The Sacrifice

Chapter 5

Lucy's POV

Griffon sat on the dark sofa, opposite of my bed.

"Okay, so?" He questioned.

I let out a tired sigh and began to explain.

"When I first traveled to the Realm of the Heavens, I learned that things worked very differently there. For starters, you had to be strong to survive. No one was going to go out of their way to help you, and you would be foolish if you tried to help anyone else. Upon arriving through the portal, I had been dropped in an alleyway near the palace, instead of appearing through the portal in The West Tower of the Royal Castle like I was supposed to. A young woman and a small child sat near the end of the dark passage, and begged for coins, food, or cloth. I of corse felt bad for them, and reached into my pouch to find some spare jewel. Before I had even pulled my hand back out of the bag, the mother had tackled me, and the child was holding a knife to my throat."

"That's... that's horrible." Said Griffon, obviously appalled.

"I was lucky that the Royal Guard was patrolling the streets. One of the soldiers saw what was happening and scared off my two assailants before any serious damage was done."

"Why didn't you fight back? You must have been strong enough." Griffon asked.

"I would have, had I been given the chance, however I later learned that physical violence was strictly forbidden, and if I had tried to fight back, I would have been just as guilty in the eyes of the law." I tried to explain.

Griffon crossed his arms in disapproval of the rules.

"If it's for self defense it should be allowed." He muttered.

"I quickly hardened myself, blocking out all 'weak' emotions, as Ms. Tempestatis instructed. Eventually it worked, I walked by poverty everyday when I went on outings with my teacher and never even noticed the people at my feet. Much of my training was learning to  use my hatred and turning it into a weapon. I fead off of my drive to see my guild burn, and slowly, I felt myself turn cold." I said, remembering everything vividly.

"Is that why you seemed so different? When you came back, I mean." Griffon asked.

"That was part of it, but I also didn't want to see the people I love get hurt." I said.

"But I thought your family was dead and all of your old friends were in the guild?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"There is someone is still care about." I said quietly, blushing.

"Anyways. Back at the fight, that was God Slaying Magic. It was a cancellation spell. I'm not very good at those yet, and they take a lot of stamina from me in order to perform. Oh and when time slowed, that was something I picked up in the Realm of the Heavens too, but it was closer to Manipulation Magic than God Slaying Magic." I said, shrugging.

Griffon's jaw dropped.

"I guess God Slaying Magic really is superior to Dragon Slaying Magic, isn't it?" Griffon said, seeming discouraged.

I thought about it for a bit.

"I wouldn't say that. Both styles have their strengths and weaknesses. In the Grand Magic Games, Wendy tied with a Wind God Slayer, and although I hate to admit it, Natsu did once beat a Fire God Slayer." I said.

"That may be so, but it seems like somethings are superior in the Realm of the Heavens." Griffon sighed.

"What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"Earlier, when you said there was someone you still cared about..." He mumbled.

"Your still on that?" I giggled.

"You met him there didn't you?" He asked, in an accusing tone.

He crossed the room and sat on the bed next to me.

"I didn't 'meet him there.'" I said using air quotes.

"In fact, I met him here in Magnolia." I added, gesturing to the space around us.

"Do I know him? Is he taller than me? Oh God..." He said cupping his head in his hands.

"... It's Gray, isn't it."

I snorted and smacked him playfully on the back of his head.

"No you nitwit, it's not your brother or some mysterious man in the Realm of the Heavens." I giggled.

"Then who is it?" He asked looking me in the eye.

My blush became more prominent.

"It's you stupid." I whispered.

"Oh." He said, and looked away from me.

"I... I like you too."