The Fire Within (#Wattys2014)

Chapter 19-Lucy's POV (dream)- The Stars and Royalty

I closed my eyes for only a minute after looking at Natsu. He had come to save me. I knew that Fairy Tail would never leave me. When I opened my eyes again, I was in a strange land where the sky was pitch black with thousands of stars. I could see planets swirl around my head. There were images of the Zodiac symbols, stars and planets on every building. This must be the Celestial Spirit World which my Zodiac friends talked so much about. It was so beautiful. Now I know why they speak of it so often.

When I looked around me, I noticed that I was no longer in the tattered blue and white outfit that I normally wear. Instead I was wearing a pretty blue dress with gold embroidery in the shape of a heart in the middle of it. My hair was no longer down but instead it was in twin ponytails on the side of my head. I had heard that only a person wearing celestial clothes could enter the Celestial Spirit World, but that was rare. Why was I called? What was my purpose in such a beautiful place like this?

 I began to walk down the streets, which seemed endless, when I came to what looked like an outdoor throne room. Suddenly I felt the wind pick up and a giant of a man was standing before me.  He was dressed in full plate armor in the color of turquoise and gold; his helmet was the same colors with a peacock feather on the top and adorned with horn-like features on its sides. His skin was blue with red piercing eyes and long white whiskers. I was terrified. What did I do?

It was then when I was trembling in fear when he spoke, “Welcome my granddaughter, princess of Fiore and the Celestial Spirit World, Lucy!” He boomed.

This startled me.

“I..I am your granddaughter?” I asked sheepishly.

“So your father never told you. Yes I am your grandfather, the Celestial Spirit King. Your mother was my only child. You look so much like her.” He explained calmly.

I couldn’t hold back my shock or my emotions. He probably brought me here to punish me.

“I am so sorry! I’m the reason your daughter is dead. Its all my fault because I was born! I understand if you want to punish me, I deserve it.” I wailed.

  It was then that the Celestial Spirit King did something that amazed me. He shrank down to my size, knelt down before me and hugged me. My own father never once hugged me but my grandfather who I just met did.

“Shh, its okay. I don’t hate or blame you for what happened. My daughter knew what she was doing. There is a law in this world that only one Celestial Spirit princess can be alive at a time. Your mother wanted you to have the best life possible, full of love and joy. I could not ask for another granddaughter as beautiful and as loving as you. You are loved more than you could ever know.” He said as I continued to cry into his shoulder. It is as if I knew him my entire life and at last, I felt at peace.

 I did not know how much time had passed, but then I realized something. “If you are not going to punish me, grandfather, than why am I here?” I asked.

“Ah I was wondering when you would ask that. You must have noticed that something sinister is happening in the castle. Well I have been noticing it as well and I believe that your father and his personal guard are under a dark spell. Only you and your friends can put a stop to it.” He said looking me directly in the eyes.

“Me, what can I do? I am still afraid of him.” I stuttered.

“Forgiveness is a powerful weapon, but you will also need tools to help you along the way.” He stated as he began to walk away.

 He reached into a fire brazen and grabbed a handful of the fire. It shimmered like the night sky with hues of dark blue, gold and silver within it.

“This is illo igne, or “Celestial Fire”, one of the rarest flames in all the cosmos. The only one who can wield it is a true and beloved friend of the Celestial Spirit princess. It cannot be extinguished and it can destroy any dark spell.” He said as he handed me the flame.

At first I was nervous to hold it but it was cool to the touch.

 As I admired the flames, he went to an armory and pulled out a whip and a curved sword. The whip was made out of blue and gold stardust. The hilt of the sword was blue with gold etching that matched my dress.

“The whip’s name is fleuve d’etoiles, “the river of stars”, and the sword is called stella gladius, the “star sword”. The whip can stretch itself longer than any normal whip and gets stronger as the user does. The stella gladius is an inestructable blade that has the same power as the illo igne in that it can destroy any dark spell. Use them well and when you wake, you will know what to do. May the stars guide you my child.” My grandfather said as began to fade away.

Now I knew that my friends and I could win and save the kingdom.