Angel Rising*

9. Natsu Came To See Me

Lucy POV: 

I had Adaline's small bloodied body laying on my lap. She was still breathing, only barely. I couldn't believe she was alive after taking so much damage and pain. She must be in so much pain, I feel sick I should have been by her side instead of taking on the others without her. By this point in time I wasn't sure if I was bleeding or if it was all Adaline's. I was covered in blood and bruises covered most of my skin, my clothes were in shambles and even my wings had signs of severe damage.  

Agnes was bleeding from her neck, but she held ripped dress pieces to it clotting the blood. Even dead bodies of innocent birds littered the foothills. So much sorrow, so much death. It all started because I was being selfish. I wouldn't tell my team, that I had known for almost 5 years now who I really was. I just had to hide my abilities, and look at all this death I had caused. I make myself sick. Just like I baby I sat there and bawled over how much chaos I had caused. 

After I got my thoughts together I got up still very gently cradling Adaline in my arms and I did what I always did, I ran and I ran. I ran as fast and far as I could, I screamed the loudest I could for help. I screamed and I called for help for who knows how long before my lungs and legs gave out. I crashed to the ground, slamming all my weight into my left side so I wouldn't hurt Adaline any worse. I let out a yelp type of sound when my body crashed onto the cold and unforgiving earth. I just laid there stiff, I felt so weak, all of my energy had left me. Even my wings folded back and gave up on me. I tried to scream for help again but the words wouldn't come, only a hoarse and raspy sound escaped. My mind was in panic and my body was in severe pain from exhaustion and my Adaline was dying in my arms. I couldn't even cry anymore, no tears would come, no sound, nothing but silence. My eyes kept fading in and out of consciousness. The last thing I remember before I fell into the darkness was the sound of breaking branches. 

Natsu POV: 

I rushed to the inn I had heard from the towns people Lucy had been rumored to be in. My heart felt fear and excitement to see Lucy again, my body yearned to see her and feel her soft touch again. But in order to do that I had to have a clear head. I kept running until I caught sight of the inn. Erza and Gray were far behind me but I didn't give a shit, I needed to find Lucy. 

I rushed through the front door and started sniffing the air. What I picked up was a 3 day old fading scent of Lucy and an exceed. Suddenly my body shook and I felt more aware than I ever had. I followed the scent outside towards the back of the inn and smelt a new scent,  one of an elderly woman and feathers. Lucy's scent lead me into a forest and towards foothills, close to a lake of sorts. When I found the freshest scent I felt horror. I could smell a large amount of blood and some that smelled like Lucy. I started freaking out. What if something happened to her? What if she was alone and dying somewhere alone? I had to find her no matter the cost. I needed to know my Luce was alive. 

As I searched the plains I found tons of blood puddles mixed with the bodies of birds and weird creatures. I also found an old woman with ripped cloth around her neck. She turned out to be the same one I had smelt earlier. At first glance I thought she was dead, but getting closer I could see chest movement. I bent down and looked at her, then I asked her what happened. Her eyes barely opened at the sound of my voice. When she heard my question she spoke with a hoarse voice,

 "He killed them, he killed them all."

I looked at her and asked who.

"The wolf man, he's after her."

My eyes widened at her words and I put my hands on her shoulders.

"Who is she?! Did she have blonde hair, where'd she go!" I nearly screamed at the old woman, she looked at me sadly.

"Yes, Lucy and Adaline, they're hurt you have to find them" She spoke, her voice fading.

My body froze and my heart broke. Someone had done all this and that man was after the woman I loved with my entire heart. Lucy was out there and she was running and injured. I stared at the woman with fear and anxiously. 

"My friends will be here soon I promise. They'll help you." 

I said and stood up and ran into the woods where the smell of blood was the strongest. I ran with my heart in my throat the entire way. I was but seconds away from the smell when my eyes found a bloody heap of feathers, fur, and .... blonde hair. Lucy's blonde hair. I screamed in fear and ran straight to the heap. I threw myself down beside Lucy and grabbed her into my arms. I felt tears cascading down my face as I held her and kissed her bloodied hair. She wasn't moving very much and was unconscious but she was breathing, I felt thankful I had found her with a beating heart. I cried and held her.  I pulled away and looked at her, her clothes were in complete tatters, her face filthy with dirt and blood smudges, covered in blood from her body and many others, and she had a weird texture to her back, it was soft but filthy and damp with blood. 

I lifted her fail body into my arms along with what appeared to be an exceed with major injuries. I felt my heart sink into my stomach, I need to get her to the guild and Porlyusica, I'm sure they could help them. I couldn't imagine a world without Luce in it, no I refuse to live in a world without Luce, I need her, now and forever. 

I ran with Lucy and the exceed in my arms and screamed for Erza and Gray, I screamed for help as I ran. I needed to get her out of here and somewhere safe. I continued to run towards the hills where the elderly lady was. when I got to the opening of the forest I saw Gray and Erza with the lady and I screamed at them to hep me. When they turned towards me their faces were horrified. 

"We need to get them to the guild~!" 

I screamed, both of them looked at me and nodded. Gray picked up the elder woman and we hurried to Kelta. Dammit I hope to hell they have a doctor. I kissed Luce's forehead and whispered to her that I was going to make sure she was going to be okay no matter what. I also told he that i needed her more than I needed anyone else in the world. I don't know if she heard me, but it felt like it. I swear I felt her hand touch mine that day, but I could have been imagining it. 

Lucy POV:

I was in the dark alone when a light appeared ahead of me. That light was a voice, but not any voice, it was my favorite person's voice.