War and Love

Chapter 2: Setting Out

Sorry this chapter is really long! Sorry about the grammar and spelling.

~Beep beep beep beep~
I reached my hand out in search of the alarm clock I've always regretted buying. After reaching over all my books and knocking some over I find the small piece of lacrima and silence it. I laid there in thought for awhile.

"Today's the day, and I don't even know how I feel. Maybe things will just fall into place, and maybe they won't."

I finally got up and decided to get changed into my Council Uniform. But this one was new. I had received it from Josephine just last night, and I was very excited to put it on. This uniform was different because it had a patch on it that read Council Tactician. After staring at myself in the bathroom mirror for what seemed like hours I was ready to head out. I had packed my bag the previous night to ensure I wasnt missing anything. Josephine had also given me a few materials she said would come in handy on my mission. I swung my bag over my shoulders and immediately fell backwards onto the floor with a loud thump!

"Jeez!" I thought rubbing my butt "Maybe I shouldn't have packed a bag twice my size."

I stood up again, ready for attempt two. I chucked the bag over my back prepared this time, after succeeding I smiled and grabbed my keys. I stood outside of my door for a little bit.

"I feel like I'm forgetting something?" I thought pushing a piece of hair out of my face and behind my ear. "Ah! That's right."

I ran back inside the room and straight towards my drawer. I pulled out my favorite bright orange headband and quickly put it on. I don't usually get to wear my headbands ever since the Council told me it was against policy to wear bright hair accessories. I got back to the door and took one final look at my home, before closing the door and heading out.

I later stood in front of the one place I knew would lead me in the right direction because it always has. "Magnolia Library" I read the the sign aloud to myself and began up the steps.

"Levy! It's been so long!" An old man yelled

"It has, hasn't it!"

I dropped my bag and rushed into the arms of my life-long friend.

"Work has you so busy. It wouldn't hurt you to come visit once in a while." he chuckled

"I'm sorry Papa, I meant to visit occasionally"

I've known Papa my whole life. I would always come to this library in search of adventures, romances, and thrills, but he gave me something no book has ever been able to. That was a friend.

"So Levy darling, what will it be today?" He smiled

"Actually Papa I'm here because of work. I need to do some important research."

"I see, so you're finally moving up on the Council aren't yah?"

"Haha yeah, I am." I told him proudly. "I need information, and this was the first place that popped up in my head."

"Well that is what Libraries are for." He smiled

He then kindly escorted me to the back end of the Library. The way there we laughed, just like old times, as I told him about my little accidents working at the Council Library. We then finally stopped.

"Keep out" I read.

"I know what you're thinking and yes, you will finally be able to come back here with me."

"Really? You never let me back."

"That was because some things beyond this door shouldn't be shared with people. These are ancient books that hold history mankind doesn't yet need to know."

The look on his face scared me, it was new to me. Papa was dead serious about this room and the secrets it held. When I was younger I was always told that I wasn't allowed back there because monsters would eat me. I understand that he wasn't lying. The knowledge behind there was very dangerous.

"I understand."

"Good, now is this information you need very serious?" He said while putting the key into the door.

"Yes, it's about former General Redfox."

His body stopped moving, hands still holding the key.

"Levy..." He whispered.

I could see his face as I walked closer to him. His eyes fixed on the door knob.

"Papa? What's wrong?"

He slowly looked up at me, eyes widened with worry. He grabbed my hand with both of his and held it tightly.

"Tell me" he managed to say "why are you researching him?"

"Papa, I know you're worried but I just need to kno-"

"Levy!" He interrupted "Dont you dare get mixed up with someone like him!"

"Look it's not your decision, I'm sorry. This is really important to me! It's the only way I'll reach my dream."

"You can't! I refuse to help you with such a thing! Finding Gajeel Redfox is suicide! No one's ever found him because they're afraid to. He kills for fun!" He yelled

"Papa you don't understand! I must!"

"No, you don't understand. If you feel you must. Then okay, go into the room." He said letting go of the key, but leaving it.

Papa walked away, and I watched him, tears running down his face. He soon disappeared behind the dozens of shelves. I stood alone, in the large library. It's like I was used to the feeling because it felt better when I was alone. I walked over to the key and finished what Papa had started. You could tell the door was rarely ever opened because it took more strength then usually to open it. Once inside, I felt the wall on the side of the door to try and find the light switch. My hand soon enough found a dust covered light switch. When the lights finally lit up I began my search. The room was small and had only two shelves, but the books where everywhere. The room was filled to the ceiling with books that looks much older than Papa.
Time passed quickly as I went through books one at a time. I was lucky enough to pack my Speed reading glasses, or else this mission would've started off very long. It was about 3:25am when I started to slip and couldn't concentrate on my reading anymore. All I remember reading last was the Sea monsters located around Galuna Island before everything went black.
I awoke with a warm gray blanket around my shoulders, as well as a small platter with a bowl of fruits sitting on it. I was used to falling asleep while reading, but I wasn't used to someone looking out for me. After eating my breakfast and folding up my blanket, I once again began my search for anything on General Redfox. After a few hours and with the help of my glasses I had finished ever book in that small room. I sat down on the little space there was, very confused.

"How did Papa know so much about General Redfox when there's not a single book on him in here?"

I leaned back putting my hand down to hold myself up.

"Ow!" I yelled

I quickly pulled my hand back in front of me to see that it was now bleeding. I stood and rushed over to my bag to grab my bandages. After wiping the blood, I could see that it was a large splinter. I walked back over to the spot I was sitting in to clean the blood, when I noticed the slight difference in the floor board.

"What is this?"

I grabbed the the piece of floor board and with all my strength pulled. Giving up, the board broke and I flew back it a pile of books. Feeling dizzy I took the book off my head that had landed there, and walked over to the broken floor. My eyes widened as I saw an old leather book covered in chains. I read the cover, and knew it was his.

G.R.