Angel Rising*

5. Formal Meeting

Lucy POV:

I was sitting on a small stool at the left corner of the bar, Addy was sitting on top of the bar sipping down an orange juice. I sipped my Shirley Temple and sighed. We're still in Kelta, Can't leave until Addy and I fix this issue, sadly we aren't even close to finding out all that much information. The only information so far is the legend and myth of these cat-like beasts, that are as dark as the night with bat-like wings and soul piercing crimson red eyes. The entire village is terrified and living in fear for their lives. Its sad, seeing all these people happy during the day, but scared little puppies and crazies by night. There's something up about this town. Its too strange, but I can't seem to put my finger on it.

I did meet this strange woman yesterday, her name was Agnes. The woman's been here since the beginning of this very village, she's also a wizard. She said she would meet me tonight around to share her gathered information on the demons. Addy's headaches are getting far worse lately, last night she couldn't breathe and she woke up crying over a night vision she had. Being the tough cookie she is you would imagine my fear about this. I don't know what's going on and yesterday I saw something horrifying. Absolutely horrible. An old man was yelling at a young boy and suddenly the kid jumped onto the man and tore his neck out. Today the kid is in a prison cell, the old mans blood still stains the boys teeth. But no one says anything or even shows a scared reaction.

"How can you not have a reaction of fear or sadness or anything Adaline?" 

I asked her confused, I couldn't tell if I was more angry or more upset about all this. Probably both, meeting somewhere in the middle. I have no idea what to do at this point, I'm not sure I can handle much more of these horrifying deaths and attacks. I sighed and just continued to sip my Shirley Temple. 

Adaline POV: 

Suddenly an overpowering headache stormed its attack, so I told Lucy I would be in our Tavern room if she needed me. My head hurt so horribly that the pressure of flying was impossible to handle right now, so I was walking up the stairs. Struggling honestly, my short Exceed legs were not built to walk up so many tall stairs. We were simply meant to fly. 

After some time I made it up to our room and unlocked the door, I plopped  down on the cushions closet to me. I closed my eyes begging for some real rest for once in the entire time we had been here. I felt sick and I felt like my brain was going to explode into millions of pieces. The pressure was suffocating me, I felt like I was going to puke. I had to sit up because the pain was so immense, then it happened I saw something. 

Natsu POV: 

I Kept staring forward at the Guild's doors, Happy was hovering above my shoulder, staring at the doors too. We didn't know what to do with ourselves. My feelings have bee so devoid of emotion lately without her, I just feel so goddamn alone, even though I have the Guild and Happy. Its just not the same.  

I sighed and pushed on the doors, entering the Guild. Happy followed closely behind and onward we walked to where Gray and Erza were, they were talking in low voices and looking oftly suspicious. I know I should have been alarmed by them, but I simply didn't care right know. I sighed again and plopped down right next to Erza. Her and Gray looked surprised. I just stared at them. 

"Natsu you... Startled us." 

Erza said with a strange softness in her voice that I'd never heard. Gray just stared at his hands as he wrung them and continued to stare at them like they were the most important thing that ever existed. 

"We need to tell you somethin, and it ain't good news."  Gray finally said. I looked at them slightly confused, what the hell was going on lately.

Lucy POV: 

I was still sitting down in the lounging area of the tavern when 9:00 rolled around. I was still worried about Addy, I checked up on her at least twenty times since this morning but every time I did I just felt sad. She looked like she was in so make pain, even in her sleep she looked haunted by her visions. 

I was still thinking about my poor companion when someone with extremely bony and wintry hands touched my left shoulder. I jumped and nearly screamed, I got so paranoid that even my wings were fighting me to appear. The breath I had been holding in was released when I saw Agnes' eerie crooked grin. I was some-what relieved, but I was also still a bit on edge over this enter. 

"Well hello my dearest savior, " she said in a voice similar to that of a witch. I faked a smile and gave myself a pep-talk. 'Okay Lucy you can do this, you need her information to be your information. You can press through this, your discomfort over the hundreds of lives that this information can save. I have to contain myself and listen, just get through the conversation. 

"Hello Agnes, thanks for meeting with me tonight." 

I smiled fainted and looked her in the eyes. She smiled sweetly and then motioned for me to come sit. I followed and we sat opposite on the small wooden bench behind the tavern.We looked at each other and then she began to speak softly, so I had to listen carefully. 

"Dearest Heartfilia,  I hoped you'd be the one to take up this job. I know this all will sound weird and creepy, but trust me and bear through it I know you can. I have known you since you a very small child, I was a maid for your father for years and a reliable companion to your mother, Layla. I know your secret and I also know that you and your guardian are the only ones who can help this village." 

I froze when Agnes was telling me all this, I shivered and suddenly I wanted to runaway and never look back, I was shaken to my core. How did she know both my parents, let alone my mother's secret magics. 

"My dear you must believe me I mean you absolutely no harm. Quite the opposite actually. I want to help you and guide you. Its the least I can do for both our mother and fathers love, I owe those amazing people. Such a shame, such a shame about them, they were great people who loved you more than this world could possible. If you were unsure how I would do so, well lovely I happen to posses the powers of the Avian. I have two types of old magic, one being transformation much like yourself and the power to connect with any creature with avian decent. I can help you, for I am not an ancient useless old hag." She smiled.

"Agnes... I'm a little speechless excuse my strangeness." I  said shakily. 

"In all time you will understand my lovely. As for the Kiania' Devila those creatures are a mythical being with the power to control and take over human hosts, they destroy the brain of humans and turn them into cannibal beasts. With nothing more than pure animal instincts, and not the good ones.  They raid the villages for our meats and children. Taking over simple-minded humans and raping whoever  and whenever they want. Usually when a person is in the wrong place at the wrong time. I lost my own 7 year old nephew to them bastards. The only thing that seems to stop them is light, they get skittish when the sounds of other predators are near also. Hence Adaline comes into place and yourself, you both posses  the powers of the beast and that of light and purity. Both very rare and ancient magics. They are usually seen towards dusk, dawn, and mid evenings and always at night. They seem to retreat towards the Gucaka forest." 

I felt angry, these creatures had to go and it seems Adaline and myself were the only wizards who could compete this mission and restore this village. I need to go tell Addy and we need to head out towards Gucaka forest the next chance we got and of course Agnes would guide us there like she promises. I'm sure of it. I may barely know this woman, but I trust mom's opinion and her bonds, I can tell she speaks of truth. WE will solve this problem get our reward and then we will book it home and see my teammates again. How I missed Natsu and Happy's annoying voice. I missed them so much, Natsu I trust you are keeping everyone in check. o.I'm counting on you to. I need you guys to be strong to.

As for me and Adaline damn we have quite the road of mayhem ahead of us. Mom guide us to success and let us all get out of this damn mission alive and well.