulate the Virgo Cluster once again—together with your celestial spirit."

Lucy’s breath caught. "Virgo?"
So, that explains almost everything- Virgo's breakdown at the forest, the spirit king's mission involving the said celestial spirit, her vision of Spica at the cave, and the old Arkin's anticipation of Virgo's heroic act.

She thought about all of it as pieces gradually coming together, yet she could not bring it yet to disclose such revelation with the man in front of her.

Arkin III nodded. "She will be the key to redirecting the planet’s course. But it must be done precisely—we cannot afford to send it hurtling into another civilization."

Lucy frowned. "How do we know where to send it?"

At that, Arkin III raised his hand, and another projection materialized before them.

The Snake Mound.

"My grandfather left us a clue," he explained. "The head of the mound is our starting point. Forty-five degrees from its center—we must send the entity in that direction. That is the only way to ensure it avoids destruction while staying within the gravitational pathways of deep space."

Lucy stared at the projection, committing it to memory. The weight of responsibility pressed heavy on her chest.

She turned to Arkin III, her gaze piercing. "Could you give me a reason to trust you?"

Arkin III did not flinch, nor did he offer an argument. Instead, he simply looked at her with steady eyes. "I could not give you any," he said. "However,  you should trust what you believe to be true."

Before Lucy could respond, a presence stirred behind them. A whisper of movement, too quiet for most to notice.

She warily turned, and her breath caught.

“Luce...’’

Natsu stood in the shadows, glaring intently.