Angel Rising*

3. Welcome To Kelta

Lucy POV:

Addy flew up onto my right shoulder, as I strolled into the Guild. I glanced around the guild, no Natsu or Happy. That's a good sign. I smiled and walked onward. Addy yawned and wrapped her striped Bengal tail around my shoulders and leaned into my neck. I smiled and walked over to the jobs and started quickly scanning for a good one far away from people. Addy and I need to be able to truly stretch and fly, plus its our first time doing so as partners.

After like 10 minutes I finally chose a job, located in Kelta, Northeast forest, beyond the borders of Fiore. Pretty far away, but its worth it. I walked over to the bar where Mirajane was and had her stamp it. She frowned a little but then smiled and wished me luck and told me to 'be careful.' I smiled and told her thanks and waved with my right hand, with my Guild mark. Leaving my beloved Gild for a little over a week to Kelta with my protector, who happened to be an Exceed, Adaline.

Addy snored softly as I stared out the window of the train. I felt a bit lonely without Natsu and Happy, but I had Adaline so I had some company, even though she was snoring softly. No matter how hard I tried to clear my head Natsu's toothy grin kept creeping into my mental vision, known as my warped mind. I sighed and shook my head softly, as if that would help to clear my mind and thoughts. I eventually managed to dose off for a short time period. 

I was dreaming of my mother once again, good memories when my favorite voice echoed from the other train-car. I stirred and yawned, stretching my arms out wide behind my head and then I froze. Shit. That was Natsu's voice on the train. I shivered in fear and strained my ears for more hints to if Natsu was reality or my messed up imagination. I took a sigh and wiped the sweat that was appearing on my bow away and slumped against my train seat. I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. Addy awoke and meowed as she yawned and stretched out her limbs and then her wings appeared and she got off of my shoulders and just flew beside me, her face serious and concentrated. I blinked a few times and then stood up, stretching more and looked back over at Adaline, questioningly.

"What's wrong Addy?" I asked, looking at her. She snapped her head in my direction and swiftly few onto my left shoulder and made a soft hissing sound.

"There is a second Exceed on this train, Mistress." She basically growled, I looked at her weirdly. 

"So what? Exceeds aren't bad." I stated to my crazed feline protector.

"Doesn't matter, I don't trust their race." She said seriously. 

I wanted to laugh at her, because she just said she didn't trust her own species. Well I guess I can see why, I don't exactly trust my species either. Darn I thought that would be clever, I pouted my lip, defeated. I stroked Adaline's fur and smiled.

"Its okay, the next stop is ahead. It's called Delta Bay, we can just fly the rest of the way, deal?" I whispered into her right ear. She sighed and placed a small paw on my cheek.

"As you wish my Mistress. We shall fly from Delta Bay when this beast comes to a solid stop." She said, making the final decision. I smiled. We're bonding :)

The train came to a stop at Delta Bay, Addy and I gathered our belongings, well what little belongings we brought with us. Then we filed into the small line that was forming in front of us. Addy tied her backpack and flew onto my head and sat there as we exited the train. I smiled widely as I took in the smell of homemade fish, cooking and the sweet smell of ocean and forest. I loved the smell. Addy and I decided that it was best that we stopped and got some food before our flight, plus its all seafood. All exceeds apparently have more cat-like traits then they claim and let on. Addy seems to love catfish and flounder, kinda ironic, but I'm not judging one bit. i took a liking to deep fried oysters and fish sticks. After we finished our dishes and I paid in full with what little Jewel I had left. We fled for the outskirts of Delta Bay and into the more mountainy area and land of Delta, known as Sumuse, by the outlanders and Florisha by the mainlanders, or town folks. 

The forests were fearful here and were believed to be haunted by devil dogs. They happen to only come out at night, but some have apparently been seen in the noon of day. I'm not scared, but I might add I am a bit curious to what these 'Devil Dogs' are. I remembered a saying mother used to tell me "Remember Lucy curiosity killed the cat" and moved forward. The devil dogs were for another day, that isn't today. 

So Adaline and I have been flying for about forty minutes now and still have about thirty. We have exactly one day over now. We're getting really close to Kelta now though and night is getting closer by the minute. Luckily when Mira stamped our paper the people who made the request had readied a small tavern room for Adaline and myself. Kelta is fairly small and very traditional, so I gotta kinda walk on eggshells here, but I will make do. I always have in the past and always do.   

Three Days Later:

We have now been in Kelta for three days the room turned out to be small, but nice and very clean. The people here are nice, but very easily frightened and they fear magic, so I told Adaline not to be seen with her wings out and hide my Celestial keys in my backpack. I hate it, but I don't want to frighten anybody or risk my keys getting ruined or burned . The job states that we have to discover who or what is stealing villagers and their goods. So far 11 villagers have turned up missing, rumors are that the evil creature "The Kiania' Devila'" Or 'Child Napper' is the cause. Addy said that she can sense weird magical presences and she's eager to leave here, she's also not been feeling well. saying her headaches are like something is in her head. Things are getting weird here, people are almost turning on each other and children are disappearing more and more by the second. This job is much more serious then I even thought. I want to help these people, but I don't know if I even can. Insanity is dwelling in the village and things are getting uglier by the minute. I hope I can help these people and save all those children, but things are more complicated then I thought possible..... I wish Natsu and Happy were here. The whole team....

I miss you guys...........Natsu I need you, I feel like I'm going insane.........Happy I miss your annoying charm.........Erza I miss you beating Natsu and Gray.............Gray I miss you and Natsu fighting.......and Wendy I miss your sweetness.............

Please help me................