"Learn to block an attack, Jellal," Natsu threw his sword on the ground, and wiped his fringe back from his forehead, "You're not getting anywhere by just attacking."

    "You're one to talk," Lucy hissed, earning a glare from Natsu, he opened his mouth to retaliate but was beaten by Erza.

   "Can you guys just shut it?" her eyes were seething, as she picked the sword up from where Natsu had thrown it. Gray had been ordered to pack-up the tents, so there was enough space for training. Erza hadn't been kidding when she said that we'd train at six.

    The bloody sun rose at six, so she didn't have any trouble throwing away our excuses and dragging us outside.

    "As much as I hate to admit it," she grinned drily, turning to face me, "Natsu's right. This isn't about wildly attacking the enemy - it's a matter of life and death. And if you need to defend, you defend."

    I nodded, more afraid that Erza was just moments away from chopping me than agreeing. I believed that emotions made you stronger since it added a passion to what you were doing.

    Maybe Erza would say differently, if she were allowed to attack Acnologia, on the day her Mother died... maybe, just maybe, she might have even killed him.

    The hilt of a sword struck me, winding me, and I gasped, glaring back at Erza. She seemed unimpressed, "You need to pay attention, Jellal!"

    "Well, it's not my fault that none of your training is useful! You're a Vampire, how're you supposed to teach humans?!"

    I realized too late that I had properly struck a nerve, and Lucy tried hesitantly to intervene as a vein popped in Erza's forehead, "E-Erza, I'm sor-"

    "Save it," she snarled, "Let's see just how 'good' I am at teaching puny humans," I gulped, at her words, and held my sword up once again, "Just remember one thing, Fernandes-"

    I nodded weakly, and she continued, "If you ever, ever, question me again for no evident reason - I will cut you."

    "Yes, Ma'am," 

    We began circling each other, and I was aware of Natsu's eyes trained on my back; suddenly, the sky turned black, stars being able to be seen.

    "What the-" Erza seemed startled, but her hesitation didn't allow my strike to reach her, she simply blocked with her blade, and stepped closer to me, "Doesn't matter."

    I expected the sky to turn back to normal - perhaps it was just a trick to our eyes; we were in a forest, for Mavis's sake! If anything, the ink-blue turned to a midnight-black, filled with tiny crystal-like dots. 

    "Stop being a wuss and attack me, Fernandes," Erza's voice was low and hostile, "Or do I have to baby you and help you myself? Can't even use a sword, damn it, what use are you to a Vampire prophecy?"

    I snorted, forgetting about my physical attraction to her, and just focussing on her sword, "I'll show you that humans are on par with Vampires, if not above, Belserion."

   She lunged towards me at once, and I rolled on the ground, leaves crunching beneath me; acting my reflex, I parried each of her strikes, getting back up on my legs. 

    "Nice," she commented, before slashing again, splitting open my shirt, "But not good enough."

    I grinned, "Accept defeat, Erza, you can't get over my manliness."

    She scoffed, doing a backflip, as I stabbed towards her, Natsu snorted in the background and ushered Lucy over to help her - Lucy wasn't as good with a sword as Gray had turned out to be, but she was incredibly smart.

    "Don't. Lose. Your. Damn. Attention. Fernandes." Erza punched my shoulder, and I quickly drew away, "If that was a sword, someone could've slit your throat."

    "How 'bout we call it a day if you lose, Belserion?" I spat, half-playfully-half-serious, "Maybe you could even serve me for a week or somethin',"

    She rolled her eyes and continued to duel with me, through gritted teeth she hissed, "I'd be surprised if we even drew."

    "I could settle for a draw."

    I glanced up at the sky quickly, which was still noire, and closed my eyes. I could tell Erza was done with me losing attention, but my instincts were screaming inside my head. 

   Taking a breath, I inhaled the cold, clean forest air, putting my hands on top of each other with my index and middle fingers spread out, "Let the seven stars bring judgment upon you, Shichi Seiken..."

    "Grand Chariot!" 

    There was a flash of brilliant golden light, which blinded me, but only for a second, before I collapsed on the floor, more winded than ever and panting.

    Erza grinned widely at me, crouching down next to me, and stroking my back softly, "Hey Erza," Natsu broke in, mirroring Erza's smile.

    "Mhmm?" she asked.

    "Maybe these humans are meant to help us after all."

~~~

"Are you sure none of you have any Vampire blood in you?"

    I scoffed; Erza had explained that I would need to work on my 'spells' before they were powerful enough to take down anyone. Gray had been ecstatic, and he and Lucy had spent pretty much the whole afternoon trying to find out their magic.

   "That magic can't be a common or noble's, Erza," Natsu repeated, clearly annoyed, "And he can't be a pureblood, we'd have known by the smell." His nostrils expanded in disgust.

    "Are you saying I stink?!" I hissed, and Erza rolled her eyes, standing up.

    "He's just saying that you're human, Jellal. Don't get your boxers in a twist," she mocked, and I felt my face light up, "But it means you three were chosen for a reason."

    "Yep," Natsu nodded enthusiastically, as Gray and Lucy entered the tent we were in, "Even stripper here probably has some kind of power - maybe, I dunno, hamster saving?"

    "Shut your mouth, Flame-brain," Gray seethed, "Mine'll be better than stinking fire."

    "What was that, Elsa?!"

    "Where'd you get that from, Pink Porcupine? Your mind as scorched as your fire?"

    "You look like a girl, Horse-f-"

    "Quiet!" Erza screeched, a dagger appearing in her hand as if she wanted to throw it. Lucy moved away from the red-haired girl with a scowl.

    "You can't be always telling us what to do, Er- I MEANT, WE'RE AT YOUR SERVICE, MA'AM,"

    "Right." she nodded, pleased. Natsu suddenly turned around to the mouth of the tent, where a silver-haired woman was entering, "Mira, you're back!" Erza smiled.

    "Yep," Mira's ice-blue eyes held my gaze for a second, "I - I had to do something, some kind of creature was prowling around outside, and it was setting me on edge."

    "What was it?" I asked.

    "I think you'd better come with me and see, Jellal," she replied, her voice grave.

    "Wouldn't it be better to send Erza, or- or Natsu?" I stuttered at Mira, but Erza simply pushed me to my feet firmly. Her eyes were sparkling, but it was obvious that she was just trying not to think about the incident that had happened at the palace.

    "If you need my assistance, just call, Princess," Erza called out, laughing.

    I followed Mira out, and called from my shoulder, "Oh don't worry, Sugar, I will. But I don't think I'm going to be the one screaming your name," I smirked, avoiding Mira's gaze. Gray and Lucy seemed to be teasing Erza behind me. By the sound of it, Natsu seemed to be howling with laughter.

    When I looked up, though, Mira wasn't smiling, "Over here."

    My grin dropped immediately, as I followed her gaze. It was a little beyond Natsu's enchantments.

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→❤⚘This Chapter was written Phoenix⚘❤←

Word Count: 1303