The Forbidden Key

Twenty One

The creature lunged at the bubble destroying it. Juvia had no trouble breathing, she grabbed onto Gray and reached for Aria. She gasped as she saw Aria be tackled by the serpent's weight.

Above Sayo laughed darkly, "How do you feel being held back Aria!?" She said laughing. 

Aria pulled out Heiwa and slammed it into the serpent. Heiwa shattered. 

Aria growled, "Ginga...2nd guardian form" Aria appeared in her armor and escaped the serpent's weight. 

"Juvia go! Take Gray!" Aria shouted, seeing the surface above them. Sayo appeared in front of Aria and slammed her boot on Aria sending her flying down. 

"Oops," Sayo said smiling her eyes glowed an odd red. Aria extended her hand, "Star Blast" the attack charged towards Sayo. Sayo pulled out a whip and destroyed the blasts. 

"What?" Aria gasped. Sayo rocketed towards Aria, Aria held up Ginga and blocked Sayo creating so much force the water parted away from them. Aria charged and slammed into Sayo and swung her spear. The serpent then appeared. 

"Lunchtime, my dear Hebi" 

The serpent dove at Aria. "Water slicer!" She heard, looking up she saw Juvia appear. The serpent slithered back. Aria dove her spear through the serpent. 

"Hebi!"Sayo shouted. Aria raced forward and punched Sayo, Sayo turned angrily and slamming her hand over Aria's stomach.

 Aria gasped coughing a bit of blood she was sent flying backward against the force of water, she flew out the water and spotted Lucy and the rest.

She made eye contact with Lucy for a moment, Lucy called out to Aria as Aria slammed back into the water, she sank feeling her vision get dark. She then felt someone grab her hand. She blinked and saw Ray, Ray gave her a thumbs up and swam towards Juvia. Juvia grabbed Aria and held her steadily, "Take Aria above," Juvia said. Ray nodded and started to swim up, Aria slipped out his grasp shaking her head. 

"I need to stop Sayo," She said. Ray's eyes reflected protest, Aria nodded in reassurance and dived down. 

Juvia pulled Aria, "Aria I only have known you for a bit but I care for you and there is no way I'm gonna let you go get hurt like this"

Aria felt her eyes widened, "Care for me?"

"Yes, and if I can still fight then I will protect you," Juvia said. "Water slicer!" She shouted attacking the snake. Sayo laughed and lunged towards Juvia. Aria stopped Sayo with Ginga but behind her was Ray, as support. Sayo growled and swam back. 

"Star shield," Aria said creating the shield in foment of her. 

"Ray head up, you can't hold your breath this long," Aria called out. Ray held a look of protest, Aria shot him a quick look. He closed his eyes but nodded, swimming up. 

Juvia started launching a series of attacks, but they only affected the snake and Sayo seemed unfazed. 

Aria gritted her teeth, "Star Blast!" Sayo was sent backward. The snake swam to stop Sayo and swam back.

Sayo pulled out her whip, the water suddenly felt different. Sayo swung her whip up and the water separated between Juvia and Aria. The ground was far down, the water on Juvia's side suddenly rose and plummeted towards the ground. Juvia suddenly was sent failing down, Juvia's face was filled with confusion and a bit of fear. Aria gasped and ran reaching out for Juvia, Her fingers brushed Juvia's as the water Mage fell.

"Juvia!" Aria cried out jumping after her. Sayo laughed darkly as the two disappeared into the dark. 

EDITED 02/21/20