Rain in Winter [Gruvia] {The FT Love Chronicles; Book 4}

Chapter Seven

A little note before the chapter: I have completely finished this story! :D Unfortunately, it's my shortest work, and has only 9 chapters. /: BUT a lot happens in the next threee chapters! :D 

I'll post all three chapters tonight, and then get started on book 4.5 "It's a Gruvia Life"! I'll begin posting that one soon! ^_^ 

Juvia grabbed the glass of water and the bowl of soup from the tray before turning to face the wall of glass. She could tell that in the few hours she had worked up the strength to do what she had to, the sun had already begun to set. The days weren't very long in the winter on the mountains, and provided less than ten hours of daylight. She probably only had another hour left before night was fully upon her. She wanted to make it out before then.

She had no idea where she was, so the mountain would be hard enough to navigate in the daylight, let alone trying to find her way around in the pitch black of night. And it was much colder at night. At least her cave offered a little protection from the cold and snow. If she got stuck outside in the middle of the night, she could very well freeze to death. And that wouldn't help me save Gray-sama at all!

Taking a deep breath, she brought the bowl of soup to her lips and gulped it down, knowing there was no time to lose. The now-cold soup hit her empty stomach with a sickening splash, and she nearly got sick from the sudden intrusion in her stomach. Immediately, the blinding pain from Venus's magic coursed throughout her body. She bit back a scream as she fought to remain standing.

Next, just to make sure her plan would work, she drank the glass of water. More pain assaulted her body, and she couldn't hold back a strangled gasp as it ripped from her throat. She dropped the cup and bowl to the floor, bending over slightly as she took shaky breaths against the pain.

According to her guess, it wasn't the water lock that could get through the glass, but Venus's magic. So, if she ate the food and drank the water, there should be enough of Venus's magic inside her body to trick the glass, allowing her to get out of the cell.

Please work! She silently prayed to herself as she stumbled towards the wall. She wasn't even sure she would make it that far, honestly. Her legs felt like lead, and every step sent searing hot pain shooting from her foot to her head and back again.

Juvia cried out in joy when she placed her hand against the glass and it slipped though. Using the last of her energy, she pushed the rest of her body through it. As soon as she was on the other side, she collapsed to the ground, unable to stand any longer.

The pain was excruciating now, and there was no way of stopping it. The only thing she could do as the pain spread was to bite her lips and pull her knees to her chest. I just have to wait it out. It will be over eventually. The magic will wear off, and then I can go to Gray.

Eventually she must have passed out, because when she finally came-to, the cave was beginning to grow lighter. She let out a relieved sigh and leaned against the damp wall of the cave. Although she hadn't wanted to sleep so long, she no longer had to worry about finding her way in the dark. The only thing she really needed to worry about was Venus coming to bring her food and finding her sitting on the cave floor. But I can fight back, because I'm out of the cell.

“Juvia is finally free.” Her voice cracked as she spoke, and she almost broke into tears of happiness. “Not yet,” she reminded herself. Gray was still under Venus's spell, so she couldn't celebrate until he was free, too. My love, I'm coming!

It took several tries before she could stand without the threat of vomiting. The pain was gone, but it had left her incredibly exhausted and nauseous. Come on, Juvia, you have to pull yourself together. Gray is counting on you!