Can I Really Love A Shadow?

Chapter Sixteen: Aelia's Story

Hey guys! I am breaking this chapter up a bit because, I wrote a lot for this chapter and felt like it would be a lot to handle. So here is the first section. Vote, Comment, and Share!

So far Aelia, the exceeds and I have been flying on top of Soren for roughly two to three hours. I couldn't exactly tell where we were or what time it was since the scenery we would fly by would change quickly because of Soren's speed. I looked off into the distance, the moon was up and the stars were out.

"Aelia how far do you think we have until we reach Malba City," I asked turning my attention to the woman sitting only a couple inches away from me, she was using a pair of golden reigns to steer Soren. I heard her whisper something to her owl then turn her head slighty making her hair wildly whip to her left.

"We will make it there by daybreak. Have faith Lucy, it is very hard to severely injury a dragon-slayer," Aelia disclosed. I bit my lip, nervously. I hope she is right. I couldn't bear the thought of one of the boys getting hurt or even worse. "Trust me Lucy, Soren will get us there."

"I believe you," I answer, letting my eyes drop down to the two exceeds still in my arms. Thirty minutes into the flight, they had fallen asleep from exhaustion. I ran my hand over their fur. If anything these two have the most to be worried about. leaving their slayers behind and not knowing what would happen to them or the boys. It's heartbreaking. I let out a shaky breath.

"Don't let feelings of uncertainty cloud your mind," Aelia murmured. I stared at her ebony figure.

"I am just worried," I admitted, "I've never truly been put in the position to rescue people. Most of the time Natsu and the others from Fairy Tail come for me. What if I mess up?" Feelings of overwhelming uncertaintity sat at the bottom of my stomach.

"That is what your training is for," She chided, "do you remember what I told you the day we started your training?"

"I do," I agreed.

"Repeat it, please," She demanded softly. I was slightly taken aback by her command but did as she told me.

"Everytime I train, train with the motivation and purpose that I will be the hardest person someone had to defeat," I recited instantly. Even though she had her back to me, I knew she was smiling gently.

"Good, that is what I want you to remember from here on out," She preached, "no one will be able to stop you with that mindset."

"I will," I promised. The unsettling feeling began to dwindle as confindence replaced the negative feelings. I can do this. I can rescue, and prove to that blonde bee that I should come back on missions with them. The two of us fell into a comfortable silence; the only sounds that were audible were that of the exceeds soft snoring and the wind whipping past our faces. I turned my attention back to the ever changing scenery then to the stars that were out. I stargazed a bit pointing out all the zodiac signs in the skies and some other constellations that I could find. Then it hit me, I darted my eyes around trying to find one constellation.

"Where is your constellation, Aelia?" I pondering. I turned my head to look at her.

Her back straightened up a bit by my question. "I no longer have a constellation. Mine was removed years ago."

I stared at her in disbelief. Never had I heard that a constellation was removed, especially for a celestial spirit. "What do you mean removed."