400 years

2

Magnolia- 784- present day

Once back home I'd began my search for the younger brother. The fallen Natsu Dragneel, but his was proving harder than promised. Walking along side the little spring, I pulled out a map from my bag. "Hmm, I'm following the right path.." I hummed out loud. The pathway was a beautiful design made out of cobble stone, surrounded by thick green bamboo.

After another 30 minutes of mindlessly walking I came across a bench, with a quick glance at the time on my phone I decided it was lunch time! I pulled out my bento box and once I'd opened the lid my stomach grumbled with excitement. I had four rice balls, veggies, and some fruit. While snacking at my lunch I looked over my notes for my article. The article its self was about the two brothers and the power they had, in the next month to follow would be the yearly celebration of Zeref's victory. Though me being an outsider of Alakitasia I can't help but wonder.. was Natsu really as bad as they said? Also what's with all the legends of magic, speaking of that.. That odd lighting yesterday and the vanishing girl. The thought sent shivers down my spin thinking how close I was to getting hit by the lightning.

Once finished with my lunch I packed up and continued on my way.  I huffed a sigh at the never ending bamboo and cobble stone. "Might as well take a few photos." I say exasperated while digging through my bag for my camera. I start snapping a few photos and as I'm peeking through the lens..

"Meow!"

"Huh?"

I'm startled by the sudden fuzzy, warm sensation rubbing against my ankles. "A cat, what are you doing out here?" I question, placing the camera back in my bag. I bend down and scoop the cat into my arms. "Oh, what gorgeous green eyes you have little kitty." With excitement I continue my search with my new feline companion. 'Eh, Zeref's shrine was much easier then this.. I know they called him E.N.D but come on!' Huffing this to myself while stroking the blue fur of the cat.

I'm aimlessly walking along while listening to the cats purring when he all of a sudden leaps from my embrace. "What is it kitty?" I ask, though I know he can't answer. He starts prancing around between me and the railing of the walkway, meowing loudly. I squint trying to see through the bamboo with no luck, "Would you by any chance know a short cut?" I say jokingly with a raised eyebrow. The cat looks me dead in the eyes and blinks with a almost smug expression.

"Oh come on! As if you understood me, Eh I think I'm starting to loose it.." Having said this, the thought of the disappearing lady from yesterday flashed through my mind. 'Hmm..' "Nope!" I exclaim while shaking my head. I start turning away as I'm mumbling to myself about this and yesterday's events.

But, my adventure seeking self kicks in.. I whirl around, "Alright cat lead the way!" I exclaim while I jump over the threshold that's separating the bamboo from the pathway.

~•~

I continued fallowing the blue cat for what felt like miles, and at this point I'm disoriented from the strong feeling of being lost.. 'idiot, your going die because..' my thoughts cut off as the bamboo around me started to clear. Gasping upon the view of the moss covered stone steps, leading up to a giant torii gate that stands in front of a cave opening. I quickly take out my camera and start to snap a few photos. That's when I notice the cat sitting in the cave entrance.

Meowing..

"You got to be kidding me! You want me to go in there!?" I exclaim with shock as the cat purrs loudly with a long meow. "No way! Nope, no way in hell!" I yell, while shaking my head.

Once I've calmed, I cross my arms, looking at my surroundings and the dreadful lost feeling returns. So with a sigh and a roll of my eyes..

"CRACK!"

"CRASH!"

Suddenly thunder roars over head and it starts to pour heavy rain. "Gah, Fine!" I yell as I run up the stairs and into the cave. Safely out of the storm, I dig around in my bag for a tiny flash flight that I keep tucked away. The click of the button suddenly illuminated the path that takes me deeper into the cave, all while following the cat.

After a while I began to notice tiny shimmers and flickers floating and the cat bouncing around after them. "Fire flys?" I whisper at the same time I trip on a loose rock. Luckily I catch myself on the wall of the cave, but unfortunately drop my flash light. I watch it roll away then drop off a small ledge, when it lands it's pointing towards a rock formation in the distance. "What in the world is that?" I ask a loud while straighten myself back up.

Judging the ledge before hopping down, I continue on, scooping up my flash light and head towards the huge rock formation. The closer I get the more I can make out. There's carvings of dragon's, warriors, fire.. lots of fire and "Wait is that!" I yell as my hands reach out to touch golden keys in beaded within the stone making a large circle. "The zodiac keys?" I whisper with slight sadness.. "Mama.." touching each key until I come to the only empty spot.

'Aquarius..' the thought comes to me as my right hand clutches the necklace my mother had left me after she'd passed away.. she use to tell me fairy tales behind the gold keys, that once long ago the world held magic and the keys were held by celestial mages. Once she'd left I dismissed the stories, I mean Aquarius was my mother's zodiac sign after all. So i thought it to be just an old antique key..

"Meow!"

The blue cat happily purred and rubbed against my legs. 'Hmm.. I wonder if it fits..' I slipped off the chain from around my neck and removed it from the key. Glancing down at the cat, "Your going to take me home after this right?" I chuckle as he tilts his head and almost smirks. I huff a sigh once more and place the key in the empty spot.

"Nothing.. just as expected.." I whisper as I turn to walk away. 'Must have been stolen from here long ago or something..' But as soon as i thought this the cave starts to rumble like that of an earthquake. I quickly turn back around, where I'm met with sudden brightness. I cover my face and eyes, but I'm stricken with a thin haze of smoke and sparks from flames.